Blog entries

Become a Fort Bend Master Gardner!

Daphne Hager — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:36:22 +0100

Is your yard already renowned in Lakemont for its beauty, but you want to take it to the next level? Or have you always wanted to learn how to put your green thumb to use and improve the aesthetics of your community? If so, then sign up to become a Fort Bend Master Gardener!

The Fort Bend Master Gardeners (FBMGs) organization certifies Master Gardeners through a one-morning-a-week horticultural training course held over an 11 week period. During that time you will attend talks and training led by experts in Texas horticulture, and you will then complete volunteer gardening work and experience in your community. During that time your own yard will become the beautiful Lakemont landmark that you’ve always wanted it to be!

The always-popular master gardener class begins August 11 and runs every Wednesday 9am-1pm for the next eleven weeks. The cost of the class is $160 per person ($255 for a couple), and more information on the class, including the application, is available at www.fbmg.com. Be sure to apply soon, as the class always fills up quickly!

Great Family Fun in July at Sugar Land Town Square’s Plaza

Daphne Hager — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:55:54 +0100

This July, Lakemont residents can enjoy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings full of FREE family fun at the exciting outdoor plaza in the nearby and beautiful Sugar Land Town Square. Live concerts range from rock to Jazz to "just for fun" music, and dance lessons will also be offered! The family can bring lawn chairs to watch the Minute Maid “Move Under the Moon” as well.

Sugar Land Town Square’s live music “Concert in the Plaza” and “Jazz in the Plaza” dates:

Friday, July 16, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. listen to the “Radio London Band” (RadioLondonBand.com), presented by Allergy & Asthma Associates.

Friday, July 23, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. with the band “Collector’s Item” (CIBand.com)

Saturday, July 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. listen to the great sounds of long-time Houston band favorite “Commercial Art” (CommercialArtBand.com)

Thursday, July 29, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. start the weekend early with the jazz music of “Mark Towns Latin Jazz” band (MarkTowns.com)

Saturday, July 31, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. enjoy the Latin music of “Yelba & Latin Fire” (Yelba.net)

More fun Plaza dates for movie and music lovers to remember include:

Saturday, July 17, from 8:45-11:00 p.m., Minute Maid presents “Movie Under The Moon. It’s great summer evening outdoor fun for the whole family; just bring your own lawn chairs to the plaza to watch “Monsters vs. Aliens”.

Friday, July 30, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. the Fred Astaire Dance Studio presents “Dancing Under the Stars”, hosted by professional instructors - learn Swing, Hustle, and Jive for free!

Sugar Land Town Square is an exciting shopping and hotel center located only a few minutes away from the Lakemont neighborhood, just South of the intersection of Highway 6 South and US 59 - so be sure to bring your family and friends to the Plaza this July for lots of fun and live music! For the most up-to-date entertainment and shopping information, please see SugarLandTownSquare.com.

Lennar announces 48-hours of unprecedented savings

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:04:10 +0100

This weekend, Lennar and Village Builders are keeping America moving with the 48-Hour Summer Blowout sales event!

This Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, Lennar and Village Builders nationwide will be hosting one of their biggest home sales events ever. Savings even bigger than the homebuyer tax credit!

The homebuilders are providing 48 hours of spectacular savings with $4,000 towards closing costs, 4 free upgrades and 4% (4.59% APR) fixed for life though Universal American Mortgage Company at Lennar and Village Builders communities throughout the Houston area. Plus, arrive early for the opportunity to take advantage of the limited sale homes available.

With more than 60 communities throughout the Houston area, Lennar and Village Builders have homes for first time and move-up buyers that offer the most desired features and upgrades. Their commitment to superior design and construction is equaled only by their pledge to homebuyers for complete satisfaction before, during and long after move in.

Lennar is one of the nation’s leading homebuilders with more than 55 years of experience building homes and communities all across the country.

Village Builders, part of the Lennar Family of Builders, has enjoyed the distinction of being Houston’s luxury builder for more than 3 decades. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Recently, Village Builders was awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

For more information on Lennar and Village Builders Communities visit Lennar.com or call (866) 203-6386.

Lakemont, West Ranch & Lakes of Savannah Open House Events This Weekend

Cheryl Boe — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:33:07 +0100

Three Friendswood Development Company communities are among the newest to host open house weekends, when visitors can tour new and resale homes.

Lakes of Savannah, located just two miles from SH 288 in the Pearland area, Lakemont, located Westpark Tollway and Mason Road; and West Ranch located in the City of Friendswood - will all showcase a variety of new homes ready for move-in, decorated models and resale homes open with Realtors on site to answer questions.

The event, which began in Fairfield and has continued for years, is popular among residents and home shoppers because it gives them the opportunity to see the wide variety of homes available, talk to Realtors and new home sales professionals, and often talk to residents and find out why they are making these Friendswood Development Co. communities their home.

The open house event will take place on Saturday July 10 and Sunday July 11. New homes are open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Resale homes are open from 1- p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each community will have maps and information on all available homes and directions to new home sales offices.

Summer Broadway with “Winnie the Pooh” and “Captain Underpants” at the KVPAC

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:31:48 +0100

The nearby Katy Visual Performance Arts Center (KVPAC) will host the children’s classic “Winnie the Pooh” on Friday July 23 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday July 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are a great price at only $6 each, so bring the whole family for a great time with our old friends Pooh, Eeyore, and more!

In addition, the very popular children’s series “Captain Underpants Radio Theatre” will also be at the KVPAC on Saturday July 17 at 2:00 p.m., and tickets are again only $6!

KVPAC is proudly in its 8th year of operation as a non-profit organization, bringing the arts to the area for education, healing, and unifying. It is located at 2501 S. Mason Rd, Suite 290, Katy, TX 77450. For more information on KVPAC and the shows listed here, please call 281-829-ARTS (2787) or email info@kvpac.org, or visit www.kvpac.org.

Enjoy New Fashions in Mid Summer While Helping Fort Bend Area Youth

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:33:09 +0100

Lakemont is excited to announce a great opportunity for parents to take some time out for themselves later this summer—all while helping area students to spread their wings with scholarships to Texas vocational schools, colleges, and universities!

The Fort Bend County Fair Association's (FBCFA) 21st Annual Style Show and Luncheon will be held at the Safari Texas Ranch in the beautiful Magnolia Room on Aug. 28, 2010, located at 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX, 77407. The doors will open at 10:30am, lunch is served at noon, and the style show begins at 12.30 p.m. Some of the fashion models included in the 2010 Fort Bend County Fair will be Queen Candidates, as well as local personalities. Last year's attendance was more than 300 strong so grab your tickets and plan to be a part of this great scholarship opportunity at the Annual Style Show!

The FBCFA has awarded 460 scholarships to students since 1979, and the proceeds from last year's fund, including the style show, provided 30 Fort Bend County students with $2,000 scholarships. More information about the Fair, Scholarships, and Fair Queen requirements can be found on the FBCFA website also, www.fbcfa.org.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from any Style Show Committee member or online at www.fbcfa.org. You may also call Joanne Crouch at 281-703-7894, Monica Myska at 281-300-7854, or the FBCFA office at 281-342-6171.

Annual July 4th Fireworks Show “Katy Freedom Celebration” at Katy Mills Mall

Daphne Hager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:29:51 +0100

Despite some setbacks from a fire this year for the sponsor, Warehouse Pool Supply, the annual July 4th Fireworks Show at Katy Mills Mall is going to be spectacular this year!

Warehouse Pool has always contributed to the fireworks show, and has taken even more interest this year because of the Katy community’s support right after the fire that destroyed some of their facilities. Additionally, the community has rallied with grants from Liberty Mutual and additional funding from the Katy Rice Harvest Festival tickets that are going to help make this a fireworks show to remember.

The show is visible at several nearby Katy locations, including the mall parking lot, and it begins at approximately 9 p.m. as always. For more information, contact Shafer at cshafer@cityofkaty.com or call 281-391-4711.

Gehan Homes Announces "Better Than Tax Credit" Two Day Sale

Cheryl Boe — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:18:39 +0100

Gehan Homes will hold a "Better Than Tax Credit" Two Day sale on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, 2010.

For these two days, the company will be offering inventory homes at one low price. Any size one-story home will be one low price and any size two-story home will be one low price.

Gehan Homes Sales Manager Scott Villarreal says the program is first-come, first-served, so buyers should make plans to get up early this weekend.

In Lakemont, Gehan Homes is building in Lakemont Manor, where prices start in the $150s. Homes range from 1500 to over 2400 square feet.

For more information, visit gehanhomes.com or call Billy Mitchell at 832-236-5005. Gehan's sales office in Lakemont is open Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from noon to 7 pm.

Prices are community specific. Gehan Homes reserves the right to modify/cancel promotion at any time. Not available with any other promotion. See sales counselor for details. Buyer must use Advisa Mortgage to be eligible for promotion.

Summertime Teen and Youth Reading Programs at Fort Bend Public Library

Daphne Hager — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:37:30 +0100

The Fort Bend County Libraries are hosting Children and Teen Summertime Reading Clubs (SRC) this summer from June 1 to July 31, with activities and awards for the number of books participants are able read. The Teen SRC is for children in sixth grade and up, and its theme this year is “Within Arm’s Reach, the Future is Yours”. The Children’s SRC program is open to children of all ages, and its theme this year is “Catch the Reading Express.” Reading achievement awards for the SRCs begin on June 7 and run through August 28, 2010.

For more information on the SRC and the library branch nearest you, or to register your child for one of the SRC programs, please visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us. Information is also available onsite at each library branch or via phone at 281-341-2677.

The Fort Bend Public Library system was founded by the citizens of Fort Bend and approved by the area government in 1947, and was the first library to open in 1948. The system has grown since then and houses several hundred thousand books for the public’s reading enjoyment, so check out a branch near you!

Classic Car Show at Crosspoint Community Church

Daphne Hager — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:17:54 +0100

Nearby Crosspoint Community Church’s Westgreen campus in Katy will be hosting its first annual Three Months of Summer classic car show on Saturday, June 12, from 10am to 5pm. Classic car owners from Rosenberg, Katy, Houston, League City, and the Conroe area will be displaying their wonderfully restored classic cars, and there will be lots of family friendly entertainment including live music, food, and refreshments all day. Lots of family fun for a summertime Saturday!

The Westgreen Campus of Crosspoint Community Church is located at 700 S. Westgreen Blvd., just south of I-10 down Westgreen in Katy.

If you are interested in registering one of your classic cars or even a hot rod for display in the show, just show up. The $15 participation fee may be paid upon arrival on the day of the event. All proceeds go to support Crosspoint Youth Ministry programs, and more information is available at CrossPt.org.

Adopt a Cute Dog this Summer

Daphne Hager — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:44:43 +0100

Annie’s Angels in Stafford, TX, is a non-profit rescue shelter for all breeds and ages of dogs, and has a great set of dogs to adopt into your Fort Bend family this summer. These dogs make great pets, and the adoption fee is $125.00 to pay for spay/neuter, vaccinations, heart worm test, and microchip (humanely marks the dog for all veterinarians in case it gets lost).

It’s simple to get a new dog that needs a loving family and has great love to give! You’ll simply fill out some application paperwork to ensure a match of dog and prospective owner, and after approval you pay your fees and collect your pet! You can choose from puppies to larger, older dogs, all shown online and researchable here. Come start your summer with a new family dog that the kids will love for years to come!

For more information, visit AnniesAngelsRescue.com or call 832-483-0997.

Summer Kids Programs at Fort Bend County Museum

Daphne Hager — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:33:24 +0100

The Fort Bend County Museum is hosting two fun-filled, full-day educational weeks this summer for children 8-to-12 (under 8 may be allowed with parental participation). Each day will be split into a morning and afternoon session, 9-noon and 1-4pm, covering Archeology, Frontier Life, and what 19th Century homes were like.

The sessions costs $200 and are scheduled for the weeks of July 14-17 and August 11-14. Each sessions fee includes archeological digs, visits to historic homes, pitching frontier tents, and more—and might even include a weaving and/or a historical site and cemetery visit for the older children.

Fort Bend County Museum has well served the Fort Bend area for over 40 years, as both a local museum and as host to many great events throughout each year including events such as Texas Market Days, Lone Star Stomp, and Taste of Texas. It’s well worth a visit any day of the year.

For more information, please visit the Fort Bend County Museums Web site.

Image by euthman.

Foster High Football Team Invited to Play at the 12th Annual Texas Football Classic 2010 in the ...

Greg Rivera — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:01:01 +0100

What a great day for Lakemont’s Foster High Falcon’s Football Team as they have been invited to play at Dave Campbell’s 12th Annual Texas Football Classic at San Antonio’s Alamodome on August 28, 2010!

The Foster Falcons will play the El Paso Hanks that day at noon, a high honor for a local high school team. Only ten teams were selected and invited from all high schools across Texas, something for everyone in Lakemont to be excited about. And, the Falcons’ head coach Mark Wiatrek is understatedly excited, not only for the team, but for the band and cheerleaders that will also be participating that day.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine began and sponsors the Texas Football Classic. The magazine is planning a June road tour to each of the high schools invited to attend as a way to drive attention and attendance at this year’s games. Details on that tour are to be released soon.

For more tour updates and information on the Texas Football Classic games, teams, and competition history, please visit Texasfootball.com/highschool-news.

Way to go Foster High Falcons!!!

A Great Musical Opportunity this May at Sugarland Town Square

Greg Rivera — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:58:27 +0100

May is set to be a great month for music at the wonderful, centrally located Sugarland Town Square!

Do you have a budding teenage singing star in your household? Or perhaps you have always wanted to take your talent beyond the usual shower solo? Your chance has arrived!

On Wednesday, May 19, from 5 p.m. to 7p.m., the Sugarland Town Square will present the “Sugarland Superstar Auditions” for anyone 14 years old and up. Registration and performances begin at 5 p.mm and all singing must be a capella for up to 90 seconds. To compete, you must be a full-time, permanent resident of Fort Bend County.

After the auditions are over, live music will follow, first with a Thursday evening performance, May 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., by renowned Houston Jazz saxophonist Stephen Richards. Stephen has played to accolades across the nation and calls Houston home. He is famous for his wonderful live performances at Houston area venues—and now you can hear him live and for free!

For the Grand Finale there will be a Friday evening concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. by 2009’s Sugarland Superstar winner Nathan de Jesus!

Sugarland Town Square is host to many retailers, a hotel, and a conference center, and is a beautiful center for family and business activities held in the Fort Bend County area. For more information, please visit Sugarlandtownsquare.com, and good luck - or “break a leg”, as they say in Show Biz!

Foster High School Students Achieve Awards and Scholarships

Greg Rivera — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:31:27 +0100

Three Foster High School (FHS) students have presented themselves as great academic and athletic examples for the Lakemont area!

FHS Junior Andres Vidaurre has been selected by Texas Senator Glenn Hegar to participate in the High School Aerospace Scholar (HSAS) program. The HSAS program includes online activities as well as a spot for a six-day on-site residential experience at the nearby NASA Johnson Space Center this summer.

And, FHS Seniors, Tuan Nguyen and Gabby Webster, were selected for the Rosenberg Lion’s Club $1000 scholarship Award and are being honored at the May 5th Lion’s Club Ceremony.

Academic scholarships are not all that FHS students earned this year. Senior Kailey McNamara was offered, and has accepted, a four-year Volleyball scholarship to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where she will major in nursing.

FHS is a great school, producing scholarship and collegiate entry for many years. For the school years of 2007, 2008, and 2009, FHS has received the highly coveted ACT Admission Test College Readiness award for high test achievements.

Congratulations FHS students on all of your great successes!

Foster High School Students Achieve Top Ten in El Paso Debate Tournament

Greg Rivera — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:19:59 +0100

Three of Lakemont’s Foster High School students excelled at the Texas Forensic League State Tournament in El Paso this March: Gabrielle Webster and Mary Alyson Atkins were 8th in Public Forum Debate, and Stephen Vincent was the only junior to advance to quarter finals in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Vincent also advanced to the quarter-final round in Original Oratory and the semi-finals in Domestic Extemporaneous.

The Texas Forensic Association mission is to advance the theater and forensic arts in both education and to the public and many tournaments are hosted around the state of Texas throughout the year. Achievement in TFA tournaments marshals a profound skill set that yields insights and advantages across several career paths, from medicine to law, business to public service.

Foster High School is a TEA 2009 recognized school, with great academic and athletic programs that demonstrate achievement, character, and sacrifice. For more information on FHS, visit Lcisd.org/Schools/HighSchools/FosterHighSchool/.

Go Falcons!

La Centerra Mall to Host Mark Children's Art Exhibit

Greg Rivera — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:22:34 +0100

La Centerra at Cinco Ranch is hosting the Making A Mark Children’s Art Exhibit in partnership with the Katy Visual Arts and Performing Center (KVAPC). Lakemont residents are invited to come out to see the inspiring art!

Making A Mark, is the Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service's touring art exhibition presented by The Periwinkle Foundation. All the art in the exhibit was created by young people with cancer or blood diseases, and began and continues as an effort to allow expression and focus for the personal issues these children face. Some of it is very remarkable in its positive and inspiring content!

The art exhibit will be on displayed April 19 - 28 in Suite C140 of La Centerra, between Simply Cinco and Panera Bread. The art itself is collected and displayed throughout the year at the Texas Children’s Hospital, and special selections from that exhibit are sent on tour across the state.

La Centerra at Cinco Ranch is a unique and pleasant open-air shopping experience in a beautiful outdoor mall setting. The large central fountain is fun during the day and extraordinary during the evening, and the many shops and restaurants provide a full range of shopping, food, and entertainment for the whole family! La Centerra couldn’t be easier to get to! Travel just a few minutes down the Grand Parkway, South of the Katy Freeway (I-10) and West of Houston, which will bring you to the Southwest corner of Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway. You’ll be glad you did.

Sources: La Centerra at Cinco Ranch

Shrine Circus Heads to Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Late April!

Greg Rivera — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:41:30 +0100

The circus acts that children and families love are returning in April to Rosenberg in the 74th Arabia Shine Circus with great shows from Wednesday, April 21st, through Sunday, April 25th, at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds located at 4310 Highway 36 South, Rosenberg, Texas. There are evening shows at 7pm Wednesday through Sunday, and two more early shows at 10am Saturday and Sunday.

The very exciting and fun shows this year are by the Jordan Circus performers, including Yangdong Chinese Acrobats, the China Eagle Aerial Bungee Team, and the España Sphere of Fear. Admission has a great deal on Wednesday and Thursday evening, where families of up to six (two adults and four children) can get in for a total of $30. At all other times, admission for each show time is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

For even more family enjoyment, the shows will open to the public two hours prior to show time, and light entertainment will be provided by the performers—and, as well, children will be able to get close to the circus animals for photographs and to pet them and also ride the ponies and elephants.

The Arabia Shrine Circus has been 74 years making fun and memories and providing to the Arabia Shrine to support the twenty-two Shiners Children’s Hospitals across the country. These hospitals have helped injured and burned children since 1922.

To make sure you get your seats ahead of time, tickets can be ordered by phone at 713-2CIRCUS (713-224-7287) or 713-664-7210. Box office sales at the fairgrounds ticket office will begin April 13th. Transportation for seniors to the circus is available, please see http://www.hcp4.net/senioradult/events/pdf/042410Circus.pdf. For more information, check www.fbcfa.org.

Sources: Fort Bend Herald, Fort Bend County Fairgrounds

Lakemont Swim Team Registration for Summer 2010

Cheryl Boe — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:31:41 +0100

Lakemont parents can register their children to join the Lakemont Marlin swim team!

Registration will be held at the main swimming pool, next to the Lakehouse on Lakemont Bend. Below are the dates a times.

Sunday, 4/11 from 1-4pm

Sunday, 4/18 from 1-4pm

Sunday, 4/25 from 1-4pm

If you have any questions, please email the swim team chair, Rob M. at robmitzi@sbcglobal.net or Jennifer L. at jenpli@yahoo.com.

Old-Town Charm of Richmond Lands the City In A Texas Lottery Commercial

Greg Rivera — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:46:34 +0100

Old-Town Charm of Richmond Lands the City In A Texas Lottery Commercial The city of Richmond served as a unique backdrop for a new Texas Lottery commercial, highlighting Richmond’s recognition for old-town charm as well as serving education needs in Texas in late March, 2010.

The commercial features a giant red ball rolling down a quaint and beautiful downtown Richmond street to the awe of passers-by, highlighting the Texas Lottery’s new participation in the high-stakes multi-state PowerBall Lottery. PowerBall jackpots have reached hundreds of millions of dollars, and, as with all Texas Lottery sales, the Texas ticket proceeds go to the Foundation School Fund to benefit education in Texas. Over the last twelve years, Texas Lottery has funded $12 billion in Texas education.

Several Richmond residents acted in the commercial, including a Sandy McGee’s Restaurant employee, Catherine Sdao. Catherine had originally arrived with restaurant owner Sandy McGee to serve food and drinks, but she was quickly recruited into the commercial. “The next thing I knew after arriving was people were changing my clothes and telling me to hold something,” Sdao said.

Two great area parks were also used for shooting, including NASA’s Rocket Park at the Johnson Space Center featuring actual rockets from a NASA space flight and the close-by George Ranch Historical Park , a long-loved 480-acre living-history museum on a 23,000-acre working ranch.

Stay tuned to your favorite local channels to see the new commercial!

Sources: Fort Bend Herald Texas Lottery, NASA Rocket Park, George Ranch Historical Park