Fort Bend Independent

VOL 3 No. 49

Phone: 281-980-6745

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010

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

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

FBISD plans to close down two schools

By SESHADRI KUMAR Facing a dire financial constraint, the Fort Bend ISD administration has made a far-reaching proposal to shut down at least two campuses, including an elementary, and either a high school or a middle school.

These campuses have low numbers of students, only about 50 percent of their capacity.

One of the guiding principles behind the current school attendance zoning process is to maximize the utilization of school buildings, as per the school board.

The numbers show that campuses on both ends of the school district are bursting at the seams, while campuses in the middle are nearly half empty.

The administration estimates that closing down an elementary campus will save $750,000 and a middle school will save $1.5 million year.

Savings from the closure of a high school have not yet been determined.

Consequently, the administration has proposed the closure of Colony Bend Elementary, Christa McAuliffe Middle School and Willowridge High School.

About 400 children from Colony Bend will be sent to Highlands and Colony Meadows Elementary campuses.

Lakeview Elementary also

has a very low enrollment, and thus is a potential candidate for closure, but the administration has not studied that idea fully.

The administration also plans to build 8 additional temporary buildings in Cornerstone Elementary in Telfair, instead of building a second elementary campus in the subdivision.

The administration has proposed different options for McAuliffe, but it recommends closing only one of the two, McAuliffe or Willowridge.

McAuliffe could be converted into a technical education center, used for administrative offices or sold.

The case for a tech ed center gains importance because students from Bush High School now make four trips a day to attend the classes in Marshall High School.

Marshall High School’s capacity is 2058 and it has about 1,300 students. Willowridge has 1,300 students against a capacity of 2044.

Under another option, McAuliffe could be kept open and Willowridge will be closed.

The Willowridge students will go to Marshall High School and fill the vacancy.

McAuliffe will get 7th and 8th graders from Missouri City Middle School and 9th graders from Willowridge and Marshall.

Marshall will have 10th, 11th and 12th grades. In this

process, two low enrollment middle schools will be up to capacity and a high school with low enrollment will be closed.

Meanwhile, Trustee Daniel Menendez introduced two new ideas, one of which involves moving some 8th graders to the new Ridgepoint High School for a couple of years.

That is meant to ease the middle school overcrowding, until a decision on a new middle school no.15 is made.

Menendez also wants to expand the elementary school K to 6 concept, now in three campuses to other elementary campuses on one side of the district.

The board has asked the administration to estimate the costs of expanding the K-6 concept.

Menendez also wanted the administration to compare the cost-benefit of building a new campus versus adding temporary buildings and see if they will affect the maintenance and operations budget or the debt service budget.

The school board will have another zoning workshop on Dec. 13.

Some additional information will be provided by the administration in January, following which the board is expected to choose final attendance zones for public comments.

After receiving public comments, the board will adopt the final plan, likely in February.

Tony and Jeana Johnson from Sugar Land were chosen at random from all those who submitted “Skeeters,” and were awarded Lifetime Season Tickets.

The official name for Sugar Land’s Minor League Baseball Team is “Sugar Land Skeeters!”

Sugar Land’s minor league baseball team unveiled their name, logos and season ticket plans on Dec. 1 with help from students from Lakeview Elementary.

“Skeeters” was the leading vote-getter among three finalist names during a three-monthlong name-the-team contest.

With nearly 8,000, votes it is believed to have been the most popular team naming contest in Minor League Baseball history.

“I think the entry forms said it best. It just sounds like a fun minor league baseball name for this region,” said Sugar Land Skeeters President Matt O’Brien.

Visit www.SugarLandSkeeters.com for more details.

Fort Bend Theatre presents Princesses for Christmas!

Sugar Land Skeeters President Matt O’Brien, at the podium, speaks at the unveiling of the baseball team’s name at the Lakeview Auditorium and Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson is at right. Lakeview Elementary School children sport the new Skeeters T-shirts.

Back by popular demand every Prince and Princess young and young at heart are summoned to attend Princess Christmas, to be held at Fort Bend Theatre, 2815 N. Main St., through Dec. 19, Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m, Sundays at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.fortbendtheatre.com or call 281-208-3333. The Real Princesses in the back are Belle (Lydia Bottom), Snow White (Ashley Wolf), Jasmine (Tianna Farris), Cinderella (Katie Harrison), Rapunzel (Samantha Sweed), The Little Mer10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 maid (Kaitlin Kennedy), and SleepMailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 ing Beauty (Jessica Withrow). The Mini Princesses are Belle (Kahlia www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar Nelson), Snow White (Shelby ClingPublisher & Editor 281-980-6745 man), Jasmine (Jazz Smith), Rapunzel (Emma Jobes), Little Mermaid Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every (Savannah Schakett), and Sleeping Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Beauty (Zoey Bresina). Seated in Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas the front are Cinderella (Court- 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. ney Crews) and Cinderella in Rags POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

(Hannah Galatoire).

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 8, 2010

Community happenings (How) Fort Bend Cares: The Soaring Eagle Ranch

The little girl gazes at the horse apprehensively. In fact, she does almost everything apprehensively.

A foster child, she has endured abuse at the hands of her biological parents. Now her foster family is helping her to heal.

They’ve signed her up for weekly, two-hour riding lessons at The Soaring Eagle Ranch, a Fulshear charity that offers “Horses as Healers.”

The program teaches 50 foster and adopted children, ages 2 to 18, to care for and ride horses. Through these activities, they learn to conquer their anxieties, develop trust, build their self-confidence and self-esteem, address their anger issues, develop nurturing and communication skills,

and learn to evaluate and motivate themselves.

The children spend the first 30 minutes of each lesson grooming and caring for the horses.

“Through this care, they learn responsibility and develop a deep bond with their horse based on trust, reduced anxieties, attention to safety, and appropriate behavior and nurturing,” says Elizabeth “Beth” Seime, founder of The Soaring Eagle Ministries and Ranch.

After grooming the horses, the children spend 15 minutes learning about the tack (blanket, saddle, bridle, etc.) and how to put it on the horse.

Then the children ride the horses for an hour, playing a series of games such as ob-

Fort Bend Cares solicits grant applications from Fort Bend County charitable organizations that focus on the needs of disadvantaged children and youth.

The Soaring Eagle Ranch has used the grant money primarily for horse maintenance, which includes horse feed, hay, ferrier services, medications, supplies and veterinarian bills.

The Soaring Eagle Ranch is one of 18 nonprofit organizations that received grants totaling $122,000 from Fort Bend Cares in 2010.

During the past five years, Fort Bend Cares (www.FortBendCares.org) has given $570,000 in grants to Fort Bend charitable groups. Most

stacle courses, treasure hunts and “red light, green light.”

“It is during the riding time that we stress communication, self evaluation, selfconfidence and self-esteem,” Seime notes.

“It’s also when we work through any anger or anxiety issues.”

The children spend the final 15 minutes removing the tack from the horses and rewarding them with a brushdown and much-anticipated treat.

“Horses, like people, are individuals—each with its own unique personality, attitudes, life experiences and idiosyncrasies,” says Seime.

“Being the intelligent animals that they are, horses can discern and detect the emotions and moods of the people around them. They’re also amazing communicators. The interaction between equine and child teaches the children to become better listeners and communicators.”

The foster and adopted parents of these children agree.

“I saw a change in my son from the start,” says Renae Baier, mother of Kristopher, who has cerebral palsy. “He carried himself differently, and his speech has improved so much.”

The Soaring Eagle Ranch works with children associated with Child Protective Services, DePelchin Children’s Center, Homes of St. Mark, The Arrow Project, Homes 4 Good, and Guardian Angels Residential Treatment Center.

Many other children are on the ministry’s waiting list.

Fort Bend Cares, a charitable foundation, has helped to support The Soaring Eagle Ranch with three grants in three years totaling $16,000.

of the money is raised at the group’s two annual fundraisers: “Road Trip to Vegas: The Ultimate Lounge Experience,” set for February 12 at Fluor, and a golf tournament set for April 11 at Sweetwater Country Club.

Currently, Seime and her board members are seeking a new location for the ranch, which has used borrowed pasture board for its horses for the past four years.

“The land is no longer available to us; we have to move.

We want to stay in Fort Bend County—and specifically in the Fulshear/Simonton area,” says Seime.

“We have hundreds of children on our waiting list, and we dearly want to expand to

serve them—and many, many more.”

Seime’s dream for her ministry is to eventually offer housing for foster children who “age out” of the fostercare system at age 18 with no place to go and no hope.

“They could help work on the ranch in exchange for room and board in a loving family environment—with the condition that they go to college to work for a better future,” she says.

The ranch’s website, www.

SoaringEagleRanch.org, accepts donations, which are tax deductible.

(This is one in a series of stories about the many charities supported by Fort Bend Cares, a charitable foundation.)

Minute Maid Holiday Soiree raises funds

The Sugar Land community recently gathered at the second-annual Minute Maid Holiday Soiree in Sugar Land Town Square. The event took place in the Minute Maid building and overlooked the City of Sugar Land Tree Lighting below. All proceeds from ticket sales and the event’s silent auction benefit the Minute Maid 3-Family Fund, which provides three families gifts and other necessities for the Holidays. This year’s recipients are the Fort Bend Rainbow Room, The United Way and The Wounded Warrior and Family Support Center at Brooke Army Medical Center.(L-R) President of the Minute Maid Business Unit Mike Saint John, Mayor of Sugar Land James Thompson, Houston Astro Hunter Pence and Fred Arnold, manager of strategic alliances, Minute Maid Business Unit.

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DECEMBER 8, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

News

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner

Frank Yonish, Harish Jajoo declare candidacy

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com SUGAR LAND/COMMONWEALTH LD SO

FIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND

quality of life by keeping our neighborhoods well planned and maintained, creating a safe and upwardly mobile community to raise our families and keep our local economy strong with a business friendly environment,” Hoelker said.

“We also have to recognize that Sugar Land will have some new challenges that come with limited growth like balancing development and redevelopment,” he said.

Hoelker loves Sugar Land just like he loves his country.

“I have been proud to give

Hoelker back to my country by being a part of a grass roots effort called Impact A Hero that started in my home in 2004 to

BI G

PR IC E

C U T

NEW LISTING

Jajoo

support severely wounded veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan and all areas of the world to warmth and welcome in Sugar Land. I will continue to be part of Impact A Hero as long as our troops need our support. Now I want to take that same love and passion that I have for my country and with your support serve our great city of Sugar Land. I will maintain an open door for all the families and taxpayers of District 3 to be heard on city council,” he said.

FIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND! 1/4 ACRE ON OYSTER CREEK! Over 4100sqft! CUSTOM home on culdesac lot.

RARE find! Built in 2000! Over $80K in improvements too.

4/5 bedrooms, both formals & study. Priced to go fast!

CUSTOM SHOW CASE HOME! Over 4300sqft 5 bedrooms 4 baths & 1/2 bath. Study and game room. Private cul de sac lot. Thousands in upgrades! Designer Decor thru out the home. Gourmet island kitchen & more! Rare find! Hurry priced to go fast under $450K.

REDUCED FIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND! Adorable 1-story home on cul de sac street. No neighbors behind you!

3 bedrooms & study or formal living. Open floor plan.

Detached garage! Priced below market at $205,000.

NEW LISTING Riverstone. Pool, Spa, Waterfall. Built 2003. Trendmaker beauty. Over 4,700 sqft. 5 BR 4.5 baths. 3 car, 2 masters. Rare find on huge oversized cul de sac lot. No neighbors next to you. Upgrades galore. Zoned to Clements. Priced in the $500’s.

R ED U C ED

and technological issues,” he said.

Jajoo is seeking the council seat for District 4 where term-limited Michael Schiff has served admirably for the past nine years.

He has appointed Kolbe Curtice, a well-known commercial real estate professional, as his treasurer, and the election will be held on May 14, 2011.

In addition to his professional success and responsibilities, Jajoo devotes himself to a wide range of community causes.

He has served Sugar Land Exchange Club as a board member and secretary and has Co-Chaired the Spaghetti Cook Off fundraiser in 2010 and 2011 benefitting Child Abuse Prevention.

A graduate of Fort Bend Leadership, Jajoo serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Indo-American Forum of Fort Bend (IAF) and is an active member of the HESS club, the oldest engineering organization in the greater Houston area.

Jajoo and his wife, Shashi, have two children, both graduates of Clements High School. The Jajoo family has made Sugar Land their home for the past 25 years.

Jim Hoelker runs for Sugar Land Dist. 3 seat Jim Hoelker has announced his run for Sugar Land City Council District 3.

Hoelker, has made his home and built his business as a Sugar Land neighbor, civic and business leader for more than 25 years.

Jim and his wife Patty of 23 years have raised four children.

Since 1987 Jim has operated a successful small business and is a commercial real estate investor in Fort Bend County.

“The future of Sugar Land is at a fork in the road. We can maintain and improve our

Suzette Peoples

ABR, GRI , E-Pro, 2 STORY OVER 3600 SQFT! 21 years Professional Paradise pool! Updated and up- Realtor; Owner of Peoples grades galore! Over $90K! 4/5 Properties, a Real Estate bedrooms 3.5 bath. Hardwoods & Property Management thru-out. Zoned to Clements Co.; American Business Women’s Association. high school. REDUCED to go low $300’s.

LD

Frank Yonish, a Sugar Land resident, former elected official, and prominent leader in the Fort Bend County business community, has announced his candidacy for Sugar Land City Council, District 4 in the May 14, 2011 election.

The District 4 seat is currently held by Councilman Michael Schiff, who is stepping down due to term limits. Prior to moving back into Sugar Land in 1999, Yonish served as an elected City Council member in Missouri City for six years.

Said Yonish, “I am ready to serve Sugar Land by once again seeking public office.

This is a time in our city’s history that requires a unique blend of leadership and expertise.

“With the national economy still struggling to regain momentum, and the Texas Legislature facing a multibillion dollar budget shortfall, we must undertake steps now to ensure that Sugar Land remains strong in the face of our challenges.”

Yonish continued, “My decision to run for this seat is based upon my desire to provide Sugar Land and District 4 with Councilman Schiff’s same levels of leadership and expertise on the issues that impact our city and our

Sugar Land resident and community leader Harish Jajoo, has announced his candidacy for Sugar Land City Council District 4.

Jajoo is a registered civil engineer and urban infrastructure professional who has successfully managed public works for the City of Houston for 29 years, and his candidacy brings a wealth of experience in infrastructure and city management to the race.

He currently serves as Chair of the Infrastructure Planning Division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for outstanding community service at the FBCC Gala.

Jajoo was appointed to the Sugar Land Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2005, and subsequently was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission where he currently serves.

A fiscal conservative, Jajoo wants to bring his vast experience in municipal management to benefit the community where he lives and has raised his family.

“As a councilmember, I will work to ensure that Sugar Land continues to maintain a high quality of life both now and for future generations.

“I will focus on maintaining a business-friendly environment and an efficient transportation infrastructure which is key to our City’s future.

“My experience provides me with a thorough understanding of what it takes to get things done for a municipality - be it infrastructure, intergovernmental agency coordination, city council considerations, stretching capital investment dollars or interacting with citizens to explain complex budgetary

SO

Yonish

economy. I believe that my experience and my conservative approach to government will be crucial during these tough economic times. Sugar Land needs another effective, fiscally-minded voice on Council to work with Mayor Thompson and other Fort Bend leaders to protect our quality of life and our city’s high standards of excellence.”

“To maintain those high standards, we must continue building upon the rich history of Sugar Land while carefully planning for our future. There are many challenges ahead which we must address head on: preparing for the surface water conversion by 2020, continuing strong economic development, maintaining a high level of city services, and finding cost-effective solutions to the transportation and mobility demands of a growing community surrounding us. Perhaps our most important challenge lies in addressing the growing concerns of public safety as crime continues to find its way into our community. I take an uncompromising stance toward dealing with these thugs and law breakers, and I am committed to supporting our police and law enforcement as they protect all our families and residents.”

Yonish is a former Chairman of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and has served in many leadership roles with that organization.

In 2008, he was appointed

by Commissioners’ Court to the Board of Directors for the Fort Bend LID #15.

Yonish has served on the Board of Directors for Fort Bend Child Advocates, as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Sweetwater Country Club, and as a Republican precinct chairman in two different precincts (#4065 and #4131.)

21 years of experience!

REDUCED/QUAIL VALLEY Updated 1 story 4 bedrooms 2.5 bath with new roof and carpet July 2010. Interior all repainted and new fixtures too. Great location on landscaped reserve. Priced to go $120,000!!

Mortgage Banker can do loans in less than 30 days!

Call Suzette or email: Speoplesrealtor@aol.com

Notice of Release for Public Review and Comment City of Sugar Land Program Year 2009 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) Community Development Block Grant The City of Sugar Land, Texas has prepared the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for the period of October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010.

Pursuant to 24 CFR 91.520, the City will submit the CAPER to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on December 29, 2010. The purpose of the CAPER is to provide the City of Sugar Land with an opportunity to annually evaluate the overall progress in carrying out priorities and objectives identified in the City HUD-approved Consolidated Plan and to report the progress to HUD and the citizens of Sugar Land.

The City of Sugar Land actively encourages ongoing citizen participation and feedback. All residents are invited to comment on the CAPER by mail or fax during the period of December 9, 2010 through December 23, 2010. A draft of the CAPER may be found on the City website www.sugarlandtx.gov and in the City Secretary Office, City of Sugar Land, City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. Residents may send comments to the City of Sugar Land Community and Environmental Services Department, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 or P.O. Box 110, Sugar Land, Texas, 77487 0110. Residents may also fax their comments to the City at (281) 275-2771. Any comments received will be forwarded to the regional HUD office. For more information concerning the CAPER or the CDBG program, please contact the City of Sugar Land Community and Environmental Services Department, (281) 275-2170.

Come and Experience the Difference!

Salem International Christian Center

Services: Sunday 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday 7 p.m.

14056 Southwest Fwy #118 (In the FedEx Bldg. in front of Holiday Inn Express) Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.salemic.org

Missouri City’s El Dorado Golf Course ranked No.1

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City’s El Dorado Golf Course in Quail Valley has been ranked No. 1 as the best public golf course overall value under $40 for the entire Houston area. It came in at No. 2 in the top 10 value priced ($50 and under) public golf courses in the Houston area.

The rankings are in the November issue of “Avid Golfer Magazine.”

Mayor Allen Owen, who is an avid golfer, said, “For our first year of operations, this is the outstanding results of a lot of hard work and community support by many people.”

Last year “Avid Golfer Magazine” ranked Quail Valley’s LaQuinta golf course sixth in the category of best public golf course values in the Houston area.

Tyson Stittleburg, Quail Valley Golf Course general manager, said, for El Dorado, which has only been open a year, “to be ranked this high

is impressive. Normally, it takes a few years for a course to develop and rank that high in a category, so we’re very pleased.”

The rankings of municipal golf courses was the magazine’s cover story and was titled “Nice Rebound!”

The writer said that two years ago recovery, hope and prosperity were “keywords heard over and over again throughout the Houston golf scene because of Hurricane Ike.” Those words were certainly true for Quail Valley golf courses and its future because the city had just taken it over two months before Hurricane Ike slammed the Houston area. There had been a lot to do when the nearly 400 acres became the city’s responsibility because many of those 400 acres needed major care and rehab.

Almost as soon as the improvements began, Ike’s hit made what had been bad

worse. So the city started over again.

Even with the setback of a major hurricane, the first year after was one of continued progress that has made recovery, hope and prosperity a reality.

Golf course cash registers finally began ringing again in 2010 and area golf clubs finally had full tee sheets, packed parking lots and plenty of charity and corporate events to host, according to “Avid Golfer.”

The magazine also reported that in 2010 “overall it seems things are rebounding quite nicely.”

The panel of experts, who ranked area public golf courses, reported that “better course conditions, better service, better value made going to the golf course a fun experience once again.”

In June 2008 Missouri City took over QVCC via eminent domain and two months later on Sept. 13 Hurricane

Ike plundered the area. The LaQuinta course was closed for three weeks for clean up.

The 18-hole Eldorado course was opened Thanksgiving weekend last year. It was the second course to open because it needed the most work. It was overgrown with weeds, needed a new irrigation system and a complete green, tee and fairway redesign, which it got.

The number of rounds of golf played on LaQuinta have increased a bit and is also pleasing, Stittleburg said, but what has really increased the numbers of rounds played on both courses are the golf tournaments that were booked in 2010. He said the city is also very pleased that tee times fill up generally by Saturday at 10 a.m.

“We always urge people to call early so they can get the tee time they want,” Stittleburg said. Reservations can be made seven days in advance.

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Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 8, 2010

Opinion Candidate rebuts Jones’ column

The View from Sugar Land Watching Santa twist in the wind

By RUSSELL C. JONES Ever since the opening of the new City Hall eight years ago, the city’s staff has gone to extremes to assure that the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Town Square is memorable for parents and children alike. The games and entertainment are always fun, with talent from area schools and fine arts groups on display.

A few years ago, the staff discovered how to assure that snow would fall in Sugar Land every year just as the tree became ablaze with lights lit jointly by the mayor and Santa. Santa’s arrival has always been exciting, with a new twist each year, just to keep things interesting.

This year Mrs. Claus appeared at the ceremony to say that Santa would arrive soon, and, sure enough, the jolly old elf was spotted atop the Minute Maid Building across the square from City Hall. OK, he was a little late arriving, but then it is a long way from the North Pole to Sugar Land.

The excitement grew as Santa stepped out over the edge of the top of the building to demonstrate his talent at rappelling down to the square. Hundreds of gasps from the crowd later, he was on his way down, hat atop his head and beard firmly intact.

Suddenly, his descent halted five stories above the ground.

A couple of minutes passed and something fell from Santa to the ground. Was it his beard, his hat, or, gasp, his hair? To observers in the square, even with the help of a spotlight, nothing else was happening.

Santa was dangling from a rope sixty feet above the sidewalk.

Murmurs among city staff on the steps of City Hall confirmed the potential for disaster. Santa was stuck. His beard

Jones had tangled in the rapelling equipment, and it would not yield. Concern grew as time passed. Might the city become responsible for costs of counseling of hundreds of children who watched as the worst happened to Santa? Should a ladder truck be called, an easy option for a city-sponsored event?

The chorus stuck up an unplanned rendition of “Deck the Halls.” The spotlight went out. City staff fretted. More minutes passed.

Finally, someone saw movement from Santa. The spotlight returned. In another ten seconds, he had slid to the ground. A few minutes later, Santa, suddenly 60 pounds heavier and displaying no signs of beard or hat problems, had followed a marching drum band and arrived on the steps of City Hall. The Christmas Tree suddenly blazed. Snow began to fall on cue. Santa cried, “Ho, ho, ho,” and all was right again in Sugar Land.

Congratulations to city staff for pulling off another memorable event!

Support your neighborhood Two weeks ago, this column called attention to an attempted coup d’état going on at the First Colony Community Services Association. Abetted

by a local newspaper editor, two candidates rejected by the FCCSA’s nominating committee, including one who is currently involved in litigation against the association costing it thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees, are attempting to take over the association, apparently with the intent of firing existing staff to assure that the association will never again attempt to preserve the first class neighborhood.

That other editor has made numerous false and scurrilous comments in an attempt to assist the coup. Last week she alleged that “the executive director controls who gets on the ballot and which ballots get counted.” Having served on the nominations committee and the ballot counting committee previously, this councilmember can assure all residents of the falsity of that allegation.

The accusations go on: “Many claim that FCCA is bloated with employees and overhead.” The fact is that the FCCSA has fewer employees today than it did five years ago.

FCCSA plays a major role in maintaining property values and is a key component of what makes Sugar Land a great place to live. False allegations intended to assure “reform” where little, if any, reform is needed or appropriate, can only have a long term deleterious effect on our city.

If you have not yet voted, do so immediately. Five candidates are on the ballot for three open positions. The write-in candidates, who claim to be reformers, need to be where the nominations committee left them–left out.

Jones is a member of the Sugar Land City Council, having been first elected in 2003. He owns a law firm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

Musings: Cultural artifacts

By JANICE SCANLAN I had not contemplated my high school and college years being of significant age that they could be considered cultural artifacts.

But last Thursday my cousin’s school, The Joy Middle School, devoted a large school project to researching and collecting artifacts from the 1960’s to present them in the “Museum of the 1960s: History, Science and Pop Culture.”

When I arrived I introduced myself as part of Abigail’s artifacts—complete with peace symbols and feathers. I did leave the long fringe vest in the closet to not completely embarrass Abigail. With the difference in our ages and because her Grandmother and I grew up together, I’m called Aunt Janice so I needed to act my age.

To say these kids did a good job of capturing the 60’s is an understatement.

Just holding the event in an old house had the same feel and energy of a college party with something going on in every room, standing room only— with much conversation and laughter.

The rooms were divided by topics, but there was some overflow between pop culture, science and history. And to my way of thinking they covered every major topic.

Given most of their teachers

Scanlan were either not around or very young, that the exhibit thrilled me and the other grand and latein-life parents is quite a testament.

So what were the big events?

The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Moon Landing and technology, the Vietnam War, the Beatles, civil rights, television, and iconic products such as the GTO, the Ken doll, the “Jackie Look,” psychedelic and tie dye clothing, and the first auto focusing camera made

by Bell and Howell.

Then there were games like Twister and Candyland, Alvin and the Chipmunks, political bumper stickers, the Birmingham school bombing, and a crayon reproduced Woodstock poster.

There was more art work of John Kennedy, Hueys and the rear of a 1958 Chevy Impala

with Texas tags and a Kennedy bumper sticker. All came from family collections or was copied from pictures on the era.

Oh, and I must mention a vintage Beatles Abbey Road Poster.

You know the one from the album of John, Paul, George and Ringo walking single-file across Abbey Road . . . to record the album by that name.

The Jackie Kennedy “look alike” complete with pearls and hat researched the Mercury part of the space program because she feared it might get lost to the moon landing.

Was there educational value?

If you define education as better understanding by learning to find information, organize and express it, absolutely.

One budding scientist could not contain his excitement about what he’d learned and his sources. The kids also had a chance to see parents or grandparents in a new light . . . Abigail interviewed and videotaped her Grandfather about his experiences about Vietnam. So there was research to develop her questions.

When I asked a boy who worked on the Vietnam War what he concluded about the war, he answered, “It was gruesome.” Paraphrasing 60’s newsman Walter Cronkite, “and that’s the way it was.”

Write to janicescanlan@ earthlink.net.

Send your comments Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

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

or opinions by email to editor@ fbindependent.com

By MYATT HANCOCK I am writing in response to Russell Jones’ recent column in your paper to refute the many untruths, exaggerations, and just plain lies contained in his article.

When Mr. Jones states that “two litigants were culled from the ballot… because of their obvious conflicts of interest with the Association”, he was undoubtedly referring to me and another applicant for the board.

When I interviewed with the FCCA Nominating Committee (Mr. Jones being one of the members of that boardappointed committee), I was specifically asked about my role, if any, in the current lawsuit against the FCCA. I explained in detail to the committee that I was not involved in the lawsuit in any way and that the names of the litigants were a matter of public record.

I was called as a witness by both the Plantiffs and Defendents to tell what I knew about the election since I submitted a letter to the FCCA board, in my capacity as a board member, pointing out what appeared to be serious problems with the FCCA election procedures.

After considering the letter, the board decided to engage an attorney to determine if the election was valid and matters proceeded from there without any further involvement from myself.

This clearly begs the question of, “If Mr. Jones was told very clearly during the committee meeting that I was not a litigant and it was a matter of public record, why would he publish something knowing it was false?”

Further in the article, he states that I became a nominee with the “intent of wrecking the Association”. Mr. Jones does not explain how or why I

would accomplish this. Later, Mr. Jones states that I have an “obvious conflict(s) of interest with the Association.”

Still later in the article, Mr. Jones says I have mounted “efforts to take over the Association.” He exhorts his readers to, “Keep out those who want its [FCCA’s] destruction.”

Let’s see what this “alleged” destruction is all about.

Howard Paul and I are running on the same ticket and pledge that, if elected, we will put forth resolutions for certain FCCA reforms. We make no secret of this and, in fact, spell out exactly what we are proposing on the FCCAreform.org website. It consists of three main points.

First, we believe that if the Association is going to substantially change the existing amenities of one of the First Colony neighborhoods, they should first get the approval of its members. There doesn’t seem to be anything too radical in that concept. After all, they are the ones who pay all the dues to fund FCCA and whose property values are at stake.

Secondly, any assessmentpaying resident in First Colony should be able to run for their own homeowners association without being “culled” – as Mr. Jones said I was - by the FCCA board-appointed Nominating Committee.

Mr. Jones didn’t have to get approved by a nominating committee before he was elected as a Sugar Land City Councilman, or when he ran for Mayor. So why does he think this proposal would result in “the destruction of the Association”? Free and open elections are the American way.

Lastly, we propose that the Association limit its future assessment increases to the cost of living inflation. If this is a radical concept, no one told

the voters in the last national election.

I personally find it very concerning that one of our current city councilmen would publish an article that is so disingenuous, so untrue, and so mean-spirited. Does Mr. Jones have his own hidden agenda for doing this? He castigates me for running as a write-in candidate as “an attempt to nullify the decisions of the nominating committee” – as if it is un-American to run as a write-in candidate.

Who is he to try to limit the candidate choices of the FCCA resident and business Members? He accuses me, Howard Paul, the Edgewater residents and Bev Carter, the owner of a local newspaper, of plotting “the destruction of the Association”, with “intent of wrecking the Association”, and wanting to “take over the Association”. The Edgewater residents, who Mr. Jones says are trying “to discredit the Board and staff”, have a petition with over 800 signatures proposing the resolution that Howard and I support, which is that the FCCA cannot substantially change neighborhood amenities without getting the neighborhood’s approval. These 800 petitioners number significantly more than the 459 votes Mr. Jones received when he was elected city councilman in 2003.

Just as voters have a choice in the Dec. 9 FCCA board election, the readers of this paper have a choice. They can believe Mr. Jones’ defamatory and unsupported accusations, or they can believe two candidates who have put their entire platform on a website and 800 residents that have petitioned the FCCA for a reasonable voice in their homeowners association.

(Hancock was a director on FCCA board from 2007 to 2009.)

“Big government lives in your neighborhood” To the Editor: If you vote for Eleanor Blain on the ballot and writein Myatt Hancock and Howard Paul, does that make you a “silly” or “emotional” resident who wants the “destruction” of First Colony?

What was City of Sugar Land Council Member and

leading citizen Russell Jones saying when he used those words in last week’s editorial?

Are you a “bandit” subject to fines and foreclosure if you put a political sign in your yard advocating the Reform Ticket for the annual F.C.C.A. Board of Directors Election

on Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Towne Center Marriott?

What is it about residents putting up a yard sign that caused FCCA Executive Director Sherrie Knoepfel to consider fining them for this common act of political expression?

Jonathan C.C. Day

The FCCA election entails neither “war” nor “destruction”

By MICHAEL J. JURENKO As many people are aware there have been a number of controversies surrounding the current management and actions of the First Colony Community Services Association (FCCA) Board of Directors regarding improvements and capital expenditures by the FCCA. Mr. Russell Jones in his Nov. 24 column on the FCCA election states that there has been an “all out war” regarding FCCA’s current spending plans. Nothing can be further from the truth as no one has declared “war” on the FCCA. As dues paying members of the FCCA the members are entitled to question the actions and expenditures of their home owners associations and when necessary bring those controversies into the light of day, to which the FCCA has taken great umbrage.

Mr. Jones fails to mention in his article that the spending plans (e.g. Master plan”) included the expenditure of $11 million while we are in the middle of worst recession since the Great Depression, the planned destruction of five of 10 perfectly good and functional neighborhood swimming pools without replacements, the construction of a splash park in the Lakes

of Edgewater which is redundant and virtually no one wants, and the irregularities surrounding the nominating process to members of the FCCA Board of Directors for which FCCA has been previously sued and lost.

Another example of the ridiculous spending proposed by the FCCA Board of Directors is that the city of Sugar Land has just been named the safest city in Texas and the 12th safest in the United States yet FCCA also wants to spend money on license plate reader cameras in the interest of “crime prevention” and to monitor the comings and goings of their members.

When did the FCCA tell their membership that they wanted to destroy five of ten perfectly good swimming pools via their glossy monthly newsletter named “The Compass”?

The FCCA has gone to great lengths to conceal these plans from 10,000 homeowners by burying these issues as a “Master Plan” document in the FCCA website instead of publishing their plans in an open fashion in the FCCA’s newsletter named, but then why would they want to tell the residents that they are planning on their swimming as well as spending $11 mil-

lion of their dues money in an upfront and candid fashion?

Despite the fact that the FCCA controls the content of their newsletter they did not publish one word about their plans until the local news media including several television stations began covering the questionable actions of the FCCA board of directors.

To say that the residents of Edgewater did not notice his plan after several years is disingenuous at best because this information was never put somewhere where it could be noticed.

Mr. Jones argues that the park in question for the Lakes of Edgewater where splash pad is proposed to be constructed belongs to all of the homeowners.

The swimming pools slated for demolition as well as $11,000,000 that FCCA wishes to spend also belong to all of the homeowners, but no one on the BoD seemed to care about that until the members raised our collective voices.

While it could be argued that the best possible use of homeowners dues is to continue on with improvements, the best possible use of homeowners funds is not building something that no one wants See FCCA, Page 5

DECEMBER 8, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

News Arc’s “Best in the West” On Saturday, Nov. 20, they came from far and wide to rock the George Ranch Arena for The Arc of Fort Bend County’s annual fundraiser, “The Best in the West.”

For the 32nd year, County Commissioner James Patterson, Ann Smith and Jo Ann Stevens produced an incredible evening of outstanding live and silent auction items, legendary barbecue from The Swinging Door and excellent music by The Triumphs, a Rosenberg-based band.

Kevin and Carla Casey and Reid Thomas of KR Mustang donated a completely restored, 1966, fire engine red, V8 Mustang to the event.

The boot-scootin’ crowd quieted for a few moments when Patterson welcomed Kevin Casey, Mike Casey (Arc board member and Kevin’s dad), and Michael Cushenberry to the stage.

Michael drew the winning raffle ticket for the Mustang.

And the winner was (drum

FCCA From Page 4 or needs, specifically unwanted splash parks, swimming pool demolition and license plate readers among other things.

What value do these things bring to the members of FCCA? Will it raise home prices in the area? - Not even the FCCA’s own Realtor advisors can say that it will.

Since a similar facility is located at the Aquatic Center on Austin Parkway why does FCCA insist on placing another splash park in an area where virtually no one wants it? Isn’t the opposed water splash park redundant with the Aquatic Center splash park?

Jones says that some of the arguments rendered in this discussion have been "silly."

It is not now nor has it ever been "silly" to try and preserve the neighborhood and amenities that we bought and paid for with our HOA dues, especially the five perfectly good swimming pools that FCCA wanted to tear down.

To their credit the FCCA board has decided to preserve swimming pools through 2011 swimming season but has not told anyone what will happen to these pools beyond then.

One of the most silly if not ridiculous arguments in this discourse was made by the FCCA itself when it published in their newsletter that the destruction and reconstruction of the McDonald's on Highway 6 was similar to their plans to destruction of five neighborhood swimming pools. One thing they forgot to point out was that the owners of the McDonald's rebuilt and reopened their facility within 90 days which was recently lauded in the FCCA's own publication, The Compass. The FCCA has yet to tell their members what they are going to do if they decide to demolish the five swimming pools in question.

Mr. Jones goes on to pick on primarily the residents of Edgewater.

Had Mr. Jones bothered to attend any of the FCCA board meetings he would've seen that the residents opposing the FCCA's current course of action are not "a small but vocal group" as identified by Mrs. Sherri Knopfel, Executive Director of the FCCA, but a diverse group from many various neighborhoods within the 70+ subdivisions of FCCA. This is readily documentable as in order to address the board those who spoke were required to register on a sign

roll) John S. Verchiens of Pearland!

The announcement was followed by collective groans from the disappointed men and women who didn’t get the car of their dreams.

The mission of The Arc of Fort Bend County is to ensure opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community. Proceeds from “The

Best in the West” will be used to maintain group homes that The Arc leases to HCS providers and townhomes leased to Arc clients; to support the self-advocates, youth, Special Olympics and TwentySomethings groups; to provide social and recreational activities for over 120 Arc clients; and to support The Arc’s legislative and educational advocacy and the employment services programs.

in sheet in the lobby which identifies each speaker by name, address, phone number, and subdivision before they could address the FCCA Board of Directors.

Despite our request for open meetings regarding the current nominating process we were told by Mrs. Sherri Knopfel that the FCCA is not subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act, nor the Texas Open Records Act. What does the FCCA have to hide?

Those who are currently seeking to be elected to the Board of directors of the FCCA have legitimate concerns with the way the FCCA is currently conducting their business. They have every right to seek to be elected to the board and no one is trying to stage a coup d'état against the FCCA, but we are concerned homeowners with an interest in reforming the way the FCCA currently operates.

Candidates Eleanor Blaine, and write in candidates Myatt Hancock and Howard Paul are not now nor ever been part of the aforementioned litigation against the FCCA nominating process.

Not one of the candidates submitted their application for the BoD intending to "wreck" the Association as Mr. Jones stated, but their intentions are to reform the FCCA BoD. In fact these prospective nominees have the intention of actually listening to the homeowners who pay the operating expenses of FCCA and salaries of the FCCA employees including the Executive Director through their dues money which is collected under the threat of foreclosure of their homes.

Everyone who lives in FCCA is proud to be a resident of this neighborhood.

Those that have been opposing certain plans of the BoD are also proud to be residents, however are very frustrated with the tone deafness of the FCCA BoD to date.

Mr. Jones goes on to ask "Does First Colony look like its staff is "unresponsive" and needs to be replaced?"

If it is a current FCCA board of directors, the answer is unequivocally yes. No one I've spoken to seems to have a problem with the 32 or so staff members of the FCCA other than the Executive Director Mrs. Knoepfel. If the FCCA BoD and Mrs. Knoepfel were responsive to their members the ensuing news coverage to which Mr. Jones is so vehemently opposed would not be occurring.

While Mr. Jones states that Messer's Blaine, Hancock and

Paul are demanding change without explaining what their change may be their positions are clearly stated at FCCAreform.org and consists of three simple proposals.

1. Conduct a top to bottom review in order to reduce expenses and shrink staff (currently 32 employees), 2. Hold all future assessment increases to the previous year's inflation rate, and 3. Keep a minimum of reserves for future maintenance of infrastructure and amenities.

We are against the current board proposal to raid the reserves of $11 million to build water parks. This is hardly tearing down or destroying the FCCA as we know it.

All members of the FCCA agree that a strong BoD at the FCCA benefits all members of this association. Strength is not measured in a BoD's single-mindedness to take a path to which their own constituency is opposed. Strength is measured in the ability to listen to and reasonably adjust to the circumstances at hand, which in this case may include amending the FCCA BoD's "master plan" to be more in harmony with the legitimate concerns of their members.

The FCCA BoD has been tone deaf to their dues paying members and that is what has created the current controversy.

No one who has opposed the current path of the FCCA has been planning its destruction. In fact the FCCA BoD should be glad that the hundreds of FCCA members from their numerous subdivisions who have presented their opinions to the FCCA BoD had the dedication, concern, and, courage to take time (and in many cases time off from work) to present their legitimate concerns to the FCCA BoD. Many of these people braved the summer heat and mosquitoes to walk petitions and pamphlets throughout their neighborhoods to inform their fellow FCCA members of the path that the FCCA Board of Directors has been taking.

Apathy of the members is what will destroy FCCA or any other HOA faster than any army of lawyers.

The current apathy of the FCCA BoD towards the concerns of their members is currently destroying what previously had been and hopefully will continue to be one of the best managed HOAs in Texas if not the country.

Michael Jurenko has lived in First Colony since 1997.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital makes a mark in heart surgery

Larry Jackson, Uttam Tripathy, M.D. and Henrieto Delosreyes In the past month, Uttam Tripathy, M.D., cardio thoracic surgeon has performed two types of heart surgeries at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital that were the FIRST of their kind in Fort Bend County.

The first was a “Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting” procedure.

A coronary artery bypass surgery is needed when one or more of a patient’s coronary arteries are blocked, and the heart is not able to pump blood effectively.

Usually, coronary artery bypass procedures are performed through an open heart approach, in which the chest is spread open from the midline and recovery is several months long.

In the minimally invasive approach, the surgery is performed by spreading the ribs rather than opening the chest.

The longest incision is on the side of the chest and is only 5 to 7 centimeters long. The surgical instruments used are longer and thinner, so the surgery can be performed through fewer and smaller incisions.

Because the surgery is minimally invasive, it offers several recovery benefits, including: •improved cosmetic outcome •reduced length of hospital stay •quicker return to normal

activities •fewer restrictions following surgery Henrieto Delosreyes and Larry Jackson were two of the first patients to have this surgery.

“I have had a surprisingly painless recovery, and I was able to go back to work two weeks after the surgery. Staying at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital was like staying at a hotel, and the quality of care I received, I believe, also helped with my recovery,” said Delosreyes.

Jackson, another of Dr. Tripathy’s patients, said “I was out of bed the morning after my surgery, and I walked out of the hospital only four days later.”

Dr. Tripathy also performed Fort Bend County’s first minimally invasive aortic valve replacement.

In this procedure, the valve between the heart and the aorta is replaced while the patient’s heart is still beating.

Replacing a diseased or hardened valve helps the heart pump blood more efficiently, and performing this surgery while the heart is still beating significantly decreases the patient’s recovery time and restrictions following surgery.

“Performing minimally invasive surgeries helps us reach our goals of achieving better results with a faster and

less painful recovery for our patients which allows them to return home sooner. Delicate surgeries like these can only be performed at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital in Fort Bend County. Their nursing and other support staff are highly skilled—many have been trained in the Medical Center,” said Dr. Tripathy.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and aortic valve replacement surgery are just two of the many medical firsts that Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has brought to Fort Bend County.

In the last couple of years, for example, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s physicians have successfully performed abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, first angioplasty with stents, awake craniotomy, brain surgery, carotid artery stenting, gastric LAPBAND® surgery & laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, open heart surgery, MRI-guided biopsy, robotic surgery, single-puncture laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, urinary bladder reconstruction, videoassisted esophagomyotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and 3T Breast MRI. To make an appointment with Dr. Tripathy or another cardiothoracic surgeon a, call 281-274-7500 or visit MethodistSugarLand.com.

Missouri City needs a voice To the Editor: There are 2,000 Missouri City homes in the FCCA. There are two Missouri City men on the ballot, Anthony Maroulis and Howard Moline.

If the write-in campaign by the Save our Pools group succeeds, the FCCA Board will consist of 100 percent Sugar Land members.

Did you know that one of the write-in candidates, Myatt Hancock lives next door to a current board member and that was one of the reasons he wasn’t selected by the nomination committee?

For 60 neighborhoods in FCCA, do we need two of the board members from the same street in Sweetwater?

How are the lesser neigh-

borhoods represented? How are Missouri City’s very unique issues going to be handled?

Whether you are for the pools or against, we don’t need two reps from the same street in an association of 14,000 homes. And we surely need some representation for Missouri City residents.

Marianne Gilmore

WINTER MINI-TERM and SPRING SEMESTER 2011 REGISTRATION

Winter Mini-Term begins December 20 (Register November 1 through December 16)

Spring semester classes begin January 18, 2011 (Register November 1 through January 16)

WHARTON • SUGAR LAND • RICHMOND • BAY CITY EL CAMPO • PALACIOS

wcjc.edu 1-800-561-WCJC WCJC is an E.O.E. institution.

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 8, 2010

News Legacy Ford donates van to Arc

On Friday, Dec. 3, The Arc of Fort Bend County took possession of a “new” minivan donated by Ron Ewer of Legacy Ford. The Arc needed a vehicle with ample space to haul supplies and materials to the many events they sponsor each year. Executive Director, Laura LaVigne, approached long-time Arc members, Sheriff Milton Wright and his wife, Marian, to ask for their assistance in locating a vehicle. The Wrights contacted Ron Ewer and he graciously offered to donate a 1997 Chevy Astro Van – after detailing and “wrapping” the vehicle with The Arc’s logo and services. Ron made sure the van was road – ready and assigned his graphic artist to design the artwork. “We are very excited about receiving this van and how easy it will now be to transport our equipment and supplies for special events, recreation and Special Olympics activities.

Thank you, Ron Ewer and Toys for Tots Fort Bend is accepting requests from local Legacy Ford!” commented families who would like to receive toys to brighten the hol- Laura LaVigne. idays for their children. Families may register up until DeAbove, LaVigne, in the cember 10. Last year, more than 1,200 local children benefited van, Ron Ewer, Milton and from the Toys for Tots program. Toys are provided to those Marian Wright. living in Fort Bend County and proof of residence is required and includes a driver’s license, state-issued identification or utility bill with a Fort Bend address that matches the name on the photo identification.

“It is easy to register and we encourage any family that may LEGAL NOTICE need some assistance to please visit our website at www.toysINVITATION TO BIDDERS fortots.org,” said Jack Molho, coordinator for Toys for Tots Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend Fort Bend. “From the main web page, navigate to the Texas/ County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Fort Bend County page and at the right side click on the “Toy Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All Request Form.” Once registered, Molho said participants will bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Ofbe contacted with the time and location of the distribution fice of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received point. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made at First after the specified time will be returned unopened.

BID 11-025 – AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEMS INTEGRAColony Mall or any of the following locations: TION PROJECT FOR FORT BEND COUNTY JUSTICE • Finnegan Auto Group CENTER Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check • Legacy Ford Lincoln after products/services are rendered. Bonds are re• Kids r Kids – Katy quired. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

• Republic Harley Davidson Signed: • Toys “R” Us – Sugar Land Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas • BounceU Houston SW For more information, visit toysfortotsfortbend@gmail.com LEGAL NOTICE or www.toysfortots.org .

Residents can request donations from Toys for Tots

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-10-45 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A 1,600 SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY AS A SPECIFIC USE-TOWERS: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE; DESCRIBING SAID 1,600 SQUARE FEET OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USE; REFERENCING A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN; PROVIDING FOR CONSTRUCTION ACCORDING TO SAID PLAN; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY AS ADOPTED ON JANUARY 19, 1981, BY ORDINANCE NO. O-81-1, AS AMENDED; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Patrice Fogarty, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-1045 approved on first and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on November 15, 2010, as the same appears in the records of my office.

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, DECEMBER 16, 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 11-026 – PROVIDE AND INSTALL 100 FOOT TOWER AT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT A pre-bid conference will be conducted on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 9:00AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management located at 307 Fort Street in Richmond. All vendors are encouraged to attend.

Lump sum pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.

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

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

Sales manager of the year

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has honored Dan Gezella with a 2010 Silver Award for Sales Manager of the Year. Gezella is vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes’ Houston division.

Gezella, who joined Ashton Woods in 2008, is now a finalist for The Nationals Gold Awards, the nation’s largest competition for new-home sales and marketing professionals. Winners will be announced in January during the International Builders Show.

This the second time Gezella has been named Sales Manager of the Year in the NAHB’s Silver Awards competition, having also earned the honor in 2008. He also was named Sales Manager of the Year during the 2009 and 2006 Texas Star Awards (Texas Association of Builders) and during the 2009 Houston’s Best Awards (Greater Houston Builders Association) and 2008 PRISM Awards (GHBA).

CITATION BY PUBLICATION DIVORCE The State of Texas TO: Shazia Shahid 1800 Austin Pkwy, Apt 1502, Sugar Land, TX 77479, and to all whom it may concern, Respondent GREETINGS: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty (20) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The Original Petition for Divorce of Shahid Munir, was filed in the 387th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, on November 08, 2010 against Shazia Shahid, being numbered 10-DCV185450 and entitled In the Matter of the Marriage of Shahid Munir and Shazia Shahid and in the Interest of Zainab Shahid, Ebrahim Shahid and Ismael Shahid, Children. The suit requests bonds of matrimony be dissolved.

The court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property which will be binding on you.

The Court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree in the child(ren)’s interest which will be binding upon you, including the termination of the parentchild relationship, the determination of paternity and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child(ren)’s adoption.

Issued and given under my hand and seal of the said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 3rd day of December, 2010.

Petitioner’s Attorney: Farah Kamal Kamal Law Firm PLLC 2600 SW Freeway Suite 1000 Houston TX 77098 713-524-4529 DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas By: Deputy District Clerk Daisy Reyes Telephone: 281-633-7620

/s/ Patrice Fogarty, TRMC City Secretary

‘Tis the season to honor Texas Children’s Hospital The holiday season is often associated with giving, children and music. On Dec. 12, A Christmas Concert will wrap all three into one event that honors the leader of an organization that has been providing care to children from Houston and beyond for more than 60 years – Texas Children’s Hospital President and CEO Mark A. Wallace.

A Christmas Concert is an annual event sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Houston Texas South Stake and is open to the public at no charge. The concert will also feature Christmas music sung by the Houston Texas South Stake choir, with refreshments served afterwards.

The event begins at 6 p.m. at 14555 Lexington Blvd., in Sugar Land.

“Texas Children’s Hospital is a shining star for its service to children in need,” said Houston South Stake President Kenneth S. Barrow. “It is only appropriate during the Christmas season that the Church and members of Houston-area communities say thank you to Mr. Wallace and the Texas Children’s staff for their efforts to provide care to our precious children.”

In recent years, the Houston Texas South Stake has honored the Salvation Army and the United Way during the concert. For more information, contact Brad Thomas at 281-761-4467.

Creation There will be a public viewing of the film “Creation” on Friday, Dec. 10 starting at 7:15 p.m. at the Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Stafford. The movie is about controversial English scientist Charles Darwin and his wife Emily.

This British biographical drama tells the story of Darwin’s relationship with Annie, his oldest daughter and his struggles to write “On the Origin of the Species.”

The film is adapted from a book written by Darwin’s descendant, Randall Keynes. There is no charge to attend, although donations are accepted. Refreshments will be offered.

The Thoreau Congregation is located at 3945 Greenbriar in Stafford. For directions go to www.tuuc.org.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Sealed submittals one (1) original and five (5) copies, addressed to the City Secretary Office of the City of Sugar Land, Texas, will be received until 3:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010 for: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 2011-05 SENIOR CENTER DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Submissions shall be appropriately marked in the upper left hand corner as follows: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 2011-05 SENIOR CENTER DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Signed and sealed submittals shall be delivered to the City Secretary Office, on or before 3:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. All submissions received after the appointed time shall be returned to bidder unopened. Notice of the award of contract shall be given by the City within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date for the opening of submittals.

The City reserves the right to revise or amend the specifications prior to the date set for opening of submittals. Such revisions or amendments, if any, will be announced by addenda or addendum to the specifications. Copies of such addenda so issued will be furnished to all prospective submitters and may or may not affect the submission opening date.

The City of Sugar Land reserves the right to reject any and all submissions and to waive informalities in submittals received. The award will be made based on a panel evaluation of submittals received.

RFQ documents may be secured from City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, or by registering on https:// www.bidsync.com. Registration is free. All documents, amendments and other information relating to the submittal will be posted at this site.

For questions regarding this request for qualification, please contact Jason Poscovsky, Contract Administrator, Telephone (281) 275-2302 or email jposcovsky@sugarlandtx.gov.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids in triplicate, one (1) original and two (2) copies, addressed to the City of Sugar Land, Texas, will be received until 11:00 o’clock a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010, for: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed submittals one (1) original and five (5) copies, addressed to the City Secretary Office of the City of Sugar Land, Texas, will be received until 3:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010 for:

STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 2011-06 TOWN CENTER PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS

AIRPORT GREEN SPACE PROJECT Sealed bids shall be appropriately marked as follows: BID NO. 2011-04 AIRPORT GREEN SPACE PROJECT BIDDER NAME, ADDRESS, AND DUE DATE Bidder shall sign and date the bid. Bids that are not signed and dated will be rejected.

Submissions shall be appropriately marked in the upper left hand corner as follows: CIP PROJECT NAME:

City of Sugar Land Street Improvement Projects CIP PROJECT NUMBER: TR1002 LOCATION OF WORK: Intersection of Williams Trace Boulevard and Lexington Boulevard, Williams Trace and Englewood Place, State Highway 99 and U.S. 59 U-Turn, University Boulevard and U.S. 59 Southbound Frontage Road Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from Landtech Consultants, 2525 North Loop West, Suite 300, Houston, Texas, 77008, Telephone (713) 861-7068 with payment of $75.00.

Sealed bids shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 30, 2010, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010, Fire Administration Building, Room No. 250, 10405 Corporate Drive, Sugar Land, Texas, 77487.

The City Council will award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder that complies with all requirements of the Request for Bids. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 2011-06 TOWN CENTER PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS Signed and sealed submittals shall be delivered to the City Secretary Office, on or before 3:00 o’clock p.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. All submissions received after the appointed time shall be returned to bidder unopened. Notice of the award of contract shall be given by the City within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the date for the opening of submittals.

The City reserves the right to revise or amend the specifications prior to the date set for opening of submittals. Such revisions or amendments, if any, will be announced by addenda or addendum to the specifications. Copies of such addenda so issued will be furnished to all prospective submitters and may or may not affect the submission opening date.

The City of Sugar Land reserves the right to reject any and all submissions and to waive informalities in submittals received. The award will be made based on a panel evaluation of submittals received.

RFQ documents may be secured from City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, or by registering on https:// www.bidsync.com. Registration is free. All documents, amendments and other information relating to the submittal will be posted at this site.

For questions regarding this request for qualification, please contact Jason Poscovsky, Contract Administrator, Telephone (281) 275-2302 or email jposcovsky@sugarlandtx.gov.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

Signed and sealed bids shall be delivered to the City Secretary Office, on or before 11:00 o’clock a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2010, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. All bids received after the appointed time shall be returned to bidder unopened. Notice of the award of contract shall be given by the City within thirty (30) days following the date for the opening of bids.

The City reserves the right to revise or amend the specifications prior to the date set for opening of bids. Such revisions or amendments, if any, will be announced by addenda or addendum to the specifications. Copies of such addenda so issued will be furnished to all prospective bidders and may or may not affect the bid opening date.

The City of Sugar Land reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive informalities in bids received. The award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 08, 2010, Sugar Land Regional Airport, Conference Room 24, 12888-B Highway 6 South, Sugar Land, Texas, 77498.

ITB documents may be secured from City of Sugar Land City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, or by registering on https://www.bidsync.com. Registration is free. All bid documents, amendments and other information relating to the bid will be posted at this site.

For questions regarding this bid, please contact Jason Poscovsky, Contract Administrator, Telephone (281) 275-2302 or email jposcovsky@sugarlandtx.gov.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAE City Secretary

DECEMBER 8, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

AUTOMOBILE: TOYOTA CAMRY

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The Toyota Camry is as comfortable a four-door sedan as you’ll find. It’s easy on the eyes, the driver and passengers.

For 2011 the Camry’s V6 fuel economy increased from 19/28 mpg to 20/29 miles to the gallon for city/highway driving and has new lower rolling resistance tires on V6 models. The SE became available with either a fourcylinder or V6 engine and the latest in connected user technologies are available.

The Toyota Camry is available in Camry, LE, SE, XLE and hybrid models. The test drive was a SE, which with all standard equipment, retails for $26,165. The test drive SE sedan was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 dual overhead cam (DOHC) 24 valve with variable valve timing and was

paired with a six-speed transmission. It rides on 17-inch, six spoke alloy wheels, has sport suspension and includes solid front and rear anti-roll bars, sport springs and bushings to provide a firmer, sportier ride.

The Camry is the best selling passenger car in American for eight years running and for the second year in a row was ranked No. 1 on the “American-made Index.” The 2011

Camry blends performance and economy in an ideal way for midsize car customers.

The DOHC 2.5-liter fourcylinder engine, which was new for the 2010 model year is standard on all models.

It is equipped with dual variable valve timing with intelligence to privide a wide torque band. The four cylinder engine produces 169 horsepower and 167 lb.-ft. torque at 4,100 rpm. The SE grade

engine makes 179 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. torque.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine makes 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm and 268 horsepower.

All Camry models come with a six-speed automatic transmission that has a sequential mode for manual shifting. Intelligent control adapts shifting strategy in response to driver input with fast kick-down and noticeable response.

All Camry models are equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and have four-wheel independent suspension via MacPhersion struts in front and a dual-link strut rear configuration.

All models also come with anti-lock brake system, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Standard vehicle stability control with

traction control regulates engine output and brake application on individual wheels to help control loss of traction in turns.

The SE has as flat an underbody as possible to smooth and speed the airflow under the car.

Engineers also specially tuned the balance between front and rear downforce.

Standard equipment on all Camry’s are air conditioning with pollen filter, power windows with auto up/down and jam protection, power door locks and side mirrors, cruise control, halogen headlamps with on/off feature, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, vehicle immobilizer and a sixspeaker 160-watter audio system with auxiliary audio jack.

All Camry audio systems can play CDs with MP3 files.

Options for select Camry grades include a power tile/

slide moonroof, heated front seats, voice-command DVD navigation system, leather seats, rear spoiler and Smart Key system featuring push button start. The SE grade is available with an optional audio system featuring a new USB port for auxiliary music sources, Bluetooth, integrated satellite radio, single-CD and MP3 and streaming music capability.

The Camry SE has a nicely designed interior that’s roomy and convenient. The ride is always a pleasure and comfort is the byword.

The SE has a sport-trimmed interior in dark charcoal or ash gray with a leather wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel and blue-colored Optitron gauges.

With the back seat folded down the Camry has 15 cubic feet of cargo room.

FILM REVIEW: Black Swan “Black Swan” has a huge Oscar buzz because of the stupendous performance by Natalie Portman as the emotionally fragile New York ballerina.

Portman plays Nina who still lives with her smothering mother (Barbara Hershey-62) who is a former ballerina and wants to control Nina’s life and career.

Nina wants to be The Swan Queen very badly and she is willing to do whatever it takes to be the star and the heck with everyone else. Her artistic director (Vincent Cassel), on the other hand, is willing to manipulate her and the other competing women even if he has to sexually harass them.

Those darn directors and their power moves!

Nina has a long list of issues such as sexual frustration, de-

nial, and body mutilation, but what’s a girl to do when competing for the biggest part of her life and the limelight of the New York stage? Is Nina right for the part of The Swan Queen? Not exactly, because she is perfect as the naïve, pure White Swan but not as true as the sexy Black Swan.

FILM REVIEW 127 Hours This is the movie about the young man that was hiking alone near Maob, Utah, in 2003 when his right arm and hand became pinned by a boulder. He was an experienced canyoneer, but even this situation was beyond his meager equipment kept in his backpack. He was desperate.

He had not told anyone where he was going.

This movie is directed by Danny “Slumdog Millionaire” Boyle who also cowrote the screenplay with Simon Beaufoy who won the 2009 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Slumdog.”

Their screenplay is based on the novel “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston. Ralston is the guy the country first met when he survived this ordeal and lived to tell the world about his incredible journey and the time he spent helplessly trapped by the unforgiving boulder.

I often wondered “how could this happen?” This film painfully describes the events and superbly introduces us to Aron played by James Franco. I am writing this review while I am watching the movie at my desk in my office.

Never write while watching a movie. It is riveting and I’m squirming in my chair.

When he was first trapped and was frantically trying to extricate himself, I did not think I would be able to continue watching. The story is gripping and Franco’s portrayal is excruciatingly believable. The film editing, camera angles and direction are enthralling.

Back to Aron; he’s suffering and having hallucinations, talking and singing to himself; doing anything to stay alive as his situation seems hopeless.

He dropped his small pocket knife but was able to

adroitly retrieve it. He has a video camera and is capturing significant scenes and leaving messages to whoever might find him and his parents.

Boyle is developing Aron’s character through flashbacks while keeping tabs on the ordeal. It started on Sunday and now it’s Monday. Aron is attempting to wedge, push, and leverage the boulder off his arm; nothing is working. I’m really rooting for this guy. No more writing until the film is over.

I lied; I couldn’t wait. The scene I just saw caused me to get out of my chair and quickly stand up and walk around my office only to hurriedly return so I wouldn’t miss anything.

Aron and I are both struggling.

Props to Danny Boyle; I’m sucking on a butterscotch so I’ll calm down. Aron is asleep and an ant is crawling on his face.

I made it; the movie is over and the ending credits are rolling. Did Aron make it? I need a break. I’m drained. Franco deserves a nomination and so does Boyle. Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 94.

Larry H. sugarlaw@larryharrison.com

Lily (Mila Kunis) is ideal as The Black Swan and is carefree and a party-girl; just the opposite of the uptight Nina.

They form an odd, complicated friendship that is the highlight of the film. Kunis is a hot 27-year old actress, born in Kiev, USSR, which is now the Ukraine, and I expect

to see great things from her in the future.

Now let’s talk about Natalie Portman; will she be nominated for Best Actress? Yes because she deserves it. I heard her tell David Letterman that she lost 20 pounds to play the emaciated Nina and Hollywood loves dramatic shifts in weight so that will earn her some extra points.

“Emaciated” is probably an unfair term since ballerina’s have a tendency to look like they need some meat on their bones. But no matter the weight, Portman was brilliant and her performance was memorable as the contorted Nina.

Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 90. Larry H. sugarlaw@larryharrison.com

Southminster November Mission Project

Not just oil, Pennzoil

PROUDLY SERVING FORT BEND SINCE 1981

RUSSELL C. JONES THELMA HOLOWAY JONES LEWIS W. “CHIP” SMITH IV JANICE W. SUCHYTA

Each month Southminster School students participate in a mission project. For the month of November students collected Teddy bears for the Missouri City Police Department. Officers carry the bears in the trunks of their patrol cars so that they will have them handy in any situation in which children might be involved. Providing this extra TLC is a great gift that Southminster children can give to other children in need. Officer Flagg of the Missouri City Police Department graciously accepted the bears from Helen Jackson, Head of School, and Southminster students.

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

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 8, 2010

Let It Bead For all Your Beading and jewelry Needs Including the Largest selection of Beading Supplies, Body Jewelry, Custom Jewelry and Gifts.

3613 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478

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Discount with this ad

(281)265-0140 Discount not applicable to classes, parties or repairs.

REPUTATION DOES MATTER Top Orthopedic Surgeon (National Level) One of only 23 named in the Houston area by the “Consumers’ Checkbook Guide to Top Doctors”

Texas Super Doctor (State Level)

by “Texas Monthly” Magazine for the past 6 years

Outstanding Orthopedic Surgeon of Texas as seen in "Sports Illustrated" Mar. 22, 2010

Houston’s Top Doctors (Local Level) by “H Texas Magazine” 2010

THOMAS J. PARR, M.D. ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON 14090 Southwest Fwy, #130 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Phone: (281) 491-7111 www.tomparrmd.net www.FtBendSportsMedicine.com

Beauty Supply & Sale

open to the public

Buy 1, Get 1 of lesser value, 1/2 off on Remi. Human Hair Wigs, Pony Tails

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off with membership Expires 12/31/10

Weaving & Braiding Hair, Cosmetics, Perfumes, Jewelry, Shoes and Skin care Products

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281-261-7160 WHERE BEAUTY & STYLE IS EVERYTHING! 5011 Highway 6, Missouri City, TX 77459

RIVERSTONE DONATIONS. Riverstone recently donated more than $12,000 to the Fort Bend Junior Service League and Fort Bend Seniors/Meals on Wheels, proceeds from ticket sales to see acclaimed street painter Tracy Lee Sturm and the artwork she created in a multi-million-dollar estate home in Riverstone. Celebrating the success of the event are, from left, Pam Spencer, president of the Fort Bend Junior Service League; Catherine Kubala; Beth Butler; Riverstone’s Paula Moss and Christen Johnson; Tom Neyland, Sterling Classic Homes; Sherry Fuller; Manuela Arroyas, executive director of Fort Bend Seniors; Laura Thompson; and Kristin Weiss.

Prize winning quilts on display

Interested about breastfeeding?

Mothers wishing to find out more about breastfeeding are invited to attend a meeting of La Leche League of Fort Bend every second Monday at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital or every third Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital. Babies are always welcome at meetings. La Leche League Leaders of Fort Bend are available by phone for anyone who needs more information: Laura: 281-277-4989, Melia: 281-344-8585. La Leche League of Fort Bend is a breastfeeding support group for new and expectant mothers. La Leche League of Fort Bend offers meetings, education, and support.

Joyce Jackson Prize-winning quilts from members of the Coastal Prairie Quilt Guild will be on display at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mamie George Branch, 320 Dulles Avenue in Stafford, throughout the month of December.

The exhibit will feature quilts made by Sugar Land crafters Joyce Jackson, Carol Kettlewell, and Barbara Baxter, for the Coastal Prairie Guild’s recent show at the Stafford Centre.

According to Jackson, the quilts are made of cotton fabric, but each employs a different quilting technique, such as machine-piecing, handappliqué, and paper-piecing.

One of the items on display is a memory quilt made of fabric that Jackson collected on a trip to New Zealand.

This beautifully-crafted piece captures many unique aspects of that country’s culture and natural beauty.

Jackson’s quilt, which recently won awards at the Fort Bend County Fair and the Guild’s show at the Stafford Centre, is scheduled to be on display at the 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

A seasonal wall-hanging will also be part of the display, as well as an award-winning quilt showing a hummingbird in flight.

The exhibit may be viewed during regular library hours.

For more information, call the branch library at 281238-2880.

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OakBend Medical Center has the only Cancer Program in Fort Bend County that is accredited with commendation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. As the only hospital in Fort Bend County to receive this honor, we continue to go above and beyond to offer our patients award-winning cancer care….close to home.

CoC Accreditation with Commendation reflects OakBend’s ongoing commitment to provide: UÊ «Ài i à ÛiÊV>Ài]Ê V Õ` }Ê>ÊÀ> }iÊ vÊÃÌ>Ìi v Ì i >ÀÌÊ services and equipment UÊÊ Ê Õ Ì ` ÃV « >ÀÞ]ÊÌi> Ê>««À >V ÊÌ ÊV À` >ÌiÊÌ iÊLiÃÌÊ treatment options UÊÊ v À >Ì Ê>L ÕÌÊ } }ÊV V> ÊÌÀ > ÃÊ> `Ê iÜÊÌÀi>Ì i ÌÊ «Ì à UÊ VViÃÃÊÌ ÊV> ViÀ Ài >Ìi`Ê v À >Ì ]Êi`ÕV>Ì Ê> `ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌ UÊÊ ÊV> ViÀÊÀi} ÃÌÀÞÊÌ >ÌÊV iVÌÃÊ`>Ì>Ê ÊÌÞ«iÊ> `ÊÃÌ>}iÊ vÊV> ViÀÃÊ> `Ê treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up

Forum with local, state and federal officials

UÊ" } }Ê Ì À }Ê> `Ê «À Ûi i ÌÊ vÊV>Ài OakBend Medical Center has developed a wide variety of community support services and screening events to advocate early detection and cancer prevention. Our campus also has a designated cancer resource center through the American Cancer Society. For more information about our cancer support services, call (281) 633-4077.

If you’re looking for award winning patient care, contact us today.

1705 Jackson Street Richmond, TX 77469 Phone: (281) 341-3000 Physician Referral: (281) 341-4800

www.oakbendmedcenter.org

The Fort Bend County Tea Party will host a forum to hear from various elected officials about the upcoming 2011 legislative session and what their focus will be.

This is a perfect opportunity for you to ask our elected officials questions, express your concerns, and discuss the upcoming Texas Speaker race. The forum will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Pecan Grove Country Club 3000 Plantation Drive Richmond.