Tomball/Magnolia edition | Volume 1, Issue 10 | July …...Online marketing FACEBOOK.COM The social media site offers pages for busi-nesses. “We are creating a tourism-specific page

Onlin

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ting

FACEBOOK.COMThe social media site offers pages for busi-nesses. “We are creating

a tourism-specific page that will target nothing but fun things to do and see here,” Tomball marketing director Mike Baxter said.

TWITTER.COMThe social networking site allows users to post up-dates of 140 characters.

Neither cities have official pages.

TRIPADVISOR.COMThe site offers hotel reviews, photos and travel advice for hotels

and vacations. “A few of our hotels are on the site, but it’s not inclusive of all nine of our hotels,” Baxter said.

In order to promote tourism, Tomball and Magnolia are looking to increase their online presence through some of the following free sites:

URBANSPOON. COMProvides information and recommendations of local restaurants. Only a few

Tomball and Magnolia restaurants are listed on the site.

CITY SEARCH.COMThe user-generated site features reviews, recommendations,

directions and deals on hotels, restaurants, events, night clubs, shops and services. “We had a consulting firm do a report about six months ago, and one of their recommendations is that we get on a number of [free] websites to publicize our area,” said Barry Tate, a member of Magnolia’s newly-formed tourism committee

CITY TOURIST SITESMany cities have visitor-focused sites offering comprehensive guides to the area. (e.g. www.visithoustontexas.com) “We’re talking about creating a site that can be a single entry point for visitors,” Tate said.

Creating an identity

Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department’s rating affects homeowner’s insurance

Fire department prepares for ISO rating

Cities take steps to bring visitors in through marketing events, activities and nearby destinations

Tomball and Magnolia officials work to promote tourism

By Emily Roberts In order to increase tourism,

Tomball and Magnolia are look-ing at ways to forge their iden-tities as visitor destinations. In May, Tomball hired a full-time marketing director for the first time, while Magnolia hired a part-time economic development coordinator and formed a tour-ism committee.

“We’re looking at ways to brand Tomball and make it more guest friendly,” said Mike Baxter, Tom-ball’s marketing director. “Our approach is to establish Tomball as the hub for a getaway.”

The Magnolia tourism com-mittee, formed within the Greater Magnolia Economic Develop-ment Partnership, is tasked with developing a strategic plan around tourism.

“Every city is looking for ways to generate revenue and tourism,”

said Barry Tate, tourism commit-tee member. “We’re [trying to] pull people together and execute their ideas.”

Festivals and eventsBoth cities are hoping to bring

tourists in through large events. For Magnolia, the biggest area event is the Texas Renaissance Festival. In April, the City Coun-cil voted to become the host city for the festival making them a prominent sponsor alongside sponsors such as Budweiser and Coca-Cola Co.

“Becoming the host city for the Renaissance Festival is the biggest step we have taken proactively to bring people to or through Mag-nolia,” Mayor Todd Kana said. “In exchange, we will be in their pro-gram, promotional materials and their website where people can find city contact information and

By Betty L. Martin and Emily RobertsThe Magnolia Volunteer Fire Depart-

ment is preparing for its evaluation to decide its Insurance Services Office classi-fication. The department was last evaluated in 2002, and Chief Gary Vincent said he expects their next evaluation to take place within one to two years. Departments are typically given six months to 12 months notice, according to Vincent.

“There’s too much to do [to prepare for the evaluation] to do it in a short period of

time. We’re always planning so we can do the best job for the community,” he said.

Items affecting ISO [or Public Protec-tion Class] ratings include water supply, dispatch and communications systems, as well as a complex assessment of the depart-ment, which evaluates staffing, training and apparatuses, among other factors.

Over the last few years, the MVFD has expanded and improved stations, equip-ment, personnel and citizen training in an effort to lower or maintain their ISO rating,

“We’ve hired an ISO consultant who, in conjunction with the command staff, has developed a plan of purchasing new fire stations, trucks, engines and developing

hotel information.”More than 500,000 people

are expected to attend the festi-val this year. It is estimated that 40,000–50,000 campers will come through the tent grounds during the two months of the festival and the festival will employ 10,000 people over a four-month period.

Shuttles will be provided to take employees into Magnolia.

Tomball is looking at ways to market existing annual events like the German Festival, holi-day market, Tomball Night and the Tomball Chamber parade to visitors. Baxter is working with the Chamber to plan additional See Tourism | 12

See Fire Department | 13

Tomball/Magnolia edition | Volume 1, Issue 10 | July 1–Aug. 4, 2011Texas’ fastest-growing media company www.impactnews.com Impact Deals begins on Page 25

David Hill | 18 Montgomery County constable and longtime Magnolia resident works

with schools and nonprofits

annual events. Mayor Gretchen Fagan and Baxter are hoping to bring an art-walk event to draw people to the downtown area.

“We would have artists set up at someone’s business and people could walk from shop to shop [to view art],” Fagan said. “Art

Mic

hael

Ba

xter

The Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department completed construction on the command center in August 2010.

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As you prepare for 4th of July celebrations, please remember to use caution in light of our extreme drought conditions. It is recommended to refrain

from using charcoal or wood-burning pits if doing any outdoor cooking. Keep our local firefighters in mind as they have been working tirelessly in the extreme heat in an effort to contain and extinguish recent wildfires, such as the Grimes County fires reported on our website. I encourage you to check our website, Facebook and Twitter pages daily for updates and stories exclu-sive to the web. You can also follow us on Facebook at impactnews.com/facebook- tom and Twitter at @impactnews_tom.

Another resource we are providing you as of last month is impactdeals.com, which gives you the ability to view and search local businesses offering discounts. With

hundreds of local coupons at your finger-tips—all free to print and redeem—you will have more money in your pocket, while also providing support to local businesses and in turn, the community. Local busi-nesses need our support more than ever. By patronizing these businesses, you are bringing more money into your city, which can be used for roads, public facilities and police and fire protection.

Another opportunity to support local businesses, and have a day of family fun, is by attending Tomball Night Aug. 5. Hosted by the Tomball Chamber, the event features live music, a parade of lights, food and a variety of vendors. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

General Manager’s Note

Reader Feedback

©2011 JGMedia, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher.

Local jobsPost your résumé and search for local jobs at impactnews.jobing.com.

May employment trendsHouston/Sugar Land/Baytown unemployment—8.2%

Up from 8% in April

State unemployment—8%*Up from 7.7% in April

National unemployment—9.1%*Up from 9% in April

In the Houston area, professional and business services added 9,300 jobs; construction, 4,600 jobs; manufactur-ing, 2,400 jobs; leisure and hospitality, 1,400 jobs; min-ing and logging, 900 jobs; other services, 700 jobs; trade, transportation, utilities, 100 jobs; information,100 jobs.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Workforce Commission *Seasonally adjusted numbers

Christine [email protected]

Teddy Kleinmore.impactnews.com/12954

“My dad passed away in March of 1998 from Alzheimer’s. During the memorial, Teddy Klein presented me with a U.S. flag in honor of my dad’s service as a captain in the US Army during World War II. I was completely composed during all of the rest of the service, but it was Teddy Klein’s meaningful presentation that moved me to lots of tears. Thank you, Teddy Klein, for hitting just the right note that I’ll never forget.”

—Lawrence L.

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Contents

6 Impacts

8 Calendar

9 Transportation FM 1774 construction to begin

10 City

11 At the Capitol Statewide congressional redistricting

14 Business Pinebrook Farms

Tomball Rental Center

16 Dining The Patch

17 People Fire chiefs

David Hill

19 Nonprofit Abandoned Animal Rescue

20 Entertainment Da Vinci Artist Gallery

21 History Tomball oil production

23 Regional

24 Real Estate

News

Features

9601 Jones Road, Ste. 222Houston, TX 77065 • 281-469-6181www.impactnews.com

Publisher / Chief Executive OfficerJohn P. Garrett

Publisher–Houston MetroJason Culpepper, [email protected]

Tomball / Magnolia

General Manager | Christine LeggettMarket Editor | Emily RobertsAccount Executives | Sandra Pritchard, Jessica WinklerLead Designer | Gentry GriffinContributing Writers | Frank DiCesare, Marcus Funk, Michelle LeBlanc, Betty L. Martin, Nathaniel StoneEditorial Interns | Hillary Brindell, Amanda Caldwell, Kirsten RomagueraContributing Photographers | Michael Baxter, Bryan Williams

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City of Magnolia experiences boom in new businessesmore.impactnews.com/12963

“Reading this article stirred up some excitement for a brief moment, but my optimism was abruptly interrupted when I read what types of businesses this hoopla was created over. Franchises...ugh! Especially when the H-E-B mentioned here is basically serving the residents living in the northwest portion of the The Woodlands.

My grocery business still will go to Tomball—it’s simply closer. It seems as if the problem with Magnolia is that it is afraid to allow business such as H-E-B, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, etc. within the immediate city of Magnolia. Don’t get me wrong, I love being in Magnolia. I’m simply looking forward to the day I don’t have to drive 15–30 miles for an affordable piece of lumber or decent towels to dry my kids off with.”

—Magnolia resident

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BECK.11104.10x2.94.tomball.impact.indd 1 6/21/2011 10:39:35 PM

Local school districts brace for budget shortfall

Tomball ISD cut supplies, while Magnolia ISD cut staff, supplies and maintenance.

Clarification – Volume 1, Issue 9


Now Open

1 Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies opened May 8 at 6960 FM 1488, Ste. 110, Magnolia. The pool supply company offers a variety of pool chemicals, salt systems, pool lighting and water testing tools. Additionally, the store sells a variety of backyard and patio furniture and accessories. 281-259-7284, www.lesliespool.com

2 Family-owned and operated eatery Tombilini’s World Famous Meatballs opened April 25 at 11910 Louetta Road. The establishment serves several types of meatballs, which can be served over pasta or on a sandwich. Meatball flavors include sausage, brisket, chicken fajita, a traditional Italian meatball and a turkey meatball named the Tom Ball. 281-257-3900.

3 Spirit of Texas Insurance opened June 1 at 6875 FM 1488, Ste. 1100, Magnolia. Owned by David J. Sottilare, the company offers insurance for auto, motorcycle and recreational vehicles. Sottilare is a Progressive Insurance agent and is also the

owner of Creative Christians with his wife, Jessica. Spirit of Texas is located inside of Creative Christians, which has been open for four years. 281-789-4030,www.spiritoftexasinsurance.com

4 With 30 years of grooming experience, staff at The Pet Spa Professional Grooming want to ensure the safety of dogs in their care. The new location at 6911 FM 1488, Ste. F, Magnolia, opened June 7. They offer personalized, hands-on grooming for dogs, such as nail clipping and washing with a gentle shampoo. 832-934-1177

5 Little Caesar’s Pizza opened a new location June 8 at 6606 FM 1488, Magnolia. The global take-home pizza chain serves 14-inch cheese and pepperoni pizzas all day, or customers can call to place custom orders. 936-273-2767, www.littlecaesars.com

6 A new fashion boutique, The Funky Chicz, opened April 19 at 34624 Hwy. 249, Pinehurst. The family-owned shop offers clothing, purses, shoes, belts, jewelry and other accessories. Many of the items are

handmade. 832-257-9076

7 Diamond Star Center is now open at 32207 Tamina Road, Magnolia. A grand opening will be held July 8 featuring a “Heal and Empower Your Life” speech by life mentor and leadership coach Master Del Pe at 6:30 p.m. The center offers solutions to sleep issues, anxiety, depression and weight loss. Assessments are free. 281-259-8096

Coming Soon

8 After 12 years of racing in Australia, Stephen Elliott is opening VR Cycling Studio at 32303 Tamina Road, Magnolia, in late July. The studio includes multi-rider Computrainers, massage therapy, Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, virtual reality cycling and more. Elliott provides professional instruction for all riders, from beginners to elite athletes. 713-419-3938, www.vrcyclingstudio.com

9 According to the City of Tomball’s building department, Kohl’s is expected to open September 28 at Hwy. 249 and FM 2920. The department store sells a variety

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15%(Expires July 31, 2011)

Annual Summer SaleJuly 11 – 30

Shirts and Jeans from $10Wrangler 13MWZ jeans - $18

Justin Ropers $69 - $89Justin Chukkas - $49

Leather jackets – 50-70% off

Map not to scale

IMPACTS

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Owners Ron and Darci Merrill will hold a grand opening for Primrose School July 16.

The Funky Chicz showcases a wide array of hand-made jewlery, clothing and accessories.

Owners Jessica and David Sottilare of Spirit of Texas Insurance and Creative Christians

News or questions about Tomball/Magnolia? E-mail [email protected].

12

3

6

Compiled by Amanda Caldwell and Kirsten Romaguera

of clothing for men, women and children in addition to furniture, decor, luggage, home goods and accessories. www.kohls.com

10 Baker’s Dozen will open a second location in September at 30326 Nichols Sawmill Road, Ste. 101, in Magnolia. The eatery serves donuts, kolaches and croissants. 281-259-2244

11 Casual dining steakhouse Texas Roadhouse is scheduled to open a new location Oct. 17 at 24530 Hwy. 249, Tomball. The national chain is famous for its hand-cut steaks, award-winning baby back ribs, margaritas and other made-from-scratch items. www.texasroadhouse.com

12 Opening July 5 with a grand opening July 16, Primrose School of Spring Cypress is a private preschool that also offers before- and after-school care for children ages six weeks to 12 years old. The school, located at 11616 Spring Cypress Road, Tomball, also has camps in the summertime called Camp Primrose. 281-251-6300

13 Curious Soul Studio, a short-term rental space, is set to open by July 15 at 32831 Hwy. 249, Pinehurst. The one-room studio has a kitchen and can be used for any gatherings, including showers, Bible studies, artist teachings, massage therapy sessions and birthday parties. 281-259-8877

Relocations

14 Classic Hair Salon, currently at 14021 FM 2920, Tomball, will be moving to a new location by October 1. The new shop, located in the Tomball Marketplace at FM 2920 and Hwy. 249, will allow for 11 stylists, three more than at the current location. In addition to hair care, the full-service salon offers waxing, makeup and nail services. 281-351-2345, www.classichairsalon.com

15 Currently located at 425 Holderrieth

Owners Candy Price and Regina Loy of The Pet Spa Professional Grooming

4

Blvd., Ste. 104, Tomball, Texas Family Medicine Center will be relocating to 506 Graham Drive, Tomball. The office provides general family care with two doctors in the practice, Dr. Candace Demattia and Dr. Jason Demattia. 281-255-3838, wwwtexasfamily medicinecenter.com

Anniversaries

16 Naturally Nancy’s, located in the gazebo at 121 Commerce St., Tomball, celebrated its one-year anniversary June 25. The store offers an array of vitamins, natural supplements, aromatherapy products, jewelry and other gifts. Customers can also take classes, soak in an ionic foot bath or visit with a reflexologist who comes in once a month. 713-501-0701

Ribbon Cutting

17 Country Tyme Awards & Apparel, located at 18434 Buddy Riley Blvd., Ste. 1, Magnolia, celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony March 25 with the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce. The third-generation family-owned business reopened after damage from Hurricane Ike in late 2009. The store produces nearly everything in-house, including screen printing, embroidery, trophies, plaques and rhinestone designs. 281-259-2474, www.country-tyme.com

In the News

The Tomball Police Department is accepting applications for its ninth annual Citizens Police Academy. The free three-hour class meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from Sept. 6 to Oct. 25. The CPA consists of eight classroom sessions covering subjects such as patrol tactics, investigations procedures, search and seizure, DWI enforcement, accident investigations, dispatch operations and traumas in law enforcement. Applications can be picked up at the Tomball Police Department, located at 401 Market St., Tomball, or at www.tomballpd.com. The deadline is Aug. 19. 281-290-1312

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The Auhing family will open a second location for Baker’s Dozen in September.

10

General health

Preventative medicine

Women’s health

Office procedures include:

I&D abscesses

Joint injections

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Minor surgical procedures

Osteopathic manipulative therapy

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Trigger point injectionsFind us on Facebook

281.259.9952 6875 FM 1488, Ste. 1400 MaGnOLIa, TX

Kristy Heatly, D.O.Family Medicine

Same-Day Appointments Available!

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TOMBALL NIGHT2011WHEN Friday, August 5th, 5pm

WHERE Downtown Tomball and All Over Town!

WHAT Retail Sales, Discounts, Entertainment, Mystery Shoppers, Parade of Lights, Grand Finale Fireworks Show

For vendor or sponsorship information, please contact the Greater TomballArea Chamber of Commerce at 281.351.7222

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CALENDAR

Worth the drive20–24 World Series of Dog Shows The 34th annual event provides entertainment and education for people and their pets. The show features entertainment for all ages with performance events, relays, seminars, and shopping. The show will feature over 12,000 dogs. • 3–7 p.m. (July 20) • 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. (July 21–24) • $10 (adults), $5 (seniors), $1 (12 and under) $8 (parking) • Reliant Center, 8400 Kirby • 713-824-4968 www.reliantdogshows.com

Aug. 5By Hillary Brindell

A family event with a nearly 40-year tradition in the community, Tomball Night festivities are held throughout the city, showcasing retail establishments and offering live entertainment.

“For more than three decades, people have flocked to Tomball for this end of summer hurrah,” said Mary Harvey, event chair. “We want to make sure they feel welcomed again this year and have plenty to do.”

The event offers something for all ages including vendors, bands, door prizes, raffles, shopping and a variety of food choices. For the younger crowd, there are clowns, rides and face painting.

Participants in the festivities also have the chance to correctly identify one of 10 mystery shoppers to win $100. The Parade of Lights and fireworks show down Main Street end the night.

“This event is great, free, family fun and a fantastic way to wrap up summer,” Chamber member Tana Ross said. “The best thing about it is that it is free—free parking, free admission.”

5 p.m. • Free • Tomball city limits • 281-351-7222 • www.tomballchamber.org

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As part of the Tomball Night festivities, a local band plays live on Main Street. Tomball Night has been a Tomball tradition since 1972.

Tomball NightJuly

9 Houston Hot Dog Eating ChampionshipThe Hot Dog Shop hosts its third annual Houston Hot Dog Eating Championship during National Hot Dog Month. The winner of the contest, named “Houston’s Top Dog,” receives $250 and a trophy. Second place receives $80. The event benefits the Houston Northwest Lions Club. 1 p.m. • $25 (contestants) • The Hot Dog Shop, 6405 Brittmoore Road, Houston • 713-937-8039 www.hotdogshop.net

14 Christmas in JulyAn annual fundraiser for Windwood Presbyterian Church Women’s Ministry, the market event helps support programs, Bible studies, retreats and scholarships for women of the church and community. Merchants from across Texas sell specialty items, clothing, sporting novelty, gourmet food and accessories. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. • Free Windwood Presbyterian Church, 10555 Spring Cypress Road, Houston • 281-378-4040 www.windwoodpc.org

14–17 “Little Shop of Horrors”Lone Star College-Tomball presents one of the longest-running off-Broadway shows. “Little Shop of Horrors” is the story of a floral assistant who discovers a large, foul-mouthed, singing, man-eating plant. The musical is suggested for audiences 12 and up. 7:30 p.m. (July 14–16), 2 p.m. (July 17) • $10 (general public), $8 (students, seniors, faculty) Lone Star College-Tomball, 30555 Hwy. 249, Tomball • 281-357-3654 www.lonestar.edu/tomball

15–24 The WizThe soulful musical based on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum comes to Cypress Ranch High School’s theater for several dates in July. The diverse cast of more than 130 features actors ranging from 6 years old to over 70. 7:30 p.m. (July 15–16, 22–23), 2:30 p.m. (July 24) • $17 (adults), $15 (over 65), $13 (under 12) • Cypress Ranch High School, 10700 Fry Road, Cypress 281-827-4692 • www.houstonscenterstage.com

Find more or submit Tomball and Magnolia events at www.impactnews.com/tom/calendar.

For a full list of Houston Metro events visit www.impactnews.com/houston-metro/calendar.

To have Tomball and Magnolia events included in print edition, they must be submitted online by the 15th of every month.

Online Calendar

281-401-7000 www.tomballhospital.org

209 Commerce St.“Old Town” Tomball, TX

281-351-7572

Something new, something fresh...Cisco’s Salsa Company, A Mexican Revolution

Award winning mexican food, margarita’s, outdoor patio, and more!

PARTY ON THE PATIO!!!At Cisco’s Salsa Company

TOMBALL NIGHT Friday, Aug. 5

Live Entertainment • Tiki BarTaste of Cisco’s menu specials

Come kick it at our Commerce Street block party!

Opening August 2011

Live music in July

Spurs10310 FM 1488 Magnolia • 281-252-1997 www.spurs-saloon.comTo ensure seating, please call Cathy at 281-252-1997 for reservations. After 10 p.m., seating is first come first serve.

2 Riding High 9 Desert Roads16 TBA23 Buck Yeager30 Texas Roadrunners

Main Street Crossing111 W. Main Street Tomball • 281-290-0431 www.mainstreetcrossing.comLive music Wednesday through Saturday evenings

Main Street Crossing offers food, drinks (including coffee, espresso, beer and wine), tournament poker, shuffleboard, wifi and live entertainment for all ages.

1 Dickie and Dude 6 Matt Hillyer 8 Isaac Satterwhie 13 Cody Johnson Band 15 Doug Moreland 22 Mike and the Moonpies, Juke Joint

Sandinistas 27 Jason Boland & The Stragglers, John

Slaughter 29 Shake Russell Band

Dosey Doe25911 I-45 N. The Woodlands • 281-367-3774 www.doseydoescoffeeshop.comThe dining and music hall, located in a 150-year-old Kentucky barn, offers coffee, breakfast, dinner and live music.

1 Jason Cassidy Band 2 Shake Russell 7 Bellamy Brothers 8 Bonnie Bishop Band 9 Folk Family Revival- CD Release 10 Marcia Ball- RLRM 13 Sonny Burgess- Drew Womack 14 Houston Marchman 15 Billy Dean 16 Ray Price 20 Grady Skelton & Mike Ryan 21 Mark Chestnutt 23 An Evening of Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra 24 An Evening of Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra 26 Chuck Cannon- RLRM 27 Nick Verzosa & Matt Harlan & Aaron,

The Thieving Birds CD release 28 Kelly Jame 29 Vonda Shepard 30 Chris Thomas King & Band 21 Mark Chestnutt


1774

249

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Sta

te S

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Nichols S

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ill Rd

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1774

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1774

By Emily RobertsThe expansion of FM 1774 is moving

forward, with the Texas Department of Transportation expecting to choose a con-tractor in August to oversee construction. Once hired, the contractor will mobilize equipment and personnel and construction should start soon after, according to James Roscher, project engineer for TxDOT.

At its June 14 council meeting, the City of Magnolia hired its own contractor to move pipes that lie underneath the main lanes of FM 1774. Moving the pipes is expected to take two months, and once completed, TxDOT can start construction.

While the expansion project will stop at the FM 1774 and FM 1488 intersection, there are future plans for the expansion to cross FM 1488 with an overpass across the railroad tracks, according to Magnolia City Administrator Paul Mendes.

“The [overpass] is some years down the road due to funds,” Mendes said.

Mayor Todd Kana said the current proj-ect will help travel taking place in Magno-lia, but will not help morning and evening commute traffic.

“Any progress is positive, but the goal is to free up [the FM 1488/FM 1774] intersec-tion,” Kana said.

FM 1774 construction to start in October

Nic

hols

Saw

mill

Rd.

Magnolia

Pinehurst

Source: City of Magnolia and Texas Department of TransportationMap not to scale

Expanding from a two-lane road to a four-lane road with center turning lane and a parallel parking lane on the south side

Total cost:

$10 million

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City and businesses prepare for widening of FM 1774The City of Magnolia held a town hall

meeting June 15 to discuss the planned expansion for FM 1774 and address resi-dent and business owner concerns.

“Businesses keep the city alive and we want to help them along the way,” Mayor Todd Kana said at the meeting.

Construction on the project, which will widen the two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane, is expected to begin in October. Some of the questions raised by business owners and residents concerned traffic and less parking along the road.

Kana said he knows it is an inconve-nience to businesses, but explained the Texas Department of Transportation will still allow access to businesses through-out the process. James Addison, owner of Community Cleaners on the corner of FM

1774 and Nichols Sawmill Road, said he is willing to deal with the inconveniences now because of the longterm benefits.

“After the project’s done, it’s going to help the businesses along 1774,” Addison said. “It’s going to be good for Magnolia.”For a detailed map of the FM 1774 project, see Page 9.

Tomball City CouncilCity Hall, 401 Market St.www.tomballtx.com

July 5 and 18, 6 p.m.

Meetings are the first and third Monday of the month.

Magnolia City CouncilCity Hall, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd. www.cityofmagnolia.com

July 12, 7 p.m.

Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month.

CITY

Tomball

Magnolia

Meetings

At its June 6 meeting, the Tomball City Council approved the Tomball Economic Development Corporation’s agreement with Stripes LLC for the construction of a 4,825-square-foot convenience store with gasoline facilities and a Laredo Taco Com-pany. The estimated value of the building is $2.5 million, and construction is expected to start at the end of summer.

The TEDC has arranged for Stripes LLC, which will be located at the northwest cor-ner of Hufsmith and FM 2920, to receive an infrastructure grant offering reimburse-ments for infrastructure expenditures including water, sewer and irrigation.

“We’re excited to see Stripes LLC come to the area because its construction brings potential for additional retail in that area,” TEDC executive director Kelly Violette said. “It will start some development on the east side of town.”

The infrastructure grant funding amount will not exceed $56,000, based on actual expenditures for the approved infrastructure improvements. The com-pany submitted a grant funding assistance request May 19, and the TEDC approved it May 24. The company will employ 18 to 20 full-time and part-time workers.

“They have some of their management [coming] from other locations, but they’ll most likely hire from the local area”

Violette said.The projected impact of Stripes to Tom-

ball’s economy over a five-year period is $217,000. The amount is derived by adding the average annual wage, annual sales tax impact and annual property tax impact.

“The TEDC will recover their initial investment of $56,000 several times over,” Violette said.

Co

urte

sy C

ity

of M

agno

lia

Compiled by Amanda Caldwell and Emily Roberts

Stripes LLC receives grant from Tomball EDC

Employees: 20

Five-year economic impact: $217,286

Average annual wage: $20,488

Annual sales tax impact: $30,000

Annual property tax impact: $6,286

Stripes LLC

Project includes a convenience store with gasoline facilities and a 4,825- square-foot commercial building on site at an estimated value of $2.5 million.

Source: Tomball Economic Development Corporation

TxDOT’s expansion project will include parallel parking on the south side of FM 1774.

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AT THE CAPITOL

By Marcus FunkTomball and Magnolia will see the same

congressmen on the ballot during the next election, despite a statewide redistricting initiative that sparked hyper-partisan con-troversy in the Texas Legislature. But since those maps are based on current census data, and because Houston’s northern sub-urbs are growing rapidly, those boundaries could have been drawn very differently.

Tomball will still fall into territory currently held by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin. McCaul’s district has receded to the west and lost a number of precincts in northwest Houston, but the final maps kept Tomball just on the inside of McCaul’s border. Magnolia, and all of Montgom-ery County, will still be represented by Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands; that district currently stretches past Beaumont and to the Louisiana border, but new maps have it essentially following I-45 through Huntsville, Madisonville and Centerville.

Statewide, the maps were highly conten-tious, and passed both the state House and Senate without a single Democratic vote. Democrats argued the plans diluted Hispanic voters who were largely respon-sible for the state’s population growth, and specifically targeted Democratic areas—in

Statewide congressional redistricting passes along party lines

particular left-leaning Austin—with gerrymandering efforts designed to elect Republicans. Republicans said the maps were fair and did not target any particular group, and they keep every sitting congress member in their own districts, instead of drawing them into competition with one another. The maps may be challenged in federal courts, as Democrats argue—it is too early to tell.

On a local level, the conversation focused more on suburban growth. Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Houston, said there was specu-lation that a new district could be created for the area, effectively pushing McCaul’s district further west. Growth in the same areas led to the creation of a new seat in the state House of Representatives early in the session. As it turned out, a new congressio-nal seat was created on the eastern side of Houston, including Baytown and La Porte, and stretching north through Livingston and east through Orange to the Louisiana border.

“I have to tell you, we really appreciate the service of Michael McCaul,” Fletcher said. “We knew for a long time that with him being from the Austin area, it would be hard to keep him. I think he’s a good, conservative leader for us in Washington.” Source: www.capitol.state.tx.us

Sponsored, authored, coauthored and supported bills by area Representatives

HB 718: Expands the time frame for an offense of “funeral service disruption” to ban picketing three hours before, or after, a funeral service. Passed both houses, sent to Governor.

HB 1404: Clarifies rules for conservatorship and child care among deployed military.Passed both houses, sent to Governor.

HB 2476: Imposes a single appraisal standard for taxes related to heavy equipment dealers. Passed both houses, sent to Governor.

HB 2477: Requires the Texas Secretary of State to offer voter registration and ballot materials into languages other than English and Spanish. Passed both houses, sent to Governor.

HB 772: Provides technical corrections concerning those imprisoned for certain sexual assault charges and other clauses concerning parole. Passed the House and stalled in a Senate committee.

HB 1173: Allows counties with populations of three million or more to hold a person arrested without a warrant for 36 hours, rather than 24, before release on bond. Passed both houses, signed by the Governor.

HB 2561: Provides a consistent definition for a “school year” as a benchmark for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; passed both houses, signed by Governor.

HB 6: Establishes an “instructional materials fund” to assist schools in purchasing materials for blind and visually impaired students, as well as a number of other multimedia materials for classrooms. Slightly different bills passed both houses, a conference committee was formed to agree on a final version.

Rep. Allen Fletcher, R-Houston

Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring

Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball

Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands

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TourismContinued from | 1

brings people to your community. They’re not just going to look at art; they’re going to shop and see what Tomball has to offer.”

Baxter said events draw people in so they will return on a non-event weekend.

“We want to use special events as a hook to bring people up here,” he said.

Outdoor activitiesAnother way Tomball leaders

are looking to attract visitors in is through nature tourism.

“Nature tourism is a big thing throughout the country,” Baxter said. “There are many outdoor activities available in a relatively short drive [from Tomball]. For instance, there’s 575 acres of park [land]within a 10-mile radius.”

Baxter is working on a guide featuring 52 things to do within 20 miles of Tomball, including bird watching, hiking, biking, golfing and children’s activities.

Though still in the early plan-ning stages, Magnolia is looking at ways to make the city a destina-tion for equestrian activities. The city already has a horse arena near its community development cen-ter on Friendship Drive and every year the Trail Riders, who travel by horse each February on their way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, come through the city.

“With all the horse owners in the area, there is something we could do on a larger scale,” Tate said. “The GMEDP group has talked about [building] an eques-trian center.”

Small town hubThough both cities have to com-

pete with Houston for visitors, small towns offer things big cit-ies cannot, including a laid-back

environment and family atmo-sphere, according to Baxter and Magnolia economic development coordinator Deborah Rose Miller.

“You won’t have the traffic jams getting to and from your hotel” Miller said. “And there are beauti-ful country roads to drive in.”

Baxter said Tomball can be seen as a central location between downtown Houston, where peo-ple may want to see an Astros game, and Hockley, where fami-lies can visit The Showboat Drive-in Movie Theater, among other activities. It is also a short drive to scenic locations such as Kleb Nature Preserve and Spring Creek Park.

“Tomball is still small-town Texas for people who prefer a small-town atmosphere,” Baxter said. “People can go out and do other things during the day and return to Tomball for dinner.”

Challenges While there is enthusiasm in

both communities about increas-ing tourism, there are difficulties that come along with it, according to Tate and Baxter.

“The biggest challenge is that this is a newer area for us,” Tate said. “There’s a lot of different people with a lot of different ideas. Pulling people together and exe-cuting those ideas—that’s always a challenge.”

Baxter said there is so much to be done that it can be overwhelm-ing. His biggest concern is mak-ing sure proper steps are taken to do things correctly so time and money is not wasted. Tomball runs the risk of overselling itself if it cannot deliver on what it is mar-keting itself as, he said.

“It’s that way with any destina-tion,” Baxter said. “You have to sell what you have and make what you have the best it can be.”

GO

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Memorial Park Golf Course: $38**

Tomball Glennloch Pines Golf Club*: $44** MagnoliaHigh Meadow Ranch Golf Club: $59**

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WIN

E

TAS

TIN

G Houston Cork Soakers: $10

Tomball Winestyles The Vintage*: $8MagnoliaGenuWine Tasting Room: $10

The price of fun in Tomball, Magnolia and Houston

Tomball and Magnolia leaders are working to position their cities as small-town alternatives for visitors interested in visiting the Houston area. One of the advantages is more affordable hotel, dining and entertainment options.

DIN

ING Houston

Massa’s Seafood Grill: $11–$30

Tomball TJ’s Bayou Cafe: under $10MagnoliaKemah Seafood: under $10

LIV

E

MU

SIC Houston

House of Blues: $7.50–$75

Tomball MainStreet Crossing: $5–$12MagnoliaSpurs: $7

HOTELSHouston Best Western Plus Downtown Inn

& Suites: $159*

Tomball La Quinta Inn and Suites: $99*

MagnoliaMagnolia Inn and Suites: $79*

*one night, two adults

MUSEUMSHouston Children’s Museum: $8

Tomball Tomball Museum: $3MagnoliaHistoric Depot and Museum:

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Fire DepartmentContinued from | 1

partnerships with other fire-safety agencies,” Vincent said.

Determing an ISO ratingISO ratings are based on a scale

of 1 to 10, with a Class 10 rating given to an area without fire pro-tection. Low ISO numbers trans-late to a higher standard of safety, and in turn, lower insurance pre-miums for property owners.

Ratings are determined by the private Insurance Services Office Inc. and the state Department of Insurance and Fire Marshal’s Office.

The 53-year-old MVFD is listed as an ISO Class 3 based on its 2002 inspection.

New stations and equipmentThe department has purchased

land for two new stations and is awaiting funding for construc-tion. Vincent is also in the pro-cess of looking for land along FM 1486 for a ninth station.

The MVFD utilizes six 3,000-gallon water tanker trucks and six 750-gallon pumper trucks as a water supply to fight fires. Three new engines, each with a capacity of 1,000 gallons of

water, went into service June 8. Having firefighters on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and new fire equipment with more water capacity, has already made a substantial difference for the department, Vincent said.

“We’ve upgraded the number of people on fire trucks. Now we have volunteers that stay in the fire station overnight,” he said.

In 2010, the department was awarded a $972,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for cross-county radios.

Lower insurance costsFunded by Emergency Ser-

vice District 10, MVFD provides fire protection for 200 square miles in Montgomery County. Residents within ESD 10 pay 10 cents per $100 property valuation strictly for the ESD, or about $100 per year for a $100,000 home. The taxpayer’s money, Vincent said, is well spent.

“Last year, the total prop-ery saved by the MVFD exceeded the [total] tax revenue,” Vin-cent said. “The department can show it actually produced profit instead of a loss.”

After the ISO evaluation is complete, and the rating is deter-mined, insurance companies use the rating to set premiums for homeowner’s insurance, accord-ing to Vincent.

“The lower the number, the more the premiums come down,” he said.

Jeff Barton, agent-owner at All-state Insurance in Cypress, insures clients in Tomball and Magnolia.

“Lower insurance rates are

MAGNOLIA’S FIRE STATIONS

Source: Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department

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Dobbin Hufsmith Rd.Stagecoach Rd.

Hardin

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Decker Prairie

Rosehill Rd.

CENTRALHEADQUARTERS

Opened August 2010

Land purchased for new station

In August 2010, the Magnolia Volunteer Fire

Department replaced a 40-year-old station

with a 30,000-square-foot central command center. Land has been purchased for stations

7 and 8, with the department looking for land along FM 1486 for

station 9.

based on overall risk, the type of construction, size, location, secu-rity, occupant’s credit and the ISO,” Barton said.

According to Barton, insurance for a home in a Class 10 area that is a frame house out in the coun-try with no water supply could run $2,100 a year. The lowest rate for a Class 1 area home with cement

or brick con-struction, near a fire hydrant with own-ers with good credit history, would be about $700 a year. Vincent said He hopes the

new stations and equipment, along with more personnel and increased training classes and maintenance tests, will generate a lower ISO rating in 2012.

“Considering the accom-plishments of the last year have occurred in drought conditions, in an area not naturally endowed with large pools of water, it makes the achievements even more unique,” Vincent said.

Tomball ISO rating

In 2001, the Tomball Fire Department, under the leadership of Fire Chief Randy Parr, joined the 12 Texas cities to achieve the highest ranking possible—a Class 1 Public Protection Classification ISO rating for the 11-square-mile city limit area. For the surrounding unincorporated Harris County area under a fire protection agree-ment between Harris County Emergency Services District 15 and TFD, the depart-ment received a Class 2 rating.

“The Tomball Fire Department and the city have continued to improve both the department as well as the city’s water supply system by adding miles of water lines and an additional two water wells and storage capacity,” Parr said. “We’ve added a second station, another ladder truck, some full-time personnel and a 75-foot combination of pumper and rescue truck.”

Organized in 1936, the fire department now boasts a full-time command staff consisting of Parr, Fontenot, a fire marshal, fire inspector and administrative assistant; 34 part-time paid firefighters and about 20 volunteers. Parr, who has held com-mand for more than seven years, said he has witnessed the department’s hiring of the first full-time firefighters, creation of the firefighter program and a volunteer program to keep the stations running through the night. The department can now put a unit at a fire scene within six minutes of a call to 911.

“These are the high points, but by no means everything we have accom-plished,” he said.

1488

New and improved fire enginesThree new engines went into use in June, with a number of improvements:

• Six firefighter capacity

• Water tank with 1,000-gallon capacity

• A fire pump capable of releasing 2,000 gallons of water per minute

• High-grade fire fighting foam production

• Electrical lights to illuminate the fire area

• Hydraulic rescue tools

• 2,000 feet of large-diameter hoses

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Fire department*

Water supply Dispatch and Communications

What goes into an

ISO rating? Approximately every 10 years, fire depart-ments receive an evaluation which deter-mines their Public Protection Classification ISO rating on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the best) using the following criteria:

• Purchased land for two new fire stations

• Increased manpower

• Additional firefighter gear and safety devices

• Three new fire engines

• Three new booster trucks

• A number of new command vehicles

• New fire equipment with more water capacity

Since Magnolia VFD received their Class 3 rating in 2002, they have made the following changes:

* includes apparatuses, staffing and training

Source: Magnolia VFD Fire Chief Gary Vincent

“The lower the [ISO] number, the more [homeowner’s insurance] premiums come down.”

—Gary Vincent, Magnolia VFD fire chief

14 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • Tomball/Magnolia Edition

Pinebrook Farms riding lessons can be taken for college credit.

• LSC students can register for horse-manship classes, which will earn them credits in kinesiology

• Horsemanship classes are held every semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7–10 p.m.

• Introductory and advanced classes are offered

• Classes are limited to 15 riders and divided between riding and classroom work

College classes

Pinebrook Farms offers summer camps for children.

Pinebrook FarmsGroup and private riding lessons offered

P inebrook Farms co-owners Jorine and Harlie Seale believe most people can

learn how to ride a horse. They must, however, learn how to do it right.

For more than 35 years, Pinebook Farms in Magnolia has taught children and adults proper horsemanship and horse-riding techniques. Launched in 1975 as Greenbrook Farms, the sprawl-ing 30-acre farm also offers horse sales, summer camps for kids, horse showing assistance for stu-dents and horse boarding facili-ties for individuals and families who are unable to care for their horse at home.

Seale, who has taught horse riding since the ’60s, said she first got the idea for her summer camp when her three children were young and had their friends from horse shows over for sleepovers.

“Back then, this neighborhood didn’t have many people living in it, and there certainly weren’t

many children riding horses,” Seale said. “First thing you know we had 27 kids sleeping on the floor of my house. I realized then that if I was going to have kids in camp, I might as well go all the way with it.”

Horse riding lessons are avail-able for riders ages 7 and up. Lessons are given on a year-round basis and are offered every day except Sunday. Students can sign up for four or eight lessons at a time, which are either private or in small groups of four or less.

Pinebrook Farms is staffed with five instructors who are certified through the Certified Horseman-ship Association and adhere to strict safety rules and procedures. Riders learn how to take care of a horse and react when a horse reverts back from its training to its natural instincts. All train-ing is based on a balanced-seat or centered-riding style, both of which teach students how to send good signals to the horse with

their seat, legs, hands and voice. “It’s not just about getting on

the horse and kicking to go,” she said. “It’s about using their natural abilities and instincts to be able to communicate with the horse so the horse will do what they want them to do.”

Seale said she believes there is a good market for horses. She recommends potential buyers look for a horse with good breed-ing, a negative Coggin’s test, and one that is up to date with all of its inoculations. Buyers must also insist on a veterinarian exam to make sure their horse is sound, safe and healthy, she said. The horse should also be ridden by an experienced horseman before a beginner family takes it home.

“Regardless of everybody’s fan-tasy about the faithful old horse that took the cowboy home in the snowstorm, a horse’s first instinct is to take care of itself,” she said. “The horse just went home and the cowboy held on.”

Co-owners Jorine and Harlie Seale opened their

30-acre horse farm in 1975.

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Virgie CommunityDecker Prairie Rosehil Rd.

Hardin

Store R

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BUSINESS

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impactnews.com • July 2011 | FEATURES | 15

After being in business for 34 years, Tomball Rental manager Greg Kitchens has learned how to change

with the industry. When his parents started the business in 1977, people were moving into the area and the most popular rental items were propane tanks, bulldozers and fill cylinders for RVs. Now, their biggest sales are in party and wedding equipment like dance floors, tables and chairs.

“Party equipment is the fastest-growing part of the business, especially for wed-dings and receptions,” Kitchens said.

Kitchens said customers who have been coming to their store for years are often surprised that next door to the concrete, propane and lawn mowers, there is a room filled with arches, dishes and candelabras.

“Some people cross over to the other side and their jaws drop,” he said. “They say, ‘I had no idea you sold party equipment.’”

Kim Davis, who works in the event rental side of the business, said they are seeing an increase in people holding back-yard weddings and receptions, which has, in turn, increased their business.

“Helping people plan their weddings is very exciting,” Davis said. “We help them make choices, and if we don’t have some-thing, we find it for them so they don’t have to go to more than one place.”

Kitchens said they often make trips out to customers’ homes to make sure that the event items they are renting—such as tents and dance floors—will fit in their back-yard, and the set-up they want will work. Kitchens said renting out equipment for weddings has its own set of challenges.

“It’s a different kind of business. If it’s someone’s tiller for their yard, they’re okay if it’s not ready until next weekend,” he said. “If it’s someone’s wedding, that’s not going to be okay.”

Kim Davis works in the party side of Tomball Rental, while manager Greg Kitchens oversees all operations.

Whatever a customer is looking for, Kitchens said he looks at his job as trying to solve people’s problems, not simply rent-ing them equipment.

“We always quiz people and ask, ‘What are you trying to do?’” Kitchens said. “Sometimes when you talk to people you realize they’re not going about it the right way. I’d much rather have someone tell me I’m doing something stupid than [pur-chase] the wrong thing.”

Kitchens instructs his employees to listen to customers’ needs and find out if there are items they need to begin offering.

“We have a list that we add to based on customer requests,” Kitchens said. “We try to never say no.”

Tomball Rental Center27219 Business 249Tomball • 281-351-7019www.tomballparty.com

By Emily Roberts

Tomball Rental CenterConstruction and party equipment sold side by side

BUSINESS

Cherry St.

Holderrieth Rd.

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Top equipment rentals

Tomball Rental offers a wide-variety of rental equipment and supplies. One side of the store focuses on party rentals, while the other fea-tures equipment rentals. These are the most popular items, according to manager Greg Kitchens.

Party side:• Dance floors• Tables • Chairs• Event tents• Outside coolers/fans (during summer)

Equipment side:• Bulldozers• Backhoes • Lawn air raiders• Chainsaws• Limb chippers

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249249Business


Co-owner Tony Chen

The popular buffet changes daily. Weekend offerings include Saturday breakfast and Sun-day brunch (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) and a Friday night seafood buffet.

Private parties can be held in back room.

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DINING

The PatchOld favorite finds success in new location

The Blueberry Patch, which was located at 23227 Snook Lane for 16 years, reopened as The Patch in June 2010. Since then, items such as baby back ribs (pictured) and blackened tilapia have been added.

W hen Tony Chen and his partners closed the Blueberry Patch in 2009, many customers mourned

the loss of their favorite restaurant.“People literally cried,” Chen said. “But

the same people who were there when we started have supported us [at the new loca-tion] from day one.”

Chen, a native of Jamaica, teamed up with husband-and-wife pair Tommy and Van Chan in 1994 to open the Blueberry Patch. When the trio outgrew their previ-ous location, they decided to close up shop and work on different projects. Last year, they reopened at a new site off Business 249 under a new name.

The Patch offers a weekday lunch buffet ($6.95) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with differ-ent daily offerings—ranging from meatloaf and pork chops to chicken fried steak and catfish. Six different vegetables, a salad bar and baked desserts are also included. A Friday night seafood buffet features

shrimp, crabcakes, catfish, grilled tilapia and gumbo.

“The buffet really works well,” Chen said. “The food speaks for itself; everything is made from scratch.”

While Chen manages the front of the restaurant, Tommy Chan manages the kitchen area and is the head chef.

“There is a real consistency to both the service and the food here,” Chen said.

In addition to the popular buffet, The Patch offers a fixed menu full of Ameri-can classics such as hamburgers, steaks and fish. While the majority of the menu remains the same as during the Blueberry Patch days, new items such as baby back ribs and blackened tilapia have been added. The Patch also offers catering services, a beer and wine bar and a back room that seats up to 60 for private parties, rehearsal dinners and other events.

“People feel comfortable here,” he said. “Some of them eat here six days a week.”

By Nathaniel Stone

Owner recommendations• Ribs: Half rack–$11.95, whole rack—

$15.95, half rack with shrimp —$14.95

• Pork Chops: Available grilled and fried. One piece–$8.95, two pieces—$9.95

• Chicken Fried Steak—$9.95. “Many say it’s the best in Tomball,” co-owner Tony Chen said.

• Blackened Tilapia: served with choice of signature sauce—$10.95

• All meals come with salad, baked potato or french fries, dinner roll and vegetables.

Customer comments“My wife and I come on Sunday morning for the breakfast buffet. I come about three times a week for the buffet. It’s great if you’re short on time [because] you can get in and out quickly.”

-Bill B., patron for 12 years

“I come for the buffet. The food’s good and it’s a good price.”

-Oliver W., patron for five years

“We started coming after church. It’s easy to go to the buffet, eat what you want and go home.”

-Kathie G., patron for 17 years

“It’s a great place to bring kids, and [I like] the family atmosphere.”

-Teri C., patron for 17 years

From The Blueberry Patch to The Patch• The new location is nearly double the size

of the previous location at 5,000 square feet.

• A tropical theme replaces the previous woodland design.

• New seafood dishes and Creole-inspired sauces like the Ponchartrain and Creole Confetti are featured.

The Patch28109 Business 249 Tomball • 281-255-8033Monday–Wednesday 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Thursday–Saturday 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

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249 249Business


PEOPLE

Magnolia and Tomball fire chiefs

Gary VincentChief, Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department

Randy ParrChief, Tomball Fire Department

What is the impact of the current drought—the third worst in Texas history—on the fire department?

It will start to impact the availabil-ity of potable water. Eventually we’ll get to the point where we’re consum-ing more water than we can actually produce. When we get to 65 or 70 percent, the city will start to issue restrictions on water use. It stretches our manpower and equipment resources really thin [so] our tactics have to change.

In this critical time, what do people need to know to avoid starting fires?

The biggest issues for us are people throwing cigarettes out of [their car] windows and continuing to burn their trash. If you have a motorcycle or four-wheeler, don’t be out roaming

around the forest, and don’t drive your vehicle off the road.

What have been the biggest changes to the department since you came on board as chief in 2004?

The most significant change we’ve implemented is at least one station is staffed 24 hours a day with a mini-mum of three people. Our typical night time response is five or six minutes. Previously, [firefighters] had to get out of bed at their homes, get to the fire station and go out to the fire. That resulted in what I feel is an unac-ceptable response time.

What changes are on the horizon for the department?

We’re currently seeking land for a third city station and training facility.

Our Emergency Service District [15], which we contract through, approved a 2-cent tax increase in the last elec-tion and is seeking sites for two or three stations in our [extraterritorial jurisdiction].

What to you consider your most significant accomplishment as chief?

We’ve made the integration of fire, police and EMS in Tomball into truly one emergency response unit, rather than three separate agencies. The EMS and police will all show up on the scene and everybody has a role in our incidents. The personnel in lead-ership positions recognize it works a lot better if we all work together.

By Emily RobertsMagnolia Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gary

Vincent has been a career firefighter for more than three decades including serving as assistant chief with the City of Houston. In addition to fire fighting, Vincent has held positions with prestigious institutions such as NASA and the Australian Institute of Police Management. Starting in 1995, Vincent spent 10 years as a consultant to NASA in the transfer of its space technology to fire service technol-ogy. From NASA scientists and engineers, he was able to glean knowledge of heat transfer and fire resistant materials and apply it to fire service. At AIPM, he serves as an international visiting teaching fellow and is one of only

three U.S. fire officers who has been through the program. Vincent said one of his favorite things about his job is that every day is unique.

“Every organization is different and presents a unique set of challenges,” Vincent said. “It’s been very rewarding watching this department grow.”

Tomball Chief Randy Parr has been chasing fires since he was 8 years old. Growing up in Indianapolis, he lived next door to someone who had an Indianapolis Fire Department radio, and when the alarm went off, he would hop on his bicycle and ride to the fire. After graduating from Indiana University, he moved to the Houston area in 1971 and started working with the Alief Community

VFD. During the next 30 years, he served as a firefighter throughout the Houston area and was named chief of Cypress Creek Fire Department in 2000. He accepted the Tomball fire chief position in 2004, and also serves as the city’s emergency management coordinator. In addi-tion, he is the regional coordinator of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, which mobilizes local resources to respond to statewide emergencies. Since he started as chief, he said he has seen the department grow sub-stantially and the quality of the command staff improve drastically.

“The most rewarding part of the job is seeing successful outcomes to emergency situations,” Parr said.

We are currently experiencing a significant drought. Can you explain how the drought level is determined?

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is used to identify the drought level ranging from 0 to 800 units and rep-resents a moisture content from 0 to 8 inches of water at the floor of the for-est. We’re sitting at 756, which means to get the moisture content back up, we’d need 8 inches of rain. The mois-ture in the forest fuel is extremely low and ready to burn.

How does the department utilize relationships with other agencies to supplement its efforts?

We have a great relationship with surrounding departments. We have mutual aid contracts between all departments in Harris and

Montgomery counties. We recently received $1 million [from a] federal grant and purchased new radios that allow us to communicate with fire, police and EMS with this county and surrounding counties. The ability to communicate with other agencies in a disaster is critical to the outcome of [the emergency] event.

What have been the most significant changes since you started as chief?

Over the last few years, we’ve been able to increase the manpower that responds to fires, purchase new fire trucks and apparatuses and improve the safety of firefighters through new gear and new technology. We’ve also purchased several safety devices, three new fire engines and a number of new command vehicles.

What is the most challenging aspect of being chief?

In today’s economic conditions, it’s finding creative solutions to meet the expectation of the community with the limited resources we have.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being chief?

The people in the community and the firefighters themselves have always been the most rewarding part of this career. My travels have taking me all over the world—at the end of the day, it’s really about serving the community and providing the highest quality of service with the resources we have to work with. We are very blessed to have such committed fire-fighters within this department.

For informations on becoming a volunteer firefighter, call 281-356-3288 (Magnolia VFD) or 281-255-2411 (Tomball FD)

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PEOPLE

By Frank DiCesare

David HillConstable works with schools and nonprofits

W hile bringing criminals to justice is certainly an impor-tant part of law enforcement,

Constable David Hill knows law-abiding citizens often need the police too.

For seven terms, Hill has served as con-stable of Montgomery County’s Precinct 5, handling the paperwork that arises from the area’s civil law suits and Class C mis-demeanors such as warrants for hot checks and speeding tickets. He calls his office “the people’s police officer.”

“I like to think when a person wakes up in the morning around here and thinks police, they think constable first,” Hill said. “Our officers in their off-duty time patrol some of the subdivisions, and they get to know some of the citizens there. It’s almost like family.”

A resident of Magnolia for 42 years, Hill is known as a community-focused public official who is both accessible and approachable. Craig Doyal, Montgomery County Precinct 2 commissioner, said Hill’s friendly demeanor and open-minded approach to his job have been the corner-stones of his success as constable.

“He’s hugely popular with the

David Hill has served seven terms as Montgomery County’s Precinct 5 constable, and has been a resident of Magnolia for 42 years.

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community,” Doyal said. “Sometimes people may not feel like they can commu-nicate with their elected officials the way they can with David. I think people create those thoughts in their minds, but David breaks those barriers down quickly.”

Hill is known for his visibility and charitable work, especially in Magnolia’s schools. Working in conjunction with the district’s PTOs, he helps raise money through his “Constable for a Day” events in which parents pay to send their children to his office to learn about law enforcement and have lunch with the officers. Hill also holds barbecues to help raise money for area elementary schools.

Hill believes officers can play a crucial role in helping kids—especially teenag-ers—see law enforcement in a positive way.

“If we can give kids a positive outlook on police officers when they are 15, when they’re 21 and thinking about getting involved in something they shouldn’t be doing, they may stop and say, ‘police offi-cers once told us not to get into that sort of thing,’” Hill said. “You want to point kids in the right direction and show them that police officers are real people trying to do

a real job.”Hill is also a co-founder and long-time

member of the Society of Samaritans, a local food bank in Magnolia, which pro-vides food, clothing, assistance with doctor visits and many other services to people who have fallen on hard times. Raised in Palestine, Texas, Hill was in sixth grade when he decided he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement after officers from the U.S. Border Patrol came to his school for career day.

Prior to being elected constable, Hill

spent 15 years as a Texas highway patrol-man. In August, he will celebrate his 44th year in law enforcement. He is the longest-serving elected official in Montgomery County, a career that was memorialized in March with the opening of the David Hill Criminal Justice Building on Unity Park Drive in Magnolia.

“I’ve always believed that success was finding something you enjoy doing and figuring out how to make a living doing it,” Hill said. “I think I’m successful in that I enjoy being able to help folks.”

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Prospective volunteers who have at least two hours a week are needed. AAR will match your skills to the needs of the animals or the shelter from the list below:• Dog walking

• Dog care

• Cat care

• Basic animal grooming

• Office work (answering phones, filing, creating fliers)

• Fundraising

• Yard work

• Washing animal dishes

• Washing towels

Volunteer opportunities

Abandoned Animal RescueLocal shelter takes in dogs and cats

T he sign outside says “full,” but that does not deter people who are desper-

ately looking for a place for their animals.

“We don’t have to take the sign down because we’re always full,” said Barbara Schultz, one of the founders of Abandoned Animal Rescue in Tomball.

Schultz began the no-kill shel-ter with Angie Fenton and James Gordon in 2002 due to the large number of homeless animals.

“When we started it we decided that placing animals wasn’t going to help anything—what we needed to do was to try and reduce the [pet] population. That’s why we do spay/neuter,” Schultz said.

AAR started with 18 main kennels and dog runs for the 18 dogs that were housed there, but quickly outgrew it.

“We kept adding cages, but there are so many people calling constantly trying to find a place

for their animals and it’s really very sad,” Schultz said.

Currently, the location on E. Huffsmith houses 40 dogs and 40 cats and plans are underway to move to a new shelter. A new building will be located further back on the property allowing for a separate building for the dogs and one for the cats, although it will house the same number of animals.

In addition, AAR hopes the move will reduce the noise for neighbors who live close to the current facility. Schultz said mov-ing into a new building will be expensive and labor-intensive.

“There is so much to do; it’s mind-boggling,” she said. “We will probably build the cats’ [building] first, then the dogs’ [building]. It’s not going to be something that just goes up and it will be done. It will be a process.”

As a nonprofit organization, AAR depends on the community for support. A building fund is

underway, but donations from the community are still needed. In addition, pet supplies including puppy and kitten food, collars, leashes, pet toys, bleach and paper towels are needed. Volunteers are also an important part of AAR, and Schultz said they are always looking for more, especially those that can help with building main-tenance and fundraising.

“We need people who have a knowledge of fundraising, because we’re needing to raise more funds,” Schultz said.

AAR holds fundraising events periodically including a golf tour-nament and a wine tasting, but hopes to offer more in the future. Schultz said the most rewarding part of her job is when an animal is adopted into a good home.

“It just makes your day when someone is desperate and you can help them,” she said. “They’re just so grateful that you’ve taken their animal, and they don’t have to worry anymore.”

Participants in the 2011 Paws for a Cause Fun Dog Walk,

which raised $3,000 for the animals at the shelter.

Abandoned Animal Rescue419 E. Huffsmith Road Tomball • 281-290-0121www.aarescue.com

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The Da Vinci Artists Gallery hosts two events each month.

First Friday 6–9 p.m. • The free event includes food, wine, live music and a silent auction.• The gallery features different artists each month.

“I think the biggest thing that draws people to First Friday is the fact that most of the artists are here,” gallery director Ray Ducay said. “If you like some-body’s painting, you get to talk to them and they explain how they painted it, why they painted it [and] what it means.”

Second Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.• The free event offers a sidewalk sale with discounts on original pieces.• Both new and old artwork is on display, and many artists work on new

pieces during the event.

“The sidewalk sale stops people in their tracks,” Ducay said. “It just attracts them, so we put eye-catching pieces out.”

Monthly events

The Da Vinci Artists GalleryCo-op is run by 25 local artists

E very month, the DaVinci Artists Gallery looks like an entirely different gallery

with new artwork and new artists on display. The co-op gallery, located on Main Street in down-town Tomball, has been steadily building its reputation for the past six years. According to gal-lery director Ray Ducay, part of what draws people in is its unique interior.

“A lot of galleries are white walls with two or three pieces and not a lot of variety,” Ducay said. “The brown [paint on the walls] is used in a lot of art museums. What we try to do is make the walls disappear and let the art-work show.”

The space is filled with a variety of artwork, including paintings, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and photography. The pieces are all for sale and created by the gal-lery’s group of 25 local artists, who operate as a co-op to keep the place running.

“We’re really like a nonprofit,” Ducay said. “I think we’re better off just being a group of artists doing our own thing.”

Each member pays $100 a month in dues and gives 10 per-cent of the profit from each piece to the gallery. Everyone works the gallery one day a month and can often be found working on a new piece during shifts.

“We try to make the artists understand that a co-op is com-plete involvement,” Ducay said. “By working the gallery, members can learn the other artists’ art-work, help maintain the gallery and help us keep the doors open.”

Ducay says many visitors are impressed by the gallery’s opera-tions as a co-op, which makes the artwork accessible to the average person.

“You’re buying the art directly from the artist with very little markup, which makes our artwork very affordable,” Ducay said. “The average piece that

you’d see here that goes for $300 would probably go for $1,200 in [other galleries].”

To become a member, an artist applies for a space in the gallery and a committee of three artists review the applicant’s artwork for professionalism. Ducay says the gallery is constantly receiving applicants.

“Since we’re a co-op, we don’t really have a big budget for mar-keting,” he said. “I don’t advertise anymore—they find us. Every-thing basically is word-of-mouth and reputation.”

Ducay said almost every day someone who has lived in Tom-ball for a long time wanders into the gallery for the first time and is impressed with its professional qualtiy.

“People that really aren’t into artwork that come to the gal-lery tend to leave with a different interpretation of art and a new appreciation for art,” Ducay said.

Da Vinci Artists Gallery showcases local artists and

changes their featured art monthly.

The Da Vinci Artists Gallery315 W. Main St. Tomball • 281-516-9595www.davinciartists.com

2492920

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ENTERTAINMENT

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713.690.0000 The information contained herein is believed to be correct. However, no warranty or representation is made. All prices are subject to change without notice and property is subject to prior lease, sale or withdrawal from the market without notice.

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I n the decades following the famous Spindletop gusher near Beaumont in 1901, where thousands of barrels of oil

were produced daily, nearly every east Texas town was pored over for signs of oil. After 17 years of sporadic and unsuccessful drilling in the Tomball area, the Magnolia Petroleum Company hit pay dirt in a field to the west of Tomball belonging to farmer J. F. W. Kobs on May 27, 1933. The gusher sent oil flying 100 feet in the air, marking a rousing start to Tomball’s rich history of oil and gas production and leading directly to the city’s incorporation July 6, 1933.

The oil boom would triple Tomball’s population within the year, as hundreds of wells were drilled in the area by dozens of oil and gas companies. The new city struck a deal with Humble Oil Company, which had purchased the original Kobs No. 1 well. In exchange for exclusive drill-ing rights within the city limits, Humble provided free water and natural gas to city residents until 1988.

The drilling activity changed the identity of the town, according to Arlis Clepper, chair of the Oil Patch Kids—an association of the children of area oil-field workers.

“Tomball had been known as a railroad town back when it was called Peck,” Clep-per said. “Because it had a big turntable for trains, it was an important railroad hub at one point. It was phased out because the turntable was moved. A lot of businesses were hurting and ready to close their doors, but then the oil boom started.”

Humble Oil—one of six oil companies that provided employee housing—moved more than 350 families. Schools, churches and infrastructure were built for the booming population.

In the ’30s and ’40s, there were 17 oil

A gusher shot 100 feet into the air May 27, 1933.

wells and one gas well within the city lim-its, with hundreds of drilling and produc-tion sites surrounding town. According to the Texas Railroad Commission, the Tomball oil field has produced more than 100 million barrels of oil and 316 billion cubic feet of natural gas since 1933.

As the reservoir has been depleted, production has slowed to a relative trickle. However, for those who have been around long enough to recall the boom days, there is still a great deal of camaraderie.

“Those of us who were here in the early days in the Humble Oil camps were very close-knit,” Clepper said. “We were one big family and are still close today.”Source: “Welcome to Tomball” by Lessie Upchurch

By Nathaniel Stone

Tomball oil and gas production City was once awash in black gold

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The Oil Patch Kids, an association of the children of area oil-field workers, recently purchased a camp house and refurbished it for display at the Tomball Museum, located at 510 N. Pine Street• The exhibit shows the living quarters of fami-

lies moved in by oil companies in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.

• The structures were transported, built up and bolted together in about three days.

• The homes were made in four-foot by eight-foot sections so they could be torn down and moved to the next boom town.

The Oil Patch Kids provide an annual $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior.

Oil camp house exhibit

The upper camp of Humble Oil

Humble Oil superintendent in front of a derrick

PUBLIC DANCES

Since 1889

Saturdays 8:30 P.m.-2 A.m.

July 23 - Lonely Road BandAugust 13 - Lonely Road Band

September 24 - Lonely Road BandSUNDAY October 16 - 6-10 p.m.November 25 - Dance with T.B.A.

November 26 - Dance with Gene WatsonDecember 31 - New Years Eve

with Lonely Road - Make Reservations!

713-664-7450www.tinhall.com

www.lonelyroadlive.com

TIN HALL IS AVAILABLE FOR:Weddings • Private Parties • Anniversa-ries Graduations • Corporate Events

Company Parties • Quinceaneras Birthdays • Celebration of Life

ANY & ALL OCCASIONS!NO PARTY TOO SMALLUp to 1200 Guests

14800 Tin Hall Rd. (Near Telge & Huffmeister)

ADMISSION$5.00ADMISSION

$5.00ADMISSION

$5.00ADMISSION

$5.00



Impacts

Now OpenFred Astaire, a dance studio franchise, had a grand opening May 27 at a new location at 134 Vintage Park Drive, Ste. F. Fred Astaire studios throughout the country offer dance instruction to men and women of different ages and abilities. Types of dance styles include ballroom, country western, salsa and nightclub dancing. Private, group and practice lessons are available. 281-655-0069, www.fredastairehouston.com

Fairfield Nail & Spa is now open at 29110 Hwy. 290, Ste. 110. The spa offers professional nail care, waxing, facials and body massages. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome. 281-213-0477

Obsidian Beauty Supply opened at the end of June at 9344 Jones Road, Ste. E. The store offers a variety of hair and skin products, hair extensions and fashion accessories. A major focus of the company is delivering specialized service in addition to reaching the community through health and beauty education. 281-477-7910, www.obsidianbeautysupply.com

A new baha-style Mexican restaurant franchise, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, opened at the end of June at 9630 Jones Road. The restaurant, which has multiple locations in Dallas, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos as well as sandwiches and salads. www.fuzzystacoshop.com

Mango Tree Thai Bistro10130 Grant Road, Ste. 224Houston • 281-897-8646www.mangotreethaibistro.com

When placing an order at Mango Tree Thai Bistro, the first question the server asks is, “How spicy would you like it?” Based on a scale of one to five—five being the spiciest— chefs add chili peppers until the right level is reached.

“Most customers ask for level two or three, but a man recently ordered a spicy 10,” manager Nina Thanidkullanan said. “He thought it was perfect.”

Mango Tree has been serving authentic Thai food at its cur-rent location for more than three years.

Don Henley and his wife, Stacey, created Ice Designs, an ice sculpture supplier, in 1994. Today, the business produces hundreds of frozen works of art each year from the couple’s studio off Jones Road just north of FM 1960 West.

“Ice intrigues me,” Don said. “It’s been a passion of mine ever since I saw an artist carve a block of ice on the loading dock of the old St. Regis Hotel in Houston more than 20 years ago.”

At Ice Designs, Don and his twin brother Doug, along with artist Casey Kindall, regularly create detailed ice sculptures for many of the most prestigious ven-ues in town. Full story by Betsy Ellison at more.impactnews.com/131910 Ice Designs11105 Neeshaw DriveHouston•281-213-9662www.icedesigns.cc

Oil and gas industry stays stable in area

Mango Tree Thai Bistro

Ice DesignsM

icha

el B

axt

er

As Houston’s growing popula-tion spreads to the suburbs, its capital industry—oil and gas—is quickly following suit. Exxon-Mobil, the international oil and gas giant, announced June 7 that it will consolidate all of its Houston-area offices at a new campus south of The Woodlands. More locally, in Cy-Fair, which less than 10 years ago may have been regarded as a residential bedroom community, many oil and gas service companies are expanding their services.

Although the economy has taken a toll on many industries, and some energy companies have been negatively affected by increased U.S. drilling regula-tions, local oil and gas companies appear to be standing strong.

“Houston is the petroleum and natural gas center of the world,” said Darrell Cherry, president of

Top story

Dining

REGIONAL —Abridged stories from our Northwest Houston edition

Business

Mic

hael

Ba

xter

the Texas Gas Association, which represents natural gas companies in Texas. “Houston is growing, and part of that is from the oil and gas industry. My gut feeling [of why oil and gas companies are expand-ing in the suburbs] is people want to have the convenience of having all the city things, but they don’t want to be in the middle of 3.5

million people.”

Onshore productionAbout 10 years ago, many U.S.

oil and gas companies began rapidly investing in exploring and producing gas products from shale rock formations. Full story by Molly Ryan at more.impactnews.com/13202

Owner and head chef Non-pinate Udomtanachai bought the restaurant more than a year ago, and Thanidkullanan was pro-moted to manager.

In the past year, Udom-tanachai and Thanidkullanan have expanded their menu and initiated a popular lunch special option ($8–$10). Full story by Marcus Funk at more.impactnews.com/13187

FIVE FULL-SERVICE SALONS SPECIALIZING IN REDKEN COLOR

TOMBALL281-351-2345

Four Corners CenterSH 249 @ FM 2920

LAKEWOOD281-376-8364Lakewood Forest Center

SH 249 @ Louetta

WOODLANDS936-321-2345

Randall’s CenterFM 1488 @ SH 242

CYPRESS281-213-8199

Kroger CenterSH 290 @ Spring Cypress

GLEANNLOCH281-376-2422

Kroger CenterChampion Forest @ Spring Cypress

“We Care About You”

All Stylists Are Certifi ed Redken Color Specialists

www.classichairsalon.com

HIGHLIGHT,HAIRCUT, & STYLE

New Clients Only

With coupon. Not valid with any other specials or offers. Expires 10/31/11.

With coupon. Not valid with any other specials or offers. Expires 10/31/11.

For price menus, stylist photos and other information, please visit

our website

Open 6 DaysLate 4 Nights

Certifi edBrazilian Blowout

Salon

$30 OFFNew Clients Only

$10 OFFHAIRCUT& STYLE

After the BP oil spill in April 2010, President Obama placed a moratorium on offshore drilling in U.S. waters. Although the president lifted the drilling moratorium in October 2010, many rigs have still not been able to drill and produce oil because they have not received government permits.

Spenser Pederson, press secretary for the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, said delayed permits have prevented oil companies from producing approximately 230,000 barrels of oil a day. Therefore, many oil rigs have left the Gulf of Mexico and moved to international locations.

In the last six months, the Obama administration has issued 15 new drilling permits. However, more than 50 permits are still awaiting action. The House of Representatives is pursuing legislation to set a timeline for approving permits so more oil companies can get back to work in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore drilling legislation in the worksSlick solution:

Don and Stacey Henley create custom ice pieces.

249

Grant Rd.

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Fairlane Oaks Dr.

Can

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1960

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Windfern Dr.

Neeshaw Dr.


REAL ESTATE

Indigo Lake EstatesMagnolia – 77355

Build-out year: Actively building

Builders: Various custom builders

Number of homes: 376

Square footage: 1,970–8,096

Home values: $140,020–$1,141,220

HOA dues (estimated): $720

Amenities: Bridle Path, Indigo Lake, 3 lake parks

Nearby attractions: Texas Renaissance Festival, Downtown Magnolia, Downtown Tomball, The Woodlands Mall

Property taxes:

Magnolia ISD 1.3800 Montgomery Co 0.4838 No Harris Co Jr Clge 0.1101 Montgomery Co Emergency Dis 10 0.0950 Montgomery Co Hosp 0.0755

Total (per $100 value) 2.1444

Schools:

Nichols Sawmill Elementary 28750 Nichols Sawmill Road Magnolia • 281-252-2133

Magnolia Junior High 31138 Nichols Sawmill Road Magnolia • 281-356-1327

Magnolia West High School 42202 FM 1774 Magnolia • 281-252-2550

28818 Sapphire Circle $480,0004 Bedroom / 3 Bath 3,604 sq. ft.Agent: Colleen Pye, RE/MAX 281-213-6200

20227 Sienna Ridge Ln. $349,9003–5 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath 3,751 sq. ft.Agent: Laurie King, Martha Turner Properties 713-520-1981

20111 Timber Ridge Dr. $279,9003–4 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath 3,076 sq. ft.Agent: Ellisa Carswell, Carswell Real Estate 281-351-2606

20211 Ruby Terrace Ln. $245,0003 Bedroom / 3 Bath 2,092 sq. ft.Agent: Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty, Noreen Arleth, 281-356-2160

249

1774

149

1448 Nichols Sawm

ill Rd.

Joseph Rd.

Stagecoach Rd.Baneberry Rd.

No. of homes for sale

No. of homes under contract

Avg. days on the market

16 4 79

No. of homes sold in the last year

Square footageLow/High

Selling priceLow/High

27 1,828/6,025 $198,000/$725,000

On the market (As of June 20, 2011)

Featured homesOverview

Home sales (March 31, 2010–April 30, 2011)

Market Data Tomball and Magnolia

Price Range

Number of homes for sale/ Average days on the market

77354 77355 77362 77375 77377

Less than $149,999 42/113 78/96 7/123 150/101 34/106

$150,000–$199,999 40/83 34/112 2/125 79/111 82/83

$200,000–$299,999 65/100 57/112 3/93 55/124 86/112

$300,000–$399,999 44/129 26/96 3/214 11/115 14/93

$400,000–$499,999 49/159 23/146 2/116 8/55 10/266

$500,000–$599,999 27/175 19/108 0 3/250 7/124

$600,000–$799,999 18/239 12/60 1/159 6/201 5/171

$800,000–$999,999 5/203 8/154 0 4/123 3/74

$1 million + 7/084 4/90 2/809 2/111 3/265

Month

Number of homes sold/Average Price

77354 77355 77362 77375 77377

May 2011 46/254,350 31/255,930 8/201,988 43/138,334 38/231,976

May 2010 45/262,814 32/231,438 4/115,000 71/140,898 48/203,041

April 2011 32/246,929 14/194,010 0 46/146,120 38/188,619

March 2011 12/280,500 10/228,189 1/56,175 17/144,982 21/206,572

Feb. 2011 24/245,039 21/255,821 2/237,500 38/138,698 26/203,864

Jan. 2011 18/265,221 18/195,893 0 29/127,303 15/234,245

Dec. 2010 31/267,776 21/173,830 3/205,833 52/170,846 29/206,808

Nov. 2010 32/176,398 5/115,020 18/190,765 27/235,052 28/203,169

Oct. 2010 28/248,446 18/226,963 2/275,500 43/155,297 28/221,138

On the market (May 1–31) Monthly home sales

Data compiled by Cheryl Critton

Texas Home Group Realtors832-274-5440 | www.dreamhomesbycheryl.com

Cheryl Critton REALTOR832.274.5440 • [email protected] • www.dreamhomesbycheryl.com

M a g n o l i a • T o m b a l l • S p r i n g • T h e W o o d l a n d s

For help to buy or sell a home, or more information on these great properties, call Cheryl Critton.

Call Cheryl for details!

BEAUTIFULHOME

in Spring area

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Tomball/Magnolia edition | Volume 1, Issue 10 | July …...Online marketing FACEBOOK.COM The social media site offers pages for busi-nesses. “We are creating a tourism-specific page