City of Friendswood and Southeast Houston News

Three Friendswood Development Company communities are among the newest to host open house weekends, where visitors can tour new and resale homes.

Lakes of Savannah, located just two miles from SH 288 in the Pearland area, Lakemont, located along the Westpark Tollway and Mason Road; and West Ranch located in the City of Friendswood - will all showcase a variety of new homes ready for move-in, decorated models and resale homes open with Realtors on site to answer questions.

The event, which began in Fairfield and has continued for years, is popular among residents and home shoppers because it gives them the opportunity to see the wide variety of homes available, talk to Realtors and new home sales professionals, and often talk to residents and find out why they are making these Friendswood Development Co. communities their home. Earlier this year, Friendswood Development Company’s north communities of Graystone Hills and Oakhurst at Kingwood joined in participating in open house events, and now its south and southwest communities will do the same.

“This is a great opportunity for home shoppers to really learn a lot about Lakes of Savannah, Lakemont or West Ranch,” said Misty Watkins, Marketing Director for Friendswood Development Company’s south division. “Now, visitors to these locations can preview the newest builders, sections and model homes now open.”

The open house event will take place on Saturday April 10 and Sunday April 11. New homes are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.Resale homes are open from 1- p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each community will have maps and information on all available homes and directions to new home sales offices.

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Just two miles from West Ranch on FM 518, the 5th Annual Auto & Bike Extravaganza will be held at Friendswood’s Stevenson Park. If you’d like to shine up your wheels and sit in a lawn chair next to other enthusiasts, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come spend the day at the park talking to fellow perfectionists or just enjoy the uniquely designed cars of the past and present. From big trucks and fast cars to Harley’s and more, Friendswood’s Auto & Bike Extravaganza has something for everyone. All years, makes and models are welcome. Food and fun tents will be set up around the park for added family enjoyment.

For those interested in entering their “Ride” in the competition the following categories with be judged: Paint and Body, Interior, Detailing, Engine Compartment and Overall Appearance.

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With the recent progress in the direction of mixed use real estate development and the recent un-doing of the “dry city” status, it’s no surprise that the arrival of a “Big City” chain coming to Friendswood has created quite an exciting buzz in our wonderfully quaint town of Friendswood, Texas!

So, with great pride, I can confirm that Birraporetti’s Restaurant is coming to Friendswood. "We're very excited about it," Donna Huckleberry, an office manager in their Houston office said. “Crews are preparing the eatery, which formerly housed Babbo Bruno's. But officials have not pinned down an opening date yet,” according to Huckleberry. Locals can already see the transformation beginning, with fresh exterior paint and a flurry of contractors working inside and out.

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Each Spring, we move our clocks forward by one hour during the night in order to capture the convenience that extra light brings during the Spring and Summer seasons. Friendswood Development Company is reminding West Ranch residents to remember to do just that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14.

Daylight Saving Time actually affects you in more ways than simply confusing your schedule. By making the adjustment, we are allowing ourselves to use less energy in lighting our homes. This energy-saving orientation was the original intent of the U.S. when Daylight Saving Time was instituted during World War I and later when the length of Daylight Saving Time was standardized in 1966.

Due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005, Daylight Saving Time is now four weeks longer by extending the time change from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Our new routine was established with intent to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day by reducing power used by businesses.

Friendswood Development Company hopes feeling greener eases the pain of losing an hour this weekend and that all our visitors, Realtors, and community residents enjoy the warmer Houston weather ahead!

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The City of Friendswood’s 8th annual KIDFISH is scheduled to take place on April 3rd, 2010 from 9 a.m. until noon at Friendswood’s Centennial Park Pond. West Ranch parents are encouraged to bring their children 16 years of age and younger to this exciting outdoor event.

The KIDFISH Foundation will stock over 750 pounds of adult fish in the park pond for participants to catch. Participants can bring their own equipment, but bait, tackle, and loaner rods will be provided to children who do not have their own equipment.

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Village Builders, Houston’s Premier Luxury Homebuilder for more than 35 years, was recently awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

J.D. Power and Associates quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. The New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study, now in its 13th year, includes satisfaction rankings for builders in 24 markets. The study reviews factors that drive overall customer satisfaction with home builders including workmanship/materials, builder’s warranty/customer service staff, price/value, builder’s sales staff, construction manager, home readiness, recreational facilities provided by the builder, builder’s design center and location.

“We are truly honored to receive this ranking,” states Cindy Hinson, Vice President of Operations for Village Builders. “It is our top priority to build our customers a home with the finest quality craftsmanship and luxury, and to provide superior customer service to all of our homebuyers and prospective buyers.”

For more than three decades, Village Builders has been committed to helping Houston homebuyers find the home of their dreams. Their consistent passion for perfection, cutting edge design and customer care has been a sign of success for thousands of Houston families. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Pride and high standards are reflected in each detail of a Village Builders home.

Village Builders offers distinguished home collections at communities in the most desired locations in the Houston area, such as West Ranch, Graystone Hills, Fairfield and Oakhurst at Kingwood.

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In keeping with the festivities surrounding St. Patrick’s Day in March, Village Builders is celebrating this lucky day with fabulous incentive opportunities all month long! Purchase a home in one of their more than 60 communities throughout the Houston area and receive a Lucky Day Scratch-Off Card! Each card will reveal one of three amazing incentives – a front-load washer and dryer, a sprinkler system or custom garage floor coating. Village Builders is also offering additional incentives this month including free Design Studio options up to $50,000 off.

Additionally, by visiting Lennar Houston on Facebook, individuals have the opportunity to become a fan and enter the Lucky Day Ireland Giveaway for a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland. Become a fan today!

Plus, time is running out to take advantage of the historic government homebuyer tax credit opportunities. New homes must be purchased by April 30, 2010 to qualify for a tax credit. If you haven’t owned a home in the last three years you may qualify to receive a first-time homebuyers tax credit of up to $8,000. Current homeowners may also qualify to receive up to a $6,500 tax credit. To qualify for the $6,500 tax credit, prospective homebuyer must have owned and resided in a home for any five consecutive year period during the last 8 years prior to the purchase of a new home. These tax credits are not loans, but prospective buyers need to act now, as this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Village Builders a part of the Lennar Family of Builders, has enjoyed the distinction of being Houston’s luxury builder for more than 3 decades. The Village Builders brand is synonymous with excellence and is founded on a tradition of quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Recently, Village Builders was awarded the 2009 Highest Ranking for Customer Satisfaction (in a tie) in the Houston area by leading global marketing information services company, J.D. Power and Associates.

Village Builders builds in Friendswood Development Company's Graystone Hills, Oakhurst at Kingwood, Fairfield, and West Ranch communities.

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For three weeks in February, Windsong Intermediate students have been making a difference by reserving their snack money for the benefit of survivors of the Haiti earthquake, with funds collected going to the American Red Cross for relief effort and packages.

On Thursday, February 25th, Windsong presented the Red Cross with a check for $911.05, just an addition to the $1,576.40 that Mrs. Gibson’s Social Studies class donated to UNICEF from their Hope for Haiti Carwash held on February 13th.

In an effort to continue the loving support for the country-in-need, Windsong’s next goal is to encourage remaining Friendswood I.S.D. schools to raise $1.00 per student for earthquake relief and restoration efforts (Windsong’s original and well-exceeded goal).

Congratulations to Windsong Intermediate on their enthusiasm and effort in accomplishing the promotion of the welfare of others!

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Tech-savvy West Ranch parents interested in keeping up with their Friendswood I.S.D. students will find recent updates in New Media useful for staying informed. In addition to maintaining their consistently updated Web site and newsletter, Friendswood I.S.D. now has a Twitter page and YouTube channel for your convenience.

Friendswood I.S.D. launched their Twitter account to help inform the community of events and important news. The YouTube channel has been launched as an outlet that is even of use to students, who can practice communication skills and experiment with technical creativity in a supervised environment.

Follow Friendswood I.S.D. on Twitter @friendswoodisd.

Sign up for the Friendswood I.S.D. newsletter. [http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001PhdQ1BjzXNRjm5Y6hvgaCw==]

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