UTMB announces plans to lease Bay Area Regional Medical Center

August 15th, 2018

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has signed a letter of intent to complete negotiations regarding a long-term lease of the recently vacated Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster.

The Bay Area facility at the corner of Highway 3 and Blossom opened in 2014 but was shuttered in May, throwing several hundred employees out of work. The UT System Board of Regents approved UTMB proposed plans Thursday with financing to be managed through operational funds.

“This is a unique opportunity for UTMB Health to advance our mission of education, research and patient care,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of the university.

“The Webster location will complement our existing facilities on our League City Campus and in surrounding areas, as well as our future plans for education and research activities in the Bay Area. Together, these facilities will enable us to broaden our efforts to serve a rapidly growing region, while supporting our academic work to define the future of health care.”

When a lease is final, UTMB will work with UTMB faculty and program leaders, as well as existing physicians in the Bay Area, to determine how best to use the property, he explained.  Once final agreements have been signed, an opening date will be determined, he added.

UTMB is continuing with plans to add 60 beds to its existing 37-bed League City Hospital, which currently includes an emergency room, mother-baby unit with Level II infant special care capability, and medical/surgical services for adults. Numerous UTMB specialty services also are available on the university’s League City Campus and nearby facilities.

In 2016, UTMB dedicated the 250-bed Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston and work is continuing to modernize the nearby John Sealy Hospital. In addition, UTMB has a hospital at its Angleton Danbury Campus in Brazoria County, as well as numerous clinics throughout the Greater Houston/Galveston area. The clinical facilities support the university’s education and research activities.

 

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Bay Area Regional Medical Center Announces Closure

May 4th, 2018

Bay Area Regional Medical Center, LLC, a diversified, integrated multi-specialty health care delivery system, has announced the closing of Bay Area Regional in Webster, and said it will be filing for bankruptcy next week.

 “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Bay Area Regional will close its doors on May 10, 2018,” Bay Area Regional CEO Stephen K. Jones Jr., said in a statement issued May 4.  “We want to thank our staff who worked tirelessly, physicians who chose to practice medicine and patients who received care at our hospital.”

Bay Area Regional invested $200 million during the past five years during construction and operation.  The company continues to work with lenders on an orderly closing process, including the payment of Bay Area Regional’s payroll obligations.

The hospital, which opened its doors on July 21, 2014, has been committed to providing exceptional care while making a difference in people’s lives. It offered some of the latest technology for physicians to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques.

With a pursuit of excellence, Bay Area Regional was recognized for having some of the highest patient satisfaction scores and many different service lines and achieved the highest level Chest Pain Center Accreditation, Comprehensive Center Accreditation for Bariatric Surgery by MBSAQIP, it was the first hospital in Texas achieve Center of Excellence for Hidden Scar Breast Surgery, Primary Stroke Center Accreditation, and a Level III Trauma Designated hospital, Mendoza said.

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Delivering Joy to the World

December 1st, 2017

The Women’s Center at Bay Area Regional Medical Center is now open!

“My experience here at Bay Area Regional Medical Center was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better hospital and a better doctor. I’m truly blessed with how wonderful I was taken care of. All of the nurses were amazing,” said Meagan Cantu, one of the first women to deliver at Bay Area Regional.

With a goal to provide exceptional care for moms and babies with a family-centered approach and compassionate, experienced staff, the Women’s Center features private, luxurious suites with some of the most advanced clinical equipment and comfort options.

Comfort Features
The Women’s Center at Bay Area Regional offers many design features to help expectant mothers feel as comfortable as possible. The Women’s Center features the most modern labor bed on the market – the bed moves mom rather than the mom having to reposition for delivery. Women in labor can also take advantage of remote fetal monitoring, meaning there is no cable connecting mom to a monitor.

Experience Matters

Every clinical staff person working on the unit has years of experience helping moms welcome their babies into the world. Many of our nurses have RNC certification, an exam-based certification that requires at least 1,500 hours of experience in the specialty before they can take the exam.

“The Houston Bay Area region is a community full of development, especially with younger growing families. It gives me great satisfaction to see families grow and help them along their journey toward a completed family,” said Dr. Bassem Maximos, OB/GYN.

“Both my patients and I are excited to have a new facility that is focused on patient experience and quality care. Bay Area Regional will provide a beautiful, healthy environment for the birth of their child, and I am thrilled to be part of Bay Area Regional’s expansion of the new Women’s Center,” said Maximos.

“I love the people at Bay Area – everyone is friendly and has a lot of experience,” said Dr. Maya Figueroa, OB/GYN at Bay Area Regional. “They all go above and beyond to give my patients great care. My gynecological surgery patients have all had wonderful things to say about their experiences here, so I look forward to the rave reviews I can expect from my expectant mothers.”

NEONATAL ICU
New moms can rest assured with an impressive neonatologist group that has been in the area for over 25 years and specially trained, experienced nurses in our Neontal ICU (NICU). Our team of specialists care for babies as young as 23 weeks and can stay close to home. Every room in Bay Area Regional’s NICU is a private suite and includes rooms that adjoin for twins.

In the three years that Bay Area Regional Medical Center has been open, the hospital has not stopped expanding to meet the needs of the community. Since July 2014, the hospital has expanded the emergency room, surgery rooms, heart and vascular center, and opened three more floors for medical-surgical and ICU.

Tours
To schedule a tour of the unit, call 281-525-7578.

PRE-REGISTRATION
To pre-register in person, go to the Welcome Desk in the Grand Lobby of Bay Area Regional (200 Blossom Street, Webster) or online. To learn more visit www.mybayareababy.com

Labor, delivery and recovery room

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Lobby of the Women’s Center

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Nurses from far way lend a hand at Bay Area Regional Medical Center

October 1st, 2017

Visiting nurses from New Jersey, along with hospital CEO Stephen Jones Jr. and Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Henderson, RN, have a photo op with astronaut Clayton Anderson, center, while visiting here and lending a helping hand at Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Nurses from New Jersey, New York, California and Massachusetts made their way to Bay Area Regional Medical Center in the days after impact to relieve staff to get much needed rest and to begin the process of cleanup and rebuilding.

Bay Area Regional employees weathered the storm at the hospital for many days. Most slept in the hospital because of massive, widespread flooding. “Some essential staff was rescued by boat and by large vehicles when the flooding first began,” Bay Area Regional CEO Stephen K. Jones Jr. said. “Thanks to many folks, we were able to rescue and transport many staff to the hospital. Many of whom had significant water damage to their homes and vehicles.”

Nurses from New Jersey landed at Ellington Field Aug. 31 and have spent time helping at the hospital and volunteering to demo nurses flooded homes along with volunteering at shelters.

“I am humbled and in awe at the generosity and positive attitudes the wonderful community and staff of Bay Area Regional Medical Center have expressed toward us in light of the hardship they have endured,” said Brenda Lima-Mattessich, RN from AtlantiCare in New Jersey. “I worked 18-20 hours a day during Hurricane Sandy, so I know what the nurses here are going through. Everyone has embraced us with humbleness and grace.”

Vanessa Jones, RN from Capital Health in New Jersey commented, “We came here to help and we are leaving with a sense of family and relationships that we will have for years to come.”

Bay Area Regional was “designed to withstand a category five hurricane with 225 mph winds and designed with the future mind in strength, quality and state-of-the-art equipment,” said Monzer Hourani, CEO of Medistar Corp. “While other hospitals had to evacuate or stop accepting patients, Bay Area Regional remained open and was unaffected structurally by the storm. In fact, the National Guard delivered patients to our hospital.”

Relief efforts were still underway as the hospital welcomed nurses from Massachusetts on Sept. 6. “I am honored to have so many nurses from across the country ready to assist our staff in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey,” Jones said. “We are truly blessed by each person who got on an airplane to come to Houston Bay Area and lend a helping hand to our wonderful community.”

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Business Buzz

March 1st, 2017

Proposed new medical office building in Webster.

Medical office building planned for Webster
Bay Area Regional Medical Center and Medistar Corp. plan to build a new 60,000 square foot medical office building near the intersection of East Medical Center Boulvard and Highway 3 in Webster. The project is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2017.

The building will support the continued growth and active expansion of Bay Area Regional, which recently became the first and only hospital in Houston and only the fifth in Texas to achieve Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI and Resuscitation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

It also will complement the services provided for the community by PAM Bay Area Rehabilitation Hospital, which is operated by Post Acute Medical, LLC. Featuring 45 private rooms, this modern inpatient rehabilitation facility was developed in 2015 by Medistar.

Monzer Hourani, founder and CEO of Medistar, said, “This new medical office building will provide exceptional convenience and further enhance Bay Area Regional’s position as a medical destination of choice for patients and providers.”

Also in the Webster area, Medistar is developing a new 70-bed skilled nursing facility to further complement the rapid growth of Bay Area Regional, which Medistar is currently expanding from 104 to 191 total beds.

Roberts attend financial event
Staying current on the ever-changing economy and government regulations while refining industry skills and knowledge can prove difficult for financial professionals, especially those who are independent, like Summer Roberts and Paul Roberts.

But rather than go it alone, they flew to San Diego, Calif., to be informed and inspired by over 400 of their peers, hosted by a renowned financial marketing organization.

Designed to bring together some of the top financial professionals in the country, the annual event aims to share ideas and strategies with producers to help them improve their businesses, and, ultimately, better serve their clients.

“I’m excited about this event because it brings together hundreds of the most brilliant and successful financial minds all under the same roof to share ideas and experiences first-hand!” It’s invaluable education,” Summer says.

Barrios honors nine employees
Barrios Technology recently presented employees with Silver BEAR (Barrios Employee Award and Recognition) awards. Each recipient was commended for their high level of expertise and outstanding performance supporting NASA’s International Space Station Mission and Program Integration contract.

Employees recognized included Karen Bratton, Erik Marsh, Erin Thornton, and the six-member ISS Conference Facility Team (Mary Kerber, Jessica Henderson, Ann Herring, Richard Morphis, Todd O’Neal and Mark Zuteck).

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Bay Area Regional Achieves National Accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program

March 1st, 2017

Cathy Minder has lost 111 pounds since her gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Rizwan Chaudhry at Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care in the Houston Bay Area.

Rizwan Chaudhry, M.D., Medical Director of the Metabolic and Weight Loss Institute at Bay Area Regional Medical Center, today announced its bariatric surgical center has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

The MBSAQIP Standards ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients.

“This accreditation places Bay Area Regional and the multidisciplinary team at an elite status for bariatric surgery and I’m excited to be a part of a team that focuses on patients individually with their long-term success as the goal,” stated Rizwan Chaudhry, M.D.

Bay Area Regional’s commitment to quality care begins with appropriately trained staff and the leadership surgeons who participate in meetings throughout the year to review its outcomes.  They seek continuous improvement to enhance the structure, process and outcomes of the center.

To earn the MBSAQIP designation, Bay Area Regional met essential criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

“We are proud to be leading the way in bariatric surgery with Dr. Chaudhry as the only fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon in the Houston Bay Area,” said Tim Schmidt, CEO of Bay Area Regional. “Achieving the national accreditation as a Comprehensive Center for bariatric surgery shows our commitment to providing exceptional care and making a difference in people’s lives.”

After submitting an application, centers seeking MBSAQIP Accreditation undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon, who reviews the center’s structure, process, and clinical outcomes data. Centers are awarded a specific designation depending on how many patients it serves annually, the type of procedures it provides, and whether it provides care for patients under age 18.

In the United States, around 15.5 million people suffer from severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health, and the numbers continue to increase. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures have proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to severe obesity.* Working with ASMBS, the ACS expanded this quality program for bariatric surgery centers so that it can assist bariatric patients in identifying those centers that provide optimal surgical care.

About Bay Area Regional Medical Center
Bay Area Regional Medical Center is committed to providing the highest quality medical care while making a difference in people’s lives. Designed with a beautiful, soothing environment, Bay Area Regional offers some of the latest technology for physicians to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. With a focus on excellence, Bay Area Regional is the first hospital in the Houston area to achieve the highest level Chest Pain Center Accreditation, the first hospital in Texas to be named a Center of Excellence for Hidden Scar, and the first hospital to perform the non-surgical gastric balloon procedure in the Houston Bay Area. Since opening in July 2014, Bay Area Regional has received accreditation from the Joint Commission and is in active pursuit of Level III Trauma Designation with services such as heart and vascular services, general surgery, orthopedics, emergency services, surgical weight-loss, outpatient imaging, including 3D Mammography and much more. For more information about Bay Area Regional Medical Center or to find a physician, visit www.BARMC.us.

About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, founded in 1983, was formed to advance the art and science of metabolic and bariatric surgery by continually improving the quality and safety of care and treatment of people with obesity and related diseases through educational and support programs for surgeons and integrated health professionals.

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Bay Area Regional opens Heart and Vascular Center

August 1st, 2016

8-1XBayXAreaXRegionalBay Area Regional Medical Center recently opened a new Heart and Vascular Center in its efforts to provide exceptional cardiac and vascular care. With a biplane and two single-plane cardiac catheterization labs, physicians are able to perform many procedures including STEMI, diagnostic and peripheral catheterization procedures, electrophysiology, implants, pacemakers and interventional radiology procedures to name a few.

Each cardiac catheterization room in the Heart and Vascular Center at Bay Area Regional houses a revolutionary 3D component, the Siemens sygno DynaCT Cardiac, which enables CT-like imaging of the heart during complex cardiac interventions. “Our team of cardiac and vascular specialists can visualize cardiac structures in 3D like the aortic root, left atrium or pulmonary veins in the cath lab within a few seconds,” said Amy Eason, RN, BSN, and Director of Cardiology Services at Bay Area Regional.

The Heart and Vascular Center not only houses some of the latest tools and technology available, “the people care. I have seen it with the nurses, administrators, technicians, doctors — everyone is wholeheartedly committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality health care,” said Dr. Dipsu Patel, interventional cardiologist on the hospital medical staff. “I am so proud to be a part of Bay Area Regional.”

Opening of the new Heart and Vascular Center shows “our dedication to providing exceptional care to the Houston Bay Area community while making a difference in people’s lives,” said Tim Schmidt, CEO of Bay Area Regional. “This year has been exciting. We’re in pursuit of Level III Trauma Designation. We anticipate becoming an Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI in the coming months. We will open three more floors of private patient rooms, including medical surgical and ICU beds by the end of the year.”

To learn more about Bay Area Regional or to find a physician, visit www.barmc.us.

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Bay Area Regional seeking Level III trauma designation

July 1st, 2016

Bay Area Regional Medical Center 2Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster is in active pursuit of Level III Trauma designation as part of its continuous efforts to enhance emergency services for the Houston Bay Area community.

According to the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, the leading cause of traumatic injuries is falls, which represents 39 percent of the total trauma volume in the SETRAC nine county area. The second leading cause of traumatic injuries is due to motor vehicle accidents.

“Becoming a Level III Trauma Center is a collaborative effort that requires a dedicated trauma team as well as a commitment from administration,” said Dr. David Fairweather, medical director of the Trauma Program at Bay Area Regional. “I look forward to helping the team reach full designation in the coming months.”

Bay Area Regional has until June 2018 to achieve the designation. “The decision to become a Level III Trauma Center requires ongoing fulfillment of certain regulations, including the expectation to have one or more qualified physicians available in the emergency department at all times,” said Darrell Pile, CEO of SETRAC.

Bay Area Regional will also participate with trauma leaders from nearly 30 regional hospitals though SETRAC to assess data, discuss best practices, and stay abreast of new developments in the care and treatment of patients with all types of traumatic injuries.

“At Bay Area Regional Medical Center, our goal is to provide exceptional care while making a difference in people’s lives,” said Bay Area Regional CEO Tim Schmidt. “Through our pursuit of Level III Trauma designation, we will continue to meet the needs of the Houston Bay Area community by providing quality trauma intervention and treatment.”

“The residents served by Bay Area Regional can be pleased to know that expert trauma services are available nearby.  As a level III trauma hospital, nearly all traumatic injuries can be immediately stabilized and treated. I suspect that with the emergency services at Bay Area Regional, it will be infrequent when a patient will require transfer to a Level II or a Level I trauma hospital,” said Pile.

Trauma surgeons and hospital staff are available 24 hours a day at the hospital. Specially trained nurses attend each trauma patient throughout the day for care coordination. Trauma data is collected and entered into a registry database for quality improvement and injury prevention initiatives.

Hospitals in Texas can achieve four different levels of trauma designation. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Level III facilities provide resuscitation, stabilization, and assessment of injury victims; offer educational programs for health care professionals and the public; and have injury prevention programs.

The level III hospital can meet nearly all types of traumatic injuries, according to Pile. The hospital team is trained to stabilize and transfer the patient to a Level II or Level I trauma hospital if a higher level of care is needed for the patient.

Bay Area Regional Medical Center first opened its doors in July 2014 with 104 beds and is currently under construction to double the capacity, including expansion of the emergency room, operating room and cardiac catheterization lab, as well as a Women’s Center and NICU. With over 400 physicians on the medical staff, Bay Area Regional offers services such as heart and vascular care, orthopedics, neurosurgery, bariatrics, radiology, general surgery, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, pain management and more. For more information about Bay Area Regional Medical Center or to find a physician, visit www.BARMC.us

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Medistar Completes Construction of Rehabilitation Hospital in Webster

July 1st, 2015

7-1 New Rehabilitation Hospital

New Bay Area Rehabilitation Hospital in Webster.

Medistar Corporation has completed construction of the new Bay Area Rehabilitation Hospital in Webster. Located on the southeast corner of Medical Center Boulevard and Highway 3, this 53,514 square foot, 45-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility complements the full-service medical and surgery services provided by Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Further enhancing the City of Webster as “the Medical Center of the South,” Bay Area Rehabilitation Hospital is operated by Post Acute Medical, headquartered in Enola, Pa. Led by President and CEO Anthony F. Misitano, PAM is a leading provider nationwide of health and patient services for Long-Term Acute Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Outpatient Rehabilitation, Residential Brain Injury and Comprehensive Wound Care.

In addition to comprehensive inpatient and outpatient physical therapies, the new rehabilitation hospital features a specially designed unit for the treatment needs of individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injury, stroke or neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.

“Integral to all facets of our operations is strong physician leadership, which drives quality in all aspects of patient care,” Misitano said.

The completion of the rehabilitation hospital continues Medistar’s longstanding partnerships with operators of modern post-acute healthcare facilities, including the recently completed Heartland Rehabilitation Hospital (45-bed IRF in Overland Park, Kan.) and Landmark Hospital of Savannah (50-bed long-term acute care hospital in Savannah, Ga.).

“Providing quality post-acute care for Bay Area seniors is the highest priority for Mr. Misitano and his organization. With the opening of Bay Area Rehabilitation Hospital, the best and most modern resources are available to PAM to deliver unparalleled levels of care and service,” said Medistar’s founder and CEO, Monzer Hourani.

Cobalt Medical Development co-developed the real estate with Medistar and is co-owner of the operations with Post Acute Medical.

Medistar is a full-service medical real estate development company that primarily specializes in the design, development, financing, acquisition and construction of acute care hospitals, post-acute care hospitals, medical office buildings and related facilities for the healthcare industry nationwide. For more information, visit www.MedistarCorp.com

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Crowd of 700 celebrates hospital’s grand opening

August 1st, 2014

Doctors, in particular, seemed to really enjoy the hospital celebration – especially Dr. Jay Chavda, left, and Dr. Al Bowman. No, we didn’t ask.

Doctors, in particular, seemed to really enjoy the hospital celebration – especially Dr. Jay Chavda, left, and Dr. Al Bowman. No, we didn’t ask.

THE BEAUTIFUL new Bay Area Regional Medical Center is now open with some 700 local residents on hand for the grand opening celebration in Webster.

Even U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah) came down for the opening, joining dozens and dozens of doctors, nurses and community leaders at a champagne reception and buffet dinner. They should be proud the hospital was built by developer Monzer Hourani, the senator said, calling him “one of the world’s greatest engineers.”

Also on the program were hospital CEO Dr. Michael Lyons, Senior Vice President Santiago Mendoza Jr., Congressman Pete Olson and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell.

Many Webster officials joined in the celebration including City Manager Wayne Sabo, City Secretary Pauline Small, Mayor Pro-tem Alexandra Dietrich with her husband, Barry; City Councilman Martin Graves and City Councilwoman Natalie Dolan and her husband, Paul; Economic Development Director Dr. Betsy Giusto, Economic Specialist Karen Coglianese; and Police Chief Danny Presley and his wife, Stephanie.

Former League City Mayor Jeff Harrison and his wife, Marie, were in the crowd, as were Galveston County District Clerk John Kinard and his wife, Chris; Communities in Schools Executive Director Dr. Peter Wuenschel and his wife; former Clear Lake Chamber Chairmen Jim and Jane Sweeney and Clear Creek ISD Trustee Dee Scott.

Some of the many physicians there were Drs. Ranjit Patel, Rod Turner, Nathanial Barnes, Jay Chavda, Al Bowman, Gabriel Lee, Ravi Mani, Thanh Nguyen, Dennis Tang and Adelia Brannen, who came with her husband, David.

Butler Longhorn Museum Board President Bette Specion and her granddaughter, Kelly Thompson, are all smiles as they look over the big crowd at the annual fundraiser at South Shore Harbour Resort.

Butler Longhorn Museum Board President Bette Specion and her granddaughter, Kelly Thompson, are all smiles as they look over the big crowd at the annual fundraiser at South Shore Harbour Resort.

A Boot Scootin’ good time

A HAPPY CROWD of 200 had just a grand old time dancing to the country western music of DJ Charlie Broussard at the 4th annual Boot Scootin’ Longhorn Social benefitting the Butler Longhorn Museum.

Adding to the merriment, Ernie Deats, Dickinson cowboy and author, served as master of ceremonies as folks enjoyed a steak dinner and played for casino prizes –- partying until midnight at South Shore Harbour Resort.

The museum’s Bette Specion was on hand to greet the crowd that included Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, League City Mayor Tim Paulissen¸ Galveston County District Clerk John Kinard and his wife, Chris, Dee Scott, Ann Hacker, Barbara Meeks and Gary Pearson, to name a few.

But we hear they’re not done partying. Bette held another party July 24 at the museum to thank all the sponsors and volunteers.

Gene Hollier finds himself surrounded by friends as he celebrates his 80th birthday. With him at the big celebration at the Bay Oaks home of Bobby and Cathy Osoria in Clear Lake are, from left, Ginger Pampolina, Macy Osoria and Nancy Buffaloe

Gene Hollier finds himself surrounded by friends as he celebrates his 80th birthday. With him at the big celebration at the Bay Oaks home of Bobby and Cathy Osoria in Clear Lake are, from left, Ginger Pampolina, Macy Osoria and Nancy Buffaloe

Gene Hollier celebrates his 80th

SOME 200 of Gene Hollier’s best friends were on hand to help him and Emmeline Dodd celebrate his 80th birthday and toast him for his many long years of volunteer work in the Clear Lake community.

Hosts for the big event were Emmeline’s daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Bobby Osoria, and granddaughter, Macy, at their Bay Oaks home.

Some spotted in the crowd were Pam and Greg Ploss, Angie and Matthew Weinman, Nancy Buffaloe, Phil and Ginger Pampolina, Tama Brantley, Jan and Gib Larson, Ann Blanchard, Anita Fogtman, Harriet Lukee and John Gay and Becky Reitz.

Dollie McAlpin, right, of Clear Lake joins her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, on stage after she was crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA at the pageant in San Antonio. At left is the beauty queen’s other grandmother, Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

Dollie McAlpin, right, of Clear Lake joins her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, on stage after she was crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA at the pageant in San Antonio. At left is the beauty queen’s other grandmother, Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

Lanie McAlpin wins teen crown

IF YOU NOTICE Dollie McAlpin of Clear Lake wearing a big smile these days, she has good reason. Her granddaughter, Lanie McAlpin, was recently crowned Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA.

Lanie, daughter of Jimmy and Lovetta McAlpin, is a junior at Sandra Day O’Connor High in Helotes, where she is in the National Honor Society, the orchestra and on the swim and water polo teams. Last year, she was first runnerup in the Miss Texas Teen USA in Houston.
Her other proud grandmother is Gracie Arguijo of Pleasanton, Texas.

 

Giving pets a second chance

SECOND CHANCE Pets will celebrate its 20th anniversary of saving lives in the Clear Lake area with a unique fundraiser they have never before attempted – Viva Paws Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The event at the Admiral Ballroom at the Endeavour Marina will feature casino-style gambling, beautiful showgirls, live and silent auctions, a live band, dancing, tapas and an open bar.

Laurel Stout is serving as chairman of the event and is already meeting with her committee, making plans for a great evening.

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