In The News

The Texas House of Representatives honored a shale drilling pioneer Monday, calling George Mitchell a man who has changed the world. Mitchell, who will turn 94 later this month, wasn't at the ceremony, although his daughter Sheridan Lorenz and representatives of Mitchell Energy and the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation were there on his behalf.

When visiting Galveston Island, one of my favorite places to stay is the Tremont Hotel. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel is the soul of Mardi Gras, and a welcome retreat for any traveler.... as I sit at a corner table sipping coffee with my brunch companion, owner of the Tremont (and much of downtown Galveston), George P. Mitchell.

The signs hawking real estate are fixtures along the back roads of rapidly growing Montgomery County. They offer "gated acreage" and "room to breathe," promoting rural charm not far from urban amenities.Here, on 5,600 acres known as the Cook's Branch Conservancy, tall native grasses sway in wide, open fields, framed by century-old loblolly and shortleaf pine. The only sound is of birds and breezes.

The city of Galveston Landmark Commission presented its annual Residential and Commercial Rehabilitation Awards, which recognize restoration projects within the boundaries of the island’s historic districts that exemplify the property owner’s dedication to historic preservation.

Hot dish: With major remodels at two of its most popular downtown island eateries under way, not to mention a growing franchise concept, island-based Galveston Restaurant Group already has a full plate. But the company, which owns and operates five restaurants in Galveston and Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar in League City, continues to serve up big news, last week announcing plans to open Nonno Tony’s World Kitchen at Pier 21 on the island.

Scientists who want to have a better understanding of dark matter can thank a Galveston native for helping provide one of the best scientific devices anywhere to help with their research. On Monday, officials from the University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory honored billionaire George Mitchell by renaming a spectrograph in honor of Mitchell and his late wife, Cynthia.

Bluebonnets have begun waving their happy heads along the Texas Hill Country roadsides, so we're assured that spring's arrival is imminent. The calendar tells us, too, that kids will be out of school for a whole week before long. If you haven't planned your family's getaway yet, it's time to get cracking. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/16/3741311/beat-a-happy-spring-break-retreat.html#storylink=cpy

Jean Lafitte hated being called a pirate. One wonders what the 19th-century Frenchman would think about starring in Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast, a new attraction in this island city's historical Strand District. Pirates! is part museum, part theater. Visitors takes self-guided tours but encounter and interact with colorfully costumed actors portraying buccaneers.

Movers and shakers: The Galveston Chamber of Commerce plans a March move to the first floor of the 1873 Washington Building, 2228 Mechanic St., in the island’s downtown. Mitchell Historic Properties owns the building, formerly occupied by New York Dress Outlet, which did not return after Hurricane Ike struck in 2008. Along with housing staff, the 4,000-square-foot space also will serve as a visitor center and offer a conference room for meetings and small business seminars.

George Mitchell, an iconic Houston real estate developer and oil and gas industry innovator, was named on Foreign Policy magazine’s list of the top 100 global thinkers.