02-09-2022 Edition of the Fort Bend Star by Fort Bend Star

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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 46 • No. 25

County cracks down on illegal massage parlors By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County commissioners court last week approved new regulations aimed at stopping illegal massage parlors that offer sexual services. The move is part of a longstanding effort to

for Judge, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 in Fort Bend

Smith-Lawson

crack down on the illegal businesses – an effort that has led local law enforcement agencies to group together to arrest those that participate. While the state’s criminal laws already prohibit things like prostitution, sexual assault and other illegal massage parlor-related crimes,

making the businesses illegal in the county will give county leaders new civil remedies to deal with the organizations, according to County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson. “My office will use civil remedies to shut down these illicit establishments that encourage prostitution, human trafficking

Short court

SEE PARLORS PAGE 9

Stafford residents question local HOA over tennis court size

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Local deputies to use new body cameras

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

After years of county-level law enforcement agencies operating under piecemeal policies about body cameras, all sheriff’s deputies and many constables’ office employees will receive the same body cameras in coming weeks as Fort Bend County shifts toward a more unified policy about the technology’s use. County Judge KP George last week held a news conference to announce the county would soon have more than 650 body cameras and additional cruiser cameras after the commissioners court last year approved a multimillion-dollar contract with Axon to provide the cameras. “It is about transparency,” George said. “And, ultimately, the goal of this policy is to improve officer safety, public transparency and accountability.” Before the commissioners court in May 2021 approved a new body camera policy, each of the county-level law enforcement agencies- including the sheriff’s office and constables’ offices – operated under slightly different rules and used somewhat different camera technology, according to county attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson. Now, deputies with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office along with law enforcement officers with Constable Precincts 1, 3 and 4 will all wear the same Axon body cameras, Smith-Lawson said. “It will also include investigators with the (district attorney’s office), my office and the fire marshal’s office,” Smith-Lawson said. The county has purchased more than 650 new body cameras to outfit law enforcement and administrators will start equipping deputies as they receive shipments, Smith-Lawson said. The goal is to have about 50 percent of staff equipped within the next six to eight weeks, George said.

and promotion of prostitution in Fort Bend County,” she wrote. Essentially, before the new ordinances, law enforcement might arrest someone on prostitution charges, but now county attorneys will have the

Stafford resident George Balias looks at a tennis court in the Promenade subdivision. Residents and the HOA are clashing over the court's size. (Photo by Matt deGrood)

A new tennis court finished last year in Stafford’s Promenade subdivision has a group of residents questioning their local homeowners association, asking who’s to blame for designing a court that is too small to use. Essentially, the fence around the area runs so close to the baselines of the court that there’s no room to serve, said George Balias, a Stafford resident. “Normally, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but my wife and I like to play tennis,” he said. “Once it was complete, we took a trip there, and realized it was completely unusable as a tennis court. The slab is too small, and there’s fencing where the lines should be. It’s not constructed properly.” As Balias and other residents began to ask questions about the tennis court – including specifics about the contract signed to build it, who built it, what the design dimensions were, etc. – they had trouble getting quick responses from the management company charged with overseeing the association, they said. “During the tennis court process, did anyone from the board or Sterling ASI visit the construction site?” asked Constantine ‘Costa’ Thanos, in an email to the association’s board and management company that was provided to the Star. “Please advise.” As of Monday after-

noon, representatives for the management company, Houston-based Sterling ASI, had not responded to more than five emails and three phone calls over a weeklong period seeking comment about the ongoing dispute. In the mind of Balias and other residents, the issue is figuring out who is to blame and who can fix the tennis courts to be usable, or return to residents the money spent to build it, Balias said. After visiting the tennis court, Balias said he reached out to Sterling ASI via email in November, seeking a copy of the plans for the court; who was responsible for hiring the construction contractor; information about the contractor; an itemized invoice for the construction and an estimated date that the court was completed. Employees for the management company responded on Nov. 29, saying they had forwarded the request, according to emails provided by Balias. But residents didn’t receive any documents until they’d sent several more emails checking on the status, and the management company eventually responded by sending three documents on Dec. 14, Balias said. According to both state law and local homeowners association guidelines, homeowners within an association’s boundaries are legally entitled to receive any documents or information that they request,

SEE HOA PAGE 9

Legacy of Black cowboys lives on at local rodeo By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Ramone Jackson has been working in rodeos for so long that he can’t even remember when he first learned to ride a horse. “I legitimately don’t know when I first learned,” he said. “Us Jacksons have always had an innate ability.” Jackson, who was born in Alvin and grew up in

Angleton, is essentially Black cowboy royalty. His parents are Robert and Catherine Jackson – organizers of the state’s first Black rodeo in 1953 and founders of the renowned McBeth Riding and Charity Club in 1960. He is also kin to Buster Jackson, who worked alongside Fort Bend County’s George family and was also the first Black man to obtain a trail riders permit, according to the George

Foundation. This month, Ramone Jackson will help honor his family when he works at the George Ranch’s third annual rodeo – an event dedicated this year to commemorating the legacy of Black cowboys in Fort Bend County. February is Black History Month, and the rodeo is set during the month

SEE COWBOYS PAGE 9

Ramone Jackson will work at the third annual George Ranch Rodeo, which commemorates the local legacy of Black cowboys. (Contributed photo)

JERRY FLOWERS

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Two teenagers arrested in connection to Katy robbery By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Two teenagers have been charged in connection to a series of robberies in Fort Bend County, according to a sheriff’s office news release. The teens, both 17-year-old boys, have both been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery in connection to the robberies, according to the sheriff’s office. One of them is

also charged with one count of possession of a controlled

substance and assault, and his bond is $151,000, according to the office. The other teenager's bond is set at $75,000, according to the office. Deputies on Jan. 28 responded to a report of a robbery at an apartment complex in the 6800 block of Gaston Road in Katy, according to the release. A witness told investigators two men had entered his vehicle, threatened him with a rifle and stolen his vehicle, according to the

release. Investigators later found two men at a nearby shopping center, and recovered the victim’s stolen property, according to the release. During the investigation, detectives learned the two suspected robbers might have been connected to another robbery on Jan. 19, when a person was leaving a restaurant when two men showed a gun, stole the person’s vehicle and fled, according to the release.

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Sheriff’s deputies arrest man in connection with murder investigation By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested a man in connection to the April 2021 death of a woman in Wallis, between Rosenberg and Sealy in Austin County, according to a news release. John David Dixon, 49, is charged with murder in connection to the death of Yvonne Zavala, 42, according to the news release. Dixon is also charged with possession of a controlled substance and his combined bond is set at $305,000. Investigators along with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force arrested Dixon on Jan. 25 at

Dixon

a Wallis residence after an investigation into Zavala’s death, according to the release. Zavala and Dixon allegedly shared an address in the 7600 block of Lana Lane where deputies first discovered her death, according to the release.

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Wednesday, February 9, 2022 • PAGE

The freedom of local journalism fore you. We at the Fort Bend Star make no claim as to who’s right and who’s wrong in this particular dispute. Quite simply, we don’t know enough to make a judgment. Our simple hope is that by sharing the results of our efforts, our readers might be better equipped to understand a technical issue. Or, at the very least, those interested in a particular topic might emerge with a better understanding of the parties at issue. There’s a popular phrase out there that suggests all politics is local. That may be true. But perhaps it’s more accurate to say that, on a local level, it’s harder to divide

issues into strictly partisan camps. Democratic and Republican talking points offer no specific answers as to whether Road A is better suited to run through this tract of land or that one. There’s a sort of freedom in not being bound by the same quagmire that seems to have engulfed our representatives in Washington D.C. or even Austin. Simply put, there’s a world of wonder out there in Fort Bend County – an

Submissions being accepted for Sugar Land Arts Festival

Julie Lynn Murphy,52, passed away on January 29, 2022 at Chi St. Luke’s hospital in Sugar Land, TX. Julie was born to Joseph A. “Tony” Flannery and Evelyn A. Flannery on December 8, 1969. She was born at the old Sugar Land hospital and was delivered by Dr. Carlos Slaughter. She was preceded in death by her father, her grandparents, Ben and Eva Coufal of Wallis, TX and Lee and Sarah Flannery of Hamilton, Ohio. Julie is survived by her daughter, Jessica Joye Murphy, her son Joshua Brian Murphy, her mother, Evelyn Flannery, sister Jennifer Sic (Pedro), niece Jacqueline Sic and nephew Alexander Sic as well as aunts and uncles and cousins in Wallis, Texas and Hamilton Ohio. Julie is a 1989 graduate of Clements High School in Sugar land, TX. She resided in Fort Bend County for most of her life except for a short stay in Springfield, Missouri. Julie will be remembered for

to us. Despite all of our reporting lately about the associations, I’ll admit there were many questions about this case in particular that I didn’t have an immediate answer for. What, exactly, is an association’s obligation to the families who buy homes within its bounds? Do residents have any right to access documents and information about the decisions those associations make on their behalf? As with every story we write, in the absence of an immediate answer, we begin to research, seek out experts and ask questions. The end result of our work is the story you read be-

week at the Fort Bend Star – is that it’s much tougher to be biased when you enter most stories knowing little about the subject at hand. Take the dominant front-page story from this week’s edition, about residents in a local homeowners association who have questions about how a new tennis court came to be. Lately, it seems like we’ve written a lot about disputes in Fort Bend County between residents and their local homeowners associations. This isn’t out of any dogged opposition to HOAs, but rather because it’s what we’re hearing from local residents when they reach out

Matt deGrood MANAGING EDITOR

Journalists get accused of bias almost every day. To some degree, it’s par for the course in 2022 – a time when it seems like almost every political issue is grounds for partisan battle lines. Are you with us, or are you against us? Part of the beauty of local journalism – the sort of journalism we do each

terested artists can go to the event’s website at sugarlandartsfest.com/artists/. For more information on the event, visit sugarlandartsfest. com/.

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Local artists could have the chance to showcase their work during an inaugural event in Sugar Land later this year. Submissions are being accepted for the inaugural Sugar Land Arts Festival, which will take place April 23-24 in the plaza area of the Smart Financial Centre at 18111 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land. It will feature more than 75 local and traveling artists showcasing their pieces, according to the event’s website. The show is accepting applications for artists in numerous media, such as contemporary

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paintings, sculptures, glass art, woodworking, mixed media and more. Interested artists have until March 31 to apply, and can

submit up to four images of their work along with a photo of their booth with their application. To apply for the show, in-

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almost limitless number of topics, debates and issues waiting to be uncovered. We here at the Fort Bend Star hope you understand that, just like you all, we might not know all the answers. We’re just curious by nature, and our greatest talent is asking deep, probing questions. Together we can understand the intricacies of state HOA law and f looding regulations, and make our community a better place to live.

itu a ry

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JULIE LYNN MURPHY DECEMBER 8, 1969

JANUARY 29, 2022

her wonderful sense of humor, her constant smile, her ability to make people laugh, her love of animals and for being a great Astros fan. She will be dearly missed by family, friends and all who know her. The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022, visitation at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Land: 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land Texas 77478. 281-240-3195. Pastor: Dr. Fred N. Seay officiating.

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ROSS A. SEARS

July 28, 1931

Justice Ross A. Sears went to be with the Lord on Jan. 28th, at the age of 90. Judge Sears was born in Vernon, TX on July 28, 1931, to Margaret Jenny Sears and John Franklin Sears. He now joins in heaven his parents, his brother John Terry Sears, and many other relatives, colleagues and friends who have preceded him. Judge Sears graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1949. He then attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi before joining the Air Force to serve his country in the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1953, Judge Sears went on to study the law and graduated from the University of Houston Law School in 1970. He practiced law in Harris and Fort Bend Counties for many years. Judge Sears was elected to the 14th Court of Appeals in 1982, where he served as an appellate court justice until 1996. He continued to sit as a judge in

JANUARY 28, 2022

Harris and then Fort Bend Counties until he retired at age 86. Judge Sears was passionate about the law and was proud that three generations and seven family members chose law as their profession, each graduating from his alma mater, the University of Houston Law School. Judge Sears is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mariann Sears; sons Ross A. Sears II and Terry H. Sears; daughters-inlaw Victoria Sears and Cherry

Sears; grandchildren Samantha, Mackenzie, Madison; and Taylor; stepdaughters Debby King and Jessica Cyders; stepson Mark Roberts; and many beloved cousins and nieces. A Celebration of Life will be held for Judge Sears at The SettegastKopf Funeral Home @ Sugar Creek, (15015 Southwest Frwy, https://www.dignitymemorial. com/funeral-homes/sugar-landtx/the-settegast-kopf-companysugar-creek/4219, ) on February 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Judge Sears lived a full and happy life. He was loved and admired by many. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests contributions be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Texas Gulf Coast Chapter (https:// www.cff.org/chapters/texas-gulfcoast-chapter), Special Olympics Texas ( https://www.sotx.org/), or the charity of your choice.

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Worship Directory FORT BEND COUNT Y

BAPTIST CHURCH

HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 John Strader , Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org METHODIST CHURCH

CHURCH OF CHRIST

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 SUNDAY: Worship: 10:30 a.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-240-3195

A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Blended Worship 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am Traditional & Contemporary Worship www.christchurchsl.org

502 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Reverend Dr. Fred Seay, Pastor Sunday Worship In Person 11:00 am / Nursery Available Worship Online on YouTube www.fpcsl.org

EPISCOPAL

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:30 am Worship Holy Eucharist www.allsaints-stafford.org

Scripture of the week

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” - 2 TIMOTHY 1:7

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Memorial Hermann Sugar Land commemorates American Heart Month By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

As the calendar flipped to February, hospitals throughout the Memorial Hermann Health System took the time to commemorate American Heart Month, including Memorial Hermann Sugar Land at 17500 W. Grand Parkway South. Across the system, employees wore red to raise awareness of heart disease Employees at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land wore red earlier this month to commemorate and cardiovascular health American Heart Month. (Photo from Memorial Hermann Facebook)

in honor of American Heart Month, which is celebrated every February. One person has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which is about 805,000 people every year. Prevention tips The CDC says eating foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent high cholesterol – a contributing factor in heart disease – as

ASK THE EXPERT

FEELING BLESSED

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Is there really a difference between Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs), Over the Counter Hearing Aids (OTCs), and Hearing Aids fit by an Audiologist?

Absolutely, there is a big difference between these tiers of technology. That is why there is a difference in the pricing Terry Snook of these products. I have read AuD, FAAA articles that state that the PSAPs and OTCs have the same kind of processors as hearing aids. PSAPs and OTCs do not have the capability to modify the auditory signal as much as a hearing device. High-end hearing aids have a computer chip that can process up to 500 Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS). Advanced hearing aid circuits can run algorithms to make corrections to improve the clarity of speech. For example, hearing devices can run calculations to weight certain speech cues such as fricative sounds, like the (z), (s), (f ) sounds that are faint and difficult to hear. A lot of older technologies use beam forming to help you hear in one direction. This offers some improvement but has limitations. The more advanced high-end hearing aids use different processes to weight and make the speech signal pop up over a noisy or difficult listening environment. All of these features and settings must be programmed and adjusted precisely for each patient’s needs. Although the PSAPs and OTCs will offer some benefit, the overall improvement is very limited. It is very misleading to state that patients will obtain the same results with these low-end products than with hearing aids that are programmed by an Audiologist for the patient’s specific hearing loss and needs.

We have moved. See our new address

167 Citadel Way Suite 500 Sugar Land, TX 77478

can limiting the amount of salt and sugar intake in your diet. Experts also suggest at least two and a half hours of activity per week – such as brisk walking or bicycling – for adults, according to the CDC, while children and adolescents should get at least one hour per day. Additionally, the CDC suggests that people avoid smoking if at all possible, while also drinking as little alcohol as possible, which can put someone at an increased risk for heart disease. For more information on heart disease and how to prevent it, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm.

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District 20-6A girls hoops Clements girls soccer continues race coming down to wire blistering start to district slate By Landan Kuhlmann

Landan Kuhlmann

LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

SPORTS REPORTER

It’s been a banner basketball season already for the Austin Lady Bulldogs, who have sewn up their first playoff berth in eight seasons. But they’re looking for a district title. The Dulles Lady Vikings on the other hand, are looking for a second straight District 20-6A crown after shaking off an early-season slump. Both won their only game last week, staying tied at the top of the standings entering the regular season's final week. The Lady Bulldogs reeled off another win last week, taking down George Ranch 68-46 on Feb. 1. Austin (25-5, 11-1 district) has now won five straight games as they seek their first district title in more than a decade. Gabby Johnson posted another stellar performance for the Lady Bulldogs against George Ranch, scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Andrea Sturdivant continued her sterling freshman campaign with 19 points and four assists, while India Jackson posted her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Dulles (22-6, 11-1) won their 11th straight game with a 65-21 victory over Ridge Point on Feb. 1 to keep pace. Three players scored in double figures to

Austin's Mannal Yusuf surveys the defense during the Lady Bulldogs' Jan. 15 game against Clements. The Lady Bulldogs picked up another big win last week to keep pace with Dulles in the District 20-6A race. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

lead the Lady Vikings’ balanced attack, paced by Nya Threatt’s 12 points. Threatt also added six assists, while Taylor Gerard blocked five shots on the defensive end and Samaria Pinkney tied a season-high with eight rebounds. Two freshmen led the way for the Bush Lady Broncos in a 41-35 win over Travis on Feb. 2, as Jadesyn Hardeman had 12 points and Kambree Adams had 11 of her own. Chelsea Osamore grabbed seven rebounds while Crystal Schultz had five steals for Bush (10-21, 4-8), which snapped a seven-game losing streak with the victory. Boys Jackson Fields led the way for the Elkins Knights with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots in their 59-58 win over Clements on Feb. 1. Chris Johnson also had a solid all-around game with 12 points, six rebounds, and

eight assists as the Knights (25-5, 10-0) won their 10th consecutive game. The Austin Bulldogs snapped their three-game losing streak with a 44-35 victory over George Ranch on Feb. 1, moving to 12-17 overall and 2-8 in District 20-6A. Brian Annune’s double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds) paced the Bulldogs, while Tylon Harris had 13 points and Ethan To added 10 points of his own. On the Class 5A front, the Hightower Hurricanes bounced back from last week’s lossto Marshall with a blowout of their own as they raced past Richmond Foster by a score of 82-53 on Feb. 1. Solid allaround games from Aaron Williams (18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) and Jacory Chatman (18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) paced a balanced scoring attack for the Hurricanes (21-9, 11-2), while Traeveon Hannah had 16 points.

Clements’ Lady Rangers are no strangers to success, having made the playoffs each of the last nine seasons. However, they have yet to win a District 20-6A crown since moving into the district five seasons ago, and haven’t won a title in any district since 2014-2015. If they continue the play they’ve shown early on, however, that could soon change. The Lady Rangers won their third consecutive match with a 1-0 win over the Travis Lady Tigers on Feb. 2, improving to 6-4-1 overall and 3-1 in District 20-6A. Jayna Patel tallied the game’s lone goal, while goalkeeper Arwen Bac helped the Lady Rangers pitch their third consecutive shutout. It is the first time since the 2016-2017 season that the Lady Rangers have started 3-0 in district play. In other girls’ action, the Elkins Lady Knights moved into a secondplace tie at 3-1 in District 20-6A with a 5-1 win over Dulles on Feb. 2, which also improved their overall record to 9-3. Sophomore Ellie Pitts was the star of the match for the Lady Knights with two goals and two assists, while freshman standout Amelia Olawu scored her team-leading 13th goal of the season. Elkins has won four of its last five matches, and was set to face off against districtleading Ridge Point on Monday night. Dulles junior Samantha Uschold scored her

team-leading 12th goal of the season as the lone tally against Elkins for the Lady Vikings (5-6, 13), who were looking to snap a three-match losing streak Monday night against Travis. Austin’s Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, snapped a two-match losing streak with a 7-0 win over Bush on Feb. 1. Madison McCoy scored four times in the match for Austin (6-5, 2-2) while Gabby DeJesus had a goal and two assists in the Lady Bulldogs’ fifth shutout of the season. In Class 5A action, Kempner’s Lady Cougars kept things rolling with a 12-0 win over Marshall on Feb. 1. It was the sixth consecutive victory for Kempner (9-4, 6-0) to open District 24-5A competition. Eight different players found the back of the net for the Lady Cougars, with Ava Baley and Madison Alexander each scoring twice. Boys Waseem El-saadi scored both goals for the Dulles Vikings in their 20 win over Elkins on Feb. 2, while Julian Valencia and Nathan Buwemi each had an assist to help the Vikings (4-4-1, 1-3) get their first district win. It was a balanced scor-

ing effort from Clements Rangers in their 6-1 win over Travis on Feb. 2, as six different players found the back of the net. Chris McMeans and Maesum Brito had one goal and one assist each for the Rangers (5-4, 40), who had won four straight matches entering Monday’s matchup against Austin. The Bulldogs beat Bush by a score of 4-2 on Feb. 2, snapping their twomatch winless streak. Jose Colin and German Caro Alforgja each scored twice in the match for Austin (7-1-1, 2-1-1), while EJ Iyoriobhe dished out two assists. On the Class 5A side, the Hightower Hurricanes have won three straight matches following a 41 win over Rosenberg Terry on Feb. 2 Xavi Grimalt scored twice for the Hurricanes (8-2-1, 4-0-1), while Andres Agwunobi and Bolaji Oyedepo also found the back of the net. Kempner is 7-2 overall and 4-1 in District 24-5A following a 4-0 win over Marshall on Feb. 2. Jason Fierro tallied two goals in the match, while Santos Martinez and Ethan Zurita also scored in the Cougars’ fourth consecutive victory.

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, February 9, 2022

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GET YOUR HEART BACK TO WHAT MAKES IT REALLY BEAT

HEART ISSUES SHOULDN’T WAIT. SEE YOUR DOCTOR. Staying on top of your heart health has never been more important. If you are at high risk for heart disease or are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, it’s time to see your doctor. At Memorial Hermann, our network of affiliated cardiologists offers proactive assessments and personalized plans to help keep risk factors in check.

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Ridge Point student earns award for service By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Ridge Point High School senior Zion Alexander said community service has always been part of his family’s lifeblood. So when he got the chance to do it on his own, it came naturally. "I’ve always been surrounded by it, my family and I would always be doing these things growing up,” he said. “So when I was able to get out and do it for things that I personally cared about and wanted to advocate for, it really inspired me.” It appears that he has taken their mission to heart, and he recently received a national honor in recognition of his efforts to give back to the Fort Bend County and Houstonarea communities. On Feb. 1, U.S. District 22 Rep. Troy Nehls presented Alexander with both the gold certificate and bronze medal for the Youth Congressional Award, which is given to high school and college students between the ages of 14 and 24. Participants earn bronze, silver, and gold certificates and medals, with each level involving setting goals in four

Alexander

program areas – voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration – according to the award’s website. "I was shocked when I first found out (I had gotten it)," Alexander said. The honor is no small undertaking to earn. In order to get the gold certificate, students must have accrued at least 90 hours or six months of community service, 45 hours or six months of achieving goals in personal development/ physical fitness, and have a three-day trip for their expedition portion of the program. For the bronze medal, there must be at least 100 hours or seven months of community service, 50 hours or seven

Ridge Point senior Zion Alexander, left, delivers coats to Heart of the Kids charity. (Contributed photo)

months for personal development/physical fitness, and a two-day/one-night trip for their expedition. “Most of the things I do are local – I try to do stuff where I know it’s going directly to help people,” Alexander said. The 17-year-old has led service programs at the local level for the Houston Food Bank, East Fort Bend Human

Needs Ministry and Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels as part of his volunteer service for the award. He has also served at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The March of Dimes, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, and taken part in Martin Luther King Day service projects. For his exploration, he went to Africatown - a historic com-

munity in Mobile, Alabama that was home to some of the last survivors of the transatlantic slave trade in the United States in the 1860s, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. "For me it’s always been a matter of being knowledgeable of the things I’ve been blessed with and have the privilege of having and being around, and seeing a discrepancy in the way other people live – even people in the same city as me," Alexander said of his desire to serve. And though it is a massive undertaking because of the hours needed, Alexander said the efforts bring him joy. In particular, he said hands-on and personal projects are his favorite, because he can see the tangible impact the efforts have on those in need. For example, Alexander previously collected and personally delivered hundreds of dollars’ worth of mittens, scarves and coats to Houstonbased Heart of the Kids Social Services. Heart of the Kids is a nonprofit organization that places neglected, abandoned, and abused children up to 18 years old into foster homes. "That means a lot to me,

because I can see it actually going to the kids rather than having it be impersonal," he said. "I was able to see the impact that our actions had on those families." Alexander has accomplished a lot in his life on the surface as he nears graduation, after which he hopes to attend Columbia University and study business administration and finance. He is vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of Ridge Point’s track and academic UIL teams, and vice president of competition for Ridge Point’s chapter of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) – a national association of marketing students that encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions. He is also Texas’ DECA District 3 president, leading DECA chapters from Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, and more. But all of that pales in comparison, he said, to his passion for service. “I’ll always make it my mission to find ways to help the community that I’m a part of,” he said. “…I’ll still want to be able to help people.”

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ASK THE EXPERT

Q: A:

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Hightower moves up to Class 6A after realignment

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: A:

Legal Questions Everyone Should Ask (and Answer) Over the past year or two, you’ve probably spent many sleepless nights worrying about what would happen if you were incapacitated (or worse): • Who will make medical

Should a repair facility provide me with a loaner vehicle?

A high-quality shop will not provide a loaner, but will offer Chuck Charlton to arrange a rental vehicle if you require one. The cost is $25-$35 per day and there is usually no out-of-pocket expense if the cost of the rental remains within the amount stated in your insurance policy. The policy does not pay for additional insurance coverage offered by the rental company. If the repair shop offers you a loaner and can be absorbed in this cost, they have to recover it somewhere. Are they cutting corners on your repair or charging for work not performed? Beware of the “free loaner”.

decisions for you? • Who will be responsible for paying your bills? Margie Connolly, • Who will take care of your dependent children? Attorney • How can you make sure your elderly parents are taken care of if they need in-home care or assisted living? Why the recent interest in these questions? Two years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic have left many of us confused and frustrated. However, two things are now crystal clear: 1. Serious, even fatal health issues can occur without warning 2. You need to have a plan ready in case they do More than ever, these days you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Failure to have a plan in place can have serious consequences for you and especially your loved ones. To make sure your wishes are respected, and your plan is followed, you need to have the appropriate legal documents prepared. Depending on your circumstances, these can include: • Will • Trust(s) • Power of attorney • Guardianship • Medical directives (and medical power of attorney) A qualified estate planning attorney can help you prepare the documents you need and keep them updated. This will give you peace of mind and protect you and your loved ones if the worst happens.

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

One of the area’s most competitive sports districts will have a new contender moving in beginning next season. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) announced the tentative 2022-23 and 2023-24 football, basketball, and volleyball district assignments last Thursday. One of the most notable alignment shifts in Fort Bend was that of Hightower, which will be moving from Class 5A back to Class 6A and joining District 20-6A next year. They have been competing in Class 5A for the last four seasons. Hightower’s football team went 11-3 last season

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LEGALS

CITY OF MISSOURI CITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT OF IMPACT FEES Notice is hereby given for a public hearing to take place at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Missouri City, Texas, to be held on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at: Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the imposition of an impact fee for certain water and wastewater facilities in certain undeveloped portions of the Mustang Bayou Service Area. The amount of the proposed water impact fee per service unit is $2,460.00. The amount of the proposed wastewater impact fee per service unit is $5,090.00.The service area is more particularly depicted as follows:

LEGALS

Sealed Electronic Bids Addressed to Fulshear M.U.D. No. 1, for Fulbrook on Fulshear Creek Section 6- Perimeter Fence, Columns, and Subentry Monuments, located in Fulshear, Texas. Attention Sweitzer + Associates, will be electronically received until 10:00 a.m. local time Wednesday Feb. 16th, 2022. The apparent low bidder will be automatically generated and posted for furnishing all plans, labor, and equipment and preforming all work for the construction. Bids will not be received after closing time. Copies of the bidding documents may be reviewed and obtained from www.CivcastUSA.com: search Sweitzer + Associate. Bidders must register on this website to view and/or download specifications, plans, for this project. There is NO charge to view or download documents. Reproduction charges will apply according to CIVCAST rates. A cashier’s check or bid bond in the amount of 5% of the total amount of the bid must accompany each bid. The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive all defects and irregularities in bidding or bidding process except the time of submitting a bid. The successful bidder, if any, will be the responsible bidder which in the Board’s judgment will be the most advantageous to the District and result in the best and most economical completion of the project.

Sealed bids on the original forms, signed by an officer of the Company, will be received by Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of: Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1 Generator Replacement

Plans, specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577 In general, the Work consists of replacing the dewatering centrifuge, dewatered sludge conveyors, and other miscellaneous improvements at the Owner’s Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1. A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call. Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

Any member of the public has the right to appear at the public hearing and present evidence for or against the proposed fees. Note: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 24 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact Michael Tubbs, Facilities and Fleet Manager at 281-403-8500.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students The School for Little Children at Sugar Land United Methodist Church admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. LEGAL FOR NOTICE SALE

2X2.5 Classified Ad The School for Little Children for 10-19-16

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SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

(the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 2:00 P.M., February 24, 2022 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

CitySecretary City of Missouri City, Texas

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– the second-most wins in a season in program history – in reaching its first-ever regional final, where the Hurricanes lost to eventual state champion Katy Paetow. The school’s boys basketball team is currently 21-9 overall and ranked 15th in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ most recent rankings, while its girls team is 21-8. Its volleyball team went 25-17 last season, reaching the Class 5A area round of the postseason before falling to Manvel. Kempner, Marshall, and Willowridge will be shifting from District 24-5A to District 20-5A in basketball and volleyball beginning next season, while Stafford will go from District 25-4A to District 26-4A in volleyball and basketball.

All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Owner. Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract. Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

281-217-5799 LEGALS

SERVICES

Notice to Creditors

MATH/COMPUTER TUTOR Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics. Bill Stewart. BSEE 281-3411582.>+

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Anita Jane Hughes, Deceased, were issued on January 14, 2022, in Cause No. 21-CPR036874, pending in the County Court at Law No. Six (6), Fort Bend County, Texas, to: Robert Sherridan Hughes, Jr. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: MONA L. COHEN Attorney at Law 6750 West Loop South Suite 850 Bellaire, Texas 77401 Dated the 2nd day of February, 2022.

MONA L. COHEN State Bar No.: 12268600 6750 West Loop South Suite 850 Bellaire, Texas 77401 Telephone: (713) 850-7148 Facsimile: (713) 850-7829 Email: Mcohen@babchick-cohen.com

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Wednesday, February 9, 2022 • PAGE

Dive into a good book at Fort Bend County Libraries Stefan Modrich

REPORTER

I’m not sure about you, but my preference on cold days like the ones we experienced last week is to curl up with a good book. And so I made my way over to 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land last Friday to browse the stacks of books at the First Colony Branch of the Fort Bend County Library system. I was able to quickly search for books about Fort Bend County’s history on a tablet mounted to a bookshelf, and began to peruse the nonfiction section with books on Texas history. The first one I grabbed was “Fort Bend County, Texas: A Pictorial History”, written in 1996 by Sharon Wallingford and produced by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land. One thing that stood out immediately from this text was the recurring theme of the county’s diversity. While the demographic picture looks quite different today, the county was referred to as a “melting pot” as far back as the 1920s, when German, Polish, Czech, Mexican and

★ PARLORS FROM PAGE 1 tools to try to shut the business down in civil court, Smith-Lawson said. “Now, we will be able to go to court, and get a civil judge to order the business to shut down,” she said. The new regulations define a massage "parlor" as any business establishment that provides massage ser-

★ COWBOYS FROM PAGE 1 to commemorate the accomplishments of Black cowboys in the county, according to organizers. The event is meant to celebrate the legacy and accomplishments of his parents and the Buster Jackson family in particular, according to organizers. “I’m grateful – and so thankful – for the opportunity to share and raise awareness of the legacy of the many Black cowboys who trail-blazed through history here at the George Ranch and elsewhere in Fort Bend County,” said Debra Greenwood-Sharp, a member of the Fort Bend History Association’s Board of Trustees. “Our committee has worked tirelessly to ensure a fun-filled, exciting time here at the ranch.” For Ramone Jackson, the event is an opportunity to bring recognition to family members that he says were instrumental in advancing rodeos and Black cowboys in Texas. “It’s not just the cultural aspect, the focus on Black cowboys, but in the rodeos itself,” he said. “Because keep in mind, this rodeo isn’t limited to Black people

A stack of books on local history rests on a shelf at the First Colony Branch of the Fort Bend County Library system at 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)

See Fortbendstar.com for related video French immigrants began to settle in the area and farm, ranch and mine the land. The Brazos River has held strategic significance during several wars and is important to the local ecosystem vices that allows a nude person to provide the massage, a person to engage in sexual contact for compensation or a person to provide massages meant to sexually gratify someone, according to the guidelines. The new regulations differentiate between a massage "parlor" and a massage "establishment," the latter of which are legal. only. I grew up with the knowledge that our place was open to everybody. Our place in the (1970s) and '60s was one of the places where Black and white people came together, mixed and mingled.” Jackson’s dad helped host rodeos at the George Ranch in the 1980s, he said. This year will mark the 69th year that the Jackson family has worked in and produced rodeos, he said. “We hope this rodeo becomes a historical thing,” he said of the George Rodeo. “Hopefully it will live on and catch on.” This year, the family’s legacy will live on as Jackson works as the rodeo stock contractor, Double R.R.J. Rodeo Enterprises. The third annual George Ranch Rodeo will also feature several musical artists, the Buffalo Soldiers and more, according to a news release. Events include bull-riding, ladies’ barrel racing, steer wrestling and more. The event is set for 4-9 p.m. Feb. 19 at 10215 FM 762 in Richmond. Pre-sale tickets for the rodeo are available online. For more information, visit www.georgeranch.org/rodeo or call 281-343-0218.

Pictured are Robert and Catherine Jackson, who are being honored in this year's George Rodeo. (Contributed photo)

and the agricultural producers of the area. But did you know that the City of Richmond was a crucial port for ships which delivered mail between neighboring towns through the waters of the Bra-

Shown is “Fort Bend County, Texas: A Pictorial History,” written in 1996 by Sharon Wallingford and produced by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)

zos during the 1800s? Planters also used the river to deliver cotton and other crops. When you think of potatoes, you probably imagine an open field in Idaho. But according to Wallingford, Simonton and Fulshear were once synonymous with this starchy root vegetable, and were leading producers of potatoes across the U.S. during the early 1900s. If you’re looking for a few other hardcovers to brush up on your local history, here are few suggestions for you to check out at your local library branch: • "Sugar Land, Texas and the Imperial Sugar Company" by R.M. Armstrong • “The History of Stafford, Texas” by Sadie Williams and Jean Court • “Wharton’s History of Fort Bend County” by Clarence R. Wharton • "A history of Missouri City, Texas: A settlement on the Texas Independence trail" by Robert F. Carter Extra credit: Watch Steven Spielberg’s 1973 “The Sugarland Express” to see Goldie Hawn embark on a wild chase across the Lone Star State. The movie was only partially filmed in Sugar Land, but if you can spot any local landmarks, write to me at smodrich@fortbendstar.com and let me know. Happy reading and watching!

★ HOA FROM PAGE 1 said J. Patrick Sutton, an Austin-based attorney who’s an expert in state homeowners association laws and has overseen property-rights dispute cases for years. “An HOA is a membership association,” he said. “Homeowners have a right to see and understand what’s happening, and audit the decisions.” Balias in an interview with the Fort Bend Star said he suspects the management agency argues they fulfilled the request when they turned over the three documents, but Balias argues the documents are insufficient. One of the three documents is a certificate of insurance for a contractor; a second document is an unsigned contract between the management company and a second contractor that mentions the cost of the tennis court will be about $75,000 – made in two separate $37,500 payments at the start and end of construction, according to documents provided to the Star. The final document includes basic information about the court’s design, such as mentioning that the baseline will be about 10.5 meters wide, and that it will have an 8-feet tall fence, according to the document. “Here is the items you requested,” wrote Bernita Armstrong, general manager for Sterling Association Services Inc. in an email to Balias that included the documents. Balias said he followed up after receiving the email, explaining several of his requests hadn’t been answered. After trading several more emails, association administrators eventually told Balias the contractor was going back to the site to look at the court and would fix any problems in a few weeks, he said. But when Balias requested all documents connected to that visit, or an update on the visit, Armstrong wrote the board would take care of the matter, but didn’t provide any documents, according to the emails. On a recent visit to the site, the gates to the tennis court were locked, and Balias still doesn’t know what the plan is to fix the courts, he said. Sutton declined to weigh into the specifics of the Stafford case, but explained that homeowners associations in Texas are bound to behave like any other nonprofit organization. This means that they are legally bound not to misuse

Residents of Stafford's Promenade subdivision have claimed the new tennis court does not provide adequate space in which to play. (Photo by Matt deGrood)

funds or spend money beyond their scope of authority, he said. If, for instance, contractors build something poorly within the association, it’s up to the director to legally pursue the contractor to fix the problem, Sutton said. It’s also important to

recognize that individual members of the board won’t typically be held liable for a bad decision, he said. “Nonprofits make mistakes all the time, but they won’t always be personally liable,” Sutton said. Balias said he pays about $600 annually in dues to the

HOA. Regarding the tennis court that was constructed, he and other residents have reached the point where they just want answers. “This all started because I happened to want to use the tennis court,” he said. “It feels like we’re peeling back the layers of an onion.”

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PAGE 10 • Wednesday, February 9 2022

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Nibbles & Sips: Review: Chez Beignets serving up Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt New Orleans classics with Texas twist expanding to Sugar Land By Stefan Modrich

By Stefan Modrich

SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

There are many reminders of the Houston area’s proximity to the largest city within its eastern neighbor Louisiana and the famous elements of its cuisine — from the crawfish etouffee to jambalaya — which have been a part of the fabric of our food scene for many years. Nearly 370 miles separate Sugar Land from New Orleans, but the beignet’s resonance here is one of the most enduring symbols of the latter city’s rich tradition. It’s no surprise, then, that Chez Beignets III has become a premier destination for beignet-lovers in Fort Bend County and has a menu that reflects the diverse tastes of its customers. Surely, the original beignet ($2.50) — the fluffy, fried-dough pillow finished off with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar and drizzled with honey — is so good you’ll be tempted to take a nap after eating one. But prior to visiting Chez, I had not realized the extent to which there are other beignet fillings, both of the savory and sweet variety. The deliciously crispy chorizo, egg and cheese beignet ($6.50) is stuffed with the classic Mexican sausage,

An Australia-based yogurt shop that has evolved into a global phenomenon is expanding into Fort Bend County. Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt, 3412 State Highway 6 Unit L, will soon be adding a Sugar Land location at The Shops at Williams Trace, according to a filing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for a sales tax permit that is set to go into effect April 1. Yomie’s is known for its oatbased and rice-based yogurts made with a variety of fruits, as well as smoothies and teas. There are already several Asian eateries in the shopping center, which is anchored by Jusgo Supermarket and 99 Ranch Market. Dessert purveyors Somi Somi and Beard Papa’s, Jang Guem Tofu & BBQ and discount store Daiso also operate in the retail development. The Shops at Williams Trace are owned by Whitestone Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). An email from the Star sent Friday and calls placed Monday to the leasing agents responsible for the property was not returned. An email sent from The Star last Friday to Yomie’s asking for more information about the

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From left to right: The chorizo beignet, original beignet, Vietnamese coffee and PB&J beignet from Chez Beignets III in Sugar Land. (Photo By Stefan Modrich)

sisted I should eat them every day, and became the envy of the lunchroom. The perfect companion for this Saturday morning breakfast was a sweet Vietnamese iced coffee ($4.50) made with condensed milk and a blend of whole milk and half and half creamer. For $3.50 , you can try a single beignet filled with either Nutella, vanilla creme, or lemon curd. For $6.50, Chez offers beignets stuffed with bananas CHEAP TRASH HAULING FAST foster, sausage, egg, and Home/Business • FREE ESTIMATES cheese, or bacon, egg and WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE 20% Off cheese. With Ad #1 Cheapest Trash Whether you’re coming Hauling / Demolition Co. in TX! in for breakfast, brunch, If You’ve Got It, We’ll Haul It. 7 Days Same Day Service • In Your Area or an afternoon snack, AAACheapTrashHauling.com the friendly and prompt Insured 713-235-0560 service from Chez and a

soft scrambled eggs and American cheese and served with a side of salsa verde. The PB&J beignet ($3.50) from Chez is filled with peanut butter and strawberry jelly and heavily dusted with powdered sugar. As I was enjoying this beignet, I thought about how much more wonderful grade school lunches would have been had I only known about beignets sooner. I have no doubt I would have in-

scrumptious assortment of beignets will make for a special treat at any time of day.

Chez Beignets III

Address: 3701 State Highway 6, Sugar Land Dining Options: Dine-in, curbside pickup, delivery Hours: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday Entree prices: $2.50$25 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Alcohol: No Healthy options: None Star of the show: Chorizo, egg and cheese beignet Rating:

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR

Sugar Land location was not returned. California-based juice bar opening in Sugar Land Pressed, 15850 Southwest Freeway Ste. 200, opened Jan.14 in Sugar Land, according to a news release from Jolene Levesque of Legend PR. The purveyor of cold-pressed juices also sells smoothies, shots with probiotics and other nutrients, smoothie bowls and plant-based soft serve ice cream. New customers will receive a free item with their first purchase when they become a member, according to a news release. Pressed patrons can also sign-up for a VIP membership to receive 25 percent off every purchase by spending $10 a month on Pressed products. Olive Garden landing in Missouri City Olive Garden, 10327 State Highway 6,is slated to begin construction May 23. Completion is set for Dec. 2 at an estimated cost of $2.5 million, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). A text message sent from the Star last Friday and a call on Monday to the tenant listed on the TDLR filing was not returned, nor was an email from the Star to a restaurant spokesperson last Friday.

Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt, 3412 State Highway 6 Unit L, will soon be adding a Sugar Land location at The Shops at Williams Trace. (Photo By Stefan Modrich)

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to jsazma@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events. FEBRUARY 10 FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING Meeting, Thursday, February 10th, at 1:00 p.m., Venue Room, Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. (as of now) Program: Human Trafficking presented by Elijah Rising. Please bring a Valentine's Day card for Stilwell Retirement Living. Arrive earlier to socialize, sign in and pay dues if you haven't. All Fort Bend and Harris County I.S.D. retired public educators are invited. More information, call 713-206-2733. FEBRUARY 17 LAMBDA SIGMA CHAPTER OF DKG HYBRID MEETING Thursday, February 17th, the local chapter, Lambda Sigma, of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society of leading women educators will meet in person and by way of zoom at All Saints Episcopal Church, 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX. Social time begins at 4:30 pm, and the meeting will begin at 5. Chapter birthday celebration and honoring charter members; Achievement spotlights; Vote on officers and new members; Rodeo tickets and gift cards raffle winner announcement. Women educators who are interested in learning about DKG , contact dkglsnews2020@gmail.com FEBRUARY 19 COMMON GROUNDS If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS) invites you to join us for Common Grounds. Meet and connect with members of HAPS

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and the Parkinson’s community over coffee and pastries. Saturday, February 19th from 9:30-11:30 at Sugar Land Methodist Church. Contact Celeste Harris at 713-313-1706 or harris@hapsonline.org to register. See hapsonline.org for more details. ONGOING LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org JAM WITH SAM Join Sam Grice and his friends every Tuesday Night at 6:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, Texas. The group plays folk, country, bluegrass, religious and patriotic songs. Call Sam at 832-428-3165 or the church office at 281-240-3195 for more information. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-217-5799 for more information. SUGAR LAND AMERICAN LEGION American Legion Freeman Post 942 meets the fourth Thursday of every month at the Post facility, 311 Ulrich, Sugar Land, Texas, at 7:00 PM. All veterans are welcome. Post hall is available for rental for events. Call 713-553-5370 if interested.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195 EXCHANGE EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@ reichekﬁnancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about! MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801 Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345. BECOME A FOSTER GRANDPARENT Volunteers are needed to be a role model, mentor and friend to children with exceptional needs in the community. Training, mileage reimbursement, taxfree monthly stipend if eligible. Call today to help change the world, one child at a time in Rosenberg. For more information, call 281-344-3515.

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