After selling thousands of their popular “Ba-rack The Vote” tees, Barackawear Inc. is proud to celebrate Obama’s historic election with their new “Ba-rack-ed the Vote” collection. Emblazoned with a modified version of their signature logo on the front, shirts prominently feature a “44” on the back, commemorating Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. An alternate style features the graphic, “Yes We Did,” a proud play on the Obama campaign slogan “Yes We Can,” which inspired millions of Americans throughout the campaign.

Men’s and women’s t-shirts are available for $24 at www.barackthevote.com.

About Barackawear

Brother and sister duo Brandon & Lori Broussard launched Barackawear in 2007 in an effort to raise awareness and support for Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination and election. 25% off the proceeds from their "Ba-rack The Vote" t-shirts, doggie t-shirts and lapel pins are earmarked for the Obama campaign. A script runner for Tyler Perry's "House of Payne, Brandon serves as a close advisor to Lori (who has taken a break from wardrobe styling for clients such as R&B star Ciara) to run Barackawear fulltime. When they aren't traveling for work and Obama events, Brandon enjoys eating Haribo Gummy Bears and running marathons while Lori prefers beach time, drawing and cooking.

America Can Choose Ugliest of Ugly at SureFit.com

Photos poured in from Reseda to Charlotte, revealing a nation cluttered with furniture catastrophes, but only the worst of the worst sofas were selected as finalists for Sure Fit’s Ugliest Couch in America Contest. The twenty chosen photos will be posted on www.SureFit.com from October 15th through November 15th for a public vote. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 living room makeover courtesy of Sure Fit Inc., the leading provider and marketer of ready-made furniture covers, and Kim Myles, designer and host of HGTV’s Myles of Style.

Melanie Pitts from Watauga, TX was chosen as a semi-finalist yesterday for Sure Fit’s 2008 Ugly Couch Contest! She beat out hundreds of other entrants to make the top 20. While she has already won a Sure Fit slipcover for making it to the finals, she is now in the running for a $5,000 living room makeover, courtesy of Sure Fit and Kim Myles, designer and host of HGTV’s Myles of Style. Voting is open to the public on www.SureFit.com until November 15th.

Judges Kim Myles, Natalie Warady, Style Director for O at Home, Jacqueline Gifford, Features Editor for OK! Magazine, and comedian Sean Kent, seen on E! Entertainment and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, were tasked with difficult job of sorting through the hundreds of entries and judging each based on carefully selected criteria.

"I thought that this would be easy. How many couches could be that hideous?” said Myles. “Turns out, the playing field is wide and varied, and the nuances of 'ugly' are endless.”

Exposed foam, ‘70s floral, and hideous color combinations worked to disarm the judges as they rated each couch for ugliness of design and fabric, offensiveness of color, inappropriateness and uniqueness. The twenty top-rated photos brought something extra to the table, however, supplementing their disastrous designs with plain poor resuscitation techniques.

“I would never have thought to repair the broken arms of a couch with what looks like casts!” said Warady. “The prognosis for that interior design trick: not good.”

Each semi-finalist now on www.SureFit.com will receive a Sure Fit slipcover of their choice, ensuring that no ugly couch goes uncovered. As the leading creator of stylish, easy, affordable decorating solutions to quickly transform your home, Sure Fit created the “Ugly Couch Contest” to illustrate that Sure Fit slipcovers can turn any couch into a stylish sofa.

To vote for the ugliest couch in America, visit http://www.surefit.net/uglycouch200 8/finalists.cfm between now and November 15th.

Sure Fit products are available via mail order catalog, select major retailers, online at www.surefit.com, and by phone (800) 305-5857.

The Houston “Survivor” Challenge

The Challenge is On!

HOUSTON - Council Member, Jolanda “Jo” Jones, a former contestant from the popular CBS reality series, Survivor and Mayor Bill White who is the honorary chair are bringing the jungle to Houston. The Houston “Survivor” Challenge, will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Sesquicentennial Park on the lush green banks of Buffalo Bayou in downtown Houston. This event will give 20 Houstonians the opportunity to compete with real celebrity Survivors, and other TV celebrities, in a full day of physical and mental challenges, culminating in one top winner. For those not participating, there will be a chance to cheer on your favorite “survivor” as this event will be free and open to the public.

WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 9am-7pm

COST: Free and open to all – special Pygmy Island area for kids

Food and drinks will be available for purchase

WHERE: Downtown’s Sesquicentennial Park (adjacent to the Wortham Theater Center at Preston and Bagby streets)

PARKING: Parking is available in the Theater District Parking garage and metered street parking. For a map of Theater District parking, log onto: www.houstontx.gov/tdparking/tdparkingmap.pdf

WHAT ELSE: Some of the reality show alumni who will be participating in the event include those Survivor alumns
Natalie Bolton, James Clement, and Erik Riechenbach. Houstonian Uchenna Agu, who, along with his wife Joyce won the Amazing Race, will serve as the host of the event. Proceeds from the 2008 Houston “Survivor” Challenge will benefit the Buffalo Bayou Partnership (www.buffalobayou.org) and the U’jana Conley Foundations for SIDS (www.ujanaconleyfoundation.org). We look forward to your participation as we turn the banks of Buffalo Bayou into a jungle you are sure to survive!

SPONSORS: 106.9 The Point, 107.5 K Hits, City of Houston, City of Houston Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department,
City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Continental Airlines, Council Member Jolanda Jones, Council Member Peter Brown, DMars.com, Flair Event Productions, Mike Garver, Gallant Garage, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Holiday Inn Express, Q Family Care, KHOU-Channel 11, Miles Insurance Agency, Port of Houston Authority,
Raytec Construction Resources

For additional event and Houston Survivor application information, log onto www.ujanaconleyfoundation.org.

I wasn't prepared for Ike. Looking back on it now, I feel more blessed than ever to be living in this community, have such great neighbors and work with the people I do.
Being a transplant to Texas, I never had to deal with hurricanes before and preparing for Ike was a very surreal experience for me. I had canned food and water, but nothing like the list of supplies I now keep on the bulletin board at home. And as I packed a suitcase with enough clothes to last my kids and I a couple of days, I thought to myself that it would be much like Gustov. A little rain, some wind- completely naive to the cat 2 headed our way.
Thanks to the generosity of Nick Roccaforte, executive director at Eden Terrace in Kingwood, we were able to "hunker down" and weather the storm at his facility. Not only were they prepared for the storm, I have a new respect for Nick and his employees. Many staff members stayed through the weekend and were up for days once the storm hit, going the extra mile to help residents stay dry and keep busy. Although they had a generator, it was a difficult situation for everyone, but they worked wonders and took care of not only their residents, but each other and my family.
We were one of the fortunate in Kingwood to have power restored quickly (I live in a police grid and have decided I am never moving), and our house suffered minimal damage. Our backyard fence, like many others, didn't survive the storm, but as I drove around our neighborhood, a downed fence was nothing compared to what some others endured.
Within days, the sun was out and several yards were amazingly clean of debris- no sign of Ike or the destruction he caused. Thanks to the hard work of several of my neighbors, debris in our cul-de-sac was stacked and ready to be picked up in no time.
Because The Tribune office in Atascocita was still without power, staff came to my house every day, ready to work despite not having electricity themselves. We pulled together, determined to put out a paper filled with helpful information and articles that highlight the resiliency that is so unique in this community. A special thank you to our advertisers who understand how important it is to support the local paper and help the community get back on their feet.
As for me, I won't ever forget that first drive down Kingwood Drive Saturday morning, shopping at H-E-B armed with a flashlight or how thankful I was to finally find milk in the stores. I will be better prepared next time and remember how important even small acts of kindness really are.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ike will remain with us for some time. Debris needs to be picked up, traffic lights in some areas are still out and many are still without power- going on day 12. But as you read this week's paper, I hope you find some solace in knowing you aren't alone and together, we can recover and rebuild our community. Shop with our advertisers and check our Web site often. We are continuously updating our site with Ike photos, stories and recovery information. If you have a question that isn't addressed, send me an e-mail at lhart@ourtribune.com and I will do my best to help. We want to hear from you- this is your community paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Humble ISD-Steep Creek School Bus Advertising Program?
A: It is a opportunity for local businesses to put business advertisements on the side of school buses in the Humble Independent School District. These full color ads are available in two sizes: 30” X 90” and 18” X 108”.

Q: Why is Humble ISD using this program to generate funds?
A.Humble ISD is facing a $17 million budget deficit this year that could result in a reduction of staff, as well as a reduction in services and programs for children. It contracted with Steep Creek Media to sell advertising in a variety of venues. Steep Creek projects that the venture could mean more than $1 million annually for Humble ISD. Funding is a major issue facing school districts throughout Houston and Texas. Humble ISD seeks to generate its own revenue to partially solve its budget problems through this innovative program.

Q: What does it do?
A: The School Bus Advertising Program helps businesses build brand awareness, while providing much needed funding for local schools. The ads are seen every day by thousands of people as the buses travel around the 90 square mile school district. All ads must be approved by the Humble ISD. Ads must be appropriate for a school setting, as well as child and community sensitive.

Q: What is the sign made of and does it harm the bus?
A: The signs are made of a porous material that is durable and vinyl coated with a special laminate. The signs adhere to the bus like a bumper sticker and are weather and fade resistant. A special process is used to remove the signs and will not harm the outside of the bus. State law is specific about the location and size of the signs.

Q: How much revenue will Humble ISD receive?
A: The revenue will be dependent on the number of advertisers and other factors, but the potential from the school bus program alone is estimated at more than $1 million annually. Steep Creek provides a complete turnkey service: selling the signs, installation, billing, etc.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Prices depend on the size of ad, number of buses to be used, and the length of commitment.

Q: How much area does the program cover?
A: The bus advertising program covers the 90 square mile Humble ISD. There are over 260 buses in the fleet which generate an estimated 52,000 daily impressions per bus.

Q: Who would be the typical client?
A: Any local or national company that wants to promote its business and strengthen its image while helping to fund local public schools will be considered. Ads must be appropriate for a school setting, as well as child and community sensitive.

Q: Are there any restrictions on the types of ads that can run?
A: Yes. All ads must be in the form of an age-appropriate positive message. Humble ISD has an advertising committee that approves all advertisements and messages.

Q: Who do I call for more information?
A: For more information please call Janet Huberty, Program Manager, or Lynn Fields, Steep Creek spokesperson, at 281-962-4390.

Q: Who is Steep Creek Media?
A: Steep Creek Media is an advertising agency located in Atascocita. It specializes in managing advertising for school districts and non profit agencies.

Q: Why would a business want to advertise on a school bus?
A: When a company joins the School Bus Program, not only does it advertise the business, it also gives back to the community and school system.

Q: Are school bus ads the only advertising project of the District?
A: Steep Creek Media secures advertising for many venues, including sponsorship of athletic stadiums, as well as banners, signage and video commercials for stadiums, gyms, other athletic facilities and equipment, and school district website advertising. A complete list is available on the Steep Creek web site (www.SteepCreekMedia.com) and in media kits.