The Cassowary is a very large flightless bird; native to New Guinea. Cassowaries are very shy, but when disturbed, they are capable of inflicting serious injuries to dogs and children.  The 2007 edition of the Guiness World Record list them as the most dangerous bird in the world. In other words give them a wide berth. Our daughter took the picture on a recent trip to the Houston Zoo.  I'm not sure how she got the picture without the fence in front but I guarantee you there was a fence.

Houston has a wonderful zoo.  It makes a great day trip if you have never visited it!

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas or Tomball TXand need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.

If you would like information about Spring-Tomball TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring-Tomball TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

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Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *Speechless Sunday - Cassowary at the Houston Zoo!! *  Picture taken by Tarina Peterson all rights reserved

Again this year I attended the Memorial ceremony at Houston National Cemetery!  Again it was an incredible experience.  You will notice in the pictures that I have a lot of pictures from the Gold Star Moms.  As most of you know our son got out of the Army a year ago after two tours of Iraq.  I can't even imagine being a Gold Star Mom as this means you have lost a son or daughter.

The ceremony was again a beautiful tribute to our fallen soldiers.  It was somber yet meaningful!  This year Governor Rick Perry delived the key not speech.  Governor Perry is a Veteran of the United States Air force.  He served between 1972 to 1977 flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in the US, Europe and the Middle East.  Governor Perry talked about our Greatest Generation and how we now have a new Greatest Generation.  Here's a little excerpt from his speech.

I loved Amazing Grace in Bagpipes by Ian Martin and company.  I hope you enjoy it also. (I was sitting by the handicapped section and the gentleman who was watching over that section made sure they had plenty of water so you will see him in the video several times handing out water, as it was very HOT!

We have such a debt of gratitude for those who are serving in our Armed forces, those who have served and particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Freedom is not FREE!!

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas or Tomball TXand need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.

If you would like information about Spring-Tomball TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring-Tomball TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

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Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Houston National Cemetery - Memorial Day 2010!!*

Last year was my first time to attend the Memorial Celebration that is held at Houston National Cemetery.  Last year was also one of the most meaningful Memorial Days that I ever remember.  I just wish I had made this a family tradition when my children were small.   I an planning on going again this year with a neighbor as both of our husbands have to work that day.  The pictures below are from last years ceremony.  I'm sure I will have a new batch of pictures after Monday.

The ceremony is a beautiful tribute to our fallen soldiers.  It was somber yet meaningful!  This year Governor Rick Perry will deliver the key note speech.  Governor Perry is a Veteran of the United States Air force.  He served between 1972 to 1977 flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in the US, Europe and the Middle East.  The event will also feature a parade of colors and wreaths by numerous local Veterans organizations, ROTC units & Boys & Girls Scout Troops.  There will also be a flyover by the US Coast Guard, a performance of "Taps", a riderless horse procession, a white dove release and a rifle salute. 

This is free to the public and like I said it was the most meaningful Memorial Day I have ever celebrated.  We just lost a local Tomball Marine in Afghanistan and so this is a bit bittersweet.  It makes me realize I'm one of the lucky ones whose son came home safe and sound after two tours of Iraq and is now out of the Army and a college student. 

We have such a debt of gratitude for those who are serving in our Armed forces, those who have served and particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Freedom is not FREE!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas or Tomball TXand need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.

If you would like information about Spring-Tomball TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring-Tomball TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2010 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*Houston National Cemetery- Memorial Celebration - plan to attend!!!!*

The North Houston Tea Party movement continues.  This tea party took place at Sam Houston Raceway Park the night before the 2009 elections.  I knew  there was a lot of people and have now heard between 10,000 to 15,000 people showed up.

 The speakers were great.  I think my favorite was Lord Christopher Monckton.  He debunks Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" and all the global warming theories. This you tube video was taken in St. Paul Minnesota.  He talks about the Copenhagen conference that is coming up and how important it is that our President does not sign.  Should he sign it would make us a one world government.  Please take the time to watch it.

Oppose the upcoming Treaty of Copenhagen - Visit http://www.webcommentary.com/signrep.php to read why and to sign a petition (Instrument of Repudiation) opposing the forthcoming Treaty!

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If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332. 

If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia.  If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.

Want to find out about new Spring TX properties immediately as they come on the market, then click here to sign up for a free automatic notification of new listings.

Click the button to the left to search our local MLS.

Subcribe in a reader

Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved.*The North Houston Tea Party - the movement continues.......*

  2nd Annual

Houston U.S. Veterans Initiative

American Golf Classic

" Serving those who Served "

YOU ARE INVITED !  

Who: All men and women

When: Monday, Oct. 5 2009

SHOTGUN start at 9:00a.m.

Where: The Oaks & Panther Trail 2311 North Millbend Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380

Entry Fee: $100.00/person

Format: 4 person scramble

( Individuals are welcome

& will be grouped with a

Team )

Registration Deadline:

October 1, 2009

Event Coordinator: Paul Lance, 823-203-1626, ext 102      Email: plance@usvetsinc.org

US Vets is the largest operator of homeless veterans programs in the country.   For more information on US VET Inc and their programs that are in support of our veterans visit http://www.usvetsinc.org/.  I have also written a post about US VETS that will give you more information.

Houston U.S. Veterans Initiative Golf Tournatment SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES  

$5,000 - FOUR STAR GENERAL

• Four teams playing in the Scramble tournament! 
• Recognition in Houston Area Golf Magazines
• Recognition on Sports Radio 610 - Houston
• Recognition on U.S. Veterans Initiative website
• Recognition on all signs created specifically for the tournament
• Prominent placement of corporate banner at the tournament site
• Product / Display sampling on-site
• Gift package for each participant  
• Professional Photo of each team
• Lunch     
• Recognition at Awards Ceremony
• Appreciation Plaque from U.S. Veterans Initiative

   $2,500 - CAPTAIN  

• Three teams playing in the Scramble tournament!
• Recognition in Houston Area Golf Magazines
• Recognition on U.S. Veterans Initiative website
• Recognition on all signs created specifically for the tournament
• Prominent placement of corporate banner at the tournament site
•  Gift package for each participant on the team
• Lunch     
• Recognition at Awards Ceremony
• Appreciation Plaque from U.S. Veterans Initiative

$1,500 - LIEUTENANT

• One team playing in the Scramble tournament!
• Recognition in Houston Area Golf Magazines
•  Recognition on all signs created specifically for the tournament
• Prominent placement of corporate banner at the tournament site
• Gift package for each participant on the team
• Lunch
• Recognition at  Awards Ceremony
•  Appreciation Plaque from U.S. Veterans Initiative

 $100.00 - SERGEANT

• Appreciation Certificate from U.S. Veterans
• Initiative Recognition at  Awards Ceremony

I am going to call this post part two of a two part post.  Part one was on my evolving thoughts on the Memorial Day holiday.  This post just continues that journey.

With this new appeciaton of Memorial Day I had thought about going to the Houston National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony.  I thought about it but had talked myself out of it; as my husband had to work.  I had some clients call late yesterday and they wanted to look at a house early this morning.  When I realized the ceremony was just a 15 minute drive from the house I was showing I just felt I was meant to go. We have lived here 12 years and I can't even tell you how many times I have driven by this cemetery (as it is located in Northwest Houston) but this was my first time to go in. 

I am so glad that I went.  The ceremony was a beautiful tribute to our fallen soldiers.  It was somber yet meaningful!  I think this will start a new Memorial Day tradition for me. 

With out son just getting out of Iraq in March and out of the Army May 2nd this has made Memorial Day very special for me this year.  If you have never watched a welcome home celebration please share my joy and visit my Welcome Home to Texas - 4th Infantry!! post!  I have written 386 post so far on the rain and I have to say my welcome home post is my VERY FAVORITE!!  I feel so blessed that he came home safe and sound! 

We have such a debt of gratitude for those who are serving in our Armed forces, those who have served and partiuclarly those who made the ulitmate sacrifice. 

US Vets Houston is part of the US Vets initiative.  US Vets is the largest operator of homeless veterans programs in the country.  Started in 1993, US Vets has ten sites in 6 states; serving more than 16,000 homeless veterans.  Each year more than 1,100 veterans are finding work.  US Vets Houston provides counseling, job assistance, housing and hope to thousands of homeless veterans each year; right here in the Houston area.  Their programs foster the skills necessary to return to the community and remain self sufficient. 

I remember hearing after Hurricane Ike came through our area that some 2.1 million customers were out of power.  Just two weeks afterwards power has been restored to almost all the areas where it can still be restored.  I know there are still pockets without power but they become less ever day.  One of my clients wrote the letter below and asked me if I would post it on Active Rain.  She very eloquently Thanks all our recovery workers that made this possible in such a short time.  Please take the time to read her letter and give our service workers a big thumbs up.

Dear fellow Texan, American and Canadian friends:

We in southeast Texas are so grateful for the outpouring of assistance we have received during the past two weeks since Hurricane Ike roared through our communities. 

To all members of law enforcement (both local and those who came in from other areas of Texas to assist us) thank you.  We citizens do not always express our appreciation for the work you do on a daily basis. However, you need to know that you are very much appreciated by the vast majority. 

To all members of other emergency services such as fire and rescue who also spent so much time away from their own families and homes in order to service our communities, we thank you.

To all members of Centerpoint, Entergy, AT&T, and the untold numbers of companies working on power lines, traffic signals and debris removal:  You have all worked so tirelessly during these past two weeks in an effort to bring a sense of normalcy back to our lives, and we thank you.

I have personally seen workers, power company trucks and tree removal service companies from the following states (although I know help came from as far away as Alaska and Canada): 

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Washington

Many citizens have made it a point (myself included) to honk, smile, wave, or give a thumbs up to these fine people in an effort to let them know how much we appreciate them for being away from their homes and families in an effort to help us.  Somehow it just does not seem enough.  So to anyone who is reading this, I ask one favor:  Please pass this message on.  I am hopeful that this will eventually reach each and every person involved in this recovery effort and let them know just how much they have meant to our community.

Kind regards

Marcia Cooke, 

Spring TX

Houston US VETS invite you to spend a day with a VET! Saturday July 19th, Barbeque and entertainment!!

"Spend a day with a VET is a FREE opportunity for people to have a fun experience while showing their appreciation to our VETS by spending a little time with those VETS who live at the US VETS Midtown Terrace Facility."

HIGHLIGHTS:

9:00 AM - POW/MIA Flag Raising (local and state officials have been invited to attend).

9:30 AM - Flag retirement ceremony conducted by local scouts

10:00 until 2:00 Barbeque and entertainment ($10 donation requested per person.)

US VETS Midtown Terrace was opened in 1997.  It features 170 units of transitional and permanent housing and 72 program beds.  The facility is currently undergoing a complete renovation.  They are seeking support from the community through donations of materials and cash.

VIP Program Services Include

US Vets is the largest operator of homeless veterans programs in the country.   For more information on US VET Inc and their programs that are in support of our veterans visit http://www.usvetsinc.org/.  I have also written a post about US VETS that will give you more information.

This is your opportunity to come out and spend a day with a VET.  I know that we often think of our Vietnam Veterans but they have Veterans from all our recent wars going back to World War II.

The barbeque is being hosted by the Houston area chapter members of Rolling Thunder and the Rotary Club of Sharpstown. 

For more information on "Spending a Day with a VET" contact Gary Robinson the President of Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 at Gary.Robinson@ExpressJet.com.  His phone numbers are office 832-353-2626 or his cell at 281-734-6859.

Houston's April 2008 sales results are out and the Houston market is still fairly stable.  For the third month in a row the number of homes sold is less when compared to the number of homes that sold last year.  However the actual sales price rose to the highest level ever according to the Houston Association of REALTORS.  The average sales price rose by .09 percent to 207,270.  In April of last year the average sales price was $205,490.  The median sales price maintained at $150,000.

I was a little confused about the difference between the median price and the average price so consulted HAR.  The median price is the price that is midway between the least expensive and most expensive home sold in an area during a given period of time. During that time, half the buyers bought homes that cost more than the median price and half bought homes for less than the median price. The average home price is the sum of prices of all homes sold in a certain area in a certain period, divided by the number of properties sold in the same area in that period.

This has been an interesting trend.  Our prices are going up but we are not selling as many homes.  I personally think this has everything to do with what is going on in the lending industry.  It is just harder for people to get loans which correlates in not having as many buyers as we use to have.  The days of the 100% loan are almost gone so the buyers need to have at least a little cash to be able to get in to a house.

I think this has to do with the fact that we never saw the huge increases in prices like much of the country; therefore we did not have a bubble to burst.  This makes our area a bit of an anomaly compared to the rest of the country.  However, there has been a ripple effect.  Point in case is the number of homes that have been sold compared to the number sold last year.  It is interesting however to see that our prices have really not been affected. 

We had some milestones in April.  We had the largest number of single family homes sold so far in 2008 with the highest average single family sales price.  The sales of single family homes below $80,000 rose by 27.3 percent.  The sales of townhouse and condominiums reached the highest level since August with the highest median and average price.

Our HAR chairman, Michael Levitin summed our market up quite nicely so I am going to leave you with his words.

"Coming off of two consecutive record years, the Houston real estate market is demonstrating relative stability while other cities continue to suffer dramatic declines in both sales and pricing," said Michael Levitin, HAR chairman. "We avoided a bubble thanks to Houston's history of moderate growth in home values. The healthy local job market and diverse economy have created dynamics that are conducive to a faster recovery and we anticipate conditions to improve in the second half of the year."

If you are considering a move to the Houston Northwest area or the surrounding areas of Spring, Tomball, Magnolia or The Woodlands please give me a call or visit my website. 

For all your Northwest Houston Real Estate needs, contact me today!
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty
Cell: 832-721-8332