Stetsons and Stilettos Event Raises Over $30,000 for Stanley Elementary
Stanley Elementary’s PTA raised over $30,000 at its Stetsons and Stilettos for the Stampede fall fundraiser Oct. 9 at Cross Creek Ranch. Radio personality Kevin Kline from the New 93Q Morning Zoo served as the celebrity master of ceremonies.
Cross Creek Ranch and Trendmaker Homes hosted the event at their welcome center. Decked out in everything from western attire to stilettos, guests enjoyed food donated from six local restaurants with live music from Gene Neptune and Joe Kilpatrick. The auction included six highly sought after live auction items and over 150 silent auction items donated from local businesses and various Stanley parents and faculty.
“It was amazing to see all the volunteers work tirelessly to make this event possible in just a few short months,” said PTA President Courtney Doyle. The money raised will benefit the students at Stanley Elementary, which is Katy ISD’s newest school. The campus opened this past August to students living in Cross Creek Ranch, Westheimer Lakes North and Cinco Ranch Southwest.
Gould wins Marketing Professional of the Year Award
Katy resident Heather Gould, marketing director for Newland Communities in Houston, has won the 2009 Star Award for “Marketing Professional of the Year” from the Texas Association of Builders.
Held Oct. 30 in Dallas, the Star Awards included contestants from Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Gould directs marketing for the 7,600-acre Cinco Ranch community in Katy and the 2,018-acre Telfair community in Sugar Land.
Both Cinco Ranch and Telfair were ranked among the top 10 communities in the nation for 2008 new-home sales in a study by RCLCO, a national real estate consulting firm. Cinco Ranch ranked second in the nation for sales, while Telfair ranked sixth. New-home sales in both communities are also up for the first nine months of 2009 – by 8 percent in Cinco Ranch and 12 percent in Telfair.
“In a market where new-home sales are generally down, Cinco Ranch and Telfair have posted sales increases under Heather’s marketing direction, and we are very pleased that the Texas Association of Builders has recognized her achievements,” said Jennifer Taylor, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities.
Taylor added that Gould oversaw marketing for a new 2,400-acre phase of development that opened at Cinco Ranch last year, introducing a Model Home Village with 31 models, a 76-acre recreation complex, and an innovative storefront information center called Simply Cinco.
At Telfair, Gould directed the launch of a new website and oversaw the introduction of new homebuilders. She also worked with the Houston Museum of Natural Science on the grand opening of its new Sugar Land branch, located in a historic Telfair building donated by Newland Communities.
Also at the Star Awards, Newland Communities won in the “Best Sales Brochure – Developer” category for a piece created for Eagle Springs, a 1,360-acre community in Humble.
Holy Covenant UMC’s 20th Annual Heartwarming Christmas Show
The 20th annual Heartwarming Christmas Show will be held at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The craft show hosted by the United Methodist Women of the church will include over 68 booths. These booths will include everything from crafts to candles to all kinds of food and is open to the public. The UMW hold the large craft fair every year to raise funds for many different mission projects in Katy and beyond. The church is located at 22111 Morton Road in Katy. For further information go to www.holycov.org.
Celebrate 70 Years of Katy Football
The Friday night lights will shine down on January 16 as Katy High School celebrates seventy years of football memories. Former players, cheerleaders, drill team members, managers, trainers, and band members are invited to A Night Of Champions—Seventy Years of Katy High School Football at the Red Oak Ballroom at the brand-new CityCentre at 7:00 PM. This upscale venue is the closest convention center that is large enough to accommodate the expected crowd of football enthusiasts. Read more
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival 2009
By Ann Hodge
If you are looking for quality family entertainment, enrichment and fun, look no further. The Katy Rice Harvest Festival rolls into Katy October 10th and 11th and has been named one of the Houston area’s top ten festivals as well as being voted by the community as the best annual community event.
The Rice Harvest Parade
The annual parade will be held Saturday, Oct 3 in historic downtown Katy. Tom Zizka, FOX 26 Morning News Anchor will serve as the parade Grand Marshal. Among the entries will be the Katy Cowgirls, a horse drawn carriage with dogs, Miss Teen –Texas World and the National American Miss, a World War 2 Military fire truck plus floats and many more miscellaneous entries.
The parade line up begins at 9 AM Saturday in the Church of Christ parking lot located at 5th Street and East Ave. The parade will begin at 10 AM and from the church go down Ave A to 2nd Street, over to Ave C and up to 10th Street. To insure being announced at the Reviewing Stand, entry applications need to be submitted by noon on Thursday, Oct 1. The parade sponsor is Remedy Roofing.
Rice Cooking Contest
The Rice Cooking Contest will take place following the parade. Prepared food dishes are to be taken to the VFW Hall on George Bush Dr by 11:00 AM. Judging will begin at noon. Applications and recipe submissions are to be in by 5 PM Sept.30.
Area businesses are competing for the Business Winner honor. Some recipes submitted include Strawberry Rice Cream, Texedo Rice Pie and Orange Shrimp and Rice. Rivianna Foods sponsors this contest.
A Historical Year
This marks the first time in the history of the festival that all booths sold out a full month prior to the annual event. The Festival committee is proud to announce that this year there is a record number of hand crafted and homemade items. The Food Booths have been sold out for several months. Read more
Living History: Vintage Baseball Games at Katy Heritage Park
By Carol Adams.
Vintage Baseball is coming to Katy! On October 3rd we’ll host the Richmond Giants and the Boeme White Sox on the field at Katy Heritage Park. This is a true history lesson as players show up to play in vintage inspired uniforms and teams exhibit gentlemanly (and womanly) behavior – yes, both genders can play. Vintage baseball is played with old equipment and follows old rules, among them; the ball is ‘hurled’ underhanded and a batted ball can be caught for an out after one bounce off the ground. Read more
Randall’s Community Bucks Program to Benefit Katy Christian Ministries
by Bruce Kingwell
Blessings everyone: It looks like Randall’s ”Community Bucks” program is back. For every $50 you spend now through September 30th at your local Randall’s, you will receive a “Community Buck” for the participating Good Neighbor Charity of your choice.
Collect as many as you can and send them to us by October 12th. KCM will receive $1 for every “Community Buck” we receive in the form of a gift card. We can then use these gift cards to purchase a variety of items including holiday grocery needs. Limit of three “Community Bucks” per transaction.
Katy Christian Ministries
5011 E. Fifth St.
Katy, TX 77493
Thank you for your participation and continued support.
MRHS Belles Give Back
This year the Morton Ranch High School Dance Team is doing something they have named “Belles Give Back,” a community wide service project that they plan to continue throughout the year. Their goal is to reach out beyond themselves to help others. So far the team has collected books for our troops overseas, provided school supplies for local elementary students, and donated teddy bears to the local fire department for young children; currently, the ladies are partnering up with The Breath of Life Children’s Clinic to help raise much needed funds. Read more
This is a Great Time to Start Your Job Search!
By Mary-Helen Giles.
If you are one of many local Katy residents looking for a new job or just thinking of making a change, things are finally starting to look up! Recent statistics show that the rate of unemployment is starting to trend downward and layoffs are slowing down. In addition, the use of temporary help across the Gulf Coast region is increasing. In past recoveries, this is often the first indicator that the economic situation is improving. In fact, recent conversations with hiring managers in the Greater Houston area have given us even greater reason for hope: budgets being prepared now for 2010 actually allow for addition of permanent staff in several key areas.
So how can you take advantage of this situation? Now is the time to dust off that old resume, take your interview suit to the cleaners and start networking. The first step in this process is to contact anyone you plan to use as a reference in your job search. Let them know that you are looking for a new position and ask them if they will provide a reference for you. Confirm that you have all of their current contact information, including address, phone number and email address. Many employers will run detailed background checks on new hires, so make sure that all of the information on your resume is correct (especially dates) and that your education information can be verified. In other words, if you still owe an old library fine to your alma mater, now is the time to pay it so they will confirm your degree! Depending on the type of job you are seeking, it may also be a good time to double check your credit report to make sure all of the information is correct. Read more
Home Decor & Remodeling Show Announced for September 12-13, 2009
Katy residents Robyn and Jeff Cade announce plans for the first Home Décor & Remodeling Show, the only show of its kind created specifically for the fall home improvement season. To be held September 12-13, 2009 at the Leonard E. Merrell Center, the Home Décor & Remodeling Show will showcase booths filled with products and services for home related projects that typically take place before the holidays.
This is the time of year when, characteristically, the focus is on sprucing up the interior of the home – whether it be remodeling or decorating – in time for holiday visits from friends and relatives. The Home Décor & Remodeling Show will have everything you need to do just that! Read more
The Tigers Make Us Proud
By Sandra Allen.
For those that are not aware, Comcast airs the Texas High School Football Game of the Week each Saturday at 6 p.m. on Channel 55. Tonight, what a great way to kick off the season by hosting the two best teams in Houston. Our own Katy Tigers vs. North Shore at Rhodes Stadium. Two great teams that fought to the bitter end. And yes folks, our Katy Tigers made us very proud last night with a 9-7 win over North Shore, ending North Shore’s record winning streak.
This was a game that truly lived up to all the hype and fan expectations. The two best teams in Houston. Standing room only. Lots of turnovers, lots of mistakes, and with the clock running out at 31 seconds, the Katy Tigers again made our great city proud. Read more
Katy ISD “Open for Business” Expo Scheduled
By Katy ISD Communications.
Katy ISD’s Purchasing Department will host “Open for Business,” an opportunity expo for Katy area vendors, September 8, 2009, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Leonard Merrell Center.
An outgrowth of Superintendent Alton Frailey’s Local Vendor Initiative, the event is intended to provide helpful information to local vendors who are interested in doing business with Katy ISD. Participants will learn how to do business with the district, be familiarized with future business opportunities, meet with key members of the district’s procurement team, receive information on various service and commodity needs, and have an opportunity to share concerns during an open forum.
In addition to purchasing personnel, representatives of various departments, including Athletics, Nutrition and Food Service, Transportation, Maintenance, Police, Technology, Fine Arts, Teaching and Learning, Facilities/Planning and Business/Finance, will be on hand to share information and answer questions about the products and services typically purchased in their areas. Read more
Beau Kisses Grand Opening Today
It was a match made in, well… Katy, Texas when Austin boutique owner Lisa Brown discovered LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch while scouting space for her new gift and seasonal boutique. Construction on the 2,364 square feet space is nearing completion and Beau Kisses will soon begin its romance with the city of Katy. Doors open Friday, August 14 with a formal grand opening planned for the fall. Read more
Annaloni’s & Golfers Fight Hunger in Houston
Annaloni’s Pizzaria, located on 1510 Eldridge, is joining with some of Houston’s greatest golf courses in order to raise money for the Houston Food Bank. For every $5 donation a visitor makes, Annaloni’s will throw your name into a hat that might win you a round of golf and a pizza dinner for 4. As an added incentive, if you donate $20, Annaloni’s will throw your name in five times! Read more
“Play It Safe Day” in Fulshear on August 21st
Bring the kids to learn valuable safety tips from local police officers, fire fighters and public service workers on “Play it Safe Day” at the Cross Creek Ranch Welcome Center located in Fulshear, Texas.
The event will take place on August 21st, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hildren will experience and learn by exploring an on-site fire truck, ambulance, and Life Flight Helicopter, all present for the event.
Rescue and safety professionals will be there to give tours and answer questions. All guests will also enjoy free pizza, drinks, snacks and giveaways.
Katy ISD Earns Recognized Rating from TEA for Second Straight Year
By Katy ISD Communications
For the second straight year, outstanding student achievement produced a “Recognized” accountability rating for the Katy Independent School District. For the 2008-09 school year, 90 percent of Katy ISD campuses received a rating of recognized or above with 24 campuses receiving an exemplary rating (49%) and 20 campuses receiving a recognized rating (41%). In addition, the district and all campuses, other than the four new campuses that were not rated this year, have met 2009 Preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress.
“We are very excited to be able to celebrate the fact that so many of our campuses received a rating of recognized or above,” says Katy ISD Superintendent Alton Frailey. However, we cannot rest as there is still much work to do to ensure that we identify every child in our district that is still struggling and that they receive focused attention they need in order for them to succeed.” Read more
12 of 13 Cinco Ranch Schools Receive Exemplary Status in the 2009 Accountability Ratings by T.E.A.
Twelve of the 13 Katy ISD schools serving Cinco Ranch have earned the highest possible rating in the 2009 Accountability Ratings released by the Texas Education Agency.
The 12 Cinco Ranch schools were all rated Exemplary, the highest of the four ratings assigned by the TEA, and one earned by only 25.8% of Texas public schools in 2009.
An Exemplary rating means that a campus must have at least 90 percent of its students meet or exceed the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) standard on each subject, including Reading, English/Language Arts, Math, Writing, Social Studies and Science. A campus must also have a dropout rate of 2 percent or less to earn an Exemplary rating. Read more
