Fort Bend Independent by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 3 No. 12

Phone: 281-980-6745 PRSRT STD

www.fbindependent.com

U.S. POSTAGE PAID STAFFORD, TX PERMIT NO.10

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010

Impact A Hero weekend set for June 5

Front Row: Army Specialist Dillon Canon, Army Sergeant Javier Negret’e; Back Row: Annell Bay, Vice President of World Wide Exploration for Marathon Oil Corp., Marine Corporal Aaron Mankin, Army Staff Sergeant Michelle Mitchell, Army Sergeant Sergio Trejo, Marine Corporal Steven Schultz, Army Corporal Andrew Powers , Marine Captain Chris Ayres, Army Staff Sergeant James Johnson, W. James Hoelker, Chairman of the Board, Impact A Hero and Randy McIlvoy, KPRC Sports Director. Impact a Hero and KPRC’s efforts in supporting our na- several of his coaches and Sports Director Randy McIl- tion’s wounded veterans dur- players will participate with voy hosted the Sixth Annual ing Impact a Hero Weekend’s our wounded heroes. Impact a Hero Weekend-Kick 5K Walk, Run and Wheel KKBQ-FM and KTHT-FM off Party at Marathon Oil Cor- on June 5, beginning at 7:30 crews will entertain the crowd poration in Houston recently. a.m. at Mercer Stadium, Sug- with music and games for the Special guest and keynote ar Land Over the past three patrons and participants. speaker was Marine Cpl. Aar- years, Marathon Oil Corp. has On Sunday, June 6, at 5 on P. Mankin. donated more than $210,000 p.m. Impact A Hero, Hall of Annell Bay, Vice President to Impact Player Partners. Fame Gala Dinner will be of World Wide Exploration Impact A Hero gives Hous- held at the Sugar Land Marfor Marathon Oil Corp. pre- tonians an opportunity to join riott Hotel. sented Jim Hoelker, Chair- national celebrities at Impact The Impact A Hero Golf man of the governing board a Hero Weekend, June 5-7. Challenge will be held Monfor Impact Player Partners This year, Impact A Hero an- day, June 7, at 10 a.m. at with a $50,000 check at the ticipates more than 2,000 run- Champions Golf Club with 2010 Impact Player Partners ners, including 50 wounded Honorary Chairmen Jackie kick-off party. heroes and their families. Burke and Peter Jacobsen. The donation will go toHouston Texans Head footVisit www.impactahero.org wards Impact Player Partners’ ball Coach Gary Kubiak and for more details.

Incumbents face keen challenge in Missouri City

By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson and two at-large council members Tom Abraham and Jacquie Chaumette have been elected unopposed, but their counterparts in Missouri City are facing a contest in the May city council elections. Sitting councilmember Cynthia Lenton-Gary has filed to run against incumbent Mayor Allen Owen. Owen has been Missouri City mayor since 1994 and he was a council member for eight years prior to that. Cynthia Gary is in the middle of her second two-year term and she won the District B council seat in 2007, defeating the then incumbent Don Smith. Similarly, Wyatt has been a councilmember from 1981 to 1994 and again an at-large

councilmember since 1998. Wyatt is director of occupational health and safety at the Memorial Hermann Wyatt Hospital. Wyatt is opposed by Anthony G. Maroulis. Maroulis, a healthcare service operations manager, currently serves as vice- chairman of the Missouri City Parks and Recreation Board. Maroulis says, “If elected I will be receptive to community concerns & citizen input. I will work to seek solutions. I will dedicate my efforts to making the City Council more reflective of the concerns of the community. “I have been speaking with

residents and business owners; they are frustrated and they feel they are not getting back Maroulis what they are putting in. We are a city without a hospital, a movie theatre, or a community pool. We call ourselves the SHOW ME City but many feel it is the OWE me city. We have the BEST police team in the area. Our Fire Department is first class. Missouri City has so much potential.” “I am all about Family. If you have seen me in public then chances are you have seen me with my kids. We do everything together and they See MO CITY, Page 3

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

Time to Boogie

All eyes will be on “Elvis”, Saturday, March 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Stafford Centre celebrating his 75th birthday. Boogie event chair Alina Gonzalez, Heather Gould, Telfair by Newland Communities; “Elvis”, Liz Welch, Chevron; and Judy Turpie, PCCA. The Fort Bend County fun-filled event. Pre-event his audience. Women’s Center, along with entertainment will introduce Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes title sponsor, PCCA, will be a hip shaking, lip-curling, will take stage afterwards. shaking up Fort Bend County first-class Elvis Tribute Artist Boogie is the Women’s celebrating the King of Rock by the name of Ralph Elizon- Center’s fabulous ‘50s and ‘n Roll, Elvis’ 75th Birthday do. He is the #1 rated Elvis ‘60s annual fundraiser bringBash at the Stafford Centre on in Texas and in Houston and ing out over 900 plus guests. Saturday, March 27 beginning has performed before crowds Proceeds from this fundraisat 6:30 p.m. of 10,000-15,000 receiving er provide emergency shelter, If you like to dance, if you standing ovations. crisis intervention, counsellike to watch a great show, Complimenting Elizon- ing and other support services and if you are looking for fun, do’s performance is the Fred to victims of family violence then you are going to love to Astaire Studio professional and sexual assault and their attend Boogie. dancers swinging to Jailhouse children to achieve safety and Michael Garfield, The Rock and other famous tunes. self-sufficiency. For more inHigh-Tech Texan radio and Equally impressive is the formation email boogie@fortTV personality will serve as endless repertoire of songs bendwomenscenter.org or call master of ceremonies for this and costumes Elizondo offers 281-344-5757.

Easter Egg Hunts in the area Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and River Pointe Church will co-host the 3rd Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3 at 10 a.m. on the church grounds at 5000 Ransom Rd. in Richmond. The event is Fort Bend County’s largest Easter egg hunt with 15,000 eggs. Children can also greet Topper, the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital mascot, and the Chick-fil-A cow. Other activities include inflatables, face painting and tours of the Children’s Memorial Hermann Transport Team pediatric ambulance and the Richmond Fire Department fire engine. The Easter egg hunt is open to all children in the community, ages 2 through grade 5. The event starts promptly at 10 a.m. so please allow time for parking. The Triumph Christian Center will host an Easter Egg Hunt on April 2, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Crabb River Road at FM 762, Richmond. There will also be one of the largest eggs hunts with 30,000 eggs. The City of Sugar Land

will again host an egg hunt for children with special needs on Saturday, March 27, at Eldridge Park, 2511 Eldridge Road. A “Beeping Bunnies Egg Hunt” is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. and will include beeping eggs hidden among plush bunnies for children with vision impairments and a course with eggs hidden at accessible heights for children with mobility impairments. When possible, eggs will be adjusted during the “Beeping Bunnies” event to suit the skill levels of children with other special needs. “Our goal is to host events for all types of individuals

with special needs and their families,” said Event Production Manager Teresa Preza. The egg hunts for children with special needs will be ongoing throughout the afternoon. Other activities will include free photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a petting zoo, children’s DJ, a stilt walking Daisy, crafts and activities provided by local businesses and a demonstration of the art of Origami, including an opportunity to make bunnies, butterflies and other interesting shapes from paper. The Sugar Land Lion’s Club plans to sell refreshments at the pavilion in the park.

10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar www.fbindependent.com Publisher & Editor 281-980-6745 Fort Bend Independent is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodical postage application pending. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

Looking at the whole you. Just one of the many advantages of having a medical home with a Primary Care Physician. Establish a medical home with a Primary Care Physician near you. Call 713.222.CARE or visit memorialhermann.org.

Page 2 â&#x20AC;˘ INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 24, 2010

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MARCH 24, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

Community news Four vie for three Stafford City Council seats

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner 21 years of experience!

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com TELFAIR 1 story Village Builder home over 3100 sqft! Built in 2007. 3 bedrooms & study. Gourmet oversized island kitchen with granite.T ile and Hardwoods thru-out. Upgrades galore! Priced to go fast!

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draw down the fund balance to an uncomfortable level” either in order to pay the bills. Sorbet has lived in Stafford for 13 years. He came from New Orleans to Houston to work for Brown and Root. He and his wife have four children who have all graduated from SMSD. While Sorbet has the least time on council Cecil Willis has the most. He has been a public servant for 13 terms on city council and is running for his 14th. Willis got into government service thanks to always “having had an interest in government” and because his uncle, an attorney, was a state representative. Willis first ran for a seat on the water board and then city council. “A vacancy on council came up and I filed. Nobody ran against me so I got in the first time I ever ran. When I came back to council in 2000 only three of us filed for three seats so every other term I’ve had an election,” Willis said. Of all those years of work, he said, “It’s been a distinct honor and privilege to serve the residents of Stafford.” He also said he’s running on his record and not on rhetoric. “I still believe in zero property taxes, a strong, sound fiscal policy and I support our outstanding police and fire departments and maintaining our ISO rating of one, which saves people money on their insurance.” Willis said he believes the cornerstone of Stafford and its numerous successes are its residents “and the diversity we have in this city. We need to continue to embrace that diversity and build on it and not allow anyone or anything to divide or drive a wedge between Stafford citizens.” This past term, Willis said he’s most proud of the U.S. 90A completion, the lighting

and landscaping that is now underway and the big entry markers that tell people they are entering Stafford. The councilman is a native of San Antonio who came to the Houston area in 1996 because employment opportunities were prevalent here. The Texas A&M graduate has called Stafford home for 34 years. Ken Mathew, the current Stafford mayor pro tem, is seeking his third term as a city councilman. He was born in India and with his wife immigrated to the U.S. in 1976. He got a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Detroit, and in 1981 the couple moved to Houston “because it was booming.” He “got a nice job in finance” and lived in Houston for three years before moving to Stafford for the school district.” Mathew said he ran for city council to begin with thanks to the influence of his father. “Back in India my father is a known person in the community where he lives. He had the respect of the community and I saw people coming to him for advice regarding politics. I grew up in that environment and it’s been in my mind since childhood,” he said. The same thinking prompted him to seek a third term. “I really have a passion to do service for the community.” He pointed out that he is not a politician and has no particular party affiliation, has no personal agenda and “really wants to serve the people and do some good things for the people.” Since he ran for and joined city council he said he’s proud of the improving look of the city, which is “very, very important. As for taxes you cannot beat Stafford, and the crime rates are low when compared to neighboring cit-

Sorbet By BARBARA FULENWIDER This election season four candidates are vying for three seats on the Stafford City Council and three of the four are incumbents seeking reelection. Council Members Cecil Willis, Ken Mathew, and Robert Sorbet want to continue their public service while Mike Guerra, a former Stafford Municipal School District trustee, hopes to unseat one of them. Robert Sorbet is running for his second city council term. Sorbet, a native of New Orleans, said he ran for the first time two years ago because members of the community urged him to and he’s running for re-election for the same reason. “I asked people if they want to see me continue and I got affirmative answers so I filed again.” The incumbent is in electrical sales and believes that his professional expertise helped Stafford land a $380,000 FEMA grant. The grant will enable the city to buy backup generators for the police station and city hall so the city will be “fully operational in the event of another hurricane,” Sorbet said. After Hurricane Ike downed numerous power lines, the Stafford police station was without air conditioning. Sorbet has also been involved in SMSD’s hiring a firm to implement the district’s first strategic study. “From a unique standpoint those two things I’ve been involved in stand out,” Sorbet said. The biggest upcoming problem the councilman sees is weathering the recession “because Stafford is dependent on sales tax income. We don’t have to do any layoffs, cut benefits or do anything like that to make sure we stay in sound financial shape,” Sorbet said, but added that he also doesn’t “want to

Guerra ies,” Mathew said. Mathew is seeking a third term because he wants to get zoning done on the island corridor and Murphy Road, he said, and he wants “to see SMSD brought back to its former glory. I have to give credit to Superintendent H.D. Chambers. Ever since he’s taken over you see he’s done a very good job. I want him to stay with us.” The challenger, Mike Guerra, was born in 1958 in Kansas City, MO. He came to Houston in 1970 when his father, a postal worker, was transferred here. He works as a purchasing agent and operations manager for a masonry contractor and has lived in Stafford for 21 years “because I like the country living within a big city atmosphere.” He said friends and family encouraged him to run for a seat on the SMSD school board so he did and served for seven years. During those seven years he said he was proud of “reducing teacher turnover, balancing the budget, increasing the district’s fund balances and hiring one of the best superintendents we’ve ever had.” Last spring Guerra filed to run in SMSD’s general election in May but withdrew. This year he said he decided to run for city council because he “thought it was time for new faces and new beginnings. “I think for years the current and past administrations have done a great job promoting the commercial side of Stafford, and I think it’s time now to focus on the residents and the city in general. We’ve got corporations moving their headquarters into Stafford but they aren’t moving their residents here. I would like to turn that around somehow if we can. I want to try to develop the city and grow housing that is upper tier,” Guerra said.

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How about a worry-free insurance plan especially for people age 45 and over?* State Auto’s new Prime of LifeSM Plan provides expanded insurance coverages and substantial premium discounts on auto and homeowners insurance for qualifying customers age 45 and over*! As part of the Prime of Life Plan, you’ll enjoy enhanced coverages for when you travel, anywhere in the U.S.A. or Canada. Call your State Auto agent today for more information. Texans Insurance &enhancements/discounts Financial Group, *Qualifying age and coverage vary byInc state. 101 Southwestern Blvd, Ste 230 Sugar Land, TX 77478-3535 PH (281)277-7800 FAX (281)277-7801 basil@texansinsure.com Your best insurance is a good agent. “Friends you can depend on”

Meadowcreek HOA lands in factional fight Four board members of the Meadowcreek Homeowners Association in Missouri City have filed a lawsuit against the association and five other board members. A hearing on the lawsuit has been scheduled for March 29 in the 400th Judicial Court presided by Judge Cliff Vacek.

MO City From Page 1 will be involved in my campaign. I have already promoted my oldest daughter to Graphics Director and my youngest is the Assistant Campaign Treasurer.” “I am extremely excited and energized about this op-

Russell Jones of the Holloway Jones Law Firm, the association’s legal counsel, has received notice of the lawsuit. Lewis W. “Chip” Smith, with the Jones Law Firm, who handles the association matters, said he has not yet seen the copy of the lawsuit. It is believed that the two

groups of board members have some disagreement over the interpretation of the bylaws. It is also said that the group suing the association may want to fire the association’s attorney. Smith said his firm is not likely to represent the association in the lawsuit and the association’s insurance under-

writers will hire an attorney to defend the association. The suing board members are representing themselves in this case. Though it is a fight between two factions in an association, the lawsuit may have some interesting legal ramifications for HOAs in general.

portunity. I am committed to my city. My campaign is MOving MO City Forward,” says Maroulis. “I will represent Missouri City well. I especially want to hear from those who are raising families here. They are our future and they should be the framework to MOving MO City forward,”Maroulis said.

Wyatt says he is running for re-election because “I believe voters want experienced and qualified representation.” “After all, it is the voters who have repeatedly put me in office and I am very proud the voters allow me to continue representing them. For the voters, this race is about having qualified, honest representation knowledgeable

about local government which I have demonstrated continuously over the years,” Wyatt says. Wyatt compares Maroulis’ experience of PTO publicity chairman and six months on the Missouri City Parks Board to his own service of nearly 26 years including chairman of the city’s budget committee, utilities committee, and

the benefits and compensation committee to name a few. “Missouri City needs continued Leadership and with the voters’ approval I am willing to continue serving,” he says. The at-large position 2 is an open seat as incumbent Buddy Jimerson is not seeking re-election. Four candidates Kevin

Tunstall, healthcare admininstrator, Danny Nguyen, business owner, Yolanda Ford, planner, and Judith Neil Dupre, insurance executive, have filed for this position. The election is on May 8. Profiles of other candidates will be published in future weeks.

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Physician Nik Nikam, MD Sugar Land Heart Center 16659 S.W. FWY, #361 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-265-7567 www.sugarlandheartcenter.com

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 24, 2010

Opinion The View From Sugar Land Choosing the nation’s lawyers By RUSSELL C. JONES Earlier this month, it was revealed that Attorney General Eric Holder has engaged the services of nine attorneys who have a history of having given free legal services to terrorists being held at Guantánamo Bay. What is the job for which they have been hired? Of course, it is the prosecution of Gitmo terrorists in U.S. courts. Holder has refused to identify most of the lawyers, and defends their selection by comparing the Gitmo terrorists to mass murderer Charles Manson. To Holder’s way of thinking, the terrorists should have the same rights in American courts as any other common criminal. The folly of Holder’s decision has been argued again and again. Amazingly, even some Republicans have come forward to defend his position. In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey defended the selection of the attorneys on the grounds that lawyers should not be judged by the clients whom they defend. He compared these attorneys to the lawyer for Bernard Madoff, who was roundly criticized for his selection of clients. Mukasey correctly observed that a lawyer who represents a party has an ethical obligation to make any and all tenable legal arguments that will help that party. A lawyer who undertakes to represent someone whom his neighbors—perhaps rightly—revile as a threat to the public welfare is obligated to bring his talents to bear. But Mukasey distorts the issue involved in the question of which lawyers Holder should employ to prosecute terrorist cases. The question is not

Jones whether lawyers should represent their clients diligently, but rather whether lawyers who have taken on terrorist detainees as clients on a voluntary basis in the first place should be hired to prosecute other detainees. Every lawyer chooses his clients. To an even greater extent, every lawyer chooses his pro bono clients. In this case, these lawyers had to go out of their way to find terrorist clients for whom they could volunteer their services. They did not choose to defend the poor widow who was about to have her home foreclosed, nor did they choose to provide legal services to an indigent mentally retarded client who needed to have a guardian appointed. It is the choice of the pro bono clients that was made by these lawyers that demonstrates their political bias and their unfitness for the roles to which they have been appointed. For a lawyer to prosecute a case diligently–and to do it for free--he must first believe in what he is doing. If these lawyers diligently defended their terrorist clients, they believed in what they were doing as a philosophical matter. It is sim-

ply impossible for them now to turn around and take the opposite position with the same enthusiasm and moral conviction. Mr. Holder needs to employ attorneys who believe in the cause of prosecuting the terrorists, not individuals who have given away their valuable time in support of the very cause which they are now sworn to defeat. Some have compared the role of these lawyers to that of John Adams, who defended British redcoats following the Boston Massacre. They were as reviled then as the Gitmo terrorists are today. Maybe, but John Adams did not keep his identity secret from the public, nor did he turn around within a very brief time and attempt to become a prosecutor of the very same type of defendants. It is said that Holder’s own law firm has contributed more than a million dollars worth of legal defense time to terrorists held at Gitmo. Perhaps that fact alone explains many of the bizarre decisions which have come out of his office, including terrorist trials in New York City and Miranda rights for the Christmas day airplane bomber. Some commentators say Obama is in the process of marginalizing Holder’s role in the administration, perhaps first to be evidenced by a forthcoming compromise on the closing of the Gitmo itself. Let’s believe it when we see it. (Jones is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Sugar Land and serves as Councilman for District 3. He was first elected to the City Council in 2003. He owns a law firm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.)

MUSINGS: Where to start By JANICE SCANLAN After the past couple of weeks, where do I start? Can’t cover it all, so I’ll pick. Good news: Missouri City’s business parks are starting to negotiate more and larger leases. This corresponds with a general trend --business is ready to get back to business. However, in talking with companies that operate from growth and building, many projects are still on hold and suppliers predict a flat year in 2010. So it may be another year or more before this translates into jobs. I need to take a new poll, but I understand credit is still tight, but I haven’t called a cross section yet. Healthcare: I won’t attempt to “out doctor” or “out philosophize;” so at the risk of being called intellectually dishonest from having a different opinion, I’ll offer my opinion as a small business person. When I had employees, most of my administrative time was taken with insurance matters—and this was in 1985-2000 when coverage and cost was more predictable. However, being in a small pool for small businesses, the waves were already crashing in. The principle of insurance used to be spreading the risk, and that you invested to have peace of mind. I’ll just ask, do you have peace of mind that your health insurance (or home in-

Scanlan surance for that matter) will pay a claim without a hassle or invoking a gimmick? As an individual policy holder, I don’t. This attitude comes from experience. When I had employees, the approach the health insurance representative took was that my employees were a pit of vipers waiting to strike the insurance company and take advantage of me. What I saw, was people who did their best not to get sick nor abuse their healthcare or providers. But it depends if you see costs or if you see people. The year my business got a fairly large increase, the insurance rep called to deliver the news . . . that one guy got cancer and ran up a big bill so we all had to pay for it. This was not said kindly or even matter-offactly. It was callous and im-

plied this individual sought to get sick. Well, this was more than an individual to me. It was my former partner who lost a very hard battle to cancer. I can assure you, he did not want to cost the insurance company in this manner. Again, perspective is how you look at things. It’s okay to mandate automobile insurance, so what is different about healthcare if the principle is spread the risk? Do we have to constantly fine tune and monitor what does and does not work? Yes, we need doctors, hospitals, healthcare and healthcare innovation. And we need sober, level heads who can factor in all the stakeholder’s perspectives. It’s the “I have mine, to heck with you” attitude that seems to be part of this debate that bothers me. And my perspective is we need healthcare that helps us stay well, that addresses those who are sick, and truly spreads the risk among a big population. But we have responsibility to take better care of ourselves, eat better (and less), exercise more, etc. And you can do that by walking in the Telfair Charity of Your Choice Walk April 10. It benefits 14 worthy Fort Bend charities. Register and choose your charity at www.charityofyourchoicewalk.com . Write to open.space@earthlink.net.

Send your comments Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

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

or opinions by email to editor @fbindependent.com

Texas Straight Talk Healthcare reform passes By RON PAUL Following months of heated public debate and aggressive closed-door negotiations, Congress finally cast a historic vote on healthcare late Sunday evening. It was truly a sad weekend on the House floor as we witnessed further dismantling of the Constitution, disregard of the will of the people, explosive expansion of the reach of government, unprecedented corporate favoritism, and the impending end of quality healthcare as we know it. Those in favor of this bill touted their good intentions of ensuring quality healthcare for all Americans, as if those of us against the bill are against good medical care. They cite fanciful statistics of deficit reduction, while simultaneously planning to expand the already struggling medical welfare programs we currently have. They somehow think that healthcare in this country will be improved by swelling our welfare rolls and cutting reimbursement payments to doctors who are already losing money. It is estimated that thousands of doctors will be economically forced out of the profession should this government fuzzy math actually try to become healthcare reality. No one has thought to ask what good mandatory health insurance will be if people can’t find a doctor. Legislative hopes and dreams don’t always stand up well against economic realities. Frustratingly, this legisla-

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul tion does not deal at all with the real reasons access to healthcare is a struggle for so many – the astronomical costs. If tort reform was seriously discussed, if the massive regulatory burden on healthcare was reduced and reformed, if the free market was allowed to function and apply downward pressure on healthcare costs as it does with everything else, perhaps people wouldn’t be so beholden to insurance companies in the first place. If costs were lowered, more people could simply pay for what they need out of pocket, as they were able to do before government got so involved. Instead, in the name of going after greedy insurance companies, the federal government is going to make people even more beholden to them by mandating that everyone buy their product! Hefty fines are due from anyone found to have committed the heinous crime of not being a customer of a health insurance company. We will need to hire some 16,500 new IRS agents to police compli-

ance with all these new mandates and administer various fines. So in government terms, this is also a jobs bill. Never mind that this program is also likely to cost the private sector some 5 million jobs. Of course, the most troubling aspect of this bill is that it is so blatantly unconstitutional and contrary to the ideals of liberty. Nowhere in the constitution is there anything approaching authority for the Federal government to do any of this. The founders would have been horrified at the idea of government forcing citizens to become consumers of a particular product from certain government approved companies. 38 states are said to already be preparing legal and constitutional challenges to this legislation, and if the courts stand by their oaths, they will win. Protecting the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, should be the court’s responsibility. Citizens have a responsibility over their own life, but they also have the liberty to choose how they will live and protect their lives. Healthcare choices are a part of liberty, another part that is being stripped away. Government interference in healthcare has already infringed on choices available to people, but rather than getting out of the way, it is entrenching itself, and its corporatist cronies, even more deeply. (Ron Paul represents the 14th Congressional District in Texas.)

MARCH 24, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

Free tax help at Fort Bend County Libraries Fort Bend County Libraries will again host representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who will provide free income-tax-preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers at several locations in the Fort Bend County library system. Patrons should bring last year’s tax return to the session. April’s schedules are as follows: • George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond; Room 2B: Thursdays, April 1, 8, 15; 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Saturday, April 10; 10:00

a.m to 1:00 p.m. • Cinco Ranch Branch, 2620 Commercial Center Boulevard, Katy; Meeting Room 1: Mondays, April 5, 12; 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. •Sugar Land Branch, 550 Eldridge; Conference Room: Wednesdays, April 7, 14; 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. •First Colony Branch, 2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land; Conference Room: Tuesdays, April 6, 13; 10:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, April 7, 14; 10:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. •Missouri City Branch,

Light of Hope Child Advocates of Fort Bend, along with Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend, and Exchange Club of Sugar Land will mark the beginning of April Child Abuse Prevention Month Friday, March 26, 6 p.m. at the Sugar Land Town Square Plaza (in front of City Hall) with their annual Light of Hope event. The event will include: •Ceremony to kick off April Child Abuse Prevention Month •Featuring Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson, 328th Judicial District Court Judge Ron Pope, former foster child, 300 area Girl Scouts. •Singing by Sugar Land recording artist Debbie Fancher and former Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace •CAFB’s expanded blue ribbon quilt will be unveiled To call attention to the fact that child abuse exists in every community and build community support in the fight against abuse, Child Advocates of Fort Bend speaks up for abused and neglected children. More than 8,000 abused and neglected children have been served since its opened its doors in 1991. On average, it serves more than 400 children each month between our two programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Children’s Advocacy Center. PUBLIC NOTICE OF TEST OF AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT 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 April 13, 2010, will be tested on April 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.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 13 de Abril del 2010 se probara el 1 de Abril del 2010 a las 2 p.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. /s/ John Oldham Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Administrador de Elecciones del Condado de Fort Bend 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 15, 2010 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 10-076 – EMPLOYEE, DEPENDENT AND RETIREE ON-SITE MEDICAL A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2010 starting at 10:00 AM. Respondent’s are encouraged to attend. The conference will convene at the County Purchasing Agent’s Office located at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Texas. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 23RD day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-160299 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUNTY & ET AL, Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,083.62 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -BEN MITANI had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: LOT 35, BLOCK 11 OUT OF FRESNO GARDENS SUBDIVISION SITUATED IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AS SHOWN IN VOLUME 426 PAGE 675 OF THE DEED AND PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 3300000113500907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $134,500.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

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 1, 2010 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 10-077 – CONSTRUCTION OF TWO (2) BASEBALL FIELDS AND REQUIRED FENCING IN THE BUFFALO BAYOU PARK AND TRAIL SYSTEM Lump sum pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Performance and Payment 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 CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-172498 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET -AL, Plaintiff, for the sum of $5,071.57 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - LAWRENCE E. GARVIN & ETAL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: TRACT 12, OAKWICK FOREST ESTATES SECTION 2, 1.0779 ACRE TRACT OF LAND BEING PART OF A 44.476 ACRE TRACT OF LAND IN THE MOSES SHIPMAN SURVEY, ABSTRACT 86, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, BEING PART OF A CALLED 198.91 ACRE TRACT OF LAND DESCRIBED IN DEED RECORDED IN VOLUME 605, PAGE 382, FORT BEND COUNTY DEED RECORDS (0086000004751907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $66,830.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

1530 Texas Parkway; Meeting Room: Tuesdays, April 6, 13; 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, April 1, 8, 15; 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. •Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch, 8100 FM 359 South, Fulshear; Meeting Room: Saturday, April 10; 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Income-tax forms may be obtained at any of the branch 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 8, 2010 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 10-080 – LEASE OF PROPERTY FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened. 1. BID 10-078 60 TON TRAILER; 2. BID 10-079 DUMP TRUCKS. Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Performance and Payment 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 CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 1ST day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-170197 in favor of the Plaintiff - WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,183.40 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - STEVEN D. ALLEN AND CHERI ALLEN had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT THIRTY-THREE (33), BLOCK ONE (1) 0F WATERSIDE ESTATES, SECTION FIVE (5) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2069/A OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 1506 LAKE HOLBROOK LANE, RICHMOND, TEXAS 77469. Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $448,840.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306 CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 20TH day of JANUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-166494 in favor of the Plaintiff - MISSION GLEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC, Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,053.99 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 11TH day of FEBRUARY, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) TIFFANY SMAULDON had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 18, BLOCK 14,OF QUAIL VALLEY EAST SUBDIVISION, SECTION 3, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 11, PAGE 1 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $101,110.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

libraries in the Fort Bend County library system during regular library hours. This service is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the library’s Public Information Office at 281-341-2677. CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 12TH day of JANUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-166546 in favor of the Plaintiff - QUAIL VALLEY EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff, for the sum of $3,141.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - VALENTIN GARCIA AND JUDITH GARCIA had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 3 IN BLOCK 31 OF QUAIL VALLEY EAST SUBDIVISION, SECTION 5, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 15, PAGE 3 IN THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $105,350.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434th District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on JAN 26, 2010 in cause numbered 08DCV166658 styled NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. vs. AGUSTUS EDET, in which a judgment was rendered on JAN 8, 2009 in favor of NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. for the sum of FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SIX DOLLARS AND THIRTY FIVE CENTS ($4406.35); 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 23, 2010 and will on APRIL 6,2010 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 AGUSTUS EDET to and in the following described Real Property LOT FIFTY-TWO (52) IN BLOCK ONE (1) OF NEW TERRITORY PARCEL SF-3 (BRANDONS POINT) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 1728/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, (THE PROPERTY) ALSO KNOWN AS : 4607 PLATO PARK., SUGAR LAND, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS 7747 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: APRIL 6, 2010 TIME: APPROX. 10:00 am BY: SGT. M. KUTACH TROY E. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-161660 in favor of the Plaintiff -FORT BEND COUNTY & ET- AL Plaintiff, for the sum of $37,725.25 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - MIGUEL ANGEL V. DEL CASTILLO & ET- AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT1: LOT 16, IN BLOCK 2 0F SIENNA STEEP BANK VILLAGE, SECTION SIX-A, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO.1933/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 8130610020160907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $251,400.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

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CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on February 1, 2010 by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-155960 in favor of the Plaintiff - SIENNA PLANTATION RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,064.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on FEBRUARY 3RD, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - SANDRA L. BOSWELL had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 44, BLOCK 3, SIENNAVILLAGE OF ANDERSON SPRINGS, SECTION FOUR-A, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO. 20040085, PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (THE “PROPERTY”) ALSO KNOWN AS 7518 BLUE GAP, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS 77459. Terms: Cash, Sale to held at or about 11 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

RUBEN DAVIS, CONSTABLE, Precinct 2 Fort Bend County , Texas By Gary Majors #73 CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 1ST day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-171562 in favor of the Plaintiff - MISSION GLEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC, Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,053.99 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 11TH day of FEBRUARY, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) WILFREDO ALVAREZ had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT FORTY-SIX (46), IN BLOCK TWO (2) 0F MISSION GLEN, SECTION THREE (3) A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE 678-A AND SLIDE 678-B OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS TOGETHER WITH ALL IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED THEREON, ALSO KNOWN AS 8515 GREEN CEDAR DRIVE, HOUSTON, TEXAS. Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $79,610.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 1ST day of MARCH 2010 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-156057 in favor of the Plaintiff - SAN MIGUEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $2,855.00 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 2ND day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -IAN GENTLES had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: A PARCEL OF LAND, HEREIN CALLED TRACT FIVE (5), BEING A PART OF LOT FOUR (4), IN BLOCK TWENTY-THREE (23) OF THE CORRECTED PLAT OF MISSION BEND, SAN MIGUEL, SECTION SIX (6), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 29, PAGE 11, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; (AND COMMONLY KNOWN AS 15119 BEECHNUT ST., HOUSTON, TEXAS 77083) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $113,720.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #05-DCV146658 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUNTY & ET-AL, Plaintiff, for the sum of $16,451.73 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, & ET AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: LOT 32 IN BLOCK 6 OF THE CORRECTED PLAT OF QUAIL GLEN, SECTION 2, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 25, PAGE 8 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. (ACCOUNT NUMBER 5860020060320907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $91,680.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 18th day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #06-DCV-152996 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUNTY & ET AL, Plaintiff, for the sum of $11,683.70 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -DORIS MCWASHINGTON had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: A LOT 100 FEET BY 67 FEET, OUT OF THE JIM TOWNSEND 4.4 ACRE TRACT OF LAND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE DEED FROM SILAS GIBBS AND WIFE IRENE GIBBS TO JIM TOWNSEND DATED MARCH 31, 1959 AND RECORDED UNDER VOLUME 289, PAGE 663 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; SAID LOT 13 HEREIN CONVEYED IS MORE PARTICULARLY SHOWN AND LOCATED ON A MEMORANDUM PLAT HERETO ATTACHED AND MARKED EXHIBIT A AND MADE A PART HEREOF (ACCOUNT NUMBER 8200000001300907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $24,930.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY 2010 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-158002 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUNTY & ET - AL, Plaintiff, for the sum of $6,102.45 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 4TH day of MARCH, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL, 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - ALEXANDER WATSON had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: LOTS 1 THROUGH 5 IN THE SOUTH HALF OF BLOCK 29 OF FRESNO DOME ADDITION, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, SAID ADDITION BEING SITUATED IN THE SUBDIVISION OF MAGNOLIA PLACE, ACCORIDNG TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 232, PAGE 346 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS; BEING THAT SAME PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE DEED FROM DOROTHY SOR RELLS TO ALEXANDER WATSON DATED FEBRUARY 2, 1940 AND FILED UNDER VOLUME 188, PAGE 592 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 460000292010907) Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $18,380.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse. ROB COOK, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 3 12550 Emily Court, Ste 200 Sugar Land, TX77478 (281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 24, 2010

Community Calendar Quail Valley Exchange Club Golf The Quail Valley Exchange Club will be hosting their annual Golf Tournament on Friday, March 26 at the Quail Valley Golf Courses. “This event is our largest fundraising effort every year, and provides us with the monies to support The Escape Center, Fort Bend Literacy Council, Fort Bend CASA as well as many other charities in Fort Bend County,” said Bob Dimmitt, Exchange Club Past President. “We consistently raise approximately $100,000, all of which is donated back into the community.” The highlight of this annual tournament is the raffling of a 2010 Golf Cart and a custom fitted set of Titleist Irons. Raffle tickets are available at the Quail Valley Golf Courses for $5. Entry forms are available at the Quail Valley Golf Courses or from any Quail Valley Exchange Club member. For additional information, contact Bob Dimmitt at 281-416-8499.

Healthy eating The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land will host a free seminar on healthy eating at the Sugar Land Senior’s Program on Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. This event is open to guests who are at least 55 years old. Attendees will learn about eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and balancing caloric intake, as well as the link between obesity and cancer, from an M. D. Anderson clinical dietician. The Sugar Land Senior’s Program is located in the Sugar Land Senior Center at 200 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. For more information call 281-275-2893. Reservations are not required.

Celebrating abilities Texana Center, The Arc of Fort Bend, Focus Initiative and Amegy Bank have partnered to host Celebrating Abilities, Saturday, March 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Plaza at Sugar Land Town Square. This fun family-oriented afternoon will include a rock wall, clown, face painting, children’s activities and refreshments. There will be lots of entertainment too, with a variety of performances from bands, choirs, karate demonstrations and more. The purpose of this event is to create awareness of the issues and abilities of people

in our community who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Celebrating Abilities” is about recognizing the diversity of our community and celebrating our different abilities.

Kempner’s Fashion Show The Kempner High School Class of 2010 will hold their annual Student Fashion Show and Auction on March 27, in the Kempner Commons. The evening will include a Fashion Show, hors d’oeuvres catered by Safari Texas, Live & Silent Auction and a raffle. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. The fashion show will begin at 8 with students modeling clothing from Cache’, Macy’s, David’s Bridal, Men’s Warehouse & Urban Rendezvous. All proceeds benefit Kempner 2010 Project Graduation. Contact Vicki Palmer at 832489-8999 to purchase tickets for the event. For more information visit www.kempnerprograd.org.

Chapel Singers The Friends of the Arts committee presents in concert the FUMC Chapel Singers. The Chapel Singers will share indelible mark on their lives and yours - children’s songs, the National Anthem, the Kyrie, hymns, and yes, love songs. This concert will remind you that through the changing of the generations (ages 18 to 80) and the changing of society, constant in each person’s memory, a reminder of things past. The concert will be held on Saturday, March 27, in the church Chapel, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City beginning at 4 p.m. It is free to the public but love donations will be accepted. More details, call 281-499-3502 or email:_FriendsoftheArts@ comcast.net.

Schlumberger education expedition On Saturday, March 27, the Fort Bend Education Foundation will host its 7th annual MS 150 training ride. We will provide you with a quality ride whether you are training for the all-important BP MS 150 or just wanting a great day with friends. The Schlumberger Education Expedition will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Ken Hall Stadium which is located at Hightower High School in Missouri City. For more information, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation.

Free leg vein screenings Houston Lace Eyebrows & Lashes Wellness Center and Juzo, a leading manufacturer of compression therapy garments, are teaming up to offer FREE leg vein screenings on April 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2715 Bissonnet, Suite 203. Designed to detect if your legs are at risk of developing circulatory problems, the screening is as fast and simple as having your blood pressure checked. For more information on our free leg vein screenings, contact Terry Tribble at 713-522-PINK (7465).

Cyber security The Business & Professional Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce presents “Cyber Security” presented by Jorge Marra, Cognitas Technologies, Inc. This “lunch and learn” workshop will be held Thursday, April 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for prospective members and walk-ins and includes lunch and materials. This seminar will be held at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce located at 445 Commerce Green Blvd. in Sugar Land. An Instructive and pragmatic security discussion for both the novice and the seasoned expert alike, this workshop will focus on the following key topics: •“My Enterprise Data is secure.” Or is it? •How can cybercrime and cyber-warfare affect my enterprise? •Can I leverage the efficiencies of the cloud to get better security at a lower cost? To register, contact Ellen Bush with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 281-491-0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org.

Fort Bend ABWA Business Associates Event Committee: Melissa Lewandowski, left, Judy Gulgun, Keynote Speaker Gayla Bentley, Chair Marilyn Nelson, Ursula Chester, Loan Mansy, Bee FranksWalker, Lula Blakely. Interested in growing your business during these difficult times? Learn how at the Fort Bend American Business Women’s Association’s annual Business Associates Event on Thursday, April 1, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Sugar Creek Country Club. The guest speaker will be Houston fashion designer, Gayla Bentley. In October 2009, Ms. Bentley succeeded in convincing two venture capitalists to invest $250,000 in her business on the reality show Shark Tank.

This fun filled event, featuring informal modeling and vendor tables, is the perfect way to meet area business women and learn how to “Swim with the Sharks.” Networking begins at 6 p.m., dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m., presentation at 7 p.m. Sugar Creek Country Club is located at 420 Sugar Creek Blvd., Sugar Land, 77478. Guests are welcome to call the reservation hotline, 281319-9995, to reserve your seat or table. Vendor tables available for rent. For more information on

The University of Houston System at Sugar Land will host an Open House and Advising Night on April 8, 4 to 7 p.m. at the UHSSL campus, 14000 University Blvd. Sugar Land, at the intersection of U.S. 59 South and University Blvd. where prospective students can learn about junior, senior and graduate courses leading to more than 30 bachelor’s, master’s and certifications offered close to home. To learn more, call 281-2753300 or log onto www.sugarland.uh.edu/advisingnight

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ABWA’s Business Associates Event, contact chairperson Marilyn Nelson at marilynnelson@nelson-marketing. com or visit www.abwafortbend.org. The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

“Reaching for the stars” gala to aid Texana Center

UHSSL hosts open house

Mortgage & Real Estate

* Some restrictions may apply

Fort Bend ABWA hosts winner of Reality Show “Shark Tank,” Gayla Bentley

Mike and Judy Schmid, Gala Honorary Chairs; Thelma Shelton, Gala Committee Chair; and John Rebeles Jr., President, Prosperity Bank Sugar Land and Presenting Sponsor. Prosperity Bank is excited to be the Presenting Sponsor for Texana Center’s Reaching for the Stars Gala event which takes place on Friday, April 9 at Safari Texas Ranch. The gala committee, under the direction of Thelma Shelton, has been hard at work to ensure that the 2010 Reaching for the Stars Gala is an evening of great food, fabulous entertainment and superb

Movies Under the Moon Minute Maid recently announced its partnership with Sugar Land Town Square to present Movies Under the Moon to the Sugar Land community. Minute Maid will continue the popular Town Square event series for the months of April, through October of this year. A baseball-themed, kickoff event is planned for April 16, 7:30 p.m. which will include an appearance by Former Houston Astro Craig Biggio. Come early to enter a drawing to win Houston Astros-signed memorabilia. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit SugarLandTownSquare.com.

company! If that is not enough, there will be a chance to bid on one-of-a-kind items in the live auction, in addition to a wonderful silent auction which is sure to be full of interesting, must-have items. The live auction includes a Ladies’ Beach Get Away for 10, Dinner in the Vineyard, a Breakfast with Champions hosted by our favorite elected

Moms Market Just in time for Mother’s Day, Little Fishers Preschool will be hosting a great spring craft and gift sale on the grounds of their school and Fishers of Men Lutheran Church 2011 Austin Parkway Sugar Land on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This rain or shine event will feature local vendors with unique home, yard, candles, food, soaps, jewelry, kitchen items, handbags, clothing, and baby items. Lunch and snack items will be for sale. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit the Little Fishers Preschool. For more information, contact Cathy Shisler at 281-285-5656.

officials and much more. The event will benefit a variety of Texana programs, with the main focus on the new west campus which will start construction in April 2010. The campus will have a Learning Center to provide education in life and job skills for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and will also have a Service Center to accommodate the staff who deliver services in Fort Bend County. Mike & Judy Schmid, who have been great supporters of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, were delighted to be asked to serve as Honorary Chairs for the event. They are supported by a distinguished line-up of community leaders as the 2010s Honorary Committee; Drs. Scott & Juliet Breeze, Judge Robert & Pat Hebert, Mayor Joe & Doris Gurecky, Ann Smith, Allison & Cassandra Wen, Billie & Jack Wendt and Milton & Marian Wright. Greg Groogan of Fox 26 News will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and Commissioner James Patterson, one of Fort Bend’s outstanding auctioneers, will guide the crowd through the live auction with his persuasive style. Yvonne Washington & the Mix will entertain guests with some fabulous music to dance the night away. Table sponsorships are available at $1,500 upwards and individual tickets are $100 each. For sponsorship or tickets contact 281-2391311. To purchase tickets, visit www.texanacenter.com

Bargain Book Sale Friends of First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway, Grants Lake, Sugar Land, will hold their monthly bargain book sale Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Books, CD’s, DVD’s (no magazines or encyclopedias) in good condition may be donated during regular library hours or at the sale and are tax deductible. Children’s items are especially needed. Call 281-416-0936.

MARCH 24, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘ Page 7

Lone Star Stomp XXI

FILM REVIEW: The Ghost Writer

Dinner and a date with Monique H. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I spent my Saturday night. When I go to movies on Fridays, Monique H. thinks that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at my day job so it is not a problem, but when I want to see a movie on a Saturday night, things get a little more complicated. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fun date. We started the evening at Smash Brothers near Edwards 24 inside the loop. As I have explained before, when I take Monique H. out to dinner, I attempt to show her a good time. She had a burger and I had a â&#x20AC;&#x153;classic hot dogâ&#x20AC;? with beans on it instead of chili; whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with that? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d heard good things about this movie directed by Roman â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Live Here Anymoreâ&#x20AC;? Polanski, so I was looking forward to seeing a quality movie in 2010; the pickins Pictured from left to right are Candace Jones (executive director of the Fort Bend County have been slim. Museum Association), Elyce Kahn (a member of the Lone Star Stomp steering committee), Immediately before and Becky Covell (Lone Star Stomp chairman) and Ann and Jeff Council (honorary chairs). after the Oscars, weak movies prevail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are delighted to recThis yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Western/CaGet ready for a rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and If you doubt me, take a look rollinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; good time at the 21st ribbean theme is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ognize Ann and Jeff Council at the dismal list of flicks now annual Lone Star Stomp and Rollinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: An Event with a as the honorary chairs,â&#x20AC;? said showing at your local theatre. gala! Set for Saturday, April Beat of its Own!â&#x20AC;? Covell also Executive Director Candace Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t despair; this is an an17 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 chaired the very successful Jones. nual ritual and I promise that â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have actively and the movies will get better. p.m. at the George Ranch â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dudes & Divasâ&#x20AC;? Lone Star consistently supported the Historical Park, the Stomp Stomp XIX in 2008. This is billed as a suspense In addition to music and Museum Association for thriller and I admit that I is an evening of great food, lively music and fun you dancing, the Lone Star a great number of years. Stomp features catering Ann was a charter member wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss. The original Triumphs by The Swinging Door, live of the Docent Society and will headline as the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and silent auctions (with served on the Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s George Ranch Historical entertainment. The band auctioneer Jeff Council), Board of Trustees; Jeff and Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s covered arena. Tickets Ann have been significantly are $65 each and reserved played with pop/rock/ and other all-star extras. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our committed-to-suc- involved with the Lone Star tables are available for country star B.J. Thomas in cess event team is bringing Stomp every year and have groups of eight or more. All the 1960s. contributed proceeds from the evening â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so excited about in some great live auction generously the 21st annual Lone Star items this year,â&#x20AC;? Covell said. their time and resources to- will benefit the educational Stomp!â&#x20AC;? said Event Chair- â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plus there will be some- wards its success. They are and preservation efforts of man Becky Covell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not thing for everyone in the both genuinely deserving the Fort Bend County Muof commendation for their seum Association. only will guests be able to silent auction.â&#x20AC;? For the first time in Lone Honorary chairs are Jeff generosity and graciousdance the night away with Star Stomp history, tickets music from the Triumphs, and Ann Council, who are ness to our organization and sponsorships are availbut weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also spinning the being recognized for their and community.â&#x20AC;? able for purchase online at So save the date for Saturfeel of the event by intro- 20+ years of dedication to http://www.fortbendmuducing a little bit of Carib- the Fort Bend County Mu- day, April 17 and get ready to celebrate with us at the seum.org/annual-events/ seum Association. bean fun.â&#x20AC;? stomp/.

to remove the manuscript â&#x20AC;&#x153;... from this room and it is not to be copied.â&#x20AC;? Lang and his wife Ruth (Olivia Williams) seem to be the classic political couple with all the ego and marital problems related to power. And The Ghost is in the middle. Note to women: there is a shot of the backside of Ewan getting out of bed nude. The screenplay by Robert Harris and Polanski adapted from Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; novel â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Ghostâ&#x20AC;? is spectacular. The dialogue and twists and turns of the story are intriguing and spellbinding. Polanski has made an exceptional movie that hits on all cylinders. The acting, editing, and set design are brilliant. The music by Alexandre Desplat is perfect for the story and sets the ideal moods. Hitch would approve of this movie. Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Roll. Grade 91. Larry H. email: sugarlaw@ larryharrison.com

had Hitchcockian flashbacks throughout. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to over hype this movie, but it had the feel and cinematography of Alfred Hitchcockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;North by Northwestâ&#x20AC;? (1959) starring Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill. Ewan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moulin Rougeâ&#x20AC;? McGregor plays the ghost writer hired to write the memoirs for former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). The publishers are in a hurry to get the book in print within a month. The schedule just hit a snag as Langâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former ghost was recently found washed up on shore near the exclusive and highly secured compound in the USA where Lang is living. McGregor is the conscience of the audience and is our investigator in his attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding the British investigation of Langâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential involvement of war crimes involving torture and the U.S. Government. The secrecy is intense and he is ordered not

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AUTOMOBILE: Infiniti G-37 By BARBARA FULENWIDER The Infiniti G-37 is a powerful beauty with the same handling finesse of the Nissan 350Z Roadster. In other words itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close to driving nirvana. The 2010 Infiniti G convertible comes with a three-piece folding hardtop and 325 horsepower 3.7 liter V6, and both provide an exhilarating ride. The convertible debuted last year and for 2010 got more refinements and enhancements. They include some revised interior features, new navigation system functions and power folding outside mirrors. Unchanged is the G convertibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to put the thrill back into driving. The Infiniti G convertibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsive handling and firm ride are provided by its front mid-ship platform design, which optimizes front/rear weight balance and creates a rigid, stable foundation for the four-wheel independent suspension. The front suspension is a double wishbone design and multi-link is in the rear. The V6 motor makes 267 lb.-ft. of torque and estimated fuel economy is 16 and 24 in city/highway driving. The motor is mated to either a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission or an electronically controlled seven-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission includes manual mode, downshift rev matching, Drive Sport mode and adaptive shift control and optional solid magnesium paddle shifters for sports car driving. Braking is provided by standard four-wheel vented discs and an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. The G37 convertible

with sport package or the Sport 6MT have larger ventilated rotors and aluminum four-piston calipers front/ two-piston calipers rear, embossed with the Infiniti name. While all of this provides a great ride, the exterior styling gets lots of looks. The G 37 convertible is beautifully proportioned so looks graceful, nimble and powerful. It maintains a coupe-like silhouette with the top up through the use of a threepiece clamshell retractable hardtop, which allows for a shorter rear overhang and a low trunk lid. Compared to the G coupe, the convertible uses all new body panels from the A-pillar back, and is 1.1 inch wider overall, has a wider rear track and modified rear suspension. Up front the G convertible has signature Infiniti styling cues such as flowing front fender curves, a wave-style aluminum hood, expressive front fascia with double-arch grille and L-shaped high intensity discharge bi-functional xenon headlights with integrated fog lamps. In the rear the taillights are unique to the convertible and the chrome rear trunk finisher incorporates an integrated high-mount stoplight and small camera for the rear view monitoring system.

The automatic top opening/ closing sequence takes approximately 30 seconds and the switch is conveniently located on the center console. With the top up, the convertibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s styling hides the fact that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an open air vehicle and when the top is dropped the G takes on even more beauty. The Infiniti G convertibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list of standard equipment includes a double handstitched leather-covered steering wheel with wheelmounted audio and cruise controls, leather seats, heated eight-way power driver and front passenger seats, push button ignition, adaptive dual zone climate, The G convertible 6MT was the test drive model and it comes with sport-styled front seats with manual thigh extension and driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power thigh and torso support, high-grip aluminum pedals and foot rest and a power walk-in device that moves the front seats forward for easier access to the second row. The Infiniti G convertible 6MT retails for $43,900 and with the optional illuminated kick plates, a navigation package and premium package came in at $50,365, including the $865 destination charge. But what a fun drive in a classy looking car it is.

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14 $ 95 79 $ 95 39 $ off95 10% 149 $

Wiper Blade Replacement s

Replace 2 front wiper blades (most vehicles)

Save

plus tax

Valid only at Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Offer valid with coupon. Hazardous Waste Fees may apply. Expires 9/30/09. Expires 3/31/10

Cooling System Service s )NSPECT RADIATOR FOR LEAKS s #HECK HOSES CLAMPS and belts s )NCLUDES UP TO GALLON of coolant

Save

20!

plus tax

Valid only at Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other Expires 3/31/10 discount or offer. Offer valid with coupon. Hazardous Waste Fees may apply. Expires 9/30/09.

Tire Rotation & Balance s Rotate and balance four (4) tires s %XCLUDES (EAVY $UTY TRUCKS

Save

20!

plus tax

Valid only at Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other Expires9/30/09. 3/31/10 discount or offer. Offer valid with coupon. Hazardous Waste Fees may apply. Expires

Front or Rear Brake Replacement

plus tax s 2EPLACE FRONT OR REAR brake pads/shoes s 3OME MODELS MAY BE SLIGHTLY HIGHER PRICED s 2ESURFACING OF ROTORS or drums is additional fee Valid only at Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Offer valid with coupon. Hazardous Waste Fees may apply. Expires 9/30/09.

on any collision Save repair over $1,500.*

60!

Maximum$ discount $250.

*See dealer for details

Expires 3/31/10

281-491-9000 to make a service appointment! CCall 281-491-4000

THE NEWEST, FRIENDLIEST CHEVROLET DEALERSH IN HOUSTOIP N!

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 24, 2010

Toyota is thanking YOU with their BIGGEST offer ever and Fort Bend Toyota wants to thank you also! Right now enjoy 0% interest for 60 months on ten models and unprecedented incentives and rebates on many others PLUS giant Fort Bend discounts, like $5,000.00 additional dollars off all Tundra Crew Max's!

0% for 60 months on 10 different models.* Camry and Corolla add an ADDITIONAL $1000 customer cash Outstanding lease deals, including $159 Corolla; $199 Camry $3000 customer cash on 2010 Avalon 0%/60 on 2009 Venza 2.9% APR â “ 60 months on Corolla/Camry used vehicles Two year pre-paid maintenance for Toyota owners** Remember, if Fort Bend Toyota cannot give you 130% of Kelly Blue Book value for your trade, we will give you 1 year of FREE gas. Hurry and call 281.633.3300, or stop by today.

Sincerely,

$3,000 Customer Cash* 2010 Avalon

Outstanding Lease deal

$199 month

2010 Camry

Amazing Lease deal

THINK GIG RALLY. A public rally was held at the Sugar Land Town Square Plaza on March 19 to drum up support for Sugar Land’s selection for a Google pilot project. A commercial was also filmed to convince Google of overwhelming community support for the Sugar Land area’s selection as the proving ground for the next generation of the Internet. The public rally was held during Friday’s intermission of a concert by the Grady Skelton Band -- a high-energy country, southern rock, Americana group. Free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was provided to those who completed a survey intended to determine the public’s support for an ultra high-speed Internet pilot project in Sugar Land. Google has announced plans to build the infrastructure for a pilot project that will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today -- over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-tothe-home connections. As part of the initial selection process, Sugar Land must demonstrate community support for Google’s pilot project. Above, participants show their support with their own posters. —Photo by RANDY KOZLOVSKY

$159 month

2010 Corolla

3DW *ROGZDLW General Manager Direct: 281.633.3300

FORT BEND TOYOTA 20465 Southwest Freeway Richmond, TX 77469

HOURS: Store Hours: M-S 8:30-8:30, Closed Sunday

Sales Phone: 281.633.3300 Service Phone: 281.633.3486 Parts Phone: 281.633.3443

QUAIL VALLEY QUAILS. Quail Valley Quails members Terry Colley, left, second Vice President, Bev Yellowlees, Inge-Lise Braswell, first Vice-President & Program Chair and Sara Cornett are looking forward to the upcoming Coldwater Creek Style Show to be held April 1 at the Quail Valley Grille in Missouri City. Members of Quails will strut their stuff in the latest fashions designed to put a spring in your step. Meetings begin with a social hour from 10 a.m. followed by a brief business meeting and the program at 11 a.m. Lunch is served at noon and door prizes are awarded with dessert. For luncheon and style show information or reservations, contact Terry Colley at t.colley@sbcglobal.net or 281-438-6234.

Service Hours: M-F 7-7, SAT 7-4, Closed Sunday Parts Hours: M-F 7-7, SAT 7-4, Closed Sunday

Offer expires 4/5/2010*0% APR for 60 months on 10 models (2010 Yaris, 2010 Corolla, 2010 Matrix, 2010 Camry Gas, 2010 Avalon, 2009 Venza, 2010 Sienna, 2010 RAV4, 2010 Highlander Gas, & 2010 Tundra)**Complimentary two-year / 25K mile Premium Toyota Auto Care coverage to current Toyota, Lexus, or Scion customers who purchase or lease a new Toyota during the March program period *** $1,000 Bonus Cash on 2010 Camry Gas and 2010 Corolla models only

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Open Homes Weekends take

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