Bay Area Observer 1-6-2011

By The Bay(CERT) ClassJanuary 13, 20116:30 to 9:30 p.m.There will be an eight week CERT training class beginning January 13, 2011, held at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Sta-tion. The classes cover disaster preparedness, fire suppression, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, terrorism, and basic disaster medical operations. Cert is a training program that prepares you to help yourself, your fam-ily, and your neighbors in the event of a disaster. By getting trained in CERT, you will have the skills to help emergency re-sponders save lives and protect property. Classes are taught by fire service, emergency medical and law enforcement profes-sionals. The class is FREE and you will receive the training manual and starter backpack. For an application or additional information contact:Ronica [email protected] [email protected]

Seabrook: 8th Seabrook Annual Lucky Trails MarathonMeador ParkMarch 19, 2011

Sign up now! Runners and walk-

ers welcome. Join us for our

eighth annual Seabrook Lucky

Trail Marathon, Half Marathon,

and Relay! Saturday, March 19,

2011

•Half Marathon - 7:30 A.M.

•2 person Half Marathon Relay

- 7:30 A.M.

Sunday - March 20, 2011

•Marathon - 7:15 A.M.

•Half Marathon - 7:30 A.M.

•4 person Marathon Relay -

7:15 A.M.

•Early start for Full Marathon

Walkers - 5:30 A.M.

Venue Name: Meador Park

Location: 2100 Meyer Rd,

Seabrook, TX 77586

Admission Cost: pre-registration

Phone: 1-866-611-4688

Web:www.seabrookmarathon.org

Email:[email protected]

Administrative Professionals MeetingCullen’s GrilleJanuary 17, 2011

On Monday, January 17, 2011, Cindy Price will present “Good People Skills Are All About YOU!” at the first 2011 meeting of the In-ternational Association of Admin-istrative Professionals-Clear Lake/NASA chapter. This program will be an entertaining and informative session for improving interper-sonal and customer relations skills. All administrative professionals throughout Houston and the sur-rounding areas are welcome. The meeting/dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. at Cullen’s Grille. Please make your reservations to attend this meeting by January 13, 2011. For reservations and more information on this chapter, please visit www.iaap-clnac.org or contact 281-910-2297.

INDEXCommunity..........................2Crossword...........................2Education............................3Local News..........................4Obituraries..........................4Arts & Entertainment........5NASA News.........................6Classifieds............................7Cuisine.................................8In The Garden.....................8

VOLUME 2, NO. 01 LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

The Bay Area ObserverServing Communities Along Galveston Bay

Plans Underway For Seabrook Association’s

2nd Annual Pelican Ball

Jenny Arunyon, left, ball chairman, Jackie Powers, center and Seabrook Association President, Marcy Friday, right,

make plans for the 2nd Annual Pelican Ball to be held February 11 at Lakewood Yacht Club.

Sylvan Beach Project In La Porte Wins Parks Award

By Rebecca [email protected] The Houston-Galveston Area Coun-cil announced the winners of the 2010 Parks and Natural Areas Award compe-tition. These projects serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. Houston-Galveston Area Council re-ceived a total of 25 applications in four categories: the Planning Process; Policy Tools; On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000; and On-the-Ground Projects over $500,000. On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, the H-GAC Board of Directors will honor the outstanding parks and natural areas proj-ects during the regular Board meeting at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow at 10:45 a.m. Ida Gaye Gardens, a project by Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition/The Green-spoint District is the winner in the Plan-ning category. Plans for the Gardens include walking trails, specialized ex-ercise equipment, an area for structured exercise classes and raised gardens. This 3.2-acre park development is designed to

encourage an active, healthy lifestyle for seni citizens.Planning Honorable Men-tion project is the City of Sugar Land’s Gannoway Park Master Plan. Hermann Park Conservancy’s Conser-vation Posse and Houston Parks Board’s

J.T. Trotter Park are the winners in the Policy Tools category. Conservation Posse is a two-week sum-mer program offered free by Hermann Park Conservancy to teens with an inter-est in conservation and the environment.

Through a speaker series, educational activities, and volunteer projects in Her-mann Park, the participants gained a wide range of knowledge and skills. J.T. Trotter Park marks the first park the Houston Parks Board (HPB) pur-chased using a site acquisition analysis including a provision that parks should facilitate active living and provide activi-ties that improve health, such as walking and engaging with nature. The policy was implemented in 2009, when HPB purchased a 14-acre wooded site adjacent to an existing youth sports-oriented park. Plans for the site include adding walking trails, creating a nature area, and adding picnicking facilities to attract a broader age and fitness range of users. The winner in the On-the-Ground Proj-ects Under $500,000 category is the Bayou Preservation Association’s Buf-falo Bayou Paddling Trail. Work was completed to prepare the trail for des-ignation as an official state paddle trail by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-ment. The longest such trail in the state, the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail is 26 miles long with nine segments, begin-ning at State Highway 6 in Terry Her-shey Park and flowing downstream to Allen’s Landing in downtown Houston. On-the-Ground Projects Under $500,000 Honorable Mention project is the City of Missouri City’s Wetland Reforestation Project. The winner in the On-the-Ground Proj-ects over $500,000 category is the Syl-van Beach Shoreline Protection and Beach Nourishment Project, a joint effort between Harris County Precinct 2, the City of La Porte and the Texas General Land Office. The project, which began last May, was intended to provide safe, quality shoreline access to over 100,000 annual visitors for Harris County and to serve as a way to educate the public on the importance of coastal natural re-sources. Visitors enjoy approximately 2,000 linear feet of shoreline access, with benches and walkways installed for the public’s bay-viewing pleasure. The daily attendance at Sylvan Beach, the only public beach in Harris County, has more than tripled since the project was completed, and inquiries regarding new business opportunities in the La Porte area have increased. On-the-Ground Projects over $500,000 Honorable Mention project is Robert C. Stuart Park, a joint project of the City of Houston and the Houston Parks Board.

The Sylvan Beach Shoreline Protection and Beach Nourishment Project includes 2,000 linear feet of shoreline access, with benches and walkways installed for the public’s bay-viewing pleasure.

The fishing pier at Sylvan Beach was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2009, and reopened in July 2010 after the rebuild.

By Rebecca [email protected]

Mark your calendars for February 11th! It’s time again for the sec-ond annual Pelican Ball, and plans are underway to make this one as successful as last year’s. This year’s charman id Jackie Powers. Organized by the Seabrook Association, proceeds from the Peli-can Ball go toward a Veterans Memorial Monument honoring those who proudly served our country. Jenny Arunyon, last years chairman and event coordinator said that she envisions a memorial placed promently in the area, and feels confident that such a memorial will be widely received by residents of the Bay Area. One of the highlights of the evening will be “Parkie the Pelican”, and a new dance choreographed by Tiffany Kiro last year especially for the Seabrook Association called “The Pelican Promenade. If the enthusiasm and the great turn out for first annual Pelican is an indication of future success, then this years Pelican Ball is expected to be larger, and even more well attended. The Seabrook Association hopes the Pelican Ball is a community event that will become a tradition. Attendees of last years Ball were the first to see Penelope, the newest member to the Seabrook Associations Pelican Path. She was presented by Marcy and Tom Diegelman. The Seabrook Association, is a group of “dedicated people” Sea-brook residents, business owners, boaters, fishermen, and friends of Seabrook joined together to organize, develop and implement programs and projects contributing to the betterment of Seabrook as the place to live, do business, relax and enjoy life. This group of dedicated members have proudly donated countless volunteer hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars towards numerous com-munity projects, groups and causes throughout the Bay Area.

Students and staff at Robinson Elementary School in Seabrook, Texas said goodbye to longtime Principal Jim Stephens. With the District for 40 years, Stephens has worked on various campuses including principal of Seabrook Intermediate, Weber Elementary which he opened as principal, Space Center Intermediate which he opened as principal, and Clear Lake High School Clear Creek High School where he was a teacher. Stephens opened what would be his last campus, Robinson Elementary School, in 2006. Students celebrated his many years of service with a farewell cer-emony that included skits, songs and speeches.

Longtime Principal Retires

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PAGE 2 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

COMMUNITY

P.O. Box 305 • Seabrook, Texas 77586Phone: 281-907-3140 • Fax: 833-596-8973

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]

Sales Representative............Jeanne SadlerSeabrook, Kemah [email protected]

Sales Representative.....Beverly LawrenceLa Porte [email protected]

The Bay Area ObserverEstablished in 2006

Serving the communities along Galveston Bay.

Make a commitment to Reconnect with Nature at Armand Bayou Nature Center by joining us in our new “Sundays in Nature Series” beginning in January 2011. From 1pm – 3pm each third Sunday of the month, the Nature Center will host programs allowing you to better understand the natural world around us. The series is designed to make our community Healthier, Happier and Smarter in Nature. Each program will feature speakers, presenters and/or activities for children and adults alike. Visit our website at abnc.org for details.Join us on January 16th for the first of our Sundays in Nature Series “Resolution to Go Green”. Learn about simple things that you can adopt to make a difference inside and outside of your home. Make a really fun eco-craft, and join us for a guided hike through the Nature Center to the Bayou. Don’t miss the fun and excitement as ABNC brings you our first “Sundays in Nature Series”. Ad-mission to Sundays in Nature is $3 for non-member adults and $1 for children 4-12 and seniors 60 and older. For more information, phone 281-474-2551. Nature Sunday is replacing Second Satur-day – So, mark your calendars for the third Sunday, 1-3pm.

Submitted by Jay Dunham

The fifth annual “Briskets For The Bowl” fund raiser sponsored by the United Methodist Men’s (UMM) ministry of First United Methodist Church La Porte will benefit the Boys and Girls Harbor facility in neighboring Morgan’s Point. Boys and Girls Harbor is a 501(c)(3) state licensed home which welcomes children in need, suf-fering from abuse, neglect or abandonment. The children live in a family style environment filled with love and care. First United Methodist Church La Porte has been providing voluntary services to the home for many years. The UMM cook 12-15 lb briskets all day Friday and will have them ready for pick-up at the church parking lot at 9301 W. Fairmont Parkway, La Porte on Saturday, February 5, 9:00-12:00 noon, in time for Super Bowl XLV. The tax deductible donation is still only $45.00. Tickets for purchase are available from any UMM member, the church office (281-478-4673) or Vince Chamberlain (281-814-8393).

Volunteers From First United Methodist Church Act As Santa’s Helpers At The Boys And Girls Harbor Christmas Party.

This is Max. His eyes are a little sad because he loves people so much that he can’t bear to be separated from them. He bonds very quickly and falls hopelessly in love with his human. Whenever they have to leave him, he gets very upset. All he needs is a person who is at home most of the time and has another dog that he can play with. Then he will be the happiest guy in the world and won’t misbehave. He does have a preference in playmates though. He likes the ladies and he also would like them to be a lit-tle smaller than his macho 20 pounds. Max is a long hair Doxie mix. His estimated birthday is 12/01/06. He has beautiful shiny black hair with brown accents. His tail waves like a plume in the air with long strands of hair feathering down from it. Even though Max has short little Doxie legs, when he is excited to see someone, he can jump a foot or two straight up in the air. He loves to play with other dogs and gets along well with cats. He especially loves children. He likes going on walks and doesn’t pull on the leash. One of his favorite things is to go to the dog park. He knows quite a few commands and is very affectionate. He is house trained. Max just needs a little patience, some love and a whole lot of togetherness. Come meet Max and give him a chance to come and live with you. Everyone loves him - you will too. For more information on Max please email SCP at [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 at the Petsmart store across from Baybrook Mall the first and third Sundays of every month. 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 organization. All dona-tions are tax deductible.

The Bay Area Welcome Neighbors Club meets at 10:30 on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Bay Oaks Country Club. Our 30 year old club and it’s 250 members are very welcoming to guests and potential new members. BAWN is a place where lifetime friendships are formed. For more information, please contact: Anna Ward - [email protected]

Second Chance Pets

Sundays in Nature Series at Armand Bayou Nature Center

Dorothea Pongetti - President, Diana Miller - VP, Ann Massicotte - VP, Diane Burck - Treasurer, Dale Brannon - Secretary

Bayside Area Little League Spring 2011 Baseball Registration Boys & Girls ages 4 – 12 (as of April 30, 2011) You are with-in the Bayside boundaries if you live in Seabrook, Kemah, El Lago, Clear Lake Shores, Bayview, Taylor Lake Village, parts of League City including the following subdivisions: Bay Ridge, Glen Cove, Harbour Park, Lakeside, Marbella, Marina Bay Park, Marina Del Sol, Whispering Lakes Ranch, South Shore Park, Baycliff north of Gordy Road, and Shore Acres south of Fair-field.

Registration Dates are as follows:

Saturday January 8th 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Saturday January 15th 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Thursday January 20th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Saturday January 22nd 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please bring the following to registration:

• Certified Birth Certificate - To show proof of child’s age

• Proof of Residency - To verify child’s residence is within league boundaries (Voter’s registration, utility bill, lease, mortgage state-ment are all acceptable proofs of residency. Driver’s license will not be accepted.)

2011 Fees:

Age 4 T-Bits $70.00

Ages 5-6 T-Ball $80.00

Ages 7-9 Dixie $90.00

Ages 10-12 Texas/Majors $110.00

Challenger Division $25.00 A late registration fee of $25.00 ap-plies after 02/4/2011. Seabrook Sports Complex, Field House 2, 1805 N. Meyer Avenue, Seabrook. *Please note that all dates are subject to change. Please check the Bayside website for any up-dates, www.eteamz.com/bayside.

Bayside Area Little League Spring 2011

Baseball RegistrationThe Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a blood drive on Monday, January 31st, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in association with the UTMB Blood Bank. All community mem-bers are invited and encouraged to participate in the blood drive, which will be held at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1, located at 1850 E. Meyer Road. For more information, please contact SVFD at 281-474-3434.

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Corporate Gift GivingIn Home Consultations & Free Delivery

Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department To Host Blood Drive

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER PAGE 3

EDUCATION

Make 2011 the year you take charge of your life and expand your career opportunities by enrolling at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Potential, new and current students are invited to take advantage of open and late enrollment periods available from now until Jan. 25 to reg-ister for spring semester classes UH-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058. New undergraduate and non-degree seeking graduate students may take advantage of the spring 2011 priority application deadline of Jan. 10. Spring open registration is now available until noon, Jan. 14, with late registration run-

ning from Jan. 15 – 25. Classes for the spring semester begin Jan. 18 and run through May 2. Applicants may enroll in person, online or mail a completed admission application to the university. All new applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee and submit official transcripts and supporting documents such as letters of intent and references. For more in-formation, contact the university’s Office of Admissions at [email protected] or call 281-283-2500. To register or learn more, visit the university’s website at http://www.uhcl.edu/admissions.

NASA Johnson Space Center Director Mike L. Coats (center) served as the Commencement Speaker during University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony, which recognized the graduates of the Schools of Human Sciences and Humanities and Science and Com-puter Engineering. Pictured are (l to r), UH System Student Regent Andrew Cobos, UH System Board of Regents Chair Carroll Robertson Ray, Coats, University of Houston President and UH System Chancellor Renu Khator, and UH-Clear Lake President William A. Staples

City of Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker (second from left) served as the Commencement Speaker during University of Houston-Clear Lake’s 3 p.m. Commencement Ceremony, which recognized the graduates of the Schools of Business and Education. Pictured are (l to r), UH System Student Regent Andrew Cobos, Parker, UH-Clear Lake President William A. Staples and UH System Se-nior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John J. Antel.

The Environmental Institute of Houston at University of Houston-Clear Lake has added two research vessels to help researchers with their work through a grant from the Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality. Pictured with one of the vessels, a Center Console 25-footBoston Whaler Guardian, is Environmental Institute of Houston Executive Director and UH-Clear Lake Associate

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science George Guillen.

Researchers at the Environmental Institute of Houston at University of Houston-Clear Lake have found a better way to take to the water to accomplish their work by acquiring research vessels purchased with funding provided by a research grant. One vessel, a 22’ J.H. Performance outfit-ted with a 150 HP Yamaha 4 stroke outboard equipped with a hydraulic jack plate, trim tabs and a power pole (shallow water anchor), is de-signed for shallow-water applications common in many Texas bays. To aid researchers it of-fers a large deck for transporting samples and deploying scientific instrumentation in shallow water. In addition, it offers state of the art elec-tronics including GPS mapping and side scan sonar. The second boat, a Center Console 25’ Boston Whaler Guardian outfitted with twin outboard engines, is designed for deep water, offshore research. To aid researchers it offers a towing package and hand-operated winch and boom and divers doors, for deploying and maneuver-ing scientific instrumentation in and out of the water and numerous deck lights for night op-erations. In addition, it offers state of the art electronics including GPS mapping and side scan sonar. Both vessels will allow student and faculty researchers to pursue types of research and environmental monitoring in remote deep and shallow water areas only reachable by boat. “The significance of acquiring these vessels is that they provide us a platform to conduct near shore research in Texas bays, estuaries and the

Gulf of Mexico previously impossible to con-duct and significantly extends our capabilities,” said UH-Clear Lake Associate Professor of Bi-ology and Environmental Science George Guil-len, who also serves as director of the institute. The boats were purchased with funding pro-vided by a research grant awarded to the Envi-ronmental Institute of Houston from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to sup-port the organization’s recently completed Na-tional Coastal Condition Assessment project which evaluated levels of contaminants in fish, bottom organisms, sediment and water along the Texas coast. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, that project was coordinated with a national assessment of all U.S. estuaries. Guillen says the boat will be used for future research projects sponsored by external organi-zations. Founded at UH-Clear Lake in 1991, the En-vironmental Institute of Houston supports and conducts research on a variety of environmental topics including wetland restoration, air quality, fisheries conservation, water quality, invasive species, environmental sociology and history. The organization works in partnership with the university to conduct educational seminars and workshops and works with local scientists and the public to evaluate changes in landscape use, demographics and impacts on the local environ-ment. For more information about the Environmen-tal Institute of Houston at UH-Clear Lake, call 281-283-3950 or visit http://www.eih.uhcl.edu.

The Clear Creek Education Foundation has named Doug Frazior as the organization’s first Executive Director. Mr. Frazior brings a wealth of nonprofit management experience to his new post, most recently serving as League City’s Economic Development Coordinator. With school funding issues looming, the foundation foresees a greater need and role in assisting the district maintain the highest levels of achievement in CCISD. The foundation is grateful to have someone with Frazior’s background helping the organiza-tion face the coming challenges and Mr. Frazior is relishing the opportunity. “I have a passion for this community, and its premier school district, that I will use to provide the giant leap forward for the Clear Creek Education Foundation,” said Frazior. For more information on the foundation, please visit www.clearcreekeducationfoundation.org

New Boats Give Institute Water Research Capabilities

Clear Creek Education Foundation Names Doug Frazior as Executive Director

La Porte ISD’s Health Care Voucher Program Receives Statewide Recognition From Texas

School Business Magazine Texas School Business magazine has an-nounced that La Porte ISD’s student health care voucher program is one of 12 initiatives to be honored in the magazine’s fourth annual Brag-ging Rights special issue. Bragging Rights rec-ognizes school districts that have implemented programs that are bettering the lives of students, schools and communities. The special issue, which accepts nominations and selects 12 sto-ries to highlight, was distributed to more than 8,000 readers with a vested interest in Texas public education. With pass-along readership, this annual issue will reach at least 25,000 read-ers. “La Porte ISD’s student health care voucher program provides free medical care to uninsured students who are ill or injured,” explained April Fox, LPISD director of student support servic-es. “Through this program, students are seen by participating physicians in our community.” The program, a project of the LPISD School Health Advisory Council, was started with a $1,000 grant from The Children’s Defense Fund and a $2,000 grant from LyondellBasell in late 2007. In 2010, the La Porte Lions Club joined in the effort to provide ongoing support for the program. Fox explained that the district works with several area physicians and optometrists who have agreed to see students at a discounted rate. When a school nurse refers a child with a medi-cal need but no insurance, she gives the parent a voucher and a list of participating physicians. The parent then schedules an appointment to meet with a Community Youth Services repre-sentative to complete an application for CHIP or Medicaid. When the student is seen by a doctor, the par-ent gives him or her the voucher in lieu of pay-ment, and the doctor’s office files it with the district for reimbursement. Gift cards for pur-chasing medication are also made available to the families. Laura Lynch, LPISD lead nurse, explained that 45 students received free medical care and financial assistance with medication during the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, families that qualify are obtaining state-assisted medi-

cal insurance because of the help they receive in accessing and completing the often complex applications, she said. “School nurses no longer have to send ill or injured students home with no hope of getting medical care,” Lynch said. “Students in need receive timely, free medical attention, allowing them to return to school sooner than they would have been able to otherwise.” Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent of schools, noted that community support has been instrumental to the program’s success. The program, which issued its first vouchers shortly before Graham joined the district in 2008, dem-onstrates how a caring public responds to the needs of its young people. “We are fortunate to be a part of a community that cares so much about the health and well-be-ing of its children,” Graham said. “We are very grateful to the physicians and optometrists who participate in the program as well as those who have provided the financial backing to make it possible. When children don’t feel well or have problems with their vision, their ability to learn is compromised. The school health care vouch-er is a prime example of how our community and the school district work together to ensure that our students have the best opportunities for a quality education.” This is the fourth year of the Bragging Rights publication, and LPISD’s second time to be featured in the issue. The LPISD global studies program, sponsored by the La Porte Education Foundation, was showcased in the 2008 maga-zine. “We were impressed by La Porte ISD’s com-mitment to its uninsured student population,” said Texas School Business Editor Katie Ford. “This is a model program, and we’re proud to highlight it as an example of excellence in Tex-as public education.” For 56 years, Texas School Business has served as the independent voice for public education in Texas. The magazine, which is produced in Austin and distributed 10 times a year, is read by educators and school administrators across Texas. To read La Porte ISD’s story online, visit www.texasschoolbusiness.com.

The La Porte Football Banquet is a night to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the LPHS football players for the 2010 season. Tickets can be purchased for $15 dollars at the LPHS Physical Education Center or at the banquet. Bring your cash or check book for the silent auction. Contact Melissa Terrebonne if you would like to sponsor a table or donate a silent auction item at [email protected] The banquet will be held Saturday, January 8, 2011 @ 6:00 pm - pictures begin at 5:30 pm in the LPHS Student Center.

La Porte Football Banquet Scheduled For Saturday, January 8th 2011

Registration Still Open For Spring 2011 Semester

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281-907-3140

PAGE 4 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

OBITUARIES

From left to right: Mike Coats, director of the NASA/Johnson Space Center and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

BAY AREA HOUSTON, Texas (January 3, 2011) The Bay Area Houston community sup-ports U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for being honored with the Bay Area Houston Eco-nomic Partnership’s prestigious 2011 Quasar Award for exceptional leadership in Economic Development to be presented during the organi-zation’s Annual Quasar Award Banquet on Fri-day, Jan. 21, 2011, at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City at 6:30 p.m. The Quasar Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual who has contributed greatly to the economic wealth and diversity of the Bay Area Houston region. The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership leadership se-lected Senator Hutchison in acknowledgment of her successful campaign to get the Senate to pass the NASA authorization bill which saved thousands of NASA jobs, and her strong leader-ship on behalf of Ellington Field. Mike Coats, director of the NASA/Johnson Space Center, said, “Senator Hutchison’s lead-ership has fostered an atmosphere of good gov-ernment and open communication. She has helped usher in an unmatched era of coopera-tion that has benefited both NASA and the en-tire region. I join the Bay Area Houston Eco-nomic Partnership in applauding her excellent work on behalf of the State of Texas and the nation’s space program. The Quasar Award is a much deserved tribute to her dedication.” Senator Hutchison said, “I am honored to have been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership’s Quasar Award. Working to protect the interests of small businesses in Texas has always been one of my top priorities, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and local business lead-ers to promote economic development in the community.” Rep. Pete Olson said, “Senator Hutchison once again served the Houston region with distinc-tion and her commitment to NASA is unques-tioned. Her tenacity was instrumental in our battle to pass an authorization bill that provided the framework necessary for NASA to move forward to meet the goals set out by Congress.

The Johnson Space Center’s impact to Houston is immense and I look forward to working with her to ensure that it remains the home of Amer-ica’s human space flight program.” Senator Hutchison is the Senior Republican on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Additionally, she serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Some of the awards and honors that Senator Hutchison has received include the Air Force Association Distinguished American Award, 2008, Association of the United States Army Outstanding Legislator Award, 2006, American Legion National Commander’s Distinguished Public Service Award, 2006, and Forbes Maga-zine’s 2005 World’s 100 Most Powerful Wom-en. Senator Hutchison is the author of two books - bestseller, Leading Ladies: American Trailblaz-ers in October 2007, American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country in 2004, and co-author with several colleagues on Nine and Counting: the Women of the Senate in June 2000. The senator lives in Dallas with her husband, Ray, and their two children, Bailey and Houston. Houston Council Member Mike Sullivan said, “As the City of Houston council member re-sponsible for JSC issues, it has been an honor to work with Senator Hutchison. She has been an effective champion for JSC issues, and I am proud to support her in those efforts. I measure an elected official’s effectiveness by their suc-cess, and the Senator receives a ‘perfect 100’ on my scorecard”. The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment in southeast Texas. Its members include approximately 260 investor companies, business professionals, lo-cal governments, and educational institutions encompassing 13 cities, Galveston and Harris counties, and the Port of Houston Authority. For more information on the Bay Area Hous-ton Economic Partnership, please call 832-536-3255 or visit http://www.bayareahouston.com.

Bay Area Houston Community Supports Hutchison As Quasar Award Honoree

Evelyn Hoot Kennedy, 96, of La Porte, passed away on De-cember 27, 2010 at the home of her daughter Martha Alex-ander, in Kyle, Texas. Evelyn was born June 4, 1914 in Sead-rift, Texas to Elizabeth “Bes-sie” and Frank Hoot. Evelyn graduated from Crosby High School in 1932 and moved with her family to La Porte, where she met her husband of 63 years, Dan Ken-nedy. Dan and Evelyn moved up and down the Texas coast before permanently settling in La Porte in 1944 where they raised their two daughters Martha Alexander of Kyle, Texas and Danlyn Van Stone of Pensacola, Florida. Evelyn was a member of the First United Methodist Church of La Porte where she was an active volun-teer with the Methodist Youth Fellowship, a Church Choir member and Sunday School teacher for many years. She also was a member of the Girl Scouts of America for 50 years and one of the few people to receive the organizations high-est award: the Thanks Award. Evelyn was a social worker for Neighborhood Centers and was honored to have the Evelyn Kennedy Civic Center named for her. She was a Past Matron of La Porte Chapter 683, Grand Chapter of Texas Order of the Eastern Star and received the Mason’s Community Builders Award. She taught an exercise class from 1956 until May of 2010. She was also active in the La Porte Historical Society, Literary Club, Civic Club and the Senior Center. Over her life she received many awards for the dedica-tion and service to La Porte and its citizens including the Gus Gross Humanitarian Award and the International Award-Volunteer of the Year with Neighborhood Centers. She loved working with children in whatever capacity. In her retirement years she and her husband traveled the world to many European coun-tries, the Holy Lands in Israel, cruised the Panama Canal, the Caribbean and Alaska, and vis-ited Australia, Hawaii and Ta-hiti. They were also members of the Rovin’ Texans RV Club. They flew to or drove in their RV to every state in the United States. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sis-ters Emogene Brummerhop and Margaret Durbin. She is survived by her sister Beu-lah Strange and brother Frank Hoot; daughters Martha Alex-ander and husband Albert and Danlyn Van Stone and husband Loren; grandchildren Molly Erpenbach, husband Gary; Sal-ly Bittick, husband Bill; Troy Van Stone, wife Pamela; Louis “Skip” Klement, wife Donita; and Greg Van Stone, wife Re-nee; 13 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. The memorial service will be held on Saturday January 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of La Porte, 1601 W. Fairmont Park-way. A reception will follow the service. Evelyn has donated her body to science and will be cremated. Her and Dan’s ashes will be scattered by the family.

KennedyClarence “Chad” Alden Chad-dock, 87, of La Porte passed away Tuesday January 4, 2011. He was born September 22, 1923 to Mary and Temple Chaddock. Chad was a veteran of the Marines. He is preceded in death by his wife Willene Chaddock. He is survived by his children Sharon Hill and husband Don, Don R. Chad-dock and wife Debbie, Holly Boyd and husband Robert, close friend Kristine Branch, sister Hazel Buck, brother Kyle Chaddock, grandchildren Rodney Davis, Chad Davis and wife Cindy, Sarah Smith and husband Matt, Todd Chad-dock and wife Pam, Rob Boyd, and great grandchildren Dillon Davis, Ashley Davis, Chase Davis, Isabella Smith, Rowdy Chaddock, and Riley Chad-dock.Visitation will be held Friday January 7, 2011 from 5-9PM at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Saturday January 8, 2010 at 10AM at St. John’s Episco-pal Church in La Porte.

ChaddockRobert Eugene Shepherd, Jr. (Bob) of Seabrook, Texas died Monday, December, 27, 2010 in Clear Lake Regional Hos-pital following a heroic fight against cancer.Bob was born in Venice, Cali-fornia on June 6, 1928 to Rob-ert E., Sr. and Bessie Shepherd. Six months later, Bob’s fam-ily moved to Houston, Texas where he spent his youth and graduated from Lamar High School. He went on to attend Texas A&M University, Class of ’49, graduating with a Bach-elor of Science in Electrical Engineering.After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Bob re-turned to Houston where he be-gan his engineering career with Houston Lighting and Power. He and his new wife, Elizabeth (Libby), moved to California to begin his aerospace career only to return to Houston eight years later with the opening of NASA. Proudly, he partici-pated in the development of the Lunar Space Module. Later, he worked in the petrochemi-cal industry which included travels to Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Bob finished his career back in the aerospace industry working with the Space Shuttle Program. All the while, he was based in Houston, and was able to see his beloved Aggies play home football games for 40 plus seasons. He was a dedi-cated member of The Seabrook United Methodist Church, The Bay Area Aggie Club, the 12th Man Foundation, and the La-mar Avalon Lunch Bunch.Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Libby, daughter Cher-yl Shepherd Siebs and husband Larry, son Robert E., III, grand-son Kevin Siebs, nephews Will and Rick and nieces Janet Rho-des, Peggy Yonge, Becky Hop-kins and Tricia Barksdale.A viewing was held at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX on January 2, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The memorial ser-vice was held at 2:00 pm, Janu-ary 3, 2011 at Seabrook United Methodist Church, 3300 Lake-side Blvd., Seabrook, TX.In lieu of flowers, memo-rial gifts may be made to The Building Fund at Seabrook United Methodist Church, 3300 Lakeside Blvd., Seabrook, TX 77586; The 12th Man Founda-tion, P.O. Box 2800, College Station, TX 77841-2800; or the charity of your choice.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest will be opening January 7th at CCCT. In dense fog near the South Welsh coastline, a stranger runs his car into a ditch and arrives at a nearby house. Inside, he finds the murdered body of a former big-game hunter. The dead man’s wife is near the body with a gun in her hand. Is she guilty or is she protecting someone? Appearances are sure to deceive in this twisty mystery. Tickets are $14.00 for adults, $12.00 for students and seniors and $10.00 for groups of 10 or more. Curtains are at 8PM Friday and Saturday nights with Sunday matinees at 2:30. Clear Creek Community Theatre is located at 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay. Visit the theatre’s website at www.clearcreekcommunitytheatre.org. For reservations call 281-335-5228.

What’s beautiful, yet enigmatic…larger than life, yet very small…and intense, yet entertaining? Mona Lisa knows, and it’s putting a smile on her face! Over 100 Bay Area Houston artists will be featuring their own unique take on marvelouslyminiature works of art at this very popular annual TAACCL fundraising event. The art, whichcan be in any medium in any subject, must be no larger than 11x14. Patrons can preview and bidon the silent auction art works during the Center’s regular business hours, 10 a.m to 6 pm starting

Tuesday, February 1. Join us for an exciting, fast-paced evening of fun! “Get there early, because you might miss the chance to bid on some great pieces of art,” saidartist and auction chairman Richard Williams. “This progressive silent auction releases the first25 artworks off the wall at 7:30. The second wave of art will be taken off to the highest bidder at8:00. The Live Auction begins at 8:30 and then the last of all art will be closed at 9:00. It makesfor a very fast-paced evening!”

What: The fourth annual Small Works by Great Minds Auction

When: Thursday, February 3 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm

Where: The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake, 2000 NASA Pkwy, Nassau Bay (directly across from JSC)Tickets: $10 per person and are available at the door or in advance through our website. Visit www.taaccl.org.Entertainment: The evening’s emcee is Pam Culpepper, and the auctioneer is Steve Phelps. Music provided by Fuzzy Side Up.

Catering: by Family Cuisine. Cash bar.

Mona Lisa, who favors the Small Works by Great Minds auction with her “presence” everyyear, was quoted as saying, “Y’all need to be there!”

Bob Dempsey, Vice President and Program Director for the Bay Area Photo Club will present a tutorial and discussion on photography techniques, artistic impression,camera settings, composi-tion and basics for photographing artwork for display on the Internet at the January 10th, 2011 monthly meeting of The National Society of Artists at 7pm at The Community Building at Clear Lake Park, 5001 Nasa Pkwy in Seabrook announced Jenny Smith, Program Director for NSA. All media artists, photographers and guests are invited to this very informative meeting per Jim Bragg, NSA President. NSA meetings are the 2nd Monday of the month at PM, free parking and refreshments served. Memberships available. For directions or information contact Jim Bragg at 281-334-3252 or [email protected].

The Arts Alliance Center At Clear Lake Small Works by Great Minds

Bob Dempsey To Discuss Photographic Techniques At January 10th National Society Of Artist Meeting

Agatha Christie Mystery Opens at Clear Creek Community Theatre Friday

Auditions For Neil Simon’s, Barefoot In The Park, At Clear Creek Community Theatre

Clear Creek Community Theatre will hold auditions for Barefoot in the Park, January 9th and 10th at the theatre located at 18091 Upper Bay Rd in Nassau Bay at 7PM. Performances will be February 18th through March 6th with shows on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. This production will be directed by Aprille Meek & Andrea Taylor and characters include: 4 men and 2 women. Set in 1963 in a dilapidated, sixth-floor walk-up, Neil Simon’s, Bare-foot in the Park, is a romantic-comedy inspired by the playwrights first marriage about newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter. Paul is a strait-laced attorney and Corie a spontaneous free spirit, who must contend with a lack of heat, a skylight that leaks snow, several long flights of stairs, oddball neigh-bor Victor Velasco, and Corie’s well-meaning mother Mrs. Banks. After an adventurous dinner out with Victor and Mrs. Banks the couple has their first fight during which Corie decides Paul is a “stuffed shirt,” not right for her, and she wants a divorce.. For more information or a complete cast of characters contact Andrea Taylor at [email protected]. Visit the theatre’s website at www.clearcreekcommunitytheatre.org, or find us on facebook.

First monthly meeting of 2011 well be held at The Community Building at Clear Lake Park, 5001 Nasa Pkwy in Seabrook on January 10th at 7pm announced Jim Bragg, NSA President. The multi-media art group meets monthly with guest speakers and art demonstrations. NSA artists ex-hibit in local, regional and many Gulf Coast galleries and compete in numerous juried art shows. Information will be available about the 2011 NSA National Show and up coming 2011 calendar of events. Come to the January 10th meeting ...all media artists invited.... Refreshments served. For details & directions contact Jim Bragg at 281-334-3252 or [email protected]

NOTICE:The Arts Alliance Center At Clear Lake will NOT be doing Movie Night or Jazz Night in January due to a conflict with the Rodeo Art Exhibit. Both events will resume in February. For more information, please call TACCL at 281-335-7777.

National Society Of Artists January 10th, 2011 Meeting

Peter Janecke Selected As Galveston Art League’s January Featured Artist

PAGE 6 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

NASA NEWSAstronaut Marsha Ivins Leaves NASA

NASA astronaut Marsha Ivins, a veteran of five spaceflights, has retired from the agency

“Marsha’s incredible depth of mission experi-ence and technical expertise has been a tremen-dous asset to this office,” said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s John-son Space Center in Houston. “We have relied on her expertise for years in many diverse areas, including but not limited to crew provisions, optimal hardware packing, human ratings de-velopment, vehicle habitability and orbiter pre-flight vehicle checks. Her expertise and dedica-tion to NASA’s mission will be sorely missed.” Ivins joined NASA in 1974 as an engineer. She worked on space shuttle displays, controls, man-machine engineering and the development of the orbiter’s head-up display. She served in Johnson’s aircraft operations as a flight engineer for the Shuttle Training Aircraft and copilot of the Gulfstream I. Ivins was selected as an astronaut in 1984. She spent more than 1,300 hours in space dur-ing five shuttle flights: STS-32 in 1990, STS-46 in 1992, STS-62 in 1994, STS-81 in 1997 and STS-98 in 2001. Ivins most recently worked within the As-tronaut Office supporting the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation Programs.

NASA Seeks Space Technology Graduate Fellowship Applicants

NASA is seeking applications from graduate students for the agency’s new Space Technology Re-search Fellowships. Applications are being accepted from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of graduate students interested in performing space technology research beginning in the fall of 2011. The fellowships will sponsor U.S. graduate student researchers who show significant potential to contribute to NASA’s strategic space technology objectives through their studies. Sponsored by NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist, the fellowships’ goal is to provide the nation with a pipeline of highly skilled engineers and technologists to improve America’s technological competitiveness. NASA Space Technology Fellows will perform innovative space technology research today while building the skills necessary to become future technological leaders. “Our Space Technology Graduate Fellowships will help create the pool of highly skilled workers needed for NASA’s and our nation’s technological future, motivating many of the country’s best young minds into educational programs and careers in science, technology, engineering and math-ematics,” said NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington. “This fellowship program is coupled to a larger, national research and development effort in science and technology that will lead to new products and services, new business and industries, and high-quality, sustainable jobs. Fellowships will be awarded to outstanding young researchers and technolo-gists positioned to take on NASA’s grand challenges and turn these goals and missions into reality.” The deadline for submitting fellowship proposals is Feb. 23. Information on the fellowships, includ-ing how to submit applications, is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/early_stage_innova-tion/grants/NSTRF.html

NASA Spinoff 2010 Reveals Benefits Of Space Technology In Our Daily Lives

Curious how a device de-signed to produce fuel and oxy-gen on Mars transformed into a source of clean energy right here on Earth? The 2010 edition of NASA’s annual Spinoff pub-lication is now available online, highlighting new innovations and notable examples of NASA technology improving everyday life on our home planet. Spinoff provides an in-depth look at how the agency’s initia-tives in aeronautics and space exploration have resulted in beneficial commercial technolo-gies in the fields of health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, envi-ronmental protection, computer technology, and industrial pro-ductivity. These advancements enhance our quality of life while contributing to the nation’s econ-omy through the creation of jobs and the support of businesses, large and small. They also help to inspire younger generations to explore education and careers in science, technology, math, and engineering. “Through NASA’s work with its commercial partners, tech-nologies that are helping us explore our universe are now also saving lives, preserving our environment and enhancing our nation’s transportation and security,” said Bobby Braun, chief technologist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Since 1976, NASA’s Spinoff publication has documented more than 1,700 compelling examples of NASA research and innovation that benefit the public every day.” Spinoff 2010 contains dozens of examples highlighting how space technology yields inno-vations with Earthly benefits, including: Algorithms developed by a NASA researcher that are en-abling technology for medi-cal diagnosis and prediction of brain blood flow-related condi-tions such as stroke, dementia,

and traumatic brain injury. NASA-proven, drag-reducing wing modifications that have al-ready saved commercial airlines more than 2 billion gallons in jet fuel. Inflatable antennas -- devel-oped with NASA funding -- that support essential communica-tion needs in remote areas dur-ing military operations, as well as in disaster zones. Image sensors, invented by a NASA team, that are now fea-tured in one out of every three cell phone cameras A groundwater remediation compound, created by NASA to treat contaminated launch facili-ties, now being used to clean up polluted areas around the world Spinoff also profiles NASA’s research and development ac-tivities, education efforts and partnership successes for the year. This edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of continuous habitation onboard the Interna-tional Space Station, revealing the many ways that technologies developed for the space station

have resulted in public benefits on Earth. The NASA Spinoff 2010 edi-tion is available in PDF format for downloading from the NASA Spinoff website at:http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2010. An archive of Spinoff fea-tures and a searchable database of NASA-derived technologies featured in past issues of the publication also are available at the NASA Spinoff site. An interactive Spinoff 2010 DVD, featuring videos and Web links, will be available through the NASA Spinoff Web site later this month. To access an interactive fea-ture about how NASA impacts your daily life, visit the NASA City and Home Web site at:http://www.nasa.gov/city Social media audiences can learn more about spinoff tech-nologies and other NASA part-nerships on Twitter and Face-book at: http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Spinoff and http://www.facebook.com/nasainyourlife.

NASA-NSF Scientific Balloon Launches From Antarctica

NASA and the National Science Foundation launched a scientific balloon on Monday, Dec. 20, to study the effects of cosmic rays on Earth. It was the first of five scientific balloons scheduled to launch from Antarctica in December. The Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM VI) experiment was designed and built at the Uni-versity of Maryland. CREAM VI is investigating high-energy cosmic-ray particles that originated from distant supernovae explosions in the Milky Way and reached Earth. Currently, CREAM VI is floating at 126,000 feet above Antarctica with nominal science operations. Two smaller, hand-launched space science pay-loads have already been launched, flown, and suc-cessfully flight terminated. They carried the Balloon Array for Radiation-belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) experiment designed and constructed at Dartmouth College. BARREL will provide answers on how and where Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts, which produce the polar aurora, periodically inter-act with Earth’s upper atmosphere. These test flights will help scientists prepare for similar flight experi-ments scheduled for launch in 2013 and 2014. Next in line will be an experiment from the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania called the Balloon Borne Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST). This experiment will investigate how magnetic fields im-pede star formation in our galaxy. BLAST’s instru-mentation and telescope will collect data to make the first high-resolution images of magnetically polarized dust in a number of nearby star forming regions. A super-pressure balloon test flight also will be conducted. The 14-million-cubic-foot NASA bal-loon is the largest single-cell, fully-sealed, super-pressure structure ever flown. It is twice the size of a similar balloon flown over Antarctica for 54 days from December 2008 to February 2009. NASA’s goal is to eventually develop a 26-million cubic-foot

super-pressure balloon, nearly the size of a football stadium.NASA scientific balloons are composed of a light-weight polyethylene film, similar to sandwich wrap. Flying to altitudes of nearly 25 miles, the balloons carry payloads weighing up to 6,000 pounds. During part of each Antarctic summer, from De-cember to February, NASA and the National Science Foundation conduct a scientific balloon campaign. Two unique geophysical conditions above Antarc-tica make long-duration balloon flights circumnavi-gating the continent possible during the three-month period. A nearly circular pattern of gentle east-to-west winds that lasts for a few weeks allows the recovery of a balloon from roughly the same geographic loca-tion from which it was launched and permits a flight path that is almost entirely above land. Balloons are illuminated continuously because the sun never sets during the Antarctic summer. And balloons maintain a constant temperature and altitude, which increases and stabilizes observation times. By contrast, in other areas of the world, daily heating and cooling cycles change the volume of gas in the balloon and cause it to rise and fall, severely limiting fly times. NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia man-ages the scientific balloon program for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Under NASA safety supervision, the launch operations are conducted by the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, Texas, which is managed by the Physical Science Laboratory of New Mexico State University. The National Science Foundation manages the U.S. Antarctic Program and provides logistic support for all U.S. scientific operations in Antarctica. To monitor the real time flight tracks of the bal-loons, visit: http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/antarctica/ice1011.htm. For more information on NASA’s sci-entific balloon program, visit:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER PAGE 7

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PAGE 8 THE BAY AREA OBSERVER THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011

By Paul SchattenbergAgNews News Team

CAT SPRING – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Austin County Grape Growers Committee will co-sponsor the 19th annual Gulf Coast Grape Growers Field Day on Feb. 11 in Cat Spring, about 75 miles west of Houston. The field day will be held at the Cat Spring Agriculture Society Hall, 13035 Hall Rd. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with pre-sentations and activities scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. “We hold this field day annually to inform and benefit both the novice and experienced grower, and to introduce them to the latest in vineyard research, practices and products,” said Fritz Westover, AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist for the Gulf Coast and South Texas regions. He also provides statewide co-ordination and supervision for AgriLife Extension’s viticulture team. Westover said last year’s program drew more than 175 partici-pants from throughout the state. “This is the biggest viticulture education event of the year for the Gulf Coast region and one of the biggest in the state,” he said. Westover said there will be an array of viticulture topics ad-dressed at the field day. Topics will include grape pest and dis-ease management, grape maturity for wine quality, management practices for new vineyards, grower discussion panels and the latest in Texas AgriLife vineyard demonstrations. Speakers will include experts from AgriLife Extension, indus-try, and the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. “We are expecting a record number of exhibitors in 2011 to showcase special offers on vineyard equipment and services,” Westover said. A minimum of three continuing education units will be avail-able to licensed pesticide applicators. Registration cost, which includes lunch, beverages and a wine

social, is $20. All registration for this year’s field day will be at the door and must be paid in cash or by check. For more information, contact Westover at 281-855-5608 or [email protected].

IN THE GARDEN

CUISINE

Ingredients• 1/4 cup butter• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour• 2 teaspoons salt• 1/8 teaspoon pepper• 6 cups milk• 4 cups cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces), cooked and drained or 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen cut asparagus, thawed• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese• 4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg• Croutons and additional shredded cheddar cheese, optional

DirectionsIn a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add asparagus and heat through. Add the cheese, thyme and nutmeg. Cook until cheese is melted, stirring frequent-ly (do not boil). Garnish with croutons and additional cheese if desired. Yield: 6-8 servings (2 quarts).

Texas Wine-Grape Growers Invited to Cluster Feb. 11 for Annual Field Day By Carolyn Collins

Several years ago I had some friends in Shoreacres who had a year round organic vegetable garden. Most of their large back yard had been devoted to their garden and it was incred-ibly productive as well as beau-tiful. The focal point was the well-kept asparagus bed. Many gardeners think grow-ing asparagus is strictly for northern climates. But you can have a very successful aspara-gus bed if you are patient and are willing to invest in some effort.

Asparagus is one of the few vegetable perennials and needs an area separate from the main garden. You need to be able to till around the bed. Locate the bed in a part of your yard that is elevated and well drained. If you have a securely fenced back yard, you can have an open bed area. But if your yard is located next to an open field or the edge of a woody area, you will need to fence the asparagus bed itself. Rabbits as well as deer will browse on young asparagus spears. In our area you should plant crowns. Asparagus crowns are really just the base and roots of one-year-old plants. In the early spring feed stores and nurseries will have crowns for sale loose or tied in small bundles. Until the nurseries have asparagus crowns for sale, you can spend this time getting your area ready for planting. Till your area and get rid of all weeds. This complete weeding is important because asparagus roots form a thick mat that will inhibit weed-ing later on. Begin by digging a trench about a foot deep and one and a half feet wide. Work well decomposed compost into the bottom of the trench. Make small mounds about six to eight inches high along the bottom of the trench spaced about eighteen inches apart. Plant your crowns on top of these mounds. After spreading the roots over the mounds, cover them with two to three inches of soil. As the plants begin to grow, fill in the re-mainder of the trench with a soil and compost mix. If you have room you can build additional trenches about four feet apart. Now be patient. For the first two years you do not harvest the spears. Allow the fern like foliage to grow and keep your aspara-gus bed fed and well watered. Keep top dressing with manure or compost. Keep top dressing with manure or compost. There is a chance that you might be able harvest to a limited degree after the first year. But be aware that early harvesting can reduce the yield as well as quality. It’s best to give your asparagus a couple of years to produce well. Asparagus beds can produce spears for fifteen to thirty years. Growing asparagus is a rewarding as well as a long-term com-mitment.

Asparagus – For The Complete Vegetable Gardener

Farmers and Pecan Growers in Central and South Texas Say Coal-fired Power Plant Kills Trees

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI Associated Press

BASTROP — Along a stretch of Highway 21, in a pastoral, hilly region of Texas, is a vegetative wasteland. Trees are barren, or cov-ered in gray, dying foliage and peeling bark. Fallen, dead limbs litter the ground where pecan growers and ranchers have watched trees die slow, agonizing deaths. Visible above the horizon is what many plant specialists, environ-mentalists and scientists believe to be the culprit: the Fayette Power Project — a coal-fired power plant that for nearly 30 years has op-erated mostly without equipment designed to decrease emissions of sulfur dioxide, a component of acid rain. The plant’s operator and the state’s environmental regulator deny sulfur dioxide pollution is to blame for the swaths of plant devasta-tion across Central Texas. But evidence collected from the Appala-chian Mountains to New Mexico indicates sulfur dioxide pollution kills vegetation, especially pecan trees. Pecan growers in Albany, Ga., have received millions of dollars in an out-of-court settlement with a power plant whose sulfur dioxide emissions harmed their orchards. Now, extensive tree deaths are being reported elsewhere in Texas, home to 19 coal-fired power plants — more than any other state. Four more are in planning stages. In each area where the phenomenon is reported, a coal-fired power plant operates nearby. The Fayette Power Project sits on a 10-square-mile site about 60 miles southeast of Austin, near where horticulturalist Jim Berry, who owns a nursery in Grand Saline, describes a 30-mile stretch of High-way 21 as a place where “the plant community was just devastated.” “There was an environmental catastrophe,” Berry said recently. “It wasn’t just the pecan groves,” he said after driving through the area. “It was the entire ecosystem that was under duress.” Pecan grower Harvey Hayek said he has watched his once prosper-ous, 3,000-tree orchard in Ellinger, just south of the Fayette plant, dwindle to barely 1,000 trees. Skeletal trunks and swaths of yellowed prairie grass make up what had been a family orchard so thick the sun’s rays barely broke through the thick canopy of leaves. “Every-where you look, it’s just dead, dead, dead,” Hayek said. The grove that had produced 200,000 pounds of pecans annually yielded a mere 8,000 pounds this year. Hayek said as the family’s business decreased, he watched his father-in-law, Leonard Baca, fade. Baca, 73, died after shooting himself in the head. Retired University of Georgia plant pathologist Floyd Hendrix,

who has done extensive research on sulfur dioxide damage to vegeta-tion, said he has reviewed photographs and test results from Hayek’s grove. “From what I’ve seen so far, there’s not any doubt in my mind that it’s SO2 injury,” Hendrix said. Sierra Club chemist and botanist, Neil Carman also has visited the ranch. Aside from the decreased nut production, the orchard’s leaves bore telltale brown spotting associated with damage, Carman said. Leo Lombardini, a horticulture professor at Texas A&M University who has visited Hayek’s ranch, said he could not rule out water or soil issues causing the damage. However, he said, the ranchers in that area irrigated their orchards after being advised to do so by the university, so “in this case I don’t think that was an issue.” Only extensive research would definitively prove whether pollution from the coal-fired power plant killed the trees in that area, Lombar-dini said. “It is a reasonable assumption because we know that one of the byproducts of coal use and burning is sulfur and indeed sulfur is a pollutant and it causes damage to leaves.”

The Lower Colorado River Authority, which operates the Fayette plant, argues there is no scientific link between its emissions and the dying trees, noting the region also has suffered significant droughts. But the authority is investing nearly $500 million to install two “scrubbers” designed to decrease pollution. A third, newer boiler has a built-in scrubber. The equipment should be in place by early 2011 and will decrease the plant’s sulfur dioxide emissions by about 90 percent, said authority spokeswoman Clara Tuma. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says air monitors indicate the Fayette plant “is not the likely cause” of the area’s veg-etative die-off. The plant operates under a state-permitting program that was disapproved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June. The EPA argues Texas’ permits do not allow for accurate air monitoring and violate the federal Clean Air Act. Texas has chal-lenged the disapproval in court. The EPA’s criminal investigation branch, meanwhile, has toured properties and interviewed pecan growers near Ellinger. The agency’s civil division has been asked to review the information, according to e-mails obtained by The Associated Press. Other e-mails indicate the U.S. Department of Justice’s environmental wing also investigated the matter, though a spokesman said he could not “confirm or deny” an ongoing probe. The Fayette plant is far from a lone source of concern. From Frank-lin — a town about 100 miles north that is surrounded by coal-fired facilities — to Victoria — 80 miles to the south and near the Coleto Creek power plant — Texas ranchers say orchards and trees of all varieties are dying. Charlie Faupel said his Victoria pecan trees are native plants that have grown along a creek bed for seven generations, supplementing a family income that also relied on cattle, real estate and publishing. When Faupel was a teenager, he would collect and sack the pecans, using the extra money to buy a car or go out. Now, the few pecans that grow are bitter or thin. On Dec. 9, Faupel filed a formal air pollution complaint against the Coleto Creek plant and demanded the state environmental commis-sion investigate the emissions. “I have noticed for over 20 years how the Coleto Creek power plant’s sulfur dioxide has been damaging hundreds of the trees on our property — live oaks, white oaks and pecans,” Faupel wrote. “Most of the white oak trees are already dead. The surviving trees don’t have as much foliage and they’re becoming more diseased, I believe, from the plant’s sulfur dioxide weakening the trees over time.” The Coleto Creek Power Plant did not respond to repeated requests for comment. . Faupel said some tree canopies recently appeared to be thickening and believes it’s because Coleto Creek put a “bagging system” on its boilers, decreasing emissions. But the plant plans to add a second boiler that is expected to add some 1,700 tons of sulfur dioxide pol-lution to the air annually. “I’m not one of these fanatic environmentalists,” Faupel said. “But when you are a seventh generation rancher, you are taught to be a good steward of the land and you want the things on it, the cattle and the vegetation, to be healthy. And they’re not.”

Thursday, January 13, 2011

“The Eyes of Texas”Town Hall Meeting

The “Plan” for 2011“Victory: The Rise of the Tea Parties”

“Legislative Issues for the 2011 Session” “A Watchdog Plan for the CLTP”

What’s on the agenda for the CLTP in 2011?

Open Mic“ We want to hear from you”

Date/Time: Thursday, January 13, 2011

6:30 p.m.Location:

Webster Civic Center, 311 Pennsylvania Ave, Webster, TX. 77598Bring your family, neighbors and friends!

E-Mail: [email protected]: www.clearlaketeaparty.com

CLEAR LAKE TEA PARTY

A dead Pecan tree is shown on grower Harvey Hayek’s ranch in Ellinger, Texas. Some environmentalists, ranchers and scientists be-lieve the cause of trees dying in the area is sulfur dioxide emissions

from the nearby Fayette Power Project, a coal-fired power plant. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Asparagus Cheese Soup

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