The Bumbera Racing Family

February 15 2010

Cheri and Kenny Bumbera are parents and business owners with deep ties to Katy and Houston. If their name sounds familiar, it’s with good reason. They operate Bumbera’s Performance Associates, one of the fastest growing companies in the Houston area. They are also one of the most interesting Christian families around, with impressive racing credentials and plans to shoot a pilot for a TV reality show.

Auto and RV repair along with all components of high performance racing keep this family busy and on track – literally! “We do many things at Bumbera’s but the bottom line is this: No matter what you drive – if it has at least 4 wheels we can service it, restore it, repair it, make it pretty, and make it go fast!” promises Kenny, a renowned race car driver and winner of the 2006 Crew Chief of the Year Award.

“We live in Sealy and commute to work and school,” says Cheri. “Our 11-year-old, Boyd, and 17-year-old, Kendall, attend Faith West in Katy. Our shop is located on Highway 6, where we work with our oldest daughter, 22-year-old Kristin. You can imagine what our mornings are like!” she laughs. Cheri used to race, and she and Kenny have passed down the love of fast cars and performance racing to their children. Boyd, Kendall, and Kristin all race, as well.
Faith is the glue that holds the family together. The company, started in 1992, has received awards for exhibiting “Outstanding Christian Character” in their day-to-day business practices. In the first two years of business, Bumbera’s grew to 23 service bays and added an RV repair facility on the premises, becoming West Houston’s factory authorized RV repair facility for many top manufacturers. “Whether you have a pop-up camper or a luxury bus, we have years of experience to get the job done right,” says Kenny.

What Christ does for broken people, Bumbera’s does for broken cars. “Vehicles come to us in any condition and leave happy,” says Cheri. “We have a third generation of loyal customers, which is a blessing to our family and business.” Honesty and hard work have resulted in a high level of customer satisfaction. “We thank our customers for our success and for making our jobs an adventure each and every day.” Bumbera’s can work with any make or model, foreign or domestic, and do belts, hoses, batteries, air-conditioning, heating, engines, transmissions, brakes, shocks, alignments, alternators, and starters.

But “High Performance” is the adrenaline of the business. “We are a one-stop race shop providing brand new and previously-owned race-ready drag cars – classics and hot rods – plus stock cars, and road course race cars,” says Kenny. “Complete turn-key services in our race shop include back halves, interior fabrication, roll cages, chassis set-ups, plumbing & wiring, hang fiberglass & metal bodies, custom exhaust and custom lines and hoses. “We specialize in building and improving drag cars, stock cars, street rods, haulers, show cars and that restoration job that’s in your garage,” says Kenny. “There’s not much we haven’t seen before. We’ve re-built cars out of boxes and out of nothing.” The Bumbera’s sell racing fuel as well as racing tires by Good Year, Mickey Thompson and Hoosier. All carburetor rebuilds are personally performed by Kenny, himself.

The professional race team of Bumbera’s Performance has years of experience in NASCAR, ASA, USRA, SCCA and more. The team has succeeded on oval tracks, super-speedways and road courses throughout the United States. Kenny, the Crew Chief, currently drives super late models in various NASCAR, ASA and other divisions as time permits. Leading up to 2009 the Bumbera team has helped various drivers earn 6 Rookie of the Year Awards, numerous Track Championships wins, Pole Positions, Top 5 Finishes, 2 Most Improved Driver Awards, 3 Fan Favorite Awards and many others including Best Appearing Race Cars. “As exciting as racing is, it can also be dangerous,” says Cheri. “Our family members always prays before races – not so much for a win, but for the safety of all the drivers.” Track Chaplains are available to emotionally and spiritually support drivers and crews.

The Bumbera racing legacy lives on through the careers of the Bumbera children. “Kristin has had 16 Wins, 52 Top 5’s, 94 Top 10’s, 2 Rookie of the Year Titles, and ‘08 Nascar Drive for Diversity Driver of the Year,” says Cheri. “You can check out her statistics at www.KristinBumbera.com.” Obviously Cheri and Kenny have done a tremendous parenting job, because Kristin just recently took a moral stand and would not compromise her principles. “Kristin was asked to pose in a way that did not reflect her Christian values. When she refused, she lost her racing sponsorship,” says Cheri. “We are so proud that she, as a young 22-year-old woman, did the right thing, as painful as the consequences have been. It would have been so easy to say ‘yes’ and cave in to pressure. But Kristin only poses in her racing suit, just like any other driver.”

God has a way of turning lemons into lemonade. “Kristin has been asked to speak at youth groups, annual conferences, and church rallies. As her popularity spreads – not just as a race car driver, but as a Christian motivational speaker – we see other opportunities opening up. For instance, Kristin will be the endorsing celebrity for Epilady Speed (a hair removal product). She has her own Epilady Speed line being launched this year.” And the Bumbera’s are also hopeful that other sponsors will step forward to support Kristin on the track. “We need to raise $800,000 so that Kristin can race this season,” says Cheri. Individuals are sending in checks, and businesses are welcome to support Kristin, as well. “Through a grassroots effort of many fans and supporters, we hope to see Kristin chasing her dream on the track once again.” In the meantime, Kristin is available for speaking engagements all over the nation.
17-year-old Faith West high school student Kendall Bumbera is following in her parents’ and big sister’s footsteps. She recently won the 2009 Rookie of the Year in the Texas Super Racing Series Late Models. She was also Rookie of the Year in 2007 and 2008, earned 1 Top 5, 14 Top 10’s, and 1 Hard Charger Award. You can check out more of her achievements at www.KendallBumbera.com.

Boyd Bumbera is the youngest sibling and already, at 11, has 6 wins, 9 Top 5’s, and 17 Top 10’s.

For more details, some incredible racing photos, and a peek behind-the-scenes, check out the Bumbera Family and business atwww.bumberas.com. They exemplify the values that Christians share, and walk the walk on and off the track.

Contact information:
Bumbera’s Performance Associates
630 Highway 6 South
Houston, Texas 77079
281-493-9300 • kenny@bumberas.com

Contact information:
Karen Mones, Program Director – Inner Loop and Cypress Camp locations
Stacy Agee, Program Director – Sugarland, Katy and Westchase
Phone: (713) 858-4397
Email: houstonareabootcamp@yahoo.com
Website: www.houstonareabootcamp.com

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Discover Houston Area Adventure Boot Camp

December 17 2009

Addressing mind, body and spirit: This isn’t your typical gym workout.

Women join exercise programs for a variety of reasons. Many simply enjoy the work out.  Others may want to shed an extra 15 pounds for a class reunion. Some want to tone up for a milestone birthday. Most, at one point or another, have baby or change-of-life weight to conquer. These weight-loss goals can be attained through commitment, diet and exercise.

For some women, however, weight is a life-long issue, or at least a stubborn albatross. Perhaps some “hold on to their weight’ for psychological reasons. Whether affected genetically by nature, or influenced by how we were nurtured, or caught in a cycle of self-destructive habits, women can accumulate extra pounds in unhealthy or even life-threatening ways.  In short, having the wrong foods in the wrong quantities for the wrong reasons, combined with a sedentary life style and lack of exercise, is a recipe for ill health. The question is, “What do we do about it?”

Karen Mones is well aware of the motivations and stumbling blocks facing women today. As a program director for Houston Area Adventure Boot Camp, she knows that weight loss can mean more than just burning calories. “Getting fit is a mental, physical, and spiritual challenge,” says Mones.  “It’s a familiar story. It becomes too easy to accept where we are in life. We can sabotage ourselves through dread, denial, and procrastination. Sometimes just getting started is the key to changing our lives.”

Getting past the social pressures

Consider society’s role in sabotaging the health and fitness of women. From a young age, females are susceptible to indoctrination by the media. Portrayed unrealistically on television, cat walks and magazine covers, some girls and women hold themselves to an impossible standard. The struggle with “size” in an image-driven society can affect anyone from the underweight to the morbidly obese. Sometimes the situation spirals out of control into food addiction and manifests in eating disorders. Combine that with the temptation of fast food and a busy lifestyle, and health can be further compromised.

So what about pounds, scales and uber-thin bodies? “Simply put, your ideal weight is your healthy weight,” says Mones, whose job is to put it all into perspective.  “Why lose more than you need to just because some magazine says so?” she asks. “Why should we try to compete with some distortion projected by the media? Instead, we should focus on why we are eating and remember that while food can be celebratory, everything in moderation is the best way!”

No, we aren’t Drill Sargeants

And because God created our bodies as an efficient machine, built for movement, that’s where the concept of ‘boot camp’ comes in. For those who have tried gyms and failed, don’t be discouraged. Boot camps may by just the remedy you have been seeking. Surprise! They may not fit the preconceived notions people have.

“No, we aren’t Drill Sargeants. We don’t yell. No one crawls through the mud, and you don’t have to have any particular fitness level. What we do is find creative, fun things to get you moving, regardless of your current abilities. We are here to accommodate you, right where you are in life, and we’ll take it from there. Outdoor exercise and obstacle courses are exhilarating and can challenge our bodies in different ways than a typical gym. We meet at parks and outdoor locations in and around Houston.”

Boot camp comes in increments of four week fitness programs offering instruction and motivational training. The goal? Reduction in body fat, weight, body measurements and an increase in endurance, relaxation, improved posture, and self-confidence. “Non-jocks are welcome. We practice contact skills, coordination, and an incorporate fun activities that are much more than just pushing weights around,” assures Mones. Being in God’s great outdoors seems to be a big plus, setting boot camps apart from the rest. There are side benefits, as well.

The group motivates the individual

“We have had a client that lost 100 pounds. Not everyone needs to lose that much, but anything can be achieved through perseverance. 5 a.m. in the morning may seem awfully early, but you are done at 6 and it takes you through the rest of the day,” says Mones. “There are also evening classes, and coed classes. Men have weight issues, too. In fact, I think I was called into this work in part because of my father. He has struggled with weight and has had Lapband surgery. I have watched him try to deal with weight and ‘comfort eating’ my whole life, and it has given me a unique perspective. I’ve learned what works. An environment where we hold each other accountable really makes a difference. We have one another to support, encourage and inspire. Boot camps are like that. The group motivates the individual.”

There are many success stories for the hesitant to consider. “The number one health benefit from boot camp is lowered cholesterol. Our program also helps with blood pressure and heart health,” says Mones. Studies also show that a reduction in Type 2 Diabetes can result from exercise and diet. “I have received remarkable feedback, such as a piano player whose teacher commented that she was playing better and stronger. Many things have been attributed to boot camp, like the lady who sang longer notes with more breath control. We didn’t originally set out to make better singers or piano players. But it happens, and we do strive for self-confidence, stress relief, and a renewed spirit. Our groups will hear, “Come on kids, give me one more minute!” They will get 4 minutes of funk, plus other innovative workouts.”

There is something about heaven and nature . . .

As Christ renews our spirit, exercise renews the body that God gave us. “Once we realize that weight loss and health are within our reach, we become aware. At time we may wish that we were ignorant again, but once the awareness sets in we are accountable. So what do we do with that? Well, we have to take steps and realize, ‘I have control over myself. I can stop trying to control everything else and just focus on my own actions,’” says Mones. Being under God’s great heavens, working out in the midst of nature, and breathing fresh air gives participants an appreciation of exercise in a whole new light.  Perhaps prayer is to the soul what exercise is to the body? And often the effects snowball. Appetites and caloric intakes adjust to new mindsets, further spurring weight loss and improved health.

The first classes of 2010 starts on January 11, with locations and times all over Houston and the surrounding areas. Houston Area Adventure Boot Camp offers classes at various times, so check out their contact information below and website.

Contact information:
Karen Mones, Program Director – Inner Loop and Cypress Camp locations
Stacy Agee, Program Director – Sugarland, Katy and Westchase
Phone: (713) 858-4397
Email: houstonareabootcamp@yahoo.com
Website: www.houstonareabootcamp.com

Locations and times:

West Chase:  “Women only” 5 a.m. session;  Coed 6:30 p.m. session held M, W, Th.
Terry Hershey Park, 15200 Memorial Dr., Houston, 77079

The Heights: “Women only” 5 a.m. session; Coed 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. sessions.
Spotts Park, 3621 Willa St., Houston, 77007

Sugar Land: “Women only” 5 & 8:30 a.m. sessions.
Lost Creek Park, 3703 Lost Creek Blvd., Sugar Land, 77478

Cypress:  “Women only” 5 a.m. session;  Coed 6:30 p.m. session.
Jersey Village Cy Falls High School, 9811 Huffmeister Rd., Houston, 77095

Katy:  “Women only” 5 a.m. session.
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, 77494

Museum District:  “Women only” 5:30 a.m. session; Coed 6:30 p.m. session.
Herman Park, Herman Circle Dr.

Midtown: Coed 8:30 a.m. session; Coed 6 p.m. session.
Elizabeth Baldwin Park
1701 Elgin St., Houston, 77004

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Christian Conservatives Find Their Voice

October 20 2009

Do Religion and Politics Mix? They do Now.

In days gone by, Christians lived in a land of opportunity, under God, with minimal intrusion by government. But society has steadily changed. An anti-morality ‘push’ has been reshaping our culture since the ‘60’s. Words and images that were unthinkable just a decade ago now flood the air waves. The assault on capitalism and free-markets bothers many, as does the war on free speech and freedom of religion. Stories are emerging of coaches who aren’t allowed to pray before games, and students who are prohibited from wearing crosses in classrooms. Recent bail-outs of Wall Street, banks, and the auto industry have made the slope very slippery. With Socialism toddling, not creeping, future generations may be strapped with a malignant, out-of-control, healthcare debt.

In a politically charged climate, Christians are now, more than ever, faced with threats to their values. The question is, How do every day, ordinary people react to those threats?
Turning the Other Cheek

Being ‘in the world but not of the world’, should Christians even care? Dorothy Towns, a grandmother and former AARP member, has an opinion.

“There is too much at stake, and I’m no longer passive,” says Towns, a retired nurse. “Jesus was busy and brave in the the streets. It is an example we can relate to in this current climate. Christians are waking up and tuning in.” Towns believes that when backed into a corner, Believers have always fought the good fight. “Our founding fathers risked treason in the Continental Congress for the cause of liberty. The Republican Party of Abe Lincoln outlawed slavery and later fought for civil rights.”

Asked when she first became politically aware, Towns replies,” I have sat by and watched this slide to the Left. But when AARP started aggressively promoting an agenda that ran counter to my beliefs and best interests, I dropped them. Aside from voting and raising my children conservatively, that was my first political step.” Towns now follows the healthcare debate on Fox News. “I might turn the other cheek it was just a matter of me defending myself. But with the liberty of my kids and grandkids at stake, I’m digging in for a battle. I think we have a duty to protect our families. I can also chew gum and walk at the same time. I can pray for the president while protesting his policies. And I can make phone calls and send emails to the officials who are hurting my family.”

“I can pray for the president while protesting his policies.”

Tea Parties: You are Invited

Felicia Winfrey Cravens is busy . . . busy taking back America, that is. Cravens is a wife and mother and GOP Precinct Chair who attends Kingsland Baptist in Katy. She is also the founder of the Houston Tea Party Society (HTPS). “It is a calling,” says Cravens. “I couldn’t stop if I wanted to.” When asked how the Tea Party movement got started, she explains, “Back during the TARP business – the Troubled Assets Relief Program – plenty of Conservatives got irritated. We knew that sub-prime lending was a disaster waiting to happen, and through social networking we were able to expose it. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about politics and economics, and it scared me.”

Motivated to do something about it, Cravens founded the HTPS and focuses on the narrow topics of fiscal responsibility and Constitutionality. “We work hard, we network, and we rally,” says Cravens, who joined thousands in Washington D.C. on September 12. “We are making a statement. Tea Parties are springing up all over the nation and we are offering a wide tent where Libertarians, Conservatives, Republicans and Independents of all faiths can combine forces. Every day people – patriots – are signing up and supporting the cause. You can see footage of rallies in Houston, Austin, and in hundreds of cities on youtube.” When asked how she responds to “Right Wing Extremist” taunts from the Left, the current administration, or the media, Cravens answers simply, “We own it. We won’t be silenced by the name-calling. They can’t intimidate or bully us. Our cause is righteous and we have work to do.”

The Harris County Republican Party

He’s modest. He prefers to remain in the background. And he swears up and down that he is neither a writer or public speaker. But Bill Kneer got involved . . . all because he got mad. “I first served in a public forum because I was just plain fed-up. I didn’t like the way things were going on our water board, so I got involved. For the same reason, I became involved in the Republican Party.”

Kneer was elected Harris County Republican Party Precinct Chair 0593 during the Republican Primary 2008 to promote the values of his community. “These values are laid out in our party’s platform,” he states. Kneer attends networking meetings, Town Halls, Tea Parties, and makes every effort to support the GOP. “This is an exciting time in the history of our party,” he exclaims. “Never before have we had to fight against such a heavy-handed socialist agenda. Every day I talk to citizens – Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – who aren’t willing to take this lying down. They want their country back, and it all starts in our own back yard. I’ve noticed that Christianity and Conservatism often go hand-in-hand.”

As a conservative voice who rallies the base, Bill is a strong proponent of social networking. “Facebook is a great tool to inform people and bring them together. Venues like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace give busy people a chance to learn the facts. People get inspired and join groups. They accept invitations to events and attend. I have been able to reach thousands thanks to the Internet,” says Kneer.

How Christians are Getting Involved

Harris County Republican Party – harriscountygop.com
Houston Area Texans – houstonliberty.com
The Houston Chapter of The FreeRepublic Network – FreeRepublic.com
Houston Tea Party Society – houstontps.org
Katy Tea Party – Wake Up America – katytea.com
The Conservador Alliance – conservadoralliance.org
Raging Elephants – ragingelephants.org

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