BUSINESS NEWS

FITNESS EXCHANGE

Fitness Exchange has new owners Mary Ann McBee and Susan Sosnowy. The two women, who are domestic partners, purchased the gym from Al McClerren in May. McBee had previously served as general manager of Fitness Exchange for several years. After managing a Miami fitness facility for nearly four years, she returned to Houston.

Located in Montrose, the 30,000-square-foot facility houses more than 75 cardiovascular machines, 6 lines of resistance training, and 3 free weight areas. "That means there is no waiting to work out, no matter what time of day," McBee says. In addition, new cardiovascular classes, including yoga, body sculpting, Boot Camp, and spinning, have been added to supplement the step aerobics classes.

Jeff Alonzo, the new manager of the personal training department, has expanded and improved that area. Alonzo is a respected personal trainer with 17 years of experience in the fitness industry, the last five at Fitness Exchange.

"Fitness Exchange appreciates the support it has received from our community since 1978," McBee says. "We plan to build on the positive aspects of the gym while implementing a customer-oriented business structure designed to meet the needs of each and every member." In fact, each new member will receive two one-hour sessions with a Fitness Exchange personal trainer to get started on the right track.

Fitness Exchange is located at 4040 Milam. The telephone number is 713/524-9932.

KAREN DERR & ASSOCIATES

In August, Heights/Montrose real estate broker Karen Derr was elected to the Houston Area Realtors (HAR) board of directors. Derr's position represents medium-size firms. She will serve for two years. One of her first official duties was to attend the presentation of Texas Association of Realtors Political Action Committee funds to local political candidates. Derr also participated in a September 12 strategic planning meeting in Galveston that addressed new directions for HAR, the nation's largest Realtor association. Karen Derr and Associates has 22 Realtor associates, of which half are gay or lesbian individuals. The firm has three offices: in the Heights, downtown, and Galveston. The main telephone number is 713/862-1600.

SHANE HENNESSEY

Shane Hennessey, MEd, LPC, CHt, has announced some changes to his business. His new office is in the rear of the same building at 1712 Fairview. The new phone number is 713/524-1771, extension 3. His new e-mail address is ethanshane@houston.rr.com.

SOUTH SHORE HARBOUR RESORT AND MARINA

On Saturday, October 12, the Rotary Club of League City will launch the South Shore Dockside Wine and Food Festival at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Marina. This 11 a.m.-11 p.m. event will include food and wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, and displays of high-performance boats and luxury yachts. Entertainment as well as art and fashion shows will be presented throughout the day. The $12 per person admission includes a souvenir wine glass and five tasting tickets. South Shore Harbour Resort and Marina is located at 2500 South Shore Blvd. on the south side of Clear Lake in League City. For information, contact Roy Green at 281/334-1000 or Dee Scott at 281/332-6006. The event website is www.southshorefestival.com

2 GIRLS CLEANING

Through October 15, clients of 2 Girls Cleaning can choose to have 5 percent of their fee donated to one of the following organizations:

Kim's Place, the recreational facility at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center established in tribute to the late Houston Comets star Kim Perrot

VH1 Save The Music

Houston SPCA

H.A.T.C.H. (Houston Area Teenage Coalition of Homosexuals)

PFLAG Houston (Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians & Gays)

Bering-Omega Community Services Foundation

Human Rights Campaign

From October 15 through the end of the year, the designated charities are A Christmas Songfest, AIDS Foundation Houston, AssistHers, The Children's Art Project at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston GLBT Community Center, PFLAG/HATCH Youth Scholarship Foundation, Houston SPCA, and the International House of Blues Foundation.

Wynn Ann Chaney and Hillary Woest, 2 Girls Cleaning co-owners, offer a full range of interior cosmetics and cleaning services. The telephone number is 713/569-2023. The e-mail contact is cleaning_2girls@hotmail.com.

GREENBERRY'S COFFEE & TEA COMPANY

Carol White has opened Greenberry's Coffee & Tea Company at 2311 West Alabama (713/522-7005) in the Upper Kirby District. Open seven days a week, Greenberry's serves freshly brewed coffee, tea, and specialty beverages as well as fresh scones and other bakery goods. The store also sells a variety of packaged coffees and teas, coffee cups, and serving pieces. Gift baskets are available.

AYERS & AYERS, REALTORS

When he works with supporters of H.A.T.C.H. (Houston Area Teen Coalition of Homosexuals) through the end of the year, Gordon Bayless of Ayers & Ayers, Realtors will donate 10 percent of his earned commissions

on purchase transactions scheduled to close on or before December 31, 2002, in which he is the buyer's agent under a signed exclusive buyer representation agreement with his firm; and/or

on all listings for which he is the listing agent representing the seller under an exclusive right to sell agreement with his firm, signed on or before December 31, 2002, for a minimum of four months, provided his firm is the listing and/or selling broker at the time of funding.

Individuals should identify themselves as H.A.T.C.H. supporters at the time of first contact.

Bayless' voicemail pager number is 713/762-2906. His e-mail address is Gordon@GordonBayless.com.