10 December 2013

Venetian Estate News - November 2013

Around the Neighborhood

Gear Up

Turkeys fly and so does time. It is hard to believe that Catherine Bell’s idea for a VE Turkey Trot is now four years old…Yes, this Thanksgiving Day the Fourth Annual VE Turkey Trot will take place. Over the years neighbors have enjoyed kicking off Thanksgiving Day by talking with each other while walking/trotting around the neighborhood. I suggest this year that those who walk/run fast take the five-mile route down all the streets while those who enjoy a more leisurely stroll simply make the two-mile circle. This provides an opportunity to visit with more neighbors as we continually run into different families coming off the cul-de-sacs on to the main route.


Meet in our office building (formerly the Frost Bank building) parking lot on Thanksgiving morning at 8 AM. Donations this year will go to Living Water International, a faith-based non-profit organization that helps communities in developing countries acquire safe drinking water.  Living Water is based in Houston. Suggested donations are $20 per family. Last year $155 was collected for the Wounded Warrior Project. Let’s try to beat that number this year! If you want to contribute to the VE donation but can’t make the walk, please mail or bring your check (directed to Living Water International) to the Bells’ house at 915 Piedmont. For more information contact Catherine Bell at 281-565-5849 or visit www.water.cc.

Sip n’ See
The October VE Wine and Cheese Social was such a fun evening! Natalie and Greg Nielson’s renovation of 407 Savoy is beautiful! (See pictured neighbors Julie and Mark Macdonell of 106 Capri and Melissa and Jeff Crawford of 410 Lombardy at the event).  The next opportunity to Sip n’ See will be the VE Christmas party on December 8 at the beautiful new home of Regina and Bryan Lee at 123 Sorrento. 


Sweet on Sugar Land
On October 26 builders chosen for the first phase of the Imperial Development showcased their patio- and townhome floor plans. I attended, as did several of our neighbors. There is a great deal of excitement as the residential development gets underway. Six of the patio home lots have already been sold! 

If you would like more information regarding “the sweet life” in Imperial, please call me. I would love to represent you in making the best choice among the builders and floor plans. And of course I would love to represent you in the sale of your Venetian Estates home.  My knowledge of the neighborhood and my passion for the lifestyle here make a great combination when “selling” to prospects. I have two prospects that could buy your home now and let you stay there for a few months or lease it back for a longer period. This allows you the flexibility of obtaining your proceeds while not being pressured to make a decision as to where to move. Whatever your specific needs, I may already have a prospect and I can help you determine the correct value for your home.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
That is what girls are made of. The other day I watched my daughter, Kristin Johnston (303 Savoy) teach her daughter (my only granddaughter as I write this) to ride her bike without training wheels. What memories and evidence that time flies...I vividly remember teaching Kristin to ride her ‘big bike’ on Lombardy  in December of 1984!  By the time you read this Kristin may be the mother of 3 and I the grandmother of 6! Our daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Corey Ferguson (718 Santa Maria) have a third baby boy, Pete Ruffin who is now one month old. What do they say boys are made of? Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails? I can’t argue with the frogs and snails...

New Neighbors

Our new neighbors at 107 Tuscany are Madge and Keith Jones. Madge is a Realtor with Nino Realtors and I so enjoyed working with her in the purchase of their new home! Keith is Senior Vice-President of Operations for the Houston Rockets.  He is in his 18th season with the Rockets! Madge and Keith have three children. Morgan is 21 and a graduate of A & M. Alex, 17, is a senior and Isaiah,16, is a junior at Dulles.  Madge and Keith have done a superb job in the renovation of their home. They are now in the process of adding a gorgeous swimming pool! I understand the Jones have already been welcomed by a “street party” on Tuscany. (What a great idea!)