Bay Area Observer 4-14-2011

By Rebecca [email protected]

During Monday’s council meeting La Porte City Coun-cil presented a proclamation to the Red Suspenders declaring “Red Suspenders Shrimp Boil Week”. The proclamation was presented by Mayor Rigby and received by members of the Red Suspenders and members of the La Porte Special Olym-pics team. Josh Burton speaking for the Special Olympics addressed the audience saying, “Hello, my name is Josh Burton and this is Laurie and Nessa and we are members of the La Porte Special Olympics team. I want to tell you about an upcoming event which is important to our Special Olympics team. The Red Suspenders Shrimp Boil is on Saturday, May 7th from 11:00a.m to 1:00p.m. at the Norman Malone Senior Center

and the Recreation and Fitness Center on South Broadway. The proceeds from this event benefit the Special Olympics and help offset our expenses when we compete in out of town activities. I urge every-one to buy a ticket. They are on sale tonight and are still only $10. Thank you”. April 10 – April 16 is Nation-al Public Safety Telecommuni-cations Week, and a proclama-tion was presented by Mayor Rigby to Police Chief Kenith Adcox, Wanda Richards and David Guyer. Last year, the La Porte communications staff handled a total of 39,604 tele-phone calls, 13,930 of which were 9-1-1 calls. The average response time for police assis-tance within La Porte is 4.92 minutes, which is well above the national average. In 1991, Congress proclaimed the second week of each April

as National Public Safety Dis-patcher Week to serve as its officially noted week of recog-nition. In a recent press release, vet-eran La Porte Telecommunica-

tor Wanda Richards said, “We don’t do any of it for the recog-nition, but it sure is nice when there’s Congressional recogni-tion for those of us who aren’t in the public spotlight. But

what’s more important to men-tion is that we simply couldn’t do our job without the help of our concerned citizens. It’s to them we say, Thanks”. City council held a public hearing to discuss a recom-mendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission to ap-prove a Special Condition Use Permit Request for the redevel-opment of the Landfill site lo-cated at 901 North Broadway to a container/chassis yard. On March 14th council ap-proved a zoning request by the developer to change the cur-rent heavy industrial and light industrial zoning to a Planned Unit Development.Tim Tietjens, director of the Planning Department told council, “The planning and zoning commission acted on this on March 17th. They held a public hearing, with citi-zen comments. La Porte Real Property proposes to develop the old Harris County Munici-pal Solid Waste Landfill Num-ber 3, which is located a block North of Barbours Cut between 8th Street and Broadway. They would like to store empty con-tainers or chassis’ on the site”. The company bought the property in 2007 which is over 47 acres. TCEQ has approved the rebuild plan, but there is a question about the number of containers that can be stacked on this location. The Plan-ning and Zoning commission attached additional criteria to the original recommendation to staff, one of which is limit-ing the number of containers two high versus the number al-lowed in the current ordinance which states that they can be stacked four high. A motion to send the item back to Planning and Zoning failed but a motion to approve the SCUD allowing a com-promise with four high in the heavy industrial zone and two high in the light industrial zone of the property passed.

By The BayTCCI, Community Chaplain Corps3rd Tuesday Luncheon11:30a.m. - 12:45p.m.

(Dutch Treat)4/19 Speaker: Thelma Taormi-na, Founder- 9-12 Association, Inc. 5-17 Speaker: Mardie Menke, HCOEM: HUrricane Preparedness. Where: IHOP, 3646 E. Sam Houston Parkway, Pasadena, Texas 77505. The purpose of this meeting is to network community resources and facilitate our associates in providing spiritual care and practical support in crisis inter-vention in the workplace and community

The 19th Annual Ed Brandon Cenikor Golf Tournament Bay Oaks Country Club May 9, 2011

Did you know that, accord-ing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 23.1 million Americans age 12 and up suffer from some type of substance abuse or chemi-cal dependency? Did you know one of the most researched pro-grams in the nation operates within your backyard? Cenikor has been helping people change since 1967. We would love to discuss how you and/or your business can help make the Greater Houston area a health-ier and more productive place to live and work. Cenikor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and appreciates your help in getting this message to others. For More Information Contact: Roni Archer [email protected]. Sponsorship information available.

Admin Professionals Celebration MeetingHilton Garden Inn, WebsterApril 18, 5:45 p.mOn Monday, April 18, 2011, the Clear Lake/NASA chapter of the International Association of Ad-ministrative Professionals will be celebrating Administrative Professionals Day at this meet-ing. The speaker, Sophia Mat-thews, will present “We Need to Talk – Having a Crucial Con-versation.” This program will help you learn how to achieve dialogue at all levels of your organization; learn new tools to resolve disagreements; speak persuasively and foster team-work. The meeting/dinner will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn – Clear Lake/NASA in Webster, TX beginning at 5:45 p.m. All administrative professionals throughout Houston and the surrounding areas are welcome. Please make your reservations to attend this meeting by April 14, 2011. For reservations and more information on this chap-ter, please visit www.iaap-clnac.org or contact 281-910-2297.

Sylvan Beach ParadeLa PorteApril 30 , 10:00a.m.

Everyone loves a parade! And this year’s parade is scheduled to kick-off at 10:00am on April 30 in conjunction with the 55th Annual Sylvan Beach Festival & Crawfish Jam in La Porte.Crowds will line the sidewalks along South Broadway and West Main to see the pageant contestants, clowns, floats, and more. And, don’t forget the Pa-rade Marshall – Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman will be waving to all the kids along the route! Come enjoy this annual event sponsored by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce. After the parade, make your way to Sylvan Beach Park for a day of fun and frolic!

INDEXCommunity..........................2Crossword............................2Local News..........................4On The Water......................4Arts & Entertainment........5Education............................6Classifieds............................7Cuisine.................................8

VOLUME 2, NO. 15 LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011

The Bay Area ObserverCommunity News For The Galveston Bay Area

Pasadena Plumbing Services, Inc.

“For All Your Plumbing Needs”

281-487-4688

Smart Shoppers Browse In Santa Fe...But Buy It At The World Famous

CROW’S NEST ART GALLERY

230 JeffersonLa Porte, Texas 77571

281-471-4371

The

Onsite or In-House - 2 LocationsLa Porte - 281-867-0429 Webster - 713-893-8920

Business-Residential PC-Laptop-ServerNetworks - Xbox-TV Repairs-Security Camera

Home Theater Installs

ABC COMPUTER SERVICES - 24 X 7

See more photos on page 4

La Porte City Council Proclaims “Red Suspenders Shrinp Boil Week” and “National Public Safety-Telecommunications Week”

Members of Red Suspenders and La Porte Special Olympics Receive a Proclamation For “Red Suspenders Shrinp Boil Week” From La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby

The Drusilla Carothers Coastal Gar-dens, located at 502 Pine Gully in Seabrook, was officially opened in Seabrook on Saturday, April 9. There was a ribbon cutting at noon, followed by an Open House. The public was in-vited to attend. The Open House showcased Sea-brook’s newest and much anticipated 8.5-acre park which boasts a lovely mission-style home, beautiful gardens and a waterfront view of Galveston Bay. The facility is an extension of and located adjacent to Pine Gully Park in northeast Seabrook. The property was acquired by the City of Seabrook through a 2007 pub-lic referendum. The property was home to the late Drusilla (“Dru”) Dickson, née Carothers, who served on the Sea-brook Parks Board some twenty years ago and was instrumental in the devel-opment of the city’s prized network of hiking and jogging trails. The house and grounds are the per-fect venues for weddings, social, cor-porate, or civic functions. It is also suitable for exhibitions, small-scale conferences, and environmental edu-cation activities.

“Seabrook has never had a park prop-erty of this kind,” said the city’s Open Space Committee Chair Dori Nelson. “It enriches what our park system of-fers in exciting new ways. Everyone is invited to come and see the house, walk the grounds, and stroll down to the bay.”

Nelson noted that visitors seeing the place for the first time often comment that they feel as if they have left town: “The spacious garden with its wooded boundaries creates a wonderful sense of seclusion. It makes a most inviting event venue.”

Seabrook’s Drusilla Carothers Coastal Gardens Are Officially Open

Police Chief Kenith Adcox, Mayor Louis Rigby, Wanda Richards and David Guyers Receive a Proclamation for

National Safety and Telecommunication Week.

Seabrook Rotary Gumbo Geaux Geaux A Great Success

Randomly listed are: James Stepchinski, Nick Stepchinski, Travis Links, Chris Everett, With Rotary Vice President Glenn Royal. Not shown are Darion Comeaux, and Josh Morgan.

Their team won both first and second place in the Gumbo Cook-off!

Larissa Cook Received The Artist Appreciation Award. Larissa Designed The Logo For The Gumbo Geaux Geaux Event.

The First Annual Seabrook Rotary Gumbo Geaux Geaux on April 9th was a great success! Over 230 people came out to sample gumbo from 12 teams at Landolt Pavilion in Clear Lake Park. This was a fun event with zydeco mu-sic by the Diva of Zydeco, Lady D and the Zydeco Tornadoes. In addition, to the gumbo cook off, crawfish plates were available for purchase and plenty of vendors were on hand for everyone’s shopping pleasure. First, second and third place trophies were awarded to the winning gumbo teams, as well as a People’s Choice award, and Best in Show award. Laris-sa Cook, who designed this years event logo won an artist appreciation award for her beautiful painting of a crawfish in the shape of a Fleur-de-Lis. Congrat-ulations Larissa and all gumbo teams!

The 43rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held Sunday May 1 at 2:00 p.m. on the Clear Creek Channel along the Kemah Boardwalk. The ‘Blessing’ will include Shrimp Boats and Plea-sure Boats that will be colorfully decorated and will file past the Cadillac Authentic Mexican Restaurant where they will be blessed by the officiating priest and minister. The main focus on this year’s blessing is to bring awareness to the local shrimpers who where directly affected by Hurricane Ike.

The celebration goes beyond the beautifully decorated boats; it is and event that also recognizes the importance of the shrimp fishermen and the seafood industry to our local community and economy. Boat owners of all types and sizes are invited to enter the parade, decorate their boats and receive a blessing. Sponsor-ships for the fishing vessels are available. Commercials vessels will compete for cash prizes and pleasure craft will compete for trophies. An Awards Ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. on the stage of the Boardwalk events plaza. Although entries will be accepted the day of the event, early registration is appreciated. Bring family and friends to witness the festive occasion as the colorful crews parade down the channel celebrating this time honored tradition. Chairman Tom Hults stated, “Whether you en-ter your boat or just enjoy the parade, this is one event that you won’t want to miss!” The Kemah Gumbo Cook-Off in conjunction with the Blessing of the Fleet activities will take place Saturday, April 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at parking lot the Kemah Visitor Cen-ter. Judging is at 5:00 p.m. For team information and cook-off registration call Sherry Tinerella at 713-907-0419. The public is invited to purchase gumbo from the teams. A Kemah Music Festival will kick-off the Blessing of the Fleet activities starting Friday night with Rock Music Night with The Navigators on April 29 at 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Kemah Visitor Center parking lot on Bradford Street. The music will start again at Saturday, April 30, with Country Music Night start-ing at 3:00 p.m with the band Toucan then headliner Chad Ware until 11:00 p.m. The 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival will start Sunday, May 1, from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. “Jammers” are wel-come. There is no admission for this family event For more information on the Blessing of Fleet, the Boat Parade, Gumbo Cook-Off, the Kemah Music Festival or to be a vendor call Domino Taylor at the Kemah Visitor Center, 281-334-3182. Log on to the City of Kemah website for lodging accommoda-tions www.kemah.tx-gov. For information on entering your boat in the Blessing of the Fleet boat entry, contact Tom Hults at 713-545-5246.“Stay and Play on Galveston Bay!”

PAGE 2 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011

COMMUNITY

P.O. Box 305 • Seabrook, Texas 77586Phone: 281-907-3140 • Fax: 866-596-8973

Email: [email protected]

Opinions in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the newspaper. Any erroneous statement which may appear will be correct-ed if brought to the attention of the publisher. Liability for errors is limited to the reprinting of the corrected version. Submissions are encouraged by mail, by fax, or by email to [email protected].

Editor & Publisher.....................................Rebecca [email protected]

Associate Editor.........................................Carolyn [email protected]

Arts & Entertainment Reporter...................Mason [email protected]

Sales Representative..............................Beverly LawrenceLa Porte Area • 281-793-7961 • [email protected]

Sales Representative...................................Charlotte HornSeabrook, Kemah Area • 281-507-8257 • [email protected]

The Bay Area ObserverEstablished in 2006

Serving the communities along Galveston Bay.

13th Annual La Porte High School Band Boosters ….Steven and Brian Catalina Memorial Scholarship Golf tournament has been scheduled for Saturday, April 16th at Bay Forest Golf Course-La Porte. Join us for a day of golf or as an event hole sponsor. All pro-ceeds benefit band student scholarships. All donations payable to LPHS Band Boosters and mailed to 4509 College Park Drive, Deer Park, TX 77536. For more information contact Miguel or Cynthia Gonzales at 281-476-0684 or e-mail [email protected].

Steven And Brian Catalina Memorial Scholarship Golf

Tournament To Be Held Saturday, April 16th

Each summer since 1975, the Seabrook Stingrays Swim Team has offered the youth of our community the opportunity to im-prove their swimming skills in an atmosphere of healthy com-petition with other swim teams from the surrounding areas. The Stingrays swim team continues to provide our youth with one of the few organized recreational outlets available during the sum-mer. Registration weekends will be held on Saturday, April 16th & 30th from 9am-11am and on Sunday, April 17th & May 1st from 1pm - 4pm at the Seabrook Pool on Hammer & N. Meyer. New swimmer tryouts will be held at the Seabrook Pool on May 2nd, with practices held daily after school. The swim practices will move to the morning hours after school has been released; various times will be offered for the different age groups. Swim meets will be held on Saturdays, beginning June 4th through July 10th. If you missed the weekend sign-up, you can still register! But hurry, registration fees go up after May 6th! Call Tina Ochel at 281-291-9343 for more information, or visit the Seabrook Sting-ray website to download forms at www.seabrookstingrays.com and mail-in your registration! The Stingray Registration fees are kept low by our committed sponsors! Any business or organization that sponsors $150 or more will have their business or organization name printed on the back of the official team T-shirts. These T-shirts are worn by our swimmers and their parents throughout the season and will provide wide spread advertising exposure for your company or organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. If you would like to sponsor our team, please contact Swim Board President John Wauls at 281-474-3114.

It’s Swim Team Sign-Up Time! The Seabrook Stingrays Swim Team is

now registering all kids ages 5 yrs to 18yrs for the 2011 Swim Season

Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com

of join us onFACEBOOK

The City’s 50 Anniversary Celebration is upon us! Saturday, April 16th is promising to be a day full of fun, toys, cars, music, BBQ and (of course) adult libations! Don’t forget to come by City Hall to purchase your El Lago proud customized package deal or BBQ ticket ahead of time. The package deal includes a reusable grocery bag, 20 oz. water bottle, coozie, cool carabineer bottle holder, Astronaut house map,T-shirt and BBQ meal ticket - what a deal, all for only $15.00! Single BBQ tickets are also available for $5.00 each. Package deals and BBQ tickets will be available the day of the event, but no promises that we won’t run out, so purchase early to guarantee a day of fun. Here’s the schedule of events:

9:00 a.m. - 5K Space Run – Starts and ends at McNair Park10:30 a.m. - Annual Easter Egg Hunt

1:00 p.m. - Antique Car ShowBBQ Cook-off Judging

BBQ MealKids Toys/AttractionsLocal Bands on Stage

4:00 p.m. - 1960’s Tribute Band “Cartoon Sky”ALL EVENTS WILL BE AT MCNAIR PARK!

City Celebration on April 16th will commemorate El Lago’s

50th Anniversary

Second Chance Pets’ annual Easter Egg Huntz for Mutz is Sunday, April 17, at Rex Meador Park located at 2100 Meyer Rd. in Sea-brook. Early registration is at 1:30 p.m. with activities running from 2 to 4 p.m. EASTER EGG HUNT BEGINS AT 2:45 p.m. Dogs will hunt for eggs filled with treats. Those that find “special” eggs will win prizes. There will Easter Bunny Pictures with Dogs (donations accepted); and Easter parade for dogs to show off their bonnets and prizes for the most outstanding Easter outfits. Registration is $25 for one dog and $10 for each additional dog. Fee includes all doggie games and FREE Easter basket. Food and drink available for purchase. Dogs MUST be wearing current rabies tag and owners must show current rabies certificate. All dogs must be on leash. All proceeds will benefit Second Chance Pets, a non-profit 501 (C) (3) animal welfare organization. For more information call Jan at 281-286-3535 or check out the website www.secondchan-cepets.org

Easter Egg Huntz for Mutz is Sunday, April 17

Felicity and Freesia are ragdoll mix sisters. They are white with startling blue eyes. Both are part of SCP’s “special needs” animals. Both babies are adorable but will need to go to someone very under-standing because they both have subluxation of the hip joints. This condition exists when the thigh bone does not fit inside the cuplike shape of the hip joint. They also have their patella/ knees caps out of place. The kittens were found in a field on a very rainy day, soak-ing wet, by animal control officers. They were taken to a shelter. A volunteer called SCP and asked us if we would take them. They were very tiny and sick. They were malnourished, full of parasites, etc... The both have wobbly heads and this is most likely due to a little brain damage. After much tender care they rallied into the gorgeous cats before you. Freesia can jump up onto things but little Felic-ity cannot. She is the runt. But they are still super sweet and super playful. One or both may require surgery down the line, so they will need to have extra special care. Felicity and Freesia are so playful and loving. Cat adoptions start at $95 but a discount will be given if a family is willing to take them into your heart and home. For information on these ragdolls email [email protected] or call 281-286-3535. SCP adoptables are shown on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Petco store (Bay Area and Space Center Blvds.) and cats are shown at the Petsmart store across from Baybrook Mall the first and third Sundays of every month. Selected cats may be seen during the week at the Petco location and photographs of most adoptables are posted on our website http://www.secondchancepets.org Almost all SCP animals are fostered in local homes because it does not have a shelter. As always PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS. Second Chance Pets is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) animal welfare orga-nization. All donations are tax deductible.

Second Chance Pets

43rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet Weekend

April 29, 30 & – May 1

Elegant Remodeling & Construction

Al Soto, Certified Contractor713-539-1309

“Complete Restoration Specialist”Local Since 1979

Several Satisfied Customers In Your Area!

Large & Small Jobs WelcomeDemolition, Framing & Siding, Roofing, Fences, Sheetrock,

Tape, Float, Texture, Painting, Plumbing, Doors, Trim & Floors

Specializing in kitchens, bathrooms & room additionsYour home and our reputation is very important to us!

SATISFACTIONGUARANTEED!

www.eatatlaredos.com

Homemade TortillasFresh Local SeafoodOld Family Recipes

For To-Go Orders Call

281-291-8080

2119 Bayport Blvd.(Hwy. 146)

Seabrook, Tx. 77586Hours:

Monday - Saturday10:30 - 8:00

Sunday - Closed

Serving homemade Mexican food in the Bay Area since 1969

LAREDO’STEX-MEX CAFE

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER PAGE 3

LOCAL NEWS

Minnie Chapman Biaza, 77, passed away Friday April 8, 2011. She was born April 28, 1933 in Houston, Texas to Minnie Mae Copeland and Chapman. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Biaza and son Robin Biaza. Minnie is survived by children Raymond Biaza, Richard Biaza and wife Shirley, Ronald Biaza and wife Merry Robin, daughter in law Brenda Brown Biaza, sister Johnnie Clark, aunt Elsie Philpot, grandchildren Jason Biaza, Bryan Biaza, Siobain Biaza, Carrie Biaza, Charlotte Biaza, Angela Biaza, Michael Brown, 5 great grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Wednesday April 13, 2011 from 6-8PM at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Thursday April 14, 2011 at 2PM at the funeral home as well.

Jacob Anthony Garza, 15, of La Porte passed away Friday April 8, 2011. He was born August 14, 1995 in Galveston, Texas. Jacob is survived by his mother Yvette Marie Garza, sister Suzette Garza, and grandfather Mario Garza. Visitation will be held Tuesday April 12, 2011 from 6-8PM at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Wednesday April 13, 2011 at 10AM at the funeral home as well.

BIAZA GARZA

OBITUARIESLPPD Places High in National

Police K-9 Competition

Within only two years of its formation, the La Porte Police Department’s K-9 program has proven that its members will continue to meet or exceed both state and national standards. The most recent example in-volved La Porte K-9 Handler Jesse Arenivas and his canine partner “Lodka”, wherein the team exhibited such qualities as they placed ninth in the nation during the Spring 2011 National Narcotic Detector Dog Asso-ciation (NNDDA) competition. The latest victory for Officer Arenivas and Lodka follows on the heels of their equally impres-sive First Place Trophy in 2010 for the same event. This year’s NNDDA Nation-al Training Conference took place in West Columbia, Texas during the week of April 4th through 8th and featured over 150 K-9 teams from various law enforcement agencies. The competition and team certifica-tion process is an event which is hosted bi-annually and remains open to local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel, as well as any private industry per-sonnel. A wide range of training and skills competitions are eval-uated for each K-9 team and in this year’s competition LPPD’s Arenivas/Lodka team finished only three places shy of Houston Police Department’s sixth-place

finish. The NNDDA is a profes-sional, nonprofit organization dedicated to the utilization and proficiency of narcotic scent detector dogs. Their purpose is to provide training specifically related to the laws of search and seizure, by utilizing scent detec-tor dogs and methods of certifi-cation for court purposes. The listed training consists of two days specifically dedicated to hands-on classroom instruction, while the final three days of the week are devoted to skills test-ing and the individual K-9 team competitions. The NNDDA or-ganization hosts a total of three competitions, including fugitive apprehension, explosives detec-tion, and the narcotics detection contest. The narcotic contest, in which LPPD placed a second year in a row, involves a timed event where the K-9 team was required to locate various types of narcotics within an expan-sive setting. In addition, during

the competition K-9 teams also carry the risk of being penal-ized for improper techniques or if dogs alert on areas where no contraband is hidden. In spite of these challenges, La Porte han-dler Arenivas and K-9 “Lodka” set the bar high for yet another year. After attaining such significant awards in consecutive fashion, Arenivas relayed his excite-ment by stating, “Lodka and I train very hard and very often, and it’s really rewarding when our hard-work pays off.” “Her energy continues to motivate me toward becoming a better officer for La Porte, and I can’t thank her enough for that”, said Arenivas. For more informa-tion regarding the La Porte Po-lice Department’s K-9 program, please contact the Department’s Patrol Operations Division at 281-842-3184 or log onto the department’s website, located at www.laportetx.gov/gov/police.

Got A News Tip?Let Us Know At

The Bay Area Observer

281-907-3140or email us at

[email protected]

Connie Lynn Anderson, 47, of La Porte passed away April 9, 2011 in a Houston Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Born January 23, 1963 in Liberty Texas, she is survived by husband James Anderson of La Porte, Daughter Tiffany M Jimenez and husband Eric, Step Daughters are Ashley Anderson and Hailey Anderson, Mother Mickie Shipman, Father Joe Cotten, Brother Ricky Cotten and wife Dorothy, Grandchildren are Kierstan Mc Coy, Kayla Jimenez, Taylor Jimenez, & Keegan Jimenez also step Grandson Ethan Jimenez.Services will be held at 2:00 p m Tuesday at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel with Rev Darrell McAdams officiating interment to follow at Bethany Cemetery. Family will receive Friends at the Funeral home 5:00 to 7:00 p. m. Monday Night.

ANDERSON

Police BlottersSeabrook Police Department

4/4/11 – 4/11/11Assaults 4

Burglaries 7

CVE Citations 4

Disturbances 15

Domestic Violence 5

DWI/DUI 4

Public Intoxication 1

Traffic Accidents 12

Traffic Citations/Arrest 78

Warrant Arrest 2

Welfare Concerns 2

Whatever your opinion of guns, if you choose to own a firearm (handgun, rifle, or shotgun), or associate with anyone who may, you also are choosing to take on the responsibilities that come with firearm ownership. To prevent an ac-cident from occurring, the La Porte Police De-partment strongly encourages you to practice the following tips:

• Make sure firearms are unloaded and securely stored. • Invest in trigger locks, gun cabinets with a lock, or pistol lock boxes. • Lock up ammunition separately in a location separate from firearms.

• Teach children of all ages that guns and other weapons can hurt and kill.• Show children how to settle arguments with-out resorting to words or actions that hurt.• Consider removing guns, especially handguns, from homes with children or teens.• Look at ways other than firearms to protect yourself. • Invest in quality locks, jamming devices for doors and windows, or a security system. • Consider enrolling in a self-defense class.

The La Porte Police Department reminds citi-zens that firearms can be a useful tool and, by practicing the listed tips, a benefit as well.

La Porte Police Department Encourages Residents to Practice Gun Safety

Mike SchneiderAssociated Press

On a memorable day in space history, NASA began its goodbyes to the shuttle program Tuesday, announcing the aged spacecraft will retire to museums in Cape Canaveral, Los Angeles and suburban Washington and sending a test-flight orbiter to New York City. It was an emotional day - the 30th anniversary of the first shuttle launch and the 50th anniversary of man’s first journey into space by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Just two more shuttle flights remain, and the head of NASA choked up as he revealed the new homes for the spacecraft in an event at the Kennedy Space Center. “For all of them, take good care of our vehicles,” NASA Admin-istrator Charles Bolden, a former astronaut, said with a catch in his voice. “They served a nation well, and we at NASA have a deep and abiding relationship and love affair with them that is hard to put into words.” The choice of homes for the spaceships - sometimes described as the most complex machinery ever devised - was hotly contested. Twenty-one museums and visitor centers around the country put in bids. The winners will have to come up with an estimated $28.8 million to ferry the shuttles to their new homes and put them on display. Across the country, cheers erupted at the four winning facilities and groans at the locations that lost out. After it closes out the program, shuttle Atlantis will stay in Cape Canaveral at the space center’s visitor complex, just miles from the pair of launch pads used to shoot the orbiters into space. Space cen-ter workers, some of whom are likely to lose jobs when the shuttles quit flying later this summer, gave Bolden a standing ovation and whooped and hollered with the news. Shuttle Endeavour, which makes its last flight at the end of the month, will head to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, about 60 miles from the plant where the shuttle was assembled. “I’m still pinching myself,” said Robert Yowell, who drove from his Los Angeles home to the museum upon hearing the news. He worked as a NASA flight controller at the Johnson Space Center from 1989 to 2000. “Nobody in my circle of space geeks guessed that LA was going to get this.” Discovery’s new home will be the Smithsonian Institution’s branch in northern Virginia near Washington Dulles International Airport. In exchange for the oldest shuttle, the Smithsonian is giving up En-terprise, a shuttle prototype used for test flights in the 1970s. Enterprise will go to New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum for display in a glass enclosure on a Manhattan pier on the Hudson River, next to the aircraft carrier that houses the museum. Sam Folsom, 90, of New York City, an Intrepid museum volunteer and retired Marine pilot, was elated. “It’s really important for children to actually see the shuttle, so they don’t forget the history of America’s space exploration,” he said. But there was no celebrating among the hundreds of visitors and workers watching the announcement on television at the National

Museum of the Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, the hometown of the Wright brothers. The decision “doesn’t recognize the contributions and innovations that came from the heartland,” complained Rep. Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican. Houston was bitterly disappointed that Johnson Space Center, home of Mission Control, would only get seats from a shuttle. “There was no other city with our history of human space flight or more deserving of a retiring orbiter,” Houston Mayor Annise Parker said. In a statement, Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the choice clearly showed “political favors trumped common sense and fairness.” Olga Dominguez, an assistant NASA administrator, said among the factors for NASA’s choices was reaching the largest population

possible. The chosen locations already draw more than 1 million visitors apiece each year. Dominguez denied politics played any role. “It’s unfortunate that the middle of the country didn’t fare as well as the coasts,” she said. Asked why Houston was bypassed, she said: “We just didn’t have enough to go around.” There were originally four space shuttles. Challenger was de-stroyed during liftoff in 1986, and Endeavour was built as a replace-ment. Then Columbia was lost in 2003. The space shuttles are being retired as part of NASA’s shifting and still-uncertain future for sending astronauts into space. “The shuttle program will go down in history as a very, very suc-cessful program,” said former shuttle commander Eileen Collins, who led the crew of Discovery on the first flight after Columbia. “We made mistakes. The space community made mistakes along the way. We learned from them,” she told The Associated Press at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo. After the 2003 Columbia accident, President George W. Bush pro-posed sending astronauts back to the moon. To pay for the expen-sive new rockets, NASA would retire the space shuttles. President Barack Obama continued the shuttle retirement, but cancelled the return-to-moon mission in favor of a combination approach. Private companies would build their own rockets, and NASA would pay for rides to the International Space Station, like a taxi. At the same time, NASA would work on bigger rocketships that would eventually take astronauts to other places, such as an aster-oid, and eventually to Mars. From the space station, American astronaut Catherine Coleman said during the ceremony that the retirement of the space shuttle program should not be viewed as an end. “It represents the next step in extending humanity’s reach further into space,” said Coleman, one of six people living on the orbiting outpost. Earlier Tuesday, Coleman’s station crewmate, astronaut Ron Ga-ran, noted that Gagarin’s flight and the first shuttle launch were byproducts of a space race between two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. That competition has evolved into a space station program where engineers and astronauts from 16 na-tions work together. “You look at us today ... representing all of the nations, really. And you see where we’ve come,” he told reporters from the space station. Russia spent Tuesday celebrating its Gagarin’s space accomplish-ment in 1961. It was another 23 days before American Alan Shepard became the second man in space. A Soviet capsule that carried a dog into space and was used on a test run weeks before Gagarin’s flight was auctioned Tuesday for $2.9 million in New York. Sotheby’s said the anonymous seller bought it privately from the Russians years ago. It was bought by Russian businessman Evgeny Yurchenko, who wants it to go to a Russian museum, according to the auction house.

NASA Snubs Houston As Shuttles Go To California And New York

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speaks to employees and guests prior to announcing the final destinations of the three remaining space shuttles at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. , Tuesday, April 12, 2011. AP Photo.

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011

Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com

PROTECT TEXAS RIVERS

AND BAYS! Support The

Texas Bottle Bill!www.TexasBottleBill.com

or www.BottleBill.org

EVENTSSeabrook Rotary Gumbo Geaux Geaux 2011

Carol Robinson and the Gulf Coast Limestone Team Win People’s Choice Award

Volunteers Charlotte Gioanetti and Maurine Howard Mary Forbes, Owner of The Bling Bling Shop

James Vercher, Michelle Lee, Pam Roe, Matt Jaynes, Jenny Singletary and Nick Valasec

Light it. Let it liquefy. Blow it out.

Moisturize your skin!

Joyce O. Ferguson(281) 914-2323

[email protected]

Buy 3 @ $24.99

Get 1 FREE

“Every time I go to work, I end up at a Spa Party!

Independent Electrical Management Solutions

WWW.ELECTRICALMANAGEMENTSOLUTIONS.COM

713-459-6675LICENSED & INSURED

TECL #27798 TMEL #233562

Residential • Commercial • IndustrialNew Construction • Remodels • Repairs • Panel Upgrades

Maintenance • Emergencies • Generators • Wastewater

CMR Jewelers8610 Spencer Hwy. Ste. C • La Porte, Texas 77571

281-470-8282We will be conducting daily business such as jewelry & watch repairs by appointment for your convenience.

Please call us at the above number or email [email protected] for arrangements.

Behind every “I do”there’s a great jeweler...Come see our extensive Bridal jewelry selection and

remember if we don’t have what you are looking for our “great jeweler” can make it!

Grand Relocation Opening March 2011….

Chicks-N-Stix Win Third Place In The Gumbo Cook Off

Elle Crawford And Her Band of Pirates Win Best In Show

ELECTIONS

This upcoming election is the most important election for Ke-mah. This election will determine whether Kemah is going to be a beautiful coastal community or affordable housing for tourism. Affordable housing will have a direct effect on resident’s ability to refinance or sell their home. We need to focus on community assessments of our unique neighborhoods; quality of life, hous-ing values and general health of a community along with protect the public health, welfare and safety of the residents. There are a lot of business in Kemah, however all resources ap-pear to be influenced by interest groups with predetermined out-comes not readily apparent to residents. Kemah needs promote higher business standards with little impact to residents while maintaining the integrity of our local commercial market, estab-lishing better business methods and encouraging uniformity and cooperation with responsible growth. My goal for Kemah is to produce a high sought after communi-ty, where people want to live, raise a family, maintain the highest property values and value-added community neighborhoods. I promise to be responsive to the needs of the community and to do my best to make this great community even better. Sincerely,Dyana BabikFor Kemah City CouncilPosition 2

Kemah City Council Position 2

Dyana Babik

In our previous editions that contained candidate statements for the cities of La Porte, Seabrook, and Kemah we inadvertently missed placing a statement for Dyana Babik. We apologize for the oversight and have included it here for our readers.


ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Salon La RougeHair, Nail, Massage & Facials

Salon La Rouge

Let me design you a new look for Spring!

Lisa K. Cook: Owner/Master Styl ist281.474.2528 • 902 Hardesty • Old Seabrook

ANCHOR REAL-ESTATE

NEW OFFICE OPEN IN SEABROOK

PROFESSIONAL REAL-ESTATE SERVICES

5% LISTINGSFREE BUYER & SELLER HOME WARRANTY

IN HOUSE MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

1717 2nd St. Suite BSeabrook, Texas 77586

Buyer & Seller Representation • Investment & Property Management

Office 281-942-9312Cell 832-435-0001

[email protected]

WE’VE GOT THE HOTTEST BRANDS OF SUNGLASSES, GLASSES & CONTACT LENSES

www.laportevision.com

Helping You And Your Family See Into The FutureDeborah S. Bernay, O.D. • Andreane B. Fagala, O.D.

Patricia A. Galos, O.D.401 West Fairmont Parkway, Suite A • La Porte

281-471-6546

La Porte Vision Center

With A New Pair of Sunglasses

To Protect Your Vision From The

Summer Sun!

Presented by H-E-B

Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of Texas Inde-pendence

Booming cannons, cracking musket fire, thundering hooves and battle cries will re-sound across the San Jacinto Battleground on Saturday, April 16, as hundreds of history reenactors recreate the events leading up to Texas winning her independence at the deci-sive Battle of San Jacinto. This year’s reen-acment will have even more significance as we celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Texas Independence. Witness the excitement at the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenact-ment on April 16, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. The Festival is a full day of music, en-tertainment, food, games and fun set amidst living history. The battle reenactment, which is the most popular event of the day, begins at 3 p.m. Reen-actors will dramatize the decisive battle where General Sam Houston led his Texian soldiers to victory over the Mexican Army eventually leading to almost one million square miles of Mexican territory becoming a part of the Un-ted States. The reenactors will dramatically interpret the Runaway Scrape (Texians flee-ing from the advancing forces of Santa Anna), the march of the Texas Army from Gonzales to San Jacinto, the cannon duel, and the final battle between the two forces. Festival activites surrounding the base of the San Jacinto Monument celebrate this special day in Texas history with entertaining and educational activities.

On the Main Stage, popular local and regional entertainers will perform and demonstrate:

* With her band, native Houstonian Liz Tal-ley takes her audience back to the days of the Texas dancehall with twin fiddles and a steel guitar. More than Satisfied is her latest CD re-lease. * K.R. Wood, a singer, songwriter and his-torian, brings an authentic chuck wagon and performs his “Camp Cookie” review.* Last Chance Forever, The Birds of Prey Conservancy will show their magnificent birds including hawks, owls, eagles, falcons and vultures.* The Celtaire String Band performs period Americana music using a variety of instru-ments including the fiddle, penny whistle, guitar, mandolin, spoons, scrub-board and limberjacks. They even get the crowd to join in with tambourines!

The Children’s Area is sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company and Deer Park ISD. Activities and shows in the Children’s Area include:

* Lucas Miller, the “Singing Zoologist,” blends music, puppetry, images and “zoologi-cal, stand-up comedy” to teach about monarch butterflies, wetlands, animal defenses, endan-gered species, symbiosis, and other nature-related topics.* A 55’ train complete with train whistle and Texan and American flags ($2 fee for rides).* Make-and-take history activities and crafts for children will be available, created by Gift-ed/Talented specialists from Deer Park ISD. Volunteer teachers from DPISD and student volunteers from San Jacinto College will as-sist in the craft area.* The Houston ZooMobile will be on the grounds with animals native to Texas, interest-ing demonstrations and nature games.* Marsha’s Petting Zoo brings in animals for an up-close and personal look at nature. Fami-lies can pet and feed the sheep, goats, and oth-er friendly small animals.

* Armand Bayou Nature Center will conduct crafts and games from the 1800s in the Chil-dren’s Area, as well as display some reptles.

More family-friendly festival fun:

* Dan Barth will use his Medicine Show Wag-on to help tell the tales of special 19th cen-tury cure-all elixirs and entertain with a little magic.* Blacksmiths, weavers, spinners, quilters and other demonstrators will give visitors a full sense of how life was in the early 1800s. Sut-lers (civilians who sold provisions to military posts) will be on hand to sell or show their wares. The Tiny Town Texas display shows how towns were laid out in the 1800s.* Texas Parks & Wildlife Department inter-preters will offer guided tours of the restored marshlands and answer questions about the wildlife inhabiting the park, including otters, diamondback terrapins, peregrine falcons, wood ibises (storks), brown pelicans, reddish egrets, roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, osprey, mottled ducks and American avocets. Guests can easily see the marsh thanks to the ADA-accessible boardwalk expansion funded in large part by Shell Oil, who also provided volunteers to work on construction of the boardwalk. The marsh is historically impor-tant in that it barred the escape of many of General Santa Anna’s troops during the 1836 battle.* Members of the San Jacinto Descendants, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Sons of the Republic of Texas will be on hand to share their history.* Texas Independence Square Dancers - square dancers from various groups throughout Texas - will demonstrate square dancing and give lessons.* Visitors can browse through the vendor area to admire unique hand-crafted items, Texas products and history-related items.* Music from the North Harris County Dulci-mer Society and the Celtaire String Band will entertain folks as they walk along the reflec-tion pool.* Representatives from these groups will also be on hand: Texas General Land Office and the Texas Independence Trail Region.* Families can have their picture taken, cour-tesy of Capital One Bank.* Instead of 1836 fare such as possum and

cornmeal mush, the Texas-style food and bev-erages offered for sale will be more pleasing to today’s palates.* Inside the San Jacinto Monument, visitors can enjoy the artifacts of the San Jacinto Mu-seum at no charge including a rare flintlock musket on loan from Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas as part of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Texas Revolu-tion. The musket was used by the soldiers of the Republic of Texas and is one of only six known to be still in existence.* Also inside the Monument, Festival-goers can take the famous 489-foot elevator ride to the top of the Monument, enjoy the digital presentation Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto and view the Museum’s latest exhibit, Reflections of an Exhibit: Cecil Thomson Re-vealed, which brings Houston history to life with photographs, silent movies and artifacts. (Modest fees for these activities.)* Battleship TEXAS, the first battleship me-morial museum in the U.S., is located in the park and open for visitors (fees are listed be-low.)

During the day visitors can wander freely among the Mexican and Texian camps to learn what the soldiers of that day were doing prior to the battle and to see how they lived in 1836. In the military camps, visitors will learn how to perform the close order drills of the day. A few lucky children will be chosen to stand with the cannon crew and pretend to load the can-nons and will be presented with cannon soot to wear on their noses as a badge of honor. The historically correct encampments and the Battle Reenactment are presented by hundreds of members of the San Jacinto Volunteers and other living history organizations from across the state. These groups help families new to the state as well as native Texans understand the history of this great state. “We wish to thank Presenting Sponsor H-E-B, The Dow Chemical Company, Capital One Bank, and LyondellBasell whose financial support allows us to offer this celebration of Texas’ independence free to the public,” says San Jacinto Museum of History Association President Larry Spasic. “Each year we work hand in hand with Texas Parks & Wildlife De-partment to coordinate this event. We truly appreciate the volunteer support from Deer Park ISD, San Jacinto College, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, and La Porte EMS.” Visitors enjoy free admission to the Festi-val and Battle Reenactment. Combo tickets for the elevator ride, Reflections exhibit and movie inside the Monument can be purchased: $12 for adults, $10.50 for Seniors, $8 for chil-dren. Fees for the Battleship TEXAS are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for school and youth groups with a reservation, and free for children 12 and younger. Visit the San Jacinto Museum’s Facebook page! Festival goers can participate by up-loading photos and videos of ther experience to www.flickr.com/groups/sanjacintomuseum and www.youtube.com/user/SanJacintoMu-seum. Some photos may be chosen for post-ing on the Museum’s Facebook page. All who submit entries will be entered into a prize drawing. The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is located just 22 miles east of downtown Houston - take Highway 225 east to Indepen-dence Parkway north (formerly Battleground Road) and continue for three miles. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for comfortable viewing of the Battle Reenactment. For more information about the San Ja-cinto Museum of History or the San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment, please call 281.479.2421. For more information on the Battleship TEXAS, please contact the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at 281.479.2431.

San Jacinto Day Festival & Battle Reenactment on April 16

55th Annual Sylvan Beach Festival

The 55th Annual Sylvan Beach Festival, sponsored by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Sat-urday, April 30, 2011 with gates opening at 9:00am at Sylvan Beach Park on Galveston Bay. The festival kicks off with a parade beginning at 10:00am. Ac-tivities at the park begin immediately following the parade with many exciting things to enjoy including live entertainment, food, arts & crafts booths, a carnival, cook-off, pageant, and much more. Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day. And, always exciting for the crowd, Miss Sylvan Beach 2011 will be crowned on the main stage between 6:30 and 7:30pm. Capping off the day’s festivities will be a concert featuring excit-ing entertainers with the Casey Donahew Band as the headliner from 10:30pm to 12 midnight and the Band of Heathens from 8:30 – 10:00pm. Admission is $5 from 9:00am-5:00pm and $10 after 5:00pm, $2 for senior citizens, and free for children 10 and under ac-companied by an adult. For more information, call the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce at 281-471-1123 or visit www.laportechamber.org.


LPISD District Calendar4/14/11 to 4/20/2011

4/14/2011Bayshore Elementary - Spanish Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMBayshore Elementary – Tutoring - 3:10 PM - 4:30 PMHeritage Elementary - JSC FCU Deposit DayLXJH - AVID Recruiting meeting - 5:30 PM LPHS - Varsity Boys Track - District Meet - North ShoreLPHS - Band UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest - Dobie HSLPHS - Orienteering/Adventure Racing Practice - 2:45 PM - 4:00 PMLPHS - Project Graduation Meeting - 6:00 PM - Student Center

4/15/2011End of Fifth Grading Period - SecondaryHeritage Elementary - Spring Fling, Science and Technology Showcase - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM LPHS - Varsity Boys Track - District Meet - North ShoreLPHS - JROTC - O In the Oaks 2011, U.S. Interscholastic Champion-ships & US Intercollegiate Championships - Casa de Fruta & Pacheco State Park, Hollister, CALPHS - Baseball @ North Shore - 4:30 PM - Sophomore @ North Shore Freshmen Campus; 7 PM - JV @ North Shore HSLPHS - Girls Softball vs. North Shore - 5:00 PM - JV; - 6:45 pm VarsityLPHS - Sophomore Girls Softball vs. Texas City - 6:00 PM - Little Cedar Bayou ParkLPHS - Varsity Baseball vs. North Shore - 7:00 PM

4/16/2011LXJH - Yearbook students repainting paw prints on front sidewalk - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PMLPHS - JROTC - O In the Oaks 2011, U.S. Interscholastic Championships & US Intercollegiate Championships - Casa de Fruta & Pacheco State Park, Hollister, CALPHS - Steven & Brian Catalina Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament benefitting Band Boosters - 8:30 AM - Bay Forest Golf CourseLPHS - Choir Car Wash - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Auto Zone LPHS - Battle of the Bands - 6:00 PM - Sonja Angelo Theater

4/17/2011LPHS - JROTC - O In the Oaks 2011, U.S. Interscholastic Championships & US Intercollegiate Championships - Casa de Fruta & Pacheco State Park, Hollister, CA

4/18/2011Beginning of Sixth Grading Period - SecondaryLa Porte ISD Spring Art Show - Admin Building Board RoomBayshore Elementary - Art After School - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PMBayshore Elementary - Spanish Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Bayshore Elementary - Tutoring - 3:10 PM - 4:30 PMLPJH - National Junior Honor Society Induction Practice - 4:00 PM - 4:30 PMLXJH - 8th Grade Dance Tickets on Sale during lunches in the CafeteriaLXJH - CPOC Meeting - 4:00 PMLPHS - Sophomore Girls Softball vs. Angleton - 6:00 PM

4/19/2011La Porte ISD Spring Art Show - Admin Building Board RoomBayshore Elementary - PTO Meeting - 6:00 PM - LibraryCollege Park Elementary - CPOC Meeting - 3:30 PM La Porte Elementary – Parents as Teachers Art Activity Time - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Rizzuto Elementary - Kindergarten Field Trip to Houston ZooLPJH - Rock Solid - Christ on Campus - 7:45 AM - Choir RoomLPJH - National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony - 6:00 PM - CafeteriaLXJH - 8th Grade Dance Tickets on Sale during lunches in the CafeteriaLPHS - Senior Panoramic Picture - 9:00 AM LPHS - Baseball @ Port Arthur Memorial - 4:30 PM - Sophomore; 7 PM - JV LPHS - Girls Softball @ Port Arthur Memorial - 5:00 PM - JV; 6:45 pm VarsityLPHS - Is He Dead? by Mark Twain - One-Act Play Public Performance - 6:30 PM - Sonja Angelo TheaterLPHS - Varsity Baseball vs. Port Arthur Memorial - 7:00 PM

4/20/2011Elementary Progress ReportsLa Porte ISD Spring Art Show - Admin Building Board RoomBayshore Elementary - Art After School - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PMBayshore Elementary - Chess Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMBayshore Elementary - Drama Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PMBayshore Elementary - Bullritos FundraiserHeritage Elementary - Wacky Wednesday - modified schedule La Porte Elementary - Pre-K Field Trip to Bayou Wildlife ParkLa Porte Elementary - Student of the Month - 8:00 AMLPJH - Top Dawg Breakfast - 8:45 AMLXJH - 8th Grade Dance Tickets on Sale during lunches in the CafeteriaLPHS - Boys Basketball Banquet - 7:00 PM - Student CenterSpring Art Show / Parent Reception - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Admin Build-ing Board Room

Week Of The Young Child Celebrated At College

of The Mainland

Texas City Schools Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month

The College of the Mainland Jazz Ensemble directed by Sparky Koern-er, the Texas City High School Jazz Ensemble directed by David Rich-ard, and the Blocker Middle School Jazz Ensemble directed by Barbara Figarelli will present a joint concert Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m., at the Blocker Middle School Auditorium. Guest artist for the evening will be Michael Steinel. For more information contact Sparky Koerner at 409-933-8437.

COM Fire Academy Family Night

COM Fire Academy will hold its annual Family Night Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at the League City Drill Field. The cadets perform various firefighting skills for their family and friends, included high angle rescue, extinguishment of a car fire, and auto extrication. The night is designed to give the cadets a chance to show off what they have learned. For de-tails contact Danny McLerran at 409-933-8378.

Vocal Arts Concert

COM Vocal Arts will hold a concert Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church. The concert is free and open to the public. For details, contact James Heffel at 409-933-8300.

Electric Guitar Concert

COM Electric Guitar Orchestra’s Spring Concert will be Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. For details, contact Sparky Koerner at 409-933-8437.

COM International Festival

College of the Mainland will celebrate cultural diversity with the 2011 International Festival Friday, April 29 from 6 to 9 p.m., in the COM Gymnasium. More than 15 cultures and countries will be in attendance to showcase their music, dance, food and dress. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information call 409-933-8205.

COM Senior Adult Garage Sale

COM’s Senior Adult program will be hosting its annual garage sale Sat-urday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The garage sale will be held at the Delmar Learning Center in La Marque. For details call 409-933-8226.

COM Concert Band Concert

COM Concert Band will hold a concert Monday, May 2 at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building Recital Hall. The free concert is open to the public. For details, contact Sparky Koerner at 409-933-8437.

COM Study Abroad Program

The COM Study Abroad Program is headed to Germany and the Alps on an 11-day excursion starting June 20. Participants can study for college credit or attend for leisure. For more information call 409-933-8214.

Students at COM’s Lab School celebrate Week of the Young Child with a Children’s Parade through campus Tuesday, April 12.

EDUCATION

La Porte ISD is one of 388 school districts in the nation named to the Advanced Placement® (AP) Achievement List by the College Board. These school districts were recognized for opening AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students, while maintaining or improving the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher. LPISD was among 23 districts in Texas to earn this honor; approximate-ly 12,000 districts across the nation participate in the AP program. From 2008 to 2010, LPISD has increased the number of students participating in AP from 146 to 183 while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher, the score typically needed to earn college credit, from 42 percent in 2008 to 51 percent in 2010. “I am proud that La Porte High School has received this national affir-mation of what we in La Porte have known to be true—that our student performance on all campuses, but particularly at the high school, is in an upward arc and at the highest level in the district’s history,” said Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent. “I am very pleased for the students, teachers, parents and leadership who have worked so hard to make this happen.” The AP Achievement List is made up of all school districts that are si-multaneously expanding opportunity and improving performance. The honored school districts represent 43 states. Dr. Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal, gave credit to the students and teachers for the school’s increased participation and improved perfor-mance. “We work hard to provide teachers with as many resources as pos-sible,” she said, noting that the teachers have aligned their syllabi and curriculum to student success. AP study guides are provided to stu-dents to help give them the confidence they need to sign up for the test and be successful. In addition, pre-AP courses give students a preview of what will be expected in their AP courses, she said. “Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for under-served students, give them the confidence needed to suc-ceed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math,” said College Board president Gaston Caper-ton. “The AP Achievement List districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP scores.” Many U.S. school districts have focused on expanding access to AP courses as part of a strategy for fostering college readiness. While these efforts have resulted in more students earning scores of 3 or bet-ter—the score typically cited as a “qualifying” or “successful” score because the majority of U.S. colleges and universities provide college credit or advanced placement for this score—these efforts have also resulted in more students now earning scores of 1 or 2. Accordingly, there has been a slight decline since 2001 in the percentage of AP stu-dents scoring a 3 or better, a decline that is to be expected in any pro-gram attracting a broader cross-section of students. Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. Many are experimenting with a variety of initiatives and strategies to determine how to expand access and improve student performance si-multaneously. “These districts are living proof that when access to AP is provided for the range and breadth of prepared and motivated students, districts can achieve even higher learning outcomes for their students—and the opportunity for so many more to earn college credit and placement—than when AP opportunities were restricted to a smaller segment of the high school population,” said Trevor Packer, vice president of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program.

Inclusion on the list is based on the following criteria:

• Examination of three years of AP data, from 2008 to 2010• Increase in participation in/access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 7 percent in medium districts, and at least 11 percent in small districts• A steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, His-panic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students; and• Performance levels maintained or improved when comparing the percent-age of exams in 2010 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2008, or the school has already attained a performance leveling in which more than 70 percent of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.

Additionally, school districts with an AP student population composed of 50 percent or more traditionally underrepresented minority students (African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan Na-tive) and/or low-income students have been noted on the Achievement List to highlight significant improvements in equity and quality among the nation’s historically underserved student populations. The complete AP Achievement List can be found at www.collegeboard.org.

La Porte ISD will host 2011-12 kindergarten registration May 2 through 13 at all of the district’s elementary campuses. Children who will be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2011, are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2011-12 school year. Parents or legal guardians may enroll their child in the office of the elementary school in their attendance zone. All La Porte ISD elementary schools also will host an evening ori-entation and registration from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. during the month of May. Elementary schools and their orientation/registration dates are Bayshore, May 10; College Park, May 3; Heritage, May 10; La Porte, May 2; Lomax, May 10; Jennie Reid, May 10; and Rizzuto, May 10. During the orientation, families will have the opportunity to re-ceive information about the kindergarten program, tour the building and meet the principal, kindergarten teachers and office staff. School spirit shirts will be for sale, as will other school items. To register for kindergarten, parents should bring with them the child’s birth certificate or certified photocopy verifying that the child will be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2011; the child’s Social Security card; and proof of residency (utilities statement). In addition, parents should bring the child’s immunization record verifying that all immunizations are up-to-date. More information on the immunizations required before starting school is available on the LPISD Web site at www.lpisd.org. Questions about immunizations may be directed to Laura Lynch, LPISD lead nurse, at 281-604-6912. For more information on kin-dergarten enrollment or the school your child will attend, contact the office of Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education, at 281-604-7030.

Three La Porte ISD campuses have been named Title I, Part A Distin-guished Performance Schools by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). College Park, Heritage and Lomax elementary schools were recog-nized for students’ outstanding academic performance by TEA’s Divi-sion of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Program Coordination. They are among 1,046 campuses across the state honored for Distinguished Performance, while another 148 were recognized for Distinguished Progress. To be named Distinguished Performance Schools, campuses must have been classified as Title I, Part A campuses for the 2008-09, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years, with 40 percent or more students reported as low income. The schools also must have met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009 and 2010. In addition, schools must have earned an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency in Spring 2010 and Exemplary or Recog-nized ratings in Spring 2009 and 2009. “We are extremely proud of the students and staff at Heritage, Col-lege Park and Lomax elementary schools and congratulate them on a job well done,” said Isela Montes, LPISD executive director of el-ementary education.

Three LPISD Campuses Named Title I Distinguished Performance Schools

Kindergarten Registration To Take Place May 2 Through 13 At All LPISD Elementary Campuses

La Porte ISD Named To National Advanced Placement® Achievement List

Norman Malone Memorial Mayor’s Golf Tournament Set For Apri1 20

The sixth annual Norman Ma-lone Memorial Mayor’s Golf Tournament is set for Wednes-day, April 20, at Bay Forest Golf Course, with proceeds from the event benefitting the La Porte Education Foundation. The tournament includes shot-gun starts at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The format is four-person scram-ble with two flights, with the sec-ond flight based on the average tournament score. Major sponsors for the event are Walmart, Gringo’s, Port of Houston Authority, Gulf Winds International and Arborleaf En-gineering and Surveying, Inc.

Entry is $100 per person or $400 per team, which includes the green fee, cart fee and range balls. Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the first flight, and lunch and dinner will be pro-vided during the second flight. Fajitas will be served and awards presented following play. Hole sponsorships are $150, and team and hole sponsorships are $500. Tent sponsorships are also $500. For more information on the tournament, visit www.bayfor-estgolf.com or www.laporteedu-cationfoundation.org.

Join us on FACEBOOK

Members of the planning committee prepare for the 2011 Norman Malone Memorial Mayor’s Golf Tournament set for April 20 at Bay Forest Golf Course. Proceeds from the event benefit the La Porte Education Foundation. From left are Robin Vest, La Porte Education Foundation past president and tournament chairman; Roger Guen-ther, vice president—Container Terminals, Port of Houston Authority; Terri Cook, La Porte ISD director of public relations and Education Foundation; City of La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby; Alex Osmond, golf pro at Bay Forest Golf Course; Debbie Wade, La Porte Education Foundation vice president for fund raising; Kimberly Culver, LPISD communications coordinator; and Stephen Barr, La Porte Education Foundation treasurer. For information, visit www.bayforestgolf.com or www.laporteducationfoundation.org.

COM Briefs 4-12-2011

LPHS Senior Kolten Dunkerson Brings National Recognition To His School At Skills USA Competition

La Porte High School senior Kolten Dunkerson brought na-tional recognition to his school and community through his out-standing performance at the Skills USA National Competition in Kansas City, Missouri, this sum-mer. Kolten placed fourth in the contest, which was held June 20 through 25, and was honored at the September meeting of the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees in recognition of his achievement. Even though Kolten was a first-year participant, he competed in the auto refinishing contest for second-year students, winning first place at both the district and state levels. The road to nationals began with the district Skills USA competition in February, followed by the state contest in Corpus Christi March 25 through 27. Kolten, the son of Randy and Becky Dunkerson, spent long hours during his summer break practicing for the national com-petition. At the event, he earned the highest score or placed among the top three contestants in all hands-on competitions. Students competed in eight categories such a color matching, bumper repair and estimating.Kolten received a $10,500 schol-arship to Universal Technical In-stitute in Houston for winning the state competition. After graduat-ing from UTI, he plans to open his own auto refinishing shop and later earn a bachelor’s degree in business. He is looking forward to competing in the Skills USA competitions again this year. “It’s amazing to have a student like Kolten,” said Dr. Joanne Ko-lius, LPHS principal. “He is very committed to this program, and there is little doubt he will ad-vance again--maybe all the way!” Kolten is the student of Valentin Trevino. Trevino is in his fourth year of teaching and his second year of taking students to the Skills USA competitions. Both years, La Porte High School stu-dents have won the district and state championships. Brett Kelly, a 2006 LPHS graduate, won the competitions that year.

Trevino also is a product of La Porte ISD schools, having partici-pated in the auto refinishing pro-gram under the direction of Noel Welch. Welch now teaches in Al-vin, and his student earned second place in collision at the national contest. “Not only are we very proud of Kolten, but we are also very proud of the dedication and com-mitment of Mr. Trevino as he continues to help students prepare for the Skills USA competitions,” said Debbie Seibert, LPHS career and technology education facili-tator. “Mr. Trevino is a product of the LPHS auto collision pro-gram, and he has returned to us as a teacher with great passion for preparing students for a career in the auto collision industry. Mr. Trevino spends many hours out-side the classroom, including eve-nings, weekends, holidays, and even summer vacation to work with his students to improve their skills, not just for competition but also for industry level ASE certi-fication exams.” Kolten has enrolled in UTI and will begin his coursework there in August 2011. Expanding on his skills in auto refinishing, he will take classes in the auto technician program at UTI. “I decided to further my knowl-edge,” Kolten said at the Board meeting. “Rather than re-doing the collision side of it, I’m getting a broader knowledge of the entire field.”

COMPANY DRIVERS! REGIONAL Southwest up to .36¢ per mile. Class A-CDL. 1 year OTR required. Steady freight, exceptional benefits. Apply today! 1-888-440-2465 or www.nationalcarriers.com

DRIVERS- 100% Tuition paid CDL training! No credit check, no experi-ence required. Trainers earn 49¢/mile. 1-888-417-7564, CRST EXPEDITED, www.JoinCRST.com

DRIVER- DAILY OR weekly pay. Single source dispatch, No tractor older than 3 years Safety bonuses paid quarterly. CDL-A, 3 months recent OTR expe-rience. 1-800-414-9569, www.driveknight.com

The City of Seabrook is accepting applica-tions for the job of Municipal Judge. Texas State Bar cer-tified attorneys are eligible to apply for the job of presiding over municipal court proceedings including traffic violations, city ordinance violations and administrative du-ties. Applicants must submit a resume and references to the city by April 22, 2011. For more info, visit www.ci.seabrook.tx.us


ALL CLEAN LAUNDRY

1109 S. BROADWAY

LA PORTEWASHATERIA

DROP OFF SERVICE

AVAILABLE

OPEN DAILY 5AM - 9PM

“Come Clean With Us”

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

REAL ESTATE

CLASSIFIED ADSCLASSIFIED DISPLAY RATE...........................................$8.50 p.c.i.(Classifieds display ads can contain a border and bolded letters)

CLASSIFIED LINER ADSFirst 20 Words (initial insertion)......................................................$7.50 First 20 Words (subsequent insertions)............................................$4.50Additional Words.................................................................10 cents each

Classified deadlines are 10 a.m. each Monday

Victoria Lake

APARTMENTS281-333-2510

$199.00Total Move In!*

$500 - Studio All Bills Paid*

$555 - One bdrm All Bills Paid*

www.victorialakenasa.com (restrictions apply)

APARTMENTS

For Sale or Lease to OwnLovely 4-2.5 home w/pool

New paint & carpet 2500 sq ft

Clear lake Forest Sub

$1800 month + deposit. $225,000 to purchase. Call 832 303-4880

Lot For Sale

75 x 110On The 16th

Green - Wild-wood Resort. 18 Hole Golf Course, 360

Acre Lake, 24 Hour Security.

$8,000281-793-7961

LOTS & ACREAGE

HOMES

WINDSAIL BAY

APARTMENTS3141

S. BROADWAYLA PORTE

281-471-3061ONE BEDROOM

ONE BATHTWO BEDROOM

11/2 BATH

Bayshore Humble Construction

Building, Remodeling & Repairs

Handicap tile, shower, bath with tile seats.

Clean or re-grout tile walls & floor.

New stainless steel grab bars installed.

Ray Garcia281-471-4947

Sell Your Home or Find A New One !The

Bay Area ObserverClassifieds!

281-907-3140or email us at [email protected]

Having A Garage Sale?

Advertise It The

Bay Area Observer

281-907-3140

LOCAL SERVICE DIRECTORY

&

Rick 281-773-4822

Se Habla Espanol

Sales, Service & Installation

In Business Over 20 Years

Specializing in

Boats & RV’s

Commercial / ResidentialIf your contract is up or

you have a new HDTV and need an update reciever call for a free quote and survey

www.paululee.com281-471-0123

Paul U. LeeFuneral Home

Family Owned & Operated

Sign up for updates

If you’re looking for good service, please visit these local businesses!

Congratulations to our La Porte ISD Campus Teachers of the Year! Honorees selected by their peers at their respective campuses are listed below:

Bayshore Elementary—Lindsay Burleson College Park Elementary—Bobby Walker

Heritage Elementary—Barbara Sader La Porte Elementary—Carol Tribble Lomax Elementary—Amber Harville

Jennie Reid Elementary—Melissa Heintschel Leo Rizzuto Elementary—Tracy Greenwood Baker Sixth Grade Campus—Carol Proctor

La Porte Junior High School—Kay Blanchard Lomax Junior High School—Terry Willms

De Walt School—Sharyn Richardson La Porte High School (core areas)—Irene O’Connor

La Porte High School (non-core areas)—Mary Wacey

Campus Teachers of the Year will be honored at the LPISD Service Awards celebration on May 12, at which the District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year also will be announced. Congratula-tions to these deserving teachers!

2012 Campus Teachers of the Year Announced

FOR SALE

Cemetary Lot

Grandview Cemertary

Deer Park/La Porte

$1600Call

281-471-4577 or

281-414-2895

GARAGE SALES

Garage &

Estate Sale 10226

Carlow Lane Fairmont Park

Furniture, jewelry,

household items & moreApril 15th 8am - 4pm

HIRING LIFEGUARDS The City of Seabrook is hiring part time lifeguards

Certification Classes are Available! Responsibilities include visually scanning pool areas, identifying distressed

swimmers, performing rescues and assists as necessary, completing CPR when appropriate and providing first aid care to customers.

• Red Cross Lifeguard Certification • Red Cross CPR Certification • Red Cross Standard First Aid Certification• Successful Completion of Skills Test

For More Information Visit: www.ci.seabrook.tx.us or call 281-291-5680

EOE

EDUCATIONUH-Clear Lake Professor Hosts Amazon Expedition

An adventurous group of UH-Clear Lake students, faculty, alumni and community members will ex-perience the expedition of a lifetime this July when they spend 16 days exploring the Amazon Rio Ne-gro, a black water river in Northeast Brazil. Group members will get an unforgettable rivers-eye view of the diverse habitat, animals and people that thrive along the largest river system in the world as they study the ecology and natural history of the area. All are invited to be a part of this adventurous endeavor, and should register by May 1. “This is a rare opportunity to explore areas that are not accessible to the standard Amazon tours, and to see unique and endangered wildlife (birds, mammals, etc.),” said Cindy Howard, professor of biology and environmental science. “We have special permission to spend a week in the Jaú National Forest Reserve, which holds pristine terra firme rainforest and white sand forest, as well as seasonally flooded forest.” Leaving July 8 and returning July 23, the (up-to-18-member) group will travel along the Amazon, which contains about one-sixth of the planet’s total surface freshwater. The expedition will start from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil and group members will travel and live aboard the Dorinha, a riverboat that offers 12 air-conditioned cabins, a full bar, library and top-level deck designed for wildlife viewing or relaxing. The itinerary will leave time to explore the flooded forests in motorized canoes, as well as hik-ing, swimming, fishing and dining on piranhas, pea-cock bass and other fish. Howard, who will lead the group, has been studying the ecology and ecotoxicology of the Amazon and

Rio Negro since 1991. To date, she’s led 32 research and ecology study expeditions to the Amazon since 1996. Since then, groups have journeyed to the area twice each year to study low water fishing, explo-ration, flooded forest ecology, natural history and water quality while learning about the area and its people and observing wildlife in its natural habitat. Celina Gauthier is currently pursuing dual Masters of Science degrees: one in Environmental Science with an Environmental Biology specialization track and one in Environmental Management. She made the trip in 2006 to do a comparison study of three white sand forest types, looking at vegetation, soil and fauna at a site on the Cuieras, a tributary of the Rio Negro. Her group also traveled to the Amazon River to witness the “wedding of the waters,” where the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões meet but do not mix for several miles. Gauthier saw a two-toed sloth on her first night exploration by canoe. She also learned anteaters can swim by watching one, observed wild parrots and macaws and also many species of orchids clinging to trees. “This was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go,” said Gauthier. Kristy Farmer, who received her Master of Science in Environmental Science in 2008, was a member of Gauthier’s group who went on to work as a biologist for at an environmental consulting/engineering firm before accepting her current position as a Regula-tory Specialist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District in Galveston, Texas.

Farmer remembers the solitude and peacefulness, and the absence of modern life refuse. “There were only the noises of the Amazon and the sights of the animals and nature abound,” said Farmer. “It was beautiful and I even learned a little about the culture and some Portuguese, too! “It’s impossible to describe an experience that changes you forever.” This year’s trip will conclude with a day-long tour of the historic city of Manaus, including a visit to the famous Opera House, fish markets and museums. Total trip cost, excluding airfare, is $3,395 per person for community members. Students who have completed, or will enroll in the UH-Clear Lake

Tropical Rainforest Ecology course receive a $600 discount. University faculty, staff, alumni, students from other schools and Amazon trip alumni receive a $300 discount. Fee includes double occupancy cabins aboard the boat and meals, field excursions, crew trips, transfers, hotel accommodation and taxes in Brazil. A deposit of $600 secures a space for this excursion limited to 18 people. A few spaces are still available. For more information about this trip, visit http://sce.uhcl.edu/howard and click on “Join our July 2011 expedition,” or contact Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Cindy Howard at [email protected].

Principal percussionist and as-sociate principal timpanist of the Houston Symphony, Brian Del Signore, visited the San Jacinto College (SJC) South campus on April 5. Del Signore gave demonstra-tions on several College per-cussion instruments along with corresponding sample pieces of music that auditioning musicians are often asked to perform. Along with the demonstrations, he also stressed the need to be proficient on several instruments in the per-cussion family in order to become a more marketable professional percussionist. “I was mostly impressed by his emphasis on the importance of practicing as softly as possible,” said South campus percussion in-structor, Debbie Benoist. “Most people would expect a bombastic demonstration on the instruments. Anyone can play loudly, but play-ing softly requires an enormous amount of finesse and control.” Another scheduled Houston Symphony performance at SJC includes the Fidelis Quartet con-sisting of Symphony members Rodica Gonzalez, Mihaela Oan-cea, Wei Jiang, and Jeffrey Butler on May 20 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the North campus, located at

5800 Uvalde Road in Houston. For more informa-tion on music and fine arts events at San Jacinto College, please visit www.arts.sanjac.edu

Houston Symphony’s Brian Del Signore Visits San Jacinto College

Antiques, Gifts, Collectibles, Vintage, Retro, Baby Boutique, Furniture, Scent Oils & Burners

The Coolest - Most Unique Consignment/Resale Store In Texas

321 West Main St.La Porte, Texas 77571

Hours:Tuesday - Saturday

10:30 - 5:30Sunday

12:30 - 5:00

www.reliksandrepeats.com


“We Bring The Shop To You”

MOBILE MECHANIC SERVICE

AUTO, TRUCK & TRAILER

24 HOUR SERVICE

291-991-7572 • 832-657-9383James G. Kopeck

www.azinductriesllc.com

AZ INDUSTRIES

P.J. Mock, Jr. M.D.Family Medicine • American Board of Family Medicine

1200 Highway 146, Suite 250La Porte, Texas 77571E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: (281) 471-0130 Fax: (281) 867-9241

Uphill’s Liquor

1021-A S. Broadway • La Porte281-471-2132

“Come To Uphill’s For Your Spirit”

IN THE GARDEN

The 16th Annual KEELS & WHEELSC O N C O U R S D ’ E L E G A N C E

April 30 - May 1, 2011LAKEWOOD YACHT CLUB

SEABROOK, TEXAS

Classic Car & Boat ShowFeaturing The Bobby Darin Dream Car

& Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Indianapolis Racing

The DiDia150

BUY DISCOUNT TICKETS ONLINE AT: WWW.KEELS-WHEELS.COM

BENEFITTING CHARITIES

Enter For A Chance To Win A New

Mercedes C-Class

Alex Rodriguez Mercedes-Benz donation be raffled

Honoring Century Boats & the50th Anniversary of the Century Sabre

Featured Century Boat:

‘El Jefe’ the 1967 Century Arabian

TITLE SPONSORS

Gardeners of all levels are invited to attend the Gardeners by the Bay meetings held the first Wednesdays of each month, from September to May, at University Baptist Church (Great Room on 2nd floor) located at 16106 Middlebrook Drive. Members and guests enjoy a light brunch from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. A brief business meeting is then held prior to the main program. Guest speakers present timely programs of interest to all garden-ers. Anyone interested is welcome to visit or join. Our member-ship includes novice gardeners as well as certified Texas Master Gardeners who are eager to share their expertise and knowledge in response to questions and concerns. Local trips are planned each year to gardens or other places of interest to gardeners. Visit us at http://gbtb.org

Upcoming Wednesday Meetings:

May 4 - Spring Luncheon

Please call Joanne at 281-286-4938 for information. Looking forward to seeing you!

Effective Summertime Watering Practices It is expected that this spring and summer will be hot and dry. For those of us who love our lawns and gardens it is time to consider the possibility of water restrictions in our area. Be-fore that happens let’s reevaluate our watering practices. If you rely on your irrigation timer to cut the water on and off several times while you are at work, then yes, your watering practices are inefficient and probably wasteful. For already established landscapes or gardens it is recommended that you water deeply and infrequently. About 1 and ½ inches of water per week should be enough. Deep watering once a week encourages a plant’s roots to reach deeper for the water thus creating a stronger root system. Frequent watering for short pe-riods encourages a plant’s root system to form near the top of the soil. This creates a plant with a weaker root system. The water that is close to the surface of the soil evaporates much easier. Water early in the morning before the tem-perature starts to get hot. That way your plants will take up enough water to help them face the day’s heat. Water evaporation is less in the morning hours. If early morning watering is

not possible, then late afternoon watering is fine as long as the leaves of your plants have time to dry before nightfall. If late afternoon watering is best for you then consider using soaker hoses for your gardens. Most people use an overhead or oscillating type of sprinkler for their lawns. While these work well for lawn areas, they are not efficient for flower or vegetable gardens. These types of sprinkler systems lose about 50 percent of

the delivered water to evaporation and drift. A pop up sprinkler system is better for lawns. The sprinkler heads are buried in the ground and pop up when the system is turned on to deliver wa-ter about 4inches above the ground level. This delivers the water right to the plants and not to the air above. Soaker hoses are best for winding through a flower or vegetable garden. They can also be used around shrubs and bushes. Putting down a layer of mulch to cover the soaker hoses con-

serves moisture and keeps the soil cool. Also since the leaves of your plants are never wet with this method, the possibility of fungal dis-ease is greatly diminished. The water from the soaker hose goes directly to the plant roots and evaporation is not a problem. To water trees or large shrubs you need to use a root feeder. Contrary to what you might think, a tree’s roots which uptake water are not located near the tree’s trunk. Those roots are lo-cated out at the drip line of the tree’s branches. Hook your root feeder up to the water hose and insert it into the ground about 18 inches deep. Continue to inject water into the ground in this manner in a complete circle around the tree fol-lowing the drip line. One last thing you can do to help conserve water this year and still have a nice lawn is to alter your mowing methods. Do not scalp your lawn when mowing. Adjust your mower blade to a cutting height of about 3 inches. Grass that is left a bit longer will actually shade the soil and decrease evaporation. By following good watering practices you can have a nice lawn or garden and still conserve water.

Soaker Hose Pop Up Sprinkler

La Porte Residents Can Pick Up Free Mulch The City of La Porte asks that you separate your brush (tree limbs, grass clippings, etc) from your household trash for heavy trash day. The free mulch we offer is the result of grinding and composting the brush that citizens put on the curb. The free mulch locations are:

9300 Block of Carlow, at Spenwick Park 8610 Banridge, near oil recycler 10211 Hillridge, near oil recycler 1508 Lomax School Road East E Street @ Arizona 1700 South Broadway, across from Lift Station #3 City Park at Tyler and Fourth Street 2963 N. 23rd Street (Public Works)

Residents wishing to pick up mulch from the Public Works loca-tion, should call 281-471-9650 to determine if mulch is available. Residents should bring a pickup truck or trailer to be loaded, or their own bags and shovels for self-service. Although we cannot deliver mulch, we have expanded avail-ability to residents by placing mulch at the eight locations listed about and on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm we can assist in loading mulch.

Gardeners By The Bay Upcoming Meetings

Bay Area Observer 4-14-2011

Documents

Transcript of Bay Area Observer 4-14-2011