New Year’s Eve Broomball with the Fellowship at Cinco Ranch
Broomball again this year! We’re returning to Sugarland Ice and Sports Center, leaving the church by 7:00 pm and we will return to the church at 11:00 pm on December 31st. Cost is $30 per person which covers 2 hours of broomball, dinner and transportation! 7th – 12 Graders
$30.00 per Ticket – Sign Up and Pay online, Release of Liability Waivers are Required.
Contact the church office for more information or e-mail debbie@thefellowship.org.
2010 New Year’s Eve Bash at the Wortham Center
Indulge yourself New Year’s Eve from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am with 5 decadent areas filled with tantalizing DJ’s, live music, and food. There will be an oppulent VIP room with complimentary champagne and buffet, Music by CT & Def Jam Blaster, the live sounds of The Smash Band.
Dress attire required. Reserved seating and sections available. Ball drop, light show, confetti, party favors and more.
VIP tickets are $100 and include a bottle of champagne (we’re guessing Moet), buffet, and the right to look down your nose at the lowly $40 ticket holders. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Wortham Center, 500 Texas Avenue in Houston. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
The Ice at Discovery Green New Year’s Fun
The 7,200 square-foot skating surface of Kinder Lake features skate, snack and gift shops, as well as the Snow Box—a special, toddler-friendly rink. In addition to The Ice, park visitors will enjoy holiday art exhibits including local artist David Graeve’s illuminated globes featuring photos taken by various student groups and a special revival of Andy Mann’s Video Tree, a display of stacked televisions that stream the trailblazing video artist’s original content through multiple effects.
At 6:30, It’s A Wonderful Life(1946) They’re making memories tonight! An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed. A collection of the best holiday and skating movies are shown on our super-sized screen on the Anheuser-Bush Stage, overlooking the rink.
Free to view, $10 fee to skate. For more information, visit www.discoverygreen.com/icerink.
New Year’s Eve in London at Wonderwild
Get ready Thursday, December 31, from 4:30-6:30pm to countdown the New Year — London style! Our 6pm is their midnight, so get ready to rock and roll the night away to some live music while the kids play! We’ll have complimentary food and drink plus other fun activities. This is a great way for families to celebrate, play and bring in the New Year together! Space is limited.
$15 per child. Members are free. You must purchase tickets in advance by calling 832-863-3275 or email wonderwhy@gowonderwild.com.
Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop at the Downtown Aquarium
Come to the Downtown Aquarium for Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – Thursday, December 31st from 2:00 pm – 5 p.m.
Watch the ball drop and help usher in 2010 with Sharkey and his friends in the Nautilus Ballroom. Guests of all ages will delight in tasty New Year’s treats from the buffet, while the small fries enjoy their favorite tunes played by a festive, kid-friendly DJ. A kid’s balloon drop, contests & giveaways and discounted passes are also available.
Adults $15.99, Children 4-12 $9.99 plus service charge & tax. The Downtown Aquarium is located at 410 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002.
New Year’s Noon Bash at the Children’s Museum
New Year’s Noon is the city’s longest-running New Year’s Eve celebration just for kids! This end-of-year bash rings the New Year at the stroke of noon with a parade and drop of a vibrant ball, just like they do in Times Square, but kids won’t have to stay up till midnight!
SPECIAL EVENTS:
•New Year’s Day Float Making & Parade: Create a personal New Year’s Day float and be part of our exciting parade!
Float Making: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Parade begins: 11:30 a.m.
• Brilliant Ball Drop: Watch as we celebrate the beginning of a new year just like they do on TV!
Countdown begins at 11:45 a.m.
•Texas Brass Band: Dance to the jazzy tunes of our amazing brass band and celebrate the New Year in style!
ACTIVITIES:
•Glow Glasses: Celebrate the New Year by decorating 2010 glow glasses that incorporate LEDs into the design.
•Film Canister Rockets: Shoot off a film canister rocket using simple supplies.
•Glowing Fireworks: Create you own glowing firework display using UV sensitive highlighters.
•Firework Glasses: Put on special glasses and watch colors burst to life.
•Noise Makers: Make a noisy noise maker to help ring in the New Year.
•New Year’s Puzzles: Find hidden New Year’s words in the word search puzzle or fill in the blanks from the clues on the New Year’s crossword puzzle.
•New Year, New Calendar: Decorate your own 2010 calendar to hang up at home.
WHEN:
New Year’s Noon Bash on Thursday, Dec. 31
Countdown to NOON begins at 11:45 a.m.
MORE:
•MUSEUM NEW YEAR’S EVE HOURS: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
•Museum will be closed on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.
The Children’s Museum is located at 1500 Binz Houston, TX 77004.
Pre-AP/AP Parent Night at Morton Ranch High School
Morton Ranch High School will be hosting Pre-AP/AP Parent Night on January 14 from 7-9 pm in the Commons. This will be a come and go event where you can meet Pre-AP/AP teachers and learn a little more about the curriculum. This is a great event for students already enrolled in these programs and those who might be interested in pursuing these classes. We look forward to seeing you there!
Morton Ranch High School Commons is located at 21000 Franz Rd. in Katy.
The Public House New Year’s Eve Party
Looking for a New Year’s Party close to home? Checdk out the Public House New Year’s Eve Party in Villagio Town Center.
With no cover and great food, it sure to be a fun time! The featured entree is $14 and includes Guinness-braised short ribs, cocannon, and winter vegetables. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at 6:00 pm (Midnight in Ireland) and party favors and again at 12:00 am!
The Public House is located in Villagio Town Center at 22758 Westheimer Pkwy. #270 Katy, Texas 77450. For more information call (281) 395-3473 or visit www.thepublichousekaty.com.
Cafesitos Restaurant Bar and Grill New Year’s Eve Celebration
Cafesitos Restaurant Bar and Grill New Years Eve Celebration looks to be a wonderful place to celebrate. The evening features a four course menu, live music, and a champagne toast! (Kids menu is available.)
First Seating is from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm for $45. Second seating, for $60, will be from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Cafesitos Restaurant Bar and Grill is located at 3750 South Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77450.
New Year’s Eve 2010 Masquerade Ball
Hush is holding a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, The Most Amazing Party hosted by Kevin, Jay, Curtis, DJ Real, DJ War N Peace and The Entire HUSH Staff. Featuring a 5,000 Balloon Drop at Midnight, Coast to coast Countdowns, Confetti Explosions, Champagne Toast at Midnight, Stunning HUSH Visuals By JJ .and the HUSH Dancers.
Party Favors and Masks Provided. VIP Admissions are limited to those 21 and over. VIP Admission includes the famous Hush VIP Buffet, served from 9-11.
HUSH is located at 15625 Katy Freeway, Houston TX, 77094.
Family Friendly New Year’s Parties at Times Square
There is something for everyone at Times Square for New Year’s Eve!
First check out the Early Bird Party from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. With an unlimited pizza and soda bar, bowling, lazer tag, and billards, you are sure to have a great time! Adults are $20 and Children 12 and under are $15.
Looking for late fun? Check out the Midnight Countdown Party from 8:00 pm to 1:30 am. There will be an unlimited pizza and Mexican buffet with soda, bowling, laser tag, billards, and party favors. Enjoy a champagne toast at midnight! Adults are $35 and children are $25.
Purchase tickets by December 30th and receive $5 off each ticket. For more information, call Tiffany at 281-395-8530 or visit www.timessquaretx.com.
Part Two: The Service is Free and will Protect Your Real Estate Interests
As we talked about in Part One of this series: Don’t Buy a House Without One!, unless you purchase a business, your home will be your largest financial investment. For this reason, whether you are buying new construction or resale, it is highly advantageous to avail yourself of Buyers Representation.
There is no fee for this service. It won’t cost you anything and will put you in a much stronger negotiating stance. Invariably, you will save money. There’s nothing to lose!
That said, it’s imperative that you partner with a true Buyer’s Representative and have a written agreement between you. This Buyer’s Rep Agreement binds the Realtor to your interests and your interests only. In addition to many other services, by the existence of this agreement, you will become privy to data and area statistics that you cannot access on your own.
It may matter more who personally represents you when buying a house than which house you may attempt to purchase. If you try to buy the right home through the wrong agent, you may not get the home you want. Even worse, you may pay too much!
Following are the services you should “demand” from a Buyer’s Agent. They are taken from my own personal service commitment. Of course, I would love to work with you and share my 20-plus years professional experience in Katy real estate; however, if you choose someone else, make sure they, too, offer you these services (in writing):
Provide a complete explanation of the home buying process.
Provide thorough knowledge of the current and emerging real estate market conditions.
Assist you in selecting the best home for you, for your money.
Write your purchase agreement to correctly and clearly express your intentions and represent your interests.
Submit your purchase agreement in a manner that will present you in the most favorable position.
Review all counter-offers in detail and provide negotiation representation of your interests.
Provide assistance in obtaining the best possible financing for your next home.
Coordinate the closing of your purchase with other Realtors, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, attorneys, escrow officers and title insurance companies.
Provide on-going personal communication to keep you informed on the step-by-step progress of the purchase of your home.
Provide post-sale follow-up to assure your total satisfaction.
For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from my blog, FuellingKaty.com. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!
Exit-Level TAKS March Retest
Students who did not receive a high school diploma because they did not meet the passing standard on sections of the Exit Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) will have the opportunity to retake the necessary portions of the tests in March, 2010. The TAAS test is no longer being offered; however, individuals eligible to take TAAS will take Exit Level ELA and/or Mathematics.
Students currently enrolled in school who need to retest are automatically registered; however, those who are out of school must register either by submitting a paper registration form or register online by Jan. 22, 2010. Registration packets are available at any high school campus, the Katy ISD central office, located at 6301 South Stadium Lane, or any education service center.
In addition, individuals can register online for the TAKS test by accessing the Web site. Either the registration form or online submission must be completed and received in Austin, Texas no later than 5:00 p.m., Jan. 22, 2010. Forms received after this date will not be processed.
The March 2010 TAKS tests will be administered on the following dates:
■March 1 Social Studies
■March 3 ELA
■March 3 ELA Writing (TAAS – eligible examinees for writing)
■March 4 Mathematics
■March 5 Science
■March 5 ELA Reading (TAAS – eligible examinees for reading)
Katy ISD is offering the March spring testing at Arthur Miller Career & Technology Center located at 1734 Katyland Drive. For additional information, contact the Katy ISD Office of Research, Assessment and Accountability at 281-396-2343 281-396-2343.
KVPAC’s Encore Players Sylvia Dog Food Drive
From January 9th to February 20th Encore Players will be hosting the Sylvia Dog Food Drive on behalf of area dog rescue organizations. Sylvia audience members are asked to bring canned or dry dog food to the box office and receive $2 off the ticket price of admission at the door. (Discount does not apply to advance/on-line sales). Sylvia is a romantic comedy about a husband, wife and the free-spirited dog who comes between them! Sponsored by Waggin Tails Pet Ranch. Contact: Lisa Connolly, KVPAC Marketing Director, 281-829-2787 281-829-2787, lconnolly@KVPAC.org.
The Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center, 2501 S. Mason Rd #290, (located in the Great Southwest Equestrian).
Katy Aglow
All ladies are invited to attend Katy Aglow’s monthly meetings. Aglow is an international Christian women’s fellowship that encourages its members to grow in the fullness of Christ through monthly meetings, Bible studies, prayer, retreats, and conferences.
The next meeting is January 26th, beginning at 9:30 am with coffee and fellowship. Bible studies and prayer begin at 10:00 am. Meetings are held at Church on the Rock-Katy, 433 S. Barker Cypress, Houston. There is no cost. Just enjoy the fellowship. For more information, go to www.katyaglow.com.
KVPAC’s Encore Players Drama Dog Headshot Contest
KVPAC is holding a special photo contest promoting the upcoming play, Sylvia. Send your dog’s best photo for the Encore Players Drama Dog Headshot Contest. Enter to win by sending a high-resolution jpeg close-up of your dog or drop off an 8 x 10 at KVPAC. All submissions must be received by January 30, 2010. Photos will be displayed in KVPAC’s theatre lobby and audience members will vote during intermission at each performance of Sylvia. One winner will be declared at the close of the production and will receive a special doggie prize basket. Sylvia is a romantic comedy about a husband, wife and the free-spirited dog who comes between them! Sponsored by Waggin Tails Pet Ranch. Contact: Lisa Connolly, KVPAC Marketing Director, 281-829-2787 281-829-2787, lconnolly@KVPAC.org.
The Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center, 2501 S. Mason Rd #290, (located in the Great Southwest Equestrian)
Score Counselors at Katy Chamber Office on Mondays
SCORE Counselors are available at the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce office every Monday from noon – 4:00 pm.
This is a free service available to new and existing small businesses. To schedule an appointment, go to www.katychamber.com. The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., No. 8206.
