september 2015 - fort bend focus magazine - people • places • happenings

SEPTEMBER 2015

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C O V E R S T O R Y

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

THE CATHY STUBBS TEAM: Where High QualityReal Estate Service Is StandardListing Specialist Cathy Stubbs developed an eight member team of professionals – each with their own niche – who are dedicated to being the best. By incorporating an innovative team approach to help, inspire and guide client transactions, The Cathy Stubbs Team ensures clients are completely satisfied not only with their property but with how they were treated in the home buying and selling process.

14

F E AT U R E S

22 IT’S FAIR TIME! With numerous events, rides, food and entertainment, the 79th annual iconic hometown event promises big time fun.

24 FORT BEND’S FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTSTo help you make it to your favorite team’s games, here are the 2015 High School Varsity Football Schedules for Fort Bend ISD, Stafford Municipal ISD and Fort Bend Christian Academy.

39 LEGAL EAGLES Meet Fort Bend’s Finest Attorneys

49 HOME IS WHERE THE HEART ISUse these tips and resources to turn your house into your dream home.

60 IS IT DEPRESSION OR SOMETHING MORE? Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Suicide

C O L U M N S

20 FOCUS ON HEALTHYour Food Is Causing Your Pain

28 ASK ALEXAll About Mums

30 KIDS’ CORNER Everyday Concussions

32 FORT BEND SENIORS MEALS ON WHEELS The Best Senior Secret in Fort Bend

34 HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOTMeet Sarah Argo

43 LEGAL FOCUSWhat is Elder Law?

80 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE: Hearing Those Magic Words

Cathy StubbsPhoto by Nesossi Studios.


CONTRIBUTORS

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | V O L U M E 1 1 | N U M B E R 1 1

32

Zeenat Kassam MithaCultural Correspondent Page 32

34

Joan FrancesContributor Page 34

Kelley M. BentleyRoberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C.Page 43

43

N E W S W O RT H Y

21 OAKBEND MEDICAL CENTER’S PATCHWORK OF LIFE GALA Scheduled for October 15th

33 FALL KIDS FEST At the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land

35 FORT BEND EDUCATION FOUNDATION Hosts First Sugar Shindig

36 HEART OF FORT BEND Event Plans Underway

44 MISSOURI CITY POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION Hosts Golf Scramble to Benefit First Responders and Community Groups

46 CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND GATHERS FORCES For the 24th Annual CASA Christmas Home Tour

47 DINE OUT AND DO GOOD In September

M E D I C A L & B U S I N E S S

18 STAFFORD RANKED Third Best Place to Start a Business in Texas

37 TRANSFORMING YOU HYPNOSIS

68 MEDICAL FOCUS

a b s o l u t e l y !A U T O R E V I E W

62 2015 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

a b s o l u t e l y !D E L I C I O U S

72 CHEERS TO RELAXING WITH ROSÉ

74 TAILGATE IN STYLE

75 THE ARTIST’S PALATETradição Brazilian Steakhouse

76 FRESH TAKES ON KIDS’ FAVORITES

I N E V E RY I S S U E

10 EXCLAMATION POINTS!

63 AMATEUR PHOTO CONTEST

64 OUT & ABOUT IN THEHEART OF THE BEND

78 COMMUNITY EVENTS

30

Patrick BironBirons Youth Sports Center Page 30

Kerstin BrownTMS Serenity CenterPage 60

60

Steve KursarAuto Enthusiast Page 62

Amy Grosswine4.mePage 72

72

Jennifer Elliottabsolutely! focus mediaPage 74

74

Alisa MurrayAlisa Murray Photography Pages 75 & 80

75

ON THE COVER:Cathy Stubbs

Photo by Nesossi Studios.

Dr. Peter OsborneOrigins Healthcare Centers Page 20

20

22

Barbara Magana RobertsonContributorPage 22

Alex BeltSilly Silly Girls Page 28

28

62

Tim Cashion, DDS Teresa Cody, DDS

Call us now!281-377-3402

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Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 700, Stafford, TX 77477. Copy-right © 2015 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or mis-leading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

Vol. 11 No. 11September 2015

EXCLAMATION POINTS!THE INSIDE SCOOP STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP

Subscription requests are free to all Fort Bend addresses. Annual paid subscription

of $25 required outside the Fort Bend area.

Publishedby

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI

An Attitude of Gratitude – and Winning

Look who stopped by our offices! Executive Chef for the Houston Rockets Chef Rey popped in for a surprise visit with Publisher Patti Parish-Kaminski. The former restaurateur from Sugar Land is traveling the country with the Rockets, serving as a consultant to local McDonald’s and of course, creating amazing food.

P U B L I S H E RE DI TOR- I N - C H I E FPatti Parish-Kaminski

A S S O C IAT E P U B L I S H E RJessica Kij

M A NAG I N G E D I T O R Sarah Bearden

AC C OU N T E X E C U T I V E SJennifer Elliott

Molly Ellis Kay Garrett

Andrea Rigamonti Suzanne Stiles

A RT DI R E C TOR Grace Belleza

G R A P H IC DE SIG N E RApril Roseberry

W E B DE SIG N E R Joey Belleza

O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R AT O R Adrienne Boring

P H O T O G R A P H E R Nesossi Studios

C O N T R I BU T O R S M.G. Angulo

Alex Belt Kelley M. Bentley

Patrick Biron Kerstin Brown Jennifer Elliott Joan Frances Amy Gross

Steve Kursar Zeenat Kassam Mitha

Alisa Murray Dr. Peter Osborne

Barbara Magana Robertson

I N T E R N Lauren Richmond

I N Q U I R I E S281-690-4242

E D I T O R IA L SU B M I S S I O N [email protected]

It’s fall in Fort Bend, and there’s one question on my mind: Are you ready for some football? Fri-day Night Lights is a tradition in Fort Bend with 13 high schools in Sugar Land, Missouri City and Stafford. To help you cheer on your favorite team, we’ve included the High School Varsity Football Schedules in this special issue highlighting two of our favorite things: football and celebrating a big win!

Fall also brings us a winning annual event: The Fort Bend County Fair. This year, the Fair celebrates its 79th annual event, and all of the festivities – including the PRCA Championship Rodeo – is in full swing beginning on September 25th. Last year’s auctions alone raised over $1.6 million for the youth of Fort Bend County with their award-winning animals and art. Kudos to the many volunteers each year who make the Fair a win-win for our community.

Award-winning also describes our GEMS of Fort Bend – the signature event that has honored Generous, Enthusiastic Men Serving for the past two years. We are proud to support our community, and in fact, it is part of our mission at absolutely! focus media – to give back to the com-munity that has given us so much. We were thrilled to receive the Excellence in Community Service – Philanthropy Award for the 2013 and 2014 GEMS of Fort Bend from The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. And, we’re even more proud of our 2015 GEMS and the beneficiary: Bob Hebert, Don Kerstetter and Steve Onstad supporting The Fort Bend Family YMCA. We hope you will join us on October 22nd for this year’s award-winning event.

Coach Vince Lombardi said, “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” With a passion for service to our community, Fort Bend is a community that wants to win. We want our businesses to succeed, our organizations to succeed, our chil-dren to succeed. And, it takes us all, working together as a winning community to make that happen. Keep up the great work Fort Bend! Let’s have a winning fall season in everything we do!

Stay focused,

[email protected]

My favorite article was How to Approach Saving for College, because we are saving for our kids, and it is really hard. I really appreciated the part where the kids save for their own expenses!

Carrie Claffey

READER FEEDBACK Hi Patti and Jessica,

I just wanted to thank you both for your con-tinued support of Fort Bend Cares. The pictures and article you printed in the June issue of Fort Bend Focus really showcased how enjoyable the Doggone Fun Run was for the community.

Melinda Henry, Fort Bend Cares


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As her 21 year career progressed, Stubbs realized she didn’t want her clients to receive any less than the high qual-ity service she envisioned. So, she decided to develop a team. “Just getting by was not doing it for me,” Stubbs said. “And on that premise alone, I knew I needed to create a team.”

Innovative Team Approach

“I’ll be honest, my first attempt at creating a team wasn’t as successful as I wanted it to be,” she continued, recalling those earlier years in the industry. “But as I matured in busi-ness, I learned how to hire and how to recruit the right kind of people. And now, I have a team, not staff members, but team members.”

These talented people make The Cathy Stubbs Team what it is — exceptional. “What we have is a team that runs on all cylinders,” Stubbs said proudly. “Each one has their own

F or Cathy Stubbs, it isn’t enough to

just “complete” a home sale. She

strives to put the “wow” into the

details from an amazing presentation when

selling to over the top service when looking

for the perfect home.

Where High QualityReal Estate

Service is Standard

COVER STORYBy M.G. Angulo

Photos by Nesossi Studios

The Cathy Stubbs Team: Nick Helms, Mia Cardenas, Robbie Jones, Tara Flores, Cathy Stubbs, Israel Flores, Dena Day and Jenn LaRocca.



niche, and they enjoy their work. They truly love what they do, and because of that, we can meet our clients’ needs.”

Take Dena Day, the transaction coordinator, who Stubbs calls her “de-tail guru.” Day loves handling the fine print. Stubbs said, “Everything comes across Dena’s desk, and she’s there to make sure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. She is my anchor.”

On the other hand, Jenn LaRocca, the marketing director, stages the homes and handles the presenta-tion, advertising and marketing of the properties. “But more than that, Jenn is always investigating new avenues to reach the public,” Stubbs said of LaRocca, who she affectionately calls the “team’s cheerleader.” “Jenn thinks of ways to keep the Team on the cut-ting edge and working outside of the box when promoting properties.” Find-ing new ways to entice audiences oth-er Realtors© ignore or can’t reach is LaRocca’s specialty.

From the top notch buyer’s team, which includes Mia Cardenas, Israel and Tara Flores and Robbie Jones, who specialize in helping people identify their goals and realize their dreams, to Nick Helms, the Team’s right hand man, to the innovation of the listing specialists, The Cathy Stubbs Team has intentionally compartmentalized to come together to insure every as-pect of the experience. “On our team, each person is matched perfectly with the right job,” Stubbs added. “And this is what makes for a much smoother transaction.”

The Cathy Stubbs Team Experience

A key element to The Cathy Stubbs Team experience is the simple fact that each team member understands the energy that goes into buying or sell-ing a home. Their motivation isn’t just about money made but more about the lives they touch.

On our team, each person is matched perfectly with the right job.And this is what makes for a much smoother transaction.

– Cathy Stubbs

Stubbs, who is married and a moth-er of two children — a 12 year-old-daughter and 10 year-old son — knows that buying or selling a home affects a family, and that is always taken into consideration when her Team meets and works with clients. There isn’t a rush to get to the “sign date” that will leave people in a tailspin. Stubbs wants her clients to be completely sat-isfied with the property and how they were treated.

That’s why Stubbs and her Team meet weekly to make sure they are giv-ing their all to their work. “We meet twice a week formally. We review each individual listing, the challenges we’re facing and we come up with solutions. But informally, we meet almost daily.”

The only thing that separates each Team member from one another is a wall of glass, and that’s how Stubbs likes it. The transparency allows con-stant communication between the Team members, and together, they stay on top of completing superior transactions.

To date, the company has closed more than 800 transactions with more than $150 million home sales. “We work well here in this office because

what inspires us is true and genuine,” Stubbs said. “It’s amazing how we bonded, and we are always on the same page to get things done. I’m fortunate to have these people who are always on board 110 percent.”

Dedicated toBeing the Best

In all honesty, buying or selling a home is an intricate process. “What people may not understand about the process of buying or selling a home is the amount of moving parts,” Stubbs explained.

The reality is that the home-buying/selling process includes Realtors, ap-praisers, lenders, inspectors and the Title company. Many times, not all of these entities always see the impor-tance of the contractual time restraints in a transaction. It is Stubbs’ job to keep everyone on track to the finish line. Her years of experience help her anticipate problems before they be-come big issues. “I have a natural de-sire to help people and to make things happen. My dad was in Real Estate, and I worked for him, which is how I got my first taste of this business. So, I decided to make this my career,” said Stubbs, a third generation Houstonian who has lived in Fort Bend County since 1987 and currently lives in Sugar Land with her husband Alan. “Real Es-tate has given me an outlet to connect with people.”

And connecting is what The Cathy Stubb Team does well. Not only does the Team work in the Sugar Land area, they cover all of the Fort Bend County area and even parts of Houston. “I feel comfortable anywhere, and although I’m luxury certified, we can work with every price line and experience. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gone through this process 10 times or if this is your first time, we can help you through it every step of the way.”

Cathy Stubbs

Stubbs herself is part of the Keller Williams (KW) Luxury Homes Inter-national division, an exclusive, elite and sophisticated group of KW Real Estate consultants who demonstrate exceptional Real Estate service in the luxury real estate market. Participa-tion in this division isn’t bought; it’s earned. Intensive training and high-bar requirements must be met before becoming associated with KW Luxury Homes International.

Many people ask when is the best time to buy or sell their home. Accord-ing to Stubbs, “The best time is when you are ready. In most cases, it’s not only a financial decision, it’s an emo-tional decision that is driven by life events.” Her advice is don’t try to pre-dict the market; hire a professional to optimize your buying power and return on your investment.

For more information about The Cathy Stubbs Team, call 281-340-4120 or visit cathystubbs.com to make your dream home a reality.

If there’s one thing Cathy Stubbs wants people to know, it’s that The Cathy Stubbs Team doesn’t rush the home buying/selling process. “We don’t prac-

tice ‘sales talk’ here,” Stubbs said. “We’re here to help, to inspire and to guide the transaction to a healthy ending. The market is always changing and so are people’s needs. We work to meet those needs.”

In addition to Listing Specialist Cathy Stubbs, detail guru Dena Day, “cheerleader” Jenn LaRocca and right hand man Nick Helms, the eight-member team includes Buyer Specialists who are professionals solely dedicated to providing the ideal buy-ing experience.

Mia Cardenas: Buyer Specialist“I work hard to guide clients through the home buying process to help them find just the right home.”

Israel Flores: Buyer Specialist“I focus on the details with every buyer — details that grow a relationship, not a transaction.”

Tara Flores: Buyer Specialist“I’m eager to listen to clients’ needs to help them realize their real estate goals.”

Robbie Jones: Buyer Specialist“I take time with my clients. No one will work harder for them to find their dream home.”


The Cathy Stubbs Team: Mia Cardenas, Dena Day, Nick Helms, Robbie Jones, Israel Flores, Jenn LaRocca, Tara Flores and Cathy Stubbs.

The Cathy Stubbs TeamMeet

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16811 Southwest Frwy.Sugar Land, TX 77479


Stafford RankedThird Best Place to Start

a Business in Texas

Stafford has been ranked the third best place to start a business in the state out of 220 places researched by Nerd-Wallet, a consumer financial site. The ranking is based on data from the United States Census Bureau that analyzed places with populations of over 10,000 people.

“Our goal has always been to make Stafford a compelling place to start a business,” said Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella. “It began when we eliminated property taxes for residents and busi-ness owners in 1995, and the city hasn’t looked back since. Our approach of minimizing the barriers to starting a busi-ness and accommodating businesses as much as possible has resulted in a di-verse, thriving center of commerce.”

Over 2,700 businesses are located in Stafford, which has a population of ap-proximately 20,000 and a daytime com-muting workforce of 27,000. It boasts a range of industries that require a skilled workforce, including manufacturing, oil field construction, professional services, financial services, educational services and health care. Companies headquar-tered in Stafford include Seamar Divers, a subsea construction and inspection company, and General Technologies Inc., an equipment manufacturer. Ad-ditionally, Stafford is the home to 30 oil field manufacturing companies, which have come because of the Freeport Tax Exemption offered, and the recently lo-cated Imperial Linen Services.

“Fort Bend County continues to dem-onstrate why it is a fantastic place for businesses to thrive. Stafford flies under the radar since it is such a small city, but it is clearly punching above its weight as a business heavy hitter,” said Jeff Wiley, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

Visit www.FortBendCounty.com or call 281-242-0000 for additional infor-mation.

BUSINESSBRIEFS


“Hi, my name is Candace Richter. I live with my husband. I lost 58 pounds total with hypnosis – 40 pounds in five short months. I went from a bulky size 16 to a size 4, and it feels great.

My ChoiceI was unhappy when I had weight on. Just look at my before picture, and you get some idea of the suffering. Even my big clothes were too tight. Wow, did I feel sorry for myself. Maybe you’re there, too. If you are overweight, my hope is to inspire you to get the help you need. Look at me now. It really is possible. I really used to think it was hopeless.

Finally, theFrustration EndedHypnosis ended my struggle with weight. I had been to gym programs. I tried dieting. I even ordered videos. Nothing lasted. Now, I am a size 4, and this program is completely the reason why. My search stopped here.

The Country IsDiscovering HypnosisLately, I have read articles in Newsweek and Fitness with information on the effectiveness of hypnosis. You may have even seen supportive information on network TV. Since I have used this method, it’s amazing how many sources I see that know about the effectiveness of hypnosis. If only I had called the first time I thought about it, I would have been thin a year sooner.”

Candace after weight loss

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FOCUS ONHEALTH

By Dr. Peter Osborne

DID YOU KNOW?You have one of the country’s most advanced alternative medicine clinics right here in Sugar Land

7616 Bradford Place #110, Sugar Land, TX 77479281-240-2229 • www.DrPeterOsborne.com

Dr. Peter Osborne

n Dr. Osborne• Is the only Board Certified Nutritionist in Sugar Land• Is a member of the ACA Council on Nutrition• Is a Doctor of Pastoral Medicine• Has held teaching appointments at Texas Women’s University and HCC’s nursing program • Lectures nationally to other physicians on the topic: drug induced nutritional deficiencies

n Origins Healthcare Centers• Offers genetic testing to match your lifestyle and diet to your genes• Offers complete laboratory nutritional analysis to identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies• Offers traditional and specialty lab services to assist in patient diagnosis• Offers state of the art Spinal Decompression therapy to prevent back surgery• Offers genetic and laboratory testing to identify gluten sensitivity

Back pain is the fifth most com-mon reason for doctor visits in the United States. Direct costs of

back pain on the health care system are estimated to be greater than 50 billion dollars per year. It is estimated that 80 percent of the population will have back pain at some point in their lives.

There are a number of causes and contributing factors. Injury, obesity, lack of exercise, weak muscles, arthritis, ruptured discs, sedentary jobs, chronic sitting or driving are commonly cited. Equally, there are a number of treat-ment options. The first trip to the doc-tor usually leads to a prescription for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and muscle relaxers. Other treatment options include: chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, yoga, Pilates, traction, spinal decompression, manipulation under anesthesia, steroid injections and surgery.

Food and Chronic Muscle and Back Pain: One of the most overlooked factors contributing to chronic back and muscle pain is diet. Many doctors ignore this, because nutrition is not a topic of discussion in most medical schools. The truth is that food can alter internal body chemistry in both good and bad ways. Food quality is affected by its source, ad-ditives, processing, genetic modification and packaging. Many highly processed products are referred to or marketed as healthy foods. This causes mass confu-sion for the average consumer. Listed below are the most common foods that contribute to back and muscle pain.

1. Trans or Hydrogenated Fats: Even if the label says zero grams of trans fat on the front of the package, it may still contain a half gram of trans fat per serving size. Many food manufacturers

Your Food Is Causing Your Pain

change their serving sizes so they can put “0 Trans Fat” on their packaging. If a food contains any amount of trans or hydrogenated fat, it should be avoided. This type of fat disrupts the way the body uses essential omega 3 fats. This fat also disrupts the way the body han-dles tissue inflammation. If you have chronic or acute back pain, it should be avoided at all costs.

2. Cereals, Breads, Pasta and Baked Goods: Despite the popularity of whole grains being marketed as a health food, grain-based foods contain very high ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. This ratio of fat leads to the promotion of inflammatory chemicals within the body. Additionally, heavy grain-based diets can contribute to blood sugar and insulin problems, making healing more difficult. Recent research findings sug-gest that one in three Americans have either intolerance or an allergy to grain.

3. Fried Foods: This includes items such as chips, French fries, fried meats and even fried vegetables. Commercially fried foods are typically cooked in trans fat at high temperatures. This process creates a cancer causing chemical called acrylamide. Even frying in canola, soy-bean, corn or other oils can be problem-atic. These oils tend to become rancid when exposed to high temperatures. Again, these oils are rich in omega 6

fatty acids that tend to elevate tissue inflammation. Cooking in these oils con-tributes to cancer, heart disease, weight gain, diabetes and more. They thicken the blood, making it more difficult for the body to deliver nutrients to tissues thus decreasing the body’s ability to heal.

4. Sodas and Energy Drinks: Soft drinks contain 10 teaspoons of sugar, high levels of caffeine, artificial colors and flavors, sulphites and carbonated water. If the soda is sugar free, it typi-cally contains chemical sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin and sucralose. Processed sugar is an anti-nutrient. It is a known contributor to diabetes, can-cer, heart disease, arthritis, bone loss and immune system suppression. Caf-feine is a diuretic that causes nutrient loss. Doses as low as one cup of coffee per day have been linked to infertility, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, headache, gastric pain, constipation, and muscle spasm. The artificial sweet-eners can cause blood sugar abnormali-ties. Some are linked to cancer, kidney and liver disease, thyroid disease and diabetes.

5. Food Allergies: Many people have food allergies that go undiagnosed. They are a common cause of inflamma-tion and tissue damage. Food allergies are not always obvious and sometimes require specialized testing to diagnose. Skin prick testing is not an accurate way to assess food allergies.

If ever in doubt, follow these simple rules:

1. Avoid packaged food. Ninety-five percent of packaged foods are not healthy, no matter what the labels claim.

2. Read labels. If the label has any terms that you cannot pronounce with-out practice, it should be avoided.


NEWSWORTHY

OakBend Medical Center’sPatchwork of Life Gala

Scheduled for October 15th

Committee members Laura Cozac, Mandi Bronsell, James Steenbergen, Anna Raun, Joseph Freudenberger, Alicen Swift, Monica Mondrik, Ann Werlein, Becky Valadez, Linda Drummond, Ann Council, May Tape, Pat Hebert and Beth Wolf.

OakBend Medical Center will hold its signature fundraiser, Patchwork of Life Beautiful Beginnings, on Thursday, October 15th at Safari Texas from 6:30 to 9:30 pm to raise funds for the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The 2015 honorary chairs are Doris and Joe Gurecky. The Patchwork of Life honoree is Pat Hebert, who was the event chair for the 2013 and 2014 Patchwork of Life events and has given generously of her time and talents to help raise funds.

OakBend Medical Center currently has a Level II NICU, which is designed to care for babies born as early as 28 weeks. The hospital provides comprehensive, in-tensive and progressive care for premature infants and critically ill newborns with respiratory distress and infec-tions. The NICU features the most technologically ad-vanced equipment to care for a new baby.

OakBend’s goal is to help both mothers and babies go home to begin their new lives as soon as possible. Research has shown that the more time and attention mothers and their newborns receive, the faster the heal-ing process can begin. Having friends and family spend time at Mom’s bedside or interacting with the babies, giving support and love, can decrease the time spent in the hospital. With the increase in births, the Unit needs to expand from its current ability to accommodate eight babies to being able to accommodate 12.

To find out more about Patchwork of Life, call 281-341-2014 or visit www.oakbendmedcenter.org.

It’s Fair time in Fort Bend County, and you know what that means: fried

foods, family fun and friends having a grand time. The 79th Annual Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo will run from September 25th to October 4th at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds.

For some families, the Fair is more than an event; it is a tradition passed on from generation to generation. “My family has passed our love and support for the Fort Bend County Fair for gen-erations. I love seeing my grandkids and the children of kids who grew up with my daughters being part of our Fair,” said 2015 Fort Bend County President Margaret Kunz. “I am look-ing forward to a good year – a year that will exceed all expectations and bring all Fort Bend County communities and youth out to enjoy a true county fair ex-perience.”

To please and tantalize guests’ taste buds, the Fair standards of fun-nel cakes and turkey legs will return for all to enjoy. Wine connoisseurs will relish an assortment of selected wines in the Grapes on the Brazos wine room. The popular wine venue welcomes the novice wine lover to hone their wine selecting skills in a relaxed, no-pres-sure atmosphere.

There will be plenty of excitement for thrill seekers at the Fair. Rodeo action will pack the newly renovated O.D. Tucker Arena, and the fan favor-ite Mutton Bustin’ will keep fairgoers cheering on the little cowboys and cow-girls. A specialty act during the Pro-fessional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeo nights involving dare-devils on motorcycles is sure to please the crowd. Grand champions will be named in the livestock arenas, and kids ranging from high school seniors showing their livestock projects for the last time to younger kids getting their first Fair experience under their belt will make memories to last a lifetime.

The 2015 entertainment lineup is blazing with talent. “It is a lineup that we are proud to present! It is filled with talented singer-songwriters, and country music fans will get a full range of entertainment to enjoy,” said Susan Sillavan Forbes, Fort Bend County Fair Manager. “These artists represent everything from Texas music favorites to traditional country music icons, and we are excited for our fairgoers.”

The pride of the Golden Triangle, Tracy Byrd, will bring his chart-top-ping hits to the Fort Bend County Fair on Friday, October 2nd. Byrd’s career soared in the 90s with hits such

as Holdin’ Heaven, Wa-termelon Crawl and thewedding day staple and Country Music Association song of the year Keeper of the Stars. Byrd is thrilled to be in the Fair lineup. “Tell the Fort Bend Coun-ty fairgoers to get ready to party T-Byrd style,” said Byrd. Other artists who will perform include California native Jon Par-di, who brings his talents to the Fair for the first time.

Go Tejano Day will be filled with traditional sounds of Mariachi music to the popular Norteno style. Headlin-ing will be Grammy-nominated Duelo. The Lone Star icon Cory Morrow will bring his Texas-based music to the Fair on Saturday, October 3rd. Coun-try traditionalist Daryle Singletary will close out the 2015 Fair on Sun-day, October 4th. Singletary said, “It is always a pleasure to play in Texas, as it’s one of the few states that still appreciates traditional country music. We love coming to Texas and playing!”

Brittany Moreno, a member of the Rodeo Sweethearts, leading the parade. The precision horseback riding drill team can be seen near the front of the parade or performing before the rodeo.

Phot

o by

Bill

Rob

erts

on.

2014 Fort Bend County Fair Queen Kasey-Lane Bronsell was crowned by the 2013 Fair Queen Sami Warriner during last year’s Queen Coronation.

It’s Fair Time!By Barbara Magana Robertson

The 2014 Fair awarded 42 scholar-ships plus nine Queen Scholarships to-taling $160,930 to youth representing high schools from all over the county. The money awarded has doubled in just two years, thanks to the hard work and vision of the board of direc-tors. Last year, the Jr. Livestock Auc-tion surpassed the million dollar mark. The total of the Art Auction, Commer-cial Heifer Auction, Freezer Sale and the Jr. Livestock Auction totaled over $1,600,000 for the youth of Fort Bend County. “We are hoping for another record-breaking year,” said Kunz. “We can do this. It is for our county’s youth!”

Visit www.fortbendcountyfair.com for a full schedule of events or ticket information.



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In Sugar Land, Missouri City and Stafford, there are 13 high schools that take to the fields fall Friday nights. The question on our minds at Fort Bend Focus as we dust off our stadium seats and wash our favorite jerseys is simple: “Are you ready for some football Fort Bend?”

David Roberts, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Fort Bend Christian Academy, said, “We are excited about this year’s football team because we have the chance to have the best team ever at Fort Bend Christian Academy. We have a great group of young men and a great coaching staff with 215 years of combined experience.”

Fort Bend ISD boasts 11 high schools, and their season looks equally as bright according to Philip O’Neal, Athletic Director at Fort Bend ISD. “Every new season brings with it a renewed excitement for each student athlete, team, parent and school community. No one has lost a game yet, and each feels they have the team this year to win it all.”

The Stafford High School Spartans will play 10 games this season. Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ron Counter said, “The Stafford Spartan players and coaches are excited about this year and believe that we are going to have a great season! We will battle Bellville at our first home game on September 4th, which will be played on newly constructed field turf. We invite parents and the community to join us in what will be an outstanding season of local football.”

Regardless of who you root for this fall, fans will have plenty of opportunities this season to enjoy the game close to home. To help you make it to your favorite team’s games, here are the 2015 High School Varsity Football Schedules for Fort Bend ISD, Stafford Municipal ISD and Fort Bend Christian Academy. Stand up and holler Fort Bend fans!

T hey say football is big in Texas, and

Fort Bend football is no exception.

Each Friday night, stadiums across

the county are on fire with Friday night

lights, spirited fans and rough and tumble

competitions.

Fort Bend’s

Friday Night Lights

Ridge Point Football went undefeated in district 23-5A with a 7-0 record and finished with a 12-1 record losing in the regional semi-finals to Temple 38-35 on a field goal as time expired. The Panthers also finished the regular ranked #2 in class 5A.


Home Games are Bold Homecoming is Red

AustinHigh School

8/28 Klein Forest Mercer 7 pm9/4 Seven Lakes Mercer 7 pm9/11 Hightower Hall 7 pm9/26 Clements Mercer 6 pm10/2 Travis Mercer 7 pm10/8 Elsik Crump 6 pm10/16 Hastings Crump 7 pm10/23 Dulles Mercer 7 pm 10/29 Taylor Mercer 6 pm11/5 Kempner Mercer 6 pm

8/28 Alief Taylor Crump 7 pm 9/5 Houston Madison Butler 6 pm9/12 Klein Oak Memorial 6 pm9/25 Willowridge Mercer 7 pm 10/2 Ridge Point Hall 7 pm10/8 Marshall Mercer 7 pm10/17 Texas City Mercer 6 pm10/23 Santa Fe Santa Fe 7 pm10/31 Elkins Mercer 6 pm11/6 Galveston Ball Courville 7 pm

8/29 Katy Taylor Mercer 6 pm 9/4 Alvin Memorial 7 pm 9/11 Kempner Mercer 7 pm 9/18 Hightower Hall 7 pm9/26 Austin Mercer 6 pm10/10 Travis Mercer 6 pm10/16 Elsik Mercer 7 pm10/22 Hastings Mercer 6 pm10/30 Dulles Mercer 7 pm11/5 Taylor Crump 6 pm

“Every new season brings with it a renewed excitement

for each student athlete, team, parent and school community.” – Philip O’Neal

BushHigh School

ClementsHigh School

DullesHigh School

8/27 North Forest Hall 6 pm9/3 Terry Traylor 7 pm9/11 Elsik Crump 7 pm9/17 Hastings Mercer 6 pm10/2 Taylor Crump 7 pm10/9 Kempner Mercer 7 pm10/15 Hightower Hall 6 pm10/23 Austin Mercer 7 pm10/30 Clements Mercer 7 pm11/6 Travis Mercer 7 pm



We invite parents and the

community to join us in what will be

an outstanding season of local football.” – Coach Ron Counter

ElkinsHigh School

8/28 Bellaire Butler 7 pm9/4 Lamar Del Mar 7 pm9/11 A&M Cons. A&M Cons. 7 pm9/26 Texas City Hall 6 pm10/2 Galveston Ball Courville 7 pm10/9 Willowridge Hall 7 pm10/15 Ridge Point Mercer 7 pm10/23 Marshall Hall 7 pm10/31 Bush Mercer 6 pm11/6 Santa Fe Hall 7 pm

8/28 Eisenhower Thorne 7 pm9/5 Ridge Point Hall 6 pm9/11 Austin Hall 7 pm9/18 Clements Hall 7 pm9/24 Travis Mercer 6 pm10/1 Elsik Hall 6 pm10/9 Hastings Crump 7 pm10/15 Dulles Hall 6 pm10/23 Taylor Crump 7 pm10/30 Kempner Hall 7 pm

HightowerHigh School

8/27 Pasadena Mercer 6 pm Sam Rayburm9/3 Clear Falls Veterans 7 pm Memorial9/11 Clements Mercer 7 pm9/18 Travis Mercer 7 pm9/24 Elsik Crump 6 pm10/3 Hastings Mercer 6 pm10/9 Dulles Mercer 7 pm10/17 Taylor Hall 6 pm10/30 Hightower Hall 7 pm11/5 Austin Mercer 6 pm

Kempner High School

8/28 Madison Hall 7 pm9/3 Hastings Crump 6 pm9/18 Foster Traylor 7:30 pm9/25 Ridge Point Hall 7 pm10/2 Texas City Texas City 7 pm10/8 Bush Mercer 7 pm10/17 Santa Fe Hall 1 pm10/23 Elkins Hall 7 pm10/31 Galveston Ball Hall 1 pm11/5 Willowridge Hall 7 pm

MarshallHigh School



8/29 Clear Creek Hall 6 pm9/5 Hightower Hall 6 pm9/12 Stratford Hall 6 pm9/25 Marshall Hall 7 pm10/2 Bush Hall 7 pm10/9 Santa Fe Santa Fe 7 pm10/15 Elkins Mercer 7 pm10/23 Galveston Ball Courville 7 pm10/29 Willowridge Hall 7 pm11/6 Texas City Texas City 7 pm

Ridge PointHigh School

8/29 Seven Lakes Tully 6 pm9/4 Katy Hall 7 pm9/12 Taylor Mercer 6 pm9/18 Kempner Mercer 7 pm9/24 Hightower Mercer 6 pm10/2 Austin Mercer 7 pm10/10 Clements Mercer 6 pm10/24 Elsik Crump 1 pm10/31 Hastings Mercer 1 pm11/6 Dulles Mercer 7 pm

TravisHigh School

8/28 Danbury Danbury 7:30 pm9/4 KIPP Coll. KIPP Coll. 7 pm9/11 KIPP Sunnyside FBCA 7 pm9/18 St. John XXIII St. John XXIII 7 pm9/25 John Cooper FBCA 7 pm

10/9 Cypress Christian Cypress Christian 7 pm10/16 Westbury Christian FBCA 7 pm10/23 Lutheran South Lutheran South 7 pm 10/30 Northland Christian FBCA 7 pm 11/6 Second Baptist Second Baptist 7 pm

8/28 East Bernard E. Bernard 7:30 pm9/4 Bellville Stafford 7:30 pm9/10 Willowridge Hall 7 pm9/25 Wharton Wharton 7:30 pm10/2 St. Pius Stafford 7:30 pm10/9 Bay City Stafford 7:30 pm10/16 El Campo El Campo 7:30 pm10/23 West Columbia Stafford 7:30 pm10/30 Needville Needville 7:30 pm11/6 Brazosport Stafford 7:30 pm

StaffordHigh School

8/28 Brazosport Hopper 7 pm9/3 El Campo Hall 7 pm9/10 Stafford Hall 7 pm9/25 Bush Mercer 7 pm10/3 Santa Fe Hall 6 pm10/9 Elkins Hall 7 pm10/16 Galveston Ball Hall 7 pm10/23 Texas City Texas City 7 pm10/29 Ridge Point Hall 7 pm11/5 Marshall Hall 7 pm

WillowridgeHigh School

Fort Bend Christian Academy

Q I just moved to Texas andam not familiar with home-coming mums. Can you tellme about the tradition?

A A homecoming mum is an oversized mum corsage decorated with three-foot

long streamers in the school colors with bells, charms, banners, plush animals dressed in bows, sparkly letters and even lights. Mums are a highly popular tradition in Texas schools. Homecoming mums are usually worn on the chest with the streamers flowing down the front of the body almost touching the ankles. They make quite a fashion statement! Homecoming mums can be given to the wearer by a boyfriend, friends, mom, dad, aunt or just about anyone to express how special they are and that they are truly loved.

A lex Belt is a mom, business owner and all around in the know kind of gal. Friends

call on her relentlessly for advice. With football season in full swing and homecoming just around the corner, we’re doing what everyone else does – asking Alex!

Q Where can I buy a mum for my child’s homecoming?

A Mums are available at a variety of specialty florists throughout the county

and range in price and design. Inquire at your local florist as to what special trinkets and sayings could be included.

Q My daughter wants to give her date something for homecoming. What do guysusually get?

A Garter mums are designed for the guys to wear on their upper arm and can be

customized with their sport theme, musical theme or school club theme. They resemble a miniature mum.

Ask Alex: All About Mums

Q If I wanted to make my own homecoming mum for my son’s date, can you tell mehow to do this?

A Warm up the glue gun! When making a mum, start with a two-circle disc of white

cardboard stapled together for strength. Add ribbon points or loops of ribbon spaced all around the edge of the circle. You can add as many layers to the base before adding the mum, using feathers, curling ribbon, sparkly ribbon, lace or other material.

Then, start adding the long ribbons with the school name ribbons. It is best to have a base of long ribbons, like three to four inches wide by 20 to 22 inches long. Next, add all of the fun trinkets to make it bling and jingle by using hot glue or tying them on.

For a silk mum, spray with glitter glue for added sparkle, then staple on the white cardboard base. Hot glue the mascot in the center of the mum, add the grade level trinket, hot glue a pipe cleaner loop at the top so that it can be pinned on and add another white circle on the back to hide staples. Keep adding more to personalize it as much as possible.

A mum for Fort Bend Christian Academy’s Homecoming.

A Foster High School Homecoming garter.

Photo by April Roseberry



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Everyday Concussions

Kids’ CornerBy Patrick Biron

W ith all of the focus and attention concussions are getting nowadays, it isn’t strange to see

how parents are so very sensitive towards them when it comes to youth sports. But interestingly enough, some medical reports estimate that more children suffer concussions due to non-sports injuries than sports-related injuries. It’s easy to compartmentalize the fear to just athletics, but be prepared as parents to identify and treat concussions elsewhere.

A concussion in its most general definition is simply “a gen-eral disruption of brain activity.” A child may suffer a concus-sion from hitting his head on cement or from the whiplash mo-tion in a car accident. He might get one from being hit in the head with a baseball or from falling off the bed. The child might black out or never lose consciousness. He may have a severe headache or not have one at all. This huge variability when it comes to both causes and symptoms of concussions leads to the general confusion that most parents, coaches and busi-nesses have, as well as the “better safe than sorry” mentality in most concussion protocols, which are very slow to return an athlete to sports.

It seems silly, but I can’t tell you how many parents at our sports center pressure us – or their child – to overrule a doc-tor’s concussion recovery plan simply because their child looks fine. The parents do not understand that the symptoms of a concussion don’t always correlate with the actual severity of the brain injury.

While no parent or coach can prevent all injuries from oc-curring, they can control the level of training, responsiveness and precautions of the environment into which they place their child. Many athletic leagues and facilities require coaches to complete a concussion certification program every two years, as well as training in the prevention, treatment and return to competition. Parents should never shy away from asking ques-tions before their child gets injured. In all circumstances, they should always follow a medical professional’s prognosis and never let a coach pressure them or an athlete back into compe-tition against medical advice.

But this still leaves out most of the concussions that kids experience. Since it is estimated that most occur outside of sports, how do parents prevent, identify and treat concussions? Even as a certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, I had my own level of panic and uncertainty when my two-year-old decided to dive off the couch and slam his face into the coffee table. I know me, and I know that in those moments with my own child, I am not always the most calm or rational. So, I typed up a “concussion protocol” for our house. It’s just one page and is based on what I’ve learned through my training, business and ongoing research. It lists the possible symptoms of concussions, the “red flag” emergency symptoms that re-quire an immediate emergency room visit and the steps we take should one of our boys have an injury to their head. It’s great for grandparents and babysitters too.

I encourage parents to talk to their child’s doctor and coach-es, do research and form their own protocol for concussions around their house. While parents can’t prevent all injuries to their kids, they can arm themselves with up-to-date information and throw aside the old wives’ tales, putting kids on the best and healthiest road to recovery when concussions do occur.


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The Best Senior Secret in

Fort B

end

What many do not know is that 62 percent of Fort Bend Seniors’ clients live at or are below the poverty level with household incomes under $15,000. These are often married couples where both seniors have health issues. Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels is Fort Bend’s best senior secret, as it does so much for these seniors who have lim-ited resources.

Wheels America as a Certified Nutri-tional Program. This program includes three types of meal services: home-de-livered meals, emergency shelf-stable meals and congregate meals.

“We are currently expanding our fa-cilities and services to ensure that no senior in our community goes hungry,” said Manuela Arroyos, Chief Executive Officer of Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. “Our growth will undoubtedly be a success with the continuous sup-port of our community.”

Over time, Fort Bend Seniors has grown and now provides meals to over 1,000 seniors daily from nine site loca-tions throughout Fort Bend County, as well as a site in Waller County. “The seniors we serve have sacrificed so much, and the meal we deliver to them may be their only meal for the day,” said Ray Aguilar, board chairman. Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels also provides comprehensive services and programs, including Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, transportation, case management, health screenings, in-formation and referral services, recre-ation and more.

All of these programs and services support area seniors to stay in their homes and remain an essential part of the community. Fort Bend Seniors pro-

vides congregate meals five days per week at all of their locations in Fort Bend and Waller counties. Fort Bend County Transportation and Legacy Ford work with Fort Bend Seniors to provide transportation for seniors to deliver meals and to attend activities. “The average Meals on Wheels partici-pant is 78 years-old, and many are vet-erans or spouses of veterans who need assistance with daily living,” said Rene Casanova, volunteer coordinator.

Activities at the senior centers in-clude meals, nutrition education, age-appropriate education, field trips, arts and crafts, bingo, dancing and holiday events, as well as veteran recognition events, all of which provide seniors the opportunity to socialize and have some fun. “Bringing seniors to the centers for an opportunity to be with others is sometimes the best medicine,” said Na-mita Ashtana, Fort Bend Seniors board member.

To volunteer, call 281-633-7053 or email [email protected].

D id you know that one of the oldest non-profit organizations in Fort Bend will provide 340,000 hot meals in 2015 to people 60 years of

age and over in the program, regardless of income?

Fort BendSeniorsMeals

On Wheels

Shirley and Glenn Brothers enjoying Fort Bend Seniors festivities.

Senior Jesús Ramos dancing the morning away!

Fort Bend Seniors’ major fundraising event of the year, the Mad Hatter Adventure, takes place Friday, October 30th from 6:30 to 10 pm at Safari Texas Ranch. The Alice in Wonderland themed event will feature a casino party, a Mad Hatter hat contest, music, dinner and live and silent auctions.

For more information, contact 281-633-7057 or [email protected].

Upcoming Event

Fort Bend Seniors was established in 1974 by community leaders. Dur-ing its first year of service, the orga-nization provided 20,000 hot meals to seniors. By 1976, the program became a non-profit organization, and in 1981, Fort Bend Seniors joined the United Way of Texas Gulf Coast. Today, the non-profit is a United Way agency and is accredited through the Meals on


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Bring the entire family out for a fun-filled, free outdoor event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land at 13016 University Boulevard, just north of Highway 59 in the Telfair neigh-borhood, on September 26th from 10 am to 5 pm. The Great Grow, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting or-ganic school gardens, along with H-E-B and H-E-Buddy, will present a Pumpkin Patch adventure and a food tasting.

Learn all about the importance of pol-linators to food supply, view a living bee hive, tour the museum butterfly garden and learn to raise endangered monarch butterflies in your own backyard! There will be an array of children’s activities and vendors, including a Habitat Plant sale featuring plants from Treesearch Farms and The Brookwood Community.

The Great Grow, Inc. sponsors an an-nual school garden competition and do-nates $500 to each participating school to be used for the implementation of their garden. The gardens must be or-ganic and incorporate rain harvesting and composting. This year’s participat-ing schools include David Crockett and First Colony middle schools and Arizona Fleming, Barbara Jordan, Highlands, Lakeview, Mission Bend, Mission West, Oyster Creek, Ridgemont, Townewest and Walker Station elementary schools.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.TheGreatGrow.com or call Di-ana Miller at 713-724-3113.

Fall Kids Fest atthe Houston Museum

of Natural Scienceat Sugar Land

NEWSWORTHY

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Meet Sarah Argo

By Joan Frances

Sarah

HOT SHOTHigh School

K empner High School in Fort Bend Independent School District is “committed to

the belief that education makes a difference and that each student is unique and capable of learning and to provide opportunities for every-one to succeed.” One senior who has achieved success and has met her goal in academics, sports and extra-curricular activities is Sarah Argo.

Sarah has taken core Advanced Placement classes every year of her high school career. She was bestowed the Academic Excellence Award as a freshman and sophomore. In ad-dition, Sarah is a leader in student council and served as president her freshman year. She was also presi-dent of the Criminal Justice Club the past three years. This year, Sar-ah is the student body secretary and a member of the English and Science Honor Society.

When asked what personal re-wards she gains from her leader-ship skills, Sarah replied, “Being a leader, not only in the sports I play but to the student body, is fulfilling to me, because it makes me feel as if I have made a difference in not only one person’s life but many. I aspire to be a person someone can look to in

a time of need, and being a good leader helps me achieve that. Being a leader may not be hard, but being a good lead-er is difficult.”

In addition to her academic achieve-ments, Sarah has excelled in sports. She has played outside hitter in vol-leyball all four years and is a volley-ball coach. She has also been a devoted swimmer throughout high school and was awarded Academic All District Athlete. This year, Sarah qualified for finals and regionals with her high school swim team.

Sarah’s favorite teacher is Jerome Muniz. “He is not only my Advance-ment Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher but also my swim coach for school and summer league,” said Sarah. “Mr. Muniz always has faith in me and encourages me to do my best no matter the circumstances. He has been by my side through all of the good and bad times I have had these past three years, and as my senior year comes closer to an end, I know I will miss him more than anyone.”

Even with a busy schedule at school, Sarah stays active in her community by tutoring 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students two days a week for three hours a day. One value she lives by is

support. “Like everybody else, I have my doubts, and without the support of my friends and family I would not be the person I am today, nor would I have accomplished so much. I have learned that a little support, even from the least expected person, can help you achieve greatness and that giving support to another could change that person’s outlook on an entire subject. I have been supported by my friends and family throughout most of my life, and I will be forever thankful for each and every one of them.”

Sarah’s high school career has been very fulfilling for her. “One thing I will treasure the most about my high school experience is all of the people I was able to meet. I have made so many friendships coming into high school. You never truly know who you will meet, but they turn out to be some of the best friends who stay with you your en-tire life.”

Sarah is in the process of evaluat-ing colleges to attend. She plans to major in either Mechanical or Petro-leum Engineering. Congratulations Sarah on your accomplishments and rewards, and good luck as you con-tinue your journey.

“Being a leader may not be hard, but being a good leader is difficult.” – Sarah Argo



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Enjoy a sweet time at the Fort Bend Education Foundation’s (FBEF) First Annual Sugar Shindig presented by Safari Texas on Friday, October 9th at 6:30 pm. Shimmy over to Safari Texas for a casual evening of fun and frolic, including a fajita dinner, a dessert auction and dancing to the music of Password. Honor-ary co-chairs are Seeju and Charles Dupre. This is camaraderie at its finest as staff from area schools and community members vie for the best cakes made by local bakers.

The event is hosted by the Angels of Education Auxiliary, whose mission is to create community awareness for the Foun-dation’s Grants to Teachers and Schools programs. Have your cake and eat it too at this shindig!

Tickets for adults are $25 each. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation.

Fort Bend Education FoundationHosts First Sugar Shindig

NEWSWORTHY

The Sugar Shindig Honorary Committee: Max Cleaver, Kermit Spears, Christie Whitbeck, Phillys Hill, Seeju and Charles Dupre, Brenna Cosby, Steven Bassett, Nancy Porter, Long Pham and Beth Martinez.


NEWSWORTHYHeart of Fort Bend Event Plans Underway

Fort Bend County plans are underway for AccessHealth’s Heart of Fort Bend event. With Honorary Chairs Holly Kaminga and Patti Parish-Kaminski, State Representative John Zerwas, M.D. serving as the emcee for the evening and the opportunity to honor Allison and Cassandra Wen of Safari Texas Ranch, it will be a very special event.

“I became involved with AccessHealth several years ago when I realized the tremendous need for high quality, affordable health care in Fort Bend County. I am excited to be involved with a committee this energetic and enthusiastic. The entire community – but especially all Aggies, Cougars and Longhorns

– should come to this event to support a vital organization in our community and show your school spirit with a very special, spirited opportunity,” said Patti Parish-Kaminski.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 29th from 6 until 9 pm in the Texas Ballroom at Safari Texas Ranch. A pre-event champagne reception with Representative Zerwas and AccessHealth’s Board of Directors will be available for those sponsoring the event at a Silver, Gold or Platinum Level spon-sorship.

The funds raised at The Heart of Fort Bend event will assist AccessHealth in providing high quality, comprehensive health care for the children of Fort Bend County. Early sponsors and supporters of the event include Safari Texas Ranch, absolutely! focus media, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Nesossi Studios, Phoenix Designs, Sterling McCall Lexus and Bank of Texas.

AccessHealth is a private, not-for-profit community health center that serves Fort Bend County and the surrounding ar-eas, dedicated to providing integrated health care services to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves without regard to income or circumstance. AccessHealth is a United Way Agency.

For additional information about the event, please contact Cindy Reaves at 281-633-3169, [email protected] or visit AccessHealth’s website at www.myaccesshealth.org.

Committee members Lucas Chavez, Marilyn Long, Brenda Patton, Holly Kaminga, Patti Parish-Kaminski, Cindy Picazzo, Barbara Benes, Cindy Reaves, Nell Ciancarelli, Ann Smith and Donna Kay Tucker.


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The staff at Transforming You Hypno-sis is dedicated to showing clients how to lose weight without being on a diet, equipping them to be comfortably fit and trim for life. Transforming You Hypnosis also helps motivate clients to overcome their life challenges in areas of smoking cessation and anxiety and stress man-agement.

Hong Klein is a certified hypnotist and practitioner in neurolinguistic pro-gramming with expertise in the McFall Hypnosis Method. In her career, Klein has successfully treated several hun-dred clients. One client testified, “I lost 15 pounds and went from a bulky size eight to a size four. I was so unhappy and tired when I had the weight on. My clothes were getting too tight, and my doctor started talking to me about my weight and my blood sugar level being too high. Wow, did I feel sorry for myself, and you may be there, too. My hope is to inspire you to get the help you need.

“At first, I wondered how I would find the time to exercise. I had such a jam-packed schedule, working full time with a young daughter to tend to. I had so much fun losing weight, and it was so easy! The health benefits have been amazing. I sleep better, and I find I need fewer hours of sleep than I used to. My blood sugar went back to normal. I’ve made changes I can live with. It was so easy and just a matter of getting the right perspective. Hypnosis did it!”

Transforming You Hypnosis offers several programs, and individual results may vary. For more information, call 281-709-8488.

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ComingNovember 2015

‘Tis TheSeasonHolidayEntertaining& Dining

PROFILES

Meet the Finest in Fort Bend

LEGALEAGLES

Julia DeanThe Dean Law Firm, PLLC

Kurt AndreasonAndreason Law Firm

Farha AhmedFarha Ahmed Law

T. Aaron Dobbs Roberts Markel

Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C.

Iqbal “Ike” MithaMitha Law Firm, P.C.

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dios

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Amy MitchellMitchell & Duff, LLC

Phot

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Lar

ry P

ulle

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Elizabeth DuffMitchell & Duff, LLC

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PROFILES LEGAL EAGLES

Mitha Law Firm was established 23 years ago with the goal of providing intelli-gent and strategic solutions for clients’ legal issues by first comprehensively analyzing each client’s specific requirements. Iqbal “Ike” Mitha’s clients consider him a trusted advisor because of the premium quality of his legal services, thorough knowledge of the law, experience, ethics and integrity. Mitha has handled 275 litigation cases with exceptional success.

The firm’s practice areas are business litigation, business and real estate transac-tions, personal injury litigation and estate planning. Mitha Law Firm has been very successful in obtaining substantial results for their clients and in averting clients from significant liabilities in excess of $100 million.

Mitha is highly regarded for advising business owners and individuals on best practices to minimize legal problems. Mitha is a graduate of Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. Mitha’s legal experience includes working in the office of the Chief Justice of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, as well as practicing criminal defense law in Fort Bend and Harris counties.

Mitha supports many non-profit organizations through charitable contributions, community service and pro bono work, including the Asia Society Texas Center, Aga Khan Development Network, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Greater Houston Retailers Association. With Mitha Law Firm on their side, clients can protect and enforce their legal rights. When lawsuits are unavoidable, they can provide a strong defense.

Iqbal “Ike” MithaAttorney at Law

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Nes

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9494 Southwest Freeway Suite 550, Houston, TX 77074

1455 Highway 6 South Sugar Land, TX 77478

713-621-4555 [email protected] www.mithalawfirm.com

Mitha Law Firm, P.C.

210 Main Street, Richmond, TX 77469 281-341-1718 • www.MitchellandDuff.com

Mitchell & Duff, an AV rated firm and one of Fort Bend Coun-ty’s largest female owned law firms, is recognized for stellar legal representation and community service. Amy Mitchell and Elizabeth Duff, with a combined five decades of legal expe-rience, created Mitchell & Duff in 2009. In a complex world, their philosophy is simple: “With our broad-based experience, knowledge, teamwork and community involvement, we meet our client’s civil business and personal legal needs,” said Mitch-

Mitchell & Duff, LLC

Elizabeth Duff, Tracy Osina, Amy Mitchell and Stacey Severovich.

ell. Whether protecting clients in the courtroom, adopting a child, handling a divorce, probating a will or creating a business, this firm can do it all.

Mitchell, an experienced civil litigator with over 65 successful trials, was named a “Top Rated Lawyer” by the Texas Lawyer, National Law Journal and American Lawyer. She has handled thousands of cases involving personal injury, civil and commer-cial litigation, consumer debt litigation and complex litigation, including class actions and multi-party death cases and appeals for everything from individuals to a number of Fortune 500 cor-porations. Mitchell is a certified American Arbitration Association (AAA) and Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) arbitrator.

Duff excels in family law, guardianship, probate, wills and trusts, adoption, parent rights and termination. Judges regularly appoint her as both attorney and guardian ad litem in probate, guardianship and child protection cases, and she is trained in family and civil Law mediation. She also represents individuals in business and transactional issues, including contracts, corpo-rate documents, real estate transactions, collections, business issues and human resources.



Kurt Andreason, Attorney at Law, meets clients’ estate plan-ning needs with everything from basic will and trust planning to sophisticated strategies, includ-ing family limited partnerships, LLCs, long-term and dynasty trusts, business succession and

retirement account planning. Andreason is a graduate of the University of Texas Law School and has been practicing law in Texas since 1983. He is board certified in estate planning and probate law. Andreason is listed among the best lawyers in America in the Estates and Trust field and has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly. Call or visit his conve-nient, handicapped accessible office in Sugar Land for more information.

Kurt AndreasonAttorney at Law

Andreason Law Firm

4840 Sweetwater Boulevard, Suite BSugar Land, TX 77479

281-265-1561www.andreasonlawfirm.com

When clients walk through the door of The Dean Law Firm, PLLC, they are met with a welcoming, comfortable environment and personal service. This distinctive element is cultivated by lead attorney Julia Dean, who strives to create a caring legal environ-ment.

Dean is an exceptional woman whose extensive knowledge and compassionate heart are the perfect combination for assisting clients. Her goal is to let each client know they are valued and that their legal needs will be met with excellence. Dean’s professional experience encompasses a broad range of legal matters. Her primary emphases are estate planning, probate and civil appeals.

Julia Dean and The Dean Law Firm staff offer a unique legal experience as ex-pressed by recent clients Bill and Jill Miller. “Julia Dean is a highly ethical and compe-tent attorney who is also very sensitive to the individual needs of her clients. We are most satisfied with the high level of professionalism she recently exhibited while pre-paring new wills and a trust agreement for us. She frequently attends legal seminars to stay up-to-date on the latest changes in the laws pertaining to her work. We have recommended her to friends and family who have been similarly impressed with the services she provided to them.”

Whether you hope to establish your family legacy through an estate plan or you find yourself in the midst of the probate process, let the Dean Law Firm expertise, charac-ter and compassion bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Julia DeanLead Attorney

1650 Highway 6 South, Suite 100Sugar Land, TX 77478

281-277-3326 [email protected]

The Dean Law Firm, PLLC

Farha Ahmed has practiced law in Texas for over 15 years and represents her clients with zeal and passion, focusing on the areas of commercial and Real Estate transactions, family law, probate and civil litigation. She is known for her dedica-tion and aggressive stance on behalf of her clients and busi-nesses. Ahmed has founded a law firm that is committed to excellence. Clients value her skills in seeking the best resolu-tion. She is recognized for her service on Sugar Land’s Plan-ning and Zoning Commission and for community service by the City of Houston. Ahmed firmly supports local charities, including the Exchange Club of Sugar Land and Fort Bend Lawyers Care. Ahmed serves on the board of directors for the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and is General Coun-sel for a hedge fund headquartered in Sugar Land.

Farha AhmedAttorney

at Law, PLLC

2150 Town Square Place • Sugar Land, TX 77479281-313-3839 • www.farhaahmedlaw.com

[email protected]


T. Aaron Dobbs is a shareholder at Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C. and leads the firm’s estate planning, probate and trust section. Dobbs advises beneficiaries, executors, trustees, trust departments, creditors and

non-profits in all aspects of estate planning and estate and trust administration, probate, will contests, trust and fiduciary litigation, creditor claims and guardianship disputes before trial and appellate courts across the state of Texas. Dobbs is board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been listed by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Estate and Trust Litigation in 2014 and 2015 and by H Texas Magazine as a Top Lawyer for Wills, Trusts and Estates in 2014 and 2015.

T. Aaron DobbsShareholder

Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C.

2277 Plaza Drive, Suite 290 • Sugar Land, TX 77479281-207-7697 • www.rmwbhlaw.com

[email protected]


L awyers will often provide a complimentary or low-cost consultation to learn the details of your potential case, as well as give potential clients an opportunity

to ask some questions about the attorney. To take advantage of this opportunity, have a list of questions in mind to ask during the initial consultation.

The questions should relate to the lawyer’s expertise, experience, fees, special knowledge and management of the potential case. Here are 10 basic questions to help you pick the perfect lawyer:

1. How long have you practiced law? Ask whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney. Your legal

issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school; however, you may need a veteran. It will depend on your case.

2. What type of cases do you typically handle, and what percentage of your practice is devoted to

this specific area? Determining a lawyer’s expertise – and how much of his practice is devoted to a certain type of law – is critical. If you need help with a minor custody issue, you may want to retain a family law lawyer.

3. Who is your typical client? Make sure you are in the right place. If you are an individual with a particular

legal problem, but the attorney you’re meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best fit.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine? Feel free to ask about the attorney’s

track record, including the number of cases won or settled.

5. What kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation? Some

cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training in addition to a law degree. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your fees, and how are they billed? Will paralegals or legal assistants be working on my

case? If paralegals or legal assistants will be working on your case, ask about reduced costs. You need to know whether you can afford the lawyer’s services and how you will be required to pay. Ask about payment options if necessary and how you will be billed.

7. What is your philosophy in representing a case? Make sure the attorney is a good fit. For example, if you

are seeking an amicable divorce, but the attorney is known as an aggressive divorce lawyer, this may not be the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a bulldog attorney to handle an upcoming corporate merger, you will want someone who is more aggressive.

8. Can I solve my legal problem without hiring an attorney? Always ask whether there are any

alternatives for solving your legal problem. Arbitration or out-of-court arrangements may work for you.

9. How will you let me know what’s happening with my case? Consistent communication is critical

when working with a lawyer. Find out how your attorney will communicate with you and how often.

10. What is the likely outcome in my case? Oftentimes, it is fair to ask the attorney whether

you have a good chance of winning your case. A direct, honest response will be helpful in determining your course of action, as well as help you be prepared. If you are in for a fight, it is helpful to know up front so you can be prepared.

These questions should give you general knowledge of a specific lawyer’s experience, expertise and skill level, and most importantly, whether the lawyer is a good fit for you.

To Finding the

PerfectLawyer

10 Questions


Sugar Land | Houston | Austin | Dallas | San AntonioSan Antonio by appointment only(281) 207-7697 rmwbhlaw.com

T. Aaron Dobbs is board certi�ed in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Kelley M. Bentley is board certi�ed in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Certi�ed Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation

Helping families protect and preserve inheritances, trusts and estates right here in Fort Bend.

Estate Planning Probate & Estate Administration Trust & Estate Litigation

Elder Law & Medicaid Planning Uncontested/Contested Guardianships Special Needs Trusts

board certified specialists

E lder law is a relatively new specialty area that focus-es on the unique needs of the elderly and individuals with special needs, regardless of age. Elder law con-

sists of many disciplines of law, including estate planning, probate and guardianship. Additionally, a qualified elder law attorney provides guidance regarding financing and planning for the long-term care needs of the client, including planning and advice on Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Affairs ben-efits.

Elder law focuses not on one specific area of law, but rather focuses on the needs of a specific group of people. For example, an elder law attorney may assist with preparing “basic” estate planning documents, such as wills and trusts, but may do so with the intent to either qualify or maintain eligibility for a government benefit, such as Medicaid. Ad-ditionally, an elder law attorney may provide advice on real estate transactions and family law matters, as well as issues surrounding the resident’s rights in a nursing home or as-sisted living.

One of the main goals of an elder law attorney is to plan for the long-term care needs of the client. Many individuals will at some point in their lives require long-term care medical assistance. The cost of long-term care can be devastating on a family, especially in the instance of a married couple. Most couples want to ensure that after the payment of long-term care expenses, the “healthy” spouse maintains sufficient as-

sets for his or her living expenses. A qualified elder law attor-ney can provide guidance regarding financing long-term care by accessing the Medicaid program, as well as assist with preserving assets for a spouse or other family member.

In addition to providing legal guidance, an elder law at-torney often acts as a coordinator of long-term care needs, giving advice on housing options, caretaking and medical providers. A qualified attorney can help navigate difficult family dynamics, as well as complicated rules for eligibility of government benefits, such as Medicaid, to ensure that the client receives the proper care, either in an institutional facil-ity or at home.

Many attorneys list elder law as a one of their areas of practice; however, few attorneys dedicate their entire prac-tice to the needs of the elderly. When searching for an elder law attorney, look for members in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys – an organization dedicated to improv-ing the quality of legal services provided to the elderly and individuals with special needs. Additionally, some elder law attorneys are certified as specialists – referred to as “CELAs” – by the National Elder Law Foundation. Certified elder law attorneys must pass a comprehensive written exam and peer review in order to be certified as specialists.

Kelley M. Bentley is a certified elder law attorney practicing in

the Sugar Land office of Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C.

What is Elder Law?

By Kelley M. Bentley

Legal Focus


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The Missouri City Police Officers As-sociation Police Invitational Golf Scram-ble will be held on September 11th at the Quail Valley Golf Club. In remembrance of that fateful day, the tournament will recognize first responders, past and present, for service to their community. This theme throughout the tournament will include a presentation of colors by the Missouri City Police Department (MCPD) honor guard, the national an-them sung by a local celebrity, a unique golf ball drop on the 18th green and a display of first responder vehicles from Missouri City and Fort Bend.

In addition to the standard four-per-son scramble, there will be a special tournament flight for first responders, where separate and well-designed priz-es will be awarded to this flight winner.

Missouri City Police Officers Association Hosts Golf Scramble

to Benefit First Responders and

Community Groups

David Kaiser, Andrew Sonnier, Jeremy Polach, Khoury Hilliard, Kyle Vincent and Tracy Vives.


Specializing in Dentistry for Childrenand those with Special Needs

Larry Caldwell, D. D. S.A N D A S S O C I A T E S

Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

15200 SW Freeway • Sugar Land, TX 77478281.565.KIDS (5437) • www.larrycaldwelldds.com

Check us out on Facebook!

Dr. Steinbring is a 2009 graduateof Texas A&M University and

received his Doctorate ofDental Surgery degree from

the University of Texas School of Dentistry in 2013. He has

completed a two-year residency program in pediatric dentistry

at The University of Texas Schoolof Dentistry in Houston.

Come in for a visit and meet Dr. Steinbring. You may even

catch him “singing” whiletreating his patients! Dr. Larry Caldwell and Dr. Derek Steinbring

We are excited to announce the arrivalof our new Associate, Dr. Derek Steinbring!

OUR NEWEST DOCTORWILL SEE YOU NOW

Naureen Ahmeduddin, D.O.Family Medicine

To make an appointment, call 281.277.0695 or schedule online at mhmg.memorialhermann.org

Memorial Hermann Medical Group Sweetwater16550 Southwest Freeway, Suite BSugar Land, TX 77479

Proceeds from the tournament in the past have supported college schol-arships, the Adopt-a-Family Program, Bethel Ministries, Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, crime prevention and financial assistance for Missouri City officers, first responders and their families.

2015 sponsors include Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Re-public Services, Johnson Development, Market Petroleum, Classic Chevrolet, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, Tool Mart, Quail Valley Golf Course, Raising Cane’s, Aquarius Home Service, Quail Valley Fund, Collision Clinic, Qual-ity Wrecker Service, Trammel Crow and Whitley Penn, LLC.

Visit www.golfquailvalley.com to reg-ister or purchase balls for the unique ball drop. Balls are $5 each, and the prize will be 50 percent of the total ball drop proceeds.

For sponsor opportunities and more information, contact 281-403-5827 or [email protected].

Got Tickets?Facebook.com/FortBendFocus

Join us on Facebook

Win ticket giveaways to area attractions and events!

“Like” Us Today!


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Largest Selection ofIce Cream

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Second Opinions Welcome

NEWSWORTHY

While the temperature is hovering near 100 de-grees, Fred & Mabel R. Parks Foundation, Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) staff, commit-tee members, decora-tors and homeowners are gearing up for the 24th annual CASA Christmas Home Tour, scheduled for Friday, December 11th and Saturday, December 12th. “Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation has a long-standing relation-ship with this agency

and with our Home Tour. We are so excited that they came forward to kick off the sponsor drive again this year as our Event Underwriter,” said Ruthanne Mefford, Child Advocates of Fort Bend Chief Executive Officer.

Proceeds from the Christmas Home Tour help CAFB advocate for the needs of abused and neglected children in the community. Through its two programs, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), the agency touches the lives of more than 400 young victims each month.

A Fort Bend holiday tradition, the tour offers guests the opportunity to view beautifully decorated homes in Fort Bend County while helping to raise much needed funds to support CAFB’s programs serving abused and neglect-ed children. Tour hours are 10 am until 4 pm on December 11th and 12th with a candlelight tour on December 11th from 6 until 9 pm.

Sponsors and volunteers are needed to support the Home Tour. For more in-formation, call Lisa Moore at 281-344-5108 or emaI [email protected]. Visit www.cafb.org/Events/Home-Tour for in-formation on home locations and ticket sales.

Child Advocates of Fort BendGathers Forces for the 24th Annual

CASA Christmas Home Tour

Jim McClellan, Ruthanne Mefford and Jim Lockwood.


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Dine Out and Do Good in September

The annual Houston Restaurant Weeks (HRW) benefiting the Houston Food Bank takes place through Sep-tember 7th. Restaurants offer specially priced dinners, lunches and brunches and donate a portion of each HRW meal sold to the Houston Food Bank. Diners should ask for the HRW special menus to participate in the event. Reservations may be required by some restaurants, and walk-ins may be accepted by oth-ers. Fort Bend restaurants participating in HRW include:

• Aura Brasserie• Churrascos• Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille• Ray’s Gourmet Country• Songkran Thai Kitchen• Tierra del Fuego TX• Tradicao Brazilian Steakhouse• Veritas Steak and SeafoodHRW was established in 2003 by

Houston area resident, broadcaster and volunteer philanthropist Cleverley Stone. Her first event donated about $5,000 to the food bank. In 2014, HRW made a do-nation commitment to the food bank of $1.6 million.

HRW is produced by volunteers and is now the largest annual fundraiser for America’s largest food bank. To date, HRW has raised almost $6 million for the Houston Food Bank and has provided almost 18 million meals for Houston resi-dents who are food insecure, meaning that they do not know where their next meal will come from.

For more information, visit www.HoustonRestaurantWeeks.com.

Cleverley Stone presented Brian Greene with a donation commitment of $1.6 million raised by HRW for the food bank in 2014.


281.277.3555 www.lemkeortho.com4907 Sandhill Dr., Suite B • Sugar Land, TX 77479

Dr. Katia Lemke, DMDOrthodontic Specialist

• Braces for Children & Adults• New Low-Dose DIGITAL X-ray

• Advanced Orthodontic Treatment with

& Lingual Braces

• Flexible After School Hours• Free Orthodontic Exam & Consultation• Insurance & Flexible Financing Available

Submit your request and get the next issue of

delivered to your mailbox!

Visit www.fortbendfocus.comor

Call 281.690.4242

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

absolutelyHome Living

F E AT U R I N G

5 Tips for Tackling a Home Improvement Project

Arlene Rolsen, CRS

Garden Guy

Lake Pointe Commons

Rodney Lerner

Debbie Marcell

Sienna Plantation

The Wearhouse Boutique

Linda Day

J&L Distributors

Environmental Protech

7 Painting Projects for Weekend Warriors



HOME IS WHERE THE HEART ISAdvertorial

F rom aesthetic upgrades like replacing laminate floors in the kitchen with patterned tile

to practical necessities like removing tree roots from sewage pipes, there is no shortage of projects for homeowners to tackle. With so much to do, home-improvement projects can feel over-whelming. Rely on research tools such as YP.com and these five tips from home blogger and author Justina Blak-eney to help you get started.

1 Timing is everything. Priori-tize projects by needs, not wants.

Blakeney advises making sure impor-tant projects like functioning air-condi-tioning are set before tackling less cru-cial ones like popcorn ceilings. Create a list of all of the things on your wish list. Then start with the most timely matters and work your way down the list. Be realistic with your goals, and always factor in 20 percent more mon-ey and time than you think the project will take to leave some leeway for any unexpected issues that may arise.

2 Do it yourself (DIY) or hire an expert? Some projects are simple

enough to DIY, like swapping out the greenery in the yard. But other proj-ects, like installing solar panels or getting a new water heater, may be outside your wheelhouse and better handled by experts. Honestly assess your own level of expertise, permit re-quirements and local regulations, your budget, your timeline and ultimate goals before deciding whether to DIY or hire an expert. Whether you need a personal organizer or a painter, a foun-dation specialist or a handyman, if you decide an expert is the way to go, ask friends for referrals and then head on-line to check business information and dig a little deeper before getting a proj-ect bid.

3 Get organized. Doing your home-work before starting a project can

help speed things up later on. Create a “mybook®” collection at YP.com of pro-fessionals you will be working with and stores you will source materials from. You’ll have all of the info in one place for follow-ups, and it’s easy to share the info with friends once they start asking

for recommendations. Also get a clear breakdown of all elements involved in each project, how much each step will cost and deadlines for each step along the way. A clear plan of action will help keep the budget and timeline in check.

4 Get savvy. One of the best ways to save time and money is to find

things second hand. Thrift shops, sal-vage shops and flea markets are great places to find furniture, appliances and hardware on the cheap. Or, repurpose items you already own by moving them to a different room or by painting them different colors. Explore all of your op-tions and resources before going out and spending that hard-earned cash.

5 Just get started. It’s okay to start small. Swap out the old

hardware on your kitchen cabinets or fix the broken brick on your patio. Just start somewhere, and build your way up to the larger stuff. If you’re feeling paralyzed, try setting and accomplish-ing one small home improvement goal every week.

Source: Family Features

W hether you’ve just bought a new home or

you’re looking to refresh your familiar abode, chances are good you have a laundry list of home improvement projects to accomplish.

Tips for Tackling a Home Improvement Project5


HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Advertorial

• Celebrating 23 years in Landscape Design and Installation

• 14-year FIRST COLONY and FORT BEND COUNTY resident

STARTING AT $495,000

Tips for Tackling a Home Improvement Project



[email protected]

Arlene R. Rolsen, CRS“Selling Fort Bend’s Finest Homes Since 1985”

• Built by Westport• 2 Bedrooms Down

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with Private Sitting Room• Pool and Spa• On the Water• Outdoor Living Area

with Fireplace

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Arlene Rolsen, CRS, has been helping buyers and sellers realize their dreams for over 37 years and believes that this last year has by far been the most unpredictable in her career. “Homeownership is an investment in your future, and it is how many American families begin to accumulate wealth. Despite the recent downturn, homeownership still matters to many,” Rolsen said.

Arlene Rolsen loves introducing families from all over the world to Fort Bend County where they can find great schools, places to worship, shop-ping, medical care, parks, recreation and diversity. All have helped make her role such an enjoyable one. “We have truly been blessed with a market far different from any other place in the world.” The future continues to look bright for the area as more people continue to discover Fort Bend as such a wonderful place to call home.

Rolsen always remembers one of her sellers’ remarks: “I have given a lot of thought about my house sale, and I have decided that the house is secondary in the process. The buyer is actually buying the hope of a bright, happy future. As for the sellers, we are actually selling a place where memo-ries were made.” This explains why Rolsen has loved and enjoyed her years of helping buyers and sellers realize their hopes and memories.

For more information, call 281-414-8400 or contact [email protected].

What an Unforgettable Year This Has Been!

Listen to the sound of the songbirds and see the butterflies sipping nectar from wildflowers. Hear the splash of a cardinal bathing in your birdbath and see your children learning more about God’s creatures. This could be your backyard!

It doesn’t matter what part of Fort Bend County you live in or how much space you have, you can create a hab-itat for wildlife and even get it certified as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat site with the National Wildlife Federa-tion (NWF). According to The National Wildlife Federation, there are few key things needed to create a wildlife sanctuary in your yard: food, water, cover and a safe place to raise young.

Food sources include seeds from a plant, berries, nectar, foliage, twigs, nuts, fruits, pollen, suet, bird feeders, squirrel feeders, hummingbird feeders and butterfly feeders. Water sources include a small birdbath, a pond or a trickling water feature. Small wildlife like a place where they can feel safe. Having bushes or short shrubs where they can feel protected from humans, predators and inclement weather is a must.

Fall will be here soon, and now is a great time to get a plan for creating a habitat for birds, butterflies and other amazing small creatures that visit the area.

Once you have installed these el-ements into your yard and created a healthy and sustainable wildlife habi-tat, enroll in the NWF’s Certified Wild-life Habitat™ program at www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx.

Garden Guy would love to help you create and install the elements for an amazing backyard wildlife habitat! For more information, call 281-208-4400 or visit www.garden-guy.com.

See ad on page 51.

Creating a PrivateWildlife Sanctuary



Answers, Guidance

& Service. That’s exactly

what I’m offering.

Rodney Lerner

Commercial / Residential Licensed Broker Associate Houston Association of Realtors

Ranks by ALL previous clients 5 out of 5 stars

Top 25 Residential Real Estate Team 2012 & 2013 – Houston Business Journal

30 years experience

16525 Lexington Blvd, Ste 260Sugar Land, TX 77479

Call Rodney:

[email protected]

When you are buying or selling a home, you want an experienced, competent

agent that provides -

3711 SPRINGHILL LN

Great location! Very open plan. Kitchen opens to breakfast and family room. SS Appliances, updated gran-ite counter tops, hardwood in living, dining and master. Surround sound. Office french doors open out to a sparkling pool. Lush landscaped curb appeal, circular driveway with mature trees. Game room in garage with pool access. Recent Roof.

1803 ROCK SPRING CT

Large 4 bedroom corner lot. High ceil-ings, hardwood, floors, dining & study with french doors off the entry. Den with vaulted ceilings opens to break-fast area. Kitchen updated with gran-ite counters & SS appliances. Down-stairs Master has his & her sinks, whirlpool tube and separate shower. Backyard with lush landscaping, water feature, and covered limestone patio.

2711 GRANTS LAKE BLV

Second floor condo with large balcony overlooks the lake! 3 bed, 2 bath. Gal-ley kitchen with granite counter tops; stainless steel appliances includ-ing gas oven/range and microwave. Granite counter tops in bathrooms. Wood floors throughout living areas. Beautiful stone fireplace. Convenient attached garage!

The standard finishes and fixtures of the homes at Lake Pointe Com-mons are considered upgrades to most other homebuilders. Not so with Pelican Builders.

Come visit the Model Home Vil-lage at Lake Pointe Commons, and see what this gated community of 46 single-family homes in the Lake Pointe mixed-use development of Sugar Land is all about.

The three luxuriously appointed, furnished models are located just minutes from Highway 59 and High-way 6, the epicenter of Sugar Land’s Town Center. Lake Pointe Commons offers luxury, convenience and access to unique lifestyle centers unlike any other community. Walk out the back gate at Lake Pointe Commons and stroll along Brooks Lake to dine at fine restaurants like Churrascos and Veri-tas Steak & Seafood, grab a quick bite at Torchy’s Tacos or shop at Whole Foods.

To date, nearly half of the homes are sold in this exclusive neighborhood by Pelican Builders, which offers five dif-ferent floor plans ranging from 2,313 square feet to 3,200 square feet with only four lake front lots still available. All of the homes are elevator capable.

With gated access, privacy, el-egant architecture and common area features, including a swimming pool, which is now open, a cabana and lake front access, come see why Lake Pointe Commons would be a great place to call home.

For more information, contact Lizz or Chris Sansone at 281-753-0333 or visit www.lakepointecommons.com.

See ad on page 51.

Unparalleled Qualityin Homes at

Lake Pointe Commons

Fort Bend County has enjoyed three consecutive years of strong home sales. Before, it was common to see multiple offers on homes with the sales price greater than the original list price. Now, with the drop in oil prices and subsequent layoffs by energy companies, those days are over! The market is experiencing a return to normalcy. It remains a seller’s market with just 3.4 months of inventory, still below the industry accepted six months, which represents a level playing field between buyers and sellers.

According to Clarus Market Metrics, sales in Fort Bend County are down in 2015 from 2014. The volume has fallen 4.3 percent with prices down by 2.3 percent. Year to date, there have been 1,221 single-family sales in the Sugar Land and Missouri City market with a median sales price of $335,000. Sales prices average 97 percent of list price, with the days on market moving up to an average of 42 days.

Sellers and buyers now more than ever need a strong, competent Realtor© partner. Rodney Lerner consistently delivers positive results and value. Even as the market slows, he continues to beat the market average selling at 98 percent of list price. He does so by advising sellers on preparation in order to achieve top dollar. Lerner correctly positions list price when taking a house to market. A designated negotiation expert with 30 years of experience, Lerner has sold 100 percent of the homes listed and is rated 5 out of 5 stars by his clients on the Houston Association of Realtors Client Experience survey.

For more information, call Rodney Lerner at 713-705-1959.

Rodney Lerner Offers Answers, Guidance and Service



Armed with high energy, Marcell’s sincere commitment and dedication to her Real Estate clients are demon-strated in the professionalism, com-petency and hands-on, personalized service that she provides her clients.

After several years in the Presi-dent’s Circle and Gold Status, Mar-cell’s success rose to an all-time high in 2013, as she climbed to Emerald Elite Status, which recognizes the top two percent of agents in the Bet-ter Homes and Gardens-Gary Greene network. She was named as a Five Star Real Estate Professional in Texas Monthly for 2014 and 2015. With over $32M in closed sales in the prior two years, Marcell has gained expertise in working through the various aspects of the process.

As the listing agent for Sterling Classic Homes in Riverstone, Marcell has sold this builder’s high-end, cus-tom homes in the exclusive Hartford Landing and Ivy Bend neighborhoods for the last three years. Most recent-ly, she closed on the first home built in the new Majestic Pointe lake front neighborhood, where pricing begins at $1.7M and at $2.8M on waterfront lots.

A longtime resident of Sugar Land and now Missouri City, Marcell is pas-sionate about putting her extensive knowledge of the market and her valu-able experience to work, assisting her buyers and sellers in all price ranges throughout the county.

Visit www.debbiemarcell.com or call 281-782-2102 for more informa-tion.

Debbie Marcell ofBetter Homes and

Gardens-Gary Greene

Rich in character & elegance yet still offering family livability, this spectacular upgraded custom on a sprawling ½ acre lot in exclusive Greatwood Estates. Resort style landscaped yard w/Pool/Swim-up Bar. Pergola & F/P area offer more seating. Island kitchen w/granite, upgraded appliances. Butt glass win-dows offer view from foyer to backyard paradise. Remodeled Master bath, room size Her Closet. Use upstairs Bonus Room as Media, Work-out, etc. Extended Laundry room w/Wrapping station. 8215 Forest Gate Dr. MLS # 91460240

Builder’s custom masterpiece w/special attention to detail. Upscale Millwork w/8” crown molding, travertine. Quarters w/bed, bath, living room above garage w/its own exit door. Ap-prox. 2.5 acres w/pond. Island Kitchen w/wolf cooktop, pot filler, granite, back splash. Lavish Master suite w/his & her toilets, room size closet w/extensive built-ins. Mid-level Study. Carrera double doors. Iron circular staircase with granite lighted steps. Needville ISD $699,000. 7732 Fairchild Blvd. MLS # 87915933.

Luxury, sophistication, and elegance along w/superior work-manship are the cornerstones for long time highly regarded custom builder, Sterling Classics homes. This open floor plan with dramatic high ceilings & tall windows features a Media & Game room downstairs along w/cleverly designed views of the gorgeous 75 acre lake from as many rooms as possible. Over 8300 square feet + a bonus 1386 square feet, 4 car garage, circular drive, 7 expansive outdoor living space on the water. $2,800,000. 14 Haven Shore. MLS # 94734324.

FAIRCHILDS MANOR

ACREAGE

POND

LAKE FRONT

RIVERSTONE MAJESTIC POINTE GATED COMMUNITY

Debbie MarcellBetter Homes and GardensGary Greene

2323 Town Center Dr.Sugar Land, TX 77478281-782-2102 (o)281-980-5426 (f)[email protected]

GREATWOOD ESTATES

SOLD

The October issue of Fort Bend Focus Magazine will be dedicated

to breast cancer awareness and breast cancer survivors.

To advertise, call 281-690-4242

ctober is absolutelyBreast CancerAwareness Month



Luxury homebuyers have ample choices in Sienna Plantation, includ-ing a new neighborhood in the Village of Sawmill Lake. Fox Bend, a gated enclave of 100 foot properties, fea-tures homes by Toll Brothers and Gra-cepoint Homes designed for 100 foot properties.

Toll Brothers is offering nine de-signs in the neighborhood, including a 3,525 square-foot, single-story de-sign and several two-story designs with more than 5,000 square feet of living space. Toll Brothers’ pricing in Fox Bend starts in the $580,000s. Gracepoint Homes is offering one and two-story plans ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet and priced from the $600,000s. Model home construction will begin soon.

Prospective luxury buyers also can choose from established neighbor-hoods within Sienna Plantation, in-cluding Sorrento at Bees Creek where Taylor Morrison offers designs priced from the $600,000s. Toll Brothers has homes available in The Heights, where pricing also begins in the $600,000s, as does Fairmont Homes, which offers designs starting in the $900,000s. J. Patrick Homes has an array of elegant homes priced from the $770,000s in Milano Estates. The wooded, luxury neighborhoods within Sienna Planta-tion are located near an array of world-class amenities and retail.

The Village of Sawmill Lake is Si-enna Plantation’s newest collection of neighborhoods, featuring homes priced from the $280,000s to more than $1 million from a dozen promi-nent builders. Planned for the Village of Sawmill Lake is a new amenity cen-ter next year and a Fort Bend ISD el-ementary school and middle school in 2017.

Visit www.siennaplantation.com for more information.

See ad on page 4.

Sienna Plantation Touts Luxurious Living, Homes

The Wearhouse Boutique brings fashion and home décor to Sugar Land and Missouri City! Located on the corner of Highway 6 and Knights Court, the Wearhouse Boutique is known for apparel, jewelry, gifts and home décor. The boutique offers affordable, fashion forward options that cater to all differ-ent needs and styles for men and women.

The goal at the Wearhouse Boutique is to make the shopping experience easier by helping shoppers select styles that best suit their needs. The friend-ly staff will make suggestions to help shoppers stay up with current trends and styles. Whether a person needs professional attire for work or a quick outfit for a night out, the Wearhouse Boutique has the perfect options. Their jewelry and accessories are very unique and can add a finishing touch to any outfit and are great for gift giving.

The Wearhouse Boutique also caters to the home with items such as light fixtures, couches, pillows, ottomans, tables and more. Items can be found in the boutique or can be custom ordered. Stop in the Wearhouse Boutique and let the caring staff help spruce up any home or wardrobe.

Located at 7746 Highway 6, Suite L in Missouri City, the Wearhouse Bou-tique’s location was chosen by Owner Sara Wear to provide convenience. Wear offers shoppers the option to call and ask to have a gift ready or some dresses handpicked for a special occasion.

For more information, call 281-208-7249.

The Wearhouse Boutique:Fashion for You and Your Home

7746 Hwy 6, Ste. L • 281-208-7249

Show us that you are following us on Facebook or Instagram and receive

10% off your purchase! (1 purchase per person)

Apparel • Accessories • Home Décor • Gifts



• MillionDollarProducer

• Rookieof theYear 2012

281-851-2273

3407 OAKLAND DRIVE - $750,000

3018 PASTURE LANE - $329,000 1214 MORTON LEAGUE - $325,000

SOLD

(Represented Buyer)

PENDING

PENDING

4007 ALCORN BEND - $755,000

Top Producing Realtor® Linda Day

Linda Day began her Real Estate career as “Rookie of the Year” and has remained a top producing Real-tor® ever since. A resident of Sugar Land for the last 19 years, Day is a highly successful professional who knows Sugar Land and Fort Bend neighborhoods inside and out.

Positive and outgoing, a true “people person” who is also a masterful negotiator, Day works hard to see that her clients’ transactions are as challenge-free as possi-ble. However, when challenges do arise, she has the ex-perience and knowledge to address them head-on and always tries to achieve a solution that is fair to all parties.

“I keep a ‘client-first’ mentality,” Day said. “Atten-tion to detail, ethical negotiations and integrity are my strengths. I strive to exceed my clients’ expectations and become their Realtor for life – one who they rec-ommend without reservation to their family and friends.” She consistently gathers 5 out of 5 stars in customer reviews on the Houston Association of Realtors website.

In addition to her high Real Estate profile, people rec-ognize Day as someone who is active within the commu-nity. Currently, she is co-chairing the 7th Annual Empty Bowls for East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. Past commitments include Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Habitat for Humanity, Fort Bend Women’s Shelter and the Fort Bend Junior Service League. Day also spends several weekends a year with her husband leading the Catholic Engaged Encounter couples’ retreat.

For more information, call Linda Day at 281-851-2273 or visit www.alldayeverydayhouston.com.

The Next Generation ofIntelligent Window Coverings

Are you tired of multiple remote controls to raise or lower window treatments? Or, are you tired of walking to your windows to use a cord system? Visit J&L Distribu-tors to see and operate the Hunter Douglas Platinum Gateway operating system, named a 2014 Product of the Year by Electronic House Magazine.

Window coverings can now combine form with func-tion to integrate with virtually any home automation sys-tem to wirelessly control the industry’s widest and most diverse array of products. Integration into existing home security systems can provide additional safety benefits as well.

Don’t be intimidated by the technology! Users can expect a user-friendly interface to enhance natural home lighting and optimize privacy, security and energy management.

As a Hunter Douglas Gallery Dealer, J&L Distributors offers shutters, shades and blinds customized to fit cli-ents’ windows. Their design consultant is available to help with all soft coverings, from drapes and valances to bedding, pillows, table runners and more. J&L Dis-tributors offers complete turnkey services, including in-home consultations and measurement and installation services. All Hunter Douglas products also come with a Right Choice Promise and are always designed with child safety in mind.

J&L Distributors is located at 707 Avenue E in Stafford. Come by and let the staff help you shape and control your light.

For more information, call 281-403-6733 or visit www.jlblinds.com.

See ad on page 2.



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Environmental Protech

For 20 years, Environmental Protech has made it their mission to improve the quality of lives in Greater Houston. By providing high quality water treatment equipment at a fair price and keeping the customer’s interest as top priority, Environmental Protech has es-tablished itself at the forefront of the Houston area wa-ter treatment industry.

Owners Robert and Mindy Kersey continually thank their success to God and the missional attitude the company encompasses. Recent projects have included support for the B.O.N.A. Foundation, which works to increase awareness in regards to childhood obesity and nutrition education. In addition, large amounts of physical, spiritual and financial support have been giv-en to Right To Be Free and HardtHaven Home, both of which work toward freeing labor slaves on Lake Volta in Ghana while fostering children during their rehabilitation and integration. Finally, Environmental Protech has sup-ported missionaries around the world since their start in 1996. Recipients of their support have shared the Word to people on four different continents and among a multitude of people groups.

Late this month, Environmen-tal Protech will begin their new-est project in a three-year sup-port of Elizabeth Lane as she travels to South Asia to share the Gospel with some of the least reached people groups in the world. Elizabeth has worked with the company over the course of many years and led the charge in initiating the mis-sional aspects of the company. Her leadership and influence has inspired other employees on missions of their own, while she continues to be a beacon of light for the water industry and Fort Bend County.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 281-495-4420.


PaintingProjects

for Weekend Warriors

H omeowners are often advised to keep the home neutral and avoid decorating with anything too bold or personal. But

in order to make a house your home, the décor should reflect your personality and style. The good news is you don’t have to make permanent commitments. Paint is an easy and cost-effective way to infuse color and patterns that transform the aesthetic of a room or piece of furniture.


2 Invent your own artwork. Unleash your inner art-ist and create unique designs on canvas or fiberboard.

Use painter’s tape to make abstract designs and add your favorite paint color before finishing each piece with a decal or monogram.

3 Enhance your tired armoires. Give armoire doors a makeover. Paint a colorful border around the front of the

door and adhere adhesive hooks in the middle for a stylish, yet functional, new piece.

4 Skip store-bought photo frames. Instead, paint basic shapes directly on the wall. Mount artwork or photos onto

the painted backdrops for a picture-perfect place to preserve your favorite memories.

5 Design a lavish headboard for less. Save money and splurge on style by painting a “frame” on the wall

above your bed. Rectangular shapes work best for most beds. Get creative by trying patterns such as stripes or chevron.

6 Install faux panel moulding. No moulding? No prob-lem! Buy inexpensive frames and paint them the same

color as your baseboard trim. Adhere the frames to the wall without the backing and glass for a simple, dramatic look.

7 Make a statement wall. Pick your favorite pattern trends and bring them to life on one wall of the living

room or bedroom. If you’re not ready to take on patterns, bold and bright colors will do the trick. Source: Family Features

Regardless of whether you’re a masterful weekend warrior or a first-time do-it-yourselfer, paint projects don’t have to be time intensive or overwhelming. A little paint and creativity can go a long way toward refreshing your space.

“The key to achieving profes-sional-looking results is using the right tools,” said interior decorator Martin Amado. “That’s why I start all of my paint-ing projects with high-quality paint brushes, a can of paint and 3M Safe Release Painter’s Tape.”

Amado suggests these painting projects that can be ac-complished with just one can of paint:

1 Color block your furniture. Take the dining room from drab to fab by painting the bottom halves of table

legs and chairs in a bold, solid color. Change the look each season to impress guests on every occasion.


You are invited to the 21st annual American Girl Fashion Show

at the Junior League of Houston

Saturday, November 14 Breakfast—10:00 a.m.

Lunch—1:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 15 Lunch—1:00 p.m.

Tea—4:00 p.m.

Enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win prizes, and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls’ individual styles

during this fun-filled presentation of historical and contemporary fashions.

Runway Tables available starting at $1,650

Individual Tickets available starting $50 VIP Model Packages available for $150

Purchase Online or by Phone:

www.hitsfashionshow.com Phone: 713.904.3777

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Depression in particular plays a large role in suicide. The risk of suicide for those suffering from major depression is 20 times greater than that of the general population, and about two-thirds of people who commit suicide are de-pressed at the time of their deaths.

According to psychiatrist Dr. Kimberly Cress of the TMS Serenity Center in Sugar Land, “Over 80 percent of the patients who present in my office for initial evaluation for depression or other mental health disorders have thoughts of life not worth living. This is due to the dysfunction they are experiencing from their depression.”

Learning the warning signs of depression and suicide are huge parts of preventing a crisis. Although emotional ups and downs are normal, sometimes a person who is suicidal gives certain signs that something is wrong. Knowing these major warning signs can help you connect someone you care about to support if they need it — even if that person is yourself.

Q What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

A The normal ups and downs of life mean that everyone feels sad or has “the blues” from time to time. But

if emptiness and despair have taken hold of your life and won’t go away, you may have depression. Depression makes it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did, and things like just getting through the day can be overwhelm-ing.

Signs and symptoms of depression can include:• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness• Loss of interest in daily activities• Appetite or weight change • Sleep changes• Anger or irritability

• Loss of energy • Self-loathing• Reckless behavior• Trouble focusing, making decisions or

remembering things• Unexplained aches and pains

Q Are there risk factors for suicide?

A Risk factors for suicide vary by age, gender and ethnic group, and these risk factors also occur in combina-

tions. Adverse or traumatic life events in combination with other risk factors may lead to thoughts of suicide, but suicide and suicidal behavior are never normal responses to stress.

Some common risk factors may include:• Mental illness• Alcoholism or drug abuse• Previous suicide attempts• Family history of suicide• Terminal illness or chronic pain• Recent loss or stressful life event• Social isolation and loneliness• History of trauma or abuse

Q What are the warning signs of suicide?

A The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize the warning signs and know how to respond. If you believe

that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care and getting a professional involved. Be especially concerned if a person is exhibiting any of these warning signs and has attempted suicide in the past. Ac-cording to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, between 20 and 50 percent of people who commit suicide have had a previous attempt.

Warning signs can include:• Talking about killing or harming one’s self• Expressing strong feelings of hopelessness

or life not worth living

By Kerstin Brown

Understanding the Signs and Symptomsof Suicide

Is It Depressionor Something More?

S uicide takes the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans each year and over one mil-lion worldwide. According to the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, at least 90 percent of all people who commit suicide suffer from one or more mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or alcoholism.


• Expressing feelings of being trapped or in unbearable pain

• Loss of interest in things one cares about• Saying things like “Everyone would be better off

without me” or “I want out”• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly• Displaying extreme mood swings• Changes in sleep habits (i.e. sleeping too little

or too much)• Withdrawing or isolating• Increasing the use of alcohol and/or drugs• Calling or visiting people to say goodbye• Making arrangements, getting affairs in order• Giving things away, such as prized possessions

Q How do I help someone who is showing warning signs of suicide?

A Talking to a friend or family member about their sui-cidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult.

But if you’re unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. Giving a suicidal person the oppor-tunity to express his or her feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings and may prevent a suicide attempt.

Tips to Help:Take it seriously. Remember that suicidal comments

or behaviors are often cries for help, and anyone expressing suicidal feelings needs immediate attention.

Suicide prevention is not a last minute activity. Be willing to give and get help sooner rather than later. Get-ting help and attention as early as possible will reduce the risk of suicide.

Listen, express concern, and reassure. Let the per-son know you care. Letting them know that you take their situation seriously and are genuinely concerned about them will go a long way in your effort to support them. Encourage them to share their feelings. Avoid arguments and advice giving.

Create a safety plan. Ask the person what will help keep them safe until they meet with a professional or are able to get help. If you are concerned, do not leave them alone. If you feel the situation is critical, take the person to a nearby emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Get help. Nearly all suicidal people suffer from condi-tions that can be treated by a mental health professional. Seeking help is an important step that can save many lives and help reduce suicides. Provide the person with resources to help the recovery process, and let them know they are not alone.

If you or someone you know are in crisis, call the Nation-al Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Visit the website at www.suidicepreventionlifeline.org for more information. For more about suicide, suicide preven-tion and how to get involved, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at www.afsp.org.


absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

absolute ly!AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

T he 2015 Land Rover Range Rov-er is a British SUV that combines top-tier luxury and unsurpassed

capability. This vehicle can scale the heights of the Himalayas with ease while swaddling the driver in creamy leath-er and rockin’ out with the 29 speaker sound system. Why would anyone want to own such a vehicle? Well, Queen Eliz-abeth II drives a Range Rover when she tours Balmoral, her Scotland country es-tate. Need I say more?

Land Rover brought out the first generation Range Rover in 1970. It was designed to drive fast on English mo-torways and be sturdy enough to han-dle muddy and rocky terrain. The first Range Rovers immediately appealed

to Londoners who wanted a vehicle to drive directly from their city homes to and around their country estates. Mud left by boots could easily be hosed out of the interior. The high-quality interior materials came later, but the ability to traverse challenging terrain remained.

The 2015 model represents the fourth generation Range Rover with an alumi-num unibody that has lost none of its capability or appeal. The exterior styling of this big SUV is classic, understated, timeless and yet very contemporary. It is available in a standard body style and a long-wheelbase (LWB) version.

The interior is spacious, although there is no third row option. The quality of the leather used is superb, and the

fit and finish is exquisite. Although you may never need to touch it, there’s a knob in the center console that allows the driver to instantly adapt the Range Rover to ad-verse conditions, such as mud, snow, sand or rock crawling. To fully under-stand the capability of the Range Rover, a course at a Land Rover Experi-

2015 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

ence Driving School is a must. You will emerge as a true believer.

The base Range Rover has an MSRP of $83,495 and that comes equipped with a 340 hp, 3.0 liter, supercharged V6 engine mated to an eight-speed trans-mission delivering EPA estimated fuel economy numbers of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. If you need more power, opt for the 510 hp, 5.0 liter supercharged V8 (13 mpg city/19 mpg highway) that can rocket this SUV from 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds.

And just in case you hit it big, the Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB with Valloire White Paint is available for $200,995. It’s the ultimate luxury SUV, truly fit for a queen.

Follow Steve Kursar at KursarOn-Cars.blogspot.com.


ENTER TO WINFort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Think you have a great shot? Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary.

A WINNER EVERY MONTHEach month’s winner receives a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, call Adrienne at 281-690-4242. Runner-up photos may be published in our “Readers’ Photo Album.”

NO LIMIT TO ENTRIESTo submit a digital photo, e-mail the jpeg file to [email protected]. Digital photos must be HIGH RESOLUTION at least 300 dpi at actual size of at least 4” x 6”.

Please make sure to send some basic information about every photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and daytime phone number.

By submitting an entry, the photographer gives Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.

September 2015 Winner

“I’m So Pretty” By Janet Johnson

Congratulations Janet, you’ve earned a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant!

A M A T E U R P H O T O C O N T E S T


The Exchange Club of Fort Bend presented a $500 check to the Parks Youth Ranch at the club’s weekly lunch meeting at Sweetwater Country Club.

Club member Evelyn Traylor, Parks Youth Ranch Executive Director Shannon Bloesch and club President Yasmin Kutty.

Kash Aggarwal and Marco Hernandez.

Jose Medrano and Brett Goodrich.

Fort Bend foodies flocked to Blaze Pizza’s grand opening celebration in Sugar Land for freebies and fun. The popular pizza location serves up custom artisanal pizzas at lightning speed.

Jan Jenkins, Mark Kolon and Paul Scott. Keri Schmidt and Ted Wolf.

Chloe Nguyen and Danny Nguyen.

Dianna Turner and Dario Beistegui.

Bill Heath and Ray Aguilar. Tammy McCall and Lawren Eckhardt.

Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land hosted the Fort Bend Leadership Forum Alumni Reunion and Class of 2016 Reception for guests to meet the new class and past graduates.

IN THEHEART

O F T H E B E N D

OUT&ABOUT


Sponsors and supporters celebrated at the kick-off to the highly anticipated Couture for the Cause. Themed “A White Haute Affair,” the October 17th event benefits the American Cancer Society. Photos by Teresa Cox Reading.

Sharlene Jacobson and Toni Baches.

Maggy and Jay Horgan.

Teresa Cox Reading and Jentry Kelley.

Al Gallo and Diane Collins.

Julissa Duran and Amy West.

Glory Crafts, Michele Fisher and Crista Clark.

Angelo Decamps and Jerry Wood.

Maria Soccia and Frances Goerlich.

CiCi Casaly, Tamela Belton and Reneé Feathers.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital held an open house and tour of its new Cancer Center. Guests enjoyed light bites and music and were introduced to the new TrueBeam radiation therapy system, which integrates some of the most advanced technologies available for cancer treatment today.


Judy and Tom Welker. James and Mary Jo Patterson with Water Reed.

Sally Bradley and Shay Horton.

Ashley Arborisade and Vickie Coates.

East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house featuring refreshments, door prizes and a guided tour of its food pantry services, ministry program stations, resale shop and other areas of ministry.

Committee members Nell Ciancarelli, Cindy Picazzo and Diana Turner.

The 2015 Heart of Fort Bend Committee is planning a very special evening in support of quality and affordable health care for adults and children in Fort Bend County. The event will be held on Thursday, October 29th from 6 to 9 pm in the Texas Ballroom at Safari Texas Ranch.

Committee members Marilyn Long and Barbara Benes.

Event Co-Chair Patti Parish-Kaminski, Development Director for AccessHealth Cindy Reaves and event Co-Chair Holly Kaminga.

IN THEHEART

O F T H E B E N D

OUT&ABOUT


Fort Bend Focus was pleased to have Lauren Richmond as a bright and helpful summer 2015 intern! Lauren is a senior at Fort Bend Christian Academy.

Friends and staff recently celebrated the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Missouri City.

Rod Brace, Greg Haralson and Chuck Stokes.

Allen Owen, Kial Vidic and Will Miller.

Kathryn Johnson and Kim Zeiner.

Mike Cabiro and Don Wolterman.

Courtney Diapraam, Cheryl Bertrand, Kimberly Camp, Ashlea Quinonez and Malisha Patel.

Shashi Jajoo, Connie Preston, Daisy Yeung, Martha Rushing and Mary Kling.

Timothy Sitter, MD

MEDICALFOCUS

Keeping Your Joints Healthy

Hips, knees and shoulders – they’re the stuff of mobility and independence, and keeping them in tiptop shape is vital. Not doing so could lead to osteoarthritis, a progressive, degenerative disease in which joint cartilage breaks down. Though the condition may seem inevita-ble as people age – more than 27 million Americans have it – there’s a lot that can be done to prevent osteoarthritis.

Timothy Sitter, MD, a knee and shoul-der surgeon with Houston Methodist Or-thopedics & Sports Medicine, shares a by-the-decades plan for keeping joints strong for the long haul.

20s and 30s: Protect Your Joints

“Exercise regularly and lift weights to strengthen muscles that support joints,” Sitter said. He also recom-mends maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in your diet to support bone and joint health. Though many people are fit at this age, Sitter noted that those who are overweight or have experienced a severe injury within the past 10 years may begin to develop ear-ly signs of osteoarthritis, including joint pain and stiffness.

40s and 50s: Keep a Healthy Weight

The toll of earlier injuries or joint dam-age related to excess weight over time starts to mount. People in their 40s and 50s may notice creaking or popping in their knees when climbing stairs, stiff-ness for a few minutes after waking or a dull ache in hips after exercise. Weight loss, physical therapy or anti-inflamma-tory medications may alleviate these mild symptoms.

“Every extra pound puts four pounds of pressure on your knees and can further exacerbate osteoarthritis symp-toms,” Sitter said. “This is the time to do all you can to help your joints last as long as possible, so eat right, stay active and do what it takes to maintain a healthy weight.”

60s, 70s and Beyond: Stay Active

As people age, the chances are great-er that they will develop osteoarthritis in the hips, knees or shoulders, Sitter said. “Genetics, past injuries, excess weight and physical inactivity all play a role in its development and severity.”

Severe symptoms, like constant pain and very limited mobility, are not uncom-mon, but anti-inflammatory medication, weight loss, physical therapy and exer-cise can help. “Even in late age, losing weight can help decrease joint pain in the knees and hips, while regular stretching and strengthening can help lubricate hip, knee and shoulder joints and increase flexibility,” Sitter said.

Unfortunately, some people reach a point where the pain is unbearable. “In the most severe cases, osteoarthritis can make it hard to walk, lift, reach or even be self-sufficient,” he said. “In these cases, joint replacement can pro-vide pain relief, improve range of motion and mobility and restore independence. Joint replacement is a good option to have down the road in a worst-case scenario, but the opportunity to de-crease your chances of needing one is in your hands today.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sitter, visit houstonmethodist.org/ orthopedics or call 281-690-4678.

Free Joint PainSeminar

Join Dr. Sitter for a free seminar on Wednesday, September 30th at 6 pm at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. From diagnosis to rehabilitation, Dr. Sitter will discuss the latest medical advances to help people get back to the active life they enjoy.

For more information or to register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events or call 281-274-7500.

Submit newsworthy [email protected]


Special Thanks to Our Official GEMS Sponsors

Hardee Investment Group Pamela PrintingSterling McCall Lexus

Gurecky Manufacturing Service, Inc. LC Floral DesignsNesossi Studios Star Digital Studios

Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land Bob & Pat HebertThe Swinging Door / S&S Steaks & Spirits

Safari Texas RanchHouston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Thursday, October Twenty Two, Two Thousand and Fifteen6:30 - 10 pm

Safari Texas Ranch Lodge11627 FM 1464 Richmond, Texas

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Driving home from dinner, you glance at your husband and know something isn’t right. His right arm appears limp – paralyzed even. His speech is slurred, and his mouth is drooping. What is hap-pening?

If you speculated that he might be having a stroke, you’re right. Unfortu-nately, not everyone can correctly an-swer that question. And in the event of a stroke, recognizing the symptoms – and reacting quickly – are critical.

Although stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability, many Americans cannot identify the symp-toms or risk factors for stroke. To help educate the community, Houston Meth-odist Sugar Land Hospital will host a free seminar on September 10th. James Ling, MD, board certified neurologist and medical director of the Stroke Program at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital, will discuss what happens during a stroke, the different types of strokes and what people can do to lower their risk.

“A stroke is the end result of car-diovascular disease, which over the years slowly narrows and weakens the arteries,” explained Ling. “Untreated hypertension, smoking, diabetes, bad cholesterol and obesity all increase the odds for stroke.” Additional risk factors include advancing age, family history, poor diet, lack of exercise, being male, being of African American descent and having other heart problems like atrial fi-brillation or congestive heart failure.

When blood flow to the brain stops, the symptoms appear suddenly. An easy way to remember the common signs of

a stroke – and how to react – is with the acronym FAST:

F: Facial droopingA: Arm weaknessS: Speech difficultyT: Time If any of the previous three signs is

present, call 911.“Some strokes are preceded by tran-

sient ischemic attacks, or TIAs,” added Ling. “They are very fast, milder versions of a full stroke and are a warning sign of a potential major stroke in the future. TIAs require immediate medical atten-tion.”

Fortunately, lowering risk factors can prevent about 80 percent of strokes, ac-cording to the National Stroke Associa-tion. In addition, risk factors for stroke are often intertwined, so treating one of them can often positively affect another. For example, quitting smoking can bring down blood pressure.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, don’t wait to see if the symp-toms go away on their own. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of perma-nent brain damage and death. It might be tempting to drive a loved one to the hospital, but calling 9-1-1 is a better op-tion. Emergency medical responders will begin tests en route to the hospital.

Residents of Fort Bend and surround-ing areas can count on Houston Meth-odist Sugar Land Hospital for a prompt, skilled response to stroke. In honor of its commitment and success in implement-ing outstanding care to stroke patients, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital received the American Heart Associa-tion/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

For more information, visit houston methodist.org/sugarland.

James Ling, MD, Neurologist

MEDICALFOCUS

Free StrokeAwareness Seminar

Join neurologist James Ling, MD on Thursday, September 10th to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke that could potentially save your life or that of a loved one. The presentation starts at 6 pm at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. Call 281-274-7500 or register online at houstonmethodist.org/events to reserve a seat.

What You Learn Might Save a Life:Free Stroke Awareness Seminar Provides

Information on Warning Signs, Risk Factors and Prevention



Real Weddings

Coming January 2016

Submit your info todayand have your wedding detailsand photos published in printand online in our magazine.

Contact: [email protected] visit www.fortbendfocus.com.

Attention Newlyweds!

If you or your children have recently marriedand you would like to enter for a chance to

be featured in our Real Weddings, all you need is atleast ten high-resolution photos of the ceremony

and/or reception. It doesn’t matter where thewedding took place, as long as it was in the last year

and you or your parent/s reside in Fort Bend area.Photographers are also welcome to submit photos.

Give me a gorgeous, dry rosé, and I’m ready to sit, sip and savor for awhile, catching up with friends, exchanging sum-mer vacation stories and making plans for the fall to come. And isn’t that what wine should be all about?

Just to clarify, I’m not talking about sweet pink wines. Sure, some wine lovers enjoy White Zinfandel, and that’s okay. But what I’m talking about here is a dry rosé – those wines that are crisp with acid and yet have gorgeous, straw-berry notes. Those wines that pull you in for another sip as you wonder just what is dancing on your tongue. . .

Rosé wines go fantastic with lobster or shrimp or just about anything pink, as Mark Oldman of Oldman’s Brave New World of Wine says. I couldn’t agree more.

Rosé wines are also the perfect complement to a thin crust margherita pizza, just a bit charred from the grill. And rosé wines are perfect to sip while munching on crusty baguette, marcona almonds and platter of charcuterie. What could be more relaxing among friends?

Want to relive the relaxation of summer now that the back-to-school crazies have begun? Call up some friends, grab a nice bottle of rosé and let the casual conversations begin. You won’t regret it.

Look for Provence on the bottle to be sure to get a nice, dry one. Italy and Spain also produce delicious rosés, as do many wineries right here in the United States.

By Amy Gross

• In most cases, rosé wines are made pink throughcontact with grape skins just before fermentation. The longer the contact, the deeper the color.

• Rosé wines can be made from a variety of grape types.

• Rosé wines can be made still or sparkling.• France’s Provence is the world’s largest wine

region specializing in rosé, having produced rosé since 600 B.C.

• In Spain, rosé wines are known as Rosado.• In Italy, rosé wines are called Rosato.

Cheers to Relaxing with Rosé

I sure hope this helps you extend that lazy feel of summer as the fall season picks up around you. I know I’ll be enjoy-ing a bottle or two of rosé this month with friends. Cheers!

O ne thing I love about September in Fort Bend is that it brings more time to enjoy delicious dry rosé wines in the heat. Sure, I love a zingy

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in the summer, and at times, a crisp Pinot Gris can also be refreshing. But these late summer days make me want to drink some-thing that beckons me to linger. And since we’ve sur-vived the sweltering heat of August, it’s time to relax and linger over something delicious – something that tells your body to just sit back, unwind and relive great memories.


Need a few roséfun facts to impress? I’ve got you covered:


Vote for yourfavs in our annualReaders’ Choice of Fort Bend’s Favorites, and see who wins the titleof Focus Fav in the December 2015 issue.

Visitfortbendfocus.com

What’s your favorite?


T ailgating used to mean grabbing a light beer out of an old Igloo cooler, eating a somewhat bland burger with chips, sitting in a woven strap lawn chair and listening to other

games on the radio. Well luckily for us, tailgating has come a long way, so take a look at these options for tailgating in style.

absolutely!DELICIOUS

By Jennifer Elliot

Let’s start with the bever-ages. Maybe you want to upgrade to a fun local brew like Karbach Hopadillo IPA. Or, maybe you prefer a little wine. Keep that vino nice and cool in an insulated wine tumbler. It even has a lid to reduce spills. Who says you’re too old for a sippy cup?

Now, what about the seating? Most of us are used to the folding chair you can find at any Academy. If you want to really step up your game, check out these trailer hitch hammock chairs. Now these are comfortable. Just be careful getting up!

Last but not least, ditch the radio for checking the scores of other games. Ditch thephone and iPad as well. What you really need is a portable satellite television, so you can watch the other games live. There’s no better way to keep up with your fantasy football players around the country.

Football season is upon us, so pack your gear and get your tailgate on!

For burgers, be sure to pack up a gourmet sauce and seasonings kit to maximize that chargrilled flavor. As for the chips, I realize some folks will not be willing to let go of the bag. However, others might consider a refresh-ing quinoa salad a big upgrade. My friend and neighbor Sharon Appel shared this great recipe.

Tailgate in

½ bag cooked Central Market Grains Bulgur & Quinoa1 ½ cups cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved ¼ cup each green onion and fresh basil, chopped ¼ cup olive oil 3 oz. olive tapenade 3 oz. crumbled feta cheese salt and pepper to taste

Ancient GrainsSuper Salad

Serves 6 to 8 as a Side Dish

Cook grains according to package directions and cool thoroughly. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and stir thoroughly. Serve chilled or at room temp.

To keep beer cold, stash cans in a Yeti cooler com-plete with your college logo on the front. You can get the Roadie if you have a small group, or jump up to the Tundra for larger gatherings.

Style

Not everyone wants to watch television, so offer some other entertainment with a fun game of cornhole – the Houston Texans version.


hibition of Doors to Heaven shot in Paris, France in 2007. Each unique door is actually the entrance to a praying altar for individual families in the Champ de Elysee cemetery. Af-ter returning home, I noticed the different colors and “hot spots” located in the photographs as I altered the lighting and temperatures. Many will interpret them differently. However, I have always been delighted by what I have felt was captured. The lingering light sources there are spooky, yet comforting. They adorn Tradição’s walls and are avail-able for sale as reprints and in note card packs. In addition to supporting me, the restaurants at both their Stafford and Clear Lake lo-cations support 50 plus families and local farmers as well.

One of the best things about visiting Tradição is the variety and unlimited supply of meats. Melissa’s favorite is the shrimp, James Edward’s favorite is the salmon, mine is the bottom sir-loin and Victoria Ann and Brian love the filet and chicken wrapped in ba-con. The unlimited salad bar is always fully stocked with in-season, fresh veg-etables and fruits, and when available, they also support local small farmers. Melissa also adds lobster bisque and other specialty items throughout the year.

Tradição is a place where everyone can find the perfect plate for their appetite and mood. Bon appétit!

The checkered floors and rich woods are a beautiful back-drop for any special occasion. The restaurant is both owned and operated by Melissa Abrantes and her family. Melissa is a Sugar Land native whose father, originally from Brazil, was inspired to create a restaurant in the style of his origin.

Each of the meats is custom-aged, hand cut and marinat-ed, which gives the taste so unique to a Brazilian experience. Executive Chef Vanderlei Bernardi is originally from Bra-zil as well, and he brings his knowledge of 10 years cooking there combined with his own flair for flavors to Tradição’s patrons. Bernardi is passionate about using traditional methods of cooking and also very little, if any, sauces. Many meats are just sprinkled with sea salt, the most traditional of methods.

There are many meats available at Tradição, but here is a line up of what your taste buds can expect there: Argentin-ian Pork Sausage, Chicken Legs marinated in beer, cognac and spices, Pork Ribs marinated in white wine and lemon pepper with a slightly crispy exterior, Extra-Lean Pork Ten-derloin marinated in white wine, spices and crusted with parmesan cheese, Chicken Wrapped with Bacon, Filet Mi-gnon Wrapped with Bacon, Bottom Sirloin, Baby Beef An-gus, Filet Mignon featuring a house secret marinade, New Zealand Lamb marinated with a secret fresh mint glaze,

Wild Catch Gulf Shrimp, Picanha, Beef Ribs, Salm-on and Scallops Wrapped in Bacon. Whew!

Like so many of the restaurants I feature, the Tradição staff and I are friends and support each other’s endeavors. The restaurant holds my ex-

Tradição Brazilian Steakhouse12000 Southwest Freeway • Stafford, TX

281-277-9292

Wild Catch Gulf Shrimp glazed in a special house, secret recipe.

Filet Mignon in sea salts and garlic.

Tradicao’s bountiful Salad Bar.

By Alisa MurrayTradiçãoBrazilian Steakhouse

If you are a meat lover, then the perfect spot for you is Tradição

Brazilian Steakhouse. Opened in 2009, this restaurant offers a bountiful salad bar and meat service as you might have guessed – Brazilian style. I love the atmosphere, as it is dark and rich and lends itself reminiscent of some of my favorite dining experiences in Manhattan.

Alisa Murray, Vanderlei Bernardi and Melissa Abrantes.

ArgentineanPork Sausage.


Kids’ Favorites

Some of the traditional snacks kids love most – such as cakes, cookies and doughnuts – can all be prepared us-ing sorghum, a gluten-free cereal grain grown throughout the world. This highly versatile ingredient is naturally high in fiber, iron and protein and can be used in a wide range of preparations. In fact, white food-grade sorghum can be milled directly into whole grain flour to produce foods such as brownies, breads, pizza dough, pastas, cereals, pancakes and waffles.

Whether it’s a power breakfast to fuel the day, a sweet lunchbox treat or a tasty after school snack, these recipes show-case how simple it can be to give your kids’ favorite treats a nutritious make-over they’ll be thrilled to sample.

For more nutritious back to school recipes and tips for cooking with sor-ghum, visit www.HealthySorghum.com.

absolutely!DELICIOUS

H eat oven to 200°F. Combine dry ingredients. In separate bowl, beat together eggs, melted butter and water; add to dry ingredients and mix just until well

blended. Heat large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Spray pan with cooking oil. Wet fingertips under faucet and shake them over hot griddle. If water droplets “sizzle,” heat is right to begin making pancakes. For large cakes, pour 1/4 cup of bat-ter into pan; for small, use 2 tablespoons of batter. Cook until bubbles form on top; flip and cook until golden brown on bottom. Transfer to baking sheet and keep warm in oven while making rest of pancakes. Serve warm with butter and syrup.

A s the kids head back to school, there’s no better

time to make a fresh start in the kitchen, too. Substituting nutritious ingredients such as sorghum in your favorite grain-based foods is an easy way to upgrade your family’s menu this fall.

on

FreshTakes

Sorghum PancakesRecipe provided by Barbara Kliment

1 3/4 Cups Sorghum Flour1/4 Cup Cornstarch3 Teaspoons Baking Powder2 Teaspoons Sugar1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Cup Powdered Buttermilk2 Eggs3 Tablespoons Melted Butter1 1/2 Cups Water

Celiac-friendly substitutions:2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Use 2 teaspoons X-Tra Touch vanilla or any other gluten-free vanilla.3/4 cup unbleached white flour: Replace with 6 table-spoons chickpea flour and 6 tablespoons sweet rice flour, or use 3/4 cup commercial gluten-free flour.3 cups oatmeal: Replace with 3 to 4 cups of any gluten-free, ready-to-eat flake cereal slightly crushed or gluten-free crispy rice cereal.1 (10-ounce) package almond toffee bits: Verify product is gluten-free or use 1 3/4 cups chopped almonds or wal-nuts.


I n large bowl, beat together egg and sugar. Stir in milk and shortening. Sift together all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredi-

ents to egg mixture and stir to combine. Chill dough for 30 min-utes. On lightly floured surface, flatten dough to 1/2 inch thick-ness with your fingertips or rolling pin. Cut out doughnuts using a doughnut cutter or two sizes of round cookie cutters. Transfer doughnuts to waxed paper and allow to dry for 10 minutes. In

H eat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Cream butter, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix flour,

salt, soda, allspice, cinnamon and cloves; add to butter mixture. Beat until well blended. Stir in oatmeal, coconut and toffee bits with spoon. Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto prepared sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove to wire rack.

1 Cup Butter, Softened2 Eggs2 Cups Light Brown Sugar2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract1 Cup Sorghum Flour3/4 Cup Unbleached White Flour1/2 Teaspoon Salt1 Teaspoon Baking Soda1/8 Teaspoon Allspice1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon1/8 Teaspoon Cloves3 Cups Oatmeal1 Cup Coconut Flakes1 (10-ounce) Package Almond Toffee Bits

Chewy Oatmeal Toffee CookiesRecipe provided by Kate Lange

Recipe provided by Karla Lubben

1 Egg1/2 Cup Milk2 Tablespoons Melted Shortening or Lard1/2 Cup Sifted Sorghum Flour1 1/2 Cups Sifted All-Purpose FlourDash of CinnamonDash of Salt

deep heavy pot or electric fryer, heat oil to 375°F. Using wire spatula dipped in hot oil, carefully transfer doughnuts into hot oil. Cook 2 to 3 doughnuts at a time, turning them when brown on one side. Remove to paper towel or racks to drain.

For glazed doughnuts, combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla flavoring. Drizzle on doughnuts or sprinkle doughnuts with powdered sugar or mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Source: Family Features

Milo Doughnuts

Glaze:1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar2 Teaspoons Warm Milk1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

1/2 Cup Sugar2 Teaspoons Baking Powder8 Cups Vegetable Oil


September 12th, 10 am Historic Walking TourThe Sugar Land Heritage Foundation conducts an historic walking tour of Old Sugar Land on the second Saturday of each month beginning at 198 Kempner Street. The walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours and covers about 1.5 miles. Ticket fees are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 12 through 18 and free for children under 12.To make a reservation or schedule a private tour, call 281-494-0261 or email [email protected].

September 12th, 1:30 – 3 pm Family Game DayFamilies are invited to the Sugar Land Branch Library, located at 550 Eldridge, to play games together. The library will have board games, card games, video games and more! All ages are welcome. Call 281-238-2140.

September 15th and 17th, 5:30 – 8:30 pmJob Search Survival TipsThe Sugar Land Branch Library, located at 550 Eldridge, will present a free, two-part workshop with different topics discussed each night. Learn tips on writing a better resumé, researching prospective employers, interviewing and non-verbal skills, making a great first impression, networking and more. A team of 10 professionals will share their insight and experiences in the business world. Call 281-238-2140.

September 1st and 3rd, 9 am – Noon English as a Second Language Class Registration Register for Sugar Land Family Church’s free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults at 1110 Burney Road in Sugar Land. Classes meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 am to noon during the school year. They are taught in English and include students from all over the world. Call 832-527-6121 or visit www.slfc.co/esl.

September 10th, 11:30 am – 1 pmLeadership Luncheon SeriesSince 2012, Missouri City has brought together executives, entrepreneurs and innovators from throughout the region and the county to discuss the trends and challenges facing business leaders today. This month’s speaker is Dr. Charles Dupre, superintendent of Fort Bend ISD. Open to the public at the cost of $15 a session, the luncheon is held at City Centre at Quail Valley, located at 2880 LaQuinta Drive in Missouri City. Call 281-403- 8530 or email [email protected].

September 10th, 6:30 – 8:30 pmThe 6th Annual Great Grown-Up Spelling BeeThe Literacy Council of Fort Bend presents the 6th annual Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee at Constellation Field, located at 1 Stadium Drive in Sugar Land. Watch neighbors, co-workers and friends compete against one another to win a coveted spot in the “Honey Hall of Fame.” Call 281-240-8181 or visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.

E V E N T S

Every Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine

Presented By:

198 Kempner St. at Imperial Sugar Land

Water Treatment Specialists

ENVIRONMENTALPROTECH

September 17th, 7 pmGet Hooked on CrochetPeople of all ages and skill levels – from beginners to advanced – who are interested in crocheting are invited to attend this “craft-and-gab” session to learn more about the basics of this needlework art at the University Branch Library, located at 14010 University Boulevard in Sugar Land. Samples of the library’s instructional books, crafting magazines and online resources on the various sewing arts will be available. Call 281-633-5100.

September 18th, 11 am – 5 pm Fort Bend Cares Open Golf ChampionshipLed by a committee of golf enthusiasts, the charitable foundation hopes to raise funds by encouraging golfers of all skill levels to partake in this two-day challenge at Greatwood Golf Club, located at 6767 Greatwood Parkway in Sugar Land. All donations benefit disadvantaged children in Fort Bend County. To register, call 832-819-2005 or visit www.fortbendcares.org.


SUGAR LAND TOWN SQUARE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

www.sugarlandtownsquare.comCall 281.313.SLTS

E V E N T S

Giving Spirits Concerts SeriesFriday, September 4th 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Magic in the PlazaSaturday, September 5th7 – 9 pm

Opry on the SquareFriday, September 11th7:30 – 9:30 pm

Be the Match Walk+RunSaturday, September 12th 6:30 – 10 am

Taste of Town SquareSaturday, September 12th 4 – 9:30 pm

Dancing Under the StarsFriday, September 18th 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Movie Under the MoonSaturday, September 19th 7 – 10 pm

6th Annual Catwalk on City Walk Fashion ShowFriday, September 25th 7 – 9 pm

Rock the Block Saturday, September 26th 7:30 – 9:30 pm

[email protected]

Submit calendar events at

September 19th, 8 am Project Walk Fun Run and RollOrganized by Project Walk Houston, this first annual, chip-timed event includes a 10K handcycle, 10K run, 5K run and kids’ one miler. All proceeds will be donated to support the clients at Project Walk, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons with paralysis. The event takes place at Ridge Point High School, located at 500 Waters Lake Boulevard in Missouri City. To participate or volunteer, visit www.thedriven.net/project-walk-fun-run-roll.

September 24th, 7 pmBack-to-School Boot CampKick off the start of the new school year at the University Branch Library, located at 14010 University Boulevard in Sugar Land. Library staff will demonstrate how to use online resources – databases, websites and tutoring – that can be accessed on library computers or from home. This program is intended for students in upper elementary grades and above. Parents are also invited to attend. Call 281-633-5100.

September 25th – October 4thThe Fort Bend County Fair...UncorkedEnjoy a glass of wine or two at Grapes on the Brazos, the high styled Fort Bend County Fair event at 4310 Highway 36 South in Rosenberg in Building W. There will be white and red wine, beer, sodas, water and snacks, as well as nighttime entertainment and area restaurants serving heavy hors d’oeuvres. To purchase pre-sale wine tickets, contact the Fair Office at 281-342-6171. The book of tickets is valued at $25 and can be purchased for $20 before the Fair begins. Proceeds help contribute to scholarships and other opportunities for the youth of Fort Bend. Visit www.fortbendcountyfair.com.

September 26th, 9 am – 1 pm Out of the Darkness Walk Join the effort to raise awareness and funds that allow The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss. The Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention takes place at Oyster Creek Park, located at 4033 State Highway 6 South. Visit http://afsp.donordrive.com or call 832-741-8858.

September 26th, 1:30 – 2:30 pm World of Percussion Musical Family EventFamilies with children of all ages are invited to an interactive musical event demonstrating percussion music and instruments from around the world at the Sugar Land Branch Library, located at 550 Eldridge. Houston Symphony percussionist Brian Del Signore will introduce a wide array of percussion instruments from cultures worldwide. Call 281-238-2140.

September 27th, 7 pm Swan LakeThe Russian Grand Ballet presents Russia’s brightest ballet stars to bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life. Experience one of the greatest classical ballets of all time at the Stafford Centre, located at 10505 Cash Road. The full-scale production follows a heroic young prince as he works to free a beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. To purchase tickets, call 281-208-6900 or visit staffordcentre.ticketforce.com.

September 28th, 7 pmHome-Buying 101Judy Burfict and Linda Simmons will provide an overview of the home-buying process from beginning to close at the University Branch Library, located at 14010 University Boulevard in Sugar Land. Learn about the mortgage loan process, available programs and steps involved in obtaining financing. Call 281-633-5100.

By Alisa Murraywww.AlisaMurray.comNationally recognizedportrait artist and award-winning columnist.

Living the Sweet Life:Hearing Those Magic Words

Templar, Oasis and Shriner Medical staff.

The father’s blessing is a pivotal piece of our puzzles. The words, “I am proud of you” must be spoken loudly and often for us to feel complete. I am sure Daddy felt this way, but I cannot ever remember hearing him tell me. With Mother, I could have never really known. I was eight when she died and had not accomplished much in life.

I realized as I was walking in those woods, smelling those Carolina pines, hearing those bird dogs barking and seeing T Lane that Mommy and Daddy had come through him to send me that message. Maybe my grandparents had too. He brought the simple message that every child wants to hear, no mat-ter how old they get: “I love you, and I am proud of you.”

As soon as I figured out what had happened, I picked up the phone and texted both of my babies in bold from Mexico to Houston, “I love you. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!” I hope you’ll tell your children that often, be-cause it does matter. It is going to com-plete their puzzle someday too!

Take Care of YOU!

When traumatic things happen in childhood, pieces of memory are left suspended in time. I know this first-hand, as I have large spaces of my childhood that I cannot remember. I know it’s a protective mechanism, but it can be rather annoying. I’ll taste or smell something, and a flood of new

R ecently, I went back home and spent a few days where I lived as a child. Driving through the

back roads that were evergreen with pastures, twists and turns, I found my-self at the old pond where I fished. It was T Lane and Sally’s fishpond, and many memories came flooding in as we walked the property and caught up. T Lane was my daddy’s partner, and as Ob/Gyns, they did countless deliver-ies and surgeries together. He and his wife, Sally, are my godparents, and both were at my side within moments of my mother’s passing.

T Lane and Sally watched me grow, and they loved my mother and daddy. They gave me my first dog, which I named Charlie Red, and their daugh-ter, Dia, was like a big sister to me. They are cherished more as I get older because of their links to my parents and grandparents, all of whom are now dead.

memories will arrive. Back in 2007 while in Paris, Brian and I ran across a little chocolate shop, and there were some candied orange peels. Immediate-ly, I remembered Mother making them as a child, but I could not recollect more than just a small, “Yes! I know that!” Despite feelings of being disconnected from the past, it’s always nice when it happens, because I am able to “find” something more of myself that I had not grasped before. It’s like finding pieces of my puzzle.

Coming home was very difficult, because home isn’t home anymore. Someone else lives in my house, my parents are buried down the street and the roads are all the same, but no one is home. Strangely though, I felt very close to Daddy after walking through the woods with T Lane and listening to him tell James and me stories of Daddy.

We went back to have ourselves a “Coke A Cola,” and reminisce. Al-though the reminiscing was a wonder-ful experience for my little one, who never knew any of these family mem-bers, it was clear from the misty eyes on T Lane just how much he loved and missed all of them. It made me miss them more than I usually do too. T Lane kept saying, “Your Mother and Daddy, Alisa. They would be so very proud of you. Oh Alisa. Nana was a pis-tol! Granny and Big Daddy, they were good people. You are such a good per-son too!” It was bittersweet.

I was in Mexico a few weeks lat-er, and Joel Osteen started in on his sermon about the father’s blessings. As a child, Daddy was a very busy, important man in the community. He was a good father and provider, but he was tremendously caught up in be-ing a doctor, serving as chief at the hos-pital and participating as a 32nd de-gree Scottish and York Rites, Knights

Alisa’s daddy, David Arnold Evans.

David Arnold Evans and T Lane Ormand.


Other Recognition for Community Service Excellence:

Texana Center Awards Recipient• Media of the Year Award – 2011 through 2014

MarCom Awards Recipient• JEWELS of Fort Bend • GEMS of Fort Bend• Pro Bono: Casa de Esperanza

Hermes Creative Awards Recipient• Focus on the Cure: Cancer Awareness• Pro Bono: Lunches of Love

The Association of Marketingand Communication Professionals

Recognizing exceptional businessesthat are unselfishly giving of themselves

and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business

to benefit their communities.

Winner of a 2015 Communitas Award

Excellence inCommunity Service

Excellence is a habit. Recognition is earned. absolutely!community focused.

absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain or pressure (may radiate down arm)

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea, vomiting and/or severe indigestion

• Breaking out in a cold sweat

For more information or for a physician referral, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or call 281.274.7500.

In a cardiac emergency, a fast, comprehensive response can be the difference between life and death. That’s why our Heart & Vascular Center offers the most advanced cardiac care program in the area.

In fact, we’re the only hospital in the Fort Bend area to provide 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services. Also, because we consistently exceed national standards in the most critical components of cardiac care, we’re a nationally accredited chest pain center.

In a cardiac emergency, there’s only one place you need to be — Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it.

Count on us when minutes Count

houstonmethodist.org/sugarland

9_FtBend Bus Jour_Heart&Vas CntSL_8.375X10.875.indd 1 7/16/15 11:54 AM

september 2015 - fort bend focus magazine - people • places • happenings

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