Last chance to register for KPC’s Unplugged Adventures: Let’s Go Fly a Kite! On Saturday, April 16, KPC will host kite enthusiasts at our Indiangrass Preserve from 1 PM – 3 PM. We’ll have an afternoon of flying kites in the clear skies of the windy prairie, plus an exclusive kite-making lesson with experts. We’ll be giving away free kites to the early birds. After the lesson you can take a short hike around our Indiangrass Preserve, where the Native Seed Nursery is in the full flush of spring. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch!

Date: Saturday, April 16 from 1 PM to 3 PM

Where: Indiangrass Preserve 

Space extremely limited and registration is required. Email info@katyprairie.org or call 713.523.6135 for more details.

Wondering how to dress for trips to the prairie? Remember to always wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. A long-sleeved shirt and a hat are also recommended.     

Saturday, January 15th

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Katy Christian Ministries Resale Shop, 333 Mason Rd South

Types of electronics that may be recycled:

• Laptop/Desktop Computers
• CPU Hard Drives
• Flat Screen TV’s/ Monitors
• Printers/Print Cartridges
• Telephone Equipment
• Cell Phones
• Stereo Equipment
• Fax Machines
• Scanners
• Power Supplies
• Video Equipment (VCR’s, CD & DVD players)
• Cables
• Computer Mother Boards/Circuit Boards
• Modems
• Servers
• Semi-Conductors
• Gaming Consoles
• MP3 Players
• TV’s ($15 disposal fee/no TV’s larger than 36″)

Secure on-site shredding will also be available for all your sensitive documents.

]]> http://fuellingkaty.com/2011/01/10/community-electronics-recycling-and-document-shredding-day-at-katy-christian-ministries/feed/ 0 http://fuellingkaty.com/2010/11/17/cinco-ranchs-lacenterra-and-katy-chamber-of-commerce-host-home-for-the-holidays/ http://fuellingkaty.com/2010/11/17/cinco-ranchs-lacenterra-and-katy-chamber-of-commerce-host-home-for-the-holidays/#comments Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:44:26 +0000 Julie Q. Fuelling http://fuellingkaty.com/?p=3615

This coming Saturday, November 20th, from 5:30 to 7:30, LaCenterra and the Katy Chamber of Commerce will present the Seventh Annual “Home for the Holidays” festival and tree lighting ceremony.

Fun for the entire family, “Home for the Holidays” features Alexander and Stanley Elementary School student performances and the Members Choice Credit Union holiday express train. There will be children’s activities, huggable holiday characters and a visit from the Big Guy himself!

The celebration also includes “Bears and Blankets”, a drive benefiting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. Guests are encouraged to bring new teddy bears and stuffed animals along with new blankets and cold-weather clothing. Items collected during the event will be donated and distributed to area children and seniors.

“Home for the Holidays” will be held at LaCenterra’s Heritage Square, the center courtyard. LaCenterra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

The secret is out: Pumpkin is the secret ingredient for the first annual Westside Chef’s Throwdown, set for Sat., Nov. 13, from 2-5 p.m. at Katy’s LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd.

More than 20 restaurants and food trucks will participate in this family event featuring live music, cooking demonstrations and activities for the little ones.

In a twist inspired by TV’s “Iron Chef”, the chefs will compete for top honors by inventing new dishes featuring pumpkin, while they will also serve up many dishes they are known for.

Event-goers will be able to taste dishes by purchasing a wristband with all proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Houston are summer camps program.

Wristbands can be purchased at the event or online at www.westsidechefsthrowdown.com. Wristbands purchased online are $20 for adults, $10 for children (free under 2), and $50 for a family pack for two adults and two children. Adult tickets will be $25 if purchased at the event, with other prices the same as the online price.

Celebrity judges for the secret ingredient challenge will include High-Tech Texan and radio host Michael Garfield and Houston food writer/radio host Cleverley Stone.

Sponsors include Chesmar Homes; Schwartz, Page & Harding; Perry Homes; Costello, Inc.; CIA Services and Spark Energy. Presenters include Newland Communities, Land Tejas Companies and Trendmaker Development Co.

Restaurants sending their top chefs include:

• H-Town StrEATs Food Truck
• Georgia’s Farm to Market
• Panera Bread
• Rain Forest Cafe
• Polo’s
• Post Oak Grill
• Mia Bella Tatoritta
• Fish City Grill
• Mission Burrito
• Baker Street Pub
• Hasta La Pasta
• Ooh La La Sweets
• The Union Kitchen
• Sweet Tomatoes
• 3 Olives Italian
• Babaloo International Cafe and Bar
• Antonia’s Cucina Italiana

Mark your calendars and purchase your tickets now because this is an event not to be missed!   An event for everyone from wine and food connoisseurs to beer, art and music lovers.

Guests will be treated to wine samplings, food samplings, a beer garden, live music, an art exhibit, vendors, charity silent auction and more all centered around the Tuscan courtyard and fountain at Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch! And it’s all only $25 per person.

So grab your friends and family, (21 and up only please), and join us for a night of fun, food, drink and music!

The 18^th Annual Katy Triathlon at Firethorne, the third largest co-ed triathlon in Texas, will be held Sunday, October 24, 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., in and around the 1,400-acre Firethorne residential community.  The USA Triathlon-sanctioned race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Katy, encompasses a 16-mile bike race, a three-mile run and a 500-meter swim in Lake Firethorne.

“Firethorne is a great partner on this event and we’re thrilled to be back,” said Rotary Club of Katy Treasurer Vicki Rao.  “We really enjoy the residents — they’re phenomenal people.  Their response was so incredible last year, especially those who live near Race Central (the Visitor Center).”

The 2010 race hopes to draw 1,000 participants — 900+ individual athletes, plus those on relay teams.

The cycling route will include sections of FM 1463 and US Hwy. 90, within the Katy city limits. Firethorne is located on FM 1463, near the crossroads of the I-10 West corridor, Westpark Tollway and Grand Parkway.

“Firethorne’s 12-acre lake amenity and proximity to wide spaces of rural areas is conducive to having a successful triathlon,” said veteran Race Director Dave Rainey.

The registration fee is $55 per person and $75 per relay team through September 1.  Registration continues through October 20.  The complete fee structure and deadlines are posted on the new website, www.katytriathlon.com.

The Rotary Club of Katy, race sponsor, donates event proceeds to the Katy Rotary Fund, which supports local charities for their work in providing essential health, recreation and educational services to children in Katy ISD.  In May, the Rotary Fund awarded $21,000 in scholarships, $1,500 each to 14 graduating seniors from the district’s six high schools. Cinco Ranch High School FBLA, Rotary Interact Club and Boy Scouts provide have provided volunteer support for the race. Race sponsorships, underwriters and in-kind underwriters are available.  For information, call 281-391-3655.

Katy’s Grand Lakes Master Planned Community residents are invited to the Grand Lakes First Annual Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. The festivities will be held at 3650 Hollow Trace Drive by the Lazy River Pool.

Activities include:

• Mike Amabile and the Run Over Twice Band
• Solo singer Destiny Houston
• U.S. Navy Color Guard
• James Coney Island’s hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks
• Snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn
• Bucky Loo the Clown
• Uncle Sam stilt walker
• Water slides
• Pony rides
• Face painters
• Crafts

Life is great in Grand Lakes! To tour homes in Grand Lakes, contact me. To search all the houses currently on the market in Katy/Houston see Home Search. I have sold Katy real estate for over 20 years and would be pleased to work together.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is pleased to announce the addition of capoeira classes to its weekly events roster. Beginning June 12, instructor Tiffany Gonzalez of Capoeria Mandiga Houston Academy will offer free Saturday morning classes at 10:00 a.m. in Heritage Square. Participants are asked to gather at Relax the Back (in LaCenterra) and are encouraged to bring wish list items for donation to the Houston Area Women’s Center and Special Pals animal shelter and adoption center.

Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts with deep roots. The discipline originated in the slave quarters of Brazil.  At the time, slaves were not allowed to practice self-defense, thereby making capoeira illegal to practice.  In order to disguise its defensive tactics, slaves developed the art to appear as song, dance and acrobatics.

Despite its secretive beginnings, capoeira today is for everyone. Any person, regardless of race, sex, age, size or shape, can practice capoeira. In the true spirit of the martial arts, capoeira builds confidence, discipline, creativity and fitness of both body and mind. Its diverse aspects draw people from all parts of the world for its music, dance, self-defense, strenuous exercise and cultural ties. 

Ultimately, capoeira represented freedom to the slaves. Today, capoeira still represents freedom: freedom of movement, freedom of thought and freedom of expression. For these reasons and more, capoeira continues to empower its devoted students. 

The mission of Capoeira Mandinga Houston is to promote empowerment, health and community. Participants train and grow together. The vision is to form a group of strong capoeiristas who find their lives enriched through the exchange of culture and knowledge. It is this knowledge radiating out into the community that opens minds and breaks down barriers. Since the entire group contributes, there is much to gain. The Capoeira Mandinga Houston group operates under the supervision of Mestre Paulo Batuta.

Additional classes are available through the Capoeira Mandinga Houston Academy.  Classes meet at the Excel Athletics Gym located at 510 South Mason Rd., #Q in Katy.  For more information, call (281) 509-9874 or visit http://www.capoeirakaty.com/.  For a Special Pals wish list items, please visit www.specialpalsshelter.org.  For a list of items needed at the Houston Area Women’s Center, log onto www.hawc.org.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard and Grand Parkway in Katy, Texas.  Center hours: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.  Individual store hours may vary.  For more information, visit http://www.lacenterra.com/ or call (281) 395-5533.

For information about all Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Are you worried that your child may turn into a couch potato this summer? The Katy Prairie Conservancy’s new Summer Science Nights program is a great way to promote your child’s understanding of science in the best laboratory of all: The great outdoors. Each session includes hands-on, minds-on activities and an action-packed hike on a wildlife-rich preserve.

Classes include Summer Serpents: Exploring snake diversity and feeding habitats. There are few things that can get your heart pumping like the sight of a wild snake. The Katy Prairie is home to over 20 species of these fascinating creatures and even one legless lizard that mimics snakes. Students will see a few summer serpents, learn about snake safety and feeding habits before heading out on a safe but adventurous hike.

Another class is Just Stay Cool!: Discovering how animals, people and plants stay cool during the summer. Blazing Texas summers can be tough on wildlife, plants, and people. Animals and plants have developed amazing ways to stay cool under soaring temperatures. Living underground, panting, and hunting at night are just a few ways to beat the heat. Students will take their cue from the animals and wait until the cool of dusk to take their hike!

The third class is: Prehistoric Prairie: Exploring the giant extinct mammals and prehistoric people of the Katy Prairie. Trumpeting wild elephants, roaring lions and speedy cheetahs. Africa? No! Students have just stepped back into the ice age on the Katy Prairie; a time when giants roamed the land. The prairie has been home to both awe-inspiring mammals and people for thousands of years. Children will discover how ancient creatures and Native Americans used the Katy Prairie for food, medicine, and shelter.

All the classes are offered in both June and July. For more information, see the KatyPrairieConservancy.com website.

For information about all Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, in partnership with Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC), welcomes Making A Mark®, the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Service’s touring art exhibition presented by The Periwinkle Foundation.

The extraordinary display features the works of young artists whose lives have been touched by cancer and blood disorders. It provides a unique focus on their personal issues.

The exhibit will open to the public Wednesday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Ste. C 140 of LaCenterra (between Simply Cinco and Panera Bread) and run through April 28 before moving to KVPAC gallery for an additional two-week showing.

Making A Mark encourages all patients and their siblings to participate in sharing their feelings through applied art or creative writing. Often deep-rooted feelings and fears are given a positive outlet.

Every participant is a winner because so much has been gained in the process, and all submissions for the show are exhibited at the opening each September at Texas Children’s Hospital and then a selection of artwork travels to various locations throughout the year.

Guest are invited to fill out a “Postcard from the Road” that will be sent directly to the artist or the artist’s family to let the artists know the effect that their artwork has had on the lives of others and to offer them encouragement.

While this exhibit serves to shine a light on these amazing artists, it also highlights KVPAC’s “Healing Arts” programs and commitment to Texas Children’s Cancer Center by way of volunteer art lessons at the Texas Medical Center campus and the future Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

More than 400 patients and their siblings from the Texas Children’s clinic participate, free of charge each year.  Making A Mark is open to children from all pediatric cancer treatment centers, and has attracted art and writing submissions from around the world.

To highlight Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Service and The Periwinkle Foundation have proudly displayed more than 200 entries each year since the first exhibit in September 1991. Past exhibits have been shown in Japan, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, and numerous cities throughout the state of Texas.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard in Katy.  Gallery hours will be offered from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily (excluding Sundays) with extended hours offered until 8:00 p.m. each Wednesday through April 28.

Groups of 10 or more schedule your visit by contacting Kristin Miller at kmiller@kvpac.org.  To learn more about LaCenterra, please visit LaCenterra.com.  For KVPAC gallery hours, programs and general information, visit KVPAC.org.

For information about all Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404 or via email. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!