Kathy Crosby reports on Cy-Fair upcoming
events, parties, galas and more!

Lone Star College-CyFair’s Officer Michael Tymniak has been recognized as a local hero at the recent college’s “Salute to Law Enforcement” event. Officer Tymniak was one of six honored at the May 1 event kicking off National Police Week. LSC-CyFair’s Police Captain Ben Russell nominated this local hero because he said Officer Tymniak demonstrates the highest work ethics and professionalism in his day-to-day commitment to helping people. Tymniak found his home in policing when he changed his major from biometric engineering at the University of Houston to criminal justice at Sam Houston University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2002, went through the Lone Star College System Law Enforcement Academy, and in 2003, he was hired for a part-time position at LSC-Fairbanks Center. He enjoys working with the students and enjoys the opportunity to be a positive role model; always there to help them.

In addition to the LSC-CyFair hero, the 16th Annual Salute to Law Enforcement event held at Willowbrook Mall recognized Sgt. John L. Byrd with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Donna Douglas with Cypress Creek EMS; Officer Bryan McCandless with the Humble Police Department and Officer David Fuente with the Spring Independent School District Police Department.

1) Community Hero, Officer Michael Tymniak
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The Astros’ Wives Underwriter party, hosted by Mo’s. . . A Place for Steaks, was a fabulous success with more than 125 guests and 18 players and their wives. Relief pitcher Chris Sampson celebrated his 32nd birthday; Johnny V. presented a cake and the audience sang Happy Birthday. A gourmet buffet, cocktails and live musical entertainment set the tone of the evening, bringing people to their feet. Attending were this year’s gala chairs Morgan and Jeff Keppinger, and Heather and Tim Byrdak, along with last year’s chairs Pamela and Jason Michaels, and Michelle and Humberto Quintero. Additional Astros were Lance and Cara Berkman, Carlos and Mary Lee, Chris and Heather Sampson, Jeff and Kerri Fulchino, Felipe and Paola Paulino, Marian Harper and Marisa Lopez. Houston Area Women’s Center’s Rebecca White and Adrienne Barker attended as well as board member Nancy McGregor Manne and her husband, Neal. Additional guests included Beverly Wren, Sybil Roos, Garret and Candice Perkin, Greg Perkin, David Huntington, Lisa Befort, Kristi Eaton, Brandon Smith and Al Simon. The 2010 Astros Wives Gala, benefiting Houston Area Women’s Center, will be held on the Field at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 12. For more information, contact Judy Nichols at judynichols1@sbcglobal.net; 713-781-0053.

2) 2010 Gala co-chairperson Heather Byrdak and Houston Astros Tim Byrdak

3) 2010 Gala co-chairperson Morgan Keppinger and Houston Astros Jeff Keppinger

4) John and Meagan Hadjioannou

5) Patricia and Randall Swearingen enjoy their evening visiting with Milo Hamilton.

6) Houston Astros President of Baseball Operations Tal Smith enjoys a night out with his bride, Jonnie.

7) Houston Area Women’s Center board members Carrie Potter and Heather Sampson (wife of Houston Astros Chris Sampson) and HAWC President and CEO Rebecca White accept the 2009 proceeds from the 2009 Gala chairs, Michelle Quintero and Pamela Michaels.
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Howling hounds took over the Hilton Americas Ballroom to benefit Citizens for Animal Protection. More than 250 guests embraced the Chicken Ranch theme (the infamous house shut down by late ABC Channel 13 newsman, Marvin Zindler), chaired by Brian Teichman and Paul-David Van Atta was co-chaired by Beverly Wren. JoAnne King Herring served as Honorary Chair of the event, which honored Greg Miller and awarded Bruce Padilla.

8) Suzie and Dick Bergner

9) Paul-David Van Atta, JoAnne King Herring and Brian Teichman

10) Chuck Simmons shows his support for CAP!
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Leukemia and Lymphoma

11) Kicking the night action up a notch at a recent Leukemia & Lymphoma Society event was the American Idol 8th season Top 10 finisher Michael Sarver.
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Cy-Fair High School wins 3rd in the State Computer Science Robotics Competition

The event, sponsored by the Texas Computer Educators Association, included every region in the state, represented with three teams that qualify for TCEA State contest by first competing locally at contests held at schools independently and then placing first-third at their regional TCEA contest. Cy-Fair placed second and third at the regional contest held in December to secure two team seats for the TCEA state competition. The Cy-Fair team was under close supervision of Computer Science teacher and coach Mike Gray. The students were challenged with a preset problem scenario where they had to design the robot, then to program their robot to knock off three cans on the center wall and move five other cans to a target location in less than two minutes. This was a fantastic first year for the robotics arena programming for the students at Cy-Fair High School. Many students are already preparing for next year.

12) Cy-Fair High School 3rd place winners:
Tayyad Taha, Adyson Alvis, Oliver Noble and Jacob Peroutek.
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A Taste of Cy-Fair

Benefits the Layla Grace Children’s Cancer Research Foundation

More than 3,000 people attended A Taste of Cy-Fair’s first fundraiser at the Northwest Conference Center. The beneficiary of the event is the Layla Grace Children’s Cancer Research Foundation. Over $21,000 was raised to be used for researching new treatments of Neuroblastoma, the disease that has less than 30 percent survival rate and devastatingly took Layla in March of this year. Guests were able enjoy live bands, coordinated by the foundation’s Jennifer Medina, and to peruse vendor booths and shop the auction, organized by Sarah Stokes (Zumba with Sarah) and Michelle Imler (Mrs. Woodlands 2009). Many of the restaurants had to go back to their stores for more samples as the large crowd tasted samples of food from more than 40 local establishments, organized by Eric Lippmann of EJ’s Pizzeria and Mary Leamons.

Overwhelming support came from the community to host this worthwhile event. For more information on vendor participation and information about Neuroblastoma and supporting the Layla Grace Children’s Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.atasteofcyfair.com.

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Save the Date!

July 4: Happy Independence Day America! Watch the fireworks at the 3rd annual July 4th celebration on the Banks of Towne Lake. Fun starts at 7:30 p.m. and includes food and drinks, inflatables, rock wall, train and face painting. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

July 10: “Take me out to Bridgeland Community” from 10 a.m.-noon. The event will feature HomeAid Houston’s 2010 Project Playhouse, “The Vintage Astros Dugout,” in which you can purchase a $5 raffle ticket to win. The day also includes a visit from Astros’ mascot Junction Jack and the Cy-Ranch High School baseball team. Visitors also can participate in a free batting clinic and enjoy complimentary hot dogs, refreshments and giveaways.

July 10: Night at the Museum benefiting Katy Hayes at Houston Museum of Natural Science. Evening will include live bands, auction, food and beverage and personal tours of the Faberge pieces by the Houston owners of the collection. For more information, go to www.katyhayesbenefit.com.

July 22: American Business Women’s Association Cy-Fair Express Network Monthly Luncheon
at Houston National Golf Club; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information and to make reservations: Anya Lucas, anya@lucascarcare.com or www.cyfen.org.