INTERIOR PAINTING 101

Have you recently walked through your living room and felt that something just does not look right? You take a quick look around and mentally note the different elements of the room trying to determine what feels out of place.

You realize that the problem is not your furniture or decor and you wonder what could be wrong. Then you look at the walls. The bright orange paint that appealed to you 15 years ago has finally begun to lose its charm. Or perhaps the color is perfect; however you have recently begun to notices chips, cracks, and even fading of the paint.

Depending on the level of your discontent you will make one of two choices: replace it with a new coat of paint or live with it. If you do decide to replace it, here are a couple tips to get you started:

Brush Basics - There are generally two brush options for you to choose from: natural bristle brushes and synthetic bristle brushes. The synthetic is best for latex paints, for oil-based paints you can use either natural or synthetic brushes.

Tape Talk - One of the best pieces of advice is to buy plenty of low tack tape and use it to tape off baseboards, moldings, and doorknobs. It will save you time on cleaning.

Patience is a Virtue - When applying multiple coats of paint, allow the walls to dry to the touch between applications. Premature brushing of the second coat can ruin the job by pulling up the first coat of paint.

There are numerous videos, blogs, and websites available to get more info on how to paint an interior wall.  The above video is only an example of many that I found.  Here are a few more:

E-how Tips on Painting
House Painting Info Guide

UPDATES FROM DICKINSON GATOR BYTES

*** These updates are straight from the Dickinson GATOR BYTES email newsletter. To join their email list, Click Here. ***

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Reminder to parents: Early dismissal Thursday, student holiday Friday.

As a reminder to parents, Dickinson ISD will have early dismissal on Thursday, Oct. 28 with schools dismissing two hours early. The following day, Friday, Oct. 29, is a student holiday while teachers are in staff development.

Dedication Ceremony and Open House Nov. 3 for new Barry Lussier Field House

The community is invited to a dedication ceremony and open house at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 for the new Barry Lussier Field House on the Dickinson High School campus. The new field house was finished earlier this year while work has continued throughout the year on the Walk of Honor, a covered walkway connecting the Field House to DHS. A short ceremony followed by tours of the facility will be offered.

The new facility features a large foyer and reception area, a weight room overlooking Sam Vitanza Stadium, an athletic training area, locker rooms, classroom and office space as well as storage areas.

The Field House is one part of a large renovation and expansion project taking place at Dickinson High School. Sam Vitanza Stadium opened in 2007, followed by a new Agricultural Facility and Baseball Field in 2009, restroom renovations in 2009 as well as roofing and air conditioning projects in 2010. A new two-story academic wing with classrooms and science labs is currently underway behind DHS, plus expansion of the kitchen and dining area, a new free-standing band hall in front of DHS and renovations to the current fine arts areas.

Dickinson ISD hosts Bullying Awareness Forum for Parents this Thursday, Oct. 28

Dickinson ISD will host a Bullying Awareness Forum for Parents from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Thursday, October 28 at the McAdams Junior High Auditorium. Featured keynote speaker Ginger Robinson will talk to parents about "Communicating in Times of Conflict," which will include discussion about personality types, parenting styles and classroom conflict management tools and how parents can provide their children with "bully-proof" protection.

Other topics to be addressed include how to detect bullying, cyber-bullying, warning signs that a child is being bullied, bullying in and out of school and how parents can help their children make healthy choices.

October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month to raise awareness of bullying prevention.

Empty Stocking registration planned for
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 1-2 at DHS Library

Registration for the annual Empty Stocking Program, sponsored by the Dickinson Interfaith Lay Group, will be held from 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. next Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 1-2 in the Dickinson High School Library. The program has been providing food and toys to hundreds of econonically disadvantaged families each year since the early 1960's. Last year, the group provided 1,250 area children, from birth through 12 years old, with holiday gifts.

Campuses host Red Ribbon Week activities to stress importance of staying drug-free

This week,the Dickinson Gators will be "Teaming Up Against Drugs" by wearing red ribbons sponsored by Maxim Insurance to show their pledge to be drug and alcohol free. Along with all that red, some exciting events are taking place all around the district as students pledge to be drug and alcohol free.

This past Friday, Barber students got to see a BMX presentation by three professional riders. The riders performed electrifying stunts and even jumped and flipped over some of the teachers! At the end of the show, the bikers talked about the hard work and dedication it takes to become successful. They reminded the students that the key to finding success is to stay drug and alcohol free.

Dunbar students on Monday got to see their principal get attacked by a dog! Don't worry, it was all for demonstration and Mr. Lankford was a good sport. "Jimmo," the drug dog, visited the campus and showed the students what can happen to you if you mess with drugs.

Over at San Leon Elementary, the students are wearing their pajamas to school on Wednesday as they "Follow their Dreams" to a drug-free life. On Thursday, they will have a book parade and dress up as their favorite characters.

K.E. Little is also having fun this Red Ribbon Week. Every day they will be celebrating by wearing something different. Along with those wardrobe changes, the students will be sporting dog tags because they are "PAWS"-itively drug free! The DePelchin Center will also be stopping by to do a Red Ribbon Week presentation.

Last but not least, McAdams is also seeing red, but in a good way. This week, the Student Council is hosting a poster contest and the Drama Club is performing drug awareness skits. Winners Inc. will also be on hand to talk to the students about the meaning of Red Ribbon Week.

DHS Gator Marching Band ends marching season with UIL Area Finals performance

The Dickinson High School Gator Band marched their best performance of the season at UIL Area Contest in Galena Park this past weekend. They ranked seventh out of 30 bands to advance to finals.

The band concluded their marching season by marching in UIL Area Finals which is quite an accomplishment in itself. Congratulations Gator Band for another great marching season! The band is under the direction of Trevor Braselton.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NOVEMBER CALENDAR

TEXAS - 1, RECESSION - 0

TEXAS (The Atlantic) – Even in the middle of the Great Recession, Texas is faring well compared with the rest of the nation, racking up an ever-growing list of accomplishments.

In addition to ranking fourth in the country with the least amount of state debt, Texas has four cities in the Milken Institute’s Top Five Best Performing Cities Index, four among Forbes' list of top ten “Cities Where the Recession is Easing,” and four in last year’s Top Ten in Homebuilding.

Texas is home to three of the top five most resilient major metro areas for employment, with McAllen first, Austin third, San Antonio fifth and El Paso and Houston not far behind in the top 15.

The Lone Star State also claims 64 Fortune 500 companies — more than any other state — in addition to being dubbed Top State for Business for the second time in three years by CNBC.

The Atlantic says these accomplishments are because Texas’ major cities have chosen comparatively stable industries — Houston is the nation’s energy hub, Austin leads in education and technology, and San Antonio dominates the health care and education sector in addition to military spending.

“Our research shows that the more tax incentives and less regulation you have, and the less likely businesses are to get sued, the more likely it is they’ll want to come and prosper in your state,” said Brooke Rollins, president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

These factors support Texas’ position as a global economic leader, having the 15th largest economy in the world. This success has a trickle down effect, working its way into the suburb areas, such as Dickinson, located just south of Houston.



View the Videos Here:

TexaPlex
Houston TexaPlex
Dickinson Video

OUTDOOR LIVING

Outdoor living spaces have become a big deal in Texas over the past few years.  It has expanded beyond having a pool and hot tub, to having a full scale kitchen in the backyard. 

Some features now include fire pits, pizza ovens, and more.  Even builders have been picking up on the trend recently, providing buyers the option to purchase back yard packages in certain high end communities.  Read more about different appliances for your outdoor cooking by Clicking Here.

Outdoor kitchens come in all shapes and sizes.  The key is to not worry so much about impressing others, but to create a space that is comfortable for you, as YOU will be the one using it most of the time.  Click Here for examples of different outdoor kitchens and spaces, and some tips on grilling.  What you create is only limited by your budget and your imagination.

Additional great links with photos:
Outdoor Homescapes
Google Images

BAYOU REALTORS APRIL OPEN HOUSE TOUR

BAYOU REALTORS IS hosting an open house tour for 7 different homes in different cities on Sunday, April 18, from 2-4 pm.  Please stop by a few, or all of them.  Details are below.

106 Sunlit Mesa, Santa Fe.

$220,000,  5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage.
Great for a large family, tile throughout the downstairs, master has tray ceilings and a sitting area.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/89931629.

4511 Country Club Drive, Dickinson.
$220,000,  3 (or 4) bedroom, 2 bath, 2+ garage.
Both formals with beautiful updated kitchen, large game room, plus super garage.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/79477059.

4319 Country Club Drive, Dickinson.
$189,900,  4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage.
Large deck with hot tub and stunning water view, both formals, 2 bedrooms downstairs, den with 2 bedroom and bath upstairs.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/51756104.
Click Here to view Virtual Video.



 

1200 Pin Oak Drive, Dickinson.
$164,900,  3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage.
Oversized wooded lot with large back deck with fireplce. Split plan with lots of updates. Master bath has beautiful tile work in shower.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/52580244.

228 Meadowhill Lane, Dickinson.
$155,000,  3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage.
Formal dining room, fireplace, lots of counter and cabinet space in kitchen, split bedroom plan, easy access to shopping, banks, churches, etc.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/5322418.

4014 College Drive, Bacliff.
$119,777,  3 (or 4) bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths.
Perfect for a weekend get-a-way home, or live here and feel like you are on a permanent vacation. Family room opens to the covered/screened 2nd level deck. Large downstairs room can be a gameroom, office, or 3rd and 4th bedroom.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/20264545.
Click Here to view the Virtual Video.

11115 32 1/2 Street, Santa Fe.
$90,000,  3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car garage.
Manufactured home on over 1 acre, with security fenced yard. Large master bedroom with garden tub, beautiful kitchen, and wonderful layout.
For details, pictures, and map, visit www.har.com/41886531.




PLEASE STOP BY OUR OFFICE TO PICK UP A FLYER.  ALL HOMES ARE OPEN SUNDAY, APRIL 17, FROM 2-4 PM.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

6 Public Open Houses - Sunday, Jan. 31, 2-4 PM

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE AND PRINT

CLICK ON MAP IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE AND PRINT

Or, vist www.tinyurl.com/JanuaryOpenHouseMap

Dickinson School District - Dates to Remember

Dickinson ISD students started the second half of the 2009-2010 school year on Wednesday, Jan. 20 after having a long weekend break. Dates to remember for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year include:

February 17 - Early Release Day
March 15-19 - Spring Break
March 31 - Early Release Day
April 2 - Student/Teacher Holiday 
              (possible bad weather make-up day if needed)
May 26 - Early Release Day
May 31 - Student/Teacher Holiday 
               (possible bad weather make-up day if needed)
June 3 - Last Day of School
June 4 - Dickinson High School Graduation Ceremony