The 02-28-24 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Fort Bend ISD board members voted unanimously Monday to allow the board’s three-member audit committee to begin a process to audit the district’s $1.26 billion bond program, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in May 2023.

The item, put forward by board member and audit committee chair Rick Garcia, did not include the firm that will conduct the audit or a total price tag. Garcia

said the committee would be meeting in the next week with a vendor to refine the scope of the work to be performed before coming back to the board for full approval. Garcia said the information might be ready for the board to discuss at its March 4 agenda review meeting.

The move is a result of the unexpected news that the board received in January that the bond program, the largest in the district’s history, was projected to have a $136.2 million cost overrun, less than a year

after voters approved it and before most of the work had begun. At at specially called meeting on February 5, executive staff told the board members that the overruns stemmed from rom two major issues. First, they said, new estimates of the bond program’s projected costs, based on such factors as total square footages of campuses, that an outside consulting firm, PBK, that had been sent to a former

In what has become an annual tradition, Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman and City Manager Mike Goodrum offered a tag-team-style “State of the City” address before a packed ballroom at Sugar Land Marriott at Sugar Land Town Square, on Friday, emphasizing a message of “change” to the area’s movers and shakers.

Much as they did last year, the pair extolled the virtues of Sugar Land

in order to remain attractive to prospective residents and businesses. During last year’s presentation, the two laid out a vision for the city being a “trailblazer” for the future,

The

Sugar Land Branch Library to host program on Texas Revolutionary War soldiers on March 9

In recognition of Texas History Month in March, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sugar Land Branch Library will present a program for teens (grades 9-12) on “Soldiers of the Texas Revolution” on Saturday, March 9, from 2-2:45 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 550 Eldridge.

Young Audiences of Houston Arts Partner and historical re-enactor John Keahey will talk about the clothing and equipment of typical Texian settlers. The diversity of the Texian’s clothing is contrasted with the elaborate European-style uniform of a Mexican foot soldier.

The program will highlight the struggles of the typical early Texas settlers and the volunteers who fought for independence from Mexico with a glance into their daily lives.

Keahey attended his first Living History reenactment in 1961 and began competitive shooting with Civil War-era black powder weapons in 1964. He participated in the American Revolution Bicentennial from 1975 to 1983 and began making his first reproductions during this period.

Following a long career as a petroleum geologist, Keahey followed his avocation for history and founded his own company in 1995, making

reproduction clothing and compiling artifacts for museums and individuals. He began speaking on historical topics to schools and other history-based organizations.

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Sugar Land Branch Library.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www. fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Sugar Land Branch Library (281-238-2140) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Zimmerman and Goodrun extolled a series of achievements they said exemplified the city’s progress since last year, including its Great Homes program which provides monetary incentives for residents to make home refurbishments, plans to redevelop the Imperial and Lake Pointe districts, new cultural attractions like the recent Honeyland Festival, and City Council approval of a request by Pulte Homes for the city to annex 950 acres in its extraterritorial district for future residential development.

“As we move at this rapid pace, we’re not changing just to change,” Zimmerman said. “Instead, we are intentionally moving forward on a journey to an exciting and thriving future.”

As with last year, the pair’s talk was interspersed with a series of highly produced videos featuring City Council members and city staff talking about the city’s services and offerings,

senior employee of the district as early as December 201, when the district was beginning to plan for the bond. The former employee had not shared that information with anyone else in the district’s executive team, staff members said. That former employee left the district in October 2023, months after the bond package was passed, for a position in the private sector. Since the last meeting, the former employee has denied the allegations,

all stressing the “change” theme.

“We know that the decisions we make today contribute to the legacy we leave for generations to come, and we are excited to be bold and visionary,” Zimmerman said.

“Embracing our pathway to change is more than a list of accomplishment,” Goodrun added. “It’s a mindset. Without being driven by the spirit of innovation, these accomplishments will mean

according to a lengthy statement from board President Judy Dae read at Monday’s meeting before the vote.

Aside from the faulty cost factors, staff has cited inflation in the construction field and other factors for the projected overruns.

While Monday’s vote was meant to be fairly straightforward, several board members evidenced concern over whether they were voting to approve the audit itself or simply giving the audit committee permission to begin the discussion with vendors. Legal counsel said the vote authorizing an audit was required before

very little.”

They mayor cited the city’s most recent citizens satisfaction survey, in which 97 percent of respondents said Sugar Land was an “excellent” place to live. But to continue that status, Goodrun said, the city needs to be place “where innovation is second nature, where creativity is encouraged, and change is embraced.”

The event was hosted by the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce.

that discussion could begin. In other business, the board voted 6-1 to accept a resolution, discussed at an earlier meeting, to reject state funding to allow chaplains to serve as paid counselors in Fort Bend ISD schools, in lieu of professional counselors. The Texas Legislature last year enacted a law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, allowing for such funding. School districts across the state were required to hold a record vote before March 1 on whether to accept the funds. Board member Sonya Jones was the dissenting vote on Monday.

Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman speaks to a capacity audience at the annual “State of the City” event. Photo by Ken Fountain

Historical re-enactor John Keahey will present a program on the daily lives of Texas Revolutionary War soldiers at the Sugar Land Branch Library on March 9. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

Lunar New Year Celebration

Photos by Ken Fountain

Hundreds of people celebrated the last day of the Lunar New Year at a festival held at Tang City Plaza in Missouri City on Sunday. Visitors sampled a variety of Asian dishes, heard from public of cials, and enjoyed a variety of artistic performances representing many Asian countries.

Young lion dancers from the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center perform.

Young members of the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center perform.

Members of First Dance Tai Chi perform at the festival.

Young members of WATPA Buddhism Meditation Center perform a Thai candle dance.

Members of FASCA (Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors) perform a Taiwanese fan dance.

Members of the North America Youth Chinese Orchestra perform.

Rachadaporn Sawaengkit prepares traditional Thai seafood pancakes.

LYNN ASHBY

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

HE FRONT PORCH

T– Time to change flags. I take down my Marine Corps flag and put up my Texas Lone Star flag because we are now entering our own High Holy Days, that time between Texas Independence Day (March 2) and the Battle of San Jacinto Day (April 21). It might be time to peer into one of our state’s great mysteries: How did Davy die? And does it matter?

Or for you newcomers:

Who cares? Let’s set the stage on the death of Davy Crockett beginning with the Alamo diary. It was written by an officer on Santa Anna’s staff named Jose Enrique de la Pena,

Being a Crockett scientist

and is quite unflattering to the general. If Santa Anna had been wandering by de la Pena’s tent one night and asked, “What are you writing there, Jose?” it would have been the end of a promising military career. The diary had been auctioned in 1998 for $350,000, which is quite a bit more than the original Spanish mission cost. (As an aside, two anonymous, competitive bidders kept upping the price, not knowing that each one planned on giving the diary to the UT-museum.)

The chief interest in the diary is its recounting of how Davy Crockett died. De La Pena wrote in his diary, “Some seven men survived the general carnage and, under the protection of General Castrillon, they were brought before Santa Anna. Among them was the naturalist David Crockett, well-known in North America for his unusual adventures.” Santa Anna was furious and berated Castrillon, saying that he, Santa Anna, had ordered there be no prisoners taken. He demanded they be killed. Several of his officers and men refused, but others

jumped to the job “. . . and with swords in hand, fell upon these unfortunate, defenseless men just as a tiger leaps upon his prey. Though tortured before they were killed, these unfortunates died without complaining and without humiliating themselves before their torturers.”

This adds one more version of how Davy died. Indeed, there have been so many versions that an entire book was written on the subject, called, naturally enough, “How Did Davy Die?” by Dan Kilgore (Texas A&M Press). He cites de la Pena’s account and those of six other Mexican soldiers who backed up that version. Others recount that some defenders were captured, but do not mention Crockett by name. Sam Houston wrote to James Fannin that seven men survived but were murdered on Santa Anna’s order, but again, Davy is not mentioned by name. After the Battle of San Jacinto, a physician with the Texas Army, Dr. D.N. Labadie, was treating the captured Col. Fernando Urissa, Santa Anna’s aide, who told of a man called “Coket” being captured.

Others, including respected historians, believe Crockett died fighting. All we really know is that he died in the Alamo about 6 a.m. on March 6, 1836. (Unless you want to believe the story about his being found years later as a prisoner working in a Mexican salt mine.) But wait. “He fought hand to hand. He clubbed his rifle when they closed in on him and knocked them down with its stock until he was overwhelmed by numbers and slain. He fought to his last breath.” That comes from Enrique Esparza, whose father, Gregorio, was an artilleryman with the Texans. Enrique was 12 when he and his family joined their father inside the Alamo. No one has ever disputed his version of the other events. Indeed, being so young at the time of the battle, he probably outlived everyone else involved in the battle and in later years was considered the grand old authority on the Alamo. Here is another story which raises the possibility that Crockett died in the fighting: After the battle, Santa Anna ordered Francisco Ruiz, the alcalde or mayor, of San Antonio, to point out

the bodies of Travis, Bowie and Crockett. That makes no sense if Santa Anna had just ordered Crockett ‘s execution. In later testimony, both Mrs. Susannah Dickinson and Joe, a man enslaved by Bowie, who were inside the compound during the fray, said Davy had died while fighting.

In John Wayne’s 1960 movie, “The Alamo,” Davy dies after a lance was thrust into him and, as a last heroic effort, Davy throws a lighted torch into a power magazine and blows up several Mexican soldiers. In the 2004 version with Billy Bob Thornton, Davy is captured, but warns Santa Anna, “I’m a screamer.” before being slain. A new book out, “Forget the Alamo,” is a putdown of the entire saga and its so-called heroes. It probably says Davy tried to surrender the mission even before the battle. This story is probably not over because new evidence about the Alamo keeps popping up. The Alamo flag wasn’t found until 1934. Proof that Moses Rose fled the fight wasn’t found until about the same time. Now there is some suspicion that the de la Pena diary is a forgery. Somewhere, in

some attic, there is a yellowed letter about Davy’s last day that will pop up and the whole fight will resume. But does it matter? James Shackford, Crockett ‘s biographer, sums it up best: “Too much has been made over the details of how David died at the Alamo. Such details are not important. What is important is that he died as he had lived. His life was one of indomitable bravery; his death was a death of intrepid courage.”

So the legend lives on, and with skyrocketing prices. I mean, $350,000 for a diary whose authenticity is in dispute? Those two Texans who paid that much clearly thought they got the straight skinny on the Alamo, for it remains an intriguing story about intriguing people. In one of his last interviews, John Wayne was asked if he would like to have actually been any of the many characters he played. Wayne, suffering from lung cancer, looked out to the Pacific Ocean from his beachfront home, thought for a moment and said softly, “Davy Crockett.”

Ashby solves mysteries at ashby2@comcast.net

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

By Mark

“What goes up must come down / Spinning wheel got to go round / Talkin’ bout your troubles / It’s a cryin’ sin / Ride a painted pony / Let the Spinning Wheel spin” - Blood, Sweat and Tears, “Spinning Wheel”

I’ve always been fascinated by this band and this song. Its references to Spinning Wheels and painted ponies were metaphors for our human lives, caught up in a

Acouple of weeks ago, Bob Edwards died. Those of you who like me are longtime listeners to NPR (National Public Radio) know Bob was the original, longtime host of the network’s “Morning Edition” program. I first got to know him when I was reintroduced to NPR as an adult near the end of my hitch in the U.S. Navy, listening while commuting from my apartment in south San Diego to my ship based on Coronado Island. (I first got to know NPR as a gawky teenager when it aired a 13-part adaptation of “Star Wars”. True story.)

Bob, who was from Kentucky, had a mellifluous voice and a delivery style that was somehow both warm and sardonic, which I really enjoyed. He’d begun his radio career as a teenager, and I only just learned

full cycle of melodramatic activities that seem like a merry-go-round. Said songwriter David Clayton-Thomas, “I wrote the song in an age when psychedelic imagery was all over lyrics. It was my way of saying, ‘Don’t get too caught up because everything comes full circle’”.

The tune is also a brave marriage between psycherock and, amazingly, swing jazz. Part of my fascination is due to my disagreement with Mr. Clayton-Thomas. There are obviously things that I doubt will ever come back into any hint of glorious high-profile comeback. PTL network. Pet rocks. The Archies.

Last Tuesday, I was driving down Highway 6 to Star Cinema in Missouri City with my 28-year-old son. We were heading to see the Bob Marley biopic “One Love”. For some reason, the subject of

Spinning wheels

Billy Squier came up. Squier was an early ‘80s pop rocker with a shrieky voice and infectious guitar hooks. But in the end, video DID kill the radio star. After the release of his music video for “Rock Me Tonite”, his career died. Even the dude’s girlfriend warned him. In that grotesque video, he’s shown flopping around on some bland bedroom set. He writhes. He twitches. He seems to dry heave. He tries to dance, but looks more like a spastic potato chip bag on a windy day. It’s cringe-worthiness at its worst. I related that slice of history to my boy. Then I stopped in wonder. “How do you know Billy Squier?” I asked. He gave me an unexpected twoword answer. “Guitar Hero”. I’d always thought he heard my generation’s music via me: my car radio, my garage boom box, my home CD system. He went on to tell me how a simple video game flushed him

with some of the best music from the ‘70s to the ‘90s. He was the residual downstream market that not only sampled our music, but came to embrace it.

I was born in 1964. My youth was spent during the 1970s and ‘80s. I started high school the year John Lennon was killed. My sweet spot musically would unfold 40 years ago, and yet my tunes are part of his musical vocabulary to this day. That means that 40 years before my favorites arrived, the country was wrapped up in Dixieland and the jazz of the roaring twenties. I never listened to that stuff. Never met anyone who did.

A few years back, my daughter went crazy for ‘80s British artist Kate Bush. I found that monumentally arbitrary since I mostly knew Bush through her collaborations with Peter Gabriel, and an occasional appearance

on MTV. When I asked, my 32-year-old daughter said she first heard Bush on an episode of “Stranger Things”, the streaming series about kids battling monsters. Apparently her voice struck a chord with countless young people in a brief fury of reclamation.

The opposite is also true. My girl got me hooked on “Shameless”. And the diverse soundtrack on that show consistently perked my ears with off-the-beaten-path bands that I’d never known or sampled. A quick trip to ITunes introduced me to some incredibly diverse artists, and a new universe of cool sounds. I now have at least a dozen examples on a special playlist. What’s happening now has opened everyone to new possibilities. No lightning there. But most cultural interests, including music, have departed the river of mainstream

Weighing the options

that like me, he had been a military journalist, serving in the Army in Seoul, South Korea during the Vietnam War era. A few years later, he landed a job at the fledgling public radio network, where he remained for about three decades.

In the early 2000s, NPR inexplicably removed Bob from his role as host of “Morning Edition,” a few months shy of what would have been his 25th anniversary with the program, and reassigned him as a “special correspondent.” Not long afterward, I saw him at a book-signing event for his biography of one his own journalism idols, legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. During his discussion with a moderator, he evidenced a little anger, in his sardonic style, at NPR, and shortly afterward he left the network to start a new program at a satellite network. I occasionally caught a weekend version of that program on the local NPR affiliate.

Shortly after his death, at age 76, the great NPR interview program “Fresh Air” ran a tribute featuring a couple of interviews he’d done with host Terry Gross.

In it, he discussed the long arc of his career, touching at one point on covering politics. He said he had always, even as a young boy,

been interested in politics. but not in participating in it directly. Paraphrasing a bit, he said, “I wanted to be part of the conversation, and journalism seemed to be a way to do it.”

That quote really struck home for me, especially at this moment. I think it perfectly encapsulates how many of us who are drawn to journalism careers feel about politics. It can be fascinating to watch up close, but we don’t necessarily want to be TOO close.

Most of my journalism career has been at the very local level, covering city and county governments, occasionally state-level politics and congressional races. I’d been away from it for several years before taking this role at the Fort Bend Star. And in the year-andchange since, I’ve had quite a reintroduction. Politically speaking, Fort Bend may be one of the most interesting spots in the country right now, as it undergoes significant shifts in demographics, population density, economic bases, and the like. We’ve discussed these shifts before, so I won’t belabor them here.

Right now, of course, we’re in the midst of the primary elections, in the run-up to the national election in November. And that means we’re casting ballots

in many races at the local and state level. That also means that there are lot of candidate forums going on, a handful of which I’ve been able to cover in person.

It’s been ... interesting taking in these events again after a long break. Both by personal inclination and professional obligation, I’m fairly moderate in my outlook. I do try to earnestly listen to candidates’ statements without prejudgment and to convey their positions as accurately as possible in my coverage. It can sometimes be disorienting to encounter the emotions engendered by politics, whether it’s from the candidates, their supporters or those who are opposed to them. The forums I’ve seen have been of various formats, and the organizers have been uniformly professional in working to keep them civil, even when occasionally things begin to get testy. In one instance, an audience member affiliated with one of the candidates got into an open debate with another candidate, resisting the efforts of the organizers to follow the event’s format. In my recent reporting travels, I’ve heard rumors of intra-party disinformation campaigns and the like. For those of us who still have a “Schoolhouse Rock”

view of how government should work, it can be disappointing to encounter these things, but perhaps not terribly surprising. As we know from our history classes, they’ve been part of the fabric of politics since, well, forever. Many sages over the years have said that nasty politics is the price we pay for not having civil wars. More recently, however, it has seemed like America might be closer to civil war, or at least widespread political violence, than it has in many, many years. Thankfully, we’ve not seen anything of that level in Fort Bend. There have been reports of some very ugly references to some candidates’ religious affiliations (something I addressed in an earlier column) and vandalism of campaign signs. But there have other events that are kind of refreshing. At one candidate forum I went to - which, sadly, saw only two of the several announced candidates in attendance - those two opponents actually had nice things to say about each other and even posed for a photo with their arms over each others’ shoulders. The discussion was largely about policies and qualifications, with no hint of personal animus. At all of the forums I’ve at-

markets and methods of distribution into tributaries of independent creations and interests. Did anyone know such unexpected streams would ever be important? Popular? Exist?

At our fingertips exists the entire world. You can find Nigerian folk beats, and Latin salsa death metal. You can find Korean techno dance pop and ‘40s big band synthesized scores with modern breakdowns. That’s incredibly powerful, and way better than a visit to Tower Records. Our technology has brought it all around. Spinning Wheels.

Next week on Column Veggies: How a freak from Beaumont pulled off the greatest television performance on British television Garay, a retired television news professional and Sugar Land resident, can be reached at MarkGaray426@ gmail.com

tended, that’s largely been the case. This kind of good behavior should be rewarded. Someone once said that we get the democracy we deserve. In a presidential election year in which the two major parties’ candidates seem all but predestined, many people who are not the most partisan will likely sit out the primaries. That’s a shame, since it means important choices are being made by a very small slice of the voting population. Besides, the presidential race is only a part of the story. There are many important local races in contention, and the winners will be making very critical decisions about the issues that most directly affect our own lives.

Early voting continues through Friday, March 1, with Election Day on Tuesday, March 5. Learn more about polling places and times at fortbendcountytx.gov/government/ departments/electionsvoter-registration. You can find the League of Women Voters of Fort Bend Voters Guide (in English and Spanish) and other information at fortbend.lib.tx.us/fortbend-county-voters-guide. Get out there.

Fountain weighs his options at KFountain@fortbendstar.com

•

Lord my God, I put my trust. My hope is in you all day long.”

HOPE FOR THREE TEEN HUDDLE

Is revving up for its annual Car Wash for Kids sponsored by Sugar Land Baptist Church and OCuSOFT on Sunday, April 7th, at C & C Dental, 17003 SWF, Sugar Land from 10 am to 2pm. Student volunteers promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for their autistic peers. Donations from this FREE, Eco-friendly, waterless car wash impact local families. This Eco-friendly car wash is free, but donations are welcome. Ready to lend a hand? We need volunteers ages 12 and over. Choose from two shifts or stay all day. Volunteer now and be part of something meaningful. Register today at www.hopeforthree. org/events.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

OF FORT BEND

The League of Women Voters of Fort Bend, a nonpartisan organization, will provide voter registration and education events prior to the Feb. 5 deadline to be a registered voter in the March 5 Primary election. Locations, dates, and times include: (1) Wednesday, 1/24 -- Fort Bend YMCA, 4433 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City 7:30am - 12:30pm and 5 - 7pm; (2) Thursday, 1/25 -- First Colony Library 3:30 - 5:30pm; (3) Sat., 1/27 -- Cinco Ranch Library 10:30am - 1:30pm and University Branch Library 11am - 2pm; (4) Tuesday, 1/30 and Wednesday, 1/31 -- WCJC Sugar Land, Brazos Hall, 9am - 2pm; (5) Thursday, 2/1 -- ThriftWise, 501 Hwy 90E, Richmond -- 10am - 1pm. Register to vote, update your current voter registration, and get nonpartisan voting information at any of these events, or contact lwvfortbend@gmail.com.

NO HOCUS POCUS IN MUSIC MAGIC CLASS FOR

6 & 7-YEAR-OLD BOYS!

Young boys need music in their life for mental, physical and emotional growth and the best place to receive quality music instruction is with the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas! They offer Music Magic, an eight-week music enrichment class for six and seven-year-old boys. The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, currently in its 42 nd season, brings music alive with the use of movement, musical games, singing and other child-centered activities. Boys learn about pitch matching and rhythm awareness in addition to developing large muscle coordination, increased focus and better musicianship. Music Magic helps boost brainpower, sparks creativity and forges strong connections with others. No auditions are necessary for the class – just a love of music and singing! Serving as Music Magic director is Founder and Artistic Director William R. Adams who leads this class on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., beginning March 19 and ending May 14 at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City. Music Magic will then sing at the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 18! Classes are limited in size so please call the choir office at (281) 240- 3800 to pre-register or visit their Music Magic web page at https://fbbctx.org/our- programs/music-magic/. Be sure to stop by their Facebook page for the latest on the Fort Bend Boys Choir's Music Magic class and the organization's public performances.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718

For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com.

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281785-7372 for more information.

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, nonpolitical, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www. ftbendliteracy.org.

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY

SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO

HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195.

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.