Blog entries

New Caney ISD Replaces Parent Connect with eSchoolPlus

Scott Tran — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:28:41 +0100

New Caney ISD will be replacing their previous online parent program, Parent
Connection, with a new and improved program designed to be more compatible
with the new student management system. The eSchoolPLUS Home Access Center
is anticipated to go live the week of September 13, 2010 and will even allow
students to register online for the upcoming 2011 - 2012 school year.

Features

Provides parents and students with a daily summary page of student
information

Features schedule and attendance, class work, and test scores

Allows students to view their own records in the system to help keep them
informed about their progress

Benefits

Engages parents via an Internet parental portal, connecting them with the
classroom and providing them with relevant and timely information to
support/direct their children

Helps open a consistent avenue of parent-teacher communication

Creates stronger connections between students, parents, teachers and
administrators

Empowers students to actively take a roll in their progress and future

According to NCISD, “as part of SunGard Public Sector's eSchoolPLUS program,
the Home Access Center provides an online gradebook where parents and
guardians can view helpful student information to support and guide their
children through the educational process.” This will come in very handy as a
follow-up tool for parents to track activity such as test scores, attendance
records and homework assignments, from work or home, at any time. E-mail
links are also accessible throughout the portal so parents can communicate
directly with their children’s teachers and administrators. Information will
be sent home or mailed to each student’s family with more information.

Source: Houston Chronicle and NCISD

Kingwood Resident Wins New Apple iPad from Royal Shores of Kingwood

Cheryl Perry — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:59:29 +0100

During the recent "Last Call"promotion in Kingwood's Royals Shores, Friendswood Development Company invited visitors to preview some of the final opportunities in this scenic enclave along Lake Houston. This included new custom homes in Lake Ridge, luxury courtyard homes in The Courts at Royal Shores and Highland Homes in Regal Point.

The promotion included the opportunity to enter into a drawing for a new Apple iPad. Kingwood resident Amanda Woods was the lucky winner and she is pictured here with Jodie Schroeder of Highland Homes and Christine Draughn of Friendswood Development Company.

Houston Family YMCA Offers After-School Programs

Scott Tran — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:07:52 +0100

With so many uncertain choices for afterschool care, there is one place that shines above the others in both reputation and quality. The Lake Houston Family YMCA’s will be offering after-school programs to be held at elementary schools throughout Atascocita, Humble, Huffman, Kingwood and Splendora ISD’s.

“Our after-school program is available to all students’ kindergarten through fifth grade and is usually held at the school they attend. The great thing about this is that the kids have a safe place to be and they do not go home to an empty house,” Carol Sutton, marketing director at the Lake Houston Family YMCA, said.

The after school programs offers a wide variety of activities for the participants, such as games, recreation, arts and humanities programs, character development and homework assistance – all at very affordable rates. And, for those hit hardest by the economic down-turn, the YMCA offers some financial assistance through its Partners campaign, which raises money at different events throughout the year to help families afford programs.

“The after-school program is a different approach to child care because we offer a positive and praising type of environment that encourages the children to feel good about doing the right things,” Brian Carrico, child care director, said. “We help the kids to learn through example with positive activities and also help them to become more active with our recreation programs.”

For more information on the Lake Houston Family YMCA after-school program, call 281-360-2500.

Source: Houston Family YMCA’s

Mission Northeast to Hold 7th Annual Luncheon and Style Show

Joseph Leon — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:10:07 +0100

The 7th Annual Mission Northeast Fall Fashion Style Show will be held at the East Montgomery County Improvement District Complex located at 21575 U.S. Highway 59 North, New Caney, on Monday, September 27.

The style show will be presented by Caron McMahon, independent wardrobe consultant and the jewelry will be provided by Courtney Green, local Stella and Dot consultant. The beautiful table settings and floral arrangements will be provided by Elegant Beginnings and Flowers of Kingwood.

“We are changing the format a little this year, with a silent auction replacing the raffle, and we already have many outstanding and unique items for the auction and bid board,” said luncheon chair and The Mission director Pam Dickson. “Also, the tables will be pre-set with drinks, salads and desserts. Guests will go to the buffet lines by table, which will serve everyone quickly, and keep groups of table friends together.

“Last year was a sell out, and we already have several table sponsors committed this year. Please make your reservations now, as seating is limited to 200,” Pam suggests.

The doors will open at 11 a.m. for a guest reception, silent auction and bid board. Items include in the auction are a Coach handbag, Southern Living must-haves, restaurant and entertainment baskets, and much more. Luncheon guests will be seated at 11:45 for a buffet luncheon catered by Amedeo’s.

Tables are for eight, and sponsorships are $3,500 (Benefactor), $1,500 (Mission Star), $500 (Mission Friend) and $40 (individual seat). All luncheon proceeds benefit and support the programs at The Mission.

For sponsorships or to purchase tickets, call Dickson at 281-354-1200 or e-mail pdickson@missionne.org.

Source: Kingwood Observer

Keller Williams Realty to Host Charity Gala for Family Time Crisis Center

Joseph Leon — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:25:50 +0100

Kingwoods local Keller Williams Realty will host their annual “Viva Las Vegas” charity gala to benefit the Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center of Humble at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. The exciting high roller event will be held at the Marriott Hotel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and will include dinner, casino games, auctions and live entertainment performed by Tony Mac. The gala is open to the public with tickets priced at only $100 per person!

Family Time Crisis and Counseling is a nonprofit purposed to provide free crisis intervention, counseling, support groups and legal advocacy to domestic abuse victims and also runs The Door, Northeast Harris County’s only domestic violence shelter.

“We are excited to be working again with Family Time which was the recipient of our Denim & Diamonds Gala on New Year’s Eve 2008,” said Keller agent, Letitia Whipple. “They have been hard hit by the recession and are very deserving of our support.”

Rally your friends and plan to attend this Vegas-hits-Houston event for a great cause! For more information, to purchase tickets or support by sponsoring, contact Keller Williams Northeast at 281-358-4545 or www.clickKWne.com

Precinct 4’s Senior Adults Presents their 8th Annual “Opry in Humble”

Melissa Burnham — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:45:22 +0100

Friday, August 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program will be presenting their ninth annual “Opry in Humble” fundraiser. This county-sponsored annual family event is scheduled to feature the Hometown Opry Band and other area entertainers. To spice up the evening, a high-value raffle will also be held.

Raffle tickets can be found at the front entry and will be available for purchase until intermission, when the drawing will be held. Valuable raffle prizes are said to include Visa gift cards in the amounts of $2,000, $1,500 and $500, Xbox 360 and a DVD Camcorder.

Locals from the neighboring communities of all ages are welcome at the event (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). For more information or to get directions to the Humble Civic Center, please visit www.hcp4.net/senioradult.

Transportation from ten area locations will also be provided by Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program for guests 50 years and better. Call (281) 893-3726, ext. 47 for shuttle location info and to reserve a place on the bus.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program at 281-893-3726, ext. 32 or at the door, on the night of the event. Opry tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 12 and under). Alcohol is not permitted at functions, but light refreshments will be available for purchase.

Source: Kingwood Connection

Camp Invention Provides Hands-On Learning Activities

Daphne Hager — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:42:52 +0100

With intellectual activities including creating robots and controlling and managing a micro-world via an avatar, Kingwood's famous Camp Invention has many activities designed to encourage kids to become interested in science, technology, engineering and math – also known as STEM.

Held annually since 2004 at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, Camp Invention offers kids the chance to try their hand at inventing a variety of things focused on their lessons of the day.

The 2010 Camp Invention will be held Aug. 2-6 and is called Innovate. It will include the STEM curriculum as well as the I Can Invent III module that allows younger children to take apart discarded household appliances and create fantasy inventions, while older children use the pieces and parts to build Rube Goldberg machines.

“We are always very excited about Camp Invention because it inspires creative and inventive thinking in children. We also hope the camp encourages more children to get involved and excited about science, math, engineering and technology,” Kim Lindenfeld, regional coordinator for Camp Invention, said.

The director of the camp is Kingwood resident Brenda and each module is taught to the children by certified teachers with an eight-to-one ration of children to teachers.

Camp Invention Innovate will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, 5520 Kingwood Drive in Kingwood, Aug. 2-6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, log on to www.campinvention.org or call 800-968-4332.

Lone Star College Holds Food Drive for the Humble Area Assistance Ministries

Daphne Hager — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Joseph Gallegos, Humble High School alumnus and club president, is spending his summer months organizing the Lone Star College-Kingwood’s Ecology Club’s Food Drive to benefit Humble Area Assistance Ministries.

“The purpose of the food drive is to help people that are in need [of food] in this economic crisis,” Gallegos said. “We believe that just ecology is not all the club is about. The club is also about helping the community.”

Gallegos’ high-school mentor and Spanish Club sponsor Yallian Spears says, “Joseph is a young leader, a caring young man whose ultimate goal is to help others.” Spears goes on to say “the quality I like the most about him is that he always involves others to reach that goal. He’s very organized, focused and decisive, and for those reasons he will change the world little by little, one step a time. At Humble High School, we’re so proud of alumni like him.”

Between July 20 and July 29, students and members of the community are encouraged to deposit nonperishable food items in one of the 11 collection boxes conveniently distributed around the Lone Star College campus.

And it won’t be said that Gallegos isn’t willing to go the extra mile! If you would really like to make a donation of food, but can’t make it to one of the drop boxes, he is willing to make arrangements to pick up the food from you. Just drop him an e-mail at josepgallegos@my.lonestar.edu and schedule a time.

GHBA Benefit Home Now Available in Oakhurst at Kingwood

Cheryl Perry — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:42:36 +0100

With more than 4,300 square feet, a game room, media room, three-car garage, two fireplaces and a computer loft, Village Builders’ benefit home in Oakhurst at Kingwood will offer buyers an outstanding design and offer hope and support to two well-known, deserving organizations.

One of two Greater Houston Builders Association Benefit Homes, the DaVinci design by Village Builders is available for sale and will offer proceeds from its sale to Texas Children’s Cancer Center, The Alzheimer’s Association and HomeAid Houston.

This two-story home includes four bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, a three-car split garage and a private study. The home also features a two-story entry with sweeping staircase, a spacious formal dining room, a butler’s pantry, a covered balcony and covered rear patio, a flex room and a master retreat with a two-sided fireplace and sitting room/workout room.

Other highlights include wood floors, frieze carpet, 18 x 18-inch tile, granite countertops, KentMoore cabinets. The home is priced at $374,815 and is open for visitors to tour. The Village Builders sales office in Oakhurst at Kingwood has complete information on the Benefit Home.

About the GHBA Benefit Home: This year’s Benefit home is the result of generous suppliers and subcontractors generous suppliers and sub-contractors including Friendswood Development, which donated the land on which the home is built, as well as other suppliers who have donated materials and manpower.

For more information, call Village Builders at 281-354-2929 for information about purchasing this home.

Chimichurri's Kingwood Celebrates American Heritage with Hess Wines

Daphne Hager — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:36:15 +0100

On Tuesday July 13, 2010, local South American hotspot, Chimichurri's, hosted a special dinner to celebrate American Heritage and the state that is best known for its wine, California. Chimichurri's invited Kingwood to “make it a date” and bring friends, family or loved ones for a scrumptious California style set dinner guaranteed to be fresh, natural and delicious!

Each month the restaurant pairs a culinary specific food with great wines from the same region designed to complement each course of the meal. This month, Chimichurri's is proud to feature a winery that is a pioneer in the vinicultures Green Movement and consistently produces fabulous wine every year - The Hess Collection.

The California menu is set to include:

Fresh California Salad

Boston Lettuce with Bread Crusted Queso Fresco blended in a Mist of Garlic Red Wine Vinaigrette

HESS Select – 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - Lake County

Bay Scallops

Pan Seared Scallops Splashed with an Aji Butter Sauce

HESS Select – 2008 Chardonnay - Monterrey County

Valley Medallions

Organically Raised Beef Medallions accented with a Caramelized Onion Shallot Port Sauce

HESS Select – 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Mendocino County

Rum Bread Pudding

A Gentle Nostalgic Bread Pudding with an Indulging Touch of Rum

HESS Select – 2007 Syrah - Mendocino County

Plan to attend their elegantly selected dinners in the future. These special pairings usually book up quickly, so make sure and call Chimichurri's reservation line at 281-360-0015 and reserve your table!

Lennar and Village Builders announce 48-hours of unprecedented savings

Cheryl Perry — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:56:56 +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.

Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive Hosted by PostNet Kingwood

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:43:26 +0100

PostNet Kingwood will be hosting a Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive in Kingwood from June 20 through July 31, 2010. PostNet will be the official drop-off location for the used phones, so plan to swing by their location at 4321 Kingwood Drive in the HEB Shopping Center in Kingwood.

Cell Phones for Soldiers' goal is to turn in these old phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas. In order to meet their goals, they must collect 50,000 phones nationwide each month through a network of more than 3,000 collection sites across the country.

Once collected, the phones are then routed to a company called ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers a per phone fee - for each individual phone, enough money is provided to purchase an hour of Soldier talk time!

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by two teenagers, Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, from Norwell, Mass., with just $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to Soldiers serving overseas.

Plan to clean out your junk drawers and drop off any unused phones to your local Kingwood PostNet! To learn more about Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit their website at CellPhonesForSoldiers.com.

Visit the Kingwood Library for a Unique Look at Contemporary Ceramics Exhibit from the MFAH

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:37:32 +0100

The Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio Collection of contemporary ceramics, “Once Upon a Time: Telling Stories Through Clay”, will be on display for 10 weeks at the Kingwood Branch Library. The unique exhibit features nine objects from their ceramics collection on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

“The museum exhibitions add another layer to the libraries’ services by creating an opportunity for library patrons to experience works of art directly,” said Rebecca Elliot, curatorial assistant, Modern and Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design for the MFAH.

The museum is excited to be able to share the collection and by sending exhibitions of original works of art to area libraries, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is able to expose audiences who might not otherwise be able to experience the power of art. Rebecca adds “people have been creating art to tell stories since the beginning of time, the museum becomes part of the life of the community, and the community gets to experience the power of art.”

“These works stimulated our imaginations and we hope that they will do the same for other viewers. Each has a story behind it that sprang from the mind of the artist, and it's fun to look at the works and try to imagine why the artists made them look the way they do,” said Elliot. “When we do this as viewers, we create a connection between ourselves and the artist.”

“Once Upon a Time” will be at the Kingwood Branch Library, 4400 Bens View Lane, from now through Aug. 28. For more information, call the library at 281-360-6804.

Kingwood Civic Club's 4th of July Bike Decorating Contest and Parade

Daphne Hager — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:03:26 +0100

The Civic Club kicks off the Kingwood 4th of July Celebrations on July 3rd with a bike-judging contest beginning at 8 a.m. at the Creekwood Middle School, located at the corner of West Lake Houston Parkway and Sandy Forks. Kingwood families are encouraged to decorate their bikes for the opportunity to win a trophy. Then participants can ride their bikes and display their patriotism in the parade! No registration is required.

The parade begins at the corner of Feather Lakes and West Lake Houston Parkway at 10 a.m. from Creekwood Middle School on Sandy Forks and ends when all participants reach Kingwood High School.

After lunch, bring the family down to the Kingwood Town Center's for the Festival & Fireworks starting at 2 p.m., which will include live music, food and beverages, vendors, inflatables, face painting and more. Taking the stage at 3 p.m. will be Andy Rodrigues and Harmony Groove who will perform until 6 p.m. followed by headliners Thunder at 6:15 p.m. The Fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. with the Star-Spangled Banner. The extravaganza is sponsored by Kings Crossing Community Association, Observer Newspapers, Kingwood First Baptist, Billy Parker Exteriors, Gameforce, REMax Associates Northeast and 1-800-Got-Junk?

Beat the Summer Heat at Your Local Kingwood Branch Library

Daphne Hager — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:07:11 +0100

Recently awarded with the LEED Silver Certification (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), the Kingwood Branch Library is now a recognized green building. A building must earn more than 50 points, out of 100 possible points, to receive this honorable Silver Certification. “We recycle and there are cans around so customers can join in helping us. The library is in a green belt to provide a connection to nature and reduce the heat island effect. The roof is white to reduce the amount of heat that enters the building, important in Texas summers,” states a library official.

So come enjoy the clean, cool air inside your local public library for many of their summer activities including:

Event Type: Story Time

Date: 6/15/2010

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

“Stories will be read aloud and will include songs and finger plays for children 3-6 yrs old. No sign up needed just come and have fun!”

Location: Children's Activity Room

Event Type: Computer Class

Date: 6/15/2010

Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

“Learn to organize, print, and share your digital photos in creative ways. We encourage you to bring your camera and connections/cables. This should allow you to learn with your own equipment. Reservations are required.”

Location: Training Lab

Event Type: Summer Reading Program for Children

Date: 6/17/2010

Time: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

“Catch the Reading Express Fun Club An hour of games, crafts, and other activities for hot summer afternoons. Craft programs last about 1 hour and all necessary materials are provided. This class is recommended for children 6 and older. Parents should stay to help children.”

Location: Children's Activity Room

Please visit the Kingwood Branch Library website at www.hcpl.lib.tx.us/location/kingwood-branch-library for a full schedule of summer activities and information on becoming a library member!

Do-It-Yourself at Home for Heart Health

Daphne Hager — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:28:44 +0100

It seems to be a universal misconception that getting physical activity requires a person to join a gym or purchase expensive home gym equipment. But the truth is there are many enjoyable activities you can do at home - from playing with your children to walking your dog - that can improve your heart health and overall physical wellbeing.

According to Miller-Kovach, a Weight Watchers fitness expert, “washing windows, scrubbing floors, pacing while on the phone…all of these count towards activity. I multitask in terms of doing activity and getting things done around the house. I might spend an hour cleaning out my closet on a weekend. That will be my hour of activity instead of going to the gym and walking on the treadmill at a 3-mph pace."

When it comes to increasing your physical activities, start small and understand that anything you add to your daily routine is better than doing nothing! Here are a few activities that can help you to increase your activity level…

Get OFF the couch
Use commercial breaks to alternate doing jumping jacks, lunges and push-ups
Make a few extra trips up and down your stairs each day
Squat as often as possible
Park at the back of the lot and walk
Get in the garden
Play a game of basketball with your kids
Do it yourself…that means pushing the vacuum and mop and even scrubbing the shower yourself
Push a basket at the grocery store, even if you are just grabbing a few items
Join a walking/exercise club and hold each other accountable for these simple daily life changes

Increasing physical activity with these easy, daily lifestyle changes will get you moving. And, as you begin to notice that these little changes are easier than you thought, you just might find yourself motivated to make other little changes towards a more well-rounded and heart-healthy lifestyle!

Outstanding Achievement Projected For Oakhurst at Kingwood Schools

Cheryl Perry — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:04:48 +0100

The New Caney Independent School District reports that it is projected to retain its Texas Education Agency “Recognized” status for 2010, according to preliminary data recently released by the Texas Education Agency. The data also suggests the District will pick up more exemplary campuses.

All of the schools serving children living in Oakhurst at Kingwood continue to show outstanding results and are projected to show even more improvement when official reports are released.

Bens Branch Elementary, which earned a Recognized Rating from the TEA is projected to earn an Exemplary rating for the 2009-2010 school year. The New Caney Sixth Grade campus is projected to maintain its Exemplary status and White Oak Middle School will most likely advance its rating to Recognized.

In the fall, high school age students living in Oakhurst at Kingwood will attend the new Porter High School, one of the most innovative, state of the art schools in the Houston area. The ratings will not become official until late July/early August when TEA releases the results.

New Caney ISD has been Recognized by the Texas Education Agency in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009.

For more information on the New Caney ISD visit the website at www.NewCaneyISD.org.

Bring "Spring Green" Indoors

Daphne Hager — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:56:10 +0100

Bring the wonderful sight and smell of fresh grass indoors this summer with your very own potted wheatgrass garden. It’s the latest trend in floral arrangements and is easy to use as everyday décor or as an entertaining accent.

All you need is a few small containers (colorful bowls, geometric trays or even baking ramekins), potting soil and a pad of pre-grown wheatgrass from your local Home Depot or Lowes store. Place the potting soil into your container and cut the grass into appropriately sized pieces with gardening scissors.

Place a row of your grass containers down the middle of your dinner table as an unexpected spring centerpiece.

Freshen up the air in your bathroom by adding a grass planter on the windowsill or next to the sink.

For your next summer barbeque, place small ramekins of wheatgrass in the center of your service platters and a larger platter in the center of your table.

Fresh cut grass is an unexpected touch to any indoor room and it serves a greater purpose of purifying the air you breathe inside your home. Not to mention, for all you health nuts out there, wheatgrass is said to lower blood pressure and cleanse the blood. So next time you whip up a protein shake, grab a handful out of your centerpiece and throw it in the blender!

Highland Homes Opens New Model Home in Royal Shores of Kingwood

Cheryl Perry — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:24:20 +0100

Visitors to Royal Shores of Kingwood can tour one of the newest decorated models and designs by Highland Homes.

The stunning two-story design is also one of the newest plans unveiled by Highland Homes in the Houston market. Plan 678 is a two-story home with more than 4,400 square feet. Highland Homes is showcasing some of the many options offered in this plan which include a media room, upstairs wet bar and card room.

With four bedrooms, four full baths and two half baths and a three-car split garage, the model offers an inviting and very livable feeling.

Rustic elegance best describes the style of the home that includes two staircases, wrought iron ornamental banners, a beamed ceiling and built-ins in the study and an island kitchen with a butler’s pantry. The innovative design of the home includes a courtyard area that is viewed from the dining room and an expansive outdoor living area with a fireplace off the family room and kitchen.

Spacious secondary bedrooms create even more flexibility in the home that also includes an elegant downstairs master suite as well as a private first-floor guest suite.

Highland Homes designs in Royal Shores are priced from the $400,000s and include spacious one- and two-story floor plans.

“Highland Homes is a wonderful addition to Kingwood and we’re very excited to have this outstanding builder as a part of the Kingwood builder team,” said Christine Draughn, Marketing Director for Friendswood Development Company.

The new model home is open daily. For more information on Highland Homes, visit www.highlandhomes.com.

Grow Your Own Southern Comfort Food - Blackberries

Daphne Hager — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:53:47 +0100

Although I have never been known as a Green Thumb, when my 4 year old asked if we could have our own garden, I felt a parental - and eco – obligation to make it happen. As we talked about all the things we might like to grow, I had a flashback to my childhood and filling buckets with berries that grew wild on our back fence. We had so much fun picking then and could devour a whole bowl in one sitting at our picnic table.

So, I did a little research, and was happy to find out that blackberries are pretty easy to grow in the Southern region. Before we bought them, I did a little more reading to see what they would require and here is what I found:

Blackberries aren't picky about their soil, but their roots cannot tolerate sitting in water, so make sure they are in an area with good drainage.
They need stability, so plant them in an area with a little protection from high winds, like against a fence or near a wall that shelters them from the weather.
Choose a variety that doesn’t have stickers to keep little gardeners' fingers safe.
To get the best harvest, avoid trimming or fertilizing. They grow easily in the wild because they like to trail freely. The only thing they will need is occasional watering with our hot, hot summers.

According to my little guy, all plants need to grow is Dirt, Water and Love (aka singing them a song), and love that we actually found something we can grow together that fits those simple parameters. The first time you look out your kitchen window and find your child “loving” their vines, you will have created an unforgettable memory!