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Page 1: Fort Bend Independent

FORT BEND

FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

Phone: 281-980-6745wwwww.fbindependent.com.fbindependent.com

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARy 3, 2010

VOL 3 No.5

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STAFFORD, TX

PERMIT NO.10

Seshadri KumarPublisher & Editor

10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Staff ord, TX 77477Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487

www.fbindependent.com281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent is published every Wednesday (for a sub-scription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodical post-age application pending. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

By SESHADRI KUMARA candidate for the Fort

Bend County Democratic Party Chair has successfully forced the Fort Bend County Election Administration to correct his name on the bal-lot, after a few mail-in ballots were already sent out.

The Democratic Party Chair candidate Steve Brown had submitted an application to the incumbent party chair Elaine Bishop.

On his application, Brown indicated his name should appear as Stephen “Steve” Brown.

However, when the offi -cial ballots were released his named appeared as “Stephan Brown,” both misspelled and omitting the short form.

The county has already sent some of these ballots to absen-tee voters, such as servicemen overseas.

Bishop, who has been the county Democratic Party Chair for the last years, is seeking re-election and Bish-op says she has been asked by numerous community mem-bers to run again because they felt it was important.

On the correction to Brown’s name on the ballot, Bishop said “We have re-solved. It is a done deal. We

are moving ahead.”“Ms. Bishop’s lack of dili-

gence in carrying out her of-fi cial duties was a motivating factor in my decision to run for this position. This isn’t the fi rst time Ms. Bishop has made errors in submitting a candidate’s name for the bal-lot... her lack of attention to detail in the discharge of her public duties costs the taxpay-ers,” Brown said in a state-ment.

The Texas Election code re-quires that a candidate appear with the name of his choice, and that ballots be corrected if changes are made to the vot-er’s choices in an election.

As only a handful of ballots had been mailed, the admin-istration agreed to reprint the mail-in ballots instead of pre-cipitating a litigation.

“It may seem like a small thing, but my campaign ma-terials, which were planned months in advance, are af-fected by the misspelled list-ing and the omission of my nickname, which is how I am known to voters around the county,” Brown stated.

“My website, social net-working tools, mail advertise-ments, and signs all use the name ‘Steve,’ which is how I was told my name would ap-

pear on the ballot, and which is how it has appeared in the past.”

County elections offi cials assured Brown’s campaign that the correction process, which includes reprogram-ming the county’s electronic voting machines, would be complete before early voting, which begins Feb. 16.

Brown’s career in politics began as a campus organizer for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Harvey Gantt, and founder of the North Caro-lina A&T State University - College Democrats chapter. Those efforts resulted in be-ing awarded an internship in the Clinton White House.

He has since worked on a number of campaigns and in the legislative offi ces of such Democrats as U.S. Congress-woman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, and U.S. Trade Representa-tive Ron Kirk.

“Fort Bend County stands at a political critical juncture. Through leadership, resources and an engaged base, we can speed the pace at which we turn our county blue, and be-gin electing Democrats to of-fi ce today. But, it will take an united and energized move

County Democratic Party Chair race starts with a hiccup

See BALLOT, Page 3

Bill and Robyn Tompkins, Quail Valley residents, recently welcomed home their daughter Lieuten-ant Alicia Tompkins Carey, who was visiting between deployments with United States Air Force.

Lieutenant Alicia Tomp-kins Carey, a graduate of El-kins High School, the United States Air Force Academy and daughter of Quail Val-ley residents Bill and Robyn Tompkins, recently returned home from deployment in the Middle East for a delayed Christmas with her family.

When the Quail Valley Ex-change Club heard the news, the members quickly went to work getting permission from

the Tompkins’ neighbors, to line their street with Ameri-can Flags upon her return. “It is our pleasure to honor these fi ne young men and women who are serving our country,” said Kirk Wilkerson of the Exchange Club.

Carey is a C-17 pilot in the U.S.Air Force 15th Air-lift Squadron in Charleston, South Carolina. In the fall of 2009, she deployed with the 17th Airlift Squadron to Qa-

tar and fl ew daily missions to transport supplies, equipment and personnel as well as per-formed medical evacuations and Command transport ser-vices.

Carey is scheduled for re-deployment mid year.

Her husband, Lt. Zach Car-ey, is also in the United States Air Force.

He is a Security Forces Of-fi cer presently deployed to Afghanistan.

Quail Valley accords hero’s welcome to USAF pilot

Mike and Judy Schmid, left, bought a U.S. fl ag in an auction during the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner of the Fort Bend County Republican Party on Jan. 29. The fi nal bid was $7,800. The fl ag was fl own over Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, on Patriot Day, Sept.11, 2009, in honor of Spirit of Freedom and the Republican Party of Fort Bend County for their support of U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines serving in “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation Enduring Freedom.” The family who donated the fl ag is Catherine (far right), son Nick and daughter Noelle. Their father and husband is Navy Commander Michael Smith. Smith is due to return this week from Kuwait. He was called back into active duty last year. He sent the fl ag in October to Mary Favre to be auctioned off to the charity of her choice.Favre has been sending him suppplies to help support his troops. The Smith family lives in Sugar Creek. Third from left is Laura Ingraham, keynote speaker. More on Page 8.

Priceless fl ag

By BARBARA FULENWIDERHaving just left a “turbulent

decade” the city enters anoth-er “as it scrambles to rebound from a tumble the likes of which occurred only once be-fore in the city’s history” -- in the mid-1980s when the lights went out in Houston, Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella told his audience at the civic cen-ter.

This time tumbling oil prices aren’t the culprit but instead it was “an insatiable and unchecked greed on Wall Street” that led to government bailouts, which, Scarcella said “threw the people and busi-nesses on Main Street … un-der the bus,” Scarcella said while delivering his annual

state of the city address.He said the results have

been devastating for the city’s “vibrant corporate network, which continues to reverber-ate with negative impacts on the city.”

Stafford’s strong local econ-omy pays for the great major-ity of the city’s services via sales taxes. When that fi nan-cial base is eroded, Scarcella said, “the damage is signifi -cant and that is exactly what has happened to the Stafford economy.”

Despite the downturn, the mayor said the city has pre-pared for the past 20 years to withstand such a severe down-turn, and that preparation in-cludes eliminating debt.

Stafford prepared to face economic downturn

See STAFFORD, Page 3

After 15 consecutive years of zero property tax, Stafford continued to eliminate debt this past year. The city’s ap-proach resulted in cutting out-standing long-term obligations to less than $1.7 million – part of the goal to be debt free in four more years.

Not everything was about the economy in the mayor’s speech.

He pointed out that in 2009 Stafford saw the completion of widening and improvements to U.S. 90A, which gives the town a new, vibrant look, and quiet zones negotiated with Union Pacifi c have eliminated the noisy train horns that have reverberated across Stafford for the past 150 years.

Scarcella noted that last year the city acquired rights of way and engineering plans for the multi-entity Stafford/Stafford-shire roads plan to connect the Fifth Street expansion to Belt-way 8 at a total cost of $19 million. The city will pay $6 million of that total.

Improvements to Brand Lane and Dulles Avenue are also on the radar at a com-bined cost of $2.5 million. Renovating Kirkwood Road and extending Cash Road are being considered.

AN EVENING WITH WIND-BERG. Sugar Land Area Art-ists will present “An Evening with Dalhart Windberg” at Sugar Land’s Lakeview Au-ditorium on Feb. 10, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Dalhart Windberg will also be con-ducting a 3-day workshop Feb. 11-13. To get a regis-tration form, go to www.sug-arlandareaartists.com, then to workshops and Windberg. You may download the regis-tration form or contact Pam Bravenec at 281-265-7256.

Page 2: Fort Bend Independent

Building homes of quality and distinction for over 40 years.

Plans, prices and availability are subject to change without notice. (10/08)

Automobile:2010 Toyota 4Runner, no, it’s not recalledPage 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 3, 2010

By BARBARA FULENWIDERThe Toyota 4Runner used

to feel like a mid-size SUV but the all-new 2010 version feels much bigger because it is. This fi fth generation 4Run-ner is still classifi ed as a mid-size sport utility vehicle even with more heft and power.

The 4Runner was fi rst in-troduced 25 years ago and since then Toyota dealers have sold more than 1.8 mil-lion. So while the 4Runner continues to evolve it remains close to its roots as a rugged, durable off-roader. The 4Run-ner is taller, wider and lon-ger for 2010 and is offered in three models: Limited, SR5 and Trail, for those who want maximum off-road capability.

The drivetrain confi gura-tions include rear wheel 4x2, part-time 4x4 and full-time multi-mode 4x4 with a lock-ing center differential. All 4x4 models are powered by a 4.0-liter V6 mated to a fi ve-speed automatic transmission. The 4x2 models will either be powered by a 2.7-liter engine mated to a four-speed auto-matic or the 4.0-liter V6.

The V6 engine makes 270

horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque for 34 more horsepow-er than the previous V6 and 10 more horsepower than the optional V8 of the previous generation. The V6 engine with 4x2 gets an estimated 17 city/23 highway miles to the gallon. The DOHC, 16-valve 2.7 makes 157 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque and delivers 18 city/23 highway mpg.

The 2010 4Runner Limited rides on 20-inch wheels while the SR5 and Trail models get 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The 2010 4Runner also got new bumpers, wider shoulders and newly designed head-lamp and tail-light sys-tems, all of which makes it appear more muscular and rugged.

A roof rack is standard equipment. On the SR5 and Limited V6 grades turn sig-nals are now in the outside mirrors along with puddle lamps.

Toyota 4Runners have al-ways been built like trucks: body-on-frame and the only change to that is frame and body reinforcements have

been added for 2010 models. To enhance grip, the A-TRAC system is now standard equip-ment on all 4Runner 4x4 mod-els. This system distributes driving force to any one wheel in contact with the ground to make terrain irregularities and slippery spots transparent to the driver. All 4Runner 4x4 models come standard with downhill assist control and hill-start assist control.

While the 4Runner built its reputation on off-roading today they are abundant in city traffi c because they offer a comfortable ride thanks to

coil springs over gas shocks at all four corners. A double-wishbone independent front suspension, combined with new, variable fl ow rack and pinion steering makes for more precise control. The four-link rear suspension min-imizes rear axle hop.

Standard safety features on the Toyota 4Runner include vehicle stability control with traction control and anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution. A rear-view monitor system is standard on Limited and Trail grades. A rear clearance sonar

system is standard on SR5 models.

Inside, the 4Runner has comfortable front seats that provide a bigger range of ad-justment vertically and front to rear. Second row passenger seats have a newly sculpted front seat-back shape for addi-tional knee space and a center armrest. They also individu-ally recline up to 16 degrees.

More cargo space is also now available thanks to the fold-fl at second row rear seats, which no longer require removing the headrests. Third row seats are now split 50/50, so are larger and access to the third row has been improved by splitting the second row seats into a 40/20/40 confi gu-ration.

There’s also a handy pull-out cargo deck that can carry up to 440 pounds. It slides out to make loading heavy items easier and when extended provides sheltered seating.

With all standard equip-ment the Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x2 retails for $29,175. Op-tions on the test drive 4Run-ner included audio equipment, front and rear A/C power out-

lets, anti-theft alarm system with engine immobilizer and a premium package of leather trimmed, heated eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, moonroof, etc. Extras brought the total price to $33,439.

Would I buy it? If it fi t my lifestyle, absolutely. Remem-ber that of the 1.8 million 4Runners sold in the past 25 years, more than 70 percent are still on the road.

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Page 3: Fort Bend Independent

FEBRUARY 3, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

Community news

Houston Community Bank, N.A.Staff ord Branch

Starting or expanding a business?

Working capital needs?We are your small business solution!

JEFF SMITHPresident

13811 Murphy Road, Staff ord, Texas 77477

281-208-2111

www.houstoncommunitybank.com

Member

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TERRY CROCKETTSenior Vice President

SUGAR LAND REDUCED

SUGAR CREEK Great 1 story on huge corner lot. 3 bed-rooms & study. Seller has updated carpet, tile paint in and out and roof replaced. Shows great and price already reduced to go fast in the low $200’s.

SUGAR LAND/COMMONWEALTH. Over 4000sqft! 5 bedrooms 3.5 baths, game room, study/formal and extra room. Seller has updated carpet, tile granite counters, & more in 2009. Roof replaced too. Big yard. Price reduced to go $300’s.

Suzette Peoples ABR, GRI , E-Pro, 21 years Professional Realtor; Owner of Peoples

Properties, a Real Estate & Property Management Co.; American Business Women’s Association.

NEW LISITING

Mortgage Banker can do loans in less than 30 days! Call Suzette or email: [email protected]

NEW LISTING

Built in 2006. Popular Perry 1 story home. 4 bed-rooms and both formals or study. 16’ tile and hardwood fl oors. Garage/gameroom. Covered over size patio. Playground & shed stays. Private Levee lot. Priced to go at $230,000.

MODEL HOME

Builder close out, selling model home! Over 3600sqft! 5 bedrooms 4.5 bath, gameroom, media and study. 3 car ga-rage! Upgrades galore! Hardwoods, tile, granite and more! Price reduced to go in the $300’s Don’t miss this one!

REDUCED

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner

21 years of experience!

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com

Builder close-out! Over 4200sqft! 5 bed-rooms 4.5 baths. Master down and full bed-room bath down, study & sun room down. Gameroom & Media up. Huge lot in cul-de-sac. Reduced from $549,000 to $480,000 .

NEW HOME

Built in 2006. Popular Perry 1 story home. 4 bed-rooms and both formals or study. 16’ tile and hardwood fl oors. Garage/gameroom. Covered over size patio. Playground & shed stays. Private Levee lot. Priced to go at $230,000.

TELFAIR/SUGAR LAND! Rare fi nd! Over 4400sqft! 5 bedrooms 4.5 baths. Gameroom/media/study/sun room. Covered screen in patio. 3 car garage! Over $100K in upgrades! !Need to sell fast! Bring off ers.$600’s.

1 story on big corner lot! Almost 3000 sqft! 4 bedrooms and study. Gourmet island kitchen with granite and tile. Covered patio. Huge master retreat! Price reduced to go in the $200’s.

1 story, no neighbors behind you. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, gourmet kitchen with granite and tile fl oors. Ready for move-in April/May. Reduced to go $200’s!

One story on great culdesac lot! Ready for move-in. 4 bedrooms and study! 2 Full baths. Gourmet Island kitchen with granite and tiel fl oors.Covered patio. 3 car garage too. Reduced to fo $200’s!

BUILDER CLOSEOUT

BUILDER CLOSEOUTBUILDER CLOSEOUT

MODEL HOME

MODEL HOME

TELFAIR/SUGAR LAND! Rare Find. 2 model homes together. This one has over 3600 sqft. 4 bedrooms 4.5 baths. study, gameroom, sunroom & media room. 3 car detached and covered parking.Porte-cochere.Over $100K in upgrades! Hurry! Need to sell these fast! Bring off ers! $600’s

The Texas Department of Public Safety initiated a Driving While Intoxicated Task Force in Fort Bend County from 6 p.m. Jan. 22 until 3 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 to improve public safety by increasing patrols during the hours when impaired driving is most likely to occur.

During the operation, DPS troopers made ten driving while intoxicated arrests and the Rosenberg Police Department, who participated in their own initiative, made two more.

Of those arrests, seven sus-pects consented to the taking of a breath specimen on the In-toxilyzer instrument and three suspects consented to having a blood specimen taken.

Two suspects refused to give either a blood or breath sample and were subsequently served with search warrants for their

blood, signed by Fort Bend County District Court Judges Thomas R. Culver, III and James H. Shoemake.

Oak Bend and Sugar Land Methodist hospitals provided medical assistance for the blood draws.

Blood search warrants have been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as a legal means to obtain evidence in driv-ing while intoxicated cases.

As the use of such search war-rants increased around the state, Texas legislators recently made it easier for police offi cers to obtain warrants by expanding the list of judges who are able to sign blood search warrants involving intoxi-cation offenses.

“We are very thankful to the police offi cers who worked to make Fort Bend County resi-dents safer on our streets. We are

also appreciative of the judges who assisted us in obtaining vital evidence needed to determine if someone was driving while im-paired,” said Assistant District Attorney Sherry Robinson.

DPS Lt. Daniel Terronez stated his hopes to make this a routine program in Fort Bend County with more agencies join-ing future initiatives.

“I am very pleased that the Department of Public Safety developed this task force initia-tive,” said District Attorney John Healey. “My offi ce has worked with DPS and other agencies on similar operations. I believe these efforts will enable police offi cers and prosecutors to de-velop a more accurate case as to whether someone was driving while intoxicated and will dis-courage others from drinking to excess and driving.”

As for the goals for 2010, the mayor said No. 1 is “bring-ing back the strong economy.” He said, “With the severe na-tional recession materially impacting our manufacturing, warehousing, wholesaling and services – the mainstays of the city’s economy – breathing vitality back into these sectors is a most daunting hurdle.” He didn’t provide any details but said that maintaining the city’s low taxes will help the business community “regain its footing and strength.”

Goal No. 2 is maintain zero property tax because he said it’s the most recognized attri-bute of Stafford.

“In line with maintaining this alluring tax advantage to attract people and companies to our city,” Scarcella sug-gested that business and hom-eowners invest their tax sav-ings in their home or business and thereby contribute to the enhancement of the city.

Goal No. 3 was eliminate debt. The mayor said that while the city has reduced its

StaffordFrom Page 1

debt to less than $1.75 million, it has used what otherwise would have gone for interest payments to make infrastruc-ture improvements. “Sticking to this goal, which has been in process for more than a de-cade, the city will be debt free in four years and have even more laudable fi nancial struc-ture,” Scarcella said.

As for refi ning some of Stafford’s zoning on major corridors, Scarcella said that after two years of work to make it happen the end may be in sight – “nearing some fi -nal refi ned regulations.”

He ended by saying that there’s no doubt that 2010 will be a most diffi cult year for Stafford but the city “must stick with the principles and polices that have elevated us.” Shedding the yoke of property taxes “has led to phenomenal growth beyond expectations.

“To resort to try doing it like everyone else because times are tough would sabotage the unique advantages gained over the past 15 years. Now, more than ever, is the time to remain committed to what got us here,” the mayor said.

DWI task force makes10 arrests

U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Dist.9) recently met with Houston-area elected offi cials, as well as rep-resentatives of the Metropoli-tan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) to discuss the development of an action plan to implement the U.S. 90A Corridor.

The proposed passageway would connect downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center with Missouri City and other cities located in Fort Bend County.

The meeting included mayors Allen Owen of Missouri City, Leonard Scarcella of Stafford, and Joe Gurecky of Rosenberg, along with Fort Bend County Commissioners Richard Morri-son and Grady Prestage.

Representatives of the City of Houston and METRO were also present.

Passed in 2003, the U.S. 90A Corridor plan was approved by voters as part of a METRO So-lutions referendum.

The proposal would establish a commuter rail line of approxi-

mately 8 miles that would run through the counties of Harris and Fort Bend.

Both Harris and Fort Bend County, which comprise the 9th Congressional District of Texas, are represented by U.S. Con-gressman Al Green.

During his presentation, METRO’s President and CEO, Frank Wilson, explained the status of the project as “shovel ready” and specifi ed that this new commuter rail line would transport residents of Missouri City and its surrounding areas to the Medical Center in less than 30 minutes with trains traveling at a top speed of 66 mph.

METRO estimates the cost of the project at $207 million and projects that ridership would be 12,000 in the opening year ---which would be the equiva-lent of taking 5,000 cars off the road--- increasing to 23,000 by 2030.

“This project has been dis-cussed for many years and we hope to get traction with it be-cause it would mean jobs at a

time of high unemployment,” Green said.

Green continued, “the U.S. 90A Corridor has all the poten-tial to be enormously benefi cial for the residents of Southwest Houston and its surrounding areas because it would provide them with a reliable alterna-tive to travel to the city and, especially, to the Texas Medi-cal Center. Moreover, it is envi-ronmentally friendly because it would use electric trains and, to a certain extent, it would even reduce our dependence on for-eign oil.”

According to Dr. Richard E. Wainerdi, President, CEO and COO of the Texas Medical Cen-ter, “This project would not only help the thousands of employees of the Texas Medical Center, but also patients and their families, students, and many others.”

In the coming weeks, Con-gressman Green plans to meet with other stakeholders and pub-lic offi cials to discuss the ways in which the U.S. 90A Corridor can become a reality.

ment,” Brown said.“As Chair of the Fort Bend

County Democratic Party, I will work to cultivate that en-ergy and provide you with the leadership needed to effec-tively coordinate our county-wide campaign efforts,” he said.

Bishop asked rhetorically where had Brown been all these days.

He has not attended any party meetings nor has he

presented any ideas, she said about Brown.

Bishop denied that she was campaigning instead of pay-ing attention to the party is-sues. As party chair she had a lot of work to do pertaining to the primary elections and she had no time even to start her campaign, Bishop said.

Bishop said she had been active in the community both politically and has been help-ing the community.

“I work. I am committed. I will continue to work for the progress of the party,” Bishop

said.“We should go beyond

recruiting candidates and electing offi cers. We should help our constituents and neighbors on issues that af-fect them. I have always been partnering with people on is-sues. We don’t want to be un-derrepresented. We need to ensure that our issues are at the forefront and that we are fairly represented all across the county,” Bishop said.

“Our work does not stop at the election booth. It starts there,” she said.

Al Green spurs talks on commuter rail in Southwest Houston

Missouri City’s 14th annual Dad & Daughter Dance offers a spe-cial evening of fun from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The event includes party favors, cake and punch and a chance for dads and daughters to spend an evening dancing and having fun to-gether. Each daughter will receive a keepsake photo and gift.

Entertainment will be provided by The Magical Fun and Comedy of Mr. Phil. To top it all off, the evening ends with a big confetti explosion. The dance will be held at the Community Center next to City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway. Tickets are $25 per couple and $20 per additional daughter.

Tickets are available at the Community Center, First Colony Com-munity Association and Club Sienna or call 281-403-8500. Dads and daughters can add the special dinner option available prior to the dance at the Grille at Quail Valley Golf Course. For reservations, call 281-403-5921 by Feb. 10.

BallotFrom Page 1

Dad and daughter dance

Dads and daughters danced the night away at last year’s event.

The Methodist Hospital Sys-tem is ranked No. 17 among FORTUNE magazine’s 2010 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” making the list for the fi fth year in a row and remaining the highest ranked health care orga-nization in the country.

Only three companies in Tex-as are in the top 20. Methodist ranked No. 5 in the category of large companies, No. 3 for the hiring of minorities and No.16 for the hiring of women.

The Methodist Hospital Sys-tem, which includes an academic medical center, three community hospitals and a research institute, was awarded the high ranking for providing an exemplary work-place for employees.

Methodist was selected based primarily on a confi dential survey sent to randomly selected employ-ees, who were asked questions on the level of trust, pride and cama-raderie within their workplace.

Methodist also submitted doc-umentation about its work envi-ronment, from benefi ts to corpo-rate policy. “To be recognized by FORTUNE for fi ve consecutive years is an extraordinary accom-plishment. That means that every day, year after year, our employ-ees and physicians come to work and make a difference in the lives of our patients,” said Ron Girotto, president and CEO of The Meth-odist Hospital System.

Methodist among “100 Best

Companies to Work for”

Page 4: Fort Bend Independent

By THOMAS PARR, M.D.When most people think

about fragile bones, they tend to think of osteoporosis and older ladies whose hips can break with an unexpected step, causing them to fall.

Because of bone density testing and new osteoporosis medications, this once feared orthopedic condition is now able to be treated rather suc-cessfully.

There is another fragile bone disease that you may not be familiar with. It is Os-teogenesis Imperfecta (OI). This is a lifelong genetic brit-tle bone disease.

Osteogenesis Imperfec-ta (OI) is a genetic disease where the body does not have properly functioning colla-gen, which is a protein that helps build bone, as well as skin, teeth, tendons, and liga-ments.

Either the body just doesn’t make enough or it makes a very poor quality of collagen. OI does not occur because ei-ther the patient or the patient’s mother (during pregnancy) didn’t have enough calcium or suffered from poor nutri-tion.

There are several different levels of OI, ranging from mild to severe.

These differences mean the treatment needs to be designed specifi cally for each patient’s unique problem. Proper di-agnosis involves the efforts of pediatricians and geneti-cists, as well as orthopedic surgeons and therapists.

One of the fi rst indicators of brittle bone disease is the patient’s history of unusual broken bones at an early age. Any related history in the family is taken into consider-ation as well.

Another indicator may be a young’s child’s failure to grow properly in height. A bone density test showing

poor bone quality may be an additional indicator.

Many of these children will have a blueish tint around the pupils of their eyes, or frag-ile teeth (called Dentogenesis Imperfecta).

If the pediatrician, dentist, or orthopedic surgeon sus-pects OI, genetic testing is a common next step, looking for a variety of DNA disor-ders or of biochemical disor-ders of collagen.

While we do not yet have a cure for OI, we are making progress.

In previous decades, we could only treat the fractures as they happened, or insert a series of pins through the center of the large bones to add additional strength.

Today, largely because of the work done to treat and prevent osteoporosis, we have medicines which can help prevent or markedly reduce fractures in these children.

When surgery is neces-sary, we have developed dra-matically better techniques of bone fi xation, which have resulted in better functional outcomes and fewer addition-al surgeries for these special patients.

Exercise is important, and swimming is ideal because it helps to strengthen the mus-cles while not putting undue stress on the bones.

There are only a few of us

OpinionPage 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Seshadri KumarPublisher & Editor

Email: [email protected]

www.fbindependent.com

By RON PAULLast week politicians in

Washington made a few things clear about how they really feel about the state of the union. First, they are be-ginning to hear the growing discontent with the size and scope of government and the broken promises that keep piling up. Certain events in Massachusetts recently made that statement loud, clear and unavoidable. In the face of those events, the powers that be made the determination that some populist rhetoric was in order, and the idea of a spending freeze in Washing-ton was proposed, albeit with several caveats. These cave-ats to the proposed spending freeze ensure that we are not at any real risk of actually do-ing anything about spending.

First of all is timing. It wouldn’t go into effect until 2011, which allows plenty of time to increase spending lev-els quite a bit before they are frozen. If the administration really understood and cared about our spending problems they would not freeze spend-ing a year from now, but cut spending immediately and signifi cantly. But, spending cuts almost never happen in Washington, and they are not likely now or a year from now – if the politicians have any-thing to say about it.

The second caveat is the huge areas of the budget that are shielded from this freeze.

The entire State Department budget is exempt, as are all entitlements, all military in-dustrial spending and almost all foreign aid. Fully 7/8 of federal spending is excluded from this freeze, and some ar-eas to be frozen were actually set to decrease, which means a freeze actually guarantees a higher level of spending.

Especially insulting is the idea that in spite of our own fi scal problems at home, tax-payer dollars will continue to be sent overseas in the form of foreign aid where it often does more harm than good. When need is demonstrated to Americans and they can af-ford it, they can be counted on for a tremendous outpouring of private, voluntary charity to worthy aid organizations, as we recently saw in Haiti. By contrast, government-to-government aid is taken from the poor by force and too of-

ten enriches the corrupt. It is counterproductive and waste-ful. But the idea of eliminat-ing, freezing, or reducing for-eign aid is not up for serious debate any time soon.

The third caveat is what is included in the freeze that would make it politically im-possible to pass Congress, for example air traffi c controllers salaries, education, farm sub-sidies and national parks.

I do not necessarily want a cut in spending in this coun-try - I just want to change who does the spending. The spending should be done by the people who earn the money, if they choose, and on what they choose, without any government interference. That is what makes the econ-omy work. Politicians should stick to the very limited roles given them by the constitution instead of allocating such a sizeable portion of our capital and intervening through regu-lations and tax policy. But because politicians have dis-regarded the constitution, and the people have no idea what rule they will break next, there is already a very real spending freeze underway in this econ-omy, by the people. If govern-ment would stick only to what it was authorized to do, and leave the rest to the people, most of these problems would resolve themselves.

(Ron Paul represents the 14th Congressional District in Texas.)

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul

Texas Straight Talk

Janice Scanlan

Thomas Parr

By RUSSELL C. JONESRegardless of the truth of

the science on global warm-ing, there can be no doubt that the recent disclosure of thousands of e-mails among some of the world’s most prominent climate scientists casts new doubts over the issue. The scientists at East Anglia, Penn State and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research have apparently done their best to bias peer-reviewed literature which has appeared over the past decade.

Others, like Patrick Mi-chaels of the University of Virginia, have pointed out the role of Penn’s Michael Mann in ousting a “dissenting” editor of Geophysical Research Let-ters, the publication in which Mann fi rst published his fa-mous “hockey stick” analysis of climate change. Tom Wig-ley of UCAR publicly scorns “skeptics” who have not pub-lished enough in the journals, while the emails reveal him to be working behind the scenes to make it impossible for them to do so.

Late last year, the EPA an-nounced its intent to limit carbon emissions administra-tively as Obama’s cap-and-tax bill was dying in the Senate. In doing so, it claimed to rely solely upon the peer-reviewed literature in order to make its fi nding of endangerment from carbon dioxide. Now that we know that literature was bi-ased by the tactics of the East Anglia group, the EPA appears to have lost the basis for its fi nding.

The issue came up again during the State of the Union address last week. Perhaps for the fi rst time, Obama acknowl-edged that “there are those

who disagree with the . . . evi-dence on climate change.” He may have been surprised when he heard laughter as he de-scribed the scientifi c evidence as “overwhelming.” Never-theless, he promised to press ahead with his agenda.

Of course, the climate has always been in fl ux. An 800 year warming period began in 200 B.C., and a 400 year pe-riod began in 900 A.D. Minor ice ages began in 600 A.D. and again in 1300 A.D. Just in the past century we saw warming from 1910 to 1940 and again beginning in 1980. Cooling periods were noted beginning in 1900 and again in 1940. Global cooling was an issue in the 1970’s.

By one estimate, the world warmed by 0.16°C. per decade from 1980 through 2009. The point is not to deny that global warming is happening. Rather the measurable changes are so small and the variations in the earth’s climate are so frequent that it is diffi cult to concur with the extraordinary resources which some proponents of the warming theory demand.

Now the Securities and Ex-change Commission has got-

ten into the act and has issued guidance for publicly traded companies on disclosing the effect of global warming risks on their business. The SEC Chairman said that the agency was not weighing in on the global warming debate, but only wanted to assure that in-vestors get reliable informa-tion. Other commissioners were not so sure. One de-scribed the obvious purpose as “to place the imprimatur of the commission on the agenda of the social and environmental policy lobby, an agenda that falls outside our expertise.”

Two members of the House Energy and Commerce Com-mittee called the move a “breathtaking waste of the commission’s resources.” Disclosure will undoubtedly provide the fodder for a new round of lawsuits, targeting companies who admit that they produce products which some, but not all, testifying experts will claim contribute to all of the world’s future calamities.

Obama, Congress, the EPA, and now even the SEC are committed to huge expendi-tures to address a problem that may not even exist. With the scientists themselves arguing the evidence and even ques-tioning whether one side of the debate is getting its voice stifl ed by the other, the current economic downturn does not seem to be the time for astro-nomical expenditures to ad-dress the issue.

Jones is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Sugar Land and serves as Councilman for Dis-trict 3. He was fi rst elected to the City Council in 2003. He owns a law fi rm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

The View From Sugar Land

Russell Jones

Spending freeze not likelyDoing something about the weather

Dr. Thomas Parr, an ortho-pedic surgeon in Sugar Land, can be reached at 281-491-7111. Visit www.tomparrmd.net for more information.

MUSINGS: Relief...By JANICE SCANLAN

Watching the power trucks from CenterPoint Energy convoy out to Oklahoma last Thursday made me think of Hurricane Ike, and how much we appreciated power compa-nies from all over the country helping us.

During Ike, I was heartened to see power trucks—in my particular case from Oklaho-ma Public Service and Florida Power and Light getting our power restored.

Power is crucial in our daily lives, but we take it for grant-ed unless we don’t have it.

Restoring power from Ike was hot, sweaty work with many of the workers sleeping in refrigerated truck trailers at night. I wonder where these workers sleep in an ice storm and the cold?

Did they have to “follow the storm” on through the central part of the country as power was restored in one area?

Tough, dangerous work that is often under-appreciat-ed much like our fi re and po-lice are taken for granted. Just the logistics of these natural

disasters are pretty amazing. The National Guard is

stretched pretty thin with mili-tary obligations presently.

With simultaneous disasters such as Haiti earthquake re-lief, a vast ice storm knocking out power for a large swath of the country . . . are more emergency responders of a non-military nature needed? FEMA now has a Citizen’s Corps, but it is not very pub-licized. It covers natural di-sasters, terrorist attacks, crime and other hazards.

Do we need a better publi-cized “Relief Corp” to better respond? These volunteers would be like a non-military National Guard.

It would also provide a

venue to offer service to our country of a non-military nature where people of all ages and of varying physical stamina could be organized, trained, as well as deployed to help.

There are many opportu-nities to serve, but with our disasters involving so many kinds of need, do we need something way beyond the American Red Cross to re-spond?

We can’t move a Navy ship into the heartlands to supply meals, power or house re-sponders.

The National Guard is in-creasingly a military unit—just watch the advertisements in the movie theatres.

Has this left a vacuum that could provide a new venue to serve our country? Would you consider service in something like this where you train once a month and are on call for deployment? As a footnote, prevention for power outage is a newer way of thinking.

The trees we love can play havoc with power from wind and ice storms. If you haven’t seen the “Power-Friendly” trees demonstration in Rid-geview Park by Missouri City and CenterPoint Energy, take a look. It’s beautifully marked and explained with a variety of “power-friendly” trees for you to see what they look like. With it being time for planting trees, it’s important to plan how those trees im-pact power lines, driveways and sidewalks.

Contact Missouri City For-ester Paul Wierzbicki for more information or visit Center-Point’s website at www.cen-terpointenergy.com/trees.

Thank you for your letters, comments and questions. Write me at [email protected].

Genetic brittle bone diseasewho specialize in treating Os-teogenesis Imperfecta (OI) in the United States today.

We are very fortunate to have a dynamic OI program at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children here in Houston, where I have the advantage of working as part of a wonder-ful team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers.

I provide follow up adult OI care in my private practice, once the patient has complet-ed treatment in the Shriner’s Hospital program or has be-come too old to qualify for the Shriner’s program. My OI patients are all special, sweet individuals, and I enjoy being able to help them.

AGGIE MOMS: The Fort Bend Aggie Moms’ Club will meet at the Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. The speaker will be Dr. Ian Tizard, Di-rector of the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center and Professor of Immunology in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medi-cine. He will be speaking about exotic birds and his research program with parrots in Peru and elsewhere. Prior to coming to A&M, he was at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Howdy Hoedown tickets are now on sale for a major fund-raiser on Feb. 27. For more information, visit www.fortbendag-giemoms.org

To help Fort Bend community stay safe and get vaccinated, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will offer free H1N1 vaccines to community members who are 18 and older and who bring a non-perishable food item that will then be donated to the Hous-ton food bank, which serves the Fort Bend and surrounding counties. The vaccines will be offered Thursday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the new hospital.

No appointments are necessary. Limited supply. From April 2009 until mid-November 2009, H1N1 fl u in-

fected approximately 47 million Americans and contributed to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and nearly 10,000 deaths. Flu season is unpredictable and typically lasts until May.

Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a free H1N1 vaccine

Dancing Date for Moms & SonsMissouri City’s “Moms and

Sons Western Roundup” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway. The cost is $30 per couple, and $15 for each ad-ditional son, and includes en-trance to the event, dinner and entertainment. To order tickets, call 281-403-8637 or purchase them in person at the Commu-nity Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Page 5: Fort Bend Independent

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 3, 2010 • Page 5

2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD LT WHITE 127951 Classic Chevrolet 319 miles 877-351-3803 $41,988

2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO RED 2DR COUPE A9133261 Classic Chevrolet 3,943 miles 877-351-3803 $37,900

2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2DR WHITE 101871 Classic Chevrolet 25,499 miles 877-351-3803 $35,988

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT DK BLUE 057471 Classic Chevrolet 54,469 miles 877-351-3803 $17,488

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 White 202266 Classic Chevrolet 29,663 miles 877-351-3803 $33,988

2009 Buick LaCrosse CXL Dark Slate 243984 Classic Chevrolet 15,911 miles 877-351-3803 $19,350

2006 Acura TL Black Pearl 4-dr 6 cyl. 047858 Classic Chevrolet 62,077 miles 877-351-3803 $20,488

2005 MINI Cooper Jet Black hatchback L12033 Classic Chevrolet 56,568 miles 877-351-3803 $14,988

2006 Nissan 350Z Grand Touring Black 380479 Clas-sic Chevrolet 56,792 miles 877-351-3803 $16,988

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT White 8G199806 Classic Chevrolet 25,869 miles 877-351-3803 $47,977

2008 Saturn Aura XR Sedan Gray 117800 Classic Chev-rolet 25,584 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Black 134389 Classic Chev-rolet 800 miles 877-351-3803 $42,988

2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Gray 547748 Clas-sic Chevrolet 26,183 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2003 Ford Taurus SES 4Dr Dark Gray 270399 Classic Chevrolet 40,308 miles 877-351-3803 $7,988

2009 Chevrolet Impala LT Black 119477 Classic Chev-rolet 29,522 miles 877-351-3803 $15,588

2006 Honda CR-V EX Sil-ver 017107 Classic Chevrolet 31,235 miles 877-351-3803 $16,988

2008 Chrysler Sebring LX Conv. White 209556 Classic Chevrolet 43,424 miles 877-351-3803 $12,956

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT1 Red 240258 Clas-sic Chevrolet 28,224 miles 877-351-3803 $17,988

2005 Chevrolet SSR LS Truck Silver 119812 Classic Chevrolet 42,432 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2007 Dodge Charger SXT Black 826647 Classic Chev-rolet 45,365 miles 877-351-3803 $14,588

2006 Land Rover Rng Rover Sport Green 928010 Classic Chevrolet 35,540 miles 877-351-3803 $35,988

2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0S Sil-ver 603492 Classic Chevrolet 31,829 miles 877-351-3803 $12,988

2004 Nissan Altima 4Dr Pewter 113299 Classic Chev-rolet 93,911 miles 877-351-3803 $8,988

2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext. Cab White 606169 Classic Chevrolet 55,544 miles 877-351-3803 $21,988

2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L 4Dr Wagon White 430168 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,661 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4Dr Lt. Gray 840317 Classic Chevrolet 40,636 miles 877-351-3803 $16,575

2007 Lexus ES350 4Dr Dk. Red 041304 Classic Chevro-let 70,908 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Silver 129692 Classic Chevrolet 4,769 miles 877-351-3803 $39,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Gray 151373 Classic Chevrolet 5,002 miles 877-351-3803 $37,100

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible Dk Red 102700 Classic Chevrolet 6,993 miles 877-351-3803 $25,900

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HDWhite 215477 Clas-sic Chevrolet 26,150 miles 877-351-3803 $36,988

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Black 195004 Clas-sic Chevrolet 3,156 miles 877-351-3803 $39,450

2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500LS Pewter 339575 Clas-sic Chevrolet 72,074 miles 877-351-3803 $8,988

2008 Volkswagen New Bee-tle Salsa Red 409143 Classic Chevrolet 6,794 miles 877-351-3803 $18,990

2008 Toyota Avalon 4Dr Sil-ver 290811 Classic Chevrolet 35,169 miles 877-351-3803 $19,988

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Gold 140018 Classic Chev-rolet 26,549 miles 877-351-3803 $28,988

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 4Dr Red 232670 Classic Chevrolet 36,239 miles 877-351-3803 $10,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado LT Gray 151373 Classic Chevrolet 5,002 miles 877-351-3803 $37,100

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Gray 103518 Classic Chev-rolet 16,411 miles 877-351-3803 $34,888

2009 GMC Acadia SLT Red 133884 Classic Chevrolet 22,315 miles 877-351-3803 $31,888

2008 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 Silver 207374 Clas-sic Chevrolet 33,740 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2004 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 White 298298 Clas-sic Chevrolet 88,862 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE Z71 Red 160926 Classic Chevrolet 29,051 miles 877-351-3803 $39,988

2008 Ford F-150 Lariat White B17879 Classic Chev-rolet 35,401 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ Black 174015 Classic Chevrolet 2,819 miles 877-351-3803 $38,988

2008 Chevrolet Express Ext. Van White 177235 Classic Chevrolet 33,150 miles 877-351-3803 $19,688

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Red V-8 299232 Clas-sic Chevrolet 102,428 miles 877-351-3803 $10,688

2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic Beige 112766 Clas-sic Chevrolet 118,353 miles 877-351-3803 $13,488

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Red 247800 Classic Chevrolet 28,787 miles 877-351-3803 $18,988

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT 1500 Silver 284970 Clas-sic Chevrolet 58,966 miles 877-351-3803 $22,975

2008 Jeep Wrangler SUV $X$ Dk Red 627856 Classic Chevrolet 26,160 miles 877-351-3803 $25,988

2008 Nissan Altima 2.5SL 4Dr Tan 502920 Classic Chevrolet 14,218 miles 877-351-3803 $18,488

2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4Dr Lt. Gray 840317 Classic Chevrolet 40,636 miles 877-351-3803 $16,575

2008 Toyota Avalon 4Dr Sil-ver 290811 Classic Chevrolet 35,169 miles 877-351-3803 $19,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT1 Red 240258 Clas-sic Chevrolet 28,224 miles 877-351-3803 $17,988

2008 Chevrolet Express LS 3500 White 177235 Classic Chevrolet 33,150 miles 877-351-3803 $19,688

2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L 4Dr Wagon White 430168 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,661 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT White 8G199806 Classic Chevrolet 25,869 miles 877-351-3803 $47,977

2009 Chevrolet Impala LT Black 119477 Classic Chev-rolet 29,522 miles 877-351-3803 $15,588

2006 Acura TL Black Pearl 4-dr 6 cyl. 047858 Classic Chevrolet 62,077 miles 877-351-3803 $20,488

2009 Buick LaCrosse CXL Dark Slate 243984 Classic Chevrolet 15,911 miles 877-351-3803 $19,350

2008 Chevrolet White Car-go Van 142154 Classic Chev-rolet 23,680 miles 877-351-3803 $14,988

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Red 2-dr Coupe A9133261 Classic Chevrolet 3,943 miles 877-351-3803 $37,900

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LT 1500 Silver 284970 Clas-sic Chevrolet 58,966 miles 877-351-3803 $22,975

2007 Dodge Charger SXT Black 826647 Classic Chev-rolet 45,365 miles 877-351-3803 $14,588

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Silver 119195 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,405 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Volkswagen New Bee-tle Salsa Red 409143 Classic Chevrolet 6,794 miles 877-351-3803 $18,990

2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L 4Dr Wagon White 430168 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,661 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Red V-8 299232 Clas-sic Chevrolet 102,428 miles 877-351-3803 $10,688

2008 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 Silver 207374 Clas-sic Chevrolet 33,740 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2007 Lexus ES350 4Dr Dk. Red 041304 Classic Chevro-let 70,908 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Chrysler Sebring LX Conv. White 209556 Classic Chevrolet 43,424 miles 877-351-3803 $12,956

2005 Chevrolet SSR LS Truck Silver 119812 Classic Chevrolet 42,432 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

Page 6: Fort Bend Independent

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Legal NoticesCommunity CalendarFree seminarsCome and meet Drs. Ponce

de Leon, Kulvinder Bajwa, and Sheilendra Mehta on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 6:30 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital, located in Conference Room A&D in the Main Pavil-ion. The doctors will present the latest information on Lap-Band surgery and answer your questions. Seating is limited. Call 281-274-7500 to reserve your seat. Seminar Dates: Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.

Neck PainDrs. Jeffrey B. Wood and

Anthony J. Muffoletto, or-thopedic spine surgeons with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas, will be leading cervical/neck pain seminars on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Tuesday, Feb. 23. The one-hour presentations be-gin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Conference Room A&D. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited.Call 281-274-7500 to register.

The Fort Bend County Tea Party is hosting an evening of speakers on Friday, Feb. 5 from 8-9:30 p.m. at the First Colony Community Center 3232 Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land. Tea Party President James Ives stated “It is vi-tal that the American People stand together to regain con-trol of their future. To this end we invite like minded citizens to join us and get involved.” Area residents are encour-aged to come and learn how to enter and affect the politi-cal system, and hear how the Tea Party Movement is ex-panding. Refreshments, party merchandise, silent auction, and a raffl e will be avail-able. www.fortbendcoun-tyteaparty.com to RSVP by 1/28/10 seating is limited.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Fort Bend, will conduct a free Family to Family Course on Monday, March 1, for family members of close relatives with major depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and schizoaf-fective disorder. This series of 12-weekly classes is struc-tured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintain-ing their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained volunteer family mem-bers who know what it’s like to have a loved one with a seri-ous mental illness in the fam-ily. For registration call 281-494-5193. The classes will be at First United Methodist Church 3900 Lexington Bou-levard, Missouri City, from 6:30 - 9 p.m.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Fort Bend Tea Party on Feb. 5

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Offi ceof Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchas-ing Agent, Fort Bend County, RosenbergAnnex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A,Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the followinguntil THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then bepublicly opened and read in the Offi ceof the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg An-nex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX77471. Bids received after the specifi edtime will be returned unopened.

BID 10-043: IMPROVEMENTS TO KATY FLEWELLEN ROAD FROM KATY

GASTON ROAD TO PIN OAK ROADA pre-bid conference will be held onThursday, January 28, 2010 at 10:00AM in the Purchasing Department lo-cated at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg,Texas. Attendance is not mandatory, butall vendors are encouraged to attend.Plans and specifi cations for general con-tractors will be distributed in CD formatonly and are available at the PurchasingDepartment. Subcontractors may viewat the following plan rooms: Amtek In-formation Services, Associated GeneralContractors, McGraw Hill ConstructionDodge or AGC of Texas Highway HeavyUtilities and Industrial Branch.Unit pricing is required; payment will beby check after products/services are ren-dered. Bid, payment and performancebonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right toreject any or all bids Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 for Plantation Crossing Subdivision Partial Replat No. 1 of Unrestricted Reserve “B”, Pct. 4. The hearing will be held in the Commis-sioners Courtroom, William B. Travis Bldg., 309 S. Fourth St., Rm. 700, Richmond, Texas.Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may contact Katherine Mitton with J. A. Costanza & Associates at 281-930-9339 for information prior to the hearing.Submitted by,

Dianne Wilson

Fort Bend County Clerk

The City of Sugar Land has rescheduled its Cultural Kite Festival to Saturday, Feb. 6 due to forecasted rainy weath-er conditions on the original date. Festival times will be -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- and all activities will still be held at Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd. The festival will feature fi ne cul-tural food and entertainment from various countries. There will be kite fl ying competi-tions and lessons for those that have never fl own a kite. Local kite clubs will provide parachute bowl racing for kids and a display of kites of all shapes and sizes for families to view. Walk-around enter-tainment and kite decorating workshops also will be avail-able.

Kite festival reset for Feb. 6

History of Sugar Land

The Women’s Association of Sugar Creek Country Club will hold its fi rst luncheon of the new year on Feb. 5 begin-ning at 11 a.m. in the club’s ballroom. The featured speak-er will be Bruce Goodsill, who will offer his knowledge and expertise on the history of Sugar Land, Texas. Good-sill’s presentation of Sugar Land history is based on an engaging narrative on his re-search and personal experi-ences and supported with his-toric photographs. The focus of the presentation is Sugar Land’s company town era but also includes a brief history of the area from the 1820s. Reservations are necessary for members and guests. Call 281-494-5065 or e mail [email protected].

Become a DentalAssistant!

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LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTIONFORT BEND COUNTY

The County Purchasing Agent of Fort Bend County will conduct a PUBLIC AUCTION for SURPLUS AND SALVAGE PROPERTY on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2010 AT 10:00 AM. The auction will be held at the Fort Bend County Need-ville Purchasing satellite offi ce located at 9110 Long Street, Needville, Texas.Items to be sold: 32-Ford Crown Victoria’s (2000-2008), 3-Ford cab and chassis (1989-2003), 2-Cherokee Jeeps (1997-2001), 1-Dodge Dakota (2001), 1-Dodge Ram (2000), 3-Ford 150 (1992-1997), 1-Saturn (1999), 1-Expedition (2004), 3-Ford Taurus (2001-2002), 1-Chevrolet Impala (2000), 3-15’ shredders, 1-Ingersol Steel Wheel Roller and 1-Ford New Holland 7740 Tractor.Registration and viewing of all items will begin Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8:00 AM. The auction will begin at 10:00 AM. All items must be removed from auction site by 4:00 PM on auc-tion day.All sales are fi nal. All purchases must be paid in full on the day of sale by credit card (Master Card and Visa only), cash, personal check with a bank let-ter of guarantee, cashier’s check with a bank letter of guarantee, or company check with a bank letter of guarantee. Absolutely no checks accepted without a bank letter of guarantee. Fort Bend County reserves the right to add or delete items from the auc-tion. Items off ered for sale are sold as is where is and without warranty. Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Of-fi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received af-ter the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.BID 10-045 TEAL BEND BOULEVARD PAVING IMPROVEMENTSA pre-bid conference will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Purchasing Department located at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Tex-as. Attendance is not mandatory, but all vendors are encouraged to attend.Plans and specifi cations for general contractors will be distributed in CD/DVD format only and are available at the Purchasing Department. Subcon-tractors may view at the following plan rooms: Amtek Information Services, As-sociated General Contractors, McGraw Hill Construction Dodge or AGC of Texas Highway Heavy Utilities and In-dustrial Branch.Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bid, payment and perfor-mance bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids.Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

Free SAT practiceRepresentatives from the

Princeton Review will conduct a free practice SAT test at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Mis-souri City Branch Library, on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, which is located at 1530 Texas Parkway. A fol-low-up strategy session will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m to 12 noon, in the library’s Meeting Room.

Students will take the prac-tice test during session one, and will review their scores and learn strategy tips to increase their future scores at the sec-ond session. The sessions are free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Calendar,” select “Missouri City Branch Library,” and fi nd the pro-gram. Participants may also register by calling 281-499-4100, or by visiting the library.

Boogie 2010Sponsors, steering commit-

tee members and volunteers are needed for the 19th annual ELVIS – a 75th Birthday Bash fundraiser benefi ting the Fort Bend Women’s Center. There is still time to register as a sponsor and steering commit-tee member. Sponsor party is Thursday, Feb 25, 6:30 p.m. at Perry’s Steakhouse. Spon-sorships range from $750 to $10,000. Individual tickets are $75. Silent auction items are still needed. For reser-vations and information, call 281-344-5757 or [email protected] or log on to www.fortbendwom-enscenter.org. Proceeds ben-efi t survivors of domestic vio-lence and sexual assault and their children.

Fitness Boot CampIf getting in better shape is

among your new year’s reso-lutions, then sign up for the four-week Memorial Hermann Wellness Boot Camp to be held from Monday, Feb. 8 through Friday, March 5 at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. This results-driven condition-ing program takes place in an indoor/outdoor environment, utilizing a military-style for-mat and the most progressive, innovative and creative fi tness exercises. Nationally-certifi ed fi tness instructors from the Memorial Hermann Wellness Center lead the workouts at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, 17500 W. Grand Pkwy. Participants may select from one of two workout times: 5-5:50 a.m. or 5:30-6:20 p.m. The Boot Camp comes with a money-back guarantee. Try the fi rst session and if you are not satisfi ed, you will receive a full refund. For more infor-mation, contact Steven Ramir-ez at 281-725-5296.

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Of-fi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received af-ter the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.BID 10-047 CONSTRUCTION OF HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS IN BUFFALO BAYOU PARKS AND TRAIL SYSTEMA pre-bid conference will be conduct-ed on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10:00AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Cinco Ranch Library located at 2620 Commercial Center Boulevard, Katy Texas 77494. Attendance is not man-datory, but all vendors are encouraged to attend.Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bid, payment and perfor-mance bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEREQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF

QUALIFICATIONSSealed Qualifi cation Statements will bereceived in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalo-mo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, FortBend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX77471 for the following until THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 18, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST). Q10-050 – DESIGN/BUILD OFFICE OFEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EXPAN-SIONFort Bend County reserves the rightto reject any or all qualifi cation state-ments received. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent,Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEREQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE

PROPOSALSSealed Competitive Proposals will be re-ceived in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Read-ing Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, FEB-RUARY 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosen-berg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Propos-als received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.RFP 10-051 – CRITICAL INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER FOR SHERIFFS OFFICE Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Offi ceof Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchas-ing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosen-berg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, SuiteA, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the follow-ing until THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then bepublicly opened and read in the Offi ceof the Purchasing Agent, RosenbergAnnex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg,TX 77471. Bids received after the speci-fi ed time will be returned unopenedBID 10-052 – HERBICIDE TRUCKLump sum pricing is required; pay-ment will be by check after products/services are rendered. No bonds re-quired.Fort Bend County reserves the right toreject any or all bids.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearingon Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the revised traf-fi c control plan for Oleta Lane within Sweet City Acres, Pct. 4.The hearing will be held in the Com-missioners Courtroom, 309 South Fourth St., Suite 700, William B. Travis Bldg., Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 for CVS Grand Mission Replat No. 1, Pct. 3. The hearing will be held in the Commission-ers Courtroom, William B. Travis Bldg., 309 S. Fourth St., Rm. 700, Richmond, Texas.

Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hear-ing. You may contact Kirk Rasch with Cotton Surveying Company at 713-981-0275 for in-formation prior to the hearing.Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 for Long Meadow Farms Commercial Re-serve Sect. 2 Partial Replat No. 1, Pct. 3. The hearing will be held in the Commission-ers Courtroom, William B. Travis Bldg., 309 S. Fourth St., Rm. 700, Richmond, Texas.Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hear-ing. You may contact Jorge DeLaRosa with Costello Inc. at 713-783-7788 for informa-tion prior to the hearing.Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearingon Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traf-fi c control plan for Sunrise Meadow, Section 4, Pct. 1.The hearing will be held in the Com-missioners Courtroom, 309 South Fourth St., Suite 700, William B. Travis Bldg., Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

FORT BEND COUNTYCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT FY 2010 CONSOLIDATED

ANNUAL PLANNOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

To build and strengthen new partnerships with State and local governments and the private sector, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a single consolidated submission for the planning and application aspects of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Programs. Fort Bend County is in the process of developing its FY 2010 Consolidated Annual Plan.

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:00 p.m., at the Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Texas to receive comments from the public regarding the housing and community development needs of low- and moderate-income persons such as homeless individuals and families; persons with special needs (the elderly, frail elderly, severely mentally ill, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, persons with alcohol/other drug addictions, and persons with HIV/AIDS); the housing needs

of renters and owners; community needs such as anti-crime, economic development, infrastructure, planning and administration, public facilities, public services, senior programs, youth programs; and other nonhousing community development needs. The public is encouraged to attend and to submit comments to Marilynn Kindell, Community Development Director, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Comments will be incorporated into the draft FY 2010 Consolidated Annual Plan, as appropriate. Persons with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids and services may contact the department at (281) 341-4410 regarding reasonable accommodations for the meeting.

The Fort Bend County CDBG, HOME, and ESG Programs Request For Proposals (RFPs) will be available on Monday, February 8, 2010. An information session for applicants will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010, 10:00 a.m., at the George Memorial Library, fi rst fl oor meeting room, 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond, Texas. Questions from applicants will be answered at this meeting. Proposals must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010. For more information, please call Carol Borrego at (281) 341-4410.

LEGAL NOTICEREQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE

PROPOSALSSealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jal-omo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURS-DAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made pub-lic. Proposals received after the speci-fi ed time will be returned unopened.

RFP 10-046 – AMBASSADORS AND BUS STOP MONITORS FOR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

A pre-RFP conference will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM in the Purchasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Read-ing Road, Rosenberg, Texas. Atten-dance is not mandatory, but all vendors are encouraged to attend.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on December 18th, 2010 by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-159747 in favor of the Plaintiff - QUAIL BRIDGE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $6,550.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on JANUARY 25TH, 2010 and will off er for sale on the 2nd day of MARCH 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - JUANITA ALEXANDER AND BRENDS ALEXANDER had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT SEVEN-TEEN (17), IN BLOCK FOUR (4), OF BENCHMARK, SECTION ONE (1), A SUB-DIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 28, PAGE 22 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (THE “PROPERTY”) ALSO KNOWN AS 5763 SANTA CHRISTI DRIVE, HOUSTON, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.

Terms: Cash, Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

RUBEN DAVIS, CONSTABLE,Precinct 2Fort Bend County , TexasBy Gary Majors #73

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on December 18th, 2010 by the 240TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-168598 in favor of the Plaintiff - QUAIL BRIDGE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $2,462.01++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the JANUARY 21ST, 2010 and will off er for sale on the 2nd day of MARCH 2010 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of ten o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) - SARAH HERRERA ZELAYA AND MELISSA ZELAYA had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT ELEVEN (11), IN BLOCK FOUR (4), OF QUAIL BRIDGE, SECTION TWO (2),BEING REPLAT OF REIDGEMENOT , SECTION FIVE (5), A SUB-DIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 25, PAGE 15, OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY MAP RECORDS (“PROPERTY”) ALSO KNOWN AS 5404 RIDGE WIND LANE, HOUSTON, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, 77053.Terms: Cash, Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

RUBEN DAVIS, CONSTABLE,Precinct 2Fort Bend County , TexasBy Gary Majors #73

Dr. Carolyn Sumners, Vice President, Astronomy and Physics, in Houston Museum of Natural Science will be the guest speaker at Fort Bend American Association of University Women monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The topic, “Houston Museum of Natural Science/ Sugar Land, its purpose and its contribution to Fort Bend County.” Dr. Sumners is also an adjunct professor in phys-ics and astronomy at Rice Uni-versity, has written a series of text books and she is the cura-tor of astronomy for Houston Museum of Natural Science. The meeting will be held at Sugar Land Community Cen-ter, (across from Sugar Land Post Offi ce), at 226 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, 77478. The public is invited to this very interesting and informative program. For reservations or information about member-ship and upcoming events please call 281-980-1705 or visit fortbendaauw.org.

American Association of University Women

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sugar Land Branch Library presents a special, introduc-tory program on Nithya Yoga on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 550 Eldridge. Ma Daivi Nithya, a certifi ed Nithya Yoga instructor from the Houston chapter of the Life Bliss Foun-dation, will present a basic in-troduction and demonstration of this ancient form of yoga. Anyone interested in learn-ing more about meditating, reducing stress and improv-ing self-awareness through the practice of yoga is encouraged to attend. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-277-8934 or 281-341-2677.

Nithya Yoga

Pianist Eugenio DeRosa

The Friends of the Arts committee, First United Meth-odist Church, Missouri City, presents in concert, pianist, Eugenio DeRosa. DeRosa has given recitals in Europe, the United States, Central and South America, and Japan. He has recorded for the RAI Italian Television and the National Radio Companies of France, Spain and Japan. The concert will be held on Satur-day, Feb. 27, the First United Methodist Church, 3900 Lex-ington Blvd., Missouri City beginning at 4 p.m. It is free to the public but love donations will be accepted. For further details, call 281-499-3502 or e mail: [email protected].

Page 7: Fort Bend Independent

Austin Taylor was honored Jan. 13 by The Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Youth of the Month. Austin is a senior at Clements High School ranked in the top 14% of his class of 583 students. He is one of only seven FBISD students named to the 2010 National Achieve-ment Scholarship Program. Austin is an accomplished foot-ball star receiving All-District honors as a defensive lineman and receiving Academic All-District honors as well. He has been recruited to play football at Harvard, Yale, and Columbia University. He is serving on the CHS Student Council and vol-unteers with the Peer Assisted Leadership group (PALs). He is a second degree Black Belt

FEBRUARY 3, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

Not just oil, Pennzoil

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Film Review: Edge of Darkness

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This is a good reason not to get too involved with the private lives of movie stars. Mel Gibson has taken his fair share of hits lately (5+ years) for being an overbearing, in-sensitive, drunk. He has not done a movie in over eight years (“Signs”) and his off -screen bio probably contrib-uted to his hiatus.

But Mel can act and evi-dently the public has forgiv-en or forgotten because my theatre had a large crowd. Maybe Tiger just needs a lit-tle time and some rehab and he can make a comeback. What about Little Johnny Leno and Coco O’Brien?

Mel Gibson (age 54) plays Boston PD Detective Tom-my Craven whose daughter Emma is murdered in the fi rst fi ve minutes of the mov-ie. Props to Director Martin Campbell for grabbing the audience’s attention in those fi rst few minutes of the story and setting the mood for the rest of the movie. This is not a great fi lm, but it has a great beginning and end.

Emma Craven (Bojana No-vakovic) worked for the mys-terious Northmoor Company

in rural Massachusetts that has top secret contracts with the U.S. government and is very serious about its secu-rity. Emma and some of her friends have some incrimi-nating information about the company and they want to blow the whistle. Uh oh, that’s dangerous business.

And if your daddy has a gun and a badge and is grief stricken, then things can re-

ally go badly for the bad guys. But who are the bad guys and what have they done and who and why are they trying to kill people? Lots of people.

The script by William M o n a h a n and Andrew Bovell is well written with just the right blend of ac-tion and sus-pense except in the middle. Luckily for Di-

rector Campbell, this is not his fi rst rodeo with “Edge of Darkness” as he was the director of a six-episode TV series by the same name and similar plot in the mid 80’s. Campbell must have learned something over the last twenty something years because the direction and editing are key to the fi lm’s measured success.

The acting was acceptable as a general proposition but Ray Winstone, the British-born actor, who plays the confl icted and mystifying Jedburgh was the big win-ner.

Those of you who fancy yourself a “solver of movie mysteries” will enjoy con-necting the dots and guess-ing the next plot revelation before your date has had a chance to lean over and whisper in your ear “he’s a bad guy.”

My audience liked this movie and laughed and be-came silent in all the right places and much to my sur-prise broke into approving applause and audible out-bursts more than once. I marvel at an audience that gets so worked up about a movie that individuals feel compelled to let the rest of us know how they feel about what just happened on the screen. Marvel is not the right word; I admire their en-thusiasm. Rock ‘n Roll.Grade 88. Larry H. email [email protected]

Youth of the Month

in Tae Kwon Do. The Exchange Club of Sugar Land meets every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Sweetwater Country Club. Photo by Patrick Hayes.

For Fiscal Responsibility

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Early Voting starts on Feb. 16 and Election Day is March 2.

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Page 8: Fort Bend Independent

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Julie’s Cakes 3424 FM 1092 #230

Missouri City, TX 77459 (281) 261-8229

Julie Clifton, Owner

Fort Bend Dental Associates, PA 5819 Highway 6 S. #230 Missouri City, TX 77459 www.ftbenddental.com

(281) 499-3541 Dr. James D. Condrey, DDS

Robert L. McClendon, M.D.14825 Southwest Freeway

Sugar Land, TX, 77478281-240-6000

Thomas Lomonte DDS 12122 Murphy Road

Staff ord, TX 77477 www.drthomaslomonte.com

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Bombay to Beijing14025 Southwest Freeway,

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Directory Directory Directory Directory Directory

KenWood & Associates, PC Certifi ed Public Accountants

One Sugar Creek Center Blvd. #300 Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.kenwoodpc.com

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Minuti Coff ee 1535 Hwy. 6, Suite A

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.minuticoff ee.com

(281) 265-3344 Ardavan Motamedi, CEO

A.Y. Shukla, M.DNeurologist

15200 SW Fwy., #395Sugar Land, TX 77478

281-565-8005

Lake Olympia Animal Hospital 3603 Glenn Lakes Lane, B2

Missouri City, TX 77459-4719 www.lakeolympiaanimal.com

(281) 499-7242

Shea Essence Day Spa 203 Century Sq. Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478

www.sheaessence.com (281) 242-2878

Staff ord Chiropractic Clinic 2434 S. Main

Staff ord, TX 77477 (281) 499-2424

Dr. John A. Felker, DC, PC

The Woodhouse Day Spa 4855 Riverstone Drive, Suite 110

Missouri City, TX 77459 www.sugarland.woodhousespas.com

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First Colony Aquatic & Rehabilitation Center

20403 University Blvd., Suite 100 Sugar Land, TX 77478

(281) 325-0188 Sean M. Hayes, PT CSCS,

Dennis Halford, DDS, MS 4503 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479

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Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa 1437 Highway 6, Suite 100

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Dr. Shelena Lalji, Medical Director

Hartford Services, Inc. 741 Dulles Avenue, Suite D

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(281) 261-3333 Mitch Rahim, President

Foot Centers of Texas 3533 Town Center Blvd. S, #200

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Thomas Parr, M.D.Orthopedic Surgeon14090 SW Fwy #130

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Aveda Concept Salon Eben & Day Spa 15510 Lexington, Suite G

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Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center, 20403 University Blvd. #800

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Genesis Day Spa and Salon 16255 Kensington Drive

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Dr. Richard F. BarrettBarrett Chiropractic Clinic

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Sandersen & Knox LLP , Accountants

130 Industrial Blvd., Suite 130 Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.SKBTexas.com

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Flowers by Adela 3756 Cartwright Road Missouri City, TX 77459

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Lexington Boulevard Animal Hospital

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Ms. Ramona Ohl, Owner

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(281) 491-1151 Afreen Pappa, MD, CEO

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, 101 Southwestern Blvd., Suite 230

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(281) 277-7800Basil Housewright, President

Kalologie Skincare 15890 Southwest Freeway, Suite 200

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.kalologie.com

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Gillen Pest Control 1012 Morton Street

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(281) 342-6969 Gary L. Gillen, President

Man’s Best Friend7260 Highway 6, Suite 100

Missouri City, TX 77459 www.mansbestfriend.com

(281) 499-0700

Kas Saranathan, M.D.16659 S.W. Fwy,#481Sugar Land, TX 77479

713-771-3831Cardiologist

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Pest control

Attorney

Created/Developed Special Divisions in:Child Abuse ProsecutionDrug ProsecutionJuvenile Crime ProsecutionDomestic Violence ProsecutionEconomic Crime ProsecutionMental HealthCrime Victims’ RightsActive Member:Child Advocacy Center Advisory CouncilFort Bend Women’s Center Council of ResourcesAdvisor to Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force

Member:Fort Bend and Needville Chambers of CommerceCentral Fort Bend Chamber AllianceThe Exchange Club of Fort BendKnights of ColumbusFort Bend Republican ClubsLife Member of Fort Bend Fair AssociationMarried to Theodora since 1978Fort Bend County Resident since 1982Active Member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Richmond

Political advertisement paid for by District Attorney John Healey Campaign, Theodora Healey, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1412, Sugar Land, Texas 77487

Served as Assistant District Attorney for Fort Bend County for 11 years prior to being appointed to perform the duties of District Attorney in 1992. Elected District Attorney in 1994, & the county chose to re-elect in 1998, 2002, & 2006.

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PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY IS THE NUMBER

ONE RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT

Don’t give that responsibility to unqualifi ed opponents.

John Healey has prosecuted criminals for

28 years — 17 as District Attorney.

Healey’s opponents have NO prosecution experience.

Indeed, most of Richard Raymond’s criminal law

experience is as a witness for a criminal who was

sentence to 10 years in prison.

BOTH OPPONENTS have NO experience

managing a large law offi ce and case load.

CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES WITH A

VOTE FOR JOHN HEALEY —

THE PROVEN LEADER!

Having always wondered what the Lincoln – Reagan Dinners were like, I went on Jan. 29 to the event hosted by the Fort Bend County Repub-lican party.

It was a grand affair, a par-ty fundraiser, emceed by Rick Miller, FBCGOP chairman.

Safari Texas Ranch was all done up as we say here in Texas (decorated) with red, white, and blue bunting, fl ags, and Lincoln – Reagan silhou-ettes.

Debbie Fancher, one of the classiest singers, lifted her beautiful patriotic voice with God Bless America.

The colorful Sons of the American Revolution sol-emnly paraded the colors. Commissioner Andy Meyers gave the invocation.

We had the pledges of Al-legiance to the U.S. and Texas Flags and a stirring National Anthem by Mike Council,

then they Posted the Colors.The meeting kicked off

with a video I would describe as “Pin the Tail on the Don-key.”

The introduction of elected offi cials, candidates, and im-portant people took a while.

Another beautiful song by Debbie with moving slides of patriotic events locally and nationally followed.

The keynote speaker Lau-ra Ingraham, introduced by KSEV’s Edd Hendee, was a breath of fresh air.

She was like the favor-ite sister who comes to din-ner who always puts the big mouthed misinformed hot air blowers in their place so po-litely and succinctly.

She opened with good news just breaking “Obama has just fi nished his State of the Union address.” Was that ever torture!

“The Stimulus of $862 mil-

lion computed to $350,000 per job supposedly created. One company got $99 mil-lion to create 50 jobs.” That company must have donated to the Obama campaign.

“Obama has proposed $100 billion for high speed rail. On average Amtrak loses $35 per passenger and loses as high as $462 for some runs. Wash-ington DC’s Metro loses $200 million annually. But Texans love our cars and trucks and would rather ride in our own or fl y thank you. Take your hands off our gas tanks.”

She talked about the Czars being radical, unaccountable, unneeded, untraceable, and just plain un-American. That not even Russia had Czars anymore.

She recalled O’Reilly ques-tion to her “What was the good in Obama’s speech?” Her answer: “Good night and God bless America.”

Laura Ingraham came to dinner

Ingraham gave us good news. “Gitmo isn’t closing it seems, terrorist won’t be tried in our homeland, and the Health Care takeover seems dead, but be warned like Fred-die Kruger it will be back in some form.” Freddie ought to make use of Pelosi’s Botox tax break if that thing goes through.

She mentioned that after the

“Miracle in Massachusetts,” Obama moved ever so slightly to the right promising a small freeze on government spend-ing and tax breaks for a few.

To fi nish she talked about our favorite subject – Texas. How she understood after Nina Hendee took her to the Alamo. That we Texans have a love affair with our state that all Americans should

have with their states, that if we don’t keep up the pressure on this administration we will wake up and fi nd the Ameri-can Dream gone, that Amer-ica is a ‘do it yourself’ kind of place.

The people stopped Immi-gration Reform in 2006 by overwhelming the phone cir-cuits in Washington DC. We can overwhelm them again.

The Left used the media, unions, universities, and think tanks to get Obama elected, but the people had victories in VA, NJ, and MA. They are just the beginning of our vic-tories.

Let us look to victories in NY, CA, CO, NH, RI, IL, and CN. We will not let them make America into a social-ist’s country. Message to Obama – Keep underestimat-ing US.”

I love it when Laura comes to dinner. It is so satisfying.

— Mary Cook

Debbie Fancher, left, Laura Ingraham and Rick Miller.—Photo by MARY FAVRE


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