COMMUNITY GIVING - Buffalo Bayou Partnership

Dear Friends:
The Holidays are a time of
celebrating and giving thanks.
As we reflect back on the past
year, we want to recognize and
express our appreciation to all
of the businesses, individuals
and governmental entities who
have given so generously of their
time and skills to Buffalo Bayou
Partnership. Due to their in-kind
support, our organization has
been able to expand its efforts to
redevelop and revitalize our city’s
historic waterway.
This newsletter issue also
highlights sponsors of our annual
Buffalo Bayou Ball. Raising
nearly $350,000, this year’s event
would not have been possible
without the generosity of our
donors.
As we bring in the new year,
we give a toast to all our 2009
benefactors and express our
sincere thanks and gratitude.
Sincerely,
Chuck Carlberg
Chairman
Anne Olson
President
The Commerce Street
land acquisition
would not have been
possible without the
steadfast support
and commitment
from the City of
Houston and Harris
County Flood Control
District. We send
our sincere thanks
to Andy Icken, City
of Houston Public
Works & Engineering
Department Deputy
Director and to
Mike Talbott, Harris
County Flood Control
District Director.
We sincerely thank other Houston
firms that have recently provided
Buffalo Bayou Partnership with
pro-bono legal services, including:
B E R I E L A M B E RT H , L L P
C OAT S | R O S E
V I N S O N & E L K I N S L L P
Proposed
Commerce Street
Promenade
C O M M U N I T Y G I V I N G
In 2009 Buffalo Bayou Partnership coordinated
a complex inter-governmental transaction that
resulted in the City of Houston owning a two-acre
$7.3 million property along Commerce Street
in downtown Houston. The property, a key and
critical component of a future flood management
project, was purchased with the City and County
each contributing $3.5 million and Buffalo Bayou
Partnership paying the remaining $300,000. In
addition to the funding arrangement that had to
be worked out, the real estate transaction was
extremely complex as 19 individual investors
owned the property. Needless to say, this was one
of Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s most complex and
difficult land purchases and one requiring a high
level of real estate expertise and legal skills.
e n t e r …
The Lionstone Group
and
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Tom Bacon, Lionstone
President and BBP board
member, served as the liaison
between the sellers and the
three funders. For more than
a year, Tom and his colleagues
Wai Cheng McKenzie and
Debbie Patterson negotiated
with the sellers and their representatives to
obtain the right deal to achieve the combined
goals of Buffalo Bayou Partnership, City of
Houston and Harris County Flood Control
District.
“This was a tricky transaction, with three
buyers, 19 sellers, a distressed economic
environment all focused on a relatively small
property; everybody except BBP board member
Mike Garver threw in the towel at least once,”
says Tom.
On the legal side, attorney Kurt Norndorf
and his team at Jackson Walker maintained
constant contact with attorneys at the City
of Houston, Harris County Flood Control
A Newsletter of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership December 2009
(l to r) TOM BACON and KURT NORNDORF
District and those representing the sellers.
More than 20 separate contracts and 100
documents were executed before the property
finally closed on October 8. Legal services
exceeded $100,000 with Jackson Walker
contributing 50 percent.
Both Lionstone and Jackson Walker are no
strangers to intricate and time consuming land
transactions, and community involvement.
Lionstone is a real estate investment
partnership with property holdings in 25 cities
across the country. The firm specializes in
researching, conceptualizing and executing
national investment strategies based on
proprietary data.
In addition to lending Buffalo Bayou
Partnership his real estate expertise, Tom is
intimately involved in a wide range of land
transactions for the Houston Parks Board
where he serves as president. He also serves
on the national real estate committee of The
Trust for Public Land.
With more than 300 attorneys in Houston
and five other Texas cities, Jackson Walker
represents clients in such areas as energy,
health care, intellectual property, bankruptcy
and real estate. The firm’s corporate clients
include Fortune 500 companies, multinational
corporations, major financial
institutions, and a wide range of publicly
traded companies. Commitment to
community service is an important element in
Jackson Walker’s business philosophy with the
firm involved in over 500 local, regional and
national civic and charitable organizations.
Here in Houston, Jackson Walker partner
Kurt Norndorf is actively involved in
addressing the issue of homelessness. He is
a board member of Convenant House and
Clarewood House, serves on the Central
Houston Audit Committee, and is on the
Board of Trustees of Houston Christian
High School.

The Sky’s
the Limit!
Over the past three years, Continental Airlines has provided
Buffalo Bayou Partnership with more than $25,000 of free
air travel. Continental’s donated airline transportation
certificates have been used to honor winners in BBP’s annual
Buffalo Bayou Regatta and to bring international artists to
Houston as part of the organization’s public art activities.
“Continental’s contribution of free air travel has been an
important incentive in attracting Regatta participants and
has allowed artists participating in our public art projects
to travel here from as far away as Mexico City,” says BBP
President Anne Olson.
Besides its philanthropic work, Continental is making
valuable contributions to the world’s environment. Fortune
magazine recently named Continental one of the top ten
global companies in the Community/Environment category
on its list of Most Admired Global Companies. Take a look at
just some of the ways the Houston-based airline has taken
decisive steps to incorporate environmental stewardship
into its corporate culture.
Through a partnership with
Katz Coffee’s Coffee Cause
Program, BBP receives a
portion of proceeds from the
sale of Bayou Blend coffee.
Featuring an historic photo
of BBP’s
International
Coffee
Building
at Allen’s
Landing, the
Bayou Blend
package
describes
the fair trade/organic and
bird friendly coffee as “richly
aromatic, hefty earthy and
distinctly lush – much like
Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, the
fascinating urban greenspace
that inspired the coffee and
traverses from the outskirts
of Katy through downtown
Houston to the Ship Channel.”
Stepping Up to the Plate
Guests and participants at Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 2009 events
have enjoyed tasty treats and refreshing drinks from the following
generous Houston businesses:
Whole Foods Market provided more
than 450 lunches at this year’s Buffalo
Bayou Regatta. The store also donated
snacks for 200 participants at our
annual Planting on the Parkway.
Tenaris, the leading global manufacturer and supplier of energy
tubular products, first became involved with Buffalo Bayou
Partnership in March 2009, when their employees helped
reconstruct Tapley Tributary during “A Day in the Dirt” volunteer event. Subsequently,
thanks to an introduction by Courtney Votaw, Community Relations Coordinator
for Tenaris and a member of BBP’s young professional group, Bayou Buddies, BBP
worked to secure an in-kind pipe donation for the construction of the International
Coffee Building (ICB) at historic Allen’s Landing. Through this innovative partnership,
Tenaris provided a total of 2,805
linear feet of pipe for handrails
with a fair market value of almost
$21,000.
John Gerlach, Project Manager,
Tenaris Coiled Tubes- Downhole
Center, was instrumental in
making the request a reality.
“When I first heard that Tenaris
was considering a donation, I
became quite interested. Living
near Buffalo Bayou, I have
enjoyed the Bayou Regatta, the
bike trails, and had volunteered last spring for a Day in the Dirt,” said Gerlach. “It
seemed like a natural progression to provide my services to ensure BBP received
the materials desired for the International Coffee Building project, and it was
rewarding to see pipe loaded out for a cause which will help beautify our city. I look
forward to observing the construction and receiving progress updates.”
St. Arnold’s Brewery has
been a wonderful partner and
we are happy to say a neighbor
with their new location
near BBP’s office in the north downtown warehouse district. St. Arnold’s
tasty brew has quenched the thirst of many throughout the year, from the
Regatta, volunteer events during the summer heat, to the Bayou Buddies
Planting on the Parkway and Bites and Bats Tours. Cheers to you Lennie
Ambrose and everyone at St. Arnold’s!
Others Who Have
Stepped Up to the Plate:
Founded in 1906, Tenaris’ history is deeply intertwined with the communities in which
it is located. As the North American headquarters, the company has been heavily
involved with the Museum of Fine Arts, where it has been the lead sponsor of the
Latin Wave film festival.
• Continental is committed to
constructing its airport facilities
according to the U.S. Green Building
Council Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED).
• Continental has been using electric
ground equipment in Houston since
2002, reducing emissions from ground
equipment approximately 75 percent.
• Continental is today nearly 35 percent
more fuel efficient for every mile a
passenger flies than in 1997.
• Continental has instituted recycling
programs in its maintenance facilities,
offices, flight kitchens and aircraft.
• Continental has more than 1,000 athome
reservation agents in order to
reduce the number of employees who
commute to work.
Antone’s
Real Ale Brewing
Redwood Creek Wine
Sweet Leaf Tea
H o m e D e p o t
Gratitude goes to those Houston media
outlets who have helped promote
Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Being a
non-profit organization, our advertising
budget is limited, and Buffalo Bayou
Partnership is very appreciative of the
print, radio, and TV companies who have
helped spread the word:
Examiner News Group
Greensheet
Houston Chronicle
Houston Health &
Fitness Magazine
Houston Family Magazine
Houston Press
KHOU-Channel 11
PaperCity
002+
107.5 FM K-Hits
Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s
revitalization and redevelopment
work would not be possible without
the support of governmental agencies
and organizations. We sincerely thank
our many public sector partners for
their support and steadfast commitment
to Buffalo Bayou.
City of Houston Airport System
City of Houston Convention &
Entertainment Facilities Department
City of Houston Mayor’s Office
of Special Events
City of Houston Parks &
Recreation Department
City of Houston Public Works &
Engineering Department
Greater East End
Management District
Harris County Flood
Control District
Houston Downtown
Management District
Main Street/Market Square Tax
Increment Reinvestment Zone
Memorial Heights Tax Increment
Reinvestment Zone
Port of Houston Authority
f o l low i n g h u r r i c a n e i k e , The Home Depot Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, provided $1 million to recovery and
rebuilding efforts along the Texas Gulf Coast. Buffalo Bayou Partnership was
honored to be a recipient of a $10,000 Gift Card that was used to purchase tools
and supplies for removal of fallen trees, debris and silt along Buffalo Bayou’s
trails. In addition to using the Gift Card for Hurricane Ike cleanup efforts, BBP has
purchased other items that are being used by the more than 1,500 volunteers who
annually participate in the organization’s Adopt-a-Spot program, Green Team, and
other conservation activities.
A major and most valuable Home Depot purchase has been a tool shed that stores
volunteer equipment and supplies. Located in a parking lot along the bayou’s west
sector, the structure provides a satellite site that supplements the organization’s
main East End storage facility.
“By having this structure, we have been able to save considerable time in
transportation and pre-event setup,” points out Jessalyn Ballard, BBP Volunteer/
Outreach Coordinator. “Our volunteers are now able to arrive and park, grab gloves,
rakes and shovels, and walk along the trails to the cleanup and beautification areas.”
Created in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to building affordable
homes for working families. Since its formation, the foundation has granted
$120 million to non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. and supported the
development of more than 65,000 affordable homes.
C O M M U N I T Y G I V I N G continued on last page

Buffalo Bayou Partnership hosted its fifth Annual Buffalo Bayou Ball with
this year’s theme, A Grassroots Gathering. We were so pleased to honor
four visionaries who are responsible for designing Buffalo Bayou’s unique
and unforgettable landscapes: Guy Hagstette, Kevin Shanley, Johnny Steele
and Charles Tapley. Together, these individuals have transformed the banks
of Buffalo Bayou, creating such memorable destinations as Tapley Tributary,
Sesquicentennial Park, and Sabine Promenade. In addition to Buffalo Bayou,
other parks, gardens and civic spaces throughout Houston have benefited
from the design skills of our honorees. Houston is truly a more livable and
beautiful city because of their professional efforts and contributions.
Guests enjoyed perfect autumn weather under the stars. Inspired by our
grassroots theme, the event’s menu and décor reflected the warm colors and
textures of the fall harvest season.
Bringing in close to $350,000 with 450 guests in attendance, the Gala
exceeded all expectations thanks to the generosity of our supporters and
tireless efforts from our Co-Chairs: Sis and Hasty Johnson, Mimi Lloyd, and
Leslye and David Weaver.
Buffalo Bayou Partnership extends thanks to the following donors who
came together in support of revitalization efforts along Buffalo Bayou.
a grassroots gathering
c o - c h a i r s
Hasty and Sis Johnson,
Gary Whitney, Mimi Lloyd,
Leslye and David Weaver
h o n o r e e s
Kevin Shanley
Johnny Steele
Charles Tapley
Guy Hagstette
A very special T H A N K S to those Buffalo Bayou Ball
sponsors who contributed, helping fund the BBP’s
projects and operations revitalizing Buffalo Bayou.
U N D E R S T O R Y
U N D E R W R I T E R
Kinder Foundation
F L O R A F U N D E R
John P. McGovern Foundation
S E E D S U P P O R T E R
Carol and Les Ballard
Jeanie and Tom Carter, Jr.
CenterPoint Energy
Cherie and Jim Flores
Susan and Mike Garver
Guy Hagstette
Jenny and Jim Elkins/
Leslie and Shannon Sasser
Target
Judy and Charles Tate
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
C A N O P Y C O N T R I B U T O R
Dr. and Mrs. William T. Butler
Central Houston/
Downtown District
Sis and Hasty Johnson
The Lionstone Group
Mimi Lloyd
Marley Lott
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Lummis
Richards Carlberg
Shell Oil Company
Silver Eagle Distributors
Johnny Steele
Terri and Ray Thomas
Waste Management
Leslye and David Weaver
Dillon Kyle Architecture/
Wells Design
G R O U N D C O V E R G I V E R
Neelofur and Sami Ahmad
BRH Garver Construction
Lynn and Christopher Brown
Anne and Council Member
Peter Brown
Camden
Jacquelyn and Collin Cox
Susie and Sanford Criner/
Cece and Mack Fowler
Jo and Jim Furr
Hines
Laura and Tom Bacon/
Jill and Dunham Jewett
Ann and Tom Kelsey
PageSoutherlandPage
Quality of Life Coalition
Isla and Tommy Reckling
Wilhelmina E.
(Beth) Robertson Fund
Schlumberger
Evelyn and Kevin Shanley
Anat and Chad Shaw/
LeRoy and Adelle Shaw
Thompson Hanson
Kelley and Harper Trammell Fund
Susan and Gene Vaughan
Stedman West Foundation
P R A I R I E
Francey Pengra and Ed Allday
Amegy Bank
Jennifer Tuttle Arnold
BG Americas
Cindi and Bob Blakely III
Alison Smith and Dean Burkhardt
Tom and Jacqui Castro
Kelty and Rogers Crain
Clayton and Shel Erikson
Gibson’s Landscape Contractors
Cynthia and Ben Guill
Ann Lents and David Heaney
Carolyn and Matt Henneman
Terry Hershey
Highland Resources, Inc.
Jay Jones
Susan and Richard Keeton
Lynn and Ty Kelly
Bettie Cartwright
and Colin Kennedy
Harriet and Truett Latimer
The Robert & Janice McNair
Foundation
Judy and Scott Nyquist
Sarah and Ben Powell
Barbara and Louis Sklar
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Stasney
Anne and Taft Symonds
Lorraine and Ed Wulfe
W E T L A N D
Mr. and Mrs. D. Kent Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Baker, III
Minnette and Peter Boesel
Sharon and Chip Bryan
Claire P. Caudill
Clark Condon Associates, Inc.
Gayle and Mike DeGeurin
Susie and Joe Dilg
Marsha Dodson
Verlinde and Dr. Bill Doubleday
Tara and Stacy Eastland
Deborah Wandel Francis
Dorothee Sauter and
Josef Helfenstein
Artie Lee Hinds
Wendy and Mavis Kelsey, Jr.
KHOU-TV, KHOU.com
Anne and David Kirkland
Curtis and Cindee Klement
Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Lloyd, Jr.
Ginni and Richard Mithoff
Anne Lewis and David Morris
Christina Bryan and Trey Peacock
Betsy and Bob Phillips
Carroll and Hugh Ray
Lenox and John Reed, Jr.
Lorie Westrick, AIA and
Rey de la Reza, AIA
Winifred and Carleton Riser
Liz and Max Schuette
Dana and Trey Strake
Jamie Mize and Dan Tidwell
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Lisa and Barron Wallace
Sue and Buz White
U P L A N D
Chris and Merrell Athon
Cathy and Paul Chapman
Betty and Bill Conner
June Deadrick
Carolyn and David Edgar
Steve Fitzgerald
Jerry and Nanette Finger Foundation
Russ Frank
Punkin and Walter Hecht
Jodie Holstien
Hunt & Hunt Engineering Corporation
Madeleine Hussey
Jeane and Joe Laughlin
Todd Litton
Kimberly and Richard Lucas
George P. Mitchell
Mrs. S.I. Morris
Nancy and Stacy Owen
Jim and Nicole Perdue
Chula and Ramon Sanchez
SSCI Environmental
Shead Conservation Solutions
Mr. Louis H. Skidmore, Jr.
I N - K I N D D O N O R S
A Fare Extraordinaire
Bayou Buddies
City of Houston Convention
& Entertainment
Facilities Department
City of Houston Mayor’s
Office of Special Events
City of Houston Parks &
Recreation Department
City of Houston Public
Works & Engineering
Department
Johnathan Andrew Sage
Katz Coffee
LD Systems
RR Donnelley - Wetmore Plant
13 Celsius
Special thanks to Karen Holland at Richards Carlberg for the
beautiful Buffalo Bayou Ball invitation design.
P H O T O S B Y J E N N Y A N T I L L

Beautifying Buffalo Bayou
For a second year, Apache Corporation has assisted
with Buffalo Bayou beautification efforts by providing
thousands of native trees. In February, Apache donated
1,500 trees for the annual Planting on the Parkway, an
event hosted by Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Bayou
Buddies and Trees for Houston’s Redbuds. Another 1,500
trees are being planted this fall and winter at such sites
as Buffalo Bend Nature Park and Tony Marron Park in
Houston’s East End. The trees planted along Buffalo Bayou
are part of Apache’s effort to provide one million trees to
non-profit groups nationwide.
Newton’s Nursery is helping kick off Great Small Trees,
a cooperative project of Buffalo Bayou Partnership and
The Garden Club of Houston. The 30 year-old wholesale
plant company is providing more than 100 trees as the
initial planting of a five-year initiative that will create
demonstration areas along the bayou’s west sector.
All selected trees are native, likely to thrive with little
maintenance, and provide seasonal interest and habitat
benefits. Newton’s is no stranger to Buffalo Bayou
Partnership beautification efforts. The company has
donated trees and plants for various BBP projects,
including the annual Buffalo Bayou Ball.
Thank you to all the groups and individuals
who lent a hand and glove this past year:
Bayou Buddies
CenterPoint Energy
Christ Church Cathedral
ConocoPhillips
Corby’s Castle
Deloitte
EnerVest
ExxonMobil
IKEA
Lanier Middle School
Leadership Houston: 26
Leo Daily Architects
REI
Shell Oil
Singles on Word -
First Presbyterian Church
and Single Source of
Second Baptist Church
St. Arnold’s Brewery
STAR Program
Student Conservation
Association
Target
Tenaris
The University of
St. Thomas
Wetland Team with
the Texas Coastal Watershed
Program
YES Prep
In 2009 Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s
volunteers planted over 4,000 trees
and understory plants, 10,000 wetland
plants at Buffalo Bend Nature Park, and
picked up over 1,500 pounds of trash from land surrounding Buffalo Bayou.
Thank you to all of our generous volunteers who lent a hand to beautify
Houston’s most significant natural resource! For more information on
volunteering , contact Jessalyn Ballard at jballard@buffalobayou.org or
713.752.0314 ext. 4.
BuffAlo BAyou PArtNershIP BoArD of DIrectors 2009
officers
Chuck Carlberg
CHAIr
Judy Nyquist
VICe CHAIr
George Wm. (Trey) Strake
VICe CHAIr
Bob Phillips
TreASurer
Lorie Westrick
SeCreTAry
Directors
Sami Ahmad
ed Allday
Thomas Bacon
Carol Ballard
George Beatty, Jr.
Carol Butler
ric Campo
Don Cortez
Mark Cover
Collin J. Cox
Janelle Otsuki Daniel
Kathy Flanagan-Payton
D.V. (Sonny) Flores
Debby Francis
John G. Garza
Cyndy Garza-roberts
Paula Harris
Sis Johnson
Harry Lamberton
C.C. Lee
Susan Mceldoon
Sarah Powell
Gilda ramirez
Mohammad Ashraf ramji
A Newsletter of the
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
December 2009
1113 Vine Street, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77002
713-752-0314
www.buffalobayou.org
Be a
Buffalo Bayou
Supporter!
Please select a gift amount:
$500 $250 $100 $50 other: $ ____________
Mr/Mrs/Ms
Name
Printed on
recycled paper.
Please recycle.
CompaNy
address
City state Zip
email address phoNe
Please select payment method
Circle one: Check VISA Mastercard American Express
Credit Card Number expiratioN
sigNature
edna ramos
Dorothee Sauter
Chad Shaw
Jeff Taylor
William Taylor, III
Kelley Trammell
Alvia Wardlaw
Dancie Perugini Ware
Leslye Weaver
CHAIrS eMerITuS
Brady Carruth
Mike Garver
Susan Keeton
F. Max Schuette
staff
Anne Olson
PreSIDeNT
Jessalyn Ballard
VOLuNTeer/OuTreACH COOrD.
Scott Barnes
DIreCTOr OF CONSerVATION
raul Casso
FIeLD TeCHNICIAN
Jennifer Gaines
DIreCTOr OF DeVeLOPMeNT
Jeff Holmes
FIeLD CreW MANAGer
rebecca Leija
OFFICe ASSISTANT
Anne Moriniere
OFFICe ADMINISTrATOr
robbie robinson
SKIMMer BOAT OPerATOr
Ian rosenberg
PrOJeCT MANAGer
Trudi Smith
DIreCTOr OF Pr AND eVeNTS
Special Thanks To:
With all of the exciting developments
along Buffalo Bayou, we need your
support more than ever.
To become a Buffalo Bayou
Partnership supporter, please fill out
this form below and send it to:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
1113 Vine Street, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77002
ex-officio Board
Mayor Bill White, City of Houston
Judge ed emmett, Harris County
Alec Dreyer, Executive Director,
Port of Houston Authority
John e. de Bessonet,
Harris County Park Planning
robert M. eury, Central Houston, Inc.
Dr. William Flores, University of Houston–
Downtown
Marlene Gafrick, City of Houston Planning
& Development Department
Commissioner Sylvia Garcia,
Harris County Precinct Two
Pat Henry, Texas Department of Transportation
Kevin Kirby, Rice University
Commissioner el Franco Lee,
Harris County Precinct One
Michael Marcotte, City of Houston Public Works
& Engineering Department
Jamie Mize, Main Street/Market Square
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone
Commissioner Steve radack,
Harris County Precinct Three
evelyn B. Shanley, White Oak Bayou Association
Kevin Shanley, Bayou Preservation Association
Art Storey, Harris County Public
Infrastructure Department
Michael Talbott,
Harris County Flood Control District
Joe Turner, City of Houston Parks &
Recreation Department
Dawn ullrich, City of Houston Convention
& Entertainment Facilities Department
The Buffalo Bayou Partnership is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations to BBP are tax-deductible.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HOUSTON, TEXAS
PERMIT NO. 9469
MIssIoN stAteMeNt Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the non-profit
organization revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s
most significant natural resource.
The Partnership coordinates the integration of major amenities
into the bayou greenbelt and seeks ways to increase community
involvement through pedestrian, boating and biking amenities,
permanent and temporary art installations, and other natural and
built attractions.
www.buffalobayou.org
Or fax credit card
information to:
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
713-223-3500
or pay online at
www.buffalobayou.org