“There isn’t an established swim team in that part of town, and it’s just a beautiful area,” COOG head coach Greg Orphanides said. “It’s like a fresh start moving from the University of Houston, and we’re excited about the location where we hope will drew new members from several areas like Bellaire, Meyerland, The Galleria, West University and the Museum District.

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Prospective campers are urged to register quickly as space is limited.  Early registration will end on Monday, March 19. Late registration will go into effect on Tuesday, March 20 and will cost $20 extra per person per campsite.

Check in will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Gazebo in Bellaire Zindler Park. The event will end on Sunday, March 25 at 10 a.m.

Proceeds raised from the event will support the improvement and expansion of Bellaire Town Square- a recreational area in the heart of Bellaire. The Patrons for Bellaire Parks and the City of Bellaire Parks and Recreation Department will be co-hosting this year’s event.

“Patrons is excited and gearing up for more fun at this year’s Tent in Town campout.  Start sending positive thoughts for great weather and a clear night for some great stargazing,” Patrons President Karen Erwin said. “My son and I will camp out for the third year in a row.  I’ll miss this tradition with him, when one day he thinks he’s ‘too old’ for this event, so every year we are working hard to ensure there are plenty of activities for our teen campers.”

On the line-up for this year’s “Ultimate Urban Campout” are activities for kids of all ages, from balloon animals and toy race cars with Honeydew the Clown, to face painting, hula hoop contests, s’mores and ice cream.

Local band “Strange Days” will be returning with a song list of crowd-pleasing favorites. For the older kids, Houston Sports Adventures will have organized kickball & dodge ball games, tug of war and sack races.

Also returning are free family camping photos and four inflatables.  The event will feature a climbing wall and The Nature Discovery Center will join in for fun around the campfire.

The Optimist Club of Bellaire will be grilling food for the event. There will also be opportunities to explore a Bellaire police car, fire truck and an ambulance.

Once the sun goes down participants will gaze at the stars and planets through huge telescopes, courtesy of Houston Astronomical Society.

“Drive to a state park:  a few hours.  Drive to Bellaire Town Square:  a few minutes.  It’s a great way to camp with family and neighbors, while contributing to a great cause,” Event Co-Chair David Onufer said. “I wish there was an event like this when I was little, but I’m sure glad there’s one now for my boys.”

Tickets cost $80 for one adult and one child and include a 12×12 campsite, dinner, s’mores, ice cream, breakfast, concert, all activities and games and event T-shirts.

Register online at the Patrons website, www.BellaireParks.org. Registration and payment by check only is also available at the Bellaire Parks and Recreation Center, located on 7008 Fifth St., Bellaire.

 For more information about the event, contact PATRONS at 713-661-PARK (7275).

The project is expected to be complete at the end of March and includes a new sidewalk, a donor plaza around the gazebo, donor walls, new lighting, new benches and new landscaping.

The project is being funded by Patrons for Bellaire Parks. Council approved a $152,635 donation for the project from Patrons on Jan. 16.

The west entrance to city hall will be closed during the project.

The new complex will house two regulation Little League baseball fields, and one Little League tee-ball field along with related amenities.  The new complex will feature energy efficient, computer-controlled directional lighting, irrigated fields, permanent restrooms and storage areas, and covered bleachers for spectators.

These new fields will replace former Little League facilities that were located nearby that were repurposed during the recent construction of the new Horn Academy.

The new fields are expected to be ready for play by the fall season, and will be available for use by the students of Horn Academy during the school year and available as a recreational area for the City of Bellaire as governed by the Parks and Recreation Department at other times.

The firm Landscape Arts has been contracted to build the new facility.

Bellaire Little League has launched the Dirt to Diamonds capital campaign to raise $750,000 to complete the construction of the new sports complex.  As part of the campaign, a limited number of naming opportunities for the complex, fields and other amenities are available to major donors.

The first two corporate sponsors to go to bat for Bellaire’s youth include Mitch Beasley and Heritage Texas Properties with a donation of $25,000 for an electronic scoreboard and Deutsch & Deutsch Jewelers who committed $25,000 to sponsor a second electronic scoreboard. Other major sponsorship proposals are pending.

Interested parties may contact Tanya Gee, Campaign Chairperson at info@dirttodiamonds.org for more information.  A public campaign for individual donations will commence on Opening Day of the Bellaire Little League spring season in early March.

“The collaboration between all of the stakeholders has been great with HISD, the City of Bellaire, and Bellaire Little League working together to bring the project to life,”   League President Ronnie Karkowsky said. “And of course, this project couldn’t be done without our corporate partners and individual donors.”

Officials who joined in the groundbreaking ceremony included Bellaire City Manager Bernie Satterwhite, HISD School Board Member Mike Lunceford, Horn Academy Principal Sarah Harrington, Horn PTO Representative Kent Cantrell, and sponsor representatives Robin Mueck, President, Chaille Ralph, SVP, Bill Jones, SVP and Mitch Beasley of Heritage Texas Properties, and Little League players Boomer, Jake and Joe Beasley representing the Minor, Texas and Coach Pitch levels of play.

“As a father with three sons active in the League, I know first-hand about the rewards of participating,” Mitch Beasley said. “Not only have my sons improved their baseball skills, but they are learning the values that Little League stands for: Integrity, Honesty, Respect and Teamwork.”

KARATE AMERICAN Class: The class features techniques in the art, sport, self-defense and self-confidence.  Required uniform can be purchased at first class. The class will be held on Monday nights starting at 7 p.m. Youth class for ages 6-12. Adult class ages 13 and up.  Residents $56; Non-residents $66.

Youth Dance Class: The instructor, Lara Lanphier has over 10 years experience teaching and performing the art of dance. The Youth Dance program offers something for all children ages 2 and up.  These classes are offered monthly with a recital in May. $55 per month for residents and $65 per month for non-residents. No membership fee required.

Zumba Fitness: Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba program is all about. It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health. Two new classes are being held at the Bellaire Recreation Center. W/F 6:50-7:45 a.m.  Zumba Party Lunch Hour M/W 12:10 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.

For more information about these classes call the Bellaire Parks and Recreation Department at 713-662-8280 or go online www.bellairereg.com.

Some EHS varsity boys’ basketball players, EHS Cheerleaders, volunteers from EHS’ Students of Service, St. Agnes/Strake Jesuit’s Athletes in Action, and National Charity League assisted on and off the court to make it a great experience for everyone.

The bleachers were overflowing with family and fans then all were treated to a pizza lunch, thanks to the EHS Dad’s Club.

EHS and St. Agnes Academy have started a new tradition and will co-host this annual game at SAA next year.

Ed Dannenbaum

Bellaire Firefighter Ed Dannenbaum has been named firefighter of the year.

Dannenbaun has worked for the city for 19 years. He currently works on the B-shift where he is the Engine Operator for the shift.

In the past year he was asked to act as Interim Lieutenant, a position that held little reward and required great commitment, Fire Chief Darryl Anderson said.

“Ed handled the position very well and while he did not become the lieutenant, his dedication to the department helped see Bellaire Fire through some trying times,” Anderson said.

Dannenbaum also helps out in the community where he and his family have organized and manned the barbecue booth at Holy Ghost Catholic Church Bazaar for years.

Designed in an Italian Renaissance style and in the face of a devastating world war, the Downtown YMCA was the only Y constructed in the nation in the previous ten years of the depression.  It became a Houston landmark, replaced after 71 years.

The Bellaire Historical Society meets on the second Thursday of each month (September-May) at the Bellaire City Hall, 7008 South Rice.  Refreshments and BHS updates start at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bellairehistoricalsociety.org.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the city hall auditorium. All ages are welcome to attend.

The dance will feature music and refreshments. Pictures of the dads and their daughters will be available for a fee.

The cost to attend the event is $25 per couple and $35 for nonresidents, plus $10 for any additional guests.

Tickets will be available at the door for $35 for residents and $45 for nonresidents, plus $15 for any additional guests.

To register for the dance, click here.

The dance is being put on by the Bellaire Parks and Recreation Department.

Eagle Scouts Parker Brant, John Mosele, Luis Mejia, Ben Brentin and Jeff Barnwell recently celebrated their Eagle Ceremony together during a special Court of Honor.

Jeffrey Barnwell, Parker Brant, Ben Brentin and John Mosele have been scouts together since the first grade when they joined Den 8 as tiger cubs in Pack 505 (St. Vincent De Paul Church). Luis Mejia joined them in middle school.

The five new Eagles joined Troop 55 with a commitment to celebrate their Eagle Ceremony together.

The graduating seniors are all Honor Roll students at their respective schools – Strake-Jesuit, St. Thomas and St. John the Divine.

All five of the young men who received their Eagle award are members of the Rhino Patrol.  Bellaire resident Ellis Vachon has been the adult leader for the Rhino Patrol since its inception in 2005.   The Eagles attribute much of their success to Vachon.  Since these boys joined Troop 55 Rhino Patrol, Vachon has guided a total of 12 scouts in their Patrol to achieve the Eagle Award.

Jeffrey Barnwell is the son of Mary and Jeff Barnwell of West U. He is a senior at St. Thomas High School.

Parker Brant is the son of Carol and Dale Brant of Braes Heights. He is a senior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

Ben Brentin is the son of Vicki and John Brentin of Bellaire. He is a senior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

Luis Mejia is the son of Luz and Rodrigo Mejia of West U. He is a senior at St. John the Divine School.

John Mosele is the son of Beth and Tom Mosele of Houston. He is a senior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.