June 2010 - The Business Lifestyle Magazine Digital Edition

Fort Bend/Katy

Volume 28 • No. 6

THE BUSINESS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

JUNE 2010

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n It’s Never Too Early n Memorial Hermann Southwest Caters to Seniors n What Brings New Business to Fort Bend? n A Painful Examination of the Health Bill $4.95

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

cut here

The show that’s leaving millions in awe.

July 2-3, 2010 BROWN THEATER AT THE

WORTHAM CENTER WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

Tickets: $230-$80 Ticketmaster.com (800) 745-3000 HouShow.com (800) 877-1989

A Cultural Renaissance Rediscover a lost artistic and cultural heritage as the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts offers an exhilarating production that celebrates the excellence and grandeur of classical Chinese dance and music. The show weaves wondrous stories of heavenly realms with enchanting dreams and the classic struggle between good and evil. The show’s breathtaking pageantry evokes themes of virtue, compassion, and courage, which have been at the heart of traditional Chinese culture since antiquity.

Shen Yun will be performing in Houston as part of a global tour of over 100 cities with 300 shows.

“I just felt it was a complete edifying experience of the human spirit,” said Omega Medina, the former senior manager for the Grammy Awards. “I just feel blessed having been exposed to this level, this caliber of performance.”

Unique to the production is the Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra. Using Western orchestrations combined with profoundly expressive classical Chinese instruments, the orchestra creates a new color in music. The pipa (a pear-shaped lute), the dizi (a Chinese bamboo flute), Chinese percussion instruments, and the erhu (a two-stringed Chinese violin) all sing along with classical Western instruments. The end result is a perfect vehicle for expressing the diverse and rich traditional Chinese culture.

“Absolutely magical,” said Christine Walevska, a renowned cello virtuoso. “You cannot describe it in words; it must be experienced.”

Classical Chinese dance is very rich, diverse, and has deep inner meanings. It is very different from modern dance or ballet in both concept and form. There is a saying about classical Chinese dance: “The movement stops but not the expression.” It gives space for reminiscing and savoring what the dance is trying to convey.

“No words can describe the whole show. Amazing may be one way to describe it. It is so magnificent. I have never watched such wonderful dance in my life! It’s hard to describe. Perfection may be the right word,” remarked Mieke Bouve, a Belgian actress.

For more information please visit: www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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C O N T E N T S

Fort Bend/Katy

Cover Story

Volume 28 • Number 6 • June 2010 For subscriptions send check for $25 to Fort Bend Business Journal

Residence Inn - Katy Those Who Want The Comforts of Home

Special Feature

pg.

32

4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300 Stafford, Texas 77477 281-690-4200 TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7478 www.fortbendstar.com Single copy $4.95

PUBLISHER.................................... Beverly Carter GENERAL MANAGER............Michael Fredrickson

Spotlight on Orthopedics. ...........................................................................................

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Inside Stories

EDITOR ...........................................Sharon Wallingford ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ....................... Dean West MARKETING CONSULTANTS................ Dottie Childs ........................................................Ann Sturrock

Memorial Hermann Southwest Caters To Seniors.................................................................. 5 What Brings New Business To Fort Bend County?................................................................ 8 Opening of New Fort Bend County Justice Center Anticipated........................................ 10 A Big Splash For A Quiet Katy Neighborhood..................................................................... 13 A Painful Examination of the Health Bill................................................................................ 19 he Benefits of Trees to our Region......................................................................................... 36 Fort Bend County Fosters Educational Opportunities........................................................ 48

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST.........................................Becky Hall COLUMNISTS...............................Alan Sandersen ..................................................Tim Stubenrouch CONTRIBUTORS . .......................Wayne Chandler ............................................................. Gene Hall .......................................................... Elsa Maxey .................................................. Matthew Weaver .............................................................Dori Wind

Pet & Vets: Three Family Affairs, In Richmond and Katy.................................................... 46

ART DIRECTOR.................................Joey Belleza

Missouri City Begins Texting Ban June 1 . ........................................................................... 52

GRAPHIC DESIGNER / WEB.............Carlo Arcillas PHOTOGRAPHER...............................Walter Hurst Hurst Photography

Monthly Columns Alan Sandersen

Tim Stubenrouch

Tax Smart Discusses Manufacturing & Distribution Think Big and Win In A Challenging Economy................. 12

Money Talks

Discusses It's Never Too Early........................ 14

Monthly Departments Newsworthy....................................................................................................... 22-27 Names in the News........................................................................................... 28-29 Fort Bend Chamber Newsletter.......................................................................... 37-44 Data Beat........................................................................................................... 43-55 Service Directory............................................................................................... 56-59 Dining and Entertainment................................................................................. 61-64

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

ON THE COVER Yoyo Pan – General Manager Residence Inn by Marriott Houston-Katy Mills Cover Photo Hurst Photography

©2010 Fort Bend Business Journal Magazine No material from this publication be copied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Memorial Hermann Southwest caters to seniors Hospital opens Texas’ first senior emergency center

I

n 2009, 17 percent of individuals living in Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital’s primary service area were 55 and older. The projected five-year growth rate of this age group is 34 percent. To better serve this growing population, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital recently opened three new hospital units dedicated to seniors, including Texas’ first Senior Emergency Center.

“We recognize that our senior patients are unique and we want to provide specialized services for them,” said George Gaston, CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest. “Our three new units – the Senior Emergency Center, Senior Medicine Unit and Senior Behavioral Care Unit – are staffed by specially trained caregivers who are passionate about catering to our senior patients in an environment designed just for them.”

Memorial Hermann Southwest’s new Senior Emergency Center accommodates patients 55 years and older. Located on the first floor near the existing Emergency Center, the Senior Emergency Center is a separate facility with a private waiting room for senior patients, family and caregivers.

Patients also benefit from larger patient rooms with amenities such as thicker mattresses, new furniture and enlarged wall clocks.

For senior patients who have an acute condition requiring hospitalization, Memorial Hermann Southwest now offers a Senior Medicine Unit. Patients 55 and older who experience diagnoses such as acute pain, congestive heart failure, diabetic issues, pneumonia and urinary tract infections can be admitted to this unit located on two newly-renovated wings on the sixth floor of the hospital. Features include: Low patient-to-nurse ratios; Dedicated nurse practitioner; Spacious, private rooms; Environmental modifications to promote independence, such as adjustable beds and phones and clocks with larger numbers; Library and lounge for family and caregiver use Seniors with both behavioral and medical needs can be treated on the hospital’s Senior Behavioral Care Unit. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, social workers, nurses, recreational and occupational therapists and personal care aides are available 24/7 and offer a holistic approach to meet the needs of these patients. Located on the 8th floor of the hospital, the newly-renovat-

ed and secure environment provides: Comfortable, private hospital beds and private bathroom facilities; State-ofthe-art equipment and increased security for protection of behavioral care patients; Scheduled groups and therapies necessary for the improvement of mental health issues.

Admission criteria for the unit requires that a patient be 65 years and older, diag-

nosed with a principal psychiatric condition, have the cognitive ability to benefit from treatment with expectation for improved symptoms or behavior, and capable to attend group sessions.

For more information about the senior services offered at Memorial Hermann Southwest, visit www.memorialhermann. org or call 713.456.5000.

Dedic a to wh ted matte at r most s

Innovative care continues at Houston’s first freestanding heart hospital.

Since opening in 2006, the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Southwest has answered the area’s need for advanced cardiac care. In addition to being named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® for cardiovascular care by the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, we’ve also been recognized as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by HealthGrades®* and received acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) certification by The Joint Commission. This state-of-the-art facility boasts the latest in cardiovascular services and innovations—including a 64-Slice CT Angiography. And with 42 inpatient beds (13 critical care), five cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs, and four dedicated operating rooms, it’s more than equipped to watch over the hearts of southwest Houston.

There’s more to discover at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute – Southwest: Endovascular Services Cardiac Catheterization/PTCA/Stent 64-Slice Angiography Sensei™ Robotic Catheter System Cardiovascular Surgery Cardioversion

Echocardiogram Electrocardiogram Electrophysiology Studies Pacemaker Services Vascular Studies

memorialhermann.org

* As part of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System:

The Woodlands, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest Hospitals.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Publisher’s Preview

by Sharon Wallingford

June brings the beginning of summer The Editorial Advisory Board Jacqueline Baly Chaumette President and CEO Baly Projects, LLC

Louis Garvin President and CEO Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

Dee Koch Grant Officer The George Foundation

Becky Munnell President and CEO Blue Jungle Marketing

Alan Sandersen Certified Public Accountant Sandersen Knox & Co. L.L.P.

Tim Stubenrouch President First Community Bank

John Whitmore Whitmore Company

Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS Curtice Commercial Real Estate

P

robably before the month is over you will want to find a shade tree to sit under so you can escape the heat. Trees are also nice to lunch under. We are fortunate to live in a community that has so many variations. Local resident and forester Matthew Weaver contributes to the value of our county’s natural resource of trees in his feature this month. Knowing you would want more than one way to cool off, be sure to include a copy of “A Big Splash for A Quiet Katy Neighbor” on your patio as you relax on the weekends.

The month also allows for stress breaks with out-of-school vacations. Whether short or long in duration, be sure to take in some of Fort Bend’s best assets. If you have company representatives coming to visit this summer encourage them to bring their families along to enjoy our friendly state and community. If you read our cover story you know lodging is plentiful, and be mindful our coastlines only miles away are clean, and the residents of our county are great hosts. There is much to see and do in Fort Bend county. The numerous museums, state and local parks, and pro sporting events available throughout the summer months seem to work like glue to bring families and friends together.

Travel with us through the pages to learn why businesses come to Fort Bend county, what excellent and wise choices can be made in climbing the educational ladder, and what grand health and pet care is located around the corner from our homes and businesses.

June also brings Flag Day. Perhaps your business has been wanting to install a flag pole or replace a faded or tattered flag. If you take action now, it will be in time for your celebrations on the Fourth of July.

June 20 marks Father’s Day. To all the fathers in the world, thank you for being the responsible souls and role models for our upcoming generation. Enjoy your day to the fullest.

Thank you for reading Fort Bend’s only Business Journal and remember to thank the advertisers that make it possible.

Enjoy the summer, but don’t forget to call and email us about your company business.

Contact: Sharon K. Wallingford skwcountry@aol.com Dean West dean@fortbendstar.com

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Until next month, keep those cash registers ringing.

Sharon Wallingford

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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What brings new businesses to Fort Bend County?

By Dori A. Wind

R

easons for opening a business in Fort Bend County are as diverse as the owners who establish them. A recent survey of several different businesses that opened in the county within the past three years all have a different story to share.

INDIA FOODS - Missouri City Anil and Jaimini Patel opened their food store in Missouri City thirteen months ago because they observed that many Indian families were moving into the area. Anil explained that, “Riverstone and Sienna Plantation are beautiful areas with good development and we believe this is a good place to be for us and our customers.” On a Saturday afternoon, the store has numerous diverse customers buying all types, and prepackaged sizes, of Indian spices, fresh produce, honey, nuts and dried fruit, Caribbean, British, Pakistani and American food products. Jaimini noted, “We also sell Indian movies, do video conversions, and sell hair and face products.”

The store is a family affair with a young entrepreneur standing between his parents ready to help the customers. While the Patel family actually lives in Seabrook and must drive about 40 minutes to get to their business, they are excited about the future in Fort Bend County. India Foods is located at 5201 Hwy 6 Suite 550, Missouri City, Texas 77459. For the best prices on spices and nuts, according to the Patels, stop by and check out the top quality and low prices.

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TKO Boxing Club -Rosenberg Nora Lopez, co-owner of TKO Boxing Club with her husband Chris, is pleased to explain that their affordable gym facility was created eighteen months ago to help at-risk kids in Richmond-Rosenberg and Fort Bend County. Both Nora and Chris work full time in healthcare related occupations, but opening the boxing gym was a business passion for both. The Lopezes grew up in this area and both boxed while in high school. Nora was an undefeated amateur boxer and Chris was a Golden Gloves Champion. Nora also explained that a struggle with weight issues early in her life convinced her that she needed a regular exercise component throughout her life.

While the focus of the business is on young people, anyone can come and sign up for lessons or inquire about sparring with a partner. Nora explained that they currently have about 45 members ranging in age from 6 to 22, but in one of her women’s classes, she had a 56 year-old female boxer. During the past year three aspiring boxers won Golden Glove Championships under the tutelage of Nora and Chris. Celeste Wilson, undefeated in her fights, won the 11-year old title; Stephen Aguilar won the 10-year old division; and David Aguillon, won the 20-year old division. For more information on the TKO Boxing Club, visit the facilities at 1106 Herndon Dr., Suite #6, Rosenberg, TX. 77471 or call 281-818-7958.

Mugz Coffee Bar – Richmond “We wanted a place where the community would feel at home and our young people would want to congregate,” explained coowner Lynn Briscoe when asked how Mugz came into existence. Briscoe, a retired teacher and Fort Bend native, along with partner, Tammy Ellis, who is the assistant principal at Jane Long Elementary in Richmond, opened the coffee bar about three years ago. Briscoe and Ellis have indeed achieved their desire to make Mugz into a community gathering place.

A very satisfied regular customer is Ray Foster who explained that he first started

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

hanging out at the shop because of the free Wi-Fi. He continues to come, he noted, “for the welcoming atmosphere, great food and quiet time when I can do distance learning or conduct business.” The coffee shop hosts numerous community events, including poetry readings, the Fort Bend Poets Group, the Pecan Grove Stitchery Group, a book club and Caffeine Capers. Numerous board and card games are available for customers to enjoy and Foster commented that he learned to play dominoes at Mugz.

The coffee shop also features a drive through window, provides catering, and is a valuable learning experience for the high school workers who are employed there. For more information on Mugz Coffee Bar, access the website at mugzcoffeebar.com or visit the shop at 503 FM 359, Suite 190, Richmond.

Natural Pawz – Sugar Land According to owner Nadine Jolie-Coeur, Natural Pawz was specifically invited to come to Sugar Land after the developers of the Whole Foods Market center at Lake Pointe visited one of their stores in the Woodlands.

Nadine explained, “Because Whole Foods Market focuses on healthy, organic products, they felt that a pet store offering these same types of items for pets would be a great neighbor. People love their pets and want the best for them.”

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Opening of the Fort Bend County Justice Center anticipated for 2011

By Elsa Maxey

W

hen the new Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond opens in the Summer of 2011, many Fort Bend County offices will be at this new location. All of the District Courts, County Courts at Law and Associate Courts will relocate to the new justice center. Accompanying them will be the district clerk, county clerk and district attorney’s offices, support services, and other offices to a site situated on Ransom Road, now called Williams Way Boulevard in Richmond.

The justice center, which lists a new address, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, will have three upper floors plus a lower level. The lower level will include a tunnel entrance, holding cells, bailiff facilities, and other support service functions. There will be a dome atop the entrance and escalators that will go from the first floor to the roof and above it; and a clock tower on the Williams Way side of the building.

This enormous project is still under construction and so many are waiting for its opening day. So much so, that recently, a “Topping Out” ceremony at the future site turned out invited guests to witness the placement of a live oak tree at the top of its highest point. Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert addressed the sizeable crowd of spectators, about 400 of them, on April 27 before the historic, tree hoisting took place. He was joined by J.E. Dunn, General Contractor.

In Richmond that day, there was no smearing of chicken blood on the highest timber nor the human sacrifices preferred by pre-Christian Romans, which according to legend is how this began. Fortunately, those ancient practices have been replaced by the ones brought to America by immigrants. They involve placing a tree, mostly an ever-

(l-r) District Judge Jim Shoemake, County Judge Bob Hebert, District Judge Brady Elliot and District Judge Ron Pope, and Precinct 3 County Commissioner Andy Meyers stand in front of the center where J.E. Dunn Construction recently hoisted a live oak tree to mark the highest point. The celebratory “Topping Out” ceremony was held on the local campus.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

A rendering of the new Fort Bend County Justice Center currently under construction in Richmond.

green, at the very top of a newly completed structure. This is followed by a celebration among workers and their guests, and here locally, they were treated to a barbecue lunch.

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Herbert said the ceremony commemorated the complete erection of the new frame. “It made for an exciting day in Fort Bend County,” he said, and “it was nice to see so many area officials attend this significant event.”

While there still remains a great deal of work on the new justice center before it is completed, the topping-out represents the safe and successful highest structural point attainment, a significant achievement in a timeline under the watchful eye of Fort Bend County and the project contractor.

When it is finished, the massive structure will serve as a state-of-theart justice center in a complex of buildings located right across from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and the county jail. It will turn out to be 265,000 sq.ft. in size with 235,000 sq ft. classified as occupied space for the facility whose construction started about a year ago and still has another year to go before it is finished.

It will open with 18 finished courtrooms and 2 shelled courtrooms, according to Don Brady, Fort Bend County’s Director of Facilities Management and Planning. “When additional courtrooms are needed, the building is designed to ultimately contain 28 courtrooms,” he said, requiring some office adjustments to accommodate them.

Brady also reports that once the new justice center opens, the Travis Building, which will be partially vacated, will house county employees now working at the Rosenberg Annex. He said that the plan is to move administrative functions to the Travis building. The Rosenberg Annex will then continue to operate primarily as a health and human services facility, along with the community supervision and corrections department wing.

Earlier this year, during his State of the County address, Judge Hebert explained that the new justice center’s courts will function better than the current one. A 600-foot tunnel, just about completed under the road between the jail and the new justice center, will serve as an underground prisoner route. That trek will physically separate the prisoners from the public as they make their way to a courtroom using

an elevator from the basement level of the building.

The tunnel is part of the 22-month facility construction effort.

Williams Way Boulevard was temporarily closed for about six months during the excavation of the tunnel, and it is now reopened. During that time, area residents were able to more closely see the site under development as motorists were detoured by way of the relatively new Eugene Heimann Circle, named after a fallen Sheriff’s deputy.

Travelers may have also observed a new feature under construction and adjacent to the facility—a four level parking garage reported to have just a little over 400 spaces with elevator access. More parking spaces, very few of them reserved, will also be available on all sides of the justice center. Brady said the total number will turn out to be about 1,345 spaces, which includes the parking garage. He said parking expansion for future growth is also envisioned and calls for duplicating the parking garage and connecting it to the justice center.

The overall cost of the new justice center is being financed by bonds that were approved by Fort Bend County voters in May 2008. “This facility, which was originally estimated to cost over $130 million will be completed for less than $74 million and will serve Fort Bend for decades to come,” said Judge Hebert. “I appreciate the many who have contributed to this project.”

As for the old courthouse, it will remain the Fort Bend County Courthouse. Part of it could become a museum; however, courtrooms will remain in the building. In keeping with those intentions, the county, which received a $271,047 planning grant from the Texas Historical Commission, will be doing some design work for its preservation. After that, funding the actual work will be dependent on the availability of additional monies.

County grant administrator, Tim Cummings, said the state preservation program is for restoration “and we hope that the work that will be done will lead us to the full restoration of the old building.” He said one of the stipulations of the state program is to continue to maintain the facility as a courthouse. “We will have court related activities continue in that building,” he said, adding that the Fort Bend County Museum association may be considering occupying some of the space.

In the end, one will probably get to see and enjoy the complete restoration of the old courthouse that was built in 1908, as plans are put in place to bring it back to what it looked like, when it was dedicated in 1909.

“We love it” said Cummings noting that so many people are attached to the ambiance of the showcase courtroom next to the rotunda. The second floor of the old county court building also has additional courtrooms.

“It is a vital link to our history,” said Judge Hebert, and “part of the quality of life in any community is knowing” when a structure such as the courthouse originated. “We need to preserve that courthouse, and I believe my court is committed to doing that.” For now, Judge Hebert said restoration plans will be on hold until the new justice center is completed.

In the meantime, substantial completion of the new structure by May 2011 is expected by county officials. With an eye towards the future, the new justice center has been designed to accommodate growth to come in Fort Bend County.

“The project is on schedule,” said Brady. “Now that the frame of the structure is complete, the appearance of the building will quickly adopt more of its design characteristics,” he said, confident that Fort Bend County residents will be proud of the monumental elements of the building that will befit the importance of activity within it.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Y O U

A N D

Y O U R

T A X E S

Tax Smart

by Alan Sandersen / Sandersen Knox & Co. L.L.P.

Manufacturing & Distribution - Think Big and Win in a Challenging Economy If you’re still looking for ways to weather the down economy, you may want to think big. Instead of trying to pinpoint minor, short-term tweaks, fight back with broad strokes that could not only get you through the current tough times, but also keep your business strong in the future. These steps include reviewing your business plan, diversifying your customer base, and trying the Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement process.

Think big Fighting the down economy with broad strokes If you’re still looking for ways to weather the down economy, you may want to think big. Instead of trying to pinpoint minor, short-term tweaks, fight back with broad strokes that could not only get you through

the current tough times, but also keep your business strong in the future. Here are a few ideas.

Review your business plan Your manufacturing company’s success begins and ends with its business plan. So there’s no better place to start looking for ways to cope with today’s trying economy.

First, look at your workforce. Job cuts would obviously cut payroll expenses, but they may leave you short-handed. Then again, perhaps outsourcing could allow you to reduce staff without hurting production.

Also look at parts procurement and capital expenditures. Are you overbuying?

Could you renegotiate some vendor contracts? If your business plan calls for new equipment purchases this year, the good

news is that there were some depreciationrelated tax breaks extended earlier this year.

But you may still need to delay big purchases to maintain your cash flow. Whether you should actually do so depends on your ability to stay competitive.

Another key part of your business plan is your assembly process. Examine how your products move through your factory, looking for redundancies and bottlenecks. If you can’t markedly improve efficiency, maybe you need to revise your production goals.

Diversify your customer base In a challenging economy, among the biggest risks to any company is depending

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued on page 34

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ore than 50 water skiers – some from Paris, France, and Canada – will compete at night on Saturday, June 26, in waterways along a placid 500-home neighborhood north of Katy, TX. It’s billed as KatySkiJam 2010, an international BIG Dawg night ski challenge and waterski expo, expected to attract some 5,000 visitors to the Lakes of Katy subdivision at Morton Ranch and Pitts Roads north of I-10.

Chuck Gleason, who conducts these Big Dawg slalom competitions throughout the United States, calls this “one of the most extreme events that the Katy area has ever seen.” There’ll be $5,000 in prizes, events from 6:30 p.m., capped off at 10:15 with a fireworks display put on by Lakes of Katy property owners.

Gleason described the event at the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s May general assembly breakfast in Merrell Center.

“There’ll be barefoot waterskiing…hydrofoil.. waterski freestyle jumping, and the top eight skiers will compete in head-tohead challenges for the big prizes,” Gleason said.

Gleason likened the event – for spectators—to a marathon, or a golf tournament, where fans may watch a host of competitions from various vantage points along the canals. “At dark, there’ll be plenty of lighting, both in the water and along the sides,” Gleason said.

He noted that this competition is an early event for many of the world competitors. “Believe it or not,” Gleason said, “About 60 per cent of the top waterskiers are from areas where it’s still snowing. This will be a real challenge for them.”

KAEDC officials noted that this event will have a good economic impact on Katy, with competitors and spectators visiting and staying in the Katy area for several days at the end of June.

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832-788-2294 June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Money Talks

by Tim Stubenrouch / First Community Bank

It’s Never Too Early Children amaze us with how quickly they learn new concepts, new languages, and new technology. They also surprise us by what they remember, so it is logical that children are never too young to learn about money.

Lessons for the children in our lives should include not just how to spend money – they are pretty good at that! We can expand their knowledge and help prepare them for their future by helping them learn about saving, how money works, and as they grow older, how they can invest their money.

There is a story of a young child who wanted a new electronic game. His mother told him that she didn’t have the money for that and he replied, “You can go to the bank and get some!” That makes sense, but there is so much more to the story and we do our children a big injustice if they grow up

believing that all we need to do is go to the bank and we will get money. They need to understand that why we can get money from that bank and even whose money it really is.

When it comes to teaching children about money, start early. Think of all the opportunities – an allowance, earning money by doing tasks to help at home, and the money they receive as gifts all have potential to help children learn about money. A piggy bank can be a great tool for very young children to begin learning about saving as it provides them with tangible results. They can watch their savings grow!

The next step is a savings account; most banks offer kids’ savings accounts at low cost or even free. Look for ways to make learning about money fun – there are great resources available through www.mymoney.

gov and the U.S. Mint at www.usmint.gov.

As children grow, so should their financial education. They may start investing their money with the first step of taking some of their savings to purchase something for themselves. Teen and college-age years bring opportunities for more responsibilities with checking accounts, education expenses and credit cards. Teaching our children about money and financial responsibility will provide them with a basic and critical life skill that will help them be successful.

Tim Stubenrouch is a Columnist for the Fort Bend Business Journal and is with First Community Bank, N.A., President - Fort Bend, 13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 250, Sugar Land, TX 77478. He can be reached at 281-2422262, fax: 281-242-1522, or email at stubenrouch@firstcommunitybank.net. H

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Spotlight on Orthopedics

Spinal Stenosis - Standing up to persistent back pain

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pinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal cord or nerve roots that can cause problems similar to those of a pinched nerve. Many people live with this condition all their lives without knowing it. Others, however, develop it later in life. It is most commonly found in men and women over the age of 50.

As people age, the supporting structures of the spine begin to degenerate. This may include degeneration and bulging of the disc, and thick-

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

ening of the ligaments and the joints of the spine.

These changes due to aging are common causes of spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition, often leads to spinal stenosis – rheumatoid arthritis is a less likely cause of spinal stenosis. Inherited conditions such as a small spinal canal or a curved spine (scoliosis), injuries to the spine and tumors can also cause spinal stenosis.

“Because other age-related conditions may mimic the symptoms of spinal stenosis, proper Jeffrey Wood, M.D. diagnosis is important,” says Jeffrey Wood, M.D., orthopedic spine surgeon with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST).

“Diagnosis starts with a review of a patient’s medical history and a physical exam.”

Additional diagnostic testing could include one or more of the following tests: A spinal X-ray – Often used to rule out a fracture, bone tumor or other defect.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the spine. This sensitive test may be used for detecting the severity of the stenosis prior to surgery.

Computerized tomography (CT) – Uses a beam of radiation to produce detailed pictures of the spinal canal.

Myelogram – A contrast dye is injected into the spinal column for showing herniated disks, bone spurs and tumors. It is especially helpful for those patients who cannot undergo an MRI scan.

A bone scan – A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein to show where bone is breaking down or being formed.

Common Symptoms “Spinal narrowing doesn’t necessarily cause problems for everyone who has spinal stenosis,” Dr. Wood says. “However, if the narrowed

Marathon Runners: Steps to avoid overuse injuries

R

unning 26.2 miles in one stretch may seem like an inhuman task, but the human body has an incredible ability to adapt to such physical stress — that is, with proper training and preparation. Doing too much too soon and using improper technique can lead to overuse injuries that can easily sideline runners and derail marathon plans.

The good news, however, according to Ray R. Valdez, M.D., board certified and fellowship trained in disorders of the foot and ankle, is that most overuse injuries don’t require runners to stop training altogether.

“If symptoms are minor and pain does not alter your running style, you’ll likely find relief by cross training and/or reducing the intensity, duration or frequency of your workouts,” Dr. Valdez explains.

See Marathon Runners on page 18

Spotlight on Orthopedics areas press the spinal cord or spinal nerves, symptoms can begin and cause persistent pain, weakness, numbness or tingling.” Dr. Wood identifies the following seven symptoms that could signal spinal stenosis: 1. Pain in the neck or back 2. Numbness, weakness or cramping in the arms or legs 3. Pain shooting down the legs 4. Foot problems 5. Difficulty walking 6. Loss of balance 7. Loss of bladder or bowel function Treatments “We first look at nonsurgical treatment options, including medicines to reduce swelling and relieve pain,” Dr. Wood says.

“Physical and aquatic therapy are other effective treatments in many cases.”

“Serious symptoms, such as difficulty with walking, loss of bowel or bladder function, and problems with the nervous system warrant surgical intervention,” Dr. Wood says.

If you are suffering with back pain, call 281-313- BACK (2225) to schedule an appointment at the Methodist Sugar Land Spine Center.

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Marathon Runners: Steps to avoid overuse injuries Continued from page 16 Exercise and activity help strengthen bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, thanks to a process called remodeling in which tissues break down and build up again. “When athletes try to do too much, too quickly, however, the body does not have adequate time to recover, and break down occurs more rapidly than build up,” Dr. Valdez explains. Poor technique can also contribute to injuries, as can anatomic or biomechanical factors.

Some common injuries for long-distance runners include: Patello-femoral pain syndrome, also referred to as runner’s knee, is caused by continuing irritation and wearing-away of cartilage located underneath the knee cap. It’s often the result of poor strength in the middle quadriceps muscle or unsupportive shoes.

“Treatment may include an orthotic (a foot-supporting device or insole), strengthening exercises and rest,” Dr. Valdez explains.

“Physical therapy and learning a few good stretches can also help.

For chronic knee pain that persists or worsens, arthroscopic knee surgery is an option.”

Stress fractures can be caused by overtraining, insufficient calcium or a flaw in your running style or body structure. They are more commonly seen in female athletes. A stress fracture requires

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swift treatment to avoid more serious injury.

“Sudden, sharp pain is a signal to stop immediately and seek help,” Dr. Valdez cautions.

“A specialist can help make sure it doesn’t get worse by screening for this type of injury early and starting treatment.”

Iliotibial or IT band syndrome is one of the most common injuries for marathoners.

It is named for the ligament that stabilizes Ray Valdez, M.D. the knee and hip during running, and can cause sharp or burning pain in the knee or hip when it becomes irritated by running long distances, on uneven terrain or inadequate warm-up or cool-down. Iliotibial band stretches and antiinflammatory drugs can help relieve the pain.

Shin splints may be caused by a biomechanical problem in your foot or overtraining. The condition can often be improved by stretching calf muscles before and after running, as well as switching to a thicker or motion-control shoe. Medial tibial stress syndrome – the most common cause of shin splints – results when extreme overuse or overpronation of the feet causes irritation to the tendons where they connect to the tibia bone.

Muscle pulls, or small muscle tears, can affect nearly any muscle that is overused. “The best way to treat and prevent a muscle pull is to do more stretching before and after a run,” says Dr. Valdez. “Ice and anti-inflammatory medications can help soothe symptoms.”

Ankle sprains generally occur due to inattention – a runner inadvertently steps off a curb or into a hole. Ibuprofen can help alleviate swelling and pain. Improving proprioception – the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body – or balance helps to return the athlete to exercise.

Achilles tendonitis is a condition when the large tendon in the back of the ankle becomes irritated and inflamed. It is a painful, overuse injury more commonly found in middle-age runners.

“The danger is that Achilles tendonitis may lead to small tears within the tendon, making it more likely to rupture, requiring surgical treatment ranging from releasing the ‘sleeve’ around the tendon to direct repair of the tear,” Dr. Valdez cautions.

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the tissue that runs from the heel along the arch of the foot. Severe heel pain results, which is often felt while standing or walking, in addition to when running. Pain in the bottom of the heel, when arising from bed in the morning or after brief periods of rest, is typical of this condition.

An orthopedic evaluation at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas can help you stay in the race when overuse injuries threaten to slow you down. After conducting a health history, physical exam and diagnostics, Dr. Valdez can suggest modified workouts, appropriate warm-ups and cool-downs, as well as a specialized treatment plan and surgical options, if necessary, based on your injury. Call Dr. Valdez for a consultation at 281-494-MOST (6678).

A painful examination of the health bill

By Wayne Chandler Memorial Hermann executive who has monitored every step in the creation of the national health care bill which now has become law, gave a somber 30-minute report about it to a rapt audience of Katy area business leaders last month.

Freddy Warner, system executive for public policy and governmental relations for Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, had time to answer only a few sobering questions from the 200 members attending the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s general assembly breakfast May 11.

Warner’s power point presentation detailed estimates of the financial burden which experts, both governmental and private, expect this 2,000-page law to impose on national and state budgets in the foreseeable future.

“The timeline for many of the mechanics of this law is uncertain since many of the key agency positions have yet to be filled,” Warner said”…a new administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, appointed by President Obama, must still be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.”

And, with all of the maneuvering and wrangling in Congress, Warner summarized that Republicans and private interests opposed to the bill,” were not included in the process.”

“There was little opportunity to contribute,” Warner said, noting that the final passage became an emotional one. Strong Republican victories in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts, “changed the dynamics of the debate,” but not the outcome that was finalized only through a rarely- used Congressional reconciliation process, which allowed legislation to advance by approval of a simple majority of Congress.

In later comments, Warner acknowledged that Congress leaders from both parties have told him that they see little chance for repeal of this law, or even major modifications.

Many Democrat legislators, who have longed to pass this type of legislation capitalized on the “small window of opportunity” with the election of a Democrat president and majorities in both the House and Senate.

A

Many of these Congressmen have been willing to sacrifice their legislative careers and face possible defeat from any angry patrons this November in order to pass the most sweeping changes In healthcare coverage in decades, and work towards a goal of providing healthcare for all Americans,” Warner said.

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Warner pointed out that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has predicted that the reform measure will cost nearly one trillion dollars over 10 years. By 2019 it will cover 32 million “legal residents,” but 23 million legal residents still won’t be covered.

See Health Bill on page 21

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Leadership Fort Bend Class of 2010 Graduates Scott Burgess, CPA, selected by his Peers as Leader of the Year

F

or 25 years, The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s Leadership Fort Bend has trained and educated some of the most successful, innovative and civic-minded professionals and volunteers in the region. On May 5, 27 individuals joined the select group of Leadership Fort Bend alumni after a two-day retreat at Columbia Lakes Resort in West Columbia.

For the second consecutive year, each member of the graduating class was asked to vote, via secret ballot, for the “Leader of the Year” award, an honor bestowed upon the graduate deemed by their peers as best exemplifying the qualities of hard work, loyalty, dedication to the community and leadership.

The 2010 recipient was Scott Burgess of Scott Burgess, CPA. Scott received his bachelors degree in accounting from Texas A&M, and after working several years in the real estate industry, moved to the Houston where he attended University of Houston for his graduate studies. After earning his MBA from U of H, he worked for such high profile Real Estate companies as Trammell Crow (now CB Richard Ellis) and Hines. In August 2007, Scott left corporate America and formed his CPA practice. Scott and his wife Amber live in Sugar Land with their two children Allison, 3, and Benjamin 5, where they are active in church and civic organizations.

“Given the caliber of professionals in this program, I am deeply honored to be selected as Leader of the Year,” Burgess said.

“Participating in the Leadership program has been a blessing to me and my business, and I have learned a tremendous amount about my community, my fellow leaders and myself.

Fort Bend has so much to offer – from is rich history to its thriving economic environment.

The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance is alive with great programs, great businesses, and great people. I would strongly recommend the Leadership Fort Bend Program to anyone in the community who wants to know more about their community and what it has to offer, anyone looking to make strong

20

Leadership Fort Bend Class of 2010

bonds with their peers, or anyone who wants to know more about themselves.”

Walter Bevers, Executive Director, Secondary Education for Lamar CISD and 2010 graduate said, “The opportunity to spend time seeing how I fit into the innerworkings of Fort Bend County helped me both professionally and personally. Understanding the effects of our work in LCISD on other groups and organizations in our community justifies the hard work on hundreds of LCISD employees. The entire experience made me proud of my organization and my community. Also, I had the chance to spend time getting to know people in our community I might not otherwise have been around. We are blessed with a large number of servantleaders in our community, and I am proud to have been a part of Leadership 2010 with them.”

“I have watched our community experience super growth over the last 35 years,” said graduate Kelli Mezenthin of Child Advocates of Fort Bend. “I feel that my experience with the Leadership Program keeps the community closer-knit – no matter how large.”

The Leadership Fort Bend Class of 2010 is comprised of William Attra, Today’s Vision; Robert Bayman, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital; Walter

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Bevers, Lamar Independent School District; Kyle Bourn, Xerox – Southwest Document; Dixie Brzozowski, City of Richmond Police Department; Brian Ellis, Houston Community Bank, N.A.; Mark Epstein, NRG; Georgia Flynn, Avant-Garde Consulting and Real Estate; Jeff Haley, SouthWest Water Co.; Jeremy Heath, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Robert Jimenez, NewFirst Bank; DeEdra Johnson, Fort Bend County Community Supervision and Corrections Department; Eric Junker, Law Office of Julius Eric Junker; Jason Kirby, Jones & Carter, Inc. – Texas Civil Engineers, Planners, Surveyors; Paula Leifrig, Windstream Communications; Lauren Martin, Marcava Corporation, Mike McCroskey, First general Services of Fort Bend; Kelli Metzenthin, Child Advocates of Fort Bend; Justin Morales, Greenscape Associates; Troy Nehls, Fort Bend County Precinct Four Constable’s Office Chad Norvell, Fort Bend County Precinct Four Constable’s Office; Nelson “Barb” Nuckles, S&B Infrastructure; Adam Popp, OakBend Medical Center; Steven Ramirez, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land; Jim Syptak, Fort Bend County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, and Elliot Wood, Kona Grill, Sugar Land.

The Chamber is now accepting applica-

tions for the Leadership Fort Bend Class of 2011. Leadership Fort Bend is a nine-month program, September to May, beginning with a two-day retreat followed by six all-day sessions, a two-day trip to the State Capitol and a two-day closing retreat. The program includes training in communications, character and personal career management skills, as well as community issues. The sessions’ topics include education, infrastructure and economic development, city and county government, history, the judicial system, state government, health and social services and volunteerism. Alumni from past years assist in the facilitation of the program.

For more information about Leadership Fort Bend Class of 2011, visit our Web site at www.CFBCA.org or contact Joy Dowell at 281342-5464 or jdowell@CFBCA.org.

A painful examination of the Health Bill Continued from page 19 There will be 139 new federal agencies. The program is to be financed, 50 per cent by new taxes, fee, and penalties, and 50 per cent from cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. It will cover dependent children to age 26. It will cover pre-existing health conditions on children immediately, and for all others by 2014.

Warner said that there still are questions about its impact on the 2011 Texas Legislative session which probably is facing a $15-17 billion dollar shortfall.

Warner questions whether the various attorneys general challenges to the individual mandate will affect the overall operation of the law.

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June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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NEWSWORTHY HCC Workforce summit initiates dialogue with Stafford businesses for innovative solutions The first of the Houston Community College Workforce Summit series, initiated and hosted by HCC Trustee Neeta Sane, was held on Thursday, May 6 at the HCC Southwest Stafford Campus. The summit sought valuable community input to better align the HCC educational offerings with the regional needs in terms of workforce and economic solutions. Bringing together industry leaders, elected officials and emerging business executives from Stafford, the summit explored the workforce and education needs of the area.

The Honorable Leonard Scarcella, Mayor of Stafford, addressed the group and provided an update on the city’s impressive record of growth and opportunity.

“We are committed to meeting the business needs of the community through education and training. And we look forward to continuing the dialogue we began last week with industry leaders and other stakeholders to help build an even stronger economy in Stafford,” said Neeta Sane, Trustee for District VII and HCC Board Vice-Chair.

Summit participants provided suggestions on ways that HCC can partner with Stafford businesses to help them expand through education and training, which ultimately benefits the local community and the economy. Because of the active participation of the attendees, the summit provided HCC with valuable ideas that

HCC Trustee Neeta Sane, District VII, ViceChair of the HCC Board of Trustees, and Leonard Scarcella, Mayor of Stafford

will help in the development of innovative programs that meet the educational and workforce needs of District VII. In today’s economy, access to post-secondary education and training is essential for individual career success. Estimates indicate that 80 percent of today’s new jobs require education or training beyond high school and that those jobs represent the fastest-growing and highest-paying segments of the new economy.

Indermuehle & Co. completes lease at 50 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard Perkins Oil & Gas has leased office space at 50 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard, Suite 275 in Sugar Land. Tawnya Dornak with Indermuehle & Co. represented the Tenant, Perkins Oil & Gas and the Landlord, Simron Properties, LLC. About Indermuehle & Co. Indermuehle & Co. (www.icotexas.com) is one of Houston’s leading brokerage firms providing real estate expertise in industrial, office, retail, land and investment sales.

22

Based in Sugar Land, Texas, Indermuehle & Co. is a full-service commercial real estate firm assisting local, regional, and national clients. The company’s services include asset acquisition, Tawnya Dornak asset disposition, brokerage, construction management, investment strategy, tenant representation, project leasing, project management, as well as consulting and advisory services.

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Fort Bend Chamber presents “The Solopreneur’s Roundtable” The Business & Professional Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents a “The Solopreneur’s Roundtable” facilitated

by Glenn Smith, Owner, Glenn Smith The Growth Coach Houston.

This “lunch and learn” roundtable will be held Thursday, June 3, 2010 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The cost is $20 for members and $30 for prospective members and walk-ins and includes lunch and materials. This roundtable will be held at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce located at 445 Commerce Green Blvd. in Sugar Land.

The Solopreneur’s Roundtable is a place for networking, learning, collaboration, and sharing of ideas in a supportive environment. If you are self-employed working alone, a sole-proprietor, or an independent contractor, this is for you!

Join us for this informative Roundtable to discuss: • How to balance the demands of marketing, sales, and service as a Solopreneur • How to strengthen your referral base • How to create systems in a “solo” business Glenn Smith is a Certified Business Coach and Owner of The Growth Coach Houston. A long-time resident of Fort Bend County, Glenn coaches business owners, executives, and sales professionals in the areas of leadership, strategic focus, business development, business systemization, and social media marketing. The Growth Coach mission is to empower business owners and executives to achieve exceptional performance.

To register, please contact Ellen Bush with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 281.491.0277 or ellen@ fortbendcc.org.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Standard and Poor’s and Fitch affirm Fort Bend ISD’s “AA” Bond Rating - District saves over $12.8 million in future interest cost Both Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings have affirmed Fort Bend ISD’s strong “AA” bond rating. Fitch commented in its recent report, “effective for fiscal 2011, the district has declared financial exigency in order to terminate contracted employees (as required by the Texas Education Agency).

This action was necessary to allow the school district to eliminate about 470 positions to close an estimated $22 million budget gap.”

Historically, the district has proactively and prudently managed resources to sustain a healthy financial profile.

Jim Brooks, representing Southwest Securities, Inc., the district’s financial advisor, said, “The District was able to enter the market to refund approximately $174 million in outstanding bonds from the Series 2010 bonds across the country to municipal bond investors. The results of our efforts were the bonds have been sold at an average rate of just 3.57 percent, which is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, rates we have seen for school bonds in many, many years.”

The better news is this low rate will help save the taxpayers of Fort Bend ISD over $12.8 million in future interest cost over the next 18 years. The 3.57 percent average rate is by far the lowest rate of all the new bond sales the District has successfully accomplished with the bond programs approved by the voters in 2003 and 2007.

“Affirming the District’s strong ‘AA’ ratings from both Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, with stable outlooks, speaks well for the work of Tracy Hoke, chief financial officer; Dr. Jenney, superintendent, and the FBISD Board of Trustees, to have balanced the 2010-2011 Operating Budget and maintained the general fund balance as set forth in the District’s Fiscal and Debt policy,” said Brooks.

Hampton Pointe to simplify the best in senior living Wallace Bajjali Development Partners and Missouri City announced the construction of a state-of-the-art senior master-planned community is moving forward as City officials, developers, engineers and contractors join for Hampton Pointe, a transitional housing complex for senior citizens.

The premier community will be located at 3505 Murphy Road (FM 1092), minutes from the Highway 6 commercial corridor.

The “all-in-one facility for seniors” will feature patio homes, assisted and independent living facilities and a memory care center on 21 beautifully landscaped acres of land, shaded by dozens of mature trees. Portions of the property will be reserved for commercial businesses and medical clinics. The development is expected to have an assessed value of $50 million.

Mayor Allen Owen praised the project, saying: that the location is “a good fit for seniors” because of its strategic proximity to the Quail Valley Golf course, area parks, restaurants and businesses.

David Wallace, chief executive officer of Wallace Bajjali, and Costa Bajjali, the firm’s president, credited their strong partnership with the “Show Me City” and their unique corporate development vision for their choice to build the community on a Missouri City site. Two primary considerations for the two were finding an area with or close to an “aging population and a sons and daughters population.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau about 8 percent of Missouri City residents are 65 and older. Many of these residents and their counterparts in the region, who are also entering their golden years of life, are interested in transitional housing that offers them the same quality of living, without the same level of responsibility. Sons and daughters, traditionally a core part of those individuals’ network of relationships, generally end up being their caregivers and help them with transportation, household chores and repairs and shopping.

Hampton Pointe facilities will provide the same superior service and give families peace of mind. “People living here will receive the very best care they can get anywhere,” said John Donaldson, of Outer Marker Properties

Photo courtesy of Missouri City

Joining forces at the May 19 groundbreaking for Hampton Pointe, a state-of-the-art senior master planned community is, from left: City Manager Frank Simpson, Councilman Bobby Marshall, Mayor Allen Owen, David Wallace and Costa Bajjali of Wallace Bajjali Development Partners, John Donaldson and Jeramy Ragsdale, of Outer Marker Properties.

LLC, an Atlanta-based development and operations firm that has more than 15 years of experience in designing assisted living facilities and senior care projects. “Our facilities deliver a loving, caring and nurturing environment.”

The units will be exquisitely designed with the latest fixtures and amenities and will include: 24-hour health care staff, a full-service 24-hour restaurant, social activity centers, walking trails with activity stations and a beauty shop/salon. The facility will be built with a “commitment to protecting the environment and without disrupting” neighboring homes or businesses, said Phil Amos of Ewing Construction, also a partner in the project. Councilmembers have closely reviewed the project since last year to ensure its viability to the community and one of their significant actions of note was to authorize the developers to set aside 1.13 acres for park land and to pay the City $67,800 that will be used toward other park projects. Both Mayor Owen and Mr. Wallace, the former Mayor of Sugar Land, remarked at the groundbreaking that this deal will be a “great asset” to Missouri City.

For more information, visit www.hamptonpointemanor.com and www.missouricitytx.gov for updates on the project.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

23

NEWSWORTHY Straus tells state budget writers “no new taxes budget” Texas Speaker Joe Straus on Tuesday gave House budget-writers their marching orders for next year: cover a hefty budget shortfall without raising taxes.

The Legislative Budget Board, which has been very conservative in publicly discussing the size of the shortfall, acknowledged that a budget gap of $15 billion to $18 billion is “reasonable” for the 2012-13 budget. The previous LBB estimate had been $11 billion.

Agencies have already been told to cut their budgets by 5 percent, which is expected to reduce spending in the current budget by about $1 billion. Those cuts are “absolutely necessary but not nearly sufficient,” Straus said.

So there will be significant cuts in some areas and “totally new thinking” in others. He offered a menu of options for the

Appropriations Committee to reduce the budget, such as salary freezes, a moratorium on new programs, and halting of bond issuances.

“We cannot afford business as usual,” Straus said.

The Legislature must be mindful that Texans will be facing higher federal taxes as the nation deals with the deficit so the state should not add to that burden, Straus said.

He laid much of the blame for the state’s budget uncertainty at the feet of the federal government.

But that assessment ignores the role that state decisions have played in creating the budget hole, including balancing last year’s general fund budget with $6 billion in federal stimulus money.

Missouri City examines a new global rating scale

By Elsa Maxey City governments in Fort Bend County and across Texas now have bond ratings more in line with what is called a global rating scale. Not even a month in since the change, Moody’s Investors Service rating scale for municipal bond issues is consistent with ratings for corporate debt. Finance experts had argued that Moody held municipalities to a higher rating standard than corporations when it came to borrowing.

In recent action by the city council in Missouri City when it adopted an ordinance to authorize the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds, its move dove-tailed with Moody’s recalibration of municipal credit ratings.

“Your rating ties into our timing here, as well,” said the city’s financial advisor, Joe Morrow of First Southwest Company to city council, acknowledging the change by Moody alongside the city’s intention.

“If you (Missouri City) weren’t a ‘double a’ we’d be submitting this to insurance and asking to enhance it (the rating).” Moody’s global scale classifies the city’s rating higher because of the new grading, said Morrow. “It goes to a ‘double a’ from a ‘three a’.” After the

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upgrade, “we expect to market the bonds; the ‘double a’ makes a huge difference,” he said, “from ‘double a 3,’ up to ‘double a 2,’ a one notch upgrade.”

“The worst thing we can do is do nothing,” stated Councilmember Jerry Wyatt, noting that the city would continue its payback at the same rate. The average interest rate on the debt is .425 in contrast to a 2.70 interest rate, as explained by Morrow.

The city reported the move as an opportunity for a $4.8 refund in certificates and bonds, which will end up saving it about $267,000 or around $38,000 a year over the next seven years. “This is for the refunding of 2001 issues, the COs (certificates of obligation) and public improvement bonds,” said Director of Finance Wes Vela, and it should save the city a considerable amount of money.

“It’s still a good market for municipal bonds,” said Mayor Allen Owen and this move is that of a “fiscally responsible city.”

The city’s bumped up rating by Moody was effective mid-April. Earlier in April, another rating entity, Fitch, recalibrated its U.S. state ratings. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services reports it uses the same scale across all sectors.

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Sugar Land Receives AAA Bond Rating An international bond rating agency raised Sugar Land’s credit rating to the highest possible rating, a signal of strong fiscal management and city planning.

Fitch Ratings assigned Sugar Land’s general obligation bonds an AAA rating, an increase from the previous rating of AA+. The AAA rating is assigned to the best quality organizations, those considered reliable and stable.

According to Fitch: “‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.”

The rating will affect the refunding of $22.7 million in outstanding bonds, which will provide substantial savings to the City.

City Council approved on May 4 a “parameter” sale that allows the City to refund the bonds under a defined set of conditions, including a net present value savings of 5 percent of the refunded principal.

The City is also preparing to issue approximately $25.75 million in Certificates of Obligation and General Obligation Bonds in June for capital projects recommended in fiscal year 2010 and 2011. The AAA rating will apply to these issues as well.

Bond ratings reflect the City’s creditworthiness and are based on economic base, financial indicators, outstanding debt and management policies and practices. A City’s bond rating is similar to a consumer’s credit score; a higher rating leads to better offers of credit and lower interest rates.

“Fitch views positively the City’s conservative budgeting practices, which usually generate actual results better than original projections,” according to a report issued by Fitch.

Fitch noted the City’s strong financial and fiscal planning, including debt management, and highlighted the following facts when assigning its highest possible rating.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Missouri City honors two companies for “Green” contributions Apache Corporation and CenterPoint Energy are recipients of Missouri City’s “Golden Tree” awards for their significant “green” contributions to the City. Urban Forester Paul Wierzbicki presented the awards during the May 17 city council meeting.

“Every once in a while, a business goes the extra mile to show extraordinary efforts to contribute to helping sustain the environment,” Wierzbicki said. “The Golden Tree Award was established to recognize outstanding businesses that make these kinds of contributions to our City.”

CenterPoint Energy partnered with Missouri City to create “Right Tree Trail” in Ridgeview Park, the first of its kind in the area. CenterPoint contributed 33 trees for the Trail and two instructive panels that demonstrate the types of trees that will not grow into power lines.

Mayor Allen Owen pointed out that dur-

Photo courtesy of Missouri City

From bottom left: Ken Lindsey, Diane Hasell and Ron Britt, of CenterPoint Energy, and at top, from left, Obie O’Brien, of Apache Corp., and Missouri City Urban Forester Paul Wierzbicki following the presentation of the Golden Tree Awards. Wierzbicki presented them to the two companies for their significant contributions to help Missouri City “go green.”

ing Hurricane Ike in 2008 “approximately 90 percent of the outages in the City were due to tree limbs and trees falling into power lines.

CenterPoint is helping educate people on the types of trees to plant in their backyards that will not contribute to that problem.”

Apache Corporation received a Golden Tree Award for its contribution of 670 tree seedlings to the City over a three-year period.

The seedlings were used in reforestation and volunteer projects at Sta-Mo, Buffalo Run and Independence Parks. In total, Apache Corporation has donated more than 1.6 million trees nationwide.

Local governments get $567 million in sales tax revenue Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced the state collected $1.68 billion in sales tax revenue in April, up 1.4 percent compared to April 2009.

“This modest increase Susan Combs is welcome after 14 consecutive months of year-over-year declines,” Combs said. “Retail trade saw a nearly 5 percent increase in collections, and gains also occurred in the manufacturing sector.

Offsetting this were remittances from the oil and natural gas production sector and construction, which continued to decline, but at rates moderating substantially from those seen earlier this fiscal year.

April may signal the beginning of a recovery in sales tax collections, although further declines may occur as the sales tax gradually returns to growth.”

Combs will distribute $567 million in May sales tax allocations to local govern-

ments on later this month, up 4.7 percent compared to May 2009. So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts are down 4.8 percent compared to a year ago.

Combs will send May sales tax allocations of $385.2 million to Texas cities, up 5 percent compared to May 2009. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations remain down 4.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Texas counties will receive sales tax payments of $33.7 million, up 3.8 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar yearto-date, county sales tax allocations are 9.4 percent lower than last year.

In addition, $22.4 million will go to 165 special purpose taxing districts throughout the state, up 4.9 percent compared to last May. Ten local transit systems will get $125.5 million in sales tax allocations, up 4 percent compared to a year ago.

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Referral Marketing” The Business & Professional Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Referral Marketing” presented by Howard Partridge, Phenomenal Products, Inc. This “lunch and learn” seminar will be held Wednesday, June 9, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for prospective members and walk-ins and includes lunch and materials.

This seminar will be held at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce located at 445 Commerce Green Blvd. in Sugar Land.

In this presentation, you will discover how to create a referral marketing SYSTEM rather than relying on “casual” referrals. Learn how to build phenomenal relationships with powerful referral sources and referral reward programs that actually work.

Howard Partridge owns two phenomenally successful companies in Fort Bend County that were built on referrals. He is president of Phenomenal Products, Inc. which supports small business owners and professionals in growing phenomenally successful businesses and practices.

To register, please contact Ellen Bush with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 281.491.0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org.

“Freedom Rings” Grab your office buddies and plan to celebrate America’s independence with a free, indoor concert presented by the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, July 4.

The “Freedom Rings” concert begins at 5 p.m. at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road at Murphy Road in Stafford.

This patriotic concert is sponsored by the City of Stafford and the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra in association with Impact a Hero.

For more information, please visit www.fbso.org or www.staffordcentre.org.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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NEWSWORTHY Colliers International expands their presence with the addition of Curtice Commercial Real Estate Curtice Commercial Real Estate, a longstanding power player in commercial real estate in Sugar Land and Fort Bend County, is joining Colliers International. As a result of the joint venture, Colliers International Houston is able to expand even further their unmatched local presence with the new addition of the Sugar Land office.

Kolbe Curtice, president of Curtice Commercial is looking forward to combining his team’s intimate knowledge of the Fort Bend market with the global coverage and resources of Colliers International.

“Colliers International is a $2 billion dollar company with incredibly vast resources and knowledge that we’re able to leverage to the benefit of our clients locally and around the world,” Curtice states. “In continued discussions of collaborating with Colliers Houston throughout the past several years, our shared commitment to accelerating our clients’ success and bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to the ever-changing demands and require-

ments of today’s commercial real estate market, it became very evident that this will be a great alliance and further testament to our unwavering commitment in providing excellent Kolbe Curtice service to our clients.”

“Opening an office in Fort Bend County is a logical next step in our growth plans, and Kolbe Curtice’s team represents the best of the best in Fort Bend. Curtice Commercial has played a viable role in shaping the Sugar Land and Fort Bend County market for over 15 years,” states Patrick Duffy, president of Colliers Houston.

Charlie Herder, Co-Chairman of Colliers in Houston has been active both professionally and personally in Fort Bend County for over 25 years. “Fort Bend is one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. With this addition, we will be able to service our clients with requirements in the

southwest Houston/Fort Bend submarkets better than ever,” Herder states.”

Colliers and Curtice expect to double the total number of brokers in the Fort Bend office.

Curtice Commercial’s continued growth in revenue and transaction volume is a more telling indicator of the large scope and impact their operation has had, and will continue to have, in the Fort Bend market.

Curtice will act as the managing director of the Fort Bend office.

This expansion is part of a global strategy that Colliers is following to invest in and grow their platform while other companies within the industry are seemingly struggling to keep up with the continually revolving challenges today’s economy presents. Colliers International has increased their global coverage from 290 to over 480 offices, and has grown to over 15,000 professionals worldwide within the past two months alone.

Fort Bend Cares funds stay in county

By Elsa Maxey A relatively new charitable foundation in Fort Bend staffed by volunteers and assisted

by Fluor has helped 28 organizations since its inception in 2004.

“The first fundraiser was just a golf tournament and raised $15,000,” said Fort Bend Cares Volunteer Operations Director, Gail McClendon. A “road trip” party that started in 2006 with a golf tournament “then raised $40,000 that the foundation was able to donate to agencies needing assistance in Fort Bend County”, she said. That “road trip” themed fundraiser continues to be organized annually since it has been met with such great success.

Appealing to representatives of the business sector, McClendon said during a recent presentation at a SW Sunrise Rotary Club meeting that since the start of the charitable foundation, the money it has raised has gone

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up yearly amounting to a total of more than a half a million dollars. This money, she said, is exclusively donated locally to organizations in Fort Bend County. Funds come from individual and corporate donations and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.

The Fort Bend Cares charitable foundation functions with a grant committee of 30 volunteers which reviews requests for grant awards. Benefitting organizations have included Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Fort Bend, Brazos Bend Guardianship Services, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend Family Health Center, Second Mile Mission, and over 20 others, many of which are assisted yearly.

The grant money from Fort Bend Cares, given to financially support organizations and programs, is for efforts that have an emphasis on serving disadvantaged youths. The grants are awarded to 501(c)3 organizations

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

that provide services in areas of health, educational, social services and also those with capital projects along the lines of providing for a hydraulic lift to assist with horseback riding, construction of a shelter/crisis center for homeless teens and others.

Since the volume of work of the charitable foundation has increased over the years, it will be hiring a part-time executive director to assist the volunteer group.

McClendon continues to ask for the support of businesses and other civic groups to help raise money for established organizations engaged in projects in need of a helping hand, and she’s particularly grateful that Fluor has donated the use of its facility to Fort Bend Cares for its annual dinner gala.

For additional information, interested persons may call Fort Bend Cares at 281-4910020 or contact the charitable foundation at www.fortbendcares.org.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Sugar Land Honors Volunteers of the Year Serve Sugar Land volunteers were recognized recently with a picnic dinner and concert at Oyster Creek Park. The event was held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week.

More than 175 volunteers, friends and family celebrated the City’s Serve Sugar Land volunteers.

The program began in 2007 as a means for community members to become involved in their City government. The program has since grown to include more than 1,000 registered volunteers. In 2009 alone, over 615 volunteers contributed more than 18,670 hours of service to the City, a value of more than $389,000 in service hours.

“This generous contribution by volunteers enables the City to further expand, enhance and enrich the services it provides to the community in new and innovative ways” said Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Hoffman.

This year, each City department was asked to nominate an individual volunteer who had distinguished themselves through their service contribution. These volunteers were recognized individually in a ceremony during the concert intermission. From the group, an overall Serve Sugar Land Volunteer of the Year was selected and announced.

Two individuals were chosen as Co-Volunteers of the Year – Deb Smith and Bruce Kelly.

Smith has been the life force behind the Community Assistance Support Team (CAST) program. She organizes schedules and reports all the CAST volunteers’ efforts.

She serves as a liaison between the Police Department and other cities wanting to emulate the CAST program.

Kelly, a local historian, contributed to all areas of the City of Sugar Land’s 50th Anniversary celebration -- from developing a

Serve Sugar Land Departmental Volunteers of the Year include (Front Row, L-R) Tom Gargiulo, Deborah Smith, Brenda Frye, Bill Roy, Nancy Dobbs, Ronda Dillon, (Back Row) Council Member Michael Schiff, George Chang, Michael Zhu, Bruce Kelly, Jason Frye, Lauren Arnold and Council Member Russell Jones. Not pictured are Ken Hainline and Natalie Jordan

historical presentation for the community to leading monthly historic walking tours and contributing to media efforts.

Smith and Kelley, along with the other Departmental Volunteers of the Year, were also recognized for their efforts at the May 4 City Council meeting.

For additional information on the Serve Sugar Land Volunteer program please visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/programs/serve_sugarland.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will join America’s 11 million cancer survivors around the world in observing the 23rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day this year. Hundreds of communities throughout North America will host events on this day to celebrate life and demonstrate that there is hope. The contributions of the families, friends and healthcare providers who support cancer survivors will also be recognized.

The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation (NCSD), administrator for the celebration, is encouraging everyone to participate in their community’s event. “Come join in the fun and see for yourself that life can go on, and is sometimes even enhanced by a cancer diagnosis,” says Foundation spokesperson, Paula Chadwell. “National Cancer Survivors Day is a great opportunity for cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family to come together and affirm the possibility of quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer,” added Clive Shkedy, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical director of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center.

Methodist Sugar Land Cancer Center Radiation Oncology Staff and Clive Shkedy, M.D., Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center.

NCSD is the world’s largest and fastest growing cancer survivor event, says Chadwell. Having started in the United States, it is now observed in countries as far away as Australia, Italy, and Malaysia.

“A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life,” as defined by the Foundation. Cancer survivors may face many challenges such as hindered access to cancer specialists and

promising new treatments, inadequate or no insurance, financial hardships, employment problems and psychological struggles. Despite these difficulties, cancer survivors can live active, productive lives,” says Chadwell.

Methodist Sugar Land Cancer Center welcomes all local cancer survivors, caregivers, community leaders, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital physicians and anyone compassionate about the cause for National Cancer Survivors Day to join us as we honor the survivors living with a history of cancer in America today. The Cancer Survivors Day Celebration and Luncheon will be held Friday, June 4, 2010 from 11:45-1:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms A-D at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

RSVP Required.RSVP your attendance to Frances Goerlich by calling 281-274-7930 or emailing at FGoerlich@tmhs.org.

For more information on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.

MethodistSugarLand.com or call 281-2747500 for a physician referral.

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NAMES IN THE Joel Harmon chosen for trustee post A retired chemist from Missouri City, who spent more than three decades working for the Shell Oil Company has been elected to the Illinois College Board of Trustees by Joel Harmon members of the college’s Alumni Association.

Joel Harmon, a 1966 Illinois College graduate, will begin his five-year term on the college’s chief governance panel this fall.

2010 Youth of the Year Kempner High School Brianna Gifford was honored May 5 by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Youth of the Year from Kempner High School.

Brianna is a senior and is the student body President. Brianna Gifford She consistently achieves academic excellence in addition to her various levels of involvement with her school’s soccer and cross country varsity team. She was captain of her soccer team for 2 years in a row. She is the winner of the TAPE Youth leadership award which is a state wide honor and is an active member of many community organizations like the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Keep Sugar Land Beautiful and the District Student Advisory Council. She hopes to study Political Science and History at either Texas A&M or Texas Tech University.

Brianna won this award because her essay was the best one presented to the Youth Committee. She received a $500 gift certificate and a plaque commemorating her achievement.

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land meets every Wednesday morning at 7:00am at the Sweetwater Country Club. www.ecsl.org

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Fort Bend Periodontist Installed as President of GHDS Fort Bend County’s Greg Condrey, DDS, MS was sworn in as the 106 th President of the Greater Houston Dental Society (GHDS) at Hotel Za Za, in what was once the old Warwick, near the Medical Center on May 20th. In over ten decades, this was only the fourth time a son has followed in his father’s footsteps as president of this prestigious orga-

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital welcomes Dr. Mickey Bush Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is proud to announce a new affiliation with Mickey Bush, M.D. Dr. Bush has been in Family Medicine in the Missouri City area for 30 Mickey Bush, M.D. years and in the last three years she has added cosmetic medicine to her practice. She has now joined the Methodist Physician Organization and her practice, now named Methodist Primary Care Associates, will remain in her current location in Missouri City.

nization of Houston area dentists. His father, Dr. Jim Condrey, DDS served as president.

Dr. Greg Condrey maintains a private periodontal practice in Sugar Land and also offices weekly in the Texas Medical Center at DDS Associates. He is also a a past president of the Greater Houston Society of Periodontists and has chaired a number of GHDS committees. In addition to his work with these organizations, he is also a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology and the Southwest Society of Periodontists.

Dr. Greg Condrey, with wife Kelli, daughters Josie (held), Avery and Tatum at his installation as the 106th President of the Greater Houston Dental Society (GHDS).

Congressman Pete Olson signs Statement of Support During the May Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Business Luncheon at Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club in Richmond, keynote speaker U.S. Representative Pete Olson, Texas District 22, signed a Statement of Support for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Pictured with Olson are ESGR Committee Member Jim Stoa and ESGR East Texas Region Director Bill Cyrus. The ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commit-

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

ment. It is the lead Department of Defense organization for this mission under D D Directive 1250.1.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

DAR presents books to George Memorial Library

Founders Bank names Petrosewicz as advisory director

The Ft Bend Chapter of the DAR received three signed copies of books written by Dr. William Goetzmann, noted historian, author and educator.

These books were subsequently presented to the George Memorial Library by the Regent of the Ft Bend Chapter for the public’s use. Shown are Jane Ann Klawitter, Chapter Regent, presenting the books to Lorri Lessy, Adult Collection Development Coordinator of the George Memorial Library.

New officials elected for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Congratulation to newly elected vice presidents for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Paul F. Lehnhoff – Missouri City, Texas — president, Sowesco I Ltd., and Tim William Ping – Richmond, president, Texan Tubular Sales LP. Elected to second terms were Curtis Brenner, Rey Gonzales, Yance Montalbano, Steve Roe, Darryl Schroeder, and Pam Springer, and to third terms were David Boothe, George Buschardt, Tom Davis, Warner Ervin, Tom Lippincott, and Ken McGuyer.

In addition, eight directors were hon-

ored with the status of lifetime director for their dedicated service to the show. The new lifetime directors are George Clair Arnold Jr., Rance Lee Barham, Terry S. “T C” Crawford, John B. Gunn, Michael Hill, Mike Jolley, Oscar Padilla Jr. and Gary Pugh.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. The 2011 Show runs March 1-20 at Reliant Park.

2010 Miss Swimsuit USA International Misty Marlowo of Katy

Smart Financial Credit Union employee earns Humanitarian recognition Smart Financial Credit Union, a Houstonbased, full-service financial services provider, is pleased to announce that Rodney Jackson, AVP Business Development, has been awarded the Humanitarian and Caring Award by the Houston Counseling Association (HCA) for his tireless efforts in financial aid and financial literacy initiative for high school students.

Founders Bank has named Fort Bend businessman Thomas J. Petrosewicz to its board of directors. He will serve as an advisory member.

Petrosewicz is a certi- Thomas Petrosewicz fied public accountant who manages his own practice, Petrosewicz & Company, in Richmond. His firm specializes in individual and business taxation, small business consulting and forensic accounting.

“Tom brings a wealth of business experience to our board,” said Jim Sturgeon, Founders Bank CEO. “He has owned his own firm for close to 20 years and has helped countless other businesses achieve success via proper business, tax and financial planning. In addition, he is well-connected to the business community in Richmond and Rosenberg and that is a definite plus. We are pleased and proud to have him join our board of directors.”

Prior to forming his accounting practice in 1991, Petrosewicz managed the financial and administrative activities of a multi-milliondollar manufacturing/wholesale distribution business in Houston. He began his career with the international public accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Rodney Jackson, AVP Business Development for Smart Financial Credit Union, delivers his acceptance speech after receiving the Humanitarian and Caring Award from the Houston Counseling Association. Virginia Hayward and Irma Billett, counselors at DeBakey High School (Houston ISD), accompanied Jackson at the podium.

Health & Fitness Sports Magazine is now distributing its ever-popular May Swimsuit Issue, which features Houston-area models wearing the latest in women’s and men’s swimwear. Misty Marlow The cover model for the 2010 swimsuit issue is Katy resident Misty Marlow, who recently won the title of 2010 Miss Swimsuit USA International.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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The top 10 Houston-based area companies with the Best 401K plans

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he leading independent provider of retirement plan ratings, today announced the Top 10 Houston-based companies with the highest ranked 401k plans containing more than $100 million in assets.

BrightScope obtained an increasing amount of its data directly from plan sponsors and record keepers, and augments these primary sources with data from publicly available sources such as the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

By analyzing and interpreting this data, BrightScope can provide unprecedented transparency into the 401k industry.

“The 401k has become the most prominent retirement savings vehicle, with the majority of Americans reliant on it for their future. There is a tremendous need for transparency in this traditionally opaque marketplace, but it remains burdened with little visibility into underlying plan construction,” said Mike Alfred, CEO and co-founder of BrightScope. “That’s why BrightScope created its BrightScope Rating

system, the industry standard designed to align participant and decision-maker interests and create clear, objective benchmarks for plan performance.”

Top 10 Houston-based companies with the highest ranked 401k plans containing more than $100 million in assets: Company – Plan Name – BrightScope Rating (Rounded to the nearest whole number) 1. Exxon Mobil Corporation ExxonMobil Savings Plan – 86* 2. Dynegy, Inc. –Dynegy Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan – 80 3. Baker Botts, LLP – Baker Botts LLP 401(k) and Savings Plan - Plan A – 84 4. CITGO Petroleum Corporation – CCITGO Petroleum Corporation Employees Retirement And Savings Plan – 84 5. Reliant Energy, Inc. – Reliant Energy, Inc. Savings Plan - 83 6. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation – Anadarko Employee Savings Plan – 83 7. Huntsman International LLC – Huntsman Salary Deferral and Money

Purchase Pension Plan - 83 8. Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. – Diamond Offshore 401(k) Plan – 82 9. Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP – Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP 401(k) Plan and Trust – 82 10. Continental Airlines, Inc. Continental Pilots 401(k) Plan – 81 Rating was developed by BrightScope, Inc. with the help of leading academics and independent 401k fiduciaries. Analyzing more than 200 individual data points, the BrightScope Rating algorithm can calculate a single numerical score for each 401k plan in the country. The data points examined cover broad categories such as total plan cost, company generosity and investment menu quality.

The company has rated more than 45,000 401k plans, spanning more than 30 million workers and over $2 trillion in assets. Industry adoption on the BrightScope Rating will lead to more cost-effective plans, increased participation rates, higher employee satisfaction and better outcomes for the 60 million employees who depend on their 401k plan for retirement.

TxDOT announces $54 million in local safe routes to school awards

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he Texas Transportation Commission today approved 200 new federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects, approximately $54.1 million in funding to be used by local communities for educational programs and infrastructure improvements that make it safer for Texas children to walk or bike to school.

Designed to make bicycling and walking to school a safe transportation option, the 100 percent federally-funded awards will be used on projects around Texas such as new or upgraded sidewalks, improved crosswalks and traffic signals and new or improved bicycle lanes. The program also provides funding for public outreach pro-

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grams designed to educate children and raise public awareness about the benefits of biking and walking.

“We are excited about this latest round of Safe Routes to School funding,” said Ted Houghton, Texas Transportation Commissioner. “The number of children that walk and bike to school has declined significantly over the last 40 years. We believe these projects will help children and parents make healthier lifestyle choices that will have long-term positive impacts for our state.”

The Safe Routes to School program encourages children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school.

These projects help local communities and

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

school districts make walking and biking to school safer and more appealing. SRTS projects and activities improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution near elementary and middle schools.

TxDOT originally received over 280 project applications, a total of $78.7 million in funding requests from communities around the state. Applications were reviewed by both TxDOT staff and the department’s Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Commission awarded 200 of those requests today.

Contact Government and Public Affairs media relations at 512-463-8588 for more information or visit the Safe Routes to School page on the TxDOT website at http://www.txdot.gov

Texas’ quest for private property rights Guest Columnist Gene Hall

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exas’ reputation as a private property rights state is somewhat overrated. Some of our political leaders talk about it a lot, but our failure to address eminent domain reform in a meaningful way is proof enough that we are not what some claim we are. Still, Texans undeniably care about property rights. That is the reason there is real hope that we break through the entrenched interests that like eminent domain the way it is.

Some of my conservative friends feel they are on safe ground condemning government entities for abuses, yet, some of the most egregious cases have been at the hands of corporate entities with eminent domain authority. The list of folks who would rather not see reform is long. It does include municipalities, other government entities, pipeline companies, utilities, water districts and more. No one even knows how many entities have the power of eminent domain.

One thing we hear from our Farm Bureau members over and over again is this grating response, “We were told they’re taking it because they can.” Some basic customer relations training may be in order. Often, the taking authority offers less, knowing that only the most stubborn folks, with deeper pockets, can afford to fight them.

There are many things that can be done in the interest of fairness. Use existing rights-ofway whenever possible; minimize the damage to existing structures; clean up the mess; work with landowners instead of rolling over them.

To be fair, all of this is done to some degree.

Still, there is great anger from many who’ve experienced the process.

Eminent domain has been a part of law for more than four centuries. It came to the New World as part of European common law. It is so firmly established that it is useless to fight as a concept. I have myself described it as a necessary evil that is sometimes employed for the common good. At its best, it’s still evil. It’s always powerfully inconvenient. At times, it’s

tragic.

Yet, Texas is growing so rapidly. The new Texans making their way here and those yet to be born will need roads, water, power and the infrastructure necessary to accomplish this.

There is no way all of this can be stopped.

That’s why the efforts to reform eminent domain have focused on compensation. It’s ridiculous that a good faith offer is not even required to begin the proceedings. Market value is whatever the taking authority says it is. It’s also outrageous that property can be diminished in value with no compensation whatsoever. This has to change.

Twice the legislature has been on the cusp of true reform. It has been derailed both times, once by veto and once by partisan bickering over another issue.

Yet, Texans have a powerful sense of fairness. Once again, those who are properly ashamed of our Texas eminent domain laws will attempt reform. When we get there, Texas will become the property rights state we now only pretend to be.

List your home with a LOCAL real state agent in The Star.

Sell your home FAST! 281.690.4200

4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 300 • Stafford, TX 77477

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Fort Bend/Katy

COVER STORY

By Barbara Magana Robertson | Photos by Hurst Photography

Residence Inn - Katy

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For those who want the comforts of home

ust west of Houston, you will find a true Texas treasure called Katy. Katy is a city with a small town charm that has a growing appetite for big business. It is one of the fastest growing communities in the State and continues to attract new businesses.

The latest endeavor of a new business opening in Katy reinforces the city’s strong resilience to the current economic down trends. The hotel giant, Residence Inn by Marriott, is set to open a first of its kind hotel in Katy this June. It is being built next to Katy Mills Mall and will be officially named Residence Inn by Marriott Houston Katy Mills.

According to the hotel’s General Manager, Yoyo Pan, “The hotel will be ideal for extend-

ed stay guests. We will be catering to the corporate business traveler, the relocated person and the vacationing family.” He reaffirms, that the city of Katy is a market niche for current and future business. The hotel will provide an upscale brand and property to the burgeoning community. As proof, last month over 2700 people applied for jobs at a Katy ISD job fair.

Katy ISD along with Oil and Gas companies are the top employers for the area.

This hotel design is like no other in the state of Texas. This Residence Inn will be a pioneer in the latest hotel amenities being offered in the industry. The hotel is creating a home away from home experience for their clients. Each of the 126 suites offered by the

(left-right) Vanessa Hawkins – Director of Sales, Soyoung Ahn – Assistant General Manager, Terry Moore - Superintendent for Residence Inn by Marriott Houston-Katy Mills project with Green Street Construction Company and Yoyo Pan – General Manager.

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

hotel will have a fully equipped kitchen. The kitchen is completed with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a convenient cook top and decorative frosted glass cabinet doors. No worries if you do not have time to go grocery shopping. The hotel offers a service that will help you with your grocery needs. All you have to do is drop off your shopping list to the front desk and your groceries will be delivered to your suite.

With the summer season upon us, vacations, reunions and weddings will have many families travelling. With this in mind, the Residence Inn has a large option of guest rooms to accommodate a family’s need. Most of the suites are furnished with a King or

Queen sized bed. Each room has upgraded bedding, a sofa bed, flat screen television and free Wi-Fi access. The one bedroom suite allows for extra privacy with a door that closes off the bedroom from the living space area.

Another rare feature is the pillow count provided to the guest. The King size bed will have a total of five pillows making a fastidious effort to please their guest.

The guest rooms are spacious and easy for the guest to spread out. Most of the suites have a dining table with a separate work desk area. Cable and voicemail ability are provided in every room. In addition the suites will no longer be decorated with the dark colored carpet. Instead the floor will be tiled. Granite countertops and accents will be found in the bathroom and throughout the room. This new ornate feature gives a modern look with a feel of home.

The new hotel offers a conference room that will hold a meeting for up to forty people.

The conference room has a portable projector and screen. For the guest who is having a meeting, complimentary water and coffee set up is provided. The hotel also provides a full service business center. Fax, copy and overnight pick up/delivery services are all offered by the hotel. This one stop shop helps the business traveler stay connected while being on the move.

While the inside amenities are impressive, the outdoor amenities are a brilliant concept for all guest to enjoy. An outdoor grill, fire pit, sports court, state-of-the-art fitness gym and putting green allows the guests to experience their passions and keep their everyday schedules during a stay. The swimming pool and spa area will provide a much needed leisure locale. Complimentary shuttle service will allow guests to enjoy shopping, dining or work meetings within a 5 mile radius. Of course within walking distance of the hotel a guest will find shopping at Katy Mills Mall and a full range of upscale restaurants.

The June opening is considered a soft opening. General Manager Pan says, “In September, we will have a full grand opening. We are committed to becoming part of the community.” Insigna Management, who owns the newly constructed Residence Inn, instills in their employees a high quality service attitude and hospitality at the hotel. Insigna Management has already

(left-right) Vanessa Hawkins – Director of Sales Yoyo Pan – General Manager and Soyoung Ahn – Assistant General Manager

become members of the Katy Area Chamber and the Economic Development Council.

Furthermore, the hotel has been committed to helping with local charities benefitting sick or underprivileged children and will continue to be an active member of the community.

The City of Katy has been instrumental in welcoming Insigna Management. Insigna is a family owned business out of west Texas.

The family has been in search of expanding into the Houston market for years. Katy was the perfect location to launch their new hotel design. “Katy had an endless number of business opportunities,” according to Pan. “It is a win win situation for both the hotel and for the City of Katy,” says Pan. Tax revenue generated from the hotel’s business will continue to boost the city’s economy. He also credits the hard work of city officials who have assisted in the permit and final inspections process.

“They have been very easy to work with and a wonderful partnership has evolved. They are there to help us cross our T’s and dot our I’s,” says Pan. Security is a major concern for all travels.

Corporate or family vacationers all want to be safe and not become a victim of crime. The Residence Inn already has a good relationship with local law enforcement. “We have a great relationship with the sheriff’s department and the local constable’s office. Katy does not have a high crime rate,” says Pan. As part of the new design, the hotel has launched a new keyless entry card that has an enhanced security feature. The new key card is embed-

ded with 27 antennas that are programmed to be waved into the door lock and read. Once the proper radio wave is read this will allow access to the guest’s room. This ends the long existence of the swipe magnetic key less entry cards. No more waiting on the green light to gain entrance to your room. Surveillance cameras and parking lot patrols are also featured at the hotel; security is a top priority of the Residence Inn. In effort to be environmental friendly, the hotel has been constructed with a going green effort. The key less entry cards can be recycled. Two dumpster bays have been set up on the hotel property. One in particular is for recyclable material.

Despite the hotel not being open for business, Director of Sales Vanessa Hawkins, fields calls every day from potential guests.

Already there are some guests who are booked to stay this June. The hotel is in a sweet location neighboring the energy corridor, three prominent wedding facilities and a variety of shopping and golfing attractions. It also located next door to the world’s largest petroleum training conference facility, Petroskills. The guest who may need to head to Downtown Houston will only have about a 25 minute ride to reach their destination.

A hot breakfast buffet is served every day.

A social hour for guest is offered during the work week Monday through Thursday. While you may have stayed at a Residence Inn before you have never been a guest to a hotel like this.

So, go ahead and make your reservation.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Money Management International selects Sugar Land for relocation

oney Management International (MMI) announced plans to locate its headquarters in Sugar Land, a project that will bring more than 350 jobs and $3 million in capital investment to the City.

The company plans to occupy approximately 87,000 square feet in the newly renovated Lake Corporate Center, 14141 Southwest Freeway.

Money Management International, incorporated in Texas in 1997, and its family of local agencies make up the largest nonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency in the United States. The company has provided confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958.

With multiple offices in the Houston region, the company performed a regional search for a location to consolidate its operations. To attract MMI, the Sugar Land Economic Development Department craft-

ed an incentive package featuring a direct incentive from the Sugar Land Development Corporation. The company selected Sugar Land as the location for its corporate headquarters as well as the consolidation of numerous operations.

“We are pleased to welcome Money Management International and its employees to Sugar Land,” said City of Sugar Land Mayor James A. Thompson. “The addition of MMI’s corporate headquarters to the City’s ever expanding list of corporate residents further establishes Sugar Land as a premier employment center in the Houston region.”

“With its talented workforce and strong infrastructure, Sugar Land is an excellent location for MMI,” said Ivan L Hand Jr., MMI president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to be part of the community and look forward to serving our mission of improving lives through financial education from our new home in Sugar Land.”

The Ellman Companies, owner of the Lake Corporate Center office building and

new home to MMI, is one of the largest and most innovative investors and developers of mixed-use, retail, entertainment, office, hospitality and residential real estate, with more than 88 companies and properties throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

Sugar Land, located in the southwest portion of the Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land MSA, is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas and is consistently selected as one of the nation’s top communities to live and work. Sugar Land’s favorable business climate touts a highly educated workforce, a major corporate airport with U.S. Customs services and more than 20 million square feet of commercial space in its business district. Recognized as a major regional employment center, Sugar Land continues to attract new corporate partners to expand its recognizable corporate presence such as Minute Maid, Tramontina USA, Noble Drilling, Fluor Corporation, Schlumberger, Bechtel Equipment Operations, Aetna and many other national and international corporations.

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued from page 12

solely on one or two big customers. Sadly, this is often the case with manufacturers, who might have a couple of “big buyers” and only a handful of ancillary ones. In these situations, all it takes is for one of those major customers to go out of business or negotiate a better deal with someone else, and suddenly your bottom line is in severe jeopardy.

So how do you diversify your customer base? Well, it’s obviously easier said than done, but history tells some big success stories of manufacturers able to pull it off. For instance, Microflex started off as a petrochemical maker in the mid-1970s. A decade or so into its existence, the company saw an opportunity in the automotive industry and made its move. Today, Microflex remains a key player in the automotive industry.

The key is sitting down with your managers and advisors and brainstorming about where else your products might find a home.

Take, for example, a hardwood flooring manufacturer. Its experience in procuring, processing and transporting lumber might make it a prime candidate to expand its customer base into the construction sector.

Try Lean Six Sigma If you’ve kept an eye on continuous improvement practices during the last decade or so, you’re probably familiar with the productivityboosting, waste-cutting concept of lean manufacturing. You may also have heard or read about Six Sigma — a comprehensive, statistically

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

based approach to measuring manufacturing processes and using the data gathered to significantly improve operations. The strategy was pioneered by Motorola in 1981 and is not necessarily limited to big business.

Well, at this point, the two approaches have effectively merged, creating Lean Six Sigma. Ideally, this “super” continuous improvement practice brings to bear lean’s more practical quick-fix approach to manufacturing with Six Sigma’s metrics-based, long-term solutions.

Make no mistake — the training process and learning curve associated with Lean Six Sigma are formidable. You’ll likely need to do a certain amount of championing to get everyone on board and keep them there. But the payoffs can prove remarkable: Textron, a manufacturer involved in the production of, among other things, Cessna jets, saw its stock climb 173% following a Six Sigma initiative in 2002.

Retain your ambition One of the first casualties of a recession is ambition. After all, it’s hard to steer a ship forward when you’re just trying to keep it afloat.

Nonetheless, by seeing today’s economic challenges as just that — challenges — you can target ways to rise above them and not just save your manufacturing company, but improve it..

Alan Sandersen is a columnist for the Fort Bend Business Journal and partner Sandersen Knox & Co, L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants. He can be reached at 281-242-3232. www.sktx.com. H

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4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300, Stafford TX 77477 • Tel: 281-690-4200 June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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The benefits of trees to our region

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By Matthew Weaver

rees have always been a vital part of our world and a crucial factor in our sustainability. It is important that we realize trees’ and forests’ true function and value to our everyday lives. Over the past 40 years we have lost close to a quarter of our forest canopy in the region due to development and land use change, this means looses could total over 25 million trees annually. As population and development explode across the nation we must consider keeping trees in the forefront of policy and decision making that effects our future. Over 85% of our population across the U.S. lives in urban areas, however, when we think of a forest we often then to think of rural and natural places. In recent times, due to technology and an overall awareness and advancement of the field of urban forestry, we can now look at trees and measure their value in several areas. One key factor in contributing to the advancement of forestry is that we can now attribute economic values to these benefits using scientific research and modeling. Being able to asses a dollar amount to the benefits enables decision and policy makers to incorporate trees and forests as infrastructure and an economically viable resource. Trees in urban areas should be viewed as infrastructure just as streets, sidewalks, stop lights, etc. Trees, if properly maintained, are one of the few infrastructure items that actually appreciate over time and the benefits will far outweigh their cost to cities and communities.

Urban trees and forests in and around the Greater Houston Metropolitan Region have a significant economic and environmental impact on the area. Studies throughout the nation have shown that urban forest can help improve air quality by reducing air temperatures, directly removing pollutants from the air and by reducing building energy use and consequent pollutant emissions from power plants. Because of this, in 2000, the USDA Forest Service Region 8 Cooperative Forestry Division approved funding of a special project, called UFORE (Urban Forests Effects model), to investigate the effects of trees in the Houston Metropolitan area on air pollutant concentrations. The goal of this project is to provide evidence of urban tree effects on air quality so tree management can become an integral part of clean air planning and policies in Houston. Based on a sample 332 one-sixth acre field plots and recent satellite analyses within the eight-county (7581 mi2 not including water) Houston area (Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris,

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Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller), the following information is preliminary data estimated for the forest and urban forest resource: • Number of trees: 663 million • 84 million of total tree population is in urban areas • Percent forest cover: 28.4% • Air pollution removal (annual): 60,575 tons ($295.7 million) • Carbon storage (total): 41.8 million tons ($840 million) • 10.7 million tons of storage comes from urban trees • Carbon sequestered (annual): 2.1 million tons ($44 million) • Annual savings due to energy conservation from trees: $131 million • Structural or replacement value (total): $205.9 billion

Other major benefits such as stormwater management are also crucial to our region.

Studies have shown our regional forest can save $1.3 billion in avoided retention/detention cost and for every 5% increase in canopy coverage, stormwater drainage is reduced by 2%. There is no doubt that trees also improve our quality of life by improving mental and physical health, increasing property values, and increasing sales in retail centers. Studies have also shown that people who live in communities with trees get along better with their neighbors and crime is reduced.

The regional forest surrounding Houston is diverse, particularly comparing the northern and southern regions. The highly diverse pine-hardwood forests in the North Forest has larger trees, more species and more overall forest coverage, with loblolly pine the single most common species. The South Forest includes forests dominated by Cedar elm, hackberry, and hawthorn as well as old growth Columbia bottomland hardwood forests, plus expanding regions of invasive Chinese tallow. The

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Houston forests contain high biological diversity with nearly 70 dominant species. The majority of the Houston region’s 663 million trees are young; nearly 75% are less than 5 inches in diameter.

Large trees are disproportionately important in terms of forest benefits. Although large trees comprise less than a quarter of the region’s trees, they provide the majority of air pollution, carbon storage, and energy savings benefits. Protecting the region’s large trees is essential for sustaining the forest benefits. At an estimated 7% mortality rate, sustaining Houston’s current tree canopy requires planting or natural regeneration of 2 million new trees per year.

Urban development, invasive tree species, and insect pests pose significant threats to the future of the regional forest. Actions that significantly alter land cover have reduced the number and density of tress while providing opportunities for invasive species and unhealthy forest conditions. The non-native invasive species Chinese tallow is currently the single most abundant species in the region at 23% of all trees. Land use continues to threaten forests: Between 1992 and 2000, the city proper lost over 50% of its forest cover (over 300,000 trees), the South part of the region lost over 50% of its forest cover (1 million trees), and the North part of the region lost 1% of its forest cover (100,000 trees). Insect pests are not an imminent threat, but a major infestation could cause harm to urban forests at extensive economic costs.

To ensure that the benefits of trees will be experienced by future generations, local and regional leaders must develop long-range policies for maintaining and expanding tree cover.

Besides affecting the rate of impact of land use change, one way to minimize these losses is to reduce tree mortality rates. Improving landscape care and maintenance programs while increasing large scale tree plantings, are vital to achieving a healthy and sustainable urban forest.

Cooperators in the UFORE study are the U.S. Forest Service, The Texas Forest Service, TCEQ, University of Houston, Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and the Houston Green Coalition (a group of municipal, and non-profits working towards utilizing trees as a tool for meeting air quality standards). The Texas Forest Service was the Project Manager.

Weaver lives in Fort Bend County along the Brazos River.

Upcoming Chamber Events

State of the City

Mayor Allen Owen

Thursday, June 24, 2010 Sugar Creek Country Club 420 Sugar Creek Blvd - Sugar Land 11:30 AM

Reserve online at FortBendChamber.com or contact Ellen Bush at 281.491.0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org for more information

Save the Date!

INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE 2010 Friday, August 27 Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464 - Richmond 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM For reservations and sponsorship information contact Ellen Bush at 281.491.0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org

www.FortBendChamber.com June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Thank You To Our Renewing Members 1 Year The Children’s Museum of Houston Lori Gunningham, 713-522-1138 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Annie Starkey, 281-566-1800 West End Ranch Mai Olaussen, 281-265-3200 Mission Burrito Chad Lindsey, 713-834-2883 Fortune Management of Houston Page Haines, 713-459-3349

Hartford Services, Inc. Mitch Rahim, 281-261-3333 4 Years Homewood Suites Stafford/Sugar Land Alyson Poff, 281-265-2760 Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. Steve Broker, 281-637-6422 5 Years Sugar Land Magazine Lisa McGarity, 281-579-7944

8 Years OraQuest Dental Plans Dawn McInvale, 281-313-7170 Lopez Mexican Restaurant Jonathan Lopez, 281-495-2436 Ad Valorem Advisors Jeff Simmons, 281-491-4445 9 Years Avalon Realty Cheryl White, 281-491-7500

The Mills Agency Nancy V. Mills, 281-491-2369

10 Years Frost Bank - Missouri City Ken Hutto, 713-388-7797

Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center Rajesh K. Bindal, 281-313-0031

Wells Fargo Bank Jerry Goodson, 281-491-2400

TRS Staffing Solutions Danielle Dasch, 281-263-3560

JRM Architects, Inc. Jim Merriman, AIA, 281-242-5255

6 Years Insurance Solutions-Nationwide Jay Harris, 281-565-2222

11 Years Sugar Creek Baptist Church Mark Hartman, 281-242-2858

The Burning Pear 281-275-5925

Breast Center of Fort Bend Henry Holle, 281-242-9000

Stafford Run Apartments Melissa Flores, 281-499-9534

Hodges Ready Mix Company Don Hodges, 281-342-2160

Quail Valley Fund Susan Fox, 281-499-8371

The Preserve at Colony Lakes Creekstone Management Adrienne Johnson, 281-499-4007

Vanguard Insurance Brokers Marilyn Glover, 281-835-0824

Intergrasys Technologies, Inc. Shoby John, 281-325-8000

Tuscany Room Julie Trudeau, 281-565-5566

Primrose School of First Colony Tina Koenig, 281-565-2707

The Trestles Chris Sandblom, 281-208-2779

3 Years Fort Bend Skin Cancer Center Keith Schulze, 281-980-6647

7 Years Broadstone New Territory Danielle Mitchel 281-340-5555

Nationwide Insurance/Mortgage Tony June, 713-807-8264

Gulf Coast Stabilized Material Dana Osborne, 281-491-7376

Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. Pete Ferrier, 281-597-9300

Thai Cottage II Fort Bend Rotary Club Sue Tisyangkul, 281-313-0707 Sunil ‘Sunny’ Sharma, 713-956-9500

University of Phoenix Christina Grochett, 281-566-5000 Charlie’s Restaurant & Catering Charles Irving, 281-778-5222 Outback Steakhouse Anthony Antonidis, 281-980-4329 2 Years CFF Capital Management LP Farha Ahmed, 281-313-3832 Grandview Fellowship Church Chuck Oak, 281-961-3378 Lakeland Estates Libby Crean, 281-208-8200

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Wings-N-Things Robert Farrell, 281-242-2999 Certified Landscape & Maintenance, LP Mark Fertitta, 281-561-6757 Southwest Storage George Jones, 281-494-7867 RBC Capital Markets Jan Bartholomew, 713-651-3342

www.FortBendChamber.com Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Thank You To Our Renewing Members Granite Properties Inc. Sandy Benak, 713-800.9505 12 Years Wharton County Junior College Sugar Land Robert Wolter, 281-243-8411 Braesridge Steven D. Bell, 713-270-8494 Geotest Engineering, Inc. Ravi Raj Yanamandala, 713-266-0588 13 Years Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Charles Sutton, 281-342-9636 14 Years Gables Lions Head Apartments Michelle Spilger, 281-980-6723 The Resort Townhomes Susan Murillo, 281-240-9700 15 Years BKD, LLP Trent Parten, 713-499-4600 Comfort Suites-Stafford Hansa Patel, 281-565-5566

16 Years Child Advocates of Fort Bend County Ruthanne Mefford, 281-341-9955 18 Years The Hunton Group Richard Hunton, 713-643-8336 19 Years Fort Bend ISD, Community Partnerships Mel Morgan, 281-634-1108 The Honor Roll School Tracey Hough, 281-265-7888 20 Years Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Rick Conti, 281-980-2346 21 Years Southwest Lincoln-Mercury Carl Bilsky, 713-981-3500 22 Years Fort Bend Driving School, Inc. Gary Adams, 281-242-7366 Taylor Morrison Steve VonHofe, 281-598-3000

24 Years City of Sugar Land Allen Bogard, 281-275-2710 25 Years Fresh Air, L.P. Sonny Roncancio, 281-499-3511 26 Years Severn Trent Services, Inc. Dennis Gorden, 281-578-4200 United Way Service Center/Fort Bend County Jan Ridings, 281-207-2300 27 Years Morris, Ligon & Rodriguez, PC Larry D. Morris, 281-242-2400 The George Foundation Dee Koch, 281-342-0378 Comerica Bank Frank Petras, 281-243-1401 30 Years United Equities Buster Freedman, 713-772-6262 37 Years Frost Bank - Sugar Land Catalina Montoya, 713-388-7800

Commissioner Grady Prestage

Monday, June 7 Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Reserve online at FortBendChamber.com or contact Ellen Bush at 281.491.0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org for more information

www.FortBendChamber.com June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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www.FortBendChamber.com

Fort Bend Chamber Membership

The following firms have realized the importance of economic growth and development for the Fort Bend County area. They have pledged their support to the cause by investing their time and efforts in the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Please support your community by calling on these organizations when you have a need for products and services.

Welcome New Members Houston Humane Society 14700 Almeda Road Houston, TX 77053 713-433-6421 Associations

Speech Therapy Unlimited 11569 High 6 South Sugar Land, TX 77498 281-746-3053 Speech & Language Pathologists

Sparks-Barlow-Barnett An HR Green Company 11000 Richmond Ave. Ste. 300 Houston, TX 77042 713-965-9996 Engineering, Civil

Titanium Electrode Products PO Box 2467 Stafford, TX 77497 281-498-4727 Manufacturers, Industrial Equipment

VM Wasek CPA, LLC 2803 Hidden Knoll Ct. Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-435-7147 Financial

Become A Member Today!

Membership Benefits Include: Categorical listings in our Business Resource Book and on our website Publications in the Houston Chronicle and Fort Bend Business Journal Member to Member Advertising via brochures, emails and faxes Ribbon cuttings for new or relocated businesses Monthly networking opportunities Direct Business referrals and much more For more information, Contact: Kristen Lipsman - 281-491-2493 Kristen@fortbendcc.org

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www.FortBendChamber.com Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

www.FortBendChamber.com

March Milestone Members 30 Years

United Equities

25 Years

Fresh Air, L.P.

20 Years

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

15 Years

BKD, LLP Comfort Suites-Stafford

10 Years Frost Bank - Missouri City Wells Fargo Bank JRM Architects, Inc.

5 Years Sugar Land Magazine The Mills Agency Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center TRS Staffing Solutions www.FortBendChamber.com June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Excel Urgent Care 6840 Hwy 6, Suite A M issouri City, TX 77459 281.403.3660

Excel Urgent Care is a state of the art urgent care and occupational medicine center. Their goal is to provide timely and cost effective treatment for acute nonlife threatening medical conditions and injuries. They are five times less expensive than the emergency room for the same problem. With the exit of Fort Bend Hospital and the tremendous growth of the community they saw a void that needed to be filled. Excel Urgent Care prides itself on exceptional customer service in a clean and comfortable environment. Their physicians are board certified in their fields and each has a minimum of 3-5 years emergency room and/or primary care experience. This is their second location following the 2006 launch of our highly successful Cypress location.

Excel Urgent Care is conveniently located at 6840 Hwy 6, Suite A, Missouri City, Texas 77459.

Their hours are Monday – Friday 9am- 9pm & Sat – Sun 10am – 8pm. www.excelurgentcare.com

Katy Hand & General Surgery 1331 W. Grand Pkwy N, Suite 250 Katy, TX 77493 281.693.HAND (4263)

Katy Hand & General Surgery’s mission is to provide patients with the highest professional standards in the practice of hand and general surgery. Dr. Vossoughi received her general surgery degree from the University of South Carolina and completed her orthopedic hand surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in addition she is also certified in Microvascular Surgery by Christus St. Joseph and Methodist Hospital. Katy Hand & General Surgery is the first hand specialist in the country to offer percutaneous needle aponeurectomy to patients with Dupuytren’s disease. She is dedicated to research and has published articles in several renowned medical journals. She has also presented her research in national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Vossoughi treats patients with a variety of hand conditions such as but not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s disease, and Ganglion cysts. They are open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. For more information contact Millie Barahona, 281.639.4263 or visit www. katyhand.com.

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www.FortBendChamber.com Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

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Sugar Land Spine and Disc 54 Sugar Creek Center Blvd. Suite 110 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281.491.DISC(3472)

Sugar Land Spine and Disc officially opened its doors on March 25, 2010. Sugar Land Spine and Disc, Dr. Stacy Croft DC and Dr. Michele Miller DC, offers the latest cutting edge technology in the non-surgical treatment of serious chronic back pain and sciatica.

Spinal Decompression is used for the treatment of strains, sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis by decreasing the pressures on the disc and improving circulation to promote rapid healing.

Call 281-491-DISC today for your complimentary patient information package.

Sugar Land Spine & Disc www.sugarlandspineanddisc.com

Class of 2010 E n d i n g Re t r e a t S e s s i o n Thank you to our Sponsors Hillwood Residential Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic Sprint Fort Bend County Landfill, LP Texana Center Traffic Engineers, Inc. Rabba-Kistner Consultants, Inc. Water Resource Management CivilCorp, LLC Bass Construction Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Inc Jones & Cook Stationary

Null-Lairson, PC The Sugar Land Network Tymco, Inc. Finish Line Sports Premier Wireless Sugar Land Nutrition Therapy Center Fort Bend Financial La Cocina Postmasters.com ReMix Design

www.FortBendChamber.com June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Upcoming Chamber Events FORT

BEND

LEADERSHIP F

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“I thought I knew everything. This program took me outside my box. Connected me with the city and county division and leaders. In the ten months I learned so much more. The workings of my city and how it makes all things work. I know now how to give back effectively as I grow with it. Thank you Chamber of Commerce for putting it together.”

Namita Asthana President,Verum Solutions “It all adds up. Year after year, Fort bend leadership forum provides consistent return on investment for our participants, businesses and our community.”

Christopher Breaux Principal, Null-Lairison

Contact David Crowl at 281.491.2497 or david@fortbendcc.org for more information.

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www.FortBendChamber.com Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Who are the Jewels of Fort Bend?

Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives

Peggy Duggan Carolyn Banfield

Cassandra Wen

proudly announces the 2010

Brigit Engleman

Lynn Halford

Luncheon & Style Show

Safari Texas Ranch Thursday, September Twenty Three, Two Thousand and Ten u 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Safari Texas Ranch u 11627 FM 1464 u Richmond, Texas BENEFITING

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES

Minerva Pérez LATINA VOICES Co-Host, Executive Producer Special Thanks to Our Official Jewels’ Contributors J Loggins Jeweler - Jewels’ Official Jeweler Alisa Murray - Official Photographer

Safari Texas Ranch - Official Venue Salon Eben & Day Spa - Official Salon

Pamela Printing - Official Printer Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities u 281-690-4242 or www.FortBendFocus.com

Pets and Vets: Three family affairs, in Richmond and Katy

By Wayne Chandler

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ender loving care for every animal is taking on new meaning in Richmond and Katy.

In Richmond, the Rose-Rich Veterinary Clinic has opened a 10,000-square foot landmark animal hospital at 2202 Thompson Road, a new chapter in the clinic’s 45-year-long history at that site.

Foster Creek Veterinary opened its doors in April at 4716 FM 359.

The 2500 sq. ft. facility is recognized by many in the community as the Old Schulze’s Store built in 1929.

A full service veterinary hospital for small animals is owned Michael Moore DVM. Service do not include boarding.

In Katy, the founder and CEO of All Pets Animal Hospital, announced plans to move to a new 8,500 square foot state of the art facility at 24221 Kingsland Blvd, just west of SH 99 by this December, expanding on a complete 20-year veterinary medical and surgical care operation.

The facilities offer care to pets that their owners might wish for themselves.

At two there are rehabilitation therapy, grooming and luxury boarding to meet patrons’ needs for years to come.

Personnel love animals and treat them as family. That theme is in the mission statements of both operations.

The Rose Rich clinic, headed by President Sharon L. Moore, DVM, tripled the area for patient exams, dental procedures and ICU care, too.

This two-story strucDr. Sharon Moore ture was designed by veterinary architect Ralph A. Thibodeau, AIA, of Spiceland, Texas, who won “Hospital of the Year” designations in 1992 and 2007. The limestone and stucco exterior is capped by a green metal roof, accentuated by an octagonal tower which dominates the building’s front facade.

Dr. Moore and her husband, historian Michael Moore, gathered design ideas from 19th century Texas regional architecture.

46

There’s a warm parklike feel… talavera tile, palm trees and a central fountain in the lobby which enhances the courtyard, crowned by a hand-painted sky mural by Richmond artist Robin Schwenke.

Rose-Rich Veterinary in Richmond

Seven exam rooms open from the courtyard to various medical areas. The treatment room includes three treatment tables and separate rooms for dental work and ICD procedures. There are isolation areas for contagious animals. The well-equipped surgery suite allows two surgeries at the same time.

There’s digital diagnostic imaging equipment and X-ray and ultra sound in each exam room.

In the boarding and grooming areas there are eight luxury suites for dogs, each with a different theme. For pet owners there are fulllength windows, custom beds, cable TV and pet-cams for monitoring their pet. Like the

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

lobby ceiling, artist Schwenke hand-painted each of the themed rooms and the adjoining indoor playroom. There also are different sizes of cat condos, kennels for smaller dogs, and runs for larger dogs. Grooming is by appointment. The clinic is open weekdays from 7 a.m., and exams, surgeries, boarding and grooming are scheduled in advance. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays with no appointments necessary.

Rose Rich was founded in 1964 by Charles N. McDonald, DVM, and G. Tucker Robinson, DVM, who moved the business to its current location in 1970. Dr. Moore joined the clinic as a partner in 1998. In addition to these three doctors, the medical staff includes Dr. Julie A. Duty, Dr. Aaron C. Rainier, and Dr. Stephen D. Pappan. There are 25 employees.

Rose Rich, once in a rural setting, served a lot of horses, Dr. Moore said, but the urbanized neighborhood now excludes most farm animals. The Moores, at their residence, still have three horses, several cows, two dogs and a cat.

While the national population shows more cats than dogs, Dr. Moore says the clinic business is about 75-25 in favor of dogs. Since computers have recorded business, the clinic has served 60,000 separate patients.

In Katy, Dr. Patrick D. Choyce opened All Pets Animal Hospital in March, 1990, at 959 S. Mason Road, and purchased Cuddly Canine and Feline Grooming and Boarding.

Dr. Patrick Choyce Coincidentally, when the facility moves to Kingsland Boulevard, it will change from 4,600 to 8,000 square feet, and be only a few steps from Rover Oaks Katy pet resort. Dr. Choyce said that the two companies complement each other, “providing the best possible service to pets and their owners so that pets live a longer, healthier life.”

Dr. Choyce announced his new plans before the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s May breakfast.

The new structure, resembling a huge, friendly chalet, was designed by Jeff Keast, AIA, of Boulder, Colorado, and is being built

by Hennessee Builders of Katy. It will have an additional 3,000 square feet secondary story available for future expansion. “This new facility will dramatically improve our ability to provide expanded care,” said Dr. Choyce “We can add new services such as pet rehabilitation using water treadmill therapy.”

“I believe that architectural styles reflect the quality of your service,” Dr. Choyce said.

Dr. Choyce, assisted by Dr. Sarah Neaderhouser, has a staff of 16 fulltime and 8 parttime employees. Since 1995 the operation has been inspected regularly by the American Animal Hospital Association, of which it is an accredited member. The approved standards of care cover surgery, pharmacy, laboratory, exam facilities, pet health records, cleanliness, emergency services, dental and nursing care, diagnostic imaging and anesthesiology.

Dr. Choyce is proud of his wellness and preventive medicine program which includes a physical exam, internal parasite testing, vaccinations, heartworm and flea control.

Surgery policies stress “zero pain” for each pet.

“We regularly attend continuing education seminars in order to treat birds, potbellied pigs, rabbits, ferrets, iguanas, guinea

pigs and other exotic pets,” he said.

About 20 per cent of its care is devoted to exotic household animals, with 50 per cent to dogs and 30 per cent to cats.

There is 24-hour doctor on-call service for established clients, and house calls and pet taxiing by appointment of regular clients.

There is online prescription ordering, and a host of websites, beginning with www.allpetsvets.com.

Dr. Choyce received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1983 from Texas A & M University, and served in various veterinary practices before founding All Pets. His family has two African Greys, two lovebirds, two Burmese cats and a long-haired Dachshund.

His personnel donate services to several rescue and rehabilitation groups, and Dr. Choyce is an active member of the American,Texas and Harris County Veterinary Medical Associations.

These pets and vets are developing beautiful friendships.

Fort Bend Seniors & Legacy Ford Form Business Partnership

F

ort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels and legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury Form long term business partnership “Building a legacy one meal at a time,” including hurricane preparedness project. They have formed a 5-year business partnership.

The partnership, a collaboration between Manuela Arroyos, CEO of Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels (FBS), the FBS Board of Directors, and Ron Ewer, owner of Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury, will include, but is not limited to: the purchase and donation of new Meals on Wheels meal delivery vehicles, discounted service and maintenance of all FBS fleet and FBS volunteer vehicles, a Legacy meal delivery team, Legacy sponsored monthly birthday party at the Rosenberg Senior Congregate Center, Legacy sponsored “Senior Moments” Volunteer Networking Event - Fall 2010, Legacy logo link on FBS website (www.fortbendseniors.org), title sponsorship of the upcoming Groovy Party benefiting Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels on September 17 at Safari Texas and the Legacy logo placed on all agency literature and collateral material.

“We are excited about the partnership with Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury,” said Manuela Arroyos, FBS CEO. “One of our

strategic goals this year was to form community partnerships that made sense for both parties. We believe that this collaboration will help us fulfill our mission to help the senior citizens of Fort Bend county.”

“We are always looking for ways to help the community,” explained Ewer, owner of Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury. “Partnering with Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels allows our staff many opportunities to serve senior citizens while providing Fort Bend Seniors with valuable assets to help them to alleviate senior hunger in our community. We are proud to be building in Fort Bend County one MEAL at a time!”

As part of the partnership, Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury will provide 1,800 water bottles for the Hurricane Shelf Stable Meals that will be delivered by May 31 to each of the senior citizens registered in the Fort Bend Seniors program. The Hurricane meals, provided by Gem Foods Services Corp. in Rosenberg, assure that each senior citizens has five meals to eat, which require no electricity to cook, in the case of impending inclement weather during hurricane season.

To further prepare the senior citizens for hurricane season, Fort Bend Seniors will be accepting donations of flashlights, batteries,

canned goods and other non-perishable food items, bottled water, juice boxes and personal hygiene products, including incontinence items such as Depends. Items can be brought to any weekday to the Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels office located at 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg.

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, a United Way Agency, is committed to helping seniors remain independent by enhancing their quality of life through services and resources. Fort Bend Seniors is qualified under 50lC(3) of the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit corporation, as such contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent as allowed by law.

Gem Food Services manufactures custom meals and convenience foods for many segments of the food industry. They have a registered dietician on staff to ensure proper nutritional requirements are met. Their focus is on excellence in quality and as a USDA inspected kitchen, they are held to the highest standard of food safety.

To donate to or volunteer for Fort Bend Seniors, please contact Kristin Weiss, Director of Development at Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, at 281-633-7057 or kweiss@ fortbendseniors.org or visit www.fortbendseniors.org.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

47

Fort Bend County fosters educational opportunities

By Dori A. Wind The George Foundation Offers Educational Assistance The George Foundation provides numerous scholarships for local students to attend higher education programs. Since the 1980’s, The Foundation has been committed to assisting Fort Bend County students to pursue their goals of attaining a higher education. These scholarships include assistance at numerous schools throughout Texas, including: Abilene Christian University, Austin College, Baylor University, Houston Baptist University, Huston-Tillotson, Prairie View A&M, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Lutheran University, University of St. Thomas, and The University of Texas – Pan American. While being reserved for Fort Bend County students, the scholarships are diverse with some being based on merit, others on need, some on special talents including music or athletic ability and The University of Texas – Pan American is for Hispanic students who are in good social and academic standing and need financial aid. For information on these scholarships and others, visit http:// www.thegeorgefoundaton.org/scholarships_ endowed.html

F

inancial resources abound for students in the Fort Bend County area looking to attain a college or vocational degree. Fort Bend County prides itself on the fact that approximately 40% of its residents, according to the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, have college degrees. The county also has many small businesses that rely on specialized vocational training.

To insure that the county continues to be an education and business leader in Texas and the nation, high school graduates, as well as adults retraining for a new career, have numerous opportunities to achieve their goals. In 2002, the University of Houston moved to its new location in Sugar Land.

This new facility was made possible through the vision and generosity of the City of Sugar Land, the George Foundation, and the Texas Department of Transportation. The new campus is located on U.S. 59, north of the Brazos River and beside the new Memorial Park.

U of H offers Degrees and Free Tuition More than 35 college degrees are available in Sugar Land through a partnership of the Houston Community College System, Wharton County Junior College, and the four UH System universities – University of Houston, UH-Clear lake, UH-Downtown, and UH-Victoria. Through this collaborative effort, all of the course work for accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees is available in Sugar Land. The majority of classes are taught in traditional classrooms by university faculty. Additionally, the university uses modern delivery methods, such as instructional TV on-site, videotape, online and broadcast.

Numerous financial incentives and other programs are available for UofH students.

Cougar Promise is a new program for freshman entering in the fall of 2010 that guarantees Free Tuition for students whose

48

family income is $45,000.00 or less. The University also provides scholarships, grants, loans, work-study and a rebate program for eligible individuals. There is no reason for a student to not be able to afford a college or vocational degree. In addition to funds available through UofH, there are numerous corporate scholarships available through national companies such as Coke and Kroger, professional and business groups, charitable foundations such as the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, Rotary, Interfaith Charities, and the George Foundation. For financial information from UofH, visit http://www.uh.edu/financial/undergraduate/types-aid/incentives/index.php and for programs at the Sugar Land campus visit http://uhsa.uh.edu/univ and prog/uh sugar land.html

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Tax Incentives Available for Higher Education From a tax standpoint, there has never been a better time to go to school says Houston attorney and CPA Robert Rolnick.

There are a host of new and/or expanded programs that provide tax incentives to go to or return to school. And as a parent, there has never been a better time to encourage your children to further their education. Three important tax credits are available to help pay for higher education expenses. The three credits have different requirements and you can only claim one credit per year per student.

The American Opportunity Credit is available for 2009 and 2010. The maximum credit is $2,500 per student (100% of the first $2,000 of qualified expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 of qualified expenses).

The credit is available for the first four years of post-secondary education and 40% of the credit is refundable. Refundable means that if the credit is more than the tax you owe, the credit will be paid to you. The credit is based on qualified educational expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption. The American Opportunity Credit is phased out if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if married filing jointly) and is eliminated if your MAGI is over $90,000 ($180,000 if married filing jointly).

The Hope Credit is not new and in fact the American Opportunity Credit has replaced the Hope Credit for most taxpayers.

The American Opportunity credit is larger than the Hope Credit and the Hope Credit has a lower income phase out level. The exception is individuals who attend eligible institutions in the Midwest disaster area. For those individuals, the Hope Credit is larger than the American Opportunity Credit. The Hope Credit is only available for the first two years of post-secondary education.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is also not new but the income phase-out amount has been increased for 2009. As the name implies, the credit is available for a lifetime – no two year limitation as with the Hope Credit or four year limitation as with the American Opportunity Credit. You can take the credit for any qualified higher education expense even if you return to school years after you finished a four year college degree. The credit is 20% of the first $10,000 of qualified education expense (higher in Midwest disaster areas). The phase-out occurs at $50,000 MAGI for an individual ($100,000 for married filing jointly) and is eliminated at $60,000 MAGI for and individual ($120,000 MAGI for married filing jointly).

IRS form 8863 must be completed to claim any of these three credits. Computation of the expenses that qualify for the amount on which the credit is based is extremely complicated. “Consult your tax advisor before attempting to claim these education credits” advises Rolnick.

This is the first in a series of articles discussing educational opportunities in Fort Bend County.

Recent Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Ribbon Cuttings

American PromoPrint (1128 Westwood Dr., Rosenberg): Front row, from left: Joy Dowell, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Rocky Lane, lane Real Estate; Fabiola Gonzalez, BBVA Compass; Kevin Patton, Kevin Patton State Farm; Kimberly Gonzalez, American PromoPrint; Judy LaLonde, American PromoPrint; George Boyum, American PromoPrint; Alicia Casias, Alicia Casias Agency; Georgia Flynn, Avant-Garde Solutions, Inc.; Tom Wilson, Reading Road Storage; Dena Perry, Fort Bend Focus, and Brian Lee, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance.

What brings new businesses to Fort Bend County?

Continued from page 8 “There is also a specialty veterinary clinic that treats animals with cancer just down the street,” she continued. “These animals need the best food and care possible and we will help with their needs. We are passionate about our customers and their pets.”

Since 2008, Jolie-Coeur and her husband, Biff Picone have opened six stores. The third one was the Sugar Land location which opened about two years ago. Natural Pawz was born out of a necessity to provide healthy food to one of their own dogs, a chocolate lab named Callie who had developed severe allergies. As a result of discovering the best in available food products for dogs and cats, Pawz offers a wide variety of these humangrade, all natural foods. Their food categories include special-needs; dry, canned, freezedried and raw foods; as well as treats that are all-natural and U.S.- or Canadian-made. The website states: “Natural Pawz carries only all-natural, humane-grade dog and cat food.

No pet foods at Natural Pawz contain soy, corn, wheat or by-products. None has been recalled.”

Martin Mortgage, LLC (29706 FM 1093, Fulshear): From left: Alicia Davis, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Joy Dowell, Chamber Vice President; Rocky Lane, Lane Real Estate; Betty Ann Lane; Lisa Matthews, ServPro; Georgia Flynn, Avant-Garde Solutions, Inc; Michael Martin, Martin Mortgage; Evelyn Martin, Martin Mortgage; Cheryl Stalinsky, City of Fulshear; Gail Parker, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance.

Natural Pawz also provides grooming, and a wide selection of toys, bedding and other dog and cat necessities. On June 12th, pets and their owners are invited to come by Lake Pointe Town Center to celebrate its grand opening, including the Natural Pawz store.

Doggie ice cream will be provided to all pets and owners can register to win a Pet Spa and Fun basket that will include a free groom and Natural Pet products. For more information on Natural Pawz, visit the website at www. naturalpawz.com or bring you pet to peruse the store located at Highway 6 and U.S. 59 in the Lake Pointe Town Center.

Fossum Family Dental (8019 W. Grand Pkwy, Ste. 1055): From left: Patti Brehm, MWT; Katie Higgins, New York Life; Brian Lee, Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Rocky Lane, Lane Real Estate; Belinda Suarez, Alicia Casias Agency; Linda Richard, Farmers Insurance; Treasa Fossum, Fossum Family Dental; Sinthia Hernandez, Fossum family Dental; Kristi Smith, Fossum Family Dental; Dr. Steve Fossum, Fossum Family Dental; Tom Wilson, Reading Road Storage; Georgia Flynn, Avant-Garde Solutions, Inc.; Cathy Pitts, Anco-McDonald Waterworks and Gilbert Limones, First Victoria Bank.

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

49

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awards scholarships to Fort Bend students

S

tudents were honored at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2010 Scholarship Banquet for their academic and community achievements with scholarships totaling $5.13 million, May 26, in Reliant Center.

A four-year, $15,000 scholarship from the Show’s Metropolitan, Opportunity or School Art scholarship programs was awarded to each of the 342 high school seniors who will attend Texas colleges and universities.

These scholarships are just part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s more

B.F. Terry High School Megan Hartensteiner — Richmond (M) Keith Swallers — Rosenberg (M) Gerardo Tejada — Rosenberg (M) Vanessa Zelaya — Rosenberg (O) Cinco Ranch High School Andrew Edelman — Katy (M) Smith Leggett — Katy (M) Clear Brook High School Brian Bloomfield — Houston (M) Jonathon Connell — Houston (M) Cypress Springs High School Manrique Medrano — Katy (O) Larry Robins — Cypress (M) Elkins High School Merin Sam — Missouri City (M)

50

than $11.2 million annual commitment to scholarships, research, endowments, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence™, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs this year.

The Metropolitan Scholarships, the largest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s scholarship programs, are awarded to 221 graduating students from 58 school districts in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties, and are based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and financial need.

“Benefitting youth and supporting edu-

cation is what drives the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Skip Wagner, president of the Show. “It is wonderful to support these outstanding Houston area students and watch them continue to succeed in college. They are all truly deserving of the scholarships.”

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed more than $250 million to the youth of Texas.

Foster High School Michael Kennedy — Fulshear (M)

Katy High School Jonathon Fisher — Katy (M)

Stafford High School Jessenia Garcia — Stafford (M)

Kempner High School Kenneth Mack Jr. — Sugar Land (M) Jacob Wilson — Sugar Land (M)

Needville High School Kaitlin Leachman — Needville (M)

Taylor High School (Katy) Sally Acebo — Katy (O) Kimberly Doll — Katy (M) Saray Martinez — Katy (M) Klint Sajdak — Katy (M)

Lamar Consolidated High School Wendy Navarro — Rosenberg (M) Dulles High School Jordan Metoyer — Stafford (M) Amy Morales — Missouri City (M) Cecilia Morales — Missouri City (M) Angela Song — Sugar Land (M) Elizabeth Tu — Missouri City (M) Langham Creek High School Maria Ton — Katy (O) Doan Tran Tran — Cypress (M) Nicole Tran — Houston (M)

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Seven Lakes High School Heather Muir — Katy (M) Janice Shang — Katy (S) Morton Ranch High School Sofia Aluma —Katy (O) Kathryn Barber — Katy (O) Antonio Duarte — Katy (O) Joon Park — Katy (M) Stephen F. Austin High School Casey Carswell — Sugar Land (M) Christopher Joe — Sugar Land (M) Nathan Truong — Sugar Land (O)

Travis High School Morgan Locke — Sugar Land (M)

Fort Bend/Katy

Advertising Pays!

Attention Fort Bend Businesses, As experienced business professionals we all know the importance of these two words. As owners of family owned businesses we know the value of sharing our story and our philosophy with new and established customers. Whether we market our business by word of mouth or aspire to share it on a much larger scale, share it we must if we desire to exist and grow.

For more than 20 years, The Fort Bend / Katy Business Journal has been in the business of business. The Journal is the only locally owned publication in the Fort Bend area dedicated to focusing on your business. Whether the Journal is highlighting the creation of new enterprises, celebrating milestones of existing entities or reporting award winning business endeavors, it is the sole publication in the area dedicated to researching and sharing business stories.

The Journal has been an integral part of the phenomenal growth of Fort Bend County reporting on development opportunities, government growth strategies and regulations, and the community/ business synergies that comprise Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce prints their monthly newsletter in our publication. To be a part of the Fort Bend / Katy business story, read the Journal and decide how you want to share your own story with the community.

Businesses can choose to be a cover story, part of a monthly theme focus, or to run a time appropriate ad for a specific event. The Journal also features business involvement in the numerous philanthropic projects that epitomize the county. Our knowledgeable advertising executives can discuss available business presentation options. State-of-the-art graphic designers and award-winning photographers are also available to present your visual story. The Business Journal cover stories are a testament to the professional ability of our writers.

Call 281-690-4200 today to talk with our Marketing Consultant. It’s your business and your future. Develop it now by sharing it with others who need your services and expertise.

4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300, Stafford TX 77477 • Direct: 281-690-4201

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Missouri City begins texting ban June 1

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n Tuesday, June 1, it’s officially time out for texting while driving in Missouri City.

The texting ordinance passed by City Council on Feb. 15 specifies that: • Motorists cannot use a wireless communication device to view, send or compose an electronic message while driving and while stopped at stop signs and traffic signals.

• Exceptions are allowed in the event of an emergency, or when a motorist is pulled over safely to the side of the road.

• Motorists may talk on a cell phone while driving.

• Motorists can be fined up to $500 for a violation.

Similar bans have been implemented nationwide and across Texas.

Regionally, Dallas, Austin, Galveston, West University Place and several smaller municipalities have banned drivers’ use of cell phones without hands-free devices and text messaging in school zones. And the State Legislature passed two new laws: one banning teen drivers from using cell phones and text messaging devices; the other prohibiting drivers from using handheld cell phones in school crossing zones The City has posted “No Texts Emails or Apps While Driving” signs in the following areas: • Southbound on Texas Parkway • South Gessner • Eastbound and Westbound on Main Street (90A) •Murphy Road (FM 1092) • Lake Olympia • Northbound and Southbound on State Highway 6 • Oilfield Road South • South University

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Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Effective June 1 officially No Text, Email or Apps sign while driving in the Missouri City limits.

Data Beat DBA (Assumed Names)

(+) = More Names

This is a sample of the Assumed Names (DBAs) filed at the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office for April 2010. More Assumed Names may be viewed online at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx. There were 100 Assumed Names with Notary Fee for month of April. There were also 83 Assumed Names without a notary fee.

Anthony Barbara Queen B/Kings Breakfast & Burgers 7105 A West Fuqua St 77489

Akers Heather Shari Creative Kiddos 2718 Orchard Creek Lane 77494

Thomas Varkey (+) Panorama Productions 732 Fm 1092 77477

Black Booker T Lil. Memphis Bt’s Bbq 16806 Sussex Dr 77083

Hall Amanda D One Store Many Things 30017 Birchcreek Ln 77423

Howe Lynette Kaiso Konnection Po Box 2071 77459

Matthews Kendric Karl Federal Captian License Business Agency 2020 Rocky Falls 77469

Blanton Charlotte Mitchell Mitchell Enterprise 610 Murphy Rd Ste 204 77477

Plows William Will’s Pressure Washing 1221 Herman Dr 77406

Hernandez Abel H. Salinas Construction 13926 Country Manor Dr 77498

Evans Patricia Personal Style Catering 2103 Windy Meadow A 77478

Netbrands Media Corp Onlypatches.Com (+) 4850 Wright Rd Suite 100 77477

Ladhani Rozina Dulles Cellphone 411 Dulles Ave 77477

Caldwell Latonja M Caldwell Coffee House 2601 Cartwright Rd #D243 77459

Jde International Llc All American Tents Po Box 301 77406

Shah Paresh Star Metals 1902 Bartrum Trail 77479

Netbrands Media Corp Order Cufflinks.Com (+) 4850 Wright Rd Suite 100 77477

Moore Barbara (+) Abiding Faith Home Health Care 1710 Carrage Run Ct 77545

Allen Cassandra Serenity Adult Care Center 4730 Hardwood Glen Dr 77545

Miller Charles (+) Chuck’s Place 9119 Hwy 6 South Suite 230 #102 77459

Gonzalez-Millan Victor V.G. Motors Knowles Phillip 19106 Stone Mission Ln 77407 Kicks Atlas 15419 Indian Wood 77489 Khan Sadaf Debit2credit Goodwingo Inc 9602 Prairie Dog Run 77498 Virtue Tattoo 11611 W Airport Blvd Garza Ramiro Jr Suite B3 77477 All Landscaping/Outdoor Services 285 Woodcove 77488 Brown Ronny E Brownequip Poola Tejaphanindra 1111 Bolton Ln 77485 Mc Investments 5106 Beacon Pt 77479 Plumaj Pasco Southwest Home Bustos Noel Improvements Noel Bustos Trucking 1730 Eastfield 77459 5810 Melanite 77053 Maddox Stacey M (+) Roussell Joycene A Cey Designs Dynasty Cleaning 4507 Branchmead Ct 77450 & Maintenance Svcs 4014 S Sandy Court 77459 Layne Edmundo J (+) A & L Environmental Services Gray Kenneth 2238 Turtle Creek Drive 77459 Rat-A-Way Environmental Services Ware Marcus 3106 Briarcourt 77477 Ware Solutions 9402 Fillmont Ln 77044 Gray Kenneth Rat-A-Way Environmental Freeze Eric 3106 Briarcourt 77477 New Age Energy Savings 7404 Town Center Blvd Ho Deney #122 77471 90 Nail-Spa (+) 5022 Hwy 90A Suite L 77479 Freeze Eric A.B.A Inspection Services (+) Gushiken Oscar 7404 Town Center Blvd Bright Janitorial Services #122 77471 13406 Linden St 77498

Netbrands Media Corp Rubberbracelets.Com (+) 4850 Wright Rd Suite 100 77477 Netbrands Media Corporation Orderlapelpins.Com (+) 4850 Wright Rd Suite 100 77477 Netbrands Media Corp 24Hourkeychains.Com 4850 Wright Rd Suite 100 77477 Herring Jody W Golden Hour Photo 9911 Bellinger Ct 77459 Jackson Charissa Keely’s Kreations 15270 Voss #620 77498 Laeral Consulting Inc Laeral Dance Academy 5914 Preserve Ln 77459 Caicedo Yeniss J (+) Cage Trucking 8614 Elm Lake Dr 77083 Gonzalez Antonio Noely’s Creation 3806 #17 Ave I 77471 Gonzalez Antonio Noely’s Creation 2303 Ave H 77471 Martin Kobi Ibok! Marketing 2119 Vermillion Oak 77545 Medina Araceli Mariachi Casa Cultural 5343 Santa Christi Dr 77053 Nelson Victoria J Texas Trans Carrier 3519 Cartwright Rd 77459

Mcclain Kisha (+) Carr Cleaning And Janitorial Services 15727 Pfeiffer Dr 77082 Rose Vuong Dds Pc Westheimer Lakes Dental 26440 Fm 1093 Suite 340 77469 Page Benjamin T Paw Pals Of Katy 19722 Twin Canyon Ct 77450 Wilson James J Real Minds Muzik Group 7306 Colby Run Ct 77407 Welford Group Ii Llc Welford Group Ii Llc 809 Morton St 77469 King Chinenye Goshen Berries Market 8303 Talons Way 77459 Rider Terry P Aam 4403 Autumn Mist Ct 77450 Burley John (+) John & Patricia Burley Trust 14019 Sw Freeway #301-216 77478 Siddiqui Kalim Excel Trading 13235 Haven Falls Ln 77478 Beaman Patrick Bernard Beaman Graphics 2026 Windmill Dr 77406 Okwuegbu Agustine C Star Medical Staffing Inc 925 S Mason Rd #414 77450

Cosmos Hospice Of Corpus Christi Llc Cosmos Hospice Of South Texas 4639 Corona Dr #41 78441 Miranda Inocente M (+) Ino’s Mowing 9209 Beechnut #2 77036 Ande4rson Walt Football Officiating 5 Palm Meadows Ct 77479 Lee-Trusclair Niya Classe’ Dooz 1914 Overbrook Cir 77489 Segura Fernando Rosenberg Tree Service 725 Blume Rd #149 77471 Espinosa Mario Mario’s Housekeepers 1309 6Th St 77471 Siwierka Michelle (+) Pro Search It 2034 Cypress Bend 77478 Noorian Jeffrey Dynamic Auto Sales 301 Gonyo 77469 Barber Justin Avove And Beyond Recordings 7211 Dutch John Circle 77469 Barber Kevin K Homemaker Mangement Company 7211 Dutch John Circle 77469 Victoria Sandra Luz Sandra Luz Victoria 16827 Needle Ridge Ct 77498 Littlefield Sandra Littlehen Photography 14019 Kathi Lynn Lane 77498 Vazquez Maricela Hernandez Cleaning Service 1800 Fm 1640 #203 77469

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

53

Data Beat DBA (Assumed Names)

(+) = More Names

Incentive Ranch Inc Youthbuild Incentives 500 Hilltop 77451

Pitre-Simples Tarawa (+) An Alliance Of Trust 1431 W April Rain Ct 77489

Williams Daniel A (+) Danson Consulting 26618 Heatherbriar Ln 77494

Large Joseph W (+) Scents-U-Know 7010 Dawn Bloom Lane 77469

Nguyen Son-Tien Van Leony Nails 3806 Ave I Suite 15 77471

Rodriguez Woody James Jr Structured Cabling 816 Blume Rd #18 77471

Price Linda C Diamond Management 6811 Thornwild Rd 77489

Prejean Angela Home Accents 1422 Forest Brook 77479

Mccomb Mark Marketstone Group 5680 Hwy 6 #128 77459

Sexton Rebecca Shining Stars Tutoring 2912 Camelot Ln 77459

Haqqi Afshan Afshan’s Cakery 9622 Garden Row Dr 77498

Hinton James Thomas Lifetime Tea 2215 Spanish Forest Ln 77466

Fobbs Samuel B Jr Sjx Transport 1106 Blue Diamond Dr 77489

Trigger Joyce S Shady Oak Christian School, Inc. 503 Main St 77469

Magee Tamod Dom@ Co.(Domat Co.) 7518 Eastwood Lake Lane 77407

Odyssey Emergency Medical Llc Odyssey Ems 3902 Reese Rd A300 77471

Kollaboration Kollaboration Houston Arts And Entertainment 3138 Sleepy Hollow Dr 77479

Campbell Jeffrey Campbell Construction Company & Assoc.

3018 Barron Lane 77489

Al-Ayoubi Mohamed Hazem Computer & Networking Solutions 25106 Hazel Ranch Drive 77494

Dante Christopher (+) Sports Mania 2803 Chalet Ridge Dr 77494

Stoffel Robert Keith Gulf States Solar 5703 Norments St 77039 Oladapo Bolaji Metromedic Ems 17919 Timerwalk Lane 77407

Robertson Ron C Ron C Robertson Consulting 14515 Briar Forest Dr #1835 77077 Oyewuwo Taiwo A Kingdom First Investments Company 16618 Broadoak 77498

Commercial Building Permits Some significant building permits in cities in Fort Bend during the month of April ADDRESS

TYPE OF PERMIT

VALUE

ROSENBURG 4706 Airport Ave 4706 Airport Ave 25635 Southwest Fwy 24400 Commercial Dr

Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building Commercial Building

$5,091,600 $2,545,800 $20,000 $233,608

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

04/01/10-04/30/10

$7,924,771

OWNER/CONTRACTOR Tellepsen Builders Tellepsen Builders McCoy Realty Corp #38/Longhorn Construction Services Home Depot #6530/Dalsin Inc.

Significant Land Transactions Some significant land transactions in Fort Bend during the month of April 2010. Land transactions can be researched on line at http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/search.asp?cabinet=opr. Some entries may be conveying mineral rights.

SELLER

BUYER

ACRES

SELLER

BUYER

ACRES

First Colony Levee Improvement District No 2 Sugar Land Ranch Development Ii Corp Camcorp Interests Ltd (+)

Spira Melvin Trustee (+)

Nnp Telfair Lp (+)

Fort Bend Independent School District Mrpl Retail Partners Ii Ltd (+)

Mrpl Retail Partners Ii Ltd (+)

Mrpl Retail Partners Ii Ltd (+)

Sugar Land City Of

Part 0.0367 Ac 8.2563 Ac A54

Cinco Southwest Municipal Utility District No 1 Mrpl Retail Partners Ii Ltd Sugar Land City Of Centerpoint Energy Houston Electric Llc Centerpoint Energy

0.2456 Ac A364

Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No 15 Fort Bend County Commissioners Court Fort Bend County Drainage District Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 136 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 141 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 50 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 50 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 50

Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Southwest Lp (+) Grand Parkway Association Parkway Properties Inc Fort Bend Independent School District Pecan Acres Creek Llc Houston Electric Llc Gc Grand Parkway/ Fairfield L P (+) Gc Grand Parkway/ Fairfield L P (+) Gc Grand Parkway/ Fairfield L P (+) Gc Grand Parkway/ Fairfield L P (+) Gc Grand Parkway/ Fairfield L P (+)

54

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Part 1.037 Ac Part 0.5158 Ac Part 0.432 Ac Part 0.0103 Ac 0.2055 Ac A403 0.6013 Ac A403 0.0023 Ac A403

Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 118 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 118 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 118 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 118 Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 118

Part 12.591 Ac 0.396 Ac A15 Part 65.00 Ac Part 55.48 Ac 0.7321 Ac A62 0.3188 Ac A62 0.1920 Ac A62 0.0161 Ac A62 0.1502 Ac A62

Data Beat

MAY 2010 Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary reports present data about monthly local sales and use tax allocation payments to local sales taxing jurisdictions.

These net payments represent monies identified for the local jurisdictions since the previous month’s distribution. These reports will allow you to compare current year sales and use tax payments with the previous year. When used with other local economic indicators, they may help indicate present and future trends.

County/City Fort Bend

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

% Change To Date

2009 Payments To Date

2008 Payments Change

Percent

Arcola Beasley Fulshear Kendleton Meadows Place Missouri City Needville Orchard Pleak Richmond Rosenberg Simonton Stafford Sugar Land Thompsons

24,822.69 6,578.80 38,217.41 1,448.80 99,042.24 603,158.20 36,766.40 4,467.43 2,136.97 417,044.92 1,216,750.14 9,381.44 1,469,344.12 3,510,812.36 3,468.81

17,599.42 7,892.32 37,223.70 1,205.88 99,615.25 548,514.83 29,705.59 5,351.51 4,512.35 414,310.84 988,306.47 3,380.89 1,200,734.78 3,742,788.09 1,395.21

41.04% -16.64% 2.66% 20.14% -0.57% 9.96% 23.76% -16.52% -52.64% 0.65% 23.11% 177.48% 22.37% -6.19% 148.62%

101,706.38 29,657.79 147,306.86 6,748.21 409,712.79 2,496,460.70 141,419.70 18,239.97 39,356.27 1,711,583.27 4,670,504.14 35,565.89 5,487,178.23 16,353,779.00 15,787.00

150,374.36 30,977.44 156,297.20 6,589.98 460,855.79 2,566,562.50 166,805.11 20,577.36 17,970.21 1,842,448.63 4,582,379.81 19,423.98 6,189,563.14 17,384,019.43 6,736.72

-32.36% -4.26% -5.75% 2.40% -11.09% -2.73% -15.21% -11.35% 119.00% -7.10% 1.92% 83.10% -11.34% -5.92% 134.34%

County Total

7,443,440.73

7,102,537.13

4.79%

31,665,006.20

33,601,581.66

-5.76%

Top 20 City Sales and Use Tax Comparison Summary - MAY 2010 Please note that Sugar Land is 16th in sales tax revenues in the state.

City

Houston San Antonio Dallas Austin Fort Worth Arlington El Paso Round Rock Plano McAllen Amarillo Corpus Christi Lubbock Irving Frisco Sugar Land Grand Prairie Mesquite Tyler Midland

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

47,419,146.06 21,004,722.26 21,053,620.24 13,610,355.33 9,951,914.57 8,566,494.67 6,593,736.97 5,610,817.26 6,170,553.76 5,256,876.22 5,777,874.32 5,390,956.54 5,078,118.14 4,868,668.91 4,017,244.01 3,510,812.36 3,571,179.90 3,621,337.98 3,223,568.50 3,423,684.55

45,678,971.36 19,754,256.54 20,197,422.70 12,130,332.32 9,936,865.54 7,682,740.93 6,005,933.45 5,146,665.19 5,494,794.86 4,869,828.89 5,365,440.51 5,331,922.90 4,764,927.85 4,650,745.33 3,444,372.49 3,742,788.09 3,583,468.82 3,263,237.39 3,294,692.31 3,194,983.71

% Change To Date

3.80% 6.33% 4.23% 12.20% 0.15% 11.50% 9.78% 9.01% 12.29% 7.94% 7.68% 1.10% 6.57% 4.68% 16.63% -6.19% -0.34% 10.97% -2.15% 7.15%

2009 Payments To Date

2008 Payments Change

Percent

200,202,048.55 87,625,660.00 87,218,073.95 58,652,567.85 41,638,584.82 34,775,228.20 29,267,088.24 26,020,735.79 25,337,489.83 24,789,568.57 23,966,016.56 23,725,666.75 21,184,555.35 18,877,341.13 16,850,224.35 16,353,779.00 14,797,957.06 14,688,087.80 14,491,859.00 14,452,140.85

220,781,126.12 87,731,987.74 91,598,018.22 55,516,885.71 42,807,122.04 33,525,599.36 27,940,830.08 24,990,667.95 24,644,354.29 24,545,029.26 24,524,562.83 25,971,406.20 21,274,177.17 19,957,585.95 16,187,705.19 17,384,019.43 15,124,471.49 14,070,015.63 15,423,608.47 16,075,238.84

-9.32% -0.12% -4.78% 5.64% -2.72% 3.72% 4.74% 4.12% 2.81% 0.99% -2.27% -8.64% -0.42% -5.41% 4.09% -5.92% -2.15% 4.39% -6.04% -10.09%

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

55

To be listed

Call at 281-690-4200

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Accountants Gerald Blakemore, CPA P.C. • 281-201-1809 www.geraldblakemorecpapc.com gerald@geraldblakemorecpapc.com Tax preparation and consulting for business and individuals. Accounting and bookkeeping services. Member: QuickBooks ProAdvisor® Program. No charge for initial consultation.

Douglas T. Brown, CPA • 281-265-8366 www.douglastbrown.com. doug@douglastbrown.com. One Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Suite 970, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Tax preparation and consulting for individuals, businesses, trusts and estates. Accounting and bookkeeping services for small to medium size businesses. Serving all of Houston, Katy and Sugar Land. We focus on your needs to provide exactly the service you require. Call or email for a free consultation.

Dennis Fernelius, CPA • 281-342-5342 Now affiliated with Philip Hammon III, PLLC CPA’s, 2501 1st Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471, 281-342-5342 or www.philhamman.com. Continuing to serve the East Fort Bend Business community • Questions call 281-261-7551 • Personal/Business tax planning and compliance • Accounting • Popular accounting software setup and support.

Sandersen, Knox & Belt, LLP • 281-242-3232 www.SKBTexas.com asandersen@skbtexas.com. Alan K. Sandersen, CPA, 13401 Southwest Freeway #101, Sugar land, TX 77478, E-mail: Fax: 281-242-3252. Taxation, financial statements, audits-business/governmental.

Advertising Fort Bend Business Journal • 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com Fort Bend’s ONLY business publication.

Fort Bend Focus • 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com Fort Bend’s ONLY feature magazine Direct mailed to almost 40,000 homes every month in Fort Bend’s most affluent subdivisions.

Fort Bend Star - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We have been delivering a free community newspaper to homes throughout Fort Bend County longer than ANY OTHER Newspaper.

Advertising, Promotional Specialties Blue Jungle Marketing - 281-240-6700 www.bluejunglemarketing.com jmunnell@bluejunglemarketing.com. Jim Munnell, 10700 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Stafford, Tx 77477, Fax: 281-240-6711, signs, promo. products, tradeshow displays, web design, etc.

56

Business Spirit Promotional Products 281-208-1100 www.BusinessSpirit.com Gifts • Travel Mugs • Caps • T-shirts • Briefcases • Food Gifts • Sport Towels • Knives • Rulers • Golf Items • Awards • Pens • Calculators • Canvas Bags • Calendars • Manicure Sets • Key Tags • Mirrors • Letter Openers • Flashlights • Imprinted Plastic Bags • Journals • Radios • Crayons • Coffee Mugs • Stress Relievers • Jackets • Chocolates • Nuts • plus 475,000 other items on our website!

Air Conditioning & Heating/Sales & Service Fresh Air, L.P. • 281-499-3511 www.freshairinc.com sonnyr@freshairinc.com. Sonny Roncancio, 5702 Power Line Rd., Richmond, TX 77469. Fax: 281-3441189, Serving Fort Bend Since 1971; Residential & commercial sales/service.

Attorney At Law Law Office of Robert Hohenberger 713-680-9454 www.law-tex.com 2500 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 107, Houston, Texas 77042 Specializing in areas of Family Law, Debt Resolution, Debt Mediation, Consumer Bankruptcy and Business Bankruptcy. Board certified in Family Law, Consumer Bankruptcy, and Commercial Bankruptcy. Will help with other legal issues as well.

Law Office of Melissa G. Martin, P.C. 281-343-8914 www.mgmartinlaw.com Melissa G. Martin, P.C. , 19901 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. A general practice law firm in Sugar Land. Handles all legal matters including, but not limited to, business and commercial law, family law, insurance, and personal injury. Will give you the individualized attention you need. Call for a free consultation 281 343 8914.

The Showalter Law Firm • 281 341 5577 www.showalterlaw.com mail@showalterlaw.com. David W. Showalter, 1117 FM 359, Suite 200 Richmond, TX 77469 Fax: 281341-5572.

Auto Repair / Maintenance AAMCO of Stafford • 281-879-0055 12103 Murphy Road, Stafford, Texas 77477. Complete Car Care Center. Lifetime Warranty Available. Specializes in Foreign and Domestic vehicle. Certified and Professionally Trained Technicians with over 40 years of experience. State of the Art Diagnostic testing equipment. Honors manufacturer’s and extended warranties.

Free towing available. Free shuttle service available.

FREE Nationwide Warranty.

Auto Central-Automotive Service & Sales 281-499-9684 www.autocentral.biz david@autocentral.biz. David Fauvelle, 2526 Fifth Street, Stafford, Texas 77477, Fax: 281-499-0183, Fast, friendly and professional automotive repair. AAA approved auto repair.

Charlton’s Body Repair • 281-499-1126 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com.

Chuck Charlton, 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th St., Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-499-1694, Complete collision repair. Frame & Unibody straightened. Expert computer color matching. Custom painting & pin stripping.

Honest service. 79 Years Strong and 3 Generations Proud!

Colony One Auto Center • 281-980-4440 www.colonyoneauto.com Rod Tate, 1131 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-261-0048, Complete state of the art automotive repair & maintenance facility.

First Tire & Automotive • 281-313-2886 www.firsttireandauto.com Craig Popp, owner, 3 Sugar Land Locations. 960 Eldridge, 281-313-2886 & 2303 Williams Trace Blvd.

281-980-2666 (First Colony), 20015 Southwest Freeway. 281-343-5666 (Greatwood), Diagnostic testing and evaluation, Manufacturer’s routine recommended maintenance, domestic and foreign vehicle repairs, AAA approved, ASE certified. Ask about our Fleet Service!

Banks Frost Bank - Stafford • 713-388-1191 www.frostbank.com 3531 S. Main, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 713-388-7600, Three Fort Bend County locations to meet your banking needs.

Founders Bank • 281-325-5000 www.foundersbanktx.com Email: customerservice@foundersbanktx.com. Fax: 281-325-5050. Fort Bend County only. Locally owned and managed bank. 4690 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land 77479 Houston Community Bank - Fort Bend 281-343-7700 www.houstoncommunitybank.com cleatherwood@houstoncommunitybank.com. Claude Leatherwood, Greatwood Lakes Bldg., 19855 SW Frwy, Ste 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479, Fax: 281-343-7787.

Full service community bank.

Houston Community Bank - Stafford 281-208-2111 www.houstoncommunitybank.com jsmith@houstoncommunitybank, Jeff Smith, 13811 Murphy Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-208-4420.

Community bank offering a broad range of financial services.

The State Bank of Texas • 281-494-6686 www.tsbot.com nbb@tsbot.com. Nicki Black, 13010 Murphy Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-494-6747, , Locally and independently owned - our prime interest is you!

Sterling Bank - Fort Bend • 281-277-0100 12840 Southwest Freeway, Stafford, TX 77477, Fax: 281-277-0223, Serving owner-operated businesses with local decision makers.

Call today: 281-690-4201 • New Listings Start July 1st!

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Blinds / Window Coverings Budget Blinds • 281-416-8499 www.budgetblinds.com bdimmitt@budgetblinds.com. Bob Dimmitt, 1306 FM 1092, Suite 401, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 832220-8051, Custom window coverings, personal style consultant, “expert fit” measuring and installation.

Business Coaching The Growth Coach • 281-841-6680 www.TheGrowthCoachHouston.com g.smith@thegrowthcoach.com The most experienced business coaching team in Ft Bend County! Our staff has over 50 years combined experience mentoring business owners. We help busy entrepreneurs to slow down, catch their breath, reflect and map out the critical changes they need to improve their businesses and lives. Our clients get results! In the end they make more money, work less, and enjoy a better life.

12 MONTHS LISTING FOR ONLY $300 Catering Chef for You Chef Service & Catering 281-313-2433 www.chef4u.net.

9920 Highway 90-A, Suite B-260, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Call Marcie to handle your next luncheon or dinner party. Check our online Corporate Catering Menu which can be customized to meet your needs.

Chiropractors Smouse Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center • 281-494-5144 www.scoliosistreatmentctr.com doctor.scoliosis@worldnet.att.net. Gary F. Smouse, DC, and Stephanie M. Smouse, BS, DC, 14015 Southwest Freeway #9, Sugar Land, TX 77478, Fax: 281-4942975, Chiropractic care with a non-surgical treatment of scoliosis.

Computer, Sales & Services Fast-Teks On-site Computer Services Greater Sugar Land / Katy Fort Bend Area • 281-857-6227 www.fastteks.com mkirkpatrick@fastteks.com. Business & residential computer specialists. Troubleshooting, Virus Removal, DSL & Cable setup, Wireless Networking, Data Back Up and Recovery, Preventative Maintenance Agreements, Website Development and more. 281-857-6227.

New Dimensions Multimedia Computing • 281-980-4106 www.newdimcomputers.com normvoss@newdimcomputers.com. Norm Voss, 1108 Soldier’s Field Court, Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479, Fax: 281-980-4107, Computer Sales, Service & Networking.

Construction Material Provider Sprint Sand & Clay Dispatch 281-277-5404 www.sprintsandandclay.com Sprint Sand & Clay is a full-service construction material provider of sand and clay type material with trucking, excavation, demolition, and other construction capabilities. Sprint Sand & Clay will work with you to provide everything you will need to start a successful build project. Whether a contractor is looking for select fill, sand or mulch; Sprint Sand & Clay can provide you with the material you need, when and where you need it. P.O. Box 19129 Houston TX 77224.

Country Clubs

Hardee Investment Group @ RBC Wealth Management • 713-853-0879 www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com will.hardee@rbc.com Will Hardee, 1001 Fannin Street, Ste. 1200, Houston, TX 77002, Fax: 713-651-3366, 800-838-0757 tollfree. Investment management, financial long term planning and consulting.

Sugar Creek Financial Group • 281-565-2266 www.sugarcreekgroup.com robroy@windstream.net. Robert H. Roy, ChFC, Fax: 281-565-2277, 12946 Dairy Ashford #350, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Life, Health, Pensions, Investments for businesses and individuals.

Fitness Center

Riverbend Country Club • 281-269-2526 www.riverbendcountryclub.org triciarbcc@gmail.com. Tricia Hawks, 1214 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Conveniently located in the heart of Sugar Land, Riverbend Country Club is just 25 minutes south of downtown Houston, Texas.

Established in 1957, Riverbend continues its tradition as Fort Bend County’s only member owned club.

Whether you’re looking for championship golf, fine dining, pools, tennis, fitness facilities or a wide variety of social and golf activities Riverbend is definitely the place to belong.

The Houstonian Golf & Country Club 281-494-4245 www.houstoniangolf.com Nicole Scarbrough, Membership Private golf & country club, *Limited membership available.

Debt Collection Services Beta Financial Services LLC • 281-208-0656 Roger Harris, Manager. Beta Financial Services LLC, 2601 Cartwright Road D161, Missouri City Texas 77459. Office 281-208-0656. Fax 281-403-3415

Debt Resolution Services Robert Hohenberger, Attorney at Law 713-680-9454 www.law-tex.com 2500 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 107, Houston, Texas 77042.

In times like these, with layoffs, reduced income, and increased interest rates, let us help you deal with your creditors to develop a plan to reduce and resolve your debt. We offer Debt Resolution, Debt Mediation, Income Tax payment plans and more. Call today for a consultation.

Financial Products & Services Cohen Jacobs Financial Services C.J. Eaden, CITRMS • 281-499-8484 www.cybercopsusa.com idtking@yahoo.com, 802 Texas Parkway Suite G, Stafford, TX 77477 Fax: 281-499-2712 Providers of Identity Theft Protection and Restoration for individuals and small business owners, including a suite of services which provides help in every phase of Identity Theft. We help small business owners comply with new Federal Trade Commission guidelines on Identity Theft.

Free training and education provided.

Curves for Women Pecan Grove - 832-451-8160 Sugar Land by the Mall - 281-240-0998 Stafford - 281-564-6161 Missouri City - 281-208-9260 30 minute fitness & weight loss center for women.

Gifts Edible Arrangements – Stafford The Fountains Shopping Center 281-313-7848 (281-31-FRUIT) Fresh fruit arrangements and gift boxes for pick-up and delivery in a variety of sizes. Our arrangements are hand-sculpted fresh fruit “bouquets” that artfully resemble floral arrangements and can be customized with gourmet chocolate, plush bears, and Mylar balloons. An edible arrangement is perfect way to say thank you, happy birthday, get well or congratulations, great for any meeting or celebration.

Golf Carts/Mobility Scooters CBC Golf Cart Services, Inc. 281-494-1164 Scooters by CBC 281-494-3454 www.cbcgolfcarts.com chris1001@windstream.net, 203 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land, TX 77498 (Behind Imperial Sugar). CBC offers Sales, Service, New & Used, Rentals and Parts for two lines of products, GOLF CARTS and MOBILITY SCOOTERS. Authorized Dealer for Fairplay and Pride Mobility products. fax 281-494-1189

Identity Theft Cohen Jacobs Financial Services C.J. Eaden, CITRMS • 281-499-8484 www.cybercopsusa.com idtking@yahoo.com, 802 Texas Parkway Suite G, Stafford, TX 77477 Fax: 281-499-2712 Providers of Identity Theft Protection and Restoration for individuals and small business owners, including a suite of services which provides help in every phase of Identity Theft. We help small business owners comply with new Federal Trade Commission guidelines on Identity Theft.

Free training and education provided.

Insurance Agencies Agentwalker.com - State Farm Insurance 281-265-0711 tracy@agentwalker.com - Tracy Walker ChFC, CLU, CASL. AKA Soccer Mom, Baseball Mom, Football Mom 15510 Lexington Blvd Ste N Sugar Land, TX 77478 Providing Insurance and Financial Services

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

57

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

To be listed

Call at 281-690-4200

S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

Assurance One of Texas, LLC • 281-494-6400 email@sugarlandinsuranceagent.com. Cherie Young, 245 Commerce Green Blvd., #110, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Members of Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce since 1993. Full Service Independent Insurance Agency specializing in the Best Customer Service available.

Insurance Solutions of Texas 281-565-2222 • 281-341-5060 www.insurancesolutionsoftexas.com Jay Harris, Auto, Home, Business, Flood Insurance.

14140 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. 281-565-2222, Fax 281-565-3333.

2515 Ave. H, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. 281-341-5060, Fax 281-341-5558.

Mark Dalton Insurance Agency • 281-242-2333 www.mdaltoninsurance.com service@mdaltoninsurance.com. Mark Dalton, 101 Southwestern Blvd. #106, P.O. Box 1205, Sugar Land, TX 77487-1205, Fax: 281-242-9162, Auto, Home, Life, Business, Insurance. Serving Ft Bend County for 25 yrs.

Dan Noltensmeyer & Associates 281-342-7200 Nationwide Insurance, 19974 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 281-342-7203 State Farm Insurance • 281-265-0707 tracy.walker.le19@statefarm.com. Tracy Walker, 15510 Lexington #N, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Fax: 281-265-0707, Mutual funds, IRA’s, Life, Business Insurance, Auto, Home, Health.

Investment Companies Edward Jones • 281-494-3737 www.edwardjones.com Gayle.Swafford@edwardjones.com Gayle L. Swafford - Financial Advisor. 4623 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 888-849-8932, Financial services firm specializing in helping individual investors achieve their goals. Your local source for a variety of investments and financial services.

Fort Bend Focus - 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com Fort Bend’s ONLY feature magazine Direct mailed to almost 40,000 homes every month in Fort Bend’s most affluent subdivisions.

Medical Equipment & Supplies Active American Mobility & Medical Supply, 281-265-3155 www.aamobility.com 15229 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478, Fax: 281-265-6058. Full line of mobility solutions and medical supplies.

Mortgage Realty Plus Mortgage - 281-403-3905 realtyplus@acninc.net. We have experienced loan officers to find the right mortgage. Experienced Realtors to explain the process & answers your questions to help you find a house and negotiate a contract to achieve you Real Estate goals. 2823 Dulles Ave., Missouri City, 281-403-3905, fax 281-403-1080, 1-877-405-3905.

BBB Member, License No. 227

New Construction, Custom/ Planned Community Lakes of Mission Grove - 281-341-7010 www.mission-grove.com missiongrove@ev1.net. Sam Harrison, 1121 F.M. 359, Richmond, TX 77469 Fax: 281-341-5572.

New Home Builders, LLC - 281-980-3390 ww.NHBrealtor.com dmiller@realtor.com. Diana Miller, 19901 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Fax: 281-9807640 Real estate firm specializing in new construction, custom/planned community.

Newspaper Fort Bend Star • 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We have been delivering a free community newspaper to homes throughout Fort Bend County longer than ANY OTHER Newspaper.

Optometrists

Jewelers J Loggins Jewelers Fort Bend’s Custom Jeweler • 281-242-2900 www.jloggins.com info@jloggins.com. 14015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Fax: 281-242-0839. Custom Design, Custom Repairs, Custom Makeovers. Full-Service Fine Jewelry Store, carrying famous designer lines.

Locksmith B&B Locksmiths • 281-392-5500 www.bandblocksmiths.com. bblocksmiths@consolidated.net. 624 S. Mason Rd., Katy, TX 77450, Fax 281-395-5625. Full service locksmith including safe sales & service: Commercial, Residential, and Automotive.

58

Magazine Fort Bend Business Journal • 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com Fort Bend’s ONLY business publication.

Today’s Vision - 281-242-2020 www.2020sugarland.com todaysvision@2020sugarland.com. 15337 Southwest Frwy., Sugar Land, TX 77478 - Williams Trace @ Hwy 59 (Next to Conns). Thomas P. Arnold, O.D., Melissa C. Moeller, O.D., and Associates. Therapeutic and Pediatric Optometrists.

Elissa R. Wedemeyer O.D., FCOVD, F.A.A.O 281-499-2600 5425 Hwy. 6 #B-100 Missouri City, TX 77459. www. drwedemeyer.com. Therapeutic Optometrist, in house optical with a large selection of frames and contact lenses, medical management of eye infections and diseases.

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Pediatric Therapy MedCare Pediatric Group, LP 713-773-5100 www.medcarepediatrics.com Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy at home or at Rehab Center located at 12371 S. Kirkwood, Stafford, TX 77477. We also provide in home nursing services.

All services available in Houston and surrounding counties.

Pest Control/Commercial ORKIN - Commercial Services www.orkin.com 713-784-2706 - June Shane-wilton (South Of I-10) 713-952-4500 - Dana Mowe (North Of I-10) Orkin services customers in a wide variety of industries, and we tailor our pest management solutions to fit your facility. Call today for a comprehensive inspection with pest pressure evaluation including quote and to find out about our “Orkin Triple Guarantee” and customized 7-step solution. VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.ORKIN. COM TO LEARN MORE.

Pharmacies Ed’s Pharmacy - 281-499-4555 Ed Sziy, 3740 Cartwright, Missouri City, TX 77459, Fax: 281-499-7088.

Walgreen’s Drug Stores Hwy 6 @ Williams Trace - 281-980-5780 Lexington @ Dulles - 281-499-0231 24Hr Hwy 6 @ FM 1092 - 281-208-5904 24Hr Grand Parkway @ Hwy 59 - 281-633-0299 With more locations throughout Fort Bend to serve you better

Physicians Immunizations & Drug Testing IMU Southwest, The IMUnization Clinic 281-313-7468 www.IMUnizationclinic.org imusouthwest@windstream.net. 3727 Greenbriar Dr. Suite 403, Stafford, TX 77477- Vaccines for children and adults for school, fertility, work, immigration, or travel needs. Daytime, Evening, and Saturday hours and no wait appointments available. Vaccine titers and Drug Testing for individuals or corporations. Certified Drug Testing Center & CDC Designated Yellow Fever Provider. We perform oral HIV testing also. Mobile on-site clinics available for churches and corporations.

Plants, Interior Design Interiorscapes of Houston 281-933-0470 Alan L’ Roy, P.O. Box 218023, Houston, TX 77218, Fax: 281-277-0541, Interior plant maintenance, Serving Sugar Land & Fort Bend County, Specializing with a devotion to a degree beyond the usual.

Plumbing Supplies Morrison Plumbing Supply & Showroom 281-499-3299 10404 Cash Road, Stafford, TX 77477, Designer Quality at Clearance Prices. Your complete source for name brand faucets and fixtures at competitive prices.

Printers / Graphics Blue Jungle Marketing - 281-240-6700 www.bluejunglemarketing.com jmunnell@bluejunglemarketing.com. Jim Munnell, 10700 Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Stafford, Texas 77477, Fax: 281-240-6711, signs, promo products, tradeshow displays, web design, etc.

Star Printing - 281-690-4200 www.fortbendstar.com We professionally design and print flyers, postcards, brochures, magazines, newspapers and catalogs in high-quality digital graphics.

Real Estate / Residential Bearden Development • 281-568-4185 budt@beardendevelopment.com. 10460 W. Sam Houston Parkway S., Suite 200, Houston, TX 77099, Commercial office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities for lease or build to suit. Commercial development and investments.

Curtice Commercial Real Estate - 281-494-4769 kcurtice@curticecommercial.com. Kolbe M. Curtice, CCIM, CLS, 15999 City Walk Suite 250, Sugar Land Square located at U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6, Fax: 281-494-3227, Brokerage, Development, Investment & Tenant Representation, 20 yrs exp. in Fort Bend.

Indermuehle & Co. - Commercial Real Estate 281-240-9090 www.icotexas.com lindermuehle@icotexas.com. Larry Indermuehle, 2333 Town Center Drive Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77498, Phone 281-240-9090 - Fax: 281-240-9070 - 1800240-9090, Commercial real estate sales, leasing and investments.

Jeanne Gregory, CRS, GRI - 281-344-8918 www.jeannegregory.com jeannegregory@earthlink.net. 14905 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478, Fax: 281-242-6754, Re/Max Southwest. Residential real estate sales & corporate relocation.

Mimi Kwan, Realtor CRS, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, Broker-Associate 281-208-51100 www.mimikwan.com MimiKwan@Realtor.com. 4500 Highway 6 @ Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478-4488, Office: 281-2655533 ext. 1212 *** Toll Free 877-373-6293 ext. 1212, Direct: 281-208-5110-Fax 281-208-5151. RE/MAX Fine Properties. Each office independently owned/operated.

Riverstone Development Co. - 281-499-8700 www.riverstone.com tom@riverstone.com. Tom Wilcox, 4855 Riverstone Blvd, Missouri City, Texas 77459, Fax: 281-499-8704, Luxury waterside living in Fort Bend from $200s to the many millions.

Telfair by Newland Communities 281-325-0032 www.telfair.com 1310 Heritage Place, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. Fax 281-325-0051. Telfair by Newland Communities – The Art and Soul of Great Living from the $260’s to Over $1 Million.

“The Power of Three” Team 281-207-5155 www.3realtors.com Denise Hulse, Kathy Richardson & Michele Sergie. RE/ MAX Southwest, 14905 SW Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Email: info@3realtors.com. Residential Real Estate and Corporate Relocation.

Jennifer Weaver, ABR, CRS, GRI 281-207-5037 www.jenniferweaver.com RE/MAX Southwest, 14905 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Residential sales and corporate relocation since 1979.

Staffing Service / Temporary Help Strategic Employer Services, LLC Professional Employer Organization (PEO) 281-277-3006 www.strategicemployerservices.com Strategic Employer Services, LLC is a Fort Bend County based PEO providing full service human resources benefits to small businesses, enabling them to compete aggressively with larger organizations to hire and retain productive employees. Our offices are located at 4411 Bluebonnet, Suite 108, Stafford, Texas 77477. (10/07)

Transportation TREKEXPRESS 281-633-RIDE www.trekhouston.org jr@trekhouston.org. Commuter bus service from Fort Bend County to Uptown/ Galleria and Green way Plaza.

Managed by TREK and funded by Fort Bend County Commuter Service.

Video Services Star Video Digital Production Services, 281-690-4280 Full-service video taping, editing and special effects for your business. Professional writing to finished commercials, training DVD’s, and corporate videos.

Wash / Laundry / Drop-Off Coin Laundry @ Stafford - 281-261-6191 504–C Murphy Road@Ave. E, Large Commercial, Front load Washing machines; Wash, Dry & Fold same day service. Club welcome, both business or individuals. 7 days, 8 am-10pm

Waste Collection Services Sprint Waste Services Dispatch 281-491-7775 www.sprintwaste.com Sprint Waste provides trash collection services to a wide variety of commercial customers throughout Houston and as far away as El Campo and Victoria. Whether you are a business looking for a permanent waste solution or a general contractor with a temporary need, Sprint Waste has roll-off boxes, front load containers, and garbage compactors to meet your every need. P.O. Box 940820 Houston TX 77094.

Web Site Design & Programming DonDulin.com - 281-238-4719 www.dondulin.com don@dondulin.com, Don Dulin, P.O. Box 1840, Richmond, TX 77406, Fax: 281-239-6193, Complete web development; marketing, database, e-commerce and hosting.

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S E R V I C E D I R E C T O R Y

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Email: Michael@FortBendStar.com 60

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

FOOD REVIEW: PETE & SHORTY’S

WHERE TO EAT NOW The following is a list of exceptional restaurants throughout in Fort Bend County & Katy Area. Prices reflect the average cost of a three-course dinner for one person, excluding drinks, tax and tip. $$$$=Very Expensive ($60 & Up) $$$=Expensive ($40-$60) $$=Moderate ($20-$40) $=Inexpensive (Under $20) FB=Full Bar WB=Serves Wine & Beer

FOOD DRINK

Pete & Shorty’s Pete & Shorty’s, a restaurant that recently opened in the Sugar Land area, may remind you of just such a place has a full bar with special pricing on drinks all day, every day. Test the “cold beer” boast for yourself, with a Frozen Schooner of 20 ounces of your favorite brand for just $2.75, it offers is not trendy or transitory, but rather, venerable and traditional: good food at reasonable prices, served by friendly, decent people. It may not be rocket science, but Pete & Shorty shows us that creating a place where people really want to be is a science all in itself.

Pete & Shorty’s- 16549 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Parking - parking lot What to Wear - business to casual Reservations - available but not required Seating - full bar as well as restaurant Price - $$

AURA Restaurant • Chef/Owner Frédéric Perrier brings over 30 years experience to his newest venture - AURA. In an upscale yet casually comfortable setting, Innovative American Cuisine reigns and is highlighted in the numerous Daily Specials. AURA features only the finest, freshest ingredients. From Lunch Salads & Sandwiches to Dinner with Crabcakes and Filet Au Poivre to Diver Sea Scallops with Boneless Braised Short Rib ‘Surf & Turf’ appetizers and Farm Raised Chilean Sea Bass. No need to go to Houston or into Sugar Land for truly high quality dining experience...you will easily find it at AURA (without ‘Big Restaurant’ prices!) at Township Square - Missouri City. Lunch Mon-Sat 112. Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-9 and Fri-Sat 5-10. Please call for Reservations &/or Catering ~ 3400 FM 1092, 81-403-AURA (2872). $$ • WB

ENTERTAINMENT

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Special Section

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Fort Bend/Katy

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 281-690-4201 June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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Barry’s Pizza • Barry’s Pizza at the Fountains was opened in 1997 with the idea of creating the best pizza in Fort Bend. Barry’s customers have said that Barry’s has more than fulfilled their goals! From our dough and pizza sauce, made fresh daily, to Barry’s own signature Mozzarella Cheese, we have been thrilling the pizza lovers of Fort Bend for over 8 years. Barry’s is a full service, full menu restaurant going to great lengths to maintain excellent quality and service. • 11303 Fountain Lake Dr. • 281-494-0666. $ • WB Candelari’s Pizzeria • Albert Candelari began making sausage over 50 years ago. As the years have passed the flavor remains the same, which is why Candelari’s is the “King of Sausages”! They take that delicious Italian sausage and put it in pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches. Enjoy appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas and desserts in there dining room, large patio, or full bar with large screen TV’s. Happy hour is Monday - Thursday 3 to 7pm. This casual dining experience is available at two locations in Fort Bend.

Call either location for take-out or delivery. 7425 Hwy 6 S (Just North of Sienna) 832-947-0440 / 6825 S Fry Rd (Fry & 99) 281-395-6746. www. candelaris.com. $ • FB Charlie’s Restaurants and Catering, Poboys and Grill • Two locations in Fort Bend. Cajun home cooked food. The “special” plate is a favorite with a choice of one meat, two sides and a roll.

The meat choices range from brisket, sausage, and meat loaf, to baked chicken, turkey/dressing, ham, salisbury steak and spaghetti/meatballs.

Home made desserts are a favorite feature. Catering is available for large to small functions, banquets, corporate or organization luncheons/dinners. 4719 Lexington @ Dulles, 281-499-0808 and 1250 Texas Parkway, 281-499-2233. $ Chef for You • Offers take out dinners prepared from scratch by professional chefs. Online ordering; Customized Catering Menus Available; Corporate Catering for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Homemade Cakes, Cookies, and Brownies; Soups and Salads. New menus offered each week at www.chef4u.net • 9920 Highway 90-A, Suite B-260, Sugar Land • 281-313-CHEF (2433). $ Fernando’s Latin Cuisine • We are pleased to announce the arrival of Fernando’s Latin Cuisine-An exotic culinary adventure! Started by, Fernando Echeverria, the same owner of Los Andes by the Compact Center in Houston-Another wonderful Latin American restaurant. Fernando’s Latin Cuisine is located in the same building where Ruth’s Chris used to be. Featured dishes include Empanadas appetizer, Fileton, (Filet mignon) and Asada Y Camarones, Casually called the surf and turf. 14135 Southwest Freeway, in Sugar Land. 281-494-9087. wwww.fernandosrestaurants.com. $$ • FB Hickory Barn BAR-B-Q • The Kiddy Brothers came to Houston with great BBQ on their minds.

The first BBQ restaurant opened in 1953. Since then the family owned and operated business has

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been serving up great BBQ. Although times have changed, our idea of great BBQ hasn’t. Come by and see us. Catering available. • 11534 Wilcrest @ W. Belfort. 281-530-9382. $ Incredible Pizza Company • All-You-CanEat Buffet is Made Fresh, From Scratch, Every Day. Enjoy 30 varieties of Pizza, 3 Styles of Pizza Crust, Meatballs & Spaghetti, Piping Hot Baked Potatoes with All the Toppings, Soups, Fresh Pasta with a Choice of Sauces, a Salad Bar Featuring Over 80 Items Including 9 Different Homemade Salad Dressings, and Desserts. Pies, Cobblers, Bread Pudding, Cinnamon Rolls, Ice Cream, Cookies & Much More for only $6.99 per person. Corporate Events, Team Building, Lock-ins, Birthday Parties, and Every Day Fun! In addition to the Incredible Food, the 20,000 Square Feet of Play Space is a Blast for Kids and Kids at Heart. www.ipcsugarland. com Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm, 3412 Highway 6 South @ Williams Trace, 281-313-0631. $ J & L Café • Homestyle Cookin’ like Grandma used to make! Joy Smith and Paul Jordan are back, and they’re cooking up a delightful assortment of homemade dishes to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.

Since they opened their new restaurant, they’ve been serving up family recipes handed down for 3 generations. Stop by J & L Café and enjoy Chicken and Dumplings, Smothered Oxtails, Meatloaf, Ribs, Fried Catfish, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Okra, and Cornbread Dressing, to name just a few menu items and daily specials. The assortment of Desserts includes Peach Cobbler, Cheesecake and Banana Pudding, all guaranteed to make your taste buds smile! Joy Smith, co-proprietor, worked as Personal Chef to Former Houston Juneor Lee Brown for many years. Whole Cornish Hens are available on Sundays. Breakfast served Tuesday-Saturday 6-9am, Open for Lunch and Dinner Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Mondays. 1110 FM 2234 on the border of Stafford & Missouri City.

281-499-9895. $ Karl’s At The Riverbend • Romantic Dining in the Country, across the creek from a horse farm.

Swiss Chef Karl Camenzind’s menu features Angus steaks, Prime Rib, Wienerschnitzel, Trout Almondine and other fresh fish, Rack of Lamb, Steak and other wild game, Atkins specials, a budget weeknight menu offered along with the regular menu, plus a wonderful Sunday Brunch Buffet. Company Luncheons and Rehearsal Dinners invited. Open Tues-Sat for Dinner and Sunday Brunch 5011 FM 723 Richmond 281-2389300 www.karlsrb.com Read our reviews at www. b4-u-eat.com. $$ • FB Las Haciendas Mexican Bar & Grill • Santos Escobar and his brother Ascension Escobar serve up dozens of heaping traditional gourmet Mexican plates. Lunch Specials run weekdays from 11am - 3pm. Great margaritas, fajitas and much more. Catering available as well as a party room for private parties. • 12821 Southwest Freeway.

281-240-3060. $ • FB

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

Lupitas Mexican Restaurant • Jaime and Lupe Garcia have lived in Fort Bend for 36 years.

Twenty-three of those years have been spent in the restaurant business. If you want authentic Mexican food made from only the freshest ingredients and at a reasonable price, go to Lupitas Mexican Restaurant formerly Pico De Gallo Mexican Restaurant. The Garcias continually concentrate on customer satisfaction. That includes the quality and freshness of their food as well as the family atmosphere of their restaurant. Dine-In, Take-out, and Catering available. 3121 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-265-6556. $ • WB Mangola’s Fine Italian Restaurant• Serving fine Italian food to Southwest Houston and Fort Bend Country for more than 20 years. Conveniently located at 11786 S. Wilcrest @ Highway 59 S. Open for Lunch and Dinner 7 Days a week. Check out our website www.mangolasrestaurant.com. Call 281-498-6790 for reservations or to schedule your special event.

Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine • Discover India with exotic spices and aromatic flavors that will awaken your taste buds and lift you off your feet, we will make you feel like royalty. Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine offers Lunch Buffet and To-Go lunch options, that’s in your budget and leave you to come back for more. Mantra caters to all from spicy hot to mild flavors. We prepare our meals fresh and offer a wide selection of healthy choices. We have full menu and full bar and you can enjoy the evening out on our patio with your family or friends. Mantra also offers special catering promotions for parties and formal functions or any event any size, host in our restaurant or choosing of your choice. Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, Friday to Sunday, Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Lunch: 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 10p.m. Dinner: 5:30pm to 11p.m.Come visit us at 15295 Southwest Freeway off of Williams Trace exit. For more information, contact us at 281-325-0071 or visit www.mantraofsugarland.com. $$ • FB Old Hickory Inn Barbecue • More than 40 years in business in the Houston and Fort Bend area, Old Hickory Inn Barbecue is famous for their Old Fashion Hickory Smoked Barbecue and numerous Homemade Side Dishes, made fresh daily. They are available to cater your next event, for up to 3000 guests. In addition to great Barbecue, they make an awesome Gyro (Greek wrap featuring beef & lamb), and feature fruit cobbler, cream pies, rice pudding and cheesecake for dessert A casual dining experience in 3 convenient locations, with a drive-through window at the Highway 6 location. Open 7 days a week, Sunday-Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm. 3334 F.M. 1092 @ Hwy 6 Missouri City 281-499-8904 / 8000 Hwy 6 @ Beechnut 281-983-5020 / 5427 S. Braeswood @ Chimney Rock 713-723-8908. $ • WB

Outback Steakhouse • Inspired by Australia’s spirit of adventure, Outback Steakhouse has been an innovator in the culinary world by creating big, bold flavors using only the freshest ingredients. Voted #1 Best Steak in the 2009 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant chains, Outback’s mission is to provide high quality fresh dishes at affordable prices. Explore Outback’s new menu with 15 meals under $15 including new choices, classic favorites and down under prices starting at $9.95. Our favorites include the Bloomin’ Onion®, Outback Special Sirloin with Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Honey Dijon Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries and much more!

The local Proprietor is Anthony Antonidis. Open Mon.- Thur. 4-10 pm, Fri. 4-11 pm, Sat. 3-11 pm, Sun 11 am-9:30 pm. Located at 15253 Southwest Freeway, (Off Highway 59 and Williams Trace Exit) in Sugar Land, Texas. 281-980-4329. $ FB Panda Garden • Panda Garden Restaurant, the three times winner for Best Oriental Restaurant in Fort Bend County, located at 3563 Highway 6 in Kroger Center, provides a warm, casual environment to best service all diners. The goal of our restaurant is to offer 100% satisfactory to the customers with variety selection of popular Hunan Cuisine. “We offer fresh, made from scratch meals that is unforgettably delicious!” Manager Kenny adds. The restaurant offers accommodations for small group meetings and wonderful party tray for catering to the near by businesses and schools. Panda Garden is open 7 days a week on Mon. – Sat.: 11a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sun. 11a.m. – 9:30p.m.

Delivery is available everyday with a min. of $15.00 purchase. A lunch special is offered daily as well as the full regular menu offerings. 3563 Hwy 6 @ Williams Trace, 281-265-0303. $ • WB Pappa La Rosa Flying Pizza and Restaurant • Pappa La Rosa Flying Pizza and Restaurant is a warm and inviting family owned and operated restaurant where pizza, pasta and subs are available on the menu, with daily specials. Catering, a private party room and birthday packages are also available. Dine in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Sunday. • 16227 Lexington Boulevard, Sugar Land • Call 281-313-3500. $ • WB

Post Oak Grill Restaurant & Bar • The Rios Family invites you to come and experience the same quality, ambiance and service that you have at the original Post Oak Gill. Join us for a wonderful culinary adventure featuring fine centercut steaks, chops, fresh seafood, soups, sandwiches, salads, and outstanding wine selection. Open lunch & dinner - Monday-Thursday 11:00-9:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00-10:00pm. Happy Hour 3:00-6:00pm. 4524 Highway 6, Sugar Land • Call 281-491-2901.www.postoakgrillsugarland.com $$ • FB Sandy McGee’s Restaurant & Catering • The “BEST” soups, gourmet sandwiches and salads in TEXAS. Casual Dining in Historic Downtown Richmond.

Sandy McGee’s has a sterling reputation for “FRESH”. Mon.-Fri. 10am-9pm and Sat.-Sun. 10am-3pm. 314 Morton St., Richmond. 281-344-9393. $ Tacone Flavor Grill • Fresh. Fun. Handmade. Unique Environment. Tacone is a Casual Quick Serve Restaurant with gourmet flavor at not so gourmet prices. Rated Best Gourmet Wrap Restaurant by Restaurant and Resorts. This franchise based company from Los Angeles, CA has unique gourmet wraps, hot pannini sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. There is a BBQ Chicken Quesadillas waiting for you at Tacone. Make your other senses jealous! Sugar Land Town Square, 2228 Texas Drive, Sugar Land, 77479; 281-313-2300, fax: 281-3132305. www.tacone.com. $ Tornado Burger • Home of the famous Spicy Burger. Find out why Houston’s largest newspaper raves about their burgers! Read the review by the Houston Chronicle at: http://blogs.chron.com/cookstour/archives/ 2007/09/burgerology.html. They make their burgers with fresh-ground chuck, and even their buns are handmade! The French fries are fresh Idaho potatoes cut right in front of you and fried to order! They compete with the multinationals with fresh food at low prices and very fast service. Their Philly Cheesesteaks are as good as Pat’s if not better! Open Mon. - Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am9pm. Dine-In or Drive-Thru. 505 Murphy Rd (FM 1092) just south of Hwy 90 in Stafford, 281-403-FAST (3278). $

Real estate agents that SELL HOMES advertise them in The Star H Local Agent H Local Advertising H Local Results

281.690.4200 4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 300 • Stafford, TX 77477

June 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

63

Pete & Shorty’s Fort Bend’s community tavern brings taste, friendly faces and good pricing

T

here are tons of little neighborhood taverns in the Midwest where neighbors meet, the drinks are cheap, and the food is surprisingly tasty. Pete & Shorty’s, a restaurant that recently opened in the Sugar Land area, may remind you of just such a place.

Boasting the “coldest beer in town”, Pete & Shorty’s has a full bar with special pricing on drinks all day, every day. Test the “cold beer” boast for yourself, with a Frozen Schooner of 20 ounces of your favorite brand for just $2.75. For cocktail lovers, prices are only $3 for house brands, $4 for

64

call brands, and $5 for premium brand liquors.

Friendly faces and pricing make this a place that encourages regular visits, with its unpretentious surroundings, menu array, and fun entertainment options for the whole family. Kick up your heels and dance with live bands performing every Friday and Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.; or come and enjoy our outdoor patio for those who smoke or enjoy dining under the stars. Reserve seating in our spacious outdoor patio, including a full bar, for your graduation parties, going away parties,

Fort Bend Business Journal • June 2010

birthdays, or just because you want to let loose.

This unassuming, little neighborhood hangout brings a note of grace and comfort to an otherwise crowded field of loud, lookat-me restaurant options. Junebe this quiet confidence stems from the knowledge that what Pete & Shorty’s offers is not trendy or transitory, but rather, venerable and traditional: good food at reasonable prices, served by friendly, decent people. It may not be rocket science, but Pete & Shorty shows us that creating a place where people really want to be is a science all in itself.

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back pain? neck pain?

The Spine Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the comprehensive, coordinated option for you in Fort Bend County.

For back and neck pain, there’s only one premier choice – Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine center. Whether you’ve had pain for just a few days or several long years, you’ll find everything you need to diagnose and treat your condition in a convenient location, with access to premier spine specialists and a complete range of treatment options.

Getting started is easy. We will guide you through a customized treatment plan, with expedited access to world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons and interventional pain specialists. plus, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the most advanced imaging and surgical technologies in the world are available on-site.

Stop enduring pain. Call today and begin your personal treatment plan. 281-313-BACK (2225).

Spine Center 16655 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-274-7000 • MethodistSugarLand.com

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