2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Tuesday               February 15, 2005

Shoreacres City Council

Shoreacres City Council on Monday voted to hire David Stall as city administrator.  His salary for the newly-formed position will be $2,385 every two weeks.

The city council appointed Earl (Gene) Allen, Christi Keller and Ann Apel to the Parks and Recreation Board.

The city council approved an expenditure of up to $5,000 to Meador Staffing for temporary services needed through April 1, due to medical leave of a city employee.

The city council approved an expenditure of $1,179 for a sponsorship of the Water Wise Program at Bayshore Elementary School.

The city council tabled the purchase of an $8,625 six-inch diesel powered trailer pump.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

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La Marque City Council

La Marque City Council on Monday voted final approval of an ordinance to remove the requirement that a social security card be presented to receive services from the city's utility department.  

The city council voted to authorize the city manager to negotiate individual contracts in accordance with the Professional Services Procurement Act; and also authorized the submittal of a Water Development Board Intended Use Plan for the future application of a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for wastewater rehabilitation.

"It's really part of the process to qualify for the Water Development Board loan program, particularly the Tier III funds, which is a state revolving loan fund," explained City Manager Robert Ewart.  "The Tier III allows you to include engineering and professional services in your loan, rather than paying for those services out of pocket." Listen

Ewart added that the authorization is in preparation of filing for an Intended Use Plan and to qualify for a loan.  He said the Water Development Board would later invite the city council to put in a loan application, possibly in October.

"At this point, I don't know that we will," Ewart said.  "We wanted to keep that option open and available."

The city council approved estimates for the city's street and drainage capital improvement program, and authorized the preparation of project budgeting and financing arrangements.

"We will be including some drainage on Bayou Road in that project that was agreed upon last night," Ewart said in an interview this morning.  "The engineer and financial advisor were instructed to proceed with planning that particular project."

The city council approved the appointment of Delores Johnston to the Zoning Committee.

All votes were unanimous.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas report that they have figured out two key parts of hepatitis C’s strategy for evading the human immune response.  Release

In papers published online on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, UTMB and UT-Southwestern researchers define two critical elements of the immune response shut down by a hepatitis C virus protein called NS3/4A.  The research indicates that these virus-caused “short circuits” prevent the production of signaling molecules that mobilize cells’ antiviral defenses.

Stanley M. Lemon, a senior author on the papers and director of UTMB’s National Institutes of Health-funded hepatitis C research center, said that the discoveries are particularly important in light of recent promising results from early clinical trials of new investigational drugs that target NS3/4A and both block the reproduction of hepatitis C and nullify its ability to dodge immune defenses. 

“At least one protease inhibitor has had extraordinary activity against hepatitis C in human clinical trials, but we’re going to need to improve on it in a number of ways, including reducing the potential for the virus to become resistant to it,” Lemon said. “A better understanding of how NS3/4A does its work in blocking the immune response will help make that possible.”

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Texas A&M University at Galveston

A Texas A&M University at Galveston professor has developed a detailed wave prediction system that is currently in use in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Maine and will be used soon in Prince William Sound.  Although the system will not predict tsunamis, it has proven valuable to mariners and coastal interests.

Vijay Panchang, head of the Department of Maritime Systems
Engineering, and research engineer Doncheng Li provide daily wave model predictions for much of the Texas coast, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Maine.  Their simulations, updated every 12 hours, provide a forecast for two days ahead. 

"The models we provide are based on very detailed information, such as seabed topography, offshore wave conditions, wind speed and direction and other factors," Panchang said.  "It's useful information for anyone in coastal waters.  Texas has a huge coastline, and Maine has more than 3,000 miles of coast. Recreational and fishing boats, cruise ships, commercial ships, and others can use this information." 

Panchang said coastal wave information also can be used to predict sediment transport and for engineering design, however he added that because the models use wind data, tsunamis that are created by undersea earthquakes can't be predicted. 

The system was successful in the accurate prediction of big waves in November 2003 in the Gulf of Maine.  Waves as high as 30 feet were recorded during one storm.  Last summer during Hurricane Ivan, a buoy located 60 miles south of the Alabama coast recorded a 60-foot wave.  

"There may have been higher waves because right after recording the 60-foot wave, the buoy snapped and stopped functioning," he said.  "Also, the 50-foot wave is an average measure of the sea-state, and the highest waves could be nearly twice as big.  Waves during storms can be quite high, and 50-foot waves are not uncommon."

Funding for the wave model prediction system is provided by NOAA Sea Grant, The Texas Coastal Management Program, the Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

For more information, visit http://www.tamug.edu/MASE and click on wave simulations.

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Texas A&M University

As many as 8,000 high school students and their families are expected to visit College Station on February 26 for "Aggieland Saturday," Texas A&M University's annual "open house" day that showcases the school for prospective students.

"It's our opportunity to welcome students to our campus and show them what Texas A&M is all about," said Cynthia Gay, associate director of admissions. 

Gay said that although most of the "Aggieland Saturday"
participants are from Texas, students from throughout the
Southwest also have been invited to attend the event.

Visit http://www.tamu.edu/aggiesaturday for additional information.

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San Jacinto College 

San Jacinto College, along with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the Aerospace Academy for Engineering and Teacher Education, is sponsoring an invitation-only ceremony honoring the Academy on Wednesday, February 23 at Space Center Houston.

Congressman Tom DeLay and local dignitaries will be on hand to acknowledge the Academy for its recent grants benefiting hundreds of math and science students as well as the local aerospace industry.

San Jac is one of 11 educational and industry-related partners within the Academy. The college assists the Academy in preparing future engineers through the training of instructors and the use of high-tech software.

The San Jacinto College South performing arts departments are presenting a fundraiser variety show at 7 p.m. Friday, February 25 in the Proscenium Theatre of the Marie Spence Flickinger Fine Arts Center, 13735 Beamer Road, Houston.

San Jac South Choir, the Southern Sound Vocal Jazz Ensemble and San Jac South music and dance students will present solo and group performances featuring African-American spirituals, American music theatre and jazz tunes of the 1920s and 1930s.

Donations, $5 and $3 for children 10 years old and younger, will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit the South Campus Fine Arts Scholarship fund.

For information or to make a donation contact David Sloat at (281) 484-1900 ext. 3563 or email david.sloat@sjcd.edu. 

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Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

The Board of Advisors of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation has announced that Dr. Glynn Lunney, former Apollo flight director, manager of Apollo and Shuttle programs, and retired vice president of United Space Alliance, has been selected to receive the 2005 National Space Trophy. Announcement and Photo

The award is presented annually to an individual who has excelled in furthering national goals in the field of space.  

"Lunney's innovation and dedication to the U.S. space flight program has set a standard for current and future generations of space explorers," said RNASA advisor Dr. Chris Kraft, who called Lunney “one of the outstanding contributors to the exploration of space of the last four decades."

Lunney will receive his award at a multi-media event on Friday, April 22 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston.  Miles O’Brien of CNN will serve as MC.

"When I was informed of my selection for this award, I felt incredibly honored to be so recognized by the Rotary and its members,” Lunney said.  “In receiving this award, I know that it is really a reflection of so many talented and dedicated people, with whom I was privileged to serve over the course of our careers together."  

The 2004 RNASA award was presented to Neil Armstrong.

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WorkSource-Galveston Job Fair

WorkSource-Galveston will hold its 2005 Job Fair on Tuesday February 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway. All job seekers and local area employers are invited to participate. 

Job seekers may visit the WorkSource-Galveston career office or call (409) 770-9915 for information.  Employers can contact John McHale to reserve booth space at (409) 770-9915, extension 318 or john.mchale@twc.state.tx.us.

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Clear Creek Country Theatre

Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, will open "Don't Drink The Water" on Friday, March 4. 

The comedy will run through March 20th with Friday and Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

For reservations and information call 281 -335-5228.

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Bay Area Harbour Playhouse

The Bay Area Harbour Playhouse will produce the romantic comedy Same Time, Next Year by Bernard Slade on the Top Side Stage February 17.  Release and Photo

The show will run through May 6 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. 

The Bay Area Harbour Playhouse is located at 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson.  Visit www.harbourplayhouse.com for additional information.

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On The Webio

Several items of interest to the Texas Gulf Coast are posted on The Online News Station.

The debate over the location of a new school in the Clear Creek Independent School District and the reluctance of the League City City Council to provide infrastructure improvements for the school continues on the Forum Page.  Chris John Mallios responded to a message by Craig Farris.  Response

Lakewood Yacht Club Race Committee Chairman John Barnett has announced in an article on the Community Page that this year's Spring Regatta will be held on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20, on Galveston Bay.  Details

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Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, February 15 
5:30 Port Arthur City Council  
6:00 Hitchcock City Commission Workshop 
6:30 Seabrook Charter Review Commission
6:30 Houston Mayor's Youth Council 2005 Monthly Council Meeting, City Hall Annex Chambers
6:30 Galveston Reads Community Discussion with H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights, a Town, a Team and a Dream, this year's selected book. 
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Seabrook City Council 
7:00 Tiki Island Board of Aldermen
7:00 Webster City Council
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees 
7:30 Pasadena City Council 
8:00 “Along for the Ride,” Lamar Studio Theatre

Wednesday, February 16
9:00 Houston City Council
9:00 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Mardi Gras Coalition
10:00 Galveston Broadway Beautification Committee, City Hall Room 204
4:00 Galveston Building Standards Commission, City Hall Room 204
4:00 Galveston Intermodal Transportation Commission, City Hall Room 100
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board, City Hall Room 100
5:00 Texas City City Commission
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees Workshop
6:30 The American Business Women's Association, League City Charter Chapter, South Shore Harbour Country Club
7:30 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees 

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Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties as well as regional news impacting the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers of Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station.

Jim Young is Houston City Correspondent.  Dana Patricia Burke is the Bay Area Houston Correspondent. Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County.  Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston.  

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