INSIDE FROM THE

JANUARY 2009
281.488.7676 • 1201 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 • www.clearlakearea.com
CLACC FACT
The Chamber phone
number, (281)488-7676 is a
reflection of the year the
Chamber was built, 1976.
INSIDE
PAGE 4 - 5
Christmas Boat Lane
Parade
PAGE 6
General Membership
Holiday Luncheon
PAGE 8
Epicurean Evening
FROM THE...
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Dear Friends and Fellow Chamber Members,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had
a great holiday visiting with your family and
friends. I sure got in the holiday spirit when we
got a taste of winter with a couple of inches of
snow on the ground in early December.
During the month of December, we had a
couple of great opportunities for our Clear Lake
Area Chamber members and community to get
into the holiday spirit. I hope all of you went to
our Christmas Boat Lane Parade on December
13th. We had over 40 boats participate this year
CATHY TURNER
and had some good parade watchin’ weather
Houston Chronicle
to go with it. I am so grateful that we had such
a hard working committee led by Jim Christiansen from Lockheed Martin.
With the help of the committee, the cities, the Coast Guard and of course
our sponsors, this boat parade was just what our community needed to
show that Clear Lake is back on track after the storm!
If the boat lane parade didn’t get you in the holiday spirit then surely
our Holiday luncheon did! The Bay Area Chorus serenaded the crowd
at Lakewood Yacht Club with great holiday music that had the crowd
singing along.
Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet? I hope one of your
resolutions is to get more involved with our chamber. Your chamber
membership can only be effective if you get involved. Join a committee,
go to a luncheon, check out our monthly business development meetings
or come to an after hours mixer. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to
Cindy or one of her staff. They will help you. Let the chamber help you
make this a prosperous 2009 by getting involved and making the most of
your chamber membership!
Sincerely,
PAGE 11
New Members
Cathy Turner, Houston Chronicle
Chairman of the Board
H
appy New Year! Now is
the time to start fresh,
make those New Year’s
resolutions and set some
goals for the upcoming
year. One very important goal for
your business should include your
involvement in the Chamber. Did you
know that The Best Companies join
Chambers of Commerce?
According to a recent study by the
American Chamber of Commerce
Executives, a professional association
for Chambers of Commerce, it was
determined that the best places to
work belong to their local chamber.
Of Fortune Magazine’s top 100 Best
Companies to work for, 94 are all
members of their local Chamber
of Commerce including the top 24.
Businesses that tend to care about
their employees tend to care about
their community so they invest in both.
Just by joining the Chamber you have
made a wise investment for yourself,
your employees, your company and
your community. Now I hope you
will get involved, because YOU our
members keep us moving forward
and give us the credibility to continue
to be a strong voice in the Clear Lake
Area.
There are so many opportunities
for involvement in the Chamber
please call me or any member of
the Chamber staff at 281-488-7676 or
e-mail [email protected] to
see how you can get involved.
As many of you know we are
renovating the Chamber building
and still under construction, but we
made a lot of progress during the
month of December. Your Board of
Directors has a vision for our Chamber
and wants our building to reflect
that vision. Many of our Chamber
members have generously donated
products, services or just plain cash
to help that vision become a reality.
I want to thank our current “Partners
for Progress”:
AMOCO Federal Credit Union –
Sponsoring a new lighted sign for the
front of the Chamber.
ARI Construction – Donating
some of their services in making the
renovations.
Brinkmann Roofing – Discounting
materials to update the exterior of the
building.
a message from
the President
& CEO
CINDY HARRELD
Cokinos, Bosien & Young and DRDA,
PC CPA’s - Donated cash to make
some much needed repairs.
Lynn’s Landscaping – Donating
all new landscaping and exterior
lighting.
My Flooring America – Completely
renovating the Board Room which will
now be known as the “My Flooring
America” Board Room.
There are still opportunities for your
company to be one of our “Partners
for Progress”. Please contact me for
more information about the program.
In November we lost a long time
chamber member, our third Chairman
of the Board and our very good friend
Bob Chuoke. To honor his legacy in
our organization we will rename our
small conference room the Robert C.
Chuoke Conference Room. We will
make this dedication at our “reveal
party” in the spring. Thank you Bob
for your leadership and support of our
Chamber, you will be missed!
The Chamber will celebrate our
50th year in 2012 and we are finalizing
the development of a 5 year strategic
plan we call Chamber 2012. The
Chamber 2012 committee lead by
Joe Mayer with Lockheed Martin and
Jane Sweeney with Minuteman Press
has worked hard all year to develop
this plan by holding meetings with
key organizations such as Bay Area
Houston
Economic
Partnership,
BayTran, Bay Area Houston Convention
and Visitors Bureau, Clear Creek
Independent School District, University
of Houston Clear Lake and the Gulf
Coast Yacht Brokerages Association.
We also enlisted your comments
and
suggestions
through
focus group meetings
with
the
following business industries: Financial,
Real Estate, Small Business, Marine,
Tourism, Health Care, Aerospace
and Education. Finally we held a
leadership forum in October with our
current Board of Directors and Division
and Committee Chairmen where
we were able to develop the 20082009 Program of Work focusing on
the suggestions from the Chamber
2012 meetings. The Chamber 2012
committee will present the 5 five
year strategic plan to the Board of
Directors at their January meeting.
I’d like to thank our Chamber 2012
committee members for their
dedication to this initiative that
will lead our Chamber into the
future.
Again I wish you all a happy
and prosperous New Year
and thank you again for
the opportunity to lead this
Chamber by serving the
community it represents.
Warm Regards
2
CLEARLAKEAREA.COM
Advertise
today...
starting at $150 annually
We're waiting for you
and so are they
call Ellen Massey: 281-488-7676
The concept is simple…
all about you!
Credit Unions
across the
country provide
members the
financial services
and benefits
they need to
improve their
lives, reach their
goals and realize
their dreams.
When you become a member of AMOCO Federal Credit
Union you become a part of our credit union family. That’s
because we are a member-owned cooperative organization,
which means - the profits earned by the credit union are
reinvested so that members can enjoy lower interest rates on
loans, higher rates on deposits, and significantly lower fees
for convenient services.
At AMOCO, everything we do is with
your best interest in mind and it’s always
“all about you”!
Call 800.392.3813 or stop by any one of our neighborhood
branch locations today and find out how you can become a
member of AMOCO Federal Credit Union.
Companies and organizations interested in offering credit
union benefits to their employees and membership are
encouraged to call us immediately for a free, no obligation
consultation.
Subject to
membership
eligibility. Some
restrictions may
apply.
Bay Colony Branch
3350 Cross Colony Dr.
Santa Fe Branch
4120 FM 1764
Texas City Branch
2300 Texas Avenue
Tuscan Lakes Branch
Coming Soon!
www.amocofcu.org
PH 409.948.8541
TX 800.392.3813
US 800.231.6053
3
Clear Lake Chamber Ad.indd 1
3/13/2008 3:28:34 PM
4
Chamber Celebrates
Texas' 47th Annual
Christmas Boat Lane Parade
Krystal Mongan
Intern, University of Houston - Clear Lake
B
oats of all kinds participated in this year’s Christmas Boat
Lane Parade on Clear Lake, December 13. There were over
40 participants that played a part in the parade varying from
man powered boats, sail boats and power boats.
Some
had
decorations
supporting our troops, many had
dancers and others showed off
their holiday spirit. The judges
were hosted by the Cadillac Bar
at the Kemah Boardwalk.
The following morning was
the Awards Brunch at South
Shore Harbour Resort and
Conference Center. The top five
award winners were Golden Girl
sponsored by Hollis Huff Lewis &
Co. PC for Most Artistic; FantaSea
sponsored by FantaSea Yacht
Charters for Most Beautiful;
Tangled Web 2 for the Bill Taylor
Memorial Award for
Most Original;
Mermaid
III sponsored by Wildlife Rehab
& Education for the Red Adair
Memorial Award for Best Overall
Sponsored Boat; and Anastasia III
for the Jack Campbell Memorial
Award for Best Overall Family
Boat.
“The Boat Parade brings so
much excitement to thousands
of visitors and residents of the
Houston/Galveston/Clear Lake
Area. This year, more than ever,
the parade brought joy to our
communities and proved that
the residents and businesses
of the Clear Lake Area
are survivors,” said Shari
Sweeney,
Director
of Marketing for the
Chamber.
The Clear Lake Area
Chamber of Commerce
would like to thank Jim
Christiansen and his
committee, sponsors,
law
enforcement
officers, the
contributors and the
skippers for all of their
hard work to make
this parade a success.
SPONSORS
Gold Anchor
Bay Area Citizen
City of Kemah
City of League City
& Destination League City
City of Nassau Bay
Houston Chronicle
Silver Anchor
Kemah Boardwalk
Bronze Anchor
Beacon Island
City of Seabrook
Houston Safe Boating Council
Anchor Line
ATA Associates, Inc
BTA-boathouston.com
Endeavour Marina
Hollis, Huff, Lewis & Co. P.C.
THANK YOU
Christmas
Boat Lane Parade
Chairman Jim Christiansen
& Committee
Area Law Enforcement Officers
Awards of Distinction
Cadillac Bar
Crown Trophy
Lauderdale Yacht Sales
Tom Murray,
United Space Alliance
Skippers
South Shore Harbour Resort
& Conference Center
University of Houston
- Clear Lake
Upper Bay Frame & gallery
5
Holiday LUNCHEON
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
Bay Area Chorus
Keith Dixon, Musical Director
SPOTLIGHT TABLES
CCISD FFA PROGRAM
SPONSORED BY
AMOCO Federal Credit Union
ccisd.net • (281) 284-0000
AMOCO
Federal Credit Union
amocofcu.org
(409) 948-8541
VISITING ANGELS,
LIVING ASSISTANCE SERVICES
visitingangelshouston.com
(281) 488-4558
6
Business
r
e
t
f
Hours
a
Amalfi at Tuscan Lakes
Hosted By AMOCO
Federal Credit Union
(281) 316-9200
1450 E. League City Pkwy..,
League City, TX 77573
7
It's that time of year again...time for a "Taste
of Space" and Epicurean Evening!
This year's Epicurean Evening will be held
on Thursday, February 5 at Space Center
Houston.
With purchase of your ticket, you can
sample from dozens of area restaurants, as
well as enjoy a great silent auction. Tickets are
available for only $30 in advance and $35 at
the door. Tickets for children ages 4-12 years
are $10, while kids 3 and under are free.
You can also become a Group Ticket
Sponsor and purchase your Epicurean Evening
tickets at a discount while getting name
recognition in the event program.
Booth space is still available for restaurants
that would like to compete for the awards
presented
for
"Overall
Showmanship",
"Presentation of Food", "Creativity of Booth"
and the coveted "Out of This World" Award
for best overall. With thousands expected to
attend, this is also a great way to get your
restaurant noticed!
For more information about tickets, booth
entry or donating an item to the silent auction,
call the Chamber at 281-488-7676 or e-mail
[email protected].
Epicurean Evening Committee
Left to Right:
Back Row: Mark Lovfald, RE/MAX Space Center; Tama
Brantley, Paramount Rehabilitation & Health Care Center;
Michael Divine, Visiting Angels, Living Assistance Services.
Middle Row: Greg
Gripon, Lynn's Landscaping; Rolfe
Schaumburger, The Spirivin Group; Susan Schaumburger,
Best Publications; Kay Simpson, Houston Chronicle;
Chairman Mark Yoder, Outback Steakhouse; Chairman
Joseph A. Mire, The J.A.M Session.
Cheri Armstrong, Space Center Houston; Annette
Snow Falks, Norman Frede Chevrolet; Gail Payne, The Bly
Team; Betsey Ennis, Bay Area Media Services/The SCENE/
The Bay Runner; Gloria Bennett, Change Magazine; Terri
Divine, Visiting Angels, Living Assistance Services.
Front Row:
8
Distinguished Investors Program
C
C
DRDA P.C., CPA's
www.drdacpa.com
IRMAN
'S
HA
at&t
O U N CIL
www.att.com
Visiting Angels
Living Assistance Services
www.visitingangelshouston.com
AMOCO
Federal Credit Union
Cokinos, Bosien
& Young
Di Central
Lynn's Landscaping
CHAMBER PARTNERS
Bay Area Citizen
Houston Chronicle
yellowbook
PARTNERS for PROGRESS
AMOCO
ARI Construction
DRDA, PC CPA’s
Lynn’s Landscaping
Federal Credit Union
As a member of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce, you now have the opportunity to upgrade
your membership courtesy of our new Distinguished
Investor Program. Choose from four levels of commitment
based on your individual business needs. Customized
Cokinos, Bosien & Young
My Flooring America
investments are also available. Act now and you may
be eligible to credit your current investment toward this
program. For additional information or if you have any
questions, please contact Stephanie Rice at the Chamber,
281.488.7676 or [email protected]
9
RIBBON
CUTTINGS
The Bly Team
RE/MAX Space Center
(281) 823 - 5776
Icon Bank of Texas
(281) 517 - 2420
PAST
CHAIRMAN'S
LUNCH
Each December the Past Chairman
of the Board meet for lunch to visit
and reminsice. This luncheon has
become an anticipated holiday
tradition.
10
Ameritest
Auto Check
Complete Car Care
Change Magazine
Robert Scholes
629 Baycoub Drive
Seabrook, TX 77586
www.ameritest.us
(281) 236-0513
Consulting
*Staff: Ellen Massey
Tony Rahmati
1336 Regents Park Drive
Houston, TX 77058
www.autocheck20.com
(281) 218-8900
Auto Repairs & Service
*Staff: Stephanie Rice
Carla Medlenka
P.O. Box 891362
Houston, TX 77289
www.changemagazine.net
(281) 554-2999
Newspapers/Magazine
*Staff
Cruise Planners
Digital Legal - TX, LLC
Liberty Tax Services
Carol Garza-Thompson
3134-A NASA Parkway, Suite #149
Seabrook, TX 77586
(281) 957-5640
Travel Services
*Staff: Ellen Massey
Keith Kunetka
806 Main Street, Suite 300
Houston, TX 77002
www.digitallegal.net
(713) 225-5357
Printing & Copies
*Staff
Alison Blanchette
15618 Highway 3
Webster, TX 77598
www.libertytax.com
(281) 218-0400
Tax Services
*Staff
Storm Proof
Contractors, Inc.
The Preserve
Apartments
Thomas Frasor, Jr.
100 E. NASA Parkway, #401
Webster, TX 77598
stormproofcontractors.com
(281) 554-3696
Roofing Companies
*Staff: Ellen Massey
Rhonda Chambers
444 E. Medical Center Blvd.
Webster, TX 77598
stellar-management.com
(281) 486-6999
Apartments/Condominiums
*Staff: Stephanie Rice
compassrosecruiseplanners.com
The Chamber welcomes
each of the following new
members and their company
representatives and thanks the
volunteers responsible for their
recruitment.
*Denotes membership sponsor
11
Member
Renewals
The Chamber thanks each of the following
members for renewing their membership in the
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
36 Years
United Space Alliance
34 Years
Fondren Orthopedic Group/
Clear Lake
29 Years
Hamilton
25 Years
Donnelly Hamco Automation
23 Years
Grand 1894 Opera House
Jill Rauscher School of Dance
22 Years
Houston Chronicle
PBK Architects Inc.
19 Years
Devereux Texas Treatment
Network
18 Years
Blackhawk Management Corp
16 Years
Juist, Fabio & Ward, P C
Kustom Kastles Estate
Homes, Inc.
15 Years and Under
Alex Rodriguez Mercedes Benz
Allen Samuels Chrysler Jeep
ATA Associates
Bay Area Imaging LLC
Bay Area Media Services/
The SCENE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Great Houston
Brighton Homes
Carpetjoy Cleaning Service
Cimarron
Citibank N.A. Texas
Congregation Shaar
Hashalom
Cork Wine Bar
The Cottages at Clear Lake
Express Home Buyers
The Fairways at South Shore
John Gannon Inc.
Green Oaks Apts
Guaranty Bank
Howard Johnson Inn
ITT Technical Institute
Jacob White Const.
Jacobs Realty Group,
serving all of Bay Area
Jamail & Smith Construction
Kennedy Dance Theatre
KIWO, Inc.
Lookin' Good Hair Salon
Magnolia Creek Golf Links
Mar-Tek Investments Inc.
Sherrie Matula
Mazda of Clear Lake
McAlister's Deli
Mely's Mexican Cuisine
Moody National Bank Seabrook
Pennino and Partners
Port of Houston Authority
Harris Cty. TX
Prudential Gary Greene
Realtors
RE/MAX Space Center Judy Rummel
Remington College Houston South East
RSA Business Technology
Management Services
Sherlock's Baker St. Pub
Third Coast Produce
TLC Shoppe Inc./TLC Galleries
D. Huston Charter vc., Inc. Tow Boat/U.S
UEI, LLC
United Equities, Inc.
Volvo of Clear Lake
Waldron & Schneider L.L.P
Wells Fargo
12
JANUARY 2009
FRIDAYS
01
05
06
08
09
13
14
15
19
20
22
27
28
29
Toastmasters
NEW YEARS DAY
Chamber reopens
"Chamber 2012" Strategic Planning
Epicurean Evening Committee Meeting
Diplomats Meeting
ARI Construction
Golf Classic Committee Meeting
"Chamber 2012" Strategic Planning
Executive Officers Meeting
Epicurean Evening Committee Meeting
Love on the Run 5k Committee Meeting
Ribbon Cutting:
The Preserve Apartments
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Board of Directors Meeting
Ribbon Cutting:
Charming Charlie
Epicurean Evening Committee Meeting
Golf Classic Committee Meeting
Epicurean Evening Committee Meeting
Love on the Run 5k Committee Meeting
General Membership Luncheon
Bay Oaks Country Club
Ribbon Cutting:
ICON Wellness Center & Medical Spa
Business After Hours:
ICON Wellness Center & Medical Spa
8:00 AM
Chamber Office
Outback Steakhouse
2:30 PM
4:00 PM
8:04 PM
402 E. Commerce Ave.,
Webster, 77598
3:30 PM
11:00 AM
9:00 AM
4:00 PM
9:30 AM
444. E. Medical Center Blvd. 4:00 PM
Norman Frede Chevrolet
Chamber Office
Chamber Office
Outback Steakhouse
Chamber Office
Webster, 77598
Chamber Closed
To be Announced
19056 Gulf Freeway,
11:30 AM
2:00 PM
Friendswood, 77546
Outback Steakhouse
Norman Frede Chevrolet
Outback Steakhouse
Chamber Office
14545 Bay Oaks Blvd.
4:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
9:30 AM
11:30 AM
Houston, 77059
250 Blossom, Suite 100
4:00 PM
Webster, 77598
5:00 PM 7:00 PM
THE
SAVE DATE
Wallpapers Inn
Chamber Closed
• February 5
• February 22
• March 9
Front cover photo courtesy: NASA
Epicurean Evening
Love on the Run 5k
Spring Fever Gold Classic
Horizons is published monthly by
The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
Please send e-mail address changes to:
Febe Menendez, Editor,
[email protected]
13