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, NOVEMBER 18, 2009

VOL 2 No. 46

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Telfair Indian American Cultural Association organized the Indian American Festival of Lights in Telfair, a Sugar Land community, on Oct. 31 at Cornerstone Elementary School. The festival was inaugurated by D. K. Sharma, Deputy Con-sul General of India-Houston and special guests included Sugar Land Police Chief Doug Brinkley, Cornerstone El-ementary School Principal Chris Winans and Sugar Land As-sistant City Manager for Public Safety Steve Griffi th. A crowd of more than 900 took part in the festivities. A high wattage cultural show followed the inauguration and was a huge hit with the audience. One of the highlights of the show was the Michael Jackson song “We are the World” performed by more than 40 kids from Cornerstone Elementary Choir under the direction of Mrs. Mosher. This well-known song speaks to the children of the world as the hope and future of the World. The children perform in the choir, left; and, below, they pose for a picture after the show.

Festival of Lights at Telfair

LONGHORNS DRAFT FBBA PLAYER. Surrounded by teammates, coaches, and family, Fort Bend Baptist Academy softball player Rachel Fox signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play softball in the fall of 2010 for the Division I University of Texas Longhorns. The 5-foot-4 senior pitcher led the FBBA Eagles (33-3) to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 4A state title in 2009. Kelly Ferguson, head softball coach, said, “We are very excited for Rachel. She has shown the dedication and hard work needed in the classroom and on the fi eld to be an outstanding student-athlete at UT.”Rachel is the daughter of Meleesa and Russell Fox of Sugar Land. Above, FBBA Coach Kelly Ferguson is fl anked by Melessa and Russell Fox; (seated) Rachel Fox.

Fort Bend ISD’s Travis High School junior, Nikita Kanora, earned a perfect score of 2400 on her SAT Reason-ing Test, scoring 800 points in all three sections of the test (including math, critical read-ing, and writing).

This was her fi rst attempt at taking the test. Nikita serves as a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador, a tu-tor for the Fort Bend Literacy Council, vice president of her school’s Spanish National Honor Society and of the De-bate Club, a member of Youth Expanding Services and the Science Olympiad Team, and

Nikita Kanora earns Perfect SAT Score

Kanoratreasurer of the math honorsociety, Mu Alpha Theta.

Arvin Soepriatna, right, of Clements High School and Cher Liu, left, of Quail Valley Middle School – were named winners of the Houston Music Teachers’ Association and Houston Young Artists Concert Concerto Competition. As winners of the competition, they received the opportunity to perform with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra at a recent concert at the Stafford Centre. Arvin, a senior at Clements, won 1st place in the senior division of the competition. In eighth grade, he won 1st place in the HMTA Concerto Competition and had the privilege of playing with the Fort Bend Symphony. He also won 3rd place in the Houston Symphony Competition. Although he plans to be a doctor, Arvin enjoys playing the piano and will pursue it as a life-long hobby.

FBISD students win Concerto Competition

FBISD fl unks “grading” testBy SESHADRI KUMAR

When and where does a zero equal 50?

This mathematical puzzle can occur in the progress re-port of a student in Fort Bend ISD if the student scores 49 or less in a given grading pe-riod.

The revised school board policy under the topic Aca-demic achievement — Grad-ing/progress reports to par-ents reads: The district shall record a 50 in the permanent cumulative record for any av-erage numerical grade that is lower than 50.

As desired by the school board, the administration has reinstated language requiring a minimum grade of 50 as a permanent grade in the grad-ing policy, though it is con-trary to the Texas Association of School Board’s recommen-dation and is in defi ance of Senate Bill 2033 adopted in the 81st Texas Legislature.

Fort Bend ISD board of trustees last week authorized the district to join in litigation regarding Senate Bill 2033 which prohibits the policy of awarding a minimum grade of 50 even if the student scores less.

Since the conclusion of the legislative session, the impact of this bill has been under dis-pute.

Some argue that the bill prohibits districts from re-quiring teachers to assign a minimum grade only for daily assignments and exams and not for report cards.

That seems to be the posi-tion of FBISD as well.

The author of the bill, State Sen. Jane Nelson, and the Texas Education Agency, on

the other hand, say that the prohibition applies to an entire grading period (i.e., teachers cannot be required to award a minimum six weeks grade, ir-respective of the quality of the student’s work).

TEA LetterTEA Commissioner Robert

Scott on Oct. 16 sent an ad-visory to school districts with his interpretation of SB 2033.

The letter said: “A district grading policy must require a classroom teacher to assign a grade that refl ects the stu-dent’s relative mastery of an assignment;

may not require a class-room teacher to assign a mini-mum grade for an assignment without regard to the student’s quality of work; and

may allow a student a rea-sonable opportunity to make up or redo a class assignment or examination for which the student received a failing grade.

“TEA understands this leg-islation to also require honest grades for each grading pe-riod including six weeks, nine weeks, or semester grades for two reasons.

“First, if actual grades on assignments are not used in determining a six weeks grade, the purpose of the leg-islation has been defeated.

“Second, since 1995, Texas Education Code, §28.021, has required decisions on pro-motion or course credit to be based on “academic achieve-ment or demonstrated profi -ciency.”

“If the six weeks grades do not refl ect the actual assign-ment grades, they would not

refl ect academic achievement or demonstrated profi ciency.

“By allowing students to make up work, a district would ensure six weeks grades re-fl ect relative mastery of as-signments, even if making up a prior defi cit, rather than awarding an automatic grade to a student who has received a failing grade.”

The Texas Senate unani-mously approved SB 2033 with the support of the Texas Classroom Teachers Asso-ciation, the Association of Texas Professional Educators, American Federated Teach-ers, Texas State Teachers As-sociation and the Texas Asso-ciation of Business.

“As the author of this new law, let me clarify my intent. We always envisioned this bill applying to grades on tests, assignments and report cards. More to the point, it is never appropriate for teachers to be forced to pass students who have not been perform-ing passing work. Doing so is tantamount to fraud,” State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewis-ville, told The Dallas Morn-ing News recenlty.

A TEA spokeswoman was quoted as saying “Districts need to give accurate grades to students, and that includes report card grades. It’s pretty simple, give the grade stu-dents earned and stick with that.”

Supporters of the minimum grade insist a “zero” will place a student so far behind that he or she will have no chance to bring up the overall grade to passing. Failing classes will lead more students to quit school and be demotivating.

The goal is give as many kids as possible every reason to stay in school.

QuestionsThis correspondent asked

FBISD the following ques-tions regarding the district’s decision to join the litigation against TEA:

Could you please give the rationale behind this deci-sion?

Is the decision of the board unanimous in litigating the policy change?

Why is the district retaining the policy, namely The Dis-trict shall record a 50 in the permanent cumulative record for any average numerical grade that is lower than 50?

Where is the lawsuit fi led?When will FBISD join it?What is the main objection

to SB 2033?Who fi rst fi led the lawsuit?

ResponseIn response, FBISD issued

the following statement:At the Nov. 9 Fort Bend

ISD Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees authorized Fort Bend ISD to join other districts in litigation regarding the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner’s inter-pretation of Senate Bill 2033. Fort Bend ISD is complying with the law in regard to Sen-ate Bill 2033. However, the district does not agree with the TEA’s interpretation of the law, and the Board authorized the district to join in litigation regarding the TEA Commis-sioner’s interpretation of Sen-ate Bill 2033. The district has no further comment at this time.

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Sneha Raju of Clements High School was honored Nov. 4 by The Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Youth of the Month. She is a National Merit Semifi nalist who is taking all honors classes and has a 3.9 GPA. She is a member of the Stars Dance Team and Director of Development for the Fort Bend Teen Service League. She plans to pursue a degree in medicine at either Vanderbilt University, Duke University or the Univer-sity of Chicago. The Exchange Club of Sugar Land meets ev-ery Wednesday morning at 7 at the Sweetwater Country Club. -Photo by Ed Lee

Youth of the Month

Sneha Raju

The Quail Valley November Yard of the Month goes to Tanya and Edwin Chovanetz of 2402 Glenn Lakes. The Chovanetzes received a lovely plant from Flowers by Adela to grace their eclectic and colorful corner lot. The Castor Bean Trees are in bloom as well as a variety of annuals, perennials and fl owering shrubs. In the back yard from Masters Lane side you can see a Persimmon tree loaded with fruit that so fi ts the fall season. Drive by and enjoy a garden that the owners shower with tender loving care.

RETIREMENT. Left, Fort Bend Dental Associates Doctors Randal Glenn, Jim Condrey, Tony Singletary and Brian Machart sur-round retiring employee Helen Arnold, who has been the “voice” of the practice for the past twelve years calling and “re-calling” pa-tients.

NOVEMBER 18, 2009 • FORT BEND INDEPENDENT •

Community news

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/COMMON-WEALTH. 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.

FIRST COLONY

Mortgage Banker can do loans in less than 30 days! Call Suzette for more info!

SUGAR LAND

CITY OF SUGAR LAND ETJ! PERRY 2 story with master down and gameroom up. Huge cul de sac lot! Built in 2003. Tile and wood laminate fl oors thru out. 3 car dettached garage! Priced to go at $190,000.

FIRST COLONY

First Colony/Sugar Land! Over 3100 sqft 4 bedrooms 3 full baths. Master down and bedroom/bath down. Game room up. All new interior/exterior paint 2009! New carpet and tile 2009! Priced to go in the $200’s Seller spent over $32K getting house ready to sell.

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner

21 years of experience!

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

Popular David Weekly home! 2 story with master down. 3 bedrooms, study, gam-eroom, both formals and computer area. updated kitchen with granite. Wood and tile fl oors thru-out. New roof 2009 and new exterior paint and fencing. Priced to go fast at $200,000! Hurry don’t miss this one!

REDUCED

REDUCED

Sale pending 10 days

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13811 Murphy Road, Staff ord, Texas 77477

281-208-2111

www.houstoncommunitybank.com

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TERRY CROCKETTSenior Vice President

FALL & WINTER MINI-TERMSand SPRING SEMESTER 2010

REGISTRATIONFall Mini-Term classes begin October 26

(Walk-in registration only–now through October 23)Winter Mini-Term begins December 21(Register November 1 through December 17)

Spring semester classes begin January 19, 2010(Register November 1 through January 16)

wcjc.eduWCJC is an E.O.E. institution.

By BARBARA FULENWIDERBelt tightening is something

Stafford’s city government is known for and has served resi-dents and businesses well – i.e. zero property tax.

So with the current economy negatively impacting the Hous-ton area, Stafford is also feeling the pinch and at council’s Nov. 11 meeting, they discussed tem-porarily changing some purchas-ing policies.

The change would require council to approve all purchase requests of $1,000 or more as long as sales tax revenues are fi ve percent or more below budgeted amounts.

The current requirement is for council to approve all purchases that are $5,000 or more.

Council took no fi nal action on the item but Mayor Leonard Scarcella is meeting with depart-

ment heads and the city’s audit committee will meet after that.

The mayor stressed that the meetings are to “let people know we need to tighten the belt even more than we normally do – to do anything we can to trim costs without impacting services.”

He also said, “There are seri-ous economic circumstances out there. We’re Main Street and the guy with the frowns. We’ve been saving $30 million for a while to make sure we can ride out a tough period and this is obviously go-ing to be a tough period.

“I’m hopeful we’ll soon see some of these businesses – dis-tributing, warehousing, manufac-turing – come back because that’s where we’re being hit very hard. Generally, these businesses are experiencing some very diffi cult times and that’s being refl ected in our sales tax receipts.

“To be down (in sales tax col-lections) $350,000 in two months – multiply that out over 12 months and it equals $2.1 million,” Scar-cella said after the meeting.

“That cannot be ignored so we’re not running from it, hid-ing it or glossing it over. We’re going to deal with it and very ef-fectively.”

The mayor continued: “I don’t consider Stafford to be in dire straights or anything like that. We’ve expected it for some time. We hoped it wouldn’t occur but it has occurred so we have to do what we are doing now. We have to put a plan into effect that gives us the best opportunity for riding out this tough period.”

While some on council have suggested borrowing money to ride out the defi cit, Scarcella said the thing about debt is people only consider the percentage

Sales tax revenue shortfall forces Stafford to scrutinize spending over $1,000

When you think of “green homes,” you may think of new construction, but the recent ener-gy savings makeover of a Sugar Land home proves that even old homes can turn green.

The home, located at 2822 Cotton Stock Drive and owned by a family who once struggled to pay utility bills, has been certi-fi ed Silver to the National Green Building Standard by the Nation-al Association of Green Home Builders.

The three green certifi cation levels available are Bronze, Sil-ver, and Gold. This house was the fi rst in the Houston area to receive a Silver certifi cation and the second to receive this type of certifi cation.

The Sugar Land home, owned by the Jones family, was cho-sen for the makeover by Green Building Expert Dennis Celsor and Indoor Environmental Com-fort Expert Gary Parr who hosted a contest to fi nd a family that

needed help paying their energy bills.

Like many Houston area resi-dents, the Jones family lives in a 1970s home that had an older Heating and AC system and dete-riorating insulation.

Dennis and Gary took the fol-lowing steps and were able to lower the Jones’ energy bills by more than 50%: replaced AC and heating system; renovated the at-tic; installed a radiant barrier, new insulation and a special at-tic door color; installed a tankless water heater; and replaced 1970s windows with energy effi ciency windows.

The Jones family’s August 2008 electric bill was $749.70. In August 2009 after completing the Energy Savings Makeover, the electric bill was $333.71.

That’s a reduction of 55.5%! The actual kilowatt hours used was 4903 in August 2008. It was 3018 in August 2009, a reduction of 38.4%.

The Jones family is estimated to save $3000 a year as a result of this makeover.

The 1978 home went from an energy hog to one of the most energy effi cient homes in the Houston area with a Home En-ergy Rating System (HERS) rat-ing below the average new home built today. (HERS is a scoring system established by the Resi-dential Energy Services Network [RESNET] in which a home built to the specifi cations of the HERS Reference Home [based on the 2006 International Energy Con-servation Code] scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero en-ergy home scores a HERS Index of 0.)

Green Building Expert Dennis Celsor and Indoor Environmen-tal Comfort Expert Gary Parr are the co-hosts of the Thirty Green Radio Show, a call-in show based on Thirty Ways to Cut Energy Costs 30%. It airs each Saturday on KSEV 700AM.

1970s Sugar Land home gets Green Certifi cation

The Fort Bend American Business Women’s Association elected their 2010 Executive Board and Committee Chairs. Pictured are Bee Franks Walk-er, Woman of Excellence Gala Chair, Sherri Parrack, past Na-tional ABWA Vice President who performed the Installation of the Fort Bend Chapter Board, Loan Mansy, Scholarship Chair, Ju-lia Mercer, President and Pro-grams Chair, Marilyn Nelson, Vice President, Cheri Pemble,

Corresponding Secretary and Membership Co-Chair, Ursula Chester, Recording Secretary and Networking Chair, Julia Dean, Treasurer and Michele Barnes, Membership Chair and Newsletter. Not pictured: Me-lissa Lewandowski, Hospitality Chair; Tara L. Cook, Education Chair and Judy Gulgun, Public-ity Chair.

The ABWA Fort Bend Chap-ter meets monthly at Sugar Creek Country Club.

Regular meetings are held the fi rst Thursday evening of each month and consist of din-ner, program or speaker, and a business meeting. Guests are al-ways welcome.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3. Network-ing starts at 6 p.m., followed by a holiday dinner at 6:30 p.m. Fes-tive holiday attire encouraged. Toy donations to be collected. Visit www.abwafortbend.org for more details.

Fort Bend ABWA announces 2010 executive board

charged for the money borrowed and don’t include all of the legal fees, fi nancial advisor expenses, escrow expenses, etc. that go along with it.

“We’ve got the money in the bank. It’s in the budget. I don’t see any need to borrow money. It’s not like if we use some of the $30 million we’ll be in severe fi -nancial straights,” Scarcella said. “We have these major road proj-ects we’re going to do and we have the money to do them so we don’t need to go into debt to do them. We don’t need to waste a lot of resources on interest and other expenses related to debt.”

The mayor said, “I don’t see the city’s current fi nancial picture as bleak but I do see it as factual. Our revenues are less and that’s the simple fact of the matter. In view of that we’ll try as best we can to make those match our expenditures and whatever dif-ference there is we have cash on hand to make it up. We’re going to narrow the difference as much as we possibly can.”

Stafford Finance Director Kar-en Austin said that sales tax reve-nues “year to date are down about 14.2 percent or $352,000. The city is not in a state of emergency by any stretch of the imagination but we’re defi nitely going to keep our eyes on it and stay cognizant of it on a daily basis.”

University of Dallas Freshman forward Melissa Carpenter (Sugar Land/Stephen F. Austin H.S.) was selected to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s Honorable Mention All-American Soccer Team. Carpenter fi nished second on the team in scoring with 4 goals and 4 assists while starting all 19 games she played in.Melissa is the daughter of attorneys Brent and Kathy Carpenter.

Former Austin High School soccer player gets recognition

Did the Riverstone hom-eowners pay a premium price for a classy subdivision, to have a convenience store lo-cated where their marquee is now? What would that do to homeowners’ property values? Or let’s fi ll in a lake to build more homes or businesses.

Just because an entity calls itself a business does not mean it’s necessarily good or bad. It’s how the business treats its customers, employees, pays its debts, and yes, even pays its taxes.

Because Missouri City has some of the older sub-divisions in Fort Bend, we’ve seen the extreme of this—par-ticularly in Quail Valley.

And the business entity that

By THOMAS J. PARR, M.D. One of the world’s grow-

ing health problems is the ongoing problem of bacterial infections becoming resistant to antibiotics. This problem has greatly increased in recent years.

There are a number of rea-sons for this. In the United States where antibiotic medi-cations are tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Ad-ministration (FDA), antibiotic resistance occurs because of misuse of medications.

In many other countries around the world, antibiotics are available over-the-counter, meaning without a prescrip-tion. And sometimes what is being sold is poor quality and counterfeit.

In communities like ours where worldwide travel is common, knowing how to protect yourself and those around you to the extent pos-sible becomes extremely im-portant.

A person’s body does not become resistant to an antibi-otic.

It is the bacterial microbes existing within the body that actually become resistant. Our bodies always possess bacteria. Some are actually good for us, such as certain bacteria in the digestive tract which help us process our food. What we are concerned about is pathologic bacte-ria, which can do our bodies harm.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that “Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed.

“These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and coworkers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease

that is more diffi cult to cure and more expensive to treat.”

When a patient becomes infected with antibiotic-re-sistant bacteria, fi nding ways to treat the patient becomes much more diffi cult.

At the same time, this same antibiotic-resistant bacterium is likely to spread to others who come in contact with that patient. The more antibiotic-resistant a “bug” is, the greater the likelihood for the illness to lead to serious disability or even death.

Proper treatment cannot be a guessing game.

Your doctor has a variety of tests, from a simple swab to extensive blood tests, which can help identify exactly the type of infectious bacterium and which antibiotic is best for it.

Some tests can be done in the offi ce in a matter of min-utes. Others must be sent to laboratories for more exten-sive study, and the results may take several days or longer to be sent back to your doctor.

You can take positive steps to protect yourself and your family by understanding that antibiotics do not work on vi-ruses, including runny noses and colds, most coughs, bron-chitis, sore throats (other than strep), and fl u.

You should not expect your doctor to give you antibiotics for these illnesses.

Because we are so close to Mexico, some people in Texas think it is OK to buy penicil-lin in Mexico to use for two or three days any time some-one shows signs of a cold. This is a dangerous habit. It is commonly done, because the patient gets over his or her viral illness within a couple of days anyway, leading to the impression that the antibiotic was why the illness improved “so quickly.”

Even if you start to feel better, you should ALWAYS take the entire course of a pre-scribed antibiotic according to your doctor’s instructions, and don’t skip doses.

The only exception is if your doctor tells you to stop. Any time a patient does not complete a prescribed antibi-otic according to instructions, there will be some bacteria still remaining in the body. As these remaining microbes multiply, they may be able to create a new strain of bacteria resistant to drugs.

The commonly used antibi-otics have few side effects. As organisms become resistant to the “fi rst line” antibiotics, your doctor will be forced to use progressively more toxic drugs to fi ght the infection.

NEVER share your antibi-otic with others, nor save any unused antibiotic for another time.

If you have a bacterial in-fection and partially treat it with something you found in the cabinet, you might tem-porarily weaken the organism just enough that your doctor will not be able to isolate it and identify the best agent to treat it.

If you have done this dur-ing a serious infection, your doctor may be forced to use a combination of potentially toxic agents to fi ght the infec-tion blindly.

By JANICE SCANLANIn looking at how you

keep neighborhoods nice for people and retain property values, I’ve been looking at how various legal devices can be used as tools that sup-port the public good . . . or swords that literally “stick it” to individuals likely un-der-equipped to fi ght back.

How do you balance be-tween commercial and ho-meowner interests? For ex-ample, our master-planned sub-divisions contain “com-mon property” that is used to entice the homeowner, who pays a higher price because of these amenities, whether they are lakes, golf courses, or just common space such as impressive entry gates into and open space throughout a community.

But what if a business en-tity years down the road de-cides the land is more valu-able in another use?

Let’s say that the commer-cial property owner who has purchased Riverstone years down the road decides to try and re-zone the land where the now beautiful entry gates are located to put up a conve-nience store. After all, with the traffi c into the subdivi-sion, the land is worth more commercially.

Opinion • FORT BEND INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 18, 2009

Seshadri KumarPublisher & Editor

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

281-980-6745

Email: [email protected]

www.fbindependent.com

David HamnerSales Associate

Diane ParksGraphic Artist

By RON PAULLast Saturday many con-

cerned Americans watched in horror as the House passed the healthcare re-form bill. If this bill makes it through the Senate, it would massively overhaul the way healthcare is de-livered in this country. To-day, obviously, we don’t have a perfect system, but this legislation takes all the mistakes we are making with healthcare and makes them worse. Most of what is wrong with healthcare stems from decades of government intervention and the resulting unintend-ed consequences.

But the government’s prescription for the ills caused by intervention is always more intervention. We see this not only in healthcare policy, but also in foreign policy, in eco-nomic policy, and in mon-etary policy - basically, in all areas of public policy.

It was even claimed that the House bill would increase competition in healthcare, and thereby im-prove the private sector’s business model for insur-ance.

It is fascinating that poli-ticians would use the lan-guage of the free market in this way to justify more corporatism. This demon-strates a couple of things. One, that politicians truly do not understand the very basic tenets of a free mar-ket.

By defi nition, a free market is free from gov-ernment intervention. But once a little intervention is accepted as legitimate,

politicians will blame the problems created by their intervention on the free market and present them-selves as saviors that must intervene even more.

It also demonstrates that politicians know that Americans still believe the free market is a good thing. People know and under-stand that competition among businesses is bet-ter for the consumer than a monopoly.

However, competition between a private business and a government or gov-ernment-favored entity is not real competition.

In real competition, your competitor can go bank-rupt if they do a bad job. Everyone knows a govern-ment program is forever, no matter how poorly it performs.

In real competition, effi -ciency is necessary for sur-vival. In government pro-grams, waste is rewarded as budgets are often deter-mined by how much mon-ey a department is able to consume in a year. In real competition, one business

does not have regulatory or taxation authority over its competitors.

In real competition, busi-nesses get sued and pun-ished for breaking contracts and defrauding people, and are kept accountable in this way. But just try to sue the government when you are unjustly harmed by it!

The reason real competi-tion is a good thing is be-cause good businesses get bad ones out of the con-sumer’s way.

Can the government put someone out of business? Most certainly!

But it will have the op-posite effect: an other-wise good business will be replaced by a poorly performing government agency, or a government-favored monolithic busi-ness that behaves almost like a government agency.

If Washington really wanted to give consumers more choices they would remove legislative and reg-ulatory barriers to compe-tition across state lines for health insurers.

They would remove bar-riers for new and innova-tive models of healthcare and tort reform.

They wouldn’t have run so many church and chari-table hospitals out of busi-ness.

Washington is keenly interested in healthcare re-form, but it is certainly not going to increase competi-tion or to expand your op-tions for healthcare.

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

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul

Texas Straight Talk

Thomas Parr

Musings: A tool or a sword?

Scanlan

By RUSSELL C. JONESThe statewide political class

was getting nervous as Kay Bailey Hutchison continued to postpone her resignation from the United States Senate. Bill White could not decide whether to run for governor or senator. David Dewhurst and Greg Abbott have been unable to decide whether to run for senate or stay where they are. Rick Perry was waiting to de-cide whether to face Hutchi-son in the Republican primary for governor or just appoint himself to the senate seat.

The truth is that Hutchison needs to stay in the Senate, where she provides seniority in the upper chamber. It is seniority among the minor-ity; there is no question about that. But it is better than no seniority on either side of the aisle.

Hutchison’s desire to come home to Texas is understand-able, but probably not a good enough reason for her to risk her party’s loss of the Senate seat. The situation in Wash-ington is simply too danger-ous to have half of the Texas delegation in the Senate be supportive of the policies of the current administration.

A Rasmussen poll released on Friday bought more un-certainty for Hutchison, but some stability for the others. It showed Perry leading her 46% to 35%. Even though the primary is still months away, this is clearly bad news for the Senator who was even two months ago.

Now Hutchison has an-nounced that she will not re-sign until after the primary. White dodged the question of his interest in the governor-ship in a Sept. 14 interview by expressing confi dence that

Hutchison would resign before the end of the year. But with Hutchison’s delay, White may rather jump to the governor’s race than wait until 2012.

White seems to be having an identity crisis. His posi-tions on the economy, energy and health care are innocuous comments diffi cult to criticize from the right or the left. Even if he were to campaign on a conservative platform, White, or any Democrat for that mat-ter, will be under severe pres-sure to continue the current administration’s expansion of government and program of redistribution of your wealth and mine.

Hutchison’s decision tem-porarily settled issues for De-whurst and Abbott, who must also run in the primary to pre-serve their current positions.

If Hutchison wins the gov-ernor’s primary and then re-signs, the Republicans will need to settle on a single candidate or risk handing the Senate seat over to the Demo-crats.

Oh, what a week!This week’s headlines out

of Washington were historic: Obama bows before Japan’s

Emperor.Congress will Increase

$12.1 Trillion Debt Ceiling.9/11 Plotters Face Trial in

New YorkImmigrant Bill Back on the

Table.Casey: Loss of Diversity

Worse than Shootings.The President’s campaign

pledge of cooperation with our allies is reasonable on its face. However, bowing to for-eign leaders, fi rst to the Saudi king and now to the Japanese emperor, is obeisance, not co-operation. The United States has very little to apologize for to the world. Creativity and leadership born of capitalistic ideals have resulted in a na-tion and society which is the envy of the world.

To bow to the leaders of countries and to apologize re-peatedly for success is not the type of change which most Americans wanted at last year’s election.

This President is already viewed as weak by our friends as well as our enemies. Sym-bolic gestures of subordina-tion will not encourage coop-eration, but will result in the continuing decline of Ameri-can infl uence worldwide.

Each of those other head-lines mentioned above merits comment and concern. Some-times it is just too diffi cult to decide what to write about. Unfortunately, each of the headlines is shocking enough to speak for itself.

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

Jones

Competition with the government? Politics as not so usual

is contesting the taking of the Quail Valley Properties is cer-tainly a business entity that understands how to use the law as a sword . . . and literally told the residents of Quail Val-ley that their property would “become a ghetto.”

See, a hedge fund in New Jersey backing real estate speculation in Texas, doesn’t really care what happens to our communities, homes or anything else.

In fact, the entity is like the three faces of Eve depending on the audience, but there’s always a shared theme. The owner is just a misunderstood businessman who is trying to do the best with a lousy set of circumstances. Of course, these circumstances have nothing to do with his actions . . . and “it’s just business to make money.”

So whether this entity is the Dr. Kervorkian of golf and merely taking a dying club out of its misery; a “converter” just trying to liberate an un-economic piece of property “to a higher use”; or merely someone who is so evolved in business acumen, he can ig-nore quaint business practices like property appraisals to borrow money from the hedge fund.

Never mind homeowner’s rights or whether a city’s tax base is destroyed, a beautiful piece of open space is threat-ened, and people are afraid to keep, fi x up or buy a home there. It’s using the law as a sword, not a tool for the com-mon good.

Balancing the rights of ev-eryone is not easy.

In future articles we’ll write about abuse of a number of laws that impact neighbor-hoods.

Write to [email protected].

Problems with antibiotic abuse

See ABUSE, Page 5

For example, according to a recent study, about 13 percent of all liver damage in the U.S. is caused by drugs, and 45 percent of drug induced liver damage was caused by antibi-otics. Seventy-three percent of the time, the damage was caused by a single course of

the antibiotics.Only your physician can

determine if you or your fam-ily member should be taking an antibiotic, and if so, which one.

Dr. Thomas Parr, an ortho-pedic surgeon in Sugar Land, can be reached at 281-491-7111. Dr. Parr and his wife, Joannie, have been a team for well over 40 years and she has contributed to this article. Visit www.tomparrmd.net for more information.

FORT BEND INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 18, 2009 •

Community news

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Bill Moore, a noted Real Estate agent in Sugar Land recently returned from Wash-ington D.C. where he attended a rally opposing the Health Care bill.

He is now active in organiz-ing grass root protest through the “Tea Party” movement.

“It was great being at the rally and just a few steps away from the Capital building,” Moore says.

Thousands of protesters arrived by bus for the rally against the Democrats’ health care legislation Nov. 5. The event drew the conservative “tea party” activists .

“I joined up with six other people from Houston that I met on the plane. It was crazy trying to get into the Cannon building afterwards (one of I think 3 buildings where the representatives have their in-dividual offi ces). There were so many people trying to get in. We almost gave up, but found an entrance that was not so overwhelmed with people, on another side of the build-ing.

“We targeted the represen-tatives from Texas that are on the fence. We also visited Gene Green’s offi ce. He was

not there, but we signed in and asked his offi ce to please con-sider the far reaching and di-sastrous consequences to our country of this 2,000 page, so called Healthcare bill, and the permanent loss to our individ-ual freedoms and liberty that will ensue, if passed.

“Unfortunately the bill passed by 3 votes. It still has to be approved by the Senate. I met fi ve people on the plane going to D.C. from Houston. One lady I met on the plane, Kristin, does home remodel-ing and asked her boss for the day off to come to the rally. Another man I met, Dale, works in baggage handling for an airline and took his day off to come. It was a long day; all six of us went up and came back the same day. Despite losing the house vote on Sat-urday evening, I believe it was very much worth the time and effort,” Moore says.

“We are witnessing an at-tempt by our current admin-istration and congress to take over control of our free mar-ket system. The tax burden and debt the current congress is creating is no less than bondage for our children and grandchildren,” he says.

Bill Moore of Sugar Land attended the Washington D.C. Rally against the Healthcare Bill on Nov. 5.

Meanwhile healthcare in-dustry personnel are organiz-ing a a “Million Med March” in Houston on Nov. 21, 1 p.m. at the Westside Tennis and Fitness Club, 1200 Wilcrest, Houston.

Doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical reps and their families and friends are ex-pected to join the march to let people know that they are against the government take-over of healthcare.

“We need doctors and pa-tients to give input-- we need reform, but not the 2000 page bill before Congress,” orga-nizers of Million Med March says.

An organization of physi-cians out of Georgia has been getting doctors to speak out, and they are organizing rallies across the United States on that day. They are calling this the Million Med March.

Go to millionmedmarch.com for more information.

Million Med March follows Tea Parties

AbuseFrom Page 4

M. D. Anderson Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land will host a free nutritional seminar at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Sugar Land, Tuesday, December 1 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. At-tendees will learn about healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight and balancing caloric intake, as well as the link between obesity and cancer. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille is located on 2115 Town Square Place in Sugar Land Town Square. Appe-tizers will be served and seminar attendees that stay receive a special price on a healthy three-course dinner. To attend, call 713-745-9776.

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is a well de-signed, eye catching sedan that is also a comfortable ride in luxurious surroundings and has a responsive powertrain propelling it.

The completely redesigned LaCrosse is offered in all-wheel drive and with a new, effi cient four-cylinder engine. The Buick LaCrosse comes in three models: CX, CXL and CXS. The CX comes with a new 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cyl-inder that replaces the 3.0-li-ter as the standard engine. Fuel economy for this engine is estimated to be 20 in town and 30 on the highway.

The Buick LaCrosse CXL is powered by the new 3.0-li-ter direct injection V6 and standard equipment includes leather, heated seats, dual zone automatic climate con-trol, fog lamps, outside re-view mirrors with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps and 18-inch alloy wheels. The engine makes 255 horsepow-er and 217 lb.-ft. of torque. It is paired with a six-speed au-tomatic. Fuel economy with front wheel drive is 17/26 and with all-wheel drive is 16/25.

The CXS is equipped with a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 with perforated, leather, heated and ventilated seats, chrome-plated 18-inch al-loy wheels and 19-inch are optional. The engine is mat-ed to a six-speed automatic transmission and makes 280 horsepower and 259 lb.-ft. of

torque. Estimated fuel econo-my is at 17/26.

The Buick LaCrosse is beautifully sculpted and in-cludes Buick’s signature “sweep spear” body-side styl-ing, portholes on the hood and a waterfall grille, so there’s no mistaking that it’s a Buick. The interior continues the fl owing, detailed aesthetic of the exterior with ice-blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin. The 2010 LaCrosse got more damping materials added to keep wind and road noise at bay.

The contemporary cabin of the LaCrosse is accented with

available digital connectiv-ity and personal technology that includes in-dash naviga-tion, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. Rear seat pas-sengers have the luxury of viewing a DVD entertainment system that is offered as an option.

Safety standards and op-tions include a head-up instru-ment display, rearview camera system, a collapsible brake pedal system and OnStar.

In March, J.D. Power and Associates announced that Buick tied for the highest ranking in vehicle dependabil-

ity for three-year-old models. The previous LaCrosse ranked fi rst in the midsize segment, beating the Toyota Camry. For the seventh year in a row, Buick ranked in the Top 10 brands in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study, which evaluates more than 200 problem areas.

All Buick models come standard with stability control, traction control, brake assist, tire pressure monitoring, XM Radio, OnStar, power locks, windows and steering, manual rake and telescoping steering column, remote keyless entry, automatic HVAC, cruise con-trol, AM/FM/CD with auxil-iary jack, electric park brake and ambient lighting.

The CXL model adds auto dual zone A/C, Bluetooth, heated, leather seats, power driver lumbar, remote start and power seats.

The top-of-the-line Buick LaCrosse CXS retails for $33,015 with all standard equipment. It has everything that’s been mentioned plus a power rear sunshade, a heat-ed, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, universal home remote, driver information center with com-pass and trip computer.

Also, a Harman/Kardon 384-watt, 11-speaker system, memory seats and mirrors, eight-way power adjustment for driver’s and passenger seats, ultrasonic rear park as-sist and power heated outside rear view mirrors with auto-matic dimming.

Automobile: Buick LaCrosse

M. D. Anderson hosts free nutritional seminar

First Colony Mall will be a collection site for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

First Colony Mall will col-lect new, unwrapped toys dur-ing the months of November and December so Toys for Tots can distribute Christ-mas gifts to needy children in the community. Shoppers are asked to look for the Toys for Tots boxes and “shop and drop” often during the holiday season.

“First Colony Mall is proud to make the holidays a little brighter for area families. With today’s economic envi-ronment, it’s especially im-portant to partner with organi-zations such as Toys for Tots

to ensure children in our com-munity experience the magic of the season,” says Donna Molho, general manager for the shopping center.

“It has been a longstand-ing tradition for First Colony Mall to join with other Fort Bend organizations in support of our county’s Toys for Tots program. I hope we can count on everyone to donate gener-ously again this year.”

There are two collection boxes at First Colony Mall. One is near the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Splash! play area and the second is near Santa’s Rudolph Studio in the Dillards court. Addi-tional drop-off locations in Fort Bend County, include:

* Casa Ole restaurant, 12203 Murphy Road in Stafford;

* Kids r Kids, 21955 Wes-theimer Parkway at Mason Road;

* Legacy Ford Lincoln 27225 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, and

* Republic Harley-David-son, 12707 Southwest Free-way, Stafford.

In addition to the drop box-es at First Colony Mall, Fort Bend Holiday Bowl on Satur-day, December 5 will benefi t Toys for Tots.

The fun, community foot-ball game pits the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Enforcers against the Sugar Land Police Chargers.

The game kicks off at 2:00

p.m. at the Old Kempner Sta-dium, 321 7th Street in Sugar Land. Admission is the dona-tion of one, new unwrapped toy for a child aged newborn to 12 years. One toy per per-son.

The gates open at 12:00 noon, with interactive activi-ties for kids including a moon walk, face painting and more.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 with 5,000 toys collected and last year local campaigns were conducted in 657 communi-ties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Marines and volunteers have distributed over 16.2 million toys to 7.6 million children.

Toys for Tots collection sites announced

The 7th annual Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for Dec. 3, from 5-8 p.m., at Sugar Land Town Square. Mayor James Thompson and Santa Claus will light a 40-foot Christmas tree to kick off the new holiday season during an event that typically draws a crowd of thousands.

This event will include holiday-themed celebrations for the whole family, with the highlight being the grand en-trance of Santa Claus. Prior to his grand entrance, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for free professional pictures.

Local retailers and organi-zations will offer children’s activities, which include face painting, holiday photos with Santa, make-up sessions for young girls, bean bag tosses and much more. There will also be a booth selling 50th anniversary t-shirts commem-orating the City’s incorpora-tion on Dec. 29, 1959.

Main stage performances

will include Sugar Land Su-per Star winner Nathaniel De Jesus, local school choirs and the Sugar Land Express Sing-ers. There will also be stilt walkers and festive characters like snowmen to enhance the evening’s entertainment.

To help Santa make his grand entrance and avoid traf-fi c congestion, a free shuttle service will run from Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., to Town Square from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parking will also be available in the Texas and Lone Star Garages located in Town Square. The performance schedule and other useful information are available at www.sugarlandtx.gov.

All activities are free, with the tree lighting tentatively set for 7:30 p.m.

For more information, con-tact the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department at 281-275-2885.

Santa, Sugar Land Mayor to light Christmas Tree

• NOVEMBER 18, 2009 • FORT BEND INDEPENDENT

Legal Notices

Become a Dental Assistant!10 Week CourseStarting Soon

Saturdays Only(281) 794-7944

www.Become-A-DA.comC. Mark Mann School

of Dental Assisting CareerCertifi ed by: The Texas

Workforce Commission Schools and Colleges

Local businesses, church-es, and community agencies will unite to bring food and hope to as many as 5,000 chil-dren and adults in Fort Bend County. This all-volunteer outreach will include over 700 community volunteers of all ages who will be on hand to unload over 40,000 pounds of food from the Con-voy of Hope truck, distribute food, and facilitate all out-reach programs on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds located on Highway 36 in Rosenberg.

The site will open at 10 a.m. and continue rain or shine until all of the food has been distributed.

Community Calendar

Convoy of Hope

Friends of First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway at Grants Lake, Sug-ar Land, will hold their month-ly bargain book sale Sat. Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. GOOD CONDITION ONLY books, CD’s, DVD’s (no magazines or encyclopedias) may be do-nated during regular library hours and are tax deductible. Children’s items are especially needed. 281-416-0936.

Bargain Book Sale

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 14th day of OCTOBER 2009 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-166460 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUNTY & ET-AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $2,367.36++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 21stday of OCTOBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 1STday of DECEMBER, 2009 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -HOGGART MONROE III had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: LOT 8 IN BLOCK 2 OF RIDGEWOOD ESTATES A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT OR THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 5, PAGE 20 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (6400000020800907)TRCAT 2: LOT 9 IN BLOCK 2 OF RIDGEWOOD ESTATES, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF IN VOLUME 5, PAGE 29 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (6400000020900907)Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $15,500Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m.At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

ROB COOK, CONSTABLEFort Bend County Precinct 312550 Emily Court, Ste 200Sugar Land, Tx 77478(281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 28TH day of SEPTEMBER 2009 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-167141 in favor of the Plaintiff - CHASEWOOD COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASS-OCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $2,367.36++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 9TH day of OCTOBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 1STday of DECEMBER, 2009 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -ELIZABETH CORMIER had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 15, BLOCK 10, OF WILLOW PARK SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 21, PAGE 4 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.

Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $91,720Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m.At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

ROB COOK, CONSTABLEFort Bend County Precinct 312550 Emily Court, Ste 200Sugar Land, Tx 77478(281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on October 26TH, 2009 by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #06-DCV-149052 in favor of the Plaintiff - BRIARVILLA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $3,029.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the NOVEMBER 5TH 2009 and will off er for sale on the 1STday of DECEMBER, 2009 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) -GLORIA OSORIO had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 76, BLOCK 2 OF BRIAR VILLA, SECTION ONE(1), MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 16119 NECORIDGE DRIVE, HOUSTON, 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

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on October 23RD, 2009 by the 240TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-165176 in favor of the Plaintiff - BRIARVILLA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $2,987.05++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the NOVEMBER 5TH 2009 and will off er for sale on the 1STday of DECEMBER, 2009 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) -PATRICIA SMITH had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 4, BLOCK 26 OF BRIAR VILLA, SECTION ONE(1), MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 16015 BECK RIDGE DRIVE, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77053.Terms: Cash, Sale to held at or about 11 a.m.At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse


CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on October 23rd, 2009 by the 240TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-172937 in favor of the Plaintiff - BRIARVILLA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff , for the sum of $4,144.44++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the NOVEMBER 5TH 2009 and will off er for sale on the 1STday of DECEMBER, 2009 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) -STEVE RILEY JR., had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 54, BLOCK 2 OF BRIAR VILLA, SECTION TWO (2), MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 6010 BERKRIDGE DRIVE, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77053.

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


Sugar Creek Garden Club monthly meeting will be held on Nov. 19 at Sugar Creek Country Club beginning at 9:30 a.m for the social hour. Scott Hasty, Proprietor & Floral Artist, will present the program, “Home for the Holidays.” This is one that you don’t want to miss. Call Aileen Flack at 281-242-8488 for additional information.

Sugar Creek Garden Club

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Offi 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, DECEMBER 3, 2009 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 after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.1. BID 10-034 – PICKUP TRUCKS;2. BID 10-035 – PAUPER BURIALS, TRANSPORTS AND RELATED SERVICES;3. BID 10-036 – TIRES;4.BID10-037–ON-SITE CLEARING, GRUBBING, AND DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS ROAD PROJECTS;5. BID 10-038 – WINDOW WASHING OF VARIOUS COUNTY BUILDINGS.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

Fort Bend CountyDBE Goal

Fort Bend County has completed their review of the federally funded contracting opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for fi scal year 2010.Pursuant to US DOT regulations 49 CFR PART 26, the County is required to establish a Race Neutral / Race Conscious Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal program. This goal is based upon projected contracting / procurement opportunities, the availability of eligible ready, willing and able to work Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and past contracting achievement.An overall agency goal of 3% is proposed for contracting / procurement opportunities for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.Comments on the proposed overall goals are encouraged and will be used for informational purposes to develop the fi nal established goals. The methodology used to determine the goal will be available for public inspection during normal working hours, Monday through Friday at the Fort Bend County Purchasing Department until January 4, 2010. The address for the Purchasing Department is Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471.Fort Bend County will accept comments on the goals until 4:00 p.m. on January 4, 2010. Comments must be submitted in writing to the following address:

County Purchasing AgentFort Bend County Purchasing Department4520 Reading Road, Suite ARosenberg TX 77471If the County receives any comments from individuals or organizations a response to each will be prepared.

The Brightwater Garden Club meets on Monday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Brightwater Clubhouse, 2410 Brightwater Drive at Westshore. Gary Mat-thews of Brookwood will talk about the Brookwood Commu-nity and the beautiful holiday plants they offer. Learn more about this inspiring entrepre-neurial community for adults with functional disabilities and their innovative gardening program. The meeting is free and open to anyone interested in gardening. For more infor-mation call 281-403-9269.

Hannah Giles was a key player in an undercover video exposé showing employee misconduct within The As-sociation of Community Or-ganizations for Reform Now (ACORN) earlier this year. She will bring her story to the Houston area on Saturday, Nov. 21 at a 6:30 p.m. dinner sponsored by The Spirit of Freedom Republican Women at Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land.

A 20-year-old journalism student interested in what she describes as “exposing social injustice and abuse of power,” Giles helped accomplish what some of the most powerful in Washington, D.C. had been trying unsuccessfully to do for years – bring ACORN corrup-tion to light. ACORN has been the subject of numerous other public controversies in the past involving embezzlement, management fi ghts, and voter registration fraud committed by its workers.

The organization’s vast and shadowy web of affi liates and associated groups comprise what has been termed the larg-est radical group in America. It claims more than 400,000 members and more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in-volved in housing and wage issues for the poor, public edu-cation, voter registration, and other “social justice” issues supported by liberal and labor-oriented causes.

In 2009, Giles collaborated with James O’Keefe, an inde-pendent fi lm maker, in a series of undercover videotapes that found several ACORN em-ployees willing to foster illegal or immoral activities. Their ef-forts initially went viral on the web and then became a nation-al and international news sto-ry. To date, videos have been released from six ACORN of-

Join the Missouri City Po-lice Department for the fi rst annual Operation Thanksgiv-ing-“Stuff the Squad Car!” on Friday Nov. 20 from 6 a.m. to 12 noon in the parking lot of the Missouri City Police De-partment at 3849 Cartwright Road in Missouri City.

The men and women of the Missouri City Police Depart-ment need your help to stuff a squad car with canned food and non-perishable food items all of which will be donated to local area food pantries to help feed those in need dur-ing the holiday season.Dur-ing Operation Thanksgiving- “Stuff the Squad Car,” the Missouri City Police Depart-ment will also be offering fi n-gerprinting for children and car seat safety inspections/ installations.Visit www.mis-souricitytx.gov. for more in-formation.

Stuff the squad car

Brightwater Garden Club

Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital would like to cordially invite the Fort Bend Commu-nity to join us as we usher in the Christmas Advent Season.

Through a series of worship events, we will tell the story of the coming of the Christ Child.

Join Methodist Sugar Land Hospital on the following days for scripture readings, music and devotional thoughts.•November 30 - “Prepare Ye the Way”— Dr. Lockhart, Dr. Baltazar, Eva Short•December 1 - “Mary’s Sto-ry”— Dr. Massar, Maria Soc-ci, Diane Nichols•December 2 - “Joseph’s Chal-lenge”— Dr. Millikan, Dr. Pepper, Dr. Jackson•December 3 - “The Birth of a Savior”— Griff Martin, Dr. Murray, Scott Cameron•December 4 - “The Arrival of the Magi”— Nancy Penney, Janet Leatherwood, Tracie Gray-Jernigan

All productions will be held from 12 noon to 12:40 p.m. in the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sweetwater Pavilion Chapel.

For more information about Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital’s Journey to Bethlehem contact Spiritual Care at 281-274-7164. For more informa-tion on Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit www.Method-istSugarLand.com.

The Arc of Fort Bend County’s 31st annual Best in the West Dinner, Dance and Auction where the still-popular band is the entertain-ment headliner, will be held at the George Ranch His-torical Park Arena in Rich-mond Saturday, Nov. 21.

Sponsored by Prosper-ity Bank, the annual event with dinner from The Swing-ing Door begins at 6 p.m.

Then the Rosenberg-based band that topped the charts with “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” in 1966 will take the stage for a fi rst set at 7 p.m.

As the music plays, guests can shop the popular si-lent auction, featuring “cor-rals” of items gathered by groups and organizations.

The live auction kicks off at 8 p.m., highlighted by an ex-otic game hunt for six on the legendary King Ranch and a dream trip for two to the South Pacifi c paradise of Bali, with a stop in Singapore on the way.

Joining presenting spon-sor Prosperity Bank are (to date) Scout Master sponsor Sprint Waste Services and Trail Boss sponsor Aliana.

For sponsorship informa-tion or tickets, contact Jo Ann Stevens at 713-829-1827 or Ann Smith at 281-240-1313.

Proceeds from the annual Best in the West benefi t The Arc of Fort Bend, helping maintain group homes, fund-ing activity and work centers and providing for training and transportation of our citizens with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Journey to Bethlehem

Hannah Giles speaks at Republican women meet

fi ces: Baltimore; Washington, DC; Brooklyn; San Bernar-dino; San Diego; and Philadel-phia.

As a direct consequence of their work, ACORN’s rela-tionship with the U.S. Census Bureau and IRS were termi-nated. In addition, bipartisan legislative action passed to bar ACORN from receiving funds from the U.S. government and at least one criminal probe has been launched. In September 2009, ACORN announced that it had suspended advising new clients pending an audit of its activities.

Giles is currently studying journalism at Florida Interna-tional University and was an intern at the National Jour-nalism Center in Washington, D.C. She is also a columnist for BigGovernment.com and for Townhall.com.

To reserve tickets to hear Giles speak, call Judy Bay-liss at 281-980-8594 or e-mail Babs Miller at [email protected]. Individual tickets are $45; sponsor tables of 10 are available for $750. Checks should be made payable to SFRW PAC and mailed to: 4303 Oak Trail Court, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Seating is limited; receipt of payment will secure your reservation. Corporate checks are not ac-cepted.

Giles

Best in the West

Six generous homeowners in First Colony, Pecan Manor and Richmond have opened their doors to benefi t young abuse victims in Fort Bend County. When the 18th Annual CASA Christ-mas Home Tour benefi ting Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) begins on December 11th, guests will be delighted by some of the most exquisite holiday décor and home designs, enter-tained by area musicians and singers and will feast on homemade cookies and hot apple cider. HEB is the presenting sponsor for this year’s event. Volunteers are needed to host shifts at the houses, bake cookies and sell tickets. For more information on volunteer opportunities or to get involved, contact Danelia Argueta at 281-344-5108 or [email protected]. Eager to sell tickets for the Tour are (L to R): David Soliz of HEB, Ticket Chair Barbara Benes, Joe Whitworth of HEB, Clarissa Hebert of HEB, Larry Willman of Consolidated Home Health, and Hospitality Chair Joan Berger. Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) is a non-profi t agency dedicated to advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children through the use of specially trained community volunteers and staff. These efforts ensure that children who have been abused have a better chance to grow up in a safe, permanent and loving home. For more information about CAFB, visit www.cafb.org or call 281-341-9955.

Christmas Home Tour

Breakfast with Santa in Once Upon a Time… Remember far, far away and once upon a time, when Cinder-ella, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming and Robin Hood enchanted us and brought such joy into our young lives? Relive those endearing moments with your youngsters at “Breakfast with Santa in Once Upon a Time” with your favorite storybook characters on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Kona Grill, 16535 SW Fwy, Sugar Land. For breakfast Kona Grill will be featuring ‘Kids Breakfast Tacos’ and their pancakes from their Sunday Brunch which just won ‘Best Place for Brunch’ in Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes magazine. This fundraising event for FBT is sure to provide a wonderful holiday experience. Tickets for adults are $25 and children 11 and under are $15 at www.fortbendtheatre.com!

To list community

events, email

editor@

fbindependent.com

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I saw this alleged suspense thriller on a Sunday after-noon and the crowd at AMC Loew’s First Colony was over 100. I don’t identify with non-Friday noon crowds but I think this portends that it will gross well at the box offi ce. Not if I can help it. Please don’t see this movie which I have renamed “The Boring Box.”

Things started off good enough. I had been de-pressed earlier in the day because the Texans had just suff ered yet another heart-breaking loss so I had to go to the movies to massage my emotions. Does that mean I’m addicted?

Back to my story. I asked Monique H. if she wanted to go to go the fl icks, but when I told her that I was not go-ing to a comedy she decided to pass. Pretty trusting of her since she knows that I’m sweet on Cameron Diaz who is the lead actress in this fi lm.

This movie is so bad that Cameron Diaz didn’t even look good. This is the movie

that involves a mysterious, yet simple box and if some-one pushes the button on the box, then they will get a million dollars cash but someone else who they do not know will die. Clas-sic greed and hypocrisy as themes with some bizarre twists and obligatory sad-ness and meaningless mean-derings about Mars, NASA, and the FBI.

The story was progress-ing so leisurely that the au-dience became restless and

started going to the conces-sion stand and then coming back to their seats and eat-ing their candy very loudly. I started looking around to get a feel for audience reactions when I spotted a guy about 40 in the row behind me and he was out like a light. Must have slept for over 30 minutes. His wife was sit-ting next to him and did not seem to mind; at least he wasn’t snoring or drooling. I respect a man that’s in touch with his emotions.

I was determined not to walk out and I’m not sure why. I think I’m losing my courage in my old age. I had a comfortable seat in The-atre 22 which allowed me to put my feet on a railing which was good. But I was fi ghting sleep most of the time and was yawning so big that my jaws hurt. I hate it when that happens. Yet I stayed to the bitter end. Or should I say the pitiful, sad, unfulfi lling end?

Director Richard Kelly also wrote the screenplay so he needs to be banned to Hol-lywood Purgatory. Kelly’s

adaptation came from the short story “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson. And therein lies Kelly’s mistake: should have made a “short” movie of say 15 minutes and he might have created something worthwhile, but the runtime on this stinker was 115 minutes. Missed it by a mere 100 minutes. Rock ‘n Roll.Grade 69. Larry H.Email [email protected]

If you like freckles, you’ll love Jasmine, Missouri City’s Pet of the Week. This nearly one-year-old Springer Spaniel mix has beautiful markings that set her apart from the rest! This darling dog needs a loving family and a place to call home. She en-joys long walks and learning new tricks. To adopt Jasmine or other pets at the Missouri City Animal Shelter, please call to make an appointment at 281-403-8970. The shelter is located at 1923 Scanlin Road, behind the City Hall complex. For information, visit our web-site, www.missouricitytx.gov/Government/Public-Works/Animal-Control and click on the “Adopt-A-Pet” link.

The Fort Bend Education Foundation Gala commit-tee co-chairs Jacquie Chau-mette and Mary Ahner are proud to present the 17th annual Education Foun-dation Gala entitled “Lais-sez Les Bon Temps Roulez,” This magnifi que event will be held February 27, 2010, at the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel. Let the corner street lamps light your way as you stroll through the streets of the French Quarter. Experi-ence the sensational sights, sounds and fl avors that make the French Quarter unique. Savor fi ne dining, dancing and live entertain-ment while supporting the live and silent auctions.

Si’l vous plais! Save the date! A fantastique evening awaits you when you lais-sez les bon temps roulez. For more information visit our website at www.fort-bendisd.com/foundation

Pictured back row l to r: Violet Robertson; Kim Loya; Pam Reynolds; Shaelyn Neal; Robin Jordan; Kendra Moseley. Middle row: Tracey Lisse; Terrie Gorney; Donna Murray; Jessica Kij; Ann Schmitt; Lynn Halford; Yolanda Humphrey; and FBEF Executive Director, Brenna Smelley; front row: Sue Chiang; Lilly Monroe; Laura Winters; Gala Co-Chair, Jacquie Chaumette, Gala Co-Chair, Mary Ahner; Monica Neely; Gabriella Cone; and Sonal Bhuchar.

Laissez Les Bon Temps

Roulez!

To celebrate the 50th anni-versary of John Foster Dulles High School, the school's Band & Dance Team Booster Club has recently published Dulles Dines, a collection of nearly 225 family-favorite recipes submitted by the school's alumni, faculty, stu-dents, and parents from the past 50 years. Recipes are di-vided into fi ve sections, Ap-petizers/Beverages, Soups/Breads, Salads/Side Dishes, Main Dishes, and Desserts. Each of the section divid-ers is a collage of pictures from one of the school's fi ve decades. In 1959 when the

former Missouri City Con-solidated School District and the Sugar Land Indepen-dent School District joined together to create the Fort Bend Independent School District, Dulles High School was designated the district's fi rst high school. Temporarily housed at the former Mis-souri City High School cam-pus, construction of Dulles High School at its present location was completed in 1961. The school has contin-ued to provide a benchmark for excellence and tradition in the district. Thousands of local residents proudly claim

Dulles as their alma mater. For them, as well as the Vi-king alumni on your holiday list, a copy of Dulles Dines will make the ideal gift. Books are $12 each and can be ordered from any band or dance team member. They can also be ordered online at www.dbdtbc.org/cook-book/order-form.pdf. Those purchasing 10 cookbooks will receive an additional 2 books at no charge. Email [email protected]. All proceeds from the sale of Dulles Dines will benefi t the activities of Viking Band and Dolls Dance Team.

Cook book

• FORT BEND INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 18, 2009

Luxury within reach

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Fort Bend Junior Service League’s ninth annual Sugar Plum Market, presented by Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital, held on Friday, Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts The-atre and Convention Center was the ultimate shop ‘til you drop extravaganza. This year’s theme was “A Magi-cal Holiday.” Proceeds from the 2009 Sugar Plum Market will benefi t Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend Community Partners Rain-bow Room, Fort Bend Coun-ty Women’s Center, Literacy Council of Fort Bend Coun-ty, and FBJSL’s Community

Kelly Dempsey, M.D. Ray Valdez, M.D.

Methodist Hospital’s Leena Taneja, Leala Hall, Chris Siebenaler, Kaelyn Stolhand and Monica Ramirez

Amy Saenz, Correna Terrell, M.D. and Julie Hung, M.D.Assistance Fund. Three fashion shows by noted community members were a highlight of the two-day event.

Fort Bend Independent

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