February 2023 - Fort Bend Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings

COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Treated in Sugar Land

At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide personalized comprehensive care — close to home.

Our team of physicians treats a variety of conditions, including: • Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders • Aneurysms • Brain tumors • Multiple sclerosis • Neuropathy

• Parkinson’s disease and tremors • Sleep disorders • Spinal disorders • Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)

To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979.

LOVE AROUND THE BEND

It’s that time of year again when Cupid’s arrow is targeting love. Love stories are our favorites, so we asked a few Fort Bend friends about their true love tales just in time for Valentine’s Day.

14 SHOW YOUR LOVE WITH A NATURALLY SWEET, DELICIOUS GIFT

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, saying “I love you” to a faraway relative or offering a kind gesture to a friend or neighbor, sending a gift is a thoughtful way to share your appreciation.

FORT BEND STRONG Sugar Land Has No Equal!

Rita and Paul Cinquemani.

Welcome to the absolute best month of the year – the month that features my three favorite C’s: chocolate, cabernet and champagne! Well, I really love diamonds in February, too, and that word doesn’t begin with a C. Hopefully Mr. Kaminski doesn’t get that confused with another C word – crystals – because then he might not love the month of love very much!

Since it is the month of love, this issue is all about amor starting with our cover story. We reached out and asked some Fort Bend friends how they met their sweethearts and shared their true love tales.

Though I love chocolate and wine –especially this month – I’ve never been one to enjoy them together. I know, I’m not the norm on that one, or so I thought until I read Jeff’s column this month. In Will You Be My Wine for Valentine’s, the Drunken Cyclist shares that wine and chocolate aren’t really his favorite combination either, but he spotlights some amazing wine and bubbles perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration. I’ve circled three to help Mr. Kaminski out. I like to help.

The Cast Theatrical Company, sporting a new logo for 2023, has a new show just in time for Valentine’s Day. Waiting for MacArthur is an emotionally touching WWII war story told from the perspective of an Army nurse. Mr. Kaminski and I have been to several Cast Theatrical performances at the Historic Downtown Rosenberg theatre and thoroughly enjoy this community company. They never disappoint. It’s perfect for a romantic night out on the town.

If you’re looking to stay in and make an amazing meal for your sweetheart, we’ve got you covered there as well with some great recipes to show your love on page 14.

No matter what you do this Valentine’s Day, enjoy your time with your special someone. As more Februarys pass, I appreciate more and more my favorite quote about love by William Shakespeare. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind. And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

Happy Valentine’s Day! Stay focused – on love!

Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Launches National Civics Bee

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the launch of the 2023 National Civics Bee, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Fort Bend County will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community and to build greater trust in others and institutions.

Middle school students from public, private, charter and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel reviews the 500word essays, the top 20 students will be selected to move on to the final round of competition: a live quiz event to test their civics knowledge. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce will host this event in April 2023 and more information including location will be announced soon. The finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including $500 cash for the firstplace student.

Fort Bend Chamber President and CEO Keri Schmidt stated, “Preparing our students for a life as an informed citizen is crucial for our future. We have to know where we’ve been and why our country’s principles were formed to continue to prosper and grow.”

The deadline for student essay submissions is February 24th, 2023. For more information on the essay topic, competition rules and prizes, and to submit your essay, visit: https:// fortbendchamber.com/national-civics-bee/

By Patti Parish-Kaminski

Love Around the Bend

Valentine’s Day is associated with romance and love, but the origin of the day celebrating sweethearts is anything but sweet. There are several legends shrouded with mystery and martyrs, but the one I choose to wrap up in a pretty red bow, embellish and share goes something like this:

Legend has it that an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting after he fell in love with his jailor’s daughter who visited him during his unfortunate incarceration. Why he was imprisoned is unclear, but I feel certain he was falsely accused and unjustly held, because why else would the fair young maiden fall in love with him?

I digress. Before his untimely demise, he wrote a letter to his beloved actually signed, “From your Valentine,” which, of course, was his name, but now is an expression of undying love and devotion that is still used today on the annual holiday devoted to one’s beloved.

Saint Valentine was dubbed a martyr, and the rest, as they say, is history. This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate romance by sharing the historic love stories of some of our friends and neighbors. Love is in the air Fort Bend – let’s spread some love!

Cinquemani

Wemet at a Christian singles dinner and dance 23 years ago, and we have been dancing through life ever since! We enjoy sharing our interests with our families and friends and making the most out of every day the Lord blesses us with living!

Rita and Paul

Sharon and Stewart Jacobson

Mywife and I are both from Chicago, but we met at The University of Texas. I was in law school, and Sharon was getting her masters. To pay my way through law school, I was the RA in the grad student dorm. It was my job to make sure she wasn’t lonely. I excelled.

Dave and Joan Rosenthal

Wemet in 1992 and got married in May 1994. Dave and I met at a popular restaurant in the Galleria area. I was there with my friend, and he walked in with his friend. Everyone knew each other except for Dave and I. We got introduced and talked for quite a while that night. We ended up going out that weekend, and the rest is history!

Dave got transferred to Louisiana soon after we met, but we kept up a long-distance relationship. He came to Houston to visit me quite often. I ended up moving there before our wedding. We love to do adventurous things and love to travel. One of our first dates was rollerblading at Memorial Park. When we travel, we love to hike, go boating and horseback riding, etc.

My Boo is very romantic! He gives me cards on all occasions and loves surprising me with flowers and presents. Our 29th anniversary is in May this year. I can’t wait to experience all of the wonderful adventures in the years to come.

Kevin Barker and Jeanne Wallace

Kevin and I met while working at the same agency in a small town in South Texas. We both conducted trainings at our office headquarters on the same day. My training was before Kevin’s. He had a friend of his hand me an anonymous Valentine card. I had no idea who he was. We finally met in person at my office in Kingsville a few days later. We dated for several years before getting married. It has been a great marriage, and we couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. I still have that special Valentine card.

Schmidt and Keri Curtis Schmidt

met in first grade, but I don’t have a yearbook that goes back that far.

Shane Jensen and Kelley Sweet Jensen

How did I meet my husband!?! 1984 – Footloose, Festival 6 Theater in Northwest Houston. I was a hyper 14-year-old! My big sister’s cool friend had a real live boyfriend, so we got accompany them to the movies. I was the dorky little sister who got to tag along. Then...there he was! Handsome! Tall! Brooding and quiet having zero interest in chaperoning his buddy and this gaggle of girls. I could not stop staring at him, leaning forward in the seat during the movie to peek at him. Subtle, right!? What a dork!

It wasn’t until two years later when that same handsome man walked into the church daycare where I was volunteering. No way! I was now a very cool, (or at least less dorky 16-year-old) and I recognized him right away. Certain he had no idea who I was as he dropped his younger siblings off for his mom. How to reach him!?!?! Ah ha! I put a note in the kid’s lunchboxes. “Hi, my name is Kelley Sweet. If you ever need a babysitter, call 462-9074.” God was smiling on me, because Shane’s mom called the next Friday and not only asked me to babysit, but would my mom be okay with her son picking me up and bringing me home? Boy was she!

And the rest, however convoluted and round about it may be, is history!

Paul

Missouri City Branch Library Hosts Kizomba Dance Class

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Missouri City Branch Library will have an introductory “Kizomba Dance for Beginners” 2-part class on Wednesdays, February 1st and 8th, from 7 to 8 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway.

Kizomba music originated in Angola, a coastal South African nation whose culture was influenced by Portuguese colonials. The music and dance are derived from semba, a kind of mixture of Angolan Merengue and the tribal Kilapanda dance.

Kizomba is a couple’s dance; the goal is to synchronize perfectly as a couple with the music and express it through elegant footwork, smooth body movement, and attitude.

In this 2-part introductory class, kizomba instructor Jose de la Torre will share the fundamentals of kizomba and posture, as well as background on the music and etiquette. Technical steps will be introduced in the second session.

Participants may come with a partner or alone; partners will rotate. Because space is limited to 15 couples, registration is required. Participants should include their partner’s name when registering.

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Missouri City Branch Library.

The class is free and open to the public. To register online at the library’s website www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, click on “Classes & Events,” select “Missouri City Branch Library” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library (281-238-2100) or by visiting the library.

Kizomba instructor Jose de la Torre.

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. www.thedrunkencyclist.com

the drunken cyclist Will You Be My Wine for Valentine’s

Normally, I actually love fielding questions about wine, from “what is better, Cabernet or Pinot?” to “what’s the best cheap wine?” I normally welcome them all, as long as you are also willing to possibly be served a side dose of sarcasm. But, there is one question that comes up this time of year that I actually abhor: “What wine should I pair with chocolate for Valentine’s Day?”

Ugh.

My problem with the question is two-fold. First, I am not a big celebrator of Valentine’s Day. At all. In fact, I don’t think I have observed it in any way (other than a brief “Happy Valentine’s Day!”) since the third grade when I gave Deanna Miller a Valentine’s Day card and a Tootsie Roll pop, and she gave me, well, nothing. From that day forward, I decided that it was a dumb “holiday,” and I would therefore boycott it in perpetuity.

The second reason I dread the question? I don’t think wine and chocolate go together. At. All. Sure, there are some wines that might not be as bad as others when it comes to pairing with chocolate, but in my mind, it just doesn’t work, so we should stop trying to force that round wine bottle into that square chocolate box.

Instead of celebrating the “holiday” with a singular bottle of wine and a few globules of dark decadence, I suggest you make an evening of it and fete your flame with an entire meal and a couple wines. Nothing starts off a celebration better than bubbles, and while champagne still dominates the category, there are numerous other alternatives. I would also opt for a rosé sparkling wine, since, well, you can. All of the following wines would serve as perfect aperitifs or pair wonderfully with just about any appetizer from oysters to a Caesar salad to deviled eggs.

NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Rosé: Retail under $20. Made with mostly Pinot Noir (90%), this is fruity and floral with im-

peccable balance and verve. It comes from the Carneros region of California and wonderfully represents the warm days and cool nights of the appellation. 93 Points.

2019 Nino Franco Faìve Rosé Brut: Long before Rosé Prosecco became a thing, Nino Franco was producing this blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%) in the Veneto region of Italy. Bright, but short of boisterous, this wine bursts with red fruit and pear and just a hint of fresh rose petals. 91 Points.

NV Gosset Champagne Grand Rosé Brut: Retail $75. I had to throw a champagne on the list, and this is one of my favorites. From the sexy almost egg-shaped bottle to the luscious fruit driven elixir inside, this wine exudes “special occasion” without requiring a new mortgage. 95 Points.

For the main course, you almost have to go red on Valentine’s Day. Maybe it is just me, but Pinot Grigio just does not scream or even subtly whisper “love” or “passion.” Sorry. No, on the night marketed, made for lovers, you need to tap your inner redness. While it makes most sense to have these wines with heartier fare, particularly red meat, it is your date’s night. Serve a meal with her or him in mind. Here are a few suggestions.

2019 Ridge Zinfandel Benito Dusi: Retail $36. From a classic producer and a legendary vineyard, this wine from Paso Robles is sure to delight. Quite dark in color but rather light in heft and approach, this is precisely in my Zinfandel wheelhouse: great fruit, fantastic acidity, lovely spice and incredible depth and length. 93 Points.

2019

Sosie Cabernet Sauvignon

Charlie Smith Vineyard: Retail $75. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. While most of the love for California Cabernet is directed about 20 miles east and across the Mayacamas Mountain range, the Moon Mountain District in Sonoma County is producing some fantastic Cabernets at a fraction of the cost of its Napa neighbors. This dark, almost brooding wine is fruity, yes, but also complex and intriguing: layers of fruit, spice, earth, tartness. 94 Points.

2019 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes: Retail $120. This one might be a bit hard to find but definitely worth searching out. From the oldest winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Southern France, it is incredibly rich and decadent, but also refined and elegant. This was one of my toprated wines of 2022. 98 Points.

So there you have it, a few wines that would make for a memorable meal. And each of these wines might do quite well with chocolate, too (milk chocolate for the bubbles, dark chocolate for the reds), if you are determined to try to prove me wrong.

Annual Boots & Badges Gala Scheduled for February 11th Behind the Badge Charities Gala aims to raise college scholarships for children of Fort Bend County public safety professionals

The Board of Directors of Behind the Badge Charities is pleased to announce that its annual Boots & Badges Gala will be on Saturday, February 11th at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond. Sponsorships and tickets are available now at www. behindthebadgecharities.org/gala

“We’d like to thank our faithful title sponsor, Safari Texas, for their commitment to our mission,” said Ben Simpson, Behind the Badge Charities board president. “Their contribution of the Infinity Ballroom allows us to give more of the money raised to deserving children of our public safety professionals.”

Each year, Behind the Badge Charities awards college

scholarships valued at $2,000 each to deserving young men and women of first responders. Proceeds raised from the Boots and Badges Gala will be used to provide these scholarships. For more information about Behind the Badge Charities, visit www.behindthebadgecharities.org

“Raising money for college scholarships is our way of saying thank you to our Fort Bend County first responders who risk their lives every day for citizens they’ve never met,” concluded Simpson. “Please make plans to join us for casino games, as well as a live and silent auction. We appreciate your support.”

NEWSWORTHY

Show Your Love with a Naturally Sweet, Delicious Gift

W

When it’s time to give a gift to a friend or loved one, consider sending fresh Florida Citrus boxes, which contain premium citrus hand-selected at the peak of ripeness. Available in a variety of sizes to fit your budget and filled with your choice of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and unique jams, jellies and candies, the baskets arrive fresh at the door of your recipient.

With naturally sweet taste from the Sunshine State, the unique climate with subtropical temperatures, abundant sunshine, distinctive sandy soil and ample rainfall help grow juicy citrus. Plus, the delicious fruits are equally nutritious as they’re loaded with vitamin C and provide a combination of nutrients to support overall health to help adults and children alike meet intake recommendations for certain key nutrients.

On top of their taste as appetizing snacks, they’re perfect for cooking in recipes like Citrus Marinated Flatiron Steak Salad or Citrus Cherry Cobbler that take advantage of their natural sweetness and allow for mouthwatering meals, sides, desserts and more.

To choose a premium, hand-selected basket and send to your friends, neighbors, coworkers and loved ones, visit gifts. www.floridacitrus.org

Citrus Cherry Cobbler

4

Cups Cherries, Pitted, Juice Reserved

Cup Florida Orange Juice

1/2 Cups Sugar

Tablespoon Lemon Juice

Tablespoons Cornstarch

Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Cups Florida Orange Segments, Seeded

Cup Florida Grapefruit Segments, Seeded

1

Cup All-Purpose Flour

Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar

Teaspoon Baking Powder

Teaspoon Cinnamon

Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Large Egg, Beaten

Tablespoons Milk

To make cobbler: In medium saucepan, combine cherries and reserved juice, orange juice, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute and remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. Cool and add orange segments and grapefruit segments. Pour filling into baking dish or pie pan.

To make topping: Heat oven to 350 F.

In food processor, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Add butter and pulse until butter is cut into small, pea-sized pieces. Remove flour mixture from food processor and place in mixing bowl. Add egg and milk; stir until just combined. Drop topping mixture by tablespoon over filling until almost covered.

Bake until topping is browned and filling is bubbling and hot. Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving.

Citrus Marinated Flatiron Steak Salad

Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/4 Cup Florida Orange Juice

1/4 Cup Florida Tangerine Juice

2 Teaspoons Florida Orange Zest

1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Honey 2 Teaspoons Garlic, Minced

1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard Salt, To Taste Pepper, To Taste

1 1/2 Cups Olive Oil

Flatiron Steak Salad

1 1/2 Pounds Flatiron Steak

2 Cups Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette, Divided

1/2 Cup Florida Orange Segments

1/2 Cup Florida Grapefruit Segments

2 Quarts Baby Spinach

1/2 Cup Red Onion, Thinly Sliced

1/2 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, Halved

1/2 Cup Radish, Thinly Sliced

1/2 Cup Cucumber, Thinly Sliced

1/2 Cup Crumbled Goat Cheese

To make citrus balsamic vinaigrette: Combine orange juice, tangerine juice, orange zest, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously. Set dressing aside.

To make flatiron steak salad: Place flatiron steak in container and add 1 cup citrus balsamic vinaigrette. Marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours.

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Grill steak to desired doneness. Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly.

In large mixing bowl, combine orange segments, grapefruit segments, baby spinach, red onion, cherry tomatoes, radish and cucumber. Add remaining citrus balsamic vinaigrette, as desired, and toss well to combine.

To serve, divide salad and sliced steak among four plates and top with crumbled goat cheese.

Fort Bend County Rings in New Year Swearing in Elected Officials

Fort

Newly elected officials who were sworn in included:

• 240th District Court Judge, Surendran K. Pattel

• 268th District Court Judge, Steve Rogers

• 328th District Court Judge, Monica Rawlins

• 458th District Court Judge-elect, Chad Bridges

• County Court at Law 2, Tyra McCollum

• County Court at Law 6, Dean Hrbacek

• Precinct 4 Commissioner-elect, Dexter L. McCoy

• Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace, Place 2, Tricia Krenek

• Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace, Place 1, Roderick C. Garner, Sr.

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County

County

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Fort

Jim

Sue

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County

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Appointed

Fort

Fort

Jennifer

Photos by Mary Favre

Judge KP George was sworn in along with other elected officials who retained their position in the election. They included:

District Attorney Brian Middleton,

District Clerk Beverley McGrew Walker

County Clerk Laura Richard

County Treasurer Williams “Bill” Rickert, Jr.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage

County Court at Law 4, Toni Wallace

Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Kelly N. Crow

Associate Judges of the 328 District Court, Felishia Rochell Young, and Associate Judge of the 268 District Court, Maggie Jaramillo, also received the oath of office at the ceremony.

Chiang and Christopher Meyer.

Rice and State Representative District 76 Dr. Suleman Lalani.

Bend Judges Dean Hrbacek, Maggie Jaramillo and Steve Rogers.

Carolyn Meeks and Judge Chad Bridges.

Judge KP George administered the oath of office to County Commissioner, Precinct 2 Grady Prestage with Fheryl Prestage.

Hauenstein and Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard.

Bend District Attorney Brian Middleton with former Fort Bend District Attorney John Healey.

Bend County Judge KP George and Shaneka Smith.

Commissioner, Precinct 4 Dexter McCoy.

Bend County officials were sworn into office on New Year’s Day at the Fort Bend County Justice Center. The ceremony included elected officials who retained their office, as well as newly elected officials.

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, Sonia Rash

By Alisa Murray www.alisamurray.com

Burnet

lovely qualities. Burnet’s Latin name Sanguisorba means to reduce bleeding. It has been used widely throughout history to treat wounds and internal bleeding, including excessive menstrual issues. Additionally, burnet’s leaves have both astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for the treatment of dysentery, gastric issues, in particular diarrhea, and reducing inflammation of hemorrhoids.

In the times of the Tudors, burnet’s smaller version, known as salad burnet, had many culinary uses. The leaves are tender and have a cucumber taste making it a perfect compliment to any salad. Over the years like borage, it has been used to add extra flavors to beer, ale and enhancing red wine. Every single part of burnet can be consumed and is good for you. The roots, stems and leaves all contain tannic and gallic acids. Some research has been done concerning the benefits of consuming gallic acids to block cancer cells.

Burnet has so much versatility it’s easy to recognize that it can be used as both a garnish in a glass of red wine if you want to be very fancy, or in a cool glass of lemonade, or even added with a little honey to pour over some vanilla ice cream!

In my cooking I love to make herbal butters to season steaks and chicken, and it is as lovely on pork and fish as well.

Burnet Compound Butter Recipe:

Hey Sweet Lifers! There are many things I love about having a garden. One is the ability to walk outside and pick fresh daily items to use for my recipes. I suppose if I did not love to cook this would not be as pleasurable. What I love perhaps the most is when I can successfully grow plants that are both edible, beautiful and serve multiple purposes such as medicinal. When they have all that going for them then all my tending and care are worth the time invested into sustaining its life. Burnet is one such plant.

Burnet is one of the easiest herbals to grow. Once established it is a self-seeder, and you will want to pinch off the flowers once spent to maintain its presence in your garden. It does not mind our intermittent freezes, although I always cover it to protect it. I have mine growing in a spot with full drainage and direct sun. It gets bigger each year, and because I so often use it, I allow it to grow and self-seed along my border.

With it’s airy leaf forms, it is both beautiful to have in your garden as a border or as a potted plant. It is most widely known for use in ancient Chinese medicine, and it has many

Chop 1 handful of fresh curly parsley

handful of fresh chives

handful of fresh salad burnet

handful of fresh tarragon

stick of unsalted butter softened to room temp

turns of red and green cracked peppercorns in the grinder Combine the herbs and peppercorns into the butter and smear into a small dish, cover with wrap and refrigerate.

Burnet Butter can be served table side with fresh rolls, or apply to grilled meats prior to serving or use as a rub to prep poultry before roasting. It is absolutely delicious. If you want to make up some butter rolls for gifting, triple this recipe and them form a roll in wrap and twist the ends and freeze. It can then be added to a basket with other jams and goodies for family and friends. This will keep in the freezer for one month.

Keep on growing and enjoy!

absolutely AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

2023 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee builds on its legacy with an all-new architecture along with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This is a near-luxury SUV that is equally at home deep in the backwoods as it is at the Galleria. Packed with the latest safety technology, this legendary vehicle demands a long second look from anyone wanting a new big SUV.

The very first Jeep Grand Cherokee was conceived way back in the early 1980s when the brand was owned by American Motors Corporation. Who remembers AMC? However, the very first Grand Cherokee didn’t emerge from the assembly plant until almost ten years later when the Chrysler Corporation took ownership of the brand. This was a time when SUVs captured the hearts of American car buyers who rapidly began to swap their minivans and station wagons for the more robust SUV. That’s a trend that’s here to stay for most of the car buying population.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is now so much more than a rugged SUV, showcasing a gorgeous interior along with safety technology that is high on the list for most buyers. A base Grand Cherokee carries an MSRP of $41,530 along with the

venerable all-aluminum 293 hp, 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine. This workhouse engine in the Jeep stable is mated to an eightspeed automatic transmission and delivers estimated EPA fuel economy numbers of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

If you need a bit more luxury in your Grand Cherokee, you can always opt for the top of the line Summit Reserve trim with an MSRP that starts at $68,685. This model is only available in four-wheel drive and has all the bells and whistles that you can dream about. And, for those buyers needing just a bit more room for their expanding family, there’s the Grand Cherokee L, a three row version that can accommodate seating for up to seven passengers.

Launched last year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a plugin hybrid model that can deliver 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). It’s an ideal way to go if you have a regular daily commute but still want the freedom to drive your Grand Cherokee on long trips. Now you can go all-electric on those trips around town while reducing your visits to the gas station.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a model for every SUV buyer. It’s your decision which one works best for you.

When I moved to Sugar Land in 2007, I chuckled when I heard our “unofficial” city motto: “In Sugar Land, our Imperial Sugar is so sweet that we have no Equal.” Making fun of a sugar substitute was a witty way to remind the entire world that Sugar Land’s and Fort Bend County’s prosperity will always be tied to our Imperial Sugar Refinery off of U.S. 90A at Brooks Street.

In the old days, if you worked for Imperial, you didn’t need cash for groceries – they were free at the Imperial Grocery. The hospital was the current PARQ building that still stands across the street from First United Methodist Church Sugar Land on Eldridge Road. My dental hygienist was born there! Most Imperial employees and families received health care for free. Most of the housing in an area known as “The Hill” (just north of our sugar refinery) was provided to Imperial employees by the company. This neighborhood, with many of its original homes, is still very popular today.

Sugar Land Has No Equal!

The Imperial Sugar Refinery was closed when my family moved here. The Imperial corporate headquarters building had been torn down. It’s been a vacant slab of concrete and weeds for nearly two decades. A large part of the sugar refinery was demolished in 2010. All that remains is the refurbished water tower, a few support buildings and the iconic, eight floor Char House with a “cross of lights” shining brightly most nights.

Our city leaders have worked for years to find a way to repurpose the Imperial property. The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center, a branch of the Houston’s Children’s Museum, put their first facility in the Houston suburbs in one of our Imperial buildings. The Sugar Land Heritage Museum opened in another Imperial building. Sadly, it’s been a struggle to find a viable use for the Char House. The first developer selected encountered too many problems and pulled out of the entire redevelopment. Our city leaders announced the selection of a new developer in late 2022. The first city public briefings have been positive, but there are still more questions than answers. And the clock is ticking. A recent study concluded that without refurbishment, our Char House will be permanently uninhabitable in less than ten years. At that point, it will be likely torn down.

Our struggles with the Char House remind me of Houston and Harris County’s problems with the obsolete Astrodome. The easiest solution is to tear the Dome down. But, our pride in our vision and fortitude to build the world’s first indoor stadium, combined with incredible memories, such as Bum Phillips/Earl Campbell/Luv Ya Blue, Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes,” University of Houston vs UCLA in the basketball game of the century, have made many very reluctant to destroy the renowned building. Similarly, feelings in Sugar Land over tearing down the Char House are met with fierce resistance, because the Char House is even more significant. Houston would

The city of Sugar Land’s “unofficial” motto.

still be Houston without the Astrodome. Sugar Land and Fort Bend would be NOTHING without the Char House and Imperial Sugar. The Char House is our heart and soul.

This recent Christmas season provided perhaps the best example of the importance of the Char House to our daily lives. My family now lives in a neighborhood near the Char House. I bike ride for exercise. After Thanksgiving, I rode past the Char House and saw something that is the best example of Sugar Land’s love for our Char House – an anonymous person put an artificial Christmas tree at the Historical Marker for the Char House. It was bare except for a red ribbon and a star on top. Inspired, I came back with an ornamental red ball and took a photo of the anonymous Christmas tree with my ornament. I posted this photo on Facebook and asked others to put an ornament on the tree.

and Michele Boehm hung their homemade ornament and posted, “Decorated the Imperial Sugar Christmas Tree with ornaments to honor my family. My parents, Wayne and Jean Boehm, worked here for 40+ years and made it sweet for me!” The Boehms are Fort Bend Strong!

ar Land, Texas for Christmas. Well, the days of Blairs being on the Hill will come to an end. Billie Blair will be going into the hospital for another transplant surgery in the morning. The ornament that seemed fitting for this occasion is a roll of medical tape for Mom’s bandages. If you use your imagination, it’s almost a Christmas wreath. Merry Christmas for the last time, from Buddy, Billie, Ann, Andy and Randy Blair.” I haven’t had the joy of meeting Billie, but I know she is as beautiful as she was sixty years ago when she and Andrew became husband and wife. The Blair family is the epitome of Fort Bend Strong!

My Facebook posting went viral. There were at least fifty ornaments on the anonymous Christmas tree before Santa Claus came to town on December 25th. Here are a few examples of the incredible love and pride we have for our history in Sugar Land. Most of the postings come from “The Friends of Old Sugar Land” Facebook page. Wayne

Another homemade ornament, a star, was added by the Mike and Frances Rychlik family, including Terry, Charity, Will, Grace, Gage, Gavin, Anthony, Jomaire, Daisy, Colt, Lily, Diana, Justin and Elijah. The Rychlik Family makes us all Fort Bend Strong!

This anonymous “Imperial Sugar Community Christmas Tree” gave the Blair family a chance to celebrate nearly one century of life on “The Hill.” Randy Blair posted, “There have been Blairs on the Hill for the last 90 years in Sug-

It wasn’t just local neighbors who visited this special tree and felt the overwhelming power of love and giving at Christmas time. Do you remember the notorious character who actually tried to stop Christmas from coming in a town called Whoville by stealing all of the Christmas presents in town? He said things like, “This whole Christmas season is stupid, stupid, stupid! I must keep Christmas from coming!” When he heard the people of Whoville singing after he thought he had stolen their Christmas, his heart grew three sizes. Everything is bigger in Texas. When the Grinch heard that a Christmas tree had been mysteriously put up beside our Imperial Sugar Char House, and the people of Sugar Land were spontaneously hanging personal ornaments on it, he paid an unannounced visit. As a result, the Grinch’s

Pete’s inspirational first ornament to spread holiday cheer at Sugar Land’s historic Char House.

Wayne L. Boehm, Jr. placing an ornament on the tree at the Char House in honor of his parents.

The Rychlik family’s homemade star ornament.

Longtime “Hill” resident Billie Blaire and her family’s tribute to the Char House Christmas tree: a roll of medical tape from her bandages.

heart grew TEN sizes that day! I spotted the Grinch putting an ornament on our tree to “Support Our Troops.” The Grinch is Fort Bend Strong!

Fort

These are just a few of the incredible, heart-warming, faith-inspiring stories I learned from our anonymous Christmas tree. Not only has this tiny tree provided a unique opportunity to unite our Sugar Land neighbors, it has added to our community’s strength by encouraging debate and civic involvement in the Char House’s future. That is the real gift of our anonymous Imperial Sugar Char House Community Tree. Please get involved. We are guaranteed to make big mistakes unless WE THE PEOPLE are active in the discussions of our future. Active citizens are ALWAYS Fort Bend Strong!

If you have comments on this column or ideas for a future column, I want to hear them – pete@absolutelyfocusmedia.com. The only comments that are rejected are comments about politics – transgressors will receive a bag of coal from Santa. That’s what he told me when he visited our community Christmas tree.

Bend ISD Holds “Fall in Love with FBISD”

Teacher Networking Event Saturday, February 4th

Fort Bend ISD seeks teaching candidates for Career and Technical Education, special education, high school math and bilingual education

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Special Education – all level certifications

High school math certification

Bilingual elementary certification

Registration is open for Fort Bend ISD’s (FBISD) annual “Fall in Love with FBISD” event, which will be held at the James Reese Career and Technical Center, located at 12300 University Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 on Saturday, February 4th, from 9 to 11 am.

Each year, the district hosts a recruiting event in February that focuses on specific job areas that have current and anticipated vacancies for the next school year. Qualified candidates seeking positions in the following areas are encouraged to register and attend this year’s event:

To register, visit www.fortbendisd.com/careers

During the event, applicants will have the opportunity to network with hiring managers and department representatives will provide information about the application, selection and hiring process.

While the February 4th event is targeted to the above specific areas, FBISD has many employment opportunities in other job areas. Please visit www.fortbendisd.com/careers to review all current job postings and apply.

Pete “Claus” spreading holiday cheer at Sugar Land’s historic Char House.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Now Offering Advanced Technology to Prevent Strokes and Heart Attacks

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is performing an advanced procedure that uses a tiny beam of high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light to remove plaque from patient arteries.

The procedure, called coronary atherectomy, is typically performed on patients with stents who still have plaque, or build-up of fatty deposits, in their arteries. Interventional cardiologists typically use a catheter outfitted with a diamond-coated drill to cut through these deposits inside the artery.

However, with new technology, the coronary laser atherectomy catheter is more effective at removing plaque, especially buildups of calcium. It works through a process called photoablation, using cool UV light to break the molecular bonds of plaque, stimulating both a sonic wave and a reaction called cavitation to crack hardened deposits and sweep away the remaining material.

B. Keith Ellis, M.D., cardiologist.

“The laser atherectomy catheter is an advanced tool that enables us to clear a more defined path within the artery,” said B. Keith Ellis, M.D., board-certified interventional cardiologist and director of Cardiovascular Services, who was the first at Houston Methodist Sugar Land to perform the procedure. “The

MEDICAL FOCUS

traditional approach would cut through deposits but leave traces of build-up on the artery wall. The laser catheter pulverizes and removes calcium deposits giving the patient even better blood flow. It’s a safe, effective procedure that delivers substantial benefit to patients.”

The procedure is performed under local anesthetic in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab. The interventional cardiologist inserts the catheter through a small incision, usually in the groin or arm, and guides it through the blood vessel system using the latest imaging tools until it reaches the blockage.

“We are excited to have this tool at our disposal, especially for complex cases where traditional atherectomy can’t provide the same results,” said Ellis. “There are many patients who suffer from reduced blood flow due to plaque buildup, which can create significant health problems such as strokes and heart attacks. Improving atherectomy via laser photoablation is a tremendous benefit.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ellis or another cardiologist with Houston Methodist Cardiology Associates, call 713.776.9500. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Sugar Land Rotary Club Seeks Input Identifying Beneficial Community Projects

The Sugar Land Rotary Club invites members of the community to participate in a meeting on March 3rd at 6 pm at Imperial Park Recreation Center, located at 234 Matlage Way in Sugar Land, for the purpose of providing input to help identify future club projects in need of support in the community. Interested persons are asked to bring ideas that strive to benefit and further improve this great community we call home.

From working on large service project efforts to helping individuals, the Sugar Land Rotary Club is dedicated to supporting projects that build goodwill and are beneficial to the overall Fort Bend community. Historically, these have included Santa’s Exchange, First Colony Recreation Park Playground, Fort Bend Women’s Center, The Ark and Four Corners Community Center to name a few.

The Sugar Land Rotary Club operates as a chartered club of Rotary International, a grassroots community service organization with 1.4 million members worldwide, the world’s largest non-governmental, non-political charity organization. It takes pride in representing Rotary International in Fort Bend

by partnering with the community at large in the support of children and others in need of assistance.

“We are looking for community input and welcome ideas that represent fulfilling ways to help boost the community,” said Marvin Marcell, Sugar Land Rotary Club President. “We are open to ideas that include neighbors helping neighbors, connections to others and a variety of other possibilities that are a part of our social and economic infrastructures that can make for a stronger sense of community.”

The Sugar Land Rotary Club invites the community to actively participate in its upcoming meeting where input as a community member will be of great value. It will then be reviewed for consideration in the development of realistic plans that will serve as a basis for next steps to support and address challenges identified by you, the members of the community. For more information, visit www.sugarlandrotary.org

Cast Theatrical Rings in New Logo, New Season and First Show in 2023

- February 19th, 2023

An Army nurse’s experiences on the island of Corregidor during WWII are shared through a series of letters that she writes to and receives from her mother, her best friend and her former high school teacher. Because of the war, friendships change, courtships go amiss and family bonds stress and strengthen. A spiritually uplifting, emotionally touching war story, all the more intense because it is told by women.

In late 2022, Cast Theatrical announced through its social media that a new updated logo was in the works, and the theatre has been working since then to roll out the new design.

“Over the past few years, Cast Theatrical has grown significantly,” said Board President John Bevil. “In keeping with our 30+ years of performances in Downtown Rosenberg’s historic Vogelsang Building, our goal was to create an identity that not only incorporated the historical cache of theatre, but also to revive the early turn of the century Art Nouveau as a decorative tribute to our beautiful, historical landmark.

“Next time you’re at our theater, you’ll see for yourself how we are making great changes to better support our wonderful community of loyal patrons.”

The 2023 performances will all be held at Cast Theatrical Company, located at 1909 Avenue G in Rosenberg. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm.

Tickets range from $20 to 25 and may be purchased at www.casttheatrical.com/show-tickets .

Waiting for MacArthur by Paullette MacDougal Directed by Lisa Jones Bevil February 3rd

By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.

Living the Sweet Life: Let’s Go Flying

Hey Sweet Lifers!

On a rather brisk day in February back in 1976, I received a bike for my birthday. I remember wondering as I wobbled on the seat and with hands shaking held on tight to the handlebars, if I would ever not be afraid of getting up on that contraption! A few months later my sweet grandfather, who I called “Big Daddy,” came to visit me, and he was resolved that I had practiced enough with those training wheels, and it was time for me to learn, as he put it, to “fly.” I can remember that day so vividly as he balanced me on the bike and gently guided me as I pedaled and kept looking back to make sure he was still holding onto the back of my seat. A few tries in when I looked back and realized he had let go, and I was actually riding on my own, he exclaimed, “Don’t look back darling! Keep looking forward!” It has been a memory of the two of us that I have cherished for so many years.

As I was preparing this column, I enlisted the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which I always do. He has been very keen to use me to get some of His messages out to you, rather discreetly over these many years. The image of me on my bike came to mind and how in many ways, we as Christians are learning how to ride our individual bikes. Some of us get one when we are very young, use those training wheels at church or in our homes, and eventually we are ready to take those off and “fly.” We are armored with the knowledge that our Bible teaches us in the ways of humanity and also in how to discern the good from the bad, learning from falling off our bikes the lessons of never giving up and not looking back.

Part of living the sweet life is learning that we are all going to have seasons of tribulations and seasons of triumphs. It is said in Romans 5: 2-5, “Faith accesses the grace that God wants to dispense in our lives, not just in salvation and sanctification, but also in tribulation. If we are in Christ, we also rejoice in our afflictions because God is working in those afflictions for our good. Through affliction, God intends to create in us endurance, which produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. Hope, like faith, is only as good as its object. Just as our faith can only lead to salvation if it is faith in God, our hope will not disappoint us because it is the hope of God’s love…poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Even in our suffering, God’s Spirit provides a fresh experience of God’s love to us and for us.”

Getting back up and looking ahead no matter what we are experiencing in our lives is having faith that God has our backs, and He and He alone is providing this opportunity to draw closer to Him.

In this year we all will find ourselves in different places.

Some will discover their bikes for the very first time, and they will need to use those training wheels to stay the course. There will be days of wobbling arms on that steering wheel and a slip or two off those pedals. Others have been riding without the trainers for many years, but they think they are in charge of the path it leads them to. They are the drivers of their own “destiny.” Others still have fallen off so many times they aren’t sure how to get back on the seat and trust they will find what they are looking for…or are quite frankly being lead to. A few though are finally “flying” as it were with a faith that God is taking them on their specific journey that only they can take. He has not let go of the back of their seats but rather has stayed right beside them just in case they fall.

He has always been there to catch us, comfort us and love us. It is my hope for each of you, Sweet Lifers, that you’ll hop on that bike no matter where you are in your journey and that you’ll have faith and trust to “fly” and remember… like my Big Daddy said: “Don’t look back darlings! Keep looking forward!”

Take care of YOU and stay “sweet!”