Blog entries

COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT HONORED AT STATEWIDE CONFERENCE

Ryan Boe — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:01:16 +0100

The City of Pearland Communications Department received two awards at the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) Conference in College Station, Texas.

Pearland received recognition for its monthly electronic publication – Pearland Connect. The entry placed first, and won a TAMI award, in the Electronic Newsletter category. The City began distributing Pearland Connect in April 2012 in an effort to increase exposure of City of Pearland programs and activities.

The City of Pearland also received the second place Award of Excellence among all Texas cities in the Best Use of a Promotional Item category for the promotional item associated with its 2012 hurricane preparedness campaign titled Super Pearland. Through the campaign, the City communicated a serious message in a creative, fun and innovative way to better inform and engage residents.

The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO) was developed in 1974 as a result of the increasingly complex role of public information in municipal government. TAMIO actively seeks to advance and promote the active cooperation and exchange of information and ideas among Texas cities and provide professional development for public information and communications managers who work in municipal government or similar agencies

Lennar Opens Two New Model Homes in Lakes of Savannah

Cheryl Boe — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:01:39 +0100

Lennar has opened two new furnished model homes in Lakes of Savannah. These models represent Lennar's Vista and Texas Reserve Collections of homes and are available in Lakes of Savannah's Savannah Cove section. Priced from the $210,000s and $250,000s, these collections range in size from 2300 to over 3800 square feet and feature many luxury features.

Model homes are open daily in Lakes of Savannah.

City Urges Residents to Prepare Early for Hurricane Season

Ryan Boe — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:45:02 +0100

The City of Pearland is reminding residents about the upcoming Hurricane Season and urging individuals to start preparing now for possible storms. Hurricane Season begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30.

“Hurricanes and tropical storms can wreak havoc on the lives of residents in a storm’s path. Since early planning and preparation can greatly increase the protection of life and property, residents should begin taking precautions now,” said Pearland Emergency Management Coordinator Roland Garcia.

Preparedness is the key to protecting Pearland residents and property. By doing so, residents ensure that they will survive if a hurricane threatens the Pearland area. By knowing areas of vulnerability and what actions to take, citizens will be prepared in the event of an emergency.

• Here are some measures residents can take now to prepare for potential storms:

• Assemble an emergency kit that includes essential documents, supplies and provisions.

• Review hurricane evacuation maps, and select a route for you and your family.

• Plan how all family members and pets will evacuate safely.

• Consider any special needs for individuals with disabilities or the elderly.

• Stay informed about changing weather conditions in and around your area.

To stay updated on the latest weather news, residents should sign up to receive emergency alerts at cityofpearland.com/alerts, monitor the local media and watch these Web sites:

•For tips on regional disaster preparedness: cityofpearland.com/stormready or readyhoustontx.gov

•Register in advance, before a storm is in the Gulf, for transportation assistance by dialing 2-1-1

•For ideas on developing emergency plans and supply kits: texasprepares.org

•To catch the latest weather information, check the National Weather Service Web site: nws.noaa.gov

•The Texas Department of Transportation's Hurricane Information Web site has information on road conditions during or after a storm: txdot.gov

Pearland announces first International Festival

Ryan Boe — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:49:10 +0100

The countdown begins now for the first Pearland International Festival, spotlighting Germany and its rich heritage. A country known for its vast array of beers, sausages and Oktoberfest, Germany is also famous for its wealth of fine art and culture. This festival will have a slice of everything German, including a beer garden.

The Pearland International Festival is set for Saturday, September 21, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pearland's Independence Park, located at 3919 Liberty Drive. In addition to the German culture and cuisine, festival goers are sure to enjoy tastes and sounds from around the world, including Asian, Latin American and African cultures. With more than 50 acres, the park provides plenty of space to spread a blanket to relax and enjoy the entertainment at three stages.

The Pearland International Festival is going to be filled with live music, cultural dancing performances, activities, international food and vendor booths, a kids zone, as well as a Wine and Fine Arts VIP tent. There are endless sponsorship opportunities for businesses who want to participate. All levels of sponsorship are tax deductible.

The infamous Jazz band, Gary Michael Dhal Band, is set to headline the event on the main stage, along with Grupo Kache, a lively Latin band. Other cultural entertainment includes everything from clogging to Bollywood by Infused Performing Arts, an Indian hiphop dance. Local singer, Sanni M'mairura, who made it through to Hollywood on American Idol is scheduled to perform in addition to a number of culturally diverse talent. The entertainment will be as varied as the countries represented.

In the Wine and Fine Arts VIP tent, you can enjoy local art on exhibit while also learning the proper German way to order a beer in a pub, where you use your thumb instead of your index

finger. Under the tent, wines from around the globe along with local wineries will be on hand to offer samples.

The Pearland International Festival is an event for the entire family. Admission is $10 per person and children 12 years and under are $5.00. With admission, each person receives a festival passport to stamp as they travel around the world, learning facts along the way. Adults get a special passport that allows them to taste international wines, lagers and ales and write down their favorites.

Summerfest

Ryan Boe — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:43:44 +0100

Come out and relax to the tunes of a live band every Friday night during the months of May and June at Southdown Park, 2150 Country Place Parkway, from 7-9 p.m.

Food vendors will be on hand selling a delicious variety of foods while the Splash Pad and playground will be available for the kids. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets then sit back and enjoy an evening of fun and family entertainment.

For more information and band schedule, call 281.412.8900.

Alvin Live kicks off with Amber and the Old Rascals

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:56:49 +0100

The Alvin Live Summer Concert Series will open on June 13 with some country, rock and old-school music by Alvin’s own Amber and the Old Rascals.

Alvin-based Amber and the Old Rascals play a mix of country and rock music.

The band plays concerts frequently in the Alvin area in several venues and events.

The ACC Foundation sponsors the Alvin Live Concert Series. Funds raised from Alvin Live performances are used for ACC Broadcast Communications student training and scholarships.

Since 2010 the ACC Live series has used the studio setting for its productions on 89.7 FM and KACC-TV, Cable Access Channel 16. The studio can seat 65 guests. When it’s not used for public and private events, ACC students work in K-219 to gain experience in television and radio broadcasting.

The concert series will continue on July 18 with Texas Country legend Roger Creager. The series closes with Mary Smith and Mystique on August 8.

Tickets are $40 and refunds are not available.

Doors for all concerts will open at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets over the phone, call 281-756-3600.

Pearland Parks Announces Summer Programs

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:05:49 +0100

The Summer 2013 edition of "A Time For Leisure," the Pearland Parks & Recreation complete guide to summer programs, events and activities for your whole family, is now available for online viewing! This summer will be loaded with camps, concerts, pools, parties and our annual celebration of National Park and Recreation Month in July. Member registration will open on Monday, May 6, followed by general registration on Monday, May 13. Pick up a copy at one of our city facilities or view the Summer guide online here.

Alvin ISD receives tenth consecutive perfect financial management audit

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:55:19 +0100

Alvin ISD officials announced recently that the District received another rating of “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ Schools FIRST (Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas) financial accountability rating system for the 10th consecutive year. Schools FIRST is an accountability rating system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency as authorized by Senate Bill 218 of the 77th Legislature in 2001. The Superior Achievement rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Alvin ISD’s financial management and reporting.

The primary goals of this rating system are to efficiently assess the quality of financial management in Texas public schools; measure and report the extent to which financial resources in Texas public schools assure the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes; implement a rating system that fairly and equitably evaluates the quality of financial management decisions; improves the management of school districts’ financial resources; and increase financial accountability within Texas’ public education system.

School districts are rated on various performance indicators relating to financial management. These indicator ratings inform the district of how well they are doing financially and where the district should focus efforts for improvement. In addition to the rating of each indicator, districts receive an overall passed or failed rating. These ratings are based on an analysis of staff and student data reported, and budgetary and actual financial data.

The information that determines the School’s FIRST rating is submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) via the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) and the Annual Financial Report (AFR).

“The system ensures that school districts are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and is designed to encourage Texas public schools to manage their financial resources better in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for district instructional purposes,” said Cheryl Ryan, director of finance for Alvin ISD.

The most recent audit for Alvin ISD had no reported findings. “In my 20 years of working for school districts, of which 15 years have been overseeing the financial audits, I have never experienced an audit with no findings. This is exciting because it means that everyone in the district is working together as a team,” mentioned Ryan.

During a presentation of the financial audit, Chuck Yaple, partner of Whitley Penn, mentioned that “it’s a big accomplishment ... concerning this particular audit because this year we have no reported findings. I really do commend the District on that because we work for 20–30 school districts in the Houston area and around the state and it has become, not the norm, to be able to get through the number of compliance checks and internal control process reviews that are done as part of these audits.”

“We are very pleased with Alvin ISD’s FIRST rating,” said Alvin ISD superintendent Dr. Fred Brent.

“It shows that the District is continuing to make the most of taxpayers’ dollars and that Alvin ISD is accountable for student learning in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Deputy Superintendent for Business and Support Services Tommy King, along with Director of Finance Cheryl Ryan and their team are to be commended for the work it takes to achieve the Superior Achievement rating,” added Brent.

“Alvin ISD’s most significant financial achievement for the last completed fiscal year 2011–12 was being able to sustain an almost $10 million loss in revenue over the last biennium (almost $4.5 million a year for the last two years due to the $5.4 billion in education cuts from the Texas Legislature), while we were still growing over 800 students a year and therefore receiving less funds per student. The spending was so close that 98.3 percent was spent of the original budgeted appropriations,” said King.

For more information in regard to the FIRST rating, visit www.alvinisd.net.

Source: Alvin Sun Advertiser

Alvin ISD High School Seniors have a busy schedule

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:15:21 +0100

Do you have a high school senior in Alvin ISD?

Here is a quick run-down on some of the senior events and a link to where you can easily access this important information. The first date coming up is on April 27th; seniors are having their prom night at the Westin Oaks in the Galleria. A couple of weeks later, schools are having their Senior Awards Night at 7 p.m. on May 13th. Then on May 23rd, there is the fun-filled trip to Galveston’s Schlitterbahn Water Park. Finally, graduation is just a couple of weeks later on the evening of June 8th.

Here is a link to an extended list of events.

Memorial Hermann latest health care system to announce Pearland project

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:11:36 +0100

Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston's largest health care provider, announced April 1 that it will build a multipurpose complex on its 40-acre site in Pearland.

Memorial Hermann currently has an outpatient imaging center, diagnostic lab services and medical office building on the property. The system plans to expand its presence in the area with a convenient care center, scheduled to open this year. In addition, Memorial Hermann will build a medical campus with a 64-bed acute care hospital, scheduled to open in 2015.

“This new medical campus gives Pearland and surrounding areas better access to the expertise of Memorial Hermann and provides a place for medical professionals and the region’s top specialists to care for their patients closer to home,” Dan Wolterman, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann, said in a statement.

Memorial Hermann is the latest provider to target Pearland for expansion.

In October, HCA Gulf Coast Division said it will break ground this year on a $71 million medical center on 48 acres it owns in Pearland.

University General Health Systems Inc. recently closed on 32 acres where it plans to build a $70 million complex, including a hospital, senior living complex and medical office building, said President Donald Sapaugh, who predicts the facility will support about 400 jobs.

Source: Houston Business Journal

Run for the Rose

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:10:27 +0100

The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation is hosting the Run for the Rose race on Sunday, April 14th benefiting the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and brain cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Some of the title sponsors for the race include The Republic of Tea and V.I.P. Pediatrics.

On the day of the race, late registration and T-shirt pick up will begin at 6:30 a.m. After that, the 5K race will start at the Coca Cola entrance of Reliant Park at 8 a.m., and the path will be led by Life Flight. The 1K Family Fun Run will begin shortly afterward at 8:30 a.m. Finally, the awards ceremony will take place at 9:15. There will even be a kids’ area that will have an obstacle course, balloon animals, face painting, and even clowns.

So be sure to go out, get a group of friends together, and register early for this event. You can donate, register, or sponsor by visiting http://www.runfortherose.com/?id=243, and help them reach their $500,000 goal. Also, don’t forget to arrive early because there will be free parking for anyone attending the race before 8 a.m.

Lennar Home Open Event

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:27:56 +0100

Purchase a new Lennar home in Lakes of Savannah before April 14 and receive a complimentary upgraded washer and dryer. See sales counselor for details.

Miller Outdoor Theater Presents Thoroughly Modern Millie

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:59:28 +0100

For the past 90 years, the Miller Outdoor Theater has hosted numerous great and beautiful plays and movies. The theater opened at 6000 Hermann Park Drive in 1923, and it is still as great as ever; you can take advantage of the covered seating or you can view the magnificence on a picnic blanket or lawn chair from the hill. Taking a trip to this theater is always fun, especially with the whole family.

On April 4th at 8 p.m. the theater is showing Thoroughly Modern Millie. This Tony award winning musical is free for everyone! Tickets will be sold at the box office tickets between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. the day of the performance. Each person over the age of 16 can get up to four tickets.

The tickets give you access to the very comfortable seats, but if you can’t make it to the box office or if the tickets run out, don’t fret because you can still bring your blankets and sit on the hill. If you’re lucky the box office will re-open one hour before the show to distribute any remaining tickets.

For more information about this event and the upcoming season at Miller Outdoor Theater, please visit their website at http://milleroutdoortheatre.com/events/369/.

Faberge Egg Exhibit at Houston Museum of Fine Arts

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:28:45 +0100

Looking for a fancy Easter egg? If you have heard of Faberge, you know you can’t get any fancier than that. Where else can you take Easter eggs, bling them up, and show them off; but in the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.

At the museum they always have special exhibits that are quite impressive, but with Easter just around the corner, why not take some time and go take a look at the Easter eggs of the Romanov family? There are over 350 pieces in this exhibit which includes two breath-taking Faberge eggs.

In the grandeur of all of the exquisite pieces, the Diamond Trellis Imperial Egg is one of the most celebrated Kelch Eggs. Besides the newest additions the exhibit has so many of the precious past eggs like the Nobel Ice Egg along with other pieces from the House of Faberge.

With Easter coming up, take a break and see these beautiful and amazing historical pieces from the late 19th and early 20th century. If you can’t make it over Easter weekend, take your time since this jaw dropping exhibit will be available to look at until December 31, 2013.

For more information, visit www.hmns.org.

Don’t forget to take the time to let us know what you thought of the exhibit and which piece took your breath away.

Sugar Land Skeeters Craft and Trade Show

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:23:03 +0100

The Sugar Land Skeeters Craft and Trade Show will be held from 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday April 7, 2013. The show will feature art, food, crafts, jewelry and apparel, health and beauty products, instruments, Henna artists, face painters, and much more!

The event is FREE to the public and should be a fun outing for the whole family, as we will be selling concessions and will have our playground open and carousel running. There will also be a special appearance by one of the Sugar Land Skeeters mascots around noon.

Booth space is still available. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact Lisa Vavricka by email at Lvavricka@sugarlandskeeters.com or by phone at 281 207 9151. Get more details on the Skeeters Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ConstellationField?fref=ts.

Pearland Town Center Offers "Hop" Free at the Event Pavilion

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:23:35 +0100

The Pearland Town Center showcases Movie Night at 8 pm on Saturday, March 23 with a screening of “Hop”. The feature film blends animation with live action. The comedy tells a story about E.B. the Easter Bunny’s teenage son who dreams of going to LA to become a drummer. Once in LA, he meets Fred and the adventure begins.

Pearland Town Center offers many activities in the Event Pavilion throughout the year. Admission is free and lawn chairs are welcome. Visit pearlandtowncenter.com for more details.

Children's Museum of Houston Destination Celebration for Spring Break

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:44:40 +0100

The Children’s Museum of Houston has created a fun-filled Destination Celebration Spring Break Bash this week. Families can enjoy a full itinerary of activities including new, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities; a dance party plus a daily main show with live entertainment.

The popular Free Family Night takes place on Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Doors open at 10 am Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday. The Children’s Museum of Houston is America’s No 1 children’s museum – check out all the reasons why this week. Visit, www.cmhouston.org/spring-break/ for more details.

It's Strawberry Picking Season in Alvin

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:20:10 +0100

Families can pick their own strawberries at Froberg’s Farm in Alvin. The local farm is open every day from 9 am to 5:30 pm for picking (weather permitting). Strawberry buckets are purchased for a $1 before entering the patch, strawberries are priced at $2 per pound. Grab a quick bite from the snack bar or lunch from Greak’s Smokehouse while you’re there.

Froberg’s is a local favorite and has been in the produce business since 1936. Their motto is “anything fresher is still growing.” The farm includes many homegrown items and fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll also find a great selection of various nuts, pies and candies. For more information visit www.frobergsfarm.com.

UTMB Opens New Pediatric Clinic in Alvin

Cheryl Boe — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:57:46 +0100

UTMB’s new Alvin Pediatric Clinic is designed to help children with a variety of health services including sports physicals, immunizations, minor injuries, childhood preventative care and more. The facility recently celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 218 E. House Street location.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit http://www.utmbhealth.com

Call of Wild Speaker Series at the Houston Zoo

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:22:32 +0100

Join wildlife heroes from around the world as they share their stories and adventures during the Call of Wild Speaker Series at the Houston Zoo.

On Wednesday, March 20th, doors open at 6:30 pm with the presentation beginning at 7 pm. Adventures with Bears and Wildlife Journeys in North America offers two preeminent naturalist interpreters and wildlife guides, working with the Houston Zoo to discuss Bears, native wildlife, the habitats they live in and what it takes to work beside them.

This free event requires an RSVP – visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/protect-animals/wildlife-speakers/ for more information.