Bay Area Houston Magazine

Robots and Fun Science Shows on Tap at Ultimate Spring Break

Space Center Houston invites you to “Get Your Fun On!” at the Ultimate Spring Break, now through March 23. With more than 250 amazing things to see and do, there’s always something new.

Cock & Bull British Pub

Belly up to the bar and enjoy a vast selection of wines, 55 craft beers and of course, mixed drinks.

Port Welcomes New Fireboats

With a price tag of just under $5 million each, the three new fireboats recently purchased by the Port of Houston Fire Department represent the state-of-the-art in firefighting equipment.

Circle of Friends

As this winter drags on interminably, I find myself thinking about a January day about a year ago. It was 23 degrees, foggy and sleeting as four lonely cars made their way across the desert from the Gage Hotel in Marathon to the Chisos Mountain Basin in Big Bend National Park.

Trailriders heading for the rodeo

Just say the word and many are ready to head to Reliant and mix it up with cowboys and cowgirls from all over southeast Texas March 4-23 at the big Houston Rodeo.

Use it or Lose it

Only a generation ago, gradually losing teeth and replacing them with either a fixed bridge, a removable partial or full denture was a fact of life for most Americans.

St. John Hospital now part of Houston Methodist

Christus St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay has a new name and new owners. It will now be called Houston Methodist St. John Hospital.

Three Chambers celebrate

Three Bay Area chambers — Friendswood, League City and Pearland — introduced new officers and directors and passed out awards in recent days while celebrating the beginning of a new year. The Friendswood Chamber celebrated its 50th anniversary with a big gala at the San Luis Resort in Galveston, while Pearland Chamber members gathered at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pearland and League City Chamber members celebrated at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City.

Clear Brook High rebuild project to begin this July

Clear Brook High School will be getting a $20 million major renovation in the coming months with faculty, students and parents getting a look at the schematic design plans during a recent community meeting in the school cafeteria.

UH-Clear Lake to add replica of Liberty Bell

Area school students and community friends can learn more about American history when University of Houston-Clear Lake puts an exact replica of the Liberty Bell on permanent display at the university in the near future. The full-scale replica is being made by the original foundry in England and will be housed in a highly visible location in the university’s Bayou Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd.

Port of Houston Authority Names New Executive Director

Roger Guenther was named executive director of the Port of Houston Authority by the Port Commission after former Executive Director Leonard Waterworth announced his resignation. Guenther has been with the Port Authority for 26 years. Most recently, he served as deputy executive director of operations.

Business Buzz

NASA is extending its contract with DB Consulting Group, Inc., in Silver Spring, Md., to provide information technology, multimedia, information management and external relations support services at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Deer Park Celebrates With the Totally Texas Festival, April 12

There will be plenty of events, concerts and fun throughout the day at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center, 500 W. San Augustine St. in Deer Park. Admission, parking, shuttle rides and the concerts are all free.

Movers & Shakers

Dr. Brenda Lang Hellyer

Clear Lake Orchestra takes 1st place in Texas

Three dozen Clear Creek ISD musicians have been named All-State and the Clear Lake High School Orchestra took 1st place in the state in the 2014 Texas Music Educator’s Honor Orchestra competition at their state convention in San Antonio.

Lakewood Toasts New Commodore

LAKEWOOD ALWAYS looks its loveliest for the Commodore’s Ball, and this year was no exception as members gathered to honor new Commodore Tom Collier and his wife, Sue. For days afterwards all the talk was about the delightful evening.

Road needs, Ike Dike urgent, Sen. Taylor tells BayTran crowd

Texas is on the right track and doing quite well economically these days, but its transportation infrastructure across the state could stand some improvement, State Sen. Larry Taylor thinks.

Harris County DA zeros in on intoxicated drivers

District Attorney Devon Anderson has announced that her office is launching a no refusal initiative every weekend in March as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and other festivities get under way.

League City Names New City Manager

The League City Council has named Mark Rohr of Joplin, Mo., city manager on an 8-0 vote.

Bay Area Houston Magazine Best of the Bay Awards Announced

Bay Group Media CEO Rick Clapp announced the winners of the 2013 Best of the Bay Awards at a bustling afterwork party, Thursday, February 20 at Claudio’s Piano Bar and Restaurant. Thank you to all the voters of Bay Area Houston and congratulations to the winners!

Retired Ambassador John Craig to speak at UH-Clear Lake

Ambassador John Craig will be the guest presenter and discuss the Middle East, the current status of stability in the region and relationships among nations impacting the global community, namely Egypt and Syria.

Claudio’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

At Claudio’s Restaurant & Piano Bar in League City, it’s all about authentic Italian cuisine. No, on second thought, it’s all about amazing music. Scratch that. Claudio’s is an environment unlike any other. Yes, the food and music are in a class by themselves, and it’s the combination of these things with the special touch of hospitality and welcome that exudes from owner Claudio Sereni and his staff.

Plans in the works to celebrate the Ship Channel’s centennial

For those of us who call the Gulf Coast home, it seems as if the Houston Ship Channel has always been there. The serpentine, 52-mile industrial waterway, which includes the 25-mile long Port of Houston, has been a source of pride and a prime economic generator for the region for generations, but a century ago, only the boldest dreamers could have imagined the existence of such a vast engineering and construction marvel.

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. to Receive the National Space Trophy

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., retired U.S. Marine Corps major general and former astronaut, has been named recipient of the 2014 National Space Trophy by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation.

Clear Lake Chatter

QUASAR AWARD honoree Dr. Renu Khator is just as impressive in person as is her record as president of the University of Houston System and the University.

Another Five Star Review For Brooklyn Phil’s Italiano

With the assistance of renowned and world class chef, Andrea Gaspercic, Phil has put together a restaurant unique to our area. Located at 1105 Clear Lake City Blvd., I found the interior welcoming and family friendly. The atmosphere lends itself to a great place for a romantic dinner and also a venue for celebrations, a casual lunch or just a place to stop by on the way home from work.

15 eye District 36 Congressional Seat

A total of 15 southeast Texas residents are in the running for the District 36 congressional seat formerly held by Steve Stockman of Friendswood — 12 Republicans, 2 Libertarians and 1 Democrat. The district includes part of Harris County and all of Newton, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Orange, Hardin, Liberty and Chambers counties.

A 50-year retrospective on the dangers of smoking

This month marks an important anniversary in the history of public health. In January 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General’s office released its first report on smoking and health, a comprehensive scientific review which identified cigarettes as a major public health hazard and quickly shifted public attitudes about smoking. Although adult smoking rates have been cut in half in the 50 years since the surgeon general’s original report, tobacco remains a major killer of Americans in 2014.

Same Day Dentistry is Finally Here

At last, the age of CAD/CAM (Computer Assisted Design – Computer Assisted Manufacturing) in dentistry is here, and it’s more exciting than anything I could have dreamed of.

Event to benefit UTMB School of Health Professions students

As the path in and out of Galveston, the causeway looms large in the lives of those who live and work on the island. In the spring, this route will open to two-legged traffic for the Causeway FunD Run benefitting students attending the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Houston Symphony coming to Bay Area

For the first time in a number of years, the Houston Symphony will appear in concert in the Bay Area – this time to mark its Centennial Season.

New Principal Named at Clear Creek High

Bayside Intermediate Principal Jamey Majewski has been named principal of Clear Creek High School, replacing Scott Bockart who was recently named assistant superintendent of secondary education for CCISD.

CCISD chief sees rosy future ahead

Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Greg Smith couldn’t help but smile as he delivered the 2014 State of the District Address at the start of the new year. He had so much good news to share with teachers and parents.

West Mansion on this year’s Symphony League Home Tour

Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to see inside the beautiful Jim West Mansion on NASA Parkway as it will be on the Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s 13th Annual “Day by the Bay” Home Tour Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, from noon to 5 p.m.

New Facilities in Pearland and Friendswood will provide convenient access to care

In late July 2013, Memorial Hermann broke ground for a new medical complex in Pearland. The facility will include a convenient care center, scheduled to open in early 2014, that will provide one-stop, highly coordinated access to adult and pediatric primary care, a 24-hour emergency room, imaging and laboratory services.

Julie Harman Howell Joins Lakewood’s Staff

Clear Lake area native Julie Harman Howell has joined Lakewood Yacht Club’s staff as their director of member services and events. She replaces long-time Clubhouse Manager Shirley McCullough, who worked for Lakewood for more than 33 years.

Home of Hope provides a fresh start to victims of human trafficking

It is a horrendous statistic. Two hundred years after the Civil War, more than 300,000 U.S. children are enslaved in sexual human trafficking — and Houston leads the nation with 20% of the victims.

Bay Area residents loosen purse strings

The Bay Area Houston economy just keeps improving each month with home sales growing, businesses expanding and spending on the upswing all around the area and across the state.

Man charged in shuttle vandalism

The Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office has filed charges against Jesse Ray Calloway, 19, of Clear Lake in connection with the vandalism to the mock Space Shuttle Independence in late November. It is believed others were involved and deputies are asking for anyone with additional information to contact them, Chief Deputy Jason Finnen said.

DA Warns About Tax Scams

Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson launched a public safety campaign today to draw attention to tax scams as millions of area residents prepare their returns. The informational pamphlet describes common tax scams as well as what is being done by the IRS and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute thieves. Information is also provided to help the public find a reliable or trusted tax preparer.

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital Orthopedics

Located in Baytown, Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital was named one of the best hospitals in the Houston metro area for 2013-14 by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital continuously strives to improve the quality, satisfaction and health care services while remaining committed to making a difference in the lives of the patients it serves.

Winter blues? Six ways to improve mood and energy

MD Anderson experts share tips for fighting off grogginess and depression

Several outstanding candidates vying for vacant Texas House seat

With State Rep. John Davis of Clear Lake retiring from his House District 129 seat after eight terms in the Texas Legislature, voters will have a variety of candidates from which to choose his replacement.

Chapter 313 Agreements Attract New Employers While Increasing Local School District Funds

Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code is an often misunderstood, yet invaluable tool that has enabled the Houston Ship Channel Region to recruit many quality companies and helped existing companies expand operations here instead of locating elsewhere.

Dental Health with Dr. Farid Noie

When it Comes to Your Smile Don’t Settle for Second Best

Did you know that not long ago, dentures were common wedding gifts in the British Isles because many people expected to eventually lose all of their teeth and expedited the process by having them extracted at an early age.

Finance: Why Was Your Credit Card Transaction Denied?

We’ve all had these moments: You’re at a romantic restaurant and the evening went great. But just as you and your date are readying to leave, an embarrassed waiter appears and whispers, “I’m afraid your card has been denied.” So much for romance.

UH president named Quasar Award recipient

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will honor Dr. Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the University of Houston System, with its prestigious 2014 Quasar Award at the organization’s 21st annual Quasar Award Banquet.

Inspiration From Erin Asprec

Erin Asprec, CEO of Memorial Hermann Southeast, has led a path straight upwards, modeling her passion for excellence in healthcare services and patient care since she took over the reins in March 2010. Asprec relies on outstanding communication and focusing on goals, employing her unflagging energy for people and relationships. She has a strong commitment to patient safety, clinical quality and service, and a relentless goal to achieve excellence through learning, transparency and growth.

Texas Chiropractic College Student Receives International Scholarship

The International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS) recently awarded its 2013 scholarships, including one for Texas Chiropractic College student Kelley Humphries. Humphries was chosen from a group of 42 applicants from 17 different colleges from around the world to receive a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Standard Process.

News Nuggets: Quick Clear Lake News

Webster police officers indicted

Three Webster police officers have been indicted on official oppression charges for allegedly using excessive force while attempting to arrest a suicidal man in Nassau Bay Sept. 27.

Lea Bodie Named 2014 Chairman Of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival

Lea Bodie has been selected as the general chairman of the 2014 Lunar Rendezvous Festival. In making the announcement, the Lunar Rendezvous Advisory Board cited her dedication and leadership skills in philanthropic endeavors, noting that she has been an avid community supporter since moving to the Bay Area in 2009.

Rose Matchmaking: Taking a Chance on Love with the Matchmaking Master

Rose Matchmaking is Houston’s premier boutique-style matchmaking firm. The company focuses on providing its clients with discreet, caring one-on-one matchmaking. Jamie Rose is the only certified and BBB-accredited independent matchmaker in the greater Houston area. She meets every potential client in person herself and hand picks matches that will work best for the client.

Christ’s Church in Clear Lake

Who is my neighbor? “Whoever is in need,” answers the youth of Christ’s Church in Clear Lake. After a summer retreat to Galveston Island in 2011, the church’s middle and high school students began thinking about praying about the human needs they had seen up close — hungry children, families huddled in houses and apartment projects that were literally falling down around them, drug addictions, gangs, men and women with no means to break free of poverty, the only life style they knew.

Business Buzz: Clear Lake Business News

NASA, SpaceX begin lease talks

NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, Calif., to begin negotiations on a lease to use and operate historic Launch Complex (LC) 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Permitting use and operation of this valuable national asset by a private-sector, commercial space partner will ensure its continued viability and allow for its continued use in support of U.S. space activities.

Cock & Bull British Pub and Restaurant

Offering Exciting New Events and Full Bar Service to Complement their Fun, Food & Friends Experience

Just a Pretty Table Luncheon 2013

One of the most enjoyable events of the year in the Bay Area is the Bay Area Museum Guild’s annual Just A Pretty Table Luncheon.

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region honors State Rep. Wayne Smith

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Board of Directors honored State Rep. Wayne Smith at their Annual Membership and Awards Banquet on the evening of Nov. 14 at the Houston Marriot South by Hobby Airport with the prestigious Visionary Award.

Non-surgical prostate cancer treatment a first in Texas

A new non-surgical prostate cancer treatment offered at the University of Texas Medical Branch virtually eliminates the side effects of impotence and incontinence that can occur when patients receive the traditional treatment for prostate cancer – surgical prostate removal.

Clear Lake Chatter – Dec. 2013

The first and final voyage of the R.M.S. Titantic has intrigued generations of both Europeans and Americans who have read about its final hours and wondered what it was like to be aboard the great ship as it began sinking into history.

News Nuggets

News Nuggets – Quick stories and updates from all around the Bay By Mary Alys Cherry New City Hall For Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and other Nassau Bay city officials joined Griffin Partners Nov. 13 in breaking ground for the new 24,000 square foot city hall and conference center, which will be located at 1800 Space Park Drive. Work on [...]

Tour the Houston Ship Channel by Boat

Hidden Secret Many area residents are unaware that free boat tours of the Port of Houston are available By Rod Evans Like the majority of Houston area residents, my relationship with the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston has largely been of the long distance variety. Sure, I’ve crossed over it probably 100 times via the 610 Loop [...]

Dental Health with Dr. Farid Noie

A Simple Smile By Dr. Farid Noie Did you know that there is a simple technique that has immediate positive health results for the body and the mind? It’s called a smile. Try it.  First, stand up in front of a mirror and smile big. Form your smile first with your mouth, lifting the corners of your mouth way up.  Then [...]

Bay Area Houston Business is Booming

Recession? Looking around Bay Area Houston, one would never know there had even been an economic downturn. Business is actually booming.

Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai Honors Bay Area Students with Scholarships

In 2013, Ron Carter Cadillac Hyundai awarded scholarships to five outstanding college bound Bay Area seniors. Scholarships were awarded based on exemplary academic records, leadership, character and service.

Missouri Street Church of Christ Food Pantry

In 1987, Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown launched a food pantry ministry with donations of bread from a nearby Randall’s Food Store.

Lakewood Yacht Club Named Marina of the Year 2013

Lakewood Yacht Club has been named Marina of the Year 2013 by the Marina Association of Texas

Announcement of the award was made at the MAT Installation and Awards Dinner at the Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake LBJ near Austin during the group’s annual conference.

Space Center Rotary Shrimporee 2013

A crowd of more than 3,000 joined Space Center Rotary members in celebrating the 40th anniversary of their Shrimporee and Auction in Clear Lake Park’s Landolt Pavilion.

CCEF honors outstanding volunteers and alumni

A group of individuals who continually give of their time to the Clear Creek School District found themselves on the receiving end at the 2013 Clear Creek Education Foundation gala, which also honored five outstanding CCISD alumni during the Nov. 2 celebration.

Clear Lake December Events Calendar

Main Events Clear Lake Bay Oaks Holiday Market Dec. 2.  The Bay Oaks Women’s Association will host its annual Holiday Market for club members and their guests, starting at 10:30 a.m., at Bay Oaks Country Club. Gardeners to meet Dec. 4. Gardeners By the Bay invites gardeners of all levels to join them on the first Wednesdays of the month [...]

Reevaluate Your Benefits Needs During Open Enrollment

If you’re among the 170 million Americans who receive health insurance through an employer-provided plan, you’ll probably receive your 2014 open enrollment materials shortly. Although it’s a pain to wade through all that information, simply opting for your current coverage could be a costly mistake.

Vice President Biden visits Port of Houston

Vice President Joe Biden visited the Port of Houston Authority’s Bayport Container Terminal Monday to highlight the importance of ports and the Panama Canal expansion. Afterwards he went to Panama, where he toured the expansion project, set for completion in 2015. Biden focused on investments in the Port of Houston that have triggered a 48 percent increase in exports.

Harris County Commissioners
Court Goes Live

Harris County began live streaming meetings of Harris County Commissioners Court to the public in mid-November, a step designed to make county government even more transparent.

Simplify Your Shopping – Holiday trips made easier at Baybrook Mall

Holiday shopping. Some people love the experience, buying with a vengeance, energized by the crowds and the frenzy of finding the perfect gift. Some juggle the task with the greatest of ease. Some clever, albeit annoying souls start – and finish – before Halloween. Some people dread the madness. Others put it off completely until December 24. Most of us fall somewhere in between, having devised our own personal systems of getting it done without spontaneously combusting. This year, we decided it was time for some new how-tos for tackling holiday shopping.

On My Mind – ‘A shameful chapter in our history’

I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore. At least until the next time. Yes, I’m talking about that crowd in Washington I’d like to toss in the Potomac River. I’m fed up, just like the imaginary Howard Beale in the film Network, who urged his TV viewers to shout out of their windows “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” Frankly, it is beyond my comprehension how grown men and women could treat their constituents in such a low class manner.

Boquillas

Many Changes but  Still the Same Feel by Michael Gos Back in 2011, I wrote here about receiving a letter from the Friends of Big Bend National Park telling about the upcoming reopening of the international crossing to Boquillas, Mexico.  Long a part of many Texans’ Big Bend vacations, especially my own, Boquillas became off limits to Americans after 9/11.  [...]

Beware of the Pitfalls of Public Wi-Fi

Ever notice how many people walk down the street completely engrossed in their smartphones and tablets? I fully expect to see one of them to walk into a light post one day. Although it’s great having access to email, social networking and online shopping anywhere, anytime, such convenience comes with a certain amount of risk, according to Jennifer Fischer, Head [...]

Abigail Dickson earns Ron Carter Scholarship

Congratulations to Abigail Dickson who was one of five $1000 scholarship winners from the Ron Carter of Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai Dealership.  Seniors from across the entire community submitted their applications.  Dickson, a former ROTC Junior Commander of her student unit stated, “My goal is to become a Naval Aviator and to serve my country proudly.  The Ron Carter people [...]

Four more astronauts leave NASA

Four astronauts have departed NASA in recent days after long years with the space agency, working at the Johnson Space Center, dropping the total number of astronauts to 60 from a high of about 150 in 1999. The four are: Clayton Anderson, who ended a 30-year career with NASA to join Iowa State University as an aerospace engineering faculty fellow. The Nebraska native earned his master’s degree from ISU in 1983. Anderson has logged 167 days in space and 38 hours of spacewalks at the International Space Station and completed two space flights.

News Nuggets

Seabrook City Manager Kelly Templin has resigned, effective Dec. 1, to become city manager for College Station. Deputy City Manager Gayle Cook will serve as interim city manager until a city manager is named. “Kelly is leaving great stability in our city government,” Mayor Glenn Royal said, adding, “and what excites me is that this will continue with the appointment … of Gayle Cook. As deputy city manager, she has been the right hand of Kelly and former City Manager Chuck Pinto. Both council and staff have great respect for her and her many talents.”

JSC quietly observes 50 years in business

Johnson Space Center quietly marked the 50th anniversary of its opening in September as a government shutdown loomed and became a reality on Oct. 1. Instead of a celebration, thanks to Congress, employees made preparations for the shutdown — a far cry from its opening in September 1963 that drew a crowd of 52,000, including President John F. Kennedy, who also make his famous Rice University speech that day.

Sagemont Church ministry takes smiles, encouragement to Emeritus residents

Reaching out to people can be as simple as making a visit, sharing a smile, or offering a prayer. Those are the tools Gerry Saccane and a team of volunteers from Sagemont Church use each week to encourage residents of Emeritus Assisted Living Center, located at 14101 Bay Pointe Court in Houston. The church believes in reaching out so much, it wrote the mission into its name. The ministry is called CROP, Church Reaching Out to People.

Popular style show brings out big crowd

Pretty Woman was the theme for the 2013 Lakewood Ladies Association style show luncheon with some two dozen members showing off an array of fall and winter styles from Dillard’s at Baybrook. The popular annual luncheon, put together by Chairman Roz Clayton and Co-Chairman Carla Smith, featured Rosemary Bettis as mistress of ceremonies and a thank you to Clubhouse Manager Shirley McCullough, who is retiring after so many years with Lakewood.

The Admiral’s Log – Warmer Bay Waters Attracting a Wider Variety of Fish

Anglers have been reporting a number of new species of fish being caught over the past few years and are curious about what is attracting them to the Galveston Bay Complex. Among them are mangrove snapper, also known as gray snapper. In visiting with fishermen who often fish the Galveston area, I find that many have experienced the same thing as I in that we are catching a lot of mangrove snapper.

In Wheel Time – Sedans Du Jour

Chrysler 300 SRT Core edition: High performance luxury. The 300 is king of the corral in Chrysler’s stable of vehicles. The SRT version adds the performance element that almost any red blooded American would love to own. The Chrysler 300 SRT Core edition gets the price of admission down to a point where more of us can afford the ticket. The Core trim level features the SRT 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 that delivers 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Texas Meditations – Instinct

It was shortly after dawn on a very chilly February morning and I was the only person at Fort Phantom Hill. I had been there for more than an hour and not a single car had passed by on the road. If it wasn’t for power lines in the distance, I could have believed this was 1851. Back in the 1850s the U.S. Army had a line of forts in Texas that were commissioned to protect settlers moving into the Comancheria during the western expansion. But as the settlers moved further west, the locations of the forts proved problematic.

Clear Lake Chatter: Many events keep us on the go

CITY OFFICIALS turned out in force when the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted its annual State of the Counties Address by the Galveston and Harris county judges at Lakewood Yacht Club. Among those representing almost all the cities around the lake were Mayors Johnny Isbell of Pasadena, Glenn Royal of Seabrook, Bob Cummins of Kemah, Mark Denman of Nassau Bay and Tim Paulissen of League City, Mayors Pro-tem Carl Joiner of Kemah, Richard Sowrey of Clear Lake Shores and Einar Goerland of Taylor Lake Village, plus Councilmembers Dave Martin of Houston,

Bond Financing Plan May Save Taxpayers $51 Million

The Clear Creek School  Board has approved a bond financing plan that may save taxpayers upwards of $51 million or two cents less on the tax rate. In May, the community authorized $367 million in bonds to rebuild aging schools, accommodate enrollment growth and provide additional facilities for co-curricular and extracurricular programs. Based on the initial bond financing plan, taxpayers [...]

CCISD’s Jillian Howard is Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year!

Jillian Howard Jillian Howard, Clear Creek ISD a bilingual teacher at C.D. Landolt Elementary School, has been named Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators. “What an incredible honor for Jillian Howard and CCISD,” said Dr. Greg Smith, who himself holds the title of Texas Superintendent of the Year. “She represents the high standards [...]

The new face of CCISD

The Bay Area community got a look into the future as architects unveiled plans for several big Clear Creek ISD projects this past month. Among them were plans for the Clear Lake High rebuild, which was explained to students and parents at a public meeting¸ the new 9,500-seat district stadium on West NASA Parkway behind Burlington Coat Factory and the addition to the Westside CCISD Agriculture facility near the new stadium.

Creek principal promoted to assistant superintendent

Clear Creek High Principal Scott Bockart has been named assistant superintendent of secondary education for the Clear Creek School District. His selection was unanimously approved by the Clear Creek School Board during its Oct. 14 workshop. “With almost 24 years of experience in public education, the last six years as principal of Clear Creek High School, he has shown the leadership and skills [...]

Oh My Stars!

Eighth San Jacinto Historic District gateway monument unveiled in Baytown  Gilbert Santana from left, joins Jimmy Burke, Councilman Brandon Capetillo, Councilman Terry Sain (and grandson Gregory), Councilman David McCartney, Mayor Stephen DonCarlos, Councilman Scott Sheley, Councilman Robert Hoskins, Quincy Allen, Wayne Gray and Chad Burke for the ceremony. This September, the city of Baytown held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate [...]

Port Commission adds three new faces

When the Port of Houston Commission meets now, there are three new faces greeting Chairman Janiece Longoria – Theldon R. Branch III, Stephen H. DonCarlos and Roy D. Mease. Roy D. Mease Roy Mease, a City of Pasadena appointee, replaces Commissioner Steve Phelps, who has served on the commission since 1997. The Pasadena attorney is a member of the State [...]

On the Move

From its inception, the Houston Ship Channel, one of the true engineering marvels of the 20th century, has been more a living and breathing entity than a “build it and forget it” structure. The modernization of vessels, including their increasing size, that deliver goods via the channel to the Port of Houston, along with changes in the area’s topography through natural forces, all work to require constant maintenance, expansion and revision along the 52-mile complex of private and public facilities.

Neighbors Emergency Center – Great Doctors Make the Best Neighbors

From Pasadena to Baytown and Beyond, Neighbors Emergency Center is a Texas Success Just a few short years ago, Neighbors Emergency Center opened its first location in the Houston metropolitan area. Neighbors Emergency Center now has five thriving facilities including one in Baytown and one in Pasadena. Plans are in place to expand to Austin and Beaumont in 2014. How, [...]

Several VIPs share their views at various Bay Area events

While we wouldn’t trade living in the Bay Area for most any other place, sometimes we do feel a bit isolated and are forced to miss some events we’d like to attend because of the distance involved. It was different this past month when several prominent figures dropped in to share their views.

Back to the Basics: Explaining Breast Cancer

For most, the words “breast cancer” don’t conjure happy feelings. But here’s some breast cancer news that isn’t bleak: Approximately 2. 5 million women who are alive today had breast cancer – and overcame it. Although statistics say that about one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, the number of women who develop and die from [...]

A Spaceport for Space City

Ellington Airport may find new life as a spaceport in the not-too-distant future. That’s the dream of Houston Director of Aviation Mario Diaz – a dream that’s shared by Houston Mayor Annise Parker. Diaz unveiled his bold futuristic plan when he delivered the keynote address for Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s annual conference here at a session at Space Center Houston that also included members of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the aerospace and aviation industries and the public.

Promotional Powerhouse

For many southeast Texas residents, our only interaction with the Port of Houston and the Houston Ship Channel occurs when we drive over the area while traversing the Fred Hartman or Ship Channel bridges.
In reality, the Ship Channel touches all of us who call the region home thanks to its position as perhaps the main economic driver in the area. The Port of Houston is a 25-mile long complex of diverse public and private facilities within the 52-mile long Houston Ship Channel.

The Big “C” Stands for Change and Community for This Bay Area Survivor

Pictured from the left, Marian Sparks, with Dorothy Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo. In the past five years, adapting to change has been the one constant in the life of Marian Sparks. The Baytown resident went from married, insured and healthy to divorced, uninsured with a breast cancer diagnosis. From there she emerged as a business owner, philanthropist and survivor. [...]

In Wheel Time

When the all-new Sentra arrived for our weeklong test, we were delightfully surprised by its new upscale appearance. In fact, if it weren’t for the Nissan grille and emblem we thought we were looking at a Lexus; it’s that nice. Compared to the previous design, Sentra’s beltline has been lowered and a new character line has been added that runs from the front fenders to the sculpted taillights.

Economic Outlook Conference draws hundreds to Pasadena

“The future of the Houston Ship Channel region is so bright you have to wear shades.” That was the way Port of Houston Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria put it as she delivered the morning keynote address at the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Petrochemical and Maritime Outlook Conference at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Families are at the center of this Harvest Festival in Friendswood

What began as a small church fellowship in a backyard in 1996 has grown to be an important Halloween alternative for more than 2,000 community children and parents today, making the annual Harvest Festival at Calvary Church Houston one of the largest fall holiday events in the region.

It’s a Wrap

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region hosts legislative wrap-up From left, Dr. Brenda Hellyer (Chairman of the Board, Economic Alliance Houston Port Region),Rep. Ana Hernandez-Luna, Rep. John Davis, Sen. Sylvia Garcia, Rep. Ed Thompson, Sen. Larry Taylor, Rep. Mary Ann Perez, Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., Chad Burke (President & CEO Economic Alliance Houston Port Region). On August 28, state senators, Sylvia [...]

Texas Meditations – It’s Worth the Wait

Man does not live by barbeque alone. Sometimes he needs a cheeseburger. We were in Fredericksburg for a few days over spring break and decided it would give us an opportunity, with a bit of a Jeep ride, to experience what Texas Monthly magazine called the third best cheeseburger in Texas. I was especially intrigued because, in spite of placing two other burgers above it, the staff of the magazine chose to put the Alamo Springs Café burger on the front cover.

Clear Lake Chatter – Busy social season under way

NO MORE lazy days of summer. Fall is moving in, bringing with it a busy social calendar for the Bay Area. Instead of lounging on the beach, you’ll soon be needing roller skates to just keep up with all our activities – most of which benefit our community and add to our way of life.

The Admiral’s Log – How Wind Direction and Velocities Affect Fishing

Most anglers have experienced detrimental effects on fishing caused by strong winds or winds from the wrong direction for fishing. Knowing the effects of various wind directions and where to fish or not to fish will add to your chances of breaking into that elite group of 10% of fishermen who catch 90% of the fish.

It’s a brand new year at CCISD with a new and bigger budget

As both Clear Creek ISD teachers and more than 40,000 students began a new year, they walked in with a slight spring in their step, knowing things would be better this year. Better than they had been the past two years or more after the Texas Legislature cut CCISD’s funding by $23 million, resulting in larger pupil to-teacher ratios, staffing reductions, cutbacks in cleaning, supplies, bus routes and no raises in salary.

What’s the WRRDA?

Why you should be interested in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. The number of issues debated in Congress is dizzying to say the least. With thousands of bills being filed and discussed, it can be difficult for local citizens to weed through the mire and learn about legislation that will immediately impact the economic development and job prospects of their region.

Huge, expensive changes coming in flood insurance

With thousands of property owners facing crippling hikes in flood insurance, Bay Area Houston cities have joined a national effort to delay implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act passed by Congress in 2012. The legislation, passed on a 402-18 vote, would extend the National Flood Insurance Program for another five years but includes a number of provisions that could prove extremely costly for area home and business owners.

Bonnen pleased with first legislative term

State Rep. Dr. Greg Bonnin, center, and his wife, Kim, stop to talk with Harris County Director of Transit Services Ken Fickes, right, and Boeing Government Operations Manager Brian Freedman as they join the crowd at the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership reception at Cullen’s Upscale Grille. State Rep. Greg Bonnen is both pleased and disappointed with his first term [...]

Tieken Smiles

“Your mouth ‘talks’ to your body and your body ‘talks’ to your mouth.” The professionals at Tieken Smiles Complete Health Dentistry embody this quote in their approach to your dental health, and go beyond your mouth to treat your mind, body, and soul. Every treatment, procedure, and diagnosis works in combination to see you as more than just a beautiful smile. Their complete health approach joins together dentists and physicians in consulting for the patient’s best overall outcome.

Lockheed Martin wins key space agency award

Lockheed Martin was recently named the Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year by NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The award recognizes sustained excellence in meeting or exceeding small business requirements during the nine years the company has held a contract to prepare and process cargo for the International Space Station. In the last year the contract has exceeded five of [...]

The Admiral’s Log – The Joys and Headaches of Waterfront Living

This is usually an article about fishing, so what does waterfront living have to do with that sport? Fishermen are one of the top markets for this type of home and while there are a large number of non-fishermen that live on the water, an assessment of the pros and cons should interest anyone thinking of relocating to a waterfront home.

In Wheel Time: All the Rage

Subaru BRZ and Ford Focus ST: Ready to Party. Are our children even interested in cars anymore? If yours are, chances are they have their eyes on these two; the Subaru BRZ and Ford Focus ST, hot rods for the 21st century. With 252 horsepower from at 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine, a 6-speed quick shifting transmission, model specific front fascia and rear spoiler, leather Recaro bucket seats, beefed up suspension and steering and an EPA-estimated rating of 23mpg-city and 32-highway, the Focus ST is what most car lovers drool over. At least we do.

They Lived Life at the Top of the Hill

Two Clear Lake ladies – Kathy Harlan and Joan Wade – not only saw their teenage dreams come true, they spent part of their early adult years caught up in the excitement of life in the nation’s capital. Both worked for well known U.S. senators and soon found themselves a part of some of history’s greatest moments – witnessing events the rest of us have only read about.

CCISD hikes teacher salaries by 6 percent

Teachers in the Clear Creek School District finally are getting a break this fall – a 6 percent pay raise to make up for the two years they went without one when the Texas Legislature cut CCISD funding by some $23 million and they were forced to work with larger classes. Three percent of the raise was approved in March.

May the Workforce Be With You

Economic growth and job growth are inextricably connected. Even before the rest of the country began to recover, the Houston Port Region had been reporting growth in the form of new companies, company expansion, capital investment, and jobs. In 2012, the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region (the Alliance) facilitated business activities to create nearly 1,500 new jobs and over $1.5 billion of capital investment to the Houston Port Region.

Business Buzz

Nassau Bay is undating its zoning ordinances in an effort to make the city more developer friendly, combining its two commercial zones into one. The new ordinance, passed unanimously by the city Planning Commission and the City Council, updates parking requirements, includes provisions for shared parking, establishes specific design and building standards and consolidates and streamlines processes associated with development.

Coping with expensive kids’ extracurricular activities

When budgeting for back-to-school expenses, parents generally include routine fare like clothes, school supplies and maybe a new backpack. But if your kids participate in extracurricular activities, whether it’s sports, music lessons or art classes, you could be on the hook for hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in additional expenses throughout the year if you’re not careful. [...]

Church sends students back to school with screenings, supplies

Long before governments or civic organizations awoke to the need of helping the underprivileged, churches and synagogues were already on the front lines, reclaiming lives and dreams through a variety of unique, compassionate services. These unheralded outreach ministries touch individuals and families, and are making a big difference in our community.

Texas Meditations – The Last of My Line

My line ends with me. I can’t even begin to explain how it feels. It’s sort of like the Indy 500. If you haven’t stood there and watched a car go down that 5/8 of a mile straightaway at 230 miles per hour and then gracefully make a left turn, there is nothing in your brain that allows you to imagine what it looks like. You can’t get it from TV; you have to see it in person.

Deer Park – A Hometown Feel with Access to Big City Amenities

Deer Park is known as the birthplace of Texas, and it is now on the national radar for a lot more than that. Since 2010, nationally recognized accolades have begun to stack up at Deer Park’s door. CNNMoney placed it in their #10 rankings for most affordable places to live in the U.S. Bloomberg Businessweek has featured Deer Park as the best suburb to live in Texas. And of course, the question to ask is, Why?

UHCL accepts first freshman and sophomore applications

In anticipation of its first freshman and sophomore students, University of Houston-Clear Lake announced that it is now accepting applications for the fall 2104 semester. The applications for future freshmen and sophomores became available Aug. 1. “We are excited to announce this new development,” says Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Yvette Bendeck. “The Enrollment Management division has been working [...]

Producing a Workforce One Mariner at a Time

M/V SAN RAFAEL pushes over 2 million gallons of fuel past the San Jacinto monument. Texas leads the nation in exports, and with marine freight estimated to increase by 43 percent domestically and 67 percent internationally by 2020, the Gulf Coast region braces for what is anticipated in the coming years. Local companies like Buffalo Marine are not waiting to [...]

Clear Lake Chatter

THE TEXAS Legislature was almost ready to call it a session, but before they did, our Bay Area lawmakers came down to give Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership members an update on legislation. State Sens. Larry Taylor and Sylvia Garcia and State Reps. John Davis, Mary Ann Perez, Greg Bonnen and Ed Thompson told of their accomplishments and hopes for the next session at the large July 17 gathering hosted by BAHEP’s Political Protocol Committee at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region was created in 1985 and serves as the economic development corporation for the Houston Ship Channel region with a defined mission to “to market and grow a vibrant regional economy.” It has service contracts with Harris County, the Port of Houston Authority and the 11 cities that surround the Houston Ship Channel. Private members [...]

Abundant Natural Gas Ignites Houston Ship Channel Industry Renaissance

Economic outlook conference examines industry plans for growth, economic prosperity, jobs Petrochemical and maritime experts will share plans for petrochemical expansion that has the Houston Ship Channel region positioned for unprecedented growth at the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region outlook conference on September 5th. Refining and chemical industry executives and maritime experts will discuss how a dramatic natural gas revolution [...]

Supreme Lending and the Montgomery Group Form a Dynamic Team

Mimi Montgomery and Casey Montgomery The Montgomery Mortgage Group, located at 1011 East Main in Historic League City, is now a branch of Supreme Lending of Dallas, Texas. Mortgage Executive Magazine ranks Supreme Lending #33 in the Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America for 2012, and Genworth U.S. Mortgage Insurance recognized it for Lending Excellence. Casey Montgomery and Mimi Montgomery, [...]

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

Have you ever ordered something online that was delivered damaged ‘ or never arrived at all? Or been double-billed by a merchant? Or spotted a charge on your credit card statement you didn’t make? Most of us have. Fortunately, the 1975 Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) protects your rights during such credit card billing disputes. It also outlines the process [...]

Meet NASA’s new astronaut candidates

 8 picked from 6,000 applicants After an extensive year-and-a-half search, NASA has a new group of potential astronauts who will help the agency push the boundaries of exploration and travel to new destinations in the solar system, including an asteroid and Mars. Eight candidates have been selected to be NASA’s newest astronaut trainees, hoping to be among those who are [...]

In Wheel Time – Toy Time

Performance and price peak interest of Bay Area hobbyists. Entry into the world of factory-built performance cars doesn’t get much better than this. With starting prices in the mid-20’s, here are two cars that can handle the slow crawl of a Monday morning commute, up the Gulf Freeway, after a Sunday on the high speed slalom course at Motorsports Ranch off State Highway 288.

Port marks another record year as its 100th anniversary nears

The Port of Houston has long been one of the major economic drivers for Bay Area Houston – longer than most people would think. Next year, 2014, it will celebrate its 100th anniversary. And over the years it has steadily grown until today Texas is ranked as the No. 1 exporting state in the country. Not just this past year but for the 11th year in a row, 2012 statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce show.

Mental Transformation

Watching a personal trainer working with a client has become as familiar a sight in health clubs as barbells and leg presses, as people seek out trainers for their motivational skills and fitness expertise in pursuit of dramatic fitness or weight loss goals. At LearningRx, “brain trainers” serve the same function for clients looking to dramatically improve their mental performance, and the results are lasting and dramatic improvements to the underlying cognitive skills that make a person a better learner and performer.

Frazier’s Ornamental and Architectural Concrete

Unsurpassed Selection of Home, Garden and Nautical Decor The name, Frazier’s By The Bay, says a lot about what the 60-year-old family business is developing in the Galveston Bay area. Being in size about half an acre on Hwy. 146 near the intersection of Hwy. 646 at Bacliff, this Frazier’s outlet is a highly concentrated offering of bay and nautical [...]

Texas Meditations – Butterfly Dances

Lajitas, Texas. I am solar powered. I learned that as a teenager. When the cold, dark Indiana winters came, I hibernated. I suppose the cold had something to do with it, but mostly I was lethargic and grumpy because I was lacking the light I needed to “recharge the batteries.” I just got weaker and more tired as the months dragged on.

The Admiral’s Log – Clear Lake is Bouncing Back as a Great Fishing Spot

Clear Lake and the stretch of Galveston Bay out of Seabrook is where this avid angler developed his passion for fishing. The era was from the mid 1950’s to late 60’s. Crabs galore along with a bountiful supply of speckled trout, redfish, croaker and pan fish all roamed the waters from the mouth of Clear Creek to the Seabrook and Kemah flats and beyond.

CCISD lists free and reduced meal guidelines

Clear Creek ISD students who are unable to afford the full price of school meals will be able to participate in a free and reduced price meal program. According to Fred Walker, director of Child Nutrition Service, the district will use guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine eligibility for participation in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program. [...]

League City backs Ike Dike proposal

The League City Council has put its stamp of approval on a resolution supporting the proposed Ike Dike to protect the Houston-Galveston region from storm surge in the event the area is hit by a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane. The item, put on the agenda by Mayor Tim Paulissen, won unanimous approval. During the meeting, Councilman Dennis OKeeffe [...]

CCISD teachers win $157,000 in grants

Some 54 Clear Creek ISD teachers got quite a jolt when the Clear Creek Education Foundation Sur-Prize Patrol dropped by to distribute more than $157,000 in Teacher Innovative Grants. The patrol, made up of CCEF Board members and community partners, visited 32 campuses as the school year neared an end, bringing both big smiles and screams of joy as teachers learned their grant requests had been approved. The grants are expected to impact more than 30,000 students.

Legend Physical Therapy – Chronic pain meets its match

The pain is inescapable and unrelenting. It weakens and debilitates your body. It seeps into your subconscious mind, causing anxiety and despair. It robs you of the joy you used to derive from doing simple things like taking a walk or playing with your kids. Chronic pain is an insidious affliction, one that, according to the American Chronic Pain Association, afflicts [...]

In Wheel Time – Big Bucks Beauties for the Bay

If you thought “big” was on the way out, better think again. “Big” is back and there’s not much bigger than the Infiniti QX 56, a mammoth SUV with large amounts of opulence to match its size. The QX takes advantage of its large proportions – like a houseboat does when compared to a bass boat – with more interior room. Seating for 7 or 8 now gets a little more comfortable during that long trip to Aunt Mary’s house this summer.

Good Stuff to Know

League City officials engage in fisticuffs Two League City councilmen, Daniel Becker, 60, and Dennis Okeefe, 58, who got into a fist fight in the office of City Manager Mike Loftin Wednesday afternoon, June 19, were charged with disorderly conduct – fighting after other councilmembers and police broke up the fisticuffs. It is believed to be the first time councilmembers have [...]

Business Buzz

Scott Hartwig to head USA Scott Q. Hartwig has been named to succeed Virginia Barnes as president and CEO of United Space Alliance. Barnes is returning to the Boeing Co. as the firm’s Space Launch System vice president and program manager in Huntsville, Ala., after heading USA for the past three years. Most recently, Hartwig served as USA Vice president [...]

Clear Lake Chatter

TOMORROW is the beginning of a brand new journey for many Bay Area Houston community organizations. And, as many conclude another year, they also are looking forward to next year with new officers guiding them and helping them reach even greater goals.
Bay Area Museum Guild members got quite a treat for their year-end luncheon when outgoing President Carole Murphy hosted the event at her Brook Forest home in Clear Lake, where they gathered by her beautiful pool for refreshments before watching the installation of Kimberley Weathers as their new president.

The Admiral’s Log – Take Your Good Manners Along When You Go Fishing

The summer fishing season is upon us and with it comes the crowds. This especially is true on weekends and holidays. Too often an outing is ruined by an exchange of pleasantries between anglers in both boats and on shore. Although no one likes fishing in a crowd, having company on the water is just a fact of fishing life. However, there are steps every angler should take to make sure everyone has a safe, productive and enjoyable day on the water.

Your Financial Life After Graduation

To the millions of college and high school seniors who recently graduated (and to their parents, who weathered the ups and downs of reaching that summit): congratulations on a job well done. After the celebration dies down, you’ll no doubt be eager to embark on life’s next chapter, whether it’s finding a job, preparing for college or enrolling in military [...]

Texas Meditations – How Quickly We Forget

Looking back now, it is really funny —a comedy of errors you might say. But it wasn’t funny at the time. It was the most terrifying week of my life. It was early March about ten years ago and I was really looking forward to spring break and a trip to Hill Country. But I had one more thing on my schedule that I had to do before the fun started—my annual physical. We went through all the tests and then just as we were finishing up, the doctor asked the usual question: “Any problems or complaints?”

Be the Best You Can Be

The Unicare Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry offers comprehensive services that reflect the excellence and thoroughness of Dr. Farid Noie, who lives his life with a passion for learning and providing state of the art procedures that are proven safe and effective. Your smile and oral health will be the best they can be because Dr. Noie is committed to being the best he can be. It’s a win-win situation.

BayTran honors Bob Robinson

Photo by Guidry News ServiceBob Robinson is presented the Charles Jacobson Award by Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership Chairman Karen Coglianese at the annual BayTran State of the Counties Luncheon. A highlight of the 14th Annual Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership State of the Counties Address event was the presentation of the Charles A. Jacobson Transportation Award to Bob Robinson for [...]

Nassau Bay Town Square space sculpture garden a salute to its neighbor

Nassau Bay and the Johnson Space Center have been long-time neighbors nodding at one another across NASA Parkway for many years. Now, after a 50-year friendship, they have something new to smile about – a space sculpture garden created in the center of Nassau Bay Town Square by developer Griffin Partners as a tribute to the space agency and all it has meant to the Bay Area Houston community.

JSC now focused on new areas

The space shuttle may be retired but not the Johnson Space Center workforce. Instead of arranging shuttle trips to the International Space Station, work at the center is focused on ferrying supplies to the ISS, possibly landing on an asteroid and testing new spacecraft for journeys into deep space, new JSC Director Ellen Ochoa says. In other words, they have plenty on their plate. And, oh yes, dealing with federal budget cuts.

San Jac chancellor receives national award

Dr. Brenda Hellyer San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer is one of 21 community college presidents to earn the prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. Hellyer accepted the award at the Phi Theta Kappa convention in San Jose, Calif. College presidents and campus CEOs are selected for this award on the basis of outstanding efforts given toward promoting [...]

In Wheel Time – 2013 Truck of Texas Ram 1500

Is it any surprise that Texas is home to the biggest truck market – in the world? With that kind of clout, it’s no wonder that truck-makers covet winning the big Truck of Texas trophy from the Texas Auto Writers Association.
Once a year about 50 of us card carrying members gather at the Knibbe Ranch, just north of San Antonio. We test about 65 trucks, SUV’s and CUV’s to see which are the best-of-the-best in each category.

The Admiral’s Log – The Pros and Cons of Wade Fishing

One of the most frequently asked questions from readers is about wade fishing. This form of fishing appeals to a variety of anglers especially those who do not have the use of a boat to enjoy their pastime. Questions run the gamut; however, most frequently they center on how to get started and where to wade fish around the Galveston Bay Complex. While those questions are often specifically answered in fishing articles, I want to address the overall concept of wade fishing and discuss the pros and cons.

Texas Meditations – The Consolation Prize

It had been an exhausting year. I’d been running non-stop for months with work, house stuff and academic writing. I needed to get away from it all for a while—far away. And nowhere in Texas is farther away than El Paso. Unfortunately, it was October and I was in mid-semester, so I could steal only three days. That meant I had no choice; I had to fly.

Rotarians toast CCISD Teachers of the Year

Teachers of the Year Jillian Howard, center, and Betty McCullock are congratulated by CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith at the luncheon in their honor at South Shore Harbour Resort. Jillian Howard, a third-grade teacher at Landolt Elementary School, has been named Clear Creek ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Betty McCullock, a sixth-grade science teacher at Clear Creek Intermediate [...]

6 honored as Presidential Scholar candidates

Six Clear Creek ISD students were selected this spring as candidates for one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students – being named a Presidential Scholar, and one has just been named a semifinalist. The candidates are Ben Chang – Clear Lake High; Stephanie Hoffman – Clear Lake High; Laura Holzenkamp – Clear Creek High; Amanda Pinchbeck – [...]

UH-Clear Lake to add replica of Liberty Bell

Area school students and community friends can learn more about American history when University of Houston-Clear Lake brings an exact replica of the Liberty Bell to be on permanent display at the university in the near future. The full-scale replica is being made by the original foundry in England and will be housed in a highly visible location in the [...]

Houston mayor proposes $4.9 billion city budget

Houston Mayor Annise Parker has unveiled a $4.9 billion proposed total city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2013. The General Fund, or tax supported portion of the budget, is $2.2 billion. The budget does not require a tax increase and maintains focus on Parker’s five main priorities: jobs and sustainable development, public safety, infrastructure, quality of [...]

Baytown is at the Epicenter of New Growth

There’s an economic boom coming to the Texas Gulf Coast, and Baytown is the epicenter. Plant expansions, the retirement of long-time employees, growth in healthcare and the maritime industry are pushing Baytown to the forefront as one of the nation’s fastest growing and most prosperous regions.

Breast Cancer Survivor Becomes ‘Leader of the Pack’ for Bikers Against Breast Cancer’s 5th Ride

Janet Slocum Janet Slocum loves a challenge. Not only is she employed at MD Anderson, she’s co-owner of the Second Chance Saloon and La Porte Towing. “I’m a girl that will do anything!” she acknowledged. One role she would have easily said “no” to however, is breast cancer patient. But even that obstacle turned into an opportunity as she now [...]

Rotarians get update from city, county officials

Both Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman and Houston City Councilman Dave Martin updated Space Center Rotary in recent days on current city and county projects. Both brought good news for the area. Martin briefed Rotarians on the large new Clear Lake City development Trendmaker Homes and Fidelity Partners are planning just east of Space Center Boulevard near the intersection of Clear Lake City and El Dorado Boulevards — 700 new homes on 372 acres, plus some 300,000 square feet of high-end retail on 50 acres at the front entrance.

Texas Meditations – Our Birthright

I was at Abilene Christian University to address a gathering of two organizations of English professors. I attended the obligatory Thursday night cocktail party for just a few minutes, met a few dignitaries and a few old friends, and then snuck out to get dinner at Joe Allen’s Bar-b-que. It was my first time in Abilene and the place came highly recommended.

Business Buzz

Turkish steel manufacturer Borusan Mannesmann Pipe plans to expand its manufacturing operations to the U.S. with a steel pipe plant in Baytown, creating 250 jobs and $148 million in capital investment. In making the announcement, Gov. Rick Perry said the state is providing $1.6 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund to close the deal.

Webster eyes state funds for NASA Parkway link

Webster has taken the first steps toward what it hopes will be shared bike and pedestrian paths linking NASA Parkway to Henderson Road along the east side of FM 270 – applying for some $1 million in state transportation funds.

Seven Money Habits to Curb Now

Whether it is biting our fingernails, losing track of house keys or procrastinating; we all have some bad financial habits that we’d like to break. Often, we simply “accept” our bad habits without thinking about how they may actually be standing in the way of us living our lives as we want to. When it comes to making the most [...]

In Wheel Time – Sun, Sand and Sedans

Mid-size car sales increased 1.2 percent last year, proving that it’s not always about SUV’s. With summer road trips becoming top-of-mind, it’s good to know that the sedan is more popular than ever. This month BAHM takes a look at a couple of all-new four-door rides you must check out. 2014 Mazda 6 Not only has that silly, smiling grille been [...]

New novel offers look inside astronaut family

Ever wonder what it might have been like to be part of an astronaut family during the Apollo days? JoAnn Carr of El Lago, who was formerly married to Apollo and Skylab astronaut Jerry Carr, gives us a fictional inside look at what it is like being married to an astronaut, offering the feminine view of the space race – [...]

UHCL honors chamber

It was a time for both looking back and peering into the future when UH-Clear Lake hosted its 2013 Report to the Community Breakfast at Lakewood Yacht Club. Besides updating the audience on achievements of the past year and its future goals, the university honored the Clear Lake Area Chamber as its Community Partner of the Year.

Nourishing the Mind – Once is More than Enough

There is a joke a friend of mine tells which, even as he tells it, causes him to break out in laughter. I find the joke tremendously humorous and he and I together, no matter how many times we’ve heard it, can’t help but be amused by it. On the other hand, his wife and mine look at us as if we’re idiots and find no comedy in this joke at all. I’d like to share it with you, because it has great meaning for me. Far more so than just a humorous intercourse between two people. There’s a lesson to be learned from it.

The Admiral’s Log – Fishing for Sharks

While we do not want to lead you to believe that this aggressive fish is harmless, we do want to emphasize that respect and common sense are the keys to enjoying their surroundings with them. Following the 1970’s movie “Jaws”, recreational shark fishing took off. Shark tournaments became popular and the goal of many visitors to the Galveston Bay Complex was to catch a shark, especially a big one.

Veteran’s Memorial Dedication Slated for May

Many who worked and contributed to the completion of the Bay Area Veterans Memorial recently gathered for a pre-dedication photo. With support from the community, local businesses and the City of Seabrook, the Bay Area Veterans Memorial has been completed. The public is invited to attend the dedication on Saturday, May 25 at 1106 Second Street in Seabrook.  The ceremony [...]

3 percent pay hike ahead for CCISD teachers, staff

Clear Creek ISD teachers and staff who had to go without a raise for two years when the Texas Legislature cut local funding by some $23 million are getting a three percent raise next year. CCISD trustees approved the increase at their March meeting, along with an increase in the district’s contribution to its health care plan.

Longhorn Museum chronicles unique part of Texas’ history

When you think of Texas, and you think of Longhorns. Yet few Texans realize that not so many years ago, Longhorns were on the verge of extinction and by the mid-1920s were outnumbered by buffalo. Today their unique history is chronicled in a Bay Area attraction – League City’s Butler Longhorn Museum, which is just getting its bearings in the tourism world.

NASA recognizes SAIC at Safety Forum

SAIC Program Manager and former astronaut Ken Cameron, from left, joins SAIC employees Liz Hartley, Lisa Ewing, Pete Gerac, Pat Farrell, Peggy Anderson and Paula Klewer, Johnson Space Center Associate Director Melanie Saunders and Deputy Director of Safety & Mission Assurance Vincent Watkins as they show off the safety award. Science Applications International Corp. was recognized for excellence in safety [...]

Pasadena Strawberry Festival kicks off with May 11 parade

Harris County residents are making final plans now for the 40th annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival Friday through Sunday May 17-19 with the big annual parade kicking off festivities Saturday, May 11. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the corner of Spencer and Shaver and continue one mile down Spencer to Burke, ending at the Memorial Stadium parking lot.

3rd Annual Spring Fling

The Texas Mariner’s Cruising Association (TMCA) and the City of Baytown are joining forces to host the 3rd annual Spring Fling from May 17th to 19th.  ALL ARE WELCOME! Imagine Galveston Bay filled with 100 recreational sail and power boats making their way to the brand new Bayland Marina for a weekend of entertainment and philanthropy! There will be a Trade Show, Coast Guard, Police and Fire [...]

CCISD addresses misinformation

As a school district that encompasses over 100 square miles, serves 13 municipalities, 2 counties, 40,000 children and employs 5,000 men and women, the Clear Creek School District points out that it makes every effort to earn the public’s trust through transparency, timely communication, and accurate information. The Office of Communications says it has been notified about what it calls misinformation on an unaffiliated website regarding [...]

Memorial Hermann plans new medical complex in Pearland

Memorial Hermann has announced plans to open a new medical campus in fast-growing Pearland. Centerpiece of the new medical complex will be a 64-bed acute care hospital, which will open in 2015, and feature an intensive care unit, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, medical/surgical units, women’s and neonatology services.

In Wheel Time – Spring into an SUV

Spring has to be one of the most popular times of the year in the Bay Area. The weather gets warm enough to clean up the watercraft and head out to Clear Lake and Galveston Bay for the first time since Halloween. With this annual renewal come pangs for a new vehicle, so we grabbed a couple of SUV’s from popular manufacturers and took them for a spin.

UH-Clear Lake ad campaign a winner

University of Houston-Clear Lake’s “The Choice is Clear” advertising campaign gained recognition during the American Advertising Federation-Houston’s 51st Annual ADDY® Awards. The campaign, designed and written by Houston-based agency Richards/Carlberg, received three gold and three silver awards as well as a certificate of excellence and an excellence in copywriting award for different aspects of the campaign. Launched in 2012, the campaign included billboards, print ads, signs and more featuring various slogans such as “What do you call a UHCL grad? Boss.,”

With Investments, Diversifying is Key

Ever wonder why Mom and Pop stores sell wildly unrelated products side by side, like umbrellas and sunglasses, or Halloween candy and screwdrivers? Customers probably would never buy these items on the same shopping trip, right? That’s exactly the point. By diversifying their product offerings, vendors reduce the risk of losing sales on any given day, since people don’t usually [...]

Clear Lake High Takes First in Texas Real World Design Challenge

Clear Lake High School students won first place in Texas in the Real World Design Challenge. They are, from left, senior Aalisha Maknojia and juniors Amar Harris, Jayant Leal, Mason Kepp and Junaid Maknojia. Their teacher is Lillian Wilson. Clear Lake High School students  won first place in Texas in the Real World Design Challenge. They are senior Aalisha Maknojia  [...]

Clear Creek ISD trustees call for $367 million bond vote on May 11

The Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee’s recommendation to call for a $367 million bond referendum in order to address CCISD facilities, instructional technology, and co-curricular and extracurricular programs. Contents of the school bond package were prioritized by a 30-member facility committee consisting of parents, local citizens, business leaders and educators. [...]

The Admiral’s Log – Sharks: Fear not, Respect, Yes!

Swimmers along beaches in The Gulf of Mexico probably fear nothing more than the word “shark.” While many potentially harmful creatures swim in the same waters as humans, none get the attention that sharks command. The movie “Jaws,” released close to 40 years ago, increased the awareness of sharks in ocean waters and probably did more harm to the specie than any other movie or documentary about creatures of the sea.

Fifth Annual AEROS & AUTOS

Back for its fifth year, Aeros & Autos will be hosted by the Houston Airport System on May 11th, 2013 at Ellington Airport from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by Texas Flying Legends Museum and Ellington Air Commerce Center, this annual family-friendly community event features car shows, static aircraft displays, kids corral, gift drawings, food, shopping, live entertainment, and the Houston Half Mile Shootout.

UHCL gets $1 million from Houston Endowment to launch freshman class

To prepare for its first freshman and sophomore students, the University of Houston-Clear Lake has received much-needed support through a $1 million grant from Houston Endowment for a proposal highlighting the university’s four-year initiative. The payments will be presented in two $500,000 increments in March 2013 and 2014 and will assist UH-Clear Lake by extending services and support for the [...]

Celebrate TEXAS!

The Birthplace of Texas will host the Totally Texas Festival on April 13. The festival celebrates the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive 18-minute skirmish that gave the Lone Star State its independence from Mexico. On April 1, 1836, the Texas Army, led by Gen. Sam Houston ambushed the Santa Ana-led Mexican forces. Although they were outnumbered two-to-one, the Texans [...]

Texas Meditations – Bending Time

Have you ever noticed our most powerful memories are associated with the sense of smell? When I smell Chantilly perfume I am immediately transported back to a time with my first girlfriend in high school. The smell of diesel exhaust takes me to the steel mills in my college summers. And a cigar…well, I’m ten years old and at Wrigley field with my dad, watching a Cubs’ game.

Banker Mike Duckworth is new League City Chamber chairman

Banker Michael Duckworth, the new chairman of the League City Chamber, has been a part of the Bay Area Houston fabric for many years – three decades, in fact. Originally from the tiny town of Nocona in far northeast Texas, the University of North Texas graduate moved to the Clear Lake area in 1983 and has played a key role in business and civic affairs ever since.

Seabrook streets getting a facelift

Road work ahead! But for Seabrook residents, it’s good news. Never mind the inconvenience, they’ve been waiting a very long time and are happy to see the start of the Harris County Precinct 2 Road Improvements Project.

UHCL Hawk mascot’s first flight to take place at Chili Cook-Off

Meet a special guest at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 24th Annual Chili Cook-Off April 6, noon – 4 p.m. The first “flight” or appearance of the official Hawk mascot costumed character will take place at approximately 1:30 p.m. during the event at the university’s north lawn, outside of the Student Services and Classroom Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. “UH-Clear Lake’s [...]

Drug Take Back coming up April 27

The Bay Area Alliance Prescription Drug Advisory Committee is expanding its effort to take back expired or unneeded prescription and non-prescription medications Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at three Take It Back locations. This is the sixth such event to decrease prescription drug abuse and is in coordination with a national effort through the Drug Enforcement [...]

CCISD trustees pick Dell as tablet of choice

The Clear Creek School District Board of Trustees has picked the Dell Latitude 10 as the device the district would purchase if the 2013 Bond Referendum is approved by voters on May 11. The board approval does not commit funds for the purchase of tablet computers, it merely designates their tablet of choice. In January, Clear Creek ISD issued a [...]

SpaceX Dragon completes second successful cargo flight to space station

WASHINGTON — A Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft successfully completed the company’s second cargo flight to the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 26, with a 12:36 p.m. EDT splashdown in the Pacific Ocean a few hundred miles west of Baja California, Mexico.

NASA Salutes Exploration at 2013 Space Week Texas in State Capital

NASA is heading back to Austin for a week-long salute to space exploration featuring educational and interactive exhibits, inspiring speakers, astronaut appearances and legislative proclamations highlighting the International Space Station and the future. Space Week Texas is March 18-22 in Austin. Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa and Commercial Crew Program Deputy Program Manager Kathryn Lueders will be attending several events throughout Space Week. NASA [...]

Preparing Against Fire and Other Disasters

“FIRE!”…few words inspire such fear and pain. What do you do? What if a hurricane is coming or other unexpected disasters like floods, forest fires or busted pipes in the winter occur? After family and life, what are the things that matter most to you?

New Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women OB/GYN practice now open in Pearland

Texas Children’s Hospital offers continuum of specialized care to Pearland community as OB/GYN practice opens next door to new facility for Texas Children’s Pediatrics Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, Houston’s premier hospital for women’s, fetal and newborn health, opened its first community-based OB/GYN practice in Pearland recently. The new OB/GYN practice brings the Pavilion for Women’s leading expertise closer to [...]

Lockheed Martin Joins Dream Chaser Team

Lockheed Martin Space Systems is joining the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser team and will be its exclusive partner on the NASA Certification Products Contract. Dream Chaser, one of three competitors in the space agency’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability Program, is Sierra Nevada’s orbital crew vehicle in development and is a piloted aircraft that can land on a runway. The other two are Boeing’s CST-100 and Space X’s Dragon – both capsule designs.

In Wheel Time – All-New Corvette Wows Bay Area Enthusiasts

Making its much anticipated debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray generated as much media play as Psy’s Gangnam Style at a dance party. American’s love affair with the iconic nameplate dates back 60 years, and since this is only the 7th generation of the 2-seat sports car, it is a major milestone. If you’ve ever owned one, driven one or just longed for one, this Vette will be the ultimate Bay Area baby when it arrives in showrooms this fall.

Clear Lake Chatter

It’s time to Rodeo and no one knows it better than the NASA Clear Creek Rodeo Gang, who put on some of the best shows around. And, this year was no exception as dozens of well known guys and gals strutted down the runway, showing off a variety of fashions from Adelaide’s Boutique, The Clothes Horse, Dillard’s, Back Bay Boutique, Cavender’s Boot City and Jill’s Fashions before a cheering crowd at the Rodeo Style Show after new Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa welcomed one and all to NASA’s Gilruth Center.

MUST-HAVE Insurance Plans

Many people adopt a “penny wise, pound foolish” mentality when it comes to buying insurance. When trying to lower expenses, some will drop or reduce needed coverage, gambling that they won’t become seriously ill, suffer a car accident or fall victim to a fire or other catastrophe. But all it takes is one serious uncovered (or under-covered) incident to potentially [...]

Texas Meditations – What Are We Thinking?

I’m a real fan of the Texas singer/songwriters. I count Robert Earl Keen, Gary P. Nunn and Laird Considine among my favorites. I first heard the Considine CD Ghost Tones in 2003 over the sound system of my favorite Big Bend area bar, La Kiva in Study (pronounced “stoo-dee”) Butte. I immediately set out to find a copy of the CD. It took two days and a drive to Alpine, but I didn’t leave the area till I found it.

BayTran introduces new president

A Houston woman with some 30 years of progressive experience in regional planning and urban development has been named president of the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership. She is Barbara Koslov, whose focus over the years has been on transportation. She replaces Colleta Castleschoult, who resigned. BayTran members got to meet her for the first time at a recent luncheon at Cullen’s Upscale Grille.

On My Mind – It’s time to button up the lips and ‘play nice’

When the last votes were counted in November, most everyone was hopeful Washington might be entering a new era — that the two political parties would make an effort to get along and get on with the nation’s business. We sent several new congressmen and a new senator to the nation’s capital to represent Texas and hopefully accomplish more than had been the case in the past few years.

Business Buzz

Two astronauts leaving NASA Two astronauts – Clayton Anderson and Brent Jett have left NASA after long careers with the space agency. Anderson began his 30-year NASA career in 1983 as an engineer in Mission Planning and Analysis at Johnson Space Center and was selected as an astronaut in 1998. He trained as a backup crew member for Expeditions 12, 13 [...]

Pod-Zu’s Cajun Cuisine

Got a yen for Cajun? Well, mosey on down to Bacliff for some classic Cajun at Pod-Zu’s at Clifton By The Sea. It’s not only the prettiest restaurant on the bay, they have some fantastic seafood gumbo and crawfish etouffe. Heading south, travel down the Gulf Freeway, Highway 3 or Highway 146 until you reach Highway 646, where you’ll turn left and head east until you arrive at Pod Zu’s, sitting there at the corner of Grand Avenue where Clifton By The Sea once stood overlooking Galveston Bay.

Golf course may become chain of lakes

Clear Lake City may be getting its own version of New York’s Central Park one day soon. Perhaps a “Land of Lakes.” After many hours of meeting with various citizen groups and conferring with hydrologists and various other experts over the past year, the Clear Lake City Water Authority has drawn up a plan to turn the Clear Lake Golf Course into a beautiful park the community can enjoy and which will add value to property in the area.

Unpleasant Surprises for Both Boaters and Fishermen in March

March is one of the more frustrating months for boaters and fishermen. Weather forecasts, especially for wind, are likely the most unreliable of the year and fishing is usually hit or miss. March also is Spring Break Month and most schools designate a week or so as holidays. The first thing on the mind of spring breakers is heading to the coast. For years, while my daughter was in school, there was an annual ritual of spending time at our weekend home on the west end of Galveston Island.

Long battle expected over school funding lawsuit

State officials indicated as much after State District Judge John Dietz ruled that the current funding system is not only inefficient and inadequate but unconstitutional as well, and needs to be repaired. In his ruling, a decision that could have a major impact on education, Judge Dietz specifically called on the state to provide the resources necessary to give all students a real opportunity to graduate from high school ready for college or a career and provide equitable funding to bring all Texas school districts up to the funding levels necessary to meet Texas’ high standards.

Bay Area cities honored

The cities of Seabrook, Nassau Bay and Webster were honored Tuesday, Feb. 19, when they each were presented an Excellence in Emergency Management Award at the 6th Annual Emergency Management Association of Texas Symposium in San Marcos. The trio of cities was honored for their collaboration and preparedness during the NASA shuttle move this past summer from the dock at [...]

Clear Creek ISD trustees OK $367 million bond package

Clear Creek ISD trustees voted unanimously at their Feb. 25 meeting to put a $367 million bond issue for updates and repairs to local schools on the May 11 ballot. Earlier, CCISD’s Facility Advisory Committee had pared down the bond from $387 million, cutting down the size of its proposed stadium and downsizing its technology and priority maintenance proposals.

CCISD plans technology symposium for the community

Based on community interest, The Clear Creek School District will host a technology symposium to detail plans to improve wireless and computer access for students, including the use of tablet computers. The technology symposium is open to all community members and will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at Brookside Intermediate School in Friendswood, located at 3535 E. FM 528. The [...]

CCISD Students Perform Above State Average on STAAR test

The 2012 STAAR test results for grades 3-8 are in, and Clear Creek ISD students performed well against the new rigorous standards and well above the state average. The results, released by the Texas Education Agency, are as follows: 87% – 90% of all 3rd thru 5th grade students passed STAAR in reading 77% – 86% of all 3rd thru [...]

District Science Fair winners announced

Clear Creek ISD Science Fair Grand Award winners show off their trophies as they stand with SAIC Program Manager and former astronaut Kenneth D. Cameron, left. They are, from left, Grand Award winner Kevin Cyr and runner up winners Allen Hu and Kushal Kadakia. Grand Award winner Perry Alagappan is not pictured. The results have been tallied and the Clear [...]

A Racing, Pounding Heartbeat: When You Should Be Concerned

Our hearts beat 50 to 100 times a minute but we are usually not aware of it. When we do notice our heart beats, we may think of them as “palpitations.” Benign palpitations are often caused by our everyday activities: when we exercise, drink caffeine or alcohol, or are nervous or excited. Some people become more aware of their own hearts beating while lying down at night when the distractions from the surrounding environment are minimal.

Faces and Places – Fred Griffin honored at BAHEP Gala

Few have played a more significant role in the development of the Clear Lake area than Fred Griffin – this year’s Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Quasar Award winner. So it was no surprise when South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom was filled to nearly overflowing that the crowd of 600 saluted him with a standing ovation at the annual Quasar Banquet.

CCISD voters get look at $387 million bond package

Clear Lake High School Clear Creek ISD needs some $387 million in updates and repairs, a Facility Advisory Committee told the Clear Creek School Board at its January workshop. Included in its recommendations are a complete rebuild of two aging schools, Clear Lake High and McWhirter Elementary, construction of a second district stadium and a major technology upgrade to increase [...]

New developments sprouting up all over the Bay Area

The continuing popularity of the Bay Area is reflected in the many new developments either in the planning stages or about to take off — from one end of Bay Area Houston to the other. One of the newest and biggest is planned in League City, Barbara Cutsinger of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership reports.

Precinct 2 planning several big projects

When Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman was running for the post back in 2010, he said he was accused of being an infrastructure commissioner. Today, “I’m doing my best to prove them right. Infrastructure is the first job of a commissioner. If you don’t do it well, if you aren’t efficient, then everything else falls apart. Infrastructure is the vital component to the economic growth of East Harris County.

Bay Area cities bustling with activity

Everywhere you go around the Bay Area, new buildings are going up, new businesses are opening and hundreds of homes are being built as we bid farewell to what was once a weak economy. Clear Lake City got some welcome news this fall when Universal Weather and Aviation purchased the 158,600 square-foot building at 1150 Gemini that formerly housed United Space Alliance and announced plans to relocate its world headquarters and some 700 employees from the Hobby Airport area.

Kay Bailey Hutchison to Receive National Space Trophy

Recently retired U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has been named the 2013 recipient of the National Space Trophy by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation. Hutchison was nominated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Executive Vice President Joanne Maguire. In nominating her, she credited Hutchison as a “long standing champion of the NASA and Department of Defense space [...]

Enrollment up at most colleges around the area

While enrollments at Texas colleges have slowed down during the recession, most have continued to grow – especially those in the University of Houston System. UH-Clear Lake, typical of all UH campuses, enrolled 8,301 students this fall, compared to 8,188 last year. The UH Main Campus had 40,747 this year, compared with 39,824 for the 2011-12 school year.

JSC Director Mike Coats Retires in Grand Style

Recently retired Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats got quite a surprise when his JSC pals tossed a retirement party for him Jan. 11 at Space Center Houston. He felt sure few would come and told JSC Director Ellen Ochoa so. “No one will come,” he insisted. Imagine his surprise when nearly 600 showed up to give him a grand sendoff – many coming from all over the country.

With Investments, Diversifying is Key

Ever wonder why Mom and Pop stores sell wildly unrelated products side by side, like umbrellas and sunglasses, or Halloween candy and screwdrivers? Customers probably would never buy these items on the same shopping trip, right? That’s exactly the point. By diversifying their product offerings, vendors reduce the risk of losing sales on any given day, since people don’t usually [...]

South Shore Harbour Renovates Just In Time to Celebrate Its 25th Anniversary in 2013

South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, marking the special year with a series of hotel updates and special events. Renovations have been made to the lobby, lobby lounge, public restrooms, four meeting rooms, the Hunt Room and amphitheater, as well as the smaller Marina Plaza Ballroom, which has already seen rave reviews.

Nourishing the Mind – Hiding from Reality

John is a third-year college student, who is on academic probation. If he doesn’t bring his grade-point average, GPA above 2.0, he won’t be permitted to return to school. But he still oversleeps most mornings, parties almost every night, and seems oblivious to the consequences of his behavior.

The Admiral’s Log – The Three Trout on the Third Coast

Trout are probably the most popular fish sought after in the Galveston Bay Complex and for good reason. They offer a good fight as well as excellent table fare. Now, which of the three fish called trout are we talking about? Actually, we are describing all three.

Medical Community Frantically Trying to Keep Up With Growth

Five new Pearland facilities were completed or in the works this past year as the Brazoria County city continued to boom. But it was not alone. Webster has construction under way at two hospitals, while League City, Galveston, Dickinson and Pasadena all have several new projects as doctors try to keep pace with the area’s rapid growth.

Downward expansion awards help UHCL build on success

The University of Houston-Clear Lake continues building on success as it welcomes the new year. In spring 2012, UH-Clear Lake introduced its new creative marketing campaign, “The Choice is Clear,” featuring slogans such as “What do you call a UHCL grad? Boss” and “Created for NASA in 1974. Still Launching Careers.”

Challenger Remembered

The NASA family lost seven of its own on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch. In this photo from Jan. 9, 1986, the Challenger crew takes a break during countdown training at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. From left are Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory [...]

UH-Clear Lake Welcoming Future Freshmen

After more than 30 years of recruiting juniors, seniors and graduate students, University of Houston-Clear Lake will host its first freshman information session Saturday, Feb. 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the university, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston. “We’re thrilled to have the first future freshmen on campus to learn more about the educational opportunities and activities available at UH-Clear Lake,” says UH-Clear Lake [...]

Speaker series to feature Commissioner Jack Morman

Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman will discuss the Present Status of Precinct 2 Thursday, Jan. 10, in the University of Houston-Clear Lake Bayou Building Garden Room from 5:30 to 7 p.m. His talk is another in the Visions in Our Midst Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by the Clear Lake Association of Senior Programs.

Terri Dieste to chair 2013 Lunar Rendezvous Festival

Terri Dieste Calling the Bay Area Houston home since 1976, Terri Dieste has been an avid community supporter. Due to her dedication and leadership skills in philanthropic endeavors, she has been selected by the Lunar Rendezvous Festival Advisory Board to be the 2013 Lunar Rendezvous Festival general chairman. A Lunar Rendezvous princess in 1980, Dieste observed her mother’s dedication to [...]

A New Year’s Resolution for Anglers

New Year’s Resolutions run rampant this time of year, with most having to do with breaking a bad habit or engaging in something new to enhance health or wealth. Anglers, who are not considered pros, have an opportunity to join the bandwagon and make a resolution to improve their fishing skills. For those who are interested in making such a vow, here are some pointers that could help you.

The Importance of Keeping Accurate Records for Business Income and Property Taxes

Be careful with the phrase “It’s a tax write-off” By Greg Crinion Greg Crinion Businesses pay a variety of taxes – sales, unemployment, social security, income and property, to name a few.  Two taxes are especially relevant at this time of year, both of which require proper record keeping. Every business is taxed by the federal government on its income.  [...]

HomeTown Bank of Pearland Now Open

HomeTown Bank, N.A. recently celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce on December 6, 2012. The new building, and the bank’s seventh branch, is on Pearland Parkway. HomeTown Bank received its national banking charter and began operations in Galveston in 1966 under the name Bank of Galveston. The community bank changed its name to [...]

Mossman students develop their own Farmers Market

Desmond Adjei and Samantha Lowrance happily show off tomatoes both large and small they have raised over the past few months at Mossman Elementary. Mossman Elementary students at Education Village in League City are getting a whole new take on life. They have formed a garden club and have their own Farmers Market. They not only know how to plant [...]

Del Papa Distributing Company Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity this Holiday Season

Equipped with generous hearts and heavy hammers, 30 Del Papa Distributing Company employees and their family members volunteered with Bay Area – Houston Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) to help build three homes in Dickinson, Texas on Saturday, December 8. Afterward, the Gulf Coast beer distributor, which is also partnering with Habitat for Humanity on projects near the company’s Victoria and [...]

HTC, JSC partner to foster local business opportunities

The Houston Technology Center and Johnson Space Center have formally opened the new office established at JSC through the partnership they formed – a partnership to enhance opportunities to accelerate the growth of emerging technology industries.

Resolve to be Financially Secure in 2013

When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, getting into good shape financially ranks right up there with losing weight and eating healthier. All three goals require discipline and planning; and, as you’ve no doubt experienced, it’s not unusual to encounter setbacks along the way. Don’t let losing a minor battle here or there convince you to surrender on the [...]

$1.7 Million Still Needed to Open Shuttle to Public

The Bay Area’s space shuttle is sitting over at Space Center Houston, waiting for the next step in its career – getting all spruced up and opened to the public. Space Center Houston President Richard Allen talked about what lies ahead when he recently addressed the Clear Lake Area Chamber, explaining how visitors will be able to climb up in the shuttle replica and even be able to see the cargo bay that was used to supply the International Space Station.

Dazzling presents right near your front door

Betty Walker shows off her festive and one of a kind Christmas decorations available at GingerSnaps. Looking for something a little different for a Christmas present? Look no more. You don’t have to drive into Houston, you can find some very enticing gifts right here in the Bay Area. If you’re decorating for the holidays, swing by GingerSnaps in League [...]

Holiday Budgeting Center

It’s the time of year for gift giving, entertaining, holiday parties, and for many–overspending and financial stress. This year, enjoy the season without letting holiday spending get the better of you; the tips and tools below will help. Setting a realistic holiday budget and making sure to stick to it is the first step to enjoying a more affordable and [...]

League City breaks ground for public safety building

Many League City officials were on hand to help break ground for the city’s proposed new $24 million public safety building. Mayor Tim Paulissen called plans for the 71,000 square foot structure across from City Hall “one of the largest investments our city’s ever made and one of our most important.

San Jac Works to Meet Needs of the Community

As San Jacinto College concluded its 50th anniversary year and began a new decade, the school celebrated the special anniversary by offering a new degree and with some unexpected state funds. “This fall we’re rolling out our associate’s degree in maritime technology,” Chancellor Brenda Hellyer told Space Center Rotary members.

The Admiral’s Log – December, a Potentially Dangerous Month for Fish, Fishing and Boating

December is a month that usually begins with moderate weather and fishing continues to follow the fall patterns and is excellent. The time frame from Thanksgiving to mid-December often offers some of the best wade fishing of the year all around the Galveston Bay Complex.

Clear Creek ISD secondary principals given new posts

Three secondary principals have taken new posts this school year after being approved by the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees. Brett Lemley is the new principal of Clear Horizons Early College High School (CHECHS), replacing Dr. Jennifer Morrow, who took a post with the Pearland School District. Lemley moves from Clear Lake Intermediate School where he served as principal [...]

Choices, Choices – Selecting the Right Legal Entity

A business start up can be exciting, yet puzzling when deciding which, if any, legal entity to choose. Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies are all options. Following are five factors to consider in making your decision.

Lee College Program Offers Students Opportunity For A Better Life

In 1992, Lee College in Baytown, Texas established Project LeeWay to help low-income students, single parents, displaced homemakers, and single pregnant women have the chance to seek technical careers and gain access to vocational technical education and training. In preparation for college-level work, students enrolled in Project LeeWay undergo six weeks of intensive training in math, reading, writing, study skills [...]

Education Gala Honors 9

Four of Clear Creek ISD’s best and brightest alumni were honored at the Clear Creek Education Foundation’s 12th annual Reach for the Stars Gala, along with five others lauded for their educational efforts. Dr. James O’Malley was honored as CCEF’s Citizen of the Year at the black-tie gala at South Shore Harbour Resort, while Lisa Holbrook was named recipient of the George Carlisle Award and Bryan Escobedo was presented the Valor Award. Teachers of the Year Jennifer Foley and Nicola Clemmer were recipients of Super Star Awards.

Fred Griffin named recipient of BAHEP’s Quasar Award

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will honor developer Fred B. Griffin with its prestigious 2013 Quasar Award for exceptional leadership in economic development. The award will be presented during the organization’s 21st Annual Quasar Banquet Friday, Jan. 18, at South Shore Harbour Resort, starting at 6:30 p.m. The theme of the banquet is Prosperity through Leadership.

UHCL Fall Commencement slated Dec. 16

University of Houston-Clear Lake will hold its fall 2012 commencement ceremonies Dec. 16, at noon and 5 p.m., at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B3, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas in Houston. Commencement for the School of Education and School of Business will be held at noon, with keynote speaker Cris C. Daskevich, senior vice president over the Pavilion for Women [...]

CCISD slams mandate – Students getting reprieve from 15 percent test rule

High school students and their parents have more than the upcoming holidays to celebrate this month. They just won a key battle in Austin, where Education Commissioner Michael Williams said he will defer the state-mandated 15 percent testing rule this school year.

Two selected for two-year space mission

Two veteran spacefarers — Scott Kelly  and Mikhail Kornienko — have been selected by NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and their international partners for a one-year mission aboard the International Space Station in 2015. This mission will include collecting scientific data important to future human exploration of our solar system. Kelly and Kornienko will launch aboard a Russian [...]

CALLING ALL VETERANS

The Clear Falls High School JROTC in League City would like to extend an invitation to the entire community, especially Veterans, to attend their 3rd Annual Veterans Day Ceremony: November 9, 2012  7:00 a.m.  Clear Falls H.S. Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will include recognition of all service branches, the history of Taps and the definition of Veterans Day.

SAIC plans free health fair

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) will host a free Community Health and Wellness Fair Friday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Johnson Space Center’s Gilruth Center Alamo Ballroom on Space Center Boulevard. Sponsored by SAIC, with support from Kelsey Seybold Clinic, the event provides members of the community an opportunity to have their blood sugar checked, [...]

Local author and band get more than 500,000 views on YouTube in only 2 and a 1/2 weeks.

After reading the Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.com best seller, Eleftheria by Jade De Kelaita, Jeremiah Wood, a member of Castle Lights, wrote a song for the love story depicted in the dramatic novel. Castle Lights and De Kelaita worked together on a simple video that 2 weeks after being posted on YouTube, “Keep Waiting” was viewed over 200,000 times. It is [...]

Operation School Bell brings smiles to 1,725 student faces

Some 1,725 students from financially challenged families in the Clear Creek and Dickinson school districts headed off the class this fall with new clothes, thanks to the Assistance League of the Bay Area’s Operation School Bell program. Working with officials from area schools, every year the Assistance League identifies children whose families are experiencing financial hardship and invites them to “shop” for new school clothes, during Operation School Bell.

Eagles Nest – A Home Away From Home

“There’s not a lot for kids to do after school in Seabrook, so they start dreaming up things to do,” Bay Elementary Principal Erin Tite says. Some have parents who have to work nights – starting about the time school is out. They need something to do to keep them out of trouble, and she has come up with an answer – an after hours community recreation center at the school.

CCISD’s moving forward, but road hasn’t been easy

The state of the Clear Creek School District is good, but it could use a little help, Superintendent Greg Smith says. In fact, it has experienced growth in enrollment, despite the somewhat slow economy, he said as delivered his State of the District address. But with $17.5 million in state funding cuts by the Texas Legislature, it hasn’t been easy. “We have eliminated 246 positions through attrition, and our classroom sizes are larger than they have been in years with the district applying for more than 100 waivers on classroom sizes in grades K though 4.”

Leaders from the Community Congratulate Dr. Greg Smith

Through his expertise and dedication, Greg Smith has proven himself to be an administrator of outstanding ability and his contributions to public education have benefited countless young Texans. Congratulations and my sincere best wishes. -Rick Perry Governor of Texas   Dr. Smith represents everything GREAT in education and the very reason I picked CCISD for my kids when I left [...]

The Admiral’s Log – What Happened to Our Stocks of Flounder in Galveston Bay?

The title to this article leads one to believe that we will be discussing a big drop in the population of flounder in the Galveston Bay Complex. If this were prior to 2009, that would have been the case; however, today flounder are flourishing and stocks have increased dramatically. Up until January 2009, flounder in Texas were under very liberal bag limits. Surveys by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department showed a progressive decline in numbers and quality of flounder. Something had to be done to save the popular sports fish.

Software Piracy – A Business Risk Not to Be Taken

Are you or your company working with unlicensed software? Do you, as the business owner or manager, know the software your IT consultant has loaded onto the office computer system? The Business Software Alliance (BSA) recently reported its settlement of eight software piracy cases for amounts ranging from $120,000 to $625,000 per case. The eight companies included a small-town online retailer, a global e-commerce software provider, a Houston-area retail energy provider, an auto dealer network, and a major government defense contractor.

Sea Lake Yacht Sales and Beneteau a Winning Combination

Sea Lake Yacht Sales again sponsored this world class event which included guest speakers, cold drinks, good food and festivities. There was also lots of rum for the sailors and their guests to enjoy. Regatta participants were treated to a plethora of door prizes, gift bags and raffle items.

SpaceX Mission Comes to a Successful End

A Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 2:22 p.m. CDT Sunday, Oct. 28, a few hundred miles west of Baja California, Mexico. The splashdown successfully ended the first contracted cargo delivery flight contracted by NASA to resupply the International Space Station. “With a big splash in the Pacific Ocean today, we are reminded American ingenuity [...]

Webster crowd goes on Apollo 13 journey

Nothing quite excites a Bay Area crowd as much as taking a journey into space – either real or imagined. Former NASA Flight Controller Gene Kranz found that out when he addressed the Webster Business Alliance and took them along on the ill-fated Apollo 13, giving them a step-by-step description of the work in Mission Control. You could hear a pin drop as the crowd of several hundred hung on to his every word.

SpaceX Launches to the International Space Station

Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida is illuminated by a Falcon 9 rocket as it lifts off Sunday at 7:35 p.m. CDT carrying a Dragon capsule to orbit. Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or SpaceX, built both the rocket and capsule for NASA’s first Commercial Resupply Services, or CRS-1, mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX CRS-1 is an important [...]

UHCL Forum to Feature District E Candidates

Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan will host a candidates’ forum and town hall meeting on Monday, Oct. 8, at the University of Houston – Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building. The town hall will begin promptly at 6 p.m., with the candidates’ forum starting at 6:30pm. As always, representatives from City of [...]

UHCL Alumni Celebration on tap Saturday, Oct. 6

The University of Houston-Clear Lake celebrates the achievements of alumni and honors faculty during its 2012 Alumni Celebration Saturday, Oct. 6, at Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Parkway. This year’s event will include the presentation of three Distinguished Alumni Awards, one Early Achievement Award and two Outstanding Professor Awards. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., with a cash bar and [...]

CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare Invites the Community to the Annual Nun Run Motorcycle Ride, October 20

CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare announces the eighth annual Nun Run on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The 50-mile, Blue Knight police-escorted motorcycle ride begins at the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word’s motherhouse, Villa de Matel located at, 6510 Lawndale St., and ends at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston, 2109 Lockheed St. Open [...]

Dr. Greg Smith named Texas Superintendent of the Year

Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith has been selected as Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards in Austin. “I am honored,” he said Sunday on his return, “to have been selected as Superintendent of the Year and humble enough to know that it could not have happened without having a great team made up of trustees, cabinet members, staff, parents but most of all, great students!”

Fondren Orthopedic Group Welcomes Dr. Joshua T. Woody, M.D. and Introduces TRUMATCH Personalized Solutions

Dr. Robert L. Burke, M.D., welcomes Dr. Joshua T. Woody, M.D., to Fondren Orthopedic Group, L.L.P. to both the Pearland and Pasadena office locations in Bay Area Houston. In his practice, Dr. Burke specializes in sports medicine, upper and lower extremities, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, joint replacement, and acute and reconstructive trauma. “I look forward to working with Dr. Woody and adding his expertise to our practice,” says Dr. Burke. Both doctors have the vision to learn and utilize the newest innovation and technology in their medical procedures, to provide the safest patient experience with restoration to full mobility for their clients.

Harvest Moon Skippers Meeting Slated for Oct. 19

Harvest Moon Regatta Co-Founder John Broderick with his wife Kendra pictured at last year’s Harvest Moon Regatta festivities in Port Aransas Lakewood Yacht Club’s Harvest Moon Regatta® Chairman Dwight Bengtson  has announced that the Skippers Meeting for the 26th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta will be held on Fri. night, Oct. 19, 7:30 pm in the club’s ballroom, 2425 NASA Parkway [...]

Clear Lake Chatter

HOTTEST TICKET in town these days is one to the Clear Lake Area Chamber’s 50th anniversary Chairman’s Ball on Friday, Oct. 13, at Space Center Houston. Besides “Celebrating One Golden Evening and Fifty Golden Years,” the black-tie evening will honor the chairman of the board, Lockheed Martin Senior Project Manager Joe Mayer and the incoming chairman, My Flooring America Vice President Mike Furin.

It’s Not Just a Branding Exercise

Selecting a name for your company requires searching federal and state trademark office resources. In the early history of America, a business was identified with its owner. Often times, the business name was the owner’s name, and the business was identified by a sign saying blacksmith, boot-maker, silversmith or the like. With businesses now having an identity separate from their owners, an entire science (or perhaps art) has arisen for creating successful business names. Innovative, creative, unique, personal – are all valid criteria for selecting a company name, but there are other considerations that should not be overlooked.

The Admiral’s Log – Transitioning Baits and Tatics in October

Earlier articles have addressed how October is the transition month from summer to fall fishing; however, there also exists another transition and this is in baits. During the summer months. when trout and other fish tend to be found in deeper, more oxygenated waters, live bait, particularly shrimp and croaker, are the choice of the majority of anglers. Most of the fishing is from anchored boats or limited to drifts over deep shell reefs and shell pads and live bait tends to work the best.

Credit Cards

Credit cards offer many advantages. There is the convenience of being able to buy needed items now and the security of not having to carry cash. You also receive fraud protection and in some cases rewards for making purchases. With these advantages also come responsibilities. You need to manage credit cards wisely by understanding all of the card’s terms and [...]

Educators Seek Community Support in Meeting State Budget Challenges

“Our kids’ tomorrow begins today,” Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith reminded the Sept. 19 Clear Lake Area Chamber luncheon crowd, noting that “student success doesn’t happen by chance. It takes all of us working together to prepare our children to lead in the 21st century.”

Okay Make Up Your Mind! It’s Almost Time to Vote

The Nov. 6 presidential election is only weeks away, and already many are making up their minds who they’ll vote for while also electing congressional and legislative representatives, county commissioners, sheriff, judges, etc.

South Shore Grille – An American Grille with a Cuban Flair

South Shore Grille, owned and operated by local restaurant guru, Mickey Wooten, has evolved into a League City/Bay Area landmark. The restaurant offers customers high quality American cuisine and for those who want variety and something different, the menu features to die for selections such as Calamari de Havana, Cuban Crusty Critters (hush puppies with a Cuban flavor), a fresh and spicy Black Bean Soup, Grouper & Shrimp Havana and mine and Hemingway’s favorite, The Cuban Sandwich.

Ron Carter Dealership Funds Grant for CCISD Football Program

Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai is providing a five thousand dollar grant to the Clear Creek Independent School District Football Program. The grant will be awarded based on collecting the most votes for the favorite CCISD football team this season. “This is an ideal way to use the Internet and Facebook to encourage school spirit and engage the community,” [...]

Neil Armstrong Takes Final Journey to the Stars

Neil Armstrong now belongs to the ages. The cremated remains of America’s greatest hero were buried in the Atlantic Ocean during a service aboard the USS Philippine Sea on Sept. 14 after slipping “the surly bonds of Earth” Aug. 25. The burial at sea came after funeral services in his native Ohio and a national memorial service Sept. 13 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where both present and past NASA administrators, astronauts, space scientists and congressmen were among the 1,500 who came to honor the 82-year-old former astronaut.

J/Boat Founder to Attend J/Fest Southwest Regatta

J/Boat Founder Rodney Johnstone presented a first place award in the J/105 category to Lakewood Yacht Club racer Bill Zartler during last year’s Awards Ceremony held at Lakewood Yacht Club. J/Boat Southwest Regatta Chairman Al Goethe of Lakewood Yacht Club has announced that Rodney Johnstone, founder of racing J/boats, will attend and participate in this year’s regatta slated for Sat., [...]

RNASA donating $32,700 to NASA Aerospace Scholars

The RNASA Foundation continued its 26th anniversary celebration by passing out $25,000 in donations to the NASA Aerospace Scholars Program – supporting Texas students studying science, technology and engineering. Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation President Rodolfo Gonzalez made the presentation to NASA Aerospace Scholars Program Manager Linda Smith, noting that it represented the proceeds from the 26th Annual Rotary Space Gala honoring Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats in April.

Chambers and the Genius of America

Who would have thought when the very first Chamber of Commerce was established in 1599 in Marseille, France, that this venerable business institution would come to embody much that is the genius of America! Now, by genius, I am not referring to its generally assumed definition as “extraordinary intellectual and creative power”, but rather its broader meaning that accounts for “the prevailing spirit or distinctive character” of a person or place.

CCISD Schools Spruced Up for New Year

Nearly 40,000 Clear Creek ISD students returned to school this fall to find some of their campuses had under gone major repairs. In all, CCISD spent $6.4 million as maintenance and facility services employees worked hard all summer replacing aging equipment and making repairs. “We must ensure our schools are safe and effective learning environments for students,” explained Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Smith.

ISS Crew Lands Safely

Three members of the Expedition 32 crew undocked from the International Space Station and returned safely to Earth on Sunday, wrapping up a mission lasting more than four months. Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA, and Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of the Russian Federal Space Agency, undocked their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the space station at 7:09 p.m. EDT and landed north of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, at 10:53 p.m.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Anniversary

Twenty years ago on Sept. 12, 1992 Space Shuttle Endeavour carried a seven- person crew to orbit on its second space mission, STS-47. This Spacelab mission included Mission Specialist Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, Payload specialist Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese astronaut to fly on a shuttle, and Mission Specialists Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space.

Weather Postpones Shuttle Endeavour Ferry Flight to Sept. 18

WASHINGTON — Space shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA’s modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), will make the final ferry flight of the Space Shuttle Program era when it departs Monday, Sept. 17, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida headed to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Texas Meditations – Ordinary Days

About four years ago, I spent a considerable amount of time in the small Hill Country town of Comfort. I was working on a sabbatical project in which I collected all the artistic works of Hondo Crouch, the man who brought us Luckenbach. That included music, plays, poems, prose writings and a movie. One of the most difficult parts of the process was the collection of the hundreds of columns he wrote for the Comfort News between 1962 and 1976.

Live Royally With Timeless Designs From Royal Indulgence

Myna Mungle, owner of Royal Indulgence, is living her dream to create tasteful appointments and accessories tailored and customized to suit any boat owner’s lifestyle. With her talent and passion for decorating, she created an environment of luxury on her own yacht, named or course, Royal Indulgence. Doing this labor of love gave Myna inspiration to meet the need for [...]

Texas Navy Squadron Formed in Seabrook

The newly elected officers of the Sam Houston Squadron of the Texas Navy from left to right: Fleet Admiral Don Genitempo, Executive Officer of the Squadron Marsha Taylor and Texas Navy Admiral Jack Thomas. Gov. Rick Perry, commander in chief of the Texas Navy, has authorized a Texas Navy Squadron to be formed in Seabrook at Lakewood Yacht Club.  It [...]

Ribbon Cutting for Magnolia Café & Bakery

On July 17, 2012 from 4-5pm, Magnolia Café & Bakery celebrated the Grand Opening of their store with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 4pm. Magnolia Café & Bakery offers a variety of delicious desserts to choose from and offers a selection of home-style cooking for the Houston and Dallas communities.

Things to Do

Attractions Space Center Houston, the area’s top attraction and the closest thing to space on Earth, 2001 NASA Parkway, Clear Lake.  The NASA Visitors Center – now the home of a space shuttle replica – is open daily all year except Christmas Day. Tickets $22.95, includes tram ride to Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control. Kemah Boardwalk’s array of restaurants including [...]

Houston Video Marketing Company Shares Why Video Is The Most Effective Marketing Medium Today

    Businesses of all sizes have the same marketing dilemma: How to communicate effectively to their target audience; how to create an emotional attachment to their brand, products and services; how to reach people where they are, i.e. mobile devices, Internet, etc.; and how to best use their often limited marketing dollars.  In today’s marketing and economic environment the [...]

BP’s $25,000 Donation Gets CCEF on a Roll

The Clear Creek Education Foundation has had a busy summer in its never-ending quest to carry out Superintendent Greg Smith’s goal of offering Clear Creek ISD students a world class education. It began the summer by distributing more than $100,000 to fund requests from CCISD teachers for innovative ideas to implement in their classrooms for the coming school year and then kicked off its annual campaign with a $25,000 donation from BP Texas City.

In Wheel Time – Hot on Luxury

If you think you are seeing more Audi’s in the Bay Area than ever before, you’re right. Audi is one of the hottest European luxury automakers going right now and for good reason; they’re doing all the right things that sell cars. The A6 is Audi’s completely redesigned midsize sedan that competes with none other than BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes’ E Class, heavyweights anyway you look at it. Not only has the bodywork been messaged with a huge grille and Audi’s LED headlamps, its exterior dimensions have shrunk a bit while interior room has grown, a trend that is becoming more commonplace among manufacturers.

Claude Harmon, III

Congratulations continue to pour in for a Clear Creek High graduate who is making quite a name for himself in the golf world – most recently for his success at the 2012 Open Championship (British Open).

The Admiral’s Log – Bull Reds and Silver Kings

It is a month that usually starts with a continuation of our summertime fishing patterns and, by mid to late September, the first cold front blows through. The shorter days send a signal to fish that they should start moving, and that applies to both the offshore pelagic species and the inshore varieties. Soon after Labor Day, king mackerel, ling and Dorado start scattering and, following the first cold (should say cool) front, the concentrations that hovered in the near-shore waters all summer begin to move south.

Smith is finalist for Superintendent of the Year

AUSTIN — Five public school administrators from across Texas were selected as state finalists for the annual Superintendent of the Year award sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards. Since 1984, the program has recognized exemplary superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership. The 2012 finalists and nominating education service centers (ESCs) are René Gutiérrez, Edinburg CISD, ESC [...]

UHCL Offers Late Registration Through Sept. 4

Register now for classes at University of Houston-Clear Lake through Sept. 4 at the university’s Office of Academic Records in the Student Services and Classroom Building, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., in Clear Lake. Offering a great education with 80 degree programs available on campus, online or at a satellite location, UH-Clear Lake provides the education needed to succeed. Four schools – School of [...]

Death claims two former NASA astronauts

Two well known former astronauts have lost their lives in recent days – one in an accident and the other to illness. Sally Ride, the first woman to fly in space, died July 23 at her California home after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, and former Space Shuttle Commander Alan “Dex” Poindexter was killed in a Florida boating accident. Ride was 61 and Poindexter was only 50.

Clear Lake Chatter

A SPECIAL TREAT was in store for those invited to Space Center Houston for the premiere of its updated film, On Human Destiny. They not only got to see the new film, which will be shown in the Blastoff Theatre, they got to hear its original creator and producer, Bob Rogers, talk about where human spaceflight is headed.

Clear Lake Motorists Have Something to Smile About

The Bay Area’s most vexing problem just got better in recent days. First came the opening of the sparkling new El Camino Real from Bay Area Boulevard to NASA Parkway, followed shortly thereafter by the Webster City Council voting to support an extension of the NASA Bypass, to ease traffic off Interstate 45.

Texas Meditations – The Power of Place

Someone who has never locked a door in his life probably did not grow up in Gary, Indiana. It is far more likely he grew up somewhere like Montell, Texas. I heard about Montell only because a friend of a friend had grown up there. I listened to stories about this guy for several months and was intrigued. When I finally had a chance to meet him I was amazed at how similar our worldviews were.

In Wheel Time

by  Don Armstrong 2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition Wins Bay Area Salute As a tribute to U.S. military members past and present, the Jeep brand has created the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom edition. Available in red, white or blue, this special edition features a military-inspired star decal on the hood and rear quarter panels, along with an “Oscar Mike” [...]

The Admiral’s Log – Reefs of Steel

August, in my opinion, is by far the best month of the year to fish offshore. The weather is usually the most stable of any month (except for occasional “events” in the Gulf) and all of the pelagic fish have arrived in the offshore waters of Texas. Newcomers to offshore fishing are finding easy ways to head out in smaller, seaworthy boats and locate prime fishing grounds by sight and not GPS systems and sophisticated sonar.

Oasis Salon & Medispa

Come take a tour with us through Oasis Salon & MediSpa. Located in the heart of Clear Lake, you will be transported to a world that offers the full spa treatment from all-day packages to individual lunch time treatments, whatever your beauty need du jour. Oasis celebrates their one year anniversary this month with special pricing on many of their spa treatments.

The Admiral’s Log

July is one of the hottest months of the year and one during which many anglers store their boats and gear due to the extreme daytime heat. Fortunately, there is a way to beat the heat and catch fish. If you are one of those many fishermen that has to be in bed by ten o’clock each night, then night fishing may not be for you. If, however, you can tolerate staying up and fishing until the wee hours of the morning, then you just may have a great alternative to daytime fishing during July.

Texas Meditations – The Truth About Texans

I had to call my best friend Kevin to tell him about my weekend at the Sabinal Wild Hog Festival. It was a huge party for such a small town. They had over 30 food booths, an equal number of craft booths and a circus carnival for the young ones that featured bungee trampolines, a train, ponies and countless other things. But the most impressive thing to me was the fact that the number of people attending was many times the population of the entire town.

In Wheel Time

The latest rendition of art and science is arriving at Cadillac dealerships across the U.S. and none too soon. Although America’s luxury icon has done well with its much ballyhooed CTS midsize sedan, it was lacking the bookends to complete the lineup, namely a compact and a full-size. Enter the XTS, the all-new full-size replacement for both the STS and the DTS.

The Buzz in the Bayou

Disney’s The Lion King is headed to Houston July 10 – August 12 as a special engagement with the Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center series. For five weeks, this cultural phenomenon will dazzle and delight audiences, bringing to life the stunning creatures of the African Savanna.

Texas Meditations – Choosing the Venue

I learned to do the Texas two-step at the Quihi Gun Club. It took me almost 20 years to do it. I really have no excuse though; I had lots of opportunities. In the nineties I had two different offers from students willing to teach me. One occurred at a formal dance on campus, the other on a student trip to Kansas City.

The Admiral’s Log – The Excellent Tablefare Swimming in Galveston Bay

Flounder, trout and reds are referred to as the Big 3 along the Texas Gulf Coast and are the most sought after fish by saltwater anglers. There are two reasons for this, first, two of the three, reds and trout, are labeled as game fish and second, the high rankings for all three as tablefare. All three of the fish are aggressive feeders and hit artificial lures as well as live bait. Reds and flounder will take natural baits, known more commonly as dead bait; however, speckled trout tend to be more finicky and rarely hit anything but lures or live bait.

In Wheel Time

by Don Armstrong Chevy Sonic Brings New Game to Subcompact Lineup Filling the void created by the welcomed departure of the Aveo, the all-new Sonic puts Chevrolet at or near the top of goodness in the highly competitive subcompact war. The Sonic is offered in two formats, the sedan or 4-door hatch with designated trim levels LS, LT and the [...]

The Buzz in the Bayou

Thirty miles west of Houston in Fulshear Creek Crossing, they’re bottling their own wine from grapes grown in neighborhood vineyards. With the help of Houston winemaker Simon Payne, who supervised creating a customized recipe at Vintner’s Own Winery, the first vintage produced an impressive 750 bottles of Blanc de Bois.