Blog entries

Live Music Day Planned in August for Teens at Willowbrook Mall

Daphne Hager — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:14:10 +0100

Nearby Willowbrook Mall will host “Shop ‘til You Rock”, a teen-targeted day of live music, games, prizes, great deals, and even a teen (ages 13-19) modeling competition, on Saturday, August 7 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The “Shop ‘til You Rock” mall tour features live music from “Stereo Skyline” and activities that range from getting a “rock star” make-over to trying out the Just Dance video game. Sponsors include Pepsi Refresh Project, Hot Topic, Just Dance, GameStop, Kodak, and Fusion Model Management, and very popular teen actress and singer Demi Lovato (Disney’s “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2”) is also associated with the mall tour.

Located just down the highway from Towne Lake at the southwest corner of SH 249 and FM 1960, Willowbrook Mall offers hundreds of shops and places to eat. You can shop for the best, or just take a rest and enjoy the air conditioned comfort of Willowbrook’s beautiful indoor mall setting. Willowbrook Mall is just another of the great and conveniently-located amenities of Towne Lake!

Visit Trader’s Village Open-Air Market and Hear Great Music this Summer

Daphne Hager — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:49:52 +0100

There’s great music planned this summer, from now to the end of August at the Trader’s Village Summer Concert Series and a great shopping experience, too! With over 1,500 shops and dealers spread over 105 acres, the Trader’s Village is open Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to dusk, and the concerts begin at noon both days under the covered 50,000 square-foot Gray Expo building.

The concert series’ music ranges across all genres, from the fun Island music of Kelly McGuire to the blues of Luther and the Healers to the Latino sounds of Mango Punch. The shopping variety is diverse and includes shops selling army surplus, vinyl records and turntables, dealers offering great garage sales, and more. To beat the heat and rest your feet, you can enjoy drinks and food at the many food stands located around the village.

Traders Village is located at 7979 N. Eldridge Rd., and for more information on Trader’s Village and the Summer Concert series, you can call 281-890-5500, email houstoninfo@tradersvillage.com or visit TradersVillage.com.

Sam Houston Race Park Hosts the Famous Wiener Dog Races and Concert

Daphne Hager — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:27:58 +0100

The Sam Houston Race Park is set to host an evening of family fun and music on Saturday, July 17, 2010. The day begins with the ever popular 3rd Annual Wiener Dog Races, presented by Petco and Barks 5th Avenue. The adorable Dachshunds race just a short 25 yards down the track to win cash and prizes. There’s also a pet costume contest, which is always an amusing event to watch!

After the Wiener Dog Races, the fun continues with live music between the day’s horse races at SHRP’s “Party on the Patio”. Once the races are complete, the evening fun begins with the 2010 Live Verizon Wireless Summer Concert Series featuring Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.

What a great day for the family, pets and music lovers, all just a few minutes away from Towne Lake! Visit the SHRP website for more details.

Berry Center to Host “The Music Man” in July

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:02:18 +0100

The classic play “The Music Man” is coming to The Berry Center this July, providing a great experience for the whole family. Based on the story of a fast talking salesman who ends up talking himself into the position of producing a musical - but he has no musical talent or experience! It’s a great story of someone finding character, overcoming challenges, making new friends, and finding love, all where he never would have expected.

The play will be held at The Berry Center Theater, 8877 Barker Cypress Rd, over the weekends of July 16 and July 23, and show time information and tickets can be found at TicketTurtle.com.

Nearby Lone Star College to Hosts Free L.I.F.E. Adult Seminar this Summer

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:07:06 +0100

Just by visiting Room 131 at the Lone Star College Library for one hour each Wednesday between 10 and 11 a.m. this July, you can become culturally enriched on how the French (aka Cajun) influenced Texas history. The free seminars will bring you interesting and informative facts on the area history, from local radio, to food and the old Negro Leagues of the area.

On July 7, famous radio DJ Jim Pruette of KLOL 101, will be speaking on some of the “juicy history”. On July 14, French Bastille Day, the class will discuss the history of French people in Texas and the Cajun people of Louisiana. The next week, July 21, will include lectures from actual players in the old Negro Baseball leagues and how Texas participated. The appetite indulging finale on July 28 will be all about the great foods of Argentina, and will be focused on the Empanada.

You won’t want to miss this total immersion of the senses while learning about the vital role of the French on our great states culture, so come enjoy free education from the culturally diverse folks who lived it!

For more information, visit: Lonestar.edu

Evening of Wine Tasting and Racing at Nearby Sam Houston Race Park

Daphne Hager — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:00:00 +0100

The Winner’s Circle Restaurant at the beautiful Sam Houston Race Park will host a wine tasting event from 6-9pm on Friday, June 25. Constellation Wines will present a diverse set of wines, from merlots to chardonnays and pinot noirs, all paired with great food from the kitchen of the Winner’s Circle.

The cost of the wine tasting and dinner is $39 a person and tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, June 23. Question and Answer sessions on the various wines and the food pairings will be held by Constellation Wines, and casual education on race wagering will be available to the dinner guests.

What a great summer night of wine, food, and fun at nearby Sam Houston Race Park! For more information and to reserve tickets, visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.

Heritage at Towne Lake celebrates opening of The Lodge

Administrator — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:48:58 +0100

New clubhouse/recreation center offers ‘resort at home’ amenities.

The Heritage at Towne Lake – our community’s active adult community – opened its new 13,000-square-foot clubhouse and recreation center in January with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a number of residents.

The Lodge is a beautifully appointed gathering place that offers a comfortable, convenient
setting for fun and socializing. It features:

A resort-style swimming pool and spaState-of-the-art fitness roomBallroom with stageBilliards tables and game roomMeeting roomsComputer areaArts & crafts room and more

In addition, The Lodge has an on-site director who plans and coordinates special outings, travel, events and other special activities.

"Everyone who sees The Lodge comments on how remarkable it is," says Towne Lake Sales and Marketing Manager Barbara Locke. "It's a beautiful facility, so warm and inviting, and it features so many great amenities. It's clearly a very major investment in the community and I know it will be a popular gathering place for residents and guests."

Best Community, Best Event…Best Place to Live!

Administrator — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:30:51 +0100

Towne Lake wins “Houston’s Best” honors from
builders association.

Residents of Towne Lake already know that it’s a great place to live. Now it seems the rest of the city is learning, too!

For example, the Greater Houston Builders Association recently named Towne Lake the “Best Community in Houston” in the under-2,500 acres category

“We’re thrilled that the GHBA recognizes the care and effort that went into making Towne Lake a one-of-a-kind, Hill Country-styled community connected by water,” says Randy Young, director of operations and land development for Caldwell Companies, Towne Lake’s developer. “But the real winners are the residents of Towne Lake!”

The GHBA also awarded Towne Lake the “Best Event/Promotion by a Developer” honor for its 2009 Mothers Day Concert. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which featured great food and refreshments, activities for kids and a KSBJ Special Events performance by contemporary Christian artists Jimmy Needham, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Chris and Conrad.

There’s Still Time to Register for Champion’s Science Day Camp

Daphne Hager — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:02:02 +0100

Two of the Champion’s Science Day Camps are still available this summer at the beautiful and convenient Berry Center on Barker-Cypress.

“Mystery of the Pharaoh” has openings for the June 28 through July 2 camp, as does the “Space and Rocketry” from July 19 through July 23. The cost for each camp ranges from $299 to $194 per week.

“Mystery of the Pharaoh”

This camp includes activities like simple chemistry, rock study, pyramid construction, and mummy science. DiscoverChampions.com/Main/Do/Mystery_of_the_Pharaohs_Treasure

“Space and Rocketry”

This camp includes activities such as water rockets, solar system study, simple chemistry, crater formation, and games based on the science discoveries made during camp.

DiscoverChampions.com/Main/Do/Space_and_Rocketry_2010

The Berry Center is located at 8877 Barker Cypress, Cypress, TX 77433, and you may call 281-894-3900 for program information.

To enroll, please call 888.458.1812 or visit DiscoverChampions.com.

Cy-Fair Teen Driver's Permit Classes at Lone Star College

Daphne Hager — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:44:18 +0100

Cy-Fair College Offers Free Business Seminars this Summer

Daphne Hager — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:03:16 +0100

This summer, Lone Star College Cy-Fair plans to help get your small business off to a great start and on its way to becoming a big success!

Lone Star College will hold free, weekly business success seminars on Tuesdays in June and July (no classes to be held July 6) from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in the Barker Cypress Campus Library, room 215, located at 9191 Barker Cypress. Topics will include using Facebook and other social media outlets, Online Marketing, and Search Engine Optimization—all useful marketing topics that today’s modern business can’t grow without.

For more information on classes to be held each Tuesday between June 8 and July 20, including a full schedule of seminar topics, visit LoneStar.edu. Lone Star College is a great university, serving the Cy-Fair advanced education needs of both adults and college-bound teens, and is an excellent Cy-Fair community asset. Take time to visit the Lone Star College website and campus; you’ll find something you’ve been waiting to learn!

Annual Charity Golf Tournament Provides $20,000 Cy-Fair Student Scholarship

Daphne Hager — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:08:06 +0100

On June 18, 2010 the 3rd Annual Eric Bassett Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament and Auction Fundraiser will be held. The $20,000 student college scholarship, awarded each year, is given in honor of Eric Bassett, a Cy-Falls High honor student and top athlete who was tragically killed in 2007.

Eric’s parents, Ana and Eric Bassett, formed the non-profit behind the scholarship in honor of Eric’s life, achievements, and potential.

The scholarship fund was formed in December, 2007, and the two previous recipients of the generous four-year, $20,000 college scholarship are Blake Billings, in 2008, and Wesley Ryan in 2009. The scholarship is available for any Cy-Fair area student interested in applying, and the 2010 award winner will be announced this month.

For more information about the golf tournament and auction, or to make a donation, please call Ana Bassett at 281-989-6984, email anabassett@sbcglobal.net, or see EricBassettMemorial.org.

Visit Nearby Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center for the Italian Expo!

Greg Rivera — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:42:18 +0100

Wrap up your spring outings with a visit to the Italian Expo May 21 through 23 at the nearby Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center!

This year’s Italian Expo is a full weekend of activity highlighting Italian dance, art, fashion, music, cars, and of course - soccer. Over 150 exhibitors will be displaying Everything Italian! at the event.

Want to get up close and personal with a Ferrari? Maybe Italian gifts and leathers get your engines revved? Come out and see the latest Italian luxury clothing, accessories and home furnishing and even plan your dream trip to Italy? It’s all at the Italian Expo!

This year’s Italian Expo will focus on the two Italian areas of Lombardy and Sardinia, including everything from technology to one-of-a-kind handcrafter goods. The expo has also added a new interactive children’s area for this year, with a playground, music, storytellers, and much more. It’s a fun weekend for the whole family!

For more information on the event, including ticket pricing and parking, please see the expo’s website at Italianexpo.us/pages/houston or Houstonconventionctr.com/meeting planners.

2010 Robotics Awards in Towne Lake at Smith Middle School

Greg Rivera — Wed, 12 May 2010 02:41:50 +0100

2010 is shaping up to be a great year for the Robotics Teams at Smith Middle School in Towne Lake!

This January at the University of Houston’s Mars Rover competition, four Smith Middle School Robotics Teams placed 1st in Remote Control and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Freeform. The school’s teams were required to build a rover for a Mars mission, and present a five-minute skit that was informative on the components of their rover. They competed against teams from all over Houston. Congratulations to the students and to their sponsor, sixth-grade science team leader Doreen Jarvis!

Then, on Saturday, April 17, seven Smith Middle School Robotics Teams competed in the All Earth Ecobot Challenge at the Reliant Center and won 10th Place in the Best in Robotics category. Robotics Teams competed from all over the Houston area, as well as from Corpus Christi and Austin, and all teams had to set earth-beneficial tasks for their robot to perform in a specified time. As well, all teams had to present a five-minute marketing skit designed to sell their robot to the public. For more information on the All Earth Ecobot Challenge visit www.ecobotchallenge.com/index.shtml .

From robotics, to art, to spelling bees, to orchestra, there’s always an exciting achievement from Smith Middle School—congratulations to the students and faculty of Smith!

See the Renowned Houston Art Car Parade and Support Cy Fair Artists

Greg Rivera — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:47:35 +0100

Actor Dan Aykroyd will be Grand Marshall of the 23rd Annual Houston Orange Show Art Car Parade, on Saturday, May 8. Local Cy Fair artists have created Art Cars just for this event! The Art Car Parade will begin at 1 p.m., is free to the public and will start at the corner of Houston’s Allen Parkway and Taft and ends at Montrose. The best viewing is along Allen Parkway from Montrose to Bagby.

Cars will be made to look like fighter jets, plants, trees, trucks, and more in this famous Houston parade, and the Cy Fair artists have exceptionally prepared their entries for this year’s parade. For example, the Garrett’s from Cy Fair have prepared a moving peacock; Michael Lawrence has created a “Dragon Wagon” from a radio flyer wagon; Daniel Norstrom will present a fusion of Cadillac’s and flowers made from water bottles – none of which are to be missed! Several local Cy Fair charities also have entries.

If you’ve never seen the Art Car Parade, this Saturday, May 8, is your opportunity to experience something very unique to Houston—and to support your local Cy Fair artists, as well!

Cyfair VFD to Host CPR and First Aid Classes

Greg Rivera — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:03:43 +0100

The CyFair Volunteer Fire Department holds CPR and First-Aid classes several times a month for the CyFair Community at the CyFair Fire Department's Business Office. CPR is a life-saving skill, and—with the more-active (and hot) summer months coming up—CPR and First-Aid are great skills for anyone to learn. You’ll also get to meet your local fire department members, who work not only on your behalf against local fires but also participate in several important and local CyFair and Houston charity events throughout the year.

The CFVD business office is located at 9630 Telge, and the fee for CPR class is $20.00, First Aid class fee is $20.00, or both for $35.00. To attend a class, please contact the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department Business Office at 281-550-6663 to sign up.

CFVFD has been part of the Cy-Fair community since the 1950’s, responding to 15,000 emergency situations with over 300 volunteer members from eleven stations every year. Here’s a big “Thank You” to a great department of great people in the CyFair Community!

SALUTE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CHILD FINGERPRINTING AT WILLOWBROOK MALL

Greg Rivera — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:48:43 +0100

Towne Lake residents won’t want to miss this important community event. Scheduled for Saturday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the great Willowbrook Mall, the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce (CFCOC) and Sprint will present the 16th Annual Salute to Law Enforcement.

Since1994, the single largest known law enforcement exhibition has been open to the public and aimed at the families and children of local communities. The event includes officers, equipment, and exhibits from over 100 law enforcement agencies. Safety fingerprinting for children is just one of the important community services that will be provided at the event!

Willowbrook Mall is home to hundreds of shops and many restaurants, making it one of the largest and most popular malls in Houston. Willowbrook Mall is located in the heart of NW Houston at State Highway 249 and FM 1960 West. For more information on the days activities, contact the event’s founder, and Spring ISD Police Department Chief, Alan Bragg, at 281-891-6901 or visit Shopwillowbrookmall.com.

Source: Willowbrook Mall and Salutetolawenforcement.org

Cy-Fair ISD Technology Camp This Summer - A Great Activity for Kids

Greg Rivera — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:48:33 +0100

This summer, Cy Fair ISD is offering exciting Elementary Summer Technology Camps at nearby Arlene Robison Elementary, 13600 Skinner Rd, Cypress, Texas, with morning (8:30-11:30am) or afternoon session (12:30-3:30pm) during each week June 14-18 or June 21-25.

The children will perform educational and exciting work in a team-based, project-oriented environment with items like Web 2.0 tools, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Digital Schools Collection, PhotoStory, and more. Most teams will finish by creating a PSA (public service announcement) for an audience they determine. Your children will advance their understanding of how to use technology and have lots of fun doing it!

The cost per week is $65 per child, and transportation to and from is not provided by the district. The sessions are already filling fast, and no registration will be accepted after June 2. Please bring your child’s completed registration form and $65.00 per child (cash or Money Orders payable to Cy-Fair ISD ONLY) to 10494 Jones Rd, Houston, TX, 77065 – 2nd Floor – Room 201 as soon as possible!

Cy-Fair ISD is a great educational system in Texas, with years of Blue Ribbon school academic achievements, great athletics, and advanced community presence like the world-class performing arts, conference, and athletic event Berry Center. The Cy-Fair area itself is steeped in great Texas education traditions dating back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, when the early “Gum Island” schools were renamed “Fairbanks”. And, in the 21st century full of technology, Cy-Fair is still a great place for children and families!

Source: Cy-Fair Independent School District

SUMMER DAY CAMPS PLANNED AT LANGHAM CREEK YMCA

Greg Rivera — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:31:18 +0100

Langham Creek YMCA is a great family resource, very close to Town Lake, providing an 11,000 square-foot newly-expanded facility as well as acres of woods for exploring. Beginning April 1, LCYMCA has several camps to consider for your children, from day camps to overnight adventures, all with the 100 year family reputation earned and maintained by YMCAs everywhere. The time to register your children is now, as spaces are limited.

The Day Camp for 5-12 year-olds has age-appropriate activities daily that are broken down for ages 5, ages 8-9, and ages 10-12. Arts and crafts, sports and general play, science, and swimming are just a few of the fun activities your children will experience.

Teen Day Camp for ages 12-14 consists of those same activities, as well, but also has strong emphasis on high-level organized activities for each themed week. Talents, physical ability, discovery, and science are just a few of the underpinnings of each week’s activities.

The older members, age 15-17, are taught to act as camp counselors. Assisting in camp activities for the younger children is a unique experience that builds character, strength, and leadership in an outdoor and challenging setting for any teen.

YMCA Camp Cullen in Trinity, TX is also available as an overnight summer camp, full of all the great activities above but stretched into the full day and evening. Your child can experience a fun one to two week stay at Camp Cullen they will never forget!

Source: http://www.ymcahouston.org/langham-creek

TOWNE LAKE TEXAS – LOCAL NATURE PRESERVE ENCOURAGES ECO-WORKS

Greg Rivera — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:02:56 +0100

Kleb Woods Nature Preserve, a local wildlife preserve and hotspot for birdwatchers, is quickly becoming a popular location for area organizations to perform eco-works.

The Kleb Woods Nature Preserve hosted a two-weekend Eagle Scout project giving the scouts and their dads the opportunity to construct a wooden path, enhancing the preserve, and earning the boys a badge.

The Scouts group was followed by a Rosehill Christian School class planting of a Republic of Texas orange tree near the Kleb Farm House. This special, heritage variety orange was originally developed by early Texans during the Republic years of the early 1840’s and planted in celebration of Texas Independence Day. The Rosehill students also assisted with Japanese Privet control along the walking trail.

On another day, volunteers came to Kleb Woods to separate lumber salvaged from a 110+ year-old smoke house, which will be reused to complete the barn’s exterior siding.

Towne Lake visitors are encouraged to pack a lunch and get back into nature with their family, friends and club members this April, in honor of Earth Month. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk and docents of the Cypress Historical Society conduct tours for groups of drop-in visitors as well. Cypress Top Park museums are open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information or to schedule a group tour call (281) 496-2177.

Source: Cy-Fair Lifestyle & Homes and Artshound.com