Houston Consumer Blog

A Horse teaches a course - of course

"We learned many things and I can't even say them right now because there were so many" said  student Michaela Kozlowski.

Thanks to enterprising youngsters in the Magnolia community there's a new teacher at Magnolia's Nicholas Sawmill elementary school - one that's causing quite a sensation.

"It's really funny when they go up and hug him and she give them a kiss" said student Tyler Maxwell

A mini-mare, named Tess, is teaching special needs kids to grow a little at a time

Tess she connects with them they'll pet her mane and they'll know how to brush their hair they buckle their harness they buckle their belts  said student Christian Young.

It started out as a contest aimed at problem solving. Students in Ms. Edwards 5th grade gifted and talented class were on the lookout for something special. When they visited SIRE- -a program that uses horses and riding to teach the disabled life skills-they got to work raising money to bring the program to special needs kids at their school.

"We made cookies, hot chocolate and we had a basketball game"

They sold the chocolate chip cookie recipe made famous by former first lady Laura Bush, had rallies and even sold horse masks for a dollar.

'These kids have gone the extra distance they've given up weekends, they've given up extra things they could be doing they stayed here and worked on the project." said their teacher Mrs. Cherrie Edwards

Despite all their hard works the kids came up short. That's when Mrs. Edwards called on Action 13 angels and our angels took up the reins. We quickly enlisted Challenger Pools Charlene Leighton. She said her son goes to Nicholas Sawmill Elementary and that's how she heard about the project and it was something she and her husband Tim wanted to contribute to because it was a good cause.

"now we're going to do it at our school and Williams school next year." said Gwindalyn

So, what began as a contect has now become something much more-something truly unique. For the next year,every month, Tess will come to interact with the Magnolia school kids.

"We realized that we aren't doing this project for the contect that's a nice bonus we're doing it for these kids these kids are our friends.Makenzie Kulhanek summed up the project.

And what do the teachers think of a horse as a teacher? Principal Linda Kenjury 'I like having a horse teach a course because the kids are very motivated and I need all the volunteer help I can get, Tess is a wonderful part of our staff.

 If you our your child wants to volunteer at SIRE check out . http://www.sire-htec.org/newSite/staff.shtm SIRE has three sites Hockley, Spring and Ft. Bend and different projects for different age kids.To volunteer in Hockley you can call Penny Kvello at 281-356-7588 ext. 209, Ft. Bend Maryann Jerity 281-778-0202 Spring Robin Maxwell 281-353-6160

and thanks so Challenger Pool's Charlene and Tim Leighton for their help

Have Fun- and don't forget- if you're celebrating  at least 50 years of marriage or your 100th birthday send up your picture at Action 13 Angels Channel 13 post office box 13 Houston, Texas 77001

Lori

Houston bus foreclosure tour

If you are interested in the Houston bus foreclosure tour, call (281) 403-3700 or visit www.tourhoustonforeclosures.com.

The tour is free but you must be pre-qualified by a lender and agree to hire realtor Kevin Riles as your agent if you are interested in buying one of the homes on his tour.

Ten tips to automotive service

With most of us keeping our cars longer, it’s important to keep our cars maintained. Here are some automotive tips from the technicians at Upland Automotive.

1. Check all fluid regularly and keep them full. This includes air in the tires.
2. Change all fluids per manufacturers’ recommendations.
3. As soon as you hear unusual noises, see smoke, notice a leak, or the “check engine light” comes on, take it in to get serviced.
4. Questions any needed services if not related to the manufacturers’ outline.
5. Compare prices quoted with competitor’s prices making sure the parts are genuine, not less expensive alternatives, and the service technicians are certified personal.
6. Ask for a full explanation, in layman terms, as to why the repairs or services are being done.
7. Check for the reputation of the service facility on the Internet, Better Business Bureau, friends, family and neighbors.
8. Ask your technician to show you your replaced parts and defects.
9. Check your final bill to make sure it is what quoted before the repair was authorized. Always write down all quotes and labor.
10. Find a reputable service facility. If in doubt get a second or even third opinion. Ask your repair for references.

Angels help Houston grandmother who can't afford life saving medicine

 "It feels so wonderful sitting here with the family" Said Margaret Anderson  

 This time last month, Margaret Anderson didn't think she'd survive to eat pizza with her grand kids today.

She has final stage kidney disease  "I don't have not only one good kidney both of my kidney's are gone"

Just 47, Margaret is disabled on the transplant list waiting for a new kidney. With her kidneys failing fast, medicine that costs 900 dollars a month and  her only  income is 640 dollars in disability. she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.  

Margaret said "I barely have enough to pay rent let alone my medicine."

She and her daughters used their life savings to pay for the prescriptions. Then her health problems escallated.

Margaret said "I started getting sicker and sicker I had went 14 days without my medicine. They said without my meds and dialysis I wouldn't even live to see 3 months .I tried over and over and I've called and called and I went and no one helped me."

 Margaret's family was frantic and thought to call Action 13 and our Angels took it from there. 

 Adult Protective Services brought her enough medicine to make it through the month

" If she had not had that I don't know what her situation would have been like without the medication." Said Brenda Atkins of APS

Then Action 13 Angel Leonard Kanick pulled out all the stops to push her social security paperwork through.

"You can get immediate Medicare for end stage renal disease and ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.otherwise it's two years from the time of approval ' Kanick said , and knew time was not on Margaret's side.

 " We were able to give her Medicaid so now she has Medicare and Medicaid so now she has double health insurance of her needs will be taken care of  absolutely  the medicine he whole nine yards medicine, dialysis that's why you're one of the angels he's in good shape." said Kanick 

"Now that we got the help it's unbelievable" Said Margaret's daughter  

 Margaret's grandkids don't know what all the fuss is about, they just know that they've got their Grandma back.  

 "Marvin's Angels came through." said Margaret

If you are in a similar situation  or know someone who is Adult Protective Services can help eligible seniors and  the disabled with things including medicine, utilities, groceries, miner repairs and even rent.  

APS 1-800-252-5400 or www.everyonesbusiness.org  www.dfps.state.tx.gov.us  or e-mail me at lori.reingold@abc.com

Lori

Car Repairs on the rise, used cars sales slide

Car repair shops are not having a tough time, despite the slowing economy.  Mechanics and body shops report business is good because people are choosing to repair their rides rather than replace them.That decision is also having an impact on used car sales, at least sales at repair shops.

Typically a repair place will have a car or two for sale and often those cars are high end rides.  We found shops with a Mercedes, a Jaguar, and even an Audi for sale.

Shop owners tell us they have cut the costs of those cars by thousands of dollars, but it's still not enough to bring in any buyers.

If you have the cash, it may be worth your while to ask your mechanic what's for sale.

If yu'd rather just keep your current ride, here are a few links that can help you find a reputable repair shop.

http://www.ase.com/

http://www.aaa.com/AAA_Travel/AutoRepair/automobile_repair.htm

http://www.i-car.com/index_us.shtml

http://houston.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=148&id=e53c622a-5a6f-4629-bc19-cb6a8bfbca38

Credit Repair Advice

If you are looking to buy a house you need know about the new realities in real estate.

Lenders are tightening the requirements on potential buyers.  That includes putting more money down at closing and have a credit score of 680 in some cases.

If your credit is bad, you can still get a loan, but you will need to repair your credit history.

Before you pick a credit repair company, check out the link below from the Federal Trade Commission.

Many new credit repair places have popped and you have to be careful to pick a company that will do the right kind of work for you.

The FTC link also includes information on repairing credit yourself.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt097.shtm

She can see the Roses

Eye surgeon Dr. Kevin Jong and our Action 13 Angels at the Houston Eye Associates rose to the challenge and helped a single mom who's been blinded for two years by two cataracts. Beth Fox is a waitress and her restaurant pay check didn't stretch far enough to cover eye surgery. Her long time customers at the Conroe Kettle called on the Angels to help her.

Customer Bill Guiffre joked they wanted to help her for several reasons one being they didn't want coffee in their laps anymore.

Dr. Jong said her case was severe and she would have lost her sight entirely without surgery. He did two surgeries without charge.

Today Beth is back at work and said one of her customers was quite handsome- he joked they must have done something to her brain because he's one ugly fellow.

and we're happy to say that with valentine flowers in hand Beth can not only smell the roses she can see them.

If you or someone you know needs eye surgery click on The Houston Eye Associates for information on applying for free surgery. Then The University of Houston Optometry School's Vision Clinic offers low cost to no cost eye exams, laser surgery, glasses or contacts. Let me know if you need help- just click on the e-mail link to the angels.

Don't forget we're starting anniversary and birthday greetings on the web so if your 100 or more or married 50 years send me a picture.

LORI

The University of Houston Optometry School vision clinic

The Houston Eye Associates

IRS "what if" Questions

What if you lost your job?   What if you lost your home?  What if your 401k lost half its value?

There is a lot to worry about these days and with tax time fast approaching, the answers to those question can help you file faster.

The IRS has a list of "What if" questions and answers on its site that provide some good information.

Take a look.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=201853,00.html?portlet=7

Jeff on the Job

If you just watched the latest episode of Jeff on the Job, THANK YOU!

We have a list of links here for those of you who want more information.

The Texas Tomorrow Promise Fund is a new way to pay for college for your kids.

You can still enroll in the plan, here's a link:

https://www.texastuitionpromisefund.com/OFI529/

Hurricane Ike was devastating to our area.  Making matters worse, problems with insurance companies.   If you have an issue you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.  Here is a link:

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/consumer/cb006.html

In this economy people are looking for lots of ways to make extra cash.

One way to do that is to sell your stuff.   Pawn shops are one place you can go to unload unwanted gold.   There are also traveling estate buyers that come through town on a regular basis.

Before you sell anything, it's a good idea to have it looked at by a jeweler or other expert.

If you are looking for a job, beware any offers that ask you to be a mystery shopper.

We have heard from dozens of people in our area who agreed to be a mystery shopper after answering an on line job ad.

Days later those "shoppers" get a check in the mail for around $2000 and instructions to deposit the check in their bank account.

Next they are asked to take the money out of the account and wire it by Western Union to someone out of town.  The "job" requires "shoppers" to evaluate the employees of Western Union.  The problem is the check that was sent is a fake and it will take your bank about a week to figure that out.  However, once the bank realizes you deposited a fake check, they will take all the money in your account and hold you responsible for passing a bad check.

Most victims are out the $2000 plus all the bounced check fees that start rolling in once their money has been seized.

Some job, huh?

If you are into technology, you may be happy to learn what's being planned for your electricity meter.

Centerpoint is replacing all the current power meters with "Smart Meters" that can be read at an office instead of requiring a meter reader to come into your yard.

The idea is to have the meters integrated into your homes thermostat and that could help you cut the costs of cooling your home.   The reason?  Your thermostat could be lowered or raised on line while you are at work.

DOG AND OWNER RECOVERING

You May remember that heart wrenching story we told you about last month when a runaway car crashed into La Quinta motel's parking lot on the Southwest freeway and hit 78 year old Bill Delao in Houston receiving cancer treatment. Delao had been out walking his dog.

We thought you'd like to know that Delao is finally out of Ben Taub Hospital's intensive care unit his crushed pelvis is on the mend. His dog is on the mend also thanks to a group of generous 'Angels'.

The beloved pooch 'Lady" has been through a lot, too. The schnauzer's hind legs are paralyzed. Her owner still in the hospital, recovering from life threatening injuries. you see both were hit by cars that tragic day.

"Bill saw the crash coming bill said run he let her go because he knew she'd just be crushed so he told her to run so she ran into another busy street" said Bill's wife, Ruth.

While Bill was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, Jane Perry, a total stranger saw Lady on the roadway. but by the time she reached her, Lady had been hit. Perry grabbed the little dog and took her to the nearby Southwest Animal Clinic. Veterinarians Mark Silberman and Garnett Von Eiff immediately gave Lady emergency care. Then they sent her to the brand new Canine Health Institute for an MRI to find out the extent of her injuries. The Institute wasn't even open to referrals yet, but the took Lady and called a specialist from Texas A&M who drove in that very day to read the images. Surgery wasn't going to help Lady's spine was damaged leaving her back legs paralyzed. Dr. Silverman said the dog had a will to survive.

When we heard that Lady may not be able to walk we called on vet tech Laurie Miller and her Husband Larry, a pipe fitter and founder of dogs to Go in Sharon. They've made nearly seven thousand disabled dogs, like Lady run again. And we saw the results.

Megan Peterson's says her dog Rita was injured about 8 months ago, and is making progress. "She's able to go around and be a dog and we do physical therapy every day and she's starting to walk again."

Nell Turk's little daschund goes to nursing homes and pets mart. and Sherri Berryhill's little 'Astro" is one happy dog playing with his pals.

and as for our little Lady- the moment Laurie Miller fitted her with  custom made "wheels" she took off didn't miss a beat. It was really exciting to see.

Even though Bill hasn't seen Lady yet but he know what happened to her and how a group of  'Angels' saved her out of the generosity of their heart.

Thanks to Jane Perry for rescuing Lady, veterinarians Mark Silberman , Garnett Von Eiff and their staff at the Southwest Animal Clinic,  The Canine Health Institute's Dr. Stephen Pittenger, Adrianne Brode and staff, and La Quinta Motel for driving Ruth back and forth from the hospital to the clinic and Laurie and Larry Miller of Dogs to Go for getting Lady "back on her feet"

The Southwest Animal Clinic is located at 4570 Bissonnet, Bellaire 713-668-4466

Canine Health Institute 3800 Southwest Freeway 713 -341-9540

DOGS TO GO wheelchairs for disabled pets 281-431-9377 Dogstogo19@aol.com

Thanks to all, and our best wishes to Bill Delao for a speedy recovery.

Lori

 

 

Real Foreclosure Help

If you are facing foreclosure and need help, there are a couple of places you can turn.

Call the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 800-569-4287 or visit the agency web site here.

You can also call the Homeowner's Hope hotline at 1-888-995-4673.

It has counselors that work with callers at no charge to help them assess their options.

Consignment shopping in Houston

If you are interested in consigning or shopping for kids’ clothes, toys and equipment, check out the Just Between Friends’ website at www.jbfsale.com

There are 4 sales in the Houston Area:

1. Central Houston Sale
March 25th-28th
Joyplace Banquet Hall
9407 Buffalo Speedway
Houston, TX 77025

2. South Houston
March 5th - 7th
VFW
4202 W. Walnut Street
Pearland, TX 77581

3. North Houston Sale
March 11-14
Champion Forest Baptist Church
15555 Stuebner-Airline Rd.
(in between FM 1960 and Cypresswood)

4. The Woodlands/TBD