On Saturday, October 16th, you will want to checkout the 6th Annual Nun Run.  The Nun Run is a fifty-mile, Blue Knight police-escorted motorcycle ride from Houston to Galveston. The 2010 Nun Run benefits the children and families of CHRISTUS school-based clinics. Your donation will help provide flu vaccines, health education and screenings, back-to-school supplies and the promise of a brighter Christmas.

Non-riders can participate by pledging or donating gifts in support of the adventurous nuns. Proceeds directly benefit the children and families cared for by CHRISTUS ministries. There will be awards, prizes, breakfast, lunch and rides! Sidecars welcome.

Event Schedule

* 9:00–10:15 AM: On-Site Registration, Breakfast and Nun Rides
* 10:15 AM: Blessing of the Bikers and Bikes
* 10:30 AM: Kick Stands Up! Time to head to Galveston! Rain or Shine!
* 2:00 PM: Happy Trails! See you again on October 15, 2011!

Awards and Prizes

* Door Prizes Galore
* 50/50 Cash Drawing
* Nun’s Choice Award
* Biker From Farthest Distance
* Youngest and Oldest Biker
* HOPE Clinic Award

Click here to Register or Sponsor

Registration includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Ride Pin, Do-Rag, Door Prize Ticket

* $35 per person prior to day of event
* $50 per person day of event
* $159 room rates are available at Moody Gardens. Reserve your room before September 25, 2010 by calling 888-388-8484.

Event Hosts

The event is sponsored by CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare, the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Blue Knights, JSC Space Riders and Retreads Motorcycle Club.

Location:
Starts: Villa de Matel, 6510 Lawndale St., Houston, 77023
Ends: Moody Gardens Convention Center, 7 Hope Blvd., Galveston, 77554

Contact:
Kemah Blair, 713.803.1801

Mark your calendar for the annual Shop Til You Drop Arts and Crafts Market on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  For the second year in a row it will be held at Cy-Fair ISD’s Berry Center Athletic Complex located at 8877 Barker Cypress, Cypress, TX  77433, just south of HWY 290 at West Road across from Lone Star College – Cy Fair.

Start your Holiday shopping early!  With over 20 booths and thousands of handmade and unique items, you are sure to find the just what you are looking for. The Arts and Crafts Market organizers have worked hard to ensure you find wonderful, high quality items including jewelry, food, gifts, home décor, handmade clothing, and more made by local artisans.

The Copperfield Women’s Club is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization that gives several thousands of dollars in college scholarships each year to high school graduates in the Cy Fair area. In addition, the club supports local and national charities with various projects and monetary donations.

As if being out of work and competing with everyone for work weren’t bad enough, an increased number of Americans are discovering yet another unpleasant truth about job hunting: It can be expensive. It costs money to travel to interviews, to get help with resumes, and to look good for those potential new bosses you’re trying to impress. Fortunately the IRS allows you to take tax deductions for at least some of those expenses if you itemize on your return.

Job-hunting expenses are grouped in the “miscellaneous deductions” of your tax return, a category which must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income to qualify for the write off. But be aware, these types of deductions are called “preference items” and are added back when it comes to computing the dreaded alternative minimum tax. Here are some of the key job-hunting expenses you can and cannot deduct. If you have been unemployed during the last year, you’ll need to report your unemployment compensation as income. However, for 2010, the taxable portion is reduced by $2,400. Also, severance pay, bonuses, 401K and/or other pension distributions may be taxable.

What You Can’t Deduct

You can deduct certain expenses you have in looking for a new job in your present occupation, even if you do not get a new job. You cannot deduct these expenses if:

- You are looking for a job in a new occupation

- There is over a year break between the ending of your last job and you are looking for a new one

- You are looking for a job for the first time

Home Office Equipment

• Cannot deduct: The full cost of equipment such as computers, printers, and fax machines

• Can deduct: A portion of the cost of equipment

Since most office equipment can be used for many purposes, you’ll only be able to deduct the percentage of the cost that corresponds to how much of the device you use exclusively for your job search. The good news is that under current law, even though the IRS considers equipment like computers and printers to have a five year life, an exception permits you to deduct up to $250,000 of equipment purchases in the year of purchase.

Education

• Cannot deduct: Classes and materials if you’re training for a new career

• Can deduct: Classes and materials associated with your present career

The IRS generally has strict limits on the deductibility of educational expenses. If you were laid off as a chef and you are going back to school to become an investment counselor, you cannot write those classes off. However, if you were laid off as a chef and you take a cooking class, or you were laid off as an investment counselor and you take a business course, it’s considered career development and is deductible. You can also deduct amounts you spend for typing, printing, and mailing copies of a resume to prospective employers if you are looking for a new job in your present occupation.

Travel

• Cannot deduct: Your flight and hotel stay in Vegas to search for a vacation house.

• Can deduct: Your flight and hotel stay in Vegas if you have an interview scheduled or are going to a documented business seminar.

If you travel to an area and, while there, you look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. Even if you cannot deduct the travel expenses to and from an area, you can deduct the expenses of looking for a new job in your present occupation while in the area. Local and long-distance phone calls are also tax deductable.

Coaches and Assistants

• Cannot deduct: The fees for career coaches, resume specialists, web site designers, etc., if you are trying to break into a new field

• Can deduct: The fees for the above if you are applying for a job in the same field as your previous job

As with classes and education, if you’re using the services of a coach or specialist to assist your job hunting in the same field, it’s considered deductible career development. Note that the fees for any help related to your appearance — such as hair stylists, tailors, personal trainers, and dieticians are never deductible — since they don’t exclusively benefit your business or ability to do work.

Gifts

• Cannot deduct: A $200 gift basket to thank a potential client for their time.

• Can deduct: A $25 gift basket to thank a potential client for their time.

The IRS caps business gift deductions at $25.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Resources:

Certified Public Accountant from New Orleans, Louisiana

Robert D. Flach, Mainstreet Newsletter

Adam Piore, Money Watch

Katy/Fulshear, TX – July 30, 2010. . . The 18th Annual Katy Triathlon at Firethorne, the third largest co-ed triathlon in Texas, will be held Saturday, October 24, 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., in and around the 1,400-acre Firethorne residential community. The USA Triathlon-sanctioned race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Katy, encompasses a 16-mile bike race, a three-mile run and a 500-meter swim in Lake Firethorne.

“Firethorne is a great partner on this event and we’re thrilled to be back,” said Rotary Club of Katy Treasurer Vicki Rao. “We really enjoy the residents — they’re phenomenal people. Their response was so incredible last year, especially those who live near Race Central (the Visitor Center).

The 2010 race hopes to draw 1,000 participants — 900+ individual athletes, plus those on relay teams.

The cycling route will include sections of FM 1463 and US Hwy. 90, within the Katy city limits. Firethorne is located on FM 1463, near the crossroads of the I-10 West corridor, Westpark Tollway and Grand Parkway.

“Firethorne’s 12-acre lake amenity and proximity to wide spaces of rural areas is conducive to having a successful triathlon,” said veteran Race Director Dave Rainey.

The registration fee is $55 per person and $75 per relay team through September 1. Registration continues through October 20. The complete fee structure and deadlines are posted on the new website, www.katytriathlon.com.

The Rotary Club of Katy, race sponsor, donates event proceeds to the Katy Rotary Fund, which supports local charities for their work in providing essential health, recreation and educational services to children in Katy ISD. In May, the Rotary Fund awarded $21,000 in scholarships, $1,500 each to 14 graduating seniors from the district’s six high schools. Cinco Ranch High School FBLA, Rotary Interact Club and Boy Scouts provide have provided volunteer support for the race. Race sponsorships, underwriters and in-kind underwriters are available. For information, call 281-391-3655.

Firethorne, located 15 miles west of Houston’s Energy Corridor, blends the best nature has to offer: 150 acres devoted to parks and recreational amenities, a 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike/bike trails, parks and playgrounds, tennis courts, Fitness Center, resort-style swimming pool, discovery-rich wildlife observation area and a natural bird habitat. Served by highly acclaimed schools, Firethorne combines the vibrancy of West Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear. To tour Firethorne, take I-10 West and exit Pin Oak to FM 1463, call 281-395-1440 or visit www.firethorne.info.

Katy Residents now have their own event for wine lovers! Save the date, Thursday, Sept. 23rd, 5:30 to 8:30, for the 1st Annual Cinco Charities Sip n Stroll. There will be over 20 wine tasting stations, restaurant and chef demos, a specialty brew sampling station, a silent auction and live music.

Villagio Town Center provides the perfect venue. Centered around a cobblestone courtyard with a picturesque fountain and clock tower, Villagio has the atmosphere of a Tuscan village. Villagio is located at the northeast corner of Westheimer Parkway and Peek Road.

Ginger Hopper, Chairperson for Cinco Charities, said, “The Sip n Stroll will be a first of its kind Katy event. We’re excited to partner with Food and Vine Time to make this event a regional favorite.”

Cinco Charities, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing temporary housing for individuals and their families who are hospitalized or receiving treatment in local medical facilities for a serious medical condition. It has been providing housing since 2008. Keller Williams Katy, also located in the Villagio Center, founded and sponsors Cinco Charities.

For more information and to get your tickets contact Sip n Stroll. Tickets are $25 and only 1,000 tickets will be available.

Attention Arts & Crafts Vendor: One of the best known and well attended shows in the Bear Creek/Copperfield Area! Bear Creek United Methodist Women will be hosting their 22nd Annual Craft Bazaar on Friday & Saturday, October 15 & 16, 2010. They have over 100 Indoor and Outdoor Booths ranging in price from $85 to $100. Price includes Friday set up, Hospitality Room, Saturday Box Lunch, Free Parking and a wide range of Advertising in Local and Web Media. 

Bear Creek United Methodist Church is located at 16000 Rippling Water Dr. (off Keith-Harrow & Hwy. 6). For further information please contact Shelly Taylor at umw-bazaar@hotmail.com or go to www.bearcreekumc.org or call 281-463-2330. Funds raised will benefit women’s & children’s missions.

All girls (entering 9th & 10th grade in the Fall for the year 2010-2011) and heir parents are invited to attend. Information and applications for joining the JDL will be provided along with refreshments. The Junior Debutante League will offer an opportunity for High School age girls to refine and develop leadership and grace through spiritual, cultural, social and service philanthropic activities.

A lot of plans have already been made and schedules set for a year. Each year, JDL Gossamer-wing senior girls will celebrate their metamorphism into the beautiful young ladies they have become with their family and escorts during a magnificent debutante Butterfly Ball.

Nine JDL chapters for Harris/Fort Bend Counties are currently planned. JDL chapters will open beginning this August 2010. Some chapters will not open until the following Fall 2011.

Vendors wanted for this big show! If you or someone you know would like to display and sell “Handcraft Items” at one of the most successful Arts & Crafts Shows in this area then this is for you.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary will be having their 18th Annual Arts & Crafts Show, Saturday, October 23, 2010. Approximately 110 booth spaces will be available in 5 areas – the Community Life Center, the covered Pavilion, Parish Hall, and the Commons for ONLY “homemade crafts” and a 5th building called “Market Hall” will be for non-0homemade crafts. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located at 6646 Addicks-Satsuma, between Hwy 6 and Eldridge and between FM 529 & W. Little York. Please contact Susie Schwartz at 832-213-6158 or e-mail her at susiemschwartz@yahoo.com for booth rental information.

All students in all four grade levels participate in this exciting event where students will come to CRHS before school starts to get copies of their course lists, get all of their textbooks, take yearbook pictures, try out their lockers, get parking permits (juniors and seniors), join clubs and organizations, clear any outstanding fines and fees, purchase spirit items, and much, much more.

Dates and times for Cinco Round Up are organized by alpha and grade level and can be found here.