Don’t Forget to Vote November 8, 2011

With all of the media coverage, you’re likely very aware that there is a presidential election next year.  But did you know that we have an election next month?  Mark your calendars now for November 8, 2011, Election Day…

What’s on the Ballot?
10 Proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution (on all ballots)
2 Propositions for the Willow Fork Drainage District (for folks in that district)
a Proposition to create a Fort Bend County Assistance District (in some Ft Bend County precincts)
City of Houston elections (folks who live within the boundaries of the City of Houston)

How can we find more information?
GetToKnowKaty.com Election Guide
FortBendVoterInfo.com
Fort Bend County Elections Office
Harris County Elections Office
Waller County Elections Office
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

When can we vote?
Last day to register to vote in this election:  October 11, 2011
Ballot by mail applications accepted:  September 9 – November 1, 2011
Early Voting:  October 24 – November 4, 2011
Election Day:  November 8, 2011

Where can we vote?
Fort Bend County Early Voting & Election Day Voting
Harris County Early Voting & Election Day Voting  (updated 10/27/11 with new links)
Waller County Early Voting & Election Day Voting

We believe that every election is important.  Please take the time to review what is on your ballot and VOTE!  And equally important, we hope that you will spread the word about this election so that your friends and family will have the opportunity to voice their opinions as well.

This Weekend in Katy TX: September 30 – October 2, 2011

Have you been outside today?  It is absolutely GORGEOUS out there!  Maybe Fall is finally deciding to arrive here in Katy.  There are a lot of opportunities to enjoy the weather this weekend.  Here are just a few of the things going on in our area over the next few days…

High School Volleyball: 
Cinco Ranch vs Katy at Katy High School, September 30th
Seven Lakes vs Taylor at Taylor High School, September 3oth
Morton Ranch vs Mayde Creek at Mayde Creek High School, September 30th 

High School Football: 
Katy vs Strake Jesuit at Rice Stadium, September 30th
Morton Ranch vs Taylor at Rhodes Stadium, September 30th
Morton Ranch High School Tailgate Party before the game on the Visitor’s side
Faith West vs Brazos Christian at Faith West, September 30th
Pope John XXIII vs Ft Bend Baptist at Pope John, September 30th
Cinco Ranch vs Seven Lakes at Rhodes Stadium, October 1st (rescheduled from Sept 29)
Mayde Creek vs Memorial at Tully Stadium, October 1st

Fairs & Festivals:
Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade in Historic Downtown Katy, October 1st
Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo at the Ft Bend County Fairgrounds, through October 2nd
Waller County Fair at the Waller County Fairgrounds, through October 1st
Katy Rice Harvest Festival in Historic Downtown Katy, October 8th-9th

Active Events:
Zumba Fest at the Katy Family YMCA, September 30th
Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Downtown Houston, October 1st
Du the Bear Duathlon at Bear Creek Pioneers Park, October 2nd
Swim Lessons for All Ages at the Katy Family YMCA, beginning October 3rd

The Arts:
KVPAC Presents “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at the Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center, through October 2nd
Katy Area Artists present “Wild Landscapes” at V The Gallery in Villagio Center, opening October 7th

Other Family Fun:
Katy Heritage Museum & Historic Homes at Katy Heritage Park, Open October 1st-2nd
American Motor Cars Lone Star Regional Car Show at LaCenterra, October 1st
Dewberry Farm in Brookshire, Weekends through November 13th
Morton Ranch High School Family Fun Night at Morton Ranch HS, October 2nd
National Night Out at Katy City Park, October 4th

Did we miss anything?  Post a comment here, comment on our Facebook page, or send us a tweet to let us know about any other happenings that should be on this list.  One thing is for sure… you have no excuse to be bored! 

Fall 2011 Festival Season!

This summer has definitely been one for the record books!  For years I’ve compared summer heat to the Summer of 1980 and, until this year, no other summer temps have been able to compete.  But this crazy string of insane heat mixed with drought makes 1980 look like a beautiful Spring day!  I am definitely ready for some cooler Fall weather, so we can get back to enjoying the outdoors.  There are a ton of fun events coming up in the next few months!  (NOTE:  I’m sorry.  For some reason I’m having trouble embedding links, so I’m including the website address at the end of each entry.  When you are finished looking at the festival page, hit the back button to return here.)

15th Grand Taiko Festival, September 9-10, 2011 at Miller Outdoor Theatre  www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/

11th Houston Hot Sauce Festival, September 17-18, 2011 at the Stafford Centre  www.houstonhotsauce.com/

75th Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo, September 23 - October 2, 2011 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds  www.fbcfa.org/

66th Waller County Fair, September 24 – October 2, 2011 at the Waller County Fairgrounds  www.wallercountyfair.org/

Dewberry Farm, September 24 – November 13, 2011 in Brookshire  www.dewberryfarm.com/

45th The Original Greek Festival, October 6-9, 2011 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral  www.greekfestival.org/

31st Katy Rice Harvest Festival, October 8-9, 2011 in Historic Downtown Katy  www.riceharvestfestival.org/

40th Bayou City Art Festival, October 8-9 in Downtown Houston  www.bayoucityartfestival.com/

37th Texas Renaissance Festival, October 8 – November 27, 2011 in Plantersville  www.texrenfest.com/

33rd Festa Italiana, October 14-16, 2011 at the University of St Thomas  www.houstonitalianfestival.com/

27th Wings Over Houston Airshow, October 15-16, 2011 at Ellington Field  www.wingsoverhouston.com/

34th Harris County Fair, October 19-23, 2011 at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club  www.hcfair.com/

18th Ballunar Liftoff Festival, October 21-23, 2011 at the Johnson Space Center  www.ballunarfestival.com/

28th Texian Market Days, October 22, 2011 at the George Ranch  www.texianmarketdays.com/

5th Puerto Rican & Cuban Festival, October 22, 2011 at Tranquility Park in Downtown Houston  www.prcfestival.com/

8th Gulf Coast Dragon Boat Regatta, October 22-23, 2011 in Sugar Land  www.texasdragonboat.com/

International Quilt Festival, November 3-6, 2011 at the George R Brown Convention Center  www.quilts.com/

1st Texas Yacht Show and Jazz Fest, November 11-13, 2011 at the Kemah Boardwalk Marina  www.texasyachtshow.com/

Via Colori Street Painting Festival, November 19-20, 2011 at Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston  www.HoustonViaColori.com/

As you can see, there is truly something for everyone on this list!  As natives of this area, we have been to most of these events over the years and always have a great time.  Better yet, these events are just a few of the fun things going on around our area during the Fall.  Feel free to post information on any other fun festivals and community events in the comments section of this post.

Happy September everyone!

Make a Difference in the Fight Against MS

Many of us have friends and family affected by Multiple Sclerosis.  We’d like to thank Cammy Hazim and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for sharing the following information about MS and how we can all help to fight it. 

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
According to the National MS Society, Multiple Sclerosis is “an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, that interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body.”  Statistics show that 400,000+ people in the US are affected, with a new person being diagnosed every hour!   Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.  Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease.

What can we all do to help?
Folks in the Katy Area have several options…

1)  Walk
Lace up your walking shoes and join your neighbors at Katy Mills Mall (5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy TX 77494) on Saturday, October 22, 2011 for Walk MS.  The cost is FREE to walk and FREE to form a team!  Registration opens in Mid-April to set up your Fundraising Page.  Click here to register online!

2) Bike
Registration is OPEN for the annual BP MS 150 Bike Ride from Houston to Austin.  This year’s event is set for April 16-17, 2011.  The ride departs from Rhodes Stadium (1733 Katy-Ft Bend Rd, Katy TX 77493)   Click here to register as an individual, join a team, or register a new team.

3) Volunteer
The Walk MS: Katy Planning Committee is looking for volunteers.  The committee meets once a month in Katy.  Meetings are only one hour long.  If you are interested in helping, contact Cammy L. Hazim at cammy.hazim@nmss.org or 713.394.2995.

4) Donate
If you are unable to participate in any of the fundraising events, but would like to donate, you can do so via the following links:  BP MS 150 or Walk MS: Katy.

BRRRRR! Are You Ready for the Ice Age???

OK…so maybe it’s not really going to be like the Ice Age.  And many of our Northern friends would likely question if it even qualifies as truly “cold”.  But for those of us Gulf Coast Texas folks who are accustomed to hot summers and mild winters, the weather forecast for this week is down right frigid!  Don’t let the projected cold front catch you by surprise.  If the temperatures do what they expect (hard freeze for several days and maybe snow on Friday??), it could mean costly damage if you are not prepared.  Here are a few things you can do to be ready…

Protect Your Family & Friends
While you are preparing yourself, remember to check on older family members and friends who may need assistance in their preparation.  Please take a few moments to ensure that their homes are protected and that they will have a safe way to stay warm.  Portable space heaters, kerosene heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves all come with safety risks.  Propane and carbon monoxide producing heaters should never be used indoors.  This is also a good time to make sure that they have enough food and supplies to remain at home until the roads are clear of ice.

Protect Your Pets
Freeze warnings are dangerous for pets.  Would you want to live outside with temps in the 20s, winds and precipitation?  Be sure to bring your pets inside during the winter blast.   Keep all vehicle antifreeze and poisons away from your animals.  Even small amounts can be deadly.  Before starting your car in cold weather, it’s a good idea to honk the horn just in case a cat or other animal has climbed into your engine area to stay warm.

Protect Your Pipes
Wrap up any exposed pipes and faucets and disconnect water hoses.  Don’t forget about exposed pipes in your attic!  Even if you have wrapped your pipes in previous years, it’s a good idea to inspect them now to make sure that they are still well protected.  See more tips on pipe protection.

Protect Your Sprinkler System 
If your home is equipped with a landscape sprinkler system, turn it off at the pipe and drain any excess water.  Make sure that all exposed pipes are wrapped.  A lot of folks in our area learned this lesson the hard way last year as several days of freezing temperatures turned broken sprinkler systems into geysers as the weather warmed up!

Protect Your Car
Check your antifreeze level and add as instructed if necessary.  Make sure your tires are properly inflated to provide maximum traction on slippery roads.  Keep your gas tank at least half full to minimize condensation within the gas line.  In case you missed it in the pets section, honk your horn before starting your car to clear out any animals who are drawn to your engine for warmth.  Most importantly, if you must drive in icy conditions, please adjust your driving habits appropriately…slow down and be alert!

Protect Your Plants
If you have time to put down a new layer of mulch, now is the time!  Mulch offers insulation for the plants’ root systems.  Cover tender plants with a frost cloth, sheet or blanket.  Make sure to use a breathable material and avoid plastic.  Bring moveable potted plants into your garage.  They say watering your plants prior to a freeze can also protect the root system (although I’ve never tried this one personally).

To see the latest weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service – Houston/Galveston Office.

Stay warm my friends!!

Literacy + Ecology = FUN!: KVPAC’s Nasty Gnarlies

The following story was provided by the Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) regarding the latest production in their Books Alive! Literacy Through the Arts program.  Neat stuff!  For more information about KVPAC, their community programs and how you can get involved, visit their website.
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KVPAC Nasty Gnarlies Cast

Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center’s (KVPAC) Books Alive! Literacy Through the Arts is an innovative program that uses the magic of live theatre to promote literacy in communities where literacy and art programs are not present.  Books Alive! tours to underprivileged neighborhoods, children’s hospitals, homeless shelters and special needs workshops free-of-charge.  Carol Herron, Arts In Medicine Coordinator at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, says, “Our cancer patients were delighted when KVPAC visited earlier this year as part of our Arts In Medicine program.  We look forward to return visits, and the opportunity to have KVPAC work with patients both in our out-patient clinic and in-patient units.”

For many children, it is their first time to experience the magic of live professional theatre and they respond enthusiastically.  “The lights, costumes and performers dazzled their eyes and brought out expressions on their faces that I will never forget,” glowed Elizabeth Mace, music specialist at Morton Ranch Elementary.  Inspiring children to open a book and bring the ‘book alive’ is the goal Books Alive! surpasses at all venues.

This year KVPAC used the wildly successful Books Alive! program to promote another worthy cause: going green.  Books Alive!’s production of The Three Nasty Gnarlies employs music and creative storytelling to teach kids about the perils of our environment in a lighthearted atmosphere.  The Gnarlies practice what they preach as all costumes are made from plastic bags that would otherwise sit in a landfill for 500 years.  The plastic bags are given new life in the show and the costume pieces can be reused in future productions.

Books Alive! believes it is not enough to simply inform children of a problem but to give them ways to be part of the solution.  Each audience member receives a copy of The Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet.  Produced by KVPAC, this original guide takes the Gnarlies from the stage to the page as they lead children through puzzles and games that educate and give them practical tips on saving the planet.  The Guide includes a convenient insert children can hang in their home to remind the whole family that little things can make a big difference.

Environmental Resources Management  (ERM) funded the creation of the unique, recycled costumes, the show’s set and the printing of The Kid’s Guide to Save the Planet.  Additional funding from Republic Services, Absolutely! Katy Magazine, Mickie C and Company, US Storage and the Houston Arts Alliance enabled this touring production to be taken to an additional 15 schools where it was seen by more than 7,000 children.

Nasty Gnarlies on Stage

Understanding the future of our world is in the hands of its children is what makes Books Alive! a success in all that it promotes.  Books Alive! delivers the gift of literacy to children while empowering them to change the world around them.  Using the performing and visual arts, Books Alive! tackles global issues with children all while they have a smile on their face.

Books Alive! is funded by generous local businesses, charitable foundations and private individuals.  Sponsors are invited to attend the Sponsor Gala on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 10am at the KVPAC Studio.  Guests will enjoy The Three Nasty Gnarlies, a presentation by ERM with a reception to follow.

Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) is located at 2501 S Mason Rd, #290, Katy, TX 77450 in the Great Southwest Equestrian Center Complex.

Don’t Forget To VOTE!!!

Early Voting is under way now for the November 2010 General Election.  There are a lot of local and state offices on the ballot as well as a bond proposition for Katy ISD.  Katy sits in 3 counties:  Fort Bend, Harris & Waller.  It can be challenging to track down information on the elections so, once again, we have listed the links to candidate websites and voting locations on the Election Guide page of GetToKnowKaty.com.  Please note that we do not endorse any parties, candidates, propositions or amendments.  This is solely for your information.  Please take time to learn about your ballot and VOTE!!

Who is Running for Office?
To see the candidates who are running for each office along with links to their web pages, please visit our General Election section and select your county of residence.  Please note that these are large areas and your ballot may not include every office that is listed.

What is the KISD Bond Proposition?
The Katy ISD Bond proposition is stated as follows:  The issuance of $459,795,000 school building bonds for the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings in the district (including the rehabilitation, renovation and improvement thereof) and the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings and the purchase of new school buses, and the levying of the tax in payment thereof.

Where Can I Find a Sample Ballot?
Ballots vary by county and voting precinct.  To view your specific sample ballot, follow the link for your county of residence:  Fort Bend County, Harris County (select Election Day Poll & Voter Specific Ballot), Waller County.

When & Where is Early Voting?
Early Voting began on October 18 and continues through Friday, October 29, 2010.  During Early Voting you can vote at any Early Voting poll within your county of residence.  But you may NOT vote at another county’s polling location.

Early Voting Locations in Katy for Fort Bend County residents include:
Cinco Ranch Branch Library – 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy TX 77494 (Click Here for hours)
University of Houston Cinco Ranch – 4242 S Mason Rd, Katy TX 77450 (Click Here for hours)
For additional Fort Bend County Early Voting locations, visit the Ft Bend County Elections Office Early Voting page.

Early Voting Locations for Katy Harris County residents include:
Franz Road Storefront – 19818 Franz Rd, Katy TX 77449
Bear Creek Park Community Center – 3055 Bear Creek Dr, Houston TX 77084
George Bush Park – Glen Cheek Education Building, 16002 Westheimer Pkwy, Houston TX 77082
All Harris County Early Voting Locations have the same hours of operation.  Click Here to see hours and other Harris County Early Voting locations.

Early Voting Locations for Katy Waller County residents include:
Waller County Courthouse  Assembly Room – 836 Austin St, Hempstead TX 77445
(the Brookshire and Hockley locations do not host voting after October 23rd)
For voting hours, Click Here to visit the Waller County Elections location page.

What about Election Day?
Election Day is next Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  On this day all polls will be open from 7am until 7pm.  On Election Day you MUST vote at your assigned voting precinct.

Fort Bend County residents can find their Election Day Polling Location HERE.
Harris County residents can find their Election Day Polling Location HERE.
Waller County residents can find their Election Day Polling Location HERE.

Don’t forget to VOTE!!

National Night Out in Katy TX 2010

Can you believe the weather we’re having?!?  It just makes you want to live outside.  (surely, I’m not the only one!)  Tonight is the perfect opportunity to get out, enjoy the weather and mingle with the neighbors.  That’s right folks, tonight is National Night Out!!

National Night Out began 27 years ago as a “unique crime/drug prevention event” where folks are encouraged to get to know their neighbors.  Most of the country celebrates in August.  But it’s so hot for us during the summer, Texas recognizes National Night Out in October when the weather is a little bit (okay, when the weather is a lot) more bearable. 

The purpose of the event, according to the National Association of Town Watch, is to heighten crime & drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit, and send a message to criminals that the neighborhoods are organized and fight back.  One of the best ways to protect your property is to get to know your neighbors so that you can all look out for each other.  And we’re having absolutely GORGEOUS weather!!!  So what are you waiting for?  Get out and enjoy it!

The City of Katy will be hosting a Night Out event at Katy City Park from 5:30-8:30pm.  Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be there with a free showing of The Princess Bride.

The Ultimate GiveAway is Coming!

Who doesn’t like FREE stuff?  I personally love free!  Thrive Church loves free also.  To illustrate Thrive’s belief that “The Best Things in Life are FREE!” they are launching a new series on September 12th called The Ultimate GiveAway.  In case you haven’t heard about this yet, they are giving away $250,000 in FREE prizes during the 3 week series!  You read that right.  Thrive Church is giving away one quarter of a million dollars in free prizes from September 12 through September 26th.  And get this…there’s NO CATCH!  You don’t have to be a member of the church.  You don’t have to have ever gone to a service there before.  You don’t have to ever go to a service there again if you don’t want to.  Here’s the scoop…

Thrive Church has collected donations from local businesses to share with the community.  Every family who attends a service during The Ultimate GiveAway will receive a bag of prizes.  Additionally, drawings will be held for “Big” prizes…things like HD TVs, bicycles, iPads, vacations and even a motorcycle.  All you have to do to be eligible to win is attend one of the services.  Crazy, huh?  Not for Thrive.  

Started in the Spring of 2009, this church likes to do things non-traditionally and out of the ordinary.  Previous speakers include former Major League Baseball player Marlon Anderson and strongman Dennis Rogers (recently featured on the History Channel’s series “Stan Lee’s Superhumans”).  Thrive is non-denominational and come-as-you-are (seriously, you can wear shorts here and it’s really okay).  The music is live and loud with a mix of contemporary Christian, Rock & Pop.  Everyone is welcome regardless of your background or church experience.  And the messages are crafted to be fun, engaging and relevant to everyday life.  According to Pastor Tom Elmore, “The Ultimate GiveAway is about showing people that the best things in life really are free.  And what better way to illustrate that point than to give away a bunch of great free stuff?!”

If you’d like more information about The Ultimate GiveAway or Thrive Church, visit the Thrive website.

(Full Disclosure: we’ve gone to Thrive since it began.  One thing it is not…boring!)

A Katy Family Needs Your Help!

Most of us have been faced with difficult situations at some point in our lives.  Maybe you’ve lost a job, had trouble paying your bills or faced an unexpected illness or injury.  It’s truly amazing how one moment can change the course of your every day life either for the short or long term.  One local Katy family is facing a major life change right now.  I don’t personally know the Acord family.  To my knowledge, our paths have not crossed.  But when I read their story I felt compelled to share it with the rest of our community.   The information that follows comes from Good Ole Boys.  Thank you to them for sharing so that we can all pass it along.

Meet the Acord Family
Don & Cheryl Acord have been Katy residents and strong supporters of the Katy community for many years.  You may know Don from Katy Youth AAU Basketball or Katy Youth Football.  You may have met him at a Katy ISD school fundraiser at some point over the years, or perhaps your children have sat on his lap as he stood in for Santa at a Christmas event.  You might know Cheryl from her work with Katy ISD during the last 15 years.  Cinco Ranch folks may definitely recognize her from the school’s attendance office.  Their children Kimberly, Donnie and Sarah are all graduates of Katy High School.

Their Challenge
Cheryl Acord is a cancer survivor.  In 1980 she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  In 1998 she faced thyroid cancer.  She had a tumor removed from her para-thyroid in 2006 followed by skin cancer in 2007.  She’s obviously an incredibly strong woman.  She beat ALL of these cancers!  However, during a recent procedure to remove a tumor from Cheryl’s neck, doctors identified 6 tumors on her brain, cancer in her left lung, chest cancer and cancer in each hip!  She will begin treatment shortly.  But we can only imagine what the medical bills will be for her family.

What You Can Do
Jay Baker and the folks at Good Ole Boys have stepped up to spearhead community fundraisers to help the Acord family.  The Acords have given many hours of their time to the Katy community over the years.  It would be great to see the community give back to them.  Here are some of the ways that you can help…

1)  Attend a fundraiser, have a great time and donate to this very worthy cause.  All profits from these events will go directly to the Cheryl Acord Benefit Donation Fund.  There are 2 fundraisers currently scheduled:

• August 28, 2010 from 1pm – 3pm in the Pavilion at The Home Decor & Remodeling Show at the Merrell Center
  Go by Good Ole Boys (26403 Katy Frwy) to pick up your free VIP pass to the show and enjoy sausage sandwiches for donations.  Other activities include fun stuff from Jumping Kiddie Kingdom, Splatterhouse Paintball and 4 Seasons Recreation Bungee Jump.  Rhythm & Blues music will be performed by The Sugarland Brass Company.
• September 11, 2010 from 3pm – 10pm at the Elks Lodge (1050 Katy Fort Bend Road)
  $10 gets you BBQ plates with 3 meats and 3 sides dine-in or take-out from 3pm – 8pm!
  Stick around and play Black Jack & Craps from 7pm – 10pm.  (chips can be purchased for donations)  The 2 biggest winners will receive a prize.  Enjoy music, food and a silent auction.  All benefiting the Acord Family.

2) Volunteer your time and / or talents to help make these fundraisers a huge success.  They are currently looking for silent auction, door prize and raffle donations, folks to help spread the word about the events and volunteers to serve as casino dealers, ticket sellers, food servers and more.

3)  If you can’t make the events, please consider making a donation to the Cheryl Acord Benefit Donation Fund.  They are accepting checks, MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, Discover, ATM & PayPal.  Go to the bottom of the Acord Fundraiser web page for links and more information about how to make a donation.

For more information about the Acord Family, the fundraisers, or the Benefit Fund, please visit the Acord Fundraiser page.  Thank you to Good Ole Boys and all of the other folks who are stepping up to help this Katy Family.  Will you join them?

NOTE: If you own a business and are wondering if charitable giving and volunteering are worth your time, please read Charitable Giving Builds Strong Teams & Reputations on our B2B blog.