Bay Area Houston Magazine May 2015

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

May 2015 www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com

Owners Beau and Kimberly Harding Announce:

Kimberly Harding Group is now

RE/MAX Synergy Bay Area home sales on the rise

Spring inspired beauty & fashion

Is the Infiniti QX70 for you?

Surge protection for Galveston Bay

features

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ON THE COVER Kimberly Harding Group owners, Kimberly and husband, Beau, celebrate their new franchise, RE/MAX SYNERGY.

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President & Chairman Rick Clapp Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane

Graphic Designer Kelly Groce

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Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Cathy Osoria Pat Patton Logan Timmins Digital Strategy Consultant Pierr Castillo Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

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Distribution Shinkle Distribution

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Dental Health

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RE/MAX Synergy

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On the rebound

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League City Thriving

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CCISD Bond Savings

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Maritime & Petrochemical

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Bay Area Houston Healthcare

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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

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Lunar Rendezvous Festival

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Galveston Bay Surge Protection

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Sylvan Beach Triathlon

Facts vs. myths on dental implants Kimberly and Beau Harding approved for RE/MAX franchise Bay Area Houston home sales rising City grows bigger and bigger Savings are adding up March collision required out-of-the-box thinking Houston Methodist St. John’s National Doctor’s Day State of the economy Astronaut named Golden Jubilee King Goal now is to provide a plan Race coming up June 13-14

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Movers & Shakers

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Clear Lake Chatter

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Texas Meditations

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Logan’s Love List

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In Wheel Time

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The Admiral’s Log

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Lakewood Yacht Club News & Events

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Home Sweet Home

Ellen Ochoa They took time to remember Looking for patterns May flower power Luxury meets practicality The wade fishermen’s time of the year Shoe regatta Creating custom art

50 CLICK!

Blessing of the fleet

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

281.474.5875

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Judges present bright report

40 Light@Work Carlos Murphy gets his dream

Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission. Advertising rates are available upon request.

www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com R.Clapp@Baygroupmedia.com

State of the Counties

columns

Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan

Sales & Marketing Shannon Alexander Debbie Salisbury Logan Timmins

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

Main Events Calendar of events for Bay Area Houston

MAY 2015 Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

The 2015 Charles Jacobson Award winner, Alan Clark, third from left, proudly displays the award he was presented at the BayTran luncheon.

With his are, from left, BayTran Chairman Jon Branson, Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and President Barbara Koslov.

Kemah Mayor Bob Cummins, right, and City Administrator Rick Bevelin were among the many city officials at the State of the Counties Luncheon.

State of the Counties bright, judges report

By Mary Alys Cherry

O

ne of the highlights

of the year for Bay Area Houston is the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership State of the Counties Luncheon, and this year’s certainly didn’t disappoint.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry and Brazoria County Judge Ed Sebesta each took the podium and updated the crowd on both transportation and infrastructure projects in their counties.

Emmett, after suggesting they all need to work together, expressed dismay over the proposed widening of Highway 146 that runs though Seabrook and Kemah – calling it “the most important transportation project” and “right now it is not even an official item.” Yet, it is seen as a bypass to I-69 when that is completed.

Henry spoke of a proposed bridge from Galveston to Pelican Island, which he told the crowd they could “expect it to be a game changer,” and proposed transportation projects along Highway 146 and 646, explaining that these projects are needed to keep up

with the county’s growth. League City is the county’s fastest growing city with its population projected to be 200,000 by 2030.

Sebesta told how Brazoria County is spending billions on transportation projects – including $800 million on Highway 288 -- and completing work on damage from Hurricane Ike and keeping up with growth.

Afterwards, Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, a BayTran board member, presented the Charles A. Jacobson Transportation Award to Alan C. Clark, director of transportation and planning for the Houston-Galveston Area Council – an award Clark called “a tremendous honor,” while noting that Jacobson, a retired McDonnell Douglas vice president and GB Tech president, founded BayTran more than 15 years ago to help solve some of the area’s transportation problems.

BayTran President Barbara Koslov and Chairman Jon Branson, who is also is Pearland’s deputy city manager, also spoke to the crowd, as did Brazoria Commissioner Stacy Adams, Galveston Commissioner Ken Clark and Harris County Toll Road Authority Executive Director Gary Trietsch.

League City Councilman Tommy Cones, from left, joins former Congressman Nick Lampson and Guidry News owner Jim Guidry as they await the start of the State of the Counties Luncheon at the Hobby Marriott.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry and Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta, from left, stop for a photo together after addressing the crowd at the 2015 Bay Area Transportation Partnership’s State of the Counties Luncheon.

Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria chats with Port Commissioners John Kennedy, left, and Clyde Fitzgerald at the State of the Counties Luncheon.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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8 TIPS TO PROTECT TEENS ONLINE The Internet is a great place for information and communication, but it’s also a source of worry for parents with teens. Dangers from predators lurk online. Plus, teens often don’t realize that the comments, photos, and videos they post can later create problems. Here are some steps to take: 1. Have a family “tech talk.” Tell your kids about online dangers, including cyber bullying, overexposure on social networks, and inappropriate content. Voice your concerns and establish some rules. The basic one, “If you wouldn’t say it, do it, or watch it with me in the room, it’s not okay.”

2. Activate parental controls. Most computers and mobile devices come with parental control settings, plus there are apps you can download and parental control settings on sites like Netflix, YouTube, and iTunes.

3. Friend your kids on Facebook, follow them on Twitter. Let them know you’re seeing their posts.

Make sure only their friends can see what they’ve put on Facebook.

Remind them that tweets live in cyberspace forever. Relate some of the horror stories that have happened to kids on social media.

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4. No sleeping with phones, tablets, or laptops. At night all portable devices belong plugged into a power strip or charging station in a public place, such as the kitchen.

5. Keep desktop computers out in public. Never install a desktop in a child’s bedroom. Keep the monitor in plain sight in the family room, living room, den or other welltrafficked part of the house.

6. Know all their passwords. Get your kid’s passwords for email, social media accounts, and all other sites they visit. If they balk, explain that when you let them use this technology, they waive any expectation of privacy. This is no different from companies who can monitor all employee activities on the technology they provide.

7. Monitor activities. Check your teen’s devices regularly. Monitor social posts, browsing history, emails, and texting. This seems obvious, but many parents don’t keep up with what their kids do online, with disastrous results.

8. Be a role model. If you want your kids to use technology wisely, do so yourself. Curtail your own smartphone use. No cell phones or tablets at the dinner table. Institute a weekend family day when all electronic devices are left off.

Show kids they can survive just fine without technology.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

DENTAL HEALTH

Facts vs. Myths About Dental Implants

I

n less than two decades,

dental implants have revolutionized the dental industry by becoming the clear choice, as well as the standard of care for replacing lost or missing teeth. No other treatment option in history of modern dentistry has ever gained so much momentum in such brief period of time.

Chances are, our children will only learn about dental bridges and removable appliances in their text books (or Wikipedia), alongside other obsolete treatments such as bloodletting and electroconvulsive shock therapy.

Perhaps that’s mainly why so many patients and practitioners still are on the fence about dental implant treatment. This reluctance on the part of both clinicians and patients to recommend and choose dental implants in my opinion is largely due to several myths surrounding dental implants. The purpose of this article is to examine these myths from a factual and scientific point of view. Here are some of the more common concerns that my patients and colleagues have expressed to me.

1. MYTH: Dental implants cost more than other traditional options.

FACT: The cost of dental implants can vary based on the usual factors such as geographic location, individual office fee policies and overhead, experience and reputation of practitioner, and degree of difficulty. However, the same is true with almost any other service or product such as dental bridge and, partial or full denture. Dental implant treatment consists of three separate parts; implant body, implant abutment and the crown. The body is the titanium cylinder that is placed inside the jawbone. The abutment is the part of the dental implant that is placed on top of the dental implant body once it has successfully integrated with the jawbone. The Implant crown is very similar to the natural tooth crown you receive at your dentist office. It is usually made out of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal in the shape of the intended tooth and is fixated to the abutment the same way a porcelain crown to a natural tooth.

In my office a single dental implant procedure with includes all three parts, actually costs less than a fixed dental bridge. In my opinion what has given rise to this myth is mainly the fact that insurance companies have been slow to include dental implants as a viable treatment option.

In other words, dental Implants popularity has risen faster than federal and state legislation process.

While some insurance companies have elected to voluntarily extend coverage for them, most are waiting for state legislators to officially mandate them to do so. This coverage limbo, however, should not play a vital role in our choice of treatment options. The main emphasis should be what is best for the patient, both in short and long term. Insurance companies have determined that the average lifespan of a fixed dental bridge is between 5-10 years.

For that reason, almost all insurance companies will often pay to replace a bridge as frequently as every five to six years. That means, every time the bridge needs to be replaced, the patient has to pay at least half or more of the cost each time each time it occurs. And every time a dental bridge is replaced, the likelihood that the teeth serving as abutments will fail increases. In my office, a properly cared for dental implant can last a life time. Therefore, while the short term cost of a fixed bridge will be split between patient and his insurance provider, in the long run the fixed bridge will certainly cost more out of pocket than a dental implant.

While dental professionals do not agree on everything, there is one thing that all dental professionals, as well as American Dental Association unanimously agree upon. Effective daily brushing and flossing is clearly the most important factor in preserving natural teeth. A fixed bridge greatly hinders a patient’s ability to effectively remove plaque and tartar build up from under the bridge without damaging the delicate gum which almost certainly leads to recurrent decay and gum disease between the bridged teeth.

That is why fixed bridged post teeth are five times more likely to be compromised than non-bridged teeth. The other option is removable teeth, also known as partial denture.

Unfortunately they have even more serious flaws than fixed dental bridges. Most patients are not satisfied with this alternative due to the bulk of metal and acrylic and the unsightly clasps necessary to stabilize the prosthesis. About half the patients who choose this option can’t eat with them -- which is why they end up spending more time in their pocket, purse, or drawer than their mouth.

Another major consequence of this option is the bone loss that occurs due to the absence of bone stimulation that is normally exerted on jawbone by natural tooth root. Many patients complaint that biting forces will cause the partial to move and shift because its design lacks a secure connection.

Next month we will discuss other myths surrounding replacing lost teeth and dental implants.

statistics than one can often provide for natural teeth! When faced with a tooth that might require crown lengthening and extensive restorative work with a questionable prognosis, a much more predictable alternative is often removal of that tooth and placement of a dental implant.

2. MYTH: Tooth #3 is missing and #2 and #4 are heavily restored and require crowns anyway. It is probably best to provide this patient a 2 x 4 bridge instead of an implant at #3.

FACT: Dental implant placement is one of the most comfortable procedures performed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, allowing most patients to resume normal activities the following day!

FACT: While this appears reasonable when taken at face value, it is not logical. If teeth #2 and 4 were virgin teeth, no one would argue that an implant should certainly be placed at #3 to avoid having to unnecessarily prepare these unrestored teeth.

However, when one thinks logically, why would a clinician take two heavily restored teeth, crown them, and then hang a third tooth onto them, thus increasing their load? The logical thing to do would be to crown each of these teeth individually and then perform a dental implant at #3 and let each of the three teeth stand alone supporting only themselves.

Thus, one does not unnecessarily increase the load on already compromised teeth.

These are just some of the myths surrounding dental implants.

Our challenge as clinicians is to educate our patients regarding the predictability and desirability of anatomic replacement of missing teeth by adding dental implants rather than settling for subtractive dentistry with bridgework and partials. Many patients have already accepted the life-changing benefits of dental implant treatment. As these numbers continue to increase, the positive “buzz” surrounding dental implants will also increase and patients will become more active consumers of these services.

3. MYTH: Implants are somewhat experimental.

FACT: Implants not only are no longer experimental with 40 years of data behind them, they now are the standard of care. Straumann provides international statistics of 96 percent success rate for dental implants and other implant companies provide similar success rates. These are better

4. MYTH: Implants in the anterior region are not as aesthetic as bridgework.

FACT: Implants actually provide greater aesthetics than bridgework when properly placed. The key is proper site preparation prior to the implant placement.

5. MYTH: Implant placement and associated bone or soft tissue grafting are very painful.

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.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Movers &Shakers Name: Ellen Ochoa

Occupation: Director, Johnson Space Center Hometown: La Mesa, Calif. (a suburb of San Diego) Current home: Clear Lake Family: Husband Coe Miles (an intellectual property attorney, engineer and chef), two teenage sons, and a strange-looking dog (American Hairless Terrier) named Sirius, after the dog star.

Recent book I’ve read: The Martian

by Andy Weir. I appreciated his main character’s MacGyver-like approach to survival and his sense of humor, even after a year of eating nothing but potatoes.

Plus, I definitely want to use pirate units in my next back-ofthe-envelope calculation.

Someone I’d like to meet: J.J. Watt – I admire his combination of excellence and enjoyment of life. That 55-inch box jump video is amazing.

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Whichever astronaut is currently living on the International Space Station.

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Mars (round trip, please).

My favorite space food is: Space S’mores – marshmallows and a chocolate bar stuck to a tortilla with peanut butter, rolled up and

Lessons in Recovery

A

toughest challenge Last year, Clear Brook High School wrestler Patrick Spencer was on the mat, fighting a tough opponent. “When I attempted a grab, my arm got caught as his body was moving past mine,” he said. A shoulder shouldn’t bend that way.

Fearing the worst, Patrick and his family went to the emergency department at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

An MRI revealed a posterior labrum tear – potentially devastating news for Patrick’s wrestling pursuits. Dr. Shaun Holt, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, and his team repaired the injury without complication. “The healing time for this kind of injury is always going to be considerable, but with proper surgery and rehabilitation, recovery is possible,” Holt explained.

Dedication to Rehabilitation

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A cowboy; then I found out what it pays I chose my career because: Are you kidding? What could possibly be a more awesome career than astronaut?

Advice I would give my younger, 8th grade self: In fact, girls will be allowed to be astronauts some day! (Then maybe I would have taken chemistry or physics in high school rather than waiting until college.)

I like my job because: I have the most talented team imaginable!

effectiveness in injury prevention and postsurgical rehabilitation to return our patients to their previous level of activity,” said Nadya Rawls, clinical manager and physical therapist at Houston Methodist St. John Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center.

Patrick says the entire injury and rehabilitation experience helped make him a better wrestler. “I can now protect myself from • Board certified these kinds of injuries sports clinical and I have found specialist a higher level of competition,” he said.

• Sports residentPatrick got back on trained therapists the mat and, along with his teammates, • Manual and competed at the orthopedic District level. fellowshipAfter graduating trained from high school this therapists June, summa cum laude, Patrick will attend Brigham Young University and major in computer science with an emphasis on animation. He’s still training and staying in shape, and looks toward future wrestling club competition while away at college.

At Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, an elite team of specialized clinicians provides individualized care in a dynamic atmosphere where prevention meets performance. Their premier sports medicine therapy program employs the most highly trained, educated and experienced therapists, including:

torn tendon becomes young wrestler’s

Over the next six months, Patrick got to know Steve Tran, the head athletic trainer at Clear Brook High School, very well. “Resilience and perseverance are qualities that are needed on the mat during a match and during rehab in order to bounce back and overcome any injuries that may occur,” Tran said. “Patrick came to his postsurgical

put in a food warmer. Out of this world!

rehab ready and willing to work hard as he does every day, whether he’s on the mat practicing or at a meet.”

In addition to patient determination, proper physical therapy plays an important role in successful recovery. “Physical therapy has shown

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Photos by Mary Alys Cherry and Rondo Wegman

Judy Harper and actor Kevin Cahoon talk over old times during Tribute Party at Tommy’s in Clear Lake. Cahoon directed the productions of Seussical, Hairspray, Grease and Annie for The Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre.

Friends such as Lou and Alice Marinos, right, and attorney Dick DeGuerin, left, gather around attorney Dick Gregg Jr. during Tribute Party at Tommy’s in memory of Gregg’s wife, Lynette Mason Gregg.

Auto dealer Norman Frede and attorneys Alton Todd and Dick DeGuerin, from left, remember happier times with Lynette Mason Gregg during Tribute Party at Tommy’s.

Vanessa Handrick Garner, center, is happy to see Jete’ Award winners, Laura, left, and Alison Henning, as they arrive at the party at Tommy’s after performing in the Tribute to Handrick’s mother, the late Lynette Mason Gregg.

They took time to remember FOLKS ARE STILL talking about “Take Time to Dance,” the wonderful tribute to the late Lynette Mason Gregg, who added so much to the cultural life of the Bay Area with the addition of her Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre.

She not only touched the lives of many dancers, she actually changed the face of the arts in the area. The retrospective tribute performance of dance featured a wide variety of favorite pieces from BAHBT’s history, as well as new pieces choreographed in her honor.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

After the Saturday evening performance, many, including Lynette’s daughter, Vanessa Handrick Garner, gathered at Tommy’s for the Encore! Reception, which included the presentation of

Sam and Sadye Meineke, center, join the crowd at the Easter egg hunt at Creekside Estates with Cheri Meineke Johnson, left, and Annette Kaltwasser.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

the Jete’ Society Award to sisters, Allison and Laura Henning, who had roles in the weekend tribute and were selected by Lynette for the award before her death.

Faces in the crowd at the party included Lynette’s husband, well known Bay Area attorney Dick Gregg Jr., Houston attorney Dick DeGuerin, Friendswood attorney Alton Todd and his wife, Nari; Lou and Alice Marinos, Judy Harper, Broadway actor Kevin Cahoon, Jill Reason, Tim Kopra, Todd Zerecheck, Darrick McCally, Michael Bickham, Lort St. George, Kim Steele, Lenny

Jack and Margaret Ploss, right, Creekside Estates Easter Egg Hunt hosts, and their son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Pam Ploss, are pleased with both the weather and the crowd turnout for their annual event.

Matuszewski and Sherre and Norman Frede and a host of others.

Ploss family hosts Easter egg hunt WHILE EASTER is a religious holiday, it is also a time for dressing up our little children and sending them off on Easter egg hunts after church.

One that has become a tradition in League City is hosted each year by Jack and Margaret Ploss along with their son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Pam Ploss, for their Creekside

Morgan Cruse turns her Easter basket into an Easter bonnet.

Katarina and Morgan Cruse, from right, Hope Award winner Curt Tallman receives congratulations from Assistance League daughters of Cameron and Jordin Kruse, President Brunella Altemus, right, and Vice President Ann Marie Doolin during the enjoy meeting the Easter Bunny. presentation at the League Gala.

Estates neighbors.

Among the dozens enjoying the always fun event we spotted Sadye and Sam Meineke and their family laughing as children skipped about looking for eggs and giving the Easter Bunny a big hug.

Assistance League has The Right Stuff AFTER MANY long hours of work helping our community, Assistance League members headed to Space Center Houston April 11 to celebrate another successful year at The Right Stuff Gala.

And, celebrate they did with most everyone having a great time at the always-fun event.

Gala Chairman Katy Bastedo and Co-Chairman Perri Fox and their husbands, Bill and Nelson, joined President Brunella Altemus and her

husband, Steve, in welcoming the arriving crowd that included Tom and Ann Marie Doolin, Malcolm and Susan Franklin, Valerie and Jim Staples, Doreen and Art Nall, Lisa and Steve Poulos, Chipwadia Poonam and Paul and Pam Hill.

Judge Holly Williamson and her husband, Dr. Danny Williamson were in the crowd, as were Ron, Barbara and Erin Weitenhagen, Jim and Jane Sweeney, Terri and Michael Divine, Eric and Susan Buschhorn, Matthew and Lori Johnson and Rich and Patty Lewis.

John and Becky Gay had Mike and Kathy Reeves, Pam and Peter and Pam Culpepper Cronk, Diane and Deed Vest and Angie and Matthew Weinman as their dinner partners while Drs. John Nassar, Henry Muniz and Howard Dillard and their wives, Badiha, Joy and Sharon,

Suzie Rogers, Jo Nell Hunter, Judie Raiford and Joan Burt, from left, make a colorful picture as they arrive at the Bay Oaks Women’s Association Luncheon at the country club.

Richard and Jana Miller take a twirl about Space Center Houston on the Vespa scooter they won in the live auction at the Assistance League Gala.

sat with Annette Dwyer Monks and her daughter, Demerie, and George Rahbany and Sharon Michaels.

Looking around, you might have spotted Doug and Carol Latimer, Lisa Holbrook, Kim Barker, Teresa Vencil, Mike and Kathleen Courville, Raleigh and Rita Johnson, Sandra Sellers, Linda and Einar Goerland, John and Georgia Piwonka, Melanie Lovuola, Kathy Panneton, Sandy Vail, Ann Hammond, Kathy Scalf, Rick and Jill Lammers, Karen McCorkle, Mary and Dr. Terry Williams and Libby and Cesar Escalante.

Some of the others in the partying crowd were Richard and Traci Dvorak, Richard and Jennifer Simmons, Stan and Cindy Senger Lewis, Curt and Vicki Tallman, Jennie Hampton, Drs. Gerry and Cindy Castille, Jeff and Ronda

Wegman, Gary and Sally Wigginton, Donna James and Marie and Mike Keener, to name a few.

Coasting Around. . . .

FRIENDSWOOD’S Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn and former Clear Lake residents Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout, who now live in Houston, have been named to the Host Committee for the 2015 Houston Symphony Ball, coming up May 2 . . . .Second Chance Pets will host its Furry & Fabulous Soiree Oct. 15 at DiAmici Upscale Events, 2300 NASA Parkway in Seabrook, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will include dinner, silent and live auctions and complimentary valet parking. Tickets go on sale July 15 with a discounted price of $50 per seat until Aug. 31. . . .

Dr. John Jennings, 65th president of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, with his wife, Sue Ellen, and their daughters, Allison Poston and Amy Kershner, from left, and Beth McDaniel, right, arrives at Bay Oaks Country Club to address the Women’s Association.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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TEXAS MEDITATIONS

Looking for Patterns

By Michael Gos LBJ Grasslands, Texas

I

have very few memories

before the age of three. One of the earliest memories I do have, however, is the discovery that I hated cities and loved wild places. I never thought about why I felt that way. When you are four or five years old, that just is not a part of your thought process.

As I got older, those feelings intensified. By and large I was an obedient child, but when I was in trouble, it was almost always because of wild places. By the time I was seven or eight, I would head out almost daily into the few acres of woods that remained near my childhood home. It was the only place I felt comfortable. My parents didn’t share that comfort.

When I went away to college, weekends were often spent camping at a state park. Even in the Indiana winter, I would take my tent, along with lots of newspaper to place under my sleeping bag, and head out to the wilds. Still, I never questioned why.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

It was just the way the world was.

I guess the first time I really thought about it was when I was in my forties. I had come to Texas to work at the University of Houston.

It was my first time living in a large city and I was terribly uncomfortable, all the time. When I took the job, I expected to feel that way so I never gave it much thought. It was only after I had been there awhile that I began to see this as an issue. At U of H I met several people who not only tolerated living in the city—they claimed to love it. That took me by surprise; it was an attitude that was totally foreign to me. The discovery that there were people who saw things differently made me begin to question for the first time, why I felt the way I did.

Whenever I know I have to go to a city, I research a few potential road trip destinations, just in case the need should arise. I was at a conference in Dallas. After being there a full day, I had to escape. I got into the Jeep and

drove to the LBJ Grasslands.

I’m not sure why, but I have a driving need to see the entire array of what nature has to offer. I love beaches, hills, open plains, deserts and deep woods; my absolute favorite is the mountains. But this place was different than any of those. Bordering two zones, forest and prairie, the LBJ Grasslands feature rolling hills with lots of open grassy areas comingled with patches of forest. It is not one of the more beautiful places in Texas, but still it felt so much better than Dallas. And frankly, I was excited because this kind of environment was something new to me.

It made for a pleasant morning. I had the opportunity to walk along the edge of a small lake, to drive down dirt and gravel roads, and most important, to hear nothing for several hours but birds and the wind.

In the early afternoon, I walked a trail through a heavily wooded area and got to thinking once more about why I was so uncomfortable in Dallas yet loved it in this rather unremarkable wild spot.

My first thought was that my situation had something to do with the archetype of the garden.

In Western art, literature and mythology, the garden represents the Garden of Eden—the world as it was before it was spoiled by man. In our culture, this archetype shows up most powerfully as a trip to the wilderness. Early American literature is full of such references.

When things get rough, man retreats to the wilderness where he can get in touch with his true humanity and experience the world as the creator intended. Most of us are familiar with Thoreau’s Walden but there are countless other examples as well.

But as man paves over more and more of the world, those wild places disappear and he is forced to create small, artificial garden spots to allow him a small idea—a remembrance if you will—of the real thing. Some are in city parks, some in backyards.

Wherever they appear, gardens have come to symbolize the idea that life was better, more fit for humans in the past.

Joseph Campbell claims that we humans all share the same archetypes, regardless of the culture we come from, because we all share the same concerns and insecurities. We know instinctively that we can’t be the kind of humans we were designed to be unless we are in an environment that was designed with us in mind. But

those environments are rapidly disappearing. Their replacements, cities, are dehumanizing. We rely on the archetype of the garden in our art and our stories to remind us of what it was like to be human.

While that made sense to me, and helped to explain how those who liked cities could deal with the tremendous loss in their lives of the places where we truly belong, it didn’t feel like the entire story. I sensed that, for me anyway, there was more. If all I needed was to be in the original garden, the wilderness, I could pick just one spot, say the Big Bend region, and stay there. But I don’t. I need to be in all the various types of wild places. And not just to see them, but to study them, to try to learn their secrets.

Sunset was closing in and it was time to head back to the Jeep. I came across a small herd of cattle grazing on land leased from the Park Service.

A mother cow stood with her baby beneath her; he was stretching out to get at his dinner. I watched as he drank and then as he walked around the hillside, exploring his world, and trying to learn all there is to know about the place he lives. And finally I understood.

Like that calf, I am trying to learn all there is to know about the world I was placed in. Not the world of cities—that is man’s creation—but rather, the world that was created for man, the world of the Garden. As I study these places, I am looking for patterns—things that repeat in the different spots I explore, even though those places appear to vary radically in nature. I am convinced those patterns are there. I just need to train myself to see them.

I thought about those patterns and why I have such a need to find them—about what they might reveal. Assuming that the universe was created logically, rationally (and I believe it was), those patterns just might give me a tiny glimpse into the great plan behind the design—in other words, into the mind of God.

It was dark by the time I got back to the Jeep and it was time to head out for dinner in Denton and then back to Dallas. I had made no progress this day on seeing patterns.

But I did feel just a touch more human for having spent time in one of those wild places I’m sure was designed for me to occupy.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[Logan’s Love List]

May Flower Power

The newest addition to the Flora fragrance line by Gucci, Generous Violet is a gorgeous scent for any occasion.

Available at Sephora

Y

ou know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” and if you’re like me, you’re grateful for the recent rain we have been experiencing because of all of the beautiful blooms that we now get to enjoy! Everywhere I look, I am delighted to see such vibrant and colorful flowers that are bursting forth at the height of spring. Those aren’t the only blooming flowers I see, though. Spring beauty, fashion and fragrance all seem to be inspired by the lovely blossoms too! Here are some of my favorite flower-power finds this month.

Yellow Floral Wide Leg Trouser by Miss Selfridge — These pants combine two of my most favorite things on the planet—wide leg trousers and a beautiful floral print. Viola!

Available at MissSelfridge.com

Achieve a vibrant, healthy glow with any one of the 12 hues that make up Clinique’s Cheek Pop blush line.

My personal favorite?

Melon Pop, all the way.

We all have those days when a warm, relaxing bubble bath is an absolute must. This Secret Garden Bath Bomb bursts into a fragrant bouquet of flowers and petals that envelope you as your stress, worries, and cares melt away. Available at LUSH For casual chic, pair this Carolee Catch The Bouquet Fabric Frontal Floral Necklace with an easy tank or t-shirt, cropped pants or denim shorts, and a low wedge sandal.

Available at Dillards This colorful, floral print shift dress by P.A.R.O.S.H. is a bold and beautiful choice for any one of your springtime semi-formal gatherings.

Available at Farfetch.com

After your bath, massage this Butterfly Flower Ultra Shea Body Cream into your skin for a hydrating and sumptuous aroma inspired by a butterfly garden in full bloom.

Available at Bath and Body Works

Antica Farmacista’s Peonia Gardenia & Rosa Home Ambiance Perfume provides an exquisite and luxurious scent that will fill your home with floral delight. Available at Nordstrom

Perfect for work or play, this Oasis Pleat Hem Lace Shell Top is a great separate with gorgeous texture.

Available at JohnLewis.com

Subtle and completely chic, these Tory Burch Floral Perforated Flat Thong Sandals can be paired with shorts, capris, or a sweet day dress. They’re a necessity!

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Another floral fragrance fave, Dolce, by Dolce and Gabanna is a feminine and fresh full-bodied blend that just might become your new favorite. Available at Macy’s

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

If you are like me, you anxiously wait for spring so you can debut your espadrilles.

These are DV

by Dolce Vita, and they would look super-cute paired with boyfriend jeans, a simple t-shirt, and fedora!

For a night out, stash your lipgloss and ID in this beautiful and charming Natasha Couture Floral Clutch. Available at Nordstrom

Two luxury SUVs, two different styles

By Don Armstrong

Infiniti QX70 Do you like sportiness with your luxury? The Infiniti QX70 will probably hit your sweet spot in a

crowded room full of enticing rides.

We’ve always referred to it as the “sports car” of SUV’s.

Designed with a long hood, highmounted headlamps, a wide, openmouthed grille and a highly sculpted front clip, the QX70 exudes speed even when parked in the driveway. Its wind-cheating appearance continues through the roofline as it tapers quickly into the rear glass and hatch.

The Sport Package includes 21-inch, 6-spoke, dark finished wheels.

A 325-horspower V-6, connected to a 7-speed transmission will confirm its readiness to perform with a flick of the throttle. Fuel mileage is respectable, 17-city and 24-highway.

This 5-passenger midsize welcomes pilot and passengers into a leather wrapped cocoon with design elements that will keep your interest years after your first meeting.

The intuitive infotainment system allows even the novice to master its commands.

Other SUV-makers may brag about more cargo room or headroom, but it’s a small sacrifice to make when going for the fast look.

MSRP begins at $45,850.

Acura MDX

If you are the more practical type with conservative taste, Honda’s upscale brand, Acura, may have exactly what you are looking for in the MDX. The MDX is also in the mid-size class, yet it offers 3-rows of seating.

Despite the ability to haul more

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people, third row seating assignments should be relegated to family members that are smaller in stature.

You’ll also find only 15.8 ft. of cargo space when the third row is in use. A motorized second row allows seating

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

to move fore and aft, allowing third row access and a little more leg room back there.

Elsewhere in the cabin you’ll find a very inviting level of comfort with amenities to suit every taste. This

Acura’s got lots of high-end leather, a thick steering wheel and plenty of cubbies.

Although modern with a clean, conservative look, the grille is one element we’ve never really liked.

Whatever your taste, it does defined the brand.

This front-wheel drive, Honda powered road master is equipped with a 290-horsepower V-6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that achieves a 20 mpg-city and 28-highway EPA rating.

The Acura MDX continues to garner accolades from fellow automotive press members.

Pricing starts at $42,565

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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pants will work) are desired to prevent stings from jellyfish that are plentiful in the bays and surf during May and often brush up against waders while moving through the water.

Now that your protective gear is set for wading, where do you go?

Ask the Wind Gods. as the fresh winds of May dictate that answer.

We mentioned earlier that when the wind is up, the surf usually is unfishable therefore that leaves the bays and their protected shorelines.

For surf fishing the tried and true spoon is a favorite of many anglers.

Both gold and silver work well depending on what baits fish are feeding upon. When the surf is full of mullet, silver spoons tend to be the favorite while for other baits the gold spoon is the popular choice.

All of those baits work well in both the surf and in the bays this time of year.

On those limited days when the surf is calm and the water green just about any species of saltwater fish is a

The wade fishermen’s time of the year

By Capt. Joe Kent

M

ay always has been

noted as the wade fishermen’s time to hit the water. It is one of the months that wind tends to be a factor as May is known as the second windiest month of the year along the Texas Gulf Coast behind April and ahead of March.

While the wind velocities may keep boats from their favorite fishing spots, wade fishermen have numerous

following after them.

While in earlier months of the year insulated waders are a must for wading, May is the month when many fishermen shed the waders for wading pants and shoes.

Along with the gamefish, stingrays hit the shallows and are in prime position to be stepped on by wade fishermen. For that reason it is imperative that these anglers have protection from the nasty barbs of the rays.

“Trout, reds, Spanish mackerel, pompano and many others are caught including pelagic fish that are in close and feeding.”

The best form of protection is wading leggings which wrap around the lower extremities of the leg with a type of “bullet proof” material that prevents a barb from penetrating.

Along with the leggings are wading shoes of thick canvas type material that likewise heads off a barb.

Wading pants (any light weight

Protected shorelines along West Bay include the South shore line of West Galveston Island and leeward shoreline of the Spoils along the Intracoastal Waterway.

In East Bay all along Bolivar Peninsula’s south shoreline are good spots to find fishable waters.

Contrary to winter fishing when baits need to move slowly, during May the water is usually warm and fish are aggressively feeding at fast pace. Artificial baits like soft plastics and hardware such a Mirrolures are worked faster.

Live shrimp fished under a popping cork also is excellent bait.

“Along with the gamefish, stingrays hit the shallows and are in prime position to be stepped on by wade fishermen.” choices. The surf is alive with action beginning around Mother’s Day Weekend and all of the bays offer good wade fishing.

During windy days, the surf usually is sandy and off color; however, protected shorelines of East and West Bay often hold fishable waters that are beaming with bait and predator fish

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

candidate for taking your bait. Trout, reds, Spanish mackerel, pompano and many others are caught including pelagic fish that are in close and feeding.

In both areas, bay and surf, tidal movement continues to play a major role in the successful fishing trips.

For the surf an incoming tide is the preferred tide while in the bays, tidal movement whether incoming our outgoing is desired.

Anglers fishing shorelines tend to prefer the incoming tide while others fishing the mouth of drains, creeks and bayous prefer the outgoing tide.

For those new to wade fishing, safety comes first. The Cardinal Rule is to not wade alone. Have a companion fishing nearby that can quickly come to your assistance and vice versa.

Lakewood South has re-opened

Lakewood’s Serralles Shoe Regatta slated for weekend of May 16-17

L

akewood Yacht Club’s

Race Committee Chairman Larry Rogers has announced that Serralles is the naming sponsor of the 33rd Annual Shoe Regatta. To be held over the weekend of May 16-17, Lakewood hosted the first Shoe Regatta, which was originally sponsored

by Foley’s Department Store and Sperry Top-Sider Shoes, in 1982.

Bay Access, a not-for-profit organization that supports amateur racing, is the organizing authority of the races.

The Shoe Regatta, which is open to the public and raced on Galveston Bay, is a favorite among local racers because, in the past, each crew member of the winning boat in each class was awarded a certificate for a pair of Sperry deck shoes; hence, the name of the Regatta.

The Shoe Regatta is for onedesign, handicapped and cruising sailboats over 20 feet in length

and with a cabin. There will be three race courses to accommodate One Design, PHRF and Distance classes. The Skippers Meeting will be held on Friday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the of Lakewood Yacht Club ballroom.

“We urge all skippers to attend this important gathering so they can take full advantage of all aspects of this weekend regatta,” Shoe Regatta Chairman Gerhard Wittich said.

The Saturday evening party will feature music by “Southbound” and a dinner of comfort food including fried chicken. The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, and will be held in the Lakewood ballroom.

Winning crews will receive shoe coupons and skippers will get a bottle of Gran Anejo rum from Serralles.

Sponsors who make the Serralles Shoe Regatta possible include the following: City of Seabrook, Little Yacht Sales, The Yacht Sales Company, The Yacht Service Company, OJ’s Marine, REJEX. com, Blackburn Marine, Alliant Insurance and True North Marine.

Participants can register for the Regatta on line at www. lakewoodyachtclub.com. For questions, please contact Lakewood Yacht Club at lyc@ lakewoodyachtclub.com or call the office at 281-474-2511.

LYC to host both J/Fest and J/80 North American Championships

J

/Fest Southwest

Committee Chairman Al Goethe has announced that Lakewood Yacht Club will host the J/80 North American Championships Oct. 9 – 11 in conjunction with its 6th Annual J/ Fest Southwest Regatta Oct. 10-11.

“We wanted to get a ‘save the date’ message out to racers now so that they can be sure to plan on participating in these stellar events,” Goethe explained. The regattas are open to the public and all races will be held on Galveston Bay. J/Fest regattas have been held for over 30 years in Annapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, New Orleans and Seattle. The focus of the J/Fest is to give J/Boat racers an opportunity to compete in one-

design races.

“Our J/Fest Southwest will be another great opportunity for Lakewood to promote and support a national caliber event,” Goethe added. He expects to have approximately 60 J boats registered for the race this year in addition to the 25 J/80 boats participating in the J/80 North American Championship. LYC hosted an independent J/80 NA Championship for the first time in 2009.

With the City of Seabrook again being the primary sponsors of the J/Fest Southwest Regatta, the overall theme of the event is to provide a venue that is all inclusive to J/Boat owners, their families and friends. While the racers are on the water, spouses and family

can enjoy a myriad of activities and tourist attractions in and around Bay Area Houston.

One design fleets slated for the J/Fest Southwest Regatta are J/22, J/24, J/70, J/105, J/109, PHRF Asym, and PHRF Sym. The J/80s will be competing in their North American Championship at the same time as the J/Fest Southwest Regatta.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Scott Spurlin at scott@jboatssouthwest. com or Al Goethe at lyc@ lakewoodyachtclub.com Registration for the N/80 North American Championship is now open through www. regattanetwork.com or www. lakewoodyachtclub.com

Lakewood South Chairman Scott Covington has announced that Lakewood South has reopened for members as LYCBayhouse South.

The goal with the new name is to have fun toys for children and adults to utilize like it was their bay house on the Offat’s Bayou. There are 14 slips for boats and almost unlimited parking for cars along with three spaces for motorhomes.

Members and their guests can launch small boats from the dock, play on the water all day and then take a shower in the bath house before going into Galveston for dinner.

Destroyed during Hurricane Ike in 2008, Lakewood South, a former bait camp, was purchased by Lakewood in the mid 1980s to be used as a destination point for weekend boating members. It is about an acre of property on Teichman Road, right on Offat’s Bayou. Numerous parties and gatherings have been enjoyed there by members on holiday weekends through the years.

“We finally have it all completed to the point that the only thing members need to bring to the site is what they want to eat and drink,” Covington explained.

The elevated bath house is air-conditioned and has a deck with a beautiful view of Offat’s Bayou.

Covington also said that the storage room under the bath house is completed, there are new barbecue pits under the pavilion, and there is ice on site similar to Lakewood’s fuel dock back in Seabrook.

“It’s an even better and more attractive destination point by car or water than it was before Hurricane Ike,” Lakewood South Vice Chairman Duane Guidry added.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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DESIGN

“Select patterns that can be mixed together to match the room’s color scheme and decor.” well) and tape in random patterns on top of what was painted earlier. Tape can be placed in X’s or stripes or diagonals or any other selected pattern. Next, paint in multiple colors (4 or 5 of acrylic paints) across the placed tape on canvas.

Let that layer dry,then pull off the painter’s tape to reveal a masterpiece.

Art with meaning

Home Sweet Home Creating custom art to liven up your walls

By Cathy Osoria

S

pending thousands of dollars on artwork for the home is not necessary. If one creates his own artwork, the colors, style and shapes can be customized per one’s personal taste. Creating custom art allows one to be able to take extra pride when creating beautiful rooms.

Frame fabric, wallpaper or scrapbook paper

These papers come in an array of trendy colors and patterns for easy and inexpensive artwork. Select patterns that can be mixed together to match the room’s color scheme and decor and display in matching frames to create a beautiful creative wall art.

Use personal photos for artwork

Gallery photography can be expensive so try using personal photographs as art. Take high-resolution digital pictures (most standard cameras are high resolution; phone cameras may not work).Then select the ones to be enlarged for the creation of a personalized grouping. There are many online photo to canvas companies (Canvas4life) that allow a photo to be plugged in and the resolution and color to be tested before ordering and printing. This eliminates the fear of the print turning out blurry. The photos selected can be cropped (maybe only partially showing

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

the subject) or color brightened or reduced to black and white. Be creative. All kinds of experimenting can be performed before placing the order.

One can think of a saying he likes and wishes to display. Purchase the sticky vinyl letters at a craft store. Using pre-stretched canvas, paint in acrylic paints multiple colors in random patterns across the canvas and allow to dry. A thrift store painting or a painting already owned can be used. Place and stick the verbiage of your choice in the vinyl letters onto the painting or canvas that was previously painted with multiple colors.

Next take a color of one’s choice (this will be the predominant color) and brush in acrylic paint

Paint chip art

Pick up a few paint samples when visiting the local home improvement store. (Actually, more than a few may be needed.) Using a prestretched canvas from a craft or art supply store, attach the paint chips in any preferred pattern and attach with a thumbtack to create colorful custom art.

Bubble wrap art

Using bubble wrap already on hand, paint acrylic (from craft store) paint on top of the bubbles in stripes and in favorite colors. Then flip the painted side over quickly, place it on pre-stretched canvas or water color paper, and press lightly. Lift off the plastic wrap to see the final result.

Masking tape art

Using pre-stretched canvas, paint an acrylic base coat of selected color and let it dry fully.

Then get blue painter’s tape (one inch works over the entire canvas and the letters. Let that color dry and peel off the letters to see your colorful wording appear as custom art.

Stencil custom art

Stencils may be purchased in craft stores and come in a large variety of patterns. Stencils can create quick custom art using a wide variety of choices of colors and patterns and layering them together on watercolor paper or canvas.

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Kimberly Harding Group is now RE/MAX Synergy Kimberly and Beau Harding were recently approved for their own RE/MAX franchise.

T

hey are very excited to introduce

their new name, RE/ MAX Synergy. Formally known as The Kimberly Harding Group, not

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everyone who applies for a franchise is approved and the process is very strict. Achieving this milestone is very special and well deserved.

Selling and purchasing a home can be stressful for current and prospective homeowners. The Kimberly Harding Group’s track record proves they have the market expertise to close the deal for you with professionalism and timeliness.

With the support of dedicated, experienced, full-time office

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

Kimberly and Beau review a new listing.

employees, you can rest assured that no transaction or client need goes unattended.

The Kimberly Harding Group closes more than 200 homes a year and there is a reason for their success.

Kimberly has 12 years experience in selling homes in the greater Bay Area and as she says, “I love what I do! After working in the aerospace industry for 10 years, I started selling real estate and discovered that finding the right home for my customers is such a rewarding feeling that this second career is where I want to be.

I enjoy the hands on experience of listening to the needs of the clients I represent so I can find them the home they are looking for and guide them through the home buying and selling process.”

Over the years, Kimberly has acquired a wonderful, competent staff to assist her. Beau, Kimberly’s husband of 24 years and former ICU RN at Clear Lake Regional Hospital, joined the business 4 years ago, and has been an indispensable asset to the Kimberly Harding Group and RE/ MAX Synergy’s launch. Kimberly says, “I am where I am today because of Beau and his expertise.” While Kimberly lists and shows homes, Beau wears several hats at the office acting as COO and growing the team through business development while taking care of everyday business details. They each have their own strengths with what they do, and can handle your home buying or selling experience with ease and efficiency.

Kimberly and Beau are both natives to the Bay Area and League City.

Growing up and going to schools in the area gives them a unique understanding of the neighborhoods, subdivisions, home values and a general knowledge of where that special home you need and want can be found. Having raised their twin boys, Taylor and Tyler, now students at Texas Tech, in the area, gives them a special affection for the Bay Area. Through the years they have watched it grow and develop into a great place to live for families and individuals from every walk of life and profession.

The Harding family loves the outdoors and enjoys fishing and hunting together. Living near the bay gives them a chance to get out on the water every time they can. Kimberly loves to fish and is a member of an all women’s fishing group. They fish in 2 to 3 tournaments a year in Pensacola, South Padre Island and Galveston.

Kimberly has received many awards over the years such as the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement, RE/MAX Hall of Fame, RE/MAX Diamond Club, HAR 20 under 40 Rising Star, Houston Business Journal Top 25, and Best of the Bay Realtor 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. She is also a Zillow Premier Agent and Trulia VIP. Beau and Kimberly believe in giving back to their community and actively support the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the Texas Sentinels Foundation, the American Heart Association and Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Kimberly Harding Group considers every client important and wants to list or help you find a home regardless of size or price. Their team gives as much attention to the first-time home buyer as they do the client looking for the best appointed waterfront estate. Providing dedicated

and special attention to each client, regardless of price range, is why the Kimberly Harding Group’s success has blossomed into the RE/ MAX Synergy franchise.

Contact RE/MAX Synergy at 281-554SOLD (7653) or go by the sales office, 1108 Gulf Freeway South, Suite 210 in League City. Visit these websites to view more information and homes available for sale: www. kimberlyharding. com and team@ kimberlyharding.com.

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On The Rebound After a slight dip in February, home sales in Bay Area Houston are inching upward

By Rod Evans s the rest of the country

slogged through the economic downturn of 2008-‘09 that included the bursting of the so-called real estate bubble, the conventional wisdom was that the Texas economy, thanks to its heavy reliance on the then-robust oil and gas sector, would emerge largely unscathed.

While Texas residents on average didn’t suffer as badly as people in other parts of the country, there was always a sense that eventually the laws of economics would catch up with the Lone Star State, and that day seemingly arrived in February when the Houston Association of Realtors’ (HAR) monthly home sales report indicated the area saw its first decline in home sales in over six months. The report indicated that limited housing inventory, rising home prices and a drop in oil prices contributed to the 5.8 percent drop in single-family home sales over the previous year’s figures.

The housing market in the Bay Area Houston region was not immune to the dip in sales, and Pam Archer with RE/MAX Space Center, says the drop was not entirely unexpected.

“Our numbers reflected the same thing we were seeing in Houston,

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but on a smaller scale. We saw a dip in activity in terms of the number of showings of properties in February,” said Archer, who has worked as a realtor in the region for 20 years.

“There was some concern that it had to do with oil prices, but it might have been simply a market phenomenon that would correct itself and we did see the numbers improve for March.”

Just as quickly as the home sales figures dropped, they rebounded in March, with the HAR report indicating sales rose 3.8 percent over year-ago figures, as many buyers snapped up newly listed homes before they ever had a chance to replenish the local housing inventory.

In the Clear Lake area, there were 94 homes sold in March compared with 73 sales in March 2014 and the average price increased from $237,000 to around $265,900 this year.

Other areas of the region saw similar increases.

In League City, 169 homes were sold, compared with 159 last year and the average price rose from $223,116 to $254,153. Pasadena saw 63 homes sold (51 in 2014), but the average price dropped from $126,724 to $118,166, while 57 homes were sold in Friendswood (55 in 2014), with the average price increasing from $223,116 to $254,153. Overall, 734 homes have been sold so far in 2015, while 770 had been sold last year at this time in the Bay Area.

But even as more people are looking to buy homes, Archer says there remains a dearth of available properties.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

“Yes, we’re starting to see more activity in terms of putting homes on the market, and when the inventory edges up it allows for more sales,” Archer said, “but the inventory has been the lowest I’ve experienced in my 20 years in the market. The last figure I saw was that there was 2.8 months of inventory and that’s very low. We’re starting to see a bit more listings, but we’ve got a long way to go before we get back to what I would call a more balanced market.”

HAR Chair Nancy Furst agrees with Archer’s assessment and says while realtors were certainly happy to see sales figures increase in March, the market is still in a somewhat volatile state.

“It was great to have sales back in March after February’s decline, but in order to satisfy the long-term needs of the Houston housing market, we need to see substantive growth in inventory levels, which remain at record low levels. Typically, a five-to-six-month supply of homes is indicative of a balanced market,” Furst said.

Keith Owens, with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene

“The Bay Area region features a healthy mix of home values, ranging from around $100,000 upward to over $1 million.” in Clear Lake, believes the region’s multi-faceted economy will help it regain solid footing more quickly than other areas.

“I’ve always considered this area to be a micro-economy. A lot of Houston is controlled by larger companies and industries, but here we have quite a diverse economy,” Owens said. “We have lots of refineries that thrive on lower gas prices because it’s easier to produce plastics and easier to ship products inland. We also have NASA, healthcare industries and many smaller businesses.”

Owens has seen an increase in activity with regard to home buyers, but even that increase is a doubleedged sword for realtors who continue to struggle to find available homes to show to prospective buyers.

He says homes that were difficult to sell in 2013 and ’14 don’t last a week on the market now once they are listed.

But while the current market is a tricky one to navigate for buyers and sellers, Owens, who began selling homes in the region six years ago, says his perspective makes him optimistic about where the market is headed.

“I started at a unique time right after the mortgage/housing crisis, which hurt everybody a little bit and constricted lending and increased supply,” he said. “Then right after that, (Hurricane) Ike hit and really hurt the area, so it was the lowest point in the market in over a decade.

It’s been an upward climb since then. Some called it a bubble but, realistically, it’s just getting back to prices from 10 years ago. During the downturn in 2008 and ’09 people lost valuations, but it wasn’t like in other areas of the country where people lost 50 percent or more of their home values.”

The lack of housing inventory has a ripple effect on the market, Archer says, because it not only affects individual buyers and sellers, but home builders as well. She says the area is seeing an upturn in new construction, particularly on the Galveston County side, which is a welcome development because the low inventory created a market in which home builders had little incentive to build new homes.

“Around Clear Lake itself, we’re seeing an increase in first-time buyers looking to buy in the $150,000 range and for a while those were depressed because that’s where we saw a high percentage of foreclosures, but that’s a thing of the past,” Archer said.

Owens says areas like Bay Forest that feature older homes built in the late 1980s are witnessing a re-birth of sorts in terms of home values, while developments like Tuscan Lakes and MarBella have become increasingly popular. He says the Bay Area region features a healthy mix of home values, ranging from around $100,000 upward to over $1 million, but he says the $300,000 to $400,000 range is the most popular segment in the current market.

“We can see the demand increasing in the size of homes selling,” Owens said. “While smaller homes of around 1,600 to 1,800 square feet were quite popular, now just about all of the homes selling are 3,000 square feet and up,” Owens said.

The consensus among realtors seems to indicate that the current rise in average home prices will continue in the region over the rest of the year, but a significant rise in inventory won’t happen overnight.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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“It’s the backbone of the community, the foundation on which our homes, safety and convenience rest and rely.”

League City thriving as it grows bigger and bigger

By Mary Alys Cherry

B

ack 35 years ago, one

might have described League City as a “one-horse town.”

Not anymore.

Today it is a bustling city of nearly 100,000 residents that will probably grow to 200,000 in the next 35 years.

“As a community, we are thriving – our economy is growing, development is returning to prerecession levels, and League City continues to succeed,” Mayor Tim Paulissen said as he addressed a recent League City Regional Chamber luncheon.

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“We’ve seen great change in League City in the past few years, and certainly in recent months,” he continued as he reviewed some of the changes.

Over the last two years, he said, “we saw 2,058 new single-family homes built in League City.”

And, there’s still potential in the development of the west side of town, he continued, pointing out the great things that have happened throughout the year with the new retail center near Countryside, the development of the Westwood neighborhood and some renewed interests in the southwest planned

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

unit developments. And, that’s not all.

“There are plenty of exciting things still happening on the east side, too,” the mayor told the crowd. “There new $74 million Methodist Retirement Communities development along FM 270 is nearly complete, and a small industrial park center has made a permanent setup on FM 646.”

In addition to neighborhoods like Marbella continuing to expand, he noted that “the city also is seeing an upswing in commercial and retail development that recognizes the upscale, well-educated, profession and family-oriented people who are choosing to live in League City.

“As our founders intended, the promise of Main Street has broadened to a community wide vibrancy and vitality. The new HEB store at South Shore Boulevard and State Highway 96 is. . .open for business, and. . .Kroger plans to build its fourth location in League City on the west side.”

Plus, there’s “intriguing

possibilities” on the west side between Big League Dreams and the retail development at FM 646, he added.

The city is prepared, he said, for the growth, taking a smart, proactive approach to investing in the city’s infrastructure. “It’s the backbone of the community, the foundation on which our homes, safety and convenience rest and rely.”

Going on to mention several additions to the city’s lifestyle such as the WaterSmart Park and the new pool at Hometown Heroes Park, a new fire training facility, the Helen Hall Library renovation and street improvements, Paulissen turned to life’s basic needs. “For too many years, we neglected our water supply.

(Now) we’ve taken steps to increase our daily peak water supply by more than nine million gallons a day And, we’re on track to add another 20 percent…to 36 million gallons daily in the next year . . . an increase of 70 percent in four years – while being able to raise the homestead exemption from 12 to 14 percent.

“As we continue to grow and develop, it is up to all of us to stay dedicated to making our community all it can be,” he added.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[LIGHT@WORK]

Carlos Murphy gets his dream

By Steve Lestarjette

A

n old proverb says,

“Into every life a little rain must fall.” Carlos Murphy of Pasadena was deluged.

In 1988, Carlos was felled by two massive strokes. He was left a quadriplegic, able to move only his head and talk in a whisper. Until then, he had been a whirlwind of vitality—a husband, father, grandfather, and pastor. For more than 20 years, Carlos had ministered to the needs of others, encouraging them to hold on, to not give up, to keep on believing, to rise above their storm.

Suddenly, God asked him to walk out what he had been preaching.

Life came to a screeching halt. Gone was the nice parsonage home on a golf course. Gone was the loving congregation that delighted a pastor’s heart. Gone were the bank account and every aspiration for the future. The change came with no warning and without remedy.

When his thoughts cleared in a hospital room months later, only two things remained: an unshakable faith in God and a wife that never quit praying.

To be sure, his faith was tested. To be sure, prayer rang hollow at times. Faith wilted like a flower in July heat, but even in the dark dungeon of a lifeless body, its root remained.

After a year of continual crying, sinking beyond reach in the quagmire of depression, Carlos touched solid rock. He took inventory and realized that, though he had lost every material and physical comfort, he had not been completely snuffed out. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,” Isaiah wrote, “because His compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22).

Then came a turning point, a defining moment, a door only God could open. A niece encouraged Carlos to write a column for the religion page of the Deer Park Broadcaster. A helper took dictation, and the lessons stored away untold in the recesses of a man’s heart found new voice. Out poured a message of encouragement and resolve, expressed by a man who

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

had walked in solitude with God. Faith forged in secret came into the light. People responded.

With wife Pat at his side and a helper named Rosa penning his whispers, Carlos wrote his weekly column for more than a decade.

That brings the story to me.

Several years ago, I began making weekly visits to the Murphy home, a converted garage apartment behind son David’s house. We struck up a friendship. I marveled that a man deprived of most every physical ability could smile so easily.

On a return visit, I asked this former pastor a milliondollar question: “Carlos, do you think you’ve found the purpose of your life?”

His eyes lit up like an adventurer with a great story to tell. “Oh, yes!” he said. “I would never know God as I know Him now if I had not been through this.”

That one sentence carried the weight of all eternity. “Carlos,” I said, “If you ever write a book about what you’ve learned, well, I’d read a book like that.”

He did write a book. Working together, we compiled his newspaper clippings into a compelling devotional called Heart at Rest: 101 Ways to Strengthen Your Faith and Soar above Your Storm, and published a small number for the church we attended together at the time.

Bay Area Pet Adoptions presents

Clear Lake Intermediate School

Clear Creek ISD bond savings adding up

C

lear Creek ISD’s bond

savings just continue to grow and grow. Just this past month the school district was able to sell the remaining $67 million in voter approved bonds from the May 2013 bond authorization.

As a part of this sale, CCISD also refinanced $126 million in existing bonds to secure lower interest rates and produce long term savings of more than $16.4 million on its debt service payments. Interest rates, while slightly higher than the record lows experienced earlier this year, still settled in at 3.451425 percent once the sale was complete.

When voters went to the polls in May 2013, seven out of ten voters approved a tax rate increase of 11.25 cents to fund $367 million in bond projects. As a result of favorable interest rates and conservative financial planning, the maximum tax rate increase is now projected to be 4.0 cents, which is 7.25 cents less than authorized by voters.

“This 7.25 cent savings on the tax rate represents a substantial positive impact for the taxpayers of Clear Creek ISD,” said Paul McLarty, deputy superintendent of business and support services, at the monthly school board meeting.

Contracts for projects at Clear Lake Intermediate School and

construction of the East Agriculture Center also were approved by the CCISD trustees.

Funded by the 2013 Bond, major repair and maintenance work planned for Clear Creek Intermediate includes replacing major components of the AC/ heating system and electrical system, replacing water pipes, major components of the fire alarm system and the sound system in both gyms.

Improvements are also slated for restrooms and athletic facilities.

The construction contract was awarded to Generocity Services for $2 million. All work is scheduled to be done by August 2015.

The construction contract for the East Agriculture Center was awarded to Bass Construction in the amount of $3.5 million. The design is based on the original West Agriculture Center and is being modified as needed to accommodate needs and site conditions.

The new Ag barn is needed to accommodate increased enrollment in agricultural education programs.

The barn will be located off Columbia Memorial Parkway at Delasandri Lane in League City and will service students from Clear Falls and Clear Creek High Schools. Construction of the new center is expected to be complete by November 2015.

Bridget is a striking Calico, who has experienced some sad trauma in her life. She responds best to a gentle touch and the reassurance that everything will be fine. Once she feels safe, she becomes friendly and enjoys attention. She is not a candidate for a home with high activity levels or children.

Austin is a gorgeous black lab mix seeking a family who can channel his abundant energy and give him lots of attention. He is very social with other dogs and loves the dog park. Once he has drained his energy he will chill by your feet ready to receive all the love you can offer. Austin is still young and his batteries recharge quickly. If you like an active lab personality, you will love Austin!

See all the wonderful dogs and cats available for adoption online at www.bayareapetadoptions.org or visit the facility at 3000 Avenue R, San Leon. Bay Area Pet Adoptions is this area’s only non-profit, No-Kill shelter, pet rescue, and adoption organization.

Seabrook Veteran’s Day Parade The community is invited to attend Seabrook’s first annual Veteran’s Day Parade. The parade starts from Seabrook Intermediate at 10:30 a.m. on Monday May 25 ending at the Bay Area Veterans Memorial on 1106 Second st. in Seabrook.

There will be a ceremony following the parade with a band, singers, special veteran guests and refreshments provided by Bay Area Welcome Neighbors. Bring chairs to view the ceremony event.

If you are a veteran and want to ride in the parade, please contact Joe Machol, 281-804-0434, jgmachol@hotmail.com. For other questions, contact Jenny or Bruce Arunyon at: 281-291-7756 or 281-291-7768 (jennya2947@ aol.com).

Free hot dogs and hamburgers, complements of the Sons of the American Revolution and the West Point Society of Houston, will be served at the Seabrook Community House, 1210 Anders St., at noon.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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The chemical tanker Carla Maersk sits at anchor off Morgan’s Point, Texas, after being involved in a collision with the bulk carrier Conti Peridot March 9, 2015. The Maersk was carrying about 216,000 barrels of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether and an unknown quantity of the product was spilled. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin R. Williams)

Creative Response March collision requires teamwork and out-of-the-box thinking

By Rod Evans

I

t was a routine Monday

afternoon at the Houston Ship Channel, with tankers maneuvering in and out of the waterway and workers busily loading and offloading massive vessels carrying everything from natural gas to kitchen sinks, until everything came to a screeching, grinding halt.

On March 9th around 12:40 in the afternoon, the tanker Carla Maersk and the Conti Peridot bulk carrier rammed into each other just off the coast of the tiny community of Morgan’s Point in Galveston Bay. Within minutes, normal operations up and down the channel stopped and first responders were dispatched to the scene. The Danish-flagged Carla Maersk, carrying about 216,000 barrels of a fuel additive called MTBE suffered a massive gash in its hull and two of the ship’s cargo tanks were ruptured. As a result, U.S. Coast Guard officials issued a shelter in place order for the small population of Morgan’s Point due to fears that highly toxic vapors from the chemical might waft over the area.

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While there were no injuries reported from the collision, it nonetheless required the Ship Channel to be closed for three days as over 200 people, including Coast Guard crews and special chemical spill contractors, worked to first stabilize, then off-load the potentially deadly MTBE from the damaged ship. The Liberian-flagged, 623-foot Conti Peridot suffered relatively minimal damage from the collision, but removing the chemical from the damaged tanks of the 600-foot Carla Maersk proved to be a very delicate operation.

“Soon after the collision, we realized there had been a small release of MTBE, so the shelter in place was issued for Morgan’s Point,” Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Kendrick said. “MTBE is commonly used as a gasoline additive and it is highly volatile, but evaporates quickly. But it can catch fire easily and the other concern was that in high concentrations it is a threat to human life.”

Kendrick says as the response continued into the evening, concerns about potentially hazardous vapors being released waned and crews turned their attention to preventing the chemical from catching fire. In many ways, Kendrick says, crews were aided by the fact that the ship was carrying MTBE and not crude oil.

Because MTBE evaporates quickly,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

rendering it non-volatile, and unlike with oil, which tends to float on the surface and can seep into the water column and harm aquatic life, MTBE is so light that it tends to sit on top of the water—where it dissipates— making it easier to remove. But the big issue of figuring out a way to remove the remaining chemical from the ship’s tanks required some creative thinking.

“We couldn’t move the ship until we got that figured out and we had to keep the channel closed while we came up with a game plan,” Kendrick said. “It was a big job with some really smart folks coming together to figure it out. Initially, we moved the cargo from the damaged tanks to the other tanks in the ship instead of trying to remove it from the ship, which would have been more dangerous. Normally you could do that with the pumps in the tanks, but because we believed water was coming in from underneath, we would have just been sucking out water.”

That’s when a creative solution was devised. It was decided that large hoses would be lowered into the tanks from the outside in order to remove the MTBE, but it wasn’t like just dropping a garden hose into the tank.

Chemical spill contractors, dressed in hazardous materials outfits and with breathing apparatus strapped

The Ship Channel would re-open on the morning of March 12, three days after the collision, which meant that the 28 ships waiting to enter the channel and the 21 waiting to leave were finally able to proceed on their scheduled journeys. Kendrick said the Conti Peridot, which was carrying steel at the time of the accident, was moved to the Port of Houston Authority’s Turning Basin Terminal the day after the collision, but the work to stabilize the Carla Maersk required that the channel remained closed from light 86 to the Fred Hartman Bridge.

“There wasn’t much traffic in the channel, fortunately, due to fog and poor visibility that day, so the pilots had stopped bringing in more ships,” Kendrick said.

Meanwhile at Morgan’s Point, officials continued air monitoring in the hours and then days after the collision, but the shelter in place order had been rescinded once it was determined that the small amount of MTBE that had been released did not become airborne and potentially harm residents. Kendrick said the damage to the Carla Maersk was too severe to be repaired locally, so it has been removed by the ship’s owners to another destination where its fate will be determined.

“It has a gigantic breach on the side.

There was a lot of weight moving The bulk carrier Conti Peridot sits at anchor off Morgan’s Point, Texas, after being involved in a collision with the chemical tanker Carla Maersk March 9, 2015. The Maersk was carrying about 216,000 barrels of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether and an unknown quantity of the product was spilled. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin R. Williams)

to their backs, were lowered into the tanks to place the hoses in the desired locations. They also sprayed a layer of a fire fighting foam material on top of the chemical to, as Kendrick describes, create a vapor barrier.

“We’re fortunate in Houston in that we have some of the best chemical responders in the world in this area,” Kendrick said. “Once we got everything out of the tanks, we were able to move the ship to Barbours Cut, where it stayed for a while before we moved it to a place in the channel where we could off load everything from the ship.”

around when it impacted the other ship, and I don’t know what the future holds for that ship and whether it can be repaired or not,” Kendrick.

According to Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Manda Emery, the official incident report, which should contain an estimate of the total cost of the clean-up and recovery efforts, could take months to complete, but the owner of the ship that actually spills cargo during a collision is on the hook for the cost of the response, so the owners of the Carla Maersk will be getting the bill.

Houston Methodist St. John marks National Doctor’s Day

T

he leadership team

Physicians enjoying the special Doctor’s Day luncheon prepared in their honor at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay included, from left, Drs. Anna Richmond, Maha Al-Lahiq Sixian Welch, Michael Sher, Bethune Escalante, Matthew Rockett, Conrad Fischer and Perry Fulcher.

and staff members at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital showed their support and appreciation for the caring service of their physicians with a National Doctor’s Day celebration March 30.

The hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services staff prepared and served a special lunch in the doctors’ honor. “This is a special day to thank physicians with privileges at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital for the high standard of care they provide to our patients,” said hospital CEO Dan Newman.

The physicians at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital are among the most highly regarded in the country and adhere to the Houston Methodist I CARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

For more information on Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, call 281-523-2000 or visit www.houstonmethodist. org/st-john-clear-lake. To find a Houston Methodist St. John Hospital physician, call 281-3338899.

Memorial Hermann Southeast appoints Kyle Price as its CEO

K

yle Price has been appointed chief

executive officer of Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, succeeding CEO Erin Asprec, who was recently promoted to president of the South Region for the Memorial Hermann Health System.

“Kyle is a strategic thinker and a highly successful healthcare leader with a passion for helping others,” said Asprec. “He has an established operational expertise within our organization, which will serve him well as we continue to grow and provide safe, high quality care to the residents of our Southeast community.”

As chief operating officer of Memorial Hermann Southeast for seven years, Price has been instrumental in establishing growth in the southeast market. He is a key member of the administrative and leadership team responsible for the development of Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital, scheduled to open in March 2016, as well as the Memorial Hermann Pearland Convenient Care Center (CCC), which opened in February 2014.

The Memorial Hermann Pearland CCC provides a 24hour emergency center with 17 treatment rooms, imaging and laboratory services and primary care offices for adult and pediatric patients all in one facility. Price has also been involved in facilitating increased access to various services including oncology, heart and vascular, sports medicine and weight management.

“I am humbled to be given the opportunity to serve the great physicians, leaders, and employees of Memorial Hermann Southeast,” Price said. “As a long-time resident of the South Houston and Bay Area community, I know the important role our hospital plays in serving the healthcare needs of its residents.”

Price has spent the last decade of his career in a variety of leadership roles for Memorial Hermann including director of imaging and oncology services, administrative director of ancillary services, and administrative director of service lines. In those roles, Price provided operational leadership and administrative oversight for his departments and areas.

Price holds an associate degree in radiological sciences from South Arkansas College, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Letourneau University, and is a graduate of the Advisory Board Fellowship in Washington, D.C. Price, and his wife, Kim, and their three children reside in Alvin.

Memorial Hermann Southeast is part of Memorial Hermann’s South Region along with Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Surgical Hospital.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Photos by Mary Alys Cherry BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

State of the Economy

T

he local economy is quite good, despite the drop in the price

of oil, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership members learned at the annual State of the Economy Luncheon, and all statistics are looking good – especially sales tax rebates to the cities.

There is an unprecedented construction boom under way in petrochemicals and liquid natural gas export facilities, Dr. Bill Gilmer, director of the University of Houston Bauer College of Business Institute for Regional Forecasting, pointed out, adding that while oil prices are down, he expects a turnaround early next year and four years of modest growth.

UHCL Business Dean Dr. Ted Cummings and Provost Dr. Carl Stockton, from left, are happy to see Texas A&M at Galveston Marine Sciences Chairman Dr. Bill Merrell and Executive Professor Col. Len Waterworth at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership annual economic forecast meeting at the Gilruth Center.

Houston City Councilman and Oliver Pennington, center, is welcomed to the BAHEP meeting by attorney Joe Barlow, left, and Pasadena Economic Development Director Paul Davis. Pennington is a former Clear Lake resident.

San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer visits with Judge Louie Ditta at the BAHEP’s annual economic forecast meeting.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital CEO Don Newman and Business Development Director Myrna Baker join the crowd at the BAHEP gathering at NASA’s Gilruth Center.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, right, and Chairman Vic Pierson, left, thank the University of Houston’s Robert W. Gilmer for his economic forecast at the BAHEP gathering at NASA’s Gilruth Center.

Jerry Pennington welcomes new UH-Clear Lake Associate Vice President Rhonda Thompson to the BAHEP gathering at NASA’s Gilruth Center, focusing on the economy.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry LUNAR RENDEZVOUS FESTIVAL

Born and raised in northwest Indiana, Ross said he was in the fourth grade when the first satellites were launched into space and those events caused him to decide to go to Purdue University, to become an engineer, and to get involved in our country’s space programs.

After earning his master’s degree at Purdue, he entered the Air Force, graduating from the Air Force Test Pilot School in 1976 as a flight test engineer and helping conduct flight testing of the B-1 bomber.

Ross came to the Johnson Space Center in February 1979 to work on the Space Shuttle program. In May, 1980, he was selected as an astronaut. He flew on Space Shuttle missions STS-61B in 1985; STS-27 in 1988; STS-37 in 1991; STS-55 in 1993; STS-74 in 1995; STS-88 in 1998; and STS-110 in 2002.

With seven missions, he set and still holds the individual world record for the number of space flights flown. During his astronaut career he performed nine spacewalks, including three on STS-88 that started the assembly of the International Space Station.

Colonel Ross has logged more than 4,100 flight hours, received numerous awards and has authored three books. He has been married for more than 45 years to his wife Karen. He is the father of a daughter and a son, and a grandfather of three beautiful granddaughters.

He retired from NASA in 2012 and was Festival king, retired astronaut Jerry Ross, left, is introduced to the crowd at the Lunar Rendezvous Kickoff Party by the 2014 Lunar Rendezvous king, Jerry Foyt, who is general manager of Mercedes Benz of Clear Lake.

Record-Setting Astronaut Named Golden Jubilee King

By Mary Alys Cherry

R

etired astronaut Jerry Ross

will reign as king over this year’s Golden Jubilee Rendezvous Festival.

He was introduced as Lunar Rendezvous began celebrating its 50th anniversary at its Golden Jubilee Kickoff Party March 28 in the NASA Hilton’s Admiral Ballroom in Nassau Bay. Jerry Foyt, the 2014 Lunar Rendezvous Festival king, introduced Colonel Ross to the standingroom-only crowd that cheered his selection.

Among the Tennis Tournament Co-Chairmen Kevin and Ruth Former Texas Railroad Commission celebrants Duke, right, prepare to sign up players for the Chairman Barry Smitherman, now April 24 event during the Lunar Rendezvous back practicing law with Vinson & were several Kickoff Party at the Hilton, with help from their Elkins, and his daughter, Princess former festival son, Ashton.

Louisa Smitherman, enjoy the Lunar chairmen, kings Rendezvous Kickoff Party. and queens, advisory board inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in members and volunteers who have made 2014. Colonel Ross says he feels extremely the festival a big success every year since its blessed to have lived his dream and to have founding by the late Maggie Plumb DeNike served our great country in such a unique, and the Clear Lake Chamber back in 1966. exciting, and rewarding way.

Past Advisory Board President Michael Reeves served as chairman of the Kickoff Party.

Lunar Rendezvous Festival Schedule of Events The 50th annual Lunar Rendezvous Festival kicked off its “Golden Jubilee” March 28 before a packed ballroom at the NASA Hilton and will continue through July with a busy schedule of events. All tickets may be purchased through the website at www.lunarrendezvous.org.

The Golden Jubilee Tennis Tournament held Friday-Sunday, April 24-26 beginning at 6 p.m. at The Fitness Center at South Shore.

The Silver Tea will be held Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. at the Bay Area Museum, 5000 NASA Parkway in Seabrook. Admission is complimentary.

The Golden Jubilee Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the South Shore Harbour Country Club in League City. The entry fee is $150 per player or $600 per team.

The Family Fun Night will be Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at the Putt Putt Funhouse at 806 E. NASA Parkway in Webster. Admission is $25-$30 per person.

Dining Night is scheduled for Sunday, July 12 at 5 p.m. at Tommy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 2555 Bay Area Blvd. Open seating is $75 per person, VIP seating is $100.

The Golden Spa Night will be Thursday, July 16 at 6 p.m. at Oasis Salon and Medi Spa, 1015 W. Medical Center Blvd. Classic Level Tickets are $100, VIP Level Tickets $300.

The Fun Run will be Saturday, July 18 at 7 a.m. at Space Center Houston. Entry is $20 per person.

Entry forms available at On the Run at 2427 Bay Area Blvd.

The “All that Glitters” Sunset Service will be Sunday, July 19 at 9 a.m. at Clear Creek Community Church. Admission is complimentary.

The “Solid Gold Couture” Fashion Show will be held, Tuesday, July 21 at 10 a.m. at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston. Tickets are $75$125 per person.

The Golden Jubilee Coronation Ball Saturday, July 25 at 5 p.m. at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston. Single Seating is $125. A table of 10 is $1,250.

The Lunar Rendezvous Festival began in 1965 as a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization formed to preserve the rich history and many accomplishments in the space sciences made in the Bay Area. The first Festival, which took place over two weekends in June of 1966 and included more than two dozen events, was a salute to the space program’s historic 1965 rendezvous of Gemini VI and Gemini VII in space. Since its inception, Lunar Rendezvous has hosted fun and entertaining festivals enjoyable for the entire family. Each year hundreds of volunteers join together to promote charity, celebrate, and honor our community. Festival proceeds are used to maintain the Bay Area Museum, award college scholarships to local students, and fund other nonprofit programs in our community.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Clear Lake Area Chamber President Cindy Harreld and Chairman-elect Roy Green, left, thank Col. Len Waterworth for speaking at the chamber luncheon and offering his perspective on “Storm Surge Suppression.”

Brookdale Senior Living Executive Director Rena Deitrich, left, and Marketing Director Diana Jones enjoy the Clear Lake Area Chamber Luncheon at the NASA Hilton.

Goal now is to provide a plan to protect Galveston Bay area

By Mary Alys Cherry “We weren’t ready for the storm surge in 2008, and we’re not ready for the storm surge now.”

That was Col. Len Waterworth warning Clear Lake Area Chamber members at their monthly luncheon at the NASA Hilton.

But after ticking off all the damages caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008, he looked out over the crowd and said the area’s estimated damage from surge was $30 billion.

“We can mitigate surge damage.”

But help is obviously needed.

“We live in a phenomenal location,” the Texas A&M at Galveston executive professor continued. “People want to come here.” Some 5.4 million people live in our 10-county area. Job creation has been phenomenal. We’re the No. 1 exporting region in the United States.

We’re home to the second largest petrochemical complex in the world.

Our hundreds of miles of oil pipelines are like arteries in our body. They, too are of national interest.

But, he warned, “every 14 years we can expect a 3, 4 or 5 category storm to hit the upper Texas coast. We’re had 71 named storms since 1980, with the majority in August, September and October,” he said, pointing

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Chris Premont and Denise Stanley were at the Clear Lake Area Chamber luncheon representing Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai Clear Lake.

out that Hurricane Ike was only a category 2 storm – yet, because of its storm surge, it was the third costliest hurricane in U.S. history behind Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina.

In the aftermath of Ike, he said:  34 Texas counties were declared federal disaster areas  92,000 homes damaged in Harris County  2,400 injuries and 11 fatalities in Harris County  7,100 businesses damaged in Harris County  3,266 homes destroyed on Bolivar Peninsula  24,165 structures damaged in Galveston County  646 businesses damaged in Galveston County  700 homes destroyed in Chambers County  2,431 signals damaged in the City of Houston  $428 million in damages to UTMB Galveston  $132 million in damages to transportation systems  52 oil platforms destroyed.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

“Our goal now is to provide an actionable plan to deal with surge protection for the Galveston Bay area.” And, the fastest way to reach that goal, he added, is through academic-led surge research, which Texas A&M Galveston and Rice University in Houston currently are partnering on in an effort to get help through special legislation in Austin.

With special federal legislation after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans

now has a surge suppression project built in six years at a cost of $14 billion. The federal government has already spent $5 billion on Hurricane Sandy, which hit New York, the “financial capital of the world.”

The next round of Sandy-related legislation may be soon, Colonel Waterworth said, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed the $50 million in studies.

“Implementation will be costly,” he said. Yet no federal dollars have been used for surge suppression in the Galveston Bay area.

As for help for the Bay Area, the thinking is we can probably look for special legislation the next time a hurricane hits.

“This is totally unacceptable for the energy capital of the world,” Waterworth said.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Flow-Cal Inc. honored by UHCL

R

ecognizing the role that community partners play in assisting students, University of Houston-Clear Lake President William A. Staples presented the Community Partnership Award to Flow-Cal Inc. during the president’s annual Report to the Community breakfast. UHCL alumnus and FlowCal President and CEO Michael Squyres accepted the award.

“Michael Squyres is a great example of an alumnus supporting UHCL,” said UHCL President William A. Staples. “He has always been committed to UHCL and this community.”

A privately owned gas and liquids measurement software development company whose products are driven by the needs of the hydrocarbon measurement industry, Flow-Cal has had a close relationship with UHCL since it was founded by Squyres in 1995. UHCL alumni comprise 38 percent of Flow-Cal’s workforce. In 2013, Flow-Cal further showed its commitment to UHCL by sponsoring a charter Interview Room in the university’s Office of Career Services.

Staples explained that Flow-Cal has helped UHCL students in their career development.

Representatives from the company have participated in job fairs, networking events, business etiquette dinners and mock interviews.

They have financially supported FOCUS 2, an online career planning tool for students to select majors and career paths in UHCL’s Office of Career Services.

“At Flow-Cal, we feel very fortunate to have UHCL as a neighbor. Not only does our continued relationship with the school provide quality interns and quality staff, but it also helps us attract remote talent by offering convenient access to advanced degrees.”

Staples also updated those in attendance on key news and initiatives at UHCL, which has included the record-breaking fall enrollment of 8,665 students, the designation of the university as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media and the addition of the UHCL’s second doctoral degree – the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM or science, technology, engineering and math focus. He reminded the group about the on-campus installation of a fullscale replica of the Liberty Bell, constructed by the White Chapel Bell Foundry in England, which cast the original Liberty Bell in 1752.

“While all of these accomplishments are very noteworthy, by far our biggest accomplishment in 2014 was the transition in 2014 from an upper-level to a four-year university,” said Staples. “Without a doubt, this is the second most significant development at UHCL in our history, the first being the opening of the university in 1974.

“What made many of our successes possible are the partnerships that UHCL has developed with corporations, community organizations, individuals, alumni, cities, foundations and our own employees to advance key initiatives at UHCL. “Really good communities have a strong educational infrastructure,” said Staples. “Educated communities in the 21st century will win.”

Ron Carter Cadillac Named Dealer of Year

Flow-Cal CEO Michael Squyres, left, is presented the UHCL Community Partnership Award by University President Bill Staples at the annual breakfast at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Pearland City Manager Clay Pearson, left, and Mayor Tom Reid stop to visit with UH-Clear Lake President Dr. Bill Staples at the University Community Partnership Breakfast.

Capital Bank President Paul Maaz and his wife, Sharon, stop for a photo as they head to their table at the UHCL Community Partnership Breakfast at Lakewood Yacht Club.

For the third consecutive year, Ron Carter Cadillac was named as Cadillac’s Dealer of the Year.

“We are proud that our hard work and dedication to the customer has allowed us to be recognized as Cadillac’s 2014 Dealer of the Year” said Bob Abernathy, president of Ron Carter Cadillac. “Our number one priority is providing the best customer experience, and we look forward to building on this in 2015.

We advanced our customer service protocol by establishing Concierge Care, a unique level of attentive sales, service and maintenance that starts with our attention to our customers’ needs.”

To receive Cadillac’s Dealer of the Year recognition, Ron Carter Cadillac must be a top performer in sales and customer service. Dealers also need to show a commitment to these areas on a long term basis by retaining customers and providing customers with exceptional service using Genuine Cadillac Parts.

Cadillac has recognized dealerships in the U.S. with this honor since 2000.

Ron Carter Cadillac, an automotive retailer in Friendswood, is a leading operator in the Houston automotive retail industry. Ron Carter Clear Lake is a family owned and operated business that has seen unprecedented growth in its Cadillac sales in the Houston Area.

The company says it has achieved this success through a strategy that leverages management experience and emphasizes community involvement, its high customer satisfaction protocol, Concierge Care, and high team member retention. Through its single location, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing; vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair services and sells replacement parts.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Ron Carter Cadillac appears at www. roncartercadillac.com.

MAY 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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[SNAPSHOTS]

BayTran President Barbara Koslov, right, welcomes Port of Houston Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria to the BayTran monthly luncheon at Cullen’s Upscale Grille.

Port of Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther, left, says hello to, from left, Baytown Mayor Don Carlos, Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel and Port Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald, as he arrives at Cullen’s Upscale Grill to speak at the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership monthly luncheon.

Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark shares a light moment with Kippy Caraway at the BayTran luncheon.

Cecilia Kittley Shinn, front row, second from left, mezzo-soprano and director of music at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Clear Lake, is a member of the recent Grammy-winning professional chamber choir Conspirare: A Company of Voices.

Two other Houston singers featured on the album are Sam Houston State University voice professor Melissa Givens, front, far right, and freelance singer Nancy Curtis, second row, second from right, soprano, from The Woodlands. Under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson, front and center, Conspirare, founded in 1994 in Austin, has been nominated for a Grammy six times since 2006. Shinn Cecilia is a graduate of Clear Creek High (Class of 2002).

Texas Bank Branch Manager Brenda Ward, from left, stops to say hello to Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy Harreld and Vice President Shari Sweeney at a recent business meeting.

UHCL Provost Dr. Carl Stockton welcomes San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer, center, and Clear Lake Shores City Councilwoman Amanda Booren to Space Center Rotary luncheon at Bay Oaks Country Club, where Rotarians got an update on San Jac.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | MAY 2015

Barrios Technology presents a check to the United Way Greater Houston for $96,058. This year’s corporate campaign closed with 34.1 percent of Barrios employees pledging. Pictured, from left, are Tracey Escamilla, United Way chairman for Barrios Technology; Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston; Sandy Johnson, Barrios Technology president and CEO; and Allison Wilden, United Way senior relationship manager.

Sylvan Beach Triathlon coming up June 13-14 It’s that time of year again for the Sylvan Beach Triathlon/Duathlon!

T

he race, which has been in existence for more than seven years, begins with the open water swim and a real beach start— unique to any Houston triathlon. When the gun goes off, racers run into the water and swim 500 meters in the fresh ocean water. The nicely paved roads in La Porte provide for a fast, relatively flat bike ride with just a few uphill climbs to make and then it’s on to the run along the partly shaded streets in the neighborhood adjacent to Sylvan Beach Park.

It’s a great venue for the after party as kids can play on the nearby playgrounds or even go for a swim in the beach once the race is done. Following the race, the post recovery meal is designed to satisfy with pizza, burritos, ice cream -- all the indulgences one deserves after a hard morning of racing.

Support for this race are fantastic, officials say, and make it a truly enjoyable race from start to finish to be a part of. The City of La Porte supports the race with its medical team and police officers with their state of the art special operations trailer.

Their enthusiasm for the race and skill in providing a safe course cannot be beat.

This year’s adult race on June 14 includes a sprint triathlon, 500m swim; 15 mile bike and a 3 mile run, a duathlon, 2 mile run, 15 mile bike and a 3 mile run, and a triathlon team challenge where local area triathlon teams can compete as a team for a prize purse of over $1,000.

A team consists of eight members, with at least three women. Each team’s top six fastest times

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will be added together, including the times of the two fastest women, and the fastest team will win.

A prize also awaits the tri team with the most participants. Prizes will be given to the overall male and female winners, masters’ male and female winners and first, second, third teams.

First, second and third place age group awards (for men and women) will also be given to the USAT recognized age groups (under 19, 20-14, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 49-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+). Top three awards will also be given to Athenas and Clydesdales, both in the open and masters divisions.

New to this year’s race is a para triathlete division in which blind athlete Brandon Adame and para triathlete Mark Barr will be participating.

Mark is a top athlete who will be competing in the 2016 Para Olympics. Also new, kids from La Porte’s R.O.C.K. program participating in the race.

The R.O.C.K. program is a one-of-a-kind innovative program in which kids on juvenile probation have the opportunity to earn community service credit for participation in a Saturday workshop, in which the kids learn the benefits of remaining alcohol and drug free, and now participation in our triathlon. We have 10 kids from the R.O.C.K. program signed up for the event. Moreover, we have kids from the Boys and Girls Club, a local La Porte orphanage, who are participating in the triathlon.

The day before, on June 13, there will be a kids’ triathlon for kids 6-15 years old. The race course for the 6-10 year olds will consist of a 100m swim; 2 mile bike and a mile run and the course for 11-15 year olds will be 100m swim, 4 mile bike and 1 mile run.

The open water swim will be in a protected section of Sylvan Beach Park, shallow enough for most kids to touch the ground. It will be lined with

noodles and race volunteers and lifeguards will be assisting on kayaks. The bike course will be on a protected loop within Sylvan Beach Park, and the kids will run on the board walk. This is a spectator friendly course that allows the kids to experience a real beach triathlon. All finishers will get a medal, and age group awards will be given to both girls and boys in the following age groups: 6-8; 9-10; 1113 and 13-15.

After last years incredible success we are bringing back the kids’ triathlon training camp at Little Cedar Bayou Park on June 10-12. Under the instruction of USAT certified coaches, campers will learn how to swim, bike and run; they will also learn the rules of racing and how to be safe on the race course. Kids in the triathlon will learn the skills that they need to safely train and race for the rest of their lives.

Our goal is to provide athletes with a top-notch experience from the time he or she picks up her packet until they enjoy the after party. Safety on the race course is the top priority as well as creating a fun, competitive environment for both the seasoned athletes and the beginners. Sponsors also want to involve kids in the sport and make sure that kids of all backgrounds and economic status are provided an opportunity to learn about triathlon as well as about a healthy lifestyle. Scholarships will be available for kids who cannot afford to race or participate in the kids’ camp; as well as having bikes and running/swimming equipment donated to help kids in need as well. Race proceeds will benefit The Boys and Girls Harbor in La Porte. The ultimate goal is to involve the local community in the sport and create an event that not only benefits the youth of La Porte but is an event that the entire community can be proud of.

CLEAR LAKE Free concert May 3. The Note-Ables, an arm of the Houston Symphony League Bay Area, will present a free community concert starting at 4 p.m. at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd.

BOWA luncheon May 12. The Bay Oaks Country Club Women’s Association will host their monthly luncheon on Tuesday, May 12 at the club, starting at 10:30 a.m. with Paul Dreher, who’s worked with everyone from Lucille Ball to Barbra Streisand at the Beverly Hilton and has some interesting stories to tell.

UHCL Commencement May 17.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake Class of 2015 will receive their diplomas during ceremonies Sunday, May 17.

ALBA installation May 18. The Assistance League of the Bay Area will have its annual installation luncheon, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Welcome Neighbors May 21. The Bay Area Welcome Neighbors Club meets the third Thursday of each month at Bay Oaks Country Club for a luncheon and program. For reservations, contact Nancy Guthrie – membership@gmail.com or call 281.333.3055.

DEER PARK Business of Year Luncheon May 28.

The Deer Park Chamber will host the annual Business of the Year Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28. For information, call the chamber.

DICKINSON The Heiress at the Playhouse. The popular drama, The Heiress, is now playing in the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse’s Top Side Theatre, 3803 Highway 3, with curtains at 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m.

Sunday through May 17. For tickets, which are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students, call 281-337-7469 or email bareahp@comcast.net Music festival May 16. The 6th annual Red, White & Bayou Crawfish

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Texas Music Festival, headlined

by Kevin Fowler, is coming up Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Highway 3 and FM 517. For information, visit www. redwhiteandbayou.com/

FRIENDSWOOD Chamber luncheon May 2. The Friendswood Chamber will host its monthly membership luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Green Event Center, 2000 W. Parkwood, Suite 200. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

For reservations, email info@ friendswoodchamber.com or call 281482-3329.

Genealogy group to meet. The Bay Area Genealogical Society Special Interest Group will meet Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at the Friendswood Activity Building, 416 Morningside Drive. Nick Cimino will discuss German handwriting, vocabulary, and training resources. Another session is planned there Saturday, May 30 at 2 p.m. These sessions are free and the public is invited. Wifi is available so bring your device and research.

GALVESTON Lily Tomlin at The Grand May 9. Lily Tomlin’s characters have produced side-splitting entertainment for legions of adoring fans. She brings all those characters to life and more at The Grand on Saturday, May 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at The Grand’s Box Office, 2020 Postoffice Street, by calling 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or online at www. thegrand.com

N. Park Ave., Thursday, May 7. For information, call Bridget Kramer, City of League City 281.554.1000 Panhellenic luncheon May 14.

Clear Lake Area Panhellenic members will gather at 10 a.m. in the TAD Akers Event Center for their annual spring installation luncheon.

NASSAU BAY Business Expo May 7. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will host its annual Business Expo Thursday, May 7, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, starting at 11 a.m.

Boeing Boeing now on stage. The French farce Boeing Boeing is now playing at the Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, and continues through May 10 with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Sundays. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 281-335-5228.

PASADENA Sound of Music starts May 1.

The Sound of Music will close the 60th Diamond Season at Pasadena Little Theatre – opening May 1 and continuing through May 17. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays with one Thursday show at 8 on May 14 when two can attend for the price of one.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 713-941-1758.

Space Gala May 15. Galaxy Gala 2015 benefiting the Space Center Houston Shuttle Independence and 747 Carrier Project will be held Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Americas in the fourth floor Lanier Grand Ballroom. For information, visit galaxygala2015@gmail.com

Strawberry Festival May 15-17.

Pasadena’s big Strawberry Festival, at the Fairgrounds on Red Bluff Road, featuring parades, cookoffs, great entertainment, contests, even mud volleyball, is coming up May 15-17.

Times are 3 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 with children 0-4 free and those 5-12 and seniors 55 and older, $5.

LEAGUE CITY

PEARLAND

HOUSTON

City Hall in the Park May 7.The first of a series of City Hall in the Park town hall style meetings will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in League Park, 200

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2015

State of the County Luncheon May 21. The Pearland Chamber will host its 2015 State of the County Luncheon Thursday, May 21, at 11:15 a.m. at

Golfcrest Country Club, 2509 Country Club Drive. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

For reservations, call the chamber, 281485-3634 or visit its website.

SEABROOK Silver Tea slated May 3. Bay Area Museum Guild will host its annual Silver Tea Sunday, May 3, from 3 to 5 p.m., honoring long-time community volunteer, Angie Weinman.

Athena Luncheon May 9. The League City Regional Chamber’s annual Athena Women’s Leadership Awards Luncheon will be held Friday, May 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakewood Yacht Club. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for general admission. For reservations, call the chamber.

HSLBA Spring luncheon May 13. The Houston Symphony League Bay Area Spring Luncheon will be Wednesday, May 13, at Lakewood Yacht Club, 2425 NASA Parkway.

Officers will be installed. The program will feature Meghan Elizabeth Caulkett, principal harpist of both the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of Southeast Texas, and mezzo soprano Teresa Procter, a Houston Grand Opera artist. For reservations, which are required, call 281-480-2930 or email carolemurphy@ live.com

SHORE ACRES Rotary Springoree May 14. Space Center Rotary will host its annual Springoree at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at the Houston Yacht Club with a “Tailgate Party” theme. The event includes dinner, live and silent auctions and a raffle. Dress is casual.

Tickets are $75 each and may be reserved by calling Steve Owens at 281-813-3556.

TEXAS CITY New play at COM May 21. The College of the Mainland Community Theatre will present The Drawer Boy from Thursday, May 21, through Sunday, June 7, with curtains at 8 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday and at 2:30 p.m.

Sundays. Tickets range in price from $11-$23. Call 1-888-258-8859, ext. 8345.