Cypress Point - April 2012

CYPRESS POINT

Official Publication of the Cypress Point Homeowner's Association APRIL 2012

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4

News, News & More News CYPRESS POINT INFO The following websites and links offer great information for our subdivision. Official subdivision website: www.cypresspoint. org, Face Book: https://www.facebook. com/#!/pages/Cypress-Point-and-CypressPoint-Lake-Estates/176962235689822, a great way to keep up with crime in the area: https://www.crimereports.com/, Lost your pet or found a pet: Face Book: https://www. facebook.com/#!/cypresspets (if you have Face Book, please take a moment every day or so and check it out. See if you might recognize any of these little ones that are lost!)

CYPRESS AREA YOUNG LIFE ANNOUNCES CRAWFISH DE MAYO! MAY 5, 2012

Come join your neighbors for a crawfish boil fundraising event benefiting Young Life in the Cypress Area! Young Life is a nonprofit Christian outreach ministry designed to reach out to and share the Gospel with students in local high schools. Young Life currently has ministries at Cy-Falls, CyFair, Cy-Ranch, Langham Creek, and CyWoods High Schools. Crawfish De Mayo will be held on May 5, 2012 from 3-7pm at the Towne Lake Community Center in Towne Lake subdivision. It is an open house format so ticket holders can arrive anytime between 3 and 7pm to enjoy the crawfish! Tickets are on sale for just $10 and include crawfish and soft drinks. Live music, games, and silent auctions will also be there!

Young Life is also seeking corporate Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

sponsorship for the event. If your business or business associates are interested in supporting this event and Young Life’s mission, please contact us! We have several levels of support available. Contact information for tickets and/or corporate sponsorship: Matt and Leslie Killian, Cypress Point residents matthewkillian@comcast.net - 281-587-9595 CYPRESS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DONATES THOUSANDS TO LOCAL SCHOOL

$8K to Go Toward Adam Elementary’s (Cy-Fair ISD) Running Track! Houston, TX, February 27, 2012 – People normally think of church as a place that accepts donations, but this week Cypress United Methodist Church is giving a donation of $8,000 to Adam Elementary School to be used to complete their running track. The check presentation ceremony was Wednesday, February, 29, at 11:30 a.m. at Adam Elementary, 11303 Honeygrove, in Houston.

“Our theme for our Christmas Eve offering was ‘Give It All Away’,” says Jerome Brimmage, Senior Pastor at Cypress UMC. “We felt led to give 100% of our Christmas Eve offering to support local and global missions. Locally, that portion of the money is going to Adam.”

The track project at Adam has been in the works for eight years, but had stalled due to lack of funding.

Cypress UMC “adopted” Adam Elementary in 2011, and has been instrumental in providing backpacks, school supplies, and volunteers to help the students and staff at the school. The program has been so successful; other local schools have contacted Cypress UMC, to see if they can be adopted as well.

RELAY FOR LIFE/THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The members of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Cy-Fair planning committee are proud to announce that we will be hosting our Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life Cy-Fair. The event will begin the evening of APRIL 13th and last until the morning of APRIL 14th held at CY-FALLS High School, 9811 Huffmeister Road, Houston TX 77095. The Relay is a 12-hour, overnight, continuous walk to help raise money to further the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. The event will include a live band, disc jockey, carnival type games, food, contests, silent auction, etc. GREAT FAMILY FUN with all profits going to the American Cancer Society. Relay activities kick off at 7pm with the opening ceremony. We extend a heartfelt invitation to (Continued on Page 3) Cypress Point - April 2012

1

CYPRESS POINT IMPORTANT NUMBERS NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS Cy-Fair V.F.D................................................. 281-550-6663 Sheriff’s Department....................................... 713-221-6000 Cypress Substation.......................................... 281-376-2997 Cy-Fair Medical Center................................... 281-890-4285 GOVERNMENT NUMBERS Animal Control.............................................. 281-999-3191 Automobile Registration................................. 713-224-1919 Dead Animal Pick-Up..................................... 713-802-5000 Department Of Public Safety.......................... 713-681-6187 Driver’s License............................................... 281-890-5440 FBI.................................................................. 713-693-5000 GAME WARDEN (Tx. Parks & Wildlife Dept.)........................... 281-842-8100 Harris County Judge....................................... 713-755-4000 Harris County Precinct 3................................ 281-463-6300 Harris County Tax Office................................ 713-224-1919 (Tags/Titles, Taxes & Voter Registration) Health Department......................................... 713-439-6000 Social Security..............................................1-800-772-1213 U.S. Post Office ...........................................1-800-275-8777 MISCELLANEOUS NUMBERS Better Business Bureau.................................... 713-605-7767 Cypress Creek Library..................................... 281-376-4610 Cy-Fair Sports Association............................... 281-345-7426 Harris County Library (NW Branch............... 281-890-2665 The Houston Chronicle.................................. 713-220-7171 Victim’s Assistance........................................... 713-755-5625 Special Pals (lost pets....................................... 281-579-7387 SCHOOL NUMBERS Goodson Middle School.................................. 281-373-2350 Bus Information.............................................. 281-897-4380 Cy-Fair Administration................................... 281-897-4000 Cy-Fair College............................................... 281-290-3200 Cy-Fair High School....................................... 281-897-4600 Cy-Woods High School................................... 281-213-1800 Farney Elementary.......................................... 281-373-2858 UTILITY NUMBERS NWHC MUD 10 (Water & Sewer)................ 281-578-4200 Severn Trent, 16337 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084-5109 Gas Customer Service...................................... 713-659-2111 Power Outages/Downed Power Lines.............. 713-207-2222 Best Trash (Trash)............................................ 281-313-2378 Comcast (Cable/Internet/Phone).................... 713-341-1000 EMERGENCY NUMBERS Ambulance, Fire, Sheriff.................................................911 Sheriff’s Department (non-emergency)............ 281-376-2997 Poison Control......................................... 1-800-222-1222 Report Street Lights Out..... http://cnp.centerpointenergy.com/putage 2

Cypress Point - April 2012

CIA OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS Mike Flowers........................................................... President Les Sutton........................................................Vice President Tom Weathersby..................................................... Treasurer Dan Lowe................................................................Secretary Gary Stebbins..............................................Director-at-Large Kevin Leitner..............................................Director-at-Large Mary Laughlin............................................Director-at-Large Community website is www.cypresspoint.org.

NEWSLETTER Editor - Tammie Ogrodowicz............... two63059@gmail.com Board Members can be reached via private message and/or email by looking up each member by name on the website.

NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE

PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS PIANO FOR SALE.THE BRAND IS GRAND. Upright 3ft 3in. tall 4ft 71/2in. wide 2ft deep . Walnut finish, matching bench w/storage in bench.$100 OBO 281-373-4041 Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

CYPRESS POINT News, News and More News - (Continued from Cover Page) you and your family to participate in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Cy-Fair. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in the fight against cancer, please contact: Catherine Kovar at 713-826-2841 or Karen DePaul at 713-471-1265 SPRING EVENTS @ HOCKLEY SOAP BOX DERBY PARK

Greater Houston Soap Box Derby (GHSBD) kicks off its 2012 season at the Harris County Pct. 3 Hockley Derby Park with the following events.

• Saturday, April 14 - Super Kids Race (morning) and open track testing (afternoon) • Saturday, April 28 - NDR Rally Races (morning and afternoon) • Saturday, May 12 - Public Fun Day (free family event) Soap Box Derby racing is a seventy-five-year-old American youth tradition. Soap Box racers are gravity powered with driver-controlled steering and brakes. Stock, Super Stock & Masters car divisions exist for varying age, size, weight and skill levels. The cars for all three divisions are assembled from kits. A limited number of loaner cars are available for new drivers but must be reserved ahead of time to assure availability. Open track test days are provided for drivers and their race teams for practice runs and clinics to make their cars safe and competitive for the NDR Rally Races.

A Novice Division has been created to give younger, inexperienced racers ages 7 and up an opportunity to develop the skills needed to drive a fully weighted car.

The Super Kids program promotes racing for children with disabilities. Harris County Pct. 3 has constructed specially built two-seat, dual-control derby cars for use by Super Kids.

Public Fun Days are provided for kids and adults of all ages.

Non-competitive test rides for kids and adults, including children with special needs. Cars provided, including adult-size classic style racers. Come experience the Thrill of the Hill and learn more about participating and volunteering in this family-oriented sport. Harris County Pct. 3 Hockley Derby Park is the home of all GHSBD events. The park is located in the northwest corner of the county next to the Hockley Community Center, 28515 Old Washington Rd., Hockley, TX 77447. GHSBD is seeking participants and volunteers for the 2012 season and beyond. GHSBD was formed in 1994 as a charitable, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(C) 3 corporation and is run by volunteers for the benefit of today’s youth. For more information about the derby and events and/or to join our mailing list, please visit our website: www.ghsbd.org.

(Continued on Page 4)

Accurate & Guaranteed!

Present this coupon to your tax preparer and Liberty Tax Service will prepare your return to your satisfaction, guaranteed!

TEXT "WAVE" to 21040

281-304-7300

(Corner Hwy 290 @ Fry Rd.~ Behind CVS)

Miss Liberty Tax 2012 Brittney Wojtaszek

26281 Northwest Fwy, Ste. 650 Cypress, TX 77429

866-871-1040 | libertytax.com

Friendly, Accurate, Guaranteed

30OFF

$

Liberty provides friendly, accurate tax preparation services with a money back guarantee!

281-304-7300

26281 Northwest Fwy, Ste. 650 Cypress, TX 77429

Tax Preparation Services

New customers only. Valid at participating locations. Cannot be combined with other offers or used toward past services. One coupon per return. Valid 3/1-4/10.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

Cypress Point - April 2012

3

CYPRESS POINT News, News, & More News - (Continued from Page 3) TRAVEL THE WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR HOMETOWN BY HOSTING A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT Who hasn’t dreamed about walking among the Egyptian pyramids, or soaking in the sun on a beach in Spain, or wandering along the Great Wall of China? Every parent wants to give their children a taste of the world, but the economic reality of international air travel for a family, not to mention hotels, passports and food, makes it tough for most of us to consider except in our daydreams.

There is a way to give your children the world – without leaving your living room. How? Host a foreign exchange student from a country you’ve always admired! Fascinated by France? Curious about China? Intrigued by India? By welcoming an international student from one of these countries into your home, you instantly open a portal to a far off land.

“My husband is originally from Italy, and when we first starting hosting we started with an Italian exchange student,” said Pam Piro, an Ayusa host mom from Verona, New Jersey. “But, Italy was familiar to us, so later we began to host students from countries that were less familiar, like Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan. As we learned more about our students’ countries, through sharing their foods and traditions and history, we were able to better relate to what was going on in different parts of world because we saw the events from their perspective. We also realized that all people really are the same all over the world – we all have the same hopes and dreams, we just come from different cultures.”

Foreign exchange students come from all over the world. Ayusa matches host families with students from more than 60 different countries including Argentina, China, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, Lebanon, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkey. All high school foreign exchange students are fully insured, bring their own spending money, and are proficient in English – and all high school exchange programs are regulated by the U.S. Department of State.

“We welcome host families of all shapes and sizes – families with young children, families with no children, empty nesters whose children have left home, single parents and non-traditional families,” says Heather Wells, Regional Director of Ayusa, a non-profit that promoting global learning and leadership through foreign exchange and study abroad opportunities for high school students. “The key requirements for a host family are to provide a safe and nurturing home environment, genuinely love children, and have a desire to learn more about a different culture.”

Volunteer host families provide foreign exchange students a nurturing environment, three meals a day and a bedroom (either private or shared with a host sibling of the same gender). Each host family and student is supported by a professionally trained community representative who works with the family and student for the entire program. All interested host families must pass a criminal background check and a home visit by an exchange organization.

Interested host families are required to fill out an application, pass a background check and interview with a local exchange program 4

Cypress Point - April 2012

representative in their homes. Once accepted to a program, host families can view profiles of students to find the right match for their family.

“Hosting an exchange student is a life-changing experience – for the student, the host family, and the host community,” says Wells.

“There is no better way to teach your children about the world around them than through welcoming an international high school student into your home.”

Ayusa is currently accepting applications for families to host an exchange student for the [20XX-20XX] school year. For more information about hosting a high school foreign exchange student, please contact Ayusa at 1.888.552.9872 or by visiting the website at www.ayusa.org.

THE NORTHWEST FLYERS TRACK CLUB The Northwest Flyers Track Club will host two free open house / registration sessions for all middle and high school athletes and their parents interested in joining for the 2012 season. The events will be held on Thursday, April 5, and Friday, April 20, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Cypress Creek High School, 9815 Grant Rd., Houston. The Northwest Flyers is a youth (ages 6 -18) track organization, affiliated with USA Track & Field. The club provides a full program of “track” events such as sprints, hurdles, middle distance, distance and relays, and “field” events such as long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, discus, shot put and javelin. It is an excellent “off-season” program for young athletes who currently compete on their middle school or high school track teams.

The club was founded 25 years ago by Olympic gold medalist Fred Newhouse to foster the development of youth track & field in the northwest Houston area. Last year, the Northwest Flyers sent 62 young athletes to compete at U.S. Junior Olympics National Championships in Wichita, Kansas and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Visit the team website at http://www.northwestflyers.org for registration forms and information prior to the session, or contact Linette Roach at (281) 587-8442, or linette.roach@sbcglobal.net.

MOMS OF MULTIPLES The Northwest Houston Moms of Multiples group is having their bi-annual Buy/Sell on Saturday, April 21, 2012! We will be selling every kind of baby gear, baby clothes, kids clothes, maternity clothes, toys, furniture, games,, household items and more!! Come see us!

The KidsRKids parking lot, 10740 Barker Cypress, Cypress, Texas. 77433. Come early and bring cash! Saturday, April 21, 2012, 7am-12pm, This is a Multiple Family sale with lots of great stuff!

See you there!

GIRL SCOUT SUMMER CAMPS ARE OPEN FOR EVERYONE

It is time to start planning for the summer days ahead. You may have heard about fabulous Girl Scout summer camp opportunities, but did you know that Girl Scout camps are open to non-members?

For only a $12 registration, non-members can join the fun at nearby (Continued on Page 5) resident and day camps.

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

CYPRESS POINT News, News, & More News - (Continued from Page 4) The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council maintains three gorgeous resident camps just a short drive away. Camp Misty Meadows, near Conroe, features more than a dozen horseback riding themed camps for 2012 grades 2-12. Camp Casa Mare, on Galveston Bay, offers seaside fun for girls in grades 4-12. Camp Agnes Arnold, near Conroe, offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for grades 1-12. Check out the offerings at www.gssjc.org/residentcamp.

Girl Scout Day Camps and Twilight Camps are offered all over the Houston area, including two sites in Northwest Houston: St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church and Spring Creek Park. Camp activities vary but typically offer outdoor skills, arts and crafts, songs, games and sports. Check out the listings at www.gssjc.org/camp/ daycamp.cfm.

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information about joining a local troop, contact LaceyC@entouch.net.

art show will be held on the beautiful grounds surrounding the La Cabana Grill in a grove of live oak trees at 21103 Hwy 71 West in Spicewood.

Guest admission is free. Spicewood is an affluent and rapidly growing community with sophisticated art buyers. In addition, Spicewood is just a short drive from Austin, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Johnson City, Lakeway, Bee Caves, and Oak Hill, providing participating artists the opportunity to exhibit their work to a variety of art patrons. We encourage all artists living or working in Texas to apply.

Artists in all 2-D and 3-D media will display their works in their own tents. All artwork must be original work by the artist. A jury of artists and members of the SAS Board of Directors will select applicants for invitation to participate.

Fees: Non-Refundable Application Fee: $25.00 Booth Fee for weekend: single $140.00 ($145 with electricity); double $275 (includes electricity) Electricity add: $5.00 Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Apply via Zapplication.org The goals for this show are to provide a cost effective venue for artists to display and sell their art and to provide fun for the whole family.

SPICEWOOD ARTS SOCIETY’S ARTS ROUND-UP

The Spicewood Arts Society is sponsoring its ninth Arts RoundUp Festival of Fine Arts on October 20 & 21, 2012. We encourage applications from central Texas artists who wish to join us in this wonderful fall art festival in the fast growing Spicewood area. The

Put the POWER of the

Business Programs to work in your career!

Now available at UH Northwest Campus GRADUATE: Master of Business Administration POST-BACCALAUREATE: Certificate of Accountancy Program

UH is an EEO/AA Institution.

UNDERGRADUATE: Global Business Minor Corporate Entrepreneurship Certificate uh.edu/northwest northwest@uh.edu • 832-842-5700

Located in LSC-University Park near Tomball Parkway and Louetta Road Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

facebook.com/UHNorthwest

@UHNorthwest Cypress Point - April 2012

5

CYPRESS POINT CY WOODS KEY CLUB When you normally hear clapping or cheering coming from proud parents, it is usually found at an outdoor sporting event, such as basketball, football, and soccer, or during an awards ceremony. Yet, when I heard these sounds, they weren’t at an outdoor sporting event but at the annual cup stacking tournament at Goodson Middle School.

At this event, I judged children from the ages as young as five to thirteen, watching large amounts of talent and precision in their abilities to stack cups at great speeds. My day began walking into the preliminary rounds of the competition. I was judging the seven-year old participants, for whom this might have been their first year participating. They were tasked with completing the 3-3-3, which was an event where they stacked up pyramids of 3 cups and then took them down. After the 3-3-3 they would complete the 3-6-3 which followed the same guidelines as the 3-3-3. After the 3-6-3, would be the Cycle, which is perhaps the most difficult because it involved stacking up the cups the same as the 3-6-3 then after taking the cups down, the cups would be divided into two towers of 6 cups each. They would then stack both towers into pyramids after which they take the pyramids down and then combine the cups into one tower and then build up into one grand pyramid before finishing in the 3-6-3 stance. Also with the singles divisions were the doubles divisions where two competitors would work as one stacker using only one hand depending where they stood to stack the Cycle.

When the preliminaries were completed, next were the team relays where a majority of teams worked against each other and the clock to advance into the next round. The teams completed the 3-6-3. With the 3-6-3 team relays the first person would start the clock and each contestant on the team would stack the 3-6-3, after the last person has stacked, he or she would stop the clock and the judges would compare scores and times to determine the winner.

Finally were the finals where the top 5 in each division would participate in head to head times. During this time, cameras would be set up to record the contestants stacking but there are two reasons for these cameras: one is to record the contestants in case they surpass and set new records, and another is to check whether or not they made a mistake and the time is not recorded as by this time, a majority of the competitors move too fast for the judges to properly observe.

During these events I witnessed many competitors moving at varying paces. The little kids would move at a speed many might describe as a snail’s pace while the older competitors might be moving as fast as a fighter jet. But no matter what speed the little kids were moving at, the whole goal was neither their ability nor speed at stacking, but for them to have fun.

Witnessing the number of smiles and laughter from the kids, as well as cheering from excited parents, I can tell without a doubt that this goal was accomplished in soaring numbers.

Explore the World Without Leaving Home!

HOST AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENT THROUGH AYUSA INTERNATIONAL.

Learn the true heart and soul of a culture! Ayusa International is a non-profit high school foreign exchange student organization. We welcome teenagers from over 60 countries worldwide and provide host family placement and ongoing supervision for 5 and 10 month academic programs. These exceptional young people look forward to a warm bond of friendship with your family and a rewarding cultural exchange.

Host families are asked to provide meals and provide a bedroom either shared or private. Students pay for all other personal expenses while in the U.S. All across the world, Ayusa students are eagerly awaiting their host family placement. Please call today and begin the adventure of a lifetime! Call Ayusa Interenational at 1-888-5529872 or email at staff@Ayusa.org.

Locally you can contact Vicki Odom at vickiAyusa@yahoo.com or call 832-455-7881 for more information as well.

CYPRESS

FELLOWSHIP cypressfellowship.org

It’s a New Day! 6

Cypress Point - April 2012

Real Church. No Country Club Agenda Here!

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY! SERVICES AT 9 AND 11 AM, BIBLE STUDY AT 10:10.

X-PLODE STUDENT MINISTRY (6TH-12TH GRADES) MEETS WEDNESDAYS AT 7 PM! Visit us online at cypressfellowship.org!

We are located at the corner of Spring Cypress and Telge. See you Sunday!

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.

CYPRESS POINT At no time will any source be allowed to use The Cypress Point Circular contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

Advertise Your Business Here 888-687-6444

DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE WWW.COLINSHOPE.ORG

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

CONSTANT VISUAL SUPERVISION

LEARN TO SWIM

WEAR LIFE JACKETS

MULTIPLE BARRIERS ON ALL POOLS & HOTTUBS

In 2011, Texas led the nation in the number of drownings and near drownings of children.

Drowning still remains the #1 cause of unintentional injury-related death for children under 5 and the #2 cause for children 1-14.

Help us make sure 2012 is the BEST SUMMER EVER!

KEEP BACKYARDS & BATHROOMS SAFE

LEARN CPR

Copyright Š 2012 Peel, Inc.

VISIT US CHECK POOLS/HOTTUBS 1ST FOR MISSING CHILDREN ONLINE

CPR Cypress Point - April 2012

7

CYPRESS POINT

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PEEL, INC.

CP

ADVERTISE

Right on mark for your target audience Cal l To d a y 5 1 2 - 2 6

3 - 9 18 1 .

PEEL, INC. community newsletters www.PEELinc.com 512-263-9181

8

Cypress Point - April 2012

Copyright © 2012 Peel, Inc.