February/March 2014
G L F REAT OCAL
Spring
Klein
Vol. 2, No. 8
AMILIES
Champions
MAGAZINE
Tomball
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G L F REAT OCAL
AMILIES MAGAZINE February/March 2014
Neighborhood Publications LLC 9337 Spring Cypress Road, Suite #205, Spring, Texas 77379 • www.glfmagazine.com
Letter From the Editor Texas never fails to suprise us, does it? Just when we think it’s outdone itself with the hottest of summers, it literally freezes us to death. Fear not however, all of you who get chills when the weather falls below 80o, the heat’s on its way. Before then however, we have a little respite of spring which will bring prom and a visit from Saint Patrick. Enjoy that little blip of temperate afternoons. Relax with a glass of sweet tea and GLF. Because before you know it, it will be hot enough to boil the tea and burn the paper! Leanne Donelson Editor of GLF Magazine
Get your photos and articles published! If you would like to be reconized in a local magazine and be published, this may be the place. I am looking for local stories of family and people in the Spring, Klein, Champions and Tomball area. Submit articles and photo to:
Info@GLFMagazine.com GUIDELINES FOR SUBMSSIONS: PHOTOS: Photos for print should be (300 dpi). Do not embed photos into the article file; please submit as separate jpg files. ARTICLES AND ANNOUNCMENTS: Word content should not exceed 350-400 words. Articles will be edited to meet our guidelines or space constraints. If you have a story idea, just send us an email and we may be able to use it in one of our future publications.
Editor Leanne Donelson
Assistant Editor Candy Cruz
Head Writer Carla Hoch
Contributing Writers Candy Cruz, Maggie Pyrtl
Graphics Photography Mike Reeves Audree Garcia, Publisher Neighborhood Publications
If you would like to advertise or want information about us, please call (281) 401-9143 or email: Info@GLFMagazine.com. Thank You, Leanne Donelson
Table of Contents
Letters From Texas The Giving of Gowns Top of their Game! Saints Alive! David’s Heart Cheerleaders Dazzle On National Stage Alpha, Beta . . . what . . . Test?! LOYALOPOLIS, A Different Spin On Loyalty Panning for Texas Gold The American Dream is alive and well! Revenge of the Nerd Duck Dynasty Visiting Champions Area Snowpocolypse Writing Well Flooring To Match Your Lifestyle
6 10 14 15 16 18 23 24 26 28 30 31 34 38 38
DISCLAIMER: All articles, information, website addresses and cartoons in this publication express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Neighborhood Publications LLC or its employees. Neighborhood Publications LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles, information website address and cartoons submitted by others. The Publisher Neighborhood Publications also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication and ad warranties, representations and endorsements made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding it’s content should be taken up with the advertiser. Neighborhood Publications LLC disclaims and denies any and all liability, therefore The publisher Neighborhood Publications LLC 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 in this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes. 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 on a timely manner. This is not an official publication of your particular subdivision, (although we print more interesting information and take better photos) and your particular subdivision does not endorse, affiliate or associate itself or its affiliates with this publication. Neighborhood Publications and it’s Associate Publications/Business Interest, whether business or person, do not accept any assumed benefit of the QR Bar Code Readers/Bar Codes, etc. published in any of Neighborhood Publications/ Great Local Families Magazine or it’s affiliate publications whether in print or electronic. The publisher is not liable for ANY DAMAGES for failure of the Post Office to deliver the magazine in a timely manner, so long as the publisher has delivered the magazine to said delivery point by the contracted date. All articles and photos in this publication are copyrighted. PUBLISHED BY: Neighborhood Publications, 9337 Spring Cypress Road, Suite 205, Spring, Texas 77379.
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Letters FromTexas
Wellengreck March 6, 1853 It’s never easy to leave home, to pack up all you own and move away. For the early German settlers of our region, this parting was not only wild land of Texas be like? Would you survive the weeks at sea and when you landed, would you be welcomed and a place found for you to settle? These were the questions facing Peter Wunderlich as he left Weide and headed for Texas, a voyage of eight weeks – the destination – Galveston. It is in his letters, back to his parents in Germany, that we can steal a glimpse of what Klein was like to a young man hopeful that he made the right decision to immigrate to Texas.
Dear parents! I am now picking up the pen to write to you, You probably have been hoping so for long. I would have written earlier, but I didn’t consider it necessary, since the Stracks had reported on our arrival. Besides, I wanted to find out by myself what to write to you about Texas, more so since I had promised to write the truth, which I’ll do. Biding you farewell was not easy for me, for emigrating to a foreign country was uncertain, too. But I am quite happy that I have done it. Our journey from home to Bremen lasted six days and the expenses were ten Taler (a German silver coin of about half an ounce in weight that is the root for the word Dollar) for each person to the ship. The voyage from there to Galveston took eight weeks. We had an excellent voyage to Texas. When we arrived in Houston there came a good acquaintance of the Strack brothers who asked, whether there were one by the name of Strack among us. This acquaintance borrowed a horse and rode with him to his brother Hermann at Wellengreck the next day. Later Hermann came for us to Houston. Dear Parents, Texas is an excellent country in which the people can live very well. I wish you all were here, then you would have a better life than in Germany. Here you see no bailiff, and forestry offices are unknown. Here everybody has usually a wood of his own. This is not hard to get, for woods as well as ground are not as dear continued on 8
6 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
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as in Germany. Compared to Germany, everything is better here: good earnings, good farming and best of all cattle-and horse-breeding. All this I enjoy very much, but there is one thing here that I don’t like: the fever, with which I already had to do, and which each newcomer gets. It is not as dangerous as one would think, for nobody dies from it unless another sickness is added to it, which might happen. Otherwise Texas is an excellent, good country. Dear parents, you want to know how the situation in respect to good earnings and other topics is. I spent the first time with Hermann Strack. From there I went to an American and worked in his mill. There I made ten Dollars a month. I wasn’t there longer than two months when I was struck with fever, so bad that I can’t remember the next two months. By now I am brisk and well again, thank God. Since the first of February I am working for a Frenchman. I am to stay with him for five months and will be paid eight and a half Dollars a month. Of that I can make a better living than in Germany. there is good earning here, clothing and provisions are cheap in price. Clothing costs about as much as in Germany, while food is not as expensive, since everybody can grow enough.
Peter Wunderlich’s home is still in Klein. There is cattle in abundance. Many farmers have from 100 to 500 head of cattle, even more. With such a number they have less trouble than with five or ten head in Germany. Furthermore there are farmers who have also 50 to 100 horses and uncounted pigs. Nevertheless cattle and horses are not yet very cheap, for the price of a cow with a calf is 10 to 12 dollars, that of a horse from 30 to 120. Now you should be able to imagine how it is here in Texas. All this would please you very much, and besides, life is much easier here than in Germany. Snow is unknown here, but it gets cold, even colder than in Germany when there is a Northern blowing. But the code doesn’t last for longer than four or five days, and then the days are so warm again, one doesn’t need a coat (or jacket). This part of Texas is flat without mountains and just enough incline to give the water a chance to float away. Dear parents, now I have reported all I know about my start here. Should someone feel tempted to come here, that can only be decided by his own free will. I like Texas immensely, but there are people who didn’t like it right form the beginning, and these reproach others, they should have let them better stay at home instead to write to them encouraging them to come here. If someone from our neighbourhood should like to come here, then please be so kind and send me a woolen jacket and, if you can afford, also one or two scythes. If someone wants to come, then he should come in autumn, then it is best, for then the heat is not as bad as it is in summer. And one can start working right away. There are no news to write about except the one, that Heinrich Strack, his wife and his child died. Maybe you know about that already? I want to close my writing and hope for an answer soon. Many greetings from your son, Peter Wunderlich Say hallo to my brothers and sisters, relatives and acquaintances.
Waterpump on the Wunderlich property. Location: 18202 Theiss Mail Road Klein, Texas 77379, next to Doerre Intermediate School. Photo courtesy of Harris County Precinct 4 – www.hcp4.net
Many greetings from Hofius, greetings from Hermann Strack Source: Klein ISD Historical Foundation – www.kleinisd.net
8 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
The Giving of Gowns Spring is quickly coiling itself to indeed spring away from the drab of winter. And just as quickly it will give way to the heat of summer but not before being duly promenaded out by, yes, the prom. Dresses are already popping up in stores and girls are circling them like bees to flowers. And, unfortunately, some girls are finding the dress prices sting as much as an actual bee. That’s where The Giving Gown foundation comes in. Like a fairy godmother, the foundation seeks to make sure that Cinderellas, who would otherwise not be able to afford it, have a chance to attend the ball. Er, um,
prom that is. On April 4th, the princesses in waiting will be able to start choosing which look is best for them. A note to the young ladies, you must register with the godmothers at givinggown.org in order to be a part of the enchantment. And you, our royal readers, can be a part of the magic as well. You can help the fairy godmothers have a little more bibbidy-bobbidy-boo with your donation of dresses, accessories and of course shoes. See the list that follows. And um, no glass slippers, please. The Giving Gown For more information, call Bammel Church of Christ at (832) 289-2018. Cinderellas-to-be, don’t forget to go to givinggown.org to sign up. No quill and ink needed. www.givinggown.org
Foundation is accepting donations of: New or Like New Formal/Evening Gowns: All sizes, colors & styles. Clean & in good repair Accessories: Shoes, handbags, jewelry, wraps/shawls Unopened cosmetics: (sample/trial sizes are fine) Monetary Donations: To help defray operational costs, purchase equipment and provide gowns to girls whose size may not have been donated Bammel Church of Christ, 2700 FM 1960 West Houston, Texas 77068 (832) 289-2018 contact@givinggown.org
10 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
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281-686-9445 February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 13
Top of their Game! By Candy
Cruz
With the New Year in full swing, some of our hobbies have been puttering away due to this inconsistent weather. Because we can not change the weather to personally suit our hobbies, we have to find new ways to adapt and new facilities to accommodate our ever demanding needs. Like many of you, playing golf has become something more than a hobby and with this inconsistent weather how are we suppose to practice? Looking for new ways to practice my swing, I was introduced to TopGolf. TopGolf is a new way to experience the game of golf. This upscale facility offers an innovative environment to the players. Having one location in Katy, TopGolf has had so much community support, they will be opening
Bay areas.
up a second location location to serve residents in north Houston and The Woodlands at 560 Spring Park Blvd. in Spring, Texas scheduled to open early spring/summer 2014. This is the only entertainment center of its kind, offering competitive golfing games for all ages and skill levels and advanced technology to track every player’s shots. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while also awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Each facility offers an upscale, laid-back experience that features climate-controlled hitting bays and an impressive food and beverage menu crafted by an executive chef. Mix in dynamic event spaces for groups of all sizes, and TopGolf stands as the premier entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets the neighborhood’s favorite hangout. As you all know Houston is notorious for having schizophrenic weather. This new three-level facility will include up to 2,900 square feet of private event space and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at one time. We will officially have a place to practice without having to worry about this crazy Houston weather! Located off of I-45, TopGolf Houston North will be the company’s sixth Texas facility. TopGolf is under construction currently and will open to the public just in time for summer 2014. Let’s play some golf!
14 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
Saints Alive! By Carla
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Tradition holds that Saint Patrick banished snakes from Ireland. However, this isn’t so. Ireland, like post-glacial Iceland and Greenland, didn’t have many, if any, snakes at the time and still doesn’t as the creatures don’t generally survive the swim there. The true story of the man is far better. At the age of fourteen (some texts say sixteen) Patrick, a Roman, was kidnapped from Roman Britain, by Irish pirates and brought to the Emerald Isle where he was enslaved. The young man turned to God during his captivity and after six years of fervent prayer, had a dream in which God told him to go to the coast. He escaped, was guided some 200 miles to the Irish Sea by an angel and found a ship waiting there that took him back to his homeland and family. After his return to Roman Britain, Patrick, more likely named Kilpatrick, turned to the priesthood. During his studies he had a dream that the people of Ireland, pagan Druids, were calling him to come back. And, after being ordained as a Bishop, Patrick did just that. Saint Patrick preached the Gospel of Christ throughout Ireland for forty years. Thousands converted to the faith including kings and queens and their kingdoms. And, although it began as his place of captivity, Ireland became the saint’s home. He died there peacefully on March 17, 461, in the town of Saul, the very town where he had help construct Ireland’s first church. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of not only Ireland but also Spain, Nigeria, the city of Boston and the archdioceses of New York and Melbourne. He is often associated with the shamrock as he used the common growing plant to explain the concept of the trinity to the Irish. His many miracles include summoning a herd of pigs to feed hungry sailors and raising some thirty-three people from the dead. He is the patron saint of engineers and paralegals.
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February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 15
Easy, everyday recipes for the home cook! Recipes
David’s Heart By Leann Tadrzak
David with his wife, Leann and son, James.
Family and friends share their all-time favorite recipes. 16 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
David’s Heart God forever changed the lives of David, Leann, and James Tadrzak on April 9, 2012. David and James, his son, were driving home from Cypress Christian School baseball practice, when David began to feel bad and decided to pull into the Lowe’s parking lot (1st God thing). He got out of his truck, lay on the ground (2nd God thing) and told James to call his Grammy to ask what the symptoms were for heat stroke while they waited on Leann to arrive. While talking with his grandmother, James noticed that his father had become unresponsive. James hung up and tried to call 911 with David’s phone but it would not go through (3rd God thing). He then flagged down a man in the parking lot and asked if he could use his phone to call 911. That phone also would not go through, so he then had to stop a second person and thankfully, the call went through. When his mother Leann arrived, James handed her the phone. She told the 911 operator that David was gray from the neck up and did not appear to be breathing. When the man, whose phone they were using, heard David was not breathing he dropped to his knees and began CPR (4th God thing. If David’s phone had gone through, there would not have been someone there to start CPR). As soon as the CPR was started the EMS drove up (5th God thing). They were right across the street from Lowe’s. They began to work on David in the parking lot and had to use an AED twice before David was stable enough to ride in the ambulance. (The EMS guy would later visit David and tell Leann that it was the first time in his career that he had seen a heart attack victim’s heart resume beating on its own, without medication, after being shocked.) David arrived at St. Luke’s Hospital with his heart beating but still in the process of having a heart attack. They rushed David to surgery and began the process of heart catheterization. The family was told that it would be about a 45 minute procedure. However, it was some two hours later before the doctor appeared. He told the family that David should have never made into the back of the ambulance. David had what the doctors call a Widow Maker: the main artery to the heart was 100% blocked. The doctors worked very hard to clean the artery out so a stint could be placed into the area of the blockage (6th God thing). David was stable for a while as they were trying to bring his body temperature down to help with the brain trauma sustained when his blood pressure bottomed out and he stopped breathing for nearly ten minutes. He then had to be rushed back into the Cath Lab to have a balloon pump placed around his heart which stayed in place till Thursday evening. David stayed in St. Luke’s hospital for a total of three weeks. He was then transferred to TIRR Memorial Herman Hospital for five weeks. While he was at TIRR, David worked with many therapists. Before he left TIRR David was walking, with much help, five hundred feet. He was then transferred to a skilled nursing facility. After two and a half weeks, on July19, 2012, David returned home, however with a feeding tube and a catheter. Because of the lack of therapy David received from the skilled nursing facility, when he arrived home he could no longer sit, stand, or walk with even assistance. The family had to start from scratch again.
It was about mid-August when David spoke his first word in four months. After that, things started hopping. David began to sit without being belted into a chair as well stand and walk with assistance. By the end of August David was walking totally on his own. The catheter was removed in early September and the feeding tube came out at end of December 2012.
Since mid-September 2012, David has been in involved with speech, vision, and occupational therapies. Each one of the different therapies has made a huge difference in the process of David’s recovery. He is also involved with a program called Learning Rx, a brain training program that is helping him recover from the brain injury. David also works with a trainer twice a week, which is helping with his overall physical abilities. David has come such a long way, and still has far to go, but with God’s direction and provisions, the Tadrzaks know that David will make a full recovery. He is one, big walking miracle “in progress” and the biggest one is that David’s heart is almost 100% fully functional. The family was told that his heart should be 40% damaged due to the heart attack. However, after having a second heart cath done on July 5, 2012, the test showed that David’s heart had less than 2% damage at the very tip. God is in the business of miracles and the Tadrzak family is able to see one almost every day. Everything happens in God’s will, God’s way, and in God’s timing!
If you would like to support David, please purchase a cookbook:
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February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 17
Cheerleaders Dazzle On National Stage By Maggie
Pyrtle
If you think all cheerleaders are blondes in short skirts, just hanging around waiting for the team quarterback to notice them, then you have an old fashioned view of today’s cheerleaders. Now, teams of athletic girls, who don’t exist solely to support a team, are competing for national championships and earning scholarships to some of the best colleges around. Texas Spirit Cheer Company is one of the top cheerleading avenues where girls can train and compete on a state and national level. More than just learning cheers, Texas Spirit Cheer Company helps train children from toddlers who learn to tumble, to junior high girls wanting to make their school team and on to high school girls who have made cheerleading their sport of choice. With spring right around the corner, this is the season for their national competitions when they will travel to Dallas, San Antonio and other cities to vie for titles and they win. Texas Spirit Cheer Company is one of the top cheerleading gyms and training facilities in the country and it shows as they march to victory over girls and teams from other regions of the state and country. But more than learning just to cheer well, this facility is family oriented and christian based, giving the kids a good dose of learning to work well together whether they win or lose. All 150 students understand and learn that one person does not a team make and that everyone is just as important as the next person. The kids work hard to perfect their skills, sometimes putting in as many, if not more, hours that the normal high school football player. From summer camps to fall squads, cheerleading as a sport is here to stay and it is making its mark on the world. With over 1,500 All Star programs in the U.S., this sport of mainly girls, is being felt from high school to college campuses and Texas Spirit Cheer Company is leading the way.
Texas Spirit Cheer Company 281-651-SPIRIT (7747) Email: tsinfo@texasspiritcheer.com
18 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
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20 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
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Alpha, Beta . . . what . . . Test?! By Candy
Cruz
What are all these greek tests? With new technology developing and changing everyday there is no surprise that we are encountering new terminology. So let’s get technical! For the majority of us that are not computer savvy . . . lets get educated! The terms Alpha and Beta have been around since the Greeks (but you already knew that). In the past fifty years or so the terminology alpha and beta testing have become more prevalent with the expansion of technology. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and is sometimes used as the number one. Alpha testing is the first phase to begin any type of software testing. In this phase, developers generally test the software in house to make sure the product is functioning before allowing the public to access it. After this phase, the software is said to be complete and ready to be tested publicly.
Beta, named after the second letter of the Greek alphabet, is the software phase following alpha. This is the second stage of testing a product before commercial production. In this stage most of the defects and glitches have been removed as well as speed and performance issues. The users of a beta are called beta testers. This is first time that the software is available outside of the organization that developed it. Beta testers are usually customers or prospective customers of a select group or organization that developers feel will be the best users to test their new software. Now that we know the terminology, what does it mean to the users? Well, being a beta tester has some advantages. First off, you are helping define our generation by participating in the latest and greatest technology. Second, you normally get free gifts for participating (and remember it is free to participate). To be honest, who doesn’t want free stuff! But most of all, you can say that you help launch and took part in one of the most successful pieces of technology. To sum it up, being a beta tester is kind of a big deal. Now when someone brings up all these technical terms they will no longer be Greek to you!
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February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 23
panning for
Texas G By Maggie
I
Pyrtle
f you want to find gold in Texas, you need to know where to look. Then, you need to know how to pan for it. Reports of gold and silver in central Texas have been carried in books and memories for 250 years. In the hill country of Texas, legends and rumors of lost mines have been circulating since the Spanish discovered silver on Riley Mountain near Llano back in 1756. Where there is smoke, there must be some fire and if you take the time to look, you might be surprised at the gold and other
ld
minerals you can find. The Granite Highlands of Llano and Burnet Counties cover about three thousand square miles. Located in Llano County, Enchanted Rock is the second largest granite dome in the U.S. This area is also known as the Central Mineral Region of Texas. The abundance and diversity of minerals in this area is unequaled in the state. Rock hunters often search below the dam for rocks and minerals such as quartz, granite, gneiss, flint, schist, feldspar and limestone. It is also home to one of the largest concentrations of gold in the state. Detailed maps of the Enchanted Rock area indicate, not far to the north, two creeks which feed into Sandy Creek- one is Silver Mine Creek, the other, Gold Mine Creek. Located five miles northeast of Llano is the legendary Heath Mine. Discovered in the early 1890s, the mine was in production from 1896 to 1899. Even Gail Borden, the founder of the Borden milk company, once owned a gold mine on Sandy Creek. Panning for placer gold is the most common, and least expensive method for recovering gold. The gold pan is the basic miner’s tool. The “standard” steel gold pan of old was 16” wide at the top, 10” wide at the bottom, and 2.5” deep. In good hands, the pan is one of the most efficient gold recovery devices avail able. The best way to learn how to pan for gold is to first get the right kind of gold pan. The steel gold pans of old are still made, but most actual miners and prospectors use plastic gold pans. The colored plastic pans show the gold better than the shiny surface of a steel pan, and plastic pans can be molded with “cheater ripples “ that make it easier to pan and still not lose the gold. In general, green is considered one of the best colors for a gold pan as it contrasts well both with the gold and the sand from which the gold is being liberated. A 14” gold pan is about the right size for most adults, while most children would probably be better served with a 10” gold pan. Next is the question of where to go gold panning. Always attempt to go where gold has already been found, as stumbling on an unknown gold deposit is not likely to happen. Be sure that the area is open to the public, or that permission is obtained from whomever has jurisdiction over the property. There are several areas open to the public around Llano as well as guided tours. Check with the Chamber of Commerce or on the Internet for places to pan.
26 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
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February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 27
Early voting starts February 18th - 28th, so get out and Vote! – www.malik4jp.com Paid political ad, Nasir Malik Campaign, Shauna Ellsworth, Treasurer
Vote for Nasir Malik for Justice of the Peace for Harris County, Precinct 4 Place 2 “He is the embodiment of the American dream, together with his family, he has built a successful business, providing jobs and growing the local economy.”
The American Dream is alive and well! Nasir Malik is the epitome of the American dream. He arrived in America, unable to speak English, and only having the American dream to sustain him in a “brave, new world”. Nasir found a job as a bus boy, making $3.35/hour at the Holiday Inn in Amarillo, Texas. With the encouragement from his manager and others, he quickly learned English, worked hard, and climbed his way up the corporate ladder. After saving his money, he enrolled in the local community college, continuing to work at different hotels, and as a manager at Payless Shoes. This work ethic allowed him to pay his own way as he assimilated into the American way of life. He earned two degrees, an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management. Nasir continued to broaden his interests and is currently a licensed Real Estate Broker and a Graduate Master Builder with his company, Sunrise Custom Homes. While learning our American culture and more importantly, how to be a Texan, Nasir was blessed to own and operate several businesses, convenience stores, dry cleaning stores, as well as managing and owning shopping centers. Nasir has always been heavily involved in his community. For the last 15 years, he has sold real estate and built custom homes in Texas, demonstrating his commitment to the community and his own personal integrity. Nasir has been involved in many community outreach service projects by volunteering and visiting with our children and the senior community. He has been the “Principal for the day” in a Humble ISD school. He also goes to many of the Klein ISD schools, reading books to kids, and providing mentoring opportunities for local youth. Last year, he volunteered at Family Times in Humble and supported them by bringing Christmas presents for the children. In late 2011, Nasir was personally responsible for organizing a relief effort by raising close to $25,000.00 for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. In 2011, Nasir was accepted into a disaster relief training program, and he has taken classes with both the FBI Citizen’s Academy and the Police Citizen’s Academy. Nasir recently graduated from the Lake Houston Chamber Leadership Council, of which he is an active member. Nasir is also an active member of the Northwest Houston and Tomball Chambers of Commerce, Justice and Peace Constable Association, Cherry Tree Republicans, GHBA, NAHB, TREC, TAR, and NAR. Nasir currently resides in the northwest part of Harris County with his wife and three children. He and his wife, Noor, have been married for over 20 years. They have three children and his oldest son graduated from Klein Oak High School as Salutatorian in May 2013. He is currently attending Rice University. Whenever Nasir is not building homes for families, he is actively involved in the activities of his own family, as well as all of the above mentioned groups and organizations. His schedule is always full, but what is most remarkable about Nasir, is that he always finds time to ensure that the right thing is done for the right reasons. Common sense dictates many of the decisions he has made throughout his life. What is exciting about Nasir Malik is to see how he is living the American Dream. He has not only succeeded in making something of himself, but he has guided his children proudly, by his example as an American. As Nasir continues his life journey, hopefully you will hear much more about how he will be working to improve himself. Nasir will continue to search for more opportunities to help our community be a better place for all of us live in and raise up our families. The next time you see Nasir, ask him to show you his copy of our Constitution. He would love to tell you how that document has provided him and his family the opportunity to fulfill their American dream. Always keep looking for more good things to happen in our community soon. When you find them, there is a good chance that Nasir Malik may have been a part of it.
28 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
Visit us online for Before & Afters!
Luxury Update your kitchen by having your island fauxed by Painted Luxury! Start your scholar off right!
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www.painted-luxury.com HOUSTON – Celebrating its ninth annual Houston walk, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Houston expects to bring over 2,000 walkers of all ages and backgrounds to Sam Houston Park on Saturday, April 12, 2014. NAMIWalks, the largest mental health education and fundraising effort in the nation, brings together thousands of individuals and supporters to celebrate recovery, honor those who have lost their lives to mental illness, help raise funds, combat stigma and promote awareness.
SAVE UP TO 30%* on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays most nights 3/14 –4/12 & 4/20 – 6/15/2014. Or, save even more! Upgrade to a room and ticket package,with a minimum 4-Day Magic Your Way Ticket, and
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Like my Facebook page to enter a drawing for a chance to win a Disney Prize. Drawing will be March 1, 2014.
February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 29
By Maggie
Pyrtle
Revenge of the Nerd I remember, not too long ago, there was a time when being called nerdy was devastating to your reputation. I am pretty sure when I was in high school being caught doing something nerdy would have ruined my social life. And I can assure you being labeled “nerdy” translation: not cool, was the scariest thing someone could accuse you of being. Back then, the term nerdy meant you were smart, always studying to get good grades, reading books and being interested in science or anything school related. Not to mention liking computer games, comic books and technology, That was considered all-out nerdy. I remember just wearing glasses or non-name brand clothing made you a social outcast a.k.a. nerd. True to history, like any oppressed subculture, there was a revolt! Though it is not entirely clear when, but the paradigm has shifted quickly and dramatically in the nerds favor. To quote the famous Bill Gates, “Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.” But in today’s society we have gone way beyond that term and cliché; in fact, we have become nerds ourselves. Over the past ten years have we started to see a dramatic change in culture and over all public-approval in the acceptance of nerds. In such a short time, nerd culture has gone from the outcast of society to dominating and even defining
pop culture as we know it today. We can thank technology and the internet for this sudden change. Technology and gadgets have been embraced and even furthered the acceptance of the general public’s opinion of nerdy. It is not hard to see why Hollywood is going crazy for the nerds. Video game and comic-book films are consistently at the top of the annual box office, encouraging us to think outside the norm. For instance, Peter Jackson has been canonized to nerd-saintdom for the strident fidelity of his Tolkien trilogy. Even tuning into MTV you can see the drastic change in music videos and how famous singers are now wearing nerdy paraphernalia. To think that ten years ago all this would have been considered a faux pas. I happen to believe that we all are becoming, that once devastating word, nerdy. But, we also have to understand that being nerdy is not about the specific aspects of society that one obsesses about anymore. But rather, on what we like and our care free attitude about what makes us happy. Let it be sci-fi, comic books, video games or whatever nerdy secret you have, regardless of the trends, this seems to be the first time that the general public has embraced being nerdy. The fact that two sub cultures that were once on the opposite side of the spectrum can now mix. . . . I say “let’s embrace it!” Hannon le, and may the force be with you!
30 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
Best In Spr ing Spring Special: Present this ad for 10% off all training programs. Exp. April 30, 2014 Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.
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Tomball Farmers Market Tomball Farmers Market is a the place for to go for fresh local foods, craftsmen and more. Situated at the corner of Cherry St. and FM 2920, we are open every Saturday from 9:00 am till 1:00 pm. Eating a locally grown ear of corn or fresh tomato not only is good for your health, but it helps our local famers who grow it. Buying local is great for everyone. Find the best foods around weekly at the Tomball Farmers Market. Hero Martial Arts is the place for inspiring martial arts classes for kids. Your child will learn timeless skills of selfdefense . . . A deep sense of respect for themselves, and others . . . And, how to focus 100% of their energy to accomplish whatever it is they want to in life. Our martial arts program provides children with a powerful, successdriven framework that reaches into every area of their lives.
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Ricks Front Door Refinishing – One of the best ways to add curb appeal to your home is to have an attractive front door. Our onsite, one day service gives you the same high standards for your refinished door that we use on refinishing pianos in our family piano business. We are Angie’s List Rated A and Check Pro Member. Our passion and commitment to excellence is shown in every door we refinish. Call us today for all your door or weather striping needs. (713) 427-2487
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Rick’s Front Door Refinishing 713.427.2487 www.aprettydoor.com
Lone Star Seal products and services are the best in Houston assuring you premier products and workmanship for your pool coping, decks, waterfalls, driveways, walkways or fences. Our family owned and operated business has extensive experience with all mastic and seal products on the market. Call us today and let us help you find a solutions to your home problems. (832) 560-0888 February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 31
Duck Dynasty Visiting Champions Area For ticket information:
www.northlandchristian.org/news-media/dynasty-forever-tickets
Northland Christian School is bringing the stars of Duck Dynasty to our area! This event will be hosted at Champion Forest Baptist Church March 22, 2014. Benefiting:
February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 33
By Carla
Hoch
Snowpocalypse For those of you new to the Houston area, this is how it is whenever we get some ice/snow (I use the term snow in the loosest sense). Because no one here has snow tires and our 950 interstate highways converge into massive spaghetti bowls, everything ices over and nobody can go anywhere. Schools always shut down for the safety of buses and kids that drive, and the news stays on all day reporting as if one of the horses of the apocalypse has ridden through downtown with the ghost of Sam Houston on its back – which is pretty much what the Texas version of Bible says will happen. And although all are advised to stay off the road, the news will drive until they find a covey of locals looking at the surrounding ice, wide-eyed with wonder. The reporter will inevitably ask, “how are you handling all this weather?” The respondent will pause, looking as if they are about to either proclaim the coming of Jesus or aliens and say, “it’s something.” Mind you, these are the same people who get blown up into the tops of Pine trees driving to McDonald’s during the Cat 5 hurricane because, “it’s just a little wind.” If you ain’t from around here, or have lived where it really snows, just be patient and enjoy the day off. The area really isn’t prepared for ice outside of a glass of tea. And, just as not all residents of the trailer park are like the one interviewed after a tornado, not all of us here are viewing this with terror/wonder. Some of us are “handling all this ‘weather’” (can you use the word ‘weather’ like that?) just fine. We are taking it in stride and using the opportunity to stay home, enjoy our families and make a pot of chili for the ghost of Sam Houston . . . just in case this really is a sign of the apocalypse!
Outdoor Kitchen Designs, Arbors, Custom Landscaping, Beach Entry, Cave and Swim Up Bar
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www.liquidextremepools.com 34 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
Celebrate Spring
FLOORING SALE We’ve “Floored” your neighbors on:
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Come see us and we will “Floor” you, too! Special Financing Available – Free Estimates
LOOM CRAFT HOME DESIGN CENTER, LLC 281-370-2255
5005 Spring Cypress • Spring, Texas 77379 loomcrafthome@yahoo.com February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 35
36 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
February/March 2014 Great Local Families Magazine 37
Writing Well By Well, for the first time, I have to say, the water in the well is a bit icey. Texas. Go figure. Anywho, let’s see if I can pull this question up. Yep, here we go: “Dear Writing Well, How does a colon work?” Ok, now, I’m just going to assume this is the punctuation being referred to and not the anatomical feature. If it’s the later, this is the wrong well. That well is father south. Pun intended. A colon is more than just a set of eyes on an emoji. It’s one of the handiest and easiest used punctuation marks. It has one job: introducing. See what I did there? Furthermore, the colon introduces with a kind of special emphasis because as one reads, the mind pauses before going through the colon. Pretty neat, huh? What does it introduce? Well various things: a word, phrase, sentence or list. Here’s a few examples: (BTW, don’t use a colon this much in your writing. Mix it up. I’m just doing it for emphasis.) That cat has one thing on its mind: mice. That cat has one thing on its mind: catching mice. That cat has one thing on its mind: it wants to catch mice.
Carla Hoch
That cat has three things on its mind: mice, mice and more mice. If you aren’t sure whether a colon can be used in a sentence, here is a handy trick: read the sentence, and when you get to where you want to put a colon, put in the word: namely. If the sentence still makes sense, you can most likely use a colon. A word of warning: don’t use a colon after a linking verb in a sentence. Or, let’s just say any verb, to make it easier. Verbs introduce on their own. They don’t need help. For example: My favorite colors are pink, green and red. NOT – My favorite colors are: pink, green and red. Yes, I know the namely trick works in the verb situation but still, don’t use a colon after a verb. Another word of caution: don’t wear out your colon. Because colons are attention callers, don’t use them a lot in a piece of writing. If you are writing a term paper, don’t even have one per page if you can help it. That’s it for The Writing Well. Keep your colons clean and don’t wear them out.
Flooring To Match Your Lifestyle Flooring is usually the largest surface in a room, playing a big part in our daily life. Whether you are exercising in the den, hosting a dinner party in the dining room, or baking cookies with your children in your kitchen, you will need a durable and comfortable surface that matches your lifestyle. Choosing the right color, style, texture and pattern can be very overwhelming. It lays the foundation for the entire look of the room. There are two important factors when choosing the right flooring budget and durability. For instance, hardwood floors can last a lifetime, keep in mind when picking the style. If you pick out the latest trend, it could become dated in a short period of time. This does not mean you should avoid making a bold statement with your floors, but keep in mind that this is an investment that you will be seeing everyday. The second is durability, when purchasing new flooring, think about what kind of wear and tear your floor will be taking. What room will the flooring be placed? Is the flooring in a wet area, like an entrance, a bathroom, or a kitchen where there is the potential for a lot of moisture? Keep in mind, water can do a lot of damage to wood. If you are putting new flooring in a family or living area, will it be comfortable for the family? Ceramic tile can be quite cold during those long winter months. Carpet is a natural insulator, providing additional warmth in cold seasons. It also cushions slips, falls and noise pollution. Stone can be ideal for a kitchen. It can handle a lot of traffic, but it can be hard to stand on for long periods
of time. These are a few questions and suggestions you should ask yourself when purchasing new flooring. A new floor can be a big investment, so you want a surface that will last for years. Bobby Honeck and Shaun Alvarado at Prime Floors located at 707 W. Main Street in Tomball can answer all your questions and help you make the right decision.
38 Great Local Families Magazine February/March 2014
Prime Floors
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