A Rosenberg man was sentenced to 75 years in state prison earlier this month after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Paul Shannon Martinez, 49, was sentenced by 400th District Court Presiding Judge Tameika Carter during an October 2 punishment hearing, according to a news release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors Jessica Ramos and Charann Thompson presented evidence that in February 2022, a young man disclosed to college police that he had been sexually abused when he was a child for a number of years by Martinez.
The victim provided police a copy of a recording of the last sexual assault that he had kept as evidence, knowing one day he would have the strength to come forward. During the punishment hearing, prosecutors introduced evidence that the defendant began sexually abusing another child after this victim left for college.
“Monsters walk among us,” lead prosecutor Jessica Ramos said in the release. “The defendant disguised himself as a good family man and a passionate member of his church to hide the evil that lay within. When this abuse first came to light, those close to Martinez labeled the children as liars, not knowing the strong evidence of guilt the State had against him.”
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Martinez will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and serve at least half of his sentence before being considered for parole.
“This defendant has been effectively handed a life sentence,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “For all the years he stole from his victims, I hope there is some consolation knowing the rest of his life is forfeited to the prison authorities, and he will never hurt another child again.”
Child Advocates of Fort Bend can be contacted at 281-344-5100 or through the website, www.cafb.org.
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
A hearing is set Monday on a legal filing in which an attorney for Fort Bend County Judge KP George argues that the judge’s indictment on a misdemeanor charge alleging he knew about and possibly participated in a “fake hate” scheme was improper under a recent ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office said that it had already anticipated the challenge and that the ruling
has not yet been made permanent and is under appeal.
On September 26, a Fort Bend County grand jury handed down an indictment against George on a single count of misrepresentation of identity of a political candidate, a Class A misdemeanor. The charge alleges that George knew that his former chief of staff, Taral Patel, was using fake social media accounts to post false, racist social media messages during George’s 2022 reelection campaign.
The indictment alleges that George may have directed Patel to add language to his own social media postings reacting to the false attacks.
Patel, who is the current Democratic candidate for the Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner seat, had already been indicted on four felony and four misdemeanor counts related to his own alleged use of fake
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORRTBENDSTAR.COM
A week before early inperson voting begins in the November election, Taral Patel, the Democratic candidate for Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner, appeared briefly Monday in the Fort Bend County courtroom where he faces four felony counts of online impersonation. It was the first time Patel
Staff Reports
The Greater Houston housing market showed signs of stability in September after recent market fluctuations, according to the Houston Association of Realtors. Home sales rebounded, prices held steady and inventory remained sufficient to meet buyer demand. These positive indicators point to a more balanced market. In its September
HAR said single-family home sales across the Greater Houston area rose 1.7 percent year-over-year with 6,973 units sold compared
appeared in court on the felony charges after earlier waving arraignment. He was arraigned September 13 on four misdemeanor charges of online misrepresentation of identity in another Fort Bend County courtroom. A hearing on those charges is set for November 12.
Patel was indicted September 3 by a Fort Bend County grand jury on the eight total charges related to his race for the commission-
to 6,858 last September. Inventory expanded from a 3.4-months supply to 4.4 months over the last 12 months, remaining unchanged from the previous month and the highest since September 2012. Homes prices have shown signs of stabilization as well. The average price remained relatively flat at $415,435, while the median price edged up by 1.1 percent to $335,000.
The housing segment with homes priced between $250,000 and $499,999, which represented 59.7 percent of all home sales in September, had the strongest
er’s court seat. Last week’s court appearance at the Fort Bend Justice Center in Richmond was Patel’s since the first charges were filed against him in June.
Like his earlier arraignment in the misdemeanor case, Patel’s appearance on Monday was brief. He and his Houston attorney Frank Yeveryno didn’t responding to reporters’ questions as they walked briskly into the 434th District courtroom of
performance, with sales 4.2 percent above where they were during the same time last year. That was followed by the segment that consisted of homes priced below $100,000 which
Judge J. Christian Bacerra.
After only a few minutes, the discovery hearing was reset to December 6 and Patel quickly left the courthouse. Later, after dealing with other cases, Yeveryno again declined to answer reporters’ questions. The indictments came after a nearly year-long investigation by the Public Integrity Office of the Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers
of Patel, a former chief of staff to County Judge KP George and Biden White House employee who scored a slim majority in a fiveperson Democratic primary in March. Patel, who is an IndianAmerican and a Hindu, was arrested and charged in June with felony and misdemeanor counts of online imperson-
activity for the first time this year. HAR
Paul Shannon Martinez, 49, has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Courtesy Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
social media account to post racist messages about himself in his current campaign.
A discovery hearing in the felony counts was reset this week to December 6.
George was briefly arrested shortly after his indictment and is free on a personal recognizance bond, and continues to serve in his elected role.
In an 8-page motion filed October 4, which also has several attachments, attorney Chad Dick argues that George’s indictment was improper because prosecutors did not wait for the allegations to be investigated and ruled upon by the Texas Ethics Commission, which handles complaints of ethics violations by Texas public officials.
This was in violation, the filing argues. of a September ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, called Ex
ation and misrepresentation relating to allegedly creating another false Facebook account, under the name “Antonio Scalywag” and using a photo of another county resident, Patrick Ernst, in order to post false, racist messages about himself and others related to the campaign.
In the felony charges, Patel is accused of creating false
Parte Charette, in which the highest criminal appeals court in the state ruled that the elected official in that case was denied his due process rights when he was charged with campaign-law violations before the TEC, a nonpartisan body, could investigate the allegations and refer them to a court of law.
Dick points to the fact that the Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office filed notice of the allegations against George with the TEC just two days before the indictment was handed down, but didn’t wait for the TEC to respond before seeking the indictment.
The filing also argues that George was not afforded the opportunity to respond to the allegations at a hearing before the TEC before prosecutors initiated the criminal case, which Dick argues is also in violation of the Texas Government Code and TEC regulations and George’s rights to due process.
online personas using the names or likenesses of five people: Emst (under the name “Antonio Scalywag”); Pattell; Paul Rosenstein, a former county employee; Patrick Rosenberg; Laura Blommaert (“Jennifer Tremaine”); and Gregg White (“Jane Donnie”).
In the November 5 election, Patel faces Republican incumbent Andy Meyers in the Precinct 3 commissioner’s seat. While Patel has largely been out of the public eye
Dick seeks that the misdemeanor court quash the indictment against George.
In a written statement, the Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office said that had anticipated the filing, which is a normal part of the judicial process.
“The motion is based on a recent Texas Court of Criminal Appeals opinion that is not final and is still being appealed. The CCA opinion interprets a state statute to be controlling over the Texas Constitution which is contrary to longestablished legal precedent,” the statement reads.
“It’s important to note that the investigation into the allegations against KP George is still ongoing, and this filing does not change our position on the matter,” it reads.
Monday’s hearing will be held in the Fort Bend County Court of Law No. 5 before Judge Teana Watson. An arraignment in George’s case is set for January 3.
since the allegations against him first emerged, his campaign has continued in the form of numerous campaign signs and emails. Meanwhile, George has been indicted on one misdemeanor charge of online misrepresentation of identity. On Monday, his attorney will argue in court that the indictment should be dismissed, citing a recent ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
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Commissioners approve burn ban, sale of Diwali fireworks
Staff Reports
Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court last week unanimously approved an outdoor burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county.
The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office has been monitoring the KeetchBryam Drought Index which is used in determining forest fire potential, according to a press release form the office of Fort Bend County Judge KP George. The drought index is based on a daily water bal-
ance, where a drought factor is balanced with precipitation and soil moisture. The drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. As of October 4, Fort Bend County’s index was 654.
Under the newly instituted burn ban no person burn or order another to burn any material outside of an enclosure designed to contain and capable of containing all flames, sparks, embers, cinders and
ash produced by burning. Therefore, limits the use of open flames which includes burning trash, campfires, using burn barrels and any other open flame devices.
George is authorized to sign an order rescinding the order if he determines, upon consultation with the County Fire Marshal, that drought conditions or hazardous circumstances no longer exist.
In a separate vote, the commissioners unanimously approved the sale of fireworks for the Diwali holiday season.
Diwali, often referred to as the “Festival of Lights” and will be observed on Friday, November 1, this year.
Diwali, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated by over 1 billion people around the world across several religions, including Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, according to a press release from the office of Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy.
“Fort Bend County is home to tens of thousands of Asian Americans who celebrate
Diwali, and we are so proud that we are able to enable residents to participate with a bang,” McCoy said in the release. “Since the county is enforcing a burn ban, it was important that we work with partners like the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal to ensure everyone enjoys the fun responsibly.”
Fireworks sales may start as early as October 25, which is the first day of the five-day festival, and must end the final day of the holiday on November 1.
Texas Legislature passed House Bill 608 in 2023 to extend fireworks sales to include Diwali with approval from county commissioners courts. George, who is an IndianAmerican, noted that while he is a Christian, he celebrated Diwali while growing up in India.
“We can all celebrate good over evil and light over darkness,” he said. Before the vote, eight public speakers spoke in favor of the sale of Diwali fireworks. No speakers spoke against it.
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court last week approved a burn ban. File photo by Ken Fountain
THE RESTAURANT – What’s on the menu? Yak fat, filet of python and ox colon, well done or burnt? Maybe I should not have selected a Mongolian-Congolese restaurant for dinner. But in the Houston area we do have a massive number of choices, and this is due to both our unique location and our army of immigrants, some of whom are legal. In Harris County, more than 1 million residents – that’s one in four people – were born in a foreign country. As of 2022, almost 30 percent of Fort Bend County residents were foreign-born, more than twice the national average. (Incidentally, by 2050 Fort Bend County is projected to become 40 percent Asian.) As of 2021, (the latest available) the nine-country Houston region was home to an estimated 1.7 million foreign-born residents –again, almost a quarter of our total population -- and that number increases with every bus from Matamoras and every plane from Kyev. OK, we get the picture,
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
lots of foreign-born folks here. They quickly learn to say “Howdy,” “Sit rat cheer” and “How ‘bout dim Choke Astros?” According to Donald Trump, they are mostly murderers, rapists and terrorists, but they also establish their own eateries. There are 10,000 restaurants in the Houston area, representing cuisine from more than 70 countries. I don’t think this number includes those convenience stores with hot dogs slowly turning in a glass box which have been there since Christmas. Yelp lists only the top 10 best Nigerian restaurants in the Houston area. I don’t know how many bad ones there are, but we have plenty of both because greater Houston has the largest Nigerian expatriate population in the nation – more than 150,000. My favorite Ukrainian café
EDITORIAL
Lone Star plate
was invaded by its next-door neighbor, Moscow Mortars & Mayhem.
Beyond the passport parade, we have many – like hundreds of thousands –new Texans from the lesser 49. They bring with them a delightful deluge of dining: New England clam chowder, Southern-fried South, California vegans. After Katrina, 250,000 Cajuns fled here and thousands stayed. (Wouldn’t you?) They gave us some great chefs, not to mention excellent high school halfbacks.
This brings us to the second reason we have such a culinary feast here. It is my theory that we are lucky in our geography – our location. The Houston region is uniquely located in a multicross of kitchens. To the east, as mentioned, we have southern Louisiana, Cajun country with Houston’s historical sister city, New Orleans. Remember Brennan’s started there. Today we have a choice of many Louisiana- themed restaurants and even other eateries often have all kinds of Cajun-flavored dishes. They are always, fresh and favorable since they come from next door. Within a 5-minute drive
from my house I have three really fine Tex-Mex restaurants, and if I want to go, say, 6 minutes I have three more. It’s because of our nearness to Mexico. Oh sure, you can buy enchiladas and chili in New York City, prepared by Italian chefs who pour tomato sauce on the chips. But here we have real Tejanos who know how to whip up the perfect platter of tamales, refried beans washed down with a chilled margarita. This being Texas, from out west we have steaks. You desire the real Texas T-bone or filet cooked with skill and care? Come here. You want seafood? You can get shrimp, red snapper and oysters. They come from right down I-45. From the Valley we get some of the world’s finest tomatoes, lettuce and other produce. Across the fruited plains of Texas we grow corn, beans, wheat and such, trucked in the day they were harvested. Don’t forget Texas wines, some of which are drinkable. We now come to an unlikely aficionado (I got that from a Swedish menu) of our plethora of plenty: Boris Yeltsen. This story is worth telling again. On Sept. 17, 1989, Yeltsin arrived in Houston during his first visit
to America. At the time, he was in political limbo, powerless after having been fired as Communist Party boss of Moscow. Yeltsin toured the Johnson Space Center and was on his way back to Ellington Air Force Base when he decided to visit an American store. In his travels, Yeltsin did that a lot – suddenly altering his schedule to pop in for a visit. His entourage stopped at a shopping center, possibly because there was liquor store nearby – Boris was a lush. He entered a Randall’s supermarket. Except that he had arrived unscheduled, the veteran Communist pol might have thought it was a set-up deal to impress him, a Potemkin village. For 20 minutes he wandered the aisles, and commented, “Even the Politburo doesn’t have this kind of choice. Not even Mr. Gorbachev.” He stopped shoppers to ask about the food they had selected and their cost. Then he left, but as a changed man. He began to sob on the plane.
An aide who was there, later reported, “A turning point in Yeltsin’s intellectual development occurred during his first visit to the United
Challenging our good nature
States in September 1989, more specifically his first visit to an American Supermarket in Houston, Texas. The sight of aisle after aisle of shelves stacked with every conceivable type of foodstuff and household item, each in a dozen varieties, both depressed and amazed him…I think it is quite likely that the last prop of Yelstin’s Bolshevik consciousness finally collapsed after Houston …” In his autobiography, Against the Grain, Yeltsin describes the experience as “shattering.” “When I saw those shelves crammed with hundreds, thousands of cans, cartons, and goods of every possible sort, for the first time I felt quite frankly sick with despair for the Soviet people.” Within two years of his visit to Houston, disillusioned by this experience, Yeltsin left the Communist Party and later, as president, banned the party and confiscated its property. He then ordered reforms in the Russian economy. The rest s history. And all because of what we can eat. Bon appetite. (That’s Nigerian, I think.)
Ashby puts on his bib at ashby2@comcast.net
“Sweet the sin, bitter the taste in my mouth / I see seven towers, but I only see one way out / You’ve got to cry without weeping, talk without speaking / Scream without raising your voice / You know I took the poison. from the poison stream / And I floated outta here ...” - U2, “Running to Stand Still”
Ifirst heard U2 blasting from the 1983 dorm room across the hall from mine. The man spinning the “War” album that evening was a guy named Moe. That was his last name. I don’t recall his first name because he liked being called “Moe”. I stopped into his room because I liked the music and his door was open. To my surprise my roommate and two others were there already, sitting on makeshift chairs and twin beds, examining the album art and quietly listening to “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. It was a revela-
Mark Garay Columnist
tion; a band that ended up guiding me through personal peaks and valleys, and providing an inspiring aesthetic to the soundtrack of my life.
But when I first heard “The Joshua Tree” in 1987 and specifically the track “Running To Stand Still”, my devotion hit a higher shelf. The lyrics referenced The Ballymun Flats in Dublin Ireland, a depressing connection of seven low-cost housing towers which in the 80s were a haven for drug abuse and abject misery. Heavy stuff. U2 went on to become a generational voice for my Boomer/Generation Xer cul-
This past weekend marked Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, a time for reflection. During the service, our rabbi delivered a powerful sermon. He spoke about how many people prioritize major accomplishments in their lives, striving to stand out and be recognized for their achievements rather than having a unique soul. He framed this idea as a contrast between a resume and a eulogy. It made me ponder a profound question: What do we truly want to be remembered for, and how can we shift our focus from our accomplishments to the essence of who we are as individuals?
It's in human nature to chase after achievements, to seek validation in awards, promotions, and accomplishments, believing that they will define our worth and prove
ture. We liked how they rose from obscurity in a remotely obscure place. But Ireland couldn’t hold them, and the world gobbled up their cries for justice and equality the way jet engines chew through air. In 2014, the band broke every rule by releasing their 13th album “Songs in f Innocence” to the public for free on Apple Music. It wasn’t just a way to honor its base, but also a way for the band to offer a defiant statement about the moneyhungry entities that make money downstream (and to boost ticket sales of its upcoming tour). Critics at the time skewered the band for submarining their platform. They snickered out loud that U2 had foolishly weakened their brand and reputation by just giving their music away. Some people openly complained about finding the album on their iPods. Some predicted the band was over. U2 didn’t care.
When I was 28 years old, I was in great shape. Best of my life. My career duties
were light and often afforded me some quiet rule-bending. For about two years, I had stretched out my lunch “hour” to 90 minutes, sufficient time to get a gym workout, shower and get back without a second glance. It wasn’t a drug heist, but I was under contract and shouldn’t have exploited the grey areas established in writing.
It didn’t take long for me to notice a tall, thin elderly man with a particularly spry approach to exercise and an inviting nature. Over the months, we struck up conversations and eventually a friendship. His name was Dick Contino, and unbeknownst to me, he had a history.
Richard Joseph Contino was born in 1930 in Fresno California. He won a national music competition at 17 and eventually became an accordion master, gyrating his Italian hips and flashing a Hollywood smile that left women weak-kneed. “The Elvis of The Accordion.” I once heard someone call him, be-
fore Elvis was a thing. Dick Contino dated movie star Olivia DeHavelin, married another movie star, Leigh Snowden and appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” a record 48 times. This dude was a legend. But I didn’t know how his career had been brought down by scandal. Panic attacks forced him to flee the military after getting drafted to fight in Korea. He was labeled a coward, a loser. That became evident when I introduced him to my grandparents who recognized him from all the bad headlines in the 1950s. Lunch that day was cordial, but tense and not particularly warm. I only later found out why. U2 and Dick Contino are, to me, curious examples of who we are, but say we’re not.
Does anyone remember (or care) that the world’s biggest rock band gave away their music? And after all the juice and class Dick Contino gave the squeezebox, is draft-dodging what defines his life and career? Why is it that we don’t care about tax policy as much
Resume versus eulogy
Eva k. Morris Youth Columnist
that we have left a mark on the world. We are taught to measure our value by what we are able to put on display, as if our worth can be defined by achievements. What we often overlook is that when we are no longer here, people will not remember us for the trophies we collected or the milestones we reached.They will remember how we made them feel, the kindness we showed, the moments we offered a listening ear or a helping hand. Instead of focusing on what we will be remembered for, we should focus on who we are becoming. Because in the end, our legacy isn’t built on what we achieved; it’s built on who we were during our lifetime. Growing up in a suburban neighborhood where everything seems picture-perfect
can sometimes feel like living in a place that’s more about appearances than people. It’s easy to believe that your worth is tied to what you’ve achieved, to the trophies on your shelf or the grades on your report card. Parents talk about their kids like they are investments, measuring their value in soccer goals scored, scholarships earned, or schools accepted to. Some of the children end up feeling like they’re only as good as their latest accomplishment. The pressure sinks in so early, it can break their spirit before they even know who they are, turning childhood into a race they never agreed to run. It becomes easy to start forgetting that their real value has nothing to do with what they can achieve, but with the unique and imperfect beauty of who they truly are.
I want to be remembered not for any successes I achieved or the goals I reached but for the person I became through it all. While it is nice to gain recognition for athletics, grades or extracurriculars, that is not
how I want to be remembered. It’s not about the milestones I hit or the accolades I earned but rather my personality, my kindness, my compassion and how I am always willing to help anyone in need. My story isn’t defined by triumphs but by the moments I kept going when everything in me wanted to give up. I want people to remember the way I showed up, even if I was hurting. The way I tried to be a light for someone else in their darkness because I knew what it felt like to be lost in my own darkness. Nobody deserves to struggle in silence and sometimes simple acts of kindness can change one's perspective on life.
Pressure is put on kids from either an academic, artistic or athletic standpoint. Multiple kids fall victim to the feeling they have to do the best to get approval from family, friends or their peers. While working hard is necessary, one should not have to constantly worry about impressing others. It should be enough for people to be the best person they
can be while sticking with their values. I want to be remembered as a good person who faced their battles with an open heart, who fought through pain with grace and empathy. This is more important to me than anything I could ever accomplish, more important than a letterman jacket or a high-achieving report card. My hope is that my life will be a testament to resilience, to the beauty of imperfectly rising again and again, not because I was seeking recognition, but because I believed that love and goodness are what matter most in the end.
It is not about the things we accomplish or the accolades we gain in life, but rather the kindness we extend, the way we show up for others, and the love we share that truly define the measure of our lives.
Our legacy is not written on awards or resumes; it lives on in the memories of how we treated people and the impact we had on their lives.
When we shift our focus from what we can achieve to who
as who’s leading the NFL in passing? Why do we ignore Congress but can’t get enough of the Kardashians? How do we view someone who tragically killed a family of three in a DUI after devoting his entire life to help starving children in Afghanistan? Is it the same as a drug-addled repeat burglar who suddenly finds religion? Dick Contino was destroyed because he didn’t go kill people half a world away. Boston University lists personal freedom, egalitarianism and honesty as among the top American societal values. But there’s no mention of empathy or even-handed judgements or unreasonable biases. Can good deeds go unpunished?
U2 wrapped up a successful residency in Las Vegas this year. And even though Dick Contino died in 2017, you can still find his music on Amazon.
Garay can be reached at MarkGaray426@gmail.com
we are becoming, we create a life rich in meaning, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those we touch. It is in these simple moments of understanding and shared humanity that we discover our truest selves and build something far more rewarding than any trophy or title could ever represent. We need to recognize that our children are not possessions to showcase accomplishments but reflections of our values. Ultimately, it’s the love, compassion, and genuine connections we create that will carry our memories. What would you want written in your eulogy?
Morris is a Ridge Point High School student, class of 2027, a varsity tennis player, and an active member of JCC Maccabi Houston. If you are a Fort Bend County high-school-age student (public, private, charter, or homeschool) who might be interested in becoming a Youth Columnist, please send an email to editor@fortbendstar. com.
Fort Bend Interfaith Community leadership
Editors' note: The following is a joint statement by leaders of the member congregations of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community. Signatories are listed at the end. This piece does not necessarily reflect the views of the Fort Bend Star or its staff. The Fort Bend Star welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Fort Bend County residents. Publication is at the discretion of the editor. Send submissions to editor@fortbendstar.com.
As members of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community, we stand united in our shared commitment to uphold the sanctity of religious freedom and to promote peace and understanding across all faiths. It is with profound concern that we address the recent hostility directed towards the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, following the installation of a sacred statue. This targeted backlash is not just an attack on one faith, but an assault on the very ideals
will publish its September 2024 Rental Home Update on Wednesday, October 16.
“The Houston housing market is demonstrating a healthy balance,” said HAR Chair Thomas Mouton with Century 21 Exclusive Properties. “The rise in sales, expansion of inventory and stable prices indicate a market that is adapting to changing economic conditions. The positive performance in the $250,000 to $500,000 price range and steady inventory levels further support a sustainable market outlook.”
of religious liberty and the mutual respect that defines our community. Our houses of worship—be they temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras or other sacred spaces—are meant to be sanctuaries of peace, love, and fellowship. Acts of intolerance, harassment, or violence toward any of these sacred places tear at the fabric of our diverse society. They inflict pain and terrorize individual believers, threaten the security of our communities, and betray the fundamental values that we as Americans hold dear: liberty, justice, and freedom of religion for all. Our respective faiths teach us to treat others with kindness, love, and respect. Whether guided by the call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), the principle of Ahimsa (nonviolence), or the pursuit of peace (Salaam/Shalom), we are bound by our shared belief in the dignity of every person and the need for harmony within our communities.
September
Monthly Market Comparison
September marked the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines in total property sales. Sales were down 3.3 percent compared to the same time last year. Total dollar volume was statistically unchanged at $3.3 billion. The number of available properties were 25.0 percent above where they were last September.
Single-Family Homes Update
Single-family home sales rebounded in September, increasing 1.7 percent yearover-year with a total of 6,973 units sold across the Greater Houston area compared to
GUEST COLUMN
To this end, we call upon all people of goodwill to join us in rejecting intolerance in any form and to advocate for the protection of all houses of worship. Let us work together to foster an environment where people of all faiths can worship freely without fear of persecution, hostility, or violence.
We urge our local leaders, law enforcement, and community members to ensure
that the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple and every place of worship in our county remains a safe and welcoming space for all. Let us recommit ourselves to building bridges of understanding, rooted in compassion and respect for the beliefs of others, so that our differences may become a source of strength rather than division.
In this moment of crisis, let us also find opportunity—the
6,858 last year. The average price held steady at $415,435 while the median price increased slightly to $335,000. The price per square foot increased from $177 last year to $178.
Active listings climbed by 28.1 percent year-over-year, with 30,617 single-family homes available for sale in September. The average days on market increased from 45 to 51, reflecting a slower pace of sales.
Months of inventory of single-family homes expanded from a 3.4-months supply last September to 4.4 months, which is the highest since September 2012 when there was a 4.7-months supply. Housing inventory nationally stands at a
4.2-months supply, accord-
ing to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). A 4.0- to 6.0-months supply is generally considered a “balanced market” in which neither buyer nor seller has an advantage. Broken out by housing segment, September sales performed as follows:
• $1 - $99,999: increased 3.5 percent
• $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 23.4 percent
• $150,000 - $249,999: decreased 0.3 percent
• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 4.2 percent
• $500,000 - $999,999: decreased 3.6 percent
• $1M and above: increased 2.0 percent
opportunity to unite across faith lines and reaffirm our collective responsibility to be voices of peace and reconciliation. Together, we stand firm in our resolve to ensure that hatred has no place in Fort Bend County. May we all be guided by the light of our faiths to be instruments of peace and love.
Endorsements: Pastor John Strader (Board Chair), Horizon Baptist Church, Missouri City
Bharat A. Patel, Director, Hindus of Greater Houston
Geetha Ravula, Board Member, Ashirwad A Blessing
Jim Uschkrat, Missions Coordinator, New Hope Lutheran Church, Missouri City
Nazneen Khumbatta, Zoroastrian Association of Houston , Atash Kadeh, Houston Jenny Abbott and Farha Ahmed, Minaret Foundation
Dolores Lopes, St. John Fisher Catholic Church ,
HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing singlefamily homes. In September, existing home sales totaled 4,873, which is down 0.7 percent compared to the same time last year. The average price rose 3.0 percent year-over-year to $429,787, and the median sales price increased 3.1 percent to $335,000.
Houston-area Real Estate Highlights in September
• Single-family home sales increased 1.7 percent year-over-year;
• Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 45 to 51 days;
Richmond Rev. Chris Michaelis, New Hope Lutheran Church, Missouri City
Valerie Tolman, Social Justice Chair, Thoreau Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Fort Bend, Richmond
Rev. Dr. Daniel Irving, Rev. Michelle Hall, Rev. Marquice Hobbs, Rev. Susie Puac, Rev. Jordan Czichos, Renee Teel, Christ Church Sugar Land , A United Methodist Community
Rev. Jeremy Bradley, St. Mark's Episcopal Church Richmond
Rev. Tim V. Marquez, St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church , Sugar Land
Faramarz Samadany, Baha’is of Fort Bend County Cantor Renee Waghalter, Congregation Beth El , Missouri City Father Andrew Ellison, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, Sienna
• Total property sales were down 3.3 percent with 8,228
sold; • Total dollar volume was statistically flat at $3.3 billion; • The single-family median price was up 1.1 percent to $335,000; • The single-family
voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www. fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and self-confidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!
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.
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. 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, 832-987-
4193, dean7351@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.
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.
RICHMOND/ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting in Room 105, the Gathering Room, at St. John’s UMC in Richmond. St. John’s is located at 400 Jackson Street. We are looking forward to an open discussion this meeting. Caregivers, please feel free to bring your ideas to discuss with the group. Alzheimer’s Association support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers and loved ones of people with dementia to:
Develop a support system.
Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions.
Talk through issues and ways of coping.
Share feelings, needs and concerns.
Learn about community resources.
Just a reminder that support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.
Please visit our group’s Facebook Page: Richmond Alzheimer’s Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/RichmondRosenberg AlzheimersSupport/ or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/ alztexprograms to learn more about the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter’s Care and Support page, Questions may be sent to: gallowkj@ earthlink.net
Pops concert slated for Oct. 26 at George Memorial Library
Community Reports
As part of the “On Stage at the George” series of events, the Missouri City Pops Community Band will perform at Fort Bend County Libraries' George Memorial Library on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 11 a.m., in the library's Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater. Under the direction of Linda Stiegler, the band will perform a selection of popular tunes from Disney and superhero movies, as well as some Halloween songs, for this family-friendly concert that will appeal to all ages.
A nonprofit community band of brass, woodwind, and percussion players, the 40-member ensemble provides an opportunity for amateur musicians from the Fort Bend County area to get together and share their love of music. The performance is presented with the generous support of the Friends of George Memorial Library.
Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and annual membership dues help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at George Memorial Library.
Community Reports
The Sugar Land Civic Art Division's Summer of Sound Music Festival Finale has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 26, from 6-9 p.m., at Oyster Creek Park, 4033 Highway 6. The event was postponed from July due to inclement weather ahead of Hurricane Beryl.
This year's finale will feature music, art and some surprises, including “spookier” fun in keeping with the Halloween season.
The event will feature a Halloween Costume Competition in which participants are encouraged to dress up (in a kid-friendly manner) as their favorite musical artist - from Prince to Beethoven - for a chance to win bragging rights and special prizes.
“We were heartbroken when we had to cancel due to storms during the weekend of Hurricane Beryl, but we're thrilled to bring back the Summer of Sound finale with an exciting twist!”
Sugar Land Civic Arts Manager Sha Davis said in a news release. “Celebrating Sugar Land's Music Friendly Certification at this event is the perfect culmination of our efforts to highlight local talent. We can't wait for everyone to come together for this monumental occasion!”
Event highlights:
• Festivities Begin at 6 p.m.: The party kicks off with DJ Mocah Loca spinning a lively set of crowd favorites to get everyone moving.
• Costume Competition
In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be rescheduled.
The performance will take place in an outdoor amphitheater, and seating is concrete. Theatergoers are encouraged to bring cushions to sit on. Glass containers, alcoholic beverages, and popcorn are not allowed in the amphitheater.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend. lib.tx.us) or call George Memorial Library (281342-4455) or the library system's Communications Office (281-633-4734). George Memorial Library is located at 1001 Golfview Drive in Richmond.
Sign-Up at 6:30 p.m.: Head over to the Civic Arts tent to sign up for a music-inspired costume competition. Show off best looks for a chance to win prizes!
• MBK & Friends Performance from 7-7:45 p.m.: Enjoy an energetic performance from local favorites MBK & Friends, known for their fusion of '90s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B, setting the tone for an epic night.
• Citywide Certification Ceremony from 7:45-8 p.m.: Celebrate as the Governor's Office of Economic Development's Texas Music Office officially certifies Sugar Land as a Music Friendly City! The city liaison and the inaugural Music Advisory Board will also be introduced.
• Headliner Mathias Lattin will perform from 8-8:45 p.m.: Prepare to be mesmerized by Mathias Lattin, the 2023 International Blues Challenge Winner, as he closes out the festival with his incredible blues guitar performance.
• Costume Competition Winner Announcement at 8:50 p.m.: The winner of the Halloween Costume Competition will be announced on stage, so make sure to stay until the end!
• Vendor Market: Explore a diverse artisanal vendor market featuring some of Sugar Land's finest! From unique crafts to delicious bites, there's something for everyone.
• Digital Art Exhibition by Input Output: Immerse in stunning visual installations by the renowned artist collective Input Output. This year's exhibition includes two mesmerizing, large-scale pieces: “Moon,” a 6-foot floating moon created using high-resolution images captured
The Missouri City Pops Community Band will perform at the George Memorial Library on Oct. 26. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
