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Posts published in “Day: July 12, 2007”

West Chambers clinic welcomes new doctor

July 12, 2007

MONT BELVIEU– West Chambers Medical Clinic is excited to welcome Dr. Kimberlie J. Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has had a solo private medical practice in Baytown for the past 14 years. She is a Family Physician caring for pediatric, adult, gynecological, and geriatric patients which includes performing out patient procedures and minor surgeries. “
We’re excited about having Dr. Gonzalez join us, “ shared Bayside CEO Bob Pascasio, “Being able to recruit such an experienced and skilled Physician as Dr. Gonzalez to serve in West Chambers County is more than we could have hoped for.” Gonzalez focuses her practice on educational and preventative care, and she enjoys caring for the whole family.
Gonzalez received her Bachelor’s Degree from UT Austin and her graduate Medical Doctor’s Degree from UT Houston. Family Practice Residency was completed at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital which at the time was also affiliated with UT Houston.
She has remained in this community serving patients and their families and is now joining the group at Bayside Community Hospital in Anahuac to support expanding the scope of service to rural communities as well as continuing to care for her established patients.
As spoken best from some of Gonzalez’ patients, “She is known for treating each patient with compassion and takes the time necessary to make each patient feel they are the most important part of her day.”
In Gonzalez’ own words “The most important factor about being a doctor to me is helping my patients improve their health and quality of life as best as possible and I enjoy being an advocate for them in integrating the care they may also need to receive from specialists.”
Gonzalez will be practicing primarily at the West Chambers Medical Clinic located at 10616 Eagle Drive in the courthouse annex.
West Chambers Medical Clinic sees patients Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. She will also be practicing at the Bayside Clinic located at 312 Miller Street in Anahuac. For appointments at either location, please call 409-267-4126.

Richard named principal at GCCISD’s 3rd high school

July 12, 2007

BAYTOWN— Long-time Goose Creek CISD educator and administrator Al Richard was named principal of the district’s new high school at the June 25 Board of Trustees meeting.
Richard, who has been with GCCISD for 24 years, has served as director of student services since February 2006. Prior to this position, Richard was the district’s athletic director for six years.
Richard began his teaching career at Opelousas Senior High School in St. Landry Parish in Louisiana. After five years there, he joined the GCCISD team, teaching mathematics at Robert E. Lee High School from 1983 to 1988 and serving as assistant principal at James Bowie Elementary School from 1988 to 1991.
He taught math at Ross S. Sterling High School during the 1991-92 school year and spent the next three years as assistant principal there. In 1995, he was named principal of Horace Mann Junior School, where he served until 2000.
Richard earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and his master’s degree at Louisiana State University.
“Al is a proven leader whose experience as an educator and administrator at both the campus and district levels will be invaluable as we open our district’s newest high school,” said Dr. Barbara Sultis, GCCISD superintendent. “He has devoted many years of his career to Goose Creek CISD, and we believe that he will do an outstanding job of working with students, parents, teachers and staff at our new campus.”
High School #3, which is located at the corner of North Main Street and Wallisville Roads, is scheduled to open at the start of the 2008-09 school year.
Nominations for the name of the new school are currently being accepted by the district, with a public forum to be held on Aug. 16 in the Board Room of the Administration Building.

Rotarians help out 4th of July Veterans dinner

July 12, 2007

Highlands Rotarians Charlie Ward, and Aaron Cole, help prepare dinners as part of the East Lake Houston July 4th Celebration held on June 30.
During the celebration SonHarvest Church honored area veterans and their families with a barbecue dinner.
In keeping with the community theme, several groups from Highlands joined in the celebration, both as part of the parade as well as in preparation of the dinner.
Hundreds of veterans and their families were fed during the dinner, which organizers say they expect to make an annual event.
In addition to the parade and dinner there was also a huge tailgate party, weenie dogs races and games for children.

National Night Out set for Aug. 7

July 12, 2007

HARRIS COUNTY— Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas would like to extend a personal invitation to all of his Harris County neighbors to participate in the 2007, National Night Out. Sheriff Thomas has always actively supported and participated in National Night Out.
Sheriff Thomas has said “One of the best deterrents to crime is a close-knit community where the neighbors know each other and interact. National Night Out helps to strengthen communities by bringing neighbors together and by promoting cooperation between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”
This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, but now is the time to make plans and request information packets from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Community Services Division.
Whether your neighborhood plans a community party, a block party or an informal get together the Sheriff’s Office would like to participate. The packets include a history of the National Night Out Program and a participation pledge form.
Once the form is returned you will receive additional information that includes a request for a Sheriff’s Office representative to attend your function. Don’t delay in sending your request for a packet, National Night Out is just around the corner!
For information please contact the Community Services Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-759-9454.

Barrett plans annual Homecoming celebration

July 12, 2007

By WILLIE GOODLOW
BARRETT STATION— The Barrett Station Civic League and Jr. Civic League have exerted much effort to make this year’s homecoming and parade the best ever!
As in the past, the Civic League officers and members are encouraging all local and former residents, classmates, family members and neighbors to come home and celebrate during this homecoming week.
On Homecoming Day, a parade, variety of games, food and craft booths, music, entrepreneur booths, local businesses and health fair — all happening on July 21.
The parade path will begin at the light at FM 1942 and FM 2100 and end at Riley Chambers Community Park.
There is always room for more entries in the parade. Feel free to enter your beautiful floats, boats, cars (all types, for example: classic, antique, custom painted, special detailing, trucks, wagons, etc. ), bikes, low-riders, four-wheelers and motorcycles. And, yes! Calling all hi-steppers, cheerleaders and marching bands, music of all sorts, drummers – you name it!! For general questions, contact Katie Reed Roberson at (281) 328-5937. The parade lineup will start promptly, at 9 a.m., with the parade beginning at 10 a.m., sharp.
Grand Marshall will be “Pa-Pa” Willie Anderson, Sr. (Age 99), a long time resident of Barrett Station and honorary deacon of the historical Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Pa-Pa Willie is the father of nine children and a host of grandchildren – up to five generations. He has come a l-o-n-g way, folks, 99 years worth! God is still blessing Pa-Pa Willie and the fruits of his labor.
To rent a booth, call the Community Center, at (281) 328-4713.

Some activities at the Park, following the parade, will include: a Silent Auction, Old Fashioned Cake Walk and Plant Sale and the Barrett Station Health Advisors 9th Health Fair.
There is free admission, from 9 a.m. to noon at the heath fair that will be set up in the Riley Chambers Community Center. Contact Kathra Arline, at (281) 328-1195; Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – contact Helen Williams, at (281) 328-1581
Also there will be an Around The World Basketball at 1p.m. (Ages 5-9 years) – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals will be awarded to winners; Basketball Shootout at 2 p.m. – (Ages 10-12 years) 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals will be awarded to winners and Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament at 3 p.m. (Ages 13-20 years) – maximum of 4 players to each team. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals will be awarded to winners.
This year’s homecoming celebration begins on July 16 with the 9th Annual Queen Contest / 5th Year – King Contest (sponsored by the Jr. Civic League), to be held at the Barrett Station Community Center at 7 p.m. Contact Lunda Jackson for information, at (281) 642-3903.
On July 17th is “Barrett’s Got Talent” – Judges will be used for this event. Any and all talent may participate, must register to participate. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. Contacts are: Denise Mitchell, at (713) 392-6230; and Patricia Bass, at (832) 541-4958. NO ENTRY FEES!
July 18 features the “Open Mic Talent Explosion” at 6:30 p.m. with local rap artists, Gospel talent and more! Call Patrick Leonard, at (281) 838-7773 to register your talent.
Also on July 21 the Barrett Station Ministerial Alliance Benefit Musical will be held at Mt. Rose Church of God in Christ, located at 13000 FM Rd. 2100, Crosby, Texas.

Congressman Green sees Superfund Cleanup in San Jacinto River

July 12, 2007

HIGHLANDS– Speaking at last week’s Rotary luncheon, Congressman Gene Green recalled old friends from Highlands, such as Mark Warren, now editor of a national magazine, and others. He spoke about how his district had been redrawn several times, and now stretches from Baytown to Greenspoint in a contorted shape. But his interest extends to citizens in all these areas, and by default includes concerns about the Highlands area.
During his talk, Greene presented copies of letters that he and Congressman Ted Poe have sent to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, asking that a site in the San Jacinto River, close to the I-10 bridge, be placed on a Superfund National Priorities list, for clean-up action.
In the letter, they say that an industrial waste pit was operated by McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation during the 1960s and 1970s. At that time the pit was on dry land, but over the years the pit has submerged. The site was rediscovered in 2005 after high levels of dioxin were detected in fish from the San Jacinto River. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) believes that the waste site is now releasing toxic levels of dioxin into the San Jacinto River, which flows into the Houston Ship Channel and Upper Galveston Bay.

They say that a preliminary report has determined that the pollution would qualify this site for cleanup. On behalf of constituents in the 29th and 2nd Congressional districts, Green and Poe asked for this site to be declared a Superfund so that the cleanup process could begin.
Green has been a member of Congress since 1993, after serving twenty years in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Joking, he said that after all that government service, he probably couldn’t hold a real job. This is in spite of the fact that he worked previously in the printing and publishing business, and received a degree in law from the University of Houston.
Although his district has been redrawn several times, and is considered an Hispanic district, nevertheless he consistently is reelected by a large majority, signifying the satisfaction his constituents have with his performance.
He is on the Energy & Commerce committee, because of his district’s distinction as the largest prochemical complex in the U.S. He also serves on the Ethics Committee and the subcommittee on Healthcare.
His special interests have include Houston Head Start, the Port of Houston, and Intercontinental Airport. He is well known for sponsoring an annual “Immunization Day” and a “Citizenship Day.”
In this area, he has helped get funds for the restoration of the Battleship Texas, the completion of Highway US90, and in downtown Houston the extension of the METRO light rail. He credits Poe and others with joint effort on these issues.
He views important issues not yet resolved as Energy, the Environment, and Immigration reform. Also, Healthcare is in need of reform, as Harris County has one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation.

Politicians stand up for what’s right

July 12, 2007

Already got a case of the reds this morning by going to Wally’s for a few odd and ends.
Get a case of those a lot lately, must have something to do with age.
Although spending fifty bucks, the shopping list still had voids either because they do not carry the item or you can’t find it. It seems as though they play musical chairs with the products at times.
Being an early shopper and thus avoiding the rush and the others, traffic in the aisles is not so congested.
One has to get the associates to discontinue their conversations to inquire where something is. They either don’t speak the language or don’t know where the item is as well.
One was kind enough to walk over and search for an item GIORGIO PORTABELLO MUSHROOMS. Wally’s was the only place in town to find them.
She inquired if I had purchased them before and of course I had on many occasions.
Told her they employ people who cannot speak English and do not know the difference between Portabella or Shittake. I then picked up a can of the Shittake mushrooms showing her and she laughed.

Would like to thank the following local congressmen and representatives for voting against the immigration bill which would have given legal status to twelve million undocumented already here: Ted Poe, Al Green, Shelia Jackson Lee, Nick Lampson, Al Doggett and Gene Green.
The rest of the local congressional delegation has a case of WIIFM’ism.
You call that “What’s in it for me.”
Enough politics, it’s enough to make you wonder where in the world is this country headed, don’t it?
You hear the one about the preacher who, in counting the offering find a pink envelope containing $1000?
This went on for weeks when finally the preacher saw this little old lady put the distinctive pink envelope in the plate. He approached her, “Ma’am, I couldn’t help but notice that you put $1000 a week in the collection plate.”
“Why yes,” she said, “every week my son sends me money and I give some of it to the church.”
The preacher replied, “That’s wonderful, how much does he send you?”
She said, “$10,000 a week.”
The preacher said, “your son must be very successful; what does he do for a living?’
“He’s a veterinarian,” she answered.
“That’s an honorable profession,” the preacher said.
“Where does he practice?”
The old little old lady said proudly, “In Nevada. He has two cat houses in Las Vegas and one in Reno.”

Celebrating Independence Day

July 12, 2007

Today is the Fourth of July and a good day it has been. Got up early this morning and headed out for a couple of the local hospitals to visit some friends. They find themselves confined on such a beautiful and that is no fun.
Crosby son, David, tells us you are getting rained out down there. Wish we could get some of that here. It is now late in the evening and we are getting some showers but we have had far too few and too short to help much. I cut some of my grass yesterday and that is the first time I have moved my lawn mower in more than a month.
When I got back from the hospital my good pal, Maggie, and I took a little walk along the riverbank. This six-year Old English Sheep-dog is a good companion. We walk along enjoying each other’s company with nary a complaint from either of us.

As I mentioned in a previous column the spring rains left a huge sand bar next to our property and two of our up-river neighbors. It has attracted river people by the dozens. Usually the early mornings on weekends and holidays the beach begins with anywhere from two to five fishermen spread out along the bar. They all seem to be successful and frequently catch one two feet long or better—probably catfish.
On the more beautiful, sunny days the boats begin to arrive around 10 a. m. and from then until dark it is continuous. Today, spread along the three properties there must have been more than two-dozen boats with several people each. That doesn’t include a few Ski-Doos thrown in (if that is the right word).
Maggie and I watched a couple of little kids building a sand castle along the water-s edge. It was quite a construction project as at least one of the boys worked some time on it. It is now late evening and the boats are gone but the sand castle remains. If the rains don’t remove it the castle will probably be there for the weekend if our wee ones return.
This has also been a construction day for some of my neighbors as well. One is rebuilding a set of wooden steps on his riverbank that were taken out by the spring flood. Another is putting a nice extra garage and workshop behind his house and a third is building a workshop with garage section large enough for his motorcycle and canoe. With all of these construction projects going on I have been busy working on each as a supervisor. They all just love to see me heading in their direction as you might imagine.
While they work and others boat or swim, Maggie and I are just spending a lazy day enjoying the warm sun and at times watching a ball game or two. This is the life of a retiree!
Such are the people, places and things that have touched my life in my West Virginia home!

Don’t Let External Events Keep You from Investing

July 12, 2007

If you look for reasons not to invest right now, you could find them – global unrest, high gas prices and so on. Yet, if you wait until “things settle down” before investing, you’ll have difficulty achieving your financial goals, because there will always be some external events that could keep you out of the market – if you let them. But the smartest investors look beyond today’s headlines – and when tomorrow arrives, they are often rewarded for their patience and perseverance.
Want proof? Look at every major event of the past century that could have given investors the jitters, such as assassinations, wars and political crises. You will find that after just a few years – and in some cases, a few months – the stock market not only gained back the ground it initially lost, but moved to new heights.
For a dramatic illustration of this pattern, consider the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Immediately following this event, the stock market closed for several days. When it reopened, the Dow Jones Industrial Average immediately fell 684 points. By Sept. 24, the Dow was off 14.3 percent , its worst weekly percentage loss in 61 years. For 2001, the Dow lost 7.1 percent, closing the year at 10,021. But if you fast-forward five years to 2006, the Dow had recouped its losses several times over, closing the year at 12,463 – a 24 percent gain since the 2001 close.
In short, while it is true that past performance is no guarantee of future results, history has shown that the stock market has been resilient enough to overcome even the most cataclysmic of events. So don’t head to the investment “sidelines” in reaction to troubling news. You may need to change your investment strategy in response to some events – but, by and large, they should be events related specifically to your individual situation or your existing investments. Consider the following scenarios:
*You move closer to retirement. During much of your working years, you’re trying to build financial resources for retirement. Consequently, you’ll need to invest a sizable amount of your portfolio in growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks. As you move closer to retirement, and even during retirement, you’ll still need some exposure to stocks, because you’ll need their growth potential to keep ahead of inflation. However, you may want to work with your financial advisor to rebalance your portfolio to provide more income-producing opportunities, which may come from bonds, certificates of deposit or even dividend-paying stocks.
*You see a change in your existing investments. Many people sell some of their investments due to short-term price fluctuations. This is generally not a good idea, because long-term performance is what counts. However, if you notice other changes in your holdings, it may be time to make some moves. For example, if you own stock in a company whose management or business objectives have changed, or whose products or services no longer seem competitive, you may be better off by selling your shares and moving on to new opportunities.
You may find other reasons associated with your life or your portfolio to make changes – but don’t be swayed by the events of the day. If you invest wisely, and keep on investing, the future can be bright.