DiscoverU: The Annual Conference for Parents, Teachers & Mentors
Discover U, the annual Katy ISD conference for Moms, Dads, mentors and community members, is coming October 24, 2008 to the Katy ISD Education Support Complex. Discover U offers an array of wonderful workshops with dynamic presenters helping you understand and become a better parent, teacher and mentor. Treat yourself to a day of fun, diversity, variety and discovery. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this time of networking and learning. Read more
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival 2008
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival has been a Katy tradition since 1978, honoring the Katy rice farming legacy. Although the number of rice farmers and fields in the area has lowered significantly since that time, Katy still holds a festival honoring the legacy. The festival is held on October 11 and 12, 2008 in Downtown Katy.
The Festival features crafts, food, and live entertainment on 2 stages. It’s fun for the whole family. Each year, about 40,000 – 50,000 visitors attend the Rice Harvest Festival. Read more
Habitat for the Houston Housing Market
By Will Holder.
Houston has become the subject of controversy for not joining in the national misery-loves-company party. Local and national media alike have chimed in on Houston’s failure to slide into the national housing abyss. Nationally, the media wants to credit oil company dumb luck; locally, some will have you believe that the other shoe here just hasn’t dropped yet.
Granted, the Houston economy may slow, but the bottom is not going to fall out from under Houston’s housing values. Read more
Cinco Ranch High School Designated as a National Blue Ribbon School
From Katy ISD Communications:
Katy ISD’s Cinco Ranch High school is one of 26 Texas public schools named as a No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
This national program recognizes outstanding public and private schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic and consistent gains in student achievement. Under the program guidelines, schools nominated for the recognition must meet one of two criteria: Read more
Katy Mills & Katy Christian Ministries Host Ike Victim Donation Drive
Although Katy was relatively spared from the wrath of Ike, there are still many people without power and any hope that life will get back to normal in the near future. If you have been wondering how you can pay it forward to the victims of Ike, your chance is this Saturday in the parking lot of Katy Mills Mall.
Katy Mills and Katy Christian Ministries will host a donation drive to collect nonperishable food items, baby supplies and clothing to benefit Hurricane Ike victims on Saturday, Sept. 27 in the parking lot of Sun & Ski Sports. Read more
Happy News: Katy Teachers and Students Will Not have to Make Up Storm Days
According to today’s Houston Chronicle, Thursday, September 25, Katy Independent School District’s (KISD) Board passed a resolution on Monday which excuses students, teachers and staff from the six days when school was closed due to Hurricane Ike. The original 2007-2008 calendar will remain in effect.
The Board also announced that teachers and staff will be paid for the days the district was closed. As quoted in The Chronicle, “I know that will make a lot of folks happy, and teachers [employees] will still be paid, Superintendent Alton Frailey said.
I know my kiddos will be happy to hear the news!
Organizing Important Documentation – Revisited
Over the years, I have written several articles and presented workshops on the importance of organizing critical papers and documentation in case of an emergency. I think sometimes this advice falls on deaf ears until disaster strikes, and in many cases, it can be too late. In light of the recent hurricane, people now more than ever are starting to realize how vital it is to be organized when it relates to paperwork that can assist them during this trying time. The phone has rung several times this past week from people who need assistance in gathering the proper documentation to file insurance claims, none of which can be found easily due to disorganization or a lack of a plan. The recovery process is delayed, causing them more grief, and costing them valuable time or money. Do you have a plan? Read more
Katy Football: The Rhodes Report 9/24/2008
Welcome sports fans from the Katy community to the first edition of the Rhodes Report sports blog. This blog, which is exclusive to the readers of OnlyKaty.com, will provide a weekly wrap up of Katy ISD’s football teams.
First, let me start by saying that I hope that all are safe and making successful recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. With that said, now would be as good of time as any to pull together as citizens by giving each other a helping hand.
As for this past week, power outages and major damage caused a large number of games (both football and volleyball) in the Greater Houston area to be either postponed or canceled. But the Katy ISD athletic department decided to have three football games at Rhodes Stadium, which proved to be a good outlet not only for the players, but the Katy community as well.
This was evident by viewing all who were in attendance. It did not matter what team was playing on the field, there were team paraphernalia represented by all six schools at the various games. Read more
Katy ISD KEYS Kick-Off
Returning KEYS (Keep Encouraging Youth Toward Success) mentors, new mentors and anyone interested in mentoring a Katy ISD student through KEYS are invited to attend the KEYS Kick-Off taking place this Friday, September 26, 2008 from 7:30–10:00 AM at the Katy ISD Education Support Complex Board Room.
The event will feature breakfast, fellowship with other mentors, orientation for new mentors, and presentations from four Katy ISD principals about the impact of mentoring. Read more
Louisiana Gulf Coast District Connects with Katy at Exchange Club
By Newell Cheatheam.
Susan Schwartz, President of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast District of Exchange to speak at the Greater Katy Exchange Club monthly meeting is at Azzarelli’s Italian Restaurant, 22764 Westheimer Parkway and Peek Rd, Katy, TX. On October 23, 2008, 6:30 PM.
As President of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast District of Exchange, overseeing the activities of nineteen Exchange Clubs reaching from Katy and Sugar Land, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to her election as President, Susan served on the District Board of Directors as well as the President of the Memorial Exchange Club. While President of the Memorial Exchange Club, Susan led the Club to earning, for the first time in its history, the Big E Award, the highest recognition an Exchange Club can receive. Read more
Houston Association of Realtors Releases August Sales Data
The following article is gleaned from a press release issued by the Houston Association of Realtors:
Property sales across the greater Houston area suffered the biggest year-to-year decline ever in August, according to statistics released by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR). August, which marked the twelfth consecutive monthly drop, saw sales of single-family homes slide 20.1 percent on a year-over-year basis.
However, home values remained the bright spot in the HAR monthly report. The average price of a single-family home rose by 4.3 percent in August to $223,933, the third highest level on record. The median price of a single family home rose 0.6 percent last month to $160,000, tying the third highest level originally established in June 2007. The median price is where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.
“The disappointing sales numbers for August indicate that consumers are taking a conservative approach to Read more
How Will the Fallout from Hurricane Ike Affect Current Homes Being Sold? Patience.
In my business, I talk to a lot of people. As a residential specialist in Katy, people want to know how things that happen affect their property so I get asked all kinds of questions.
With the recent events, specifically Ike coming through, most people want to know how that affects their home sales.
First, let me say that if you have your property under contract already in the Katy area (anywhere in Houston for that matter), whether you are a buyer or a seller, the keyword right now is PATIENCE. Please have patience as the city and surrounding area begins to recover. One thing that IS happening is that lenders and title companies that have corporate offices located further east (like in Downtown Houston) are unable to proceed with business as usual even though their Katy offices appear to be fine. Read more
Junior Achievement Inspiring Students to Value Free Enterprise, Business and Economics
Junior Achievement curriculum brings to Katy ISD students real-life lessons on the value of free enterprise, money management skills, career preparation and the role each of us plays in our local and national economy. JA volunteers are trained and given all the materials necessary to present the Junior Achievement program. Volunteers choose their grade-level and work with the classroom teacher in scheduling their class visits. Read more
The Woman and the Burundanga-Soaked Business Card
A reader contacted me recently asking about an email she received describing an incident at a Katy Gas station where a woman was given a drug-soaked business card by a stranger. According to the email, the woman took the card from the man (who was posing as a painter) and she was followed.
Apparently, this email has been circulating not only around the Katy area, but around the entire nation since early this summer. Here is a copy of the email (in one of it’s forms): Read more
Looking on the Bright Side of Ike
This past week has been hard on many Katyites, which is an understatement I’m sure to some. But in light of all the various forms of hardship, there seems to be something that says “we will be okay”. Katy was spared the brunt of Hurricane Ike, and we have to look at the bright side. Although some may be without power or phone line, or suffered damage to their homes, overall we weathered the storm. Families have gotten closer, new friendships have been made, and overall, the mood is upbeat. I think we became stronger as a community. The best in people really is coming out, and for that I am grateful. Read more
DockDogs Catch Big Air at the Katy Home and Garden Show
The DockDogs® “Sportsmen’s National Series” took place this year at the Katy Fall Home and Garden Show. DockDogs is the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional, national, and international dock jumping performance sport for dogs. DockDogs establishes the rules and standards of the sport, tracks and records results, and promotes the growth of its athletes, Teams, events, spectators, and sponsors. To that end, DockDogs establish and review under committee direction DockDogs Rules and Policies which are reviewed and updated annually.
To learn more about the organization, visit DockDogs.com. Here is a video from the DockDogs BIG AIR competition: Read more
Latin Fest at Morton Ranch High School
By Rómulo (Rom) E. Crespo.
Morton Ranch High School’s Latin Fest 4 will be held on Friday, October 24, 2008 in the school’s performing arts center from 7-9 p.m. The fourth annual event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – October 15th) is held to promote the Hispanic Culture during this important month. It allows students from all cultures to participate and share their love for Latino based dancing, singing, poetry, readings, tributes, cultures, and much more! Read more
