Bay Area Observer 4-28-2011

By Rebecca [email protected]

On April 21 the La Porte High School theater group brought their award winning One Act play “Is He Dead?” to La Porte Neighborhood Centers for a comedy dinner theater perfor-mance. Culinary Arts Students prepared the evening’s meal in the “Bulldog Bistro” and in-cluded Instructor Hope Salas, Kayla, Gladys, Trevor, Chris-tian and Caine. “Is He Dead?,” is a comedy written by Mark Twain and adapted by David Ives. The play is a fictional story based on a real artist, Jean- Francois Millet. Millet is a young paint-er of genius who is struggling to sell his works, and is in love with Marie Leroux. Along with his artists friends and Marie’s Father he is deeply in debt to a the villain Bastien Andre. Millet must find a way to repay his debts to Andre, as he has threatened debtor’s prison unless Marie agrees to marry him. Millet’s friends concoct a hilarious scheme to fake his death, because appar-ently, as one buyer put it, “an

artist is worth so much more when he’s dead!” They decide to have Mil-let “die” of an exotic disease, and he disguises himself as his widowed sister in order to

be able to come out of hiding. Once the plan is in action, the craziness begins! Stephen Mabry is funny in the role of Jean-Francois Millet, but is even more hi-larious when he dons a dress and brings the Widow Tillou to life. Equally talented and funny included Christian Cis-neros as Agamemnon Buckner (Chicago), Chris Kimball as Bastien Andre, Joseph Redd as Papa Leroux, Ally Oliphint as Cecile Leroux, Kandice Wicke as Marie Leroux, Cameron Regan as Phelim O’Shaughnessy, Justin King as Hans Von Bismark (Dutchy), Chelsea Bishop as Madame Bathilde, Celest Palacios as Madame Caron, Travis Wright as Basil Thorpe, Corbin Ayres

as Claude Riviere, Jacob Rho-des as Charlie/King of France, Alissa Frobenius as Emperor of Russia, and Leigh-Ann Bal-

lard as Sultan of Turkey. Crew members are Tyler McElroy, Taylor McElroy, Zach Ashworth, Emily Ed-wards and Chelsea Robinson, and alternates are Ian Mo-ser, Kayla Zaborowski, Kirstin Dunkerson and Reyth Hall. Additional students who worked with technical director Steve Regan to prepare for the LPHS competition are Audrey Ladd, Sammi Oliphint, Corey Nelson and Hunter Turling-ton. LPHS theater instructors are Kerry Regan, Steve Regan and Kelly Nelson. Producers gave additional thanks go to all of the won-derful costume Moms: Kathy Green, Shawn Oliphant, Becky Dunkerson, Tracy Re-vak, Monika Tutt and Tina McKinley. Thank went out to Sonja and Jack Angelo As well as Karen Hall, Tim Honea, LPHS Prin-cipal Dr. Joanne Kolius, Terri Cook from LPISD Communi-cations Department and Se-bastian Lopez.

By The Bay

English Handbell Choir Spring Concert, FUMC, La PorteApril 29, 7:30 PM.

The world acclaimed English Handbell choir, Houston Bronze Ensemble, will present their Spring Concert, ‘Star Struck’, in Angel Hall at First United Methodist Church, La Porte, 9601 W. Fairmont Parkway on Friday, April 29, 7:30 PM. This is the choir’s third appearance in La Porte. Donations: $15/adults, $5/students.

TCCI, 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.

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!There is no charge to participate in the parade and entries are welcome. For a parade applica-tion or additional information, contact the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce at 281-471-1123 or at www.laporte-chamber.org.

INDEX

Community..........................2Crossword............................2Local News..........................3Obituraries..........................3Events..................................4Sylvan Beach Pageant.....5-8Election News......................9Local News.........................10 Classifieds..........................11Cuisine...............................12 In The Garden...................12

VOLUME 2, NO. 17 LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

The Bay Area ObserverCommunity News For The Galveston Bay Area

Continued on page 4

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

LPHS Production of “Is He Dead?” Hilariously Entertaining

Stephen Mabry as the Widow Tillou, the “Widowed Sister” of the painter Jean-Francois Millet and Joseph Redd as Papa Leroux

MissSylvan Beach

ContestantsSpecial Section

Pages 5 - 8

By Rebecca [email protected]

On Monday La Porte City Council voted unanimously to ap-prove an ordinance establishing guidelines for city council trav-el and business expenses. This included an automobile allow-ance. The ordinance will allow for the mayor to receive $200 per month, and each city council member $100 per month, as an automobile expense allowance. The mayor and council members may elect to receive the allowance, be reimbursed for mileage while using their vehicle on official city business, or accept no funds for the use of their vehicles. Council members may also elect to be issued a city cellular phone, receive reimbursement for the use of their private phones, or accept no funds. For travel on city business, the council members may elect to receive an IRS per diem, provide actual receipts for reimbursement or accept no reimbursements. Council voted 7-2-1, , to approve a license agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC for the use of 0.0344 acres of land for the city’s bicycle-pedestrian trail. Jay Martin and Mike Mosteit opposed, with Chuck Engelken abstaining from the vote Council voted 5-3 to award a $54,143 bid to Brazos Fence to replace the fence and five gates surrounding the La Porte Munici-pal Airport. Tommy Moser, Daryl Leonard and John Zemanek opposed.Public Works Director David Mick said “The airport fence re-placement project consists of replacing approximately 4,060 feet of fence and five gates along the south side of the airport adja-cent to Spencer Highway and changing the location of the fence approximately 20 feet to the north to allow for future sidewalk installation”.Approval of an ordinance condemning a substandard building at 1307 East Main was tabled. The property under consideration is involved in a probate court matter. Ordinances to condemn several other properties as substandard were approved by unani-mous vote. All other items were approved by unanimous vote. Council Member John Black was absent.

By Ann VernonCity Secretray - El Lago

All I can say is WOW…WHAT A PARTY!!! We es-timate that as many as a thousand showed up at the big “El Lago is turning 50” bash at McNair Park on Sat-urday, April 16th. The day started early with the Space Run, moved right into the annual Easter Egg Hunt and then had a long a beautiful finish with an afternoon in the park full of toys, arts and crafts, bar-b-que, antique cars and music… really, really good music. For those who don’t know, the performers in the Open Mic part from 1 to 4 p.m. were all local artists… Don Eisele (son of El Lago astronaut Don Eisele), Kevin Fenton (grew up on Cedar Lane), Emma Bordelon (still lives on Shadow Creek), Dylan Mathis (frequently per-forms at Coffee Oasis). Really good job guys! I know with so much activity going on it was hard to tell if anyone was paying attention, but we’ve heard noth-ing but good comments about your music – they were listening. And what can you say about Cartoon Sky? All their music was excellent, but their Beatles Abby Road music was almost transporting. They were so good that the Mayor even extended their playing time an extra hour. Hope you were one of the lucky ones who stayed to the end because it was worth it! We sold out of bar-b-que tickets – all 620 of them. I think the Double Barrel Cookers did an awesome job on the brisket and sausage and chicken and potato salad and beans and… That’s a lot of food to put out in so short a time and it all tasted great. Thank goodness for Boondoggles and managers Jeff Hicks and Justine Sones. They saved us from starvation by serving up

chips and salsa, ceviche, brushetta, and corn dogs be-fore the bar-b-que was ready. Many thanks to Boon-doggles for all their continued help and support… for all that you do we are grateful! There was so much to do…I hope you took the time to wonder around the park and watch a kid ride the mechanical bull, climb the rock wall or paint on one of the two giant canvasses that were prepared by Re-becca Collins. And did you wonder back to the bar-b-que cook-off area at the back of the park? We had five great teams participate with entries in brisket, chicken and margaritas. The teams were The Double C Cook-ers, Team Brian, Changes In Attitude, It’s the Pits and Bayview Que Cookers. I was given the pleasure of organizing the judges for the best margarita contest… let me tell you, all entries were tasty winners! We even had one served up in a salt dipped jalapeno - very creative! I do believe the Mayor plans to host the BBQ cook-off again next year so start brushing up on your recipes, it’s a great all night party. The Mayor, City Council and Staff were all involved in planning and organizing the weekend’s event. However, there were so many more who contributed either time, money or both. A simple thank you will not suffice for these folks’ generosity, I would like to express our utmost sincere appreciation from the Mayor, Council and myself to all those who contrib-uted in one way or another, we could not have done it without your help and assistance. Here’s a list (I have probably missed someone and for that I apologize) of those who gave so generously for our enjoyment:

El Lago Celebrates 50 Years

El Lago Mayor Emel With El Lago Sponsored Ed White Elementary Coloring Contest Winners Emma Aguirre, Cody Knobloch And Larisa Salinas

La Porte City Council Approves Ordinance

To Establishing Reimbursement For Travel and

Business Expenses

Cast members mourn the “death” of Jean-Francois Millet

LPHS Culinary Arts Students prepared the evening’s meal in the “Bulldog Bistro” and includes Instructor Hope Salas,

Kayla, Gladys, Trevor, Christian and Caine

THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY EVENTS

Seabrook: Wednesday Night Sailboat Racing on Clear LakeEvery Wednesday

Every Wednesday evening from April until October, professional and amateur sailors get together for a friendly sailboat race on the waters of Clear Lake, twenty minutes south of Houston and home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.These races were created with the public in mind, and the course has been set where the race can be enjoyed by spectators from some of the restaurants around the lake. Everyone is invited to come and watch. The races are rarely cancelled due to bad weather. In the previous twelve years, the races have been cancelled only about five times due to bad weather. The atmosphere just seems to get its act together as the sun goes down! Come on out and join us! The races start promptly at 6:15 PM and finish before sunset. Come and join us for an evening of fun and relaxation. There’s always some commentary on the action, and if you wish to participate, you’re wel-come to sign up on our crew list. We always have boats looking for crew! If you own a boat and would like to participate in these races, read the race instructions, then come out and join the fun. You can sign up the day of the races by filling out an entry form.Time: 6:30 pmVenue Name: Villa Capri Italian Restaurant Location: 3713 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586Admission Cost: Phone: 281-468-6909Web: www.clearlakeracing.com

The Red Suspenders’ Shrimp BoilNorman L. Malone Senior CenterSaturday, May 7, 201111:00 AM-1:00 PM

The Red Suspenders’ Shrimp Boil will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Norman L. Malone Senior Center, 1322 So. Broadway, La Porte, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. $10 for boiled shrimp, cole slaw, bever-age (dine in only), cocktail sauce and crackers. Homemade desserts available by donation.Proceeds benefit the La Porte Special Olympics.Tickets available at Senior Center, Red Suspender members and at door. Door prize drawings will be held throughout the service time and there will be a special raffle of a 2 night stay at Candlewood Suites.

Continued from page 1

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.

Seabrook Gears Up for Nation’s Largest Classic

Car and Wooden Boat Show Seabrook is a community best known for its beautiful waterfront property and miles of scenic nature trails. The city also plays host to one of the region’s most popular events, Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance, now in its sixteenth year. Held at Lakewood Yacht Club, the event attracts more than 15,000 visitors from across the globe. Approximately 300 classic cars and boats from around the United States are on display, showcasing some of the most interesting vehicles seldom seen traversing the roads or cruising the shores these days. Other vintage vehicles will be avail-able for sale during the event’s Houston Classic Auction. The City of Seabrook and the Seabrook Economic Development Corporation are proud supporters of the event. “Keels & Wheels is a great endeavor that brings tremendous economic value to the local economy and the Seabrook community,” stated Ernie Davis, Presi-dent of the Seabrook EDC. “LYC Concours Corporation, the com-pany that operates Keels & Wheels, also generously contributes to various local charities, such as Boys and Girls Harbor.” As a result of their contributions to the community and the organi-zation’s philanthropic spirit, LYC Concours Corporation was chosen as the 2010 Business-of-the-Year by Seabrook EDC. “We are thrilled to have been selected for this great honor,” said Bob Fuller, Chair-man and co-founder of Keels & Wheels. “We have another amazing weekend planned that is expected to top prior attendance records, so we encourage the community and any car or boat enthusiasts to join us for exceptional displays, fun performances and one of the largest auctions in the nation of its kind.” The award was presented to both Fuller and co-founder Paul Merryman at the annual Economic Alli-ance Houston Port Region awards banquet. Keels & Wheels will be held this year from April 30 - May 1. Attendees can view nearly 200 cars and more than 100 boats on dis-play, enjoy festive music and stroll along the marina of Lakewood Yacht Club. This year’s theme pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and will feature previously raced Indy cars, such as the 1935 Miller-Ford, and pace cars.

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Join Scouts Now!!! Attend Twilight Camp June 13th through Boys who will be in 1st through 5th grade for the 2011-2012 school year (currently K-4th grade) are eligible to join Cub Scouts Now!!! New Cub Scouts, will be able to attend Twilight Camp at the Pasadena Fair Grounds June 13th through 17th!!! Click on our Website link to find out more information. Or, to join immediately contact us at 713-410-7742. For almost a century the Boy Scouts of America has made it its mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. As the school year begins, local Scout units will host neighborhood Scout Nights to introduce boys and their parents to the Cub Scout program. Activities emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Boy Scouts of America celebrated 100 years in February 2010. The Scouting program was established by a congressional charter to educate and prepare young people for life. The program helps parents and educators reinforce the necessary learning to lead an active and productive life in the community. More on the Scout Oath and Law can be found at www.samhoustonbsa.org Some of the exciting activities that local Cub Scout Pack 389 is planning 2011-12 include: Family Camp Outs (Oct, March, May), Bayshore Pushmobile Race (Oct), Houston Aeros Tunnel Team and Color Guard (Nov), Raingutter Regatta (Dec), Camping on the Battleship Texas (Dec), Houston Rockets Benchwarmers (Jan), Pinewood Derby (Feb), Scout Night with the Harlem Globetrot-ters (Feb), Blue and Gold Banquet (March), Spring Break State Park Camp Out (March), Scout Fair & Mega Derby at Reliant Arena (April), Family Fun Day (May), End of School State Park Camp Out (June), Bayshore Twilight Camp (June), Summer Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch (July), Scout Day with the Astros (Sept). More information is available online at http://sites.google.com/site/pack389tx/Home <http://sites.google.com/site/pack389tx/Home> . For more information on local programs, or to join im-mediately, contact Nick Cocchia at 713-410-7742 or [email protected]. Pack 389 is in the Bayshore District of the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) and serves Seabrook, El Lago, Nassau Bay, and Taylor Lake Village. Boys mostly come to us from Ed White, Bay, Robinson, and Bay Area Charter, although all boys in the area are welcome.

Join Scouts Now!!! Attend Twilight Camp

June 13th through 17th Spring Registration for Cub Scouts at

the Seabrook Community HouseWednesday, May 4th and May 11th at 6:30 PM

In The Beginning…(Continued)By Jay Dunham

Last week I related how the Red Suspender Shrimp Boil came into being, and the two successful events. Flushed with success, we planned our third shrimp boil, but plan and cook for 200! We served over 220 plates. THINK BIG, we were told, so next time planning was for 320. Thanks to Joe Bertuglia of 101 Café, we were able to keep 160 pounds of shrimp chilled until Saturday morning., We started cooking at 6:30 AM so the shrimp would be chilled in time for serving. By 10:00 AM, all the shrimp were on ice. Six Red Sus-pender men tended the serving counter for the next 2 hours while the ladies kept the dessert table supplied with a wide assortment of donated home made delights. At 1:00 PM, the last patron was served, with less than a half pound of shrimp remaining. The count was 314 plates served. It was a tired, yet very gratified, group cleaning up the Center afterwards. We now feel like we have the system. We can’t go back, just forward. Through the balance of the year we basked in our suc-cess.Our February Red Suspender meeting looked like a rehab ward in a hospital. Only seven showed up and 4 of these were disabled. No way were we going to be able to put on the shrimp boil, as much as we wanted to. Reluctantly, we faced reality and can-celled any plans to proceed. A few days later, I was in the Donut Factory and stopped by to say “hello” to Dottie Kaminski. She asked about the shrimp boil plans and I told her our dilemma, not sufficiently well bodies. Her suggestion was to write a letter to the Bayshore Sun edi-tor, asking for volunteers. I did and Adam included it in the next Tuesday edition. Tuesday night I received a call from Deb Boye, saying her son read the letter and suggested the football players could help. That was the beginning of over 30 offers to assist us if we contin-ued to have the event. Of course, we went ahead with it.Mayor pro-tem Louis Rigby presented a proclamation at City Council designating the week of April 11 as “Red Suspenders’ Shrimp Boil Week”. We were off and running. Thanks to the wonderful response by the volunteers and the community in general, the shrimp boil was the most successful yet. Presenting the proceed check at the Special Olympics ban-quet in May was most gratifying. This year’s shrimp boil is scheduled for May 7th, and the foot-ball guys have already volunteered their help. Anyone who would like to volunteer 15-20 minutes on the serving line between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM is certainly welcome. Call me at 713-628-7112. Let’s make this “The La Porte Community Shrimp Boil”

Meeting in the Seabrook Community House for our annual book review and community meeting. It is an evening of sharing news about our New Evelyn Meador Branch Library due to open at the end of June 2011. Ruth Burke will present her book, “ Image of America - Seabrook”. Rhoda Goldberg will have the latest up-dates on the new library. Location: Seabrook Community House, Time: Refreshments at 6:30 pm, 7 pm program. Contact Barbara Whelton at 281-380-9895 for more information.

Friends of Evelyn Meador Library Annual Meeting

Thursday, April 28th

The Seabrook Sailing Club Youth Committee is sponsoring a Gear Swap Meet Saturday April 30th 9am - 1pm. So clear out your PFD’s, water shoes, wetsuits, parts, lines, masts, rigging – if goes on a boat or windsurfer, bring it all down, and trade it out (including full boats and windsurfers)! We’ll also be previewing and signing up for Youth Sailing Program for 2011. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided, please bring a dish if you wish. Swap and Sail Sign up Email:[email protected] Cell 281.630.8680.

Gear Swap and Sail Event at Seabrook Sailing Club

The Main Street Business Alliance in La Porte, Texas is seeking artists to participate in a monthly Art Walk in the newly revital-ized downtown La Porte. The Art Walk by the Bay will be from 6 – 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month beginning May 6. The event will feature the works of local and regional artists displayed at six different businesses in Main Street district. Artists’ works will be displayed and for sale at the businesses throughout the following month. Information is online at www.artwalkbythebay.com. The City of La Porte is providing support for the event, and the City staff who work with Main Street are excited about the Art Walk Plans. Economic Coordinator Stacey Osborne said that this is one more indication that the City’s revitalization efforts are paying off. “I get together with the Main Street business own-ers once a month at our Main Street Morning Brew coffees, and I’ve been so happy to see how they are all working together to make Main street a more viable, successful place to do business. We’re thrilled that the business owners have taken the initiative to make this Art Walk happen, and we fully support them in their efforts.” For additional information about the Art Walk by the Bay, please call (281) 470-5017 or send an email to [email protected]. Artists and patrons can also visit the website, www.artwalkbythe-bay.com.

La Porte Business Owners To Host Art Walk By The Bay

Artists To Display Work First Fridays On Main Street

The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a me-morial blood drive in honor of the man who lost his life from his burns after saving the lives of many other residents at the Emer-ald Shores apartments. With the Memorial Day holiday and then the July 4th holiday not long after, there is usually an increased need for blood. The drive will be held on Monday, May 23rd, 2011 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM in association with the UTMB Blood Bank. All community members are invited and encouraged to partici-pate in the blood drive, which will be held at the Seabrook Volun-teer Fire Department, Station 1, located at 1850 E.Meyer Road.For more information, please contact SVFD at 281-474-3434.

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

Seabrook Volunteer Fire Dept. Memorial Blood Drive

May 23rd, 2011

The Citizen’s Advisory Council (CAC) to La Porte Industry is a forum for community-in-dustry dialogue about plant-related issues like environment and safety. CAC members know you can’t talk with chemical plant managers without talking about chemistry, so periodically they schedule a chemistry lesson. The April meeting featured several les-sons in celebration of the In-ternational Year of Chemistry. Several of the presenters offer their lessons to local schools. Air Products separates ni-trogen from air. Their liquid nitrogen experiment demon-strated several of its proper-ties and how they relate to Air Products’ safety systems and commercial applications. While amusing to watch liq-uid nitrogen emissions ex-pand a balloon, the lesson

showed that it expands to 700 times its volume and will deplete the oxygen in a confined space. Thus Air Products uses confined space entry procedures to protect workers’ safety. DuPont employees demonstrated how to make the bright green slime you see being sprayed on kids’ television shows. By combining ordinary items such as pickle juice, baking soda, and Bo-rax with the polyvinyl alcohol DuPont produces in La Porte, bubbly green slime is created. After demonstrating a chemical reaction that makes a cake rise, two LyondellBasell engi-neers poked a pencil through a sandwich bag full of water without causing a leak and showed how a polymer used in an absorbent pad can ef-fectively clean oil from water in the event of a spill. The polymer absorbs the oil, but not the water. The polyethylene sandwich bags and polypropylene pads are produced from poly-mers made at LyondellBasell’s La Porte and Bayport plants. Lubrizol’s plant manager and his grade-school daughter showed their display of the periodic table, with samples of over 35 pure elements and additional compounds. PPG’s senior chemist took members back to chemistry class with his diagrams of the phos-gene molecule, explanations of its reactions, and descriptions of the effects of exposure and the steps taken to prevent and respond to re-leases. Odfjell Tankers will discuss marine shipping at the Tuesday, May 3 meeting at the DuPont Employee Recreation Center on Strang Road, which beings with dinner at 5:45 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Contact CAC facilitator Diane Sheridan at 281/326-5253 to RSVP.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER PAGE 3

EDITORIAL/OPINION

LOCAL NEWS

OBITUARIES

Police BlottersSeabrook Police Department

4/18/11-4/25/11

Burglary 4

CVE Citations 4

Disturbances 11

Domestic Violence 3

DWI/DUI 2

Traffic Accidents 4

Traffic Citations/Arrest 142

Welfare Concerns 2

As the area weather becomes warmer, residents also become prone to leaving their windows and doors open in order to let fresh air in, or try and stay cool without having to absorb high air-conditioning costs. In the Southeast Texas region, this is indeed a short-lived time of year which most people enjoy. However, the La Porte Police Department would like to re-mind community members to be vigilant about their home security while the weather re-

mains mild. Citizens are encouraged to check all residential doors and windows before leaving their residence. Much like vehicle burglars, residential thieves simply look for dwellings which appear vacant, upon which they may simply walk right up and test a door or win-dow to see if it’s unlocked. In such a circumstance, burglars can easily enter a residence and steal hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of property in a matter of min-utes. “Any door or window that is hidden from the view of the street is particularly vulnerable” says Police Chief Ken Adcox. “Unfortunately, it is these same hidden access points that are commonly left unsecured by homeowners who seem to focus mainly on locking their front door, while leaving windows and back-doors unsecured. This makes

for a very easy target.” Locking doors and windows is only one method of preven-tion La Porte Police inform. Other tips include:

• Checking all outside lighting devices for proper working or-der or increasing lighting,• Ensuring that garage doors remain completely closed and secured at all times,• Temporarily stopping news-paper and mail delivery if you plan to be away from home for, longer than 48 hours,• Installing an alarm security system.

By taking a proactive stance in protecting your home, our entire community can enjoy its historical low crime rate. If you would like more informa-tion on Home Burglary pre-vention tips, please contact the La Porte Police Department at 281-471-2141.

LPPD Recommends Vigilance as Warmer Spring Weather Arrives

By John Rosenow

You probably have a favorite tree-lined street in your community. Or a tree-filled neighborhood you’ve always admired. Or a favorite forest where you like to bask in the beauty of the trees. It’s important to remember that those beautiful spaces aren’t here by accident. The forests we enjoy today – which give us both pleasure and environmental benefits – are here because of the vision, courage and hard work of generations past. When I find myself enjoying the solitude of a forest, I often remember the visionaries who helped preserve our forest lands. Theodore Roosevelt was a well-known champion of trees who risked political capital and fought short-sighted special interests to set aside large swaths of America’s forested lands for the enjoyment of future generations. As president, Roosevelt used the 1891 Forest Reserves Act to protect 160 million acres of forests. He also set aside 16 national monuments, 51 wildlife refuges and five new national parks. Because of his actions and the dedicated foresters who have served America since, today our National For-ests are a treasured legacy. There are plenty of modern-day heroes, too, who manage our urban forests. Thanks to the tree advocates of recent decades, thousands of America’s cities and towns have been transformed into lush green spaces, and many of them are now Tree City USAs. These healthy urban forests include thriving parks, shaded homes and schools, and tree-lined parkways. Some of our city foresters and volunteers who care for these trees must do so on limited budgets, often using creative ways to scratch resources to keep their trees vibrant. Fortunately, in many com-munities elected officials and citizen leaders have come to recognize trees as valuable economic and environmental assets that grow in value over time … as essential components of the urban infrastructure. Trees ought to be integral parts of natural-resource sustainability efforts in our communities. Investing in trees pays off in so many ways, such as citizen health and well-being, energy conserva-tion, improved watersheds, increased property values, and enhanced business results. We are standing on the broad shoulders of many tree planters who have come before us. Every day, we benefit from their foresight through cleaner air, safe and abundant drinking water, and shady homes and neighborhoods. Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates planting trees, but it’s more than that. Let us remember those who planted trees before us, who helped establish and care for our nation’s forests and the beautiful, beneficial canopies of trees within our towns and cities. Now it’s our turn to plant trees and to ensure that our forests grow healthy and strong. As we celebrate National Arbor Day today, let’s make a commitment to plant trees, support replanting projects in our nation’s forests, and encourage our community leaders to invest in trees. When we plant trees, we have healthier forests to visit, greener cities in which to live, and a sense of pride in our neighborhoods. Tomorrow, on Arbor Day, I propose that we act on behalf of future generations. Let us each create our own legacy this year by planting trees. John Rosenow is the founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees

Happy Arbor Week!

Chemistry Lessons Featured at CAC Meeting

Tyler Conn (left) and Kaylin Harper of Ly-ondellBasell demonstrate how a pad made of polymers can effectively clean oil spills from waterways by absorbing the oil instead of the water. The two engineers were demonstrating LyondellBasell’s Explore and Experiment pro-gram, a free educational outreach program that provides science curricula and experi-ments specific to each grade from kindergar-ten to 12th, during the April meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Council to La Porte Indus-try. Several CAC plants offer science lessons to schools.

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By Dorothy Guy Bonvillain

I’ll never forget Jackie’s arrival to our neigh-borhood in August of 1955. It was a bitter-sweet event because doctors predicted that she wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy her teen years. Instead, her zest for life and uncondi-tional love for people led her to defy the odds and live for decades. We were all blessed to have become a part of her world. You only had to meet Jackie to know that she was a unique and special creation for God’s garden -much like the story of “blue roses” – unique, rare, appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. Such roses as Jackie had to be smelled with your heart and touched with kind-ness; otherwise, you’d have missed a special blessing from God. Jackie’s life was meaningful proof of our one-ness in love’s great purpose. Her capacity to love was akin to celestial voices of angels look-ing down on us and saying, “See, the magic never ends.” My Montessori teacher/friend, Paul, beauti-fully wrote: “Every child is a being ascending – unique among all other beings in nature – the human child evolves and has been gifted with unique powers enabling him or her to ascend to just a little less than an angel.” This was Jackie. In the end, we found ourselves to be a ‘gardener’ caring for her. She taught us more about unconditional love than we could have ever learned on our own. Though marriage took me far away from La Porte for the majority of Jackie’s life, she never forgot us, and always exhibited great joy to be in our presence. Even though she only met our sons, Trey & David, on a few occasions, she never failed to ask about them and wanted to know how they were. I’ll never forget how she loved me to massage her shoulders, always de-lightedly coming to sit down in front of me for a rub. Jackie’s great love and admiration for her sister, Donna, ran deep and was very beautiful. As long as I live, I’ll never forget her (and our) confusion and broken heart when Donna left us. Donna was unquestionably one of God’s most beautiful creations - both inside and out – and Jackie no doubt had an innate sense of this rare beauty. I always admired Doris and Jack’s commit-ment to keep Jackie at home and to patiently guide her to become the best person she could be and a respectful person of others. I’ve long noted their dignity and tenacity in accepting the challenges that came with this commitment. As Jay and Jack grew up, I noted how they too demonstrated a GREAT love for Jackie and she

for them, as well as a solid commitment to re-main close to their mother’s family when some may have chosen an easier path. This speaks volumes about the character of this family. One of the lessons of being a teacher of both children and adults – within America and abroad – is just how “gloriously different we are from each other!” I have come to know that in the Garden of Life, we each are here “to bring forth fruit according to our own kind.” Our greatest tribute to Jackie will be to remember the lessons she came to teach us. She taught us to prize individuality and to know that in each developing child is someone precious. Her life serves as a gentle reminder for us to “be kind whenever it is possible…and that it is always possible to be kind.” In closing, I share with you an appropriate scripted lyric from folk singer Pat Humphries. It’s from a beautiful poster celebrating the Gar-den of Learning and Love:

“In a many colored garden we are growing

side by side

We will rise all together, we will rise…

From our children to our elders

From all nations, we will rise.

May respect for all our differences

Enhance our common ties…

We will build a global family

Strengthened by our common threads-

God-willing, we will rise together-

We will rise.”

Jackie GreshamA Special Flower for God’s Garden

Patsy Ann Meza, 72, of La Porte passed away Friday April 22, 2011. She was born July 13, 1938 in Houston, Texas to Mary Athena Keller-man and Arnold A. Wells. Patsy worked for the US Postal Service for 38 years, beginning as a runner, clerk, head clerk, and working her way up to Post Master in La Porte. Where she later retired as the Regional Supervisor. She was also a member of the La Porte Heritage Society, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and was past president

of the La Porte Civic Club. She is survived by her husband JJ Meza, children Wanda Sirmans, Melissa Shaw and husband Terry, Devona Rule, Robert “Bo” Kannarr and wife Tammy, Darius Meza, Jonelle Goodwin and husband Mark, grandchildren Kristina Stanger, Cheyenne Chapman and wife Diedra, Jeralisa Grider and husband Cary, Laurie DiPalma and husband John, Clayton Olvera, Matthew Olvera, Can-dice Malone and husband Danny, Sean Kan-narr, Maegan Kannarr, Casey Shaw and wife Emily, Ashley Rodgers and husband David, Justin Strader and daughter Zoe, Aaron Alex-ander, Brandy Meza, Christopher Meza, Tyler Goodwin, Austin Goodwin, Mason Goodwin, and 22 great grandchildren.A Visitation will be held Tuesday April 26, 2011 at 5-7PM at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel, with a Rosary beginning at 7PM. Services will be held Wednesday April 27, 2011 at 10AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in La Porte. In lieu of usual remembrances donations may be made to the La Porte Heritage Society and the La Porte Community Library.

MEZA

By Jay Dunham [email protected]

Pickin ‘n Grinnin: Our monthly Sing Along Thursday was really swinging this month. In ad-dition to our regulars, Robbie, Carl and Steven, Leroy Canaday, a new member, brought his fiddle and the four of them had a daytime hoe down. There was a lot of singing and toe tapping and Mary Lee, shoeless, tried desperately to find a dance partner. Failing at this, she waltzed about solo. I am informed that April’s Sing Along will have some more surprises. I can hardly wait.

Storytime: Twenty eager seniors gathered in the Living Room at the Norman L. Malone Senior Center for the first Story Telling session on Tuesday, April 5th. Leading off the program, Mary Lee recited a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, Little Orphant Annie. With her kindergarten style of story telling, all were thoroughly involved with Annie’s dilemma. A hard act to follow, but each, in turn, recalled a past experience which they eagerly related. We are awaiting next week’s session to see what is in store.

Easter Bonnets: Robbie is again guiding the ladies through constructing Easter Bonnets in preparation for the Easter Parade and munchie party on the 21st. If the past is any indication, the outcome will be unique and colorful. This is another party you don’t want to miss out on. Besides, the munchie table is ALWAYS laden with good eats.

Yo Ho Yoga: A new exercise program is being offered for the next 6 weeks: yoga. Kay Watson is instructing a group of seniors in the fine art of the program. If you have ever been in a yoga class, you know the good after feeling. Thursday afternoons, 1:00 PM in the exercise room.

Light Fantastic: The Senior Dance on Thursday evening (7th) was well attended and all enjoyed dancing to Country Now and Then. At $7, which includes 3 hours of music, snack supper and door prizes, it’s one of the best entertainment deals going. Our volunteers try to make it a fun affair. If you haven’t experienced one of the dances, try it out Thursday Evening, May 5. Music starts at 7:00 PM (doors open @ 6:15). Earl Epps will be the music maker.

Concerts: Robbie hosted a trip to Five Points Plaza for the first of the season’s concerts. Country Music played by Jake Hooker And The Outsiders kept our toes tapping and hands clapping. Since the weather cooperated, it was an enjoyable evening indeed.

Laugh At Yourself: This Is Jeannie Robertson’s advice for relieving stress and living a long life. After the hot lunch, provided by Harris County Agency on Aging, we watched one of her hilarious CD’s . On our new life size surround sound system, it was nearly like being there in person. I’m sure she is correct about laughing at oneself, but laughing with her is a good substitute, too.

Boo!: Our Story Time this week began with Mary Lee relating ‘supernatural’ activities occurring in her home in Lufkin. Some very unusual happenings took place, many attested to by Deb D.This was followed by Dubious Dunham, who believes all these have a natural explanation, reading an account about a haunted house on the Teche in Louisiana. In turn, everyone had an experience with the ‘supernatural’ to relate. Annie Rose took the prize, though, for SCARY.

The next Story Time topic is Pets.

Dolphins: On Wednesday, April 20th, The County bus loaded up over 30 Seniors for a day in Galveston. Our first stop was Pier 21, the site of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA. Following a short but informative visit in the museum, we boarded a double decked catamaran for a tour of Galveston Harbor. Captain Bill pointed out many of the sights along the quay. We passed by Seawolf Park, the memorial to the fated submarine of WWII, and the final berths for the USS Cavalla (SS-244) and The USS Stewart (DE-238), and then out into the Bolivar Roads, the entrance to Galveston Bay. As promised, dolphins frolicked alongside the boat, much to the enjoyment of shutterbugs and passengers. Upon disembarking, we ‘buddied’ up and went in the quest of food. Those who went to Fisherman’s Wharf were not disappointed in the fare. Before meeting our bus at 2:30 for our return to La Porte, we were allowed to wander the Strand neighborhood. I noticed that many ended up at La King’s Confectionery, as did I. Well, the conclusion of a Senior Trip often includes an ice cream treat.

Easter Bonnets: A picture is worth a thousand words!

Down the Road: Tuesday, April 26, 11:00 AM Circle of Friends sing-along.

Tuesday, April 26, 1:00 PM Story TimeWednesday, April 27, 1:00 PM Afternoon Sock Hop

Thursday, May 5, 7:00 PM Senior Dance with Earl Epps BandSaturday, May 7, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Red Suspender’s Shrimp Boil

Week of May 9-13, Senior Olympics #@Kyle ChapmanThursday, May 19, 9:00 AM Sea Center Texas bus trip

PAGE 4 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

El Lago...Continued from page 1

EVENTS

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Robbie Nelson, Annie Rose, Ramona Trauer, Linda Chambers, Betty Gillespie, Mary McPhee, Mary Lee Bivin, Annette Ayers

During the month of April, Curves of La Porte will par-ticipate in the 13th Annual Curves Food Drive to collect non-perishable food and cash donations to benefit their local food bank. Current members who make a $30 donation or an equivalent donation of food are eligible to receive a Curves re-usable Food Drive grocery bag. And, from April 4-17, Curves will waive the membership fee for new members who donate a bag of non-perishable food or make a minimum donation of $30. “Our goal is to top the donation that we made last year,” said a Curves of La Porte staff mem-ber. This is a great opportunity for the members of our Curves community to help strengthen the La Porte community, too. Everything that our members donate at our club will benefit local families in need.”

In addition to the food and monetary donations that each gym collects, Curves Interna-tional is offering gyms the op-portunity to win cash prizes for their local food banks. Prizes will be awarded to clubs with the most food collected, clubs who beat their 2010 donation level by the largest amount and to two randomly selected clubs drawn from all the clubs who enter the contest. Curves clubs have donated more than 61 mil-lion pounds of food in the U.S. and Canada since 2004. This year’s Food Drive will get off to a strong start when Curves International founders Gary and Diane Heavin are featured on ABC Television’s inspirational new show, Secret Millionaire, airing Sunday, April 3 at 8/7c. The Curves founders’ moving episode will help Curves members under-stand how the Curves Food Drive is the perfect opportunity for each of them to give back to their own communities. “The past few years have been difficult for many fami-lies,” said Curves founder Di-ane Heavin. “Curves annual Food Drive is one way that everyone in the La Porte area can make a real difference for a local family that is struggling. We encourage everyone, not just our members or those who are thinking about joining our

gym, to make a cash donation or drop off a bag of non-perish-able food items in April.” For more information about Curves of La Porte, located at 11001 Fairmont Pkwy., Suite C, and the 2011 Curves Food Drive, contact a Curves of La Porte staff member at 281-504-9803 or [email protected]. For more in-formation about Curves, please visit www.curves.com.

About CurvesCurves works every major muscle group with a complete 30-minute workout that com-bines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activ-ity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also works to help women lose weight, gain muscle strength and aerobic capacity, and raise metabolism with its ground-breaking, scientifically proven method that ends the need for perpetual dieting. Founders Gary and Diane Heavin are considered the innovators of the express fitness phenom-enon that has made exercise available to millions of women globally, many of whom are in the gym for the first time. With thousands of locations world-wide, Curves is the world’s largest fitness franchise. For more information, please visit: www.curves.com.

13th Annual Curves Food Drive Kicks Off in AprilCurves Of La Porte Offers Incentives To Members And The

Community To Donate Food And Cash To Benefit Local Food Bank

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Approximately 18 Antique Vehicles Were On Display

Mayor Emel With Double C Cookers Who Won First Place In The BBQ Cook-Off In Both The Chicken And Brisket Categories

Svfd Brought Out A Truck For Kids And Adults To Tour And Ask Questions

Boondoggles Provided Snacks For The Event – Here Managers Jeff Hicks And Justine Sones

Frank & Kimberly DeLape- Opened their home for the reception on Friday evening

Regina Aguirre Assisted with the Easter Egg Hunt

Howard MainOrganized the antique car show

Carolyn MainHelped organize the kid’s activities

for Saturday afternoonLaurie Fuller

Organized the Bar-b-que dinnerDiana Rodgers

Acquired and set up the giant shuttle as the park centerpiece

Rebecca CollinsOrganized the kid’s painting

activityJean Raffetto

Worked on the El Lago logoed merchandiseDonna Ward

Organizing the Flower Power Contest

BoondogglesCatered the reception on Friday and served snacks on Saturday

CenterPoint Energy Financial support for the BBQ

DinnerClassic Café

Contributed Wine & BeerMasonic Lodge

Labor to construct the stage, man-age the stage and clean-up

Sysco FoodsContributed the non-alcoholic

drinks for SaturdayTaylorcrest Association

Financial support for headliner band Cartoon Sky, Mechanical

Bull and Cotton Candy

We had a number of competition opportunities for those interested; everything from creating the Most Egg’cellent Egg, making the best margarita or showcasing the most admired (and envied) antique car.

And the winners are…

The Space RunGold - Sean Greene

Silver - John NickodemusBronze - Bailey Nickodemus

The Most Egg’cellent

Egg contest - Age Group 4-6First Place - Summer RaymerSecond Place - Evana Wagner

Third Place - Trey

Age Group 7 & UpFirst Place - Merlot Wagner

Second Place - Abby RaymerThird Place - Alyssa Wilcox-Valdez

Antique Car ShowFirst - 1969 Camero SS, Owner:

Scott Sanders

Second - 1952 Chevrolet Business Coup, Owner: Dave Hotchkiss

Bar-B-Que Cook-OffBest Brisket WinnerDouble C Cookers

Best Chicken WinnerDouble C Cookers

Best Margarita Winner Changes In Attitude Cookers

Ed White Coloring Contest

FIRST PLACE WinnersKindergarten- Emilee DeLeon

First Grade - Abby RaymerSecond Grade- Emma AguirreThird Grade- Addison Saley

Fourth Grade - Abigail ParkerFifth Grade - Sabrina Saley

The Kids Enjoyed Painting On Giant Murals Provided By The Bay Area Observer


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 exciting entertainers with the Casey Donahew Band as the head-liner 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.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011 • FESTIVAL: GATES OPEN AT 9:00AM

ACTIVITIESArts and Crafts Booths • Cook-Off • Carnival • Food Booths • Games

Parade -------------------------------------------------------------10am

Parade Announcements---------------------------------------------1:00pmThe Convertibles---------------- -----------------------------1:00-2:30pm

Intro of Miss Sylvan Beach Pageant Contestants --------------------2:30pmJanet Z ---------------------------------------------------------3-4:30pm

Cook-Off Awards --------------------------------------------------4:30pmThe Slags--------------------------------------------------------5-6:30pm

6:30-7:30pm

Crowning of Junior Miss and Miss Sylvan Beach 2011

Band of Heathens --------------------------------------------8:30-10:00pmCasey Donahew Band -------------------------------------- 10:30-12:00mid

OTHER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

Kandice Wicke

2011 Miss Sylvan Beach

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Proud Supporters of

Abbie Robb2011

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Visit us on the web at www.bayareaobserver.com of join us on FACEBOOK

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MISS SYLVAN BEACH BEAUTY PAGEANT & REVUE

Friday, April 29, 2011; 7:00pmSonja Angelo Theater

Admission: $10.00

SYLVAN BEACH PARADEFeaturing Miss Sylvan Beach Contestants - 10AM

OUTDOOR EVENING CONCERTBand of Heathens - 8:30-10:00pm

Casey Donahew Band - 10:30-12:00 midnight

ADMISSION TO FESTIVAL:9:00AM-5:00PM: $5

5:00PM - Midnight: $10.00$2-Senior Citizens

FREE-10 & Under W/Adult

The La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce makes every effort to conduct all events scheduled or adver-tised, however festival management reserves the right to change or cancel any activity or event without notice. No refunds will be made, regardless of circumstances. No pets, coolers, alcoholic beverages rollerblades, skateboards, or recreational scooters may be brought onto the festival grounds.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


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MISS SYLVAN BEACH BEAUTY PAGEANT & REVUEFriday, April 29, 2011 • 7:00 p.m.

Sonja Angelo TheaterAdmission: $10.00

INTRO OF MISS SYLVAN BEACH PAGEANT CONTESTANTS Saturday, April 30, 2011 • 2:30 p.m.

Sylvan Beach

CROWNING OF JUNIOR MISS AND MISS SYLVAN BEACH 2011Saturday, April 30, 2011 • 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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vLA PORTE HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS

Salutes All Supporters Of The 13th Annual Steven & Brian Catalina Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament

HOLE SPONSORSPlatinum Gold

Silver

Contributors

Adams Warehouse & Delivery C S & H Inc.

Gorden WestergrenInterflote-USAOates Industries

Plumbers Local Union No. 68 Tamlyn

Wells Fargo-La Porte, Jodie Havens

Bill Mc DonaldBeacon Federal Credit Union

Omni Metals, Inc.Paul U. Lee Funeral Home

Texas Stress, Inc.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Catalina Family, Bay Forest Golf Course, our sponsors, contributors, team participants and team sponsors for their support. We also thank all our supporters throughout the entire

La Porte Independent School District. Over $7,300.00 was raised for band student scholarships.

A+ Band Instrument Repair-Deer ParkAmegy Bank La Porte, James W. Prickett

Band Central Station-AlvinCentrifuge Repair & EngineeringCoastal Exterminating Co., Inc.

Compton’s FloristDaniel T. Winter

Dynamic Laboratories, Inc

James & Sylvia TempelLloyd & Kim Graham

Main PropertiesSergio & Milly Castillo

Southwest Corrugated BoxSpinks Medical Associates

Zemanek Marine Services, Inc.

La Porte High School Band Boosters salute Wal-Mart, Deer Park, for their $1,000.00 grant towards their 13th An-nual Steven & Brian Catalina Scholarship Golf Tournament fundraiser held April 16th at Bay Forest Golf Course-La Porte. Pictured (left to right) Micah Guajardo, Chris Kim-ball, Emily Gonzales, Andrew Mueller, Thomas Lara.

La Porte High School Band Boosters recently held their 13th Annual Steven & Brian Catalina Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament at Bay Forest Golf Course-La Porte. Pictured to left is the winning team

of Chuck Engelken, Mayor Louis Rigby, Kyle Hunter and Walter Hunter. Second place went to the team pictured on the right of Phil Woods, Steve Phillips, Jeff Brown and Joe Don Hill.

GRANT: Wal-Mart, Deer Park

Beacon Federal Credit UnionBeyond Beaute, Deer ParkBrady Insurance Agency

Express IndustriesGringo’s-La PorteHEB Deer Park

HEB Fairmont ParkwayIchi-Ban Trophy & Engraving

Main Street EmbroideryOffice Max Fairmont Parkway

TamlynThomas RevakTSA Trading

Vesco Business ProductsWinning Reflections

Team Business SponsorsAction Box, Centrifuge Repair & Engineering, CME Printing, MG Sales & Marketing,

New Process Steel, Oates Industries, Texas Trade & Technology, Inc.


ELECTION NEWSElection Day- May 14, 2011- Polling Locations

7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Voting/Polling Location #1Located at Baker Sixth Grade Campus

9800 Spencer Hwy. (Spencer Hwy @Underwood; enter off Spencer Hwy)

Districts 1, 2, 3 & 6 vote at this location

Voting/Polling Location #2Located at La Porte City Hall Council Chambers

604 W. Fairmont Parkway Districts 4 & 5 vote at this location

Look for information on your City Water/Sewer Bill indicat-ing which Council District you reside in. Visit the City website for voting information at www.laportetx.gov. Contact the City Secretary’s Office at 281-470-5019 for further information or clarification on where to vote.

CITY OF LA PORTE CANDIDATES

At-Large B Dottie Kaminski

Les Bird Charles “HeavyFed” Gilliam

Rick Guzman

District 1 Mike Mosteit

District 6

Charles Rothmund Mike Clausen

PROPOSITION – FOR OR AGAINST

The creation of the La Porte Fire Control, Prevention and Emergency Medical Services District dedicated to fire safety and emergency medical services and the adoption of a proposed local sales and use tax at a rate of one-fourth of one percent (0.25%)

Early Voting Dates

Early Voting by personal appearance City Hall Council Chambers 604 W. Fairmont Parkway

Monday May 2, 2011 through Tuesday, May 10, 2011

8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Saturday May 7, 2011 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

There will be two 12-hour Early Voting weekdays:

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 • 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011 • 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The city will hold a regular election on Saturday, May 14, 2011 for the positions of Mayor and Council Positions 2, 4 and 6 for three (3) year terms expiring in May, 2014. There will also be a special election to allow voters to vote for or against Proposition 1 “The adoption of the police officers’ civil service law.”

REGISTERING TO VOTE

You must be registered to vote in Harris County with a City of Seabrook address to vote in the Seabrook municipal election to be held on May 14, 2011. If you have recently moved to Sea-brook from another state or another county in Texas or from an-other address in Harris County, you must complete a new Harris County voter registration application and report your Seabrook address. If you wish to vote in the May election, the final day to register to vote or to change your address is April 14, 2011. Harris County voter registration application forms are available at city hall. You may also download a voter registration form or check to see if you are registered to vote at www.tax.co.harris.tax.us/or you may call Harris County Voter Registration at 713-368-VOTE (8683).

EARLY VOTING BY MAIL

Seabrook voters who are 65 years or older or who are disabled may vote early by mail for the May 14, 2011 city election. In addition, any Seabrook voter who will be absent from Harris County for the entire period of early voting (May 2 -May 10) and on Election Day (May 14) may also apply to vote by mail. Please call (281) 291-5736 or 5663 to request an application to vote early by mail. If you are voting early due to absence from Harris County, the application for ballot by mail must be mailed from a location outside of Harris County and we can only send the ballot to an address outside of Harris County. Voters who apply to vote early by mail due to age or disability, may mail the application from Seabrook and we can send the ballot to your Seabrook ad-dress. The deadline for delivering an application in person to the city secretary’s office is Friday, April 29, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for receiving an application by mail is Friday, May 6, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

Early voting schedule:

• Monday, May 2, 7:30 am -5:00 pm upstairs in Room 204

• Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 am –5:00 pm

• Wednesday, May 4, 7:30 am –5:00 pm

• Thursday, May 5, 7:30 am –5:00 pm

• Friday, May 6, 8:00 am –5:00 pm

• Saturday, May 7, 9:00 am –11:00 pm

• Monday, May 9, 7:30 am –7:30 pm

• Tuesday, May 10 , 7:00 am –7:00 pm

• Election Day –Saturday, May 14, 7:00 am-7:00 pm

downstairs in City Hall

Last day to request an application to vote by mail is May 6, 2011. This is not a postmark date, but the actual date received in the City Secretary’s office.

City of Kemah Election Information

MayorMatt Wiggins (I)Bob Cummins

City Council Position 2 Gerald Looper

Pat Buchanan (I)Dyana Babik

City Council Position 4 Beverly HelmsWayne Rast (I)

Early Voting begins, Monday, May 2nd and ends Tuesday, May 10th at Kemah City Hall.

Early Voting hours:

Monday, May 2nd – Thursday, May 5th 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6th 8 a.m. – Noon

Monday, May 9th & Tuesday, May 10th 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Election Day is Saturday, May 14th voting is at Kemah City Hall

from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Be sure to bring your voter registration card or a picture ID.

Seabrook City Elections La Porte City Elections Kemah City Elections

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On Monday, April 25, 2011, the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees approved a school lunch increase of $.05 for the 2011-2012 school year. According to Child Nutrition Director Fred Walker, “This is the first time in 10 years CCISD has raised rates and it’s only because a change in federal guidelines mandates we charge more. This is not a local decision.” Every four years the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act of 1946 must be reauthorized. It was most recently reautho-rized and signed into law in December of 2010. All school districts participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program must follow the new guidelines in order to receive funding. Effective July 1, 2011, schools are required to charge students for paid meals at a price that is on average equal to the difference between free meal reimbursement and paid meal reimbursement. The new price for meals at CCISD elementary campuses will be $1.80. At the intermediate and high schools lunch will cost $2.05. The increase will not go into effect until August 2011.

New Federal Guidelines Increase Cost

Of School Lunches

The international flavors of Vietnam, India, Mexico, Japan, Belize, South Africa and other countries will be showcased at College of the Mainland’s annual International Festival, Friday, April 29, at 6 p.m. in the COM Gymnasium. In addition to exhibits about the people and cultures of vari-ous countries, entertainment will be provided by Golden Peacock School of Dance, the Czech Heritage Singers and Dancers, Toc May Dance Group, an Egyptian Belly Dancer, Keiki Tropical Rhythms, Anjali Performing Arts, Bushi Ban Martial Arts, Bal-let Folklorico “Fiesta Mexicana: de Texas City, Native American dancers and many other dancers and performers. There will also be food from around the world. The public is invited to come out on April 29 to enjoy the col-lege’s annual celebration of the many cultures that contribute to the diversity of Texas and Galveston County. Admission is free. For more information, contact Tillie Henson at 409-933-8205.

COM Brings International Flavors to Texas City

Traditional dance from Africa is performed for the crowd at the COM International Festival in 2010.

EDUCATION

LPISD will conduct Credit by Exams, without prior instruction, at the LPISD Administration building or the appropriate campus on June 6-7, 2011. These exams will be administered at no cost to the student. Students may pick up registration forms from their home campus beginning April 8, 2011. Completed forms, in-cluding parent signature, must be returned to their campus coun-selor by 3:00 on April 20th. Students will receive confirmation of scheduled testing by mail prior to the test date. If you have questions please call the LPISD Curriculum Dept. at 281-604-7035 or your child’s school counselor.

La Porte ISD Credit By Exam Schedule

Exámenes para Crédito del Distrito Escolar Independiente de La Porte

Las escuelas de LPISD conducirán los Exámenes para Crédito, sin instrucción anterior, en el edificio de la administración del distrito o en la escuela apropiada el 6-7 de junio 2011. Estos exámenes serán administrados sin ningún costo al estudiante. Los estudiantes pueden pedir las formas de registro en la oficina de su escuela empezando el 8 de abril 2010. Las formas, incluyendo firma del padre, deben ser entregadas a la oficina de la escuela el 20 de abril antes de las 3:00 PM. Los estudiantes recibirán confirmación y la fecha para el examen por correo antes del día del examen. Si tiene algunas preguntas por favor llame al Depar-tamento de Currículo de LPISD a 281-604-7035 o la oficina de la consejera de la escuela de su hijo/hija.

La Porte Elementary School physical education teacher Faustino Ceyanes visits with Scott Stagg, left, and Bradley Ojeda dur-ing the La Porte Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization’s Fun Run on March 26. The Fun Run was held in honor of Ceyanes, who is retiring this year after 40 years as “Coach” at the campus. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for new playground equipment at La Porte Elementary.

Two-year-old Jacob Daniel Vincent was one of the youngest en-trants in the March 26 Fun Run to raise funds for the La Porte Elementary School playground.

La Porte Elementary Fun Run

LPISD

COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND

SAN JACINTO COLLEGE

CCISD

Genoa Elementary School students recently participated in a series of science projects at San Jacinto College Central. The fourth-graders made shrinky dinks, slime, butterflies from coffee filters, gak, lip gloss, and skewered balloons. They also measured acidity levels and created chemical reactions in a bag. The half-day event was hosted by the campus’ department of sci-ence, under the direction of Dr. Ann Cartwright.

San Jacinto College Science Labs Belong To Genoa Elementary Students For A Day

Jacqueline Marin, fourth-grader from Genoa Elementary School, dips a rose into liquid nitrogen alongside San Jacinto College science lab supervisor Ruben Ramirez. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao,

San Jacinto College marketing department.

Third player of the week honor for San Jacinto College this season

San Jacinto College (SJC) sophomore Nicole Andrade has been named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIV softball player of the week. This is the third conference player of the week honor for San Jac softball this season. The 5-3 outfielder from Houston (Dobie HS) hit .700 last week, going seven for 10 with two doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI, while scoring six runs. On the season, Andrade is hitting .406 behind 54 hits including 11 doubles, one triple, and seven home runs. San Jac (37-17) closes out the 2011 season on the road with games at Blinn on Wednesday, April 20 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and at Lamar State-Port Arthur on Wednesday, April 27 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The 2011 Region XIV tournament will be held May 6 – 9 at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. For more information about the San Jacinto College softball program, please visit www.sanjacsports.com.

Andrade Named Region XIV Softball Player Of The Week


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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 includ-ing traffic violations, city ordinance viola-tions and adminis-trative duties. Ap-plicants must submit a resume and refer-ences to the city by April 22, 2011. For more info, visit www.ci.seabrook.tx.us

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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

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City of La Porte seekingTherapeutic Recreation Specialist

Some experience in Therapeutic Recreation, some college level or continued education in recreation

social work or physical education desirable. Applications are located at www.laportetx.gov

and must be submitted toHuman Resources at 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy.

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 Pleasure Boats that will be colorfully decorated and will file past the Cadillac Authentic Mexi-can 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 recog-nizes the importance of the shrimp fishermen and the seafood industry to our local commu-nity and economy. Boat owners of all types and sizes are invited to enter the parade, decorate their boats and receive a blessing. Sponsorships for the fishing vessels are available. Commer-cials 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. Al-though 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 Center. 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 pur-chase 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 Naviga-tors 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 starting at 3:00 p.m with the band Toucan then head-liner Chad Ware until 11:00 p.m. The 2nd An-nual Bluegrass Festival will start Sunday, May 1, from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. “Jammers” are welcome. 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 accommodations 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!”

43rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet Weekend

April 29, 30 & – May 1

43RD ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET

IN THE GARDENPAGE 12 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2010

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Uphill’s Liquor

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

“Come To Uphill’s For Your Spirit”

By Robert BurnsAgriLife Extension Service

The new Texas Superstar plant, Agelonia Serena, is often called a summer snapdragon. But it’s not really a snapdragon, and that’s a good thing, said a Texas AgriLife Research horticulturist. Agelonia Serena has showy flowers that more imaginative gardeners say resemble the mouth of a dragon, as do real snapdragons. But Angelonia Serena is of a different genus, said Dr. Brent Pem-berton, AgriLife Research horticulturist and chair of the Texas Superstar executive board. “And there’s more difference between the genera than just the name,” Pemberton said. “Snapdragons are consid-ered a cool-season plant, at least for our climate, but Angelonia is a South American native and can toler-ate the Texas heat well.” As with all Superstar designated plants, Angelonia Serena was selected after extensive tests at Over-ton, Lubbock, San Antonio and College Station by AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists. To be designated a Superstar, a plant must not just be beautiful but also perform well for consumers and growers throughout Texas, Pemberton said. Superstars must also be easy to propagate, which should ensure the plants are not only widely avail-able throughout Texas but also are reasonably priced. For Angelonia Serena, the availability/price stipu-lation should particularly hold true because of the way it’s grown, Pemberton said. “The Serena series from PanAmerican Seed is the first to be grown from seed instead of cuttings,” he said. “In the past, the varieties that were available commercially were grown from rooted cuttings – vegetatively propa-gated.” Root cuttings are often used because is it a quicker way to get a new variety or series to commercial growers and to consumers, he said. Typically, a seed company will make a few promising selections from thousands of crosses. These candidates will be propagated from cuttings on a large scale, and cut-

tings from these large-scale propagations will be sold as plugs to commercial growers. The time from final selections to market is very critical. The bedding plant industry is highly com-petitive, both for seed companies wanting to cap-ture markets and for commercial growers wanting to supply the newest and most hardy plants to con-sumers, Pemberton explained. “Developing seed typically takes years, so it’s more common to go with propagation from rooted cuttings to get something out the door quickly,” he said. However, once a seed crop is developed from a new series, it is less labor intensive and therefore cheaper for commercial bedding plant companies to grow. These savings are usually passed onto the consumer, Pemberton said. Angelonia Serena was available in early April in many home gardening centers, he said. It can be planted outside in home landscapes in the spring after danger of frost has passed. For most of Texas, planting should be safe now. For the High Plains, Pemberton recommended waiting until late April. From AgriLife Research and AgriLife Exten-sion tests, Angelonia Serena thrived in all Texas locations, “from the hot, humid summers of East and Central Texas to the hot, dry days of the High Plains,” the Superstar board members noted in their official report. “This popular summer annual puts on a nonstop show of flowers during the summer season,” the board members noted. “And it flowers more reliably than varieties grown from cuttings. Seed is avail-able in white, purple, lavender, lavender-pink and mixes. They branch well without pinching and grow to about 12 to 18 inches tall in full sun. They are drought tolerant but need regular moisture. Shearing is not necessary but can be used to rejuvenate flow-ering. They can be used in the front of the border, as a ground cover, or even in mixed containers.” Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by Texas AgriLife Research. More information about the Texas Superstar program can be found at http://texassuperstar.com.

Faux Snapdragon’ Superstar Can Thrive in Texas Heat

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This ad was paid for using funds from the City of Baytown’s Hotel/Motel Tax (HOT).

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You are invited to tour the working and demonstration gardens maintained by the Harris County Master Gardeners at Precinct 2.Master Gardenerswill be on hand to answer your gardening ques-tions during this free event.Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.Free and open to the public.

When: Monday, May 16, 9-10:30 am

Where: Genoa Friendship Garden, 1202 Genoa-Red Bluff, Houston, TX77034

For more information visit our web site at:http://harris-tx.tamu.edu.hort

Open Garden Day Dr. Anthony Camerino, County Extension Agent

for Horticulture, will speak on Landscape Pests and Diseases. These lectures are free and open to the public.When:Tuesday,May 10, 2011, 6:30-9 pmWhere:The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the lake side), 5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX77586.For more information visit our website at:http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/greenthumb.htm

Green Thumb Gardening Series

Master GardenerLecture Series

Barry Schlueter, Master Hybridizer, will speak on “Hibiscus Culture and Breeding.”Learn how exotic hibiscus are bred and their cultural requirements in the greater Houston area. This lecture is free and open to the public.When:Wednesday,May 18, 2011, 10 a.m.Where:The Meeting Room at Clear Lake Park (on the lakeside),5001 NASA Parkway,Seabrook, TX77586. For more information visit our website at:http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort

Kitchen • Bath • Closets • Countertops • Floors3130 E. Nasa Parkway Seabrook. TX 77586

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Bay Area Observer 4-28-2011

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Transcript of Bay Area Observer 4-28-2011