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VOL 4 No 12

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011

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

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

A case for more apartments “If you believe that it’s important to our city’s economy to attract young professionals to the type of housing they prefer, then you will approve the requested multifamily. And if you want our city’s restaurants and retail stores to flourish, then you will approve more multifamily throughout the city to help increase our population density.”

— Les Newton, President, Planned Community Developers, Sugar Land.

Johnson Development, developers of the former Imperial Sugar Mill site, held a public meeting on Feb. 17 at the Fluor Corporation, and a Planning and Zoning Commission workshop meeting on Feb. 24. Residents were able to hear about the updated plans for the Imperial Redevelopment Project and provide feedback. The residents’ concern was mostly focused on the 1,600 units of apartments proposed by Johnson Development. The City Planning Staff have provided comments to Johnson Development on their preliminary submittal which identified deficiencies and concerns. No further action will be taken by the City until a revised plan is submitted. Meanwhile, Newton has sent a letter to the Sugar Land Mayor, city council and planning and zoning commission members calling for a new policy on apartments.

See Page 3.

Impact A Hero Impact A Hero and KPRC’s Sports Director Randy McIlvoy hosted the Seventh Annual Impact A Hero Weekend-Kickoff Party at Marathon Oil Corporation in Houston on March 10.

Army Sgt Joel Taveras was the keynote speaker.

Roger Pinkerton, North American Onshore Exploration Director, World Wide Exploration for Marathon Oil Corporation, donated $50,000 to support American soldiers who have been severely injured in the War on Terror.

Impact A Hero honored seven of our heroes wounded in the War on Terror.

Heroes honored were Army

Will UH in Sugar Land become a Texas A & M campus?

By SESHADRI KUMAR State Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria has filed a bill in the Texas Legislature that would move University of HoustonVictoria into the Texas A&M University System.

If the bill becomes a law the UH-Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch campuses, now under UH-Victoria, will also become a part of Texas A & M. But, supporters of Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch campuses have vowed to keep their campuses aligned to the University of Houston System.

House Bill 2556 refers to Victoria’s university as Texas A&M University-Victoria.

“We’ve had a great relationship with the University of Houston System, but our vision is different,” Morrison was quoted as saying in The Victoria Advocate.

“Our current system wants to be the best metropolitan system in the nation, and I think that’s fabulous. But I’m not sure a metropolitan system with an emphasis on having a Tier 1 institution ... that we quite fit there.”

Since 1983, the University of Houston-Victoria has been a freestanding institution within the UH System.

But, many of Victoria’s business leaders wanted to align with a university system that shared the community’s goals.

Morrison’s bill was filed after months of work behind the scenes.

The Texas A&M University System has a successful track record of joining with and growing rural institutions, as well as partnering with community colleges, Morrison said.

The university realignment would not cost any money, she said.

Also, the Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch student and staff populations - which fall under the Victoria university’s umbrella - will also move into the new system, Morrison said.

Only once in the state’s history has a university switched systems when the host system

opposed it.

Like Victoria’s university, Angelo State University began as a two-year school and later expanded to four years.

San Angelo business, civic and municipal leaders realigned the school with a new system - the Texas Tech University System - in 2007.

Morrison’s bill must first pass out of committee, then the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and finally Gov. Rick Perry has to sign it.

Then, the legislation would become effective in September.

State agencies and their boards are specifically prohibited from advocating for or against the passage of any particular piece of legislation.

“Throughout the 37-year history of UH Victoria, the UH System has strongly supported UHV’s mission of serving the educational needs of the Victoria community, as well as promoting the Coastal Bend region’s economic well-being and advancing its quality of life. This is consistent with the UH System’s strategic priority of student success, as well as Texas’ Closing the Gap Initiatives,” the University of Houston System said in a statement, in response to Morrison’s bill.

“As UH Victoria transitions into a four-year “destination” university of choice that offers quality, accredited, faceto-face and online programs to students in the Gulf Coast region and beyond, we believe the UH System remains the best partner for UHV and its students.

“We are mindful that our first priority must be to chart a course that serves the best interests of the state of Texas.

We remain firmly committed to a destination university in Victoria.

“We will work closely with the Legislature to ensure that the higher education needs of Victoria residents and all of Texas are fully served,” the statement said.

Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson said he had already met with Morrison, State Sen.

Glenn Hegar and other state officials and discussed the future of UH- Sugar Land campus.

“I don’t want Victoria to tell us what to do with Sugar Land,” Thompson said.

In his opinion, proponents of the move should take care of Victoria and leave the Sugar Land campus alone.

Thompson said he could not predict the outcome of the bill.

If attempts persist to move Sugar Land into the Texas A & M system, Thompson said he would oppose it.

Hegar said he had numerous discussions with Morrison and she has been working on the move for a long time.

Hegar represents Victoria, Sugar Land and Katy areas and he would take into account the wishes of the respective constituencies.

The bill is half-way through the legislative process and Hegar said the bill that would be considered by the senate would not be same as the original bill.

Hegar suggested that the bill would leave Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch campuses alone from its purview. He believed the Victoria issue does not pertain to Sugar Land or Katy.

“If they don’t want to dance why drag them to the dance floor,” he asked rhetorically.

One drops out of FBISD race There have been some changes in the list of candidates for the upcoming FBISD board elections.

The district initially released a list which erroneously showed Rodrigo Carreon of Fresno as a candidate for the Dist. 4 seat.

Carreon, however, has filed for the at-large seat, currently held by Daniel Menendez. The district has since issued a correction. Menendez also faces Bruce Albright and Kevin Daniels. Also, for Westside Position 1, incumbent Susan Hohnbaum is opposed by Wade A. Watassek. A Telfair resident Kyle Brantley has withdrawn from this race.

Sergeant Sergio Trejo, Army Sergeant Javier Negrete’, Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Lammers, Army Sergeant Latseen Benson & wife Jessica, Army Sergeant Dennis Leonard, Marine Sgt. Richard Massimino, and Marine Corporal Steven Schultz.

Impact A Hero gives Houstonians an opportunity to join national celebrities at Impact A Hero Weekend, June 4-6, when particpants can meet and thank our severely wounded servicemen and women for

sacrificing their minds, bodies and sometimes their lives.

Visit www.impactahero.org for more details.

Impact A Hero is a nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization consisting of individuals and corporations dedicated to providing emotional and financial support for our severely wounded or disabled veterans returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and their families.

Above, Back Row Marine Corporal Steven Schultz, left, Randy McIlvoy - Channel 2 KPRC-TV Sports Director, Jim Hoelker – Chairman of the Board Impact A Hero, Marine SGT Richard Massimino, Roger Pinkerton - Marathon Oil North American Onshore Exploration Director, Army Sergeant Sergio Trejo; Front Row, Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Lammers, left, and Army Sergeant Javier Negrete’.

Bailand named interim superintendent of SMSD In a special board meeting March 21, the Stafford Municipal School District Board of Trustees voted 4-3 to approve the hiring of Dr. Betty Baitland as the interim Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Baitland is a Fort Bend

County resident and served as the superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District from 2001 to 2006. She will be serving as interim superintendent until the SMSD Board of Trustees complete the search process for a superinten-

dent to replace Superintendent H.D. Chambers.

Chambers, who has served as superintendent of SMSD since 2006, has accepted a position as superintendent with Alief Independent School District.

2011 Schlumberger Education Expedition is here On Saturday, March 26, the Fort Bend Education Foundation will host its 8th annual bike ride, The Schlumberger Education Expedition.

Riders will take off at 7:30 a.m. from Ken Hall Stadium which is located at Hightower High School in Missouri City and wind through quiet streets and into the countryside before looping back home.

There are 3 routes to choose from ranging from 27 to 79 miles.Register online at Active.com or http:// w w w. f o r t b e n d i s d . c o m / foundation before the event day to prevent any distractions for you on the ride morning.

Rest stops are themed and staffed by volunteers from FBISD schools vying for the “Best Rest Stop” award.

The ride is a BP MS150 Recommended Ride and all proceeds benefit the Fort Bend Education Foundation which provides opportunities to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all FBISD students through its Grants to Teachers and Schools programs.

For more information, visit www.fortbendisd.com/ foundation or contact Kelly Metzger at kelly.metzger@ fortbendisd.com

2011 Bike Ride Committee Members: back row l to r: Geir Bentzen; John Wantuch; Jim Mayes; John Haskew; and Janice Holley. Middle row l to r: Danny Jan; David Smith; Charles Borsos, Ride Director; Sgt. Buddy Boone; and Matt Brown. Front row l to r: Julie Richoux; Rachel John; Kelly Metzger, FBEF Events Coordinator; Ronnie Escobar; Hannah DeFord; Cruz Coria; and Mharbe Masculino.

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.

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MARCH 23, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

More apartments needed in Sugar Land

By LES A. NEWTON I recently watched the online video replay of the February 24 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting regarding the proposed PD zoning for Imperial tract 3. Near the conclusion, Commissioner Jim Shaw suggested to Johnson Development that they should ask PCD to discuss their experience with the mid-rise residential condos in Town Square, and the impact on the retail restaurant viability of Town Square.

At the risk of appearing presumptuous to those that may disagree with our opinions, the purpose of this letter is to share our thoughts on those questions and on the very critical issue as to whether you should allow the residential density of our city to increase.

We have no financial interest in the Imperial tract 3 project, and we have not been asked

by Johnson to write this letter.

However, we do have a significant ongoing financial interest in Town Square and Lake Pointe, a genuine concern for the overall economy of our city, and we do have a strong desire to see more high-quality highdensity development within our city.

For those reasons, we want to encourage you to test the assumptions and prejudices with which we have all viewed multifamily development in this city for the last 30 years, and work to separate fact from fallacy on this issue.

The first and most significant fallacy under which we have formulated our current multifamily zoning ordinance is the premise that quality is preserved by limiting the density of the multifamily project itself (to no more than 200 units) as well as the concentration of multifamily projects within a given general plan area (no two projects closer than one mile to each other).

Quality fails as a result of oversupply in a market combined with a lack of quality controls, not from density itself. The current policy, and the current dialogue at P&Z fails to recognize that the often cited blight in Sharpstown did not result from density within each apartment project or density within a few miles, but it resulted from a consistent oversupply in the market coupled with no deed restrictions and no standards for construction quality.

Instead of just focusing on the Imperial General Plan area, we should be focused on our entire city when addressing the question of multifamily density. Quantitative research would likely confirm that approximately 35% of the Houston area’s total housing stock is in apartments, and the concentration within problem areas may be higher. By comparison, Sugar Land has only 7 to 8 percent of its housing in apartments.

Our city is dramatically undersupplied which is one reason why our apartments are well maintained and full of good

quality residents. We should be asking whether we can increase that to 15%, 20% or even 25% without risking our quality of life. With the other quality controls that we have through both deed restrictions and zoning (including specific construction quality and maintenance standards in a Planned Development), Sugar Land should be able to more than double the number of multifamily homes in the city without significant risk.

Why would we want to do that? Why take even the slightest risk?

For the past 25 years, we have been striving to increase and improve the retail goods and services and dining options available to our residents.

While we have made significant progress, we have also experienced some prominent retail/ restaurant closings.

Failures result from many factors, but the common denominator in them all is the lack of population density and daytime workforce population within the retail trade area.

The prevention of high-density residential development has left our city at a significant disadvantage in the marketplace when trying to attract and retain higher quality retail and restaurants.

Mr. Shaw posed the question as to whether the small number of residents within Town Square has negatively impacted our retail and restaurants? The correct answer is that Town Square, the mall and all of our city’s retail projects are impacted more by the population of the total trade area than by the population in or near the project. The more significant problem is the lack of population density throughout our city and within a 10 mile radius of US59 and SH6.

For example, let’s look at the comparative population of City Centre near Town and Country Village to SH6 and US59 in Sugar Land: Radius 1 Mile 5 Mile 10 Mile City Centre 11,460; 387,790; & 490,134 Sugar Land (Hwy6/59) 10,363; 207,094; & 874,834 While City Centre’s population within a one-mile radius is only 10 percent greater, when you reach out to consider the real retail trade areas of 5 to 10 miles, City Centre enjoys a significant advantage of 70 percent (at 10 miles) to 87 percent (at 5 miles) more population.

Each area has about the same percentage of households about $50,000 (50 percent) or $75,000 (35 percent) household income which is very important to attracting higher quality retail and restaurants.

However, having 70-87% more households yields significantly higher sales for those desirable businesses. In addition, the area enjoys a greater daytime workforce population from a greater density of office development.

More multifamily units in Imperial does more than just benefit the potential retail in that project, it will benefit all

of the existing retail in the city, and it will help attract more of the younger “Generation X and Y” population needed to supply the workforce requirements of our existing and future businesses.

Another fallacy under which we have operated is that condos are good and apartments are bad because owners are better than renters.

It sounds logical, and typically, an owner does care more about protecting his investment.

However, this overlooks several realities. First, a condominium legal structure does not insure owner occupancy any more than we are assured of owner occupancy in our single-family detached neighborhoods.

For example, approximately 50 percent of the City Plaza condos in Town Square are owner occupied and the rest are occupied by renters. Are we to believe that maintenance is better because the units are individually owned? Experience indicates the opposite. A high quality institutional owner (such as Gables that owns all of the garden apartments in First Colony) is more likely to be proficient and diligent in their maintenance than either individual owners or a resident board of directors.

The institutional owner is less likely to defer maintenance, and they are more likely to remodel and upgrade the asset as it ages in order to preserve and protect the rental income stream. An institutional owner is not dependent upon a majority vote of its residents to decide whether to replace the roof or repaint the building or to upgrade the amenities.

Another fallacy cited by those who oppose apartments is that crime is always higher in and around apartments. This may be true in certain parts of Houston, but it is not true in Sugar Land. SLPD officials indicate no greater incidences of crime with any of our city’s apartments. One officer credited the professional management of the apartments indicating that management typically terminates the lease and evicts any bad residents long before they come to the attention of the police. The landlord is in a stronger position to deal quickly and efficiently with rule violations whether they are related to crime or simply related to maintenance and the quiet enjoyment of one’s home.

It can actually be more difficult to force a single-family owner occupant to mow their grass or paint their home because of the notice and due process afforded them.

It has been over 15 years since any new apartments have been constructed in Sugar Land. During that time, the rental market has evolved significantly. The mid-rise urban designs proposed for Imperial are built to the same specifications and finishes as mid-rise condominiums.

Physically, there is no difference between a mid-rise condo

and a mid-rise apartment. This is supported by the fact that City Plaza, originally designed and intended as rental apartments, was converted to condos prior to completion. No finishes or materials were changed as a result of the conversion.

The structured parking and higher level of finishes cost more than traditional gardenstyle apartments. And while our city’s supply of gardenstyle apartments is also in short supply and should be increased, our city has no mid-rise urban apartments that appeal to today’s “renter by choice.”

To be competitive in drawing the younger workforce for our employers, and to provide the housing desired by many empty-nesters, our city needs to have an ample supply of new urban rental multifamily.

One speaker at the February 24 meeting was deriding “urban upscale.” She stated that “Lake Pointe is urban upscale and Lake Pointe is failing miserably.” She also stated that townhomes in Lake Pointe are selling for half of their original price.

We encourage P&Z to seek out the facts rather than be influenced by such false statements.

While the overextended builder did have several of its last two sections of townhomes foreclosed by lenders in late 2009 and early 2010, there has been no townhome that has sold for anywhere near 50 percent of its original value. Do not be misled by the fact that prices range from the low $400,000’s to over $900,000.The prices reflect differences in location (Lakefront vs. interior), size and amenities within each unit. In the worst case, some foreclosed units may have sold for 10 to 20 percent below original asking prices. The residents who live there are happy with their community, and they expect their home values to fully rebound and appreciate in the next few years, consistent with Sugar Land’s single family market.

While the velocity of home sales in Lake Pointe has been slowed by the economy for the last few years, how does one characterize the creation of $300 million of new taxable value between 1/1/05 and 1/1/10 as a “miserable failure”?

Lake Pointe represents historic success for the city in terms of value per acre and incremental value per year of development.

Urban design and higher density are part of the reason for this success, and the 64 existing townhomes alone account for $35.7 million in ad valorem tax value ($558,000 unit average value).

One would think that the neighbors and the city would all be pleased if housing in the Imperial project could achieve this level of “failure”.

Successful master planning provides a balance of different land uses. In our city, the suppression of multifamily housing is negatively impacting retail/restaurants and the supply

of the office workforce. Successful planned communities such as the Woodlands have appropriately included sufficient high-density residential for lease within its Town Center and throughout the community. I don’t know their overall percentage of housing in apartments, but I am sure it is higher than ours. With over 900 units already within their Town Center (and 1500 proposed), it may be worthwhile to examine their numbers objectively for guidance on how many apartments a community can have without resulting in any negative impacts.

In my opinion, approving 1600 units of upscale urban mid-rise apartments with appropriate deed restrictions, architectural controls and maintenance standards is the best thing the city could do to help insure a successful Imperial project.

Once again, this would represent less than 6 percent of the city’s total housing. Multifamily and high-density single fam-

ily residential is the most financially viable land use available to the Imperial Tract 3 development for the foreseeable future.

Putting politics of the upcoming election aside, if you believe that the success of Imperial Tract 3 is important to our city, you should approve the higher number of multifamily units.

If you believe that it’s important to our city’s economy to attract young professionals to the type of housing they prefer, then you will approve the requested multifamily. And if you want our city’s restaurants and retail stores to flourish, then you will approve more multifamily throughout the city to help increase our population density. It will be unfortunate if the emotional anti-apartment arguments are not overcome by fact-based decision-making.

(Les Newton is president of Planned Community Developers in Sugar Land. He sent this letter to Sugar Land Mayor and City Council.)

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Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 23, 2011

Opinion

The View from Sugar Land Don’t believe in coincidences

By RUSSELL C. JONES Most cynics will tell you not to believe in coincidences.

Still, sometimes things happen that make you wonder.

Standing in the security line at IAH worrying about being late for a flight to Maui two weeks ago, word spread that an earthquake off Japan would result in a tsunami hitting Hawaii in about three hours.

Many in line seem concerned about whether their travel plans would be affected. Not this writer, however. Been there, done that!

In February 2010 the family and some friends had been in Maui when another earthquake struck off Japan. At that time, emergency alarms had gone off, roads had been closed, and everyone had been urged to move to higher ground. Telephone calls came from other family members still on the mainland, warning about a potential disaster. TV coverage was similar to what Sugar Landers experience when a hurricane is approaching. When the time came, the additional wave action was minimal, almost unnoticeable.

Laying over in Denver, a telephone call to the hotel in Maui determined that alarms had sounded, roads were closed, and everyone had moved to higher ground.

Oddly, upon arrival in Maui, no one even mentioned the tsunami until asked. Apparently only a little more damage had occurred than the one witnessed a year earlier.

Okay, that was a minor coincidence. But at the end of the week Rosenberg mayor Joe Gurecky walked over to say hello. It seems he had been staying at the hotel next-door.

Another minor coincidence?

On still another earlier trip to Maui, a former client who had not been seen in years was discovered in a restaurant at the

Jones foot of Mount Haleakala. Our families were the only ones in the restaurant. Sometimes life is a little quirky. Maybe the cynics are just wrong.

So, what’s the news?

Being on vacation during major news events has always been a problem. Since the invention of 24-hour cable news, some of us have become addicts and cannot leave it behind. With both the multiple disasters in Japan and the belated decision of the UN to impose a “no-fly zone” over Libya, there just was not enough time for a real vacation.

Depending upon your news source, it was difficult to know whether the real crisis in Japan related to the death and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami, or the potential for nuclear disaster created by the tsunami’s swamping of a power plant. Either way, the trifecta of disasters there will have an impact on all of us for years to come.

In the short run, a shortage of imported goods from Japan is already impacting American manufacturers. American automobile manufacturing plants anticipate short-term closures while their Japanese suppliers recover. In the longer run, however, thousands

of individuals remain without homes or livelihoods and must live forever with the loss of family members.

On the other hand, the results of the nuclear crisis probably will not be known for months. The obvious fallacy of building such a facility on top of one of the world’s most active earthquake zones will rightly require a reexamination of the construction standards for reactors. The partial meltdown will also incorrectly result in a multitude of calls for a complete ban on the future construction of much-needed sources of energy.

It makes no sense to build a reactor on land known to be susceptible to natural disasters, even on an infrequent basis, unless it can be constructed in a way which is survivable under the worst of conditions.

On the other hand, it equally makes no sense to ban the best solution to the energy crisis simply because prior examples of substandard construction exist.

Practicing followership After dithering for weeks, the Obama administration took action in Libya, but only after being given permission by the Arab League and the UN Security Council.

In the Security Council, five of the 15 members abstained from the vote. Does anyone else wonder what was paid to the five, especially Russia and China, for not opposing the resolution? Those two countries could have easily derailed the resolution. Undoubtedly promises were made in order to avoid their vetoes.

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: Another birthday

By JANICE SCANLAN While many of us say we dread another birthday or a milestone birthday, we really don’t. I’ve always liked the theme that the American Cancer Society has adopted —another birthday.

Over the past couple of years what it means has hit home on a friendship basis.

Watching several friends battle cancer and their up attitude of surviving –of beating back a dreaded disease is inspiring.

And it can be quite extended with the various protocols for fighting the disease and lessening the symptoms of fighting back.

While most of the friends are closer to my age, having a friend’s child battle the disease has really helped me understand the another birthday theme . . .on a new level . . . the battle in “real time.”

Piper Wagner is a 40 year old golf pro in California, who is the picture of health and vitality . . . she grew up in Quail Valley, but I was too busy commuting and earning a living to ever get to know her then. Seeing her pictures on her website reminds me of her grandmother Pat Baker, who was involved in selling us our home 36 years ago. You’ve seen her mom, Jerre Anne, with that striking blonde poof of a pony tail and stylishly dressed. Or dad Larry in his vintage Corvette.

Scanlan Piper went from picture of health, new job, golf tournaments, serious fitness regiments to stage 4 cancer in 3 weeks time. While she still looks maaaaaaarvelous as she says in her journal . . . she’s in a serious struggle.

I’m been reading Piper’s journal daily and love her breezy style of writing . . . and openness to express her fears and hopes without feeling sorry for herself. It’s the same spirit I see in my other friends fighting cancer. Do they give them a pill for it? Or is a positive attitude part of holding back the disease?

It’s also been inspiring to watch her community of friends and family support her.

The Sugar Land Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society is all about funding to develop the new protocols

Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

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

to fight the disease and giving another birthday to cancer patients. It will be held in Oyster Creek Park from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. April 29-30 . . . with lighted luminaria snaking through the trails of the park honoring and memorializing friends and loved ones.

Since January 22 when Sugar Land Relay for Life kicked off, teams and volunteers have been working to host the culminating event. Currently there are 35 teams, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved now through either your own team or joining one of the existing ones.

It’s easy to do. I just googled Sugar Land Relay for Life and voila the website. My friend Helen Curd is a co-chair again this year so I joined her team and honored my friends fighting cancer by contributing luminarias in their honor. It was quite easy to do and it’s not the only way to support. The evening is like an old-fashioned camp out with teams singing songs, sharing stories, enjoying a campfire, the beautiful luminaria and the cancer survivors having a relay. You can also contact Helen Curd at 281-437-8996 or email relayforlife.sugarland@yahoo.com.

Giving people another day.

Help cancer survivors experience another birthday.

Write to janicescanlan@ earthlink.net

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

Guest Column Reflections on shortfalls and investments

By SONAL BHUCHAR Amidst the discussions about financial crises and budget shortfalls shared by many states across our nation, and Texas in particular, some basic questions about our priorities emerge.

Balancing fiscal conservatism with investing in our most precious resources, our children, becomes a very difficult choice.

Yet it must reflect our belief in the mission that every child can and must learn… learn not only to read and write, but to succeed as productive, contributing citizens in a world economy.

The impending, unprecedented cuts that are expected to affect the public education system in Texas, in spite of the Governor’s commitment today to use a small portion of the Rainy Day fund to plug the hole from last year’s budget, promise to create a very different level of service, unlike anything we have seen or experienced before.

Local school districts will be forced to reduce workforce at all levels, slash programs, even those essential to meeting the state accountability standards, like dropout recovery and the Student Success Initiative and possibly assess fees for extracurricular program participation.

Five years ago, Fort Bend ISD made a commitment through its five-year district strategic plan to narrow the achievement gap, have no “Unacceptable “or PEG cam-

Bhuchar puses as rated by the state accountability system and have all its campuses achieve Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by federal standards of No Child Left Behind.

Fort Bend ISD also made a commitment to becoming a district of choice for attracting and retaining highly qualified staff, creating and institutionalizing transparent processes in all its operations and provide all round cutting edge learning opportunities for all its students.

The journey has been tenuous and difficult, but we stand proud today, being “Recognized” by the TEA, one of only two school district finalists in the nation as a “District of Character,” all campuses meeting AYP, 50 National Merit Scholars, and 5 of our high schools listed among the top 6 % of high schools in the nation to name just a few of our Points of Pride.

The collective efforts of all our staff at every level were responsible for our success

last year and we are cognizant and very appreciative of that.

As we launch into our own budget creating process, in the shadow of a statewide 27 billion dollar projected shortfall that translates into anywhere from a 30 to 74 million shortfall for Fort Bend ISD, based on a variety of scenarios that the state could adopt, our decisions will be those made between a rock and a really hard place.

Even as they will be based on as much objective data as possible, with due diligence and consideration, they will require courageous leadership to reduce workforce, add responsibilities, require sacrifices of time and call upon every level of commitment possible from the community.

We will continue to engage in dialogue and proactive outreach with our legislators to support public education during this session by certainly relaxing mandates, but also looking at other possible sources of revenue and creating structurally sound funding formulas.

We ask each and every one of our stakeholders to join us in supporting the education and future of our children, because eventually, our main focus is of course, our students, and ensuring their educational success.

We cannot fail them. We must invest in our future.

(Sonal Bhuchar is the president of Fort Bend ISD board of trustees.)

Common exercise mistakes

By THOMAS J. PARR, M.D. Over time, it is easy to fall into sloppy or ineffective exercise habits. Instead of getting into shape, you can get frustrated, bored, or hurt. Let me explain.

You should not try to do an exercise program because it is what someone else is doing or try to achieve too much too soon. Your choices for your exercise routine need to fit your current physical condition, your personality, and your lifestyle. Otherwise, you will become discouraged, find too many excuses to skip it, and ultimately quit.

Allow yourself both variety and flexibility in your exercise plan. Doing the same thing every day may not be as helpful as doing different things on different days. Include 2 or 3 days off during the week.

Such flexibility also allows room for altering your exercise schedule to fit your daily life without feeling like you have abandoned your plan.

If you are over 40, you should see your doctor for a check up. Even if you are already following a regular aerobic program, you ought to see your primary care physician or cardiologist to establish your baseline cardiology data. There is nothing more apt to ruin your day than having a heart attack while on a long run.

If you want to join a gym, that is fine; but just being seen in a gym won’t help you reach your fitness goals.

There are plenty of ways to achieve equally good workouts without having to spend a lot of money and wait in line to use equipment. You might be better off buying a bicycle or some light weights to use at home. It all depends upon your fitness goals and your lifestyle.

Your muscles need time to warm up and to cool down. A good way to get hurt is to jump out of bed in the morning and immediately start your workout. Always move around and

Parr warm up before starting a run.

Allow yourself a few minutes to walk and stretch at the end of your run while your muscles go through their needed cool down time.

When using cardio exercise equipment, your body should be in good posture, and you should hold on to the equipment only enough to help maintain balance. Slouching and grasping the equipment too tightly are ways to cheat in your workout.

This is not a good time to catch up on your reading. Reading will slow down your exercise rate, where certain kinds of music will help you maintain a good exercise pace.

Speed and flexibility improve by lifting lighter weights and performing a large number of repetitions. To increase muscle strength, you want to do a lower number of reps using heavier weights. Do not use weights that are too heavy for you. Your motion needs to be smooth and slow, because fast and jerky can cause an injury.

Ignore the television commercials with those perfect young bodies pitching equipment and videos. There is no “magic pill” or “guaranteed machine” that will do this for you. If you want great abs, for example, there is no substitute for working them the old fashioned way -- crunches and situps.

Other than weighing yourself to establish a starting point, ignore the scale. It is

fine to weigh yourself occasionally, but fixating on the bathroom scale will be too discouraging. That is because part of getting into good shape involves building up muscles, which are more dense and weigh more than sloppy fat does.

A great way to track your progress is how your clothes are fitting. Another way is to log things like what your blood pressure is each day, what your heart rate is at a given pace, how far you are going in a certain amount of time, or how many repetitions you are doing for certain exercises. Other measures can be improvements in cholesterol and blood sugars, especially if either is a potential health risk for you.

Be careful about believing in fads, myths, or slogans.

They do not improve your physical ability, but they do make me money. For those of us over 30, I dislike the term “no pain, no gain.” Your workout should be a little tiring, not painful. Pain means something is wrong.

A new fad is running barefoot or almost barefoot, using things that look like padded socks for the feet. Yes, someone often wins the New York or Boston marathon while running without shoes. Notice, please, that he never ran wearing shoes. If you want to adopt this technique, start a decade or so in advance, so your body can accustom itself to the shock forces involved.

And perhaps my favorite myth involves squats and deep knee bends. They do little to improve the fitness of the average person, and, unless you have completely normal tracking of your kneecap and normal joint cartilage, they can cause considerable knee pain, even if done “properly.”

Dr. Thomas Parr, an orthopedic surgeon in Sugar Land, can be reached at 281-4917111.Visit www.tomparrmd. net for more information.

MARCH 23, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

Three Fort Bend communities among top 10 in the nation Three master-planned communities in Fort Bend County are among the top ten selling U.S. Master-Planned Communities (MPCs) for 2010, according to the Robert Charles Lesser & Co. Cinco Ranch, Telfair and Sienna Plantation have made the annual list since 2008.

Cinco Ranch (3), a Newland Communities development and fixture on the list for the past five years, sold 816 new homes last year, making it the most successful MPC in Fort Bend County as well as the Greater Houston Area. Telfair (6), also a Newland Commu-

nities development, sold 406 units. The Johnson Development Corporation’s Sienna Plantation (9) moved up a spot on the list from 2009 with 288 new home sales. As typical of past years’ results, the southwestern region of the country featured the majority of topselling communities.

“We congratulate Cinco Ranch, Telfair and Sienna Plantation on this achievement,” says Jeff Wiley, President of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

“Master Planned Communities are a cornerstone of quality growth in our community and

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2010,County Civil Court-At-Law No.1 of Harris County, Texas in cause 963854701in favor of the plaintiff—-WHOLESALE ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY ETC,, Plaintiff, for the sum of $70,000.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 7TH Day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RIDDLE POWER, LLC, ELIZABETH RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY AND RODNEY RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, 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 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2010,County Civil Court-At-Law No.1 of Harris County, Texas in cause 963854701in favor of the plaintiff—-WHOLESALE ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY ETC,, Plaintiff, for the sum of $70,000.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 7TH Day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RIDDLE POWER, LLC, ELIZABETH RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY AND RODNEY RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 26 & (S.50’) OF LOT 27 CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00000-2600-907 ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $55,830.00

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 28 CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00-000-2800-907

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.

ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-170183 in favor of the Plaintiff WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $5,675.23 ++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the3RD day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) LISA BRADLEY, DERON BRADLEY AND JAY RODRIGUEZ had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT SIXTY FIVE (65), BLOCK TWO (2) OF WATERSIDE VILLAGE, SECTION ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2098/A OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNT, TEXAS MORE COMMOMLY DESCRIBED 4926 TAYLOR LAKE COURT, RICHMOND, TEXAS 77407.

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $77,530.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 by the COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW NUMBER THREE (3) Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 06-CCV-029275 MISSION BEND CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, for the sum of $9,423.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 3rd Day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) OLUJIMI VAUGHN AND MUJIDAT VAUGHN had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, 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 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09DCV-175161 in favor of the Plaintiff WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $15,987.86++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 11TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) A. KIRK WILLIAMS, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: GEO: 75502300512409071 CPC: R114348I ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 9323 SQUARE FEET OF LAND BEING A PORTION OF LOT 124, BLOCK 5 OF SUGAR CREEK, SECTION 23, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 17, PAGE 13 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 7550230051240907 ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $574,370.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

MARKET VALUE:$19,400.00

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 25, IN BLOCK 11, OF MISSION BEND SOUTH SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 19, PAGE 12 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $100,940.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 240TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #09-DCV-171080 in favor of the plaintiff—GRAND LAKES MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #1,, Plaintiff, for the sum of $28,970.91++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) MARTHA L. SAENZ AKA MARTHA ANDRADE, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: CPC: 35310400202509141 LOT 25, IN BLOCK 2, OF GRAND LAKES, PHASE THREE, SECTION 4, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN AN INSTRUMENT FILED IN THE REAL PROPERTY RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS UNDER CLERK’S FILE NUMBER 2003135491 ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $236,160.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

are the engine for attracting a highly educated workforce that makes our community so attractive for the location and expansion of businesses.”

RCLCO is an independent real estate advisory firm that has monitored new home sales since 1994.

The survey takes into account a number of key metrics and the firm tracks sales from more than 400 MPCs nationwide.

Survey results show sales for top-performing MPCs began to stabilize in 2010 with total sales for the top ten exceeding 7,000 units.

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 28TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172633 in favor of the Plaintiff HUNTINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of$1,991.00 ++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 17TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) DEYSI MENDOZA had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 19, BLOCK 40, OF HUNTINGTON VILLAGE, SECTION 4, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 208, PAGE 24 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $101,490.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-175560 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $5,415.05 -H++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) EDUARDO NAVARRO AKA EDDIE NAVARRO, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: GEO: 8133220030130907 I CPC: R281159 I LOT THIRTEEN (13), IN BLOCK THREE (3), OF SIENNA VILLAGE OF SHIPMAN’S LANDING, SECTION TWELVE-B (12-B), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO. 23791B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $187,390.00 Terms: Cash Sale to be held at about 10:00 A.M. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 31st day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172126 in favor of the Plaintiff HUNTINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $3,860.74++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) CHERYL MAIER had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 10, BLOCK 37, OF HUNTINGTON VILLAGE, SECTION 4, FORT BEND, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 14, PAGE 9 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $93,950.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or Precinct Three about 10:00 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

Come and Experience the Difference!

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, APRIL 7, 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.

BID 11-061 – 15’ SHREDDERS 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

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2010,County Civil Court-At-Law No.1 of Harris County, Texas in cause 963854701in favor of the plaintiff—-WHOLESALE ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY ETC,, Plaintiff, for the sum of $70,000.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 7TH Day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RIDDLE POWER, LLC, ELIZABETH RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY AND RODNEY RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 27 (N 50’) CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00-000-2700-907 MARKET VALUE:$7,500.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24th day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172986 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff, for the sum of$11,091.79 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) ERIC ROBERTO GARCIA had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: GEO: 3300000114800907 I CPC: R65564 I BEING TRACT FORTY-EIGHT (48), IN BLOCK ELEVEN (11) OF FRESNO GARDENS ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN VOLUME 297, PAGE 350, DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $14,850.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

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 JAN, 24, 2011 in cause numbered 09DCV173447 styled Colony Lakes Homeowners Assoc Inc. vs. RODERICK T. MARSHALL AND ROSHELL M. MARSHALL JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, in which a judgment was rendered on OCT 29, 2009 in favor of ColonyLakes Homeowners Assoc for the sum of ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTEEN DOLLARS AND FOUR CENTS ($1415.04); 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 FEB 22, 2011 and will on APRIL 5, 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 Right, Title, and Interest RODERICK T. MARSHALL AND ROSHELL M. MARSHALL to and in the following described Real Property: Lot Twenty-six (26), in Block one (1) of Colony Lakes, Section five (5), an addition in Fort Bend County, Texas, according to the plat thereof recorded in slide No(s) 1472/A and 1472/b of the map/plat records of Fort Bend County, Texas The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of Colony Lakes Homeowners Assoc, Inc Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: APRIL 5, 2011 TIME: APPROX. 10:00 am BY: Sergeant M. Kutach TROY E. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

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Wednesday 7 p.m.

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NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 10th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10DCV-179948 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,851.70+++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 23RD day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) BRIARGATE TOWNHOUSE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 95500101168599071 CPC: R21158 UNIT 6859, BLDG. “11” OUT OF RESERVE “A” OF WILLOW PARK, SECTION ONE, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 11, PAGE 5 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $27,150.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 10th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-150914 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,743.72+++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 23RD day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RENE D. CANTU, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 3350000030500907\ CPC: R259990 LOT 5 IN BLOCK C OF FRESNO GARDENS DELUXE, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 324, PAGE 4460F THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $51,010.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10-DCV-178553 in favor of the plaintiff—CINCO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #8, Plaintiff, for the sum of $10,037.95++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)JOHN TRISTAN SERPA, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: CPC: 2251020050020914/LOT TWO (2), BLOCK FIVE (5), IN CANYON GATE AT CINCO RANCH, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 17271B OF THE MAP/ PLAT RECORDS, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 2251020050020914 ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $180,100.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 27TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153848 in favor of the plaintiff— FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $8,154.24++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 11th Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RICHARD THOMAS, JR; ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: GEO: 2175010241150907 / 1939010700056/ CPC: R57690 I/ LOT 115 IN BLOCK 24 OF BRIAR VILLA, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NUMBER 5711 A OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $82,140.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153104 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff, for the sum of $24,254.40 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) ANNA LEE CANGELOSI, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: GEO: 0064000001306907 CPC: R36590 A TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE WILLIAM NEAL SURVEY, ABSTRACT 64, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; BEING PART OF A LARGER TRACT DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM ETHELLA C. GUICE TO JOHN CANGELOSI DATED MAY 27, 1969 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 515, PAGE 441 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; SPECIFICALLY, BEING THE REST AND RESIDE OF THE LARGER TRACT AFTER CONVEYANCES OF THE FOLLOWING PORTIONS THEREOF: A) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.89 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED DATED FROM EMMA LEWIS TO BRAZOS VALLEY IRRIGATION COMPANY DATED MARCH 8,1937 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 746, PAGE 760 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; B) A TRACT CONTAINING 0.43 ACRE,; MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM MILLIE JOHNSON TO BRAZOS VALLEY IRRIGATION COMPANY DATED MARCH 8, 1937 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 746, PAGE 762 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.; C) A TRACT CONTAINING 13.353 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A CORRECTION DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC. DATED OCTOBER 20,1970 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 535, PAGE 796 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; D) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.0603 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO P & P CONSTRUCTION CO. DATED JUNE 18, 1979 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 1406, PAGE 315 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; E) A TRACT CONTAINING 3.5105 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO RAYMOND M. CORTEZ ET AL DATED APRIL 22, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 1211, PAGE 522 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; F) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.0161 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS TRACT 3 IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO JULIAN RINCONES AND WIFE DATED OCTOBER 19, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 2254, PAGE 1189 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; AND A TRACT CONTAINING 0.9791 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS TRACT 4IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE JULIAN RINCONES AND WIFE DATED OCTOBER 19, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 2254, PAGE 1189 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 23, 2011

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Offer good through March 31, 2011

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832.638.7207

Become a Dental Assistant 10 week course Starting soon Saturdays Only C. Mark Mann, D.D.S.,F.A.G.D. 1111 Highway 6 Suite 220 Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281) 494-9400 www.manndental.com

Brightwater Garden Club The next meeting of the Brightwater Garden Club will be held on Monday, March 28 at 6:45 p.m. at the Brightwater Clubhouse, Brightwater at Westshore Drive, Missouri City. Tricia Bradbury, Master Gardener and local gardening expert, will present a program on spring garden maintenance and native plants suitable for small backyards. The meeting is free and open to anyone interested in gardening. For more information 281-403-9269.

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, APRIL 14, 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.

BID 11-054 – TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION PROJECTS: MASON ROAD AT NORTHMOOR DR., HIGHLAND KNOLLS AT GREENWAY VILLAGE DR., AND CINCO RANCH BLVD AT GASTON ROAD A pre-bid conference will be conducted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 9:00 AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Purchasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas 77471. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

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 bids.

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

LEGAL NOTICE REQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS Sealed Qualification Statements 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 31, 2011 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST).

Q11-057 – DESIGN BUILD EMPLOYEE HEALTH CLINIC A Pre-SOQ conference with site visit will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:00AM (CST). The conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Clerk, 301 Jackson, Richmond Texas. All vendors are encouraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualification statements received.

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 31, 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.

BID 11-052 – CONSTRUCTION OF OLD RICHMOND ROAD FROM VOSS TO WEST AIRPORT A pre-bid conference will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:00 AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Purchasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas 77471. All bidders are encouraged to attend.

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 bids.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE OF TEST OF AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT 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, APRIL 7, 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.

1.RFP 11-058 - ETHERNET SERVICE FOR JUSTICE CENTER; 2.RFP 11-059 – DRUG TESTING SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE PROBATION. 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 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 31, 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 11-055 – ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT #2: ROSENBERG ANNEX AND SUGAR LAND ANNEX A Pre-RFP conference with site visits will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM (CST). The preRFP conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Purchasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Site visits for both locations will commence upon the conclusion of the pre-RFP meeting. All vendors are encouraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.

Lump sum 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 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 31, 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 11-056– SECURITY SYSTEM FOR MISSOURI CITY ANNEX A Pre-RFP conference with site visits will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:30 PM (CST). The preRFP conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Missouri City Annex located at 307 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas. All vendors are encouraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.

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 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10-DCV-178553 in favor of the plaintiff—CINCO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #8, Plaintiff, for the sum of $10,037.95++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same.

Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)JOHN TRISTAN SERPA, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; LEGAL DESCRIPTION: CPC: 2251020050020914/LOT TWO (2), BLOCK FIVE (5), IN CANYON GATE AT CINCO RANCH, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 17271B OF THE MAP/ PLAT RECORDS, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 2251020050020914 ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $180,100.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317 THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SISSIERETTA J WOOTEN DECEASED AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THIS LAND NOTICE: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being April 25, 2011 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 401 Jackson Street. We are located on the first floor of the courthouse building.

The case is presently pending before the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on March 08, 2011.

It bears cause number 11-DCV-188250 and is styled: Jose Serrano and Rosa M. Serrano vs All Unknown Heirs of Sissieretta J Wooten, Deceased and any and all Unknown Persons Claiming an Interest in this Land.

The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is: BRENT A LANE BEARD & LANE PC 12841 JONES ROAD SUITE 100 HOUSTON TX 77070 281-897-8848 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER; PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows to-wit: 1. A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE NATURE OF THE SUIT - TRCP 114 “THIS IS A SUIT BY PLAINTIFF TO ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP TO THE PROPERTY BY ADVERSE POSSESSION.” 2. A DESCRIPTION OF ANY PROPERTY INVOLVED - TRCP 114 & 115” LOT TWENTY (20), BLOCK THIRTY-ONE (31) OF RIDGEWOOD ESTATES, SOUTHWEST SECTION, STREET ADDRESS: 519 DOGWOOD AVE, FRESNO, TEXAS 77545.”

3. 42 DAYS TO ANSWER LAWSUIT INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 20 DAYS -TRCP 114 If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved. Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 10th day of March, 2011.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas Deputy District Clerk Kimberly Coker Telephone: 281-633-7617

AVISO PUBLICO DE PROBAR EL EQUIPO TABULAR AUTOMATICAMENTE Notice is hereby given that the automatic tabulating equipment that will be used in the election to be held on May 14, 2011, will be tested on March 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Bend County Elections Department, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures.

Por lo presente se da aviso que el equipo para tabular automáticamente que se usará en la elección el 14 de Mayo del 2011 se probara el 30 de Marzo del 2011 a las 10:00 a.m. en el Departamento de Elecciones del Condado de Fort Bend, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas para determinar si el equipo contara con exactitud los votos para todos los puestos oficiales y sobre todos los proyectos de ley.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Sugar Land, Texas (the “City”), will meet at the City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, at 5:30 p.m. on the 19th day of April, 2011, which is the time and place tentatively set for the passage of an ordinance and such other action as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of the City’s certificates of obligation, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $99,000,000 payable from ad valorem taxation and from a limited pledge of a subordinate lien on the net revenues of the City’s waterworks and sanitary sewer system, including surface water fees and ground water reduction plan fees, collected by the City, bearing interest at any rate or rates not to exceed the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and maturing over a period of years not to exceed thirty (30) years from the date thereof, for the purpose of evidencing the indebtedness of the City for all or any part of the costs associated with the construction of improvements of City’s surface water treatment plant, system upgrades for surface water conversion, transmission lines, and the cost of professional services incurred in connection therewith.

WITNESS MY HAND this 1st day of March, 2011. /s/ Glenda Gundermann ______________________________ City Secretary City of Sugar Land, Texas

Public Hearings will be held by the City of Missouri City to receive comments for or against proposed amendments to the following sections contained in the Zoning Ordinance: 1.

Section 4, Definitions; Section 7, Use Districts, contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the use of private, onsite water and waste water treatment and disposal systems (Private Utilities).

2.

Section 4, Definitions; Section 7, Use Districts; contained in the Zoning Ordinance; and Section 9, Supplementary District Regulations, contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the regulations for the outside placement of materials, merchandise, equipment and sales and services.

3.

Section 4, Definitions; Section 7A, Architectural Design Standards; and Section 14, Fence Regulations contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to architectural design standards – primary materials and trademark or brand colors.

The following public hearing is scheduled: 1.PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: City Council Chambers (2nd Floor of City Hall) 1522 Texas Parkway (FM 2234), Missouri City, Texas Specific information is available at City Hall, Missouri City, Texas, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or you may call 281-403-8541 or email planninginfo@ missouricitytx.gov for additional information.

/s/ John Oldham Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Administrador de Elecciones del Condado de Fort Bend NOTICE TO BIDDERS

LEGAL NOTICE The City of Missouri City, Texas is now issuing an Invitation for Bids for the following:

DULLES AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS 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:

IFB # 182-11 Term Contract for Concrete Pavement Lifting and Sidewalk Cutting Scope: The City of Missouri City intends to hire one or more general contractor(s) to provide all material, labor, and equipment necessary to perform repairs to: 1) settled concrete sidewalk pavement by jacking the slab with cementatious slurry material; 2) saw cutting to level settlement of concrete slabs; 3) perform street raising for the purpose of eliminating swales, birdbaths and related pavement failures on concrete thoroughfares; all at various locations in the City on an as-needed basis. The vendor 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 April 11, 2011 and then opened.

The bid packages may be obtained beginning March 23rd by requesting the document name and number listed above from the Purchasing Office at (281) 403-8626; (281) 403-8612, or email charles@missouricitytx.gov 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.

CIP PROJECT NUMBER: LOCATION OF WORK:

Dulles Avenue Reconstruction and Intersection Improvements ST0801 Dulles Avenue from Avenue E to US 90, including Cartwright and Lexington Intersection Improvements

Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from Freese and Nichols, Incorporated, 11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2332, Pearland, Texas, 77584, with payment of $200.00 hard copy set or $50 electronic set on CD. Sealed bids 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, April 7, 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 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2011, Brazos Room, 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 sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

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

Notice of Public Meeting NOTICE TO BIDDERS EAST AND WEST INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION PHASE II 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:

East and West Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Rehabilitation Phase II Improvement Projects

CIP PROJECT NUMBER:

WW0904

LOCATION OF WORK:

From Industrial Boulevard South to U.S. 59 Feeder Road; along U.S. 59 Feeder Road to the North Waste Water Treatment Plant; from Ulrich, south on Brooks Street and State Highway 6 to North Waste Water Treatment Plant

Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from HDR Claunch & Miller, 4635 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas, 77027, Telephone (713) 622-9264 with payment of $70.00. Electronic copies are available free of charge.

Sealed bids 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, April 7, 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 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 24, 2011, Cane Room, 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 sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

Draft Recommendations for Public Review and Comment City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan A public meeting will be held to give residents of Sugar Land and residents in the Sugar Land Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction an opportunity to provide input on the final recommendations for the City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan. This is the third and final public meeting for the project and will focus on the completed recommendations including elements addressed in the final phase of the study: prioritization of recommendations, anticipated costs and potential funding sources.

The City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan will serve as an implementation plan for the City’s long-range vision for mobility in Sugar Land. The Plan will consider the potential for all modes of transportation, including commuter transit and commuter rail, freight rail, intracity transit, walking, biking, air travel, and automobile. A copy of the draft recommendations in presentation slide format is available on the website http://sugarlandmobility.com and in the City Secretary Office, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. Updates, including those from the final study phase, will be added to the website as they become available.

The public meeting will be held as follows: Monday, March 28, 2011 6:00 PM Cane Room Number 161 Sugar Land City Hall 2700 Town Center Boulevard North Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Comments may also be sent by April 4, 2011, to the City of Sugar Land Transportation Department, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 or P.O. Box 110, Sugar Land, Texas 77487-0110. Residents may fax their comments to the City at (281) 275-2771.

Note: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available.

Requests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact City Secretary, Telephone 281-275-2730 or FAX 281-275-2293.

MARCH 23, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

Eclipse Soccer Club—Sign Up Now! Methodist Sugar Land Hospital (MSLH) has once again extended its sponsorship of Eclipse Soccer Club, which serves more than 2,000 youth players from across Fort Bend County and southwest Houston.

As part of their continued relationship, Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas conducts weekly sports medicine clinics at Sugar Land’s Lost Creek Park, Eclipse’s home field, and will provide VIP cards to expedite treatment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas.

The Club also plans to team up again with MSLH on other initiatives that can benefit the community, such as the recent Score for the Cause fundraiser in support of breast cancer awareness and treatment which raised over $3750 for the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital/ Fort Bend Junior Service League Breast Cancer Fund.

“Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas has a long history of being deeply involved in supporting youth sports and keeping young athletes healthy, fit and in the game,” said Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Methodist Sugar Land

Hospital. “We’re proud to extend our relationship with Eclipse and to be an important part of the Club’s effort to develop successful athletes at all levels of competition.”

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will continue as the primary jersey sponsor of the Eclipse recreational program.

The hospital’s logo will also be added to the Club’s competitive team jerseys. The Club plans to use funds from the sponsorship to provide scholarships to cover training fees, improve and enhance field conditions and expand the club’s activities and offerings.

“Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas are a perfect fit for Eclipse,” said Rick Safier, president of Eclipse Soccer Club. “Our goal for the sponsorship is to move beyond the basics and create a partnership that leverages the expertise, technology and health care services of Methodist in order to benefit our young athletes and their families.”

To learn more about Eclipse Soccer Club, visit the website at www.eclipsesoccerclub. com. For a physician referral to Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, call 281-274-7500.

FILM REVIEW: The Lincoln Lawyer Mick Haller (Matthew McConaughey) is the” Lincoln Lawyer” because his law office is the back seat of a1980’s vintage Lincoln Town Car. He’s lost his driver’s license so he is driven around to the various courthouses in the Los Angeles area by his trusted chauffer Earl. Occasionally, he is paid in cash stuffed inside an envelope that is slipped through a half-opened window of his back seat office. If Mick has to postpone a criminal case so he can get paid by a client or tells a lie for what he sees as the better- The Lincoln Lawyer: Marisa Tomei and Matthew McConaughey ment of his situation, then so Mick gets a big case that inbe it as part of the “judicial chooses Mick’s side. His forvolves a rich 32 year-old man mer wife (Marisa Tomei) is an system” that he embraces and charged with brutally assaultassistant DA and they have a bends. ing a woman.

His retainer is daughter together.

His invesIn the first ten minutes of $100,000 plus expenses and tigator is Frank Levin (longthe film, we know that Mick another $100,000.00 if the haired William H. Macy) who Haller is a slick, smooth-talkcase goes to trial.

I knew for has the knack for timely uning, criminal defense lawyer sure I was pulling for Mick earthing the key fact or piece who has an edge and his ethics are questionable. But he is of evidence that would make when the cash was flowing; I charming and terribly flawed, Paul Drake (Perry Mason) can’t stop myself.

What is the reality factor for so the audience quickly proud.

this lawyer movie? Actually, pretty high; certainly above average. I spent way too much time during the movie, trying to analyze the legal nuances of the story and pondering the probable reaction of my criminal defense lawyer friends.

Since I only practice civil law, I defer to the criminal defense bar concerning some of the ethical dilemmas of Mick, but you will understand his quandary as well.

Please note that I am staying clear of the plot details as this is a mystery so I don’t want to spoil the ride for you. This movie had enormous chemistry for developing a suspenseful storyline much to the credit of Director Brad Furman and novelist Michael Connelly who was a newspaper crime reporter.

My audience was fully engaged and large for midday on a Friday. “The Lincoln Lawyer” will be a big success at the box office and McConaughey

Bottom row: Mac McCallum; Angela Byrd; Carl Hicks, M.D. Middle row: Rick Safier; Lowell Stanton; Timothy Sitter, M.D. Top Row: Steve Alexander and Ray Valdez, M.D.

is the huge winner! The pretty boy from UT and Uvalde, TX, was magnificent in several scenes and it was the best work he’s done in years. The entire ensemble was cast well and made this movie into a memorable, noteworthy film.

Not just oil, Pennzoil

Thomas J. Parr, M.D. We understand athletes.

Orthopedic Surgeon

to Soccer Elites, World Cup Players, & International Professionals

281-491-7111 Dr. Tom Parr plays on a recreational, over 30, co-ed soccer team.

AUTOMOBILE: Lexus GX460

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The all-new Lexus IS 350 all-drive model and the optional new F sport package may be the tickets Lexus executives are hoping will earn their vehicles a place in younger hearts.

For 2011 Lexus revised the front and rear design of the IS 350 sports sedan into a faster more aggressive looking vehicle and added a 3.5 liter DOHC, 24 valve V8 dual VVTi – that makes 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. torque.

Lexus says the rear-wheel test drive IS 350 can go from 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. The motor is mated to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with a throttle control system and the steering wheel has shift paddles.

Miles per gallon are estimated at 20 in city driving and 27 on the highway. Front and rear disc brakes have ventilated rotors and aluminum fourpiston front calipers. The test drive came with the F sport package option.

The package adds $2,440 to the retail price of $38,570 and includes 18-inch tires, sport suspension, sport pedals, aluminum scuff plates, dark graphite alloy wheels with all season tires, front lip spoiler, rear decklid spoiler, sport grill, sport steering wheel with shift knob sport seat with microfiber insert and heated front seats.

As for the IS 350’s revised looks they include a new front grille and bumper while the rear of the sport sedan got a new taillamp cover and revised tailpipe design. New HID headlamps with LED

daytime running lamps are standard on the IS 350 along with 17-inch wheels. Eighteen-inch wheels are optional.

The Lexus IS 350 provides a sporty driving experience and a supple, quiet ride. The vehicle’s fully independent suspension is double-wishbone in front and multi-link in the rear. Monotube shock absorbers optimize damping, and internal rebound springs provide

firmer body control.

Safety features on the IS 350 four-door sedan include anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, smart stop- technology, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button and tire pressure monitor.

Luxury and convenience features include push but-

ton start/stop, 10-way power adjustable driver’s and front passenger seats, all-leather seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, power tilt/slide moonroof, three-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel with manual tilt/telescope with audio and cruise controls, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps, driver information center with trip computer, premium audio system with 13 speakers and automatic sound levelizer, power windows, door locks and steering, fold out front door pockets with water bottle holder and trunk pass through.

A navigation system and intuitive parking assist with front and rear sensors were options installed on the test drive IS 350 so the bottom line total was $44,112.

The IS 350 combines sporty good looks with fun performance and numerous Lexus creature comforts for what can be an exhilarating ride/drive wrapped up in luxury.

The plot revelations never stopped building and taking the audience to new places.

This is an enjoyable, challenging, and fun movie.

Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 90. Larry H. sugarlaw@larryharrison.com

Call us first directly from the field!

You may be able to save both time & money.

Physician Assistant, Ashley Donnell (#25), played defense for the University of Denver on an athletic scholarship.

www.tomparrmd.net www.FtBendSportsMedicine.com 14090 Southwest Fwy, #130, Sugar Land, TX 77478

PROUDLY SERVING FORT BEND SINCE 1981

RUSSELL C. JONES THELMA HOLOWAY JONES LEWIS W. “CHIP” SMITH IV JANICE W. SUCHYTA ● Real Estate ● Health Care Law ● ● Banking ● Creditors' Rights ● Collections ● ● Business and Corporate Law ● Immigration ● ● Business Litigation ● Mergers and Acquisitions ● ● Estate Planning ● Probate ● ● Property Owners' Associations ● In the Sugar Land Industrial Park 407 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land, Tx. 77478 281-242-8100 rjones@jonesattorneys.com www.jonesattorneys.com AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

THE TIME IS NOW, THE WAIT IS OVER www.RemaxFine.com 281-265-5533 281-2655533 Highway 6 & Austin Parkway We Can Show You ANY House Listed!

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 23, 2011

Outstanding High School Senior from Sugar Land

C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N

Interested in + Career enhancement

+ Coursework to meet licensure or certification + Learning more about a hobby or special interest + Finding out if you’re ready for college Then check out WCJC Continuing Education Spring 2011 courses starting Jan. 18 Q

Day, night, weekend and online classes Quality courses with professional instructors Q Register at our four campuses: Wharton, Bay City, Sugar Land & Richmond Q Classes now available at the El Campo Northside Center Q

Classes Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Computer Applications Microsoft Office Suite Introduction (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access) Healthcare Provider CPR and CPR Refresher Classes Beginning Spanish Beginning Web Design Basic Motorcycle Operator Bank Teller Training Concealed Handgun License Course

Programs Q Q Q Q Q Q

Certified Nurse Aide Training Pharmacy Technician Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) Phlebotomy Technician Pharmaceutical Aseptic Technique Child Development Associate (CDA)

One Sugar Land student, Adelle Buede, stands out above the rest. Adelle will be graduating from The Turning Point Academy in May. Her efforts have been so extraordinary that U.S. Rep. Pete Olson nominated her for The United States Military Academy, West Point.

After years of competitive swimming, she began playing club volleyball for Fort Bend Fire and for the Texas Tornados. Most athletic students have a difficult time juggling competitive sports with academics… but Adelle is ranked in the top 5 percent of her class. She will graduate with honors.

Adelle has been nominated for three military awards this year: The U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, the Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, and the Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award. She’s also been awarded an NROTC full scholarship and an Embry Riddle Scholarship where, if she chooses, she can pursue Aeronautical Engineering. She says, “My first choice for the future would be to attend The United States Military Academy West Point. I can’t imagine anything more rewarding than serving my country… and receiving an exceptional education!” Since she comes from a military family, Adelle knows about service. Through her church, St. Laurence, she has participated in numerous community outreach programs. She raises money for cancer research with her athleticism. She participated in the clean-up after Hurricane Ike, earning a Volunteer’s Excellence award. Every year she volunteers for the Impact a Hero event.

For a complete listing of current classes and programs, please visit www.wcjc.edu and select Continuing Education from the Educational Programs Quick Jump pull-down menu at top right.

Wharton County Junior College Continuing Education Department 281.239.1531 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays www.wcjc.edu

Dulles High Sophomore wins prize in International Math Competition

Locations of Continuing Education Courses Wharton, Bay City & El Campo: 979.532.6324 Sugar Land: 281.243.8495 Richmond: 281.239.1531

Bobby Shen

Dulles High School sophomore Bobby Shen was one of six students selected to compete on the USA Math Team in the 4th Annual Romanian Master of Mathematics and Sciences (RMMS), held in Bucharest, Romania February 23-28. RMMS is an international mathematics and science olympiad that provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their abilities in mathematics and science, exchange knowledge and enhance cross-cultural contacts in high school education. Teams representing 15 countries from around the world competed in this year’s contest. Shen was the highest individual scorer among all U.S. representatives, with a total 30 points, earning him a 3rd place medal in the mathematics contest. Due to his outstanding performance and significant contributions to his team, the USA Mathematics Team won the World Champion title, beating the defending champion team from Russia, as well as other powerful competitors representing Hungary, Great Britain, China and Serbia.

BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN? The Spine Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the comprehensive, coordinated option for you in Fort Bend County.

For back and neck pain, there’s only one premier choice – Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Spine Center. Whether you’ve had pain for just a few days or several long years, you’ll find everything you need to diagnose and treat your condition in a convenient location, with access to premier spine specialists and a complete range of treatment options.

Getting started is easy. We will guide you through a customized treatment plan, with expedited access to world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons and interventional pain specialists. Plus, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the most advanced imaging and surgical technologies in the world are available on-site.

Stop enduring pain. Call today and begin your personal treatment plan. 281-313-BACK (2225).

Spine Center 16655 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-274-7000 • MethodistSugarLand.com

LEADING MEDICINE®

Adelle Buede