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WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 21, 2022 JEANNE GREGORY REALTOR®, CRS, GRI, ABR

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SMSD makes case for innovation, accountability

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

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Stafford Municipal District Superintendent Robert Bostic and Board President Manuel Hinojosa made an impassioned case for the course the district has taken over the last eight years to a gathering of business leaders last week.

Speaking December 15 at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Bostic and Hinjosa gave a kind

of tag-team presentation outlining the steps Bostic and the board have taken to enhance the educational outcomes of students at Texas's only municipal school district, which falls under the auspices of the City of Stafford.

Bostic, who originally hails from a large Witchita, Kansas family that emphasized educational attainment and professional accomplishment, proudly claimed the mantle "nerd," becoming interested in computer

programming and robotics at an early age.

Bostic said when he came to Stafford MSD nearly nine years ago, he and the board set out to create an innovative path for the district.

"Stafford is not a big place, but we are innovative. You don't have to be big to be innovative," Bostic said.

"Our vision is to ensure that all students graduate college- or career ready," SEE SMSD PAGE 4

Stafford MSD Superintendent Robert Bosstic, left, and board president Manuel Hinojosa speak to an audience at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.

(Photo by Ken Fountain)

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Area man gets life in prison for assualt of child

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A Fort Bend County jury on December 13 sentenced a Kendleton man to life in prison for continuous sexual abuse of a young child in trial in which an adult woman testified he had abused her over a period of several years.

Melvin Harris, 53, must serve his sentence day-forday with no opportunity for parole for the first-degree felony.

According to prosecutors, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported the abuse to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office in May 2020 after a 19-year-old woman revealed the abuse to a psychotherapist, who then reported the abuse to authorities as required by law.

The investigation revealed that Harris began sexually abusing the child when she was about six years old and continued to abuse her at various loca-

Simon Atkinson is pictured in this undated family photo. The Sugar Land businessman's apparent suicide in 2020 and the delay in issuing a death certificate by the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner is the subject of a federal lawsuit. (Contributed photo)

County medical examiner sued in relation to apparent suicide

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Fort Bend County medical examiner has been accused in a federal lawsuit of delaying the issuance of a death certificate in the case of a Sugar Land businessman who died by an apparent suicide "for the most petty and inhumane reasons,"

preventing the man's widow from receiving insurance benefits.

Dr. Stephen Pulstilnik is being sued along with Fort Bend County and County Judge JP George and the other members of Commissioners Court in their individual capacities in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. Southern District of Texas.

According to the lawsuit, Simon J. Atkinson died of a gunshot wound on June 5, 2020. A forensic pathologist, Dr. William McClain, performed an autopsy within days and "found no evidence of foul play," the complaint states. Likewise, the Sugar Land Police Department investigated and "quickly concluded that Mr. Atkinson died of sui-

cide," according to the complaint.

Atkinson was the founder and CEO of Texas Surveys, a company that performs laser scanning and digital modeling. According to the lawsuit, he "likely took his own life at least in part because the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious harm to his business," which was his family's

sole source of income. According to the lawsuit, his widow, Yvette Atkinson, is entitled to $1 million in death benefits, which she needs to keep the business operating and support her teenaged son.

The complaint states that after about a week after Simon Atkinson's death, SEE EXAMINER PAGE 4

FBISD parents, nonprofit help outstanding meal balances

By Ken Fountain

SEE ASSAULT PAGE 4

KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Harris

Two Good Samaritans last week wrote a $2,000 check to offset outstanding balances of families of students at three Fort Bend ISD schools who don't qualify for free or reduced-priced meals.

According to Fort Bend ISD, during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years,

the U.S. Department of pus if they do not qualify Agriculture provided free for free/reduced-priced meals to all K-12 students meals, and sometimes across the country, which they incur a balance when provided students and they are unable to pay evfamilies with some sense ery week. Regardless of of security during the CO- a family’s ability to pay, FBISD students who incur VID pandemic.

"These waivers were dis- unpaid balances continue continued beginning with to receive the same breakthe 2022-23 school year," fast and lunch meals as the district said in a news other students."

Since the start of school Kenny Thompson, head of Feed the Future Forward, presrelease. "Families are ents a check to Quail Valley Elementary principal Yvette now required to purchase Huerta-Mendoza to help with meal balances for the student meals on cam- SEE BALANCES PAGE 6 school's students in need. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

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PAGE 2 • Wednesday, December 21, 2022

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Enjoy the holidays, but remember to be vigilant

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

This weekend I went to First Colony Mall to do a little Christmas shopping. And by little, I mean just that. Especially during the holiday season, I prefer to do my shopping ninja-style, getting in and out with as little fuss as possible. Also, this year my family agreed to go easy on the gift-giving (we'll see how that goes).

As expected, the mall (and the parking lots) were pretty packed, but I still managed to find a way.

What I noticed most is that for most people, the pandemic seems for all intents and purposes to be over.

Don't worry, this isn't going to be a diatribe. As I expect many of you are, I'm tired of the politicization of the virus, the vaccines, mask-wearing, social distancing and all of the other ways we responded to the pandemic.

I've kept up with my vaccines and boosters, including the new bivalent vaccine meant to guard against the Omicron variants.

In fact, I doubled up getting that last booster with going to my early voting location in October, as both seemed to me a way to demonstrate a sense of patriotism. While I feel fairly safe, I still wear a mask in particularly crowded situations.

I think of myself as a fairly scientifically literate person, for a layman, and so during the height of the pandemic I did my best to get my information from a wide range of the most authoritative sources. When panels of the FDA and the CDC were discussing the vaccines, I listened intently to them online.

Over the past year and a half or so, I've turned to two sources of information fairly regularly, almost religiously. The first is the weekly statistics released by the Texas Medical Center. Sent out as an email, usually on Tuesdays, the stats offer a snapshot of

Ken Fountain MANAGING EDITOR

the previous week in three key metrics: The COVID-19 positivity rate across the TMC member institutions; the new COVID-19 admissions to hospitals per day; and the wastewater viral load for the City of Houston, using July 2020 as the baseline.

That last metric is extremely important, according to medical professionals, because it's a leading indicator of where the virus is headed in the short-term. In recent weeks, the viral load has been rising. The TMC's weekly dashboard can be found at tmc. edu/coronavirus-updates.

The second source I've turned

to most is the weekly video put

by Dr. Paul Klotman, president of the Baylor College of Medicine, which he's been doing since the very beginning of the lockdown. First meant primarily for the BCM community, they quickly became viral, so much so that Klotman always gives a shout-out to the "friends of Baylor" watching.

Most weeks, Klotman provides a look at the COVID numbers, not just locally but nationally and globally. He also discusses the latest scientific studies on the virus and related issues, and breaks them down in a way that is very understandable to a general audience.

A lot of times, he gently ribs his sister, a film professor in New York, and he usually ends the video with a skit featuring Lilly, his adorable and ever-present dachshund (the skits also feature great graphics from Baylor's audiovisual team). The videos are usually released on Friday afternoons, and can be found at

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For the past few weeks, Klotman, while acknowledging that most people (including himself) are tired of the pandemic, it's still not over. And with an earlier-than-usual flu season and the new RSV outbreak forming a "tridemic," Klotman is asking people to remain vigilant during the coming winter months. In particular, he's urging people to receive the bivalent vaccine.

At the mall this weekend, it was heartening to see all kinds

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of people enjoying getting out and finishing (or perhaps starting) their shopping. We've all been through a lot these past few years, and returning to a sense of normal is important and, dare I say, healthy.

I wish all of you a wonderful rest of the holiday season, Bundle up, and as Sgt. Esterhaus always said in the opening segment of "Hill Street Blues" (I know, I'm dating myself a bit), "Let's be careful out there."

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Wednesday, December 21, 2022 • PAGE 3

District 20-6A boys’ teams vie for early pole position

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

In what has become a common theme in recent years, even those at the top of the District 20-6A boys’ hoops standings are usually having to scratch and claw for most every victory in what has become one of the most competitive districts in the Houston region.

The same stayed true last week, with several Fort Bend County teams battling for early position in the annually competitive district.

Hightower currently sits atop the standings at 4-0 after a perfect week, narrowly defeating George Ranch 57-53 on Dec. 12 and taking down Elkins 57-49 in overtime on Dec. 16 to remain perfect in district play.

The Travis Tigers currently sit in second place at 10-5 overall and 3-1 in district play following an 82-54 win over Austin in their lone game last week.

Nelson Chukwukelu led the way for Travis, who has now won four of its last five games, with 18 points against Austin.

After that, there is trio of teams currently deadlocked in the early district standings. Prior to the loss to Hightower, Elkins took down Bush 49-47 on Dec. 12. The Knights (10-4, 32) got 17 points and five rebounds from Jae’Coby Osborne in the win over Bush, while Todd Woods had 10 points and Kristopher Barnett had eight points and eight rebounds.

Bush rebounded from the loss, however, with a 47-37 win over Clements on Dec.

16 to move to 7-6 overall and 3-2 in District 20-6A. Harrison Oriakhi paced the Broncos against Clements with a double-double in dropping 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Ronyo Obou and Kai’ree Murray each had 10 points apiece.

Ridge Point is 8-6 overall and also 3-2 in district play after beating Austin 89-71 on Dec. 16 Clements split a pair of games last week, taking down the Panthers 57-35 on Dec. 12 before dropping the aforementioned decision to the Broncos.

Divine Ugochukwu had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead Clements (8-4, 2-2), while Bryce Mathews and Bukola Oboye had nine points apiece.

Among notable results from the Class 5A ranks, Lamar Consolidated has won three of its last four game following a 47-43 win over Magnolia on Dec. 13. Shafeeq Mujahideen led the Mustangs (7-8) with 16 points and six steals against Magnolia, and Matthew Nora grabbed eight rebounds.

In Class 4A, Iowa Colony continued its strong start to its inaugural varsity season with two more wins last week. Haydon Caston led the Pioneers (14-1, 10) with a season-high 26 points and 13 rebounds in a 71-54 win over Terry on Dec. 13, while Kamal Henry had a season-high 22 points in a 73-49 win over Bay City on Dec. 16.

Girls Early on in the season, District 20-6A also boats two of the top girls’ teams in the state, as the Austin Lady Bulldogs have risen to 13th in the most recent

Clements' Bryce Mathews shoots a free throw during last season's Region III-6A semifinal at the Berry Center in Cypress.

The Rangers are among the teams battling for early position in the District 20-6A playoff race. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

Class 6A rankings released Monday by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) while the Hightower Lady Hurricanes currently check in as the state’s 18th-ranked squad.

The Lady Bulldogs continued to race past much of District 20-6A early on, beating Travis 74-38 on Dec. 12 before taking down Ridge Point 67-28 on Dec. 16. Sophomore standout Andrea Sturdivant paced the Lady Bulldogs (19-1, 50) with 21 points and eight rebounds against Travis, while Aminah Dixon scored 16 points and India Jackson scored 15 to go along with nine rebounds.

Keeping pace at the top, however, were the Lady Hurricanes, who took down George Ranch 51-31 on Dec. 12 before beating Elkins 44-30 on Dec. 16 to improve to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in district play.

Jaya Johnson led the Lady Hurricanes with 16 points against Elkins, while Madison Bob added 12 points of her own.

Elsewhere in the district, Crystal Schultz had 19 points and seven steals to lead the Bush Lady Broncos to a 54-21 win over Clements on Dec. 16, moving them to 7-10 overall and 2-4 in district play.

On the Class 5A circuit, the Fulshear Lady Char-

gers continued to roll with a pair of wins to open up District 20-5A play last week. Ruke Ogbevire led the Lady Chargers (14-3, 2-0) with 17 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and seven steals in an 89-18 win over Lamar Consolidated on Dec. 12. Overall, five players reached double figures in the game for Fulshear, which sits 6th in the most recent TABC Class 5A rankings.

Kempner’s Lady Cougars also won their first pair of district games, beating Marshall 47-34 on Dec. 12 before taking down Terry 55-24 on Friday. Angel Okeke had a double-double with 18 points and 10

rebounds for Kempner (47, 2-0) against Marshall.

Heaven Ferguson tied her season high with 16 points against Marshall, while Heyab Yemane and Bukola Komolafe grabbed 10 rebounds each.

Also off to a strong start are the Willowridge Lady Eagles, who beat Terry 5821 on Dec. 12 and defeated Randle 56-53 on Friday to move to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in district play.

Au’Rayona Seals had 16 points, eight assists, and six steals against Terry, and Faith Hawkins added nine points and eight rebounds.

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PAGE 4 • Wednesday, December 21, 2022

H EXAMINER FROM PAGE 1 Yvette's brother Steve Sanchez called Pulstilnik to ask why his office had not yet issued a death certificate, since she could not receive the insurance benefits without the certificate.

"Their discussion quickly turned to a heated argument," the complaint states. "Thereafter, Defendant Pulstilnik retaliated by refusing to list a cause of death on Mr. Atkinson's death certificate."

According to the lawsuit, Sanchez repeatedly called County Judge George about the matter and asked for a meeting. When he finally did meet with George, the judge said he couldn't do anything because of "an ongoing investigation."

Pulstilnik neither finalized the death certificate nor convened an inquest - a judicial hearing where such cases are investigated - for more than a year, according to the complaint.

When an inquest was finally convened earlier this year, Pulstinik demanded that Yvette Atkinson provide him with all of the ammunition from the house that was purchased for the gun that her husband apparently used so

H SMSD FROM PAGE 1 Hinojosa said. "But it's much more than that. We are in the business of educating the leaders of the future."

The pair touted the district's first STEM Magnet Academy, which already has a long waiting list, its upcoming Drone Games competition, its partnerships with Houston Community College, the University of Houston, and Baylor College of Medicine

H ASSAULT FROM PAGE 1 tions across Fort Bend and Harris Counties until she was 14, according to prosecutors.

During the punishment phase of the trial, two other women testified that the defendant sexually abused them when they were children, according to prosecutors.

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that he could personally perform a firearms test, which the complaint states he was not qualified to perform.

In the complaint, Atkinson's New York-based lawyer, Ty Clevenger, writes that if Pulstilnik wanted to test the weapon, "he could have purchased a few bullets from a local gun store to determine whether the firearm in his possession was the firearm that killed Mr. Atkinson."

"Defendant Pustilnik's demand for the ammunition was typical of his bullying and pettiness," the lawsuit states.

A Fort Bend justice of the peace (unnamed in the complaint) ordered Yvette Atkinson to provide the ammunition, which she did "notwithstanding a letter from a Sugarland (sic) police detective stated that its investigation of Mr. Atkinson's death was closed."

In that letter, dated November 1, 2021, (obtained by the Fort Bend Star), Sugar Land Police Det. Michael Gamble writes that "this Agency believes the deceased died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Atkinson's death was the result of another party or suspect." There had been no pending investigation

for more than a year, Gamble wrote.

In September 2021, according to the lawsuit, Magnolia-based attorney Keith Gilbert sent Pulstinik a letter a notice saying he was representing Yvette Atkinson, after which the medical examiner corresponded with Gilbert in that capacity. On December 20, however, Pulstinik demanded in an email that Gilbert send a second letter on official letterhead stating that he was still serving Atkinson's attorney. In February, Pulstinik demanded that Gilbert provide a copy of his retainer agreement with Atkinson.

Gilbert refused the unusual request, the lawsuit states.

Gilbert told the Fort Bend Star on Wednesday that he has represented the Atkinson family "for many years."

According to the lawsuit, all of the ammunition, which amounted to 75 rounds, was provided to Pustilnik on June 1. But he took no action until Gilbert sent a letter to Fort Bend Commissioners Court on October 3 "explaining the history of retaliation and bad-faith delays," the complaint states.

On October 5, the lawsuit states, the Fort Bend County County District Attorney's Office sent a

letter to Gilbert which "alleging that the delays were (Atkinson's) fault because she did not produce all of the ammunition sooner."

In reality, according to the lawsuit, Gilbert was fighting the request for the ammunition "on the grounds that the request was baseless, overbroad, unsupported by probable cause, and just another excuse for delay."

In an email exchange on October 13, a representative of the Fort Bend County County Attorney's Office wrote that Pulstilnik had "competed his preliminary testing and the results are being forwarded to a licensed firearms examiner at the Department of Public Safety." The representative wrote that Pulstinik was "hopeful" that the results would be received soon and that a death certificate would be issued within 3045 days.

"As of this date, Dr. Pulstinik still has not issued a death certificate," states the complaint filed on Tuesday.

The complaint points to episodes in Pulstinik's history that would make George and the other members of Commissioners Court aware that he was "dangerous and untrustworthy," and includes as attachments letters sent to

in the Texas Medical Center.

Bostic stressed that all of this innovation doesn't come without accountability to the district's taxpayers and to voters, and he said Stafford MSD has worked hard to make accountability a hallmark.

But, he said, the Texas Education Agency, the agency that oversees the state's public schools, often makes arbitrary decisions on test scores that put small districts like Stafford at a disadvantage to bigger,

richer districts.

Bostic also bemoaned the state's school finance system, which he also places an undue burden on small districts like Stafford. He said Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds, who was in attendance, has been a longstanding champion of Stafford MSD in helping to address that imbalance in the Legislature.

Espinosa, a 1988 graduate of Stafford High School and hospital administrator, said the district believes that its "greatest asset" is

its personnel, particularly teachers. But he noted that Stafford competes with several neighboring districts - Houston, Katy, Lamar Consolidated and Alief - to attract and retain good teachers.

The pair called on the business leaders to continue to learn about the issues and especially to advocate for Stafford MSD and public education in general during the 2023 legislative session.

“The jury listened to disturbing testimony about the sexual abuse of three children during this trial," Assistant District Attorney Jessica Ramos said in a news release. "In a case lacking physical evidence due to the delayed disclosures, the jury recognized the power of the victims’ voices not only when they found the defendant guilty, but also when sentenc-

ing him to life in prison.

Their verdict protects both our community and our children from this sexual predator.”

“This case demonstrates the reason there is no statute of limitations for this offense," Assistant District Attorney Charann Thompson, lead prosecutor in the case, said in the release.

"Delayed disclosures of child sexual abuse are too

common, and yet it is so important to hold perpetrators accountable. You don’t get a free pass in Texas if you abuse a child when they’re too young, or too scared, or too dependent on the abuser to tell immediately.”

Harris was tried in the 400th District Court before Presiding Judge Tameika Carter.

the Lubbock District Attorney by that county's former chief medical examiner regarding concerns about Pulstinik's work product when he served in that office.

An attached 2014 story from KHOU Channel 11 reported that Galveston County prosecutors said an accused child murderer had to be released because Pulstiik, who was then Galveston's chief medical examiner, misplaced evidence.

A KPRC Channel 2 story from 2013 (not included in the complaint but reviewed by the Fort Bend Star) reported that Pulstinik, who had been temporarily removed from the Galveston medical examiner's office, had been previously investigated by the human resources department of the University of Texas Medical Branch (where Pulsinik's office performed some of its duties) for two separate complaints, one of which alleged sexual harassment and retaliation against an employee and another which alleged "loud and unprofessional behavior." UTMB cut its ties with Pulstinik for unspecified reasons, according to the KPRC story.

The lawsuit makes claims of First Amendment retaliation against Yvette

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Atkinson, violation of her equal protection rights, and violation of her due process rights. It seeks unspecified actual and exemplary damages, as well as court costs, attorney fees, and injunctive relief.

Reached by phone, Ty Clevenger, Atkinson's lawyer in the federal lawsuit, said his client is still emotionally distraught from the death of her husband, compounded by the process of trying to obtain a death certificate.

Aside from the relief specified in the lawsuit, Clevenger said his client wants a statute to be passed requiring that people who work in medical examiner's offices take the same sort of psychological testing that prospective police officers must take.

Kenneth Cannata, an attorney with the Fort Bend County County Attorney's Office, said 'it is the policy of our office not to comment on pending litigation."

The Fort Bend Star attempted to call Pulstinik for comment. An employee of the Medical Examiner's Office said that Pulstinik reiterated the county attorney's policy.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2022 • PAGE 5

Review: Alex's Kitchen an intimate setting for fine meal

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

At one end of a fairly nondescript strip center on Cartwright Road in Missouri City is a a traditional Italian restaurant straight out of a scene from "Moonstruck."

Alex's Kitchen opened in 2019 and filled in important niche on that side of Missouri City - a fine dining experience with all the accoutrements.

Earlier this year, it underwent a major renovation, moving the kitchen back to be replaced by a full bar and expanding the dining room somewhat.

The restaurant re-opened about three months ago, and the space, which was nice before, now has much more expansive feel, while still offering an intimate setting for a fine meal.

The decor is done in understated beige and black, with tasteful and sometimes humorous paintings lining the walls, and chandeliers hanging above. The restaurant's sound system was playing some classic jazz standards from the 1940s and '50s era, with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong

and Ella Fitzgerald.

Of course, you can't eat atmosphere. When you go to an Italian restaurant, what you're really interested in is the food.

In previous trips to Alex's, I've generally stuck with the seafood gumbo, usually taking it to go (it's excellent). But this time, I went with something a bit more substantial, selecting the chicken marsala.

With the waitstaff fully occupied, my dish was brought out by the chef. It was lovely, covered with a light wine sauce and accompanied by broccoli and asparagus. (By the way, I was so eager to dive in that I forgot to take a photo right away, so the serving is more than you see in the accompanying picture. I'm still getting used to this restaurant review business.)

The menu offers a full range of classic Italian dishes, soups and salads, and sandwiches (even hamburgers). As mentioned, there's a full bar, and the menu has a fine selection of white and red wines, along with beers.

On Sunday afternoon, Alex's had a fairly full dining room with all kinds of people, including a family celebrating a birthday. Some people seemed

dressed like they'd just come from church, but others were less formally attired. It's a place that feels very welcoming.

The wait staff, dressed in full black, was excellent, efficiently tending to diners with a friendly and professional demeanor.

Alex's Kitchen Address: 2601-E Cartwright Rd., Missouri City Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday Entrée prices: $14-$35 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Senior discount: No Healthy options: Chopped Cobb Salad Star of the show: Chicken Marsala Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Chicken Marsala at Alex's Kitchen in Missouri City struck just the right note during last week's visit. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

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Worship Directory FORT BEND COUNTY

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ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602

2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 John Strader , Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org

605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:30 am Worship Holy Eucharist www.allsaints-stafford.org

METHODIST CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888 A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Blended Worship 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am Traditional & Contemporary Worship www.christchurchsl.org

CHURCH OF CHRIST

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 Stephen Higley, Preacher Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Wednesday 7:00 pm www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

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PAGE 6 • Wednesday, December 21, 2022

THE STAR

H BALANCES FROM PAGE 1 in August, Fort Bend ISD students have accrued a total negative balance of $44,766.99, the district said in news release.

Parents are contacted throughout the year with reminders to pay off their students’ accounts, but the district’s Child Nutrition Department typically ends the year with a negative balance. This amount is usually paid with money from the district’s General Operating fund.

Kenny Thompson, founder of the Houston-based nonprofit Feed the Future Forward, and William "Liam" Bourdo, whose son attends Rita Drabek Elementary School, paid an early-morning trip to the Fort Bend Child Nutrition Department on December 15 to make the donation, joined by district officials and the principals of Quail Valley and Seguin elementary schools. The two schools’ balances were a total of $1,359.76.

Thompson and Bourdo are lifelong friends, and when Bourdo learned about the outstanding balance issue in the district, he asked Thompson if his organization could help.

Bourdo contributed $250 toward the outstanding

Thompson writes a $2,000 check to pay off outstanding food balances at FBISD elementary schools. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

balance at Drabek.

Thompson, a professional stagehand who is well-connected in the Houston theatrical community, started Feed the Future Forward about nine years ago after learning about the growing problem of food insecurity among Houston-area schoolchildren through the experience of one of young mentees. The organization collects donations to pay off unpaid balances at school across the greater Houston region.

"It's an honor to help you with these negative accounts," Thompson told the officials, who included Superintendent Christie Whitbeck. Much of money

Santa Says

raised came from Thompson's "stagehand buddies" who heard about his coming to Fort Bend, he said.

"That's awesome," said Whitbeck.

Yvette Huerta-Mendoza, principal of Quail Valley Elementary School, was effusive in her praise for the donation.

"It's wonderful that to have someone who's willing to help our school and the community," she said.

"I believe in miracles," Seguin Elementary School Principal Fidel Wells said, "and this shows that miracles exist."

Since learning of Thompson’s and Bourdo’s deed, an anonymous donor also paid the negative balance for students at Oyster

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Creek Elementary School, totaling approximately $800, according to the district.

“There is so much negativity in the world,” Whitbeck said in the release. “Then you get a moment where you hear about people who do things that are kind. This year, that’s our theme – a culture of kindness. We’re trying to build that and instill that in the children. When we have parents and community members who do that, it just reinforces what we’re teaching the kids.”

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Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words and answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to jsazma@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 14100 Southwest Frwy. Ste 230, Sugar Land, TX 77478

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS TO MEET JANUARY 12TH

YA Gaming: Telestrations – Thursday, January 5, 4:00 pm, University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land.

Meeting Thursday, January 12th, from 1-3 p.m. at Sugar Land Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. in the Venue Room.

Speaker: Neptune Society. Ongoing community service project: bring peanut butter or monetary donations for East Ft. Bend Human Needs Pantry. Arrive earlier to socialize, sign in and pay dues if you haven’t already. Pick up your directory. All Fort Bend and Harris County I.S.D. retired public educators are invited. Website: http://localunits.org/FortBendHarris/ For more information, call 713-206-2733.

“Teen Tuesdays: Sip & Color Animé” – Tuesday, January 10, 4:00-5:00 pm, Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway.

Teens will enjoy a movie, gigantic coloring, and an animé-themed beverage. Registration required.

LIBRARIES HOST COLLEGE-PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS FOR TEENS IN JANUARY

Board-Game Club – Monday, January 23, 4:00-5:00 pm, Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge. Learn the basics of new classic board games as well as niche titles and meet others who enjoy playing board games!

“How to Choose & Pay for College” will take place on Saturday, January 21, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room at the First Colony Branch Library (2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land).

This program is intended for college-bound high-school students and their parents.

“FAFSA 101” will take place on Wednesday, January 25, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, in Room 2C, at George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview, Richmond). Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application is the first step toward receiving federal or state financial aid for college, and it can be an intimidating task for many people.

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES TEEN PROGRAMS – JANUARY

Teens can earn volunteer-service hours by participating in FBCL’s Young Adult Advisory Councils, where they can express ideas, help organize upcoming activities, and suggest new programs and books that would be of interest to teens at the library. The January schedule of Young Adult Advisory Council meetings is as follows: Mission Bend Branch Library – Wednesday, January 4, 7:00 pm, Conference Room.

University Branch Library – Thursday, January 12, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room 1.

George Memorial Library (Richmond) -- Wednesday, January 18, 4:00-5:00 pm, Room 2C. Cinco Ranch Branch Library – Wednesday, January 18, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room.

Missouri City Branch Library -- Tuesday, January 24, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room.

Sienna Branch Library – Thursday, January 26, 4:00-5:00 pm.

George Memorial Library (Richmond): YA Book Chatting – Wednesday, January 11, 4:00-5:00 pm, Room 2C. Teens will have an opportunity to meet with others who share the same love for good books, and have a lively discussion on the reasons a book or its characters were liked or disliked. This month, readers will talk about books they are currently reading or ones they particularly like or dislike.

Sienna Branch Library: Sienna Subtext: Graphic Novel & Animé Club -- Thursday, January 12, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room 2A. Readers of all ages who enjoy animé, manga, illustrated novels, and comic books are invited to join this book club specifically for graphic-novel enthusiasts. The focus will alternate each month between viewing and discussing animé/manga and reading and discussing graphic novels. For the January meeting, participants will be discussing A Radical Shift of Gravity, by Nick Tapalansky.

Mission Bend Branch Library: Teen Readers Meet-Up – Wednesday, January 18, 7:00 pm, Conference Room.

In this informal gathering, meet with other teens to talk about what everyone is reading, watching, listening to, or playing – and maybe discover a new favorite!

George Memorial Library (Richmond): Heavy Inks Graphic Novels Book Club -- Saturday, January 21, 11:00 am-12:00 noon, Room 2B. The book to be discussed is She-Hulk: Law & Disorder, created

by V.E. Schwab. This title is available in print; call George Memorial Library to check on availability of additional print copies.

Sugar Land Branch Library: Sidekicks Graphic-Novel Book Club -- Monday, January 30, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room. The book to be discussed is Miles Morales, Vol. 1 and 2, created by Saladin Ahmed. This title is available in print and digitally as an ecomic on Hoopla; call the library to check availability of additional print copies.

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARY GAME & CRAFT DAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Video-Game Night will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (January 3 and 17), 6:00-8:00 pm, in the YA Room, at the Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City). Play a variety of video games during this come-and-go activity time.

YA Craft: Matchbook Notebook – Thursday, January 19, 4:005:00 pm, Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City). Teens will use cardstock and paper to make a mini-notebook that can be tucked into a pocket, purse, or other small space.

JANUARY 21, 2023 FELICIA SMITH JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION

This exciting event is on January 21, 2023, at Fort Bend Christian Academy, South Campus Gymnasium, 1201 Lakeview Drive, Sugar Land. Teams of four, young and seasoned, have two hours to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. Awards immediately follow, and bragging rights are guaranteed! Check-in is at 9 am, and the competition is from 10 am-noon. The event is one-way the local nonprofit raises awareness and funds for families with loved ones on the autism spectrum. Register your team ($140) now. Limit 50-teams. To serve as a sponsor or for autism resources, visit: www.hopeforthree.org

CRAFT DONATIONS NEEDED FOR LIBRARY CRAFT SQUAD’S FIRST COMMUNITY CRAFT SWAP

The University Branch Library’s Craft Squad will have a Community Craft Swap on Friday, January 6, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

Between December 10 and January 5, crafters are encouraged to clean out their craft closets and donate any unwanted craft supplies in good, usable condition. Crafters who bring their unused craft supplies by January 5 will receive special early access (1:00-2:00 pm) to the Craft Swap on January 6. Free crafting supplies can be claimed from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The Craft Squad meets weekly on Fridays, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at the library. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the University Branch Library (281-633-5100).

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 all about!

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.

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FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 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 832-428-3165 for further information.

LISA N SIMS, AGENT Monday - Friday 9 - 6 Saturday 10 - 2 After hours by appointment

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PAGE 8 • Wednesday, December 21, 2022

THE STAR

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EXPERIENCE THE EXTRAORDINARY AT THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE AT SUGAR LAND WITH SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS!

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY December 17–January 4 11 am–5 pm Closed Christmas Day

NEW YEAR’S EVE Saturday, December 31 11 am–5 pm

NEW YEAR’S DAY 2023 Sunday, January 1 Noon–5 pm

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