The class of 2024 has graduated, and former Humble ISD high school students are off to college. Where are they going? Many places, but those who want to stay close to home — say, Balmoral residents — have a lot of great options. Even if you aren’t a recent grad, local colleges provide a range of educational opportunities from workforce training and associate degrees to transfer pathways to four-year universities. Here are some notable institutions near Balmoral:
Lone Star College – Kingwood offers a wide range of associate degrees and certificate programs in fields such as business, healthcare, engineering, computer science and liberal arts. The college also provides transfer pathways for students planning to pursue bachelor’s degrees at four-year universities.
Lone Star College – Atascocita Center
The Atascocita Center provides everything LSC-Kingwood does. Students are able to complete core classes toward an associate’s degree or a four-year transferable degree along with specialized pre-health occupational classes. Students can also take courses in business, healthcare, engineering, computer science and liberal arts.
Houston Community College – Northeast Campus
Houston Community College has a campus in Northeast Houston, which is relatively close to Humble. The college offers associate degrees, workforce certificates, and continuing education programs in various fields, including healthcare, business, technology and the arts. The college also provides transfer options for students planning to pursue bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions.
University of Houston – Downtown
Within commuting distance of Humble is the University of Houston – Downtown. The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in areas such as business, criminal justice, education, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The university emphasizes community engagement and provides opportunities for internships and experiential learning.
Balmoral residents are already getting out their grills preparing for the Memorial Day weekend. While meat will be the star attraction, you’ll want the support of some marvelous side dishes. Ready to up your game? Look at these suggestions:
Plenty of Potato Salad
A timeless side dish you can never go wrong with is potato salad. You can go classic or branch out and serve up deviled eggs combined with potatoes. Guests won’t be able to say no to potato salad with all the trimmings. If you’re looking for something a little healthier, try this garden potato salad.
Creative Corn
You can do more with corn than toss it on the grill. Give this zucchini, squash and corn casserole a try. Skip the corn on the cob and whip up this corn in a salad. All you need are three ingredients for this whipped cream corn salad. Got corn muffin mix? Then you can make corn souffle.
Creamy Coleslaw
What would a barbecue be without coleslaw? Cabbage is nice but broccoli is better. You can never go wrong with a classic coleslaw recipe. Vinegar, not mayo is the secret ingredient in South Carolina Slaw. If you’ve got 15 minutes you have time to throw together this slaw.
Beautiful Beans
Don’t just serve baked beans, serve Texas-style baked beans. Sweet and smokey cowboy beans will have your guests singing Home on the Range. Why slave over a hot oven when you can just toss these beans on the grill. This colorful black bean salad will tickle your taste buds.
Serve Up Salads
Salads are quick to make and go with anything. Skip the traditional pasta salad and add a little bacon. There’s nothing more refreshing than a cucumber salad. Roasted pepper-tomato salad with crispy black-eyed peas will be a memorable experience for your guests. Try this twist on seven-layer dip.
Grill Your Vegetables
Kabobs are fun to eat and healthy too. Yes, you can toss eggplant on the grill. If asparagus is in season, you’ll want to throw some on the grill. Potatoes on skewers? Yes, please!
Up Your Macaroni Game
Fresh veggies make this macaroni salad a star. Add roasted tomatoes to your mac’ n ‘cheese. We love this easy macaroni and corn casserole. Add some spice to your macaroni salad. Why make two separate dishes when you can combine macaroni with coleslaw?
Fabulous Fruit
Grill some brie and add strawberries for a spectacular appetizer. You’ve got to have watermelon so try it with mint. Pick up some peaches from the farmers market and go to town. Combine strawberries and arugula for a sweet and peppery salad.
School is almost out which means summer camp is on the horizon. If you haven’t signed your child up, you might want to get on that because spaces fill up quickly. Not sure which one is right for your child? Here are some Balmoral families’ favorites:
The Karate School
7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 3-Aug.6
Ages 5-13
$199 per week
Blending karate and day care, these camps will build confidence while kids enjoy field trips, games, arts, crafts, STEM activities, a carnival day and a talent show.
Cordovan Art School
Times vary, Monday-Friday, beginning June 10
Ages 5-16
$75-$400
Voted the best art camps in the Atascocita area, these camps will spark your child’s creative juices. They will learn to draw, play with clay, create anime and more. Half-day and full-day camps available.
School of Rock – Kingwood
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, beginning June 3
Ages 5-17
$550
Kids that like to rock will love these week-long camps. Beginner camps teach the basics while more advanced students will enjoy playing the greatest hits from the 60s, 70s and 90s.
J C Sports
9 a.m.-noon and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, beginning June 3
Ages 4-13
$80 single day, $225 half day, $350 full day
How does your child like to play? These camps cover a variety of topics from basic skills to sports and technology.
Creativity Shell
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, beginning June 3
Ages 3-18
$290-$350
Whatever your child’s interest —whether it’s cooking, sewing, baking, textile arts or clay play — they are sure to have fun at any of these week-long camps. Kids can study fashion design, architecture, color theory and more.
Second Baptist Sports Camp
1-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, June 24-27
$130
Kids will have fun playing a variety of fun games like dodgeball, kickball, capture the flag, and other games revolving around sports like basketball, flag football and soccer.
This year’s top decorating trend is biophilic design. Centered around bringing the outdoors inside, the trend focuses on creating rooms that foster a connection with nature. One of the best ways to achieve the look is to simply add plants to every room in your house. Which plants will look best in which room of your new Balmoral home? Here’s a guide to the most popular.
Kitchen
Plants are a great addition to any kitchen. Hang herbs such as basil, mint or rosemary from the ceiling. They will add freshness to your cooking and enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen. Pothos helps to remove toxins from the air. Aloe vera is an attractive plant and the gel inside its leaves has medicinal properties for minor burns and skin irritations.
Bathrooms
An easy way to give your bathroom the look of a high-end spa is to incorporate houseplants. Boston Fern appreciates high humidity and adds a lush, tropical feel to your bath. Spider plants are very adaptable and look very pretty on vanities. Bamboo Palm thrives in low light and high humidity, making it perfect for bathrooms.
Family and Game Rooms
Communal spaces need plants that add color, class and air-purifying qualities. They should also be easy to take care of and non-toxic to prevent children and animals from getting sick. The large, glossy leaves of the fiddle leaf fig add a touch of elegance to any living space. Snake plants require minimal care and can tolerate low light making it easy for those without a green thumb to keep them healthy. Family rooms are the perfect showcase for Peace Lilies. Not only are the plant’s white flowers attractive, but they also help purify the air.
Bedrooms
Nature helps you relax so plants in the bedroom are a must. For children, make sure plants are non-toxic and placed on high shelves to keep them from getting knocked over. Teens may appreciate a row of succulents on the windowsill as they are easy to care for. Spider plants are also easy to care for and can be hung from the ceiling. Lavender is known for its soothing fragrance, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
Home Office
A little greenery can inspire creativity so don’t forget to add a few potted plants to your home office. ZZ plants require minimal care and can tolerate low-light conditions. Rubber plants add a bold touch with large, dark green leaves. They are also relatively low maintenance. Philodendrons are adaptable and can thrive in office environments with moderate light.
To buy a new home you will most likely need a home loan, which means you need to start preparing before you start house hunting. What are the steps you need to take to ensure that you have everything ready once you find the home of your dreams? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare:
Evaluate Your Finances
Take a close look at your income, expenses and savings. Determine how much you can realistically afford to spend on a mortgage payment each month. Lenders typically use the 28/36 rule, where your mortgage payment shouldn’t exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income and your total debt payments (including the mortgage) shouldn’t exceed 36 percent.
Stay Financially Stable
Avoid making any major financial moves — such as changing jobs or making large purchases — while you’re in the process of applying for a home loan. Lenders want to see stability and consistency in your financial situation.
Check Your Credit Score
Any lender will tell you that your credit score plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility and the interest rate you’ll receive. Before you talk to a lender, request a free copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Review them for any errors. If your score is low, take steps to improve it, such as paying down debt and making payments on time.
Save for a Down Payment and Closing Costs
Start saving for a down payment, which is typically 3 percent to 20 percent of the home’s purchase price. The type of loan you are eligible for will determine how much of a down payment you will need, as not all loans require a 20 percent down payment. Additionally, you’ll need to cover closing costs, which can range from 2 percent to 6 percent of the loan amount. Having these funds saved up demonstrates financial responsibility to lenders.
Understand Additional Costs
In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, homeownership comes with other expenses, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, private mortgage insurance (if your down payment is less than 20 percent) and maintenance costs. Make sure to factor these into your budget.
Gather Necessary Documents
Lenders will require various documents to process your loan application, including proof of income (pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns), proof of assets (bank statements, investment account statements), employment verification, identification (driver’s license, passport) and documentation of any additional debts or obligations.
Get Pre-approved
It’s a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves submitting a mortgage application and providing the necessary documentation to a lender, who will then assess your financial situation and determine the amount they’re willing to lend you. Pre-approval gives you a clear understanding of your budget and makes you a more attractive buyer to sellers.
Research Mortgage Options
A lender can help steer you in the direction of the right loan for you, but it’s still a good idea to do your own research. There are various types of mortgages available, each with its own terms and conditions including fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), FHA loans, VA loans and USDA loans.
Compare Lenders
Don’t just settle for the first lender you come across. Shop around and compare rates, fees and customer service from multiple lenders to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Prepare and Then Visit Balmoral
Once you’re prepared, visit Balmoral. Our community offers a range of home choices and builders. Many of our builders can even help you secure a home loan. Stop by and let us show you how amazing lagoon life can be.