Pasadena, TX

In 2003 my husband came home with a motorcycle. Mid-life crisis was in full swing with him when he pulled into the driveway riding on a red Yamaha Roadstar. We had been through many hubby-hobbies such as fishing, sailing, scuba diving, hunting, golf, camping, canoeing and so much more ... I figured this new thing would just be another passing phase for him.

He took me out for rides a few times, which I really enjoyed. But I wasn't ready to put on leather pants and a leather vest just yet. I was content just to enjoy Sunday afternoon rides to Galveston along the country back roads.

About a year later, Hubby told me he had found a motorcycle "group" to join, and wanted me to go to the club meetings with him.

"No way! I'm NOT joining a motorcycle gang with you," I proclaimed!

I envisioned a bunch of tattooed, bearded, pierced hoodlums and scantily-clad vulgar women. Hubby went to one of their meetings by himself, and reported that the club members were all really nice. He went on a few short rides with the group, bought himself a leather vest with the obligatory motorcycle patches, and kept asking me to come along. But I still wasn't sold on the idea of joining a motorcycle "gang".

One day, I finally gave in and went to a club meeting with him, where I met some of the nicest people I have ever known. The "hoodlums" I had envisioned turned out to be policemen, principals, firemen, teachers, preachers and postmasters. Not quite the gnarly-looking group I had expected...although there are a few with tattoos among them.

The group we joined is the Star Touring and Riding Association, Chapter 221 out of Pasadena, Texas. We have had some great times with our "221 Family" as we call ourselves. We rode with the group from here in Houston to St. Joseph, Missouri one summer, stopping along the way at beautiful spots in Arkansas and Oklahoma. We also rode as a group to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and enjoyed the beauty of the Great Smokey Mountains. We have done many weekend trips around Texas with the club, and have especially enjoyed rides to the hill country near Kerrville.

Recently, Hubby was bitten by the Harley bug, so we said goodbye to the Yamaha and moved on to an Electra-Glide Ultra Classic Harley. We love the Harley, and can't wait to take it on more adventures across the beautiful United States with our "221 Family" of motorcycle "hoodlums"!

Photo of "The World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake".

If you like strawberries, you won't want to miss this. The 37th Annual Strawberry Festival will be held in Pasadena, TX over 3 days starting May 14-16. The largest event in Pasadena, home of the World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake, Mud Volleyball, Carnival, BBQ cook off, Specialty acts, Main Stage Entertainers, arts & crafts proceeds fund scholarships and TX history projects.

The World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake is produced by H-E-B Grocery. This cake, officially made the Guinness book of World Record in 2005. It Was 1905 sf.ft., covered with more than a ton of strawberriers, glaze and whipped topping. The cake is reproduced each year, unveiled and cut during the festival's opening ceremony on Friday at 5 PM.

Click here for more information on the 2010 Pasadena Strawberry Festival.

• Friday 3 pm- Midnight
• Saturday 10 am - Midnight
• Sunday 10 am - 7 pm

Pasadena Fairgrounds

Fairmont Pkwy @ Red Bluff Rd

Address: 7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena TX 77507

Admission :

• General Admission = $10
• Children 6-11 = $5
• Children 0-5 =
• Free Seniors Adults (55 +) = $5

Blood Drive Friday May 14th during Festival 3pm - 7:30pm www.giveblood.org & login to digital donor , enter sponsor code P099 to schedule appointment

Activities include:

• Helicopter Ride $20
• Rusty Gears, The Robot
• Fearless Flying Flores
• Trick Roper, Doug Whitaker
• Swamp Master Alligator Show
• Daryl Cleveland, Juggler
• Swifty Swine Racing Pigs
• IGX Interactive Game Experience
• Mutton Bustin'
• Stage Door Inc. & The Backstage Bunch
• The Magic of Christopher Lyles

Boys and Girls Harbor in La Porte, TX is a shelter for abused, abandoned, or neglected children ages 5-18. The 62 bed residence facility is in need of volunteers to promote healthy lifestyles for children. Volunteer host families are also needed to allow children to visit their homes for weekends or holidays. Background checks are required for all volunteers. Call Volunteer Houston Bay Area at 281-282-6035 for more information.

www.StagingSmartNSold.com offers Pasadena home staging solutions designed for increased buyer appeal for area Realtors and home sellers. Prices for home staging start at $150. The owner is also a volunteer in the Houston Bay Area.

The final show in Pasadena Little Theatre's fifty-third season is "The Fantasticks", running weekends from Friday, May 2 until May 18. This heartwarming musical comedy is directed by Amy Howard , with musical direction by Patty Meiners. In a clever reversal of the Romeo and Juliet story, the boy and girl next door neighbors fall in love buy must keep this a secret from their feuding fathers. Later, it is revealed that the feud was fabricated by those fathers to bring their children together by making them believe that their love was forbidden fruit. The theatre is located at 4318 Allen Genoa Road, and reservations may be made online at www.pasadenalittletheatre.org or call 713-941-1758 for show times and other information.

www.StagingSmartNSold.com provides Pasadena home staging designed to increase buyer appeal and promote a rapid and profitable house sale for Realtors and home owners.