03/06/2019 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

Senate to vote on teacher pay raise: Page 2

He's back! The Sugar Land Skeeters re-sign outfielder Anthony Giansanti along with left-handed pitcher Roy Merritt. See page 5.

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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 29

Carson, Crenshaw rally GOP

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Carson: ‘We have a fight on our hands.

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Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and rising GOP star U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Houston were the keynote speakers Friday night at the Fort Bend County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, held at Safari Texas Ranch.

Their speeches at the $100-a-plate fundraiser served to rally the Republican faithful in a culture war with the far-left and a progressive push toward socialism.

“The reason we come together under the names of President Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln is to remind ourselves of the American character, the American ethos, the driving force behind the great American spirit that has created

more prosperity and freedom than any other endeavor in American history,” Crenshaw said.

The former Navy SEAL and newly elected member of Congress gave a fiery speech outlining five cultural foundations that need defending from left-wing and progressive politics. In contrast, the soft-spoken Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate, cautioned the audience of over 700 about the internal threat posed by extremists who want to push the country toward socialism.

“It’s not about Republicans and Democrats, it’s about people who love our nation and our system and people who want to fundamentally change us into something else,” Carson said. “We have a fight on our hands. What we have is really worth saving.”

Carson spoke about his own rags-

Dr. Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, delivers the keynote address Friday night at Safari Texas Ranch during the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner to benefit the Fort Bend County Republican Party. He spoke about subtle, internal threats to American society by left-wing activists who want to push the country toward socialism.

(Photo by Joe Southern)

to-riches story growing up the son of a single mother whose formal education ended in the third grade.

“I came to the conclusion that the person who has the most to do with what happens to you in life is you.

It’s not somebody else,” he said, adding that he got where he was through hard work and perseverance.

SEE CARSON, PAGE 3

Truck hits utility bucket

Sugar Land Skeeters catcher Albert Cordero is working to get his Green Card so he can provide a better life for himself and his wife, Fidmar, and daughter, Andrea. They are from Venezuela, a South American country undergoing great economic and political turmoil. (Submitted photo)

A truck traveling westbound on Highway 90A clipped the bucket of a utility truck working on the lights at Pitts Road on Feb. 25. The incident was caught on dashcam by Andrew Wolf of Sugar Land. “The bucket of the truck was too low and the lane of traffic was not blocked or coned off,” Wolf said. “The worker was saved from dropping into the road below by his safety belt. Had he not been wearing it he would have been run over by my truck and a Fort Bend County bus that was behind me. The bucket shattered and spread debris on my truck and on the bus and landed right in front of us.

Amazingly, the worker was able to walk away when they lowered the crane. The worker was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The driver of the truck that struck the bucket was visibly and rightfully upset by the incident. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.” (Photo courtesy Andrew Wolf)

Sugar Land looking sweet in annual report

By Theresa D. McClellan THERESA@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

With a low crime rate, clean streets, thriving public/private partnerships, and satisfied citizens, the state of Sugar Land is strong and sweet, according to the latest report.

The annual State of the City address was presented Thursday at the Marriott Hotel in Sugar Land Town Square

by Mayor Joe Zimmerman and City Manager Allen Bogard. The event was hosted by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.

“This is an exciting time for us to

exceed expectations. Sugar Land is a special place,” said Zimmerman.

Added Bogard, “we are blessed in Sugar Land. We are balancing services, needs, and costs. The secret of our success is our 800 champion employees and we are leaner,” Bogard said.

“We closed with a clean audit and have surplus fund tax. That is financial strength,” Bogard said. “With our ability to attract business and increase sales tax revenue, Sugar Land has the secondlowest property tax in the state for a city our size.”

Their optimistic outlook was also confirmed by a recent citizens survey presented to the Sugar Land City Coun-

cil, which gave the city exceedingly high marks in citizen satisfaction with the quality of police fire and ambulance service (94 percent); trash and recycling services (89 percent); emergency preparedness (85 percent), and quality of wastewater utility services (84 percent).

The survey, conducted every two years by the nationally recognized market research ETC Institute of Kansas, measures and assesses citizen satisfaction with the delivery of major city services and helps set community priorities. Core areas included public

SEE CITY, PAGE 6

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Venezuelan ballplayer pursuing American dream of citizenship

By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

For the past three seasons Albert “Coco” Cordero has worked behind home plate calling pitches and putting out runners for the Sugar Land Skeeters and helping the baseball team to win two championships.

As the catcher prepares to enter his fourth season as a Skeeter and his 12th season as a professional baseball player, he has a lot more on his mind than balls, strikes, and baserunners.

He is a native of Venezuela, a South American country undergoing economic and political turmoil under a brutal dictatorship. Although his wife and daughter are here with him, he still has his parents, brothers, and other family

members there and it weighs heavy on his heart.

“They’re just living the situation. Every day is really bad. They try to do the best to survive over there,” he said.

One of his brothers fled to Peru to make a new start.

Cordero is in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship and hopes he and his wife, Fidmar, can give their 4-year-old daughter, Andrea, a great life and a slice of the American dream.

“It is a better opportunity for me and my family,” he said. “I can give to my family’s stability. I think my daughter can get a better future in this country. I can help my family (of origin) from here, they’re still living there.”

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PAGE 2 • Wednesday, March 6, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Teacher pay raise heads to full senate

By Richard Lee FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Texas teachers could see a $5,000 annual pay increase under a bill unanimously approved by the Senate Finance Committee last week.

Public school teachers haven’t seen a meaningful pay bump in 20 years, said bill author and committee chair Sen. Jane Nelson of Flower Mound.

“We need to provide this salary in order to retain our teachers in our classrooms, and to attract new teachers to the profession,” she said.

“We’ve got to make sure we attract the best and the brightest, and we’ve got to keep them.”

Her bill, SB 3, would give all of the state’s 350,000 public school teachers a permanent $5,000 raise beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. Nelson, who is also the chamber’s chief budget writer, set aside $3.7 billion in the Senate proposal to pay for these raises, but the price will go up to just under $4 billion after considering additional costs to the Teacher Retirement System. Since teacher pensions are based on an average of their highest-compensated years, an across-the-board pay raise would add about $240 million in additional costs per year over the next two years.

Nelson emphasized that the bill wouldn’t preclude any teacher pay provisions in the forthcoming school finance reform bill.

Though yet to be unveiled, that measure is expected to include some outcomesbased salary structure to allow districts to identify the best teachers in their schools and pay them more.

According to the Texas Education Agency, the vast majority of public school teachers make between

“We need to provide this salary in order to retain our teachers in our classrooms, and to attract new teachers to the profession.”

- Sen. Jane Nelson

$50,000 and $60,000 annually, including bonuses and incentive pay. Many teachers testified before the committee to lend support to the measure, saying that under current pay rates, they have to work multiple jobs and long hours to make ends meet. Though supportive in general, several asked for lawmakers to find a way to include raises for librarians, teachers’ assistants, custodians and other education paraprofessionals integral to the education of the state’s children.

Now on its way to the Senate floor for consideration, the bill’s chances to clear that chamber and head to the House are all but assured, with 27 of the 30 remaining members joining Nelson as co-authors on the measure.

Surprise billing reform Also this week, North Richland Hills Sen. Kelly

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Hancock announced the filing of sweeping reform legislation aimed at ending the phenomenon known as surprise billing. This happens when a healthcare facility contracts with physicians and other providers who are in a different insurance network. A patient might go to an ER at a hospital that is in their insurance network, only to be hit with hundreds or thousands of dollars in bills for services provided through these outof-network doctors.

Hancock filed and passed the first legislation addressing surprise billing as a member of the House in 2009, creating a mediation process through the Texas Department of Insurance to give consumers a way to seek remedy against excessive and surprise medical bills. He said that’s saved Texans well over $30 million in out-of-pocket medical expenses since implementation, but more needs to be done.

Thursday, Hancock held a press conference to roll out legislation aimed at effectively ending the practice entirely. The bill would prohibit surprise billing of holders of state-regulated health insurance policies in cases where they have no choice in their service provider.

This includes not only out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, but also emergency care.

The patient would still be responsible for expected policy costs like co-pays and deductibles, but not more than that. It would also allow holders of certain federally-regulated policies to opt into state protections. Insurers and providers could still use the existing TDI mediation rules to resolve disputes, but that process wouldn’t impact the consumer.

3/4/19

2:44 PM

Oakland Elementary PTO members shown presenting check to school and district administrators are, pictured from the left, Perla Fuentes, PTO Treasurer Kelly Williams, PTO Vice President Melissa Mundy, Technology Integration Champion Courtney Rankin, Assistant Principal Anderson Haas, Principal Nancy Hummel, FBISD Chief Information Officer Long Pham, PTO President Kerry Padilla, Katrina Clark, Samantha Wilbanks, PTO Secretary Kristin Buck, and Miskee Amin.

(Submitted photo)

Oakland Elementary PTO donates more than $46,000 From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

To support their school’s goal in providing blended learning opportunities for all students, the Oakland Elementary PTO presented the school with a check for $46,038.

The donation is the result of several years of PTO fundraising efforts that will benefit the entire school.

“We are so fortunate to receive such a generous gift from our PTO,” said Oakland Elementary Principal Nancy Hummel.

“These technology tools

will empower and equip our students for futures beyond what they can imagine, and have our Wildcats roaring to success!”

The school will use the donation to purchase: • A LocknCharge mobile device charging station with 10 iPads for all kindergarten and first grade classes; • A LocknCharge mobile device charging station with 10 two-inch HP ProBooks for all second through fifth grade classes; and • An Epson BrightLink interactive projector for all teachers to access and use in their classrooms.

The technology equipment supports blended learning at Oakland. Students will use the new technology to access online educational materials to support their traditional classroom instruction.

“These devices give our students a head start in utilizing technology that will be compatible and seamlessly blend with technology FBISD will soon be providing every classroom as part of the 2018 Bond,” said Oakland PTO Treasurer Kelly Williams. “We are looking forward to a continued investment in technology at Oakland.”

Fort Bend County approves incentive for Dollar Tree distribution center From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has approved a tax abatement agreement for a new Dollar Tree distribution center in west Fort Bend County, bringing the project — which would create more than 300 new jobs and an initial capital investment of approximately $130 million — one step closer to reality.

As part of the agreement, the City of Rosenberg has agreed to annex the approximate 140-acre property where the warehouse and distribution facility will be located and to install water and sewer — something Precinct 1 County Commissioner Vincent Morales Jr., said is imperative to the growth of that portion of the county.

“The Dollar Tree project is significant, both in what the project itself brings to Fort Bend County and in the oppor-

tunities for future logistics and industrial development on the western side of the county,” Morales said. “The additional two miles of infrastructure and investment this deal provides — added to the opportunities that already exist — ensure centralwestern Fort Bend has the opportunity to be home to the next phase of quality growth in the region.”

Currently zoned ag exempt on the county tax rolls, the parcel is located on the southeast corner of Spur 10 and Klosterhoff Road, south of Interstate 69. Other companies have been interested in the area but looked elsewhere because of a lack of infrastructure.

“We have long envisioned western Fort Bend County as the commercial gateway to the Houston region,” said Jeffrey C. Wiley, president and chief executive officer of the Fort Bend Economic Development Council. “From rail to roads to labor force advantages, western Fort

Bend County is poised to become an inland port that specializes in warehouse, distribution and logistics excellence. Dollar Tree is among the first, but not the last, to recognize our strategic advantages. It was a pleasure working with the Dollar Tree team and the City of Rosenberg in making this complex, but worthwhile deal come to fruition.”

Construction of the 1.2 million-square-foot distribution facility should begin in either April or May with the complex expected to be operational in summer 2020, the company estimates.

“Dollar Tree is a large and growing organization,” said Gary Philbin, Dollar Tree’s president and chief executive officer. “We expect this new, state-of-the-art facility will enhance our supply chain efficiencies and provide convenient access to our network of stores through reduced stem miles, all while creating hundreds of new jobs.”

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★ CARSON, FROM PAGE 1 Without mentioning him by name, he said President Donald Trump has become a lightning rod for hate.

“You can see the wheels of hatred and division so active in our society creating wedges based on race and gender, and income, and religion, and particularly in terms of political ideology,” he said.

He said it doesn’t matter what Trump does, there is a left-wing element that will always oppose him.

“We find ourselves in a very difficult situation in this country right now.

There are a lot of people who refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election.

And they have just decided they are going to resist and resist no matter what happens,” he said. “And when you think about it, how silly is it to be resisting at a time when the unemployment amongst blacks, Hispanics, and women is at a record low level? It’s a time when manufacturing is coming back and people are starting new businesses, when people around the world are starting to have respect for what’s going on in this country. Let’s put it this way, if the previous president was in office when this was going on they’d be thinking he was the greatest person who ever lived in the history of the world.”

Carson said that there is a movement to undermine the country that is happening so subtly that most people don’t recognize it.

“In order for them to fundamentally change this country there’s a few things they have to control. They have to control the schools so they can indoctrinate the young people. They have to control the media so they can indoctrinate the masses and spread political correctness everywhere. And they have to control the courts,” he said. “The first two, they have. The last one they would have had if Hillary (Clinton) had been elected, which they totally expected and he (Trump) snatched it out from underneath them.”

He said the state-by-state legalization of marijuana is another subtle move by progressives toward socialism.

“If I were trying to destroy a great country like this one, I would know I couldn’t do it militarily, but I would recognize that I could do it from the inside,” he said.

“If I got the people to hate each other, if I got the people to get addicted to all kinds of drugs; if I started saying ‘marijuana, that’s pretty good stuff, you know. It’s just a nice recreational drug. We just use it for medicinal purposes.’ Never mind the fact that people have flashbacks.

Never mind the fact that there’s strong medical evidence that it affects people’s IQ, particularly in the undeveloped brain and the brain continues to develop right into your late 20s. Do you know anybody in their late 20s who acts kind of strange in Congress?”

He said another tactic used by the far left is to scrutinize and demean good

U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Houston talks about the political culture war happening in America during Friday’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. (Submitted photo)

people to the point that they give up and keep quiet.

“What is going to happen to our country when good people no longer want to serve, when they say I’m not going to do that to my reputation and to my family? I’m not so sure that that isn’t the reason for some of the stuff that’s going on,” he said. “If they can get all of the good people to shut up and stand down then they can easily proceed with changing this country.

“That is what political correctness is all about. It makes good people shut up and not say anything while the country continues to move further and further toward another system. That’s where all of us come in. We have to stop being silent, we have to stop being sheep. We have to teach our children to stand up for what they believe in. If we don’t do that we are going to lose our country. There is no question about that,” he said.

Carson said he believes there is hope to prevent the political changes stirring in the country.

“It doesn’t have to continue this way we can turn this around. This is America, this is a place where we have faced some awful challenges.

This is perhaps the worst one because it’s more subtle and it’s changing the fabric of our country without a lot of people even recognizing what’s going on. That kind of insidious damage is very difficult to control,” he said.

Carson spoke about shifting attitudes about abortion and the push by the hard left to allow the killing of unborn babies up to the moment of birth. He spoke about the barbaric methods used to kill unborn babies.

“What happened to our morality? What happened to our sense of decency?” he asked. “No one will ever convince me that what is in a woman’s womb is a meaningless bunch of cells, it never will happen.”

He concluded by talking about the importance of faith in God. “We need to make it perfectly clear that it’s OK to live by godly principles of loving your fellow man and caring about your neighbor, and developing your God-given

talents to the utmost so that you can become valuable to the people around you; of having values and principles that govern your life. If we do that we will not only make America great again but we will truly have one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” he said.

In his speech prior to Carson, Crenshaw pointed out the difference between liberals and progressives.

“You’ve got to distinguish between progressives and liberals. They’re different. Liberals we can disagree with. Progressives are something different; something worse,” he said.

“We’re under attack from the increasingly radical progressive ideology. Progressivism is radical change for the sake of change itself – the belief that human nature can be transformed and controlled by government, that the sovereignty of the individual can and should be subsumed by the collective will.”

His five cultural foundations that he spoke about are: Personal responsibility, mental toughness, a sense of duty, virtue and morality; and liberty.

“You can’t have freedom without all the other values I just listed,” he said.

“If you’re not personally responsible then you’re not empowered and if you’re not empowered then you cannot possibly be mentally tough and if you’re not mentally tough then you cannot survive in a competitive, free society,” he said. “If you’re not personally responsible, then by definition you believe others should be responsible for you, thus infringing on their freedoms, so say goodbye to liberty.

“If you can’t take personal responsibility then it is highly unlikely that you would take responsibility for the country or feel a sense of duty for that country, so say goodbye to another foundational bedrock, patriotism. Finally, if we’re not moral people with concrete, unchangeable virtues, then how on earth can we be trusted with freedom?

All of these elements build on one another; they are required.

“Sustainability of our society should be our strongest argument for why the conservative cultural perspective is the right one. We conservatives must remind Americans that the countercultural values of the left can only exist as a weight on the back of traditional values.

Taking responsibility for others as socialists want can only occur on the backs of those who first take responsibility for themselves. These cultural foundations are also the foundations on which our Constitution is built.

“The purpose of government is to protect those rights, not change them…

America is the greatest idea that humankind has ever had and we aren’t about to let it be squandered,” he said.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • PAGE

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PAGE 4 • Wednesday, March 6, 2019

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Gastronomic greatness awaits foodie fanatics at RodeoHouston Even though this was my fourth year as a Gold Buckle Foodie Award judge, I was not prepared for what hit me Thursday at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

After years of successfully dodging the bug pizza (topped with scorpions, mealworms and crickets), I finally had a bite. That, however, is not what got me. What set my stomach spinning was the sheer volume of gooey, sticky, deep-fried, spicy, bacon-wrapped, nitrogen-infused, impaledon-a-stick concoctions that were placed before us to try.

I’m well aware of the advice to pace yourself – this is a marathon, not a sprint. What I was not prepared for was to sample 51 foods in the span of three and a half hours. That’s a lot more food than we’ve judged before. It was so much more that many of my fellow judges tapped out before we finished judging. I think that had a lot to do with both the volume of food and that fact that we went well beyond our scheduled time. It was like a game of Fair Food Survivor.

For those who don’t know, the Gold Buckle Foodie Award is a competition among the food vendors at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to see who has the best foods in eight categories.

The winners get ribbons and major bragging rights, which can translate to a lot of dollars at an event as big as the HLSR. Being selected as a judge is an honor. It’s something we have a lot of fun with but a responsibility we take seriously. All the judges are media personalities, which is a great ploy to help market the fantastic foods at RodeoHouston.

Several of the judges were

FAITH, FAMILY & FUN JOE SOUTHERN EDITOR

broadcasting live via social media feeds. Most all of us went back to our respective outlets and reported on the event, generating more interest in the big show.

The judging format changed a little this year.

For one thing, about a third of the judges didn’t show. So, instead of having everyone judge part of all eight categories, they divided us into two groups. Each group judged four categories. I had Best Specialty Food, Food on a Stick, Fried Food, New Flavor, and one item in Most Creative (which became necessary at the end after so many judges had departed).

Another problem we had was the fact that a lot of food arrived to us cold, which really impacts the taste. (Think baconwrapped sausage on a stick that has started to congeal.) I tried to keep that in mind when casting my votes. That was what I noticed the most when I sampled the bug pizza.

I didn’t mind the crunchy scorpion nearly as much as the blah taste of cold pizza. I’m sure it would have been much better piping hot and fresh.

So, enough of the rambling, let’s cut to the chase.

What was good and what wasn’t? Among the things I’d go back for are the pizza on a stick, Smoorcookie, deep-fried cookie dough, banana pudding funnel cake, Fruity Pebble covered fried shrimp, and the

Joe Southern prepares to take another bite of bug pizza, one of the more novel food items judged at the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

"The Unicorn Float was like Candyland in a cup."

– Michael Garfield, the High-Tech Texan chocolate covered bacon.

One item in particular that stood out to me was a dessert taco. It had a green shell and was filled with a sweet, frozen yellow concoction that I really couldn’t get enough of.

I also noticed this year that there was an explosion of foods covered in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (corn on the cob, pizza, caramel apples, and cotton candy).

It was a novelty last year but was overkill this year.

Still, it’s good stuff and likely to be a fair staple for years to come.

The worst thing I had to sample was a falafel. I’m sure it was great as far as falafel’s go, but I almost gagged on it. I’ve never had a falafel before and found it dry and bitter. We had numerous corndogs to try and most were pretty good. There was one, and I don’t know who made it, that was awful. I also sampled a fried mac-n-cheese

Joker of Majic 102.1-FM gets excited at one of the foods served by Tricia Dilick of Sugar Land during the judging of the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards Thursday. (Photo by Joe Southern)

that was barely palatable because it had cooled so much.

Fellow judge Michael Garfield, the High-Tech Texan, sank his sweet tooth into categories of foods other than the ones I tried. In the dessert category he fell for the colorful Unicorn Float.

“The Unicorn Float was like Candyland in a cup,” said Garfield, an 11-year foodie veteran. “The entries have become more creative each year.”

Without further ado, I present to you the 2019 Gold Buckle Foodie Award winners: • Best Food-on-a-Stick: “Bacon Wrapped Pecan Smoked Sausage” – Holmes Smokehouse (RP60) • Best Value: “Chicken

and Ribs Platter” – Salt Grass (L0063) • Best New Flavor: “Smoorcookie” – Totally Baked Cookie Joint (Carnival) • Best Dessert: “Cookie Dough Parfait” – Aunt Edmoes Cookies (CD205) • Best Fried Food: “Minnechocolate Pie” – The Original Minneapple Pie (CD202) • Best Specialty Food: “Chocolate Cobbler” – All of Us (E12107) • Classic Fair Food: “Hot Crunchy Cheetos Cotton Candy” – The Candy Factory (Carnival) • Most Creative Food: “Unicorn Float” – The Candy Factory (The Junction). #G old Buck leFood ieAwards, #rodeoeats.

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SUGAR LAND METHODIST CHURCH • 281-491-6041 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Worship @ 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 am Bible Study, all ages, @ 9:45 am www.sugarlandmethodist.org

CHURCH OF CHRIST

MISSOURI CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-261-8944 2019 Bright Meadows Dr. - Missouri City, TX 77489 www.mocitycoc.org Sunday morning services: 10:15 am

(includes separate youth, bible hour and nursery services)

Sunday evening services: 5:00 pm Last Sunday 1:30 pm Bible Study (all ages): Sun 9:00 am & Wed 7:00 pm Iron Mens Bible Study 1st Monday 6:30 pm

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 SUNDAY: Bible Study: 9:30 a.m.

Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Worship 5:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY : Bible Study 7:00 p.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310 4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459 Sunday School 9:00 am Fellowship & Coffee 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am www.southminpres.org

The City Council of Missouri City is looking for residents to volunteer to serve on city boards.

Residents may apply on the city website at www. missouricitytx.gov for the following boards, committees and commissions: • Community Development Advisory Committee • Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals • Electrical Board • Parks Board • Planning and Zoning Commission • TIRZ Board #1

800 Brooks St., Sugar Land Sunday: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Contemporary Worship (Nursery Available) 4:00 pm Spirit of Life Worship

Share your perspective of local news by emailing a letter to the editor to editor@fortbendstar.com 281-690-4200 ¥ 281-690-4237 (fax) ¥ www.fortbendstar.com OUR STAFF JONATHAN McELVY

FRANK VASQUEZ

Fridays at 5 p.m. editor@fortbendstar.com

President jonathan@mcelvymedia.com

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Scripture of the week

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

- Psalm 46:1

not have unpaid taxes or any other liability due to the city; and may not apply to serve on a board with their immediate family members.

Full-time city employees are not eligible to serve unless required by state statute, and relatives of city council members are not eligible to serve.

Members should be available to attend most board meetings. If a member becomes unable to attend most meetings, he or she would be asked to reconsider their service so that a replacement can be named.

For more information, call 281-403-8500.

Your opinion matters!

LUTHERAN CHURCH

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729

• TIRZ Board #2 • TIRZ Board #3 • Zoning/Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals Information (functions, members and meeting details) on the city’s nine groups may be accessed at http://bit.ly/2UaAk4P. The Missouri City Development Authority and the Missouri City Recreation and Leisure Local Government Corporation are served by the sitting members of city council.

Requirements for interested citizens are that they: must have lived in the city for at least one year; must be a qualified voter; may

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DIANE STREHL General Manager dstrehl@fortbendstar.com

JOE SOUTHERN Editor jsouthern@fortbendstar.com

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THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • PAGE

5

@FtBendAthletics:

Amarillo beats Lady Canes in state semifinals 64-53

By Bill McCaughey FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Hightower Hurricanes’ season ended a game short of their goal, as Amarillo beat them 64-53 in the state semifinals last Thursday in San Antonio.

The Hurricanes started fast as they jumped to an 8-2 lead after just three minutes had gone by in the first quarter. Amarillo came back to

tie the score at 12 with 0:46 to go in the first quarter, and the Sandies then scored on a layup and a three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 17-12 lead into the second quarter.

Hightower roared back in the second quarter to take a 32-29 lead with 1:39 to go in the half, but once again, Amarillo’s Ashlyn Milton hit a three-pointer with 1:28 to go and another one at the buzzer to give the Sandies a 35-32

halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Hightower cut the lead to 42-41 with four minutes to go, but Amarillo went on a 6-2 run to finish the third quarter with a 48-42 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Hightower closed the gap to 53-51 on a Winnie Kuimi layup with 3:45 to go in the game. However, Amarillo finished the game on an 11-2 run to win the game 64-53.

Skeeters re-sign Giansanti, Merritt From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Sugar Land Skeeters last week signed a pair of championship players.

Outfielder Anthony Giansanti, the team’s 2018 Most Valuable Player, has been re-signed, along with left-handed pitcher Roy Merritt, who helped the Skeeters win the Atlantic League championship in 2016.

Giansanti, 30, was selected as the MVP after hitting .297/.357/.456 with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. He was also selected to the Atlantic League’s Post-Season AllStar Team as well as the league’s Red White & Blue All-Defensive Team.

The Connecticut native hit .310 with a home run and four RBIs in 10 postseason games last season as the Skeeters went on to win the 2018 Atlantic League championship.

Giansanti ranked fifth in the Atlantic League last season in stolen bases, sixth in runs (79), seventh in home runs and was tied for 10th in slugging percentage (.456). He made 40 appearances in the outfield and infield last season and was just one of two players in the league to accomplish the feat.

“I’m really excited to be back with the Skeeters organization and to be able to play in front of this fan base once again,” Giansanti said. “Last season was amazing and I can’t wait to get back with the guys and bring another champion-

Kuimi led Hightower with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Tae’lor Purvis had 10 points and six assists, Destini Lombard had nine points, Aresa Gipson chipped in with eight points, and Sydni Johnson had six points.

“My team this year is a collective group of young women who are unselfish and do whatever it takes to get the win; their team chemistry is what sets them apart,” High-

tower Coach Deborah Mize said. “They have a competitive spirit and a refuse to lose mentality all while putting the team needs ahead of the individual performances. I am very proud of them.”

Hightower finished the season with a record of 38-3, and Mize’s career record at Hightower is now 366-94.

In the championship game, Amarillo beat Liberty 47-42 to win its second consecutive

From staff reports

ship to Sugar Land.”

Giansanti ranks fifth in Skeeters history in games played (243), fifth in runs scored (128), tied for fourth in hits (264), fifth in doubles (64), fifth in home runs (26), eighth in RBIs (110) and second in stolen bases (66). His 35 stolen bases in 2018 were the fourthmost in a single season in Skeeters history and his 17 home runs were tied for fifth-most.

The 2017 Atlantic League All-Star also holds the Skeeters franchise record with a 26-game hitting

streak, which he accomplished in 2017. Giansanti first appeared in the Atlantic League in 2016 with the Bridgeport Bluefish.

The Oakland A’s took Giansanti in the 49th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Sienna College. He first appeared at the professional level in 2010 with the Chicago Cubs and played within the Cubs farm system from 2010-16, peaking at Triple-A. Through nine professional seasons, totaling

SEE SKEETERS, PAGE 6

Boys basketball In the boys’ basketball tournament, three Fort Bend ISD teams made it to the regional semifinals before having their seasons come to an end. In the 6A Region 3 semifinals, George Ranch beat Bush 48-42 and North Shore beat Elkins 69-62 in overtime. In the 5A Region 3 semifinals, Manor beat Hightower 85-77.

MLB and Atlantic League announce new partnership FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Anthony Giansanti, pictured here in a Star Wars theme jersey from a game last season, has been re-signed by the Sugar Land Skeeters. (Photo by Joe Southern)

state championship.

Major League Baseball (MLB) announced last week that it has reached a three-year agreement with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) that will permit MLB to test experimental playing rules and equipment during the Atlantic League’s regular season.

In addition to rules governing the transfer of players from the Atlantic League to Major League Baseball, the new agreement includes rights for MLB to implement changes to Atlantic League playing rules in order to observe the effects of potential future rule changes and equipment. MLB will work with ALPB to modify the experimental playing rules and equipment each season during the agreement.

MLB also will enhance its scouting coverage of the Atlantic League, installing radar tracking technology in the eight Atlantic League ballparks and providing statistical services to ALPB clubs, including Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters.

“This is a monumental day for the Atlantic League and the Sugar Land Skeeters,” said team owner Kevin Zlotnik. “I want to thank ALPB President Rick White and founder Frank Boulton for continuing to take the ALPB to greater heights. This deal clearly

"This is a monumental day for the Atlantic League and the Sugar Land Skeeters."

– Kevin Zlotnik, Skeeters owner

shows that MLB believes our league is a showcase not for only talent, but innovation, as well. It’s long been speculated that Major League Baseball believes that quicker pace of play, more accurate judgment calls, and increased offensive action could increase fan interaction, so we eagerly await the experimental changes MLB will implement for the upcoming season.”

“The Atlantic League’s partnership with Major League Baseball will impact the future of baseball, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of innovation

within the game,” added General manager Tyler Stamm. “Baseball fans in the Houston area will have an exclusive opportunity to experience this exciting future each night at Constellation Field.”

The new agreement continues Major League Baseball’s longstanding practice of testing potential new approaches under game conditions. In recent years, MLB has utilized and evaluated experimental rules in its Arizona Fall League, the game’s top off-season developmental platform.

“We are excited to announce this new partnership with the Atlantic League,” said Morgan Sword, MLB’s senior vice president, league economics and operations. “We look forward to bringing some of the best ideas about the future of our game to life in a highly competitive environment.”

Atlantic League President Rick White added, “The Atlantic League prides itself on innovation.

In that spirit, our board of directors, led by Chairman and founder Frank Boulton, enthusiastically and unanimously approved this forward-looking agreement.”

Major League Baseball and the Atlantic League will announce the experimental playing rule and equipment changes for the 2019 season in the coming weeks.

RUNY over the Houston SaberCats, 35-8 Compiled by Joe Southern FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Houston SaberCats took on first-year team Rugby United New York Saturday night at Constellation Field only to be crushed 35-8.

RUNY (3-1), used a five-try performance against the SaberCats (1-3), led by flanker

James Denise’s two tries, which led all scorers in the match.

The five tries that RUNY scored on Saturday night earned their first bonus point of the season and moved them into fifth place in the standings with 13 points on the season. Houston’s six points of the season leaves them in eighth place in the

nine-team league.

The SaberCats were playing without flanker Chris Coyle, whose wife gave birth to their son just before kickoff.

“As excuses go for not being available for rugby, this one was as good as any,” said coach Justin M. Fitzpatrick.

“With Chris Coyle out of the mix, I looked to Chris Parker to step up in the backrow, and boy did he! In 51 minutes of play time, he made 17 tack-

les, and three carries. The big fella was laying some wood out there!”

RUNY scored first at the 12:40 mark, taking a 7-0 lead.

Sam Windsor got the SaberCats onto the scoreboard with a kick in the 26th minute.

From there it was all RUNY until the SaberCats scored a try as time was running out.

For the first time this year, Sam Windsor, Josua Vici, and Osea Kolinisau all took the pitch at the same time. They

are one of the most formidable sets of attackers to be found in MLR. Despite that, the RUNY defense held Houston outside the try line until the game was out of reach.

“I’m a great believer in processes and for the second week on the trot we had the majority of the key performance indicators go in our favor, but with no reward on the scoreboard to show for it,” Fitzpatrick said. “The mistakes we made were pun-

ished by a very good New York side. Luck is not in our hands, but what we do, and how we react to bad luck and misfortune is what counts.

We know what we need to work on, and the boys are focused to attack our next opportunity, which is a road trip to Seattle.”

The SaberCats travel to Seattle to take on the reigning Major League Rugby champions, the Seattle Seawolves (3-2), on Sunday night.

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: A:

Is the Micro-needling procedure safe for all skin types and what should I expect postprocedure?

Yes, it is safe for all skin types.

For best results: • No Retin-A products or applications for 12 hours prior Regina Castillo, LMA to treatment.

Advanced Dermatology • No Auto-immune therapies or products for 12 hours prior to treatment.

• No prolonged sun exposure or sun burns to the treatment area 24 hours prior to treatment.

• Avoid treatment with active acne breakouts, open lesions, rosacea or inflamed conditions.

• Wait six months following Isotretinoin therapy.

• Fitzpatrick IV-VI, pigment may darken prior to lightening.

• If you have a history of cold sores, ask about pre-care instructions prior to treatment.

You can expect erythema or redness, like a moderate sunburn post procedure. You may also experience skin tightness, dryness and mild sensitivity to treated areas. The severity will depend upon how aggressive the treatment was performed and your individual healing characteristics.

We use SkinPen by Bellus Medical, the first micro- needling device in the world that has been cleared by FDA. Advanced Dermatology offers cosmetic dermatology treatments including botox and dermal fillers, Coolsculpting, facial rejuvenation, laser hair removal and more. To learn more about Micro-needling, call us to schedule an appointment.

Advanced Dermatology www.advanceddermatologymd.com Houston SaberCats scrum half Connor Murphy gets tackd while running the ball during Saturday’s 35-8 loss to Rugby United New York. (Photo by Joe Southern)

1235 Lake Pointe Parkway #200 Sugar Land, Tx. 77478

281-665-4444

Q: A:

How do repair facilities match the paint?

Your vehicle has a paint code, which specifically identifies the color of your car. matching is not a problem if your vehicle is precisely Chuck Charlton the color specified by the paint code.

In actual vehicle production, there is variability within many paint codes, frequently from paint lot to paint lot, or between factories. If your vehicle isn’t exactly the color specified by the factory, the first step in matching is called tinting, varying the relative amounts of the components in the formula. Sometimes, a perfect match can’t be obtained by tinting alone. the last little bit of variance is made invisible to the human eye by blending which is painting portions of the vehicle adjacent to the repaired areas so the color changes unnoticeably. This can make the difference between a very good match and a completely invisible repair. Matching paint requires a high level of skill and sometimes a great deal of patience. Be sure you select a repair facility that will take the time to produce a match in the perfect range and will not be satisfied with merely good results.

Charlton’s Body Repair Local Family Business since 1957 1131 Staffordshire @ 5th Street • Stafford, TX 77477 www.charltonsbodyrepair.com

281-499-1126

THE STAR

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, March 6, 2019

me a lot. They gave me the opportunity to be involved, to get my residency.”

“We had to submit all of his immigration paperwork, all of his playing career, we had to come up with a job description for a baseball player,” Parsons said.

He explained that once Cordero is approved for residency and receives his Green Card, his wife and daughter will be added to the process so they, too, can obtain their citizenship.

Cordero’s expenses have been covered by a grant from Baseball Assistance Team (BAT), a charitable organization started by Major League Baseball and the players association to help players in time of need.

“I call them my guardian angel,” he said.

Cordero’s journey to Sugar Land began in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, where he was born. He grew up in a small community about 45 minutes away.

“I started playing baseball there when I was two years and a half,” he said.

“So, my family is like a baseball family. My grandfather was a manager for the Little League. When I was nine years old he passed away. I was playing and started doing really good. I started representing my city and everything in a lot of competitions.

★ CORDERO, FROM PAGE 1 The Corderos are safe here, far removed from the poverty and chaos of their homeland.

“It’s a good thing we started this process back in October, or else he’d be stuck over there,” said Chris Parsons, the Skeeters vice president of sponsorship sales.

He said the team, which had five Venezuelans on the roster last season, had players return to Venezuela after last season and now they’re stuck.

“The embassy’s closed and we can’t get any of the guys,” Parsons said.

The other Venezuelans included Javier Betancourt, Felipe Paulino, Jean Machi, and Alejandro Chacin.

Paulino is still here and expected to return to the team.

Parsons has been working closely with Cordero to help him through the rigorous process of getting his residency status and starting on the path to citizenship.

“It’s a lot of paperwork to do,” Cordero said. “Basically, how many years I have in Sugar Land, how many years I’ve been playing professional baseball. Why I want to do my residency?

Obviously, the team helped

“I got signed when I was 18 in 2008 with the Mets. I played like eight years with them. When I was playing Venezuela winter ball I signed with the Tigers and they gave me an opportunity to be in spring training, and I got released by them on the last day of spring training. After that I went to Miami for the opportunity to still play. I knew this guy, Johnny Velasquez, he was playing here (Sugar Land) in 2016, and I just started talking to him to see if he had a chance for me to play here.

“So, he talked to (manager) Gary (Gaetti) and after a week they called me and they asked me if I was ready to play and I said yes.

I’m glad to be here. I’m just really appreciative of the Skeeters for me to be here and be part of the family,” he said.

Cordero endeared himself not only to the team, but to the fans and community as well. In 2017 he was named the Skeeters’ Community Man of the Year.

Cordero last left Venezuela March 30, 2018. Last season Fidmar and Andrea were able to join him here.

The Corderos are guests of Dixie Spurling, their host family arranged through

SEE CORDERO, PAGE 9

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION FOR TPDES PERMIT FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER RENEWAL PERMIT NO. WQ0012003001 APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION. Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 25, P.O. Box 2847, Sugar Land, Texas 77487, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a renewal of Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit No. WQ0012003001, which authorizes the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at an annual average flow not to exceed 1,600,000 gallons per day.

TCEQ received this application on June 4, 2018.

The facility is located at 18230 Old Richmond Road, approximately 400 feet north of Old Richmond Road and approximately 2,900 feet east of Farm-to-Market Road 1464, in Fort Bend County, Texas 77498. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a public courtesy and is not part of the application or notice. For the exact location, refer to the application. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/ hb610/index.html?lat=29.634444&lng=-95.673888&zoom=13&type=r The treated effluent is discharged to Red Gully; thence to Upper Oyster Creek in Segment No. 1245 of the Brazos River Basin. The unclassified receiving water use is intermediate aquatic life use for Red Gully. The designated uses for Segment No. 1245 are intermediate aquatic life use, public water supply, and primary contact recreation.

The TCEQ Executive Director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft permit. The draft permit, if approved, would establish the conditions under which the facility must operate. The Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that this permit, if issued, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements. The permit application, Executive Director’s preliminary decision, and draft permit are available for viewing and copying at the Sugar Land Branch of the Fort Bend County Public Library, 550 Eldridge, Sugar Land, Texas.

PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC MEETING. You may submit public comments or request a public meeting about this application. The purpose of a public meeting is to provide the opportunity to submit comments or to ask questions about the application. TCEQ holds a public meeting if the Executive Director determines that there is a significant degree of public interest in the application or if requested by a local legislator. A public meeting is not a contested case hearing.

OPPORTUNITY FOR A CONTESTED CASE HEARING. After the deadline for submitting public comments, the Executive Director will consider all timely comments and prepare a response to all relevant and material, or significant public comments. Unless the application is directly referred for a contested case hearing, the response to comments will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments and to those persons who are on the mailing list for this application. If comments are received, the mailing will also provide instructions for requesting a contested case hearing or reconsideration of the Executive Director’s decision. A contested case hearing is a legal proceeding similar to a civil trial in a state district court.

TO REQUEST A CONTESTED CASE HEARING, YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN YOUR REQUEST: your name, address, phone number; applicant’s name and proposed permit number; the location and distance of your property/activities relative to the proposed facility; a specific description of how you would be adversely affected by the facility in a way not common to the general public; a list of all disputed issues of fact that you submit during the comment period; and the statement “[I/we] request a contested case hearing.” If the request for contested case hearing is filed on behalf of a group or association, the request must designate the group’s representative for receiving future correspondence; identify by name and physical address an individual member of the group who would be adversely affected by the proposed facility or activity; provide the information discussed above regarding the affected member’s location and distance from the facility or activity; explain how and why the member would be affected; and explain how the interests the group seeks to protect are relevant to the group’s purpose.

Following the close of all applicable comment and request periods, the Executive Director will forward the application and any requests for reconsideration or for a contested case hearing to the TCEQ Commissioners for their consideration at a scheduled Commission meeting.

The Commission may only grant a request for a contested case hearing on issues the requestor submitted in their timely comments that were not subsequently withdrawn. If a hearing is granted, the subject of a hearing will be limited to disputed issues of fact or mixed questions of fact and law relating to relevant and material water quality concerns submitted during the comment period. TCEQ may act on an application to renew a permit for discharge of wastewater without providing an opportunity for a contested case hearing if certain criteria are met.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACTION. The Executive Director may issue final approval of the application unless a timely contested case hearing request or request for reconsideration is filed. If a timely hearing request or request for reconsideration is filed, the Executive Director will not issue final approval of the permit and will forward the application and request to the TCEQ Commissioners for their consideration at a scheduled Commission meeting.

MAILING LIST. If you submit public comments, a request for a contested case hearing or a reconsideration of the Executive Director’s decision, you will be added to the mailing list for this specific application to receive future public notices mailed by the Office of the Chief Clerk. In addition, you may request to be placed on: (1) the permanent mailing list for a specific applicant name and permit number; and/or (2) the mailing list for a specific county. If you wish to be placed on the permanent and/or the county mailing list, clearly specify which list(s) and send your request to TCEQ Office of the Chief Clerk at the address below.

All written public comments and public meeting requests must be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, MC 105, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711 3087 or electronically at www.tceq.texas.gov/about/comments.html within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication of this notice.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE. For details about the status of the application, visit the Commissioners’ Integrated Database at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/cid. Search the database using the permit number for this application, which is provided at the top of this notice.

AGENCY CONTACTS AND INFORMATION. Public comments and requests must be submitted either electronically at www.tceq.texas.gov/about/comments.html, or in writing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the Chief Clerk, MC-105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Any personal information you submit to the TCEQ will become part of the agency’s record; this includes email addresses. For more information about this permit application or the permitting process, please call the TCEQ Public Education Program, Toll Free, at 1-800-687-4040 or visit their website at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/pep. Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 1-800-687-4040.

Further information may also be obtained from Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 25 at the address stated above or by calling Mr. Christopher Munson, P.E., Ardurra Group, at (346) 666-5092.

Issuance Date February 28, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Joining Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman (right) during last week’s State of the City address at the Sugar Land Marriott are Greg Whatley, Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard, and First Colony Community Service Association board member Phyllis Murray. (Photo by Elsa Maxey)

★ CITY, FROM PAGE 1 safety, public works, parks and recreation, communications, and quality of life. According to the survey results, “91 percent of those surveyed who had an opinion indicated they were very satisfied or satisfied with the overall quality of life in their community, a figure well above the United States and Texas averages.”

Zimmerman also took time to recognize the issue that has given the city national attention, the discovery of an unmarked, historic cemetery, often referred to as the Sugar Land 95, uncovered last year during construction of a Fort Bend ISD school site.

“We are committed to preserving that history and continuing to tell the story of Sugar Land,” Zimmerman said.

City officials said they are listening to the public and planning accordingly. As a

result, the city realizes that mobility and traffic congestion are top issues.

Here are some highlights: When Sugar Land annexed Greatwood and New Territory it had to re-bid its contract for the wastewater treatment plants. The new contract saved taxpayers nearly $1 million on clean water.

Crime rates are down. The police department achieved the lowest crime rate on record. They have also installed license plate recognition cameras, and officers now have their own local gun range.

Sugar Land leads the country in internet crimes against children investigations.

Citizen engagement is up.

They have increased National Night Out parties with more than 6,100 residents attending citywide.

The city added two ambulances to the fleet as part of annexation.

The 311 center opened in 2018 and helped 46,000 peo-

CITY OF SUGAR LAND ANNUAL ACTION PLAN MINOR AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT PUBLIC NOTICE March 6, 2019 The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that the City of Sugar Land develop a 3- to 5-year Consolidated Plan which states the community development and housing needs of the jurisdiction. In addition, the City must also annually submit, in a single application for funding, its request for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds in the form of an Annual Action Plan (AAP). When significant changes occur to the Consolidated Plan and subsequent AAPs, the City of Sugar Land must propose amendments to be reviewed by the public for a 30-day comment period. The City proposes the following amendments: Minor Amendment Program Year 2014 Annual Action Plan: Deobligate $1,168.68 in 2014 CDBG unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Program Year 2015 Annual Action Plan: Deobligate $1,250.60 in 2015 CDBG unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Substantial Amendment Program Year 2016 Annual Action Plan: Project 2016-001 Covington Woods Street & Sidewalk Improvements – Deobligate $5,343.27 in 2016 unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2016-002 Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels - Deobligate $.33 in 2016 unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2016-004 Court Appointed Special Advocates – Deobligate $6,104.48 in 2016 unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2016-005 Home Rehabilitation Program – Deobligate $1,402.61 in 2016 unspent funds and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Total 2016 CDBG increase by $12,850.69 to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements.

Program Year 2017 Annual Action Plan: Project 2017-001 Covington Woods Infrastructure - Deobligate $21,512 in 2017 CDBG funds, project was completed, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2017-002 Fort Bend Seniors - Deobligate $314.09 in 2017 CDBG funds, project was completed, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2017-004 Court Appointed Special Advocates - Deobligate $947.85 in 2017 CDBG funds, project was completed, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2017-005 Home Rehabilitation - Deobligate $8,695.01 in 2017 CDBG funds, project was completed, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2017-006 Administration - Deobligate $5,120 in 2017 CDBG funds, project was completed, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Total 2017 CDBG increase by $36,588.95 to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements.

Program Year 2018 Annual Action Plan: Project 2018-005 Fort Bend CORPS Home Rehabilitation Program - Deobligate $90,000.00 in 2018 CDBG funds, Project was canceled, and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements project balance.

Project 2018-006 Administration - Deobligate $10,000 in 2018 CDBG funds.

Project is ongoing and commit to Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements said balance.

Project 2018-001 Construction of Mayfield Park Improvements increase 2018 CDBG Funds by $100,000 to $227,092.

Public Comment Citizen comments regarding the proposed amendments will be accepted through the end of the public comment period on April 5, 2019. Comments should be submitted in writing to the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 or P.O. Box 110, Sugar Land, Texas 77487-0110.

Residents may also fax comments to the City at (281) 275-2465.

In addition, the City will host a public hearing to further explain the CDBG amendment process and solicit comments and feedback from residents concerning the proposed activities. Comments will be taken into consideration for any changes to the proposed funding commitments. Attendees are invited to speak at the public hearing on: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 5:30 PM City of Sugar Land City Hall Cane Room 2700 Town Center Boulevard North Sugar Land, Texas 77479 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking spaces are available. The City of Sugar Land will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities needing auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation. For more information concerning this amendment, the CDBG program, or to request special accommodations, please contact the City of Sugar Land Environmental & Neighborhood Services Department at (281) 275-2450.

ple last year.

The city and First Colony Mall entered into a new public/private partnership to revitalize the outdoor lifestyle area.

“The redevelopment project is an important reinvestment into the city’s largest aggregate sales tax source,” said the mayor.

Renovations include removing an existing fountain for construction of a lawn with shade awnings, digital screens and other amenities which allow for local activities and sports events on the digital screen. Improvements are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.

Later in the year, the city will unveil its 60-year anniversary campaign with opportunities for the public to show why they love Sugar Land. For more information, see the 2018 annual report at http://webtools.sugarlandtx. gov/sl/epub/2018ar/v3.0/index.html.

★ SKEETERS, FROM PAGE 5 826 games, Giansanti has hit .265/.320/.381 with 53 home runs, 343 RBIs and 100 stolen bases.

Merritt has been signed as a player-coach. Merritt will work in the Skeeters pitching staff as well as serving as the team’s pitching coach.

Merritt, 33, went 8-2 with a 2.99 ERA and one save in 25 regular-season outings in 2016 (18 starts), as well as making five appearances in the postseason. The Houston native spent the 2018 regular-season campaign with the Olmecas de Tabasco and the Rieleros de Aguascalientes, going a combined 6-7 with a 4.03 ERA in 21 starts.

The New York Mets took Merritt in the 29th round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Southern University. The St. Louis Cardinals also took Merritt in the 42nd round of the 2003 MLB Draft out of Nimitz High School (Houston, Texas).

Merritt pitched five seasons in the New York Mets Minor League system, peaking at Triple-A. He last pitched at the affiliated level in 2016 with Triple-A Oklahoma City (Los Angeles Dodgers). Merritt was selected as an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star in 2009 with Double-A Binghamton.

Merritt first joined the Atlantic League in 2012 with the Somerset Patriots and appeared with Somerset from 2012-15. He is 21-13 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 93 career Atlantic League appearances (350.0 IP). Through 12 seasons at the professional level, Merritt has gone 79-72 with a 3.69 ERA and 35 saves in 522 games (199 starts).

Merritt takes over for Cory Domel as the Skeeters pitching coach. In his first season with the Skeeters, Domel helped guide the pitching staff to a 3.14 ERA, which led the Atlantic League and was the lowest team single-season ERA in Skeeters history.

GOT NEWS? Email your news or press release to

editor@FortBendStar.com

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THE STAR

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Melendez, Jaster named LCISD Principals of the Year From staff reports

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Creighton Jaster (left) and Mark Melendez (right) were named LCISD Principals of the Year. (Submitted photo)

principal at Smith Elementary, before becoming the principal of Smith in 2008.

Before joining Lamar CISD, Melendez served in the U.S. Army and was a former teacher and assistant principal in Georgia.

Prior to taking the reins at Lamar Junior High, Jaster served as an assistant principal at Lamar Consolidated High School and a teacher and coach at Briscoe Junior High.

Both were honored by

From staff reports

Janice Harvey

Carla Thomas

Elementary.

During her career in education, Harvey was also an assistant principal at Bowie Elementary, an assistant principal and math teacher at Briscoe Junior High, a fifth-grade teacher at Frost Elementary and an elementary teacher in

Fort Bend ISD. Carla Thomas will open Culver Elementary as principal. Culver Elementary is located in the Briarwood Crossing neighborhood of Rosenberg. A graduate of the University of Houston, Thomas has her master’s degree from the Univer-

On Page 8

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She currently serves as the principal of Smith Elementary. Thomas has been an educator for over 24 years, 11 of which have been at Smith, serving as a principal, assistant principal, teacher and campus facilitator.

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their peers on Feb. 22 at a meeting of the district’s administrators. Each year, Lamar CISD principals from choose two of their colleagues to be the principals of the year. Only elementary 3740 Cartwright Road principals (grades K-5) vote (@ FM 1092) for Elementary Principal of 02-27-19 ANITA (281)MILNE 499-4555 the Year and only secondary principals (grades 6-12) Treatment for Prostatic Hyperplasia vote on Secondary PrinciThe prostate gland is a walnut-shaped gland in men that pal of the Year. assists with sperm movement during sexual activity. As men

Principals named to lead new Lamar CISD schools Lamar CISD’s Board of Trustees has approved the principals for Culver Elementary and Roberts Middle School, both scheduled to open this fall.

Janice Harvey will open Roberts Middle School as principal. Roberts Middle School is located next to Fulshear High School in the 9300 block of Charger Way in Fulshear. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Harvey has her master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria. She currently serves as the principal of Huggins

7

Fort Bend Realestate MEADOWS PLACE

FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Two veteran educators were recently named Principals of the Year for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.

Mark Melendez is the 2019 Elementary Principal of the Year. He is in his sixth year as principal of Hutchison Elementary.

Creighton Jaster is the 2019 Secondary Principal of the Year and has been principal at Lamar Junior High since 2015.

Prior to taking the helm at Hutchinson, Melendez served as a teacher at Campbell Elementary and then as an assistant

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • PAGE

age, the prostate gland may grow in size; an enlarged prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Untreated BPH may lead to difficulty with urination, in addition to bladder infections. A clinician may evaluate the progression of an enlarged prostate gland with routine laboratory and clinical examinations. Symptoms of BPH may include: a weak urine stream, inability to urinate, or urinating more than twice at night.

Alpha 1-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or doxazosin (Cardura), are blood pressure medications which are used to relax the prostate and bladder, to help reduce difficulty with urination. Finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are sometimes prescribed to help lessen bothersome BPH symptoms. Herbal medications (saw palmetto), and combination medications like Jalyn (tamsulosin and dutasteride) and surgery may be considered.

NEVER MISS A STORY FIND THE STAR ONLINE FORTBENDSTAR.COM facebook/FortBendStar • twitter.com/FtBendAthletics

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THE STAR

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, March 6, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Fort Bend County Clerk offers free Property Fraud Alert From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard wants to inform residents of a new, free online subscription service that allows the public to

have their name/property monitored within the Clerk’s office in order to track possible fraudulent activity.

Subscribers will be notified when the name they have submitted is used in any recording

activities within the office. When subscribing to the service, the subscriber will have the option to be notified by email or telephone call.

Protecting consumers’ information and real estate property are

C LA SSIF IE D

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top priorities for Richard and her staff.

According to the FBI, “The threat of mortgage fraud and identity theft crimes continue to rise, and all too often victims of these types of fraudulent activities are

unaware their homes or identity have been stolen.”

Property Fraud Alert is now available by subscription on the web at www.propertvfraudalert. com/TxFortBend or by calling 1844-746-9164.

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Wood Fence: Installations and Repairs 18 years’ Experience Fully Insured - Free Estimates Call or text Juan 281-669-7123 Residential and Commercial jnbtreeservice@gmail.com LEGALS ORDINANCE NO. 1131 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD, TEXAS, IMPLEMENTING SECTION 3.0 COMPENSATION OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD HOME RULE CHARTER SETTING THE COMPENSATION FOR THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. PASSED AND APPROVED IN STAFFORD, TEXAS THIS 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS PHYSICAL ABILITY PERFORMANCE TESTING STANDARDS The City of Sugar Land seeks qualifications for performing all work required for the following project in the City: RFQ 2019-16: PHYSICAL ABILITY PERFORMANCE TESTING STANDARDS Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained by registering at Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

Sealed submittals, one (1) original, five (5) copies, and one (1) electronic copy on flash drive, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at which time the names of the firms submitting their qualifications will be read. Submittals received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

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¥ Warehouse Job Opening! ¥ Tuition assistance for students ¥ Flexible hours for students ¥ Top pay & benefits ¥ Hardworking, responsible individual for shipping, receiving & shop work ¥ HS diploma required ¥ Some college a plus ¥ Chance for advancement ¥ Smoke-free environment ¥ Stafford, Texas - Near Kirkwood & 59

BRICE COMPANY

Call: 281.240.1788 Send resume: sales@bricebarclay.com

ADMINISTRATIVE / CUSTOMER SERVICE REP for busy wholesale skincare company in Stafford.

Must be self-motivated with strong work ethic.

Includes taking and processing orders, inventory control and computer skills

The City will award and give notice within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the opening date and time.

Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 5pm.

Please send resume to jocroth@aol.com

The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Covington Woods Drainage Improvements at Sugar Mill Relief Line and 7th Street Reconstruction CIP PROJECT NUMBER: DR1801 & ST1804 LOCATION OF WORK:

City of Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Texas 77479

The project scope is a combination of pavement reconstruction, storm sewer, small diameter water lines, sanitary sewer laterals, street lighting and pedestrian improvements along 7th Street from Wood Street to Eldridge Road, Muirwood from 7th Street to dead-end of street and Woodlake Circle from 7th Street to approximately 420-feet south. Also, along a City of Sugar Land Park from Ditch A22 to 7th Street. Eldridge Road (FM 1876) is a TxDOT road and will require coordination during construction for traffic closures and pavement replacement at 7th Street and Eldridge Road intersection.

Bid documents may be obtained from www.CivcastUSA.com, search Fort Bend County. Bidders must register on this website in order to view and/ or download specifications, plans, and bid documents for this project.

There is NO charge to view or download documents. Documents may be examined without charge in the office of the Project Engineer, Lockwood, Andrews, and & Newnam, Inc., 2925 Briarpark Drive, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77042 Sealed bids one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, City Secretary Office, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, Room 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read.

Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2019, Brazos Room, City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.

Questions regarding this bid must be received by Mr. Matt Manges on or before 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Please contact Mr. Matt Manges at (713) 821-0366 (office) or email: MJManges@lan-inc. com.

The City will award and give notice within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

NEWS!

HELP WANTED

Questions regarding this submittal must be received on or before 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Please post all questions on Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS COVINGTON WOODS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AT SUGAR MILL RELIEF LINE & 7TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION

Keep up with all

LEGALS ORDINANCE NO. 1132 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD, TEXAS, IMPLEMENTING SECTION 3.0 COMPENSATION OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD HOME RULE CHARTER SETTING THE COMPENSATION FOR COUNCILMEMBERS OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. PASSED AND APPROVED IN STAFFORD, TEXAS THIS 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS CULLINAN PARK AEROBIC TREATMENT UNIT SYSTEM The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Cullinan Park Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) System CIP PROJECT NUMBER: PK1704 LOCATION OF WORK: Cullinan Park, 12414 Highway 6 S, Sugar Land, TX 77498 Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www. publicpurchase.com.

Sealed bids one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held at 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 11, 2019 Cane Room, City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.

Questions regarding this bid must be submitted on or before 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2019. All questions must be posted on Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

The City will award and give notice within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

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LEGALS ORDINANCE NO. 1133 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY, THE SAME BEING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE, BY GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO THE CHEMPLAST INC. ON A 12.783 ACRE TRACT OF LAND LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY IN THE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ZONING DISTRICT (MU); AND FURTHER IDENTIFIED AS BEING LOCATED AT 1002 TEXAS PARKWAY STAFFORD, TEXAS; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS FOR THIS SPECIFIC USE PERMIT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING A PENALTY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION HEREOF; AND FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS ORDINANCE IS PASSED WAS OPEN AS REQUIRED BY LAW. PASSED AND APPROVED IN STAFFORD, TEXAS THIS 20TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS BROOKS STREET BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City: CIP PROJECT NAME: Brooks Street Bridge Improvements CIP PROJECT NUMBER: ST1904 LOCATION OF WORK:

Brooks Street Bridge over Char Lakes, Sugar Land, TX

Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained from www.publicpurchase.com.

Sealed bids one (1) original and two (2) copies, shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land, Office of the City Secretary, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

Questions regarding this bid must be submitted on or before 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2019. All questions must be posted on Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

The City will award and give notice within sixty (60) calendar days after the opening date and time.

★★★★ REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

ROOM FOR RENT In a Sugar Land family home. $600/month includes utilities Female preferred

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LEGALS

LEGAL NOTICE Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit and a Food and Beverage Certificate by Hot Bowl Grill Inc., dba Hot Bowl Mongolian Grill to be located at 17440 W. Grand Parkway, S., Sugar Land, TX 77479, Fort Bend County, Texas.

Officers of said corporation are owners, Guo Shan Huang, President/Secretary and Xue Ying Huang, Vice President

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

★ CORDERO, FROM PAGE 6 the Skeeters. Cordero started staying with her in 2016.

“She’s the sweetest girl I’ve ever met, Dixie Spurling,” he said. “She let me stay with my family there and she helps us a lot.”

He said he was given the choice to stay with another family or, “this girl with two dogs and a pig – if you don’t have a problem with pig,” he recalled. “From that day we’re still living with her and the pig’s getting big.”

“I keep thinking about how wonderful they are and how much I want them to get permanent residency so they can have a good life in America. They deserve it,” Spurling said. “I will miss them once they are in a position to move on with their lives here but I so excited for them. Albert is a great dad and husband.

“Albert and his family have become like family to me. There’s no language barrier between Albert and I but every once in a while he’s not sure about how to call something and I help him out. Now with Fidmar it is different. We manage to communicate, at first with

Sugar Land Skeeters catcher Albert Cordero accepts the 2017 Skeeters Community Man of the Year award with Dixie Spurling, who has hosted the Venezuelan native at her home since 2016. (Photo by Joe Southern)

and sometimes still, with Google Translate. We manage and she’s getting better.

I try as best as I can to help her learn English but I’m not a teacher type and she wants and plans to take formal classes.”

Even though Cordero stays active in the community helping with baseball camps and such, he still helps his family and friends back in Venezuela. At the end of last season, he rounded up old shoes and other equipment his teammates left behind, boxed it up, and sent it to Venezuela. He said he hopes it will give youngsters there a chance to pursue their dream of playing ball.

Because of his immigration status, Cordero is in a unique position with the Skeeters. Most players come to independent ball in hopes of a first or second chance to play in the big leagues.

Should that opportunity arise this year, Cordero said he would turn it down.

“What I tell those guys if someone from the big leagues try to get my contract right now I say no because I want to give my family stability first and I just want to finish the pro-

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 • PAGE

cess and be in residency first and everything can come after. I don’t want to go to another team just to start the process over,” he said.

Besides that, he really likes life in Sugar Land.

“The first year I knew the fans, the people working here, Gary Gaetti, they are really, really nice people,” he said. “I really like the city. Everything’s really cool. Everything except the weather. The weather’s really, really hot.”

With illegal immigration being such a hot topic in the United States these days, Cordero is pleased he has an opportunity to do things the right way, even if it is a long, difficult path to take.

“I’m always saying that every country has rules that you have to respect,” he said. “If you come from another country, you have to do everything right. I know in other country a lot of bad things happen but you just try to figure out to get a bet-

E E

Ob

by Dr. Eric Tepper

BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS

713-433-6421

14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053 www.HoustonHumane.org

TENDER TISSUES

A human foot is made up of hard bones covered by soft tissues. It is easy to understand how many of the foot problems that commonly occur are the result of friction or abnormal pressure. When feet are jammed into shoes that are too small, the soft tissues are compressed and bones can be forced out of proper alignment. Soft tissues become damaged from rubbing against one another or on the hard surface of a shoe. Injured tissues respond in a variety of ways, sometimes causing soft corns or calluses to develop. Over time, bones that have been forced out of alignment may lead to changes in gait as well as misalignment of ankles, knees, and/or hips.

HINT: Regular appointments with a podiatrist can help identify foot problems in their early stages.

Podiatrists are medical professionals who are specially trained to use the latest in techniques and equipment to get and keep feet healthy and working the way they were designed to. We use a wide range of therapies and surgeries to treat conditions relating to foot structure and function, from soft tissue injuries to misaligned bones. We also teach our patients how to avoid foot problems in the future. We welcome your call at 281980-3668 for an appointment for comprehensive footcare. We’re located at 3143 Hwy. 6 South.

Who's this Chevy Girl they all talk about?! It's me! Boy, the people around here really like me. I don't like to bark and enjoy a good belly scratch.

ter life but I’m always saying the rules are the rules and you have to be respectful.

If they do everything right they’ve got more chance to do what they want. The first thing is respect.”

Cordero was given the nickname Coco while playing in the Mets organization.

He said it came from a coach who kept mixing him up with Francisco “Coco” Cordero, a pitcher from the Dominican Republic. Both Corderos wear a large hat and helmet size and “have a big head.”

Albert Cordero, who is a switch hitter at the plate, is anxious for the season to start and is hopeful of bringing Sugar Land backto-back Atlantic League championships.

“Every year you play for something,” he said. “You never play for loss. We get in there to do your best. You don’t want to strike out four times or lose 100 games.

You’re here to win. It’s part of the game.”

itu a ry

E E

LYNNE M. WATKINS APRIL 25, 1938

FOOT FACTS

9

E

Lynne M. Watkins passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long life of serving God and her family early Saturday, March 2nd. She was known by her family by Lynne, mom, and grandma Lynne. She was born April 25, 1938 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She is preceded in death by her parents Ettta Mae and John E. MacConville and her infant sister Gail Merril. She is survived by her sister Joyce Williams of Marble Falls, Texas, her three sons Clayton (Beth) of Wheaton, Illinois, Warren (Mai) of Champions, Texas, David (Patricia) of Katy, Texas, her grandchildren, Michael, Virginia (Charles), Chloe (Paco), David Michael, William, Parker, Olivia, and Jackson, and five great grandchildren. Lynne was a longtime resident of Venetian Estates in Sugar Land, Texas she was adamant that it was two words - Sugar Land. Lynne

MARCH 2, 2019

enjoyed cooking, gardening, golf, and especially her family. Many family gatherings were held at her longtime home in Venetian Estates. She attended Calvary Episcopal Church and was active with the Daughters of the King.

Additionally, she was a friend of Bill W. for over 29 years. Services will be held Saturday, March 9 at 1 PM at Calvary Episcopal Church at 806 Thompson Road Richmond, Texas. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Calvary Episcopal Church Foundation in her honor would be appreciated.

✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢ ✢

DIGESTIVE HEALTH SEMINAR JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR Thursday, March 21 | 6-8 p.m.

Join us for a free digestive health seminar led by our expert doctors who will discuss the following: • Acid reflux or chronic GERD • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • Gastrointestinal cancer

Charles Phan, MD Gastroenterologist

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Visit events.houstonmethodist.org/digestive-sl or call 281.274.7500.

16655 Southwest Fwy. Brazos Pavilion Conference Center Sugar Land, TX 77479

Kirtan Nautiyal, MD Hematology O ncology

THE STAR

PAGE 10 • Wednesday, March 6, 2019

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FORT BEND COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS.

Deadline is noon every Friday. Please keep wording to a minimum. Answer the “5 W’s” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to Editor@FortBendStar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 3944 Bluebonnet Drive, Stafford, Texas 77477.

NOW THROUGH EASTER EGG MY YARD!

Dream4Adoption’s third annual event is available to order through Easter. Have candy-filled eggs placed in your yard or the yard of someone else. All proceeds benefit Dream4Adoption Home Study Assistance Program to help families through the adoption process.

For more information, visit www.Dream4Adoption.org or call 832535-4883.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1 THROUGH APRIL 15 FREE INCOME-TAX PREPARATION

Fort Bend County Libraries will host AARP, who will provide assistance for low-income taxpayers at several library locations.

Income-tax forms are no longer be available at the libraries, but may be printed from the libraries’ computers. Please bring 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 2018; and any other documents necessary to complete your return.

Free and open to the public, for more information and locations please call 281-633-4734.

MONTH OF MARCH ESL CONVERSATION CIRCLES

Need practice learning to speak English? Fort Bend County Libraries presents a program for everyone. The Conversation Circles will take place at six locations in the Fort Bend County library system. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-341-2652, or any of the branch libraries.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

The new Mission Bend Branch Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Road in Southwest Houston, presents a variety of free children’s programs all month. For more information, call 832-471-5900 or 281-633-4734.

INFANT SENSORY PLAYTIME

First Colony Branch Library, 2-3:30 p.m. Parents or caregivers with children 12 months of age or younger are invited to this special comeand-go program where their children will have an opportunity to learn by exploring with their senses.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12 TEXAS HISTORY MONTH MEETING

The Pecan Grove Women’s Club will meet at 10 a.m. at the Fort Bend Museum, 500 Houston Street, Richmond. A tour will include the museum gallery and a visit to two historic homes on the property – the Long-Smith Cottage built in 1855, which is one of the oldest buildings in Richmond, and the 1883 historic Moore Mansion that belonged to John M. and Lottie Dyer Moore. A small charge for the tour will be announced. For more information, contact Linda Webb at fortbendlady@gmail.com. You may also join us for lunch, dutch.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 CHILDREN’S OPERA PERFORMANCE

MARCH 1 - APRIL 15 AARP INCOME TAX HELP

Fort Bend County Libraries will provide free income-tax-preparation help for low-income taxpayers at several locations. Income-tax forms are not available at the libraries, patrons may use the libraries’ computers and printers to print out the forms from www. irs.gov. Bring 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 2018; unemployment compensation statements; and any other documents that are necessary to complete your return. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-633-4734.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 MONTHLY BIRD HIKE

Will be held at 8 a.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park, 3831 Texas 36 South, Rosenberg. All ages and levels of birders are welcome; meet in the parking lot before 8 a.m. Binoculars, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear recommended. This is a monthly series of free, guided bird hikes. For more information, call 281-633-7033, or visit https://txmn.org/coastal.

Where past and present meet! Old Foster Community Museum presents the affair at Jones Creek Ranch Park, 7715 FM 359, Richmond, 6-11 p.m. Dinner, live and silent auctions, dessert auction, door prizes. For more information, call 713-502-5791.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14 FORT BEND - HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 BARGAIN BOOK SALE

Children of all ages can bring their second-favorite teddy bear or toy and sign them up for teddy bear camp between March 9 and 15, but the earlier in the week they come, the more adventures their teddy bear will have. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on March 9 and continues through March 15 at 4:30 p.m. Each day throughout the week, the library’s Youth Services staff will send emails and post photos on the library’s Facebook page showing the stuffed animals and their adventures. After all of their activities at Teddy Bear Camp are over, the stuffed animals and toys will be ready to return home. On March 16, anytime between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., children can pick up their teddy bears, enjoy a snack, and see how much fun everyone had.

Visit First Colony Library, 2121 Austin Parkway, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paperbacks, hardbacks, DVDs, children’s/youth books, nonfiction at bargain prices. Donations of good condition books, CDs, and DVDs are accepted any time the library is open.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the library and its programs.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16 HEROES IN HEELS

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 FREE CAR WASH TO BENEFIT KIDS

DAV Chapter 233 is hosting a free outreach for female veterans to meet over lunch and the movie, Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots. 10 a.m. at The United Way Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford. Door prizes, goodie gags, child care provided.

Register online at DAVChapter233.com/events.

Over 100 area teen volunteers are gearing up for the 8th Annual Hope For Three Car Wash for Kids. C & C Dental, 17003 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, will host from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities available. For more information, visit hopeforthree.org or call 281-245-0640.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19 SUGAR LAND GARDEN CLUB MEETS

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 SECOND MILE MISSION ANNUAL BANQUET AND SILENT AUCTION

Join us at St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Road in Sugar Land. The annual silent auction begins at 9 a.m., the program starts at 10 a.m. Free and open to the public. Visit www.sugarlandgardenclub. org or call 281-901-1970 for more information.

LOVING FRIENDS MEETING

Join us for dinner and entertainment at Quail Valley City Cir., 5 p.m., 2880 LaQuinta Dr., Missouri City. Loving Friends is not a grief support group, but a social group. Reservations required. For more information and reservations, call 281-208-3124.

FORT BEND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Dirk Van Tuerenhout, Ph.D., presents “How I spent my summers – Fieldwork in Belize and Guatemala” focusing on his Maya excavations in the ’80s and ’90s. Free and open to the public at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy, 1521 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, at 7 p.m.

Relationships: Do you know who you really are? Do you know what you really want and how to work toward it? Pitcher Ministries presents the event at Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Road, Houston, Thursday nights 5-6:30 p.m., March 21 through April 25. Free and open to the public. For more information and to register, visit PitcherMinistries.org or call 832-945-5323.

Celebrate a year of lives changed and hope renewed throughout Fort Bend County. Your participation helps provide food, financial education, health care and support to neighbors in need. 6 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch, Richmond. For more information to be a sponsor or to attend, visit www.secondmile.org.

ONGOING DAV CHAPTER 233 MONTHLY MEETING

The second Tuesday of every month at the United Way fort Bend Center, 12300 Parc Crest Dr., Stafford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 281-222-4888.

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.

BECOME A FOSTER GRANDPARENT

Volunteers are needed to be a role model, mentor and friend to children with exceptional needs in the community. Training, mileage reimbursement, tax-free monthly stipend if eligible. Call today to help change the world, one child at a time in Rosenberg.

For more information, call 281-344-3515.

WHILE WE’RE WAITING SUPPORT GROUP

WOMEN’S AGLOW INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

Meeting at 10 a.m. Irene Jumawan will speak about “A Journey For Believers.” Coffee and cookies will be served. At Christ Church Sugar Land, 3300 Austin Parkway, rooms 210-211. For more information, call 713-854-9202.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9-16 TEDDY-BEAR CAMP

Children can bring their second-favorite teddy bear, to The University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd for teddy-bear camp, the earlier in the week they come, the more adventures their teddy bear will have! Registration from 10 a.m. March 9 - March 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Campers should be backpack-sized or smaller. On March 16 children can pick up their teddy bears, enjoy a snack, and see how much fun everyone had! Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-633-5100 or 281-633-4734.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 ALOHA FEATURING CELEBRITY WAITERS

All public school retirees are invited to the meeting/luncheon 11 a.m. in The Great Hall at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road. There will be a western theme and entertainment will be provided by Jack Hall, a retired educator. Bring a dish to share.

For more information, call 281-499-5885.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 LOVE: INSANITY VS INSIGHT

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 TEDDY BEAR CAMP

TEXAS TEE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Hosted by the Quail Valley ladies and the men’s golf associations, the Texas Tee tournament raises funds for expanding and building new practice facilities for The First Tee of Greater Houston at Quail Valley. The award-winning program teaches Fort Bend students core values and healthy habits along with the game of golf. There are opportunities to sponsor, donate and to play in the tournament Ð open and women’s divisions. Start time: 12:30 p.m. March 30 on the Quail Valley El Dorado course. For more information, visit www. golfquailvalley.com or email texasteequailvalley@gmail.com.

Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library will present a performance by Houston Grand Opera’s “Opera to Go!” of the children’s opera, The Elixir of Love, at 2 p.m. in the meeting room of the library, located at 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. The high-energy opera is recommended for children in grades 2 through 8.

For more information, call 281-238-2800 or 281-633-4734.

NATIONAL CRAFT MONTH

University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land, will host a series of craft activities for adults and young adults (grades 9-12). Pinterest for Beginners, The Wonderful World of Washi, Crafts and Hobbies Database Demonstration, and more. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-633-5100.

person includes the Easter egg hunt, barbecue dinner, and two drink tickets. There will be a prize in every egg. Prizes include a 50-inch LED flat screen TV, one-hour flight over Sugar Land, one night stay at a local hotel, private tour of NASA, local restaurant gift cards, beer and wine, and many more.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by email at ever.ramirez@ edwardjones.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 MISSION AND MARTINIS

Friends of Child Advocates of Fort Bend will host its annual social in Harvest Green, 6 p.m. In addition to socializing, martinis and hors d’oeuvres, guests will learn more about the mission of Friends. For more information, the location and to RSVP, email kristin.janossy@ gmail.com.

For Bereaved Parents - grieving the loss of a child at any age. Meets the third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., at the First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land. For more information, call 281-413-2484

BINGO AT THE VFW

Help support our veterans! Play bingo at Post 3903 every Tuesday and Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. 1903 First St, Rosenberg. All prizes paid in cash. Pull Tabs, $200 Bonanza, $300 Coverall, $750 Coverall, kitchen & bar service.

SATURDAY MARCH 30 ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT

To support the Sugar Land Lions Club and its charity work.

Please join us 6-9 p.m. at Eldridge Park, 2511 Eldridge Rd. $25/

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