Feel free to share your thoughts and comments, as we join together with the Houston and Richmond area communities and citizens in building an interactive relationship!
Posted on Oct 20, 2009 | Tagged in: Lakemont , education , community , activities
The Lakemont Astronomy Club is the newest group in the west Houston area community. Known for its strong resident involvement and outreach, the Lakemont Astronomy Club is just one more example of how residents find common interests and common bonds with their neighbors.
The group celebrated its first “Star Party” on October 16, and enjoyed the scenic surrounds of the beautiful community as well as the outstanding fall weather. Open to all Lakemont residents the club welcome guests and members to its Star Party with a 10" Newtonian Reflector telescope, enabling everyone to enjoy wonderful views of Jupiter and it's moons, The Ring Nebula - M57, Hercules Cluster - Globular Star Cluster M13, Globular Star Cluster M22 in Sagittarius, Open Star Cluster M39 in Cygnus and Constellation Tours.
The event was enjoyed by residents of all ages who brought lawn chairs, blankets, binoculars and telescopes to the Lakehouse, one of the many amenities enjoyed by Lakemont residents.
Posted on Oct 20, 2009 | Tagged in: Lakemont , community , charity
Rosenberg Richmond Helping Hands, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed by area churches over twenty years ago that helps people in crisis by providing basic needs on a short term basis. Their goal is to provide assistance until an individual or family can become self sufficient. Until recently their ‘home-base’ had been, well, in a home.
Their location on Morton Street had limited space, but the location was sufficient to serve people in need. However, clients often had to walk between two buildings to get their food and clothes. Helping Hands Director, Nancy Brown expressed, “We were thankful for (the first location), but the organization needed more space and an updated facility to meet the demands of its clients.”
So, about a year ago they decided to start planning relocation to a bigger facility. In order to make the move possible they needed to raise a good deal of money. Thankfully the City of Richmond and Richmond’s Development Corporation came to their aid, each providing $55,000 and $100,000 respectively. The City of Rosenberg and their Development Corporation contributed another $12,500 and $50,000 respectively, and they were well under way. Soon they attracted the attention of the George Foundation which guaranteed a $45,000 matching grant, and Helping Hands did the rest of the work to get donations to meet this goal, raising the remaining $90,000 needed.
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 | Tagged in: people , community
On September 22, 2009 Hilmar Moore celebrated a 60 year run as Richmond Mayor. The choice that started on September 22, 1949 to fill an unexpired two-year mayoral term turned into a lifelong venture as Moore won 29 consecutive mayoral elections over the years. His loyalty to office is a quality that Richmond residents can be proud to have on their side.
The secret to his success lies not in his own efforts but in “extremely good” city staff, particularly city managers that Moore has worked with. His time in office, believed to be the nation’s longest-tenured position currently in service, has been one of team work and success. Moore said of his team, “I just let them do what they know how to do which is run the city.”
To celebrate his time in office he was honored in 2008 with a statute in front of City Hall. Of the statue he said “I thought it was for dead people, I may look dead, but I am not.” His sense of humor and straightforward attitude have kept him in honor and respect in the community. He is very much alive and plans to run again in 2010. When asked if he could be a mayor at the age of 100, he pondered and answered, “Now that, is a long time.”
Posted on Oct 8, 2009 | Tagged in: Fort Bend County , events , community , activities
From mutton-bustin' races to cook-offs to rodeos, the Fort Bend County Fair is under way. The 9 day event started things off last Friday and is finishing off this weekend. There is still time to get in on the fun for the remaining days of the fair, including the Calf Scramble & Mutton Bustin' event this Friday and Saturday.
This weekend will also host a barbecue cook-off, Bucket Calf Show, concerts, dancing, tractor pulls, and more.
"I think there is something for everybody, you can come out and entertain your family and have some good wholesome fun, whether you are walking through and seeing all the art work the kids have done or you go to the carnival or rodeo or if you just want to walk around the grounds and eat whatever your heart desires," Fort Bend County Fair President Claudia Wright said of fair.
Posted on Sep 30, 2009 | Tagged in: people , community
What would a Richmond resident do with a million dollars? That is the question that is being answered by Lloyd Haynes of Richmond, TX who won $1 million dollars recently.
Friday September 18, Lloyd was on his way home from enjoying a local football game when his wife, Lovie, encouraged him to stop and buy a couple of Blockbuster tickets. While Lloyd was reluctant at first, he stopped and bought two of them. By 9:30pm he was scratching the first of two tickets to no avail, and his reluctance turned to disdain.
But, starting on the second ticket he saw a winning number, and then another winning number with a symbol for the $1 million prize. Of course his disdain turned to excitement as he yelled for his wife Lovie. She coolly commented, “Well, we won a million dollars.”
Posted on Sep 12, 2009 | Tagged in: Lamar C.I.S.D. , events , community
Lamar Consolidated ISD, Fort Bend County school districts, the city of Houston, and Houston area school districts are collaborating once again to visit the homes of drop out students to convince them to return to school and graduate. The Dropout Recovery Walk is set to take place on September 12th, and is currently taking volunteers.
Drop outs have quite an impact on the economy of Texas, so this effort is important to strengthen the community and keep Houston, Fort Bend, and surrounding areas on top. "It is difficult to describe the impact that occurs when caring adults use personal time to travel to a student’s home and discuss concerns for the student’s future," states Rhett Gray," LCISD administrator for Truancy and Dropout Prevention. "There were several success stories from last year’s event. Not all the students do return, but we are motivated by each one that does."
Volunteering for the Dropout Recovery Walk is open to a wide variety of people. Volunteers range from non-profits, local governments, schools, businesses, and more. Before attending the walk volunteers will receive training and travel in groups with information packages. These packets include program options and academic instruction. Those who can't make it in person may still assist by making calls to former students. This is a great way to get them back on track to earning a degree.
Posted on Sep 4, 2009 | Tagged in: Rosenberg , people , community
Lakemont and the Rosenberg area have someone to be proud of! Darren McCarthy, Rosenberg Parks and Recreation Director, has met all National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) requirements and is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional through 2012. Only 12 recreation professionals in the region hold that certification, which testifies to the difficulty of accomplishing the feat.
McCarthy is also the certification chair for the Texas Recreations and Parks Society for TRAPS Region Four, covering the greater Gulf Coast and Houston. The NPRA is a nonprofit organization and is a leading national organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks and recreation via research and education.
Director Darren McCarthy originally came to Rosenberg in October 2007 where he was previously the Parks and Recreation Director in New Hampshire and oversaw six parks similar to Rosenberg's. In addition to ten years of recreation management experience, he is also a Certified Commercial Recreation Professional, First Aid Instructor, and Certified Playground Safety Inspector.
Posted on Aug 24, 2009 | Tagged in: Lamar C.I.S.D. , events , community
Richmond county is certainly a place where traditions and memories have value and are treasured by many. In this case, these memories are preserved by the 1959 class of Lamar Consolidated High school. On October 9th-10th, Lamar Consolidated High School will hold its 50 year class reunion. Gerald Albrecht, member of the Lamar 1959 Alumni Reunion Committee, is busy gathering classmates together for this reunion at Fort Bend Country Club, 2627 FM 762 in Richmond, Texas.
The school is located at 4606 Mustang Ave. in Rosenberg, and was originally established in 1949 during a more "innocent" era, as classmate Janice Norman recalls. “Most people graduated and we didn't have the dropout rate that we hear about today,” Norman said.
The group's 15th anniversary in 1974 marked the time when they made the reunion a formal tradition every five years. This reunion marks special significance not only for being the golden 50 number, but as it will be the first one to not include Betty LeBlanc. LeBlanc was the class queen and past coordinator for the other reunions. She passed away in 2006 of cancer. Known for her school spirit, Norman acknowledges her for her organization of activities and outings for classmates.
Posted on Aug 17, 2009 | Tagged in: Lamar C.I.S.D. , education , community
After an exciting summer of good news for the Lamar CISD – the winning of the HEB Excellence in Education award and McNeill Elementary School’s principal Ken Davis earning the National Distinguished Elementary Principal honor; recently released rankings from the Texas Education Agency include more Lamar CISD schools that have earned an Exemplary rating.
The district in which children living in master-planned Lakemont attend, two of the four schools zoned to the community have earned an exemplary rating from the TEA.
McNeill Elementary, located within the Lakemont community, has earned an exemplary ranking as well as Wertheimer Middle School. Lakemont children also attend Briscoe Junior High and Foster High School, which earned a Recognized rating from the TEA. School rankings are based on student performance on the state’s assessment tests and student attendance.
“The Lamar CISD is a great district represented by outstanding students, teachers and parental support,” said Misty Watkins, Marketing Director for Lakemont. “McNeill Elementary is one of the newest schools in the district and has already earned numerous accolades for its various accomplishments.”
Information on Lakemont’s schools, builders and amenities is available in new-home sales offices which are open daily in the community.
Posted on Aug 11, 2009 | Tagged in: travel , Lamar C.I.S.D. , community
Lakemont residents should be wary when driving through Lamar C.I.S.D.'s and other schools' school zones (like Katy I.S.D.), as a new state law will prohibit the use of wireless communication devices while operating a vehicle in a school zone. Violators must pay a fine of up to $200 per violation.
House Bill 55 is set to take effect on September 1, and is intended to promote the safety of students. While the law has not taken effect in all areas of Texas yet, it is in effect in the West Houston area.
A few facts about the law:
- Provisions under the law will allow drivers to use cell phones in school zones with a hands-free device or when their vehicle is stopped.
- School bus drivers will be affected, too.
- The law is an amendment of the Texas Transportation Code, section 545.425.
- An additional exception is provided in emergency situations, when a driver needs to use a cell phone in a school zone to contact police, fire, or emergency medical personnel.
We beg Lakemont residents to heed this new law, as it is designed with the safety of you and your children in mind!
