Cliff Collins

Jennifer Shuble, a graduate of Kingwood High School, has won the Gold at the 2008 Olympics.

Jennifer won the Olympic Gold Medal for her performance in the Paralympic Games' Women's Cyclist 500m Time Trial. She not only won the Gold but broke the world's record! Jennifer has set a new record for the CP4 class. Not bad for a newcomer to the U.S. track cycling program, which she joined in 2006.

Jennifer's name may not have been world known before, but it is now. Before her win, she wasn't even considered a "big contender". However, other cyclists and cycling enthusiasts now know that Jennifer is a competitor to be contended with.

Jennifer's family and friends already knew she was a champion to contend with long before the Olympic Games. Jennifer received the high honor of being appointed a West Point cadet. While at West Point, she received a brain injury during a hand-to-hand combat session. A few years later, Jennifer had the misfortune of suffering another traumatic brain injury in a car accident.

Being the stuff champions are made of, "a little ole bump on the head" was not going to stop Jennifer from her personal best. She turned her attention to athletics and began participating in triathlons. In 2006, Jennifer turned her athletic focus on to cycling. In just 18 months, she has gone from "beginner" to champion and Gold Medal winner.

Let's all give a big Texas "rebel yell" to Jennifer, so loud that she will hear it in Beijing!

Thank you, Jennifer for making us proud and for the example you have given to all the world to never give up and always reach for the Gold.

Read more about Jennifer and her triumph:

• 2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES - CYCLING: Jennifer Schuble
• Vulcan Triathletes - Congrats to World Champ Jennifer Schuble
• Lakeshore Foundation
• An American Gold Medal at the Beijing Velodrome - 2008 ...

  We raise some pretty great kids, here in Kingwood!

  • Read about another Kingwood great: A Salute to One Of Kingwood's Own

  

Never Forget 9/11/2001

Do you ever wish you could have it "all"? If so, you need to be considering making Kingwood, Texas your home!

The beautiful community of Kingwood does have it all. We are located in the " Livable Forest" complete with trails and wildlife.

Kingwood is just a hop, skip and a jump from scenic Lake Houston.

Kingwood has great schools for all of our great kids.

Kingwood is a master-panned community made up of several villages which are home to the best neighbors in Texas.

Kingwood, Texas is experiencing a great economy. There is no recession here!

Kingwood is a suburb of Houston, which has just been named as ranking #1 on the Best U.S. Cities For Earning A Living list by Forbes.com.

According to Forbes, the City of Houston won the honor of ranking number one because of its dynamic business environment, high wages and low unemployment. The largest Census-defined metro areas (40) were studied by Forbes for the quality of each area's business environment for large and small businesses. Remember, if big business is doing "big business", then small business thrives as well.

Forbes, Moody's Economy.com and The Real Estate Center at Texas AMU, predict that these facts are not likely to be changing in the near future. Forbes predicts that Texas ranks #4 for strength in future economic health. The (AMU) Real Estate Center is predicting a robust economy for the state of Texas for at least the next 20 years! With the recent study by Forbes and the data from Moody's Economy.com, it would appear that Houston will be the leading city for the state.

In May, I reported in my blog that Houston was ranked #7 as the one of the 10 most recession proof cities. Well, we have moved along way beyond that in just a few short months. In July, I reported that Houston was not experiencing a down turn, but instead, an upswing in its economy. Now here it is not even September, and the Houston area has done it again - moved ahead. This time we not only made the list - We topped it! HOUSTON the #1 Best U.S. City For Earning A Living.

I'm going to tell you one more time - Kingwood has it all. We are part of the Houston area and the benefits of its economy. So, "come on down" and live in wonderful Kingwood, locate in the livable forest next to Lake Houston and only 25 minutes from downtown Houston.

You You can have it all, too!

My Blogs:

July 2 Houston: Energy Capital of the World - A Real Gusher

May 14 Lucky #7

In My Backyard

Related Articles:

Chicago Tribune: Houston Doesn't Have a Problem

Houston. Newsweek: Houston, We Have No Problems

Washington Post: Houston's Pipelines of Prosperity

Although most people in Texas are aware of our "Tax-Free Holiday" weekend, I thought I would do my part to spread the word.

If you are reading this blog and do not live in Texas, then here is another good reason to become a Texan.

I am so blessed to live in such a wonderful community as Kingwood and that blessing is doubled because Kingwood lies in the great state of Texas. Texas cities have been on almost every "Best List" released this year. Texas currently has the strongest economy in the nation. So, the nation finally knows what Texans have always known: we live in the greatest state in the union.

Here is one of the "little" things that make living in this state great. Saving taxes! In a time when most cities, counties and states are experiencing budget woes, our state offers a helping hand. This weekend and this weekend only, which begins on Friday by the way, (August 15 -17) is a tax-free holiday weekend in Texas. The tax-free holiday day will save a minimum of 8% on every tax-free item.

The sole purpose of waving all state and local taxes is to help families with their children's back to school needs.

What a great place to live - Texas!

List of Tax Free and Taxed Items (Texas Comptroller's webpage)

In my post Lucky #7, I told you that Forbes.com had found the Houston area to be one of the most recession proof cities in the nation. Circumstances have improved since that report. Houston now has the strongest economy in the nation!

The Chicago Tribune has published an article (Houston Doesn't Have a Problem) about the strong economy in Houston. Newsweek (Houston, We Have No Problems) and the Washington Post (Houston's Pipelines of Prosperity) have published articles on the Houston economy as well.

The economic turn down and energy crisis has affected the majority of the states but in Houston the energy crisis has actually stimulated our economy. The Houston economy is no "bubble". The City of Houston has worked hard to provide a quality lifestyle for its citizens. If you are going to enjoy a quality lifestyle, there must also be jobs available and, jobs there are. Job growth has increased by 2.8% in the past year alone.

The City of Houston, after suffering the economic oil boom and bust in the 1980s, has worked to diversify its economy and to place itself in the top of the global market. Exports are on the rise and technology is in the forefront, providing white collar jobs with high pay for the skilled professional. The trickle down effect will provide more jobs in all sectors, such as health care, retail sales and services. The predictions for the Houston economy, as well as for the great state of Texas, are that we will experience a robust economy through the year 2030.

The Houston real estate market is expected to stay ahead of the nation with affordable housing for its work force as well. Affordable living is available, throughout my favorite part of the Houston area, Kingwood (by the way, Forbes Thinks So Too). My community, The Livable Forest, stands as a model to the rest of the nation; not only as a premier master planned community, but also as example of how a modern society can blend with nature (My Backyard).

Since its frontier days, the Lone Star State has had a reputation for its individualism and for standing tall and separate from the rest. Today is no exception. Now we stand taller than all the rest in the economic sector.

If you are not already living in Houston, maybe you should consider taking a boat, plane, train or automobile and get her as fast as you can.

In 2007 Forbes Magazine found Kingwood, Humble and Atascoctia to be some of the Most Livable Metro-Suburbs in the nation. The reasons given are some of the same I have mentioned in my previous blogs: livability, location, community, well maintained neighborhoods, affordable pricing, fine schools and living in a very livable forest as well as low crime and high quality lifestyle.

Texas has fared well in the past year of real estate and mortgage crisis turmoil. Our home values have increased in value in every major city of the state. Our economy has fared better than most. Throughout the state job growth is increasing and the unemployment rate is down. (see Blog: Lucky #7).

A recent report from the National Association of Realtors reported that out of 149 metro areas 48 showed an increase in home values. I am proud to say that Houston, among other Texas cities, was one of them.

The benchmark year for real estate nationwide was 2005. The market here in Kingwood is even better than it was then. Our market in Kingwood and the communities surrounding Lake Houston is still in the sellers favor and yet home prices are affordable.

The interest rates today compare very well with those in 2003 which was seen as having historically low interest rates. The interest rate did go up slightly this week (.0.13%). Income and debt ratios have remained about the same in terms of qualifying for a mortgage loan but loans with less that 3% down have all but disappeared. In today's market, the more down payment a buyer has will make that buyer's qualifying much easier.

Markets have changed across the nation. Loan practices and qualifying criteria have also changed. No one has a crystal ball when it comes to real estate. No one can predict when is the best time, or the right time; but there is no time like the present to consider a home purchase.