A KATY MAGAZINE™ PUBLICATION 2014 NEWCOMER & RESOURCE GUIDE Katy sisters Ryanne and Lila Meyer Photo by Stephanie Meyer Photography LIVING WORKING PLAYING LEARNING KatyMagazine.com TRANSFORMING CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRACTICING MEDICINE AND LEADING IT. Houston Methodist West Hospital offers the services and world-class cardiovascular most technologically advanced, personalized capabilities to our state-of-the-art birthing health care available in the West Houston and center and advanced sports medicine program, Katy communities. From our 24/7 emergency we offer the care you want for your family. 18500 Katy Freeway (@ Barker Cypress) Houston, Texas 77094 houstonmethodist.org/west 832.522.5522 A hop, skip and a jump. " !"! " ! !" ! !"!"" ! "!"!" !"" ""!""" "!"" ""! "!"!" "! !" "! " ! "!"" !"!"" ! !"! "" ! !!"!"!"" !"""!""! " "! "!"! " !"" !!"! "! "!"" !!" " " ""!" ""! ! " ! " !" !" %%"$% !#"$% $!#% ##%!$%"$""%"$% !#"$% $!#%!$%"% #% !#"$% $!#%!%"$% % % % ##% Teacher Jessica Wright with her two children There’s No Place Like Katy, Texas Masahiro, Aki, Runa, and Rio Sugioka Congratulations on finding Katy, Texas! Katy truly is one of the best places in Texas to raise your family. Let me be the first to welcome you with our 2014 edition of Katy Life, the resource and newcomer guide published by Katy Magazine. Katy’s award-winning school system, affordable housing, southern hospitality, and overall quality of life are just a few of the many reasons people move here and call Katy home. Katy is a key part of the fast growing West Houston Energy Corridor, and our population is comprised of thousands of oil families and energy executives. With Houston just a hop, skip, and a jump down Interstate 10 (also known as Katy Fwy.), locals enjoy big city amenities like art, music, theatre, museums, and world-class dining. Once you get settled in, you’ll discover the best part about living in Katy is the people. Students reading at I’m proud to say the people in Katy are genuine, lovely, and very welcoming to A Child’s Reflection newcomers from all over the country and the world. A Katy dad biking on a local trail with his family Here’s my best newcomer tip! Make sure to like Katy Magazine on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You’ll get daily insider Katy tidbits to help you get acquainted with this wonderful community. And don’t forget to visit KatyMagazine.com to find thousands of local jobs, news, events, and Katy, Texas resources. Welcome home from your new Katy friend, Colt Bisby loves Katrina Katsarelis playing at Katy parks Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, & Creative Director Katy Life, Katy Magazine, & KatyMagazine.com Follow me: [email protected] To advertise, call 281-579-9840 or email [email protected] KATY LIFETMs 2014 Newcomer & Resource Guide for Katy, Texas STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Publisher/Editor-In-Chief/ Katrina Katsarelis Creative Director Publisher Matt Katsarelis Lead Graphic Designer Lindsey Fojtik Accounting & HR Director Valarie Brown Production & Operations Director Daneen Rivera Lead Associate Editor Kirsten Cornell Associate Editor Kennan Buckner Editorial & Design Assistant Christen Wilson Customer Marketing Supervisor Laurie Seeber Senior Customer Marketing Specialist Kimberly Burrell Customer Marketing Specialist Katherine Smith Senior Advertising Consultant Carmen Valderrama Senior Marketing & Advertising Consultant Chessa Rapp Advertising Consultant Roxanne Bond Distribution Supervisor Tammi Rogers Distribution Coordinator Rosemarie Kessler Bookkeeper/Office Administrator Tammi Michal Writers & Contributors Kennan Buckner Kirsten Cornell Susanna Donald Katrina Katsarelis Christen Wilson ABOUT KATY LIFE Katy Life is the annual newcomer and resource guide published by Katy Magazine, the award-winning magazine serving Katy, Texas since 2003. EDITORIAL & PHOTOGRAPHY We welcome editorial suggestions and photography contributions. Email [email protected]. ADVERTISING SALES Contact our sales team to be included in the next issue of Katy Life. Visit KatyMagazine.com for more information. Email [email protected]. CONTACT US Katy Magazine is located at 605A Park Grove Dr., Katy, TX 77450. Call 281-579-9840. Visit KatyMagazine.com. ‘Like’ us on Facebook. © 2014 Katy Magazine™ All Rights Reserved. No part of our online or printed magazines may be scanned, replicated, or reproduced without written permission from our publishers. 6sKATY LIFETM A Katy MagazineTM publication 7KHFXUH for the common ER CTs, X-rays, Ultrasound and a full on-site lab. Team of board-certified emergency room physicians. mergencies happen when you least expect them. Advanced technology to diagnose EChoosing an ER is a serious decision that can make and treat all patients’ needs. a huge difference in your life. SPHIER Emergency Room Average 5-MINUTE wait time. is the best option, even in the most serious emergencies. Care when you need it the most in a comfortable and calm As Katy’s first premier, freestanding emergency room, environment. this is ER like you’ve never experienced. KATY LOCATION KINGSLAND BLVD HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR MASON RD MASON 1560 S. Mason Road, Suite E FACING HIGHLAND KNOLLS SPHIER.com Open 24/7 832-321-1000 CONTENTS LIVING ȗ $1$)"$) /4Ǽ 3. ................................................11 ȗ-( '*( !-*(4*- 0"# . ...................13 ȗ Katy Treasures .........................................................14 ȗ))0'1 )/. ..........................................................20 ȗ ' -$/$ . ................................................................24 ȗ /4 *( . .............................................................26 ȗ Connecting to Katy..................................................34 ȗ*0ȇ'' *1 /4 .......................................................38 ȗ#0-# . ..................................................................40 ȗ Health & Medical .....................................................44 ȗ 0/4ǒ '') .. ...................................................54 ȗ )$*- .*0- . .....................................................56 ȗ /- ...................................................................58 WORKING ȗ*-&$)"$) /4Ǽ 3. ............................................61 ȗ // -!-*( ) *0- ....................................63 ȗ*-& $! ..................................................................64 ȗ-).+*-//$*) ........................................................66 ȗ*'0)/ -$)" ............................................................68 PLAYING ȗ'4$)"$) /4Ǽ 3. ..............................................71 ȗ($'40)!-*(--) . .................................73 ȗ/#' /$. ...................................................................74 ȗ($'40) ...............................................................78 ȗ**/'' ....................................................................84 ȗ *0./*)/$1$/$ . ...................................................88 ȗ0/**-0) ............................................................90 ȗ#*++$)" .................................................................92 ȗ$)$)" .......................................................................94 ȗ$-/#40$ ..................................................... 100 LEARNING ȗ -)$)"$) /4Ǽ 3. ........................................ 103 ȗ*/ !-*(0+ -$)/ ) )/'/*)-$' 4 .......... 105 ȗ0'$#**'. ...................................................... 106 ȗ- .#**'. ............................................................ 110 ȗ-$1/ #**'. ..................................................... 116 ȗ*'' " . ................................................................ 118 MAP & INDEX ȗ /4- +....................................................... 122 ȗ .*0- 0$ .................................................... 126 To advertise, call 281-579-9840 or email [email protected] KATY LIFETMs Firethorne features recreational amenities and nature trails Living Prosser Nicole by Photo in Katy, Texas Brady, Ashley, Timmy, and Tim Lancaster Welcome to Katy, Texas! Our rapidly growing community with a true small-town atmosphere is perfect for families of all sizes and backgrounds. Katy was originally laid *0/4 ǻǻ#*(.Ǽ ǻǻ 0& 'Ǽ)ǻǻ.#$)ǔǛǜǘȐ)2.)( !*-/# Ȑ Ȑ $'-*/#/-0)./#-*0"#/# $/4ǻ /42.'/ -$)*-+*-/ $)ǔǜǗǘǻ*0)1$.$//# restored Katy Depot and even take your photo on the caboose like a true Katyite. Fire Chief Wilson and board member Jack Hazel In Katy Life, we have highlighted some of Katy’s annual events (page 20), so your family is sure not to miss out. The City of Katy is divided into three different counties - Fort Dorian, Bella, Riley, and Gemma Freudenberg )Ǽ --$.Ǽ)'' -Ȑ.* .0- /*# &/# *)) /$)"/* /4. /$*)ș+" ǖǗȚ for information on city services, voting, auto registration, and more. Photo by BG Photography Photo by To advertise, call 281-579-9840 or email [email protected] KATY LIFETMs Living AnetriusPhoto by Wallace Steven, Stephanie, and Brooklyn in Katy, Texas Pose at Katy Heritage Park Photo by KGibsonPhotography by Photo Addyson Boerger Photo by Country Park Portraits CountryPhoto by Park A Warm Welcome from the Mayor It is my pleasure to welcome you to Katy - home to friendly people, strong neighborhoods, excellent schools, active churches, beautiful parks and low crime. The area known as “Katy” is a growing and thriving area approximately 35 miles west of Houston that includes not only the City of Katy, but also large . /$*).*!0)$)*-+*-/ --$.Ǽ*-/ )Ǽ) Box Suzanne by Photo The Carlson family at Waller counties. It is defined by