It's Hurricane Season... Are You Prepared?

www.davidthelocator.com It is hard to believe, but the 2014 Hurricane Season is already upon us.  If there’s one lesson that we on the Texas Gulf Coast have learned repeatedly, it is the importance of early and thorough preparation. I want all of our families to appreciate the importance of hurricane preparation and to have the information they need to be ready for this hurricane season.   Here are five tips from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center on how to best prepare and survive a hurricane: 1. Know the difference between hurricane and tropical storm “watches” and “warnings.” A hurricane watch is a notification for residents to be on alert of a potential storm. Areas that are reported to have a storm warning are required to take immediate actions against safeguarding life. 2. Keep emergency contact information handy. Phones numbers for local emergency management officers, local law enforcement, hospitals, utility service providers and insurance information are recommended to be kept nearby during storms.  3. Pack emergency kits ahead of time. Packing essential items such as bottled water, snacks and canned foods are useful and at times, life-saving after storms frequently cause homes to lose gas and electricity. Items such as batteries for hand radios and flashlights are also helpful and difficult to find following hurricanes and tropical storms. 4. Prepare an emergency evacuation plan. Create a plan regarding where you can stay and temporary housing locations for your animals prior to a storm warning. In the event of an evacuation, follow FEMA’s Evacuation guidelines. 5. Stay alert in case of other natural disasters. The passing of the hurricane eye is not the end of a storm. NOAA warns that tornadoes, high winds and the possibility of a hurricane changing its course makes it important to remain alert following a storm. Tips For Hurricane Preparation: Before a hurricane - Board up windows - Set freezer & refrigerator to coldest setting to make food last as long as possible without electricity. - Fill bathtub with water for cleaning & flushing toilets. Don't leave small children unattended near full tub - Bring in all loose objects from the backyard. - Charge your cellphone & buy a car charger. - Program emergency contacts into phone. After a hurricane - Remove wet carpets, padding, mattresses & upholstered furniture. Ventilate with fans & air conditioning - not windows, air encourages mold. - Disinfect floors w/solution of 1 part bleach/10 parts water. - Sagging ceilings could be water. Poke holes in side of the sag to release the water. - If you suspect sewer or waterline damage, don't use toilets or drink tap water. Call a plumber. - If your home has been flooded, have your electricity checked before attempting to turn it back on. - If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window and leave. Call the gas company. Protect documents Store important documents in clear, air-proof and waterproof containers that you can take with you. Develop a plan for communication - Establish a place to meet near home. - Select a friend or relative who lives outside the region to be your contact. - Take a cellphone charger when you evacuate. Prepare your pantry Stock up now to avoid last-minute panic shopping. Plan for one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Purchase canned food for at least three days. Don't forget a hand-held can opener. *Courtesy Houston Chronicle

Pearland Celebrating Independence Day With "Celebration of Freedom" Event, Fireworks

Pearland, Texas –The City of Pearland hosts its annual "Celebration of Freedom" event in observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 4 at Pearland High School football stadium, located at 3775 South Main Street in Pearland.

            The event features a "Kid Zone" play area and a live concert by the Drywater Band on the HEB Plus! Entertainment Stage, followed by a 20-minute fireworks display sponsored by Westside Veterinary Hospital. Stadium gates will open for this free community event at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m. VFW Post 7109 will present a salute to the nation's military, followed by the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by the winner of the City's "Let Freedom Sing" competition.

            Attendees can bring food and drinks or visit one of the many food and beverage vendors. Alcohol, glass containers, pets and tobacco are prohibited.

            Parking for the event is free on-site or at Pearland Junior High South, located at 4919 Bailey Road in Pearland. Complimentary shuttle service provides round-trip transportation to and from Pearland High School.  "Celebration of Freedom" is produced by The City of Pearland Parks & Recreation Department. For more information on this and other special events, visitpearlandparks.com.

Article by: HNG

Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah Texas

Value of a Realtor With a MRP Designation. (Military Relocation Professional) If you are in the military how does that help you?

I'm proud to say that I recently acquired my MRP certificate in order to be a more knowledgeable representative for U.S. service members and their families and to veterans. I have had the pleasure and true privilege to work with current and former personnel in the past and decided to pursue this designation so that I could be an even better advocate. Here is a little bit of information about the MRP certificate.

What is it?

The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification is for real estate professionals who want to work with current and former military service members. The MRP certification program educates REALTORS® about working with U.S. service members and their families and veterans to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and to take full advantage of available benefits and support.

What You Gain

• A Realtor with understanding of the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices
• A Realtor with the ability to provide information to help members through a rent or buy, sell or rent decision-making process
• A Realtor with the ability to identify and provide services that help service members sell or find and purchase suitable homes
• A Realtor with the knowledge of the military relocation process needed to guide service members through the real estate transaction
• A Realtor with the ability to explain the basics of VA financing
• A Realtor with access to the members-only marketing tools and resources

If you are in the U.S. military and need assistance in purchasing or selling a Houston home, or if you want our assistance with renting a home or relocation, I have the confidence and knowledge needed to best assist you.

Houston Realtor- DavidTheLocator ABR,GRI,MRP,SRS

Make St. Patrick’s Day a Family Affair!

      Food, crafts and activities you and your brood can use to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Surprise your children this St. Patrick’s Day with a special lunch at school, and continue the festivities when they get home with a true celebration...

1. A Touch of Green in Food...A little green food coloring can go a long way on St. Patrick’s Day. From green milk in cereal to a four-leaf clover on your children’s sandwich bread, it’s easy to turn your everyday meals into a fun treat.
2. Rainbow Cake...Start the cake with vanilla cake batter (buy the box in the baking aisle or make from scratch) and split it into a few small bowls based on how many colors will be in your rainbow. The classic rainbow, remember, is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Add food coloring to your batter to make a variety of colors, and then pour them one by one into the center of a round cake pan and bake as normal. What comes out of the oven will be a treat — and one you can use beyond St. Patrick’s Day.
3. Go Traditional...If you opt to skip the leprechauns and rainbows this year in favor of a traditional Irish dinner, try a few Irish-inspired dishes you’ve never had before. Irish stew and Irish mashed potatoes (with bacon and kale) are sure to please kids and adults alike.
4. Blarney Stone...Known as the Stone of Eloquence, visitors come from around the world to lean down and kiss the Blarney Castle’s famous stone.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Ireland. Just make your own! Take any small, smooth rock you can find and decorate it with green paint, glitter, and anything else you’d like and you’ll be awarded with the gift of oration.
5. Paper-plate Leprechaun...Children love making paper-plate leprechauns; they’re the perfect St. Patrick’s Day decoration to hang on the fridge.
Use the paper plate as the leprechaun’s head. Paint the plate’s border orange, glue on googly eyes and draw in a smile. Make a hat out of construction paper and glue this to the leprechaun’s head to pull the face together.
6. Lucky Clovers...Any clover-making craft will be a hit with the kids — whether it’s making thumbprint clovers or clover stamps (made from a cut green pepper dipped in green paint).
For a project you can display as art, simply place your child’s painted hand onto a canvas four times to make four leaves and then paint a stem. The hand prints come out much smoother if you paint your child’s hand instead of having her dip it in the paint.
7. Scavenger Hunt...Hide treasures around your house or yard with clues for your children to follow. You can even make leprechaun footprints from construction paper to leave a trail they can follow. They’ll have tons of fun trying to find the next pot of gold or yummy treat.
8. Leprechaun’s Gold...You and your kids will have a great time trying to see who can slip the leprechaun’s gold through their fingers. Place your hands together and fold your middle fingers. Have someone place a coin between your ring fingers and try not to let go of it.
9. Movies...Snuggle up on the couch with the kids and some of your St. Patrick’s Day treats for a movie. There are plenty of family-friendly options to choose from that range from children’s cartoons to movies teenagers and adults can enjoy.

St. Patrick’s Day is a great reason to celebrate your good luck and gratitude while teaching your kids a bit of Irish history (and pride for Irish families!) and spending some quality time together. Enjoy!

DavidTheLocator