VOL 3 No. 43
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010
NEW EXHIBIT. Archaeopteryx is the earliest bird known to science and provides compelling evidence that modern birds are direct descendants of the dinosaurs; yet only ten have ever been found. An exact replica of one of the most complete Archaeopteryx fossils known—regarded by many experts as the “world’s most important fossil”—will be on display at The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land beginning this week. The exhibition will also display several incredibly well-preserved, authentic animal specimens from the world-renowned stone quarries of Solnhofen, Germany, aged millions of years. One example is of a hybodont specimen, an early descendant of modern day sharks. The hybodont shark is so well preserved, that one can even see the fossilized cartilage and skin, whereas in other shark fossils, only the teeth remain. “The fossils of Solnhofen represent the rarest of the rare. They are a window into a real Jurassic Park,” says David Temple, associate curator of paleontology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. For animals’ remains to be fossilized, an exact sequence of events must occur. People use the expression, “cheating death,” — the process that preserves the animal tissue cheats decay. Solnhofen produces complete articulated intact examples that are rare, but many fossils, like the ones in this collection, are rarer still, traces of soft tissue are also preserved. Details such as stomach contents and skin are visible. This exhibit displays arthropods, fish, pterosaurs, reptiles such as turtles, crocodilians, and primitive lizards, all exquisitely preserved. Above, Temple displays a replica of Archaeopteryx.
Memorial Hermann honors photographer Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital recently honored nationally renowned portrait artist Alisa Murray for her generous donation to the hospital of a permanent photography exhibit celebrating infants and mothers. Alisa’s inspirational portraits of newborns and mothers now line the hospital halls bringing smiles to patients, visitors and staff. In recognition of this most generous gift, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital dedicated the Alisa Murray Labor & Delivery Room. At right Alisa Murray is seen with one of her photographs displayed at the hospital. Renowned for her innovative style in capturAfter eight days of early voting in Fort Bend County, the total turnout stood at 42,091 on Monday, Oct. 25. Cinco Ranch Library topped with 5,183 votes, followed by First Colony with 4,709 votes and Missouri City 4,489. At Cinco UH 3,171 voted and in Rosen-
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Hundreds of Fort Bend County residents visited the new Fort Bend County North Annex at 22333 Grand Corner Drive, Katy, Texas 77494, at the northeast intersection of Westpark Toll Road and Grand Parkway on Saturday, Oct. 23. The 23,000 square-foot building houses eight departments including Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, Pct. 3. Constable Rob Cook, Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Ken Cannata, and satellite offices of Sheriff Milton Wright, Tax Assessor/Collector Patsy Schultz, and County Clerk Dianne Wilson. The health and human services department and veterans affairs department will also have an office in this building. The $4 million facility has been built on 8 acres of land donated by Trendmaker Homes, developers of Grand Lakes and Cross Creek Ranch. The building is centrally placed to serve the growing population of the county and it is close to the geographic and demographic center of the Pct. 3 constituents. The erstwhile Pct. 3 office on Eldridge Road will be used by the county’s transportation department. Above, during the open house County Judge Bob Hebert, left, Cook, Meyers, Schultz, Wright, Pct. Constable A.J. Dorr, County Treasurer Jeff Council and Cannata outside the annex on Saturday.
New Territory opposes re-zoning
ing newborns and expectant mothers, Alisa Murray has become one of Texas’ most berg 3,479 voted. The projected over all turnout is 40-45 percent for the Nov. 2 election. Early voting at 17 sites end on Friday, Oct. 29. Early voting in other sites as of Monday: Aliana 1622; Beasly 160; Chasewood 1,432
sought after photographers. She has always had a special affection for newborns. Fulshear 1,379 Hightower 1,606 Lost Creek 1,492 Meadows 2,071 Needville 768 Pecan Grove 2,944 Randalls (NT) 3,090 Sienna Library 1,963 Sugar Land Methodist 2,452.
Fort Bend ISD trustees have embarked on a potentially contentious school rezoning. The trustees considered several options for the proposed Middle School No. 14 which opens in Pecan Grove in August 2011. Hundreds of parents from New Territory attended the workshop session on Monday and they were visibly unhappy over the proposed zoning plan which divides New Territory into two, with the east section attending Sartartia Middle School and the west, being zoned to the new middle school. The Grand Parkway divides the east and west New Territory. Affected New Territory parents want their children to attend Sartartia like others. A major factor that is driving the school board’s zoning plan is the high enrollment at
Crockett, Garcia, Sugar Land and Baines middle schools and low enrollment at First Colony, Fort Settlement, Quail Valley, Missouri City and McAuliffe middle schools.
The administration will post the proposed zoning options on the district website. After receiving public input, the board will finalize the zoning plan.
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
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