The 05-15-24 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Magistrate

rules Fort Bend ME can be sued in homicide ruling case

A Houston federal magistrate judge ruled this month that Fort Bend County Judge KP George and his colleagues on Commissioners Court cannot be sued by a Sugar Land woman who claims that the county’s medical examiner wantonly delayed making a manner-of-death ruling in her husband’s purported suicide, only to much later rule that the death was a homicide.

But the magistrate ruled that Dr. Stephen Pustilnik, the medical examiner, is not entitled to “qualified immunity” in Yvette Atkinson’s claim that he made a false ruling of homicide in retaliation for her and her brother’s efforts to try to get Pustilnik to make a ruling.

In the civil lawsuit filed in December 2022, Yvette Atkinson states that her husband, Simon, died of a gunshot wound at their home on June 5, 2020. A forensic pathologist performed an autopsy within days and “found no evidence of foul play,” the complaint states. Likewise, the Sugar Land Police Department investigated and “quickly concluded that Mr. Atkinson died of suicide,” according to the complaint. According to the complaint, Atkinson likely was depressed

because of business problems in the wake of the COVID-10 pandemic and the ensuing economic shutdown.

But when Yvette Atkinson’s brother, Steven Sanchez, paid a visit to the Pustilnik’s office of medical to ask why he had not yet made an official ruling, it quickly turned into a “heated argument”, according to the complaint. Sanchez wanted to find out when a ruling would be made so that his sister could collect the proceeds from a $1 million life insurance policy she needed to keep her husband’s business afloat and support her teenage son, according to the complaint.

That set off a series of confrontations between Sanchez and Pustilnik, whom the complaint accuses of delaying making a ruling in the case or even holding an inquest for more than a year “for the most petty and inhumane reasons,” the complaint states. Sanchez also tried to get George and members of Commissioners Court to intervene in the matter.

New FBISD board president Tassin pledges ‘a new day’ for district

Newly elected Fort Bend ISD board president Kristin Tassin vowed on Monday that she would work toward bringing a new era of trust, accountability and cohesion to a board and a district that has seen its fair share of turmoil in recent months.

“Today starts a new day in Fort Bend ISD,” Tassin said shortly after a newly constituted board voted unanimously for her to serve as president at Monday’s regular board meeting. Tas-

sin previously served on the board, including as president.

“This board is collectively committed to serving our community in a way that is reflective of the excellence for which Fort Bend ISD is accustomed.”

Tassin said she pledged “to work to restore respect and professionalism inside and outside the boardroom towards my fellow trustees, the superintendent, teachers, staff, parents, and the community at large. The time

MCTX ChalkFest

See Page 3 - for more photos from the ChalkFest event

through April 17. Their recommendations follow:

Sugar Land City Council last week reviewed a final report and recommendations from an independent group of residents who served on the city’s Charter Review Commission.

The city’s charter is a document that provides the foundation for governance in Sugar Land. This includes provisions for a council-manager form of government, legislative authority of City Council, general elections provisions, finance provisions and several other areas outlining the governance of Sugar Land.

Members of the commission included Chair Daniel Harris, Bob Barbour, David James, Tara Mascarenhas, Lesley Nichols, Neel Patel and Ashish Vyas. The commission held six public meetings from Jan. 24

• The commission recommends that the charter be amended to reduce maximum length of a franchise to no more than 25 years.

• The charter currently authorizes City Council to regulate the rates, charges, fees, operations and services of any person, utility or entity providing water, wastewater, electricity, natural gas, telephone, telecommunications, cable television, taxicab, bus, solid waste, transportation, or similar service to the public within the city. The commission recommends that “taxicab” and “bus” be deleted as they are encompassed within “transportation.”

• The commission recommends adding language making it clear that every third year there will be no election.

• The commission recom-

mends that the “resign to run” provision in the charter be amended so that it applies to all positions and not just public offices other than City Council. The commission suggests that if a member of the City Council becomes a candidate for election to any public office, such candidacy shall constitute an automatic resignation of the city office then held and the vacancy thereby created will be filled in accordance with the provisions of the charter.

• The commission recommends extending the term of judges to four years and

Alexus Rendon of Channelview draws an image of a tiger during the third annual MCTX ChalkFest on Saturday. Photo by Ken Fountain

Wiki image

Newly elected Fort Bend ISD Position

president. Photo by Ken Fountain

for pettiness, infighting, accusations and name-calling is passed.”

“I pledge to work to move us forward in a positive way, and I ask my fellow trustees to do the same,” she said. “Our district and most importantly our students deserve better and they need us to do better.”

Tassin, an attorney and businesswoman, was elected on May 4 by a plurality of voters to the Position 6 seat, defeating incumbent Kristen Davison Malone and two other candidates.

Adam Schoof, a U.S. Army veteran and peace officer, was elected, also by plurality, to the Position 2 seat held by former board president Judy Dae, who chose not to seek reelection.

Along with choosing Tassin as board president, the new board voted unanimously to appoint Position 3 trustee Rick Garcia as vicepresident. The board voted 5-2 to reinstate Position 7 trustee David Hamilton as board secretary, with Position 4 trustee Shirley Rose-Gilliam and Position 1 trustee Angie Hassan voting against.

Monday’s events began with a special meeting canvassing of the votes confirming Tassin’s and Schoof’s wins, followed by the official departures of Dae and Malone. And while there was some evidence of the ill feelings that have embroiled the board since the ouster late last year of former superintendent Christie Whitbeck in what was framed as a mutually agreed retirement and her replacement by Marc Smith, the board members remained uniformly civil.

Smith and the remaining board members thanked both Dae and Malone for their service to the district, even if the praise was sometimes not as

effusive from some members.

Asked by Dae if she wanted to offer any departing remarks, Malone paused briefly before making an often emotional statement.

Malone had been deeply enmeshed in the controversy over Whitbeck’s departure and Smith’s hiring, even filing a complaint with the Texas Education Agency alleging collusive behavior by some board members.

“It’s been an honor to serve the district that gave so much to me,” said Malone, who grew up attending Fort Bend ISD schools. She recounted how she began as a trustee at the height of the COVID pandemic and listed many of the district’s achievements since, including the passage last year of a record bond referendum and a voter-approved tax rate election aimed at giving raises to teachers and other staff members.

“We’ve positioned ourselves in a better place than we were before,” she said.

“To Mrs. Tassin and to Mr. Schoof, congratulations,” Malone said. “I look forward to you all serving on this board and to the continued success of Fort Bend ISD, this beautiful beacon of hope.

“To Dr. Smith, I wish you much success, sir,” Malone said to the superintendent. “My hope is for the school district to remain stronger and better, and for all of

you to continue to focus on doing what is truly best for children.”

For her part, Dae said she was “very happy” to be able to spend more time with her family and friends.

“I really appreciate the opportunity the community entrusted in me,” said Dae, who grew up in China. “I made a commitment three years ago to serve on this board and make a difference.

I wasn’t really clearly aware when I made that commitment really means. If it’s three years, it feels like six.”

Dae noted that one of the earliest, and most difficult, votes she made on the board was to institute a mask mandate during the pandemic.

“Serving on the school board is a very difficult thing,” she said. “There are a lot of difficult decisions to make, and each one of us, we have to make what we believe is the best decision based on all the information we have.”

“For that reason, I’m asking the community to please be more understanding to this new board, to appreciate everything they do, and believe the best interests of the children, in this district (in mind),” she said.

Following the election of the new board officers, the meeting shifted into regular business, beginning with a budget update from district staff.

713.371.3600

George Memorial library to host flamenco guitar performance on May 18

Fort Bend County Li -

braries’ George Memorial Library will host a special live performance of flamenco jazz guitar music on Saturday, May 18, from 2-3 p.m, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

Library patrons will be treated to flamenco guitar music performed by John Acevedo. Inspired by artists such as the Gypsy Kings, José Feliciano, and

In January 2023, almost a year-and-a-half after Simon Atkinson’s death and a month after the lawsuit was originally filed, Pustilnik made his official ruling that the death was a “homicide.” That ruling contradicted a November 2021 letter in which a Sugar Land police detective wrote that the agency believed the deceased died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Last year, a Sugar Land spokesman told the Fort Bend Star that the department had not changed its stance on the manner of death.

In the motion to dismiss the case filed on behalf of Pustilnik, assistant county attorney Rolf Krueger argued that Yvette Atkinson’s claims of First Amendment retaliation and equal protection fail on the merits, and that she failed to state a plausible claims of violation of due process or that she was subjected to “seizure” when a justice of the peace ordered her to attend an inquest that Pustilnik convened more than a year after Simon Atkinson’s death.

Krueger also argued that Atkinson herself delayed the proceedings by refusing Pustilnik ‘s request to turn over all of the ammunition in the house for a firearms

Ottmar Liebert, Acevedo has taken the traditional sounds of flamenco music and developed a contemporary kind of music that may be considered flamenco jazz or nouveau flamenco. He has been composing and playing the guitar for more than 30 years. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib. tx.us), or call George Memorial Library (281-342-4455) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

test he intended to perform himself. In the complaint, Atkinson and her attorney argue that Pustilnik had no reason to perform such a test and that he in fact was not qualified to do so.

In a separate motion to dismiss, Kruger argued that George and the members of Commissioners Court are entitled to qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that gives wide latitude to public officials in the performance of their duties.

In a May 2 opinion and order, U.S. Federal Magistrate Andrew Edison writes that Yvette Atkinson “states a First Amendment retaliation claim for Dr. Pustilnik’s refusal to finalize her husband’s cause of death, and thus satisfies the first prong of the qualified immunity inquiry.”

Later, Edison writes that Pustilnik “argues that even if his actions violated a constitutional right, he is entitled to qualified immunity, as there was no clearly established authority which stands for the proposition that ‘making a false manner of death designation on a spouse’s death certificate, is actionable under the First Amendment.’ This is simply not true.” Edison writes that it is “clearly established that public officials cannot retaliate against citizens for their speech.” He adds that under Texas law, it is a Class

C misdemeanor for a person to refuse or fail to provide a correct death certificate.

“Accordingly, Dr. Pustilnik is not entitled to qualified immunity for Ms. Atkinson’s claim that he retaliated against her by falsely designating the manner of her husband’s death as homicide.”

But the judge did rule against Atkinson’s claims that Pustilnik violated her due process rights with regard to the life insurance policy and that the violated her Fourth Amendment rights to be free of unreasonable seizure by having her appear at the inquest. Although Atkinson had moved to quash a subpoena to appear at the inquest, she ultimately agreed to appear of her own volition, the judge notes.

Edison later writes that Atkinson failed to state a sufficient claim that George and the members of Commissioners Court violated her fights by failing to properly supervise Pustilnik in the performance of his duties. In a separate order, Edison gave Pustilnik until June 5 to file a new pleading responding to Atkinson’ complaint with regard to her First Amendment retaliation claim. A trial date will not be set until the judge makes final rulings on the pretrial motions.

Flamenco guitar artist John Acevedo will perform at the George Memorial Library in Richmond on May 22. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries

Newly elected Fort Bend ISD Position 2 trustee Adam Schoof, right, is sworn in by 458th District Judge Chad Bridges.

Photo by Ken Fountain

With outgoing Fort Bend ISD position 6 trustee Kristen Davison Malone looking on, Superintendent Marc Smith presents a ceremonial gavel

The third annual MCTX ChalkFest

Photos by Ken Fountain

Last weekend’s dicey weather didn’t keep the third annual MCTX ChalkFest from gong ahead at the Missouri City Recreation & Tennis Center on Saturday. Street artists from around the greater Houston area and beyond participated in the event, which had been rescheduled from March. Stormy weather, however, cut the event short on Sunday.

The completed work by New Orleans artist Lionel Milton, which conveys the diversity of the area.

Youngsters color a community drawing at the MCTX ChalkFest.

Melissa Hayes of Sugar Land draws an image of a tiger.

Featured artis Lionel Milton of New Orleans paints a live mural on a trash receptacle outside the Missouri City Recreation & Tennis Center. The work, which will remain a permanent artwork for the city, is meant to signify the area’s diversity, Milton said.

Kimberly Herring (“Chalk-o-nista”) of Cypress draws an image of a colorful frog.

Daniel Rychlik of Stafford draws an image of a falcon.

Nasha Scott draws an image of a woman during the MCTX ChalkFest.

EDITORIAL

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

HE CHECK-OUT

TLINE – “That’s fifty-five forty-seven,” says the clerk. At this point the lady in front of me starts digging in her purse to find her check book. I seem to have some time on my hands so I look around to see if there is anything to read. Ah, here’s a magazine. “Scientology’s Evil War on the Cops!” “Brit Begs Sam to Save Her!” “Jennifer Aniston Looking for Mr. Right!” What I don’t read is: “Trump Pays Hush Money to Porn Star.” Oh, no wonder. It’s the National Enquirer. This is the world of tabloid journalism, although actually there is no way we could call it journal-

ism. It’s sensational and usually totally fictional reports. They have come to recent public notice because of the National Enquirer’s program of “catch and kill” in which that paper buys a story and then doesn’t run it to prevent any other publication from running it. In this case, two separate accusations that former President Donald Trump had affairs with two women, not his then-wife, were purchased by the National Enquirer and dumped to protect Trump. First, we must be sure of what we mean by tabloid. Many newspapers are broadsheets, such as the Houston Chronicle and The New York Times. Other papers are tabloids, which are half the size, such as the New York Post, the Daily News and Newsday in New York. We also have the supermarket tabloids. You know, when waiting in line to check out at your local grocery store you see the racks of tabloids. These wild publications used to be found in bookstore news racks alongside Time and Texas Monthly and such, but by the 1970s they were found only at the checkout lines at your Randall’s. By the 2010s

SECTION 00010

ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS

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

Water Well No. 4 Generator Replacement (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 2:00 P.M., June 13, 2024 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

Bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577

In general, the Work consists of furnishing and installing a new natural gas generator to replace the existing standby generator at Owner’s Water Well No. 4.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call.

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

Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

the main producer of tabloid weeklies was American Media, Inc., which published some of the most-popular tabloids. Those included the National Enquirer, the Globe, and the Star, which ran stories on Hollywood stars and other American celebrities, gory crimes and just made-up scare stories.

“Headless Body in Topless Bar” -- The New York Post’s front page on April 15, 1983.

The tabloids we have today actually began in Britain. In 1900 Alfred Harmsworth, founder of the Daily Mail in London, started the first modern tabloid newspaper, The Daily Mirror. Going for the mass market, the paper printed crime stories and celebrity gossip. By 1909 it was selling a million copies per day. Soon the other such tabloids sprang up. In circulation, their Sunday papers had a combined circulation of roughly 10 million. The papers sported a bright red logo at the top of Page1 and thus were called Red Top Tabloids.

About as close to a supermarket tabloid I came was when I worked at the late and lamented Houston Post. In 1983 it was purchased from the Hobby family by a group of Canadians who owned several tabloids. They brought

in one of their editors whose prior jobs included bartending. He re- designed our conventional front page layout to one resembling their owners’ Canadian tabloids, still a broadsheet but with –one guess – a bright red logo at the top of Page 1 and lots of big headlines. Houston is a culturally conservative town which doesn’t go for such blatant bravado. Changing the layout of their morning newspaper was like changing the name of their children. We lost thousands of readers. Within a short time the red logo disappeared and the Post returned to its traditional look.

“Bible Prophecies That Just Came True!” As with many newspapers across the nation, these sensational tabloids are in trouble. With few exceptions, most major tabloids failed to get on board with the digital world. Some have been sold for a fraction of their previous value. In the 1990 the National Enquirer had a circulation of around 4 million. It’s now about 100,000. It took five years of trying before the National Enquirer was sold for “an undisclosed amount.” Still, some supermarket tabloids have had their day. In 2007, the Na-

tional Enquirer revealed that John Edwards, then a candidate for president, had fathered a child with a campaign worker. That ended Edwards’ campaign. In 1987 Gary Hart sought the Democratic presidential nomination and was widely viewed as the front-runner until reports surfaced of an extramarital affair. Hart basically dared the press to catch him in the act of infidelity. The National Enquirer obtained photos of Hart and model Donna Rice on a Florida yacht called “Monkey Business.” So much for President Hart.

I once interviewed an attorney general of Mexico and asked, “Why do Mexicans keep selling drugs to us?” He answered, “Because you Americans keep buying.” I couldn’t think of a quick retort. So we must ask these tabloids how they stay in business while publishing such ridiculous stories? They do it because millions of Americans buy them.

“Hollywood Beauties Who Admit to a Nose Job!” Legit news organizations never pay sources for news, but the National Enquirer does. They call it “checkbook journalism.” And they reward their friends and

punish their enemies. As noted, tabloids came to the public spotlight with that magazine’s love and handling of Donald Trump. The National Enquirer ran countless articles saluting Trump and castigating his opponents. Before the 2016 primaries: “Hillary Gains 103 lbs!” “Hillary Six Months to Live! Cruel Bill Forces Her to Stay on Campaign Trail!” A rival for the GOP presidential nomination was a doctor named Ben Carson. The National Enquirer ran a totally made-up a story that Carson had left a sponge in a patient’s brain. The biggest non-scoop was: “Ted Cruz’s Father Linked to JFK’s Assassination!” OK, the National Enquirer is in trouble, so we need to fill the vacuum. “HPD Loses 260k Cases!” Or: “Lite Gov Patrick, Judge in Paxton Impeachment Trial, Takes $2 mil From Paxton Supporters!” Or: “Guv Abbot Forbids COVID Masks: 92,378 Texans Die!’ How about: “Astros $95 Mil Pitcher Has 6.50 ERA!” “New HISD Boss Brings Chaos to Schools!” Nah, nobody would believe such outlandish stories. . Ashby inquires at ashby2@ compact.net

SPORTS

Space Cowboys drop final game against Oklahoma City

By Amanda Perry

The stars were out in Sugar Land for the Space Cowboys (2514), but they could not shut down the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (23-16) as they dropped the final game of the series 7-4 at Constellation Field Sunday afternoon. Houston Astros RHP José Urquidy (L, 0-1) took the mound on Major League rehab against Oklahoma City

and retired the first three batters he saw, including a pair of strikeouts. In the second inning, Urquidy allowed a lead-off home run to Andre Lipcius but recovered to send down the next three in order. Urquidy was taken out with two gone in the third inning after giving up a two-out walk and two hits that put Oklahoma City ahead 3-1. The Astros righty went 2.2 innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs while throwing 46 pitches with 28 strikes. He struck out three batters and walked one.

The Space Cowboys jumped out to a lead in the first when Jesús Bastidas singled on the first pitch he saw from RHP Landon Knack (W, 2-1) and stole

Meeting on US 59 bridge over Brazos River slated for May 22

Staff Reports

The city of Sugar Land will host a meeting on May 22 where staff from the Texas Department of Transportation will be available to discuss the upcoming U.S. Highway 59 bridge project over the Brazos River.

The information meeting is planned from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd North.

The three-year project is

scheduled to begin later this month and will address public safety concerns caused by river erosion.

Existing abutments (the points where the bridge ends) will be relocated away from the future threat of erosion. The work will occur in several phases and require alternating closures of the U.S Highway 59 main lanes and frontage roads over the Brazos River.

The city will share TxDOT’s lane closure noti-

fications, and on-site digital message boards will be used to update motorists. Residents are asked to be mindful of work crews, expect traffic delays, and, when possible, avoid the area to prevent traffic congestion.

For more information, visit its.sugarlandtx.gov for real-time traffic updates, the city project web page at sugarlandtx.gov/IH69BridgeProject and TxDOT project tracker at txdot.gov/projects/ project-tracker.html.

second base. Knack struck out the next two hitters but walked Cooper Hummel to put two men on for César Salazar, who ripped a single to right, scoring Bastidas to make it 1-0 Space Cowboys. RHP Ryan Gusto came on in relief for Sugar Land and pitched a clean fourth and fifth inning before loading the bases up in the sixth for Oklahoma City’s Miguel Vargas, who took a changeup from Gusto and sent it over the left-field wall for a grand slam, extending Oklahoma City’s lead to 7-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, David Hensley got the Space Cowboys right back in it, knocking an opposite-field three-run home run after Will Wagner singled and Hummel walked to bring the Sugar Land deficit to 7-4. Hummel’s two walks on the day extended his on-base streak to 15 games.

The Space Cowboys threatened in both the eighth and ninth innings, putting two on in both frames including a double from Chas McCormick in the ninth, but LHP Matt Gage (H, 2) and RHP

Michael Petersen (S, 3) held on to get the final outs and gave Oklahoma City the win in the final game of the series. Sugar Land Space Cowboys games can be heard on ESPN 92.5 FM or online at https://player.listenlive. co/47381 and seen on MiLB. TV, MLB.TV and Bally Live.

Perry is a writer for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. This article is used by permission.

The city of Sugar Land will host a meeting on May 22 to discuss their upcoming U.S. Highway 59 bridge project over the Brazos River. Courtesy City of Sugar Land

Fort Bend Symphony takes a triumphant 'tour' of Europe and Asia

By Ken Fountain

I’ve mentioned before that I served in the U.S. Navy during my younger years. Almost the entirety of my enlistment was spent aboard the USS Ranger, an aircraft carrier based in San Diego. During my hitch, I made three six-month deployments in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, hitting ports all over Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and even the exotic locale of Vancouver, Canada.

My wanderlust has never left me, even though I have spent the better part of the time since I mustered out in and around Southeast Texas.

My plan of becoming a globetrotting journalist never quite panned out.

But on Saturday evening, our very own Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra gave me and others a chance to take a tour of much of Europe and Central Asia, courtesy of their “Travel Postcards: Pictures at an Exhibition” concert at Clements High School.

This was the first time I’d seen the orchestra perform outside its regular season

home, the Stafford Centre. But the stage of the school’s mammoth auditorium was more than spacious enough for the orchestra, and they filled the room with a big sounds throughout the evening.

I must admit, I didn’t know most of the pieces performed, save for one, which I’ll discuss later. All the better, since I always find a classical concert most interesting when it includes music I’ve never heard before along with some old favorites. As always, FBSO music director and lead conductor Dominique Røyem provided pithy descriptions of the pieces along the way, helping the audience to orient themselves in time and space.

The concert opener, led by assistant conductor Bill Tackett, was “Swedish Dances No. 1-7” by German Romantic composer Max Bruch. In all honesty, aside from yodeling, I wouldn’t know Swedish music from Swedish meatballs, but the selections were indeed very lush in the Romantic tradition, and the orchestra performed the suite very well indeed.

Next up was Russian composer Alexander Borodin’s “In

the Steppes of Central Asia,” a tone poem which he dedicated to his friend, Franz Lizst. As explained by Røyem, it weaves together two themes, based on the folk music of Central Asia and Russia, in its depiction of a caravan making its way across the steppes. That intermingling of the themes is very effective and was played with gusto under Røyem’s baton.

The first half of the concert closed with another Russian composer, Nikolai RimskyKorsakov, and his “Fantasia on Serbian Themes,” yet another piece with which I was unfamiliar. But as with all of the pieces up to this point, the themes woven throughout conveyed a historical connection to the folk melodies of Central Europe that we’ve all heard in various movies and such.

After a brief intermission, the orchestra returned to the state to perform the second half’s single work, the monumental “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Even if you think you don’t know classical music, it’s likely you know at least some parts of this work, as they often appear in many other contexts. Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky wrote it

originally for piano and violin in 1874 after attending an exhibition dedicated to a single, recently deceased artist at the Imperial Academy of the Arts in Saint Petersburg (then the capital of Russia).

The piece is kind of narrative depicting the composer’s walk through the museum and taking in ten paintings by the deceased artist. Each of the movements captures the mood of the particular painting (as Røyem explained, not all of the paintings have survived).

Connecting the separate pieces is a theme titled “Promenade,” the most famous part of the composition, as the viewer moves through the various museum galleries. Although originally written for only two instruments, many composers over the years have orchestrated the piece for full orchestras. The most famous of these was written by the famed French Romantic composer Maurice Ravel, and this was one one performed at Clements High School. When a single trumpet began with the “Promenade” theme, slowly joined by the rest of the ensemble, I knew that the audience was in for a treat.

As mentioned, the piece is monumental and is usually played by much larger orchestras. But our orchestra performed it with aplomb, especially at the end, when the “Promenade” theme is transformed into the triumphant final movement, usually translated as “The Great Gate of Kiev” (which has particular resonance at this geopolitical moment). There was one disappointment with the concert, but it wasn’t a musical one. While the audience was very attentive during the performance, it was somewhat sparse. I’m not sure if this is typical for the orchestra’s performances outside the Stafford Centre.

Perhaps people were hesitant about the weather, or perhaps they hoped to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. But the Fort Bend Symphony is a great part of our area’s burgeoning cultural scene, and it deserves the support of the community. The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will close out the current season on June 2 with a concert titled “Echoes from the Cathedral” at First United Methodist Church Missouri City. According to the website, it will feature “stunning works from various religious traditions, spanning from the Renaissance to the present day.” Learn more and purchase tickets at fbso.org/ upcoming-events.

Members of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra prepare for their “Travel Postcards” concert at Clements High School on Saturday.

Photo by Ken Fountain

ONGOING

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

CONCERT HONORS FALLEN HEROES

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land presents “A Night to Remember” on Sunday, May 26, at 7:05 p.m. The patriotic concert features a brass band, Grammy winning singers, ballet dancers and a 30-member chorus. The concert takes place in Sugar Land Town Square, in front of the City Hall Façade. Bring a chair and join us!

“A Night to Remember” is FREE and open to the public. Canned food donations are encouraged for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Summer camp 2024 Guide Guide

CAMP OLYMPIA

MISSOURI CITY

Day, Sports Ages: 4 - 14

Dates: June 10 - Aug. 2

Cost: $220-$310 weekly

$250 (beginning April 1)

$275 (week of camp) 7100 Knights Court www.olympiatx.com

FORT BEND

FAMILY YMCA

Academics, Art, Day, Sports Ages: 5 - 15

Dates: May 30 - July 28

Cost: $75 per session, per child 4433 Cartwright Road www.ymcahouston.org

i CODE

Academics, Art, Day Ages: 6 - 18

Dates: May 29 - Aug. 2

Cost: $279 - $459 weekly 4899 Hwy. 6, Ste. 113C www.icodeschool.com/sugarland117

STAFFORD

CLASS 101

Academics

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Cost: $800 (6 week course)

Ages: 13 - 17

$3,999 (college planning) 609 Dulles Ave., Ste. 500 www.class101.com/sugarlandtx

STUDY DORM

Academics

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Ages: 6 - 17

Cost: $150-plus weekly 609 Dulles Ave., Ste. 500 www.mystudydorm.com/ summer-camp-houston

SUGAR LAND

ART CAMPS AT CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL

Art, Day Ages: 5 - 16

Dates: March 12 - 16 (Spring Break) May 28 - Aug. 18 (Summer)

Cost: $204 $569 weekly 3219 Hwy. 6 www.cordovanartschool.com

ELDRIDGE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

Academics, Sports

Ages: CHESS MEDICAL 5 - 16; SOCCER 4 - 14

Dates: June 24 - July 26

Cost: $160-$493 weekly DATES AND PRICES VARY BY CAMP. 2511 Eldridge Road www.sugarlandtx.gov

IMPERIAL PARK RECREATION CENTER

Sports Ages: 4 - 17

Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2

Cost: $132 - $438

AGES, DATES, AND PRICES VARY BY CAMP. 234 Matlage Way www.sugarlandtx.gov

INSPIRATION STAGE

Art, Day Ages: 4 - 16

Dates: May 31 - Aug. 4

Cost: $210-$285 weekly 2210 Lone Star Drive www.inspirationstage.com

PINE COVE

Art, Day, Night, Sports Grades: 1 - 6

Dates: June 24 - 28

Cost: $359 weekly 13223 Southwest Freeway www.pinecove.com

SPANISH SCHOOLHOUSE

Spanish, Day, Sports Ages: 3 - 8

Dates: June 3 - July 26

Cost: $245 (two days), $649 ( ve days) 1120 Soldiers Field Drive www.spanishschoolhouse.com