Author Archives: kasmort

Tamika Denson-Willis, M.D., a board certified internal medicine physician, has joined Memorial Hermann Medical Group (MHMG) Pearland.

Introduce your child to the magic of math, the science of the kitchen or the secrets of writing like an author with Kids U from University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Center for Educational Programs, registration ongoing for camps in June and July.

For more information, call the Center for Educational Programs at 281-283-3530 or visit http://kidsu.uhcl.edu.

Representative Ed Thompson announced that he is accepting recommendations for the Governor’s Star of Texas Award for 2016.

“The Star of Texas Award is a noble program that credits the bravest citizens in our state. For thirteen years, numerous first responders and courageous citizens have been awarded one of the highest honors our state can present. I am grateful for the opportunity to recommend a qualified individual for Governor Greg Abbott’s consideration.”

To be eligible for consideration for this year’s awards, the critical incident must have occurred between September 1, 2003 and June 15, 2016, and the individual must not have previously received a Star of Texas Award.

The Star of Texas Award was established by HB 1937 during the 78th Legislative Session in 2003 to honor the service and sacrifice of first responders in our local communities. The award honors those who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. The award has been expanded since then to include all peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty; federal law enforcement officers or special agents seriously injured or killed while performing duties in Texas while assisting a state or local law enforcement agency; as well as all citizens who were seriously injured or killed while assisting Texas first responders on or after September 1, 2003.

If you know someone who should be considered for the Star of Texas Award, please contact Rep. Thompson’s office at District29.Thompson@house.texas.gov before June 1, 2016. The awards will be presented by Governor Abbott or his designee in September of 2016.

The Pearland Rotary Club’s Annual Golf Tournament for Charity is scheduled for May 2^nd  at the beautiful Golfcrest Country Club in Pearland.  Proceeds are used to support the Club’s charitable activities primarily in the Pearland and surrounding communities including:

• Providing “Dare to Excel” scholarships to high school students from Pearland, Turner and Dawson High Schools in conjunction with the 288 Corridor Rotary Club.
• Hosting a Valentine’s Dinner & Dance for local special needs young adults.
• Purchasing livestock at the Pearland Show from our FFA and 4-H students.
• Supporting after-school programs by funding equipment and supply needs.
• Purchasing and maintaining defibrillators for Pearland schools.
• Sponsoring the Garden Club at Pearland Jr. High West.
• Hosting local blood drives.
• Visiting and providing Valentine’s gifts to residents of Windsong Village.
• Supporting the Westside Spray Park.
• Supporting the Guerrero Clinic http://www.guerreroclinic.org/.

These programs directly and indirectly enhance the quality of life in our community.  Please visit http://www.pearlandrotarygolf.com to register to play and/or as a sponsor.  The team registration fee is only $600.

All golfers will receive:

• Golf & cart
• Goody bag with promotional items
• Range balls for practice
• Lunch & refreshments on the course throughout the day.  Lunch begins at 11:00 AM
• Awards reception, dinner & auction

Awards will be given for:

First Hole-in-One (Winner receives a new car provided by Strickland Chevrolet)        

Putting contest

Closest to the pin

Longest drive

Tournament Sponsors

The following organizations are this year’s tournament sponsors.

Diamond

Crain Group

Platinum

HCA Pearland

Texas Citizens Bank

Texas First Bank

Blue

Gulf States Plumbing

Pie In The Face Contest

Tournament organizer Ed Slaback announced that the members of the Pearland Rotary Club were divided into two teams to compete in signing up the most golf tournament participants. This year’s team captains are Brad Crain and Noble Alix.  The captain of the winning team will throw a pie in the face of the captain of the losing team on the day of the tournament as part of the opening ceremonies beginning at 12:00 Noon.

Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division need the public’s assistance identifying the suspect responsible for a Hit and Run – Failure to Stop and Render Aid – Fatality.

On Thursday, March 24, 2016, at approximately 9:43 p.m., Ms. Karen Johnson was struck and killed by a vehicle traveling in an unknown direction in the 7700 block of McHard Road in Houston. The suspect and vehicle that struck Ms. Johnson fled the scene without rendering aid to her. Ms. Johnson was pronounced dead by arriving emergency medical personnel.

Suspect Vehicle Description: Houston Police Investigators believe the vehicle involved in this crime was possibly a Chrysler or Dodge.

The family of Karen Johnson is requesting the help of the community in finding the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org. Tips may also be sent via a text message by texting the following: TIP610 plus the information to CRIMES (274637) or via our mobile app (Crime Stoppers Houston). All tipsters remain anonymous.

The Recreation Center and Natatorium is hosting a FLASH sale through April 23. Individuals who sign up for a facility membership from now through Saturday, will… receive one additional month at no cost. The joining fee will be waived and the promotion is limited to one per customer. Call 281.412. 8900 for more details. Don’t delay.

The Pearland Golf Club at Country Place has not only recently been renovated, but it also has a new General Manager.

Israel “Izzy” Gonzalez was brought on in January and has been rejuvenating golfers’ experiences.

Gonzalez got into the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Program in 1987 and became a PGA Pro in 1990. He grew up in Huffman and has managed courses in Houston, Kingwood and Chicago, Ill. He spent time working with golf legend Arnold Palmer, and hosted a Secret Service tournament in Kingwood, where he met former President George H.W. Bush.

Gonzalez said that the deciding factor for him to come to Pearland was, “the potential for growth. Golf has been on a decline for the last few years, but I see tremendous potential here in Pearland. Not many courses offer four sets of men’s and two sets of ladies’ tees. It’s a great course with many unique features.”

The Club also recently acquired a new fleet of Club Golf Carts with built-in GPS and an interactive screen on each vehicle. Each cart may also be used for advertising.

Another feature that Gonzalez has brought to Country Place is the ability to host 150 – 250 player tournaments, as well as golf-related business meetings. “We have catering and plenty of space for businesses that would like to meet and include golf for their attendees,” he said.

Gonzalez has also brought in Golf Pro Matt Schewe, who is a Class A Golf Professional with over 25 years experience, to give lessons to students, young and old.

“During the weekends, our average play time for 18 holes is four hours and 15 minutes,” said Gonzalez. “Compare that to Memorial Golf Course. The average time there is six hours. We strive to make the entire experience, from reserving a tee time to finishing up at the clubhouse, an enjoyable, seamless experience.”

A recent review from GolfAdvisor.com states, “Coming off a two-year renovation by architect Jeff Blume, Pearland Golf Club at Country Place has a new look to go with its slightly new name (it used to be simply known as Country Place Golf Club), and it’s one of the best values in the Houston area.”

To read the entire review, visit http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/pearland-golf-club-at-country-place-texas-15756.htm.

To learn more about the course or to reserve a tee time, visit PearlandGolfClub.com or call (713) 773-9603

Representative Ed Thompson announced that he is accepting applications for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) for the 2016-2017 school year.

“The TASSP is a unique opportunity for students to build their leadership skills while earning college credit,” Rep. Thompson stated. “I am grateful for the young men and women who commit to serve in our Armed Forces and am looking forward to reviewing the qualified applicants and supporting this influential program for another year.”

In order to be considered for the TASSP, a student enrolling in college straight from high school must meet two of the following four academic criteria at the time of application:

• Be on track to graduate, or has graduated high school with the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) or the International Baccalaureate Program (IB);
• Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
• Achieve a college readiness score on the SAT (1590) or ACT (23);
• Be ranked in the top one-third of the prospective high school graduating class.

Students are encouraged to become members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Merchant Marine, or commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States. These annual awards can make a significant difference in the life of high achieving students.

Additionally, students must be enrolled in a college or university in the Fall 2016/Spring 2017 academic year in order to be nominated for the TASSP during the current nomination cycle. For more information on specific requirements, please visit http://www.hhloans.com/ and click on the “Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP)” link.

If you would like to be considered for nomination by Rep. Thompson for the TASSP, please email your resume to District29.Thompson@house.texas.gov no later than June 1, 2016. Each member of the Legislature is authorized to nominate one student.