11/21/2018 Edition of the Fort Bend Star by Fort Bend Star

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Matson recounts harrowing adventure Team raced across Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat By Joe Southern

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Mike Matson has done something few people in their right minds would even think of doing. Two years ago he and two other men rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in a race sponsored by a whiskey maker. The Missouri City resident recounted his adventure Oct. 19 as the guest speaker for the Cullinan Park Conservancy’s Picnic for the Park. Racing as a three-person team in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, Matson and his friends David Alviar and Brian Krauskopf set out on Dec. 14, 2016, from the Canary Islands, off the coast of North Africa, on a 3,000-mile journey to Antigua off the South American coast. “There is no external power outside of your oar,” he said. “There’s no sails, there’s no motors. You’re entirely self-contained in the boat; you are not allowed to be reaching any outside help. If somebody were to drive by and drop a bagel into your boat, you’re disqualified. You were 100 percent at the mercy of the elements.” Matson is a graduate of Elkins High School. His senior year was marked by the 9/11 terror attacks. Upon graduation, he went into the U.S. Naval Academy where he did competitive rowing. He eventually

Mike Matson of Missouri City is pictured in the Anne, a 22-foot rowboat he and two other men rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in a race. (Submitted photo)

went to Rice University where he helps coach rowing. He also became a volunteer firefighter. “At the Naval Academy I learned a lot of skills that were pertinent to this ocean crossing. A lot of the background that I brought to the team came from there,” Matson said. “I learned how to row, that was part of it. I was on the men’s heavyweight crew team while I was there; rowed

three years with them. I learned my seamanship and navigation skills, which comes important when you’re in a 22-foot boat away from land.” The rowboat is a 22-foot carbon fiber vessel custom made in England, which Matson named Anne in memory of a close friend, Anne McCormick Sullivan, who was one of four Houston firefighters to die in a fire in 2013.

“Anne actually got christened by the governor to be an official vessel of the Texas Navy,” he said. “So Texas was once its own country and when it was it had its own navy. So she is an honorary vessel to the Texas Navy and she was the first vessel in the Texas Navy in over 100 years.”

SEE ROWING, PAGE 2

Locals named to Texas Radio Hall of Fame By Donna Hill FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Theresa Egly hugs daughter Sophie at the Fort Bend County National Adoption Day Celebration. Sophie was one of 18 children who were adopted at the Fort Bend County Courthouse during last Friday’s superhero themed celebration. (Submitted photo)

18 children adopted in Fort Bend County From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Judges Ron Pope, Brenda Mullinix, and David Perwin finalized 18 adoptions on Friday in celebration of National Adoption Day. An additional 10 children were adopted out of the foster care system earlier this year. The Fort Bend County 328th, 387th, and 505th District Courts joined courts across the country in opening their doors on National Adoption Day to complete adoptions and celebrate all families who adopt. “This year’s National Adoption Day was a wonderful celebration” said Metoyer Martin, CASA program director and chair of the event. “It is always great to see the attorneys, CPS, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and judges all work together to finalize

the adoptions and ultimately give these children safe, permanent and loving homes. It is wonderful to see them all settled in loving homes. In August of 2017, there were 29,954 children in foster care in the state of Texas and 8,055 were free for adoption.” In Fort Bend County, the district courts, Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) and its partner agencies: Texas Department of Family Protective Services, Fort Bend Bar Association, Fort Bend County Child Welfare Board, Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office, Fort Bend Lawyers Care, the Fort Bend Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers, H.E.B., Bikers Against Child Abuse, and the Rosenberg Exchange Club worked together to celebrate the joys of adoption and encourage more families and individuals to give children permanent homes through adoption.

Both are radio alumni with ties to Houston radio. One began her career in broadcasting from the University of Houston; the other, her mentor; a news director from one of the largest country radio stations in Texas. T.J. Callahan, former morning show personality at KILT FM, and Chuck Wolf, former KIKK radio news director, are now inductees of a prestigious radio group – the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF). Last weekend, Sugar Land residents Callahan and Wolf joined 16 other broadcasters from across the state at the induction celebration inside the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore. The museum showcases vintage broadcast memorabilia and equipment, along with a library of historical documents and media, including one of Thomas Edison’s recording inventions. Callahan’s foray into media began when she covered sports for the university’s newspaper, the Daily Cougar. She then landed an internship her senior year with Wolf at radio station KIKK in Houston. She also worked at WTAW/ KTAW in College Station, but eventually ended up back in Houston, taking a job as a traffic reporter. KILT radio then came calling with Callahan providing traffic reports, writing and reporting the news. Most of Callahan’s broadcast career was spent at KILT. In all, she has over 30 years in radio. At her acceptance speech at TRHOF, she mentioned how lucky she was to be at one station for so many years.

News Director Chuck Wolf, from his early radio days, was inducted this year into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. (Submitted photo)

T.J. Callahan, pictured during her days at KILT radio, was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. (Submitted photo)

“First I’m interning at KIKK with so many amazing people to work with. Then being hired by KILT and working with news veterans like Robert B. McEntire, and Jim Carolla. As soon as I got into that news environment, I listened and really heard what they were writing. You watch them type the news stories. And you’re in that environment of how they do things and you learn.” Yet Callahan has never been a coffee drinker. Not even when getting up each morning at 4 a.m. Calla-

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han is now a member of the Houston Film Critics Society, a nonprofit organization of print, broadcast and internet film critics based in the Houston metro area. She’s also a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, producers of the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which Callahan attends each year in Los Angeles. But the induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame still reigns supreme for Callahan, her name on a wall surrounded by legends in Texas radio. “You get into radio because it’s fun. And you get to meet a lot of famous people and there are a lot of perks, but you keep doing it not for the notoriety, but because it’s what’s in you. It doesn’t pay a lot, but you feel lucky you’ve been in this business for a while, able to do something that you enjoy doing.” Sugar Land native Wolf, with nearly 30 years of broadcast experience, worked as the news director for KIKK AM/FM

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from 1980 to1993. He also brought in Callahan as the station’s news intern. Wolf believes internships are a part of broadcasting, a way of giving back and helping future journalists into their first job. “When I started the internship program, we would select four interns each semester. They would work in the newsroom and learn how to write news stores, take down associated press news feeds, edit tape, do everything a reporter or production assistant would do,” Wolf said. “All of us in broadcasting had somebody who gave us a break so I wanted to pay it forward.” Wolf worked in several markets in addition to Houston: San Antonio, Denver, Kansas City, and Omaha. After covering a particularly severe series of tornadoes in Omaha, Wolf realized for the first time how important it was for a newsroom to be prepared

SEE RADIO, PAGE 9

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H ROWING, FROM PAGE 1 Sailing nowhere near Tex-

as, Matson and his partners were attempting to make history of their own. “We made up a three-man

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The office will re-open on Monday, November 26, at 9 a.m.

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team and we were actually the first three-man team in history to ever do this,” Matson said. “There had been prior attempts with threeman teams and they had all failed, unfortunately. We were dumb enough to think we could do it differently, so the three of us put our names in the hat and entered the race.” On the morning of the race, a dozen boats headed out with teams ranging from one to four people. “We were about to leave and we found out that our navigation system is completely broken. We fried our circuit board and we ended up steering all the way, 3,280 miles, across the Atlantic Ocean by hand,” he said. The only electricity they had came from solar panels, “which powers our battery bank, which powers all of our communications so we can talk with other boats, as well as our AIS, which will tell other boats where we are.” The three men, all in their 30s, were crammed into the boat with their provisions, which consisted of enough freeze-dried food to last them for 50 days.

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Mike Matson recounts his race across the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat as the guest speaker at the Cullinan Park Conservancy’s Picnic for the Park. (Photo by Joe Southern)

“This was actually really fun,” he said. “We got to see a full moon. It’s something we take for granted living in cities is the moon cycle. We don’t really pay attention to that. But when you’re at night and you don’t have any lighting, all of sudden you become very dependent on the moon. When it’s a new moon and it’s pitch black outside, it’s way different on your personality and how you react and how you get along in the boat. “When we were out there we hit a storm during a new moon. The blackest I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve been in houses where they simulate fires and you’re blacked out with black smoke. We were on the boat and we turned off all the electronics and I held my hand right here and you can’t see it, it was that pitch black. There was no external light,” he said. During his talk, Matson put up a slide showing some partiers on a yacht. “They were probably the only outsiders we spoke to in two months,” he said. “We got passed by a yacht. It’s terrifying in the middle of the night. You don’t have any idea what’s going on. You’re rowing along and you see two lights coming at your and they’re getting bigger and bigger and they’re not moving away. Finally they showed up and were having a good time. They were quite inebriated.

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They took this picture and were somehow able to track us down and get it to us. It’s the only known picture an outsider took of our boat.” They also had a close encounter with a container ship. “The closest encounter to a ship I had was between me and that back wall, which on a 22-foot boat in the middle of the Atlantic is kind of scary,” he said. “It was a terrifying moment and what happened was they came up behind us and we think they thought we were in a life raft and they were looking to rescue us, so they were coming at us to try and save us and they saw we were a bunch of idiots rowing and we were fine. But they got really, really close. We saw on average about one ship a day, there was that much traffic going on out there.” Matson also showed slide of some of the wildlife they encountered, including a giant sea turtle. “It has a five-foot diameter shell, which is wider than the back of my boat,” Matson said. “He has a giant mouth that is filled with teeth that go all the way down his throat. It looks very prehistoric, almost off of a Godzilla set. He followed our boat for quite a while.” Less dangerous but more annoying were the flying fish. “One morning we woke up and had about three or four

hundred of these little fish scattered around the boat. They’re little, tiny baby flying fish and they were a pretty blue color and it was ages taking them out. If we didn’t take them out they started to smell, so we had to find them all,” he said. Then came the mature flying fish. “They pelted us constantly and it sounded like a gun barrel blast when they would hit the side of the cabin in the middle of the night and wake you up. They’re very suicidal,” he said. The also saw storm petrels, (“Known to be bad luck for sailors.”) and minke whales. In addition to the adventure and race, there was a side benefit to the trip. “We worked with scientists while we were out there collecting water samples to analyze the water in the Atlantic,” he said. “We collected them all the way across, so we have liters and liters of water samples and six days before the end of the race we flipped on our side and lost them all. So, no data for science, unfortunately.” The Anne finished fourth out of 12 boats. They were first in their three-person division and one of only 11 boats to finish the race. They completed the voyage in 49 days and 14 hours, barely meeting their goal of crossing the ocean in under 50 days. “You get a lot of questions: How do you prepare for something like that? The first one is the physical side,” he said. “Obviously, rowing 12 hours a day for two months runs its toll on your body, so there’s two kinds of trains of thought. You … spend a lot of time on the rowing machine just building the ability to move that long for that many days. And a lot of weight lifting. You need weight lifting to build up a lot of body mass. “Part of this race involves actually bulking up in size to prepare for the inevitable weight loss. On the crossing I lost 31 pounds. So that gives you something of an idea how much of a toll it takes on your body mass,” he said. For their next adventure, the team set out from the mainland in a race to Hawaii in the Pacific, but that ended in the tail end of a hurricane and a rescue by a container ship.

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Correction District 85 Rep. Phil Stephenson lost in Fort Bend County, but won his district over Jennifer Cantu 31,977

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Cullinan Park Conservancy and City of Sugar Land officials break ground Nov. 5 on improvements at Cullinan Park, 12414 Highway 6. (Submitted photo)

Cullinan Park hosts groundbreaking for first phase of improvements From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Cullinan Park Conservancy (CPC), in conjunction with the City of Sugar Land, hosted a groundbreaking for its first phase of improvements of the Park on Monday, Nov. 5. The improvements include a permanent restroom, a new trail, two new trailheads, a boardwalk, lake overlook, interpretive signage, landscape improvements, understory clearing, and additional benches (a few benches have recently been installed by local Boy Scouts and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department). The improvements total approximately $1.2 million, of which the Conservancy has raised through primarily foundation grants, but also individual and cor-

porate donations. The fundraising efforts started in 2015, with a challenge grant by The George Foundation, of which the first $250,000 raised was matched 1:1 (The Wortham Foundation donated $250,000 in early 2016) and the remaining $750,000 is being matched 50 cents to every dollar. The Brown Foundation also made a significant contribution in 2016 with a grant for $200,000.

“This one of a kind, bluegreen oasis serving the greater Fort Bend and Houston communities provides habitat for 250 species of birds and dozens of other types of wildlife,” remarked Conservancy Executive Director Angie Wierzbicki. “The park has been a quiet respite for years for residents and visitors to the area. Now it will have more amenities so more people can take in

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$10,000 autism grant The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded the local nonprofit and autism advocacy group, Hope For Three, a $10,000 grant. The award will allow the organization to continue training law enforcement from the Greater Houston area on the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Pictured are members of the Crisis Intervention Team unit; a highly specialized, trained team within the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Recently, the members were recognized with the National Association of County’s achievement award for the innovative Crisis Intervention Program. (Submitted photo)

Fort Bend ISD seeking input on 2019-20 calendar options survey, which will remain open through Wednesday, Nov. 28. Both calendar options include: At least 75,600 operational minutes, as required by the Texas Education Agency; at least 840 additional instructional minutes to allow for a minimum of two bad weather days; the same amount of days for both

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Fort Bend ISD is seeking stakeholder feedback on two options for the 2019-20 instructional calendar. Staff, parents, students, and community members are invited to review two draft options and complete a short

students and staff; the same number of instructional minutes and early release days; a weeklong Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, and Fort Bend County Fair Day; and a weeklong spring break in March. More information and a link to the survey can be found at www.fortbendisd. com/Page/94985.

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Wednesday, November 21, 2018 • PAGE

Thanksgiving is for gratitude, not gratification We aren’t grateful for much anymore, are we? Can’t stand our politicians, hate our commute and puke when we look in the mirror. Come to think of it, we’re a rather miserable lot. This doesn’t seem like a fetching way to start the Thanksgiving holiday, but I’ve wondered if our country’s sordid state of stupor doesn’t have a whole lot to do with how much we can’t stand just about everything in our lives. Oh sure, we’re all going to sit around a dry turkey this week and offer our gratitude to the Pilgrims and Amazon, but we’re not going to mean a word of it. We’ll be mad about something. We’ll curse the Pilgrims because they used too much fossil fuel when they cooked their corn. We’ll find a reason to blame Amazon for executing the most brilliant business model this world has ever seen. We’ll find something to bemoan, because that’s what we do.

It’s not my intent to build a pulpit and start screaming, but I’ve thought a lot about g ratit ude these days because I’m trying to teach a 5and 2-year-old how to say “thank you.” My oldest son, Hank, believes the world is his gumball dispenser. No matter how hard I try to ingrain the precepts of gratitude into his stubborn mind – I demand he say thank you for all things handed to him – he doesn’t get it. Not to indict my precious son, but true story: I am writing this week’s column from a hotel room. My wife and two sons are all asleep, because we’ve made it half way to our destination in Alabama, where my parents live. Earlier today, as I prepared for this road trip, I went to a super store and

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picked up a few extra items that might e a s e the trip. Among t h o s e items was a box-set DVD of the classic “Home Alone” movies, which Hank loves because, apparently, nothing excites him more than terrorizing older people – namely, his parents. Included in the set was “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2,” in which the writers and poor Macaulay Culkin changed the cities but not much else. As we prepared to set off on our trip, I pulled out the plastic bag and told Hank I had a surprise for him. I showed him that I had bought both movies, thinking his eyes would glitter with affection for his perfect dad. “Why didn’t you buy Home Alone 3?”

I kid you not. That was Hank’s response to my gift for him. Oh sure, you may blame me for being a terrible parent, and you’d be right. But from the moment my oldest son has been able to utter a vowel, I have taught him gratitude. It doesn’t matter if I hand him a stack of pennies or a piece of burnt toast, Meghan and I have drilled thankfulness into this stubborn child’s mind. But you know what? I’m not sure Hank is any different than the rest of us. If we’re honest, haven’t we built a society that spends more time hoping for what’s next? Isn’t our every decision based on gratification over gratitude? The irony in my observation is that I work in the industry that does more to promote collective anger than any agent around. Once upon a time, the day’s information came from a morning newspaper and an evening newscast. Today, we scroll feeds, set alerts and stream press confer-

ences. We’re malcontents for social vulgar. From our constant news streams evolved a social stream of conscious, where professional journalists were traded for social media citizen reporters, sharing tidbits from life, death, and cooking recipes. We couldn’t get enough of constant cable, so our society created a feed of friends who told us how wonderful their lives were, how terrible ours still are, and in the process, we teeter between connectivity and manic depression. We aren’t grateful anymore because we can’t know it all, we can’t do it all, and we can’t be happy until we can and we do. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. Tired of always wanting more when what I have works fine. Tired of being told that some friend in Phoenix took a trip I’ll never take. Tired of being told that I live in the worst country on Earth when I get to make my bed and eat my break-

fast without thought or threat. Tired of being told that things must be better when better things don’t really matter. It’s Thanksgiving this week, and we’re all going to make a wish for something else. But here’s what I’ve learned: Thanksgiving is a reflection on the past, not a hope for what’s next. It’s a time for gratitude, not self-gratification. It’s a moment to appreciate what we have, not deconstruct what we don’t. There’s no chance in a trillion Tweets we’ll do this, but what if, for just one day, we tuned out the voices that create our national angst? What if we spent a few minutes, a few hours, reflecting on those who make our lives better, not those who prosper from the worst. I bet we’re more grateful than we think. (Jonathan McElvy is president and co-owner of the Fort Bend Star. He can be reached at jonathan@mcelvymedia. com.)

Your opinion matters! Share your perspective of local news by emailing editor@fortbendstar.com

Thank you for writing about human trafficking Dear Editor, I just want to say how much I appreciated your article on human trafficking hotspots in our back yard.

It was tremendously well done! Your explanation of this horrid problem facing us was very accurately tied to our national problem

with pornography. No doubt our nation’s receptivity to porn has played a huge role in creating an atmosphere so open

to human trafficking—as well as the looming issue of sex robots. When our nation’s leaders decided porn was harmless and

decided to let it flourish, they foolishly underestimated what they were unleashing on our society. I also appreciate your

own up-front testimony on the addictive nature in porn. Dave Hodges Richmond

someone else escape from the darkness. You honored all the volunteers (men and women) who service to fight human trafficking, and encouraged others to do

something to help with this ongoing fight to eliminate prostitution from our area. Congratulations on the article, and the blessing of our teams being recognized in it. May

you and your family enjoy a joyous, safe, and blessed week of Thanksgiving next week. In His service, Rick Nixon Sugar Land

Human trafficking coverage honors, inspires others Dear Editor, Just wanted to say for producing such cellent article about trafficking, and the quent opinion piece.

thanks an exhuman subse-

I appreciate your transparency, and the humility you showed in describing your own struggles with pornography. It was written as a powerful testimony of how

God can rescue any one of us from any type of slavery/ bondage, and should inspire other readers to not only recognize sin in their lives, but actually be motivated to help

Missouri City plans annual Snowfest From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Continuing 35 years of holiday tradition, Missouri City is preparing to host its annual Snowfest Festival, Santa Shuffle and Parade. The two-day event will kick-off with the Snowfest Festival on Friday, Dec. 7, in the City Hall Complex, 1522 Texas Pkwy. Pre-event entertainment featuring dance performances and an honor choir, will begin at 5:30 p.m.; a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks show

will follow afterward. From 6-9 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy various event activities such as moonwalks, photos with Santa, the famous threelane snow hill, wandering performers and more. Then on Saturday, Dec. 8, staff will host the annual Snowfest Shuffle at 8:15 a.m. at the Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr. Runners of all levels and ages are invited to participate. To enter, runners must donate an unwrapped toy for the Police Department’s Blue Santa Toy Drive; the race will end at the Rec-

reation and Tennis Center where participants will enjoy a special celebration. Following the Shuffle, the Snowfest Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Public Safety Headquarters located at 3849 Cartwright Road. The two-mile long convoy will feature floats decorated in holiday themes, various organizations on foot and a special appearance by Santa. Roads will close at 7:30 a.m. along the route; to register for the parade, email kfrye@missouricitytx.gov. The registration deadline is Dec. 3.

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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 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

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

(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

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-499-3502

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310

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

4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459 Sunday School 9:00 am Fellowship & Coffee 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am www.southminpres.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

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

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 4:15

THE STAR

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, November 21, 2018

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Sugar Land police seek motorcycle thief man’s possession when he returned to the parking lot an hour later, but the motorcycle was gone. The motorcycle was a black 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide with a personalized Dallas Cowboys license plate that reads HERSH. A review of surveillance video showed a man enter the store at 7:21 p.m. (possibly with three other people), then leave seven minutes later, walk directly to the motorcycle, quickly start the bike and effortlessly drive away. The thief is described as a heavyset white or Hispanic man, about

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Sugar Land police are looking for a man seen on video stealing a Harley Davidson motorcycle worth about $25,000. The motorcycle was taken from a parking lot in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods, 16535 Southwest Freeway, on Oct. 27. The man who owns the motorcycle said he drove to the store with friends and parked his motorcycle at 7:15 p.m. The key fob and keys required to start the motorcycle were in the

Business FORT BEND

This man seen on surveillance video at Disk’s Sporting Goods is wanted by Sugar Land police for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.

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hair and a tattoo on his right forearms. He was wearing a gray shirt, red shorts and black f lipf lops, also known as saddles. Surveillance video is posted at www.sugarlandtx.gov/theft185801. Anyone with information should call the Sugar Land Police Department at 281275-2540 or Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS (8477).

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Attention: Daniel Flores, CFO Stafford MSD 1625 Staffordshire Road Stafford, TX 77477 NOTICE OF BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION HEARING. The City of Sugar Land Building Official has deemed the residential property located at 2930 Grants Lake, Unit #1906, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 a public nuisance and a dangerous building per the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article XII, Sec. 3-190. The property is in violation of the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code and Section 3-166 of the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances. The City recommends the property be vacated, secured, repaired, removed, and/or demolished as needed in order to comply with the terms of this article. A hearing of the Building Standards Commission has been scheduled for December 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land, Texas 77479. During the hearing, the owner’s representative, estate administrator, or trustee must submit proof of the scope of any work that may be required to bring the property into compliance and the time it will reasonably take to perform the work. The Building Standards Commission will review all information concerning the property and make a final determination regarding the actions to be taken at the property. Details regarding the property and the associated Building Standards Commission hearing may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at 281-275-2170. The Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at Public Works Building B, 111 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land, Texas.

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Responses are due in two parts: Part 1: Price proposal and required Forms, and Part 2: Small Business Participation Plan, Subcontractors and Alternates. Part 1 responses are due by January 08, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. CST. Part 2 responses are due January 08, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. CST. All responses must be provided in a sealed envelope/package with “RFP #18 – 0017” clearly printed on the face of the package and delivered to:

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Pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Government Code Chapter 2269, Subchapter D, as amended, the Stafford Municipal School District is seeking competitive sealed proposals from qualified Contractors to provide Construction Services for a New Middle School.

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STAFFORD MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT RFP #18 - 0017 Issued: November 16, 2018 REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

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LEGALS PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGALS NOTICE OF BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION HEARING. The City of Sugar Land Building Official has deemed the single family residence located at 538 Longview Drive, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 a public nuisance and a dangerous building per the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article XII, Sec. 3-190. The property is in violation of the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code. The City recommends the property be repaired as required by an Order issued by the Building Standards Commission (BSC). A hearing of the BSC has been scheduled for December 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land, Texas 77479 to determine compliance with that order. During the hearing, the owner, lienholder or mortgagee must submit proof of the scope of work completed to bring the property into compliance. The Building Standards Commission will review all information concerning the property and make a final determination regarding removal of the dangerous building designation pending final inspections. Details regarding the property and the associated Building Standards Commission hearing may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at 281-275-2170. The Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at Public Works Building B, 111 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land, Texas.

LEGALS FORT BEND COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 119 NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RULES AND PENALTIES Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 119 (the “District”) at a meeting held on November 7, 2018, adopted a Stormwater Guidance Manual containing rules and regulations related to the proper use and maintenance of the District’s storm sewer system, including prohibitions on illicit discharges, pollutant discharges from construction sites, and pollutant discharges from post-construction sites. Violation of any of the rules contained in the District’s Stormwater Guidance Manual is considered a violation of the District’s Rate Order and will subject the violator to penalties as outlined in the District’s Stormwater Guidance Manual and Rate Order per breach and/ or day, disconnection of water and sewer service, payment of any costs or damages resulting from the violation, and civil and criminal legal action. A copy of the Stormwater Guidance Manual is on file at the principal office of the District, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2600, Houston, Texas 77027, where it may be read in full. /s/Alan Shelby President, Board of Directors

A hearing of the BSC has been scheduled for December 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land, Texas 77479 to provide an update on the progress of compliance with that order. During the hearing, the owner, lienholder or mortgagee must submit proof of the scope of work currently underway to bring the property into compliance and the time it will reasonably take to perform the work. The Building Standards Commission will review all information concerning the property.

NOTICE OF BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION HEARING. The City of Sugar Land Building Official has deemed the commercial property located at 13401 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 a public nuisance and a dangerous building per the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article XII, Sec. 3-190. The property is in violation of the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code and Section 3-166 of the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances. The City recommends the property be repaired as required by an Order issued by the Building Standards Commission (BSC). A hearing of the BSC has been scheduled for December 10, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N., Sugar Land, Texas 77479 to determine compliance with that order. During the hearing, the owner, lienholder or mortgagee must submit proof of the scope of work completed to bring the property into compliance. The Building Standards Commission will review all information concerning the property and make a final determination regarding removal of the dangerous building designation.

Details regarding the property and the associated Building Standards Commission hearing may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at 281-275-2170. The Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at Public Works Building B, 111 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land, Texas.

NOTICE OF BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION HEARING The City of Sugar Land Building Official has deemed the single family residence located at 303 Brooks Street, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 a public nuisance and a dangerous building per the City of Sugar Land Code of Ordinances, Chapter 3, Article XII, Sec. 3-190. The property is in violation of the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code. The City recommends the property be repaired as required by an Order issued by the Building Standards Commission (BSC).

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a mixed beverage permit with food and beverage by Wonderful Sake Inc. DBA Sake Asian Sushi Wine Bar. To be located at 18921 University Blvd., #900, Sugar Land, TX, Fort Bend County, Texas. Officers of said corporation are Qin Yun Ni, President and Secretary.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS The State Financial Accountability Rating for Fort Bend Independent School District 6:00 P.M. on December 10, 2018 In the Board Room of the FBISD Administration Building 16431 Lexington Blvd. • Sugar Land The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Fort Bend ISD’s rating on the State’s Financial Accountability System Public Encouraged to Attend Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for Wine and Beer Retailers Permit, Food and Beverage Certificate by Restaurant Caminos De Michoacan. LLC.DBA. Restaurant Caminos De Michoacan to be located at 716 Murphy Rd., Stafford, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Managing Member Zyzlali Gutierrez

THE STAR

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F ORT B END NEW LISTING

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 • PAGE

H OME S HOWCASE NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

F ORT B END

OXFORD/COMMONWEALTH - Lovely 1 story 4 bed, 2.5 bath Home. Original Owner - Shows Pride of Ownership! Backs to Wooded Greenbelt. On a Cul de sac. No back yard neighbors! Upgraded Kitchen w/Granite counters,Appliances & Porcelain tile flooring w/huge island. Lg. Pavered Patio. Hardi-siding on Garage. Many Fruit Tress. $349,900 CALL VIRGINIA MACK 281-816-7827 (VM3811BS)

OXFORD/COMMONWEALTH – Wonderfully Updated/Upgraded Perry 2-Story home w/Master down located on a double culdesac street. Fresh Neutral Paint & Carpet 2017. Updated Kitchen w/SS appls. & re-finished darker style cabinets. Master Bath Upgraded w/Frameless Shower Enclosure, Granite Counter, Tile Walls w/Shadow box & Accent Tile. Updated Light Fixtures & Hardware. Formal Living room w/Gas Log Fireplace. Huge Gameroom Upstairs w/Double Bi-Folding French Doors to Study. No Backyard Neighbors. $369,900. Call Virginia Mack 281-816-7827 (VM3914BS)

NEW LISTING

H OME S HOWCASE The Virginia Mack Team ABR, CBR, CRS, GRI, HALL of Fame, PLATINUM CLUB

THE ESTATES OF OYSTER CREEK – Hidden Jewel of Sugar Land. Semi-Custom Neighborhood w/Low Taxes! Det. 3 Car Garage & Porte-Cochere. Culdesac street. Beautiful Architectural Designed Home w/Juliette Style Balcony over Lg. Foyer. High-end Amenities Throughout. Rich 5” Slat Hardwood Floors. Real Wood Plantation Shutters Throughout! French Doors open to the For. Living Room which could also be a Library. Open concept style Kit. w/SS Appliances, Granite Counter Tops, Island, Built-in Desk Area, Butler’s Pantry, Walk-in Pantry & Abundance of Cabinet & Counter Space. Main Room features a Cast Stone Gas Log Fireplace w/Built-in Shelves & Cabinets on each side. Covered Balcony & Covered Back Patio. $499,900 Call Virginia Mack 281-816-7827 (VM919PS).

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Wonderful Updated Home w/3rd floor bonus rooms! Resort Style Sculpted Pool w/ flagstone edging, heated Spa & rock waterfall. Updated Master Suite. New Carpet & Paint (2018). All Bathrooms and Kitchen Upgraded. Open Kitchen/Family Rm. Concept. Spacious Game Room and Study Upstairs 3rd floor Bonus room could be a 5th bedroom & sitting area w/full bath or a Second Master or Media Rm./Exercise Rm./Guest Rm. etc. $519,900 Call Virginia Mack 281-816-7827 (VM3909SM)

in Desired Commonwealth. Well maintained, shows pride of ownership. Two large living areas & a study. Huge Island Kitchen with Double Ovens, Abundance Counter & Cabinet space w/walk-in pantry. Hardwood floors in Formal Dining. Plantations Shutters in front three rooms. Study w/custom built-ins. Over sized covered patio with extended pavered patio for more entertaining space. $359,900 Call Virginia Mack 281-816-7827 (VM4211AW).

Secret Santa to Seniors helps Meals on Wheels From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

On Nov. 14, OCuSOFT hosted its annual kickoff celebration for Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels’ (FBS) Secret Santa to Seniors program. The annual celebration is the official kickoff for the FBS Secret Santa to Seniors program, when local businesses and individuals “adopt” seniors and provide them with much-needed gifts for the holiday season. Guests heard from OCuSOFT President and CEO Cynthia Barratt, along with FBS Board Vice Chairman Greg Schockling and FBS Director of Development and Public Relations Leah Ghobrial. Each spoke of the special holiday tradition, and how the homebound seniors of Fort Bend and

Waller counties love receiving gifts each year — for some, it is the only gift they’ll receive. OCuSOFT presented the event, providing hors d’oeuvres and beverages for attendees, catered by OCuSOFT’s own chefs. OCuSOFT staff, FBS Meals on Wheels volunteers, and community members chose seniors in the program by taking “wish lists,” displayed as ornaments on Christmas trees. “Each year, we look forward to rounding up an abundance of volunteers in the holiday spirit to collect, wrap and deliver gifts to our seniors. It really puts a smile on their faces,” said Manuela Arroyos. “The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, and there is so much to be thankful for. This is our chance to give back

to our seniors, and in addition to a hot meal, we like to give our seniors a little something extra. In some cases, the gifts we give may be the only ones they receive during this season.” Fort Bend Seniors’ Secret Santa to Seniors creates special memories for home-bound seniors in Fort Bend and Waller counties on the Meals on Wheels program. More than 900 seniors receive presents because of the community’s generosity. The wish lists typically include basic necessities such as slippers, blankets, pajamas, bath items, and gift cards. For more information about the program and how to participate, contact FBS Development Coordinator Meghan Person at 281-633-7741 or meghan@fortbendseniors.org.

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FBISD’s Small Business Enterprise Program sets monthly networking meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from laborating with the district on 2-4 p.m. at the FBISD Triplex upcoming bond projects. (550 Julie Rivers, Sugar Land). Learn more at www.fort11-14-18 ANITA MILNE The meeting is for small bendisd.com/sbep, or contact Fort Bend ISD’s Small business owners, contractors, Jeanette Boleware, FBISD Business Enterprise Program subcontractors, architects, Small Business Enterprise (SBEP) is teaming up with engineers and other small Coordinator, at 281-327-7697 Texas Southern University to businesses interested in or the SBEP team at 281-327host its December workshop networking and possibly col- 7195. From staff reports

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PAGE 8 • Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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@FtBendAthletics:

Marshall, Ridge Point win and advance in playoffs By Bill McCaughey FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Marshall and Ridge Point won their first-round games to advance in the playoffs. This week, Marshall plays A&M Consolidated at Tomball on Friday, and Ridge Point plays Cy-Fair at Rhodes Stadium in Katy on Friday. Marshall 53, Santa Fe 15 Marshall scored 26 points in the first quarter and went on to beat Santa Fe 53-15 at Hall Stadium last Thursday. The touchdowns were scored by: Jerry Davis on a 14-yard run, Dalevon Campbell on 76-yard pass, Malik Hornsby on a 20-yard run, Devon Achane on an 85-yard run, Hornsby on a 44-yard run, Davis on a 1-yard run, Korey King on a 47-yard pass, and Achane on a 20-yard run. Hornsby completed 6 of 6 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed five times for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Achane had three carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and Davis had seven carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Campbell caught four passes for 118 yards and one touchdown and King had two catches for 56 yards and one touchdown. “Our motivation is to continue to get better as a team,” Marshall Head Coach James Williams said. “We are focused on

Taylor’s Braden Hay (20) is tackled by Bra’Mon Moore (2). (Photo by Bill McCaughey)

Dulles’ Ainias Smith (1) turns the corner against Taylor. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)

this next game.” Ridge Point 14, Seven Lakes 10 Ridge Point beat Seven Lakes 14-10 in a defensive battle at Hall Stadium last Friday. Mason McBride scored on a 1-yard run and John Paul Richardson scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard run to advance the Panthers to round two of the playoffs. Quarterback Will Pendergrass completed 7 of 20 passes for 94 yards, and John Norman rushed 17 times for 105 yards. John Paul Richardson had 59 total yards and one touchdown. On defense, lineman Bryson Stewart had five tackles and two

sacks, and lineman Joseph Harper had four tackles, two sacks, and two quarterback hurries. Tompkins 35, Elkins 20 Tompkins’ R.J. Smith scored four touchdowns, three in the third quarter, to lead Tompkins past Elkins 35-20 last Friday at Rhodes Stadium. Kolby White had two touchdowns for Elkins, the first on a 15-yard pass from Cameron George and the second on a 76-yard punt return. For the game, White had 12 catches for 106 yards. George completed 19 of 23 passes for 169 yards, and he rushed 19 times for 71 yards.

Elkins ends its season with a 7-4 record. Katy Taylor 28, Dulles 13 Taylor scored 21 points in the first quarter and then held off Dulles to win 28-13. “We came out and played as good a first half as we have played all year. This is the first half we have really put it together. We were up 21-0. Of course, you tell your kids at halftime, that there is still another half to play. You have to finish the game,” Taylor Head Coach Chad Simmons said. “Dulles is a very good team. They never quit playing.” The Taylor defense held the Vikings to just 209

yards of total offense while they generated 329 yards of total offense. For Dulles, Myles Heard rushed 17 times for 72 yards. Cameron Peters completed 9 of 28 passes for 133 yards and Ainias Smith caught five passes for 109 yards. The Vikings end their season with an 8-3 record. Katy 52, Travis 0 Katy rushed for 364 yards while holding Travis to just seven yards on the ground as they won 52-0 last Friday at Katy. Katy’s Sherman Smith scored three touchdowns to lead Katy. For Travis, Eric Rodriguez completed 20 of 31 for 248 yards. Travis ends its season with an 8-3 record. New Caney 20, Hightower 14 Hightower lost to New Caney 20-14 last Friday at New Caney. Brandon Smith scored on a 45-yard run and Chance Ceaser

scored on a 4-yard pass from Brandon Smith for Hightower’s only points. For the game, Smith rushed 13 times for 110 yards and completed 10 of 19 passes for 97 yards. The Hurricanes end their season with a 3-8 record. Nederland 22, Willowridge 16 Nederland scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to beat Willowridge 22-16. The Eagles’ Vaughnte Frederick scored on a 3-yard run for their only touchdown, and kicker Gustavo Medrano had field goals of 38, 35, and 30 yards. Willowridge led 16-7 at the end of three quarters, but Nederland scored on a 3-yard run to make the score 16-14 with eight minutes to go. With two minutes to go, Nederland scored on a 3-yard run and converted the two-point conversion to make the final score 22-16. Willowridge ends the season with a 7-4 record.

Spartans ready for the Montano era Stafford girls basketball team plans to win district championship From staff reports

FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

When Mark Spivey arrived at Stafford High School in the summer of 2017, he had a clear goal – to build a program, not just a team. The Stafford High girls basketball coach and his program appear to be ahead of schedule. After finishing second in district last season, the Lady Spartans will compete for the program’s first district championship in nine years. “I think we have the team to do it,” Spivey said. “We are favored, as long as we play ball the right way.” Stafford, which opened the season Nov. 2 against 6A Spring Woods, returns four starters, including reigning district MVP Chaunta Thomas and Chelsea Nwosu (first team all-district). There’s a total of eight seniors on the roster. Last season, Stafford finished second in district behind

Stafford High senior Cherish Wilson competes during practice. The team is eyeing a run at the district championship this season. (Submitted photo)

Columbus, splitting two games with the Cardinals. The district remains mostly intact, with El Campo, Wharton and Needville joining while Columbus and

Bellville have gone elsewhere. Stafford competed during the offseason, earning victories over several Fort Bend ISD and Houston ISD teams during a fall league. Spivey is encouraged by the return of sophomore Denicha Pastor, last season’s district Newcomer of the Year as well as sophomore Briana Clark and senior Kaybre McFadden, both of whom earned second team all-district honors. Stafford has several players from last season’s junior varsity team that won district. “I think we’ll be in the mix for another 3-to-4 years,” Spivey said. Stafford finished 7-3 in district last season, with all of those losses decided in the fourth quarter. The team reached the playoffs, losing to Sweeny in the first round. “The team has matured, and we have learned how to win close games,” Spivey said. Spivey is glad that this year’s team will have six non-district home games, including a Dec. 11 rematch with Sweeny. Those six home games don’t include the Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 Lady Spartan Invitational, where 13 opponents will visit Stafford for three days. The Lady Spartans will compete in the Waller Tournament (Dec. 27-28). Stafford will open district competition on Dec. 14 at Wharton.

Before each season, David Montano publishes his team’s schedule, complete with the dates for the regional and state championships. It’s not just a formality for the first-year Stafford High head boys basketball coach. “Our goal is to win a regional championship and a state championship,” Montano said. “We have the ability to reach the regional tournament, but it all depends on how well the team learns what we’re trying to accomplish.” Montano, who served Stafford High boys basketball coach David Montano gives as Stafford’s junior var- instruction to some of his players. This is Montano’s first sity coach last season, has season as the head coach of the team. (Submitted photo) the blueprint for success championship and a good some changes this season. (128-59 record and two playoff run.” The team will play more state appearances from Stafford graduated eight man-to-man defense and 2012-17 at La Marque) and seniors last year from a the post-game will play a the tradition (Stafford has team that came within an larger role. reached state six times, overtime buzzer beater of “We have to be able to including the 1992 state the regional quarterfinals. handle pressure and limit championship) to get it Senior guard/forward turnovers,” Montano said. done. Auturo Jackson Jr. is the Joe Sanchez, Montano’s Dave Campbell’s Tex- only returning Spartan assistant coach and JV as Basketball Magazine who played significant coach from La Marque, has picked the Spartans to varsity minutes last sea- joined the Stafford coachfinish third in 25-4A be- son. Senior post Alexander ing staff. hind defending champion Jones and senior guard Stafford will play a Needville, and Wharton. Justin Bonaris were also challenging non-district “That seems pretty ac- on the varsity roster last schedule before its Dec. 21 curate right now, but our season. 25-4A opener at Fulshear. success depends if our kids Montano is looking The Spartans were to open buy in and we get better as forward to seeing posts the season on Saturday at the weeks go on,” Montano Khalil Scrubbs (senior) and 5A Lamar Consolidated said. “We can certainly be Dabari Hawkins (junior), and visit 5A Foster on in that mix for a district and senior guard Eric Mc- Tuesday. They’ll compete Dermott on varsity this in a trio of tournaments season. Scrubbs and Mc- – Pearland, Hidalgo and Dermott played organized Buda – where the majority basketball for the first time of opponents will be 5A and last season and helped 6A schools. by Dr. Eric Tepper lead the Stafford JV to a “We are trying to play BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS co-district championship. a tough schedule to see Hawkins started on the where we are,” Montano BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Stafford varsity football said. “We want to be able Whether you are a winter sports enthusiast or just someone team. fix any shortcomings bewalking to work, be sure to wear warm, protective clothing whenever Spartan fans can expect fore district comes around.” the temperature outdoors dips to ten degrees below zero. Prolonged

FOOT FACTS

exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, a condition that involves freezing and/or damaging layers of skin and tissue. Because the body’s way of protecting vital core organs is to restrict blood flow to its extremities, frostbite usually affects the skin on toes, feet, fingers, and ears. Mild frostbite may cause pain, stinging, or burning, and affected skin may become white or bluish. At the first sign of frostbite, seek shelter and warmth. Do not rub any affected area as this might cause further tissue damage.

Reid on the Redskins Houston Texans safety Justin Reid breaks up a pass to Washington Redskins receiver Josh Doctson during Sunday’s 23-21 win in Washington. Reid had a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown in the game. The Texans are 7-3 and are riding a seven-game win streak. Their next game is at home Monday night against the Tennessee Titans. (Photo by Max Siker)

HINT: Frostbite can occur through layers of clothing and on windy days at temperatures above zero due to a high wind-chill effect. We believe one of the most important elements of healthcare we can provide you with is education. We bring you these columns in order to show you how the many benefits of podiatric medicine can help keep all the members of your family walking, running, living in comfort. And since taking care of the feet can’t begin too early, you’ll be glad to know there is a footcare specialist here in Sugar Land who can help you if there seems to be a problem with your child’s feet. Located at 3143 Hwy. 6 South, call 281-980-3668 for an appointment.

Keep up with all the weekly NEWS!

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Stafford student gets scholarship from Texans, Reliant Energy then, they do. It gives you fuel to be ambitious. If oth-

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Jesus Iniguez carried on a proud Stafford High School tradition this week. The Stafford High senior became the third SHS student in four years to earn a $5,000 scholarship from the Houston Texans and Reliant Energy. The scholarship is awarded to only eight high school seniors in the Greater Houston area. Iniguez joins Anthony Montilva (2015) and Taten Blue (2016) as winners of the elite honor. The common thread is SHS advanced placement history teacher Oseas Romero – a Stafford High graduate himself – who nominated all three students. Iniguez was grateful to learn that he was awarded the scholarship. The Texans will officially present the scholarship during their Dec. 9 home game against the Indianapolis Colts. “It’s pretty special,” Iniguez said. “You don’t think anyone is look at you, and

H RADIO, FROM PAGE 1 for virtually anything. “It really became a cause for me, to make sure broadcasters were prepared to serve our listeners during a disaster.” He brought that cause to Houston when he started working at KIKK. While there, he also chaired the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) for the Houston/Galveston area for eight years. His involvement with broadcast media EAS led him to his second career with the start of his company, Media Consultants. Along with his wife Melanie Miller, who worked as the news director at KTRH NewsRa-

er people believe in you, it makes you want to believe

Stafford High School senior Jesus Iniguez won a $5,000 scholarship from the Houston Texans and Reliant Energy. (Submitted photo)

in yourself more.” Iniguez plans to double major in college, with business being one of the majors. He is undecided on his second major. He excels academically and is currently enrolled in AP English and AP government courses. He plans to play NCAA Division I soccer at Southern Methodist University in Dallas or Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Iniguez has played varsity soccer for Stafford since his freshman year, reaching the regional semifinals twice in three seasons. Last season, Iniguez recorded an eight-save shutout in a 1-0 second round playoff win over Cleveland. In the next round (regional quarterfinals), he scored both goals in the Spartans’ 2-1 win at Wharton. “I enjoy high school soccer,” said Iniguez, who also plays club soccer. “I like the crowd and the fans, traveling with teammates and the memories and experiences you gain from it.”

dio 740 AM, the couple and their new company focused on crisis communications, training over 6,000 media spokespersons in over 200 government agencies and corporate clients worldwide. “I decided there was a niche here in Houston with all of the oil companies, who needed help communicating through the media to the public when disasters happen, by taking steps beyond a typical PR firm.” Wolf, now retired, sold the company earlier this year. He now volunteers at Sight into Sound, formerly known as Taping for the Blind in Houston. The organization provides live and pre-recorded radio broadcasts of local newspapers, magazines and books to listeners who are blind or visually impaired.

organization, as well as the Texas Broadcasting Museum in Kilgore. Fort Bend County has many a star on display in a place known as ‘The City of Stars,’” he said. “As for Fort Bend County inductees, I can tell you that this honor is long overdue for KIKK’s Chuck Wolf, who has probably done more behind the scenes to positively impact our communities since he left the radio station that all of the good work he did when he was there. I’ll also say that I had the pleasure of witnessing T.J. Callahan have the time of her life this weekend. Her induction was special to me, for we shared the same frequency for years when we worked together at KILT.” For more on the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, visit http://trhof.net.

When he received word about his induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, Wolf said he was honored, and humbled. “To be selected by these legends in Texas radio broadcasting, and be a part of some of these great names in radio here in Texas, I was just awestruck.” Josh Holstead, operations manager of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, was delighted at the turnout at the induction ceremony this year. Holstead is the youngest son of “The Dean of Texas Radio News” Joe Holstead, a charter inductee of the organization. “Now that we have a permanent home, and a physical display for people to enjoy year-round has really drawn a significant amount of attention to the

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 • PAGE

Sweet Jamboree coming to Sugar Land Heritage Museum and Visitor Center · Sugar Land Skeeters Fun: Get artsy, color away with Swatson themed pages, try your luck at the prize wheel and snap away with the Sugar Land Skeeters 2018 Atlantic League Championship trophy. · Crafts and Games: Have fun and be crafty at booths with activities

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Visit Sugar Land is gearing up for the holidays, and the public is invited to unwrap the holiday magic and spread cheer at the “Sweet Jamboree” event at the Sugar Land Heritage Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1-3 p.m. Special events:

SEE MUSEUM, PAGE 10

Pictured from the left are Assistant to the City Manager Daphne McKinney and Parks and Recreation Administrative Manager Tanya Kveton at Sugar Land’s Heritage Museum and Visitor Center. (Submitted photo)

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The development of teeth and those teeth pushing through the gums is called teething. Teething typically begins in young children as early as four months old and may continue until they reach two years of age. Experts report that teething children may experience pain and discomfort in the gums. Additionally, children may have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or a slight increase in body temperature. If teething pain becomes severe, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken to reduce pain and discomfort. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen work by blocking chemicals in the body that cause pain, fever, but ibuprofen may reduce swelling of irritated gums. They are available in formulations such as syrups and chewable tablets. Side effects of ibuprofen include nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Side effects of acetaminophen include itching and tiredness.

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THE STAR

PAGE 10 • Wednesday, November 21, 2018

H MUSEUM, FROM PAGE 9 such as DIY candy cane reindeer, ring toss challenge, mosaic artwork, cupcake decorating, mini DIY board making, Christ-

mas card designing, letters to Santa, frame ornaments, and holiday bookmarks. · Inspiration Stage Productions: In celebration of the holidays, enjoy two Inspiration Stage featured seasonal performances

from their latest productions, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr.” and “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” The event time is 1:15 p.m. for the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. performance and 2:30 p.m.

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

for the Fiddler on the Roof Jr. · Sweet Science: Explore the “scents of Christmas” and density with the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. · Sweetened History:

Travel back in time with George Ranch and Fort Bend Museum, and learn about the meaning of Christmas and how to make hand-dipped candles and Dresden-style Victorian ornaments and cards.

FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 Data Control Codes 5700 5800 5900 5020

Revenues Local, intermediate, and out-of-state State program revenues Federal program revenues Total revenues

0093 0099 6030

Expenditures Current: Instruction Instructional resources and media services Curriculum and instructional staff development Instructional leadership School leadership Guidance, counseling, & evaluation services Social work services Health services Student transportation Food services Extracurricular activities General administration Facilities maintenance and operations Security and monitoring services Data processing services Community services Debt Service: Principal on long-term debt Interest on long-term debt Bond issuance costs and fees Capital Outlay: Facilities acquisition and construction Intergovernmental: Payments related to shared services arrangement Payments to tax appraisal district Total Expenditures

1100

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures

7911 7911 7912 7915 7916 8949 7080

Other Financing Sources (Uses) Refunding bonds issued Issuance of capital related debt Sale of real or personal property Transfers in Premium or discount on issuance of bonds Payment to refunding escrow agent Total other financing sources and uses

0011 0012 0013 0021 0023 0031 0032 0033 0034 0035 0036 0041 0051 0052 0053 0061 0071 0072 0073 0081

1200 0100 3000

Net change in fund balances Fund Balances - Beginning Fund Balances - Ending

Looking For Local Events?

Debt Service Funds

General Fund $ 402,502,220 238,947,947 12,656,965 654,107,132

Non-major Governmental Funds

Total Governmental Funds

26,159 26,159

$ 15,172,586 11,084,851 55,420,575 81,678,012

$ 514,441,696 251,942,999 68,077,540 834,462,235

Capital Projects

96,740,731 1,910,201 98,650,932

377,779,084 7,547,013 11,164,281 15,222,006 39,129,642 28,762,963 1,577,165 8,061,170 21,023,721 40,045 12,836,189 16,593,678 70,695,692 8,027,220 17,245,090 94,860

675,652 44,159 127,559 33,540 69,160,251 2,475,723 11,406,781 -

26,944,534 429,123 6,579,879 1,070,392 4,709,011 4,873,120 387,801 1,492,828 493,611 25,770,421 1,669,044 2,500 5,849,132 54,391 516,404 859,745

405,399,270 7,976,136 17,744,160 16,336,557 43,838,653 33,636,083 1,964,966 9,553,998 21,644,891 25,810,466 14,538,773 16,596,178 145,705,075 10,557,334 29,168,275 954,605

144,928,388 40,294,996 2,271,089

557,661

144,928,388 40,294,996 2,828,750

64,042,588

456,340 3,145,577 639,401,736

187,494,473

148,523,914

196,654 81,898,590

652,994 3,145,577 1,057,318,713

14,705,396

(88,843,541)

(148,497,755)

177,641 1,500,000 1,677,641

209,745,000 29,472,807 (150,143,511) 89,074,296

149,385,000 6,172,661 155,557,661

16,383,037 185,255,026 $ 201,638,063

230,755 $

65,040,028 65,270,783

(220,578) -

7,059,906 (71,482,468) $ (64,422,562)

(220,578) $

8,369,437 8,148,859

(222,856,478) 209,745,000 149,385,000 177,641 1,500,000 35,645,468 (150,143,511) 246,309,598

The Sugar Land Heritage Museum and Visitor Center is located at 198 Kempner Street, Building B, second floor. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.VisitSugarLandTX. com or call 281-275-2045.

STEP grant to help keep roads safe for the holiodays From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

In keeping with the goal of maintaining safety on public roads and highways this holiday season, the Fort Bend County Constable’s Office (Pct. 3), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) are working together to decrease automobile accidents, fatalities, and injuries. The increased presence of traffic enforcement units on the streets and highways is made possible by the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grants that are provided by TxDOT to law enforcement agencies to enforce our traffic laws and decrease traffic fatalities and crashes. The Fort Bend County Constable’s Office (Pct. 3) has received a STEP grant which allows deputies to focus additional efforts on speeding, seat belt usage, and other traffic violations which contribute to unsafe conditions on the roadways. The enforcement will reduce fatalities, accidents, and injuries within Fort Bend County. “It is a proven fact, as well as common sense, that using seatbelts and obeying traffaic laws save lives and prevent injuries,” said Constable Wayne Thompson. “The STEP grant allows our deputies to focus added time and attention on enforcing these basic traffic laws and keeping the citizens of Fort Bend County safe.”

GOT NEWS?

23,453,120 187,182,023 $ 210,635,143

Email your news to

editor@FortBendStar.com

Find them on pg 12

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, November 21, 2018 • PAGE

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THE STAR

PAGE 12 • Wednesday, November 21, 2018

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Toy Trains Through the Ages exhibit opens at Rosenberg Railroad Museum From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

New temporary exhibit, Toy Trains through the Ages, recently opened to the public at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum. The exhibit will remain up through April. Toy Trains through the Ages will feature the trains of Ives, Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx, and will outline the history of the companies. A Post-War era “All Aboard!” American Flyer train layout will be in operation and viewable for visitors to enjoy. The ex-

hibit is included in general admission. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the toy trains of Ives, Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx have become a tradition among American families. Each of these companies has a unique history and have contributed much to the development and continuance of the toy train tradition. Whether windup or electric, the trains were often enjoyed around a Christmas tree and by a cozy fire when family and friends gathered for the holiday season. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum seeks to com-

memorate the Christmas train tradition through the opening of a new temporary exhibit, Toy Trains through the Ages. The exhibit will remain open through April of 2019. During this time, visitors are invited to: • view an operational “All Aboard!” American Flyer layout dating from the 1950s, • read an engaging history of some of the most loved toy train manufacturers, and • enjoy the variety of toy trains on display, all of which date from the 1910s to the 1950s. The temporary exhibit

is included in general admission, which is: $5 for children ages 2-14, $6 for seniors/military/first responders, and $7.50 for adults. It will be available during regular operating hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The museum is located at 1921 Ave. F in historic downtown Rosenberg. These are some of the vintage toy trains that are on display in the Rosenberg Railroad Museum’s Toy Trains Through the Ages exhibit. (Submitted photo)

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.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS WITH 3D PRINTING

Learn to make ornaments on a 3D printer at Mamie George Branch Library, 10-11 a.m, 320 Dulles Ave in Stafford. Use Tinkercad and the library’s 3D printer to create holiday-themed ornaments that can be personalized and unique! Free and open to the public. Registration required, visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us click on calendar, select Mamie George Branch Library, and find the program, or call 281-238-2880.

THURSDAY, NOV. 29 HOPE OR THREE GIVERS UNITE!

Kendra Scott Sugar Land and Hope For Three Autism Advocates, partner to create a community of generosity by giving back. 6-8 p.m. A portion of all sales benefit local families and children living with autism. Can’t attend but want to support? Call the store, 832-532-8521 between 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 29 and place your order with free shipping. Twenty percent of all proceeds are donated to Hope For Three. Visit hopeforthree.org or call 281-2450640 for more information.

DECEMBER YOUTH ACTIVITIES AT THE LIBRARY

Fort Bend County Libraries offer programs for teens in grades 9-12. Programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Sienna Branch Library at 281-238-2952, or 281-633-4734 or visit the library at 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City, or call the University Branch Library at 281-633-5100 or visit at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

FRIDAYS IN DECEMBER BYOC: BRING YOUR OWN CRAFT

Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge, 1-3 p.m. Share tips, get ideas and inspiration, and enjoy fellow crafters. All experience levels and all crafts welcome. Bring your own project and crafting supplies. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281633-4734.

SATURDAY, DEC., 1 BARGAIN BOOK SALE

At the First Colony Library, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2121 Austin Parkway. Donations of good condition books, CDs, and DVDs are accepted during the sale. Any proceeds from the sale benefit the library and its programs.

THURSDAY, DEC. 6 FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS LUNCHEON

“Have a Souper Holiday” Luncheon and meeting at 11 a.m., social at 10:30 a.m. at the Sugar Land United Methodist Church Great Hall, 431 Eldridge Road. Bring a crock pot of soup, salad, appetizer or dessert to share. Entertainment by the SLMS Choir. Project: Decorate bags for Lunches of Love. All retired public school educators are invited. For more information, call 281-499-5885.

FORT BEND- HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING

All retired school personnel are invited to Lunch at Sugar Land United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road, 11 a.m. Have a Souper Holiday (appetizers, soups and desserts); Program: Sugar Land Middle School Choir; Project: Decorate bags for Lunches of Love. For more information, call 281-499-5885.

SATURDAY, DEC. 8 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE SUGAR LAND BRANCH

The festivities take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 550

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Eldridge. Music and singing by Sherry Woodruff and her group of carolers, along with refreshments and holidaythemed craft activities for all ages. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281633-4734.

SNOW FEST AT JORDAN RANCH

Families will enjoy 70,000 pounds of snow and holiday cheer — not to mention a chance to meet Santa and the missus, noon to 3 p.m. Winter happens at 2422 Sandhill Crest Lane, with fun that includes a three-lane slide, DJ, performing elf, ice carvers, face painters, a trackless train, 76-foot obstacle course and more. A giant snow globe offers the perfect spot for holiday photos. Hot chocolate and cookies top off the day! Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.jordanranchtexas.com/ snowfest.

JORDAN RANCH FORECASTS SNOW!

Families can enjoy 70,000 pounds of snow and holiday cheer — not to mention a chance to meet Santa and the missus — during Snow Fest, noon to 3 p.m. The winter salute happens at 2422 Sandhill Crest Lane, with a threelane slide, DJ, performing elf, ice carvers, face painters, a trackless train, 76-foot obstacle course and more. A giant snow globe offers the perfect spot for holiday photos. Hot chocolate, cookies will keep everyone warm. Free & open to the public. For more information visit www. jordanranchtexas.com.

SECOND ANNUAL BLACK TIE GALA

Join us for an evening of dancing, dining, and a $500 raffle to support Liberty Christian Center’s 2019 graduates at the Mamie George Community Center, 1111 Collins Road, Richmond, from 7-10 p.m., $25/person. For more information, call 281-804-8119.

TUESDAY, DEC. 11 PECAN GROVE WOMEN’S CLUB

Will meet at the Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and visiting. The program begins at 10 a.m. featuring the Golden Heirs Choir from the Calvary Baptist Church in Rosenberg. We will be collecting cake and brownie mixes and cake frosting for Helping Hands. Reserve a spot by calling 281-238-4002 or 281-342-8575. Reservation deadline is Dec. 7. The program is free; lunch is $15.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15 WINTER WONDERLAND CARNIVAL: TRANSITION AND DISABILITY RESOURCE FAIR

Fort Bend ISD, along with The Arc of Fort Bend, will host the fair, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Clements High School, 4200 Elkins Road, Sugar Land. Free and open to the public, the event is geared toward children with special needs, but is open to all children in the community. The Clements High School Honor Society will be helping to provide games, music, arts and crafts and other fun activities. Parents will also have an opportunity to listen to speakers and talk to vendors in Fort Bend County that provide services and resources for children with special needs.

SATURDAY, JAN. 19 HOPE FOR THREE JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION

Put your puzzle building skills against other teams in this two-hour competition to benefit Hope for Three Autism Awareness. Join others at Constellation Field, 1 Stadium Dr., Sugar Land. Teams of four can pre-register for $100. Awards, prizes and bragging rights guaranteed. Sponsorship and Underwriting opportunities available. Call 281-245-0640 or visit www.hopeforthree.org/jigsaw for information and to register.

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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.

4-H, FOOD & NUTRITION

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 281633-4734.

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.

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