Bay Area Houston Magazine September 2015

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

September 2015 www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com

Dr. Jason Leaseburg and Dr. Edward Lee

JOIN THE

Houston Methodist St. John

Winning Team +

Port on Track to Break Tonnage Record Mazda’s New CX-3 and MX-5 Webster Booming With New Developments NASA and Aerospace News

SEPTEMBER 2015

features

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ON THE COVER Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Jason Leaseburg and Dr. Edward Lee of Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

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Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry Executive Vice President Patty Kane Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan 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

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Administration Lillian Harmon Tammy Lipsey 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.

281.474.5875

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Mark your calendar with these Bay Area events

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Sleep your dental fears away

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Mayor Jon Keeney

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Shireman named ISS manager

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Now open on the lake in Seabrook

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Scheduled Friday, Oct. 2

Dates to Remember Dental Health Movers and Shakers NASA and Aerospace Waters Edge Events Venue Clear Lake Chamber Chairman’s Ball Houston Methodist Orthopedic and Sports Medicine

Dr. Jason Leaseburg and Dr. Jason League join the Houston Methodist St. John winning team

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Memorial Hermann Southeast spreading wings in area

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LYC team wins the Sears Cup

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A Banner Year: Port could set tonnage record

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Economic development is about people helping people

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Rick Bevelin takes League City post

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Ballet, the symphony and Texas art in Europe

Health and Medicine Lakewood Yacht Club News and Events Maritime and Petrochemical Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership News Nuggets The Arts

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Mariska Mes 2016 Lunar Rendezvous Queen

Clear Lake Chatter

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Fiesta fun!

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Take advantage of September to prepare for Fall fishing

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Zooming around the bay: Mazda MX-5 and CX-3

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The art of being human

Home Sweet Home The Admiral’s Log In Wheel Time Texas Meditations

46 CLICK!

Webster business alliance luncheon

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

Good News at CCISD School Board Meeting

columns

Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart Distribution Shinkle Distribution

Tax rates stay the same, pay hikes for all

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President & Chairman Rick Clapp

Sales & Marketing Shannon Alexander Kemla Melancon Debbie Salisbury

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Main Events Bay Area events in September

Sheriff Henry Trochesset, center, holds Aldo’s retirement plaque as he joins CCISD trustees and Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith for a picture of the transfer of the drug detection dog to a therapy dog working for the school district.

the intermediate program saw a 15 per cent decline in participation that resulted in a $460,000 drop in revenue.

“We’re giving the kids the things they wanted,” he said, as he presented typical weekly menus to the school board. All free and reduced payment students will receive the same meals as every other student, he explained, pointing out that the price will be comparable with the high school plan.

“Child nutrition is very, very important,” Trustee Win Weber said.

PAY HIKES FOR ALL

Good news comes in bunches at CCISD School Board meeting

By Mary Alys Cherry

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he good news just kept coming all evening as the Clear Creek ISD trustees held their July 27 meeting to discuss a host of issues.

In the space of about three hours, trustees:  Announced while setting a public hearing for 6 p.m. Aug. 31 on the proposed 2015-16 budget that they plan to keep the tax rate the same as this past year -- $1.04 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operations and $0.36 per hundred for interest and the sinking fund;  Agreed to do away with the extracurricular fees parents have been paying for their children to participate in athletics and other activities;  Devised a new lunch program for the intermediate schools that will provide “meals the students like” while providing lunch and breakfast for all students receiving free or reduced cost meals and removing all the middle schools from the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program;  Approved 3 percent salary increases for teachers with additional increases for long-term educators; a 3 percent raise for all other employees with adjustments for experience for those on the administrative salary schedule; plus implementation of the stipend plan.  CCISD also hired Aldo, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department drug detection dog that just retired, to be available to calm students in case of emergencies.

TAX RATE THE SAME While property values are rising, the upcoming CCISD tax rate could be a whole lot higher than it most likely will be, had it not been for two things.

First, the Texas Legislature passed a tax relief bill to increase the Homestead Exemption from $15,000 to $25,000. That will go before the voters for approval Nov. 3 and likely will pass.

Secondly, the $367 million in bonds for school improvements approved in the 2013 Bond Referendum have been handled in a careful manner leading to only a $0.04 percent rate increase versus the voter-approved $0.1125.

EXTRACURRICULAR FEES When the Texas Legislature took an ax to school funding in 2011, cutting $17 million from CCISD, the district was forced to freeze salary increases and hiring, eliminate some staff positions and take a variety of measures to balance the budget reductions. Parents were even asked to pay fees for their children to participate in extracurricular activities. “The reason we did the fee was the Legislature,” Superintendent Greg Smith explained, adding, “Now we think it’s time to take this off the shoulders of parents.”

Trustee Charles Pond pointed out to the audience that “we’ve never denied a child the right to participate (if the parents couldn’t pay), we just made special arrangements.” He went on to express his appreciation that the fees, which brought in about

Aldo poses for photos with his new handler, Amy Kilgore, as two Galveston County deputies look on after being hired by the Clear Creek ISD at the July school board meeting. Photos by Eva DeCardenas.

$300,000 annually to CCISD, would be removed. “Generally fees are never removed,” he added.

SCHOOL LUNCHES Fred Walker, CCISD director of child nutrition, told trustees that federal meal regulations had placed hardships on districts across the nation, leading to an increase in product cost and a decline in student participation. “As a result, we found we were not bringing in sufficient revenue from our full pay students to cover the cost of the program.”

He told how CCISD operated two school lunch programs last year – one a locally developed program for high school students with the elementary and intermediate schools under the National School Lunch Program. The local program was a success while

Trustees also approved a $7.3 million compensation package that includes a 3 percent raise for the district’s 2,150 teachers with additional increases for those at the 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years experience level. Also included is a 3 percent increase for all other employees, implementation of the second year of the Stipend Plan, plus adjustments to those on special plans.

Currently, CCISD’s starting teacher salary of $48,500 ranks 14th among Houston area districts but is only about $1,000 behind most districts.

CCISD teacher experience goes to 52 years, but only 12 have more than 40 years.

Deputy Superintendent Paul McLarty told trustees that “several stipends in the academic, athletic and fine arts areas needed adjustments to bring them in line with our competitor districts.” The cost for the second year of the Stipend Plan will be $50,185, he said, adding that the plan’s entire cost over three years will be $197,450. “I think we’re in a good place on the budget,” he explained.

SMILES FOR ALL Most enjoyable item on the agenda was the retirement of Aldo from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department and his hiring by CCISD. Sheriff Henry Trochesset and several of his deputies took part in the ceremony retiring Aldo as a drug detection dog and transferring him to the school district as a therapy dog serving with handler Amy Kilgore.

The sheriff said Aldo had been “retired, retrained and reassigned. He loves his job and never complains.”

Cost of his service – responding to emergency calls on CCISD’s 40 campuses -- will be $1,500.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Sunday Sept. 13 Clear Lake Panhellenic Fall Friendship Tea, 2-4 p.m., Stacy Bush Lyon’s home.

Tuesday, Sept. 15 Bay Oaks Women’s Association fall fashion show luncheon, 10:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Friday, Sept. 18 Clear Lake Symphony Fall Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay. Monday, Sept. 21 Clear Creek Education Foundation’s Dine Out to Donate.

Friday, Oct. 2 Clear Lake Area Chamber’s Chairman’s Ball, 6:30 p.m., South Shore Harbour Resort, League City.

Wednesday, Oct. 7 The 10th Anniversary of the Bay Area Museum’s Just a Pretty Table Luncheon,10:30 a.m. Bay Oaks Country Club, Clear Lake.

Thursday, Oct. 8 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Season Kickoff, 7 p.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Saturday, Oct. 10 Go Texan Great Gatsby Casino Night, NASA’s Gilruth Center, Space Center Boulevard.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 Bay Oaks Women’s Association fall coffee and holiday preview, 10:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Thursday, Oct. 15 Second Chance Pets’ Furry & Fabulous Soiree and Silent Auction, 6:30 p.m., DiAmici Upscale Events, 2300 NASA Parkway, Seabrook.

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Friday, Oct. 23 Clear Lake Symphony Ode to Shakespeare Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium.

Saturday, Oct. 24 Space Center Rotary’s Shrimporee and Auction, 11 a.m., Landolt Pavilion, Clear Lake Park.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 Music at the Museum, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild and Houston Symphony League Bay Area, 6:30 p.m., in the museum, Clear Lake Park.

Thursday, Nov. 5 Taste of the Town, hosted by the Pasadena Chamber, 5 p.m., Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway.

Friday, Nov. 6 Clear Lake Panhellenic fall fashion show luncheon, “Glamour and Glitz - Vegas Style,” 10:30 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort, League City.

Saturday, Nov. 7 Clear Creek Education Foundation Gala, South Shore Harbour Resort, League City.

Saturday, Nov. 14 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Gala, 7 p.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Go Texan Rodeo Cowboys & Cowgirls Who Cook, 7 p.m., Gilruth Center, Space Center Boulevard.

Saturday, Nov. 21 Breakfast With the Sugar Plum Fairy hosted by Bay Area Houston Ballet theatre, South Shore Harbour Resort.

Wednesday, Dec. 2 Clear Creek Education Foundation Community Partnership Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Lakewood Yacht Club.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Friday, Dec. 4 Bay Area Turning Point Holiday Market, NASA’s Gilruth Center, Space Center Boulevard.

Clear Lake Symphony Christmas Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Dickens on the Strand Festival opens, Strand Historical District, Galveston.

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre’s The Nutcracker opens at 7:30 p.m. for threeday run in the UH-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre.

Saturday, Dec. 5 Toyland Fantasy hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, 9 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Clear Lake Symphony Christmas Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Sunday, Dec. 6 Bay Area Museum Guild’s Holiday Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum.

Monday¸Dec. 7 Bay Oaks Women’s Association Holiday Market, 9 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Assistance League Holiday Open House, 10 am., home of Elaine Rister.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 Houston Symphony League Bay Area Holiday Coffee, 10 a.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay. Thursday, Dec. 10 Clear Lake Panhellenic Holiday Brunch, 11 a.m., Kim Krist’s home.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Holiday Party, 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11 Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre presents The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m., opening a second three-day run in UH-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theatre.

Saturday, Dec. 12 Historic Homes Tour hosted

by League City Historical Society 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17 Clear Lake Chamber Holiday Open House, 5 p.m., chamber office.

Space Center Rotary Holiday Dinner Party, 8 p.m., Bay Oaks Club.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 NASA Go Texan 50th Anniversary “Dreams do come true” Fashion Show, Gilruth Center, Space Center Boulevard.

Thursday, Feb. 4 Epicurean Evening hosted by the Clear Lake Chamber, 6:30 p.m., Space Center Houston.

Friday, Feb. 19 Go Red for Women Luncheon hosted by the American Heart Association, 10:30 a.m., South Shore Harbour Resort.

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre presents Cinderella at 7:30 p.m., opening a threeday run in UH-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theatre.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Go Texan Rodeo Trailride Dance, Gilruth Center.

Friday, March 4 Houston Symphony League Bay Area Home Tour PreParty, followed by the Day Bay the Bay Home Tour Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday, March 10 Space Center Rotary Springoree, 7 p.m.

Monday, March 28 Picnic at the Museum, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the museum.

Friday, April 8 Bay Area Turning Point’s Dogs and Divas Style Show Luncheon, Water’s Edge, Seabrook.

Saturday, April 9 Assistance League Gala, 7 p.m., Golfcrest Country Club.

Saturday, April 23 Keels & Wheels festivities start at 10 a.m., Lakewood Yacht Club.

Friday, April 29 Rotary Space Gala, 6:30 p.m., Hyatt-Regency Hotel Ballroom, downtown Houston.

Clear Lake Symphony’s final concert of season, 7:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay. Sunday, May 1 Silver Tea, hosted by Bay Area Museum Guild, 3 p.m., museum in Clear Lake Park.

Wednesday, May 11 Houston Symphony League Bay Area spring installation luncheon, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay. Monday, May 16 Assistance League Installation Luncheon, 9:30 a.m., Bay Oaks Country Club.

Bay Area Museum Guild May Installation Luncheon at 10:30 a.m. in the museum.

Tuesday, July 19 Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, July 23 Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 9 Bay Area Turning Point’s 25th Anniversary Purple and Teal Gala.

Sleep Your Dental Fears Away

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“Wouldn’t you rather be sound asleep while getting your dental work?”

magine this: you are going about your daily business and all of a sudden a single thought crosses your mind. Almost instantly your heart starts racing. You find yourself feeling anxious and uneasy. You might even notice that your blood pressure has gone up. Many people report sweaty palms or a knot in their stomach. What could it be?

Well, there are only a handful of thoughts that can affect us to that degree. You are either in love, getting ready to be audited by the IRS, or you just remembered you have a dental appointment. Of course I am making light of the dental fear, but for many people these responses are very real. Your logical side knows that you need to keep your appointment, and you will. But your emotional side does not want to be anywhere near your dentist’s office.

When it’s time to go to your dentist, do any of these physical and emotional reactions sound familiar? Regrettably for too many people they do. There are those who express their fear of dentists openly but most of us take the brave route and keep it together by hiding our fear. Then there is the third group, people who completely give in to fear and just avoid going to the dentist altogether until something hurts to a point that it can no longer be tolerated. They then reluctantly go see their dentist and usually do just enough to relieve the pain. They might even decide to get as much as they can done on the same visit because they know once they leave, they will not come back until the next toothache becomes unbearable. What percentage of population do you think belong to each of these three groups?

More than thirty percent of people belong to the third group according to Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS).

Even for those in group two who bravely visit their dentist regardless of their apprehension (like me), the experience is not very pleasant or relaxing. After all, it is completely natural to get uneasy when a sharp, long needle is approaching your mouth. Over the last 18 years I have rarely seen a patient who enjoys getting dental work done. Actually, on rare occasions (maybe once in a couple of years), I have come across some who enjoy getting anesthetic injections or teeth pulled. I always find that alarming and usually proceed to ask a few more questions to assure they are mentally sound.

There are some special occasions in life that you want to remember. Getting dental work done is not one of them. The damage caused by dread of dental work goes beyond just sweaty palms and heavy palpitations. It causes many people to avoid routine dental checkups and early detection of the oral problems

when they are still small and easily correctable (and inexpensive). Some common oral health problems like Gingivitis are painless, so they get very little attention simply because they don’t hurt. Other problems such as development of tooth decay remain pain-free until the nerve of the tooth gets infected. By then the problem becomes more complicated, more painful to treat, and far more expensive. All of which further reinforces the original fear theory. I call that “oral catch 22.”

Wouldn’t you rather be sound asleep while getting your dental work? That would be ideal, wouldn’t it? Well, the delivery of sedative drugs during the dental procedure will eliminate feelings of discomfort and ensures a pleasant experience for the patient. Even though there are other forms of sedations available, they are usually not as effective or easily to titrate as intravenous (IV) sedation. The process is extremely simple.

It is very similar to getting blood work done or donating blood. The specially trained dentist will establish an IV line and then give you some sedative drugs intravenously until you fall asleep. Next thing you remember, you wake up and your dental work is completed. It all seems like minutes as opposed to hours. Most people don’t even remember the whole experience. It is as though your mouth got magically fixed while you were sound sleep.

I understand there are some of you who still prefer to feel and remember the whole experience. Those are usually the ones who have never experienced IV Sedation in a dental office. I dare say that if you try it, you would not go back to awake dentistry.

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.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Movers &Shakers Name: Jon R. Keeney

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: The governor of Texas

Occupation: Mayor of Taylor Lake Village Hometown: Oak Ridge, Tennessee Current home: Taylor Lake Village Family: Fiancee Lynn, one daughter, two sons, six granddaughters My favorite writer is: Somerset Maugham Someone I’d like to meet: John Adams

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Hong Kong My favorite meal is: Porterhouse steak/baked potato

My favorite movie is: Laura Few people know: I met Wernher Von Braun

3 astronauts leaving NASA

T

By Mary Alys Cherry

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hree astronauts who helped

Stephen Frick

Mike Foreman

Steven Swanson

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

The thing that bugs me the most is: People whining

I like to spend my leisure time: Relaxing with family

ax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan

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You’ll never catch me: Backing down from a challenge

My favorite performers are: Oak Ridge Boys and ZZ Tops

Renewal Period Extended for Auto Registration at Grocery Stores is extending the renewal period for drivers to update their expired auto registration at their local grocery store.

“The state has always granted drivers a grace period to renew their registration after expiration,” said Tax Assessor-Collector Mike Sullivan. “In Harris County, drivers had a 5-day grace period to renew their registration at their local grocery store. After that time, they were required to renew at a Tax Assessor-Collector branch office. Effective immediately, I’m extending that renewal period from 5-days to 30-days so drivers can get their registration sticker at grocery stores, like H-E-B, Kroger, Randalls and Fiesta.”

This extension will allow drivers to renew their registration 30 days after expiration at any Harris County Tax Assessor Collector registration renewal partner, if they have not received a citation for expired registration.

If a driver has received a citation, they must renew at any Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector branch office.

“Earlier this year, we launched the One Sticker program in Harris County, and I know there is still confusion regarding how the program works,” said Sullivan.

“That’s why I want to give drivers more options and make it easier for them to get their registrations. For this reason, I’ve decided to extend the renewal period.”

In addition to visiting their local grocery store and the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office, drivers can renew their registration online and by mail. Specific instructions will be noted on their registration renewal form. It is also important to note that this renewal extension does not extend the grace period allowed by law and that drivers may be given a citation if they are operating a vehicle with an expired registration.

To view a full list of auto registration renewal partners, visit www.hctax.net.

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

build the International Space Station are retiring from NASA this summer after two decades with the space agency.

Stephen Frick, a retired Navy captain and U.S. Naval Academy graduate who flew as both a shuttle pilot and commander, left July 13 for a position in the private sector. A Pennsylvania native, he joined NASA in 1996 and spent 23 days in space while serving as pilot for STS-110 on Atlantis and as commander of STS-122, also on Atlantis.

Mike Foreman, also a retired Navy captain and U.S. Naval Academy graduate who flew on two shuttle missions, left July 31 to join a Houstonbased consulting firm. The Ohio native spent 26 days in space and performed five spacewalks during the STS-123 mission on Endeavour and the STS-129 mission on Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Steven Swanson, who has a doctorate in computer science from Texas A&M and flew on three missions that included a long-duration stay on the space station, left Aug. 30 to join Boise State University in Idaho as a distinguished educator in residence. In addition to flying on STS117 on Atlantis and STS-119 on Discovery, he spent six months as commander of the ISS in 2014.

NASA Astronaut Chief Chris Cassidy spoke highly of all three in announcing their departures.

The space station is one of the brightest objects in the sky. Photo: NASA

NASA names Kirk Shireman manager of the ISS Program

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irk A. Shireman has

been named manager of the International Space Station Program by William H. Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

Shireman has served as deputy director of the Johnson Space Center since 2013.

He replaces Michael T. Suffredini, who is leaving the agency to take a position in private industry after 10 years as manager of the ISS Program.

“Kirk brings considerable space station experience to this new leadership role. He will manage the overall development, integration and operation of the program,” said Gerstenmaier. “As ISS program manager, Kirk will work directly with the program’s international partners to ensure safe and reliable operation of the orbiting laboratory, and foster scientific research that benefits humanity and helps prepare us for our journey to Mars.”

Prior to his role as deputy center director, Shireman served as deputy ISS program manager from 2006 to 2013. He also served as the chairman of the ISS Mission Management Team after managing several subsystem offices, and managed multiple offices for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and began his career with NASA in 1985 in the Navigation, Control & Aeronautics Division.

“During Mike’s tenure as head of the program, the international project successfully completed construction and transitioned into

a fully functional microgravity laboratory,” added Gerstenmaier.

“Under his leadership, the station opened avenues for a new commercial marketplace in space and established a platform for groundbreaking research.”

Since Suffredini became program manager in 2005, the space station evolved to become the springboard to NASA’s next great leap in exploration, enabling research and technology developments that will benefit human and robotic exploration of destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, including asteroids and Mars. To date, more than 1,700 research experiments have been conducted aboard the station, bringing together researchers from over 80 countries in an effort to better the lives for all of humanity.

Suffredini joined NASA in January 1989. He has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Photos by J. Pamela Photography

John David LeBlanc, one of this year’s Lunar Rendezvous pages, gives a thumbs up when asked if he was enjoying the Ball.

Lunar Rendezvous Festival Chairman Jana Miller, right, and Board of Directors Chairman Michael Landolt congratulate Coronation Ball Chairmen Elizabeth Byrd Olin and Co-Chairman Katie Jones, second and third from left, on a very successful evening.

The Reason sisters make a pretty picture as they enjoy the Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball. They are, from left, Sydney Reason, Ashton Reason and Savannah Reason, daughters of Dan and Jill Reason of League City. Ashton was the 2014 queen alternate and her twin sisters were princesses this year.

Mariska Mes 2016 Lunar Rendezvous queen A PRETTY BLONDE Clear Falls High senior is the new queen of Lunar Rendezvous as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Mariska Valerie Mes, who was elected by her fellow princesses, was crowned at the Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball in the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston and will reign over the 2016 festival next summer. She is the daughter of Brenda and Rudolf Mes of League City.

The 2016 queen alternate is Jessica Michelle Monette, daughter of Terri and Todd Monette, also of League City, and a senior at Lutheran South Academy. Joseph Michael Corrao, son of Joseph and Brandie Corrao of Nassau Bay, was chosen by his fellow lieutenants to be the 2016 captain. He will be a senior at Clear Lake High.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Ball Chairman Elizabeth Byrd Olin and Co-Chairman Katie Jones welcomed a black-tie crowd of more than 600 to the festival finale, where they enjoyed an elegant dinner and danced to the music of Password -- – much to the delight of some 50 former kings, court members and past royals in attendance.

Besides the presentation of the royal court of princesses and lieutenants along with 2015 King Jerry Ross, Queen Allison Powell, Queen

Alternate Demerle Monks and Capt.

Jack Mullens by U.S. Army Col. (Ret) and former astronaut William McArthur, who emceed the event, it was also a night to honor the little court – the pages and little ladies in waiting, who always add charm to the event.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, another big crowd of about 600 gathered at the Convention Center for the 50th Lunar Rendezvous Fashion Show, chaired

by Michelle Holland and Deborah Reichert and produced by fashion guru Lenny Matuszewski Jr. for the 27th time.

Melanie Lovuola and Kathy Panneton, two long-time volunteers committed to the mission of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival, were presented the Golden Jubilee Award, and Kimberly Barker won the Spirit

Meet the Little Court, which was presented at the 2015 Lunar Rendezvous Coronation Ball in Galveston. They are, from left, front row, Madelaine Louise Kelly, Andrea Victoria Hernandez, Bella Burton Rogers and Mary Addison Culp; middle row, Isabella Jade Amdur, Lily Ellen Chuoke, Claire Elizabeth Farley, Gwendolyn Ellen Cook, Helen Grace Byrd, Emme Ann Lyon and Natalie Grace Lehman; and top row, Wyatt Mitchell Chuoke, Gregory Maddox Culp and John David LeBlanc.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Award as volunteer of the year at the always popular event.

LOTS OF FORMER festival chairmen were on hand for the annual Lunar Rendezvous Dining Event, at Tommy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Clear Lake.

While Festival Chairman Jana Miller mingled with the crowd, Chairman Tisa Foster and CoChairman Tracy Clause were at the door welcoming all with big smiles, including Past Festival Chairmen Ann Wismer Landolt, Mary Ann Shallberg, Mike and Kathy Reeves, Gloria Wong, Jill Reason, Annette Dwyer, Pat Wilson, Terri Dieste, Peggy Clause, Mary Williams, Kelli McCorkle Byrd and Jill Williams Lammers, who is the current Advisory Board chairman.

2016 Lunar Rendezvous Queen Mariska Valerie Mes joins 2015 King Jerry Ross, Queen Alternate Jessica Michelle Monette and Capt. Joseph Michael Corrao for a photo shortly after she was crowned during the festival finale, the Coronation Ball at the Galveston Convention Center.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Capt. Jack Mullen and Queen Alternate Demerle Monks check out the silent auction at the Lunar Rendezvous Dining Event.

Dining Event Chairman Tisa Foster and her husband, Dr. Mitch Foster, welcome the Lunar Rendezvous crowd to Tommy’s Restaurant in Clear Lake.

Five who once chaired a Lunar Rendezvous Festival swap stories during this year’s Dining Event. They are, from left, Jill Williams Lammers, who is the current chairman of the Lunar Rendezvous Advisory Board; Pat Wilson, Mary Williams, Kathy Reeves and Kelli McCorkle Byrd.

Shuttle complex opens on Jan. 23 It’s a date! Space Center Houston will open the new international landmark Independence Plaza on Jan. 23.

The eight-story-tall multipleexhibit complex is the biggest project for the nonprofit since the center opened in 1992 and features a shuttle replica mounted on top of the first shuttle carrier aircraft.

The announcement comes on the anniversary of the first free flight of a shuttle on Aug. 12, 1977, when Enterprise was released from atop what is now Space Center Houston’s shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905.

That SCA ferried shuttles 223 times and now carries the high-fidelity shuttle replica Independence, the world’s only shuttle mounted on an SCA and the only place where the public will be able to enter both.

Golden Jubilee Award winners, from left, front, Melanie Lovuola and Kathy Panneton are honored for their many years of service to the Lunar Rendezvous Festival at the 50th annual Fashion Show with Advisory Board Chairman Jill Williams, right, and Kelli McCorkle Byrd making the presentation.

Four former Lunar Rendezvous Festival chairmen, from left, Jill Reason, Gloria Wong, Annette Dwyer and Ann Wismer Landolt wear happy smiles as they look over the big crowd at Tommy’s for the annual Dining Event.

Peggy Clause, from left, is happy to see Mary Ann Shallberg, Terri Dieste and Micheal Reeves at the Lunar Rendezvous Dining Event. All four are former festival chairmen and no doubt had some stories to swap with each other about their experiences in past festivals.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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DESIGN

Piñatas It is not a fiesta without a piñata. Piñatas come in various sizes, shapes and colors. They can be purchased at party decor stores, Mexican grocery stores; or with glue, cardboard, tape and tissue paper one can create any shape and size needed (with some patience). There are tutorials online to help one in making a personal piñata.

Home Sweet Home Fiesta Fun!

Mexican folk art banners or using colored or clear glass lights is the perfect way to add color and gain more light.

Fiesta Freebies

By Cathy Osoria

A

colorful, laid-back, festive southof-the -border bash can be the perfect passport to a fun party. No need to worry about clashing colors, expensive decor or bland food. Guests are easily excited by seeing piñatas, tissue paper flowers, Mexican blankets, colored Corona bottles while snacking on a burrito /taco bar and of course enjoying a cold bottled Jarritos or Coca-Cola or a tasty margarita . There are tons of DIY projects that can enable one to stick to a budget and host a fabulous party.

Ask your local restaurant to save their empty cans of “Mexican type” food (refried beans, jalapenos), and Corona and Coca-Cola bottles.

These items make great containers for the tissue flowers, succulents, candles, and photo props for guests. They can also be painted and used as table centerpieces.

Tissue Flowers These colorful flowers are one of the easiest decorations to make. They can be made in multiple colors and sizes and are lightweight enough to hang from a ceiling to the backs of chairs or simply used as a centerpiece. It takes 6 pieces of tissue paper to create a large flower (approximately 25 cents per flower) and less tissue to make smaller flowers. Simply stack tissues in the preferred flower color, fold the tissues, tie in the middle, cut the edges for detail then fluff for a fiesta flower. There are video tutorials online.

Decorating Above the Guests Decorating the ceiling or the outdoor trees helps bring the eye up and down and creates the feeling of more space. Making or purchasing

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Mexican Blankets Colorful blankets can be used to drape over chairs, used as table decorations or hung on the wall as a photo backdrop. A “blanket look”can be created by painting a variety of colored stripes on a solid colored piece of material and fraying the ends. Blankets can be purchased online but prices vary. Just try to choose the most amount of material and bold color for the best price. The blanket can be cut into runners or pillows or smaller pieces to add to table decor.

Fiesta Food (hard to hate Mexican food) A self-serve taco/burrito bar is easy, fun and full of flavor.

Guests can fill up on the typical chips, salsa, queso and guacamole for appetizers. Fancy fiesta cookies or “fool the eye” cupcakes can round out the food fiesta.

The cupcakes are made to look like nachos but instead are a sweet treat. These are made with a chocolate cupcake, layered with yellow dripping icing, chips dipped in cinnamon and topped with gummy green slices that appear to be jalapenos. The food can be displayed and served in sombreros. Also the food can be displayed at different levels by placing the dishes on those collected food cans.

Creative Cocktails Jarritos (Mexican soda) or CocaCola in glass bottles is a cold cola treat and will remind guests of authentic Mexican soda. Sangria with chilled fresh fruit or a tangy tasty margarita is always a crowd pleaser too.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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A beautiful chandelier sparkles over the ballroom.

Waters Edge Venue now open in Seabrook

W

aters Edge Venue

celebrated its grand opening recently with a spectacular event complete with entertainment, food and fireworks. Now is the time to book your next event at the Bay Area’s premier waterfront venue.

Located on a spacious two and a half acres facing the beautiful shores of Clear Lake, the venue can

24

Event Consultants Rachel Newton, left, and Savannah Baker

accommodate over 300 guests in the open 5,000 square foot indoor area.

The ballroom is decorated with a modern touch and an art deco flare, making a unique canvas for any event. Having a waterfront location for your big event adds a level of sophistication and ambiance to set the tone for your special occasion.

Waters Edge has a scenic 2,500 square foot patio, including a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

fully stocked outdoor kitchen to accommodate you and your guests as they cozy around the fire pit and enjoy the spectacular Waters Edge view. The property features a lighted pier and gazebo located over the water for those wishing to have a truly unique event.

The building and surrounding grounds are designed to

accommodate the most discriminating client. Events from weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras, banquets, corporate events, holiday parties and any special occasion will be a success with the assistance of the Waters Edge professional staff.

If you are searching for one of the most unique wedding and event venues in the Houston area, Waters Edge has exactly what you are looking for!

Weddings are of course a specialty at Waters Edge. The goal of the staff is to make your special day truly memorable for you and your guests.

Waters Edge offers all inclusive, customized ceremony and reception packages designed to fit your unique wedding vision! You will find comfort knowing their trained Certified Wedding Planners will be with you throughout the entire planning process, from booking, to the events leading up to the wedding, to the wedding ceremony and reception, you’ll never be alone!

Waters Edge Events is located at 3901 NASA Parkway in Seabrook, TX 77586. Call 281-291-9900 or visit www.WatersEdge.Events for more information.

Call today to reserve Waters Edge Venue for your next private party event!

Janette Alford

Sharon Proulx

Brian Freedman

Jamieson Mackey

Roy Green

Bryan Bogle

Carl Joiner

Clear Lake Chamber 2015 Chairman’s Ball scheduled Friday, Oct. 2

By Mary Alys Cherry

C

lear Lake Area Chamber

members will honor outgoing Chairman Sharon Proulx and welcome incoming Chairman Roy Green at the 2015 Masked ‘Til Midnight Chairman’s Ball.

It’s coming up Friday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, where

new officers and board members will be introduced and State Sen. Larry Taylor will serve as master of ceremonies. Jamieson Mackay is serving as ball chairman.

Others who will be inducted at the 53rd annual ball are ChairmanElect Carl Joiner, Vice Chairman Administration Brian Freedman, Vice Chairman Membership Janette Alford, Vice Chairman Research Bryan Bogle

Trendmaker announces opening of new Clear Lake City development

T

rendmaker Development has announced the grand opening of The Reserve at Clear Lake City, a new home community located in the thriving Clear Lake City area of Houston.

As the developer and builder, Trendmaker plans, upon completion, for the new community to include 740 residences in two distinct product lines: traditional single-family homes on 55-, 70- and 80-foot homesites and luxury patio homes on low-maintenance zero-lot line home sites.

For over 40 years, Trendmaker Homes has earned a sterling reputation in Houston as a leading builder of superior luxury homes “Where the Upgrades Are Standard.”

“This is the first new home community to be built in this area in some time and so far, we’ve had an overwhelming response,” said Will Holder, president of Trendmaker Development and Trendmaker Homes. “Clear Lake is a beautiful community with a hometown feel, and we’re excited to bring new housing options to buyers here.”

Ranging in size from 2,433 to 3,168 square feet, phase one of The Reserve’s 39

and Past Chairman Sharon Proulx.

New board members are Brent Cockerham of BB&T, Brian Freedman of Boeing, Shawn Bailey of Amoco Federal Credit Union, Angela Bivens of Pet Palace, Pierr Castillo of Top Star Marketing, attorney Bob Davee of Mills Shirley law firm, J.P. Morris of Texas Citizens Bank and E’Lisa Trevino of Design Unleashed.

Those assisting chamber officials in

planning the event include Michael Divine, Lisa Holbrook, Bridget Bear, Dr. Peter Wuenschel, Phil Pampolina, Tina Looney, Emmeline Dodd, Joyce Abbey, Terri Divine, Natalie Poole, Jonathan Cottrell, Jane Sweeney, Stephanie Tanner and Heather Fisher.

Individual tickets are $100 each with corporate tables of 10 seats for $1,200. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-488-7676.

Villas patio homes by Trendmaker Homes highlight elements of comfort and luxury including lavish patios, state-of-the-art kitchens, and three-car garages.

The 11 different floor plan options offer spacious designs both indoors and out, with covered porches, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces for optimal entertaining areas year round. With two to three bedrooms and two and a half to three and a half bathrooms, prices on the patio homes begin in the high $440,000s. The Villas offer a perfect solution for couples or families looking to downsize while maintaining a premium standard of living.

The 89 large traditional single-family homes on the 70- and 80-foot lots in phase one are being built by Trendmaker Homes and its builder partner Village Builders. The homes range in size from 3,266 to 5,090 square feet, offering large, open floor plans for families seeking ample living space.

With 42 floor plans to choose from, buyers will appreciate the opportunity to customize their homes with various elements, including dining areas with stylized light fixtures, ample storage spaces throughout the home, laundry chutes, backpack racks, double ovens, covered patios, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, game rooms, and closet organization systems. Plans include four to five bedrooms, three and a half to five and a half bathrooms, and two to three car garages. Prices begin in the $490,000s.

Later this year, Trendmaker Homes and builder partner Ryland Homes will also build 37 traditional single-family homes on 55-foot lots in phase one.

The Reserve at Clear Lake City spans over 372 lush acres of serene open green space. Residents will enjoy full access to all of the amenities offered throughout the master planned community, including a pool, splash park, tennis courts, neighborhood parks and playgrounds, plus the continued establishment of retail shops, including a HEB Grocery Store-anchored retail center near the neighborhood entrance.

Situated east of the Gulf Freeway and south of the Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8), The Reserve at Clear Lake City provides for quick access to both the coast and Downtown Houston. The close proximity to both the city and the NASA campus provides an allure for commuters, and the nearby retail and entertainment, such as the Baybrook Mall, Johnson Space Center and the Bay Oaks Country Club, offer perks to couples and families alike. The Reserve at Clear Lake City is part of the Clear Creek Independent School District, ranked the best large school district in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

Sales at The Reserve at Clear Lake City are currently underway with 70-foot and Villas patio home models by Trendmaker Homes available for touring seven days a week.

For more information, visit www. reserveclearlake.com SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

25

Memorial Hermann Southeast spreading its wings in area

By Mary Alys Cherry

I

t won’t be long now before Pearland

gets its new $80 million Memorial Hermann Hospital.

That’s the word from Memorial Hermann Southeast CEO Kyle Price, who expects the 64-bed, acute care facility to open in early 2016.

Speaking at a recent media luncheon at his southeast Houston hospital in the South Belt area, Price explained that the new medical facility is an expansion of the recently opened Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center, which offers one-stop, highly coordinated access Memorial Hermann to adult and pediatric Southeast CEO Kyle Price primary care and a 24hour emergency center.

Construction of the Pearland hospital is moving right along, he said, and, when finished, will have operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, medical and surgical units, specialty physicians, women’s services, comprehensive radiology and laboratory services, wellness and prevention care, sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Other features include:  A Memorial Hermann Life Flight® helipad  17-bed emergency center (three trauma/ critical, 12 exam, two isolation)  Convenient online scheduling  An intensive care unit  A second medical office building (100,000 square feet, four stories)  Board-certified physicians offering a full range of medical services, specializing in Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Pediatrics Price also highlighted some of the recent accomplishments of the 292-bed Memorial Hermann Southeast -- which first opened in 1963 and came to the South Bend area in 1986 -- such as the new Convenient Care Center in Pearland, the recent opening of Memorial Hermann’s first Urgent Care Center at 1505 Winding Way in Friendswood and the new 3,500-sq. ft. Alvin site under construction at Highways 6 and 35 and expected to open this fall with two Primary Care physicians and one Advanced Practice provider.

The 292-bed Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital recently has also invested some $14 million in renovation and improvements, he added.

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Two neurologists join staff at Houston Methodist St. John

N

e u ro lo g ists Leanne Burnett, M.D. and Akhila Vijayakumar, M.D. have joined Houston Methodist Neurology Associates – St. John and Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

Many Bay Area residents are familiar with Dr. Burnett; she is returning after previously practicing neurology here for 20 years. “I am thrilled to be back,” Dr. Burnett said. “I love my patients in the Bay Area. They have a wonderful positive outlook and work very hard to improve their health and quality of life.”

Dr. Burnett will serve as medical director for neurological services at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

Dr. Burnett is board-certified in neurology and psychiatry.

Her clinical interests include the evaluation of patients with any neurological disorders including movement disorders, tremors, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, epilepsy, migraine and headaches, neuropathy and other neuromuscular disorders.

She completed a fellowship in neurological evaluation of movement disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Her

additional training included the development of clinical expertise in performing Botox injections in patients suffering from migraine headaches. “I also experience migraines, which gives me empathy and a special interest in treating others who suffer from migraines,” she said.

Dr. Burnett graduated with a bachelor degree in bio-medical electrical engineering from Rice University, then earned a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed an internship in internal medicine and residency at Baylor College of Medicine and received dual fellowship training at Baylor College of Medicine Division of Restorative Neurology and Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders.

Dr. Vijayakumar brings extensive training and experience to patients suffering from nerve-related disorders such as neuropathy, carpal tunnel, myasthenia gravis, nerve impingement and nerve injuries, epilepsy, migraine and other types of headaches. She also emphasizes prevention of stroke, headaches and other neurological disorders.

“There are so many patients

in this community in need of neurological care, advanced diagnostics and treatment options,” Dr. Vijayakumar said. “I am committed to providing them with comprehensive treatment and helping to make patients’ lives better.”

Dr. Vijayakumar obtained a medical degree from the Academy of Medical Sciences, Kannur University and completed an internal medicine residency at Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta, Ga., and a neurology residency at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

She received fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston.

“Dr. Burnett and Dr. Vijayakumar each bring a unique set of skills and experiences to St. John, and we are excited to have them join Houston Methodist Neurology Associates – St. John,” said Dan Newman, CEO. “Their collaboration with patients and with each another will ensure that we provide high quality personalized care for patients in need of neurology services. Dr. Burnett and Dr. Vijayakumar bring much needed neurological expertise to Bay Area communities and will strengthen our team and enhance services to our patients.”

Both doctors see patients at Physicians Medical Center II, located on the Houston Methodist St. John Hospital campus at 2060 Space Park Drive, Suite 112 in Nassau Bay. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leanne Burnett or Dr. Akhila Vijayakumar at Houston Methodist Neurology Associates – St. John, call 832.783.1999. Learn more at houstonmethodist.org/ stjohn.

For more information on Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, call 281.523.2000 or visit www.houstonmethodist. org/stjohn To find a Houston Methodist St. John Hospital physician, call 281.333.8899.

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital F RE E S eminars TOPIC

DATE

TIME

Back and Neck Pain

Wednesday, Sept. 30

5:30 p.m.

Surgical Weight Loss

Wednesday, Oct. 14

5:30 p.m.

Rememberance/Grief

Friday, Oct. 16

12:30 p.m.

GERD/Reflux

Wednesday, Oct. 21

5:30 p.m.

All seminars take place at 18300 St. John Drive, Nassau Bay. Registration is required at houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281.333.8899

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Lakewood Yacht Club Team Wins Prestigious Sears Cup

F

or the first time ever,

Harvest Moon Regatta to feature Sail-a-thon

By Marcy Fryday

F

or the fourth year, a Sail-a-thon to raise ovarian cancer awareness will partner with Lakewood Yacht Club’s Harvest Moon Regatta, which will race from Galveston to Port Aransas over Oct. 22 – 25.

There are three ways to participate in the Sail-a-thon this year: register your boat and raise funds; donate to the cause and support a boat; create a virtual boat. For more information, visit sail-a-thon.org.

The beneficiary of the Sail-a-thon proceeds will be Judy’s Mission Ovarian Cancer Foundation. The foundation was created in 2010 to honor Judy Robinson, a long-time member of Lakewood Yacht Club and participant in the Harvest Moon Regatta.

The Judy’s Mission trophy honoring Robinson will be presented to the skipper who raises the most donation money for the event. This will take place during the Harvest Moon Regatta Awards Ceremony the evening of Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Port “A” City Pavilion. There will be an “Early Bird Drawing” for early registrants on Sept. 26.

Robinson was an avid sailor, boat owner and racing participant. She was a member of the Harvest Moon Regatta® Committee for years and was a great supporter of the event.

Despite a healthy lifestyle, Robinson was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer in 2009 and died within a year.

While battling ovarian cancer, she was determined to do something to raise awareness about the vague signs and symptoms and ineffective screening tools for victims of ovarian cancer. She and her friends then created the JLR Foundation.

The JLR Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Houston dedicated to raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to funding research. For further information, visit the website www.jlrfoundation.org To participate in the Sail-athon, visit the website www. harvestmoonregatta.com and click on Sail-A-Thon.

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the Lakewood Yacht Club youth team has won the Sears Cup, which is the oldest youth trophy in sailing and has been awarded since 1921 – bringing congratulations from the Lakewood staff and membership on bringing home the highly coveted award!

The United States Sailing Association’s 94th U.S. Junior Championships Regatta, one of the country’s most prestigious events for sailors ages 13-18, was held at Wianno Yacht Club in Osterville, Mass., Aug. 2- 6 and Lakewood was represented as home to the best of the best for youth sailors!

The team of Dane Byerly, Howdy Hughes, Collin Scoville and Carson Shields representing Lakewood won U.S. Sailing’s Junior Quadruple Handed Championship for the Sears Cup. The event was part of the Chubb U.S. Sailing Junior Championships and sailing took place in Wianno Seniors, a 25foot Gaff Rigged Sloop, originally designed in 1914.

Eleven teams from around the United States qualified to compete in this year’s Sears Cup through area eliminations in their region.

Racing took place in a variety of conditions on Nantucket Sound, with a great sea breeze being the

Howdy Hughes, Collin Scoville, Dane Byerly and Carson Shields, from left, show off the Sears Cup they won – the first time a Lakewood Yacht Club team has won the prestigious award.

norm late in the day.

The Lakewood team was strong in all conditions, effectively winning the event even before the last race. On the final day, the team sailed to its 6th win in 11 races while flying the Texas Flag from the mast. They ended up winning the event with 18 points in 11 races with second place 24 points behind them.

The Sears Cup is the oldest youth trophy in sailing and has been awarded since 1921. While this is the first time that Lakewood has ever won this prestigious award the young sailors are looking forward to keeping up with this trend!

In addition to Lakewood Yacht Club team winning the Sears Cup, Dylan Ascencios and Hunter Skinner, also represented Lakewood in the 420 class sailing for the Bemis trophy. Coming off several impressive events this summer, Dylan and Hunter looked to keep their momentum going.

The two sailed most of the event in the top 10, but a tough final race saw them finish up at a still impressive 13th place overall.

In recognizing the success of the team, it’s important to also recognize Lakewood Sailing Director Marek Valasek, who joined the yacht club staff in May 2012 and has grown the club’s youth program into one that is recognized as stellar around the world. Due to his success, Marek was picked to judge the 2015 Opti Worlds to be held in Dziwon, Poland from Aug. 25-Sept. 5.

Lakewood Yacht Club is among the top 10 most prestigious yacht clubs in the United States and is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Lakewood’s boating tradition and history has beckoned those who love the water, as well as those that love to socialize and live life to the fullest.

Visit lakewoodyachtclub.com for more information.

B ay C up I I S eries

Lakewood Yacht Club veteran racer Uzi Ozeri holds the Bay Cup II Series crystal trophy he won for the J/105 Fleet on his “Infinity.” The series winners are those who have the best score in their fleet -- combining Bay Cup I held in March and Bay Cup II held Aug. 1 on Galveston Bay. Pictured with him are regatta sponsor Steve Jurbala with DonQ Rum, LYC Commodore Joyce Maxell and Vice Commodore Don Mitchell.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Winning the Bay Cup II Series for the J/109 Fleet was Lakewood Yacht Club’s Al Goethe, third from right, on his “Hamburg.” Hosted by Lakewood Aug. 1, the Awards Ceremony was held in the club’s lounge during a party following the last race. Pictured with Goethe are LYC Rear Commodore Ashley Walker, regatta sponsor Steve Jurbala with DonQ Rum, Hamburg crew members Moray Sandison, Farley Fontenot, and Doug Cummings, along with LYC Fleet Capt. Jim Winton (far right).

Don’t be surprised when you find more flounder on your stringers in September.

Take advantage of September to prepare for Fall fishing

By Capt. Joe Kent

F

or inshore anglers,

September is a transition month for fishing. With the noticeably shorter days and a time when that first cool front crosses the upper Texas Coast, fish begin changing their patterns.

The shorter days probably are the big signal, as lately the water has not been cooling significantly during September. Regardless of what triggers the movement, trout begin to migrate out of their deeper summertime havens and start heading to shallower waters.

The first cool front will be a key to getting things in motion, especially for trout. Flounder begin waking up when the days are shorter, as that alerts them that winter is not far away and that they better start thinking about the big migration.

While the peak of the flounder run or migration to Gulf waters is not until November, the flatfish become more active. Reds on the other hand start preparing for their fall spawn capped by the big “bull red run” in the surf.

This year, expect Trinity Bay and

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Upper Galveston Bay to be in great shape following the spring floods that flushed all of the salinity out of those areas. The hot, dry summer did wonders to replacing the salinity level and, with all of the nutrients left behind from the floods, fishing should be great.

“Check your inventory of tackle, as some items become scarce during the flounder run.”

While inshore fishing still is good during September, it is the period from mid-October until early December when fall fishing tends to be red hot.

Considering that pattern, September is a good month to prepare for fall fishing by servicing the equipment you have been using all summer and that includes your boat.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Restringing your reels is a must if you have been fishing in saltwater and especially if they have been exposed to a lot of sunlight.

Changing the size of the line is an issue you may be confronted with as well.

The decision on whether to restring with heavier or lighter weight line depends on the type of fishing you plan for the fall compared to how you fished during the spring and summer.

An example of this involves those who fish the jetties and other areas during the summer where rocks and debris are present which usually require a heavier line than wade fishermen would use. Your

individual circumstances will dictate the answer to that question.

You should clean and oil your reels, perhaps not as thoroughly as after the season; however, a lot of salt tends to work its way into the inner workings of your reel during heavy use in the summer.

If you used your outboard engine a lot during the summer, say close to 100 hours, an oil change for the lower unit should be considered and lubrication of the moving parts covered by the cowling is recommended. One benefit to changing the oil is to check for water which indicates a leak. Lots of repair costs can be saved by early discovery of water in your oil.

If you perform the service, look for water running out upon removal of the drain plug and also milky colored oil. Both are signs of seal leaks and hopefully the discovery is made before internal parts are damaged.

Check your inventory of tackle, as some items become scarce during the flounder run, especially popular flounder lures and riggings.

Once you are satisfied that you are ready for the fall action, then you can start thinking about planning your first fall trip. This fall should be a good one for the Big 3.

Two all-new Mazda’s arrive for 2016

By Don Armstrong

T

his summer, Mazda pulled the wraps off the longawaited remake of the MX-5 Miata and a reboot of the CX-3. Bay Area Houston’s In Wheel Time crew was invited to the party in L.A. where we got to experience driving both through the twisty hills just north of the city.

The Mazda suits don’t refer to it as the Miata any longer, but rather the MX-5. Call it anything you’d like but we call it “awesome.”

Lighter, more nimble and with a skin drawn tighter all around, the allnew MX-5 offers more of everything - except horsepower; 12 less than last year’s model. But add a 6-speed transmission and make it 150-pounds lighter than its predecessor and it feels like a 25-horsepower increase – at least.

Engineering the new MX-5 was at the forefront of the redesign and it shows in all the little things, some

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which might not be apparent. The driver is now centered behind the steering wheel and the pedals below are directly inline with the driver.

Interior stitching is impeccable, material choices are superb and accent color highlights the designer’s attention to details.

The convertible top is another example of think tank study. Its onehanded operation from the driver’s seat that’s so easy; a 5-year old could raise it.

This ultimate fun factor starts at $24,915.

The old-school way of thinking may find the new Mazda CX-3 in the “hot hatch” category, but since everyone seems to be buying Crossover SUV’s these days, it will be battling for a place in the rapidly expanding subcompact class.

The fifth vehicle in the lineup to sport Mazda’s KODO—Soul of Motion design and signature

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

SKYACTIV Technology, the CX-3 gives the first-time buyer and emptynester the convenience of an SUV in a smaller package with a lower ride height. Getting it in the garage and tight parking spaces is a lot easier too.

The 2.0-liter, 146-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine is paired exclusively to a 6-speed automatic transmission and gets 29-MPG city and 35-highway.

Because of its diminutive size, you might think that the secondrow passengers would not have any legroom, but that’s not the case. Most six-footers will ride just fine.

All CX-3’s come with push-button start and a laundry list of options including radar cruise control and smart braking with collision warning.

Pricing begins at $19,960.

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

The Art of Being Human

By Michael Gos

E

arl Langley is an artist.

We all are, I suppose. Inside us is an artistic bent that comes as a part of being human and it is constantly struggling to get out.

36

Little children make art instinctively.

Eighty-four percent of American children rank high in creativity in kindergarten. But for some reason, that quickly changes. By the time children reach the second grade, only ten percent still rank high in creativity.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

As adults, most of us have locked that part of ourselves away deep inside.

There is nothing sadder than a man who goes to the grave with his music still in him. That won’t happen to Earl.

Earl owns a small engine repair shop in Leakey. On Mondays, and on Wednesdays through Saturdays, Earl fixes lawn mowers and chainsaws.

But on Tuesdays, Earl practices his art. His medium—chicken. Earl is the proprietor of Chicken Earl’s, a home built food trailer next door to his The Leakey shop. His fried Merchantile-A true Texas chicken is not general store with fast food or even beer, groceries, truck food. It is clothing, camping supplies, ammo a high art form. and bait.

I’ve never tasted any that could even come close to his masterpieces.

It is worth the five-hour drive from Houston just to have lunch out on the picnic tables in front of his wagon.

I once asked him why he was only open on Tuesdays. With his close proximity to Garner State Park, I would figure he’d make a ton of money on weekends. He said he was only cooking one day a week and

there was only one Tuesday in the week so it seemed like the perfect match. So now, whenever I go to Leakey, it is on a Tuesday.

But Leakey holds more significance for me than just Chicken Earl’s.

Back in 2005 I spent a week there running from Hurricane Rita. Rumor had it that some not-so-sharp civic leaders were about to try to evacuate Houston and send more than four million people north, into the path of the hurricane. I bugged out before they had a chance to close the roads heading west to safety. Since my running buddy was a 100-pound Labrador retriever, my choice of hotels was limited. In the last ten years hotels have become more dog friendly, but back then, it was an issue. I found a place in Leakey, a town I’d never even heard of, that would accept us both and after 9 hours on the road, we arrived late at night at the tiny town in southern Hill Country. They told me over the phone the office would be closed but I would be in room 12 and they would leave the key in the door. I would have been worried about vandalism if I owned the place, but now I understand they knew what they

“But move away from the crowds...and you once again see man as he was designed to be.” were doing.

My week there was a real eyeopener. Past experience had shown me that when hurricane running, you hang out in a motel, go to dinner and just be bored out of your mind until its time to go home. But then again, I’d never spent a week in a small town motel.

The first morning, I woke up to find a note on my door telling me to come to the office to pick up a package.

A couple of the townswomen had sent over breakfast. The hospitality just grew from there. On Thursday night I was invited to attend the town pep rally and bonfire in preparation for the football game the next day, and on Saturday my dog and I were invited to a barbecue and party at a local ranch welcoming the town’s

new nurse practitioner. The food was great, they had a live band playing cowboy music and almost everyone at the party came up and introduced himself. It was magical. For years I just assumed my week there was an isolated event, people feeling sorry for me because of the hurricane, and I appreciated it for what it was. As a result, I have always had a special place in heart for Leakey.

But then other things kept happening. I’ve written here previously about going to Montel, Texas, to photograph a 19th century wooden church back deep in the woods. The church was next to an old one-room schoolhouse that served as a community center. As we pulled up, a woman came out of the schoolhouse and insisted we come in and join her family reunion for lunch. Again, everyone came up to us with introductions, and I had a long conversation with two of the folks who were also Purdue grads about ten years before my time there.

And there has always been Terlingua. I never could explain that either. You go to the ghost town, buy a beer at the trading post and sit on the front porch drinking it and

meeting all your new “friends” who want to know all about you. (“Do professors always wear cowboy hats?” “Did you really drive all the way from Houston in a Jeep?”)

These places are so different from what I was used to. I grew up in a city. Today I live in a suburb of a city.

You know a few of your neighbors, and even fewer well. Strangers pass by and there is either a tiny bit of small talk, or far more likely, none at all. The closer you get to the center of the city, the more pronounced this isolation becomes. The longer you stay there, the more “normal” this starts to feel.

I think living in the city makes people leery of strangers. When we have spent any measurable amount of time in that environment we begin to forget that man is, by nature, a social creature. His true self is freely displayed, even reveled in, unless he is overcrowded. Then a degree of protectionism and mistrust starts to creep in. Because having so many others in such close proximity overwhelms man, he tends to turn inward and that leads to misgivings that make him leery of others. I’m sure the crime in cities doesn’t help

matters either.

But move away from the crowds, spend some time in the tiny towns and the wide open spaces and you once again see man as he was designed to be. His social nature is once again clear. That is why it is important to spend time in places like this. We may have to live in cities because of jobs or family obligations, but we can always take some time to visit places that are more in tune with our human nature.

From time to time we need to remind ourselves of who we really are. To be a fully developed human being requires two things: being social and letting your art out. We are all social creatures—and artists…if we just give ourselves a chance. Just ask Earl and the rest of the people in Leakey.

Post Script: Chicken Earl’s has recently moved around the corner onto road 337 going toward Vanderpool. Just a few hundred feet from the “downtown” Leakey intersection is the Frio Pecan Farm. Earl now has an indoor restaurant there. He is still open only on Tuesdays.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

37

The Port of Houston could be on the cusp of setting new records in tonnage

By Rod Evans

I

f the first eight months

are any indication, the Port of Houston could be on its way to a record shattering year in 2015.

According to the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), nearly 20 million tons of cargo has passed through Port of Houston docks so far, fueled by a huge increase in container units and steel imports.

Executive Director Roger Guenther explains that so far this year, the PHA’s Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals have shown a 30 percent increase in loaded container units, while general cargo terminals reported a 26 percent growth in import steel tonnage.

“Business has reached its highest levels across several key business lines during recent years,” Guenther said, “and we must continue to strategically plan for the future opportunities.”

Steel imported into the port to support construction related to the oil and gas industry has seen enormous growth so far in 2015, with nearly 6.5 million tons crossing the docks, according to Stan Swigart, director of marketing and external

38

communications for the PHA. Swigart says the 30 percent increase in the container imports is attributed in large part to an ongoing rift between management and labor unions on the west coast that has caused a ripple effect across the industry and resulted in shipments being routed to the Port of Houston.

“The labor unions are in negotiations for a new contract, but they haven’t been able to come to an agreement, which held up some of the boxes (containers) that were going to the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach,” Swigart said. “That caused congestion to clear those containers off the terminal, so a lot of those cargo

owners booked cargo on alternative routings with other services instead of having the containers be stuck in Los Angeles and Long Beach. We hope to retain some of that and we think we will.”

Because the Port of Houston is widely known as one of the world leaders in handling containerized cargo, Swigart says the PHA focuses a considerable amount of its attention on marketing that business and trying to attract new carriers to utilize the PHA’s Barbours Cut and Bayport terminals. The port handled approximately 1.9 million TEU’s (20 foot equivalent) in container cargo last year—a record for the port—and he says officials are optimistic that the two million TEU threshold can be eclipsed this year.

“We focus a lot on container markets. That’s where the most opportunity lies and it provides the highest revenue per ton,” Swigart said.

With the Barbours Cut terminal, which was built in the 1970s, currently undergoing a massive modernization project and with the newer Bayport Terminal only about 50 to 60 percent built out, Swigart says once both terminals are running at full speed, port officials hope to increase container handling capacity to upwards of five million TEUs. The port has also seen an increase in cargo related to the expansion of wind energy, with many components, including the massive blades, of windmills passing through the port on their way to wind farms in West Texas and beyond.

Meanwhile, Swigart says the recent mutually agreed upon decision between the Maersk Line, the world’s largest shipping company, and the PHA to terminate the shipper’s long held contract at Barbours Cut will

“We always experience an increase in in-bound containers from Asia that is caused by supplying inventory for Christmas, and that starts real soon.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

prove to be a boon for the port and Maersk and its affiliated shipping services, SeaLand and Safmarine.

“This will give us back a lot of berthing space and lay down area for increasing our volumes for paying customers,” Swigart said. “They wanted to get out of the contract and we wanted to get our terminal back.”

The PHA previously had a landlord-tenant relationship with Maersk at Barbours Cut, but with the termination of the contract, the company is now free to call at that terminal or at the Bayport terminal as a common carrier.

Swigart said port officials are still assessing the impact of the recent announcement by Caribbean Princes and Norwegian Jade cruise lines to cease operations at the Bayport Cruise Terminal after the 2015-‘16 season.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen to the terminal yet, but we utilize it in the off-season as well as in-season for ships that need a place to tie up and re-store or do maintenance, and we charge them for that,” Swigart said. “The cruise lines will be calling through April 2016, but beyond that, we don’t know what the future holds.”

With the last quarter of 2015 upon us, Swigart says the port is bracing for changes in shipping caused by both seasonal and economy-driven factors.

A drop in steel tonnage is anticipated he says due to the continued drop in oil prices and the attendant decline in exploration. However, a major increase in container cargo is expected as the holiday season nears.

“We always experience an increase in in-bound containers from Asia that is caused by supplying inventory for Christmas, and that starts real soon,” Swigart said.

According to Swigart, Asian trade is the fastest growing sector at the port, although that status is not yet reflected in the tonnage figures. He says the PHA plans to continue to heavily court the Asian trade, along with other marketing initiatives, in an effort to attract new carriers to call on the port.

“A lot of trade comes into Texas via Los Angeles and Long Beach (ports), but our target is to get those carriers to come directly into Houston instead of bringing (cargo) over land,” he said. “Over the next five years, we expect to see a jump in the export of containerized plastic resins, and that’s coming out of the refineries. The major markets for that will be Asia if the price remains low enough. The cheap natural gas and shale exploration is making it very inexpensive to produce.”

economic development does not and cannot happen by itself. It has to be supported by everyone – economists, politicians and citizens from all walks of life. When this happens, economic development leads to the creation of more opportunities in the sectors of education, health care, research, human development and environmental conservation. It equally implies an increase in the per capita income of every citizen.

What have you done for me lately?

Economic development is all about people helping people Established economic development programs have been recognized for most of the last century.

Despite the longevity of such programs, the majority of people do not understand just what economic development entails.

What is it?

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) defines the term as a program, group of policies or activity that seeks to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community, by

creating and/or retaining jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base.

Economic development involves development of human capital, increasing the literacy ratio, improvement of important infrastructure, improvement of health and safety and other areas that aim at increasing the general welfare of the citizens.

That last statement is really important. Economic development helps all of us. Economists use a variety of indicators to measure the level of economic development in any given area. The indicators are: declining poverty rates, increasing literacy rates, declining infant morbidity and increasing life expectancy.

It’s also important to note that

BAHEP just published an article in its monthly BUSINESS TO BUSINESS insert that runs in regional newspapers. Titled People helping people is the bottom line in economic development, the article touches on what BAHEP does to make life better for you, for me and for everyone else in the organization’s region of service.

The article explained in detail BAHEP’s work in regard to the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. Just this one initiative saved homeowners and businesses hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars in flood insurance premiums. Those dollars were then freed up to be spent on goods and services, providing millions of tax dollars for BAHEP’s 14 member cities to use to support their citizens – again, people helping people.

BAHEP has also been working in partnership with Texas A&M University at Galveston for the past four years in support of a storm surge protection system for the upper Texas Gulf coast. Anyone who was flooded during Hurricane Ike knows how important this initiative is. Ike was just a Category 2 storm. Houston will get hit again by a major hurricane. If

we do nothing to protect ourselves, the $35 million that was spent to recover from Ike will look like “chump change” compared to the cost of recovering from the direct hit of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane.

BAHEP’s marketing team is also working to relocate or expand 32 companies / projects to the region, hosting foreign delegations and site consultants, who advise companies on their next expansion location, to showcase the opportunities available in Bay Area Houston.

Much of BAHEP’s work is accomplished behind the scenes. The results of this work are sometimes obvious as when a company moves here creating great new job opportunities. Sometimes our work stays behind the scenes, unknown to few besides the select group involved in it. That doesn’t make those efforts any less important to the well being of every single person in BAHEP’s area of service.

It is not possible to touch on all that economic development does in a short opinion article, but I hope that this helps to make the concept of economic development a little clearer, a little more personal. BAHEP is all about “people helping people,” and I truly believe that the BAHEP staff is one of the best in doing just that.

Bob Mitchell

President Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Webster booming with developments

By Mary Alys Cherry

P

retty soon, you won’t be able to recognize Webster

as you drive down the Gulf Freeway.

That long patch of undeveloped acreage across from Hobby Lobby on the Friendswood side of the freeway?

Exxon Mobil has sold the 177-acre tract to Medistar, which has spent most of the past three or four years building Bay Area Regional Medical Center and the new Webster Rehabilitation Center.

But no big medical facility is planned.

Instead, Medistar will build a mixed-use project that will include a new hotel and conference center, restaurants, offices, retail, medical facilities – even an amphitheater on the property, which is just south of Top Golf, a popular venue under construction at 21401 Interstate 45 that is opening in late October or early November and expects to serve approximately 450,000 visitors in its first year of operation, a spokesman said.

No date for opening the new Medistar site has been set, but late 2016 would be a good guess.

Meanwhile, Medistar has sold its new Webster Rehabilitation Hospital property to Carter Validus Mission Critical.

The Webster Rehabilitation Hospital is a newly built, 45-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility that measures approximately 53,513 square feet in net rentable area and provides physical, psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation services for patients.

The hospital is 100 percent leased to Clear Lake Institute for Rehabilitation, a newly formed operating subsidiary of PostAcute Medical, Medistar said, adding that “PAM is a leading provider nationwide of health and patient services for longterm acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, residential brain injury and comprehensive wound care. ” PAM currently operates 18 in-patient facilities and 10 out-patient facilities in Texas and Louisiana.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

39

Rick Beverlin takes League City post

ISS gets longer lease on life

Richard “Rick” Beverlin began work in mid-August as League City’s new director of Economic Development, after resigning his post as Kemah’s city administrator.

In this position, Beverlin, already a League City resident, will work to further the downtown redevelopment, development of the west side of the city, business retention and expansion, attract new businesses and enhance the city’s tourism efforts, City Manager Mark Rohr explained.

“We are fortunate to secure someone with the breadth and depth of experience that Rick offers,” said City Manager Mark Rohr. “I am confident that he will infuse energy, enthusiasm and know-how into our economic development efforts, which will prove beneficial to the entire city and our residents.”

Beverlin has served as the city administrator for Kemah for the past four years and has more than 25 years of experience in dealing with local, county and state projects and issues including directing economic development projects in Kemah and the region. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Arts in Public Administration atcc the University of Houston.

“I am truly humbled and excited to have been selected for this opportunity,” said Beverlin. “League City is one of the fastest growing cities and a great place to live.

The Russian government has agreed to prolong the life of the International Space Station until 2024, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos Igor Komarov said. “The government has approved our joint proposal [of partner countries] on the extension of ISS life until 2024,” Komarov said, adding that political disagreements between the partner states have not affected the ISS program.

Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden informed Congress that due to continued reductions in the president’s funding requests for the Commercial Crew Program that NASA has been forced to extend its existing contract with Russia’s Roscosmos to transport American astronauts to the ISS, which will cost the U.S. an additional $490 million.

Mary Ann Perez running for House Former State Rep. Mary Ann Perez plans to run for the District 144 seat in the Texas House of Representatives she lost in a close race in 2014 to represent parts of Pasadena, Houston, Baytown, South Houston and Deer Park.

“As a small business owner, I believe in doing whatever it takes to get the job done and take care of our community. I’m ready to fight for Texas families and bring common sense back to Austin,” she said. She is a University of Houston Downtown graduate.

Splash Pad is now open Webster is inviting its residents to bring the whole family to Texas Avenue Park located at 17100 N. Texas Ave. to enjoy a wonderful addition to the park. The Splash Pad is open from 9 a.m. – 9.p.m. every day, officials said.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

Rep. Randy Weber, center, was in the crowd at the annual League City Regional Chamber’s annual Kickoff By the Creek at Clear Falls High School. Here, he stops to talk with Bay Area Houston Magazine Chairman Rick Clapp, right, and Distribution Director Tim Shinkle.

Rapid growth spurs expansion of wealth management firm

A

focus on proactive service and a penchant for

treating clients like family has proven to be a winning formula for the Roberts family of Roberts Wealth Management, as the firm stands poised to unveil a 3,500 square foot expansion of its existing Bay Area Houston office.

The firm of independent financial advisors operates from three office locations in Texas and one in Mississippi. The Bay Area Houston office, located at 3027 Marina Bay Drive in League City, has been in business since 2010. Its dramatic growth prompted firm founder Paul Roberts to relocate from the Biloxi, Miss., office to this area to help handle the growing workload and clientele.

Roberts joined his daughter, Summer Roberts, who serves as president of the firm, to operate the Houston and Bay Area offices. They credit their rapid growth largely to referrals from existing clients.

“In this age of do-it-yourself everything, people have really responded to the personal, clientcentered service we offer and have made a point of recommending us to their friends and family,” Summer

Roberts said.

“That’s been very gratifying, and we want to ensure we’re able to continue to provide that level of service to everyone who chooses to become a part of our firm family.”

The office expansion will accommodate additional staff members, as well as space to conduct educational workshops and other client events. The new space will be on the first floor of the office building, offering easy access for clients.

“It’s been a long process of bringing on additional staff and preparing the new space in order to maintain the high level of service our clients have come to expect, but we believe it’s what our clients deserve,” Summer Roberts said.

For additional information, call 281-549-6515.

Galveston County road projects OK’d

R

oad repairs to a segment

of State Highway 6 and the overlaying of one of Galveston County’s most scenic roads – Seawall Boulevard were among the construction projects recently approved by the Texas Transportation Commission at its July meeting. These projects aim to improve road conditions and enhance safety in Galveston County.

The Commission awarded $3.2 million to Durwood Green Construction Co. to reconstruct SH 6 from FM 2004 to IH 45 in Galveston County. The work includes pavement repair and an asphalt-concrete pavement overlay. Work is set to begin in fall 2015 and be complete by early 2016.

Also in Galveston County, the Commission awarded $2 million to Angels Brothers Holding Corp. to mill and overlay Seawall Boulevard (FM 3005) from 39th Street to Ferry

Road on Galveston Island. The project will help improve the smoothness of the road while extending the life of the roadway. Work is set to begin in fall 2015 and be complete by late 2015.

Still another project involves the repair of asphalt pavement on Highway 146 in Galveston County at a cost of $418.5 million.

The Commission also awarded $1.4 million to Texas Gulf Construction Co. to upgrade and renovate the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Maintenance Building. This includes new siding, roofing, lighting, and various safety improvements. The renovations to the 30-year-old facility will keep it serviceable for many years into the future.

For more information on these projects and the post letting schedule for all Houston District projects in recent months, visit www.dot.state. tx.us/business/bt.htm SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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BAHBT announces its 40th Anniversary season

B

ay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre

will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in 2015-2016 – opening its season in December with the perennial family favorite The Nutcracker.

In February, BAHBT will present a new production of Cinderella -- a beautiful and traditional ballet that is perfect for audiences of all ages -- and close its 40th Anniversary Season with BAHBT in the Spotlight -- a celebration of music, song and

“Individual tickets will go on sale six weeks prior to each performance on the BAHBT website at www.bahbt.org.” dance, with original choreography works celebrating the unique nature and talents of BAHBT. In addition to the main stage season at the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theatre, BAHBT will present the original children’s ballet Snow White. This new, 20-minute, ballet has been created as a community outreach program to bring the arts to the children of the Bay Area. Schools and organizations can contact the BAHBT office at

office@bahbt.org to schedule a performance in their school or venue.

Several other exciting events taking place to celebrate BAHBT’s 40th anniversary season are the annual Season Kickoff at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 8, at Bay Oaks Country Club and the always sold out Breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy Saturday, Nov. 21 at the South Shore Harbour Resort in League City.

After the passing of founder Lynette Mason Gregg in October of 2014, BAHBT will now be under Artistic Director Nelson Madrigal and Ballet Mistress Natalie Zundel. Madrigal is a former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet and danced with both the National Ballet of Cuba and Cincinnati Ballet.

Individual tickets will go on sale six weeks prior to each performance on the BAHBT website at www.bahbt.org. Season ticket packages and tickets to the Breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy are currently available by calling the BAHBT office (281480-1617) between 3 and 7 p.m.

Monday - Friday.

Performances of The Nutcracker will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 and 11 and 12 with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 5 and 6 and 12 and 13.

Performances of Cinderella will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 with 2 p.m. matinees Feb. 20 and 21.

BAHBT Principal Dancer Laura Massague. Photo by J. Pamela Photography

Symphony celebrating its 40th season

T

he Clear Lake Symphony will perform the opening concert of its 2015-2016 season Friday, Sept. 18, in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium at 18220 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay. Celebrating its 40th season, the orchestra will perform an evening of pops music. Selections will include: Star Spangled Banner; Revival March; Trumpeters Lullaby; Night and Day; Dance Bacchanale; Sound of Music Medley; Theme from Jerassic Park; I’ve Got You Under My Skin; Water Music Overture & Hornpipe; A Hollywood Salute; Sleeping Beauty Waltz; Gershwin by George; and Belle of the Ball.

The orchestra will be led by Robert Wall, in his 22nd year as associate conductor of the Clear Lake Symphony with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets may be purchased in Clear Lake at Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300.

Individual tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $8 for students. For more ticket information call Eye Trends at 281-488-0066 or visit the symphony website at www.clearlakesymphony.org

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

The team at Le K Gallery and performance space hosted Zach Tate’s photo exhibit and music concert. Zach Tate and Anthony Puskus performed on the second night of the photo exhibition. L-R: Photo show coordinator, Stephanie Gellee, Zach Tate, Daniel Descat, Magali Angleys, Wendy Mavet, Anthony Puskus, Clemont Dussol, Isabelle Lavernha (owner), Gilles Deverchere (Owner).

A slice of Texas art taken to Europe

H

ouston photographer

and musician, Zach Tate, exhibited his photographs of Texas musicians in the South of France this past July and August.

Le K Gallery and performance space in San Raphael, France hosted the exhibition of 21 of Tate’s large-scale portraits of mostly Houston and Galveston based musicians from July 8 – 22. After a good turn out for both the photo show and Tate’s live performance, with band mate, Anthony Puskus, gallery owners,

Gilles Deverchere (an established sculptor) and Isabelle Lavernhe extended the photo exhibit until Aug. 21.

A limited edition compilation CD featuring songs from 19 of the artists in the exhibition was produced

by Tate and Grammy-nominated, Houston producer, Andy Bradley, and given to visitors at Le K. The CD titled, Texas Music Selections features a wide variety of styles and genres and has given some French listeners a new appreciation for the many

musical styles that truly define the “Texas sound.”

Among those on the CD are Houston jazz and blues legends Joe Sample; Jewel Brown, who began her career in the Louis Armstrong Band; and Milton Hopkins, B.B. King’s guitarist for many years. Also featured are Galveston country/ zydeco artist Kevin Anthony, recent Houston Press Music Award winners, Robert Kuhn, blues great The Mighty Orq, original Austin, Texas Cosmic Cowboy, U.S. State Department backed International Ambassador of American Music Bob Livingston, and many others.

A journalist for many years, Tate has been covering music since his first photo assignment and interview when he was 19 years old in Toronto, Canada with blues legend, B.B. King.

Tate has worked as a writer and photographer for many publications in Houston (including Bay Area Houston Magazine!), Galveston, Los Angeles (where he lived for 12 years) and Toronto as well as many national magazines and newspapers.

Born in Windsor, Canada, Tate

is also an established recording artist and toured France and The Netherlands in June and July of 2013 and 2015. Performing at Le K on the second night of the exhibition was especially memorable, Tate said.

“Le K is an amazing space I found completely inspiring! It’s art on top of art on top of art with two levels of sculpture, painting, performance and crafts, all on one property - inside and out. I’ve never seen anything quite like it run independently by artists, for artists. There is an incredibly supportive and appreciative environment for arts in Europe.”

Texas Music DJ Of The Year, Roark Smith (heard on Houston’s KPFT 90.1 FM) assisted in organizing some of the photo shoots and compilation CD. “Texas music, much of it made right here in Houston, is a good as anything anywhere. Zach Tate’s work as both a photographer and musician is outstanding. I’m proud to be a part of the project,” said Smith.

Tate’s photography, as well as accompanying published articles and video interviews, can be viewed on online at www.ZachTate.com

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

43

Do you have a tatted regret?

By Roxanne Hurtado

I

t is reported that over 45

million Americans have tattoos.

Are you one of those who regret your tattoo? Whether it be for social reasons, age, or for your career, you might have considered removing it.

Well have you can considered these reasons also: • Is your tattoo ink toxic?

• Can the tattoo ink cause cancer or other side effects?

• What happens to the ink once it’s removed?

On July 15, 2014 the FDA recalled tattoo ink products that were contaminated from the White and Blue Lion Inc. The laboratory testing found that the ink mixtures were contaminated with microbial bacterial. Staphylococcus and other various potentially pathogenic organisms were identified in the ink, as well as in the kits that were sold to tattoo artists all over the world through Amazon and Ebay.

As a consumer, are we not worried about the labeling of the ink? After all, we read the ingredients on everything else we put in our bodies.

Do you know what’s in your ink?

Most tattoo inks contain hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are carcinogenic materials.

You might be carrying ingredients like iron oxide, carbon, cinnabar and cadmium red around with you.

The iron oxide has been medically proven to react to MRIs (Magnetic Rezonence Imaging). Colored inks can contain certain magnetic metals that can cause someone to feel a burning sensation at the site of the tattoo. Some tattoo ink also contains nickel and can cause allergic reactions.

In one case, a 48-year-old man reported a invasive growth feature inside the red ink of his tattoo on his lower left leg. He was suffering from what was later reported as a SCC(squamous cell carcinoma) on his lower left leg. Although, a direct link to the tattoo ink and the SCC could not be proven, the treatment for the SCC would be more challenging. Since the SCC borders could not be seen, it made it difficult for the doctors to find the margins for excision. As a consequence, multiple surgeries along with skin grafts were needed to make sure no new carcinoma formation was found. The authors of this case report have concluded that tattoo ink mixtures (although not directly linked) need to be added to a list of

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

histological patterns of tattoo­related inflammatory reactions, especially in cases of rapidly growing lesions.

Now you are probably wondering the best way to get rid of a tattoo.

The skin is the largest organ on the body and you should be careful of outdated tattoo removal methods that are expensive and don’t work.

You could be wasting your time and throwing thousands of dollars down the drain with dermabrasion, excision, creams, and even lasers.

Why is the previous laser tattoo removal method being used not as effective as it once was promised?

The truth about laser tattoo removal has never been questioned up until now. There are a variety of reasons, one being that yellow, greens and fluorescent inks have a absorption spectra that fall outside or on the edge of emission spectra that tattoo removal lasers use. Meaning that lasers are unable to remove the tattoo completely. One is left with the decision to continue treating the tattoo until the patient is satisfied with the results or for the patient to leave a partial tattoo with possible side effects, like scarring.

Make no more regretful decisions with the new Micropen TR for tattoo removal. Its innovative technology doesn’t allow your body to absorb the harmful metals from tattoo ink.

It uses a PH balanced solution that binds to the tattoo ink and lifts it up and out of the body. Through the promotion of tissue inflammation during the healing process, the ink will scab up and fall off. Since it is not burning your skin, it leaves little to no scarring. Also, it is NOT a laser, so it picks up and removes ALL colors, even the yellow, greens and fluorescent that laser cannot.

So live with no more regrets!

Whether you just need more information about the Micropen TR or if you need to schedule your complimentary consultation, we are always here to help.

The Art of Aesthetics is located in Friendswood at 400 W. Parkwood #104, room #11 and offers laser hair removal, scar rejuvenation and other spa services.

For more information, email info@ texasartofaesthetics.com or call 281-9933545.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

45

CLEAR LAKE Gardeners meet Sept. 2. Galveston County Extension Agent Dr. William Johnson will discuss “Insects In The Garden - Friend Or Foe?” when Gardeners By The Bay meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive. Free. Guests are welcome.

Questions: contact Marjorie 281-4745051 or visit www.gbtb.org.

Panhellenic Tea Sept. 13. Clear Lake Panhellenic members will gather for their Fall Friendship Tea from 2-4 p.m. at Stacy Bush Lyon’s home.

Style show Sept. 15. Bay Oaks Women’s Association members will host their annual fall fashion show luncheon at 10:30 a.m. at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Pops Concert Sept. 18. Clear Lake Symphony will present its Fall Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, in the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay. Genealogical Society meeting.

Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet Friday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. to hear Joseph Pergler presen BillionGraves.com at University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive. For more information, visit www.TxBayAreaGen.org or call Kim Zrubek at 281-992-2636. The public is invited and admission is free for first time guests.

DEER PARK Chamber luncheon Sept. 24. The

50

Deer Park Chamber will host its monthly membership luncheon Thursday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call the chamber to RSVP.

Suite 200. For reservations, call the chamber, 281-482-3329 or email info@ friendswoodchamber.com Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non members.

DICKINSON DAR to meet Sept. 5. The Sam Houston Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will welcome new members at a morning tea and orientation meeting Sept. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church’s Wolston Hall, at 4613 Highway 3. Afterwards, a light brunch is planned as chapter member Marian Brick celebrates her 99th birthday. The October meeting will be Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m., also at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and featuring Margaret Hill discussing “Guadalcanal: Then and Now.” All DAR meetings are open to the public.

For information, contact Peggy Hill (amashoo@att.net).

Comedy at Harbour Playhouse.

The comedy Exit Laughing is now playing at the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Sundays through Sept. 13. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 281-337-7469 or email www. harbourtheater.com.

GALVESTON Craft Beer Festival Sept. 4. Tap into your inner-craftsmen this Labor Day and join fellow craft beer lovers the weekend of Sept. 4-6 for the 6th Annual BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival at the beautiful Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center.

For information and tickets visit www.brewmastersbeerfest.com.

Chamber luncheon Sept. 3. The Friendswood Chamber’s monthly luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Green Event Center, 2000 W. Parkwood,

Bay Area Houston Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2015

PASADENA Rodeo starts Sept. 11. The annual Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo gets underway at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept.

11, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center and Fairgrounds, corner of Fairmont Parkway and Red Bluff Road.

Man of La Mancha at Little Theatre.

The popular musical, Man of La Mancha, is now playing at the Pasadena Little Theatre, 4318 AllenGenoa Road, and continues on weekends through Sunday, Sept. 13, with curtains at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. For reservations, call 713-941-1758 or reserve on line at www.pasadenalittletheatre.org.

KEMAH Car Show Sept. 13. Space City Cruisers Lions Club Car Show will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, on the Kemah Boardwalk from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., serving up hot barbecue and great Blues music. For information call 281-518-7284.

LEAGUE CITY Patriot Award Luncheon Sept. 11.

The League City Regional Chamber will host its Patriot Award Luncheon honoring first responders -- firemen, police, EMS, sheriff’s deputies, and constables deputies -- at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11, at South Shore Harbour Resort.

FRIENDSWOOD

City Hall. For information, contact Nancee Lynn at JL1430@aol.com.

NASSAU BAY “State of the City” set Sept. 8. Mayor Mark Denman and City Manager Chris Reed will present the “State of Our City” Program when the Nassau Bay Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Nassau Bay

Pasadena Little Theatre cast members rehearse a scene from Man of La Mancha.

They are, from left, front row, Katie Reed, David Blystone, Emelio Cevallos, Jared Cadore; back row, Revis Bell, Connie Musler and Janet Elayne.

TEXAS CITY Steel Magnolias Sept. 10. College of the Mainland’s Community Theatre at 1200 Amburn Road will open its season with the comedy-drama, Steel Magnolias, which plays Sept. 10-27 with curtains at 8 p.m. ThursdaysSaturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets, which range in price from $11 to $23 - with discounts for seniors and students -- may be reserved by calling 1-888-258-8859, ext. 8345.