Flori Meeks

Flori Meeks

I'm a freelance writer and editor with more than 28 years of experience ranging from editing community news for The Houston Chronicle to ghostwriting and editing nonfiction books for The Writers For Hire, Inc. As a freelance writer (since 1998), my projects have included writing newspaper and magazine articles, press releases, newsletters, brochure and website copy, Request for Proposal (RFP) responses, and social media posts. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oakland University.

Houston Chronicle •

Civic group proud of progress, traditions

From the beginning, the East Montrose Civic Association has been all about communication. "We were never a homeowner's association; we've been more of an informational group," former association president Cheryl Hastings said. "We tried to bring in people who could speak to us about caring for our houses. And the newsletter has been extremely valuable in keeping everyone informed." The association, which is continuing in that informational role today, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Memb

Families in Global Transition - News- Flori Meeks

CHANTAL Duke's life has been a rich tapestry of experiences. She has lived in 12 countries and spent time in another 25, and now the 52-year-old Uptown-area resident has devoted her life to helping others benefit from her knowledge. Duke is the Visa and relocation manager for Awty International School, 7455 Awty School Lane in Spring Branch. Her primary role is to guide faculty members relocating to Houston from around the globe. But Duke's private time is devoted to global matters as well.
Houston Chronicle •

Can a lure sound tasty to fish?

Not only did Malone create the lure, he later learned that the device he invented mimics the natural vibrations of the creatures that fish like to eat such as crayfish. Anglers’ satisfaction with the lure’s results led to the establishment of Clear Lake-based Bayou Rattler Products LLC, which started selling products in January. The business is backed by Malone’s longtime friend, Shelby LaCroix, and managed by Shelby’s son, Trey, both of Clear Lake. After spending nearly two years laying the
Houston Chronicle •

Fort Bend ISD targets at-risk high school youths

For students, few academic years are as important as ninth grade, says Marla Sheppard, an assistant superintendent in the Fort Bend Independent School District. "Aside from the formative years, grades K-2, ninth grade is one of the most critical years for a student," Sheppard said. Educational researchers have stated the same. A detailed guide produced by National High School Center states that more students fail ninth grade than any other grade in high school. And many of those who fail then
Houston Chronicle •

Katy Prairie Conservancy aims to boost population of monarchs

Start studying the habits of the rapidly vanishing monarch butterflies and it is evident that these orange-and-black insects, just like people, have varying tastes in food. So, while all monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which provide food for the caterpillars, different monarchs tend to gravitate toward different milkweed species. With the monarch population in decline, along with the milkweed plants that they rely upon, providing as many milkweed options as possible could go a long
Houston Chronicle •

Residents still feeling effects of the high water

Residents still feeling effects of the high water The storms and high waters that greater Houston experienced April 18 hit the Humble, Kingwood and Lake Houston areas hard. Some of the worst home flooding occurred along around the lake off Hamblen Road in the 77338 ZIP code, Humble Area Assistance Ministries reports, but homes throughout the area were affected. And for the residents whose homes took in water, the impacts are ongoing. When Kyle Sadler's 7-year-old daughter, Zoe, overheard him
Houston Chronicle •

Firefighter/guitarist from League City likes to gets things smokin' onstage

Firefighter/guitarist from League City likes to gets things smokin' onstage League City resident Mark Turvey jokes that few people would guess, to look at him, that he plays guitar for a rock band. But playing classic Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and 38 Special riffs comes as naturally to him as his day job - working as fire chief and facilities protection superintendent for specialty chemical company Lubrizol Corp. "It's (playing guitar) just something I've always loved," said Turvey, 59. T
Houston Chronicle •

Japanese family made its mark on area

When Kiyoaki Saibara had an opportunity to meet world-renowned astronaut John Glenn in the early 1960s, the Webster rice farmer had a small request. Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth, was planning a NASA goodwill trip to Japan. According to the Houston Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, Saibara asked him, "Col. Glenn, when you get to Japan, if you should meet the emperor, would you give him my regards?" Glenn later said he seriously doubted that Emperor Hirohito woul
Houston Chronicle •

Judge's mark on law, lives

Retired Judge John V. Singleton Jr. has never forgotten the advice Lyndon B. Johnson gave him as a young man. "He told me, 'John, never say you can't do something. If you work hard enough, you can do anything.'" Singleton, who lives in Lakes of Parkway in west Houston, first met Johnson while attending law school. He would go on to help Johnson with several campaigns, including his run for the presidency in 1964. He also has seen Johnson's advice prove true in his own career. After two decad

New entrepreneurship minor develops skills to find, launch successful ventures - News Archive -School of Business Administration

Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - New entrepreneurship minor develops skills to find, launch successful ventures Long before they start drafting a business plan, budding entrepreneurs at Oakland University soon will be researching, testing and fine-tuning the ideas that one day could result in new businesses. That systematic approach will be key to Oakland’s new entrepreneurship minor, approved in March and scheduled to launch its first classes this fall. Oakland’s School of Business Administration
Houston Chronicle •

Veterans suffering with PTSD have place to turn in Camp Hope

Veterans suffering with PTSD have place to turn in Camp Hope When Joshua Castro completed his Army service, including 1½ years in Iraq, he found himself struggling. "I was in Iraq between 2007 and 2008," said Castro, who was a sergeant when was discharged. "I saw guys blown up. I lost guys. And I was having a lot of problems trying to acclimate. I was self-medicating." Castro, 31, was affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, a psychiatric disorder caused by experiencing or wit ness
Houston Chronicle •

City proceeds with plans for Washington Avenue parking district

Now that Houston City Council has approved a pilot parking benefits district for the Washington Avenue corridor, city officials are vetting candidates for a district advisory committee. The Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District, which was approved by council members Dec. 12, is expected to be operational by the spring. Bounded by Houston Avenue, Center Boulevard, Lillian Street/Decatur Street and Westcott Street, the district will deploy parking meters, pay-by-phone technology an
Houston Chronicle •

Holocaust survivor says sharing his story painful, but important

Holocaust survivor says sharing his story painful, but important Leon Cooper is not one to shy away from sharing his experiences from the Holocaust. What's most important, the southwest Houston resident said, is keeping that chapter of history alive. "The more people who hear our story the better so it never will happen again," he said. Born Leon Kupczyk, Cooper, 84, was a boy when Nazi Germany invaded his native Poland. During the next five to six years, he endured ghetto life, separation f
Houston Chronicle •

Grief led man to form prison ministry

After his younger sister, Marilyn Sage Meagher, was slain in 1993, Sage, 64, spent years in a very dark place. "I was a prisoner of my own rage and grief," the Uptown-area resident said. It was only after he was ready to forgive his sister's attackers that he was able to heal. Now his focus is on helping others with that journey, both the victims of violent crimes and criminal offenders who are in prison. His nonprofit ministry, Bridges to Life, brings crime victims into prisons to work with
Houston Chronicle •

Soup, kindness fuel events hosted by nonprofit

Volunteers from the Cy-Fair area and throughout Houston have started pairing comfort food with what they consider food for the soul: helping others. The result, a crowd-funding program called Souper Houston, raises small grants for Houston-area nonprofit organizations and startup businesses. It has awarded two micro-grants since it organized in August. "It seems like a dream," said founder Monika Barker Cassell, a west Houston resident who grew up in Cypress. "It's a lot of work; we're in a le
Houston Chronicle •

Construction underway on 2 HISD schools

Construction is now under way on new buildings for Parker Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School. Parker and Washington are among 40 Houston Independent School District schools that were slated for major repairs or building replacements when voters approved the district's $1.89 billion bond program in 2012. The schools had ground-breaking ceremonies in April and are expected to be completed in time for the 2017-18 school year. The $29.5 million Parker building at 10626 Atwell
Houston Chronicle •

Church for hearing impaired goes high tech

Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church, 9920 Long Point, is now holding services in a newly renovated worship center with a vibrating floor, special lighting and three screens that display magnified images of communication in American Sign Language. The church held its first services there in mid-November, after two years of fundraising and construction. "It feels great," said the Rev. Arthur Craig, senior pastor. "The visual system is so high tech. It's going to take a while to get everything tweaked.
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