bay area houston magazine october 2012

October 2012

T H E B A Y A R E A ’ S F A V O U R I T E P U B L I C A T I O N

www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com

• Remembering Neil Armstrong

• Clear Lake Chatter

• Space Shuttle Endeavour

• Fall Fishing Tactics

• Local Election Season

• What’s going on at the West Mansion?

Welcoming Dr. Joshua T. Woody and Introducing TRUMATCH Personalized Solutions

Fondren Orthopedic Group

features

17 CCISD Schools Schools spruced up for the new year

18 Clear Falls High Grown up and ready for prom

20 Remembering Neil Armstrong American hero takes final journey to the stars

22 Space Shuttle Endeavour Photos from its recent cross-country travel

26 South Shore Grille An American grille with Cuban flair

28 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Exceptional care at Memorial Hermann Southeast

30 Fondren Orthopedic Group Dr. Robert L. Burke and Dr. Joshua T. Woody

34 Chambers and the Genius of America Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

36 West Mansion Gets a New Lease on Life A new chapter for the historic mansion

38 RNASA Continues Tradition of Donation NASA aerospace scholars

40 Okay Make Up Your Mind! It’s almost time to vote

46 What’s In The News... What’s happening around the Bay Area Houston

50 Educators Seek Community Support Meeting state budget challenges

columns

14 Clear Lake Chatter Chamber gears up for a golden gala

16 CLICK! Best Practices Quarterly launch party

24 Admiral’s Log Changing baits and tactics in fall

in each issue

10 Advertiser’s Index

25 Lakewood Yacht Club News and Events

58 Events Calendar

ChairmanRick Clapp

PublisherMary Alys Cherry

President Rob Kumar

Art DirectorBrandon Rowan

Vice President of SalesPatty Kane

Sales & MarketingPatty Bederka

Natalie EpperleyAmber Sample

Graphic DesignerVictoria Ugalde

PhotographyBrian Stewart

Community Affairs DirectorLillian Harmon

Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved.

Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission.

Advertising rates are available upon request.

Please address all correspondence to:Bay Area Houston Magazine

P.O. Box 1032Seabrook, TX 77586

[email protected]

281.474.5875

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ON THE COVER

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Dr. Robert L. Burke and Dr. Joshua T. Woody of Fondren Orthopedic Group. Photo by Brian Stewart.

Bay Area Houston Magazine | OCTOBER 2012 8

We have excellent schools, upscale neighborhoods, a busy social calendar and a well educated workforce. But we do have a problem – transportation.

We have roads but not enough roads. Hence, it takes almost as long to drive from Clear Lake to Kemah or League City to Taylor Lake Village as it takes to drive to downtown Houston. (Except, of course, during rush hour.)

But help is on the way with several road projects starting or about to start. One that has helped considerably is the rebuild of El Camino Real from Bay Area Boulevard to NASA Parkway and the replacement of the bridge over the bayou. You can almost sense the enjoyment as motorists cruise along the brand new road.

That is one of several:• Over in League City, heavily traveled Highway 96

is being resurfaced from Highway 3 to Highway 146 in Kemah. The ride has been bumpy in recent days, but should turn smooth very soon. That 10-year-old 7.22 mile stretch is being overlaid with asphaltic concrete pavement, the city said, and if inclement weather doesn’t cause a delay, it should be completed later this month. The Texas Department of Transportation said “the work consists of milling, base repair, seal coat and then the asphaltic concrete pavement overlay to produce the best ride quality for the roadway.”

• TxDOT also is widening FM 646 in League City from I-45 to Highway 3 to four lanes and improving the drainage system in area – a job that should be finished by fall of 2013

• Clear Lake City residents got some welcome news when Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan announced that a long overdue road project is finally coming to fruition. The repaving of Bay Area Boulevard within the city limits of Houston has been approved. The $636,073 project is scheduled to begin in September, and to be completed by the end of the year.

"This is one project that the community asked me to do when I was first elected in 2008,” Sullivan said. "It has taken a tremendous effort on our part to get this done, and I am grateful to the city's Public Works Department for working so well with me."

All lanes of Bay Area Boulevard, from Highway 3 to Reseda, will be completely repaved, he said. “This includes milling the existing roadway down to a solid base, repairing major curb damage, rebuilding drainage inlets,

constructing ADA sidewalk ramps, and complete safety restriping when finished.”

"While I preferred a major reconstruction of the original concrete surfaces, the money for a project of that magnitude is just not there. However, this repaving will provide the repairs necessary to improve mobility." Sullivan stated. "All in all, taxpayers, residents, businesses, and commuters will see a marked improvement."

• While work is mostly in the preparation stages, TxDOT and the City of Houston plan to reconstruct South Shaver Road from I-45 to Highway 3 near Pasadena from a six-land undivided roadway with parallel drainage ditches to a six-lane divided roadway with curbs and gutters and a raised median. No additional right-of-way is required, TxDOT said.

• El Lago residents have been in for some delays this summer and fall as the city completes a $3 million street renovation/replacement project. Streets getting a facelift are Bayou View Drive from Woodland to Cedar Lane; the east half of Biscayne Boulevard to Cedar Lane; Terrace Drive; Biscayne Boulevard – the west half to Bayou View; Woodland Drive from Shadow Creek to Bayou View; and Tallowood Drive.

• Seabrook has partnered with Harris County Precinct 2 for repairs and improvements on Red Bluff Road between Park Drive and Albatross Drive, improving the road and other areas of concern in the Baybrook Subdivision. That comes on the heels of work on El Mar Lane earlier this year.

So you may have trouble traveling here and there, but don’t complain. Be thankful the roadmasters finally realized we need a little help getting around down here.

features

17 CCISD Schools Schools spruced up for the new year

18 Clear Falls High Grown up and ready for prom

20 Remembering Neil Armstrong American hero takes final journey to the stars

22 Space Shuttle Endeavour Photos from its recent cross-country travel

26 South Shore Grille An American grille with Cuban flair

28 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Exceptional care at Memorial Hermann Southeast

30 Fondren Orthopedic Group Dr. Robert L. Burke and Dr. Joshua T. Woody

34 Chambers and the Genius of America Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

36 West Mansion Gets a New Lease on Life A new chapter for the historic mansion

38 RNASA Continues Tradition of Donation NASA aerospace scholars

40 Okay Make Up Your Mind! It’s almost time to vote

46 What’s In The News... What’s happening around the Bay Area Houston

50 Educators Seek Community Support Meeting state budget challenges

columns

14 Clear Lake Chatter Chamber gears up for a golden gala

16 CLICK! Best Practices Quarterly launch party

24 Admiral’s Log Changing baits and tactics in fall

in each issue

10 Advertiser’s Index

25 Lakewood Yacht Club News and Events

58 Events Calendar

Don ArmstrongIn Wheel Time

Zach TateMusic

Betha MeritTravel/Food/Wine

Dr. Ed ReitmanNourishing the Mind

Michael GosTexas Meditations

Mary Alys CherryClear Lake Chatter

Captain Joe KentFishing

Pat PattonClick

Roseann RogersThe Buzz

OCTOBER 2012

Writers

Mary Alys CherryPublisher

Rod EvansBoating/Fitness

OCTOBER 2012 | Bay Area Houston Magazine 9

Few places around the Houston area offer the quality of life found around the Bay Area.

Advertiser’s Index


Alan’s Swampshack Page 53 www.theswampshack.com

Artworks at 102 Page 34 www.aw102.com

Back Bay Boutique Page 42

BAHRMA Page 54 www.bahrma.org

Baubles and Beads Page 51

Bay Group Media Page 23 www.baygroupmedia.com

Bayway Homes Page 37 www.baywayhomes.com

Best Publications Page 13

Big Splash Web Design Page 3 www.bigsplashwebdesign.com

Boudreaux’s on the Bayou Page 47 www.boudreauxsonthebayou.com

City of Dickinson Page 43 www.ci.dickinson.tx.us

Clear Creek Winery Page 20 www.clearcreekvineyard.com

Clothes Horse Page 51

Christus St. John Page 17 www.christusstjohn.org

Coastal Plastic Surgery Page 56 www.tadammd.com

Cullen’s Upscale American Grill Page 55 www.cullenshouston.com

Dickinson BBQ Page 39 www.dickinsonbbq.com

Digitex Page 50 www.digitexcorp.com

Dragon Boat Regatta Page 46 www.texasdragonboat.com

Dr. J. Derek Tieken Page 29 www.tiekensmiles.com

Elan Transportation Page 38

Elegant Nails Page 34

Encore Resale Shop Page 48

Envoy Mortgage www.envoymortgageapp.com

Floyd’s Cajun Seafood Page 57 www.floydsseafood.com

Fondren Orthopedic Page 2 www.fondren.com

Ginger Snaps Page 51

Gulf Coast Palapas Page 43

Haunted Mayfield Manor Page 13 www.hauntedmayfieldmanor.com

Head to Footsies Page 47

HomeTown Bank Page 45 www.htbna.com

Houston Technology Center Page 27 www.houstontech.org

Island Furniture Page 37 www.islandfurniture.net

Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Page 43 www.jeterfuneralhome.com

Kemah Boardwalk Page 6 www.kemahboardwalk.com

Kemah Gardens Page 22 www.kemahgardens.com

Las Haciendas Page 22 www.lashaciendasgrill.com

League City Rotary Page 45 www.leaguecityrotary.com

Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant Page 13 www.mamacitasmexicanrestaurant.com

Martha Turner Page 33 www.marthaturner.com

Mediterraneo Market & Cafe Page 42

Memorial Hermann-SE Page 5 www.memorialhermann.org

Nerium International Page 48 www.loveyourface911.com

Norman Frede Chevrolet Page 18 www.fredechevrolet.com

Oasis Salon and Medispa Page 41 www.oasisclearlake.com

One Stop Tents & Events Page 12 www.onestopparty.com

Opus Bistro Page 12 www.opusbistro.net

Park Avenue Showplace Antiques Page 51 www.parkavenueshowplaceantiques.com

Ron Carter Clear Lake Page 59 www.roncartercadillac.com

Ron Hoover Page 23 www.ronhoover.com

Royal Indulgence Page 12 www.royal-indulgence.com

Salon La Rouge Page 12 www.salonlarouge.org

Schlitterbahn Page 7 www.schlitterbahn.com

Sealake Yachts Page 23 www.sealakeyachts.com

Shrimporee Page 32 www.spacecenterrotary.org

Signature Bistro Page 35 www.signaturebistro.com

SignCo Page 34

South Shore Grille Page 39 www.soshoregrille.com

Southern Sophistication Page 13

Space Center Auto Page 21 www.spacecenterautomotive.com

Stylin’ With Linda Page 54

Sunsation Tanning Page 49 www.clearlaketanning.com

Texas First Bank Page 44 www.texasfirstbank.com

That’s Haute Boutique Page 49

Tuscan Lakes Page 35 www.tuscanlakes.com

Unicare Dental Page 60 www.drnoie.com

Unleashed Page 34

Victory Marine Page 22 www.govictorymarine.com

DENTAL HEALTH


Naturally, I have become curious and, at the same time, amazed by this protective mechanism.

A legit fear is a powerful and vital primitive human emotion that plays

an important role in keeping us safe. It helps us get out of situations that can potentially harm us. Fear can be classified into two types, biochemical and emotional. The biochemical response is universal, while the emotional response is highly individualized.

Either way, when danger is detected, our brain releases a powerful hormone called Adrenaline into our circulatory system which induces a wide array of responses such as sweating, increased heart rate, and muscle contraction.

This physical response is sometimes known as the “fight or flight” response, in which the body prepares itself to either enter combat or run away. This biochemical reaction is an autonomic response and is crucial to survival. Fear is usually based on a negative personal experience with the matter in question. Sometimes fear is learned from someone else, such as a child who is afraid of the dentist because of his parents’ or friends’ reactions.

While a legit fear is induced by a clear and present danger, emotional fear is normally triggered by perceived or probable danger. This type of fear is not as straight forward as legit fear. Probable fear is subject to personal interpretation, which is heavily influenced -- not necessarily by facts -- but often by our unique perception of fact. Under normal circumstances, fear can be managed through reason and logic. It will not take over our lives or cause us to act irrational.

While it is useful to drive defensively to avoid accidents, it is harmful to be so worried about getting in a car accident to avoid driving all together. At some point any legit fear can becomes irrational. Many people get nervous at the thought of needles in their mouth. Others shriek at the sight of a mouse. Still some others get woozy when they see blood. Most people learn to manage these fears. But a phobia is an intense emotional fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger.

Some of the common phobias include fear of dentist, closed-in places, heights, highway driving, flying, insects, snakes and needles. Most phobias develop in childhood, but they can also develop in adults. Many confuse the phobia with the silly and senseless fear and view it in a negative way. This common belief has caused many with phobia to feel ashamed of their condition and either avoid or deny it.

In case of a dental visit, even if you go through with it, you will sweat, shake, cry or have other serious physiological responses. You will likely be miserable during the entire appointment. If your phobia is more

severe, you will simply be unable to go. You will go far out of your way to avoid a dental office.

It is important to consider the source. If you have a simple fear, you will not spend much time thinking about that fear. It will only affect you when you are forced to confront it. If you have a phobia, you are likely to develop a fear of fear itself. You may begin to worry that something will happen to trigger your fear. You may start to change your daily routine in an effort to avoid any possible triggers. If you know that you have an upcoming appointment with your dentist, you will likely dwell on it, perhaps obsessively. You may have trouble sleeping or focusing on important tasks, particularly as the day of appointment draws closer.

These emotional fears or phobias are highly personalized. Repeated positive exposure to situations that normally lead to phobia, gradually changes the perception of them. This greatly reduces both the fear response, and, over time, results in elation. It also forms the basis of some phobia treatments, which depend on slowly minimizing the fear response by making it feel safe.

In case of phobia of dentist, I have found that performing the necessary dental work under deep conscious sedation can achieve that goal. Many of my patients with severe phobia were able to overcome their emotional fear after several dental treatments under the positive experience of I.V. Sedation.

If you or your loved one is avoiding routine dental check up and essential treatment due to fear of dentist please contact my office at 281-332-4700 and schedule a complimentary consultation to determine if I.V. Sedation dentistry is right for you.

Throughout my 18 years of practicing dentistry, I have encountered numerous cases of fear of dentist. I have eye witnessed the onset of “white coat syndrome” phobia.

“Many of my patients with severe phobia were able to overcome their emotional fear after several dental treatments under the positive experience of I.V. Sedation.”

Bay Area Houston Magazine | OCTOBER 2012 12 M A R K E T P L A C E

OCTOBER 2012 | Bay Area Houston Magazine 13M A R K E T P L A C E


MARY ALYS CHERRY

Clear Lake Chamber gears up for aHOTTEST 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.

State Rep. John Davis will serve as emcee with Judge Holly Williamson swearing in the new officers and directors and entertainment by the Jill Rauscher School of Dance and Phil Pampolina’s PRP Entertainment.

SAIC Communication Director Joyce Abbey is chairman of the anniversary planning committee and Past Chamber Chairman Richard Allen is chairing the

gala. Tables range in price from $1,200 to $3,000 with individual tickets at $95. For details, call, the chamber, 281-488-7676.

Many events on the horizonIT IS ONE of several big events not to be missed this

month:•JustAPrettyTable,thepopularBayAreaMuseum

Guild benefit luncheon, starts things off at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, when Guild members show off their talents decorating luncheon tables at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake.

That is probably an understatement. They go all out, even asking their guests to carry out

the theme in their dress, so a Halloween themed table will probably be filled with goblins and witches.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

Lunar Rendezvous Queen Caitlin Hutson gets ready for a ride in her new Camero at Norman Frede Chevrolet. Her dad, John Hutson, bought the sports car for her as a birthday and graduation present.

Past Clear Lake Chamber Chairman Richard Allen, left, will chair the chamber’s upcoming 50th Anniversary Chairman’s Ball, set for Friday, Oct. 19, at Space Center Houston. Here, he updates Johnson Space Center External Relations Director Mike Kincaid on the event at last month’s chamber luncheon.

Ellen King, left, and her daughter, Karen Weber, will chair this year’ Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Serendipity Ball, coming up Saturday, Oct. 13, at Space Center Houston.

Era Lee Caldwell stands by the table she decorated for the Bay Area Museum Guild’s 2011 Just A Pretty Table. This year’s benefit luncheon is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Bay Oaks Country Club in Clear Lake.

golden gala


•UH-ClearLakeAlumniAssociationwillhostits annual Alumni Celebration Saturday, Oct. 6, at Space Center Houston, honoring some of its outstanding grads and recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments and service of these graduates and faculty members.

Dress is black-tie optional and tickets are $65 -- $50 for students. A cocktail reception, with cash bar, kicks off the event at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 7 p.m. •TheBayOaksWomen’sAssociationmemberswill

turn their thoughts to the holidays on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the country club when Friendswood florist Lynn Lary McLain unveils her fabulous Christmas Tree with holiday songs. This is the perfect time to come catch up with friends over brunch and mimosas, President Terri Devine says.•SpaceCenterRotarywillhostits38th annual

Sprimporee and Auction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 in Clear Lake Park’s Landolt Pavilion.

Admission is free with shrimp and barbecue brisket plates available for $15 each and the Women of Rotary Bay Area offering desserts. As always, there’ll be plenty of entertainment for the wee set, plus a raffle and live and silent auctions for mom and dad – a whole big afternoon of fun and frivolity. Proceeds will benefit Smith Family YMCA, FirstAct Early Knight Program and Communities in Schools-Bay Area, Chairman Sheryl Berg tells us.

For questions, call the chairman, 281-773-3598.

Style show draws a crowdNOTHING LIKE FASHION to get the attention

of Bay Oaks Women’s Association members.They were out in force the other day for BOWA’s

annual fall fashion show luncheon featuring the latest trends from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall.

Early arrivals included Wanda Kelly, Rhonda Smith, Sharon Christman, Sharon Phelps, Jeannette Koerschner, Mary Keathley, Gloria Wong, Barbara Coleman, Barbara Rosenthal and Marilyn Lunney, who were signed in by Sharon Dillard and Gladys Jones after being welcomed by Lucille Terraso, Danele Buehler and Sandy Lantz.

Vice President Joan Burt winged in from California for the luncheon and before long was busy saying hello to Jonell Hunter, Jo Cat Bruce, Judy Ferguson, Judy Raiford, Courtney Atchley, Kay lee Benoit, Gladys Jones, Sheila Cooper, Angie Weinman, Rita Johnson, Diane Konick, Carlene Langford, Phyllis Tharp and Carol Bobo.

Across the way, you might have spotted Jennifer Simmons, Elenor Walters, Betsy Salbilla, Georgia Piwonka, Gia Warner, Libby Jones, Mary Ann Shallberg, Betty Woodhouse, Amy Bacon, Lynn Glazner, Dorothy Benjamin, Ann and Ondi Lyon, Debbie Roan, Karen King, Julie Gross, Sue Ferguson, Laurie Petty and Sonja Moore.

Before long, it was time for models Jeri Knapp, Lea Bodie, Dee Wolfe, Mary Colombo, Veronica Hernandez, Janet Greenwood, Annette Dwyer, Patt Simon, Brandy Miller and Kimberly Weathers to show off what hot in the fashion world.

Much to the delight of Diane Overman, Ann Brady, Nell Veazey, Ruth Beecher, Jill Reason, Lynette Mason Gregg, Ann Zeller, Cindy Woodall, Sue Lyons, Cherre House, Linda Demasie, Ann Dooley, Fran Gentry, Martha Meas, Barbara Dickey, Badiha Nasser and Jill Williams, who were among the many enjoying the style show luncheon.

Gala honorees are annoucedTHE CLEAR CREEK Education Foundation

has announced its honorees for its 20th anniversary Reach for the Stars Gala Saturday, Nov. 3 at South Shore Harbour Resort with Dr. Jim O’Malley to be presented the Citizen of the Year Award and Lisa Holbrook the George Carlisle Award.

Outstanding Alumni Award recipients are Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy Harreld, attorney Scott Krist, Dr. Lloyd B. Potter and a Dallas financial officer, Susan Hayes Witty; with the Valor Award going to Bryan Escobedo and Teachers of the Year Jennifer Foley and Nicola Clemmer to be honored with Super Star Awards.

O’Malley, a retired Exxon Chemical executive, is a former chairman of the education foundation.

Sharon Dillard, seated, Carol Gurgos and Sandy Lantz, from left, check over the reservations for the Bay Oaks Women’s Association Fall Fashion Show to be sure they are all in sync, as their outfits are.

Bay Oaks Women’s Association Vice President Joan Burt, center, says hello to models Mary Colombo, left, and Annette Dwyer, as they await the start of the annual Fall Fashion Show. All three serve on the BOWA Board.

Jeannette Koerschner, left, visits with Mary Keathley as they arrive at Bay Oaks Country Club for the Women’s Association’s Fall Fashion Show Luncheon, featuring fashions from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall.

Kimberly Weathers, left, chats with Sharon Christman backstage as they wait to model in the Bay Oaks Women’s Association’s annual Fall Fashion Show at the country club. Both serve on the BOWA board.

golden gala

The Best Practices Quarterly Magazine Launch Party, held at Cullen’s Live Wednesday, Aug. 16, was hosted by the medical quarterly’s Chairman /CEO Rick Clapp and President Rob Kumar.

The evening was both a very successful Launch Party, and also an event that honored and recognized the outstanding physicians and healthcare professionals in the Bay Area Houston area.

Best Practices hit two home runs: A brand new issue of the magazine, and a huge turnout of over 100 people to celebrate the launch of the new publication that is a resource guide to the medical community. Entertainer Mickey Hobbs, who is always a favorite singer in the Bay Area Houston area, did a wonderful job of entertaining the crowd.

The goal of Best Practices is to promote and economically develop our local Bay Area Houston Medical Complex and all of the physicians and healthcare professionals.

The magazine’s focus is to recognize local doctors, medical and healthcare workers who are making a difference, and also educate consumers about all the various services and new medical technology that is available locally without having to go to the congested Houston Texas Medical Center.

Clapp, who is also chairman of Bay Area Houston Magazine said, “we never expected the great success we have experienced on our inaugural issue. Not only was it an editorial and quality advertising piece, it was also a financial success. Needless to say, we are excited about the future and plan on having licensing agreements with individuals in Fort Bend County, Beaumont and Kingwood area by the end of the year.”

Best Practices’ coverage area includes Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, Webster, Clear Lake City, Seabrook, Kemah, League City, and Galveston County.

A total of 10,000 copies will be printed each quarter, and will be delivered to doctor’s offices, medical complexes, hospitals, office parks, marinas, yacht clubs, country clubs, fine restaurants and upscale merchants.

If you, or anyone you know would like a licensed agreement with Best Practices, contact Rick Clapp at 218 -474- 05875, or [email protected].

Best Practices Quarterly Launch Party

Education

CCISD Schools Spruced Up for New Year

Clear Springs High cheerleaders greet the arriving crowd at the League City Chamber’s annual Kickoff By the Creek luncheon, held in the giant cafeteria that serves all three Education Village campuses.

By Mary Alys Cherry

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.

“Maintaining aging facilities continues to put a strain on our budget, so the CCISD Board of Trustees will establish a citizens committee in the fall to review needs and make recommendations for future facility needs.”

Repairs under way or completed by Facility Services at a cost of $2.9 million included the following projects:•ArmandBayouElementarySchool--Foundation

repairs ($99,500)

•ClearCreekHigh--ReplacelibraryHVAC(heatingand air conditioning) and replace swimming pool piping ($344,824)•ClearLakeIntermediate–Replacedomestic

plumbing pipe campus-wide and kitchen sanitary sewer lines ($90,720)•ClearViewEducationCenter–Replacefoundation

in three classrooms ($116,739)•McWhirterElementary--ReplaceHVACchillers

and cooling tower ($417,644)•SeabrookIntermediate-ReplaceHVACChillers

($332,479)•WhiteElementary-Replacedomesticwaterpipe

and branch HVAC pipe campus-wide ($492,312)

CCISD Maintenance and Operations tackled projects at all 43 schools totaling $2,455,600, Assistant Communications Director Janice Scott said.

“Teams of custodians cleaned every campus, stripping and refinishing floors, work crews replaced lighting when necessary, upgraded and replaced fire alarm panels and smoke detectors at 16 campuses, renewed

Kiddie Kushion to all district playground fall zones (26 Elementary Schools), and performed chiller and central plant maintenance and repairs on 16 chillers, cooling tower repair and replacement to 52 towers, retrofit and replaced 500 user controlled thermostats to fixed set point thermostats and replaced A/C units at four campuses.”

Serving lines were replaced at 14 elementary schools at a total cost of $933,380, she said.

“Each new serving line replaces the original serving line installed when the school was constructed. The years of service on these lines range from 20 years to more than 40 years.”

Schools where the serving line was replaced are Armand Bayou, Bay, Brookwood, Clear Lake City, Ferguson, Greene, Hall, Landolt, League City, Ross, Ward, Wedgewood, Whitcomb and White.

The Clear Lake High School walk-in freezer was replaced because foundation issues had damaged the original unit beyond repair. Total cost of this project was $128,556.

Clear Lake High Flairs Emily Akins, Colbie Bowker, Rachel Ellison and Brooke Beeson, from left, prepare to perform for the crowd at the League City Chamber’s annual Kickoff By the Creek at Clear Falls High.

Education

Clear Falls High – All Grown Up and Ready for its Prom

By Mary Alys Cherry

Seems like only yesterday Clear Creek ISD officials were showing off the new Clear Falls High School, which was opening with

only freshman and sophomore classes.That was three years ago – the fall of

2010. Today, Clear Falls is home to 2,366

students and just added its first Senior Class – a group of 498, who will graduate in June.

And, the Senior Class is not missing a beat. They were busy putting on their first Homecoming Parade and Rally, Carnival and Homecoming Dance after the Homecoming Game as we were going to press, and are already making plans for their first Senior Prom at 7 p.m. on April 6 at the San Luis Convention Center in Galveston.

Principal Karen Engle is understandably proud of the student body and all they have accomplished since that first bell rang on the school’s first day of operation.

Clear Falls also is the only CCISD high school to have biotech and information technology (IT) programs through Career and Technology Education. Both programs are open to all CCISD students but they must apply for admittance.

They definitely are not courses found in high schools until recently.

Information TechnologyIT, one of the fastest growing career

fields in the area, uses computers and software to manage information.

Companies rely on their IT department to store information, protect information, process and transmit information and retrieve information as necessary.

Clear Falls students can start out on this career path in their sophomore year by taking:

•ComputerMaintenance,whichteaches them the basics of building maintaining, repairing and upgrading computers;•ComputerTechnician,whichteaches

students how to install, configure and optimize personal computer hardware and operating systems;•Telecommunications,whichcovers

the basics of networking and how to manage and install basic network infrastructures;•ResearchinITSolutions,acourseof

independent self-study of topics such as Fiber Optic networking.

BiotechnologyThe U.S. biotechnology – a rapidly

growing industry that often demands more skilled workers than are available -- has created more than 198,000

high-quality jobs at more than 1,400 pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial and medical biotechnology companies, plus more at academic and government agencies.

Clear Falls courses offered:•Biotechnology,whichoffersan

overview and begins preparing students for work in medical, science and law enforcement forensic labs;•AdvancedBiotech,whichsatisfies

science graduation requirements and focuses on the agricultural, environmental, economic and political roles of bioenergy and biological remediation;•BiotechEngineering,wherestudents

learn to develop things like artificial lenses that restore sight to the blind or incubators that keep premature babies alive and how to contribute to the health of our planet.•PracticuminBiotech,whenstudents

participate in a working internship or pursue an individual laboratory biotech project and gain real-world experience as they work alongside employees at the location to which they are assigned.

CCISD Principals of the Year

Retired Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Sandra Mossman, left, joins Mossman Elementary Principal Stephanie McBride as she is named CCISD Elementary Principal of the Year.

Clear Horizons Early College High Schools students help Principal Dr. Jennifer Morrow celebrate after she was chosen Clear Creek ISD Secondary Principal of the Year.


Proud to Recognize an American Hero

Experience legendary food with the perfect wine

www.clearcreekvineyard.com

709 Harris Ave., Kemah, TX 77586281.334.3800 for Winery Tours | 281.957.9090 for Dinner Reservations

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.

Armstrong died from complications that resulted from his Aug. 7 cardiovascular surgery.

It was his and astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s footsteps on the lunar surface July 20,

1969 that brought victory to their country over Russia in the Cold War space race.

But, as Armstrong took one final step into the hereafter, it was another astronaut who reminded the crowd – as War Secretary Edwin Stanton had done when President Lincoln died – that he belongs to the ages.

“You have now shown once again the pathway to the stars,” Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, said as he paid tribute to Armstrong, his fellow Purdue alumnus, during the Washington ceremony. “As you soar through the heavens beyond even where eagles dare

to go, you can now finally put out your hand and touch the face of God.”

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, also a former astronaut, said it was Armstrong’s courage and humility that “lifted him above the stars.”

Bolden also read a letter from President Barack Obama noting that “the imprint he left on the surface of the moon is matched only by the extraordinary mark he left on ordinary Americans.”

As Armstrong, who commanded the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the moon July 20, 1969, became the first man to step on the lunar surface, his first words were “That’s one small step for

man, one giant leap for mankind.” Yet, he never wanted to be treated

as a hero and shunned the limelight. As Cernan pointed out, the reluctant Armstrong said, “It’s not about me. It’s about the 500,000 who made it possible.” It was that courage and humility that led Chris Kraft, then director of flight operations and later Johnson Space Center director, to suggest that Armstrong take that first step on the moon.

No doubt as he looked down on the proceedings, Armstrong was embarrassed that the world was making such as fuss over him.

Neil Armstrong Takes Final Journey to the StarsBy Mary Alys Cherry

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.

NASA photo NASA photo

NASA photo

Neil Armstrong, left, with Dot and Bob Thompson at the Rotary Space Banquet in 2004 when he was presented with the National Space Trophy.

Photo: Mary Alys Cherry



Proud to Recognize an American Hero

Experience legendary food with the perfect wine

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We Proudly Honor the Memory of Neil Armstrong We Proudly Honor the Memory of Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong Takes Final Journey to the StarsAfter Apollo 11, Armstrong left the

Clear Lake area, returning with his then-wife Jan to Ohio to teach and farm and raise their two sons, Mark and Eric. They returned in 1989, along with Lois and Buzz Aldrin and Mike and Kathleen Collins to join in the 20th anniversary celebration of the lunar landing that included a giant picnic at JSC and a big party and fireworks that evening at the Hilton, across from JSC.

Both Aldrin and Armstrong also returned for the 40th anniversary ceremonies at Space Center Houston in 2009 – the last time many would see this humble hero who with Aldrin took a very special step into history.

Here are some of the comments:

President Barack Obama: “Future generations will draw inspiration from his spirit of discovery, humble composure and pioneering leadership in setting a bold, new course for space exploration. The imprint he left on the surface of the moon and the story of human history is matched only by the extraordinary mark he left on the hearts of all Americans.”

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Neil Armstrong left his mark on the American people and on generations around the globe. This is his enduring legacy. Let ours be maintaining the great organization that made him a legend and helped make America the greatest nation on earth.”

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden:

“His remarkable achievements will be forever remembered, and his grace and humility will always be admired. As we take the next giant leap forward in human exploration of our vast universe, we stand on the shoulders of this brave, reluctant hero. Neil Armstrong’s first stop on the moon paved the way for others to be the ‘first’ to step foot on another

planet. A grateful nation salutes a humble servant who answered the call and dared to dream.”

JSC Director Mike Coats: “The passing of Neil Armstrong has shocked all of us at the Johnson Space Center. The whole world knew Neil as the first man to step foot on the moon, but to us, he was a co-worker, a friend, and an outstanding spokesman for the human space program. His quiet confidence and ability to perform under pressure set an example for all subsequent astronauts. Our role model will be missed.”

Retired JSC Director Chris Kraft Jr.: “We lost a tremendous human being. We lost a man who knew what he wanted

to do, who was good at accomplishing whatever he set out to do. I considered him to be our lead gladiator. He spoke with integrity and a total commitment to his beliefs.

“He was not only a great astronaut, he was a consummate engineer and scientist, a wonderful teacher, a true patriot and an outstanding representative of what all of us believe to be so imperative to the future of our country.”

Gene Cernan, the last man on the moon: “Fate looked down kindly on us when she chose Neil to be the first to venture to another world and to have the opportunity to look back from space at the beauty of our own. It could have been another but it wasn’t. It wasn’t for a reason. No one, no one, but no one could have accepted the responsibility of his remarkable accomplishment with more dignity and more grace than Neil Armstrong.”

Armstrong is one of three former astronauts who have died this summer.

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 July 1.

Ride was 61 and Poindexter was only 50.

By Mary Alys Cherry

“As you soar through the heavens beyond even where eagles dare to go, you can now finally put out your hand and touch the face of God.”

(lLeft) Eric ‘Rick’ Armstrong pauses as he speaks at his father’s funeral in Ohio. (Right) Mark Armstrong addresses the crowd attending his father’s funeral in Ohio.

NASA photo

NASA photo


Space Shuttle Endeavour’s recent visit here was not her first -- she stopped at Ellington Field in 1992 en route back to Kennedy Space Center after landing on the west coast, not long after she was built to replace Challenger.

Space Shuttle Endeavor draws quite a crowd as she arrives in California, where folks were out in force with their cameras.

SPACE SHuTTLE ENDEAVOuR makes a final visit to the Bay Area while en route to its home in California. Her stay at Ellington Field drew a crowd of some 20,000 who wanted just one last look at the space vehicle many had worked on or followed over the past 30 years. On the way west, Endeavour flew over Tucson, Ariz., where Commander Scott Kelly and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, waved farewell.

SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOURPhoto: NASA

Photo: NASA



SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOURPhoto: NASA

Photo: NASA



uring 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. Come October, a variety of baits come into the picture, especially soft plastics and top water lures.

The shorter days and cooler waters of October move fish out of their summertime refuges and send a signal that winter is not far away. Nature tells fish to start adding layers of fat to get them through the sparse winter months and a feeding frenzy usually begins.

When this occurs, trout, reds and other fish are not as selective on their choice of food and almost any finfish or crustacean appeals to

the appetite. Artificial lures then become one of the favorite baits of anglers.

Fall fishing opens up wade fishing areas that were not productive during the summer and working seagulls attract lots of fishermen to schools of trout in the open bays.

Both types of fishing are ideal for the anglers using soft plastics and hard plastic lures. Wade fishermen enjoy the thrill of top water action early in the day by tossing floating baits that, when worked slowly, resemble injured finfish, especially small mullet.

Soft plastics are used at all times during the day and can be worked to

resemble not only shrimp escaping from a feeding fish but an injured mullet as well.

Live baits continue to be productive for anglers fishing from anchored boats and likely are the best choice for that type of fishing.

Now, let’s take a look at what artificial baits work best and when.

Wade fishermen find that using any type of artificial bait beats having to drag a live well behind them while at the same time offering a wider variety of choices for fish. Lures, both soft and hard plastic, are easier to throw and allow the wader to cover more water in a shorter

time span.Drift fishing with soft

plastics is the preference of most fishing guides. This applies to working flocks of birds pointing the way to schools of feeding trout and reds.

Top water baits such as Top Dogs, Super Spooks and Bombers normally work best in the early part of the day when daylight is

marginal to poor. Anglers locating pods of mullet close to the shoreline tend to capitalize on top waters, especially those that are mullet imitations.

Soft plastics such as Bass Assassins, Texas Trout Killers and Gulps work well almost anytime.

Before stepping out and using artificial baits, anglers need to have at least fairly good casting skills. If not, the odds are going to go against you and live bait would be the better choice.

One mistake that inexperienced “pluggers” (a term applied to fishermen using artificial baits) make is in the retrieve. Most tend to reel in the baits too fast. If you are new to this type of fishing, either go along with a seasoned plugger or hire a guide to show you the techniques. Most newcomers to this type of fishing are surprised at how slow the bait is often retrieved.

Fall fishing is arriving and the better prepared you can be, the better. Once an angler gets accustomed to using artificial baits, it often is difficult for them to return to purchasing live bait during the fall.

By Capt. Joe Kent

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.

“Soft plastics such as Bass Assassins, Texas Trout Killers and Gulps work well almost anytime.”

Capt. Bubba Ray admires a large speck that was enticed to strike by a corky fat boy.


News & Events

Harvest Moon Skippers Meeting Slated for Oct. 19

J/Boat Founder to Attend J/Fest Southwest Regatta

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 in Seabrook, TX

“Since this is a highly attended event of up to several hundred people, we are encouraging racers to come early to pick up their skippers’ packets at 6:30 pm,” Bengtson related. “Then they will have time to review the sailing instructions before the start of the meeting.” The packets can be picked up in the Chart Room which is down the hall from the ballroom. T-shirts and race paraphernalia can be purchased from volunteers in the ballroom lobby.

“The Skippers Meeting is a critical one for racers to attend,” stated Lakewood’s Fleet Captain Joyce Maxwell, “as additional information will be addressed such as expected weather conditions, any changes to the racing rules or the dockage in Port Aransas.”

The Harvest Moon Regatta® is a 150 mile race from Galveston to Port Aransas which will be begin on Thurs. afternoon, Oct. 25, and end at the race finish in the channel at “Port A.” As of Sun., Sept. 9, about 90 racers have already registered and paid for the regatta, which, according to Bengtson, is ahead of the count at this time last year thanks to the free Harvest Moon Early Bacardi Blast party which

encouraged skippers and crew to register and pay before Sat., Sept. 8.

Racers will be arriving in “Port A” at varying times on Fri., Oct. 26, depending on the wind conditions over the Gulf of Mexico. The popular Welcome Sailors Rum Party will take place on Sat., Oct. 27, during late afternoon at the City Pavilion. After a bar-b-que buffet, an awards ceremony will be held where race winners will receive their trophies and the overall winner of the coveted Bacardi Cup will be announced.

The regatta is a Category 3 Open Regatta for all racing cruising spinnaker and non-spinnaker sailing yachts with a minimum length of 27 feet. New this year is the fact that SPOTS are mandatory for each boat. Over 200 boats are expected to race this year with close to 2,000 racers, friends and family attending the awards ceremony.

The regatta is organized by Bay Access, a charitable organization supporting amateur racing. It is hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club. Sponsors include the founding sponsor Bacardi Rum U.S.A., Nautic Yacht Sales, West Marine, Banks Sails, Sea Lake Yacht Sales, Hays Energy Marine & Logistics Insurance, OJ’s Marine, Mantus Anchors and the City of Port Aransas.

“Through the support of these enthusiastic sponsors, we are able to provide a first-class event for our racers,” explained Bengtson.

/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., Oct. 13 and Sun., Oct. 14, on Galveston Bay.

“The Johnstone family has made an undeniable mark on the world of sailing, “ remarked Goethe. In addition to the 5,400 J/24’s cruising the waves, there are over 7000 more J/Boats ranging from the International J/22 to the new J/70 Speedster that sailing enthusiasts have bought at prices ranging from $10,000 to $2,000,000.

The story began in 1975 when Johnstone, then an ad salesman for the sailing trade magazine Soundings, decided to build a sailboat he had been designing since the 1960’s. With $400 worth of fiberglass and wood, he built the 24’x9’ RAGTIME on weekends in his 3 car garage at home in Stonington, Connecticut. During the summer of 1976, with an all family crew aboard, RAGTIME beat everything in sight. Johnstone realized that he had created something special, and the story continues today.

The J/Fest Southwest Regatta weekend begins with the Skippers’ Meeting on Fri. night, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m. for check-in, meeting in the ballroom at 7:30 p.m. A pool party and dinner are planned after the races on Sat. The Awards Ceremony will take place in the ballroom after the races on Sun.

“The overall theme of the J/Fest Southwest Regatta, which is being sponsored by Scott and Terry Spurlin of J/Fest Southwest, is to provide a venue that is all inclusive to J/boat owners, their family, and friends,” explained Goethe. While racers are on the water, spouses, children and friends can enjoy a myriad of activities and tourist attractions in and around the Bay Area Houston arena. Brochures outlining these activities will be included in the skippers’ packets.

“Since the city of Seabrook is our title sponsor for our J/Fest Southwest Regatta, we hope that visiting racers and their families will take advantage of the fine facilities that the city has to offer,” added Fleet Captain Joyce Maxwell.

For further information and to register for the regatta, check www.JfestSouthwest.com

Harvest Moon Regatta Co-Founder John Broderick with his wife Kendra pictured at last year’s Harvest Moon Regatta festivities in Port Aransas

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.


By Rick Clapp

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. Their FISH TACO is to die for. Soups, both hot and cold are always fresh and popular. For dessert you must try Cuban Bread Pudding with a Flor de Cana Ron Sauce.

A wide selection of signature appetizers includes fabulous Crab Cake Duvalle, or a delicious combination of Flat-Grille Shrimp & Scallops. If you prefer to start your dining experience with a salad, Seafood Salad Louie is an excellent choice.

The dinner menu is vast and offers the best Certified Angus Beef steaks in town. Choose from twelve ounce Rib eyes, 14 ounce New York Strips, eight ounce Filet Mignons and everyone’s favorite Prime Rib. Another popular dish is the combination Steak & Cheese Enchiladas consisting of a Prime Rib with Jack and Cheddar cheese wrapped in corn tortillas

and drizzled with enchilada sauce, served with Cuban black beans, guacamole and pico de gallo! The grille also offers a creative selection of sandwiches, including French dip, burgers and chicken. Lunch at the grille is very affordable. Many items under ten dollars.

Mickey has created an atmosphere that includes chic art from the Eagle’s Nest Gallery in Kemah (for sale) combined with the tasteful

coastal decor of the grille. The restaurant has cozy booths throughout and a semi private room that will seat up to 30.

Complete your meal with one of South Shore Grille’s decadent desserts. Key Lime Pie, Crème Brule and Island Brownie are just a few of the selections and you can add to the enjoyment with a cup or Espresso or Cappucino.

Not only does South Shore Grille have excellent food and service, the Grille has extensive wine and martini offerings. Mickey personally oversees every detail and is adamant about the food quality and customer service.

A bar area separate from the restaurant is a great place to meet old and new friends and the outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy the cool fall weather.

If you haven’t yet been to South Shore Grill, make plans to go there soon. The restaurant is conveniently located at 2800 Marina Bay Drive in League City. Reservations are welcome but not required. For more information call 281-334-7700 or visit soshoregrille.com. Bon appétit!

An American Grille with a Cuban FlairSOUTH SHORE GRILLE

“The outdoor

patio is the perfect

place to enjoy the

cool fall weather.”

CHILI CON QUESO CON CARNE $10CUBAN CRUSTY CRITTERS $6MARINA BAY DIP $10SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP $10GUACAMOLE DIP $8GOURMET PIZZA $11STUFFED JALAPENOS (four) $6 or (six) $8CALAMARI DE HAVANA $9CRAB CAKE DUVALLE $13FLAT-GRILLE SCALLOPS $11QUESADILLAS (Chicken or Prime Rib) $9 or Combo $10

TORTILLA SOUP $4 cup/$5 lg. cupCUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP $4 cup/$5 lg. cupBAKED POTATO SOUP $4 cup/$5 lg. cup ROASTED CORN & SHRIMP CHOWDER $4 cup/$5 lg. cup CREAMY CHEESY SPINACH SOUP $4 cup/$5 lg. cupCHILLED AVOCADO SOUP (seasonal) $4 cup /$5 lg. cupCHICKEN SALAD DINNER $13.5“THE GREEK” $10or with grilled chicken $14SOUTH SHORE COBB SALAD $14PETITE COBB $12PRIME SALAD DINNER $14SEAFOOD SALAD LOUIE $15SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SALAD $14.5CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD $8 or with grilled chicken $12or with 4 oz. grilled salmon $14SMALL CAESAR SALAD $4 GARDEN SALAD $4

PARADISE CHEESEBURGER $10GOURMET BURGER $11SOUTH SHORE BURGER $11THE CUBAN $11GOURMET CUBAN $13GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH $9GOURMET CHICKEN SANDWICH $11CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH $10GRILLED GROUPER SANDWICH $13SHRIMP PO BOY $13CRAB CAKE SANDWICH $13ORIGINAL FRENCH DIP SANDWICH $11

FRESH FISHServed with your choice of two sidesATLANTIC SALMON $19GROUPER $20REDFISH $22MAHI MAHI $19CATFISH $14

REDFISH PONCHARTRAIN $26RAINBOW TROUT CON CRABMEAT SALSA $18GROUPER & SHRIMP HAVANA $23CARIBBEAN GROUPER $25FRIED SHRIMP $18FLAT-GRILLE SHRIMP & SCALLOPS $21CUBAN FISH TACOS $13STEAK & CHEESE ENCHILADAS $14FETTUCCINE ALFREDO $13 or with grilled chicken $17

PRIME RIB $19CUBAN CHICKEN MELT $17CHAR-GRILLED CHICKEN $12POLLO TROPICAL $16CHICKEN ROYALE $15CHICKEN FRIED STEAK $14CHOPPED STEAK $14RIBEYE $29NEW YORK STRIP $29FILET MIGNON $28


We offer exceptional expertise, state-of-the-art technology

and a wide range of screening and diagnostic tools to care for each patient. Just as each woman is unique, so too is our Breast Care Center. Here’s why:

Focused Expertise,Fast Results

A specialized breast radiologist reads all mammograms at the Breast Care Center-Southeast. This means that the doctor reading your mammogram or performing your biopsy has the highest level of experience and education in breast imaging. “As a specialist, my goal is to catch breast cancer earlier,” explains Jibi Thomas, M.D., a fellowship-trained breast radiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southeast. “Most mammograms are not read by specialists. My expertise enables me to detect abnormalities earlier.”

Dr. Thomas also meets with patients directly to discuss their results. Patients can ask questions and learn results faster. Most women undergoing a diagnostic mammogram know the outcome before leaving the Center. “Waiting for results can be difficult,” says Dr. Thomas. “We try to reduce anxiety by providing information quickly. We can move forward with treatment right away if necessary.”

Comprehensive ServicesThe Breast Care Center-

Southeast offers a wide range of advanced screening and diagnostic tools, including digital mammograms, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy

and stereotactic biopsy. The Center also helps facilitate care if cancer is found. Our staff works closely with oncologists, surgeons and other specialists, discussing each patient case to ensure the best care. The Center’s Nurse Navigator helps the patient throughout the process, including making appointments, assisting with

biopsies and even holding her hand through a procedure. “My mother survived breast cancer,” explains Dr. Thomas. “She’s the reason I specialize in breast imaging and believe in the difference a comprehensive breast care center can make.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthWhen was your last mammogram? Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital offers extended hours for appointments during the month of October. Screening mammograms do not require an order from your physician. To make an appointment, call 281.929.6485.

Breast Care That Supports You Every Step of the WayIn the fight against breast cancer, accurate screening and precise diagnosis are vital and at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, we take this fight seriously.

“The Breast Care Center-Southeast offers a wide range of advanced screening and diagnostic tools.”

Rena Green assists a patient before her mammogram.

Memorial Hermann Southeast Cancer Center lobby.

Dr. Jibi Thomas reviews digital mammography films with technologist, Rena Green.

Breast Care That Supports You Every Step of the Way


By Betha Merit

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

Dr. Woody provides the full spectrum of both non-operative and operative treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions of the spine and upper extremity. He has extensive experience in reconstruction and joint replacement of

the shoulder and elbow. He completed a fellowship under the guidance of three world-renowned surgeons; Dr. Charles Rockwood Jr. who pioneered shoulder replacement techniques, Dr. Bernard Morrey who is the world expert in elbow reconstruction and replacement, and Dr. Michael Wirth who is a world expert in total shoulder replacement. “I am excited to join Dr. Burke in the two areas of joint replacement surgery and sports medicine,” says Dr. Woody.

Additionally, Dr. Woody has considerable experience in the care of fractures from his residency as an attending physician at a Level 1 trauma center. Dr. Woody served as Team Physician for Humble ISD Athletics for Atascocita, Humble, Kingwood Park, and Summer Creek High Schools from 2011 to 2012.

A native Texan, Dr. Woody graduated with honors from Trinity University,

San Antonio in three years with a degree in chemistry, where he was also elected Phi Beta Kappa. He continued on to Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Health

Science Center at San Antonio.Dr. Woody is married and has a two-

year old son that he says, “Is more than I can handle; he is a real character.” His wife, Mitra, is from Houston and active in committees for the Houston Junior League. They both participate in the community through Houston’s Children’s

Museum and Museum of Fine Arts. “Mitra is on hiatus from practicing law, and busier than ever raising our son,” says Dr. Woody. Being in the outdoors, camping, and duck-hunting are favorite pastimes for Dr. Woody.

Dr. Burke is one of the first surgeons in Texas to offer TRUMATCH Personalized

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.

“Dr. Woody has considerable experience in the care of fractures from his residency as an attending physician at a Level 1 trauma center.”


Solutions, a surgical instrumentation and computer software system designed to aid in knee implant positioning and procedure efficiency. “I am especially impressed that TRUMATCH cuts down on the risk of infection and complications of surgery,” says Dr. Burke. TRUMATCH is a system that

utilizes CT scans and computer software to guide the development and production of femoral and tibial cutting blocks that are individually prepared to match the actual bone surfaces of each patient. Precise positioning of the knee implant is critical to its overall performance. Also, the use of CT scans, rather than MRIs,

results in improved bone imaging, less scanning time and lower costs.

Positioning of the knee replacement is crucial. Compare it to getting an alignment on new tires for your car. Without proper alignment, there will be uneven wear and tear and possibly tire failure. “Your knee is a weight bearing joint, and is critical to overall mobility,” says Dr. Burke.

Dr. Burke has been in practice since 1992 and affiliated with Fondren

Orthopedic Group since 1995. He is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Texas Orthopedic Association, Texas Sports Medicine Society as well as several others. He continues to focus his care in areas that are developing new techniques on a regular basis to provide his patients with the most up to date medical care.

Stem cell treatment for cartilage disorders of the knee is a new and exciting procedure for which Dr. Burke has been named lead investigator for the study by Texas Orthopedic Hospital. Stem cell treatment promotes advanced cartilage healing. It is not yet FDA approved, but available through employing a monitored study protocol. “We will begin enrollment for the study soon,” says Dr. Burke.

Fondren Orthopedic Group L.L.P. is recognized

nationally as one of the largest and most comprehensive association of private orthopedic surgery practitioners in Houston. Formed in 1973, the group has more than 40 surgeons. Because of its physicians’ long-standing reputations for leadership in the field of orthopedic surgery, as well as in teaching and research, Fondren Orthopedic Group has become one of the nations most respected and well-established orthopedic practices.

The Pearland office is located at 10223 Broadway, Suite A, Pearland, Texas 77584, phone: 713.436.3488 The Pasadena office is 4001 Preston, Suite 150, Pasadena, Texas 77505, phone: 281.991.8000.

“I am especially impressed that TRUMATCH cuts down on the risk of infection and complications of surgery.”


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. Chambers of Commerce, in general, and the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, specifically, reflect a culture of entrepreneurship, citizenship and leadership that define the qualities, the spirit and character, indeed the culture of what makes America great.

Entrepreneurship Small businesses (those with less than

500 employees – and, frequently with as few as 20 or less employees) are the backbone of Chambers of Commerce and America’s private sector economy. Certainly, that is true among the 1,000 members of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. While I personally have the pleasure of working for a large aerospace company (Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company), I recognize that across our nation and throughout our community it is small business that creates the jobs, goods and services that drive prosperity. The spirit of entrepreneurship is the spirit of small business; it is where the rubber-hits-the-road and where ingenuity, hard work and calculated risk-taking come together to spell success for the United States.

Citizenship Citizenship in this great nation entails

more than a person’s legal status, it also engages a spirit of civic awareness, active involvement in our communities and caring for those in need. Members of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce volunteer their time to support a wide range of activities and events that enhance the quality of life in our community. The Ballunar Liftoff Festival – NASA Johnson Space Center

Open House which both entertains those who attend and educates them about the heritage and future of America’s human space exploration program is a prime example. We sponsor forums for those seeking elected office and encourage voter registration and the casting of ballots for candidates of choice. Our Chamber’s not-for-profit member organizations are also part of a culture that promotes the common good and provides a safety net for those with special needs.

LeadershipThroughout its history, the Clear

Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has been blessed with leaders with the vision and determination to make a difference. Consistent with our

“Chamber 2012 Vision” statement, they have endeavored to provide “leadership and service to a prosperous and vibrant community.” I speak from personal experience as I have served with our President Cindy Harreld, Vice President Shari Sweeney and the entire Chamber team. I was preceded as Chairman of the Board by Richard Allen (Space

Center Houston), who emphasized we must be a member-focused organization, and our “We’re All About U!” campaign became central to that mandate. My successor, Mike Furin (My Flooring America), is prepared to raise the bar again, taking us to the next level in executing our Chamber Mission of “business growth, educational excellence and community connections.”

For the past 50 years our Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has contributed to that exceptional genius that is America, and I have no doubt that we will do so for many more decades to come!

Chambers and the Genius of America

Joe Mayer is the Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin’s Orion Spacecraft Program and Chairman of the Board at CLACC

By Joe Mayer

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!

“For the past 50 years our Clear Lake

Area Chamber of Commerce

has contributed to that

exceptional genius that is

America.”


Owned by Hall of Fame basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon, the historic mansion on NASA Parkway has been undergoing a renovation over the past several months,

giving it a fashionable new look -- accented with a red roof -- as it enters a new era.

Olajuwon Farms, which owns the property, applied for a building permit with the City of Pasadena to open a flagship store for a clothing line. Shortly thereafter, Olajuwon said on his website, “We are designing a new line of clothing, collaborating on a collection of leather bags and accessories and sourcing modern furniture.”

Since then, nothing. No one is allowed on the grounds of the mansion, and the website has not been updated. We will know when we know. In the meantime, it’s a secret.

The 17,000-square-foot Italian renaissance villa was built in 1930 by oil and cattle tycoon James Marion West, who came to Houston in 1905 after making his fortune in lumber, and purchased the 30,000-acre property that extended from Todville Road on Galveston Bay all the way to Ellington Field and South Houston.

Described at the time as “the most pretentious home in Harris County,” it was built at a cost of $500,000. Today the property is listed on the tax rolls at $3.4 million.

“No money will be spared to make this one of the showplaces of the country,” West said as he hired famed Houston architect Joseph S. Finger to design the 45-room summer home, according to historical accounts,

which listed some of the lavish details in the plans – “marble floors, fountains, golf-leaf bathroom fixtures and door knobs and mahogany and walnut paneling made by West’s own cabinet makers in his lumber yard.

“Fifty-two box cars full of materials were used to construct the mansion, which had 16 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and featured a sleeping porch, solarium a two-story living room and a room for a private barber. The home was built of hollow tile, stucco and steel beams with a Spanish tile roof built with handmade tiles, which has withstood almost a century of hurricanes with only minimal damage.”

The home site included a two-story cottage for a caretaker, clay tennis courts, a heated swimming pool, barns, garages and servants’ quarters and was a spectacular party location and gathering place for Houston socialites until oil was discovered on the property and the house was sold to Humble Oil for $8.5 million plus royalties.

West later purchased newspapers in Dallas and Austin before his death at age 57 while on a business trip to Kansas City. His son, James M. West Jr., was known as Silver Dollar Jim for his habit of driving around town tossing silver dollars out the window of one of his 40 Cadillacs.

For nearly a dozen years, the mansion stood vacant and a target of vandals until Humble Oil deeded it to Rice University in 1957. Part of the giant ranch then was given by Rice to NASA and became what is now the Johnson Space Center.

From 1970 until 1990, the mansion became the home of the Lunar Planetary Institute in association with NASA. But the institute found new quarters in 1990, leaving the home vacant once again until it was purchased in 1994 by the Pappas Restaurant family and put back on the market in 2003.

Again, the property sat vacant, except for an occasional charity gala held on the grounds, until Olajuwon bought the property in October 2006 for an undisclosed sum and quickly sold it to developer Opus West that wanted to turn the property into a senior living center.

That was not to be as Opus West declared bankruptcy in July 2009, and the mansion reverted back to the former Houston Rocket star.

Meanwhile, the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance placed the property on its Endangered Buildings List and was able to have it named one of Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places in February 2007. GHPA members also found an amendment to the West Mansion deed that prevented demolition of the historic house for at least five years (July 2012).

The amendment, signed July 13, 1992 by representative of Exxon and Rice University, says the property owner agrees to “maintain and preserve the West Mansion and … land in good condition and not allow the mansion and … land to deteriorate or to demolish or allow the West Mansion to be demolished” for a period of 20 years.”

West Mansion Getting a New Lease on LifeBy Mary Alys Cherry

THE WEST MANSION is beginning a new chapter in its long, elegant life overlooking Clear Lake – reportedly as a upscale retail establishment.

“The 17,000-square-foot Italian renaissance villa was built in 1930 by oil and cattle tycoon James Marion West.”


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.

The $25,000, he told RNASA Foundation directors and guests at a dinner at Cullen’s Upscale Grille, coupled with $7,700 given the program for student T-shirts earlier this year, brings the total donation this year to $32,700.

“By contributing to the Aerospace Scholars Program,” he explained, “we are funding the Texas Aerospace Scholars, which consists of Texas middle-school, high school program and community college and internships; Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars (WISH), a nationwide program; and The National Community College Aerospace Scholars.”

“With this generous RNASA donation, we are able to continue to positively impact the lives of young people here in the state of Texas as well as across the United States by offering NASA Aerospace Scholars,” Smith said after the presentation.

To date over, 10,700 students and educators have participated in the projects, she added.

As the winner of the National Space Trophy, Mike Coats was allowed to designate the beneficiaries of $10,000 of the gala proceeds and asked that $5,000 go to the Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program and $5,000 to WISH.

Previous recipients of RNASA Foundation gala proceeds include Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Space Center Houston, the U.S. Air Force Academy Endowment, Parks College of Engineering at St. Louis University, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., On Wings of Eagles Foundation of Bloomfield, Colo., and the National Flight Academy adjacent to the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla.

The RNASA Foundation was founded by the Space Center Rotary Club in 1985 to organize and coordinate an annual event to recognize outstanding achievements in space and create greater public awareness of the benefits of space exploration, Gonzalez said.

The nonprofit foundation presents the National Space Trophy and Stellar Awards honoring outstanding space scientists and engineers each year. Two previous National Space Trophy winners, Chris Kraft and Glynn Lunney, and their wives were guests at the dinner at Cullen’s.

Photos and story by Mary Alys Cherry

RNASA donating $32,700to NASA Aerospace Scholars

Marilyn and Glynn Lunney, right, stop to say hello to Carolyn Bennett, Betty Kraft and Bob Wren, from left, as they make their way through the RNASA crowd at Cullen’s.

Retired Johnson Space Center Director Chris Kraft, left, talks with Floyd Bennett at the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation dinner.

RNASA Chairman Rodolfo Gonzalez, left, welcomes Space Center Rotary President Marilyn Musial and her husband, Wayne, as they arrive at Cullen’s for the RNASA dinner.

Faces in the crowd at the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation dinner at Cullen’s included, from left, Gary Johnson, Duane Ross, Dr. Jean Walker and Bill Taylor.


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.

Expect a lengthy ballot, and remember these dates:

• Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the November election.

• Oct. 30 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.

• Early voting will run from Oct. 22-Nov. 2.

League City will be right in the thick of it all as candidates vie with one another to win one of three city council seats – Position 3, 4 and 5 – and voters decide seven propositions.

Two incumbents, Mick Phalen and Phyllis Sanborn both have opposition. Heidi Thiess will challenge Phalen while Geri Bentley is running against Sanborn.

Meanwhile, John Babcock, Todd Kinsey and Jay F. Ewend will vie for the Position 4 seat, which is being vacated by Mike Lee, who chose not to run for re-election.

League City voters also will decide if they want to hold city elections every two years and allow council members to serve four-year terms instead of the current three; give the mayor a vote in all council decisions; prohibit renewal of the red light contract; and determine what is a council quorum.

The last proposal provides that a council member who is absent for three consecutive meetings of the council of any kind, including special meetings or

workshops “shall be determined to have vacated the office.” It does not allow for any sickness or vacations.

Other contests expected to be spirited include congressional races for the District 14 seat between former Congressman Nick Lampson (D), Pearland City Councilman Randy Weber (R) and Zach Grady (L); and the District 36 race between former congressman and financial advisor Steve Stockman of Friendswood (R) and Max Martin (D), a pilot, of Clear Lake City. District 22 incumbent Pete Olson (R) is once again being challenged by Kesha Rogers (D).

The new District 36 includes Nassau Bay, part of Clear Lake City, El Lago, Taylor Lake Village, Seabrook

and Shoreacres, plus the Baytown, Channelview, Deer Park, La Porte, Morgan’s Point, Highlands, Sheldon and Crosby.

State Rep. Craig Eiland (D-Galveston), an attorney, is being challenged by insurance agent Wayne Faircloth (R) of Dickinson for his District 23 seat, while Greg Bonnen (R) of Pearland, a physician, and Rusty Cates (D), a Clear Lake business owner, will slug it out for the District 24 state house seat formerly held by Larry Taylor (R), the Friendswood insurance agent who is the Republican nominee for State Senate

District 11 and is opposed by Pearland housewife, Jacquelyn Acquistapace (D).

District 129 State Rep. John Davis (R) of Clear Lake City is unopposed as he runs for his 8th term.

Other high profile races include those for Harris County district attorney between Mike Anderson (R) and Lloyd Oliver (D); for Harris County sheriff between incumbent Adrian Garcia (D) and Louis Guthrie (R); with Henry Trochesset (R) and John W. Pruitt (D) hoping to replace Galveston County Sheriff Freddie Poor, who is retiring at the end of his term.

And, of course, President Barack Obama (D) is being challenged by former Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and former State

Solicitor Ted Cruz (R) and former State Rep. Paul Sandler (D) are running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Clear Lake City residents also will take part in the $410 million City of Houston bond vote, which will not require a tax increase.

The bonds are needed to fund capital improvement projects such as foundation and roof repairs to several city-owned buildings, to build new police and fire stations, improvements to libraries, parks, health, trash and recycling facilities and to demolish blighted properties.

District 14 U.S. Rep.Nick Lampson (D)Randy Weber (R)Zach Grady (L)

District 36 U.S. Rep.Max Martin (D)Steve Stockman (R)

District 23 State Rep.Craig Eiland (D)Wayne Faircloth (R)

District 129 State Rep.John Davis (R)

Galveston County sheriffJohn W. Pruitt (D)Henry Trochesset (R)

Harris County sheriffAdrian Garcia (D)Louis Guthrie (R)

Harris County attorneyVince Ryan (D)Robert Talton (R)

Harris County DAMike Anderson (R)Lloyd Oliver (D)

Galveston County Commissioner Pct. 1Ryan Dennard (R)Winston Cochran (D)

League City CouncilPosition 3Mick Phalen (i), 65, retiredHeidi Thiess, 42, firearms dealer

Position 4John E. Babcock, 53,safety engineerTodd Kinsey, 42, freelance writerJay Frederick Ewend, 51, dishwasher

Position 5Geri Bentley, 69, interior designerPhyllis Sanborn (i), 59, retired

By Mary Alys Cherry

It’s almost time to

CANDIDATES

“League City will be right in the thick of it all as candidates vie with one another to win one of three city council seats – Position 3, 4 and 5 – and voters decide seven propositions.”


LOCAL LAW HONORED

MISS KEMAHMAKES TOP 16 AT MISS TEXAS USA

League City Acting Police Chief Doug Wologo, right, and City Manager Mike Loftin were onlookers when Space Center Rotary honored the area Law Enforcement Officers of the Year.

Miss Kemah 2012, Erin Kay, advanced to the Top 16 finalists at the Miss Texas USA Pageant held in Houston on September 2.

Over 111 bright and lovely young women from all over Texas came from around the state to compete. Congratulations to Miss Kay on making the coveted Top 16!

Houston Police Department Senior Officer Phillip Shaffer, center, has been named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by Space Center Rotary. Other finalists selected from a number of nominees for the Law Enforcement Distinguished Service Award and honored by the Rotary Club are, from left, League City Detectives Stephen Antley and Walter Hammann, HPD Sgt. June Frost, who accepted for Officer Tony Jafari, and Precinct 8 Deputy Constable Christopher Yetter. Shaffer, a 27 -year veteran in HPD’s Clear Lake substation who some years ago answered the call when Andrea Yates drowned her children, was cited for his many successes over the years.


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 conditions; stay on top of payments; and realize the true cost of purchases made with credit. Using a credit card is like taking out a loan. If you don’t pay your card balance in full each month, you’ll pay interest on that loan.

Choose WiselyThe best way to maximize the benefits

of credit cards is to understand your financial lifestyle - your money needs and wants. Once you determine how you’ll use a credit card, it’s important to understand all of the card’s features including: • Annual Percentage Rates (APRs)

and whether rates are fixed or variable

• Annual, late and over-limit fees• Credit limit on account• Grace periods before interest begins

accruing• Rewards including airline miles or

cash back

Stay AlertSome credit card issuers offer free,

personalized and automatic alert messages to your phone and email to help you keep track of:• Available credit• Balances• Payment due dates• Payment histories• Purchase activity

Understand Your RightsCredit cardholders are entitled to

protections:• Zero liability means you are not

responsible for fraudulent charges when you report them promptly.

• In some cases, you have the right to dispute purchases with merchants for unsatisfactory products or services.

Follow the 20-10 RuleThis general “rule of thumb” helps

you understand how much credit you can afford. Credit cards are loans, so avoid borrowing more than 20 percent of your annual net income on all of your loans (not including a mortgage). And payments on those loans shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of your monthly net income.

This article is brought to you by a partnership between Visa and Texas First Bank and was authored by Jason Alderman, who directs Visa’s financial education programs. For more information, follow Texas First Bank on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube or visit us at www.texasfirstbank.com.

“If you don’t pay your card balance in full each month, you’ll pay interest on that loan.”


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 reading “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 and personal are all valid criteria for selecting a company name, but there are other considerations that should not be overlooked.

Common sense holds that a business should not use the name of a competitor. A competitor will not accept someone using its name to compete. Business names have value and any attempt to take or even confuse a competitor’s business name is improper and will likely result in a lawsuit for serious damages. There is also the risk that the competitor was not worth copycatting - the Yugo brand has little value.

The globalization of business and the internet increase the risk of name confusion, even for businesses on different continents. Selecting a business name entails online searches and research of global business databases, not just the local resources. For example, Apple, Inc. defends its brand worldwide even if someone is only selling trinkets in Kemah.

Even businesses that do not compete should avoid using names that are similar to names of existing businesses. After all, who would want to have piggy-backed on the name “Enron” or “WorldCom” and be branded with that name now? Every penny of advertising, marketing and networking would have been lost and re-branding would likely be cost-prohibitive to overturn a negative image.

Businesses that use an assumed name, or “Doing Business As” (dba), must file the assumed name with the county in which it operates. This is true both for business entities using an assumed name, as well as sole proprietors using a name other than the owner’s name. The county clerk will usually check for other assumed names already in place in the county and will typically refuse

to accept an assumed name filing that is the same as an existing filing. However, it is wise to also conduct an independent search to assure no conflicts. Online searches for existing assumed names can be made at the websites for the Harris, Galveston and Brazoria County Clerks.

A business that wants to be legally organized as a corporation or limited liability company cannot have a name that is the same or “deceptively similar” to the name of another entity. “Deceptively similar” is, of course, vague, and the Secretary of State has rules for making that determination. The Secretary of State will refuse all such filings. A search of the Secretary of State’s office for available business names can be made by telephone or online at www.sos.state.tx.us.gov.

A business entity cannot use a word or phrase that the business is not authorized to pursue. For example, a business that is not an engineering firm cannot use “engineer” in its name. While this sounds like common sense, it causes problems down the road for the company when disregarded.

Businesses may use trademarks in their business name. “Coca-Cola” and “Exxon” are two such examples. A business other than the Coca-Cola Company and Exxon Mobil Corporation, however, cannot use these trademarks in their business name. Federal trademarks can be searched on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website at www.uspto.gov. There are also state trademarks, although they are less common.

The road to selecting a business name is fun. However, the way can be filled with potholes. Thorough checking before starting the business can save time, money, effort and a great deal of angst in the future.

The County Clerk websites can be found at:Harris County:www.cclerk.hctx.netGalveston County:www.co.galveston.tx.us/county_clerkBrazoria County:www.brazoriacountyclerk.net

Greg Crinion is a partner atCrinion Davis & Richardson LLPwww.cdrlegal.com

By Greg Crinion

It’s Not Just a Branding ExerciseSelecting a name for your company requires searching federal and state trademark office resources


Clear Lake CityHouston City Councilman Mike

Sullivan will host a District E Candidates’ Forum and Town Hall meeting Monday, Oct. 8, at the UH-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., in the Garden Room of the Bayou Building beginning promptly at 6 p.m., with the candidates’ forum starting at 6:30 p.m.

City of Houston Department representatives will present updates on District E projects and be available to answer questions, and all three candidates for the District E seat will participate in the forum.

NASA has selected Barrios Technology Ltd. to provide mission and program integration services for the International Space Station Program at the Johnson Space Center. The two-year base contract begins Oct. 1 and extends through Sept. 30, 2014. The total potential value of the contract is $384.7 million. Subcontractors on the contract include ARES Technical Services Corp. of Houston and Booz Allen Hamilton of McLean, Va.

DickinsonRhonda Alvarez of Dickinson is living

a dream these days. She won $1.2 million playing a slot machine in Lake Charles, La., during Labor Day weekend at the L’Auberge Casino Resort. Earlier, her husband won $13,000 during a visit to the same casino.

El LagoEl Lago City Hall has moved to its new

location at 411 Tallowood Drive, next to the El Lago Racquet Club and pool complex. There are still a few things left to do but we are operational, City Secretary Ann Vernon said recently. Several streets also are under construction as part of a project that will last about a year.

Galveston

Galveston has avoided an extensive court battle by agreeing to rebuild public housing destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Mayor Lewis Rosen and City Council had to renege on campaign promises and crater to federal and state demands or lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid.

The 135-year-old tall ship Elissa is undergoing a second restoration at Bollinger Shipyard in Texas City to repair damages she suffered during Hurricane Ike. The Galveston Historical Foundation,

which owns the ship, was recently awarded $1.4 million by the Federal Emergency Management Agency because of hull corrosion caused by hurricane damages and expects to get her sailing again early next year.

KemahThe old Kemah schoolhouse, which

today serves as the city’s Visitor’s Center, is 100 years old. Opened in 1912, it served as a school until Stewart Elementary opened in 1949.

League CityCity Council was able to lower League

City’s tax rate by 1.3 cents to 59.7 cents per $100 property valuation as it approved $205 million in spending for the coming year.

Nassau BayHarris County Commissioners Court,

at the request of Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman, has approved funding for the reconstruction of Harbour Drive, between West Indies Court and Windward Lane, and the cul-de-sac ends of Grenada Lane and Windward Lane in Nassau Bay. The project cost estimate to complete this work is $914,000. Public Works Director Paul Lopez will meet with county engineers soon to discuss all improvements and concerns.

PasadenaRecently retired Dobie High Principal

Steve Jamail has been named Region 4 Principal of the Year for 2012 by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Jamail, who retired in January after 11 years as Dobie’s principal, joins winners from the state’s 19 other Education Service Center regions in a pool of candidates for the honor of Texas Principal of the Year title. He served 20 years at Dobie, the first nine as an assistant football coach and then as an assistant principal. He received his bachelor’s degree from TCU, where he played football. His career in education spanned 40 years.

SeabrookCity Council has amended its noise

ordinance to prohibit “unreasonable noise.”

Which translates to “Disturbance of a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities prohibited.” The fine can run as high as $2,000. Better keep it down.

In the News . . . .Been off on vacation? Here’s some of the things making the news around Bay Area Houston.

Friday, October 5, 2012“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic, Galveston, TX) - 8pm

Saturday, October 6, 2012ArtWalk (Galveston Arts Center & Other Galleries, 2501 Market St., Galveston, TX) - 6 – 9pm

Haunted Mayfield Manor (Haunted Mayfield Manor, 2313 Harborside Dr., Galveston, TX) - 11am – 9pm

Friday, October 12, 2012Texas Coast Boat & Outdoor Show Galveston Yacht Basin, 715 N Holiday Dr, Galveston, TX) - Fri, October 12

Saturday, October 13, 2012Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Stewart Beach, 201 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, TX) - 7:30 – 10:30am

29th Annual Greek Festival (Greek Orthodox Church, 1824 Ball St, Galveston, TX) - 11am – 7pm

Saturday, October 20, 2012ARToberFEST (2200 Postoffice St., Galveston, TX) - Sat, October 20 – Sun, October 21

Toughest 10K Galveston (The Daily News, 8522 Teichman Road, Galveston, TX) - 7 – 9am

Saturday, October 27, 2012D’Feet Breast Cancer (Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX) - 6am

Island Oktoberfest (First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2415 Ave G, Galveston, TX) - 11am – 11pm

Saengerfest Park Mini Monster Bash (Saengerfest Park, 2302 The Strand, Galveston, TX) - 1 – 4pm

Sunday, October 28, 2012Ghostly Gardens (Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX) - 2 – 4pm



BayTran Chairman Karen Coglianese welcomes Seabrook Mayor Glenn Royal, Congressman Pete Olson and Kemah City Administrator Rick Bevlin, from left, to the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership Luncheon at Cullen’s, where Rep. Olson addressed the crowd.

Texas pride and pony

rides at the 2012

Pasadena Livestock

Show and Rodeo.

Gwen Griffin introduces Robert Sakowitz around as he arrives at Bay Oaks Country Club to hear Col. Len Waterworth address the crowd at the BAHEP meeting.

Congressman Gene Green and his wife, Helen, right, stop to talk with Port of Houston Executive Director Len Waterworth during reception hosted by Houston Mayor Annise Parker to honor her new Deputy Chief of Staff Kippy Caraway of Clear Lake.

Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan, right, introduces District E council candidate Dave Martin at the recent Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership reception.

Space Center Rotary President Marilyn Musial, left, and President-elect Sheryl Berg attend the Houston reception honoring their fellow Rotarian, Kippy Caraway, who is Houston’s new deputy chief of staff for legislative matters.

Bay Area Houston Economic

Partnership President Bob Mitchell, right,

welcomes State Rep. Larry Taylor, Port

Commissioner Steve Phelps and Port

Executive Director Col. Len Waterworth

to the recent BAHEP meeting at Bay Oaks Country

Club in Clear Lake. Col. Waterworth

gave the keynote address.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry


The Space Shuttle Endeavour lands in Ellington Field for a brief pit stop on the way to its new home in California. Grass

skirt dancers complete the vibe on stage at the 11th Annual Aloha Tex Fest.

CLACC ribbon cuttings held last month for Motor Trend (top), Seabrook Waffle Co. (far left) and Hair by Johanna (left).

Photos by Natalie Epperley


By Mary Alys Cherry

“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.”

To which¸ UH -Clear Lake President Dr. Bill Staples added, “The challenge is that we must .we must reinvest in education at all levels due to the major budget cuts in the last (legislative ) session. Most communities would kill for what we have – great schools and a great university.”

Both educators sharing the luncheon podium were hard hit by the severe budget cuts and have been struggling ever since to provide their students with the education they deserve with less and less funds.

“We need our children to be innovators, problem solvers and self-directed learners,” Smith said, (yet) “at the state level, our legislators and the leader of the state chamber organization think we need less of that and more standardized tests. Guess what, they are getting their way unless we do something.”

CCISD, he said, has been selected as one of the 20 high performing school consortium districts in a pilot to design an alternative assessment system which creates a more balanced system that “puts the love of learning and teaching back into public education.

“More than 20 percent of the academic calendar is spent on state required testing. This doesn’t take into account SAT, ACT or AP testing, the true measures of college potential. If you want a generation of great multiple choice takers, then stay idle.

“If you want a highly motivated, creative and collaborative workforce, I urge this chamber to join other chambers in passing a resolution against this movement of high stakes testing and advocate for meaningful student assessment.”

Staples said that for the university, “the 2011 Texas legislative session was both bad news and good news. The bad news, which affected all of us, was major budget reductions for all levels of education with UHCL receiving a 20 percent reduction in state appropriations.

“Simply put, like CCISD, we are serving more students with significantly less funding,” adding that “due to the hard

work of many people at UHCL, we did not lay off a single person, although we did leave a number of positions vacant.

“The good news, and in our case very good news, was that Sen. Mike Jackson sponsored Senate Bill 324 and Rep. John Davis sponsored House Bill 706 . . . signed by Governor Perry in July 2011 – giving UH-Clear Lake legislative authority to offer freshman and sophomore level courses.”

The addition of freshmen and sophomores in 2014 “would not have happened without the support of our business, education and government partners. They all expressed support. I especially want to thank the Clear Lake Area Chamber and CCISD for their support. They told our legislators this was a good idea. It needed to be done.”

But, the UHCL president warned, “the reduction of the last session cannot become the new normal. We must reinvest in education at all levels due to major budget cuts in the last session…For our community, it is critical that we not only maintain, but enhance our educational infrastructure. Your support, as leaders of the business community, will be critical to our success, and your voices in support of education with our legislators must be heard.”

Smith also expressed concern about legislative budget cuts, noting that about one-fifth of the schools are 40 years or older and in need of critical repairs or a complete rebuild. “While we successfully balanced the budget this year despite another $5 million less from the state, we simply do not have the available funds to accommodate the facility and growth needs of the district.

A citizens committee has been established by the school board to prioritize our needs, he explained, “and, if necessary, we will come to voters to ask for your support for a bond in May. I also know there is a movement to get our students a second stadium, as well. With five high schools now we simply can’t do five varsity games in one stadium. None the less, that will be for the community to consider.”

Educators Seek Community Support in Meeting State Budget Challenges

(Left) Clear Lake Chamber Vice President Shari Sweeney, left, welcomes CCISD’s Eva deCardenas and new Technology Director Kevin Schwartz. (Right)uH-Clear Lake President Dr. Bill Staples, left, and Clear Creek ISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith stop for photos after addressing the Clear Lake Area Chamber luncheon.


Educators Seek Community Support in Meeting State Budget Challenges


Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac Hyundai is providing a $5,000 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,” says Bob Abernathy, President. “The students, families and faculty of the five high schools will have the opportunity to compete by voting and sharing the poll to attain the highest number of votes to win the largest awards.”

The school team with the most votes will win $2,500. The second place school will win $1,000, third place receives $750, fourth place $500 and the fifth place school will win $250 for a total donation of $5,000.

“All the students and families have to do is text “p-l-a-y” to 71441 or go to

roncarterclearlake.com for details,” said Abernathy.

As an added feature, when people opt-in to the text system they will be linked to their CCISD team’s “Play of the Week” from the previous week.

“We will also archive all the weekly outstanding ‘Plays of the Week’ so that the viewer can select which play they want to view,” said Abernathy.

“We are proud to be a part of the vibrant Clear Lake community. We want to be good neighbors and contribute to keep Clear Lake flourishing. Our goal is to become the top selling Cadillac Hyundai dealership in the Houston metro area and I think our ongoing community outreach and marketing programs will help us achieve that goal.”

Ron Carter Clear Lake Cadillac/Hyundai is located at 18,100 Gulf Freeway, exit 29 and can be reached at 281-283-7000 or at www.roncarterclearlake.com

As senior year approaches for many students and parents across the nation, they feel a sense of sadness of having their

children prepare to leave the nest, but also a sense of joy knowing that their child is taking their first steps toward adulthood. Many seniors at Clear Creek High School and the rest of CCISD have a butterfly feeling in the pit of their stomachs knowing that graduation is only a short time away.

“I’m excited for the rest of football season and Homecoming,” said Clear Creek High School senior Holly Doran.

Clear Creek High played Ridge Point High School on September 2, 2012 and scored a mauling 45 points to Ridge’s 17, with junior Jarrett Hildreth making his first Varsity appearance as quarterback.

“The first game of the season was a blast, the student section was packed!” said Sarah Hughes, Creek Symphonic Choir Historian. “I hope to see even more of a turn out at all of the other games and especially homecoming.”

As the Wildcats feel the crisp autumn air flow on the filed during practice, they can’t help but to think of homecoming. With Garters to be bought and mums to be made, many high school students in the south would have to say that Homecoming is their favorite time of the school year. Upon seeing glitter,

ribbon and cowbells in the local craft store, both teenagers and adults become equally excited for Clear Creek to play Clear Brook on October 26.

With opponents such as Clear Falls, Baytown Sterling and Kingwood, Clear Creek is up for quite a matchup this season. Since the opening of Clear Springs High School, Creek and Springs have had a raging rivalry. Clear Creek has lost every game against Clear Springs since the 2010 season. Many students and faculty of Creek are eager for the last game of the season against Clear Springs on November 9.

After the football season is over, seniors start preparing for prom and the thought of graduation lingers in the back of their minds. High school is filled with many life lessons, academic learning, critical moments and exceptional memories.

“When they say High School goes by fast, they aren’t kidding,” said Senior Matt McCullough. “I’m going to miss all of my football coaches, teammates and friends.”

Throughout the semester and school year, we will make lifelong friends and remember the wise words of our teachers, coaches and mentors. With many months to go, the class of 2012 will definitely make this a year to remember.

Ron Carter Dealership Funds Grant for CCISD Football Program

Time Flies for CCISD SeniorsBy Nina Cortez

The 2nd annual, overnight Family Camp at Echo Hill Ranch recently brought together eight special families for a week full of fun – including horseback riding, archery, crafts and swimming – facilitated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Center for Family Strengths (CFS) at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). UHD Professor Alvin Sallee worked closely with Roger Friedman, Ph.D., psychologist and social worker, to coordinate logistics for the camp.

Brianna Mendez, 8, enjoyed a picnic lunch at Family Camp at Echo Hill Ranch in the Texas Hill Country this summer. Family Camp is the only camp of its kind in the country that caters to extended families of abused and neglected children.

UHD Builds Confidence for Abused and Neglected Children with Camp

UHCL Women Studies Advisory Board

University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Women Studies Advisory Board met in early August to discuss the 2012-2013 academic year. Pictured are members of the board including (left to right) Professor of Psychology Sharon Hall, Assistant Professor in Humanities Shreerekha Subramanian, alumna, 2011 President’s Cabinet Philanthropy Award recipient and local business leader Verva Densmore, local business leader and alumna Barbara Winburn, Professor Emerita Leslye Mize, Professor Emerita Gretchen Mieszkowski, Lecturer in Behavioral Sciences Gaye Cummins, Professor of History Angela Howard and alumna and local business leader Mary Jo Naschke.


bay area houston magazine october 2012

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