On Friday, February 19th, Keller Williams Realty Northeast will be hosting a free Let’s Rodeo concert at Kings Harbor in Kingwood.  To help kick off rodeo season, Kingwood-based country music band 8 Seconds will be performing from 7-10pm.  If you’re interested in kicking your own heels up, instructors from the Dance Arts Country Ballroom will be on hand at Harbor Plaza to teach line dancing and other country dances at 8pm and 9pm.  You can even enjoy some fantastic Texas BBQ from local award-winning Pitts & Spitts, manufacturers of high end smokers.  They will be offering up chopped beef sandwiches, chips and drinks for sale beginning at 6pm.  They accept cash only, so make sure you visit your bank before coming.  You don’t want to miss the mouth-watering goodness!

The Society of Stephen, a local community outreach program, will be raffling off two tickets to see Brooks & Dunn at one of their last performances ever at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, TX on March 20, 2010.  Proceeds from the raffle help to fund the Society of Stephen’s program to help feed and clothe families in the Humble, New Caney and Splendora communities.

Come to Kings Harbor for a free Let’s Rodeo concert in Kingwood on Friday, February 19, 2010.  Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and your dancing boots.  You’re gonna have a hollerin’ good time.

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – A Keller Williams Realty Team, your Kingwood real estate specialists

The world famous Texas A&M Singing Cadets are set to perform in Kingwood on March 7th from 3-5pm at Strawbridge United Methodist Church in Kingwood (5629 Kingwood Drive).  Presented by the Kingwood/Humble Aggie Moms Club, a local philanthropic group, the Singing Cadets is an all-male choral group comprised of Texas A&M students.  The group will perform traditional school songs, gospel songs, patriotic tunes, Broadway melodies and even some popular music.  The performance also acts as a fundraiser for both the Kingwood/Humble Aggie Moms Club and the Texas A&M Singing Cadets.  The Kingwood/Humble Aggie Moms Club’s goal is to award scholarships of $10,000 to local students who are going to attend Texas A&M as well as donating money to student organizations.  You can purchase tickets now for the March 7th performance for just $10 each at the Kingwood office of Keller Williams Realty (20665 W Lake Houston Parkway).

Sponsors are greatly appreciated and will receive reserved seating for the event as well as a mention in the concert’s printed programs.  Sponsorship levels vary anywhere from $50-$1,000.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Lynn Harper via phone at 281-359-5535 or via email at pharper5@embarqmail.com.  Come out to Kingwood to listen to Texas A&M Singing Cadets perform.  It’s quite a sound to behold!

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – a Keller Williams Group, your Kingwood real estate specialists

Recently, Kingwood joined up with the Homes for Our Troops program in the community of Waters Edge to help build a home for PO 2nd Class Anthony Thompson, a former Humble resident.  Thompson’s wife, Ivonne, applied for help with Homes for Our Troops after her husband suffered serious brain and spinal injuries, a punctured lung and other injuries when an IED went off near his post during his second deployment in Iraq.  Begun in 2004, the Homes for Our Troops program helps build homes for US veterans injured during their duties through donations of building materials and labor. 

The group of volunteers working on Anthony’s house took less than four days to put up all the walls and seal the house against the Kingwood elements.  Approximately 125 people showed up to support the building of the Thompson’s home, which included the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group as well as US Customs officers that will be the Thompson’s neighbors when the home is finished.  The Thompson home is scheduled to be completely finished and move-in ready around the beginning of March.  At that time, the Thompsons will be presented with the key to their very own West Lake Houston dream home in a special ceremony.

If you’re interested in finding a Homes for Our Troops program in your area or wish to donate building materials, money or your services, please visit their website at http://www.homesforourtroops.org.  See why we’re so proud to be part of a community that would join up with a wonderful charity such as Homes for Our Troops.  This is just one more reason to love the West Lake Houston area.

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – a Keller Williams Team, your West Lake Houston real estate specialists

You can help transform Kingwood into “Kleenwood” on Saturday, January 30, 2010.  The Kingwood Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 8th annual Kleenwood Day to help clean up the Kingwood community and you are invited to lend a helping hand from 9am-noon.  Simply go to your local community pool to be assigned a specific area to clean and pick up your trash bag, pick up the litter scattered around your assigned area, bring your trash bag back to the pool when you are through cleaning up your area and get ready to party down around noon at the Kingwood Town Center.  All volunteers participating in the Kingwood Kleenwood Day are welcome to free food and entertainment as a reward for their cleaning efforts.

If you wish to put your own Kleenwood Day group together, please attend the Kleenwood Day Kick-Off Luncheon at the Kingwood Country Club this Thursday, January 14th from 11am to 1pm to become a Kleenwood Team Captain.  Tickets for the luncheon are $20 per person.  If you are interested in a promotional booth, the cost is $25.  To RSVP for the luncheon, please call 281-360-4321 or email admin@kwchamber.org.

Help transform Kingwood into “Kleenwood” on Saturday, January 30, 2010.  We need to show pride in our community in any way we can.

Click here to become a fan of Kleenwood Day on Facebook

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – a Keller Williams Team, for Kingwood real estate

Now that Christmas has come and gone, what do you do with the Christmas tree?  Don’t just throw it in the trash.  Recycle your christmas tree in Kingwood and it will help Brazoria County beaches.  Specifically, all recycled trees picked up by the Association Management, Inc. – Kingwood until January 9, 2010, will be used to help rebuild the sand dunes on the Brazoria County beaches during their annual Dune Day.  AMI-Kingwood needs 20,000 Christmas trees to help rebuild the sand dunes that Hurricane Ike demolished.  Residents can also drop off their Christmas trees at AMI’s office (900 Rockmead Dr #144, Kingwood) until January 9th as well.  The trees will then be transported from the office to the beach via Brazoria County precinct crews.

The sand dunes on Brazoria County beaches helped protect local West Lake Houston properties from the pounding waves and surge of water during Hurricane Ike’s gale force winds.  Unfortunately, the protecting sand was also blown away in the process.  Volunteers are still needed for the Dunes Day rebuilding on January 23rd.  Volunteers will meet at Quintana, near Surfside starting at 9am to help place the used Christmas trees in positions to best catch sand that is blown into the area by the wind so that the dunes can be rebuilt.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please call Rich Tillman at 979-864-1558 ext 112 or James Glover at 979-864-1541 ext 3.

Going green with your Christmas tree recycling not only means a great thing for Mother Earth, but also a great thing for local West Lake Houston area beaches and possible protection from future hurricanes. 

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – A Keller Williams Team for West Lake Houston real estate

First of all, Happy Holidays.  Now, don’t forget to pay your property taxes.  Your payment must be paid or postmarked by December 31, 2009 to make sure you can claim it on your 2009 tax return.  Harris County has already sent out most of the tax bills to residents of the area.  If you haven’t received yours or have misplaced the bill, you can go online to the Harris County tax office website to look it up.  If you don’t find it there, you may call 713-368-2100 and any one of the staff will be able to provide you with at least an estimate of your property taxes for 2009.  If you are paying your taxes based on an estimate and not the actual bill, you can only make payments in person or through the mail.

For those people who are paying their taxes using their official tax bill, you can also pay your bill via credit card, Visa debit card or e-Check online at their website or via phone by calling at 713-368-CARD (2273).  The 15 branch offices throughout Harris County also offer payment by computer kiosk.  Credit cards incur a 2.15% transaction fee, Visa debit cards incur a flat $3.5 fee and e-Checks are absolutely free.  Of course, you may also make your payment via cash or check over the counter at any of the Harris County branches.  Their office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:45 pm.  On December 31st, their downtown Houston branch (1001 Present) will be available for walk-in customers until 6pm.

Finally, there is some good news for Harris County taxpayers.  If you want to wait to pay your property taxes until after the holidays, you can do so without penalty as long as you pay by February 2, 2010.  However, you cannot claim the taxes on your 2009 taxes.  As always, make sure to consult with your tax professional for any income tax advice.

I also want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – Keller Williams Realty Team, your West Lake Houston real estate experts

Houston Businessman Berry Madden, owner of Pitts and Spitts, supported the Fort Hood Community with a special BBQ on December 11, 2009.  He created a special custom BBQ pit that was covered with military symbols and helped feed 71,000 people at the “Fort Hood: Community Strong” event on December 11.  The BBQ pit was then donated to the USO for permanent use at Fort Hood.  As a staunch supporter of the USO and the military men and women, Berry Madden was proud to be able to help out.  He believes this is just a small thank you for the sacrifices these courageous military personnel put forth for us everyday.

Pitts and Spitts has been in business since 1983.  They are a local Houston company who specialize in building pits, spits, smokers and grills of all shapes and sizes.  Their pits and spits are designed to cook meat away from the flame, which makes for a much more savory flavor and protects against charring.  They also offer a variety of spices and accessories to help make your next BBQ an experience.  For more information about Pitts and Spitts or to order a BBQ of your very own, please visit the Pitts and Spitts website.

Berry Madden is also the owner of Diamond M Ranch acreage that he is willing to subdivide into 2+ acre tracts for single-family homes.  Some restrictions do apply.  Builders and developers are welcome.  This is the perfect property for horse lovers.  Please visit the Diamond M Road property site for more information.

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – a Keller Williams Team, your West Lake Houston area experts

On Friday, December 18th, there will be a free holiday music concert in Kingwood from 7-10pm.  Enjoy the country music of the Leslie Doak Band and Christmas carols performed by the Kingwood High School Madrigal Choir and Christian singer Christi Harper.  Just bring your blankets and chairs to Kings Harbor at 1660 West Laek Houston Parkway in Kingwood.  The Kingwood High School Choir Boosters will also be present and accepting donations to help fund new costumes for the Madrigal Choir.  Bring the family down to the Kings Harbor area to enjoy dinner at one of the many great Kingwood restaurants and then head over to Kings Harbor to enjoy free Christmas music to celebrate the season.  Become a fan on the Kings Harbor Facebook Fan Page to keep up with future free concerts and all the happenings throughout the year.  Happy Holidays!

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – A Keller Williams Team, West Lake Houston Real Estate

Say hi to your Atascocita neighbors at the Atasocita Hi Neighbor luncheon being held at the Walden Country Club (18100 Walden Forest Dr) at 10am on December 15th.  Barbara Jennings will be performing beautiful holiday songs, show tunes and other music from the Big Band era at the luncheon.  The Atascocita Hi Neighbors is a social organization open to all women in the Atascocita area.  Their goal is to provide all women in the community a place to meet up and socialize freely, whether you are new to the area or a long-time resident.  Some of the groups that make up the Atascocita Hi Neighbors include Movie Club, Theater Group, Book Review, Antique Lovers and even an Opera Club.  There’s a club for just about any hobby or interest.  For more information about the luncheon and Atascocita Hi Neighbors in general, please call Kathy at 281-852-0527.   To make your reservation for this fun luncheon, please call Angie at 281-812-0967.  Reservations must be made by December 10, 2009.

If you’re a woman in the Atascocita area and wish to meet with other women in a social setting, please come out to say Hi to your Atascocita neighbors.  You’ll be happy you did.

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – Keller Williams Team, your team for West Lake Houston real estate

The first annual “Cookies and Tea Under the Tree” will be held in Kingwood on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10am til 7pm at the Kingwood Town Center.  “Cookies and Tea Under the Tree” is, in essence, simply a cookie exchange, cookie decorating for adults and kids and lots of hot stuff to drink.  This fun event was put together by Kingwood community leaders in an effort to find a fun and unique way to raise money for local charities that can include all members of the family.  This year’s event is set to benefit Family Time, a community outreach program for families as well as individuals in crisis with crisis counseling, intervention and shelter.

The cookie committee has committed to providing at least 100 dozen cookies to start things off.  Sponsors for the hot drinks (cider, chocolate and tea) as well as sponsors for the cookie boxes given out for the cookie exchange are still needed.  Volunteers will also be needed to help pass out the cookie boxes, man the cookie booths and dispense the hot drinks.  To volunteer for the “Cookies and Tea Under the Tree” event, please contact Denise Krieger via email at denise@mykingwood.com.  If you are interested in sponsoring an item at the event, please call Cherrie Ledoux at 832-527-2237 or email her at agrandaffair@gmail.com.

The entry “fee” to attend this fun event is a donation of 2 dozen cookies and $5.00.  The cookies can either be homemade or store-bought (your choice).  If you are unable to bring cookies, the entry donation fee will be $10.  Each donation gives a family one empty cookie box to fill with 1 dozen different cookies and the hot beverage of your choice.  Sample a variety of cookies before even beginning to fill your cookie box.  Come out to the Kingwood Town Center on December 5th to enjoy “Cookies and Tea Under the Tree” in Kingwood and help out a great charity in the process.

Cliff Collins, 3C Realty – A Keller Williams Team for West Lake Houston real estate