Among the most intriguing auctions this summer at Heritage Auctions, the world’s leading collectibles auctioneer, are The Armstrong Family Collection™ Part III, which will be in Heritage’s Space Exploration Auction July 16-18 and the Nature & Science Auction July 20. Both events will be held in Dallas, Texas.

First moonwalker Neil Armstrong’s personal collection and archive will be offered in the Space Exploration Auction. Select highlights of the collection include Armstrong’s One and Only Lunar Module-Flown MS67 NGC 14K Gold Robbins Medal, Armstrong’s copy of the preliminary Apollo 11 flight plan and an internal NASA memo discussing what Armstrong should say once he stepped on the moon.

The Nature & Science auction will feature an unparalleled assortment of Lunar and Martian meteorites, including some of the largest and rarest known examples. One is a massive specimen measuring 7-1/2 inches long and weighing 6.4 pounds that comes from the end piece of a lunar meteorite. One of the most spectacular lots in the sale will be a pair of Model 1911 pistols made almost exclusively from the Muonionalusta meteorite, one of the oldest known meteorites on earth.

The Nature & Science auction also will feature a breathtaking assortment of gold specimens, some of which are massive – one even tips the scales at about more than 87 ounces. Included in the group are Crystallized Gold from California, Gold Nuggets from Australia and even a gorgeous Nugget from Cuba.

Images and additional information about these and other lots in The Armstrong Family CollectionTM can be found at HA.com/5209; additional information about Heritage’s Nature & Science Auction can be found by visiting HA.com/5438.

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

After suspending events for their 2020 season due to COVID-19, Lunar Rendezvous Festival officials plan to hold their 56th Annual Dining Night Monday, May 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Marais, located at 2015 FM 517 Road E in Dickinson.

Dining night chairman Mandie McMillan invites the community to join the fun.  Aside from Cuban and Caribbean inspired fare, activities will include a live and silent auction, raffle, and live art painting by local artist Debi Starr.  Funds raised at Lunar Rendezvous Festival’s Dining Night help provide community based support including scholarships for higher education, youth development and education programs, and funding for the arts and historical preservation in the Bay Area Houston/NASA area.

Tickets for general admission are $100 and includes open seating, dinner and 2 drink tickets for house beer or wine. All VIP tables have been sold.

 If you purchased a ticket for the dining night event that was postponed this winter, your ticket is still valid. If there are any questions or concerns with previously purchased tickets, contact Penny Brockway at lunarrendezvousfestivalchair@gmail.com by April 15.

Tickets may be purchased at www.lunarrendezvous.org. This event will be touchless ticketing and all will be checked in upon arrival.

The Lunar Rendezvous Festival is made possible by its generous donors and sponsors. Those wishing to be an In-Kind Sponsor, or would like to be a Corporate Sponsor, are asked to visit the festival’s sponsorship page at www.lunarrendezvous.org/sponsorship.php 

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

Patrick Jankowski, senior vice president, research, Greater Houston Partnership, left, with Bob Mitchell, president, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, at a 2020 meeting. Photo by Mary Alys Cherry

By Kathryn Paradis

“This has been a monumental health crisis and collapse of the economy. It has really upended the way we think about a lot of things,” said Greater Houston Partnership Senior Vice President-Research Patrick Jankowski as he opened his virtual presentation on the Houston Economic Outlook to members of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership on Feb. 25, 2021.

As of Feb. 23, 2021, Jankowski noted that there have been 525,483 reported cases of coronavirus in the nine-county area of Metro Houston with 6,780 deaths. That translates to one in every 13 residents has come down with coronavirus, and one in every 1,042 residents has died. He spoke of herd immunity, which is the point when enough people are immune to the virus that it can no longer spread through the population. He said that once we reach that point we can expect to see the economy really open up. Jankowski related that herd immunity depends on …

• How quickly we roll out the vaccines
• How long immunity lasts
• The rise of new variants
• Effectiveness of current vaccines on new strains

JOB LOSSES  

Jankowski felt confident that the U.S. would reach herd immunity by late summer, but he was concerned about what might happen outside of the U.S. He said that globally we may not reach herd immunity until sometime next year or even the year following. “This will have a weight on the economy, especially since so much of Houston’s economy is tied to global trade,” he stated.

“At the point,” he continued, “we reach herd immunity, there will be a lot of pent-up demand released, and growth will really take off. Until then there will be lukewarm growth but not the kind of growth that we really need.” He said that due to the pandemic, 22.1 million jobs have been lost. As of January 2021, only 55.6 percent or 12,321,000 have been recouped. However, there are U.S. employment forecasts that predict very strong job growth this year.

Jankowski doesn’t entirely agree with the predictions which are based on past recessions. He believes that there have been structural changes in the economy and that a lot of the jobs won’t come back, or they will come back in a different form citing retail jobs as a classic example. With people’s ability to purchase things online and have them delivered, he feels that many retail jobs are never coming back.

He added, “What we don’t understand is how many of our behaviors, changed to adapt to the pandemic, will be permanent. It will take two years, if not more, from that start of the pandemic to recover all of the jobs that have been lost. The GDP will recover before that, but the jobs will take longer.” Unemployment claims have dropped substantially, but they are still two to three times higher than they should be.

There are major economic drivers that will help support job growth. These include:

• Fiscal stimulus package
• Record low interest rates
• Successful vaccine rollout
• Pent-up demand

IMPACT ON REGION 

Jankowski reported that in Houston, 350,200 jobs were lost in March and April 2020. This was the equivalent to approximately five years’ worth of job growth. Restaurants, bars, construction, energy, wholesale trade, and manufacturing are struggling.

Houston vehicle sales are down. Home sales have hit a record partly due to low interest rates. The U.S. rig count remains even lower than it was at the worst part of the fracking bust. This will continue to affect oil field services, oil field equipment manufacturing, wholesale trade which supplies the oil and gas industry, and exploration and production.

Oil prices are up, but Saudi Arabia has announced that it is going to put some oil back on the market to take advantage of that. “Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and OPEC Plus will probably benefit from the higher oil prices more than we will,” he said.

Jankowski also noted that Houston is definitely overbuilt in office, industrial, and multi-family, and Houston metro construction projects are down a bit. The good news, Jankowski added, is that business and professional services, finance and insurance are the type of businesses that can be done remotely. These include high-paying jobs that are doing well and are good for the economy on many fronts.

LONG-TERM IMPACTS

Jankowski then changed topics to the impact of the recent record cold weather. He emphasized that the economic impact to Houston could in no way be compared to that of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 as some people have suggested.

As of Feb. 25, the date of the presentation, it was too soon to assess the actual damage caused by the weather. He did say that the hardest hit were those who could least afford it – the hourly workers – 59 percent of all U.S. workers.

In Houston, there are 1.8 million hourly workers, approximately 700,000 households, many of whom did not collect a paycheck because their workplace was closed or they could not get to work.

Refineries, chemical plants, and food processors were affected, as well, from loss of electricity, natural gas, and water. Refineries only operated at 62.8 percent of capacity. During the worst of the pandemic thus far, refineries got down to 66 percent of capacity, Jankowski reported. He also said that inbound truck traffic to Texas was down by almost 47 percent on Feb. 17^th, and outbound traffic was down by almost 47 percent the following day.

Texas, Jankowski added, has long been known for its exceptionalism with its wonderful business climate and low regulation resulting in a strong economy. Nationally, Texas is now being challenged. He declared, “We have image repair that we need to do, and we have to figure out what we need to do to fix the infrastructure. It’s going to take a long time, but we have to get it fixed.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

By CoCo Critelli

Blaine Beauty participated in its first Trunk Show! As a new business, this is such an honorable step forward. Documenting her experience, Miss Houston Blaine Ochoa humbly answered a few questions for the magazine.

“What is a Trunk Show?”

A Trunk Show, also called a Trade show, is an event where vendors show their new products to a group of people, friends, and family along with an experience of human connection such as a cocktail party surrounded by beautiful products to admire together and purchase.

“Who hosted this event?”

Former Miss Texas, Nicole O’Brian Lassiter, hosted The Creations by Nikki Lassiter Trunk Show celebrating the arrival of the Spring Fashion Season. She displayed her beautiful handbag and accessory creations alongside Blaine Beauty’s make-up collection and Shehla Rana designs to showcase their businesses together. It was a lovely way to empower themselves and encourage others to start their own business as well. They invited friends and family to chat and shop at their trunk show. More about each business below.

“How did you meet Nicole O’Brian Lassiter, owner of Creations by Nikki Lassiter?”

Nicole is a close friend, mentor, and beauty pageant coach for Blaine Ochoa. Through the hard work and everything Nicole has taught Blaine, she cherishes the friendship they have. It has impacted their lives in many ways. Blaine explains, “I’ve actually known Nicole for 5 years now. She was actually my mentor and coach for my pageants. She’s trained me all the way from my first pageant until I won. [Miss Houston] She’s been a big inspiration and role model in my life. Throughout the years, I’ve seen her host many trunk shows. I’m excited and honored she invited me to be a part of it.”

“What propelled the vision of Blaine Beauty?”

“Honestly,” Blaine expressed, “I’ve been submerged in the beauty industry for about 10 years and I’ve just learned so much about the industry. Throughout the years, I’ve seen a lot of the good that it brings. I’ve learned how makeup can help empower people and bring out the best in me. Makeup boosts self-esteem and is a positive form of human expression.”

“About 2-3 years ago,” she continued to tell the story of Blaine Beauty, “a girlfriend of mine, Aubrie Layne, owner of Lucky Cat Beauty, named a lipstick after me as a part of the Texas Treasures Icons Collection.”

The “Blaine” Lipstick is a luxury matte true red lipstick. Facebook @luckycatbeauty

“So, I was honored to be part of her collection.” She continued, “I began to think about how I would love to sell these. I brought the idea to Aubrie, she was on board and it was an ongoing success! About, 6 months to a year after that, I was inspired to create my own cosmetics company, ‘Blaine Beauty.’ I just had such passion for it and I felt like I could help others through my business by donating to charities as well. I founded the company Spring 2020, then the pandemic hit. We safely persevered and came out with my first product in the fall of 2020. I’m excited to see it grow and celebrate Blaine Beauty soon-to-be sold at 3 locations this year!”

“Why is it important to you to participate in these Trunk Shows?”

“Well honestly, I love supporting other entrepreneurs and empowering each other. I think it’s beautiful how we can do this and lift each other up. Nicole is one of my best friends, I support her business and it’s fun to do business in this way. It’s a great experience to enjoy all of the beauty products as a collective and to be surrounded by supportive friends, family, and meet new people that are all like minded individuals. It’s so much fun and also a beautiful way to give back to the community through the profits we make individually.”

“What would you say to someone who wants to start a business?”

“If you’re passionate about something then go for it! Don’t let fear get in the way because you learn as you go. That’s something that has always been significant to me is to just start and to educate yourself to become very knowledgeable about whatever it way be. Most importantly, trust that you will learn as you go. So, I say do it. Go for it!”

———————–

Creations By Nikki Lassiter

Creations by Niki Lassiter started out when I was unable to find a handbag that matched a costume and decided to make my own. Since that time, I’ve been creating new bags and items weekly to share with others. As a person who struggles with multiple forms of autoimmune diseases, crafting has proved to be therapeutic for my invisible illnesses. I donate a portion of proceeds back to the Arthritis Foundation.

Facebook @creationsbynikilassiter

Shehla Rana Design Studio

Shehla Rana Design studio is based in Houston. Shehla’s goal is to put fun in functional Fashion. At Shehla Rana Design studio we know that looking stylish can make your whole day better, that’s why we are committed to being your source for newest trends. We design clothing you love, so you can focus on looking great.

Shehla’s collection is unique, elegant and one of a kind with beautifully hand -crafted embroidery and embellishments made with extra ordinary details by artisans  in Dubai. Visit our website

www.shehlaranadrsignstudio.com

Facebook @Shehla Rana Design Studio

Blaine Beauty By Blaine Ochoa

Blaine Beauty’s purpose is to empower and elevate. Each product Blaine Beauty offers is uniquely and specially curated. Blaine Beauty was founded in 2020. Blaine Ochoa is no stranger to the beauty industry. She has always had a passion and appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. Blaine is an actress, singer, and the reigning Miss Houston USA 2019 & 2020. Blaine is also a published writer and columnist. Her column, Beauty with Blaine has been featured for magazines, radio, and has been seen on TV. Blaine wanted to utilize her expertise and knowledge of the beauty industry and create a cosmetics and skincare line that empowers women and men to be their most confident and feel their most beautiful. Blaine Beauty donates 10% of sales to child international relief efforts, including child hunger and education initiatives.

Facebook @blainebeautyofficial

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

By Mary Alys Cherry

One of only three U.S. congressmen to have flow in space, former Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida has been selected by President Biden to become the next NASA administrator.

Nelson, who spent six days in space aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986, will replace Jim Bridenstine, who resigned after the recent presidential election to make way for the new president’s appointee.

Bridenstine will be a tough act to follow. Although his appointment was widely criticized because of his background as a congressman and lack of qualifications in science and engineering, he won over his former critics. Before long, he was drawing kudos for getting the commercial crew program off the launch pad and his management of the Artemis return to the moon program.

Biden announced on Friday, March 19 that he was nominating Nelson for the top NASA post as the space agency is working furiously to put “the next man and the first woman” on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years and also land astronauts on Mars.

NASA PLEASED

Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk released the following statement about the Nelson’s nomination to serve as the 14th NASA administrator:

“I’m pleased President Biden has nominated former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson to lead our agency. Bill has a proven history of supporting our work here at NASA, and has helped advance America’s position in human exploration, science, aeronautics, and technology. While the Senate must confirm the nomination, I look forward to continuing to work with Bill and the Biden-Harris administration to carry out NASA’s many critical missions in the years to come.

“The men and women at NASA are an incredible national asset and will continue to take on the most pressing issues facing our country. As we look to the future – and with Bill at the helm – we will continue to take on and find solutions to problems once thought unsolvable, and educate and inspire the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and workers.”

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell also was quite pleased:

“I have worked with Senator Nelson and his staff for years. His passion and support for human spaceflight is reflected in his life’s work. His selection as NASA administrator will ensure we stay the course with the current scope of work including the Artemis program.”

Clear Lake Area Chamber President Cindy DeWease was equally pleased:

“We are excited to hear that Bill Nelson has been nominated as the next NASA administrator. Senator Nelson has a long history of supporting NASA and the programs supported by the Johnson Space Center including the International Space Station, Space Launch System, Orion, and NASA’s commercial Crew & Cargo programs. He has worked across the aisle to get results and can balance the needs of the NASA centers, industry, Congress, and the Biden Administration. We look forward to working with him upon his confirmation.”

YALE GRADUATE

Born in Miami on Sept. 29, 1942, Nelson is a fifth generation Floridian whose family came to Florida in 1829. He grew up in Melbourne, Fla., graduating from Melbourne High before attending the University of Florida and then earning a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University in 1965 and a Doctorate of Law (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1968.

After being admitted to the Florida Bar that year, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years, two on active duty, and earned the rank of captain. He started his law practice in Melbourne in 1970 and soon began his political career, first working as a legislative assistant to Gov. Reubin Askew in 1971 and successfully running for the Florida House of Representatives in 1972, the same year he married Grace Cavert, with whom he had two children.

TRAINED AT JSC

After serving in the state legislature from 1973 to 1979, he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House, and served six terms representing Florida’s 9th and 11th congressional districts – including Kennedy Space Center — along Florida’s Space Coast from 1979 to 1991.

It was while in the House, serving as chairman of the House Space Subcommittee, that Nelson began his astronaut training at Johnson Space Center in Houston’s Clear Lake area for his 1986 journey into space – one of three sitting members of Congress to fly on the space shuttle — after Congressman Jake Garn in 1985 and before Sen. John Glenn, a former astronaut, returned to space in 1998. Nelson was recognized as the leading space program advocate in Congress and also was a vocal proponent for STEM career training and education programs. In his 1988 book, Mission, Nelson wrote, “If I was going to speak about the space program accurately in Congress, I wanted to feel what the astronauts felt.” So he began preparing by running four miles a day and working out in the gym. He also had a jet fighter pilot take him up and introduce him to lower space.

Nelson represented Florida for three terms in the U.S. Senate, from 2001 to 2018 — before then-Gov. Rick Scott defeated him in 2018 — serving as the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “Most every piece of space and science law has had his imprint, including passing the landmark NASA bill of 2010,” the White House said in a statement. “That law set NASA on its present dual course of both government and commercial missions.”

‘TRUE CHAMPION’

On May 28, 2019, he was appointed to serve on NASA’s advisory council, which advises the space agency on all major program and policy issues. His appointment was praised by then NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who said that “Nelson is a true champion for human spaceflight and will add tremendous value as we go to the Moon and on to Mars.”

Nelson, who still must win Senate confirmation, would assume the post at a critical juncture for the space agency, which is working to put humans back on the moon for the first time since 1972 and, later, to land astronauts on Mars. Its back-to-the-moon program comes as other nations, particularly China, have been increasingly building their space programs.

Bridenstine, a former Republican congressman from Oklahoma, was confirmed by the Senate in 2018 amid objections from both Nelson and initially GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. “The head of NASA ought to be a space professional, not a politician,” Nelson said. Despite that opposition, Bridenstine chose Nelson to join the NASA Advisory Council in 2019.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

The Tradition Rolls Back In

Classic car and wooden boat enthusiasts are gearing up for the 25th Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance event on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX.

Keels & Wheels began as a dream where current Concours Chairman, Bob Fuller envisioned a world-class boat show that also included classic cars. In his dreams, he saw beautiful vintage automobiles parked along a tree-lined road leading to the old entrance of the Yacht Club, where classic boats would fill the water. Fuller pitched this idea to fellow Yacht Club member and Co-Founder, Paul Merryman and the board of Lakewood Yacht Club, and the first ever-event of its kind was held in 1996.

Since its inception, the Keels & Wheels event has become the nation’s largest classic car and vintage wooden boat show, displaying over 200 automobiles and 100 boats, brought from all over the world, and attracts more than 10,000 spectators from the U.S. and Europe. Over the years, some of the most notable cars that have partaken in this truly unique event included Pre-War Packards, Corvettes (1953-1972), Bentley’s, Duesenberg, American Muscle Cars, Porsche (1948-1973), Super Cars, Shelby’s and Vintage Motorcycles. The event has also featured Century Boats, Yellow Jacket Boats, and Chris Craft Racing Runabouts.

Headlining the event this year will be the cars featured and used in the movie, “Ford v. Ferrari.” Depicting the journey to the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in France when a trio of Ford GT40’s claimed victory over a previously dominant Ferrari team. Both the Ken Miles Hero GT40 Mark II and the Ferrari 330 P3 #27 will be available for spectators to view at Lakewood Yacht Club.

While Keels & Wheels draws in vintage car and boat lovers alike, they have raised more than $1.8 million for local charities. This year, Fuller hopes that the program will be able to increase that number to $2 million, with the Lighthouse Charity Team, Today’s Harbor for Children, and the Cole Gordon Helping Hand Foundation benefiting from their efforts.

Fuller’s passion for these finer things in life can be seen throughout the show, and with it being the 25th anniversary, is excited to grow participation and share this with the next generation of classic car and boat lovers. “This is truly a unique and wonderful experience where spectators can see some of the rarest cars and boats ever produced.”
You can purchase tickets at https://keels-wheels.com/tickets or get more information about the event at www.keels-wheels.com.

Bob Fuller and Paul Merryman

Paul Merryman – Antique Boats Docking Soon!

By Patty Andrew

When Paul Merryman, the captain of the Keels, looks back on 25 years, he is amazed that it is now so much bigger than he ever imagined. This idea that started as a brainstorm with Bob Fuller over a bottle of scotch, has developed into a show with a national following and renown recognition for its antique cars and boats. “Most shows have a typical run of 15 to 18 years. We’ve survived for twenty-five!” Paul mused.

Paul, a native Houstonian, grew up coming to Seabrook to boat and fish almost every weekend with his family as a youngster. He remembers the excitement of watching Holmes Boat Yard off Harrisburg building his family’s boat over several months until they could finally launch it on Easter in 1955. His admiration for the fine craftsmanship and meticulous construction sparked his love for being on the water and the beautiful vessels that carry him there. He still owns this treasured boat, a true one-of-a-kind from a time when they were built with handtools and mettled know-how with a legacy to last forever.

Paul has guided Keels & Wheels to expand their definition of antique boats to include old fiberglass boats, too. Many of today’s boat owners were born after a time when the wooden classics ruled the waters and have fond memories of skiing behind the modern ones from the 1970’s. He stresses the importance of including them just like the Wheels part of the show includes the muscle cars from the 1960’s. Making these changes can draw in a larger audience who can see vehicles they remember from their childhood plus create a new appreciation for those from earlier decades in the 1900’s. “I have heard people say they didn’t know that they used to build boats out of wood,” Paul laughed.
Most of owners of the older boats at Keels & Wheels have restored them personally.

When spectators take the time to ask about the restoration process, they will learn that each of these boats are unique because they were built by hand. One side might be deeper or longer than the other, joints may not match exactly, or old motors may need specially built parts because they just aren’t available any more. Paul restores his own boats and says he can easily lose track of time in his shop while he replaces boards or ribcages. Boat restoration is definitely a labor of love as these projects can take years before completion. Plus, Paul admits to being a perfectionist, wanting the boat to looks just like it did when it originally came out of the factory.

Paul encourages everyone to come and enjoy the weekend at Keels & Wheels. He emphasizes that this is a great family event where the kids (and some adults!) can learn about history, old vehicles, and antique boats. “Expose the youngsters to the ways people used to build things with just the tools that were available. Let them see how it was done before technology and computers,” Paul advises. He hopes that this great event will continue well into the future while he and the Keels & Wheels Board works to update and improve this fabulous show.

KEELS AND WHEELS PROUDLY SUPPORTS THESE CHARITIES

Lighthouse Charity Team

The Texas Lighthouse Foundation’s (DBA Lighthouse Charity Team) mission supports nonprofit organizations in their fundraising efforts by preparing and serving food at cost and providing volunteers and equipment at no charge; helping those less fortunate by cooking at fundraising events to raise funds for medical necessities; and helping the community and first responders during times of natural and manmade disasters such as hurricanes, explosions, shootings, and more. The foundation will provide volunteers, fundraising support, food and beverages, and more at the 2020 Concours. For more information, visit lighthousecharityteam.com

Today’s Harbor for Children

For more than 70 years, Today’s Harbor for Children has served as a force of change in addressing the facets of abuse and neglect for children in crisis. The Harbor gives their kids a home and community that cares for them. Each child is placed in a cottage on campus with parents that champion their success and support their future. The children have playmates, chores, a regular dinnertime and a charter school on campus for elementary and middle school. Today’s Harbor provides more than shelter – they give kids a place to belong. For more information, visit todaysharborforchildren.org.

The Cole Gordon Helping Hand Foundation

The Cole Gordon Helping Hand Foundation is a non-profit organization, inspired by the late Cole Gordon, dedicated to uniting people through livestock projects and encouraging selfless giving so that we may achieve purpose greater than ourselves. We strive to support youth through FFA, Animal Science, Food Safety and Event Planning. Our purpose is to provide some financial assistance to those where money may be an obstacle to them by involving them livestock, providing food education and food safety to those interested in working in restaurants and entertainment industry, giving them a head start in the business world, and educating youth with event planning like what is needed to plan and execute a successful event from 50-500 people. Learn more at colegordonfoundation.com.

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

Lakewood Yacht Club Ladies Association 2021 officers greet the arriving crowd for their spring fashion show luncheon. They are, from left, President Janelle Leistad, Vice President Linda Weidmann, Treasurer Linda Elting, Fleet Capt. Ann-Marie Doolin and Secretary Barbie Breaux.

LAKEWOOD YACHT CLUB had hardly opened its doors for the Ladies Association’s “Nauti” Fashion Show and Luncheon Friday, March 5 than the crowd began arriving, all wearing masks and happy to be mingling with friends once again. Leona Pleasant was among them, as were Alice Thomas, Joy Edwards, Sandy Lewis, Rosebud Caradec, Marcia Smith, Joyce Lindsay, Rosemary Bettis, Nicole Shields and Elizabeth Koster.

On hand to greet them were members of the Ladies Association Executive Board – President Janelle Leistad, Vice President Linda Weidmann, who was chairman of the event; Secretary Barbie Breaux, Treasurer Linda Elting, Fleet Capt. Ann Marie Doolin and Parliamentarian Judith Shaw, as Julie Howell, Sue Broughton and Joy Edwards signed them in, along with Marion DeHart, Marsha Smith, Sue Collier, Mary Moorehead, Pamela Dickinson, Terrilee Maudlin, Janine Sutter, Phyllis Davis, Louise Toole, Susie Cunningham,  Evey Leavens, Valerie Shows, Jane Downs, Gayle Loyd, Julie Osburn, Sue Collier and Edna Rice.

Wasn’t long before Evelyn Baldwin walked in, quickly followed by Cynthia McMahan, Natalie Henrichs, Cheryl Baron, Beverly Persse, Janet Southard, Patricia Macaluso, Sherri Romer, Sherri Anderson, Nicole Shields, Rosalind Clayton, Vivian Tomlinson, Anne Kemberling, Marsha Smith, Chris Christianson, Valeria Shows, Jen Gerdes, Tammy Severance, Elizabeth Maxwell, Kathy Hall, Alex Paulea, Carolyn Lightfoot, and Carla, Scott and Allison Sharples.

Photo by CoCo Critelli

And, as they caught up on each other’s news, fashion models Johnette Norman, Ashley Boyd, Evelyn Baldwin, Marsha Taylor, Catherine Klemowits, Rubye Garrett, Stacy Covington, and LYC First Lady Jane Downs were busy backstage getting ready to show off “Nauti” (nautical) fashions and accessories from Jeanette Faulkner’s A Unique Boutique and the LYC Ship’s Store, chaired by Amy Dunphey, many might like to wear to the Blessing of the Fleet and the Commodore’s Dock Party. Joining them in both modeling and assisting the models were Commodore Michael Downs, former Commodores Tom Taylor and Jack Thomas, plus Scott Covington, Lou Marinos, Keith Klemowits and Ronald Leistad.

Debbie May, President Pat Adams and Darla McKitrick, from left, standing, swap ideas for the BOWA Gala with Mary Colombo, seated, at the BOWA luncheon. 

BOWA Gala theme will
be ‘A Black and White Affair’

BAY OAKS Women’s Association board members are busy these days making final plans for their annual gala, “A Black and White Affair,” which was rescheduled from this past November because of the pandemic. It’s on the calendar for Saturday, April 10 at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Actually, Chairman Terri Steinkamp tells us most of the planning was done months ago before the pandemic got out of hand. She and Co-Chairman Jordan Quillen are keeping their fingers crossed that most local residents will have their vaccines and worries about COVID-19 will be mostly a thing of the past by the time the crowd begins arriving for the elegant evening.

The fun begins at 6:15 p.m. with music by the Main Street Band. Dress is black tie optinal. Terri, who served as co-chairman of the last BOWA gala, is planning a delightful menu, plus a casino.

That was all the talk at BOWA’s most recent monthly luncheon Thursday March 4, which drew Mary Keathley, Cheri Burke, Susan McCoy, Eileen Hult, Urmila Kadam, Mary Colombo, Betty Woodhouse, Sue Laabs, Darla McKitrick, Terri Steinkamp, Carol Bobo, Elizabeth Fredericks, Trisha Gunn and Valerie Bloomfield to the get-together.
Others in the crowd included Debbie Roan, Ruth Beecher, Sheryl Lane, Tara Viswanath, Susan Franklin, Debbie May, Julie Ellis, Stephanie Mitzner, Barbara Conway, Chris Howland, Marcus Peavler, Lana Leslie, Raji Shankar, Nikole Kempnich, Barbara Miller and President Pat Adams.

Clear Lake Chamber officials in the crowd at the monthly luncheon at Landry’s on the Kemah Boardwalk included, from left, Past Chairman Richard Simmons, President Cindy DeWease, Chairman Robert Davee and Past Chairman Jamieson Mackey.

Chamber members learn
how to deal with trauma

AS CLEAR LAKE Chambers members gathered for a hybrid meeting at Landry’s at Jimmie Walker’s in Kemah, some probably wondered how many chamber luncheons had been held in that building over the past century, and, while no one probably has a record, no doubt it’s quite a few, and always enjoyable.

Chamber President Cindy DeWease and Vice President Shari Sweeney joined Chairman Robert Davee and Vice Chairman Jonathan Cothrell in welcoming the happy crowd – some no doubt just happy to have some place to go and mingle with friends.
Among the early arrivals, you might have spotted Past Chamber Chairmen Jamieson Mackay and Richard Simmons stopping to say hello to Kevin Venable, Debbie Simmons, Genie Hayes, Mandy Knight, Amber Blake, Mark Ortiz, Deeann Duckworth, Brian Rothermel, Brie Little and Daniel Legnion as they made their way through the arriving crowd.

Wasn’t long before they found themselves in the company of Elizabeth Smith, Hillary Gramm, Richard Law, Heather Tonnessen, Gayle Nelson, Scott Stillman, Darmie and Karen Rudisill, Shelly Dyer, Twila Lindblade, Mackenzie Walker, Rebecca Martinez, Jacob Bigger, Cathy McLarty, Tracy Daily, Julia Gallagher, Lauri Coppock, Vickie Delbello, Sandra Lambert and Vanessa Bartholomew.

Guest speaker Sharon Bayus, president and CEO of Innovative Alternatives, turned the crowd’s attention to trauma – such as many Texas families have been having to deal with during the recent ice storm and the pandemic, focusing on ways employers can support their employees who are dealing with trauma, which can also come from crime, accidents and illnesses – even elections.

Then it was time to say good bye for Lydia Cook, Greg Sharp, Rachel Tyrrna, Emily Cegelski, Sarah Ferguson, Fay Picard, Julie Lambert, Alice McCalla, Stephanie Tunchez, Brad Flesher, Brenda Mireles, Krystyna Fennelly, Leah Sikes, Jack Kaiser, Amy Doherty, Ashley Martinez, Lana Lagunas, Vickie Delbello, Joe Applewhite, Denise Nelms, Mark Ortiz, Ed Klein, Adelina Abshire, Brad Bricker and Chris Premont and head back to work.

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

CLCWA must make an emergency repair on Bay Area Blvd. at Saturn Ln. starting March 15 and estimated to be completed on March 27. Please be extra cautious with work crews, patient with traffic delays and try to plan alternate routes if possible.

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County

Terri Steinkamp and Jordan Quillen.

BAY OAKS Women’s Association board members are busy these days making final plans for their annual gala, “A Black and White Affair,” which was rescheduled from this past November because of the pandemic.

It’s on the calendar for Saturday, April 10 at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Actually, Chairman Terri Steinkamp tells us most of the planning was done months ago before the pandemic got out of hand. She and Co-Chairman Jordan Quillen are keeping their fingers crossed that most local residents will have their vaccines and worries about COVID-19 will be mostly a thing of the past by the time the crowd begins arriving for the elegant evening.

The fun begins at 6:15 p.m. with music by the Main Street Band. Dress is black tie optional. Terri, who served as co-chairman of the last BOWA gala, is planning a delightful menu, plus a casino.

Bay Area Houston Magazine - #1 information source of the Bay Area Houston and Galveston County