Bay Area Houston Magazine November 2011

November 2011

C H A M P I O N O F T H E S M A L L B U S I N E S S . S H O P B A Y A R E A F I R S T .

Guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson | America’s Got Talent contestants Team iLuminate | Houston boxing legend “Termite” Watkins Locating fall flounder | 12 Gifts of Christmas special section | Kemah’s Clear Creek Vineyard

2012 45th Anniversary Camaro2012 Centennial Edition Corvette

Out of the Box Banking

See story on page 30.

features

11 Dental Health A Time to Heal

16 Maurice “Termite” Watkins Former Boxer and Iraqi Olympic Coach

20 Miral Kotb and Team iLuminate Bright Moves from the America’s Got Talent Contestants

21 Eric Johnson The Up Close Tour Hits Houston

22 Tate’s Texas Music Sonny Boy Terry

22 Houston Texans Football Same Old Texans? Perhaps Not...

23 Captain’s Night Out An All Original Nightlife Comic Series

30 Texas First Bank Out of the Box Banking

33 The 12 Gifts of Christmas A Very Special Holiday Shopping Guide

46 Marines Giving Back Galveston Toys for Tots, AMOCO FCU and the USMC Work Together

46 Ten Years of Good Chicken Chik-Fil-A Hosts a Bands Against Hunger Concert

49 2011 Galveston Battle of the Badges Firefighters and Police Clash in the Boxing Ring

columns

18 In Wheel Time 2012 Chevrolet Special Edition Camaro and Corvette

19 CLICK! BATP’s 20th Birthday Celebration

27 The Admiral’s Log Time to Go Flounder Fishing

28 Galveston Surf Check Cool Weather Waves

40 Texas Meditations Looking for the Gaps

42 Nourishing the Mind I Love You, I Hate You, I Want You

44 Back Bay Barker Three Days in October

in each issue

10 Advertiser’s Index

26 Lakewood Yacht Club News and Events

52 Our Donations

58 Events Calendar

ChairmanRick Clapp

President Rob Kumar

Creative DirectorBrandon Rowan

Vice President of SalesPatty Kane

Sales & MarketingPatty Bederka

Whitney ParksAmber SampleClaudio Sereni

Graphic DesignerVictoria Ugalde

VideographerMichael Palm

PhotographyHal BushnellBrian Stewart

Community Affairs DirectorLillian Harmon

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

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

Advertising rates are available upon request.

Please address all correspondence to:Bay Area Houston Magazine

P.O. Box 1032Seabrook, TX 77586

[email protected]

281.474.5875

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ON THE COVERThe friendly staff of Texas First Bank’s local banking center in Kemah. Photo by Brian

Stewart. See story on page 30.

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | NOVEMBER 2011 8

Bay Area Houston Magazine is always looking for motivated, self-reliant professionals to add to our sales team. If you are interested in becoming part of our family please call our office at 281.474.5875 or send inquiries and resumes by e-mail at [email protected].

Last month, my column was quite different from what it normally is. The topic last month was my philosophy that the “eyes must match the ears.” The response from my article was incredible and I welcomed the many positive

comments. Years full of blessings, good health, prosperity,

enjoying my friends and colleagues, loving my supportive family and giving back love and kindness to those that are deserving, have allowed me to have a good life. On the other hand, I have experienced a lot of heartache, disappointment, failure and even disaster which has made my journey challenging and quite interesting.

One of the things I have learned along the way is to walk by faith and not by sight. Also, very important is knowing not to throw away people and giving people not just a first chance but a second and third chance.

Recently, I enjoyed a ride out to a friend’s beautiful ranch with my girlfriend. The Hill Country was incredibly vibrant with pastures full of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush flowers and horses. We stopped to gaze at this awesome scenery when we noticed a gorgeous painted pony and a Shetland pony were in this colorful pasture. We noticed the paint was blind and the small Shetland was in the distance but had a cow bell around its neck.

As we observed the two ponies, we saw and heard the bell on the Shetland clanging as the pony ran closer to the painted horse. Then, the paint moved towards the sound of the bell and his buddy, the Shetland pony. Furthermore, when the two horses came together, they looked happy, kicked a bit and seemed to nuzzle each other.

We then watched the paint follow the Shetland pony around the pasture and to the pond to drink. We realized that the owner of these two horses must be a wonderful rancher because most horse people would have destroyed the blind horse. Had he put down the painted horse, the Shetland would have been in the field by himself, lonesome.

Where the bell horse went, so did the paint, trusting in his friend even though he could not see. At times, the younger more agile Shetland would take off on a run but would constantly look back at his blind friend and not get too far ahead of him. Finally, as the sun went down, we watched the painted pony follow his friend towards the barn for a good meal, water and sleep.

The moral of my story is, do not throw away your family, friends, wife, husband or girlfriend. We all have challenges, fears, problems to overcome, etc. This makes us more vulnerable. Sometimes in life, we are the blind horse and other times we carry the bell and guide people along life’s path. Our good parents, spouses, girlfriends, friends and relatives are like the Shetland pony. We may not always see them but we know they are there. This makes us feel secure and able to love and be loved.

Since November is my birthday, I declare it the “Love and Kindness” month. It’s the holidays so love generously, care deeply in your heart and speak kindly. I promise if you give more, volunteer more and love more, you will be happier!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Rick Clapp, CEO

Don ArmstrongIn Wheel Time

Zach TateMusic

Betha MeritTravel/Food/Wine

Dr. Ed ReitmanNourishing the Mind

Michael GosTexas Meditations

Andrew JeffriesBay Area Bandstand

Kathleen StathamBack Bay Barker

Whitney ParksGalveston Surf Check

Captain Joe KentFishing

Pat PattonClick

Jill MichaelsThe Big Picture

Roseann RogersThe Buzz

NOVEMBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011 | Bay Area Houston Magazine 9

BAY2011

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Most Romantic Restaurant

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Best Wine Bar or Winery

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Advertiser’s Index


4 Smiling Aesthetic Dentistry Page 15 www.4smiling.comAccents, Petals & Metals Page 36Allegria Wine Bar page 36 www.allegriawinebar.comAmadeus Page 48 www.kemahcitylimits.com/amadeusAmeriprise Page 53 www.ameripriseadvisors.comAnnette’s Emporium Page 35Back Bay Boutique Page 36Bacchus Wine Bar Page 21Bayway Homes Page 43 www.baywayhomes.comBosone Auto/Wrecker Page 52Boudreaux’s on the Bayou Page 29 www.boudreauxsonthebayou.comBrueggen Dental Page 59 www.nodentures.comBuccaneer Page 47 www.buccaneerconstruction.comBungalow Dry Goods Page 29Casanova’s Downfall Page 35Christmas in Kemah Page 51 www.kemahmerchants.comChristus St. John Hospital Page 38 www.christusstjohnsportsmedicine.orgCity of Dickinson Page 42 www.ci.dickinson.tx.usCity of La Porte Page 15 www.laportetx.govClear Creek Winery Page 37 www.clearcreekvineyard.comClothes Horse Page 35Coastal Plastic Surgery Page 32 www.tadammd.comCollege of the Mainland Page 14 www.com.eduCullen’s Page 24 www.cullenshouston.comDickinson BBQ Page 5 www.dickinsonbbq.comDr. J. Derek Tieken Page 55 www.tiekensmiles.comEdward Jones/Mickey Maddox Page 48 www.edwardjones.comFloyd’s Cajun Seafood Page 25 www.floydsseafood.comFondren Orthopedic Page 2 www.fondren.comGaido’s Seafood Page 39 www.gaidos.comGalveston Battle of the Badges Page 7 www.galvestonbattleofthebadges.comGalveston Cruises Page 28 www.galvestoncruises.comGinger Snaps Page 34Gulf Coast Palapas Page 38 www.gulfcoastpalapas.comGuidry News Service Page 52 www.guidrynews.comHarbour Plastic Surgery Page 12 www.harbourplasticsurgery.comHead to Footsies Page 29 www.headtofootsies.comHope Village Page 20 www.hope-village.comIsland Furniture Page 34 www.islandfurniture.netJ.Hilburn Clothiers Page 15 www.jhilburn.comJeter Memorial Funeral Home Page 48 www.jeterfuneralhome.comKindred Healthcare Page 45 www.kindredhealthcare.comKemah Boardwalk Page 23 www.kemahboardwalk.comLas Haciendas Page 21 www.lashaciendasgrill.comMamacita’s Mexican Restaurant Page 39 www.mamacitasmexicanrestaurant.comMediterraneo Market & Cafe Page 42Memorial Hermann Page 13 www.memorialhermann.orgNancy’s Bra Boutique Page 35Oasis RV Park Page 40 www.ronhooveroasis.comOasis Salon and Spa Page 57Opus Bistro Page 14 www.opusbistro.netSalon La Rouge Page 36 www.salonlarouge.orgSchlitterbahn Page 56 www.schlitterbahn.comSeabrook Association Page 52 www.seabrookassociation.netSouthern Sophistication Page 34South Shore Harbour Resort Page 14 www.sshr.comSpine Center Page 54 www.texasspinecenter.comStar Toyota Page 4 www.startoyota.comSouth Shore Grille Page 41 www.soshoregrille.comSouthwest Wellness Solutions Page 49 www.wellnesssolutions.comStylin’ With Linda Page 20Texas Bay Area Credit Union Page 3 www.tbacu.orgTexas First Bank Page 50 www.texasfirstbank.comTexas Yacht Show Page 10 www.texasyachtshow.comThe Terrace Page 14 www.horizonbay.comUnicare Dental Page 60 www.drnoie.comUTMB Health Page 6 www.utmbhealth.comVictory Marine Page 51 www.govictorymarine.com

DENTAL HEALTH


I ran into an old friend last month. It had been a while since I had seen him. I knew from a distance that he was mourning the dissolution of his last committed relationship. He seemed somewhat confused and was trying to figure out how things that started so well ended up so wrong. I quickly realized that he needed to talk about his loss with a friend.

I suggested we stop by a coffee shop and have a conversation about his loss. He eagerly agreed. I asked him to go back in time where things were good. He talked about the first time they met. He said that he knew immediately this was a right match. There was a part of him that wanted to take things slow. But his emotional side eventually prevailed before the day was over.

I remembered his previous long term relationship with his high school sweetheart and how it gradually eroded into a non restorable state. At the time he was more focused on dealing with the loss than trying to determine the causing factors. He blamed her for most of it and felt primarily anger. He knew deep inside that he could have done more to save that relationship but didn’t dwell on it much. After spending a few short months to recover, he was introduced to his most recent partner. Even though she was not able to replace his first love, she certainly filled the hole in his heart and his life. She made him forget about his failed relationship. He was desperate to erase the past and replace the loss as quickly as possible.

This time around, it was different. He was more confused than angry. He reviewed his second failed relationship in more detail. He genuinely began

focusing more on the cause than the effect. He was desperate to find answers. As he spend more time looking through the rummage, certain facts surfaced. He kept going back to how quickly it all happened. She offered that they move in together after the first date. She told him there is no reason to waste valuable time.

Deep inside he knew that they may be rushing it a bit. But, he was more focused on the immediate gratifications of feeling whole again. Why should he wait for months if he could just come home on first night and enjoy a home cooked meal? Besides, she seemed certain that it will work out just fine. He told me he now realizes that he was not patient enough to allow the relationship mature and develop slowly over time. He wanted to be in a relationship so bad that he ignored some basic natural principles. He ignored that fact that time is an essential ingredient for any integration process.

All of a sudden, our conversation reminded me of something that Albert Einstein said about time. He said “the only reason for time is so that everything does not happen all at once”. We all know the importance of time. I wondered why are we so impatient once we make up our mind about wanting something. It has never been easy to be

patient, but it’s probably even harder now than at any time in history. In a world where messages can be sent across the world instantly, seemingly everything is available with a few clicks of the mouse, and a swift movement of your thumbs can take you into a fantasy game world, it’s very hard not to expect instant satisfaction. But patience remains a valuable tool in life. We don’t always get instant gratification, and some of the best things in life require time along with hard work and waiting. Fortunately, patience is a virtue that can be cultivated and nurtured. It does take time to fulfill this goal, but once this has grown into an ordinary skill, we certainly won’t be disappointed at what life can offer us with some spare time. You will be surprised by how boring, restless, and lagging hours can evolve into a passing time of relaxation and peace of mind.

It is natural human tendency to insist on getting things done now.

However, in nature some things just can’t be rushed. Think about your happiest memories. Chances are, they were instances when your patience paid off.

Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University and the Wright State University School of Medicine. He completed his oral anesthesiology training from University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. You may contact his office at (281) 332-4700 for a complimentary cosmetic or Implant consultation.

A Time to HealI ran into an old friend last month. He was mourning the dissolution of his last committed relationship. He seemed confused and desperate to figure out how things that started so well ended up so wrong. I quickly realized he needed a friend to talk.

M A R K E T P L A C EBay Area Houston Magazine | NOVEMBER 2011 14

M A R K E T P L A C E NOVEMBER 2011 | Bay Area Houston Magazine 15

By Rod Evans

“You’re crazy,” was the terse response. Not exactly what Maurice “Termite” Watkins wanted to hear, but he certainly understood the reaction.

Watkins recalls in rich detail the day in 2003 when he told then-wife Sharla that he wanted to go kill bugs for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. After all, the former pro boxer who grew up in the Northshore area would be walking away from a successful job as a car salesman to be an exterminator in a war zone. It didn’t make much sense to him, either, but he knew he had to go.

“You always hear people say that God spoke to them,” Watkins, a devout Christian, said, “but that day he spoke to me loud and clear and the message I received was it was time for me to do my part.”

Watkins was one of the most highly regarded fighters in the lightweight and welterweight divisions (he retired with a pro record of 58-5-2 in 1991) in the late 70s and early 80s. He lost a 15-round decision to Saul Mamby in 1980 for the light welterweight championship in a bout that was on the undercard of the Muhammad Ali-Larry Holmes heavyweight championship fight.

Now, with a movie in the works focusing on Watkins’ role in helping to cobble together the Iraqi boxing team that competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Watkins, who lives in the Atascocita area, is looking back with fresh eyes at what he accomplished eight years ago.

While working as a car salesman, a friend told Watkins that KBR was looking for civilian contractors to go to Iraq to kill flies, spiders, scorpions and other pests in Coalition Provisional Authority camps. After convincing his reticent family—Sharla and adult kids Shawnah, 37, Jared, 32 and Tessa, 28-- that he should go to Iraq, Watkins arrived in the Iraqi city of Umm Qasr to a less-than-cordial welcome.

“The first day I was there, a general (Brigadier General F.J. “Buck” Walters) cussed at me,” Watkins, 55, says. “He was angry about a fly problem he’d been having, but I told him I didn’t come here to get cussed. I told him I came to support you and if you cuss me again, we’re probably gonna fight and you won’t win.”

But after being told there wasn’t even any pesticide on hand to work with, Watkins won over Walters by eradicating the fly problem by using window screens and a few pellets of fly crystals. Watkins became one of Walters’ favorite people and began traveling with the general. It was during a trip to Baghdad that Watkins was swiftly reminded of the dangers of operating in a war zone. After working a 20-hour day, the driver of the truck he and several others were riding in fell asleep and the truck flipped over numerous times. Watkins managed to pull two people out of the wreckage before it exploded.

Later, while working out with a small group of colonels and generals, helping them get in shape, it was discovered that Watkins was a professional fighter in a past life.

Mike Gfoeller, a regional director for the Coalition, had a plan to put together a boxing team to compete in the ’04 Olympics, but Iraq had been barred from Olympic competition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1960.

Watkins said, “He asked me, ‘What are the chances of putting together a boxing team for Iraq?’ I told him, ‘Maybe one in a million.’ He said, ‘Great! All we need is one.’”

Twenty two Iraqi men, who, Watkins said, had more heart than talent, showed up to begin training in a makeshift gym. Lacking proper equipment, Watkins had just 10 months to train them before the Olympics, but first he had to gain their trust.

“At first, the boxers were scared to even smile,” Watkins said, “so I came up with the ‘Iraqi Dance.’ At the end of every session, we would dance and sing, ‘Iraq

… Iraq … Iraq is back.’ Wherever we went, people wanted to see the Iraqi Dance.”

The IOC relented and allowed the country to bring a small contingent of athletes, including one boxer, to Athens. That boxer was 23-year-old flyweight Najah Ali, who was chosen by his teammates.

In Athens, Ali managed to win his opening bout by defeating North Korean fighter Hyok Ju Kwak, but he lost his next fight and was eliminated from competition.

Back in the States, Watkins spent time with his family and began working on the biographical book “Termite” with long time friend and writer Suzy Pepper, and he soon began fielding offers from movie executives interested in making a film about his Iraq experience.

“We had four offers, but none were acceptable,” Watkins says. “Most of the offers wanted us to give up the rights, but we didn’t want to do that. We own the rights 100 percent.”

Meanwhile, Hollywood producer and writer Fred Kuehnert, who had met Watkins years ago at a Golden Gloves tournament, got wind of the story. But with numerous movie credits to his name, including producing credits on “The Buddy Holly Story,” Kuehnert understood the difficulties of trying to finance a movie about an unpopular war.

“All of the major movies about the Iraq war had tanked,” Kuehnert says. “Some of that was caused by poor

marketing, but a lot had to do with war weariness and the anti-war sentiment in Hollywood then.”

Kuehnert initially brought in screenwriter Jerry Griffin to write the screenplay, but Griffin passed away before it could be completed. Kuehnert finished the script in 2007, and after showing it to several friends in the industry, reasoned that getting it financed by traditional means in Hollywood would be difficult at best. The financial collapse of 2008 further clouded the picture.

“The delays we’ve encountered may actually help us,” Kuhnert says. “The antagonism toward the war has lessened, and with the “Hurt Locker” winning Best Picture (at the 2010 Academy Awards), this could be a favorable time for the movie.”

Kuehnert solicited friend and Oscar-nominated director/producer Niki Marvin as director of the project. Marvin, whose credits include “The Shawshank Redemption,” fell in love with the story.

“Termite is a national treasure,” Marvin says. “He helped to bridge a gap between the countries and boosted the morale of the Iraqi people.”

Kuehnert and Marvin are working together on securing the backing needed to get the movie off the ground. Marvin says it typically takes about 18 months to produce a movie.

“This is a movie that I’m passionate about making. It’s the big canvas of being a sports story set against the story of the Iraq war,” Marvin says.

Kuehnert says several prominent actors have read the script and have expressed interest in the project, but no agreements have been reached.

Termite was recently married to Cindy, and is a step dad to four daughters. He is currently working with the Creative Resource Group in Crosby, a company specializing in industrial turnaround service. Watkins hopes the movie will help bolster his growing motivational speaking schedule and also deliver a positive message about the U.S. role in Iraq. “It shows that we did do some good in Iraq,” Watkins says.

To contact Termite regarding speaking engagements or film financing, email at: [email protected].


“Watkins had just 10 months to

train them before the Olympics.”


Patients with conditions that affect the upper GI tract, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may face a long and difficult road before receiving a diagnosis. Often, they must undergo tests

at different facilities, wait a long time for the results, wait for a diagnosis and then begin treatment. Not anymore.

The new Esophageal Disease Center, housed within the Endoscopy Center at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, streamlines this process. Patients can receive all the diagnostic tests and procedures they need in one place. “Not only is this more convenient, it ensures continuity of care,” says Farzaneh Banki, M.D., director of the Esophageal Disease Center at Memorial Hermann Southeast.

In addition to GERD, physicians at the Center diagnose and treat swallowing disorders such as achalasia, hiatal hernia and cancer of the esophagus or stomach.

“The Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to care,” says Dr. Banki. “Every month, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons meet to discuss complicated cases and plans of care. All the disciplines work together to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”

At the Center, patients meet with a gastroenterologist who recommends diagnostic tests based on the patient’s symptoms. The Center is equipped with the most advanced tools for making

an accurate diagnosis. These tests include upper endoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry, esophageal pH assessment, pharyngeal pH assessment and endoscopic ultrasound.

Gastroesophageal disease is a serious problem that leads to injury to the esophageal lining and may cause esophageal cancer. In many patients, reflux can be treated with medications. About 25 percent of patients with reflux disease present with severe complications, such as large hiatal hernia, strictures and Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous lesion in the lining of the esophagus. In this group, surgery should be considered.

“When surgery is necessary, we use minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures that prevent reflux disease and result in faster recovery and earlier return to daily activities,” says Dr. Banki.

BREAKTHROUGHSDiagnosing and Treating Esophageal Diseases

Dr. Banki specializes in foregut and thoracic surgery.

in wheel t ime By Don Armstrong Listen to In Wheel Time every Saturday morning on 1070am from 7 - 9 a.m.


2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary edition

The 2012 Camaro is a far cry from the one that first appeared in showrooms in September 1966 as a 1967 model. Although those early issues are highly coveted today, the 45th anniversary model is sure to have your palms sweating, anxious to get behind the wheel.

Continuing the tradition of Camaro anniversary models, the 45th Anniversary Special Edition carries all the upgrades for 2012, with additional unique design elements, inside and out.

The interior updates include a revised instrument panel appearance, with new instrument graphics and trim, as well as a new steering wheel design and a power lift feature for the front passenger seat. The steering wheel features a fresh new look and ergonomic improvements intended to support performance driving. Also new is a Rear Vision Package, which adds a rearview camera system and an auto-dimming mirror to the existing rear park assist feature.

The Anniversary edition comes in two models, the 2LT and 2SS, meaning a 3.6-liter, 323-hp V-6 that gets 30 MPG-highway or the 426-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 connected to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Entry-level pricing on the 2012 Camaro Coupe is $22,805.

2012 Corvette Chevrolet Centennial Edition

Corvette celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s sports car technology. The special package is inspired by Chevrolet’s racing-bred foundation and is offered on all Corvette models for 2012.

Other Centennial features include special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history, including a graphic logo featuring an image of Louis Chevrolet on the B-pillars, the wheel center caps and the center of the steering wheel.

The historic Corvette crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with “100” in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol, only for the Centennial Edition. There are unique centennial satin black wheels, sized specifically to the respective Corvette models, along with red brake calipers.

The ebony, leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors are complimented by the red stitching that is also

on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter.The 2012 model again features microfiber suede

accents on seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests, which were first used on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition. Seat headrests carry an embossed centennial logo.

Pricing on the base Corvette Coupe starts at $49,045.

Cool Fronts, Camaros and Corvettes

By Kathleen Potter Wooldridge

The list of the Bay Area Houston’s most interesting people just got longer. Miral Kotb, daughter of Mediterraneo Market and Cafe owners, Magdy and Sonia Kotb, joins

her parents on the list of people you’d like to spend an evening visiting with.

As a young girl, Miral, a Clear Lake High School graduate, was shy and spent her time studying and dancing, rather than socializing. “No one noticed her except when she was dancing”, said her father. “When she was in a competition, and danced a solo that she’d choreographed, she’d win. Then, she’d get noticed.”

Her parents were not thrilled when she fell in love with New York City and insisted upon applying to Columbia University. They were overjoyed, however, when she excelled at Columbia, becoming well known as both a dancer, working first with the university dance team, then forming her own troupe.

Rather than return to Clear Lake after earning

her degree in computer science, she opted to stay in New York and work with Michael Bloomberg, dividing her time between working and dancing until she was diagnosed at age 23 with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Radiation treatments affected her ability to dance.

Never being one to give up, she spent her time developing computer technology that could be incorporated with dance. She switched her focus from dancing to choreography, and while still working for Bloomberg, spent her own money to make her dream a reality. She developed a lighting system that could be worn by her dancers and controlled by computer to create the innovative and exciting iLuminate. She then formed the dance troupe Team iLuminate, which was an immediate hit. No one had ever seen anything like it before. In 2009, she left Bloomberg to concentrate on growing iLuminate and Team iLuminate.

Her first gig was a tribute to Michael Jackson on the 2009 BET Awards. After the show, she called her parents in tears, telling them, “I did it!” Shows with the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera,

Chris Brown, and other first rate acts followed. Team iLuminate has been busy ever since. Miral has continued to innovate and refine what she has already done.

Their appearance on America’s Got Talent brought Team iLuminate into the public eye as an entity in itself. Miral Kotb put on her many hats and went to work, choosing themes, choreographing dances (never repeating any), designing and sewing costumes, overseeing the lighting, and any other detail that needed attending to. Each of the five shows was different, requiring different costumes, dance moves, and adjustments to iLuminate the dancers.

Although they did not win, (the winner was chosen by the judges’ opinions and votes cast by the public). Judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel, and Piers Morgan all agreed that Team iLuminate was going places, and fast. Miral’s sister, Yasmine, has joined her as manager, lighting tech, tour accountant, and contract negotiator. They are currently on tour with Chris Brown, and were in the Houston area in mid-October. Team iLuminate has received invitations to perform in Russia, Singapore, Poland, and Mexico City. From the looks of their schedule, it may be some time before the Kotb family will be hanging out together at Mediterraneo.

And, yes, she did it!


Team iLuminate with CNN’s Piers Morgan. Miral Kotb with her parents, Magdy and Sonia.


t Warehouse Live in The Ballroom on Wednesday September 28, an eager audience was treated to a night of virtuosic guitar slinging from Eric Johnson and Sonny

Landreth.Johnson is on tour with Landreth promoting his

new album, Up Close--his first album recorded entirely in his own home studio which he spent the last 15 years building in Austin, TX.

Sonny Landreth kicked off the night with his trio consisting of bassist David Ransom and drummer Brian Brignac. Landreth’s last album was From the Reach (2008), but he and his current band plan to release their first completely instrumental album later this year. Landreth and his trio display a highly energetic exploration of a modern interpretation of a wide variety of rock and blues styles including delta and zydeco onstage. If you’re a fan of slide guitar, there’s absolutely nothing to miss from Landreth’s amazing technique and style. The key word is phrasing when it comes to describing what makes Landreth so awesome. I could go on and on about how incredibly poignant and soulful Landreth’s phrasing is, and that phrasing is the core of his masterful guitar playing. He changes guitars (all Stratocasters) several times throughout the set which are all tuned differently. Using a slide generally dictates certain open chord tunings, and covering all of the creative ground of Landreth’s tunes requires taking advantage of those tunings. David Ransom offers up a very complementary backing to Landreth’s licks, which is evidence of their long-time musical relationship. Brian Brignac’s able drumming and high enthusiasm provides a very strong backbone for the trio’s sound. He strikes incredibly hard which generates a huge drum

sound and shakes the whole kit during the intense parts of the songs. If you haven’t heard Sonny Landreth before, you need to do yourself a favor and check him out online at www.sonnylandreth.com

Eric Johnson began his set with a couple acoustic tunes played solo. It was an enveloping and intimate way to ease into the groove of things. His first electric song with Chris Maresh on bass and Wayne Salzmann on drums was “Fat Daddy” off his new album, Up Close. The best way to describe Eric Johnson’s sound is ‘tone-full’. He knows how to make the guitar sound beautiful and smooth with a singing quality that is utterly unique, a style very apparent on tracks like “Gem,” also off the new record. Johnson’s approach to guitar itself seems to be a personal life-long journey that challenges and rewards him with every nuance of the almost delicate sound coming out of his Marshall and Fender amps. Aiding Johnson in the realm of delicate virtuosity was Maresh’s fantastic bass playing as well as Salzmann’s incredible drumming chops. Each member of the trio took awe-inspiring solos on “Mr. PC”, a tune by the

legendary John Coltrane. I cannot say enough about the level of musicianship the trio has reached together and brought to the stage. The range from blues and rock to country western and even jazz all combined with Johnson‘s own brand of new age music makes for a full set that amply demonstrates the broad skills of Johnson, Maresh, and Salzmann individually and as a group. Even as a long-time fan of EJ’s work, I was treated to a completely original experience that was topped off with something familiar. Johnson finished off his set with an extended introduction leading into “Cliffs of Dover” off his Grammy-winning album Ah Via Musicom released in 1990 that has all the magic now that it did 21 years ago.

At the end of the night, Sonny Landreth came back out onstage and joined Johnson in a few more songs including an encore where the two axe men played “The Milky Way Home” together off From the Reach. This was easily among the best shows I’ve seen in my entire life, and again, if you haven’t already heard Sonny Landreth or Eric Johnson, go check ‘em out for crying out loud!

Eric JohnsonThe “Cliffs of Dover” virtuoso is now on tour promoting his new album, Up Close.

By Whitney Parks

After injuries to some of the Texans’ key players, should fans be worried about their team’s chances to make it to the playoffs? I think it’s too early to start getting overly

pessimistic and here’s why. With Andre Johnson being out due to a hamstring

injury, our running game as well as our passing game have been affected. In Johnson’s absence, our opponents are putting more effort into stopping the run. This can be seen in a decline in running back Arian Foster’s performance. Once Johnson is healthy again, the opposing defenses will not be able to assign a safety to help stop the run and will have to work harder to cover

the dual threat of Foster and Johnson, leaving more gaps for Foster to run through.

Even though Mario Williams is out for the season, which could be seen as a huge blow to the team, our defense is still a force to be reckoned with. Rookie second round draft pick Brooks Reed will be Mario’s replacement and despite the fact that this is his first year

in the NFL, he still shows enormous potential. Third year linebacker Brian Cushing has also been picking up the slack as he gets back into the same form that won him Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009. You also couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sympathy for Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco as he was pummeled time and time again by Connor Barwin, who plays on the opposite side of Williams at outside linebacker. Yes, William’s absence will be felt, but this isn’t a death sentence to our defense by any means.

As important as it is to put everything on the line week in and week out, what it will really come down to in the race to make the playoffs is the Texans’ performance in their division. Luckily for us, our division has never looked weaker. A win in Baltimore without Johnson and Williams would

have spoken volumes to Texans’ naysayers, but it’s more important that we win against our division opponents like the Tennessee Titans. It doesn’t look like the Jaguars or Colts are going to be much of a threat this year, so I have complete confidence in this team to beat out the Titans for the AFC South title and its first playoff appearance in franchise history.

Animated wide receiver, Jacoby Jones does a victory dance after his touchdown against the Ravens in Baltimore. Photo: Associated Press - Nick Wass


Sonny Boy Terry is a blues man. His name is a custom-fit blues-hybrid of three of the art form’s legendary harmonica players: Sonny Boy Williamson (there are two with the same name) and Sonny Terry. For blues aficionados, there might be an expectation to hear some brilliant harmonica playing from a guy named “Sonny Boy Terry”; their expectations would be met! “I’m a blues artist. Listen to it. Live it. That’s what I strived to be 30 years ago and I’m still striving to be that today” says Terry.

Terry’s heart may be rooted in the traditional sound of the blues but his talents and tastes venture outside purist blues. Folk, zydeco and roots rock & roll can be heard throughout his recordings and live shows. At the center of it all, though, Terry’s music always comes back to the essence of blues music. Martin Scorsese, co-director and executive producer of the acclaimed PBS film series The Blues, said “it’s a form of storytelling that is so universal that it has inspired people beyond our borders and continues to influence music here and abroad.”

Like so many greats in music from the Rolling Stones to Joss Stone, Sonny Boy Terry carries on the tradition of borrowing from the blues to create his own sound.

“Sonny Boy” Terry Jerome’s love of music began at an early age, inspired by music on the radio station, CKLW, out of Windsor, Canada, in the 1960s and his older brother’s collection of 45 rpm records that included many 1950s icons like Elvis Presley and Little Richard. “I’d call girls on the phone and sing Little Richard to them. I lived for two things growing up: baseball and music.”

Terry began his career as a harp player in Elida, Ohio with a simple desire to play music with his high school friends. With two guitar players already in his circle of peers, Terry bought a harmonica and was on his way.

It was 1981 when Terry arrived in Houston to play the blues. “I wanted to come to the big city and try my hand at playing blues.” Terry’s choice of Houston can be linked back to early editions of Living Blues magazine and their profiles of Houston as a blues city. “I knew Big Walter was here and Lightnin’ Hopkins… I had no idea what I was coming to though. I call Houston ‘America’s lost city of the blues’. It really rivals Los Angeles, Chicago, the Delta; we really have our own unique thing going on here.”

Terry hung out with some legendary names in blues like James Harmon, James Cotton and Mighty Joe Young and worked to develop his craft. “Once you get here and start breaking in, you feel like God dropped you in Houston; you feel like your spirit moved you here.”

Although Terry’s playing had been captured throughout the 80s on various bootleg recordings it wasn’t until 1991’s Electric Blues with James Bolton that he appeared on an official release (vinyl and cassette). It wasn’t long before Sonny Boy Terry was making appearances on records by Houston blues legend Joe Guitar Hughes, Grammy winner Johnny Clyde Copeland (sessions that included Lonnie Brooks and Gatemouth Brown) and Teenie Hodges (co-writer on Al Green’s hits Take Me To The River and Love and Happiness).

Terry started his own band in 1995, releasing his first record, Breakfast Dance, in 2000.

In addition to recording regularly as a session player on many artist’s records and teaching harmonica in Houston, Terry produces the Texas Harmonica Festival, an all day music event that allows anyone wanting to improve on, or begin, playing harmonica, to participate. The next festival will be held in July 2012. “We teach in the day and have a big blues party at night!”

On learning to play harmonica, Terry advises attempting simple melodies like Oh Susanna and Jingle Bells to gain familiarity with the instrument and improve muscle memory. “It’s incredibly easy to learn, very difficult to master. You have to get into the culture of the instrument.”

For more information about harmonica lessons, the Texas Harmonica Festival, and Sonny Boy Terry’s live shows visit at www.sonnyboyterry.com.

“ I call Houston America’s lost city of the blues.” - Sonny Boy Terry



News & Events

During the October 7 Member Mixer at Lakewood Yacht Club, Past Commodore John Broderick commissioned Vice Commodore A. J. Ross into the Texas Navy as an Admiral. The certificate presented

to Ross by Broderick is signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

“A.J. Ross exemplifies the spirit of the original Texas Navy fleet in the nineteenth century through the unselfish giving of himself to benefit the club as well as his community,” remarked Broderick.

This honor from the state and the Texas governor is in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community and civic responsibility. An individual has to be nominated for this commission, which is granted only by the state’s governor.

Historically, the Texas Navy was founded in 1836 to protect trade routes between Mobile, New Orleans, and Houston. When the war started for independence

from Mexico, four small ships which were under-manned, under-funded, and under-equipped, faced daunting odds with unbelievable spirit. A large measure of the success in the Battle of San Jacinto is attributed to these Texas Navy ships which kept the Mexican Navy from landing to resupply General Santa-Anna.

When Texas became a state, the function of the Texas Navy was taken over by the federal government. The navy sold its ships and became dormant as an active fighting unit.

Lakewood’s Vice Commodore Inducted into Texas Navy

25th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta in Port Aransas

The reason for all of this is that the annual migration of flounder from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico is in full swing during November. In

recent years, the big run, as anglers call the migration, has been delayed due to our unusually warm fall season.

By November, cold fronts begin crossing the upper Texas Coast and dropping the water temperature and emptying the back bays and marshes of water. The effects of the cold fronts get flounder moving.

Early in the migration, usually beginning in mid-October, lots of

flounder will begin stacking up in East and West Bays and around the Texas City Dike. With each passing cold front, the flatfish will move closer to passes into the Gulf. The big ones in our area are Rollover Pass, Bolivar Roads and the adjoining areas, and San Luis Pass.

By early November, the shorelines of the Galveston Ship Channel from the Pelican Island Bridge to Seawolf Park and the U.S. Coast Guard Station are lined with flounder.

Another of the hot spots is around the old barge graveyard where the Intra-coastal Waterway hits Galveston Bay near the Bolivar Ferry Landing. From late October until Thanksgiving weekend anglers are almost shoulder to shoulder with lines in the water all along the hot spots.

During November, there is a two-fish daily bag limit on flounder and only pole and line fishing is allowed. The reason is to allow as many flounder to make it past the areas of high concentrations

on to their winter haven in the warmer waters of the Gulf.

There is a five-fish bag limit the other months of the year and there is only a one-day possession limit all year, meaning that the two-day bag limit has been abolished.

Prior to the change, anglers out flounder gigging at night could take a daily bag limit prior to mid-night and afterwards take the next day’s limit.

Fishing for flounder requires different techniques than fishing for other varieties of fish. For instance, noise is a big concern when fishing for trout and reds. Noise is not an issue with flounder. Splashing an anchor while dropping it in the water is a no-no for trout and reds, yet flounder are not sensitive to the noise.

While lying on the bottom, noise will spook other fish, especially bait fish and cause them to scatter. Scattering means they may run past a hungry flounder that makes a short leap and, bingo, a meal is devoured.

Flounder are going to be caught on the bottom; therefore, bottom fishing is the technique. Slow retrievals of bait are required and one of the most common mistakes newcomers to flounder fishing make is to attempt to set the hook too quickly. Once a snag is felt on the line, give it a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder like to capture their prey then swallow it. Many times I have pulled a mullet or shrimp out of a flounder’s mouth by not allowing the fish to really take the bait.

Speaking of baits, fingerling mullet is by far the top choice, with mud minnows close behind. Live shrimp also works well.

The best time to fish for flounder is during tidal movement and keep in mind that on sunny days, the fish will leave shallow waters early due to the bright sun in their eyes.

Limits (two flounder per day) should be easy to take during November, so hit some of the hot spots and drop your lines in the water. Chances are, you will not be alone.

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Time To Go Flounder FishingNovember is undisputedly the best month for flounder fishing in the Galveston Bay Complex. Flounder fishing is so good that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department set specific bag limits on the flatfish that month and outlawed flounder gigging all month long.

“One of the most common mistakes newcomers to flounder fishing make is to attempt to set the hook too quickly.”

I hope your wetsuit still fits because it looks like it’s about that time to dust it off and put it back on. This year, we’ve been lucky enough to

have our warm weather stick around for a while but now that it’s November, you can bet that we’ll see a significant drop in the water temperature. I hate dealing with cold weather but this isn’t altogether a bad thing as the cold weather thins the lineup significantly.

One of my favorite things to bring along with me when I go surfing in the cold weather is a jug of warm water to pour on myself when I’m done surfing.

This homemade shower is quite the relief after hardly being able to feel my limbs for the past few hours. I should offer a word of caution to you if you’d also like to try this: make sure the water isn’t scorching hot when you pour it in the jug because it will still be very hot when you pour it on yourself once you get out of the water a few hours later. I’ve made this mistake before. Trust me, it’s not fun.

Along with the colder weather we should continue to see more swells coming through. I know it can be hard to motivate yourself to leave your warm house, and get into the cold waters of the gulf but this really is the perfect time of year to hone your surfing skills as the surf gets more consistent. It can be hard to improve as a surfer in such unreliable conditions as what the gulf has to offer so it’s pretty important to take advantage of every opportunity you get to paddle out around here, cold weather or warm weather.

If you find yourself in need of a new wetsuit this winter, make sure to check out Ohana Surf and Skate off of the Seawall in Galveston or any of your other local surf shops. I’ll see you in the water!



Thursday, November 3-6: Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (2300 Strand, Galveston, TX)

Saturday, November 5: Kayak Adventure: Galveston Island State Park (Galveston Island State Park, Galveston, TX) - 10am – 2pm

Sunday, November 6: Galveston Elks Lodge Bingo (Galveston Elks #12, 1518 Tremont St., Galveston, TX) - 2 – 6pm

Saturday, November 12: “The Wizard of Oz” (The Grand, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, TX) - 8pm

Sunday, November 13: Carnival MAGIC Debut Featuring Maroon 5 (Pier 21, Galveston, TX) - All Day

Saturday, November 19: Market on The Strand (Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand, Galveston, TX) - 10am – 4pm

Thursday, November 24: Festival of Lights (Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX) - 6 – 10pm

Saturday, November 26:ArtWalk (Galveston Arts Center & Other Galleries, 2501 Market St., Galveston, TX) - 6 – 9pm

Galveston Events for November


ou brought your child there to open his first savings account, and the bank manager would spend a few minutes explaining to him that the interest his money earned would make his savings grow and exactly why it was important to save for a rainy day, just like he

did for you. He’d get his little passbook, and keep in a special place. Each time he got a few dollars, he’d put part of it in his savings account first thing, just like his dad and granddaddy did before him. He felt proud of himself for planning ahead. Going to the bank was fun.

A scene like that would be hardly recognizable today. Banks have become impersonal, with staff coming and going as if the bank was a fast food restaurant. The personal touch is a thing of the past. The most important thing is the bottom line—the bank’s, not yours. The idea of someone taking the time

to teach a child about saving money and following up with him periodically is laughable.

Yes, you can go inside any of the Superbank’s 583,621,729 banking centers, if you get there by 3pm during the week, noon on Saturdays. Or use the ATM outside-- now that’s personal! Either way, it will take ten days for the money to actually show up in your account. Do the employees look like they are even remotely happy to interact with you?

A visit to any Texas First Bank local banking center is like returning to the banks of the old days with all the innovations of modern banking. Founded in 1973 by Charles Doyle and a group of investors, the goal was be an integral part of the community, giving back, as well as making a profit. Their focus was on giving superior customer service and offering competitive products and services. The founders wanted their bank to have the feel of a small town coffee shop, and to be the pulse of the community. Their advisory board is comprised of

TEXAS FIRST BANK: Out of the Box BankingNot so long ago, going to the bank was a good experience. You knew almost everyone. The coffee pot was always going. It was a place to hear the latest local news, catch up on what your friends and neighbors were up to, and put your money in a safe place, knowing that when you needed it, your money was there, hopefully with a little interest, as well.


community leaders. These men and women listen to what their citizens want, and their goal is to see that they get it. Today, Texas First has twenty locations in five counties. Most of these are located in smaller communities, such as Texas City, Alvin, Galveston, and Kemah.

Texas First Bank deliberately has created a culture that is different from other banks. They want to maintain their community bank status by involving themselves in community activities and services, offering their customers exceptional personal services, and by teaching young people how to be financially responsible.

Texas First’s Business Banking services include business checking accounts with or without interest, and money market accounts. They also offer special business savings accounts, online bill pay and cash management services that help businesses manage their funds more efficiently, and merchant services, which allows customers to accept debit and credit card at their place of business. You can also fund your next business venture with the help of a Business Loan from Texas First Bank. They offer loans for businesses both big and small for a variety of purposes such as equipment, inventory, or working capital. With a specialty in Real Estate Lending, Texas First can finance your construction or permanent loan to build your new home.

They also offer special business savings accounts, online bill pay, cash management services that help businesses manage their funds more efficiently, and merchant services, which includes gift and loyalty card programs.

Personal services include Rewards Checking which earns 3.25% APY1 on balances up to $10,000, ATM fee refunds nationwide***. For the young and young at heart, there is Real Tunes checking, which earns music

downloads. If you do not have time to stop by and open an account you can always open your checking online at www.texasfirstbank.com. The process allows you to open personal checking accounts from the comfort of your own home in five minutes or less.

One of the most important contributions that Texas First offers to the communities it serves is the Charles T. Doyle Leadership Program. The program gives leadership training to young men and women who are juniors and seniors in area high schools. This training will set them years ahead of their peers when it comes time to enter the working world.

Being financially responsibility can actually be fun. Texas First partners with VISA to bring students a program called Financial Football. NFL players are very involved in this program and make personal appearances at Financial Football events.

You can often see Texas First employees at local events, wearing their bank polo shirts. They are either volunteering or introducing themselves to members of the community. And, if you want to know more about Texas First Bank, you can always stop by for a cup of coffee.

*Minimum to open account is $50. *Earn up to $5 in iTunes® and Amazon®/Amazon.com® download refunds each monthly qualification cycle the minimum qualifications are met. $5 in iTunes and Amazon/Amazon.com download refunds expire 30 days from end of the qualification cycle where the download refunds were earned. **Earn $10 in iTunes® and Amazon®/Amazon.com® download refunds with initial account opening regardless of qualifications. $10 in iTunes and Amazon/Amazon.com download refunds expire 90 days from date of account opening. Downloads must be purchased with your Texas First Bank VISA Check Card associated with your REAL Tunes account. Qualifying transactions must post and clear the account during the monthly qualification cycle. Transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to an account from the date the transaction is made. Intra-bank

transfers do not count as qualifying ACH transactions. Monthly Qualification Cycle means a period beginning one day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Intra-bank transfers do not count as qualifying ACH transactions. ***ATM Fee reimbursements up to $45 provided only if qualifications are met during the monthly qualification cycle. iTunes is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. and Amazon.com is a registered trademark of Amazon Inc. and Amazon is a registered trademark of Amazon Inc. Apple Inc., and Amazon Inc. are not a participants in or sponsors of this program.

1APY= Annual Percentage Rate. Monthly qualifications per qualification cycle for Rewards Checking are: 10 debit card purchases post and clear, one ACH auto-debit or direct deposit post and clear and receive monthly e-statements. Rate tiers are as follows: 3.25% APY applies to balances of $.01 - $10,000 and 0.50% APY applies to all balances over $10,000 as long as qualifications are met each qualification cycle. 0.05% APY applies to all balances if qualifications are not met. Rates may changes after the account is opened. Available to personal accounts only. All Loan Subject to Approval. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

“A visit to any Texas First Bank local banking center is like returning to the banks of the old days with all the innovations of modern banking.”

(Left) Texas City is the headquarters for Texas First Bank.(Top) Patrick Doyle, Director and Legal Counsel; Charles T. Doyle, Chairman of the Board; Matthew T. Doyle, Vice Chairman; and Christopher Doyle, President and Chief Executive Officer. Four Recipients of the Five Outstanding Young Texans Award named by the Texas Jaycees- a record number for any single family.(Right) The picturesque Kemah location provides a warm community atmosphere and offers service with a personal touch.









By Michael Gostexas meditat ions

Looking for the Gaps

George West, TexasIt had already been a long day and I still had at

least nine more hours to go. I taught two classes in the morning, and then spent the next four hours driving to Goliad where I needed to do some photo work. I

knocked that off in about an hour and was again on the road for the rest of the trip down to Laredo, where I would attend a party that would go on till at least one in the morning. I wasn’t even half way there when I saw the signs for George West. I thought that was a strange

name for a town, and I was sick of driving so I figured, why not?

I made the turn on to a spur road that goes off the main highway and into town, but had driven only half a mile when I was sidetracked by a field of wildflowers on a small hillside.

I love tiny towns, and the people in them—that’s what started me on this diversion. But what I really needed just then was to sit quietly, alone. I parked the Jeep on the shoulder and climbed the fence. After checking carefully for snakes, I sat down. I could still feel my insides vibrating from all the driving I had done, but right then I was more concerned by the fact that I felt buried in an avalanche of thoughts about what I needed to do yet today and how I really should be moving on down the road.

S

When I think about all the people I view as very wise—not book smart, but wise in their understanding of how the world operates and how to be happy in it—they all share some common traits. They are generally soft-spoken, reserved, and especially calm. For years I assumed that this was because wisdom just naturally leads to calmness. It makes sense if you think about it. If you have the universe figured out, you aren’t likely


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to get upset or excited about much. You make note of things, you may be quietly amused by them at times, but you have no strong emotional reactions one way or the other. If you understand how the world works and how to make it work for you, what is there to get excited about?

But I also have a tendency to want to look at things in different ways, to ask slightly obtuse questions. My mother said it was the rebel in me. On occasion, I found myself thinking, what if, in truth, it is the other way around? Instead of wisdom leading to calmness, what if being calm is what leads to becoming wise?

A long time ago, I was the polar opposite of calm. I was the classic type-A personality on amphetamines (figuratively, of course). I was always in motion. It made me crazy to just sit. I remember being that way as a child, and I stayed that way as an adult. I worked as much as I could, and when there was no more work to do, I played as hard as I worked. By the end of the day I was so tired, I was asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. The next morning, it began again.

That all changed when I encountered a really strange, but intriguing woman. She was calm and quiet, and, I would learn over time, one of the most genuinely happy people I have ever met. As we got to know each other better I began to recognize in her a level of wisdom I had never seen in anyone before.

In time, we became great friends and I felt brave enough to ask her about it. Specifically, I wanted to know if there was something I could do to be more like her. I’m sure it wasn’t the first time she’d been asked that because she had an immediate, and simple answer; “just listen to the voice inside and pay attention to what it says.”

That put me off in a big way. My friend was hearing voices. That was too strange for me, so I backed off and we didn’t discuss it again for months. But in time, as I started to feel comfortable with her again, I breached the subject once more. Apparently remembering how she had scared me off the first time, she took a more gentle approach.

She told me that we all have an inner-voice that is always telling us what is true or right about the world. She called it our “higher self.” But it speaks quietly, so any kind of noise will drown it out. The problem is, we all have non-stop conversations with ourselves going on in our heads, and frantic activity out in the world, that keep us from hearing it. If we are going to have any chance to hear that voice, we have to shut down all that noise; we have to learn to be quiet inside.

Of course, for me, that was an alien concept. I spent a couple of weeks trying to quiet my mind, but in my head I was jabbering ceaselessly—talking to myself. When I realized I was getting nowhere, I told her about it. She found my story mildly amusing and pointed out that I was going about it in the wrong order. I needed to fix the outside first.

She called it the “act as if ” principle. She said if I would just pretend to be calm, I would be—very briefly. Then, when I lost control and started getting fidgety, all I had to do was start acting calm again.

I worked on it for several days and actually got a bit better at it. I could sit quietly for short periods of time and I even noticed that the noise going on in my head, though still there, was getting a bit less frantic, quieter. What was really strange was that, as the noise level inside dropped, outside, the dogs and horses in my life began to take notice of it. They seemed to find me more interesting. They would come around and

sit or stand by me and just “hang out.” It was pretty cool. And it wasn’t long before people started to notice, and comment on the change in me. But in spite of the progress made, the noise inside was still there.

Now years later, I’ve come to the conclusion that the extraneous noise in my head never will go away. I’ll just keep jabbering to myself as long as I’m alive. But there can, however, be brief gaps between the thoughts. With lots of practice those gaps can get a bit larger over time, but they are still brief. It is during those gaps that I learned I had to pay attention—to listen to what was there. The gaps are short, and the voice is quiet.

And now, I think I understand that indeed, acting calm can lead to actually being calm. And being calm allows us to create the gaps that give us access to bits of wisdom that we all know on a higher level. Once acquired, those bits of wisdom contribute to a greater sense of calmness. It is a nice, self-reinforcing circle. I may not have much control over how wise I am, but I can certainly control my behavior; I can act calm.

S

I sat in that field of wildflowers outside of George West for about an hour, acting as if I was calm and relaxed. And before I knew it, I really was. The rest of the trip to Laredo was one of the most pleasant drives I’ve ever experienced.

My only regret is that I never did get to see George West. Maybe next trip.


In reality, Audrey grew up with a mother who criticized everything she did. No matter how much Audrey achieved, she heard, “If you had studied harder or hadn’t slacked off, you could have done

better. You look good, but if you wore the other blouse you would have looked better.” It’s no surprise then that, despite the fact that she was intelligent, attractive and articulate, her self perception was, “I’m not good enough.”

As a result, every relationship Audrey developed, whether with her husband, her children or friends, started out in an excessively positive fashion. In every instance, she over-indulged others, hoping it would get her the acceptance she desperately needed. But it was never fully reciprocated. Even if it had been, it probably would never have been enough to fill the hole inside her. Meanwhile, the lack of reciprocation served to reinforce her notion that she wasn’t good enough. Consequently, she tried harder, to the point that she felt the martyred victim, i.e., the good, kind person who was used by

others. Her reaction to her own assumption was to become vitriolic, accusatory and hostile.

Audrey’s overindulgent behavior is easy to understand. It was her way of compensating for the treatment she received as a child. There was no way she could afford to be the fault-finding individual her mother was. She was unaware, however, that the opposite ends of a continuum are the same. Both behaviors, though overtly different, are typically demonstrated by individuals who feel insufficient and unlovable. Without realizing it, she actualized her greatest fear. She became her mother’s daughter and recreated the “loving” relationship she had with her mother with everyone she cared for.

Years later, she found herself estranged from those she loved and had overindulged. She felt angry and resentful for the way they treated her. What she failed to recognize was that her situation was of her own making. By virtue of her initial coping behavior, she allowed and even taught others to take advantage of her, to have

By Dr. Ed Reitmannourishing the mind

I Love You, I Hate You, I Want YouMost people would describe Audrey as intimidating, controlling

and bossy. Her children saw her as excessively involved, angry, hysterical and a victim. None of these observations are very positive or pleasant. Yet, ironically, they’re all accurate. The sad fact is that to judge her on these outward behaviors is not to know her at all.


expectations of her and to see no need to return the involvement she displayed. Then when out of the blue, her behavior shifted to the vindictive, demanding person she could become, they rejected her because they felt controlled by her generosity, demeaned by her anger and sure that she’d be back, trying to purchase their love and desperately wanting them to care again.

The question that arises is, can she change? The answer is, most definitely, yes, but only if she comes to value herself—only if she realizes that she is the one who has to alter her behavior. She also has to learn to set limits and boundaries, because there’s no way to value self when people run over you, threaten you or abuse you. Similarly, she has to govern her own reactions. She has to recognize she can’t control, intimidate or force people to love her. Her goal has to be to have her actions reflect that she sufficiently values herself to warrant others valuing her, as well.

I know that many of you feel and behave in a manner similar to Audrey. You see yourself as the victim, experience depression and view yourself as rejected by individuals you love, cherish and tried to give to all your life. I’m also aware that you hurt and

feel justified regarding your resentment over their lack of reciprocation. But you can learn from Audrey’s story by taking two specific steps that may alter your present position. One: ask yourself this question every time you’re about to do something you’re uncertain of, or that causes other people to become uneasy or edgy, “Am I saying, doing or acting this way because I’m trying to buy someone’s love, because I’m angry with them because they don’t love me, or because I want to get even?”

This will take a great deal of honest introspection, but I promise you it’s the only way to dig yourself out of the emotional trap you’ve created for yourself. Two, don’t do anything for anyone else unless you acknowledge you’re doing it out of selfishness, i.e., a rational form of self-interest. If you’re doing it to impress, to prove you’re good enough, or to buy someone’s affection, stop. This is an even more difficult task. Why? Because you’re apt to lie to yourself and see you as doing things out of the goodness of your heart, because you’re a good person who cares for others who aren’t half as caring as you. This thought will sound good and feel good and you’ll want to believe it. But, please, honestly look beneath your

surface. Then, only act with regard to your own self-interest. When you do, you eliminate any justification for being angry because what you did was “selfishly” motivated. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if others appreciate, applaud or respond. It’s a positive approach, although it won’t feel that way at first because, when you take responsibility for your decisions, you give up your right to complain.

Hear me. I want you to be a person who thinks you’re worthy of love and I promise you, you’ll get the love you feel you’re worthy of. Let me reiterate,

however, real love can’t be bought, purchased or gained through intimidation or threat. It only comes about when you have something inside of you, such as your own happiness, good humor and positive emotions to share with others. Those feelings are only evident in individuals who have a capacity to face reality, act honestly and set limits on both their own reactive behaviors and the way they allow others to treat them. That capability adds an inner sense of worth and self-respect that enables them to share love without expecting anything in return. It follows that angry, victimized or inadequate-feeling people who have a limited sense of self-worth have little real love to give.

If this article fits you or someone you know, it won’t feel comfortable or be easily accepted. Nevertheless, I ask you to think about it, because it can help to make your interpersonal relations loving and meaningful, as opposed to ridden with conflict and depression.

To learn more about Dr. Reitman, read more of his articles, or to obtain copies for family or friends, please visit his website, dredreitman.com.

“Am I saying, doing or acting this way because I’m trying to buy someone’s love, because I’m angry with them because they don’t love me, or because I want to get even?”

By Kathleen Statham


Back Bay Barker

Deciding, finally, to take in the sights, we booked a flight early, back in June. Our eager anticipation

reached its peak on October 2 as we landed in Burlington, where we quickly learned we would have to adjust to two developments. Rain, already falling, was predicted for our entire three-day stay. And, as a result of Vermont’s unusual weather this year, we had arrived too early (by about a week) to catch the fullest extent of color change on the leaves.

Gosh, too bad, oh-well. As the old saying advises us to turn lemons into lemonade, Ed and I determined that if we couldn’t view reds and purples among all those deciduous trees, we’d make do with the yellows and oranges. They in themselves amounted to a wonderful and memorable experience. In defiance of meteorologists, the sun popped out intermittently during our second and third days, gleaming on rivers and hillsides with crisp, sharp vibrancy.

Nature was making its last, glorious gasp before hibernation.

We roamed through central Vermont in a rented car, stopping whenever and wherever something grabbed our attention in the quaint towns of Stowe, Montpelier, Vergennes and Middlebury. We easily noted the upsides, the pleasant offerings in an area of the country that is boarded on the west by Lake Champlain and New York, while on the north by Quebec Canada.

Vermont is a small state, but the entire population is smaller still, under a million people. The terrain unfolds as farmland and pastures, streams, the Green Mountains, adored by the locals, and a medley of sugar maple, elm, ash, beech, yellow birch, white pine and cedar trees.

Drivers are polite and pedestrians reign supreme, because walking and hiking are a principal way of life. The roads are well-maintained, without litter or billboards. Those intrusive, distracting

advertisements jammed along the highways in state after state are illegal in Vermont.

Folks are generally friendly, but in a no-nonsense, un-gushy manner. They dress simply and comfortably; they speak openly and plainly. Most of the women’s faces are refreshingly bare. With one layer of mascara and a beige lipstick on, I felt garish. A gal there could stockpile a mint from never having to buy makeup.

And if you like Vermont maple syrup, you’re bound to enjoy other maple-ized edibles from the region: smoked hams and cured sausages, pecan, almond and peanut brittle, cookies, cakes, ice cream and even cotton candy. I should know; I sampled them.

What are the downsides? All forms of winter--snow, ice, sleet, sub-zero temperatures and lots more of the same for three to four months of every year. So say the natives, and the look on them of sheer, rugged survival confirms their report. So if I ever entertain the notion of becoming a Vermonter, Ed tells me, we must go back there during a January or February. My lips turn blue at the very thought of it.

In the meantime, we’ll always have and remember autumn.

For more photos and videos of my trip to Vermont, please view Baygroupmedia.com, where you’ll also find our online webcast and information about many other local happenings.

Three Days in OctoberMy husband Ed and I have known forever about Vermont’s fame for incredibly colored foliage during fall season.


By Adrienne Putnal

The HistoryIn 1947, Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a

group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane, who had crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization that would give it to a needy child at Christmas. In his quest to fill his wife’s request, Bill discovered that no such agency existed. Diane told Bill that he should start one, so he did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign that would live on for generations to follow.

AMOCO Gets InvolvedThe USMC dedicate their time and energy year after year with the same

goal in mind: to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. AMOCO Federal Credit Union was inspired to get involved and has been working with the Galveston County Toys for

Tots program since 2009. In that time, AMOCO has collected over 1,200 new, unwrapped toys and accepted more than $500 in monetary donations. AMOCO gives thanks to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and the Toys for Tots program!

Once a Marine, Always a MarineWith the 2011 Toys for Tots program underway,

AMOCO is expanding their efforts to go above and beyond with their involvement. In addition to collecting

toys and accepting monetary donations at their branch locations, AMOCO is partnering with local businesses and organizations to contribute more than they ever have. AMOCO is creating a Marines Give Back calendar that will feature 12 local, former Marines who still play a part in our community today. These men are stepping up to help their fellow Marines with this project, because “once a Marine, always a Marine.”

Starting November 30, 2011, calendars will be sold at AMOCO branches, area businesses and online at www.shop.amocofcu.org. AMOCO will also be selling calendars at the Interfaith Caring Ministries’ 18th Annual Festival of Trees Fashion Show on November 30 that will feature some of the calendar men. All proceeds from calendar sales will be donated to the Galveston County Toys for Tots program which benefits several local charities and non-profit organizations such as The Salvation Army, Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters and

The Fellowship, just to name a few. Contact Interfaith Caring Ministries at 281.331.3881 to purchase event tickets. AMOCO has extended their spirit of giving to many

charities and non-profit organizations throughout our community and is pleased to see the friendship growing between ICM and Toys for Tots.

AMOCO Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial organization. AMOCO‘s mission is to “serve and satisfy its members” and has done just that over the past 74 years. AMOCO strives to provide the best products and services available to its members by offering low loan rates, higher dividends and higher savings rates. For more information please contact Adrienne Putnal, marketing specialist for AMOCO Federal Credit Union, at 281.534.5513 or [email protected].

What started as a simple act of kindness has remained a visible and viable source of happiness for children around the nation.

U.S. Marines & AMOCO staff, (from left to right): GySgt Jose S. Rodriguez; GySgt William E. Whately; Joanna Gonzalez; Adrienne Putnal; Jennifer Demers; Marissa Stidham; Sgt Anthony Chambers; Sgt David C. Billen.

The Bay Area Houston community has enjoyed the great taste of the original chicken sandwich since the opening of the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Clear Lake Shores restaurant almost 10 years

ago. Chick-fil-A has come up with big plans to give back to the community that has given so much to them while celebrating their 10th anniversary.

“I believe success is a sum of small decisions managed daily. At our location, we truly embody the idea of serving guests with excellence, day in and day out. If we maintain a culture that guests are the number one priority, I have full confidence our business will celebrate 10 years, 20 years and so on,” said Travis Powell, owner of Chick-fil-A at Clear Lake Shores.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary in style, Chick-fil-A will host a Bands Against Hunger concert on November 29 to benefit the Galveston County Food Bank. Bands Against Hunger will feature a free concert with multiple bands performing throughout the evening. This family-friendly event has something for everyone. Disney’s Phineas and Ferb will be in attendance, there will be a contest for free Chick-fil-A for a year, prize giveaways and much more, all in an effort to help the Galveston County Food Bank in this critical time of year.

“We have been blessed to develop valuable partnerships with other businesses, with the education sector, and with the community as a whole. Partnerships will be essential in helping us make this celebration a success because it will allow us to complement, or complete one another-- and that is more important than to compete with one another,” said Pierr Castillo, director of marketing and corporate sales for Chick-fil-A at Clear Lake Shores

Credited with introducing the original boneless breast of chicken sandwich and pioneering in-mall fast food, Chick-fil-A is one of the largest privately-held restaurant chains with more than 1,560 restaurants in 39 states and Washington,

D.C. (as of June 2011) and the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the nation, based on annual sales.

Following the example set by founder S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A has adhered to a few simple rules: listen to the customer, focus on getting better before trying to get bigger and put the emphasis on quality.

Chick-fil-A at Clear Lake Shores is located on 321 Marina Bay Drive, Clear Lake Shores, TX in the Home Depot / Target parking lot. They welcome you to visit them Monday through Saturday 6am-10pm. For more information about partnership opportunities [email protected].

“To celebrate their 10th anniversary in style, Chick-fil-A will host a Bands Against Hunger concert on November 29 to benefit

the Galveston County Food Bank.”


FINANCIAL FOCUSBrought to you byFive Good Reasons to Create an Investment Strategy


Some people buy investments here and there, now and then. Others open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), put some money in it, and then forget about it. But this type of haphazard investment behavior can lead to haphazard results. On the other hand, you’ve got five good reasons for creating and following a comprehensive, long-term investment strategy.

Reason No. 1: You want to enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle. For most people, building resources for retirement is the most powerful reason to invest. As a key part of your investment strategy, you’ll want to consider investments that have growth potential. The proportion of your portfolio devoted to these growth investments should be based on your individual risk tolerance and time horizon. And, as you move much closer to your actual retirement date, you may decide to shift some — but certainly not all — of your portfolio from growth-oriented vehicles to those investments that can provide a reliable income stream and incur less volatility.

Reason No. 2: You need to stay ahead of inflation. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced relatively low inflation, but over time, even a low inflation rate can dramatically erode the value of your savings and investments. That’s why you may want to consider investments that provide the potential for rising income.

Reason No. 3: You need to help manage the unexpected. You can’t predict what life will hold in store for you. To cope with unexpected costs, such as a major car repair or a new furnace, you’ll need to create an emergency fund containing six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses so that you won’t be forced to dip into your long-term investments. And to deal with other major uncertainties of life, you’ll need adequate life and disability insurance.

Reason No. 4: You need resources for major life events. Your retirement may eventually require the bulk of your financial resources — but it’s not the only milestone for which you’ll need to save and invest. You may need a down payment on a house, or you may someday even want to purchase a vacation home. And if you have children or grandchildren, you may want to help them pay for college.

Reason No. 5: You’ll want to keep in mind investment-related taxes. Taxes, like inflation, can eat into your investment returns. You’ll need to evaluate whether you can benefit from tax-advantaged investments and retirement accounts, such as traditional or Roth IRAs.

So there you have it: five good reasons to adhere to a unified investment strategy that’s tailored to your situation. This type of “blueprint” may not sound glamorous, and it’s certainly not a “get rich quick” formula, but it will help you stay on track toward your important financial goals.

By Jason Alderman

Elementary and secondary school parents across the country are being asked to shell out increasing amounts of money

to help strapped school districts close the gap in face of budget cuts. In a recent survey of school districts, 43 percent of respondents reported budget cuts of 10 percent or less for this academic year, and 21 percent reported cuts of 11 to 25 percent, according to the American Association of School Administrators. At a time when many families are struggling financially, coming up with extra funds for school is a challenge. What are some things parents can do to support schools without overextending themselves? Here are a few ideas:

1. Share your time and expertise. Volunteering time in the classroom can be an excellent way for parents to get involved in their child’s education while supporting educators. If you’d like to take classroom volunteer time to the next level, it’s a good idea to speak to your child’s teacher or a school administrator about specific programs in need of support.

2. Fundraise. Bake sales and car washes are a relatively easy way to earn money for school trips, supplies and programs. This simple site (http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/groups/schoolfundraisers.html) has tips and links to sites with a variety of fundraising ideas. In many cases, steering away from fundraising via products or candy sales and toward those like Scrip and walkathons, which have other benefits (such as exercise), will be more appealing

to other parents and families. Festivals, field days, bake sales, pancake breakfasts and raffles are a few other popular ideas.

3. Team Up. When it comes to

supporting schools, combining efforts with other parents is a smart way to make the biggest impact. Together, you can work with teachers and school administrators to determine schools’ and teachers’ greatest areas of need, and then devise solutions for meeting them. Joining your local PTA is a good place to start.

4. Decide What to Support. Which areas of your child’s school would you most like to support? Are you a proponent of art in schools and want to ensure the art program remains intact despite budget cuts? While asking your school about its greatest areas of need is smart, knowing which programs you feel are most critical can help boost your motivation to become involved in fundraising or other forms of support.

Being asked to contribute to school expenses puts a new financial strain on parents during a time when many families are already struggling. Yet looking at the big picture of your budget and creating a plan can make it easier to support your area schools’ and educators’ needs. Is there a better cause than helping fund your child’s education?

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

Making School Donations Count



By Whitney Parks

I must say, this is the first interview I’ve conducted that involved riding a roller coaster with the interviewee but if you know Mark Kane, this probably wouldn’t surprise you. Mark has a passion and excitement for his career that is refreshing. His effervescent personality makes him a fun person to be around and an easy person to talk to, even if he is a Steeler’s fan.

Mark came to Kemah after a 21-year career working for Six Flags. He ended his time at Six Flags as the president of their operation in New Jersey. Luckily, the Kemah Boardwalk had their eye on Mark after Six Flags went through a management change. “I was contacted by a head hunter and I came down here and just fell in love with the place,” described Mark.

Mark now lives in Kemah and also has a house in Southlake near Dallas. “We love the area down here. People are nice and friendly. The area is just very cool,” said Mark.

If you think being the general manager sounds like an important job you’d be spot on. Kemah is privately owned and this allows Mark to have free reign when it comes to allocating the budget and making important decisions that greatly affect the boardwalk. “I’m in charge of the entire property. I make sure the staff is trained in delivering to the Landry’s standards and making sure we’re safe, clean, fast and delivering to the best service standards possible,” explained Mark.

Mark’s impact on the boardwalk, even only after being employed by them for just a year, is measurable and quite impressive. “One of the things that impressed me when I toured the property on my interview was the quality of the service and the cleanliness and the hospitality of the product inside the restaurants. I gave myself a personal mission that I wanted the outside to look as good as the inside property. I think we’ve come a long way in appearance. We’re extremely clean. We lead with clean and we’re up 22% in sales over our prior year and we’re pretty proud of that,” said Mark.

Another example of the impact Mark is leaving on the boardwalk is the amount of people he’s helped to bring in to ride the rides in Kemah. In the roller coaster business, “through put” is one of the metrics used to measure the popularity of a ride. “Through put” is how many people ride a ride in an hour. “When I got here, the highest for the Bullet was 320 people per hour. That was the record. We delivered 585 in July of this year,” explained Mark. That is quite the accomplishment.

Make sure you give Mark a visit this holiday season and check out the ever-flourishing Kemah Boardwalk for yourself. There are many events to look forward to including their Salute to Military Service on November 4-6, the Texas Yacht Show and Jazz Fest on November 11-13, the popular Boat Parade in December and many more. You might even find yourself riding the famous Boardwalk Bullet next to Mark!

Getting to Know Kemah’s General Manager Mark Kane

Bayway Homes showcased

exquisite new waterfront properties

during their open house on

October 15th.

Thad Urquhart with an impressive 25” speckled trout that took first place in the largest trout category during the second annual Seabrook Saltwater Derby.

US Team Racing Championship for the George R. Hinman Trophy Regatta at the Houston Yacht Club.

Mark Busscher’s 50th birthday celebration at Franca’s.

One of the friendly servers at the 38th annual Shrimporee in Clear Lake Park.

Good times during Bay

Area Houston Magazine’s fall

celebration and October

cover party held at South

Shore Harbour Resort’s elegant

Harbour Club.


Sally is a beautiful border collie mix, who has unfortunately been boarded for over a year now. She is great with adults and teenagers, but is very afraid of children and barks at them. In an effort to finally place her, SCP has elected to

send her to a dog behaviorist where she will spend up to 3 months doing intense rehabilitation, basic obedience and socialization. Her expenses will run $1500 plus her food and preventative medications. We believe she is so extraordinary that we are willing to invest in her. We are seeking donations toward her costs and, as always, a foster. Any donations received after this goal is met will be used to help other pets. You can click on a link to view her Bay Area Houston Magazine webcast on our homepage at www.secondchancepets.org. SCP is deeply appreciative to Bay Area Houston Magazine for underwriting the cost of producing her webcast.

To donate please mail checks to SCP, P.O. Box 1216, League City, TX., 77574. Please specify you are donating to “Sally’s Rehab.” For more information call 281-286-3535. Visit our pets at Petco (Bay Area Blvd. at Space Center Blvd.) every Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. SCP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit animal welfare organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Second Chance Pets


Second Chance Pets


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