The 06-13-24 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Richmond begins planning for new City Hall

The fast-growing city of Richmond, the seat of Fort Bend County, is in the planning stages of a future City Hall. according to a news release. The future City Hall will allow the city to reimagine workspace in order to provide enhanced services for residents.

The former Richmond Bone and Joint building/ property located at 1517 Thompson Road, Richmond, TX., was recently purchased by the city. The building is 42,000 square feet, giving it potential for flexibility for future growth for up to 50 years.

The potential hybrid construction of a new city hall will give residents a one-stop point to conduct business and consolidate city staff and functions from three other buildings into one. Paying water bills, applying for permits, or paying court fines will all be housed in one location.

City Manager Terri Vela has been negotiating with an architectural firm to begin designs for the new City Hall.

“The Mayor and Commissioners have had a clear vision, and while our city continues to grow strategically, so does the need for workspace. They see this opportunity as much needed but for the betterment of our residents, businesses, and community,” Vela said in the release. “We are excited about this new venture that will be historical for decades to come.”

The present City Hall sits within one mile of the proposed new location. Currently, it is home to several department heads and support staff, while other team members are housed in a nearby annex.

TxDOT to begin IH69 bridge project this weekend

The Texas Department of Transportation will implement a closure of US59/ IH69 northbound main lanes over the Brazos River bridge starting Friday, June 14 at 9 p.m. through Monday, June 17 at 5 a.m. as they begin construction on the IH69 bridge over the Brazos River.

To protect the safety of the general public from further erosion of the Brazos River bank, TxDOT permanently closed the Brazos River Turnaround in July 2016 and will begin construction to extend the limits of the IH 69 bridge over the Brazos River. This

extension will relocate the abutment, the point where the bridge ends, away from the threat of future erosion

Northbound traffic will be directed to exit the freeway at the Brazos River turnaround (exit 105) and follow the frontage road across the Brazos River to then re-enter the freeway at the following entrance ramp.

The bridge construction project is expected to take approximately 38 months. The construction will require alternative lane closures of the IH 69 main lanes and frontage roads over the Brazos River.

Drivers are advised to be mindful of work crews,

expect traffic delays, and when possible, avoid the area to prevent traffic con-

gestion. The City of Sugar Land will share lane closure notifications as they

are received from TxDOT. On-site digital message boards will also be used to provide updates. Visit its.sugarlandtx.gov for current traffic conditions in Sugar Land. The city is also implementing projects to restrict future erosion.

Last November, the Texas General Land Office announced the approval of approximately $38 million to the City and Fort Bend County for Brazos River erosion protection at several locations within the city limits, including at the IH 69 bridge. Learn more about the project at sugarlandtx.gov/ CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1819.

FBISD board tussles with library book policy

adult readers, and many of them feature minority and LGBTQ+ characters and themes.

The new City Hall will have meeting spaces andmissions Court Chambers.man Resources, Finance, Economic Development, Public Works, Planning and Permitting and most other

The construction project is estimated to take two years

Months after first broaching the topic, the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees last week delved into making changes to the district’s library book policy, with most members landing on keeping in place some version of a reconsideration committee for books that some might consider inappropriate for school-age children.

The proposed policy changes come in the wake of the passage last year by the Republican-led Texas Legislature of HB900, a law aimed at ridding school librarians of books and other materials deemed “pervasively vulgar” or otherwise educationally unsuitable. Although some parts of the law are not currently being enforced because of court challenges, school districts across the state still must provide a review of all the materials in their libraries by January 2025.

In two contentious meetings before last month’s board elections, trustees and numerous members of the public debated a proposed redo the of the existing policy put forward by Position 7 trustee David Hamilton. One of the most conservative members of the board, Hamilton, who serves as the board secretary and chair of its three-person policy committee, has made removal of so-called “pornographic” library materials his signature issue, particularly on social media.

On March 25, several speakers, including pastors and congregants of area churches (as well as many from outside Fort Bend County), spent nearly an hour speaking in heated terms about the contents of books on the district’s shelves. Many read sexually explicit excerpts taken from BookLooks, a Floridabased conservative website. Almost all of the books are marketed toward young

In a meeting in April, another group of speakers, including district librarians, teachers, and students, spoke against the policy changes put forward by Hamilton. One of the most contentious parts of the proposal would put discretion over whether library materials remain on shelves or be removed solely in the hands of the district superintendent. Current Superintendent Marc Smith, who came aboard in January, voiced his own reluctance to have that much authority over library books, and a board majority voted to delay reconsideration of the the policy until the summer when a special workshop meeting could be held.

Since then, two new members of the board were elected: Position 6 member Kristin Tassin, a former

board member and president, and Position 2 member Adam Schoof. Tassin was unanimously elected board president by her colleagues on May 13, and Schoof was later named to the policy committee, replacing Position 5 trustee Sonya Jones.

At the workshop meeting on June 5, still more speakers came to the defense of both librarians and young readers in public comments.

“Some school board trustees and community members claims to support their LGTBQ neighbors, meanwhile undermining any expression of their actual acceptance or their existential legitimacy,” said Whitney Jalali, the parent of two students in the district.

“Due to the nature of the content being discussed, I would almost believe that concern that explicit content was truly the issue at hand, except that a disproportionate number of the books being discussed feature LGTBQ characters. But

even more telling is that an environment has been created in which teachers and staff are afraid to express support for these uniquely vulnerable individuals,” Jalali said.

“Until you initiate or encourage other avenues of expression of LTG support and representation, stop pretending that this is only about explicit content. Demonstrate with your actions that it is not bigotry,” she said.

Darcy Pett, the 2023-2024 Campus Teacher of the year at Austin Parkway Elementary as well as a FBISD parent, choked up for several moments before she was able to speak.

“Our educators and librarians are trustworthy experts in their fields. They are trained professionals with a deep understanding of

development and

said.

Members of the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees discuss proposed library book policy changes at a workshop meeting last week. Photo by Ken Fountain

Orion to encourage young readers at FBCL events

Fort Bend County Li -

braries will welcome the Sugar Land Space Cowboys’ mascot, Orion, who will be encouraging young readers participating in FBCL’s annual Summer Reading Challenge this summer.

Families with children of all ages will have an opportunity to meet Orion, take photos, hear about the Sugar Land Space Cowboys minor-league baseball team, and sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Meet-and-Greet appearances will take place at the following locations:

• June 17, 2:30 p.m.University Branch Library (14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land)

• July 2, 2 p.m. - First Colony Branch Library (2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land)

• July 16, 2 p.m. - Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City)

“My colleagues and I are committed to fostering critical thinking and empathy in our students. Please reconsider the drastic proposed changes to our district’s book selection and reconsideration policy,” she said.

“The changes are dangerously vague and could potentially violate our students’ First Amendment rights by promoting censorship and extremist agendas. Do not undermine the expertise of Fort Bend ISD teachers and librarians. Please trust us to do the jobs that we were hired to do and give more educators and librarians a seat at the table.”

level of degenerate content that has been discovered in Fort Bend ISD libraries.”

“Adventure Begins at the Library” is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Readers of all ages can earn rewards based on the number of books they read or time they spend reading, and children can participate

FBCL’s annual Summer Reading Challenge encourages reading among children from birth and up, as well as teens and adults.

in a variety of fun and exciting programs at the libraries in June and July. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend. lib.tx.us) or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Scott Pett, her husband and a lecturer in English and writing at Rice University, told the board that they were there to “oppose in the strongest possible terms any policy that disempowers the trained experts, librarians and teachers, who in good faith collaboration with each one another make sound judgements about what books are age-appropriate for classrooms and libraries.

“People who support book bans know that context matters. It’s just that they don’t like the context of the books they oppose,” he said.

None of the public speakers at the meeting spoke in support of the proposed policy changes.

After a long and detailed presented by staff on the evolution of the policy and the ramifications of HB900, Tassin, the new board president, led off the board discussion with some opening remarks.

“We support, we respect, and we rely upon very librarians as an important part of our educational team,” Tassin said.

“The purpose of this workshop is absolutely, 100 percent, not about a challenge to any specific book. It is certainly not about banning books. Anybody here who knows me personally knows that’s not what I’m about and that’s not what this workshop is about. While intelligent people can and do disagree on what should or should not be accessible to to students of various ages, this workshop does not and will not address those specific issues,” she said.

“The purpose of this workshop is to deliberate policy and a process for book selection in our libraries and for parents, guardians, staff, constituents, etc., to make challenges to any book they may deem concerning that is present in Fort Bend ISD libraries,” she said.

Hamilton, who had first put forward the proposed changes, said that librarians “are and always have been the primary educational experts when it comes to when it comes to acquiring and removing library books and this policy does not change that.”

He said he had voted in favor of the current policy - which had been under discussion for more than a year - because he didn’t think the problem of sexually explicit books was “as severe as I know it to be and we all know it to be based on the

He said that when he first brought the matter to the attention of the previous administration, he was told that no books could be removed from district shelves until they went through a formal challenge process initiated by a person complaining about a book. This was later countered by public speaker Tammy Marino, who noted that librarians have already gone through an extensive weeding process of graphic novels as part of the district’s effort to comply with HB900.

Hamilton said the current process is out of alignment with new legal situation. “The situation has changed, and I think we need a change in policy, not only because of the HB900 changes, but also due to the content that has been discovered,” he said.

But, Hamilton said, it was not his intention with the proposed policy changes that Smith would solely make decisions on challenged books. Rather, he said, he expected Smith or his successors would delate others, answerable to him, who would take up that task.

Position 1 trustee Hanan, the third member of the policy committee, said that her concern over the proposed policy changes was not that “there aren’t books that should be removed” Rather, she said, her concerns were that the proposed changes did not have enough accountability about how and why books might be removed and how any such decisions could be appealed, and that it didn’t do enough to protect staff members from attacks by others or the threat of being fired or disciplined.

Hanan noted that guidance from the Republican-led Texas State Board of Education and the Texas State Librarians and Archives Commission call for districts to have committees to review library book challenges.

Hanan said that the policy committee should not begin writing a final policy proposal before it receives in a few weeks guidance from the Texas Association of School Boards on how districts should implement the legal changes from HB900.

Position 3 trustee Rick Garcia reiterated his previously stated concern that it remains unclear whether and how long books might remain on library shelves once they’ve been challenged but before a determination is made by a reconsideration

committee. Staff members told him that procedures are in effect that allow librarians to “maintain” collections, based on specified criteria including content, before a challenge is completed. Garcia said he supported a reconsideration committee, but that the superintendent as the top instructional leader in the district should have the ultimate discretion.

Position 4 trustee Shirley Rose-Gilliam said she believed Smith, the superintendent, was right in not wanting to have sole discretion over library materials. She said the existing committee structure was the right venue to deal with book challenges.

Position 5 trustee Jones began her remarks by saying that she and her husband drew up a list of books, many of them dealing with racial and sexual themes, that they wanted their children to read before they graduated from high school but didn’t want other adults to provide to them.

She said that parents who were sanguine about allowing their own children to read the kinds of books that are being challenged for content that promotes “criminal and sexually deviant behavior” should follow her example and buy the books themselves. But, she said, that should not prevent the district from removing those kinds of books from the district shelves where they can be checked out by other children. She said she “fully supported” the proposed policy changes. For her part, board president Tassin said the discussion had not touched on an important element of the district’s governancethat the board delegates broad authority to the superintendent, who in turn delegates much of that authority to staff. Making up a committee that reports, if indirectly, to the board would supersede that structure. Tassin said she believed Smith, or his successors, would exercise their delegatory authority properly in dealing with library materials in the same way that he does with other matters. Smith stressed the importance of having “multiple voices” weighing in on such matters as removing library books, and would encourage keeping a committee process. The policy committee is expected to draft revised policy language for a later vote by the full board. No timeline for that approval has been set.

Whitney Jalali, a Fort Bend ISD parent, speaks out against proposed library book policy changes at a workshop meeting last week. Photo by Ken Fountain

Sugar Land Space Cowboys mascot Orion will encourage young people to read at several library events. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

Sugar Land's 'Summer of Sound' series to present Jazz Night on June 15

The Sugar Land Civic Arts Division will present a Jazz Night featuring the band Actual Proof for the third week of its Summer of Sound concert series, set for June 15, from 7-10 p.m., at Oyster Creek Park, 4033 Highway 6.

Actual Proof is a vibrant supergroup merging jazz and hip-hop and features independent artists MBK, ΛΣE, Maxx and Yung Punk.

Born out of chance meetings during local jam sessions, the group’s genesis was spontaneous, with members connecting through mutual musical appreciation and beginning regular collaborations.

These sessions naturally solidified into the official establishment of Actual Proof.

The name Actual Proof reflects band members’ belief that their music genuinely

represents themselves, leaving no doubt about their authenticity to the audience.

Actual Proof’s music is a fusion of high energy, characterized by the diverse influences of its members. Each artist is an independent musician working on original projects and collaborating with Houston’s local artists when not performing together as Actual Proof. The result is a delicious blend of musical

styles and genuine artistic expression.

Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and picnic baskets to enjoy a relaxing evening of music under the stars.

For the best parking experience, attendees are advised to park at Lost Creek Park, 3703 Lost Creek Blvd., and walk to Oyster Creek. There will be limited parking at Oyster Creek Park.

George Memorial Library to host program on AfricanAmerican genealogical research

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Genealogy and Local History Department will present a special program, “Family-History Research: Beginning African American Genealogy,” on Saturday, June 15, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., in the Computer Lab at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. Daniel Sample, manager of the Genealogy and Local History department, will discuss many of the resources that are available to family-history researchers, with special focus on tools to help individuals who are researching African American family histories. Get tips on how to extend family-history research into the years before the American Civil War took place. Other online resources, such as the Ancestry.com database, items that are available on microfilm, and print resources will also be discussed.

The class is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www. fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “George Memorial,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library’s Genealogy & Local History Department (281-341-2608), or by visiting the department at the library. Those who are interested in more local-history or genealogy resources, are encouraged to join the Family-History Research FBCL Facebook group page. Managed by the Genealogy & Local History department at George Memorial Library in Richmond, the group page is an interactive, online forum for sharing genealogy tips and resources, as well as local-history stories.

George Memorial Library in Richmond will host a program on African American genealogical research on June 15. Pictured is a multigenerational family of individuals in Booth, Texas. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

The Sugar Land Civic Arts Division will present a Jazz Night concert featuring the band Actual Proof on June 15 at Oyster Creek Park.

EDITORIAL

How to become a paper tiger

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

HIS NEWSPAPER

T– Congratulations, Mr., Mrs. or Whatever Title You Wish, you are a dwindling yet powerful few. As we all know, newspapers and the number of their readers are shrinking. And we all know the dreadful stats: In 2022, two local newspapers closed down each week. In 2023, the average number of paper closings rose to 2.5 a week. In less than 20 years, a quarter of America’s newspapers have gone out of business. More than 200 of the country’s 3,143 counties are now considered “news deserts;” they no longer have a single local paper, and so on.

We few, we happy few, are fortunate that we are not lost in the desert, and that makes us leaders, influencers, movers and shakers because we know what is going on and the rest of those poor ignoramuses haven’t a clue. As James Madison noted, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” Alas, the nation’s knowledge factor may be getting worse because every survey shows that many of our young people don’t read newspapers. They turn to Twitter (formerly known as X) and TikTok. In order to save our nation so that future generations can choke on our smoke, we must introduce them to newspapers, and I am here to help with – ta-da! – How to Read a Newspaper. First, take the paper out of its plastic bag if it’s in a plastic bag. If it’s not, you are already ahead of the game. Open it up and you will see the first page, or in journalism parlance, Page 1. At the top of the page will be what the editors feel is the most important story

of the time. Unlike your local TV news, this story will not be about a lost kitten, a flaming car wreck or how chinch bugs ruined an octogenarian’s lawn. At the bottom of Page 1 will probably be what journalists call a “feature” which is soft news, probably about chinch bugs. Inside you will find various stories grouped together like entertainment, sports and business. Large daily newspapers will have stories about wars, national election campaigns and Taylor Swift’s latest wardrobe. Local papers will contain news that actually affects you: fist fights at the last HOA meeting, street repairs and the fact that your local elementary school no longer has a librarian and teachers are working only on alternate days because the school’s funds were redirected by Gov. Greg Abbot to the Christian Evangelical Non-Transgender Charter Academy.

Don’t bother reading the business news in big-time papers because they only involve some billionaire corporation buying out another billionaire corporation. Yawn. On the other hand, again, your

local newspaper will tell you business news you can use, like the closing of your neighborhood tattoo parlor or your dry cleaner being raided by the IRS for back taxes. The entertainment section contains news about Broadway shows coming to town and, of course, Taylor Swift’s latest wardrobe. Movie reviews can be interesting except that a “film noir” is slapped on any movie that is a film noir or is directed by someone who once made a film noir or the movie is playing in a theater that showed a film noir in 2002.

Sports news is always big in Texas. Example: Except on Sundays, the Houston Chronicle has a section with sports in front and behind it is the business news. The New York Times has a business section and behind it is the sports news. It’s all a matter of priorities. Some of the best, and worst, writing in a newspaper is done by sportswriters. They must get paid by the word because they take forever to get to the point. “When John Garcia was 11 his uncle, Marvin, took John fishing and told him, ‘Dose fish ain’t gonna bite unless you these kinda

worms.’ And when John was 15 etc. etc.” Tell me in the first paragraph who won, how and the score. Sportswriters are also bad when it comes to clichés. They have Rag Arm, the Pinstripes and thrown like a frozen rope. Also, the sportswriters are constantly telling us how tired the Astros’ bullpen is. These players are in their 20s or early 30s, make a million dollars, are professional athletes who only work every few days half a year. They are tired? I’m tired of reading about their tiredness. Regarding letters to the editor, which apparently must begin with “Regarding.” These letters give readers a chance to reply to what’s in the paper, and can be most educational for the journalists. But skip over letters that begin with, “I want to reply to the letter accusing the previous letter which attacked etc., etc.” It’s like eavesdropping on an ongoing conversation. “Now let me get this straight,” some letters begin. Hey, you figure out the situation on your own time and don’t bother the rest of us with your mental meanderings. Here’s another warning: “In all this

talk about (fill in the blank) I am SURPRISED that no one has mentioned THE MOST IMPORTANT point.” This is a condescending put-down by someone who clearly thinks of himself or herself as smarter and more perceptive than the rest of us. Skip it, but read the ads. They may have your most important info. Throughout the paper be aware of fake news - which is news you don’t like. Unlike columnists and editorial opinions, reporters are trained to keep their own views out of their articles. “The mayor said…” is fine. But beware of the reporter’s views if the mayor “whined,” “had the audacity to say” or “Lying through his teeth, the mayor said…” Beware of reporters who like to show off by using words such as “existential”, “whom” and “doppelganger”. There you have it, new newspaper reader. Keep on reading and you will become more powerful and more of an influencer than those ignoramuses who rely on their iWhatever. Nevertheless, watch out for chinch bugs. Ashby subscribes at ashby2@comcast.net

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

Holds for

45. Ed Murrow’s home 48. Egyptian god of life

50. Shaped into a sphere 52. Golfing stand 53. Red Sea straits 55. Swiss river 56. Hostelry 57. Indicates position 58. Inoculation 63. Slip by 65. Apple smartphone

66. Sheep cries 67. Affirmatives

1. An inferior dog 2. 4th Caliph of Islam 3. Foot (Latin) 4. Relating to a people 5. Added sodium chloride 6. Perform something 7. Vientiane is the capital

8. Blemished

9. Roman 501

10. Keep up

11. Operator

13. Arbitrarily punished

15. 007’s creator

Gets up 18. Used to be United __ 21. Optical phenomenon of light waves 23. People supported broadcasting 24. Tap gently 27. With no brim or bill 29. Bulrushes 32. Educational test 34. Overweight 35. Musical composition 36. A religious recluse

39. Alt. of Tao 40. Heavyhearted 43. Brit. suspenders 44. Bodily structure protrusion 46. Sesame 47. 1/100 yen 49. About navy

Dali language

Celery cabbage

Winter time in Chicago

Annual percentage yield 61. Definite article

Operating system for 65 across

Pound (abbr.)

Lynn Ashby Columnist

Mark Garay Columnist

By Mark Garay MARKGARAY426@GMAIL.COM

“Guess who just got back today / Them wild-eyed boys that had been away / Haven’t changed, had much to say / But man, I still think them cats are crazy / They were askin’ if you were around / How you was, where you could be found / Told them you were livin’ downtown / Drivin’ all the old men crazy” - Thin Lizzie, “The Boys Are Back in Town”

Irecently read an interview with a dozen people over the age of 80. The octogenarians were posed with a single, simple question, the answers to which could be deliciously unexpected.

My generation association

The question was this: “What, if anything, do you regret?”

Most responses were predictable. Many of course wish they’d spent more time with family. Others had visions of perhaps being nicer to people along the way. And then there were those who wished they’d found ways to be happier overall. But it was what 84-year-old Liam Mulkerrins, an Irish-American with a diminutive stature and a pickled smile, had to say that stuck with me. “I wish I’d not worried about all the [stuff] that never happened”. This was to me was a revelation. So simple but so stacked with unfamiliar contextual ingredients. Like a bologna-style life view. “YES!”, I thought. “That’s brilliant.”

Over the ensuing days, I let that answer marinate. Then, one afternoon, I was perusing YouTube and stumbled on some kid, spewing nonsense about me and every other American between 45 and 70. “Why does Generation X get a pass?” he screamed into the microphone. Now, I was born in 1964 so according to whoever defined the

generational borders, I am a Boomer by one year. But I don’t consider myself a boomer for a couple of reasons. First, boomers were cultural revolutionaries. While I did subscribe to a left leaning, establishment -questioning, earth conscience framework, those people were reinventing popular music, disrupting familiar political and social paradigms. Boomers were hardcore.

I, on the other hand, matured in a decade that gave us Ronald Reagan, Alex P. Keaton and Gordon Gecko. Our financial struggles were settled on Wall Street. Our drama was embodied by Bird v. Magic. Our fears were expressed by the nuclear arms race. Even though today I’ve adopted to a digital world, I’m still thinking in analog.

Later generations, particularly those in Generation Z, the Zoomers, seem to have a problem with us Gen Xers. It’s a curious conflict. No discernible origin or source so far as I can see. The very term “Generation X” was almost an afterthought, appearing in a 1987 article (and later book) by Canadian writer Douglas

Coulman in Vancouver Magazine. I’m no generational tribalist. But if you’re keeping score, allow me to lay out the generational landscape by going back 100 years or so.

As I understand it, people born in the 1920s are known as the Silent Generation. That moniker was developed as an expression of the prevailing wisdom that children be seen and not heard. Comedian Karen Morgan describes them as those who still cook with lard and believe microwave ovens are dangerous. Baby boomers followed in the 40s. As previously stated, Boomers had their fair share of fun. Gen X is called the “latchkey generation”, since our folks worked and couldn’t afford private daycare. We walked home from school, let ourselves in and watched afternoon cartoons with a bowl of cereal. Yet Gen Z apparently considers us aloof, anti-authoritarian and cynical. Gen X also looks suspicious to younger members of our society because we built our own wealth. To them, we’re self-absorbed unionbusters who maximize profits no matter the cost. We’re also

considered culturally insensitive, and prone to ignoring bosses rather than fight them. Well. They’re right. But allow me to draw a wider picture of Gen X with a set of axioms that I’d like to call my “Gen X-files”.

We Gen X’ers didn’t pick fights online. If you had the confidence and skills, arguments were often resolved at a local schoolyard or park with a crowd of witnesses. We were independent at a much earlier age. We learned survival skills because no one was around and we stayed outside till the streetlights came on. We knew how to read and write in cursive.

We weren’t allowed in the house if we were dirty, so we had to drink from the garden hose. We redefined how tall hair could be. Our car stereo sound systems were very important. We engineered bike ramps from old wood in the garage and grocery store pallets.

There were commercials that actually aired nightly when we were kids which asked simply, “It’s 10 o’clock. Do you know where your kids are?” It was more a reminder

than a warning. We smashed each other in recess dodgeball and battled each other with live BB guns. We did stuff that would put us in jail had there been a YouTube. We successfully married new uses for pencils and cassette tapes. We ate candy cigarettes. We bought Marlboro cigarettes for our moms at the corner store. We drank something called Zima. We were the target audience for the works of film director John Hughes. We were traumatized by the movies “Jaws” and “Poltergeist”, both rated PG at the time. We never wore bike helmets. We are entrepreneurial, respond well to incentives and prefer to do things ourselves. The vast majority of startup businesses today are led by Gen Xers. We are professionally flexible. We believe that job ratings should depend on performance and output, not attitude.

I’d ask any Gen Z’er to write me a response. But I’m Gen X, and as you know, we just don’t care.

Garay can be reached at MarkGaray426@gmail.com

First Fort Bend County sample of West Nile Virus of the year confirmed

The first positive sample of West Nile Virus in Fort Bend County this year has been confirmed by the Fort Bend County Health and Human Services Environmental Health Division.

According to a news release, the division’s Mosquito and Victor Control program collected a sample from a mosquito trapping site inside the 77489 ZIP code, which includes parts of Sugar Land and Meadows Place.

In response, the department began evening spray operations on June 6 in the area where the positive mosquito sample was found

and surrounding areas using newly acquired county assets for mosquito surveillance and mitigation efforts, according to the release states. The department will conduct ongoing surveillance of the area until there are no confirmed positive mosquito samples.

“After the recent rains and warmer first months of the year, we are seeing an increase in mosquito populations. We remind our residents to enjoy the outdoors but remember to protect themselves and their families from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes,” Dr. Gale-Lowe, FBCHHS Director and Local Health Authority, said in the release.

Meanwhile, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford and other Fort Bend County municipalities have also begun mosquito spraying operations.

Mosquitos are present throughout the year; however, they are more prevalent during the warmer months, typically most active from June through October. Most people who are infected with WNV show no or only mild symptoms such as low-grade fever and headache. More severe signs and symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, encephalitis, and, rarely, death. People who think they have been infected should contact their healthcare provider.

From the department:

The best way to “Fight the Bite”, is by following the 4-Ds of mosquito safety: Dusk and Dawn mosquito activity is heightened during these periods. Take the proper precautions of the other D’s when out and about.

Drain flower pots, pet dishes, blocked gutters, or any containers that may hold standing water to prevent mosquito breeding grounds. Treat any water that cannot be drained.

Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors to minimize exposed skin.

Defend by using an EPAapproved insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE

• Specialists with innovative treatments and customized programs for all conditions

• Collaborative teams of experts using the newest technologies and latest research

The first positive sample of West Nile Virus in Fort Bend County this year has been confirmed, according to officials. Public domain image via Wikipedia

By Amanda Perry

SALT LAKE CITY – In a battle that included four lead changes and three ties, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (41-22) powered over the Salt Lake Bees (25-37) in the last third of the contest, 8-4, to complete the six-game sweep at Smith’s Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

LHP Colton Gordon gave up the first run in the finale, allowing a solo home run to Jordyn Adams on the second

pitch the southpaw threw. Gordon got the next two batters swinging before letting up a single and a walk for the Bees to threaten for more, but Elliot Soto flew out to right to limit the damage to one. The Space Cowboys could not get anything across the plate the first two innings but got things going in the third by loading the bases with two outs on a single and two hit-by-pitches. Shay Whitcomb drove in two on a liner to center to give Sugar Land the lead. Kyran Paris tied it right back up in the bottom of the third with a solo home run, but Quincy Hamilton countered

with one of his own, the 19th consecutive game the Space Cowboys have hit a long ball, to catapult Sugar Land over Salt Lake once again at 3-2.

The back-and-forth scoring did not end there as an RBI single from Chad Wallach knotted it up again at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. Gordon’s day ended after that, and RHP Logan VanWey came on and secured the final two outs of the frame. In the top of the fifth, Grae Kessinger started off the inning by reaching on an error and Cooper Hummel singled him to third. A batter’s interference prevented a run from scoring, but a sacrifice fly

from Whitcomb sent Kessinger home, giving Sugar Land the 4-3 advantage. With VanWey back out for the fifth inning, the Bees used two bunt singles and a knock barely out of the infield to load up the bases with no outs. Despite surrendering a walk to bring the tying run home, VanWey struck out Drew Ellis, Soto, and Jack López to escape the jam and keep it even at four. RHP Conner Greene (W, 5-1) spun a perfect sixth and LHP Bryan King (H, 10) hurled two perfect frames, striking out two in the eighth as part of a stellar relief effort for Sugar Land.

An RBI double from Hummel and a Pedro León single off RHP Travis MacGregor (L, 0-4) broke the draw for good in the seventh, and Whitcomb rocked a two-run opposite field homer in the ninth, ending a five-RBI day for the infielder. RHP Dylan Coleman worked around runners on the corners and induced a game-ending double play to put the

a

sweep for the first time in

Sugar Land Space Cowboys games can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM or online at https:// player.listenlive.co/47381 and

speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway. org MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CONCERT HONORS FALLEN HEROES

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land

Hall Façade. Bring a chair and join us!

“A Night to Remember” is FREE and open to the public. Canned food donations are encouraged for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF FORT BEND

The League of Women Voters of Fort Bend, a nonpartisan organization, will provide voter registration and education events prior to the Feb. 5 deadline to be a registered voter in the March 5 Primary election. Locations, dates, and times include: (1) Wednesday, 1/24 -- Fort Bend YMCA, 4433 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City 7:30am - 12:30pm and 57pm; (2) Thursday, 1/25 -- First Colony Library 3:30 - 5:30pm; (3) Sat., 1/27 -- Cinco Ranch Library 10:30am - 1:30pm and University Branch

Library 11am - 2pm; (4) Tuesday, 1/30 and Wednesday, 1/31 -- WCJC

Sugar Land, Brazos Hall, 9am - 2pm; (5) Thursday, 2/1 -- ThriftWise, 501 Hwy 90E, Richmond -- 10am - 1pm. Register to vote, update your current voter registration, and get nonpartisan voting information at any of these events, or contact lwvfortbend@gmail.com.

NO HOCUS POCUS IN MUSIC MAGIC CLASS FOR 6 & 7-YEAR-OLD BOYS!

Young boys need music in their life for mental, physical and emotional growth and the best place to receive quality music instruction is with the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas! They offer Music Magic, an eight-week music enrichment class for six and seven-year-old boys. The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, currently in its 42 nd season, brings music alive with the use of movement, musical games, singing and other child-centered activities. Boys learn about pitch matching and rhythm awareness in addition to developing large muscle coordination, increased focus and better musicianship. Music Magic helps boost brainpower, sparks creativity and forges strong connections with others. No auditions are necessary for the class – just a love of music and singing! Serving as Music Magic director is Founder and Artistic Director William R. Adams who leads this class on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., beginning March 19 and ending May 14 at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City. Music Magic will then sing at the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 18! Classes are limited in size so please call the choir office at (281) 240- 3800 to pre-register or visit their Music Magic web page at https://fbbctx.org/our- programs/music-magic/. Be sure to stop by their Facebook page for the latest on the Fort Bend Boys Choir's Music Magic class and the organization's public performances.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION

Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

F BJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com

THE SANCTUARY

FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-8502424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195.

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-8595920 or 281-499-3345.

Summer camp 2024 Guide Guide

MISSOURI CITY

CAMP OLYMPIA

Day, Sports Ages: 4 - 14

Dates: June 10 - Aug. 2

Cost: $220-$310 weekly

$250 (beginning April 1)

$275 (week of camp) 7100 Knights Court www.olympiatx.com

FORT BEND FAMILY YMCA

Academics, Art, Day, Sports Ages: 5 - 15

Dates: May 30 - July 28

Cost: $75 per session, per child 4433 Cartwright Road www.ymcahouston.org

i CODE

Academics, Art, Day Ages: 6 - 18

Dates: May 29 - Aug. 2

Cost: $279 - $459 weekly 4899 Hwy. 6, Ste. 113C www.icodeschool.com/sugarland117

STAFFORD

CLASS 101

Academics Ages: 13 - 17

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Cost: $800 (6 week course)

$3,999 (college planning) 609 Dulles Ave., Ste. 500 www.class101.com/sugarlandtx

STUDY DORM

Academics

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Ages: 6 - 17

Cost: $150-plus weekly 609 Dulles Ave., Ste. 500 www.mystudydorm.com/ summer-camp-houston

SUGAR LAND

ART CAMPS AT CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL

Art, Day Ages: 5 - 16

Dates: May 28 - Aug. 18 (Summer)

Cost: $204 $569 weekly 3219 Hwy. 6 www.cordovanartschool.com

ELDRIDGE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

Academics, Sports

Ages: chess, medical 5 - 16; soccer 4 - 14

Dates: June 24 - July 26

Cost: $160-$493 weekly DATES AND PRICES VARY BY CAMP. 2511 Eldridge Road www.sugarlandtx.gov

IMPERIAL PARK RECREATION CENTER

Sports Ages: 4 - 17

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Cost: $132 - $438

AGES, DATES, AND PRICES VARY BY CAMP. 234 Matlage Way www.sugarlandtx.gov

INSPIRATION STAGE

Art, Day Ages: 4 - 16

Dates: May 31 - Aug. 4

Cost: $210-$285 weekly 2210 Lone Star Drive www.inspirationstage.com

PINE COVE

Art, Day, Night, Sports Grades: 1 - 6

Dates: June 24 - 28

Cost: $359 weekly 13223 Southwest Freeway www.pinecove.com

SPANISH SCHOOLHOUSE

Spanish, Day, Sports Ages: 3 - 8

Dates: June 3 - July 26

Cost: $245 (two days), $649 (five days) 1120 Soldiers Field Drive www.spanishschoolhouse.com