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is infused with support, adoration & inspired motivation
Whatever your heart requires, we’ll help keep it beating strong. We personalize treatment plans that utilize cutting-edge techniques, like a heart arrhythmia treatment that minimizes the risk of heart failure and stroke without the need for blood thinners. This is innovative heart care designed around you.
memorialhermann.org/heart
Advancing health. Personalizing care.
PUBLISHER
David Rigas
MANAGING EDITOR
Marquita Griffin
ADVERTISING
Stefanie Bartlett sbartlett@fbherald.com
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Marquita Griffin mgriffin@fbherald.com
Scott Reese Willey swilley@fbherald.com
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Melinda Maya mmaya@fbherald.com
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TO ADVERTISE
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©2025 Greatwood. All Rights Reserved. Greatwood is a sister publication of Fulshear Living Monthly, West Fort Bend Monthly, Pecan Grove Monthly and is a publication of the Fort Bend Herald. Our publishing headquarters is 1902 S. Fourth Street, Rosenberg Texas 77471.
Around 4.2 million Americans who are 40 years old and older are affected by visual impairments, and of those impacted, the National Eye Institute reported 3 million of them have low vision.
Low vision is an impairment characterized by difficulty seeing during everyday tasks like cooking, writing, tending to errands or reading, with the hardship ranging from minor visual challenges to almost total blindness. Typical treatments like glasses, contact lenses or surgery can offer relief and improve a lot of eye conditions, but with low vision, these approaches and other medical interventions can’t correct the issue.
The National Eye Institute estimates that by 2030, 7.2 million Americans will have visual impairments, and of them, 5 million will have low vision.
Although vision shifts as people age, blindness and vision loss are not considered normal while aging, the institute said in its outreach presentation “Living with Low Vision.” In the younger population, trauma, inherited eye conditions and infectious and autoimmune eye diseases are the usual causes of vision loss and impairments. In older adults, vision loss is typically due to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
The National Eye Institute reports that age-related macular degeneration, known as “AMD,” is common. Marked by blurred central vision caused by age-related damage to the macula, this condition affects 11 million people in the US.
The institute said with AMD being the leading cause of vision loss, adults who are 50 years old and older should be cognizant of the likelihood of developing the disease. People with low vision are typically 65 years old or older.
AMD is often detected during routine comprehensive dilated eye exams, which is why doctors underline such tests should be included in wellness regimens.
For the millions of people who live or will live with low vision, there is support to maximize their remaining sight.
The foremost action to take is to make an appointment with a physician, and for Fort Bend residents one such option is contacting Memorial Hermann’s Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, formerly known as the Hermann Eye Center.
The Cizik Eye Clinic, which offers services from routine eye examinations to advanced eye surgery in the Texas Medical Center, is staffed by physicians who are faculty members in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Additionally, all of them are board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
The clinic is committed to highly specialized eye and vision care, but general ophthalmic patients are also welcomed, so it reminds the public that The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends routine eye examinations every one or two years for patients over the age of 55 at the onset of presbyopia — the loss of near focus with age,
statistically at age 42.
The Cizik Eye Clinic covers the following specialties: low vision and visual rehabilitation; cataract; corneal and external disease; glaucoma; ophthalmic plastic, reconstructive and orbital surgery; refractive surgery; retina and vitreous; uveitis; and pediatric ophthalmology. The services it offers include: contact lenses; electrophysiology; low vision; optical shop; orthoptics; photography (fundus, slit lamp, external); and ultrasonography.
For more information about the Cizik Eye Clinic, visit www. cizikeyedoctors.org.
Additionally, for patients with low vision, the clinic offers the Dan Arnold Center for Vision Rehabilitation.
At this center, patients can experience a comprehensive vision rehabilitation program incorporating state-of-the-art technology and learning facilities, expert staff and adaptive computer technology. Beyond eye care, the center offers driving programs, mobility services and support groups. Plus, through occupational therapy, patients work with therapists in the center and at their homes to learn how to use their residual vision and low vision devices to fulfill daily tasks like shopping, using a blind cane, using phone and computer adaptations, getting dressed, helming public transportation and safely crossing streets.
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Diminished vision can be a byproduct of various conditions, and aging individuals who have noticed a loss of vision may be dealing with age-related macular degeneration or AMD. The National Eye Institute notes that aging causes damage to the macula, which is the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision, and that AMD is an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss for older adults.
When a person has AMD, his or her central vision is blurred, and because of this, people who develop the disease may struggle to recognize faces, read, drive or engage in activities that require close-up work, including cooking or fixing things around the house.Notably, cases of AMD are not all the same. The institute notes that AMD happens slowly in some people and faster in others. Some people may not even recognize they have vision loss even when they already have early AMD.
For further clarification, the institute explained the two types of AMD.
Dry AMD, the most common type of the disease, occurs as the macula gets thinner with age. Dry AMD progresses slowly over several years and occurs in three stages: early, intermediate and late. The less common form of late AMD is Wet AMD, which, according to the institute, causes faster vision loss. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula, and it’s treatable.
Due to the different forms of the disease, age-related macular degeneration produces different symptoms depending on the stage.Early dry AMD does not cause symptoms, and the National Eye Institute stated some people with intermediate dry AMD may not experience symptoms. Those who do may notice symptoms such as mild blurriness in
By 2030, 7.2 million Americans will have visual
Low Vision: What it is, what
impairments — of them, 5 million will have low vision
what causes it and what to do about it
Access eye health organization databases, additional eye and vision health research & tips and statistics from the National Eye Institute at www.nei.nih.gov.
Improve Your Vision
their central vision or difficulty seeing in low lighting. Late wet or dry AMD patients may notice that straight lines are beginning to look wavy or crooked and a blurry area may be near the center of their vision. That blurriness can grow larger over time, and people may be gin to see blank spots. Colors also may seem less bright, and people may have difficulty seeing in low lighting.
The institute pressed that adults 55 years old and older are more likely to have AMD than any other group. People with a family history of AMD, Caucasians and smokers also have a higher risk of developing AMD. Quitting smoking, getting regular physical activity, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and eating a healthy diet that includes leafy greens and fish are some ways people can lower their AMD risk.
LIVING WITH LOW VISION
The type of low vision a person experiences depends on the disease or condition that caused it. The most common types are:
Central vision loss: not being able to see things in the center of your vision; Peripheral vision loss: not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes; Night blindness: not being able to see in low light; and Blurry or hazy vision.
Although low vision is a permanent visual impairment, low vision aids can help people remain independent and specialized training, called vision rehabilitation, can provide skills for living with low vision.
Through vision rehabilitation, a low vision specialist (an ophthalmologist or optometrist who develops a vision rehabilitation plan) can also help determine the ideal combination of strategies and assistive devices to meet a patient’s needs. Such aids include magnifying glasses, screens and stands, telescopic lenses, high-intensity reading lamps, large-print newspapers, magazines and books, close-circuit TVs that magnify a printed page on screen and computers and tablets.
Many people are born with complete or partial vision loss, while others’ vision slowly dissipates over time.Macular conditions include age-related macular degeneration, “AMD,” which leads to a loss of both central vision and the ability to see fine details. The National Eye Institute says AMD happens when aging causes damage to the macula, or the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is part of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.Johns Hopkins Medicine says people rarely go blind from AMD, but it can result in significant loss of central vision. Learning to cope with these vision changes can take time, but there are certain products called low vision aids that can help offset vision loss. In addition to the following aids, eye doctors can recommend other products and treatments to help mitigate the vision loss that occurs from AMD or other eye illnesses.)
MAGNIFIERS: Magnifiers use lenses or cameras to make objects appear larger than they are. They can help with detailed tasks, such as threading a needle or finding buttons on a remote control. There are even video magnifiers that have rechargeable batteries and can be taken to restaurants to read menus.
LOW VISION GLASSES: These are not your typical eyeglasses. Low vision glasses are head-mounted, hands-free wearable technology that offers CCTV and text-to-speech capabilities in a product about the size of sunglasses. Glasses magnify anything a person looks at.
LARGE-PRINT ITEMS: There are a variety of products designed for those with low vision. These include wall clocks with large, bold numbers for easy viewing. Enlarged television remote controls and large-print books or digital reader settings help people with AMD maintain some normalcy.
Color-contrast aids: Color or contrast can be used to make items easier to see and use. For example, the Keys U Can See Keyboard has black letters and numbers on a striking yellow keyboard to greatly improve visibility.
Talking products: From watches to clocks to bathroom scales, voice-equipped products give users information via audio.
Income-Tax Assistance
Fort Bend County Libraries will host representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), who will provide free income-tax-preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers. Income-tax forms are not available at the libraries, but the libraries’ computers and printers can be used to download and print out the forms from the IRS website, www.irs.gov, during regular library hours. A library card (which is free) is needed to use the printers, and the cost to print is 10¢ per black-and-white page. The following information should be brought to the session if possible: a photo ID; Social Security card(s) for self, spouse, and all dependents; last year’s tax return; W-2, 1099s, and any other compensation received in 2024; unemployment compensation statements; and any other documents that are necessary to complete your return. By appointment only. fortbend.lib.tx.us
Jewelry Show
The Fort Bend Art Center’s Jewelry Show will be held from noon-5pm at 2012 Ave. G in Rosenberg and will feature unique jewelry made by local artists. artleaguefortbend.org
African-American Genealogy
Discover the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter monthly program “Discover the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory – Who, How, and Why!” featuring Martin Hagne, executive director of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory s set for 7-9pm at the ROsenberg Civic Center. The talk will be all about the GCBO – a vital research and educational facility nestled on 34 acres of Columbia Bottomland Forest in the heart of Lake Jackson, Texas. coastalprairie.org
Murder Mystery Dinner
Creative Learning Society - The Agatha Mystery Theater’s “A Clue Murder Mystery” — playful parody inspired by the cult classic movie Clue, featuring our very own twist on its iconic characters — will show at noon at 1909 Ave G suite 201, in Rosenberg. creativelearningsociety.com
Richmond Farmers Market
The Richmond Farmers Market will run 3-7 pm at City Hall Park Plaza, 402 Morton Street in Richmond. Featuring fresh produce from local growers and artisan goods as well as some prepared foods. richmondtx.gov
Movies
at Wessendorff
Fort Bend Master Gardeners 2024 Fruit Tree
Sale
The Fort Bend Master Gardeners 24th Annual Fruit Tree Sale will be held 4 from 9 a.m. until noon (or until sold out). Featuring an estimated 75 different varieties of fruit trees, berries and tropicals/sub-tropicals for sale with approximately 1,000 different plants available. fbmg.org.
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels’s Designer Bag Bingo event will run from 6-9:30pm at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center in Rosenberg. fortbendseniors.org
SAT Game Night
Family-History Research: African-American Genealogy program will be held from 10:30-11:30 am, Computer Lab at the George Memorial Library. Daniel Sample, manager of the Genealogy and Local History department, will discuss many of the resources that are available to family-history researchers, with special focus on tools to help individuals who are researching African-American family histories. Registration required. fortbend.lib.tx.us
Bird Hike
Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter’s monthly bird hike will take place 8-10:30 a.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park. coastalprairie.org
Annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference
The 40th anniversary of the Annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference will take place Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building C, 4310 Hwy 36S in Rosenberg. fortbend.agrilife. org
The City of Richmond’s free, family-friendly monthly outdoor films continues with a showing of “Wonka” at 6:30 pm in Wessendorff Park, 500 Preston Street in Richmond. Bring chairs and blankets. A dessert truck is usually on site for food purchase. richmondtx.gov
Valentine’s Day Dance
The Fort Bend County Fair and the Go Tejano Committee’s 15th Annual Go Tejano Committee Valentine’s Dance, will be held at 7 pm the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building C. A night of live music and dancing, with Grupo Zenzio and South TX Homies performing. fortbendcountyfair.com.
Plant Walk
Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter’s upcoming Plant Walk will feature Susie Doe, botany enthusiast and chapter plant expert, at Seabourne Creek Nature Park to learn about its plants. Meet at the Prairie Demo Area this month. The walk will last 2 hours. coastalprairie.org
The George Memorial Library will host S.A.T. Showdown for Teens: Test Your Knowledge, 5-6 pm in Room 2C. Gather for a lively evening filled with quizzes and friendly competition. Teens can boost their SAT skills while enjoying snacks and prizes. Registration is recommended, but not required. fortbend.lib.tx.us
Houston Glass Show
The Houston Glass show, featuring national dealers selling rare glass, pottery and China from 1880-1980, will run Feb. 15 and 16 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg. The Preview Sale runs 6-9pm on Feb. 14. maxmillerantiques.com/houston-glass-show
Men Who Cook
The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation’s 2025 Men Who Cook Gala will take place from 6:30-11 p.m. at Texas Safari Ranch, 11627 FM 1464, Richmond. Featuring local chefs competing by preparing appetizers, side dishes, entrees and desserts. Includes a night of live entertainment, a photo booth, silent and live auctions, and food.
‘The Bulb Hunter ‘
The Sugar Land Garden Club’s free presentation “The Bulb Hunter” by Chris Wiesinger, The Southern Bulb Company will be held at 10 am at St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Road in Sugar Land. sugarlandgardenclub.org
Continued on page 22
In a purchase effective Jan. 1, Moser Community Media, LLC has acquired the Fort Bend Herald, Alvin Sun, Alvin Advertiser, and Wharton County Leader-Journal.
“The Moser family, like the Hartmans and others who have been the owners of record of this newspaper, will continue to have the same attitude about the publication,” said Clyde King, who served as publisher of the Herald-Coaster and most recently The Herald. “All these who have had the newspaper’s reins at one time or the other have felt like they were caretakers. The newspaper actually belongs to the citizens of West Fort Bend County and always will.”
David Rigas has assumed the post of Group Publisher and Manager for the publications. Other principals in Moser Community Media, LLC are Jim Moser and Charles Moser. Jim Moser served as advertising director for the Fort Bend Herald (formerly the Herald-Coaster) in the late 1990s before he was promoted to publisher of the McKinney Courier-Gazette, which was also owned by Hartman Newspapers at the time. Charles Moser worked most of his career for the Hartman family, including 40 years as publisher of the Brenham Banner-Press.
Rigas has already moved to the area. He is a veteran of the newspaper business with over 33 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at his hometown newspaper, The News-Register in
Wheeling, W.Va., where he started in the advertising department and later served as circulation manager.
More recently, Rigas has served as publisher of The Juneau (Alaska) Empire, Peninsula Clarion and Homer News, and, prior to that, he worked as publisher or in advertising sales and marketing for several newspapers and the Georgia Press Association. In these markets and others, Rigas was active with the Rotary Club, the chambers of commerce and other community organizations.
“I am genuinely excited about becoming an active member of the community,” Rigas said. “ I look forward to working with the staff members here to continue producing the best community newspapers possible that satisfy the needs of all our readers and advertisers.”
Herald Executive Editor Scott Reese Willey said Moser Community Media’s purchase is the best possible outcome for The Herald.
“The Herald has been a family-owned newspaper for more than a century, and it will continue to be a family-owned newspaper well into the next century,” he said. “When many newspa pers around the nation are being gobbled up by hedge funds and other conglomerates, the fortunate ones like Herald end up in the hands of family-owned news paper groups that truly care about serving the com munities they join. Herald reporters will still provide award-winning coverage of local news, sports and features under the new ownership, and we’re excited about the future.”
'trust in the brand and me, specifically'
Entrepreneur
Ashley Massie seeks to empower women through her own endeavor
by MARQUITA GRIFFIN
If Ashley Massie was adamant about one thing when she propelled herself into the role of entrepreneur, it was that she would use her passion “to start a program to help someone else.”
“I needed something to ground me, every single day for the first two years,” said Massie, referring to the ups and downs that tend to accompany the initial years of running a business. If she had at least one focal point, aside from what was necessary for success, she could endure the tough times.
Through her business venture she would help others, Massie decided, and spent time thinking where she should aim her efforts.
Women transitioning from women’s shelters is the population the 29-year-old entrepreneur settled on because of the reasons abused women will return to their abusers.
In a 2005 study, among 104 female residents in a facility for intimate partner violence victims, 66.3% reported that they had separated from and returned to their abusive partners at least once and of them, 97.1% indicated that they left and returned multiple times. The National Domestic Violence Hotline stated the common reasons victims will return to their abusers include feelings of shame or fear, concern over their immigration status, having a disability, having children and lacking confidence and especially resources for their own livelihood.
“They feel like they don’t have a skills to make it on their own or that they don’t have an out, especially when there are kids involved,” Massie explained.
“I thought maybe I can give them that, give them a way to reroute their life.”
So as a franchisee with Floor Coverings International, Massie developed what she calls her 10-year plan.
AN EAGER ENTREPRENEUR
Along with owning Floor Coverings International-Rosenberg, Massie has a decade of expertise in IT, engineering, energy recruitment and management, as well as experience in the automotive industry. Much of it benefited her when she decided to become a franchise owner, a decision that hasn’t been without its challenges. The financial stress, having to endure the challenges of vendors and the program complexities of starting didn’t dissuade her entrepreneurial spirit, though.
Her family’s legacy is just too strong.
“I was raised surrounded by entrepreneurs; my grandfather being a co-founder of Excel Telecommunications, traveled as a motivational speaker and my mother going on to create multiple businesses is what drilled this passion to build into me,” Massie said, adding that her commitment to excellence and her “let’s do it better” philosophy led her to partner with Floor Coverings International, which she said aligns with her values of putting the team and customer first.
Plus,
“I thought maybe I can give them that, give them a way to reroute their life.”
— Ashley Massie Floor Coverings International-Rosenberg
Right now, she has one Floor Coverings International location open in Rosenberg (the office is located at 1114 Lawrence Street) with a mobile showroom containing 3000 flooring options. It serves areas throughout Fort Bend County — including Sugar Land, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Sienna, Pleak and Thompson. Her long-term plan, however, is to run five locations with two or three of them fully staffed by women transitioning from women’s shelters.
These locations, she explained, will have several positions “with a lot of overhead opportunity” for the women.
If she can develop her program as needed, Massie said through Floor Coverings International she will help the women reclaim their lives and break destructive and disruptive patterns. If a woman who survived abuse can reroute her life in a thriving direction without fear and with her children secure and unharmed during the journey, that alone can stop a generation of pain being repeated, Massie emphasized.
“What if they could go after the life they thought was out of reach,” she asked letting the thought hang in the brief silence. “And what if I could do that dozens of times?”
try, she noted.
elevated interest rates, and those higher rates combined with ris ing home values, means housing is now a much costlier expense for potential buyers than was the case only a few years ago.
Massie said she agrees with the findings the U.S. Bank re ported — that people might be choosing to stay in their current homes and remodel, rather than move due to the current housing market.
“The growing trend of investing in home im provements just contin ues,” said Massie, sharing that she noticed it around the onslaught of the pan demic when home confine
ment was the course of living for so many. “In our area people are investing heavily into their existing homes more than they are selling them. A floor adds a lot of value to a remodel.”
“According to a recent study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 90% of homeowners who upgrade to hardwood floors have a greater desire to be home and 77% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home,” she said, citing studies that show significant cost recovery from hardwood floor upgrades. “That same study showed that refinishing hardwood floors yielded 147% cost recovery, and installing new wood floors yielded 118% cost recovery in terms of the increased resale value as compared to the cost of the project.”
GETTING OUT OF THE BOX
Massie doesn’t seek praise for her intentions behind her 10-year plan, but she does hope she can inspire other entrepreneurs to think outside of the box for ways they could directly benefit their communities.
“What I’m doing, it’s an individual thing,” Massie said, explaining that this drive to help began as an idea she couldn't let go of.
That is not the case for every entrepreneur or business owner, she noted objectively.
“Not all businesses know how to [donate time, money or opportunities directly] to causes they want to support,” she said. “They want to give but they don’t know how to.”
Massie then shares the domino effect she dreams of seeing — her plan reaching fruition, helping precisely those women she wants to support, but, also inspiring other business owners to develop more direct and permanent ways to help those who need resources, access and opportunities.
Ways that help people out of the box currently binding them, she said. Perhaps, even some of those businesses will want to invest in or join her program, allowing more women to be helped.
She stops her dream at that point and exhales a satisfied sigh: “I like talking about this,” she said.
When the days as a business owner get tough —and lately there have been some rough ones, she noted — talking about her 10-year plan charges her. It’s not about another notch on the belt or boasting an achievement, she explained. It’s about the chance to help people better their lives in a long-lasting way. So Massie said she will endure the tough days for the chance to ease someone else’s down the line.
But first, she must catapult her Floor Coverings International location into a financial position to support her other locations.
To do this Massie said she has another plan: “To do right by people.”
In an era when deceptive practices can easily be costumed as goodwill, Massie said she wants to be known for honest and fair dealings. Not because she says so, but because her clients do.
“I want you to trust in the brand and me specifically,” she said.
TOP FLOORING PLANS
Floor Coverings International -Rosenberg Owner Ashely Massie's favorite flooring options in her market include:
Sustainable Materials: Homeowners are turning to laminate flooring crafted from eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood fibers.
Authentic Wood Look: The demand for realistic-looking wood floors continues to soar.
Waterproof Performance: Given recent erratic weather conditions, waterproof laminate floors are in demand.
Vinyl Flooring: As technology advances, vinyl flooring gets close to natural wood and stone looks that are easily cleaned with a damp mop.
Carpet: There are still die-hard carpet lovers because of the feeling and look of cozy and warm. Not so much shag. More flat piles, textures and patterned looks are available.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This is the best luxury flooring offering real wood veneers with remarkably high quality and detail.
Visit floorcoveringsinternational.com/locations/us/tx/ rosenberg or call 346-788-1785.
Did you know that brownies are actually are classified as a bar cookie rather than a cake, and the dessert earned its name from the deep, brown color of its main ingredient? And that it takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate? Or did you know that it takes two to four days to make a single-serving chocolate bar? History is rich with chocolaty factoids, so while celebrating National Chocolate Lovers Month, consider the background of a longtime, favored flavor.
Marbled Chocolate
Cheesecake Brownies
Makes 12
INGREDIENTS
¾ cup unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup superfine sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
Cheesecake mix
1 cup ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 egg beaten
INSTRUCTIONS
1
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 11 x 7-inch cake pan and line with parchment paper.
2Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, remove from the heat, and stir in the unsweetened cocoa and the sugar. Beat in the eggs, then add the flour, and stir to mix evenly. Pour into the prepared pan.
3For the cheesecake mix, beat together the ricotta, sugar and egg, then drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture over the chocolate mixture. Use a met-
al spatula to swirl the two mixtures tightly together.
4Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until just firm to the touch. Cool in the pan, then cut into bars or squares.
Crochette di Ricotta con Salsa di Cioccolato
(Ricotta Beignets With Chocolate Dipping Sauce)
Makes 6 to 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup finely crushed amaretti cookies (about 16 cookies)
1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream
Vegetable oil, for deep-fat frying
Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1
In a medium-size bowl, whisk the ricotta and eggs together until smooth. Add the sugar, flour, baking powder, and amaretti and stir until well blended. Cover and chill 2 for at least 1 hour.
3While the batter is chilling, put the chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate, stirring until blended and smooth. Keep warm.
4Fill a medium-size pot with at least 3 inches oil and heat until the oil measures about 360 F on a candy or instant-read thermometer. Carefully drop the crochette batter by the heaping tablespoon into the hot oil and cook, turning once, until brown on all sides, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted
spoon, remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels.
5Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately with chocolate sauce. If desired, serve with warm caramel and berry sauces as well.
FRENCH SILK
Serves 12
INGREDIENTS
CRUST
¾ cup walnuts, toasted
1 cup pecans, toasted
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
FILLING
1¼ pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped
6 ounces (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
6 large eggs (use pasteurized eggs if you are concerned about eating un cooked eggs)
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
TOPPING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
1To make the crust: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon and pulse until the nuts are coarsely chopped. Pour the nuts into a bowl, add the butter, and stir until the nuts are evenly moistened. Press the nut mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2To make the filling: Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. While the chocolate is melting, combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and add the eggs two at a time,
mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase the speed to medium-high, and whip until well blended, about 2 minutes. The mixture will look curdled.
3Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and stir until smooth and warm but not hot. With the mixer on low speed, add the chocolate to the egg mixture. Scrape the sides and along the bottom of the bowl and then continue to mix on low speed until the chocolate is fully incorporated. Add the cream and vanilla and mix until blended. Spread the filling over the crust. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
4To make the topping: In a bowl, whisk together the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
5Using a spatula, spread the topping over the top of the cake. Run a hot, dry knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then remove the pan sides and set the cake on a serving platter. Slice the cake with a hot, dry knife and serve chilled.
Pear and Chocolate Frangipane Tart
Serves 8-10
INGREDIENTS
4 medium, firm pears, unpeeled
2⁄3 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons Ruby Port
Toasted shredded or silvered almonds, to scatter (optional)
PASTRY
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg yolk
2½ to 3 tablespoons chilled water
CHOCOLATE FRANGIPANE FILLING
6½ tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 to 2 tablespoons chocolate liqueur
2⁄3 cup ground almonds
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
INSTRUCTIONS
1To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper. Put the butter and egg yolk in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the chilled water and blend again. Pour in the dry ingredients and blend until just combined. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently until smooth. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Bring to room
temperature before rolling out.
2To make the chocolate frangipane filling, put the butter in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sugar and beat until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and the chocolate liqueur, then stir in the ground almonds and the cocoa. Cover and set aside.
3Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and use to line the tart pan. Prick the pastry all over with a fork and refrigerate until firm.
4Preheat the oven to 400 F, and put a heavy baking sheet on the middle shelf.
5Spread the chocolate frangipane evenly over the chilled pastry crust.
6Halve the pears and scoop out the cores. Cut each half into thirds and arrange them randomly over the chocolate frangipane.
7Transfer the tart to the preheated baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry starts to brown. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 F and bake for a further 15-20 minutes or until the pears are tender and the frangipane is set. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
8About
20 minutes before serving, melt the jam with the port in a small pan and boil for 1 minute to make a glaze. Remove the tart from the pan, brush with the glaze, scatter with the almonds, if using, and serve at room temperature — never chilled — with cream, if using.
Since chocolate reigns supreme this month, try a chocolate charcuterie board. Charcuterie boards have become a staple when entertaining or dining out, and traditionally feature a variety of cured meats, cheeses, bruschetta, and even olives. But boards can be adorned with any tasty morsel their creators desire. Borrowing from that idea, savvy home chefs can create a sweetsbased charcuterie board that’s sure to amaze.
To start out, figure out which nibbles your love one will desire
the most. The chocolate charcuterie board can be entirely sweet, or a mix of sweet, savory and even salty offerings. Some ideas for a chocolate charcuterie board include:
• chocolate truffles
• chocolate-dipped fruits
• chocolate-covered pretzels
• chocolate bark
• melted chocolate fondue and assorted dippers
• Classic chocolate candies
• Assorted nuts like almonds and cashews
• Fudge squares
• Homemade turtle candy
• Chocolate nut rolls
• Dried fruits, such as figs and dates
• Graham crackers or butter cookies
Just as you would for any charcuterie board, choose an attractive wood board large enough to hold all of the desserts. Arrange the chocolates and other foods with an eye for presentation. Use fresh berries or mint leaves to fill in any gaps and add a little extra flair to the arrangement. If desired, think about pairing chocolate and sweet elements with traditional charcuterie offerings like cured salami, brie cheese, hard cheeses, crackers, and chutneys.
Showing Their Love
Generous donors, bidders and restaurants make Lunches of Love’s Taste of Love benefit a success
by SCOTT REESE WILLEY
Mix generous restaurant owners willing to whip up sumptuous meals with more than two dozen kind-hearted business owners and individuals willing to contribute silent and live auction prizes and add more than 100 caring bidders and diners and you’ve got a recipe for a successful benefit. More than a 100 souls braved a torrential downpour in January to take part in Lunches of Love’s annual Taste of Love fundraiser.The entry fee included samples of some of the best cooking in Fort Bend County and the opportunity to bid on dozens of fantastic silent and live auction items.
“Lunches of Love’s ninth annual Taste of Fort Bend huge success,” said CEO Elizabeth Fairfield. “ It was cold and rainy, but the packed house was a testament to the dedication and love our supporters have to our mission of ending childhood hunger right here in Fort Bend County.”
Attendees at the event enjoyed amazing food from nine of Fort Bend’s finest restaurants and had a little friendly competition playing Heads or Tails and bidding on exciting raffle items, Fairfield said.
The benefit included the always-popular wine pull in which participants pay $20 to draw a number from a hat. Attendees also were able to enter a raffle for a year’s supply of gift cards from area restaurants. Each gift card allows the winner to dine out one time each month at that specific restaurant. Restaurant owners and their staffs were presented with a certificate of appreciation prior to dinner being served. ll be used to provide free sack lunches to children in need this upcoming year.
“One in four children live in homes facing food insecurity and wonder where their next meal is going to come from,” she noted.
Lunches of Love was created in 2009 by Adriane Mathews Gray — Elizabeth’s sister — and 15 years later, LOL is still dedicated to making sure no child goes to bed hungry.Lunches of Love served its 1 millionth meal in 2015.“Thank You to everyone who made this event an overwhelming success,” Fairfield said.
Restaurants taking part in the Taste of Love “Restaurant A Month for a Year raffle ($1,200 value; $100 gift card per month) included Pier 36 Seafood Restaurant &Oyster Bar (January), Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar (February). Visa gift card (March), Pinche’s (April, Visa gift card (May), Pablo’s Mexican Kitchen (June), Edible Moments (July), Tex-Y-Cano (August), Visa gift card (September); Salata Salad Kitchen (October), Visa gift card (November) and Antoine’s Market Grill (December).
Other sponsors include Kay Danziger (VIP reception sponsor), Elizabeth & Harold Williams Foundation (print sponsor), Jonathan F. Powell DDS (signage sponsor), Jennifer and Joe Vance (valet sponsor), Chuck Bucek CPA (silent auction sponsor), Lone Star Recreation (cash bar sponsor), FireTron Inc. (heads or tails sponsor), Joe and Liz Ambriz (red carpet sponsor), Jennifer and Greg Cox (wine pull sponsor), Pavement Marking Inc. (photo booth sponsor), Javier Flores (raffle sponsor), M&H Construction Services (auctioneer sponsor), Amaro Injury Lawyers (general sponsors), Dresner & Strain Families (general sponsor), M&H Construction Services (general sponsor).
From the top photo to the bottom: Top:retired educator Beverly Richard shows off one of the silent auction items ; Lunches of Love was the beneficiary of Fluor Corporation's Golf for Greater Houston 2024; (left)Ken Kelly participated in the Wine Pull; (right)Kameela Lewis, executive director of LEAF shows off one of the silent auction items; Tommy and Debbie Wendt show off a gift basket that was part of the silent auction line-up.
To learn more about Lunches of Love visit lunchesoflove.net.
The
bulbs
are back Annual Caladium Sale in effect
The Garden Club of Richmond encourages the public to give caladiums a try, specifically through the club’s annual caladium bulb sale which ends this month.
Known to be easy to care for, Caladiums are native to the banks of the Amazon River in South America and thrive in warm, humid spring and summer climates.
The bulbs should be planted in late April or early May when danger of the frost has passed and the temperature reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Garden Club of Richmond will offer No. 1 “fancy-leafed” bulbs in six varieties: Red Flash, Carolyn Whorton, Candidum, White Christmas, Fanny Munson and FM Joyner.
Red Flash (red) and Carolyn Whorton (pink) thrive in both full sun and shade; Candidum (white) thrives in partial sun or shade; White Christmas (white with intense green veining) and Fanny Munson (flamingo pink with green edges) grow well in shade; and FM Joyner (green netted veining with shades of pink and white), is sun tolerant.
Bulbs can be pre-ordered and will be available for pick-up on March 26, 27 and 28 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Joseph’s Coffee & Cigars, 202 Morton Street in Richmond.
March 7 is the last day to place an order and all orders must be paid in advance.The bulbs are only sold in quantities of 25 of a single color. Prices, including tax, are $36 for 25 bulbs, $68 for 50 bulbs and $134 for 100 bulbs.
To order, please contact Nancie Rain at 713-898-8359 or nrain@comcast. net or Roberta Terrell at 713-962-1839 or robertaterrell@gmail.com
Reading JH named finalist in the Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition
RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ – Samsung Electronics
America honored 300 public middle and high schools from all 50 states across America as State Finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) competition.
Reading Junior High School was one of seven Texas schools selected.
Each State Finalist school won a $2,500 Samsung technology prize package, an initial milestone on the path toward becoming one of three National Winners that will each unlock $100,000 for their school. Overall, Samsung will award more than $2 million in prizes to this year’s participating schools. The full list of State Finalists can be viewed at Samsung.com/Solve.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is among the most awarded national STEM competitive programs, recently recognized with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Citizens Award for Best Commitment to Education Program, the Digiday Greater Good Award for Education, and a coveted Silver Anthem Award for Community Engagement and CSR. The education-based citizenship initiative empowers students in grades 6–12 to leverage the power of STEM to create innovative solutions addressing critical issues in their local communities. The competition engages Gen Z and Gen Alpha students to catalyze positive change by applying Problem-based Learning (PBL) principles, environmental stewardship, and social impact entrepreneurship to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. By promoting active, hands-on learning, Solve for Tomorrow makes STEM more tangible for young learners, and opens doors to future opportunities in STEM education and careers.
TACKLING CHALLENGES WITH EMERGING TECH
The 300 State Finalists were selected from thousands of applications across all 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia. Nearly three-quarters of entries came from teachers new to the Solve for Tomorrow competition; more than a third were from middle schools; and 60% represented Title 1 institutions – highlighting the widespread interest among educators and students in harnessing STEM’s power to promote the common good, beyond the perception of STEM as a field limited to elite or privileged communities. This diversity also underscores Samsung’s commitment to advancing equity in education.
Meanwhile, the next generation of changemakers—Gen Z and Gen Alpha students in middle and high schools—are stepping up to confront the world’s most urgent issues, a commitment reflected in their Solve for Tomorrow project proposals. An impressive 33% of these projects focus on the climate crisis, taking on critical challenges like extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods, wildfires), sustainable building materials to withstand damage, and alternative energy sources such as wind turbines, solar power, and kinetic energy. Mental health and wellness, particularly addressing the impacts of social media and stress, along with school safety, are also prominent themes among student projects. Moreover, 60% of these solutions harness emerging technologies
like artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, and robotics, showcasing how young innovators are leveraging cutting-edge tools to drive meaningful change. AI, in particular, plays a key role, with students applying it in healthcare for early cancer detection and health monitoring, enhancing accessibility for the visually impaired, and improving language translation.
“Solve for Tomorrow has long embodied Samsung’s strategy, purpose, and values,” said Salman Taufiq, Director - Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics America. “From our roots as a small television manufacturer in the 1960s to becoming a global technology leader, STEM has been part of our DNA. As we celebrate 15 years of Solve for Tomorrow, we are proud to continue our commitment to ensuring America’s students stay engaged in STEM education and pursue careers in this field. These State Finalist teams are answering that call by engaging technology for good, like their quick adoption of AI to power wide-ranging solutions that address not only pressing challenges in their communities but also global issues.”
UPCOMING COMPETITION PHASES
For the next phase of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, teachers must create a focused activity plan. Plans must outline how students will execute their STEM project by defining the community problem, proposing a STEM-based solution, specifying objectives, detailing activities to reach their anticipated goals, and articulating the expected positive impact their solution will bring to the community. Based on these activity plans, judges will select State Winners, who will be revealed in March 2025.
A hometown hero LCHS graduate commended for saving neighbors from fire
by SCOTT REESE WILLEY
Lamar Consolidated High School graduate Kaylee Cleveland of Richmond had just returned from shopping for a Halloween costume on Oct. 24 and was about to make dinner when she heard a loud boom.
“I just thought one of my upstairs neighbors dropped something but then my mom ran in and shouted “FIRE!”
They ran to the glass patio door of their apartment and looked outside. Another building in the complex was ablaze. Without even putting on her shoes, Kaylee raced to the burning building and began banging on doors, alerting the residents inside to the danger. Thanks to her quick thinking, no one was injured in the blaze that destroyed the building and left 40 residents homeless.
In December city and county leaders recognized the 21-year-old college student for her courageous act.
“Her act of heroism saved her neighbors from certain tragedy,” Precinct 4 County Commissioner Dexter McCoy said during an appreciation ceremony at Lamar Consolidated High School. He said he recalled arriving at the apartment complex that night and talking to residents who had just lost everything.
“What they remembered, person after person, was that there was
one family they credited with saving their lives, and that was Kaylee’s family,” McCoy said. “When tragedy struck and fire broke out, when most people would have worried about themselves, and getting themselves out of harm’s way, Kaylee went into action. She was concerned about neighbors. Had she not been concerned about her neighbors, we could have lost an untold number of lives and number of people in our community.”
Neighboring fire departments helped battle the 5-alarm blaze.
“There were 40 people impacted by this fire. An entire building in this complex was completely destroyed. And not one person died,” he said. “Instead of losing lives, people lost things that can be replaced.”
"Had she not been concerned about her neighbors, we could have lost an untold number of lives and number of people in our community.”
office also commended Kaylee for her bravery.
Fagan presented Kaylee with a badge and sheriff’s office patch. “We can replace things, but we cannot replace loved ones,” he said. “So I had to come here today personally to say thank you to Kaylee. She went above and beyond the call of duty.”
Smith Lawson said she hopes Kaylee will inspire other LCHS students to “go and do good things for other people.” Haas said Kaylee was where God wanted her to be that night.
“God puts people where he wants them and that’s where he wanted her to be,” Haas said.
Kaylee’s eyes welled with tears as she recalled that tragic night. Her family had lived at the apartment complex for the past four to five years and she knew many of the neighbors by name or by sight.
McCoy read a proclamation from the Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court commending Kaylee for her heroic deed and naming Dec. 11 Kaylee Cleveland Day in Fort Bend County. Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan, County Attorney Bridgette Smith Lawson, Associate District Court Judge Stuti Patel, Richmond Mayor Becky Haas, Richmond city commissioners Barry Beard and Alec BeMent and representatives from Precinct 4 Constable Mike Beard’s
— Dexter McCoy Precinct 4 County Commissioner
“I may not know them all by name but I have seen them come and go for the past four or five years and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to them,” the nursing student said. One elderly neighbor couldn’t walk without a walker. “I was banging on her door and shouting fire and when she opened it, I could see her curtains were already on fire. Her apartment was on fire,” Kaylee recalled. “She kept saying she had to find her walker before she could leave and I kept saying ‘No, there’s no time. We have to get out now!’ ”
McCoy reminded other LCHS National Honor Society students in attendance that they, too, could make a difference in the lives of others.
“Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, all backgrounds and ages, and today we are here to recognize a local hero that doesn’t wear a cape or some fancy-smancy suit, but instead is someone just like you and I.”
Lamar Consolidated High School graduate Kaylee Cleveland of Richmond was honored for helping to save the lives of her neighbors when fire broke out at the Fairview at Bellvue apartment complex.
Cullinan Park Conservancy Photo Contest Winners
An element of Cullinan Park Conservancy’s annual Picnic for the Park fundraiser is a contest of photos taken at Cullinan’s 754-acre nature park. Amateur and professional photographers submitted up to three photos in designated categories and were judged by three anonymous local photographers.
The First Place entries in respective categories: Flora category - “Texas Lotus and a Frog” by Thung Tran • Bird category - “Meal Time” by Joe Goldman •Wildlife category - “It Ain’t Easy Being Green” by Melanie Emerson • Landscape category - “The Faint Glow of Sunset” by Melanie Emerson • Taken with Cell Phone category - “Nature’s Armor” by Tracey Woodward • People’s Choice category - “White Lotus” by Katy Lagunes
View the second and third-place winners at cullinanparkconservancy.org
Reading is Art Little Libraries launched across the city
The City of Sugar Land Civic Arts Division announced the official launch of its “The Art of Reading” campaign, an initiative that merges art and literacy. This project features five beautifully designed little libraries, each painted by talented local artists, to inspire imagination, encourage reading, and enhance public spaces.
The artist-painted libraries will be located at Dulles High School, Brazos River Park, Clements High School, Kempner High School and Stadium Drive Roundabout.
The libraries were crafted by an extraordinary group of local artists: Micah Salinas, Premo, W3r3on3, Ohnohedent, and Wade Indeed. Each artist has brought their creative vision to life, making every library a masterpiece that reflects the themes of imagination, community and a love for reading.
A Campaign to Inspire Literacy and Community
“The Art of Reading” campaign addresses a growing need to foster literacy and unite communities. According to recent literacy data, less than 50% of U.S. adults read above an 8th-grade level. Coupled with the decline in regular reading habits due to the rise of technology, this initiative provides a creative and accessible solution to rekindle a passion for reading.
In addition to offering free reading opportunities, these libraries serve as a sustainable way to recycle books and promote the sharing of diverse literary resources. Through this initiative, the city hopes to inspire book clubs, lifelong readers, and a stronger sense of community.
“The ‘Reading is Art’ little libraries are a wonderful way to give our residents access to both visual and literary art in a meaningful and tangible way,” said Sha Davis, Sugar Land Civic Arts Manager. “The virtual lessons filmed by each artist add such a personal touch, allowing our community to connect directly with the creative process behind these libraries. This campaign is a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the power of sharing—something we are truly excited to bring to Sugar Land.”
Bringing Art and Education to Life
To further engage residents, each artist has created a video component showcasing their work, offering art lessons, and providing a behind-the-scenes look into their design process. These virtual elements allow the community to connect with the artists and gain inspiration for their own creative pursuits.
Release Schedule
The “Reading is Art” Little Libraries will be unveiled throughout the city through February 7, 2025. Residents are encouraged to visit these libraries, explore the artwork, and borrow or contribute books.
Visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/CivicArts for more information.
Continued from page 8
Creek Sports Complex from 10 am-noon. rosenbergtx.gov
Teen Financial-Literacy Series
The George Memorial Library will host “Teen Financial-Literacy Series, Part 2: Credit Management,” 4-5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. This monthly series of classes will be presented by Fort Bend County Extension Agent Janelle Johnson. In this class, students will learn how credit cards, loans, and credit scores work. They will also hear about strategies for using credit wisely while avoiding excessive debt. Registration required. fortbend. lib.tx.us
Dementia Conversations
The George Memorial Library will host “Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, & Legal and Financial Planning,” 11:30 am-12:30 pm in Room 2C. Ryan Gant, from the Fort Bend County Health & Services department, will provide an overview of dementia. Learn about ways to approach sensitive discussions about dementia with empathy and understanding. Registration required. fortbend.lib.tx.us
Wine & Beer Walk
Discover Downtown Rosenberg will host its fourth annual Wine & Beer Walk in historic downtown Rosenberg from noon-5 pm. Tickets are $20-$25. Sample a variety of wines and beers, participate in the first annual 1K keg run, visit artist and market vendor booths, shop local merchants for unique finds, eat delicious foods and enjoy live music from The Emotions Band. rosenbergtx.gov
Spring Market of Rosenberg
Home For The Holidays Gift Market supporting small business shopping will be at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg from March 21-23 — Friday, 10 am-4pm; Saturday, 10 am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm; homefortheholidaysgiftmarket. com
Easter Egg Hunt
Discover Downtown Rosenberg’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Seabourne
Johanna Compean
Breanna Compean
LEADING CANCER CARE in Sugar Land
At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, our dedicated oncologists are working to stop cancer using the latest innovations in research, treatments and technology. From genetic screenings and clinical trials to advanced imaging and robotic surgery, our cutting-edge cancer care is available in Sugar Land.
That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.
Willowbrook