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What’s Inside

Largest distributed newspaper in northwest Houston.

105,298 circulation.

www.impactnews.com

Dec. 15, 2009 - Jan. 21, 2010VOLUMe 1, ISSUe 4

LSCS to open university center in NW Houston

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Story HighlightsSix universities will participate in the program, all •but one taking up permanent residencenew campus could have 10,000 students enrolled •within two years

Local stores see changes in seasonal shopping habits Education Focus While Texas no longer requires all high school students to complete a health credit to graduate, some school districts, like Cy-Fair ISD, plan to keep the class. | 20

Northwest Forest Conference Center’s Western architecture and atmosphere create a uniquely Texan experience for local businesses and tourists alike. | 6

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NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care opened a second location on Hwy. 290 to care for children after doctors’ office hours. | 4

Willie’s Grill & Ice House will open its 11th restaurant at Barker Cypress and Hwy. 290 in spring 2010. | 4

Harris County Precinct 4 will begin construction in 2010 to lengthen Jones Road from Hwy. 290 to FM 529. | 18

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Highway 290 program will begin construction on the IH 610 interchange in 2011. | 18

The 2009 holiday retail guide lists local northwest Houston businesses and shops by retail type, including jewelry, home and garden, books, pets and sports and tools. | 14

Glenda Arnold named the new assistant dean of student learning at Lone Star College-CyFair.more.impactnews.com/6446

What’s Online www.impactnews.com

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By Kimberly StaufferNorthwest Houston community college

students will have more opportunities to earn higher degrees closer to home with Lone Star College System’s recent purchase of 1.2 mil-lion sq. ft. of the Hewlett-Packard campus, which will be renovated into a second univer-sity center and conference facility.

More than 3,000 students from LSC-Cy-Fair’s satellite Willowchase Center will begin the spring 2010 semester at LSC-University Park. The second largest real estate deal in the nation in 2009, LSCS bought part of the HP campus, where Compaq Computer Corpora-tion was housed. The facility will provide a higher education learning center for the LSC-CyFair community, which is the largest of the system’s five main campuses.

LSC-University Park will also house a university center with several state schools, including Texas A&M University, Sam Hous-ton State University and University of Hous-ton, taking up permanent residence, a major

competitors. Lower-priced cloth-ing retailers TJX, which owns TJ Maxx and Marshalls, and Ross saw a 13 percent increase in store sales in October 2009 from the same time last year, while Ameri-can Eagle Outfitters and Aber-crombie & Fitch have reported a five percent sales drop.Local businesses

Some local businesses are profiting from the same trends. Angelica Ramirez, a photogra-pher at Star Shots in Willowbrook Mall, said the recent closure of its higher-priced competitor, Glam-our Shots, has helped the store to meet its daily goals, although not

Angelica Ramirez, left, with Star Shots in Willowbrook Mall, helps customers choose photo packages.

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Local retailers report mixed holiday sales this yearBy Josef Molnar

As Cy-Fair area residents count the days till the holiday season, they are making lists and check-ing them twice to ensure they truly need that high-priced item.

Following a national trend of financial belt-tightening, local businesses are seeing a decrease in overall sales heading into the holiday season. While tax revenue data for the Houston area lags by several months and will not be determined until next year, the Texas Comptroller’s office reports first-quarter taxes dropped by $15 billion this year to $81 billion from $96 billion in 2008.

Some businesses are benefit-ing from the drop in sales of their

Through Dec. 23 “Miracle on 34th Street” Experience the joy of believing in Santa Claus with this classic play. | 5

Jan. 12 Weston Hurt Solo baritone performs in recitial accompanied by local pianist and sponsored by the Cypress Creek Foundation of the Arts. | 5

What’s Ahead

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Buildings 9 and 10: Third party leases and future growth spaceBuilding 11: Administration, Corporate College, campus data center, IT, future corporate tenant spaceBuilding 12: University center, university storefronts, police academy Building 13: Library, student services, instructional space, future early college, administrationCommons: Corporate College, conference center, existing fitness and kitchen space, dining

The new campus located in the Hewlett-Packard facility will offer community college courses and house a center for universities such as Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, University of Houston and Prairie View A&M.

Source: Lone Star College System

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2 | December 2009 Community Impact Newspaper • Northwest Houston Edition

impactnews.com December 2009 | 3

9601 Jones Road, Ste. 222Houston, TX 77065

281-469-6181

Publisher / Chief Executive OfficerJohn P. Garrett, [email protected]

Northwest HoustonMarket PublisherJason Culpepper, [email protected] Market EditorKimberly Stauffer, [email protected] Account Executive Brittany Utterback, [email protected] Executive Christi Love, [email protected] Graphic Designer | Rhonda BowersContributing Writer Patrick Brendel, Josef Molnar

impactnews.comGeneral ManagerJames Wickett, [email protected]

Editorial managementAssociate PublisherClaire Love, [email protected] EditorCathy Kincaid, [email protected] EditorShannon Colletti, [email protected] Managing EditorRebecca Nordquist, [email protected] DirectorDerek Sullivan, [email protected]

Ad Production ManagerTiffany Knight, [email protected]

Administrative managementChief Operating OfficerJennifer Garrett, [email protected] Chief Financial OfficerDarren Lesmeister, [email protected] DirectorMisty Pratt, [email protected] & Operations ManagerDavid Ludwick, [email protected]

About usCommunity Impact Newspaper is northwest Houston’s first direct mail news organization aimed at delivering necessary and relevant information to more than 105,000 homes and businesses the third Friday of every month. The paper is committed to local, unbiased reporting in this fast-growing market.

M • E • D • I • AI N C O R P O R A T E D

©2009 JGMedia, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher.

My son turned 1 year old last month, which brought much joy, but it came so quickly, catching me off guard when I real-

ized I have not accomplished a primary goal of setting up his college fund.

The cost of college tuition continues to rise each year, excluding more families who previously would have had the option of sending their child away from home with the opportunity to earn a four-year degree. However, thanks to the forward thinking of the officials at Lone Star Col-lege System, northwest Houston students have opportunities for higher education at state-of-the-art college campuses. It would be unfortunate if the residents of northwest Houston had to settle sim-ply because they have no other options, but the reality is they do through com-munity college. The option available to area students is not just one or two small campuses lagging behind in technology or opportunities, but five state-of-the-art

college campuses. Lone Star College System continues to seek ways to main-tain quality within their academic programs while keeping students closer to home. Through partnerships with state universities, two campuses offer uni-versity centers, which provide students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, students can save nearly 75 percent of the cost of a four-year degree by taking their basic courses at a community college. I know I will hold on to this article for when I am talking to my son in 17 years about why he should stay close to home, not just to be near Mom and Dad.

Market Publisher’s Note

ContentsCommunity Impact 4 northwest HoustonCommunity Events 5 December and January calendarBusiness Profile 6 northwest Forest conference center Facility

provides unique Western atmosphereNeighborhood Dining 7 Sushi choo choo Moving Sushi Bar Restaurant

uses novelty service to deliver foodLocal History Profile 8 cypress Top Historic Park Last remnants of old

City of Cypress downtownCommunity Profile 11 Richard carpenter Chancellor of Lone Star

College SystemAt the Capitol12 Texas primariesHoliday Retail Guide 14 Listing of local retailers for holiday shoppingTransportation Report 18 Hwy. 290 program receives early funding,

Jones Road expansion projectNonprofit Profile19 Goodwill Industries of HoustonEducation Focus20 Health class no longer a requirement for high

school graduatesResidential Real Estate 21 neighborhoods at a Glance; Local market

statisticsCommercial Real Estate 22 commercial real estate listings

Distribution

What is Community Impact Newspaper?Publisher John Garrett began Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 after recognizing the need for intelligently reported news covering north Austin. Four years and seven newspapers later, the northwest Houston newspaper brings the same well-rounded coverage and informative writing to the area, providing detailed maps, illustrated graphics and in-depth stories exploring important local issues. The newspaper, published the third Friday of every month, also highlights area businesses, nonprofits and restaurants in the thriving northwest Houston community.

Why is it free?Readers will not be billed for Community Impact Newspaper because the paper is ad supported. Editorial content is never paid for and has a journalistic integrity uncommon for a free publication.

Who gets it?Our paper is mailed monthly to all homes and businesses in the coverage area. We do not mail to post office boxes, but copies are available at the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce in addition to the Community Impact Newspaper office on Jones Road. The articles are available online at www.impactnews.com.

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IMPACT YOUR INBOXSign up to receive Community Impact Newspaper’s weekly eNewsletter featuring local, up-to-date news, and you will be automatically entered to win a $100 Target gift card. The drawing will be held Dec. 31, 2009.

impactnews.com/signup

On Page 4, Merche Restaurant chef is Joel St. John and the phone number is 281-949-5999. On Page 11, Dr. Marcus Duane Barnett’s address is 11307 FM 1960 W., Ste. 210. On Page 21, the listing price for the home at 8654 Plum Lake Drive is $141,900.

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1 Lunch spreadSandwich King Deli & Grill opened in early October at 22224 Hwy. 290, Ste. B in Cypress. The shop’s fourth Hous-ton location, and second restaurant in northwest Houston, features Philly cheese steaks, gyros, burgers, pitas, salads and party trays in a casual atmosphere with a New York deli vibe. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also pro-vides catering. Call 281-890-3589 or visit www.thesandwichking.com.

2 Noodle housePho & More Vietnamese Noodle House opened earlier this fall at 9405 Huff-meister Road, Ste. 120. One of the first Vietnamese noodle houses in the north-west Houston area, the restaurant serves grilled pork dishes and its namesake, Vietnamese Noodle Soup, or Pho, which consists of thin slices of beef in beef broth with rice noodles, basil, bean sprouts, fresh jalapeños, lime juice and cilantro. Call 281-550-6668 or visit www.phonmore.com.

3 Hair salonToday’s Cut opened Oct. 20 at 24120 Hwy. 290, Ste. 300 in Cypress. The hair styling shop cuts men’s, women’s and

children’s hair and provides all salon services. Call 281-758-4888.

4 Healthy teethGreater Houston Dental Specialists recently began accepting patients at its state-of-the-art facility at 9125A West Road. The office provides care in several specialties, including oral and maxillofa-cial surgery as well as periodontics, ortho-dontics and endodontics. The variety of specialties practiced within the same office allows patients to continue care with the same doctors throughout their treatment, said Dr. Chu Kim, a periodon-tist with the practice. The office also offers continuing education credits to dentists, specialists, hygienists and administrative employees in conjunction with the Texas Center for Continuing Dental Education. Call 713-937-0514 or visit www.greaterhoustondental.com.

5 Scents and sachetsBurning Desires Candle Company recently moved to a new location at 8303 Hwy. 6 N. to have better access to a major thoroughfare. The store special-izes in scented wax chips for chip melters, votives, jar candles and car sachets. A variety of scents are sold and all candle

products are poured in-house. Customers can buy color and scent combinations. Call 281-858-8811 or visit www.wix-n-wax.com.

6 Nighttime careTaking over children’s medical care when the doctors’ offices close, NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care opened a second Cy-Fair location at 19708 Hwy. 290, Ste. 500 in November. Dr. Anastasia Gentles opened the facility as an extension of families’ primary care physicians, filling the niche between doctors’ offices and the emergency room. NightLight can treat mild dehydration, repair lacerations, con-struct bone splints and perform minor lab and blood work to test for the flu, strep and infections. The facility has procedure rooms that allow any number of family members to stay with a child during treat-ment. Call 713-957-2020 or visit www.nightlightpediatrics.com.

7 Rustic diningWillie’s Grill & Ice House will open its 11th restaurant at Barker Cypress and Hwy. 290 in 2010. The project, which just recently broke ground, is expected to open in mid to late spring. The restau-rants feature a rustic Texan atmosphere

with open garage doors, pool tables on the ceilings and outdoor seating near live music. Call 281-807-5200 or visit www.williesrestaurants.com.

8 Waxing smoothEuropean Wax Center will open this month in the Copperfield Crossing center at 7014F Hwy. 6 N. at FM 529. The national franchise uses an exclusive stripless wax made from natural beeswax called Violette Indolure from Paris. The wax provides an almost painless experi-ence with little skin irritation. The website will soon offer online booking and guest history. Call 1-866-439-6200 or visit www.waxcenter.com.

9 Asian cuisineAnothai Thai Cuisine opened Oct. 5 at 11049 FM 1960 Road W., Ste. F. The second location for co-owner Anothai Sumdin, the restaurant serves traditional Thai food, such as lemongrass soup, and one of Anothai’s own recipes, Anothai Fried Rice made with chicken, shrimp, spicy shrimp powder, cashews, nuts and egg. Call 281-890-4455.

10 Breakfast stopMr. Donut & Kolaches opened in November at 8190 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 1000. The shop sells cake and glazed donuts and a variety of kolaches, includ-ing bacon, egg and cheese, and jalapeño and cheese. The shop also sells croissants with sausage, bacon and ham. Daily specials and discounts on large special orders. Call 281-550-5509.

11 Hang outOn the Rox Bar opened a second location in late October at 13845 Cypress N. Hous-ton Road. The bar does not serve food. It features karaoke Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and steak night every Tuesday and Thursday with live music each week. Dart tournaments are held Wednesday nights. Call 281-890-3870 or visit www.ontheroxbar.com.

12 Doctor’s officeCypress OBGYN opened a second loca-tion in early December. Located at 21216 Hwy. 290, Ste. 420 at the North Cypress professional building, the practice goes beyond general gynecology and obstetrics and will specialize in veins and laser hair removal. In several years the office staff plans to service maternity patients as well. Call 281-477-0417.

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Community Events

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December17 | Cy-Fair Community BandLocal musicians who practice and play together will perform at a live concert.Lone Star College-CyFair Center for the Arts Main Stage Theatre, 9191 Barker Cypress Road • 7 p.m. • Donations accepted • www.soundsofcypress.org

17-19 | Path to the Cradle: King of KingsVolunteers re-enact an interactive Christmas drama depicting the events of the nativity story. The performance will show every 10 minutes around church grounds.Jersey Village Baptist Church, 16518 Jersey Drive 5:30-8:30 p.m. • Free • 713-466-6102 www.jvbc.org

18 | Local marketCypress Market Nights features 40 to 45 local vendors each Friday selling handcrafted jewelry, ironworks, hand bags, pottery, candles and fresh produce as well as food from The Cajun Family Restaurant and Divina Chocolates.Cypress Village Station, 25222 Hwy. 290 at Skinner Road 4-8 p.m. • Free to public • 832-863-5533

Through Dec. 19 | Christmas storyFamily-friendly version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward MorganBerry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road • 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 11, 17 and 18, 3 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 13 and 19 • $16 (adults), $14 (seniors), $12 (students) • Groups of 10 or more save $2 per ticket • 281-685-6374 • www.houstonfac.com

20 | Family Potluck Dinner TheaterParticipants are asked to bring a food item to share. A performance by the A.D. Players follows the family-style dinner. Beverages provided.Lakewood United Methodist Church Ashbury Hall, 11330 Louetta Road • 5:30 p.m. • Free • 281-370-2273

Through Dec. 20 | Holiday marketThe 8th Annual Holiday Market with Santa Claus will turn Traders Village Marketplace into a winter wonderland with festive foods, family activities and holiday bargains as well as Santa himself.7979 N. Eldridge Road • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • $3 parking 281-890-5500 • www.tradersvillage.com

Through Dec. 23 | “Miracle on 34th Street”A small girl’s belief in Kris Kringle helps the world to realize Santa Claus exists with a climatic court scene.The Texas Repertory Theatre Co., 14243 Stuebner Airline Road • $35 with discounts for seniors, military and students • 281-583-7573 • www.texreptheatre.org

24 | Christmas servicePrince of Peace Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas Eve candlelight service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.16650 Longenbaugh Drive • 7:15 p.m. • 281-859-0800 www.popcopperfield.org

25 | Holiday volunteer visitsVolunteers will gather near Willowbrook Mall Christmas Day to form teams to visit local nursing homes and hand out homemade Christmas cards and cookies. Volunteers are needed to make their own cards.Heartland Health Care Center at Willowbrook, 13631 Ardfield • 9:30 a.m. • 713-964-0229

28 | Classic ReadersBook club discusses Charles Dickens’ literary classic “A Christmas Carol.”Northwest Branch Library, 11355 Regency Green Drive 2 p.m. • Free • 281-890-2665 • www.hcpl.net

Calendar of events must be submitted by the first Friday of the month. Visit www.impactnews.com.

Through Dec. 29 | 28th Annual Home for the HolidaysOld Town Spring hosts its holiday celebration that includes pictures with Santa Claus, strolling musicians and barber-shop quartets, horse-drawn carriage and train rides, and thousands of twinkling lights decorating the shopping area.123-F Midway, Spring • Free • 281-353-9310 www.oldtownspring.com

Through Dec. 31 | “O Little Town of Bagels, Teacakes and Hamburger Buns”A holiday play that centers on a hotel coffee shop and bakery on Christmas Eve. Written by Jeannette Clift George, the play introduces a variety of characters.A.D. Players, Grace Main stage, 2710 W. Alabama $27 per ticket • 713-526-2721 • www.adplayers.org

January9-10 | Cat showThe Houston Cat Club’s 58th Annual Charity Cat Show, sponsored by Houston Cat Club Inc., will feature purebred and household cats.George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall A, 1001 Avenida de las Americas • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday • Cash only admission $8 (adults), $4 (children 4-12 years old and seniors), children under 4 years free • Parking costs $7-$15 www.houstoncatclub.com

12 | Weston Hurt solo recitalAccompanied by music teacher Judy Boyter, the baritone will perform works by Handel, Tosti and Butterworth. Sponsored by Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts.The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive • 3 p.m. Tickets $12 (adults), $10 (seniors), $6 (students and children) • 281-440-4850 • www.cypresscreekface.org

27 | “Casablanca”Cinema WOW! presents this Bogart and Bergman classic about forbidden romance during World War II as a man is caught between his love for a married woman and his duty to the Nazi resistance movement.Lone Star College-CyFair, Art 102, 9191 Barker Cypress 7-9 p.m. • Free • www.lonestar.edu

29 | Jeans & Jewels DanceAll proceeds benefit a safe After Senior Prom Party for Cy-Woods seniors. Donations are being accepted for the silent auction. All donations and purchases for this event are tax-deductible.Northwest Forest Conference Center, 12715 Telge Road 7:30-11:30 p.m. • $30 per person • www.cywoodswrap.org

February12-13 | Treasures of the HeartThe Tri-County Quilt Guild will showcase its members’ talents. The show will feature special exhibits, a merchants’ mall, tin can raffles, quilt appraisals, a tea room, a guild cookbook and a judged show.Fairfield Baptist Church, 27240 Hwy. 290 W. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.Tickets $1 • www.tricountyquiltguild.org

14 | Blood driveNorthwood Presbyterian Church holds a blood drive.3320 FM 1960 W. • 7 a.m.-1 p.m. • 281-444-8861 www.northwoods.com

19-March 6 | “The Sunshine Boys”A reprise of the Upstage Theatre’s first production in honor of its 10th anniversary, the comedy, by Neil Simon, features two feuding vaudevillians.Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. • $15 (individual seat), $12 (students, seniors and parties of eight or more) 713-838-7191 • www.upstagetheatre.org

Sponsored by

SAM HOUSTON


Business Profile northwest Forest conference center

By Josef MolnarNestled in the dense pine forests sur-

rounding Cypress, the Northwest Forest Conference Center is a juxtaposition of a business space and an idyllic retreat.

The sprawling 100-acre campus of conference rooms, dining halls and rustic cabins is the continuing project of entrepreneur Bud Hadfield, the founder of Kwik Kopy. He began the project in the mid-’80s as a training center for the company’s employees and franchisees, but decided that a staid and boring design was not worthy of the location.

“(Hadfield) loves John Wayne and Western things, so it was built that way,” said Heidi MacMillan, director of sales and marketing for the complex. “He started with the Alamo building and built on to that, and it’s grown from there. He only recently started building with a hotel and conference center in mind.”

Built of the same limestone as the original Alamo in San Antonio and engineered to within 10 inches of the 18th-century mission’s design, the Alamo building’s bright, spacious interior holds office and meeting space for the staff and its visitors, as well as a central room that seats upward of 100 people.

The campus’s many buildings, such as the Hacienda, with its white limestone exterior and fountained courtyard, and the Log Cabin, a wooden structure with flagstone floors and dark wood embel-lishments, draw visitors who want to plan private events including retreats, confer-ences and weddings.

“I love this place,” said Mary Hadfield, Bud’s wife and the primary interior designer. “I want to keep it like it is. It’s not for everybody. There are a lot of places for people to have weddings, but people who do like [the Western setting] really love it.”

While the buildings sport traditional designs, they also offer amenities that rival better-known hotels. Wireless inter-net access, conference rooms sporting the latest technology, and a fully staffed kitchen run by a seasoned chef are hidden under a façade of Western charm. And

the many walking and hiking paths, fields where rope team-building courses are held and two lakes provide a tranquil set-ting for visitors of all kinds.

The center’s evolution from a business campus to a multipurpose facility with 76 guest rooms across 10 buildings as well as the meeting space, means the kitchen, maintenance and delivery staff is always on the move.

“This place was not purpose built, so we have challenges keeping the food hot and getting it there on time,” MacMillan said. “There are a lot of logistical issues.”

Despite those challenges, the staff members’ success shows their system is working. The center hosts hundreds of events of all sizes each year, bringing in about $4 million in business, despite Had-field’s focus on mostly word-of-mouth advertising.

MacMillan said the Northwest Forest Conference Center provides the Houston area with a much-needed themed facility.

“Dallas has the Stockyards, San Antonio has the Riverwalk and Houston doesn’t have anything else that’s Westerny and robust, and [it’s] what people expect when they come here and visit,” she said. “People love it.”

Northwest Forest Conference Center’s Western design makes it a popular destination for local companies and tourists.

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Northwest Forest Conference Center12715 Telge Road, Cypress281-256-3548www.northwestforest.com

Shopping weekendNorthwest Forest Conference Center offers facilities for corporate events as well as its year-round Shop and Stay Package, which includes double, queen or king hotel accommodations, continental breakfast for two and a complimentary voucher for a VIP coupon book at the nearby Houston Premium Outlets. Call 281-256-3548 or e-mail [email protected].

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Sushi Choo Choo Moving Sushi Bar delivers food on a moving conveyor belt.

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By Kimberly StaufferAt Sushi Choo Choo, customers can try

a variety of rolls and appetizers, but they have to catch it first on the restaurant’s moving sushi bar.

A novelty in Houston, the conveyor belt of food is a common sight in West Coast cities like Los Angeles and Seattle or New York City. While diners peruse the menu, they can watch plates of half orders of California and Crazy Girl rolls; edamame; and ika sansa, or squid salad, move past their seat. Instead of ordering from one

of the attentive waiters supplying drinks, customers take what they want off the belt or wait for something else to glide past.

Owner Min Li opened the restaurant six months ago after learning the concept was absent from the Houston market. A chef on the West Coast, moving sushi bars were a common sight, but [Houston] was an untapped market.

“In Houston, no one has ever seen something like this,” Li said. “It’s a good location, a growing area.”

The novel eating arrangement has

Neighborhood Dining Sushi choo choo Moving Sushi Bar

caught the taste buds of sushi aficionados and novices alike.

“They get very excited. It’s a new concept for people,” said Tammy Chenh, manager. “They’ve never seen it. They love it. It’s very different.”

The dishes are served on color-coded plates that signify the price of the meal. Plates mounted on the wall inform cus-tomers of each color’s equivalent price.

Knowing not all customers want to consume raw food, Li added a hibachi grill to give diners more choices. In the style of Mongolian barbecue, customers can simply pick their meat and vegetable, and their cooked food mixed with rice or noodles will be delivered in 10 to 15 minutes, a quick lunch for busy employ-ees. Li also consciously keeps the restau-rant’s prices low, offering 15 percent lunch discounts on every dish.

“You can get a half roll instead of a whole roll so you can try more, get more choices and it’s cheaper,” Chenh said. “Sushi is a healthier food—no oil or grease.”

The smaller portions and nice prices make it difficult to resist grabbing every-thing that glides past, but after being seated, patrons can easily identify each food from a picture menu and try an assortment of dishes.

Starting with firm edamame ($1.50),

customers can snack on the tasty cooked soy beans before they pick another light entrée, ika sansa ($2.50). Sweet and chewy with a surprisingly ripe flavor, the salad is a great segue into the Crazy Girl roll ($3.50). Composed of cucumber and snow crab and topped with spicy salmon and crunchy rice flakes, it’s a piquant roll that bursts with flavor but does not allow its spicy taste to overpower the medley of sushi dishes.

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Sushi Choo Choo Moving Sushi Bar12149 FM 1960 W., Houston281-955-2888

Moving matterThe moving sushi bar offers a variety of dishes, •including fried shrimp, California rolls, smoked salmon, TNT rolls and shrimp tempura as well as daily specials.

The restaurant’s plate colors correspond to its •prices. The colors include: yellow ($1.50), blue ($2), green ($2.50), pink ($3), purple ($3.50) and orange ($4).

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Cypress Top Historic Park26026 Old Hempstead Highway, Cypress281-859-1566www.co.harris.tx.us/Pct3

By Kimberly StaufferOnce a popular railway junc-

tion between Hempstead and Houston, the town of Cypress has disappeared amid residential development and urban sprawl, leaving a historic pocket of the vibrant crossroads it once was.

The outpost was a common layover for travelers who camped along the bank of Cypress Creek. When the railroad came to town in 1856 from Houston, the settle-ment grew around the Cypress train station. The town, popu-lated predominately with Ger-mans, once had several general

stores and at least two hotels. Kitzmann Garage repaired first model Ford cars, and Rumpel Saloon was one of few two-story structures in the area. More than 150 years later, the saloon has burned down, the garage has vanished and only one general store remains—Juergen’s Place.

The family’s general store as well as their house and popular Juergen’s Hall, was donated to Harris County in 2005. The last vestiges of Cypress’ downtown, county employees and volunteers spent three years preparing the buildings to reopen as Cypress

Local History Profile cypress Top Historic Park

The Spring Military Band in front of E.F. Juergen’s store in 1939 Juergen’s Place in 2009, now part of Cypress Top Historic Park

Then – Juergen General Store Now

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11307 FM 1960 WEST, SUITE 210 | HOUST

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Top Historic Park.“People used to stop here

Saturday nights for a Coke and groceries,” said Linda Martin-Rust, education coordinator and curriculum design for Harris County Precinct 3. “This really was a popular gathering place.”

The town began to fade when new roads circumvented it, leav-ing it to fade along Hempstead Hwy., while houses cropped up across the road on what had once been ranch land. But people are coming back, Martin-Rust said. Drivers take Hempstead Hwy. to avoid traffic lights and a few stop

in to see a little history.“[The general store] was like

the first WalMart. They really did have everything,” Martin-Rust said. “You could buy repair parts for your car, a chicken catcher, eggs, milk and bread. They had hunting and fishing supplies.”

Juergen’s Place has an uncer-tain historical timeline. E.F. Juergen bought the store in 1897. Ledgers from the era have provided researchers the names of people who shopped there. Martin-Rust said no one can be positive, but there might have been another Juergen’s store. While cleaning out the general store, volunteers found a store advertisement on the back of a postmaster certificate dated 1903. Another advertisement was found behind that dating to 1898 and referencing a Juergen store in Waller.

The store eventually passed to son Clarence and then to his nephew Gene Zaboroski, who ran it until he simply went home one day in 1992 and never came back, unofficially closing shop. It was Zaboroski who donated the

historical buildings after years of roadside decay.

“He urged them to preserve it,” said Marcia Mackey, a park volunteer. “It was kind of a slow start, but everybody in the com-munity is so thrilled. They’re like, thank goodness this could happen.”

People love to come in and reminisce, Martin-Rust said, about their time hanging out at the general store.

Park informationHours of operation: Park grounds are open from 7 a.m. until dusk daily.

The park features the old Juergen homestead, general store and Juergen Hall, which is still a popular venue to rent for parties and events.

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FIVE CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS SERVICES:Wednesday, December 23rd at 7 pmThursday, December 24th at 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm and 11 pm

WEEKEND SERVICES HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:Saturday, December 26th No ServiceSunday, December 27th at 8:30 am, 9:50 am and 11:30 am

SNOW FOR THE KIDS!Thursday, December 24th at 3 pm and 5 pm

16124 Becker Road & Hwy 290 832.875.2520 www.communityoffaith.tv

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change from the original university cen-ter. The Woodlands-based campus offers courses from area universities, but none have permanent classrooms or facilities like LSC-University Park.

The complex, which includes eight buildings on the 45-acre campus, will have the capacity to serve approximately 10,000 students in the next year or two. Ray Laughter, vice chancellor for external communications, said the system’s pri-mary interest was finding a location for a university center.

“There has been a strong push in the northwest part of Harris County to have a university center similar to the one at [The Woodlands],” he said. “It seemed to be the perfect general area to locate. We were able to not only solve the need for us to have a place to build a university center, but to also create something special with the size of the facility we were able to acquire.”

The system is in effect fulfilling a prom-ise, Laughter said. LSCS gained northwest Houston voters in the May 2008 bond election by pledging to build a university center in the area to serve the 15,000 stu-dents who attend LSC-CyFair and the sur-rounding community.

“We had a major push from the com-munity to have the center here,” he said. “There are a lot of school district partner-ships out there that will lead directly into programs [at the center].”New opportunities

Dr. Audre Levy, president of LSC-CyFair, said University Park is a nearby solution for parents and students during a tough economy. After receiving their asso-ciate degree with LSC-CyFair, students can drive roughly 15 miles to the univer-sity center to complete advanced degrees without moving away from home or pay-ing higher tuition at state and private uni-versities.

Since the original university center started 10 years ago in The Woodlands, some 50,000 students have taken courses or graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Laughter said.

“We expect this one to be equal to or greater. We have more resources and experience setting it up,” he said. “We’ve

actually done a study in the radius of the [new] campus, and … I can tell you there is tremendous interest.”

The complex itself is a boon to sys-tem officials wanting to create a college environment, rather than an office space atmosphere.

“It’s not just like buying an office build-ing or an old building. It’s similar to other [college] campuses,” Laughter said. “It has a state-of-the-art conference center perfect for us to do more corporate training and has all of the infrastructure to support a campus.”

The campus includes a cafeteria capable of handling 1,000 people and a 3,000-space parking garage, which will be shared with HP employees.Renovations

Jimmy Martin, LSCS construction and facilities officer, said the college system has no plans for large-scale structure changes, but basic renovations will bring the build-ings up to code for higher capacity and its new role as a college campus.

“We’re adding signage over the next couple of months, and in the interior we’re taking out walls, reconfiguring rooms into

classroom-oriented environments and upgrading the restroom facilities,” he said. “We’re also widening staircases.”

The college is “increasing the density of the space,” Martin said, meaning the buildings will be able to handle a denser, or larger, population. HP had between 100 and 120 people on each floor. The college system estimates about 300 to 350 people. The campus also better accommodates Willowchase Center students who were “quite constrained with the number of classrooms” at the previous facility, Mar-tin said.Area benefits

Michelle Tran, director of college rela-tions for LSC-CyFair, said the reputation of both Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and LSC-Cy-Fair draw people to the Hwy. 290 corridor.

“The growth out here has been tre-mendous with all the new development,” she said. “People are moving out here in droves.”

As LSCS only purchased part of the HP campus, Laughter said several thousand HP employees would continue to work there, sharing the cafeteria and using training and conference facilities. Otherwise, the college

CONTINUED FROM | 1

Lone Star College

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buildings are secured, and any connecting walkways between HP and LSCS buildings have been locked. The influx of students joining the HP employees will benefit the area, Laughter said.

“The good news is having 10,000 stu-dents plus our employees will add to the economy. They’ll shop at stores and eat at local restaurants and bring vibrancy back to the area like when Compaq was there,” he said. “We took a lot of office space off the market, and there’s a lot of good for the community coming out of that.”

Laughter said the LSC-University Park project does not aim to take students from LSC-CyFair, but rather create a separate entity for the burgeoning northwest Hous-ton community.

“What we want to be is a comprehensive, visionary learning complex that will create synergy between a lot of different stake-holders and partners involved in educa-tion and training,” he said. “The doors are wide open and the sky is the limit to what we have in there.”

Getting there – Lone Star College’s area campuses

Six universities and Lone Star College System join together to offer 29 bachelor’s degrees, 33 master’s degrees and three special programs for a total of 65 programs at LSC-University Center. Listed are the universities in partnership with Lone Star College System and the undergraduate programs available with each university. Programs offered at LSC-University Park will be decided in spring 2010.



Five universities participate in LSCS undergraduate programs

Nursing• Social Work• Sociology•

Accounting• Applied arts & sciences• Criminal justice• General business administration• Interdisciplinary academic studies in elementary certification•

Consumer science and merchandising• Hotel and restaurant management• Technology leadership and supervision •

Biological and physical sciences• Biotechnology• Computer information systems• Finance• Humanities•

Interdisciplinary studies• Marketing• Social science B.A.• Social science B.S.•

Human Performance• Interdisciplinary academic studies - Bilingual education (EC-4)• Interdisciplinary academic studies - Bilingual education (4-8)• Interdisciplinary academic studies - Generalist (EC-4)• Interdisciplinary academic studies in special education•

Management• Political science B.A.• Political science B.S.• Psychology•

English• History•

Comment at more.impactnews.com/6480

Prairie View A&M University

Sam Houston State University

Texas Southern University

University of Houston

University of Houston Downtown

A

Lone Star College-CyFair9191 Barker Cypress RoadCypress, TX 77433Enrollment: 15,076

Lone Star College-Kingwood20000 Kingwood DriveKingwood, TX 77339Enrollment: 9,273

Lone Star College-Montgomery3200 College Park DriveConroe, TX 77384Enrollment: 11,055

Lone Star College-North Harris2700 W.W. Thorne Blvd.Houston, TX 77073-3499Enrollment: 13,563

Lone Star College-Tomball 30555 Hwy. 249 Tomball, TX 77375Enrollment: 9,900

Lone Star College-University Center 3232 College Park Drive The Woodlands, TX 77384Enrollment: 3,747

A Lone Star College-University Park20515 Hwy. 249 Houston, TX 77070

249

6


Community Profile Richard carpenter Interview by Kimberly Stauffer

Richard carpenterChancellor of Lone Star College SystemCarpenter oversees Houston’s largest community college system that serves more than 50,000 students at its five north Houston campuses.

Education: He received his associates degree from Southwest Mississippi Community College; bachelor of arts and Master of Education from Northwestern University and his doctorate in community college leadership from North Carolina State University.

Professional experience: Became the youngest college president in the country when assumed the presidency at Somerset Community College in Kentucky at age 29. Most recently served as president of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, and as State Director for Nevada’s Community Colleges.

Contact: 832-813-6515, [email protected]

Lone Star College System is the fastest growing community college in Texas. How has the down economy affected growth at the college in the past year?

Since the economy turned, we’ve had a tidal wave of students across the country enrolling at community colleges. It’s a record year in all 50 states. For us, we’re already experiencing explosive growth so the economy has accelerated that growth. We added another 8,000 new students this year, which is just unprecedented. We’re going to grow even in a vibrant economy, but this economy has certainly accelerated it.

We have had more nontraditional-age students in the past few years. This year we have 1,500 returning Iraqi [War] veterans that we were not expecting. We have about 60,000 students. It’s stunning. Since 2004, we’ve added [more than] 20,000 students.

Why did the college decide to build in northwest Houston?

When we were wanting to get voter support for bond issues [in May 2008], people in the northwest corridor were antsy for upper division higher education. They really wanted bachelor and master’s programs. They supported the bond issue with the understanding we would come back and address that need. Part of this is us keeping a promise to voters. The reason

they are clamoring for it is growth. It’s a large population area that essentially had no direct access to four-year college programs.

LSCS’s purchase of 45 acres of the Hewlett-Packard campus now called University Park has provided real estate for a second university center and a new satellite campus to replace the Willowchase Center. How has the community responded to news of University Park?

The response in the community has been absolutely phenomenal. We’ve take 1.2 million sq. ft. of leasable office space off the market, which certainly helps other businesses in the area. We’re bringing in thousands of students into a concentrated area, again really good for local businesses, such as bookstores and restaurants. What we’re being told by the chamber and economic development is this is one of best things to happen to them in quite some time.

How will the college system tailor University Park to its needs so it better serves students and staff?

We’ve got about $12 million in renova-tions under way right now. We’ve wid-ened stairwells, enlarged restrooms and we’re reconfiguring space for university

partners to their liking. The space is somewhat customizable to their needs. So far we have Texas State University, Sam Houston State University and University of Houston and Prairie View A&M.

The beauty of this is each university can start out one floor at a time, which is 25,000 sq. ft. As the student base expands, we’ve got room for them to expand with us. We start off modest, but have immedi-ate expansion possibilities.

How will LSCS fare in the next five to 10 years?

Currently three out of four freshmen in Texas are at community college, and an increasing number of them are choos-ing us. We are looking at becoming the largest community college in Texas in less than five years. We’re the fastest grow-ing in the state and the largest producer of associate degrees. We’re right behind Dallas County Community College. Part of what we’re going to do is address space needs. While we’re growing, our academic reputation and quality that we’re known for stays where it is. We have to keep a real tight focus on the quality of what we’re doing. We can’t sag under pressure.

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At the Capitol Texas primaries

By Patrick BrendelIn the March primaries, Texas voters

will choose which candidates will repre-sent their respective political party in the November general elections. The rules governing primary elections grew out of the state’s dominance by the Democratic Party until recent years.

Political parties are in charge of run-ning their own primary elections. In Texas, primaries are open, meaning a voter can participate in either the Demo-cratic, Republican or third-party primary election each year. Voters do not have to be registered members of a party to vote in that party’s primary, but voters can-not participate in more than one party’s primary each year.

The first time more voters participated in the Republican primary than the Democratic primary was 1986. The only other years GOP primary votes surpassed Democratic primary votes were 1996, 2000 and 2006.

Since 1990, Democratic primaries have drawn about 7.9 percent of Texas’ voting-age population, and GOP primaries have drawn about 5.7 percent. Over that same time span, general elections have drawn about 37 percent of the voting-age population.

Before the insurgence of the GOP, the Democratic primaries determined the

overall winners, for the most part, as Republicans put up only token opposition in the general election.

In the 1800s, parties had free rein in choosing their nominees for office. The 1905 Terrell Election Law attempted to regulate the nominations process, estab-lishing a mandatory statewide direct-primary system for all state, district and county elective offices, according to the Handbook of Texas.

Before 1960, the state’s primaries were held in July, with runoffs in August. To benefit the potential presidential candi-dacy of U.S. Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, state laws were altered to move the primaries to May, with runoffs in June, so that Johnson could be nominated for re-election to the U.S. Senate and also be on the ballot as a presidential candidate.

Beginning with the 1988 primaries, state lawmakers moved up the party elec-tions to March, with runoffs in April, to conform with Super Tuesday primaries in other Southern states.

1970 1980 1990 2000 2008

U.S. Representatives, all 32 seats 2-year term

Governor 4-year

Lieutenant Governor 4-year

Attorney General 4-year

Comptroller of Public Accounts 4-year

Land Commissioner 4-year

Commissioner of Agriculture 4-year

Railroad Commissioner 6-year

Texas Supreme Court, three places 6-year

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals three places 6-year

State Senators, 16 seats 4-year

State Representatives, all 150 seats 2-year

State Board of Education, eight places 4-year

Court of Appeals Justices, various 6-year

District Judges, various 4-year

Criminal District Attorneys, all 4-year

County Judges, all 4-year

District and County Clerks, all 4-year

County Treasurers 4-year

County Surveyors 4-year

County Commissioners Precincts 2 and 4 4-year

Justices of the Peace, except Place 1 4-year

Offices up for election in 2010

Texas voting turnout

vote % o

f vot

ing-

age

popu

lati

on

General Democratic Primary Republican Primary

Voting turnout spikes during presidential election years, compared to gubernatorial election years. While the race for governor will be the main focus in 2010, many other offices will also be on the ballot.

Dec. 3-Jan. 4, 2010•Candidatesfiletobeonballot

Jan. 1-Feb. 23•Mail-inballotapplicationsaccepted

Feb. 1•Lastdaytoregistertovote

Feb. 16-26•Earlyvotingperiod

March 2•PrimaryElectionDaySource: Texas Secretary of State

Important primary election dates

0

20

10

30

40

50


CONTINUED FROM | 1

Retailby as much as before.

“Last year was a lot busier than this year, especially during Christmas time,” she said. “The prices are the same, but last year people doubled up on extra pictures and packages.”

Ramirez said the photo packages people order have changed as well.

“They haven’t really done the group pho-tos. Most of it has been graduation photos and babies, and not as much about fami-lies,” she said.

Like many retailers, Star Shots brings in the majority of its business during the fall and winter holiday period, and she hopes their estimates are accurate.

“This year we’re expecting about a thou-sand people [through the end of the year],” she said. “Last year it was probably double that, but we’re hoping for more around Christmas time.”Shopping

Lori Kasmarcik, a local resident and shopper, saw a lot of foot traffic at Wil-lowbrook Mall on a weekday in November, although few were buying.

“Shopping last year was crazy,” she said. “They were heavily shopping last year; [this year] there is a difference,” Kasmar-cik said. “Although it hasn’t affected me, there’s definitely an impact, as far as the economy is concerned.”

However, she said one benefit of the reduced buying is a better selection of products.

“There [are] a lot more choices than there normally [are], and I think it’s because people aren’t buying as much,” she said.Down economy

While Kasmarcik said her husband, David, who works for an auto part retailer, has been unaffected by the down economy, that is not the case with thousands of Houstonians.

Of the 240,000 unemployed people in the Houston area, many are new trans-plants to the area in search of more work than is available elsewhere in the coun-try. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Houston area’s unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, which is slightly above the state’s rate of 8.3 percent. As high as that number may be for the Houston area, which has typically enjoyed strong employment, it is almost 2 percentage points lower than the national average of 10.2 percent.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Eco-nomic Analysis, the third quarter showed a healthy increase in the country’s output of 3.5 percent after a year and a half of negative growth, although businesses are wary of hiring too soon.

Despite the trends with some retailers, Rita Ferguson said her store, II Friends Gifts on Barker Cypress, is performing well this year.

“We are most definitely doing well,” she

said. “The traffic is not down; our sales may be flat, but they’re not bad at all.”

She expects the trend to continue and is anticipating a strong holiday sales period.

“I don’t know what the holidays are going to be like, but I’m expecting good results,” she said. “We did our annual Christmas open house [in mid-November], and it was better than last year.”

She pointed to II Friends Gifts’ good

Fourth quarter gross retail sales

2008’s gross sales comparison

Total gross retail sales for the City of Houston’s fourth quarter, which starts Oct. 1 and ends Dec. 31, constitutes the majority of annual sales.

A comparison of the City of Houston’s 2008 total gross retail sales by quarter.

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

$16 billion

$14 billion

$12 billion

$10 billion

$8 billion

$6 billion

$4 billion

$2 billion

$0

Source: Texas Comptroller’s office

$9.87 billion

$10.89 billion

$10.98 billion

$12.83 billion

$13.02 billion

$13.52 billion

$14.86 billion

customer service, loyal customer base and wide selection of gift items, jewelry and home decorations as the secret to her store’s success.

“We try very hard to stay in tune with what our customer needs and wants, and we feel like if someone has the time, we will show them around, and most of the time they’ll find something,” she said.


$

$

First quarter

$14 billion

$12 billion

$10 billion

$8 billionSecond quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

$10.19 billion$10.03 billion$9.94 billion

$14.86 billion

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1 Twice Told Tales8648 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-463-4961

2 Freckles Children’s Boutique25712 Hwy. 290, Ste. DCypress281-373-3200

3 Imagination Toys & Shoes142 Vintage Park Blvd.Houston281-376-1834

4 Learning Express Toys25704 Hwy. 290, Ste. HCypress 281-758-2232www.cypress.learningexpress-toys.com

5 Learning Express Toys7014 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-463-5055www.copperfield.learningexpress-toys.com

6 Once Upon a Child15951 FM 529Houston281-858-6830www.ouac.com

7 Rattle Tattle8492 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-855-4288

8 B Ellen25712 Hwy. 290, Ste. GCypress281-304-7767www.shopbellen.com

9 Bling It On13243 Jones RoadHouston281-807-3988www.blingitonfashion.com

10 Rockwell17395 Hwy. 249, Ste. 3FHouston281-890-5444

11 Trendy Boutique10936 Grant RoadHouston281-894-8736www.trendyboutiquefashions.com

12 Vickie Lynn’s17445 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. FCypress281-256-8003www.vickielynns.com

13 Vickie Lynn’s8475 Hwy. 6 N., Ste. HHouston281-859-8006www.vickielynns.com

14 Autumn Leaves Florist & Gifts15210 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. DHouston281-373-3332www.autumnleavesflorist.net

15 Divina Chocolates25250 Hwy. 290, Ste. 180Cypress832-220-1473

16 Edible Arrangements12020 FM 1960 W.Houston281-955-9899

17 Suzybeez Cakez N Sweetz12914 FM 1960 W., Ste. EHouston281-807-5777www.suzybeez.com

18 Beadoholique14315 Cypress Rosehill Road, Ste. 110Houston281-256-0904www.beadoholique.com

19 Burning Desires Candle Company8303 Hwy. 6 N., Ste. AHouston281-858-8811www.wix-n-wax.com

20 Games Plus17515 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. DCypress 281-758-2557

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21 Gift Junkie11734 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 102Houston281-256-3755

22 Gina’s Accessories25704 Hwy. 290, Ste. GCypress281-758-0578

23 II Friends Gifts12344 Barker Cypress RoadHouston281-550-0722

24 Paper Daisy17515 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. ECypress281-373-9694www.paperdaisy.com

25 Rachael’s Hallmark12312 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 1300Cypress281-256-9800www.hallmark.com

26 Rachael’s Hallmark12240 FM 1960 W.Houston281-469-3881www.hallmark.com

27 Trudy’s Hallmark7053 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-463-0593www.hallmark.com

28 Winestyles12361 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 900Cypress281-758-3560www.winestyles.net/cypress

29 Arthur Murray Dance Studios9521 Huffmeister RoadHouston832-593-0090www.arthurmurraycypress.com

30 Arts of Glaze13215 Grant Road, Ste. 800Houston832-717-5450

31 Copperhead Music9740 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 110Houston281-859-6000www.copperheadmusic.com

32 Cypress Dance25250 Hwy. 290Cypress832-475-9142www.cypressdance.com

33 Dahn Yoga12020 FM 1960 W.Houston832-237-9642www.dahnyoga.com

34 The Dance Bag17337 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. DCypress281-758-2112

35 Fancy Dancer Boutique18351 Hwy. 249, Ste. FHouston281-890-0100www.jazzrags.com

36 The Guitar Shop12519 Jones RoadHouston281-897-8067www.guitarshoptexas.com

37 Music Go Round7538 FM 1960 W.Houston832-912-9555www.musicgoround.com

38 Premier Pilates14555 Skinner Road, Ste. CHouston281-256-0103www.premierpilateshouston.com

39 Quiltworks25250 Hwy. 290, Ste. 140Cypress281-256-3550

40 Sewing & Vacuum Warehouse18351 Hwy. 249, Ste. AHouston281-469-5377www.sewingmachinewarehouse.com

41 Anything Outdoors12930 Grant RoadHouston281-655-4446

42 Dickinson Interiors13040 Louetta RoadHouston281-370-2099

43 Donna’s Home Décor & Gifts12718 Grant RoadHouston281-357-2636www.donnasdecoration.com

44 The Great Frame Up13107 Louetta RoadHouston281-376-6300Houston.thegreatframeup.com

45 The Great Frame Up17515 Spring Cypress Road, Ste. FCypress281-404-5030Houston.thegreatframeup.com

46 The Inspired Home8190 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 300Houston281-856-6270

47 Phoenix Rising9740 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. 111Houston281-345-4752www.prhomedecor.com

CONTINUED ON | 16

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Bill Duckworth, service manager, and Dede

LaRochelle of David’s Cycles

77

Studio 21 Salon & Spa72

48 Signature Home Theater126 Vintage Park Blvd.Houston281-370-1800

49 Ariadne Fine Jewelry

10919 Louetta Road, Ste. 520Houston281-655-1380www.ariadnefinejewelry.com

50 Gold Factory Jewelers13215 Jones RoadHouston281-890-0497

51 Your Jeweler12155 Jones RoadHouston281-477-0936

52 Houston Premium Outlets29300 Hempstead RoadHouston281-304-5820www.premiumoutlets.com

53 Natural Li’s Healthy Pantry7710 Cherry Park DriveHouston281-858-6175

54 Aquatic World8714 Jones RoadHouston281-469-6888

55 Barks 5th Avenue10620 FM 1960 W.Houston 281-970-2284

56 Four Paws Dig It11600 Jones Road, Ste. 115Houston281-970-2000www.fourpawsdigit.com

57 The Kennel Klub9040 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-345-4364

58 Reptiles Select & Exotic Mammals9804 Jones Road, Ste. EHouston281-807-1771www.reptilesselectandexoticmammals.com

59 Tails of Texas17720 Huffmeister RoadCypress281-373-4640www.tailsoftexaspetresort.com

60 Atrium Salon & Day Spa9516 Jones Road, Ste. HHouston281-897-9518www.atriumspa.com

61 Balle Bliss Luxury Medical Spa13611 Skinner Road, Ste. 270Cypress281-758-2777www.ballebliss.com

62 Bella Marie Nails9344 Jones Road, Ste. KHouston832-237-5500

63 Bella Nova Day Spa & Retreat7014 Hwy. 6 N., Ste. DHouston832-593-8877www.bellanovaspa.com

64 Body + Brain13203 Fry RoadCypress 281-213-8484www.bodynbrain.com 65 Bubbly’s Salon & Spa

18027 FM 529Houston713-568-5639

66 D’Luxe13203 Fry Road, Ste. 100Cypress281-256-2838www.dluxedayspa.com

67 Energé Spa24140 Hwy. 290, Ste. 400 Cypress281-758-1988www.theenergespa.com

68 Journey’s Hair Studio & Spa Jaeger15210 Spring Cypress RoadHouston281-304-4224www.journeyshairstudioandspajaeger.com

69 Massage Envy25712 Hwy. 290Cypress832-220-1900www.massageenvy.com

70 Natural Retreat Salon & Day Spa25905 Hwy. 290, Ste. HCypress281-304-1600

71 Reveal/North Cypress Women’s Center9533 Huffmeister RoadHouston281-861-1100www.houstonreveal.com

72 Studio 21 Salon & Spa10850 West RoadHouston281-897-9090www.studio21salon.com

73 Trinity Salon & Day Spa11808 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. CCypress281-373-3322www.trinitysalon-dayspa.com

74 Visage Salon & Day Spa11910 Louetta RoadHouston281-379-1772www.visage-salon-spa.com

75 Waiting to Exhale Luxury Day Spa13215 Grant Road, Ste. 1000Houston281-370-7546www.waitingtoexhaledayspa.com

76 Bike Barn6135 FM 1960 W.Houston281-440-3555www.bikebarn.com

77 David’s Cycles9920 FM 1960 W.Houston281-469-7725www.davidscycles.com

78 Golf Etc.6547 Hwy. 6 N.Houston281-859-7774www.golfetccypress.com

79 Houston Motorsports9550 FM 1960 W.Houston281-890-2020www.houstonyamaha.com

80 Northwest Cyclery17458 Hwy. 290Houston713-466-1240www.northwestcyclery.com

81 Play It Again Sports7550 FM 1960 W., Ste. AHouston281-517-0222

82 MP Custom Audio9820 FM 1960 W.Houston832-912-6000

83 Mr. Bedliner Truck Accessories13529 Skinner Road, Ste. GHouston281-213-9622

CONTINUED FROM | 15

Curtis Ultsch, manager of Music Go Round

37


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If your business was left off, please e-mail us at [email protected] and we will do our best to include you next year.

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Transportation Report Hwy. 290 projects and construction

By Kimberly StaufferThe Texas Transportation Commission

allocated $314.6 million in Proposition 12 funds to advance construction on the Hwy. 290 and IH 610 interchange, phase one of the Texas Department of Transpor-tation’s Hwy. 290 corridor renovation.

The funding requires TxDOT to let the project to bid by May 2011, speeding up the previous timeline that did not expect project bidding to begin until 2012. The money will advance planning, design and right-of-way acquisition and fund part of the interchange construction, including the reconstruction and widening of both IH 610 north and Hwy. 290 and the con-struction of a direct connector from Hwy. 290 eastbound to I-10.

The intersection is ranked as the 13th most congested roadway segment in Texas as three major thoroughfares intersect: I-10, Hwy. 290 and IH 610. Mike Zientek, senior public involvement representative for the Hwy. 290 program, said the fund-ing, while valuable, is only a drop in the billion-dollar project cost.

“The interchange is just everything,” Zientek said. “It’s the spine. Without the interchange, nothing really works well.”

Voters approved Prop. 12 in 2007, allocating $5 billion as general obligation funds for transportation projects. Earlier this year, the state Legislature authorized TxDOT to contract out $2 billion of the funding for non-tolled highway proj-ects, Zientek said. In partnership with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, TxDOT recognized the $4.6-billion Hwy. 290 program as a viable candidate for the money and submitted it to the TTC for consideration in October.

Zientek said the funding also covers

extending IH 610 westbound frontage road to extend past Northwest Mall to connect with Old Katy Road. The main coup of the allotment is the go-ahead for the first of two planned direct connectors between I-10 and Hwy. 290.

“The main benefit you’ll see is traffic on inbound Hwy. 290. What backs it up in the morning is the people who have to get on 610 to go to I-10,” he said. “The big reason for the backup is so many of those cars must get on 610.”

The direct connector will allow drivers to exit Hwy. 290 and avoid IH 610 entirely to reach I-10, decongesting traffic on both Hwy. 290 and IH 610 westbound lanes.

“Traffic wants to do different things. We need to build structures to take driv-ers different places [in the area],” Zientek said. “We’re all having to share that piece of concrete, but we don’t all want to do the same thing.”

“This will only build parts of the inter-change. We still have the other connec-tor and parts of [IH 610 west],” he said. “We’re very relieved to have received this funding, but we still need more. There’s still more to do.”

The Hwy. 290 program will renovate the northwest corridor, expanding the existing highway to five lanes and recon-structing Hempstead Road as Hempstead Tollway, a Managed Lanes thoroughfare running parallel to Hwy. 290. A proposed commuter rail would run alongside the Union Pacific Rail Road freight line con-necting the Cy-Fair community to the Northwest Transit Center on Old Katy Road, thereby relieving motor traffic.Road extension

While TxDOT prepares the Hwy. 290 corridor project for its 2011 bid date,

Harris County Precinct 4 will begin a new construction project in 2010 that will extend Jones Road under Hwy. 290 to FM 529. The road extension will provide alternate access to the highway between West Road and the Sam Houston Tollway.

The four-lane road will minimize exist-ing traffic on North Eldridge and West roads and distribute it by giving motorists more options. Jones Road is the only cor-ridor between the two main roads capable of providing a connection under Hwy. 290, said Pamela Rocchi, project coordinator for Harris County Precinct 4.

The new $4.8 million section includes a storm sewer system and drainage mitiga-tion. Rocchi said the existing Jones Road

290

I-10

610

nMap not to scale

Hwy. 290 and I-10 interchange phase one

The new funding will help build the Hwy. 290 project’s

IH 610 and Hwy. 290 interchange, which includes

one of two direct connectors from Hwy. 290 eastbound

to I-10. The direct connector will bypass IH 610, alleviating

rush-hour traffic.

at Hwy. 290 intersection, which already has a stoplight system, will be modified to accommodate a four-way intersection and the FM 529 and Jones Road intersection will also be signalized.

The project is slated to break ground in the first quarter of 2010, but Rocchi said its timeline hinges on Jersey Village. The area falls within the city’s jurisdiction. While Harris County funds the engi-neering design and construction, Jersey Village, in a joint participation agree-ment with the county, has managed the engineering contracts and a necessary agreement with Union Pacific to cross the freight train tracks on the west side of Hwy. 290. The railroad must design a train crossing for the new section of Jones Road, Rocchi said.

“It is Harris County’s goal to request authorization to put to bid the improve-ments in the first quarter of 2010, but it’s contingent on Jersey Village’s ability to finalize the railroad agreement,” Rocchi said. “The project design is essentially complete.”

The project was first initiated in 2005 and design efforts commenced. Most county projects take about four to seven years to develop, Rocchi said. Aware of TxDOT’s Hwy. 290 corridor program, Rocchi said while Jones Road will be in place first, the county has worked steadily through the years with various entities to ensure any new installations work with the larger renovation plans, including the proposed commuter rail that would run alongside the existing UP freight rail.

The county is still acquiring several permits, but Rocchi said they plan to begin actual construction by the begin-ning of the third quarter of 2010. The project is estimated to take approximately 12 months to complete.


Jone

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Map not to scale

The Jones Road extension will make the current intersection at Hwy. 290 a four-way traffic light and extend Jones Road past Hwy. 290, where it dead ends.

Traffic signals will be added at the intersection of Jones Road and FM 529 where the road extension will end.

Brief timelineThe .75-mile Jones Road extension project will begin construction in 2010, expanding the thoroughfare from its three-way intersection at Hwy. 290 to FM 529, creating another traffic corridor.

The Jones Road extension to FM 529 is slated to break ground during the first quarter of the new year. There is no completion date at this time.

The project was first initiated in 2005. Most county projects take four to seven years to develop. While the project design is complete, Harris County is still waiting for Jersey Village to finalize an agreement with Union Pacific since the extension will cross the tracks near Hwy. 290.

Jan.-March 2010

Road block

Jone

s Rd

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Jones Road extension


nHuff

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. Cypress North Houston Rd.

Nonprofit Profile Goodwill Industries of Houston

Robert Jackson and Victoria Lewis, right, are military veterans helped by Goodwill Industries employee Adriene Mackey (center).

Jose

f Mol

nar

Goodwill Industries of Houston11202 Huffmeister, Houston281-955-7864www.goodwillhouston.org

By Josef MolnarAt 59 years old, Marine and Army

veteran Robert Jackson has seen action in Vietnam and elsewhere, but it was his battle with homelessness and unemploy-ment that proved the greatest challenge.

Thanks to Goodwill Industries of Hous-ton, he and other Houston-area residents have been able to find work and begin building a better future for themselves.

After running through a string of jobs, Jackson moved to Houston in 2007, but soon found himself out of work and liv-ing at the Star of Hope mission. Without work, however, breaking the cycle of homelessness was daunting.

“A lot of companies look at you like you’re too old, and they don’t want to take the chance with you,” Jackson said. “You’re a handicap to them because of your age.”

In August, he moved to a housing com-plex near downtown, which is run by U.S. Vets, and was introduced to Goodwill through that organization’s partnership.

“As soon as I got in to Goodwill [was] the same day I got a job,” Jackson said, “and I’ve been working ever since.”

According to the Veterans Administra-tion, between 9,000 and 11,000 people are living on Houston’s streets, and one-third of them are veterans. While they are dealing with issues such as mental disorders and drug addiction, others have simply fallen on hard times.

“There’s a lot more females coming out of the military who are homeless,” said Victoria Lewis, 26, a Navy veteran. “It may not be because of a drug or alcohol problem; it may be because most are out of Iraq, and they may not know how to function properly.”

Helping them to readjust to civilian life and find gainful employment goes a long way toward bringing them back into society, she said.

After Lewis left the armed services in 2006 and settled in Louisiana, she enrolled in nursing school, but could not afford to finish her coursework. She moved to Houston the next year to live with a family member, but her support network collapsed, and she found herself without a home, bouncing between

shelters and temporary homes.She found out about Goodwill through

word of mouth, and she is now in the VA Supportive Program, a Section 8 housing subsidy that helps veterans to have a place of their own. Goodwill’s alliance with many such programs allows them to reach out to veterans and help them find work.

“I got back in school, and I’m still there, and they helped me get a job through Goodwill,” Lewis said.

Helping veterans and other Gulf Coast residents to find work is the primary mis-sion of Goodwill Houston, said Steven Lufburrow, the organization’s president.

“We serve about 5,000 people a year, from helping them find jobs to giving them jobs [at Goodwill stores], to getting them training,” he said. “Our goal is to allow a person to have the opportunity to have a job so they can be a taxpayer in society rather than a tax receiver.”

But Lufburrow recognizes that without the support of people who donate to and shop at Goodwill, helping the jobless to become more financially secure can-not happen. And although the recession is driving people to seek less expensive shopping options, he believes Goodwill’s customers also choose to shop at a place with a social service mission.

“We’re seeing phenomenal support from the communities where we have stores,” Lufburrow said.

The effort has not gone unnoticed, and Lewis finds herself spreading the word about the organization’s mission.

“Goodwill is a good place for people who want help,” she said. “They really want to help people.”

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By Kimberly StaufferTexas students may now

graduate high school without taking a semester health class after the state Legislature passed a bill this year removing the graduation requirement.

The bill cuts the health course from high school recommended graduation plans, while leaving it in tact for the minimum and distinguished plans. Mary Jadloski, director of curriculum and instruction for high school with Cypress-Fairbanks Inde-pendent School District, said dis-tricts can require courses above the state standard and Cy-Fair

ISD is evaluating whether to keep the course.

“We would phase in the change with the current eighth grade class,” Jadloski said. “We are currently studying whether we will retain [health class] for eighth graders and everybody else after that, and we are lean-ing that way.”

While the bill became effec-tive just after the start of the fall semester, Cy-Fair ISD officials decided to enforce the graduation requirements in place last spring, retaining the health class require-ment for students currently in grades nine through 12.

The State Board of Education is expected to make a decision later this year about aligning the graduation plans to require the same courses, Jadloski said.

“The material, the content [of the class] is important informa-tion that helps students make good life choices and decisions,” she said. “There is not another course where that exists except in health class.”

The reasoning behind elimi-nating the class is allowing high school students more elective choices in a schedule already crowded with required core classes, said Diana Everett, executive director of the Texas Association for Health Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance. By making the course an elective, Everett said the Legislature assumes students who find health class interesting enough will sign up for it.

“It was unbelievable that was their rationale,” she said. “They’re not thinking about how much this affects students.”

The semester class, which Everett said should be expanded to span students’ entire school

career, illuminates numerous topics from the basics of good nutrition to communicable dis-ease to sexuality.

“There’s a lot of communica-tion. How do you deal with abusive relationships, boyfriends, girlfriends and parents? How do you communicate with peers and adults?” Everett said. “There’s a whole gamut of information that now might not be made available to these students and, as always, they generally gather information from each other or the internet. How do you discern whether information is good or bad?”

While legislators may have been trying to give students more flexibility, Jadloski said she does not think they seriously considered the implications of removing health class.

“It’s not English, math or sci-ence. It doesn’t help or keep you out of college,” she said. “We believe that flexibility is good. We want students to take a vari-ety of courses to discover their interests, but we also believe [health] is a good course and that kids need it.”

Obesity, a major juvenile issue

Education Focus cy-Fair ISD plans to retain health class requirement

that impacts one in three youths, is a chief concern of Everett’s. In July, Texas was reported to have the 20th highest percentage of obese and overweight children and 14th highest percent of obese adults in the U.S. by a joint study between the Robert Wood John-son Foundation and Trust for America’s Health.

With the passing of the bill exorcising the health require-ment, TAHPERD conducted an informal survey of 71 member school districts in August asking about their plans for health and physical education courses.

Sixty-two percent, or 44 districts, planned to keep health class for the 2009-10 school year, while 10 percent, or seven dis-tricts, were eliminating the class. Another 20 schools were still undecided. In the Houston area, Aldine ISD has already voted to continue requiring the health credit for all students.

“The best advantage we have is most parents know any form of health education is better than none,” Everett said. “They want their children to have health education.”

HEALTH EDUCATION FOR 2009-10 PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR 2009-10

62% 56%28%

34%

10% 10%

The decisions made by school districts regarding curriculum changes for physical educationclasses.

Keep health Keep P.e.

The decisions made by school districts regarding curriculum changes for health education classes.

eliminate health

eliminate P.e.Undecided

Undecided

The following school districts will continue to require 1/2 credit of health education and 1.5 credits of physical education as part of its mandatory curriculum:

aldine ISD•callisburg ISD•carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD•corpus christi Incarnate Word•

edgewood ISD•era ISD•Fairfield ISD•Gainesville ISD•

Grapevine-colleyville ISD•Irving ISD•Lubbock ISD•Lufkin ISD•

northside ISD•Shallowater ISD•Valley View ISD•

heaLTh MaTTerS: STATE DISTRICTS NOT CHANGING COURSE REQUIREMENTS

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Residential Real Estate Market Data

Less than $149,999$150,000-$199,999$200,000-$299,999$300,000-$399,999$400,000-$499,999$500,000-$599,999$600,000-$799,999$800,000-$999,999$1 million +

76/10338/8425/865/1902/407

–1/1751/1662/179

86/8842/9921/89

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71/7829/67

17/1502/331/50

––––

76/8965/89

27/1253/130

–4/3764/2931/2865/408

93/89116/8668/98

15/1157/601/31

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112/76124/90101/9954/99

19/20515/12310/1067/2214/400

98/8868/87

142/8069/10144/10323/1557/1461/2222/122

Price range Number of homes for sale/ Average days on market

On the market* (Nov. 1-30)

77040 7706577064 77070 77095 77429 77433

neighborhoods at a Glance

Winchester Country Trails - 77064

Featured homes

1 10327 Dude Road4 Br/2.5 Ba | 2,464 sq. ft. $164,508Agent: Sara Gordon 281-374-8484Gordon Ford Properties

2 10410 Minturn Lane4 Br/3.5 Ba | 2,884 sq. ft. $224,900Agent: Evelyn Murray 281-890-4024Prudential Gary Greene Realtors–Northwest

3 9302 Tepee Trail4 Br/2.5 Ba | 2,380 sq. ft. $179,950Agent: David Flory 281-894-1000RE/MAX Professional Group

4 9110 South Pass Lane4-5 Br/2.5 Ba | 2,040 sq. ft. $157,300Agent: Gary Bisha 713-683-0054My Castle Realty

Woodwind Lakes - 77040Located near Beltway 8 and Hwy. 290, Woodwind Lakes offers a convenient commute to the Willowbrook area or The Galleria. The community offers residents three private lakes, parks and a recreation area.

Cy-Fair ISD schools:Reed Elementary School•Dean Middle School •Jersey Village High School•

Featured homes

2 7910 Sonata Court4 Br/3 Ba | 3,053 sq. ft. $239,900Agent: Julie Sample 281-894-1000RE/MAX Professional Group

1 7918 Adagio Avenue4 Br/3.5 Ba | 3,374 sq. ft. $249,900Agent: Julie Sample 281-894-1000RE/MAX Professional Group

3 9011 Ensemble Court4 Br/3.5 Ba | 3,214 sq. ft. $285,000Agent: Veronica Barefield 281-265-0000Keller Williams Realty Southwest

4 8014 Chorale Court4-5 Br/3.5 Ba | 3,311 sq. ft. $335,000Agent: Deanna Zugheri 713-621-8001Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan

Convenient to Hwy. 290, Winchester Country Trails boasts an elementary school within the neighborhood and a middle school in short walking distance. The community includes a pool/clubhouse and running/walking paths.

Cy-Fair ISD schools:Bang Elementary School•Cook Middle School •Jersey Village High School•

Nov. 2009Nov. 2008Oct. 2009Sept. 2009Aug. 2009July 2009June 2009May 2009

58 / $178,304 65 / $217,874 80 / $176,171 70 / $165,426 66 / $190,427 98 / $203,787 92 / $168,618 91 / $201,673 86 / $201,424 75 / $170,691 93 / $209,811 107 / $222,484 90 / $177,812 116 / $220,958 89 / $225,031 93 / $176,645 147 / $223,085 106 / $211,918 99 / $186,084 122 / $219,290 116 / $211,061 86 / $161,462 94 / $212,447 98 / $193,635

*Market data includes active single-family listings.

Market Data provided by Mark Dimas

The ProfessionalGroup Realty

281-861-6199www.markdimas.com

Month 77095 77429 77433Number sold/Average price

Nov. 2009Nov. 2008Oct. 2009Sept. 2009Aug. 2009July 2009June 2009May 2009

Month 24 / $112,258 27 / $142,424 15 / $139,103 25 / $143,618 22 / $136,005 50 / $130,930 19 / $148,031 27 / $133,611 36 / $145,670 39 / $127,207 14 / $109,083 40 / $147,449 29 / $125,527 39 / $149,349 32 / $141,981 31 / $143,441 32 / $130,545 36 / $123,343 24 / $153,887 44 / $142,931 40 / $164,198 47 / $131,042 38 / $143,448 47 / $152,755 30 / $141,834 35 / $131,980 27 / $150, 454 51 / $156,104 23 / $134,184 34 / $133,649 14 / $122,317 29 / $155,846

Monthly home sales*

77040 7706577064 77070Number sold/Average price

11302 Bassdale DriveLakewood Forest – 770705 Br/4.5 Ba | 7,140 sq. ft. $699,000 Agent: Chris Wylie 281-893-8400RE/MAX Northwest Realtors

18111 Ivory Crossing LaneWestgate – 774334Br/3 Ba | 2,668 sq. ft. $159,900 Agent: Mark Dimas 281-861-6199The Professional Group

9310 GranburyTowne Lake – 774334 Br/3.5 Ba | 3,793 sq. ft. $398,990 Agent: Jimmy Franklin 281-994-5700RE/MAX Grand

12819 Apple Forest TrailWortham Park – 770654 Br/2.5 Ba | 2,864 sq. ft. $199,000 Agent: Ruth Post 281-856-0808Keller Willams Realty, Greater Northwest

Featured homes

Woodw

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Allegro Dr.

Woodwind Blvd.

Sona

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Sinf

onia

Dr.

Win

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2

3

4

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Rio

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Spu

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1

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2Minturn Ln.

Dude Rd.

Hondo Hill Rd.

Tepe

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Commercial Real Estate Property Listings

77040 Houston 16545 Village Drive 1,883 $275,000 Mark Ward The National Realty Group 713-744-740177064 Houston 11902 Rockville Drive 14,000 $600,000 Frank Stockstill Rockville Investments LLC 281-487-930077064 Houston 7906 W. Sam Houston Parkway N. 13,067 Negotiable Mary Caldwell Caldwell Companies 281-664-663677064 Houston 10110 W. Sam Houston Parkway N. 2,000-23,340 $11.16/sq. ft. Steve Adkisson The National Realty Group 713-744-740377064 Houston 17505 Hwy. 249 1,250-16,600 $17-$22/sq. ft. Brant Widener Capital Realty Group 713-236-778777065 Houston 19710 Hwy. 290 938 $24/sq. ft. Todd Groen Groen Realty Partners 713-724-085977065 Houston 10710 Jones Road 6,400 $6.56/sq. ft. Michael M. Butler Textranjero Texas & Foreign Properties 713-468-290077065 Houston 11280 West Road 8,200 $17.50/sq. ft. Paula Murray The Betz Companies 281-873-444477070 Houston 10436 Grant Road 4,200 $600,000 Justin Miller Marcus & Millichap 713-452-420077095 Houston 16316 FM 529 3,725 $17/sq. ft. James Carter Prudential Gary Greene Realtors 281-890-402477095 Houston 9758 Whithorn 5,361 $7.70/sq. ft Bill Ingram Coldwell Banker Commercial 281-364-800077095 Houston 15754 FM 529 17,280 $3.9 million Pauline Frech New Century Realty Group 832-276-672877429 Cypress 17330 Spring Cypress Road 1,500 $23/sq. ft. Doug Drew Asset Plus Corporation 713-782-580077429 Cypress 12215 Grant Road 2,830 $18.60/sq. ft. Vicki Ngo MX Properties 713-398-7758 77433 Cypress 11808 Barker Cypress 1,200 $17/ sq. ft. Jim Bayne Investar Real Estate Services Inc. 713-273-136377433 Cypress 7014 Fry Road 18,000 $18/sq. ft. Rea Berry Berry Development and Construction Ltd. 281-579-7300

16316 FM 529 $17/sq. ft.

10436 Grant Road $600,000

Northwest Houston

ZIP code city address Sq. Ft. Price agent agency Phone

2 7906 W. Sam Houston Parkway N.13,067 sq. ft.Agent: Mary CaldwellCaldwell Companies

Negotiable281-664-6636

1 16545 Village Drive1,883 sq. ft.Agent: Mark WardThe National Realty Group

$275,000713-744-7401

3 19710 Hwy. 290938 sq. ft.Agent: Todd GroenGroen Realty Partners

$24/sq. ft.713-724-0859

4

5

290

529

1960

nMap not to scale

Jone

s Rd

.

Village Dr.

Grant Rd.

5

3

1

4

2

The commercial real estate listings were added to the market between 11/1/09 and 11/30/09 and were compiled from www.loopnet.com. Although every effort has been made to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of this listing, Community Impact Newspaper assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Contact the property’s agent or seller for the most current information.

Now LeasingBeltway 8 Properties

Building Signage Available | Beltway 8 Visibility

For More Information Contact:Mary Caldwell, CCIM, SIOR281.664.6636 | [email protected]

7904 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W.10,621 SF available (full 2nd floor)

7906 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W.13,067 SF available (full 3rd floor)

BUSINESS PARKAMENITIES:

On-Site Management18-Hole Golf Course

Pro ShopRestaurant

HotelTwo Banking Facilities

Water FeaturesJogging TrailsAmple Parking

9 Access Points

CaldwellCos.com 7850 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. W.14,718 SF available (full 3rd floor)

10740 N. Gessner15,106 SF available (on 2nd floor)7,593 SF available (on 3rd floor)

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