03/20/2019 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

A new name for Williams Way in Richmond: Page 6

The Houston SaberCats suffered a blowout loss 49-11 at the hands of the NOLA Gold Saturday in rugby action at Constellation Field. See page 5.

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Officials battle human trafficking New efforts to combat modern slavery in Fort Bend County and across Texas Compiled by Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Elected officials in Fort Bend County and across Texas have made a concerted effort to battle human trafficking here.

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, and Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers joined the FBI for a briefing on human trafficking offenses in Fort Bend County. Last week State Sen. Joan Huffman filed Senate Bills 20, 1801, 1802, and 1803, each with a unique approach to

By Joe Southern

Senate approves additional spending

By Richard Lee FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Texas Senate last week approved $8.4 billion in additional spending, $6.1 billion of it in state funds, to cover extra costs incurred over the last two years.

This happens every session, as budgets are written prospectively based on projections of costs and revenue, and actual income and expenses have to be reconciled with the estimates. What’s unusual about this session’s supplemental budget bill is that Texas experienced the costliest storm in U.S. history during the interim, and the Senate proposal would spend billions to pay for damage, relief and recovery efforts for Hurricane Harvey. In order to pay for that, among other costs, the bill would use $4.4 billion from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund.

“Now I realize those are big numbers,” said bill author and Finance Committee chair Sen. Jane Nelson of Flower Mound.,“but $3 billion of this package is due to Harvey, which we knew was going to have a significant price tag.”

Just over $900 million of those rainy day funds would go toward public schools in areas ravaged by Harvey.

Schools are entitled to an amount of money based on their student population, and these areas saw those numbers fall as families

SEE SENATE, PAGE 9

ending human trafficking in Texas.

Also last week, the Texas Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Gov. Greg Abbott, law enforcement, and industry partners, launched its “On the Road to End Human Trafficking” initiative.

Human trafficking preys on the most vulnerable in society and is a gruesome form of modern-day slavery. Human trafficking is a growing threat to the community. That’s why Olson and George are developing a task force to investigate and prosecute cases of human trafficking throughout Fort

Bend County.

“As the co-chair of the House Victims’ Rights Caucus, I’m committed to serving as a voice for victims of human trafficking,” Olson said. “As a rising number of traffickers bring their innocent victims through the I-10 corridor, we have a moral obligation to stop these crimes before they happen and save precious lives. The information provided by the FBI was an important step for Judge KP George, Commissioner Andy Meyers and I to determine effective ways local communities and the federal government can proactively address human

City, school, MUD elections are May 4 JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 31

Although many people are already setting their sights on the 2020 election more than 20 months from now, locals will want to shift focus to the elections less than two months away.

On May 4, four school boards, 11 cities, and eight taxing districts will hold elections in Fort Bend County. That includes the school districts of Fort Bend, Lamar Consolidated, Needville, and Stafford.

The cities of Arcola, Beasley, Kendleton, Meadows Place, Needville, Richmond, Rosenberg, Simonton, Stafford, and the Village of Pleak will electing new leaders.

Also election new leaders are Levee Improvement District 2, Cinco MUD 8, Fort Bend County MUD 2, Fort Bend County MUD 47, Fort Bend County MUD 142, Fort Bend County MUD 152, Grand Lakes MUD 1, and Pecan Grove MUD. Early voting will be held April 22-30 at designated locations.

The following is a list of candidates from the major races in eastern Fort Bend County (*denotes incumbent): Fort Bend ISD Position 3

Jim Rice* Sam Popuri Ashish Agrawal Afshi Charania Position 5 Cynthia Lenton Gary Jason A. Dobrolecki Pam D. Sutherland Lily Q. Lam Allison Drew Christian Sommer Position 7 Christine (Tina) Michie Rudy Sutherland, Jr. Ferrel Bonner Nadine B. Skinner Monica Riley Holland Poulsen Dave Rosenthal* Stafford MSD (The three candidates with the most votes will be elected to the positions.)

Greg Holsapple* Alicia Lacy-Castille* Ash Hamirani Mary Ann Smith Angela LaCour Lana Hoesing Sugar Land District 1 Steve R. Porter* Mohammad “Jazz” Aijaz District 2 David Gornet Nabila Mansoor Naushad Kermally District 3 Stewart Jacobson District 4 Carol McCutcheon* William Ferguson

SEE ELECTION, PAGE 9

Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers (second from left), County Judge KP George (center), Edward Gordon from the district attorney’s office (second from right), and Rep. Pete Olson (right) pose with special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Submitted photo)

trafficking and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

“As the top elected of-

ficial of Fort Bend County,

SEE TRAFFICKING, PAGE 9

Fireside chat

Henry Jones, as portrayed by J.R. Thomas, cuts a rope after stoking the fire in the 1830s cabin at George Ranch Historical Park last week. The ranch hosted a number of special events for spring break, including fire-starting and cooking with coals. (Photo by Joe Southern)

Siblings catch calves same day 3 years apart at RodeoHouston

By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Keyla, left, and Kareem Mills pose with a longhorn at Stafford MSD’s livestock barn. The siblings both caught a calf during the calf scramble at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 9, but three years apart. Kareem caught his in 2016 and Keyla this year. (Photo by Joe Southern)

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For brother and sister Kareem and Keyla Mills, catching calves is all in a day’s work – albeit a day separated by three years.

On March 9, 2016, Kareem Mills caught a calf during the calf scramble at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in NRG Stadium. Three years later on the same day, his sister caught one. They are the last two students from Stafford High School to catch calves at RodeoHouston.

“I was very nervous,” recalled Kareem, now a senior. “I was an alternate for three days and I fi-

nally got in at number 30.”

Keyla, a freshman this year, caught her calf on Saturday, March 9.

“The calf scramble is a big accomplishment for me,” she said.

“Now I’ll be walking in the footsteps of my brother.”

She said catching a calf wasn’t easy to do. During the calf scramble at RodeoHouston, 30 contestants from 4-H and FFA clubs chase after 15 calves. They must catch them, harness them, and lead them back into the center square. The winners are awarded a calf to raise and bring back to the HLSR the next year to show.

“I was blessed to catch it,” Keyla said.

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Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • PAGE

3

Stop Socialism rally planned for Sugar Land From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Karen MacWilliam, who describes herself as a concerned citizen, has rented Sugar Land Town Square for a Stop Socialism Choose Freedom Rally on April 15, from noon to 2 p.m.

“Do you remember when they said, ‘If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor? And your health care costs will go down by $2,500?’ This did not happen,” she said.

“I have a picture from Washington, DC, on Sept.12, 2009, when I marched against the

Karen MacWilliam

Obama healthcare bill.

They were wrong then and they are wrong now about the New Green Deal,” she said. “The professors – who 93 percent vote for liberals – are turning out

people like (Rep.) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who want to spend upwards of $93 trillion for their New Green Deal. Do you know that a stack of one trillion dollars in one dollar bills measures 67,866 miles.

This would reach more than one forth the way to the moon.”

She hopes the rally will be one of 15,000 other rally’s being held across the nation. There will be speakers, music and some ideas of how to support President Donald Trump, secure the border and fight socialism.

For more information, email kmacwilliam88@ gmail.com.

County Judge KP George launches Global Initiative From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Even before taking office on Jan. 1, Fort Bend County Judge KP George has been working to increase the level of economic development in Fort Bend County.

He recently launched the Fort Bend Global Initiative.

The mission of the global initiative is to work with international companies and organizations to attract, foster, and grow businesses, and in the process,

create new, well-paying jobs for Fort Bend County residents.

In that spirit, Judge George recently met with Consul Generals from the United Kingdom, France, China, Taiwan, Russia, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, and India with the goal of identifying opportunities to advance international relations with an emphasis on economic and commercial results.

“It is crucial that Fort Bend build strong relationships with our Consular Corps and in-

Publishing: Wed. May 15, 2019 Deadline: Friday, May 10, 2019

ternational economic development partners so that we can encourage job growth and attract private investment, for the benefit of residents across Fort Bend County. I am grateful that we have a Consular Corps that is willing to collaborate and help improve the economic fabric of our community,” George said.

With its 92 consulates, the Consular Corps of Houston is the third-largest consular corps in the nation, serving as a link between the Houston region and the world.

Living

Exit to the rear Parker Breding of Montana sees his championship dreams come to an end Saturday during the bull riding event at RodeoHouston. He was bucked off in both the championship and shootout rounds. (Photo by Joe Southern)

County judge holding third meeting on Listening Tour From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Fort Bend County Judge KP George is hosting the third in a series of countywide meetings dubbed the Listening Tour to engage Fort Bend County residents in constructive dialogue about Fort Bend County services and to hear their concerns.

The meeting will be held at Creekside Christian Fellowship Church at 16628 TX-36, Need-

ville, beginning at 6 p.m. ,in partnership with Pct. 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales and Pct. 1 Constable Mike Beard.

“Our smaller towns like Needville are important to my administration, and I look forward to bringing the full array of county resources to this community. This is a great opportunity for residents on the southern side of Fort Bend County to learn about all the county offers and ask questions to their elected officials and department heads. Bring-

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Representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation, animal services, road and bridge, human resources, parks, clinical health, drainage, office of emergency management, emergency medical services, health and human services, sheriff, constable, environmental health, engineering, and other departments are also expected to be in attendance.

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Debunking the myth that Bass Reeves inspired The Lone Ranger It’s past time to set the record straight.

Bass Reeves, the legendary lawman who was the first black man to serve as a U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, is not nor ever has been the inspiration for the fictional hero of yesteryear known as The Lone Ranger.

That urban legend is believed to have started in 2006 when it was speculated by author Art. T. Burton in his biography entitled “Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves” that the real lawman was the inspiration for the fictional one. In his book, Burton notes the similarities between the two: the use of disguises, a Native American sidekick, riding a white horse, giving out keepsakes made of silver, and having superior marksmanship and horsemanship skills.

That, however, is where fact and fiction part ways.

Had Burton done his due diligence and actually researched the creation of The Lone Ranger, he may never would have made his phony assertion. Nor would the likes of The History Channel, True West Magazine, Time, CNN, Fox News, Bill O’ Reilly, and hundreds of websites and bloggers blindly followed his lead and spread

FAITH, FAMILY & FUN JOE SOUTHERN EDITOR

his misinformation. There is even a display about it at the Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg.

Today, this urban legend has spread to mythical proportions. You cannot do a Google search for The Lone Ranger without coming across numerous references to Bass Reeves, which usually come up after links to the disastrous 2013 Disney movie and the popular television show from the 1950s.

I know this because I am not only a Lone Ranger fan; I’m also the founder and former owner of the Lone Ranger Fan Club and an amateur Lone Ranger scholar. I have done a lot of research and written countless articles about the masked man and I can tell you for fact that there never was any mention or even hint of speculation prior to 2006 that the fictional character was inspired by Reeves or any other person who ever lived. The true story

Letters to the Editor Base rezoning on data, not perceptions Dear Editor, As parents, rezoning is one of the most challenging things we must deal with when it comes to the education of our children.

We are fully aware that regardless of what decisions the Fort Bend ISD trustees make someone will be upset. However, we also understand the

importance of correct, objective data informing rezoning decisions. We also understand the use of community feedback and engagement in rezoning discussions. And, we understand communities must first advocate for their positions via respectful emails and discussion.

BAPTIST CHURCH

HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 Ed Byrnes, Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am • 6:00 pm Sunday Worship 10:45 am • 6:00 pm Wednesday: 7:00 pm Bible Study / AWANA “A Place To Call Home” - www.hbctx.org INDEPENDENT BAPTIST

GLORY BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-499-0440 211 Brand Lane Drive • Stafford, Texas 77477 Serving Stafford for 34 years Preaching the word - Singing the Hymns Worshipping the Lord Jesus Sunday 10:00 am Teaching - 11:00 am Preaching 6:00 pm Worshiping Wednesday 7:00 pm Praying www.gloryfbc.com METHODIST CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888 A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary Simple Service / Prayer & Communion: 8:15 am Contemporary: 9:30 am / Traditional: 10:55 am Sunday School for all ages available at 9:30 & 10:55 am. www.christchurchsl.org

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

of how The Lone Ranger came to be is much more convoluted and entertaining than someone drawing inspiration from a longdead cowboy with a badge.

For my information I refer to two books which I consider to be the bibles of Lone Ranger lore. The first is “Who Was That Masked Man?” by David Rothel, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in 2008. The other is “From Out of the Past: A Pictorial History of The Lone Ranger” by the late Dave Holland. Both authors go into great detail about how the character was created. In Rothel’s case, he personally interviewed some of the people who share credit for making the masked man.

You see, The Lone Ranger evolved through a process of contributions by several people working simultaneously in different states. The story becomes convoluted because each co-author told varying versions of the story, each taking more credit than they probably deserved.

Fortunately, Rothel and Holland have been able piece together reasonable accounts of how The Lone Ranger came to be.

The whole thing started in late 1932 after George W. Trendle, owner of WXYZ radio station in Detroit, broke away from the

CBS network and needed programing for his now independent network of radio stations. To create that programing he put his staff to work. Among his directives for one of the programs were three “givens.”

The first was that the program was going to be a drama, because they were inexpensive. The second was that it would be a children’s program because children were less critical and very persuasive when it comes to coaxing parents to buy sponsors’ goods. The third is it would be a Western.

In one of the first staff brainstorming sessions, Trendle said he wanted the new hero to be modeled after Robin Hood and Zorro. The staff liked the idea of a Zorro-like mask and the benevolent outlaw approach to the character.

“I see him as sort of a lone operator. He could even be a former Texas Ranger,” Trendle said.

(Note: Reeves was a U.S. Marshal.)

Program director James Jewel, who was in that first meeting and is credited with coming up with some of the finer details of the character, said it was studio manager Harold True who came up with the name after it was pointed out that “The Lone Star

Ranger” couldn’t be used because Zane Grey had already used it in a book.

That led True to shorten it to The Lone Ranger.

Trendle felt it was important that the character ride a magnificent horse, like all the other Western heroes of the time.

On Dec. 28, 1932, Jewel wrote a letter to Fran Striker, a writer who lived in Buffalo, N.Y., with a bunch of the basic concepts for the character. Striker cobbled them together and re-worked scripts from other Westerns he had written and came up with the first few Lone Ranger radio scripts. Some of the details were augmented by Jewel during rehearsals.

A few stories into the program it was determined that the masked man needed a companion to talk to in order to move the stories along. Otherwise he would have to talk to himself or his horse or there would be long breaks in the action for lengthy narration. That led to Tonto becoming part of the Lone Ranger legend.

Of course, the books by Rothel and Holland give a much better telling of the story and the tale is much more complex than I have reported here. The point is that The Lone Ranger arose out of the collaborative efforts of several people over a pe-

riod of time. There were many contributors and detractors along the way.

Other than the influence of the fictional Robin Hood and Zorro, there is no evidence of The Lone Ranger being inspired by any one person, including Bass Reeves.

Another excellent source to help back my claim is the self-published eBook

by Martin Grams Jr. called “The Lone Ranger and Bass Reeves: Debunking the Myth.”

“Even Time Magazine printed a retraction when they discovered through my eBook a year ago that the Bass Reeves connection was a myth and the man that started it confessed he never had anything to back it up,” Grams told me last week in a conversation on Facebook.

So there you have it. This takes nothing away from Bass Reeves, who was a great man in his own right and deserves better than to have his legacy tainted by fiction. I bring this up not be racist or to take anything away from the accomplishments of a great lawman. I do this to set the record straight and to separate fact from fiction and truth from speculation.

On that note, I will quietly exit the scene with a hearty, hi-yo Silver, away!

However, when data does not drive decisions, when community engagement is limited, and when FBISD trustees and administration will not respond to respectful emails regarding rezoning, a different approach must be taken to get the answers we need.

Data is by its nature objective, and in the past, FBISD has paid a lot of money to consultants for data for use in decision making.

Trustees, administration, and parents have agonized over capacity and utilization numbers of campuses. Faulty data for

certain campuses has been corrected. Principals have helped make the data more accurate by walking the halls of their buildings explaining the use of each classroom. But what good is all of this data if it is not used? At the Feb. 18, 2019, board of trustees meeting, nine FBISD campuses were listed in the agenda packet materials because they are projected to have a utilization over 100 percent for the 2019-2020 school year.

Fort Settlement Middle School (FSMS) was not one of them; in fact, it is projected to have a utilization of 94.78 percent. However, at this same meeting, it was said that the district would rebalance FSMS with First Colony Middle School (FCMS) based on perceptions.

Perceptions are subjective.

And this is why they cannot be used to drive our rezoning and rebalancing decisions. We must, as in the past, use data to drive these decisions. Why are we not using data to push for a hasty rezone before the end of the current school year for the nine campuses projected to be over-utilized next year? Are they simply perceived not to be over crowded? What good is our data if it is not used? Data must be our driving force. Perceptions are easily influenced and should have no part in this discussion.

Riverstone residents are fully aware that we live in a high-growth community. We are also aware that we are not the only growing community in FBISD. Many communities have been impacted by rezoning. However, nearly every year since the early 2010s, the Riverstone community has been threatened by the board of trustees with rezoning at the middle school level, and in many ways that is worse than rezoning because of how unsettling it actually is. No family can ever rest. No family ever knows what the next school year will bring. No family ever

knows when the fight will ever be over. If the data supported the rezoning, families would support it. But when rezoning is based on perceptions and not on hard data, the fight will have to continue.

The Public Information Act gives citizens the right to ask for information. Asking for documentation under the PIA is not the act of the bully. Shaming someone, especially out in the public, for acting within their rights, is the act of a bully. If the cost of producing documents to satisfy the request is exorbitant, then FBISD can send a bill to the person who submitted the request. This has been done in the past. Ms. Kristin Tassin, it is disingenuous to say that asking for information under the PIA takes away from early college, P-Tech programs, early literacy, or other at-risk students. You should know better than that.

Six months of documents were requested because of the lack of communication regarding rezoning between November 2018 and February 2019. On Nov. 16, 2018, we were told via email that the attendance boundary process for the middle schools (FCMS and FSMS) would be postponed until we had a clear way forward regarding the new elementary school (ES 53) because the boundaries are directly related to the elementary school boundaries.

Nothing was said further about rezoning until the Feb. 18, board meeting, where rezoning was suggested based on perceptions (and not even mentioned on the meeting agenda).

And despite having found land through eminent domain for ES 53, nothing is clear in terms of ES 53 boundaries or the land purchase itself. Then on Feb. 19, we were told via email that board members expressed a need to “immediately balance enrollment between FSMS and FCMS.” Parents and community

members would like to know how the board and the district went from postponing middle school boundary discussions to do them along with elementary boundaries in November to needing to immediately balance enrollment in February, without the data to support it.

The Public Information Act gives us every right to obtain this information.

Community engagement, whether through focus groups, surveys, emails, or meetings, has always been a part of any rezoning or rebalancing discussion. However, on Feb. 19, we were told that there would be limited community engagement. No survey will be sent out, and a focus group will only meet five days prior to the board making a decision on Feb. 25. Furthermore, all email correspondence to the board of trustees and FBISD administration has gone unanswered.

Ms. Tassin said that “...we expect communities to advocate for their positions, provide feedback, and engage with us personally and via email.” What is a parent to do when a trustee refuses to respond to a respectful email? What is a parent to do when a trustee won’t meet with them or take a phone call?

How can a community provide feedback if there is no survey?

We elect trustees to represent all students and families in Fort Bend ISD. We expect you to listen to your constituents. We expect you to respect us. We expect you to act with transparency. Calling constituents bullies for acting within the law is not acceptable. Rezoning based on perceptions and not data is not acceptable. Asking communities to advocate via email and then never responding is not acceptable. You are exactly right when you said our students deserve better. They definitely do.

Dr. Uma Ramamurthy Educator and researcher, Riverstone

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

281-690-4200 ¥ 281-690-4237 (fax) ¥ www.fortbendstar.com OUR STAFF

LUTHERAN CHURCH

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729 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

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@FtBendAthletics:

Travis crushes Dulles 12-2 in baseball

By Bill McCaughey

Trey Faltine threw three innings of no-hit ball for Travis High School as the Tigers beat Dulles 12-2 last Thursday. (Photo by Bill McCaughey)

FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Travis sent 15 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning as they scored 11 runs and went on to beat Dulles 12-2 last Thursday at Travis High School.

In the first inning, John Henderson had two doubles, Kenneth Dutka had a double and a single, Kevin Ortiz had two singles, Trey Faltine had a triple, Colin Mushinski and Thomas Roldan each had a double, and David Pagan had a single as the Tigers scored 11 runs to put the game out of reach.

“Our pre-district season went pretty good. We got a chance to see where some guys can play and

be able to win jobs or earn certain roles on the team,” Travis coach Rodney Hernandez said. “We have seven strong starters who are all hitting above .300. We know they are going to hit the ball and be on the field every game. And then we have two spots we have to decide on. It depends on who is hitting the ball and who is hot. We have about four guys who just need a little more time.”

Trey Faltine pitched three no-hit innings be-

Skeeters add Major League muscle to pitching staff From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Sugar Land Skeeters have recently re-signed three pitchers with Major League experience.

The trio of right-handers inked in the last couple weeks includes Dallas Beeler, Matt West and Mitch Talbot.

Beeler, 29, joined the Skeeters in 2018 and went 8-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 19 games (14 starts). The Jenks, Okla., native was selected to the 2018 Atlantic League All-Star Game and was also selected as the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month for June, going 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA in five starts throughout the month.

Beeler was one of 12 Skeeters to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization in 2018, joining the Kansas City Royals on July 6. At the time his contract was purchased, Beeler was second in the league with a 1.99 ERA, tied for first with six wins, first with a .165 opponents’ batting average and fifth with 54 strikeouts. He went on to rejoin the Skeeters on July 28.

The Chicago Cubs selected Beeler in the 41st round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of Oral Roberts University. He was also selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 37th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Jenks High School.

Beeler made his Major League debut with the Cubs in 2014 and also appeared with them in ’15. Through five Major League starts, Beeler is 0-3 with a 6.05 ERA (19.1 IP). Beeler appeared with the Tomateros de Culiacan of the Mexican Pacific Winter League this offseason and went 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA in five starts.

Beeler is set to enter his ninth professional season and has gone 44-38 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.294 WHIP in 154 appearances (131 starts) at the professional level.

Talbot, 35, made five starts for the Skeeters in 2018, going 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA, before having his contract purchased by the Cleveland Indians. Talbot made 18 appearances (17 starts) with Triple-A Columbus last season and went 4-5 with a 2.52 ERA and 1.158 WHIP. The Cedar City, Utah, native made his Skeeters debut in 2017 and went 9-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 21 games. His ERA was the second-lowest of Skeeters

fore Jeremy Yurcak came on to pitch the last two innings of the game that was shortened by the 10-run rule.

“I got off to a slow start but I’m starting to heat up at the right time with the district season starting up,” Faltine said. “I feel I have a good command of my pitches.”

Faltine struck out three of the 10 batters he faced.

“Trey is doing great.

He has done everything we have asked him to do.

He has been lights out on the mound, and he has been hitting the ball very well. He has a real possibility of getting drafted this June,” Travis Coach Rodney Hernandez said.

Jason Brown had two hits and two runs-battedin to lead Dulles.

Hat trick hangs SaberCats in blowout to NOLA Compiled By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Mitch Talbot, pictured here pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2017, has been re-signed by the Skeeters for the 2019 season. He spent most of last season in the Cleveland Indians farm system. (Photo by Joe Southern)

pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched that season.

Talbot made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and also appeared with the Cleveland Indians from 2010-11. Through three Major League seasons, Talbot is 12-19 with a 5.30 ERA in 43 games (232.2 IP). In 2010, he was second on the Indians with 10 wins, third with 159 innings pitched and third with 88 strikeouts. His 10 wins in 2010 also placed him second amongst American League rookies.

The Houston Astros drafted Talbot in the 2002 MLB Draft out of Canyon View High School (Cedar City, Utah). Talbot pitched four seasons in the Astros farm system before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, with three-time MLB All-Star Ben Zobrist, in July 2006. He was then traded to the Cleveland Indians in December 2009.

Along with the Astros, Rays and Indians, Talbot has also pitched at the affiliated level with the Miami Marlins and New York Mets. He’s pitched at the professional level with the Hanwha Eagles and Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization as well. Talbot first joined the Atlantic League in 2014 with the Long Island Ducks.

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Talbot is set to enter his 16th season at the professional level. Through 345 career appearances at the professional level, Talbot is 127-101 with a 3.92 ERA and one save in 1,814 innings pitched.

West, 30, joined the Skeeters in May 2018 and was 0-0 with a 0.54 ERA in 17 relief appearances, striking out 19 batters to two walks in 16 innings. West threw 13 straight scoreless innings to open his Skeeters career, which was the longest scoreless streak by a Skeeters reliever last season. His 9.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio was third-best of Skeeters pitchers with at least 15 innings pitched last season.

The Houston native was selected by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas). He made his Major League debut with the Rangers in 2014 and appeared with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. West is 0-0

SEE SKEETERS, PAGE 7

Tristan Blewett earned Man of the Match honors for the NOLA (New Orleans) Gold Saturday night, scoring three tries as the visiting team crushed the Houston SaberCats 49-11 in Major League Rugby action at Constellation Field.

The SaberCats (1-5) took an early 6-0 lead off the foot of Sam Windsor with penalty conversions, but it was all NOLA (5-1) after that. Blewett scored his first try in the 19th minute of the match to get the first 5 of 42 unanswered points for NOLA. Blewett now leads the MLR with six tries this season.

“It was an awesome game. Obviously, we came out here – it was a long drive yesterday. We had to hold it together. We had all our international players back, so it’s a new team again, but it was a lot of fun out there and a good evening of rugby,” Blewett said.

Despite the lopsided score, the SaberCats controlled roughly 60 percent of total possession to go along with a 57 percent mark in territory. Josua Vici scored the team’s only try of the night at the 65th minute, but later left the game on a red card.

NOLA’s win propelled them into first place in the league table with 26 points on the season. Houston remains in eighth place with six points, just ahead of the winless Austin Elite in the nine-team league.

The Gold (26 match points) are just ahead of

FOOT FACTS

by Dr. Eric Tepper

BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS

BLACK AND BLUE A bluish-black discoloration underneath all or part of a toenail is most likely the result of a subungual hematoma. Trauma to a toe, such as stubbing or crushing, can cause underlying blood vessels to leak blood and form a pool of blood beneath the surface of the nail. This collection of blood can become great enough to create pressure and pain. If the discoloration from the subungual hematoma covers about 25 percent of the nail, icing and elevation usually are sufficient to relieve pain. If more than 50 percent of the nail is affected and the toe is very painful, the toe bone may be fractured or the nail bed lacerated. These conditions are best treated by a podiatrist.

HINT: A bag of frozen vegetables such as peas or corn can be wrapped in a towel and used as a home treatment to ice a small subungual hematoma.

We know it’s not easy to ignore the pain of toenail trauma and other foot conditions, especially when every step places weight and pressure on the affected area. Don’t wait for the pain and the problem to disappear. It’s highly unlikely that they will, and you’ll be left with a worse condition than when the problem was still new and relatively minor. Complete foot care is available at 3143 Hwy. 6 South for everyone in your family, for treatment of a full range of foot concerns. Office hours are by appointment. PH: 281-980-3668.

Sam Windsor tackles a NOLA runner during Saturday’s 4911 blowout at Constellation Field. The Houston SaberCats fell to the first-place Gold, which scored the most points of the season in Major League Rugby. (Photo by Joe Southern)

the defending champion Seattle Seawolves (5-2, 25 points) and Rugby United New York (23 points) in the standings.

Houston will host the Utah Warriors (1-3-1) on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Constellation Field.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at the SaberCats’ new home

at AVEVA Stadium, but weather has delayed construction. The first match in the new pitch will be Saturday, April 13, against Seattle. The official grand opening of the stadium is set for May 11 against the Glendale Raptors. For more information, visit www.houstonsabercats. com.

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Skin checks are a critical part of routine health maintenance.

Add a check-up with your dermatologist to your annual to-do list along with visits to your dentist, eye doctor, and primary care provider.

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THE STAR

PAGE 6 • Wednesday, March 20, 2019

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Portion of Williams Way renamed Richmond Pkwy.

From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The City of Richmond has moved closer to achieving a key goal of its Comprehensive Master Plan by renaming a portion of Williams Way to Richmond Parkway.

The change will take place on Monday, March 25.

With a desire to create a signature gateway into Richmond, the city commission voted to rename a portion of Williams Way Boulevard to Richmond Parkway. Communication of the name change with residents and businesses along the roadway has been occurring over the last couple of months.

The name change is part of a larger coordinated effort between Richmond and Fort Bend County as the county has initiated re-naming the portion of Williams Way located in the

county, extending south to US 59. The portion of Williams Way planned for renaming includes the section starting from the north side of U.S. 59 continuing along Front, Austin, and Second Streets.

The stretch of roadway forms the main corridor between U.S. 59 and U.S. 90 A/ Jackson Street and currently includes several street names in different sections of the road. Utilizing a single name for the entire roadway will create a more unified name that represents all the residents of Richmond. Changing the name of the designated corridor entrance is intended to bolster the city’s image by providing important way-finding and community branding efforts.

The city has also planned future mobility improvements for the corridor that will enhance the connectivity of the Judicial Center to Richmond’s historic district and downtown area.

This map shows the portion of Williams Way and other streets that will be renamed Richmond Parkway, effective March 25. (Map courtesy City of Richmond)

Spring into Sugar Land during the month of April From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

It doesn’t matter what weekend is targeted for fun, because Sugar Land promises plenty of spring outdoor activities for families to enjoy throughout April.

Some of the city’s most anticipated community events are on the horizon as Sugar Land celebrates its first Spring into Arts – a month-long April celebration that will include art and culture and ends with a large International Arts Festival at The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land, 18355 Southwest Freeway, combining elements from prior Kite Festival and iFest events.

Sugar Land Town Square will partner with the city on Sunday, April 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a spinoff of the traditional Art of Wining and Dining event.

Now with a Brunch and Bubbly theme, the event will take place in Sugar Land Town Square Plaza.

Enjoy samples from some of Town Square’s most popular restaurants, browse the booths of local artisans, experience the onsite chalk competition, enjoy an interactive dueling piano show and more.

On-site entertainment is free, and Brunch and Bubbly tickets will range from $10 to $25. Children under 12 are free. For additional event and ticket information, visit http:// w w w. s u g a r l a n d t o w n -

square.com/events/.

Up next is Sugar Land’s Earth Day celebration – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rock – on Saturday, April 13, from 1-5 p.m., at Sugar Land Town Square. Keep Sugar Land Beautiful, the city of Sugar Land and Sugar Land Town Square invite the public for an afternoon of family fun exploring approximately 30 interactive eco exhibits, displays and games, including entertainment by Texas Snakes & More and Andy Roo & the AndyRooniverse!

Free secure residential paper shredding will be provided by ProShred of Houston from 2-5 p.m. in the parking lot at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North.

The city of Sugar Land

will partner with Keep Sugar Land Beautiful, a local charitable organization with a long history of providing environmental education and engagement programs, to display an upcycled art exhibit that was created by a local artist from recyclables. For additional event information, visit https://kslb.org/ events/sugar-land-earthday-celebration/.

The International Arts Festival will combine elements from prior Kite Festival and iFest events.

The festival will focus on a variety of performing and visual art forms at The Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land. The festival on April 27 from noon to 6 p.m. will include cultural and entertainment stages,

kite flying, hands-on art activities and demonstrations, live paintings, art competitions and more.

VIP wristbands are required to participate in some of the special festival attractions and activities at the International Arts Festival. Sugar Land residents can receive VIP wristbands at no charge prior to the day of the event, while non-Sugar Land residents may purchase wristbands for a nominal fee of $3 in advance of the event. The wristbands will cost $5 at the event for residents and non-residents. All VIP wristbands will be distributed starting Wednesday, March 20 ,at the Sugar Land Imperial Park Recreation Center, 234 Matlage Way, during normal hours

of operation.

Parking will be available at the The Crown Festival Park, Brazos River Park, 18427 Southwest Freeway, and University of Houston at Sugar Land, 14000 University Blvd. Free shuttle services will provide transportation from the campus to the park between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

To promote the Spring into Arts initiative, additional art and cultural event outreach programs sponsored by area community groups will be posted on the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation social media pages throughout April. For more information about events or to become an event sponsor, call 281-275-2900 or visit www.sugarlandtx. gov/specialevents.

Entries sought for Congressional art contest From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson invites high school students from the 22nd Congres-

Dr. Meghan McGinnis joins Dr. Meghan McGinnis is a Sugar Land native. She graduated from Clements High School then went on to The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a B.A. in Biology with Highest Honors.

She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Ecuador before completing her medical degree at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine.

Dr. McGinnis then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School.

sional District of Texas to participate in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.

The competition, which began in 1982, provides an opportunity for members of Congress to recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

“Every year, talented

Dr. McGinnis will be joining Southwest Ob Gyn on April 15, 2019; where she will be practicing both obstetrics and gynecology.

To schedule your appointment, contact our office at 713-774-5131 or visit our website at www.swobgyn.com

petition and share their artwork with others in Texas and the nation.”

The first-place winner from the 22nd Congressional District will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

As part of this competition, the district first place winner receives complimentary airfare to fly to Washington, D.C., to see their art displayed in the Capitol Building during an

unveiling ceremony.

Artwork is due to Olson’s Sugar Land office from Wednesday, April 10, through Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Artwork must be two-dimensional and be submitted to Rep. Olson's Sugar Land office unframed. In addition to the artwork, participants will need to submit the student release form. For rules, regulations and criteria, visit http://1.usa.gov/1VPdmKI.

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After finishing her specialty training, Dr. McGinnis practiced at a mission hospital in Togo, West Africa for two years where she provided complete obstetrical and gynecological care for women across West Africa and helped to establish a sustainable maternity department through training local midwives and nurses.

Dr. McGinnis’s practice includes all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology including minimally invasive surgical techniques.

She enjoys getting to know her patients on a personal level and is happy to be serving the women of her hometown.

high school artists share their unique perspectives on life and of the American experience through their artwork in the Congressional Art Competition,” Olson said. “This competition gives them an opportunity to showcase their artistic talent and vision for the thousands of folks who visit the Capitol each year. I encourage the many talented artists in TX-22 to enter this com-

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Fort Bend Realestate

★ SKEETERS, FROM PAGE 5 with a 3.86 ERA through five games (7 IP) in his MLB career.

West last appeared at the affiliated level in 2016 with Triple-A Oklahoma City (LAD).

Along with the Dodgers and Rangers, West also appeared at the affiliated level with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 with Double-A New Hampshire.

Prior to joining the Skeeters in 2018, his last professional appearance came with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2017.

Through eight seasons at the professional level, West is 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA and 20 saves in in 192 games (three starts), averaging 9.0 strikeouts-per-nine-innings.

Skeeters to host player tryouts on April 14 The Sugar Land Skeeters will hold a player tryout beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Constellation Field.

The announcement was made

by Skeeters manager Pete Incaviglia and General Manager Tyler Stamm.

The caliber of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is regarded as one of the highest in all of minor league baseball. That is evidenced by the recently announced three-year exclusive partnership with Major League Baseball to experiment rules and equipment in exchange for TrackMan technology in all eight Atlantic League ballparks. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations and the Skeeters alone had 14 contracts purchased by outside professional baseball organizations in 2018.

The Skeeters encourage current and former players alike to register for the tryout, which will be attended by Incaviglia and Skeeters infielder and hitting coach Josh Prince.

All registrations should be completed and returned to the Skeeters by Friday, April 12, as the tryout will be capped at 100 participants.

Players interested in registering for the tryout can visit sugarlandskeeters.com/ tryouts and complete the registration form. Registration is $100 per player. For more information, visit the Skeeters official website (sugarlandskeeters.com) or email ask@ sugarlandskeeters.com.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • PAGE

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For registration or former Texas InstruThe Grid will create sponsorship, visit www. ment (TI) site in Stafford a vibrant community FortBendChamber.com on Thursday, March 28, gathering place for resi- or contact Matthew Ferfrom 7:30-9 a.m. at the dents, office workers raro at 281-491-0277 or Fort Bend Chamber of and visitors from neigh- Matthew@for tbendcc.

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The guest speaker, Brian Murphy, is the from managing principal of StreetLevel Investments, an investment and development firm 3740 Cartwright Road with an expertise for (@ FM 1092) ground-up, value-added (281) 499-4555 and distressed assets which are transformed Managing the Symptoms of Asthma into dynamic retail, entertainment, dining, Asthma is an inflammatory condition that limits airflow into the medical, residential lungs and causes narrowing of a person’s airways. The airways can and hotel environments become narrow due to the abnormal responsiveness of bronchioles, through public and pri- which are passages that allow air to travel from the mouth or nose to vate partnerships. the lungs. Common symptoms of asthma include cough, wheezing StreetLevel Invest- and shortness of breath. Some people can experience asthma after ments and joint-venture completing exercise or strenuous activity. Other risk factors include partner Provident Re- air pollution, allergens such as dust or pollen. alty Advisors, Inc. have People who don’t have asthma all the time including exercisedbroken ground on the induced asthma often benefit from albuterol. This is a rapid acting much-anticipated, exbeta-2selective adrenergic agonist. This medication works by pansive mixed-use relaxing muscles in the airway. Glucocorticoids that work throughout development under construction in Stafford. the body, such as prednisone, are often required for “severe asthma Spanning 192 acres, attacks.” People with moderate asthma often require a low dose of the Grid will integrate the inhaled glucocorticoid, such as budesonide, in addition to their 350,000 square feet of short acting medication. More severe cases of asthma often require destination retail and a long-acting-beta agonist such as formoterol along with the low restaurant concepts; dose inhaled glucocorticoid inhaler and short acting beta agonist.

2,400 residential units; Combination therapies are also available.

From staff reports

FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Dallas Beeler had two stints with the Sugar Land Skeeters last season, returning after a short time in the Kansas City Royals farm system. He has re-signed with the Skeeters this season. (Photo by Joe Southern)

A Helping Hand Ed’s Pharmacy

Houston native Matt West has re-signed with the Skeeters this season. Last year he had a 0.54 ERA in 17 relief appearances, striking out 19 batters to two walks in 16 � innings. (Photo by Joe Southern)

“Any time you can get a group of eager players together with the same goal in mind, it’s an exciting thing,” Incaviglia said. “We’re a league of

opportunity and we’re looking forward to being able to provide opportunities for players at this tryout.”

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LEGALS

Notice Of Nondiscriminatory Policy As To Students Logos Preparatory Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Telecommunications Facility

Eco-Site, Inc. has submitted a request to the FCC to register a proposed approx. 120’ tall monopole telecommunications tower with no marking or lighting system to be located at 4910 Raven Ridge Rd in Houston, TX 77053; coordinates of 29-35-23.94 N, 95-27-36.05 W. Interested parties may review the application by going to the FCC’s Antennae Structure Registration (ASR) website and entering the ASR application # A1132071. Members of the public may raise environmental concerns about the proposed structure by filing a Request for Environmental Review with the FCC. The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file such requests online and instructions to do so can be found on the FCC’s Environmental Request page (http://www. fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest) or send to: Ramon Williams, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. Requests should also be sent to: FDH Infrastructure Services, ATTN: Richard Brainerd, 6521 Meridien Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616. In order for your comments to receive full and timely consideration, they should be received at the addresses above within 30 days of the date of this notice and reference FCC ASR file # A1132071.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. 2019-01 LOCATED ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF WEST AIRPORT BLVD. BETWEEN THE INTERSECTION OF ALSTON ROAD AND WEST AIRPORT BLVD AND THE INTERSECTION OF STANCLIFF OAKS STREET AND WEST AIRPORT BLVD VICINITY MAP: City Council Public Hearing 6:00 p.m., April 2, 2019, City Hall City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 to hear all persons interested in the designation of Reinvestment Zone No. 2019-01 for 4.256 acres located on the south and west side of West Airport Blvd. between the intersection of Alston Road and West Airport Blvd. and the intersection of Stancliff Oaks Street and West Airport Blvd in Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Texas.

Details of proposed Reinvestment Zone No. 2019-01 may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Economic Development Department located at 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 or by telephone at 281275-2229.

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REAL ESTATE FOR RENT $450/m all bills paid Clean - Quiet – Secure No pets No smoke Contact Nancy venus.casa@yahoo.com

FRI. & SAT. MARCH 22 & 23 Heritage Colony, Missouri City 3911 Alpine Circle.

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ction Satisfanteed Guara

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Tree: Trimming, Cutting, and Stump Removal.

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

Eddie Allum

LEGALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CITY OF STAFFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 AT 7:30 P.M., IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, STAFFORD CITY HALL, 2610 SOUTH MAIN, STAFFORD, TEXAS AND BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD, TEXAS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M., IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER, STAFFORD CITY HALL, 2610 SOUTH MAIN, STAFFORD, TEXAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING TESTIMONY FOR AND AGAINST THE FOLLOWING: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 102 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE SAME BEING THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE, TO REZONE +/- 5.8 ACRES OF LAND FROM THE PC, PRIMARY CORRIDOR ZONING DISTRICT AND MU, MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICT TO PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT, TO ALLOW FOR A COMMERCIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF US HIGHWAY 90A AND BRAND LANE. ALL RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF STAFFORD AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. /S/ TOMIKA R. LEWIS CITY SECRETARY

Advertisement for Proposal DRYMALLA CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. IS SOLICITING PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAMAR CONSOLIDATED ISD HIGH SCHOOL #6, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL #6, AND MODIFICATION IN THE TXDOT RIGHT-OF-WAY. PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED UNTIL 2:00PM (BASE PROPOSAL) AND 3:00PM (ALTERNATE PROPOSALS) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019, AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: DRYMALLA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. P.O. BOX 698 608 HARBERT COLUMBUS, TX 78934 PHONE: 979-732-5731 FAX 979-732-3663 BID@DRYMALLA.COM PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $500.00 (CHECKS TO BE MADE PAYABLE TO DRYMALLA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY) AT TRIANGLE, 8450 WESTPARK #100, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77063 (713)-780-0236. PLANS MAY BE REVIEWED AT OUR OFFICE, AGC, ABC, MCGRAW HILL/CONSTRUCTION DODGE, AND RED CONSTRUCTION DATA. PLANS MAY ALSO BE REVIEWED ONLINE AT WWW.DRYMALLAPLANS.COM, CONSTRUCT CONNECT, AND VIRTUAL BUILDERS EXCHANGE.

INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids, in duplicate, addressed to THE CITY OF STAFFORD, Attention to City Secretary, Tomika R. Lewis, will be received at the Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas 77477, until 4:00pm. Local Time, Wednesday, April 3, 2019, and then publicly opened and read for “Construction of City of Stafford General Street Repairs”.

Scope of Work of the contract consists of providing the necessary labor, materials, equipment and supervision to construct the City of Stafford General Street Repairs in The City of Stafford, Texas 77477.

Bids received after the closing time will be returned unopened.

A MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. Local Time, at the city’s office, 2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas 77477. Attendance by each prospective bidder or its representative at the pre-bid conference is MANDATORY, and no bid will be opened unless the bidder or representative was present at the pre-bid conference.

Each Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or a cashier’s check or certified check, acceptable to the Owner, in an amount not less than five-percent (5%) of the total amount bid, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will enter into the Contract and execute the Bonds on the forms provided and provide the required insurance certificates within seven (7) days after the date Contract Documents are received by the Contractor.

Copies of the bidding documents are on file at the following locations: Electronic copies of the bidding documents may be obtained from Jones Engineering Solutions by contacting Richard Jones, P.E. at richardjones@jonesengineeringsolutions.com or 832-834-5496.

There is NO charge to view or download documents.

Bidding documents may be examined at the Jones Engineering Solutions office located at 11211 Katy Freeway, Suite 325, Houston Texas 77079, without charge.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids and to waive all defects and irregularities in bidding or bidding process except time of submitting a Bid. The Successful Bidder, if any, will be the responsible Bidder which in the Board’s judgment will be most advantageous to the District and result in the best and most economical completion of the Project.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS INVESTMENT BROKER DEALER SERVICES The City of Sugar Land seeks qualifications for performing all work required for the following project in the City: RFQ 2019-17: INVESTMENT BROKER DEALER SERVICES Plans, specifications, and bidding documents may be obtained by registering at Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

Sealed submittals, one (1) original and three (3) 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 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 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.

Questions regarding this submittal must be received on or before 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2019. Please post all questions on Public Purchase www.publicpurchase.com.

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

Invitation for Request of Proposals Landscape and Mowing Services THE CITY OF STAFFORD IS SEEKING A LANDSCAPE AND MOWING COMPANY TO SERVICE THE CITY OF STAFFORD’S STREETS AND GREEN SPACES. SEALED BIDS IN DUPLICATE, MARKED “LANDSCAPE AND MOWING SERVICES” ADDRESSED TO THE CITY OF STAFFORD WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY SECRETARY, MS. TOMIKA R. LEWIS, AT THE STAFFORD CITY HALL, 2610 SOUTH MAIN, STAFFORD, TEXAS 77477 UNTIL 4:30 P.M., LOCAL TIME, THURSDAY APRIL 4, 2019. PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER CLOSING TIME WILL BE RETURNED UNOPENED. THE PROPOSALS WILL BE PUBLICLY OPENED AND READ ALOUD AT THAT TIME. NOTICE OF THE AWARD OF THE CONTRACT SHALL BE GIVEN

BY THE CITY WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE PROPOSALS. SPECIFICATIONS AND PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS MAY BE PICKED UP FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT 2610 S. MAIN ST., STAFFORD, TEXAS 77477. ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS BID MAY BE DIRECTED TO CFAIR@STAFFORDTX.GOV. THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL PROPOSALS AND WAIVE ANY OR ALL INFORMALITIES. NO PROPOSAL MAY BE WITHDRAWN UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE DATE PROPOSALS ARE OPENED.

SECTION 00010 ADVERTISEMENT AND INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed bids on the original forms, signed by an officer of the Company, will be received by Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of: Water Plant Nos. 1 and 2 Recoating (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 10:00 A.M., April 12, 2019 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

Plans, specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577 In general, the work consists of recoating interior and exterior of a 429,000 gallon ground storage tank; recoating interior and exterior of a 135,000 gallon ground storage tank; recoating interior and exterior of a 100,000 gallon ground storage tank; recoating the exterior of two 15,000 gallon pressure tanks; recoating above ground piping at wells, booster pumps and tanks; and recoating well heads, well motors and booster pump motors. The work is located at two different sites, Water Plant Nos. 1 and 2 of the Fort Bend County MUD No. 25. A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the District Office at 10:00 A.M., April 5, 2019.

Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25. Fort Bend County MUD No. 25 reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract.

Leonela, Acting Executive General Manager

THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Letters to the Editor United in faith against religious violence Dear Editor, In the wake of the horrific violence against our Muslim siblings in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Fort Bend Interfaith Community is united in grief at the slaughter of innocent worshippers, in horror at this brazen act of terror, and in concern for the families of the victims. We stand with our Muslim neighbors in Fort Bend County, in Christ-

★ SENATE, FROM PAGE 1 were displaced and students moved away. Additionally, public education is paid for mostly though local property taxes, and those collections could be down significantly due to storm damage decreasing local property values.

The supplemental budget would help school districts maintain services by covering some of the money lost due to fewer students and lower tax collections. $800 million would go to create the Texas Infrastructure Resilience Fund, to pay for a statewide flood plan to mitigate the effects of the next storm, and another $800 million to help cities and counties participate in

church, and throughout the world. As people of faith from a diverse background, we join our hearts in prayer for the victims and their loved ones, and all for whom this day has become darker with fear, anger, or grief.

As we lift our prayers, we also lift our voices together to call for change. We denounce the sins of white supremacy, religiously motivated hate,

federal aid programs requiring local fund matches.

Other expenses paid out of rainy day funds include $100 million to harden school campuses following the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting and $542 million to cover shortfalls in the state’s teacher pension program.

In committee action last week, the Senate State Affairs Committee approved a proposal Thursday by chair and Houston Sen. Joan Huffman to avoid future shortfalls in the Teacher Retirement System, like the one paid out in this session’s supplemental budget. Providing monthly annuity payments to 420,000 retired teachers and public school employees, the fund has about $47 billion in unfunded liabilities.

Huffman said that number

★ TRAFFICKING, FROM PAGE 1 I recognize that human trafficking is serious and widespread threat that must be tackled by every level of government,” George said. “That’s why I am proud to partner with our local officials like District Attorney Brian Middleton and our federal counterparts in Congressman Olson and the FBI. We will continue doing everything in our power to pursue the criminals behind this dehumanizing industry. Our human trafficking taskforce will identify and act decisively in saving lives.”

“Human trafficking is a threat to our community that concerns me greatly” Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said. “As a board member of Childproof America, an organization dedicated to anti-human trafficking efforts, I’ve made it a priority to combat this issue head on. My office is currently working with our state legislature, with State Representatives John Zerwas and Rick Miller, and State Senators Joan Huffman and Lois Kolkhorst, to get funding appropriated that will train prosecutors, law enforcement, and school leadership on identifying at-risk students. Fort Bend County Judge KP George and I will continue to fight this issue and we are happy to have a great partnership with Congressman Pete Olson and the FBI on this issue.”

“The Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office will do everything within its power to combat human trafficking in the county” District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “Human traffickers are skilled at avoiding detection and intimidating their victims. Our battle against human trafficking requires well trained officers and prosecutors as we well as collaboration with community members. We are committed to working with all agencies and the community to end human trafficking in Fort Bend County.”

For her part, Sen. Huffman hopes the bills she filed will help stop human trafficking across the state.

“The Texas Legislature is doing its part to end human trafficking. I am working with the Governor and Lt. Governor, my colleagues, law enforcement, survivor advocates, and other stakeholders to pass these bills into law,” Huffman said. “Protecting vulnerable Texans and punishing those who engage in human trafficking are top priorities of mine. These bills will make a significant impact throughout the state once they are signed into law.”

Senate Bill 20 codifies the 14 recommendations from the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force report, issued in December.

These recommendations crack down on illicit massage businesses, enhance investigative and prosecutorial tools, and protect trafficking victims.

The report can be viewed at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/ files/files/divisions/criminaljustice/HumanTraffickingReport-2018. pdf.

Senate Bill 1801 provides to trafficking survivors a one-time ability to make confidential records of crimes that their traffickers forced them to commit. Senate Bill 1802 creates enhanced punishments for sex trafficking crimes, and provides new prosecutorial tools to fight those crimes. Senate Bill 1803 ensures that traffickers are required to spend time in jail when convicted of their crimes.

“We must do everything we can to eliminate human trafficking in Texas and to protect the survivors of these horrific crimes,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “I applaud Senator Huffman for her leadership in developing solutions that crack down on human trafficking, put dangerous criminals behind bars, and provide care and rehabili-

and terrorist actions. We call on our faith communities to seek meaningful ways to promote understanding of others, to treat all people with dignity and respect, and to work for peace in our neighborhoods, our nation, and our world.

Today we mourn the needless slaughter of 49 siblings in faith, and we hold all those who mourn in our prayers.

May we answer chaos with consolation, hatred with hope, and fear with fortitude.

May we work for an end to terror, and in its place, may

we lay the foundations of unity and peace.

On behalf of the Fort Bend Interfaith Community, Rabbi Josh Lobel, Congregation Beth El, Missouri City The Rev. William Starkweather, Pastor, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Sugar Land Rev. Dr. Dan King, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, Thoreau Campus in Richmond The Rev. Chris Michaelis, Pastor, New Hope Lutheran Church, Missouri City

is projected to grow to $124 billion by 2050 without legislative intervention.

“Without a long-term, costefficient proposal like this, TRS retirees may never see another COLA [cost-of-living adjustment], as the Legislature cannot grant a benefit enhancement by law unless the fund is actuarially sound,” she said.

That means the fund must be able to pay off its outstanding obligations within 31 years. Huffman’s plan, SB 12, would gradually increase the contribution rates from employees, districts and the state over the next few years. Contributions from active employees would grow to 8.25 percent, up from 7.7 percent today, and the state would increase its share from 6.8 percent of payroll to 8.25

tation services for victims. Together, we will send a message that the ideals of freedom, justice, and human dignity will always prevail in the State of Texas.”

Huffman has filed several other human trafficking bills this session. SB 458 requires human trafficking training for members of boards of trustees and superintendents of independent school districts. SB 498 creates remedies for businesses who rent office space close to human trafficking enterprises to get out of their lease, and enhances the ability of landlords to dismiss tenants who engage in human trafficking practices.

SB 696 streamlines requirements for peace officers to complete mandatory training on human trafficking. SB 923 prohibits persons younger than 21 years of age from working at a sexually oriented business, and creates a common nuisance for sexually oriented businesses that allow children younger than 18 on their premises. SB 1257 develops the attorney general’s authority to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, concurrently with local prosecutors.

TxDOT is taking initiative to create awareness of human trafficking on the state highways.

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that knows no boundaries and, sadly, affects hundreds of thousands of women, children and men across our state and around the world,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “We are proud to work with the Governor’s Commission for Women and other partners to bring an end to this modern-day slavery.”

Similar to a neighborhood watch program, the initiative encourages everyone to know, watch for and report signs of trafficking. According to University of Texas research, more than 300,000 people are trafficked in Texas at any given time, including 79,000 youth victims. These innocent human beings are horrifically abused by being forced into slavery, either in the form of hard labor or sex/prostitution.

To raise public awareness and help eradicate this criminal activity, TxDOT is educating its employees as well as travelers. For employees, a wallet card

C LAS S I F I ED

A DS

HELP WANTED

S I F I ED C LA SLOOKING A DS FOR A BROKER

?

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • PAGE

percent by fiscal year 2024.

Most public school employees, 96 percent, don’t participate in federal social security, and districts would up contributions for those employees from 1.5 to 2 percent of payroll by fiscal 2025.

Under Huffman’s bill, retirees would be eligible for a onetime, $500 check payable in the next biennium, and the fund would become actuarially sound.

“I understand that this is a significant financial commitment from the state and other contributors, but this plan is far more cost efficient than simply attempting to contribute one-time infusions of cash every so often,” said Huffman.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Exchange Club spaghetti dinner set for April 26 From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s 32nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Friday, April 26, from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Fluor Corporation cafeteria.

The fundraiser supports local nonprofit organizations including Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend County Women’s Center, Texana

★ ELECTION, FROM PAGE 1 Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella* Arthur “AJ” Honore’ Adam “Bob Sugar” Sanchez Council Position 1 Esther de Ipolyi

Center for Autistic Children, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, Fort Bend Council on Substance Abuse, Crime Stoppers, YMCA, ESCAPE Family Resource Center, Literacy Council of Fort Bend and many others.

Tickets and raffle tickets are available online at www. eventbrite.com/e/exchangeclub-of-sugar-land-annualspaghetti-f undraiser-tickets-58546982601, and from Carlos Perez at 281-923-4900.

Auturo Jackson* Alice Chen Position 2 Wen Guerra* Position 3 Virginia Rosas* Meadows Place Position 4 Ryan Kimbrell Kurt Kopczynski Position 5 Kelle Mills*

713-433-6421

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

along with an information sheet to keep in TxDOT vehicles provide details on signs to look for and steps to take to report trafficking.

Posters and restroom stall signs also will be displayed in TxDOT’s Texas Travel Information Centers and Safety Rest Areas across the state to provide critical information to victims of human trafficking on how to reach out for help.

The public is encouraged to use a toll-free, 24/7 con- Hello, my name is Juno. I am a grey and cream domestic fidential phone number, shorthair mix and I am a little over 4 years old. Come by 888-373-7888, to report sus- and visit with me today. I would love to meet you! pected trafficking; victims are encouraged to call 911.

TxDOT’s human trafficking materials are available for others to download and use at www.txdot.gov.

FIND THE STAR ONLINE

FORTBENDSTAR.COM

CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US AT 281-690-4200

CLASSIFIED ADS THAT GET RESULTS CALL US AT 281-690-4200

No Experience Necessary New Agent Training

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This feature tabloid will include the 2019 Baseball Season Schedule and will be inserted into all 35,000 copies of the Fort Bend Star newspaper on Wednesday, April 17th. Many of the 85,000 plus Star readers will hold on to this section for the entire

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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

TO BE FEATURED IN THIS PUBLICATION, CALL YOUR MARKETING CONSULTANT

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Call: 281.240.1788 Send resume: sales@bricebarclay.com

Maintenance Electrician Must be drug free. Apply at KW Industries 909 Industrial Blvd. Sugarland, TX 77478

9

deadline: April 10, 2019 delivered: April 17, 2019

THE STAR

PAGE 10 • Wednesday, March 20, 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!

Dream4AdoptionÕ 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.

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 childrenÕ s programs all month. For more information, call 832-471-5900 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.

MARCH 1 - APRIL 15 AARP INCOME TAX HELP

1001 Golfview in Richmond. People of all nationalities are invited to come to this informal gathering to get to know one another. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-342-4455 or 281633-4734.

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 dÕ oeuvres, guests will learn more about the mission of Friends. For more information, the location and to RSVP, email kristin.janossy@ gmail.com.

SATURDAY MARCH 30 WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATE-PLANNING

Presented by family law attorney Evelyn Gordon, at the First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

An overview of the advantages of estate planning, as well as the disadvantages of not having a plan. Find out how a trust differs from a will and how community property affects estate planning. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2800 or 281633-4734.

STORY TIME - THE DANCE OF THE VIOLIN

George Memorial Library will feature a special guest violinist from the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, 10 a.m., 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

Violinist Aimee Petersen and her daughter McKenna will provide musical accompaniment to the story. After the story, Petersen will talk about violins and how she became a musician. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-342-4455 or 281-633-4734.

ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT

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 librariesÕ 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 yearÕ 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.

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/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 21 ANGLERS NIGHT OUT

Hosted by the Quail Valley ladies and the menÕ 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 womenÕ 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.

Greater Sugar Land Chapter CCA will sponsor this fundraising event, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Redneck Country Club. Door prizes, appetizers and a raffle for a 1/2-day guided fishing trip with Glenn Hammond. Call 832-709-2810

JOB AND CAREER ACCELERATOR

Job-hunters can learn about a special online resource, 2 p.m., at the University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land.

The Job and Career Accelerator can be accessed remotely from a home computer. Free and open to the public, reservations required. Visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, or call 281-633-5100 to register.

LOVE: INSANITY VS INSIGHT

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.

WOMEN’S AGLOW INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

Meeting at 10 a.m. Irene Jumawan will speak about Ò A Journey For Believers.Ó 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 23 TEXAS INDEPENDENCE HISTORY PROGRAM

Presented at the Sugar Land Branch Library, l550 Eldridge, 2-4 p.m.

Dr. Nicholas Cox, a professor of Texas and U.S. history at Houston Community College, will discuss the political and social events leading up to the Texas Revolution from fall 1835 to spring 1836. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281-633-4734.

MONDAY, MARCH 25 JOB-SEARCH SURVIVAL TIPS

The Sugar Land Branch Library will present a free, two-part series 5:30-8:30 p.m., 550 Eldridge. The series will continue on Tuesday, March 26, at the same place and time. The two-part series is designed to help all job-hunters, from those applicants applying for a position at a fast-food restaurant to executives looking for a position in a large company. The sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-238-2140 or 281-633-4734.

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE HOUR

TEXAS TEE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 GREATER SUGAR LAND CHAPTER CCA ANNUAL BANQUET.

Join us at 6 p.m. at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road. Crawfish, catfish, drinks, auctions, raffles and good old-fashioned fundraising.

For more information on how to be a sponsor or purchase tickets, call 832-863-5417 or 713-626-4222.

ALOHA FEATURING CELEBRITY WAITERS

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.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 7TH ANNUAL CAR WASH FOR KIDS PRESENTED BY OCUSOFT

Showing support during April, Autism Awareness Month, the car wash will take place at C&C Dental, 17003 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. Teens from area schools will wash cars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The car wash is free, donations are welcome to support kids helping kids. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities available. For more information, visit HopeForThree.org/events or call 281-245-0640.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11 FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS MEETING

Join us at 1 p.m. at Sugar Land United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road. We will conduct a FBISD Board of Trustees Forum, in which board candidates will be interviewed. All public school retirees are invited. For more information, call 281-499-5885.

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

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.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR

Willowridge High SchoolÕ s Parent Center is hosting the event, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 16301 Chimney Rock Road, Houston. Free and open to the public. Texas ChildrenÕ s Hospital will provide immunizations, and blood and glucose checks, along with various family activities. For more information, call 281-634-9800.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land will hold the 32nd dinner, 5:30-8 p.m. at Fluor Corporation, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land. This team competition fundraiser supports local non-profits including Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend County WomenÕ s Center, Texana Center for Autistic Children, and many others. Tickets and raffle tickets are available online at www.ECSL.org or from Carlos Perez at 281-923-4900 or any Exchange Club member.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS TRASH-OFF

Missouri City Green will host the event at the Missouri City Community Center, 1524 Texas Pkwy. This is the largest one day cleanup in the state of Texas. A great service opportunity for scouts, schools, community service organizations and families. Sign-in 8 a.m., lunch and awards 10:45 a.m. Must be 18 years old. For more information, email info@missouricitygreen.org

SCHLUMBERGER EDUCATION EXPEDITION BIKE RIDE

A quality ride whether training for the BP MS 150 or just wanting a great day with friends. Themed rest-stops staffed by students and teachers from FBISD high schools vying for the Ò Best Rest StopÓ award. Stay and enjoy lunch after the ride too. 7:30 a.m. FBISD Ken Hall Stadium - Missouri City459. For more information and to register, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation.

BARGAIN BOOK SALE

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.

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.

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Caregivers of patients with AlzheimerÕ s disease or other related dementias are invited to attend the first Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at St. JohnÕ s United Methodist Church, 400 Jackson Street in Richmond, across from the historic Fort Bend County Courthouse. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 713-314-1313 or 1-800-272-3900.

Start your week off by sharing a cup of coffee, exchanging news and chatting with friends at George Memorial LibraryÕ s social hour, 9 a.m.,

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