Bay Area Houston Magazine April 2014 by Bay Group Media

LEADING AND INFORMING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1999

April 2014 www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com

features 9

BAHEP, flood insurance coalition work with congress

Do I have enough bone to get dental implants?

City and school board elections

Working to improve his hometown region

May 3-4 at Lakewood Yacht Club

Houston’s Largest Home Tour

Celebrates Opening at Pearland Medical Complex

Don’t forget these tax filing tips

A sign of positive economic times

A great success with a very special ending

But ever so slowly

Topping the restaurant charts

Vice President & Creative Director Brandon Rowan

Serving the Greater Houston area since 1983

Graphic Designer Kelly Groce

Saluting NASA chief and workers

League City names new city manager

Floyd Myers

Attributes success to support of community

Making a difference in educating CCISD Students

ON THE COVER Johnson Development presents Houston’s largest home tour in nine communities every weekend in April.

President & Chairman Rick Clapp

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

Sales & Marketing Shannon Alexander Patty Bederka Terry Grover Debbie Salisbury Lacy Vinson

Editorial Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Rod Evans Michael Gos Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Pat Patton Dr. Edward Reitman

Distribution Tim Shinkle Company

Economic Alliance CEO Chad Burke 19th Keels & Wheels Johnson Development Home Tour Memorial Hermann’s Convenient Care Center Self Employed? Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Causeway FunD Run/Walk Road Projects Moving Along Main 101 Grill and Bar No Name Bar-B-Q RNASA Space Gala News Nuggets Movers & Shakers CCISD Doing Quite Well Clear Creek Education Foundation

Color this party red, red, red

Clear Lake Chatter

Shrunken lives

April has finally arrived

Texas Meditations The Admiral’s Log

in each issue

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

281.474.5875

More Elections Coming Your Way

27 CLICK Best of the Bay Awards

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

Dental Health

columns

Digital Strategy Consultant Pierr Castillo Photography Mary Alys Cherry Brian Stewart

Major Victory for Flood Insurance

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Lakewood Yacht Club News

Main Events

APRIL 2014

– faced with unimaginable flood insurance fees they couldn’t pay – abandoned their homes. The Bay Area would be harder hit than others because many of our cities are on the water and some such as Seabrook, Nassau Bay, El Lago, Taylor Lake Village, Kemah, League City, Bacliff and Galveston flooded during Hurricane Ike. All the cities around the area joined the fight.

“Everyone in the national coalition worked hard to get this done, and they should be very proud of such a major accomplishment.”

BAHEP, flood insurance coalition score major victory in Congress

e all remember that nightmare headline saying we could soon expect massive flood insurance rate hikes, and how the mayor and former mayor of the waterfront community of Nassau Bay were expecting premiums in the thousands. Former Mayor Don Matter had seen his bill jump from $500 per year to $3,600 and was told to expect another 25 percent hike each year. Current Mayor Mark Denman was told his $800 annual fee would probably jump to $5,000 the first year. But now better days are ahead as Congress passed the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 which corrects much of the damage expected from the original BiggertWaters Act, enacted in 2012 to reduce the flood insurance program’s estimated $30 billion debt.

The House passed the bill March 6 with the Senate following suit March 13. Afterwards, President Obama added his signature. While the ultimate Reform Act involved a nationwide push, a great deal of the credit goes to our Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, which realized the devastating consequences for thousands of people and businesses all across the country and quickly joined forces with the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance to convince Congress to correct the problem. BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Marketing Director David Braun and other staffers first met with our area congressmen and began alerting the community. Unless something was done to reverse this congressional act, they explained, our communities would in the course of time turn into ghettos as one family after another

“This legislation,” Mitchell said, “significantly changes the BiggertWaters flood insurance law by addressing a number of unintended consequences stemming from the legislation. It reinstates grandfathered status for properties built to code before flood maps were adopted, allows new purchasers to assume existing flood policies when buying a property, and calls for accurate flood maps and gradual rate increases. “It caps the maximum average annual rate increases at 15 percent, creates a new 5 percent minimum average annual rate increase for subsidized and grandfathered properties, caps the maximum annual premium increase at 18 percent of the prior year’s premium for all properties not subject to the higher 25 percent increase for second homes, commercial properties and severe repetitive loss properties. “It also directs the Federal Emergency Management

Administration to minimize the number of policies with annual premiums over one percent of the total coverage provided. The changes will be funded by a $25 surcharge on residential policies and a $250 surcharge on premiums for businesses and non-primary residences.” Braun added, “The passage of the new bill goes a long way toward fixing the problems caused by BW12. It no longer imposes drastic rate increases on those who have played by the rules, paid their policies on time, and whose houses and businesses have not flooded. I want to thank those members of Congress who recognized that fixing BW-12 was the right thing to do for the good of their constituents and the country.” Mitchell was pleased to see both parties in Congress working together. “To get this kind of bi-partisan support in Congress is outstanding. Everyone in the national coalition worked hard to get this done, and they should be very proud of such a major accomplishment. David Braun at BAHEP spearheaded the effort in Texas, and I want to thank him for the untold number of hours he spent to help get the legislation passed.” And, we all thank you both and all who joined the fight for this major victory.

Mary Alys Cherry Publisher

Obama requests $17.5B for NASA President Obama’s FY2015 budget request for NASA of approximately $17.5 billion is a reduction of $186 million from NASA’s FY2014 appropriation of $17.647 billion and essentially a status-quo request. Highlights include $4.972 billion earmarked for science -- $645 million for the Webb Space Telescope; $1.77 billion for Earth Science and $1.28 billion for Planetary Science; and $7.188 billion for space exploration -- $3 billion for the International Space Station, $2.784 billion for exploration development such as SLS/Orion and $848 million for commercial crew. APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

5 Steps to Build Up Your Savings for a Home Down Payment

f you’re a first-time home buyer, the big challenge is saving up enough money for the down payment. Financial experts tell us you need to take aggressive steps to cut spending, add income, or do both. Here’s how to proceed. 1. Set a goal and timeline. Find out the price range of the type of home you want in the area you like. Then talk to mortgage professionals like us to get an idea of the down payment you’ll need, which could be up to 20% of the purchase price. Then set a timeline and figure your monthly savings goal. For example, if you need to save $20,000 in two years, you’ll have to put away $833 each month. 2. Open a separate down payment savings account. This keeps the money separate and makes it easy to track progress. When saving for a short-term goal, put the money in a low-risk investment such as a savings account or CD. Shop around for the best interest rate, and make sure the money will be available when you need it. 3. Small steps to big savings. Put together a budget based on you’re spending, and then look at the following to make cuts: • New clothes and impulse purchases; costs like a specialty coffee; monthly subscriptions; car costs you can reduce by

• •

carpooling. Always ask before spending, “Do I really need this, or do I just want it?” Shop in stores, not online, and use cash, not credit cards. Make cuts in gym memberships, vacations, and entertainment.

4. Big steps to bigger savings. If you can handle some lifestyle changes, consider these options: • Move in with family for a specified period of time. • Take in a roommate. • Move to a smaller apartment: the rent can be substantially lower. • Add income by working overtime if possible, or take on another job (a part-time job at a home improvement store can even help you learn more about maintaining the home you’ll buy). • Sell your car and trade down to a lower-cost vehicle. 5. Look at retirement accounts. If you have a 401(k) and contribute more than your employer will match, think about putting that extra money into your down payment savings account. If you have an IRA, you may be able withdraw funds without penalty to buy a first home, although you might have to pay income taxes. As with all tax matters, check first with a tax professional.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Dental implants have undoubtably revolutionized the field of dentistry.

one are the days of grinding two or more healthy teeth to replace missing teeth with fixed bridges. Removable appliances such as partial denture or flipper, while preserving adjacent teeth from unnecessary drilling, have their own complications. The most common complaint that I hear from people who wear them is; they don’t feel comfortable, or that they hurt to chew with. More than half of partial denture wearers (including my father) take their appliance out to eat and only use them for cosmetic reasons. Looking back, it is clear that dentistry did not have a practical answer for tooth loss until the development of dental implants. Today, dental implants have secured their place in our field as standard of care for replacing one or multiple missing teeth. The general public is now familiar with Dental implants and ask their dentist for them specifically. Dental implants are very similar to natural teeth in shape and function. They can be covered with typical porcelain crowns just like natural teeth. On the other hand, they require a certain volume of bone to seat securely in the jaw. Unfortunately long term gum disease and accidental loss of natural teeth leads to loss of bone. Did you know that 3 out of 4 teeth are lost due to chronic gum disease, not cavity? Obviously, if there is not enough bone to support a natural tooth, dental implants can not be placed in that space either. even worse, in the absence of stimulation provided by normal chewing, jaw bone further resorbs. It is broken down into its mineral components, which are dissolved into the bloodstream. I have written and published several articles on the phenomenon of “disuse osteoporosis”. Naturally, many people either assume, or are told by their dentist that they are not a candidate for dental implants because they don’t have enough bone. What they don’t know (or are not told) is that bone

can be regenerated. We now are able to grow new bone in places where it had previously been lost, either due to chronic gum disease or disuse. In fact bone regeneration is high on the list of the most extraordinary medical breakthroughs of twenty first century. In the case of missing upper back teeth, many people who wanted dental implants in the past were told that their maxillary sinus has expanded and consequently they had to get removable appliance instead. But now a new outpatient surgical procedure called maxillary sinus lift (or sinus augmentation) can trigger your body to regenerate new bone to securely host the dental implants. Sinuses are air spaces in the skull, which are lined with a thin membrane. In the past we had to harvest patient’s own bone from other parts of the mouth or iliac crest to insure integration. We are now able to accomplish the same objective using demineralized freeze dried cadaver bone with the help of titanium mesh and titanium fixation screws. There is no longer a need for harvesting patient’s own bone and creating a secondary surgical site. All grafting materials used today are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must be prepared according to their guidelines. They are specially treated to render them completely safe for human use. Lower lost jawbone can also be replaced with similar technique. After the surgery, most patients report little or no discomfort. They are usually surprised that bone regeneration and implant placement is less painful

“Today, dental implants have secured their place in our field as standard of care for replacing one or multiple missing teeth.” than extracting a tooth or even root canals. Of course not everyone is a candidate for bone and gum tissue regeneration. As with any other invasive surgical procedures, certain general health guidelines must be met. However, If you have been told that you are not a candidate for dental implants because you don’t have enough bone, before choosing an alternative plan, please contact our office at 281-332-4700 and schedule a complimentary consultation with me. I might be able to help.

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. APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Group Media: Committed to Our Communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Excellence

Thing One & Thing Two Second Chance Pets introduces twin kittens, Thing One and Thing Two. These two sisters are playful and exciting enough to have popped right out of a Dr. Seuss story. They love to play and sometimes act like clowns. Most of all, they are very sweet and love to be pet and love to purr. These two sisters are about seven months old and could be adopted together or separately.

Jasper

Jasper is a playful 2-year-old terrier and Chihuahua mix. He loves to give kisses and will even climb on your shoulder if you let him. He is very playful and likes to wrestle with other dogs his size. Jasper gets along with other dogs and cats. All SCP dogs and cats are vaccinated, fixed and microchipped. Each dog is tested for heartworms and each cat is tested FIV and Leukemia. SCP adoptions are held on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clear Lake Petco on Bay Area Blvd. at Space Center Blvd. Email pets2adopt@yahoo.com or visit www. secondchancepets.org for more information. At present, both dog and cat intake are currently closed due to lack of fosters. If you interested in fostering, please contact SCP. SCP is a 501(c)(3) animal welfare nonprofit.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Dear Mr. Clapp: What a success! On Saturday, March 8 The UTMB School of Health Professions Causeway FunD Run/ Walk enjoyed our second event since its revival and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting rave reviews. On behalf of our Students, Faculty and Staff, I want to extend a heart-felt thank you for your commitment to making this event so successful. Thanks to your generous sponsorship, we were able to raise over $80,000 to support student scholarships. It was the vision of the planning committee to build on the success of the 2013 event by furthering our marketing efforts and creating an even more familyoriented unique fun run. Your invaluable contribution helped make our vision a reality by helping to offset expenses and/or providing much needed in-kind support. As we continue to grow this event, please know that your partnership is vital to the success of making this our premiere fundraiser. You are truly appreciated. Sincerely, Michelle Conley Office of Alumni Affairs, Recruitment and Events

Dear Best Practices Quarterly: We appreciate your generous donation. The Ted Nugent dinner to salute our Heroes should be a wonderful event and we thank you for being apart of our event. We cannot wait to announce the veteran in League City for the next home! We cannot thank you enough for your support but more importantly your kindness. God Bless, Ashleigh Chesser Controller Operation FINALLY HOME

CLEAR LAKE SHORES Amanda Booren (i) Carlo Ianni (i) Brian Hoerner

NASSAU BAY

DEER PARK

Pos. 4 – Bill Patterson (i) John Janatsch Pos. 5 – Shelley Stokes Tommy Ginn Ron Martin Pos. 6 – Rae Sinor (i)

DICKINSON

More elections coming your way next month By Mary Alys Cherry

e often joke about voting early and often, and you can certainly do it this year. Besides the runoff in the recent federal and state elections scheduled Tuesday, May 27, we have city and school board elections on Saturday, May 10, with a number of mayoral, city council and trustee seats up for election. Filing closed Feb. 28. And, if you want to be a part of it all, the last day to register to vote in your city’s elections is April 10. Early voting starts Monday, April 28, and ends Tuesday, May 6, in the office of each municipality’s city hall, in most cases. Applications for ballots by mail – for seniors and the disabled – must be received by City elections at a glance the close of business May 1. n Election day: May 10 The exceptions are League n Last day to register to vote: April 10 City, Baytown and Pasadena, n Early voting April 28-May 6 which will vote in November n Last day to apply for ballot by mail: May 1 of this year; and Houston – of which Clear Lake City is a part Federal-State Runoff Election – which votes in 2015. n Election day: May 27 Mayors up for election this n Last day to register: April 28 year include Mark Denman n Early voting: May 19 - May 23 of Nassau Bay, Julie Masters n Last day to apply by mail: May 16 of Dickinson, Tom Reid of Pearland, Glenn Royal of Seabrook, Jon Keeney of Taylor Lake Village, Matthew Doyle of Texas City, Tim Paulissen of League City, Matt Weber of Shoreacres and Lewis Rosen of Galveston, who declined to run for reelection. Floyd Myers of Webster is term limited and several got no opposition – meaning no elections in Dickinson, Friendswood, Nassau Bay and Seabrook. Some council members also decided not to run, including Richard Sowrey in Clear Lake Shores, Rusty Legg of Galveston, Rick Wilkenfeld of Texas City and Beckie Stockstill Cobb in Deer Park.

Pos. 3 – Carl Joiner (i) Mikal D. Williams Pos. 6 – Steve Mewborn (i) Michelle Cochran

Mayor – Julie Masters (i) Pos. 1 – Charles Suderman (i) Pos. 3 – Walter Wilson (i) Pos. 5 – Louis Decker (i)

EL LAGO

Pos. 3 – Carolynn Stanley (i) Pos. 4 – John Skelton (i) Pos. 5 – Jeff Tave (i) Clyde Mayhew

FRIENDSWOOD

Pos. 2 – Billy Joe Enochs (i) Pos. 5 – John Hardin Scott (i)

GALVESTON

Mayor – Elizabeth Beeton Raymond Guzman Jr. Don Mafrige Jim Yarbrough Dist. 1 – Cornelia H. Banks (i) Tarris Woods Ronald Dean Dist. 2 – Richard Batie Craig Brown Susan Fennewald Dist. 3 – Kate Marx Ralph McMorris Dist. 4 – Norman Pappous (i) David Hoover Dist. 5 – Terrilyn Tarlton (i) Diana Bertini William Quiroga Dist. 6 – Marie Robb (i) Carolyn Sunseri

KEMAH

Pos. 1 – Rhonda Trevino (i) Teresa Vasquez Evans

Mayor – Mark Denman (i) Pos. 2 – Sandra Mossman (i) Pos. 4 – Bryce Klug (i) Pos. 6 – Bob Warters (i)

PEARLAND

Mayor – Tom Reid (i) Woody Owens Pos. 3 – Susan Sherrouse (i)

SEABROOK

Mayor – Glenn Royal (i) Pos. 2 – Mike Giangrosso (i) Pos. 4 – Don Holbrook (i) Pos. 6 – Laura Davis (i)

SHOREACRES

Mayor – Ron Hoskins Rick Moses Aldm. – Richard Adams Paul R. Croas Neil Moyer Mike Wheeler (i)

TAYLOR LAKE VILLAGE Mayor – Jon Keeney (i) Pos. 1 – Doug Shows (i) Pos. 2 – Tony Galt (i) Pos. 3 – Alan Koelemay (i)

TEXAS CITY

Mayor – Matt Doyle (i) At Large – Dee Ann Haney (i) Mike Land (i) Dist. 1 – Thelma Bowie (i) Johnny Hollowell Dist. 2 – Phil Rogers (i) Dist. 3 – Dedrick Johnso (i) Dist. 4 – Jami Clark

WEBSTER

Mayor – Donna Rogers Tracy Bush Pos. 6 – Bill Jones (i) Kaz Hamidian Marty Graves Steve Waltz

School board elections slated Several Bay Area school board trustees also are up for re-election during the May 10 voting. Others, including Friendswood and Galveston, will be held in November.

CLEAR CREEK ISD Dist. 2 – Win Weber (i) Nick Long Dist. 3 – Ken Baliker (i)

DICKINSON ISD

TEXAS CITY ISD

Dist. 1 – Mike Mackey (i)

Dist. 3 – Thomas Prouty (i)

Dist. 2 – Leo S. Rudd

Dist. 5 – Dickey Campbell

Veanna Veasey APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Dr. Mark Skellenger and his wife, Kila, enjoy the Go Red for Women Luncheon Chairman Bonnie Benkula, right, Go Red for Women, which was held in the South thanks Brandy Gates, left, UTMB director of development, and Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom. Katie Pryor, American Heart Association corporate development director - Bay Area for all their help with the annual heart benefit.

Men Go Red, who each donated $1,000 to the American Heart Association, include, from left, John Gay, Rick Lammers, Santiago Mendoza Jr., Dr. Michael Lyons, Matthew Emory and Mike Metts join the crowd at the Go Red for Women Luncheon.

Color this party red, red, red

BAY AREA MEN and women opened both their hearts and their pocketbooks to help the fight against heart disease at this year’s Go Red for Women Luncheon at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City. And, what a great party it was with KTRK 13’s Sonia Azad as emcee and motivational speaker Theresa Behenna entertaining on the piano and drawing big applause. Luncheon Chairman Bonnie Benkula joined her fellow Circle of Red members -- Jacqueline Carey, Laurie Dahse, Dr. Susan Gaskill, Brandy Gates, Dr. Linda Goodrum, Carol Horany, Jill Williams Lammers, Cheryl Maultsby, Donna Mittendorf, Kristi Nations and Jeanette Walker – in welcoming the crowd to join the fight to eliminate the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease.

MARY ALYS CHERRY

Each donated $1,000 to the American Heart Association. As had the 2013-14 Men Go Red members – Earl Armstrong, Dr. Patrick Brigg, Jason Demers, Matthew Emory, Friend of Heart, John Gay, Dr. Markus Giacomuzzi, Monzer Hourani, Richard Lammers, Dr. Michael Lyons, Santiago Mendoza Jr., Dr. Michael Rosenblatt and Dr. Greg Smith. But the Go Red Luncheon wouldn’t

Susan White, center, who will chair the 2015 Go Red for Women Luncheon, looks over this year’s luncheon program with nurses Karen Crowder, left, and Jennifer Ord. In the meantime, she will serve as chief nursing officer of the new Bay Area Regional Medical Center, where Crowder and Ord also will work.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

be complete without the annual “Battle of Physicians” when three local doctors compete for the title, “2014 Heart Throb,” circulating in the audience, collecting votes. When the competitors were first introduced Dr. Walter O’Hara, a heart surgeon, was back at the hospital operating, so his wife stood in for him as Taso Miugouis and Shane Sigg were introduced. Later he was able to join the crowd and actually emerged the winner. Much to the delight of Dr. Mark Skellenger and his wife, Kila; Clear Lake Shores Councilwoman Amanda Booren, who came with her mother, Karen Booren; Loraine and Dr. Michael Lyons, Darcy Whatley, Tama Brantley, Maria Garza, Anita Sybesma, Jennifer Ord, Karen Crowder, Katie Pryor, Susan White,

Mike Metts and Matthew Emory. Nancy Suarez, Sandy Adams, Trisha Barita, Betty Phillips, Teri Southard, Monique Spence and Ashley Holguin assisted Bonnie with arrangements. Macy’s at Baybrook Mall and the new Bay Area Regional Medical Center on Highway 3 in Webster were the major sponsors. Now, if you’re one who plans ahead, write this down: 2015 Chairman Susan White has already set the date for next year’s Go Red Luncheon – Friday, Feb. 20 at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Gala to honor 14 founders FOURTEEN FOUNDING members of the Assistance League of the Bay Area will be honored when

Clear Lake Shores Councilwoman Amanda Booren, Committee members line up for a photo as the Go Red for Women Luncheon gets left, arrives at the 2014 Go Red for Women under way. They are, from left, Trisha Barita, Sandy Adams, Teri Southard, Laurie Dahse Luncheon with her mother, Karen Booren. and Jill Williams Lammers.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Charles and Suzanne Milby stretch their legs during Houston Symphony concert intermission.

Symphony League members Vicki Buxton, Pat Biddle and Nina McGlashan, from left, get busy selling tickets to their Bay Area home tour during Houston Symphony concert intermission.

the League hosts its 2014 black-tie gala -- “Super Stars: A Star-Studded Evening” Saturday, April 5, at the Hobby Marriot Hotel on the Gulf Freeway. Gala Chairman Kathleen Courville and Co-Chairman Dee Cover said tickets, which are $125 per person and include dinner and live musical entertainment, are available at the Assistance League’s resale shop, 100 E. NASA Parkway, Suite 80, in Webster or by calling 281-5542594. For more information click “Current Events” on Assistance League’s website, www.bayarea. assistanceleague.org Event underwriter and sponsorship packages are available ranging from $250 upwards to $2,500. Packages include tickets as well as invitation, event, program or website recognition. Contact Kathleen Courville at kgcourville1@aol.com for more information. Others assisting with the gala include Elizabeth Arceneax,

Dr. William Powell, left, stops to chat with Jim O’Malley at Houston Symphony concert.

Brenda Winfield, Kim Barker, Lisa Holbrook, Cindy Castille, Peggy Heinrich, Jill Williams, Peggy Clause, Ellen Lancaster, Lori Johnson, Elana Heinrich, Georgia Piwonka, Linda Goerland and Vicki Tallman. All proceeds for this annual fundraising event are used to support the Assistance League’s seven philanthropies including Operation School Bell, which has already clothed over 1,900 children in need for the 2013-14 school year and continues to clothe them. These children were identified by Clear Creek, Dickinson, La Porte and Friendswood school districts. “A donation of only $50 provides one child with three shirts, two pairs of pants, socks, undergarments, a shoe voucher and a hygiene kit,” Courville said.

Sue Garman a winner again

done it again – the former Johnson Space Center deputy director won Best in Show for her quilt at this year’s Houston Rodeo. Not only that, the quilt won the Judge’s Choice Award and Best of Division – bringing $10,000 in college scholarship money to our area. The quilt, which won over 70 other 2014 entries, is called “Sarah’s Revival” and was on display for the rodeo in Reliant Center’s lobby – her 10th Best in Show in quilts. And, what does she have to say about all this? “I never tire of winning when it means that kids get scholarships! . . . Since 2000, our committee has won Best of Show in all but one of those years (when we won Best in Division – equivalent to second place). . . That means that our area has gotten $140,000 more in college scholarships because of having great quilts entered. And THAT is why I love doing this! Yee haw!”

NASA RETIREE Sue Garman has

Harv and Carolyn Hartman look for their seats at the Houston Symphony concert.

Houston Symphony League Bay Area President Patience Myers, left, and Recording Secretary Frances Nussbaum survey the concert crowd.

Gib and Jan Larson are pleased to see so many friends at the Houston Symphony concert.

Coasting around the Bay Area . . . . A CROWD of about 800 turned out to enjoy the Houston Symphony’s concert featuring Vivaldi’s violin concerto, and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings. Some of those you might have spotted included Houston Symphony League Bay Area President Patience Myers, Vicki Buxton, Pat Biddle and her husband, Ron Karl, Nina McGlashan, Ann and Jim O’Malley, Suzanne and Charles Milby, Carole and Harv Hartman, Gib and Jan Larson and many more . . . . Dozens and dozens of Lakewood Yacht Club members joined General Manager Terry Chapman and Commodore Tom Collier in saying farewell to Clubhouse Manager Shirley McCullough, who has retired after 33 years of helping run the Seabrook club. For most, it was difficult to say goodbye. *A local resident lost a set of Toyota keys while

voting March 4 at Nassau Bay Baptist Church. If you found them, call me at 281-474-5875.

Assistance League Gala Chairman Kathleen Courville, left, and CoChairman Dee Cover invite the community to join them April 5 as they celebrate 25 years of service to Bay Area Houston.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

No Place Like Home Economic Alliance CEO Chad Burke Works to Improve his Hometown Region By Rod Evans

rmed with a degree in economics from Texas A&M University and vast experience in economic development, Chad Burke could have chosen to continue his career five years ago in practically any metropolitan hub that he desired, but the Deer Park native knew exactly where he wanted to be. After working in College Station with Texas A&M’s Texas Engineering Extension Service following his 1987 graduation, Burke decided to apply his prodigious skills in economic development and impact modeling and strategic planning close to home as the president and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region.

“I came in contact with Jan Lawler, the former president of the Economic Alliance, who was planning to retire soon,” Burke, 48, recalls. “She began a conversation about me coming back to my hometown and doing what I had been doing across the state for my home region and that appealed to me. I wanted to come back to the east side of Houston, the ship channel region, and apply some of my trade to the hometown area.”

Boom Time

Since 2009, Burke has helped to refine the Economic Alliance’s mission of growing the regional economy in the communities around the ship channel. Created in 1985, the nonprofit Economic Alliance provides

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

economic development services on behalf of 16 communities along the 25-mile Houston Ship Channel. The organization has been highly successful in helping to grow the economy of the region throughout its history and Burke has overseen a particularly productive period. In 2012 alone, the Alliance facilitated business procurement that generated over 1,500 jobs and $1.5 billion in capital investments. In 2013, the Alliance spearheaded efforts that resulted in more than 670 new jobs and $1.2 billion in capital investments in the region. “Our main focus has been and always will be growing the regional economy around the channel. We are focused primarily on manufacturing in the petro chemical and refining industries,” Burke says. “In addition, we focus on the logistics industries, which include all of the maritime work on the channel, such as trucking, warehousing and all of the components that move products in and out of this very busy port.” Burke, who was born and raised in Deer Park and is a graduate of Deer Park High School, gained the specialized skills that would later serve him well as the head of the Economic Alliance by working with the Engineering Extension Service

after college on a variety of projects, including strategic planning for communities, economic impact modeling for facilities, and feasibility studies for new facilities for cities and counties looking to stimulate their economic development through manufacturing, tourism, entertainment and other industries. “All of the investment that comes into the region because of the work we (the Economic Alliance) do comes back to the cities and citizens in the form of tax bases and jobs created and the spending power created through those jobs,” Burke said.

Closing the Education Gap When Burke first took the reins of the Alliance, the region was experiencing the loss of much of the chemical manufacturing business to overseas locations, but technological advances would soon begin reversing that trend. “This was pre-recession and before the onset of technology that created hydraulic fracking and horizontal drilling, so when production of natural gas in Texas shale plays, as well as those in North Dakota, began producing, that lowered the cost of natural gas, which is the feed

stock of all the specialty chemical manufacturing we do in the region,” he said. “That flipped the table of global dynamics to where it was most effective to produce those polymers here. We previously were shipping production capacity around the world and closing facilities at home. Now we have existing companies expanding locally and new companies are coming in to invest because they know we have the infrastructure and talent to produce these polymers that are the building blocks for everything from water bottles to TVs to automobiles and homes.” The region is now in the midst of a boom in the manufacturing of the specialty chemicals needed to produce polymers used in the creation of a variety of plastics and other materials that Burke says promises to grow enormously in the coming years. He cites a survey done last year by the Port of Houston Authority and the Houston Port Bureau that projects about $35 billion in planned expansion over the next three to eight years along the ship channel, almost all of it in the petro chemical industry. These projections indicate more than 111,000 direct construction jobs and over 154,000 induced and indirect jobs will be created between now and 2015.

But while the construction of new facilities and the expansion of manufacturing is great news for the region, Burke says it comes with a serious caveat. “The downside to the ongoing expansion is we’ve got so many good jobs available that we don’t have the capacity in skilled workforce to meet what is about to happen to us as the build out of the expansion in the chemical industry here intensifies,” Burke says. Given the lack of skilled workers in the local workforce, one of the Alliance’s biggest initiatives involves working with school districts, community colleges, businesses and communities to solve the problem of training the workforce needed to support the industry’s growth. “Our Workforce Development Committee is working with 11 school districts to improve training in these skilled jobs and since we began the process, the Greater Houston Partnership has included us in their 10-county workforce initiative. In fact, they have elevated the petro chemical sector to the top of the list of areas they want to effect change in,” he said. Burke says some of the jobs lacking in skilled workers that are considered critical to the expansion in the

petro chemical industry include electricians, millwrights, pipe fitters, welders, crane and rigging operators, lab technicians and truck drivers. “It’s pretty amazing to see billboards along the freeway offering $5,000 signing bonuses for truck drivers,” Petrochemical & Maritime Outlook Conference Sponsors and Speakers Tour Burke says. of the Houston Ship Channel board the M/V Sam Houston. From left are The Alliance fully Spencer Chambers, Port Authority; State Rep. Mary Ann Perez; Phyllis Saathoff, supports one of Port Authority; and Chad Burke. the main drivers high-demand petro chemical industry of the educational fields. A by-product of the success of push: the Community College the initiatives is that the community Petrochemical Initiative, begun in colleges are also in need of qualified 2013 by executives with ExxonMobil instructors for the new courses being in a partnership with Lee College. created. The program launched with the oil Burke and his wife of 20 years, giant offering a $500,000 grant to the Shannon, are parents to two teenagers college to fund job and workforce and have no plans to leave Deer Park development, but was expanded to anytime soon. include other community colleges in “The most pleasant part of my job the region. Now, the recently formed is the tremendous quality of people Texas Gulf Coast Consortium of we get to work with who all work Community Colleges operates a job together with cohesion and teamwork training website (Tgcccpi.org) that to benefit the entire region,” he said. provides employment listings in 14

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

TEXAS MEDITATIONS

Shrunken Lives By Michael Gos

Buffalo Gap, Texas

watched as she pulled a nail out of the wall with a pair of long-nose pliers. She moved over about five inches and down a couple, then pounded it back in. I was at the Perini Ranch Steakhouse, a place I had heard about for years. This was my first trip to Buffalo Gap and I had spent the day finding the natural pass the old buffalo herds traveled through and touring the Historic Village. I got a sense of the location of Great Western cattle trail that ran through here on its way from Bandera to Dodge

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

City, Kan. Now it was time for dinner. It was Friday night and there was a 45 minute wait for a table, so I sat at the bar nursing a Corona and watching her work. Satisfied with this attempt, she picked up what looked to be a very old black and white photo of a group of people in front of a chuck wagon and hung it on the nail. After examining her work for a few seconds, she took it back down and again pulled out the nail. I asked what was going on. She said she was trying to put up this photo of the precursor to the restaurant—a scene from when Perini’s was a cowboy catering business. I guess I wasn’t clear. I asked about the nails. “I want to center it on that wall and get it about this level,” she said, touching the wall to identify the spot. But I keep missing. It always turns out to be higher than I want it and while it looks centered when I pound it in, it doesn’t when I’m done.” I asked why she just didn’t measure the wall and the distance between the top of the hanging wire and the frame. She looked at me and asked “why?” “So you could get it exactly right.” “How?” I finally realized what was really going on and decided to change the subject. In the next few minutes she made three more attempts before finally getting it how she wanted it. Then she reached under the bar and pulled out a small can. She smiled at me, showed me the can and said, “Spackle. A girl’s best friend.”

One of the things I try to instill in my Humanities students is an awareness of the “Great Conversation” going on around us all the time. Everywhere we turn, the conversation goes on. It happens in our private interactions with others. It is in the books we read, what we see on TV and what we hear on the radio. It is in our movies, our newspapers and magazines, even our music. The conversation began in the dawn of time and continues today. The interesting thing is, it transcends time. We can listen and respond to the ideas of our contemporaries or to those from people who came centuries before us. The conversation revolves around the “Big Questions” in life, and as we try to negotiate our ways through the world we were born to, we can look to this conversation to help us sort it all out. But there is a problem. It is a conversation we miss if we lack the knowledge and cultural background to recognize it is happening. If we don’t know the allusions in the conversation, we are excluded from it. My number one goal in my Humanities classes is to give my students access to that conversation. First, I have to show them it exists. Then I have to convince them of its importance. To demonstrate to them the reality and magnitude of the issue, we examine a couple of paintings by Van Gogh, look at his life story, learn about the hero’s journey myth and study the archetype of the garden. Then I show them an

episode of the old Northern Exposure TV show— the one where Joel leaves Alaska. They are shocked to see all of the things we talked about in a single episode of a TV show, right down to Van Gogh’s bandage. They still miss references to gatekeepers, sirens and ships crashing on the rocks, things they would have understood had they read the Odyssey, but that is no longer required in high schools. At least they begin to see how their interaction with the world is reduced by their lack of knowledge. It opens up a whole new world to them. My students watch TV, go to movies and occasionally even read a book (okay, I admit that is rare), and yet large chunks of what they see go right over their heads because they lack the knowledge to follow the allusions that the participants in the conversation assume everyone will recognize. The worst part is, they are completely unaware that they are missing anything. When the characters in Big Bang Theory mention Schrodinger’s cat, viewers who have never heard of the physics analogy just ignore the reference; they pretend it didn’t happen. In fact, when I ask my students about certain references in a work we read or see, they often claim they never noticed them. It is interesting how that works. My students remove from their experience the parts of the TV show that feature references they don’t recognize. The woman at Perini’s reduced her capabilities substantially to accommodate her inability, or perhaps unwillingness, to do simple math. The pattern is clear—we shrink our lives to accommodate what we have failed to learn. If

we lack the tools to do a job, we change the job to accommodate the tools we do have. The woman at Perini’s was much more adept with Spackle than with simple arithmetic, and she rearranged her life to accommodate the skills she possessed. How negative of an effect did that have on her life? It was probably not that big of an issue in the greater scheme of things, but in some cases, the cost can be far greater. A number of years ago, a member of an environmental organization was making a presentation to a local government body. In an attempt to stop a project they felt was destructive to the area, he indicated his group would be attacking the project in a multitude of small ways simultaneously to cause what he called a “death by a thousand cuts.” A member of the body, not having that reference to Chinese history in her educational background, accused him of making a terroristic threat. Needless to say, it turned out to be an embarrassing situation as people began to ridicule her comments. Failure to understand the reference being made, and then reacting in an inappropriate way, did serious damage to a promising career. Sometimes the damage caused by our lack of knowledge expands further, hurting not just us, but others around us. In another meeting, a small town government body was asked to tackle a particularly touchy problem. One member advised against it saying “we really don’t want to touch that tar baby.” Someone who didn’t recognize the reference to the old Uncle Remus children’s tale interpreted

it as a racial slur and called in protesters from Houston. For several weeks the controversy stirred up the town. A lot of people paid a price because of a hole in someone else’s knowledge. There are those who say this can all be avoided if we simply stop assuming that people share these common cultural references. They believe we should stop using them and instead “democratize” our conversations. But if we do that, we greatly reduce the richness of the conversation solely to accommodate the lowest common denominator. It seems to me that a far better option is to do a better job introducing our children to the culture so they too can enjoy the richness of the conversation. And, you know, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for us to do exactly the same thing for ourselves. The more I learn, the bigger and more interesting the Great Conversation becomes. I have noticed that no matter what it is, the minute I learn something new, I start to see it popping up around me everywhere: on TV and radio, in lunch conversation and bar talk. I’m sure the subject in question didn’t just suddenly become a hot topic because I learned about it. I suspect it was a part of the conversation all along, but because I had no knowledge of it, I didn’t even notice the references. That richness of the conversation seems to me to be the strongest argument for lifelong learning. As we learn, the whole discussion just gets more and more interesting—and that makes life more rewarding.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

News & Events

LAKEWOOD RACERS SWEEP BAY CUP I CLASS

David Christensen (left) on “Airborne”, PHRF Spinnaker B Steve Rhyne (left) on “Mojo”, PHRF Spinnaker B Class, 1st place, and Lakewood Yacht Class, 3rd place, and Lakewood Yacht Club Fleet Captain Jim Winton. Club Commodore Tom Collier.

t the Bay Cup I Regatta held on Saturday, March 1, on Galveston Bay, Lakewood racers swept the PHRF Spinnaker B class by winning first, second, third and fourth places. Forty-seven boats in six classes completed the regatta in what some considered ideal racing conditions. Lakewood racers accepted their trophies at the awards ceremony held in the club’s lounge the evening of March 1. First place in the PHRF Spinnaker B class was Steve Rhyne on “Mojo,” second went to Al Goethe on “Hamburg,” third went to David Christensen on “Airborne” and fourth was won by Uzi Ozeri on “Infinity.” For the first time, Lakewood Yacht Club youth sailors raced their own boat in Bay Cup. Coming in fourth place in PHRF Spinnaker A class on “Blackburn Marine” were Dane and brother Doug Byerly, Howdy Hughes, and Collin Scoville. “We are very proud of these young racers who had the courage to get out there and race against all the adult, more experienced sailors,” said Bay Cup I Regatta Chairman Gerhard Wittich. Other Lakewood Yacht Club winners were Jay Zittrer on “Banjo Girl” in the Cruising Non-Spinnaker Classic Canvas B, second place; Hal Haltom on “Cayuse,” first place in Cruising Poleless Spinnaker; Hans Knickrehm on “Seute Deern,” second place in PHRF Non-Spinnaker class; and Tom Sutton on “Leading Edge,” second place in PHRF Spinnaker A. Bay Cup I is the first in a series of two regattas with Bay Cup II being held on Saturday, Aug. 2, where overall winners in all classes will be announced. Sponsors making these regattas possible are Don Q Puerto Rico’s Premium Run, Caliche Puerto Rican Rum, the City of Seabrook, Hays, Little Yacht Sales, OJ’s Marine, Sea Lake Yachts and Banks Sails. Bay Access, a not for profit organization promoting amateur sailing on Galveston Bay, was also a sponsor.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Uzi Ozeri on “Infinity”, PHRF Spinnaker B Class, 4th place, and Lakewood Yacht Club Commodore Tom Collier.

Lakewood Ladies Association

Lakewood Yacht Club Ladies Association President Roz Clayton, from left, and Vice President Evey Leavens welcome Johnson Space Center historian Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, who described the suffragette movement in the American West at the Feb. 21 luncheon, and her husband, Jim Nazzal.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

APRIL HAS FINALLY ARRIVED By Capt. Joe Kent

This year the arrival of April is being welcomed more than in many years. A long, cold winter that had Norther after Norther pounding the Galveston Bay Complex is finally over and the saltwater fishing transition month is upon us.

or many years Houston area anglers looked upon April 21, San Jacinto Day, as the beginning of the fishing season around the Galveston Bay Complex. One reason that day was chosen is that it was a state holiday and, in the Houston area, schools

“We all know that for our future generations, we cannot waste our valuable wildlife resources.”

closed and many businesses observed the occasion with a day off. For many, it meant celebrating by going fishing and, for a good number of those, it was the first venture of the year to the water. While there are no holidays any longer, old timers still look upon April and in particular April 21 as the time when fishing is back in business from the upper reaches of Galveston Bay to the Galveston Jetties. During the years when a holiday was part of the celebration, Galveston

Bay was a different place than what we see today. All of the bays were full of fish, crabs and shrimp and plenty of fresh water flowed into the bay system. There were a fraction of the fishermen we see today with only a small percentage of that group owning boats, especially boats larger than row boats or small skiffs powered by single digit horsepower engines. There were no size or bag limits on fish, crabs or shrimp. The prevailing mentality was that the ocean offered an endless bounty of seafood and that there was no way fishermen would impact that scenario. It has been over 40 years since San Jacinto Day was observed as a holiday and that is not the only change that has taken place in that time period.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Galveston Bay experienced a population explosion of fishermen beginning in the late 1960s and grew incrementally each year until the pressure on the marine life in the bay resulted in a serious decline in the populations of fin and shell fish. Pollution, loss of wetlands to development and erosion and the draw of water by cities and towns along the rivers feeding into the bay all took their toll on our wildlife resources. Weather events such as hard freezes during the 1970s and 80’s added to the demise of our marine life. Anglers who grew up fishing Galveston Bay enjoyed catching as many fish as they could load into an ice chest and took pride in showing off just how many fish they could bring in.

Today, we still are combating that mentality even though we have bag and size limits set for most fish. Fortunately, that mode of thinking is being countered by educating anglers on the state of our fisheries. Conservation groups like CCATexas promote catch and release and retaining only what an angler and his family will consume in a meal or two. As we have a new beginning to our fishing season with the arrival of April, we need to work on changing our practices with regard to retaining fish. Outdoor writers across the state are beginning to look down on pictures displaying piles of fish, albeit legal catches brought in from fishing trips. When published, it tends to send the wrong message and we all know that for our future generations, we cannot waste our valuable wildlife resources. You can do your part by practicing conservation and encouraging others to do the same. Our wildlife resources are not endless and looking back at the practices of the Native Americans to retain only what they would consume, we can learn a valuable lesson from history.

19th Keels & Wheels Concours d’ Elegance Coming Up May 3-4

n 1995, Bob Fuller drove along the lush grounds of Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas contemplating ways he could help the club flourish. As a member of the Board of Directors, Fuller recognized its immense potential. His imagination pictured classic automobiles on the grass that borders the paved driveway weaving through the grounds, and in Lakewood’s harbor he imagined vintage wooden boats. Learning that a fellow Lakewood member, Paul Merryman, was a

vintage wooden boat collector and had put on a wooden boat show in Lake Conroe, the two men began to develop an event combining collector cars and boats. This year Keels & Wheels will host its 19th annual event May 3-4. Participation in the event is now exclusive. Only 200 cars and 100 boats are selected among thousands of entries. Each year, spectators and exhibitors from all over America and Europe gather at Lakewood Yacht Club to experience the competition

that has established itself among the nation’s top Concours events. To date, Keels & Wheels has donated over $1.3 million to partnering charities. This year’s event will again benefit the Boys & Girls Harbor, which seeks to provide healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis. Thanks to Keels & Wheels, many less fortunate families and children are impacted by the show’s contributions. Keels & Wheels is also responsible for contributing over $3.5 million each year to the local economy of Seabrook. Over the years Keels & Wheels has strived to create new and exciting experiences for attendees. This year, Wayne Carini, host of Velocity’s “Chasing Classic Cars,” will serve as the 2014 Grand Marshal. “Chasing Classic Cars” will be filming an episode throughout the weekend for season seven of the series, set to premiere in September 2014. Attendees will have a chance to win a brand new Lincoln automobile among other exceptional raffle prizes throughout the weekend. For those more interested in obtaining a classic of their own, Motostalgia

will present a hand-picked selection of the rarest and finest cars during a collector car auction on May 2, 2014. The auction will include a 1939 Delahaye USA Pacific Bespoke Coach, a 1965 Shelby GT350 #048 and two Rolls Royce models that have not seen the U.S. market for more than 40 years…. a 1933 Phantom II Club Coupe and a 1929 Phantom I Town Car. Through the efforts of Fuller and Merryman, this unique event has become a nationally acclaimed show. Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance exemplifies the possibilities that can come from a dream and a vision intertwined with passion. For more information and to buy tickets to the event call 713-521-0105 or go to www.Keels-Wheels.com.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Best Mortgage Supreme Lending Best Auto Repair Space Center Automotive Best Credit Union JSC Federal Credit Union Best Cafe Classic Cafe Best Bank Texas First Bank Best Hair Salon Oasis Salon & MediSpa Best Hair Stylist Meghan Scott

Best Bartender Cassie Karpiuk

Best Sushi Michiru

Best BBQ Dickinson BBQ

Best Pub/Bar Cock and Bull British Pub

Best Pizza Mario’s Flying Pizza - Seabrook

Most Romantic Restaurant Opus Bistro

Best Local Entertainer Claudio Sereni

Best Italian Amadeus Italian Restaurant & Piano Bar

Best Family Restaurant T-Bone Toms

Best Brunch Lakewood Yacht Club

Best Mexican Las Haciendas

Best Burger Tookie’s

Best Seafood Topwater Grill

Best Cajun Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack

Best Margarita Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Best Steak Cullen’s

Best Asian Wong Chef

Best Contractor/Remodeler Maverick Remodeling & Construction

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

BAHM BEST OF THE BAY AWARDS Rick Clapp, president and chairman of the Bay Area Houston Magazine, and Claudio Sereni, owner of Claudio’s Restaurant & Piano Bar in League City, sure know how to throw a great party! The Best of the Bay Awards, held on Feb. 20, at Claudio’s, was a tremendous success. There was a huge community turnout, the food was over-the-top delicious and there was great entertainment by talented local artist Abel Salazar. This was definitely a party to remember. The Best of the Bay Awards are the people’s choice awards, and just being nominated is an honor. The Best of the Bay Awards are very important because they allow small business owners the opportunity to compete with big businesses. Rick said, “This year was the ultimate “Best of the Bay Awards” evening. We were too proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Best of the Bay Awards. What a magical night, great food and drink provided by Claudio’s, fine music by Abel, and being surrounded by winners and beautiful people. Thanks to everyone that came or supported the event and spoiled the winners!” Votes came from the Bay Area Houston area, Pasadena, Friendswood, Pearland, League City, Houston and Galveston. As master of ceremonies, Rick announced the winners and BAHM’s Debbie Salisbury presented the Best of the Bay Awards to the winners. After the awards ceremony, everyone enjoyed Claudio’s incredible entrées. There was dancing after dinner, and Abel entertained the crowd. Abel plays the keyboards, saxophone and flute. As I have mentioned before, his claim to fame in our area is that “no one knows more songs than Abel.” Claudio is a one of a kind entertainer who is famous for creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed. Claudio’s Restaurant & Piano Bar offers authentic Italian cuisine, amazing music and a special environment unlike any other. Claudio and his 25 employees, and innumerable musicians, create an environment that makes you feel like family. Claudio’s is located at 3202 Marina Bay Drive, Suite M, in League City, and their telephone number is 281-957-9262. Claudio’s website is www.ClaudiosPianoBar.com

Best Health Club Fitness Center at South Shore Harbour Best Spa Oasis Salon & MediSpa Best Realtor/Agent Kimberly Harding Best Mens Apparel Dillard’s Best Womens Apparel Casanova’s Downfall Best Dentist Dr. J. Derek Tieken

Best Entertainment Spot Kemah Boardwalk Best Ladies Boutique Adelaide’s Best Yacht Club Lakewood Yacht Club Best Physician Dr. Michael Lyons, DO Best Marina South Shore Harbor Best City To Live League City Best Massage Therapist Lisa Pulieri-Oasis Salon & MediSpa

Best Web Design Agency Big Splash Web Design

Best Breakfast Skipper’s Greek Cafe

Best Vision Center Space Center Eye

Best Car Dealer-domestic - A TIE! Norman Frede Chevrolet and Ron Carter Cadillac

Best Gift Shop Glass Mermaids

Best Car Dealer - foreign Star Toyota

Best Home Builder Bayway Homes

Best Oysters Gilhooley’s

Best Wine Bar or Winery Chelsea Wine Bar Best Furniture Store Island Furniture

Best Private School Primrose School Best Resale Shop Baubles and Beads

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

THANK YOU FO THE BEST OF

Congratulations from all of us a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

OR MAKING US THE BAY 2013

at Bay Area Houston Magazine

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Community leaders celebrate the grand opening of the Convenient Care Center in Pearland

Memorial Hermann celebrates opening of second Convenient Care Center as part of Pearland Medical Complex

second Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center recently opened in Pearland, designed to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population with one-stop, coordinated access to a broad array of healthcare services in a single location. Specifically, it provides the Greater Pearland area with both adult and pediatric primary health care, lab services, comprehensive radiology services, wellness and prevention services, and a 24-hour emergency room. Representatives from the Memorial Hermann Health System, Pearland’s City Council and mayor, the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, Pearland ISD and other city, state and county

officials joined Pearland business and community leaders to mark the facility’s opening with a special ceremony on March 6. “Pearland is the third largest city by population in the Gulf Coast area and the second fastest growing city in the state of Texas, and our citizens will now have immediate access to Memorial Hermann’s world-class, patient-centered care,” said Tom Reid, mayor of Pearland. “Pearland is a great city to live, work and raise a family. Our community and the surrounding region only grow stronger with partners like Memorial Hermann who are committed to advancing the health of our residents,” said State Representative Ed Thompson.

Pearland City Council Members Tony Carbone and Susan Sherrouse, Mayor Tom Reid, CEO Erin Asprec and State Representative Ed Thompson at the ribbon cutting

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

The center is designed to take the stress out of scheduling appointments for routine health needs by offering families convenient options such as walk-in access and extended evening and weekend hours. For more urgent needs, the Center’s 24-hour, state-of-the-art Emergency department is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann, and by nurses with special training in emergency care. Patients

“The Convenient Care Center is ushering in a new and transformative healthcare model for the Houston region.” in need of higher levels of care will be transferred to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital or Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. “The Convenient Care Center is ushering in a new and transformative healthcare model for the Houston

region. One that meets families where they are, offering high-quality, safe and convenient access to care,” said Dan Wolterman, president and chief executive officer of Memorial Hermann. “Memorial Hermann is proud to be an active member of the Pearland community,” added Erin Asprec, chief executive officer of Memorial Hermann Southeast. “Since we opened our doors in February, residents have a one-stop center where they can access an array of healthcare services under one roof, from an appointment with their primary care physician, to laboratory services, imaging services and even emergency services if needed.” The new Center is located in the Memorial Hermann Pearland Medical Complex at 16100 South Freeway, on the southbound side of Highway 288 near FM 518. The Complex will also be home to a 64-bed acute care hospital, set to open in 2015. For more information about the Pearland Medical Complex, or for more information on Memorial Hermann, call 713.222.CARE (2273) or visit www.memorialhermann.org.

Sibtain Ali, M.D., Memorial Hermann Southeast Chief of Staff with CEO, Erin Asprec

Self-Employed? Don’t Forget These Tax-Filing Tips

alculating income taxes is a royal pain, even when your situation is uncomplicated enough that you can file a 1040EZ Form. And if you’re selfemployed, be prepared for extra layers of complexity. Not only must you file an annual return with numerous additional forms and schedules, you’re also responsible for paying quarterly estimated taxes, which can mean having to write a pretty hefty check while waiting for your clients to pay their overdue bills. Add in that you’re also responsible for funding your own health insurance and retirement and you may start to miss having an employer manage a portion of your financial affairs. (Although many people go into business for themselves precisely to call their own shots.) Here are a few things to remember when calculating your 2013 taxes: First, some potentially good news for taxpayers who claim a home office deduction: You now may choose between the traditional method of calculating the business use of your home (which involves numerous calculations, filling out the onerous IRS Form 8829 and maintaining back-up records for years) and a new simplified option. Under the new, so-called “safe harbor” method, you can simply claim a standard deduction of $5 per square foot for the portion of your home used regularly and exclusively for business, up to a maximum of 300 square feet – a $1,500 limit. Contrast that with the traditional method where you must calculate actual expenses of your home office expressed as a percentage of the square footage your home office consumes. For example, if your office takes up 12 percent of your house, you can deduct 12 percent of your electricity bill. A few additional details: You can choose either method from year to year; however, once you’ve elected a method for a given tax year it’s irrevocable. Under the safe-harbor method you cannot depreciate the portion of your home used for business in that particular year. With the new method you can still claim allowable mortgage interest, real estate taxes and insurance losses as itemized deductions on Schedule A. These deductions don’t have to be allocated between personal and business use, as under the traditional method.

You’ll need to weigh whether the recordkeeping hours you save justify the potentially smaller deduction – especially if you have a large home office or considerable deductions. Suggestion: Look at last year’s deduction and compare what it would have been using the $5 per square foot calculation, factoring in time spent doing the math. A few other self-employment taxfiling considerations: In addition to the home office deduction, you generally can deduct many other businessrelated expenses, including: legal and accounting fees; professional dues and subscriptions; business insurance and licenses; professional training and education; professional equipment and software; maintenance/repairs; and businessrelated mileage, travel and entertainment. You can also deduct the full cost of medical, dental, vision and long-term care insurance premiums for you, your spouse and dependents, even if you don’t itemize deductions. For more details on business expenses and deductions, see IRS Publication 535 (www.irs.gov). Also visit the IRS’ Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center. Bottom line: Income taxes are often more complicated for self-employed people and good recordkeeping is essential. Unless you’re an accounting whiz, consider hiring a tax professional or financial planner who specializes in self-employment issues. The penalties and fees they can help you avoid – and hidden deductions they can uncover – will probably more than pay for their fees. This article is brought to you by a partnership between Visa and Texas First Bank and was authored by Jason Alderman, who directs Visa’s financial education programs. For more information, follow Texas First Bank on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube or visit us at www.texasfirstbank.com. APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

Trucks on the Road are a Sign of Positive Economic Times The petrochemical industry, which is already responsible for the majority of the products being exported through the Port of Houston, is in the midst of a renaissance made possible in part by abundant, lowpriced shale gas.

s new plants are built and existing plants expanded, exports will rise and so too will the number of trucks making trips between the plants and the Port of Houston. The plant expansions of today will translate into more trucks on the road tomorrow. Truck traffic in Harris County is projected to increase to about 34,000 trucks a day by 2030. Fortunately, there are plans to add over 4,000 roadway lane miles to the 10-county Houston-Galveston region by 2035 to help accommodate this growth . Over 20,000 trucks per day pass through Harris County, and approximately half of that traffic takes place right here in the Houston Port Region. A good number of these trucks are making short trips between one of the over 130 petrochemical companies that line the 26-mile Houston Ship Channel

and the Port of Houston. They are carrying intermediate petrochemical products for export that will be used to make clothing, medical equipment and supplies, automotive parts, televisions, computers, food, building materials, and more. Some of these finished goods will then be reimported. It is not only the petrochemical industry that is booming in Texas, so too is the population, to the tune of about 1,200 people per day. This increase in population translates into an increase in demand for imported consumer goods. Goods that enter the region through the container

terminals at Barbour’s Cut and Bayport are then moved by truck to local distribution warehouses, and from there to their ultimate destination (see Figure 1). Interestingly, despite the fact that the entire U.S. can be reached by truck in 3-4 days from the Port of Houston, the lion’s share of these goods are not destined for other states (see Figure 2). Over 70% of the goods imported through the Port of Houston container terminals are consumed by the 7 million people located within a single day’s drive. Unlike many other ports, Houston does not import goods to ship to Chicago or other cities by rail or truck; the products are destined for consumption here in this region. Most of the freight in Harris County is moved by truck, an amount that is projected to increase by roughly 70 percent by 2030. This increase in trucking traffic brought about by increases in both exporting and importing of goods is good news for future job seekers. According to a

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

2007 study by the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC), the trucking industry supplied over 20,000 jobs, a number that will grow with the expansion of freight movement in and around the Port region.

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Edge Energy Consulting, LLC

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Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

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John’s Trim Shop

The Economic Alliance Welcomes New Members

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KAP Project Services, LTD

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Marco A. Arredondo, Inc.

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Pinnacle Sign Company

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PKF

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San Jacinto Family YMCA

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Shafaii Party and Reception Center, Inc.

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The Boeing Company

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University of Houston - Clear Lake

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Wayne Wicks & Associates

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Zarinkelk Engineering Services, Inc.

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region is a member-based organization with a mission to grow a vibrant regional economy. The Economic Alliance is proud to welcome the following companies to their membership roster so far this year. •

Armand Bayou Nature Center

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Arends Inspection, LLC

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Blasingame-Whitley, Attorneys at Law

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Block & Elmore, PPLC

Photography by Spring Action Photos

Second Annual Causeway FunD Run/Walk a Great Success with a Very Special Ending

he 2014 UTMB Health School of Health Professions’ (SHP) Causeway FunD Run/Walk held March 8th and sponsored in part by Bay Group Media, Inc. was a huge success. Under cloudy skies, 700 runners and walkers had the unique experience of heading north on the southbound outside lanes of the bridge. Participants had a rare opportunity, at the turnaround point at the summit of the causeway, to have a grand view of Galveston Island, the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. As Dr. Elizabeth Protas, Vice President and Dean of SHP, put it “Many of us were compelled to stop and take a photo op when we got to the top. It did not help our chip times, but it sure was a special Texas experience.” The event featured a 1K for kids, a 5K wheelchair race and certified 5K for runners and walkers. Revived in 2013 after a 15 year hiatus, the Causeway FunD Run/ Walk is the premiere fundraiser of student scholarships for the school. The UTMB SHP is dedicated to educating health professions students to meet the health care needs of a growing state by preparing competent professionals to assume and direct support roles in the provision of health services. These Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Laboratory Scientists, Nutritionists, Physician

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

Assistants, and Occupational and Physical Therapists will help to solve medical care distribution, access and cost problems. “Scholarships are competitive awards that help us recruit and recognize our best students and ensure that financial concerns are no impediment to students’ educational ambitions. They are an incentive for achievement, inspiring each of our students to strive for the highest standards of academic success.” says Dean Protas. Expanding upon the success of last year’s event, the planning

committee intensified its marketing efforts, added a “Kid’s Zone” to make the event attractive to families and awarded teams with “Most Spirited” and “Largest Team” honors. Aaron Gray of Galveston was the overall male winner with a chip time of 18:27.24 minutes and Angela Vizzeri of League City took the top honor in the female group with a 19:38.00 minute chip time. Bennie Perez of Pearland was the winner of the 5K Wheelchair race with a finish time of 35:38.76 minutes. Vaughn Construction, headquartered in Houston, with offices around the state including Galveston, took home the “Largest Team” award with 38 participants. Vaughn was one of 36 teams participating in this year’s run/walk. One of the most special moments came at the end of the awards presentation, when the “Most Spirited” award was given to the team formed in memory of John Moises Ponce. John participated in the 2013 race and placed third in the 14 – 19 age group. He ran with family members and was thrilled that he had placed and received an award. Tragically, John passed away last fall. To celebrate his life and to commemorate his joy in placing in the run, his mother, Judith Briggs, organized a large team of his family and friends. With the ladies of the team sporting tutus and his mom wearing his medal from last year and carrying a poster featuring her son and his win, John’s presence was felt by all. Even in death, as an organ donor, John was able to save the lives of 4 other people and was able to contribute to research by donating his lungs. Ms. Briggs was overwhelmed and proud of the award and the recognition of her son’s life. For more information, please go to http://shp.utmb.edu/fundrun/ or call the SHP Causeway FunD Run hotline at 409/772-3006.

Road projects moving — but ever so slowly By Mary Alys Cherry

f you were a fly on the mirror inside passing cars and trucks, you would probably hear motorists grumbling as they drive through heavy traffic along the Gulf Freeway and Highway 146 – one because of all the Texas Department of Transportation road work and the other because of the lack of any. But one day in the next few years we can expect smooth sailing. Bay Area Transportation Partnership President Barbara Koslov provided an update on the two TxDOT projects recently for the Kemah Economic Development Corporation. Years ago, motorists who navigated the Gulf Freeway’s almost constant improvement projects used to joke that it was always under construction, and with one or two brief intermissions, that proved to be true. Opened in 1952, it was Texas’ first freeway, stretching from Houston through Galveston to the Gulf of Mexico. Today it is used by about 25 0,000 vehicles daily.

LANES WIDENED

Over the years, few roads have undergone as much change as the highway that is officially known as Interstate 45 South. Today, TxDOT is back at work again rebuilding it along the stretch that goes through the Clear Lake area

and giving it a new look -- widening it from six existing main lanes to ten and adding a lane to the frontage roads for a total of three in each direction from Kurland near Beltway 8 to Medical Center Boulevard in Webster. Plus, the extension of the HOV lane. As the work rolls along toward the south, the overpasses at Dixie Farm Road, El Dorado and Bay Area Boulevard are being removed and rebuilt at grade. The Dixie Farm

“Construction on the first project from Kurland to Dixie Farm Road started in June 2011 and TxDOT expects to complete it in early 2016.” exchange is now at grade with TxDOT expected to close El Dorado for 100 days in the not-too-distant future. Currently the engineers are expecting the closure to be either in August, September and October of this year or in January, February and March of 2015, the BayTran president said. Cost of the two projects -- expected to total about $200 million – is being funded by Proposition 12 bond money approved in 2007 for transportation projects. “Construction on the first project from Kurland to Dixie Farm Road started in June 2011 and TxDOT

expects to complete it in early 2016,” she said. Work on the second project from Dixie Farm to Medical Center Boulevard started in December 2012 and the state agency expects to have the work done by 2017, she added.

2017 START

As for the 3+ mile stretch of Highway 146 from Red Bluff Road in Seabrook through Kemah to Highway 96, that $200 million project is in the design stage and TxDOT hopes to get it moving in 2017. TxDOT plans “to widen and reconstruct the existing facility to a 6-to-12 lane facility with grade

separations at major intersections, access roads in selected location, express lanes over Clear Creek, a bike path on the west side and sidewalk on the east side.” It plans to divide the work into three projects:  Red Bluff to NASA Parkway  NASA Parkway to the Galveston County line  Galveston County line to State Highway 96 All three projects will be let in 2017. Meanwhile, the project has received $30 million from the HoustonGalveston Area Council so TxDOT, working with the City of Seabrook to prioritize acquisitions, can begin purchasing property that will be affected by the road expansion. The project is expected to affect 58 businesses, 2 single-family residences, 1 multi-family housing unit, 2 churches and 1 municipal facility.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

MAIN 101 GRILL & BAR TOPS THE RESTAURANT CHARTS

ain 101 Grill & Bar is located in La Porte, in the historical district. This fine eatery receives top marks when it comes to serving very good food at a most reasonable price. The owner, chef, cook and operator Joe Bertuglia, is adamant about quality and freshness. He is a culinary wizard who creates appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts with distinct flavors and textures. Bertuglia is a self-taught chef and epicurean artist that grew up in a New York to Sicilian Italian American parents. His entire family cooked and it was a very competitive in his household. They competed in creating the best pasta, seafood, salads, soups and dessert during family get togethers. “I have a real passion and I’m very compassionate about the food I create and serve to my customers. All our steaks, meat and fish are cut and filleted in house.” Main 101 Grill & Bar is proud to introduce their new menu which features a variety of new mouth-watering dishes as well as their house favorites. For starters, try one of their eclectic appetizers such as the Curried Calamari or the incredible Crab Cake and Corn Fritters. A real winner is the Corn Pancake, pan seared green tomatoes topped with large portions of fresh lump jumbo crab meat served with delicate, spicy Serrano syrup and candied Serrano peppers. This is simply D’lish! The soups are served hot and all salads are fresh, green and crisp. Each salad dressing and sauce is created and produced daily. The Greek salad is a favorite which is served with large kalmata olives and feta cheese. The dressing is light, flavorful and served without anchovies.You will also find a variety of sandwiches on their lunch menu. Main 101’s Certified Hereford Beef steaks and burgers are quite popular for lunch and dinner. The steaks are tender, mouthwatering and can be prepared your way (Pittsburgh medium rare, spiced etc.) According to Joe Bertuglia, “the key to serving delicious steaks and seafood is in

the technique of cooking fast and very hot. The fish, meat or poultry must not only be full of flavor it must have good texture and be appealing to the eye.” Main 101 also has daily specials like its award winning grilled Mahi Mahi offered with a light lemon butter sauce topped with fresh herbs and parsley. It is accompanied with mashed potatoes and fresh hand cut zucchini and carrots. This fish special was simply cooked and served to perfection. Main 101’s other signature dishes include Scottish salmon, tender steaks and seafood. No meal is complete unless you enjoy a decadent dessert. Chef Joe Bertuglia when it comes to desserts puts his magic

“All our steaks, meat and fish are cut and filleted in house.” and creativity to work. All desserts are made in house and his newest creation is the Berries and Lime Savayon topped with a sprig of mint and complemented with a chilled, shaken Grand Mariner drink. This unique combination makes the flavors of the berries and lime come alive. Another prize winning dessert is the chocolate caramel parfait. The flavor, texture and taste of this dessert topped with sea salt will make you take this parfait glass home to finish your dessert. Other desserts include a sinful tiramisu and crème brulee. Main 101’s atmosphere is casual and comfortable with a contemporary look. It has a full service bar, a designated area with a totally loaded bar with top shelf, well liquors and beer, as well as a nice wine selection. This jewel of a restaurant serves very good, quality food with unique flavors. Best of all the portions are generous and the price is quite right. Service is good, attentive, knowledgeable and punctual. Open Monday – Thursday, 10:30 am. – 9 pm.; Friday & Saturday, 10:30 am. To 10 pm. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Main 101 Grill & Bar phone number is 281-470-8484 and it is located at 101 East Main St., La Porte, Texas 77571 www.main101.com.

No-Name Bar-B-Q

Family Owned and Operated Serving the Greater Houston Area since 1983 By Betha Merit

o-Name Bar-B-Q has continued to serve exceptional hickory wood, slow-smoked barbeque from their original recipe since 1983. No-name Bar-B-Q is listed on many customer reviews as, “simply the best.” Their sauce is not too spicy, just full of flavor. “We make everything from scratch,” says owner, Mike Hedayati. “From our potato salad to coleslaw it’s all fresh, and even our French fries are cut from raw potatoes daily.” Mike is someone you will see every time you visit No-Name Bar-B-Q. He graduated from University of Texas at Arlington in 1975 with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. You might also say that he “studied” barbeque about 36 years ago. He credits his skills and love for barbequing to Mr. Johnson, an older gentleman who owned a barbeque place and taught Mike everything he knew. “Since then, I have adapted and improved my skills to perfect the flavors and continue doing what I love most,” says Mike. No-Name Bar-B-Q got its name about 30 years ago when Mike and his wife of 38 years, Janice, tried to register a variety of names. They were all taken. So, it was decided that they would be the restaurant without a name, or, No-Name Bar-B-Q. Many of their family members have worked here over the years. Daughters, Heather and Amber, and their son,Yousef, have been familiar faces. And this has contributed to the familiar, family friendly place that is No-Name Bar-B-Q. Let’s be real. Barbeque is about the meat. They serve sliced and chopped

beef, links, ham, ribs, and these can be purchased by ¼ pound or more, as a dinner with sides, or as a PoBoy sandwich. “Everything is Texas style slow-smoked,” says Mike, “and we don’t ever use gas or electricity.” Sides include beans, coleslaw, potato salad, and also available are those homemade, hand cut French fries Mike mentioned, potato chips, and baked potatoes with or without meat. For dessert, they have homemade peach cobbler, or individualsized pecan and sweet potato pies. For pie lovers, these are a must try. Thursday is famous for their special slow-smoked, boneless, skinless, turkey breast featured all day. Who says there can’t be a healthier option for a great barbeque dinner? No-Name Bar-B-Q is famous to many employees of the ship

“Everything is Texas style slow-smoked,” says Mike, “and we don’t ever use gas or electricity.” channel businesses, such as Phillips, Shell, Air Product, and more. Why? Because a large part of No-Name Bar-B-Q business is catering. They also have dine-in for up to 50 patrons, take-out, and have room for parties on site. No-Name Bar-B-Q was recognized as a Houston Chronicle Ultimate Business of the Week, and is better business bureau accredited, as well as a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce. To say they are an active participant in the nearby community is an understatement. Located at 101 S. Pasadena Boulevard, Pasadena 77506, their phone is 713.472.7249. Their website is www.nonamebarbq.com.

Karen Nyberg

Doug Hurley

Space Gala to salute NASA chief, workers By Pat Patton

he Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation will recognize the dedication of the space workers at its annual awards banquet Friday, April 11, at the Downtown Houston Hyatt Regency. The black-tie gala starts with a reception at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. When people think of achievements in space, they usually think of astronauts or they might picture spacecraft like the Mars Curiosity rover bravely exploring the unknown, but it is the dedication of the workers on Earth that make the astronaut’s historic deeds possible. To publicly recognize all the “unsung heroes” of the space program alongside the more well-known achievers, the RNASA Foundation was formed by the Space Center Rotary Club in 1985 in Clear Lake, and presents an American citizen with its top award, the National Space Trophy, each year. This year RNASA will honor NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., retired major general in the U.S. Marines and a former NASA astronaut, with Col. Robert Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center and also a former astronaut, presenting the award. Bolden was nominated by Cabana and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Robert Jacobs. Former CNN correspondent John Zarrella will serve as emcee and Veronica McGregor, the 2013 Space Communicator Award winner, and manager of news and social

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

media at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., will present the 2014 Space Communicator Award to former Canadian astronaut, author, and musician Chris A. Hadfield. Orbital Sciences CEO David W. Thompson will be the keynote speaker. The RNASA Foundation›s Board of Advisors selects the NST honoree each year and represents a Who’s Who of government and corporate aerospace leaders, including former Space Trophy and Space Communicator Award recipients. The RNASA Stellar Awards Evaluation Panel selects the winners from nominations received from industry and government based on whose accomplishments hold the greatest promise for furthering activities in space and the extent to which the nominee meets the goal of recognizing «unsung heroes.” The 2014 judges are Dr. Glynn S. Lunney, Arnold D. Aldrich and Gen. Kevin P. Chilton. The Stellar Award nominees and team representatives will enjoy a tour of Johnson Space Center and a luncheon presentation by NASA Astronaut Dr. Stanley G. Love, who logged more than 306 hours in space, including15 hours in two spacewalks. Stellar winners will receive engraved marble trophies sponsored by ATK and presented by astronaut Dr. Karen Nyberg and former astronaut Douglas G. Hurley. Individual tickets are $300, and corporate tables range from $2,000 to $5,000. To make reservations, visit www.rnasa.org/

News nuggets League City names new city manager The League City Council has named Mark Rohr of Joplin, Mo., city manager on an 8-0 vote. “We are very pleased to welcome Mark to League City. His track record of leadership and his vast municipal experience will complement our city staff’s expertise and Council’s vision for the city,” Mayor Tim Paulisssen said. Rohr has 31 years of local government experience and served as city manager for Joplin, Mo., from 2004 until 2014. He previously held city manager positions for the cities of Piqua, Ohio; Punta Gorda, Fla.; Washington Court House, Ohio; and Newton Falls, Ohio. He has a Master’s in Public Administration degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Rohr replaces Mike Loftin who served as city manager from April 2012 to October 2013. Since Loftin’s resignation John Baumgartner has served as acting city manager. Baumgartner will resume his role as deputy city manager.

ACC selects new president The Alvin Community College Board of Regents has selected Dr. Christal Albrecht as the lone finalist for the president of ACC. She will begin work at the college May 19.

Barbara Lewis named to board Barrios Technology’s Barbara Lewis was recently asked to serve on the Alvin Community College Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation was established in 1974 to provide opportunities and support for students, faculty and staff whether it is scholarships, innovative grants and funding for ACC programs. Lewis is an alumnus of ACC where she studied Radio and Television Broadcasting and has been a supporter of the Foundation for the last three years.

Pearland gets new city manager

Pearland has a new city manager -- Clay Pearson, who began his new duties March 10. Pearson, who brings more than 20 years of experience in municipal government, comes to Pearland from Novi, Mich., where he has served as city manager since July 2006 after serving as assistant city manager starting in September 2000. Prior to that, he served the City of Elgin, Ill., for more than a decade in various capacities, including assistant city manager.

Thieves steal 88 tires, wheels Texas City apparently isn’t a safe city for tires.

Thieves broke into DeMontrond Chevrolet on the Gulf Freeway and stole 88 wheels and tires from about two dozen Camaros, Impalas and trucks and left the vehicles sitting on blocks. In some instances the supports collapsed, damaging the vehicles’ frames and resulting in thousands of dollars in damages.

West Ranch home burns A newly built 5,200-square-foot Friendswood home on Rymers Switch Lane in the West Ranch Community priced at $795,690 went up in flames, destroying much of it. The house was reported unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Trustees name CCISD stadium The Clear Creek School Board has named the district’s second stadium, the Challenger Columbia Stadium in honor of the space shuttle program legacy and the astronauts who perished aboard both flights. “NASA is honored that our community recognizes the tremendous commitment that accompanies human spaceflight. We are proud that the stadium name will serve as a lasting memorial of our teamwork and dedication,”said Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa. The district broke ground on the facility March 26 at the stadium site, near 2145 W. NASA Parkway. It is scheduled to open in August 2015 and is being funded through the 2013 CCISD Bond.

Movers &Shakers Name: Floyd Myers Occupation: Attorney and mayor of Webster; an elected official for over 50 years Hometown: Bullard, Texas Current home: Webster Family: Gail, 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren. My favorite writer is: Omar Khayyam

Someone I’d like to meet: Chief Justice John Roberts My favorite performers are: The Oakridge Boys I like to spend my leisure time: Playing with the grandkids If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Hawaii My favorite meal is: Tex-Mex

You’ll never catch me: Drinking The thing that bugs me the most is: Two-faced people My favorite movie is: Gone With the Wind Few people know: A flag was flown over Adder, Iraq to honor the mayor and his wife for care packages they sent the 3rd Brigade, 1st Calvery

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

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

CCISD attributes success to support of community By Mary Alys Cherry

he Clear Creek School District is doing quite well these days, and Superintendent Greg Smith hopes you’ll allow him to brag a little. “This school year, our students will break academic records, our school district will break ground on exciting bond projects, and we will once again break the previous year’s enrollment records,” he told the Clear Lake Area Chamber at its monthly luncheon at Landry’s in Kemah. And who gets the credit? “All of this is only possible through the continuing support of this great community, which spans 13 cities, 2 counties and 100 square miles,” he said, adding, “Our work together has benefitted more than 40,000 students, and we have just begun.” Noting that the schools rated well above the state standard and that CCISD is home to 38 National Merit Scholarship finalists, he feels these are “strong indicators that we have the right team on board, a dedicated community and some absolutely talented students who shine in and outside the classroom everyday in their own special way.

88 PERCENT APPROVE

“I am not the only one who feels this way,” he said. “In a 2013 survey of the community at-large, more than 88 percent of the taxpayers said CCISD is doing a great job in preparing students for the future and 9 out of 10 parents feel welcome at their child’s school.” And, Dr. Smith is quite proud of this, as well he should be. “Frankly, what our local community thinks of us is what matters most,” he told the chamber. It is why hundreds of families

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

move to our area every year. CCISD continues to grow in enrollment. This school year we broke the 40,000 mark for student enrollment. Based on a recent demographic report, CCISD is projected to top 41,000 students by 2016. “Based on home construction and best projections, we will be at ‘build-out’ in 2023 with more than 43,600 students. This data will help us determine when and if we will need to adjust school boundaries in the future. At this time, we do not see a need to adjust school boundaries for the next two years.”

TAX SAVINGS

He also gave a rundown of proposed bond projects and how the district has been able to rework the $367 million bond financing plan which may save taxpayers upwards of $50 million or two cents less on the tax rate. “Under the new financing plan, we project the tax rate increase will be closer to 9 cents versus 11 cents. CCISD is consistently watching the interest market and refinances debt at lower rates no different than people do on their own homes. Over the last ten years, these efforts have led to almost $36 million in interest savings for taxpayers.” The opportunity exists within our community today to effect the change we often talk about but somehow find hard to achieve. It means forming a partnership, he explained. “We cannot do it alone. We need our parents, businesses, community and legislative leaders to continue to partner with us to positively impact the lives of children. After all, the success of any community is measured by the success of its students.”

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

CCEF – making a difference in educating CCISD students

3. Clear Horizons Early College High School. CCEF supplements tuition for students who simultaneously earn a college associate degree and a high school diploma. “CHECHS is an opportunity for first-generation college students to get a step ahead by learning necessary skills to succeed in both their high school and college courses – providing $60,000 in support of instruction for 24 students.” 4. National Board Certification. The foundation encourages teachers to achieve the highest and most rigorous standards set by the U.S. Department of Education and has helped 15 teachers achieve National Board Certification since 2007.

By Mary Alys Cherry

his year has been a very good year for the Clear Creek Education Foundation, and Executive Director Kaci Hanson hopes that is an indication of things to come. “CCEF’s annual campaign brought in a total of $190,000 and it hosted the largest gala in its history,” she told the Clear Creek School Board as she updated trustees on the foundation, which works to enrich academic achievement in CCISD, adding that CCEF was able to gift the school district with $270,000 this year. Founded in 1992, the nonprofit, whose volunteers are dedicated to education excellence, works with the school district to deliver resources for a worldclass education, she said, explaining that its goal is to:  Encourage students to work to their highest potential;  Provide unique educational opportunities in classrooms;  Encourage career exploration in the science and technology fields;  Enable students to be first generation college students;  Encourage teachers to enhance their education.

DIFFERENT PATHS

CCEF does this in several different ways, she pointed out.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

SPRING FASHION SHOW Clear Creek Education Foundation Chairman Mike Huss thanks CCEF Executive Director Kaci Hanson for putting together the update she presented to the Clear Creek ISD trustees.

1. Teacher Innovative Grants. It offers monetary grants so teachers can create and implement innovative lessons, enriching the student learning experience. This past year CCEF offered 56 grants totaling $157,000 to 54 teachers in 31 schools, impacting more than 30,000 students. 2. Technology Education Labs. CCEF spent $59,000 initiating programs at Brookside and Victory Lakes intermediate schools to provide critical knowledge and skills needed in technology education with audio video production and robotics. By developing soft skills now, the schools begin laying a solid foundation for the competitive workplace of the 21st century, Hanson said.

She also announced that CCEF would host its annual spring fashion show, “I Love CCISD,” will be held Sunday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. at Alex Rodriquez Mercedes Benz in League City with proceeds benefiting school programs. This year’s show will feature a new format, she said, complete with runway seating, hors d’oeuvre stations and featuring talent vignettes straight from the halls of CCISD schools. The fashion show will be produced by Lenny Matuszewski Jr., the nationally known fashion event producer, and will feature fashions from Dillard’s – Baybrook Mall. CCISD high school juniors who are in good academic standing, involved in school and community activities, and demonstrate all that is positive about CCISD will be selected to serve as student models. “This just gives teachers an opportunity to touch more children,” Trustee Charlie Pond said of the foundation’s goals.

APRIL 2014 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

CLEAR LAKE

Plant sale April 2. The Gardeners ByThe Bay annual plant sale is Wednesday April 2, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at University Baptist Church, SW corner, 16106 Middlebrook Drive. For questions, call Marjorie at 281-474-5051 or visit http://gbtb. org Bye Bye Birdie April 11-13. Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre will present the Tony Award winning Best Musical Bye Bye Birdie April 1113 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday in the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Theatre, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. For tickets, which are priced from $24-$35, visit www.bahbt.org or call 281-480-1617. Rotary Springoree April 17. Space Center Rotary of Clear Lake will host its annual spring fling, the Springoree, at 6:30 p.m. at Lakewood Yacht Club with the public invited to join the fun. CCISD Candidate Forum April 22. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will host a forum featuring the candidates for the Clear Creek School Board from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, in the My Flooring America Boardroom at the chamber,1201 NASA Parkway. The public is invited to attend. Genealogical Society meets April 25. The Bay Area Genealogical Society will meet Friday, April 25, when Sue Yerby will discuss “Family History Portal Resources.” at the University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive, 2nd floor in the Great Room. Coffee is at 6:30 p.m. , meeting at 7. For more information, visit www.TxBayAreaGen.org or call 281-814-4606. The public is invited. Ballet concert April 26. Kennedy Dance Theatre’s Ballet Jete’ Company will host a ballet concert, “Enchanted Evening,” along with KDT’s Vaganova Ballet department at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Tickets are $15. For more information, visit www. KennedyDance.com or call 281-480-8441.

DEER PARK

2014 Totally Texas Festival April 12. Texans can celebrate the 177th birthday of the state at the 2014 Totally Texas Festival Saturday, April 12, at the Jimmy Burke Center, 500 W. 13th St., from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Festival will feature parades, a chili cookoff, a car show, arts and crafts, a Totally Country Talent Contest, a fun run and live entertainment.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | APRIL 2014

FRIENDSWOOD

F.I.G. Festival April 26. The annual Friendswood Is Great Festival sponsored by the Friendswood Chamber is coming up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, offering free admission and fun for the entire family in Stevenson Park and featuring classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, food, business and arts and crafts. Mary Queen Festival May 4. The Annual Mary Queen Church Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at 606 Cedarwood Drive. Raffle, auction, BBQ dinner, Rock Wall, bingo, face painting, food and game booths, etc.

GALVESTON

Crawfish Boil slated April 13. The Galveston Rotary Club will host its 4th annual Crawfish Boil Sunday, April 13, from noon to 4 p.m. at Moody Gardens in a big white tent behind the Discovery Pyramid. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the event. Call 409-763-5326 for details.

HOUSTON

BayTran State of the Counties April 9. Three county judges will be the speakers when the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership hosts its 15th annual State of the Counties Luncheon at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 9, at Brady’s Landing, 8505 Cypress St. Tickets, which are $75, may be reserved at www.BayTran.org or by emailing Diane Thornton at gcli.com or calling 281-474-4124, ext. 121.

LEAGUE CITY

Clear Lake Chamber luncheon April 30. The Clear Lake Area Chamber will have its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at South Shore Harbour Country Club, 2500 South Shore Blvd. Reservations are required by 5 p.m. Friday, April 25. Hope4Life Race April 12. The 3rd Annual Hope4Life Race sponsored by Anchor Point will be held Saturday, April 12, starting at 8 a.m. at Clear Springs High (1K starts on track @ 8:15). Registration is $30 for an individual and $60 for a family of up to 4. Sign up at www.anchorpoint.us under upcoming events. Fashon show April 27. The annual Clear Creek Education Foundation spring style show will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at Alex Rodriguez Mercedes Benz. Visit www. ClearCreekEducationFoundation.org for tickets, which are $50.

PASADENA

Next at Pasadena Little Theatre. A Few Good Men opens Friday, May 2, at Pasadena Little Theatre, 4318 Allen-Genoa Road, and continues weekends through May 18. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Thursday and 3 p.m. Sundays. Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Thursday, May 15, is a specially priced Admit Two for $14 show. Call 713-941-1758 or reserve online at www. pasadenalittletheatre.org Credit cards accepted.

SEABROOK

Gumbo Cookoff April 26. Seabrook Rotary will have its 4th annual Gumbo Cookoff Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Clear Lake Park’s Landolt Pavilion with the public invited to join the fun. The $10 ticket includes tastings. Come hungry!

TAYLOR LAKE VILLAGE

Wounded Warrior Breakfast April 26. The annual Wounded Warrior Spring Breakfast will be Saturday, April 26, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Taylor Lake Christian Church, 1730 Old Kirby Road. Tickets are $5. Plans include breakfast, live music, art activities, a silent auction, and more. Phone 281-474-2709. All proceeds and donations will benefit wounded warriors.

Lunar Rendezvous Festival Kickoff Open to the Public Lunar Rendezvous will kick off its 49th annual festival Sunday, April 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Atrium 1 of the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Bayou Building. Tricia Totten is chairman of the kickoff with Susan Huston as her co-chairman. During the event, the 2014 princesses, lieutenants, little ladies in waiting, pages and the festival royalty will be introduced. The annual kickoff offers community volunteers an opportunity to sign up to work on the various festival events. “There will be plenty of volunteer opportunities for each of the ten events that span the months of April through July, culminating in a Coronation Ball in late July commemorating the anniversary of our nation’s rich space history,” Totten said. This year’s festival, Odysseys in Orbit, includes events for ever age and interest, tennis and golf tournaments, spa night, family fun night, dining event, 5k run, sunset celebration service, fashion show and coronation ball, she added. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available and the dress is weekend casual. To learn more about the festival, visit www. lunarrendezvousfestival.org or like the festival on Facebook and Twitter.