She was a beautiful girl, a precious daughter, sister and loyal friend to many.  She was a freshman at Katy High School, full of dreams and hopes for her future.  She was a student council member, an athlete and a cheerleader.  She was a Christian and enjoyed doing mission work through her church Epiphany of The Lord Catholic Church.

Nicole King was killed in an auto accident involving a person under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

What began as a family day spent at the beach ended with a family being broken and torn apart forever.  Her mother Christina, her brother David and her sister Alyssa were also injured in the accident and still have not recovered from their injuries.

You can make a difference in their lives.  In Honor of Nicole King – Smith Ranch is hosting a benefit on June 13, 2010 from 12 pm – 4pm.  Please contact Smith Ranch at 281-371-3112 or SmithRanchKaty.com.

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.

VFW Ralph West shared his personal World War II experiences aboard the carrier, USS Anzio. Fresh out of high school, Ralph West enlisted underage, with his father’s permission, because he was ready to serve his country.  Ralph enlisted in the service of his choice, the Navy, to fight for his country and to see the world. He served in the Pacific during WWII.

Commander Peyton Lumpkin then provided wrap up remarks on President Truman’s decision to drop atomic weapons on Japan which hastened the end of the war. Mayor Elder thanked the Boy Scouts, the Cub Scouts and the Veterans for their service and noted that we have the freedoms we now have, because of our military Veterans. Seven World War ll veterans were also honored at the ceremony.

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.

Mora describes the gift wrapping service as hassle-free because customers only need to call in to set an appointment!   Pickup, wrapping, and dropping off are all handled by vlm creative.  To take this even further, a customer can also schedule an associate to come wrap gifts onsite!  Vivian states that the pace of the world today is making this type of convenience more commonplace.  Working from her home office in Cinco Ranch, she manages the service and her associates from a virtual workspace.  “We go to the client whether it is at the client’s home, place of work, or sometimes the local coffee shop!  They’ve called us because their days are already full.  We take this one, BIG item off their plate,” Mora explains.

“The customers are mostly local (from Katy and surrounding areas) and usually have more gifts to wrap than they have time available.  Many are moms, like me, who work really hard to provide a great holiday experience for their families. They are desperate for help during this time of year.  It’s also the guys who can pick a great gift but just can’t tackle wrapping it properly,” Mora said.  Mora believes that a thoughtful gift deserves more than to be tossed into a gift bag.  She states that the real purpose of a gift bag is to hold beautifully wrapped gifts.

vlm creative wraps gifts in one of 15 paper choices (including crisp white, red, or blue) and each is accessorized with a bow and a gift tag. Because trends fluctuate, several new paper choices are rotated in throughout the season.  “What we are seeing again this year is the use of colors not traditionally associated with Christmas or Hanukah, such as the chocolate with pink or light blue and more use of black and white designs,” commented Mora.  Clients who have their own supplies are able to schedule an associate to provide wrapping services only.  We do everything possible to remove the stress around this holiday task and get it checked off our client’s “to-do” lists. We even shop for clients who have specific wrapping paper color preferences based on their holiday décor!

Prices range from $3 for a small jewelry-box size gift to $15 for packages about the size of a standard moving box. More elaborate designs and larger gifts are quoted individually.  Packages are picked up for free in Katy.  The pickup/delivery charge for areas outside Katy (West Houston, Cypress, Spring Branch, Memorial, the Galleria, Richmond, and Sugarland) is $20.  Most requests can be completed within one to three days, depending on the number of gifts.

Although the demand is greatest for gift-wrapping services during the holiday season, vlm creative offers services year-round for birthdays and other special occasions. 5% of vlm creative’s holiday sales profit is distributed to the following charitable organizations: Katy Christian Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and MS 150 Ride Sponsorships. More information can be found on the service’s web site at www.vlm-creative.com.

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. The Voice of Democracy has been the VFW premier scholarship program for generations and is open to all students in grades 9-12.  Each year, more than 108,000 high school students compete for more than $2.5 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme.  The theme for the competition was “Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefit Today’s Youth by ……………”.  The Patriot’s Pen essay competition, which is open to all students in grades 6-8, gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy.   Last year 120,000 students participated in this contest.  The theme was “Why America’s Veterans Should Be Honored”.

The Voice of Democracy winner from Post 9182 is Zach Pringnitz, who is a student at Cinco Ranch High School.  The Patriot’s Pen winners are:  Calvin Conway (1st place) who attends McMeans Junior High, Rhythm Chokshi (2nd place) who is also from McMeans Junior High and Brittany Marshall (3rd place) at Memorial Parkway Junior High.  The Post 9182 winners advanced to district.  Prizes are awarded to winners at all levels, which include the post, district, state and national levels.

In addition to recognizing student achievements in the Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, the VFW also recognized local Boy Scouts who achieved the status of Eagle Scout.  Thirty-five Eagle Scouts were presented with two certificates.  The first was from VFW Post 9182 and the other from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC).  It was quite evident in the response from the parents that the TVC certificate doubled the honor for the Eagle Scouts.

The Honorable US District Judge David Hittner, who has dedicated his life to public service, including 60 years of service to scouting, addressed the group.  He congratulated all winners on their accomplishment and entertained the group with inspiring reflections on how public service, especially scouting, has impacted his life.  Judge Hittner is a well known speaker and lecturer who has received many distinguished awards in scouting, including Eagle Scout.  He elaborated that being an Eagle Scout shows not only responsibility, but what your capable of doing and how you are willing to help others get to that same level.  He stated that this achievement is something that will follow each Eagle Scout all their lives.  Being an Eagle Scout is the only thing that has remained on his resume all these years.  Judge Hittner said, “It affects your entire life, including getting into college or getting a job”.

Stan Stanley, who has been a supporter of this annual event from its inception, also congratulated everyone on their accomplishments.  Mr. Stanley was recently recognized by the community of Katy with a dedication of the newest Katy Elementary School being given his name.  Stan is also an Eagle Scout and the President of Stanley Signature Products Inc.  Like Judge Hittner he has accomplished very much in the 53 years he has dedicated to Scouting.

For more information about the upcoming Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contest contact or information about the Katy VFW Post 9182, contact Colonel Peyton Lumpkin, Commander, at 281-391-8387.  Post meetings are held at the VFW Hall on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Pictured: Eagle Scout Taylor Janis, Mrs. Janis, Commander Lumpkin

“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.

Come and meet bud the pieman in person and eat some Pie! Hear Bud share his Pie-losophy known as BUDisms ’bout life, family, and business. You can eat more pie, then take a whole pie home to serve to the family and friends or put in the freezer for your holiday.

You have most likely seen Bud on the Food Network or on one of many local broadcasts. His pies have been rated as the best by Texas Monthly, Washington Post, and Austin Statesman. Royer’s Round Top Café has been in business for over 23 years, since he and his family left Katy and opened the café in Round Top.

If you can’t make it to the Rice Harvest Festival, you can call the pie hotline at 281-797-2806 to order your whole pies now, and they’ll have them available for pick-up.

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.

OnlyKaty: First of all, what has changed for The Texas Tenors after your grand debut on, America’s Got Talent?

JC: Putting that group together….six months ago, we were like three individual singers. We had no idea what we were gonna do, but by putting this group together and getting on this show, we’ve had so much interest [his tot interjects mid-sentence, JC responds patiently to the little guy, “hang on buddy, I’m talkin’ on the phone“]…the greatest thing about all this is, we’re going to be part of the America’s Got Talent Live at Planet Hollywood, which is basically, Sony Music and Simon Cowell. We’ve had several corporations in Houston contact us.

OK: It seems you guys impress more than just the judges, Katy can’t get enough of you guys.

JC: What’s funny when we did our first round, we were together about a week. We really hadn’t rehearsed at all. At first, the people were saying, ‘Ah, whatever, cowboys! They can’t really sing that well’ and then they went, ‘Hang on, these guys are pretty good’ and then it got to, ‘Oh yeah! These guys are great!’

OK: Your fans range from classical music lovers to the country buffs, what do you attribute that to?

JC: We are not a country band, at all. We do some Alabama, some John Denver, but every time we do it, we sing properly. We don’t twang around like country singers. Our motto is, country roots, classical sound.

OK: Do you think the show wanted to pigeonhole you as a country group?

JC: No, I don’t think so. Its just that, when we come out with cowboy hats and boots and black belts, that’s the first thing you’re gonna think.

OK: I know The Tenors have released an album, but do you foresee a record deal in the near future?

JC: We’ve made a CD now, its really high quality. One of my friends that I go to church with, he is a world-class sound engineer, he’s worked with like, The Backstreet Boys and a lot of big names groups, we recorded in the studio the day after the Houston audition. But hopefully in the next few months, or even a year we will be able to do that.

OK: Who was your favorite judge on the show?

JC: You know, they are all pretty special in their own way. I was a big Pierce fan, because I watched The Apprentice and I liked him, I saw a different side of him. And of course David, he came back [stage], he had his cowboy hat on, before the show and said, ‘I’m going to be the fourth Tenor.’ I watched Knight Rider and all that. I’m a big Sharon Osbourne fan, I liked rock ‘n’ roll growing up and I followed Ozzfest and Ozzy Osborne. She’s so nice and beautiful in person.

OK: David Hasselhoff was a big fan of yours from the start.

JC: Yeah. And after he performed on the show, he came over to us and said, ‘How did I do guys? I’m gonna open up for you guys in Vegas!’

OK: Any thoughts on the winner, Kevin Skinner?

JC: People don’t realize this guy. He is original, what you see is what you get. Another thing that is so cool about him is, he writes his own music and he’s an amazing songwriter. He’s like the modern day Willie Nelson. He’s a real singer. I got to be good friends with him and he’s always nice.

OK: Any words for your Katy fans?

JC: I’d like Katy to know, we’re going to do a Texas Tenor charter in a few months out of Galveston. We’re going to do a big cruise, all the fans, we’re going to do three full shows on a seven-day Caribbean cruise. Katy’s awesome!

OK: How awesome?

JC: You know what’s funny? I always eat at Waffle House on Fry Road, they know me by name!

Tune into America’s Got Talent to see JC and The Texas Tenors perform as finalists

www.thetexastenors.com | www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent

Watch the Texas Tenors Perform in the Finals:

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.”

Each outstanding teacher received a certificate of appreciation and a U.S. flag provided by the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary at this annual event.  KISD Superintendent Alton Frailey and Katy Mayor Don Elder assisted with the awards and praised the teachers in attendance for their accomplishments.

In addition Sandye Reed, a teacher from Faith West Academy, was honored for winning the VFW Teacher Citizenship Award at the VFW Post and District levels.  In addition to a certificate and flag, she received monetary awards from Post and District levels and a plaque from District 17.  The Teacher Citizenship Award is given to those teachers who emphasize and teach citizenship, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism.  They have to be nominated by one of their peers who describe their qualities in 350 words or less.  Information on this award can be found at www.texasvfw.org.

The VFW has a strong relationship with KISD schools and veterans routinely speak or present programs upon any teacher’s request.   The Master of Ceremonies for this awards program was Todd Spiller and Chaplain Nixon led the opening and closing prayers.  Members Henry Thomas, Honor Guard Leader Louis Mehr, Chief of Staff Stephen Brady, Stephen Griswold, and George Berg, the oldest member of the post, also assisted with the event.  Refreshments were served after the awards program by Karon Cramer, Jeanenne Lumpkin, Dianne Spiller and Margaret Mehr of the Ladies Auxiliary.

For more information about the Katy VFW Post 9182, contact Colonel (Ret) Lumpkin, Commander at 281-391-8387.  Post meetings are held at the VFW Hall on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

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. One-hundred percent of the donations will go directly to the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center.

“Cancer affects our family a lot. We also have an uncle with thyroid cancer and my fiancé’s mom has cancer,” Banks said. “I always knew I wanted to do something to help, but I didn’t know what until Armon had that idea. He’s the most selfless kid; he’s the first person to say he wants to help others. I could not be any more proud of him.”

Banks said the program just recently started up, and he has spoken to about 10 high schools and several businesses in the greater Houston area to generate interest. Houston-based company JCS Creative was also impressed with Owens’ efforts and designed a website, Facebook page and Twitter page—all free of charge. While the ball just started rolling, Banks said he anticipates it taking shape into an annual initiative, much like the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Catch The Cure” is part of the bigger initiative “Do Something Bigger,” which will incorporate other fundraising tactics aside from football. One is a commercial contest in partnership with Illusion Studios, in which up to 200 students submit their vision for the meaning of “Do Something Bigger.” Illusion will transform the winning entry into a CGI commercial that will be posted on Facebook and YouTube and, with any luck, television.

“‘Do Something Bigger’ is all about doing something selfless so you can help society as a whole. If you have the opportunity to help someone, help someone,” Banks said. “Hopefully we can get a lot of support behind us and encourage lots of businesses to participate. Even if individual people want to donate a dollar a touchdown, that could add up over a season. Our goal is to raise $1 billion for cancer, and I know that’s a lot, but you can’t make your goals small.”

According to Owens, the ultimate goal is for the money raised to help find a cure for cancer.

“I hope one day, by the money we fund raise, that they’ll find a cure for cancer and save a lot of people doing it,” he said. “I want to get excited every time I see a high score.”

For more information, please visit http://www.dosomethingbigger.org.

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.

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?”

Two physicians quickly responded. Dr. Randeep Suneja, of the Cardiology Center of Houston and his older brother, Dr. Pradeep who was visiting from India, took charge of the elderly woman having a probable heart attack. With the aid of the flight attendants, part of the plane was converted to a virtual ICU 30,000 feet in the air.

Dr. Suneja worked on the patient for nearly an hour before the flight was diverted to Phoenix where paramedic took the woman to a hospital. Dr. Suneja successfully stabilized the woman prior to the landing in Phoenix.

The flight Captain and the entire crew trooped virtually non-stop to thank one of Houston’s top docs for this very timely help. The passengers cheered and applauded, again, non-stop. Dr. Suneja humbly smiled to acknowledge the applause. The plane took off for California without much delay making all of us very, very proud of a mission accomplished.

This was the first major on-flight mission to help a serious patient for Dr. Randeep Suneja.

To contact Dr. Randeep Suneja, visit his site at HoustonCardiology.com

Looking for a Katy Doctor?  Visit our Katy TX medical directory.