The names of new FBISD campuses were approved at the district’s November 18 meeting with plans for one of the schools to bear the name of a legendary high school coach who recently passed away, according to a press release from the district.
The newly constructed campus for Blue Ridge-Briargate Elementary School will be named after George Bush High School Head Football Coach and former NFL player Allen Aldridge Jr. who died in September age 52.
Members of Aldridge’s family were present at the board meeting and said the beloved coach would likely blush to see his name on a school.
“He would be happy, but he might have hidden his face,” upon receiving such recognition, his mother Cleotha Aldridge said.
His wife Tajuana agreed.
“This is not something he would ever have asked for because he was a very laidback person, but he would be so proud and excited about this,” she said.
The school names were selected from a pool of more than 1,600 submissions that came in from the FBISD community.
The new campus for Mission Bend-Mission Glen Elementary will be named Mission Elementary School to commemorate the community’s “spirit of empowerment through knowledge, inclusion and commitment to lifelong learning,” according to the release.
The specialty campus Ferndell Henry Center for Learning, named after a FBISD high school biology teacher who served the district for almost 40 years, is being renovated and converted into an elementary school. It will become Ferndell Henry Elementary School.
“Before my dad passed away, I asked him if there was anything in life he would have done differently,” Brian Henry said. “He answered, ‘no.’ He said he really enjoyed teaching.”
With Brian at the board meeting was his daughter Brynne Henry, Ferndell’s granddaughter, who teaches art at Sugar Land Middle School.
Community Reports
Fort Bend ISD will host a Teacher and Campus Hiring Event on December 5 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the James Reese Career and Technical Center, located at 12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land.
The district is seeking certified teachers, paraprofessionals and nurses who are interested in starting 2025 with a new career.
During the event, campus and department leaders will be ready to
conduct on-the-spot interviews for the following positions:
• Certified teachers (all certification areas, including special education and bilingual teachers)
• Paraprofessionals (general and special education)
• Registered nurses • Counselors
“Fort Bend ISD is a phenomenal district that offers many opportunities for growth and advancement, whether you are an experienced educator or just starting your career,”
said FBISD Dr. Jennifer Nichols, the district’s director of talent acquisition. “We are looking forward to meeting candidates who are ready to lead and support student learning, including university students who will receive their teaching degrees in just a few short weeks.”
Registration for the event is open at fortbendisd.com/hiringevent. Candidates who register to attend are encouraged to bring several copies of their resume and come prepared for on-the-spot interviews.
GIRL SCOUTS LEARN TO GARDEN
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Master Gardeners shared their knowledge and experience with fourth- and fifth-grade Girl Scouts on a recent Saturday.
Approximately 20 girls attended a Girl Scout Badge event hosted by the FBMG Youth Activity Committee at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center in Rosenberg.
YAC Director Donna Blackburn of Sugar Land said requirements established by Girl Scouts for the badge include visiting a garden, exploring garden design, learning to choose garden plants, experimenting with seeds and then growing seeds in their garden.
Master Gardeners Lynn Lucas of Fulshear and Annette Beadles of Richmond used the word “Plants” to underline the basics of what plants need: A place to live, light, air, nutrients, thirst for water and soil.
Lucas discussed the different needs of plants. “Group like plants together. You don’t put a cactus with a fern in the same container,” she said, explaining a cactus wouldn’t need as much water as a fern.
Plant labels and seed packets give instruction and guidance on what the plant needs to grow and thrive. The Scouts were given seed packets for a hands-on exploration on what information is on them, what it means and how to apply it to plants in the garden. For example, “The back of a seed package will tell you if you need full sun or part sun,” Lucas said. Tall plants go in the back of the flower bed and short plants in the front, she said. “You do that so they all get good sunlight.” Answering one Scout’s
Community Reports
Plug and Play recently took the stage alongside the City of Sugar Land Economic Development and Tourism team at the 2024 Silicon Valley Summit in Silicon Valley to announce the opening of its new flagship Houston-Metro location in Sugar Land Town Square.
This marks Plug and Play’s fourth location in the state and includes a non-compete radius of 60 miles from the city limits, underscoring its strategic commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, according to a press release from the City. Plug and Play, which
question, she said depth referred to how deep they need to plant the seeds in the soil. She talked about thinning plants if the seeds sprout and grow up too closely together.
Fifth-grader Cassidy of Richmond had no problem spending her
helped accelerate more than 2,700 startups globally last year, aims to drive innovation by connecting entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, universities and governments worldwide. The company has more than 60 locations globally and over 550 corporate partners, including Dell Technologies, Daikin, Microsoft, LG Chem, Shell, and Mercedes. Their portfolio includes companies like PayPal, Dropbox, LendingClub, and Course Hero, with 8 percent of the portfolio valued at over $100 million.
“We are excited to welcome Plug and Play to Sugar Land,” Mayor of Sugar Land Joe Zimmerman said in the
learn more about the seeds they just re-
Saturday morning at the center. “I’m excited about the part about garden design. I don’t know much about garden design. That’s why I’m here to learn about things.”
She has a plant and flower encyclopedia at home. “It’s a big thing
filled with plants and flowers and lots of pictures.” She also has a manual for the gardening badge at home. “It just seems cool to me to
release. “This investment will help us connect with corporate contacts and experts in startups and businesses that would take us many years to reach on our own. It allows us to create a presence, attract investments and jobs to the city, and hopefully become a base of operations for some of these high-growth companies.”
Leasing and hiring will begin between December and January, with an official launch in February or March, featuring approximately 15 startups announced on Selection Day. Plug and Play will hire four full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and accelerate two startup batches per year, focusing on “Smart Cities”, which in-
clude sectors such as energy, health, transportation, and mobility. Additionally, one Sugar Land City representative will serve as a board member, helping to set the program’s goals and mission.
“By expanding to Sugar Land, we’re creating a space where startups can access resources, build partnerships, and scale rapidly,” said Sherif Saadawi, the company’s vice president for strategy. “This location will help fuel Texas’ innovation ecosystem, providing entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to drive real-world impact and contribute to the state’s technological and economic growth.”
Master Gardener Nancy Utech of Richmond helps Girl Scouts Ilyana and Illianna
ceived. Courtesy Fort Bend County Master Gardeners
The tech accelerator firm Plug and Play recently announced the opening of its Houston-area flagship office at Sugar Land Town Square. Image via Plug and Play
George Bush High School head football coach and former NFL player Allen Aldridge, Jr. died in September. On Nov. 18, the Fort Bend ISD board approved
Quality Primary Care — Close to Home
EDITORIAL
Lots of loose change
MY FRONT YARD – Does the air seem a little thicker?
Maybe it’s because the EPA pollution police are gone. Quite probably so are the meat inspectors, vaccinators and your yardman. Well, you can’t say incoming President Donald Trump isn’t keeping his promises. He ran, and was elected, vowing to turn the federal government upside down and inside out. This means bad times for many college students, illegal immigrants, journalists, environmentalists and undisciplined dogs. But good times are ahead for the oil and gas biz, amateur cabinet secretaries and Elon Musk.
The goals of the Trump administration are clearly spelled out in Project 2025 which details what will happen to America when Trump is elected. Although Trump says he hasn’t even read Project 2025 – it’s 920 pages long – the guide is written by his cohorts, former staff members and advisers.
The Project, for instance, calls for the abolition of the Department of Education, which Trump has endorsed.
Happy Thanksgiv-
ing! I hope you and yours will have a wonderful and peaceful holiday weekend together. After this past year, we all deserve it. As it happens, this week marks my second anniversary as editor of the Fort Bend Star. So one thing I can say I’m Thankful for is that I have a job. Given the turmoil the newspaper industry continues to suffer, that’s not necessarily a certainty. And despite the often pulling-myhair-out struggle it takes to put out the newspaper each week, it’s a good job. In my time here, I’ve learned a lot about Fort Bend and gotten to know many of its wonderful people. In as dynamic and interesting place such as Fort Bend County, that’s no small thing. This year, I’m particularly thankful that – whatever one might think of the results – this year’s Presidential election went off largely without controversy. As a nation, we still have a lot of work to do to help move past the divisiveness we’ve experienced for far too long. It seems the transfer of power will happen smoothly, and that’s a good start. But since we’re on the subject, let’s talk about the holiday season in general. Way back in mid-September, I was visiting First Colony Mall and saw that one of the department stories
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
He has also favored rescinding President Joe Biden’s forgiveness of student loans. (I only wish Biden would forgive my credit card debt.)
As for the environment, tree huggers beware. Our next president has vowed to roll back Biden’s many anti-pollution edicts and pro-environmental executive orders. Trump said, “We’re drilling, drilling, drilling.” I guess no one told him that the U.S. is the largest crude oil producer in the world, pumping out nearly 13 million barrels on average every day in 2023, an all-time record, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Yes, expand drilling! But you won’t mind that loud noise in your backyard.
Trump made his vow of drilling, drilling, drilling in 2023 during a Fox News interview, when questioned
was already putting out its Christmas-themed merchandise. September, for Rudolph’s sake! That happens to be the month in which I was born. When I was a kid celebrating my birthday, Christmas seemed like a long, long time away. There used to be a natural rhythm to the holidays that made this part of the year very special for kids. First, there was Halloween, which in those years was almost entirely geared towards children and trickor-treating. If your family was ambitious, you carved a jack o’ lantern and saved the pulp for a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was a nice enough holiday, which kids probably enjoyed most because it involved two days off from school. And it marked the “official” start of the holiday season, roughly a month before Christmas Day. That’s when you began hearing holiday songs on the radio, gradually at first and than more and more frequently as the Big Day approached. But here’s the thing: those songs were interspersed within the
whether he would abuse his power or target political opponents, he replied he would not, “except for day one. After that, I’m not a dictator.” That day, January 20, will be the day of the long knives. In that Fox News interview, he also said, “We’re closing the border.” That has been the hallmark of the next president’s campaign, and the promise resonates with many Americans, especially here in Texas. (I’m all for clamping down.) The GOPers keep citing the “millions” of murderers, rapists, gang members and terrorists Biden allowed to enter the U.S. Where did they get those numbers? Maybe ICE has a form for new arrivals to fill out. “Please check these boxes: Are you a convicted murderer? Rapist? An ISIS bomber, arsonist or assassin?”
During the four years of his presidency, Trump built around 450 miles of barriers along the southern U.S. border, which is 1,954 miles long, but many of the structures only replaced old, dilapidated barriers. To add to the barriers, he would need Congress to approve the funds. During his presidency, Trump received some funding and declared a national emergency that allowed him to
format of whatever your favorite radio station was. It wasn’t wall-to-wall, 24/7. And then there were the Christmas television specials, the ones you watched every year without fail. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer.” “Frosty the Snowman,” and of course, the pièce de résistance, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Watching these in your family living room gave you the same warm, glowing feeling no matter how many times you’d seen them. But my favorite, “Charlie Brown,” already was sounding the alarm about the over-commercialization of the holiday. It’s been a long time since I was a kid, and Charles Schultz’s warning to us not only seems prescient, but perhaps maybe underselling (as it were) the problem. Despite growing up in Alief, which even then was a very diverse community, I’m afraid I didn’t know much about some of my fellow students’ religious traditions and holidays. I knew of Hanukkah, but only vaguely before writing a story about it for my high-school newspaper. I had many South Asian friends in school, but didn’t really know about Diwali until I was much older. That’s a shame, and I’ve worked to rectify that as an adult.
Earlier this week (after the paper’s print deadline), the Interfaith Community of Fort Bend held its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving ser-
redirect Defense Department funding. Mexico did not pay for it. You did. As for those undocumented foreigners already here, Trump promised to carry out “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” Since there are an estimated 11 million immigrants without permanent legal status, say goodbye to the busboys, carpenters, your maid and the guys mowing your yard. There are some 580,000 people living in the U.S as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. That is, kids brought here by their undocumented parents. Texas has nearly 90,000 of them. Line up the buses. On the campaign trail and in interviews, Trump suggested that if he regained the White House, he would exact vengeance on news outlets that anger him. More specifically, Trump pledged to toss reporters in jail and strip major television networks of their broadcast licenses as retribution for coverage he didn’t like. We can assume that doesn’t include Fox News, but I may not be around for long. Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours.” Tell Putin to schedule his vic-
vice at a Sugar Land church. It’s always a lovely event. Let’s get back to that department store I visited in September, already displaying its holiday merchandise. Sometime later, I heard on NPR’s “Marketplace” program that a quirk in the calendar put this year’s Thanksgiving later in November than usual, shortening the holiday shopping season. Retailers across the country were afraid of being stuck with too much inventory at the end of the year, accounting for the early start. That makes sense, since the holiday season is the retail industry’s make-or-break time of the year. I spent one holiday season wrapping gifts at a Neiman-Marcus in San Diego. I’ve had a lot of stressful jobs in my time, but I don’t remember ever feeling more wrung out following a workday than that year’s Black Friday. (Let’s remember to be kind to those hard-working retail folks this year.)
As for the holiday music. I’ve also learned that the rise of the “all Christmas music, all the time” radio format began at a station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of all places, sometime in the mid-1990s. The station was looking for a way to raise its profile with a simple-toprogram format. It caught on, and there’s now at least one such station in every major media market in the county. Maybe in other countries, for all I know.
tory parade in Kyev. Our next president also says he will pardon most of the convicted Capitol rioters of January 6th .He calls them “patriots” and “hostages.” All those armed and expensive peaceniks (five police officers died as a result of the chaos which cost you and me about $20 million) may be out soon. Speaking of money, Trump promised to raise tariffs on foreign goods, especially when foreign countries impose tariffs on the U.S. Experts estimate that Trump’s proposed tariffs would cost a typical family between $2,000 and $4,000 a year.
Do you feel that your food is too inspected? What’s a little salmonella in your scrambled eggs? OK, even now there are over a million cases of salmonella infection in the U.S. each year, but who’s counting? Enter Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Trump has nominated Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and “go wild” curtailing regulations on food and medicines. “FDA’s war on public health is about to end,” Kennedy wrote on social media. “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2.
Now here’s the thing: I like Christmas music, even love much of it. During the first holiday season of the COVID-19 pandemic, I watched online an excellent documentary about how many of the best-loved Christmas songs were actually written by Jewish songwriters. I’d known that, but it was wonderful to learn about it in so much detail. Separately, I’ve learned that one of my favorites, “Do You Hear What I Hear,” was written by a husband-and-wife songwriting team who were deeply involved in the peace movement during the Cold War and wrote it as a response to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, which nearly brought us to nuclear war.
But like many other things during the holidays, I find Christmas music is best enjoyed in moderation. Perhaps 20 years or so ago, I made an affirmative decision to avoid the music as much as possible until about a week before Christmas Day. In many ways it’s unavoidable, since it permeates the stores, television commercials, etc. But during that last week, I’ll often switch over to the Christmas station to binge on the stuff, often waiting for the can’t-miss songs, which for me include Nat King Cole’s rendition of “The Christmas Song” (written poolside by Mel Tormé during a hot summer), Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street
Pack your bags.” We can only wonder how Kennedy feels about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, who are supposedly eating their neighbors’ pets. One more enlightenment: He is suspicious of all vaccines. Cozying up to the Oval Office is Elon Musk who, Trump said, will be “our cost cutter” who will co-lead a Department of Government Efficiency. Great, to cut down on government bureaucracy we will create a new government bureaucracy. The world’s richest man may soon get even richer. Musk’s SpaceX holds billions of dollars in NASA contracts. He’s CEO of Tesla that benefits from government tax incentives and is subject to auto safety rules. His Boring Company has dealings with the federal government. A final nomination: Trump wants South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem is well qualified for the job: she secured her own safety by shooting her trouble-making dog. The only cabinet vacancy still to fill is Secretary of Disposing of 10,000 “Stop the Steal” signs.
Ashby inspects at ashby2@ comcast.net
Band’s live version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” By doing this, I help make the season feel, for me at least, a little more like the ones I remember growing up. But that’s just me. If you’re big into Christmas music, more power to you. An old college friend of mine, whom I didn’t see much in person., went all out on Facebook, posting several songs a day beginning on the day after Thanksgiving. Another highly entertaining documentary I saw a couple of years ago was about the small subgroup of people who are obsessed with the music, scouring used-record bins across the country for it. I told my friend about it, but don’t know if he ever watched it. Sadly, he died the summer before last after suffering for years from various ailments. Since then, I can’t listen to Christmas music without thinking of him. However you approach the holiday season, I genuinely hope it will be a good one. Sure, it’s over-commercialized, often overly sentimental. But as the nights grow longer and darker, as the weather turns chillier, the holidays remind us of the most important aspects of life, and hopefully call us to embrace our better selves. In a time that can seem increasingly fraught, we all could do with more of that feeling.
Fountain ho-ho-hos at KFountain@fortbendstar.com
have a bunch of pretty flowers because I just love looking at them.” It was important for fourth-grader Tahera of The Heights to attend, too. “I like planting stuff because I like seeing how things grow and learning how to take care of them.”
Fourth-grader Illianna of Richmond said, “I grew into gardening.” She explained, “When I was a little kid I went to a garden center for the first time.” Looking at all the plants, she really liked roses, and they bought some and planted them at home. “A year later I got little flowers that had min -
iature flowers inside of them with little patterns. They were adorable - red, orange, yellow and one was yellow, pink and purple. They were really pretty. They grew so much and almost covered my entire front yard. Every week we had to trim them a little bit.”
“I think gardens are pretty because they’re really colorful,” said Hana, a fourthgrader from Spring Branch. “There’s a lot of nice things - like you can grow figs that you can eat and there can be flowers to make your garden pretty.”
After the classroom instruction, the Scouts toured the butterfly garden in the Master Gardeners Demonstration Gardens.
implemented evidence-based strategies to close academic gaps for students.
“It is nice to know that since my grandfather was a teacher in Fort Bend, I am continuing in his path,” she said.
All three schools will open in August 2025 and are funded by the 2023 Bond.
Student Achievement
Beginning of the Year
Update
Also at the board meeting, the Department of School Leadership and Academic Affairs congratulated Willowridge High School for its 2023–24 academic progress and elimination of the School Improvement Comprehensive Support and Rating. Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Jennifer Roberts, the campus
“Their hard work, passion for kids, and commitment to excellence make us extremely proud of the good work they have done and continue to do for our Willowridge students who we expect to soar to even higher heights,” said FBISD Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jaretha Jordan.
District leaders also outlined a detailed plan at the board meeting for other FBISD schools where leaders said they are firmly committed to seeing improved academic outcomes.
Aquatic Practice Facility
The board also voted to proceed with 2023 Bond plans to construct an aquatic practice
facility to better serve students on the southeast side of the district. A total of $23 million was budgeted for the facility in June 2023 and any costs above that amount would come from 2014 and 2018 bond contingency funds.
FBISD Financial Rating
In a public hearing held prior to the Board’s Regular Business meeting, the Fort Bend ISD Finance Department presented information showing the district has once again earned a rating of “A-Superior Achievement” for managing its finances in ways that directly and positively impact teaching and learning in the classroom.
The Texas Education Agency releases the ratings annually. FBISD has received
a Superior Rating for the past two decades. The district earned its yearly rating based on 21 different indicators, including its record of paying debts, managing expenses and allocating resources. The TEA rating is called the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas or FIRST and is indicative of the district’s commitment to strong financial management and transparency. Additionally, the district’s external financial auditor Whitley Penn recently issued an unqualified opinion indicating Fort Bend ISD’s financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Master Gardener Donna Blackburn of Sugar Land visits with Girl Scouts Tahera and Hana. Courtesy Fort Bend County Master Gardeners
Members of the family of Allen Aldridge, Jr.. post following the Fort Bend ISD board meeting on Nov. 18. The board named a new campus after Aldridge, the new Blue Ridge-Briargate Elementary School after the former NFL player and George Bush High School head football coach. Courtesy Fort Bend ISD
December 7 | 10 a.m.– 1 p.m.
‘Tis the season…to make merry memories!
Get ready for a holly-jolly time as Santa makes his joyful return to Sugar Land! Join us for a magical morning filled with holiday crafts in Santa Land, the timeless treat of cookies and milk, and an unforgettable photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus to capture the joy! Don’t forget to bring your camera to snap extra candids of the festive fun!
Celebrate the season with us and make memories that sparkle, all while supporting HMNS at Sugar Land’s mission of spreading the joy of science education and accessibility.
That’s the HMNS spirit!
For tickets and event details, visit sugarland.hmns.org/cookieswithsanta or call 713-639-4629.
Cullinan Park announces winners of 2024 photo contest
Community Reports
The Cullinan Park Conservancy announced the winners of its 2024 Photo Contest at the 9th Annual Picnic for the Park on October 24 at the Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land.
Sponsored by Oxbow Advisors, LLC, the contest allowed amateur and professional photographers to submitted up to three photos in designated categories. The entries were judged by three anonymous local photographers. Top winners from each of the five photography categories received a $50 gift card.
First Place Entries in the respective categories were:
• Flora category - “Texas Lotus and a Frog” by Thung Tran
• Bird category - “Meal Time” by Joe Goldman
• Wildlife category - “It
Ain’t Easy Being Green” by Melanie Emerson
• Landscape category
- “The Faint Glow of Sunset” by Melanie Emerson
• Taken with Cell Phone category - “Nature’s Armor” by Tracey Woodward
• People's Choice category - “White Lotus” by Katy Lagunes
All of the winning entries can be found on the conservancy's website at cullinanparkconservancy. org/photo-winners.
The Picnic at the Park raised more than $80,000.
“We are thrilled to continue ou efforts to preserve and enhance Cullinan Park, including the creation of LEAP (Learn, Explore & Play) - an outdoor classroom
experience accessible to children of all ages,” said Keith Borgfeldt, chair of the Cullinan Park Conservancy Board, said in press release. “We extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated donors and sponsors for their continued belief in our mission - to protect Cullinan Park’s natural resources and promote conservation and education about its rich vegetation and wildlife.”
Borgfeldt thanked the City of Sugar Land and its Parks and Recreation Department staff for their commitment and stewardship of Cullinan Park. He recognized the Coastal Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists for their work in installing and maintaining the bird viewing area and for bringing their invaluable support in hosting birding events and related activities.
The conservancy board also was presented the 2024 Nina Cullinan Award to Jim McClellan and the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, for their positive impact on the quality of life in Fort Bend County. “As a trustee of the Foundation, Jim not only understands the organizations the Foundation supports but also makes a genuine effort to personally connect with the staff and clients of those nonprofits,” said Borgfeldt. “He has been a steadfast supporter of Cullinan Park, consistently helping us navigate challenges and celebrating our successes along the way.”
The 2024 Cullinan Green Award, recognizing an environmentally conscious business or organization in Sugar Land, was awarded to Si Environmental.
“The Faint Glow of Sunset” by Melanie Emerson won First Place in the Landscape category in the Cullinan Park Conservancy's 2024 Photo Contest.
“Texas Lotus and a Frog” by Thung Tran won First Place in Flora Category in the Cullinan Park Conservancy’s 2024 Photo Contest. Images by Lauren Smith, courtesy Fort Bend Conservancy.
“Meal Time” by Joe Goldman won First Place in the Birds category in the Cullinan Park Conservancy’s 2024 Photo Contest.
“It Ain’t Easy Being Green” by Melanie Emerson won First Place in the Wildlife category in the Cullinan Park Conservancy's 2024 Photo Contest.
FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCESGOVERNMENTAL FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Fort Bend libraries offer tools to help readers pick their next reads
Community Reports
Readers who can leisurely browse the row-upon-row of shelves of books in the library often find enticing books that they might not have known about previously. Or perhaps the librarian who knows what books the reader likes may suggest a new book or author to try.
In this digital age, however, when many people browse the library's online catalog from home in search of a specific book, the chance to stumble upon a lucky find or hear a helpful suggestion from the librarian will be missing.
Fort Bend County Libraries has an online Reading Recommendations section on its website that will fill that gap and allow library users at home to have another opportunity to discover new and exciting books and authors that they might not have otherwise considered.
Located under the “Books, eLibrary, & More” tab, the Reading Recommendations section features three unique “readers' advisory” toolsAuthor Alerts, NoveList Plus, and Wowbrary.
“Author Alerts” enables readers to be notified by email or text message when new titles or offerings by authors or performers are added to the FBCL collection.
“NoveList Plus” (an EBSCO database) provides book rec-
ommendations based on a reader's favorite authors, titles, or series. Search by title, plot, or writing style to find read-alikes, or browse reviews, discussion guides, or reading lists for popular genres. Readers of all ages can find fiction, nonfiction, and audiobooks that match their interests and reading levels.
“Wowbrary” is a free weekly email service showcasing the latest additions to the FBCL collection. With an instant link to the online catalog, titles can quickly and easily be requested online for checkout and pickup at the nearest FBCL location.
Demonstrations of these online tools will take place at the following locations, but those who are interested may also inquire about them at any time at any FBCL location.
University Branch Library (14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land): “Intro to NoveList”
• Thursday, December 5, 10:15-11:15 a.m., Computer Lab. Learn how to make the most use of the features that NoveList Plus offers. Registration required.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library (2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy)
to the FBCL collection.
Some of the notifications will be “pre-release.” These notifications are for titles that are in the process of being added to the collection but are not yet available for checkout.
Readers can sign up for Author Alerts by clicking on the “Books, eLibrary, & More” tab on FBCL's website and choosing “Book Recommendations” and then “Author Alerts.”
There is no limit to the number of authors, performers, or film studios that can be selected for notification.
answers the question: What should I read next?
FBCL offers a free weekly “Wowbrary” email showcasing the latest arrivals at the libraries. With an instant link to the online catalog, titles can quickly and easily be requested online for checkout and pickup at the nearest FBCL location.
The “Wowbrary” email service showcases new books, DVDs, music on CDs, ebooks and e-audiobooks, largeprint books, and non-English selections.
ENGLISH AS
HOLDING AUDITIONS
The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys 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
o Tuesday, December 10, 23 p.m., Computer Lab. Learn how to make the most use of the features that Author Alerts, NoveList Plus, and Wowbrary offer. Registration required.
Sugar Land Branch Library (550 Eldridge): “How to Find the Right Book for You” Registration required.
• Thursday, December 5, 2-3 p.m, Computer Lab. Learn how to make the most use of the features that Author Alerts, NoveList Plus, and Wowbrary offer. Registration required.
• Wednesday, December 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Tech Center.
• Thursday, December 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tech Center.
Missouri City Branch Library (1530 Texas Parkway)
• Friday, December 27, 23 p.m., Computer Lab. Learn how to make the most use of the features that Author Alerts, NoveList Plus, and Wowbrary offer. Registration required.
Author Alerts is a service that enables readers to be notified by email or text message when new titles or offerings by their chosen authors or performers are added
Library users can also choose the format(s) that they prefer, such as: book, ebook, audiobook on CD, e-audiobook, DVD, streaming video, large print, music CD, or streaming music. Multiple formats can be selected.
When an item by the reader's chosen author is added to FBCL's collection, an email/ text will be sent within 24 hours notifying the reader of the new addition. The email/ text will include a direct link to FBCL's catalog, so that a hold can be placed on the new item immediately.
NoveList Plus is a comprehensive readers' search tool for fiction and nonfiction. Find read-alikes by author or series, or even search by appeal terms or reading level. With handy links to the library catalog, NoveList Plus
The “Wowbrary” emails highlight certain titles each week, but users may also click on categories for specific genres of interest, such as children's books, mysteries and thrillers, parenting and family, graphic novels, business and investing, and much more.
The service is free, and users can unsubscribe at any time if they no longer wish to receive the emails. These services and demonstrations are free to the public. To register for a demonstration, visit Fort Bend County Libraries' website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call FBCL's Communications Office (281-633-4734) or the branch libraries.
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
and
MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801
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.
FAFSA WORKSHOP
On Saturday, December 7, from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., College Community Career will host a free FAFSA Workshop at the CCC office, 11104 W. Airport Blvd. #106, Stafford. The public is invited to attend and receive free assistance in completing their financial aid applications. The event will include festive décor, fun activities, and giveaways, all designed to simplify the FAFSA process for students and their families. As college approaches, some students will be applying for FAFSA for the first time. Many marginalized
