There is a generational gap

Growing up in Texas, we had the usual power outages caused by floods, droughts and the occasional ice storm. Of the latter you know the drill: ice would cover the tree branches which would cause the branches to break and fall across the power lines which would leave customers in the dark. Then the power would come on. That was way back in MCML.

Sounds like a nice place for a hedge fund tycoon, NBA star or MAGA cap salesman. Nice lot, probably with land mines, bar, pool – and generator? That’s certainly a new wrinkle in promoting houses. We live in the fourth largest city in America. Energy Capital of the World. Space City. And we sell a house for such luxuries as a generator? What’s next”? “This mansion sports a fully equipped watch tower, moat and indoor plumbing.” “A steal! Bunker with anti-balloon missiles, a well which usually has safe water and – get this – a generator which can power up to a 60-watt bulb!”

In these modern days of high-tech engineering, we lose power if it rains, snows, the temperature gets above 90 or below 60. Sometimes my power goes off for no reason at all. We mostly depend on ERCOT to handle our power grids. This may explain why Texas ranked Number 1 in total electric disturbance events in 2021 with 66. Most common cause: severe weather. The year before in 2020, we had 47 total electric disturbance events. Most common cause: severe weather. Apparently ERCOT does not know that Texas can get freezing temperatures in the winter when we need lots of electricity for heating, and turn scalding hot in the summer when we need a/c by the billions of megawatts. Maybe someone needs to get ERCOT a calendar.

In the Big Freeze of 2021 the power plants went dead, pipes split and gas turbines stopped turbining. To solve this problem, we need more windmills. No, wait. Tucker Carlson said on Fox News that “a reckless reliance on windmills is the cause of this disaster,” claiming that “the windmills froze, so the power grid failed.” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an interview that the crisis in Texas “shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America.” In a lengthy report after the disaster, the feds disagreed entirely. Houston, we live in peril. The Houston utility CenterPoint told state regulators that, on average, customers in 2019 lost power for a total of nearly four hours, including 2 and a half hours from unexpected outages, 45 minutes for scheduled repair and nearly 27 minutes from catastrophic storms. CenterPoint officials said the company doesn’t count interruptions of under a minute. So it’s do-it-yourself time. Bring on the home generators. You can buy a portable one for $165. This will keep your night light on. But there is a drawback to using portable generators.

Between 2005 and 2017, more than 900 people in the U.S. died from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators, with another 15,400 needing emergency room treatment. Most were a result of generators being set up incorrectly indoors. In some storms, more people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning from their generator than directly from the storm itself. But when our power goes off, the main problem is the temperature. I don’t care about small power generators, if a hurricane or heavy dew puts out my a/c in August, I need cool. Likewise, if the Son of Ice Storm Uri comes to Houston, I need heat. This brings us to the SuperDuper Power Plant. That will run you about $22,000. Plus extras. You can’t just plop down a 10-ton hunk of machinery, you need a place for it to plop -- someone to pour a big slab of concrete in your back yard. (This may be a problem if you live on the 10th floor of a condo.) Then you need an electrician to wire up the sockets and a plumber to install a gas line. Don’t forget the monthly service fee. A simple solution is to run an extension cord to a neighbor’s house who has a generator. If, on the other hand, you have a generator and your neighbor doesn’t, be prepared for angry shouts at 3 a.m. because those big generators make a terrible racket.

My interest in a home generator is not unique. But only about 5 percent of the nation’s homes have installed generators, according to a recent study by Generac, a major home generator company. It reported it sold nearly $1.1 billion worth of residential generators to U.S. customers in 2019, a 36 percent increase from two years earlier. Who buys them? The elderly who can afford them. Seventy percent of Generac’s customers are 50 years or older, have median home values of $400,000 and have a me - dian household income of $120,000. Sales of generators are projected to grow from $4.89 billion in 2021 to $6.94 billion in 2028. I tried getting a generator myself. My idea was to be on the cutting-edge of technology, so I bought a gerbil and a treadmill, but I needed something more substantial. I found a spot in my backyard to put in a real generator. I didn’t really need a water meter or a driveway. Then I went on-line and found a model from Used Watts R Us from Matamoras, which explains why all the information was in Chinese. A week later a big box arrived with a stamped sign (in English) reading: “Some assembly may be required.” Putting my new generator together took some work what with all the Super Glue and paperclips, but I finally got it going, although in my testing at 3 a.m. the neighbors threw stones. My generator soon exploded, so I turned to my back-up plan but the gerbil died.

Ashby is in the dark at ashby2@comcast.net than 2:00 P.M., April 5, 2023 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407. Bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA

Application has been made with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a MB Mixed Beverage License by Ps and Qs Beverage Service LLC, dba Ps and Qs Beverage Service LLC, to be located at 620 Murphy Rd. Suite 203, Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas.

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Retail Dealers’ On-premise License by Ace of Clubs Sports Lounge, LLC dba Ace of Clubs Sports Lounge, to be located at 3230 S. Main St. Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas. Officers of said corporation are Chad X. Slater, Manager and Chadwick Douglas, Member.

Civcastusa.com

(281) 376-4577

In general, the Work consists of replacing the natural gas generators at Owner’s Water Well Nos. 1 and 2 & Lift Station Nos. 1, 3 and 4.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 3:30 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call.

Owner 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 Owner. Owner 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 Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

Legals

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 Well No. 2 Rehabilitation (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 3:00 P.M., April 5, 2023 in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.

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 cleaning the existing well, and replacing the existing well pump and motor at Owner’s Water Well No. 2.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference Call will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 4:00 P.M. Prospective bidders must contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com for details on how to join the pre-bid conference call.Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.

Owner 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 Owner. Owner 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 Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner

LIBRARY’S SENIOR SERIES IN FEBRUARY FOCUSES ON TECHNOLOGY IN MARCH

“The Truth About Technology for Seniors” – a program in the Senior Series for older adults and their family members -- on Friday, March 17, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus. The program is free and open to the public.

SUGAR LAND GARDEN CLUB

MARCH PRESENTATION:

A What Is That Herb, and Why Should I Plant It?

Tricia Bradbury: 10 A.M.Tuesday March 21st. St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Rd, Sugar Land. Free!

LEARN ABOUT LONG-TERM PREPARATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

AT LIBRARY PROGRAM

Fort Bend County Libraries will present a special program, “LongTerm Preparation for Children with Disabilities,” on Thursday, March 30, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, in the Meeting Room at the Missouri City Branch Library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib. tx.us) or call the Missouri City Branch Library (281-238-2100) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

LEARN HOW TO SET BOUNDARIES & ACHIEVE DREAMS AT MISSOURI CITY BRANCH LIBRARY PROGRAM

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Missouri City Branch Library will host motivational speaker Cydney Rax for a special program on “Balance & Boundaries:

How to Keep It Together as You Pursue Your Dreams,” on Saturday, March 25, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

HOPE FOR THREE TEEN HUDDLE

Sunday, April 2, 2023. Hope For Three Teen Huddle is revving up for its annual Car Wash for Kids presented by Sugar Land Baptist Church on Sunday, April 2nd, at C & C Dental, 17003 SWF, Sugar Land from 10 am to 2 pm. Student volunteers, ages 12 and over, promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for their peers with autism. This Eco-friendly car wash is free, but donations are welcome. Volunteers and sponsors needed. Visit www.hopeforthree. org/events to learn more.

HOPE FOR THREE WILL HOST ITS INAUGURAL FAMILY FUN FEST

Saturday, April 22, 2023. Hope For Three will host its Inaugural Family Fun Fest, presented by Fred and Mabel R Parks Foundation, on Saturday, April 22nd, at River Pointe Church, 5000 Ransom Rd., Richmond, from 10 am to 1 pm. The outdoor festival provides an inclusive opportunity for local families whose children, teens, and adults have special needs. Families must be Fort Bend County residents and register to attend. Volunteers and sponsors needed, details at www.hopeforthree.org./events

GOLF FOR A CAUSE 2023

BENEFITTING THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

April 24 at Sienna Golf Club in Missouri City. For sponsorship and player details, please go to our website at https://www.sanctuaryfostercare.org/golf Questions? Reach out to Jenny Fridge at 713483-4003

Ongoing

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES’

ONLINE BOOK CLUB

Online meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Free and open to the public. Registration is required; to register online www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-342-4455).

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service or- ganization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE

RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 20222023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www. fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www. fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-4283165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING

BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-217-5799 for more information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are