Clear Lake Shores Civic Club Hosts “Barktoberfest” on October 18th

Barktoberfest 2014, benefitting Bay Area Pet Adoptions will take place Saturday, October 18, 11am to 4pm, (rain date October 25), at Jarboe Bayou Pavilion in Clear Lake Shores. The Clear Lake Shores Civic Club has many exciting "pet friendly" events planned for Barktoberfest! The full schedule of events can be found on the Barktoberfest webpage. Look for our “Bier Garten” where you will find Oktoberfest themed food, drinks and Oompah music! All money raised prior to or at the event will go directly to Bay Area Pet Adoptions.

Brockway Realty, LLC maintains an Area Calendar on our website; check the calendar for events/activities coming to our community.

By Pamela Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty, LLC

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

City Spotlight: Clear Lake Shores – The Island in the Bay Area

Imagine purchasing a parcel of land when subscribing to a newspaper! During the 1920’s, the Clear Lake area was a popular vacation area for those wanting to leave the hustle and bustle of the City of Houston. Promoters purchased land and subdivided it into 20 by 100 foot tracts for a development they named “Clear Lake Shores”. Unfortunately, this plan did not come to fruition when the Great Depression hit. But in the 1930’s, the (now defunct) Houston Post reportedly advertised the lots for a price of $69.50 with a 6-month newspaper subscription. Many “subscribers” did take the offer and began building summer homes on the island. After water was established on the island, permanent residences were built. By 1936, the community of Clear Lake Shores was reflected on Galveston County highway maps. The city was incorporated in 1962 and has continued to grow.

Located on Farm Road 2094 (Marina Bay Drive), Clear Lake Shores is about 22 miles northwest of Galveston in Galveston County, on the southeastern side of Clear Lake at the entrance of Jarboe Bayou, and about a mile west of Galveston Bay. This island community has maintained its eclectic blend of homes and embraces the maritime lifestyle. Homes range in size from under 1,000 square feet to over 6,000 square feet. Besides being a bird sanctuary, Clear Lake Shores is also home to three marinas and regarded as “The Yachting Capital of Texas”. There are more boat slips located in the city limits than there are residents on dry land.

The residents (about 1,400) enjoy: a front-row view of the annual holiday boat lane parade; fireworks over the lake; community dinners; driving golf carts to get from place to place around the island; and, buying fresh produce at the weekend Farmers Market. The city has a police department, city council, and civic club. Residents and visitors frequent the variety of restaurants in Clear Lake Shores as well as the stores and shops in the area.

If you are looking to relocate to an area with a small town feel, located in the Clear Creek Independent School District and you love sailing, fishing, or just being close to the water, Clear Lake Shores is beckoning you. You cannot, however, take advantage of buying land with a newspaper subscription!

View All Homes in Clear Lake Shores for Sale

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

Businesses Projected to Open in the Bay Area

The following lists shows the businesses currently projected to open/or have recently opened in the Bay Area, as posted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Development in their August and November reports.

WEBSTER

• Slices and Ices (Gourmet Pizza) – 300 Bay Area Blvd;
• ArtWorks – El Camino Real and NASA Parkway;
• The Fresh Market – 1507 West Bay Area Blvd, Baybrook Village;
• Sears Outlet – Clear Lake Center, NASA Parkway and the Gulf Freeway;
• Bombshells – 803 East NASA Parkway near the corner of El Camino;
• Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina – 20235 Gulf Freeway;
• Nordstrum Rack – Baybrook Square (Current DSW Shoes Location), Spring 2015.

LEAGUE CITY

• Dunkin Doughnuts – 2340 Marina Bay;
• HEB – Southeast Corner of League City Parkway and South Shore Blvd;
• Quaker Steak & Lube, Olympia Grill – Close by Jimmy Changas in Victory Lakes;
• Jumping World – FM 518;
• Starbucks, McDonald’s, and an Urgent Care Center – Northwest Corner of League City Parkway and South Shore Blvd, (New Strip Center).

SEABROOK

• Gulf Winds International, (Warehouse) – Between Hwy 146 and Old 146;

KEMAH

• Aldi – FM 518 across from Wal-Mart (open);
• Whataburger – FM 518 and Hwy 146 area.

By Pam Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

November Fall Arts & Craft Fairs in the Bay Area

Our area is home to many talented artisans and crafters, which proves evident at the fall Arts & Craft Fairs festivals hosted by cities, churches, and organizations. This blog lists many of the shows scheduled for the month of November. Admission to all these events is FREE.

NOVEMBER 1-3

• [Taylor Lake Village] 33^rd Annual Nutcracker Shoppe, Friday Nov. 1^st, 9am-5pm; Saturday, Nov. 2^nd, 9am-3pm; Taylor Lake Christian Church, 1730 Old Kirby Road.
• [League City] 18^th Annual Creative Artisans Show and Sale, Friday Nov. 1st, 9am-7pm; Saturday Nov. 2^nd, 9am-7pm; Sunday Nov 3^rd, 10am-4pm; Walter Hall Park Pavilion, 807 Hwy 3 North.
• [Clear Lake Shores] 8^th Annual Holiday Art Sale; Saturday November 2^nd, 8am-4pm; Clear Lake Shores Community Center, 931 Cedar Street.
• [League City] Bay Area Junior Women’s Club Holiday Bazaar, Saturday November 2nd, 2pm-6pm; League City Recreation Center, 400 West Walker Street.

NOVEMBER 7-9

• [Kemah] Deck the Halls Christmas Market, Thursday Nov. 7^th, 5pm-9pm; Friday Nov. 8^th, 10am-7pm; Saturday Nov. 9^th, 10am-4pm; Johnny Walker Community Center, 800 Harris Blvd (corner of Hwy 146 and FM 2094).
• [Clear Lake City] Santa’s Shopping Mall, Saturday Nov. 9^th, 9am-4pm; Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino, Houston.

  NOVEMBER 14-16

• [Webster] 32^nd Annual Velvet Stocking Christmas Craft Bazaar, Thursday Nov. 14^th, 9am-7pm; Friday Nov. 15^th, 9am-5pm; Saturday Nov. 16^th, 9am-5pm; Webster Civic Center, 311 Pennsylvania.

By Pam Moore, Feature Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog

League City/Bay Area Golf Courses – Pick Your Style

Whether you are looking for a private 9-hole Canongate links-style golf course or a public lighted 9-hole course, the League City/Bay Area is home to a diverse selection of golf courses to suit your style and your time.

South Shore Harbour Country Club – Canongate members enjoy having a 27-hole private course located close to Clear Lake. There are three distinct nines:

• South Course: 9 holes, 3,360 yards
• Shore Course: 9 holes, 3,522 yards
• Harbour Course: 9 holes, 3,364 yards

The private course was originally designed by Dave Marr and Jay Riviere and recently renovated by Jeffrey Blume in the late 1990’s. Information can be found about the clubhouse, dining and other amenities on the Club’s website. South Shore Harbour Country Club is located at 4300 South Shore Blvd. in League City.

Magnolia Creek Golf Club – Another Canongate owned course that members can play under their membership, the newest private club in the Bay Area, the 27-hole Canongate links-style course was designed with a strong British Isles influence.

• Scotland Course: 9 holes, 3,669 yards
• Ireland Course: 9 holes, 3,680 yards
• England Course: 9 holes, 3,664 yards

Thomas E. Clark, who has designed over 100 courses, gave his “hands on approach” to this course with spacious fairways and a world-class 22-acre practice facility. To learn more about other amenities offered at this Club, visit the website. Magnolia Creek Golf Club is located in League City at 1501 West Bay Area Blvd.

Bay Oaks Country Club - Established in 1988, this 18-hole private club offers a 7,011 yard course with elevated greens, Bermuda grass fairways and a link-style design on the back nine.

The course rating is 74.7 and has a slope rating of 134. Designer Arthur Hills, ASGCA, manages this facility with General Manager Patrick Pettit. Bay Oaks Country Club is located in the Clear Lake community at 14545 Bay Oaks Blvd, less than 30 minutes from downtown Houston. Members will find many services and amenities as shown on the club’s website.

Timber Creek Golf Club –Located on 316 acres of wooded area at 4554 FM 2351 Rd in Friendswood, this public club offers 27-holes among oak and pine trees. Over 1-million cubic yards of dirt were used to create the rolling looks of South Carolina; 13 bridges cross over Clear Creek, which winds throughout the course.

• Pines Course, 9 holes
• Creekside Course, 9 holes
• Timber Trails Course, 9 holes

A lighted driving range is offered for golfers who work late and want to wind down by hitting a few balls. Director of Golf Instruction, David Pilsner, has been a ‘Class A’ PGA Member since 1983 and is certified as a Ping and Titleist club fitter. For more details about the course, Pro Shop and other amenities, visit the club’s website.

Beacon Lakes Golf Club – Unique to the area, this public course is located at 801 FM 646 Road West in Dickinson, and offers 18 holes and over 6,777 yards under lights. Imagine playing golf when the sun is going down or rising on the weekend.

Dusk or dawn golfing can be a challenging, yet fun experience. Golf carts are equipped with lights and coupon specials are available. All levels of players will find this course a great after-hours way to get together. For more information about this club, visit their website.

The Links at Green Caye – This family-friendly public par 3, 9-hole course is both affordable and laid-back. The course is lighted to allow golfing into the night and has a covered driving range for protection from the heat and/or rain.

Located at 2100 Caroline St. in Dickinson, the club offers daily rates as well as golf membership options. More information can be found on the club’s website.

By Pam Moore, Featured Blogger for Brockway Realty

Originally Posted on Brockway Realty LLC's Official Blog