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!

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!

Santa has arrived at LaCenterra! Every Saturday and Sunday, through December 20th,  Santa will be at Heritage Square from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Little ones: Bring your Christmas wish list! Mom and Dad: Bring your camera!

La Centerra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard at the corner of Grand Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard.

For information about 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. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Grab your pint-sized goblins, princesses and superheroes and head to LaCenterra’s Trick-or-Treat down Main Street this Halloween – Saturday, October 31 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  A safe alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, this free event is open to kids 10 and under accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Who’s treating?  Spot the participation pumpkins for retailers offering tasty treats for the little ones and spooktacular offers for parents.  The first 250 kids will receive treat bags courtesy of LaCenterra retailers. Bags will be available for pick-up in Heritage Square (central courtyard) beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Boo there, or … boo square!

For more information, please visit www.lacenterra.com or call (281) 395-5533.

For information about 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. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

Hippity-hoppity, Easters on its way!  If you’ve got plans for a backyard Easter egg hunt or a gathering with family, consider these tips from the Farmers’ Market at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch to make your Easter eco-friendly and egg-cellent.

• Avoid the plastics! Instead of artificial and imported baskets, use containers you already own for Easter goodies.  Dress them up with ribbons or scraps of fabric.  Opt for paper crinkles, (often found in the gift wrap section), in your basket instead of pesky plastic grass.
• Gift healthy. When giving sweets, look for fair-trade or locally made chocolates to support independent farmers.  Consider balancing the sugars with granola bars, trail mixes or other healthy snacks.  Skip the plastic toys and include books or bubbles for some outdoor fun.
• Use real eggs and natural dyes. Common foods can be used to dye eggs, instead of using chemical food coloring.  Boil Organic/Free Range eggs with water, vinegar and the coloring of your choice:
  • Purple – purple grape juice
  • Blue – Red cabbage
  • Green – Spinach
  • Yellow – Carrot tops, orange peels or lemon peels
  • Orange – Yellow onion skins
  • Pink – Beets or cranberries
  • Red – Red onion skins

Looking for family-friendly Easter fun?  Don’t miss LaCenterra’s Easter Bunny Hop, Saturday, April 11 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Twist the night away to 50’s tunes and win great prizes in the costume and hula-hoop contests.  Special guest appearance by the Big Hopper himself!

For information about 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.I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!

News Bulletin: Announcement from the North Pole! Santa Claus will be at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch at 12 noon on Tuesday, December 23rd. Pick up lunch and join Santa where he will read stories to the children. Bring your wish lists and your camera. This is Santa’s last stop until his busy night.

LaCenterra and the Katy Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in their Annual Tree Lighting fesitivies! Find your holiday cheer on Saturday, November 29, starting at 5:30 p.m. Cinco Ranch High School’s Bravo and VIVA! choirs will perform holiday favorites.

There will be special events for children including the Teddy Bear Parade. Little ones are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal(s) to help guide Santa to LaCenterra’s Christmas tree.

The Salvation Army’s Bears and Blankets Annual Drive will kick-off at the tree lighting and continue until December 12. Please bring stuffed animals, blankets or winter wear for donation to benefit the Salvation Army’s Angel Christmas Tree tradition.

For information about 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. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 19 years. Experience does count!

Sorry to be late with this announcement, I just received the press release. Tomorrow’s party sounds like a blast and a chance to win prizes, always my favorite.

On October 27th the Farmers Market at LaCenterra celebrated it’s One Year Anniversary!

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 1st, the Farmers Market is holding a Customer Appreciation Day Celebration and you are invited to attend. Like the market, the party will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Prizes will be given away every hour during the celebration!

The Farmers Market at LaCenterra sends you, “A great big thank you for your loyal support and business in the last year. We appreciate your patronage.”

The Farmers Market at LaCenterra, a weekly Saturday market, is located at LaCenterra at the southwest corner of Hwy 99, The Grand Parkway, and Cinco Ranch Blvd.

For information about 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.  I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 19 years. Experience does count!

Come out and walk with your dog for exercise and fun at Citizens for Animal Protection’s “HOWL-O-WEEN” Dog Walk and Expo to raise funds for homeless animals. Meet at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch on the Grand Parkway for a fun-filled 1 mile walk around the shopping area. Join us after wards for a dog playtime and refreshments for both 2 and 4 legged friends. There will be vendors and animal information booths available for your enjoyment.

Proceeds from this event will go to Citizens for Animal Protection, a non-profit service organization committed to sheltering, rescuing and placing homeless animals. “Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves!”

Register for the Howl-o-ween Dog Walk and/or Costume Content with the official Howl-o-ween registration form.

RESTRICTIONS

1.  Contest is restricted to dogs only (Sorry kitties, maybe next year).
2.  Pet will not be allowed to participate without a current rabies tag.
3.  All dogs must be on a leash at all times.

SCHEDULE

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Dog Walk Registration & Goody Bag Distribution
• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Dog Walk
• 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Costume Registration
• 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Hot Dog Costume Contest & Judging
• 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Award Presentation

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Doggy Talent Search Booth, Free Frosty Paws for Dogs, Refreshments & Treats for People, Rescue Groups, Dog Grooming & Styling Demonstration, Dog Food & Care Booths, Goody Bags for Dog Walkers, Prizes for Costume Winners, and FUN for the entire family.

MORE INFORMATION

Contact Hershey Grace at  713-240-2168 for more information.

The Citizens for Animal Protection shelter is in need of dry and canned kitten and puppy food. If you would like help, please bring your donation to the HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Walk & Expo. The wonderful homeless babies at the Citizens for Animal Protection shelter would be very grateful.

LaCenterra’s Farmers Market is proudly joining forces with Katy Cares to help our neighbors who were impacted by Hurricane Ike on Saturday, October 4 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Both money and non-perishable supplies are needed. There will be a special tent and tables for collection.The event will include live entertainment by the Grateful Geezers and friends beginning at 1 p.m.

Items needed to aid Hurricane Ike relief efforts include:

• Tax-deductible monetary donations can be make c/o The Katy Foundation at any Katy area Amegy Bank of Texas or Tradition Bank locations through October 31. Contributions will be accepted during the event as well.
• Cereal and cereal bars
• Boxed juices
• Canned meats
• Soups and stews
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Bags of rice, beans and pasta
• Baby wipes
• Diapers
• Baby formula
• Baby food
• Bath soap or shower gel
• Toilet paper
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Deodorant
• Body and hand lotion
• Brushes, combs and hair accessories

See you at the market!