Cooling Off Good pools make good neighbors

THE POOL – This, being the usual Houston summer, means there is heat, humidity and swimming pools. Where’s my rubber ducky? And my beer? Ah, yes, here is my summer survival equipment. By ordinance, every other house in Houston must have a backyard pool. Which brings us to Ashby’s Axiom of Summer: Better than having a pool is having a neighbor who has a pool. That way, you have all the advantages and none of the disadvantages, rather like having a good friend who hates to hunt, sail or drink alone.

My neighbors, who do not appreciate my axiom, can be sneaky. The other night, I was at a small party across the street and glanced at the backyard. There was a really nice swimming pool, but no one had told me – or invited me.

Once, when the Goodyear Blimp was based here, I took a ride and asked the pilot to fly over my block. Peering down, I could see all sorts of fenced-in yards with wonderful swimming pools. Somehow, they never invited me over for splash day, word on the block being that I would leave a ring around the pool. If pressed, I would have brought my own beer.

Only when a house here in my neighborhood of Running Rats Acres goes up on the block does the For Sale sign have a little addition at the bottom: Pool. Recently a brick wall was replaced along a street near my house. This included tearing down the old wall. Half the exposed backyards had pools. People living in the other half simply went next door.

It has often been said that Houston is the most air-conditioned city in America. This city may also have the most swimming pools. That is as impossible to prove as Houston being the fattest city, but clearly our sub-tropical location means this is a good place for pools. The Houston Yellow Pages list 19 pages dealing with swimming pools, lessons, maintenance, etcetera, compared to 14 pages for churches. There is no double listing for walking on swimming pools.

True, we’ve got hurricanes and a few homicidal evacuees and mosquitoes the size of golf balls, but from about April to October, we’ve got pools. And if you can afford the gas price, a hot Jacuzzi can go year round. If the fuel cost is more than your mortgage payment, there is a cheap yet simple way to keep your hot tub hot in January: Just slowly lower a small electric heater into the water.

Up till now, we’ve been discussing only private swimming pools, but that is just a small part of the horizon. Every motel, hotel and apartment house has a pool. Some even have indoor/outdoor pools. Country clubs have swimming pools, but they are reserved for members. As with the Case of the Cold Jacuzzi, that’s no problem. Just explain to the lifeguard that you are with the City Health Department and are making the mandatory testing for chlorinated Maalox hydroxide – a test which, as everyone knows, requires that you actually be in the water with a beer. Be sure to take along a clipboard and occasionally jot down notes. If anyone objects, slowly lower your small electric heater into the water.

Then there are the city swimming spas. You’ve paid for these swimming pools; you might as well use them. (See the accompanying box for what to do with your kids on a Houston summer afternoon when they are driving you crazy.) We have about 3,800 active commercial pools/spas, including Harris County and HISD pools. You need a permit to build a pool/spa in Houston. Pools/spas require annual permits – $85 in Houston. We have pool inspectors – pools/spas are inspected for annual permit renewals and also when the city health department receives complaints. Pools/spas are designed and constructed per state design and construction standards. Finally, you should know that the City of Houston pool ordinance and state regulation require fencing around pools with a minimum height of 48 inches.

At one time, the swimming pool at the Shamrock Hotel was considered the biggest pool afloat. There were photographs of a motor boat pulling a water-skier around the pool. That made waves, so to speak, around the nation. Today, big pools are no big deal. Nor are we limited to one. Rockets’ owner Les Alexander lives in a nice house in the Memorial area that has two pools. Maybe he picked up His and Her pools in a Neiman’s Christmas catalogue.

In pre-air conditioning times around Houston, kids and even some adults would go swimming in the bayous (which is French for “alligators”), but today that is generally frowned upon by health authorities, the EMS and EquuSearch. However, swimming in such holes is endorsed by most alligators. Then, we have for swimming purposes our nearby lakes, the San Jacinto River and, of course, the Turning Basin. The latter may leave a ring around you.

Now we know all there is to know about where to swim in Houston, except, of course, during Allison, when we could swim on most freeways. If only someone had remembered to pull the drain plug.

Houston’s Bay Area

The City’s Greatest Getaway Boating, fishing, exploring and endless entertainment awaits you down by the bay

As the fourth largest city in the U.S. and with an area that spans 8,778 square miles, Houston offers its residents endless options as to where to call “home.” Whether it is a young professional seeking excitement in Midtown, a doctor needing the convenience of West U, or a growing family looking for comfort in the suburbs, the Bayou City has the perfect neighborhood to match any Houstonian’s residential desires. One look at Houston and you may never guess that beyond the city’s massive stretch of concrete, bustling businesses and skyline of towering buildings, exists lush forests, beautiful landscapes and sparkling waters – each exceptionally close for a quick escape.

Two lakes, one Space Center and 30 minutes away from downtown Houston is Clear Lake, a bustling seaside area filled with abundant recreation, booming technology and never-ending fun. Originally a quaint fishing community, the area of Clear Lake was put on the map in 1961 when the Manned Spacecraft Center (renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973) was built there – thus, bringing Houston to be known as “Space City, USA.” The attainment of Space Center Houston undeniably launched the area into a surge of growth and development, transforming Clear Lake into the thriving community it is today.

Location
Also called the Bay Area by many, Clear Lake includes sections of both Harris and Galveston counties, parts of the cities of Houston and Pasadena, and the nine distinct communities of Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village and Webster. In addition to two major lakes, creeks and plenty of room for recreational boating and fishing, Clear Lake’s ideal location, halfway between the skyscrapers of Houston and the shores of Galveston, has led to more than 200,000 people calling the lively area home.

Clear Lake City was annexed by Houston more than 20 years ago and is now the Bay Area’s largest master-planned community, with 63,500 people. The residents of Clear Lake City not only have NASA in their backyard, but are also only a few miles away from boating and fishing on Clear Lake.

The island community of Clear Lake Shores, located at the entrance to Jarboe Bayou, is home to four major marinas, one of which is the largest privately owned marina in the country with 1,300 boat slips.

The largest and fastest growing city in the area, League City, is home to nearly 55,000 residents and is located on the south shore of Clear Lake. Although League City continues to expand at a rapid pace, the community has made an incredible effort to preserve the past, establishing “Historic League City,” an area that houses antique shops, historic homes, parks and the 1898 restored West Bay Common School.

Located across from the Johnson Space Center, Nassau Bay is home to the renowned Christus-St. John Hospital, the Arts Alliance of Clear Lake, the Clear Creek County Theatre and 4,500 residents.

The distinctive community of Seabrook has ideal access to Clear Lake, as well as Galveston Bay and is filled with zoned neighborhoods, growing businesses, the specialty shopping district of “Old Seabrook” and uniquely decorated pelican monuments dispersed throughout the city.

El Lago, legendary for being the spot where many of Jean Lafitte’s pirates hung their swords, is situated along the west bank of Taylor Lake to the northern shore of Clear Lake and is now known for being a proud home to many of NASA’s astronauts.

El Lago’s sister city, Taylor Lake Village, is located directly across Taylor Lake from El Lago and the two communities not only share a lake, but also a police department, and the desire to remain tranquil and safe for residential homes and growing families.

As the gateway to the NASA/Bay Area, Webster has small town-charm, with a multitude of recreation opportunities, restaurants and retail businesses in the “Webster Gateway” shopping district.

Last but not least, Kemah is one of the most appealing communities in the Bay Area. Its famous boardwalk boasts boutique shops, art galleries, themed restaurants, an amusement train and Ferris wheel, and is a favorite among Bay Area residents, as well as visitors to the area.

Economy
The influx of residents has resulted in a diversified economy, which now includes many small- and medium-sized companies, and substantial growth in local markets that fosters entrepreneurial development. Originally based around the Humble Oil and Refining Company, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership now lists the industries of aerospace, biotech and chemicals and plastics as the Bay Area’s leading employers. Of course, the Johnson Space Center and its supporting companies and contractors continue to play a significant role in the economy, as well. The area has also recently experienced an upsurge in the technology industry, with software, biotechnology, and communications equipment enterprises flourishing. Many of these companies serve the local chemical and petrochemical industries and the NASA/Johnson Space Center, in addition to numerous biomedical and bioresearch developments stemming from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Astronauts and engineers prosper in the area, as well as those involved in the recreation and tourism industry and Clear Lake’s exceptional education systems.

Education
With such a large majority of the population involved in the fields of aerospace, engineering and technology, the public school system utilizes the area’s resources to advance school children in the areas of math and science. There are a multitude of programs that collaborate with NASA and the Johnson Space Center to provide children hands-on learning outside of the classroom.

Clear Creek ISD schools are rated academically acceptable by the Texas Education Agency’s Academic Excellence Indicator System and have been commended for their reading, writing and social studies programs. Clear Creek ISD also received a Gold Performance Acknowledgement for its Recommended High School Program.

With nearly 33,500 students, the school district prides itself on maintaining a 96 percent attendance rate and an 88 percent graduation rate. The class of 2005 had a 95 percent cumulative pass rate for the TAKS exit-level exam and area students scored above average on the SAT in 2004, with a mean score of nearly 1077. With an average of 17 students per teacher in the classrooms and a multitude of nearby resources to enhance traditional learning, educating children in the Clear Lake area proves to be ideal.

In addition to excellent primary and secondary schools, the Bay Area is also home to many technical schools and community colleges for its residents to attend, including the College of the Mainland, San Jacinto Community College and ITT Technical Institute. Nearby Pasadena has a Texas Chiropractic College, while those seeking bachelorês and masterês degrees may conveniently attend the University of Houston-Clear Lake. With an average student age of 32, UHCL is an upper-level undergraduate and graduate university that offers more than 30 bachelor’s programs and 40 master’s programs in the schools of business, education, human sciences and humanities, and science and computer engineering. In addition, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is only a short drive away for those commuting from the Clear Lake area.

Recreation
While Clear Lake is brimming with flourishing educational and professional institutions, the area is also filled with an abundance of recreational attractions to entertain its residents and visitors. The region’s main attraction, Clear Lake, is nearly 2,000 acres in surface area and includes additional creeks, channels and a bay that reach various communities surrounding the lake. Clear Lake is the ultimate spot for boating and fishing and ranks as the third largest recreational boating center in the United States, with 7,700 available boat slips throughout the area. The waters of Taylor Lake also offer opportunity for outdoor recreation and are primarily frequented by the residents of El Lago and Taylor Lake Village. Because boating and fishing play such a significant role in the area, the majority of local businesses and restaurants make accommodating boaters a priority, providing outdoor dining and allowing boaters to tie up their boats close by. One glance at the Kemah Boardwalk on the weekend, and you can’t help but notice the plethora of boats lined up at nearby docks while their owners grab a quick bite before heading off for more fun. With fishing boats, sailboats, ski boats, charter boats and yachts navigating the waters, it’s hard not to see why nautical recreation is such an important (and cherished) aspect of life in the

Bay Area.
Aside from water sports, Clear Lake also houses the world’s largest greyhound racing park, the Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, and one of the largest urban wildlife and wilderness preserves in the U.S., the Armand Bayou Nature Center. With more than 2,500 acres of bayou, forest and prairie, the nature center is home to more than 360 species of animals and birds, including bison, raptors and reptiles. Wine lovers can get an up-close look at how vino is made by visiting Haak Vineyards and Winery in Galveston County. The charming winery features a 4-acre vineyard, bottling and corking equipment, an 18-square-foot cellar with wine barrels and free tastings and tours that are offered year-round.

For those that enjoy taking a look back at history, the Battleship USS Texas is located in La Porte and remains as the only surviving combat ship to have served in both World Wars. Self-guided tours are open to the public daily. Another memorial not to be missed is the San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History, located just to the north of Clear Lake. The world’s largest masonry structure marks the site where Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836 and features an exhibition hall and theater. Guests to the memorial site may also experience an unforgettable view from 489 feet up inside the monument.

Of course, no trip to Clear Lake would be complete without exploring NASA’s Johnson Space Center. As Houston’s top attraction, the space center features compelling tours, interactive exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration from the past up to the present day. Enroll your child in a day camp where they can get hands-on with the wonders of space, or take a guided tram tour and visit the Historic Mission Control Center, as well as massive rockets used in the beginning of space evolution.

Whether you’re looking to engage in fishing, boating, exploring or just pure relaxing, the Clear Lake area has something for you. Either as a place you call “home” or just a weekend destination, the Bay Area and its endless array of attractions are something you must experience. In fact, you may never want to leave!

For more information about Clear Lake, contact the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at (281) 488-7676 or visit www.clearlakearea.com. You may also contact the Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 844-LAKE or visit www.visitbayareahouston.com.

Key West, Florida

Key West America’s Southernmost City welcomes visitors to the ‘Conch Republic’

Flying Marlins, Jimmy Buffet and Ernest Hemingway are some of the first things that come to mind when dreaming about Key West. Take a closer look: There is more than meets the eye as this hurricane-attracting town provides rich history, a unique culture, mind-blowing dining and eye-of-the-storm adventures.

Drive from Miami to Key West
This is the drive everyone should do once, but only once. Yes, the stretch from Miami down to the Keys is beautiful on Highway One, and this engineering marvel of a bridge/road will impress you. The shades of blue, turquoise and jade are numerous, as you follow the road from island to island. Way before you get to Key West, your inner child will ask, “Are we there yet?” So, break up the drive with a stop at Isla Morada for some conch fritters and a margarita – a great weekend party stop over. Here’s the deal: Spend less time on the road and more time in Key West. Drive there to see the sights, and fly back.

Tour
Get acquainted with this sunny, laid-back town by hopping on the Conch Tour Train or Old Town Trolley for an overview of the key attractions. The 19th century architecture of the homes here is stunning, and you’ll quickly realize that almost everything is within walking distance.

Hang
Some people spend days in Key West and never leave Duval Street. You’ll soon see why. With bars and restaurants in abundance, this all-night party street will take the place of Bourbon Street until it’s up and running again. Pop in at The Hog’s Breath Saloon – it’s always full of tourists living “la vida loca.” Part biker bar and part party house, it’s mandatory to at least have one drink here. Sloppy Joe’s is famous because old Joe himself was a good friend of Ernest Hemingway. Live music pumps out daily, and the house special, sloppy Joe, is really, really good.

The sunset is a big deal here in Key West. It’s celebrated every day, as a mini-festival breaks out on a pier at Mallory Square. Complete with hoop-jumping cats, this is a party for all ages. Get here early for the best seat, or hop on a sunset cruise.

Learn
The Stargazing Cruise on the Schooner Western Union is a stand out activity in a bevy of touristy adventures. Your astrologer tour guide will share slides that show exactly how the stars look over Key West, and then watch as he/she points out constellations over your head. Go way beyond the Big and Little Dipper. Have you ever been able to locate your zodiac sign? You will here. This one fills up quickly (and includes drinks and conch soup), and it should head your list of must-do attractions.

Although Ernest Hemingway didn’t really spend a ton of time here, he sure did leave an imprint. His Moorish-influenced museum/house is a real treat, complete with replicas of his boats, pictures of his life and generations of cats. There is even a fountain made out of a toilet taken from Sloppy Joe’s during a renovation.

How often can you tour the relics of a shipwreck? Another learning experience to uncover the whole story is at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

Eat
Blue Heaven is the place for breakfast. There may be a line, but don’t worry, they’ll have a Bloody Mary in your hand before you are even seated. With fresh omelets, pancakes and more, the real treat here are the roosters who extend their greetings from table to table.

The night we arrived at Pisces, Chef Andrew’s most decadent dishes: lobster, caviar, oysters and strawberries were being paired with champagne – proving that it’s always a party in Key West.

And if key lime pie and a mojito are really what you crave, you just can’t go wrong at Mangoes. James Beard-awarded Chef Paul Orchard fillets some great fish and pasta.

For a true culinary treat, trot down Duval and discover the mastermind that is taking on the world, Alice Weingarten of Alice’s Key West. This quirky chef, who makes it a point to say “hello” to each table, calls her food “New World fusion confusion.” Translation: Asian, Mediterranean and Caribbean ingredients bundled together on unique dishes. This chef has said she likes to put food in front of you and see your reaction.

Non-pretentious and casually elegant, the tropical chic decor here has wide windows, allowing a great view of Duval Street. The menu evolves with many seasonal delights that are an eclectic mix of home cooking, such as Aunt Alice’s magic meat loaf and off-the-wall Cajun spring rolls with hot and sour sauce. The passion salad with baby greens, toasted almonds, goat cheese and mango is the perfect starter; definitely something to be passionate about. Since Julia Child had it on her birthday, you, too, have to have the shortcake with tropical fruit and whipped cream. Really, where else could you try mojo-marinated ostrich tenderloin, served with coconut rice and stir-fried vegetables?

If last year was any indication and if you plan to visit during hurricane season, it may be worthwhile to purchase cancellation insurance. – LMV

Essentials

Conch Tour Train, 501 Front St., (305) 294-5161, www.conchtourtrain.com
Old Town Trolley Tours, Mallory Square,
(305) 296-6688, www.historictours.com
Hog’s Breath, 400 Front St.,
(305) 296-4222, www.hogsbreath.com
Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval St.,
(305) 294-5717, www.sloppyjoes.com
Schooner Western Union, Seaport at the foot of William Street, (305) 292-1766,
www.schoonerwesternunion.com
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, 907 Whitehead St., (305) 294-1136,
www.hemingwayhome.com
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St., (305) 294-2633, www.melfisher.org
Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St., (305) 296-8666
Pisces Restaurant, 1007 Simonton,
(305) 294-7100, www.pisceskeywest.com
Mangoes, 700 Duval St., (305) 292-4606,
www.mangoeskeywest.com
Alice’s Key West, 1114 Duval St., (305) 292-5733, www.aliceskeywest.com

An Extraordinary Volunteer

Charities are the name of the game for this Houstonian

_{Photo by Harry Gendel}

Diane Gendel is by far one of Houston’s most celebrated charity fundraisers. The Symphony Ball, which she recently co-chaired, reached a pinnacle by topping the million-dollar mark for the first time. While in the middle of making history, she rounded up volunteers for the Baylor Partnership, helped guide the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, served the Blaffer Gallery and the CCFA – and, without even breaking a sweat, helped her son, Keith, plan his wedding, which took place shortly after the ball! Just reading her resume is exhausting. This dynamo seems to have chaired everything in Houston. Of course, it’s understandable that every charity wants her help. She creates events and raises funds gracefully while making it look effortless. But then, she did get an early start.

Talented youth
“I chaired my first charity event when I was 9 years old,” Diane joyfully recalls of her first experience as a young philanthropist. “It was a neighborhood talent show similar to productions of ‘Spanky and Our Gang.'” She and her sister Gloria rounded up all the kids, made fliers and sold tickets. The stage was set in their backyard, complete with lawn chairs, decorations, and, of course, cookies and lemonade. The girls encouraged the kids to do “whatever they could do – sing, dance, or just stand there in a costume!” The money raised by the backyard production was donated to the Mother’s March and was, as she remembers, “a smashing success.”

Growing up giving
Throughout her years at Cullen Junior High and San Jacinto High School, Diane served as an officer in almost every volunteer or extracurricular club, including Yearbook, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Booster Club, Sunday School Choir and Candy Stripers. Diane lived by the motto, “If it was there, I was there.” And she still does.

While a student at the University of Texas up to this day, Diane continues to be “there.” “I like being in the whirlwind, being aware of the achievements that are occurring every day in our city.”

But mostly, it’s about the people. “Houstonians are exceptionally philanthropic and caring.” It’s these people that keep Diane’s love affair with charity work growing. “In addition to my family and childhood playmates, my life has been blessed with immensely talented, accomplished and dear friends who I have met because of my volunteer involvement.” Diane firmly believes that Houston’s volunteer circuit really does operate on friendships. “Throughout the years, we are always there with loving support to help each other succeed in every endeavor. We work to improve the quality of life in the city and to support one another.”

Music lovers
Much of her volunteer work stems from her love of music – a love that started even before she was born. Diane’s father, Herman Shoss, played violin for the Houston Symphony, beginning in 1929. Although he later went on to pursue real estate and other endeavors, her father’s musical profession blossomed into a favorite pastime for Diane and her husband, Harry, who have been season ticket holders with the Houston Symphony for 37 years. “Harry gave me season tickets for my birthday when we first started dating,” she reveals. “We went to every symphony!”

It is not surprising that their two children, Jackie and Keith, each sang, wrote and played bass guitar in rock ÍnÍ roll bands. Keith’s band, Pappas Fritas, rose to international acclaim and toured Europe. Jackie’s band, Team USA, garnered lavish press during its U.S. tours. After living life like rock stars, Keith went on to become an architect in L.A., and Jackie became an artist in New York.

Summer of celebration
As immediate past president of the Moores Society, Diane is looking forward to the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music Texas Music Festival, beginning June 4. The event brings students and professional musicians from around the world every year to compete in an intensive four-week series of classes and workshops led by the Moores School of Music faculty, members of the Houston Symphony and internationally recognized musicians.

As board member of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Diane is also eagerly awaiting the launch of its online museum of Houston history, a project whose funding was approved in April.

More than anything else, the most exciting event of the summer for the proud mother is the June 1 opening of her daughter Jackie’s art show at the Jeff Bailey Gallery in New York’s Chelsea district.

Humanitarian for life
Professionally, Diane has been a teacher, a public relations and marketing director, a mortgage broker, an executive director of the American Diabetes Association and has even followed in her father’s footsteps by making her mark in the world of real estate. But, above all else, her true passion lies in volunteering for the city of Houston, its deserving organizations and upholding her lifeÍs motto of always being “there.”

Women in Crisis

Local charity helps women improve themselves

The year is 1957. A young woman named Mary Brown found herself in a crisis with no where to turn. She sought refuge at a Houston-area rescue mission for men, but they didn’t have the facilities for women – and neither did anyone else. Luckily for Brown, local church and community leader Mrs. W.E. Sampson opened her home and heart to help Mary Brown get on her feet again. A small group of 35 people met with Sampson to discuss forming a home for women in the Houston area. After hearing Mary Brown’s story, the first contributions were donated and plans began to form what is now The Women’s Home.

A few names and locations later, The Women’s Home is now located at 607 Westheimer. A model program of excellence and a United Way agency, the home is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and approved by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

The mission
The wonderful staff at The Women’s Home is dedicated to “help women in crisis regain their self-esteem and dignity, empowering them to return to society as productive, self-sufficient individuals.” The home offers a safe and caring environment, complete with all phases of residential rehabilitation for women. Individualized structured programs focus on healing the whole person through residential care, mental and physical health services and occupational and spiritual development programs. The home focuses on emphasizing dignity, integrity, stewardship and holistic growth among the residents.

In residence
Becoming a resident of The Women’s Home requires commitment, dedication and hard work. She must be dedicated to working toward her potential, relying on herself for income and striving for personal growth. The benefits of participation are tremendous, as well. The women here have the opportunity to come away from the structured, long-term residential program with their independence and self-confidence restored, as well as an income and a place in society.

Women at the home find a structured living environment staffed with social workers 24-hours a day. Once the residents are ready for more independent living, they can move to one of four transitional homes. Here she will pay rent, buy and prepare food, develop budgets and cooperatively live with minimal supervision.

Learning skills
The vocational program at the home helps women to effectively obtain and sustain employment through education and experience. The participants take aptitude and achievement tests that are used by vocational counselors to identify job skills and vocational goals. Instruction then focuses on time management, budgeting skills, computer education, resume creation and effective interview skills. On-the-job training is provided through the Cottage Thrift Shop and in the home’s administrative offices. Job retention education is also provided.

Classes and workshops are constantly going on at the home’s Life Learning Center. Focusing on job and life survival skills, classes include effective communication, job-seeking skills, self-esteem, stress and anger management, speaking confidently, assertiveness training, boundaries and conflict resolution.

Getting healthy
In addition to vocational and residential services, women at the home receive a wealth of well-being services, including psychiatric and nurse practitioner services, psychotherapy, chemical dependency services and case management services. New residents are assigned not only a therapist, but also a therapy group that focuses on healthy relationships, mood disorders and chemical dependency.

The shop
The Cottage Thrift Shop serves as a job training site for residents, provides services to the community and supplies 20 percent of the home’s operating income. Volunteers and residents staff this resale shop under the direction of a professional manager. With retail space covering 10,000 square feet, the shop features furniture, clothing for the entire family, housewares, gifts, books, toys and more. Generous local retail establishments donate their excess inventory for resale at the shop, but donations from the public are happily accepted Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

You can help
Looking for a unique volunteering opportunity? The Women’s Home has many areas in need of compassionate volunteers. You can help in the Cottage Thrift Shop, Life Learning Center Program, in the office or for special projects. – Christi Phillips

The WomenÍs Home 607 Westheimer (713) 521-3150 www.thewomenshome.org

Batteries Not Included

Disaster kit has everything you need – except batteries

How can Houstonians ever forget the 2005 hurricane season? Whether you found yourself helping those ravaged by the devastation of Katrina or stuck in gridlock trying to flee Rita, residents of southeast Texas are now mindful of being prepared for natural disasters and the importance of having an emergency kit ready at all times.

Emergency kits should contain everything you’ll need during a disaster in a handy, secure spot in your home or office. Now there’s a convenient way to achieve this: the Ready Freddy bag. The Ready Freddy bag has everything you’ll need to weather the next storm – except batteries. That’s because although the kit contains a flashlight, emergency radio and emergency cell phone power kit, none of these items rely on batteries, which risk losing their charge after prolonged storage. Instead, the items are powered by hand, either cranking a handle or shaking the flashlight back and forth. This ensures the items will be ready when you need them.

The kit also includes everything else you’ll need for shelter, protection, first aid, food and water – and even a deck of playing cards to help pass the time. A partial list of items includes: duct tape, rope, gloves, gas shutoff tool, multi-tool, plastic sheeting, candles, waterproof matches, blankets and a disaster preparedness guide.

The best part is that all the items are stored in a handy backpack and clearly labeled, ready for the day when you need it the most.

All-Star Collaboration

Children’s charities gain from all-star effort

Houston celebrities Tracy McGrady and Mary Lou Retton have thrown in their hats to help the All-Star Miracle Homeª of Houston. Appearing at functions and in marketing campaigns, these heavy hitters will serve as spokespeople for this $2 million fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater Houston and the Houston Rockets’ Clutch City Foundation.

With two worthy charities benefiting from the All-Star Miracle Home, Retton and McGrady are happy to be the stars supporting the fundraiser. Helping families with sick young ones, Children’s Miracle Network supplies financial support to families who cannot afford medical costs. In fact, the Houston organization was able to help 15,000 children with $21 million in 2005. Assisting a number of community outreach and charity programs, the Clutch City Foundation strives to provide hope to those who might be overlooked if not.

Open to the public for tours, the All-Star Miracle Home is located in the Spice Ridge neighborhood of Sienna Plantation in Missouri City. Fully furnished, this 4,100-square-foot home will feature four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a media and game room, as well as a custom pool and landscaping.

Built and donated by Meritage Homes and its partners, the general public is encouraged to buy $100 entries to win the home. With only 20,000 entries available, the chances of winning the All-Star Miracle Home are high – and the chances of helping children along the way are definite. Purchase tickets for the home at 1 (866) 616-2244 or www.allstarmiraclehome.com/houston.

Key West

America’s Southernmost City welcomes visitors to the ‘Conch Republic’

Flying Marlins, Jimmy Buffet and Ernest Hemingway are some of the first things that come to mind when dreaming about Key West. Take a closer look: There is more than meets the eye as this hurricane-attracting town provides rich history, a unique culture, mind-blowing dining and eye-of-the-storm adventures.

Drive from Miami to Key West
This is the drive everyone should do once, but only once. Yes, the stretch from Miami down to the Keys is beautiful on Highway One, and this engineering marvel of a bridge/road will impress you. The shades of blue, turquoise and jade are numerous, as you follow the road from island to island. Way before you get to Key West, your inner child will ask, “Are we there yet?” So, break up the drive with a stop at Isla Morada for some conch fritters and a margarita – a great weekend party stop over. Here’s the deal: Spend less time on the road and more time in Key West. Drive there to see the sights, and fly back.

Tour
Get acquainted with this sunny, laid-back town by hopping on the Conch Tour Train or Old Town Trolley for an overview of the key attractions. The 19th century architecture of the homes here is stunning, and you’ll quickly realize that almost everything is within walking distance.

Hang
Some people spend days in Key West and never leave Duval Street. You’ll soon see why. With bars and restaurants in abundance, this all-night party street will take the place of Bourbon Street until it’s up and running again. Pop in at The Hog’s Breath Saloon – it’s always full of tourists living “la vida loca.” Part biker bar and part party house, it’s mandatory to at least have one drink here. Sloppy Joe’s is famous because old Joe himself was a good friend of Ernest Hemingway. Live music pumps out daily, and the house special, sloppy Joe, is really, really good.

The sunset is a big deal here in Key West. It’s celebrated every day, as a mini-festival breaks out on a pier at Mallory Square. Complete with hoop-jumping cats, this is a party for all ages. Get here early for the best seat, or hop on a sunset cruise.

Learn
The Stargazing Cruise on the Schooner Western Union is a stand out activity in a bevy of touristy adventures. Your astrologer tour guide will share slides that show exactly how the stars look over Key West, and then watch as he/she points out constellations over your head. Go way beyond the Big and Little Dipper. Have you ever been able to locate your zodiac sign? You will here. This one fills up quickly (and includes drinks and conch soup), and it should head your list of must-do attractions.

Although Ernest Hemingway didn’t really spend a ton of time here, he sure did leave an imprint. His Moorish-influenced museum/house is a real treat, complete with replicas of his boats, pictures of his life and generations of cats. There is even a fountain made out of a toilet taken from Sloppy Joe’s during a renovation.

How often can you tour the relics of a shipwreck? Another learning experience to uncover the whole story is at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

Eat
Blue Heaven is the place for breakfast. There may be a line, but don’t worry, they’ll have a Bloody Mary in your hand before you are even seated. With fresh omelets, pancakes and more, the real treat here are the roosters who extend their greetings from table to table.

The night we arrived at Pisces, Chef Andrew’s most decadent dishes: lobster, caviar, oysters and strawberries were being paired with champagne – proving that it’s always a party in Key West.

And if key lime pie and a mojito are really what you crave, you just can’t go wrong at Mangoes. James Beard-awarded Chef Paul Orchard fillets some great fish and pasta.

For a true culinary treat, trot down Duval and discover the mastermind that is taking on the world, Alice Weingarten of Alice’s Key West. This quirky chef, who makes it a point to say “hello” to each table, calls her food “New World fusion confusion.” Translation: Asian, Mediterranean and Caribbean ingredients bundled together on unique dishes. This chef has said she likes to put food in front of you and see your reaction.

Non-pretentious and casually elegant, the tropical chic decor here has wide windows, allowing a great view of Duval Street. The menu evolves with many seasonal delights that are an eclectic mix of home cooking, such as Aunt Alice’s magic meat loaf and off-the-wall Cajun spring rolls with hot and sour sauce. The passion salad with baby greens, toasted almonds, goat cheese and mango is the perfect starter; definitely something to be passionate about. Since Julia Child had it on her birthday, you, too, have to have the shortcake with tropical fruit and whipped cream. Really, where else could you try mojo-marinated ostrich tenderloin, served with coconut rice and stir-fried vegetables?

If last year was any indication and if you plan to visit during hurricane season, it may be worthwhile to purchase cancellation insurance. – LMV

Essentials
Conch Tour Train, 501 Front St., (305) 294-5161, www.conchtourtrain.com
Old Town Trolley Tours, Mallory Square,
(305) 296-6688, www.historictours.com
Hog’s Breath, 400 Front St.,
(305) 296-4222, www.hogsbreath.com
Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval St.,
(305) 294-5717, www.sloppyjoes.com
Schooner Western Union, Seaport at the foot of William Street, (305) 292-1766,
www.schoonerwesternunion.com
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, 907 Whitehead St., (305) 294-1136,
www.hemingwayhome.com
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St., (305) 294-2633, www.melfisher.org
Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St., (305) 296-8666
Pisces Restaurant, 1007 Simonton,
(305) 294-7100, www.pisceskeywest.com
Mangoes, 700 Duval St., (305) 292-4606,
www.mangoeskeywest.com
Alice’s Key West, 1114 Duval St., (305) 292-5733, www.aliceskeywest.com

Cowboy at Heart

Known the world over for his trademark sound, soulful lyrics and unique personality, Klein native LYLE LOVETT sits down for a few minutes with WARNER ROBERTS to talk about his life, his art and where it all began.

“I was always interested in music, all kinds of music. I listened to all the Texas singer/songwriters, like Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Steven Fromholz and BW Stephenson. I was very curious about their songs and what they had to say; that intrigued me as much as the music itself.”

Enjoying music from a young age, Lovett also got started on his professional career early. “I was about 17 when I got my first job at the Mariner Restaurant out on F.M. 1960. I played clubs all over Houston and sometimes in Austin, always trying to figure out where to play next.”

Cutting his chops in bars and music joints, Lovett finally got his first big break. “When I finally went to Nashville to record, I didn’t know what to expect,” he says. “What I discovered is that the people there are very warm and willing to help. Everyone is genuinely supportive.”

Thankfully, the music circuit was like an extended family. “I’d been playing clubs for 10 years before I cut my first record,” he reveals. “One of my all-time favorite song-writing heroes, the late Guy Clark, passed my tapes around Nashville. I hadn’t even met him. Here someone was promoting me, and I didn’t even know him.”

It was in 1986 that Lovett signed with MCA/Curb and released his first album, Lyle Lovett, which received rave reviews. Three of its singles, “Farther Down the Line,” “Why I Don’t Know” and “Give Back My Heart” reached the Country Top 40, and “Cowboy Man” reached the Top 10. While first classified as a country singer, the label didn’t seem to fit as Lovett began to incorporate all the different styles of music he had loved since childhood into his work.

Over the course of his 20-year career, Lovett has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album (1996 for The Road to Ensenada), Best Country Duo/Group with Vocal (1994 for “Blues for Dixie” with Asleep at the Wheel), Best Pop Vocal Collaboration, (1994 for “Funny How Time Slips Away” with Al Green) and Best Country Male Vocal (1989 for “Lyle Lovett and His Large Band”). Lovett was honored recently by the Austin Film Society with the Texas Film Hall of Fame Award for music and film. Additionally, he was given an Esky in Esquire’s 2006 Esky Music Awards (April 2006). “The secret of Lyle Lovett’s endurance comes down to the three C’s: class, charisma and consistency” articulates Esquire. “In the studio and on stage with his giant orchestra, he’s spent two decades gracefully matching genuine songcraft with A-list musicianship.”

Born the only child of William Pearce Lovett and Bernell Klein Lovett, Lyle Lovett grew up on the family farm in Klein Ð which was named for his grandfather Adam Klein, a Bavarian weaver.

“It was my grandfather who gave his seven children a couple of acres a piece,” he says. “We all lived on the same property; and we’d congregate over at my grandma’s house because she always had something good to eat. It was really like a big family gathering all the time with me, mother and dad, aunts and uncles and 12 first cousins.”

Obviously, times have changed since his childhood, but the family continues to have a strong bond with the area. (Still a highly rural part of Houston, Klein is also one of the city’s fastest growing suburbs.) “Most everybody has scattered,” he reveals. “I still live there, my mom and one of my uncles, Calvin Klein, and his wife, Sheila, live there.”

“It was my mom who would drive downtown to the Exxon Building to work, drive home to Klein, pick me up and take me over to H&H Music for guitar lessons,” he says. “That’s how determined she was that I would have opportunities she never had.”

“Compared to how hard my mom and dad worked, I didn’t have any struggles,” he says of his life now. “I knew I wanted to write the best songs I could and sing as well as I could, and I just kept at it. I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t worked; I never made a back-up plan. I’m so privileged to be able to do what I love to do. I’ll always be eternally grateful and give thanks to the people who support me.”

“My mother took me to my first television show on Channel 13 to ‘Kitirik’s Tree House’ on my 5th birthday,” he says. “I did a Stripe Toothpaste commercial with Kitirik and got to take a lot of toothpaste home. That was a big deal!”

Beyond bright smiles, Lovett landed a role in the 1983 Mickey Rooney made-for-television movie, “Bill: On His Own.” Director Robert Altman recognized the uniqueness of Lovett in the early ’90s and cast him as a detective in the film, “The Player.” So pleased with the results of his efforts, Altman cast him in five other movies, “Short Cuts,” “Ready to Wear,” “Cookie’s Fortune,” “Prêt-à-Porter” and “Dr. T and the Women.” Other movies he has acted in are “Bastard Out of Carolina,” “The Opposite of Sex, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “The New Guy.”

Unlike many musician-turned-movie-stars, he has talent in many different arenas — but he is sticking to singing/songwriting. “I didn’t audition for any of those,” he says of the movies in which he’s appeared, “but if something comes along and somebody calls me, maybe.”

Expanding his horizons and creating lifelong fans in his Aggie classmates, Lovett continued to focus on his music while earning a degree in journalism and German from Texas A&M University. “There was so much German spoken at home, I thought I’d find out what everybody was saying,” he says. “I worked on the school paper, and I, like everybody, was trying to interview any celebrity that came into town.” As a graduate student, he traveled to Germany to study and continued to write and play while he was in Europe.

Lovett met his fiancée of four years, April, at an Aggie event nearly 10 years ago. For the past eight years, April has been handling many of the jobs necessary to keep Lovett organized. (Of course, that is in addition to his manager in Nashville and his press agent and publicity staff.) “I’m so happy to have April with me on every tour,” he says. “She makes it so much easier to go out on the road.” April explains their long engagement in a way that only a truly supportive partner can. “Working out the wedding plans is a bit of a challenge with our full schedules,” she says.

They make a handsome couple. Lovett is tall, thin, very interestingly good looking, with a sexy twinkle in his eye and a great laugh. Svelte as a model and just as striking, April is sleek. Beyond their appearances, these Texas natives complement each other well and are politely proper and charming.

Thankfully, Lovett has fully recovered from an accident he had with a bull four years ago. Even after experiencing a badly broken leg (although not due to a bike), Lovett continues to possess a love of motorcycles. A boy at heart, he is known locally for the cycle shop he owned in town. “I grew up riding like my dad,” he says. “I had a mini bike when I was 10. Richard Sanders, owner of Cycle Shack, gave me my first summer job, and I’d ride the bus from downtown almost to Sugar Land. I eventually bought Richard’s shop, changed the name to Lyle Lovett’s Motor Sports, and sold it recently. I had a lot of fun with it. Still have my dad’s Road King Harley, a Yamaha dirt bike and a BMW street bike.”

Lovett is hard at work trying to finish writing songs to record by the end of the year, hoping to release an album early next year. He hasn’t named the album yet. “No, not yet,” he says. “Can’t name it, till I see what I’ve got.”

Although he doesn’t know exactly how many songs he’s written, the number is nearing 100. “I write what is important to me,” he says about his favorite song. “Things that are inspirational to me. It would be too hard to single out one.” But his fiancée adds that he does have a tune that’s always present at his concerts. “I think a constant in each show is ‘If I Had a Boat,'” she says.

Lovett goes on tour this month with the 17-piece Large Band. That means gearing up two 18 wheelers and three big buses for himself, crew and equipment. “When I go out with the Large Band, we sometimes perform five or six nights a week, travel at night and sleep on the bus,” Lovett says. “And, we do that for 10 or 12 weeks. It’s tough. Not hard physically, but you get a little tired. It’s so great to have April with me.”

With so many performances under his belt, it’s hard for him to pick out one as the most memorable. “I have to say that every performance is so special,” Lovett says. “I’m always hopeful, but I always feel a little insecure. Especially if it’s a new show, and I’m working it out. It’s different every tour, and there’s a good nervous feeling about it.” He thinks for a minute and continues, “I was singing background vocal with Willie Nelson one night in Los Angeles. After the song was over, he turned, took his guitar off and handed it to me. Willie let me play his guitar. That was special!”

On the Record

with the Houston Grand Opera (and others)

As longtime Houstonian Carlisle Floyd marks his 80th birthday on June 11, music lovers can look back upon a lifetime of musical creativity, highlighted by 10 operas, as well as other instrumental and vocal compositions.

Floyd, whose reputation as a composer has steadily grown to international stature over the past decade, taught for 20 years as M.D. Anderson Professor of Music at the University of Houston. He also founded and led (alongside Houston Grand Opera director David Gockley) the innovative Houston Opera Studio, a program that bridges the gap between the academic world of music students and the professional world of grand opera.

The studio has achieved “some very important work,” said Carl Cunningham, who was for many years the performing-arts critic at the Houston Post. After its creation, he told H Texas, “there was a great clamor to study in Houston, and because of it, [UH] still has a very fine vocal program, and Houston has a stable full of talented young singers.”

Cunningham praised Floyd not only as a composer, but as “a fine librettist” (he has written the librettos for all his operas) and as “a significant teacher of composition,” as well.

“Carlisle stuck to his stylistic roots while other composers went off to more difficult, abstruse vogues, and have since come back. He was right to stick to what he believed in,” Cunningham affirmed, adding that Floyd, unlike many of his colleagues, “is a genuinely operatic composer. He has a feeling for the stage, for vocal music, for theatrical pacing, for designing traditional arias and choruses, for dramatic rather than abstract music.”

The South Carolina-born composer has now retired to the Florida coast, but in recent weeks he returned to the Houston area for an all-Floyd concert given by the Kingwood Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. The festivities were arranged as an early birthday celebration by Dr. Todd Miller, a Kingwood College professor and protegew of Floyd’s. The concert featured arias, choruses and operatic scenes excerpted from the span of several decades of music. “I’ve cherished my time in Houston,” Floyd told H Texas in a phone interview. “I always felt very welcome, and am infinitely grateful to Houston Grand Opera, the University of Houston and the city itself.”

Over the course of his career, Floyd’s achievements have been acknowledged by honors ranging from a Guggenheim Fellowship (in the 1950s) to the National Medal of Arts (in 2004). In awarding the last of these, President George W. Bush cited the composer “for giving American opera its national voice in a series of contemporary classics rooted in American themes.”

Unfortunately, the average nusic lover can’t expect to appreciate the sum of Floyd’s accomplishments first-hand. These days, productions of his operas are not uncommon throughout the United States (and are increasing in Europe), but a significant portion of his music has yet to be commercially recorded, including half of the music dramas. Until the next staging comes along to be experienced live, here are the works of Carlisle Floyd currently on CD, from the most recent to the earliest.

“COLD SASSY TREE,” musical drama in three acts. Libretto by the composer, based on the novel by Olive Ann Burns. Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Patrick Summers; with featured singers Patricia Racette and Dean Peterson. Albany Records, 2005 release.

Floyd’s last major work, which premiered in April of 2000 in Houston, was hailed as “a minor masterpiece” by critic Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle, who praised its “passages of radiant, lyrical beauty.”

This comic opera relates the story of a May-December romance in small-town Georgia around 1900. Highlights include the aria “Rented rooms, that’s all I’ve ever known,” in which the young heroine describes her impoverished and nomadic childhood.

“OF MICE AND MEN,” opera in three acts. Libretto by the composer, based on the novella by John Steinbeck. Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Patrick Summers; with featured singers Gordon Hawkins and Anthony Dean Griffey. Albany Records, 2003 release.

“This may be the great American opera,” wrote David Patrick Stearns of the Philadelphia Inquirer upon the release of this recording.

Numerous other critics from across the nation have suggested that this dark tale of two migrant laborers during the Great Depression marks the culmination of Floyd’s career. “I think it is a great opera,” Carl Cunningham told us. “The style has a wonderful maturity, and the storyline moves so well. It is a seamless opera that holds up very well on repeated hearings.” “Of Mice and Men” first debuted in Seattle in 1970 and had been performed by HGO numerous times before this recording was made. Individual elements are subjugated to the narrative as a whole, but one highlight is the soaring, hopeful duet of George and Lennie: “One day soon, we’ll save up enough, an’ we’ll buy a small house … and we’ll live off the fat of the land.”

“MARKHEIM,” opera in one act. Libretto by the composer, based on the short story by Robert Louis Stevenson. New Orleans Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Knud Andersson; with featured singers Norman Treigle and Alan Crofoot. VAI (Video Artists International) Audio, 1995 release. “THE SOJOURNER AND MOLLIE SINCLAIR,” comic opera in one act. Original libretto by the composer. Orchestra and Chorus of the East Carolina College School of Music, conducted by Julius Rudel; with featured singers Patricia Neway and Norman Treigle. VAI (Video Artists International) Audio, 1999 release.

These two one-act operas – one tragic, one comic – both feature the artistry of baritone Norman Treigle, who was one of several musicians (including soprano Phyllis Curtin, conductor Julius Rudel, and HGO director David Gockley) who championed Floyd through decades of critical neglect.

The underrated “Markheim” stars Treigle in the title role, in a story of murder and redemption at Christmas time. It premiered in New Orleans in 1966, while the slight but amusing “Sojourner and Mollie Sinclair” was first performed in Raleigh, N.C., in 1963. Upon the belated release of this CD some 40 years after its premiere, Opera News praised Treigle’s “hauntingly lovely” aria “The Isle of Skye,” while the Boston Globe cited Patricia Neway as Mollie in a scene beginning, “Dougald, I would speak with thee.” “SUSANNAH,” musical drama in two acts. Libretto by the composer, based upon the apocryphal Biblical story of Susanna and the Elders. Choeur et Orchestre de L’Opera de Lyon, conducted by Kent Nagano; with featured singers Cheryl Studer and Samuel Ramey. Virgin Classics, 1994 release.

Release of this recording by an esteemed French opera company, coming some 40 years after the opera’s debut at Florida State University in Tallahassee (in February 1955) forced many American classical-music critics – particularly those in New York – to grudgingly re-evaluate Carlisle Floyd as a composer after years of condescension.

(For decades, numerous critics from what David Gockley has termed “the Northeastern establishment” downplayed Floyd’s works, damning them with faint praise, such as “a nice little opera,” “workmanlike,” “ingratiating,” “skillful,” “traditional,” and – perhaps worst of all – “tuneful.”

“ÒMr. Floyd has a nice way with hoedowns,” smirked one, while another compared the composer to a mechanic, who “knows what it takes to get the engine running … the tires have been kicked, the oil has been changed.” Still another dismissed one of Floyd’s works whole-cloth as “three hours of drawling characters” in “the corn-pone South.”

This stunning performance by a cast of international caliber and the Lyon Opera, however, won a 1995 Grammy for best opera recording, and compelled a widespread re-evaluation of Floyd’s complex, love-hate relationship with the American South. Among its highlights are two arias that are modern standards of the concert hall, “Ain’t It a Pretty Night?” and the folk-like ballad “The Trees on the Mountains.” Renowned sopranos Renee Fleming and Dawn Upshaw have also showcased individual arias by Floyd in solo albums (I Want Magic! and The World So Wide, respectively). Over the years, some of Floyd’s non-operatic works (both instrumental and vocal) have been recorded as well; but none of these is presently available.

This regrettably leaves five of Floyd’s operas unavailable for enjoyment by most music lovers – including three major works premiered by the Houston Grand Opera during the composer’s two decades at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music: “Bilby’s Doll” (1976), “Willie Stark” (1981), and the revised version of his post-Civil War epic “The Passion of Jonathan Wade” (1991).

In talking with H Texas, however, Floyd spoke of this situation with equanimity, since, he said, he has always regarded the fusion of music with the staged theatrical performance as primary. “To miss the visual aspect [of opera],” he suggested, “is to miss the whole, which is greater than the sum of the parts.” (It is an argument, however, that might not exactly endear him to the companies that distribute his recordings.)

At least one of his Houston-era works, however, might meet the composer’s theatrical criteria. After its HGO premiere, “Willie Stark,” based upon Robert Penn Warren’s classic novel of Southern politics, “All the King’s Men,” was subsequently videotaped for the PBS “Great Performances” series. Is it not conceivable that – just as the critical reputation of “Susannah” was revitalized via CD decades after its debut – someday “Willie Stark” may be resurrected by its release on the DVD player? After all, upon reviewing the original public-television broadcast in 1982, Andrew Porter of The New Yorker called Floyd’s opera “A bold and adventurous work … On television, “Willie Stark” was a success.” At that time, Porter also offered a snapshot of Carlisle Floyd as a distinctly American composer that holds true today:

“With a commitment that rivals Smetana’s in Bohemia or Britten’s in Britain, he has striven to create a national repertory. He has studied the best international models and learned the international language of successful opera in order to speak it in his own accents, and to enrich it with the musical and vernacular idioms of his own country.”

The City’s Greatest Getaway

Boating, fishing, exploring and endless entertainment awaits you down by the bay

As the fourth largest city in the U.S. and with an area that spans 8,778 square miles, Houston offers its residents endless options as to where to call “home.” Whether it is a young professional seeking excitement in Midtown, a doctor needing the convenience of West U, or a growing family looking for comfort in the suburbs, the Bayou City has the perfect neighborhood to match any Houstonian’s residential desires. One look at Houston and you may never guess that beyond the city’s massive stretch of concrete, bustling businesses and skyline of towering buildings, exists lush forests, beautiful landscapes and sparkling waters – each exceptionally close for a quick escape.

Two lakes, one Space Center and 30 minutes away from downtown Houston is Clear Lake, a bustling seaside area filled with abundant recreation, booming technology and never-ending fun. Originally a quaint fishing community, the area of Clear Lake was put on the map in 1961 when the Manned Spacecraft Center (renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973) was built there – thus, bringing Houston to be known as “Space City, USA.” The attainment of Space Center Houston undeniably launched the area into a surge of growth and development, transforming Clear Lake into the thriving community it is today.

Location
Also called the Bay Area by many, Clear Lake includes sections of both Harris and Galveston counties, parts of the cities of Houston and Pasadena, and the nine distinct communities of Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village and Webster. In addition to two major lakes, creeks and plenty of room for recreational boating and fishing, Clear Lake’s ideal location, halfway between the skyscrapers of Houston and the shores of Galveston, has led to more than 200,000 people calling the lively area home.

Clear Lake City was annexed by Houston more than 20 years ago and is now the Bay Area’s largest master-planned community, with 63,500 people. The residents of Clear Lake City not only have NASA in their backyard, but are also only a few miles away from boating and fishing on Clear Lake.

The island community of Clear Lake Shores, located at the entrance to Jarboe Bayou, is home to four major marinas, one of which is the largest privately owned marina in the country with 1,300 boat slips.

The largest and fastest growing city in the area, League City, is home to nearly 55,000 residents and is located on the south shore of Clear Lake. Although League City continues to expand at a rapid pace, the community has made an incredible effort to preserve the past, establishing “Historic League City,” an area that houses antique shops, historic homes, parks and the 1898 restored West Bay Common School.

Located across from the Johnson Space Center, Nassau Bay is home to the renowned Christus-St. John Hospital, the Arts Alliance of Clear Lake, the Clear Creek County Theatre and 4,500 residents.

The distinctive community of Seabrook has ideal access to Clear Lake, as well as Galveston Bay and is filled with zoned neighborhoods, growing businesses, the specialty shopping district of “Old Seabrook” and uniquely decorated pelican monuments dispersed throughout the city.

El Lago, legendary for being the spot where many of Jean Lafitte’s pirates hung their swords, is situated along the west bank of Taylor Lake to the northern shore of Clear Lake and is now known for being a proud home to many of NASA’s astronauts.

El Lago’s sister city, Taylor Lake Village, is located directly across Taylor Lake from El Lago and the two communities not only share a lake, but also a police department, and the desire to remain tranquil and safe for residential homes and growing families.

As the gateway to the NASA/Bay Area, Webster has small town-charm, with a multitude of recreation opportunities, restaurants and retail businesses in the “Webster Gateway” shopping district.

Last but not least, Kemah is one of the most appealing communities in the Bay Area. Its famous boardwalk boasts boutique shops, art galleries, themed restaurants, an amusement train and Ferris wheel, and is a favorite among Bay Area residents, as well as visitors to the area.

Economy
The influx of residents has resulted in a diversified economy, which now includes many small- and medium-sized companies, and substantial growth in local markets that fosters entrepreneurial development. Originally based around the Humble Oil and Refining Company, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership now lists the industries of aerospace, biotech and chemicals and plastics as the Bay Area’s leading employers. Of course, the Johnson Space Center and its supporting companies and contractors continue to play a significant role in the economy, as well. The area has also recently experienced an upsurge in the technology industry, with software, biotechnology, and communications equipment enterprises flourishing. Many of these companies serve the local chemical and petrochemical industries and the NASA/Johnson Space Center, in addition to numerous biomedical and bioresearch developments stemming from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Astronauts and engineers prosper in the area, as well as those involved in the recreation and tourism industry and Clear Lake’s exceptional education systems.

Education
With such a large majority of the population involved in the fields of aerospace, engineering and technology, the public school system utilizes the area’s resources to advance school children in the areas of math and science. There are a multitude of programs that collaborate with NASA and the Johnson Space Center to provide children hands-on learning outside of the classroom.

Clear Creek ISD schools are rated academically acceptable by the Texas Education Agency’s Academic Excellence Indicator System and have been commended for their reading, writing and social studies programs. Clear Creek ISD also received a Gold Performance Acknowledgement for its Recommended High School Program.

With nearly 33,500 students, the school district prides itself on maintaining a 96 percent attendance rate and an 88 percent graduation rate. The class of 2005 had a 95 percent cumulative pass rate for the TAKS exit-level exam and area students scored above average on the SAT in 2004, with a mean score of nearly 1077. With an average of 17 students per teacher in the classrooms and a multitude of nearby resources to enhance traditional learning, educating children in the Clear Lake area proves to be ideal.

In addition to excellent primary and secondary schools, the Bay Area is also home to many technical schools and community colleges for its residents to attend, including the College of the Mainland, San Jacinto Community College and ITT Technical Institute. Nearby Pasadena has a Texas Chiropractic College, while those seeking bachelorês and masterês degrees may conveniently attend the University of Houston-Clear Lake. With an average student age of 32, UHCL is an upper-level undergraduate and graduate university that offers more than 30 bachelor’s programs and 40 master’s programs in the schools of business, education, human sciences and humanities, and science and computer engineering. In addition, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is only a short drive away for those commuting from the Clear Lake area.

Recreation
While Clear Lake is brimming with flourishing educational and professional institutions, the area is also filled with an abundance of recreational attractions to entertain its residents and visitors. The region’s main attraction, Clear Lake, is nearly 2,000 acres in surface area and includes additional creeks, channels and a bay that reach various communities surrounding the lake. Clear Lake is the ultimate spot for boating and fishing and ranks as the third largest recreational boating center in the United States, with 7,700 available boat slips throughout the area. The waters of Taylor Lake also offer opportunity for outdoor recreation and are primarily frequented by the residents of El Lago and Taylor Lake Village. Because boating and fishing play such a significant role in the area, the majority of local businesses and restaurants make accommodating boaters a priority, providing outdoor dining and allowing boaters to tie up their boats close by. One glance at the Kemah Boardwalk on the weekend, and you can’t help but notice the plethora of boats lined up at nearby docks while their owners grab a quick bite before heading off for more fun. With fishing boats, sailboats, ski boats, charter boats and yachts navigating the waters, it’s hard not to see why nautical recreation is such an important (and cherished) aspect of life in the

Bay Area
Aside from water sports, Clear Lake also houses the world’s largest greyhound racing park, the Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque, and one of the largest urban wildlife and wilderness preserves in the U.S., the Armand Bayou Nature Center. With more than 2,500 acres of bayou, forest and prairie, the nature center is home to more than 360 species of animals and birds, including bison, raptors and reptiles. Wine lovers can get an up-close look at how vino is made by visiting Haak Vineyards and Winery in Galveston County. The charming winery features a 4-acre vineyard, bottling and corking equipment, an 18-square-foot cellar with wine barrels and free tastings and tours that are offered year-round.

For those that enjoy taking a look back at history, the Battleship USS Texas is located in La Porte and remains as the only surviving combat ship to have served in both World Wars. Self-guided tours are open to the public daily. Another memorial not to be missed is the San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History, located just to the north of Clear Lake. The world’s largest masonry structure marks the site where Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836 and features an exhibition hall and theater. Guests to the memorial site may also experience an unforgettable view from 489 feet up inside the monument.

Of course, no trip to Clear Lake would be complete without exploring NASA’s Johnson Space Center. As Houston’s top attraction, the space center features compelling tours, interactive exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration from the past up to the present day. Enroll your child in a day camp where they can get hands-on with the wonders of space, or take a guided tram tour and visit the Historic Mission Control Center, as well as massive rockets used in the beginning of space evolution.

Whether you’re looking to engage in fishing, boating, exploring or just pure relaxing, the Clear Lake area has something for you. Either as a place you call “home” or just a weekend destination, the Bay Area and its endless array of attractions are something you must experience. In fact, you may never want to leave!

For more information about Clear Lake, contact the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at (281) 488-7676 or visit www.clearlakearea.com. You may also contact the Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 844-LAKE or visit www.visitbayareahouston.com.