September 2010

PEOPLE

SEPTEMBER 2010

•

PLA C E S

•

H A P P E N I N G S

Honors

The Jewels of Fort Bend

Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives

What’s Inside $

2.95

• Home Special Section • Film Review • Seen on the Scene

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT NO 2337

2 BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITIES

New

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BuiLderS MOdeLS vaLueS

Sienna PLanTaTiOn

New Opening FALL 2010 ridge POinT HigH ScHOOL Sienna Plantation’s 5th School and Fort Bend’s newest high school

Greenway

Downtown

Galleria Med Center

Fort Bend Parkway

Live WeLL. PLay Hard. Have Fun.

from the $170s-Millions

DR Horton . Pulte . Meritage . Triumph . Highland . Ashton Ashton Woods..Trendmaker Coventry . DR HortonWoods . Fairmont Custom Homes Highland . Huntington Homes . J Kyle Estate Homes . Meritage . Newmark Newmark . Coventry . Plantation . Perry . Ryland . J Kyle Estate Homes . Regan Northstone Builders .Homes Perry . .Plantation . Pulte . Regan Custom Homes . Ryland Custom Homes . Fairmont Custom Homes . Huntington Northstone Builders Sterling Classic Custom Homes . Trendmaker . Triumph . Westport Sterling Classic Custom Homes . Westport

siennaplantation.com facebook.com/siennaplantation Sienna Parkway at Hwy. 6 . 281-778-7777

SEpTEmbER 25-OCTObER 27 Join us for the hottest new annual event to hit Houston!

Showcased in Fort Bend and the surrounding cities, The Grand Soiree is all about style, and will be your new favorite “go to” place for what’s happening in the home, fashion and jewelry industries. Many events are limited attendance—tickets will sell quickly!

Escape to Treasure Island ‘Couture for the Cause’ benefiting American Cancer Society at the Sienna Plantation Resort Lagoon

Sponsored by: Couture for the Cause

Neiman Marcus in Riverstone

Sienna Plantation Resort Lagoon

Fri., Oct. 8 l 7pm l $75

benefiting American Cancer Society

Sat., Sept. 25 l 8pm l $100

Special Guest Tracy Lee Stum

Fort Bend Goes to the Fall Design Market

Kathy Womack, artist . kwomack.com

.

Kick-off Event Sept. 25th Vineyard Style

Special Guest: Torie Halbert, Season 4 of HGTV’s Design Star Fri., Oct. 15 11:30am-1:30pm l $40

Internationally Renowned Houston Design Center 3D Chalk Artist: Tracy Lee Stum Wed., Oct. 13 l 9:30am-1:30pm International Risotto Festival in Riverstone

Oct. 6-8 l Watch Her Work l $5 Oct. 9-17 l View Masterpiece l $5

Bus Tours l $40

Houston Design Center

Sun., Oct. 17 l 2-6pm l $65

Indulge in jewelry, dining, shopping, art & parties!!

Art Gallery Showing with Fire & Ice Post Oak Grill—Sugar Land Kathy Womack in Riverstone

Mon., Oct. 18 l 4-6pm l $15

Thurs., Oct. 21 l 6:30pm l $150

Mix It Up at the M Lounge

Women & Wine art dinner Bartender’s Challenge Wed., Oct. 27 l 6:30pm l $40 with Kathy Womack Aura Restaurant

Mon., Oct. 18 l 6:30pm l $75

TheGrandSoiree.com

THE GRAND SOIREE a Collection of Stylish Events

10 SPECTACULAR EVENTS!!!

Oct. 6-8 11am-4pm • $5 Watch Tracy

Create

Oct. 9-17 11am-4pm • $5 View the

Masterpiece

Oct. 8

Tracy Lee Stum Internationally renowned & Guinness World Record holder

com Downtown Luxurious Waterside Living in Fort Bend

Galleria

610 Med Center

8

281.499.8700 en

dP k wy

8

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59

Williams Trace Blvd.

6

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From US 59 in Sugar Land, take Hwy 6 south three miles Home Builders: Ashton Woods . Coventry . Darling David Weekley . Highland . Meritage . Newmark . Perry Plantation Trendmaker . Westin . Westport Custom Home Builders: Christopher Sims Custom Homes Peterson Homebuilders . Sterling Classic Homes . Westport

Artful Living with

inRiverstone with special guest—

Tracy Lee Stum 7pm $75 •

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE

Without the Wait Average Wait Time 10 Minutes or Less Quality, Compassionate Care, Around the Clock Private Exam Rooms Comfortable Family Waiting Areas

PHYSICIAN REFERRAL: (281) 341-4800 www.oakbendmedcenter.org

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AWARD WINNING HOSPITAL SERVICES, CONTACT US TODAY.

magazine • September 2010

22003 Southwest Freeway Richmond, TX 77469 South on US 59 to Williams Way, 5 minutes from Sugar Land

PHONE: (281) 341-2000

community hospital 5 minutes down US-59 from Sugar Land

fort bend

Williams Way Campus

2

Compounding Corner ® Pharmacy, Inc. THE ONLY ACCREDITED COMPOUNDING PHARMACY IN FORT BEND

The FIRST compounding-only pharmacy in Fort Bend County.

The FIRST (and only) accredited compounding pharmacy in Fort Bend County.

The FIRST compounding pharmacy you should do business with.

Please see us for all your compounding needs including: • Compounded prescriptions • Office use compounds • Supplements - Thorne, Metagenics, Phytopharmica, Enzymatic Process, etc.

• Wellness consultations We take quality and safety seriously. Year to date we have already spent over $20,000 in testing for potency, sterility and endotoxins.

Has your compounding pharmacy ever done any testing of their products? Ask to see their testing results. We’ll show you ours.

281-494-7777 • 1730 Williams Trace, Ste. K, Sugar Land www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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281-206-4482

The Imperial Medical Center Land, TX 77478 1111 Hwy Hwy 6, 6,Suite Suite185 185• Sugar • Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.fortbend

www.cashionandcody.com www.cashionandcodyonline.com

.com • July 2008

7

Offering Our Special Brand of Care for Patients in Fort Bend County Our goal is to provide a high standard of care to every patient, every day.

At St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital, we combine expertise, quality and technology with our special brand of caring for the whole person – body, mind and spirit – to serve the patients of Fort Bend County.

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Lake Poin t

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Dr.

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StLukesSugarland.com St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital • 1317 Lake Pointe Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77478 • 281-637-7000

GM

Finnegan

CHRYSLER

AUTO GROUP

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED GARY FINNEGAN

VINCE FINNEGAN

gfinnegan@finneganauto.com

vfinnegan@finneganauto.com

Come see us for all of your automotive needs – Sales, Service, Parts, Collision.

LOVELL LLOYD General Sales Manager

RANDY BOWMAN General Sales Manager

lovell@finneganauto.com

rbowman@finneganauto.com

JIMMY CHRISTMAS GM Parts Manager

RICHARD OLIVER Parts Manager

jchristmas@finneganauto.com

roliver@finneganauto.com

AL GOMEZ GM Service Manager

JIM COOK Service Manager

agomez@finneganauto.com

jcook@finneganauto.com

Fridays at Finnegan

Excludes corvettes, synthetic oils and Diesels

JEFF DAVIS Chrysler & GM Parts & Service Director

jdavis@finneganauto.com

General Motors: 281.342.4200 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge: 281.342.9318

JASON LOFTIN Body Shop Manager

jloftin@finneganauto.com

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www.fortbend

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features 44 Mao’s Last Dancer An Interview by Nick Nicholson

This stirring adaptation showcases a unique story of triumph over adversity through the power of dance. Learn how the cast of this exceptional film brings to life the roles of Houston Ballet Artistic Director Ben Stevenson and dancer Li Cunxin.

58 International Art Phenom Tracy Lee Stum to Create 3D Masterpiece in Riverstone Considered one of the world’s foremost street artists, Stum will create a stunning piece of art in a multi-million dollar estate, launching a twelve-day showcase allowing visitors to watch her create her newest illusion.

64 Grapes On The Brazos Returns to the Fort Bend County Fair

Enjoy this highly-styled, Texas-sized event that allows patrons to explore a variety of wines at an affordable price. Buy by the taste, glass or bottle and help contribute to the education of youth in Fort Bend County.

72 Baby Fest Held at Primrose School of First Colony Focusing on infant care and family needs with emphasis on education, this free, personalized training program helped educate expecting families in the area.

73 Home Is Where Your Heart Is

Peruse the pages of this featured section to find a service provider to prepare your home for any season.

From kitchen remodeling to lush landscaping and insurance too, this section contains everything you need to spruce up your space.

fort bend

magazine • September 2010

8

Your Ultimate Destination for Beauty & Wellness!

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(281) 313.SHEL (7435) 1437 Hwy 6 Suite 100 Sugar Land, Tx 77478

www.drshel.com Refer a Friend and Receive $50!

Visit our website www.drshel.com for details.

Shelena C. Lalji M.D. “Dr. Shel”

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

National Trainer and Speaker for Lasers, Wellness, Botox and Fillers

Follow us on Facebook for your chance to win $300 towards any laser package. www.facebook.com/drshel

COVER STORY 20 Fort Bend Focus Magazine Honors The Jewels of Fort Bend Join us for a Luncheon and Style Show to honor these extraordinary women and to benefit the Fort Bend Seniors.

Alisa Murray Photography

The Jewels of Fort Bend: Lynn Halford, Carolyn Banfield, Peggy Duggan. Brigit Engleman and Cassandra Wen.

departments 38 Focus on Finance

54 Fort Bend Headliners

89 Focus Photo Winner

40 Focus on Health

62 Focus Cares

90 Medical Focus

42 Focus Film Review

84 Fort Bend Kids Chalkboard

94 Focus on Flavor Dining Guide

46 Caring for the Community

85 Business Buzz

96 Living the Sweet Life

48 Community Calendar

86 Focus Scrapbook

50 Seen on the Scene

87 High School Hot Shot

fort bend

magazine • September 2010

10

It's Time...

Show Off the

Real You • Eyelid Surgery • Face & Neck Lift • Breast Surgery • Tummy Tuck • Liposuction • IPL - Photofacial, Hair Removal & Spider Veins • Botox & Facial Fillers

Back to School Special:

10% OFF

ANY MOMMY MAKEOVER PROCEDURE if you mention this ad

TEXAS OCULOPLASTIC & PLASTIC SURGEONS, PA Plastic Surgery from Eye to Toe 17510 W. Grand Parkway S. #500 Sugar Land, TX 77479 (Professional Building at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital)

281-232-6700 • www.topsdoc.com

Victor J. Atun, MD & Julie Beth Yelin, MD

P

ublisher’s Preview www.fortbendfocus.com

September 2010 Vol. 6 No. 11

Hello Fort Bend Friends, It is that time of year to gear up for school, rev up your house, and mark your calendars!

This month kicks off the gala season with many fun and exciting events. First and foremost is this year’s Fort Bend Focus Magazine honors the JEWELS of Fort Bend luncheon and style show. This is our third annual signature event honoring these extraordinary women and it always sells out.

Read their individual stories starting on page 20.

Johnson Development, Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, have The Grand Soiree.

A Collection of Stylish Events featuring Fashion, Design, and Artists. The kick-off event is the Couture for the Cause benefiting the American Cancer Society. With a Treasure Island theme it is sure to be a treasure-trove of fun!

Your home is your castle, your sanctuary.

We have put together a special section on improving your home, just for you. Peruse on page 73.

4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 400 Stafford, TX 77477 To advertise call

281-690-4242

TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7469 Lisa Fredrickson and daughter Kathryn in Cozumel

Also, please go online and sign up to join our team for the Susan G. Komen race for the cure at www.FOWmag.com Thank you and see everyone around the bend.

Stay Focused!

Lisa Fredrickson

Email: Lisa@Fortbendfocus.com

Direct mailed to subscribers and high value homes in Sugar Land, Richmond, Katy, Missouri City and Fulshear and picked up at demand distribution locations throughout Fort Bend.

Single copy $2.95 PUBLISherS Michael Fredrickson Lisa Fredrickson SeNIor ACCoUNt eXeCUtIve Jessica Kij ACCoUNt eXeCUtIve Dena Perry April Lambert oFFICe MANAGer Norma Loredo CoNtrIBUtorS Patti Parish-Kaminski Will Hardee Alisa Murray Nick Nicholson Dr. Peter Osborne Melinda Wood

Cover Photo by Alisa Murray Photography Jewelry by J Loggins Jewelers Hair Styles and Make Up by Salon Eben and Day Spa Photo Location at Billy and Tammy Brown Residence

Art DIreCtor Grace Belleza ASSoCIAte Art DIreCtor Joey Belleza GrAPhIC DeSIGNer Elizabeth Pace

READERS FEEDBACK

WeB DeSIGNer Joey Belleza (JOBpagegraphics.com)

Our Cover person is very happy...

Lisa, Thanks very much.

I just got back from a trip yesterday and haven’t seen the issue yet but have already heard from friends how nice it looks.

Thank you and all of your associates.

Ahj Enjoys reading the magazine...

Our business (Gonzalez Center for Justice) is located in Richmond (905 Front St.) and we already enjoy receiving your magazine at that location. It is very popular with our clients.

Congratulations on your publication - it is first class !

Gloria G. fort bend

oN the Cover

2010 Jewels of Fort Bend Cover Photo:

Receive our next issue!

AlisA MurrAy PhotogrAPhy

Subscribe at: www.FOWmag.com

The views and opinions expressed by our advertisers and columnists do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers and their staff. c 2010

Focus on Women Magazine is a proud sponsor of this year’s KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE. magazine • September 2010

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One year subscription: $25

this fall

at sugar creek New Message Series

Nehemiah: Pursuing Your Dream Do you have challenges in your life that seem insurmountable?

Join us as we look at Nehemiah, a man in the Old Testament who faced an overwhelming situation head-on,and accomplished his dream.

Begins September 12.

SonStream Worship is a high-energy, fast-paced service for kids in grades 1 – 3.

This service uses video, skits, and worship music to help children focus their minds and hearts on God and His Word. SonStream is not just fun—it is a time for kids to come to know God better.

Sunday mornings - 11:00 AM

Dynamic Marriage will help deepen the commitment, intimacy and passion that every couple desires for lifeʼs most important relationship.

Registration is required and is limited. Registration is available online.

Classes start September 12.

Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery: A Christ-Centered Recovery Program Do you feel overwhelmed by your hurts, habits and hang-ups? Are you looking for real hope and meaning in your life? Celebrate Recovery is the best place to be on Wednesdays!

Visit sugarcreek.net/care/celebrate-recovery for more info.

Parenting With A Purpose This eight week class offers parents of children birth through 5th grade the opportunity to discover Godʼs specific purpose for their families. Topics include: Praying for Your Children, Grace-Filled Discipline, Love and Limits to Overcome Anger, Pointing Your Children to Christ, and much more.

Begins September 12 - 9:30 AM

LIVE @ SUGAR CREEK!

Saturday, September 25, 2010 11:00 AM | 2:30 PM | 6:30 PM Tickets available at ticketservant.com

SUGARCREEK.NET | 281.242.2858

d e l e w e j e B & d e l z z a Bedecked, Bed

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0 1 0 2 g n i Homecom

281-265-0161 16069 City Walk, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 (next to Amici Restaurant) www.wardrobetheboutique.com

Formal Wear • Gala Attire • Jewelry • Accessories • Bridal

Texas Direct Auto named $20,000 Cornerstone Sponsor at Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo

T

exas Direct Auto, the nations’ largest independent car dealership and located in Fort Bend County, has signed on as a Cornerstone Sponsor of the 2010 Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo and has donated $20,000 in part towards the Fort Bend County Fair scholarship program!

A primary focus for Texas Direct Auto is providing opportunities for higher education to youth in the Fort Bend County community. Now, this unique partnership with the Fort Bend County Fair will help finance a number of scholarships awarded to local qualifying youth, a long standing tradition of the Fair. Annually, thirty scholarships are awarded to high school youth through the Fair.

Texas Direct Auto prides itself on taking the hassle out of car buying and believes that education is a vital part of our community and youth education is a primary focus of fair activities. Texas Direct Auto Director of Business Development Jessica DeMarr states, “In recent years, the development of the scholarship program through the Fort Bend County Fair has provided qualifying county students with scholarships to Texas colleges and universities. Our own scholarship program, ‘Scholarship Stars’ in association with the Fort Bend/Katy Business Journal and Fort Bend Focus Magazine, emphasizes how we feel about helping students increase their educational opportunities.”

2010 Fair President Elizabeth Duff Drozd spoke about the sponsorship saying, “We are very excited to have Texas Direct Auto as a new sponsor of the Fort Bend County Fair this year. Their contribution will assist our organization in supporting the youth of Fort Bend County as well as promoting the Fair activities.” Drozd added that Saturday, September 25th has been named Texas Direct Auto Day at the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo.

Jessica DeMarr said, “We’re also pleased to announce that Michael Garfield, the High Tech Texan and Texas Direct Auto’s official spokesperson, has been named as Parade Marshall. He will lead the opening day parade on September 24th.” In addition to their commitment as Cornerstone sponsors, Texas Direct Auto will also provide the following: • Host all Fair Queen Candidates at Texas Direct Auto ticket stop to help them sell their tickets resulting in scholarships.

• Provide food and prizes for seniors on Senior Citizens Day for the Sept. 20th event.

• Provide prizes for students on Student Fun Day for the Sept. 24th event.

• Bandanas for Special Citizens Day for the Sept. 24th event.

• Sponsor the Stick Horse Rodeo for children ages 2-6 by providing the children’s stick horses and bandanas for the October 2nd event.

• Co-sponsor and participate in the BBQ cook-off on October 1-2.

The Fair takes place September 24 through October 2 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Find complete details at www.fbcfa.org.

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magazine • September 2010

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magazine • September 2010

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Who are the Jewels of Fort Bend?

Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives

Peggy Duggan Carolyn Banfield

Cassandra Wen

proudly announces the 2010

Brigit Engleman

Lynn Halford

Luncheon & Style Show

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

By Patti Parish-Kaminski

Jewels of Fort Bend

Fort Bend Focus Magazine Hosts The Third Annual Jewels of Fort Bend Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives

F

ort Bend Focus Magazine, the county’s premier magazine showcasing people, places and happenings, is pleased to announce their third annual event honoring five extraordinary women whose contributions to our community make them real gems.

Fort Bend Focus Honors the JEWELS of Fort Bend is scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2010 with a premier Luncheon and Style Show honoring this year’s Fort Bend Jewels – five Joyous, Extraordinary Women Enriching Lives. The five JEWELS for 2010 are Carolyn Banfield, Peggy Duggan, Brigit Engleman, Lynn Halford and Cassandra Wen. From the Fort Bend Junior Service League to the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District to the Tri Cities Resale Shop, these women are all committed to making our community the best place to live, work and raise our families.

Fort Bend Focus Magazine is pleased to recognize their efforts while doing something that they all feel passionate about: supporting our community.

Proceeds from Fort Bend Focus Honors the JEWELS of Fort Bend will be invested back into our community by supporting a vital organization: Fort Bend Seniors. This non-profit organization provides services and resources dedicated to enhancing seniors’ lives in Fort Bend County. Regardless of income, Fort Bend Seniors provides Meals on Wheels to persons 60 years of age and over. Eighty-five percent of Fort Bend Seniors’ clients live at or below the poverty line.

“Because Fort Bend County has a large population 60 years of age or older, we felt compelled to work with this organization to help fund programs for our seniors with the JEWELS event this year,” said Lisa Fredrickson, publisher of Fort Bend Focus Magazine. “Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels program expects to serve over 230,000 meals this year, and we are honored to assist with this much-needed and worthwhile program.”

Fort Bend Focus Honors the JEWELS of Fort Bend is open to Alisa Murray Photography the public and will be held at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Thursday, September 23rd. In addition to Jewels of Fort Bend - Lynn Halford, Brigit Engleman, Cassandra Wen, Carolyn Banfield and Peggy Duggan. the Luncheon and Style Show presented by Safari Texas Ranch and featuring fashions from Dillard’s, event sponsors will be treated to a private Champagne Reception with the JEWELS prior to the event sponsored by Will and Lena Hardee/Hardee Investment Group. J Loggins Jewelers will be presenting the JEWELS with a commemorative custom piece created in honor of the women at the reception.

“Because of the efforts of the wonderful, caring individuals who devote so much of their time and talent to our philanthropies, especially these five women – Carolyn, Peggy, Brigit, Lynn and Cassandra – our community is a better place,” said Fredrickson. “Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to honor their commitment to Fort Bend County and be able to give back to the community that has so graciously supported us.”

Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $7,500 and include advertising. Individual tickets are available for $65. For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets, contact Fort Bend Focus Magazine at 281-690-4242 or visit www.FortBendFocus.com. ■ FBF

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Jewel of Fort Bend

Carolyn Banfield

T

his JEWEL of Fort Bend is definitely part of a team. Though you see her at virtually every fundraising event and community gathering, you rarely see her without her partner for the past sixty plus years. Always gregarious with a smile on her face, Carolyn Banfield, along with husband and partner Neil, have spent their entire lives in Fort Bend supporting the community that they love – where they chose to live, work and raise children.

Born and raised in Needville, Carolyn was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. Her mother was a homemaker, and while her father tended to his flock and his community, her mother tended to the children. Carolyn attended school in Needville through the 9th grade, but at the time, the small, rural community did not have a high school. “We had a choice for high school,” recalled Carolyn. “We could attend Rosenberg or Richmond. I choose Rosenberg.” Though she didn’t realize it at the time, that choice would affect the rest of her life.

Rosenberg High School was where she met her partner in life: Neil. “If I hadn’t chosen to go to

“To me, that’s what life is all about – getting to know people and getting to help people. It’s very fulfilling for me to do that.” high school in Rosenberg, I never would have known him. Now wasn’t that a stroke of luck!”

Neil and Carolyn graduated from high school the same year, and Carolyn moved to Houston to attend Southwestern Business College. She graduated and went to work for United Gas, now known as Center Point Energy. Neil joined the Air Force, and the couple didn’t see each other much until he completed his military service. “We saw each other whenever we could when he was home on leave,” said Carolyn. The minute Neil returned home from the service, the two began dating seriously, and in 1946, Carolyn’s father married them in Needville.

The couple settled in Rosenberg and began their life’s work: Neil farming rice and Carolyn raising five children. When the children began attending school, so did Carolyn. “I spent a lot of time at the schools with my children, elementary through high school,” said Carolyn. “Neil and I were very interested in the school system, and it was very important to us to be involved in the children’s schools. I believe that many times children are not motivated or encouraged to do their best in school because their parents aren’t involved in their schools. We know how important a good education is, and we were committed to doing what we needed to do to make sure our children received one.”

Through the years, Carolyn belonged to every PTA board for her children and at one time, served as president of each.

She volunteered at each school and when a special need arose, she was there. When two of her daughters were in the Lamar High School Choir and the organization needed money to travel throughout the state to perform, Carolyn helped organize and served as the first President of CLEFS – Choirs of Lamar and their Elite Friends. Their major fundraiser was selling hamburgers every year at the Fort Bend County Fair. “We spent many hours selling hamburgers,” said Carolyn. “Neil and I would be there cooking hamburgers until 1 or 2 in the morning on a Saturday night, and we’d have to go home and bathe to get the hamburger smell off of us before church the next morning.”

While she volunteered in the schools, Carolyn also crusaded for the schools. She was instrumental in the bond election determining whether or not to renovate Lamar High School. continued on page 32

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Do You Have a Gem of an Investment Plan?

Management of your wealth should represent a crowning jewel in your life planning. If you feel that the sparkle has dimmed on your current planning, let us assist you. We can help you and your family focus on what is important, making adjustments today that will help bring you the tomorrow you have always wanted. Give us a call. We can help.

Congratulations to the 2010 Jewels of Fort Bend! You are an inspiration to many.

The impressions you have made within this community will be felt for generations to come. Thank you for making Fort Bend a better place for all of us to live.

H. H. “Will” Hardee, AWM Senior Vice President – Financial Consultant (713) 853-0879 • www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com Listen Live every Thursday from 11-12 p.m to “The Price of Business” on Talk 650 AM

Hardee Investment Group Jewels Champagne Reception Sponsor © 2010 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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Jewel of Fort Bend “You can never replace the joy in your heart that you get from giving. It comes back to you one hundred fold.”

Peggy Duggan

C

hoir Director, Girl Scout, Producer, First Lady of Sugar Land. All describe a JEWEL of Fort Bend who has lived over forty years in a city that despite its growth and development retains its small town atmosphere, largely due to the community involvement of its long-time residents.

Residents such as Peggy Duggan who has spent much of her life in Fort Bend doing what she was raised to do: serving her community.

Born in Angleton, Peggy’s roots are steeped deeply in community service. During World War II, her father was a banker and Brazoria County’s War Bond Chairman. He was involved in numerous fundraisers for the war effort and often invited veterans to participate in the event. “Daddy would ask a vet who had just returned home from the front to speak,” recalled Peggy. “Brazoria County raised more money for the war than any other county in Texas.”

As a young girl, Peggy was a Girl Scout during the war and her troop served as airplane spotters.

The girls were trained to recognize the silhouettes of every foreign and domestic plane, and if a plane flew fort bend

over, the scouts reported the incident. “If a plane was sighted, we picked up a phone and said ‘army flash.’ With those words, we were connected to Ellington Field to report what we saw.”

Music, a common thread in Peggy’s life, was an important part of her childhood. Her mother directed the church choir for over forty years, and at a young age, Peggy took a prominent role in the music program. “First Methodist Church got an organ when I was twelve years old, and I was the only person in the church who could play it.” So began Peggy’s lifelong commitment to two of her passions: music and her church.

At age fifteen, Peggy graduated from high school, and she had already performed a piano concert at The Art Museum in Houston. Barely sixteen years old, she went to the University of North Texas to pursue her love of music. An only child and far away from home, Peggy was determined to attend the best music school where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in music. While at the university, she also minored in English and French.

Prior to her graduation, Peggy had met a young man while home visiting for the summer. That young man just happened to be Lee Duggan! His father had just retired from serving two years in the South Pacific and had purchased a ranch in Rosharon. Lee had graduated from Texas A & M University and had just finished a tour in the army. Peggy’s father and mother were invited to see a new addition to the Duggan ranch which was a new barn, and Lee’s parents included Peggy in the invitation. She tells everyone, “I met him in a barn,” when asked how the two met. The County Clerk was also invited by the Duggan’s, and he brought a blind date for Lee, but Lee never talked to her the entire night. His eyes were only for Peggy.

Peggy and Lee married in the fall of 1950 and moved to San Marcos where Lee found work at Green Valley Mills. They began their life together and eventually moved to Houston where they lived in Bellaire and Meyerland for fifteen years.

They started their family, two girls and a boy, and in 1966, Lee found the site for their new home in Sugar Land. “It was a swamp,” said Peggy. “Nearly the entire property was under water, and Lee saw the potential to make it our home.” Lee, who reconfigured land in his business, surveyed the property and worked on a bulldozer to make it their home. He carved out a magnificent lake, shaped a driveway and asked Peggy to finish the plans for their new home.

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Jewel of Fort Bend

“Helping children and supporting education is my passion.”

Lynn Halford

W

hen I talked with Lynn Halford about her life of community service, she was taking a much-needed break. This JEWEL had spent the day assembling 55 backpacks for Child Advocates of Fort Bend to distribute to needy children to get them ready for back to school. I quickly learned that her passion for giving shared a common theme: children and education.

Born in a small town of East Texas, Lynn’s inspiration for service began literally in the first grade. Her father, a banker, was very involved in the community, and he and his little girl, were very close. “Dad was involved in ten different organizations in town,” said Lynn. “From Boy Scouts to Kiwanis, you name the organization, and Dad volunteered for them. He always worked with underprivileged children so I definitely inherited my volunteerism and my passion for helping children from my Dad.” Being from a small town and a “Daddy’s Girl,” Lynn vividly remembers her first volunteer work. She and her dad volunteered to assist an organization who provided for underprivileged children. In a very cold, downtown warehouse with no heat, Lynn recalls getting all bundled fort bend

up to serve as chairman of the toy department. The warehouse had been transformed for Christmas into a place where parents who couldn’t afford holiday gifts could “shop” for their children for Christmas. “The adults would have carts and come around to the different departments,” recalled Lynn. “There I was, an eight-year-old little girl, proudly in charge of the toy department. Parents would come around and ask me if I thought their kids would like certain toys.”

From helping parents select toys for their children to helping needy families pick out Christmas trees each winter at the Kiwanis Club lot, Lynn’s childhood was filled with giving. “As a child, I watched my Dad take an active role in serving the community where we lived. My father’s example, along with my Christian beliefs and support from my husband, has inspired me to be active and involved in serving this community.”

For over twenty years, Lynn, with husband Dennis at her side, has done just that: served her community.

The two met in Fort Worth after Lynn’s family had relocated in the 7th grade. Lynn and Dennis went their separate ways – Dennis to the University of Hawaii on a football scholarship and Lynn to Texas Tech to study elementary education – and caught up with one another their freshman year in college while home for the holidays.

Dennis had determined that he wanted to go into the medical field and that playing football in Hawaii wasn’t the best way to achieve his goal. Lynn shared with him that she was “loving Tech” so the football star asked her to send him some information on the Texas university. “So, I sent him registration papers,” said Lynn. “He transferred to Tech, and we married after our senior year.”

The young couple married and moved to Houston in order for Dennis to attend dental school while Lynn taught Kindergarten. The two were on a mission to get Dennis’ degrees and head back to North Texas; however, a small miracle changed their minds. While Dennis was in the orthodontics’ program, Lynn gave birth to Derrick who was four months premature and born with cerebral palsy.

With no family in Houston, Lynn forged long-standing relationships with Derrick’s doctors, and the couple decided to make the Houston area their home.

magazine • September 2010

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Jewel of Fort Bend

Brigit Engleman

Y

ou’ve likely seen a photograph in a community newspaper or magazine of a beautiful young blonde awarding a check to an organization or smiling with a group of her peers to promote an upcoming fundraising event. Perhaps you’ve spoken to the mother of two-year-old Lucky and baby Cade – expected to arrive in early September – as she’s asked for your support to help, not herself, but others. With a job, two babies, a husband and over seven years of service with two vital organizations in our community, among others, it’s all in a day’s work for Brigit Engleman.

With a passion for service instilled in her early on by her family and the ladies that this Fort Bend teen worked for growing up, Brigit began volunteering in her early 20’s. As a teenager, Brigit worked for neighborhood women helping them run errands and work on community service projects. She saw first-hand how important their involvement was in the community, a lesson that had been reinforced to her throughout her life by her mom, dad and grandparents. The Quail Valley teen graduated from Dulles High School and from the University of Houston, and in her early 20’s, began a life committed to helping others. fort bend

“It’s very rewarding when you are able to work collaboratively to close a case with a happy ending for a child...”

“Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) and The Make-AWish Foundation were the first organizations I became involved with,” said Brigit. “As a young adult, I started paying more and more attention to the community in which I grew up, worked and lived. It became very apparent to me that I wanted to be more active in the community to give back. I knew that I would eventually raise a family here and thought that investing my time, energy and resources in Fort Bend was well worth it.”

In 2003, Brigit trained to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for at risk children. “It’s very rewarding when you are able to work collaboratively to close a case with a happy ending for a child. I truly believe in the process and the program because the focus is on the kids.” The advocate program allows the court, Child Protective Services and the advocate to work as a team all with the child’s best interest in mind. “It can be emotionally challenging knowing that you will get attached to the children, but having an advocate is critical,” explained Brigit.

“It’s invaluable to the court, to CPS, and most importantly, to the children.”

In 2009, Brigit was awarded the “Blue Ribbon Award” honoring her commitment to the mission of Child Advocates.

In addition to her role as an advocate, she served as a Houston Captain for the CAFB’s Christmas Home Tour, and she was recently appointed to the board of the organization. “It was an honor to be recognized by such an important organization. I’ve seen most aspects of the agency by serving in different roles, and I’m so proud to be a part of the leadership.”

Brigit also became involved in The Make-A-Wish Foundation as a young adult. She trained and was assigned a teammate to essentially serve as the ultimate Fairy Godmother granting children with life-threatening illnesses their wishes. Throughout her four year service with the organization, she was assigned several children whom she met, spent time with and ultimately, made their wishes come true. “You get to do all of the fun stuff – find out what their wish is and make it happen,” said Brigit. “Whether it was going to Disney World or on a shopping spree or getting a new computer, it was amazing to watch their faces light up.”

magazine • September 2010

continued on page 35

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Jewel of Fort Bend

Cassandra Wen

Y

ou may not personally know this JEWEL of Fort Bend, but chances are, you’ve been personally touched by her generosity, hospitality and community spirit. Since 1998, she’s been a part of nearly every gala, fundraising event and celebration in Fort Bend County. She and her husband, Allison, purchased a little 44-acre horse stable and exotic game ranch, and have turned it into a staple in our community: Safari Texas Ranch. While the full-service venue stays booked year round with corporate meetings, catering, weddings and holiday parties, Cassandra Wen has chosen to do so much more than just take care of business.

Born in Hong Kong, Cassandra met a young man there at work. They married and dreamed of studying at an American educational institution famous in the hotel and catering industry: the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College.

World renowned for its hospitality programs, Cassandra recalled, “The school was very difficult to get into. The Hilton name made it very famous, and many students wanted a degree from there.”

“Community is so important,” said Cassandra. “We always wanted to give back to the community with this place...”

The young couple flew to Houston for their honeymoon and arranged to visit the famous institution. “We toured the college and visited with the Dean. By the time we left, the Dean had offered Allison a scholarship.” The college offered Allison financial aid for his books and tuition, so Allison and Cassandra promptly returned to Hong Kong, quit their jobs, and together, moved to Houston to pursue the American dream.

Allison and Cassandra attended Hilton College together and graduated together. Their first year after graduation, Allison worked at the Shamrock Hilton and Cassandra worked for a racquet ball club where she handled their food and beverages.

After a year of working apart, they decided to open their own catering business in Sharpstown. After twenty years in business, twelve years ago, they decided it was time for a change.

“We wanted to expand our business, and we looked for a venue for at least two years,” said Cassandra. The couple spent a great deal of time driving around in different areas looking for that perfect spot. And, by chance, the couple who lived together, were educated together and worked together, found the place they fell in love with on Valentine’s Day. “We just drove by and saw it. There was nothing on 1464 at the time. We saw this property with a for sale sign with a lot of animals – zebra, deer, horses. We just fell in love with the place.”

Of course, the Safari Texas we know today wasn’t quite the same place as when Allison and Cassandra purchased it. There was no stately white building at the front. A smaller version of the Safari Lodge was there along with a stable, now the San Antonio Ballroom, for boarding horses, and a small chapel. The Lodge sold beer and hamburgers to guests who stabled and rode their horses on the property.

The Wens immediately began building the Texas Ballroom, the large, white house that stands at the front of the property today. They catered from their main kitchen in Sharpstown for the year that it took them to build their facility, and moved their catering operation to Richmond eleven years ago. They also moved their family, son Casson and daughter Allisandra, to Fort Bend. continued on page 36

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The 2010 Jewels

Shining Examples in Fort Bend County Thank you, Jewels for all you do...

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.com • September 2010

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8/20/10 4:43 PM

Jewel of Fort Bend

Carolyn Banfield continued from page 22

“This was a real issue. Little had been done to update Lamar and I worked hard on that bond issue. As the anchor school of the district, I felt it needed to be well-preserved.” With Carolyn helping to champion the cause, the outcome of the bond election was positive: Lamar High School was remodeled and renovated.

Neil & Carolyn Banfield Today, as a grandmother, you might think that Carolyn is no longer involved in schools. That’s simply not the case.

A long-time supporter of the Lamar Educational Awards Foundation, Carolyn has been involved in the organization since its inception and has supported most of their galas.

She also assists with awarding grants to teachers. “The bus ride is the highlight of my year! We get on the bus and go to various schools where teachers have submitted winning projects to be eligible to receive grants. We visit the classrooms and award the checks to them and their students. I love doing that!”

In addition to her passion for education, Carolyn served as the organist for sixteen years at First Presbyterian Church in Rosenberg, and in 1982, she became a docent for the Fort Bend Museum. She is on the Advisory Board of Texana, another organization she feels is vitally important because of their ability to help improve the lives of those with special needs. She is also on the Advisory Board of New First Bank in Rosenberg and has served on numerous gala committees for organizations

Grandchildren: Cameron & Carson Banfield. Children of James and Desiree Banfield

Grandchildren: Nathan, Haleigh and Neil Gaskin. Children of Stan & Sally Banfield Gaskin. fort bend

The Banfield family during a Christmas celebration at their home.

including Texana, Casa de Esperanza, the Fort Bend Museum Association and the Rosenberg Railroad Museum. And, while serving on most of those committees, she had her partner serving with her. “Neil is my partner. He is always supportive of anything that I do, and it makes it so much more special working for the community together as a team.”

Team Banfield has been honored by many organizations in Fort Bend for their steadfast support including the Rosenberg Railroad Museum, the Fort Bend Museum Association, Fort Bend Seniors, Casa de Esperanza, the Rosenberg Masonic Lodge #881 and in 2008, they were named Honorees for the Fort Bend County Fair.

If you ask Carolyn after so many years of volunteering if she plans on slowing down any, she quickly responds, “Absolutely not!” Though she does admit that earlier this year, she had to slow down. Neil had complications following a surgery in February, and Carolyn stayed at his side to get him back on his feet. “We’re back at it now,” she said. In fact, she and Neil were heading out the door after we spoke to attend a committee meeting for Salute to Fort Bend, yet another committee the two have been on for several years and are serving on again this year.

“This community has been very good to us,” said Carolyn. “I feel that it’s a privilege to be able to give back to it. If you stay active and participate in what’s going on, you get to meet so many wonderful people that you never would have known.

To me, that’s what life is all about – getting to know people and getting to help people. It’s very fulfilling for me to do that.”

And for her spirit and unique ability to get to know – and help – so many, Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to Grandchildren: Ashley and honor Carolyn Banfield as a JEWEL Angela Banfield. Children of Andy and Cheryl Banfield. of Fort Bend. n FBF

magazine • September 2010

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Jewel of Fort Bend

Peggy Duggan continued from page 24

Two Generations of Sugar Land City Mayors: Kathy Wallace, Peggy Duggan, Mayor Lee Duggan, and Mayor David Wallace.

Resale Shop where she served for twelve years. A part of With two teens and a three-year-old, the Duggans made the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, the Resale Fort Bend their home and quickly became entrenched into Shop provides assistance to needy families in Fort Bend their new community. Peggy became the Choir Director County. “People who were in need could come to the shop of the Sugar Land Methodist Church and served in that and bring a letter from their minister, priest, nurse or role for twelve years. During her tenure as director, Peggy doctor, and we would give them whatever they needed,” said purchased a Christian musical, “Tell It Like It Is,” and she Peggy. “It was so wonderful to attend the board meetings. gathered forty area youth from seven area churches as the It was fun to come home and tell Lee how much cast. They practiced every Sunday, and Peggy served money we had given away to those in need.” as the director, played the piano and produced With her long-term commitment to her the musical. The musical debuted at Dulles church and the Resale Shop, Peggy had High School Auditorium. “I was really another substantial community service proud of those kids,” said Peggy. “After we commitment. Lee was elected as a City performed at Dulles, the youth wanted to Councilman and served for eight years. do it again they loved it so much.” The One day, he came home and told Peggy next evening, the cast performed the that he was going to run for mayor of musical at the Jester Pre-Release Center Sugar Land. He served as mayor from in a challenging venue. “There was no 1987 to 1996 which made Peggy even stage, just a small area to perform, but the busier as the first lady of Sugar Land for kids just made it work. They did a great job Lee & Peggy Duggan nine years as she kept up with her husband’s in presenting hope to the inmates soon to be full schedule. “I have such wonderful memories released.” of Lee’s time serving the city,” said Peggy. “We got to do Lee was extremely involved in their church as well many wonderful things and meet so many wonderful people. and when he found a group of high school kids with no He is the most dedicated public servant I have known since Sunday School teacher, he promptly informed them, “Well, my father, and I’m so proud of the magnificent development you have a teacher now.” Little did Peggy know at the time I have witnessed in Sugar Land since we came here.” that Lee’s commitment to these high schoolers also involved In addition to raising three children, volunteering her. “Lee told me that we were having fourteen teenagers and supporting Lee in his role as Mayor, Peggy started for dinner one Sunday.” So, for over a year, Peggy cooked an antique shop in Missouri City. She ran The Window dinner for Lee’s students, which was the beginning of the Seat for fourteen years but that didn’t slow down her youth program at their church. “Lee would invite guests commitment to her community. She was on the founding from Houston out to the house every Sunday to talk to the board of the American Heart Association in Fort Bend, as youth about relevant issues, and I cooked them dinner.” well as the first Advisory Board of the Literacy Council of Peggy was an original board member of the Tri-Cities Fort Bend.

Today, Peggy continues her volunteer work. For the past eight years, she has volunteered in the gift shop at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land – a natural for this former shop owner – and is now serving at the concierge desk in the Outpatient Surgery Department.

“You get more than you give when you volunteer,” said Peggy. “You can never replace the joy in your heart that you get from giving. It comes back to you one hundred fold.”

And for her willingness to give and share her life helping others, Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to honor Peggy Duggan as a JEWEL of Fort Bend. n FBF Fun Run organized in honor of Mayor Lee Duggan’s retirement from the city. www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

33

Jewel of Fort Bend

Lynn Halford Dennis and Lynn with Hillary,10 and Derrick, 13.

Easter Sunday, 1994.

continued from page 26

With school systems being important to the orthodontist and the educator, the Halfords headed out to Fort Bend. “We just drove out to Fort Bend one day,” said Lynn. “We hung our hats here with nothing on it!” Dennis opened an office on Highway 6, and Lynn got busy volunteering. “When we moved to Fort Bend, Derrick was almost three years old,” said Lynn. “When you have a special needs child, you can enroll them in early childhood invention beginning at age three, so the ARC was the first organization that I began volunteering with.”

Lynn began by working with ARC on their fundraising events. “Dennis went on the ARC board first, and I did the fundraising. We’re kind of a team in that regard.”

Lynn worked on the ARC’s Oyster-Eating Contest, headed up several auctions and started one of the first summer camp programs at the organization. In 1993, ARC awarded the Halfords as Volunteer Family of the Year.

In the early 1990’s, Lynn was recruited to help an organization focused on education: The Fort Bend Education Foundation. She was asked by then president Les Newton to chair their first gala. At the time, Dennis was on the board so Lynn stepped up to the challenge of fundraising for the organization. “I’ve always been a supporter of the public school system,” said the former teacher. “The Education Foundation raises money for teachers to provide them with grants so they can do what they want to do in the classroom. I saw first-hand from being a teacher how this could be so beneficial to the district, and it was something both of my kids could benefit from.”

By now, Hillary had come along, and Lynn was the mother of two young children. But motherhood did not slow Lynn down. If anything, it was even more of a catalyst for giving. “Helping children and supporting education is my passion.” Lynn followed her passion with the Fort Bend Education Foundation and for the past 18 years, has been actively involved in the organization. She has chaired their annual gala five times, has served on the board for nine years, and is currently the President-Elect. fort bend

Dennis and Lynn Halford at their daughter’s wedding – bride, Hillary Halford and groom, Ryan Watson.

Photo by Michael Carr Photography.

In 2007, she and Dennis were honored for their service at the Salute to Fort Bend.

Always a teacher, Lynn has taught Vacation Bible School at Sugar Land Baptist Church for twenty years and served as the Co-Director of the Elementary Mission Program for twelve years. She has served as the Fundraising Chairman for two building campaigns at church and clearly recognizes the benefit of her family’s contributions. “You instill giving in your family and children. You can see the benefit of giving because it helps so many.”

Lynn has also been instrumental in bringing cancer awareness to Fort Bend County. She co-founded the annual Pink Ladies’ Golf Tournament, and chaired the tournament for four years. “I really don’t play golf,” said Lynn. “I went home and told Dennis that I’m going to co-chair a golf tournament. He laughed and I told him, ‘You’re going to help me!’” The tournament, geared toward women who don’t really golf, is now in its seventh year.

The former Sustainer’s President of the Fort Bend Junior Service League, founding member of the Sweetwater Country Club’s Women’s Auxiliary, and past Chairman of the CASA Home Tour, it’s difficult to find an organization that has not benefited from Lynn’s support.

This year, in addition to her volunteer efforts, Lynn coordinated yet another major event: daughter Hillary and new son-in-law Ryan’s wedding.

“I’ve never regretted anything that I’ve given. I love to volunteer. Dennis and I feel that we’ve had the opportunity to give because the community has treated us so well. It’s our obligation to do the same.”

An obligation to children, to education and to her community. For fulfilling this extraordinary sense of community service benefiting so many, Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to honor Lynn Halford as a JEWEL of Fort Bend. n FBF

magazine • September 2010

34

Jewel of Fort Bend

Brigit Engleman continued from page 28

Between starting her career and volunteering, Brigit found time to focus on another important project in her 20’s. She had met a young man while she was in high school who touched her heart almost immediately, but they remained only friends throughout her high school and college years. After dating for five years, in 2005, Brigit married Andrew Engleman who was also raised in Fort Bend. “I’ve always volunteered so Andrew understands that’s just a part of who I am. He’s very supportive of the time I invest in our community.”

Helping children is clearly Brigit’s passion. “Children touch me the most. They don’t choose the circumstances they are born into, and too often, they don’t have someone giving them a voice or looking out for them. Now, as a mother and knowing how I feel about my child, I feel even stronger about children who don’t have someone to care for them the way that they should. I strongly believe that children need some fighters in their corner.”

With her newest undertaking, Brigit is doing just that: fighting for children. In April of 2010, Brigit was named to the Advisory Council of the Parks Youth Ranch, a new shelter servicing homeless teens aged 13 to 17. Brigit learned of the project during her tenure as President of the Fort Bend Junior Service League, another organization that Brigit has been a part of for several years. “Our members embraced providing funding for the Parks Youth Ranch,” said Brigit of the FBJSL’s plans to contribute to a new recreational center with proceeds from organization’s upcoming Charity Ball. “We wanted to be a part of creating this important facility from the ground floor.”

Brigit’s family taken at her sister’s wedding. www.fortbend

Brigit with husband, Andrew and son, Lucky.

Brigit (center) with her brothers and sister (sister holding Brigit’s little boy), at the Rehearsal Dinner for one of her brothers. June 2008.

Brigit has worn many hats in her seven plus years’ service to the FBJSL. She served as Treasurer for two years, Director of Provisionals, President-Elect, President, and now, Past President. She has served on numerous special event committees, the Advisory Council and the Beneficiary Review Committee where she was a founding member of the group that developed a more uniform, impartial and objective process in how the organization selects agencies who receive funding. “The bigger we got, we found that more and more agencies were interested in seeking funding from the league,” said Brigit.

“We didn’t want to appear subjective. We needed a fair, comprehensive process to respond appropriately to the requests.”

As a part of the Beneficiary Review Committee, Brigit assisted with the creation of a process whereby the committee essentially serves as an investigative arm to the league compiling research, reviewing applications, interviewing agencies and conducting site visits. The committee also created a new initiative to support local non-profits: The Community Assistance Fund. The fund is a grant program that community organizations can apply to and receive up to $5,000.

The FBJSL has supported numerous projects throughout the years and during Brigit’s tenure as President, she was able to see a substantial league project completed. “Having the opportunity to see the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Pediatric Unit that we funded open was amazing,” said Brigit. “Walking through the completed unit seeing what we were able to accomplish was an inspiring moment.”

Brigit’s inspiring moments are far from over. With the arrival of Cade in early September, Brigit will be mom to two little boys, and she plans to continue to keep her hand in the volunteer projects dear to her heart.

And, that commitment to service and to our children as well as her own is why Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to honor this young mom, Brigit Engleman, as a JEWEL of Fort Bend. n FBF

.com • September 2010

35

Jewel of Fort Bend

Cassandra Wen continued from page 30

Allison and Cassandra Wen with children Casson and Allisandra.

When the Texas Ballroom was completed, it was one of the largest venues in Fort Bend County, and before it was completed, it was booked. “Our first event was a wedding,” said Cassandra. “We had no carpet installed yet but the couple wanted to book it anyway.”

Safari Texas is still that busy today, but it has changed Allison and in other ways. Today there are Cassandra Wen six main venues and three smaller ones. A quick glance at the calendar will reveal that there aren’t many fundraising events held at Safari Texas that the Wens aren’t personally involved in supporting.

They not only sponsor numerous events and participate in auctions, but have been instrumental in creating new ones to fulfill a community need.

“Community is so important,” said Cassandra. “We always wanted to give back to the community with this place. My father-in-law was like that – very supportive of community – and Allison and I were both brought up like that. We believe that this is your community, and you want it to grow so you can grow with it.”

In 2002, when the community was trying to build a library, Cassandra Cassandra and Allison with son, stepped up to Casson (center). the challenge by hosting a fundraising dinner at Safari Texas.

The dinner achieved their goal of building the much-needed library. “Education is very important to us so the fort bend

library was very important to us,” said Cassandra. “We believe that education is the key to your success.”

With the success of the event, the committee once again turned to the Cassandra. “After the money for the library was raised, the committee thought we should host the dinner to benefit a different community organization every year,” said Cassandra. And so, they have. The dinner, The Salute to Fort Bend, is hosted each year by Cassandra and Allison and has benefited Fort Bend Corp, Boys and Girl Scouts of America, Casa de Esperanza, FBISD Shared Dreams and Lamar Common Threads, the George Foundation, Fort Bend Volunteers and Catholic Charities.

While education is at the heart of Cassandra’s passion for giving, when it comes to community organizations, those helping children and women mean the most to her.

“We love children. Children are the foundation of our community.”

In addition to the organizations that have benefited from The Salute to Fort Bend, Cassandra has also worked with ARC and the Lamar Special Ed Prom on their special events. But, according to the wife, mother and business partner, it’s still not enough. “There are people who do a lot more, but we’re catching up!”

When you ask this JEWEL what of her life’s work she is the most proud of, she is quick to answer. “My kids!”

Casson recently graduated from Emory University and is now attending Emory Law. Allisandra graduated from Johns Hopkins University with degrees in neuroscience and public health, and she is currently living in China where she is in medical school there pursuing a career in public health. Like their mom, the two are very supportive of their community. “Our children are very generous, always volunteering their time and money to help others.”

For instilling a spirit of giving in every aspect of her life - her children, her business and her community - Fort Bend Focus Magazine is proud to honor Cassandra Wen as a JEWEL of Fort Bend. n FBF

magazine • September 2010

36

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.com • September 2010

37

on

Finance

Provided by RBC Wealth Management and H. H. “Will” Hardee

When You Make Gifts, Everyone Wins

I

f you want to make financial gifts to family members or charitable organizations, you get at least two major benefits.

First, you get the good feelings that result from helping your family or those groups you support. And second, you can get some nice tax advantages — which makes it easier for you to keep on giving.

Most gifts fall into one of the following three categories: Personal gifts for any purpose — For 2010 and 2011, you can give up to $13,000 per year to as many people as you like, without incurring gift taxes. And this limit applies to individuals, not to households.

Personal gifts for college — If you want to help pay for your child’s or grandchild’s college education, you can contribute to some attractive funding vehicles, such as a Section 529 college investment plan. Your 529 plan contributions will lower your taxable estate, but

you’ll still retain control of the assets, right up to the time the beneficiary uses the money for college.

Plus, withdrawals from Section 529 plans are tax free, provided they’re used to pay for qualified educational costs.

Charitable gifts — By making a gift to a charitable organization, you actually get several different types of tax benefits. First, you may get an immediate tax deduction for your gift. Second, you’ll avoid paying capital gains taxes by donating appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate. And third, you’ll be removing an asset from your taxable estate. Depending on how you structure your charitable gift, you may be able to benefit in other ways. For example, if you establish what’s known as a Charitable Remainder Trust, you donate an asset to a trust, which then sells it and invests the proceeds in an incomeproducing vehicle. You then receive a lifetime income stream and when you die, the trust disperses the remaining funds to the charitable or-

ganization you chose.

As you can see, when you give, you also receive. So, be as generous as you can afford. You’ll make a difference in the life of a loved one or the work of a favored charitable group — and you’ll get some tax breaks, too. That’s a winning combination.

This article is provided by H. H. “Will” Hardee, a financial consultant at RBC Wealth Management’s Houston Center offic , and was prepared by or in cooperation with RBC Wealth Management. The information included in this article is not intended to be used as the primary basis for making investment decisions nor should it be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. RBC Wealth Management does not endorse this organization or publication. Consult your investment professional for additional information and guidance. RBC Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice. H

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H. H. “Will” Hardee, AWM Senior Vice President - Financial Consultant (713) 853-0879 www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com Listen Live every Thursday from 11-12 p.m. to“The Price of Business” on CBS Talk Radio 650 AM © 2010 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

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fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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on

Health

By Dr. Peter Osborne

Thyroid Disease or Nutritional Deficit?

Thyroid Disease and Dysfunction Classic signs of thyroid hormone deficiency include fatigue, memory loss, cold hands and feet, muscle and joint pain, depression, high cholesterol, and constipation. Over the past several years, I have seen a large influx of patients that had been placed on thyroid hormones to treat the above symptoms. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t actually address why the body is not making enough thyroid hormone in the first place.

What you should know about Thyroid Hormone Production: Thyroid hormone production is under the influence of a chemical called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is made by the pituitary gland. When circulating levels of thyroxine (T-4) are low, TSH sends a message to your thyroid gland to start producing more T-4. The building blocks your body uses to make T-4 come from food constituents that we obtain from the diet (tyrosine – an amino acid from protein and certain minerals – iodine, zinc, etc). Once your body makes T-4, it must be activated by other nutrients (vitamins and minerals) into something known as T-31. T-3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that works to increase the body’s metabolism. However, certain nutrient deficiencies and stress can lead to a reduction in T-3 and instead the production of Reverse T-3. This form of T-3 is not as effective and leads to symptoms of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, Reverse T-3 cannot be distinguished from T-3 in

traditional thyroid lab reports and this is a common oversight by many physicians.

Once T-3 attaches to the nucleus inside your cells it increase the body’s metabolism appropriately. Once again, however, certain nutrient deficiencies can decrease the responsiveness of our body’s cells to T-3, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism. For these reasons lab reports commonly performed by physicians that look at TSH, T-4, and T-3, can be misleading.

A simplified diagram of thyroid hormone production is listed below: TSH Stimulates the thyroid gland to make T-4 T-4 Converts to either T-3 or Reverse T-3 (RT3) RT3 is inactive.

Normal T-3 attaches to the cell nucleus Once attachment of T-3 occurs the body’s metabolism increases Gluten Sensitivity and Thyroid Dysfunction Gluten sensitivity is a common cause of thyroid dysfunction. Gluten exposure can trigger an autoimmune reaction (Hashimoto’s disease) that disrupts normal thyroid hormone production. (For more on this visit www.

GlutenFreeSociety.org) There are also many other environmental factors that can effect thyroid hormone production. Oral contraceptives and estrogen containing medications have been shown to reduce the conversion of T4 to T33. Many herbicides and pesticides contain estrogen mimicking

compounds known to effect thyroid hormone production. Soy foods and sodas can cause a reduction in thyroid hormone.

Certain food allergies and selenium deficiency are linked to autoimmune thyroid dysfunction3,4. Heavy metal exposure through air, water, dental fillings etc. have been linked to poor thyroid function.

Remember that thyroid disease is never just as simple as taking a medication whether it is bio-identical or not. Thyroid dysfunction has a cause. An astute physician will take an active roll in care and seek to perform a comprehensive exam and laboratory work up that will identify the cause. Keep in mind that your body has the ability to make its own thyroid hormone providing that all the essential nutrients necessary are present in the diet or through supplementation, providing that the environment is conducive to the expression of good health, and providing that the individual is properly educated in the care of his/her body. Many patients that come to me initially are taking some form of thyroid medication. Many were instructed that the medication was a life long necessity. And in many it is very common that the medication becomes unnecessary. H

Moncayo R, et al. The role of selenium, vitamin C, and zinc in benign thyroid diseases and of selenium in malignant thyroid diseases: Low selenium levels are found in subacute and silent thyroiditis and in papillary and follicular carcinoma. BMC Endocr Disord. 2008 Jan 25;8:2.

2.

Pansini F, et al. Effect of the hormonal contraception on serum reverse triiodothyronine levels. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1987;23:133.

3.

Mazokopakis EE, et al. Effects of 12 months treatment with L-selenomethionine on serum anti-TPO Levels in Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Thyroid 2007 Jul;17(7):609-12.

4.

Negro R, et al. The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Apr;92(4):1263-8. Epub 2007 Feb 6.

1.

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fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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Photo by Carlino’s Photography, LLC

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.com • September 2010

41

M

By Nick Nicholson

ao’s Last Dancer is the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from a poor upbringing in rural China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer. Based on the best selling autobiography of the same name, the film weaves a moving tale about the quest for freedom and the courage it takes to live your own life. The film compellingly captures the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.

The story begins with Li as an eleven year old child in his classroom on the outskirts of his Chinese village. Representatives of the Army visit his classroom and hand select those that are deemed worthy of traveling to Beijing to audition for the people’s school of the arts. Li is plucked away from the life he knew simply because of the size of his hamstrings.

After his audition and selection to the academy, his story literally soars from there. The premise of the film seems predictable, however the emotional escalation of the film stems from the numerous obstacles Li overcomes and the manner in which he does so. The Chinese Communist Party reluctantly approves a cultural exchange program with Li (Chi Cao) traveling to Houston to study with renowned artistic director Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood). After a few months in America, Li decides he wants to defect. Houstonian and Immigration expert Charles Foster (Kyle MacLachlan) enters the picture and works to obtain freedom for Li. The political and personal turmoil add even more emotion to the story, which will no doubt leave you with tears in your eyes.

Director Bruce Beresford not only hits a sure fire home run with his depiction of the story, but his cast could not have been better selected.

Bruce Greenwood is tremendous as Ben Stevenson, under whose tutelage Li is able to meet his talents head on and exceed all expectations. An Oscar nomination for Stevenson may not be out of the question as his performance keeps the film grounded, yet at the same time allows the picture to soar. Chi Cao’s performance as the adult Li Cunxin is vibrant and touching. It also doesn’t hurt that Cao’s dancing ability is simply brilliant as well. Kyle MacLachlan is also wonderful as Charles Foster and has his mannerisms down pat. The rest of the supporting cast are just as delightful.

This isn’t just a film about ballet. This is story about life that happens to contain some wonderfully choreographed dance sequences. Sure to appeal to any fan of the ballet art form, the film will also tug at the heartstrings of any fan of cinema that wants a story that matters. This picture is full of unrefined raw emotion and trust me, that isn’t a negative at all. It isn’t often that a film comes along that can move you to tears and make you want to jump up and applaud a moment later. This is one of those films. From beginning to end, this film punches you square in the face and dares you not to like it. You won’t just like it. You’ll love it and like it, too.

Amanda Schull as Liz and Chi Cao as Li.

Mao’s Last Dancer Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan & Amanda Schull Director: Bruce Beresford Company: Samuel Goldwyn Films Now Showing: in Local Theaters - Landmark River Oaks MPAA Rating: PG Grade: A+ Bruce Greenwood as Ben Stevenson, Steven Heathcote as Bobby Cordner and Camilla Vergotis as Mary.

Photos courtesy of Simon Cardwell / Samuel Goldwyn Films

Nick Nicholson is the Film and Entertainment Critic for CNN Radio, the Fort Bend Star, Focus Magazine, Pearland Focus as well as Focus on Women. In addition, his reviews can be seen and heard in numerous other print/media outlets in Texas and Oklahoma. Mr. Nicholson is in great demand as a speaker to both public and civic organizations on the subject of film and the entertainment industry. He is the co-founder of the Houston Film Critics Society and is currently the President of the organization. fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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BILL AUSTIN’S

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.com • September 2010

43

Mao’s Last Dancer

An Interview by Nick Nicholson

E

very film is built upon stories of triumph over adversity. You would be hard pressed to find examples of films that lack that aspect.

What is unique about Mao’s Last Dancer is that the primary character escapes the confines of a Communist government simply by utilizing the power of dance, or specifically in Li Cunxin’s case, ballet.

The film Mao’s Last Dancer is a rather stirring adaptation of the main characters life. Li Cunxin was born in China and was hand picked by the government to attend Madam Mao’s Dance Academy. Not for just hobbyists, those selected dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft. Such is the life under those trying circumstances.

The picture, as well as the book, chronicles Mao’s life from the point he was plucked from his village to the point he became an international ballet star.

The film previewed in Houston at the Museum of Fine Arts and I had the opportunity to interview some of the cast as well as the real life characters on which the film was based. Actor Bruce Greenwood had the daunting task of portraying the Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet, Mr. Ben Stevenson, who was responsible for Li obtaining permission from the Chinese government to study in Houston. It was Stevenson that essentially introduced the free world to Li Cunxin.

I inquired of Greenwood what attracted him to this particular film and mentioned the excitement of portraying such a legendary character such as Ben Stevenson. “So often, I have portrayed snippety jerks. The kind of folks you just want to beat the crap out of that are villainous. Ben Stevenson and Mao’s last dancer gave me the opportunity to showcase a man with a good heart that was also a great human being.”

Greenwood went on to mention the writing, the semantics of the story as well as the fact that this film is different in all aspects than anything else he had done before. “The story is unbelievably moving.

Stevenson isn’t a primary character, but

Kyle MacLachlan, Charles Foster, Li Cunxin, Ben Stevenson and Bruce Greenwood.

Nick Nicholson and Li Cunxin. he is integral in the telling of Li’s story.

Without Ben Stevenson, Li would most likely have remained in China and the world wouldn’t have gotten to know such a brilliant dancer.”

Cast as the infamous Houstonian Charles Foster was the magnetic actor Kyle MacLachlan. The role of Foster in the film may be small, but it will definitely stick with you in terms of his performance.

MacLachlan was very excited about portraying Foster because of what his dedication to the project and what the film portrayed. Kyle commented, “I was very fort bend

magazine • September 2010

44

impressed with my visit with Charles.

We spent some time together and I asked him to describe the story and the impetus behind his thought processes. I found his perspective to be most helpful in preparing for the role.”

I inquired of both actors if they felt it created added pressures portraying cultural icons in a biographical sense, such as Ben Stevenson and Charles Foster. Both actors, under the direction of Bruce Beresford, strongly felt it necessary to serve the story and give the best performances possible for the audiences.

In essence, more homework had to be done in order to prepare for the roles.

This in turn added more excitement and anticipation to the roles throughout the film. MacLachlan added “in a film of this sort, with so many characters being real people, it was absolutely imperative to get the story and motivation behind the film correct.” There are moments in this film where you can actually see the tension, particularly in the Chinese embassy sequence. It was absolutely critical that Kyle successfully portray the character of Charles Foster without pretentiousness.

Chi Cao as Li and Camilla Vergotis as Mary McKendry in MAO’S LAST DANCER.

It was the real Charles Foster’s work that obtained the release of Li Cunxin from the Chinese embassy. This was key for the success of the film. MacLachlan did his homework on Foster and it paid off in the film.

I asked Li Cunxin if there was one thing he wanted the audience to take away from the film, what would that one thing be? He replied, “Dare to dream big, follow with concrete plans and actions, when dealt with setbacks or faced with defeats, don’t give up; persist, persevere, then work even smarter and harder. You will get there.” It’s no wonder Li Cunxin has been successful at everything he attempts. He practices what he preaches both in his profession and as a father.

These are traits he learned at an early age from his parents and brothers.

There is no doubt that fans outside of Houston will love the film, but those in Houston will find it of particular interest for a number of reasons – not the least of which is that some of the film was actually filmed here in H-town. Those in Houston not living under a rock for the past decade and a half will surely be familiar with the work of Ben Stevenson, Charles Foster and the Houston Ballet. The primary character of the film, Li Cunxin, first came to Houston in 1981 as a cultural exchange student who knew very little English.

Within a period of three months, he had won the hearts of the Houstonians who watched him become a star. Thanks to everyone involved, Li was able to share his talents with the entire world. His story is now a major motion picture so the entire world can relieve the telling of this brilliant man’s life and get to know him all over again.

Photos courtesy of Simon Cardwell / Samuel Goldwyn Films

Nick Nicholson and Kyle MacLachlan.

Nick Nicholson and Ben Stevenson. www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

Nick Nicholson and Bruce Greenwood.

45

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital

Caring for the Community Small changes can help children achieve healthy weight Free bike helmets promote exercise and safety

W

ith approximately one in three of her patients overweight or obese, a statistic mirrored across Texas, Pediatrician Sapna Singh, M.D., is on a mission to help these young people make the lifestyle changes necessary for optimum health. Her tool? It’s the body mass index growth chart.

“I use their growth chart to show them where the majority of children their age should fall and where their weight lies,” said Sapna Singh, M.D. Dr. Singh, who is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital.

Body mass index, or BMI, reflects the relationship between body weight and height. This number is a reliable indicator of potential health problems like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. After Dr. Singh calculates a child’s BMI, she plots it on a BMI-forage growth chart to show where the child ranks relative to other children of the same sex and age.

Children in the 5th percentile up to the 85th percentile are at a normal weight. Children in the 85th to 95th percentile are overweight. Those ranking in the 95th and 96th percentile are obese, while those at or above the 97th percentile are severely obese.

“Sometimes a child’s weight is so far off the normal growth chart that I don’t have a place to plot their BMI score,” said Dr. Singh. “When my patients see this, it’s easier for me to discuss their health as it relates to their weight. It’s a technical way to show them that when they are so far off the chart, they are at risk for diabetes and other diseases.”

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Dr. Singh said it takes monthly visits to help patients at the 90th percentile and higher. A natural problem-solver, she works with children and their parents to make small modifications that will result in permanent lifestyle changes. “What is it about their lifestyle, finances or upbringing that influences the choices they make?” she asks.

As an example of one easy modification, she points to 15 patients who omitted calorie-laden drinks.

Each lost approximately 5 pounds in one month. Another child, who stopped drinking 2 liters of soda daily, lost almost 10 pounds in the first month.

Limiting screen time and other sedentary activities is another lifestyle change advocated by Dr. Singh. After assessing a child’s play space and the family’s budget, she tailors a plan to include 30 to 60 minutes of activity three to four times a week. fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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“There are affordable indoor options,” said Dr. Singh. “Turn on the radio and dance for 30 minutes.

Do it with a sibling. Jump rope. Help with household chores like mopping and vacuuming.”

Bike riding is a great outdoor exercise, but don’t forget the helmet.

Head injury is the most common cause of serious disability or death in bicycle crashes. It can be reduced by as much as 85 percent by wearing a helmet and wearing it correctly.

To encourage physical activity, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land will hold Hard Hats for Little Heads on Saturday, Sept. 25 (see box). In addition to free bike helmets for the first 200 children, families will receive free first-aid kits, digital thermometers and the chance to ask medical questions of participating physicians. H

Hard Hats for Little Heads Presented by Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital

Saturday, Sept. 25 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

First Colony Mall

(children’s play area near the food court)

• Free bike helmets for the first 200 children, ages 3-10 • The Doctor is In: Ask your questions of pediatricians, orthopedists, sports medicine and family practice physicians • Free first-aid kits and digital thermometers

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Community Calendar ALL MONTH SIENNA PLANTATION AQUATICS SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION Sienna Plantation Aquatics (SPA) is holding open registration. SPA has programs for swimmers from Pre-K thru adult. Registration for all programs is available on the SPA website at www.swimsienna.com ALL MONTH FORT BEND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS COOKBOOK Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors is taking presale orders for their 30th Anniversary Celebration Cookbook, Cooking With Friends, with all profits going to the 2011 Scholarship Program. For more information, call 281-565-4163 or email cookbook@fbfn.org.

ALL MONTH TUESDAYS, 6:30 - 7:15PM FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR MUSIC MAGIC! Music Magic is an eight-week program for six and seven year old boys who like music and singing! Music Magic will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Missouri City from September 7th thru October 26th. The cost is $80. Please preregister at (281) 240-3800 or visit website at www.fbbctx.org.

ALL MONTH FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH For more information visit any of the branches, call 281-341-2677, or see the library’s website.

4th SATURDAY, 6:30PM - MIDNIGHT WEST FORT BEND WOMEN’S CHARITY RED, WHITE AND BLUE JEAN BASH Join us for a BBQ dinner followed

by Live Music and Dancing at the Swinging Door Dance Hall in Richmond. For tickets or more info, contact Janice Gillen by emailing gillenjc@comcast.net or visit www. wfbwc.org.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Events, schedules and information may change without notice.

Please refer to the event’s contact person or check the event’s website for more information.

September 2010 4th SATURDAY, 9 - 11AM MEET THE MASTER GARDENERS Visit our 4 acres of Demonstration Gardens and talk to the volunteers who design and maintain them.

For information, call 281-341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

9th THURSDAY, 7 - 9PM GREEN THUMB SEMINAR: SOIL & COMPOSTING Learn the benefits of amending soil and the “How To” of home composting and vermiculture. The seminar will be at Parkway United Methodist Church, 5801 New Territory Blvd. Call 281494-5050 or visit www.fbmg.com.

9th-16th FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES BOOK FAIR Fort Bend County Libraries with Barnes & Noble Booksellers is hosting a book fair to benefit the FBC Libraries. The libraries will benefit from purchases made online through the Barnes & Noble Bookfairs webpage or from sales made in person at the store at First Colony Mall on September 10 and 11. For more info, call 281-341-2677.

10th-30th FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, 8PM SUNDAYS, 3PM ROBIN HOOD AT FORT BEND THEATRE Award-winning Fort Bend Theatre’s production of Robin Hood will be performed from September 10 October 10. This adaptation is one the entire family will enjoy! Visit www. fortbendtheater.com or call 281-208-3333.

11th SATURDAY, 8AM - 5PM FOSTER PRO-GRAD “RIDE AND DRIVE” FUNDRAISER Are you looking for a new car? Would you like to support your local school?

Come by Foster High School for our free “Ride and Drive” Fundraiser.

Anyone 18 and over with a valid driver’s license can test drive a vehicle. Vehicles provided by Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury. fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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11th SATURDAY, 6PM HEARTS OF HOPE … SHINING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Join the Pregnancy Resource Center of Fort Bend County (PRC) for their annual fundraising banquet at Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club. For tickets or more information visit www.prcfortbend.com or call 281-232-2375.

11th & 18th SATURDAY, 9AM - 4PM LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY’S VOLUNTEER TRAINING LCFBC volunteer tutors teach adult basic literacy and/or English as a Second Language (ESL). Tutors do not need knowledge of any foreign language, nor do they need formal teaching experience. All training takes place at the Literacy Center, located at 12530 Emily Court. For information or to register, call 281-240-8181 or visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.

13th & 27th MONDAY, 6:30PM SIENNA LIBRARY HOSTS FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS Fort Bend County Libraries will feature a free Fall Family Movie Series at the Sienna Branch Library.

The movies are free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 281-238-2900.

14th TUESDAY, 10:30AM TRI-CITY WOMEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON Tri-City is a women’s friendship group. It is open to all women in the area. The next meeting is our luncheon at Sweetwater Country Club.

For more information call Connie Kaleta at 281-499-5624 or Lisa Pepin at 281-980-8098.

Front (l-r): Nancy Frank, VP, Luncheons. Gail Grace, President; Erika Fernandez, Safari Texas event coordinator; Sandra Boyd, Past President; Back (l-r): Mary Willis, speaker; Debbie Fancher, entertainer.

16th THURSDAY, 11:30AM THE FORT BEND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 30TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON Celebrate friendship at the Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors 30th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon at Safari Texas Ranch. Fort Bend County Representatives from the Honorable Judge Robert Hebert’s office will officially present and proclaim September 16, 2010 as Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors Day! Member tickets are $30 and guests are $35. For information, email vpluncheons@fbfn.org or visit www.fbfn.org.

16th THURSDAY, 7PM LOCAL AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR TO SIGN NEW BOOK AT SUGAR LAND LIBRARY Ann Weisgarber’s debut novel, The Personal History of Rachel DuPree, will soon be available. Weisgarber will read from and sign copies of her new book at the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sugar Land Branch, 550 Eldridge. All proceeds benefit the library. For more information, please call 281-341-2677.

16th THURSDAY, 7 - 8PM HISTORIC TREES OF TEXAS Learn about the historic trees of Texas held at 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg, 77471. For information, call 281341-7068 or visit www.fbmg.com.

17th FRIDAY, 6:30 – 11:30PM GROOVY PARTY BENEFITING FORT BEND SENIORS MEALS ON WHEELS Austin Powers saves Fort Bend County from Dr. Evil at the Groovy Party presented by Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury, benefiting Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. Held at the Safari Texas, it features a live auction and band. For more info, contact Kristin Weiss at 281-633-7057 or kweiss@fortbendseniors.org.

18th SATURDAY BACK TO SCHOOL WITH FORT BEND THEATRE ACTING CLASSES Fort Bend Theatre launches their Fall Acting classes for ages eight through eighteen. Classes will be Saturday mornings from September 18 to November 13. The cost is $200.

For info, call 281-208-3333 or visit www.fortbendtheater.com.

21st TUESDAY, 5PM LOVING FRIENDS GROUP MEETING Loving Friends is a social group for widow and widowers. They meet the third Tuesday evening at Sweetwater Country Club. For information call Georgia at 281-438-5224.

25th SATURDAY, 8:30AM – 1PM SUGAR LAND GARDEN CLUB’S 12TH ANNUAL GARDEN ART AND PLANT SALE Located at the Sugar Lakes Clubhouse, 930 Sugar Lakes Drive.

For info, call 281-494-7977 or visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.

25th SATURDAY, 10 - 11AM FREE YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION Suburban Sugar Land Women is offering a seminar for ages eight and up at the First Colony Library.

Children will be educated with valuable knowledge and skills in finances! For information, visit www. sslw.org or email sslwl@aol.com. www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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25th SATURDAY, 8PM AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S COUTURE FOR THE CAUSE The event, themed Escape to Treasure Island and presented by Sterling McCall Lexus, features a couture style show and haute cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sheree Prather at sheree.prather@cancer.org or visit www.houstoncoutureforthecause.org.

SUGAR LAND TOWN SQUARE EVENTS www.sugarlandtownsquare.com Call 281-313-SLTS Friday, September 3 7 – 9 p.m.

Concert in the Plaza Saturday, September 4 7 – 9 p.m.

Concert in the Plaza Friday, September 10 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Dancing under the Stars presented by Fred Astaire Studio Saturday, September 11 6 – 9 p.m.

Step into Scouting Thursday, September 16 7 – 9 p.m.

Jazz in the Plaza Friday, September 17 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Hands on Cheer presented by Storm Cheer Saturday, September 18 8:45 – 11 p.m.

Minute Maid presents Movie under the Moon Friday, September 24 7 – 9 p.m.

Concert in the Plaza Saturday, September 25 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

David Taylor Cadillac Car Show Saturday, September 25 7 – 9 p.m.

Jazz in the Plaza

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Vintner’s Celebration & Wine Tasting

Benefiting the Fort Bend County Museum Association Saturday, July 24, 2010 • Wessendorff Home, Richmond

Bruce & Debbie Mercer

Patrick Bayne & Paula Auberg

Karen & Richard McCarter

May Bice & Virginia Moore

Billie Wendt, Evelyn Moore, Carolyn Banfield

Joe D. & Patty Robinson

Becky & Orin Coveil

Keely & Brian Knipling, Rennie Knipling

Pamela & Bill Zemanek, Elizabeth Duff Drozd & Carl Drozd

Beth & Dennis Lubojacky

Nancy Bartosh & Carol Kalinowski

Kelly & Steve Metzenthin

Mark & Beth Kellner, Kevin Williams

Joe & Shirley Bonham

Ruthie & Mark Herfort

Bob & Yvonne Ramsey

Barry & Kay Beard

David & Christen Johnson

Diane & Brad Ferguson

Carolyn & Ron Pope

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The Wharton County Junior College Foundation Gala

Benefiting the Wharton County Junior College Friday, August 6, 2010 • Safari Texas Ranch, Richmond

Lynn Haley & Misty Diaz

Richard Arnold, Karen Wallace, Billie Jones, Bill Wallace

Henry & Michelle Glover

Jamie Schwausch & Rose Merle Symmank

William & Lawanda Mikulenka

Kaleida & Omari Drake

Carol & Ed Ermis

Vicki & Mike Jacobs, Don, Nona, Margo Wissner & Maryann Kissane

Ron & Juliana Ewer

Julie & Marc Aaronson

Amanda & James McDonald

Sunny & Rashmi Sharma, Dee Cook, Al Bartolo

Bill Bell, David & Karen Showalter

Betty McCrohan, & Tim Bell

Azul & Smita Jaffer, Evelyn Moore

Dena Perry & Bob Vogalsang

Gail & Â Randy Parker

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Experience a peaceful country setting like no other at the George Ranch Historical Park. With several historic venues and countless custom package offerings, the possibilities are as wide as the blue Texas sky. www.georgeranch.org/rentals 10215 FM 762 in Richmond (281) 343-0218 • events@georgeranch.org

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magazine • September 2010

HEADLINERS Send your “Fort Bend Headliners” via e-mail to Lisa@FortBendFocus.com. Be sure to send only “high resolution” digital pictures as an “attached” jpg. Make sure your camera is set to “fine” or “high” in the setup screen. Digital pictures that have not been previously published are preferred. Please do not embed jpg in any page or layout program.

Articles are subject for editing and space availability.

KPRC news personality Daniella Guzman.

Daniella Guzman to Emcee Literacy’s 1st Annual Great Grown Up Spelling Bee The Literacy Council is thrilled to announce our first ever Great Grown Up Spelling Bee! KPRC news personality Daniella Guzman will be our emcee as teams of three adult (age 25+) spellers compete for bragging rights as the best spellers in the county. Enjoy the light-hearted competition and some delicious “old-fashioned” refreshments in a family-friendly atmosphere. Spectator tickets are just $15 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under.

Whether you are interested in supporting Literacy by sponsoring a team or you are interested in spelling but can’t form a team – contact us! We are looking for spellers AND sponsors! The entry fee for each team is $750.

The Honor Roll School (4111 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land) will be a hive of excitement and activity on Saturday, September 18th from 6:00-9:00 pm as grown ups from local businesses and organizations compete for that coveted Spelling Bee trophy!

For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to register a team, call the Literacy Council at 281-240-8181 or contact Brenda Crump at bcrump@ftbendliteracy.org or Shayne Newell at shaynenewell@gmail.com.

54

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We use medically safe aesthetic procedures along with skin care and make up products, bio-identical hormones and medical grade supplementation to help you look and feel great.

Raising Cane’s will host Fundraiser for Clements High School Pro-Grad Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Sugar Land will host a fundraiser for Clements High School Project Graduation (ProGrad) 2011 on Saturday, September 25th from 1:00pm-4:00pm. During these hours, Raising Cane’s will donate 15% of sales generated by fundraiser patrons to CHS ProGrad. To ensure your purchase counts toward the fundraiser, please identify yourself as a CHS ProGrad supporter when placing your order. A car wash fundraiser will also be held next door to Raising Cane’s in the Comerica Bank parking lot. Car washes are $5.00. All funds raised from the Raising Cane’s and car wash fundraisers will go to purchase food, entertainment and prize giveaways for the students attending CHS ProGrad 2011.

Project Graduation is an adult-supervised, substance-free, post-graduation celebration. Graduating seniors at participating high schools are encouraged to attend in lieu of unsupervised, studentrun events that may involve alcohol and drug use. Over the last two years, Raising Cane’s in Sugar Land has hosted several fundraisers for Clements High School ProGrad events, and this will be the first one designated to CHS ProGrad 2011. To date, Raising Cane’s has donated over $1,350.00 to the program.

Local residents are encouraged to purchase delicious, freshly cooked chicken fingers, Cane’s sauce, and ice-cold cups of freshly squeezed lemonade in support of the fundraiser. Don’t forget to get your car squeaky clean too!

For more information on Raising Cane’s, visit www.raisingcanes.com.

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The YMCA is a great place to be all year!

No Joining Fee 9/18/10-10/03/10 Active Older Adult Open House Wednesday, 9/22 from 10am to 1pm ENJOY FREE WITH YOUR FACILITY MEMBERSHIP:

FACILITY MEMBERS RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNTS ON PROGRAMS!

• Wellness Center • Year-round Heated Pool • 3 Gyms and Climbing Wall • Kids in Motion and Teen Boot Camp • 85 Group Fitness Classes including Zumba®, Body Combat™ and Body Step™ • Fitness Orientation and Older Youth Strength Training • Childwatch for ages 6 wks to 12 yrs • Reduced fee on Personal Training Sessions

• Musical Theatre • Art For more information & • Dance to view our virtual tour visit • Cheer www.ymcahouston.org • Tumbling or register online at • Tennis www.registerymca.org • Youth Sports • Tae Kwon Do • Karate • Swim Lessons • Swim Technique Classes • Homeschool Programs

Register for After School NOW! • Stafford Elementary (ages 3-12) • Stephen F Austin Elementary • Beasley Elementary

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Fort Bend Family YMCA

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281-499-9622

T.W. Davis Family YMCA

911 Thompson Hwy • Richmond, TX 77469

281-341-0791

Think you have what it takes to play rugby? What about knocking one out of the park in a game of cricket? How about becoming the next video game champion?

These are just a few of the games you can play or watch at this year’s Fourth Annual International Festival of Fort Bend featuring “The World of Sports.”

The free festival, an annual event celebrating ethnic culture and community in Fort Bend County, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 17 from noon to 6 p.m., at the Stafford Performing Arts Centre, 10505 Cash Rd. It will include electrifying indoor and outdoor performances and exhibitions. “The idea is to bring all ethnic groups together under one roof,” said Founder and Past President Neeta Sane.

This year’s theme, “The World of Sports”, will include the Houston Cricket League demonstrating how the game, which started in England around the 1300s, is played and recognized throughout the world. Rugby football will also be on display, thanks to the Houston Athletic Rugby Club.

Also, video games are a rising sport and individuals can try their hand at this year’s festival thanks to Games2U. The company’s mobile fun on wheels caravan offers state-of-the art game theaters with all the latest titles and platforms to play.

All this fun is free for all.

Sample delicious ethnic foods, shop for crafts and watch multi-cultural dance, music and fine arts performances on stage. Missouri City is a proud sponsor of the popular festival along with Stafford, Sugar Land and numerous businesses and organizations. For more information, log on to www.if-fb.org.

Headliners continued on page 60

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STRENGTHENING

a winning team!

Dr. Mark Maffet joins Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas The team at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) welcomes another all-star!

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Maffet brings in-depth expertise and skill in a wide range of sports medicine specialties to his new position on the MOST staff. Dr. Maffet is a leader in knee and shoulder arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery, with a long history of helping athletes of all levels return to full health following injury or illness.

Don’t live with the pain. See Dr. Maffet – or one of the other board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists at MOST – and get back in the action!

Call 281-494-MOST (6678) for a personal appointment today.

1201 Brooks Street Sugar Land, Texas 77478 281-494-MOST (6678) MethodistOST.com

International Art Phenom Tracy Lee Stum to Create 3D Masterpiece In Million-Dollar Riverstone Home

T

he art of internationally acclaimed Tracy Lee Stum transports visitors to a world where trains and sharks lunge into the sky and tigers float above the ground on towering totems. In early October, this world of grand illusion arrives in Riverstone.

Considered one of the world’s foremost street artists, Stum will create a new 3D masterpiece in a newly completed multi-million dollar estate by Sterling Classic Homes in Riverstone, a Johnson Development master-planned community in Fort Bend County. Stum’s work will launch a twelve-day showcase of the home, with visitors able to watch the artist create her illusion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6-8. Those not able to see the artist in person can still view the artwork as the showcase continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9-17. Tickets for both time periods are $5 each. Bring your cameras! Visitors to the event are encouraged to pose with and take pictures of Stum’s Riverstone waterfall and cliff creation.

The first 250 people purchasing tickets will be able to attend a VIP event, Artful Living, 7 p.m. on October 8. During the event, fashion and home décor will be added to the artistic mix, with Neiman Marcus showcasing samples of the latest design trends. Stum will be present to add the finishing touches to her artwork and mingle with guests. Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras to take pictures and amaze their friends. Tickets to this special event are $75 and include a copy of Neiman’s treasured ‘Book’.

The 3D art showcase and Artful Living party are part of The Grand Soiree, the first-annual month-long collection of stylish events hosted throughout Fort Bend and Houston.

Introduced to street painting while in Europe studying art at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, Stum began her foray into the medium in 1998 after attending the Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival in Santa Barbara, Calif.

“I became very enthusiastic about the possibilities of this art form,” said the Pennsylvania native. “Encouraged by the festival’s other participating artists and friends, I realized I had found something very special to me and became enthralled with it.”

Since that time, Stum has participated as an invited featured artist in many festivals and events around the world, including exotic locales such as Hong Kong, Paris, Japan, Italy and India, and also throughout the United States.

While schooled in classic masterpieces, Stum looks to her own imagination for inspiration when creating a new work of art. “I am most excited about my original designs since they are how I challenge myself,” she said. “I also like to entertain by creating worlds that are intriguing to the viewer — that seem as though you could step right into them. I am interested in world cultures, symbolism, idealism and universal commonalities, all of which inspire my concepts.”

Her work has gained broad notice and has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and in the BBC documentary “King of the Strip” about the making of the Venetian Hotel and Casino, for which she created a more than 11,000-square-foot trompe l’oeil ceiling mural that challenges the eye with her characteristic 3-D images on a two-dimensional plane. Currently, Stum holds the Guinness World Record for the largest street painting by an individual for her interpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” commissioned for fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY SCHOOL www.InternationalPreparatorySchool.com

the DVD release of “The Da Vinci Code.”

Dedicated to bringing her art form to a wider audience, Stum is a leader in organizing large-scale public arts projects worldwide, and has helped develop street painting festivals in Asia, North America and India. During a tour of India, Stum created exhibition 3D paintings and taught workshops at five prestigious universities and art schools. In the U.S., her accomplishments include conducting street painting workshops at the acclaimed Getty Center in Los Angeles.

Examples of Stum’s work can be viewed on her website, www.tracyleestum.com.

The Grand Soiree spotlights Houston and Fort Bend’s finest in 10 events hosted from Sept. 25 through Oct. 27. Activities include Couture for the Cause in Sienna Plantation, benefiting the American Cancer Society, champagne bus tours to the Houston Design Center’s fall market, The International Risotto Festival at the Houston Design Center, an art gallery exhibit in Riverstone showcasing the work of Kathy Womack, a Women and Wine art dinner with Kathy Womack at Aura restaurant, Fire & Ice jewelry dinner at Post Oak Grill in Sugar Land, and Mix It Up at the M Lounge, a bartender’s challenge.

Ticket prices to the individual Grand Soiree events, sponsored by Johnson Development’s Riverstone and Sienna Plantation, vary. For more information, visit www.

TheGrandSoiree.com.

For more information about Tracy Lee Stum in Riverstone, visit www.riverstone. com or phone 281.499.8700. ★

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First Row (l-r): SPM Co-Chair Cindy Dempster, SPM CoChair and Sponsor Cari Middaugh, The Hunton Group Lynn Talbot, Westside Resources and SPM Sponsor Committee Johnnie Wright, PB&J Pavement Marking, Inc. and FBJSL President Brigit Engleman, SPM CoChair and Sponsor Jana Baumann. Second Row (l-r): SPM Sponsor Committee Trina Sanford, MSLH Kaelyn Stolhand, MSLH Becky Chalupa, MSLH Janet Leatherwood, Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas Lindley Doyle, Stafford Centre Rebecca Hathorn. Last Row (l-r): Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP Karen Vannerson, Trustmark Bank Travis Van Horn, SPM Sponsor Chairperson Stephanie Van Horn, Pamela Printing David Smith, Simply Sassy Paper Sharon Dimicelli, and The Hunton Group Richard Hunton.

FBJSL and Community Partners Create “A Holly Jolly Christmas” for 2010 Sugar Plum Market After two years in a successful partnership, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has generously agreed to return as the title sponsor of the Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Sugar Plum Market. This year’s “A Holly Jolly Christmas” themed event will be held on Thursday, November 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, November 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center.

The 10th annual Sugar Plum Market will benefit local Fort Bend County charities. Last year, FBJSL’s Sugar Plum Market raised $136,000 for local charities with an estimated 6,000 patrons in attendance.

Sponsorships are still available with opportunities ranging from $250 to $5,000. Individual tickets will be available for purchase in the fall. General admission tickets are $10 each. Preview Night tickets are $50 each. Fashion Show tickets are $65 each. To purchase tickets, contact tickets@sugarplummarket.com.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or vendors for the 2010 Sugar Plum Market, please visit www. sugarplummarket.com, call 281-636-6272 or e-mail info@fbjsl.com.

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Austin Powers saves Fort Bend County at the Groovy Party benefiting Fort Bend Seniors Meals On Wheels Austin Powers saves Fort Bend County from Dr. Evil at the Groovy Party presented by Legacy Ford Lincoln Mercury which will benefit Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. The event, set for Friday, September 17, 2010 at the Safari Texas located at 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond, will be held from 6:30 – 11:30 pm.

The Live Auction will be full of great packages. The Donate 4 Life Houston AllStar Band will rock the tunes of the 60s and 70s. Flower Power, Peace and Love, BABY! The Groovy Party is one of Fort Bend Seniors’ signature fundraising events. All funds raised go toward supporting the mission and programs which enhance the quality of life for Fort Bend County Senior Citizens. The average “Meals on Wheels” participant is 78 years old and lives alone.

Fort Bend Seniors not only provides daily nutrition, but for many seniors, it is the only social interaction they have each day.

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels qualified under 50lC(3) of the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit corporation, as such contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent as allowed by law.

To sponsor, attend or volunteer for this Groovy event, please contact Kristin Weiss, Director of Development at Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, at 281633-7057 or kweiss@fortbendseniors.org.

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EYE TRENDS @ Town Square

The Address for Exclusive Eyewear

Dr. George N. Zaibaq & Associates Therapeutic Optometrists and Optometric Glaucoma Specialists

281-265-2000

www.Eyetrendstownsquare.com

16200 City Walk Sugar Land, Texas 77479 We accept most medical & vision insurances

Headliners continued on page 63 www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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FORT BEND

Focus CareS The Heart of a Volunteer

Heritage Baptist Church a place to call home Schedule of Services SUNDAY Sunday School................. 9:30am Sunday AM Worship ..... 10:45am Bible Classes ................... 6:05 pm Sunday PM Worship ..... 7:00 pm WEDNESDAY Bible Study...................... 7:00pm Awana Bible Clubs .......... 7:00pm

Dr. Charles A. Murphy, Sr. Pastor

281-403-4994 www.hbctx.org 2223 FM 1092 Missouri City, Texas 77459

Bob Haas

F

or as long as he can remember, Bob Haas has always loved horses. Growing up in Ohio, Bob spent his early years re-enacting his favorite western films with his model horse collection. It is only fitting that Bob’s love of horses would transition him from his distinguished careers into volunteering at SIRE, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities and related activities for persons with disabilities., After serving 28 years in the U.S. Army, Bob spent 10 years as Associate Director of Security and Fire Services at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He then moved to Memphis where he was the Director of Security for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Upon retiring in 2005, he settled in Texas to be near his daughter and her family.

Throughout his career, much of Bob’s focus had been on the safety and security of others. Now as a volunteer, Bob continues that focus while serving as a horse leader and side-walker for SIRE at its Fort Bend/Sienna Stables site. Bob’s warm personality, super-positive attitude and endless

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dedication have made him standout at SIRE since 2007. Having logged in more than 500 hours, Bob inspires and mentors new volunteers with his kind demeanor and supportive guidance. When asked to identify the most rewarding part of volunteering at SIRE, Bob replies, “We work as a team and have developed into a mini family. Seeing the clients’ improvements and the smiles on their faces as they get ready to ride makes it a pleasure to volunteer.”

Bob resides in Missouri City’s Sienna Plantation with his wife Marguerite. He’s a Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land. When Bob isn’t volunteering, he enjoys playing golf and he and Marguerite love to travel.

Bob Haas exemplifies the heart of all SIRE volunteers, and continues to raise the bar for volunteering excellence.

To learn more about volunteering for SIRE call (281) 778-0202. For other volunteer opportunities in Fort Bend County contact Volunteer Fort Bend at 281-340-1919 or visit www.

VolunteerFortBend.org. ★

Headliners continued from page 61

FBJSL members present a check in the amount of $2,000 to FUMC Lunches of Love. Pictured left to right: Robbie Hausler (FUMC), Ashley Grubbs, Rebecca Starling-Klatt, Brooke Livingston (FBJSL members), Adriane Gray (FUMC Lunches Of Love Chair).

FBJSL Awards $2,000 Grant to First United Methodist Church Lunches of Love Program (LOL) The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) was pleased to present a $2,000 Community Assistance Fund (CAF) grant to First United Methodist Church(FUMC) Lunches of Love Program (LOL).

Lunches of Love is a community outreach program with a mission to feed low income children during extended school holidays, such as Christmas, Spring Break, and summer recess.

LOL provides nutritional, well balanced sack lunches to children who may otherwise go hungry without their regularly provided school lunches. This summer, LOL aims to feed approximately five hundred students per day from Bowie and Jackson Elementary Schools, over an eleven-week period. The League’s donation will fund the contents of the sacks, as well as their distribution.

FBJSL is honored to assist LOL in its efforts to directly impact hunger in our community. For more information about First United Methodist Church and their Lunches of Love Program, go to www.fumcrosenberg.net/ministries/lunches-of-love.

FBJSL accepts CAF applications throughout the year for grant funding up to $5,000 per year. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot program and/or expand a significant service to the community.

For additional eligibility requirements or to download an application, please visit www.fbjsl.com.

Thomas P. Arnold, OD Melissa C. Moeller, OD and Associates Therapeutic and Pediatric Optometrists 15337 Southwest Frwy.

Sugar Land, TX 77478 Williams Trace @ Hwy 59

281-242-2020

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Frank Lee, OD Mary Ghoubrial, OD, and Uyen Tran, OD

Therapeutic and Pediatric Optometrists 8817 Hwy 6 Ste 100 Missouri City, TX 77459

Sienna Parkway @ Hwy 6

281-416-2010

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Headliners continued on page 66 www.fortbend

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Grapes On The Brazos Returns to the Fort Bend County Fair on Sept. 24, 2010 - Oct. 2, 2010

Pictured above is the 2010 the Wine Committee for the Fort Bend County Fair, also known as “Grapes on the Brazos.” Grapes on the Brazos will also have a larger venue, with many new and exciting features, including gift items, wine infused jellies, appetizers from various local vendors, and souvenir glasses.

F

or the third year, Grapes on the Brazos is bringing its highstyled wine event to the Fort Bend County Fair. Serving with Texassized hospitality, Grapes on the Brazos allows fair-goers to explore a variety of wines at an affordable cost.

The Grapes on the Brazos Wine Room will be located in Building W, where guests can learn about and taste the featured wines in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The wines are specially selected to enlighten the

palates of both new and experienced wine drinkers.

Gift items, wineinfused jellies, appetizers from various local vendors, and souvenir gift glasses will also be for sale. All proceeds contribute to scholarships and other educational opportunities for the youth of Fort Bend County.

Grapes on the Brazos will again offer several price levels of wines.

The wines will be served by the taste (2 oz.), by the glass (5 oz.), or by the bottle. Ticket books worth $25 will be

Join Us in Our New Napa Lounge

available for a presale price of $20.00 online, at the Fair Office, and at Brazos River Provisions in Rosenberg. The books include a special discount coupon for Pier 36 Restaurants. Tickets may be used to purchase any of the items at the Grapes on the Brazos venue.

Grapes on the Brazos will be open every day during the Fair, with hours of operations soon to be announced.

For updates and further information, please visit the Fort Bend County Fair website at www.fbcfa.org . ★

Specials Monday $ 24.95

Steak and Lobster 6oz. Filet Mignon & 6oz. Lobster Tail With Choice of Potato and Vegetable of the Day

Full Bar & Live Music

Tuesday $49.90

Tuesday - Saturday

Dinner for Two Choose from the Chef ’s Menu

Monday-Thursday 11am - 11pm Friday 11am - Midnight Saturday 5pm - 1am Closed Sunday

URBAN WINE BAR

Appetizer Dinner Selection for 2 Dessert Bottle of Wine

magazine • September 2010

7:30pm to Close

Thursday Martini Night

with Entertainment by The Frank and Brenda Band

Saturday $17.90

King Cut $25.90 Prime Rib Of Beef Bring Disco Shoes for Live Music

See our Menu @ www.NapaGrille.net

14019 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 • Call 281-277-2599 fort bend

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for a

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Komen Houston Race for the Cure® Saturday, October 2, 2010 Downtown Houston Race registration starts 6 am Join our team, Easy Steps to join our team: • Go to www.komen-houston.org • Click Race for the Cure • Click Join a Team • Search team name: FOW Stepping Out for a Cause • Join our team

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Genesis Day Spa and Salon would like to show our customer appreciation on Friday, September 17th with a FREE deep conditioner for your hair.

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Volunteer Tom Brauen and Child Advocates of Fort Bend Executive Director Ruthanne Mefford.

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Child Advocates of Fort Bend Gathering Forces 19th Annual CASA Christmas Home Tour Set for December 10th –11th While you’re trying to beat the heat, committee members, decorators and sponsors are gearing up for the 19th Annual Child Advocates of Fort Bend CASA Christmas Home Tour. Proceeds from the Christmas Home Tour help Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) advocate for the needs of abused and neglected children in this community.

Through its two programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), the agency touches the lives of more than 400 young victims each month.

A Fort Bend holiday tradition, the Tour offers guests the opportunity to view six beautifully decorated homes in Fort Bend County, while helping to raise much needed funds to support CAFB’s programs serving abused and neglected children. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Home Tour Committee which helps to plan, coordinate and run this event. If you would like to join the Home Tour Committee, please contact Irene Wisner at 281-344-5108 or iwisner@cafb.org.

Presented by Fort Bend Junior Service League and Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Dominic Walsh in Sleeping Beauty.

Photo by Amitava Sarkar, Photography InSight. y nniversar 10th A

ARTernative Destination: Sugar land In collaboration with the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation, Fresh Arts Coalition and Spacetaker are hosting the first ARTernative Festival in Sugar Land’s Town Square Plaza.

On October 2nd, this FREE, familyoriented event will showcase groups such as Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theatre, and Main Street Theater, giving attendees a taste of everything from modern dance to puppetry to musical theatre and opera! In between performances, interactive children’s activities (imagine an instrument petting zoo!), poetry buskers, and a visual arts display will keep art fans of all ages entertained.

Want the skinny on the fat lady? Opera Vista will lead guests as they participate in the impromptu creation and performance of an opera in the square, and Aurora Picture Show will close out the evening with a screening of playful film shorts. There will be a little something for everyone as the best of Sugar Land’s and Houston’s arts are brought together for one big bash. For a complete schedule of events and more about the ARTernative Festival, visit www.arternative.org.

“A Holly Jolly Christmas”

Shopping Experience Debuting Preview Night! Featuring Three Fashion Shows!

Fashion Show Contributors include Macy’s, Bobbi Brown for Macy’s, Beauty Indulgence Day Spa and Salon, and Sweet & Sassy Fashion Show Catered by Ray’s Grill/Watercress Catering

Thursday, November 4th, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, November 5th, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday, November 6th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre & Convention Center 10505 Cash Rd. in Stafford, Texas

Benefiting

Fort Bend County Charities Fashion Show tickets are $65 each. Preview Night Tickets are $50 each.

General Admission Tickets are $10 each.

For tickets, contact tickets@sugarplummarket.com.

Beginning October 1st, general admission tickets available at Fort Bend County Randalls stores.

www.sugarplummarket.com

WHAT: Sugar Land ARTernative Festival WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, 4 to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Sugar Land Town Square Plaza COST: Free and open to the public MORE INFO: www.arternative.org Headliners continued on page 68 www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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Academy of Dance For Fall Classes!

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magazine • September 2010

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TOOTSIES

American Cancer Society’s Couture for the Cause Escape to Treasure Island features High Seas, High Fashion and Haute Cuisine The American Cancer Society’s Couture for the Cause on September 25th has it all: high seas, high fashion, and haute cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants.

The event, themed Escape to Treasure Island and presented by Sterling McCall Lexus, features a couture style show with fashions provided by TOOTSIES. Exotic models will walk the gang plank-style runway suspended over a pool at Sienna Plantation’s newest resort-style water park – The Resort at Sienna Springs. Noted fashion show coordinator Lenny Matuszewski will choreograph the crew of local celebrity and professional models along with cancer survivors in the lush, tropical setting. Some of the event’s survivor models include CEO of Johnson Development Larry Johnson and his wife, Suzie; local Realtors Barbara Montgomery and Brenda Pullen; former Harris County District Attorney Dennis Cain; top-selling romance novelist Jan Freed; Houston attorney Joe B. Allen; Vice President of Darling Homes Bill Dalton, Houston attorney Danny Kamin, and founder of Reconstruction of a Survivor, a non-profit breast cancer organization, Dr. Jeannie Bennett. These models will be joined by

additional community volunteers and professional guest models.

Guests, encouraged to dress pirate chic, will enjoy haute cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants featured in the Grub E. Galley. Participating restaurants include Amici’s, Aura, Berryhill Baja Grill, Candelari’s, Chef Rey’s Restaurant and Catering, Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill, Meat & Greet, Pier 36 and Post Oak Grill for the VIP event.

In addition to high fashion and haute cuisine, high seas action is also in store for mateys attending Escape to Treasure Island. With live music, fireworks, ale and perhaps a few pirate skirmishes, the evening promises a night of frivolity and fun.

Lending her support to the American Cancer Society and serving as emcee for the event is the co-anchor of ABC 13’s award- winning mornSharron Melton ing newscast Sharron Melton. “We are delighted that Sharron has agreed to serve as our emcee,” said Debbie Marcell, Honorary Chairman. “Her professionalism and genuine concern for her community is a tremendous asset to our event.”

The net proceeds from Couture for the Cause will support the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) mission of saving lives and eliminating cancer. In 2009, the Gulf Coast Region of the ACS provided 421 women with a weighted prosthesis and two bras after their breast cancer surgery, and through their Reach to Recovery program, those recently diagnosed with breast cancer receive a one-on-one visit from a breast cancer survivor.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those who wish to raise their sword for the cause and join the pirate crew. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000, and individual tickets are available for $100. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sheree Prather with the ACS at sheree.prather@cancer.org or visit www.houstoncoutureforthecause.org.

MediSpa & Nails SPECIALS

SOLAR NAILS

PINK & WHITE

Full Set $28 Refill $18

Full Set Refill

PEDICURE & MANICURE

$35 Pedicure $25 Manicure Mani & Spa Pedi

$25 $15 $33

spa manicure & pedicure • permanent makeup Extreme Lashes™ eyelash extensions • waxing 16126 SW Fwy., Ste 250 photofacial • bikini & Brazilian waxing • massage Sugar Land, TX 77479 persistent acne • eyebrow art • body cellulite puffy eyes & dark circles • chemical peel 281-565-0009 electrolysis • aging & brown spot removal custom blend makeup • microdermabrasion

Headliners continued on page 70 www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

69

5 OFF

$

any Nail Service

10% OFF All Services for New Clients!

Headliners continued from page 69

SEPTEMBER 24th - OCTOBER 2nd, 2010

Conserve our Resources Provide for our Future

First Colony Mall and Texas Direct Auto join forces to get your car parked – for free – at the shopping center

FREE LIVE CONCERTS WITH FAIR ADMISSION 24 Fri: 9/ d n a B Rogersey Myers Randy isk w/Wh

OPENING DAY

25 Sat: 9/ s Kelly s le k c e R es

Friday, Sept. 24th

n ona Jo

9:00am PARADE

w/Z

Sun: 9/26

GO TEJANO DAY /29 Wed: 9 Murphy k ic Patr 9/30 Thur: rlie h C & a et anada Cody C n - Acoustic ftSers Robiso odern Day Dri w/M

10:00am – MIDNIGHT CARNIVAL MIDWAY TODD ARMSTRONG SHOWS

FREE

ADMIS SIO to ALL N School K ‘til 6pmids

1:00pm – 9:00pm AG’TIVITY BARN Where agriculture comes alive!

Sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service of Fort Bend County 2:00pm - 4:00pm Student Fun Day Activities Old Fashioned Fun & Games WIN A NEW BIKE & OTHER PRIZES Classic Pro Rodeo PRCA Championship Rodeo Nights October 1st & 2nd

/1 Fri: 10 esnutt h C k r a n M e Larse w/Blain

/2 Sat: 10 w o r r o Cory M der &

y don Rh Park Kyle

w/Bran

WINE EVENT

Grapes on the Brazos Sept. 24 to Oct. 2, 2010

TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct. 2rd

& MANY OTHER GREAT BANDS!

FORT BEND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS • 4310 Highway 36 South • Rosenberg, Texas 77471 Purchase Tickets: www.FBCFA.org or 281-342-6171 Complete Schedule of Events: www.FBCFA.org

ENGAGEMENT &

Have your life’s greatest news published in our magazine.

A

To advertise, please call

281.690.4242

www.fortbendfocus.com fort bend

magazine • September 2010

• Valet drive in front of The Cheesecake Factory and • Interior street near KONA Grill and Grimaldi’s, Sephora and Chico’s in The Courtyard.

‘The valet stations are in the same locations as before, but now shoppers should look for the bright blue and white umbrellas with the Texas Direct Auto logo,’ says Jessica DeMarr, director of business development for the car dealership. ‘Just pull up and stop – we’ll do the rest. No more circling, searching for that perfect spot.

See how to guarantee your wedding details are featured in our ever popular issue – “Real Weddings” coming JANUARY 2011.

Published in print and online.

WEDDING NNOUNCEMENTS

Texas Direct Auto, located in Fort Bend County, is the largest independent car dealership in the country. The company prides itself on taking the hassle out of car buying. And now, thanks to a unique partnership with First Colony Mall, Texas Direct Auto is making parking at the shopping center easier, too.

‘We are pleased to announce that, thanks to a new association with Texas Direct Auto, our complimentary valet car parking service is now – compliments of Texas Direct Auto,’ says Donna Molho, general manager of First Colony Mall. ‘This is an excellent affiliation. Here at First Colony, we pride ourselves on offering convenience and on making our visitors shopping experience the best it can be. Texas Direct Auto, located just down Highway 59, is interested in raising its visibility in Fort Bend County and First Colony Mall is surely one of the busiest spots in the county – so it’s a great match for both of us.’

Shoppers at First Colony Mall can take advantage of the complimentary valet service at either of two stations.

The stations, on the north side of the shopping center, are located:

70

When you leave the car with us, you are just about as close as you can get. And, when your shopping’s done, just let us know and we’ll bring your car right back. It’s our business to know cars and we will take good care of yours.’

According to Ms. Molho, visitors to First Colony Mall have the misconception that the valet parking is just for patrons of the shopping center restaurants. ‘Shopping, dining, meeting friends, coming for an event – whatever the reason a person is visiting First Colony Mall, we hope all our visitors will take advantage of the valet parking. It’s easy and it’s free.’

Valet service parking attendants are well trained, uniformed and professional. The free service is available Monday through Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the restaurants close and Sunday beginning at 12:00 p.m. until the restaurants close.

The Courtyard features an outdoor shopping environment offering shopping and dining in a landscaped outdoor plaza. Restaurants and retailers in The Courtyard include Aldo Shoes, Ann Taylor, Barnes & Noble with a Starbucks inside, Black Walnut Cafe, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, James Avery, Kay Jewelers, KONA Grill, Paciugo, Sephora, Soma by Chico’s, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski Crystal, Talbots, The Cheesecake Factory, Toni & Guy, White House | Black Market and WILLIAMS-SONOMA. First Colony Mall is located in Sugar Land at U.S. 59 South and Hwy 6. For more information, call 281.265.6123 or visit www.firstcolonymall.com.

Texas Direct Auto is the largest independent dealership in the nation and is the largest eBay Motors Dealership in the world with over half a billion in annual sales. Located in Stafford, Texas on SH 59 between W. Airport and Wilcrest Road, the company maintains a used-car inventory of between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles at all times. For more information, visit www.texasdirectauto.com.

Morris Cultural Arts Center Houston Baptist University 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston

Fri., Sept. 10  7:30 PM Sat., Sept. 11  2 PM & 7:30 PM Sun., Sept. 12  2 PM & 7:30 PM

Online Tickets:

www.taleofkieu.com

VIP Center: $48 General Seating: $38 Students: $25 / $18

Tickets: (1)281-239-8139

A new musical drama based on the renowned poem, The Tale of Kieu !

The story of Kieu will touch your heart !

Songs, Dance, Martial Arts, scenery and Colorful Costume together bring you a spiritual night of entertainment !

SUGAR LAND

S

VEIN SPECIALISTS

SUGAR LAND VEIN SPECIALISTS • The practice dedicated exclusively to the treatment of varicose veins • We dedicate 30 to 45 minutes during the first visit • Most insurance companies cover varicose vein treatment • Our goal is to make every patient feel comfortable and safe • You will always be taken care of by the same physician, no need to reintroduce yourself to the doctor on call • We are the vein clinic of choice in Fort Bend County

BEFORE

AFTER

Ulises Baltazar, M.D., FACS, RVT Board Certified Vascular Surgeon Graduated from the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine

www.slveins.com FREE Vein Screening by Appointment.

4660 Sweetwater Blvd Suite 130 • Sugar Land, TX 77479 • 281-240-8400

The October issue of Fort Bend Focus will be dedicated to breast cancer awareness and breast cancer survivors.

To advertise your business call

Headliners continued on page 93 www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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281-690-4242

By Linda K. Eaves

Baby Fest

held at Primrose School of First Colony

W

ith a desire to give back to the community, Primrose School of First Colony hosted a Baby Fest July 31. “We felt that over the past five years, the Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford areas had not been supported in the educational area for infant care and new family needs,” said owner Tina Koenig.

“Our goal was to open our school as an educational resource for new and expecting parents. We were thrilled to offer free training sessions in Infant CPR and First Aid, Infant Sign Language, Breast Feeding, SIDS/Shaken Baby Syndrome, Basic Infant Care and Choosing Child Care.”

Representatives from several organizations spoke on their subject of expertise, including St. Luke’s Hospital, La Leche League, Target and The Childcare Concierge, as well as the Primrose teachers.

Many expectant mothers were interested in learning everything possible! Some parents wanted to learn Infant CPR and First Aid while others were interested in sign language only. Everyone was able to personalize their training program. “We also provided Primrose bags filled with information sheets in the various training areas as well as goodies for the expectant mothers,” said Koenig.

When Tina and husband Matt were expecting their first child, they began searching for a school. Safety was their first priority followed by a strong focus on education. “When we first found Primrose, we knew it was right for us. I wanted to be sure that our baby was going to have the best care and education possible. We found that in Primrose.”

Early on, Tina had wanted to be a teacher although she earned a bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering. While working at Fluor Corp. as an Offshore Structural Engineer and IT Manager, she channeled her need to teach by volunteering at the Literacy Council of Fort Bend as an ESL and literacy tutor. “I spent most of my volunteer time teaching an elderly gentleman to read. I really saw the importance of reading, and how a life can

New and Expecting Parents learning Infant Sign Language from Ms. Noelene.

This expectant mom was speaking with Bev Schnick with St. Lukes’ Hospital. Bev is a Lactation Consultant on contract from Texas Children’s to St. Lukes in Sugar Land.

be impacted without this core skill.”

Primrose has a fabulous character building program built into its curriculum which was another reason the couple fell in love with Primrose. “Matt and I believe firmly in giving back to our community.

We really wanted a school that was going to give our children an advanced education and teach them to be good people.

Strong character is learned by watching those around you -- not just by words spoken. We want our children, as well as our fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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Primrose family, to see what a difference we can make in our community. We work to give back by volunteering our time, sponsoring our FBISD schools and local teams, and in many other ways.”

Tina noted the Baby Fest was a huge success with many families from this area as well Houston participating. “We hope that we will be able to offer a Baby Fest in the upcoming year as well. For now we are busy preparing for our upcoming open house and academic year.” ★

Home Is Where Your Heart Is Give a Great Room a Warmer Feel

M

any homeowners admit to having ideas about what to do with their homes even before they sign on the dotted line.

When a home buyer is shopping for a home, he or she often can’t help envisioning how a given home will look with his or her possessions inside.

A growing trend among many homeowners is the open floor plan.

These great rooms are ideal for big gatherings of family and friends, but can also confuse homeowners hoping to distinguish between two rooms that might have been combined. For example, great rooms commonly combine a living area and dining room, giving the room a more spacious look but also making it difficult to confidently state where one room ends and the other begins.

While great rooms can give the home a relaxed and spacious feel, homeowners can cozy-up such rooms with a few simple tricks of the trade.

• Accessorize. Certain accessories can match the scale of a room with a high ceiling to make the room seem cozier. Tall plants and bookcases, for instance, work really well when furnishing a room with an especially high ceiling.

• Remove or avoid mirrors.

Mirrors always make a room seem larger, something homeowners should avoid when furnishing a great room. If mirrors must be included, place them in spots where they will not create the illusion of more space.

• Go big with furniture. This is a no-brainer, but larger furniture can make a great room seem more cozy.

When looking for tables, like coffee tables or end tables, avoid tables with glass tops as these create the illusion of space in a fashion similar to mirrors.

The placement of furniture can also play a role in how cozy a room feels. Grouping furniture, such as placing a sofa and loveseat around the television and placing an armchair near a window for reading, can make a room feel more intimate.

Furniture does not have to be placed solely around the edges of a room, especially in larger rooms that homeowners want to give a warmer feel.

• Let the floor be your guide.

Oftentimes, the floor is the best means to distinguishing between rooms. Rugs can be placed on wood flooring to help distinguish between

rooms, and homeowners can even use different types of wood flooring to ensure residents and guests know which room is which.

Homeowners hoping to give their great room a warmer feel can do so in a number of easy ways that won’t require too much work or too much money.

Homeowners with a great room that boasts a high ceiling face a significant challenge when attempting to give such rooms a cozier feel. www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen is a full service “Design & Build” remodeling company specializing in bathrooms and kitchens. At DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen we help you balance your remodeling dreams and your budget. As one of our clients, you have access to our extensive knowledge of: • Design services including space allocation, color coordination and

material selection assistance.

• Construction including wall modification, hidden headers.

• Cabinetry options along with a wide range of styles and colors, full extension roll out trays, soft closing drawers, and hidden trash cans.

• Counter top options including granite, quartz based materials, solid surfaces and laminates all with a variety of edge profiles.

Foremost. For You. ®

And the waves you ride.

Call me today and ask for a Foremost Boat policy.

Tallas Insurance

281-935-2896

jtallas@farmersagent.com 9100 SW Fwy Suite 255 Houston, TX 77074

Representing

“Foremost” and the “F” logo are registered trademarks of Foremost Corporation of America, 5600 Beech Tree Lane, Caledonia, MI 49316. Form 966997 10/09

• Lighting options including under, over and inside cabinet lights, task and ambient and decorative lights.

• Plumbing fixtures like faucets, instant hot water dispensers, water filter, a variety of under mount and self rimming sinks both in stainless steel and porcelain.

• Painting including sheetrock repair, texture matching, color matching and new color selection.

• Floor covering including a wide variety of porcelain tile that can be installed in patterns to enhance the room.

Everyone from the designer to the construction personnel to the clean-up crew is dedicated to helping you achieve your dream kitchen or bathroom and have a happy experience in the process.

For more information, call 281-2422112, located at 3768 Greenbriar Dr, Stafford, TX 77477. www. dreammakerhouston.com. H

Whether it’s an Island or Retreat...

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen can Design and Build it for You! Touching up a room or giving it a whole new look, we have everything you need to remodel your bathroom & kitchen. It’s our job, but we never forget it’s your home.

Call us today and we’ll make your remodeling dreams come true.

281-242-2112 • www.dreammakerhouston.com 3768 Greenbriar Drive, Stafford, TX

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is Dreaming of a Beautiful Garden…on a Budget?

Have you gone out and looked at your landscape lately? You may have already decided that your yard needs some professional help for the upcoming winter season.

Whether your home is up for sale and you need an edge over the competition, or you just want to freshen up the look of things in the garden, it is possible to boost landscape curb appeal or create a relaxing, low-maintenance oasis, inside a reasonable budget.

• Meet one of Fort Bend Counties’ best kept secrets: Garden Guy, Inc. Todd Farber, B.S. Horticulture from Texas A & M (Whoop!) and President of Garden Guy, has owned and operated his design and installation company since 1991. Nineteen years of designing and installing low-maintenance gardens at homes just like yours, makes him a true authority on residential curb appeal.

• What kind of budget can we work with?

Garden Guy’s work is comprised of projects ranging from small $700 spruce ups, $ 1700 mini-makeovers to large scale $15,000 front and back yard over hauls.

• Choose from a Menu Clients love our proposals because they are menu driven. We

break up each section of your yard enabling you to decide what portion you can afford at that time.

Let’s get your yard beautiful!

Fill out our design survey at www. garden-guy.com or call 281-2084400 for an appointment. H

Barbara Montgomery 281-980-5050 cell: 713-898-3938

WWW.BARBARAJMONTGOMERY.COM E-MAIL: MONTGOMB@GARYGREENE.COM

GRANTS LAKE ENCLAVE - don’t miss this rare Grants Lake Enclave patio home. Features a New Orleans style courtyard. Recent pool and gorgeous landscaping updates. Beautiful hardwood floors, granite, open layoutoverall light & airy. High ceilings and a huge Master suite with sitting area make this a must-see! Great storage. Great location. Good schools. This is a Winner! You Will Love It! $245,000. Call Barbara Montgomery 713-898-3938.

Creative Design • Flagstone Patios • Antique Roses • Cottage Gardens • Butterfly-Hummingbird Gardens • Pavers

d re a

ming of a b

Book your appointment online today. garden-guy.com www.fortbend

r a d g e l n u ? f i t u ea

281-208- 4400

Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist & Family

Garden Guy, Inc. and Texas A&M Horticulturist Todd Farber make landscaping dreams come true everyday! We offer CURB APPEAL within your budget, installing drought-tolerant plants that GROW more beautiful with time. .com • September 2010

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is

Quality Workmanship You Can Trust

FREE ROOFING ESTIMATES

Ask us about Certainteed’s Solaris Reflective Shingles Energy Star Cool Roof Technology qualifies for a $1500 tax credit.

No Job too Small, No Job too BIG!

• Insured and Bonded • References Available • Solid Track Record of Quality Roof Installation • Focus on Total Customer Satisfaction

Ameristar Roofing & Restoration, LLC

300 OFF NEW ROOF $

Must present coupon before estimate.

Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Minimum $8,000 purchase required for coupon to be valid.

50 OFF ROOF REPAIR $

Must present coupon before estimate. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum $500 purchase required for coupon to be valid.

MERISTAR ROOFING, L.L.C.

281-238-4230 Endorsed By:

www.ameristarroofing.com

Only 1% of Roofers in the US are Elite Members & Awarded the Certificate to offer 3 Star, 4 Star & 5 Star Warranty Extensions.

3821 FM 359, RICHMOND Fax: 281-238-4232 • Email: ameristarroofing@gmail.com

ALL-AFFORDABLE TERMITE & PEST CONTROL TPCL #9888

all-affordable.com SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY FOR 16 YEARS

281-344-0000 fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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Ameristar Roofing & Restoration, LLC is your full service roofing company for all your roofing needs.

No job is too small or too big. Our management, sales team, and installers, have all successfully passed both the Certainteed Quality Master Exam and Master Shingle Applicator Exam and have met all criteria required to gain the elite certification of “Shingle Master Company”.

Ameristar Roofing & Restoration has demonstrated extensive knowledge of shingle technology, installation safety, customer service and shown a solid track record of quality-roof installations, while focusing on total customer satisfaction.

As a Certainteed Shingle Master Company, Ameristar Roofing & Restoration is an elite member of only 1% of roofers within the United States, authorized by Certainteed to offer 3 STAR, 4 STAR and 5 STAR Extended Warranties.

With over 50 years of combined experience, our sales team is highly experienced with insurance claims, so let us help you with all your insurance claim needs.

We are an active member of the BBB and proud member of the Richmond/Rosenberg Chamber of Commerce. We are fully insured and bonded for your safety. At the end of every job we perform a quality control inspection, and instill one belief throughout our company: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. We want your recommendation because of our reputation.

Please feel free to contact our office, 281-238-4230, any time, 24 hours a day, for a free estimate or inspection for your roof. We are located at 3821 FM 359, Richmond. H

Home Is Where Your Heart Is Fully Insured • Lifetime Warranty 2010 BBB Award of Excellence Winner • 25 Years Experience

Frameless and Framed Shower Doors & Enclosures Many Glass and Hardware Options Available

281-220-6886 www.houstonshowerdoors.com

50% OFF

INSTALLATION SERVICES Go

od thru 09/30/10

...LIST YOUR GARAGE SALE NOW FOR

Shower Doors of Houston With over 25 years of experience, Shower Doors of Houston designs and installs high quality shower enclosures, custom fit to your shower or tub.

No matter the design, framed or frameless, they provide only the very best in products and service.

Shower Door of Houston works with homeowners, builders, designers, architects and remodelers throughout the Houston area.

Whatever your project, Shower Doors of Houston is focused on providing high quality, custom shower glass at a competitive price with quick and courteous installation.

Call 281-220-6886 or go online to www.houstonshowerdoors.com for a quote or to schedule a free consultation. Shower Doors of Houston is an accredited BBB business. H

FREE www.fortbendgaragesale.com WATER FEATURES • LANDSCAPING • PATIOS • OUTDOOR KITCHENS • CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS • AND MUCH MORE!

LIPANI DESIGNS

EXTERIOR DECORATING IS OUR SPECIALTY! WWW . LIPANIDESIGNS . COM www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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832-790-5458

Home Is Where Your Heart Is When it comes to your Great Outdoors...

Let’s Plan it Together!

Luxurious Waterside Living in Riverstone

Crenshaw Landscapes has been doing just that for all of our residential clients for over 30 years. We are a full service landscape design and installation company in Ft. Bend County. We believe that building a quality relationship with our clients is as important as building quality landscape solutions. We design entire landscape layouts from top quality plants and trees to decks, patios, water features and shade structures. We can also put pools and outdoor kitchens into your design. Your satisfaction and our reputation are very important to us.

We listen to what you want. Our experienced designers meet with you to discuss what you envision and offer ideas on how to achieve that goal.

Our professional installers make the design come to life. Your landscape should accent your home and blend with your way of living. Let us handle all the details so you can enjoy your own little oasis in the city.

If you are considering beautifying your outdoor area, check us out. Our website can give you a taste of our ability to provide a space you want to spend time enjoying. Also, we are proud of testimonials from our past clients, and would love for you to read them. Together we can plan a place to entertain family and friends, or just relax after a hard day. Give us a call: 281-903-7719 or email: www.crenshawlandscapes.com to set up an appointment.

Your satisfaction is our promise. H

Visit Riverstone today to experience luxurious waterside living in the heart of Fort Bend County. A true master-planned community, Riverstone offers housing styles to suit a variety of home buyer needs, including townhomes, single-family homes, luxury patio homes and custom homes, with prices from the $200s to the millions by some of Houston’s best-known builders.

Planned for 6,000 homes over the next eight years, Riverstone is designed for premier amenities including nearly 200 acres of lakes and 500 acres of open space and parklands. Riverstone residents already enjoy an enviable lifestyle with amenities such as swimming complexes, tennis courts, hikeand-bike trails, a fishing pier and a bark park. Adding to that are 50 acres of commercial frontage along Highway 6, which have been developed to bring popular retailers, restaurants and conveniences to the community’s front door.

Certainly one of the developments richest resources is the Fort Bend Independent School District, and Riverstone is served by the some of the finest schools in the district. With a focus on student achievement and development, Fort Bend ISD offers an innovative curriculum and an array of extracurricular activities that engage students and help them explore varied interests.

Best of all, Riverstones location just a few miles from U.S. 59 and the Fort Bend Toll Road means residents have more time to savor life at home, relaxing with friends and family.

To learn more about Riverstone a community of The Johnson Development Corp. call 281.499.8700 or visit www.

Riverstone.com. H

“Though an old man, I am but a young gardener.” - Thomas Jefferson

“It was the time of roses. We plucked them as we passed.” - Thomas Hood

“May your garden be a place where you can find peace - where time stands still.”

“For those who recognize the value of professional landscaping and maintenance.”

CRENSHAW LANDSCAPES We’re Growing PlacesTM

281-903-7719

www.crenshawlandscapes.com “More than anything, I must have flowers, always, always.” Claude Monet fort bend

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors & Gifts Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors & Gifts is a new design studio and retail store now open in Sugar Land Town Square. The goal of the design team at Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors is to create timeless interiors with eclectic elements.

Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors carries unique lighting, vintage inspired accessories, and boutique jewelry.

Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors is the realized dream of Sugar Land Interior Designer, Teena Caldwell, and her daughter, Lauren. Over the past year, Teena and Lauren have traveled across the country to find unique items to retail at their new store in Sugar Land Town Square. They both agree that this journey has truly been a blessing, and the store has merged both of their styles in a unique and eclectic way. This new “boutique for the home” has truly been created from the love of design that a mother and daughter both share. Teena’s father, William, took up carpentry as a hobby when Teena was young and the love of creation has stuck with Teena throughout her life, and has now passed down to her daughter. Although William Barker is not with us today, his dream would have been to see his beloved daughter and granddaughter create this wonderful store.

Sugar Land truly has a gem in this new store in Town Square.

Teena and Lauren would both like to extend an invitation for you to stop by their new store located at 2250 Lone Star. H

Custom Furniture • Full Service Design Studio Unique Jewelry • One of a Kind Accessories & Gifts

NOW OPEN! 2250 Lone Star Sugar Land, TX 77479

281.265.2250

F: 1.877.402.0210 www.twentytwofiftyinteriors.com

“A Boutique for the Home”

Fabulous Faux Finishing

by Kristine Call 713-502-8000 fabulousfauxfinishing@gmail.com

www.fortbend

.com • September 2010

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is Mirror Makeover

Sneak Preview of Trends in Window Fashions

Have you ever wondered what to do with your bathroom mirrors? They are unframed, unsightly, and the edges are even getting black edges. You think to yourself, I could just replace them! Then you realize they are glued to the wall and tearing them out would incur more time, money, and frustration. Then the thought crosses your mind: even if I did remove them, what would I replace them with? Framed mirrors are expensive, and they are not custom. I may find the frame I like, but the size surely won’t be right and vice versa. You concede, defeated and frustrated as to what can be done, certain you are sentenced to a life with ugly mirrors.

Then a friend tells you about Mirror Makeover, and your mirror woes are instantly solved! Mirror Makeover, a Houston based company, can frame your mirrors without tearing them out! Their innovative process frames your existing mirrors in place without removal; beautifully, and affordably. Their skilled design associates will assist you with frame selections, and by bringing the sample to your house it is much easier to visualize the finished product.

And with a line of nearly 50 frames, ranging in style from traditional to contemporary, and oil rubbed bronze to chrome, they are sure to have just the right frame to suit your taste and budget.

For more information or to schedule your free in home consultation, visit their website at www.

MirrorMakeover.com, or call them at 281-586-7785. H

Colors & Trends impact your home and surroundings.

On September 2, a sneak preview of colors and trends from around the world was held by J & L Distributors at Sweetwater Country Club. A capacity crowd enjoyed the informative presentation, which was co-sponsored

by Arlene Rolsen (Coldwell Banker United) and Emelia Appel (Prudential Gary Greene Realtors).

Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, travels the world annually to answer such questions as What’s Hot? What’s Not? Where Do Trends Come From? What is the Next Trend?

Sally had a very humorous approach to her insights while informing us of the latest trends from Paris, Brussels, Frankfort, Canada, Middle East, Russia and the Pacific Rim. Hunter Douglas products come with a lifetime guarantee. Whether you want to update your window treatments, diffuse or block light, or be energy efficient, our knowledgeable team can help you. Incentives and tax credits are available on qualified products, and we have something for everyone’s budget.

What are you waiting for? Come by our newly renovated Hunter Douglas showroom to get personalized service, and let us answer your questions about colors and trends!

Many products are on display so that you can see, touch and operate them. Don’t forget our window treatments are great for the DIYers, but we also offer professional measuring and installation for your convenience.

J & L Distributors is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 6 and on Saturdays from 10 to 5. No appointment is necessary; stop by our showroom at 707 Avenue E, Stafford, Texas 77477 or call 281-403-6733. H

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is

Lose Drafts. Find Dollars.

Hunter Douglas lets you control light. Beautifully.

Energy Savings. Made Beautiful.

Save Time. Save Money. Stop in at our Hunter Douglas Gallery™, and take advantage of our current promotions, money-saving rebates, and special offers. Visit us today, and let our highly trained professionals find the right look for your home at a great price!

We also offer:

J & L Distributors

A wide variety of window treatments that you can see, touch, and operate in our showroom. Come by our newly renovated Gallery showroom for personalized service. No appointment necessary.

707 Avenue E Stafford TX 77477 M-F: 8:00 - 6:00 Sat 10:00 - 5:00 281-403-6733 jandlwindow.hdwfg.com

©2008 Hunter Douglas Inc. ® and TM are trademark of Hunter Douglas Inc.

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is Sienna Plantation: Live Well, Play Hard and Have Fun

U.S. Carpet & Floors

Visit Sienna Plantation and experience a 7,000-acre master-planned community nestled in a serene, wooded landscape in the heart of Fort Bend County. With three resort-style water parks and five highly-rated Fort Bend Independent School District schools, residents can have it all – the finest in family-friendly amenities and the best in neighborhood schools – in a variety of homes priced from the $170,000’s to the millions by Houston’s finest builders.

Located conveniently off of Highway 6 minutes from the Fort Bend Parkway, you don’t have to compromise quality or endure a long commute to live well, play hard and have fun in Sienna Plantation.

With the opening this fall of Fort Bend Independent School District’s newest high school, Ridge Point High School, Sienna is now home to five highly-rated Fort Bend Independent School District campuses including two Exemplary-rated schools making the Johnson Development Corporation community more appealing than ever. With the addition of the $73 million dollar campus accommodating students 9th through 12th grades, Sienna residents can enjoy quality neighborhood education for children from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Sienna boasts an impressive amenities list perfect for families including three resort-style water parks, two community pools, a lakeside amphitheater, lighted tennis courts, playgrounds, a championship golf course, a worldclass fitness center and the Camp Sienna sports complex.

Sienna’s on-site Director of Recreation and Fun oversees a full slate of classes, sports teams and events for all ages, and with the opening this spring of The Resort at Sienna Springs, Sienna is the only master-planned community featuring three resort-style water parks.

Sienna is located near Hwy 6 and the Fort Bend Parkway, call 281.778.7777 or visit www.siennaplantation.com. H

Honesty, Integrity and Customer Service, the three cornerstones of U.S. Carpet and Floors. Our family owned company has proudly served the West Houston/ Fort Bend County area since 1993. Throughout that time we have maintained our status as Gold Card Holders with the Better Business Bureau, an almost unheard of accomplishment in this demanding economic climate.

We are not your typical flooring retailer. We provide you with a complete design package, helping to design your new kitchen, bath, stairs, game room, outdoor kitchen or just about anything else you can dream up.

With our group of professional plumbers, designers, carpenters, and even custom glass works, we are able to provide you with the ‘whole package’.

U. S. Carpet and Floors imports our own quality flooring ranging from porcelain tile, travertine, slate, marble and even exotic hardwoods in addition to all of domestic affiliations. We are proud to be an authorized dealer and Diamond Class Dealer of Mohawk Co., Beauleau, Gulistan, Shaw Co., Kathy Ireland, Bruce Armstrong, Johnson Wood, Mannington, Anderson, L.M. Wood, and many, many more. Buy your carpet today and we will install it tomorrow.

We offer two new design showrooms to better serve you: 12705 S. Kirkwood, Suite 211, Stafford, Tel: 281277-1515; and 12230 Westheimer, Suite 65, Houston, Tel: 281-531-9344. H

U.S. CARPET & FLOORS

Travertine • Laminate • Wood • Slate • Tile • Caesarstone • Granite Counter Tops COMPLETE REMODELING OF KITCHEN, BATH, FIRE PLACE & STAIRS

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12705 S. Kirkwood, Suite 211, Stafford

281-277-1515

Suite 65, Houston

281-531-9344

Mon-Fri: 9-7 • Sat: 9-5 • Sun: By Appointment Only fort bend

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Home Is Where Your Heart Is You Can’t Control Summer Temperatures, But You Can Control Your Energy Costs With temperatures high and energy costs soaring, there are a variety of steps you can take to cut the expenses of cooling your home.”Cooling and heating equipment use more energy than any other appliance. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it’s important to remember that energy costs can be controlled,” said Richard Hogan of Custom Comfort Air. Annual Maintenance One step to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks to make sure your unit is running efficiently. Most cooling systems require very little owner maintenance. However, operating dirty cooling equipment can result in an unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the furnace. You play a vital role in making sure your cooling system continues to operate at peak performance.

High Efficiency Cooling Equipment If you’re in the market for a new cooling unit, consider purchasing a high efficiency model. They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. When selecting an air conditioner or heat pump, pay close attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).

This is a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the higher the savings.

Programmable Thermostats Programmable thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption.

These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency, and energy savings. For example, if you’re going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid cooling or heating an empty house.

To find out more about cutting your cooling costs or for a free estimate on a new high efficiency system, call Custom Comfort Air at 281-342-2512 or visit us at www.customcomfortair. com. Custom Comfort Air has been providing service in the Fort Bend area for over 40 years.

See Ad on page 41

Aventography Studios Aventography Studios is an art gallery style studio that offers professional photography & video services for a large variety of events.

Equipped with State-of-the-art cinematic true HD video equipment and 3D capabilities, the studio offers professional production qualities not found elsewhere. The Studio also includes a green screen room, a photo & video editing suite, and offers event hosting facilities including fashion shows with a runway that floats down the center of the almost 3,000 square feet facility.

Aventography consists of half a dozen top tier photographers and videographers ready to make your event exceed your highest expectations.

Aventography specializes in weddings, modeling portfolios, family portraits, music videos, tv commercials, marketing videos and other events that require photography & videography. The staff travels all over the USA and Canada. They are affordable and custom design each package for every budget, low & high with emphasis on quality & quantity while offering the best customer service in the business. Call now as they are booked months in advance.

Aventography Studios is located in town center (across Baker Street Pub) at 16029 City Walk, Sugar Land TX 77479. 832-275-8601. H

• • • • • •

Weddings Model Portfolios Family Portraits TV Commercials Marketing Videos All Events

16029 City Walk, Sugar Land (in Town Square)

832-275-8601 or 832-618-0718 E-mail: aventography@gmail.com www.aventography.com

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FORT BEND KIDS CHALKBOARD

Sponsored by:

The published photos came from Press Releases submitted to Fort Bend Focus by the schools/organizations of these children.

Texas Sandlot, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting youth baseball, held its 1st Annual Summer Baseball Camp on Friday July 23rd through the 25th for its inaugural team, the Lamar Bulldogs 10U Select.

Alexander Avila, a junior at Travis High and member of Troop 38, was recently awarded his Eagle Scout rank.

The First Colony SynchroStars 11-12 Team recently competed in the Esynchro Age Group National Championships in Buffalo, NY, taking 26th place. The group qualified by taking top honors in the Regional Championship hosted by FCS in May. Competitors were Elise Bauer, Hannah Chiu, Hillary Dressel, Isabelle Duenas, Christy Lee and Elizabeth Oh..

The Lamar Nationals 12U All-Stars took the Texas Section 4 title in Victoria and came in 3rd in the East Texas State Tournament. Pictured: (front row l-r) Drew Hartman, Brandon Pruitt, Jackson Schindler, Brandon Witmer, Casey Mushinski. Back Row: Austin Sliva-Wynne, Daniel Rutledge, Robert Limas, Keller Ferguson, Tommy Duggan, Beau Kingrey, Cole Sitka. Manager Todd Witmer & Coach Mark Schindler. fort bend

Rachel Neycheril of Missouri City recently won the prized Kala Thilakam Award at the KCCNA for her skills in dance and elocution.

Pictured are the cast and crew members of “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” performed by HRCS Students and Alumni. The large butterfly erected behind the cast and crew was created by HRCS Art Teacher Wendy Reue-Collins. It was with hundreds of photos of various children that perished in the Holocaust.

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Sixth Annual Regional Infrastructure Conference Set

Design Seminar – ‘Lunch and Learn’ September 10, 2010 Houston international interior residential and commercial designer, Deborah Healon A I.B.D., T.I.B.D., N.K.B.A. of Healon Interiors www.dehinteriors. com will be the fea- Deborah Healon tured speaker at the American Business Womens Associations on September 10, 2010, 11:30 to 1:00 pm at a Luxury 1.3 Million Dollar Home in The Lakes of Willians Ranch. The Home Built By Dan Sprouse of Sprouse House Custom Homes, located at 1123 Grand Estates Drive. Richmond, TX 77469.

This magnificent home is in a prestigious guard-gated community in the Sugar Land, at Highway 59 and Williams Way. This old world tuscan design is a 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom home. Come view the home with a library, pub room, 3 fireplaces and 3 car-garage, plus 2 car portico, during this lunch seminar.

Healon in past years has taught interior design and architecture at the University of Houston Interior Design Department. Her degree is in interior design with a minor in architecture from the University of Southern Illinois.

Join Deborah for this ‘Lunch and Learn’ seminar where you will learn the principles of interior design, she will show you thru her presentation the secrets of a well-designed space. This seminar is for someone who is involved in a residential or commercial project.

For reservations, call 713-510-8191.

Please make checks payable to ABWA for $20, and mail to DEH Interiors 5757 Westheimer Ste. #183 Houston, TX 77057. H

The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance (CFBCA) and the organization’s Infrastructure Department, chaired by Justin Ring of Edminster Hinshaw Russ & Assoc., have just released the schedule of speakers for their Sixth Annual Fort Bend Regional Infrastructure Conference. The event, presented by S & B Infrastructure and HCSS Construction Software, will take place Tuesday, October 5 at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Sugar Land Town Square at Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 6, at 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Now known as one of the leading resources for updates, forecasts, technical information and project leads on area roads, highways, rail, ports, natural resources and environmental issues, and attracting some of the state’s foremost authorities on those subjects, the conference relocated to a larger venue this year in order to accommodate the high attendance demands.

Three keynote speakers will anchor the event with information focused on varying aspects of infrastructure in Fort Bend and Harris counties. Leading the day with a breakfast presentation will be County Judge Robert E. Hebert, who will discuss the effects of county growth on transportation and mobility. State Representative Bill Callegari, District 132, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and also a member of the House Committee on Transportation, will discuss “Key Water Issues for the 2011 Texas Legislature”. Rounding out the day, James T. Edmonds, Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission, will offer an update on the Port of Houston, with a view of things to come. Please contact 281-342-5464, www.CFBCA.org or email gparker@CFBCA.org.

Judge Robert E. Hebert

Rep. Bill Callegari

James T. Edmonds

OWENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Guadalupe

RIVERFRONT DUPLEX

Each duplex can accommodate four adults and four children or rent both for groups.

More pictures at

RioRatonDuplex.com book at

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Studio 03 dance teachers are all professional dancers who have danced throughout Texas and the US. Excellence is our tradition!

CLASSES OFFERED: Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Combination Classes (Ballet/Tap & Jazz/Hip Hop), Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical and Boy’s Hip Hop. Ages 3 – Adult.

7002 Riverbrook Dr, Ste 400, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Highway 59 @ Grand Parkway

MORE INFO: 281.937.0090 www.studio03.com

Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors & Gifts Grand Opening

Teena Caldwell, Dee Taylor Soderman

Larry Caldwell, Doris and Mike Strain

Terri and Andy Kurkjian

Tom Moorman, Lauren Caldwell, Jason Moorman

Ann Schmidt, Anne Bulan, Irene Winser

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Spine Center Open House

Kathy and Lonnie Meadows, Sean Croft, Lowell Stanton

Kaelyn Stolhand, Sean Sevy, Melissa Roca, Frances Goerlich, Leena Taneja

Joe Dean Passmore, Maureen Lall, Carolyn Passmore

Amy Saenz, Marsha, Nitesh Vachhani, Lenna Taneja

Abraham Thomas, Cheryl White, R. Bindal

Sustainer’s Annual Membership Coffee

Doris Strain, Pat Hamre

Debbie Gamble, Neil Oatman, Jan Bethancourt

Mary Favre, Linda Page fort bend

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Celia Olson, Wanda Sato, Sylvia Farmer

Susan McCann, Laura Leatherwood, Sylvia Smith

By Melinda Wood

High School HOT SHOT In It To Win It

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n and off the court, Kempner High School senior Ryan Thomas shines bright. A student-athlete, Ryan keeps a positive attitude and stays busy juggling his time between playing varsity basketball and serving as treasurer for the Student Council.

“I’m a family oriented student who loves playing basketball at anytime of the day,” Ryan said. “I’m also a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish National Honors Society and treasurer of the student body as well the Student Council. I’m pretty busy, but I wouldn’t call it busy I’d call it legitimately occupied.”

A well-rounded student, Ryan credits his involvement with Student Council with developing his leadership skills.

Ryan shares, “[Student Council] has not only enhanced the amount of leadership and mental strength that I use toward basketball, but it has revealed my true potential as a leader, helped me find my true personality and allowed me to create some of the most spectacular moments and friends in my life.”

As Ryan begins his senior year, he already has many successes to look back on. Ryan says he was the most proud of himself when he was inducted into the National Honor Society.

“The proudest moment of my high school career would have to be the day I was notified that I was to be inducted into the National Honors Society,” Ryan said. “I will never forget that

Rya n day. I was sitting in pre-cal when an office worker delivered this little beige envelope along with a powdered blue ribbon that had the letters NHS on it. Those items are still in my bedroom until this day. Walking across that stage was amazing. Those were probably the most memorable ten steps of my career so far.”

He adds, “I’ve had many blessed moments in my life, but something’s telling me that there is more to come.”

Ryan is excited about deciding on a college this year and already has some thoughts on his future.

“My main goal is to become both an effective engineer and college basketball

player,” Ryan starts. “When I say effective, I mean that I want to effect people in the world in a positive way however I can. If I’m blessed with the privilege of playing on television, I will do my best to set a great example for those watching with aspirations. If I become a great engineer, I hope that I will be able to create something that will improve the world.”

Ryan already has one offer to play college basketball, but is keeping his options open and hopes to go the University of Texas, Purdue, University of Houston or Cornell.

With so many achievements behind him and a bright future ahead, Ryan recognizes his family and religion as his inspiration.

“They’re simply an inspiring family. I definitely feel that God uses each person in my family, even the less fortunate members, as a tool of inspiration toward my life,” Ryan said. “My parents are incredible. They have taught me so much and they’re always there when I need something.

They’re also the first ones to tell me when I need to tough it out and use what I have. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a more inspirational family.”

Ryan has a busy year ahead of him, but with his work ethic, optimism and supportive family, his senior year is sure to be one to remember. H

“The proudest moment of my high school career would have to be the day I was notified that I was to be inducted into the National Honors Society,” Ryan said. www.fortbend

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Fort Bend Salutes Media Event

Richard Phillips, Karen Pearson, Chip Sutton

Evalyn Moore, Jack Wendt, Donna Kay Tucker

Dee Koch, Tami McGuire

Len & Arlene Rolson, Evalyn Moore, Pat Reed

Allison Wen, Gene Reed, James Patterson

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Ready for Fall

Mothers of Preschoolers complete a summer Bible study, “Raising Great Kids”, led by Hillary Bennett and Ellen Mitchell.

New members are welcome for their fall program. Contact mops@sugarlandmethodist.org for more information.

Texana Celebrates the “Topping Off” of New Campus

The International Social Group

The International Social Group just recently held a Moroccan party where members and guests dined on authentic Moroccan cuisine and some arrived in attire to match this themed occasion in Greatwood, Sugar Land. The ISG has been in existence for 10 years and holds themed functions every month. It is a great way to meet new friends and learn about different cultures and foods. The group’s coordinator and founder, Vicki Latham, (far left) can be contacted at vmlatham@yahoo.com for further details on how to become a member. Countries represented included Nigeria, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Australia, India, Pakistan, France, Costa Rica, the United States and Italy.

Howard Tellepsen, President and CEO of Tellepsen Construction, writes a message on the column of the new building.

Thelma Shelton, Texana Community Advisory Board Member and Dianne Wilson, Texana Board Chair.

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September 2010 Winner “Olympic Mountain View”

By Shannon Newman Congratulations Shannon, you’ve earned a $40 gift certificate to a Fort Bend restaurant

ENTER TO WIN Fort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Think you have a great shot? Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary.

A WINNER EVERY MONTH Each month’s winner receives a $40 gift certificate to a restaurant and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, call Norma @ 281-690-4242. Runner-up photos may be published in our “Readers’ Photo Album.”

NO LIMIT TO ENTRIES To submit a digital photo, e-mail the file to Michael@FortBendFocus. com or send a CD or DVD by mail. Digital photos must be HIGH RESOLUTION at least 300 dpi at actual size of at least 4” x 6”.

Please make sure to send some basic information about every

www.fortbend

photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and daytime phone number.

To submit a print or digital photo by mail, include your name, telephone number and a stamped self-addressed envelope, if you would like it returned.

Fort Bend Focus Magazine Photo Contest 4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 400, Stafford, TX 77477 By submitting an entry, the photographer gives the Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.

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M edical F ocus Down Syndrome Experts Discuss Treatment and Research at Changing Minds Foundation National Conference Scientists from Stanford University Down Syndrome Research Center presented the latest research and studies on a new drug therapy for persons with Down syndrome at the first annual Changing Minds Foundation National Conference held in Houston last month.

“Our attendees heard about the latest developments on the horizon to increase memory and capacity for learning, as well as treatment available today for those with Down syndrome,” said Teresa Cody, founder of Changing Minds Foundation and mother of a son with Down syndrome.

Changing Minds is a non profit organization dedicated to providing information on a treatment protocol that enables increased capacity for learning in persons with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by having three copies of chromosome 21 which delays mental and physical development.

“In addition to hearing about current research under way, conference attendees benefited by sharing their individual stories about the treatment protocol we recommend and asking questions about its use and effectiveness,” said Cody. “Various families and health care professionals provided testimony regarding the protocol that is being used by approximately 200 families worldwide. I am so happy to report that we are helping a lot of people.”

The Changing Minds treatment protocol was established in 2006 by Cody, Stanford researchers and pediatricians. The protocol uses FDA-approved or over-thecounter drugs and must be administered under strict doctor supervision. It includes vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba, Prozac (Fluoxetine), Phosphatidylcholine and Body Bio Balanced Oil. For those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Focalin XR is also recommended.

Stanford researchers Craig Garner, Ph.D., H. Craig Heller, Ph.D., and Daniel Wetmore, Ph.D. presented their research

Teresa Cody, founder of Changing Minds Foundation, welcomes scientists from Stanford University Down Syndrome Research Center to the foundation’s first conference for caretakers of those with Down syndrome. Craig Garner, Ph.D (left) and Craig Heller, Ph.D. (right) reviewed progress on their research to develop a drug that will increase learning and memory capability in persons with Down syndrome.

on a drug called Pentylenetetrazol, or PTZ, that would increase learning and memory on those with Down syndrome. In research on a laboratory mouse with Down syndrome, PTZ has been shown to act on the GABA receptors of brain cells, controlling excitatory and inhibitory inputs, to regulate the balance that is disrupted in those with Down syndrome.

According to Garner, while the research is advanced it is still in the investigation phase necessary to obtain FDA clearance and begin clinical trials. He estimated that an approved drug will be available in 10 years and would be more effective in building memory than Ginkgo Biloba, which is currently part of the Changing Minds treatment protocol.

Additionally, the Stanford research team all addressed the need for the medi-

cal community – especially pediatric, psychiatric and neurological physicians – to be informed about current available treatment for their patients that want to understand options for a person with Down syndrome.

Conference attendee Joanne Mothes has 38 years experience teaching those with Down syndrome in Columbus, Ohio.

She currently works with 30 students and 14 of those are on the Changing Minds treatment protocol.

“There is a clear and remarkable difference between the students who take the protocol and those that do not,” said Mothes. “The children who use the protocol are more attentive and more verbal.

They learn faster and they remember what they learn. Some of them started the protocol while they were a student and I witnessed the transformation. It is truly amazing.”

About Changing Minds Foundation Changing Minds Foundation serves as a source for information related to a new treatment protocol that has enabled increased capacity for learning in persons with Down syndrome. A documentary has been produced featuring the progress of Down syndrome children on the treatment protocol. Entitled “Changing a Mind,” the documentary has been shown at several film and video festivals and is nominated for several awards. Copies of the documentary and more information are available on the Changing Minds Foundation web site at www.changingmindsfoundation.org. H

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital welcomes Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is proud to announce a new affiliation with Jeffrey A. Jackson, M.D. and M. Faisal Khan, M.D., who have joined Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates.

“We are very pleased to have these physicians join The Methodist Physician Organization as Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates,” said Ayse McCracken, Senior Vice President of The Methodist Hospital System and COO of The Methodist Hospital Physician Organization. “They share the values-based, personal approach to quality patient care that makes Methodist unique and this refort bend

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lationship such a great fit. Their patients will benefit from Methodist’s state-of-theart diagnostic and therapeutic technology, all right here in Fort Bend County.”

Jeffrey A. Jackson, M.D. and M. Faisal Khan, M.D.

Dr. Jackson, who has been in practice in Sugar Land since 1995, has a long history of involvement in neuroimaging.

Early in his career, he was selected by Baylor College of Medicine to help lead the installation of the first MRI machine in Texas. He also served on the board of the American Society of Neuroimaging and established an independent MRI center that served the Texas Medical Center.

After building one of the largest private neurology practices in the Texas Medical Center, Dr. Jackson opened an office in Fort Bend County and later moved his entire practice to Sugar Land.

He has been on the medical staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital since its inception and Chief of Staff since 2006.

“I specialize in tertiary-level neurologic care and neurophysiology services, with an emphasis on providing personal attention to my patients,” said Dr. Jackson.

“I’m proud to be a part of the Fort Bend community and pleased that Dr. Khan has joined me to enhance the level of care available to local patients.”

Dr. Khan specializes in a wide range of neurological disorders, including epilepsy, stroke, headaches/migraines, sleep apnea and insomnia, movement disorders, carpal tunnel and dementia.

He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He has recently completed a sleep medicine fellowship at the prestigious Duke University. Dr. Khan has been published in several peer-reviewed national journals and collaborated in research studies with colleagues from Harvard and Duke. Most recently, he was Director of the Neurodiagnostic and Sleep Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton.

“Neurology is a specialty that is known for constantly advancing technology and I am vigilant in staying at the forefront of advances,” he says. “By staying up-todate on the latest techniques and treatment options, I can help patients achieve the highest possible quality of life.”

Methodist Sugar Land Neurology Associates is located at 16659 Southwest Freeway, Suite 131 in Medical Office Building II. To schedule an appointment with either Dr. Jackson or Dr. Khan, call 281-494-6387. H

Swing for the Cure announces platinum sponsor

Top row Left to Right: Kaelyn Stolhand, Logistics Co-Chair; Melissa Roca, Finance Chair; Kenneth Renney, M.D.; Beth Butler, Director of Community Relations, FBJSL; Vincent Phan, M.D.; Timothy Sitter, M.D.; Sean Sevy, Logistics Co-Chair; Lisa Nobles, Logistics Co-Chair; Chris Siebenaler, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital CEO. Bottom row Left to Right: Lindley Doyle, Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas administrator; Ray Valdez, M.D.; Jeffrey Wood, M.D.; Pat Hogue, Auction Chair and Leena Taneja, Sponsorship Chair.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and the Fort Bend Junior Service League are “going for the green” with a new golf tournament benefiting the American Cancer Society.

Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) has signed on as the platinum sponsor for the upcoming Swing for the Cure tournament, joining EmergiGroup Physician Associations as presenting sponsor.

Swing for the Cure is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 18, at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club in Richmond. All monies raised will stay in the community to help Fort Bend residents who need assistance in their battle against breast cancer.

“We’re thrilled to be able to lend our name and our support to this new event,” said Jeffrey Wood, M.D., spine surgeon with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. “Swing for the Cure is a unique opportunity to help our patients in a different way that’s not related to orthopedics and also a way for our doctors to give back to the community. We have all been touched by someone who is a survivor and this is a special way to honor those survivors, those in the battle against breast cancer and those who fought the fight yet succumbed to their illness.”

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icine activities. In addition to general orthopaedic surgery, MOST sub-specialties include hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, sports medicine, total joint replacements, and diseases and deformities of the spine.

Organizers send a heartfelt thanks to EmergiGroup Physician Associates and Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas, along with all of the tournament’s sponsors including: Plastic Surgery of Houston, Breast Center of Fort Bend, Foot Centers of Texas, Total Inpatient Services, Consolidated Home Health, Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center, Houston Radiology Associates, Chevray Plastic Surgery, Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes, CNA Advertising, Gen-Tech Construction, Greater Houston Anesthesiology, Priority Integrated Marketing, Templeton Breast Care, Sugar Land Oncology, Healthy Advice Communications, Methodist Sugar Land Breast Radiologists, Founders Bank, Colorectal Surgical Associates and Advance Oncology.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To participate or for more information, contact Leena Taneja 281-2748097 or SwingForTheCure@tmhs.org.

For assistance or more information regarding the funds available, call the Patient Service Center at the American Cancer Society toll free, 1-877-227-1618. H

M edical F ocus Texas State Healthcare welcomes Norma Fodrie Norma started with TEXAS STATE HEALTHCARE in January, 2010 and is experiencing the uniqueness of the home healthcare industry. As an execuNorma Fodrie tive for an international retail firm, Norma brings 16 years experience in positions requiring extensive public contact and was responsible for $7 million of annual retail business in 18 locations throughout Texas. She has planned, coordinated and negotiated all phases of countless promotional events and product launches interfacing on levels from upper management to the general public.

Norma calls on Physicians, Case Managers, Social Workers, and other clinical facilities, as well as local businesses to introduce them to TEXAS STATE HEALTHCARE. She is presently giving instructions on Texas State Healthcare’s “SOS Program” (a short 15 minute presentation) training people on a simple action that could be life saving when disaster strikes and you or someone else is in a dangerous situation with no help in sight. Any business, organization and/or facility that is interested in having Norma come make this presentation to your staff, your members and/or your residents, please call her at the telephone number listed below. This is on a first come, first serve basis.

Norma welcomes calls from all who read this article, just to say “hello”! And if it’s information you need about home health services, she’ll be happy to help you in that area too. We have a video telling what “home health” is all about….ask her about this video. You can call Norma at 281-208-4344. H

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Emergency Center Recognized

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Emergency Center team pictured left to right: (Back Row) Rajan Popat, M.D., Christine Callander, RN, Carolyn Hudson.

(Front Row) Jean Smith, RN, Jin Kim, M.D., Pam Schaeper-Noe, RN, and Pamela Scott, RN.

TEAMHealth, one of the nation’s largest providers of hospital-based clinical outsourcing, recently chose Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Emergency Center among hundreds nationwide as one of its top-performing Emergency Centers.

“We are honored to be recognized for the quality of care that we provide in the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land emergency center,” said Jin Kim, M.D., director of the emergency center. “It re-

flects the tremendous effort by our team of physicians, nurses and administrators to provide the best care for all of our patients.”

Recognition is based on patient satisfaction, timeliness, core measure compliance, community reputation, growth, staff engagement / teamwork and physician and nursing leadership.

For more information on Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 281.725.5000. H fort bend

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Dr. Maffet joins Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) welcomes Dr. Mark Maffet.

Dr. Mark Maffet is a sports medicine surgeon who Mark Maffet, M.D. specializes in knee and shoulder arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery.

He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and has served as team physician for Houston Baptist University for 15 years, as well as many Houston area school districts. He previously served as team physician for the Houston Comets and Houston Thunderbears.

“It’s an honor to join the outstanding staff at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas,” said Dr. Maffet. “My focus on sports medicine fits perfectly with the culture and history of MOST, and I am looking forward to being part of the team.”

Dr. Maffet graduated from Baylor College of Medicine and performed his internship and residency at Baylor as well. He also completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the prestigious Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles before returning to Houston to begin his practice.

“Dr. Maffet brings a unique set of skills and expertise to MOST, and his background treating athletes of all types – from elite professionals to ‘weekend warriors’ – will be a tremendous asset to us,” said Dr. Timothy Sitter of MOST. Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas features one of the largest groups of board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists in Sugar Land. MOST physicians provide general and sports-related orthopedic care, including sub-specialties in hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, sports medicine, total joint replacement and diseases and deformities of the spine.

For an appointment with Dr. Maffet, or one of the MOST physicians, call 281494-MOST (6678). H

The first annual Denim & Diamonds Dinner-Dance and Casino Night is set for Friday, October 22

Headliners continued from page 71

Dancing, gambling, dinner and fun... Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic, P.A. is the proud sponsor of the first annual Denim & Diamonds Dinner-Dance and Casino Night benefiting Antoinette Reading Junior High School PTO. On Friday, October 22, 2010 the glamour of Las Vegas comes to Safari Texas Ranch. From 6 p.m. until midnight over 20 casino tables and games of chance give you the opportunity to be a high roller and win fabulous prizes provided by local businesses. A buffet dinner and DJ round out a fun filled night. The PTO gives a big thank you to Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic, P.A. for being our title sponsor.

Proceeds from the event benefit Antoinette Reading Junior High School PTO to support the school in their first year of teaching. The school is located at 8181 FM 762 in Richmond, Texas adjacent to the George Ranch. The PTO fulfills needs for the kids and teachers to succeed at a higher level of learning.

Tickets (including dinner and casino cash) are $50 per person. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor for the evening, please e-mail fundraising@readingpto.org.

FBJSL Awards $1,500 Grant to the DeWalt Heritage Project The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) was pleased to present a $1,500 Community Assistance Fund (CAF) grant to the DeWalt Heritage Project, a joint effort between Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend County Museum Association, to renovate the historic Dew Plantation House in Missouri City.

The Dew Plantation House, which remained in the Dew family for over a century, was part of one of the plantations central to the production of sugar cane in the region, helping the Imperial Sugar Company to become a thriving business. This house represents the last of a way of life that existed throughout the county over a century ago.

FBJSL is honored to partner with the DeWalt Heritage Project through the donation of funds to aid in the acquisition of educational materials for use at the Dew Plantation House when the home officially opens its doors as the DeWalt Heritage Center. The Center is intended to serve as a local, interactive museum. For more information about the DeWalt Heritage Project, go to www.fortbendmuseum.org.

FBJSL accepts CAF applications throughout the year for grant funding up to $5,000 per year. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot program and/or expand a significant service to the community. For requirements or to download an application, please visit www.fbjsl.com.

FBJSL members present a check in the amount of $1,500 to The DeWalt Heritage Project. Pictured left to right: Gavin Boyd, Lisa Glenn (DeWalt Heritage Project), Madeline Boyd, Sarah Boyd (FBJSL Treasurer), Diane Ware (DeWalt Heritage Project), Rebecca Starling-Klatt and Ashley Grubbs (FBJSL Beneficiary Review Committee Members)

NOW OPEN!

14019 sW fwy, suite 204 sugar land, tx 77478

• • • • • • • • •

all sports • awesome pizza ufc fights • huge lake front pool tables covered patio OPEN MONdaY-SUNday darts 11:00 AM - 2:00AM golden tee (FOOD UNTIL 1:00AM) nascar 281-242-0190 golf 713-364-BULL (2855) free wi-fi great food

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Focus on Flavor

Dining Guide

Dine in these places and tell us what you think.

Share your REVIEWS Email: Lisa@fortbendfocus.com

ANTONIA’S • Celebrating our 3rd Anniversary!

Come in and enjoy our wine and dinner specials and help us celebrate. Famous for our Awe-inspiring Hospitality and Great Food, our reputation is that we are a family oriented, family run business. This has been “Our Recipe For Success.” As we grow, we continue to stay close to our roots, always grateful for what we have, remembering where we came from. Thank you, for choosing Antonia’s for your dining experience. We appreciate your business. Two locations: Antonia’s Cucina Italiana: 2001 Katy Mills Boulevard, Suite. A, Katy, Texas 77494, call 281-644-6000/Fax: 281-644-6001. Antonia’s Italian Cantina: 26281 NW Freeway, Ste 950, Cypress, TX 77429, call 281-256-2796 / Fax: 281-256-2790. www.antonias.us.

BLUE FISH HOUSE II – SUSHI & GRILL • A very popular restaurant that has been loved by many customers for 8 years. The sushi is extremely fresh! Fish needs to be fresh at a sushi restaurant, and the fish pieces are the perfect size. The amount of fish a customer gets is very satisfying.

The beautiful presentation of the dishes and reasonable prices please our customers. Featuring great vegetarian selections; Tofu is a high protein, low fat energy source. Enjoy a wide selection of tofu dishes made with various vegetables and pick your own topping. Located at the corner of Town Center Blvd. North and Texas Drive in Town Center. Casual dining, simple but chic, a very inviting atmosphere for any occasion. For more information call 281-295-0707 or www.bluefishhouse.com.

Express Lunch Starting from $5.50 Happy Hour, Monday - Saturday, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

CUPCAKE CAFE • New Owner / New Pastry Chef. Come try our huge cupcakes! We have new as well as our familiar flavors. We serve gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads.

We offer catering and wedding cakes. We can fill that order for your next special event with our cakes and cupcakes. We are located at 16525 Lexington Blvd., Ste. 160, Sugar Land, Tx. 77479. You can contact us by phone: 281-242-2744. Our hours are: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm Monday - Saturday. Closed Sunday.

CHEF REY • Known for his amazing gourmet cheesecakes, Chef Rey is always professional and most importantly passionate about every dish he prepares.

He pays attention to every detail in preparing a mouth watering meal that is presented with style and class. His dedication is evident with every aspect of ensuring each customer is satisfied. Seeking a new spot that offers American Cuisine with professionalism and style together with an ambience that is exquisitely quaint and personal? Then visit Chef Rey’s, 2865 Dulles Avenue, Missouri City, TX 77459. Call 281-403-2900, visit www. chefreynolds.com. Open Thurs. 5-10, Fri-Sat. 5 -11 and Sun 10-4. Restaurant is available for private parties and catering. Gift Certificates available.

DUMAR’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL • It’s a great new place serving middle eastern favorites with an outdoor patio and some of the friendliest service in town. The owner, Mr. Bashar F. Dumar and his wife, Ilham are natives of the Middle-East and make everything fresh daily. The Kebeh Balls, Hummus, Taboulih, Babaghanouj and Baklava. In addition to a full line of Middle-Eastern groceries, Dumar’s also features fresh feta cheeses, several types of brined Olives, Gyro Sandwiches, Greek Salads and Spinach pies. Now serving Beer & Wine. Also, Party trays available. 4518 Hwy 6, Sugar Land. Mon-Thur 10am8:30pm and Fri-Sat 10am-9:00pm, 281-313-1893.

EXTREME PITA • We’re fast, fresh, fun and full of flavor. In addition, we’re EXTREME when it comes to our commitment to creating a unique product bursting with healthy ingredients. Lunch, dinner and late night menu items include our Extreme Club, Philly Cheese Steak, Grilled Chicken, Gyros and Falafel, all served with your choice of different vegetable varieties served fresh or sautéed to perfection right BUY ANY PITA in front of your eyes. We also offer a variety of great tasting & Get the Flat Baked Pita’s, fresh salads, soups and drinks. Mon-Thur: Combo 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: Noon-10pm, 15810 for FREE SW Frwy., Sugar Land, (Lake Pointe Village) TX 281-494-7482

INDIAN OCEAN • Come to enjoy coastal cuisine with fresh fish all the way from India. Serving North Indian favorites and Tandoor Specialties such as Tandoori Pomfret, Lobster, Kababs, Tikka, and chops as well as unique dishes to Indian Ocean. Try the lunch buffet with selections of fresh seafood for 8.99 on weekdays and 10.99 on weekends. Open for lunch 11 am to 2:30 pm and 5pm to 10pm. Closed Mondays.

Located at 3559 Highway 6 in Sugarland. 281-240-0377.

List your restaurant here, call 281-690-4242

10 % OFF fort bend

magazine • September 2010

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Lunch or Dinner Expires 9/30/2010

Dining Guide

Focus on Flavor ITALIAN MAID CAFE • ‘Where the locals go!’ Gourmet cuisine, priced affordably in the heart of Historic Downtown Richmond. Owners, Chef Alex Ciocca and sister Lanie Alvarez invite you to a unique dining experience. Try our delightful old world sauces over pasta, thick-crust pizza, zesty house salad dressings, flavorful soups, mouth watering desserts and of course, our great house wine. Perfect for business lunches or a romantic dinner. We serve nightly specials including creatively prepared fish, chicken and beef. Pot Roast on Tuesday night. Located 2 blocks North of the Fort Bend County Courthouse on 300 Morton Street. Call for reservations or for more info at 281-344-8955 or 832-433-0032 for catering. www.italianmaidcafe.com.

J & L CAFÉ • “Home of the Best Peach Cobbler in Texas” located at 1110 Texas Parkway in Stafford. Serving a homestyle menu that changes daily! Open Tuesday - Sunday 11am7pm. Call us for our changing menu, 281-4999895.

BUY ONE MEAL, GET A LESSER ONE FOR HALF OFF

Excludes meals $9.95 & up, not valid on Sundays or with other offers. Present this coupon. Exp. 06/3/2011 KABOB CAFE • The warm and cozy Kabob Cafe is located at 4635 Hwy 6, corner of Dulles Ave in Sugar Land. We serve over 10 different Kabobs (wraps and entrees). Our Happy Lunch Hour is Monday - Thursday from 11am-2:30pm, Happy Munch Hour from 2:30pm to 5:00pm, and Family Nights with kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check us out on Facebook for specials, and our website, TXkabobcafe.com, for menu and directions. 281-903-7373

Buy one entrée and get

ONE SANDWICH FREE Not valid with other offers

NAPA GRILLE URBAN WINE BAR Combines a warm, cozy atmosphere, excellent wine variety and an exceptional cuisine to provide the ultimate dining experience. Now open and serving lunch & dinner in Sugar Land, just off 59 and Sugar Creek. Come join us for Happy Hour from 4-6pm, $5 select wines. Enjoy live music every Friday night. Napa Grille Urban Wine Bar is also available for private parties. Mon-Fri 11am11pm Sat 5pm-11pm. 14019 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX. Call 281-2772599. For full menu and daily specials visit www.napagrille.net OLD HICKORY INN BARBECUE • More than 40 years in business in the Houston and Fort Bend area, Old Hickory Inn Barbecue is famous for their Old Fashion Hickory Smoked Barbecue and numerous Homemade Side Dishes, made fresh daily.

3 convenient locations, with a drive-through window at the Hwy 6 location. Open 7 days a week, SundayThursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday & Saturday 11am-9:30pm. 3334 F.M. 1092 @ Hwy 6 Missouri City 281-499-8904 / 8000 Hwy 6 @ Beechnut 281983-5020 / 5427 S. Braeswood @ Chimney Rock 713-723-8908.

RAISING CANE’S • We’re all about ONE LOVE - chicken fingers. Our simple menu focuses on fresh, never frozen chicken tenders, warm, buttery Texas toast, creamy coleslaw and crinkle cut French fries. Our legendary Cane’s sauce is made in-house daily and provides the perfect compliment to our cooked-to-order chicken fingers. Don’t forget a cup of our freshly squeezed lemonade or freshly brewed sweet tea for the road. What are ya...chicken? 1529 HWY 6 in Sugar Land. Sun-Thurs: 10:30am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat: 10:30am-12:00am, Phone: 281-980-9860. Stay connected with us on twitter.com/CanesSugarLand & facebook.com/CanesSugarLand.

RAY’S GOURMET COUNTRY •

KONA GRILL • Kona Grill puts an exciting twist on American cuisine. We prepare over 40 sauces made from scratch everyday, bringing new excitement to an incredible variety of delicious appetizers and entrees.

Try our signature Macadamia Nut Chicken, Sweet-Chili Glazed Salmon or our Kona`s Big Island Meatloaf. We also serve award-winning sushi, hand-crafted daily by talented sushi chefs at our elegant sushi bar. Relax and watch our colorful exotic fish in our mesmerizing 2,000 gallon seawater aquarium.

Great selection! Great atmosphere! So whether it`s for lunch, dinner or happy hour, escape to Kona Grill! Happy Hour 3-7pm M-F, Reverse Happy Hour 9-11pm M-Sat, 16535 Southwest Frwy (First Colony), 281-242-7000 www.konagrill.com

A unique concept of a neighborhood bar and grill with a “field to table” menu specializing in recipes made from the highest quality of seasonal and organic inspired ingredients. Daily Specials and menu selections are created based on the local availability of organic fruits and vegetables, Natural Select meats and wild game and seafood. All seafood is purchased direct and filleted in-house to ensure the freshest quality. The restaurant and bar are available for private parties and a catering menu. Located at 8502 FM 359, Fulshear, TX 77441. Call 281-533-0099, www.raysgrill.com.

FERNANDO’S RESTAURANT Celebrating 6 years in Sugar Land. Expect the unexpected! DINE AND DANCE ON WEEKENDS (FRIDAY & SATURDAY) LIVE MUSIC. Look for new menu items, new events and new hours.

Come celebrate with Fernando and join his VIP list at 14135 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. For reservations call 281-4949087. Closed on Sundays. Visit www.fernandosrestaurants.com.

RED OAK GRILL • What happens when All-American cooking collides with the flavors of the Mediterranean? Answer: Red Oak Grill. A family owned and operated restaurant, this eatery offers diners both down-home comfort foods and a taste of the exotic. What’s more, it does so at prices you’ll find very appetizing.

Fresh Salads, Wraps, 1/2-lb. Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Fried Steak... they’re all part of the line up. But so are Gyros, Chicken Shawerma, Shish Kabobs, Beef or Chicken Kabobs and Falafel Platters. To start, sharing appetizers of Hummus, Tabouleh, Stuffed Grape Leaves and Spinach Pie is a must. Save some room, though, because the freshbaked Baklava, Eclairs, Cakes and Cookies are unbelievable! Mon-Sat 10 am- 9 pm, Located at 203 Century Square Blvd, Sugar Land, 281-491-2890, www.redoak-grill.com.

LA COCINA • Is proud to be serving the Fort Bend Community fine Mexican dishes for 13 years. Since our beginning in Rosenberg in 1997, quality and value has been our motto. At La Cocina we understand that to be successful in the food and beverage business, we have to execute a great product and a great dining experience as well as contribute and support our county. We are proud to say that we have raised over $60,000 for “Meals on Wheels.” We invite you to come try our wonderful and exciting new dishes. Call La Cocina for your next event, to-go or catering is available or reserve our banquet room for any occasion. Don’t miss our Breakfast Sat & Sun 8-12, Happy Hour 11-7 pm. 515 FM 359 in Richmond, 281-238-0872 www.lacocinarestaurant.com

THE FISH PLACE • Great little seafood place located at 3303 Hwy 6 at Williams Trace. Open MonSat 11am-9:30pm and Sun 11am-8pm. You will find all your Cajun seafood favorites including boudin balls, etouffee, crawfish tails, gumbo and poboys. Grab the popular grilled or fried fish tacos to go, or stay for the All You Can Eat catfish and tenders. Call 281-491-0003.

www.fortbend

FISH TACOS ( Fried or Grilled)

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

Living the Sweet Life:

Finding our “Doors to Heaven”

A

few years ago, I traveled to Paris and while I was there, I spent an afternoon in the Père Lachaise cemetery. It is a beautiful place that although filled with tombs, is strangely filled with life, and a celebration of oncelived lives hangs closely around you. As if that were not enough to keep you entertained on a gorgeous Parisian afternoon, there’s the fact that so many famous writers, singers.... well artists as a collective group, are buried there. One can not possibly finish the task of taking it all in with one afternoon’s visit alone. Perhaps that in and of itself is what is most intriguing.

There are over 70,000 plots at Père Lachaise, and they range from elaborate and almost creepy - check out the husband and wife made into concrete while laying in bed together forever above ground as they are literally laid to rest together beneath the tomb - to simplistic and celebratory of a life well-lived. People you would recognize are buried there: Fredric Chopin, Eugene Delacroix, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde and of course, Jim Morrison.

In walking through the veritable haze of graves, the space is also the largest park in Paris, which seems like an odd thing to us, but to the French....ahhh walking amongst the dead in such a richly historical place is an everyday event and seems quite normal.

I wandered upon the famous park with a camera, thank God, in my hands. I had planned to see it but had no idea what to expect. When I reached the first corner, I realized that the space itself could not have been imagined. So splendid was each grave that it took me by surprise. I found myself much like a child in a candy shop. I walked from one side of the path to the other, and after reading and studying each grave, I would look up and wander through a smaller path amongst trees that were as old if not more so than the graves themselves, which date back over 200 years. I have always loved old things over the newer ones. I think perhaps because of their smells and of how my imagination would run wild as a child as to who might have held that handkerchief or ran their fingers across that pocket watch making the engravings soft and smooth.

Here, amongst all the life of the trees and wildflowers, there lingered that same fa-

miliar smell of the old.

Many of the tombs are shaped like a phone booth, and as I captured the space with my artistic eyes on, I began to take note that every one of these had doors, either well-kept or barely hanging, despite the numbers of graves, each door was different. I again jumped from grave to grave, like a child, mesmerized by the delicate details in the doors and the vast variety of designs. Artistically speaking, I knew that there was probably only a few if even a handful of artisans that would have been talented enough to make these very special doors. I spent the entire afternoon at that point focusing on and capturing many of the doors that I was drawn to. With the sun setting over the beautiful park and whistles blown by the Parisian Authorities, we were escorted on our way. I knew even as we walked away that would not be the last time that I would step foot in Père Lachaise.

After returning home stateside, I sat down and went through each of the doors and began working on colors. I was amazed that in each door, there was a hot spot mostly in the center to the top of each space. I began researching the actual cemetery and found that unlike here, the graves at Père Lachaise are actually a mass grave for each family. The best use fort bend

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of space for the small city of Paris - I’m smiling - and each family is placed together in a continuous grave. This means that each grave has many persons buried there and the finding of some, let’s say “energy,” in those spaces is by no means unusual, at least not by my way of interpreting the universe. I suddenly realized the lure to gently walk in and around those magnificent graves had a reason to be intriguing!

After that, I put away the images that I had captured at Père Lachaise that afternoon until recently. I had been back to studying them again and found myself having a conversation with an old friend about living and dying. “We all have doors,” I said. “I have walked through the doors God has provided me with, to mother, to photograph, to paint, to write. I may not go to church every single Sunday and I might not be ________ (fill in the blank with all the other religions except for yours), but we all have our doors to heaven.” “Yes we all do,” she replied. It was in that moment that I knew what I was to do with the images created in Père Lachaise that fine and powerful Parisian afternoon. I would name the doors where the living visit to light a candle, remember a soul, speak to their maker near the remains of family members that have already passed through: “Doors to Heaven”.

Like in Père Lachaise, each door is crafted with delicate details and each and every one are different. We, too, in the here and now are given similar doors, though most of us can’t see them. It is my hope that in releasing the first collection of “Doors to Heaven” those that who gaze at them will be drawn to at least one or maybe two. More importantly, I hope that in studying them, all of my viewers will come to realize what I have. Those doors represent our lives. Our doors, and each of us, has one that leads all the way to heaven.

We are just asked to seek it and to find it!

Take Care of You! The first collection can be viewed at Amici restaurant in Sugar Land Town Square. To purchase a signed limited edition print, please contact the studio at 713598-2207 or visit www.alisamurray.com.

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Some friends are great on road trips. Some friends are great at dinner parties. Some friends will get breast cancer. Get a mammogram.

State-of-the-art BreaSt CanCer DiagnoStiCS: Digital Mammography Breast Ultrasound Breast MRI MRI Guided Biopsy Ultrasound Biopsy Stereotactic Biopsy A special thank you to the Fort Bend Junior Service League members who are the faces of our Women’s Health Campaign.

Reminding a friend to schedule a mammogram could save her life. According to The National Cancer Institute, the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early are getting a high-quality screening mammogram and having a clinical breast exam on a regular basis.

You can rest assured that at the Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital you and your friend will receive the high-quality mammogram you need. It is the only full-service center of its kind in Fort Bend County that women can rely on for dedicated breast radiology expertise, state-of-the-art technology and compassionate care.

Call 281-242-PINK (7465) to schedule a mammogram at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

LEADING MEDICINEÂŽ Spine BreastCenter Center

16655 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-242-PINK (7465) MethodistSugarLand.com