Astro Doomed Wondering what to do with the Eigth Wonder

What cost $35 million to build, can hold an 18-story building, when fully lit consumes more electricity than a city of 9,000 people — is rotting, rusting, useless and faces an uncertain future? You know the answer. The Astrodome is like an aging maiden aunt, long past her prime, who won’t get married and go away. We feel guilty about wanting her to leave but really believe it is time.

Our own Gray Lady was originally called the Harris County Domed Stadium, then the Astrodome, and now the Reliant Astrodome. Judge Roy Hofheinz labeled it “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” and one team owner added that the Ninth Wonder was the rent he had to pay. But by any name, the structure is slowly falling apart; and, despite many false starts, no one seems to know what to do with it. Meantime, taxpayers keep paying for its maintenance.

The reason we have this problem in the first place is that (attention: cliché of the day) Our Dirty Little Secret is that during all the debates, votes by the citizens, then re-votes, when we turned down the first attempt to build a home for the Rockets, none of the supporters explained what was to be done with the old facilities. We lucked out when Lakewood Church bought Compaq Center, but no church wanted the dome. The old Colt Stadium was rebuilt in Torreon, Mexico. Unfortunately, it would be much more difficult to move the Eighth Wonder.

So, there it sits. Ever since the Houston Gamblers folded (1985), the Oilers left town (1997), the Astros abandoned it (1999), and the Houston Livestock Show &Rodeo moved across the street to Reliant Stadium (2003), various ideas have been trotted out about what to do with the old gal. Someone suggested making it an indoor drive-in movie theater. At least one state legislator wanted to turn the dome into a gambling casino. Other suggestions have included a water world, apartments and condos, a racetrack, an amusement park or — the current proposal. The Astrodome Redevelopment Corp. plans to spend $450 million to install a 1,200-room hotel, restaurants and shops in the dome. Good luck.

Then, there is the thought of doing to the Astrodome what other copycat cities did with their obsolete covered stadiums: tear it down. Although the Astrodome is the world’s first domed stadium, it is not included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Looking back, we all have other favorite memories of the dome. I have two: covering the Bobby Riggs — Billie Jean King tennis match, and attending the premier of “Brewster McCloud,” Robert Altman’s first movie after “M*A*S*H.” The film was set in Houston, the main character lived in the dome, so the structure seemed the proper place for the film’s debut. The night of the opening, I had a terrible head cold, but was determined to attend. “Brewster McCloud” may have been the worst movie ever made.

Some information you might like to know about the dome:

• On June 15, 1976, an Astros’ game was rained out. The dome was dry, but flooding was so bad the fans couldn’t get to the park.

• Not only did the Astrodome give the world artificial grass, but it popularized expensive, fancy suites with TVs, wet bars and bathrooms. Today, any sports facility, college or pro, that doesn’t have suites is busily installing them.

• In 1968, the University of Houston, ranked No. 2., played No. 1 UCLA before a crowd of 52,963 — the largest attendance ever for a basketball game. Houston defeated UCLA 71-69 and ended UCLA’s 47-game winning streak.

• The last performance of Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez, aka Selena, was before a sold-out crowd during a Houston Livestock &Rodeo Show. Not long after, she was shot to death by her fan club president.

• The official address is 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas, 77054.

• An attendance-record-setting 67,925 fans gathered at the Reliant Astrodome for “WrestleMania X-Seven.”

• Some 13,000 Katrina evacuees stayed in the dome, making it the largest single home-away-from-home for Louisianans.

So, there we have the happy saga of the Astrodome with an ending looking increasingly sad. But we all know Rule Numero Uno around here: don’t complain unless you have a solution. So here’s mine. At first, I thought this round building would be perfect for the Super Conductor Super Collider. Because Congress decided the half-built test facility cost too much to construct deep in the ground south of Dallas, we would bring the scientists with their thingamabobs and do-hickies (I speak fluent Nobel.) to Houston, and let them play on home plate. That motion died for lack of a second.

We could keep it just as it is in case the Daughter of Katrina hits the Gulf Coast. Only this time, we limit each evacuee to a seven-day stay.

The Astrodome was used as the backdrop for the climatic finish of the movie version of “Friday Night Lights” (even though the actual play-off game was not held there). So, we rent out the dome to Hollywood for filming all the Texans-are-red-neck-dumb-asses movies. It seems they make at least one a year, and TV does even better: “Dallas,” “The Wheeler Dealers,” “Friday Night Lights” and, of course, “Desperate Housewives.”

OK, so each idea has some drawbacks. Here is my best suggestion. It is sort of a combination of other ideas, while stealing a page from the old Albert Thomas Convention Center which was converted into Bayou Place and, apparently, is doing rather nicely. We turn the Astrodome into a casino with hotel rooms, bars and restaurants. The reason for including hotels and eateries inside the facility is that there is almost nothing else along South Main to feed and house visiting gamblers. (One of the reasons for putting the dome there was that it would “revitalize” the area. It did bring in more energetic hookers, but otherwise, not many boutique cafes sprang up.)

If you object to casino gambling in the Lone Star State, fine. We limit the clientele to out-of-staters. Hey, Texas is surrounded by casinos catering to Texans. Each year, our gamblers send hundreds of millions of dollars to Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Isn’t it time we got some of our money back? Think of the visitors as riverboat gamblers, only this time the dike will hold.

Cairns, Australia

A getaway Down Under is an invitation to adventure

Australia is a wonderfully diverse continent, attracting international tourists for its amazing wildlife, diverse flora and fauna, scenic landscape, beautiful waters, and exceptional culture. Whether you are interested in luxurious fare or exciting adventures, Cairns, Australia, offers a world of opportunities for a memorable vacation.

Let it rain Australia used to be completely covered by rainforest. Today, the little forest left enjoys governmental protection. To see it, take the Sky Rail gondola ride. On this excursion, you learn the history of the Australian people as the rainforest tells the story through plants and their ancient uses. (For instance, some berries were poison, some were laxatives, and some produced yellow nectar for paint.) The rainforest has its own survival-of-the-fittest story as the thick plants create a canopy and the ground gets very little sunlight, spawning a competition as plants and trees fight to get to the top.

Once you’ve learned about the natural history of the area, just hop back on the Sky Rail to the artist town of Kuranda. After a relaxing break, catch the train past Barren River — keep your eyes open for the breathtaking gorge and waterfall. This scenic train ride takes an hour and a half, while the Sky Rail is only 20 minutes — but it’s worth it.

Marvelous metropolis Heading into Cairns, the Ocean Drive-esque esplanade is a feast both visually and gastronomically. Dining affords not only extravagant meals, but also awesome views of green space and the ocean. As Cairns’ only five-star hotel, the Shangri-la has one of the best restaurants in town, Tide. A nod to the multitude of Japanese tourists, Japanese and American breakfast melds and creates a cornucopia of options in an extra-large buffet spread. Dinner consists of a tasting menu with three appetizers, entrees and desserts. The hotel has been recently renovated, so don’t expect to find the rainforest replica lobby, but do revel in the ultra-modern décor.

Coral explorer The real reason to visit Cairns, of course, is to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Tusa Divers offers a wonderful underwater tour with guide Wally offering instructions and a refresher course in English, while another guide leads one in Japanese. After a two-hour boat ride to the reef, you are ready to go.

Experience a calm and relaxing dive on the Saxon Reef and around its twin peaks formation. Highlights of this reef include slimy sea cucumbers; star fish; sea anemone; and fire, brain and encrusting coral. Above water and after the dive, enjoy a fresh lunch full of salads and vegetables. On the second dive, called Coral Garden, keep your goggles fresh for a multitude of stingray, elephant trunk fish, lion fish, travail, giant clam, barramundi (a staple on Australian menus) and more.

Roos and koalas and crocs, oh my! A great activity for the evening is to visit the Cairns Zoo. Best compared to a “working dude ranch,” the standard greeting is being offered a choice of beer or wine and getting herded to the picnic area. Then, the barbecue ensues, translated into Australian as “we will feed you.” While the folk music plays, pick up your torches/flashlights for a walking tour of the zoo. What an exciting way to see Australia’s unique wildlife!

Rock the boat A two-hour bus ride from Cairns is the town of Tully, home to white-water rafting on the Tully River with Raging Thunder Adventures. Unless you’re interested in getting a bit more involved in the action, don’t sit in the front left seat of the raft — it’s the “lead seat.” The guide will encourage the group with cries like, “harder, faster, slower, jump left, jump right …. paddle,” even if the group isn’t all English-speaking!

Essentials:
Sky Rail, www.skyrail.com
Shangri-la, www.shangri-la.com
Tusa Divers, www.tusadive.com
Cairns Zoo, www.cairnstropicalzoo.com
Raging Thunder Adventures, www.ragingthunder.com.au
Transportation, www.cairnslimousines.com

Leaders and Legends 2007

Houston is made so much more wonderful because of its leaders and legends who have expended exorbitant effort, energy, resources and pure love to improve the city and its residents. Knowing that there are many among us who go unrecognized and unsung as they venture out into the world, making a difference every day, we are reminded that “the world knows nothing of its greatest men.” These 25 individuals offer but a glimmer into the heart of Houston — the can-do, spirited, open-hearted, dynamic and talented citizens who have earned Houston its reputation as one of the most charitable cities in the world.

As a fashion consultant, Gayla Bentley realized the difficulty many women have in finding fashionable clothing in sizes larger than a 10. In 2001, she launched her design business, Gayla Bentley Collection with her own studio and with trunk shows across the country. (Her clothing is now available at NeimanMarcus.com and in the NM mail order catalog.) Bentley has chaired fundraisers for Big Brother and Big Sisters, served on the board of the Southern Dominican Fathers, and volunteered with the Fashion Group Foundation of Houston, Houston Ballet and The Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine. She also offers internships and scholarships to fashion students.

Those who know Jack Sawtelle Blanton describe him as the most humble man alive. Others give him credit for being one of the primary builders of the medical center, having served for years on the boards of the Texas Medical Center, University of Texas System, Methodist Health Care System, Harris County Hospital District, Houston Partnership, Houston Endowment and many others. When delivering the commencement speeches he so often is invited to give, the theme is constant: “Repay your debt to the society that nurtured you by serving others.”

Barbara Pierce Bush met her future husband, George H. W. Bush, when she was just 16. Four years later, they were married. When her husband was Vice President, she selected the promotion of literacy as her special cause. As First Lady, she called working for a more literate America the “most important issue we have;” and she helped develop the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, for which she serves as honorary chair and hosts its annual fundraiser. She helps many causes, including the homeless, AIDS, the elderly and school volunteer programs; and she serves on the Boards of AmeriCares and the Mayo Clinic Foundation and is a strong supporter of the Leukemia Society of America, the Ronald McDonald House and the Boys &Girls Club of America.

The nationally prominent pastor, Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, has witnessed Windsor Village United Methodist Church grow from its original 25 members to become one of the largest churches in the country. Under his leadership, the church and the Pyramid Community Development Corporation developed the 104,000-square-foot Power Center. Pastor Caldwell serves on the boards of the National Children’s Defense Fund, Baylor College of Medicine, SMU, Music Hall Foundation, Board of Visitors at M. D. Anderson, Greater Houston Partnership and many others. He founded the Patrice House, The Imani School and the Village of Hope.

One of the most prominent cardiovascular surgeons in the world, Dr. Denton A. Cooley has contributed to the techniques for repair and replacement of diseased heart valves and is widely known for his pioneering surgical treatment of cardiac anomalies of infants and children. He believes his major accomplishment has been the creation of the Texas Heart Institute and developing the Cooley Surgical Society. Among his more than 120 honors and awards are the National Medal of Technology, presented by President Clinton; the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, presented by President Reagan; and the Rene Leriche Prize, the highest honor of the International Surgical Society for cardiovascular contributions.

A native Houstonian, Rose Cullen has spent a major part of her life in the service of others. Currently, she is serving on the boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; University of Houston Moores School of Music; Friends of Nursing at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital; Houston Eye Associates Foundation; St. Agnes Academy Foundation; and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; as well as the executive committee and advisory board of The Ballet Foundation. She has worked to develop a merchandising endowment for the University of Houston Department of Human Development and has co-chaired The Assistance Fund Gala for four years.

Nancy Dinerstein started her community service as a candy striper, making milk shakes in the old Texas Children’s snack bar when she was just 13. She continues her relationship with Texas Children’s, having served as a founding member of the Development Council, a chairman of the “Hail to the Chief” Luncheon and an active participant in the 2001 Cow Parade. Much of her focus has been with the American Heart Association, where she chaired the “Heart of the Nile” Heart Ball, served on the AHA Board and chaired the inaugural “Go Red for Heart” luncheon. She is vice president of the Ronald McDonald House Houston and serves on the boards of Foundation for Teen Health, Holocaust Museum Houston and the Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine.

Clyde Drexler, nicknamed “Clyde the Glide” because of his grace on the basketball court, was a member of “Phi Slama Jama” at the University of Houston, a group dedicated to becoming the best student athletes they could become. Clyde made first-team All-American after leading the team to a second-straight NCAA Final Four and first NCAA championship game in school history. Reuniting with his buddy Hakeem Olajuwon, together they led the Rockets to the NBA championships. He became the Head Basketball Coach of his alma mater, and was named one of the 50 greatest NBA players in 1997. In 2004, Drexler was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He spends much of his free time supporting the community, particularly helping children.

Dr. Ralph D. Feigin is an internationally renown expert in pediatric infectious diseases and currently serves as the J. S. Abercrombie professor of pediatrics, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine and physician-in-chief of Texas Children’s Hospital. In addition to being named the senior vice president of Baylor College of Medicine in 1994, he also served as dean of medical education for Baylor College of Medicine, positions he held until his appointment as president and CEO in 1996. A member of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals Advisory Plan on Terrorism and Children’s Hospitals, he is chairman of the Medical Advisory Steering Committee of the City of Houston Task Force on Bioterrorism.

Richard Flowers has been recognized by the Houston Chronicle as the ultimate event planner in Houston for total event planning and production. Additionally, Flowers donates his time to many charitable causes and served as co-chairman of the 75th Houston Symphony Anniversary Gala, Chron’s &Colitis Winter Ball and Hermann Hospital Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. He also chaired the Heritage Society Ball, and has served on the boards of Chron’s &Colitis, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera and Heritage Society.

After experiencing a troubled youth, George Foreman won the boxing heavyweight class gold medal at the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968. Foreman then captured the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1973. He became an evangelical minister, pastor of a church, and in 1984, opened the George Foreman Youth and Community Center. He regained his title in 1994 at age 45 to become the world’s oldest heavyweight boxing champion. Foreman became even more famous as the spokesman for Meineke Muffler and the George Foreman Grill. In 2003, he was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Television viewers know Shara Fryer as an award-winning journalist and the longest running anchorwoman in Houston television. A surviving cancer patient, Fryer devotes much of her time to various cancer outreach programs and has established the Shara Fryer Cancer Research Fund in the Department of Surgical Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum, director of Houston World Affairs Council and trustee for the Retina Research Foundation; and she has chaired numerous charitable events and serves on many boards.

E. J. “Jodie” Hoffer started Hoffer Furniture Company in 1977 and currently serves as the company’s chairman of the board. Giving back to the community has been an ongoing commitment throughout his lifetime. Hoffer helped found national and local chapters of The Furniture Bank, whose purpose is to aid those in need of household furnishings, and has served on its board of directors since its inception. He has held leadership positions for the March of Dimes, Theatre Under the Stars, Houston Grand Opera, American Cancer Society and many more.

Peter C. Marzio, the director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston since 1982, is generally credited with helping build public participation in MFAH activities to a record high and making the museum not only a cultural success, but a business success. He is reputed to be the most successful fundraiser the museum has ever had and one of the driving forces behind the funding campaign that raised $126 million for the Beck Building. Completed in 2000, the building more than doubled the museum’s exhibition space, catapulting it from 30th to sixth largest in the nation.

George Mitchell is the former chairman and CEO of Mitchell Energy and Development Corp. In the ’60s, it was Mitchell who envisioned a real estate project unlike anything ever seen in the Houston area: The Woodlands. Built on 25,000 acres, when sold in 1997, this master-planned community had a population of 48,000. Mitchell was instrumental in founding Houston Advanced Research Center and founded the Center for Global Studies. He and his wife, Cynthia, are largely responsible for the rejuvenation of Galveston’s historic Strand District and revived Mardi Gras celebrations in Galveston, which now draw 555,000 visitors annually.

The Hon. Robert A. Mosbacher Sr. is chairman of Mosbacher Energy Company and Trustee Emeritus of the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies. He was President George H. W. Bush’s secretary of commerce, and his nomination was unanimously confirmed by the U. S. Senate. He has served as chairman of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Board of Visitors and on the boards of American Hospital in Paris Foundation, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and Odyssey Academy Inc. Along with his wife, Mica, he worked on the “Bush 41 @ 80” birthday celebration, raising $56 million for the Bushes’ three favorite charities.

Gordon Quan was only three when he and his family fled China, due to the Chinese Revolution, bound for Houston. His firm, Quan, Burdette &Perez, is one of the largest immigration law firms in the country, and he was the first Asian to be elected to an At-Large City Council position. Quan has been a Boy Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and an officer in numerous cultural, civic, political and professional organizations. He currently serves on the boards of the Holocaust Museum of Houston, Asia Society, Aspiring Youth, Catholic Charities and Asian Pacific American Heritage Association.

A native Houstonian, Mickey Rosmarin opened a boutique, Tootsies, in 1973. With the goal of always offering luxury, sophistication, fun and creativity in fashion, Rosmarin has successfully created one of the most luxurious shopping experiences in the nation — now not only in Houston, but in Dallas, Atlanta and San Antonio. Some of his favorite causes to support and volunteer for are Dress for Success, AIDS Foundation Houston, Elves and More, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, March of Dimes, Mexican Women’s Initiative, Art Bridge and American Heart Association.

Dr. Sandra Sessoms is one of the foremost rheumatologists in the country. A diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Rheumatology Subspecialty Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, she lectures frequently on rheumatology subjects nationally and locally and has been widely published. Dr. Sessoms holds membership in many professional organizations, while performing as a volunteer physician for the San Jose Clinic for many years and serving as a board member of the Arthritis Foundation and the Lupus Foundation of America, Gulf Coast.

Former owner of Fiesta Mart Inc., Trini Mendenhall-Sosa founded the Mendenhall Asthma Research Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine. She serves on the board of Catholic Charities and endows scholarships to inner-city Catholic schools and the College of Education of the University of Houston. She has served on the boards of Ronald McDonald House, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Ballet Public Affairs, United Way’s Women’s Initiative, End Hunger Network and the Mexican Council of Entrepreneurs of Houston, and has chaired a multitude of benefits for Houston charities.

A St. Thomas High School alumnus, George Strake graduated from Notre Dame, served in the Navy and earned a Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Joining his father in the independent oil business, he is now chairman and CEO of Strake Energy. Strake is president of the Strake Foundation and has served on the boards of Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club of Houston, Asia Society, Mexican Cultural Institute of Houston, Institute of International Education, Greater Houston Partnership and many more.

With more than 31 years in the business, Evin Thayer has established himself as one of Houston’s finest photographers. Additionally, he is dedicated to making a difference in the community, helping groups like the Body Positive Wellness Center, Bering Omega Community Services, AIDS Foundation Houston, Citizens for Animal Protection and more. He and Mayor Lee Brown created “The Mayor’s Millennium Makers,” a book filled with instrumental Houstonians that raises money for the Evin Thayer Scholarship Fund of the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Restaurateur and antique collector Beau Theriot owns both The Brownstone restaurant and Brownstone Antique Gallery in Houston, as well as Comanche Canyon Ranch and The Oasis restaurant in Austin. He provides scholarships in interior design and art to students who attend his alma mater, Lamar University, and participates in a multitude of charitable projects in both Houston and Austin.

Martha Fuller Turner, a fifth generation Texan, taught school for 15 years before becoming president of her own real estate company, Martha Turner Properties. Involved with the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Leadership Texas, Crohn’s &Colitis Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy, 100 Club, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Forum Club, Cultural Arts Council, Greater Houston Women’s Foundation and others, Turner was appointed by Gov. George W. Bush to serve on the Board of Regents for her alma mater, the University of North Texas in Denton.

In 1965, Tony Vallone opened his first restaurant: tony’s. Since then, he has served six United States presidents and dignitaries from around the world, consistently winning national and international accolades. He is the first Texan to be inducted into the National Restaurant Association Hall of Fame and the first American-born board member of the famed Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani of Italy. He also donates his time and talents to numerous local and national charitable causes, sitting on the boards of the Texas Heart Institute and the University of Houston Conrad Hilton School of Restaurant and Hotel Management.

Cairns, Australia

A getaway Down Under is an invitation to adventure

Australia is a wonderfully diverse continent, attracting international tourists for its amazing wildlife, diverse flora and fauna, scenic landscape, beautiful waters, and exceptional culture. Whether you are interested in luxurious fare or exciting adventures, Cairns, Australia, offers a world of opportunities for a memorable vacation.

Let it rain Australia used to be completely covered by rainforest. Today, the little forest left enjoys governmental protection. To see it, take the Sky Rail gondola ride. On this excursion, you learn the history of the Australian people as the rainforest tells the story through plants and their ancient uses. (For instance, some berries were poison, some were laxatives, and some produced yellow nectar for paint.) The rainforest has its own survival-of-the-fittest story as the thick plants create a canopy and the ground gets very little sunlight, spawning a competition as plants and trees fight to get to the top.

Once you’ve learned about the natural history of the area, just hop back on the Sky Rail to the artist town of Kuranda. After a relaxing break, catch the train past Barren River — keep your eyes open for the breathtaking gorge and waterfall. This scenic train ride takes an hour and a half, while the Sky Rail is only 20 minutes — but it’s worth it.

Marvelous metropolis Heading into Cairns, the Ocean Drive-esque esplanade is a feast both visually and gastronomically. Dining affords not only extravagant meals, but also awesome views of green space and the ocean. As Cairns’ only five-star hotel, the Shangri-la has one of the best restaurants in town, Tide. A nod to the multitude of Japanese tourists, Japanese and American breakfast melds and creates a cornucopia of options in an extra-large buffet spread. Dinner consists of a tasting menu with three appetizers, entrees and desserts. The hotel has been recently renovated, so don’t expect to find the rainforest replica lobby, but do revel in the ultra-modern décor.

Coral explorer The real reason to visit Cairns, of course, is to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Tusa Divers offers a wonderful underwater tour with guide Wally offering instructions and a refresher course in English, while another guide leads one in Japanese. After a two-hour boat ride to the reef, you are ready to go.

Experience a calm and relaxing dive on the Saxon Reef and around its twin peaks formation. Highlights of this reef include slimy sea cucumbers; star fish; sea anemone; and fire, brain and encrusting coral. Above water and after the dive, enjoy a fresh lunch full of salads and vegetables. On the second dive, called Coral Garden, keep your goggles fresh for a multitude of stingray, elephant trunk fish, lion fish, travail, giant clam, barramundi (a staple on Australian menus) and more.

Roos and koalas and crocs, oh my! A great activity for the evening is to visit the Cairns Zoo. Best compared to a “working dude ranch,” the standard greeting is being offered a choice of beer or wine and getting herded to the picnic area. Then, the barbecue ensues, translated into Australian as “we will feed you.” While the folk music plays, pick up your torches/flashlights for a walking tour of the zoo. What an exciting way to see Australia’s unique wildlife!

Rock the boat A two-hour bus ride from Cairns is the town of Tully, home to white-water rafting on the Tully River with Raging Thunder Adventures. Unless you’re interested in getting a bit more involved in the action, don’t sit in the front left seat of the raft — it’s the “lead seat.” The guide will encourage the group with cries like, “harder, faster, slower, jump left, jump right …. paddle,” even if the group isn’t all English-speaking!

Essentials:
Sky Rail, www.skyrail.com
Shangri-la, www.shangri-la.com
Tusa Divers, www.tusadive.com
Cairns Zoo, www.cairnstropicalzoo.com
Raging Thunder Adventures, www.ragingthunder.com.au
Transportation, www.cairnslimousines.com

An Apple a Day

The Health Museum takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through the amazing human body

Have you ever wondered what your body looks like from the inside, wanted to study the intricate organs and systems that make our bodies function every day, or take an up-close look at a larger-than-life human brain? If you are intrigued by the spectacular world of science and the fascinating functions of the human body, the John P. McGovern Museum of Health &Medical Science, also known as The Health Museum, can offer a world of enjoyable and educational opportunities for you and your family.

A look back

As one of less than 10 institutions in America focused on providing health education for the general public and school groups, The Health Museum was founded by a committee consisting of George Morse, Oveta Culp Hobby, Morgan Davis and Gail Whitcomb. Recognizing the successful effects of the Harris County Medical Society and Junior Chamber of Commerce’s 1962 “Victory Over Polio” campaign, they lobbied for permanent health exhibits to be constructed for public display in the city. The Museum of Medical Science opened on Nov. 16, 1969, in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Although the museum experienced 21 successful years as part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the desire to exist as a separate institution remained a collective dream for the museum’s founders. As a result of a $9.5 million capital campaign endorsement, the John P. McGovern Building was constructed in 1996 to house the Museum of Health &Medical Science, among the collection of other exceptional institutions that compose Houston’s Museum District.

In 2001, the museum’s board of trustees elected to rename the institution the John P. McGovern Museum of Health &Medical Science, while the logo, The Health Museum, was launched in 2006 in celebration of the museum’s 10th anniversary as its own establishment. As a member institution of the world-renown Texas Medical Center, the museum now ranks as one of the most visited health museums in the country.

Fit for the future

Endless possibilities are in store for The Health Museum as its first major expansion, a newly renovated traveling exhibit gallery, is unveiled this month. The Sue Trammell Whitfield Gallery will provide 6,000 square feet of space for hosting touring exhibits, bringing nationally acclaimed installations and interactive displays to visitors each season. Funded by the Fondren Foundation, the gallery will debut with the opening of Brain: The World Inside Your Head, running Jan. 27-May 6. Originally showing at the Smithsonian, the exhibit offers a miraculous glimpse into the body’s most fundamental organ, exploring everything from neurons to brain chemicals, mental illness to Alzheimer’s disease, and depression to dreams, through virtual reality, video games, optical illusions and other interactive stations that are sure to appeal to everyone from the tiniest Einsteins-in-training to seasoned scientists.

In addition to the museum’s lineup of limited-engagement exhibits, dozens of permanent exhibitions are available for viewing year-round. As the institution’s signature installation, The Amazing Body Pavilion offers a captivating walking tour through an oversized human body featuring gigantic models of human organs, teeth and an eyeball, as well as a 10-foot-tall brain. Visitors may also put their wits to the test with puzzles and mind-bending games in the interactive challenge, Brain Teasers, while the Amazing Imaging Machine gives families an opportunity to examine the body through X-rays, Gamma Rays and MRI. The Health Museum also hosts hands-on science classes, family labs, summer camps, mini med schools, health fairs, nutritional awareness courses and programs for schools, scouts and members throughout the year.

Get involved

Support from community members, corporations, physicians and regional and national philanthropic organizations greatly assists in the upgrade of exhibits, museum-sponsored educational programs in the Greater Houston area, booking of distinguished traveling exhibits and much more. The Health Museum also offers a wide array of opportunities for volunteers of all ages. Summer volunteer programs are available for young adults age 13-17, while special-event service groups exist for individuals of all ages who would like to assist the museum with functions held in the evenings or on the weekends.

The Health Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. Free admission is offered to families on Thursday afternoons.

The Health Museum
1515 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 521-1515
www.mhms.org

A Healing Home

Ronald McDonald House of Houston supports families in their time of need

Imagine having to spend night and day in hospital lounges or hotels away from family, and in many instances, in an unfamiliar city. For many parents whose children are being treated for serious illnesses, this is an overwhelming reality. Since its opening in 1981, Ronald McDonald House of Houston has offered a home away from home to families with children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening conditions at Texas Children’s Hospital or another Texas Medical Center institution.

Ronald McDonald House of Houston provides a 50-bedroom, three-story brick home near the medical center to families who have traveled to Houston for their children’s care. The Holcombe House holds eight kitchens, a dining room, laundry room, playrooms and even a one-room school. Additionally, there is a house within Texas Children’s Hospital’s Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit with a large kitchen and living area, private room and 20 nap rooms with private baths.

Support the house

Formed in 1985, Friends of Ronald McDonald House of Houston are volunteers that organize five holiday parties each year. By raising funds through their dues, the Friends have given more than $250,000 to Ronald McDonald House. In addition, the Young Friends of the Ronald McDonald House is an organization of young professionals that provide monthly meals and activities, such as visits to the zoo, for the families of the house. They also raise funds through the annual Skeet Shoot event and the popular Oscar Night America. Since its 1991 inception, Young Friends has raised funds to build a playground and pavilion, remodel the game room at the Holcombe House, as well as contributed more than $400,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

Programs

In the last six years, the Pull Tab recycling program has become a popular way to get involved with Ronald McDonald House and raises about $3,500 annually. Something as simple as recycling an aluminum can tab generates money for the family food pantry, cleaning supplies and transportation to and from the Texas Medical Center. Anyone can participate by collecting tabs and either dropping them off or mailing them to the Holcombe House.

Providing a nurturing environment for families of seriously-ill children, Ronald McDonald House of Houston continues to be a haven and place of hope. Symbolic of the loveable clown for whom it is named and with the continued assistance from volunteers, Ronald McDonald House will carry on its commitment of bringing happiness to all children.

Ronald McDonald House of Houston
1907 Holcombe Blvd.
(713) 795-3500
www.rmhhouston.org

Saving History

Building a life together by preserving historic buildings

“If you tear that building down and put up a parking lot, I’ll divorce you.” Thus began Stewart and Joella Morris’ many years of historic preservation. This exchange, more than 35 years ago, concerned the original Stewart Title headquarters in Galveston, constructed in 1882. Stewart, a loving and practical man, decided to preserve both his marriage and the building. He and his brother, Carlos, bought out his cousin.

When asked about Stewart’s version of their entry into historic preservation, Joella gets a wistful look in her eyes, a soft smile creeps across her thoughtful face and then, in a burst of girlish giggle, she says, “Yes, that is just how it happened!”

A lifetime achievement

Stewart and Joella Morris have spent their entire married life dedicated to recognizing, researching, restoring and honoring history. At the same time, they have built the family business into a highly successful international corporation now headquartered in the Galleria area. These two go hand in hand.

In recognition of their storied preservation work, the Morrises will be honored on Feb. 2, 2007, as the recipients of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance’s President’s Award at the annual Cornerstone Dinner. Several of the Morrises’ antique carriages from their private collection of more than 50 will line the drive at the River Oaks Country Club for the event. In addition, the evening will mark the presentation of GHPA’s Good Brick Awards for excellence in architectural and cultural preservation.

Parties, politics and preservation

“We were a well-known company in Texas in the late ’50s; but when we went into New Mexico, then Arizona, Florida and California, no one knew us,” Stewart says of his company, Stewart Title. The company has now grown into Stewart Information Services Corporation, a state-of-the-art real estate information services company now doing business in more than 30 countries.

“We were making headway getting known by inviting the general counsels of the insurance companies to dinner at the annual American Land Title Association meetings,” Stewart says of his company’s growth. “I always had Joella do the seating; it’s important who sits where.” However, the bigger companies started having elaborate parties, “with 20-piece orchestras and such, we just couldn’t compete.”

Stewart knew he had a winning asset. He knew his wife, Joella, had a sophisticated plan for attracting the contacts they needed to grow the family business. “I like parties,” Joella says a bit coquettishly. And, being a solidly pedigreed Southern Lady, she knows how to give them. By observing legendary Houston icon Miss Ima Hogg and her own mother, who loved antiques, Joella realized, “People of quality are interested in history.”

Joella researched each city’s history, architecture and people before the annual meeting to find the most interesting historic location for Stewart Title’s dinner. The invitation featured a watercolor of the site painted by their daughter Carlotta; and each dinner featured a speaker, often a historian, who could enlighten the audience about the history, culture and architecture of the building and the area.

Stewart beams with pride over her success, “We found that the world turns on personalities and history. Local charm and history has interest to sophisticated people. We’d get 100 percent attendance.”

Opposites attract

Stewart Morris and Joella Mitchell met at a Baptist summer camp. When they returned home to Houston, they had one date. Six years later, when Joella was a senior at Southern Methodist University and Stewart was in his last year at SMU Law School, they met again. Despite the fact that he was a morning person and she a night owl, he a bit tight with a penny and she loved to spend it, they married after graduation in 1943.

Stewart was soon in the South Pacific with the Navy. He participated in seven invasions, including Leyte, one of the worst. His war experiences are solidly behind his advice for future generations. “Remember what this country is built on,” he says. “It is built on Judeo-Christian philosophy. It is built on the Ten Commandments. Don’t forget where you came from.”

Saving history

To continually remind us of our historical roots, Stewart and Joella have spent a lifetime preserving significant parts of history. Stewart’s first trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon was in 1934. As a result, he and Joella are active in its preservation, having recently rescued a Palladian window.

Locally, Joella was responsible for marshalling the Colonial Dames to save the Sweeney Clock and restore it. You can now find it ticking in fine shape between Hobby Center and Bayou Place. She also gets credit for saving the old Fort Bend County Jail — and much more.

Stewart’s mantra might well be, “Quality, quality, quality!” He considers Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello at the top of the quality list. Jefferson’s architecture inspired the Morrises’ Southern National Bank in Sugar Land, which housed the Museum of Southern Culture. Under the chairmanship of daughter Liz, the bank recently sold at a significant profit, but the museum lost its home.

A fine arts building is under construction on the Houston Baptist University campus to house “Joella’s museum.” The Morris family is in the process of establishing an endowment so that the museum will live long past this most remarkable couple, Stewart and Joella Morris.

Joella’s goal right now “is to make a success of the museum,” and since Stewart has turned over much of the operation of the business to his son’s generation, he may be available to help even more. Joella gives her husband credit for all her success, and Stewart gives Joella credit for all of his. “We’re happier than we’ve ever been,” they both tell me, a testament to their life of service together.