The 08-02-23 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Sugar Land council considers proposed $353 million budget

Sugar Land City Council will vote in September on a proposed $353 million budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins Oct. 1.

The proposed budget includes $288 million for operations and $65 million for capital projects. The proposal follows guidelines in the City Council-adopted financial management policy statements and focuses on strategies and priorities identified by residents, according to a press release from the city

“Our proposed budget emphasizes our pursuit on becoming trailblazers as we seek to provide city residents and businesses a life better than they can even imagine,” City Manager Mike Goodrum said the release. “There is tremendous alignment between what City Council identified as their highest priorities for

Fort Bend ISD board rejects proposed student code of conduct

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

After a lengthy discussion, the Fort Bend ISD board last week overwhelmingly rejected a student code of conduct put forward by the administration, largely related to concerns that the proposed code did not sufficiently emphasize discipline in the classroom.

The proposed code of conduct included new language on classroom culture that the staff members of admin-

istration of Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck said was not very different than what the district already had in place, but which many board members expressed doubt about in the July 24 meeting. Notably, several board members had qualms over the concepts of “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports,” or PBIS, “restorative practices” and “trauma-informed care,” all of which proponents said were evidence-based approaches to improving discipline in

schools but which critics maintain are insufficiently punitive to students who cause trouble.

Board members David Hamilton and Rick Garcia, considered the most conservative members of the board, were vocal about their concerns about the proposed policy, but they were joined in their opposition by most of the other members, including Shirley Rose-Gilliam, Ph.D., herself an administrator in Houston ISD. Although in earlier remarks she expressed support

for the proposed policy, she said voted against in the end because she could see based on the discussion that it needed more work. Angie Hasan, M.Ed, cast the sole vote for

the proposed code among the board members present.

During the discussion, many board members ex-

Camp makes gardening fun for kids

By Karen Zurawski

The sound of hammering recently filled Building D at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds as 25 elementary-age students used rubber mallets to pound flowers in an ancient Japanese technique to create patterns on paper.

It was all part of the 12th annual Earth-Kind™Kids Camp presented through Texas A&M AgriLife by Fort Bend County Master Gardeners that introduces the third- through fifth-graders to herbs, water pollution, micro greens and other aspects of gardening.

Ten-year-old Jayden was attending his second year of camp. “I get new friends,” he said, explaining why he likes camp. “I like meeting other people.” Only on the second day of camp and Jayden said he’s already learned about how to take care of the environment. “We learned what animals help take care of the environment,” he said. “We’ve been doing water pollution and different ways to plant plants.”

Camping is a family affair. Both of his cousins attended last year and one returned this year, with the other too old to participate again. It’s a family affair, too, for Alex, 8, in his first year of camp. He’s attending because his brother attended before him and his cousin came with him this year.

“We’re making cool stuff - flowers and we’re playing bingo. I think I might start a garden now,” added Alex, who said he would grow flowers and fruit.

At 15, Olivia Trevino is a camp veteran who attended before the COVID pandemic and returns now to help the younger campers. “I came back to help because it was something I enjoyed every year,” she said. “If they need help doing anything, I’m going to help. I don’t do it for them. I help them figure it out. I think I help them enjoy camp.” She is one of two teen volunteers this year out of a total of 21 volunteers.

Volunteer Betty Weidemeyer, a certified Master Gardener since 2002, said “I love to see the children learn. They’re so eager to learn. They learn practical things.”

This is Nancy Seibel’s 11th year volunteering at YAC camp. A Master Gardener since 2004, she said, “It’s fun to work with the younger kids and to teach them things around plants and the environment and to provide them opportunities for expression that, in some cases, they don’t necessarily get in public schools or in their own homes. We offer a very broad range of activities, so that they get some art items, they get some science, they get obviously hands-on with plants and the idea is to help develop an understanding of how water, plants and the environment all work together.” While the range of knowledge varies among the 8- to 11-year-old campers, Seibel added “It’s kind of amazing sometimes how much some of these kids already know.”

Donna Blackburn, FBMG Youth Activities Director, has worked on the YAC camp since 2013 when she became a certified Master Gardener. “I’m a former teacher and when I retired this allows me to continue teaching and working with kids.”

The camp offers variety, she said, from an outside speaker each of the four days of camp to activities such as making paper pots, touring an herb garden and focusing on different issues such as water this year with the North Fort Bend Water Authority. A popular speaker is Cowboy Larry Callies who founded The Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg. “The kids always ask if Cowboy Larry is coming back,” said Blackburn.

“We have a lesson and then an activity that goes along with it,” she said. “Every activity they take something home.”

Zurawski, a freelance journalist, is a member of Fort Bend County Master Gardeners.

Jayden,10, shows off the design he created after pounding flowers on paper using an ancient Japanese technique.

Photo by Karen Zurawski

School safety to be topic of chamber event on Aug. 4

School safety has been of paramount concern to educators and parents in Texas and across the country in recent years. On August 4, three Fort Bend area school superintendents will discuss school safety at an event presented by the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Christie Whitbeck of Fort Bend Independent School District, Dr. Roosevelt Nivens of Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, and Dr. Robert Bostic of Stafford Municipal School District will

be the featured speakers at the event, which will be held at the chamber’s headquarters at 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land.

At the event, the three superintendents will discuss school safety in the current climate and what they are doing to make their schools safer for students.

Whitbeck became superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, the 6th largest district in Texas, in September 2021. She previously served as the superintendent of Bryan ISD and the deputy superintendent

of Fort Bend ISD.

Nivens became superintendent of Lamar CISD in 2021. Previously, he served as superintendent Community ISD, a district encompassing four communities located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Bostic has led Stafford MSD for nine years. Previously, he served as assistant superintendent at Denton ISD. SMSD in the only municipal school district in Texas.

For more information and to register for the event, visit fortbendchamber.com.

pressed dismay about the statistics on fighting, cursing, vaping and other problems that have become increasingly prevalent since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many said that the PBIS and trauma-informed care concepts don’t do enough to disincentivize disruptive students from continuing those behaviors, and that more strict disciplinary measures were called for.

day-care center, it’s a place where we are training the future leaders of this county and of this country,” Garcia said. He added that the district should take measures that would incentivize parents to become more involved in fostering discipline for their children.

Kwabena Mensha, Ed.D, the district’s chief of schools, said that nothing in the proposed code was new to the district, but simply included

classroom could use before taking matters to an administrative level.

“It’s about the environment you create before students enter the classroom,” he said.

Another staff member said that the language also conformed to mandates from the Texas Legislature on how school districts should foster student discipline.

After the failed vote, Whitbeck asked that the board name a member who can work on developing a code that can be put in place before the school year begins on August 9.

the community and what city staff identified as areas crucial for the organization to focus on.” cuses on several following strategic outcomes identified by City Council, including a “strong and viable” financial footing, safety and security, a “thriving and vibrant” economy, and more. homestead exemption to 15 percent for 2023, partially offsetting an anticipated tax rate increase of approximate ly 0.35 cents to 35 cents per $100 taxable value to imple ment the GO bond projects. The 2023 tax rate will be

a residential bill of approximately $3 per month for residential customers. The current rate for residential solid waste services is $19.85 per month and will increase 99 cents per month to $20.84 per month beginning in January 2024, according to the release.

A series of budget workshops, open to the public, will be held in August on Thursday mornings at City Hall. Public hearings will be held in August and September to receive feedback from residents on the proposed budget and tax rate prior to their final approval in

Fort Bend area school

will discuss school safety at an

event presented by the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Ken Fountain

Space Cowboys split series with Aviators

By Landan Kuhlmann

Fresh off a series win against the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys were hoping to build some momentum as the second half continued. And though it started out slow, Sugar Land picked it up throughout the week to earn a split of last week’s series against the Las Vegas Aviators.

Sugar Land dropped the first two games of the series against Las Vegas – the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate – but rebounded to win three of the last four games and earn a series split. The Space Cowboys currently sit with a 10-17 record in the second half and a 42-59 mark overall. Sugar Land had a day off Monday prior to beginning a six-game home series against the Tacoma Raniers at Constellation Field on Tuesday.

The Space Cowboys’ hitters enjoyed the week in Las Vegas, scoring 46 runs in six games thanks to several outstanding performances.

Infielder Rylan Bannon hit .320 (8 for 25) with two doubles and an .852 OPS in the series while reaching base in 14 of his 31 plate appearances, while J.J. Matijevic had five extra-base hits and six RBIs as part of a 6 for 20 performance that saw him sport a 1.083 OPS in the sixgame series.

Jon Singleton continued his rampage through the Pacific Coast League (PCL) by going 9 for 26 with four home runs, six RBIs, and a 1.279 OPS against Las Vegas, and Pedro Leon sported a .924 OPS with two home runs and five RBIs in 24 plate appearances last week while adding three stolen bases.

It was a tough week for Sugar Land’s pitching staff in the high altitude in Las Vegas, but there were still a handful of strong pitching performances over the course of the series. Astros No. 7 prospect Spencer Arighetti didn’t factor in

the decision in the Space Cowboys’ 6-5 win on July 28 despite racking up seven strikeouts – his best mark since being promoted to Sugar Land in late June – and allowing just three runs over five innings of work. Tyler Allgeyer, meanwhile, earned the win in Sugar Land’s 95 victory on July 29 thanks to five shutout innings with five strikeouts. Catching prospect Lee dealt as part of trade deadline action

The Space Cowboys and Astros organization also saw one of the team’s catching prospects leave town last week as the MLB trade deadline approached, with catcher Korey Lee being traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for relief pitcher Kendall Graveman. Houston originally drafted Lee with the 32nd overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft out of the University of California. Lee – who is currently on the MiLB injured list with

an oblique strain – spent four seasons in the Astros’ minor league system prior to last week’s trade, hitting .264 with a .763 OPS in 1,369 plate appearances while throwing out 32 percent of attempted base stealers in nearly 1,800 innings behind the plate.

Upcoming August promotions

The last replica World Series Ring giveaway is on Friday, Aug. 4 with an Alex Bregman replica World Se -

ries ring giveaway, plus Boy Scout Night. Ride into the first weekend of August with Western Weekend and a Space Cowboys Western Jersey giveaway on Saturday, August 5 and a Space Cowboys Belt Buckle giveaway on Sunday, Aug. 6.

As part of the lone twoweek homestand of the year in August, it’s Paint Your Own Bobblehead Night on Aug. 19 for Art Appreciation Night plus a special gameworn jersey designed by local

art students. Aug. 20 follows with an “Astros’ Affiliates Tumbler” giveaway. There will be a Space Cowboys/ University of Houston Corey Julks jersey giveaway on University of Houston night Aug. 25, and additionally it’s the second Brewfest of the season. Faith & Family Night is on Saturday, August 26 with a postgame concert by Sidewalk Prophets, and it is Orion’s Birthday is on Aug. 27 with an Orion jersey giveaway.

Space Cowboys outfielder Pedro Leon (right) celebrates following a home run against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Constellation Field earlier this season. Leon was one of the offensive leaders for Sugar Land during their series split against the Las Vegas Aviators last week. Photo from Twitter

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

“Thank God for Arizona,” we now say. This is a change, because Texans used to say, “Thank God for Mississippi,” otherwise Texas would rank last among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in voting rights, education and other standards of quality of life. Now Arizona is the worst state to live in. We’re Number 2! But don’t worry about our lower rank. We are still bottom-dwellers in inclusion of all Texans, dropping from Number 49 last year. In a state which houses the largest medical center on Earth, health care in the state is poor -- Texas is Number

The State of the State of Texas

50 for clinical care, and Number 47 for access to primary care physicians. No state has a greater percentage of residents without health insurance.

On the bright side, Texas is still good for business. Well, not as bright as before. For the first timein this survey, Texas dropped out of the top five states for business, placing sixth. We got high rankings in workforce (second), economy (eighth), technology and innovation (fourth), and capital access (third). The top four states for doing business were North Carolina, Washington, Virginia and Colorado, respectively.

All right, let’s pat ourselves on the back for all these top rankings, but there is another facet of Texas that should make us downright ashamed: our quality of life, like schools and the air we breathe, crime and simply making Texas a good place to live. In an apples-to-apples comparison with other states, we are at the very bottom in living the good life. Nobody does it worse. “For all its strength as a place to do business, Texas keeps trying to outdo itself when it comes to laws and

policies that are seen as exclusionary,” the ranking noted. But who or what is the ranker we have been citing? It’s the 2022 edition of CNBC’s “Top States for Business” study which found that Texas scored just 72 out of a possible 325 points in the Life, Health and Inclusion category, earning an “F” grade. The CNBC rankings also considered Texas’ non-response to Ice Storm Uri and note Texans endure nearly 20 hours without electricity per year. That is the third-worst in the nation.

We might claim that the CNBC rankers are a bunch of East Coast effete snobs, but rankings such as teachers’ pay, rate of health insurance coverage and such are flat facts. “Skilled workers are still flocking to Texas despite longstanding quality of life issues,” CNBC wrote. “When they arrive, they are finding limited childcare options, a stressed health care system with the highest rate of uninsured, new curbs on voting rights and few protections against discrimination.”

CNBNC’s findings are in line with similar surveys. According to the National Education Association, Texas drops to Number 35 for educa-

tion, from Number 21 in 2022. Per-pupil spending is among the nation’s lowest. The U.S. Department of Education reports K-12 test scores are lagging, and Texas drops to Number 35 for education from Number 21 in 2022.

CNBC finds much of Texas’ poor rankings stem from our new laws prohibiting the use of diversity, equity and inclusion in state-funded higher education, banning transgender healthcare for minors and severely restricting access to abortions. This is playing havoc with our higher education. “I was recently contacted by a headhunting firm recruiting for an academic position in Texas. I was honest in my response that I would not consider a position in Texas under the current state leadership, because it would not be safe for me or my family to live there.” – Dr. Elizabeth T. Jacobs, a professor of cancer and chronic disease epidemiology at the University of Arizona. And remember the attempted hiring by Texas A&M of esteemed journalism professor Dr. Kathleen O. McElroy. She was to lead the university’s new journalism school, but the deal unraveled after school leaders appeared

to bow to pressure from conservative influences who opposed the hire in a bout of what Dr. McElroy called “DEI hysteria.” At least she stayed in Texas – at UT.

When it comes to business, “For Texas companies uncomfortable with the restrictive and anti-freedom posturing of elected officials, instead of quietly figuring out ways to make end runs around state laws to provide abortion access to the women you employ, may I offer a solution: Come to New Jersey.” -Phil Murphy is the governor of New Jersey. And at a time when cutting-edge manufacturing companies are seriously looking for reliable power, they must be considering ERCOT.

Notice Dr. Jacob’s citing she “would not consider a position in Texas under the current state leadership.” We can only wonder how many excellent professors, not to mention top-quality students, have been scared away by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s obsession with faculty tenure and our Lege enacting all sorts of crackdowns on voting rights, local control and even renewable energy. In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed laws banning transgender care for minors,

and restricting transgender women from competing in college sports. A bunch of old men in Austin are telling knocked-up 16-year-old girls what they can’t do with their own bodies. There is a famous observation from our early days, “Texas is paradise for men and dogs, but hell for women and horses.” These days horses have the upper hoof.

We can be defensive and ask if things are so bad in Texas why are so many others trying to come here? (Do you ever wonder if the Border Patrol is watching the wrong river?) But as a sixth generation Texan and a cardcarrying member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Lone Star State has been very good to me, and to you, too, or you wouldn’t be here. Thus it pains me that in so many ways we have become the laughingstock of the other states. We live in a rich, powerful blessed land, and there is no reason for these embarrassing rankings. But, as usual, I have a solution that doesn’t cost a cent, but is increasingly difficult (by design): vote.

Ashby ranks at ashby2@ comcast.net

713-433-6421

14700 Almeda Rd Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org

Meet Lilly,The sweetest cat ever!

LILLY

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She also enjoys having her photos taken and is always smiling for the camera. Lilly is just waiting for her FUR-ever home. Come down to Houston Humane Society and meet this sweet girl! ADOPT LILLY!

Lynn Ashby Columnist

Missouri City library to present program on avoiding scams on Aug. 4

Staff Reports

Fort Bend County Libraries’

Missouri City Branch Library

will present “Savvy Seniors Scam Prevention” – a program in the Active Adult series for older adults and their family members -- on Friday, August 4, from 2-3 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway.

Erica Knighton, from the

Prairie View A&M Extension Office in Fort Bend County, will talk about the ways con artists use the Internet, cell phones, and email to target unsuspecting victims. Learn about some of the most common scams, as well as the psychology behind the most effective scams.

Those attending will get tips on ways to protect

themselves and their family members from becoming the next victim.

The program 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 Missouri City Branch Library (281-238-2100) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

George Memorial Library offers genealogical research programs in August

Staff Reports

Fort Bend County Libraries’

Genealogy and Local History Department at George Memorial Library will present two programs in August to help the beginning family-history researcher pursue their genealogy search by exploring land records and death records.

The class “Family-History

Research: Finding Your Ancestors in Deed Records” will take place on Saturday, August 5, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., in the Computer Lab of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

A record of the transfer or sale of property between people, deed records can help fill in the gaps in one’s family history by indicating family relationships, giving specific information on where and when one’s ancestors lived in a location, and providing insight into their economic status.

Because deeds dealt with property and money, they often go further back and contain more information than many other sources. A deed can lead to other sources of information and provide the names of friends as well as family members.

The class “Family-History Research: Finding Death

Records” will take place on Saturday, August 12, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., in the Computer Lab.

Learn how to use various databases to discover an ancestor’s death date, burial information, and probate records. Information on how to obtain obituaries, pension records, and death certificates will also be discussed.

The classes are 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

Sienna Branch library to host beginner's beekeeping program on Aug. 5

Staff Reports

The Sienna Branch Library will present a program on “Basic Beekeeping” on Saturday, August 5, from 2-3 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City.

Danessa “Nes” Yaschuk, head beekeeper with SweetNes Honey, will talk about the life of the honeybee, pollination, and the importance of honeybees and other pollina-

tors to the ecosystem. Learn about the structure and function of the hive, and hear how honey is harvested.

Yaschuk will also provide an overview of working with honeybees and what is involved in the keeping of bees and their colonies. She will discuss the supplies and equipment that are recommended for beekeeping. Discover different products that can be made from the hive.

An advanced beekeepeer, Yaschuk received her master’s beekeeper certification from the University of Montana.

The program 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 Sienna Branch Library (281-2382900) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

“George Memorial,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library’s Local History and Genealogy Department at 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.

E X PLORE MORE

Explore the forest canopy – indoors! At the museum’s newest hands-on exhibition, visitors roam from tree to tree as they discover the many habitats that trees provide for animals large and small. Climb through large treehouses, become an animal tracker, get face-to-face with wildlife of all sizes, move your feet on the forestsound dance f loor, and more!

DISCOVER

Danessa “Nes” Yaschuk will present a program on beginning beekeeping at the Sienna Branch library on Aug. 5. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

ONGOING

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC offers ESL classes on Tuesday nights 6-8:30 from August 22, 2023 through May 21, 2024. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond. Our students 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

FBJSL

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. The next Bus Trip is on April 26, 2023, to Painted Churches. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES’

ONLINE BOOK CLUB

Online meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Free and open to the public. Registration is required; to register online www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-342-4455).

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, 469-850-2424, 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:pm4: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: 281-2047716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/.

FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www.fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www. facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

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 281240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING

BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-217-5799 for more information.

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 281240-3195

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

Review: Renovated Fish City Grill offers good seafood in a cozy atmosphere

By Ken Fountain

Fish City Grill, a longstanding fixture at Sugar Land Town Square, recently underwent a major renovation. Although I’ve been going there with family members for several years, I thought the new look gave me the perfect opportunity to do a review here.

Before the changes, Fish City Grill was a perfectly nice restaurant, a cozy place for some nice seafood. As a former Navy man, I always appreciated the nautical

theme of the decor, which included large lines (or, as you landlubbers call them, “ropes”) hanging about the front. Overall, it had a kind of musty feel to it, as if you were at a ramshackle pier about to head out for the day’s catch.

With the renovations, the interior has taken on a brighter tone, which is a bit different but perhaps more inviting. The dining rooms have nice wooden tables with black chairs, and the plush booths have new turquoise-colored seating. The lines (“ropes”) are no more, but I was glad to see that the old photos of fishermen and fishing piers

remain.

One way has a mural of a mermaid, along with a large blackboard displaying the daily specials. I don’t remember precisely, but it seemed that the bar area has also taken on a new look.

The menu has a wide selection of seafood entrees and other dishes, including appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, and deserts. Favorite dishes include fish of several varieties, Gulf Shrimp, fish and shrimp tacos, scallops, and grilled chicken. As mentioned, there is also a wide selection

of daily specials from which to choose.

On this visit, I went with the Blackened Rainbow Trout, on white rice with a side of broccoli. As someone with family ties to South Louisiana, I’m a sucker for that Cajun-style cooking, and this didn’t disappoint. It was excellent in fact. The waitstaff were universally friendly and helpful.

If you are in the mood for some great seafood in a warm, no-frills atmosphere, the newly refurbished Fish City Grill is well worth a first or return visit.

Fish City Grill

Hours:

Entrée prices: $16.99-26.99

Kid-friendly: Yes

Alcohol: Yes

Senior discount: No

Healthy options: Yes

Star of the show: Blackened Rainbow Trout

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Rosenberg initiates Stage 1 of drought contingency plan

Staff Reports

The city of Rosenberg on Friday initiated Stage 1 Voluntary Water Conservation of its Drought Contingency Plan. The Drought Contingency Plan calls for water conservation measures when there is an observed drop in annual rainfall amounts, higher-than-normal daily temperatures and an increase in water demand.

Stage 1 of the drought management plan urges residents

to voluntarily reduce the use of water for non-essential purposes to reach the goal of decreasing the demand for water city-wide by five percent (5%).

Under Stage 1 of the plan, citizens are asked to voluntarily reduce the amount of water they are consuming for irrigation purposes:

• Residents with a street address ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are asked to limit watering to Sundays

and Thursdays between the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight.

• Residents with a street address ending in an odd

number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are asked to limit watering to Saturdays and Wednessdays between the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight.

When irrigating your lawn, check sprinkler heads to make sure water is not spraying into the street or directly into a storm drain and/or gutters.

Citizens are also reminded to continue their everyday efforts to prevent the loss of water inside their home.

Our sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion.

At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know every movement matters. Our board-certified sports medicine specialists in Sugar Land offer:

• The latest imaging and technology

Advanced nonsurgical treatments

• Minimally invasive procedures

State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving.

Check for water leaks, including dripping faucets and running toilets, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, which can save up to 2,000 gallons per year, reduce your shower by 5 minutes which saves approximately 3,600 gallons per year, wash only full loads of laundry, and run the dishwasher only when full. More helpful water conservation tips can be found on the City’s website at https:// www.rosenbergtx.gov/316/ Water-Conservation.

The city will remain in Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan until water usage returns to a normal level for three consecutive days; or should usage and demand increase, the city would enter Stage 2 of the Drought Contingency Plan. For more information about water conservation and the City’s Drought Contingency Plan, give Utilities a call at 832-595-3590 or visit the City’s website at https://www. rosenbergtx.gov/316/WaterConservation.