VOL 7 No. 53
email: editor@ĩindependent.com
www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com
Phone: 281-980-6745
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
New Year’s Eve Party
A street lined with candy canes, majestic oak trees wrapped with lights, and golden angels aglow are some of the wonderful holiday sights you will experience as you drive through Quail Valley. The Quail Valley Garden Club has chosen a variety of lighted homes for their annual Christmas Light Contest. The 2014 winners are: Jack & Rose Ann Acosta, 2803 Glenn Lakes; Paul & Soleivi Shelton, 3115 Robinson Road; and Charlotte Ann Levingston-Johnson, 3130 Bonnie Briar Drive. For a view of these homes visit http;//traction.typepad.com/QVGC or drive through the neighborhood for a better view.
Boots and Badges Gala 2015
Behind the Badge Charities, in association with the Presenting Sponsor, Motorola Solutions, is preparing for the annual Boots and Badges Gala, slated for February at the George Ranch Historical Park. This year’s gala will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at the George Ranch Historical Park’s main arena. The event features dinner catered by Safari Texas, music, and fabulous live and silent auctions. Behind the Badge Charities is a volunteer organization that provides emergency financial assistance grants to Fort Bend County emergency first responders who suffer injuries, illness or other disasters that create financial hardship not covered by insurance or other assistance.
Behind the Badge Charities has awarded more than $173,000 in financial assistance to date. Assistance has been presented to personnel from police departments of Richmond, Katy ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land, Missouri City and Stafford along with the Stafford Fire Department, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Bend EMS and the Rosenberg Fire Department. Behind the Badge Charities also awards academic scholarships to eligible dependent children of emergency responders in Fort Bend County. This year, academic scholarships totaling more than $45,000 have been set aside for the 2014-2015 academic year. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased on our
website at www.BehindTheBadgeCharities.org or by calling 281-815-4980. Above, Board members preparing for the annual Boots and Badges Gala are, from left, Mayra Cardenas, David Schultz, Jack Molho, Dr. Shannon Orsak, Marshall Whichard, Lee Hernandez, Casson Wen, Nick Landoski, Bruce Marshall, John Norsworthy, Daniel Quam and Rand Wall; Rick Russek and Ben Zotyka of Motorola Solutions; and board members Mark Flathouse and Ben Simpson. Not pictured are board members James Davis, Dr. Gary Finch, David Hunter, Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner James Patterson, Kim Pokluda, Angel Rader, Ed Sturdivant and Eric Stahl.
Say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015 at the City of Sugar Land’s New Year’s Eve on the Square celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Sugar Land Town Square. To ensure that visitors of all ages have a chance to celebrate, the evening will be divided into two segments. The children’s celebration beginning at 7 p.m. will feature music and entertainment on the main stage, a street magic show, LED balloon artists and other great street performers roaming City Walk Drive. The children’s celebration closes at 9 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show. Then at 10 p.m., the party resumes with a traditional New Year’s Eve celebration, including alcohol available for purchase by responsible adults until 1 a.m. A brand new, never-beforeseen 3D video projection mapping show coupled with fireworks is scheduled for this year’s midnight presentation. Eight foot tall metal dinosaurs will roam along City Walk, while elaborate cirque jugglers and fire breathers will also entertain the crowd throughout the evening. This is a free event with parking available at both the Texas and Lone Star Garages. There will be additional parking at Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., with a free shuttle service to Town Square from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sugar Creek Baptist Church is sponsoring this year’s Get Home Safely program. Anyone who identifies themself as a designated driver will receive free soft drinks and water throughout the evening from any beverage station at the event. Taxi services will be available starting at 11 p.m. Taxis can either be pre-booked or booked that night by visiting the City of Sugar Land information kiosk. All taxi fares and charges will be the responsibility of the passengers. For more event information, visit the city’s website at www.sugarlandtx.gov/nye or call 281275-2700.
Birds of Fort Bend
HOLIDAY CARDS WITH BIRDS. While the red Northern Cardinal is often depicted on Christmas and Seasons Greetings Cards, a variety of birds grace cards and are used by various cultures and religions. Santa Parrots, for example, are popular in South America. In Fort Bend we’re fortunate to have the opportunity to see many birds. The migrating and winter birds offer much joy during the holiday season. Our blog this month shows a smattering of the global influence of birds in various cultures and opportunities to enjoy birds in the Gulf Coast region (and world) by International Photographer Margaret Sloan. http:// traction.typepad.com/birds.
New Year’s Eve bash at Stafford Centre It’s not too late to make reservations for the annual Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash at the Stafford Centre. The evening festivities start at 7 p.m. with a gourmet dinner menu of boiled shrimp, prime rib, chicken alfredo, salads, sides and Texas caviar. The revelry begins at 9 p.m. with music by Nobody’s Fool, six highly talented musicians that cover country, pop, rock and swing. Each ticket includes dinner, party favors, two drinks and a champagne toast at midnight. The New Year’s Eve celebration is a culmination of the Stafford Centre’s 10th Anniversary. The Stafford Centre would like to thank the community for participating in their 10th Anniversary events that included Dinner and The Drifters, Drive In Movie Night, Fort Bend Symphony and Stafford Municipal School District Band Showcase and Santa’s Village Comes to Stafford. Mayor Leonard Scarcella remarks, “I’m proud the Stafford Centre hosts a broad mix of multi-cultural events that serves the needs and enjoyment of the community. The array of outstanding performances and successful events continues to impress.” For more information, visit www.staffordcentre.com for details on the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash or contact the box office at 281-208-6900.
Pictured Left to Right: Texas House District 85 State Rep. Phil Stephenson; Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 3 Andy Meyers; Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson; Thompsons Alderman Edward Taylor; Village of Pleak Mayor Larry Bittner; Simonton Mayor Daniel McJunkin; State Senator Lois Kolkhorst; Weston Lakes Mayor Mary Rose Zdunkewicz; Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert; Rosenberg Mayor Vincent Morales; Fort Bend County Commissioner Pct 4 James Patterson; Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen; Arcola Mayor Mary Etta Anderson; Fulshear Mayor Tommy Kuykendall; and House District 26 State Rep. Rick Miller. In Austin, on Dec. 11 and 12, 2014, Fort Bend County Officials gathered to discuss relevant issues in the upcoming legislature. Local State Legislators were present to listen and provide feedback and support for necessary legislative actions. Topics such as education, transportation and healthcare along with challenges in funding were discussed at length during this two day conference. The event was co- hosted by the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council and County Judge Bob Hebert and has been a regular biennial event since Judge Hebert took office in 2003. Local school superintendents, mayors, and other local business owners also participated in the informative event. County Judge Bob Hebert said, “We had an outstanding conference with frank discussions of issues before the 84th legislature that will affect all levels of Fort Bend County government. By working with our delegation, our legislative team leaves the conference understanding the county, city and school perspective on these issues, but, better yet, local government also learns of each other’s issues and works to develop consensus positions on mutual concerns.”