Need Another Brick in the Wall
Until this past weekend, I never noticed what little interior wall space exists in newer construction homes. A client and I spent two whole days searching for a Katy home that would accommodate her antiques and paintings. Today, I spent several hours online searching MLS photos for Katy houses with at least “potential”; unfortunately, my list is very short.
With “walls of light” created by floor-to-ceiling windows and kitchens that open into the family room, traditional walls have disappeared. Since this is the norm, where do you put your special pieces of furniture or your art collection? Read more
Rhodes Report: Katy ISD Football Well Represented in Area Round
As it stands, Cinco Ranch, Katy, and Taylor will live to fight another day as these Katy ISD teams handled business in the area round of the playoffs. It’s another trifecta for the district as only 22 Class 5A teams remain in the state of Texas. Of course as promised, the Gridiron Ace is here to bring you your recaps of your favorite teams from action in the Region III area round of the playoffs. This report is exclusive for the readers of OnlyKaty.com. Read more
Katy’s First Coworking Space Opens its Doors to Independent Professionals and Consultants
In the age of advanced remote access and business collaboration tools, a new breed of entrepreneurs are evolving. Self-starters who realize the mobile office dream on a daily basis. Their entire office can be stowed in a laptop bag, and they can work from anywhere. Many are freelancers, consultants, programmers, designers, or some other type of technology workers. The computer has provided a way for them to work from anywhere they want, and many decide to work from home. Read more
Rhodes Report: A Trifecta for Katy ISD
For Katy ISD, Cinco Ranch, Katy, Mayde Creek, and Taylor all advanced to the bi-district round of the playoffs. And all but one team has lived to fight another so let’s call it a Trifecta for the district. Here once again bringing you all of the highlights in the Gridiron Ace to bring you your recaps of your favorite teams from action in the Region III bi-district round of the playoffs. This report is exclusive for the readers of OnlyKaty magazine. Read more
Should I Buy Now to Get the Homestead Exemption?
Well, here we are with about 6 weeks until the end of 2008! I get asked a lot, is now a good time to buy and has the market bottomed out?
I don’t know if the market has bottomed out…no one does and if someone tells you it has or hasn’t, then I’d be very wary of their advice.
What I do know (and I like to deal in certainty), is that if you are planning to buy a home in the first part of next year (say the first quarter), it can certainly make sense to Read more
The End Is Near…
Relax. This isn’t a prophecy of impending doom. Rather, a reminder that the end of the year is creeping up on us and it’s time to think about those last donations you can make for your 2008 income tax deductions.
Now is the perfect time to start sifting through those forgotten closets, attics and garages, for items that you no longer use or need. Since many of us will be in those areas digging out holiday decorations, why not make it a ‘two-for-one’ project? The weather is perfect for this type of endeavor – no 120° temperature to give you heat stroke in the attic or stifling humidity in the garage. Take advantage of it! You would be amazed at what Read more
The Rhodes Report: Cinco Ranch – The New Sheriff in Town
For some teams, it’s all over and done with as the regular season comes to a close. But no worries because the Gridiron Ace plans to keep coming as Cinco Ranch, Katy, Mayde Creek, and Taylor all advance to the bi-district round of the playoffs. Before we get into all of that, Ace is here to bring you your recaps of your favorite teams from action in Week 10. This report is exclusive for the readers of OnlyKaty.com.
For all of the fans from Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes, this will be the last edition of the Rhodes Report for you guys. Read more
Before you Hire a Home Inspector, Ask These Questions
You have a Katy Realtor you trust and enjoy working with and an educated mortgage lender who has explained the process to you. You’ve found the house! Now is the time to hire another integral part of your home buying process, the Katy home inspector.
First and foremost, ask friends and colleagues to refer a State of Texas licensed inspector; there is nothing as good as a personal referral. Read more
Is Your Pet Registered?
If you reside within the City of Katy and your pet gets out, you may be in for more than you expected. Unknown to many Katy residents, it is required by City Ordinance that all domestic pets (in particular, cats and dogs) four months or older must be vaccinated and registered yearly with the City of Katy.
Registration insures that your pet can be easily identified and associated with your phone number and address by Animal Control in the case that it is found. Read more
To Fill Oil Industry Demand, Houston Community College Expands Training in AVEVA PDMS
On November 6, 2008, AVEVA (LSE: AVV) today announced that Houston Community College (HCC) is increasing the number of courses, as well as the number of campuses, that provide training in AVEVA’s Plant Design Management System (PDMS). AVEVA’s higher education-industry partnership with HCC is part of an ongoing effort to help alleviate the severe labor shortage of engineers and piping designers trained in 3-D design that continues to challenge the energy industry. Read more
The Rhodes Report: Katy Train Rolls Over Mayde Creek
OK (no pun intended) gridiron fans, we are coming up on Week 10 which means the regular season is about to come to a close. That also means that in the six-team Katy ISD football programs that two teams will be left behind and the season will come to a close.
But, as always, the Gridiron Ace is here to bring you your recaps of your favorite teams from the Week 9 action. This report is exclusive for the readers of OnlyKaty.com so tell all of your friends about it. Check it all out right here on this week’s Rhodes Report. Read more
Dangerous Behavior
A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine was upset because her auto insurance rates were increased due to her ‘bad habit’. I learned that some auto insurance companies penalize smokers by increasing their policy rate because it is considered high risk behavior. To some degree, I understand this, but what I have noticed in the past few weeks is much more dangerous on the road than smoking while driving – cell phone users. Big deal right? It’s common to see people talking on phones while driving this is not new. But when the culprit is an 18-wheeler on I-10, that’s a different story. Read more
Morton Ranch High School Teacher Honored for Bringing History Alive & Empowering Teens
Once in a lifetime, teachers like Allison Merrell come along. Merrell—an 11th-grade history teacher who makes the past come alive and varsity volleyball head coach whom students respect on-and-off the court — Is being honored as Staples Foundation for Learning/Education Foundation of Harris County Teacher of the Month on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The surprise award presentation takes place in Merrell’s classroom where she uses an approach called “History Alive.” Students experience WWI trench warfare on the floor between desks as the teacher read excerpts from the diary Read more
Where to Cast Your Ballot: Voting Locations in Katy, TX
McCain? Obama? Writing in Ron Paul? So you know who, but where do you vote and at what time? Please follow the links below before you go to your voting location, as updates and changes may be made on county web sites.
Where to vote in Harris County: www.harrisvotes.com – Either the Katy Branch Harris County Public Library 5414 Franz Road Katy, TX 77493. Encourager Church 10950 Old Katy Road near Brittmore Road Houston 77043 or Town Hall. Click for a location PDF
Where to vote in Fort Bend County: www.co.fort-bend.tx.us – McMeans Junior High in Katy – 21000 Westheimer Parkway Katy, TX 77450. Huggins Elementary School in Fulshear – One Huggins Drive Fulshear, TX 77441 .
Where to vote in Waller County: Voting Location PDF – Katy VFW Hall – 202 George Bush Avenue, Katy, TX. or Brookshire Convention Center, 4027 5 Street, Brookshire, TX.
Polls are usually open from 7AM to 7PM. OnlyKaty encourages its readers to practice the right to vote wisely and to look into our local representative candidates. The following link lists this round’s candidates: http://www.gettoknowkaty.com/ElectionGuide.asp
Please double check the locations using the links and by asking around. These locations can change.
