Katy VFW Remembers Pearl Harbor

The Katy VFW Post 9182 held its annual “Attack on Pearl Harbor” remembrance ceremony at the VFW hall in Old Katy on Sunday, December 6, 2009 in honor of those who died at Pearl Harbor Hawaii, on December 7^th, 1941. Members of the VFW, the boy scouts and cub scouts participated in honor of Pearl Harbor Day with the American Legion in attendance. Junior Vice Commander Dave Brasell and Chief of Staff Stephen Brady reported in a ‘Huntley – Brinkley’ format with the events leading up to the pre attack, attack, and post attack on Pearl Harbor. Read more

Katy Gift Wrapping Service by Katy Entrepreneur

Vivian Mora is wrapping hundreds of presents this holiday season.  However, family and friends will not be on the receiving end of most of this handiwork. Vivian runs vlm creative, a creative services company, offering custom gift wrapping service that is scheduling appointments and taking holiday orders through December 19.  After that, maybe friends and family will be the focus of this Katy-area businesswoman’s skills.

Vivian has 20 years of professional and personal gift wrapping experience.  While attending college, she was introduced to professional gift wrapping “by fire” as she puts it during one very busy holiday season working for a major retailer.  With a life-long creative streak, Vivian states that this turned out to be a match made in heaven. Read more

VFW Awards Katy Youth

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9182 announced the winners for its annual Voice of Democracy and the Patriot Pen youth essay contest at the VFW hall, which was filled with patriotic young people and their families on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.  The evening ceremony recognized those involved with Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, and the Boy Scouts of America “Eagle Scout” program.

Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9182 offers students an opportunity to participate in the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition and Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest to compete for scholarships and U.S. Savings Bonds. Read more

“Bud the Pieman” is Coming Back to Katy!

“bud the pieman” Royer will be dishin’ out his famous pies at the Rice Harvest Festival, October 10 -11. This “guilt-free” Pie eating is at its finest, as each slive of Pie will benefit the Pregnancy Help Center in providing hope for the unborn. Visitors to booth 963 can choose from Bud’s Chocolate Chip Pie, Café’s Buttermilk Pie, and Ann’s Pecan Pie at $2.50 a slice or $20.00 a pie. Read more

Exclusive Interview: JC Fisher of The Texas Tenors

The fourth season of America’s Got Talent, not only hit home for auditions, but it selected one of our own. Since early this year, JC Fisher, from Katy, has been preoccupied with singing with his two friends on national TV.

Although their country music contender, Kevin Skinner took the prize, the Texas Tenors have earn the respect of many fans across the country that cannot wait for them to hit the road. Read more

Congrats to Katy “Teachers of the Year”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9182 honored Katy area Teachers of the Year at a recent reception at the VFW Hall.  Selection of Teacher of the Year was made by their colleagues at each school.  Commander Peyton Lumpkin said, “Teachers hold the future in their hands because they teach our children, and our children are our future.  The teachers are the molders of the minds of the next generation.  They lead by example and impart knowledge and acceptable social skills.  Our regard for them is of the highest.” Read more

Cy-Falls Student Inspires “Catch the Cure” for Cancer

What started as an idea in Armon Owens’ mind could one day save lives. Following the cancer-related death of his aunt, Lilly Holman, in 2007, the Cypress Falls High School junior wondered what he could do to combat this disease he knew so little about.

Owens talked to his older brother, former Langham Creek and Jersey Village high school student Ken Banks, who in turn felt inspired to help turn the tide against cancer-related deaths. The brothers came together to start “Catch The Cure,” a non-profit organization that encourages businesses and individuals to pledge a monetary donation every time the high school football team of their choice scores a touchdown. Read more

The Talents of the Texas Tenors

If anyone can attest to “overnight success,” it’s the guys from The Texas Tenors. The group formed in our own backyard less than year ago with big dreams of landing a spot on NBC’s talent show competition, America’s Got Talent, are now on the cusp of taking the grand price of $1 million.

The trio is made up by Marcus Collins from Houston also known as, “The Contemporary Tenor,” John Hagen, also from Houston known as “The” tenor and our very on Katyite, JC Fisher known as the “Romantic Tenor.

Aside from their obvious vocal talent, the group’s combination of opera and country music have quickly made them judge favorites, which include actor David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and talent super manager, Sharon Osbourne.

“You‘re my early on favorite, don‘t let me down… I hope you get vote back,” rambled Hasselhoff.

But judging from their run on the show and the standing ovations, America also agrees. The trio ranked top four because of viewer votes and their most resent rendition of, “God Bless the USA” has garnered quite the fan following and commentary on YouTube.

Local Hero Keeps Woman Alive Mid-Flight

Katyites are often quick to cite one of the most beneficial aspects of living in West Houston as being our close proximity to a world-class healthcare community. We see it in the growing number of hospitals spilling into our hometown, and can’t help but wonder whether we might one day need their services.

One lucky woman received the benefit of a Houston area doctor’s knowledge on Southwest Flight #262 from Houston to Oakland:

Southwest Flight #262 was anything but routine Friday, July 10. About two hours into the flight the question came over the intercom “Is there a physician on board?” Read more

Help Katy School Children by Contributing to Operation Backpack

For the fifth consecutive year, “YMCA Operation Backpack” joins the forces of 38 YMCAs, local churches and other partners to touch the lives of tens of thousands of Houston area children and families this school year.

Thousands of school supplies will be collected for children who might otherwise go back to school unprepared.

Through Aug. 16, YMCA Operation Backpack will collect brand new backpacks filled with school supplies and distribute them to children in 31 Houston area school districts. Read more

“HOPE” Day at New Hope Presbyterian Church

By: Mary Jane Selle
“HOPE” Day is an acronym for “Help Others Prepare for Education” Day. A variety of organizations will be present during that time to help families in need whose children will be entering local school districts this year.

Vouchers for free school immunizations will be handed out by Christ Clinic of Katy as well as coupons for a discounted school outfit at Katy Christian Ministries Resale shops for those children receiving the immunizations. A school lunch kit and dental care kit also will be available. The number of vouchers and kits is limited to 100 and will be given out on a first-come, first served basis. Registration information for Katy Independent School District and Cy-Fair Independent School District will be available.

The Katy/West Houston community is encouraged to stop by the church and drop off school supplies that will be distributed through Katy Christian Ministries. Items such as notebook paper, pencils, plastic folders, 24-box of crayons and ziplock bags are needed. For examples of school items needed, go to http://www.katyisd.org/parents/Pages/SchoolSupply.aspx or http://www.cfisd.net/aboutour/supplies/supplies.htm.

Fun, games and a puppet show will be available for the children and a hot dog lunch will be served by the church’s Men’s Group.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the church at (281) 492-8520.

Baseball Great Larry Dierker to Feature in HCC Musical

Former Houston Astros ace pitcher, broadcaster and winning manager Larry Dierker will make a star appearance in his new musical, Old Stories – A Tale of Baseball and Love this summer at the HCC Spring Branch Campus.

Written by Larry Dierker, Dr. Aubrey Tucker and Paul English, Old Stories is a fun, frolicking romp about the mythical Washington Capitols and their quest for the National League championship in 1970.  “King” Cole, the Caps’ long-time home run hitter, meets and falls in love with Cindy, the cousin of a friend, and the complicated rest is – musical theater!            Read more

Country Star Katie Armiger Live at Katy Mills Mall

Houston area country music fans are invited to check out the chart-climbing music of Katie Armiger, who will perform songs off her critically acclaimed second album “Believe” during a live performance on the Simon dTOUR Live – Country Music Tour. The 24 city tour is presented by Simon Property Group, Cold River Records, Great American Country (GAC) and F.Y.E., and is headed to Katy Mills.

Katie has set several records for the highest chart numbers ever seen by an independent female artist on R&R and Music Row.  Katie also recorded one of the highest download weeks ever seen by a country Discovery Artist on iTunes. Read more

Katy Track & Field Hero Scott Sellers at the Summit of his College Career

Former Katy High School high-jump sensation Scott Sellers has made history as he finishes up his incredible college sports career at Kansas State.  The humble high-jumper has become the first athelete in K-State track and field hsitory to be an All-American every year, indoor and outdoor, in one event.  His coach, Cliff Rovelto, is now arguing that he could be considered the greatest Track & Fields athelete in K-State history: Read more

Katy Charity Brings Bears to Sick Children

Joseph David Ordaz, a Katy resident, was only 24 when he passed away from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in March 2009. When he was alone or scared, Joe had a teddy bear that he held onto for comfort and courage. The Joe Joe Bear Foundation, a Katy-based charity, was created in loving memory of Joe.

The Joe Joe Bear Foundation is an organization, (awaiting its non-profit status), that collects new teddy bears and donates them to area hospitals for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.  Like Joe, they can have something to hold unto when they are frightened or on their own. (The bears must be new as the children have weakened immune systems.) Read more

William Shine: Reminiscing on Broadway’s Heyday

It’s about twenty-three minutes past 6 pm. The apartment is lit with natural light from the partially opened blinds. William Shine, 82, is sitting in front of his Mac computer in his kitchen table that doubles as a desk, watching television.

We exchange formalities and he makes his way from the kitchen to his recliner, two steps away, and he dives into it.

“Well first of all, I have a Master’s degree in music,” he says; Shine attended the Manhattan School of Music. “A hard school to get into and an easy one to get thrown out of.” Read more

“Tortoise & Hair” Run/Walk to Benefit Katy Child Residents

Two Katy families touched by an autoimmune disease that causes severe hair loss have teamed up to chair Houston’s first-ever “Tortoise & Hair” 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk benefiting the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF.)  Set for Saturday, June 27, 8 a.m., for the one-mile walk and 8:30 a.m. for the 5K, the event will begin at Wortham Center’s Ray C. Fish Plaza, 500 Texas Avenue, downtown. Read more

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