Greatwood - March 2023

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Greatwood

A publication of the
MARCH 2023 monthly
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Contents & Staff

TALK

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | An ASL-Integrated Performance by FBCA theatre students wins Winning Outstanding Production and All-Star at National Junior Theater Festival.

CHAIRMAN, EDITOR & PUBLISHER

Clyde King cking@hartmannews.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Marquita Griffin mgriffin@fbherald.com

ADVERTISING

Stefanie Bartlett sbartlett@fbherald.com

Ruby Polichino ruby@fbherald.com

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS

Marquita Griffin

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Melinda Maya mmaya@fbherald.com

Rachel Cavazos rcavazos@fbherald.com

TO ADVERTISE

If you are interested in advertising in the Greatwood Monthly, please call 281-342-4474 and ask for Stefanie Bartlett or Ruby Polichino. We’ll be happy to send rates, and deadline information to you.

PHOTO & ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

We are looking for fresh story ideas and enjoy publishing your articles in the West Fort Bend Living. If you have an story idea or photo to publish please send your information to mgriffin@fbherald.com with “West Fort Bend Living” in the subject line.

©2022 Greatwood Monthly. All Rights Reserved. Greatwood Monthly is a sister publication of Fulshear Living Monthly, West Fort Bend Living Monthly, Pecan Grove Monthly and is a publication of the Fort Bend Herald. Our publishing headquarters is 1902 S. Fourth Street, Rosenberg Texas 77471.

4 • Greatwood Monthly
2023
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March
06 FEATURE | Greatwood’s Sarah Tredway discusses the process, goals and impact of Teachers for America and why she decided to pursue the classroom instead of the courtroom.
18
OF THE TOWN | The 5th Annual Annabelle’s Run continues to fund research into the GNAO1 mutation.
8 16 6
A pre-service moment with incoming corps members in Summer 2022. ABOVE: Sarah Tredway reading “Little Red Riding Hood” during dramatic play with her students. BELOW: Sarah with Hadja Sako, a former Kindergartner of Sarah Tredway and former 5th grade student of Jonah Baumgarten (right).
8 • Hometown Happenings MARCH Belinda Regalado belregalado1@gmail.com • 979-709-6853 info@beltxrealtor.com • P.O Box 19516, Sugar Land, TX 77496 facebook.com/beltxrealtor • Full-Time Local Realtor • Turning Houses into Homes for over 24 yrs. • Complimentary Market Analysis • We offer a Customized Marketing plan including Professional Staging Advice and Drone Photography. With over 24yrs of real estate sales experience I can help you get started. Thinking of Buying or Selling? Call us Today! www.yourkpc.com ◆ 281-646-1700 MPL36673 So... How’s your heater? TACLB00119162E We’re Now Offering Heating & Air Conditioning Services! Apartments • Restaurants • Hotels • Stores • Office/Commercial Buildings Industrial • Grocery Stores • Manufacturing • Residential

Annabelle’s Run races into fifth year

When the van Deursens were given the diagnosis of their oldest child six years ago, in the gravity of that moment, they said they couldn’t imagine how many people would fight alongside them to save their daughter’s life and to spread awareness about the rare GNAO1 mutation, a neurological disorder.

Typically marked by developmental delays, irregular muscle contractions, early infantile seizures and poor muscle tone, the GNAO1 mutation isn’t a straightforward diagnosis because it also has variants.

As it stands now, there is no cure for the disorder, but parents Daniel and Shelley van Deursen are working to change that.

After founding Annabelle’s Amazing Graces, the nonprofit that bears their daughter’s name, the van Deursens have raised funds to donate to The Bow Foundation, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit which funds research projects centering on the mutation and similar neurological conditions.

The nonprofit’s inaugural fundraiser was held in 2019, and to date, the nonprofit has raised more than $300,000 for The Bow Foundation.

“We had our best year last year, donating over $100,000 to GNAO1 research,” said Shelley van Deursen, Annabelle’s mother and co-founder of the nonprofit. “We are so grateful and blessed by an amazing community filled with family, friends, and strangers helping us cure our Annabelle. People from all over are helping us bring awareness to the GNAO1 mutation and helping us cure GNAO1 by supporting research.

“I hope that we can continue to grow, so that we can continue to bring awareness to the GNAO1 mutation and ultimately fund enough research to cure Annabelle and all of her friends who have this mutation.”

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

ANNABELLE’S RUN

On April 1 Annabelle’s Amazing Graces will host its annual fundraiser — Annabelle’s Run— at No Label Brewery in Katy, Texas. The event kicks off at 8:30 a.m.

The 5th annual Annabelle’s Run is a 5K run and 1-Mile Walk event that includes coffee from Humble Grounds, kolaches from Kolache Factory, breakfast tacos from Snooze, cookies from Sugarberry Cookie Shoppe, a snow cone truck, cookies from Tiffs Treats, waters from The Brielle Group exp realty, beer from No Label, a wine pull, live music, princesses from Fairest of All Parties, face painting, a balloon artist, and more.

Adult registration is $40, youth registration is $25, and as with every Annabelle’s Run event, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit The

Continued on page 12

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Bow Foundation for GNAO1 research.

Shelley added that Annabelle’s Amazing Graces also participates in Giving Tuesday to double the donations to The Bow Foundation for GNAO1 research and in GNAO1 Awareness day, which occurs every October 1.

“The more awareness we can bring to this extremely rare mutation, the better for Annabelle and all children with this mutation,” she said. “We need the continued support of our community and businesses in the community, who have been wonderful. We could never have been so successful without [their] help.”

Multiple GNAO1 research studies are underway including one that will help in understanding how GNAO1 precisely affects the brain and another that is using approved medication to determine if those medicines can help manage GNAO1 symptoms.

The Bow Foundation is also opening up two $100,000 research grants this year, one of which Annabelle’s Amazing Graces fully funded.

“So amazing,” Shelley said.

For more information about Annabelle’s Amazing Graces or the 5th annual Annabelle’s Run, visit annabellesamazinggraces.org.

CATCHING UP WITH ANNABELLE

When Fulshear Living covered Annabelle and her journey for the first time, she was a 3-year-old toddler defying the odds. She was participating in therapy — usually accompanied by her younger brother James and her mother at that time — getting support from family at home, and was enrolled in a school district supporting her needs.

These days, Annabelle is 7 years old, in first grade, “loving school” and thriving. She’s still hippotherapy at Reining Strength in Richmond and “loves riding her horse, Keke,” Shelley said.

Not to mention she’s the big sister to not only James, now 5 years old, but also 3-year-old brother Matthew and 1-year-old sister Madeleine.

“Everyone is doing really well and growing too fast,” Shelley said happily. “The kids are all great and love playing with each other. It’s so fun right now and never a dull moment at home.”

Annabelle, who Shelley said “continues to be so happy, sweet, kind, smart and helpful,” also has “Weller,” her service dog.

“They’re best buds,” Shelley said. “He is amazing with Annabelle and she just adores him.”

Shelley is still a pediatric nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital, and her husband Daniel still works in commercial construction at Aluminum Techniques, Inc. When the duo isn’t working, “the kids keep us busy and on our toes,” Shelley noted lightheartedly.

But not a day passes when the van Deursens aren’t thankful for the benevolence surrounding them — and not just during the annual fundraiser. Every day.

“It is so beautiful to be a part of and to witness how many amazing, generous, and kind people there truly are in this world,” Shelley said.

“Thank you so much to everyone helping us help Annabelle and every child with a GNAO1 mutation and rare disease.

“We are making a difference.”

New program incentivizes Sugar Land residents to enhance single-family homes

Sugar Land City Council recently approved Great Homes, a new residential reinvestment initiative that empowers Sugar Land homeowners to invest in their community by preserving, protecting and enhancing their neighborhoods.

Great Homes includes the Great Homes Design program and the Great Homes Update program.

The Great Homes Design program provides Sugar Land homeowners and homeowners associations with a creative, re-envisioned exterior home design at a cost exclusive to Sugar Land residents. Under the Design program, a $500 rebate may be available for homeowners who substantially implement at least one qualifying exterior improvement on their home within six months of receiving a design through the program.

The Great Homes Update Program is a reimbursement incentive encouraging rehabilitation and refurbishments of the exterior of single-family houses. Through the Update program, homeowners may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $10,000 for a portion of their exterior home improvement costs.

Eligibility requirements for both programs must be met to qualify for program participation and reimbursement. Applications for the programs will be available starting Feb. 15 at SugarLandEcoDev. com/Great-Homes.

“This is an incredible opportunity for residents who own single-family homes to update their homes and invest in the community they already call home,” Jonathan Soriano, Sugar Land community development program strategist, said. “Investing in older homes and neighborhoods is vital to pushing Sugar Land to the next stage of its success and provides the chance for residents to finally do those home improvements they’ve been putting off.”

More than 70 percent of single-family homes in Sugar Land were built before 2000. The Great Homes program is an integral step in ensuring Sugar Land keeps pace with new housing options within the region. All single-family homeowners with properties within the Sugar Land city limits are potentially eligible and encouraged to participate in the program.

Great Homes is a one-year pilot program funded with existing one-time sales tax capacity available in the general fund and will be re-evaluated in 2024. This initiative is just one example of Sugar Land’s commitment to trailblazing and evolving our community to build a life for our residents that is better than they can even imagine. For more information and to apply for the Great Homes program, visit www.SugarLandEcoDev.com/Great-Homes.

12 • Greatwood Monthly
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Fort Bend Seniors Celebrates March for Meals with special deliveries

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels announced that it will participate in the 21st annual March for Meals –a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels and seniors who rely on this essential service to remain healthy and independent at home, especially amid a lingering pandemic and high inflation.

On Wednesday, March 22, local community leaders will participate in a Community Champions Celebration, delivering meals to homebound seniors in our area.

“In the last year, we have experienced a 31% increase in new clients in Fort Bend and Waller Counties,” said Bob Hebert, Executive Director of FBS. “We are in awe of the outpouring of support from our local communities, and there’s still much we can do to ensure everyone in need of our vital services can benefit from being well-nourished and more connected to our community through this challenging time and beyond.”

In 2022, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels served 364,680 meals to over 2,200 seniors in our local community.

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a

national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This critical support and federal funding have fueled the growth of the Meals on Wheels network for more than 50 years.

During the month, community-based Meals on Wheels programs from across the country will join forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the resources needed to reach every senior in need of a nutritious meal, friendly visit, and safety check.

“March is an important time for us to come together to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “The demand for services is already great and approximately 12,000 Americans are turning 60 every day. We must maintain and expand the programs that have helped so many get through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the nationwide Meals on Wheels movement going.”

For more information about Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, visit www.fortbendseniors.org. For more information about March for Meals, contact Kristie Phillips, Director of Development, at 281-6337741 or kristie@fortbendseniors.org.

• 13 To advertise, call 281-342-4474
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ASL-INTEGRATED PERFORMANCE WINS TOP AWARD AT NATIONAL JUNIOR THEATER FESTIVAL

The directors and cast of Fort Bend Christian’s ‘Godspell JR’ company knew they had something special when they boarded their flight to Atlanta on Friday, January 13. It was their first time performing an ASL shadow performance of a musical, not a play. And it was their first time attending the enormous and respected Junior Theater Festival. With all of that in mind, the students and their leaders went into the experience with the mindset that they were going for fun and a good learning experience. They never anticipated that they might bring home the festival’s biggest and most prestigious award. But they did just that.

The Junior Theater Festival was a competition change for FBCA student actors and directors alike this year. Never had the group attended a convention like JTF, with performance, education, and entertainment tracks, and almost 6,500 attendees, The small group of 20 performers (half theater students and half ASL students) eased into the convention, in Atlanta Jan. 13 – 16, with excited energy.

“As first timers at the Junior Theater Festival, our goal was to

provide an experience for our students where they could share their passion and talents and create lifelong memories,” FBCA Upper School theatre teacher and Greatwood resident Lana Thompson said. “We never imagined that our students would be recognized for their unique performance and get to share it on the platform they did. We are beyond proud of our theatre and ASL students, and the hard work behind the outreach we do at FBCA.”

JTF is the world’s largest celebration of young people performing musical theater. With 6,433 attendees across 125 performing groups, it was an exhilarating change for FBCA. Attendees not only performed in front of professional adjudicators and peers, but they also saw presentations from groups like Disney Theatricals, the Tony-award winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen), and dozens of Broadway royalty. Even with that impressive and somewhat intimidating lineup, the students’ inspired performance caught the eye of adjudicators. FBCA’s ‘Godspell JR’ cut garnered one of only nine Outstanding Performance Awards.

14 • Greatwood 14 • Arts & Entertainment
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Mariam Wendossen (senior, ensemble), Elissa Wrenn (junior, ensemble), Christabel Eke (senior, Judas), Whitney Childs (senior, ensemble), Eva Kurian (senior, ensemble), Mia McCracken (senior, ensemble), Katie Volmert (junior, ensemble), and Reagan Fox (senior, ensemble).

“We were excited to have an adjudicator with a connection to Deaf culture,” said FBCA Fine Arts Teacher, Sarah Patterson, musical director. “Jeff Calhoun is a Tony-award winning director/choreographer renowned for Broadway’s ‘Newsies,’ but also for his work with Deaf West Theater, and bringing ‘Big River,’ the first ASL-integrated show to a Broadway stage.”

Along with his co-adjudicator, Shay Rodgers, coincidentally a Houston-based professional director and choreographer, Calhoun was impressed with FBCA’s “powerful storytelling, commitment to correct ASL interpretation/presentation, and unique integration of ASL into a performance.”

“Our students at JTF experienced an unparalleled moment to inspire more than 6,000 people with the expressive power of sign language by weaving ASL with musical theatre into a seamless moment,” FBCA Fine Arts Director Robert Sanders said. “We are all so proud of them for being a light and living out what it means to be a city on a hill. This was a moment of a lifetime that we will all remember. I am proud of our directors and students for their growth, risk-taking, and dedication to producing an excellent piece of innovative art.”

As an Outstanding Performance winner, ‘Godspell JR’ was featured on the main stage during the Freddie G Awards ceremony. Performing “Save The People,” the group proved that featuring ASL performers in a musical could be done with precision and beauty.

“JTF taught me just how powerful theatre is and how vital it is that these beautiful stories are accessible to all audiences,” said FBCA Junior Katie Volmert, an ASL student in the ensemble. “Everyone deserves to be able to see themselves represented in a way that is authentic to their story. Performing at the festival was one of the most impactful things I have ever done, and I am endlessly grateful for the directors and cast.”

Fort Bend Christian is not a novice at adding the American Sign Language on-stage translation to their plays. They have performed ASL plays for the local Deaf community for five years. But this is the first time they tried it with a musical, weaving the translation into their song and dance numbers. The students performed their special ‘Godspell JR” in November for Deaf and hearing-impaired audiences in Sugar Land, Texas. (The JTF adjudication performance was a 15-minute cut of the show.)

“I can definitely say that participating in JTF was one of the best ex-

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Ensemble members Elissa Wrenn (junior), Katie Volmert (junior), McKinley Wood (senior), Whitney Childs (senior), and Taylor May-Smith (senior).

periences of my life,” said FBCA Senior Christabel Eke, a theatre student who portrayed Judas in the show. “Even though our troupe won the outstanding production award with our Godspell performance, which was pretty cool, the most fulfilling part of it all was seeing all the people that we impacted with incorporating sign language into our 15-minute cut.”

Patterson and ASL Director Elyse DeBuck were inspired by the very story of ‘Godspell JR,’ comparing its themes of uniting communities through Jesus’ teachings with that of unity through common language.

“Our goal for attending the festival was to show how ASL and theater can go hand in hand and can produce a beautiful story for both the Deaf and hearing to enjoy. In this show, Jesus’ character uses ASL to bring the English and ASL-speaking tribes together as he teaches biblical parables through creative storytelling,” DeBuck said. “’Shadow’ plays typically involve a speaking actor standing behind and actor performing in ASL, providing the voice of the story while the ASL actor delivers the story in sign language. Our storytelling method was different than ASL-interpreted shows, where often the action plays in a conventional voice on stage with interpreters off to the side translating the show.”

Several FBCA individual students brough home additional awards from the convention. Actors Jack Brown (Jesus) and Matthew Schwab (Jesus’ shadow) were awarded All-Star Cast for their performances, while ASL actor and costume design student Katie Breedlove was awarded Technical All-Star and had the opportunity to work backstage with industry technical professionals at the awards ceremony.

“I am beyond thrilled that we were given the opportunity to showcase the beauty and expressiveness of ASL and to bring a new perspective to the musical ‘Godspell,’” said Junior ASL student Matthew Schwab. “Winning Outstanding Production and All-Star at JTF was a powerful reminder that through the arts, we can break down barriers between the Deaf and hearing communities and create a more inclu-

sive and equitable world.”

“It was not only a moment of pride and achievement for our team, but also a call to action to continue the work of promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the theater industry. This win is a true testament of the power theater has to bring people together.”

For more information about FBCA, visit www.fortbendchristian. org.

ART IN THE BEND HAS ARTISTS, ENTRAINMENT, CARS AND CONTESTS

Following an inspiring rebrand, the Historic Richmond Association announced its upcoming Art In The Bend in Richmond, featuring food, art, cars, pet contests and plenty of entertainment.

The event may sound familiar to many in the community because it used to be called The Art Walk and Motor Madness, said Jessica Rose Huang, Historic Richmond Association’s Committee Chair for Art In The Bend.

“We’re really looking into making it bigger and better every year,” said Huang, explaining that the name change more accurately reflects the Historic Richmond Association’s intentions and aspirations.

“And since Richmond is the county seat, we wanted this event to be Fort Bend County-wide and represent all of the arts. We wanted to increase [the Fort Bend] culture and have a way for people to come together.”

Artist Elizabeth Marie — the festival’s featured artist for 2023 — said the new name is substantially more fitting.

“Art Walk is so common, too common, and the event in Richmond on historic Morton Street is way beyond common,” she said.

Art In The Bend is “about community,” she added. “Art in all its forms from performance and music to the energy of art created by local artisans.”

So when someone shouted “Art In The Bend!” during one of the meetings when name-changing was considered, Marie felt invigorated.

“The name change is a true representation of Richmond being located at the bend of the Brazos,” Marie said. “Art In The Bend is a fabulous name. It’s a refreshing, energized, one-of-a-kind branding.”

Continued on page 18

16 • Greatwood Monthly
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Want to become a Fort Bend Master Gardener?

Master Gardeners are volunteers who assist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Fort Bend County with promoting research-based horticultural practices to help residents succeed in creating and maintaining their home landscapes.

Classes begin with 35 hours of comprehensive training conducted by Texas A&M professors and extension specialists and delivered over 10 weeks.

That training is then supplemented with Fort Bend County local classes to round out the training.

Volunteer opportunities are many and varied, including maintaining demonstration gardens, responding to gardening inquiries, making presentations to small community groups, teaching youth about the fundamentals of gardening, assisting in community gardens, and writing articles and social media posts to name a few. A member must re-certify each year by satisfying minimum volunteer service and continuing education requirements.

Presented by: Hosted

EDIBLE GARDEN PLANNING

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners will offer a six-class program on creating a productive edible garden in the home landscape, starting March 4 from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center, located at 1330 Band Road in Rosenberg. Participants will learn how to start a garden, the keys to success, what to plant and when, and how to reap the benefits of year-round food production in Fort Bend County.

Registration is required.

VEGGIE & HERB SALE COMING

On March 11 the Fort Bend Master Gardener’s annual spring Vegetable-Herb Plant Sale will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bud O’Shieles Community Center.

For more information about becoming a master gardener or upcoming events visit www.fbmg.org.

Greatwood Veterinary Hospital

At Greatwood Veterinary Hospital, we are dedicated to providing excellent and compassionate care for your furry, family friends. We offer full veterinary services in our new, spacious 6,500 square foot facility. Our experienced and caring veterinarians and staff strive to provide the best quality care available for your pets, with an emphasis on client education and an understanding of your pet’s specific needs. We would like to be partners with you in ensuring your pet’s good health and well-being. In addition to full medical, surgical, and dental veterinary care, we also offer boarding, grooming, and cremation services. Greatwood Veterinary Hospital has been providing affordable and quality veterinary care to the Fort Bend area for over 15 years. It is our hope that we can meet all your animal’s health care needs with our warm, friendly, and knowledgeable services.

To make an appointment for your pet or for more information, please call us at (281) 342-7770 or visit us at 401 Crabb River Road in Richmond.

• 17 To advertise, call 281-342-4474 Gardening • 17
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A GOOD TIME ALL AROUND

Art In The Bend is set for March 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Morton Street in Historic Richmond.

“We know there are a lot of festivals and happenings on this day,” Marie said. “[but] we’d love you to spend Saturday with us in Richmond.”

Huang said she understands that most residents have become accustomed to the HRA’s annual spring event kicking off in April, but considering Sugar Land will host its festival that weekend, the association decided to change the date.

“It is the same day as the Bayou Art Festival,” she noted. “But Art in The Bend is a free event with free parking and there will be a lot to do.”

The event will include more than 20 local artists showcasing and selling their art — “the artists are local, most of them from Fort Bend, with some from the general Houston area,” Huang, noted — as well as food trucks and the opportunity to dine in the downtown restaurants or patronize the downtown stores.

And, of course, Motor Madness is included in the festivities.

“For the people into cars, we’re still having Motor Madness, it just isn’t in the title of the event,” Huang said, adding that it’s estimated that between 100 and 300 vehicles will be on display, depending on the weather.

Motor Madness will also include a contest and prizes. It cost $35 to register for the automobile-centric affair.

“It’s always really fun and there are so many beautiful cars,” Huang said.

Cisco Tucker’s popular Bark in the Park will return, including its contest and “doggie parade,” and the scheduled live band — James Wilhite and The Classix — is comprised of two Grammy-winning musicians. Around mid-day, festival-goers will also have a chance to watch a 25-minute play performed by young actors from 8 to 17 years old from Rosenberg’s Creative Learning Society theatre.

Behind Blockhouse Coffee & Kitchen (611 Jackson St, Suite C) there will be more art activities for the children, Huang noted.

For more information about, or to stay updated about Art In The Bend, visit www.artinthebend.com.

TSP LAUNCHES PHOTO CONTEST

In honor of its 100-year birthday celebration, Texas State Parks is hosting a photography contest throughout 2023 with the chance to win park passes, H-E-B gift cards and even a curated state park experience.

The contest will have four seasonal prize winners before the public votes on the grand prize winner at the end of the year.

All entries must be taken at a Texas State Park or Natural Area and uploaded to the Texas State Parks Photo contest website or tagged on Facebook Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #TexasStateParks and #TexasParks100 between now and Nov. 27.

Participants may submit multiple entries. Note that an individual’s social media account privacy settings may affect entries and TSP’s ability to view them.

CELEBRATES SPRING WITH KITE FLYING, ART, DAYTIME FIREWORKS AT INTERNATIONAL ART & KITE FESTIVAL

Step into springtime, and enjoy an entertaining day of fun activities and excitement at Sugar Land’s International Art and Kite Festival as the city celebrates with a full-slate of outdoor

adventures for families to enjoy on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Freeway.

Kite enthusiasts will decorate the sky with splashes of color, unique kite shapes and exceptional kite-flying skills. The main stage will feature upbeat cultural dance performances with entertainment acts to include the rhythmic beats of DRUM percussion ensemble, show-stopping performances by local dance groups and the freshest sound in steel drum music, Steel Vibrations.

Non-stop children’s activities will be featured in the Kids Zone with inflatables and a stage for kid friendly entertainment. Trackless train rides will continuously depart from the Kids Zone, which will also feature strolling characters. Booths from local vendors abound at the Champion Energy Artisan Market. A variety of food trucks will be on location with an assortment of food choices and desserts available for purchase. A Beer Garden will feature complementary springtime beer from Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Texas Leaguer Brewing.

Throughout the event, attendees can participate in the Chalk Art & Kite Flying competitions. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for each category. There is no cost to enter the competition and online registration is encouraged for all contests. Additionally, attendees can represent their heritage by hosting a free booth representing their culture or country of origin or by participating in the Cultural Fashion Show! Country Booths will be strategically located throughout the festival representing Asia, the United States, India, etc. Show off traditional attire by signing up to be in the Fashion Show that will take place on the Cultural Stage. General festival admission is free.

Free shuttles will be provided from University of Houston-Sugar Land, and public parking will be available onsite at Brazos River Park and Crown Festival Park. Limited handicap accessible parking will be available onsite. Plan for traffic delays.

To participate and host a Country Booth or walk in our Cultural Fashion Show, contact Sugar Land’s Parks and Recreation Department at 281-275-2825 or visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/specialevents. For other updates, follow Sugar Land Parks and Recreation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SugarLandParks.

MUSIC MAGIC RETURNS

The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas is spreading the word about its Music Magic program, intended for boys who are 6 or 7 years old.

Auditions aren’t required and the program runs for eight weeks from March 21 through May 9.

The group will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church-Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd. On May 12 the Music Magic group will perform in the choir’s Spring Concert.

For more information visit fbbctx.org/our-programs/music-magic

SUGAR LAND ARTS FEST SET FOR APRIL 1 & 2

So on April 1 and 2, the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation will again host its Sugar Land Arts Fest comprised of artist booths, hand-selected wines, delicious food, and live music at the Smart Financial Centre Plaza.

The event will feature contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, glass art, mixed media art, woodworking, and jewelry designed and created by local and foreign artists and showcase 100-plus visual artists from around the country, with paintings, sculpture, photography, glassworks, and more.

For more information about the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation, visit www.slcaf.org, and for more information about the Sugar Land Arts Fest, visit sugarlandartsfest.com

18 • Greatwood Monthly
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THERE’S A BETTER APPROACH TO CANCER CARE in Sugar Land

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20 • Greatwood Monthly
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