Pecan Harvest Festival draws crowds to Richmond - Page 4
Sugar Land native Wu, 19, competes in global science competition
By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sugar Land native Isabella Wu, a 19-year-old freshman at Rice University, is one of just 30 students worldwide selected as a semifinalist in the prestigious Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global science competition.
To reach this stage, Wu created a video explaining how the hormone leptin regulates hunger – and how ignoring the body’s fullness cues contributes to obesity. The topic is especially timely as the holiday season encourages eating in abundance. Wu’s video can be viewed at youtube.com/ watch?v=_b37w-gVfTo.
“I was really interested in nutrition growing up, and I wanted to find a video topic that was applicable to everyone,” she said. “I was thinking about different questions that people kind of think of on a daily basis, like ‘why does everyone feel full?’ It’s actually due to a hormone called leptin.”
A self-professed foodie, Wu credits her passion for food as the spark that led her to explore the science behind feelings of fullness and nutrition. Her video was produced over the summer, with Wu handling scripting, animation, and editing herself before submission in September.
Now, Wu is competing in the Popular Vote Challenge. Online voting ended December 9. Afterward, there will be 15 finalists chosen and then a final winner.
The winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship; $100,000 is awarded to the student’s high school and $50,000 to a teacher of their choosing. Wu has already selected hers – Clements High School biology teacher Caitlin Zuber.
Wu grew up in Sugar Land, attending Fort Settlement Middle School and graduating from Clements last year. At Rice, she is studying biosciences and is also interested in exercise physiology or sports medicine. If she wins, Wu says the scholarship would help
By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The African Children’s Choir will perform on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Creekside Christian Fellowship in Needville.
The choir, part of the Music for Life charity, has spent 41 years helping Africa’s children today so they can help build’s Africa future.
“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” said Tina Sipp, choir manager. “These concerts not only provide hope and encouragement to our audiences, but they offer the children life-changing experiences that help shape them into future leaders.”
This year’s 25-state tour – the 54th choir to visit the U.S. – began in September and runs through May and includes about eight Texas performances. After their stop in Needville they will go to San Antonio. Texans get a special treat:
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The 2026 race for Fort Bend County Judge, which already had gained intense interest, grew even more heated last week when Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy announced that he would be running in the March 3 Democratic primary. Election filing for many of the county’s elective offices, as well as state and federal representatives, ended Monday evening. McCoy made his announcement in a splashy video on his campaign website and on social
media. His virtually last-minute announcement puts him in the running against previously announced Democratic candidates 434th District Court Judge J. Christian Becerra, Sugar Land Municipal Court Associate Judge Rachelle D. Carter, U.S. Army retiree Ferrell Bonner (who ran unsuccessfully against KP George in the 2018 Democratic primary), and political consultant Muzzammil Sajjad.
On the Republican side, the candidates for the county’s top elected office include incumbent George (who switched his party
affiliation in June in the midst of several criminal indictments), former Sugar Land City Council member Daniel Wong, certified public accountant Kenneth Omoruhi, and real estate agent Melissa M. Wilson. Jim Narvios, a Sugar Landbased attorney, is running as an independent.
McCoy had served as George’s chief of staff before winning election to the Precinct 4 seat in 2023 after defeating incumbent Ken DeMerchant and
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE BEND
the choir’s lineup of Christmas music for the holiday season. The event is free to attend, with donations encouraged. Creekside Christian Fellowship is located at 16628 TX-36, Needville.
What can the audience expect?
The children’s performances, held four times a week, showcase a vibrant blend of traditional Ugandan costumes, African rhythms, and English hymns. Each concert, which includes a video storytelling component, is an energetic 80-minute program that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish.
This year’s choir comprises seven boys and 10 girls, all at the primaryschool level, ranging from first to third grade. The children stay with host families during their tour. “I want to bring up is just the
cover the high cost of tuition at Rice.
Exploring leptin and obesity
Leptin was discovered just 30 years ago.
“I thought fullness was controlled by glucagon or insulin,” she said. “Learning that leptin does this – and that leptin resistance is tied to 90% of obesity cases – was shocking. I thought it was really important and crazy, that nobody had taught me that before, and I really wanted to share that.”
Globally, obesity affects over a billion people, and Houston has an obesity rate of about 35%, with Fort Bend County slightly lower at 30%, the lowest in the metro area.
Her video also touches on rapamycin, a protein which is being studied for its potential to reverse leptin resistance. Wu hopes the video will help viewers better understand the science behind hunger and metabolism – and the impact of diet on long-term health.
Inspired by “The Abstract”
Wu’s interest in science communication began with her YouTube channel, “The Abstract,” where she explains complex topics in an engaging, animation-driven style. The Breakthrough Challenge felt like a natural extension of her channel.
another candidate, Neeta Sane, in the Democratic primary.
Since taking office, McCoy has made a name for himself championing progressive policies while also serving as a lighting rod for criticism from some quarters in a county that was once largely red but has become increasingly purple in recent years. McCoy, who is Black, has also led the effort to bring a new Black Cowboy Museum and an African-America Heritage Monument to Bates Allen Park in the historic Black community of Kendleton. He has also had a public falling-out with George,
his former boss, especially over the highly contentious, Republican-led redistricting of county commissioner precincts this year.
McCoy joins a growing list of candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties vying in next year’s race for County Judge, including George, who faces several criminal charges.
In another highly watched race affecting Fort Bend County, former Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable Trever Nehls (who lost to George as a Republican in the 2022 race for County Judge) is joined by geophysicist Rebecca Clark in the Republican primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Trevor Nehl (Trever’s brother) in the 22nd District, which
includes much of Fort Bend County. Troy Nehls, who has held the seat since January 2021 and was reelected twice, announced over the Thanksgiving weekend that he would not run for reelection.
Former Texas Rep. Jacey Jetton, who earlier this year had said he was considering a run for county judge, briefly flirted with running for the 22nd District seat before bowing out.
Iowa Colony Mayor Pro-Tem Margarette Green-Scott is the most prominent Democrat to announce her candidacy for the District 28 seat. Demille James has announced a run in the American Independent Party.
very quickly, like within six months, they have learned the whole program.”
She has also drawn inspiration and support from local peers. Emily Efendy, a friend from Clements who is now at Harvard University, and Rice University friend Chetan Yenigalla, who was also a 2024 finalist, have provided encouragement and advice.
Local support can make the difference
Wu credits her family, teachers, and peers for support throughout the process and hopes her project inspires others to explore the science
“When I was actually starting my YouTube channel, I found it really hard to understand research, and I really wanted to introduce these, like difficult science concepts that I found really interesting to other people in a really fun and easy way,” she said.
behind daily life, especially nutrition and health.
“I just want people to learn about leptin and leptin resistance,” she said.
“Understanding how our bodies work is empowering – and I hope I can represent Fort Bend County well.”
Last month, she returned to China – where her family is from – and filmed the opening scene of her video at an elegant restaurant. “It reminded me how different food culture is there,” she said. “Meals have so many vegetables and fewer carbs than typical American food. It tied back beautifully to my project.” Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND PARTIES:
Verti-Crete Houston, LLC, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for: Issuance of Permit 176289. This application would authorize construction of a specialty concrete batch plant located at 953 Pheasant Valley Drive, Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas 77489., This application is being processed in an expedited manner, as allowed by the commission’s rules in 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 101, Subchapter J. Additional information concerning this application is contained in the public notice section of this newspaper.
importance of the church and the host families in this whole process,” Sipp said. “We just couldn’t do it without all these churches standing with us and are so grateful to Creekside Christian. They’re just the warmest, most generous, hospitable church, and just want to give a shout out to them standing with us for so many years.”
Organizing a nine-month tour
The choir was created to support children from families that value educa-
tion but cannot afford it. In Uganda, boarding schools are common, so when a child is selected to join the choir, it means their schooling, housing, food and care are fully provided. For many parents, it is a blessing and a relief.
The children attend African Children’s Choir primary school, then go on to the secondary school Empower International Academy.
“It’s more a selection than an audition,” Sipp said. “We can teach the children anything that they need to know for the actual performance. They pick up the dancing and the singing and the drumming and all of that
Local staff working with the charity announce when the choir is recruiting, and that’s when the selection process begins. They speak with families to ensure the children truly come from households in need.
“We interview these families and find out who we can best help,” Sipp said. “And then as they go through the process, we make the offer to invite them to the choir. I don’t know if anybody’s ever turned it down because you’d have free education through college. It’s just kind of like a miracle, right?”
The children fly from Uganda to the U.S., first meeting at the choir’s North Carolina base, Mirembe House. (Mirembe means ‘peace.’) There, they get ready for the tour before boarding a coach bus to visit cities and churches.
Sipps said the organization takes pride in showcasing the dignity and potential of African children, countering the often-undignified images people may have grown up with. She said that their success over 41 years has only been possible because thousands of churches, host families, and sponsors have stood with them to ensure these children have the chance at an education. Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.
Sugar Land resident Isabella Wu, a 19-year-old Rice University freshman, is one of 30 semifinalists worldwide in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global science competition. Here she is seen during a recent visit to China. Submitted photo
prepared before the next power outage.
Dear reader: We erred in reporting that “Sgt. Jonathan Cumquat was court martialed for desertion, treason and giving aid and comfort to the enemy.” Sgt. Cumquat was not court martialed but honored by an Army court for “best-made bunk”. His comfort to the enemy charge should have read “confronted the enemy” for which he received the Medal of Honor. The desertion and treason charges were dismissed due to confusion with a Pvt. John Cumquat. Otherwise we stand by our story.
A typographical mistake, made by a drunken editor, Charles Mongoose, who was promptly fired, read: “The Aaron Burr Elementary School was burned to the ground after the science teacher, Ms. Liz ‘Three Fingers’ O’Hara, allowed her first graders to experiment with napalm.” The fire was actually caused in Ms. O’Hara’s meth lab.
Several readers have brought to our attention that the capital of Texas is not Pecos but Pampa.
The obituary of Sean “Knuckles” McNasty erroneously reported that McNasty “died of natural causes.” Further inquiries deter -
Community Reports
This holiday season, Fort Bend County Libraries is offering a variety of festive programs and events! From performances to crafts and everything in between, check out the many holiday programs happening in the month of December throughout Fort Bend County.
Week of December 8
• Thursday, December 11
▪ 11 am: Terrell Elementary Choir Holiday Performance (All ages), George Memorial Library
▪ 3:30 pm: Hot Chocolate/ Cookie Mix Jars (Teens & Adults), Mission Bend Branch
▪ 4 pm: After-School Break: Slime, Snow, and Hot Cocoa (Grades K-5), Albert George Branch in Needville 4 pm: Holiday Book Ornament (Teens & Adults), Cinco Ranch Branch
By Maya Sela, Aryan Jain, Lance He, Rayhan Jhanj, Angela Peng, M.D.
Presbycusis might just be the most common type of hearing loss you’ve never heard of. Over time, you might catch yourself or those around you saying “huh” a bit more than usual. Agerelated hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a type of slowly progressing hearing loss affecting both ears. It is estimated to affect nearly 65% of adults age 71 or older in the US – a number that increases to over 90% in individuals over the age of 90. While those affected by this type of hearing loss may feel alone in the silence, presbycusis is far from rare. Understanding just how prevalent it is makes it important to look at how it happens. As with your muscles, joints, and eyes, aging causes general stress on the body. Unfortunately, the ears are no exception. Hearing relies on specialized cells in your ear called hair cells, which detect, amplify, and transform sound waves into electrical signals that travel to the brain. With age, hair cells gradually deteriorate. Hearing babies crying, birds chirping, or alarms ringing can be especially challenging with presbycusis, as the cells responsible for detecting high
EDITORIAL A kneed for korrectshuns
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
mined that McNasty died after a brief discussion with a member of a rival group of motorcycle club debaters, “Python” Pumpernickel. The diseased died after incurring six stab wounds, several bullets from an AK-47 and lacerations to the head from a bottle of Bud. We apologize to McNasty’s fellow Banditos, but wouldn’t it be natural to die after all of that?
Sgt. Rocky Truncheon is not, as we reported, “a defective in the police farce.” Sgt. Truncheon is a detective in the police farce.
We would like to respond to our reader(s) about the growing number of errors, omissions, unattributed quotes and interviews we have tried to correct in our weekly column, Duh’s Schadenfreude Follies! Let’s put this in perspective.
Our alert readers who fail Breathalyzer street tests, are fired for embezzlement and neglect to make their child payments, take great glee in pointing out a misprint in our fishing report. Doctors call their mistakes “cadavers.” Lawyers call theirs “inmates” and diplomats refer to their screw-ups as “wars.”
We won’t even get into the mistakes made by our stock brokers (“Enron is a buy”) and local TV weather forecasters (“Pay no mind to Harvey”). A baseball player who makes an out three times out of four, hitting .250, is considered a superstar and gets a multimillion dollar contract. Yet newspapers are the only place where our mistakes are published for all to read. We are not being defensive, just whining. Remember, as we wrote in last week’s edition, “To quote Pope Alexander, ‘To err is human. To forgive, divine.’” Although we now understand it was Alexander Pope, not Pope Alexander. We apologize for the typographical errors, or what we in the trade call simply “typos.”
The entire sports department has been let go due to illness and exhaustion: the readers were sick and tired of their ineptitude. Our fea-
ture, The Score Board, was right on target with 4-5, 9-3 and 1-0, etc., but should have included the teams’ names. A typo is at fault for our calling it the “Super Bowel” and our local high school football team, the Fightin’ Wombats, came “marching in” not “mincing in.” In our list of obituaries, or “obits” as we call them in the trade, we mistakenly listed under “Recently Died” all members of the City Council, although most readers agreed.
A few of our bylines somehow got messed up. The article in our Religion Section was not written by “Good Lord Almighty!” That was a notation in the margin by a copy editor who noted the reporter referred to “Judas the Chariot.” The food editor is not Sal M. Nella. That was an inter-office prank pulled off by a jealous coworker. In our Letter From Washington, a ratification is not a large rodent. We regret the error. Also, an article by our automotive editor, Rex Fender-Bender (“Why Waymo Driverless Cars Need Windshield Wipers”) made no sense.
Before you think we at the Daily Duh are alone in embarrassing mistakes, let
us point out that it is an industry-wide situation. These are actual headlines, like this one from the Pittsburgh PostGazette: “Forecasters Call for Weather on Monday.” Or this from the McClatchy New Service: “State population to double by 2040, babies to blame.” How about these from other papers: “Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop – Find Guns.” And: “Man Accused of Killing Lawyer Gets New Attorney.”
To be fair, we at the Daily Duh have had our own recent problems. The headline reading “Mayor to Streak At Concert Bare” should have read “Mayor to Speak At County Fair.” Likewise, the headline about a beautiful sunrise at an outdoor revival (“Dam Breaks –Thousands Killed”) was not quite accurate.
The correct wording should have read “Dawn Breaks –Thousands Thrilled.” We still don’t know why the recipe for chicken-fried steak insisted that the steak be fried by a chicken. In that same section, it is easy to mix up possum and poison. We hope the matter can be settled out of court. Our bad.
We received this scrawl in Crayola from a reader: “Yew fake knews anti-Kristian
preverts are tryyin to lye to Amerika. Kan’t yew git enythang rite? My brothur was etten bye hawgs. Not dawgs.” We always appreciate corrections from such sophisticated and intelligent readers. This brings us to the subtle nuances of a reader’s own political views rather than actual mistakes. Our editorial, “Flowers Are Nice,” was interpreted by some as either supporting marijuana or a “commie-pinko” objection to destruction of the White House Rose Garden. The editorial, “Support Our Police,” generated this from a reader: “Typical liberal media screed.” The message was delivered in a forceful fashion: attached to a brick thrown through our front window. But on the positive side we now have an excellent collection of bricks.
Last week we quoted William Randolph Hearst as saying, “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, your readers might like it.” We aim to make our readers like it. Unfortunately, we attributed the quote to Pope Alexander. In the trade we call that “journalism.” Ashby makes mistooks at ashby2@comcast.net
• Saturday, December 13
1 pm: Cookie Catapults: A Merry STEM Challenge (Grades 48), Cinco Ranch Branch
Week of December 15
• Monday, December 15 ▪ 7 pm: Winter Reads & Festive Tunes: Exploring Holiday Ebooks & Audiobooks, Missouri City Branch
• Tuesday, December 16 ▪ 10:30 am: Jackson Elementary School, Jackson Jammerz Performance (All ages), George Memorial Library
• Wednesday, December 17
▪ 6 pm: Teen Craft: Felt Poinsettias (Grades 9-12), Mission Bend Branch
• Thursday, December 18 4 pm: Creative Connections: Snowflake Art (Grades 4-8), Missouri City Branch 4 pm: Special Program
- The Santa Surprise! (All ages), Albert George Branch in Needville
• Friday, December 19
▪ 10:30 am: Senior Series: Holiday Social (Adults), University Branch 2 pm: Special Youth Program: Winter Crafting Party!
(Grades K-5), Sugar Land Branch 2 pm: Winterfest (All ages), Missouri City Branch
• Saturday, December 20 10:30 am: Winter Holiday Jam with Andyroo! (All ages), University Branch
▪ 11 am: Carols in Gloucestershire pre -
sented by Katy Flutes (All ages), Cinco Ranch Branch 11:30 am: Creative Connection: Winter Makers Workshop (Grades 4-8), Mission Bend Branch 11:30 am: Winter Holiday Jams: Open House (All ages), University Branch 1:30 pm: Winter Holiday Jams: Fort Bend Brass Holiday Concert (All ages), University Branch
2 pm: Winter Open House (All ages), First Colony Branch
• Monday, December 22
2:30 pm: Creative Connection: Holiday Card Making (Grades 4-8), George Memorial Library
▪ 6 pm: Sugar Land Sings Chorus (All ages), Mission Bend Branch
• Tuesday, December 23
▪ 10:15 am: Special Youth Program: Crafts,
Cartoons, Cookies (All ages), Cinco Ranch Branch
▪ 2 pm: Winter Puppet Palooza (All ages), Mission Bend Branch ▪ 2:30 pm: UNO Annihilation: Candy Cane Chaos (Teens), Missouri City Branch Week of December 30
• Tuesday,
frequencies of sounds are more likely to experience agerelated damage. Focusing on sounds in restaurants, crowds, or other noisy settings may also become more difficult with presbycusis. While some degree of hearing loss can be age-related, this doesn’t mean that it’s completely out of your hands. You can slow down the process by avoiding exposure to loud noises – concerts, construction equipment, and fireworks are just some examples. But when these en-
vironments are unavoidable, wearing protective devices, like earplugs, is an evidencebased method to preserve your hearing. Moreover, living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise can help preserve hearing while improving overall health. Now you might be wondering, how do I know if I or someone close to me has presbycusis? While the most notable symptom is simply not being able to hear well, other signs include difficulty
with high-pitched sounds (alarms, birds, children speaking), needing to turn up the television or phone volume, trouble understanding speech in noisy places, or experiencing ringing in your ears. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider, who can screen you for hearing loss. A formal diagnosis is then made by an audiologist or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, who can also guide you through
treatment options. Hearing aids are the mainstay of treatment for presbycusis. Although there is no cure, hearing aids help optimize your hearing by amplifying specific sound frequencies, like turning up the volume with your TV remote. Newer hearing aids can even filter out background noise, making certain sounds clearer and easier to discern.
Learning about the symptoms, signs, and causes of presbycusis is an important step in connecting with the
world, much of which relies on hearing. With treatment options continually improving, a diagnosis of presbycusis does not have to mean living in silence.
Editor’s note: Rayhan Jhanji, Lance He, Maya Sela, and Aryan Jain are students at the Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Angela Peng served as the senior author for this article. This column is for informational purposes only. Always consult a physician for medical advice.
Pecan Harvest draws thousands to downtown Richmond
By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In Fort Bend County, the weeks leading up to the holidays are filled with craft fairs and gift markets – but none quite as beloved as the annual Pecan Harvest Festival. This year’s celebration on November 22 brought nearly 4,000 people to historic downtown Richmond, where vendors lined the streets with everything from pecan brittle to pet accessories.
“The Pecan Harvest Festival is intended to celebrate and recognize the impact pecan growers (professional orchards and interested individuals) have had in Fort Bend County for years,” said Larry Pittman, president of the Richmond Rotary Club, which has been organizing the festival for the past 10 years.
Texas AgriLife Pecan Show Awards
This year’s Pecan Show Awards drew 59 entries.
The Commercial Division winners were Bernie Brezina of Fort Bend County for his Kiowa pecans, and John and Bertha Abraham of Wharton
County for their Forkert pecans.
In the Classic & New Division, winners were Chuck Caldwell of Fort Bend County for his Stuart pecans, and Richard and Susan Harrison of Wharton County for their Mahan pecans.
In the Natives Division, first-time entrant Suzanne Yoder of Fort Bend County shared top honors with John and Bertha Abraham, (who also placed in the Commercial Division).
Classic Car Show
TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
REVISED NOTICE OF HEARING
Verti-Crete Houston, LLC
SOAH Docket No. 582-26-06288
TCEQ Docket No. 2025-1292-AIR Air Quality Standard Permit for Concrete Batch Plants
Proposed Registration No. 176289
This notice has been revised to update the public viewing location. APPLICATION.
Verti-Crete Houston, LLC, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an Air Quality Standard Permit, Registration No. 176289, which would authorize construction of a specialty concrete batch plant located at 953 Pheasant Valley Drive, Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas 77489. This application is being processed in an expedited manner, as allowed by the commission’s rules in 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 101, Subchapter J. The proposed facility will emit the following air contaminants: particulate matter including (but not limited to) aggregate, cement, road dust, and particulate matter with diameters of 10 microns or less and 2.5 microns or less.
The executive director has made a preliminary decision to issue the registration because it meets all applicable rules. The application, executive director’s preliminary decision, and standard permit will be available for viewing and copying at the TCEQ Central Office, the TCEQ Houston Regional Office, and Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas 77489, beginning the first day of publication of this notice. The facility’s compliance file, if any exists, is available for public review at the TCEQ Houston Regional Office, 5425 Polk Street, Suite H, Houston, Texas. Visit www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/cbp to review the standard permit
CONTESTED CASE HEARING.
The State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) will conduct a preliminary hearing via Zoom video conference. A Zoom meeting is a secure, free meeting held over the internet that allows video, audio, or audio/video conferencing.
10:00 a.m. (CT) – January 12, 2026
To join the Zoom meeting via computer: https://soah-texas.zoomgov.com/
Meeting ID: 161 046 4608
Password: TCQ288 or
To join the Zoom meeting via telephone: (669) 254-5252 or (646) 828-7666
Meeting ID: 161 046 4608
Password: 214003
For questions regarding the preliminary hearing, visit the SOAH website at: http://www.soah.texas.gov/ or call SOAH at (512) 475-4993.
The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to establish jurisdiction, name the parties, establish a procedural schedule for the remainder of the proceeding, and to address other matters as determined by the judge. The evidentiary hearing phase of the proceeding, which will occur at a later date, will be similar to a civil trial in state district court. The hearing will address the disputed issues of fact identified in the TCEQ order concerning this application issued on October 15, 2025. In addition to these issues, the judge may consider additional issues if certain factors are met.
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Chapter 2001, Texas Government Code; Chapter 382, Texas Health and Safety Code; TCEQ rules including 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 106, Subchapters A and B; and the procedural rules of the TCEQ and SOAH, including 30 TAC Chapter 80 and 1 TAC Chapter 155. The hearing will be held unless all timely hearing requests have been withdrawn or denied.
To request to be a party, you must attend the hearing and show you would be affected by the application in a way not common to the general public. Any person may attend the hearing and request to be a party. Only persons named as parties may participate at the hearing. In accordance with 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 155.401(a), Notice of Hearing, “Parties that are not represented by an attorney may obtain information regarding contested case hearings on the public website of the State Office of Administrative Hearings at www.soah.texas.gov, or in printed format upon request to SOAH.” INFORMATION.
If you need more information about the hearing process for this application, please call the Public Education Program, toll free, at (800) 687-4040. General information regarding the TCEQ can be found at www.tceq.texas.gov
Further information may also be obtained from Verti-Crete Houston, LLC, 931 Pheasant Valley Drive, Missouri City, Texas 77489 or by calling Ms. Anna De La Garza, Principal Consultant, Edge Engineering and Science at (832) 772-3000.
Persons with disabilities who need special accommodations at the hearing should call the SOAH Docketing Department at (512) 475-4993, at least one week prior to the hearing.
Issued: December 4, 2025
Chief Clerk
the 1970s, it was the highest horsepower engine made,” he shared. Hermes works at a chemical plant and has always had a passion for cars, which he picked up from his father. He gives away Hot Wheels cars to kids at car shows and is a member of the Crossroads Cruisers Car Club. The Best in Show car award went to a 1969 Camaro owned by Billy Medina, while the Rotary Choice award, selected by the Richmond Rotary Club, went to Chester Payne’s 1970 Pontiac. In
Another highlight of the festival was the classic car show, which drew 52 entries this year, according to organizer Craig Summers. Vintage, James Bond-esque cars of all ages, styles, and sizes lined the street – each with an owner eager to tell the story behind it. Tim Hermes from Victoria, Texas, owns a 1970 Chevelle SS with a 454 cubic-inch LS6 engine, one of only 4,475 made.
“I saw this car 20 years ago in Spring at a gas station, okay? And I got the guy's number and I called him for 15 years.”
The owner finally agreed to sell the car to Hermes six years ago, for a "good price," with original paint and interior, and all original parts except for a missing radiator, Hermes said.
“It's kind of a rare car; back in muscle car days of
Roland Leal and neighbor Angie
Tim Hermes, of Victoria, poses with his 1970 Chevelle SS, part of the Classic Car Show.
Laurie Gharis,
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus ring in the holidays with style
By Ken Fountain
I’ve mentioned this before, but I have long had an ambiguous relationship with the onset of the holiday season, especially as it seems to begin earlier and earlier each year (this year, I first noticed Christmasthemed merchandise going up in the mall on September 2). For a long time now, I’ve tried avoiding Christmas music by and large until about a week before the Big Day.
But in the last few years, I’ve made an important exception: even before taking on the role as editor of the Fort Bend Star, I have been enjoying going to the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’s annual “Deck the Halls” concert at the Stafford Centre. On Sunday I went to the latest edition with a family member and – as always – had a great time. This year’s concert offered the usual mix of holiday standards as well as
pieces that are less familiar, which is my favorite part.
The “Deck the Halls” concert always serves as a showcase for the Chorus, and they and the orchestra got the afternoon off to a fine start with a piece I’d never heard before, “Jubilate Deo,” written by contemporary American composer Mac Wilberg and conducted by chorus director Ray Rhodes (more on him later). In the original Latin, the title means “Make a Joyful Noise to All the World,” and the piece was just that. In keeping with the inclusive tradition of the annual concert, the next piece was a new arrangement of a piece called “Symph-Hannukah” by Peter Jaffe, conducted by FBSO artistic director Dominique Røyem. The pieces includes melodies from many of the holiday’s songs, including perhaps the most recognizable, the “Dreidel Song,” which weaved in and out of the piece.
Of course, as Røyem noted, no “Deck the Halls” concert can go without the classic “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson (or else, Røyem said, they would receive angry letters). The orchestra performed the classic, lively piece with the traditional gusto.
Principal conductor Julie Sorenson led the full ensemble in a wonderful rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and first performed by Julie Garland in the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” For the first time in my memory of attending these concerts, Sorenson invited the audience to sing along to the familiar lyrics (a device the ensemble used again in “Christmas Music for Orchestra,” a medley of favorite holiday songs by John Cacavas).
That was followed by an impressive arrangement of “Carol of the Bells,” by Peter Wilhousky, which in this case
didn’t include any actual bells but was lovely just the same. Next up was a piece called “Night of Silence,” written by Daniel Kantor and conducted by assistant chorus director Steve Kalke. It’s another piece that I’d never heard before, but it was very nice and made reference to its obvious inspiration, the classic “Silent Night.”
After an intermission, during which concertgoers could shop for gifts in the FBSO’s annual Holiday Handmade Mart, featuring items made by members of the orchestra and chorus, the second half of the concert began with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Hallelujah” chorus from an oratorio titled “The Mount of Olives.” Røyem explained that the oratorio is known more to musicians than to audiences, but while Beethoven’s “Hallelujah” is less known than Handel’s, it is fittingly bombastic.
Another highlight for me was “Fantasia on Greensleeves” by
the 20th Century British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. It’s a piece that we all know, not just from recordings but from such sources as movies and television shows, but I’m fairly certain that this was the first time I’d heard it performed live. Røyem noted that the piece, which dates from the Tudor Period in England, was not actually associated with the Christmas season until Vaughn Williams’s arrangement. Rhodes returned to the stage to direct the ensemble with the classic song “A Christmas Garland” by Conrad Susa (I must confess that while I’ve long known the song, I didn’t actually know the title). It turns out that this was Rhodes’s final piece with the Fort Bend Symphony Chorus, as he’s moving on to another venture. Røyem announced his departure and he was presented a bouquet of flowers and a standing ovation from the audience and a shout-
out from his chorus colleagues. Next was the fourth movement, called the “Reformation” movement, of French composer Felix Mendelsshon’s Fifth Symphony. The piece includes lyrics based on Martin Luther’s seminal hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It’s a challenging work, but the ensemble carried it off with aplomb. The concert concluded with perhaps one of the biggest surprises of all, a piece called “Jingle Bells Forever,” arranged by Robert W. Smith. Think of the classic holiday song has adapted by seminal patriotic music composer John Philip Sousa, and you’ll get the picture. It was thoroughly entertaining. The next scheduled performance of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with the theme “Tango!,” will be on Sunday, March 15 at the Stafford Centre. Learn more at fbso.
The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chrous, here led by outgoing chorus director Ray Rhoads, performs its annual “Deck the Halls” holiday concert at the Stafford Centre on Sunday. Photo by Ken Fountain
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE BEND
or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and selfconfidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free! 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, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193,
Cora and Dominic Huynh get up close and personal with Santa’s horses. A mother and daughter share a moment on a sleigh in Sugar Land Town Square.
The Dulles High School Varsity Choir performs.
Street Scene Dance Team performs on the main stage during the Missouri City Snowfest.
Youngsters enjoy sledding on the “snow” at Snowfest.
Maryam Ansari, 8, visits with Santa Claus at the North Pole.