May 2010 - The Business Lifestyle Magazine Digital Edition by Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend/Katy

Volume 28 • No. 5

THE BUSINESS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

MAY 2010

Ed’s Pharmacy & Fort Bend Pharmacy provide convenient care INSIDE STORIES

n Make Room! There’s A Big, New Player In Town n Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s — New Spine Center Opens n Missouri City Wins 2010 Landmark Award For Community Impact n Laser Technology Leads The Way To Healing

$4.95

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 600 HOUSTON, TEXAS

SURGERY AND RECOVERY

Just Got Faster in Sugar Land.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the only choice for the most advanced robotic surgery in Fort Bend County. Imagine surgery with fewer incisions, less pain and blood loss, less scarring, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and better results. That’s exactly what you experience with the da Vinci® Surgical System. Only Methodist Sugar Land Hospital offers you this state-of-the-art technology in Fort Bend County. With the da Vinci System, surgeons perform complex, delicate surgeries through several tiny surgical holes while viewing a magnified, 3D image

METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL leads with superior technology. Let da Vinci — the most advanced robotic surgical system in the world — treat your condition: • Urological

of the surgical site. The result is often a minimally invasive procedure

• Gynecological

with improved clinical results. So, you can

• Colorectal

return to normal activities faster than ever before. It’s your health. Entrust it to the Methodist Sugar Land surgical team.

To make an appointment with a physician using robotic surgery, call 281-274-7500.

LEADING MEDICINE® 16655 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-274-7000 MethodistSugarLand.com

Search complete new and used car inventories online - easy, simple, fast

Go to

www.FortBendAutoMarketplace.com

See some of the ads in print in the Star every week. May 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Looking for a top selling VoIP System We Have Them

We also provide complete IT services Microsoft / Cisco Certified

Business Telephone Systems Voice • Data • Video Sales • Service • Intallation

www.prostarcomm.com

281-265-3500

Serving Fort Bend County & Houston - Since 1992

Business Telephone Systems Voice • Data • Video Sales • Service • Intallation

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Get the BEST PRICE from a FULL SERVICE COMPANY Call us today a FREE Communications Analysis One Call, One Source, Unlimited Solutions

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital celebrates perfection

dministrators, directors and staff at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital recently gathered to celebrate a milestone in their quest to be the best. The hospital attained 100 percent in all 30 measures of clinical excellence set by the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. The Sugar Land hospital is the first in the Memorial Hermann system to attain perfection in these important measures of quality care. The measures, reported monthly by each hospital, include national quality standards considered to be the best practices to improve patient outcomes. “This milestone is evidence of our staff and medical staff’s ongoing vigilance to assure safe and quality patient care, said Jim Brown, CEO, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land. “We are extremely proud of our performance on these publicly-reportable quality metrics and believe that our community can place great confidence in our ability to provide highquality care.” Ann Asnaashari, R.N., the hospital’s director of healthcare improvement, added, “It takes an extraordinary team effort each and every day to reach 100 percent on appropriate care and documentation requirements.” Twenty-five of the 30 measures focus on improving care related to acute myocardial infarction or AMI (heart attack), heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. These clinical areas are designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and by the The Joint Commission, an independent nonprofit, standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Last year, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land received the Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Achievement Award from the TMF® Health Quality Institute in recognition of its achievements in the 25 core measures. “At Memorial Hermann we go beyond the 25 core measures with four additional safety measures, plus one more that includes participation in the World Health Organization’s surgical safety checklist,” said Asnaashari. “All employees are evaluated on these 30 clinical excellence measures.” Asnaashari noted that Memorial Hermann is unique in tracking and publishing the four safety measures. “You don’t see this at every

hospital,” she said. Monthly reports on the 30 measures of clinical excellence are shared among hospital leadership, physicians and staff to foster improvements. The monthly data is included in annual quality reports posted online at memorialhermann.org and hospitalcom-

pare.gov. While these February results for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land won’t be reflected in the annual reports for many months, they certainly go a long way towards the hospital’s quest to be the best.

RANKED AMONG THE

TOP 1% OF U.S. HOSPITALS.

We’re ranked among America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by HealthGrades®. At Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, we believe it takes steadfast dedication to make breakthroughs come to life. That’s why we’re especially proud to be named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals* by HealthGrades. We earned this distinction by demonstrating consistent, outstanding patient care and a deep commitment to clinical excellence across multiple specialties — which ensures better outcomes for our patients and a higher level of care for the community.

* As part of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System: The Woodlands, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest Hospitals.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

C O N T E N T S

Fort Bend/Katy

Cover Story

Volume 28 • Number 5 • May 2010

Ed’s Pharmacy & Fort Bend Pharmacy provide convenient care

For subscriptions send check for $25 to Fort Bend Business Journal

pg. Inside Edition

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

Make Room! There’s A Big, New Player In Town.................................................................... 8

EDITOR ...........................................Sharon Wallingford

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s —New Spine Center Opens......................................... 12

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ....................... Dean West

Missouri City wins 2010 Landmark Award For Community Impact.................................. 13

MARKETING CONSULTANTS................ Dottie Childs ........................................................Ann Sturrock

25th Annual Chamber Golf Classic May 24 at Houstonian.............................................. 17 Fort Bend County OEM Recognized For Use Of Innovative Web Technology............ 19 IRS Switches Audits From Large Corporations to Small Business — Hurting Economic Recovery.................................................................................................. 21 Big Shots - Chamber Business Blender at Houston Community Bank........................... 22 New Financial Institution Forms To Buy Distressed Real Estate....................................... 30 Laser Technology Leads The Way To Healing...................................................................... 46

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST.........................................Becky Hall COLUMNISTS...............................Alan Sandersen ..................................................Tim Stubenrouch CONTRIBUTORS . .......................Wayne Chandler .................................................Marsha Friedman ............................................................. Gene Hall .......................................................... Elsa Maxey

Red Light Cams Random Taxation?..................................................................................... 58

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

HCC & Fort Bend County Library Open Sienna Library.................................................... 60

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

Monthly Columns Tim Stubenrouch

Alan Sandersen

Money Talks

Tax Smart

Discusses Your Money and Your Home.......... 16

Discusses Individual Provisions Of Health Care Reform....................... 18

Monthly Departments Fort Bend Chamber Newsletter.......................................................................... 37-44 Newsworthy....................................................................................................... 24-27 Names in the News........................................................................................... 28-29 Data Beat........................................................................................................... 50-53 Service Directory............................................................................................... 54-57 Dining and Entertainment................................................................................. 61-64

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

ON THE COVER Ed Sziy, R.P.H. - Pharmacist Ed’s Pharmacy & Fort Bend Pharmacy Cover Photo Hurst Photography

Magazine

Honors the

Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives

Luncheon & Style Show Thursday, September Twenty Three, Two Thousand and Ten • 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

Sponsorship Opportunities $7,500 – Diamond Sponsor

As the Presenting Diamond Sponsor, you will receive two complimentary tables of ten at the Luncheon along with a full page ad on the back cover of the Jewels event program that will also run as a full page ad in the September 2010 issue of Fort Bend Focus Magazine! Your name and/or logo will appear on all event advertising and correspondence including press releases and invitations and you will receive on-site recognition at the event. You will be invited to participate in the check presentation and receive 20 complimentary tickets to the Champagne Reception prior to the Luncheon.

$5,000 – Emerald Sponsor

You will receive one complimentary table of ten at the Luncheon along with a full page ad on the inside front cover of the Jewels event program that will also run as a full page ad in the September 2010 issue of Fort Bend Focus Magazine! Your name and/or logo will appear on all event advertising and you will receive on-site recognition at the event. You will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the Champagne Reception prior to the Luncheon.

$2,500 – Ruby Sponsor

You will receive one complimentary table of ten at the Luncheon along with a full page ad in the Jewels event program that will also run as a full page ad in the September 2010 issue of Fort Bend Focus Magazine! You will receive on-site recognition at the event and 10 complimentary tickets to the Champagne Reception prior to the Luncheon.

$1,500 – Corporate Gem

You will receive one complimentary table of ten at the Luncheon along with a 1/2 page ad in the Jewels event program. You will receive on-site recognition at the event and 10 complimentary tickets to the Champagne Reception prior to the Luncheon.

$1,000 - Sapphire Sponsor

You will receive 6 tickets to the Luncheon along with a 1/2 page ad in the Jewels event program. You will receive on-site recognition at the event.

Individual Tickets - $65 Tickets & Sponsorship opportunities: 281-690-4242 or www.FortBendFocus.com May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Publisher’s Preview by Sharon Wallingford

Let’s enjoy the month of May

The Editorial Advisory Board Jacqueline Baly Chaumette President and CEO Baly Projects, LLC

ay is a busy time of the year for most. The month includes Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, kindergarten, high school, and college graduations, and, of course, that longed for Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy all of the 31 days it has to offer.

Time is important to business. Fort Bend County’s constant and continuing growth

has developed and grown to accommodate our needs. But why is Fort Bend “the” place to do business? What’s its pulse rate? Are obstacles present? Has our growing

Louis Garvin President and CEO Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce

population stayed informed? Let’s see in June. Even after 20 years of monthly publications, the Fort Bend Business Journal is expanding, revising, and exploring. We’re constantly working to increase the county’s business news. That cannot be done without the business community support and input

Dee Koch Grant Officer The George Foundation

- yes, our finger is pointed at you. Send us your company’s news or call and update us on those business changes, personnel advancements, and other accomplishments. We are working to include more features that will help you enhance your business and ignite new ideas. Allow us to expose yours. We stand ready to promote you and

Becky Munnell President and CEO Blue Jungle Marketing

your company in a timely, interesting, first-class, and consistent manner. As editor, I hope to expose what makes our communities great. Having traveled across our great country and other continents, and after having lived on the three

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

coasts of America, I am aware what we have to offer others. Helping me to expose these resources will be Dean West, our Advertising Director. Dean has more than 30 years invested in media sales. He lead his department at the Houston Chronicle

Tim Stubenrouch President First Community Bank

for 24 years. He comes to us with incredible experience in direct mail, community newspapers and magazines. Dean is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University and is married to Janie

John Whitmore Whitmore Company

West, a librarian in the Goose Creek School district in Baytown. They are proud parents of two daughters, Kristen and Lauren, and their 30 years of marriage. Be warned, his sense of humor

Dean West

is infectious. Kolbe Curtice CCIM, CLS Curtice Commercial Real Estate

Add, a team of savvy, professional writers and advertising gurus and we have all the healthiest ingredients for success. We’ll keep you in the loop so you are aware of what’s happening in your community. Subscribe and watch us! Until next month, keep those cash registers ringing.

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

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Sharon Wallingford

Four Sugar Land projects win 2010 Landmark Awards

our Sugar Land projects entered in the 2010 Landmark Awards -- a distinction intended to recognize “commercial real estate projects and developments that make significant impressions on the Houston landscape,” were recently selected by HBJ Houston Business Journal. The Minute Maid Building won the Landmark Award for best “Office Project” the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land won two awards in the categories of “Public/Private Partnership” and “Rehabilitation/Renovation” and Telfair, a master-planned community developed by Newland Communities, was selected for best “Residential Development.” Minute Maid relocated their corporate headquarters to Sugar Land Town Square in February 2009. The eight-story, Class A office building features a wide range of aesthetic and architectural enhancements. The exterior of the building is made of brick and cast stone veneer and features a special all-glass corner that faces the Town Square Plaza. The lobby includes stone tile flooring, stone and wood veneer wall panels and decorative wall sconce lighting. Other facility amenities include state of the art telecommunications, 24-hour roving security, monitored call boxes, covered parking and easy access to major highways and the Sugar Land Regional Airport. The Houston Museum of Natural Science opened its Sugar Land location in 2009 as its first satellite museum. To make the project a reality, Newland Communities donated the 43,000-square-foot building, built in 1939, along with the 5.5 acre site to the City of Sugar Land. The City performed extensive site and building improvements utilizing $6 million from the Sugar Land 4B Corporation, then leased the building to the museum for $1 per year. The project preserved the Greek Revival-style exterior of the building while creating a modern interior. Telfair is a 2,018-acre residential development located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard. The community features amenities such as enhanced architecture, sculptures and monuments, historically inspired suspension bridges and a network of parks and plazas that create a unique sense of place for the community. More than 300 acres are devoted to amenities and open space. While new-home sales in Houston were down by double digits in 2009, Telfair posted a 10 percent sales increase with 449 new homes sold last year. Telfair has won a total of five landmark awards. In 2008, Telfair won in the “Residential Development” category, and in 2007, it won in the “Best Land Deal” category for the sale of a 112 acre site to WDJ Realty for the Crossing at Telfair mixed use development. Landmark Award entries are judged by their impact on the Houston area, and 40 finalists were selected this year from more than 66 nominations. Awards were given in 16 categories and selected by a panel of judges composed of representatives from various facets of the Houston area’s economic, city and real estate communities. Two other Sugar Land based projects were finalists in additional Landmark Awards categories: API/Accredo Packaging for “Industrial Project” and Minute Maid for “Headquarters Move.” Since 2001, Sugar Land Projects have won a total of 10 Landmark Awards, including four in 2010. May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Make room! There’s a big, new player in town

Huge recycling area where 94 percent of furniture wrappings are salvaged.

It was a chilly day in January when Katy Area EDC and Waller County officials joined RTG executives to cut the ribbon on this big new marketing venture.

By Wayne Chandler

hen Rooms To Go on May 7 officially opens its sixth retail store (Memorial Mall) in the Greater Houston area, it’ll be another in a huge marketing strategy which the company expects to explode in Texas within the next few years. “We’re looking for store locations in several other cities in Texas,” said Atlanta-based Peter D. Weitzner, RTG vice president, who made the deal with Waller County and Katy Area officials to build the monstrous 30-million dollar distribution center and retail outlet along I-10 West between Katy and Brookshire. The distribution center, more than four

New retail Rooms to Go

football fields long, has been serving RTG stores since last January, with a total of one million square feet of retail and distribution space. Because of sales demands, this huge facility soon may get another half millionsquare feet of distribution area, adding to the 200 bays for trucks and customer pickup that already is available. It’s already the biggest furniture center in Texas. Only the Lakeland, Florida, distribution center is slightly larger. Logistics to this carefully designed facility, for receiving and delivery of rooms and rooms of furniture daily, are awesome. General manager Andrew Day, mercifully, has an oversized golfcart and a walkie talkie system in order to monitor operations. “My work area essentially is three football fields long and a football field wide,“ said Day, who has been on this 118-acre site since last November. He has nearly 200 employees, and expects to have at least 300 before the end of this year. Selecting a distribution site near the Greater Houston area, has been an RTG goal since 2006, Weitzner said, and he has worked closely with the Katy Area Economic Development Council and Waller County officials, striving to get a large location near an interstate highway.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

“The project went on life support several times due to the limited number of sites that worked for a project of this size,” said Lance LaCour, who is CEO of the KAEDC. . “It was a grueling process for all involved and it took a tremendous effort to make it happen.” RTG always finds the best real estate, Weitzner said. “It’s part of our company plan to be in the best locations,” he said. “We look for high visibility and then make a statement.” The company has made a statement locally. At night, for some 1,600 feet along I-10, the huge ROOMS TO GO neon sculptures light up just opposite the giant Igloo Corporation facility, which was one of the Katy area’s first major business attractions. Now, with Igloo and the nearby spacious Houston Executive Airport, the Katy area boasts an even stronger economic presence. The first local RTG stores were established in the Baybrook area, The Woodlands, Willowbrook, Stafford and Willowbrook, beginning in 2008, and one opened about every six months, and another, in Memorial, is scheduled for this month.. RTG has six stores in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with another continued from page 14

The Katy Area Economic Development Council

United In Building a Better Katy Area

Katy Area EDC appreciates that Rooms To Go decided to locate and open their 1,000,000 sq. ft. Distribution and Retail Center in the Katy Area. Nearly 300 jobs and $30 million in capital investment will be created as well. Katy Area EDC is pleased to have had the opportunity to identify the site selected, manage the project, and provide ongoing technical assistance with the help of project partners: Waller County Commissioners Court, State of Texas Governor’s Office for Economic Development and Tourism, and Jones Lang LaSalle and Brookshire Katy Drainage District. Thank you again for selecting the Katy Area for this Outstanding Facility!

Economic Development Council

Teaming with Talent. Energizing the World.

6301 S Stadium Lane, Suite 111 • Katy, TX 77494 • 281-396-2200 info@katyedc.org • www.katyedc.org May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend GO GREEN

LED upgrade your home or office with led lighting, designed for a greener tomorrow and a brighter future.

New technology, old ideas solve Texas water, resource problems By Gene Hall

C BenefIts Include: No U/V Radiation Emitted No Harmful Mercury Oo Unsafe Glass No ballast needed on LED tube lights Wide range of input voltage, from 90VAC ~ 240 / 277VAC Uses up to 90% Less Energy than Incandescent and 1/3rd Less than CFL’s Less Wattage = Less Heat and Energy Lasts Longer up to 50,000 hours far more than comparable CFL’s and Incandescent bulbs Multiple color variations available from Warm white, natural white and cool white

distributed by:

Industeq, Inc 12807 trinity, stafford, tX 281.565.8600 sales@industeq.com

industeq Ad 1/4 pAge, 3.5 x 7.23 inches

Guadalupe RIVERFRONT DUPLEX Each duplex can accommodate four adults and four children or rent both for groups. More pictures at

RioRatonDuplex.com book at

832-788-2294 10

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

ompared to recent history, it’s been a relatively wet winter in Texas, with hopes that timely spring rainfall will continue to boost crops and refill lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These were all but dried up in the devastating drought of 2008 and 2009. Despite this year’s reprieve from Mother Nature, the safest thing is to anticipate that Texas water will continue to be short most of the time and in many places. Harvesting rainfall as human drinking water is an ancient practice taking on new life in water deficient areas of Texas. Harvesting rainfall for drinking water demonstrates in a compelling way how ideas as old as history itself, combined with new technologies and old fashioned American ingenuity, can go a long way toward solving some of our perpetually troubling resource problems. Water is only one of them. Capturing that gift of the Almighty—precious rainfall—to alleviate shortages has an almost poetic connotation to it. Texas has made major strides in capturing the wind for electrical power, as Texas pioneers used it to bring water up from below parched range. The wide-ranging, sometimes intense sunlight of Texas can be an energy bonanza when the technology catches up to it. Already, solar panels in home applications are paying off. None of this is to say that we should abandon our traditional sources of energy. Fossil fuels—hopefully free from the regulatory insanity of cap and trade—are in our future for many decades to come. We should look for it, and drill for it anywhere we can, in an environmentally responsible way. This of course, we now have the technology to do. We must also forge ahead in developing biofuels, which will help alleviate our thirst for foreign oil and will benefit consumers, agriculture and rural Texas. A mix of the old and new, responding to market forces is happening here in Texas—in response to resource crisis. That’s why, when you come right down to it, Texas’ greatest resource is—Texans.

Fort Bend GO GREEN

Innovative, new shoe store offers solutions for people whose feet hurt

oot Solutions, the leading foot care service chain in the United States dedicated to helping people achieve better health through their feet, has moved to its new location in Sugar Land. The store is innovative because the highly trained staff uses digital computerized foot scanning technology to analyze and fit each customer and their specific foot care needs. Fitting specialists at the store have completed courses in foot pathology and physiology. Their 10-step fitting process means a fitting specialist will spend an average of 30 to 45 minutes with each customer to ensure that they are in the properly designed shoe. “The analysis is all done free as part of our service to the customer,” said Foot Solutions General Manager, Darrell Clough Certified Pedorthist. “And there is no need to sacrifice style for comfort,” Darrell added. “We carry an extensive selection of athletic, dress, casual, walking and work shoes as well as sandals and clogs.” Foot Solutions targets 18 health problems that are eliminated or greatly alleviated by their products including heel and arch pain; diabetic foot disorders, arthritis, sports injuries; and back pain. “What makes Foot Solutions unique is that we’re a one-stop solution to a wide variety of foot problems,” Darrell said. “It’s not just issues brought on by disease, sports injuries or congenital foot problems. People with chronic knee problems are often surprised that a custom footwear product eliminates their pain. A properly fitted supportive shoe, combined with an accommodative shoe insert can put your feet in balance and, in turn, improve the alignment of the rest of your body.” Foot Solutions Sugar Land, located at 3322 A Hwy 6 South at the intersection of Williams Trace & Hwy 6, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Fitting appointments are not necessary but are appreciated. See ad for more information.

FREE FOOT $15 OFF* $20 OFF* AND GAIT ANY CHUNG SHI CUSTOM ASSESSMENT PURCHASE INSERTS *Not valid with other ($75 VALUE) *Not valid with other Let our experts a solution for you!

discounts. Offer Expires 5/31/10

Williams Trace Shopping Center

Rice Village

3322 A Hwy. 6 South, Sugar Land, TX 77478

5318 Kirby (Next to Relax The Back)

281.565.FOOT (3668) • www.footsolutions.com/Sugarland

713.522.HEEL (4335) • www.footsolutions.com/Houston

Join Riverbend and get in on the Excitement! The Only Members Owned Club in Sugar Land. Membership Benefits A Championship Golf Course Expanded Luxurious Men’s Locker Room 4 Outdoor Lighted Tennis Courts Olympic Size Swimming Pool New Fitness Facility Social Activities Private and Casual Dining

Riverbend Country Club is a traditional, private, full service Members Owned Country Club located in the heart of Sugar Land, just 25 minutes south of downtown Houston, Texas

For information about membership, please contact Tricia Hawks at 281.269.2526 or Triciarbcc@gmail.com

www.riverbendcountryclub.org

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital— new Spine Center opens

ack and neck pain ranks near the top of the list as a reason for visits to primary care physicians. To expedite surgical and non-surgical care for patients with back and neck pain, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is opening its new Spine Center May 3rd. The center will feature a unique spine care navigation service, designed to help patients receive the complete spine care they need from diagnosis and treatment through rehabilitation services — all in one convenient location. It’s not uncommon for people suffering with back and neck pain to try many kinds of treatment without real relief, and it can be frustrating to wait many weeks for an

appointment with a specialist. At the core of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center is a nurse practitioner or “navigator” who will help patients get going in the right direction. “We believe patients with back and neck pain should have the benefit of comprehensive care that includes easy access and a simple process from start to finish,” says Rajesh K. Bindal, M.D., board-certified neurosurgeon and medical director of the Spine Center. “Our innovative approach to care helps all patients — walk-ins and those with physician referrals — see the right specialist they need very quickly.” “Care is coordinated by a nurse navigator

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

assigned to each patient who then assists the patient through the treatment process,” says Dr. Bindal. “The nurse schedules all appointments and continues to meet with the patient to discuss the treatment plan, answer questions and help educate the patient about his or her treatment and condition.” “The overall management of spine care includes imaging, diagnoses, pain management, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical procedures when necessary,” says Irfan Lalani, M.D., board-certified neurologist and pain specialist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “At the Spine Center, we will coordinate this care and be able to make the correct referral the first time due, in large part, to evidence-based medicine.” Jeffrey Jackson, M.D., board-certified neurologist and chief of the Medical Staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, agrees. “This multidisciplinary approach means patients will receive the most appropriate treatment from the right specialty physician based on scientific research and proven treatment methods. Patients can be assured treatment will be of the highest possible quality and that it is provided as soon and as safely as possible,” Dr. Jackson says. “Patients will be led through a process of assessment and treatment ranging from physical therapy to aggressive non-surgical management, and if necessary, delicate spine surgery tailored to the patient’s unique condition,” says Jeffrey Wood, M.D., boardcertified orthopedic spine surgeon with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. Through minimally invasive spine surgery, such spine conditions as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, nerve compression, recurrent herniated discs and other trauma can be alleviated. “Our spine care patients also benefit from Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s sophisticated diagnostic equipment and technology,” shares Dr. Wood. “For example, the industry’s most powerful whole body 3 Tesla MRI provides state-of-the-art image resolution while reducing exam times.” The new Spine Center is located on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus with easy access off Town Center Boulevard. Patients with primary care physician referrals, as well as those without referrals, are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center, please call 281-313BACK (2225).

Missouri City wins 2010 Landmark award for community impact

issouri City was presented a 2010 Landmark Award for “Community Impact” for the Quail Valley Parks Project, emphasizing the social, environmental and economic importance of the project to the City, Fort Bend County and the Houston area. The award was announced on Tuesday, April 6 at the (HBJ’s) Houston Business Journal 10th Annual Landmark Awards banquet, which honored winners in 16 categories for the functionality and beauty of their buildings and/or developments. “The City’s goal to preserve this property and to maintain the original Quail Valley master plan – the first of its kind in Fort Bend County- was a community-wide project,” Mayor Allen Owen said. Missouri City acquired the property for the parks project through eminent domain in

June 2008 after long-time deterioration took a toll on the community and caused property values to decline. A 100-person citizen committee had studied its purchase and recommended to City Council to move forward. Then 72 percent of voters from all areas of the City approved a $17.5 million bond referendum to provide funds for the acquisition and improvements. The Quail Valley Homeowners Association also contributed $150,000 to the project. After acquiring the 390-acre property, the City immediately started working to make improvements, repairing several bridges that were considered safety hazards, mowing high grass and weeds, and replacing the irrigation systems on two 18-hole courses. On July 4, 2008, the City reopened the 18-hole La Quinta golf course to the public and the 18-hole El Dorado golf course, which was

completely redeveloped, including drainage improvements, reopened in November 2009. In addition to the two courses, plans are in the works for a passive park; the development of the First Tee program, a national initiative for youth; the design and construction of a golf shop and banquet facility, and a tennis and recreation center. The progress on the Quail Valley parks property has had a positive impact in property values because of the City’s improvements to the area and at the same time it has increased parks and recreation green space by 50%. Seven judges reviewed the applications for the Landmark Awards program. “We are honored that experts in quality property preservation, property development and green building initiatives recognized the importance of this project and the positive impact it has had on our community,” Owen said.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day luncheon—June 4, 2010

ethodist 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 oncolo-

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.

gist 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. Please RSVP your attendance by May 31st 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.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Make room! There’s a big, new player in town continued from page 8 planned, plus two stores in Austin, and one in San Antonio, with another one coming. The company will retain its orginal Texas distribution center in Arlington, Weitzner said. The company already has some 160 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. When RTG opened its first doors in Orlando, Florida, in 1991, it broke new ground in furniture marketing. RTG introduced the concept of displaying and packaging furniture in complete room settings. The company designers coordinate each room’s colors, fabrics and accessories to the last detail, including matching lamps, rugs and televisions, so that customers don’t have to. It allows customers to simplify the shopping experience, and get savings by buying the whole room. Then RTG promises next day delivery for the entire purchase. RTG can promise this quick delivery by having thousands of pieces of furniture ready for delivery.

In the new facility’s 90,000 square foot, three-story glass-fronted store there are the conventional room settings, plus a huge Rooms to Go Kids store, including Disney and National Football League-themed room settings. There also is a Clearance Center Outlet. In this new facility, Day points out that most pieces are inspected three times before they leave for the customer: after they arrive in the center and are removed from their wrappings; then comes final assembly, and then when grouped for home destination.

One of scores of assembly and processing areas.

By mid-Summer, Day said that virtually every inch of the current facility will be occupied: in the cavernous storage racks, in

Dissolution resolution to preserve local water rights

ater rights along Oyster Creek are important as the City of Sugar Land moves toward the use of the creek for surface water required to serve customers. Sugar Land City Council recently passed a resolution supporting the dissolution of Fort Bend County Water Control & Improvement District No. 1. The dissolution is intended to transfer local water rights from WCID #1 to the City of Sugar Land through legislation. Both agencies have been working for several years to protect local water rights and ensure an adequate supply of water for future needs. Recently the dissolution resolution also received a vote of support by WCID #1’s board members. WCID No. 1 is a governmental entity governed by five members who are elected by the residents of Sugar Land. WCID No. 1 has the power to levy a tax rate and issue bonds, though the District has no outstanding debt. Today, the District controls water rights along a part of Oyster Creek that is provided to the City by contractual agreement. All previous district assets are owned and maintained by the City to ensure efficient drainage and water service to local residents.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

the brightly lighted and air-cooled processing areas, and by the remarkable recycling operation, which makes use of some 94 percent of the wood, cardboard, plastic and styrofoam wrappings which come with the furniture. As the wrappings are taken off, the materials are hustled on to a large conveyor belt to a second-story location, where employees separate it and place it onto three individual conveyors, one each for pulp, plastic and styrofoam, which then is compacted, bound or molded for recycling. “Each one of our six distribution centers has a recycling operation,” Weitzner said. “We are proud of our recycling efforts.” “We try to be good neighbors everywhere,” Weitzner said. Since 2008 RTG has supported Houston area charities, from DePelchin Children’s Center, The Houston Chronicle’s Goodfellows program and the Houston Texans Foundation. Representatives of these charities were present at the grand opening last January. “ “We are glad to be a part of the community,” Weitzner said. From its recent Katy area investment, it’s obvious that RTG will be a part of the community for a long, long time.

Life’s short, eat good ice cream

• Push Cart Rentals for Special Events Birthday Parties • Corporate Events Ice Cream Socials • Blue Bunny, Good Humor and Blue Bell Ice Cream • Ice & Snow Cone Supplies Available 13755 Greenland Dr.

281.499.9837

www.southernicecreamtx.com Email: michelle@southernicecreamtx.com May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Money Talks by Tim Stubenrouch / First Community Bank

Your Money and Your Home Your financial plan may include home ownership, either because you currently own a home or because you have what many call the “American Dream” of buying your own home. If you currently own your home, your plan might also have a goal to buy a different home. Just as with developing your own financial plan, buying a home requires a plan. We found a great resource at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (www. hud.gov) including a step-by-step process. The first stage in your home buying plan should be to determine how much you can afford. There are financial calculators available online to assist you in evaluating your income, monthly expenses, purchase costs, interest rates and more. There may also be special home buying incentives and programs available which your realtor or a

mortgage loan officer should know about. When you shop for a mortgage loan it is best to talk to several lenders. Compare costs, interest rates, and other terms. FHA loans may be available – be sure to ask about that as well. HUD has several special home buying programs available, and there may be other local programs, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. The stage in the process that we might have thought would be first has finally come. It’s time to shop for your home. It’s always best to have a reputable realtor guide you through this process. You can do a lot of the process on the internet, but there is nothing like actually stepping through the front door. Having a “wish list” and sharing it with your realtor will save everyone time by narrowing your choices. Buying a home is one of the largest

financial decisions many of us ever make. It is critical for our financial security that we be knowledgeable about the process and the various options available to us. It is also critical that we make sure we are dealing with lenders, realtors, and other partners in the process who have integrity. They should not only always answer your questions fully, but also offer additional information for your benefit. The more informed you are, the better decision you will be able to make for your financial future. 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 281-242-2262, fax: 281-242-1522, or email at stubenrouch@firstcommunitybank. net. H

Tax Accountants • Auditors Consultants to Business Member: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Our professionals proudly serve Fort Bend & the Greater Houston area.

• Taxation • Tax Controversies • Litigation Support

Alan Sandersen 16

• Audits of Commercial and Governmental entities • Construction Companies

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

130 Industrial Blvd., Suite 130 Sugar Land, TX 77478

281.242-3232 www.sktx.com

25th Annual Chamber Golf Classic May 24 at Houstonian Rosenberg-Richmond Auto Mile presents prestigious tournament for fourth straight year

ince its inception in 1986, the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Golf Classic has grown into one of the area’s most recognized and prestigious team tournaments. With several of its limited sponsorship opportunities already taken, the 25th annual version of the tournament promises to continue that steady growth. Presented for the fourth consecutive year by the RosenbergRichmond Auto Mile, the tournament is scheduled for May 24 at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club – its third straight year at the exclusive venue. The Rose-Rich Auto Mile is comprised of four local auto dealerships: Finnegan Auto Group, Fort Bend Toyota, Gillman Honda and Legacy Ford-Lincoln Mercury. “We’re just proud to support this community and this Chamber for the past four years,” said Chris Gillman of Gillman Honda, speaking on behalf of the Auto Mile. “The goal of this tournament every year is to benefit our community and the surrounding area. It’s about small businesses supporting small businesses.” One of the primary reasons for the tournament’s continued growth is the hospitality of the Houstonian Golf & Country Club. Conceived by internationally acclaimed golf course architect, Rees Jones, the course offers more than 7,100 yards of pristine play, with five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels. The course is uniquely free of any housing developments, affording the freedom to focus on the game of golf as it was meant to be. The golf course engages approximately 50 acres of lakes and waterways along with 43 bunkers. Fairways of 419 Tif-way Bermuda and Tif-eagle greens are meticulously maintained for championship golf course conditions year round. For the past three years, the Chamber Golf Classic has been one of just 10 tournaments the Houstonian schedules each year. “We proudly host this tournament because this is a great community, and we want to be a great member of the Chamber and the community,” said Greg Nielson, Senior VP of Houston Golf and member of the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Board of Directors. The limited sponsorship opportunities are selling rapidly, and it is anticipated those opportunities, as in past years, will sell out well before the tournament. For sponsorship information, contact Chamber Vice President Joy Dowell at 281-342-5464 or jdowell@CFBCA.org. Sponsors already committed at the time of this writing are: Double Eagle Sponsor – Aliana Development Company; Gift Sponsor – Silver Eagle Distributors; Ace Sponsor – Republic Services, Inc.; Eagle Sponsor – Ameristar Roofing and Restoration, LLC; Dinner Sponsor – The Swinging Door; Birdie Sponsors – Landtech Consultants, Inc.; AT&T; Severn Trent Services; JE Dunn Construction; Capital One Bank; Houston Community Bank, and Amegy Bank; Tent Sponsors – Ameristar Roofing and Restoration, and JE Dunn Construction, LLC; Beverage Cart Sponsors – Alicia Casias Agency - Nationwide Insurance and ServPro of West Fort Bend County, and Hole Sponsor – University of Houston Sugar Land.

From left: Greg Nielson, Senior VP of Houston Golf; Vince Finnegan, Finnegan Auto Group; Ron Ewer, Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury; Gail Parker, President/CEO Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Trevor Royal, Republic Services, Inc.; Dan McDonald, Anco-McDonald Waterworks, Chairman Chamber Board of Directors; Cassie Hughey, Fort Bend Toyota; Joy Dowell, Vice President Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance, and Chris Gillman, Gillman Honda.

THE Solution for more affordable Business Insurance! We can help...

GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE BUSINESS PROPERTY AND LIABILITY

281-565-2222 Nationwide®

Insurance & Financial Services Jay Harris

Nationwide Is On Your Side®

President

www.insurancesolutionsoftexas.com May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

INSURER

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.

Individual Provisions of Health Care Reform The Patient Protection Act, as amended by the House Reconciliation Act, requires most individuals not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or Medicare or other government-sponsored coverage to maintain minimum essential coverage beginning after 2013. Individuals who fail to maintain minimum essential coverage would be liable for a penalty. The Patient Protection Act uses a formula to calculate the penalty taking into account the taxpayer’s household income and a flat dollar amount. The Patient Protection Act, as amended by the House Reconciliation Act, imposes a nondeductible flat dollar-amount penalty of $95 per person without minimum essential coverage in 2014. The nondeductible penalty rises to $325 per person without minimum essential coverage

in 2015, then to $695 per person without minimum essential coverage in 2016 and is indexed for inflation thereafter. NOTE: For individuals under the age of 18, the applicable flat dollar penalty would be one-half of the above amounts. NOTE: The flat dollar penalty on any taxpayer for any tax year with respect to all individuals for whom the taxpayer is liable (generally family members) cannot exceed an amount equal to 300 percent of the applicable dollar amount for the year. Additionally, amendments made by the House Reconciliation Act raise the percentage of income that is the alternative to the flat dollar annual penalty from 0.5 percent to 1.0 percent in 2014, 1.0 to 2.0 percent in 2015, and 2.0

Year

Penalty

2014

$95

2015

$325

2016

$695**

Percent of Income* 1% 2% 2.5%

*In lieu of the fl at penalty if greater **Indexed for inflation thereafter

to 2.5 percent for 2016 and subsequent years. Here is an example: Anita is a 36-year old single woman and does not have “minimum essential coverage” in 2016 and is not exempt from having minimum essential coverage. She would therefore be liable for a penalty the greater of: $695, or 2.5 percent of her modified adjusted gross income.

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued on page 20

You see the glass half full.

So do we.

Katy - Cinco Ranch 281.395.0440 Missouri City - Sienna Plantation 281.778.0098 Sugar Land - Sugar Creek 281.275.5111 Sugar Land Town Center 281.275.5151 Richmond Downtown 281.344.0693 Rosenberg - Brazos Town Center 281.341.1100

firstcommunitybank.net

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Different. Better.

Fort Bend County OEM recognized for use of innovative web technology Emergency Management Association of Texas Recognizes Fort Bend County OEM’s use of the PIER system during Hurricane Ike and the H1N1 Response

he Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management has been recognized with an “Excellence in Emergency Management” Award for their use of the PIER System during Hurricane Ike and the H1N1 response in the spring and summer of 2009. This is one of three “Excellence in Emergency Management” awards presented to Fort Bend County on behalf of the Emergency Management Association of Texas. The Public Information Emergency Response (PIER) system is a crisis communications system that Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) uses to power its website, fbcoem.org. It is a webbased virtual communications center aiding emergency communications via it’s integrated contact and content management systems. Acting as a unified control center, the PIER System speeds internal and external communications by centralizing all Joint Information Center functions, including drafting and distributing public information, and engaging the public in two-way conversations. There are five PIER centers in Fort Bend county, and over 30 in the region, all networked together to allow collaborative communication during a disaster. These sites are part of an initiative led by County Judge Robert Hebert, and now adopted regionwide, to communicate far better than we have in the past with a unified voice during disasters which effect the county or region on a broad scale. Because of PIER, the Fort Bend County OEM website is a quick, smart, and efficient tool used to push essential information to the public. Fort Bend County OEM staff members are able to log onto the system from anywhere with internet access, collaborate on document drafting, publish documents to the web and distribute them via email, textmessages, phone calls and web 2.0 services, and measure collect the public response to the information, with just a few clicks of the mouse. Aside from communicating with the

public, the PIER system allows OEM to host a private section of their website, protected by log-on and passwords, for responders to access sensitive information. Because the system supports open formats like RSS and XML, the Fort Bend County OEM is able to syndicate information published on their PIER center to various other information sharing applications throughout the county and region, including their social media presence.

“The PIER System is used by such agencies as the United States Coast Guard to foster communications during a disaster,” says Jeff Braun, the County’s Emergency Management Coordinator. “Utilizing the system for similar purposes allowed Fort Bend County OEM to provide a steady flow of information to the public, media, and emergency management partners during Hurricane Ike.” Beyond a simple content management system, PIER is hosted securely off-site, with Service Level Agreements guaranteeing the system stays running even during the most catastrophic of disasters. The company providing the software offers 24-7 support from staff which deal with crisis information almost monthly. The system’s wide adoption from private oil companies to the US Coast Guard speak for the reliability and robustness of the system. During Hurricane Ike, Fort Bend County deployed three PIER sites at the County Judge’s Office, Health & Human Services,

and OEM, using the working parts of each site to provide quick hurricane response. Citizen’s lack of power for an extended period of time contributed to a number of callers asking for significant amounts of information in a very short period of time after power was restored. Once again, OEM was able to deliver timely, storm-related information in the midst of Ike to it’s half a million residents. The website received over 600,000 hits and the Emergency Operations Center sent over fifty news releases and advisories to media and citizens of Fort Bend County. The system was also valuable to Fort Bend County during the H1N1 pandemic beginning in April 2009. The County utilized this technology to improve information provided to responders and citizens, receiving 1,000 hits per day from community members on the H1N1 information portal updated daily with case counts and other timely information. The H1N1 information portal was regularly monitored by OEM staff and consisted of updated information from the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and local and state agencies. Relevant sections from the Emergency Operations Plan, full copies of Situation Reports, key contacts and phone numbers were all posted in the password protected section of the site to provide vital information to responders. Although the PIER System is a relatively new project in its implementation, it has proven to be a successful work in progress. The lessons learned by Fort Bend County have been used to facilitate the deployment of over thirty other PIER Centers in the HoustonGalveston Region. The Office of Emergency Management continues to work diligently to make improvements to the system for the 2010 Hurricane season and H1N1-like occurrences. Braun acknowledges that the EMAT award is significant to the County and the OEM staff; nevertheless, because he serves as the Chair of a Homeland Security Regional Collaboration Committee, he is more excited about the prospects for sharing the County’s success with others across the Region.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

ALAN SANDERSEN... continued from page 18

Small Business Provisions of the Health Care Reform Act The Patient Protection Act, as amended by the House Reconciliation Act, provides a temporary sliding-scale small employer tax credit to help offset the cost of employer-provided coverage. Generally, a small employer is one with no more than 25 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000. In 2010 through 2013, eligible employers may qualify for a tax credit for up to 35 percent of their contribution toward the employee’s health insurance premium. In 2014 and beyond, eligible employers who purchase coverage through a state exchange may qualify for a credit for two years of

Guadalupe RIVERFRONT DUPLEX Each duplex can accommodate four adults and four children or rent both for groups. More pictures at

RioRatonDuplex.com book at

832-788-2294

up to 50 percent of their contribution. Qualiﬁed tax-exempt employers would be eligible for a reduced credit. Salary reduction contributions are not counted. Limits Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) to $2,500 An FSA is one of a number of tax-advantaged financial accounts that can be set up through a cafeteria plan of an employer. An FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of his or her earnings to pay for qualified expenses as established in the cafeteria plan, most commonly for medical expenses but often for dependent care or other expenses. Under current law, there is no limit on the amount of contributions to an FSA. Under the new law, however, allowable contributions to health FSAs will capped at $2,500 per year, effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2012. The dollar amount will be indexed for inflation after 2013. Floor on medical expenses deduction raised from 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI) to 10%. Under current law, taxpayers can take an itemized deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses for regular income tax purposes only to the extent that those expenses exceed 7.5% of the taxpayer’s AGI. The new law raises the floor beneath itemized medical expense deductions from 7.5% of AGI to 10%, effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2012. The AGI floor for individuals age 65 and older (and their spouses) will remain unchanged at 7.5% through 2016. 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

Graduation Memories FBISD Graduates can order DVDs of your commencement at www.fortbendgradvideos.com

4655 Techniplex Drive, Suite 500 Stafford, TX 77477

281 690-4280

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

IRS switches audits from large corporations to small business – Hurting economic recovery

new study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) shows that despite a growing federal deficit, IRS audit efforts aimed at the nation’s largest corporations have precipitously declined in the last few years and now are at an all time low. According to Dean Zerbe, alliantgroup National Managing Director and former Tax Counsel on the Senate Finance Committee, “As if April 15th isn’t frightening enough for small business owners, now comes news that the IRS has increased audit hours for small and medium businesses by 30% over the last five years, while at the same time decreasing the number of hours spent auditing large corporations by 33%.” 30%

13% 6% revenue agents (FTEs)

large corporations

small midsize companies

Figure 5. Changes in IRS revenue agent hours between FY 2005 and FY 2009

33%

The TRAC study, Zerbe says, “makes it clear that the IRS is not getting more blood from the small business turnips, even as it ramps up audits.” The average claimed tax under reporting per hour for small and medium businesses is $1,025, and for large corporations it’s $9,354. Claims that the tax gap justifies the move to more audit hours spent on small and medium businesses are not supported by the TRAC numbers. The TRAC study shows that over the past few years, despite a big upswing in the number of hours auditing small and medium businesses, the number of no-change audits (audits that resulted in no change to the tax owed) has stayed approximately the same, and the number of dollars collected per hour has also stayed roughly the same. At the same time, the dollars collected per audit-hour of large corporations has gone from $6,594 in 2005

to $9,354 in 2009. Note the changes shown in figures 1 and 5 from the TRAC report below: Unlike a large corporation that may have on staff a dozen tax attorneys who would have little to do if the IRS didn’t call, an audit for a small or medium business is costly and may cause economic harm to the company – even if the IRS doesn’t find anything wrong. Zerbe points out: “Often the audit of a small or medium business will require the time and attention of the business owners themselves – time that could be spent improving and expanding their business and hiring new employees. Shifting IRS enforcement and the burden of additional scrutiny onto small and medium businesses has an impact beyond just the IRS’s compliance numbers. Small and medium businesses already do not take full advantage of Congressionallyapproved tax incentives and credits because of fear of audit. This news today will only exacerbate a bad situation.

74%

Not Examined

33%

Returns Filed

Down Auditor Hours

33%

Audits

22%

Figure 1. Changes for large corporations with assets of $250 million or more between FY 2005 and FY 2009

“While politicians in Washington love to give speeches touting how small businesses are the engines for job growth, revving up IRS audits of small business is like putting sugar in the gas tank. The administration needs to rethink a strategy that we can audit our way to creating new jobs.”

Senior loan officer makes mark My name is Lauren Lusk and I work for Loan Star Mortgage. Before I started working for Loan Star Mortgage, I was a Top Producer with Countrywide - Full Spectrum Lending Division for almost two years. I closed fifteen loans consecutively and won the Top Producer trip my first year! I work extremely well under pressure, and work extremely hard on each referral that I receive. The beauty of working for a mortgage broker compared to a lender is that the borrower has a great deal more flexibility as

License # 66001

far as getting approved. I pre-approve your borrower the same day. I close residential loans including FHA, VA, Conventional, and non- Conforming. I have lived in the Sugar Land area for six years now with my husband Frank and our two boys, Dylan and Brenden. I would love the opportunity to assist you in your mortgage needs. If anything just give me a call and say hello! I am here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. I hope to hear from you soon!!

• Resident of Sugar Land – 6 years • The Most Competitive Interest Rates / Pricing • Purchase New Homes • Refinance on Current Home • Home Equity loans • Commercial loans

I would love the opportunity to assist you in your Mortgage needs. Please call me if I may be of any assistance to you!! Make it a great day!

Suite A400, 201 Kingwood Medical Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339

LAUREN LUSK Senior Loan Officer

Cellular: 832-228-1371 Email: Lauren@loanstar-mortgage.com May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

FORT BEND Houston Community Bank’s Greatwood Branch partnered with the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance April 8 • Business Blender Building Claude Leatherwood, Houston Community Bank.

Houston Community Bank’s Greatwood Branch partnered with the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance on April 8, showing off its fabulous building at a Business Blender.

From left: Gena Ricklefsen, Affairs with Flair; Claude Leatherwood, Houston Community Bank, and Dena Perry, Fort Bend Focus.

From left: Saxophonist Edwin Graves, Jr.; Laura Leatherwood, and Claude Leatherwood, Houston Community Bank.

From left: Brian Ellis, Houston Community Bank; Mike McCroskey, First General Services of Fort Bend, and Fred Fogarty, Fogarty Financial.

From left: Steve Metzenthin, Null Lairson, PC; Marvin Marcell, Group 1 Automotive; Claude Leatherwood, Houston Community Bank; Jim Shaw, Indermuehle & Co., and Ron McCann, OakBend Medical Center.

From left: Allison Wen, Safari Texas Ranch; Elizabeth Mueller, Paychex, and Terry Crockett, Houston Community Bank.

From left: KC Curtis and Terry Crockett, both of Houston Community Bank.

From left: Georgia Flynn, Avant-Garde Solutions, Inc., and Terry Azzouz, Re/Max of Texas.

From left: Claude Leatherwood, Houston Community Bank and Gail Parker, President/ CEO Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance.

BIG SHOTS

ROCK SOLID Independent free papers bring buyers and sellers together with more audited circulation than your daily. During these times, it is more important to make the right advertising choice. We’re it. We can help your business.

Independent Free Papers of America

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

NEWSWORTHY The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Successful Selling” The Business & Professional Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Successful Selling” presented by Brad Freyer, Sandler Training. Brad Freyer This “lunch and learn” workshop will be held Thursday, May 20, 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. Join the Fort Bend Chamber as we welcome Brad Freyer, Sandler Training, as he covers how to create a prospecting plan that will help you achieve your sales goals. Determine your best mix of prospecting activities including:

• Networking • Events • Cold Calling • Referrals • Advertising/Media • Strategic Alliances Learn “why” we do “what” we do every day! Start building your road map to Successful Selling. With a diverse background in business development, sales, marketing, and PR, Brad Freyer brings a great deal of experience and success to E&F Consulting. As an award winning top performer for the past 13 years including numerous awards within the Sandler network. Along with record sales results Brad has established new marketing campaigns, cultivated and closed million dollar contracts while working in such industries as communications, medical, and heavy equipment. While dealing with a client base that

Dr. Rajesh Bindal named medical director— Methodist Sugar Land Hospital—Spine Center Dr. Rajesh Bindal has been named medical director of the Methodist Sugar Land Spine Center, currently slated to open in May. As medical director of The Methodist Sugar Land Spine Center, Dr. Bindal will lead a multi-disciplinary team of physicians and health care professionals trained in providing the full range of key spinal care services, including spine surgery, pain management, neurology and physical therapy. “The Spine Center gives us the opportunity to create a unique clinical environment that includes all necessary specialties and in-house imaging in one location,” says Dr. Bindal. “Our ability to diagnose and treat patients will be greatly enhanced because we can work more effectively as a team. Plus, patients will find The Spine Center convenient and comfortable.” Dr. Bindal is certified by the American

Board of Neurological Surgeons and currently serves as a clinical assistant professor of neurosurgery with Baylor College of Medicine. Throughout Dr. Rajesh Bindal his career, he has pioneered development of new surgical techniques such as minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement. As a matter of fact, Dr. Bindal has performed several “first in Fort Bend” procedures at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. In 2008, Dr. Bindal performed the firstever brain surgery in Fort Bend and in 2009 conducted the county’s first spinal tumor removal and first stereotactic brain biopsy at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. For more information on the spine center, please call 281-313-BACK (2225).

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

has included Dow Chemical, Minute Maid, City of Houston, Trane, Shell, The Houston Texans, Reliant, and KBR Brad has developed knowledge of several industries, environments and product lines. During his tenure, Brad has also been responsible for introduction of several new concepts and products to the Houston market that have developed in established product lines. Brad received his BS as a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. To register, please contact Ellen Bush with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 281.491.0277 or ellen@ fortbendcc.org.

TSTC registration underway at WCJC Fort Bend Technical Center Registration for Texas State Technical College’s summer 2010 classes at the WCJC Fort Bend Technical Center in Richmond is now underway. Students can register weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, May 21; classes begin the following Monday, May 24. Those seeking financial assistance must contact the TSTC Waco Financial Aid Office immediately at (254) 8674814 or toll-free (800) 792-8784, ext. 4814. The TSTC Web site — www.waco. tstc.edu — provides additional details, dates and online application information. Programs offered at the WCJC Fort Bend Technical Center include associate degrees or certificates of completion in Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology and Diesel Equipment, Machining and Mechanical Engineering technologies. For more information, call TSTC at the WCJC Fort Bend Technical Center toll-free at (800) 561-9252, ext. 1548 or direct at (281) 239-1548.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Industrial Info Resources team tours Chilean copper mine Employees from Sugar Land-based Industrial Info Resources (IIR) recently traveled to Chile to participate in Expomin, Latin America’s largest industrial mining convention. While there, they were invited by Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, to tour El Teniente Copper Mine, located outside of Santiago, Chile. “Touring the mine allowed us to connect with people and gain insight into what it takes to operate the largest underground mine in the world,” said Joe Govreau, vice president of Metals & Minerals Research at IIR. “This experience enhances the insights we provide in a way that research alone cannot.” El Teniente, the largest underground mine in the world, has 3,000 kilometers of underground tunnels. The mine employs 15,000 people. El Teniente briefly interrupted production in late February after power to

the mine was cut following the earthquake in Chile. The mine processes on average 140,000 tons of copper and molybdenum ore per day. The Expomin convention, held April 12-16, drew an estimated 65,000 attendees from around the world. IIR has offices worldwide, on five continents including headquarters in Sugar Land Town Square and Cordoba, Argentina in Latin America. These offices provide research and information on industries such as electric power, alternative fuels, petroleum refining, chemical processing, metals and minerals, pharmaceuticals and biotech. Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR’s quality-assurance philosophy, the Living

Chamber’s Young Professionals Division serving up ‘BLTs’ Mother always said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s the case, thanks to the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s Young Professionals Division (YPD), lunch has become the new breakfast! Starting in May, the YPD will open a series of lunchtime roundtable discussions, featuring some of the area’s most successful business professionals. Each Bigwig Lunchtime Talk (BLT) will offer 25 young professionals (between the ages of 21-39) unparalleled interaction with some of the area’s most influential and high-profile business and community leaders – leaders they would not be able to connect with otherwise. Jim Brown, CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, will open the series at 11:30 a.m. on May 12 at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land. Brown, a Paris, Texas, native, has been the CEO of Memorial Hermann since June of 2007. Since arriving, the facility has attained financial stability, distinguished itself in clinical quality and patient satisfaction, has enjoyed strong growth, and is currently undergoing $11 million in expansions.

“BLTs are sure to enlighten and inspire those who attend,” YPD Chair Justin Vickrey said. “As the Chairman of the Young Professionals Division, I would like to personally Jim Brown extend an invitation for you to join us on May 12. If you’re ready to enrich your career and network with driven young professionals, don’t delay.” Ruthanne Mefford, CEO of Child Advocates of Fort Bend is scheduled for July 20, and Doug Harker, CEO of First Community Bank is scheduled for Sept. 21. The cost of each BLT is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. Sponsorship levels are: Breadwinner – $500; Bring Home the Bacon – $250, and Lettuce and Tomato – $100. To register for or sponsor a Bigwig Lunchtime Talk, call Yasmin at 281-342-5464. Call now to reserve your spot or sponsor this event. Memorial Hermann Hospital Sugar Land is the Breadwinner Sponsor.

Forward Reporting Principle™, provides upto-the-minute intelligence on what’s happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.

(L-R) Employees from Sugar Land-based Industrial Info Resources (IIR) recently traveled to Santiago, Chile to participate in Expomin, the world’s largest industrial mining conference. While there, they toured the world’s largest copper mine El Teniente. IIR employees participating in the tour include Mariano Forner, Romulo Giraudo (Codelco - Public Relations), Veronica Moroni, Joseph Govreau, Natalia Tolossa, and Daryl Street.

Sugar Land City Council honors Kempner High School’s Health Science Technology Class The Sugar Land City Council honored 22 students in Kempner High School’s Health Science Technology class on April 6 at the City of Sugar Land City Council meeting. The students have won President Barack Obama’s White House Silver Eagle citation for harvesting a record number of units of blood (319) in the fall 2009. Many of the units were transferred to the servicemen and women who were injured by gunfire at Fort Hood, and the remainder were kept at St. Luke’s Hospital, functioning to save lives. The students designed a blood campaign that was a county record for one day. Jonathan Nguyen and Kristina Leong presided over the campus blood drive, under the direction of Dr. Jeff Ricken, instructor.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NEWSWORTHY Dr. Mary Ernestine Butler – Texana Volunteer Texana Center recently nominated Dr. Mary Ernestine Butler for County Judge’s Volunteer Fort bend Awards 2010. She was nominated because of her devotion as a volunteer to directing the Texana Choir. Dr. Butler spent many years teaching music in public high schools having received her Bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University; her Master’s from Columbia Teachers College in New York and received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Sacred Music Mt. Hope Bible College. She has directed choirs for groups around the country including being the Regional Director of the Alpha Kappa Alpha South Regional Choir and was honored by Lee Brown, former Mayor of Houston, when he declared “Mary Ernestine Butler Day.” Since first starting the Texana Choir nine years ago, Dr. Butler has grown the choir to over 30 members. Directing this choir is not like other choirs, as the Texana Choir is made up of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (mental retardation). Ms. Butler works with the choir once a week and does not limit her directing to just singing; she works with the group to teach them everything about music. The choir learns how to read the notes and what the different notes mean. This is not an easy task, working with one or two individuals with developmental disabilities is hard enough at times, but try multi-

plying that figure to over 30 people! Texana staff are always amazed at the discipline the choir has and how they watch and listen for every instruction Dr. Butler gives. Mary Butler She is extremely passionate when it comes to her volunteer work with the Texana Choir. She never limits the choir to individuals that are higher functioning. It doesn’t matter what their ability is, she takes the time to teach them in the exact same way. She nurtures and helps them grow. Dr. Butler’s patience is out of this world; while most volunteers at the Texana Learning Center at Missouri City work with two to five volunteers at a time, she instructs and directs the whole 30 member choir at one time. Dr. Butler makes a difference in the lives of everyone she comes in contact with, but especially in the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Texana Choir. In particular, there was one lady, Cheryl, who was non- vocal; in fact, none of the staff members had ever heard her attempt to speak. Dr. Butler took Cheryl into the choir, as she had noticed her interest in what they were doing, and to everyone’s surprise, Cheryl tried to sing. Somehow, Ms. Butler saw the potential in Cheryl. Soon, Cheryl responded to the music. There

Showcase your business with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra is bringing Spain’s vibrant music to the Stafford Centre on Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m. and your business can be part of it. Donate an item to the Orchestra’s silent auction. FBSO attracts concert-goers of all ages, many of whom bring their children and grandchildren. Before the concert and during intermission, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on auction items. All proceeds benefit the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. Silent auction

items are being accepted at fundraising@ fbso.org through May 17. España is a musical celebration of Spain that includes traditional folk tunes, marches and dances. Along with famous works such as “Malagueña” and Manuel de Falla’s “Three Cornered Hat, Suite No. 2,” the orchestra will perform Ravel’s beloved “Bolero.” Tickets begin at $5 each and children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets online at http://www.fbso.org or call 281.276.9642.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

may not be any words, but she can hum in perfect pitch. This is an absolutely amazing accomplishment. The Texana Choir has 2 big public performances each year; one at Celebrating Abilities in March at Sugar Land Town Square and the other a Holiday Concert which was held last at the American Baptist Church. The joy exuded from the choir is amazing. However, you should hear how quiet it gets when she asks for the choirs’ attention!

FHA Business Strengthens Government mortgage volume held steady in March but is likely headed higher because of a surge in new purchase applications. Reverse mortgage volume slid and was down by nearly half from a year earlier. Last month, the Federal Housing Administration endorsed 132,301 loans for $24.1 billion, according to data released Thursday. February endorsements were 131,978 loans for $24.4 billion, while 151,140 loans were endorsed for $28 billion a year earlier. Endorsements for purchase transactions rose to 82,879 from 73,098, while refinance volume fell to 43,600 from 51,916. www.mortgagedaily.com/ FhaEndorsements042310.asp

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Nonbank financial failures see big decline, federal insured double This year has seen a big decline in the number of non-bank mortgage lenders to close down, according to the Mortgage Graveyard from MortgageDaily.com. But the improvement was more than offset by a spike in failed financial institutions. More than twice as many federally insured banks have failed compared to the same point in 2009. From Jan. 1 through April 9, MortgageDaily.com tracked 55 mortgage related closings. At about the same point last year, 50 closings had been tracked. The increase was fueled by bank failures, which doubled compared to a year earlier. Among the most notable bank failures were Florida Community Bank, with losses from its collapse projected at $353 million; Appalachian Community Bank, which the FDIC expects to lose $419 million on; and Horizon Bank, where Deposit Insurance Fund costs are estimated at $539 million. Even more significant were the closings of First Regional Bank, with expected losses of $826 million; Community Bank and Trust, which the FDIC expects to lose $828 million from; and La Jolla Bank, FSB, where $882 million in losses are projected.

Type

Through 4/12/10

Through 4/6/09

Full-year 2009

Nonbank

Banks

140

Credit Unions

229

Total

Credit union failures jumped by half from 2009. But non-bank mortgage operations to close were two-thirds lower than where they stood at the same point last year. One notable non-bank closing was that of Equitable Reverse Mortgage Co., which claimed to be “the 14th largest reverse mortgage lender in the nation.” Another company, Assurity Financial Services LLC, touted its standing as a “Top Non-Imploded” lender before throwing in the towel. “We saw regulatory actions against U.S. financial institutions nearly double between the first-quarter 2009 and this year, suggesting the acceleration in bank failures is unlikely to abate,” said MortgageDaily. com Founder and Publisher Sam Garcia.

New inspections required within unincorporated Fort Bend County Beginning April 1, Fort Bend County residential home builders began to report inspections for new construction within unincorporated areas of the county. A required minimum of three inspections during construction will be required and include inspection of the following: the foundation, before the placement of concrete; the framing and mechanical system stage before drywall; and the final inspection once construction is complete. Additionally, builders will be required to provide notice to the County’s Engineering Department of the location of new residential construction, the approximate date by which the new residential construction will start, and the version of the international Residential Code that will be used during construction. Required inspections must be conduct-

ed by a licensed engineer, registered architect, professional inspector licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission, plumbing inspector employed by a municipality and licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, building inspector employed by a political subdivision, or an individual certified as a residential combination inspector by the International Code Council. Homebuilders and inspectors can visit www.fortbendcountygov.com to register and submit future inspection reports online by accessing the “Permitting” button on the County’s home page. Additional information may be obtained by contacting County Engineering, Permit Division at 281-633-7500.

“However, a thawing of the market for mortgage-related assets could help move some institutions out of the ‘troubled’ category.”

Grant Thornton partner leads successful member recruitment effort for Greater Houston Partnership Highlighting a recent accomplishment in the Houston community, Loretta Cross, managing partner of the Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Services group of Grant Thornton LLP, has successfully established the Emerging Women Leaders group for the Greater Houston Partnership, the economic development and public policy leadership organization for the Houston area. Cross is a member of the organization’s steering committee of the Executive Women’s Partnership, which is comprised of 86 Houston c-suite women. Under Cross’ leadership and vision, the Executive Women’s Partnership was tasked with forming a group of women that they could support and mentor. From this effort, the Emerging Women Leaders group was established. “We are extremely proud of what we accomplished with this group in the Houston community,” said Cross. “In our first year we attracted over 80 women in management positions who the Partnership Board Members saw as the future leaders in their organization. We had 6 events that provided either mentoring or networking opportunities for our Emerging Women Leaders.”

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

NAMES IN THE Sugar Land Heritage Foundation names executive director

Eleanor Barton was recently hired as Executive Director and Curator for the newlyformed Sugar Land Heritage Foundation.

The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation has appointed Eleanor Barton as its new Executive Director / Curator. Reporting to the Board of Directors, Barton will serve as the chief executive officer and curator for this newly-formed foundation whose goal is to preserve and communicate the rich history of Sugar Land. Dennis Parmer, President of the Board, announced: “Ms. Barton brings to her new role three years experience as Museum

Curator for the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. Prior to joining the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation, Barton also served as a Curatorial Volunteer for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and as a Public Relations intern for the Menil Collection.” She earned her Masters of Arts in Museum Studies from Baylor University and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation was incorporated in 2008, with a vision to collect, preserve and communicate the history of Sugar Land. Sugar Land’s history can be traced back to the Indians and the early settlements of the raw land that would become Texas. A league of land granted by Stephen F. Austin to successful businessman Samuel M. Williams in 1828 became a plantation that would eventually develop into the community of Sugar Land. This lucrative sugar cane plantation attracted I.H. Kempner, a wealthy Galveston investor, and W.T. Eldridge, a colorful entrepreneur with experience in building successful farming and business ventures. Together, these men established the Imperial Sugar Company in the early

1900s. The Imperial Sugar Company created a company town around the refinery; the company town developed into an incorporated city in 1959, which has expanded over the past 50 years to become home to international businesses and over 84,000 people. Although the headquarters of the Imperial Sugar Company are still based in Sugar Land, the refinery closed in 2003. The City is committed to redeveloping the historic site and early plans call for a museum in the old 1925 Char House. In the meantime, the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation’s priority is to set up an office and volunteer workspace, to collect, sort and store artifacts and historical data, and to create a temporary museum exhibit gallery. According to Barton, “The challenge of this assignment is the continuing story of Sugar Land. Rather than being tied to a single event in history, the legacy of Sugar Land is one of constant improvement and growth.”

Fort Bend Professional Women

Industrial Info Resources announces new vice president of finance Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Shelia Goods to the position of vice president of finance. In her new position, Goods will oversee all aspects of the accounting, auditing and finance departments. During her nineteen-year tenure at IIR, Goods has served in the administration, research and distribution departments. Outside of her work at IIR, Goods is licensed to sell insurance, a Texas Notary and a member of the American Institute of Public Bookkeepers. She is the treasurer of a motorcycle club and bookkeeper for her church. Goods holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in

Computer Science from San Jacinto College North. Goods has been a resident of Texas for 25 years and has three children. About Industrial Info Resources IIR gathers and delivers industrial market intelligence in the form of daily news, plant and project spending opportunity databases, market forecasts, high resolution maps and software solutions to companies that sell equipment and services to the industrial processing, heavy manufacturing and energy-related markets. Headquartered in Sugar Land, TX, IIR currently employs more than 325 people with multiple locations in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. For more information, visit www.industrialinfo.com. Shelia Goods

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Pictured l to r: Nora Simms – Nora Anne’s Flower Shop, Dolores Loyd – Utraveleeze, Lisa Geisler – Professional Organizer, Donna Roller – Transitional Wellness at the Fort Bend Professional Womens April 2010 Meeting. This group meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at Sugar Land Rehabilitation Hospital at 7:30 am for networking and mentoring. For May they have Harold Magnum from Memory Technologies, teaching some powerful tips and tricks on memory retention.

Submit Newsworthy items to editor_fbbj@fortbendstar.com

Sugar Land Rotary honors FBISD first-year teachers

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital honors top physicians Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital honored its top physicians during a celebration of National Doctors Day on Saturday, March 27 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. Recognizing the importance of family members, the hospital opened up the event to physicians’ families this year, a first that proved to be very popular. Named 2009 Outstanding Female and Male Physicians, respectively, against the backdrop of The Chronicles of Narnia exhibit, were Neonatologist Sonia Chauhan, M.D. and Pulmonologist Sandip Desai, M.D. Top honors also went to: • Best Team Player: Jin Kim, M.D., Emergency Medicine • Best Bedside Manner: Subodh Bhuchar, M.D., Family Practice/Pediatrics • Best Overall Documentation: Johnson Agu, M.D., Internal Medicine • Best Attitude: Humberto Lara, M.D., Pathology • Most Responsive: Tajuddin Momin, M.D. Internal Medicine/Hospitalist • Most Supportive: Lin Humble, M.D., Internal Medicine/Hospitalist • Best Communicator: Michael Kent, M.D., Orthopedics • Best Educator: Bryan Blonder,

D.O., Obstetrics/Gynecology • Most Respectful: Brain Felix, M.D., Anesthesiology “The honored physicians personify the collaborative relationship that we seek with our medical staff, said Jim Brown, CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. “They are all team players who work with our nursing staff to achieve the very best possible patient outcomes.” Memorial Hermann Sugar Land nurses and staff who work with the doctors on a daily basis nominate and vote on the honored physicians.

Photo by Larry Pullen

Sandip Desai, M.D. and Sonia Chauhan, M.D.

McRae joins Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Demarius McRae, M.H.A., R.C.I.S., has joined Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital as director of cardiology. He previously served as manager of invasive cardiology at Demarius McRea CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y., which cares for over 2,000 cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology patients each year. McRae is currently planning the May opening of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land’s cardiac catheterization lab. When open, he will oversee operations and plan advances in

cardiac and peripheral procedures. McRae has worked in cardiology since 2001 in many roles including cardiac imaging director for Marquette General Health System in Marquette, MI and cardiology manager at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover, DE. He says he joined Memorial Hermann because of its commitment to the community. “This commitment is demonstrated by strong clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction scores and the expansion of cardiac services.” The Sugar Land resident holds a master’s degree in Health Systems Management from George Mason University and is a Registered Cardiac Invasive Specialist.

Sugar Land Rotary honored six exceptional first-year teachers from Fort Bend ISD at a special recognition program held at a recent Rotary meeting. For more than 13 years, Sugar Land Rotary has been honoring the teaching profession through this recognition program. Dr. Timothy Jenney, FBISD Superintendent and Sugar Land Rotarian, welcomed the teachers and their principals and expressed appreciate to them from the entire community. The Rookie Teachers of the Year that were honored are: Amy Arnold, a fourth-grade teacher Cornerstone Elementary School Leah Wesolic, a Special Education teacher - Pecan Grove Elementary School. Megan Goodman, a second-grade teacher - Settlers Way Elementary School. Jennifer Rogers, a sixth-grade math teacher at Hodges Bend Middle School. Joshua Feldpausch, choir teacher at Austin High School. Jade Love from Elkins High School. an eleventh-grade English teacher at Elkins High School “Sugar Land Rotary is excited about honoring these great teachers who only are in their first-year with Fort Bend ISD. The community is fortunate to have them as teachers in our schools,” said Craig DeSerf, General Manager of David Taylor Cadillac and Sugar Land Vocational Chairman.

Pictured at the Sugar Land Rotary teacher recognition are from left to right: Dr. Timothy Jenney, Joshua Feldpausch, Jennifer Rogers, Megan Goodman, Leah Wesolic, Amy Arnold, Jade Love and Craig DeSerf.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

New financial institution forms to buy distressed real estate

ActivoFirst is one of nation’s first new Wholesale Savings Associations, designed to take advantage of investment opportunities

esigned to take advantage of today’s opportunities for buying distressed real estate, a new institution called ActivoFirst Savings Association is being formed, primarily to acquire assets from the FDIC and troubled financial institutions. Operating under a charter in Texas, and with the ability to do business on a national basis, ActivoFirst’s structure as a Wholesale Savings Association (chartered savings and loan) allows the institution to be formed much more quickly than if it were a bank formed through the FDIC. The Houston-based institution is one of the first of its kind in the country taking this approach to acquiring distressed real estate assets, and its leadership has a strong combination of real estate and banking experience – a must in making well-researched acquisitions and managing a top-performing portfolio. A Wholesale Savings Association does not take deposits from the general public, instead relying on investments from informed investors. Deposits in ActivoFirst are uninsured. With a significant amount of combined real estate experience, the leaders have been through a number of real estate cycles, and have a history of success in their investments,

both in the past and during this most recent downturn. An ActivoFirst fact sheet is available upon request, and more information is available at www.ActivoFirstInvest.com. ActivoFirst Savings Association: Fact sheet What: ActivoFirst Savings Association is a Wholesale Savings Association (chartered savings and loan) being formed primarily to acquire distressed assets from the FDIC and troubled financial institutions. Headquarters: Houston, Texas. Chairman and Managing Officer: Jim Fatheree. What is a Wholesale Savings Association? The association operates under a charter in the state of Texas, and can do business on a national basis. This type of structure allows the institution to be formed much more quickly than if it were a bank being formed through the auspices of the FDIC. Wholesale Savings Associations do not receive deposits from the general public, and deposits in the association are uninsured. Assets that will be targeted: Real estate, with the focus on states with a large volume of troubled assets, such as Florida, Georgia, California, Ohio, Arizona, Illinois and Texas. The amount of money being raised: $10

million to fund and launch the bank, part of the $36 million being raised to execute ActivoFirst’s business plan. How that money will be leveraged: ActivoFirst has Jim Fatheree a number of major institutional investors interested in participating in deals, and its business plan calls for the bank’s investments being matched with larger investments from these institutional investors. ActivoFirst’s competitive advantages: The group is one of the first of its kind in the country taking this wide-ranging approach to acquiring distressed real estate assets, and its leadership has a strong combination of real estate and banking experience, a must in making smart acquisitions and in managing a top-performing portfolio. With hundreds of years of combined real estate experience, the leaders have been through a number of real estate cycles, and have a history of success in their investments, both in the past and during this most recent downturn. For more information: Please go to www. activofirstinvest.com.

Laser treats Fibromyalgia Success rates established

ibromyalgia is a condition in which the brain processes pain in an abnormal way, resulting in chronic, widespread muscularskeletal pain and chronic fatigue. This condition effects millions of Americans and has been poorly understood and under diagnosed, resulting in billions of dollars in cost to our health care system. In the past, treatments have been primarily with medications; often side effects can make the symptoms worse.

By using the laser, the patented ML830, which was the first “Low level laser” approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat pain and swelling, successful gain in treated have been recorded. The Laser produces no heat to the tissue and causes vassal dilation in the Micro Capillary bed, the treatment is painless with no side effects. Bernard Filner M.D. is now reporting on treating over 90,000 Fibro Trigger Points using the ML830 Laser with a 90% success rate.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Bernard Filner, M.D. reports his clinical success in the use of Low level laser therapy to treat Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) in the April issue of Fibromyalgia Aware (the quarterly journal of the National Fibromyalgia Association) Dr. Filner sits on the National Advisory Board. Dr. Filner has been in the forefront of the practice of Pain Management for the past 22 years, (specializing in the treatment of Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia) and an anesthesiologist for the prior 18 years (CV available upon request).

Special Features COMING JUNE 2009 ISSUE Deadline May 15

Doing Business in Fort Bend

Eduction & Careers

Summer Fitness

Highlight on Health

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great about it? What obstacles does it present? Why Fort Bend is the place to do business!

Expanding your education? Getting that higher degree? Where can I go, who can help me?

Working out for the right reasons? How can I change this body?

Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Care for young and old!

Fort Bend/Katy

TO ADVERTISE CALL DEAN WEST 281-690-4201 cell 713-899-0643 dean@fortbendstar.com

May 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Fort Bend/Katy

COVER STORY

By Sharon Wallingford | Photos by Hurst Photography

Ed’s Pharmacy & Fort Bend Pharmacy Provide Convenient Care Ed Sziy at Ed’s Pharmacy Missouri City location.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

James Gordon & Charlen Suessman add behind the counter service to assist customers with medical needs.

d Sziy may be the most multi-faceted pharmacist in the nation. As the owner of two pharmacies, which stand side-by- side at one of the busiest intersections in Fort Bend County, he juggles and masters many needs within his community. Independent and locally owned, Sziy assures his customers they will receive fast service. “It usually takes five to ten minutes to fill their prescriptions and very often they wait,” says Ed. “We have no automated phone system so they actually talk to a live person. We are proud to offer one-on-one care.” “When it comes to insurance, the co-pay is the same as big box stores. And we accept all major insurance plans at our regular pharmacy.” Located at the corner of Cartwright and Murphy, over the years his services have become unique because he oversees two stores: one regular pharmacy and the other a specialized, compounding pharmacy. Looking back over the years, which have turned to decades, Sziy was the owner of the first compounding pharmacy in Fort Bend and he is also the longest serving independent pharmacist in the county. His companies provide unit dosing for nursing homes, assisted living homes, and group homes. They also supply veterinarian, geriatric and pediatric prescriptions both regular and compounded. Besides himself, there are two staff pharmacists and five pharmacy technicians. He is an Independent, certified Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) compounder. His team of pharmacists produce non sterile compounding preparations for pediatrics, geriatrics , cancer care, veterinary and other general medical needs that are labeled as non commercial products. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is also available at the compounding pharmacy. “We supply the patient with a saliva test kit to determine hormone levels and work in conjunction Elizabeth Pace sorts medications ready for customer pick up.

continued on page 34

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Valued employees from left to right: Charlen Suessman, Milton Lefkowitz, Mckenna Aulenbach, Ed Sziy, Elizabeth Pace, Jon Hubbard, James Gordon, and Gloria Rodriguez.

continued from page 33 with the patients doctor to determine proper medications to dose.” “We are proud to offer our customers personal service, local delivery and specialty pharmaceuticals,” says Sziy, a longtime Fort Bend resident. “I like the smaller town, one-on-one relationships.” For many years Sziy has served and been a member of the Oyster Creek Rotary Club. “I like that all Rotary monies goes back to the community.” Both of his businesses also carry most medical supplies usually only found in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Special ordering is also available to physicians and customers with most items delivered the following day. Rentals are available for nebulizers, wheelchairs, walkers and crutches. For customer convenience, a postal contract station is located in the store. Medications can be taken in various forms including lozenges, suppositories, liquids, creams, and capsules. For animals, there is a supply of chew treats.

If you want to ask about vaccinations: Pneumonia, Shingles and flu are among the ones most requested and available. Sziy, a graduate of the University of Houston pharmaceutical program, was assigned to Houston’s Veteran’s Administration Hospital by presidential appointment. “During the Vietnam War era, there was a severe shortage of pharmacists and medical personnel, so if you received an appointment you lived and worked at the hospital in exchange for schooling,” he adds. When he completed his studies and time at the Veteran’s Hospital, Sziy found new opportunities awaiting him in Missouri City. In 1973, he discovered the small town atmosphere to be comforting and the opportunities wide open. After a decade of learning the trade at Renfro’s, he purchased the community pharmacy in 1982 and renamed it Ed’s Pharmacy. “I like the autonomy of being in business for yourself.” “We doubled the business the first year I owned it,” he says, adding, “We’ve doubled our business several times since.”

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

“Today privately owned companies are the exception and the huge chains are the norm,” he adds. “I’ve lived my dream by being able to specialize and serve the community.” “We are a certified compounding pharmacy which means we take raw bulk materials to make drugs that either have been off the market or are speciality items that physicians require for special need patients that are not commercially available for specific illnesses,” he said. “A large portion of our compounding services include veterinary medications because there are few products for animals. Pharmaceutical companies don’t make small doses for pets,” Sziy explains. Sziy belongs to all pharmaceutical associations and was nominated by his peers as a Fellow in the American College of Apothecaries two decades ago. “It’s been said I offer one-of-a-kind services.” For more information call 281-4994555. Ed’s Pharmacy and Fort Bend Pharmacy is located at 3740 Cartwright Road @ FM 1092 and Murphy Road.

A new class of leadership for Metro Houston residents

THEY’LL SETTLE IN NICELY WITHOUT HAVING TO SETTLE

Sugar Land residents accept civic challenge

osting the Center for Houston’s Future Business/Civic Leadership Forum, Galveston witnessed last week the start of a new chapter in the civic lives of the Class of Spring 2010. Representing Sugar Land and Fort Bend County this spring are Redia Anderson, and Harold Reddish. Ms. Anderson is the Co-Founder of AuthenticAllies, and is also the Founder and Managing Partner at Anderson People Strategies, LLC, a management consulting and executive coaching firm. Nationally recognized as a leader in the field of Diversity & Redia Anderson Inclusion, Ms. Anderson has more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Diversity management. Mr. Reddish is the President and CEO of S&B Infrastructure, Ltd. an engineering firm located in Houston. Mr. Reddish brings more than 30 years experience in commercial, government and military endeavors. He is very active in the engineering community and has served in various leadership positions, including the Society of American Military Engineers Harold Reddish (past president), and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (past president of Houston Chapter). Already in its 10th year, the Center for Houston’s Future has held two Business/Civic Leadership Forums almost every year since its inception. For three days, the Forums immerse proven leaders from throughout the area in overarching, cross-jurisdictional issues such as healthcare, education and transportation, that will shape the region’s future. Later, these topics and others are explored in Learning Journeys that participants develop themselves to continue their learning experience. With more than 500 Leadership Forum Graduates to date, nearly half of whom are ethnic minorities, and more than one-third are women, this spring’s class undoubtedly has what it takes to make the grade of the Center’s rigorous selection process. By gathering high caliber professionals annually, such as Redia Anderson and Harold Reddish, the Center is succeeding at enriching Greater Houston’s business/civic leadership, and launching them on a path of community engagement which will create a better future for the region. The Center for Houston’s Future is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that advances the Houston region as one of the top ten global communities in which to live and work. By gathering impressive arrays of professionals annually, the Center is succeeding at enriching Houston’s diverse business/civic leadership, and launching them on a path of community engagement which will create a better future for the region. To find out more about the Center’s Business/Civic Leadership Forums, or to submit a nomination for the Fall 2010 class, visit www. centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME, AND THEN SOME A place to kick off your shoes, sit back and relax. Step into your comfort zone at Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham. Enjoy a warm inviting atmosphere, and spacious suites with kitchens, all so you can truly make yourself at home and stay awhile. Just Steps from the Beach Free Internet Complimentary hot breakfast buffet Guest laundry and convenience store

at The Victorian Resort & Conference Center

6300 Seawall • Galveston www.hawthorn.com 800.231.6363 ®

We proudly welcome Wyndham Rewards members. Sign up today at hawthorn.com and we’ll reward you with points or miles...every time you stay with us. © 2010 Hawthorn Suites Franchising, Inc. All rights reserved. All Hawthorn Suites hotels are independently owned and operated.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

American Quarter Horse Foundation receives record $3 million gift

he American Quarter Horse Foundation announced during the 2010 Convention in April it had received an unprecedented gift of $3 million to the Foundation’s operating endowment from Hall of Fame member Anne Marion and The Burnett Foundation. “It is an honor to receive such a gift,” AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. said of the donation. “It has made a huge impact on meeting the $10 million goal established for the Foundation operating endowment. We are so thankful for the gifts we receive from our members, and this one is incredibly special. Ms. Marion, her family and the Four Sixes Ranch have been extremely influential to our Association and the integrity of our horse. I cannot say enough to express how honored we are by their gift.” Marion’s family established the Four Sixes Ranch in 1870 in Guthrie, Texas. It was, in

part, due to the horses on this ranch that a group of people met with Anne’s mother Anne Burnett Hall and her husband James Goodwin Hall in 1940 to discuss the idea of forming an association to honor these great animals. The following day, the American Quarter Horse Association was formed. When her mother died in 1980, Marion took the reins of the vast Burnett ranches and inherited the legacy linked to AQHA. In 1993, Marion expanded the ranch to include racing world champions Special Effort and Dash For Cash – both now Hall of Fame inductees – and built a facility to house 160 broodmares. The Four Sixes/Burnett ranches were honored in 1994 with the AQHA Best Remuda award, and the operation received AQHA’s inaugural Legacy award in 1997 for 50 consecutive years of breeding American Quarter Horses. Throughout the years, Marion has

Sugar Land Community Blood Drive The volunteers of the Sugar Land Neighborhood Donor Center, also known as Community Advocates, invite you to Commit for Life by helping them save lives with your donation at their upcoming blood drive. Sunday, May 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sugar Land Neighborhood. Donor Center - 4949 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479, 281-313-1122. Credit the Sugar Land Community Advocates (SL16FS16) on the day of the drive to receive 200 Commit for Life bonus points and a CFL travel mug! Don’t forget about our monthly promotion: Commit for Life Shop Card Commit for Life donors who successfully complete two donations between May 1 and August 31 will be eligible to order a $15 Kroger gift card. Double red cell donors will receive a card for one donation. Limit 1 card per donor. Donors must use 200 Commit for Life store points as a handling fee. For more information about Commit

for Life, volunteering or to schedule your appointment, please visit us at: www.giveblood.org.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

also been involved with a variety of activities outside the ranch. Serving on the Texas Tech board of regents, as a director of the Fort Worth Stock Show, as a trustee of the Modern Art Museum of New York City and as part of the Fort Worth Zoological Association are just a few of her achievements. She and her husband also founded the Georgia O’Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The gift from Marion, who in 2007 joined her mother and father as a member of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, ensures the museum and the work of the American Quarter Horse Foundation will live on for years to come. “The Burnett family and its horses have had a profound, long-lasting and comprehensive impact on the American Quarter Horse,” said Bill Brewer, retired Executive Vice President of AQHA. “The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum bears witness to the American Quarter Horse Association’s highest and most distinguished honor and is filled with those associated with the Burnett family. The artifacts on exhibit – from family members, partners, friends, employees, trainers and jockeys – tell a story that leads to and from Four Sixes and wherever good horses have worked for a living.” The Four Sixes’ horses represented in the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame – from Grey Badger II to Dash For Cash, Special Effort and beyond, as well as their sons and daughters – are innately talented. Their speed, soundness and disposition preserved in our good horses today spring from this legacy. This permanent gift will create an outstanding memory of the Burnett family in the minds of all who have been, who are and who will be touched by the American Quarter Horse and by the Foundation’s work. The American Quarter Horse Foundation’s programs support equine research, education, therapeutic riding and the Hall of Fame & Museum. To learn more about the Foundation and ways to support its programs, please visit aqha.com/foundation, or call (806) 378-5029 QHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

Upcoming Chamber Events Save the Date! Business and Professional Division “Successful Selling” presented by Brad Freyer, Sandler Sales Institute

Date: May 20, 2010 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce - 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land

“Cyber Security” presented by Jorge Marra, Cognitas Technologies, Inc.

Date: May 26, 2010 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce - 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land

“Solo-preneur Workshop” presented by Glenn Smith, The Growth Coach Houston

Date: June 3, 2010 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce - 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land

“Grow You Business Through Referral Marketing” by Howard Partridge, Phenomenal Products Date: June 9, 2010

Time: 11:30 AM Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce - 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land

Infrastructure Division Infrastructure Conference 2010

Date: Friday, August 27, 2010 Time 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Safari Texas Ranch - 11627 FM 1464 - Richmond, TX

Government Relations Division Dale Rudick, City of Sugar Land Date: May 10, 2010

Time: 11:30 AM Location: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce - 445 Commerce Green Blvd - Sugar Land

State of the City – Missouri City with Allen Owen

Date: June 24, 2010 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Sugar Creek Country Club - Sugar Land

For More infomation please visit FortBendChamber.com or contact Ellen Bush at 281.491.0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org

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

Thank You To Our Renewing Members 1 Year TXU Energy Shawn Parker, 972-868-8333 Imperial Performing Arts, Inc. Eddie Crowell, 713-628-2468 Appelbaum Training Institute Marty Appelbaum, 281-494-4876 Chapman Immigration Law Group Jackie Ewoniuk, 701-232-5899 Command Promotions Lara Davenport, 281-750-1464 2 Years NAMI Fort Bend Larry Davis, 281-980-7463 Buffalo Wild Wings - Sugar Land Cliff Sadowsky, 281-313-9464 Mann Eye Institute Moira Long, 713-580-2525

David Koontz, 832-355-4718

Marian Kozlovsky, 281-989-1887

4 Years Diagnostic Cardiology of Houston Matt Mahoney, 713-776-9500

Houston Chronicle Craig Hurley, 713-362-3045

Landmark at Sugar Land Lisa Magana, 281-494-7575

First Community Bank Town Center Hands and Hearts Foundation Tim Stubenrouch, 281-275-5151 Marcia McGinnis, 281-937-0247 Arrow Plumbing Co. Ann Barnes, 281-240-6868

Paradigm Consultants, Inc. Brent Lapsley, 713-686-6771

Icenhower Consulting, LLC Kim Icenhower, 713-504-4378

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen Javier Contreras, 281-980-7482

Industrial Information Resources Michael Bergen, 713-783-5147

Barkington Inn and Pet Resort, Inc. Rosalie Murphy, 281-431-9663

Stafford Centre Susan Ricks, 281-208-6900

Berryhill Baja Grill Jeffery Brooks, 281-313-8226

Coldwell Banker United Realtors Jim Cockrill, 713-818-8784

8 Years Newland Real Estate Group, LLC Travis Stone, 713-575-9000

American Business Women’s Association Marilyn Nelson, 713-412-8110

Eagle’s Trace Julia Godeke, 281-249-7099

Camperi’s Office Furniture Mary Camperi, 281-499-6900

Laser Shot, Inc. Yvonne Serrano, 281-240-1122

Southern Ice Cream Mike Johnston, 281-499-9837

5 Years Fertility Specialists of Houston Cristina Treadway, 832-553-5483

Amani Engineering, Inc. Mary Mathew, 713-270-5700

Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc. James Rice, 713-482-2300

MedCare Pediatric Rehab Center, LP Paige Kinkade, 713-773-5100 Cigar Cigar! LLC Jeff Bernhard,281-240-1362 3 Years Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers 6 Years Aimee Verrette Frederick, Emeritus at Sugar Land 281-980-9860 Dana Marroquin, 281-491-6257 River Oaks Cleaners Jack Momin, 281-491-0900

Goodwill Industries of Houston Charles C.Canton, 713-692-6221

Orkin Pest Control AprilShane-Wilton, 713-784-2706 St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System

Heritage Executive Realty Naomi Lam, 281-568-5595 Greenscapes Unlimited

7 Years Sugar Land Cancer Center Melissa Green, 281-274-8200

ERA Benes Realty Interests Joseph Benes, 281-240-6110 Houston Federal Credit UnionKensington Jennifer Munson, 281-243-0561 Transtar A/C Supply Inc. Thomas Abraham, 281-499-1142 Weaver, Davis & Jacob Realty Group, LLC G. Peter Jacob, 281-313-0000 Texas State Technical College Chuck Abshier, 281-239-1549 Alamo Stone Company Tom Molloy, 281-240-4600 Riverstone Development Co. Christen Howell Johnson, 281-499-8700

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

Thank You To Our Renewing Members 9 Years Halff Associates, Inc. Raul Wong, 713-523-7161

Rebecca Beard Junker, PC Rebecca Beard Junker, 281-342-9476

Fort Bend County Ronald R.Pope, 281-341-4406

The State Bank of Texas Nicki Black, 281-494-6686

Jennifer Gremillion Esch Jennifer Gremillion Esch, P.C 281-499-0093

13 Years Katy ISD Alton Frailey, 281-396-6000

Houston Community Bank Fort Bend Claude Leatherwood, 281-343-7700

20/20 Eye Clinic & Optical Peggy Chan, 281-277-6100

Fairway Golf Carts Johnny Tedder, 281-240-3230 10 Years Millis Development & Construction, Inc. Ruby Miltenberger, 281-240-6066 Leonetti Graphics Donald Leonetti, 281-499-4959 Keep Sugar Land Beautiful Vicki Gist, 281-313- 5752 Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc. Daniel Wong, 713-722-7064 11 Years Curtice Commercial Real Estate Kolbe M. Curtice, 281-494-4769 Brookstreet Barbecue Louie Roukab, 281-313-4000 12 Years First Colony Management District Wende Lewis-Buckley, 281-276-6000

JACOBS Kevin Gilligan, 713-869-7900

La Quinta Inn Latiffiny Davis, 281-240-2300 State Farm Insurance Dwain Barnes, 281-980-0940 17 Years Contract Land Staff, LP Laurie Markoe, 281-240-3370 18 Years Indermuehle & Co. - Commercial Real Estate Larry Indermuehle, 281-240-9090

Drury Inn & Suites - Sugar Land Rosielee Frank, 281-277-9700

19 Years George Observatory/Houston Museum of Natural Science Barbara Wilson, 281-242-3055

14 Years Windfield Townhomes Yvonne Saenz, 281-240-7700

21 Years The Ammerman Experience Mary Ammerman, 281-240-2026

South Grand at Pecan Grove 281-342-9414

Fort Bend County Museum Association Sharon Watson, 281-342-1256

East Fort Bend County Jaycees Karen Kovar, 281-431-0759 Dealers Electrical Supply Company Joe Webber, 281-933-0797

22 Years Coldwell Banker United Realtors Arlene R. Rolsen, CRS, 281-414-8400

Houston Learning Academy Fort Bend Campus Dianai Monn, 713-974-6658

23 Years Richmond State School Al Barrera, 281-344-4211

15 Years tw telecom Darin Cook, 713-341-4000

Wal-Mart 281-933-7800

16 Years First Colony Community Association Mission Management Co & Mission Carol Litton, 281-634-9505 Equities, Inc Dennis W. Nelson, 713-782-8550 Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital PGAL Jim Brown, 281-725-5202 Paul Bonnette, 713-622-1444 Fish Construction, Inc. Scott A. Fish, 281-261-3375

City of Stafford Karen Austin, 281-261-3910 25 Years The Holoway Jones Law Firm, PLLC Russell C. Jones, 281-242-8100 Lake Olympia Animal Hospital Terry J. Dobson, 281-499-7242

www.FortBendChamber.com May 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

Thank You To Our Renewing Members 28 Years Sweetwater Country Club Jill Barber, 281-980-4100

32 Years Fort Bend Star/Fort Bend Business Journal B. K. Carter, 281-690-4223

37 Years Randalls Food Markets, Inc. Dawne Proffitt, 713-268-3595

31 Years Bailes Bates & Associates, LLP Robbie Bates,281-565-6400

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 Clear Tiffany Joseph 3800 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77478 281-846-2140 www.clear.com Wireless Communications

NHCPR Staci Pacheco 4015 Dumbarton St. Houston, TX 77025 832-455-1784 www.nhcpr.net Educational Services

Eagle EMS Staci Pacheco 1505 Hussian St. Houston, TX 77003 713-227-1045 Ambulance Transportation

National Care EMS Speech Theraphy Unlimited Dana Johnson 11569 High 6 South Sugar Land, TX 77498 281-746-3053 www.speechtherapyunlimited.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Nikki Holster 1414 Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-313-3700 www.enterprise.com Auto Rental & Leasing

com

Success Center Hash Jafrani 1006 Mockingbird Way Sugar Land, TX 77478 713-962-0223 Consultants, Training and Coaching Sugar Land Spine and Disc Dr. Stacy Croft 54 Sugar Creek Center Blvd, Suite 110 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-491-3472 Health Care

Speech & Language Pathologists

www.FortBendChamber.com Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ May 2010

March Milestone Members 25 Years

The Holoway Jones Law Firm, PLL Lake Olympia Animal Hospital 15 Years

tw telecom

10 Years

Millis Development & Construction, Inc. Leonetti Graphics Keep Sugar Land Beautiful Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc.

5 Years

Fertility Specialists of Houston Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc. Cigar Cigar! LLC

For membership information, contact: Kristen Lipsman - 281-491-2493

www.FortBendChamber.com May 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Bend Business Journal

CUTT

RIBBON

INGS

Fred Astaire

2140 Lone Star Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.265.0064

Fred Astaire Dance Studios teaches all forms of social and performance dancing...Latin, ballroom, swing and country western is only the beginning. Fred Astaire Dance Studios specialize in the instruction of ballroom dance and sells ballroom dancewear, footwear and other dance-related items. “The Town Square development is a beautiful shopping center that equals the caliber of professionalism, splendor and customer service Fred Astaire stands by,” said Fred Astaire Dance Studios Co-owner Mark Adler. “We believe it will be the perfect partnership.” Fred Astaire Dance Studio is no stranger to Town Square. Adler and his instructors have participated in Sugar Land Town Square’s popular Dancing Under the Stars program for the past two years, where they regularly hold free dance lessons for the community in the Plaza. Adler, along with Co-owner Stephanie Adler, opened their first Fred Astaire Dance Studio in The Woodlands and now boasts six locations in the Houston area, including studios in Sugar Land, Katy, Memorial, Kingwood and Clear Lake. www.FredAstaireHouston.com.

Mantra Fine Indian Cuisine 15295 SW Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77478 281.325.0071

Mantra of Sugarland is a fine North Indian Cuisine restaurant which opened its door on August 1, 2009. Owners, Anjali Patel, Poonam Kotak, Sherin Malik & Sumaya Malik, although in other ventures individually, collectively decided what Sugarland was missing. And it was fine dining at its best, with a luxious ambience, quality food and service which continues to remain unmatched and unsurpassed by any other restaurant in town. Located in the heart of Sugarland, at Hwy. 59 and Williams Trace, Mantra of Sugarland, is a restaurant where east meets west. Its cuisine pleases palates of all spice levels and has dining patrons returning again and again. All dishes are prepared fresh and made with a unique blend of Indian spiceseverything from our suculant mango chicken to our tantalizing desserts. Specializing in catering, Mantra of Sugarland is committed to delivering the very best to each customer and invite everyone to experience this truly authentic cuisine. www.mantraofsugarland.com

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

CUTT

RIBBON

INGS

Sugar Lakes Family Practice 1327 Lake Point Parkway, Suite 506 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281.565.2800

Sugar Lakes Family Practice hosted an open house to celebrate the opening of their expansion in Suite 400 in the Professional Building next door to St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital. Nora Cantu, MD, J. Mark Trippett, MD, Ann Heikkinen, MD and Anne Marie Ponce de Leon, MD will occupy this space and join John R. Vanderzyl, MD, John Pozzi, MD, Henry Mata, MD and Julie Baldwin, PA in the practice at 1327 Lake Pointe Parkway. Sugar Lakes Family Practice continues to focus on traditional family practice with emphasis on preventive medicine and wellness. They also offer services for acute illnesses and acute sports injuries. For the convenience of their patients they now offer Patient Web Portal, which enables patients to send messages to the nursing staff regarding medical questions, refill and referral requests. This portal allows access to lab results and immunization reports. The practice prides itself on taking the best care of their patients with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. They have proudly served the Sugar Land community for over 10 years and are excited for the future of the practice and their patients.primarilykids.com or call 281-778-0543.

ZEN MASSAGE

6154 Highway 6 South Missouri City, TX 77459 (832) 319 9164 zenmassage_mocitytx.comcast.net

Zen Massage provides the gift of health and relaxation by offering high quality massage therapy at extremely affordable rates. A 1 hour massage is $39.95! At Zen Massage®, we have NO CONTRACTS or MEMBERSHIP FEES! Our concept is simple and you enjoy the benefi ts of massage therapy on your terms. Affordable pricing and a quality experience are always guaranteed at Zen Massage®, so you can feel your Best for Less! Zen Massage is located at 6154 Highway 6 South, Missouri City, TX 77459 (Kroger Shopping Center at Highway and FM 1092); Phone (281) 969-8322. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Website www.zenmassageUSA.com.

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

FORT BEND

LEADERSHIP F O R U M

The Fort Bend Leadership Forum presents the opportunity to enhance your value personally, professionally and as a community stakeholder. This ten-month program, August through May, consists of monthly sessions and retreats covering a wide variety of topics. For more information visit FortBendChamber.com, or contact David Crowl at 281.491.2497 or david@fortbendcc.org.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! 44

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ May 2010

TODAY And receive the Business Journal in your mailbox for

ONLY 25 $

for 12 issues (1 year)

• DBA’s • Feature Stories • Special Features • Business Columns • Fort Bend Chamber Newsletter • Land Transactions • Building Permits Mail with your check payable to: Fort Bend Business Journal 4655 Techniplex Dr., Suite 300 • Stafford, TX 77477

Fort Bend/Katy

or charge my card $25 #____________________________________________________ exp:___________________________________ Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:_ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ State:______________________________________________________________________Zip:___________________________________ E-mail:________________________________________________________________________

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

cut here

Laser technology leads the way to healing By Sharon K. Wallingford

ur global world of technology expands daily. Since Albert Einstein exposed his theories in the 1910’s - nearly one hundred years ago - man has been able to use light to heal. Today the studies range from bone growth to wound healing. For Missouri City resident and Sugar Land businessman Mike Barbour and his invention and introduction of the ML830 laser it’s been a world wind lifestyle for nearly two decades. Along with its family of products, the laser can reduce inflammation, treat carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, muscle and joint pain and

Mike Barbour and his invention and introduction of the ML830 laser.

stiffness while improving nerve conduction. As president and founder of Microlight Corporation of America, Barbour states the world’s first FDA cleared 3-B cold laser is a handheld, non-invasive, low energy, therapeutic medical device. “There are over 30 years of clinical studies that proved the 830nm range is the optimal wave length. In cooperation with General Motors and several other clinical investigators throughout the United States, it was proved that the ML830 is an effective tool in the battle of pain.” Some, claims Barbour, affectionately refer to it as “the world’s most expensive flashlight.” “Today lasers are part of our everyday life: twenty-four hours, seven days a week,” says Barbour. “Lasers read the bar codes on products that we buy an industrial laser can cut steel like butter, surgical lasers can remove gallbladders non invasively, as well as, restore 20/20 vision to our eyes. My patented medical laser reduces swelling and pain without heating the skin.” “Military lasers can destroy a missile as it takes off,” he adds. “Smart bombs that are laser guided are used today in our air conflicts.” “The non-thermal laser is capable of penetrating deep into tissue, says Barbour. “Once delivered the light energy promotes the process of photobiostimulation and in turn human tissue receives an increase in the cellular metabolism rate that expedites cell repair and the stimulation of the immune, lymphatic and vascular systems. Clinical trials have shown the apparent reduction in pain, inflammation, edema and an overall reduction in healing time.” “In 1916 Albert Einstein conceived the concept but it took Bell Labs 40 years to use his equations and make the first laser,” recounts Barbour.  Today surveys are indicating that due to its safety, ease of use and beneficial results, a broad spectrum of practitioners, including chiropractors, physical therapists, medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, veterinarians, dentists, sports therapists, and massage therapists are using

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

the low level laser therapy in their practices.  The low level therapy works when lasers supply energy to the body in the form of photons of light. Laser output is measured by the wavelength of light emitted (in nanometers [nm]) and electrical power output (in milliwatts [mW]). “While recently attending the World Health Conference in Germany I saw the next generation of medical lasers from around the world,” says Barbour, explaining they include laser robots, laser scanning beds and fibers for non-invasive surgical use. “In Japan, laser therapy is considered a preferred medical practice.” Barbour predicts by 2016 medical lasers will treat brain stroke patients noninvasively and cancer treatments will use light sensitive drugs while lasers will be used to kill cancer cells. “By then my laser will be used to treat pain and swelling at home.”

Barbour points to his knees and admits he recently began to use his own laser at home prior to hitting the courts. “Tennis became a part of my life after my college football days at the University of Houston. I played in local tournaments until I turned 50 years old.” He then joined a local team and for the next 10 out of 13 years he and his team players repre-

“

Mike Barbour in the lecture room

Your laser is giving me my life back. I’m walking a mile a day and hopefully will get back to my jogging... Thanks again for the technology and your time. Sincerely, Chess Johns, M.D.

”

sented Texas at the USTA National Tournament Men’s 50’s doubles. “During that time the best we did was third place twice, always losing to the eventual winner. Today I play doubles every Saturday and Sunday at Sienna Plantation. Only now I play the Mens 60s doubles.  Last year at the State Tournament we were beat by Waco in a cliff hanger in the finals. However, we are ready to go all the way this year.”  His weekend partner is 78-year-old Sandy Levin, who is president of  Import Tra-ders, Inc. in Sugar Land. “We take the kids on and win more than we loose. Tennis is a game for life.”   Barbour divides his time between his office duties and as a guest speaker at medical meetings and schools.  The message is usually always the same:  “Laser Physics Safety and Tissue Interaction” and “FDA Claims and Labeling.”  “ My 10 years of experience with surgical lasers and my last 20 years in laser therapy has provided me a chance to observe how this miracle light interacts with our bodies.

“I love helping people to understand how this incredible light that God gave us works in medicine,” he says. His medical career began as a sales representative in 1969 selling operating room supplies. One of his mentors was his uncle Bill Schoelman. Since his father had died when he was 16 years old, he went to live with an older brother so he could complete high school. “It was my Uncle Bill who made sure I got a car, gasoline and that I had $5 in my pocket. We were life long buddies until his death in 2000.” Another is Hall of Fame College Football Coach Bill Yeoman. Barbour was All City Quarterback for Lamar High School in Houston in 1963 when Yeoman recruited him to play at the University of Houston. “He was different than the other coaches and talked about education, Christian values and family. I played all four years, graduated with honors, and began a career in the medical industry. We still meet once a month for breakfast.” By 1975, lasers began appearing in the operating room and he began to study their effects. “The laser idea was a result of research coming from Japan.  I spent two years studying their findings and brought Laser Therapy to America in 1990. After spending 12 years and $4 million dollars, I received the first FDA approval in the world.” At the first of the year, Barbour was guest speaker at the State Chiropractic Conference in Connecticut. In that same month he presented again at Physical Therapy confer-

ences in San Francisco. Next, it was to a group of  athletic trainers at their state meeting. He recently returned from the American Academy of Pain Management in Phoenix.   He claims to be an eternal optimist. “It is very clear to me that my life work is to get people access to this amazing instrument.” Today, he has sold some 3,000 lasers which have treated about four million people a year. “My goal is 100,000 lasers in the United States treating millions of people.” Following his belief in education, Barbour has donated more than 50 lasers to teaching institutions across America. “My goal is to get the next generation of clinicians involved early with lasers in medicine.” Barbour receives telephone calls from all over the world. Sometimes it’s a former polio patient, a pain management technician, an athletic director of a college or university, with each having their own special needs and dilemmas. One of Barbour’s ads asks:  “What do these NFL players have in common? Photos of 15 football players appear in action. The answer: The ML830 Cold Laser.” “My son works for another medical company in the medical field. My family is my core, without them, nothing matters. Barb, my wife, has been my rock for 37 years. My son, daughter-in-law, daughter and grandchildren are the center of my life.” “I have been blessed with people who share my vision.” For additional information visit www.ML830.com.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Traditional media not going away Why Radio, TV and Print Will Survive the Rise of the Internet By Marsha Friedman

ith over three decades of experience in marketing and PR, in the last few years I have been awed and excited by the new opportunities afforded by the Internet. The explosion of Internet applications, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, to name a few, has shifted and expanded the world of marketing and PR, and it will never be the same. But, don’t expect the traditional media— newspapers, radio and TV—to disappear any time soon. Those who predict the death of traditional media could not be more wrong! In truth, the only really successful marketing campaigns must now embrace ALL media avenues, both offline (traditional) and online. Irish playwright Eugene O’Neil once wrote, “There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again—now.” That is what is happening with radio and, in fact, with all other traditional media now being thrown into the dead pool because of the rise of the Internet. In fact, the death of radio has been predicted on numerous occasions with the advent of 8-track cartridges, MTV, satellite

broadcasting and the Internet…experts have claimed each would make radio obsolete or irrelevant. We once used radio for everything. Then came television, and it was predicted by “wellinformed people” that not only would radio die, but so would the movies! But radio and movies are still here. Instead of dying, radio evolved and found a new niche. It would never again be the center of our living rooms, where families would gather to be entertained and informed, but it would survive as a music medium. Today, radio is as strong as ever— and even with a huge growth in the talk radio landscape! And let’s talk about print. When the Seattle Post-Intelligencer scrapped its print edition in favor of an online-only version, people began predicting the same death of the print medium. But, in fact, the traditional print medium is thriving. Just as radio reinvented itself after the dawn of television, so has print in the age of the Internet. The print medium’s primary strength—beat reporters—still exists and their articles are printed in traditional publications AND are also posted on the Internet! And I suppose that’s my point. As market-

ing gurus talk up the importance of social media marketing, search engine optimization, strong Web sites, blogging and other Internet-centered activities, we can’t omit traditional media from our marketing and PR strategy. People still listen to radio. People still watch TV. People still read print publications (both offline AND online). They are STILL the media, and they are NOT on life support. Traditional media should still be the backbone of your efforts, but MUST be combined with online marketing and PR for maximum exposure. If you don’t cover all the bases, you will have missed the terrific cross-marketing opportunities enjoyed by savvy marketers who’ve embraced the synergy of a campaign that combines offline and online strategies! (Marsha Friedman is a 20-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. She also hosts a national weekly radio talk show, The Family Round Table, and is author of the book, Celebritize Yourself. marsha@ marshafriedman.com)

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

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

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. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;˘ Direct: 281-690-4200

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 March 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 March. There were also 98 Assumed Names without a notary fee. Rodriguez Mayra G A Stop Multiservices (+) 6006 Bellaire Blvd #111 77081

Bustoz Isidore Ministerios “Espada De Dios” 203 Fort Street 77469

Jackson Lekesha Another Level Hair Design 16106 Canaridge Dr 77053

Sword Of The Lord Ministries Inc Sword Of The Lord Ministries Inc 203 Fort Street 77469

Abraham Reggie Hja Consulting 3763 Heritage Colony Dr 77459

Ihaza Walleita (+) Walleita Ihaza Enterprise 7519 Summer Shore Dr 77469

Johnson Mack Qars4less P O Box 1255 77406

Hsu Anchi D Mcniksant 20430 Jade Park Dr 77407

Loflin Jeremy Richardson Ronald Strictly Blinds And Shutters Ambassador Air Conditioning 25639 Winford Estate Dr 77406 And Heating 4619 Hardwood Glen Dr 77545 Perro Doretta J&D Concessions Concepts Inc Farhan Durgham H 3210 Cherry Creek Dr 77406 Durgham Auto 3923 Stovepipe Lane 77479 Olson Bill G One More Time Ministries Martinez Elicio Sr (+) 1700 Rivercrest Dr #1002 77478 Affordable Landscaping 2723 Ave F 77471 Hurley Bernadette J Busy B Interests Denman Jonathon Edward 1650 Highway 6 Ste 350 77478 Wizz-Herb Inc 3530 Owens Rd 77469 Kellner Donald Kellner Farm And Ranch Terry Roosevelt Jr 1434 Ayler Rd 77464 Roet Tax Service 1638 Castle Creek Drive 77489 Matherne Michael Owen Mowen Enterprises Terry Roosevelt Jr 4771 Sweetwater Blvd #263 77479 Roet Enterprises 1638 Castle Creek Drive 77489 Ozomah Rita (+) Elize Group Sanders Gwendolyn (+) 15002 Turphen Way 77498 Jackson Haven 2118 Peachwood Drive 77489 George Stephen K&S Security Systems Matthews Kendrick Karl (+) 10731 Chevy Chase 77042 Family Development Kendrick Chef Manger Cook Paiz Ignacio R 2020 Rocky Falls 77469 Paiz Tehnology Consultants 1202 Gorona Blvd 77471 England Mark M & E Realty Investments Wexelberg Ashley C 2814 Lakeview Dr 77459 Poison Girl Productions 25718 Oakstone Park Dr 77406 Freund Paul (+) Paul Freund Farms Aguiniga Marez Jamie R (+) 7405 Schmidt Rd 77461 Jamie Ranae 4807 Highway Six #17 77459 Vu Hien K Wj Salon, Spa, Marez Aaron And Accessories Aspen Services 11660 Westheimer 3007 Deer Lodge 77459 #119A 77077

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

Sanchez Rose Mary Hidden Treasures In Earthen Vessels 610 Russeff Field Ct 77469

Higsco Inc. Higsco Outdoors 1860 Fm 359 #201 77406

Steen Lakisha Smiling Faces Registered Home Daycare 14407 Lone Willow Court 77489

Austin Jacqueline (+) Sassy Bean Boutique 5015 Diamond Springs 77459

Kemaya Investments Inc Kemaya Fashion 16305 Kensington Dr #120 77478

Mccann Leon Jr (+) Ldm Logistics & Courier Service 8407 Running Bird Ln 77489

Vanmar Inc Magical Moonwalks 2407 Hammerwood Dr 77489

Arnold Dustin D&L Designs 2113 Karle Rd 77471

Alkiswani Donna Donna’s Place 819 2Nd Street 77471

Whitehead Richard Ace Technologies 3014 Old South Dr 77406

Owolabi Abdulrahman (+) Destiny Village Child Care And Learnging Center 8234 Solara Bend 77083

Silva Norma (+) Little Heritage Cafe 27225 Southwest Freeway 77471

Newsome Mildred Caring Family Services 2523 Doverglen Dr 77489 Atri Amaresh (+) Weconsultantandmarket.Com 9119 Highway 6 Ste 230 #100 77459

Ogunola Tunde Loly Motors Sonics Autos 1911 Westmead Dr #3008 77077

Jones-Haskins Nicole (+) Best Education Practices 3206 Farrel Hill 77545

Johnson Thomasine The Gift Of Design Community Development Corp (+) 3318 Breckinridge Ln 77459

Eckhart Penny Lee Leah Eckhart Design 18 Pecan George Ct 77479

Budget Construction Services Inc Budget Construction Services 12999 Murphy Rd Ste N-10 77477

Potter Nancy E The Nancy Potter Companies (+) 2800 Pecan Point Dr 77478

Cazenave Ramona Absolutely Organic 6321 Fm 1489 77476

Florence Louise G La Florencia Boutique 15219 Black Falls Lane 77498

Jumili Noelle Fort Bend Prominent’s Volleyball Club P O Box 2031 77497-903

Shakoor Omar Mehran Motors 10500 Fountain Lake Dr #814 77477

Williams Steven B Katy Water Heaters 13819 Greenway 77498

Gagnier Mark P (+) Lett’s Bounce Inflatables 2011 Spice Trail Ct 77494

Burns Don Don Burns Management 3834 Stockbridge Dr 77479

Evans Kristi Lynn R.S.V.P 6703 Grant Dr 77469

Parr Brent Texas Power Wash 303 Rude St 77471

Alkiswani Donna Dining With Donna 819 2Nd Street 77471

Young Joann (+) House Of Prayer Ministries P O Box 61 77492

Hoang Tu Thanh 90 Check Cashed 4133-D South Main St 77477

Hoang Kieuhanh T (+) Evergreen Valencia Lawn Ser 4133 - C South Main 77477

Vo Loc Thanh (+) Kt Washateria 3835 Mngum 77092

Hoang Kienhanh T (+) 90 Food Store 4133-A South Main St 77477

Jeffrey Cherrylann Cejey Foods 1919 Blossom Breeze Ln 77469

Cazenave Ramona Absolutely Organic Farm 6321 Fm 1489 77476

Sergant Andrea And This Too Home Health 16111 Purpleridge Ct 77053 Jackson Nehemiah Sqft Interiors 8207 Rustic Falls 77083 Jackson Nehemiah Hands Over Houston 8207 Rustic Falls 77083 Wallace Bret R Brw Mobility 1620 Fm 2218 77469 Victorian Venessa L (+) The Covenant Chateau (+) 1810 Quail Grove Lane 77459 Bullard Jacob (+) We Flyer 14030 Clear Forest 77498 Power Safeguard Inc Safeguard Power Solutions 2523 Williams Grant 77479 Shead Cory Slc Landscaping And Lawn Care 2602 Glen Lakes 77459

Data Beat DBA (Assumed Names)

(+) = More Names

Ayim Tabitha Enih Fancy Homes Connection 9702 Queensbridge 77498

Oni Olaniran Holiness & Brothers E M S 16818 Cheshire Place Dr 77083

Marre Ndeye Penda La Casserole Du Chef 7506 Northfork Hollow Ln 77407

Hertel Nichole Ndt Educational Services 2114 Meadow Park Circle 77459

Khan Nadia Sidron 4110 Lilac Ct 77477

Mireles Deepa (+) Dawn & Deepa 5422 Faircreek Ln 77450

Gonzales Jesus Aqua Plus Pool Service 4635 Richmond Foster Rd 77406

Clemons Latosha Delightful Designs 17042 Quail Park Dr 77489

Williams Alton Asw Sports (+) 10406 Permian Dr 77498

Shook H Michael (+) Infinity Mfg. 5750 Fm 360 77461

Sampson Ykesha Sampson Management 723 Shenandoah Falls Ln 77469

Saunders Omar German Auto Service 10111 Belknap Road 77478

Drungle Peter Dra 32918 Welton Ct 77441

Munoz Eduardo Vivir Mejor 1343 Edenderry Ln 77459

Petrosky Billie J Hotstick Welding Svs. 206 South Missorri Dr 77464

Mckinney Wanda D 1St Impressions 15818 Danford Dr 77053

Ardoin Cherise Exponential Concepts Consulting & Marketing 2322 Waterwood Dr 77479

Uba Peter I (+) Globalone Marekting & Investment 7419 S Kirkwood Rd 77072

King Juliana Optimum National Rehabilitation Services And Care 7211 Regency Square 77027

Vilchez Haydee J (+) Me Lo Traigo 26906 Kingston Glen Ln 77494

Moore Mace Lee Macica Po Box 18195 77496 Churchman Desiree R Ladies Of Power Women’s Ministry 7311 San Pablo Dr 77083

Beauty Of Holiness Celebration Ministries Worldwide Inc Shalon Pastoral Care Services & Clinical Counseling Practice & Services 7211 Regency Square 77027 Bailey Kenneth R (+) Bailey’s Consulting Service 15015 W Airport Blvd #514

Significant Land Transactions Some significant land transactions in Fort Bend during the month of March 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

First Presbyterian Church Sugar Land City Of 4.501 Ac A15 Sugar Land Texas Marhaba Partners Missouri City City Of 4.33 Ac A77 Limited Partnership (+) Abusally Thasin Fort Bend County Water Control Part 0.0629 Ac And Improvement District No Thomas Earl William Iii Trustee (+) North Fort Bend Water Authority Part 0.2034 Ac Kolla Premchand (+) North Fort Bend Water Authority Part 0.0275 Ac Jyw Llc North Fort Bend Water Authority 0.2386 Ac A402 Martinez Frank G North Fort Bend Water Authority Part 0.0375 Ac Highsky Investments Inc North Fort Bend Water Authority 0.3227 Ac A9 Et Clc Investment Inc Fort Bend County Of 0.0055 Ac A623 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal 0.3239 Ac A598 Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal 0.0663 Ac Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal 0.0057 Ac Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Hw 6 2 J V (+) Smbc Leasing And Finance Inc Part 1.1557 Ac Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Public Part 0.0796 Ac Southwest L P (+) Riddle Holdings Ltd (+) Grand Lakes Municipal Part 0.1943 Ac Utility District No 1 Buvinghausen Keith L (+) Buvinghausen Keith L (+) Part 0.5170 Ac Dhuet Anna Johnston (+) Skinner Ridge Lane Homesites Part 0.0922 Ac Property Owners Association (+) Oakley Michael L (+) Oakley Terra M Trustee (+) Part 0.3294 Ac Jhuet Anna Johnston (+) Oakley Terra M Trustee (+) Part 0.0922 Ac Sugar Land Ranch Evelopment Llc (+) Sugar Land Ranch Evelopment Llc (+) Part 3.9582 Ac Landmark Industries S G Partners Lp (+) Part 160.000 Ac Development Ltd (+) Ann Arundel Farms Ltd (+) Centerpoint Energy Part 562.418 Ac Houston Electric Llc

SELLER

BUYER

Kovar Silvian S Centerpoint Energy Houston Electric Llc Wendel Joyce Marie Centerpoint Energy Houston Electric Llc Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Mud 3 Southwest Lp (+) Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Mud 3 Southwest Lp (+) Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Mud 1 Southwest Lp (+) Oso Investments Ltd (+) Rosenberg City Of 30 Rose Lp (+) 30 Rose Lp (+) 30 Rose Lp (+) Rosenberg City Of 30 Rose Lp (+) Oso Investments Ltd Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 3 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 3 Terrabrook Cinco Ranch Cinco Southwest Municipal Southwest Lp (+) Utility District No 1 Centex Homes (+) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 185 Centex Homes (+) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 185 Centex Homes (+) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 185 Centex Homes (+) Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No 185 Cardiff Ranch L P (+) Public

ACRES Part 38.348 Ac Part 38.967 Ac 0.0378 Ac 598 0.0023 Ac A598 0.0372 Ac A409 0.2200 Ac A598 0.0321 Ac A598 Part 0.0901 Ac 28.803 Ac 0.1221 Ac A349 0.2423 Ac A349 0.0550 Ac 0.8092 Ac A598 3.373 Ac 0.2694 Ac 0.0068 Ac 0.0113 Ac 0.0231 Ac Part 0.313 Ac

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

Data Beat

APRIL 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 monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

15,380.82 4,830.20 21,836.93 1,223.35 71,819.87 405,116.48 23,968.03 2,209.69 15,112.24 262,112.31 775,968.36 4,435.68 854,871.71 2,568,983.67 2,405.38

21,072.19 5,050.64 21,721.16 1,168.71 74,573.64 427,634.84 28,187.71 3,256.77 3,381.08 302,061.89 726,618.27 3,973.74 963,769.72 2,664,169.10 0.00

-27.00% -4.36% 0.53% 4.67% -3.69% -5.26% -14.96% -32.15% 346.96% -13.22% 6.79% 11.62% -11.29% -3.57% U/C

76,883.69 23,078.99 109,089.45 5,299.41 310,670.55 1,893,302.50 104,653.30 13,772.54 37,219.30 1,294,538.35 3,453,754.00 26,184.45 4,017,834.11 12,842,966.64 12,318.19

132,774.94 23,085.12 119,073.50 5,384.10 361,240.54 2,018,047.67 137,099.52 15,225.85 13,457.86 1,428,137.79 3,594,073.34 16,043.09 4,988,828.36 13,641,231.34 5,341.51

-42.09% -0.02% -8.38% -1.57% -13.99% -6.18% -23.66% -9.54% 176.56% -9.35% -3.90% 63.21% -19.46% -5.85% 130.61%

County Total

5,030,274.72

5,246,639.46

-4.12%

24,221,565.47

26,499,044.53

-8.59%

Top 20 City Sales and Use Tax Comparison Summary - APRIL 2010 Please note that Sugar Land is 15th in sales tax revenues in the state. City

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

Net Payment This Period

Comp Payment Prior Year

32,360,773.27 14,394,282.72 13,768,980.09 9,768,310.31 6,686,134.29 5,552,593.00 5,031,520.36 4,192,692.37 3,924,481.33 3,885,200.51 4,574,842.13 3,970,751.16 3,480,682.30 2,779,951.69 2,568,983.67 2,533,576.59 2,394,554.39 2,438,005.80 2,372,931.06 2,557,461.81

35,118,306.08 14,604,260.21 14,399,922.74 9,255,611.17 6,935,776.28 5,465,008.49 4,605,074.99 4,179,885.87 3,846,899.61 3,793,997.60 4,628,344.85 3,991,622.33 3,669,031.20 3,475,289.93 2,664,169.10 2,466,829.66 2,640,544.57 2,685,920.77 2,152,988.93 2,562,416.29

Fort Bend Business Journal â&#x20AC;˘ May 2010

% Change To Date

2009 Payments To Date

-7.85% 152,782,902.49 -1.43% 66,620,937.74 -4.38% 66,164,453.71 5.53% 45,042,212.52 -3.59% 31,686,670.25 1.60% 26,208,733.53 9.26% 22,673,351.27 0.30% 20,409,918.53 2.01% 19,532,692.35 2.40% 19,166,936.07 -1.15% 18,334,710.21 -0.52% 18,188,142.24 -5.13% 16,106,437.21 -20.00% 14,008,672.22 -3.57% 12,842,966.64 2.70% 12,832,980.34 -9.31% 11,268,290.50 -9.23% 11,226,777.16 10.21% 11,066,749.82 -0.19% 11,028,456.30

2008 Payments Change

Percent

175,102,154.76 67,977,731.20 71,400,595.52 43,386,553.39 32,870,256.50 25,842,858.43 21,934,896.63 19,844,002.76 19,675,200.37 19,149,559.43 20,639,483.30 19,159,122.32 16,509,249.32 15,306,840.62 13,641,231.34 12,743,332.70 12,128,916.16 11,541,002.67 10,806,778.24 12,880,255.13

-12.74% -1.99% -7.33% 3.81% -3.60% 1.41% 3.36% 2.85% -0.72% 0.09% -11.16% -5.06% -2.43% -8.48% -5.85% 0.70% -7.09% -2.72% 2.40% -14.37%

Data Beat

Commercial Building Permits

Some significant building permits in cities in Fort Bend during the month of March ADDRESS

TYPE OF PERMIT

VALUE

OWNER/CONTRACTOR

MISSOURI CITY 6215 Hwy 6 Res D

Commercial New

$750,000

Lowe’s Home Centers Inc/B & C Constructors, LP

11507 D Garden St

Commercial New

$425,000

Ruppel Million/Owner

10050 Hwy 6 Hwy

Commercial New

$900,000

Sergie Assad Aly Stal/Embree Group

811 Willow Oak Dr

Commercial New

$3,500,000

Rosenburg Construction

5719 Hwy 6 Reses

Commercial New

$2,000,850

Texla Hotels LLC/Design Build Contractors, Inc

20313 University Blvd

Commercial New

$3,650,000

Lake Superior Contractors Inc

8820 Hwy 6 Res F

Commercial New

$900,000

Hwy 6/Sienna Parkway LTD / Atkinson & Associates Builders

13330 S Gessner Rd

Commercial Lease New

$127,400

Fort Bend Corps

8800 Hwy 6 150 Res B

Commercial Lease New

$90,000

Hwy 6/Sienna Parkway LTD / Roy & Associate

2755 Texas Pkwy 104

Commercial Lease New

$170,000

Centra Properties LLC/HM General Contractors

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

03/01/10-03/31/10

$12,583,500

4100 Avenue N

Commercial Building

$155,724

Second Baptist Church/Tilson Home Corporation

23871 Brazos Town Crossing

Commercial Building

$390,000

A-S 92 Hwy 59-Readng Rd, LP

24701 Southwest Fwy #500

Commercial Building

$37,200

2726 Mercantile Dr #302

Commercial Building

$193,415

1708 1st St

Commercial Building

$45,000

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

03/01/10-03/31/10

$970,977

4400 Palm Royale Blvd

Commercial Remodel

$587,995

13745 Southwest Fwy Ste C

Commercial Buildout

$41,500

15810 Southwest Fwy Ste 300

Commercial Buildout

$122,000

1327 Lake Pointe Pkwy Ste 308

Commercial Buildout

$89,382

2250 Lone Star Dr

Commercial Buildout

$132,928

Town Center Lakeside, LTD/Apollo Construction

16655 Southwest Fwy 1st Floor

Commercial Remodel

$192,506

TMH Medical Office Buildings/H & G Builders

12610 W Airport Blcd Ste 150

Commercial Remodel

$141,445

Cobalt Industrial Reit II/BFJ Construction Inc

4690 Sweetwater Blvd Ste 290

Commercial Buildout

$114,836

Curtics Commercial Real Estate/Crossmark Devvel & Constr LLC

16535 Southwest Fwy Ste 400

Commercial Remodel

$44,000

4302 Scenic Rivers Dr

Commercial Addition

$290,698

COSL Recycle Center/C F McDonald Electric Inc (GC)

810 Industrial Blvd

Commercial Building

$301,907

Texas Precision Metalcraft, Inc/Sundance Construction Co (GC)

15400 Southwest Fwy Ste 100

Commercial Remodel

$160,162

HTA Sugar Land, LLC/Spawmaxwell Company, LP

15605 Southwest Fwy Ste 450

Commercial Buildout

$223,142

Methodist Hospital/South Coast Construction, Inc

15605 Southwest Fwy Ste 400

Commercial Buildout

$407,414

Methodist Hospital/Spawmaxwell Company, LP

1601 Industrial Blvd

Commercial Remodel

$320,000

Geka Properties, LP/O’Donnel/Snider Construction

13135 Dairy Ashford Rd Ste 300

Commercial Remodel

$350,000

GPI-M Sugar Creek, LP/O’Donnel/Snider Construction

One Floor Daniel Dr Bldg A

Commercial Remodel

$548,720

Lakepointe Assets, LLC/Mahaca Construction

Grand Total Valuation (Commercial & Residential)

03/01/10-03/31/10

$22,943,241

ROSENBERG

Pelts Construction Co Brazos Contractors Thiele James D & Betty J/HM General Contractors

SUGAR LAND NSG Sweetwater IV LP/Copper-River Construction Group Sugar Creek Village, LP/United Equities, Inc Lake Pointe Town Center, LTD/Textron Construction Company Trademark Construction & Remod

First Colony Mall, LLC/Southwestern Services

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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.

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.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

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.

12 MONTHS LISTING FOR ONLY $300

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

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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.

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 • May 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 - May 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.

Help people find your business here!

List your business in the Fort Bend/Katy Business Journal’s SERVICE DIRECTORY for only $300 for the whole year. To Advertise Call 281-690-4200 May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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

Red Light Cams random taxation? By Elsa Maxey

ugar Land resident Helwig F. Van Der Grinten, founder of Houston Coalition Against Red Light Cameras, has two proposals for the red light camera operations in the city. He sent a letter to Mayor James Thompson last week and as one of those proposals, he suggests that a full second be added to the TxDOT specified minimum legal yellow light change interval at every red light camera enforced traffic light. There are eight intersections in Sugar Land with red light cameras. Mayor Thompson says the City has met with and worked with Van Der Grinten on several issues over the last three years about the red light enforcement program and most recently, he said that Van Der Grinten’s comments were shared with the city traffic engineer for assessment. The city reports that it checked the timing of red and yellow lights at each intersection for meeting or exceeding optimal safety standards prior to the installation of the first camera. It also reports that yellow times at signals are determined based on posted speed limit, deceleration rates of vehicles, road grade, and motorist perception-reaction time.

The yellow lights in Sugar Land are within the 3 to 6 second range recommended by Texas Manual of Traffic Control Devices, said Mayor Thompson, “with longer internals reserved for use on approaches with higher speeds.” Van Der Grinten’s second proposal is for yield sign placement at red light camera locations to eliminate the full stop required of vehicles turning right on red. Four of the eight locations, he said, would benefit from this change noting that all eight of them would benefit from having the full second added to the yellow light. “State law requires vehicles to make a complete stop at red lights,” states Mayor Thompson. “There’s no such thing as a rolling stop.” He adds that Sugar Land believes a complete stop at red lights ensures intersections are as safe as possible for motorists. “Allowing vehicles to roll through red lights not only places motorists at risk, but also the many pedestrians” who use crosswalks, he adds. According to Van Der Grinten, it is clear that Houston’s red-light camera program unfairly punishes drivers who encounter a red-light camera at an unfamiliar location and he also feels the same way about those in Sugar Land. He says drivers frequently make the wrong stopor-go decision when the light turns amber,

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

and their wrong guess either costs them $75 or increases their risk of being rearended. Because of that, he wants corrective action. He said he checked the timing of yellow light changes at all eight photo enforced traffic lights and found one of them to be incorrectly timed. “It has a short yellow,” he said of the one on West Airport going west bound at Eldridge Road. “That light has a deficiency of nearly half a second, actually 0.4 seconds,” which was checked with a stop watch “to verify the time the city says.” He says it is 3.5 seconds and should be 3.9 seconds at the intersection of the 40 mph road. “I proposed that all fines paid for violations of that light of less than .04 seconds be refunded.” Van Der Grinten said that the red light camera is clearly not legally functioning, according to requirements of state law. He maintains that red light cameras unfairly punish the driver. “Red light cameras used now are little more than a means of raising revenue and amount to taxation by method of random selection,” Mayor Thompson said he welcomes Van Der Grinten’s input and appreciates the dialogue that has been established between him and the city’s professional staff.

Missouri City among first in Texas to receive stimulus funds for Traffic Signal Project By Elsa Maxey

arlier this year, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced the selection of 15 cities and one county to receive $6 million in federal stimulus grants for traffic signal projects in Texas. Missouri City in Fort Bend County was among this first set of entities and the only one in the county that was awarded the funds. It reports that overall, it has received $7,006, 965 in stimulus funds from various federal agencies. “In this challenging economic climate, Missouri City is grateful to have received a significant share of stimulus monSusan Combs ies, which have gone Texas Comptroller toward funding critical transportation and public safety projects to help improve the overall quality of life for our citizens,” said City Manager Frank Simpson. For the traffic signal project, Missouri City was granted $166,880 that will be used for Texas Parkway corridor signalization improvements. This traffic signal program for cities, counties and state entities involves the synchronization of traffic signals through the installation, updating and/or maintenance of traffic synchronization technologies and/or the replacement of traffic signal lights with LEDs (light-emitting diodes). The types of projects funded include signal retiming, replacement of LEDs in old units, purchasing new signals, replacement of existing traffic signal control hardware and accommodating enhanced signal operations, and monitoring new signal

timings to ensure the synchronization plan is working correctly. The following entities including Missouri City received these federal stimulus grants: Bedford, $1,856,000; Fort Worth, $750,000; Grand Prairie, $419,900; Allen, $392,500; Bryan, $373,866; North Richland Hills, $362,500; Cedar Hill, $308,688; Grapevine, $308,000; Killeen, $270,080; Beaumont, $251,590; Montgomery County, $191,195; Missouri City, $166,880; Frisco, $134,400; Brownsville, $100,000; Cedar Park, $86,400; and Waco, $28,000. The stimulus grants are being administered by the Comptroller’s State Energy Conservation Frank Simpson Office as part of City Manager the Transportation Efficiency Program. “These grants will be used for projects that will benefit residents in several ways,” said Combs. “All the entities plan to use the funds to either create or upgrade systems to synchronize traffic lights along well travelled roads. Timing green lights will lead to better traffic flow, helping drivers save time on their commutes, and it will also help air quality by reducing emissions from cars idling too long at stop lights.” Missouri City also reports stimulus monies which have been used for the following projects: Intelligent Transportation System — $3,450,000 (The system will include installation of a Wi-Fi system to allow remote communication with traffic signals, a traffic management center, the design of a Web page for real-time traffic informa-

tion and improved pedestrian signals. The project will be implemented on major thoroughfares, including the gateway corridors of Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road, State Highway 6 and Murphy Road.) Intersection Improvements — $2,701,000 (Traffic signal upgrades, additional turning lanes and pedestrian enhancements are planned for the following intersections: Highway 6 at Glenn Lakes; Highway 6 at Murphy Road; Murphy Road at Cartwright Road; Murphy Road at Lexington Boulevard). • Justice Assistance Grant for Transport Vehicle—Tri City Regional SWAT Team— $54,185 • Development of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (Streets)— $15,290 • A/C Replacement Program for City facilities— $373,350 • Building Lighting Efficiency Improvements for City facilities— $39,860 Retrofit Traffic Signal/Street Lights w/ high-efficiency LEDS— $206,400 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama. The stated purposes of the Act are: • To preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery. • To assist those most impacted by the recession. • To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health. • To invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits. • To stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

HCC & Fort Bend County open Sienna library

new state-of-the-art library, a joint project between Houston Community College Southwest and Fort Bend County opened its doors in April with a grand-opening ceremony. Keynote speaker for the ceremony is Olympic Champion Mark Lopez. Lopez was a part of sports history when he won the 2005 World Taekwondo Championships in the featherweight division, as his brother, Steven, and sister, Diana, also captured world titles at the same event, making them the first trio of siblings to win world championships in the same sport in the same year “The new Sienna library is equipped with the latest library technology and it is very family friendly,” says Dennis Klappersack, HCC Southwest Library Chair. “Families and college students will be able to do so much in the new Sienna Library, from story-time for toddlers, to college courses for the students.” The almost 45,000 square foot two-story building is the second largest library in the county and sits on a 4.5 acre site next to the HCC Missouri City Campus. The HCC Missouri City Campus now has close to 1300 students, a growth of 50% since opening in September 2008. Hours of operation for the new Sienna Branch library will be Mondays through Thursdays, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Fridays

Now open! Sienna library located on the HCC Missouri City campus recently celebrated their grand opening. Olympian and Taekwondo World Champion Mark Lopez was on hand to “kick” off the festivities. A large turnout of supporters enjoyed touring the library and checking out books!

7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be closed on Sundays. For more information on the grand opening ceremony contact Martha Barrera at 713.254.6074.

Clink, clank, crumple, beep. beep. beep at old Sugar Factory By Elsa Maxey

nyone notice what’s been happening these days at the old Imperial Sugar Factory on U.S. 90A? The historic preservation effort has begun development that can now be seen. When extensive clean-up is all over and done with…in about a year, in addition to the redeveloped site showcasing historic preservation, development calls for the adjacent area— formerly State prison farm property to include “almost 300 acres of open space, lakes, greenbelts and parks,” said Jim Callaway, Executive Director of Community Development with the City of Sugar Land. “What we’re now seeing is demolition starting to take place as the first phase of a demolition and clean up that will be moving from east to west,” he said. The new development will also have a maximum of 870 residential lots for homes, and office and commercial areas as part of

what is termed a vibrant project for the community. As for the progression of the demolition and site clearance of the Imperial Redevelopment Project, Callaway says its start is on the eastern portions of the former Imperial Sugar property and subsequent phases will progress in a westerly direction.

Bulldozer cranes have been spotted at the old Imperial Sugar factory clearing up debris from demolition work underway. Historic preservation, 300 acres of open space, residential lots, and office and commercial areas will be coming to this historic, geographic origin of Sugar Land.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

The Imperial Redevelopment project is Sugar Land’s public-private partnership with Cherokee Investments, Texas General Land Office, and Imperial Sugar Company. Houston-based Johnson Development, development partner for the project, held an Imperial Redevelopment Update meeting open to the public last month at the Sugar Land Community Center to provide information about the demolition. Several historic structures will be retained and preserved in accordance with a Redevelopment Agreement between Sugar Land and the developer, said Callaway. These include the Char House, Three-bay Warehouse and Water Tower. “The developer is evaluating other structures for possible re-use,” he said about the other buildings at the old sugar factory. In guiding the redevelopment effort, Callaway says the city is working with the developer to correct issues on the property, and when it is finished “it will be attractive to a lot of people and a quality project that will make our community proud.”

FOOD REVIEW: OUTBACK

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

Outback Steakhouse is an Australian steakhouse restaurant. Although beef and steak items make up a good portion of the menu, the concept offers a variety of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes. The Company’s strategy is to differentiate its restaurants by emphasizing consistently high-quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the Australian Outback.The restaurant offers a blend of South American cuisine with a touch of Italian. Outback Steakhouse - 15253 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, TX (Off Highway 59 & Williams Trace Exit) Parking - parking lot What to Wear - business to casual Reservations - available but not required Seating - 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

GUIDE

Special Section

ining/Hotel & Restaurant

Fort Bend/Katy

uide

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

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. 281-4949087. 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 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-Can-Eat 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 11am9pm, 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 Mayor Lee Brown for many years. Whole Cornish Hens are available on Sundays. Breakfast served TuesdaySaturday 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 281-238-9300 www.karlsrb.com Read our reviews at www.b4-ueat.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. 281-2403060. $ • FB Lupitas Mexican Restaurant • Jaime and Lupe Garcia have lived in Fort Bend for 36 years.

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

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 281498-6790 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 281325-0071 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. 281-3449393. $ 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: 281313-2305. 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. 11am-9pm. Dine-In or Drive-Thru. 505 Murphy Rd (FM 1092) just south of Hwy 90 in Stafford, 281-403-FAST (3278). $

Sugar Land 15253 S.W. Freeway 281-980-4329 (Off Hwy 59, Williams Trace Exit) Proprietor: Anthony Antonidis

May 2010 • Fort Bend Business Journal

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

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. 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. Enjoy shuffleboard, billiards, Buck Hunter, and Golden Tee games, or kick up your heels and dance with live bands

performing every Friday and Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.. Pete & Shorty’s also offers an outdoor patio for those who smoke or enjoy dining under the stars, munching on delicious Shorty Burgers, a Juicy Lucy Burger, or maybe a King-sized King Tenderloin. 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

Fort Bend Business Journal • May 2010

call brands, and $5 for premium brand liquors. This unassuming, little neighborhood hangout brings a note of grace and comfort to an otherwise crowded field of loud, lookat-me restaurant options. Maybe 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.

Reach local buyers with Search Engine Marketing available from your Local Newspaper!!! plus 26 other search engines If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking about getting more business from local online searches, call the Fort Bend Star. We are the local marketing experts - online as well as in print. Since LOCAL searches on the top national search engines out number searches in yellow page directories, you need your business to get your share of these LOCAL business category searches.

281-690-4221

Email: Michael@FortBendStar.com

OakBend WILLIAMS WAY CAMPUS Women’s Services

OakBend Medical Center is proud to provide a full spectrum of women’s services including:

• Level II Nursery with 24-hr physician coverage • Childbirth Classes and Breastfeeding Support • Winner of the Texas Ten Step Program Award • Mammography, Ultrasound and Breast Specific Gamma Imaging

• Comprehensive Gynecology Surgical Services • Stereotactic Biopsy Services • Bone Density Screening Award-Winning Care OakBend Medical Center 22003 Southwest Freeway Richmond, TX 77469 (at US Hwy 59 & Williams Way Blvd.) Phone: (281) 341-2000