288 Express May 2021

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Cover Story ... PAGE 3

Chick-fil-A Scholarships

Craig Newman, Restaurant Operator, does the honors PAGE 4-7

Mission ... to Serve

Kristin Bulanek, Tax Assessor Collector PAGE 8-9

Day Trip

Quilt Museum in La Grange

MAY 2021 Volume 4, Issue 5

A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

W H AT D O I B E L I E V E ?

WHE R E

DO

I believe in freedom of speech but I’d like you to ask yourself a question. “Is my freedom of speech helping or hurting?”

Every freedom that is afforded us in our great nation is what makes us a great nation. The 1st Amendment of the Constitution is between the government and its citizens. It does not pertain to an issue between you and private individuals or organizations, such as private employers, private colleges, or private landowners. The First Amendment restrains only the government.

Is it really necessary to say everything that is on our mind, just because we think we can. Freedom of speech does not give you the freedom to say hurtful things or call hurtful names.

We all have the freedom to choose the speech that come out of our mouth. My friend’s dad

A publication of

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Hazel Perez

Writers & Photographers advertising@alvinsun.net Stephen Collins • Michael Edmonds Graphic Designers Linda Knight Donna Hopkins

Advertising Contact: Hazel Perez advertising@alvinsun.net 570 Dula St. • Alvin, TX 77511 281-331-4421 www.alvinsun.net

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I

S TA N D ?

would say, “if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all”.

I believe in speaking up for injustice but it would do good to think about how we are going to say something before it actually comes out of our mouth. There have been times when I have made things worse by speaking too quickly, out of anger or frustration.

The question that I posed for you to ask yourself is meant to make us think before we speak and remember we can speak up for something good that has happened as well as for the things that are wrong.

Once again, I believe in right over wrong and I stand for all people.

Donna

COV E R

STORY

Alvin Chick-fil-A awards scholarships The Chick-Fil-A of Alvin recently awarded $2,500 Remarkable Future scholarships to local students who are team members at the Alvin location.

For more than 50 years, Chick-fil-A has helped more than 66,000 team members achieve their remarkable futures through more than

$110 million in scholarships.

In 2021, Chick-fil-A will award a total of $19 million to team members who worked hard to balance work and school.

Chick-fil-A believes that it’s an honor to help them pursue their dream of higher education.

Pictured, left to right: Annacely Martinez - Alvin Community College, Madison Hayes - Santa Fe High School, Natalie Seeley - Alvin High School, Kaitlyn Derixson - Classical Conversations Homeschool.

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F E AT U R E

F E AT U R E

Mission ... to Serve Story/Photos by Michael Edmonds

Make checks payable to: Ro’Vin Gar.....wait!

After working 36 years in the Brazoria County Tax AssessorCollector’s office with 20 of those years being in the position as the official Tax Assessor-Collector, Ro’Vin Garrett decided it was time to go into retirement.

With her departure, an important vacancy would obviously need to be filled being that the county was in need of a top tax official. With the 2020 elections approaching, there was one person that threw their hat in the ring, Kristin Bulanek. So pull out another check and let’s get to know her a little better.

Kristin earned a BBA in Accounting from the University of Houston in 2009 and began her career with the Galveston County Auditor’s Office. For six years she served as the First Assistant County Auditor and in that time worked with multiple offices including the District Clerk, County Clerk, Justice of Peace Courts, and Tax Office.

In 2014, she received her certification as a Certified Internal Auditor. Before her current position, Kristin was one of only two people honored with being the Assistant County Auditor in the State of Texas that served on the board of the Texas Association of County Auditors as the Director-Assistant Auditor Representative.

The decision by Kristin to run for office was based on the enjoyment she experienced while working in local government Continued on Page 5

Kristin Bulanek, Tax Assessor-Collector

The new name to write on the “Pay to Order Of” line!

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Continued from Page 4

as well as her desire to help and serve others. After eleven years of her passion to do so, Kristin became aware of her predecessor’s retirement and had an opportunity to fulfill yet another role in local government.

“After much thought, prayer and support from the community, I decided to run to be Brazoria County’s next Tax Assessor-Collector” she stated. She went on to say that her decision to enter into the election was natural, and with her financial background and newlyfound fans telling her “go for it”, Kristin formally entered into the race.

One would assume that running a campaign would not be for the faint at heart but Kristin took the challenge head on. Her approach was to get out and get acquainted with her constituents in the community. “When people see your name on the ballot, you want them to know who you are and what you stand for” she stated.

The primary was a breeze as the race for the position went unopposed, but that changed in the general election. Still Kristin went out and met as many citizens in this County as possible and to make them aware of the open position for Tax Assessor-Collector and why she was the most qualified candidate for the job. She obviously did her legwork . . . she won.

Her new position comes with many

duties and responsibilities including new revenue rate calculation, property tax collection, fee collection, and titles, transfers, registrations and licenses for motor vehicles and boats.

As for her mission statement: “To provide our customers with remarkable customer service to the citizens of this great County, which are the reason why

we are here”. Kristin goes on to add, “It is our priority to ensure each individual’s transaction is processed in an efficient manner while being treated with patience and respect”.

She concludes with this “Let’s face it, visiting the Tax Office is not most

Latoya Mayberry Property Tax Collection Supervisor

Christina Springston Property Tax Collection Clerk

Trini Jacoby Motor Vehicle Lead

Kristin meeting with a few of her staff

Continued on Page 6

MAY 2021 . . .

5

Continued from Page 5

people’s favorite thing to do; therefore, we are here to make our customer’s experience the best it can possibly be and to increase visitor satisfaction.” Now that should provide a bit of comfort!

Her office policies start with having an open door, where both positive and negative feedback are welcome inside her workspace.

She and her staff have implemented changes to move away from manual processes and to be more efficient. The goal is to better allocate resources which will provide more staff to assist the public.

“We are working on being more transparent as well as informative.

We are in the process of revamping our website to provide our viewers with helpful information as well as easier access to resources on our page.”

Kristin’s main ambition is to educate her customers. By doing so, they will learn that there are different parts and stages of the property tax system thus making them more aware of any potential tax benefits they may qualify for. It is apparent that the right person for the job was chosen by the voting public.

In her formative years, Kristin was brought up by her parents to be hard working, determined, and to practice perseverance. These basic life lessons have stayed with her into her adult life, and they Continued on Page 7

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Continued from Page 6

The Bulaneks

(Photo Courtesy of Kristin Bulanek)

are what make her “click”.

In her personal life, Kristin works hard every day to be better in everything, including being a better wife, mother, Christian, daughter, and now public servant.

She offers this to her constituents, “My promise to the citizens of the County is to work hard to provide a better service for a better Brazoria County.”

Kristin became a resident of Brazoria County nearly 10 years ago after marrying her husband, Patrick Bulanek, a lifelong resident of the county.

They have two children and enjoy traveling together and being outdoors.

For those choosing to pursue a political position or to be the head of a government agency, she offers this advice “Be true to yourself, be honest and be driven.” Well said. Now if you go to the tax office and you still write checks like me, it’s Kristin Bulanek.

L O C A L B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R Y

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DAY

T RIP

Trip to the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange makes for a great day Exhibit of historic replicas runs thru September 18 Story/Photos Courtesy of Bob Ruggiero LA GRANGE, TEXAS The Spring/Summer exhibits at the Texas Quilt Museum are all about colors: in solids, in nature, and in glorious blue and white! They will run March 25-September 18 and are partially sponsored by Reynolds & Associates.

In Gallery II, AQSG 2018 Quilt Study: Inspired by 200 Years of solid-color Quilts 1800-2000 was organized by the American Quilt Study Group (AQSG).

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, this non-profit organization promotes the highest standards for interdisciplinary quiltrelated studies, providing opportunities for study, research, and the publication of works that advance the knowledge of quilts and related subjects.

Quilt historian Mary Kerr explains, “Every other year the AQSG issues a challenge to its membership to promote quilt study … working within a specific size range, participants were given the freedom to create an exact replica [or] a partial reproduction, or the new work could simply have been inspired by the vintage piece.”

Guest Curator Vicki Mangum, Remnants of War (40.5” x 40.5”) by Nancy Ostman. From the exhibit ASQG 2018 Quilt Study. who will also give a gallery talk, comments, “Expertly quilted, these 23 works testify to the diverse cultural and regional distinctions in our country’s quilt history.” (Note: This exhibition closes on June 26, after which we’ll have Flower Show: Antique Quilts from the International Quilt Festival Collection.)

Continued on Page 9

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In Gallery III, we’ll showcase 17 stunning art quilts in Natural Wonders from The Frank Klein Collection.

A Texas rancher and prize-winning nature photographer, Frank has a special eye for artwork featuring themes of living things, as evidenced by these pieces all created in the 21st century. He states, “It is fascinating to discover how artists interpret the beauty and intricacies of nature. I am especially interested in seeing how quilt artists cut, piece, and sew textiles together, transforming them into meaningful works of art. Seeing artists interpret the great joy and drama of nature is a miracle to behold. Who has ever seen a beautiful sunset and not contemplated the meaning of existence? The closer and deeper you examine nature and your inner self and motivations, the more alive you become.”

Dr. Sandra Sider, Museum Curator, comments on the exhibition, “During the past year, perhaps the world has learned to have a new respect for nature and its powerful forces, as well as for its beauty, while so many Night of the Super Moon (46” x 59”) by Laura Fogg. From the exhibit Natural Wonders of us were deprived of traveling to immerse ourselves in scenic vistas. This exhibition from The Frank Klein Collection. encourages our viewers to appreciate all aspects of the natural world, from flowers, trees, and animals, to the complex wonder of our own bodies.”

This exhibit is accompanied by 12 bronze sculptures and one in stainless steel by renowned wildlife sculptor Kent Ullberg, also from The Frank Klein Collection.

Finally, in Gallery I, they’ll have 19 quilts in Sapphire Celebration.

Quilters have long used shades of blue to symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. The serene, peaceful effects of blue derive from calm bodies of water as well as clear blue skies.

In many cultures, this color is associated with relaxation, but that effect is not at all present in our Sapphire Celebration, where blue plays off against white in a variety of visually exciting compositions. The imagery includes a woman’s portrait, a ballerina, a pot of flowers, a lacy ‘garden’, a community embroidered in blue, and numerous geometric motifs, from stars to checkerboards.

The full version of this exhibit celebrated the 45th anniversary of the International Quilt Festival in Houston and was on display in 2019. Dr. Sandra Sider, Museum Curator, says, “If you like blue, this show is for you!”

The Texas Quilt Museum is located at 140 W. Colorado St., La Grange, TX 78945. It is open Thurs.-Sat. from 10 am-4 pm.

Learn more at www.TexasQuiltMuseum.org.

You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Texas Frio Oak Leaf (79” x 99”) by Phyllis Borton. From the exhibit Sapphire Celebration.

MAY 2021 . . .

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D E A N ’ S L I ST N E W S

Jenna Edmonds, Alvin Houston Baptist University

D’angelo Dunning, Alvin Lamar University

Mackenzie Savage, Alvin Lamar University

Aubrey Condon, Manvel Baylor University/

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Ashley Divver, Manvel Baylor University

Hector MacIas, Alvin Brittany Swope, Alvin Evelynn Woody, Alvin Matthew Gonzales, Manvel Ana Alvarez, Rosharon Tatiana Dixon, Rosharon Grace Chen, Manvel Patrick Harris, Manvel Jennifer Theall, Rosharon

G U E ST

COLUMN

Finished Faith

By James Hopkins

As I was reading Hebrews 12:2, I noticed the pronoun ‘our’ before faith was in italics. I know that in the King James Version of the Bible an italicized word means that it was added by the translators. It wasn’t in the original text. So, if it isn’t ‘our’ faith, then whose is it?

The only logical answer would be that it is the faith of God or it could be the faith of the Son of God. This got me to thinking. To every man is given “the measure of faith” according to Romans 12:3. Well Jesus was a man so He must have been given the same measure of faith as everyone else, right? God is no respecter of persons, so, He could not give “the man” Jesus any more than anyone else.

This, in my mind, makes perfect sense. If Jesus was here to save us and be an example for us to follow, then He could not be given any advantages over us.

Now, here’s something else that I see. Jesus took that “measure of faith” and increased or grew it to the point of perfection, which is another word for ‘finished’.

Hebrews 12:2 reads like this; (KJV) “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith” (I left out the italicized word ‘our’).

Let’s look at the following definitions. First, the word AUTHOR, in Vine’s Greek Dictionary (G747), primarily

signifies “one who takes a lead in, or provides the first occasion of, anything.” Christ is represented as the one who takes precedence in faith and is thus the perfect Exemplar of it.

The pronoun ‘our’ does not correspond to anything in the original text, and could easily be omitted. Christ, in the days of His flesh, kept constantly to the path of faith, and as the Author brought it to a perfect end in His own person.

Thus, He is the chief leader of all others who walk that path.

The Strong’s Concordance defines chief leader, prince as “one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer”.

Second, Jesus is the FINISHER. Strong’s def.: “A perfecter”: one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.

So, Jesus wasn’t “finishing our faith” He was finishing “the measure of faith” that He was given to show us how to finish “the measure of faith” that we were given.

Faith had to ‘come’ to Jesus the same way it came to us; by hearing the word of God. Faith actually came to us before we were “born again” because it takes faith to be “born again”. (Eph 2:8) So, faith is the gift before The Gift.

From the very first miracle that Jesus performed to His very last breath when He uttered the words, “it is finished”, He “lived by faith”.

He ‘worked’ or ‘exercised’ his measure of faith all day, every day. He treated faith like a muscle.

In order to increase it, he had to exercise it.

If you want faith to reach its full

potential you must ‘push’ it beyond its normal use. Jesus used faith to do what no one else was doing.

His first miracle was started by Mary’s faith. In John 2:5 she said unto the servants, “Whatsoever he says unto you, do it”. She had faith in her son. Even the servants had faith, because they filled the pots with water without question.

Neither Jesus nor the servants ‘tasted’ to see if the water was wine before it was given to the Governor.

Faith didn’t need to taste first and then give. Faith just obeys. If it doesn’t obey, then it’s not faith, but unbelief. Jesus was so full of faith He caused everyone around Him to “have faith”. They had faith in Him. Jesus constantly used “the measure of faith”. There was absolutely nothing Jesus did without using faith. I can say that because He never did anything except what He “saw the Father do”. (John 5:19) He never said anything except what He heard the Father say. (John 12:49) So, every time something needed to be said or done, He went to the Father so as to draw from “the measure of faith” that was within Himself. Faith was His unbreakable connection to the Father. That’s how he “worked together with God” to accomplish what He was ‘sent’ to do.

Now, if we are to follow His example, we should be looking to do absolutely everything “by faith”.

And, just as Jesus never failed at anything He did, we will never fail at anything we need to do, whether it be to provide a meal for one hungry person or 1,000 hungry people. Jesus literally proved that “with God, all things are possible”.

Jesus went beyond the norm in

every category of life that we might encounter so that whatever situation or circumstance we come upon, whether it be in our own personal life, or, in the life of others, we have His example of how faith can deal with it successfully every time without fail.

I have said many times, “don’t wait until you need an oak tree miracle before you start using faith”. Start with the acorns and work your way up. God once told me, “Many believe there is nothing too big for me. But, I want my people to know, there is nothing too small for me.”

I believe Jesus “lived by faith” for 30 years before He began to display it publicly. He even let us know that His disciples had faith when He said things like, “where is your faith” or “O’ ye of little faith”, they just weren’t using it.

In one place He said, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed”. We realize that a seed will never grow unless it is planted.

How do you plant a “faith seed”?

You say, unto the mountain (Matt.

17:20). The more you ‘say’ or ‘do’ the more your “measure of faith” will grow. My advice would be to ‘say’ and ‘do’ what you hear and see from The Father until your “measure of faith” is ‘finished’.

And, like Jesus, it isn’t ‘finished’ until we take our last breath. So, we have got a lot of “living by faith” to do.

If you want to live by faith, just say, “Holy Spirit, please teach me how to exercise faith in my life right now, all day, every day”.

Then, listen for His voice all day, every day. He is faithful to answer your prayer every time. (Jeremiah 33:3) Because of Him, James MAY 2021 . . .

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CO M M U N I TY N E W S

Alvin Community College regents and staff members held a ribbon cutting recently for the Mobile Go, which will assist students in making the right choice for their education. The Mobile Go Lab gives the capability to recruit students on-the-go. The trailer was made possible through a $150,540 grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation.

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KACC’s on-air light is officially on and the station is now broadcasting from its new home in Building B on the Alvin Community College campus.

CO M M U N I TY N E W S

Top 20 - AISD Class of 2021 Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Top 20. Alvin ISD Education Foundation will honor these students and their most influential educators at the Celebration of Academic Excellence on May 12.

Shadow Creek High School

Alvin High School

Manvel High School

MAY 2021 . . .

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G U E ST

COLUMN

The Postscript by Carrie Classon

Such A Good Book

I’ve always loved librarians.

I remember my first school librarian. Her name was Mrs. Scheau, and she rode a bicycle to school, back when this was still a novelty. She wore a plaid skirt every day, and she was enormously kind.

I had no idea how to find a book I would like to read (and isn’t this still a challenge?) But Mrs. Scheau would always have a suggestion when I walked in.

“What should I read next, Mrs. Scheau?” And she would hand me the next book.

I remember the feeling of getting those books from the library and putting them in my book bag (school backpacks were not yet in vogue). We were not allowed to read in class, and we were not allowed to read at recess, so I had to wait until I got home to open the book. I remember that anticipation, the feeling that there was a treasure waiting for me under the protective plastic cover.

Recently, I noticed I was not reading at all. I don’t know how this happened, but my attention span shortened to the point where I couldn’t seem to read more than a few hundred words at a

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time. When I was tired, it was so much easier to watch a late-night comedian or a short documentary or browse Facebook. Before I knew it, it was time to go to bed, and I hadn’t watched or read anything I cared about or would remember.

“Does anyone know of a book club I could join?” I wrote on a community Facebook page.

It should not have surprised me that the person who wrote back (within minutes!) was a retired librarian, Katy.

“We have one you can join. I’ll send you the info!”

Just like that, I was the member of a book club. What I did not realize until the first meeting was that this book club was comprised almost entirely of retired librarians.

It’s called the “Any Book Book Club” because there is no assigned reading. Everyone just shows up and reviews whatever

book they read that week.

Because they are librarians, the books they read are interesting and diverse. An added bonus is that, on Zoom, I get a peek into the librarians’ houses, filled with books. And they are almost always enthusiastic.

“It’s such a good book!”

Bernadette, one of the most enthusiastic of the librarians will say every week - sometimes more than once. “And the library has it!”

Katy, the leader of the group, says, “It doesn’t matter what you read, but you have to read something!”

I’m still finding it hard to read. I’ve had to miss a couple meetings because I got no reading done that week. But most of the time now - when I am tempted to watch late-night television or catch up on cat videos - I think of my panel of librarians, earnestly talking about the books they love,

and I go to my chair and make it past the first few hundred words until I am happily lost again in a good book.

This week, I am reading a sad book. It is beautifully written and brings me into a world I would never have seen if the book had not taken me. I know I will cry before the book is finished.

I am already looking forward to holding the book in front of the camera on my computer, showing my little panel of librarians the cover, and telling them enthusiastically, “It’s such a good book!”

And then I’ll ask them, “What should I read next?”

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.”

Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

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