02/20/2019 Edition of the Star

Locals appointed by Governor to boards: Page 7

Stafford MSD re-names baseball field after late coach Michael Mesa. See page 5.

WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 20, 2019

Jack’s

CRAWFISH BOIL EVERY SUNDAY 3-6P.M.

Under new ownership 281-498-3410 11720 Wilcrest Houston, Tx. 77099

$25

(1) LARGE & (1) MEDIUM PIZZA Pick-up or Deliver Open 7 days a week

15215 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-201-8525 Exp. 12/31/2019

Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 27

Visit www.FortBendStar.com

FBISD, county reach deal

County will manage Sugar Land 95 cemetery, but lawsuit remains

By Theresa D. McClellan THERESA@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

In a unanimous decision Monday night, the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees authorized Superintendent Charles Dupre to negotiate an inter-local agreement with Fort Bend County regarding a memorial for the Sugar Land 95.

“This mirrors the action taken last week by the Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court,” said school board president Jason Burdine.

“We agree that the state-sanctioned convict leasing program was

an oppressive system and we remain hopeful that an agreement will lead to the preservation and memorialization of the individuals discovered at the site of the James Reese Career and Technical Center,” said Burdine.

The Sugar Land 95 are the remains of 95 victims of the state’s convict labor leasing program who were buried in an unmarked cemetery between 1879 and 1910.

The district’s action, however, does not mean they will necessarily drop the lawsuit currently before Judge James H. Shoemake in 434th District Court.

“It won’t affect the court case at this point,” said the board president.

The school board meeting was still going on well past the Fort Bend Star’s deadline, but Burdine took a moment to text the Star following the 6-0 unanimous decision to approve negotiations. The seventh board seat was vacated last month by former school board member KP George, who won election as county judge. It was George’s decision to ask the county’s historical commission to advise the county commissioners court on how it should respond to a lawsuit filed by the school district seeking removal of the cemetery designation and allow relocation of the bodies found there.

George said he got involved be-

cause he felt the school district was not listening.

“The FBISD acted as if they were the only party in the discussion. As the top county elected official, I am responsible for all, alive and dead, and they are citizens of Fort Bend County. The Sugar Land 95 never were served justice,” said George.

“As a civilized society, we have an obligation to serve justice.”

The district has stated all along that they are not equipped to maintain a cemetery. The county has that authority. Now the county and the

SEE CEMETERY, PAGE 6

George Ranch Rodeo

Rustika Café & Bakery NOWOPEN

Filing period closes for elections

Next to Corelli’s Italian

By Joe Southern

CUSTOM CAKES + PASTRIES + COOKIES + COFFEE + SOUPS + SANDWICHES

Senate Finance Committee wraps up first round of hearings

JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Carol Montgomery races her horse around a barrel Saturday evening during the barrel racing competition at the inaugural George Ranch Rodeo. (Photo by Joe Southern)

Rodeo a success right out of the chute

By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

By Richard Lee FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

After four weeks of hearing agency requests for funding, the Senate Finance Committee will now move on to the next phase of developing the Senate proposal for state spending in 2020 and 2021.

Since Jan. 22, the committee met 13 times publicly to consider the advice of the Legislative Budget Board and question agency representatives, offering praise for a job well done in many cases but in others, demanding answers on why long-term problems go unsolved. Hearings were broken down by budget article, with Articles II and III taking up both the most hearing time and the most proposed funding.

Those are the sections of the budget that fund health and human services and public education, respectively, and together they make up about 85 percent of total proposed state spending. In keeping with priorities laid out by the Governor and Lt. Governor earlier in the session, the Senate budget as

If Debra Greenwood-Sharp could harness her excitement for the outcome of the inaugural George Ranch Rodeo, she might be able to outride the best competitors on the meanest of bulls Saturday night.

“If you could see the smile on my face right now,” she said. “It was fantastic! It was fantastic and also very successful. I couldn’t sleep that night because I was so excited and thrilled.”

Greenwood-Sharp chaired the committee that spent the last two years planning the rodeo and setting into place an event they hope will become an annual affair. It was hosted by the Fort Bend History Association in the arena at George Ranch Historical Park Saturday evening.

“For this first event – our first rodeo, literally – it went the way of the vision that was given to me,” Greenwood-Sharp said.

She said early estimates put attendance at around 1,000 people – nearly double what was anticipated.

The rodeo honored the history and legacy of black cowboys and rodeo riders, highlighting her uncles, James and Willie Thomas. The Thomas brothers grew up at the George Ranch and, from a young age, rode anything they could – including pigs. Both brothers went on

SEE SENATE, PAGE 9

SEE RODEO, PAGE 8

Joe Walker launches a mutton bustin' competitor Saturday night during the George Ranch Rodeo. Several local youngsters competed in the event. (Photo by Joe Southern)

SOUTHWEST

FORT BEND’S TOP SELLING AGENTS

Most of the election filing deadlines have passed for the May 4 municipal and school board elections and the races are set.

The only deadline that hasn’t passed is for the special election to the Place 5 seat on the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees. The seat was vacated by KP George when he won election as county judge. The deadline to file for the seat is March 4 at 5 p.m. Anyone else entering the race after this point, however, faces a crowd of contenders. Five people have already filed for the seat.

The following is a list of candidates who have filed for election locally: Fort Bend ISD Position 3 Jim Rice Sam Popuri Ashish Agrawal Deirdre S. Williams Position 5 Cynthia Lenton Gary Jason A. Dobrolecki Pam D. Sutherland Lily Q. Lam Allison Drew Position 7 Christine (Tina) Michie Rudy Sutherland, Jr. Ferrel Bonner Nadine B. Skinner Monica Riley Holland Poulsen Dave Rosenthal City of Sugar Land District 1 Steve R. Porter Mohammad “Jazz” Aijaz District 2 David Gornet Nabila Mansoor Naushad Kermally District 3 Stewart Jacobson District 4 Carol McCutcheon William Ferguson Stafford Mayor Arthur “AJ” Honore’ Leonard Scarcella Adam “Bob Sugar” Sanchez Council Position 1 Esther de Ipolyi Auturo Jackson Alice Chen Position 2 Wen Guerra Position 3 Virginia Rosas

Outstanding Agents Outstanding Results

of 2 Best 017 FORT BEND STAR

Readers’ Choice

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

Serving Your LOCAL Community for 30 YEARS

www.buysellsugarland.com • 281-491-1776

THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, February 20, 2019

KUDOS Corner

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Do you know someone deserving of recognition? Email your information to Editor@FortBendStar.com with the heading "Kudos Corner."

TOP PRODUCERS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2019

MOIRA HOLDEN

TOP PRODUCER

with sales in excess of 2 Million #2 in Company Top 20

JOANN GARZA TOP BUYER SALES

with sales in excess of $1 Million #10 in Company Top 20

SARA NGUYEN

TOP LISTER

MARLENA BERGER

A total of 12,332 students enrolled during the 2018 fall term at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 or above or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0. Students on the list include: Ashley Boyd of Missouri City, Dean’s List Shelby Crommett of Missouri City, Dean’s List Emma Lankford of Missouri City, Dean’s List Caitlyn Lopez of Missouri City, Dean’s List Julie McAdory of Missouri City, Dean’s List Nathan Pantera of Missouri City, Dean’s List Caroline Petrie of Missouri City, President’s List Emily Aromy of Richmond, Dean’s List Lanie Malek of Richmond, Dean’s List Amber Woodard of Richmond, Dean’s List Jonathan Adams of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Emma Brown of Sugar Land, President’s List Lucy Couture of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Leland Durley of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Kelsey Jones of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Kyle Jones of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Paige Loux of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Ryan McMichael of Sugar Land, Dean’s List Harrison Cantrell of Richmond, Dean’s List Nicole Edison of Missouri City has been named to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Dean’s List for the fall 2018 semester.

Temiloluwa Yusuf of Richmond has earned a $12,000 annual Founders Scholarship to Albright College, in Reading, Pa. A senior at Saint Timothy’s School, Yusuf is interested in studying psychology and public health in college.

Leia Cook of Richmond was among more than 1,000 students from Miami University who received degrees during fall commencement exercises Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Cook graduated with a master of arts in teaching degree, majoring in biological science.

The University of Alabama awarded 2,065 degrees during its fall commencement Dec. 15. Among them were: Katherine Armstrong of Missouri City, bachelor of science.

Emily Aromy of Richmond, bachelor of arts.

Joy Lewis of Missouri City, bachelor of science in human environmental science.

Opeyemi Ojo of Richmond, doctor of nursing practice.

Vidya Sagar Ronanki of Sugar Land, doctor of philosophy.

Danbing Wu of Missouri City, bachelor of arts communication.

Oklahoma City University announced that Kristen Olmsted of Richmond has been named to President’s Honor Roll for the fall 2018 semester.

Oklahoma City University Dean’s Honor Roll for fall 2018 includes: Mary McLain of Missouri City Nkechinyere Nwankwo of Rosenberg.

Zari Isabella O’Connor of Sugar Land has been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall 2018 semester. O’Connor is majoring in biochemistry.

Home • Auto • Business • Life • Toys

TOP LISTINGS SOLD

“Fastest Growing Agency in Texas.”

ANDREW HALEY Agency Owner

SUSAN GREER GROUP TOP PRODUCER, TOP BUYER SALES & TOP LISTINGS SOLD/TEAMS

with sales in excess of $3 Million - #3 in Company Top 20/Teams

281-643-0996

4501 Cartwright Road, Ste 306 • Missouri City, TX 77459

Bruce Grethen

Grethen to receive Bleil award From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Bruce Grethen has logged as many hours of volunteer work in the past seven years as many people do in a lifetime. But as impressive as the quantity is, Grethen is appreciated more for the quality of his free labor.

As a result, the Fort Bend County Historical Commission is awarding Grethen the Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award for 2019 in recognition of the Missouri transplant’s contributions to the preservation of county history and culture. The presentation will take place at the annual Bleil Award reception at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond on Tuesday, March 5.

Grethen, a geologist and geophysicist (bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri), was recruited for the historical commission’s cemetery committee in 2013 by committee chair Bob Crosser.

This group, the largest among a half-dozen committees within the commission, works against time as well as Fort Bend County’s rapid growth to locate, document and rescue forgotten and/or endangered graves.

Crosser, who was the first recipient of the Bleil Award in 2009, said Grethen averages 80 hours per month doing commission-related volunteer work that also takes in areas of interest outside the committee. He currently serves as vice chair of the cemetery committee.

Again, however, Crosser emphasized that his star recruit’s knowledge and abilities are of even greater value than the time donated.

Grethen has been able to

gooseheadinsurance.com/andrew-haley-insurance

3 generations of Quality Service, Integrity & Honesty

SEE AWARD, PAGE 4 Autos foreign & domestic Vehicle + RV detailing

Family Owned and Operated in Fort Bend County

Since 1951

Now

Then Charlton’s Garage & Station & Auto Sales in Stafford, Texas, 1951-1970.

Owned by E.C. Charlton.

Current garage at Staffordshire & Fifth St. Stafford, Texas.

Still the Same Great Service!

281-499-1126 • Staffordshire Rd at 5th Street Stafford, TX 77477 • www.Charltonsbodyrepair.com Monday – Friday, 7am-6pm

BARBARA K. MOODY TEAM

Those were the days - Charlton’s Body Repair - 01-31-18- 3colx3”

TOP LISTER/TEAMS

ALSO WITH SALES IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION

Funeral Home, Crematory & Family Reception Center All in one place

DEBBIE MARCELL - #4 IN COMPANY TOP 20

2323 TOWN CENTER SUGAR LAND 281-980-5050 www.garygreene.com

(281) 1818 Eldridge Rd. 277-1818 • Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281) 277-1818 • SLMortuary.com

1818 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77478

SLMortuary.com

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 • PAGE

3

School briefs Teacher of the Year finalists named Fort Bend ISD announced the finalists for the 2019 District Teacher of the Year Program. FBISD’s finalists for elementary and secondary teacher of the year include: Elementary finalists: Rebecca Blevins, Quail Valley; Shannon Bandish Nash, Ridgemont; Heather Lowrie, Neill; Laci Tonnesen, Sienna Crossing; and Lisa Vogel, Sugar Mill.

Secondary finalists: Dionna Budd, McAuliffe Middle; Ricardo Garcia, Clements High; Brittany Lindsey, First Colony Middle; Baijayanti Sarkar, Missouri City Middle; Lorelei Thorp, Kempner High; and Ashley Thompson, Hodges Bend Middle.

Each finalist will complete a classroom observation and interview phase. The finalists will be honored on April 18 at the district’s annual TOY Banquet, along with all FBISD Campus TOYs and District Rookies of the Year, where the 2019 District Teachers of the Year for elementary and secondary will be announced.

Spring vendor fair is April 16 Fort Bend ISD will host a vendor fair on April 16, at the Fort Bend ISD Administration Annex, 3119 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land. The fair will run from 5-7 p.m. Busi-

ness owners can learn about opportunities and ways to partner with school PTO/ PTA groups and booster clubs to support students and increase awareness about their brand and services. For more information, contact Genyne Vinson at genyne. vinson@fortbendisd.com or call 281-6343327.

Mission West Elementary earns state distinction Mission West Elementary earned a CREST (Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas) from the Texas School Counselor Association, thanks to the dedication of MWE’s counselor Karen Powell. Mission West Elementary is one of 101 campuses from across the state to earn the distinction. This is a first for Fort Bend ISD. CREST assesses seven areas: principal support; school counseling advisory counseling; school climate and safety; student results; major achievements; community partnerships and resources; and parent collaboration. The program aids counselors in evaluating their programs, providing campuses with a continuous improvement framework, helps counselors to promote their work to stakeholders, and provides access to a network of state resources.

Drowning survivor meets rescuers On July 11, 2018, at 6:05 p.m., Missouri City dispatch received a call from a bystander performing CPR on 2-year-old Noah Whittington, who fell into a pool and drowned.

Squad 31, was the first arriving unit and found CPR being performed on Noah. The crew quickly assessed Noah’s condition and began treatment. Battalion 31 Ladder 31 and Fort Bend County EMS Medic 8 arrived shortly after. While on the scene all the responding crews performed life support measures and prior to Noah’s transport his pulse returned. He was quickly transported to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s emergency room. The quick actions of the bystander’s CPR and initial actions, interventions of the responding units all led to Noah’s survival. His mother recently brought him to the Missouri City station to meet and thank his rescuers. (Submitted photo)

City schedules meeting for 7th Street drainage project From staff reports

The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Sugar Land Middle School, 321 7th St. City engineers will present plans and schedules for drainage improvements along 7th Street, Muirwood Lane and Woodlake Circle,

FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The city of Sugar Land is hosting an informational public meeting to share plans for drainage improvements in The Hill and the Sugar Mill subdivisions.

including a new drainage relief line across City Park that will discharge into an existing drainage channel. Plans include pavement reconstruction along 7th street between Woodlake Circle and City Park.

The project is intended

to improve the capacity of storm sewers and reduce street ponding during heavy rainfall. The project is scheduled to begin in May to minimize interference with school activities and is intended to ensure Sugar Land remains safer than

ever before, an accomplishment based on years of investments in drainage infrastructure.

Drainage improvements implemented in nearby areas protected residents from historic amounts of rainfall during Hurricane Harvey.

Staff continues to evaluate areas throughout the city to ensure the city remains prepared for future storms.

For more information, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/CIPStoryMap, call 281-275-2780 or email cityengineer@sugarlandtx.gov.

Missouri City now accepting applications for police, fire academy From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Missouri City invites residents to join the Annual Citizens’ Police and Fire Academy for 2019.

The program offers a behind-the-scenes view of the dangers firefighters and police officers face on the job. The free, eight-week program is for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and either live or work in Missouri City. Classes begin April 3 and will be held every Wednesday from 6:20-9:30 p.m. at the Missouri City Public Safety Headquarters, 3849 Cartwright Road.

The class is limited to 24 candidates and interested individuals may apply online on the city website at

"The free, eight-week program is for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and either live or work in Missouri City. Classes begin April 3..." http://bit.ly/2UqDPDU. The academy is an opportunity for Missouri

City citizens to learn more about the daily operations of the police department

To reserve your spot make checks payable to Dulles Class of ‘79 Mail checks to: Dulles Class of ‘79 P.O. Box 2369 Stafford, TX. 77497

359 M

OR

IAL

HW

Y3

6

1st St. FM 723

EM

r.

D Trace

AVENUE H

2

2

PSON

E

RD.

NU 7 –VE9:30 PM

HWY 36

A

call for reservations 832-847-4390

River

THOM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY H27, 2019 LIMITED SEATING

1

1

.

Not valid on alcohol purchases

N RD

ASO

Expires 3/19/2019

1 coupon per table per visit.

NM

For more information please Contact Lisa Long 281-690-4222 Or email Lisa@fortbendstar.com Dairy Ashford

281-250-9993 GriswoldHomeCare.com

5 OFF

BEER DINNER

Response Team, both of which provide support to local police officers and firefighters. Participants of the program will also enjoy a special graduation ceremony on May 31.

For more information on the program, contact Sgt. Russell D’Oench or Lt. Robert Jasper or visit www.missouricitypolice. org.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2019 • 7-11PM QUAIL VALLEY CITY CENTRE $50/person until July 1st. $65/person after July 1st and at the door

$30 PURCHASE With coupon

ISIO

about the principles of CPR; experience firearms training in a simulator; view a staged SWAT operation, a live fire demonstration; a motor vehicle extrication using the Jaws of Life and more.

After completing the academy, members will be eligible to join the Missouri City Police and Fire Auxiliary and/or the Citizens’

Dulles High School Class of 1979 40th Class Reunion

$

DIV

and fire and rescue services. The program reviews the different types of crimes officers are confronted with on a daily basis and also provide an overview of the training police officers and firefighters undergo.

Members will receive instruction in traffic laws, criminal law and crime scene investigations; learn

832-847-4390 clancyspubhouse.com 503 FM 359 Suite 118, Richmond, Texas 77406

ROSENBERG HWY 69 SOUTH WEST

Y EWA FRE

DIRECTORY

1 CLANCYS PUBLIC HOUSE

2 OFF THE VINE BISTRO

503 FM 359 Suite 118

2865 Dulles Ave

Richmond, Texas 77406

Missouri City, TX 77459

832-847-4390

281-242-4186

2865 Dulles Ave Missouri City, TX 77459 • 281.242.4186 www.offthevinebistro.com CALL FOR DETAILS & RESERVATIONS

MURDER MYSTERY DINNERS COMING SOON! Fort Bend Counties’ Only Farm to Table Restaurant

• LOCALLY SOURCED • MULTIPLE GLUTEN FREE AND VEGETARIAN OPTIONS • GRASS FED MEATS • ORGANIC PRODUCE • REGIONAL WINES • CRAFT BEERS

Opening a new restaurant?

Let the locals know!

281.690.4200 FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES CALL

THE STAR

PAGE 4 • Wednesday, February 20, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

DNA test is very revealing about who you really are I suppose it’s only fitting that I received my DNA test results during Black History Month.

I used 23 and Me to do my DNA test and they give you plenty of warning that your results might turn up some surprises. Mine sure did! It turns out I’m .4 percent black. That means a fifth-great-grandparent was of sub-Saharan African origin, probably Congolese.

Having done some ancestral research on my family, my mind immediately went down my paternal lineage to my fifth-great-grandmother. She had two out-of-wedlock sons, one of whom is my fourth-greatgrandfather. There is no record anywhere of his father. There are, however, photographs of the two boys as adults and they are as lily white as they come.

There are no visible signs of African heritage in them.

(Seeing how they lived in the early 1800s in Virginia, I doubt either of them selfidentified as black either.)

So the mystery is afoot.

Where does my black ancestry come into play?

That’s going to take some serious investigation. I can

FAITH, FAMILY & FUN JOE SOUTHERN EDITOR

trace my paternal line to England. The first Southern to arrive in the New World came from England as part of the Second Virginia Charter in 1609. His son followed 11 years later on a ship called the George.

If my black ancestor is paternal, it will likely be on my grandmother’s side and I haven’t been able to trace that line very far.

It’s doubtful my black ancestor is from my maternal side. Both sets of my mother’s grandparents came from Scandinavia and what little I have learned indicates those roots run deep in that part of northern Europe. Still, anything is possible and I’m not ruling it out.

I do find it exciting to know that I’m much more diverse than I grew up be-

lieving. Knowing that my family line runs the gamut of American history, I have a lot to learn. I wonder if this is how Alex Haley felt when he was researching his book “Roots.” I loved the TV miniseries made from the book and I’m inspired to watch it again.

Although much of my DNA didn’t reveal anything I didn’t already know, there were a few areas and percentages that now have me questioning everything I’ve learned about my heritage.

My mother always said she was part Spanish, and sure enough there is 1 percent Spanish DNA in me. Unfortunately, she and her parents have passed away so I’ll probably never have the opportunity to investigate that side of my family very well.

As I sit here writing this I realize that life is a great mystery. One of the oddities about 23 and Me is that they test for Neanderthal variants. I have 288, which is pretty high for their current customer base, but it is less than 4 percent of my overall DNA. They test for 2,872 Neanderthal variants. How they can do that

Precedence is set for re-locating human remains those buried there.

In 2012 human bones found under a construction site in England were identified after extensive DNA testing, as those of King Richard III, the last Plantagenet ruler, who was killed at the battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The bones were reverently re-interred in Leicester Cathedral in 2015 during a

BAPTIST CHURCH

HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459

Ed Byrnes, Senior Pastor

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am • 6:00 pm

Sunday Worship 10:45 am • 6:00 pm

Wednesday: 7:00 pm Bible Study / AWANA

“A Place To Call Home” - www.hbctx.org INDEPENDENT BAPTIST

GLORY BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-499-0440 211 Brand Lane Drive • Stafford, Texas 77477

Serving Stafford for 34 years

Preaching the word - Singing the Hymns

Worshipping the Lord Jesus

Sunday 10:00 am Teaching - 11:00 am Preaching

6:00 pm Worshiping

Wednesday 7:00 pm Praying www.gloryfbc.com METHODIST CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888 A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479

Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary

Simple Service / Prayer & Communion: 8:15 am

Contemporary: 9:30 am / Traditional: 10:55 am

Sunday School for all ages

available at 9:30 & 10:55 am. www.christchurchsl.org

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-499-3502 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459

8:00 am: Chapel Worship

9:15 am: Sunday School For All Ages

10:30 am: Open Skies Worship in the Fellowship Hall

10:30 am: Sanctuary Worship For more information, please visit www.fumcmc.org

SUGAR LAND METHODIST CHURCH • 281-491-6041 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478

Worship @ 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 am

Bible Study, all ages, @ 9:45 am www.sugarlandmethodist.org

televised ceremony in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and other religious leaders. An historic plaque recounts the history of King Richard III and the subsequent recovery of the remains.

The construction at the burial site was completed.

Yours truly, Mrs. L. Chapman Sugar Land

CHURCH OF CHRIST

MISSOURI CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-261-8944 2019 Bright Meadows Dr. - Missouri City, TX 77489 www.mocitycoc.org

Sunday morning services: 10:15 am

to overcome. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. As the human race expands and intermingles, we are growing closer to a global citizenship. America is at the crux of that movement.

This really is a melting pot of races and ethnicities from around the world and it grows more diverse every day. Here in the Greater Houston Area and specifically Fort Bend County, we are on the cultural frontier.

There is still a long way to go for there to be perfect harmony but I think we are on the right path and making excellent progress.

I recall reading an article several years ago about how some experts predict that many centuries from now humans will have interbred to the point that the extreme lights and darks will vanish and we will all become shades of brown. It makes sense. We’re seeing plenty of evidence in that direction with so much interracial mixing in our culture.

If, as science and religion both tell us, that all humans descend from a single ancestor or group of ancestors, how did we

become so diverse in race, color, and ethnicity? If we could grow so far apart in those regards, it’s only logical that we could return to our roots. After all, it’s in our DNA. I can’t say that I even begin to understand the complexity of DNA and genetics, but I can appreciate that magnitude of information we are learning about ourselves. The things we are learning can help us cure diseases, birth defects and such. I just wish it could help us cure prejudice and hate. Who knows, maybe with a better understanding of what makes us what we are on the outside will lead to a better appreciation of what we are on the inside.

Last week I learned that a very small fraction of me is black. That made my world a whole lot bigger.

Suddenly I have something in common with a whole race of people that I didn’t think I had much connection with. The thing is, I like that very much. I’m proud of my newfound black heritage. It may not show on the outside, but I’m feeling it on the inside.

We should celebrate our unity, not diversity

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I have read with interest the coverage regarding the cemetery found adjoining the new Technical School construction site. As I understand it, the issue is the identification and historical recognition of all the people interred there.

The place of the burial is less important than the circumstances and history of

is beyond me because there haven’t been any Neanderthals around for several millennia.

I have to assume that the largest known assemblage of direct Neanderthal descendants can be found in Washington, D.C., and Hollywood because they seem to be bent on taking us back to the stone ages, at least in terms of behavior. But I digress.

One of the main things I’ve been learning about DNA and ancestry isn’t how much we are different but how much we are alike.

What sets us apart isn’t our physical features or what part of the world our ancestors are from. What sets us apart is our attitude about it. Genetically, I’m a European mutt – a regular Heinz 57 blend. Ultimately, we are all human. All of us are made in the image of God. To disrespect that is to disrespect the creator and, by extension, ourselves.

I doubt we will see in our lifetimes a true colorblind society that is welcoming and accepting of all humans. There is far too much hate and prejudice

(includes separate youth, bible hour and nursery services)

Sunday evening services: 5:00 pm Last Sunday 1:30 pm Bible Study (all ages): Sun 9:00 am & Wed 7:00 pm Iron Mens Bible Study 1st Monday 6:30 pm

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507

402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477

SUNDAY:

Bible Study: 9:30 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Worship 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY : Bible Study 7:00 p.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310 4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459

Sunday School 9:00 am

Fellowship & Coffee 10:00 am

Worship 10:30 am www.southminpres.org LUTHERAN CHURCH

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729 800 Brooks St., Sugar Land Sunday: 8:00 am Traditional Worship

9:15 am Sunday School

10:30 am Contemporary Worship

(Nursery Available)

4:00 pm Spirit of Life Worship

Scripture of the week

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

- Colossians 3:14

Dear Editor, E pluribus unum (from many, one) is our national motto, and it affirms that strength is not found in diversity. strength is Rather, found in unity. Very great strength is found in a people who come from diverse backgrounds and share a sense of common identity, purpose, and destiny. That unity has described the American experience for most of its existence.

However, the currently fashionable call to “respect diversity” describes a fading sense of unity. To a great degree, this balkanization of our society is the result of cynical attempts by some elites to

weaken and dominate a unified people. Respecting diversity has become, more broadly, the all of pundits and leaders who repeat a fashionable slogan but should know better.

Rather than obsessing with our differences, our society will grow stronger by celebrating what unites us. Chiefly, everyone should celebrate that we are all designed and built

by God. There is no greater unity than this. Unity under God prohibits us from judging other people while requiring that we judge their behaviors.

Second, but critical for re-establishing a strong civil society, is celebrating the fact that we are all

Americans. All citizens share that responsibility to protect and operate an exceedingly rare system of national government. It is built on respect for our God-given individual rights with elaborate limitations on the power of that national government can exercise in our lives.

So, if you decide to enjoy your favorite cultural foods and activities, as Texans have done for generations, treat them not as celebrations of diversity. Rather, they should be celebrations of the unity that binds us all together. We are the great melting pot. E pluribus unum!

Mr. Dana C. Atkinson Richmond

H AWARD, FROM PAGE 2

17 unmarked graves. In the as-yet unresolved search for the grave of Texas Revolution hero Erastus “Deaf” Smith, Grethen detected seven ground anomalies in the suspected location around the intersection of Houston and Sixth streets in Richmond.

“Bruce has contributed to the knowledge and preservation of historic and cultural resources of Fort Bend County in many other ways,” Crosser said.

Those include adjusting and refining location coordinates for all known historic cemeteries and creating a database of extracted information from county death records (19031990) containing up to 10 identifiers for each decedent.

He sought out and obtained for the commission, at processing cost only, 650 frames of a 1941 highresolution aerial survey of

the county and created a digital base index map of the photos. He has created hundred of GIS projects using these aerials and other historic data to determine the location of lost cultural resources and cemeteries.

Other projects Grethen has initiated or aided include determining the likely location of the 19th century Churchill Fulshear Jr. horse racing track and designing and constructing internal bracing for the cistern on the Mirabeau B. Lamar home site in advance of archeological investigation.

His volunteer time is divided between the commission office and the county roadways, from which he reconnoiters for historically important structures as candidates for preservation and also checks the conditions of historic cemeteries.

Grethen and his wife Linda live in Sugar Land.

transfer his skills in geology, geophysics and geographic information systems (GIS) to his volunteer duties.

“Bruce used his high proficiency in geophysics and computer science,” Crosser explained, “to introduce the historical commission to the use of ground penetrating radar to locate unmarked graves and other historic elements not visible at the surface. Bruce designed and conducted a testing program for the GPR system acquired by the Friends of the FBCHC, he performed scientific tests of the equipment. He then designed a standard for processing the measurements the equipment would yield.”

Crosser said Grethen has designed and conducted numerous GPR investigations including one at the Bland Cemetery, which contained

FOLLOW SPORTS

facebook/FortBendStar twitter.com/FtwBendAthletics

281-690-4200 • 281-690-4237 (fax) • www.fortbendstar.com OUR STAFF JONATHAN McELVY

FRANK VASQUEZ

Fridays at 5 p.m. editor@fortbendstar.com

President jonathan@mcelvymedia.com

Publisher frank@mcelvymedia.com

Retail Ads Deadline:

News Deadline:

LISA LONG

ELSA MAXEY

Fridays at 5 p.m. ads@fortbendstar.com

Accounting lisa@fortbendstar.com

Classified Ads Deadline:

Video Production Manager elsa@fortbendstar.com

DIANE STREHL

Fridays at 5 p.m. ads@fortbendstar.com

General Manager diane@fortbendstar.com

JOE SOUTHERN Editor jsouthern@fortbendstar.com

BROOKE NANCE Art Production Manager

JOHN SAZMA Sales Executive john@fortbendstar.com

PHIL STEWART Regional Account Director phil@fortbendstar.com

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 • PAGE

5

@FtBendAthletics:

Stafford dedicates ballfield to late coach From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Stafford Municipal School District dedicated its high school baseball field on Saturday to Coach Michael Mesa, a Class of 2008 Stafford MSD graduate who returned to teach and coach in the district.

Mesa was the youngest Class 4A head baseball coach in Texas when he unexpectedly passed away at age 26 just days after the end of the 2016 season. The district retired Mesa's number 11 jersey and presented a jersey to his 5-year-old son, Leandro. The other number 11 jersey will be displayed inside the Stafford High School competition gym's trophy case.

At the end of the ceremony, Leandro threw out the first pitch to his grandfather (and Coach Mesa's father), Raul Mesa. Stafford MSD also unveiled a plaque in Mesa’s honor.

Mission4Mike, a nonprofit started in Mesa’s memory, donated a windscreen to Stafford MSD. On the windscreen, the baseball program's first retired number (11) is displayed. Gracie Martinez, president and cofounder of Mission4Mike, was the master of ceremonies for the event. dignitaries Several spoke at the dedication, including Stafford MSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Bostic, Stafford MSD Trustees Christopher Caldwell, Xavier Herrera, Alicia LacyCastille, Manuel Hinojosa, Greg Holsapple and Auturo Jackson. All six were on the board when Mesa passed away. Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella spoke, as did Councilmember A.J. Honore. Councilmembers Wen Guerra, Don Jones and Ken Mathew were in attendance.

SMSD Deputy Superintendent Marva Rasberry spoke at the event. Rasberry was Stafford Middle School's

principal when Mesa was a student there between 200204.

Angel Maldonado, who graduated from Stafford with Mesa in 2008 and worked alongside him at the district, spoke about the coach.

The current group of Stafford High senior baseball players were freshmen when Mesa passed away. They spoke about what Mesa meant to them. The Stafford Elementary choir performed an a cappella version of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

Prior to the dedication ceremony, the current Stafford baseball team played the Stafford alumni in an alumni game. The current players won 5-0. The alumni team included current Trustee Manuel Hinojosa, a Stafford High graduate who played alongside his sons, Manny and Raul Hinojosa – both of whom graduated from Stafford last spring.

Stafford second-year head baseball coach Donald Allen

Leandro Mesa, son of the late Michael Mesa, receives a jersey with his father’s number on it during a ceremony Saturday to name the baseball field after Mesa, who died suddenly in 2016. (Submitted photo)

invited those in attendance to the first game at Michael

Mesa Field, which was scheduled to be played at

6:30 p.m. on Tuesday against Marshall.

Lady Canes shut down Foster 64-44

By Bill McCaughey FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Hightower Lady Canes beat Foster for the third time this season and advanced to the Region 3 semifinals with a 64-44 win at Wheeler Fieldhouse on Monday night.

The game was decided

in the first quarter as Hightower took a 17-0 lead. Foster scored on a free throw with 1:05 to go in the quarter and added two more free throws to make the first quarter score 20-3. Tae’lor Purvis scored nine points in the first quarter to lead the Hurricanes.

The second quarter wasn’t The Lady Canes celebrate their Region quarterfinal (Round 4) win against Foster. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)

Fastest in nation Stafford High senior Ryan Martin has the fastest 100-meter time among high school students in the United States this season. He ran 10.42 seconds at a track meet at Katy Seven Lakes on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Last May, Martin ran 10.41 seconds at the UIL Class 4A state meet in Austin. (Submitted photo)

much better for Foster. The Falcons could only muster six free throws in the quarter, and Hightower led 32-9 at halftime. Morgan Strawder had four points for Hightower in the second quarter.

Foster scored its first field goal of the game with 4:15 to go in the third quarter, but by then Hightower led 4012. The quarter ended with Hightower on top 48-24. Aresa Gipson and Winnie Kuimi each had six points in the quarter for the Lady Canes.

Hightower substituted freely in the fourth quarter and the final score was 6444.

For the game, Purvis had 15 points, Gipson 13, and Kuimi 10.

Hightower and Foster are both in District 24 5A and Hightower had won both of their previous meetings.

Knowing it’s tough to beat a team three times in one season, Coach Deborah Mize had her team focused on defense to start the game, as evidenced by allowing only 3 points in the first quarter.

“A lot of that was our intensity and level of play,” Mize said. “My five starters have a lot of experience and have been in these moments before, plus we hit most of our

shots.”

The Hurricanes’ 6-foot 4-inch center, Winnie Kuimi is a strong presence in the lane on offense and defense.

“Winnie takes up two players most of the time, so we have been working on getting the off-post player some good looks at the basket,” Mize said.

On defense, Kuimi will get the rebound and quickly make an outlet pass and the Hurricanes are racing down the court.

“We don’t want to have to set up a play, if we don’t have to,” Mize said. “With the athletes we have, we can get up and down the floor pretty good. We like to get out and go every time.”

Hightower will play the winner of Magnolia West and Rudder on Friday night at the Campbell Center at 1865 Aldine Bender Road. The Hurricanes beat Magnolia West 64-49 in early November, which means nothing at this point in the playoffs.

In the other semifinal match Friday night, fellow District 24 rival Manvel will play the winner of Pflugerville and College Station, raising the possibility of an all-District 24 Region Final on Saturday afternoon.

FOOT FACTS

by Dr. Eric Tepper

BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS

BUNIONETTES

A bunionette is similar to a bunion except for its location on the foot. A bunion is a bony prominence that develops at the base of the big toe while a bunionette develops at the base of the little toe. Most bunionettes are the result of genetics and excessive friction from rubbing against the inside of a shoe, where a callus gradually forms to protect the irritated area. This thickened tissue increases the protuberance and can eventually cause pain and/or interfere with the toe joint. A podiatrist can treat a bunionette in a variety of ways. The severity of the bunionette and the amount of damage to the toe joint are factors that determine the course of podiatric treatment.

713-433-6421

14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org

Hightower’s Aleah Franklin goes up for a shot against Foster Monday night in the a playoff game that resulted in a 64-44 victory. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)

NOW HIRING Agriculture Specialists In Your Area $2839.18 - $3183.66 / Monthly     

Salary is based on experience

No Experience Required Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Leave Life and Health Insurance Retirement Advancement Opportunities

HINT: Bunionette treatments range from nonsurgical pads and splints to surgical procedures requiring bone reduction.

There is no reason to suffer and continue to experience discomfort from bunionettes, fallen arches, deformed toes, heel pain, toenail problems, and the other myriad conditions that can affect your feet. At our office, you’ll receive the highest quality medical foot care coupled with the personal attention you expect and deserve. Our approach is conservative, gentle, and caring at 3143 Hwy. 6 South, and we welcome your call, 281-980-3668, for an appointment for family footcare.

Hello, my name is Ping. I am a brown domestic shorthair mix and I am 9 and a half years old. Come by and visit with me today. I would love to meet you!

Texas Department of Criminal Justice www.tdcj.texas.gov

THE STAR

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, February 20, 2019

H CEMETERY, FROM PAGE 1 district will hammer out the details of tasks.

Before entering closed session to address multiple issues including the status of the Sugar Land 95, the board heard from the public, many who came to discuss potential movement on the complicated issue.

Reginald Moore, president of the Convict Leasing and Labor Project (CLLP) and

who for years was the lone voice warning that bodies could be present in unmarked graves, was feeling optimistic over the possibility of collaboration. He applauded the school district for its willingness to work with county commissioners and said “the potential for results is huge.

It will help to heal our local community and signal to the nation that the city of Sugar Land and schools are on board.”

Moore was also excited

about some Sugar Land 95-related state bills introduced by state Rep. Ronald Reynolds including House Bill 51 calling for a joint interim committee to study the legacy of convict leasing in Texas and House Bill 55 bill “directing the State Preservation Board to initiate steps to provide for the replacement of the Children of the Confederacy plaque with a plaque to honor victims of the state's convict leasing system.”

Naomi Carrier, executive director of the Convict Leasing and Labor Project noted the CLLP and the school district have clashed in the past but she saw potential opportunities for everyone.

“While we have been at odds in the past, we have always wanted to collaborate with the district. Recent developments are presenting us with this new opportunity for unprecedented collaborations. In the spirit of this new partnership, we re-

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

quest FBISD to stop all legal proceedings regarding removing the remains,” said Carrier.

The matter of legal action was a sticking point for Houston mother and Sugar Land 95 advocate Swatara Olushola.

“We had a small victory last week with the commissioners joining the legal process. But the fact that we have to go through a legal process for basic human dignity is an issue for me and

everyone should know you (school district) don’t want the judge knowing all the facts. The FBISD has been completely disrespectful through the entire process.

And don’t build a memorial with inmate number one or inmate number two.

We need to bring families into the process. This is their legacy. As free laborers they literally built this city for Im-

SEE CEMETERY, PAGE 9

2019

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has announced its highly anticipated concert lineup for 2019.

It includes 22 of the hottest music artists in the world. The livestock show and rodeo will take place February 25 - March 17.

Kacey Musgraves

Camilla Cabello

Prince Royce

Wednesday, March 6

Thursday, March 14

Brooks & Dunn

Thursday, March 7

Tim McGraw

Cody Johnson

Luke Bryan

Friday, March 8

Saturday, March 16

Cardi B

Saturday, March 9

Kane Brown

George Strait

Sunday, March 17

Turnpike Troubadours

Los Tigres Del Norte Sunday, March 10

Lyle Lovett & Earl Keen

Monday, Feb. 25 Tuesday, Feb. 26 Wednesday, Feb. 27 Thursday, Feb. 28 Friday, March 1

Saturday, March 2

Panic! At the Disco Sunday, March 3

Old Dominion

Monday, March 4

Santana

Tuesday, March 5

Wednesday, March 13

Luke Combs

Chris Stapleton

Zedd

Friday, March 15

Brad Paisley

Photo via HLSR Returning for the first time in 9 years, Brooks & Dunn can be seen Wednesday, Feb 27.

Photo via HLSR Currently nominated for two GRAMMYs in 2019, Cardi B will be on stage Friday, March 1.

Photo via HLSR Kings of Leon, an American rock band from Tennessee will be preforming Tuesday, March 12.

Photo via HLSR One of only eight artists to receive the RODEOHOUSTON Star Trail of Fame, George Straight can be seen Sunday, March 15.

Sunday, March 17

Zac Brown Band Monday, March 11

Kings of Leon

Tuesday, March 12

“Servicing the community for over 28 years “

281-242-9070 James Cox, DVM www.sugarcreekanimalclinic.com 14015 SW FREEWAY, BLDG. 2, SUGAR LAND, TEXAS 77478

$5 OFF YOUR PURCHASE

Visit the PennyWise Stafford Store and meet our New Management Team.

Receive $5 towards your purchase on Wednesday February 27th with this coupon.

For More Information Call 281-344-5777

The PennyWise Stafford Team

Store Manager - Debra Hafner Asst. Manager - Ashley Garcia Receiving Manager - Tamra Phillips Lead Sales Assoc. - Jacqueline Edwards Only valid at the Stafford PennyWise location.

Not valid with any other offer.

One per customer on February, 27, 2019

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Nitro Circus coming to Constellation Field From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Nitro Circus will perform its famed You Got This show on May 4 at Constellation Field.

It will be Nitro Circus’ only 2019 stop in Texas for the You Got This Tour. Nitro Circus launched the show last year, performing in some of the world’s most famous arenas across the globe. Now

the crew is bringing the adrenaline-charged You Got This tour to outdoor venues across the United States, including Constellation Field, for the first time.

You Got This features a star-studded cast of top tier international athletes who hold over 45 X Games medals combined, including freestyle motocross riders such as 12-time X Games medalist Jarryd McNeil, 19-time X Games medalist

Nate Adams, and 8-time X Games medalist Mike Mason; multi-sport sensations such as Ryan “R-Willy” Williams, and BMX stars such as X Games medalist Kurtis Downs. Accomplished female freestyle motocross athlete Vicki Golden will be making her first full tour debut with Nitro Circus and is looking forward to giving the crew a run for their money.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at sug-

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 • PAGE

F ORT B END

H OME S HOWCASE

AF nitA Milne B H ORT

END

7

BEARD REALTY GROUP

OME MEADOWS PLACE

281-413-9732

O W CPLACE ASE S HMEADOWS

REDUCED DORRANCE 4/2/2 • $199,000

SCOTTSDALE 3/2/2 • $239,500

BEAUTIFUL SUNROOM

FANTASTIC KITCHEN AND MEDIA ROOM

A Helping Hand

arlandskeeters.com or by calling the TDECU Ticket Office at 281-240-448. For more information visit www. nitrocircus.com.

from

Ed’s Pharmacy 3740 Cartwright Road (@ FM 1092)

Governor appoints locals to boards01-30-18 ANITA MILNE

(281) 499-4555

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Gov. Greg Abbott has recently appointed local residents to statewide boards.

Correctional Managed Health Care Committee Abbott has reappointed Preston Johnson Jr. for a term set to expire on Feb. 1, 2023. The committee coordinates the development of statewide policies for the delivery of correctional health care within the criminal justice system.

Johnson, of Sugar Land, is a former executive of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. He is member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals, Houston Human Resource Leadership Council, National Black MBA Society, and the Houston Hispanic Chamber Foundation Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a member of the President’s Council at the University of Houston Clear Lake City, Sam Houston State University Foundation Board of Directors, the Business Schools’ Advisory Board, and the President’s Council at Sam Houston. Johnson received a bachelor of business administration in accounting from Sam Houston State University, a master of

business administration in management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and certifications in executive development from Michigan University and Harvard University.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Texas Early Learning Council Abbott has appointed Katherine Abba, Ph.D., Sarah Abrahams, Courtney Arbour, Travis Armstrong, Ed.D., Weldon Beard, Terrie Breeden, April Crawford, Ph.D., Sam Eng, Alferma Giles, Ph.D., Melissa Horton, Beck Huss-Keeler, Ph.D., Ramah Leith, Jerletha McDonald, Dana McGrath, Jacquie Porter, Julie Richards, Teresa Robledo, Stephanie Rubin, Kierstan Schwab, and June Yeatman to the Texas Early Learning Council for terms to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. Additionally, the governor named Jacquie Porter chair of the council, and Texas first lady Cecilia Abbott will serve as honorary chair.

The Texas Early Learning Council serves as state advisory Texas’ council as required by the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. The Council utilizes its breadth of stakeholder representation to

increase coordination and collaboration across state agencies and local program and service providers in order to improve the quality of and access to early childhood services across Texas. In 2019, the Council will lead a statewide birthfive needs assessment and strategic plan as part of Texas’ Preschool Development Grant project.

Alferma Giles, Ph.D. of Richmond is director of the Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Children’s Learning Institute.

Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners Abbott reappointed Donna Guthery to the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners for a term set to expire on January 31, 2023. He also appointed Claudine Vass for a term set to expire on January 31, 2021. The board has licensing, examination, and rulemaking responsibilities in the field of acupuncture.

Claudine Vass of Sugar Land is president of Fort Bend Pets Alive! She is a founding board member of Houston Pets Alive! and immediate past chair of the Rosenberg Animal Shelter Board of Advisors. Additionally, she volunteers for

Rescue Bank. Vass received a Bachelor of Science in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Houston.

Industrialized Building Code Council Abbott appointed Stephen Shang and Roberto Lay-Su and reappointed Roland Brown, Scott McDonald, and Douglas Robinson to the Industrialized Building Code Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2019. Additionally, he appointed Marcela Rhoads, Suzanne Arnold, and Brian Bailey and reappointed Randall Childers and W.F. “Dubb” Smith for terms set to expire on February 1, 2020. The council oversees the state program regulating industrialized housing and buildings.

Roberto Lay-Su of Sugar Land is president of LS&A Group, Inc. He is a past president of the Asian American Association of Architects and Engineers.

Lay-Su received a Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering and a Master of Science in engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

What to do About Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron is an important element, as it is involved in a wide variety of chemical processes in the body. One major role involves the trans-port of oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency is a common nutrition disorder worldwide and is reported to contribute to approx-imately one-half of anemia cases. Iron deficiency anemia results in low red blood cell counts due to low iron in the body. Iron def-iciency anemia is more likely to affect infants, young children, pregnant women, and females with heavy menses. A person with low iron may experience shortness of breath and tiredness.

Supplemental iron is available in different forms. Each provides different amounts of elemental iron. Elemental iron is the amount of iron in an oral tablet that is available to be absorbed by the body. Treatment options for moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia include ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous gluconate. The recommended oral daily dose for the treatment of iron deficiency in adults ranges from 150 to 200 milligrams of elemental iron per day. Some side effects include diarrhea and upset stomach. Iron therapy for correcting iron deficiency may take several months to replenish the iron stores in the body.

There are advantages to living in Fort Bend

...COMING SOON...

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING NEEDS CALL 281-690-4200 www.FortBendStar.com BONDED & INSURED

Ready to fix that fence?

About 200 young people gathered to conduct interfaith service projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Submitted photo)

Fort Bend Interfaith Service Project attracts 200 participants From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is referred to as “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” That was certainly the case as approximately 200 youths and leaders coming from 12 diverse congregations from the Fort Bend Interfaith Community met Monday, Jan. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sugar Land.

“What a way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy to bring kids of different backgrounds, different races, religions to do good for the community,” said Rabbi Josh Lobel, serving as chair of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community Council. “It was his dream – a world in which the color of one’s skin doesn’t matter. At the heart of all the different religions is the idea that we are going to work together to create a better world.

We ask what can we do for someone else?”

The youths responded.

They built six beds for foster children in conjunction with Cultivating Families.

They made 200 hygiene kits for the Star of Hope, and 200 sack lunches for Lord’s Kitchen in Rosenberg. They made cards and wrote encouraging notes for patients at the Houston Veteran’s

Administration Hospital, as well as collecting a carload of socks for the veterans.

Some gave blood in a donor coach from The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

After a lunch of pizza and salad, the youths participated in an interfaith

SEE INTERFAITH, PAGE 9

ASK THE EXPERT

Q:

How does Laser Hair Removal feel and does it hurt?

A:

Laser Hair Removal feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin.

Numbing is available if Regina Castillo, LMA needed. It is a treatment Advanced Dermatology that should be done by a Licensed Laser Technician. In order to prepare for this treatment, patients should avoid waxing, plucking or any depilatories at least 4 weeks before a treatment. Patients will want to avoid tanning or prolonged sun exposure two weeks before treatment and all hair must be shaved before coming in.

Advanced Dermatology offers a triad of lasers that effectively and permanently removes unwanted hair from the legs, back, abdomen, neck, face, bikini, underarms and even ears. For men with chronic shave irritation, hair reduction on the neck and beard area can virtually eliminate the embarrassment of constant “red bumps” around the shirt collar. For women with darker hair above the lip or along the cheeks and jawline, laser hair removal can virtually eliminate this often inherited facial hair pattern leaving the skin smooth and stubble free.

Advanced Dermatology www.advanceddermatologymd.com 1235 Lake Pointe Parkway #200 Sugar Land, Tx. 77478

281-665-4444

Broken, messy...

A FEW busted, OF OUR SERVICES: Painting/Staining/Repairing Decks & Fences WE CAN FIX IT Gutter Cleaning & Repair

Some of our Services Curtain Hanging Honey-do lists Picture Hanging Painting/Staining Decks/Fences Gutter Cleaning/Repair Painting Patch drywall (Sheetrock) TV Wall Mount Installation Child-proofing your home Furniture Assembly/Repair Door Install/Repair/Adjustments Doorknob/Lock Installation Curtain Hanging Fence and garage repair Light Bulb Change Ceiling fan replacement/repairs Hang Shelves Organizing Garages Faucet Installations Garbage disposal replacement

About Us

• We are a local company, with Faucet Installations offices in the Fort Bend and Greater Heights communities.

ABOUT US • We answer the phone when We are a local company with offices in thetheFort you call during day, and we return all calls in under an Bend and Greater Heights communitites. hour.

We are reliable and always just a call away.

• We have done background We have done backgroundchecks checks on all on of our workers. all of our workers.

• We are bonded & insured.

• Our workers communicate with you clearly and our prices are better than competitive.

713•686•4936

* AND MUCH MORE - Just ask!

www.itjustbroke.com

Call • (713) 686-4936 Book us at • www.ItJustBroke.com A division of Home Hands Group LLC

THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, February 20, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

H RODEO, FROM PAGE 1 to compete in professional rodeos – James rode bare back until he left to serve in the U.S. Army and Willie became one of the best professional bull riders of his era. His contributions to the field were recognized by the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Greenwood-Sharp effused praise on everyone from the sponsors to the committee, the fans, the participants, and her family.

“This was a two-year labor of love,” she said. “God winked on us!”

Slack events were held throughout the day. The evening show began with a grand entry, presentation of the colors, a prayer by the Rev. Earnest Sharp, the singing of the National Anthem and Negro National Anthem by Genét Chenier.

Fans were treated to competitions in bull riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ladies steer undecorating, and team roping.

“We’re getting ready to be in the midst of planning next year’s rodeo,” Greenwood-Sharp said.

Paisley Ward walks her horse around the barrels in the Thomas "T" Henix competes in the steer wrestling competition at the George Ranch junior barrel racing competition. (Photo by Joe Southern) Rodeo Saturday night. (Photo by Joe Southern)

C LA SSIF IE D

A DS

FIND THE STAR ONLINE

LASSIFIED C FORTBENDSTAR.COM

HOME IMPROVEMENT

A DS

HOME IMPROVEMENT

CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US AT 281-690-4200

SERVICES CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US AT 281-690-4200 TAROT CARD & CRYSTAL READINGS

call for appointment

• Great Prices • Rebates!

• Financing • Warranties XR 16 SYSTEM

LIMITED TIME! CALL NOW!!

Call 281-468-4250 anytime www.criticalairac.com TACLA021957E (Licensed & Insured) MNB ENTERPRISES LLC • DBA CRITICAL AIR

Ornamental Iron Fence Driveway - Gates & Operators • Free Estimates

281-344-9212

• IRON FENCE REPAIR •

TRANE ON SALE!

• IRON FENCE REPAIR •

IRON FENCE REPAIR • IRON FENCE REPAIR

SMALL JOBS WELCOMED

PAINTING Interior Painting • Exterior Painting Sheetrock • Textures • Power Washing

100 OFF

$

of any job $500 or more!

AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING

281-492-3450 www.myACandHEAT.com

$30 OFF any repair

SMART IMPROVEMENTS

713-298-8393 Insured • References www.smart-improvements.com

cannot be combined with any offer

HELP WANTED

Please fax resume to:

John M. Thomas, P.C. at 713-779-6807 Help Wanted LEGALS

2.1.5 Classified Ad -ACCT/CPA Southwest CPA-713-779-6807 for 02-20-19 NOTICE TO BIDDERS THREE TIER HIGH SITE 10 PROJECT The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for performing all work required for the following project in the City: BID NO. 2019-15: THREE TIER HIGH SITE 10 PROJECT BIDDER’S NAME, ADDRESS, AND DUE DATE Specifications and bidding documents may be obtained by registering with Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

Sealed bids in triplicate, one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

For questions regarding this bid, please contact Jason Poscovsky CPPO, CPPB, Contracts Manager jposcovsky@sugarlandtx.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2019.

The City will award and give notice within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

CITY OF STAFFORD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City of Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas and before the City Council of the City of Stafford, Texas on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas for the purpose of receiving testimony for and against the following: An ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinances, the same being the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, to rezone two (2) tracts of land totaling approximately 4.89 acres from the RCT, Residential, Commercial and Technology Zoning District to PD, Planned Development Zoning District, to allow for a residential development consisting of single family homes to be located at 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford Texas 77477.

ACE TILE

♠

♠

Carpet • Remodeling • Ceramic Marble • Wood Flooring • Pressure Washing Laminate Wood Flooring • Granite Slab Countertops

Call TODAY for FREE ESTIMATE

281-898-0154

Eddie Allum

House Painters Plus ction Satisfanteed Guara

Bond & Insu ed red

Interior/Exterior Painting Hardie Plank Siding • Pressure Washing Roofing • Remodeling • Carpentry Fence/Fence Repair 14 yrs. exp.

Frank Garza, owner

Gun Collection

For Sale

also Free Motion Pro Model Treadmill.

Paid $2389. Selling for Best offer.

Call 412-849-4640

AUTO

FOR

SALE

281-642-1992 Free Estimates

2006 Chevy Tahoe

HARRIS CARPET & FLOORS

New motor and transmission

Sales • Installation • Cleaning

Wood • Laminate • Carpet • Tile • (Water Extraction) Tile/Grout • Wood • & Fast Drying Carpet Cleaning Serving: Richmond • Mo. City • Sugar Land Free Residential /Commercial Estimates. Call 713-723-0693

LOOKING FOR

ACCOUNTANT/CPA For local Southwest CPA Firm

FOR SALE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HELP WANTED

TACLB019260E

Minimum 3 years of current public accounting exp.

Must have knowledge of Quick Books & Tax Preparation.

Salary open depending on qualifications & exp.

281.232.4436

M AT H / C O M P U T E R TUTOR - Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics. Bill Stewart.

BSEE 281-341-1582.>+

A BROKER

?

Runs well, good condition.

$6000 or best offer

832-439-4023

Keep up with all

HELP WANTED

No Experience Necessary New Agent Training

LEXINGTON BLVD. ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Call Chad 281-265-0000

the weekly

• PART TIME KENNEL ASSISTANT •

NOW HIRING!

NEWS!

Competitive wages & great experience, 5:30am shift

• VETERINARY TECHNICIAN • Full Time, Experience Required

• PART TIME RECEPTIONIST • APPLY IN PERSON OR EMAIL RESUME TO AU4020@CAPNA.COM E.O.E.

WWW.LEXINGTONPETHOSPITAL.COM

LEGALS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN and ENGINEERING SERVICES The Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD) is seeking statements of qualifications from architectural design and engineering firms to provide architectural and engineering services for SMSD. SMSD invites interested parties to submit Statements of Qualifications for this work, as outline below.

An RFQ package may be requested from George Daniel Flores, geflores@staffordmsd.org and/or 281-261-9361. A copy of the RFQ may also be obtained by visiting the Stafford MSD website. Statements of Qualifications must be received by 2:00 P.M. on March 6, 2019 at 1625 Staffordshire Rd., Stafford, TX 77477. Stafford MSD reserves the right to reject any or all qualifications or waive any or all irregularities.

CITY OF STAFFORD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City of Stafford Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas and before the City Council of the City of Stafford, Texas on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas for the purpose of receiving testimony for and against the following:

Legal Description: Unrestricted Reserve A, Replat of Tract 68 Stafford Oaks Subdivision, and Commercial Reserve B, Stafford Oaks Subdivision, Replat of Lot 69.

A proposal to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinances, the same being the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, Section 102-83 – Principal Permitted Use Table, and deleting Section 102-170 – SFR-1 – Single Family Residential Dwelling District – 1. Copies of the changes are available for public inspection at City Hall.

All residents of the City of Stafford and other interested parties are invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to be heard.

All residents of the City of Stafford and other interested parties are invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to be heard.

/s/ Tomika Lewis City Secretary

/s/ Tomika Lewis City Secretary

Keller Williams

• Warehouse Job Opening!

• Tuition assistance for students • Flexible hours for students • Top pay & benefits • Hardworking, responsible individual for shipping, receiving & shop work • HS diploma required • Some college a plus • Chance for advancement • Smoke-free environment • Stafford, Texas - Near Kirkwood & 59

BRICE COMPANY

Call: 281.240.1788 Send resume: sales@bricebarclay.com

Mktg Analyst: Sugarland TX Duties include developing & managing strong relationships with internal, key external clients; understanding client needs regarding market analytics, customer insights, & key business initiatives & performing mktg analysis, trending/ forecast models, & mkt research, etc. Bachelor's in Mktg or Econ & 12 months exp any busn mgmt. Will accept any suitable combination of education, training and/or exp. US equiv of foreign edu acceptable. Applications in dupl to Busn Mgr AI Marine Surveyors, 3014 Mesquite Dr, Sugarland, TX 77479.

LEGALS

Telecommunications Facility Eco-Site, Inc. has submitted a request to the FCC to register a proposed approx. 100’ tall monopole telecommunications tower with no marking or lighting system to be located at 14777 Voss Road in Sugar Land, TX 77498; coordinates of 29-38-33.19 N, 9538-37.75 W. Interested parties may review the application by going to the FCC’s Antennae Structure Registration (ASR) website and entering the ASR application # A1130486. Members of the public may raise environmental concerns about the proposed structure by filing a Request for Environmental Review with the FCC. The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file such requests online and instructions to do so can be found on the FCC’s Environmental Request page (http://www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest) or send to: Ramon Williams, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. Requests should also be sent to: FDH Infrastructure Services, ATTN: Richard Brainerd, 6521 Meridien Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616. In order for your comments to receive full and timely consideration, they should be received at the addresses above within 30 days of the date of this notice and reference FCC ASR file # A1130486.

Your Countywide newspaper 281-690-4200 LEGALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a BQ Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit by TX Hotel Concession Holdings, L.L.C. dba Stafford Hampton Inn, to be located at 4714 Techniplex Drive, Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas 77477. The sole member of said limited liability company is Ruby Huang, Member.

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

H CEMETERY, FROM PAGE 6 perial Sugar,” said Olushola.

Carrier said the group’s long-term plan is the creation of an “Interpretive Center for Education and Reconciliation.”

She asked the district to consider negotiating an additional five acres of land for the center surrounded by a memorial park whose usage could be a collaboration between the county, city and school district.

Carrier wants the CLLP to be one of the organizations that have custody of the artifacts as they are in the process of becoming a certified repository, she told the board.

She marveled at the collaborative possibilities and the ability to link with the Smithsonian’s National Museum for African American History and Culture and

H SENATE, FROM PAGE 1 filed includes $6 billion in spending in Article III to pay for across-the-board teacher pay raises and to offset revenue lost by any property tax reform measures passed this session.

Next, senators on the 15-member committee will break up into workgroups focused on individual budget articles and develop a spending plan for that section of state government. Then each workgroup recommendation will be rolled into a final version to be voted on by the full committee.

Last Monday, the Senate Property Tax Committee amended and passed the property tax growth reform bill, Senate Bill 2, by committee chair and Houston

H INTERFAITH, FROM PAGE 7 dialogue. Questions were asked to stimulate discussion about their own faith, and to discuss stereotypes and misconceptions they have encountered.

Here’s what some of the youths thought:

the National Park Service, “Teaching with Historic Sites” program.

“Our real partnership begins with healing our local relationships and beginning to establish opportunities for collaborative planning,” said Carrier. “We envision the entire historic site as not only attracting national attention but stimulating heritage tourism for the state of Texas, the county and the city of Sugar Land wherein the school may bring their students for field trips. This is indicative of CLLPs’ plans for programming in its Interpretive Center for Education and Reconciliation,” said Carrier.

U.S. Rep. Al Green, who along with several elected officials penned a letter to the school district asking them to return the bodies to their original graves, attended the board meeting and asked several elected officials to

stand with him as he addressed the board.

“I’m here because I love my country, and an injustice has been perpetrated but we have an opportunity to right a wrong. This is an opportunity for us to show the world that we will respect the remains of people regardless of who they are. We will treat them with respect and dignity because that is what a great country, a great community does,” said Green. “Let us not waste this opportunity. There is only one race, the human race that we are all a part of, let's make a positive difference and do justice for the Sugar Land 95.”

After announcing the trustees unanimous decision, Burdine added, “unlike a public school district, it is legally permissible for a county to operate a cemetery. We remain committed to educating future generations about this piece of history.”

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, after adding 15 amendments.

“This will be a big step in Texans getting the needed property tax relief that they deserve,” he said.

Bettencourt said the changes were developed following more than 11 hours of public testimony on the bill in a hearing last Wednesday.

The major provisions in the bill remain: the 2.5 percent rollback rate, automatic trigger for tax ratification, or rollback, elections, as well as the myriad of transparency and appraisal review board changes. Most of the amendments were technical corrections, but there were some significant modifications. the biggest Perhaps change is an amendment added by Conroe Sen. Brandon Creighton, which would allow voters in smaller tax-

ing jurisdictions a chance to decide if they want to implement the provisions of SB 2. As filed, the bill exempted those taxing entities that collected less than $15 million in combined sales and property tax revenue.

Another change would prohibit cities and counties from cutting funding to first responders due to fears of lost revenue caused by passage of the bill itself, and a third would change the name of the rollback rate to the “voter-approved rate.”

Author Sen. Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills said he believed that this would better describe what the rollback rate means, that is, the maximum rate of annual growth in a property tax rate allowed before taxpayers get the final say.

That bill now heads to the full Senate.

“I came because it is an interfaith social and I can learn about other religions and the different aspects of what they believe and also I can teach others about my religion,” said Enara Roohullah, a ninth-grader.

“We made a footboard for foster children. It felt good to help people in need. I

came to help my community out, especially on this important day,” said Kelvin Mayes, and 11th-grader.

“This is a great activity for everyone to come and meet together. It’s a lot of fun. I don’t know many but I’m getting to know them now,” said Liam Moss, a 12th-grader.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 • PAGE

• Incredibly fast – One Gig Internet • 100% fiber network • Unlimited Internet with no data caps • 30-day money-back guarantee

SPEEDS UP TO

ONE/MO GIG FOR

56

$

12 MONTHS

/MO FOR 12 MONTHS

To Order, Call 1-866-263-7762 Or Click windstream.com/SugarLand Kinetic by Windstream: Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability, Windstream Terms and Conditions (windstream.com/terms), and Windstream Acceptable Use Policy (www2.windstream.net/ customersupport/usersguide/accept/accept.html). Details: Must be a new Internet customer who has not received Windstream Internet service within the past 30 days. Must subscribe to select plans to qualify. After 12 months, the standard Kinetic Internet rate applies. Taxes, fees and surcharges are extra and not included in introductory or standard rate. Additional restrictions may apply. Kinetic Internet: Windstream cannot guarantee speeds or uninterrupted, errorfree service. Speed availability, capabilities and provisioning vary depending on network and terrain conditions, Internet, website, or network congestion, and customer geographical location. Windstream makes no representations related to download or upload speeds. Windstream assumes no responsibility or liability for interruption of services or service performance differences actual and advertised performance. In select areas, includes Internet transport, Internet access, and unlimited incoming calls. Outbound calls, except for toll free and 911, will be charged at 10 cents/minute. Operator Service and 411 will be charged at tariffed rates. No features or long-distance carrier rates allowed. Kinetic Internet Speed: Monthly fees may apply. Windstream will provision customer’s location for the fastest speed available, 20 Mbps to 1 Gbps at the time of order but cannot guarantee speed or uninterrupted, error-free service. Equipment: Monthly equipment fees may apply. Windstream-provided modems will be capable of in-home wireless networking, but devices supported by in-home wireless networking connections may experience speeds not equal to advertised speeds or the speed referenced in your Internet plan. With wireless networking, actual throughput speed may be impacted by several factors including interference from other equipment or devices at the location, distance from the modem, modem location, types of devices connected, physical obstructions, and time of day. To obtain advertised speed, connecting a device directly to the modem to provide a wired connection is recommended. Modem equipment must be returned upon termination, and if not, Windstream reserves the right to charge for the modem or a $100 fee. Installation: Plans with speeds 50 Mbps and higher may qualify for free professional installation. Plans with speeds less than 50 Mbps will incur a fee for professional installation. Money-Back Guarantee: If customer cancels new Internet service within 30 days after start of service, all service charges and any modem equipment and install charges, if applicable, related to Internet services only, will be refunded. Modem equipment must be returned upon termination and if not, Windstream reserves the right to charge for the modem or a $100 fee. © 2019 Windstream Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Kinetic and Windstream are registered service marks or trademarks of Windstream Intellectual Property Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

023373SugarLandGig49x10.indd 1

1/14/2019 1:42:26 PM

Fast, Dependable Home Repairs & Service

WE CAN FIX IT!

Some of our Services

Painting/Staining Decks/Fences Gutter Cleaning/Repair Patch drywall (Sheetrock) TV Wall Mount Installation Child-proofing your home Furniture Assembly/Repair Door Install/Repair/Adjustments Doorknob/Lock Installation Curtain Hanging Fence and garage repair Light Bulb Change Ceiling fan replacement/repairs Hang Shelves Organizing Garages Faucet Installations Garbage disposal replacement

Get your “To-Do” list done at your convenience

* AND MUCH MORE - Just ask!

BONDED & INSURED

(713) 686-4936 • www.ItJustBroke.com A division of Home Hands Group LLC

9

THE STAR

PAGE 10 • Wednesday, February 20, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FORT BEND COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS.

Deadline is noon every Friday. Please keep wording to a minimum. Answer the “5 W’s” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to Editor@FortBendStar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.

NOW THROUGH EASTER EGG MY YARD!

Dream4Adoption’s third annual event is available to order through Easter. Have candy-filled eggs placed in your yard or the yard of someone else. All proceeds benefit Dream4Adoption Home Study Assistance Program to help families through the adoption process. For more information, visit www.Dream4Adoption.org or call 832-535-4883.

MONTH OF FEBRUARY ESL CONVERSATION CIRCLES

The circles will take place at locations throughout the Fort Bend County library system. Individuals of all nationalities can practice their English language and conversation skills in a relaxed setting. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-341-2652, or any of the branch libraries.

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

The Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge, presents a variety of programs – Toddler Time, Story Time, and After-School Breaks – every month. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-2382140 or 281-633-4734.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1 THROUGH APRIL 15 FREE INCOME-TAX PREPARATION

Fort Bend County Libraries will host AARP, who will provide assistance for low-income taxpayers at several library locations. Income-tax forms are no longer be available at the libraries, but may be printed from the libraries’ computers. Please bring a photo ID; Social Security card(s) for self, spouse, and all dependents; last year’s tax return; W-2, 1099s, and any other compensation received in 2018; and any other documents necessary to complete your return. Free and open to the public, for more information and locations please call 281-633-4734.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 OPEN- MIC NIGHT

At George Memorial Library, 6-8 p.m., 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

Amateur performers take the stage and express themselves with original poetry, music, comedy, or one-act plays, or to showcase any other unique talents. Performances are limited to five minutes or less.

For adults and teens aged 14 and older. Free and open to the public.

Visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us to register or call 281-341-2604.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21 ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP INFORMATION SESSION

Brazos Bend Guardianship Services is hosting the meeting at 1001 Golfview, Richmond, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Session provides information on obtaining legal guardianship of an incapacitated loved one. Alternatives to guardianship will also be discussed. An attorney will be present to answer any legal questions related to guardianship and alternatives to guardianship. RSVP to Kirk at 281-232-7701 or visit www.brazosbendguardianship.org.

located in Room 20714 in the Fort Bend County Justice Center. Free and open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit www. fortbend.lib.tx.us, click on Events, select Law Library, and find the program, or call 281-341-3718.

MASTER OF MEMORY WORKSHOP

Courtney Bryant of the Prairie View A&M County Extension Program will present the workshop at St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church, 4747 Sienna Parkway, Missouri City, at 10 a.m. Learn how the brain takes in new information and processes it, learning strategies to help improve memory, and determining what exercises are important for the brain. For more information, call 281-778-2046.

Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27 COLLEGE FAIR

Students can visit the First Colony Branch Library, 6:30-8 p.m., 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. Representatives from colleges and universities will be on hand to share information about their programs with current high school students and their parents or guardians. Students will learn about educational opportunities as well as admission requirements, financial aid, student housing, and more. Schools represented include Baylor University, Houston Baptist University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Women’s University, University of Houston (main campus), University of North Texas, and University of Oklahoma. Free and open to the public. For more information, call at 281-238-2800 or at 281-633-4734.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 PLANNING FOR (AND IN) RETIREMENT

The Sugar Land Branch Library will present the program, 2-4 p.m., at 550 Eldridge. A basic overview of money-management and how to plan for retirement. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281-633-4734.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3 DREAM4ADOPTION PICNIC BENEFIT

Come to Memorial Park, Sugar Land, from 11 a.m. to p.m. Vendors, food, and drinks. Adults $10, children $7. All proceeds benefit Dream4Adoption Home Study Assistance Program to help families through the adoption process. For more information, visit www.

Dream4Adoption.org or call 832-535-4883.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 MONTHLY BIRD HIKE

Will be held at 8 a.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park, 3831 Texas 36 South, Rosenberg. All ages and levels of birders are welcome; meet in the parking lot before 8 a.m. Binoculars, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear recommended. This is a monthly series of free, guided bird hikes. For more information, call 281-633-7033, or visit https://txmn. org/coastal.

FREE HEART HEALTH SCREENINGS

Schedule an appointment to learn more about your 10-year risk for heart disease and receive cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

Brazos Pavilion Conference Center on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land campus. Registration required. For more information or to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/heart-sl or call 281-2747500.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23 DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

Hosted by First Colony Branch Library, 2 to 4 p.m., 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. Teens, grades 9-12, are invited to practice their problem-solving skills while meeting and socializing with others.

All experience levels are welcome. Dice and character sheets will be provided. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281238-2800, or 281-633-4734.

LET’S GROOVE TO THE DISCO BEAT

Help support the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas at the Safari Texas Ranch, 6:30 p.m., 11627 FM 1464, Richmond. Presented by Fred Mabel R. Parks Foundation. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available. For more information, visit fbbctx.org or call 281-240-3800.

TUESDAY, FEB. 26 CACHE YOUR MONEY: HOW TO FIX YOUR CREDIT

Learn the factors can positively and negatively affect your credit at a special program at George Memorial Library on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 7-8:30 p.m., in Room 2A of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-342-4455 or 281-633-4734.

FREE LEGAL INFO RESOURCES

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Law Librarian Andrew Bennett will present a series of “Pro Se Basics” demonstrations of the informational legal resources that are available to the public at the Fort Bend County Law Library. The introductory classes will take place on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., in Conference Room C of the law library,

EXPERIENCE COUNTS! 27+ YEARS SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY

Call us today!

281.243.2300 •

One Sugar Creek Center Blvd.

Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX

www.KenWoodPC.com

The Pecan Grove Women’s Club will meet at 10 a.m. at the Fort Bend Museum, 500 Houston Street, Richmond. A tour will include the museum gallery and a visit to two historic homes on the property – the Long-Smith Cottage built in 1855, which is one of the oldest buildings in Richmond, and the 1883 historic Moore Mansion that belonged to John M. and Lottie Dyer Moore. A small charge for the tour will be announced. For more information, contact Linda Webb at fortbendlady@gmail.com. You may also join us for lunch, dutch.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16 HEROES IN HEELS

DAV Chapter 233 is hosting a free outreach for female veterans to meet over lunch and the movie, Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots. 10 a.m. at The United Way Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford. Door prizes, goodie gags, child care provided. Register online at DAVChapter233.com/events.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 MISSION AND MARTINIS

Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend will host its annual social in Harvest Green, 6 p.m. In addition to socializing, martinis and hors d’oeuvres, guests will learn more about the mission of Friends. For more information, the location and to RSVP, email kristin.janossy@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 SECOND MILE MISSION ANNUAL BANQUET AND SILENT AUCTION

Celebrate a year of lives changed and hope renewed throughout Fort Bend County. Your participation helps provide food, financial education, health care and support to neighbors in need. 6 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch, Richmond. For more information to be a sponsor or to attend, visit www.secondmile.org.

RAMIRO RODRIGUEZ • AUTO • HOME INSURANCE • BUSINESS An Independent Agency Working For You – NOT The Insurance Company.

FREE RABIES VACCINE with the purchase of any shot package *Coupon must be presented at time of service.

Expires: FEBRUARY 28, 2019

WHILE WE’RE WAITING SUPPORT GROUP

For Bereaved Parents - grieving the loss of a child at any age. Meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., at the First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land. For more information, call 281-413-2484

BINGO AT THE VFW

Help support our veterans! Play bingo at Post 3903 every Tuesday and Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. 1903 First St, Rosenberg. All prizes paid in cash. Pull Tabs, $200 Bonanza, $300 Coverall, $750 Coverall, kitchen & bar service.

RICHMOND-ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias are invited to attend the first Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson Street in Richmond, across from the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 713-314-1313 or 1-800-272-3900.

QUAIL VALLEY WINE SOCIETY

Meets the fourth Wednesday of every month for education of wines, food pairings and fellowship at the Quail Valley City Centre, 2880 LaQuinta, Missouri City. For more information, call 281-437-6798 or jackipauley@comcast.net

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Pregnancy Resource Medical Center has moved to 4411 Avenue N in Rosenberg across from Navarro Middle School. Volunteers are needed on a continual basis. For information on volunteering or supporting the PRMC in other ways, email info@prmcfortbend.org.

Fort Bend 4-H is looking for input from the community on how it can better serve the public. To learn more about 4-H projects, join 4-H at 7 p.m. at the University Library ( 14010 University Blvd Sugar Land), visit fortbend4h.eventbrite.com or call 281-342-3034.

STORY SPINNERS WRITING CLUB

Hosted by the George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

5:30 to 8 p.m. All levels welcome to write, share, learn and support.

Free and open to the public. The program meets on the third Thursday of every month. For more information, call 281-342-4455 or 281-633-4734.

ADOPT A SHELTER CAT

Fort Bend Pets Alive is partnering with Half Price Books in Sugar Land to find homes for shelter cats and to promote literacy among young readers. School aged children are invited to come read to a cat, receive an “I read to a cat” bookmark and be eligible to adopt a cat for 50 perecent off that day. Held 1:30- 4:30 p.m. the first Saturday of every month at 3203 Hwy 6 S, Sugar Land.

FORT BEND RECOVERS HURRICANE HARVEY HELP

Those needing help with a recovery plan for home repairs, or any unmet needs, Fort Bend Recovers is here to help. Call one of these Helplines today: Case Management Helpline 281-207-2555, Spiritual/Emotional Helpline: 281-207-2505, Lone Star Legal Aid 866-659-0666. A case manager will contact you and get you started on your road to recovery.

Visit www.fortbendrecovers.org for more information and to donate.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

The Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City presents a variety of programs every month. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2900 or 281-633-4734.

Honored to be your choice for life insurance.

COMPRESSION TRAVEL SOCKS NOW AVAILABLE

281-240-8701

Enjoy Your Event. Let Us Do The Cooking.

• Spay/Neuter surgeries • Wellness Exams • Vaccinations • Heartworm tests, prevention and treatment • Flea and tick medication • Microchipping

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, tax-free 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.

11851-A Wilcrest, Houston, Texas 77031 Murphy at Southwest Freeway, U.S. 59

281-530-3232

713-433-6421 14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org

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.

MEDICAL SALES

www.AliefMedicalSales.com

Low Cost Animal Wellness Clinic

The second Tuesday of every month at the United Way fort Bend Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-222-4888.

4-H, FOOD & NUTRITION

TUESDAY, MARCH 12 TEXAS HISTORY MONTH MEETING

Alief

ONGOING DAV CHAPTER 233 MONTHLY MEETING

CATERING

LISA N SIMS, AGENT Monday - Friday 9 - 6 Saturday 10 - 2 After hours by appointment

636 Highway 6 South • Sugar Land, TX 77478 • 832-939-8086

Any Size Event / Group CRAWFISH and BBQ. Award Winning

Call:

JOIN for only $20.19 (reg. $99) Automated Massages - Spray Tans & UV Therapy Anti Aging & Skin Care - Fitness & Weight Management Beauty & Wellness - Stress Relief & Relaxation

Home Delivery coming soon!

281-980-4329 • 15253 S.W. Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478

Must bring coupon to redeem. Expires 12/31/2019. Not to be combined with any other offering.

435 FM 1092 Stafford, TX 77477

Buy 1 Spa/Fitness Service for $39 Get 2nd FREE! - or -

Blooming Onion with a purchase of an entrée.

No Interest, Financing Available for Qualified Buyers

New Year, NEW YOU!

832.606.0897

1 FREE

Top Quality Furniture For Less!

11647 S Highway 6 Sugar Land, TX 77498 Toll Free: 281-201-2448 lisa@agentlisasims.com

www.planetbeach.com/spa/sugar-land

Achieve Unparalleled, Distinguished Style in Your Home CALL TODAY!

281-208-3030 Open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM www.crownfurniture.org