The Katy Texas Blog

Free Federal Income tax help

Bob Gilbert — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:34:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

I have been to Hell and back and survived!

Bob Gilbert — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:31:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Exercise classes in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Meals on Wheels and Special Pals form team to provide new service

Bob Gilbert — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:28:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Katy Texas Bank holding can recycling event for charity

Bob Gilbert — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:27:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Family Reading Club beginning during winter season in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:50:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Create an Electronic Resume in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:49:00 GMT

(edit/delete)

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Citizens Police Academy Offered in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:47:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Katy Texas Home and Garden Show being held on January 28-29, 2012

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:46:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Local Market Report - Grand Lakes Katy Texas Year 2011

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:44:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Local Job Fair in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:42:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Whole Foods Market to open new store in Katy Texas

Bob Gilbert — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:51:00 GMT

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

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Introductory Computer Classes at Cinco Ranch library

Bob Gilbert — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:49:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Arc of Katy holds membership meeting

Bob Gilbert — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:48:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA

Katy ISD opening four new schools during 2012-2013 school year

Bob Gilbert — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:47:00 GMT

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.

If you have any questions about homes for sale or homes for rent

in the Katy, Sugar Land or surrounding areas or other questions

contact me at bobgilbert2003@msn.com or at bob@bobgilbert.com or visit us on the web at

http://www.katyhomefinder.com Katy TX Real Estate Expert

Read my blog at http://bobgilbertblog.com

TEAM DEVER...

Bob, Realtor, CPA AND MBA