The 09-13-23 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Space Cowboys fall to Dodgers in penultimate home series - Page 3

Three men charged with human smuggling in Meadows Place

Staff Reports

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s detectives recently arrested three men in connection with a kidnapping and human smuggling scheme in Meadows Place, the department said in a press release.

At approximately noon on August 30, deputies responded to a check welfare call leading to an investigation at the 12000 block of Meadow Hollow Drive, Meadows Place, Fort Bend County, Texas. The initial investigation led to human smuggling, with several immigrants allegedly held captive against their will.

As investigators of the Human Trafficking Unit responded, the investigation led to information regarding kidnapping and human smuggling of immigrants,

Sugar Land Town Square to host first Park(ing) Day event on Friday

Staff Reports

The Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department will host the first-ever Park(ing) Day Event in the Sugar Land Town Square Plaza, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, on Friday, September15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The global Park(ing) Day project, originally created by interdisciplinary design studio Rebar, provides a platform for individuals

and communities to reclaim spaces normally intended for cars and to transform them into vibrant, interactive parks for a day.

The community event is intended to reimagine spaces, foster community and business engagement and promote team-building, according to a news release from the city. The local event at Sugar Land Town Square will serve as a community hub where pop-up parks will take over

the plaza and surrounding spaces.

Park(ing) Day will be a full day for teams planning to build a park, but the general public is welcome to attend the free event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be music, art, park programming, people’s choice voting, food vendors and face painting onsite for all to enjoy.

For more information on Parking Day, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/parkingday.

Sugar Land council hears updated on Imperial char house project

By Ken

KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

When Sugar Land City Council gave the go-ahead earlier this year to a plan to redevelop the long-dormant Imperial Char House, ideas for what the building would ultimately look like when completed were somewhat amorphous. But after a workshop discussion last week, the view is coming a bit more into focus.

Council members heard from representatives of

PUMA Development, the Houston-based developer behind the project, and the design firm that is doing the actual design for the reimaging of the circa-1923 building, one of the most iconic structures in Sugar Land. It was owned and operated by the Imperial Sugar Company, which gave the city its name, but has sat vacant and unused for about two decades.

In January, the council approved a $5 million package to assist PUMA in the longsought redevelopment of the

char house, which had first been announced in December.

In February, the council voted with a super majority to approve an amendment to the city’s Land Use Plan that will allow for the construction of up to 660 multi-family units in the Imperial Market District, one of the linchpins of a Houston developer’s proposal to redevelop the area.

That vote had been a contentious one, as it overrode a previous recommendation by the city’s planning and zoning commission in the way of

strong and vocal opposition by some residents, largely over concerns over the addition and number of apartments, traffic issues and the like.

And while the public meetings leading up to that approval had often been rambunctious, last week’s meeting was rather sedate, as the council members and a nearly full chamber listened to the representatives discuss the plans for the building.

Laura Carrera, a partner with the Houston-based Ur-

bano Architects firm, first gave an overview of the Imperial Historic District Master Plan before getting into the main event, showing how the char house might look once the renovation is completed.

Carrera said the intent is to bring the building, which had been added to and modified numerous times over its decades of use, somewhat back to its original look. A particular focus will be on

Laura Carrera of the Houston-based Urbano Architects frm presents proposed schematics of the redesigned Imperial Char House at a Sugar Land City Council meeting last week. Photo by Ken Fountain

Fountain

Orlando Noe Betancur Flores, 21, is charged with smuggling of persons and aggravated kidnapping. Courtesy Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Offce

Jose Aguirre Martin, 22, is charged with smuggling of persons.

Joe Jose Aguirre, 24, is charged with smuggling of persons.

Chicken wings with Lemon Pepper sauce at Sienna Wings - Page 8

Sugar Land Town Square will be the site of the city’s frst Park(ing) Day event on Friday, Sept. 15. Photo by Ken Fountain

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels receives grant from The George Foundation

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels recently received a $100,000 grant from The George Foundation, which the organization will use to combat food insecurity and social isolation among seniors, and aid in expanding the program’s reach to even more vulnerable seniors in Fort Bend County.

The George Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting the well-being

of Fort Bend County’s communities, has been a partner of Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels for 40 years, impacting the lives of countless seniors in the region.

“The George Foundation is proud to partner with Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels to support their outstanding staff and committed team of volunteers delivering critical services to our community’s senior residents.” Roger Adamson, CEO of The George

Foundation, said in a news release. “Fort Bend County is blessed to have a strong network of nonprofit organizations, including Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, that serve our community with passion and purpose.”

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels has had the mission of enriching the lives of senior citizens by delivering nourishing meals and fostering a sense of connection and care since 1974.

five of whom were recovered at a residence. The immigrants were allegedly illegally smuggled from Mexico. The five victims were being held captive in a locked garage without air conditioning at the location pending payment of additional money.

Three men were indicted for smuggling of persons, a thirddegree felony. Jose Aguirre, 24, Jose Aguirre Martin, 22, and Orlando Noe Betancur Flores, 21, were each charged with this offense, and bond was set at $500,000 for Martin and $500,000 for Flores.

Jose Aguirre was also charged with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony. His bond is currently pending.

“We are dedicated to keeping our community safe while combating heinous crimes such as these, and we are working tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice”, Sheriff Eric Fagan said in the release. “While arrests have been made, this investigation continues in order to ensure all involved are held accountable.”

highlighting the northern side of the building (away from Highway 90), which is closer in look to the original structure. That area will serve as an “Imperial Plaza.”

The designers plan to make use of the different floor heights in the interior of the building for different purposes, including making use of the expansive vantage points of the “penthouse” upper floors for a restaurant and bar space.

Carrera said her firm is developing plans for both an addition to the building and without one. For an addition that would be “least intrusive” to the building, it would likely be at a part of the building which is already bricked over, Carrera said. There could be a “subtle glass transition piece” between the original structure and the addition, she said.

The modern lobby would be designed with elements that paid homage to the people who originally worked in the char house and the mostly Black people who worked to harvest the cotton used in the plant, Carrera said. The lobby would make use of the existing brick and concrete elements to highlight the building’s industrial character, she said.

The building could be completed by the end of 2025, Carrera said.

PUMA, working with the city, is pursuing historic building tax credit opportunities from both the Texas Historic Commission and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Vance Smith, director of development for PUMA, went over some of the anticipated costs for the project as well as projections of potential rental prices for the spaces. Part of the building will be used for The Cannon, a Houstonbased coworking space which is associated with PUMA.

As things stand now, the total estimated cost of the project is $59 million, Smith said. It will be hard for the project to be made profitable, but PUMA has ideas on how to do that, he said. Those ideas depend on the project receiving historic tax credits, he added.

“We’re looking at a breakeven proposition” even with the tax credits, Smith said. But the company expects that many high-end tenants will be attracted to the building.

“It’s going to be an incredible space. The building is amazing. It’s going to a oneof-a-kind space, you can’t find anything like it,” he said.

So far, the city has spent $979,682.15 for work performed so far on the project, Devon Rodriguez, the city’s economic development director, told the council. City staff and the developers are working toward finalizing the total budget for the project before making submissions to the state and federal agencies for historic tax credits, she said.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will host a special presentation “The Under-Told History of Hispanic Texans” on Saturday, September 23, from 2-3:00 p.m., in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land.

Fort Bend Museum site director Ana Alicia Acosta will discuss the contributions of Hispanic Texans from the beginning of Texas colonization. From the Tejano to the Chicano, learn about the individuals who garnered national attention, fought for social change, and became his

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tory-makers in Fort Bend County.

Acosta has been an active member of the American Alliance of Museums and the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, serving as the Markers & Research chairperson for the past three years. She is currently working on completing her master’s degree in Archival Studies and Digital Imaging from the University of North Texas.

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 University Branch Library (281-633-5100) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels recently received a $100,000 grant from The George Foundation. Pictured are Shannan Stavinoha, left, Doug Simpson, and Rocaille Roberts. Contributed photo

Space Cowboys fall to Dodgers in penultimate home series

By Landan Kuhlmann

With the final month of the season winding down, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys continued their slide in a tough series with divisionleading Oklahoma City last week.

The Space Cowboys won the opener on Sept. 5, but would ultimately lose four of the series’ final five games to drop their sixth consecutive series dating back to July.

Sugar Land has not won a series since mid-July, and now sits at 21-42 in the second half while sporting an overall mark of 54-84 on the season.

Sugar Land was off on Monday before beginning a six-game road series against the Sacramento River Cats Tuesday through Sunday, and will wrap up the season with a six-game home series against the El Paso Chihuahuas at Constellation Field from Sept. 19-24.

On the whole, it was a largely stagnant series for Sugar Land as the Space Cowboys managed to score just 20 total runs over the course of six games. Shortstop Shay Whitcomb had the strongest performance in a tough series for the Space Cowboys’ offense, going 6 for 19 (.316) with a home run in the series and posting an .855 OPS. The Astros’ No. 25 prospect also stole three bases in the series and had two RBIs.

Also posting a solid showing was infielder David Hensley, who hit .294 (5 for 17) with a double and two RBIs in six games while drawing five walks and sporting an .808 OPS. Outfielder Marty Costes had a solid showing in limited action in the series, going 3 for 10 and driving in a run, while J.J. Matijevic was 3 for 9 with two RBIs and an .833 OPS in 12 plate appearances.

On the other hand, it was a strong series for Sugar Land’s pitching staff despite ultimately losing the series. The Space Cowboys posted a 3.33 ERA as a team in the sixgame set, allowing 20 earned runs in 54 total innings.

Spencer Arrighetti picked up a win in the Space Cowboys’ 4-1 victory on Sept. 8,

giving up just one run on four hits over 5.1 innings of work along with four strikeouts. It was the latest in a string of strong showings for the Astros’ No. 3 overall prospect, who has a 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over his last five starts. Astros No. 7 prospect Colton Gordon also turned in a strong performance in the

series, hurling six shutout innings and allowing just four hits in Sugar Land’s 6-0 win in the series opener on Sept. 5, and followed it up with three strong innings of relief with just an unearned run against him in the series finale Sept. 10.

Seth Martinez was the bullpen stalwart of the week,

hurling three scoreless innings with three strikeouts over the course of two appearances while allowing just one hit.

Upcoming promotions

Sugar Land’s final regular-season series brings the final two games for the Dulces de Sugar Land for the season on Sept. 21-22 with

the 2023 Dulces game-worn jersey auction on Friday. It’s also a Space Cowboys Dia de los Muertos jersey giveaway on Sept. 22. Feel the love with an Astros Jeremy Peña Heart Hands bobblehead on Sept. 23 and Fan Appreciation Day on Sept. 24 with a special postgame softball game.

Sugar Land Space Cowboys reliever Enoli Paredes (48) goes through the handshake line after a win. The Space Cowboys lost

last

week’s

series to division-leading Okla-

homa City. Photo from Twitter

HS Football roundup: Ridge Point runaway highlights district openers

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Ridge Point Panthers are no strangers to success, but had gotten off to a rough start to the 2023 season with a pair of close losses. However, the Panthers have dominated District 20-6A in recent seasons, and are hoping last week’s victory is a springboard to the rest of the season.

Among the several local clashes that signaled the start of district play for many teams in Fort Bend, the Panthers gave an early statement that they’re still one of the district’s teams to beat with a 59-7 victory over Bush last week.

Quarterback Austin Carlisle threw four touchdown passes to lead the offense for the Panthers (1-2, 1-0 district) in a balanced effort that eventually saw five different receivers catch a touchdown pass and seven different players find the end zone, including 76 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Jakorey Williams. Cinton Anyagafu and Noah Holman each had a sack on defense for Ridge Point, while Myles McBride intercepted a pass and Jermaine Santana-Diaz recovered a fumble.

Brody Thornton threw for 123 yards and a touchdown in the loss for Bush, which dropped to 0-3 on the young season and 0-1 in District 20-6A.

In another local battle, George Ranch also improved to 3-0 on the season with a 45-21 win over Clements in the district opener for both teams. Jaden Shelton carried the ball 16 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the win for the Longhorns, marking his third straight 100-yard game to open the season and his second consecutive game with multiple touchdowns.

Running back John Lewis was the star of the game for Clements (1-2, 0-1), rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries along with catching three passes for 72 yards, and Kenneth Robinson caught his first touchdown pass of the season.

Hightower continued to roll as the early season moves along, taking down Travis 40-10 in the teams’ district opener to move to 3-0 on the season. The Hurricanes continued to sport

the district’s stingiest defense early on (13 points per game) in the win in forcing three turnovers and returning a fumble for a touchdown, while the offense generated nearly 400 total yards.

Travis dropped to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in district play, with Brett Garcia finding David Brewer for a 66-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to account for the Tigers’ lone touchdown in the contest.

Meanwhile, Austin downed Dulles 24-12 last week to move to 2-1 on the season. The Bulldogs rushed for 169 yards as a team on offense, and also had three takeaways – including an interception return for a touchdown – on the defensive side.

Sterling Aderungboye had an 81-yard rushing touchdown in the loss for Dulles (0-3, 0-1), while Carter Truscott returned an interception for a score.

This week’s schedule

Thursday

Class 5A Terry came out on top in a local battle last week, defeating Foster 28-27 in the District 10-5A opener for both teams. Quarterback Marcus Townsend had 204 total yards and two touchdowns to lead the offense for Terry (2-1, 1-0), and Damarius King also ran for two touchdowns.

Running back Coltin Welter led the way for Foster (0-3, 0-1) in the loss, running for 158 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, and receiver Daniel Humphrey hauled in five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

The Marshall Buffalos continued to roll in the early going, taking down Alief Taylor 34-6 to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Andre Feast caught two of quarterback Kaleb Wright’s three touchdown passes in the contest, with Peyton Long catching the other and Kaeden Johnson rush-

Hightower vs. Ridge Point, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Willowridge vs. Brookshire Royal, 7 p.m., Hall Stadium

Randle vs. Bryan, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium

Friday

Elkins vs. Clements, 7 p.m., Hall Stadium

Kempner vs. Magnolia West, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Foster vs. Angleton, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium

Terry at Magnolia, 7 p.m., Magnolia High School

Saturday

George Ranch vs. Austin, 6 p.m., Hall Stadium

Travis vs. Dulles, 6 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Lamar Consolidated vs. Stafford, 7 p.m., Traylor Stadium

ing for a touchdown. Paul Lucas had a first-quarter pick six to lead the Buffalos on defense, and Norberto Dominguez recovered a fumble. Randle ran over Columbia 67-0 last week to move to 3-0 on the season. Running Landen Callis-Williams was the headliner for the Lions with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 11 carries to go along with a 30-yard touchdown catch. Fellow running back Sincere Thompson (89 yards, two touchdowns) and receiver Cortney Brown (100 yards, two touchdowns) also provided strong offensive performances

Lamar Consolidated came away with a victory in a defensive battle against Westbury, winning 12-7 in the non-district tilt. Marvin Farris headlined the strong defensive effort for the Mustangs (2-1) with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Nathan Lowther and Ran-

dall Sosnowski each scored a touchdown. Fulshear’s offense continued to roll early in the season, as the Chargers rolled over Magnolia 46-21 last week to move to 3-0 on the season. It was the third straight game that Fulshear has eclipsed the 40-point mark, and the Chargers are averaging 51.3 points per contest in the early going.

Luke Maxson had a touchdown catch for a third straight game for Kempner, while Mario James also had seven catches for 91 yards despite the Cougars (0-3) dropping a third straight game with a 59-12 loss to Friendswood.

Class 4A

Needville kept its strong start to the season going last week, taking down Huffman Hargrave 34-20 to move to 3-0 on the season. The rushing attack led the way for the Blue Jays, with running back Da’Shawn Burton (254 yards, three

Last week’s scores

George Ranch 45, Clements 21

Hightower 40, Travis 10

Austin 24, Dulles 12

Ridge Point 59, Bush 7

Terry 28, Foster 27

Stafford 44, Sealy 24

Needville 34, Hargrave 20

Marshall 34, Alief Taylor 6

Fulshear 46, Magnolia 21

touchdowns) and quarterback Keilan Sweeny (170 yards, two touchdowns) headlining a 445-yard effort on the ground. Austin Anderson had 10 tackles and two pass deflections on defense, while Alex Coffin racked up nine tackles along with two deflections and a forced fumble.

The Stafford Spartans bounced back with a 4424 victory over the Sealy Tigers last week. Stafford got 119 yards rushing and a touchdown from California commit Jamaal Wiley, as well as 166 yards and four touchdowns through the air from quarterback Kamare Shorts. Receivers Christopher Gardner-Holland (101 yards) and Harold Kidd II (58 yards) hauled in two scoring catches apiece. Terrance Wood had eight tackles to lead the defensive effort for the Spartans (2-1), while Robin Dansberry and Jayden Lovdahl each had a sack.

Lamar Consolidated 12, Westbury 7

Friendswood 59, Kempner 12

Ridge Point quarterback Austin Carlisle scrambles during last week’s district game against Bush. The Panthers would win 59-7 to earn their frst victory of the season.

Photo by Bob Calbert

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

“Around company headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., an hour’s plane ride from Dallas, when anybody asks, ‘Why are there so many Walmarts in Texas?’ the answer they get is ‘Because it’s big’.” The New York Times, Aug. 20, 2003.

How big is Texas? It’s 261,231 square miles of land, which is very big. We all know that, but let’s have a little fun with this geographical fact. Ready? The longest straight-line distance from the northwest corner of the Panhandle to the Rio Grande just below Brownsville is 801

The size of Texas

miles. The greatest east–west distance is 773 miles from the extreme eastward bend in the Sabine River in Newton County to the extreme western bulge of the Rio Grande.

There is a sign on I-10 coming in from Louisiana, “Welcome To Texas,” and another sign, “El Paso 708 miles.” It makes drivers of a Ford F-150 Lightning want to look for the next charging station. One of my neighbors was from Philadelphia and I met her three brothers, all of whom looked like Rocky. “We drove here through Texarkana and thought, ‘Hey, we’re in Texas. Almost there.’ It took us almost two more days.”

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy said, “If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas.” To drive from El Paso to Texarkana, 813 miles, it takes 12 hours 34 minutes in light traffic, but this means going through Fort Worth and Dallas. Avoid rush hour. It takes around 13 hours to drive the 805 miles from the northernmost point to southernmost in Texas. You would start in Texhoma, a small town that sits on the border of Texas and

Oklahoma then drive south through Lubbock, San Antonio, and all the way down to Brownsville. While we’re talking miles. US 83 is the longest highway in Texas at 783.5 miles. Starting from Perryton on the Oklahoma state line, it continues to the border of Mexico at Brownsville. If you are like Maverick in “Top Gun” who feels “the need to speed,” the fastest road in the entire nation is in Texas and runs for a 40-mile stretch from Austin to San Antonio with a speed limit of 85 miles per hour.

El Paso is closer to Denver at 637 miles than to Houston at 747 miles. El Paso is closer to the Pacific Ocean at San Diego, California, than it is to Texarkana. Dalhart is closer to five other state capitals (New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Kansas) than it is to its state capital in Austin. (Incidentally, our capitol building is bigger than that of any other state’s with 18 acres of floor space.) Austin is closer to New Orleans than it is to El Paso. Houston to New York City is a 1,416-mile drive. That’s like driving from Houston to El Paso and back.

Texas is larger than the 13 smallest states combined. That would be over 221 times the size of Rhode Island. The King Ranch is the largest ranch in Texas and the U.S. at 1,289 square miles. It is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. Let’s not get too cocky. A Texas rancher is driving through the back roads of Vermont and spots a farmer out working in his fields. The Texan pulls over and starts visiting with the Vermonter. “How big is your place here?” asks the Texan. “Oh, about ten acres.” The Texan snorts. “I’ve got a ranch back in Texas and I can drive in my truck all day long and not get to the end of my spread.” The Vermonter nods in understanding. “Yep, I had a truck like that once.”

How about compared to other countries? At 261,231 square miles of land (or 171.902 million acres), Texas would be the 39th-largest country by land area in the world, bigger than every country in Europe. coming in just behind Zambia and ahead of Myanmar. If Texas were its own country, most other countries are in fact smaller than Texas.

Being so widespread, we have all sorts of topography. Highest point is Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet. Our lowest points are the beaches at the Gulf of Mexico at sea level, obviously. This gives miles and miles of miles 678 different types of birds and 44 different mammals. We have vast deserts and mountains. But did you ever see the movie, “Southern Comfort” about a group of National Guard troops lost in the swamps of Louisiana? Gators and snakes and evil Cajuns (speaking Cajun and with a Cajun soundtrack)? That’s Louisiana all right, except that it was filmed in Caddo Lake in East Texas.

You want to campaign for office in Texas, and hit all the viewers with TV spots featuring ads tailored to that particular group? There are 210 so-called Designated Media Markets in the U.S. These are areas that TV stations want to cover with commercials. New York State has 11. California has 16. Texas has 20. Former Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, who was state director for Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2008, observed, “It’s like running a national

campaign. There are no similarities between Amarillo and Brownsville and Beaumont and Texarkana and El Paso and Austin and Houston and Dallas. These are very separate demographic groups with very diverse interests.”

Texas school children are taught to sing our state song, “Texas, Our Texas.” One line went. “Largest and grandest.” That is until Alaska became a state in 1959, so the line now goes: “Boldest and grandest.” Alaska is two and a half times bigger than Texas. Actually, if you cut that frozen tundra in half and make it into two states, then Texas would become the third largest state. But just wait. When global warming gets through with Alaska it will fit into downtown Waco. Its population of 736,081 is one-sixth that of Harris County’s (4,731,129) and would still need another 314,649 folks. As for the pièce de résistance (as they say in Pasadena), by my measuring stick that really counts, Alaska has eight Walmarts. Texas has 601.

Ashby shops at ashby2@ comcast.net

Missouri City Green offers backyard composting workshop on Sept. 16

Staff Reports

Missouri City Green, in partnership with Fort Bend Master Gardeners and Missouri City Parks and Recreation, will present a special workshop on “Backyard Composting” on Saturday, September 16, from 9-11 a.m. at the Missouri City Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Drive.

Participants will learn how to create a simple backyard composting system where yard clippings and vegetable scraps are turned into fertile compost.

The workshop will be taught by a certified Fort Bend Master Gardener Composting Specialist and open to everyone. The cost is $40 per registrant which includes

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

Hi there, my name is Donut!

DONUT

one 65-gallon compost bin to take home. Accompanying family members may attend for free.

Pre-registration is required and the class is limited to 50 registrants. No registration will be taken on the day of the workshop. For more information to register, visit missouricitygreen.org/ upcoming-events.html.

I am an incredibly photogenic cat who adores flashing a smile whenever I spot a camera.

I also have a penchant for stretching my back quite often on people’s laps. I am just the sweetest cat ever who is great with other cats and kids too. Feel free to drop by HHS to meet me and, who knows, perhaps even consider adopting me! ADOPT DONUT!

HIRELOCAL • SHOPLOCAL

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

The Sienna Parks and Levee Improvement District of Fort Bend County, Texas will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2023 on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:30 a.m., at 202 Century Square Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77478 or by videoconference at https://districtmtg.com/ vh3 Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes, including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property.

FOR the proposal: K. Beckman, T. Jones, G. Yarborough & A. Young

AGAINST the proposal: (none)

PRESENT and not voting: (none)

ABSENT: S. Nowak

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ELECTION TO REDUCE TAX RATE

If the district adopts a combined debt service, operation and maintenance, and contract tax rate that would result in the taxes on the average residence homestead increasing by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the voter-approval tax rate under Section 49.23603, Water Code.

ONGOING

LANDMARK CHARITIES PARTNERS WITH HOPE FOR THREE 8TH ANNUAL GOLF FORE AUTISM TOURNAMENT

Hope For Three, a nonproft and autism organization, is partnering with Landmark Charities to present the 8th Annual Golf Fore Autism Charity Tournament on October 2nd at the prestigious Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land. Individual play is $150 or form a foursome for $600. Network with business partners, professionals, and community supporters who participate in the tournament to raise awareness of autism and funds for autistic children. Register your team today at www. hopeforthree.org/events. Volunteer opportunities, sponsorship, and underwriting opportunities are available. The event takes place on both courses to double the impact supporting local families. Your support can change a child’s future.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC ofers 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 signifcant 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 frst 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.

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,” fnd 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 ft 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: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 every-

body! 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

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 281-240-8181 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 ofer 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 Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road ofers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and does a variety of studies throughout the year. The cofee and donuts are free so. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church ofce at 281-491-6041 or Charlie Jessup at 281-642-7702 for more information. All faiths welcome.

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@reichekfnancial.com We would love to have you join us and see

Review: Sienna Wings, started by a local teen, is both inspiring and tasty

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

I’m opening this food review with a seemingly odd admission: I’ve never seen a complete episode of “Shark Tank.”

These days my televisionviewing habits tend toward PBS documentaries and mystery shows. I watch a lot of stuff online, but that’s usually free movies on YouTube (because I’m cheap) and cultural programs. I know there are lot of great series on the streaming services, but again, I’m cheap. But I’ve never really been much for reality TV.

The reason this comes up is that this past weekend a friend and I tried a new place, Sienna Wings, which is the newly opened sit-down establishment run by teenaged entrepreneur Tyla-Simone Crayton, who was a winner last year on “Shark Tank,” with her Sienna Sauce brand, and her mother, Monique, who live in Sienna.

I can’t say that I have a gift for entrepreneurship, so the idea that of a girl begin-

ning at age 8 creating her own sauces and marketing to the point of having an actual business is very inspiring, and the story of Tyla-Simone and her mother, who had at one time been homeless, is particularly so.

First, a word to the wise, from someone who learned the hard way. I knew Sienna Wings had recently opened and knew roughly where it was located, but I hadn’t really done sufficient research. My friend and I plugged in the address on the car map, and we drove to the given address on Sienna Parkway. We came across a shopping center with a large supermarket, but couldn’t find the restaurant. And that’s because Sienna Wings is actually inside Harvest Market in its well-appointed casual dining area. So when you decide to go, don’t make my mistake.

On a side note, Harvest Market is a three-location store (the others are in Katy and in Montgomery County), and it’s a fairly impressive place. I’ll have to make a return visit soon when I have an opportunity to check it out more.

Sienna WIngs

Address: 4603 Sienna

Parkway (inside Harvest Market), Missouri City

Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-

11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Kid-friendly: Yes

Alcohol: No

Senior discount: No

Healthy options:

It depends

Star of the show:

Lemon Pepper sauce

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

When we made it to the counter, we were warmly greeted by Monique, Tyler-Simone’s mom, who patiently explained the options and ordering process for us. You can order various sizes of wings orders and choose among several different sauces. They helpfully allow you

to sample the sauces before making your selection. (You can also buy all of the sauces separately.) All of the food is prepared fresh on site.

I went for eight wings with the Lemon Pepper sauce and a side order of macaroni and cheese, and

really hit the spot for our reviewer.

my friend went for eight wings with the “dirty” sauce and french fries. You can also order a la carte as well as bulk orders. Our food arrived in short order, and both of us were very satisfied. If you’re on the fastidious side, be prepared to use plenty of napkins.

There are plenty of chicken wing restaurants in our area. Many of them offer a perhaps more convivial atmosphere than the dining area of a supermarket. But the homemade taste provided by Sienna Wings, as well as its inspiring backstory, make it a great new option. Go check them out.

FORTBENDSTAR. COM • 713-371-3740

COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS Treated in Sugar Land

At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide personalized comprehensive care — close to home. Our team of physicians treats a variety of conditions, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders

• Aneurysms

• Brain tumors

Multiple sclerosis

• Neuropathy

SCAN HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

• Parkinson’s disease and tremors

• Sleep disorders

• Spinal disorders

Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)

To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979

713-371-3740

The chicken wings with Lemon Pepper sauce at Sienna Wings

Photo by Ken Fountain