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Ideal Carpet and Flooring, Inc. The Dream Team of Flooring Professionals for Over

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LA Film Features

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Greatwood Teen Brooke Billedo

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{Features}

March 2021

{COVER STORY}

10 LA Film Features Greatwood Teen Brooke Billedo In Her First Starring Role 15 HOME & HEARTH Tips and Resources to Turn

Your House into Your Dream Home

16 In the Sweet Life Garden: Spring Edition How does your spring garden grow? 24 From Sports Medicine Physician to Children’s Book Author Dr. Nish Shah Tackles Project Sharing Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography.

Jainism During the Pandemic

{Columns}

7 Fort BEND STRONG “It ain’t bragging if it’s true.” – Anonymous Texas quote

13 On The Porch With Patti The Last Straw Vincent and Vangie Ostera with Arnold Martinez.

Ideal Carpet and

Flooring, Inc.: The Dream Team of Flooring Professionals for Over 20 Years

26 OENOPHILE

Sparkling Wine and White Wine Recommendations

32 Living the Sweet Life The Book Club for 2021

With roots steeped deep in community and customer service, Vincent and Vangie Ostera celebrate a business milestone by thanking the individuals who helped them achieve 20 years in business: their customers and their employees.

16 2

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

C ON T RI B U T ORS

MARCH 2021 Volume 17 | number 3

The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 7

Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 12

12 Patti Parish-Kaminski Publisher Page 13 & 24

13 Alisa Murray AlisaMurray.com Pages 16 & 32

12 2021 Cadillac Escalade

{Newsworthy}

absolutely! {Auto Review}

5 Teen’s Huddle Together Building Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Support

Denman Moody theadvanceoenophile.com Page 26

{In Every Issue} 6 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 14 COMMUNITY EVENTS

22 FORT BEND WOMEN’S CENTER Receives $236,500 for Housing

28 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF THE BEND

23 Fort Bend Education Foundation 18th Annual Zuhnë Education

31 AMATEUR PHOTO CONTEST

Expedition a Recommended Ride

Libraries Present Online

Local History Programs for Texas History Month in March

27 Libraries Start Online Support Group for Job Hunters 30 Winners of Libraries’ Bridging Differences Photo Contest Announced Thirty-six photographs were

First place in the Bridging Differences Photo Contest was awarded to Cap Van Nguyen for his photograph Circle of Love.

entered into the competition.

{Business Briefs} 21 Fort Bend Chamber Adds Two Valuable Programs

{Medical Focus}

22 Houston Methodist Welcomes Gilberto Sustache, M.D.,

for Members

and Naureen Ahmeduddin, D.O.

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On the Cover: Arnold Martinez, Ricky Gomez, Ruben Perez and Vangie and Vincent Ostera. Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography.

NEWSWORTHY

Photo by Hope For Three.

A group of about 25 teen volunteers makeup Hope For Three’s Teen Huddle program with a mission to, “increase autism awareness and acceptance among teens.” Traditionally, they provide two bi-monthly programs to local families, Parents Time Out and Sibling Sessions. These programs offer a well-deserved respite for parents with children on the spectrum and bonding time for siblings in similar circumstances. Teen Huddle is a key part of Hope For Three’s advocacy and education mission. This group of honorable teens and upstanding community citizens are looking for new members and will open its application process online on March 29th. “Candidates best for this program are highly interpersonal, enthusiastic and open-minded,” said program co-chair Faith Varma. “Flexibility is also often necessary when working with children on the spectrum, as things don’t always go as planned.” The Teen Huddle knows the need for flexibility all too well. Under pandemic conditions, the group has had to limit how they conduct the Parents Time Out and Sibling Sessions; however, they haven’t lost focus on their mission.

Teen’s Huddle Together to Build Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Support

The Teen Huddle is a small circle of friends making a big impact by generating autism awareness and acceptance among teens. The 2020 Members: Esha Salian, Marissa Kautzman, Sarhad Shehab, Drew Higginbotham, Miranda Amezaga, Faith Varma, Ashwini Anupindi, Azahra Maharani, Urvi Basu, Georgia Moore, Nawal Shabib, April Houston, Kennedy Joseph and Stephanie Wickstrand.

of this esteemed organization,” said cochair Esha Salian. The application process includes an online form, a recommendation letter and an interview. Applications for the 2021-2022 school year will be available on the Hope For Three website at www. hopeforthree.org/programs/teen-huddle starting March 29th. To learn more about Hope For Three programs, services and resources, visit www.hopeforthree.org.

The co-chairs explained that due to the lack of face-to-face interaction with fellow Teen Huddle Members, the leadership now requires members to attend Teen Huddle bonding events and activities hosted either virtually or in-person when possible. These events encourage close-knit friendships, vital when working with children on the spectrum. “Teamwork, willingness to learn and enthusiasm are just a few of the many necessary skills needed to be a member

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Exclamation Points! Publisher, Patti Parish-Kaminski

Frozen Fort Bend As we go to press with this book, it’s in the single digit temperatures in Fort Bend. We’ve gone to press during COVID, during hurricanes, during floods and now this. We’re beginning to feel like the postal service around here – neither sleet, nor snow, nor rain stops us! Of course, the postal service has been MIA for the past four days, yet we forge ahead by candlelight and batteries. Yes, there could be A year to remember – etched in ice. multiple interpretations of that sentence, but y’all know what I mean. From COVID and now to the frigid frost on the Gulf Coast, we Fort Benders have become hunker-downers. We’re getting good at it. I personally feel that it could be a category at the next Olympics – provided we have a next Olympics. But despite Mother Nature’s cool sense of humor, we are planning for spring. In our Home and Hearth, we share some tips to getting your home spring ready, which may be Annie May and Lilly June hunkering down - in the back seat of Daddy’s truck. more of a challenge this year for many of us. Spring – it can’t get here soon enough for me. We also celebrate a huge milestone for a Fort Bend business. Ideal Carpet and Flooring have been making homes beautiful in our community for 20 years, and if I have to stay home much longer, I’m calling Vangie and her amazing team to start redoing my floors! A girl can only take so much time on the home turf without making changes. Perhaps the most exciting change to our absolutely! focus media family happens this month. Former Congressman, Fort Bend cheerleader and dear friend Pete Olson has joined us with a unique column entitled Fort Bend Strong. And with the challenges we hunker-downers have faced over the past year, I can’t think of a more appropriate title or man to tell the amazing stories of our community. Pete, we’re thrilled you’ve joined our Focus family. Of course, March brings us the Ides of March, which is widely considered unlucky – at least it was for Julius Caesar since he was assassinated on March 15, 44 BCE. Personally, I’m ready for some good luck. So please be certain and wear green on St. Patrick’s Day this March 17th be- The Honorable Pete Olson and Patti cause we could all use a little “luck of the Irish!” Parish-Kaminski. Stay focused,

Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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Vol. 17 No. 3 March 2021 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406

Publisher Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVE Kay Garrett A RT D IRE C T O R Grace Belleza W EB D ESI G N ER Joey Belleza S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G ER Natalee Moore I T S u ppo rt A dm i n i s t r at i v e / Sa l e s A s s i s tant Kolton W. Kaminski cont r i b u t O r S Steve Kursar Denman Moody Alisa Murray Pete Olson I N Q UIRIES 281-690-4242 e d i to r ia l SUB M ISSI O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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Subscription requests are free to all Fort Bend addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Fort Bend area. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright© 2021 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

“It ain’t bragging if it’s true.” Anonymous Texas quote

Photo source: fortbendcountytx.gov.

owdy, y’all! Welcome to a new, regular column in the absolutely! focus media family of magazines. We’re calling it Fort Bend Strong. Our intent is to point out why Fort Bend County is the greatest place in the United States to raise a family, start a business, and chase your American Dream. That’s Fort Bend Strong!

Fort Bend Courthouse in Richmond.

Having the honor of being the elected United States Congressman for nearly all of Fort Bend County for twelve years, I have a unique perspective on why we are Fort Bend Strong. It comes from being one of 36 Members of Congress from Texas and one of 441 Representatives from all 50 states, five territories and one federal district. One of the things Members of Congress typically talk about is their home. We ask a lot of questions. “Tell me about the district you represent. How’s your local economy doing? Are you adding jobs? How are you doing with recovery from natural disasters – hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, etc.? Are your public schools in trouble? Are your roads one massive pothole? Do you ever wish your home wasn’t so dependent on dollars coming from Washington, DC?”

Every time a colleague asked me questions like these, a big Fort Bend Strong smile appeared on my face. My answers were facts we all know. Our economy? Booming. Our job creation? Explosive. Our recovery from Harvey? Great. Our public schools? Outstanding and diverse. Terrible roads? Nope. Dependent on money from Washington? Huh?!? They would all shake their heads in disbelief, especially friends from California and New York. A few accused me of bragging without facts. They really did. It became clear very quickly that my colleagues’ reactions weren’t about unjustified Texas bragging. They were about an overwhelming jealousy of Texas. Since Texas jealousy rages in every other state in the United States, we felt it was important that y’all have the necessary tools to teach “the uninformed” why Texas is so special. Even some of our Texas neighbors who don’t live in Fort Bend County are jealous of Fort Bend. Fort Bend Strong is a way to correct these misguided attitudes. Each Fort Bend Strong column will share real stories about real Fort Bend residents – ordinary neighbors who respond to life’s challenges in a self-sacrificing manner that makes all of us better – Fort Bend Strong. Some of these stories may bring tears of Fort Bend pride to your eyes. That’s Okay – that’s Fort Bend Strong. You can help. If you have a Fort Bend Strong story, please send it to pete@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Fort Bend Strong is not about politics. If you want political viewpoints and comments, feel free to watch MSNBC or Fox News. Our columns will be only positive and only about us. We are Fort Bend Strong!

MARCH 2021 l

COVER STORY

Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography

Ruben Perez, Vangie Ostera, Ricky Gomez, Vincent Ostera and Arnold Martinez.

The Dream Team of Flooring Professionals for

emember the days when someone asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Honestly, back then the founders of the family-owned Ideal Carpet and Flooring, Inc. (ICF) thought five years was unimaginable. Now, 20 years later, they are reflecting on their humble beginnings.

Over

Years

countertops quickly became their expertise. The Osteras knew then that they could not do this alone and focused on adding to their team installation professionals who shared their vision for ICF. “Our goal was to create a team of dedicated professionals who were trustworthy, took pride in their work and shared ICF’s dedication to excellence,” said owner Vangie Ostera. And that commitment to the Ostera’s vision continues today as many of ICF’s installers have been with the company since the day their doors opened 20 years ago and are still valued members of the ICF team.

The Dream Team

Arnold Martinez with Vangie and Vincent Ostera.

ICF began as many small businesses do with a husband and wife – Vincent and Vangie Ostera – striving to provide for their expanding family. Growing up in the building and construction business, flooring, remodeling and new

As Ideal Carpet and Flooring, Inc. grew in their first few years of business, they quickly added a full-time Operations Officer to their team. Arnold Martinez has overseen the business for fifteen years and brings to the team a background in the industry, a strong attention to detail, exemplary project management skills and resolution, while maintaining a professional and personable manner throughout the process. Later, ICF welcomed an experienced full-time design consultant, Ruben Perez, who has proven to be a customer service asset to their business, along with providing ICF a strong social media presence. Customers routinely comment on how much they appreciate Perez’s attentiveness and personal touch.

Many customers know Martinez and Perez personally and have their numbers saved as direct contacts. Shortly after these additions, ICF welcomed Ricky Gomez as their Compliance, Delivery and Warehouse Manager in a full-time position. Gomez is the backbone to keeping the entire operation organized, uninterrupted and efficient. He is a true master of all things, while always keeping safety in mind. Together, ICF’s team of dedicated, knowledge professionals never fail to meet the needs of customers.

“G

reat company and staff! I had six companies give us bids on two large rooms and stairs. They gave me the best price on a specific carpet we wanted. From the time we walked into their showroom to the completed project, everyone was professional, knowledgeable and courteous. Ruben and Berto were awesome. We love to help out local companies, and they did a great job!” – Andrew T.

Customers for Life Throughout the last twenty years, ICF’s customer base has continued to grow. In addition to that growth, many repeat customers have been happy to welcome the same crews into their homes for new projects or to customize a new home purchase. Now, years later, the children of ICF’s repeat customers are coming in for that same quality service – a true testament to the corporate philosophy of the ICF family who are the same team now 20 years later. ICF’s commitment to their valued customers and community remains the same, shared Ostera. “We will continue to serve our community, give back through charitable initiatives and strive for excellence in everything we do.”

“F

rom start to finish, this was a great experience. We replaced the carpet in our living room with wood. The office staff showed my wife and I all options and let us take home several samples. They came and measured quickly and were in and out all while practicing COVID safety/distancing. The quote was reasonable and not a penny over what they said it would be. We will definitely be doing more work with them. My wife is happy, which means I’m happy.” – T. Watkins

Ideal Carpet and Flooring storefront in 2001.

Ideal Carpet and Flooring storefront today – 2021.

Building for the Future

Ricky Gomez, Vincent and Vangie Ostera, Arnold Martinez and Ruben Perez.

“N

ot only was the selection and fast installation seamless, the installer team was very polite and helpful. They went above and beyond to work around some furnishings and left the rooms very clean. This is the second time we have chosen Ideal Carpet and Flooring, and we are again really happy with the process and results!” – J. Hey

When Ideal Carpet and Flooring, Inc. opened its doors in 2001, they never thought 20 years would come as fast as it did. While their business journey has been filled with highs and lows, particularly during the pandemic, the ICF team never stopped their mission to work hard for their community and for their team. But, it is their loyal customers who have not only helped them get through the challenges of 2020 but also to where they are today. “We will never be able to thank our clients, family and friends enough for believing in us, supporting us and trusting our team into their homes,” said Ostera. “These past 20 years have been a pleasure, and we are privileged to serve our community with the ICF team.” So today, if you ask any ICF team member, “Where do you see yourselves in five or 20 years?” the answer is clear, shared Ostera. “We’ll tell you, ‘We’ll still be right here serving you!’” Ideal Carpet and Flooring, Inc. is located at 1116 E Hwy 90 Alt in Richmond. For more information, visit idealcarpetandflooring.com or call 281.762.9999 for a complimentary in-home estimate.

FEATURE

LA Film Features

Greatwood Teen Brooke Billedo in her First Starring Role

Photo by Kristine Canterbury.

rom her start as Owl in Winnie the Pooh to her casting in Melanie, about a disturbed little girl who turns into a monster, 14-year-old Brooke Billedo has always enjoyed exploring characters. “My favorite part of acting is the auditions,” Billedo said. “Each time you get a script, you get to create a new person and just be really creative. It’s ok to be sassy, mad or sad because it’s in the script!” In 2018, when the Melanie audition opportunity was first presented to Billedo, her mom was hesitant. “Brooke was always very strong comedically, and mostly auditioned for those types of roles. So this was a big departure for her,” said Pam Billedo. “I didn’t think she’d be interested, but she read the script and thought it was really cool. I was both surprised and impressed with her ability to embody such a different character.” Writer, producer and director, Howard McCain, known for movies such as Underworld and Outlander, was also impressed with Billedo’s range and ability to understand the character. “Brooke’s instinctual interpretation of the character was wonderful. She was able to take the idea of this disturbed, lonely little girl, who was not so likable on the page, and make her both relatable and empathetic, even as she is slowly becoming a monster,” he said. “The audience is both worried for her and afraid of her. It is a terrifically uncomfortable emotional state and it keeps your eyes glued to her. That’s all Brooke. She created that.”

Brooke Billedo.

Billedo plays the title role in the film about a disturbed little girl with dark thoughts about life and people. The short screenplay upon which Melanie is based, was written by Cody Young, originally titled Goodnight, Scarecrow. “I first read his story when I was judge for a short screenplay competition, where his screenplay easily won first prize. His original story had this wonderful, dark fairy tale feel to it and at its center was this unexpected story about two lonely characters who find each other, who also just happen to be monsters,” McCain said. “I bought the rights to his screenplay and together, Cody and I began the process of rewriting and expanding the story together. Many drafts later the screenplay tripled in length and changed its title to Melanie, which, since

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it is really is her story anyway, is a more appropriate title.” “Her parents try to help, but as Werner, the scarecrow, comes to life, it becomes a little otherworldly,” Pam said. “I was so excited to be cast as Melanie, but to be honest, it was kind of hard to get into character,” Billedo said. “I had to think the complete opposite of everything I normally do. I had to focus on evil things to stay in character.” Brooke, now a Reading Junior High 8th grader, started acting as a kindergartner, doing local theatre camps where her favorite role was Owl in Winnie the Pooh. Her family soon realized that this could be a ‘thing’ for her. They originally signed her with a local agency, then entered her into an online competition, where she soared to the top in just three

The official film poster.

Photo by El Rey Pictures.

months. That got her noticed by a manager in Los Angeles. She signed with the LA agency in July 2018 at age 11 and started auditioning, mostly for television shows. By October of that same year, she had already booked Melanie. The film was complete in mid-2020, however, because of COVID, McCain and his team originally decided to delay submitting the film to the major festivals until 2021, “hoping the world will have returned to somewhat normal by then.” McCain’s last short film, A Boys Life, saw success at the Tribeca Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival, and won best short at the Leeds Film Festival. “We are hoping to have a repeat performance with Melanie,” he said, which is why they’ve again decided to delay the film’s introduction until the 2022 festival circuit. “I deeply, passionately, love these kinds of movies, but too often genre tropes and forms become lazy excuses for avoiding any attempt at real feelings, no matter how uncomfortable those feelings may be,” McCain said. “But genre can be more than that. It can ask difficult questions and touch upon avoided truths. Rarely do these kinds of films seriously ask what the world in these types of films might really feel like to a child; how do they see it and experience it. That is what I think Melanie tries to do.” “The film is very suspenseful, and I don’t think anyone will be able to guess the ending,” Billedo said. For Billedo’s part, her first experience as a lead in a film was exciting and rewarding. “When I arrived on set the first day, there was a little trailer for me with my name on it, and I was immediately super excited,” she said. “Shooting the scenes is the best part for sure. I got to act with Julian Richings (from the CW’s Supernatural) and he was amazing! He was so kind and nice to me. He really made me feel comfortable on set.” An otherwise typical suburban teen, Billedo plays piano, swims competitively and loves to read. She loves her goldendoodle named Leo, “who I like to call Nugget because that’s what I wanted to name him.”

Brooke Billedo (Melanie) and Julian Richings (Werner) waiting between takes.

Though she loves attending school “in-person” at Reading, she also enjoyed her “on-set” experience. “There is a teacher on the set to help you with school work, so it is not hard to balance. They make a good schedule so that you have a couple hours of shoot time, then school time, then break, and of course lunch,” she said. “The set teacher also watches you while you are filming. They are supposed to watch out for your safety. They balance it all really well. “I am really blessed to be able to do this because I have the support of my mom, dad, sister, grandparents, agent, manager and acting coaches. My faith brought me on this journey and I will continue to follow it until it leads me somewhere else,” Billedo said. For now, Billedo plans to just keep auditioning. “Getting the role is like winning the lottery so you have to love auditioning,” she said. “I have an amazing agent and manager that get me the best auditions. It is so fun, and I’m so grateful.”

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absolutely AUTO REVIEW By Steve Kursar

2021 Cadillac Escalade

he all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade is the new flagship for the iconic luxury automotive brand. This really big SUV takes the place of your grandfather’s Caddy in the carmaker’s line up. It’s a spectacular vehicle that truly raises the bar to a new high in terms of technology and interior design. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s going to be a hit with buyers with deep wallets who just want the best in American luxury. Cadillac has always been that car brand that meant you had “made it.” Back in the day, movie stars and politicians and captains of industry all drove those big Cadillac sedans with fancy names like “Sedan DeVille” and “Eldorado.” The cars were huge and shiny and designed to be noticed. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, Cadillac began to feel old and dated, and younger luxury car buyers gravitated to European and Japanese luxury vehicles. Well, Cadillac got the hint, and the new Escalade is leading the way to attracting a new crowd.

Pricing for a new 2021 Escalade starts off with an MSRP of $76,195, but buyers can watch that final price go closer to $100,000 if they’re looking to drive off with the top trim. Both gasoline and diesel engines are offered and both are mated to a

ten-speed transmission. The gasoline powertrain is the massive 420 hp, 6.2 liter V8 that gets 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The diesel option is the 277 hp, 3.0 liter I-6 turbodiesel that gets 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

The state-of-the-art technology designed into the Escalade is immediately evident once you get behind the steering wheel. The instrument panel features an exclusive, first-to-market curved Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) screen, the kind of high-def screen more familiar to expensive flat-screen televisions. The system includes three screens: a 7.2-inchdiagonal touch control panel driver information center to the driver’s left, a 14.2-inch-diagonal cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 16.9-inch-diagonal Infotainment screen to the driver’s right. Cadillac’s Super Cruise driver assistance technology is now available in the Escalade. This exclusive system uses map data, high-precision GPS, a state-of-the-art driver attention system and a network of cameras and radar sensors to allow hands-free driving on more than 200,000 miles of compatible highways. There’s so much more that the new Escalade has to offer. The only way to experience it is to go for a test drive.

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Op-Ed

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher

The Last Straw has finally happened. That last nerve of mine that has been poked, proded and provoked over the course of the past 12 months has finally snapped – kind of like our water pipes this week. It’s not so much that the wicked winter wonderland did it; it was the response – or lack thereof – of our leaders. This winter thing is serious; we are in quite a fix, and what we need are solutions and solid advice. Now don’t get me wrong, we are getting just that from a few amazing Fort Bend leaders, and I am going to call them out right here for their diligence in providing solutions, cogent information and compassion. These men are the real deal, and as I dealt with no water, no electricity, evacuating mother from a dangerous situation and sending a magazine to press, I appreciated their guidance because that’s what they did: they guided, they led, they offered solutions during a crisis.

Frozen, fierce and fed up. They distributed information about warming centers, they answered real questions about ERCOT and our power instability and most importantly, they shared their dedication to legislative accountability. And my understanding is that two of these leaders weren’t even in Fort Bend. Congressman Troy Nehls and State Representative Jacey Jetton were on this situation from Washington and Austin. Thank you, gentlemen. Missouri City Mayor Robin Elackatt and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman stepped up to do what their jobs required: lead. When the water supply became dangerous, when more warming centers needed to be opened, when vital information about city services needed to be shared, these leaders were there. I thank you, gentlemen.

Now for the less than stellar news. Here is what we do not need from leaders during a crisis: snarky comments. No “Good morning to everyone but ERCOT” or “Good morning to everyone except those with power who are not conserving.” Wow. And I thought I was cranky in the morning. That is not helpful nor is it indicative of a leader. It’s rather adolescent in my opinion. Could anyone really imagine – during a crisis where people are losing their lives and their livelihoods – the highest-ranking county official saying something like that? I don’t know what we are going to do Fort Bend, but we need to do something. It’s important; it’s imminent. It’s not easy being an elected official. I have and have had many dear friends in public service, and the name says it all: serving the public for the greater good. It’s work. It’s hard. It’s self-sacrificing. Kind of like running your own business and raising a family – just sayin’. I have immense respect for our leaders who chose this arena as their life’s work and do it well. I reiterate: it’s not easy. And frankly, it’s not for everyone. Or maybe it is. I know people who run their own successful businesses, take care of their employees, raise their families and give back to the community. So, who’s going to step up? Honestly, I think it could be any of us – and yes, I did say us – you or I. I don’t know what the future holds. My crystal ball froze up this week. But please remember my friends, we are Fort Bend Strong; not Fort Bend Petty. The views and opinions expressed in Op-Ed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of absolutely! focus media. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

Stay Informed . . . Stay Engaged . . . Stay Focused . . .

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Events Tax Accountants

Auditors

Consultants

Every Saturday in March, 9 am – 1 pm Farmers Market at Imperial

The market features fresh seasonal produce from local farmers, grass-fed meats, free-range chickens and eggs, local honey, small-batch foods and bakery items. Visitors can also browse art from Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, r local artisans and try delicious, ready-to-eat food from Every local chefs 198 Kempner St. at Imperial Sugar and popular food trucks while listening to the best local musicians. A festival of food and fun happening at 234 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. Visit fortbendchamber.com/imperial-farmers-market.

Every Saturday in March, 10 am – 2 pm Farmers Market Partners Missouri City A community farmers market that features organic and locally grown vegetables, fruits, baked goods, honey, artisan foods, fresh eggs, olive oil, food trucks and more. COVID-19 guidelines are in place. Vendors and customers must wear masks and social distance from each other. Market is located at 5855 Sienna Springs Way in Missouri City. For more information, visit www.FarmersMarketPartners.com.

March 13th, 10 am – 1 pm 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

It’s Almost Tax Time . . . Are You Ready? Call

Join a fun and competitive half court basketball tournament that faces two teams of three in a fast paced style game. This tournament is open to ages 15 and up. Registration deadline is March 10th. Complete the team roster and register at the Recreation and Tennis Center. Check out the tournament information packet for more information at www.missouricitytx.gov/ Calendar or call Adam at 281-403-8633.

March 27th, 9 am – noon Intro to Kayaking Workshop Participants ages 10+ will learn fundamental kayak skills including safety, basic strokes, concepts in craft handling and identifying hazards. Children ages 10-15 must use a tandem kayak and have an adult in the craft with them at all times. Event will be held at Independence Park, located at 2621 Half Court Road in Missouri City. Register online or by calling 281-403-8637.

March 27th, 1 – 8 pm The Taste of Louisiana Festival 2021

281.242.3232 or

e-mail info@cpa-tx.com for a free consultation. 12603 Southwest Freeway, Suite 165 Stafford, TX 77477 (Across from the New TI Re-Development Project) www.cpa-tx.com

Present

Experience 360 degrees of Louisiana food, music and culture. Enjoy 20+ Louisiana food vendors, arts and craft vendors, live entertainment, Bayou crawfish and beer garden, chef’s demo and kids zone with inflatable games and rides. Event will be held at Brazos River Park, located at 18427 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land. Free Parking. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

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Garden

Home

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Tips And Resources To Turn Your House Into Your Dream Home

In the Sweet Life Garden: Spring Edition Debbie Marcell Garden Guy Kitchen Tune-Up The Design Source The Agave at Gruene Rapids

MARCH 2021 l

In the Sweet Life Garden:

Spring Edition By Alisa Murray

It’s almost here – my favorite time of the year – and there’s so much to do to be prepared for the garden. With some thoughtful planning and soil prep, you too could be well on your way to creating your very own yard to table dinner. Here’s what should be done right now in the garden and going forward for the spring season.

F ruit Trees

Vegetables

Vegetables that need to be started from seedlings should be put in small containers that can be cared for close to the house until they are strong enough to be moved to what I call their “forever homes.” It’s also time to pick up several varieties of peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, squashes and herbs from the local farmer’s markets. Soon after you see the tomatoes for purchase, cucumbers and eggplants will follow. Specialty varieties for seed starting should be done with great care, only a couple of seeds per container, and fertilized with a seaweed root The Purple Russian Tomato. stimulator. Stagger lettuce seedlings and beets so they stay at various stages of development, and as you are cooking from one, there’s another just behind it for consumption. This insures you will always have what you need for salads. I always plant the usual varieties of tomatoes found in the markets because the Bonnie Bell man knows what works here and takes that confusion out of the equation for you. Buy what you will eat; however, there’s nothing more delightful than growing heirloom purple’s such, as Black Beauties, Blue Cream Berries, Cherokee Purples or the tiger striped Green Zebra. They are all different and create not only a spectacular display to wow your Instagram, but they add something quite unique and lovely to your plate. The Blue Cream Berries Tomato

In our part of the country, fruit trees are planted after the danger of a cold snap has passed. Prep the soil in the garden for these and directly place where you want these to live and grow long term. Be conscious of the wild life as they also love fruits and will partake. Citrus can be a little tricky, and I have the grapefruits, lemons and limes now in the orchard but not before spending a full year closer to where I have kept an eye on them. Same thing goes for those dragon fruits, olives and pomegranates. Don’t forget to fertilize everything and keep an eye out for pests. Acting early on can save or kill all of your efforts. I recommend a daily walk through the gardens making notes of who needs what so everyone remains “living a sweet life” in there.

Flowers

Flowering gardens, or as we call them cutting gardens, are one of the most special because you can literally eat from them, decorate your home with them and they act as a big stage attracting all your best friends to pollinate your hard work in the main garden. During March you should be tucking sun flower seeds into your vegetable beds to help support the plants and give a show of color to your creation. Dahlias, zinnias and marigolds can provide you with bouquets for your table and to share with your friends.

Herbs

Finally, the herb garden is a mainstay that once established can and will find you throughout the year cooking more amazing dishes than you thought possible. The main players that you will want to get planted now are, as I say, “all of them.” Even if you do not particularly like rosemary, you’ll discover that many of your herbs protect against disease and can be used in herbal medicine for your home apothecaries. That, of course, along with companion planting is a subject for another time!

Keep on planting and may your garden grow!

Learn more about local gardening at Facebook : “Living the Sweet Life Yard 2 Table Gardening Group.”

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Debbie Marcell

Better Homes and Gardens • Gary Greene 2323 Town Center Dr. • Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-782-2102 (cell) • 281-980-5050 (o) www.debbiemarcell.com debbiemarcell@garygreene.com

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Debbie Marcell Armed with 15 years of vast experience, a relentless work ethic and dogged perseverance, Debbie Marcell has consistently ranked in top 2 to 5% of the agents in the Better Homes and Gardens Gary Greene Real Estate network. Marcell has built a solid and trusted reputation for her stellar ability to navigate through the listing and purchasing process to achieve sought after results for her clients. As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Marcell has achieved her remarkable success in selling high-end homes in Fort Bend County. One of her many Riverstone luxury listings that Marcell sold herself ranked in Houston Business Journal’s Top Ten Most Expensive Homes sold in June 2018. With an ardent commitment to her clients, her honed negotiating and marketing skills, extensive and innate knowledge of the market, along with the network of contacts she has developed and nurtured over her 34 years in Sugar Land, Marcell is poised to put her experience and indisputable track record to work for you. A Texas Monthly Award Winner for Client Service, see testimonials at www.debbiemarcell.com. Call Marcell at 281-782-2102 or email Debbiemarcell@garygreene. com.

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Creating a Private Wildlife Sanctuary Listen to the sound of the songbirds and see the butterflies sipping nectar from wildflowers. Hear the splash of a cardinal bathing in your birdbath and see your children learning more about God’s creatures. This could be your backyard! It doesn’t matter what part of Fort Bend County you live in or how much space you have, you can create a habi-

tat for wildlife and even get it certified as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat site with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are few key things needed to create a wildlife sanctuary in your yard: food, water, cover and a safe place to raise young. Food sources include seeds from

When Experience Counts! • Professional Representation • Exceptional Service • Dedication • Integrity

Jennifer Weaver REALTOR®

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a plant, berries, nectar, foliage, twigs, nuts, fruits, pollen, suet, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, hummingbird feeders and butterfly feeders. Water sources include a small birdbath, a pond or a trickling water feature. Small wildlife like a place where they can feel safe. Having bushes or short shrubs where they can feel protected from humans, predators and inclement weather is a must. Now is a great time to get a plan for creating a habitat for birds, butterflies and other amazing small creatures that visit the area. Once you have installed these elements into your yard and created a healthy and sustainable wildlife habitat, enroll in the NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program at www.nwf.org/ Garden-For-Wildlife/Create.aspx. Garden Guy would love to help you create and install the elements for an amazing backyard wildlife habitat! For more information, call 281-208-4400 or visit www.garden-guy.com.

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An Affordable Kitchen Remodel in Only 1 – 5 Days Are you tired of looking at your outdated kitchen? Does a kitchen renovation intimidate you? Too expensive? Too big a project that will take weeks if not months to complete? Kitchen Tune-Up offers five different ways to quickly and affordably update your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where you start your day, eat your meals, gather with friends and family and create endless memories. Kitchen Tune-Up makes homeowners’ dreams come true in only 1 – 5 days. Not all kitchens need a full renovation that takes weeks to complete and are expensive. Most kitchens need a makeover. Want to keep the same layout? No problem. There are several ways to quickly and affordably have the kitchen you always wanted. From cabinet re-facing, re-dooring, painting, to custom cabinets, let our designers show you how much fun it can be to remodel your kitchen. You will be amazed at the transformation. Kitchen Tune-Up will bring the showroom to you, create your vision, bring samples and be with you every step of the way. Choose your style, color, cabinets, countertops, hardware, flooring, tile back splash and more. The options are limitless and designers are ready to get started. Kitchen Tune-Up calls the experience TUNIFIED: to make amazing while creating an extraordinary experience for the customer. What are you waiting for? You’ve been looking at that outdated kitchen long enough. Let Kitchen Tune-Up “TUNIFY” your kitchen now! Call Joe and Amanda Boyd at Kitchen Tune-Up Houston Sugar Land at 281-324-8147 or check out the photo gallery at www. KitchenTuneUpSugarLand.com.

MARCH 2021 l

Advertorial

Coming April How to Make a Luxurious Bedroom After a long day, your bedroom is a place where you want to relax and unwind. Creating the ultimate comfortable place to sleep lets you wake up feeling rejuvenated for the day ahead. Here are some tips to make your bedroom beautiful, romantic and luxurious. Walls: Paint them a soft color to create a relaxing atmosphere. Bedding: Luxurious, soft and cloud-like fabrics will make your bed comfortable and inviting. Furniture: Choose the right scale furniture to accent your bed and ceiling heights. Lamps: Lamps and overhead lighting with a dimmer creates a romantic, soft feel for any time of day. Art: Art is the perfect way to add your favorite colors to your room and bring your personality to your room. Interior Designer: Choose an Interior Designer to help you create your vision. Using an award-winning, licensed Interior Designer saves you money and time. The Design Source works to help you find just the right pieces for the scale, color palate and overall vision of your room. The Design Source can help you with all your Interior Design needs. We offer hourly consultations, consultations for furniture, remodeling, window treatments, bedding, art, etc. We have been in business for over 25 years. Let The Design Source help you create a beautiful home that reflects your family’s lifestyle. Visit The Design Source showroom, located at 3644 Highway 6 in Sugar Land, TX 77478, or call 281-242-3336. For more information, visit dessource.com.

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

KEY

REALTORS ALLOW US TO SPOTLIGHT YOU IN YOUR COMMUNITY As a professional, you’ll want to be seen in our special profile sections. Bring new clients to your office, and distinguish yourself among the top professionals in the area with this unique opportunity to showcase your skills.

To advertise, call: 281-690-4242

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The Agave at Gruene Rapids Relaxation, convenience and luxury converge at the Agave at Gruene Rapids. The 15-unit luxury condominium complex in the Gruene Historic District outside of New Braunfels is nestled along the Guadalupe Rapids and is within walking distance of ample shopping and dining options, and of course, Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. The condos are also just steps away from river outfitters, making it easy to get in a tube to float the river in the spring and summer months. This Hill Country escape is an easy commute from Houston, making it a perfect getaway destination. The Agave at Gruene Rapids condominiums feature balconies and high-end finishes throughout, including premium cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, wood and tile floors and granite countertops. The Agave at Gruene Rapids’ complex features five standard units on each of the first two floors and five two-level penthouses on the third floor. The Agave at Gruene Rapids is the first waterfront condo development in New Braunfels in more than 10 years. The condominium’s prime location along Texas’ beautiful Guadalupe River makes the units at the Agave at Gruene Rapids even more desirable. The complex, designed by Open Studio Architecture

and built by Frontera Construction, is expected to be complete in 2021. All units are located at 1228 Ervendberg Avenue, a 2.3acre riverfront lot that is just two lots away from Gruene Road, and range from $485,000 to $825,000. For pricing or more information, contact Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty agent Jill Christian at 210-393-4017 or visit agaveatgruenerapids.com.

operations. These programs will remove the administrative burden and control cost overhead while offering enticing benefits to employees that may have been previously unavailable.

Companies are only as successful as their ability to attract a viable workforce. Although employees may be drawn to the company’s reputation, recruiting and retaining an impactful team predicts future success. One way to accomplish this is to offer a robust benefits package to employees. However, benefits packages come at a premium, and administration can be onerous. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce is launching two new programs to help small to medium-sized businesses in offering employee benefits packages. Payentry will help businesses create tailored health plans for their employees, while Lincoln Financial Group will provide Chamber members with a unique 401(k) administration opportunity. Programs that may have been costprohibitive or high maintenance in the past are now available to chamber members in an affordable and managed program that will allow business owners to focus their efforts on running their

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Fort Bend Chamber Adds Two Valuable Programs for Members

The Payentry Employee Benefit Packages may include: • Health Insurance • Legal Plans • Dental • Flexible Spending Plans • Vision • Cobra Administration • Life • Workers Compensation • Disability • Benefit Advocacy

Payentry also offers online Benefit Enrollment & Administration that streamlines the enrollment process for companies and simplifies it for employees – by eliminating paper forms and manual processes. In addition to the Employee Benefits Program, we are excited to announce that the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Lincoln Financial to offer our members an exclusive 401(k) plan program. This benefit is available to both chamber members with an existing employee 401(k) plan as well as chamber members who are considering adopting an employee 401(k) plan. The benefits of working with Lincoln Financial may mean a reduction in costs in comparison to other 401(k) vendors as well as outsourcing of plan administration and liabilities. For more information, please contact JHudson@dearborncreggs. com. To become a member of the Fort Bend Chamber or learn more about these programs, visit www.FortBendChamber.com. MARCH 2021 l

MEDICAL FOCUS

NEWSWORTHY

Receives $236,500 for Housing CommunityBank of Texas, N.A. and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded a $236,500 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) subsidy to Fort Bend Women’s Center (FBWC) for a $3.8 million expansion of its longer-stay housing community. FBWC helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children find safety and self-sufficiency. It operates the only crisis hotline and emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Fort Bend County, Texas. FBWC plans to build an additional 22 new units at its a longer-stay housing facility for a combined total of 49 units where abuse survivors and their families can stay until they meet their goal of self-sufficiency. “When survivors and their children are ready to exit the emergency shelter and transition to independence, one of the chief factors that could cause them to return to their abuser is the inability to find an affordable place to live,” said Vita Goodell, executive director of FBWC. “The funds from CommunityBank of Texas and FHLB Dallas will help us build much-needed housing.” AHP funds are intended to assist FHLB Dallas members in financing the purchase, construction and/or rehabilitation of owner-occupied, rental or transitional housing and housing for homeless individuals. AHP funds must be used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for the area. “We are proud to be part of FBWC’s long-term vision in breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” said Brandi Gregg, executive vice president and chief compliance officer at CommunityBank of Texas. In 2020, FHLB Dallas awarded $19.3 million in subsidies to 38 affordable housing projects. The subsidies will help create 2,749 new or rehabilitated housing units. Included in that total is $10.2 million in subsidies for 1,475 units of housing in Texas. Since the AHP’s inception in 1990, FHLB Dallas has awarded more than $323 million in AHP and Homeownership Set-Aside Programs and has assisted more than 57,000 households. “FBWC’s longer-term community will house women and children who might otherwise be homeless or face returning to an abusive situation. It’s an example of the way AHP funding can change lives for the better,” said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “We are pleased to partner with CommunityBank of Texas on FBWC’s vision.” For more information about the AHP, visit fhlb.com/ ahp.

Naureen Ahmeduddin, D.O., and Gilberto Sustache, M.D.

Houston Methodist Welcomes Gilberto Sustache, M.D., and Naureen Ahmeduddin, D.O., to Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at Brooks Street Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is pleased to welcome Gilberto Sustache, M.D., and Naureen Ahmeduddin, D.O. Sustache and Ahmeduddin join Asisat Ope, M.D. and Ali Sawal, D.O., at the Brooks Street practice in Sugar Land. Sustache is a board-certified family medicine physician providing preventive care and wellness maintenance. His clinical expertise includes health screenings, minor procedures and men’s health, as well as thyroid concerns. Sustache received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, Massachusetts, then completed his residency at Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program in Sugar Land. “Having served in this community for 20 years, I look forward to joining Houston Methodist and partnering with my patients in their plan of care,” said Sustache. As a board-certified family medicine physician, Ahmeduddin specializes in acute and chronic care, including men’s health, complete physicals, preventive care and women’s health. Ahmeduddin earned her medical degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson, Nevada, and finished her internship at Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program in Sugar Land. She completed her residency at Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program in Sugar Land, where she also served as chief medical resident. “My goal is to provide personalized care to all my patients,” said Ahmeduddin. “I prioritize open communication and patient education so that my patients can take ownership of their health. Houston Methodist Primary Care Group at Brooks Street is located at 1201 Brooks St., Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77478. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sustache or Dr. Ahmeduddin, or to find a Houston Methodist Primary Care physician in the Fort Bend county area, visit houstonmethodist.org/ pcg/southwest or call 281.930.6639. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

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NEWSWORTHY

Fort Bend Education Foundation 18th Annual Zuhnë Education Expedition a Recommended Ride Grab your cycling gear and join the 18th Annual Zuhnë Education Expedition Bike Ride! On Saturday, March 27th, the Fort Bend Education Foundation will host its 18th annual bike ride. Whether you are training or just wanting a great day with friends, this is the ride for you. Riders take off at 7:30 am from Ken Hall Stadium (located at Hightower High School in Missouri City) to wind through the quiet streets and countryside of Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties before looping back home. Riders have the option of three routes: 29, 47 and 76 miles. Rest stops are themed and staffed by Fort Bend ISD high school students vying for the “Best Rest Stop” award. SAG wagon and motorcycle support will be on the course to assist with any needs. After the ride, pick up a “grab n go” lunch and don’t forget to vote for the favorite Rest Stop! The ride will adhere to any socially distancing guidelines applicable at the time of the ride. The ride will follow safety protocols, including but not limited to, a rolling start, masks except when riding and/or eating and individually wrapped/prepackaged food. This ride is a recommended ride and all proceeds benefit the Education Foundation. The Fort Bend Education Foundation provides opportunities to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all Fort Bend ISD students through its Grants to Teachers and Schools programs. They touch every school in Fort Bend ISD!

Erma Trevino, Ronnie Williams, Bill Dillon, Rick Pal, Hillary Dunn, Angela Martinez and Ron Bailey.

Special thanks to Zuhnë for pedaling in to sponsor this year’s ride. Register online at https://runsignup.com/zuhneeducationexpedition before the event day to prevent any distractions on the ride morning. For more information, go to fortbendisd.com/ foundation.

Comprehensive, compassionate and cutting edge care for women of all phases.

Libraries Present Online Local History Programs for Texas History Month In March In recognition of Texas History Month, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Local History and Genealogy Department will present two online programs in March for local history buffs. On Monday, March 15th, Carol Beauchamp will present “The Story of the Runaway Scrape.” After word of the fall of the Alamo reached the Texians in 1836, panic ensued and a mass exodus took place in an effort to outrun the approaching Mexican Army. Learn what these early colonists endured as they ran for their lives. On Monday, March 22nd, Genealogy and Local History department manager Daniel Sample will present “A History of Booth, Texas.” Sample will share a brief history of the community of Booth, Texas, in southeast Fort Bend County. He will also talk about the old Booth school building. These online, pre-recorded videos can be viewed on the Fort Bend County Libraries website at www.fortbend.lib.tx.us.

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From Sports Medicine Physician to Children’s Book Author: Dr. Nish Shah Tackles Project Sharing Jainism During the Pandemic By Patti Parish-Kaminski

hen the pandemic hit last year, many found a new normal – whether that was working from home, educating their children or devoting time to a new project. Despite a hectic profession, along with being a new dad, Nish Shah, MD, CAQSM, primary care sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, determined that the pandemic was the perfect time to devote his efforts to a labor of love. “It grew out of necessity more than anything else,” shared Dr. Shah about becoming an author of a children’s book about Jainism. “There was no material out there aimed at toddlers about Jainism, which focuses on teaching our children to be as good a person as they can be. I used the time during the lockdown to spend some more time with my baby daughter, and I realized that there was a need for a children’s book, so I created my own!” Dr. Shah explained that there is an ancient Indian religion called Jainism, whose central tenet revolves around non-violence towards others. There are 24 teachers of Jainism who have lived through history propagating the teachings of Jainism.

The book is about the 24 of them. “Prior to my book, there wasn’t a single Jainism children’s book, so I wanted to create an informative book with captivating illustrations to allure the young reader.”

From Jainism for Children: The 24 Founders.

And so the process to pen Jainism for Children: The 24 Founders began. Dr. Shah’s goal was to give a little back-

Dr. Nish Shah with daughter Saiysha.

ground information about the 24 great spiritual leaders, or Tirthankars, of Jainism, using language and captivating illustrations that would appeal to toddlers. The spiritual leaders teach lessons such as benevolence, humility, grace, kindness, generosity, environmentalism and humanity. “I knew who my target market was,” explained Dr. Shah. “I knew I wanted it to appeal to my daughter. There were a few resources out there on Jainism for younger adults and teens, but there are not many resources for toddlers.” Being a father of a toddler, Dr. Shah had to juggle work and family time with his new project. “I would work all day, come home, spend time with my wife and daughter, and after they went to sleep, I stayed up an extra hour to work

An excerpt from Jainism for Children: The 24 Founders by Dr. Nish Shah.

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

on the book,” said Dr. Shah. “It was a slow and tedious process by design so it would not take away from my other responsibilities.” The process took a year almost to the date of his daughter’s first birthday on November 26th, a goal set by the author, who determined self-publishing was the way to go. Once the book was written, the search began for an illustrator. “I had an idea how I wanted the images to look – round faces, big eyes, soft features, vibrant colors.” Dr. Shah found exactly the right person in illustrator Roberto Gonzalez, whom he met online. “I never had the opportunity to meet Roberto in person, but he was super helpful – such an amazing talent.” Author and illustrator worked after hours to complete the project. While daughter Saiysha was an inspiration for the book, the seeds of Jainism had been planted in Dr. Shah many years prior. His mother, Niru Shah, was a spiritual role model for Dr. Shah teaching Jainism to her young son. “My mother taught me Jainsim as a way to live your life rather than a religion,” explained Dr. Shah. “She taught me to view others with kindness, humility, compassion and respect as a way of life.” Unfortunately, Shah’s mother passed away five years ago before Saiysha was born, and Jainism for Niru Shah. Children: The 24 Founders became a way to honor her. “This book helped me a create a way to honor my mom’s legacy and ensure that the values she passed down to me will pass down to my daughter. Through this book, my daughter can feel her presence.” Dr. Shah’s father created a foundation in his mother’s honor after her passing. “Through my mom’s foundation – the Niru and Lalit Shah Charitable Foundation – my family and I have donated food to impoverished villagers in India, and proceeds from this book benefit that charitable mission.” While the book’s proceeds support the Shah family’s charitable work in India, that’s just icing on the cake. The primary goals for writing the book are twofold, shared Dr. Shah. “First, when my daughter is older, I want her to know that if you put your mind to something, you can do whatever you want to do. Secondly, I wanted to honor my mom’s legacy.” Jainism for Children: The 24 Founders is available for purchase on Amazon at https://bit.ly/24Founders.

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Oenophile By Denman Moody

lthough I am not a techie and still shop at Spec’s, where I have bought about a jillion dollars worth of wine since 1973, and have recently shopped at Total Wine, I must tell you about a new and convenient wine source: Vivino. In this not-so-normal condition we now face as a society, online wine sales have sky-rocketed. For many, buying wine is often based on guesswork and label art. Without the help of the experts at the wine retailers or restau-

Sparkling Wine and White Wine Recommendations

White Wines

Sparkling Wines J Cuvée Brut Russian River Valley Non-Vintage

Absolutely delicious with honey goat cheese and Blue Diamond Almonds Artisan Flax Seed Nut Thins. Price: $30

Argyle Blanc de Noirs Willamette Valley 2016 Perfect with truffle mousse on toast points. Almost unrivaled in its price range of $33.

SOSIE Sparkling Red Wine Vivio Vineyard Bennett Valley Sonoma County Non-Vintage From heavy hors d’oeuvres to beef bolognaise, my first sparkling Syrah. Acquired taste? Price: $34

Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut Champagne Non-Vintage

Perfect with smoked wild salmon with crème fraiche, capers and a squeeze of fresh lemon on little toasts. Price: $43

views and characteristics, in addition to allowing the users to review and rate the wine. Users can even buy the wine right from the app or online from Vivino’s marketplace of partnered wine retailers. Searches can be made by region, grape and even food pairings. I highly recommend this informative and accessible resource. For those of you ready to launch into spring with some sparkling and white wines, below are some of my picks for the season.

rants, or from your favorite wine columnist, buying wine online may feel intimidating. I have found that Vivino truly demystifies wine and has figured out a way to help oenophiles know if they are going to like a wine. Vivino is the world’s most downloaded wine app with 47 million users and 12.8 million wines in their database. If you are on the Vivino app, a scan of the label reveals the wine’s flavor profile, grapes and region, and the app also displays the community score, re-

Quinta do Crasto Branco Douro (Portugal) 2017 Price: $12

Carmel Road Chardonnay Monterey County “Sustainable” 2018 Great bargain at $12.

Mulderbosche Chenin Blanc STEEN OP HAUT (South Africa) 2019 Delicious and refreshing. Price: $15

Rodney Strong Estate Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2018 Winner in the price range of $22.

Z.D. Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2019

From 100% organically certified grapes, a beautiful balance of lovely fruit flavors and acidity. Price: $26

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NEWSWORTHY

Libraries Start Online Support Group for Job Hunters SOSIE White Blend Sonoma Valley Rossi Ranch 2019

Successful blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne. Price: $34

Cuvaison En Cigare Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Los Carneros 2019 Try with fried shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce. Price: $38

Searching for a job can be difficult and stressful, but doing it in the middle of a pandemic can be even worse. Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will launch an online JobSearch Support Group on Tuesday, March 23rd, at 2 pm. This program will be livestreamed via Webex; it will not be in person. In this online forum, job hunters will have an opportunity to network with other people, exchange tips and leads, or simply vent their frustrations with others in the same position. Library staff will share helpful online resources that can be accessed through the FBCL website. These free resources can help job seekers create a better resumé, improve their job skills, research job opportunities and careers, and much more. This online event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required so that a link to the Webex session can be emailed to all participants. To register online at FBCL’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” and find the program. For more information, call FBCL’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.

Chappellet Grower Collection El Novillero Chardonnay Carneros 2018 In an unusual match, I loved it with chicken fried steak with cream gravy! It was a hot day. I wanted a chilled white. Price: $46

Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley 2018

Gil Nickel set out to make a CortonCharlemagne look-alike and succeeded. Price: $60

o the Cheers t son! new sea

MARCH 2021 l

OUT &

Volunteers with Fort Bend Medical Reserve Corps helped get Fort Bend residents vaccinated at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in January. They assisted with staff check-in, line flow, patient check-in and more.

ABOUT IN THE HEART

OF THE BEND

Volunteers Sharmila Bali, Narmin Kermally, Zeenat Mitha and Terri Wang.

Fort Bend ISD held its annual District Spelling Bee and crowned two champions – Srikrissh Kandoor, of E.A. Jones Elementary and Shanvi Mishra, of Anne Sullivan Elementary. John Hawkins, a student at Pecan Grove Elementary, served as the alternate. Srikrissh and Shanvi advance to the 2021 Houston Public Media Spelling Bee, which will be held this month. This year’s event will be an online spelling test provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Fort Bend ISD Spelling Bee Co-champion Shanvi Mishra, Champion Srikrissh Kandoor and Alternate John Hawkins.

Congratulations to Clements High School Senior Amy Zhou, one of 40 students across the nation who were named finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The 2021 finalists were selected from 1,760 entrants, all of whom completed an original research project and extensive application process. They were selected based on their projects’ scientific rigor and their potential to become worldchanging scientists and leaders. Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist Amy Zhou.

These six Fort Bend youth made 80 Valentine’s treat bags with snacks, juice and chocolates for Lunches of Love.

Arisha Merchant, Lakshanya Solipuram, Ronit Maganti, Arjun Govindaraj, Aarini Mehta and Maya Govindaraj.

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

Grammie Kay Garrett was excited to welcome her second grandson Graham Todd Kiehl. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum hosted a Winter Wonder Weekend with festival-like activities, games, and crafts for both kids and parents to enjoy including homemade Texas Snow from Frosty.

Amelia, Marty, Andrew and Lucy Gibula.

Chris, Linda and Hudson Casey.

The 2021 Fort Bend Chamber’s Chairman’s Gala was a double header for The Honorable Pete Olson, former congressman for CD 22 for 12 years. Olson was surprised with two prestigious awards honoring his years of support of Fort Bend. Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman presented Olson with the Community Spirit Award from the Chamber, and Director of Congressional and Public Affairs from the US Chamber of Commerce John Gonzales presented Olson with the Spirit of Enterprise Award.

Keri Schmidt, Fort Bend Chamber CEO, The Honorable Pete Olson and Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital hosted Mega Community Vaccine Event. Although the weather started off dreary for Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Mega Community Vaccine Event, it did not stop over 8,700 members of the community from getting their COVID-19 vaccine. The event, held on the hospital’s campus February 5th through 7th, was part of the state-designated vaccine hub program for at-risk community members, which included those 65 and older.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Janet Leatherwood and Chris Siebenaler visited with State Representative Jacey Jetton who supported Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Mega Community Vaccine Event.

Six hundred Houston Methodist volunteers assisted with the three-day vaccine event. MARCH 2021 l

NEWSWORTHY

Winners of Libraries’ Bridging Differences Photo Contest Announced Winners of Fort Bend County Libraries’ amateur photo contest, Bridging Differences, were announced on Monday, February 1st. All of the entries will be on display in a virtual gallery on the Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) website (www.fortbend. lib.tx.us) throughout March. Amateur photographers of all skill levels were invited to enter original photographs that portray the culture, nature, people and places of Fort Bend County that demonstrate how we as a community come together. Thirty-six photographs were entered into the competition. Winning photographs were determined by a panel of four judges, who made their determinations based on the following criteria: relationship to contest theme, composition, focus, lighting, emotional impact and creativity. First place was awarded to Cap Van Nguyen for his photograph Circle of Love, which was taken at a post office in Fort Bend County. “I captured this photo at a post office with rows of mailboxes with a red strip run along the top,” said Nguyen. “Each mailbox in this photo could be a person, a family regardless of color of the skin, gender or ethnic origin. I used a parabolic concave mirror to wrap the scene, including the red strip, into a shape of a heart. Rows of mailboxes also wrap into circles surrounding the red heart symbol. I was inspired by a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that I loved so much: ‘Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’” The judges were captivated by the creativity of this abstract photo. “I appreciated the artistry involved in telling the story of love,” commented one of the judges. Second place was awarded to Don Golden for his photograph Pepper and Salt. Taken on the northeast side of a coffee shop in Richmond, the photo features two men enjoying their cigars together while relaxing at a table on the sidewalk.

Second place was awarded to Don Golden for his photograph Pepper and Salt.

First place was awarded to Cap Van Nguyen for his photograph Circle of Love.

“This image warmed me and made me smile,” commented one of the judges. “You almost don’t notice that the subjects are a black man and a white man. The bridging of our differences does not have to be difficult. It can be seen and it can grow from the simplest of actions.” Third place was awarded to Kaitlyn R. Brown for her photograph The Common Threat, which was taken at her home in Fort Bend County. It features a medical mask and two hands. “During the pandemic, the negative aspects of life were exposed,” explained Brown. “It divided most communities of race, genders, and cultures. While communities were divided, there was one thing everyone had in common: COVID-19. This proThird place was awarded to Kaitlyn voked many emotions, many R. Brown for her photograph in which people across oceans The Common Threat. would feel. Fear. Anger. Abandonment. Hope. Hope is what lifts the burdens of the world off one’s shoulders. Hope is the light at the bottom of the dark abyss of fear. Hope is what everyone wears under the mask. Hope conquers fear, and brings all differences together.” Commented one of the judges, “Again the pandemic shows how we all have become equal in one way, and how the virus in a skewed way has sparked us to come together – not as blacks or whites, Christians or Jews – but as people reaching out to combat the virus.” “We appreciate all the photographers who entered the contest and shared their perceptions of diversity in our county,” said Library Director Clara Russell. The Bridging Differences photography exhibit is part of the Fort Bend County Diversity Over Division Initiative. For more information, call 281-633-4734.

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

M A

T O

March 2021 Winner “Victoria Falls, Africa” By Joe Schmitt Congratulations you’ve earned a gift certificate!

ENTER TO WIN Fort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary. The entry must not have previously appeared in any publication. A WINNER EVERY ISSUE Each issue’s winner receives a gift certificate and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, e-mail grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com.

Please make sure to send some basic information about every photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and phone number. By submitting an entry, the photographer gives Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.

NO LIMIT TO ENTRIES To submit a digital photo, e-mail the jpeg file to Grace@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Digital photos must be 300 dpi HIGH RESOLUTION at size of at least 10” wide. MARCH 2021 l

By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.

Living the Sweet Life:

T he Book C lub for 202 1

ey there Sweet Lifers! In honor of Dr. Seuss, March is our National Reading Month, and for many of you, this is old news. This year I launched my Book Club and have created my list of some pretty amazing reads. I love books as you can tell from my library, and I have always got something on my nightside table. One of the many things my mother did prior to her untimely death – also the anniversary of which is acknowledged this month – was to start the Junior Great Book Club when I was little. There in the old elementary school that Brian and I attended is a small bookcase engraved in her memory stocked full of classics as it has been for the past 42 years. Speaking of classics and books, how many of you were required to read anything or everything by Walt Whitman? In my searching for the best books for the club, I came across a book about him, and I have become intrigued with him, his life and his works – so much so that I asked Brian to find a documentary on him. The documentary started out with a walk in the woods and poetry to which Brian promptly said, “Ah, hmmm I am going to bed now!” Turns out I had to read a lot of British Literature in school and had never really heard much or studied the “Great American Poet.” So, I have added this little dive into his life and works as I have only stumbled upon it and would be remiss not to at least mention this splendid new find.

Alisa Murray and William.

My 2021 Book Club Reading List: 1. South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber 2. Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty 3. Writers and Lovers by Lily King 4. Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz with David Ritz 5. The Sentinel by Lee and Andrew Child 6. Fanocracy by David Meerman Scott and Reiko Scott 7. The Best of Me by David Sedaris 8. Near Dark by Brad Thor 9. Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley 10. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi 11. Afterlife by Julia Alvarez 12. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey The one for good measure is Ask by Ryan Levesque, and the extra one I mentioned is What Is the Grass? by Mark Doty. Don’t worry if you do not get to them all this year. If I keep going to the book store, I will be right there with you! I have created a Book Club group at Alisa Murray’s “Living the Sweet Life” – The Lifestyle on Facebook. If you are so inclined, please to join us.

Take Care of You and Others!

MARCH 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com

Special Advertising Section • Coming April

Medical Focus

As a medical professional, you’ll want to be seen in our Medical Focus section. Bring new clients and distinguish yourself among the medical professionals in the area with this unique opportunity to showcase your skills and facility. • Assisted Living & Senior Care • Caregiver Providers • Chiropractors • Clinics & Hospitals • Dermatologists • Dentists/Orthodontists & Prosthodontists • Eye Care

• Health Insurance • Medical Suppliers • Pharmacies • Physicians • Plastic Surgeons • Rehab Facilities • Urgent Cares • Wellness, Aesthetics & Medspas

d A d g A n i g y f n i i l y a f i u l Q a wiitthh Qu y r w o y t r S o t e e S r e F e r F To advertise, contact: 281.690.4242 or patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com