reused wastewater key to trinity river`s survival
Transcription
reused wastewater key to trinity river`s survival
From the Managing Editor Baytown & Mont Belvieu table of CONTENTS November 2013 Did someone say turkey? Yippee! It’s November, which means my diet is out the window this month. I just love Thanksgiving, I get to see all my family and eat, eat, eat. I don’t know about you, but I have a lot to be thankful for: my nice home I live in, the food in my bowl everyday, this great job I have with the Dock Line and of course our Dock Line advertisers! I mean, have you seen the magazine this month? We have so many great articles and new customers I can’t even keep track. Well, I can smell mom cooking in the kitchen which means she’ll be dropping stuff on the floor for me to pick up. Until next month! Remember, Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year and then discover once a year is just enough. Happy Thanksgiving! And Don’t forget to say you saw it in the Dock Line! 10 12 6 Green Apple Salon 9 Steamy Clean Thoughts 10 Baytown Little Theater 12 Goose Creek Proud 14 Community Corner 16 TRA - Reused Wastewater Key to Trinity River’s Survival 19 Focus on Finances 20 City of Baytown 22 Learn The Law 26 Foot Facts 27 Body Cology 30 Capture The Moment 31 The Baytown Chamber 20 On the Cover Buster Scan this QR code as a shortcut our website using your smart phone’s QR reader. Green Apple Salon For advertising information call Tom Cook at 281-812-4775 and he will be glad to assist you. Visit us on the Web! www.docklinemagazine.com Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 3 Baytown Thomas J. Cook PUBLISHER Buster Managing Editor Gordon Gallatin advertising Director Robert Kasprzak editor Lindsey Kasprzak Art Director Fabian Sandler writer Kimberli Smith Cover Photographer Contributors: Community Toyota Dr. Timothy Planty Anikke Ayala-Rodgers • Larry Caudill Gary Clemmons • Kimberli Smith Weston Cotten • Tracey S. Wheeler John Shrader • Chris Holmes Jason C. Miller, DPM, FACFAS, FASPS Mike Homer Jr. • Karen Sullivan DOCK LINE MAGAZINE is published by: TJ Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 2634, Humble, TX 77347-2634 Telephone: 281-812-4775 E-mail: [email protected] Subscriptions to DOCK LINE MAGAZINE cost $20.00 per year. To subscribe, mail a check with your name and address to: P.O. Box 2634 HUMBLE, TX 77347-2634 Dock Line Magazine welcomes reader correspondence. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any unsolicited material. DOCK LINE MAGAZINE © 2013, all rights reserved. All editorial and advertising copy belongs solely to DOCK LINE MAGAZINE Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Articles are the opinions and experiences of other people and we do not necessarily approve, agree with, and/or condone those opinions. Follow Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheDockLineMagazine 4 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 5 By: Fabian Sandler As new businesses appear, downtown Baytown comes more and more to life. One such business is Green Apple Salon, owned jointly by Richard Hess and Anthony Skoogie. The salon opened its doors on August 1 and business is growing. “We’re getting new clients daily - walk-ins, on the phone. It’s been very good. Better than I had expected,” Richard attests. The 1,650 square foot salon, located at 650 West Texas Avenue, is on what used to be the used car lot of the old Cadillac dealership. A key reason Rich and Anthony chose to open their salon in downtown Baytown is because of the area’s revitalization. “There seems to be a swing, and there are already a few anchored businesses down here,” Rich states. “It seemed like we would fit right in the type of businesses [here]. “We believe in value-added service,” Rich continues. “You can get your haircut anywhere. Before After Quite honestly, stylists are good everywhere. What people typically do is find a stylist they like and they stick with that person, no matter what. What I want to do is create an environment where stylists want to come work, number one. Number two, I want to create an environment where customers want to come and not go anywhere else. When you come to our salon, you’re going to get a complimentary scalp massage. You’re not getting it anywhere else. You have to come to an Aveda salon to get those services.” Rich and Anthony have another salon located in Montrose on 719 West Grey. They opened both salons within 14 days of one other, with Baytown being the first location. “Opportunity came,” Rich begins, “We’d only planned on doing this one.” A friend of their landlord let them know that he had a location and they went to look at it. “By the time we looked at it and went to the truck, we’d already made our decision,” he attests. Rich is involved in the day to day running of the Baytown location while Anthony is more involved with training and keeping their stylists up-to-date with trends. The salon has 10 chairs, with seven full-time stylists, Caitlin, Kelly, Melika, Melody, Raul, Ryan and Shey. The two partners came to the hairstyling profession by divergent roads. “I went legitimate two years ago,” Rich chuckles. “Prior to that, I was doing hair unlicensed for friends. It finally came to the point that some people said, ‘you know, Rich, you should do this for a living.’” Rich would go to friends’ homes or other convenient locations in order to work on his craft. “People liked their haircut and I liked doing it, and I never even charged for it. It was just a fun thing to do.” Rich earned his license at San Jacinto College and worked in an Aveda salon in Ft. Worth. “I got a good taste for 6 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 the salon business and especially the Aveda concept of salons.” He was a manager for a furniture business chain in Michigan. He moved to Texas in January of 2011. “I love it [here]. I don’t have to shovel heat off my driveway,” Rich deadpans. Anthony has been doing hair for over 27 years. His first client was his brother when he was only seven years old. “My brother hated me after that. I didn’t do a very good job,” he says. Anthony first thought of becoming an architect, but ended up designing other types of creations. Instead of a T-square, triangles and mechanical pencils, his tools of trade are much sharper. The Texas native has owned several salons in Baytown in the past, so he is well enmeshed in the area and its clientele. Some of his veteran stylists have rejoined them. Their customers are primarily female, but the owners are hoping to expand their male customer base. “Our salon is not a female salon; it’s friendly to everybody. It was specifically designed to not look girly – I don’t have pink walls,” Rich smiles. “I want a guy to feel just as comfortable sitting in a chair as a woman,” he says Before After reassuringly. Haircuts for men are $21, including a shampoo, a deep conditioning and a nice, hot towel. “Guys like hot towels, so we put a hot towel on you and give you a aromatherapy massage, set you down, give you a beautiful cut, style you – nobody’s walking out the door with a wet head,” Rich promises. Rich begins to explain the Aveda concept, “Typical hair lines are interested in one thing, and that is selling their product. The Aveda concept is a little different. It’s more about the whole salon experience. Along with the products being between 90 and 99% all naturally derived from plant extracts and flowers – the whole aromatherapy is in just about every product they produce – that has a fragrance to it that quite honestly people love. The value-added services that you get in an Aveda salon are what’s key to the Aveda business. Aveda is more attune to helping your salon grow than just selling product. Other companies just want you to push their products. Aveda realizes than in order to sell the product you have to have a successful salon. They help build the business.” Rich describes his mantra as, “Creativity that makes sense.” He explains this rationale with an example. “Typically, a salon will shampoo you out, then while your hair is soaking wet, throw in conditioner, which does nothing because the hair is soaking wet, and the hair has soaked up all the water. If you dry the hair after you shampoo it, then put the conditioner in, guess where the conditioner goes. It goes into the hair.” Both owners share similar philosophies about their business. “I love what I do. It’s a passion,” Anthony chimes in. “You have to have passion to do this,” he announces. “There are actually three kinds of hair stylists. There’s one who just wants a 40-hour week, gets his paycheck and leaves. Then there’s one who wants to have a job or a career who wants to make something of it. Then you have one who has passion that loves to do it no matter if they get paid or not. There are a lot of hair stylists. There are a lot who are really, really good. How often do you find hair stylists that have passion to do what they’re doing?” Anthony likes to find those hairstylists that have the passion he is describing. “I don’t want them to be here just because they have to be here. I want them to be here because they’re making people happy. We’re one of the few careers or industries that are still able to touch somebody. Everything else has been taken over by the Internet. You have online booking, online reservations, and online stock market. You can dial up an attorney, you can get advice online. The power of the touch is actually going away. It’s nice that we’re one of a few industries that can still touch somebody and “We want to inspire young hairstylists that there is potential and there is a career,” Anthony says, adding that most recently graduated hairstylists end up in fast-chain salons, where their expertise becomes limited. Caitlin, who just graduated from the Aveda Institute, was interviewed last month for a position by actually styling a client’s hair. “She’s here. She’s learning. We’re not just a salon that says, ‘we’re going to do haircuts,’ we’re a learning salon,” Anthony says. The salon primarily takes appointments, but walk-ins are welcome. “We don’t have a huge waiting room because we don’t stack our clients to where they sit around and wait for us. That’s not customer service in my book.” The salon is by appointment only on Mondays, and opens to the public from 10 AM to 7 PM from Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. The Green Apple Salon staff rests on Sundays. The web site is www.greenapplesalons.com. Like them on Facebook. The phone number is 281-837-7702 Summer, from La Porte, says that last month was her first visit to Green Apple Salon. “I’m a [client] now,” she beams. “I like that they let you know what they think. It’s not like a regular salon where you tell them what you want because they’ll just do it and if it doesn’t look good they’ll tell you it does, and you walk out thinking you look good.” “That’s the wonderful thing about us,” Anthony intones. “Let us do what we know. We don’t want to make you ugly. We want to make you look like a supermodel.”u make them feel good. You can’t just dial up a haircut and get it done. It doesn’t matter if you’re a blue-collar worker or a white-collar worker, home mom or home dad, everybody loves being made to look good. If you look good on the outside you feel good on the inside. That’s what we do here.” We make people look good.” “We want to enhance a person’s natural beauty, inside and out,” Rich adds. “We’re bringing that now to Baytown. There are hundreds and hundreds of salons all over the place, cookie-cutter salons where we all get the same haircut, the same color. What we’re doing here is doing something different. I’m training our staff members to step out of the box, look at something different, do it a different way. It’s amazing when clients come in and say, ‘my hairdresser doesn’t do this. I never get it done this way.’ Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 7 8 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 How to Clean Dirty Tile and Grout Have you ever noticed a difference in the grout color between tiles next to baseboards and in the middle of the kitchen? Have you ever asked yourself how to clean those nasty looking lines between tiles? If you did, you probably also asked yourself how did it happen so quickly and what you should do to get it clean? What you can do depends on how well you want it to be cleaned and how much time you want to spend on the cleaning? There are a few methods to clean grout. Some you can do yourself and some require special grout cleaning equipment and a professional to do it. Tile and grout cleaning methods: 1. Traditional – Hand brushing and scrubbing: Tools that will be needed are: 2 buckets, 2 mops or rags, scrub brush, old tooth brush, alkaline cleaner, towels. Mix alkaline cleaner with water in one bucket; pour clean, hot water into the second. Spread soapy water over the tiles and grout that you want to clean. Do it in sections when the area is large. Scrub all tiles and grout lines with the scrub brush, use tooth brush for detailing next to baseboards and kick plates. Pick up dirty water with well rang “soap” mop or rug. Rinse floor with clean, hot water (remember to change that water often to assure good rinsing). Dry tiles with towels. This method, obviously, is very labor-intensive and will provide limited results because without proper extraction most of the contaminants and bacteria may still be left inside the crevices and grout lines. Nevertheless, it is very good for regular upkeep or maintenance tile and grout cleaning. Note: test your alkaline cleaner in an inconspicuous area before starting. For details on how to clean marble or other natural stone floors as well as where to purchase alkaline based cleaners, please contact me directly. 2. Mechanical scrubbing: This method is commonly used by janitorial companies to clean tiles and grout over large areas and replaces manual scrubbing described above with a floor buffer equipped with a grout cleaning brush. In this method, detail work in the corners and next to baseboards or kick plates still need to be done manually. I would not recommend this method to the average home owner because the difficulty to control buffers and practicality of us- ing it in small areas. This method is a more abrasive method and also without the ability to reach deep into grout line and into voids and crevices of the tiles. Often it is used with strong, acidic chemicals, which can weaken the grout and make the grout prone to cracking. Lack of dirty water extraction may leave grout looking ‘spotty.’ 3. Steam cleaning (don’t confuse it with hot water extractors): Steam grout and tile cleaning is very effective with killing bacteria and microorganisms but time consuming and labor intensive. It is an excellent way to sanitize tile and grout, but again, without a good way to extract or remove dirty water it is just another maintenance tile and grout cleaning method. However, I found steamers to be very good for cleaning granite countertops, shower doors and mirrors. Note: Steamers available to regular consumers often produce very little steam with no significant steam pressure to effectively clean grout and may be pricey. 4. Hot water with extraction: Hot water extraction is the newest and most technologically advanced tile and grout cleaning method. It uses hot water (not steam) under pressure and powerful vacuum to flush out and extract dirt and bacteria from grout lines. It is an extremely effective way to remove soil and contaminants from deep grout lines and from all the voids and crevices of tiles. This is the best and most effective method to clean tiles with texture, such as tumbled or brushed travertine or limestone. The hot water provides the best way to dissolve grease and oils and sanitize the floor. This is also a good way to clean tiles and grout and extract mildew from inside showers. This method uses water temperatures of 190-230 degrees along with proper degreasers made for ceramic tile or natural stone floors. Most important, though, is the full rinsing of the floor before any grout sealers are applied. Sealers will not stick to dirt or grease. Larry Caudill • Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services • 3000 N. Main 1A, Baytown, TX. 77521, 281-838-4833 About C.C.R.S. - 17 years in business, Fire and Water Damage Certified, full service cleaning carpet, tile, air ducts, area rugs domestic and oriental, upholstery/ furniture and more.u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 9 Neil Simon’s Madcap “Rumors” Next Up at BLT Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” “the first no- mistaken identities, and a lot of huge laughs. tant. He is foul-mouthed, outspoken, and holds-barred farce of his career,” opened in The primary characters are the four hilarious. Lenny and Claire have had a car New York in 1988. It’s a madcap, slamming- couples who arrive as guests at the dinner. wreck on the way over and Lenny’s neck door comedy set in a large home located They include Chris Gorman, a nervous and keeps locking up on him. Claire is an unim- outside of New York in the year 1988. The neurotic woman. She has recently quit smok- pressed smart-mouth woman who is seem- characters are arriving as guests at a 10th an- ing but quickly falls off the wagon. She also ingly amused by everything that is going niversary dinner. The first couple to arrive enjoys too many vodka martinis and ends up on…not surprising considering her husband. discovers that one of their hosts (Charley) has slightly drunk; her husband, Ken, is a pomp- A third couple is Cookie and Ernie Cu- apparently attempted suicide…unsuccess- ous, serious, know-it-all attorney…when he sack. Cookie is a flamboyant host of her own fully. Charley’s wife, Myra, is nowhere to be can hear. cooking show. She is garish and a bit ditzy. found and neither are the servants. As more Another couple is Claire and Leonard She also has a bad back…so bad that she car- guests arrive, there are cover-ups, deceptions, “Lenny” Ganz. Lenny is Charley’s accoun- ries a special pillow with her everywhere. Her back is regularly going out with much Sitting, left to right: Dawn Daily, Chelsea Denard, and Christine Jones Standing, left to right: Koni Hovater, Kenny Wade, Ryan Marshall, Madeline Murdoch, Mitchell Craft, John Shrader, and Will Myers. 10 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 screaming and gyrations. Her husband, Ernie, is Charley’s analyst. He is a somewhat quiet and calming presence in the storm of confusion. The fourth couple is Cassie and Glenn Cooper. Glenn is a candidate for the state senate. He is constantly worried about his image and how the impact of the possible crimes committed all around him might affect his senate race. Cassie, Glenn’s wife, is good looking and totally nuts. She and Glenn hate each other. She doesn’t want to be at this party. She is constantly fighting with Glenn and threatening divorce. Toward the end of the play, two police officers arrive to check out a car accident, but who, unsurprisingly, find themselves in the midst of the chaos. Directed by veteran director and actor, Mackey Skinner, “Rumors” features a stellar cast: Christine Jones as Chris Gorman; Ryan Marshall as Ken Gorman; Dawn Daily as Claire Ganz; Kenny Wade as Lenny Ganz; Madeline Marie Murdoch as Cookie Cusack; John Shrader as Ernie Cusack; Chelsea Denard as Cassie Cooper; Mitchell Craft as Glenn Cooper; Will Myers as Officer Welch, and Koni Hovater as Officer Pudney. “Rumors” opens Friday, November 8, with additional performances on November 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Patrons should be aware that the play contains adult language. Tickets are available and can be purchased at www.baytown.littletheater.org. Parties of 11 or more should call the box office at 281.424.7617. Other information such as directions or curtain times can also be found on the BLT website.u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 11 Highlights F o r This Mon t h Groundbreaking Ceremonies The new Alamo Elementary School will be located at 6100 N. Main in Baytown. Former Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees member Carl Burg; Ken Martin, Board member; Bryan Graham, Board assistant secretary; Dr. Salvador Cavazos, superintendent; Daniel Blackford, Board president; Janice Coffey, Board member and Jimmy Smith, Board vice president, assist with the groundbreaking ceremony for the elementary school to open at 6033 N. Hwy. 146. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the three new Goose Creek CISD elementary schools were held recently. The first school will be located at 7770 Eastpoint Blvd. Students from Victoria Walker Elementary School participated in the ceremony, leading the pledges and providing special music. The new Alamo Elementary School will be at 6100 N. Main, and students from Alamo Elementary led the pledges and performed a musical selection. Dr. Ron Wyatt, principal at Alamo, presented the history of the school and introduced former principals Kelly Martin and Greg Lynd. The ceremony for the third school, at 6033 N. Hwy. 146, included music by students from Stephen F. Austin Elementary School. This is a first for Goose Creek CISD, since the school’s location at 12 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 6033 N. Hwy. 146 makes it the only Goose Creek school located in Chambers County. All three events were well-attended, and receptions were held after the ceremonies. At all three schools, students placed their hands in concrete to forever mark a portion of the schools’ sidewalks. The elementary schools are scheduled to open in August 2014.u GCCISD iPad Distribution to Seniors Kendall Frasier, senior at Goose Creek Memorial High School, shows her excitement at receiving an iPad and plans to use it for her English research Seniors at the Peter E. Hyland Center and Ross S. Sterling High School anxiously awaited their turns recently as the Goose Creek CISD launched its plan to place iPads in the hands of all 12th grade students for use at school as well as at home. The following week, seniors from Robert E. Lee High School and Goose Creek Memorial High School also had the opportunity to check out iPads. At iParent meetings before distribution of the iPad tablets, Steve Koester, director of educational technology, gave students and their parents a brief overview of the initiative, explaining that bond funds had been earmarked for technology. The goals for the iPad initiative are to support the development of 21st century learners, to help with organizational skills, to prepare students for success in college and the workplace, and to give students educational access and resources for real-world engagement. More than 1200 12th grade students will receive these iPads this month. Makeup sessions will be scheduled for students and parents unable to attend the meetings on the designated dates. Claudia Hidalgo’s daughter Alexis Beascochea received an iPad Tuesday evening, October 8, at the Peter E. Hyland Center, and Hidalgo was more than happy to listen to the presentation and sign an iPad Loan Agreement. “If it’s going to improve their education, I’m all for it – anything that’s going to help my daughter,” Hidalgo said. Peter E. Hyland Principal Michelle Verdun was excited to see her 12th grade students gain more access to technology through the iPads. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Verdun. “They are so fortunate for Goose Creek CISD to provide them with these iPads. This also enables teachers to use technology in numerous ways to enrich instruction.” Ross S. Sterling seniors and their parents turned out in force Thursday evening, October 10, to obtain information and pick up the iPads. RSS senior Jena Petch’s mother Millie Doom asked a question or two about the procedure, but she is pleased that the District is giving her daughter and the other students this opportunity. “I like the idea, especially if it’s going to help prepare her for college,” said Doom. “Of course, we’re always concerned about her taking care of the iPad, but if she treats it like she does her phone, she won’t have any problem.” Deployment of the iPads took tremendous organization by the District’s Technology Management Systems Department. Weeks ago, Matt Flood, chief technology officer, and his team began to prepare procedures for the deployment, the informative presentation for parents, the Responsible Use Policy and the loan agreement to be signed by students and parents. All iPads were marked for identification purposes. District volunteers were trained for specific jobs, including setup of the iPad, but students were sent home with instruction sheets enumerating several more steps for them to complete. IPads are to be brought to school every day fully-charged. According to terms of the iPad Loan Agreement, students were issued a 4th Generation iPad with retina display and 16 GB of storage, a charger, a charging cord, and an Otterbox case. Parents were advised to supervise use of the iPads at home, making sure their children abide by the Responsible Use Policy, which includes reporting loss or damage of the iPad immediately and returning all equipment upon graduation, expulsion or withdrawal. Fees will be assessed for breakage of any of the equipment, and a police report must be filed by the student and/or parent if they suspect that the Goose Creek Memorial High School senior Johnathan Gilbert and his mother Trudy Alcazar set up his iPad after receiving it at the recent iParent meeting. iPad has been stolen, damaged or destroyed by another person or lost. “I’m really thankful to the Board of Trustees for allowing us to have these iPads,” said Sterling student Heber Leiba, as he headed for home to continue setting up his iPad. Lee High School students and parents also expressed their gratitude to the District for allowing senior to check out the iPads. Greg Lynd, REL principal, believes that GCCISD is helping students reach their goals for the future by giving them this access to technology. “Many of these students would not have had the opportunity to use an iPad,” said Lynd. This is what the future’s going to look like—we might as well get started now.” Goose Creek Memorial student Kendall Frasier received her iPad just in time to put it to good use. “We’re working on our research paper right now in English class, so I’ll be able to use my iPad to research my topic,” said Frasier. The Educational Technology Department will work hand-in-hand with the Curriculum and Instruction Department to discover new applications and productivity tools that can be incorporated into everyday instruction. Teachers with iPads will receive specialized training every six weeks with onsite support from a member of the Ed. Tech team.u Think Through Math Goose Creek CISD elementary students won first place in the Einstein Division of the 2013 Texas Math – Everybody’s Doing It! Summer Contest. These students worked during summer vacation to complete 9,611 lessons, solving 241,410 problems and spending 240,235 hours online in the system. The top 10 students in the District were recognized with a commemorative t-shirt, a certificate and a Subway gift card and a luncheon, hosted by Think Through Math, at the Administration Building. The winning students and the campuses they attended last year were Jatin Kulkarni, Victoria Walker; Robert Go- mez, Crockett Elementary; Grace Garcia, Highlands Elementary; Diana Trejo, Stephen F. Austin Elementary; Devin Rodriguez, De Zavala Elementary; Maisun Reyna, Carver Elementary; Agustin Lopez, Highlands Elementary; Bryston Hill, De Zavala Elementary; and Nia Bob, Stephen F. Austin Elementary. Goose Creek CISD earned first place with 9,156,282 points, followed by Killeen ISD with 8,932,704 points and Alief ISD with 7,804,351 points.u Nia Bob (left), one of the 2013 Texas Math – Everybody’s doing It! Summer Contest winners from Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, enjoys the recent luncheon provided by Think Through Math while her father Robert Bob proudly shows off the t-shirt Nia received. Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 13 tomatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, a tiltand-telescoping steering wheel, 10-way power driver seat, four-way power passenger seat, heated front seats and a ventilated driver seat. Standard high-tech features include a rearview camera, rear park assist, an 8-inch touchscreen display, KIA’s UVO voice command system, a naviga- 2014 KIA Cadenza a Home Run From Edmunds, 2013 looking strange. Interestingly, though, Kia has chosen to offer just one well-equipped trim level for the Cadenza. This is great for lowering build complexity, order simplification and for consumers who desire myriad features, but it does mean the car’s price starts out fairly high. Additionally, the 2014 Kia Cadenza, It’s been awhile since KIA has offered a large sedan. Remember the Amanti, which was last produced for 2009? Don’t feel bad, since most of our staff doesn’t either. The 2014 Kia Cadenza, however, should prove more memorable, as it fills that spot in Kia’s lineup quite nicely. This ever-improving Korean carmaker has been hitting home runs in nearly every segment recently, and the Cadenza looks like it’ll be the latest one to go soaring out of the park and onto consumers’ consideration lists. The front-wheel-drive Cadenza is longer and wider than the Optima and essentially shares its platform with cousin Hyundai’s Azera. As such, it packs a 3.3-liter V6 with 293 horsepower along with a six-speed automatic. Kia tweaked the steering and suspension to give it a more sporting personality than its relative. But this is still more a luxury cruiser than a sport sedan. And as we’d now expect from Kia, the Cadenza offers a wealth of standard and optional high-end features along with sharp styling that manages to make it stand apart from the crowd without unlike some other competitors, doesn’t offer other power train choices such as a fuelsipping four-cylinder or hybrid. That said, we certainly have no complaint with its V6’s smooth and spirited performance. This segment has a handful of heavy hitters that are also worthy of your scouting report. The Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon similarly offer effortless performance, smooth rides and roomy, well-trimmed cabins. The former offers the option of muscular V8 power while the latter also comes as a hybrid. There’s also the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagon Passatt that, like the others, offer various powertrain options, even a thrifty turbo diesel in the VW’s case. Overall, though, we think Kia’s new 2014 Cadenza is an excellent choice for a large sedan. Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2014 KIA Cadenza is a large sedan that comes in one very well-equipped trim level. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side view mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone au- 14 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 tion system, Bluetooth phone/audio and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and USB/iPod/ auxiliary audio inputs. Options are grouped into packages. The Premium package includes active xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a windshield wiper de-icer, a 7-inch gauge cluster display, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, driver memory settings, a power driver seat cushion extender and a power rear window sunshade. The Technology package features 19inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, an electronic parking brake, water-repellent front windows and blind spot/lane departure warning systems. Lastly, there is the White package, which includes white leather upholstery, added wood-grain accents and suede headliner/sun visor/rear shelf trim. Powertrains and Performance Every Cadenza is fitted with a 3.3-liter V6 generating 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. It sends its thrust to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. We have yet to track test the Cadenza, but based on the similarly powered and sized Hyundai Azera, we’d estimate the 0-60-mph sprint at around 7 seconds. Safety Standard safety features on the 2014 Kia Cadenza include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags and hill start assist. A rearview camera and rear park assist are standard, while blind-zone and lane departure warning systems are optional. Interior Design and Special Features Despite being loaded with upscale hightech features, the Cadenza’s cabin manages to be cleanly styled and ergonomically friendly. Handsome design and quality materials are seen throughout, while controls for the audio, climate, phone and navigation systems are easy to find and use. The touch screen, in particular, features large virtual “buttons” with logical placements. Along with Chrysler’s/ Dodge’s unit, this is one of the best examples of this multitasking interface we’ve seen in any car, regardless of cost. The Cadenza’s comfort is also top-notch, with plump, well-shaped seats front and rear that provide solid back and leg support. The cabin is roomy all around, though taller drivers may want to reconsider getting the panoramic sunroof, as it robs a few inches worth of headroom. A wide range of steering wheel and seat adjustments means drivers of all sizes should be able to get ideally situated behind the wheel. Driving Impressions Though it’s a large sedan, the 2014 KIA Cadenza isn’t the floaty, luxury barge you might expect. It’s composed when driven through turns, and in general this full-size Kia just feels smaller than it is. Around town, the Cadenza’s somewhat firm suspension tuning still ably absorbs broken pavement. Out on the open road, interstate cruises are serene and relaxing thanks to the quiet cabin and comfortable seating. Performance is similarly unstressed, as the Cadenza swiftly powers up on-ramps and passes other, slower cars with ease. Power delivery is very smooth and the transmission provides timely downshifts, though upshifts are noticeably lazy, even under full throttle.u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 15 Reused Wastewater Key to Trinity River’s Survival By Aman Batheja, Pictures Provided by Trinity River Authority. The Trinity River begins in far north Texas as four distinct forks. One passes through the heart of Dallas, another two through Fort Worth. Once the paths converge south of the two cities, the river continues southeast another 200 miles through piney woods and past Houston before draining into the Gulf Coast. “You’ve got Dallas on one end and Houston on the other,” said Carl Fentress, a former Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist who has worked on preservation efforts in the Trinity Basin. “Obviously the river means a lot to a lot of people in Texas.” Nearly half of the state’s population relies on the Trinity River for some of its water needs. While an ongoing drought has threatened the vitality of rivers in other parts of Texas, that has been less of an issue for the Trinity, which attracts far more debate over riverside development plans in Dallas and Fort Worth. The Trinity’s flows have remained relatively strong thanks in part to a robust reuse program in North Texas, according to officials and environmentalists working along the river. The Dallas area returns much of the water it takes from the river back in the form of treated wastewater. Downstream, Houston residents rely on that reused water. “Every drop of water that’s being consumed in Houston has been through the wastewater treatment plants in Dallas and Fort Worth,” said Andy Sansom, director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. It’s an approach other states and other parts of Texas are expected to employ more broadly as populations grow and water sources become more valuable. Wetland development and other projects along different parts of the river, much of it on private land, are also helping maintain and strengthen the river’s vitality, according to Ken Klaveness, executive director of Trinity Waters, a nonprofit conservation group. “We’re trying to stimulate the quality of the soil which has been depleted by 100 years of farming and over-fertilization,” Klaveness said. “We’re doing projects like planting native grasses that revitalize soil health, which is vital in retaining water.” Though parts of the Trinity River still remain polluted, the river has become cleaner in recent years. The Trinity River Authority, which oversees much of the wastewater treatment efforts in the river basin, is currently studying the ecology of the river in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said Glenn Clingenpeel, a senior manager with the Trinity River Authority. “The preliminary results are that the ecology of the Trinity is surprisingly good,” Clingenpeel said. A key reason for those results, he said, is that a large proportion of the river’s flow downstream is from treated wastewater, which is so clean that the basin now supports species such as darter fish that are sensitive to pollution and would not have survived in the river in the past. Sansom noted that the relationship between various communities along the river could become strained as they jockey for more of the river’s resources. “In the case of the Trinity, it ain’t the rice farmers downstream,” Sansom said, referring to a long-standing battle over water in the Colorado River between Austin and rice farmers south of the city. “It’s the city of Houston.” Denis Qualls, senior program manager with the city of Dallas’ Water Utilities Planning Division, said Dallas officials are aware that the Trinity’s resources are limited. He added that the city is required to deposit a certain amount of water back into the river based on the water rights permit the city has with the TCEQ. “We’re looking at more conservation and we’re looking at re-use. In my mind, those are a given,” Qualls said. “Beyond that, that will not be enough water for the future so we are looking outside the basin.” The Houston area is looking both within and outside the basin to meet its future water needs. 16 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 The city is moving forward with the Luce Bayou project, which will transport more than 400 million gallons of water per day from the Trinity River to the Lake Houston reservoir 30 miles away. Environment Texas, an environmental advocacy group, has expressed concern that the project will endanger wildlife in Galveston Bay, which gets about half of its water via the Trinity. “In peak drought periods, it would reduce the levels below the minimum levels necessary for ecosystem health,” said Luke Metzger, the group’s director. “I think that in general, we need to be exhausting our potential for conservation before we consider projects like this.” Alvin Wright, a spokesman with Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Department, said the project was thoroughly studied and has been approved by TCEQ. “All public comments including those pertinent to environmental flow were carefully considered and the inter-basin transfer project underwent a rigorous federal permitting process, including a comprehensive environmental impact study that has addressed any and all issues related to protecting the environment,” Wright said in an email. A growing concern for communities that rely on the Trinity’s waters is the recent discovery ofzebra mussels in the river in Denton County, prompting fears that the invasive species will spread downstream. In other parts of the state, zebra mussels have clogged pipes and restricted the flow of pumped water, prompting water providers to spend millions to combat the problem. Apart from the efforts of managing the river’s water supply and wildlife, major urban development projects in Fort Worth and Dallas are attempting to tame the Trinity’s historic tendency to flood while remaking both cities’ landscapes. In the 15 years since Dallas voters approved a $246 million bond package for its Trinity River Corridor Project, city officials and community activists have argued over the details of the flood control project, including the inclusion of a possible toll road. Though major portions of the project remain in limbo, an environmental impact statement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is due next year and could pave the way for construction to begin on the toll road. A recent city-sponsored urban design competition aimed at exploring ways to connect downtown Dallas and the Trinity River has also revived discussion. Organizers are expected to announce a winner of the contest next month. In Fort Worth, the Trinity River Vision Authority is overseeing the decade-old Trinity Uptown, likely to soon be renamed Panther Island. The project aims to redevelop 800 acres north of downtown and modernize flood control in the area. The project’s current price tag is $909 million, including $487 million in federal funding, of which about $59 million has so far come in, according to Trinity River Vision Authority Executive Director J.D. Granger. Granger, the son of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, projected that the project would be completed in 2022 or 2023, assuming the Texas congressional delegation can secure about $50 million a year for it. “We’re not just making parts of the city safer. We’re actually putting value back into the system,” Granger said. “It’s economic development and flood control.” The project has long drawn controversy and allegations of cronyism. Earlier this year, east Fort Worth resident Mary Kelleher won her seat on the board of the Tarrant Regional Water District, a key partner on the project, with a campaign that included questioning the wisdom of the project. Kelleher thinks its price tag is too high and that the federal funding assumptions are unrealistic. A pure flood control project would be less costly and likely be completed much sooner, she said. “Obviously everyone loves San Antonio and the River Walk,” Kelleher said. “I just don’t see a need for it in Fort Worth.” This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune. org/2013/10/16/reused-wastewater-key-trinityrivers-survival/. u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 17 Dreaming of a beautiful smile? We can help! The fact is, most of us aren’t born with a red carpet smile. And that’s where we can help. Of course, orthodontic treatment helps make your teeth stay strong, healthy and become perfectly-aligned. But did you know you can get the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted—without traditional braces, wires and brackets? We are proud to offer an alternative option for straightening teeth called Invisalign. This state-of-the-art proven technology uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. The aligners are discrete and no one can tell you’re wearing them. So, you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment. Another benefit is that brushing and flossing during the Invisalign treatment process are no problem. Invisalign aligners are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions and sores during treatment. And, with no metal and wires involved, you often spend less time at our office getting adjustments. Finally, you may view your own virtual treatment plan when you begin treatment, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete. If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit us for a consultation. Please give us a call to set one up! A consultation at our office can determine if Invisalign is right for you. See you soon! Guajardo Orthodontics 2802 Garth Rd. Suite 311 • (281) 4277376 • Baytown, Texas 77521 Give our office a call to schedule your consultation!u d n e i r F My Coco! Buster 18 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 Avoid Dangers of “Over-concentration” When you were in school, you had to concentrate on your studies. When you began your career, you had to concentrate on your work. In fact, in just about every endeavor in life, concentration is essential for success. However, as an investor, you may find that you actually don’t want to concentrate too much. That’s not to say you shouldn’t concentrate on your investment decisions — you should. But if you concentrate too much money in one investment, or one type of investment, you could run into problems. Suppose, for example, that your portfolio is almost entirely devoted to growth stocks. During a good economy, growth stocks generally tend to do well, so if we’re enjoying a period of sustained growth, your portfolio might show some good returns. But if the economy slumps while you own only growth stocks, you could sustain losses that may take a long time from which to recover. On the other hand, if you over-concentrate on fixed-income investments, such as bonds, your principal value might increase when interest rates are falling (as interest rates and bond prices are inversely related), but when interest rates rise, your bond portfolio will likely lose principal value. To help avoid the problems of overconcentration, it’s important to own a range of investments, which may include stocks, bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit (CDs). While this type of diversification cannot, by itself, guarantee a profit or protect against loss, it can help reduce the effects of volatility on your portfolio. Of course, how you choose to allocate your assets will depend on a variety of factors, including the following: Your goals — Your ultimate objectives should help govern your investment strategy. If you are planning to retire early and then start a new business, you may need to invest more aggressively than, say, your neighbor, who wants to work as long as possible and then stay close to home, pursuing inexpensive hobbies. Your risk tolerance — Just as we all have different personalities, we have different tolerances for investment risk. If you can assume greater risk in exchange for potentially higher returns, you may be a more aggressive investor. Conversely, if you’re willing to take lower returns as a trade-off for greater protection of your principal, you’re probably a more conservative investor. However, to achieve your goals, you may consider moving outside your investment “comfort zone” from time to time. Your time horizon — Your stage of life will also affect your investment choices. If you are just starting your career, you can probably afford to invest more aggressively than if you are nearing retirement, at which time you may want to cut down on risks. To build a diversified portfolio that reflects your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, you may want to work with a professional financial advisor — someone who can assess your situation and recommend choices that are appropriate for your needs. By concentrating on a unified investment strategy — instead of overconcentrating on a specific type of investment — you can focus on where you want to go and what you need to do to get there. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 19 16th Annual Christmas on Texas Avenue Arts, Crafts and Gifts Festival • December 7, 2013, Baytown, Texas This annual holiday event will be preceded by the City of Baytown’s Christmas Parade either Thursday or Friday, same location. Information forthcoming. The Festival will be Saturday only. Security will be provided by Constable Ken Jones. Interested parties should apply for necessary permits from the City of Baytown and/or Fire Department. This would apply only to food trucks. Merchandise vendors must have their Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit. Texas Avenue is the main street through what was once called Goose Creek and which has been declared an historic section for the visual and performing arts. We welcome you to participate and look forward to extending our hospitality to you. Eligibility: The festival is open to vendors selling quality arts, crafts, and goods. Each vendor must include a description of what they will be selling. The Event Committee reserves the right to refuse any vendor rental space. Items not included in the description listed on the application form will not be allowed for sale. Absolutely no garage sale booths. No exceptions. This year the festival committee is limiting food sales only to food trucks. Booth Display: For booth rental information, please look on our website www.christmas-on-texas-avenue.com or our Facebook page Christmas on Texas Avenue. Raffles: During the Christmas on Texas Ave- nue Event (December 7) we will have several items being raffled. The funds raised for these raffles will benefit the Rising Stars Class and the other youth art classes that the Art League holds throughout the year. Log onto art-league-of-baytown.org for additional information on all art league programs or call the Art Center of Baytown during business hours, 281-427-2222. Parade is on Thursday. Christmas on Texas Avenue is sponsored by the Art League of Baytown. This civic event is a focus point for family fun and celebration, besides being a place to find that special Christmas present for those on the special part of your shopping list. This year the festival will feature food trucks near the intersections and a train running the entire four block area from Commerce to Pruitt Streets. The train depot will be near Commerce Street. This is near the Art Center where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be waiting to see children and the Art League will be selling Frito Pie, cold drinks, and coffee. There is always a lot to look at and buy in the Art Center, especially during the holidays. You need to include a stop here to see all of the art—paintings, photographs, jewelry, handmade pottery, etc. Some of it will amaze you! This year during Christmas on Texas Avenue there will be a series of raffles and silent auctions to support the Art League’s scholarship fund. This 20 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 fund allows anyone without the financial resources to attend the youth and special needs classes. Volunteers will be on the street to promote this fund raiser. Raffle Organizer, Brittany Summerville would appreciate some help with donated items for the raffles and auction. You may contact her at [email protected] or call 281 674 5163. And if you would like to volunteer to help, please use the same contacts. Remember this is a 501(c) (3) charity, so it can be deductible on your tax return. There will be entertainment on the stage in front of the Brunson Theater and the whole street will again have sound from the stage all along the street. Christmas music will be played between performances. There are large cash prizes for the decorations on the booths and for costumes of the vendors. Don’t worry—there will be a contest of the best visitor costumes at the Art Center! Stop by and sign up for the contest while browsing for gifts, having lunch, or bidding on the silent auction items—you’s need something to do while the kiddos are seeing Santa! So remember to get dressed up and come on out for a day of family fun on the Avenue during this year’s Christmas on Texas Avenue on December 7!! We want to remember Pearl Harbor and send out a special thanks to all armed forces members, veterans, and their families!u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 21 By: Weston Cotten DON’T WISH YOU WOULD HAVE It is with great sadness that I am writing this as a substitute column for today. A great friend of mine was in a terrible auto crash and was unidentified for a number of days. Her identification was lost during the rush to get her to the hospital. Once identified, her family and friends were notified and then the search began. She had a will which was easily found. However, she has not died as of this writing. Consequently the will is of no use. What is necessary are powers of attorney, medical and financial. Without these, her health care is constrained by the Texas Health Code, and HIPAA determine who can counsel with the doctors, and who can receive information about her condition. I received a call this morning regarding her powers of attorney. A search finally turned them up, but valuable time was lost and possibly irreparable damage done due to withholding care pending the proper notifications being given. My whole point is that once you appoint someone as your agent, you should certainly tell them and inform them about the location of your documents. The documents should be located where they can be accessed after hours. As an older attorney once said to me, “Nothing bad happens while the banks are open”. His point was that putting wills and powers of attorney into a safe deposit box were limiting your access to them to ties when the bank was open. Most problems occur just as this one, late at night on a week-end. Give careful consideration to your appointee(s). This person will be making decisions for you while you are unable to do so. Are they local, accessible, and have the same values as you do? You want someone who thinks like you do and who is strong enough to make the difficult decisions while emotions are at their peak, while the doctor is standing in front of you and asking if he can proceed. Knowing you have life or death decisions to make can sometimes paralyze a person and then their decisions are based only on emotion, not the best interest of the party or the agent cannot make a decision because they are afraid to make a wrong decision. We are hoping all turns out well for our 22 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 friend, but I am using this instance to sound the alarm about the need for a Health Care power of attorney as well as a financial (Durable) power of attorney. With them, decisions can be made and made quickly. The decision will best mirror the injured party’s wishes. Without them, the injured party may have an “attorney ad litem” appointed to make decisions that need to be made. As a court appointed agent, the ad litem substitutes his judgment for that of the family and/ or friends, unless you are able to convince the judge who is appointing someone to act for the injured party, that you or some other family member should be appointed. The result of a court appointment is a court overseeing decisions that are generally family decisions which should be made with the injured person’s wishes, lifestyle and instructions in mind, not those of some third party who is not privy to the thoughts and lifestyle of the injured. Speak to your attorney, your family and then take that step to appoint someone who will honor your wishes, who thinks like you do and who is strong enough to make the hard decisions, knowing that if you were available that you would either make the same decision, or approve of it. Don’t make it any more difficult than it will already be. Don’t leave life or death choices to chance, or to strangers. THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS LEGAL ADVICE. This does not constitute the establishment of an attorney client relationship between you and this lawyer. Most information is of a very general nature and cannot attempt to cover all fact situations. Nothing contained in this article should be construed to constitute a recommendation of any product, service, or web site. Weston Cotten is admitted to practice in all Texas Courts, all Federal District Courts in Texas, and the U. S. Tax Court, though not certified as to any legal specialization. He is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas. Please visit his website at www.westoncotten.com, or call at 281-421-5774. Principal (and only) office is located at 5223 Garth Road, Baytown 77521.u My Pal Ginger! r e t s u B Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 23 24 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 Nutrition for Healthy Eyes Research suggests that antioxidants and other important nutrients may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Specific antioxidants can have additional benefits as well; for example, vitamin A protects against blindness, and vitamin C may play a role in preventing or alleviating glaucoma. Omega-3 essential fatty acids appear to help the eye in a variety of ways, from alleviating symptoms of dry eye syndrome to guarding against macular damage. Eye Benefits of Vitamins and Micronutrient The following vitamins, minerals and other nutrients have been shown to be essential for good vision and may protect your eyes from sight-robbing conditions and diseases. Incorporating the following foods in your diet will help you get the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of these important eye nutrients. Established by the Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences), the RDA is the average daily dietary intake level of a nutrient sufficient to meet the requirements of nearly all healthy individuals in a specific life stage and gender group. While the RDA is a useful reference, some eye care practitioners recommend higher daily intakes of certain nutrients for people at risk for eye problems. In the following list, mg = milligram; mcg = microgram (1/1000 of a mg) and IU = International Unit. Beta-carotene • Eye benefits of beta-carotene: May protect against night blindness and dry eyes. • Food sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, butternut squash. • RDA: None (Most supplements contain 5,000 to 25,000 IU). Bioflavonoids (Flavonoids) • Eye benefits of bioflavonoids: May protect against cataracts and macular degenera- tion. • Food sources: tea, red wine, citrus fruits, bilberries, blueberries, cherries, legumes, soy products. • RDA: None. Lutein and Zeaxanthin • Eye benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin: May prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. • Food sources: Spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, squash. • RDA: None. Omega-3 Fatty Acids • Eye benefits of omega-3 fatty acids: May help prevent macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eyes. • Food sources: Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring; flaxseed oil and fish oil; ground flaxseeds and walnuts. • RDA: None. (For cardiovascular benefits, the American Heart Association recommends approximately 1,000 mg daily.) Selenium • Eye benefits of selenium: When combined with carotenoids and vitamins C and E, may reduce risk of advanced AMD. • Food sources: Seafood (shrimp, crab, salmon, halibut); Brazil nuts; enriched noodles; brown rice. • RDA: 55 mcg for teens and adults (60 mcg for women during pregnancy and 70 mcg when breast-feeding). Vitamin A • Eye benefits of vitamin A: May protect against night blindness and dry eyes. • Food sources: Beef or chicken liver, cod liver oil, eggs, butter, milk. • RDA: 3,000 IU for men; 2,333 IU for women (2,567 IU during pregnancy and 4,333 IU when breast-feeding). Vitamin C • Eye benefits of vitamin C: May reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. • Food sources: Sweet peppers (red or green), kale, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, cantaloupe. • RDA: 90 mg for men; 70 mg for women (85 mg during pregnancy and 120 mg when breast-feeding). Vitamin D • Eye benefits of vitamin D: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration. • Food sources: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, milk, orange juice fortified with vitamin D. • RDA: None, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU per day for infants, children and adolescents, and many experts recommend higher daily intakes for adults. The best source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates production of vitamin D in human skin, and just a few minutes of exposure to sunlight each day (without sunscreen) will insure your body is producing adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin E • Eye benefits of vitamin E: When combined with carotenoids and vitamin C, may reduce the risk of advanced AMD. • Food sources: almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts. • RDA: 15 mg for teens and adults (15 mg for women during pregnancy and 19 mg when breast-feeding). Zinc • Eye benefits of zinc: Helps vitamin A reduce the risk of night blindness; may play a role in reducing risk of advanced AMD. • Food sources: Oysters; beef, Dungeness crab, turkey (dark meat). • RDA: 11 mg for men; 8 mg for women (11 mg during pregnancy and 12 mg when breast-feeding). In general, it’s best to obtain most nutrients through a healthy diet, including at least two servings of fish per week and plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. If you plan to begin a regimen of eye vitamins, be sure to discuss this with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Taking too much of certain vision supplements can cause problems, especially if you are taking prescription medications for health problems.u Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 25 By: Jason C. Miller, DPM, FACFAS, FASPS Heel Pain in Children and Teenagers Heel pain in children and teenagers is a common reason for patients to come into our office for evaluation. Although it is common, heel pain in children and teenagers should not be ignored. It is true that some causes of pediatric heel pain will “go away” as the child grows, however other causes can be serious and/or early signs of a bigger lower extremity problem. All heel pain in children should be evaluated and x-rayed to determine its cause so parents (and children) can be educated on the type, treatment, and natural progression of the condition. Heel pain could be a warning sign that a child/ teenager has a condition that needs evaluation and treatment. Children and teenagers may complain of pain in the back of the heel, the bottom of the heel, the Achilles tendon, the arch, aching, burning, and/or swelling. Patients often complain during or after activities, complain to parents, and some may cry or refuse to participate in activities. Parents are encouraged to watch children walk and look for limping, walking on toes, rubbing their heels/feet/lower legs, or children having difficulty doing usual activities/ sports. Adult heel pain and pediatric heel pain are completely different. Most adult heel pain is due to plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome. Adult heel pain is sharp with standing and walking that tends to “loosen up” and get a little better. Pediatric heel pain rarely is due to the plantar 26 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 fascial band and usually builds with standing, walking, and activities. The most common cause of heel pain in children and teenagers is calcaneal apophysitis. Generally, this affects children ages 7 -15 years old, but can occur at any age of a growing child. Calcaneal apophysitis is inflammation and pain at the heel bone (calaneus) growth plate at the back and bottom of the heels. Heavy activities (sports, dancing, running, etc.) can stress this growth area of the heel bone by the impact of the heel on the ground and due to the strong pull of the Achilles tendon on the back of the heel. This type of heel pain resolves when the calcaneus stops growing and the growth plate closes. Calcaneal apophysitis is also known as Sever’s disease and can occur in one or both heels. Cleated athletic shoes are often associated with this condition, as cleated shoes often do not have much shock absorption and cleats directly under the heel can impact and inflame the heel bone growth plate. Many other causes of heel pain exist and must be ruled out before apophysitis is assumed. Unicameral and other bone cysts are not uncommon, and when large puts the heel bone at risk for collapse and fracture. Overuse of surrounding tendons and muscles can cause the heel to ache in children. The Achilles tendon attachment in the back of the heel can become irritated by shoes or by being congenitally too short. Often children and teenagers can have biomechanical abnormalities (flat feet, high arched feet, metatarsus adductus, etc.) that can stress and inflame soft tissue attachments to the heel. Stress fractures, traditional fractures, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and accessory ossicles also must be ruled out as the cause for pediatric heel pain. Some tips to prevent heel pain in children and teenagers include avoiding obesity, using well-constructed, supportive, and shock-absorbing shoes, daily and regular stretching of the Achilles tendon and hamstrings, avoiding jumping from furniture/heights, and avoiding activities beyond a child’s ability. Treatment for pediatric heel pain varies based on the type and severity of the condition. Have your child or teenager’s heel pain evaluated to ensure faster resolution of pain, a piece of mind, and to prevent future problems/conditions. Houston Foot and Ankle Jason C. Miller, DPM, FACFAS, FASPS Daren M. Guertin DPM, FACFAS Laura Woodcox, DPM Elizabeth Fernandez-Arias, DPM Offices in Kingwood, Atascocita, and Baytown 281-348-2166 www.houstonfootandankle.com u creates a chemical reaction in the brain that relaxes and soothes when the aroma is inhaled. To keep you feeling relaxed at work, place a few drops of essential oil onto a cotton ball and keep it on your desk. Take a tea break. Drink Chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is gentle and soothing and helps with a number of things including relaxing the body. Chamomile tea can be found in most grocery stores. Experiment with different herbal teas such as Muscles Tulsi, Chamomile with Valerian, Lemon Muscles, everybody has them. Every- simply by compressing tense areas on your body abuses them in some way and most scalp. Using small circular motions with the don’t give them a second thought until they fingers and thumbs, thoroughly work the hurt. muscles and tissue of the head. Work down A very common result of muscle dys- the neck in the same fashion. It is amazing function is a tension or stress headache. Fre- how much tension this will release. Explore quently, a stress headache can begin in the other ways to gently stretch. shoulders, climbing slowly up the neck and Add aromatherapy to your tension fight- enveloping the head. The tension of a stress- ing toolkit. The powerful essence of plants ful day or lots of worry can bring on this promotes well being and unleashes a phar- uncomfortable event. Here are some things macy in your brain. Lavender essential oil Balm. Many ways exist to relieve tension and stop the cycle of stress and tension headaches. If the pain continues after trying the above suggestions or chronic tension headaches are experienced, get some help. Make an appointment with a trusted massage therapist. When the cycle of pain is broken, the body will find other ways to deal with stress, like breathing to the count of five.u you can do to help yourself prior to seeing a professional. First, identify and acknowledge the fact that you are stressed. Step back from being “in your head”. Take a deep breath and release it slowly. Do this three times. After the three deep breaths, breathe in to the count of five and out to the count of five. The breath and our body’s reaction to it are inextricably connected. The breathing pattern “in to five and out to five”, controls heart rate as well. Initially, it can take many minutes to feel the benefit of this breathing pattern. With practice, mastery over your tension will occur within seconds. Stretch your neck and shoulders. In a sitting position lean your head as far forward as you can. Place a palm on the back of your head and press your head forward like you are trying to put your chin onto your chest. Next, turn the head as far to the right as you can while dropping the left shoulder and rolling it back until you get a good stretch in the neck. Do this on both sides. Massage your head and neck. Start Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 27 28 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 29 ability to hold the camera steady. Try a “shutter priority” setting on your camera, (Canon cameras it is the TV option, Olympus and Nikon an “S”), with a setting that is greater than 1/125 you should be good to go! Why does my background look great but the person I want to see is too dark? Plain and simple - you need a flash. Add some light to your subject and you will have a more evenly By: Kimberli Smith What do all these dang buttons on my camera mean? If you are anything like me, you probably do not read the directions when you are putting something together or get a new toy from the electronics store. I just see if it has enough juice, plug it in or charge it up and go. Sometimes, the school of hard knocks and experience is the best way to go. However, sometimes you can also confuse yourself by assuming one thing and being totally wrong. I am not here to tell you I have ever read the manual to my camera so I can’t judge you for not reading yours; however there is some exposed image. The answer is the same for if you are noticing that your subject is perfectly shade, florescent lighting and tungsten light. fine but the background is super bright. Flash There may also be a custom function, but you is the key for balancing the exposure in your should be fine choosing from one of the avail- images! able presets. If you have any specific questions, please Why are my pictures blurry? Most the feel free to email me at kim@affinityphotog- time when this problem arises, you are inside raphy.net, and I will do my best to help you or in a low light setting and are trying to take understand. Photography is my passion and a picture of something that is moving. Your I want to help you become better photogra- camera may have reached its maximum ca- phers as well! pabilities without making the image unclear. However, this is a direct result of your shutter speed being too slow for your subject or your good stuff in there. I will try to summarize in just a few simple tips the top three questions I get from people that want to understand how to use their camera! However, to find these functions on your specific camera you may need to resort to your manual to find the settings. Chances are it will be somewhere in your “Menu”. Why are my pictures yellowish? Her shirt should be white, not blue! If your color looks funky after taking a picture, your “white balance” is off. All the lights around actually have a color temperature. We typically do not see these color shifts because our brain does all the work for us in interpreting colors the way they are meant to be viewed. Without getting too technical, this is where you will find a “WB” option. To correct this issue, just simply set your camera to the light that is available. Options should include (and are likely to have pictures of) a sun, clouds, open 30 Dock Line Magazine - Baytown & Mont Belvieu Area Edition November 2013 To schedule a portrait consultation, please call (281) 837- 5882.u Tracey S. Wheeler, IOM, President & CEO Last month, I talked about the importance of community leaders and volunteers to the well- being of the community. One of the best programs that the Baytown Chamber of Commerce sponsors is the Partners in Education program which is now in its 28th year. This program brings together businesses and schools for a mentoring and tutoring. The relationships have evolved over the years to reflect the needs and capabilities of both the school and the business. Due to the different schools and the different capabilities of a business to fulfill those needs, the individual partnerships have become unique relationships. As we become aware of the ways in which other partnerships are utilizing the efforts of those involved, all of us have gained by sharing this information. The Chamber offers the opportunity for all partners to share ideas and learn from one another with quarterly meetings and biannual newsletters. Each business is encouraged to decide what is best for their particular partner. These businesses make it possible for their employees to be volunteer tutors and mentors to countless children throughout the Greater Baytown/Highlands Area. The program provides many volunteer hours in each of the partnered schools. Last year, some $175,000 and 1,500 volunteer hours were spent in the planning and executing of these partnerships. It is sometimes hard to put into words the impact that the business representatives have on the children and the children have on the business representatives. This program has been successful in more ways than we could have ever imagined. While there are many outstanding partnerships, there are always a few that really stand out. One of those is a program for at-risk girls (Girls in Action Group) which allows for fieldtrips to different businesses to interact with prominent women in their professions. The girls had the first-hand experience of the different disciplines of becoming successful. The business partners sponsor attendance awards, assist with science and history fairs, birthday celebrations, family nights, and more. They sponsor speakers for the classroom from engineers in science and pre-calculus to tours of industry. One partners provided science assemblies from the Houston Museum of Natural Science called Bugs on Wheels: “Amazing Anthropods”. This program brings a selection of living insects and other arthropods from the Cockrell Butterfly Center for hands-on, interactive presentations. During National Chemistry Week, industry chemists and lab personnel awed some fifth-graders with real-life chemistry experiments and taught about chemical safety in the home and workplace. These are just a few examples of what this program offers to the young people of our community. The businesses that are partners (many have had the same partners for 20 plus years) are tied very closely to their school. They become somewhat of a family and the young people enjoy having the business representatives in their classrooms. In turn, many of the schools will provide holiday programs for the businesses. We are very proud to provide this program for the young people in our area. We have outstanding partners and again outstanding volunteers making a difference in the lives of children. Tracey S. Wheeler, IOM President & CEO - - - - Keep your Neighbors Working Keep Our Local Economy Strong Keep Our Community Strong Keep Recycling Your Dollar at Home