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Posted on Jan 29, 2010 | Tagged in: sports , Houston
Two of Houston’s athletes made the Bloomberg BusinessWeek 2010 Power 100 List which ranked the most powerful athletes in professional sports. Houston Texans’ Andre Johnson came in at #38 and Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming came in at #68.
What does it take to be one of the most powerful athletes? It’s more than just strength. The Power 100 rankings were based on both “on-field” and “off-field” performance, looking at some of the same questions managers ask when looking at players: “Which player will gaurantee the best chance for winning?” “Will they behave themselves off the field?” “Can I trust them to give 100%?” This year’s ranking focused solely on athletes and while the NBA and NFL took the majority of top spots (22 for NBA players and 21 for NFL players) their rankings are nonetheless impressive as these players made the play both on the field and in their day to day lives.
Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans NFL team came in at #38 in the Power 100 2010 ranking. He is a 2009 First-Team All-Pro, and he has held the consensus best receiver in the NFL title for three years. In 2009 he landed his first TV ad endorsement for Dick’s Sporting Goods for Nike receiving gloves.
Posted on Jan 29, 2010 | Tagged in: tips
Grilled Shrimp and Grapefruit Salad
prep time: 20 minutes
marinate time: 1 hour
grill time: 1 hour
makes 5 servings
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup white wine vinaigrette
2 tablespoons red grapefruit juice
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salad
1 bag wild brown shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 ruby red grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
2 jumbo avocado halves, sliced
1 bag baby spring salad mix
Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a shaker bottle and mix well. Place half of the dressing in a large zipper bag, add shrimp and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Posted on Jan 29, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , healthcare
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to start some healthier, happier habits. Below are 10 simple ideas to try to incorporate into your new year, new you.
SMILE. Give yourself a happy break. Smiling sends a message to your unconscious mind and generates a positive mood and attitude.
Eat WELL-BALANCED meals throughout the day and kick-start your metabolism with breakfast every day.
Sit down, chew and ENJOY your food! Rushing meals may prevent the food from digesting properly. Take time for a leisurely meal instead of rushing off to start your next activity.
Make it a goal to drink at least eight glasses of WATER a day. Water flushed out the unwanted toxins from your body.
Posted on Jan 26, 2010 | Tagged in: Specials & Offers
Lennar and Village Builders will double your 2009 tax refund, up to $20,000. The builders will match your tax refund up to $20,000, which can be used towards the price of a new Lennar or Village Builders home.
This special offer is good on homes sold between January 25 and January 31, 2010. Home must close by February 28, 2010.
Lennar and Village Builders offer new homes in Fairfield, Graystone Hills, Oakhurst at Kingwood, Lakes of Savannah and Lakemont. Village Builders is also currently selling in West Ranch in the city of Friendswood.
For more information, visit Lennar.com.
Offer good up to $20,000 on homes sold 1/25/10 - 1/31/10 that close by 2/28/10. Tax Return should be presented on first visit to the Welcome Home Center. See a Lennar or Village Builders New Home Consultant for further information. Offers, incentives and seller contributions are subject to certain terms, conditions and restrictions, which may include use of designated lenders and closing agents. Offer good for a limited time only. Lennar and Village Builders reserve the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Copyright © 2010 Lennar Corporation. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Village Builders, and the Village Builders logo, Everything You Want., Everything You Need., That's the Logic of Lennar logo, Universal American Mortgage Comany and UAMC logos are registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 1/10
Posted on Jan 22, 2010 | Tagged in: Houston , economy
Chronicle analyst and writer Schuyler Dixon asserted that Texas "will be 'last in, first out' among states battling the recession," in an article published on January 17th at Chron.com.
Ray Perryman, economist and head of Perryman Group, cited the reasons for Texas' already rapidly developing recovery included advantages such as weather, stable home prices, and a political climate friendly for companies seeking new business frontiers.
Texas' job losses represented only 4 percent of national numbers, despite Texas' rank at 8 percent when impacting the U.S. economy. These numbers infer that Texas suffered only about half of the job loss that might be expected. For the past two months, we have even been enjoying a moderate job gain, which is something Perryman expects to continue.
Posted on Jan 22, 2010 | Tagged in: housing
According to RealtyTimes.com the housing market is sure to be getting a boost as real estate investors return. This positive upturn indicates a profitable housing market is on the rise.
With low interest rates, at or below 5%, low home prices, and a “new and improved” home-buyer tax credit, the potential gain from real estate investments is drawing many homebuyers. During the summer of 2009 only about 5.6% of homebuyers planned to purchase a home as an investment, compared with more than 12% today.
Posted on Jan 15, 2010 | Tagged in: education
Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) recently published their second-annual ranking of America's Best Colleges. Six hundred undergraduate institutions were ranked based on factors that directly concern incoming students and their families - the quality of education the school provides, the experience of the students and student achievement during and after graduation.
Given that only 600 colleges were ranked it is important to note these are the top 15% in the nation of over 4,000 colleges in the U.S. and it is no surprise that Houston area colleges made the list. As parents are looking for the best education for their students the Houston area is an excellent place to call home for economic stability, but it also offers a place of great education for area and incoming residents.
Posted on Jan 13, 2010 | Tagged in: Houston , events
This isn’t your hometown rodeo; it’s the world’s largest livestock exhibition, the world’s richest regular-season rodeo, and the Southwest’s premier entertainment event. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one annual event that Houstonites do NOT want to miss!
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been around for more than 77 years, alive and kicking due to over 22,000 volunteers who contribute their time, resources and talent to bring the show to life. It is a charitable event committed to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentations. This year it will be open Tuesday March 2, through Sunday March 21 for people from all over Houston, Texas and the U.S. to enjoy!
Posted on Jan 7, 2010 | Tagged in: Lennar Homes , Friendswood ISD
Lennar is offering up to $25,000* off select inventory when you purchase a new home this weekend. For details, visit the Lennar Homes sales office in Fairfield, Graystone Hills, Oakhurst at Kingwood, Lakemont or Lakes of Savannah.
*Inventory homes as determined by Lennar sold 1/1/10 - 1/31/10 and closing by 2/15/10 will offer savings of up to $25,000 off the original home price. Incentives will vary per community and per home. See a Lennar New Home Consultant for further information. Copyright © 2010 Lennar Corporation. Lennar and the Lennar logo are registered service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 1/10
Posted on Jan 7, 2010 | Tagged in: weather , tips
The Houston Weather Bureau is predicting freezing conditions from Thursday night through to Saturday morning (January 7-9, 2010).
These sustained freezing conditions could result in pipes bursting, causing severe damage. Please take the following precautions to minimize damage to your property and protect your plant and pets.
- Wrap an exterior exposed pluming pipes.
- Disconnect water hoses.
- Keep your pets inside.
- Cover your plants.
- Do not leave faucets dripping
- Listen to your radio and T.V. for weather updates.
- If you are going out of town, leave the heat on in your unit and open the under counter cabinet doors. As an additional precaution, turn off the main water valve and drain the faucets. If you turn the water off and you have electric water heater, be sure to turn the breaker off.
