Social media post leads to arrest - Page 2
Live Oak Grill lived up to its reputation in the community on a recent visit. Read our review inside on Page 8.
WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 5, 2020
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 51
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
‘Citgo 6’ saga takes encouraging turn By Adam Zuvanich
Art Relieves Stress WE’RE OPEN! In-studio or To-Go
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www.fireitup-pottery.com 713-234-7789 13817 Southwest Fwy. Sugar Land, TX 77478
U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, right, performs a magic trick last October for Katy resident Sergio Cardenas, whose father has been detained by the Venezuelan government since 2017. (Photo by Adam Zuvanich)
The youngest of Gustavo Cardenas’ three children has a rare genetic disorder, is confined to a wheelchair and was not expected to live as long as he has, according to his mother. Sergio Cardenas is stable and doing well for the time being, but he would feel much better if his father could come
home to Katy. The local family has been separated for the better part of three years, with Gustavo having been detained by the Venezuelan government since November 2017. That’s when he and five other Citgo executives were called to a meeting in Caracas, home of Citgo’s state-run parent company, and then arrested by the regime of Nicolas Maduro.
Cardenas and the other men, five of whom are dual citizens with family in the Houston area, were accused of treason but have yet to stand trial in Venezuela. And they have missed many milestones back in the U.S., such as the birth of grandchildren and, in Cardenas’ case, his son’s unlikely transi-
SEE CITGO 6 PAGE 6
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Elkins alum helps keep seniors safe
OakBend Medical Center CEO Joe Freudenberger gets his temperature taken before entering the facility on March 20, prior to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's mask order going into effect. Freudenberger is recovering from a recent case of COVID-19. ((Photo courtesy of OakBend Medical Center)
OakBend CEO recovering from bout with COVID-19
By Landan Kuhlmann
By Landan Kuhlmann
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the Houston region, an increasing number of doctors have transitioned to telehealth or virtual healthcare to safely meet their patients’ needs. A recent high school graduate from the area is working to make sure Fort Bend County’s highest-risk population for the disease can utilize the service while decreasing their risk of catching the coronavirus. Joanna Yu, a 2019 gradu-
Joe Freudenberger has seen many COVID-19 patients inside OakBend Medical Center in Richmond. The pandemic recently hit even closer to home for OakBend’s 59-year-old CEO, who is in the midst of recovering from his own battle with the disease. And though he has been asymptomatic since July 23, the longtime executive said it was not an easy diagnosis
By Landan Kuhlmann
SEE SENIORS PAGE 7
Freudenberger
at play. Then he got tested for COVID-19.
Freudenberger said his battle against it remains in its final stages. “I had to kind of get my head back in the right place and decide that I was going to fight through it,” he said. “Whatever it was going to bring, it would bring.” Fort Bend County had reported 7,287 cases of COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus strain, as of Tuesday. At least 100 county residents have died from the disease, while 3,497 patients have recovered, according to the county.
Following contact tracing, Freudenberger said he discovered he was likely exposed to the virus from his eldest son during an indoor family dinner in early July. His wife and son both eventually tested positive as well. From there, Freudenberger said it was mind over matter in dealing with the disease. He continued to perform his daily duties as OakBend’s highest executive officer and go on daily
SEE OAKBEND PAGE 6
Local student with skin condition earns scholarship LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Yu
to hear. “I was scared,” he said of receiving his diagnosis July 12. “I kind of felt like … this could be my death.” Freudenberger, who said he had been wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, said he awoke with aches and pains July 8. He initially associated them with back problems, brushing them aside as he went about his work from home. Just a few days later, however, he began developing a sore throat and severe cough, leading him to believe something more was
Magdalena “Maggie” Augustine already knows what she wants, even if the avenue to get there is unclear. What is clear, however, is that her recently awarded college scholarship will go a long way toward accomplishing those goals.
Are you
“I want to be happy and I want to change the world for the better,” she said. “If I can do those two things in my lifetime, I’ve done well.” Augustine, a soon-to-be freshman at the University of Texas at Austin who graduated from Fort Bend ISD’s Austin High School in June, was one of nine students from across the country recently se-
#ALLINFORSLTX?
lected to be part of Ortho Dermatologics’ Aspire Higher scholarship program, which recognizes students who are also living with dermatologic conditions with scholarships up to $10,000. The Aspire Higher scholarship program began in 2012 and has awarded $738,000 over the years to more than 50 students, supporting their
higher education dreams. Augustine has been managing psoriasis, a skin disease marked by red, itchy, scaly patches on the skin, while maintaining school and extracurricular activities such as theatre and social justice activism at Austin over the last two years.
SEE SCHOLARSHIP PAGE 7
Augustine
Click to learn more about Sweet Cash and support Sugar Land businesses
THE STAR
PAGE 2 • Wednesday, August 5, 2020
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Video on Snapchat helps Rosenberg PD nab shooting suspect By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The Rosenberg Police Department said an area teenager accused of shooting a gun at someone was
arrested after officers found video evidence of the incident on his social media. The suspect, a 17-yearold male, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for his alleged role in the July 26 shooting, according to
713-433-6421
14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org
a news release from the Rosenberg PD. Police said video evidence posted to Snapchat by the suspect aided in identifying him. “I am thankful for the quick and efficient response by (officers) that tracked (the suspect) down and took him into custody,” Rosenberg Police Chief Jonathan White said. Rosenberg PD said its officers responded to a shooting call in the 1800 block of Avenue E on July 26. Police said the victim told police an individual pulled up next to his car in the 3700 block of Avenue H before firing several rounds toward him. The suspect allegedly chased the victim, who was uninjured, to the intersection of Avenue E and Walnut Street, where additional shots were fired, according to police.
Sugar Plum Marketplace going virtual in November By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Missy is a great girl who loves to play outdoors. She enjoys her daily walks and does really well on a leash. She loves to give kisses and is a big fan of cuddling. Missy is a volunteer favorite and we all want to find a great home for her!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is set to launch "Sugar Plum Marketplace – A Virtual Shopping Affair" later this year. From Nov. 3-8, the online marketplace themed “Let There be Peace on Earth,” will feature an array of premier vendors from across the country while allowing shoppers to browse the selection from their homes in order to help mitigate the spread of the infectious disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus. Tickets will be required
for the event that raises funds for the organization, and will be available in the coming months, according to a news release from FBJSL. The 2019 Sugar Plum Market garnered $345,000 in donations, according to the organization. For more information on the event, residents can visit sugarplummarket.com and follow the Sugar Plum Market on Instagram and Facebook. Those wishing to sponsor the event or become a vendor can email either vendors@sugarplummarket.com or sponsors@ sugarplummarket.com.
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THE STAR
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Wednesday, August 5, 2020 • PAGE
3
Soak up the energy of small businesses Over the course of any given week, the media companies we own and manage speak to about 750 small business owners. And if you’re looking for some good news about this pandemic and our future, it’s about time you heard an honest take on how these women and men are fighting for their professional lives. For those of you who run or manage small businesses, you’ll nod your head in agreement. The consumers – our readers – however, must understand the purpose and value of a vibrant small-business community, which makes up almost half of our nation’s economy. When you walk into any locally owned business today, you’ll immediately sense the fear on the faces and in the voices of the owners. Maybe “fear” isn’t the precise word. Maybe it’s trepidation. Maybe it’s unease. However you prescribe it, the people who own businesses today don’t know what’s around the next corner, and there’s a wonderful example right here in the Houston area. Almost two weeks ago, as testing increased, posi-
teams, and the only solace we could offer was a virtual hug and a “Good luck.” A few days later, Gov. Greg Abbott emphatically said he would not order a statewide lockdown, and he wouldn’t let local authorities do it either. Abbott, who like other politicians has made good calls and bad, has had to back-track on comments during this pandemic, and his assurances did little to ease the concerns of business owners. As a side note, am I the only one who wishes – just once – that our elected officials would just exit stage left and let a team of medical professionals come out with one voice on every decision we need to make? Sure, there’d be disagreements, but it would be better than taking cues from politicians. No matter how genuine they may be, they’re still politicians, and they can’t help but shape words to fit their narrative. Rant over. The natural response of small businesses has been fear. And when you live in fear for an extended amount of time, the results are exactly what you’d think they are. First, small business
Jonathan McElvy
tive COVID results spiked and hospital CEOs held daily press briefings, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Lina Hidalgo began floating the idea of locking down the city. In order to get control of this pandemic – as if anyone or anything will do that besides modern medicine – the leaders of this city said we all needed to go inside our homes, drink more wine, eat more food, get more depressed, and wait for the virus to disappear from the air. In the following days, as we made our daily calls to local businesses, you can only imagine the horror stories we heard. “We’re doomed,” they said. “If they lock us down, we’re going out of business.” That phrase was uttered hundreds of times to our sales and marketing
owners are exhausted. They’re frustrated, fatigued, walking into their stores not sure if anyone will show up, and if customers do happen to appear, will those customers be healthy, will they fight wearing masks, will they spend more than a few dollars? Take it from someone who runs his own small business: When you’re unsure how much longer your business can last, opening your email and answering the phone can suck the wind out of the most headstrong person. There’s another fear small businesses have: Most of them do not want to spend money on anything except the air conditioning and their debts. The results have been disastrous for those who rely on small businesses for employment opportunities. In Houston, restaurants were allowed to open weeks ago – some of them at 75-percent capacity. So wasn’t it interesting that many didn’t hire back enough servers or cooks, and instead kept focus on their carry-out business? The reason goes back to the very beginning: Trepi-
dation. Business owners don’t know what’s around the next corner, and they aren’t going to make decisions that jeopardize losing everything, including hiring back employees. So where’s the positivity in all of that? Simple. Every day, when our company calls local, small businesses, they all answer the phone. They ask us what we’re hearing. They ask if we know anything about potential lockdown orders. They ask how we’re doing. Today, when our company calls local, small businesses, the resiliency in their voices is unmatched. They’re all looking for ways to make it to the end of the year. They’re all praying for a vaccine. They’re all hoping the economy can stay put until that vaccine comes. And they all have a single mission: They’re going to fight like hell to have a business when this nightmare ends. I wish every person reading this could take
10 minutes to talk with a small business owner. Ask them how they’re making it. Ask them what they need to get through this mess. Ask them how they find the energy and courage to open their doors when they know they’ll lose money for another day. Up in Washington, D.C., they’re talking about another round of stimulus to help struggling small businesses. The conversations are going to get political, and both Democrats and Republicans are going to sound like insecure teenagers, hoping to win political points across a national media that believes we live and breathe to hear what politicians think. Let’s hope they make the right decisions. In the meantime, we’d all be better off soaking in the energy and resiliency of the thousands of small businesses who refuse to let this nightmare win. Email jonathan@mcelvymedia.com
A Helping Hand from
Ed’s Pharmacy 3740 Cartwright Road (@ FM 1092)
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Managing a Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the body’s urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters (tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder), bladder, and urethra. UTIs usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra, a tube that carries urine outside of the body from the bladder. Once the bacteria is in the urethra, it attaches itself and begins to multiply in the bladder. Symptoms of a UTI may include a strong urge to urinate or a burning sensation when urinating. Medications that target bacteria and lower urinary pain may be used to treat a UTI. Antibiotics such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim), cephalexin (Keflex), or nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) work to kill the bacteria that commonly cause UTIs. Side effects may include rash or muscle pain. Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) works to decrease urinary pain and burning. Side effects may include rash or tiredness. The Minor family will take part in the Hope For Three virtual Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll from Sept. 5-13. Registration is now open for the event. (Photo courtesy of Hope For Three)
Hope For Three now accepting applications for virtual fundraiser cate about autism spectrum disorder and raise needed funds for autism families.” Interested parties can sign up for the virtual Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll by visiting hopeforthree.org/ events/family-walk-r unroll-or-stroll-race-2020/. Those who are not able to participate can also make a donation on the organization’s event page.
period, which allows racers to compete and partake in leisurely family fun and race challenges at their own pace. “This virtual race allows families and supporters to participate in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic safely,” Hope For Three Development Director Lynn Clouser said. “It also gives us the opportunity to edu-
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Registration is now open for Hope For Three’s virtual Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll, which runs Sept. 5-13 to raise autism awareness and funds for the organization’s mission. The event can be completed over a nine-day
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itu a ry
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CHARLES ALBERT STEVENSON (“STEVE”) AUGUST 11, 1921 E JULY 14, 2020
Charles Albert Stevenson (“Steve”), age 98, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2020 in Sugar Land, Texas surrounded by his family. He was born on August 11, 1921 in Birmingham, Alabama to Albert Ward Stevenson and Elizabeth (Compton) Stevenson who predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruby J. (Debusk) Stevenson and his three sisters, Aline Vaughn, Mildred Walton and Jackie Sanders. Steve attended Texas A&M University and left college during his Sophomore year to enlist in the U.S. Army to proudly serve his country during World War II. During this time, he met and fell in love with Ruby J. Debusk and were soon married. They moved to San Angelo, Texas where their son was born and shortly thereafter moved to Big Springs, Texas where he began his long career with DeCoty Coffee Company. After almost 10 years in Big Springs, they
relocated to Austin, Texas where they remained for many years. Steve retired from DeCoty Coffee Company as Regional Sales Manager after a very long career. Steve is survived by his son and daughter- in- law Ward E Stevenson and L Sue Stevenson, long time residents of Sugar Land, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jennifer (Stevenson) Gage and husband Lowell Gage of Richmond, Texas; Kristi (Carlson) Nolan and husband Philip Nolan of Eagle
Lake, Texas; and Christopher Carlson of Stafford, Texas. Great grandchildren: Ruby Gage; Rachel Kudowor and husband Selasi Kudowor of Houston; Paige Carlson, Sugar Land, Texas; Cassandra Carlson and Cole Carlson of Needville, Texas. He has numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff and care givers of A-Med Community Hospice for their loving and dedicated care of Steve and emotional support to our family during his final days which will always be engrained in our hearts. Visitation was held Friday, July 31, 2020 from 4:00pm6:00pm at The Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478 with graveside service the following day, August 1st in Pflugerville, Texas at Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery on Saturday, from 2:00 pm – 3:00pm.
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BAPTIST CHURCH
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 John Strader , Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org METHODIST CHURCH
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 am Contemporary: 9:15 am / Traditional: 10:30 am Modern: 10:30 am Sunday School for all ages available at 9:15 www.christchurchsl.org EPISCOPAL
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602 605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:15 am Worship Rite Two www.allsaintsstafford.org
CHURCH OF CHRIST
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 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 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-240-3195 502 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Reverend Dr. Fred Seay, Pastor Sunday Worship In Person 11:00 am / Nursery Available Worship Online on YouTube www.fpcsl.org
Scripture of the week “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Luke 11:20 ESV
THE STAR
PAGE 4 • Wednesday, August 5, 2020
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The District was created to finance public infrastructure improvements to the Enclave at RiverPark subdivision, an approximately 54-acre single family residential development located along US59 adjacent to and accessed through the RiverPark subdivision. The developer was reimbursed for public improvements totaling $2.125 million including interest in January 2019. The proposed assessment for 2020 is $560 per lot. Oral or written objections or input will be considered at the public hearing or you may visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/PublicHearingComment for feedback or information. As of the date of this publication (August 5, 2020), the City of Sugar Land will limit meetings to City of Sugar Land staff and essential personnel in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links referenced above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing must e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275- 2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2020 to register and receive instructions for participation remotely during the hearing. Should the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and/or an appropriate prevailing authority, revise restrictions related to social distancing and the avoidance of large and small gatherings in public spaces prior to 72 hours of the date of the public hearings, the City of Sugar Land will provide notice to the public on the City Council meeting agenda at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas.”
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUEST FROM THE REAR YARD SETBACK REQUIREMENT IN THE INTERIM STANDARD SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1-I) ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7711 BAYOU GREEN LN Zoning Board of Adjustment Public VICINITY MAP: Hearing 5:00 p.m., August 19, 2020, City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, hosted via live stream at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/1238/ SLTV-16-Live-Video or https://www.youtube. com/sugarlandtxgov/live, and Sugar Land Comcast Subscribers can also tune-in on Channel 16 to hear all persons interested in the proposed Special Exception to the Rear Yard Setback for 7711 Bayou Green Lane, Lot 15, Block 3, Greatwood Forest Section Four, in the Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1-I) District. The agenda item for this meeting will be placed on the City of Sugar Land website at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas” Zoning Board of Adjustment no later than Friday, August 14, 2020. Request details or provide feedback on the proposed Special Exception online at www.sugarlandtx. gov/PublicHearingComment or contact City of Sugar Land Planning Department at (281) 275-2218. As of the date of this publication (August 5, 2020) the Centers for Disease Control recommends social-distancing and the avoidance of large and small gatherings in public spaces in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the City of Sugar Land has elected to conduct this meeting online. Members of the public wishing to view the meeting live may do so at the links above. Members of the public desiring to make comments during the public hearing may submit their written comments to the Office of City Secretary (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov). Comments should reference the hearing in the subject line, must be received by 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2020, then will be read into the record during the public hearing. Members of the public desiring to make their comments during the published date and time of the public hearing must e-mail (citysec@sugarlandtx.gov) or call ((281) 275-2730) the Office of the City Secretary by 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, 2020 to register and receive instructions for direct participation during the hearing. Should the Centers for Disease Control, and/or the prevailing appropriate authority, lift the restrictions related to social-distancing and the avoidance of large and small gatherings in public spaces prior to 72 hours of the date of the public hearings, the City of Sugar Land will provide notice to the public on the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting agenda at www.sugarlandtx.gov under “Meeting Agendas.”
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION (MOA) Notificación Pública de No Discriminación en Programas de Educación Técnica y Vocacional El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Fort Bend ofrece programas de educación técnica y vocacional en Agricultura, Alimento y los Recursos Naturales, Arquitectura y Construcción, Artes en Tecnología y las Comunicaciones de Audio/Visual, Educación y Entrenamiento de Negocios, Finanzas, Ciencias de la Salud, Hospitalidad y Turismo, Servicios Humanos, Tecnología Informática, Ley y Seguridad Pública, Producción en Fábricas, Mercadotécnia, Ciencias-Tecnología-Ingeniería-Matemáticas (STEM por sus siglas en inglés), Transportación, Distribución y Logísticas. La admisión a estos programas está basada en la selección de cursos del alumno y previamente haber completado satisfactoriamente los cursos requeridos.
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LEGALS NOTICE TO BIDDERS RIVERBEND ARCH SIPHON PIPE REHAB PROJECT The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Riverbend Arch Siphon Pipe Rehab Project CIP PROJECT NUMBER: CIP DR2002 LOCATION OF WORK: The project is located under the American Canal, just west of the intersection of Dulles Ave. and Avenue E, behind the Riverbend Country Club. Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www.CivCastUSA.com, search for project name “Riverbend Arch Siphon Rehab Project”, or documents may be viewed in the office of the Design Engineer at the following location: KALUZA INC. 3014 Avenue I, Rosenberg, Texas 77471 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, August 20, 2020, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held on at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2020 via virtual meeting. Details for attending the pre-bid meeting will be posted on CivCast www.CivCastUSA.com.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION (MOA) Public Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs Fort Bend ISD offers career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts and Audio Video, Business, Education and Training, Finance, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services, Information Technology, Law and Public Safety, Manufacturing, Marketing, STEM, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. Admission to these programs is based on student course selection and appropriate completion of pre-requisite coursework. It is the policy of Fort Bend ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. It is the policy of Fort Bend ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Fort Bend ISD will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs. For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the CTE Title IX Coordinator at Meredith. Watassek@fortbendisd.com, 281-634-5446, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator at Ronje.Gonzales@ fortbendisd.com, 281-634-1242.
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LEGALS
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FORTBENDSTAR.COM LEGALS NOTICE OF DIVORCE ACTION Jerrius Kyle Buffer, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer Jesse A. Pierce’s Petition for Divorce and other relief by 11th day of September, 2020 (30 days after the date of the last publication), or thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in Case No. 55-DR-2020-000001.00, Circuit Court of Pike County, Alabama. Done this the 20th day of July, 2020. Clerk of Circuit Court of Pike County, Alabama Jamie G. Campbell Attorney for Jesse A. Pierce 904 South Brundidge Street Post Office Box 325 Troy, Alabama 36081
NOTICE TO BIDDERS GRANTS LAKE WATER WELL, THOMPSON CHAPEL WATER WELL AND BOULDER OAKS WATER WELL NO. 3 REHABILITATIONS The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Grants Lake Water Well, Thompson Chapel Water Well and Boulder Oaks Water Well No. 3 Rehabilitations CIP PROJECT NUMBER: WA2001 LOCATION OF WORK: Grants Lake Water Well: 2628 Grants Lake Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Thompson Chapel Water Well: 4603 Thompson Chapel, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Boulder Oaks Water Well No. 3: 1922 ½ Boulder Oaks Ln, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www.civcastusa.com. Details for the teleconference call-in information will be provided to all plan holders the day before the pre-bid and bid dates. It will be each bidder’s responsibility to ensure they receive the call-in details prior to the pre-bid and bid opening. 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, August 20, 2020, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read via teleconference. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held via teleconference at 9:00 AM on Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Questions regarding this bid must be submitted online to the www. CivCast.com on or before noon, Friday, August 14, 2020.
Questions regarding this bid must be received by August 14, 2020 on or before 5:00 PM. Please contact Stephanie Kaspar, P.E. at Jones|Carter (713) 777-5337.
The City Council will award the contract as provided in the Invitation to Bid. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.
The City Council will award the contract as provided in the Invitation to Bid. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.
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Es norma del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Fort Bend no discriminar en sus procedimientos de empleo por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad, de 1975, según enmienda; y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos de quejas, comuníquese con la Coordinadora del Título IX del programa de educación técnica y vocacional, Meredith.Watassek@fortbendisd.com, 281-6345446, y/o la Coordinadora de la Sección 504 Ronje.Gonzales@fortbendisd.com, 281-634-1242
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Es norma del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Fort Bend no discriminar en sus programas, servicios o actividades vocacionales por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.
El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Fort Bend tomará las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y vocacionales.
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THE STAR
PAGE 6 • Wednesday, August 5, 2020
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
Applications now open Fort Bend chamber set to for FBISD meal program host legislative discussion By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend ISD is accepting applications for the district's 2020-21 free or reduced-priced meals program. The program offers breakfast and lunch meals to eligible students at no or reduced costs to families in need. Families wishing to register for the program must log in or create an account on FBISD's SchoolCafe app, which can also be found online at schoolcafe. com/fbisd. In order to qualify for free or reduced-cost meals, students must meet the following criteria:
-- Household income is at or below the income eligibility levels, or -- Household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR), or
-- Children with the status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant farm worker or displaced by a declared disaster, or enrolled in the Head Start program. Applications will be accepted throughout the upcoming school year, according to the district. FBISD plans to start school Aug. 17. FBISD said parents registering their children must have names of all household members, current income information for each household member, the last four digits of their social security number and the signature of an adult household member verifying the information.
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The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Government Division will host a virtual event with State Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. Kolkhorst, who represents 21 Texas counties, including the west and northern portions of Fort Bend County, will be discussing how COVID-19
★ CITGO 6 FROM PAGE 1 tion into adulthood. Maria Elena Cardenas, Gustavo’s wife and Sergio’s mother, said her son was in hospice care and not expected to live much longer when he last saw his father. Sergio, whose disorder is called mucolipidosis, turned 20 years old last week. “It is hard,” Maria Elena Cardenas said. “But the only thing we can do is keep our prayers and our faith that this nightmare will end soon.” The Cardenas family as well as the others got some renewed hope last Thursday, July 30. That’s when Gustavo and one of the other detained men, Sugar Land resident Jorge Toledo, were released from El Helicoide prison and placed under house arrest. The transfer followed a recent visit to Venezuela by Bill Richardson, the U.S. diplomat and former New Mexico governor who met with Maduro on behalf of the “Citgo 6” families. Maria Elena Cardenas, along with relatives of the some of the other men, said they are taking it as a sign that Maduro could be warming up to the idea of releasing their loves ones. Two of the other detained men, Jose Pereira and Jose Luis Zambrano, also are Katy residents. The other former Citgo executives in Venezuelan custody are Tomeu Vadell and Alirio Zambrano. U.S. Rep. Pete Olson,
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will change the 2021 legislative session regarding flood mitigation, schools,
healthcare and transportation funding. Registration is open for the free event, which is open to the public. Attendees must register in advance through the Fort Bend chamber website, for t b e ndc h a m b e r.c om , or tinyurl.com/TXSenatorKolkhorst. For more information, visit the Fort Bend chamber website or contact Paige Talbott at 281-5662152 or paige@fortbendcc. org.
who represents some of the men and has called for their release, said he is “thrilled” about the recent progress but said he won’t be satisfied until all six of them are back home with their families. “Maybe there’s a crack in that cold, cold heart to let the people go,” Olson said of Maduro. “He knows they did nothing illegal, nothing wrong. It’s all the politics of power.” Neither Olson nor Maria Elena Cardenas nor Carlos Anez, the stepson of Toledo, said they know why only two of the six men were granted house arrest. Anez and Cardenas both said they see it as a step in the right direction, but they remain cautiously optimistic. All six men were moved from prison to house arrest last December, but they were rounded up and returned to prison in February after U.S. President Donald Trump met in Washington with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. “I try not to get my hopes up, because of what happened last time,” Anez said. “But I’m thankful that Venezuelan authorities decided to do this and, of course, very thankful for the effort that Bill Richardson has put into making this happen. Hopefully it’s one step in the right direction.” That sentiment was echoed by Gabriela Zambrano Hill, the daughter of Alirio Zambrano and niece of Jose Luis Zambrano. Even though her relatives remain in a
Caracas prison, where COVID-19 remains a threat, there is hope that they also will be put under house arrest or, better yet, released from custody. Hill said her father was allowed a brief phone call the same night Gustavo Cardenas and Toledo were transferred from prison to house arrest. Hill said she could hear the optimism in her father’s voice, which she took as an encouraging sign. “It’s been so difficult for them,” she said. “They’re trying to keep themselves safe during the pandemic, and there’s been times when trying to keep themselves isolated is incredibly hard for them mentally and spiritually. Having something that looks like a step forward has filled my dad with energy and hope. It makes us at home really hopeful that we’ll see them again soon.” A long-awaited reunion is the “real thing,” according to Maria Elena Cardenas. So she hopes her husband will go from house arrest to freed, which would mean he can leave Venezuela and return to Katy to be with his wife and terminally ill son. The Cardenas family has two older children who live in other cities. “We are really grateful,” she said. “For the first time, we feel like something is happening. And maybe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich
said lethargy and difficulty breathing threatened to hinder his recovery. Even now, Freudenberger said he continues to struggle with recovering the strength that COVID-19 sapped from him, while his wife is slowly building back up her endurance for her weekly exercise classes. But he refused – and refuses – to let it win. “I woke up and said, ‘I’m not going to let this thing dominate my every waking moment.’ My focus was just on today. I was going to take what I had, do the best I could with it, and deal with tomorrow as it comes,” he said. “… Once I got past the idea that this thing could
be my death and would deal with whatever comes, I started to feel better. But it’s not a fun bug to have, I’ll tell you that.” As the CEO of a medical center, Freudenberger sees sick patients all the time. And as the pandemic has continued to impact the Houston region, he said in a video on OakBend’s Facebook page July 30 that their beds have been filled with anywhere from 30-50 COVID-19 patients at any one time over the last few months. But it was different seeing the virus impact himself along with his wife and son, who he said are now both asymptomatic and in good spirits. And as someone who possesses no known underlying health conditions that would make him or his family high-risk patients, yet still caught the virus, he said it remains vitally important to be vigilant. “I’ve seen a lot of people at the hospital you wouldn’t think of as high-risk getting very sick. There’s some genetic things some of us don’t even know about that make us susceptible to the disease,” he said. “Assume anybody in a group of folks might be a carrier – whether knowingly or unknowingly. If I had acted as if one of my sons had the bug, I would’ve insisted we eat outside instead of in the house.” In the end, Freudenberger said the most important factor in his recovery has been focusing on one day at a time and what he needs to do to get better. If that happens, he said, there is a light at the end of tunnel. “Together we’ll get through this,” he said in the video. “And we’ll be stronger for it.”
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
walks with his wife – among other activities – throughout the last several weeks while they self-quarantined. “It takes a positive view of the future to comply with what you have to do. Otherwise you’ll just give up,” he said. “You’ve got to stay positive the whole way through so you do the right things and get better. If you don’t have a positive outlook, you won’t do as well. I literally just made the decision to stop worrying.” However, that mantra was not always easy to live out. About a week-and-a-half following the diagnosis, he
Kolkhorst
THE STAR
See us online www.FortBendStar.com
FBJSL accepting applications for girls teen service league
★ SCHOLARSHIP FROM PAGE 1
From Staff Reports
The Fort Bend Teen Service League membership registration is open through Aug. 28 for all interested applicants according to a news release from the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL). Interested high school girls in grades 9-12 can apply at fbjsl.ejoinme. org/MyPages/2020202 1FBTSLNewandRenew alMembershipRegistrat ion/tabid/1149436/Default.aspx. For more information on the FBJSL’s Teen Service League, email TeenLeague@fbjsl.com.
★ SENIORS FROM PAGE 1 ate of Elkins High School who is attending Emory University in Atlanta, began partnering with the Texas chapter of student-created nonprofit TeleHealth Access for Seniors in July. The organization, which collects camera-enabled devices for elderly patients to access telehealth care, was created in March specifically in response to the effects of COVID-19. Student leaders in 26 states collect, sanitize and donate old phones, tablets and laptops to clinics so they can be given to patients. Donated devices, instructions and free tech-support connect seniors to their physicians via telehealth, friends and family using digital connectivity and wellness tools via apps, according to Yu. “We’re aiming to try and keep elderly people home instead of risking infections and death,” she said. Since its inception, TeleHealth Access for Seniors has donated more than 1,500 devices and worked with 75 community and veterans clinics throughout the country, including the HOPE Clinic in in Houston,
Registration is now underway for the Fort Bend Junior Service League's 2020-21 teen service league. (Contributed photo)
with the help of students like Yu according to their website. Yu said she heard about the organization from a college classmate in the Georgia chapter earlier this year, and believed it to be the perfect combination of her undergraduate focus – medicine and public health – and desire to help her community mitigate COVID-19. Fort Bend County officials have reported 7,287 cases of the infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus strain as of Tuesday. At least 100 people have died from the disease, while 3,497 patients have recovered. About 37 percent of Fort Bend’s COVID-19 cases have been reported in residents who are at least 50 years old, according to the county. “I thought that during the summer I’d have nothing to do, but I really wanted to help with the coronavirus,” she said. “(This cause) was perfect because it involved public health as well as being able to give back to my community.” After collection and sanitization, devices are delivered to various clinics and VA hospitals to distrib-
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 • PAGE
ute to their older patients and veterans, along with a guide created by the nonprofit for the seniors on how to connect and use their new device. “I know that for a lot of seniors, they go in person or the doctors come to their house,” Yu said. “But with the virus going around and trying to limit exposure, I think it’s really important for them to be able to use this instead of having to go in person.” Yu said TeleHealth Access for Seniors is unique in its mission in the sense that anyone can donate in any manner they choose. Whether it’s recycling their unused phone remnants or donating to the organization’s GoFundMe account, it allows Texans and Fort Bend residents to help their vulnerable community safely receive the help they need. For more information on Telehealth Access for Seniors or to donate to the cause, visit telehealthforseniors.org/. “Millions of people have old devices, but don’t really know what to do with them, so they’re just sitting at home,” Yu said. “I think it’s important to give it to someone who needs it.”
“I’ve gone through the process of tackling a chronic disease and fighting to accept myself with a skin condition,” she said. “Throughout this process, the support of individuals and organizations like the Aspire Higher scholarship program have made that fight so much easier.” Students were chosen from more than 200 applications and selected in part due to their essays describing the impact of their dermatologic condition and the role that a dermatologist, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner played in helping to treat their condition. "College and graduate school are already incredibly challenging and demanding endeavors, and living with a skin condition adds to the physical and emotional burden a student must face," Ortho Dermatologics president Bill Humphries said in a news release. "It's inspiring to hear the stories of students who are pursuing their higher education goals.” For Augustine, that person was Dr. Alanna Bree with Children’s House Dermatology in Houston. Augustine praised Bree for discovering her condition. Augustine said the patches first appeared during her freshman year at Austin. And at first, the solution – or so she
thought – was to wear her hair down, put some lotion on the bumps and leave it be. Eventually, however, the bumps grew from the back of her neck to covering her body head-to-toe. Augustine said she initially struggled to accept herself with the skin condition, even before she knew what it was. “I look back, and nobody ever said anything – it just kind of didn’t really exist to my friends or people at school. But for me it was so apparent (in my head) that they thought I was gross and I looked horrible, without them saying anything,” she said. “It was difficult to realize at the time that I was the person thinking it – not them. So I had to move forward from that and understand what I can do to relieve that internal pressure.” As a result, Augustine said she believed she could ignore the condition in a sense by throwing herself into her schoolwork. But after seeing five different doctors over the course of the next year-and-a-half or so, she said Bree finally gave her a name for what she faced at the end of her sophomore year. In that moment, a new hope was born. “She immediately looked at me and told me she knew what I had,” Augustine said. “That was an amazing moment.” Augustine participated in theatre all four years at Austin, and has also
branched out into social justice activism via online magazines and school opinion pieces. She said she has also been more outgoing with both family and friends and has gained more confidence. Academics remain a focus but now come with a healthier personal mindset since the diagnosis, according to Augustine. “I could start to balance my life with it now. I initially thought if I was so smart, people wouldn’t care what I looked like,” she said. “At some point I realized that I can be smart and love learning, but it doesn’t have to be because of the psoriasis. That’s what really helped me move forward and become happier with myself.” With the scholarship money, Augustine is enrolled in a liberal arts honors program at UTAustin as she ponders her career path – which could potentially follow a path toward social justice, film, creative writing or something else entirely. Wherever she winds up, Augustine won’t forget who helped her get there. “(This scholarship) gave me more freedom to figure out what I wanted to do. It gave me a lot of weight off my shoulders as to what I can spend my time looking at what needs to be solved,” she said. “And I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
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Publishing: September 30th, 2020 • Deadline: September 23rd, 2020 CALL TODAY TO PARTICIPATE!
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PAGE 8 • Wednesday, August 5, 2020
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Review: Live Oak Grill still a Sugar Land staple By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Tucked into a cozy nook just north of Highway 90 in Sugar Land, Live Oak Grill has managed to adapt and retain its place as an integral part of the local restaurant scene, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The colorful watering hole serves classic
American and Texas-style favorites and attracts nearby government and school district employees and blue-collar workers from the energy sector. A collage of signage on the walls reflects Live Oak’s character, along with a side of sass and Southern hospitality (for example, one sign warns that “if you have to ask if it’s too early to drink wine, you’re an amateur and we can’t be friends.” I’ll
return to the beer and wine selection later.) Live Oak has its lunch rush down to a science. Its large parking lot was nearly 75 percent full during a recent visit, but its servers were quite helpful (it was my first time at the restaurant) and polite, and I had my order not long after scouting out a place to sit. Having ample seating has never been more important in the era of social distanc-
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Pictured is the shrimp po'boy with a side of sweet potato fries at Live Oak Grill in Sugar Land. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)
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ing, and Live Oak delivers on all accounts, whether you prefer to dine solo on a barstool at counter-height, take a date to a booth or bring a family or group out to the picnic benches in the rear patio (sealed and airconditioned) or the outdoor front patio — which is both pet and kid-friendly. The environment is inviting inside and out, and the quirky garden art and greenery are complements to the rustic, wooden interior. Curbside pickup, takeout and DoorDash delivery is also available. I had the shrimp po’boy and sweet potato fries and opted to pair it with a peach and mango iced tea from the fountain. It is served on a white bun, about 8 inches long, with lettuce, tomato and a spicy mayonnaise.
COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
I asked Live Oak to hold the mayo and was content with a healthy dose of lemon juice. The shrimp was lightly breaded and cooked perfectly. My only gripe was the flimsiness of the bread — a thicker foundation would better support the outstanding mix of flavors and textures between the bun. Choosing a side will either be a no-brainer or perhaps your most difficult decision at Live Oak. You can stick with classic regular sides such as mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes or collard greens, or mix it up with a premium side such as fried okra or onion rings. The menu is extensive and should be able to satisfy both adventurous foodies and tried-and-true
barbecue and seafood lovers. Live Oak also offers a brunch menu from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. And now to the alcohol: If you’re a local beer aficionado, you’ll find a host of Texas brews like Lone Star, Shiner Bock, Shiner Blonde, St. Arnold Lawnmower and Buffalo Bayou 1836. Wine-lovers will have at their disposal a choice between Cabernet, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and White Zinfandel. Happy hour specials run from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and range from $2.50 for beer to $5 for a margarita or glass of wine. An important note – alcohol orders are dine-in only at Live Oak. Masks or face coverings are required for entry. Follow Stefan Modrich on Twitter @StefanJModrich
Live Oak Grill
Address: 12935 Dairy Ashford Rd., Sugar Land Hours: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday Entrée prices: $6.99$24.99 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Healthy options: None Star of the show: Shrimp po’boy
Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.
FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the cancellation of several community gatherings, please check with each organization for updated information about the status of their events. JULY 1-31 HOPE FOR THREE GRATITUDE CHALLENGE Hope For Three, Autism Advocates invites you to its Gratitude Challenge 2020. The virtual event, set for July 1Ð 31, will use the social media platform, Facebook (@hopeforthree), but will also appear on Instagram and Twitter. The purpose of the challenge is to help autism families, supporters and followers to foster an attitude of being grateful in their daily lives. Each day, a suggestion and an empowering quote/word, will be posted on Facebook. Participants are then encouraged to implement, as well as, comment on their experience. For more information, visit, like and follow Hope For three at @hopeforthree or email hope@hopeforthree.org. Information regarding programs, events and volunteer opportunities can be found at hopeforthree.org. FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS Fort Bend Ð Harris Retired Educators are Zooming! Monthly virtual meetings will be held by Fort Bend- Harris Retired Educators beginning in August. Members will be invited by email to our kick-off meeting held on Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. You will receive an email with meeting ID # and a password from fbhres@gmail.com. If you have not yet joined, please send your check for $45 made out to FBHRE to Cathy Duvall, Treasurer, 7131 Trailbrook Dr. , Sugar Land, TX 77479. $35 is sent to Austin for state dues and $10 goes to our local unit. If you have recently retired and are interested in joining, please send request to cmduvall@aol.com HOPE FOR THREE STRIKE OUT AUTISM The first-ever Hope For Three Virtual “Strike OutÓ Autism jersey auction is underway. Now through Aug. 16, you can bid on your favorite Sugar Land Skeeters custom autism jersey on the Live Source App. The Virtual Auction, sponsored by Fred and Mabel R Parks Foundation, is part of, the 8th Annual “Strike Out” Autism Family Fun Event, which was cancelled in April due to the pandemic. Sugar Land Skeeters will don the custom-made autism jerseys, courtesy of OCuSOFT, Inc. Aug. 16 when they take on
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the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Hope For Three Family Assistance Program. For details on how you can participate and win, visit hopeforthree/events. ALBION HURRICANES FC AHFC has multiple campuses in and around Houston, including Sugar Land. The club invites all interested players from ages of 7-18 to contact the campus director about team placement. Interested players should pre-register before coming out. Visit albionhurricanes.org/afhcstaff for contact information. EXCHANGE EXCHANGE, AmericaÕ s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@ reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about! SIENNA CRAFT/SEWING GROUP Sienna Craft/Sewing group. Meets every Tuesday from 10-noon at Sawmill Clubhouse in Sienna Plantation. We sew, crochet, knit, needlepoint, etc. contact Livia Erich at 281-5433524 or liviaerich@yahoo.com for additional information. DAV CHAPTER 233 MONTHLY MEETING 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. 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.
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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. 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 281413-2484. AMERICAN LEGION 271 MEETING We meet the first Thursday of every month at the Post Hall, 4520 Hwy. 36 in Rosenberg. A covered dish meal is served to members at 6:30 p.m. followed by meetings at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-341-9966. AMERICAN LEGION 294 MEETING Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Old Hickory Inn BBQ, 3334 FM 1092, just north of Highway 6 in Missouri City. For more information, please call 713376-7295. ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP Caregivers of patients with AlzheimerÕ s disease or other related dementias are invited to attend the first Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at St. JohnÕ s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson St. in Richmond, across from the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 713-314-1313 or 1-800272-3900. 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.
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