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.

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.

Neiman Marcus to Host Ms. Wheelchair Texas Crowning

Houston, Texas, August 29, 2008- Neiman Marcus is set to host a
celebration and crowning event for the Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation.
Michelle Colvard, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Texas, was crowned Ms.
Wheelchair America on July 26, 2008. Because of the numerous
responsibilities that require her time and presence across the country, a
new Ms. Wheelchair Texas must be crowned. First runner up, Dr. Staci Moss
of Lubbock, Texas, will assume the duties of the new state titleholder.
Dr. Staci Moss is currently the only pharmacist in the state of Texas that
uses a wheelchair for 100% of her daily mobility.

Both women serve as outstanding advocates and role models for people with
disabilities. Michelle Colvard is a graduate of the University of Houston
and serves as the executive director of the Houston Commission on People
with Disabilities having been appointed by Mayor White.

Date: August 29th

Time: 4:30pm

Location: Neiman Marcus, 2nd Floor Couture Dept., 2600 Post Oak Blvd, 77056

For additional information and to schedule interviews contact Angela
Wrigglesworth at 281-635-2032 or visit www.mswheelchairtexas.org.

ABOUT – The Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)
organization that strives to improve the lives of people with disabilities
through its mission of advocacy and education.

- END -

Contact: Lynn Fields, Steep Creek Media 281-962-4390
***9 a.m. Press Conference Friday, Aug. 22***

Humble ISD, Steep Creek Media
Launch Unprecedented Advertising Partnership

Humble ISD First in Houston area to feature school bus advertising

Humble, Texas – On Friday, August 22, 2008, at 9 a.m., a press conference will be held to announce an
unprecedented initiative for school bus advertising. Steep Creek Media, a Houston advertising company, and
Humble ISD have entered a partnership to generate revenue for the District by selling advertising space on
its school buses and other venues. Humble ISD is the first public school in metro Houston and the second
state-wide to pursue additional revenues through school bus advertising.
Funding is a major issue facing school districts throughout Houston and Texas, with dozens facing similar
deficits and reductions. The District, facing a budget deficit of more than $17 million that could result in a
reduction of staff and both academic and extracurricular activities, has contracted with Steep Creek Media
to sell advertising with an annual potential revenue to the District of more than $1 million.
The District’s 260+ buses travel hundreds of miles each week throughout the community and provide a
unique method for community businesses to step up and be heroes of Humble ISD. Advertising banner
space will be displayed on the District’s buses.
The press conference will feature Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo, school board trustees,
school bus advertisers and representatives of Humble ISD.
WHO: Dr. Guy Sconzo, Superintendent, Humble Independent School District
Lynn Fields, Steep Creek Media
Lori Aungst, Kids Playce Day Care
Rocky McCullough, Goodson Honda
Dan Huberty, Ampco System Parking
Tim Martin and Colleen Uriarte, Choice Homes
WHAT: Launch of unprecedented school advertising initiative
WHERE: Humble ISD Bus Barn 1703 Wilson Road Humble, TX 77396
WHEN: Friday, August 22, 9 a.m. CST
VISUAL: Several Humble ISD school buses featuring advertising.