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The 40^th annual Tomball Night was a huge success, as it drew thousands out to the streets of Tomball. The annual celebration and shopping extravaganza is organized by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Caleb Harris

The 47th annual Miss Tomball Pageant will take place at 7 p.m., Nov. 17, at the Salem Lutheran Church Worship Center. 38 young women will compete for the title of 2013 Miss Tomball. Contestants include (front row from left) Justice Phillips, Diana Fuggiti, Morgan Estes, Marissa Lemons, Kimberly Stricklin, Monica Dziak, Mara Seigler, Haley Moeller, Rachel Sembera and Devin Carriker; (middle row, from left) Randa Nickerson, Faviola Carrillo, Stacy Gomez, Jordan Allen, Jennifer Graves, Victoria Garza, Mikala Campbell, Rachel Sanguedolce, Hannah Henry, Katie Carnoski, Kasey Self, Jordan Sluder and Erin Monroe; (back row, from left) Anastasia Hoffart, Carley Naquin, Kelsey Zalesak, Emily Parker, Avery Morris, Rachel Lee, Stephanie Ludwig, Reagan Farmer, Isabella Mingalone, Hannah Plucheck, Christian Gehring, Bekah Kletecka, Rachael Shah and Kailey Studhalter.

Every member of the Tomball Police department stood waiting outside their building Feb. 27, their badges glistening in the early morning sun.

They weren't preparing to respond to an emergency, rather they had gathered in preparation for the one time a year they could all be together – the annual inspection.

Inspecting them were the departments command staff of Chief Robert Hauck, Cpt. Rick Grassi, Cpt. Anthony Solomon and Cpt. Rickey Doerre, as well as other area law enforcement officials, business owners and community leaders.

"We do this for multiple reasons," Hauck said. First is the opportunity to show off the men and women of our department, the opportunity to allow us to get together with our public safety partners and members of the community and also the feeling of pride that all of us get being together as a whole, for this one time each year."

Hauck said that while the 47 sworn officers and 13 civilian employees were all together, the city received the help of the Harris County Pct. 4 and Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable Offices, as well as the Harris County Sheriff's Office in patrolling the city.

"We are very grateful for our partners help, it's what allows us to do this inspection each year," he said.

Meanwhile several other officials, including other law enforcement members, talked to the officers, some jokingly trying to hire them away to work for their agencies.

"We have applications with us," Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia said to laughter. "Seriously though, this community is very lucky that it has such fine men and women of the Tomball Police Department and to have Chief Hauck as well."

Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage said he was grateful his agency has received help from the Tomball Police Department in the past.

"When you all come across that creek to help us, we are so appreciative," he said.

Montgomery County Pct. 5 Chief Deputy David Wood agreed.

"I also live in Tomball, so I have a good view to see what a good job you all do," he said.

Tomball Superintendent John Neubauer said the department's continued partnership with the school district has been a key for school safety.

"It has been a great partnership," he said. "The Tomball Police Department is great and I just want to thank you for all that you do."

Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist said that the key to the department's success is the character of the men and women within the organization.

"You all look handsome in those uniforms," Hillegeist said. "But under those uniforms are what's really important, you all have huge hearts and we are blessed to have you all here."

The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) garnered two wins in communications contests, when chambers from across the state convened June 25, for the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) annual Excellence Awards. The awards honor organizations for exceptional efforts in marketing, communications and media outreach.  Awards are judged in seven separate categories, including Outstanding Chamber Map, Outstanding Brochure, Outstanding Magazine or Directory, Excellence in Print or Electronic Newsletter, Outstanding Chamber Website, Excellence in Social Media Marketing and Communications, and Outstanding Marketing Campaign. 

In the categories of Outstanding Magazine and Outstanding Chamber Map, GTACC was honored as one of the best in Texas, winning second place in both categories. 

“This is an extremely tough competition,” said Bruce Partain, TCCE Media Awards Chairman.  “Rest assured that the chambers that won these awards faced stiff competition from their fellow chambers of commerce. It truly means the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the very best in 2012 with its magazine and map.”

The overall competition had more than 200 entries from which the best were judged by panels of experts. 

“One of the primary responsibilities for a chamber is to promote the organization, community and that chamber’s members,” said Beth Journeay, TCCE incoming chair and president of the Angleton Chamber of Commerce.  “By winning these awards the GTACC can be held up as an example of the best at promoting the chamber, its businesses and providing excellent information to people in the greater Tomball area.”

“It was a complete staff effort in working to achieve this recognition,” GTACC President Bruce Hillegeist said. “We always strive to provide great tools and quality products that reflect well on Tomball and our business members.”

John E. McStravick, a Texas A&M graduate and registered professional engineer, began his career with Halliburton Energy Services in 1987. He worked almost 10 years before receiving a law degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. McStravick was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1998 and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of several organizations including the American Bar Association, the Houston Bar Association, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Knights of Columbus. A parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church in Tomball, McStravick knows what it is to hear the call of God to serve.

In 2000 he was elected to the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees and has served as an officer and president of the Board during those years. The son of the late Peter, and Ann McStravick, John McStravick has lived in many places including Australia. But home has always been close to the native Tomball Texan and Tomball High School alumnus.

McStravick will share his message, “My Spiritual Journey’s Influence on the Facets of My Life,” when he is the featured speaker at the Christian Business Luncheon Aug. 14. The CBL will meet in its summer location, Lone Star College-Tomball, Room N103 (the glass room off the Commons near the cafeteria).

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the 12 to 1 p.m. luncheon. Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Pkwy.. RSVP’s are not necessary but available online at, ChristianBusinessLuncheon.org. Free will donations are accepted in lieu of payment.

Real prosperity in business is the focus of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) annual E³ –Educate, Enrich, Empower—Small Business Conference Friday, Sept. 21. Speaker, author and consultant Rory Aplanalp will be the keynote speaker.

Aplanalp has impacted more than a million business people around the globe with his philosophy on success: It’s not what you know, it’s what you do that makes the difference. Using humor and real-world business examples he passionately delivers his message.

Aplanalp began his career as an Evans Training Personnel franchise owner and later became the national training director for Evans. For the past 14 years, Aplanalp was with the Franklin Covey Company as one of their top presenters.

The conference will also offer four sessions on topics including local business resources, business tools, branding and marketing. In the morning, Business 101: Keep Your Business Sound will be presented by attorney Kevin M. Jones, J.P. Magill of Magill HR and Chuck Ransleben, CPA. Before lunch, Technology Moving Forward will be facilitated by Camille Hamilton of CMIT Solutions, Tim Stone of i-Tech and Steven Galvan with Sprint.  In the afternoon, Branding will be presented by Kimberly DeLape, founder of Brand Moguls, and Omar Cabrera, a noted software problem solver.

The Chamber is accepting a limited number of sponsors for this conference, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center on the Lone Star College-Tomball campus. Sponsorship benefits include a booth at the conference and pre conference publicity.

Registration for the Small Business Conference is $79 each for GTACC members; $99 for non members; and $69 per person for five or more within a group. Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.

For more information about the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Conference, to become a sponsor or to register for the conference, call 281-351-7222 or visit TomballChamber.org.

 “Candy Canes & Christmas Carols” is the theme recently announced for the 2012 Tomball Holiday Parade presented by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC).  

“I think this year’s theme will spark a variety of decorated floats and I can’t wait to see what creative minds come up with,” GTACC parade committee member Camille Hamilton said. “This is always an exciting event focused on welcoming the holidays. Thousands fill our streets and enjoy the day in Tomball. ”

The 2012 Tomball Holiday Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 17. The annual event announces the holiday season in the greater Tomball area. The parade also features Miss Tomball contestants who will participate in the 2013 Miss Tomball Pageant the same evening. Both the parade and the pageant turn 47 this year.

To be eligible to compete in the 2013 Miss Tomball Pageant, applicants must reside in the Tomball Independent School District, have a physical Tomball home address or be home-schooled or enrolled in a public or private school with a Tomball address; classified as a junior or senior and no younger than 15 and no older than 19 years of age. Each applicant is required to have a business sponsor. Sponsorships are $375. Sponsors belonging to the chamber receive a $100 discount.

On pageant day, contestants appear in individual entries in the Tomball Holiday Parade. That evening at 7 p.m. the pageant will be presented in the Salem Lutheran Church Worship Center, under the direction of Miss Tomball Pageant Chair Sandy Krug of Classic Hair. Contestants will be introduced on stage, appear in evening attire and judged on the basis of poise, personality and beauty. The new Miss Tomball and four finalists will be awarded trophies in addition to other prizes and gifts.

Applications for the 2012 Tomball Holiday Parade and the 2013 Miss Tomball Pageant are available beginning Sept. 4 at the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 29201 Quinn Rd., Ste. B during regular business hours. Applications are also available online at, TomballChamber.org. For more information visit the Chamber’s website or call the Chamber at 281-351-7222. 

Balancing career, family and faith are challenges everyone deals with and although most think successful people have the secret to the managing it all, they too learn from experience. David Lumpkins is an executive with many accolades and experiences to his credit and will present, “How Faith has Guided My Career” at the Christian Business Luncheon Sept. 11, from noon to 1 p.m.

As Executive Chairman and co-founder of PetroLogistics LP, Lumpkins helped create the world’s largest propane dehydrogenation facility, located on the Houston Ship Channel, producing 1.4 billion pounds of propylene annually. In May of this year the company completed its IPO and is now listed on the NYSE. But that is not the only accomplishment Lumpkins is proud to be a part of; in 2001 he took action to fulfill a vision of faith, hope and education by establishing a high quality private Christian school to serve students living in poverty.

The Yellowstone Academy in Houston opened in 2002 with 64 three and four year-olds. In 2006 the school moved into Houston ISD’s former Douglass Elementary School building located in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward. The school is growing by adding a grade each year, and currently has 380 students in grades pre-K through eight with a median family income of $10,000 per year. Last June Yellowstone held its first eighth grade graduation. The school is committed to addressing the full spectrum of educational, spiritual, social and practical needs of its students. The goal is to take students in circumstances of extreme poverty and hardship and provide them the tools they need to become responsible adults.

The Christian Business Luncheon will return to its regular location for this meeting, in the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center on the Lone Star College-Tomball campus, 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, Texas 77375. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the luncheon. RSVP’s are not necessary, but available online at ChristianBusinessLuncheon.org. Free will donations are accepted in lieu of payment.

Tomball is on the move and keeping up with new businesses in the city can be a challenge. With that in mind, the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce (GTACC) First Friday networking luncheon, Oct. 5, will feature GTACC President Bruce Hillegeist with, Tomball’s Top 10 Newsmakers.

“Most days I receive calls and inquiries about a new business or businesses coming Tomball’s way,” Hillegeist said. “We are so fortunate to have such a strong regional economy, but major corporations calling Tomball their home and headquarters don’t happen by accident. There are many people and efforts that deserve our thanks, and this is what I’ll be talking about at the luncheon.”

In addition to Hillegeist’s presentation, Congressman Michael McCaul will be on hand to receive the Spirit of Free Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. State Rep. Allen Fletcher will also be honored for his numerous achievements in the Texas Legislature, especially those involving local mobility projects.

Chamber members, guests, and the public are invited to attend the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the ElmerL.BeckendorfConferenceCenter on the LoneStarCollege – Tomball campus, 30555 Tomball Pkwy.  For reservations call the chamber at 281-351-7222 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Cost is $15 at the door and $17 if invoiced. To learn more about the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce visit, www.TomballChamber.org.

Texas Congressman Ted Poe will be the featured speaker at the Christian Business Luncheon’s (CBL) Annual Pastors Appreciation Luncheon, Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 12 to 1 p.m.

Each year the Christian Business Luncheon, a group that meets monthly in Tomball, honors local pastors with a Pastor Appreciation Luncheon and guest speaker. CBL Board member Paul Pizzi said this is a very special event.

“I hope anyone who has been thinking about visiting the CBL will take this opportunity to come out and visit us, meet our local pastors and hear a fine speaker,” he said.

Congressman Poe is a leading advocate in Washington for limited government, free markets, low taxes and individual liberty.  Prior to serving in Congress, Poe was a criminal court judge in Houston where he garnered national media attention for his innovative sentences – dubbed “Poetic Justice.”

Congressman Poe serves on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees. He is an outspoken advocate for border security, frequently visiting the southern border to meet with law enforcement and residents. 

Congressman Poe is a 30-year resident of Humble. He and his wife attend Bammel Church of Christ. They have four grown children and 10 grandchildren.

Doors for the CBL Pastors Appreciation Luncheon will open at 11:30 a.m. at the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center at Lone Star College-Tomball, 30555 Tomball Parkway. There is no fee for the luncheon, donations are accepted.

For more information visit, christianbusinessluncheon.org and look for Christian Business Luncheon Tomball on Facebook.