Happy New Year!

I hope this newsletter finds you having survived the loved ones during Christmas or the after Christmas sales.

Though I am away from Houston on a short vacation break, I do want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous 2013!

Meineke Car Care Bowl - Texas Tech vs University of Minnesota   

Texas Tech University and the University of Minnesota have accepted bids to play in the 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. The Red Raiders will represent the Big 12 Conference and the Golden Gophers will represent the Big Ten Conference.  The 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas will be played on Friday, December 28 at 8:00 p.m. at Reliant Stadium and will air on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

For more information, please visit  meinekecarcarebowloftexas.com.

New Years Eve Houston     

Put on your boogie shoes and ring in 2013 at New Years Eve Houston with Grammy® Award winner KC & the Sunshine Band at Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Starting at 7:00 pm, revelers will enjoy a host of performers and entertainers, a bubble garden, the always-funky illuminated art car parade, ice skating, a variety of food and drinks galore, plus two countdowns. New Year's will arrive early for families with small children and a second arrives at the stroke of midnight with a spectacular fireworks finale atop the George R. Brown Convention Center.

For more information, please visit www.newyearsevelive.com.  

Chevron Houston Marathon & ABB 5K       

The 2013 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon will be held Sunday, January 13, 2013. The start and finish line is at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  The 2013 ABB 5K will be held Saturday, January 12, 2013. The 2013 race will mark the 41st running of the Houston Marathon.

Registration is now closed, but volunteers for the Race Crew are still needed.  For more information on how to volunteer, please visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.  

January is National Radon Action Month 

The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Radon is a poisonous gas. Breathing radon can increase your chances of getting lung cancer, especially if you smoke. One out of every 15 homes in the United States has a dangerous level of radon.  

Four Things You Can Do During National Radon Action Month

1. Test your home - EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes in the U.S. be tested for radon.  Testing is easy and inexpensive. Learn more about testing your home, including how to obtain an easy-to-use test kit.  
2. Attend a National Radon Action Month event in your area - Look for radon events in your community.  Contact radon programs in Texas for more information about local radon activities.    
3. Spread the word - spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn about radon and test their homes. 
 
• Tell your family and friends about the health risks of radon.  Encourage them to test their homes.
• Plan an activity in your community to help raise awareness. Use EPA's National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit as a guide.


4. Buy a radon-resistant home - If you are considering buying a new home, look for builders who use radon-resistant new construction. Read more about radon-resistant new construction, "Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Build Radon-Resistant Homes".

   Contact radon programs in Texas for information about radon testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction in your area.