Spanish Tutoring In Cyfair

Fireworks stands

For 24 days a year, fireworks stands in Texas offer an assortment of colorful missiles and rockets that are essential for many Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Although these stands may appear to be like any other holiday warehouse, they actually are closely monitored businesses that help local nonprofits, follow strict safety regulations and are a significant part of the business community.

Local stands

One of the largest fireworks stands in the Cy-Fair region is the TopDog Fireworks warehouse on Hwy. 290 and Huffmeister Road. For years, the warehouse, which is the largest of the 12 TogDog Fireworks warehouses in the Houston region, has provided the area with thousands of rockets, missiles and aerial fireworks.

“People come from all over [to the Cy-Fair warehouse,]” said Sue Davis, spokesperson for TopDog Fireworks. “It is in an area with a lot of people…You put [the stands] where the customers are.”

The Cy-Fair area is often a popular draw for fireworks stands because it sits outside of the City of Houston boundary. Fireworks are banned in Houston city limits and in some annexed areas. In areas where fireworks are allowed, the stands are only permitted to sell the explosives 12 days before New Year’s Day and 12 days before the Fourth of July.

Despite the limitations, many stands are profitable, and they donate a percentage of their proceeds to nonprofit organizations.

The local TopDog warehouse is run by the Cypress-Springs High School Band, which receives a portion of the proceeds.

“[Sales] make up about 70 percent of our yearly budget, which is over six figures,” said Justin Smith, director of the Cypress-Springs High School band. “We use a lot [of the funds] for scholarships and private lessons. It also helps pay for instruction, entry fees to contests and trips.”

Safety precautions

In order to properly run area fireworks stands, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s office closely monitors and enforces fireworks safety policies. These policies include ensuring all fireworks stands have permits, undergo inspections and follow strict regulations regarding the sales procedures of the fireworks.

“We try to make sure the stands are operated safely, and people can shoot them safely in unincorporated areas,” said Thomas Petty, senior inspector for the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.

If the weather is especially dry during a fireworks season, Petty said Harris County Commissioners Court could seek permission from the state to restrict fireworks sales for fire prevention-purposes. However, he said in the past, not all fireworks are banned during dry times—just those that have pieces that fall back to the ground. If regulations are passed, the most popular type of fireworks, aerial fireworks, are still permitted.

Creative Tutors of Cypress-Fairbanks | Owner, Johnny Ogletree

If you haven't noticed already, Creative Tutors of Cypress-Fairbanks is on Facebook ! We post links to community activities for children in Cypress-Fairbanks, Katy, and the greater Houston area; education related articles; blog posts written by myself and other Creative Tutors owners; articles related to parental concerns; comments from parents; and anything related to the welfare of children. Some of our recent Facebook posts have included links to The Katy Mom's Group, numerous articles on the value of including the arts in our children's educational curriculum, announcements from the Cy-Fair and Katy school districts, articles discussing the importance of including recess in our child's school day, many articles on learning differences, and of course articles on tutoring. Please become a Facebook Fan today! Once we reach 100 fans, we'll begin offering valuable coupons for our tutoring services! Meet Johnny & Quinita Ogletree | Owners

Johnny grew up in Houston and there after receiving his graduate degree. He has spent time working with and serving families and children for over nine years, as a mentor, family therapist, and substitute teacher.

Quinita attended Virginia Union University under a Presidential Scholar Award and obtained a B.A. in Psychology and Master of Divinity from the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology. She has recently completed work on her second Masters degree from University of Houston in Educational Psychology, and is now enrolled at Texas A & M in pursuit of her Doctorate. Quinita hails from a family of educators who have served the public for over 30 years. Quinita has worked in the field of education for over eight years, as an Assistant Director of Preschool and Christian Academy; teacher at a NAEYC accredited school, tutor, and nanny.