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Here is an oldie but a goodie from my KIAH 39 reporting days. Great for this time of year because it’s all about buying Christmas trees. Heck, even I learned stuff on this story and I couldn’t believe Santa was so stingy with information at the end.

Also fun is the amazing Pearland, TX Christmas light show. Shadow Creek Ranch homeowner Joey Corbello is at it again this year too. If you are in the area, tune into his low power radio station and catch the synced light show. WATCH THE VIDEO

 

I thought this might be an exclusive last night…then the Chronicle got in the way hours before my newscast. What can you do?

A former NFL player was arrested this week in Houston on a felony assault charge, but this is not his only brush with the law. His troubles extend to two Houston area counties.

Claude Terrell, 28, was a star player at La Marque High School before rising to the NFL and the St. Louis Rams as an offensive lineman. In 2007, he was released from the team after an assault charge concerning his then wife. This week, he was arrested for assaulting a family member. It’s an ordeal cops say lasted seven to eight hours. READ: Former St Louis Rams and La Marque player Claude Terrell arrested for assault in Houston

Send Mike McGuff a news tip for his blog or KIAH 39 news

(Thanks Jennifer)

 

Tis the season to give right? But how do you know your money is going to a good cause? Or the charity you are donating to is actually putting that money to good use? There is no real charity watchdog. There is no state agency that makes sure charities are on the straight and narrow path. So it is up to you to know where your money is going, before you give.
HOUSTON CHARITIES CHECK: Which Houston charities are worth giving money to?

 

Last holiday weekend I went into full Christmas mode. I’ve been passing by a house in Pearland for years that is decorated to the max and wondered why no one has ever put it on Houston TV! Last Friday I changed that and put it on KIAH 39. For web geeks out there, this is a DIY and opensource software project. CLICK TO: See the Christmas music and light show

The next day I went out to Brookshire, TX to find out how to pick the perfect Christmas Tree. What I found is that there is a type of tree that is actually less bothersome for allergy sufferers. It’s why I never have had a real tree in my home. CLICK HERE FOR NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT: Allergy free Christmas trees exist

 

Anyone with an ATM or credit card will want to read this. Criminals in greater numbers are accessing your cards, taking money, and you don’t even know it until it’s too late.

It’s called card skimming and Houston police say it’s happening in greater numbers in the Bayou City. The bad news - it’s expected to get worse for the holidays. READ HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Card Skimming: When Waiters and ATMs Steal Your Money

 

Got the credit card blues? Can’t figure out how you’re going to afford Christmas gifts? Layaway is making a comeback and maybe that’s your answer.

But you need to know what you’re doing before you put some money down. I found different stores of the same company have different layaway policies. For example, the Best Buy at Bunker Hill has it, The Galleria area location does not.  READ: Layaway is making a comeback.

 

The ads don’t stop - “Sell us your gold for cash.” So what do you need to know before you make this transaction? A lot I found out for my Friday report on 39 KIAH News. Basically do some research before you sell. THE GOLDEN TIPS HERE: Beware When Selling Gold for Cash

 

Losing weight is always a hot topic. Especially when dieting and excerise are not involved. Just a little over a month after being approved by the FDA, I did a story on Zeltiq also known as Cool Sculpting. It’s a process that freezes off your fat. GET THE CHILLING DETAILS: Losing Weight By Freezing Fat off

 

The BBB Houston office tells me it has a decent amount of reports concerning lousy locksmiths out there. For my Friday night story on KIAH 39 News, we talked to one victim who had all kinds of bad things happen to her. READ THE TIPS: Keys to Avoiding Locksmiths Nightmares

That scary image on the above video window is me. I am pretending to look into a key hole for a stand up. It took longer than you might think to shoot.

 

Just in time for Halloween trick or treating, I did a report for KIAH 39 News on a new iPhone/Android app that tracks sex offenders. It uses maps and what’s called augmented reality. FIND OUT MORE: Track sex offenders with new app while trick or treating

I also checked out safer options for trick or treating at Katy Mills Mall and the Children’s Museum of Houston.