Free Federal Income tax help
Agents form the American Association of Retired People (AARP) will be providing free income tax preparation assistance to low income taxpayers who live in Fort Bend County at various Fort Bend County Library system locations. This help will be made available through the month of February.
Folks requesting
assistance should bring items such as: last year’s filed tax return,
W-2’s, all 1099’s and support for any other compensation, unemployment
statements, receipts for payment of real estate taxes and any other
supporting documents needed for a tax return. Tax returns for filling
out are available at each library.
The services are available on these days and locations:
Monday’s at – Cinco Ranch Branch Library (2620 Commercial Center Blvd. Katy) –from 1:00 P.M. till 5:00 P.M.
Tuesday’ at – Missouri City Branch (1530 Texas parkway Missouri City) – 10:00 A. M. till 1:00 P.M.
Wednesday’s at-Sugar
Land Branch (550 Eldridge Sugar Land) 10:30A.M. to 1:30 P.M. and also
at First Colony Branch ( 212 Austin Parkway Sugar land) 12:30P.M. till
3:30 P.M.
Thursday’s at George
Memorial Library (1001 Golfview Richmond) 10:00 AM till 1:00 P.M. and
Missouri City Branch at same time as George Memorial
Saturday’s Bob Lutts
Fulshear/Simonton Branch (8100 FM 359s) 1:00P.M. till 4:00 P.M. and at
George Memorial 10:00 A.M till 1:00 P.M.
Any question about eligibility or anything else please call 281-341-2677.
I have been to Hell and back and survived!
My wife and I recently came back from a cruise to the Caribbean. The Celebrity Millennium made two stops taking us to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. “Hey Mon I have a great deal for you Mon” was heard from numerous sources in Jamaica.
On the second day
our destination was Grand Cayman and we signed up for a peaceful tour of
the area since we went on our own the previous day.
Eventually we went to a small town in Grand Cayman named Hell
and I have the pictures to prove it. Believe it or not there is a Hell
post office where most folks bought post cards and mailed them to
someone so they could get a post mark from Hell. One interesting point
about Hell is the strange rock formations that were located behind the
post Office and small shops. I have posted below a couple of pictures of
the area so everyone can see what I am talking about. After driving
through and walking around a small area of Hell I can say living there
would be like living in Hell when compared to what all of the tourist
are used to for living accommodations. It was not exactly Katy Texas by any stretch of the imagination.
Now when one of my
pro-bono potential clients tells me to go to Hell when I don’t or stop
giving them free real estate services I can get a big smile on my face
and tell them I have already been there thank you very much and survived
very well!
Overall a great trip was had by all even though we went to Hell.
Exercise classes in Katy Texas
Do you need to start a new exercise program or continue your current program but want to add something new? There are two classes being held this coming week at Mary Jo Peckham Community Center in Katy Texas (Old Katy) that might be of interest. The Community Center is located at 5597 Gardenia Lane, Katy Texas.
Monday February 6, 2012 a Water Aerobics class will be held starting at 9:05 A. M. The class is my favorite price of FREE but attendees have to have a membership card. Please call 281-391-4482 to find out about the membership card.
Tuesday February 7, 2012 a Yoga
class will teach participants how to relax and the benefits of doing
Yoga on a regular basis. The class is being held from 9:30 A.M. until
10:45 A.M. I believe this class requires a membership card but I am
unsure if there is a charge.
These are excellent examples of the types of programs available to residents of the Katy area.
Meals on Wheels and Special Pals form team to provide new service
Meals on Wheels in the Katy area which is located in Fort Bend County
(Residents can be residing in Fort Bend County or Harris County or
Waller County) noticed that many of its clients also had pets. The sad
part is the Meals on Wheels staff realized that most of their clients
who owned a pet(s) were giving a majority of their food to the pet. Can
anyone image these poor souls who cannot really fend for themselves
anymore and depend on Wheels on Meals for their basic food every day is
giving most of their diet to their pets? In my mind there is something
wrong here but that is a whole different topic.Hearing events such as
this makes me very sad and angry.
Special Pals are a local animal shelter
which has a no kill policy for all of its residents. Special Pals and
Meals on Wheels have combined forces to create a whole new program which
provides food for the Meals on Wheels clients to give to their pets. It
is called AniMeals.
This program was begun about 3 months ago and is a big hit with all the
Meals on Wheels clients. Now these folks can eat all of their food and
not have to worry about how they are going to feed their dog or cat.
Meals on Wheels recipients are, as staff members have coined it, are
relieved of a major stress in their lives.
Special Pals is located at 3830 Greenhouse Road Houston Texas and is in the Katy area even though they have a Houston address. On Saturday January 29, 2011 they are holding supply drive to assist with caring for all of their sheltered animals.
The supplies they are requesting include 13 gallon kitchen trash bags,
liquid bleach, paper towels, clay cat litter and angled brooms.
I
personally can easily support all three programs being the Fort Bend
County Meals on Wheels program, Special Pals and their new AniMeals
program. If anyone wants more information or make a donation go to Meals on Wheels, or to Special Pals or to AniMeals as assistance and donations are most welcome and needed by all of these fine groups.
I
copied the banners shown below for the Fort Bend Meals on Wheels and
Special Pals from their web sites as I am writing a blog about their
wonderful work in the community.
Katy Texas Bank holding can recycling event for charity
Tradition Bank is hosting a “Can’s for a Cure”
benefit on Saturday February 11, 2012 from 9:00 A.M. until noon. This
event is being held at Tradition’s branch located at 550 Pin Oak Katy Texas which is very close to Old Katy. All visitors or anyone can drop off aluminum beverage cans which can be recycled. Another Green event here in Katy Texas and it benefits charitable causes.
All
funds collected from this benefit will go to the Keep Kids Connected
charity to buy computers and also to be donated to pediatric cancer
research.
Round
up all your aluminum empty cans lying around and take them to Tradition
bank as you will be recycling and helping two excellent charities at
the same time. This is a win and win situation.
Family Reading Club beginning during winter season in Katy Texas
The local Fort Bend County Library system will begin its Family Reading club
on Saturday January 21, 2012. This event will continue for the next six
(6) weeks through March 3, 2012 at all branches of the Fort Bend County
Library System including the local Cinco ranch Branch. The whole
program is designed to encourage families to read, talk, have fun and
learn together. All families living in Fort bend county Texas are
eligible to join this wonderful program. Many educators firmly believe
one of the best ways for children to increase their basic vocabulary and
improve their life skill of reading is to read and talk with them. What
a novel idea children and parents getting together to actually talk and
read. I am trying to be funny here as in this day and age kids want
little to do with their parents and enjoy mainly texting, playing video
games and zoning out by watching cable TV.
The Cinco Ranch Branch Library is located at:
2620 Commercial Center Blvd.
Katy, Texas 77494-6407
281-395-1311
281-693-7844 FAX
281-693-7845 TTY
Families who read
for 60 minutes per week or 6 books per week will be entered into a
drawing for $50.00 dining gift card donated by the ‘Friends of the
Library” . Each Branch in the Fort bend system will hold its own
drawing. A single registration is required by one adult of each family
team. Registration can be accomplished by going to http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us and clicking on Family Reading Club Signup (number 5 of 5 in middle of page). After registration each family will have their own web page to keep track of their reading accomplishments.
This winter season
Family Reading Club is occurring due to the huge popularity and success
of this last summer’s family Reading Club with teens, adults and
children.
Personally I think
the Family Reading Club is a wonderful idea and one the community should
support. My step-Children are too old for such a program. Reading as we
all know is a life skill and I am not sure the children of today have
much interest in Reading. Like all skills one tends lose their abilities
if these skills are not used.
Create an Electronic Resume in Katy Texas
The Katy Branch Library as part of the Harris County Library system will host a seminar on Saturday January 21, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. which will teach attendees how to write an electronic resume.
These days all folks need to have an updated resume which can be sent
as an attachment to E-mail. The seminar will teach how to create,
maintain and upload an electronic resume.
Space
for all of these computer based courses is limited. I suggest call the
library at 281-391-3509 to reserve a spot or go by the Branch Library.
The Katy Branch Library is located t 5414 Franz Road Katy Texas.
There
are still way too many folks that are unemployed or underemployed here
in Katy and through this nation. I always support efforts by anyone who
is attempting to help someone find a new job.
Citizens Police Academy Offered in Katy Texas
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a free Citizens Police Academy here in Katy Texas. The Academy
meets once a week for 13 weeks in a row starting on February 2, 2012.
The meetings will take place at Second Baptist Church that is located at
19449 Katy Freeway Katy Texas. The class begins each evening at 7:00
P.M. and last until 10:00 P.M.
The
Academy is open to Harris County Residents who are 21 years or older. A
thorough background check will be made of each applicant. The deadline for applications is January 27, 2012 and enrollment is on a first come first serve basis. Demand to attend the Academy is high so applicants need to apply early.
Attendees
will gain in depth knowledge of the Texas penal code: gang awareness;
terrorism; how the Harris County Sheriff’s office operates; and how
police services are properly conducted. Graduates will be given an
opportunity to help the Sherriff’s office identify and solve actual
crimes.
If
you are a Police buff who wants to learn about the behind the scenes
activities of the local Sheriff’s department then this could be the
class for you.
The Merrell Center and Robinson Pavilion will be the home to the Katy Home & Garden Show on Saturday January 28 and Sunday January 29, 2012.There will be over 300 different exhibits
in both buildings covering two2 floors. The show will include
remodeling, home improvement, decorating and landscaping themes. Other
items include but are not limited to items such as kitchens and baths,
home theater, windows and doors, siding, decor, various new home
builders, blinds and shutters, pools & spas, flooring,
heating/cooling and numerous other items. See numerous new products and
check out some really good deals. Invest in your home now as it really
pays off especially in the Katy, Texas market area.
Comparison shop several different vendors all at one show and decide
which one has the best product for the best price and service. Learn
from several experts in their areas of expertise.
Free food sampling
will be available in the pavilion. The promoters tell everyone to bring
an appetite as you will experience a true taste of Texas by visiting
the 10 different food booths.
The hours are:
Saturday January 28, 10AM - 6 PM; Sunday January 29, 11 AM - 5 PM.
Ticket prices are $9.00 for adults; Senior’s $7.00; Military $5.00; and
Kids 12 & under FREE. Parking is FREE.
Steve Katkowsky TV personality and Design expert will be the featured performer on Saturday January 28.
If you need additional information call 281-396-2562
The Merrell Center
is easy to find as just head west on I-10 and exit at FM 1463 and turn
north or right assuming you are heading west or left if heading east.
The address is 6301 South Stadium Lane Katy, TX.
This is excellent
show to attend and enjoy. The show includes many products for one to see
and numerous exhibitors and exhibits to learn new techniques. The
prices are family friendly and the vendors are eager to earn your
business... I hope to see you there!!!!
Click here and print the coupon which will save 3.00 off one adult ticket.
Local Market Report - Grand Lakes Katy Texas Year 2011
Grand Lakes is a neighborhood in Katy Texas or MLS area 36. Grand Lakes
is a Master Planned Community developed by Trendmaker and is located
off of the Grand Parkway or 99 at the Fry Road exit. If you and your
family turn left and go under the freeway and Grand Lakes is on both
sides. If you turn right heading west then Grand Lakes is in the right
after all the shopping. There are no more new homes in Grand Lakes as
the area was completed several years ago. The development is totally
built out and has been for at least 3-4 years.
Grand
Lakes is comprised of 1,250 acres with numerous cul-de-sacs.
Approximately 20 % of the land is dedicated to parks, hike/bike trails,
lakes and recreational facilities. There are also 100 acres of stocked
Lakes. There are numerous pools and a dog park. Residents actively use
the various recreational facilities. My family and I live in Grand Lakes
and we use the facilities. It is really hard to find another area so
suitable for walking than Grand Lakes.
There
are currently 37 homes available for sale in Grand Lakes ranging from
$150, 000 to $649,900. The low and high priced homes have stayed the
same the last few months. The median or mid-point price is $312,500 or
$99.83/ sq. ft. with 84 days on the market while the average price is
$348,484 or $105.12 /sq. ft. and average days on the market is 96. The
Median and Average prices have climbed each month as more of the lower
priced homes have sold. There is a good supply of reasonably priced
homes (but rapidly diminishing) now available in Grand Lakes as 15 or
40.5 % of the available homes are priced at less than $300,000. There is
about a 2 month supply of homes priced at less than $300,000 in Grand
Lakes right now. This number of available homes at this price point has
decreased the last 5-6 months at a rather rapid rate. As I have said
numerous times during the last year, Buyers don’t wait as these
affordable homes are selling quickly and you cannot count on a large
number of homes priced at the lower levels coming on the market this
spring. What I have seen recently is more homes priced
above the $300,000 level are being put on the market or are in the
process on coming on the market during January 2012.
The chart shows the current range of available homes at the various price points:
| |
HOMES AVAILABLE IN GRAND LAKES
|
|
|
|
| |
17-Jan-11
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
DOLLAR
|
|
NUMBER
|
NUMBER
|
% OF
|
CHANGE
|
| |
PRICE POINTS
|
|
OF HOMES
|
< 300,000
|
Total
|
LAST MONH
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
<100,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
| |
100,000-150,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
| |
150,000 - 200,000
|
|
6
|
|
|
(2)
|
| |
200,000 - 250,000
|
|
7
|
|
|
0
|
| |
250,000 - 300,000
|
|
2
|
15
|
40.5%
|
(2)
|
| |
300,000 - 350,000
|
|
5
|
|
13.5%
|
1
|
| |
350,000 - 400,000
|
|
5
|
|
13.5%
|
(1)
|
| |
> 400,000
|
|
12
|
|
32.4%
|
2
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
TOTAL
|
|
37
|
|
|
(2)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
During year 2011,
there were 185 homes sold in Grand Lakes with low price being $159,900
and the high being $719,000. The median adjusted price of homes sold for
2011 is $14,250 or $95.41/ sq. ft. and the average adjusted price is $
326,053 or $99.19 sq. ft. There is approximately 2.4 months’ supply of
homes available in Grand Lakes which to me indicates this is a sellers’ market.
The discount from list price is only 2% and has been in that range for a
long time. We had a neighbor who got transferred overseas and their
home sold in 8 days per MLS but in reality it was more like 3 days. It
was the case of the right buyer at the correct place at the right time.
No one can count on that type of fast sale but it still happening.
The
good news is that units sold during 2011 were 44 homes higher versus
2010 reflecting an increase of 31.2 % increase in homes sold. The median
price of homes sold has decreased by a small amount of $750 or .2 %.
The discount from list price has remained about 2% for both years and
for both average and median prices. However, the median cumulative
number of days on the market has increased from 41 last year to 51 days
for 2011. These statistics track about the same trends as all of MLS
area 36. Currently there are 9 pending sales in Grand Lakes with 5 of
those sales priced at $300,000 or less.
The Homes sold for year 2011 on a year to date basis are as follow:
| |
|
HOMES SOLD IN GRAND LAKES
|
|
|
|
| |
|
12 MONTHS 2011
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOLLAR
|
|
NUMBER
|
NUMBER
|
% OF
|
CHANGE
|
|
|
|
PRICE POINTS
|
|
OF HOMES
|
< 300,000
|
Total
|
LAST YEAR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<100,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
100,000-150,000
|
|
0
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
150,000 - 200,000
|
|
24
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
200,000 - 250,000
|
|
36
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
250,000 - 300,000
|
|
28
|
88
|
47.6%
|
6
|
|
|
|
300,000 - 350,000
|
|
32
|
|
17.3%
|
6
|
|
|
|
350,000 - 400,000
|
|
18
|
|
9.7%
|
3
|
|
|
|
> 400,000
|
|
47
|
|
25.4%
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
185
|
|
|
44
|
There are no Foreclosures or Short Sales
available right now in Grand Lakes. There were 7 foreclosures sold out
of the total of 185 homes sold in 2011 and the median sales price was
approximately $83 per sq. ft and with only a small 1% off of list price
discount. As I have said in several blogs there are no golden rainbow
buy opportunities in Grand Lakes or any of the other master Planned
Communities in South Katy. If you or your family is waiting for this
tremendous buy opportunity it will never materialize. One
of the foreclosure homes sold during 2011 has 4,857 sq. ft. and the
final sales price was $464,000 or $96 per sq. ft. As I said numerous
times you are not going to find the diamond in the rough in Grand Lakes
or for that matter all of South Katy by concentrating on Foreclosures
and Short Sales.
As
I have advised for months, it is still excellent time to look and buy a
home in Grand Lakes even though inventory of available homes in the
under $300 K price category is shrinking and I guess this will continue
for most of 2012.
If
you and your family are interested in this neighborhood or any other
neighborhood in Katy I will arrange to take you on a tour of the whole
area.
If you or your
family would like to search for homes in Grand Lkaes or another
neighborhood in Katy or search the Houston MLS go to my profile on Houston Assocation of Realtors.
Local Job Fair in Katy Texas
A job fair will be held on Thursday January 26, 2012 at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community church located at 15030 Norwalk Dr. Katy Texas. The fair is from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. The job fair is FREE and it is estimated over 50 companies
will be in attendance looking to fill positions ranging from
Receptionist to Vice President in the industries of finance, healthcare,
IT , engineering plus numerous others.
A complete list of
all companies and positions the companies are attempting to fill will be
given to job candidates on Thursday morning. Please do not ask for a
list prior to the event as the effort is to provide the most accurate
information to job seekers.
The job fair is
steered in the direction of degreed career minded professional
individuals. Individuals with some college and/or substantial work
experience are encouraged to attend.
The main instruction to job seekers is to bring a large number of resumes and dress appropriately.
The blog I posted on Saturday January 21, 2012 was titled “Create an Electronic Resume in Katy Texas” and the above Job fair goes hand in hand with having a resume. Good
luck to all the attendees. Epiphany of the Lord is a friendly place and
the folks there will be helpful and courteous. My family and I are
members of this church.
Whole Foods Market to open new store in Katy Texas
Whole Foods Market is planning on opening a new upscale grocery store in Katy Texas
sometime during 2013. The store will be 37,000 sq. ft. and will be
located at Fry Road and 99 or the Grand Parkway at the front of the Grand Lakes subdivision. The new store will be welcomed by most residents as it adds a significant upscale grocery chain which specializes in organic and natural foods.
There is an HEB right just west of 99 on Fry Road but that store is a
major hassle in so many respects to deal with when shopping there.
The Whole Foods grocery store will be the anchor facility for a 122,000 sq. ft. Grand Lakes Marketplace commercial center.
The center will also include a Stein Mart department store and a Cost
Plus World Market facility. A principal with the Fidelis Realty Partners
has stated the retail project has been in the planning stages for the
last 4 years and was slowed down due to the bad overall economic
climate. The partnership is excited as they feel this area has very high
end demographics and is one of the fastest growing areas locally and
nationally. The commercial center will add numerous jobs to the local
Katy economy.
Whole
foods have approximately 316 stores occupying more than 12 million sq.
ft. of space in several states across this nation. They are a major
player in the grocery industry.
I
live in Grand Lakes and I will be able to easily walk to the new
commercial center assuming I can safely cross the street. With no
changes being made to the current road and traffic conditions it would
not be safe to try to cross Fry Road after this center s opened. The
good news is most of the local residents will love shopping at Whole
Foods including my family but the bad news is the local traffic
situation is being totally ignored as I previously stated. This area is
not ready for a major shopping center to be located so close to numerous
homes. I know as with most new developments the traffic and road
situation is never looked at until there is a serious condition. If
nothing is done before his center is constructed then there will be an
immediate grim concern and yes I will say I told you so to whoever will
listen!
The above diagram was copied from the Developers web site
Introductory Computer Classes at Cinco Ranch library
The Cinco Ranch Branch library which is part of the Fort Bend County
library system will hold introductory computer classes during January
2012. This is the continuing of a significant trend by both the Harris County
Library system and Fort bend Library system of holding free training
that is needed by the he general public. These classes will be hands-on
introduction to basic skills for folks who want to broaden their
personal skill sets.
‘Google Tools” class will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday January 17, 2012 in the computer lab.
The “MS Word Survival Basics” class for 2007 version will begin at 10A.M. on Tuesday January 24, 2012 in the computer lab.
These classes are
free as I mentioned above but seating is very limited. Reservations are
required. One can register by going to www.fortbend.lib.tx.us
and click on calendar. After getting to the calendar select Cinco Ranch
Library and find the specific program. Participants can also register
by calling the library at 281-395-1311 or by physically visiting the
library. I am publishing my blog early so folks can get themselves
registered for the classes they want to attend.
I have in the past
and will continue in the future to write articles about educational
opportunities in the Katy and surrounding areas. I firmly all of us
should continue to learn new skills each year of our lives and many
these basic skill sets being taught by the local libraries are needed by
many folks in our community.
Arc of Katy holds membership meeting
The Arc of Katy will hold its first general membership meeting for year on Tuesday January 10, 2012 at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library Katy Texas. The Arc of Katy is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to help intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in the Katy ISD.
The guest speaker at this meeting will be Sheri Talbot who is Director of Authority and Admissions at Texana Center. Texana is the local mental retardation authority for a six county area including Fort Bend and Waller county.
Ms. Talbot will
discuss in her talk the decisions and impact of the 82 ND Texas
Legislature actions on the Texas budget will have on services for
intellectually and developmental disability citizens. She plans to
include what parents, advocates and interested parties can do to affect
change for the next meeting of the Texas Legislature.
The meeting is
available to the general public and will begin at 7:00 P. M. in the
Meeting Room of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library, located at 2620
Commercial Center Blvd. Katy Texas.
If you or family
member is disabled and has been affected negatively by the recent budget
cuts made by the Texas Legislature then this is a very important
meeting to attend.
Katy ISD opening four new schools during 2012-2013 school year
Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) will be opening three elementary schools and 1 junior high school
during the 2012-2013 school year. These new campuses are necessary to
meet the continuing growth the area is experiencing. Katy ISD officials
are asking residents to review the draft plans for the changing of school boundaries and provide the district with comments good or bad.
The schools which will be affected are WoodCreek, Stanley, Kilpatrick and Griffin elementary schools and WoodCreek Junior High School. If you want to view the entire plans for the schools redistricting go to their web site.
The district is hosting a public workshop
on Thursday January 12, 2012 from 6:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. in the Board
Room of the district Educational Support Complex which is located at
6301 S. Stadium lane Katy Texas.
The Draft
recommendations for redistricting were drawn up based on comments
received during a December 8, 2011 workshop and from online surveys.
If you have a
student who might be affected by these changes then I recommend you
and/or your family plan on attending the Workshop.