Fort Bend Independent

FORT BEND

FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

wwwww.fbindependent.com.fbindependent.com

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011

VOL 4 No 12 Phone: 281-980-6745

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, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

Offi cial newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land

Tax Return Preparation— Electronic FilingWe are ready to help you with a broad range of tax needs including* Form 1040— Personal Tax Return* Business Returns —Corporate & Partnership* Tax Planning & Projections* Complimentary Electronic Filing for School Teachers, Peace Offi cers and Firefi ghters

Sandersen Knox & Company, LLP130 Industrial Blvd, Suite 130

Sugar Land, TX 77478(281)242-3232

www.sktx.com; [email protected]

Impact A Hero and KPRC’s Sports Director Randy McIlvoy hosted the Seventh Annual Im-pact A Hero Weekend-Kickoff Party at Marathon Oil Corpora-tion in Houston on March 10. Army Sgt Joel Taveras was the keynote speaker.

Roger Pinkerton, North American Onshore Exploration Director, World Wide Explora-tion for Marathon Oil Corpora-tion, donated $50,000 to sup-port American soldiers who have been severely injured in the War on Terror.

Impact A Hero honored sev-en of our heroes wounded in the War on Terror.

Heroes honored were Army

By SESHADRI KUMARState Rep. Geanie Morrison,

R-Victoria has fi led a bill in the Texas Legislature that would move University of Houston-Victoria into the Texas A&M University System.

If the bill becomes a law the UH-Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch campuses, now under UH-Victoria, will also become a part of Texas A & M.

But, supporters of Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch cam-puses have vowed to keep their campuses aligned to the Uni-versity of Houston System.

House Bill 2556 refers to Victoria’s university as Texas A&M University-Victoria.

“We’ve had a great rela-tionship with the University of Houston System, but our vision is different,” Morrison was quoted as saying in The Victoria Advocate.

“Our current system wants to be the best metropolitan system in the nation, and I think that’s fabulous. But I’m not sure a metropolitan system with an emphasis on having a Tier 1 institution ... that we quite fi t there.”

Since 1983, the University of Houston-Victoria has been a freestanding institution within the UH System.

But, many of Victoria’s business leaders wanted to align with a university system that shared the community’s goals.

Morrison’s bill was fi led af-ter months of work behind the scenes.

The Texas A&M University System has a successful track record of joining with and growing rural institutions, as well as partnering with com-munity colleges, Morrison said.

The university realignment would not cost any money, she said.

Also, the Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch student and staff populations - which fall under the Victoria university’s um-brella - will also move into the new system, Morrison said.

Only once in the state’s his-tory has a university switched systems when the host system

opposed it. Like Victoria’s university,

Angelo State University be-gan as a two-year school and later expanded to four years. San Angelo business, civic and municipal leaders realigned the school with a new system - the Texas Tech University System - in 2007.

Morrison’s bill must fi rst pass out of committee, then the Texas House of Represen-tatives and Senate, and fi nally Gov. Rick Perry has to sign it.

Then, the legislation would become effective in Septem-ber.

State agencies and their boards are specifi cally pro-hibited from advocating for or against the passage of any par-ticular piece of legislation.

“Throughout the 37-year history of UH Victoria, the UH System has strongly supported UHV’s mission of serving the educational needs of the Vic-toria community, as well as promoting the Coastal Bend region’s economic well-being and advancing its quality of life. This is consistent with the UH System’s strategic priority of student success, as well as Texas’ Closing the Gap Initia-tives,” the University of Hous-ton System said in a statement, in response to Morrison’s bill.

“As UH Victoria transitions into a four-year “destination” university of choice that of-fers quality, accredited, face-to-face and online programs to students in the Gulf Coast region and beyond, we believe the UH System remains the best partner for UHV and its students.

“We are mindful that our fi rst priority must be to chart a course that serves the best interests of the state of Texas. We remain fi rmly committed to a destination university in Victoria.

“We will work closely with the Legislature to ensure that the higher education needs of Victoria residents and all of Texas are fully served,” the statement said.

Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson said he had already met with Morrison, State Sen.

Glenn Hegar and other state of-fi cials and discussed the future of UH- Sugar Land campus.

“I don’t want Victoria to tell us what to do with Sugar Land,” Thompson said.

In his opinion, proponents of the move should take care of Victoria and leave the Sugar Land campus alone.

Thompson said he could not predict the outcome of the bill.

If attempts persist to move Sugar Land into the Texas A & M system, Thompson said he would oppose it.

Hegar said he had numerous discussions with Morrison and she has been working on the move for a long time.

Hegar represents Victoria, Sugar Land and Katy areas and he would take into account the wishes of the respective constituencies.

The bill is half-way through the legislative process and Hegar said the bill that would be considered by the senate would not be same as the origi-nal bill.

Hegar suggested that the bill would leave Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch campuses alone from its purview. He believed the Victoria issue does not per-tain to Sugar Land or Katy.

“If they don’t want to dance why drag them to the dance fl oor,” he asked rhetorically.

“If you believe that it’s important to our city’s economy to attract young professionals to the type of housing they pre-fer, then you will approve the requested multifamily. And if you want our city’s restaurants and retail stores to fl ourish, then you will approve more multifamily throughout the city to help increase our population density.”

— Les Newton, President, Planned Community Developers, Sugar Land.

Johnson Development, developers of the former Imperial Sugar Mill site, held a public meeting on Feb. 17 at the Fluor Corporation, and a Planning and Zoning Commission workshop meeting on Feb. 24. Residents were able to hear about the updated plans for the Imperial Redevelopment Project and provide feedback. The residents’ concern was mostly focused on the 1,600 units of apartments proposed by Johnson Development. The City Planning Staff have provided comments to Johnson Development on their preliminary submittal which identifi ed defi ciencies and concerns. No further action will be taken by the City until a revised plan is submitted. Meanwhile, Newton has sent a letter to the Sugar Land Mayor, city council and planning and zoning commission members calling for a new policy on apartments.

See Page 3.

A case for more apartments Impact A Hero

Sergeant Sergio Trejo, Army Sergeant Javier Negrete’, Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Lammers, Army Sergeant Lat-seen Benson & wife Jessica, Army Sergeant Dennis Leon-ard, Marine Sgt. Richard Mas-simino, and Marine Corporal Steven Schultz.

Impact A Hero gives Hous-tonians an opportunity to join national celebrities at Impact A Hero Weekend, June 4-6, when particpants can meet and thank our severely wounded servicemen and women for

sacrifi cing their minds, bodies and sometimes their lives.

Visit www.impactahero.org for more details.

Impact A Hero is a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organiza-tion consisting of individuals and corporations dedicated to providing emotional and fi nan-cial support for our severely wounded or disabled veterans returning home from Opera-tion Iraqi Freedom and Opera-tion Enduring Freedom, and their families.

Above, Back Row Marine Corporal Steven Schultz, left, Randy McIlvoy - Channel 2 KPRC-TV Sports Director, Jim Hoelker – Chairman of the Board Impact A Hero, Ma-rine SGT Richard Massimino, Roger Pinkerton - Marathon Oil North American Onshore Exploration Director, Army Sergeant Sergio Trejo; Front Row, Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Lammers, left, and Army Sergeant Javier Ne-grete’.

Will UH in Sugar Land become a Texas A & M campus?

There have been some changes in the list of candidates for the upcoming FBISD board elections.

The district initially released a list which erroneously showed Rodrigo Carreon of Fresno as a candidate for the Dist. 4 seat. Carreon, however, has fi led for the at-large seat, currently held by Daniel Menendez. The district has since issued a cor-rection. Menendez also faces Bruce Albright and Kevin Dan-iels. Also, for Westside Posi-tion 1, incumbent Susan Hohn-baum is opposed by Wade A. Watassek. A Telfair resident Kyle Brantley has withdrawn from this race.

One drops out of FBISD race

On Saturday, March 26, the Fort Bend Education Foundation will host its 8th annual bike ride, The Schlumberger Education Expedition.

Riders will take off at 7:30 a.m. from Ken Hall Stadium which is located at Hightower High School in Missouri City and wind through quiet streets and into the countryside before looping back home.

There are 3 routes to choose from ranging from 27 to 79 miles.Register on-line at Active.com or http://www.fortbendisd.com/foundation before the event day to prevent any distrac-tions for you on the ride morning.

Rest stops are themed and staffed by volunteers from FBISD schools vying for the “Best Rest Stop” award.

The ride is a BP MS150 Recommended Ride and all proceeds benefi t the Fort Bend Education Foundation which provides opportuni-ties to enrich and enhance the quality of education for all FBISD students through its Grants to Teachers and Schools programs.

For more information, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation or contact Kelly Metzger at [email protected]

2011 Bike Ride Committee Members: back row l to r: Geir Bentzen; John Wantuch; Jim Mayes; John Haskew; and Janice Holley. Middle row l to r: Danny Jan; David Smith; Charles Borsos, Ride Director; Sgt. Buddy Boone; and Matt Brown. Front row l to r: Julie Richoux; Rachel John; Kelly Metzger, FBEF Events Coordinator; Ronnie Escobar; Han-nah DeFord; Cruz Coria; and Mharbe Masculino.

2011 Schlumberger Education Expedition is here

In a special board meeting March 21, the Stafford Munic-ipal School District Board of Trustees voted 4-3 to approve the hiring of Dr. Betty Baitland as the interim Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Baitland is a Fort Bend

County resident and served as the superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School Dis-trict from 2001 to 2006. She will be serving as interim su-perintendent until the SMSD Board of Trustees complete the search process for a superinten-

dent to replace Superintendent H.D. Chambers.

Chambers, who has served as superintendent of SMSD since 2006, has accepted a po-sition as superintendent with Alief Independent School Dis-trict.

Bailand named interim superintendent of SMSD

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 23, 2011

PERRYHOMESA T T B O 43 Y

B Q H $140s $850s

O 20 C H A ! V W F C L !

PERRYHOMES.comPlans, prices and availability are subject to change without notice. (11/10)

V O F B C !Cross Creek Ranch2,200 - 2,900 sq. ft. (281) 633-25552,900 - 3,300 sq. ft. (281) 238-0919 2,900 - 3,700 sq. ft. (281) 238-0919

Westheimer Lakes1,600 - 3,100 sq. ft. (832) 222-2120

Old Orchard 1,900 - 4,000 sq. ft. (281) 277-18002,600 - 4,400 sq. ft. (281) 265-4555

The Oaks of Rosenberg 2,100 - 3,300 sq. ft. (281) 633-9366

River Park West2,200 - 3,300 sq. ft. (832) 222-2804

Telfair3,800 - 5,400 sq. ft. (281) 778-0050

Riverstone2,200 - 2,900 sq. ft. (281) 778-2100 2,600 - 4,100 sq. ft. (281) 778-3840

Sienna Plantation3,400 - 7,000 sq. ft. (281) 778-7800

Creekmont1,900 - 3,500 sq. ft. (281) 431-8600

Shadow Creek Ranch1,600 - 2,900 sq. ft. (713) 436-87511,900 - 3,300 sq. ft. (713) 436-93702,500 - 3,300 sq. ft. (713) 436-8751

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

102

65

3

10

610

9059

59

906

6

99

1093

1464

1463

723

1WEST PARK

FORT BEND

521288

10

98

74

presented by:

M agic Car

pet Gala

™

Provide a voice Heal the hurt Break the cycle

April 2, 2011Safari Texas Ranch

For tickets, raffle or more information go to www.cafb.org or contact Kelli at 281-344-5106

MARCH 23, 2011 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

(281)277-7800

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, Inc

101 Southwestern Blvd, Ste 230

Sugar Land, TX 77478-3535

[email protected]

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, Inc101 Southwestern Blvd, Ste 230

Sugar Land, TX 77478-3535PH (281)277-7800FAX (281)277-7801

[email protected]

VISIT WWW.GOLFQUAILVALLEY.COMCALL: 281-403-5910

AFTER YOUR ROUND STOP BY THE QUAIL VALLEY GRILLEFOR ONE OF OUR FAMOUS HAMBURGERS!

VVVVIVIVIVIVIVVIVIVIVIVIVIVIVIVIVVIVIVIVIVVVVVV SSISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISISSSISIT T T T T T TTTTTTTTTTTTT T WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW W.W.W.W.W.WWWW.W.WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW GGGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOOGOLFLFLLFLFLFLFLLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFFLFFFFFQUQUQUQUQUQQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQUQQUQQ AIAIAIAIAAIAAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAIAAAAAAAILVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVLVVLVLVLVVVVALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALAAAALAAALAALLELELELELLELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELELEEEEEEY.Y.Y.Y.YY.Y.Y.YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY CCCCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMCACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACAACAACAAAAAACACACALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL ::::: :::: 2222828282822828282822828282822828282828282888888882 1-1-1----1-1-1-1-1-111111111111-444444404040440404040404040404040404040404404040404044 3-3-3-3-3---3-33--3-3-3-3-3--3-3-3-3-33333 555595959595959559595959595955959595959595959910101010101010101010100101010101010101011110

AFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAFAAFAFAFAFAFAAAA TETETETETETETETETETETETETETETETETETEEEETEEETTTT RRRRRRRRR R RR R R R RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR R YYYYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYYOYOYOYOYOOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOURURURRURURURRURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURRRRUR RRR R R R RRR R R R R R R R R RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUUNDNNDNNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNDNNNNDNNNNNDN S S S S SS S S S S S SS S SS SSSSSSSSSSTOTOTOTOOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTOTTOT P P P P P PP P PP P PPPP PPPPPPPPP P P BYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBYBBBBB TTT T T T TT T TTTTTTTTTTTTTTHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEH Q QQ Q Q Q Q Q QQ QQ QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQUAUAAAAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAAUAUAUAUAUAUAAAAAAUAUAILILILILILILILILILILILILILILLILILILILILILILLI V V V V VV V V VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALAAAAAAALAAA LELELELELELELELELLELELELELELELELELELELELELELEEELEEEELEY Y Y YY YY Y YY YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GGGGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRRGRGRRRRGRRRRR LILILLILILILILLILIILILILLILILILILILILILIILLLLELELELLELELLLELELELELELELELELELELELELEEELEEELEEEEFFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOORR R RR R RRRR R RR R RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR ONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOONONONONONONONNONNNNEEE E EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE OFOFOFOFOFOFOOFOFOOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFFOFFFO OO O O O OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOURURURURURURRRURURURRURURURURURURURURURURURURURURRRR FF F FFF FF FF FFF F FFFFFFFFFFFFFAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOOOOUOUOUOUOUOUOOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUOUS S S S SS S S S SS SSSSSSSSSSS HHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAMBMMMMMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBMBURURURURURURURURURURURURUURURURURURURURRURURRRRRGGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGEEG RSRSRSRSRSSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRRRR !!!!!!!!!!!

By LES A. NEWTONI recently watched the online

video replay of the February 24 Planning and Zoning Com-mission meeting regarding the proposed PD zoning for Impe-rial tract 3. Near the conclu-sion, Commissioner Jim Shaw suggested to Johnson Develop-ment that they should ask PCD to discuss their experience with the mid-rise residential condos in Town Square, and the impact on the retail restaurant viability of Town Square.

At the risk of appearing pre-sumptuous to those that may disagree with our opinions, the purpose of this letter is to share our thoughts on those questions and on the very critical issue as to whether you should allow the residential density of our city to increase.

We have no fi nancial interest in the Imperial tract 3 project, and we have not been asked by Johnson to write this letter. However, we do have a sig-nifi cant ongoing fi nancial inter-est in Town Square and Lake Pointe, a genuine concern for the overall economy of our city, and we do have a strong desire to see more high-quality high-density development within our city.

For those reasons, we want to encourage you to test the as-sumptions and prejudices with which we have all viewed mul-tifamily development in this city for the last 30 years, and work to separate fact from fal-lacy on this issue.

The fi rst and most signifi cant fallacy under which we have formulated our current mul-tifamily zoning ordinance is the premise that quality is pre-served by limiting the density of the multifamily project itself (to no more than 200 units) as well as the concentration of multifamily projects within a given general plan area (no two projects closer than one mile to each other).

Quality fails as a result of oversupply in a market com-bined with a lack of quality controls, not from density it-self. The current policy, and the current dialogue at P&Z fails to recognize that the often cited blight in Sharpstown did not result from density within each apartment project or den-sity within a few miles, but it resulted from a consistent over-supply in the market coupled with no deed restrictions and no standards for construction quality.

Instead of just focusing on the Imperial General Plan area, we should be focused on our entire city when addressing the question of multifamily densi-ty. Quantitative research would likely confi rm that approxi-mately 35% of the Houston area’s total housing stock is in apartments, and the concentra-tion within problem areas may be higher. By comparison, Sug-ar Land has only 7 to 8 percent of its housing in apartments. Our city is dramatically under-supplied which is one reason why our apartments are well maintained and full of good

quality residents. We should be asking whether we can increase that to 15%, 20% or even 25% without risking our quality of life. With the other quality con-trols that we have through both deed restrictions and zoning (including specifi c construc-tion quality and maintenance standards in a Planned Devel-opment), Sugar Land should be able to more than double the number of multifamily homes in the city without signifi cant risk.

Why would we want to do that? Why take even the slight-est risk?

For the past 25 years, we have been striving to increase and improve the retail goods and services and dining op-tions available to our residents. While we have made signifi cant progress, we have also experi-enced some prominent retail/restaurant closings.

Failures result from many factors, but the common de-nominator in them all is the lack of population density and daytime workforce population within the retail trade area.

The prevention of high-den-sity residential development has left our city at a signifi cant disadvantage in the market-place when trying to attract and retain higher quality retail and restaurants.

Mr. Shaw posed the question as to whether the small number of residents within Town Square has negatively impacted our re-tail and restaurants? The correct answer is that Town Square, the mall and all of our city’s retail projects are impacted more by the population of the total trade area than by the population in or near the project. The more signifi cant problem is the lack of population density through-out our city and within a 10 mile radius of US59 and SH6.

For example, let’s look at the comparative population of City Centre near Town and Country Village to SH6 and US59 in Sugar Land:Radius 1 Mile 5 Mile 10 Mile

City Centre11,460; 387,790; & 490,134

Sugar Land (Hwy6/59) 10,363; 207,094; & 874,834

While City Centre’s popula-tion within a one-mile radius is only 10 percent greater, when you reach out to consider the real retail trade areas of 5 to 10 miles, City Centre enjoys a signifi cant advantage of 70 per-cent (at 10 miles) to 87 percent (at 5 miles) more population.

Each area has about the same percentage of households about $50,000 (50 percent) or $75,000 (35 percent) house-hold income which is very important to attracting higher quality retail and restaurants. However, having 70-87% more households yields signifi cantly higher sales for those desirable businesses. In addition, the area enjoys a greater daytime work-force population from a greater density of offi ce development.

More multifamily units in Imperial does more than just benefi t the potential retail in that project, it will benefi t all

of the existing retail in the city, and it will help attract more of the younger “Generation X and Y” population needed to supply the workforce requirements of our existing and future busi-nesses.

Another fallacy under which we have operated is that condos are good and apartments are bad because owners are better than renters.

It sounds logical, and typi-cally, an owner does care more about protecting his investment. However, this overlooks several realities. First, a condominium legal structure does not insure owner occupancy any more than we are assured of owner occupancy in our single-family detached neighborhoods.

For example, approximately 50 percent of the City Plaza condos in Town Square are owner occupied and the rest are occupied by renters. Are we to believe that maintenance is better because the units are individually owned? Experi-ence indicates the opposite. A high quality institutional owner (such as Gables that owns all of the garden apartments in First Colony) is more likely to be profi cient and diligent in their maintenance than either individual owners or a resident board of directors.

The institutional owner is less likely to defer main-tenance, and they are more likely to remodel and upgrade the asset as it ages in order to preserve and protect the rental income stream. An institutional owner is not dependent upon a majority vote of its residents to decide whether to replace the roof or repaint the building or to upgrade the amenities.

Another fallacy cited by those who oppose apartments is that crime is always higher in and around apartments. This may be true in certain parts of Houston, but it is not true in Sugar Land. SLPD offi cials indicate no greater incidences of crime with any of our city’s apartments. One offi cer cred-ited the professional manage-ment of the apartments indicat-ing that management typically terminates the lease and evicts any bad residents long before they come to the attention of the police. The landlord is in a stronger position to deal quickly and effi ciently with rule violations whether they are related to crime or simply related to maintenance and the quiet enjoyment of one’s home. It can actually be more diffi cult to force a single-family owner occupant to mow their grass or paint their home because of the notice and due process afforded them.

It has been over 15 years since any new apartments have been constructed in Sug-ar Land. During that time, the rental market has evolved sig-nifi cantly. The mid-rise urban designs proposed for Imperial are built to the same specifi ca-tions and fi nishes as mid-rise condominiums.

Physically, there is no differ-ence between a mid-rise condo

and a mid-rise apartment. This is supported by the fact that City Plaza, originally designed and intended as rental apart-ments, was converted to condos prior to completion. No fi nishes or materials were changed as a result of the conversion.

The structured parking and higher level of fi nishes cost more than traditional garden-style apartments. And while our city’s supply of garden-style apartments is also in short supply and should be increased, our city has no mid-rise urban apartments that appeal to to-day’s “renter by choice.”

To be competitive in draw-ing the younger workforce for our employers, and to provide the housing desired by many empty-nesters, our city needs to have an ample supply of new urban rental multifamily.

One speaker at the Febru-ary 24 meeting was deriding “urban upscale.” She stated that “Lake Pointe is urban up-scale and Lake Pointe is failing miserably.” She also stated that townhomes in Lake Pointe are selling for half of their original price.

We encourage P&Z to seek out the facts rather than be infl u-enced by such false statements. While the overextended builder did have several of its last two sections of townhomes fore-closed by lenders in late 2009 and early 2010, there has been no townhome that has sold for anywhere near 50 percent of its original value. Do not be mis-led by the fact that prices range from the low $400,000’s to over $900,000.The prices refl ect dif-ferences in location (Lakefront vs. interior), size and amenities within each unit. In the worst case, some foreclosed units may have sold for 10 to 20 percent below original asking prices. The residents who live there are happy with their com-munity, and they expect their home values to fully rebound and appreciate in the next few years, consistent with Sugar Land’s single family market.

While the velocity of home sales in Lake Pointe has been slowed by the economy for the last few years, how does one characterize the creation of $300 million of new taxable value between 1/1/05 and 1/1/10 as a “miserable failure”?

Lake Pointe represents his-toric success for the city in terms of value per acre and in-cremental value per year of de-velopment.

Urban design and higher density are part of the reason for this success, and the 64 existing townhomes alone ac-count for $35.7 million in ad valorem tax value ($558,000 unit average value).

One would think that the neighbors and the city would all be pleased if housing in the Imperial project could achieve this level of “failure”.

Successful master planning provides a balance of different land uses. In our city, the sup-pression of multifamily hous-ing is negatively impacting re-tail/restaurants and the supply

of the offi ce workforce. Suc-cessful planned communities such as the Woodlands have appropriately included suffi -cient high-density residential for lease within its Town Cen-ter and throughout the commu-nity. I don’t know their overall percentage of housing in apart-ments, but I am sure it is higher than ours. With over 900 units already within their Town Cen-ter (and 1500 proposed), it may be worthwhile to examine their numbers objectively for guid-ance on how many apartments a community can have without resulting in any negative im-pacts.

In my opinion, approving 1600 units of upscale urban mid-rise apartments with ap-propriate deed restrictions, ar-chitectural controls and mainte-nance standards is the best thing the city could do to help insure a successful Imperial project.

Once again, this would rep-resent less than 6 percent of the city’s total housing. Multifam-ily and high-density single fam-

ily residential is the most fi nan-cially viable land use available to the Imperial Tract 3 develop-ment for the foreseeable future.

Putting politics of the up-coming election aside, if you believe that the success of Im-perial Tract 3 is important to our city, you should approve the higher number of multifam-ily units.

If you believe that it’s im-portant to our city’s economy to attract young profession-als to the type of housing they prefer, then you will approve the requested multifamily. And if you want our city’s restau-rants and retail stores to fl our-ish, then you will approve more multifamily throughout the city to help increase our population density. It will be unfortunate if the emotional anti-apartment arguments are not overcome by fact-based decision-making.

(Les Newton is president of Planned Community Develop-ers in Sugar Land. He sent this letter to Sugar Land Mayor and City Council.)

More apartments needed in Sugar Land

By THOMAS J. PARR, M.D. Over time, it is easy to fall

into sloppy or ineffective ex-ercise habits. Instead of get-ting into shape, you can get frustrated, bored, or hurt. Let me explain.

You should not try to do an exercise program because it is what someone else is do-ing or try to achieve too much too soon. Your choices for your exercise routine need to fi t your current physical con-dition, your personality, and your lifestyle. Otherwise, you will become discouraged, fi nd too many excuses to skip it, and ultimately quit.

Allow yourself both variety and fl exibility in your exercise plan. Doing the same thing every day may not be as help-ful as doing different things on different days. Include 2 or 3 days off during the week. Such fl exibility also allows room for altering your exer-cise schedule to fi t your daily life without feeling like you have abandoned your plan.

If you are over 40, you should see your doctor for a check up. Even if you are already following a regular aerobic program, you ought to see your primary care physi-cian or cardiologist to estab-lish your baseline cardiology data. There is nothing more apt to ruin your day than hav-ing a heart attack while on a long run.

If you want to join a gym, that is fi ne; but just being seen in a gym won’t help you reach your fi tness goals. There are plenty of ways to achieve equally good work-outs without having to spend a lot of money and wait in line to use equipment. You might be better off buying a bicycle or some light weights to use at home. It all depends upon your fi tness goals and your lifestyle.

Your muscles need time to warm up and to cool down. A good way to get hurt is to jump out of bed in the morning and immediately start your work-out. Always move around and

warm up before starting a run. Allow yourself a few minutes to walk and stretch at the end of your run while your mus-cles go through their needed cool down time.

When using cardio exercise equipment, your body should be in good posture, and you should hold on to the equip-ment only enough to help maintain balance. Slouching and grasping the equipment too tightly are ways to cheat in your workout.

This is not a good time to catch up on your read-ing. Reading will slow down your exercise rate, where cer-tain kinds of music will help you maintain a good exercise pace.

Speed and fl exibility im-prove by lifting lighter weights and performing a large num-ber of repetitions. To increase muscle strength, you want to do a lower number of reps us-ing heavier weights. Do not use weights that are too heavy for you. Your motion needs to be smooth and slow, because fast and jerky can cause an in-jury.

Ignore the television com-mercials with those perfect young bodies pitching equip-ment and videos. There is no “magic pill” or “guaranteed machine” that will do this for you. If you want great abs, for example, there is no sub-stitute for working them the old fashioned way -- crunches and situps.

Other than weighing your-self to establish a starting point, ignore the scale. It is

fi ne to weigh yourself occa-sionally, but fi xating on the bathroom scale will be too discouraging. That is because part of getting into good shape involves building up muscles, which are more dense and weigh more than sloppy fat does.

A great way to track your progress is how your clothes are fi tting. Another way is to log things like what your blood pressure is each day, what your heart rate is at a given pace, how far you are going in a certain amount of time, or how many repetitions you are doing for certain exer-cises. Other measures can be improvements in cholesterol and blood sugars, especially if either is a potential health risk for you.

Be careful about believing in fads, myths, or slogans. They do not improve your physical ability, but they do make me money. For those of us over 30, I dislike the term “no pain, no gain.” Your workout should be a little tir-ing, not painful. Pain means something is wrong.

A new fad is running bare-foot or almost barefoot, using things that look like padded socks for the feet. Yes, some-one often wins the New York or Boston marathon while running without shoes. No-tice, please, that he never ran wearing shoes. If you want to adopt this technique, start a decade or so in advance, so your body can accustom itself to the shock forces involved.

And perhaps my favorite myth involves squats and deep knee bends. They do little to improve the fi tness of the av-erage person, and, unless you have completely normal track-ing of your kneecap and nor-mal joint cartilage, they can cause considerable knee pain, even if done “properly.”

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

By JANICE SCANLANWhile many of us say we

dread another birthday or a milestone birthday, we really don’t. I’ve always liked the theme that the American Can-cer Society has adopted —an-other birthday.

Over the past couple of years what it means has hit home on a friendship basis. Watching several friends bat-tle cancer and their up attitude of surviving –of beating back a dreaded disease is inspiring. And it can be quite extended with the various protocols for fi ghting the disease and lessen-ing the symptoms of fi ghting back.

While most of the friends are closer to my age, having a friend’s child battle the dis-ease has really helped me un-derstand the another birthday theme . . .on a new level . . . the battle in “real time.”

Piper Wagner is a 40 year old golf pro in California, who is the picture of health and vi-tality . . . she grew up in Quail Valley, but I was too busy com-muting and earning a living to ever get to know her then. See-ing her pictures on her website reminds me of her grandmother Pat Baker, who was involved in selling us our home 36 years ago. You’ve seen her mom, Jerre Anne, with that striking blonde poof of a pony tail and stylishly dressed. Or dad Larry in his vintage Corvette.

Piper went from picture of health, new job, golf tourna-ments, serious fi tness regi-ments to stage 4 cancer in 3 weeks time. While she still looks maaaaaaarvelous as she says in her journal . . . she’s in a serious struggle.

I’m been reading Piper’s journal daily and love her breezy style of writing . . . and openness to express her fears and hopes without feeling sorry for herself. It’s the same spirit I see in my other friends fi ghting cancer. Do they give them a pill for it? Or is a posi-tive attitude part of holding back the disease?

It’s also been inspiring to watch her community of friends and family support her.

The Sugar Land Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society is all about funding to develop the new protocols

to fi ght the disease and giving another birthday to cancer pa-tients. It will be held in Oyster Creek Park from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. April 29-30 . . . with light-ed luminaria snaking through the trails of the park honoring and memorializing friends and loved ones.

Since January 22 when Sug-ar Land Relay for Life kicked off, teams and volunteers have been working to host the cul-minating event. Currently there are 35 teams, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved now through either your own team or joining one of the ex-isting ones.

It’s easy to do. I just googled Sugar Land Relay for Life and voila the website. My friend Helen Curd is a co-chair again this year so I joined her team and honored my friends fi ght-ing cancer by contributing lu-minarias in their honor. It was quite easy to do and it’s not the only way to support. The eve-ning is like an old-fashioned camp out with teams singing songs, sharing stories, enjoy-ing a campfi re, the beauti-ful luminaria and the cancer survivors having a relay. You can also contact Helen Curd at 281-437-8996 or email [email protected] people another day. Help cancer survivors experi-ence another birthday.

Write to [email protected]

By RUSSELL C. JONES Most cynics will tell you

not to believe in coincidences. Still, sometimes things happen that make you wonder.

Standing in the security line at IAH worrying about being late for a fl ight to Maui two weeks ago, word spread that an earthquake off Japan would result in a tsunami hitting Hawaii in about three hours. Many in line seem concerned about whether their travel plans would be affected. Not this writer, however. Been there, done that!

In February 2010 the fam-ily and some friends had been in Maui when another earth-quake struck off Japan. At that time, emergency alarms had gone off, roads had been closed, and everyone had been urged to move to higher ground. Telephone calls came from other family members still on the mainland, warning about a potential disaster. TV coverage was similar to what Sugar Landers experience when a hurricane is approach-ing. When the time came, the additional wave action was minimal, almost unnoticeable.

Laying over in Denver, a telephone call to the ho-tel in Maui determined that alarms had sounded, roads were closed, and everyone had moved to higher ground. Oddly, upon arrival in Maui, no one even mentioned the tsunami until asked. Appar-ently only a little more dam-age had occurred than the one witnessed a year earlier.

Okay, that was a minor co-incidence. But at the end of the week Rosenberg mayor Joe Gurecky walked over to say hello. It seems he had been staying at the hotel next-door. Another minor coincidence?

On still another earlier trip to Maui, a former client who had not been seen in years was discovered in a restaurant at the

foot of Mount Haleakala. Our families were the only ones in the restaurant. Sometimes life is a little quirky. Maybe the cynics are just wrong.

So, what’s the news?Being on vacation during

major news events has al-ways been a problem. Since the invention of 24-hour cable news, some of us have become addicts and cannot leave it be-hind. With both the multiple disasters in Japan and the be-lated decision of the UN to im-pose a “no-fl y zone” over Lib-ya, there just was not enough time for a real vacation.

Depending upon your news source, it was diffi cult to know whether the real crisis in Japan related to the death and destruc-tion caused by the earthquake and tsunami, or the potential for nuclear disaster created by the tsunami’s swamping of a power plant. Either way, the trifecta of disasters there will have an impact on all of us for years to come.

In the short run, a shortage of imported goods from Japan is already impacting Ameri-can manufacturers. American automobile manufacturing plants anticipate short-term closures while their Japanese suppliers recover. In the lon-ger run, however, thousands

of individuals remain without homes or livelihoods and must live forever with the loss of family members.

On the other hand, the re-sults of the nuclear crisis prob-ably will not be known for months. The obvious fallacy of building such a facility on top of one of the world’s most active earthquake zones will rightly require a reexamina-tion of the construction stan-dards for reactors. The partial meltdown will also incorrectly result in a multitude of calls for a complete ban on the future construction of much-needed sources of energy.

It makes no sense to build a reactor on land known to be susceptible to natural disasters, even on an infrequent basis, unless it can be constructed in a way which is survivable under the worst of conditions. On the other hand, it equally makes no sense to ban the best solution to the energy crisis simply because prior exam-ples of substandard construc-tion exist.

Practicing followershipAfter dithering for weeks,

the Obama administration took action in Libya, but only after being given permission by the Arab League and the UN Security Council.

In the Security Council, fi ve of the 15 members abstained from the vote. Does anyone else wonder what was paid to the fi ve, especially Russia and China, for not opposing the resolution? Those two coun-tries could have easily derailed the resolution. Undoubtedly promises were made in order to avoid their vetoes.

Jones is a member of the Sugar Land City Council, hav-ing been fi rst elected in 2003. He owns a law fi rm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

OpinionPage 4 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 23, 2011

Seshadri KumarPublisher & Editor

Email: [email protected]

www.fbindependent.com

Scanlan

The View from Sugar Land

Jones

Parr

Guest Column

Musings: Another birthday

Don’t believe in coincidences

For God so loved the

world that he gave

his only begotten

Son, that whosoever

believeth in him

should not perish, but

have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

By SONAL BHUCHARAmidst the discussions

about fi nancial crises and budget shortfalls shared by many states across our nation, and Texas in particular, some basic questions about our pri-orities emerge.

Balancing fi scal conser-vatism with investing in our most precious resources, our children, becomes a very dif-fi cult choice.

Yet it must refl ect our belief in the mission that every child can and must learn… learn not only to read and write, but to succeed as productive, con-tributing citizens in a world economy.

The impending, unprec-edented cuts that are expected to affect the public education system in Texas, in spite of the Governor’s commitment today to use a small portion of the Rainy Day fund to plug the hole from last year’s bud-get, promise to create a very different level of service, un-like anything we have seen or experienced before.

Local school districts will be forced to reduce workforce at all levels, slash programs, even those essential to meet-ing the state accountability standards, like dropout recov-ery and the Student Success Initiative and possibly assess fees for extracurricular pro-gram participation.

Five years ago, Fort Bend ISD made a commitment through its fi ve-year district strategic plan to narrow the achievement gap, have no “Unacceptable “or PEG cam-

puses as rated by the state ac-countability system and have all its campuses achieve Ad-equate Yearly Progress as de-fi ned by federal standards of No Child Left Behind.

Fort Bend ISD also made a commitment to becoming a district of choice for attracting and retaining highly qualifi ed staff, creating and institution-alizing transparent processes in all its operations and pro-vide all round cutting edge learning opportunities for all its students.

The journey has been tenu-ous and diffi cult, but we stand proud today, being “Recog-nized” by the TEA, one of only two school district fi nal-ists in the nation as a “District of Character,” all campuses meeting AYP, 50 National Merit Scholars, and 5 of our high schools listed among the top 6 % of high schools in the nation to name just a few of our Points of Pride.

The collective efforts of all our staff at every level were responsible for our success

last year and we are cognizant and very appreciative of that.

As we launch into our own budget creating process, in the shadow of a statewide 27 bil-lion dollar projected shortfall that translates into anywhere from a 30 to 74 million short-fall for Fort Bend ISD, based on a variety of scenarios that the state could adopt, our de-cisions will be those made be-tween a rock and a really hard place.

Even as they will be based on as much objective data as possible, with due diligence and consideration, they will require courageous leadership to reduce workforce, add re-sponsibilities, require sacrifi c-es of time and call upon every level of commitment possible from the community.

We will continue to engage in dialogue and proactive outreach with our legislators to support public education during this session by cer-tainly relaxing mandates, but also looking at other possible sources of revenue and creat-ing structurally sound funding formulas.

We ask each and every one of our stakeholders to join us in supporting the education and future of our children, be-cause eventually, our main fo-cus is of course, our students, and ensuring their educational success.

We cannot fail them. We must invest in our future.

(Sonal Bhuchar is the presi-dent of Fort Bend ISD board of trustees.)

Refl ections on shortfalls and investments

Bhuchar

Common exercise mistakes


NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 400th District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on JAN, 24, 2011 in cause numbered 09DCV173447 styled Colony Lakes Homeowners Assoc Inc. vs. RODERICK T. MARSHALL AND ROSHELL M. MARSHALL JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, in which a judgment was rendered on OCT 29, 2009 in favor of ColonyLakes Homeowners Assoc for the sum of ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTEEN DOLLARS AND FOUR CENTS ($1415.04); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.I have levied upon the below listed property on FEB 22, 2011 and will on APRIL 5, 2011 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest RODERICK T. MARSHALL AND ROSHELL M. MARSHALL to and in the following described Real Property:Lot Twenty-six (26), in Block one (1) of Colony Lakes, Section fi ve (5), an addition in Fort Bend County, Texas, according to the plat thereof recorded in slide No(s) 1472/A and 1472/b of the map/plat records of Fort Bend County, Texas The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of Colony Lakes Homeowners Assoc, Inc Plaintiff , and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSERICHMOND, TX 77469DATE: APRIL 5, 2011TIME: APPROX. 10:00 amBY: Sergeant M. Kutach

TROY E. NEHLSConstable Pct. 4Fort Bend County, Texas

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALENOTICE OF LEVY

Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-175560 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $5,415.05 -H++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) EDUARDO NAVARRO AKA EDDIE NAVARRO, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.LEGAL DESCRIPTION:GEO: 8133220030130907 I CPC: R281159 I LOT THIRTEEN (13), IN BLOCK THREE (3), OF SIENNA VILLAGE OF SHIPMAN’S LANDING, SECTION TWELVE-B (12-B), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO. 23791B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $187,390.00Terms: CashSale to be held at about 10:00 A.M.

ROB COOK, CONSTABLEFort Bend County Precinct 3Deputy constable J. MORALES, #1317


Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 28TH day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172633 in favor of the Plaintiff HUNTINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff , for the sum of$1,991.00 ++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 17TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) DEYSI MENDOZA had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION:LOT 19, BLOCK 40, OF HUNTINGTON VILLAGE, SECTION 4, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 208, PAGE 24 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $101,490.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM.


NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALENOTICE OF LEVYREAL PROPERTY

Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 31st day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172126 in favor of the Plaintiff HUNTINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff , for the sum of $3,860.74++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) CHERYL MAIER had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION:LOT 10, BLOCK 37, OF HUNTINGTON VILLAGE, SECTION 4, FORT BEND, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED AT VOLUME 14, PAGE 9 IN THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $93,950.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or Precinct Three about 10:00 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 10th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10-DCV-179948 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff , for the sum of $7,851.70+++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 23RD day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) BRIARGATE TOWNHOUSE HOMEOWNERS ASSO-CIATION, INC. had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: GEO: 95500101168599071 CPC: R21158 UNIT 6859, BLDG. “11” OUT OF RESERVE “A” OF WILLOW PARK, SECTION ONE, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 11, PAGE 5 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $27,150.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 10th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-150914 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff , for the sum of $4,743.72+++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 23RD day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RENE D. CANTU, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION:TRACT 1: GEO: 3350000030500907\ CPC: R259990 LOT 5 IN BLOCK C OF FRESNO GARDENS DELUXE, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 324, PAGE 4460F THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $51,010.00

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24th day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153104 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff , for the sum of $24,254.40 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) ANNA LEE CANGELOSI, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:GEO: 0064000001306907 CPC: R36590 A TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE WILLIAM NEAL SURVEY, ABSTRACT 64, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; BEING PART OF A LARGER TRACT DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM ETHELLA C. GUICE TO JOHN CANGELOSI DATED MAY 27, 1969 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 515, PAGE 441 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; SPECIFICALLY, BEING THE REST AND RESIDE OF THE LARGER TRACT AFTER CONVEYANCES OF THE FOLLOWING PORTIONS THEREOF:A) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.89 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED DATED FROM EMMA LEWIS TO BRAZOS VALLEY IRRIGATION COMPANY DATED MARCH 8,1937 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 746, PAGE 760 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS;B) A TRACT CONTAINING 0.43 ACRE,; MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM MILLIE JOHNSON TO BRAZOS VALLEY IRRIGATION COMPANY DATED MARCH 8, 1937 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 746, PAGE 762 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.;C) A TRACT CONTAINING 13.353 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A CORRECTION DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO NATIONAL COUPLING COMPANY, INC. DATED OCTOBER 20,1970 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 535, PAGE 796 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS;D) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.0603 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO P & P CONSTRUCTION CO. DATED JUNE 18, 1979 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 1406, PAGE 315 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS;E) A TRACT CONTAINING 3.5105 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO RAYMOND M. CORTEZ ET AL DATED APRIL 22, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 1211, PAGE 522 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS;F) A TRACT CONTAINING 1.0161 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS TRACT 3 IN A DEED FROM JOHN C. CANGELOSI AND WIFE TO JULIAN RINCONES AND WIFE DATED OCTOBER 19, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 2254, PAGE 1189 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; AND A TRACT CONTAINING 0.9791 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS TRACT 4IN A DEED FROM JOHNC. CANGELOSI AND WIFE JULIAN RINCONES AND WIFE DATED OCTOBER 19, 1983 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 2254, PAGE 1189 OF THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24th day of JANUARY, 2011 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-172986 in favor of the Plaintiff FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Plaintiff , for the sum of$11,091.79 +++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) ERIC ROBERTO GARCIA had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:GEO: 3300000114800907 I CPC: R65564 I BEING TRACT FORTY-EIGHT (48), IN BLOCK ELEVEN (11) OF FRESNO GARDENS ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN VOLUME 297, PAGE 350, DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $14,850.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-170183 in favor of the Plaintiff WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff , for the sum of $5,675.23 ++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the3RD day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) LISA BRADLEY, DERON BRADLEY AND JAY RODRIGUEZ had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION:LOT SIXTY FIVE (65), BLOCK TWO (2) OF WATERSIDE VILLAGE, SECTION ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2098/A OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNT, TEXAS MORE COMMOMLY DESCRIBED 4926 TAYLOR LAKE COURT, RICHMOND, TEXAS 77407.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $77,530.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of FEBRUARY, 2011 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 09-DCV-175161 in favor of the Plaintiff WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff , for the sum of $15,987.86++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 11TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) A. KIRK WILLIAMS, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;LEGAL DESCRIPTION:GEO: 75502300512409071 CPC: R114348I ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 9323 SQUARE FEET OF LAND BEING A PORTION OF LOT 124, BLOCK 5 OF SUGAR CREEK, SECTION 23, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 17, PAGE 13 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 7550230051240907ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $574,370.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 1ST day of MARCH, 2011 by the COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW NUMBER THREE (3) Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 06-CCV-029275 MISSION BEND CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Plaintiff , for the sum of $9,423.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 3rd Day of MARCH, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) OLUJIMI VAUGHN AND MUJIDAT VAUGHN had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:LOT 25, IN BLOCK 11, OF MISSION BEND SOUTH SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 19, PAGE 12 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.

ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $100,940.00

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 27TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153848 in favor of the plaintiff — FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $8,154.24++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 11th Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) RICHARD THOMAS, JR; ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:GEO: 2175010241150907 / 1939010700056/ CPC: R57690 I/ LOT 115 IN BLOCK 24 OF BRIAR VILLA, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NUMBER 5711 A OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $82,140.00




Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 240TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #09-DCV-171080 in favor of the plaintiff —GRAND LAKES MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #1,, Plaintiff , for the sum of $28,970.91++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)MARTHA L. SAENZ AKA MARTHA ANDRADE, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:CPC: 35310400202509141 LOT 25, IN BLOCK 2, OF GRAND LAKES, PHASE THREE, SECTION 4, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN AN INSTRUMENT FILED IN THE REAL PROPERTY RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS UNDER CLERK’S FILE NUMBER 2003135491ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $236,160.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.



Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2010,County Civil Court-At-Law No.1 of Harris County, Texas in cause 963854701in favor of

the plaintiff —-WHOLESALE ELECTRIC

SUPPLY COMPANY ETC,, Plaintiff , for the

sum of $70,000.00++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 7TH Day of MARCH,

2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)RIDDLE POWER, LLC, ELIZABETH

RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY AND RODNEY

RIDDLE, INDIVIDUALLY had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL,

2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 26 & (S.50’) OF LOT 27 CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00-000-2600-907ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $55,830.00












LEGAL DESCRIPTION:MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 28 CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00-000-2800-907

MARKET VALUE:$19,400.00












LEGAL DESCRIPTION:MARBILL ESTATES, LOT 27 (N 50’) CROSS REFERENCE: 4750-00-000-2700-907

MARKET VALUE:$7,500.00




Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10-DCV-178553 in favor of the plaintiff —CINCO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #8, Plaintiff , for the sum of $10,037.95++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)JOHN TRISTAN SERPA, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:CPC: 2251020050020914/LOT TWO (2), BLOCK FIVE (5), IN CANYON GATE AT CINCO RANCH, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 17271B OF THE MAP/ PLAT RECORDS, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 2251020050020914ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $180,100.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.


Come and Experience the Diff erence!Come and Experience the Diff erence!

Salem International Salem International Christian CenterChristian Center14056 Southwest Fwy #118 14056 Southwest Fwy #118

(In the FedEx Bldg. in front of (In the FedEx Bldg. in front of Holiday Inn Express)Holiday Inn Express)

Sugar Land, TX 77478Sugar Land, TX 77478

www.salemic.orgwww.salemic.org

Services: Sunday

8:30 a.m.

Wednesday

7 p.m.

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, APRIL 7, 2011 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 11-061 – 15’ SHREDDERSUnit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are not required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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

Three master-planned com-munities in Fort Bend County are among the top ten selling U.S. Master-Planned Com-munities (MPCs) for 2010, ac-cording to the Robert Charles Lesser & Co. Cinco Ranch, Telfair and Sienna Plantation have made the annual list since 2008.

Cinco Ranch (3), a Newland Communities development and fi xture on the list for the past fi ve years, sold 816 new homes last year, making it the most successful MPC in Fort Bend County as well as the Greater Houston Area. Telfair (6), also a Newland Commu-

nities development, sold 406 units. The Johnson Develop-ment Corporation’s Sienna Plantation (9) moved up a spot on the list from 2009 with 288 new home sales. As typical of past years’ results, the south-western region of the country featured the majority of top-selling communities.

“We congratulate Cinco Ranch, Telfair and Sienna Plan-tation on this achievement,” says Jeff Wiley, President of the Greater Fort Bend Eco-nomic Development Council. “Master Planned Communities are a cornerstone of quality growth in our community and

are the engine for attracting a highly educated workforce that makes our community so attractive for the location and expansion of businesses.”

RCLCO is an independent real estate advisory fi rm that has monitored new home sales since 1994.

The survey takes into ac-count a number of key metrics and the fi rm tracks sales from more than 400 MPCs nation-wide.

Survey results show sales for top-performing MPCs be-gan to stabilize in 2010 with total sales for the top ten ex-ceeding 7,000 units.

Three Fort Bend communities among top 10 in the nation


LEGAL NOTICEREQUEST FOR SEALED

COMPETITIVE PROPOSALSSealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalo-mo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURS-DAY, MARCH 31, 2011 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 public. Proposals received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.RFP 11-056– SECURITY SYSTEM FOR MISSOURI CITY ANNEX A Pre-RFP conference with site visits will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:30 PM (CST). The pre-RFP conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Missouri City Annex lo-cated at 307 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas. All vendors are encouraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEREQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF

QUALIFICATIONSSealed Qualifi cation Statements 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 THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST). Q11-057 – DESIGN BUILD EMPLOYEE HEALTH CLINICA Pre-SOQ conference with site visit will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:00AM (CST). The con-ference will be held at the Fort Bend County Clerk, 301 Jackson, Richmond Texas. All vendors are encouraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualifi cation state-ments received. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

EAST AND WEST INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION PHASE II

The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City:

CIP PROJECT NAME: East and West Sanitary Sewer Interceptor

Rehabilitation Phase II Improvement Projects

CIP PROJECT NUMBER: WW0904

LOCATION OF WORK: From Industrial Boulevard South to U.S. 59

Feeder Road; along U.S. 59 Feeder Road to

the North Waste Water Treatment Plant; from

Ulrich, south on Brooks Street and State

Highway 6 to North Waste Water Treatment Plant

Plans, specifi cations, and bidding documents may be obtained from HDR Claunch &

Miller, 4635 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas, 77027, Telephone

(713) 622-9264 with payment of $70.00. Electronic copies are available free of charge.

Sealed bids shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land City Secretary Offi ce,

2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2011, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 11:00 a.m.,

Thursday, March 24, 2011, Cane Room, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar

Land, Texas, 77479.

The City Council will award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder that complies with all requirements of the Request for Bids. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAECity Secretary

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

DULLES AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION AND

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

The City of Sugar Land seeks bids for furnishing all labor, material, and equipment, and performing all work required for the following project in the City:

CIP PROJECT NAME: Dulles Avenue Reconstruction and Intersection

Improvements

CIP PROJECT NUMBER: ST0801

LOCATION OF WORK: Dulles Avenue from Avenue E to US 90,

including Cartwright and Lexington

Intersection Improvements

Plans, specifi cations, and bidding documents may be obtained from Freese and

Nichols, Incorporated, 11200 Broadway Street, Suite 2332, Pearland, Texas,

77584, with payment of $200.00 hard copy set or $50 electronic set on CD.

Sealed bids shall be delivered to the City of Sugar Land City Secretary Offi ce,

2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479, on or before 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2011, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read. Bids received after the opening date and time will not be considered.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for all interested parties will be held 10:00 a.m.,

Monday, March 28, 2011, Brazos Room, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar

Land, Texas, 77479.

The City Council will award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder that complies with all requirements of the Request for Bids. The City of Sugar Land will give notice of the contract award within sixty (60) calendar days after the bid opening date and time.

Glenda Gundermann, TRMC, CMC, AAECity Secretary

Notice of Public Meeting

Draft Recommendations for Public Review and Comment

City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan

A public meeting will be held to give residents of Sugar Land and residents in the Sugar Land Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction an opportunity to provide input on the fi nal recommendations for the City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan. This is the third and fi nal public meeting for the project and will focus on the completed recommendations including elements addressed in the fi nal phase of the study: prioritization of recommendations, anticipated costs and potential funding sources. The City of Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan will serve as an implementation plan for the City’s long-range vision for mobility in Sugar Land. The Plan will consider the potential for all modes of transportation, including commuter transit and commuter rail, freight rail, intra-city transit, walking, biking, air travel, and automobile. A copy of the draft recommendations in presentation slide format is available on the website http://sugarlandmobility.com and in the City Secretary Offi ce, City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Suite 122, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. Updates, including those from the fi nal study phase, will be added to the website as they become available.

The public meeting will be held as follows:

Monday, March 28, 2011

6:00 PM

Cane Room Number 161

Sugar Land City Hall

2700 Town Center Boulevard North

Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Comments may also be sent by April 4, 2011, to the City of Sugar Land Transportation Department, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 or P.O. Box 110, Sugar Land, Texas 77487-0110. Residents may fax their comments to the City at (281) 275-2771.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this facility is wheelchair accessible and accessible parking spaces are available. Requests for special accommodations or interpretive services must be made at least 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact City Secretary, Telephone 281-275-2730 or FAX 281-275-2293.

Note:

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Sugar Land, Tex-

as (the “City”), will meet at the City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North,

Sugar Land, Texas, at 5:30 p.m. on the 19th day of April, 2011, which is the

time and place tentatively set for the passage of an ordinance and such other

action as may be deemed necessary to authorize the issuance of the City’s

certifi cates of obligation, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of

$99,000,000 payable from ad valorem taxation and from a limited pledge of

a subordinate lien on the net revenues of the City’s waterworks and sanitary

sewer system, including surface water fees and ground water reduction plan

fees, collected by the City, bearing interest at any rate or rates not to exceed

the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, as shall be

determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance,

and maturing over a period of years not to exceed thirty (30) years from the

date thereof, for the purpose of evidencing the indebtedness of the City for

all or any part of the costs associated with the construction of improvements

of City’s surface water treatment plant, system upgrades for surface water

conversion, transmission lines, and the cost of professional services incurred

in connection therewith.

WITNESS MY HAND this 1st day of March, 2011.

/s/ Glenda Gundermann

______________________________

City Secretary

City of Sugar Land, Texas


Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 24TH day of JANUARY, 2011, by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause #10-DCV-178553 in favor of the plaintiff —CINCO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #8, Plaintiff , for the sum of $10,037.95++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 10TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2011, I, Constable Rob Cook of Precinct Three Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)JOHN TRISTAN SERPA, ET AL had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will off er for sale on the 5TH day of APRIL, 2011 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas;

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:CPC: 2251020050020914/LOT TWO (2), BLOCK FIVE (5), IN CANYON GATE AT CINCO RANCH, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 17271B OF THE MAP/ PLAT RECORDS, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. ACCOUNT NO. 2251020050020914ADJUDGED/MARKET VALUE: $180,100.00Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affi xed thereto. All sales are fi nal.Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10 AM.


Furniture, Gifts & Consignments

12614 Southwest Freeway (Kirkwood)

832.638.7207

PUBLIC NOTICE OF TEST OF

AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT

AVISO PUBLICO DE PROBAR

EL EQUIPO TABULAR AUTOMATICAMENTE

Notice is hereby given that the automatic tabulating equipment that will be used in the election to be held on May 14, 2011, will be tested on March 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Bend County Elections Department, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offi ces and on all measures.

Por lo presente se da aviso que el equipo para tabular automáticamente que se usará en la elección el 14 de Mayo del 2011 se probara el 30 de Marzo del 2011 a las 10:00 a.m. en el Departamento de Elecciones del Condado de Fort Bend, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas para determinar si el equipo contara con exacti-tud los votos para todos los puestos ofi ciales y sobre todos los proyectos de ley.

/s/ John Oldham Fort Bend County Elections Administrator

Administrador de Elecciones del Condado de Fort Bend


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, MARCH 31, 2011 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 11-052 – CONSTRUCTION OF OLD RICHMOND ROAD FROM VOSS TO WEST AIRPORTA pre-bid conference will be conduct-ed on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:00 AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Pur-chasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas 77471. All bid-ders are encouraged to attend.Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. 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


COMPETITIVE PROPOSALSSealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalo-mo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURS-DAY, MARCH 31, 2011 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 public. Proposals received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.RFP 11-055 – ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT #2: ROSENBERG ANNEX AND SUGAR LAND ANNEXA Pre-RFP conference with site visits will be conducted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM (CST). The pre-RFP conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Purchasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Site visits for both locations will commence upon the conclusion of the pre-RFP meeting. All vendors are en-couraged to attend. No additional site visits will be permitted.Lump sum pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas


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, APRIL 14, 2011 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 11-054 – TRAFFIC SIGNALIZATION PROJECTS: MASON ROAD AT NORTH-MOOR DR., HIGHLAND KNOLLS AT GREENWAY VILLAGE DR., AND CINCO RANCH BLVD AT GASTON ROADA pre-bid conference will be conduct-ed on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 9:00 AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Pur-chasing Department located in the Rosenberg Annex at 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg Texas 77471. All bid-ders are encouraged to attend.Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. 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

THE STATE OF TEXASCITATION BY PUBLICATION

TO: ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SISSIERETTA J WOOTEN DECEASED AND ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSONS CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THIS LANDNOTICE:You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not fi le a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being April 25, 2011 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be fi led by mailing same to:District Clerk’s Offi ce, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the offi ce. Our street address is 401 Jackson Street. We are located on the fi rst fl oor of the courthouse building.The case is presently pending before the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was fi led on March 08, 2011. It bears cause number 11-DCV-188250 and is styled: Jose Serrano and Rosa M. Serrano vs All Unknown Heirs of Sissieretta J Wooten, Deceased and any and all Unknown Persons Claiming an Interest in this Land.The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is:BRENT A LANEBEARD & LANE PC12841 JONES ROAD SUITE 100HOUSTON TX 77070281-897-8848The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER; PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows to-wit:1. A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE NATURE OF THE SUIT - TRCP 114 “THIS IS A SUIT BY PLAINTIFF TO ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP TO THE PROPERTY BY ADVERSE POSSESSION.”2. A DESCRIPTION OF ANY PROPERTY INVOLVED - TRCP 114 & 115” LOT TWENTY (20), BLOCK THIRTY-ONE (31) OF RIDGEWOOD ESTATES, SOUTHWEST SECTION, STREETADDRESS: 519 DOGWOOD AVE, FRESNO, TEXAS 77545.”3. 42 DAYS TO ANSWER LAWSUIT INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 20 DAYS -TRCP 114If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved. Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 10th day of March, 2011.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT

Fort Bend County, TexasDeputy District Clerk Kimberly Coker

Telephone: 281-633-7617

LEGAL NOTICE

The City of Missouri City, Texas is now issuing an Invitation for Bids for the following:

IFB # 182-11 Term Contract for Concrete Pavement Lifting and Sidewalk Cutting

Scope: The City of Missouri City intends to hire one or more general contractor(s) to provide all material, labor, and equipment necessary to perform repairs to: 1) settled concrete sidewalk pavement by jacking the slab with cementatious slurry material;2) saw cutting to level settlement of concrete slabs;3) perform street raising for the purpose of eliminating swales, birdbaths and related pavement failures on concrete thoroughfares;all at various locations in the City on an as-needed basis. The vendor will provide all materials, equipment and labor necessary to perform in accordance with the specifi cations.

Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. local time April 11, 2011 and then opened.

The bid packages may be obtained beginning March 23rd by requesting the

document name and number listed above from the Purchasing Offi ce at

(281) 403-8626; (281) 403-8612, or email [email protected]

Bids must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the IFB name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Bids must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Offi ce, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas, 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Bids marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualifi ed. Bids are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Charles Oberrender, CPPBPurchasing ManagerCity of Missouri City, Texas

Public Hearings will be held by the City of Missouri City to receive comments for or against proposed amendments to the following sections contained in the Zoning Ordinance:1. Section 4, Defi nitions; Section 7, Use Districts, contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the use of private, onsite water and waste water treatment and disposal systems (Private Utilities).2. Section 4, Defi nitions; Section 7, Use Districts; contained in the Zoning Ordinance; and Section 9, Supplementary District Regulations, contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the regulations for the outside placement of materials, merchandise, equipment and sales and services.3. Section 4, Defi nitions; Section 7A, Architectural Design Standards; and Section 14, Fence Regulations contained in the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to architectural design standards – primary materials and trademark or brand colors.

The following public hearing is scheduled:1.PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2011Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: City Council Chambers(2nd Floor of City Hall)1522 Texas Parkway (FM 2234), Missouri City, Texas

Specifi c information is available at City Hall, Missouri City, Texas, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or you may call 281-403-8541 or email [email protected] for additional information.


COMPETITIVE PROPOSALSSealed Competitive Proposals 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, APRIL 7, 2011 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 public. Proposals received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.1.RFP 11-058 - ETHERNET SERVICE FOR JUSTICE CENTER;2.RFP 11-059 – DRUG TESTING SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE PROBATION. Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

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

Marks Handyman Service281.772.0002Free Estimates

Serving Fort Bend

for 20 years20% off any job over $100 or more.

Off er good through March 31, 2011

Become a Dental Assistant

10 week course Starting soon

Saturdays Only

C. Mark Mann, D.D.S.,F.A.G.D.

1111 Highway 6 Suite 220

Sugar Land, TX 77478

(281) 494-9400

www.manndental.com

Brightwater Garden Club

The next meeting of the Bright-water Garden Club will be held on Monday, March 28 at 6:45 p.m. at the Brightwater Clubhouse, Brightwater at Westshore Drive, Missouri City. Tricia Bradbury, Master Gardener and local gar-dening expert, will present a program on spring garden main-tenance and native plants suitable for small backyards. The meeting is free and open to anyone inter-ested in gardening. For more in-formation 281-403-9269.


Not just oil, Pennzoil

AUTOMOBILE: Lexus GX460

Thomas J. Parr, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeonto

Soccer Elites, World Cup Players, & International Professionals

281-491-7111Call us firstdirectly fromthe field!You may beable to saveboth time &money.

Dr. Tom Parr plays on a recreational, over 30, co-ed soccer team.

Physician Assistant, Ashley Donnell (#25), played defense for the University of Denver on an athletic scholarship.

www.tomparrmd.netwww.FtBendSportsMedicine.com

14090 Southwest Fwy, #130, Sugar Land, TX 77478

We understand athletes.

FILM REVIEW: The Lincoln Lawyer

THE TIME IS NOW,THE TIME IS NOW, THE WAIT IS OVERTHE WAIT IS OVER

www.RemaxFine.comHighway 6 & Austin Parkway

We Can Show We Can Show You You

ANY House ANY House Listed!Listed!

281-265-281-265-55335533

RUSSELL C. JONES THELMA HOLOWAY JONES

LEWIS W. “CHIP” SMITH IV JANICE W. SUCHYTA

AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

PROUDLY SERVING FORT BEND SINCE 1981

● Real Estate ● Health Care Law ● ● Banking ● Creditors' Rights ● Collections ● ● Business and Corporate Law ● Immigration ●

● Business Litigation ● Mergers and Acquisitions ● ● Estate Planning ● Probate ●

● Property Owners' Associations ●

In the Sugar Land Industrial Park 407 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land, Tx. 77478

281-242-8100 [email protected] www.jonesattorneys.com

By BARBARA FULENWIDERThe all-new Lexus IS 350

all-drive model and the op-tional new F sport package may be the tickets Lexus executives are hoping will earn their vehicles a place in younger hearts.

For 2011 Lexus revised the front and rear design of the IS 350 sports sedan into a faster more aggressive look-ing vehicle and added a 3.5 liter DOHC, 24 valve V8 dual VVTi – that makes 306 horse-power and 277 lb.-ft. torque.

Lexus says the rear-wheel test drive IS 350 can go from 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. The mo-tor is mated to a six-speed electronically controlled au-tomatic transmission with a throttle control system and the steering wheel has shift paddles.

Miles per gallon are esti-mated at 20 in city driving and 27 on the highway. Front and rear disc brakes have ventilat-ed rotors and aluminum four-piston front calipers. The test drive came with the F sport package option.

The package adds $2,440 to the retail price of $38,570 and includes 18-inch tires, sport suspension, sport ped-als, aluminum scuff plates, dark graphite alloy wheels with all season tires, front lip spoiler, rear decklid spoiler, sport grill, sport steering wheel with shift knob sport seat with microfi ber insert and heated front seats.

As for the IS 350’s revised looks they include a new front grille and bumper while the rear of the sport sedan got a new taillamp cover and revised tailpipe design. New HID headlamps with LED

daytime running lamps are standard on the IS 350 along with 17-inch wheels. Eigh-teen-inch wheels are optional.

The Lexus IS 350 provides a sporty driving experience and a supple, quiet ride. The ve-hicle’s fully independent sus-pension is double-wishbone in front and multi-link in the rear. Monotube shock absorb-ers optimize damping, and in-ternal rebound springs provide

fi rmer body control.Safety features on the IS

350 four-door sedan include anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distri-bution and brake assist, smart stop- technology, automatic collision notifi cation, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button and tire pressure monitor.

Luxury and convenience features include push but-

ton start/stop, 10-way power adjustable driver’s and front passenger seats, all-leather seats, automatic dual-zone cli-mate control, power tilt/slide moonroof, three-spoke leather trimmed steering wheel with manual tilt/telescope with au-dio and cruise controls, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps, driver information center with trip computer, premium audio system with 13 speakers and automatic sound levelizer, power windows, door locks and steering, fold out front door pockets with water bottle holder and trunk pass through.

A navigation system and intuitive parking assist with front and rear sensors were op-tions installed on the test drive IS 350 so the bottom line total was $44,112.

The IS 350 combines sporty good looks with fun perfor-mance and numerous Lexus creature comforts for what can be an exhilarating ride/drive wrapped up in luxury.

Mick Haller (Matthew Mc-Conaughey) is the” Lincoln Lawyer” because his law of-fi ce is the back seat of a1980’s vintage Lincoln Town Car. He’s lost his driver’s license so he is driven around to the various courthouses in the Los Angeles area by his trust-ed chauffer Earl. Occasion-ally, he is paid in cash stuffed inside an envelope that is slipped through a half-opened window of his back seat of-fi ce. If Mick has to postpone a criminal case so he can get paid by a client or tells a lie for what he sees as the better-ment of his situation, then so be it as part of the “judicial system” that he embraces and bends.

In the fi rst ten minutes of the fi lm, we know that Mick Haller is a slick, smooth-talk-ing, criminal defense lawyer who has an edge and his eth-ics are questionable. But he is charming and terribly fl awed, so the audience quickly

chooses Mick’s side. His for-mer wife (Marisa Tomei) is an assistant DA and they have a daughter together. His inves-tigator is Frank Levin (long-haired William H. Macy) who has the knack for timely un-earthing the key fact or piece of evidence that would make Paul Drake (Perry Mason) proud.

Mick gets a big case that in-volves a rich 32 year-old man charged with brutally assault-ing a woman. His retainer is $100,000 plus expenses and another $100,000.00 if the case goes to trial. I knew for sure I was pulling for Mick when the cash was fl owing; I can’t stop myself.

What is the reality factor for

this lawyer movie? Actually, pretty high; certainly above average. I spent way too much time during the movie, trying to analyze the legal nuances of the story and pondering the probable reaction of my crim-inal defense lawyer friends. Since I only practice civil law, I defer to the criminal defense bar concerning some of the ethical dilemmas of Mick, but you will understand his quan-dary as well.

Please note that I am staying clear of the plot details as this is a mystery so I don’t want to spoil the ride for you. This movie had enormous chemis-try for developing a suspense-ful storyline much to the credit of Director Brad Furman and novelist Michael Connelly who was a newspaper crime reporter.

My audience was fully en-gaged and large for midday on a Friday. “The Lincoln Law-yer” will be a big success at the box offi ce and McConaughey

The Lincoln Lawyer: Marisa Tomei and Matthew McConaughey

is the huge winner! The pret-ty boy from UT and Uvalde, TX, was magnifi cent in sev-eral scenes and it was the best work he’s done in years. The entire ensemble was cast well and made this movie into a memorable, noteworthy fi lm.

The plot revelations never stopped building and taking the audience to new places.

This is an enjoyable, chal-lenging, and fun movie. Rock ‘n Roll.Grade 90. Larry H. [email protected]

Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital (MSLH) has once again extended its sponsorship of Eclipse Soccer Club, which serves more than 2,000 youth players from across Fort Bend County and southwest Hous-ton.

As part of their continued relationship, Methodist Or-thopaedic Specialists of Texas conducts weekly sports medi-cine clinics at Sugar Land’s Lost Creek Park, Eclipse’s home fi eld, and will provide VIP cards to expedite treat-ment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas.

The Club also plans to team up again with MSLH on other initiatives that can benefi t the community, such as the recent Score for the Cause fund-raiser in support of breast cancer awareness and treat-ment which raised over $3750 for the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital/ Fort Bend Junior Service League Breast Cancer Fund.

“Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas has a long history of being deeply involved in supporting youth sports and keeping young athletes healthy, fi t and in the game,” said Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Methodist Sugar Land

Hospital. “We’re proud to extend our relationship with Eclipse and to be an important part of the Club’s effort to de-velop successful athletes at all levels of competition.”

Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital will continue as the pri-mary jersey sponsor of the Eclipse recreational program. The hospital’s logo will also be added to the Club’s com-petitive team jerseys. The Club plans to use funds from the sponsorship to provide scholarships to cover training fees, improve and enhance fi eld conditions and expand the club’s activities and offer-ings.

“Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Methodist Or-thopaedic Specialists of Texas are a perfect fi t for Eclipse,” said Rick Safi er, president of Eclipse Soccer Club. “Our goal for the sponsorship is to move beyond the basics and create a partnership that lever-ages the expertise, technology and health care services of Methodist in order to benefi t our young athletes and their families.”

To learn more about Eclipse Soccer Club, visit the website at www.eclipsesoccerclub.com. For a physician referral to Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital, call 281-274-7500.

Bottom row: Mac McCallum; Angela Byrd; Carl Hicks, M.D. Middle row: Rick Safi er; Lowell Stanton; Timothy Sitter, M.D. Top Row: Steve Alexander and Ray Valdez, M.D.

Eclipse Soccer Club—Sign Up Now!


Interested in+ Career enhancement+ Coursework to meet licensure or certification+ Learning more about a hobby or special interest+ Finding out if you’re ready for college

Then check out WCJC Continuing Education Spring 2011 courses starting Jan. 18

Day, night, weekend and online classes Quality courses with professional instructorsRegister at our four campuses: Wharton,

Bay City, Sugar Land & RichmondClasses now available at the El Campo Northside Center

For a complete listing of current classes and programs, please visit www.wcjc.edu and select Continuing Education from the Educational Programs Quick Jump pull-down menu at top right.

C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N

Locations of Continuing Education Courses

Wharton, Bay City & El Campo: 979.532.6324

Sugar Land: 281.243.8495

Richmond: 281.239.1531

Wharton County Junior College Continuing Education Department281.239.15318 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdayswww.wcjc.edu

ClassesComputer ApplicationsMicrosoft Office Suite Introduction

(Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access)Healthcare Provider CPR and CPR

Refresher ClassesBeginning SpanishBeginning Web DesignBasic Motorcycle OperatorBank Teller TrainingConcealed Handgun License Course

ProgramsCertified Nurse Aide TrainingPharmacy TechnicianCertified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)Phlebotomy TechnicianPharmaceutical Aseptic TechniqueChild Development Associate (CDA)

BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN?

16655 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-274-7000 • MethodistSugarLand.com

Stop enduring pain. Call today and begin your personal treatment plan. 281-313-BACK (2225).

Spine Center

The Spine Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the comprehensive, coordinated option for you in Fort Bend County.

For back and neck pain, there’s only one premier choice – Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s

Spine Center. Whether you’ve had pain for just a few days or several long years, you’ll find

everything you need to diagnose and treat your condition in a convenient location, with

access to premier spine specialists and a complete range of treatment options.

Getting started is easy. We will guide you through a customized treatment

plan, with expedited access to world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons,

orthopedic spine surgeons and interventional pain specialists. Plus,

physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the most advanced

imaging and surgical technologies in the world are available on-site.

L EADING M EDICINE ®

One Sugar Land student, Adelle Buede, stands out above the rest. Adelle will be graduating from The Turning Point Acad-emy in May. Her efforts have been so ex-traordinary that U.S. Rep. Pete Olson nom-inated her for The United States Military Academy, West Point.

After years of competitive swimming, she began playing club volleyball for Fort Bend Fire and for the Texas Tornados. Most athletic students have a diffi cult time jug-gling competitive sports with academics… but Adelle is ranked in the top 5 percent of her class. She will graduate with honors. Adelle has been nominated for three mili-tary awards this year: The U.S. Army Re-serve National Scholar/Athlete Award, the Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, and the Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award. She’s also been awarded an NROTC full scholarship and an Embry Riddle Schol-arship where, if she chooses, she can pursue Aeronautical Engineering. She says, “My fi rst choice for the future would be to at-tend The United States Military Academy West Point. I can’t imagine anything more rewarding than serving my country… and receiving an exceptional education!” Since she comes from a military family, Adelle knows about service. Through her church, St. Laurence, she has participated in numer-ous community outreach programs. She raises money for cancer research with her athleticism. She participated in the clean-up after Hurricane Ike, earning a Volunteer’s Excellence award. Every year she volun-teers for the Impact a Hero event.

Dulles High Sophomore wins prize in International Math Competition

Dulles High School sophomore Bobby Shen was one of six students selected to compete on the USA Math Team in the 4th Annual Roma-nian Master of Mathematics and Sciences (RMMS), held in Bucharest, Romania February 23-28. RMMS is an international mathematics and science olympiad that provides an opportunity for students to demon-strate their abilities in mathematics and science, exchange knowledge and enhance cross-cultural contacts in high school education. Teams representing 15 countries from around the world competed in this year’s contest. Shen was the highest individual scorer among all U.S. representatives, with a total 30 points, earning him a 3rd place medal in the mathematics contest. Due to his outstanding performance and signifi cant contributions to his team, the USA Mathematics Team won the World Champion title, beating the defending champion team from Russia, as well as other powerful competitors representing Hungary, Great Britain, China and Serbia.

Outstanding High School Senior from Sugar Land

Adelle Buede

Bobby Shen

Documents

Fort Bend Independent