In an unusually contentious workshop meeting, the Fort Bend ISD board on Monday heard from several people opposed to a recently stateapproved elementary school language arts curriculum which many critics say overemphasizes Christianity in its lesson plans.
Last fall, the State Board of Education narrowly approved the so-called Bluebonnet curriculum for use in elementary schools across the state which, per a bill passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023, has financial incentives attached for school districts which adopt it. Fort Bend ISD currently uses its own board-approved language arts curriculum, including for elementary schools, according to a presentation by staff members on Monday.
The Bluebonnet curriculum - the authorship of which has never been publicly disclosed - has received widespread criticism in Texas and elsewhere because it incorporates stories from the Judeo-Christian tradition, among other sources, in its lesson plans.
Some critics have said those lessons draw from a particular version of Christianity at the expense of other religious traditions. Fort Bend ISD, the sixth-largest district in the state, is regarded, like the county at large, as one of the most diverse communities in the nation.
During an opening presentation, Melissa Hubbard, the district’s director of teaching and learning, provided an extensive overview of how the Bluebonnet curriculum came about as an option for school districts to adopt to meet state requirements. Although approved by the State Board of Education, Bluebonnet is not mandated, districts that adopt it can receive $60 per pupil, with and additional $20 per pupil for printing costs, Hubbard said. She provided no estimate of how much additional funding Fort Bend ISD might receive if it adopts Bluebonnet.
The lessons for pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade use a variety of sources, including novels, for teaching reading comprehension, Hubbard said. While some of the lessons refer to religious traditions such as ancient Norse gods, she said, many of them are drawn from
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
More than two weeks after patrons of the Fort Bend County Libraries system noticed that the system’s website and computer systems were not operating as usual, the library director on Wednesday said in a written statement that the system had suffered a “network disruption” from outside.
The statement was released only after the situation was first reported by the Fort Bend Independent newspaper and after the Fort Bend Commissioners Court, in a special called meeting last Thursday, voted unanimously to hire the services of several in-
formation technology firms and a law firm. The commissioners made the vote after a lengthy executive session with little information about the reasoning behind the decision made publicly available.
“On February 24th, the library became aware of a network disruption that impacted some of its services. Upon learning of the incident, our IT professionals took immediate action to mitigate its impact, and most online resources have since been restored. We are also working with cybersecurity professionals to investigate the matter,” Roosevelt Weeks, director of the library system, said in the statement.
“We recognize that this may
cause concern regarding the security of patrons’ personal information. We want to reassure the community that the library intentionally limits the types of personal information it collects from patrons. The library does not store personal information from patrons that could easily be used to commit identity theft or fraud—such as social security numbers or financial information.
Our primary objective is to restore full services and ensure the security of the library’s network,” Weeks said.
“We sincerely appreciate your patience during this time, and
Staff Reports
The Greater Houston housing market cooled in February, with sales moderating as more homes were listed for sale. Economic conditions, including elevated mortgage rates and inflation concerns, are impacting buyer sentiment and contributing to this move toward a more balanced market, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ February 2025 Housing Market Update.
Single-family home sales across the Greater Houston area declined 3.0 percent year-over-year, with 6,050 units sold compared to 6,234 last February. It marks the first decline in sales since August 2024. The number of available homes in the Houston area hit the highest level since 2011, with 31,112 active listings in February.
The median home price declined 1.2 percent to $325,000, which is the first notable decline since November 2023. The average price increased slightly to $407,538. This was largely due to continued activity at the high end of the market, which is less susceptible to interest rate changes.
The segment of the market comprised of homes priced between $150,000 and $249,999 saw the strongest performance with sales up 2.0 percent compared to last year. The luxury segment ($1 million+) followed with a 1.9 percent increase in transactions. Sales declined across all other housing segments in February.
“We are seeing a shift to a more balanced market, arguably a buyer’s market, which offers more opportunities for those looking to purchase a home,” said HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty. “While economic conditions are influencing buying behaviors and decision-making, the expansion of inventory is providing consumers with a wider selection of homes. Hesitant buyers are turning to rental housing as a practical alternative.” The rental market saw increased demand in February.
- district. No members of the public spoke in favor of the curriculum.
the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Jaretha Jordan, deputy superintendent for teaching and learning, told the board that the district was recommending that the district purchase adopt a “pilot” set of Bluebonnet resources so the district can further evaluate the entire curriculum before it would be formally adopted.
Following the staff presentation, trustees heard from nine members of the public - from several religious traditions including Christianity - who uniformly voiced their opposition to the Bluebonnet curriculum. Most of them cited the fact that Fort Bend ISD is a highly diverse - including religiously diverse
One man, who identified himself as a Hindu, said that the Bluebonnet curriculum contained only three references to Hinduism or India, and that the references themselves watered down that the references were specific to Hinduism.
A Jewish woman said that references to stories from the Jewish tradition were inaccurate in their descriptions of the stories.
A Christian woman told the board that she did not want the district to try to teach her children about Christianity. “I will do that myself,” she said.
One public speaker, who identified herself as an attorney, referred at the end of her comments to Position
per square foot increased to $174 from $172 last February. Active listings were 33.7 percent above 2024 levels with 31,112 available properties. This is the highest volume of available homes since July 2011 when there were 32,096 units. Days on Market, or the actual time it took to sell a home, increased from 58 to 59 days. Months of inventory improved to a 4.4-months supply from 3.3 months last February, indicating a more balanced market. The national supply stands at 3.5 months, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Broken out by housing segment, February sales performed as follows:
• $1 - $99,999: decreased 23.7 percent
• $100,000 - $149,999: decreased 6.9
percent
• $150,000 - $249,999: increased 2.0
percent
• $250,000 - $499,999: decreased 3.0
percent
• $500,000 - $999,999: decreased 5.6
percent
• $1M and above: increased 1.9 percent
HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing single-family homes. In February, existing home sales totaled 3,876, which is down 4.1 percent compared to the same time last year. The average price rose 4.3 percent to $421,111, and the median sales price was statistically flat at $325,000.
Townhome/Condominium Update
After a strong start to the new year, town-
7 trustee and board secretary David Hamilton, one of the most conservative and publicly avowed Christian members of the board, with an expletive. When board president Kristin Tassin called for the woman to be removed, the woman objected on First Amendment grounds, prompting Tassin to call a recess. The meeting later resumed without incident.
There was no discussion among board members of the Bluebonnet curriculum. The board is expected to take up the board’s recommendation to purchase a pilot curriculum in a meeting in April.
The board is expected to take up the board’s recommendation to purchase a pilot curriculum at its March 24 meeting.
home and condominium sales declined in February. Sales fell 21.9 percent year-overyear with 321 closed sales versus 411 a year earlier. The average price rose 11.0 percent to $287,746, and the median price increased 4.4 percent to $248,500.
The inventory of townhomes and condominiums expanded from a 3.9-months supply last February to 6.2-months, which is the highest level since June 2012 when there was a 6.3-months supply.
Houston Real Estate Highlights in February
• Single-family home sales declined 3.0 percent year-over-year;
• Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 58 to 59 days;
• Total property sales were down 4.7 percent with 7,202 units sold;
• Total dollar volume was statistically flat at $2.8 billion;
• The single-family median price declined 1.2 percent to $325,000;
• The single-family average price rose 2.3 percent to $407,538;
• Single-family home months of inventory registered a 4.4-months supply, up from 3.3 months last February.
• Townhome/condominium sales declined 21.9 percent year-over-year. The median price increased 4.4 percent to $248,500, and the average price rose 11.0 percent to $287,746.
Editor’s Note: The HAR report is used by permission. Find the full report at har.com/ content/department/newsroom?pid=2164.
we will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, our branches remain open, and our staff is available to assist with any service needs. As more information becomes available, it will be shared with the public on the Fort Bend County Library system’s website,” he said. In the time since the disruption occurred, the library system created a new website, www.fortbendlibraries. gov, which still does not have full functionality. While the system has provided updates about the problems on
its website and social media channels, no explanation for the disruption was offered until Wednesday. Roosevelt’s statement was followed by a lengthy FAQ section about the disruption, which can be found in the accompanying box.
At the March 6 special meeting, the agenda item regarding the library system was labeled “Deliberation Regarding Security or Security Audits,” with a simple description “Provision of Information Technology services to support County Departments and Offices.”
After emerging from the executive session, Commissioner Dexter McCoy moved that
the county hire, without the standard competitive bidding procedures, hire the services Netsync, a network provider, for $1.8 million; Weaver, an IT consulting firm, for $300,000; NWN, another IT firm, for $172,000; Microsoft for $173,000; and the Houstonbased law firm Foley & Lardner, for $150,000, as well another $30,000 set aside for a communications provider to be selected by the county attorney’s office. After Commissioner Andy Meyers seconded McCoy’s motion, the full commissioners court, with no further discussion, voted to approve the expenditures.
FAQs for Fort Bend County Libraries patrons
Q: Why is the library experiencing network disruptions?
• On February 24th, the library became aware of a cybersecurity incident that impacted some its services. Upon learning of the incident, our staff took immediate action and most online resources have since been restored. We are currently investigating the cause of the incident. While this investigation remains ongoing, the library remains operational. Where appropriate, we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Q: Was the library hacked?
• We are currently investigating the cause of the incident. We are working with County IT professionals and following best practices to ensure our systems and data remain secure. We will be able to provide more information once we have completed our investigation.
Q: Is my personal information at risk?
• At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the sensitive personal information of patrons has been compromised. In addition, the library takes proactive measures to limit its collection of personal information, avoiding collecting the types of information that would put patrons at risk of identity theft.
Q: What personal information does the library have?
• When you sign up for a library card, the library collects your name, address, phone number, email address, and date of
birth. The library does not collect patrons’ personal information such as social security number, driver’s license number, or financial account information.
Q: I use computers at the library – is my search history at risk?
• No, library computers are equipped with software that erases user data after each patron’s session.
Q: Why was Fort Bend’s library subject to a cybersecurity incident and other libraries were not?
For example, the Houston library is online, but the Fort Bend County library has been without internet for over a week.
• Each library system operates on a separate network. We are collaborating with County IT professionals and following best practices to ensure we securely restore access to our systems. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, and we appreciate your patience.
Q: What are you doing to address this incident?
• We are currently investigating the cause of the incident. We are working with County IT professionals and following best practices to ensure we securely restore access to our systems. We will be able to provide more information once we have completed our investigation.
Q: When will services be back online?
• We are making every effort to restore access to all services as soon as possible. Most services have already been restored. However, since our investigation remains ongoing, we cannot
provide a firm timeline.
Q: Why can’t you share more information right now?
• Our investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. We will be able to provide more information once we have completed the investigation.
Q: How can I access library materials and services in the meantime?
• Physical items: Our branches remain open, and library patrons may continue to browse and borrow physical items with an unexpired library card.
• Online Services: Library patrons still have access to eBooks via OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla. Should you have any questions on how to access eBooks, please contact our librarians who will be happy to assist you with gaining access to these materials.
• Contact Information: If you need assistance or have further questions, our librarians are available to assist via the online chat feature, telephone, or email. As always, our librarians are available to assist you during operating hours in-person at any of our branches.
• Please continue to check our website for the latest updates.
Q: Will the library still issue late fees?
• No, all overdue fines are waived until the network disruption has been resolved.
Q: How can I receive the latest updates?
• Fort Bend County Libraries will continue to share updates on its website.
File photo
EDITORIAL
Realm of the coin
THE STORE —
“That’ll be ten dollars and two cents,” says the clerk. That’s not much if you shop right. My Early Thursday wine and Swamp Slime beer are bargains. I dip into my pockets. No change. “Here,” says the clerk, taking two pennies from a dish and dropping them into the cash register’s drawer. And once again I see that pennies are virtually worthless. This problem may be solved because President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to cease production of the 1-cent coin. “Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site, which was light on details. Actually, Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” trotted out this idea in a post on X last month. Can the President do this on his own? Congress dictates currency specifications like the size and metal content of coins, and the United States
Faith is a strange thing. Some people seem to be born with it, a belief woven into the fabric of their being. Others find it unexpectedly, often in the middle of their hardest struggles. For me, faith wasn’t something I sought out — it found me. I have always known I was Jewish but knowing and feeling are two very different things. My family celebrates the Jewish holidays, lights candles on Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) when we remember, and follows Kosher dietary rules, but to me it often felt like I did these things out of habit — not because I truly understood why. I never questioned it, never really thought about what Judaism meant to me beyond the rituals. That changed when I joined C-Teen of Sugar Land (Chabad Teen Network) and eventually traveled to New York for the International Shabbaton.
One aspect of the
Code gives the Treasury Secretary the authority to mint and issue coins, so a President’s power to abolish any and everything in the federal government is questionable, but tell that to the Department of Education.
President Barack Obama called the penny “a good metaphor for some of the larger problems” of the U.S. government. “It’s very hard to get rid of things that don’t work,” Obama said, adding that eliminating the penny is something a president would “need legislation” for. Yet Trump may have a point. The U.S. Mint made 3.2 billion pennies last year. That’s more than half of all the new coins it made during that period. Every penny cost nearly 3.7 cents to mint. The U.S. Mint reported los-
ing $85.3 million in the 2024 fiscal year that ended in September. While we’re at it, we might want to abolish the nickel, too. The nickel costs almost 14 cents to mint.
Pennies are the most popular coin made by the U.S. Mint. In the last three decades the Mint has made about 250 billion of them. All coins are supposed to stay in circulation for about 30 years, so why does the Mint keep churning them out — even when we don’t particularly care for them? Because they don’t keep circulating. We keep them in jars, car cup holders, lost between the cushions on our sofas. The bottom of my wife’s purse is full of pennies. If you went on a penny search in your home, car or office, I’ll bet you would turn up a lot of pennies. A conservative estimate is that there are 240 billion pennies lying around the U.S. — about 724 ($7.24) for every man, woman and child in the nation. Twenty-six years ago, Philip Diehl, then the director of the U.S. Mint, stated that “two-thirds of the pennies produced in the last 30 years” — 1969 to 1999 — had “dropped out of circulation.”
Recommendations to get
rid of the penny are not new. Forty-eight years ago, in letters to Congress, William E. Simon, then the Treasury Secretary, begged lawmakers to “give serious consideration” to abandoning 1-cent coins as soon as possible.” There have been countless attempts in Congress to rid them, but they go against — one guess — lobbyists paying Congress members.
The situation begins with a small private company in Greeneville, Tenn., called Artazn. For 43 years, Artazn has held contracts with the Treasury Department to manufacture the zinc “blanks” that the Mint stamps into 1-cent coins. (Today our “copper” pennies are actually 2.5 percent copper which covers the coin and the rest is zinc.)
These contracts have earned that company more than $1 billion in revenue since 2008 alone. According to the government transparency group OpenSecrets.org, since 2006 Artazn has spent less than $3 million on lobbying Congress members. That’s not much considering the billions doled out by, say, Big Pharma, but enough to keep the zinc flowing.
As an aside, don’t ever buy
Republic of Texas coins. There aren’t any, or Texas postage stamps. But they did have paper currency, printed in New Orleans, in amounts of $1 to $500 including a $3 bill. Once I could buy them for $5 apiece. Today anything early Texanna is hot. A $5 Republic of Texas bill goes for $750. A $50 bill is yours for only (only?) $1,675. But be careful of counterfeits. OK, where were we? Pennies. Abolishing them makes us turn to alternatives. A nickel for your thoughts. Dimes from heaven. Quarter loafers. A buck saved is two 50 cents earned. This last example brings up a question. When was the last time you paid or received a 50-cent piece? Same for a silver dollar. If we want to abolish a coin, there are two prime candidates. When it comes to paper money, I wonder if cash registers even have a place for $2 bills. We have killed off a coin before. In 1857 the U.S. abolished the half-cent. And other countries have beat us to the punch. New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, and others dropped their lowest denomination coins years ago. Then there is our reluc-
Finding meaning in faith
EVA K. MORRIS Youth Columnist
Shabbaton weekend is that you do not travel with your family, but instead with the teens in your delegation and with the Rabbi and Rebbetzin. The journey to New York City was chaotic from delayed flights to ticket and taxi issues. It seemed all odds were against us, but every twist and turn was unknowingly guiding me. The weekend was supposed to be about experiencing a true Shabbat, disconnecting from distractions, meeting Jewish teens from around the world, and providing meaning, however I did not expect it to change me.
Faith is about accepting not knowing. I did not fully grasp that idea until we visited The Ohel , the burial site of Rabbi Menachem
Mendel Schneerson. One of the traditions of The Ohel is to pray and/or write a letter to place on his grave. Naturally I started writing a letter. At first, I asked for the usual things — good grades, happiness, success. But as I kept writing, something shifted. My words stopped being about what I wanted and started being about what I already had. Without thinking, I found myself writing what I had never consciously realized before:
“You have never been alone. You have always been guided.”
And just like that, my life changed.
I thought about all my struggles that I constantly reflect on. My adoption was one of those struggles. For years, I wrestled with the thought: Why wasn’t I wanted? Why wasn’t I enough? Was I just a mistake? But as I stood there, I saw my adoption differently. My birth mother was a high school senior, and did not place me for adoption because I was unwanted. She placed
me because I was wanted. She made the hardest, most selfless decision possible because she wanted me to have a chance at more. My birth mother knew that even though she was unable to raise me herself, there was a family out there who would accept and love me. Had I not been placed for adoption, I would not have the parents who love me, the sister who has taught me more about endurance and kindness than any other human, and have the family who raised me into the person I am today. What used to feel like loss, was actually love in its finest form. Faith was working, even when I doubted it. Faith is about trusting that even in our darkest moments, we never are going through it alone. We tend to question why things happen the way they do, if there is any meaning. But faith shows us that even when we are at our worst, there is light. Sometimes, that light is a friend who shows up at the right time while others' light is the lesson hidden in what once felt like failure.
Vaccines are safe, effective
Editors' note: This column is written by Texas Rep. Suleman Lalani, D-Sugar Land, a physician and Texas state representative for House District 76, serving part of Fort Bend County, including the cities of Sugar Land, Stafford, Richmond and Meadows Place. 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 a Texas State legislator and board-certified physician, I understand the careful balance we must strike between individual rights and collective responsibilities. This choice is at the core of debates
over school vouchers, gun control, and environmental regulations. But in the case of public health, we don’t need to choose.
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect both yourself and your community against disease.
In Texas, we are experiencing a measles outbreak that has infected 223 people, hospitalized 29, and taken the life of an unvaccinated school-aged child. This outbreak has taken a tremendous toll on the lives of Texans. One that could have been prevented.
Three decades ago, measles hospitalized tens
of thousands of Americans per year and killed hundreds more. But in 2000, the U.S. successfully eliminated the disease through widespread vaccination. In subsequent decades, as vaccine skepticism has grown and herd immunity dwindles, measles again threatens our communities.
The mumps-measlesrubella (MMR) vaccine has undergone the highest level of clinical testing. Developed in the 1960s, the vaccine has passed the full slate of clinical trials, including phase III studies, observer-blinded studies, non-inferiority trials, and lot-to-lot consistency trials. With strong evidence backing its safety and efficacy, the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in 1971.
Of course, as with any medical intervention, the MMR vaccine does have side effects. Most common are mild rashes and fever,
but even the most serious side effect — severe allergic reaction — is extremely rare, occurring in less than two patients per one million doses administered (1). In comparison, 1 out of 5 unvaccinated individuals will be hospitalized for measles (2).
The risks of not taking a measles vaccine far outweighs the risks. Widespread vaccination protects communities. But it also protects you.
Vaccinating against measles is not a tradeoff between individual rights and collective responsibilities. They are one in the same. As a physician and legislator dedicated to the health of my community, I urge all Texans to vaccinate themselves and their loved ones against measles.
tant soon-to-be 51st state. Canada got rid of its penny in 2013 because it cost 1.6 cents to mint and had, like its unneighborly southern neighbor, become essentially worthless. But this is important: Canada eliminated only its physical coin, not the concept of 1 cent. Payment by credit card, debit card, mobile phone or check — any kind of non-cash transaction — is calculated exactly as it was before the penny was abolished. If a bill comes to, say, $20.11, a Canadian paying by credit card will be charged $20.11. A Canadian paying by cash can expect to pay $20.10 but not $20.09 or $20.11. After Canada stopped minting new pennies, it began recycling them for their “valuable” copper and zinc. The fate of the bothersome 1-cent coin is not real high on our worry list. It’s not up there with Gaza, Ukraine and the demise of Texas’ penniless (oops. excuse me) public schools. But it would mean one less find beneath your sofa pillows.
Ashby is
Or sometimes the light is an unexpected turn that leads us exactly where we need to be — even if we don’t see it right away. Finding faith does not mean you will never struggle or have doubts, but it does allow you to change how you see things. Faith can show you even the moments have meaning. I do believe everything happens for a reason. Throughout life we all have to face challenges that can completely change who we are and what we believe in. Unfortunately bad things happen to good people, but not because they deserve it. Each obstacle that is placed in your life is specific to you alone and only you can find the reasoning. No two people lead the same life, and because of that, nobody is shaped by the same struggles as another. The challenges we face are not punishments. We are given chances to grow, adapt, and to become better versions of ourselves. Sometimes, the reason behind the pain is not immediately clear, and in the moment, it feels unfair
or senseless, but over time we see how those challenges forced us to dig deep within ourselves and find strength we did not know we had. Even when life seems unbearable, there is purpose, guiding us toward the person we are meant to become. Trust and belief that I am part of something larger than myself is what faith is to me. I have learned now that faith has nothing to do with understanding each small detail about why things are happening; it is more a matter of holding onto the idea that I am here for something, even when the journey gets rocky.
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.
Sugar Land's International Art & Kite Festival set for March 22
Community Reports
The City of Sugar Land will hosts its International Art & Kite Festival on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Freeway.
Kite enthusiasts from around the region will take to the sky, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of
stunning colors and unique shapes. Their jaw-dropping skills will without a doubt leave the spectators in awe as they showcase their kite-flying techniques! But that's not all! On the ground, talented chalk artists will be bringing their creativity to life by chalking the sidewalks, competing for a prize that
celebrates their artistic flair.
The Cultural Main Stage will feature performances featuring the Caribbean beats by Steel Vibration, the Unity Lion Dance, performing the art of dragon dance and a host of other cultural performances. There will be children’s activities in the Kids Zone with inflatables,
MCTX ChalkFest returns on March 22
The Fourth Annual MCTX ChalkFest will be held Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. p.m. at
Community Reports
The Fourth Annual MCTX ChalkFest will be held Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.at the Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Drive, Missouri City. Artists from Missouri City and throughout the greater Houston area and beyond will be at ChalkFest creating their masterpieces with chalk. Attendees can enter in the Picasso Youth Competition, play games, and sing and dance to the live music. Food trucks will be available for attendees to purchase items. This year, the city has partnered with the nation-
Mechanical Engineer (Sugar Land, Tx)
Prvde dsgn recommendations for polymeric rotary seals using Elastohydrodynamic methodology. Conduct Elastohydrodynamic analysis of elastomeric rotary seals to understand their behavior under di erent operating conditions. Investigate & perform root-cause analysis reltd to the non-conformance & corrective action. Dvlp process descriptions, & maintenance procedures. Perform imprvmnt activities & collaborate w/ project mangrs to dvlp a EHL methodology speci cally dsgnd for polymeric seals to improve the accuracy of simulations. Perform Dry Contact analysis of elastomeric & polymeric rotary seals to evaluate their performance under static conditions. Conduct ermal, Fluid, & Structural analysis on equipment that utilizes rotary seals to determine their reliability & performance overtime. Requirements: A master’s degree in mechanical eng’g. Mail Resumes to HR, Kalsi Engineering, Inc, 745 Park Two Drive, Sugar Land, Tx, 77478.
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
LEADER PUZZLER SOLUTIONS WORD SCRAMBLE
al non-profit organization, Children's Entrepreneur Market, an award-winning program that teaches young people (ages 5-17 years) about the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through experiential learning. Learn more at childrensentrepreneurmarket.com/event/ missouri-city.
rock wall, face painting and a stage for child-friendly acts.
The trackless train sponsored by NMDP will offer train rides continuously around the festival site during the event.
Attendees will be able to explore artisan and craft booths, meet strolling characters, and indulge in an array of delicious treats from food
trucks offering a variety of flavors and desserts.
Patrons 21 and older can visit the Beer Garden’s Brush & Brew experience, courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Texas Leaguer, while participating in guided painting sessions accompanied by live music. Free shuttles will be provided from the University of Houston-Sugar Land and public parking will be available onsite at Brazos River Park and Crown Festival Park. Limited accessible parking will be available onsite. Please plan for traffic delays. Visit sugarlandtx.gov/1719/ International-Art-KiteFestival for details.
Outside Sales Representative
Location: Fort Bend, Texas
Company: Fort Bend Star – Your Hyper-Local Community Newspaper
Are you a people person with a passion for community engagement and a knack for sales? The Fort Bend Star, a trusted voice in our community for over 40 years, is looking for an energetic and results-driven Outside Sales Representative to join our team. About the Role
As an Outside Sales Representative, you will play a key role in connecting local businesses with our loyal readership. You’ll work with business owners, organizations, and community leaders to help them achieve their advertising goals while supporting local journalism.
Key Responsibilities
• Build Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with local businesses and organizations.
• Generate Revenue: Meet or exceed sales targets by selling print and digital advertising solutions.
• Prospecting: Identify and reach out to potential clients through cold calling, networking, and referrals.
• Client Solutions: Customize advertising packages to meet the unique needs of each client.
• Local Presence: Represent the Fort Bend Star at community events to promote the paper and build connections.
What We’re Looking For Proven experience in sales (media/advertising sales a plus).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work independently.
• Familiarity with Fort Bend County and its community is a big advantage.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to travel locally.
What We Offer
• Base salary + commission structure.
• Flexible schedule and remote working opportunities.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on your community.
the Recreation & Tennis Center. File photo
The City of Sugar Land will hosts its International Art & Kite Festival on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Crown Festival Park. Courtesy City of Sugar Land
The Missouri City Parks and Recreation Department and Missouri City Green hosted the Edible Earth Fest at the Oyster Creek Trail on Saturday. The annual event introduces people of all ages about various ways to help the environment, with booths devoted to such topics as the water cycle, recycling, beneficial insects, composting and others, as well as get a look at live raptors and pick up free fruit trees for planting. Photos by Ken Fountain
Nancy Schoept of Missouri City Green talks to Ray Lin and his daughter Angela about some of the plants on display.
Amber Williams and her daughter Ava Esquievel pick out a fruit tree to take home.
Amber Williams and her daughter Ava Esquievel pick out a fruit tree to take home.
Young festivalgoers check out some of the fresh fruit on display.
Austin High School student Saumya Kabnur talks with festivalgoer Latriesse Reedus at one of the festival's fresh fruit booths.
Mia Sagissor, 10, paints some artwork near one of the fruit booths.
Volunteer Jolee Wierzbicki, in pink, teaches some fellow young people about keeping pollutants out of waterways.
Clarence Gray of the Fort Bend Chapter of Master Gardeners of Texas discusses composting with festivalgoers.
ONGOING
ABRACADABRA! MUSIC MAGIC FOR 6 & 7 YEAR OLD BOYS STARTS MARCH 18!
The Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas is offering Music Magic, an 8-week music enrichment program for six- and seven- year[old boys. The class meets from 6:30-7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays starting March 18 and ending on May 6, 2025. Music Magic brings music alive through the use of movement, musical games, singing and other child-centered activities. Boys learn about pitch matching and rhythm awareness in addition to developing large muscle coordination, increased focus and better musicianship. To find out more about Music Magic, visit: https:// fbbctx.org/our-programs/music-magic/.
EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR 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
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
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.
MASTER GARDENERS OFFER KIDS CAMP
Youths entering grades 3-5 can have fun this summer learning about gardening by attending Earth Kind Kids Camp, sponsored by Fort Bend County Master Gardeners.
The July 21-24 day camp will cover the topics of gardening, horticulture and environmental science through different high-energy projects that help the youths learn about seeds, plants, rain and other topics between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Registration is open for the camp, which will be in Building D at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Texas 36 in Rosenberg. The camp is limited to the first 25 paid participants. Register at https://agrilife.org/ftbend4h/event/2025earthkindkidscamp/ The fee is $85. Registration includes all materials, snacks and a T-shirt.
For more information, contact Brandy Rader at Brandy.Rader@ag.tamu. edu
