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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land

Chili cook-off at Fort Bend Toyota

On Sunday, Feb. 27 a Championship Chili Cook-off will take place at Fort Bend Toyota, 20465 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, to benefit the family of fallen Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, John David “JD” Norsworthy. Planning for the fundraiser are, front, Captain Jim Pokluda, left, Cassandra Hughey, Deputy Chris Carslon; back: Detective Robert Williams, left, Mike Shaw, General Manager and Marvin Marcell, Director, Public Affairs. Story on Page 3.

AEIS report for FBISD shows academic achievement across the board

By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend ISD students, in all grades, have equalled or exceeded the academic achievement percentage in core subjects both at the regional and at the state level, according to the 2010 Academic Excellence Indicator System report presented to the school board on Monday.

All subgroups of student population have achieved significant gains in reading, writing and math.

Especially, African American, Hispanic and at-risk students have shown significant gains.

Similarly, the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses, and those taking SAT or ACT tests have also shown significant growth, both in participation and per-

formance.

The school district has labelled the AEIS 2009-2010 as “The District DNA” and “a good story, it is,” according to Superintendent Tim Jenney.

For example, 93 percent of all students in grade 3 to grade 11 have met the standard set for reading and 87 percent of all students have met the standard set for math.

In writing, 96 percent of students in grades 4, 7 and 11 have met the specified standard set by the state accountability system.

In all tests, 82 percent of all students in FBISD have met the standard recommended in the AEIS. (For complete report visit www.fortbend.k12. tx.us/ accountability/AEIS/ documents/2010/C.pdf) The report is available in all

school campuses and in public libraries.

School board president Sonal Bhuchar said the district has had no unacceptable campuses for three consecutive years under the Texas state accountability system and the number of recognized campuses has increased from 19 to 30 and excellent campuses from 9 to 25.

“We have managed to narrow the achievement gap... Becoming a Recognized district is commendable,” Bhuchar said and thanked the teachers, and all the staff for this accomplishment.

“I will not allow anyone to undermine the hard work that has gone on for the past See FBISD, Page 2

County to appoint citizens committee for redistricting

By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County Commissioners Court will soon appoint a 15-member citizens committee for redistricting, County Judge Bob Hebert said in his State of the County address at the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance last week.

The preliminary 2010 census data is expected this week and the committee will go to work in March.

The estimated population of Fort Bend County is 582,000 and the committee will redraw the precinct lines, with nearly equal number of voters in each of the four county precincts.

Hebert said after several meetings and with the assistance of consultants, the committee will make its recommendation to the commissioners court. After public hearings, commissioners court will finally adopt a plan and

send it to the Department of Justice for approval by midOctober so that the new preinct lines will become official by mid-December, well ahead of the March 2012 party primaries.

Fort Bend County has remained a regional leader in population growth, diversity, household income, education and job growth, Hebert said.

The county’s mobility projects, especially those funded locally, are on track, he said.

On the Grand Parkway, Fort Bend may be the only county still standing ready to build and the county will start construction on Segment D, from U.S. 59 to the Westpark Toll Road by Sept. 26. If the county does not begin work by that date, the project will revert back to the Texas Department of Transportation .

The project involves nine

overpasses and the work will start at the Riverpark and West Airport intersections of Highway 99. The county is waiting for the final feasibility study and the design contracts will be finalized in April, Hebert said.

Meanwhile, the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority is preparing to let the contract for the construction of the $24 million underpass on Highway 6 for the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road which will extend it to the Sienna Parkway.

The construction is expected to begin in the summer, after receiving the financial feasibility study, Hebert said.

The extension of Westpark Toll Road from Highway 99 to Fulshear is in a flux, because TxDOT is using federal funds for the project.

See ROAD, Page 2

Birds of Fort Bend: Kinglet A tiny bird, with a big voice.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is barely larger than a hummingbird, a mere 3.5 to 4 inches . And you say, where is the Ruby Crown? The males only display it if agitated . . . then they raise all these tiny red feathers on their crown.

The Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets both winter in Texas, but the Ruby Crowned is much more common, with its constant flickering wings. They are insect eaters that find their meals on foliage and bark, so you’ll see them in bushes where there are quite a few trees. For a small bird, they can really belt out a song . . . so visit http:// traction.typepad.com/birds for more pictures of both species . . . plus links to their songs.

Photos by Margaret Sloan.

Watch out for them before they head North.

10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 16, 2011

Exchange Club’s Youth of month

The Breast Center has moved, expanded

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land recently honored Gelila Haile, Kempner High School Student, as Youth of the Month.

Six years ago, Gelila with her family resettled in Sugar Land from Ethiopia. Her remarkable assimilation landed her accomplishments in academic excellence and community service. She has been named Student of the Year in Physics as well as an AP Scholar.

Her leadership and team skills are utilized in the Criminal Justice Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, and Interact.

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land meets every Given her history it seems natural Wednesday morning at 7 at the Sweetwater Country that she plans to pursue a degree in Club. Photo by Ed Lee International Business Law.

FBISD From Page 1 five years. At the same time, we can’t rest on our laurels,” Bhuchar said.

The district staff also pointed out that the Recognized district status and the state standards have been met purely based on student’s performance and not on any artificially inflated grading, also known as Texas Projection Measure.

The AEIS report also shows that drug and alcohol use among high school and middle school students is showing a declining trend.

FBISD has also been named a “2011 Texas District of Character” and the district’s application has been forwarded to Washington for consideration as a “National District of Character.”

After the presentation, during a public hearing on the AEIS report, representatives of local elected officials, business leaders and parents lined up to speak.

They uniformly praised the excellent education provided by the district and congratulated the board and the staff for a job well done.

Sugar Land Councilman Michael Schiff, who spoke first,

took a jab at the critics of the school board and administration and deplored the attacks carried out on blogs.

“They look like the KKK hiding behind masks. Put your name and reputation on line and say it in public,” Schiff urged the posters.

People are moving into Sugar Land and FBISD because “We have a great school district,” he said.

Meadows Place Mayor Charles Jessup said, “I love FBISD. I believe in FBISD. I have faith it will continue to provide excellent education.”

Amy Mitchell said her son received an excellent education in FBISD and she appreciated the board and the teachers for their commitment, dedication and hard work.

Namita Asthana, another parent, whose son, a senior in Clements High School, just named a National Merit Scholar, said his success was a direct result of the school district and teachers.

P. Singleton, father of a junior and a senior at Hightower High Schools media academy said “I love the school and its diversity.”

Another parent, Mary McClure, thanked the FBISD for providing excellent education for her daughter and said the board did its job for no person-

surgery or Methodist Sugar Land Hosradiation, pital’s new Breast Center has if needed – just completed a significant all in one expansion to provide even place” Philmore services to Fort Bend lips said. and surrounding counties.

In adSince opening its doors on dition to August 1, 2009, the Breast providing Center rapidly outgrew its the only original facility. “We are full-service meeting a very real need in breast canthe community,” says Stephen cer screenPhillips, M.D., board-certified ing and breast radiologist. “The cencare in ter is staffed by a multi-disFort Bend ciplinary team of breast care County, the specialists, working together to provide the most compre- Stephen Phillips, M.D. and Sandra Templeton, M.D. Methodist Sugar Land hensive care possible in one Full-time breast radiolo- Breast Center’s technology is convenient location. That is a combination that is difficult to gists are exclusively dedicated second to none. The powerful beat and one our community to breast care and read every whole body 3 Tesla MRI mais taking advantage of and us- image and ultrasound taken in chine – typically found only the Breast Center with the use in the nation’s top academic ing.”

In response to the increas- of state-of-the-art technology. medical centers – provides Having this full-service ex- state-of-the-art image resoing demand for services, the Breast Center recently moved pertise available to patients lution and features bilateral to its new location off Town six days a week is unique to breast imaging and computer Center Blvd, still on the Methodist Sugar Land Hospi- assisted detection. No other Methodist Sugar Land Hospi- tal. When choosing a Breast Fort Bend County hospital has tal Campus. The larger space Center to meet your needs, it a 3T MRI, Phillips said.

In the event of a cancer difeatures a warm, comforting does make a difference where agnosis, the Breast Center can ambiance and more comfort- you go.

Patients who choose the coordinate all additional care able, spa-like furnishings to Breast Center at Methodist with the hospital’s Cancer Cenput patients at ease.

Available at the relocated Sugar Land Hospital can un- ter on campus and our skilled Breast Center is a full range dergo a mammogram and, if breast surgeons, oncologists of diagnostic services, includ- necessary, an ultrasound or and reconstructive surgeons MRI often on the same day, on staff at Methodist Sugar ing: pending insurance approval. Land Hospital. “As a breast • Digital mammography In addition, all biopsies are surgeon at Methodist Sugar • Breast MRI sent to the on-site pathology Land Hospital, I work closely • Diagnostic ultrasound department. with the breast care team to • MRI-guided biopsy “We are providing the full ensure continuity of care for • Ultrasound biopsy continuum of care – from each patient,” says Sandra • Stereotactic biopsy screening all the way through Templeton, M.D., board-cer• Fine needle aspirations tified surgeon specializing in • Ductograms not in play, the county can con- breast surgeries and on staff duct an environmental assess- at Methodist Sugar Land Hosment costing a few hundred pital. “Since treatment should thousand dollars, in less than be as individual as patients, From Page 1 we are dedicated to provid12 months.

The county’s new justice ing a wide variety of cancer The Federal Highway Adtreatments from leading-edge ministration is expected to in- center is ready to open shortly. radiation and oncology methspect the project right of way With the completion of all ex- odologies to surgical options.” isting capital building projects, this week.

To schedule a mammogram at FHA requires a $3 million the county will have enough the Breast Center, please call Environmental Impact Study office space to accommodate 281-242-PINK (7465). that may take two to three growth in the next three deyears. If the federal dollars are cades, Hebert said.

al recognition and commended its solution-oriented team approach.

Jeff Wiley, president of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, said quality development does not happen without quality schools. “We are on the right track on academic excellence,” Wiley said.

Rodrigo Carreon, touched on some low performance numbers among bilingual elementary students and said Burton Elementary, for example, does not accept bilingual volunteers. Doors are closed on them, he said.

Rama Manne, another speaker said the district could compare itself among the top 10 percent or 20 percent of the school districts in their performance. Also, the district could list its targets and show if the targets have been met.

A new watchdog group, IsupportFBISD. org has sought the AEIS report in advance and it has also hired an expert to analyze the data. The group is unhappy that the district has not provided the data as requested.

A spokesman for the group declined any comment at this time on the AEIS report as presented by the staff and said the report needs to be analyzed by an expert.

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FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

News

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD) is floating a $49.9 million bond referendum that district officials and supporters believe will best prepare students for their future.

Stafford City Council was presented with the information regarding the referendum at a joint meeting on Feb. 10 and will discuss, question and consider it at their upcoming council meetings.

Council has to call an election for the proposed bond referendum by March 14 in order for it to be on the May election ballot.

H.D. Chambers, SMSD superintendent, said, “We are not educating and teaching today’s learners in a way which fully engages them, and that’s the premise behind all of this.

We in public education have put off trying to address this issue for a long time. I believe we can wait no longer.�

The bond referendum, Chambers said, “is about how we teach students and deliver instruction. We’re not just talking about bricks and mortar, we’re talking about a different way of providing education to students that will make them responsible, successful adults.�

Chambers told council the

bond referendum was “driven by mission and objectives, the desire to change how instruction is delivered and change the outcome of student achievement.�

What was proposed as “must do recommendations� are replacing 12 primary/ elementary classrooms and adding 10 new ones, replacing roofs put on in 1984 and 1994-96, repairing any mold problems with the result that could save the district between $70,000 to $90,000 in energy costs.

Second story for high school Another “must do� on the referendum list is make district wide HVAC upgrades, build a second story on the high school, make computer network additions and upgrades, add mobile computer labs, replace aging technology and replace 12 buses, one Suburban and two cars that are well past their prime.

Chamber’s instructional focus recommendation includes a 21st Century learning environment for the 21st Century learner.

He said that includes teaching students how to think critically and problem solve, collaborate across networks and learn by influence, be adaptable, have effective oral and

Chambers written communication skills, be able to assess and analyze information and be curious and imaginative.

He then went on to list “other essential projects� which are to replace canopies and sidewalks that are subgrade, add primary and elementary drop off lane, upgrade security cameras and door access controls, replace high school red gym flooring and elementary school gym flooring, replace four tennis courts and upgrade Scanlin Field.

The estimated cost summary is “must do projects� will total $15,518,364, “instructional focus projects� will total $30,484,715 and “other essential projects� will cost $3,896,921 for a total of $49.9 million.

Council has to call an elec-

tion for the proposed bond referendum by March 14 and then voters have their say in May. Chambers told council members that taxpayers who own a residence valued at $140,000 can expect to see their SMSD property tax bill increase by $11.38 per month or $136.56 a year.

After the meeting Mayor Leonard Scarcella said, “Right now SMSD has $20 million in debt. If you put $49.9 on that it’s $70 million and interest over 31 years will cost $56 million and put the district’s total debt at $126 million. There will also be replacement and significant repairs over 31 years.�

He said he has “a lot of questions to ask and that all parts of the proposal will be discussed and analyzed.

SMSD has had several meetings on this – maybe 10 or 12 – and we’ve had two basically. “Over the next three weeks we’re (council) going to be discussing it and thoroughly going over it. It’s not a slam dunk or foregone conclusion.

Council has never done that in the past and this is no different. Council has always looked at such very carefully,� Scarcella said.

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Fundraiser to benefit fallen Deputy John Norsworthy’s family The Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Fort Bend Toyota have joined to host a fundraiser benefit in honor of fallen Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, John David “JD�

Norsworthy.

Norsworthy was killed in the line of duty in an automobile accident while responding to an emergency call in December 2010.

Beginning on Saturday, February 26, with the assistance of other sponsors, they will host the fundraiser at the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond.

The event will include Barbeque Dinner, Cash Bar, Live & Silent Auction and Entertainment featuring two bands, Let It Ride and The Russell Ray Band. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and end at midnight.

Tickets for this event are available at the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Bend Toyota. Contact David Schultz schuldav@ co.fort-bend.tx.us for additional details on the event at the George Ranch Historical Park.

On Sunday, Feb. 27 a Championship Chili Cook-off will take place at Fort Bend Toyota, 20465 Southwest Freeway, Richmond.

The Championship Chili Cook-off will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. It will be fun family event including a moon walk, fire trucks, games with prizes, live entertainment and plenty of chili and drinks for all. Individual adult tickets are $10. With the stub from Saturday’s event, tickets are $5 off. Children ages 7 – 12 are $5 and children under 6 get in free.

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Wayne Hastedt, President of the Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association says, “The Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is proud to team up with Fort Bend Toyota for such a worthy event.

Proceeds from the event will not only help the Norsworthy family but the event itself will help law enforcement and the community come together to honor the memory of such a

fine man and deputy.

Chief Deputy Craig Brady comments, “Deputy John Norsworthy dedicated his life to the safety of our community and we believe the fundraisers are a wonderful way to pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice

by J.D. while honoring his beloved family. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is so humbled by the overwhelming support received from the Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Fort Bend Toyota

and the citizenry as well.�

Fort Bend Toyota General Manager Mike Shaw comments, “Our safety personnel are a valued part of our community. When I heard about Deputy Norsworthy, I felt that we needed to get involved and help his family. He lives right behind our dealership and has worked at the Fort Bend Toyota Dealership for years. This experience is becoming so big that we have decided to make it our 1st annual event that will

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occur yearly to assist safety personnel. We are proud to help out those great men and women that serve and protect our community!�

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Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 16, 2011

Opinion

The View from Sugar Land Huge debt will cost Americans

By RUSSELL C. JONES Continued weakening of the U.S. dollar during the first two years of the Obama administration, huge deficits disguised as economic stimulus, a general international fear that the United States is going the way of Greece, and abounding inflation fears, have brought continuing calls from international leaders for the elimination of the dollar’s role as a reserve currency for governments worldwide.

Since the end of World War II, the dollar has enjoyed being the preferred currency for most world governments to hold their international reserves.

About two thirds of all international reserves have been held in dollars. International trade is mostly conducted in dollars.

Last week, a report by the International Monetary Fund recommended that the 20 largest world economies undergo a major structural overhaul.

Among its key proposals is the creation of a currency system that depends less on the dollar and more on other currencies such as the Chinese renminbi and on alternative reserve currencies like the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights.

Late last year, the U. S. Federal Reserve instituted its “quantitative easing” policy, said to have been designed to bolster the U.S. economy by keeping interest rates low.

Many believe that the policy is just as likely to lead to greater inflation and a sharp decline in the dollar.

Under the program the Fed would purchase $600 billion in Treasury securities. After the announcement, the dollar dropped 9.5%. Some developing-country central bankers warned that the Fed had set off a “currency war.”

At the World Economic Fo-

Jones rum last week, Russian President Medvedev called for the inclusion of the currencies of the four largest emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India and China — to be included in the IMF’s calculation of the SDR. French President Sarkozy repeated that the Chinese currency should be included, reflecting the increasing weight of China in the world economy and the weakening of the dominance of the dollar.

Part of the reason for the recent increase in the price of oil has been attributed to the weakening of the dollar. The result is a perceived increase in the price of oil by Americans.

For the oil-producing countries, who tie the price of their product to an ever weakening dollar, the result is that the price increase is less valuable to them than it appears from the perspective of a holder of dollars.

In December, the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, consisting of six of the Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, were urged to revise the exchange rate of their currencies against the dollar.

A major part of the GCC agenda includes the creation

of a unified currency for four of the six members. Oil would be priced in the new currency.

Independence of oil from the dollar would result in a reduction of price fluctuations from worldwide economic trends, giving the four countries added stability. From their perspective, oil itself would essentially become the reserve currency.

A number of economists, financial strategists and others have expressed concern over the potential loss of the reserve currency status of the dollar.

A key advantage for Americans is the demand for the dollar created by its reserve status.

It helps keep the dollar’s value relatively high, at no expense to the economy. On the other hand, if it were to lose its status, that additional demand would diminish.

Less demand for the dollar would mean that goods will cost Americans more. That is the essential definition of inflation.

The connection between America’s debt and the potential for the dollar to lose its reserve status is direct and easy to understand.

If a government wants to keep up the value of its reserves, it does not want to hold them in a currency whose value is on the way down.

These days, it does not want to hold dollars. Just like British Sterling lost its reserve status due to the U K’s massive debt following World War II, the current American debt may well lead to the fall of the dollar.

Jones is a member of the Sugar Land City Council, having been first elected in 2003.

He owns a law firm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

Musings: Tightrope...

By JANICE SCANLAN Watching the events in Egypt the past several weeks has been a fascinating exercise of people wanting to be free, willing to sacrifice, but remaining civil. And working with people they may disagree on some very fundamental things such as religion and politics to achieve what they do agree.

Sounds like the true definition of democracy . . . and the kind of discipline needed to achieve a goal together with others.

Some lyrics by Leon Russell in his song Tightrope keep coming to mind. “I’m up on the tightrope . . . one side’s hate and one is hope.”

Balancing between the hate of the current regime (or situation) and the hope of something better is never easy, whatever the cause. And to remain flexible to work with others, especially with all the passion needed to endure the hardships of Tahrir Square.

The protesters were baited to become violent. They stood on principle, but remained civil. A true tightrope and like another line of the song— “one side’s ice and the other fire.” Neither place I want to fall.

It harkened to the past for me when there was both hate

Scanlan of inequality in this country and hope for something better . . . for stretching beyond slow gradualism or out and out repression of Jim Crow laws to en masse stand against laws about public toilets, sitting at a lunch counter or riding a front seat of the bus, voting -- violating the accepted conventions of the time.

Just like then, now the really hard part of democracy comes . . . that is turning hate to resolve. To continue to have the commitment and will to do the hard work of creating a true democracy. Of balancing the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. And picking your battles.

We see after over 200 years in this country how hard it is to keep a democracy vital.

Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com Email: Editor@fbindependent.com

And the reason is simple . . . you have to keep on showing up and staying involved and informed. We’re finding that we can’t depend on our elected officials to take care of our business—no matter how well meaning. Officials have to know we’re watching and involved . . . that we’re willing to show up and take a stand, even if it’s unpopular.

But we also have to be willing to work to make something better, and show up to build the things that are important to us. And we have to depend on others who show up in a myriad of ways. Making a better community is a multi-faceted, ongoing project. Thank goodness we have all kinds of volunteers who keep showing up.

But the true test is showing up when it’s hard to agree, to find acceptable alternatives.

To consider and factor others’ desires and wishes into the mix.

And standing up to a bully, dictator or someone who believes they are entitled to special treatment is never easy.

Nor does a single act make it so. It’s only the beginning.

The Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation were beginnings. It’s learning to think and act beyond selfish interests to a larger good.

And finding that part we can all agree.

The tightrope of democracy is not easy to traverse . . . but it’s the best thing we’ve discovered so far.

Write to janicescanlan@ earthlink.net.

Texas Straight Talk Deception at the Fed

By RON PAUL in the unemployment rate.

For the past three decades, By lowering interest rates the Federal Reserve has been through its loose monetary given a dual mandate: keeping policy, the Fed spurs investprices stable and maximizing ment in long-term projects employment. This policy rethat would not be profitable lies not only on the fatal conat market-determined interest ceit of believing in the wisdom rates. of supposed experts, but also Everything seems to go on numerical chicanery. well for awhile until busiRather than understanding nesses realize that they cannot inflation in the classical sense sell their newly-built houses, as a monetary phenomenon-their inventories of iron ore, an increase in the money supor their new cars. Until these ply- it has been redefined as resources are redirected, often an increase in the Consumer with great economic pain for Price Index (CPI). all involved, true economic The CPI is calculated based recovery cannot begin.

Paul on a weighted basket of goods Over $4 trillion in bailwhich is constantly fluctuat- lars of spending and bailouts, out facilities and outright ing, allowing for manipulation total nonfarm payroll employ- debt monetization, combined of the index to keep inflation ment is still seven million jobs with interest rates near zero lower than it was before this for over two years, have not expectations low.

Employment figures are crisis began. and will not contribute to inIn this same period of time, creased employment. much the same, relying on survey data, seasonal adjust- the total U.S. population has What is needed is liquidaments, and birth/death models, increased by nine million tion of debt and malinvested while the major focus remains people. We would expect that resources. Pumping money on the unemployment rate. roughly four million of these into the same sectors that have Of course, the unemployment people should have been em- just crashed merely prolongs rate can fall as discouraged ployed, so we are really deal- the crisis. Until we learn the workers drop out of the labor ing with eleven million fewer lesson that jobs are produced market altogether, leading to employed people than would through real savings and inthe phenomenon of a falling otherwise be expected. vestment and not through It should not be surprising the creation of new money, unemployment rate with no that monetary policy is inef- we are doomed to repeat this job growth.

In terms of keeping stable fective at creating actual jobs. boom and bust cycle. prices, the Fed has failed It is the effects of monetary miserably. According to the policy itself that cause the (Ron Paul represents the government’s own CPI calcu- boom and bust of the busi- 14th Congressional District lators, it takes $2.65 today to ness cycle that leads to swings in Texas.) purchase what cost one dollar in 1980.

Come and Experience the Difference!

And since its creation in 1913, the Federal Reserve has presided over a 98% decline in the dollar’s purchasing power. The average Services: 14056 Southwest Fwy #118 American family sees the (In the FedEx Bldg. in front of Sunday price of milk, eggs, and meat Holiday Inn Express) 8:30 a.m. increasing, while packaged household goods decrease in Wednesday Sugar Land, TX 77478 size rather than price.

7 p.m. www.salemic.org Loose fiscal policy has failed to create jobs also.

Consider that we had a $700 COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS billion TARP program, nearly $1 trillion in stimulus spend- February 16, 2011 ing, a government takeover of Fort Bend County, Texas General Motors, and hundreds 4520 Reading Road Texas 77471 of billions of dollars of guar- Rosenberg, 281-341-4410 antees to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, FDIC, etc. On top This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural of those programs the Federal notification requirements.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS Reserve has provided over $4 On or about March 4, 2011 Fort Bend County will submit a request to the U.S. trillion worth of assistance over Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and the past few years through its Development Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), as amended to undertake the credit facilities, purchases of following: mortgage-backed securities, Project Location Federal Funds and now its second round of Project Nature/Scope Sanitary sewer improvements City of Arcola – The project is quantitative easing. Yet even – the installation of approxi- located along Masterson, Ros- $161,040 FY 2010 after all these trillions of dol- mately 1,900 linear feet of en and Honey Grove Streets CDBG

Salem International Christian Center

Brightwater Garden Club The next meeting of the Brightwater Garden Club will be held on Monday February 28th at 6:45 p.m. at the Brightwater Clubhouse, Brightwater Dr at Westshore Dr, Missouri City. Johnny Hackett of the HCC Horticulture Department will present a program on floral design. The meeting is free and open to anyone interested in gardening. Information: 281-261-4770.

March is Red Cross month March is Red Cross Month and come be part of the action! If you are looking to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to a variety of emergencies participate in the American Red Cross New Volunteer Orientation!

The Orientation will be held Tuesday, March 8th, from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Southwestern Branch Office of the American Red Cross. The Southwestern Branch Office is located at 2610 BF Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

To RSVP, please call Caroline Egan at 281-342-9480.

sanitary sewer collection line, rehabilitation or replacement of 6 manholes, point repairs, service connections and roadway restoration.

in the City. Arcola is located in the southeast portion of Fort Bend County – south of Fort Bend County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1, north of Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 141, west of Pearland and east of Sienna Plantation.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Fort Bend County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.

Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Fort Bend County Community Development Department, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, Texas and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Fort Bend County Community Development Department. All comments received by March 3, 2011 will be considered by Fort Bend County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commentors should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS Fort Bend County certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Robert E. Hebert in his capacity as Fort Bend County Judge consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Fort Bend County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and Fort Bend County’s Certification received by March 21, 2011 or a period of fifteen days from its receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer or other officer of the County of Fort Bend approved by HUD; (b) the County of Fort Bend has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to HUD, 1301 Fannin, Suite 2200, Houston, Texas 77002. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Robert E. Hebert Fort Bend County Judge

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 3RD day of DECEMBER 2010 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #09-DCV-173090 in favor of the Plaintiff – QUAIL VALLEY EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $1,641.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 11TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) –– MARIO HIGHTOWER had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LOT 12, BLOCK 5, OF QUAIL VALLEY EAST SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 10, PAGE 7 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS..

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $92,360 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE SERGEANT J.M. HUTSON Deputy Constable #1310 CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 29TH day of DECEMBER 2010 by the HONORABLE COUNTY COURT AT LAW 3 of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #02-CCV020887 in favor of the Plaintiff -FIRST SELECT INC., Plaintiff, for the sum of $10,529.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on the 18TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant(s)- SILVESTINA S. DECOTEAU had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: HUNTERS GLEN SECTION 4, BLOCK 4, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2532 MORNING MEADOW DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, 77489.

Terms: Cash Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.

Ruben Davis, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 2

By Lieutenant G. Majors #73 Deputy Constable CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 12TH day of JANUARY 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #10-DCV-178998 in favor of the Plaintiff -CREEKMONT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, for the sum of $2,600.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on the 25TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant(s)- JOE E. BARRERA had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT FOURTEEN (14), BLOCK THREE(3), OF CREEKMONT, SECTION ONE (1), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO. 20060058, OF THE MAP/ PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 4414 KIRK MANOR COURT, FRESNO, TEXAS, 77545.

Terms: Cash Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.

Ruben Davis, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 2

By Lieutenant G. Majors #73 Deputy Constable

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 11TH day of JANUARY 2011 by the COUNTY COURT of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #10-CCV-041994 in favor of the Plaintiff – MISSION BEND SOUTH CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff, for the sum of $6,028.41++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 13TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – LARRY MURRAY had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT NINE (9), IN BLOCK SIX (6), OF MISSION BEND SOUTH, SECTION TWO (2), ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 21, PAGE 29 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ( ‘’ THE PROPERTY ‘’) ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: 108,150.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

RFP 11-041 – INTERNET SERVICE FOR TWO COUNTY FACILITIES Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 17TH day of DECEMBER 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #09DCV-170197 in favor of the Plaintiff – WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,183.40++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 3RD day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) –– STEVEN D ALLEN AND CHERI ALLEN had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT THIRTYTHREE (33), BLOCK ONE (1) OF WATERSIDE ESTATES, SECTION FIVE (5), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2069/A OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 1506 LAKE HOLBROOK LANE, RICHMOND, TEXAS, 77469.

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: 418,160 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE SERGEANT J.M. HUTSON Deputy Constable #1310

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #08-DCV-167864 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $9,576.10 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – WATPA BUDDHAYEN MEDITATION CENTER INC., & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 0175000000900907 / CPC: R42719 / A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, SITUATED IN THE BENJAMIN GEORGE SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 175, BEING THE REMAINDER OF THAT CERTAIN CALLED 7.2215-ACRE TRACT AS RECORDED UNDER CLERK’S FILE NO. 9875670 OF THE SAID COUNTY REAL PROPERTY RECORDS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CALLED 13.8-ACRE TRACT NO.8, OUT OF THE CALLED 120-ACRE TRACT AS RECORDED IN VOLUME 230, PAGE 411, OF THE SAID COUNTY DEED RECORDS, SAID TRACT BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT “A.” ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $374,180.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 16TH day of DECEMBER 2010 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-165278 in favor of the Plaintiff -THE VICKSBURG COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,204.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on the 26TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant(s)- RODNEY PEARSON AND HALIMAN AQUIL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT FOURTEEN (14), BLOCK SEVEN(07), REPLAT OF VICKSBURG, THE VILLAGE OF SHILOH, SECTION ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NOS. 843/B AND 844/A OF PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AS MODIFIED BY ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR REPLATS THEREOF, 3335 BEDFORD FOREST DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS 77459.

Terms: Cash Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.

Ruben Davis, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 2

By Lieutenant G. Majors #73 Deputy Constable

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST).

All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

RFP 11-049 – DRUG TESTING SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE PROBATION Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are not required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

1. BID 11-045 – VOICE AND DATA CABLING; 2. BID 11-046 – THERMOPLASTIC TRAFFIC COATING OF VARIOUS ROADS; 3. BID 11-047 – FURNISHINGS FOR UNIVERSITY BRANCH LIBRARY; 4. BID 11-048 – FORKLIFTS. Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are not required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, Inc 101 Southwestern Blvd, Ste 230 Sugar Land, TX 77478-3535 PH (281)277-7800 FAX (281)277-7801 basil@texansinsure.com

NOTICE TO BIDDERS WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT SETTLERS GROVE, SECTION ONE AND SETTLERS PARK, SECTIONS TWO AND FOUR The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME:

Water Main Replacement Settlers Grove, Section One and Settlers Park, Sections Two and Four

CIP PROJECT NUMBER:

WA1002

LOCATION OF WORK:

Area Bounded by Greenfields Drive to the North, Commonwealth Boulevard to the East, Austin Parkway to the South, and Ditch C, Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 2

City of Missouri City

Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from the following location with payment of $75.00: Gunda Corporation, LLC, 7322 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1802, Houston, Texas, 77074.

NOTICE OF STAFFORD RUN STABILIZATION PROJECT Sealed bids, one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 10, 2011, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Cane Room No. 161, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479.

The City Council will award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder that complies with all requirements of the Request for Bids. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within forty-five (45) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

PROJECT LOCATION: Approximately 900 linear feet along Stafford Run Channel adjacent to the Irrigation Lake behind the Quail Valley Municipal Utility District Waste Water Treatment Plant located at 2951 Nancy Bell Lane, Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas 77489.

PURPOSE: The proposed activity serves to protect critical infrastructure, namely the Quail Valley Municipal Utility District Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) irrigation lake. The lake serves as the outfall body of water for the WWTP as well as storage for approximately 8,000,000 gallons of water which is used to irrigate the City owned golf course. The proposed mitigation activity will help to protect the ditch side of the levee during extreme rainfall events from possibly eroding and ultimately failing, causing a breach and emptying the lake into Stafford Run. The proposed improvements will also protect residential and commercial areas to the north from potential flooding impacts.

SCOPE: Armor and stabilize Stafford Run channel by establishing access to the site, removing vegetative overgrowth along the bank, establishing the channel side slope to support the stabilization, and implementing structural improvements to stabilize the side slope.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact the City of Missouri City, Department of Public Works at 281-403-8500.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS 24” SURFACE WATER LINE TO LAKEVIEW WATER PLANT The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME:

24” Surface Water Line Along Burney Road, Ditch A22, Eldridge Road and Lakeview Drive from Voss Road to Lakeview Water Plant.

CIP PROJECT NUMBER:

SW0981

LOCATION OF WORK:

Burney Road, Ditch A22, Eldridge Road and Lakeview Drive, Sugar Land, Texas

Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from the following location with payment of $50.00 for compact disc media: Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnam, Incorporated, 2925 Briarpark Drive, Third Floor, Houston, Texas, 77042. Contact: Kerri Burton (713) 821-0406.

Sealed bids, one original and two copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 03, 2011, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 17, 2011, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Cane Room 161, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.

The City Council will award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder that complies with all requirements of the Request for Bids. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within ninety (90) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 22ND day of DECEMBER 2010 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-161688 in favor of the Plaintiff -QUAIL BRIDGE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, for the sum of $3,132.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on the 12TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant(s)- SILVESTINA S. DECOTEAU had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT FOURTEEN (14), BLOCK ONE (1), QUAIL BRIDGE SUBDIVISION, SECTION ONE (1), FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, BEING A REPLAT OF RIDGEMONT SUBDIVISION, SECTION FIVE (5), AS RECORDED IN VOLUME 25, PAGE 25, PAGE 14 OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY MAP RECORDS (“THE PROPERTY”) ALSO KNOWN AS 5418 RIDGEMONT PLACE, HOUSTON, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS 77053.

Terms: Cash Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.

Ruben Davis, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 2

By Lieutenant G. Majors #73 Deputy Constable

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 11TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #08-DCV-167658 in favor of the Plaintiff – ROYAL LAKE ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,303.76 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 25TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – MARIA MARTIN AND DAMON MARTIN had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 12, BLOCK 5, OF ROYAL LAKES ESTATES SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT SLIDE 1685A, CLERK’S FILE NO. 1999043736 AND SLIDE 1854B IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $430,720.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

LEGAL NOTICE The City of Missouri City, Texas is now issuing an Invitation for Bids for the following: IFB #169-11

Construction of Highway 6 Intersection Improvements

Scope: The City of Missouri City is soliciting bids for the construction of various traffic control improvements at multiple intersections along State Highway 6 within the City Limits of Missouri City. The City intends to contract with one (1) vendor who will provide all materials, equipment and labor necessary to perform in accordance with the specifications.

Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. local time March 7, 2011 and then opened.

A non-mandatory pre bid meeting will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, February 24, 2010 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1522 Texas Parkway, in Missouri City.

The bid packages may be obtained beginning February 16th by requesting the document name and number listed above from the Purchasing Office at (281) 403-8626.

Bids must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the IFB name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Bids must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas, 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Bids marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified.

Bids are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Charles Oberrender, CPPB Purchasing Manager City of Missouri City, Texas

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 10TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the COUNTY Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #10-CCV-041447 in favor of the Plaintiff – MISSION BEND SOUTH CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,177.56 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 13TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – OHN ROGELIO SUBIA AND WANDA SUE SUBIA, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT NINETY-ONE ( 91 ), IN BLOCK FOUR ( 4 ), OF MISSION BEND SOUTH, SECTION FOUR ( 4 ), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 22, PAGE 22, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ( ‘’ THE PROPERTY ‘’) ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $88,580.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 17TH day of DECEMBER, 2010 by the 4OOTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #07-DCV-160401 in favor of the Plaintiff – CHASEWOOD COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, for the sum of $3,355.00 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – LARRY MURRAY had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 6, BLOCK 9, OF WILLOW PARK SUBDIVISION, SECTION 3, SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 21, PAGE 4 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: 107,090.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 16, 2011

WCJC presents holocaust libertaor Over the years, many Holocaust survivors have shared their emotional stories about living in Nazi concentration camps as part of the Wharton County Junior College President’s Lecture Series.

Now, a liberator of some of those prisoners shares his story of the daring rescue and the daunting aftermath during the spring lecture on Tuesday, March 1.

Leo Hymas takes the stage at 7 p.m. in the Duson-Hansen Fine Arts Building on the Wharton campus to provide a lesson in humanity during the Spring 2011 WCJC President’s Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public.

Hymas had no idea of the heroism and haunting that awaited him when he landed in France with the United States Army in 1945. As part of the 97th Infantry Division, 303rd battalion, he was assigned to

General Patton’s Third Army that advanced into Germany and Czechoslovakia.

While in Germany, Hymas helped bomb the barbed-wire fence around the Buchenwald concentration camp and overtake the firing Shutzstaffel guards.

Only 19 years old at the time, he helped liberate 18,000 emaciated prisoners.

Hymas says he was haunted for years by what he experienced inside the camp. He considers the personal stories of the prisoners to be the most heart wrenching of all.

Over the years, Hymas befriended one of those prisoners – a Polish Jew whose family was murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz. In 1997, Hymas began sharing his wartime experience, partly to come to peace with his memories, but also because a conference attendee challenged his story as a “myth of liberation.”

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-11-02 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, AMENDING REGULATIONS IN PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 62, CONSISTING OF A 27.9989 ACRE TRACT OF LAND; DESCRIBING SAID 27.9989 ACRE TRACT OF LAND; REGULATING AND RESTRICTING THE USE, SIZE, HEIGHT AND DENSITY OF BUILDINGS, THE SIZE OF YARDS AND TYPE OF USE WITHIN SUCH PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY AS ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. O-81-01 ON JANUARY 19, 1981, AS AMENDED; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. O-09-26 ADOPTED ON AUGUST 17, 2009; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Patrice Fogarty, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-1102 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on February 7, 2011, as the same appears in the records of my office.

Garage Sale The One Voice Student Choir of Sugar Land Methodist Church is holding a Community Garage Sale on Saturday, February 26, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot and building of the church located at 431 Eldridge Road in Sugar Land. Booths are available. Contact Stacey at 281491-6041.

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153122 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ETAL Plaintiff, for the sum of $17,020.84 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – CARLOS NOE ARGUETA AKA CARLOS NOE ARGUETA ROMERO, & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 6254020141300907 / CPC; R107051 / TRACT 13, IN BLOCK 14, OUT OF RESERVE ‘G’ OF RIDGEMONT, SECTION 2, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 10, PAGE 11, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AND VOLUME 187, PAGE 97, OF THE MAP RECORDS OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS; THIS TRACT LYING IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS: BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FROM BENJAMIN J. GIBSON TO NAVIGATOR PROPERTIES, INC., DATED SEPTEMBER 13,2000 AND RECORDED UNDER CLERK’S FILE NO.2000078654, IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF REAL PROPERTY OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 6254020141300907 / 1938004215013 ).

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $58,180.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Keegans Ridge Section 4, Precinct 3.

The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom, 309 South Fourth St., Suite 700, William B. Travis Bldg., Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by, Dianne Wilson Fort Bend County Clerk

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 400TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on DEC 28, 2010 in cause numbered 09-DCV-173445 styled COLONY LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. vs. MAY NGOZI. IHEZUKWUAND VICTOR C. IHEZUKWU AKA VICTOR C. VICTOR in which a judgment was rendered on AUG 30, 2010 in favor of COLONY LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC, for the sum of EIGHTTHOUSAND-EIGHT-HUNDRED-FORTYTWO DOLLARS AND FOURTEEN-CENTS (8842.14)Dollars; plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.

I have levied upon the below listed property on JAN 27, 2011 and will on MAR 1, 2011, Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Rights, Title, and Interest of VICTOR C IHEZUKWU AKA VICTOR C. VICTOR AND MAY NGOZI IHEZUKWU in the following described Real Property LOT TWENTY –EIGHT (28) , BLOCK TWO( 2), OF FINAL PLAT OF COLONY LAKES, SECTION EIGHT(8) A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2390/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY,TX, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 3619 SHOREVIEW , MISSOURI CITY , FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS 77459 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of COLONY LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MAR 1, 2011 TIME: APPROX. 10:00 am BY: SGT. M KUTACH TROY E. NEHLS, Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

/s/ Patrice Fogarty, TRMC City Secretary

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #07-DCV-160657 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $37,502.29 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – PETER JUSTIN & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 8032010020170907 / CPC: R153877 / LOT SEVENTEEN (17), IN BLOCK TWO (2) OF SANDERS RIDGE, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 1094/A OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ( ACCOUNT NUMBER 8032010020170 / 8032010020170907 ).

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $230,800.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-152243 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $15,941.66++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – ALICE ANNA SANFORD , & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 8000000020500907 / CPC: R12327 / LOT 5, BLOCK 2, OF TELEVIEW TERRACE ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 326, PAGE 465 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $125,820.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-152932 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $5,551.32 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – OMER GARZA AKA HOMER ANTHONY GARZA,JR., & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 3150000070105907 / CPC: R64630 / ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING .435 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN THE CHARLES HEYWOOD SURVEY, ABSTRACT 203, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED

BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE DEED FROM LINDA RUTH BOYCE TO OTHA DELBERT DAVIS, ET UX DATED DECEMBER 31,1985 AND RECORDED UNDER CLERK’S FILE NO. 8562151 IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF REAL PROPERTY FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $66,520.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #09-DCV-175593 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $11,795.98++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – KKU PROPERTIES, INC., & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 8700150011020, 8700150011020907 / CPC: 8700150011020, R309890 / TEAL RUN SECTION 15, BLOCK 1, LOT 102 ABSTRACT / SUBDIVISION ID 870015 LOCATED IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $121,210.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-11-01 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, ENLARGING THE TOTAL AREA OF AND AMENDING REGULATIONS IN SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NO. 143; ADDING THE PORTION OF A 6.24-ACRE TRACT OF LAND WITHIN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY TO THE PORTION OF THE 851.46 ACRES OF LAND WITHIN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY CURRENTLY REGULATED BY SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NO. 143, FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 857.7 ACRES WITHIN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE PORTION OF THE RESULTING SAID 857.7-ACRE TRACT OF LAND WITHIN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, AS A SPECIFIC USE-QUARRY, MINE, SAND AND MINERAL EXTRACTION; DESCRIBING SAID 857.7-ACRE TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USE; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY AS ADOPTED

BY ORDINANCE NO. O-81-1 ADOPTED ON JANUARY 19, 1981, AS AMENDED; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. O-00-02, ADOPTED ON JANUARY 3, 2000, AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Patrice Fogarty, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-11-01 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on February 7, 2011, as the same appears in the records of my office.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 for Grand Corner Reserves Partial Replat No. 1, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom, William B. Travis Bldg., 309 S. Fourth St., Rm. 700, Richmond, Texas.

Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may contact Gerald Grissom with Brown & Gay Engineers Inc. at 281-558-8700 for information prior to the hearing.

Submitted by, Dianne Wilson Fort Bend County Clerk LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST).

All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public.

Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

RFP 11-039 – INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FLEET AND OPERATIONS Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

1. BID 11-043 – 15’ SHREDDERS; 2. BID 11-044 – FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE RUBBER TIRED TRACTORS.

/s/ Patrice Fogarty, TRMC City Secretary

Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds not are required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

LEGAL NOTICE The City of Missouri City, Texas is now issuing an Invitation for Bids for the following: IFB #114-10 WATER TRANSMISSION MAINS Bid responses will be accepted until 2:00 P.M. local time March 9, 2011 and then opened.

Project Description: The construction of a new water transmission system to provide potable water from the City of Missouri City surface water treatment plant to Sienna Water Plant #1 & #2. The complete transmission system will consist of the following pipelines: •North Transmission Main – 36” / 16” (Contract A).

•North Well Collection Line – 16” (Contract A).

•South Transmission Main – 30” (Contract B).

•South Reuse Line – 10” (Contract B).

•South Raw Water Line – 48” (Contract B).

The successful contractor shall provide labor, materials, equipment and transportation necessary to perform under Contract A and/or Contract B per specifications.

There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference at 11:00 A.M. local time March 2, 2011 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 1522 Texas Parkway in Missouri City.

Bid packages with drawings (both Contract A and Contract B) and specifications are available beginning February 16, 2011 from the project engineer: Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Inc. Attn: Jonathan Baum, PE 402 Cedar Street Abilene, Texas 79601 Telephone (325) 698-5560 There will be a non-refundable deposit payable by check, money order, or credit card to Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Inc.: • •

Notice of Public Meeting Fort Bend County Hazard Mitigation Plan Public meetings will be held at the following three times and locations: Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7:00 – 8:00pm – Cinco Ranch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy, Meeting Room 2 Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 7:00 – 8:00pm – Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, 1st Floor Thursday, March 3, 2011, 7:00 – 8:00pm – George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond, Room 2B to review the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan recently prepared by and for Fort Bend County. The draft plan may be reviewed by downloading it from www.fbcoem. org. A copy is also available for review at the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, 307 Fort Street, Richmond.

The plan provides an overview of natural hazards in the County and Cities, summarizes past hazard events, and describes how the County and Cities recognize and addresses hazards in the planning and development processes. The actions identified in this plan are intended to reduce the long-term impacts of hazards on the County, Cities, and their citizens. Members of the public are encouraged to attend, especially those with property located in flood-prone areas.

Citizens have the opportunity to comment on the plan. Comments should be faxed to Judy Lefevers, Planning Coordinator at 281-342-4798, or mailed to Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, Attn: Judy Lefevers, 307 Fort Street, Richmond, TX 77469.

After consideration of comments and review by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the final hazard mitigation plan will be presented to the Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court and City Councils for adoption later this year.

Questions about the plan should be directed to Mitigation Plan Consultant, Jeff Ward at 888-208-6695.

$175.00 for a set of Construction Documents, plus shipping costs $ 75.00 for Construction Documents, on CD in pdf files, plus shipping costs

Bids must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with “IFB #114-10 WATER TRANSMISSION MAINS” along with the date of the bid opening.

Bids must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas, 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Bids marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified. Bids are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Charles Oberrender, CPPB Purchasing Manager City of Missouri City, Texas

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened.

RFP 11-042 – 60 TON TRAILER Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are not required.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #07-DCV-160289 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,706.70 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – SHARON JACKSON & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 0064000004062907 / CPC: R174699 / ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF AND CONTAINING 0.158 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN THE WILLIAM NEAL SURVEY, ABSTRACT 64, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS: BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED

BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE WARRANTY DEED FROM LYDIA PICKETT TO SHARON JACKSON DATED SEPTEMBER 30,1993 AND RECORDED UNDER CLERK’S FILE NO. 9406249 IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF REAL PROEPRTY OF FORT BEND COUNTY. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $21,050.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306 LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION FORT BEND COUNTY

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND County, Texas in cause #09-DCV-169997 in favor of the Plaintiff – FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET-AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $39,029.89 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) – TRENTON LEWIN & ET-AL had of, in or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 5020060280110907, 5020060280110 / CPC: R84227, 03060280110/ LOT ELEVEN (11) IN BLOCK TWENTY EIGHT (28) OF MISSION BEND, SECTION SIX (6), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 264, PAGE 97 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND IN VOLUME 21, PAGE 26 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $103,100.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

The County Purchasing Agent of Fort Bend County will conduct a PUBLIC AUCTION for SURPLUS AND SALVAGE PROPERTY on SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2011 AT 10:00 AM. The auction will be held at the Fort Bend County Needville Purchasing satellite office located at 9110 Long Street, Needville, Texas.

Items to be sold: 26-Ford Crown Victoria’s (2000-2010), 4-Chevrolet Impala’s (2001-2003), 1-Jeep Cherokee (1997, 1-Ford Taurus (2001), 3-Chevrolet Lumina’s, 1-Ford Taurus, 1-GMC Yukon, 1-GMC Suburban, 1-Ford Ranger (salvage only), 4-1/2 ton pickup trucks, 8-3/4 ton pickup trucks, 1-1 ton pickup truck, 2-Astro vans, fork lift, 6-8 yard dump truck, Ingram steel wheel roller, John Deere 6200 tractor, Rhino FL15 shredder, Rhino Magnum 684 flexwing shredder, Cat 120G motor grader, Case 590 backhoe, Ford 2WD tractor with bucket, International 5230 tractor, Ford 6640 tractor, Gemini auto lift and Bradco 650 trencher.

Registration and viewing of all items will begin Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 8:00 AM. The auction will begin at 10:00 AM. All items must be removed from auction site by 4:00 PM on auction day.

All sales are final. All purchases must be paid in full on the day of sale by credit card (Master Card and Visa only), cash, personal check with a bank letter of guarantee, cashier’s check with a bank letter of guarantee, or company check with a bank letter of guarantee.

Absolutely no checks accepted without a bank letter of guarantee.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to add or delete items from the auction.

Items offered for sale are sold as is where is and without warranty.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Texas

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

Legacy Ford presents “Reaching for the Stars” gala

Back Row: Franco Albarran, left, Gala Chair; Texana Ambassadors Allan Harris and Mauricio Albarran; Front Row: Patrick Sexton, left, Eloise Lucas and Ron Ewer, Owner, all with Legacy Ford.

Texana Center is very excited to have Legacy Ford as the Presenting Sponsor for Texana Center’s 2011 Reaching for the Stars Gala event which takes place on Friday, April 8 at Safari Texas Ranch.

Ron Ewer, Owner, Legacy Ford said “We are proud to have teamed up with Texana to create a Community Partnership. Patrick Sexton, General Manager/Operating Partner, and I believe Legacy Ford and Texana share the same values and commitment to our community and strive for excellence. It was an easy choice with so many of our community families involved with Texana and it is an honor to help them. I have only been

AUTOMOBILE: Buick Regal

By BARBARA FULENWIDER There’s no two ways about it. General Motors has changed its stripes and greatly improved vehicles are the result. The 2011 Buick Regal CXL is one of them.

Would you believe that a Buick is fun to drive. Well, the Regal is thanks to a turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder engine that makes 220 horsepower. Miles to the gallon are 18 in the city and 28 on the highway. The motor is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that has driver shift control for optimal performance.

The Buick Regal is a stylish five-seater sedan that has European roots.

A globally led engineering team created the Opel Insignia, the 2009 European Car of the Year and has won more than 31 awards and is the best selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal brings the Insignia’s design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to America.

The Buick Regal is stylish, the perfect size for city driving, comes standard with an abundance of features, rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and retails for $26,745.

Standard equipment on the Buick Regal CXL includes MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock

braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake, leather and heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, USB port, MP3 auxiliary jack, Bluetooth for phone and OnStar.

Also, daytime running lamps, stability control system with traction control, tire pressure monitor, dual chrome exhaust tips, halogen headlamps, fog lamps, power dual heated outside mirrors, power door locks and windows, power front seats, ultrasonic rear park assist, dual zone climate control, air filtration system, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, split 60/40 rear seat with folding seatbacks, remote keyless entry, tilt and telescopic steering column, steering wheel controls, and a complete audio system with CD player and seven speakers.

The exterior design of the Buick Regal looks more like a coupe than a four-door. It’s sleek and has the waterfall grille upfront and chrome trim.

At the rear, there’s an abbreviated deck, trucked in body panels and bold taillamps.

Inside the seats are firm and highly bolstered. There’s also the typical flow-through center console that includes storage.

What I particularly like is the multi-function controller on the center console that operates the audio system, navigation system and Bluetooth or OnStar hands free calling.

The chrome trim inside is used well and brightens the interior.

The Buick Regal’s Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology is available on the CXL turbo and offers more vehicle stability so more

driving safety. It’s designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A driving mode control module continually monitors driving style by using the yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions.

The driver can choose standard, tour or sport as chassis settings. The three different operating modes change the suspension and stability settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity. The standard mode delivers a balanced driving experience optimized for all situations. The tour is optimized for comfort and relaxed driving and sport is optimized for road holding and enthusiastic driving.

Optional equipment on the front-wheel drive Buick Regal CXL turbo included rear seat mounted airbags, the interactive drive control system, 19inch alloy wheels, high intensity discharge headlamps and a premium nine-speaker audio system. All of that increased the vehicle price to $31,440.

I like this car. If a smallsize, good looking, quick sedan is in your near future, do test drive the Buick Regal.

in this area for 6 years, but Texana is one of the organizations that stand out among the rest. They are concerned about the community and believe in giving back to the community. We are a familyowned business and we derive strong commitments to the community through family driven values by building long term relationships. Together we are carrying on a tradition in ‘Building our Legacy One Partner at a Time’.”

The gala committee, under the direction of Franco Albarran, is hard at work to ensure that the 2011 Reaching for the Stars Gala is an evening of great food, fabulous entertainment and superb company!

But, as if that is not enough, there will be a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind items in the live and silent auctions.

The event will benefit the programs and services that Texana Center provides with a focus completing the capital campaign for newly constructed west campus.

The campus which comprises the Texana Learning Center at Rosenberg which will provide education to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in

all types of life and job skills.

The campus will also have a multi-service center to accommodate the employees who deliver services and programs in Fort Bend County.

This year’s Honorary Chairs are Rosenberg’s very own Neil and Carolyn Banfield both of whom serve on Texana’s Community Advisory Board and are great supporters of everything that Texana does.

They are supported by a distinguished line-up of community leaders completing our Honorary Committee and all of whom have assisted Texana and/or the people we serve in some fashion; Rick & Beverley Cushenberry, Carl & Mary Favre, Fran & Hal Knueppel, Jody & David Noirot and Dr. William & Teresa Reading.

Commissioner James Patterson, will conduct the live auction.

Yvonne Washington will entertain guests with a fabulous mix of music to dance the night away. Texana is also planning a surprise for the audience – so don’t miss out!

For information about sponsorship or tickets, contact: Ph: 281-239-1311.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.texanacenter.com

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FILM REVIEW: Barney’s Version “Barney’s Version” is currently showing exclusively at Landmarks’ River Oaks Theatre which is the Grand Dame of theatres in the Houston area.

I love the River Oaks. This movie did not start until 1:20 p.m. on Friday which is far too late for my Friday schedule.

By the time I got back to my office to wind down my week, it was too late to write this review. It’s now Saturday morning and the weather is beautiful and not freezing and I do not want to be inside.

However, I woke up this morning at 6:32 a.m. after dreaming that I was writing my “Barney” review; it was spewing out of me. Now that I’ve had a couple cups of coffee, I’m ready to share my thoughts with you.

The tagline and summary of Barney Panofsky for this movie is: “First he got married. Then he got married again. Then he met the love of his life.”

Paul Giamatti plays the 65 year- old Jewish, cigarchomping, hard drinking, hockey fanatic who has a few relationship problems. Ok, he has relationship problems with everyone. Barney falls in love at first sight with Miriam (Rosamund Pike) while at his second wedding reception and he is suspected of murdering his best friend.

Minor problems for a self absorbed, obnoxious TV producer of a soap opera. Yet, Barney is loveable and “wears his heart on his sleeve.”

The story is told through flashbacks beginning with

Paul Giamatti and Minnie Driver in Barney’s Version Barney’s younger and wilder days in Rome. Giamatti superbly portrays Barney over a 40 year period and does so through brilliant acting, exquisite makeup and marvelous costumes. I’ve been a huge fan of Paul G. since he played Miles in “Sideways” (2004).

Even though he earned a Master’s Degree from Yale and is

an accomplished actor, Paul G’s mug, balding head, and belly were ideal for Barney.

The screenplay by Michael Konyves was skillfully adapted from the acclaimed novel by Canadian Mordecai Richler.

Director Richard J. Lewis pulled it all together into a cohesive story that was easy to

follow and believable albeit a tad too long – 132 minutes.

Minnie Driver was funny and an extremely authentic Jewish Princess as Barney’s second wife. But the enormously big winner was Rosamund Pike as Barney’s true love. Her Miriam was genuine, beautiful, graceful, and extremely vulnerable and confident all rolled into one part.

Bravo Ms. Pike; you will be a big star. Dustin Hoffman is cute as Izzy Panofsky, Barney’s father, and Jake Hoffman is Barney’s son. Trivia: Jake is Dustin’s son in real life not his grandson.

The over 50 crowd will like this film much more than the Eric H. generation, but it is good movie-making and I enjoyed it.

Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 88. Larry H. See more reviews at LarryHmoviereviews.com.

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 16, 2011

Community news Lone Star Stomp Sugar Grove Christian School Congratulations to Sugar Grove Christian School’s Cub Scouts for their great performance in their Pinewood Derby Car Race. Pictured from left to right: 1st place Max Richardson, 2nd place Logan Barras, 3rd place David Wong, 4th place Dylan Wong, best sportsmanship Austin Sciba. The annual race was great fun for everyone. Way to go boys!

Aggie Moms

Linda and Jim Brown REGARDING LINE. The Annex Gallery at HCC-Southwest opened Regarding Line on February 11. The Annex Gallery is located at 13645 Murphy Road, Suite 250, in Stafford, Texas. The exhibition will run through March 10. John Adelman working on one of his pieces for the exhibition. Regarding Line features the drawings of John Adelman, (above) Brent Fogt and Kia Neil and is curated by Kristy Peet. The exhibition will explore issues of repetition, precision and mapping.

The event is free and open to everyone. For an appointment to visit the gallery or for more information, contact Clara Thibeaux at 713-718-6370.

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The Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club invites you to their annual major fundraiser on Feb. 19, from 6 -11 p.m. at the Sugar Land Community Center for dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Last year the club was able to award $19,400 in scholarships to Fort Bend Aggie students and give another $3,450 to campus organizations. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased from Barbara Nachlas at 281-242-7743 or barbnachlas@comcast.net. Anyone who would like to sponsor the event or donate to the auctions or has questions regarding the event please contact Laura Conway at 281-494-7555 or Lconway@ comcast.net. Pictured above Gig ‘Em Gala Board: L-R:Top row: Barbara Nachlas, Cheryl Carswell, Andrea Croft, Merry Adamcik; Middle: Laura Conway, Jane Hackemack,Eileen Scarmardo; Bottom: Barb Wall. Liz Darden, Debbie Cortez.

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Lone Star Stomp XXII: Stars and Strikes is set for Saturday, April 16 at the George Ranch Historical Park. It’s the Fort Bend County Museum Association’s biggest fundraising event of the year – and a not-to-be-missed social event, complete with a Texas-sized dinner, dancing, live music by the original TRIUMPHS and live and silent auctions!

Chairman Melody Hess and co-chairs Diane Elko, Jennifer Montgomery and CeeCee Parker have been hard at work since late 2010 planning to make this year’s Stomp an unforgettable evening of fun, food and fellowship.

This year’s theme of “Stars & Strikes” recalls the early days of the Texas oil boom, when unprecedented change and exciting possibilities loomed on the horizon, Hess said.

Honorary chairmen for 2011 are Linda and Jim Brown. The Browns have lived in Fort Bend County for 25 years and have been involved with the Museum Association for nearly two decades.

“We are very honored and humbled to have been chosen as honorary chairs of the 2011 Lone Star Stomp. We feel very special to be included in such a rich history of Fort Bend County,” Linda said. “We truly believe that Fort Bend County has its own special culture and unique history and we want to help continue to educate our children and the public about the rich history of our county and state.”

Sponsorships and table reservations (for a minimum of eight people) are currently available; download the sponsorship form by visiting www.fortbendmuseum.org/annual-events/stomp/.

Individual tickets are $65 each.

Sponsorship opportunities are available through March 11, so call 281-342-1256 or e-mail lonestarstomp@fortbendmuseum.org for more information.

All proceeds from the Lone Star Stomp benefit the educational and preservation efforts of the Fort Bend County Museum Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Museum Association has preserved and interpreted Fort Bend County history for more than 40 years and, among other projects, operates the Fort Bend Museum and the educational programs at the George Ranch Historical Park.

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The Friends of the Arts Committee, First United Methodist Church, Missouri City presents Duo Capriccio in concert on Sunday, Feb. 27, beginning at 4 p.m. Duo Capriccio is a unique pairing of a guitarist, Ingo Sveinsson, and an oboist, Tracy Russell. Sveinsson is a native of Iceland, where he attended the Reykjavik Conservatory to obtain a master’s degree. Russell is pursuing a doctorate degree in oboe performance at the University of Houston. She has taught at the University of Caldas in Columbia and has been a featured soloist for orchestras in the United States and South America. Love offerings will be accepted. The concert will be held in the Chapel of the Resurrection, First United Methodist Church, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City.

For more details call 281-4993502 or email us at FriendsoftheArts@comcast.net.

Chandler Vogt, a second grader at Scanlan Oaks Elementary, won Second Place out of almost 400 contestants in his age group (7-10) in the 2010 Space Center Houston Blast-Off, Build-Off Lego Building Challenge. Chandler is the son of Sienna residents Justin & Mandy Vogt, and the grandson of Quail Valley’s Lee & Gary Vogt and Alan & Dan Soutar.