Over the course of October, six accused child abusers in Fort Bend County were convicted and sent to prison for a combined 200 years, according to a news release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office.
Justin Ray Gonzalez, a 40-year-old Needville man, was convicted by a jury of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child or Children in the 240th District Court. Presiding Judge Surendran K. Pattel sentenced Gonzalez to 40 years confinement without the possibility of parole.
Gregorio San Nicolas Torre, III pleaded guilty in August to Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child and elected for the Court to decide his punishment. Visiting Judge James H. Shoemake, sitting for the 400th District Court, sentenced the 42-yearold Houston man to 20 years in prison for the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child case and 10 years for the Indecency with a Child offense after hearing testimony from both of Torre’s survivors.
Shoemake also sentenced Adrian Antonio Garcia, 35, of Lake Jackson, to 25 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child during a sentencing hearing following his plea of guilty in September.
Michael Everett Gaines, a 24-year-old San Antonio man, was sentenced to 12 years in prison following his plea of guilty to the offense of Sexual Assault of a Child by Presiding Judge Chad Bridges in the 458th District Court.
Juan Noe Melgar, 46, of Katy, was convicted by a 268 th District Court jury for Sexual Assault of a Child, after which the jury sentenced Melgar to the maximum of 20 years in prison.
Paul Shannon Martinez, a 49-year-old Rosenberg man, was sentenced to 75 years in prison without parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child. Martinez pled guilty and was sentenced 400th District Court Presiding Judge Tameika Carter after a hearing on the evidence.
Child Abuse Division Chief Suzy Morton said, “It is important to know there is no statute of limitations for sexual offenses committed against children and it is never too late to come forward if you were sexually abused as a child. Regardless of the outcome of a criminal case, the longterm well-being of survivors of child sexual abuse is most important. Our community
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Republican Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, who has held the seat since 1996, easily won reelection over Democratic challenger Taral Patel in last week’s general election. In election results that were still unofficial at press time, Meyers garnered 44.271 votes, or 58/87 percent. to Patel’s 30,927 votes, or 41.13 percent, of votes cast.
The Precinct 3 race was perhaps the most closely watched race in the county,
even gaining national media attention, after Patel, a former chief of staff to County Judge KP George and former Biden Administration official, was indicted earlier this year on eight felony and misdemeanor charges alleging he created fake social media personas in order to post false racist and xenophobic messages about himself, as well as a felony charge of online harassment. The charges against Patel remain ongoing.
Meyers’ apparent victory is particularly significant after a Democratic majority
on Commissioners Court in 2022 approved a controversial new precinct map that significantly reshaped the Precinct 3 boundaries in order to favor a Democrat.
Reached by phone the morning after the election, Meyers said that he was “gratified” that voters had returned him to office so that he could continue his work of making Fort Bend “a great place to live, work and play.”
Meyers said he would continue the agenda he has pursued, particularly working with the Texas Legislature and state agen-
cies to make infrastructure improvements and create ways to attract new industries and businesses to the county.
Staff Reports
Editor’s Note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for November, the Greater Houston Partnership - the regional chamber of commerce - discusses the latest edition of the annual American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The main body of the report is presented here with permission.
Each fall, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS), its annual snapshot of the nation’s
economic, demographic, housing, and social characteristics. By examining ACS data over time, one can see shifts in the population. This is the second of a threepart series. The October issue examined ACS data for 2013 and 2023 and the changes in the Houston region over that time. In this issue, the Partnership examines ACS data for the nation’s 20 most populous metro areas, exploring similarities and differences between Houston and its peers. The December
issue will examine the differences in the 10 counties that comprise the Houston metro area. Metro Houston includes Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto,
and Waller Counties.
In a nutshell, Houston is older, better educated, and more ethnically diverse. One in four Houstonians was born outside the U.S., the fastest growing age group is the 65 and older population, and one
in seven Houstonians moved to a different home in ‘23. However, fewer Houstonians are having babies, a large portion of the population re-
Although Meyers said he expected to win, especially
after Patel’s legal issues came to light, he was surprised by the margin of his victory, especially in a Democraticleaning precinct. Patel did not respond to a request for comment.
In perhaps the secondmost closely watched race in the county, Sheriff Ed Fagan, a Democrat, appears to have narrowly defeated Republican challenger Marshall Slot, a former deputy in the sheriff’s office. In the unofficial results, Fagan had 170,381 votes, or 50.07 percent, while Slot had 169,891 votes, or 49.93 percent. Fagan first was elected in 2020.
In the other contested countywide office, Democratic Tax AssessorCollector narrowly defeated Republican challenger Jaison Joseph, 50.26 percent to 49.74 percent.
In Missouri City, District A Council member Monica Riley, with 80.52 percent of the vote, handily won reelection over challengers Steven McKinney and Bruce
mains uninsured, one in 10 suffers from a disability, and many households still live in poverty.
Metro Houston has one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the U.S. The region also has one of the nation’s largest foreignborn populations. We’re in the middle of the pack for home ownership, but we lag in educational attainment and health care coverage. Houston also has the highest share of residents whose income falls
Zaborowski. In the four-person race for the open District C seat being vacated by termlimited Anthony Maroulis, Joanna Ouderkirk (35.04 percent) and Shad Bogany (23.23 percent) appeared to be headed for a runoff.
Missouri City voters also overwhelmingly approved the 14 city charter propositions on the ballot.
In Sugar Land, voters easily approved all five the of the city’s bond resolutions totaling $350 million bond for infrastructure and other improvements, the municipal animal shelter, and other items.
In larger races, voters in Fort Bend County, which has become increasingly “purple” in recent years, went against the grain of voting across the state. In the Presidential race, Fort Bend voters favored Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, a Republican, 49.23 percent to 47.84 percent. Trump easily won in Texas and in the national Electoral College, returning him to office.
Fort Bend voters also overwhelmingly favored U.S. Rep.
below the poverty line and in the middle of the pack for home ownership. The details follow.
Race and Ethnicity
Houston is the nation’s most racially and ethnically diverse major metro. No individual race or ethnic group represents a majority of the region’s population. It’s been that way for over 20 years. Other metros also have large racial/ethnic populations, but they lack balance among the groups. For example, Los Angeles has a large Hispanic community but much smaller
Colin Alred, of Dallas, in his challenge to Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who won his second bid for reelection across the state. In races for Congressional seats serving Fort Bend, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Democrat, easily won the Fort Bend County portion of her Houston-based 7th District. U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican serving the 22nd District, also handily won reelection against Democratic challenger Marquette Greene-Scott. U.S. Rep. AL Green, a Democrat, ran unopposed for the Houston-based 9th District, which serves parts of Fort Bend County.
In races for the Texas Legislature seats serving Fort Bend, there were no upsets. Republican District 17 Sen. Joan Huffman, Republican District 26 Rep. Matt Morgan, Democratic District 27 Rep. Ron Reynolds, Republican District 28 Rep. Gary Gates, and Democratic District 76 Rep. Suleman Lalani all easily won reelection. Republican District 85 Rep. Stan Kitzman ran unopposed.
Black or White populations. Atlanta has a large Black community but few Hispanics or Asians. San Francisco has a large Asian community but few Black residents. Philadelphia has a large White community but fewer Asians.
Foreign-Born Population
One in four Houstonians (24.8 percent) is foreignborn—far more than the one in seven (14.3 percent) nationally. Among the nation’s 20 most populous metros, only four others—Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York —have larger foreign-born populations.
Age
Metro Houston has the youngest population among its peers. The median age in Houston is 35.7 years, which means half of all residents are younger and half are older. The median age for the nation is 39.2.
Houston’s young population translates into a large supply of entry-level and early-career workers to meet local hiring needs, a substantial base of consumers entering their household formation and wealth-acquisition years, and a large population open to social change. Find the full report at houston.org.
meeting people through the internet and how to be safer online,” Morton said.
is fortunate to have Child Advocates of Fort Bend as an excellent resource for children and families to receive therapy and other support services once abuse has been reported.”
“We must also be vigilant in educating our youth on the dangers associated with
“For age-appropriate resources on internet safety, the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children
Task Force recommends the website Netsmartz, run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.”
“Our commitment to protecting children and holding
abusers accountable is beyond contestation,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “With the bravery of these young people to come forward and the hard work of law enforcement, we can make a difference in a life. Do not be afraid. We are with you.” Child Advocates of Fort Bend can be contacted at 281-344-5100 or through the website, ww.cafb.org.
Six accused child abusers in Fort Bend County were convicted and
200 years in October. Photo by Ken Fountain
THE OFFICE –Look at them, sacked on high in my place of work. Well, that’s about to change. “OK, gang,” I say. “There are too many of you, and the fire marshal is about to raid this dump. Some of you have to go.” The books look at one another in astonishment, then start to protest. “But you haven’t even read me,” whines The Wit and Wisdom of Elon Musk. “I’ll give you a million dollars to read me.” I shake my head. “I don’t care if you throw in a Tesla.” Wit comes back: “How about two?” No deal. “Don’t say anything. Just hold me,” sighs Bodice Ripper. An Objective Look at the Yankee Invasion of Dixie speaks up. “Y’all gonna toss us away like a used Fort Hood or a Lee High School?” I hear a “Right on” from my 1955 copies of Mad Magazine. Do you also accumulate books or maybe yellowed newspapers and magazines that you set aside, planning
You may have thought I would use this space this week to discuss the recent election, the one deemed by many to be the Most Consequential in Our History. As eager as you may be to read my profound thoughts on the matter, that’s going to have to wait a bit. There’s still a lot to process there. Instead, I’m going to talk about something that, personally anyway, may have been just as monumental: a couple of weekends ago, I attended my 40th high school reunion. As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up mostly in Alief, not too far away from Fort Bend. In those days, Alief ISD had just two high schools – Hastings and Elsik. In fact, both schools originally were physically adjoined. Hastings was built first, and as the district grew, the original Elsik was built literally next door, with a shared central courtyard and a second-floor hallway that connected both buildings. I well remember the “battle of the bands” in the courtyard leading up to the Hastings-Elsik football game during our freshman year. Midway through that year, the brand-new Elsik campus was completed, on
EDITORIAL
Books speaking volumes
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
to get around to reading them some day – a day that never comes? They stack up on my desk, extra chair and even on the floor. I think if I keep them close at hand, maybe by osmosis I’ll absorb their contents. Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary is a bit wistful. “You used to go to me hourly, at or during every hour, occurring hour by hour, frequently, continually. So why am I being abandoned?” I reply: “Spellcheck. Google to search the world’s information, including webpages, images, videos and more.”
The Art of the Deal says, “You can’t toss me. I’m a book by Donald Trump that reveals his secrets of negotiating and deal-making. OK, so Trump didn’t actually write me.
Maybe he didn’t even read me. I’m more than a page long. Some so-called ‘fact checkers’ point out that I was really written by Tony Schwartz. That’s Trump’s pen name. Big deal, or art of the deal.” God Bless the USA Bibles tries to speak, but I don’t understand a word of Mandarin. I say, “You were printed in China at $2.99 a copy and sell for $59.99.” Speaking of Agent Orange, I have this huge collection of books given me by my conspirator friends, like “He Really Won in 2020,” “The 20,000 Missing Ballots” and “Hang Him High – The Mike Pence Story.” “They are all the truth,” says The Peaceful Capitol Love Fest of January 6th. “I saw it on Fox News.” I love books and libraries. When I was a tad growing up in un-air conditioned Texas, each summer I would ride my bike to the town library and take home books to read under the ceiling fan. Finally the librarians limited me to six per visit – even those I couldn’t color. True, some folks don’t like books, like HISD Superintendent Mike Miles, who, in order to further our children’s education, aware -
ness of the outside world and keep them on their iPhones, he abolished all school libraries and fired their librarians. He rightly proclaimed: “I’d rather have a high-quality teacher getting paid a lot, than have a librarian doing what, checking out books?” In other Texas school districts books have been banned -- lots of books. Our state ranks first in the nation in the number of voided volumes in our schools. “I got idea,” says Mein Kampf. “Vee burn dim.” Even our governor and state legislators have gotten into the act. One of the more hilarious events in the Leg’s debate involved Republican Rep. Jared Patterson. During a hearing on his proposal that would add several new controls on the kinds of books that could be kept in or borrowed from public school libraries, Patterson said, “There should be no sexually explicit books” in a high school library. When asked if that included Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prizewinning novel, “Lonesome Dove,” one of Texans’ favorite stories, Patterson replied if it contained ribald passages then, “they might need to ban
‘Lonesome Dove.’” But he admitted he had never read it. Two books break in. “What about us?” ask For Whom the Bells Toll and The Old Man and the Sea. “Hemmingway never did like you wussy types, what with your kale and vegan diets,” says one. “Yeah,” says the other, “and a real man drinks red wine, not Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. Hemmingway also said, ‘There is no friend as loyal as a book.’ Some loyalty you have.” Ulysses tries to say something, but makes no sense. Chapters, a bookstore in Ireland, has a sign on the wall: “Shoplifters will be made to read Ulysses. If we catch you twice it’s Finnegan’s Wake.”
Green Eggs and Ham opens up. “I’m the best seller Dr. Seuss, a.k.a. Theodore Geisel, ever wrote. And he did it on a bet with the publisher, Bennett Cerf, who said he’d pay $50 – about $382 today, if Geisel could write a book using exactly 50 unique words, but that cheapskate Cerf never did pay up.” I say, “That reminds me of you, Memoirs of a Rodeo Clown. You accused me of being a bad read. You
Of Bears and Rams and days gone by
Ken Fountain Editor
KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
the same large parcel of property, and the original Elsik became “Hastings South.”
The way it worked then was that near the end of your eighth-grade year in middle school, there was a lottery where students were randomly assigned the high school they would attend. Lottery Day was a huge event - many kids felt their entire identities, maybe even their destinies, would be affected by which campus they would attend. Longstanding friendships would be torn asunder. Oh, the humanity! (Today, Alief has two other high schools, one of which is named after the late Edward “Doc” Taylor, a legendary and well-loved AP U.S. History teacher at Hastings back in my day.) I’m told the lottery system is still in place. For the first time, this year’s 1984 class reunion combined both the Hastings and Elsik classes. So at this
event, I saw people I literally hadn’t seen in person since middle school, even though I’ve connected with some of them on Facebook. The reunion was held on the second-floor of a roadhouse-like joint in Cypress-Fairbanks, a place I’d never visited before. The event organizers had done a fantastic job, including hiring the great ‘80s cover band The Spicolis (named after Sean Penn’s iconic character in 1982’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”) who provided the perfect soundtrack for our get-together, as snippets of ‘80s music videos and movies played on a huge screen above them.
I’ve been to a handful of these reunions in the past, and they’re always a bit fraught. As I’ve written before, my high school years weren’t the best time of my life. Back then, I was extremely introverted and shy. I was awful at doing the small-talk thing in the hallways between classes. I often tried – sometimes maybe too hard – to compensate by playing the class clown. Sadly, my sense of humor didn’t always go over well. But this time, with a few more years behind us, it seemed that the event was a lot more relaxed for most
folks, including me. We’re all a bit older, and maybe a little wiser. The old cliques didn’t seem as important. People seemed really happy just to see each other again. At the event, I ran into a couple of women whom I’d had crushes on, either in middle school or high school. I hadn’t seen a couple of them since middle school, after the dreaded Lottery Day. Back then, I often couldn’t even speak to them out of shyness. But I’d since connected with the on Facebook. It was nice to be able finally to talk to them as adults who have lived full lives, with all the triumphs and challenges that that entails.
Another lovely, if somber, thing the organizers had done was create a poster with the names of people from both classes who had died in the ensuing years. I took a long look at it. Some of the names I recognized, some not. Stickers designating the Hastings Fighting Bears and the Elsik Rams were there to affix next to the names. I saw the name of one guy I’d known, someone I’d been on the track team with during our senior year (my sole foray into high-school athletics.) We hadn’t been great friends,
but I liked him. I’m not sure I’d known that he’d died, but it was very sad to see his name, beside which I placed a Hastings sticker.
Before the event, one of the organizers joked on Facebook that even though it hadn’t been planned this way, the reunion took place right before Election Day, reducing the chances of anyone getting into heated arguments. Thankfully, I didn’t hear any.
On this evening, we weren’t Republicans or Democrats, or even Bears or Rams. The only tribe we belonged to was “classmates.” Although I saw a lot of people I’d been friends with, and even some faces of people that I remembered but hadn’t known very well, there were some folks I didn’t know at all (the turnout was heavily weighted on the Elsik side of the ledger). At one point, I saw a guy arriving late whom I didn’t recognize. He stood out because he looked a little rough around the edges. We saw each other in passing, but didn’t speak. Later, I saw him slip downstairs, leaving the event. Later, one of the organizers posted that he’d learned that Jake (not his real name) had had a lot of setbacks in life and was now living unhoused in another
said that you had pasted two pages together in the second chapter, and when I returned you, those pages were still stuck together. Well, to quote the aforementioned Bennett Cerf, ‘I don’t have to eat all of an egg to tell it’s rotten.” Final book notes: The Book of Palms is not actually a book, although I think later it came out as a papyrus back. Thomas Jefferson had the largest personal collection of books in the U.S. Jefferson offered to sell his library to Congress to replace the collection destroyed by the British during the War of 1812. Congress purchased the library for $23,950, but a second fire in 1851, destroyed nearly two thirds of the 6,487 volumes. And: There are only 49 complete copies of the most valuable book in the world: the Guttenberg Bible. Who owns one copy? You do. It’s ensconced at The University of Texas – Austin, right there with the world’s first photograph, but that’s another story -- or book.
Ashby reads at ashby2@ comcast.net
Texas city. Somehow, he’d made his way to Houston to attend. The organizer said they had a very warm and tearful reunion. I’ve since learned that Jake is a former U.S. Army paratrooper who served in the first Persian Gulf War. As it happens, I served in the same war aboard the USS Ranger while in the Navy. I wish I’d said hello. High school reunions are always kind of strange. You see folks who were a huge part of your formative years, but often in a whole new light. I’ve long believed that the people we are in those years are probably our truest selves, before the world does its work on us. If we’re lucky, we grow in the ensuing years. If we’ve experienced troubles, we learn tools to adapt, hopefully even thrive. But all too often, life takes us on some strange turns. I’m not quite the shy, underconfident geek I was in high school. I’ve served my country. I’ve made a career, however bumpy, in my chosen field. I’ve loved and I’ve lost. I’ve made a lot of tremendous strides in many ways. But I still have my challenges, and I know anything can happen. Oh, just one more thing: Go Bears!
Fountain cheers at KFountain@fortbendstar.com
Frontier Days set for Nov. 16 at George Ranch
Community Reports
Battle re-enactments, horse drawn wagon rides, hot air balloon demonstrations and more will be on offer at the 200th Anniversary George Ranch Frontier Days on Saturday, November 16.
The largest living history event of the year at The George Ranch, this year’s event has something for the entire family to enjoy. Key sponsors of the 200th Anniversary year include Johnston Development Corp, LJA Engineering and the Scala Family.
“There are battles, cowboy roping and branding, chuckwagon cooking – even a cowboy fast draw contest,” George Ranch Executive Director Adrienne Barker said. “It’s a day filled with exciting family-friendly activities, including historic home tours, crafts, games, vendors, food trucks and more! It’s the perfect opportunity to experience all that The George Ranch and our many participating partners have to offer for a historic, fun-filled Saturday.”
New to the event this year are hot air balloon demonstrations. Colorado-based Free Spirit Skies will be on hand with their balloon named “High Maintenance.” Owner and pilot Kelli Cook will share the ups and downs of hot air ballooning. Other attractions include a
Cowboy Fast Draw Contest, cannon drills, battle re-enactments, carriage rides, cowboy shows and historic home tours. The Frontier Market features a select group of vendors perfect for holiday shopping, including: Crafts by Astrid, Hanna Makers, Moonlight, Shave Baked Goods, Sweet Christine’s Brittle and Texas Rustic Bell. Food and beverage options in The Chow Corral include: El Barrilito, tacos and quesadillas; Holy Smoke BBQ’s turkey legs, ribs and brisket; Kona Ice of Richmond, flavored shaved ice; Roadside Popcorn’s kettle corn; and Ujima Cuisine, kabobs, hot dogs and French fries.
On Friday, November 15, area schools are invited for Field Trip Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Schools can sign up by contacting Maggie Trinker at 281.343.0218 ext. 220 or mtrinker@ georgeranch.org. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. George Ranch Frontier Days will be open to the public on Saturday, November 16 at The George Ranch, located at 10215 FM 762 in Richmond, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Tickets are $21 for adults, $16 for children and children four and under are free. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.georgeranch.org/programs-events/ george-ranch-frontier-days.
Cook of
Skies
November 16. Submitted photo
HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE
Author Stacey Swann to headline FBCL's Book Festival on Nov. 16
Community Reports
Fort Bend County
Libraries will feature this year's "Community Reads" author Stacey Swann as the headliner at the annual Book Festival 2024 on Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m.–2:00 p.m., at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. This year's event is themed "Myths & Legends."
The keynote address by Stacey Swann will take place from 1-2 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library. Additional presentations, workshops, author appearances, and a live dance performance are planned throughout the event.
In her author talk, Swann will read an excerpt from her debut novel, "Olympus, Texas", released in 2021. She will talk about how the development of the characters' unique voices and experiences helps to immerse readers in a specific culture and enables them to understand universal truths, widening their view of human interactions and family dynamics.
"Memorious", "Versal", and other journals. She is a contributing editor of "American Short Fiction".
The festival will also feature workshops designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.
where they must solve puzzles to find their way through multiple mythical worlds to return to the present.
A "Polynesian Storytelling" performance will take place in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at 11 a.m.. The performance will be repeated at noon. Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Malia's Hula Hut will demonstrate the beautiful storytelling techniques that are woven into the song and dance of Polynesia, including the hula from the islands of Hawai'i, Tahitian from the islands of Tahiti, the Haka and Poi Balls of New Zealand, and fire-knife dancing from Samoa. Although these dances may often be seen performed together in a Polynesian show, they are unique and represent various cultures.
When prodigal son March returns from a two-year, self-imposed exile after being caught sleeping with his brother's wife, he is hardly met with welcoming arms, and the Briscoe family is once again the talk of the town.
Within days of his arrival, someone is dead, rivalries
FBCL's 2024 "Community Reads" selection, "Olympus, Texas" is set in a modernday rural Texas town - much like her hometown of Sealy – where everybody knows everybody. The novel weaves elements of classical Greek and Roman mythology into a thoroughly modern family saga, rich in drama and psychological complexity.
flare, secrets explode, and marriages are upended. Even the strongest of alliances are shattered as powerful personalities collide.
Originally from Sealy, Swann is a longtime teacher and editor who now lives and writes in Lampasas County.. She holds an MFA from Texas State University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her fiction has appeared in "Epoch",
Readers will also have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. From 10 a.m.– 2 p.m., attendees can interact with published writers Taki Zyngtara, Susan Nwokedi, Monica VidalonWolf, Tiffany Obeng, Dee Osah, and Devshree Golecha, who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Books will be available for sale and signing. Games and activities will be on hand at a special Kids' Book Carnival from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.
Anytime between 10 a.m.–noon, teens (aged 13 and up) and adults will have an opportunity to test their puzzle-solving skills in a "Mythic Mayhem Escape Room," in the Meeting Room. In this come-and-go activity, teams of up to 8 members will enter through a virtual portal into another place and time,
Readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries "Community Reads" initiative – by reading "Olympus, Texas" and attending one of the library system's book club meetings – were given raffle tickets for a drawing that will take place at 1 p.m., in the Meeting Room, just prior to the Swann's keynote address. A second raffle will also take place for everyone who did not participate in the bookclub meetings.
Fort Bend County
Libraries' Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. The complete schedule of events can be found on the Fort Bend County Libraries website or on the FBCL Facebook page. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend. Food trucks will be on hand, and visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater. The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library. Visitors may browse through the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, which will take place at the front entrance of the library throughout the Book Festival. Cash and checks are welcome; credit cards cannot be accepted. Proceeds from the book sale provide funding for special adult and children's programs, cultural events, and staff development and continuing-education programs for library employees. The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries' website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system's Communications Office (281-633-4734).
Stacey Swann, author of "Olympus, Texas," will give the keynote address at Fort Bend County Libraries' Book Festival 2024 on Saturday, November 16 at George Memorial Library. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
Celebrating 15 years of HMNS Sugar Land!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as one of Fort Bend’s most beloved events returns to HMNS at Sugar Land.
Friday, November 15 | 10 a.m.
Tree Lighting
Watch the trees come to light & begin bidding or buy your favorite now.
Tuesday, November 19 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Holiday Workshop
Live demos & new trends, plus tree viewing with light bites & beverages - a perfect time to spend with friends.
Thursday, November 21 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Festive Finale
A festive party filled with cheer. Don’t miss the live auction with exclusive museum experiences, & final bidding on the designer trees & décor. Catering by Events by Safari.
For sponsorship opportunities, to purchase tickets & for more information visit, hmns.org/jingletree or email jingletree@hmns.org
Crawford football staff creates success as fast as community around them SPORTS
By Taylor Fletcher SPECIAL TO THE STAR
How often do you have the chance to build something new? Here in Fort Bend County, one of the fastestgrowing counties in the nation, it’s every day. New restaurants, new roads, new neighborhoods, and of course, new schools.
But with all the newness lies a challenge: How do you build something where nothing existed before? “No one grew up wanting to be a Charger.” said David Jackson, head coach of the Almeta Crawford High School football team. “We’re a new thing.”
However, the lack of history does not stop them from playing with pride.
These Chargers have much to be proud of. They clinched a postseason berth in their first season eligible for University Interscholastic League (UIL) play. Their record was a respectable 5-5 heading into the 4A playoffs. Jackson and his staff intentionally built a culture that prized family and
preparation. “We rely on our four core values: family, effort, toughness, and discipline,” Jackson said.
The emphasis lies with the first value on the list: family. “Brotherhood is the bond,” he said. It fuels the three other values on the list.
Jackson is keenly familiar with this bond. “Every guy in my wedding, except for two, I played high school football with,” he said. ‘The bonds that you make in this game at this age .... are gonna be friends for your entire life.”
However, he knows that family bonds only take as far as you can implement the team strategy. That comes down to the will to prepare.
Preparation has been shown with his coaching staff, who helped transition last year’s junior varsity team built on freshman and sophomore to this year’s varsity of sophomores and juniors. They did this all without the precedent of a varsity team to build on. “I know that they can coach ball,” said Jackson. “They’re doing a dang good job.”
Their preparation starts with a detailed weekly schedule in which every player knows where they should be. This approach even extends to how detailed their pre-gameday walkthrough is.
They climb on the bus, drive around to the back of the school, exit the bus, walk the field, collect phones when they enter the locker room, go through the first, second,
and third waves of warmups, and stand for the national anthem. Then, they proceed to kick off their practice game.
Why go through all of this?
“For us, these kids didn’t know what to do,” Jackson said. “How can I hold them accountable for it?”
The accountability goes far beyond just the team.
“It’s your representation of this community. It’s named
essary and
should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged 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
after someone that I worked with,” he said of Almeta Crawford. “She’s a legend as a teacher, [and] we will represent Crawford High School and its namesake the right way.”
Jackson knows that this accountability and attention to details will build something for the players to be proud of. “The program belongs to the kids and the community,” said Jackson. “It’ll exist here far beyond my years on this earth.” Crawford has a chance to build on that fresh ground this week when they find out their first ever play-off opponent and take the field November 14-16.
Fletcher is
MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801
FORT BEND HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING
The Fort Bend County Historical Commission
for
quarterly
scheduled
November 19 at 3:00
at
George Police Academy Conference Room located at 1521 Eugene Heimann Cir., Richmond, Texas. In addition to the regular meeting, award-winning Richmond author Chris Mullen will present “Research, Rowdy, and Writing”, a discussion about the importance of historic and cultural research in writing fiction. Mullen, a Texas A&M graduate from Richmond, has authored 6 books and 2 short stories in the Rowdy
Crawford High School football coach David Jackson credits a sense of family with the Charters’ recent successes on the field.
