March 2022 - Fort Bend Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings by Fort Bend Focus Magazine

MARCH 2022

Literacy Council of Fort Bend

40th Anniversary!

The Fort Bend Boys Choir

THERE’S A

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PUBLICATION: MARCH Fort Bend Focus

IS NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH INSERTION: 03/01/22

UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER

MATERIALS DUE: 02/01/22 JOB NUMBER: MHH-2022 Advertising-Feb

CLIENT: Memorial Hermann JOB NAME: Cancer - Female

LIVE: You xmay 7.25” 9.75”be surprised to learn that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer SIZE: (excluding skin cancers) diagnosed in both men 8.375” x 10.875”in the United States and is the third and women leading cause of cancer-related deaths. BLEED:

1/4” When it comes to preventing or surviving COLORS: cancer, including colorectal cancer, knowledge is a 150ls; powerful tool. Yet many Americans are 4cp; unaware of the basic facts about this typically SWOP silent killer. Memorial Hermann Medical Group FORMAT: gastroenterologist Shaheer Siddiqui, MD, Press Ready PDF answers frequently asked questions and dispels commonly held misconceptions about colorectal cancer.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum and, depending on where it begins, can be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer. Most colorectal cancers start as a growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some but not all polyps turn into cancer. “While colorectal cancer can be life-threatening if not detected early, it is treatable, especially if caught early,” says Dr. Siddiqui.

What causes colorectal cancer?

A number of risk factors can put you at higher risk of developing colon cancer, says Dr. Siddiqui. “Having an immediate family member who has had colon cancer puts you at greater risk, as does consuming a diet low in fiber and high in fats, red meat, calories and sugar. Individuals who are obese—those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 39.9—and individuals with type 2 diabetes are also at greater risk. And certain segments of the population, including males, African Americans and people ages 60 and older are statistically more likely to be

diagnosed with colorectal cancer.” And while the overall death rate from colorectal cancer has dropped—likely due to increased screening and improved cancer treatments— deaths from colorectal cancer among people younger than 55 are increasing.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

“The worst part about this type of cancer,” says Dr. Siddiqui, “is that often there are no symptoms, at least with early-stage cancer. Patients often tell me, ‘If I’m feeling fine, why would I think I have cancer?’ And I tell them, you don’t need to feel sick in order to have a malignancy. That’s why cancer kills so many people.” As the disease slowly progresses, however, symptoms often appear, including bloody stool; frequent gas, abdominal pain or cramping; a sense of incomplete bowel emptying; changing bowel movements or bowel habits; a constant feeling of weakness or exhaustion; and/or unexplained weight loss.

How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?

“A colonoscopy is one of the best ways we have to detect colon cancer,” says Dr. Siddiqui. “It is an extremely important screening tool, given many people with colon cancer do not show symptoms in the early stages.” The American Cancer Society recommends beginning screenings at age 45* for people with average risk for colon cancer. If you have a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer, your doctor may recommend starting earlier. “Many people put off a colonoscopy because they don’t know what to expect,” says Dr.

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Siddiqui. “If you talk to your doctor, you will understand that it is a very routine screening exam.”

How can I prevent getting colon cancer?

Shaheer Siddiqui, MD Gastroenterologist

While some risk factors may be out of your control, Dr. Siddiqui says you can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and light on red meat. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. And restrict your alcohol intake.

Can colon cancer be treated?

Depending on the stage of the disease and other factors unique to the patient, colorectal cancer treatment might include surgery, radiation and/ or chemotherapy. “At Memorial Hermann, our multidisciplinary team of specialists provides patients with the most advanced treatment based on their individual needs. We guide them through the process, supporting them every step of the way,” he says.

Take action now.

Check with your doctor to see if you should be screened for colorectal cancer. If you don’t have a doctor, visit memorialhermann.org to find one. While there, with just a few clicks, you can schedule and confirm your colonoscopy at a Memorial Hermann location that is convenient to you. *Due to recent changes in screening recommendations, please consult your insurance provider to confirm coverage if you are under age 50.

{Features} 12 LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY Partners with Tramontina USA for Onsite Literacy Classes

MARCH 2022

{COVER STORY}

13 THE DISTRICT AT SUGAR CREEK Planned Development Frequently Asked Questions

22 HOME & HEARTH

Tips and resources to turn your house into your dream home

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

About Mortgages

CREATE COMFORT IN YOUR HOME Katy Home & Garden Show and Spring Gift Market

FIVE TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME OFFICE 30 ANNABELLE’S AMAZING GRACES Daniel and Shelley van Deursen started Annabelle’s Amazing Graces non-profit to raise awareness about the GNAO1 mutation and help find a cure for their daughter Annabelle.

{Columns}

Landon Bynum and Grant Mosely advertising auditions. Photo by T Cannon.

FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HITS NOTEWORTHY MILESTONE: THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

For forty years, the Fort Bend Boys Choir has been making melodic memories around the world providing an excellent music education to over 7,000 boys. Under the guidance of Founder and Artistic Director William (Bill) R. Adams, this Fort Bend institution continues to make a difference in the lives of young men all while representing Texas proudly on both national and international stages.

MARCH 2022

26 THE SWEET LIFE GARDENER How Much Should I Grow?

32 FORT BEND STRONG

Spring has Sprung in the Bend

36 THE DRUNKEN CYCLIST Spring into Rosés

41 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE What to Read in 2022?

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CONTRIBUTORS

Tanya Sterling Contributor Page 12

MARCH 2022 VOLUME 18 | NUMBER 3

12 Cathy Baker www.BakerMortgage.com Page 22

22 Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Page 26 & 41

{

}

absolutely! Auto Review

2022 SUBARU WILDERNESS EDITION

The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 32 Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 34

34 Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. thedrunkencyclist.com Page 36

{Newsworthy}

11 DERBY DAY A Kentucky Derby Party for Reining Strength

{Medical Focus}

CHESS FEST

Bring Chess Enthusiasts to Sugar Land Town Square

40 FREE DIGESTIVE HEALTH WEBINAR Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

21 FRIENDS OF CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND Host “Meeting with a Mission”

{In Every Issue}

27 ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR LIBRARIES’ PHOTO CONTEST

7 EXCLAMATION POINTS!

“We Are Fort Bend”

37 SUGAR LAND REQUESTS REGIONAL ARTISTS Traffic Box Wrap Designs

HOPE FOR THREE

Car Wash for Kids

ON THE COVER: The Fort Bend Boys Choir with Sugar Land Mayor Joe R. Zimmerman and William (Bill) R. Adams, Founder and Artistic Director. Photo by T Cannon.

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

28 SEEN ON THE SCENE 35 AMATEUR PHOTO CONTEST 38 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF THE BEND

EXCLAMATION POINTS! Publisher, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI

Spring Soirees

Vol. 18 No. 3 March 2022 www.fortbendfocus.com absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406

PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Garrett Gena Horak A RT D I R E C T O R Grace Belleza WEB DESIGNER JOBpage Graphics S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Natalee Moore I T S U P P O RT A D M I N I S T R AT I V E / S A L E S A S S I S TA N T Kolton W. Kaminski CONTRIBUTORS Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. Steve Kursar Tiana Mortimer Alisa Murray Pete Olson Tanya Sterling A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S / E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Spring has finally arrived, and in Fort Bend, that means it’s time to get out and about and enjoy everything our community has to offer. A huge opportunity for our community this month is a birthday party! Celebrating a huge milestone this month – 40 years of changing young mens’ lives through music – the Fort Bend Boys Choir is “Painting the Town Red” with a March 26th concert. If you’ve never heard these amazing young men perform, you’re missing It’s rodeo time! Patti Parish-Kaminski one of the truly most amazing and volunteering at The 3rd Annual George unique gifts of Fort Bend. They are Ranch Rodeo at The George Ranch stars, and they are right here in our Historical Park. own back yard. Read all about their Photo by Andrew Wolf. amazing career in our cover story. Speaking of stars, a true Hollywood legend comes to Fort Bend on March 25th for Reading Between the Wine’s Night of a Thousand Laughs benefitting The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. Actress, comedian, author and singer Vicki Lawrence is the featured entertainer for an evening you won’t want to miss. Famous for her roles on The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family, Lawrence is an Emmy-award winning actress famous for her unique brand of comedy, and after the last couple of years, we could all use a few laughs. Tickets are still available to see this star up and close and personal by contacting the Literacy Council at 281.240.8181. In Fort Bend Strong, Pete gives us some great ideas for some of his favorite Spring activities right here in the Bend. Read about his picks on page 32. While the calendar clearly tells us it’s Spring, we Texans clearly understand what Spring means here in the Lone Star State: keep a jacket handy because the weather can and likely will change in a hot minute. I remember when my babies were little packing swim suits and ski jackets for our Spring break jaunts throughout the state. Mr. Kaminski always fussed at me for over-packing, but when that cold spell inevitably blew in whether we were at the shore or in the Hill Country, my babies were snug as bugs because after all, momma knows best. Have a wonderful Spring, and I hope to see you out and about in the Bend!

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Fort Bend FocusTM eZine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright© 2022 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Fort Bend FocusTM eZine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Fort Bend FocusTM eZine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

MARCH 2022 l

The Tour Choir at a wedding performance.

Hits Noteworthy Milestone: Their 40th Anniversary!

tep into a Fort Bend Boys Choir’s rehearsal minutes before start time, and you will wonder if you are in the right place. Boys are laughing, tossing paper airplanes, playing cards and video games . . . in other words, being typical boys. However, once rehearsal begins, all eyes focus up front on Mr. A, as the choirboys fondly call Mr. William (Bill) R. Adams, Founder and Artistic Director. Channeling that energy and enthusiasm into high, clear voices is something that only choirboys with an unchanged voice can make, and the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas has been doing just that since 1982.

Forty Years Making Melodic Memories Adams says that one thing is true today as it was 40 years ago – boys LOVE to sing! As one of the largest treble boy choirs in the world, the Fort Bend Boys Choir has provided an excellent music education to over 7,000 boys. These talented choristers have accomplished great things over the years, including performing for three U.S. Presidents and singing with Grammy Award-Winning artists Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Manhattan Transfer. The Tour Choir has also recorded several commercials, winning a 1992 Addy Award for their Randall’s Food Market holiday commercial. They have ten CDs to their credit and have performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

These choirboys have experienced multiple once-in-alifetime opportunities singing with orchestras around the world, including the Houston, English and Mexico City Symphonies. Notable National Anthem performances include the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in addition to the Houston Texans’, Astros’ and Rockets’ games. They have also performed for the U.S. premiere of the Academy-Award nominated French film Les Choristes, a powerful movie about how music can affect children. Perhaps one of the most significant moments in the Choir’s history occurred on their 20th anniversary tour to Italy. The Tour Choir was the first ensemble in hundreds of years to sing in the newly restored Sistine Chapel, and no one knew at first that Pope John Paul II heard the choirboys sing until he personally requested another song! Adams selected John Holiday, the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s 1999 Outstanding Choirboy, to be the soloist on Panis Angelicus, a communion song. Adams said, “It was certainly one of the highlights of my career – and my life – to be at that place, at the right time, with a group of boys proudly representing Texas on an international stage.”

COVER STORY By Tiana Mortimer

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Pierce Christianson and Brennan Johnson announcing the 40th Anniversary Motto.

Changing Lives Through Music Readers may recognize the name John Holiday from the television show The Voice. Holiday appeared on Season 19 and quickly became a fan favorite, making the Final 5. While he did not win, he has had a stellar career as an American operatic countertenor. From his Carnegie Hall debut in 2012 to his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2021, Holiday has performed with many opera companies around the world to great acclaim. Not long ago, in honor of the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s 40th season, Holiday shared how the organization changed his life and shaped him into the opera star he is today. “As a chorister, it was where I first learned how to set and observe expectations and boundaries,” Holiday said. “Not only did I learn about music, I also learned how to give back and to pay it forward. No matter if we (the choir) were singing to one or 1,000, we always gave it our all. To date, I use that mentality when singing for audiences.”

William R. Adams and John Thomas Holiday. Holiday continued, “What kind of world would it be if there was no music and no one to guide the young hearts and minds to it? Forever, I will be thankful for Mr. Adams’ vision for the Fort Bend Boys Choir and his fierce belief in what was possible for me. It has carried me forward, in every way. I know that I am one of many whose life has been changed because of this organization.”

Paints the Town Red

40th Ruby Anniversary Gala Dinner Auction Event

Join the Fort Bend Boys Choir for “Let’s Paint the Town Red! Gala Auction Event” celebrating their 40th Ruby Anniversary! Generously underwritten by the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, join the choirboys in celebrating this momentous milestone on Saturday, March 26th at 6:30 pm in the Safari Lodge at Safari Texas. This event includes a tasty buffet meal with a Live Auction led by Congressman Troy Nehls and of course, entertainment by the award-winning Tour Choir. Silent Auction and Big Board items are part of the evening, too! Information on sponsorships, tickets and donation levels are available on the choir website at http://www.fbbctx.org or by calling 281-240-3800. Keep an eye on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for the latest updates. Proceeds from this anniversary event will support music program operations and help the organization recover financially from the pandemic. Be a sponsor, donate and attend this 40th Ruby Anniversary event and play a part in “making a difference … one boy at a time.”

Many other success stories have risen from the ranks of Fort Bend Boys Choir alumni. Jason Ritchie, a 1997 alumnus, is a part of the organization’s staff, first as a piano accompanist and now as the Town Choir director. A music educator at Griffin Elementary in Katy, Ritchie shared, “Here I am, 25 years after my choirboy career, coming full circle. I have been a chorister, an accompanist, a clinician, a director, a seed planter and a difference maker. I owe much of how my life has turned out to Bill Adams and the Fort Bend Boys Choir, and I cannot imagine where I would be without them.”

Tour Choir 2013 at the NRG Stadium singing the National Anthem for the Houston Texans.

40 Years – Still Strong in Song!

The Tour Choir performing for a video game sound track at a professional recording studio. Seed planting is an apt description of what the Choir has accomplished for 40 years. The organization uses music as a tool to plant those “seeds” in young boys – seeds such as selfconfidence, etiquette, teamwork, leadership and self-esteem. Adams said, “If you don’t tell these boys that the music is difficult, they simply dive in and rise to the occasion. Mastering a piece of music, the excitement is almost palpable from the boys when they finally sing it all the way through. Their self-confidence and pride in their hard work is what makes my job so rewarding.” If you ask a chorister what their favorite part of Choir is, it will not necessarily be the singing but rather “taking off their mask.” Boys feel societal pressure and do not want to share their feelings or even the fact that they sing in a choir. However, as one choirboy put it, “I know in Choir, I am safe – safe from bullies and able to share my feelings openly. Choir is family to me.” And that is the heart of the Fort Bend Boys Choir. The organization provides a safe, proactive environment for boys to thrive. It gives them a sense community. One choir dad said, “For my son, and I suspect for many others, the Choir is more than just a place of learning, singing and fun – it is a sense of belonging.”

Tour Choir Summer 2008 in Minnesota.

One of Adams’ sayings to the choirboys is, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” With their proven record of accomplishment, it is not surprising that inXile Entertainment contracted the Tour Choir to sing six songs for their role-playing game Wasteland 3, released internationally in August 2020. Nor is it unexpected that the Tour Choir’s recording of Ode to Joy from their Heavenly Euphoria CD was featured prominently in the March 2020 Polish film Hejter. Even with all the “cool” things the choirboys have done, recruitment is always the biggest challenge for the Fort Bend Boys Choir, due to other extracurricular activities available. “What parents and boys should realize is that the unchanged voice of a boy doesn’t last forever,” said Adams. “It is important to join now, while boys are still young.”

Tour Choirboy Landon Bynum. For information about the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s upcoming 40th Ruby Anniversary Gala Auction, as well as other performances, visit www.fbbctx.org. Of course, audition information is available as well! Be a part of “40 Years … Still Strong in Song!”

NEWSWORTHY

Derby Day A Kentucky Derby Party for On Saturday, May 7th, Reining Strength will hold its 8th Annual Derby Day Event. The event will be held at Safari Texas, 11627 FM 1464 Road in Richmond from 3:30 to 7:30 pm. Don your best Derby Day hats and dust off your boots for an event that brings the Kentucky Derby to Texas. The benefit will include a large screen live feed of the 148th Kentucky Derby Race Simulcast, seated dinner, live and silent auctions and hat and boots contests. Each guest will choose their horse to cheer on during the race, and if he wins, you win a prize as well!

The Derby Day Party event benefits Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship of Fort Bend County and the Greater West Houston, Texas area. Its programs serve individuals with physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs through therapeutic horsemanship, providing safe, effective services that meet and exceed PATH International Standards (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl.). Sponsorships and individual tickets are still available. Please contact Heather at heather@reiningstrength.org or call 832.451.6874.

Chess Fest to Bring Chess Enthusiasts to Sugar Land Town Square The city of Sugar Land will partner with The Chess Refinery to host an outdoor chess festival on Saturday, March 5, from 10 am to 3 pm, at Sugar Land Town Square. Casual and avid chess players and enthusiasts are welcome to join in on the numerous activities at Chess Fest, which will include staged chess tables, grand master challenges, a blitz tournament and much more. Pre-registration will be

required for certain events and can be completed by visiting www.thechessrefinery.org/chessfestival.html. The city’s first chess-related event was held in 2021 as an open-air chess tournament at Sugar Land Town Square. “This year, we want to expand into even more activities and offerings that casual and competitive chess players can enjoy and offer activities for those who don’t play chess but are curious to learn,” said Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Kimberly Terrell. Those who don’t play chess but want to learn are invited to visit the onsite

booths which will include a Learn the Basics: Family Chess Workshop, a Bughouse Chess Station and several opportunities to meet chess pros and sign up for classes. Other free activities for all to enjoy will include caricature artists, face painters and a photo station. For more information about city of Sugar Land events or to become an event sponsor, call (281) 275-2825 or visit www.SugarLandTX.gov/SpecialEvents. For event updates, follow Sugar Land Parks & Recreation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SugarLandParks.

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Literacy Council of Fort Bend County Partners with Tramontina USA for Onsite Literacy Classes By Tanya Sterling

pproximately 154,000 Fort Bend County residents (19%) function at or below Level 1 Literacy, says a recent nationwide survey from the National Center for Education Statistics. This means that 154,000 adults living in Fort Bend County lack the reading and writing skills to manage daily living tasks that 81% of us accomplish every day. Cognizant of these numbers, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County (LCFBC) is now partnering with Tramontina USA, an international company who manufactures high-end houseware products, including cookware, cutlery and kitchen accessories, to bring live literacy classes onsite to their employees. “The partnership is designed to provide educational support services to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners in the workplace environment,” explained Terri Stuart, Executive Director, LCFBC. “Through this partnership, we hope to provide more contextualized educational opportunities by applying our workplace-approved curriculum in a real workplace environment. We hope employees see the value in this by being able to use their newfound skills immediately thus improving both employer and educational outcomes.” Across many ESL programs, adult students report that their biggest motivation in taking classes is to improve their employment opportunities whether its through a promotion, training, education, etc. However, one of the biggest barriers adult students report is either not having the time to attend class or balancing classwork with job obligations. By bringing classes inside the workplace with employers who wish to invest in their employees’ futures, such as Tramontina USA, the Literacy Council hopes to help eliminate or minimize some of these barriers to improve the quality of life for all of their adult students. “We provide a curriculum-based, comprehensive program which encompasses all aspects of literacy education, including reading comprehension, writing and grammar,” said Stuart. “We also plan to use contextualized exercises made specific to employee

functions, such as manufacturing and customer service, in order to enable to employees to use their skills in real time to increase their chances of success.” The LCFBC has over 900 adults who are active in their GED, ESL and US Citizenship programs with over 80 volunteers who provide approximately 3,000 hours of instruction. Moreover, 90% of the adult students served are Fort Bend County residents. “Tramontina USA is excited to partner with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County to offer ESL classes to our associates this fall,” said Cristina Barrionueva, Human Resources Manager, Tramontina, USA. “We met with LCFBC late last year as we were exploring options to offer ESL classes onsite. We learned what a valuable resource they are to our community and how easily we could work together to offer classes

Cristina Barrionueva and Terri Stuart. for our employees. We look forward to a rewarding partnership.” Onsite literacy classes are scheduled to start at Tramontina USA within the next few months. Stuart hopes to expand into future partnerships with other employers based on availability of resources. Visit wwwftbendliteracy.org or call 281.240.8181 for more information about The Literacy Council of Fort Bend.

Presented by The Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation

Friday, March 25, 2022 6 pm Safari Texas Ranch Richmond Co-Chairs: Gena Horak & Patti Parish-Kaminski Honorees: Arlene & Len Rolsen Guest Authors: Don Johnston & Alyssa Wall Vicki Lawrence Actress TV Host Author Comedian Singer

281.240.8181 Alex Sanchez asanchez@ftbendliteracy.org www.ftbendliteracy.org

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Planned Development Frequently Asked Questions

ADVERTORIAL

ituated on eight acres within The Sugar Creek Triangle as visitors and citizens alike enter the vibrant city of Sugar Land is the future The District at Sugar Creek: a projected five-story project with multi-family units above and first-floor retail and professional offices below with garage parking in a park-like setting. A result of the four-year analysis of the Sugar Land Citizen’s Group Land Use Study focusing on expanded housing options, mobility and the fiscal impact of land use, Kaplan Multifamily, a

proven national developer, created the concept for the future project, which will consist of approximately 400 units in a Regional Activity Center (RAC) – the next generation of suburban city living. With the introduction of this visionary, forthcoming project to the community, key questions have arisen regarding The District at Sugar Creek. In an effort to provide cogent communication addressing these frequently asked questions, a summary of responses has been developed.

ADVERTORIAL

Land Use Plan: Sugar Creek Triangle Regional Activity Center

Land Use Plan Prescribed Mix of Uses

What is the Land Use Plan (LUP)? “As a guiding document to the City of Sugar Land’s Comprehensive Plan, the LUP is expected to be the textbook for both Planning and Zoning and City Council when it comes to development and redevelopment,” said former Land Use Advisory Committee Co-Chair Debra Coffman. “The question of whether multi-family is appropriate within a Regional Activity Center (RAC) was already discussed with the public, Planning and Zoning, and Council before adoption in 2018; therefore, it seems ill-advised to disregard the LUP guidelines as long as the applicant has adhered to the adopted Plan.”

How many multi-family units are still be available among all of the five Regional Activity Centers? The Land Use Plan recommends a total of 2,237 multifamily units of which 619 have been built and 1,618 units are currently available.

How many multi-family units are recommended in the Sugar Creek Triangle Regional Activity Center per the Land Use Plan? 435 units.

Current Sugar Creek RAC Zoning

Is the Planned Development required to be a destination center? There is a misunderstanding that the proposed project by itself is intended to be the destination center. If an office building is built there, it would not be required to meet all of the elements of a mixed-use destination center. The RAC, as a whole, is supposed to be a destination center and mixed-use activity center. The proposed project is only supposed to be a component of it. The RAC calls for office, retail, hotel and residential. Currently, the only missing component of the mix of uses in The Sugar Creek Triangle RAC is residential. The Land Use Plan states, “Each phase of development should contribute to the ultimate intended mix. For example, the first phase of a development in a Center with primarily office should include other uses, such as retail or residential to help balance the existing office uses.” “The 8+ acres being submitted by Kaplan Management Company do not in themselves constitute a RAC with all the requirements of a RAC. The parcel is a mere 5% of the developable acres and is supplying the residential that is lacking in the SCT RAC. Therefore, Kaplan is not required to also build office, retail and commercial because these already exist in some form within the RAC.” – Debra Coffman

ADVERTORIAL

The Planned Development

The image below shows the connectivity between City Plaza at Town Square and the commercial space across the street.

How is this Planned Development mixeduse? How will it look mixed-use, and what is the connectivity between mix of uses? District A has 14,671 square feet (2,376 retail and 12,295 live/work) of commercial space on the ground floor. There are no apartment living spaces on the ground floor in the front of the building where the public would circulate (east and south). Any additional commercial space would have located to be in the rear, away from public circulation, or not on the ground level. In either case, any additional commercial space would not be economically viable or desirable from the commercial tenant standpoint. District B has 11,400 square feet of restaurants and/or retail. In comparison, Sugar Land Town Square’s residential component, City Plaza, looks completely like a standalone apartment project from the street.

Why was the location selected at this time? The Sugar Creek Triangle is the right location for apartments and restaurants now as indicated by the Land Use Plan. These uses add activity to the otherwise inactive officecentric RAC. Kaplan Multifamily learned that the site was available in 2019 and has since been working with staff to plan a project that meets the requirements of the Sugar Creek Triangle Regional Activity Center as defined in the 2018 Land Use Plan.

Public Green Space Can the public green space be larger? The District at Sugar Creek was designed with elements that distinguish the ground floor as commercial and delineates from second floor apartments. The connectivity is established with the private drive between the Districts. Design elements of building materials, hardscape and softscape tie the Districts together as shown in the rendering below. District A is on the left; District B is on the right.

Local restauranteurs with three restaurants in Sugar Land Town Square worked with the architect to create the District B site plan. Being successful Sugar Land restaurant veterans, the partners gave parameters that they needed to ensure the viability of the restaurants. Besides ensuring functionality and viability of the restaurants, the goal was to create activity along the private drive between Districts A

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and B. The restaurants would be wrapped around a shared lawn and have patio seating along the drive. The lawn can be larger; however, there are limiting factors. If the lawn increases in size, the restaurants would need to be smaller. The currently proposed restaurant sizes are based on the guidelines of the restauranteurs for their concepts. The biggest limiting factor is parking. The site was laid out to maximize the parking to meet city requirements, as wells as provide ample parking to ensure the restaurants’ viability. Parking would be shared between Districts A and B. Restaurant/Retail staff would park at District A. Parking at District

B would be reserved for customers. The western Public Park (3,905 square feet) and central Plaza Event Lawn (2,744 square feet) is total 6,649 square feet of public green space, which is 1.9% of the Planned Development. In comparison, CityCentre’s event lawn is roughly 4,645 square feet or 0.2% of the 50-acre development. LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch’s event lawn is roughly 9,263 square feet or 0.6% of the 34-acre development. Sugar Land Town Square’s event lawn is roughly 11,695 square feet or 0.8% of the 32-acre development.

The District at Sugar Creek

CityCentre

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch

Sugar Land Town Square

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Supply and Demand What is the apartment demand? Yardi Matrix shows that the Sugar Land – west submarket had a 96.6% occupancy and average rent of $1,489 in Q4 2021. It forecasts 96.5% occupancy and an average rent of $2,176 in Q4 2031, a rent growth of 46% over 10 years. Specifically, the five newest conventional Sugar Land apartments (Marquis at Sugar Land, Telfair Lofts, Imperial Lofts, Retreat at Riverstone and Stella at Riverstone) have occupancies ranging from 94.6% to 97.2%. There were two apartments built at The Grid in Stafford. 1879 at the Grid was completed in 2019 and is now stabilized. Its rents increased from $1,560 in February 2021 to $1,783 in January 2022, an increase of 14.3% over 11 months. Arc at the Grid was completed in 2021 and is currently leasing up. Its rents increased from $1,683 in February 2021 to $1,764 in January 2022, an increase of 4.8%. It is typical to see rents flat during lease-up. Arc is currently 70% occupied, which equates to an absorption of 20.2 unit per month since receiving its certificate of occupancy in January 2021. This is very strong demand for apartments. In comparison, the Sugar Land office occupancy is around 83%-84%.

We’ve had a tremendous employment growth in last five years. I believe it was around 20% growth in our employment where population growth was much smaller. Our population growth was low while our employment growth was very high. We had very specific workforce sections around management, technology, finance, that we actually have more of a demand to have those people live and work here at the industries that we have. I would say that from what our workforce study showed, and I’m trying to go of this off of memory, but in general it showed a demand that being able to have more young professionals live here in Sugar Land, that it would be supported by employment growth for the industries that we have here. – Economic Development Assistant Director Devon Rodriguez

What is the service area for the apartments? Three to five miles is the typical service area for apartments.

Is the area being overbuilt? The pipeline of submarket apartment construction is very limited. There are no other apartments under construction or application in Sugar Land. In Stafford, there is one project totaling 346 under construction units, which is already 70% occupied. There are two other projects totaling 200 units proposed. Missouri City has no projects under construction and two projects totaling 639 unit proposed per Yardi. Keep in mind that many projects proposed do not get built. Also, projects typically take three years from when proposed to completion meaning those would be delivered over a few years.

What is the target market for the apartments? The unit mix was proposed, in part, to accomplish two things:

Target residents would catalyze activity in the Sugar Creek Triangle Regional Activity Center as intended in the City of Sugar Land’s Land Use Plan. Young professionals and empty nesters are targeted. These are the groups with the most disposable income. Young professionals, engineers, nurses, etc. who work at Schlumberger, Fluor, hospitals and similar businesses have significant disposable income but are not yet looking to purchase a house. They earn their income in Sugar Land and spend their disposable income on apartments, restaurants and retailers outside of Sugar Land. For many empty nesters, a 4,000-square foot house on a 10,000-square foot lot is far too large. For some, living in apartments would make sense. Both Kaplan principals have recently lived in apartments, luxury mid-rise apartments, like the planned project. The stigma of apartments stem from old perceptions of garden-style projects, not the planned high-end mid-rise project. The intent is to keep professionals who work in Sugar Land to also live in Sugar Land. A luxury apartment such as the one proposed would assist the City with completing the life cycle in which a Sugar Land resident can grow up in a house, go to school, get a job, rent an apartment, buy a house, raise a family and retire in one complete life cycle in Sugar Land.

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Minimize the impact to Fort Bend ISD schools. Of the 402 total units, 329 are studio or 1-bedrooms. Practically speaking, these studio and 1 bedroom units would produce no Fort Bend ISD students. The balance of the 78 units would be 2 bedrooms. Many of these units would be leased by individuals or couples who work from home and want to use a second bedroom as a home office. Other units would likely be occupied by roommates. The likelihood of the 2-bedroom occupied by families with school-aged children is low. Additionally, there are no 3-bedroom units, which would produce a greater rate of students.

What is driving demand for live-work units? A shift in the way people live and work has been happening for many years, although COVID has accelerated it. People have become more minimalist, opting for convenience and efficiency. Instead of driving 45 minutes during rush hour from Sugar Land to downtown Houston, some have the convenience of telecommuting rather than spending two hours each workday for the round trip drive and getting ready. Polling properties like this showed that 50% to 60% of residents work from home. It’s not necessarily because of

COVID, but because we create an environment featuring amenities, such as large gyms, conference space, WeWorkstyle work space, etc., residents do not have to commute to what is often a shared office situation. We also plan to provide Wi-Fi in the common areas and units and 1 GB speed internet, which is faster than many offices provide. A live-work unit can be very appealing for many start-up entrepreneurs and sole proprietors. For example, a photographer can have the convenience of going downstairs to work in his or her studio. A lawyer can work and meet with clients without having to rent separate office space elsewhere. These hypothetical professionals can be replaced with many other sole proprietors who would benefit from having a small office or retail space for clients while having the convenience and cost-efficiency of living in the same unit.

What happens if a business in a livework unit fails? The intent is to always have live-work units full and businesses operating in them to contribute to a lively public experience. Should a business operating in a live-work unit no longer operate as intended, the tenant shall be promptly replaced in accordance to applicable laws.

Construction Why should the apartments be built before commercial? There’s a real estate adage “retail follows rooftops.” Having 600 new residents and potential customers next door would help the viability of the restaurants. If the restaurants in District B opened before District A is complete, the construction would be very disruptive to the customer service-based restaurants. This would be detrimental to the restaurants in their first year, which is the most vulnerable time.

Were the apartments at The Grid built before commercial? According to the manager at 1879 at the Grid who has worked at the property since lease-up, the apartments opened six to nine months prior to the restaurants opening. The Google Earth desktop program has a tool that shows satellite images back in time. In October 2017, there was nothing developed where 1879 and the restau-

rants would be located. The exterior buildings of 1879 and the restaurants appear to be complete in December 2018. Fort Bend County Appraisal District shows improvements on their tax rolls for 1879 starting in 2019 and for Whiskey Cake in 2020.

How would drainage be impacted? Districts A and B would comply with all City drainage requirements. The Districts will detain stormwater onsite, and there will be no downstream impact.

Would there be cell phone towers on top of the buildings? There will be no cell phone towers on top of the buildings. The Planned Development has strict material guidelines that were recommended by City staff. Additionally, the applicant would not want to include anything aesthetically displeasing.

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Traffic How much new traffic would be generated at the intersection of US 59 and Sugar Creek Blvd? It’s projected to have an icrease of 90 vehicles per day (3.75/hour) going southbound and 180 vehicles per day (7.5/ hour) going northbound.

Can the number of units increase or unit mix change such that it would have a greater impact on schools? The Planned Development caps the number of total units to 402 and 2-bedroom units to 78.

Property Values

How was the traffic impact analysis commissioned? Kaplan Multifamily engaged LJA Engineering, a firm with significant expericence with the City of Sugar Land. The City and LJA had a scoping meeting in which the City defined specific requirements of the study. The study was conducted in full compliance with the City of Sugar Land standards and specific requirements from the scoping meeting.

Schools What would be the impact to schools? A school impact analysis was completed by a firm with more than a decade of experience as Fort Bend ISD’s demographic consultant and a leading demographic consultant for most high-growth school districts in Texas. Kaplan Multifamily provided the unit mix and had little communication with the consultant. The applicant gave no direction to the consultant. The analysis projected an impact of 15 elementary, 6 middle school and 8 high school students.

How would the Planned Development impact property values? There have been three class B garden-style apartment projects totaling 668 units built on Dulles Ave between 1996 and 2002. Home sales prices per square foot in Sugar Creek increased from $58.76/SF in 1997 to $142.56/ SF in 2021, a 142% increase per HAR.com, https://www.har.com/pricetrends/6610_sugar-land. Sugar Creek has not seen a negative impact on property values from the 668 class B garden-style apartments units directly adjacent to it. In comparison, the Planned Development is a class A mid-rise and would be located across a 10lane interstate highway and six lanes of service roads.

NEWSWORTHY

FRIENDS Council Members: Peggy Jackson, Judy Maddison, Pat Somers, Sue Lockwood, Lynn Halford, CAFB Development Director Lisa Moore and Alexis Jackson. Photo courtesy of Child Advocates of Fort Bend.

FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend to Host “Meeting with a Mission” FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend, an auxiliary volunteer group supporting Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB), will host its annual membership social – Meeting with a Mission – in the Venetian Estates home of Pat and Brad Somers on Thursday, March 31st at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend and join in the fun! In addition to socializing and hors d’oeuvres, guests will enjoy a style show by Fabulous You and learn more about what their membership dues have been able to do to support the children served by Child Advocates of Fort Bend. FRIENDS helps the children directly through a Special Needs Fund for items and services that the children need but are unable to afford. FRIENDS has more than 100 members and is managed by a Council, which provides volunteer opportunities and social events throughout the year. Annual membership dues are $40 per year. Membership is open to anyone. For more information or to RSVP for the event, contact Pat at tootsomers@gmail.com or 281-782-9068. For more information about FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend or to become a member, go to https://www.cafb.org/ volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/friends-of-child-advocates-of-fort-bend/. About FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend: FRIENDS of Child Advocates of Fort Bend is an auxiliary league which helps support a variety of activities benefiting the children served by Child Advocates of Fort Bend and the volunteers who help them. Their Special Needs Fund underwrites the needs of children in the foster care system that other providers are unable to offer – items that

most people take for granted. The fund has underwritten backpacks filled with school supplies, summer camp tuition, tutoring, caps and gowns for graduating seniors and computers for college students. About Child Advocates of Fort Bend: Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) is a non-profit agency with a mission of strengthening the voice of the child, healing the hurt and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect in Fort Bend and surrounding counties through its Court Appointed Special Advocates Program (CASA), Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and more than 200 trained community volunteer advocates. The agency serves more than 400 children each month and has served more than 20,500 children since 1991. CASA Volunteers advocate for children’s emotional, physical and educational needs while they are involved in the court system. Child Advocates of Fort Bend is one of only a few programs in the country that provides a volunteer advocate for every child in foster care. The Children’s Advocacy Center team of professional clinicians, social workers and advocates provide an array of free services for children and families including forensic interviews, family advocacy, medical referrals, therapy and mental health services, case coordination and criminal court advocacy each month and has served more than 20,500 children since opening its doors in 1991. For more information on how you can get involved with Child Advocates of Fort Bend, contact Volunteer Services at 281-344-5123 or jbrown@cafb.org or log onto www. cafb.org.

MARCH 2022 l

Garden

Home

Landscape

Tips And Resources To Turn Your House Into Your Dream Home

Things You Should Know When Getting A Mortgage By Cathy Baker

t’s kind of funny, most people who call me all want to know, “What’s the rate,” and I’ve had people tell me that’s all they need to know. Is that all you really need to know? Of course not! What’s just as important as the interest rate are the costs involved to get it. Looking at the interest rate without looking at the costs is like standing on the street corner and looking one way down the street. It looks good, so you step out into the street, and that bus called Closing Costs is going to hit you from the other side. Seriously? Bottom line: You can get just about any rate your heart desires, but you’d be better be sitting down when you discover what some of those “teaser” rates will cost you. And as I’m always saying, look at the whole picture. Before you tell someone, “l don’t want to pay any points,” just know that when you decide you’re not going to pay any points, know that you’re going to pay a higher interest rate than would be available if you were to pay a discount point (1% of your loan amount) or a partial discount point. I know it seems funny that we call something you pay for a “discount,” but it in

effect is “discounting” the rate you’re getting by paying a point or points. Here’s the real deal as far as paying points. Whether or not it makes sense to pay for buying down the rate mostly depends on how long you’re planning on paying on that loan, NOT the loan term. In other words, who cares how much you’re going to save over 30 years if you’re only going to have the loan for 7 or 10 years? Look at the numbers over a realistic timetable for you, and consider all of your options before making a decision.

Credit

The rates and pricing that are available to you are largely dependent on what your middle credit score is when pulled on a mortgage credit report, or MCR. The credit score that your credit card company, bank or consumer credit report site is NOT going to be the same as it is on an MCR. The mortgage report is a much more thorough report, and the scores can be anywhere from 20-50 points lower than you’ll find on a consumer site, so have an idea what your credit scores are from a consumer standpoint, and when you get your own credit report, it doesn’t count as a hit against you. You never want more people than necessary to pull your credit and NEVER go online and put your social security number into a site. You’ll get a lot of unwanted company. When it comes to credit, there are things it makes common sense to do that sometimes can hurt you credit score wise, even if it seems as if it would help you, so be careful and speak with someone who’s experienced working with credit BEFORE you start paying off old debts or collections. Another NEVER is NEVER close an account. If you aren’t using one, let it die it’s natural death, but it will HURT your credit score if you go closing accounts. The credit score modules want to see that you have plenty of available credit that you’re not accessing. If you’re wanting to pay down debt, don’t start with the small ones; they’re not hurting you, or keeping you from being able

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to do anything. If you are trying to qualify for a home loan, the ones it will make a difference to pay down or eliminate are the ones with the larger monthly payments. Do not consolidate your credit card debt and shove it onto one card. That ALSO will hurt you. It’s much better to have your debt spread out over several accounts. You also want to try to keep the balances on those cards at no more than 30% of the high credit limit. If you want to pay down the cards, spread out the amount you’re paying down if you’ve got several that are inching up towards the limit

Employment/Income If you’re thinking you’re going to be purchasing or refinancing a home in the next couple of years, this is the wrong time to decide to start your own business. Do the house first, THEN start the business. Timing is everything, right? It also matters if you get paid differently than you used to, and even if you’ve taken a job where “potentially” you’re going to make more money, we can’t use “potential” income, only what you’re actually receiving, and there are some limits on that as well. There are also certain types of income that we either have to prove you’ve received for over two years, and other types where we have to prove you’re going to be receiving at least another three years for us to be able to use it as “qualifying income.” This is just one of the many reasons why the mortgage preapproval process is really not a DIY project.

Terms Generally speaking, 15 year loans normally have lower rates than 30 year loans. There are also 10, 20 and 25 year terms available. If you are absolutely comfortable NO MATTER WHAT, with a 10 or 15 year loan, then there’s no reason not to consider those. But, what’s more important than the interest rate on your loan? The comfort level of your payment. It makes absolutely no sense to avoid a purchase or refinance loan just because you can’t comfortably afford the payment on 15 years. Do not make the mistake of going for a 15 year loan because the rate is lower than it is on the 30. Get something that’s comfortable for you, and if you’re refinancing, make sure it’s something that’s actually going to benefit you. We do many loans for retired folks, and just about every one of them does a 30 year fixed rate loan, because it offers the lowest payment and therefore, the most security for the borrower. As we get younger every year, we get to appreciate and prioritize comfort. Make sure you do the same with your mortgage. For more information, visit www.bakermortgage.com.

Create Comfort In Your Home: Katy Home & Garden Show and Spring Gift Market Finding comfort in the home has reached an all-time high. Our home is not only an extension now of work and home but a reflection of what’s most valuable to us – what we are and love. There has never been a better time to refresh. Multifunctional spaces, outdoor living and bringing nature inside are all trends for 2022. Want to find all the brightest ideas and experts under one roof? Save the date and make plans to attend the Katy Home & Garden Show back for its 16th year March 26th – 27th, featuring the beloved Spring Gift Market. All under one roof in a new convenient location at the KISD Ag Center, off Hwy. 99, on Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road, between Morton Ranch and FM 529. With twice as many exhibits, garden and outdoor living galore, food sampling, food trucks and tons of free parking. Find ways to renovate and create a new level of comfort at home with inspiration from home design, renovation, and trend-setting experts where you can comparison shop on everything from windows to doors, floors, outdoor living areas, landscape, pools, kitchens, baths and more. And shop ‘til you drop for gifts and home décor galore. If ever there was a time to cultivate green, it is 2022. Explore an expansive 10,000+ square feet dedicated to garden and outdoor living ideas. Plus, find loads of petfriendly products for the fur baby and how-to tips in Pet Central, and learn how to create the perfect charcuterie board with The Cheese Chica, featured on The Fresh Ideas Stage sponsored by Culligan Water. Tickets are $7 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Show hours are Saturday, March 26th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, March 27th from 11 am to 5 pm. To register for a $250 shopping spree or for additional information, directions to the KISD Ag Center, seminar times and hours visit www.katyhomeandgardenshow.com or call 832-392-0165. Parking is free.

MARCH 2022 l

Advertorial

KENSINGTON @ RIVERSTONE N OO S ING M CO

Darling designed and built single story home. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, private home office. Plantation shutters, Hand-scraped hardwood wood floors. floor to ceiling stone fireplace, high ceilings, gourmet kitchen. Large covered patio with very private well landscaped back yard with room with room for swimming pool and then some. Seller waiting for new residence to be completed.

SWEETWATER T IGH R B G H &PRIN S E FR AS S

hen temperatures creep up again, it signals time for an annual tradition: spring cleaning. While big projects like windows are hard to overlook, don’t forget smaller areas that need attention, too, such as your home office. Making sense of a year’s worth of paperwork and clutter can take some serious time, especially as many people have been working from home more than normal, but getting organized can help you tackle home management tasks more efficiently. Making the office a priority can reduce frustration when it comes to spending additional time in your office while working from home. These five tips can help get you started: Make sure you have furniture that can adequately store your stuff, including plenty of space for files, reference books and computer equipment. Pieces need not be costly to be functional and there are plenty of attractive options available online and at both small and major retailers. Arrange the space with its intended use and your own work style in mind. For example, if you don’t need ample space to spread out over a large, flat work area, eliminate that space – it’s simply an invitation for clutter. Place items you rely on frequently, such as a calculator or ruler, within arm’s reach so they can easily be put away between uses. Capture these items in containers and bins to keep the space looking neat and free of clutter. Establish a filing system that lets you keep track of important papers you need to keep and have a shredder handy to help you discard any sensitive documents. Whether you alphabetize, color code or use some other method, group paperwork into segments for categories such as bills, banking, health care, auto, insurance and so on for easy access in the future. Tangled cords can make even the most organized spaces look messy, and they may pose a fire or tripping hazard. Get control of your cords by storing devices you don’t use regularly and securing the remaining cords with twist ties or clips. Remember to use a surgeprotected power strip to minimize the chance of damage should a power surge occur. Find more tips at www.eLivingtoday. com. Sourec: www.Familyfeatures.com

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Sweetwater home with the most Serene Views of Sweetwater Golf course. This 5-bedroom home has a place for everyone to relax and unwind – including the dogs in their special alcove! It has been totally updated and is waiting for you to move right in and enjoy! Porcelain Tile Floors, 2 Stone Fireplaces, Wine Room, Study, Home Office, Game Room and Much More on almost a Half Acre! Located on Pecan course @Sweetwater. Pecan Tree/Golf Course View can be enjoyed from almost every room in the home. Professionally Landscaped Yard with view of the Brook and Fish Pond, Double Pergolas – a True Oasis for Spring! Call for your Private Showing. 281-414-8400.

Call Me For Personal Virtual Tours

Arlene R. Rolsen CRS , “Selling Fort Bend’s Finest Homes Since 1985”

281.414.8400 arolsen@cbunited.com www.ArleneRolsen.com

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Tips for Organizing Your Home Office

3 4

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How Much Should I Grow?

By Alisa Murray www.alisamurrayslivingthesweetlife.com

ey Sweet Lifers! There are so many challenges to think about when planning a garden, like understanding the way the sun lands throughout the day, the quality of the soil, and rotation and location annually. Unless it lives in the Sweet Life Garden year round, each year every bed is delicately and thoughtfully planned as a brand new piece of art to care for and then enjoy. The biggest and sometimes most overlooked challenge is not only what to plant, but how much of it to plant to actually have enough to feed your family. There’s simply no sense in planting a bed full of broccoli if your family will not eat it. On the flip side, it’s frustrating to plant what you do love and realize that you did not plant enough to do much with! That is why the first step in planning your garden is to think about what your family actually eats. The amounts per person must be considered, as well as accounting for interruptions in production due to pests and weather. Additionally, it is also important to make the decision as to whether your garden will be exclusively a “feeding” one or also provide extras built in for preparing a canning and preservation resource for your kitchen. That changes the quantities of the plants you’ll want to sow and or purchase this spring. For example, the average person will consume beans equal to 10 plants. For celery, six plants are needed per person, and for cherry tomatoes, you need to have one plant per person. I have created an easy graphic for feeding a family of four fresh veggies to help you decide how much you need to plan for. This does not account for canning and preserving for winter. If you know you want to can sauces and pickle cucumbers, then you’ll need to plant extra so that you’ll have enough to do both. If the amounts seem overwhelming, I recommend starting with a few vegetables that you really will enjoy and not try to plant an entire garden full. From my own experience I will tell you that a garden can bring great joy, satisfaction and teach patience in ways no other lovely experience in this life can; however, planting too much can also be stressful and overwhelming, so start with what you’ll eat and grow from there. Once you have determined how much you need and what you need, the next step is to actually map out where these plants will go in your garden, account for what their individual needs are and the space you have to work with. That will be next month’s task, but for now, I hope this helps you in thinking further about how to make your garden work for you! Keep on growing!

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NEWSWORTHY

Entries Sought For Libraries’ Photo Contest “We Are Fort Bend” Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL), in conjunction with the Fort Bend County Diversity Over Division Initiative and the Fort Bend Photography Club, is seeking entries for its “We Are Fort Bend” Photography Contest. Amateur photographers of all skill levels are invited to enter original photographs that portray the culture, nature, people and places of Fort Bend County. To be eligible for competition, contestants must submit a digital copy of their photograph between April 1st and 15th. Entries should be submitted through an online form on the FBCL website on April 1st. Prizes will be awarded for 1st-place ($200 gift card), 2nd-place ($150 gift card), and 3rd-place ($100 gift card). Winners will be announced in May. Photos will be displayed in the Roman Bohachevsky Gallery at George Memorial Library in Richmond. Winning photographs will be determined by a panel of judges based on the following criteria: relationship to theme, composition, focus, lighting, emotional impact and creativity. All entries must be original, unpublished and the work of the person submitting it. Only one photo may be entered per person. The photo can be in color or black-and-white and should be submitted as a high-resolution (1 MB or higher) .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .eps, tif or .pdf. Digital manipulations of the photos should be limited to: cropping, re-sizing, red-eye reduction and reasonable adjustments to color and contrast. FBCL reserves the right to print or display any entry to contest for an indefinite period of time. Entries will be exhibited for the general public. The contest is open to amateur photographers only. Professional photographers who earn a living by selling their photographs are not eligible to participate. There is no fee for entering the contest. For more information, call 281-633-4734 or email Programming@fortbend.lib.tx.us.

MARCH 2022 l

Seen on the Scene Annual Boots & Badges Gala Benefitting Behind the Badge Charities

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Tag Us as you are Out and About in the Heart of Bend 28

1 Ann Smith, Betty Baitland & Teresa Bathe 2 David Lanagan & Carlos Perez 3 Roy Cordes & Mary Favre 4 Jeff Sorbel & Kelly Crow 5 Bill Rickert & William Ferguson 6 Liz Furman & Rhonda Kuykendall 7 Cyndia Rodriguez & Jeanne Wallace 8 Allen Owen Photos by Mary Favre, Elsa Maxey and Liz Furman.

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12603 Southwest Freeway, Suite 165 Stafford, TX 77477 (Across from the New TI Re-Development Project) MARCH 2022 l

Annabelle’s Amazing Graces A

nnabelle van Deursen was born on November 6th, 2015, a healthy, beautiful girl. She was developing appropriately until about six months of age, and at this time, her mother, Shelley van Deursen, noticed she was missing developmental milestones. Shelley and husband, Daniel, voiced their concerns to their pediatrician, and at nine months, Annabelle was referred to a neurologist.

fers the coverage needed to diagnose patients rapidly and reliably.

Finding An Answer

Delayed Milestones At nine months, Annabelle wasn’t sitting, crawling or babbling much. The van Deursen’s were told Annabelle had benign hypotonia. At her first neurologist appointment, Annabelle was referred for physical therapy, and several labs were ordered. In August of 2016, Annabelle began physical therapy weekly. Her blood work for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) came back negative, and her other labs came back normal. At a follow up with the neurologist in November, an MRI and additional blood work was ordered. These tests came back relatively normal for her age of 12 months. In January, Shelley became pregnant with Annabelle’s little brother, and at her prenatal genetic appointment, the counselor recommended the van Deursen’s meet with a genetics’ physician for Annabelle. They continued to follow up with Annabelle’s neu-

Annabelle van Deursen. Photo by Laura Geisen photography.

rologist every three months with blood work and tests continuing to come back negative. The genetics’ physician then ordered the TRIO WES test for Annabelle, Daniel and Shelley. The Trio Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) is a highly complex comprehensive genetic test that identifies changes in a patient’s DNA that are causative or related to their medical concerns. By focusing on the entire protein-coding regions of the genome – the exome – WES of-

About GNAO1 Mutation GNAO1 (G Protein Subunit Alpha O1) is a Protein Coding gene. Some of the individuals with mutations on the GNAO1 gene suffer from seizures associated with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-17. Others have mild to severe movement disorders. All seem to have some form of developmental delay. To date, 60 people worldwide have been identified as having a mutation on the GNAO1 gene.

Shelley was 35 weeks pregnant when she received the call from Annabelle’s genetics’ counselor with the WES results. Though the van Deursen’s were told the test results would take eight to 12 weeks, the results were in within about four weeks. “I will never forget that moment,” recalled Shelley, who was driving Annabelle to therapy. “The counselor told me that they had found the source for Annabelle’s developmental delays. She proceeded to tell me that Annabelle had a GNAO1 mutation, and there were only eight reported cases in the world, all females, and the oldest was 18 years old. The only question I asked was, ‘What is her life expectancy?’ The counselor couldn’t answer that question for me. I hung up with her and immediately called my husband hysterically crying. I couldn’t lose this beautiful, sweet little girl.” That night Shelley and Daniel searched the internet for anything they could find about the GNAO1 mutation. They were surprised to find there were 50 children in the world with that mutation, all boys and girls. “We connected with families through a Facebook group and email,” said Shelley. “We met with Annabelle’s neurologist that Monday. Since the mutation is so rare, she didn’t know much about it. That week we also met with her geneticist. He, too, did not know very much about GNAO1.” The van Deursen’s continued to connect with families through social media and received much more information about Annabelle’s diagnosis. They discovered about 250 children diagnosed with a GNAO1 mutation in the world;

Finding A Cure The GNAO1 mutation is progressive and Shelley and Daniel see that in Annabelle. “I feel like we are in a race with time, which is why it’s so important for us to fund research for the GNAO1 mutation and try to stop this mutation from progressing and eventually find a cure,” said Shelley. “We started Annabelle’s Amazing Graces non-profit to raise awareness about the GNAO1 mutation and to try and cure our daughter. I remember telling my husband when we decided to host Annabelle’s Benefit that I couldn’t let this genetic mutation kill our daughter without trying to stop it. I still feel that way. It’s hard to watch your child suffer knowing you can’t do anything to help, so we are doing what we know to do and that is fund research to learn about the GNAO1 mutation and ultimately find a cure for it.”

there is a broad spectrum of symptoms, depending on the variant. Some variants are known to cause seizures, and some cause movement disorders. Every child diagnosed seems to have some sort of developmental delay. There is currently no cure for this GNAO1 mutation, but the van Deursen’s goal through Annabelle’s Amazing Graces is to change that through fundraising to provide funds for research. Today Annabelle attends kindergarten and is loving every minute of school. Therapy seems to be Annabelle’s only treatment at this time. She does have hypotonia; she isn’t talking or walking independently, but she is the hardest working little girl according to mom and dad. She has made incredible progress, and now Annabelle can now scoot and crawl around the entire house, getting to where she wants. She can get into a sitting position from lying down, she is walking beautifully in her walker, she can maneuver her wheelchair around, she can feed herself, and she is “talking’”using her AAC device. Shelley describes Annabelle as a “happy, beautiful, sweet and funny little girl. She is one of the biggest blessings in our life, and we are blessed that God has entrusted us to be her parents.”

The van Deursen Family: Daniel, Annabelle, Shelley, Matthew and James.

April 2nd is the fourth year to host Annabelle’s Benefit, which is a 5K Run/1 Mile Walk with beer, live music, a wine pull, face painting, ice cream, princesses, snowcones and much more at No Label Brewery in Katy. It’s a fun family friendly event with the race starting at 8:30 am. For more information, visit www.annabellesamazinggraces.org.

MARCH 2022 l

Spring has Sprung

in the Bend

t’s March in Fort Bend County – Spring has sprung! There’s new life, renewed vibrancy and a

push to get out of the house! Here are some of the things Nancy and I enjoy every March. We love flowers blooming, especially our official state flower – the stunning Texas Bluebonnet. There’s a myth that you have to drive to the Texas Hill Country or central Texas to see true Texas bluebonnets. If you feel compelled to leave Fort Bend, enjoy paying $3.50 for a gallon of gasoline and driving for three hours, please be my guest. But, if you prefer loading up your car with a picnic lunch and the family dog(s) for a fifteen-minute drive that features Texas Hill Country caliber bluebonnets, they are waiting for you right here in Fort Bend! The best local spot Nancy and I have found in Fort Bend is in New Territory/Telfair around the lakes by Cornerstone Elementary School and the Museum of Natural Science. There are wide trails suitable for baby strollers and easy access around all the lakes. Feel free to take photographs among our bluebonnets but never pick them – it’s against Texas law. Bluebonnets are Fort Bend Strong! I have always promised to keep politics out of this column, especially if bluebonnets are involved. I will never break that promise, but I am going to share an “observation” that may seem like politics because it involves the Aggies and the Longhorns.

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Maroon bluebonnets blooming in The Gardens at Texas A&M University. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie). Photo: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2021/03/18/hurry-up-and-wait-texas-bluebonnets-are-coming/ In the spring of 2014, a strange thing happened around the iconic tower at The University of Texas. Bluebonnets popped up - maroon bluebonnets. They could not be picked, because they were genetic bluebonnets. They only way to remove these “maroonbonnets” was to dig up the soil containing them and move them, intact, without a single death. The Aggies would neither confirm nor deny any involvement in “maroonbonnets” around the UT Tower. Skip Richter, of Texas A&M Agrilife in Harris County, explained that, “God chose to put the maroon gene in the bluebonnet family. There ain’t no orange one.” Since the largest concentration of Aggie alumni is in southeast Texas, what do you think the odds are of “maroonbonnets” popping up in Fort Bend next spring? Maroonbonnets are Fort Bend Strong! Spring is not just about new flowers blooming – the Fort Bend skies are filled with birds! While you can see and hear them around your home, it is highly unlikely that you will see 209 species of birds. The only place to experience that is to spend some time at Sugar Land’s Cullinan Park. This 754-arce wildlife oasis is home to herons, egrets, warblers, ducks and woodpeckers, just to name a few. Parking is free. There are restrooms and miles of trails to explore. Cullinan Park is also home to one of the oldest and tallest pecan trees in Texas (Pecan is the official Texas tree). And if you’re really observant and lucky, you will see America’s national emblem – the A bald eagle. bald eagle – flying overPhoto by Kyle Carlsen. head! Spring wildlife is https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/ identification/diurnal-daytime-raptors/bald-eagle.php Fort Bend Strong!

It is not just Mother Nature that makes a Fort Bend spring so special. Texas history comes alive in Fort Bend in March. The Alamo fell on March 6th. Goliad was overrun on March 27th. As General Sam Houston strategically retreated east in early March, our fellow Texians followed to avoid the wrath of Mexican tyrant Santa Anna. Towns and crops along the way were burned to prevent them from being used by Santa Anna. This action was called the Runaway Scrape. General Houston went through Richmond around April 1st, 1836. The quickest and best way for Santa Anna to pursue General Houston was to cross the Brazos River in Richmond via Thompson’s Ferry. Knowing that fact, General Houston left a small unit at Thompson’s Ferry to stop Santa Anna. Santa Anna used an Englishspeaking soldier to trick the ferryman to come help a fellow Texian who been left behind. The Mexicans surprised the ferryman and captured the ferry boat. They crossed the Brazos on April 14th. One week later, we whipped Santa Anna at San Jacinto. The Republic of Texas was born! Do not settle for my description – see the site of Thompson’s Ferry yourself in Historic Richmond. Texas history is Fort Bend Strong!

The Thompson’s Ferry Marker. http://wateringholdclubhouse.blogspot.com/2015/01/thompsons-ferry-marker.html

What are you going to do to celebrate the arrival of spring in March? Please let me know. I know y’all have great ideas for Fort Bend Strong stories. War heroes, long forgotten high school championships, great teachers, the best parents, maroonbonnets coming to Fort Bend, etc. Please share your stories with me at pete@absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Political stories will be fed to the alligators at Brazos Bend State Park. As always, stay Fort Bend Strong! MARCH 2022 l

absolutely AUTO REVIEW By Steve Kursar

2022 SUBARU WILDERNESS EDITION 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

or 2022, Subaru has upped the game for two of their most popular models with the introduction of the Wilderness Editions for the Forester and the Outback. The Subaru brand is known for building cars that are tough and reliable. And now, they have created these new Wilderness models engineered for off-road exploring with upgrades to their ground clearance, drivetrain and all-terrain capabilities. Both Forester and Outback Wilderness Edition models share similar engineering design features. They both come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which provides traction in all kinds of weather and trail conditions. Nine inches of ground clearance puts you above rough terrain and a standard front skid plate gives extra protection against obstacles. Standard all-terrain tires allow for improved performance on mud, snow, gravel, and other surfaces and enhanced dual-function X-MODE with settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud makes it safer to navigate through treacherous conditions. Even gear ratios have been revised for improved low-speed climbing power. Each Wilderness Edition Subaru has redesigned bumpers with improved approach and departure angles for steeper climbing and avoiding larger obstacles and a re-tuned suspension to handle even tougher trails. In the interior, a durable, water-resistant upholstery called Star-Tex helps the

interior stand up to the elements along with any combination of passengers, pets and gear. All Wilderness Edition models are easily distinguished from the other Subaru models by distinctive badging and strategically placed bright orange patches.

2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness interior. The Forester Wilderness Edition has a starting MSRP of $32,820, which is about $7,500 over a base edition. The Forester is powered by a normally aspirated 182 hp, 2.5 liter Boxer engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The larger Outback Wilderness Edition has a starting MSRP of $36,995, which is about $10,000 over a base model. The bigger Outback also gets a more powerful engine, a 260 hp, 2.4 liter turbocharged Boxer engine which is also mated to a CVT. The Outback’s fuel economy numbers are the same as the Forester, 26 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway. Subaru used to be a car brand that was content building solid vehicles with sometimes quirky exterior designs. Over the last couple of decades, they’ve transformed into a mainstream car manufacturer with compelling designs to which new car buyers are flocking. Expect more models like the winning Wilderness Editions to appear in Subaru dealer showrooms.

2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness.

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

March 2022 Winner “Amongst autumn leaves I await” By Beena Thomas Congratulations you’ve earned a gift certificate! ENTER TO WIN Fort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary. The entry must not have previously appeared in any publication. A WINNER EVERY ISSUE Each issue’s winner receives a gift certificate and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, e-mail grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com.

Please make sure to send some basic information about every photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and phone number. By submitting an entry, the photographer gives Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.

NO LIMIT TO ENTRIES To submit a digital photo, e-mail the jpeg file to Grace@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Digital photos must be 300 dpi HIGH RESOLUTION at size of at least 10” wide. MARCH 2022 l

the drunken cyclist By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D.

Spring into Rosés

recently as just a handful of years ago, I bristled when I heard “It’s rosé season!” For as a lover of pink wines, I drink rosé wines year-round regardless of the calendar or the temperature beyond my front door. As the rosé category has exploded, however, I have given up my Sisyphean effort to change the perception of rosé as a seasonal indulgence. Thus, as the calendar flips once more to March, it is a good time to review some of the consistently good producers on the market. While many of the shelves still contain last year’s wines (the 2020 rosés are still drinking beautifully), it is always fun the find the newest rosés as they make their way into the market. Here are some of my favorite rosés from around the world.

Widely Available Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel, Côtes de Provence, France Retail $25. “Consisting primarily of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle.” While some may disagree, for me this has become the standard bearer in Provençal rosé. Sure, this is ubiquitous and distributed by one of the evil empires, but it is *really good* if not more. Other fabulous rosés from Chåateau d’Esclans: Rock Angel ($40), Les Clans ($80), and Garrus ($100).

Chehalem Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR Retail $25. Stoller Family Estate purchased the Chehalem Winery a few years ago and while the Stoller Rosé of Pinot Noir ($28) is stellar, I find the Chehalem rosé slightly more scrumptious.

Château Miraval, Côtes de Provence, France Retail $25. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Rolle. It is perhaps not “cool” to like this wine given that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are (still) part owners of this winery, but the other half is owned by the Perrin family and they more than know their way around the block when it comes to making rosé. Château Mirival also produces Studio by Mirival ($20), which is quite similar in profile, but not as complex.

Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Rosé, Russian River Valley, CA Retail $25. Rodney Strong has been making wine in Sonoma County for decades and this relatively new addition to the portfolio is always one of my favorite rosés. Bright, tart, fruity, this wine is perfect poolside as well as at the table.

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Might Take a Little Digging Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé, Verona, IGT, Italy Retail $20. Corvina 50%, Trebbiano 25%, Syrah 15%, Carménère 10%. The name, 11 Minutes, refers to the amount of time the wine is in contact with the skins for this True Rosé. An attractive bottle and label house a pale pinkishorange wine, reminiscent of the Provençal style.

Château de Trinquevedel Tavel, Rhône Valley, France Retail $20. Under cork. 45% Grenache, 24% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, 6% Syrah. Tavel is a bit of a rarity as the region can legally only produce rosé. Imported by Kermit Lynch, which is almost always a sign of quality. Darker than most rosés with more of a red wine vibe.

Be Human Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, WA Retail $18. A new producer in the region, part of the growing Aquilini family of wines, the 2020 version of this wine really stood out with oodles of strawberry and watermelon.

NEWSWORTHY

Sugar Land Requests Regional Artists for Traffic Box Wrap Designs

And a Few from Texas Lost Draw Cellars THP Rosé, Texas High Plains Retail $25. Despite making wine for nearly a decade now, I was not familiar with Lost Draw Cellars until they sent me a sample last year of their rosé for my annual blind tasting. Incredible.

Brennan Vineyards Mourvèdre Rosé, Comanche County Retail $22. Located in tiny (Population ~4,500) Comanche County southwest of Dallas, I have been impressed with all their wines and particularly their rosé.

The city of Sugar Land is requesting proposals from regional artists to design wraps for up to 13 traffic boxes throughout Sugar Land. This is the third phase of the Traffic Box Wrap project, with previous rounds installed in 2018 and 2019. For this phase, boxes will be wrapped along State Highway 6 from Austin Parkway to Hull Lane. Artists will be asked to submit designs based on specifications created by the city. The request for proposal is available online at www.sugarlandtx.gov/ TrafficBoxRFP. All submissions should be made online at www.callforentry.org by March 17th. The city will oversee the fabrication and installation of each “wrap.” Selected artists will be paid $500 for chosen designs. This opportunity is limited to Sugar Land-area and regional artists living or working within a 70-mile radius of Sugar Land. High school students, local artists, professional artists and designers are all encouraged to submit designs. “Sugar Land Looks Ahead” is the theme of this call and is purposely very broad to allow for open interpretation and creativity to make a lasting impression on residents and viewers. This theme was inspired by the idea of what it would mean to be a thriving community in a “post-pandemic” world and reflects a hopeful future for Sugar Land and its citizens. The project is a component of Sugar Land’s Public Art Plan, a document approved by the City Council in November 2016. The plan outlines a vision and programmatic direction for public art in Sugar Land. Funding for the project comes from restricted revenue sources and does not include property taxes.

Reddy Vineyards Rosé, Texas High Plains Retail $25. One of the largest grape growers in the state, Reddy started making their own wine a couple of years ago, and the results have been outstanding.

Car Wash for Kids Doubling the Impact! Sunday, April 3rd, Hope For Three Teen Huddle and over 100 teen volunteers from across the county will rev up to raise awareness and acceptance during April, Autism Awareness Month. The event, presented by Sugar Land Baptist Church, will take place at C & C Dental, 17003 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land. Teens from area schools will be on hand to wash cars with an EcoFriendly solution, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The cost is free of charge; however, donations are welcome. Sugar Land Baptist Church is matching donations up to $3,500. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities are available. For more information or to find autism resources, visit www.hopeforthree.org/events or call 281-245-0640.

MARCH 2022 l

OUT &

Four Fort Bend ISD teachers have been named FBISD Teachers of the Year by the Suburban Houston Association for Bilingual Education (SHABE) for the 2021-22 school year. Congratulations to the honorees!

ABOUT IN THE HEART

OF THE BEND

World Language: Ashley Causey – Executive Director of Secondary Schools, FBISD; Melissa Vargas – World Language Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD; Maria Rincon – Spanish Teacher, Quail Valley MS; Kamilah Holmes – GT Academy Coordinator, Quail Valley MS; Audra Ude – Interim Principal, Quail Valley MS and Alfred Holland – Associate Principal, Quail Valley MS.

Bilingual Teacher of the Year: José Barrera, Bilingual Program Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD; Dr. Marta Rivas, Principal, Ridgegate Elementary; Carlos Lewis, Assistant Principal, Ridgegate Elementary; Miriam Vasquez, 4th grade bilingual teacher, Ridgegate Elementary and Carolina Álvarez, Bilingual Program Specialist, Fort Bend ISD.

Elementary ESL: Lili Dibai, ESL Program Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD; Stephanie Woodard, Assistant Principal, Palmer Elementary; Cassandra Durst, 1st grade teacher, Palmer Elementary; Kellie Clay, Principal, Palmer Elementary and Lee Glaesemann, ESL Program Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD.

Secondary ESL: Joël Johnson, Secondary ESL Program Coordinator, Fort Bend ISD; Courtney Clark, Principal, Lake Olympia MS; Abdelhafid Maher, Secondary ESL teacher, Lake Olympia MS; Cesar Moreira, Secondary EL Specialist, Fort Bend ISD and Lita Skinner, Assistant Principal, Lake Olympia MS.

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

The Houston Metro Go Texan Committee held its 29th Annual Boot Scootin’ Ball at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds benefiting scholarships for seniors at Lamar and Needville schools. It was a fun evening filled with dinner, auctions and dancing.

Getting together for a quick Galentine’s Day photo at Fernando’s in Sugar Land were Teresa Reading, Carole Brown, Mary Favre, Patti Parish-Kaminski and Sharlene Jacobson.

Jim and Kay Garrett.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Fort Bend ISD District Spelling Bee. The annual FBISD Spelling Bee is open to both elementary and middle school students, and this year’s competition included 55 school winners and lasted 13 rounds.

Champion Srikrissh Kandoor, E.A. Jones; co-champion Gabrian Rullin, Quail Valley Middle School; and alternate winner Cormac Schindler, Colony Meadows Elementary.

Bruce and Vicki Stevenson.

Rick Conn and Alisa Calabrese.

Fort Bend supporters came out to see Governor Greg Abbot at a Celebration of Texas Tour on January 30th at Gallery Furniture in Richmond. State Representative Jaycee Jetton, District 26, introduced Governor Abbott at the event highlighting Texas’ strengths.

These four “amigos” were among the Fort Bend participants. State Representative Jaycee Jetton, Gallery Furniture’s Jim McIngvale, State Rep. Phil Stephenson, District 85, and State Representative Gary Gates, District 28. (Photo by Elsa Maxey.)

Among the enthusiastic and excited group of Fort Bend supporters were Tina Gibson, Mary Favre, State Representative Phil Stephenson, District 85, Sue Stephenson, and Melissa Gates. MARCH 2022 l

MEDICAL FOCUS

Free Digestive Health Webinar at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Stress, worry and anxiety can take a toll on your stomach: Just think back to how you felt the last time you went on a job interview, got pulled over for speeding or awaited the results of a medical test. Those nervous butterflies in your belly were hard to ignore. “The enteric nervous system, a collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract, makes up your gut’s brain,” said Anam Omer, M.D., gastroenterologist with Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates at Sugar Land. “The entire system is very sensitive to moods — and stress can be a major contributor to many digestive problems.” Here’s a look at common conditions and how they’re affected by stress: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder that’s marked by cramping, gas, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Stress doesn’t cause the condition, but some IBS sufferers find that it brings on flare-ups. Experts think that this may be because the colon is partly controlled by the body’s autonomic nervous system, which responds to stress. Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes and opens up. This can cause stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. According to the National Heartburn Alliance, stress can cause problems with the way food makes its way through your digestive system, causing food to move upward instead of down. Research shows that heartburn sufferers who recently experienced a life-changing

Want to know what’s going on in your community? 40

Anam Omer, M.D., gastroenterologist. event were more likely to develop severe symptoms. Indigestion — or feelings of bloating or nausea, belching, gas and diarrhea — is often caused by eating too much or eating too fast, consuming high-fat foods or eating during stressful situations. “It can also be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers,” Omer said. “Indigestion tends to get worse during stressful times and improve in times of relaxation. Stress can worsen underlying health conditions and trigger unhealthy eating and smoking, both of which are known to worsen indigestion.” Ease Anxiety and Bellyaches You can’t always avoid stress, but you can manage it and help ease your stomach woes. Some key strategies include:

Exercise. Regular activity helps reduce stress, control weight, regulate bowel function, and improve your overall well-being. Just make sure to exercise before eating or wait at least one hour after a meal. Biofeedback. This mind-over-matter technique helps you learn to control certain body functions that may have fallen into an abnormal pattern, including bowel function, and bring them back to normal. Biofeedback also helps reduce muscle tension and slow heart rate, promoting a relaxed state. Relaxation and breathing techniques. Try yoga or meditation, taking slow, rhythmic breaths to lessen stress and, in turn, cramps and pain.

Digestive Health Webinar March 31st Join us for a digestive health webinar with specialists from Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates to learn more about how stress may be affecting your digestive system and what you can do. The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, March 31st at 6 pm. Registration is required. To register visit join.houstonmethodist.org/ digestive-sl or call 281.274.7500. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Check out Community Events at FortBendFocus.com

And list your non-profit Community Event for Free! E-mail patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

MARCH 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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

Living the Sweet Life:

ey Sweet Lifers! Ya’ll know March is National Literacy Awareness month in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday I hope. He is still one of my favorite author’s with his Green Eggs and Ham reigning in at numero uno in my memory banks of childhood. My Godmother still mentions it every time I go home fondly reminiscing about how much I adored his books and well, really all books! Apparently my Daddy’s partner, T Lane, would come home from catching babies all day with Daddy, and I would be waiting with books in hand for him to shower and sit and read Dr. Seuss to me. Much later in my life, when Brian and I were packing up after the wedding “my” things to head off to Savannah for me to attend art school, he kept complaining about the heavy and countless boxes of books . . . to which his father sternly replied, “At least she reads!” That is still such a fond memory of our early years, and of course, of him God rest his soul. As far as “stuff” goes, there really is not much I can say I like more than books. I have accumulated many things in my fifty-two years with books being my largest collection. I also find myself wondering about people when I am invited to their homes and find there is no library. What exactly could this mean? Makes me nervous actually! For me, an afternoon well spent is with William on my lap, a delightful pot of lavender or jasmine tea at my side and a really good book in my hands. Not digital books mind you either. Brian tried that a few years ago as he lamented as to why there was an entire suitcase dedicated to my reading for a vacation. I explained to him it was kinda like his disliking it when I substitute cauliflower and call it “mashed potatoes.” There is nothing that compares to the real thing. I have everything from the classics to hard core action (I love James Bond) to philosophy and psychology. Of course, and I am proud to say very little romance. I have never been into reading what I call “brain candy,” but rather I gravitate to spending time learning something new and or gathering more knowledge in areas that interest me . . . and fortunately for me there’s a plenty! Now I understand that many people do not have time to read, and for those of you, there’s that audiobook thingy. It’s an easy way to take stuff in without well . . . the cat, the tea and a whole afternoon curled up. In celebration of my old friend Seuss, I have complied my suggestions for this year, taking my cues from the likes of Jenna Busch Hagar, who has her own book club, Oprah, of course, and my own little finds. I think you’ll find something on the list for everyone, and if I have inspired you to buy just one new book in 2022, well I can check that off my personal list of things to do in 2022, too!

• Home: A Celebration edited by Charlotte Moss and in collaboration with No Kid Hungry • Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval • Surrender to Love and The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner • The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd • The Buddha and the Badass by Vishen Lakhiani • The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom • Saints by Bevere • Black Ice by Brad Thor • Hell of a Book by Jason Mott • A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris • The Deepest South of All by Richard Grant • Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff, PHD • The Jesus I Know by Kathy Lee Gifford • Rebel Homemaker by Drew Barrymore • Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo • Unrequited Infatuations by Stevie Van Zandt • A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders • Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk Hope y’all will let me know what you enjoy from these. I’m reading all of them and will be sharing my thoughts on the channel! Take care of you and, of course, “Stay sweet!”

MARCH 2022 l

March 2022 - Fort Bend Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings

Articles inside

THE DISTRICT AT SUGAR CREEK

FORT BEND STRONG

LIVING THE SWEET LIFE

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

ANNABELLE’S AMAZING GRACES