The 02-21-24 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

Sugar

Land

to

host Music Friendly Texas Community workshop on Feb. 28

The office of Gov. Greg Abbott, in conjunction with the Texas Music Office, and the city of Sugar Land Civic Arts Division will hold a hybrid Music Friendly Texas Community workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 28. File photo by Ken Fountain

The office of Gov. Greg Abbott, in conjunction with the Texas Music Office, and the city of Sugar Land Civic Arts Division will hold a hybrid Music Friendly Texas Community workshop on Wednesday, February 28, at 5:30 p.m., at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North. The event will also be accessible virtually at https://bit. ly/TMO_SugarLand.

The event will highlight the significance of music to the image of Texas brand and local economies, and the role of TMO in assisting communities, both large and small, in developing creative partnerships and fostering job growth.

Acknowledging the substantial impact of the Texas music industry, which accounted for more than 192,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs and generated more than $26 billion in economic activity statewide last year, the governor in a press release emphasized the collaborative efforts with local leaders, such as those in Sugar Land, to provide the necessary tools for success.

TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will be present at the workshop to explain the Music Friendly Texas Community designation and its associated benefits, while answering questions from participants.

“Art enriches lives, and music brings communities together,” Sugar Land Civic Arts Division Manager Sha Davis said in the release.

“That is the primary goal of the Sugar Land Civic Arts Division -- to make ‘life better than you can imagine’ for all of our residents, and this is just one step closer to doing so!”

TMO’s Music Friendly Texas program, introduced in 2016 as the first of its kind in the nation, provides Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development. The Sugar Land workshop is a step in the certification process, and upon completion, Sugar Land will join other Texas cities with the Music Friendly Texas designation.

Musicians, venues, and the general public are invited to join the workshop either online or in person at Sugar Land City Hall. The event can also be accessed via Facebook (https://fb.me/e/58OcLXTxl) or LinkedIn ( https:// www.linkedin.com/events/

Scouting district salutes Fort Bend Master Gardeners

Fort Bend County Master Gardeners not only nurture vegetables and other plants, but also encourage young men and women in Scouting to develop skills in horticulture-related programs and activities. For their efforts, the Texas Master Gardeners of Fort Bend County and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension along with the nonprofit’s Youth Activities Committee each recently received Certificates of Appreciation from the Coastal Plains District of the Sam Houston Area Council “for continuous support of Scouting.”

Dr. Gregg Stephens, Coastal Plains District Advancement and Recognition

Committee chairman, said, “We give the award to community groups or individuals who step in and help our program.”

Stephens said the award recognizes Master Gardener Everett Blanton and three other Master Gardeners who support the district’s Eagle Scout program by helping with an Eagle Scout project. In this case, Boy Scout Christian Mayorga created a “Little Free Library.” It was one of three libraries Christian created for his project.

“We are very gratified to say that as of August 2023 a wonderful ‘Little Free Library’ now stands in the Demonstration Garden,” said Blanton, who cited the project as an example of

the FBMG’s Boy Scout initiative. “This was a project the FBMG wanted to create as one way of memorializing association members,” he said. The association accepted Christian’s design and plan. Christian’s family and Stephens nominated FBMG and YAC for the certificates for the second consecutive year.

“We wanted to recognize Master Gardeners for their support of the Merit Badge class,” said Stephens, who added that the district extends from Sugar Land to the Gulf Coast. “The Certificate of Appreciation award is the highest honor the district can

Precinct 3 commissioner candidates hold forum as early voting begins

With early voting in the March 5 primaries underway, candidate forums for Fort Bend County elective offices have been coming fast and furious in recent weeks. Last week, the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce held the latest in a series of such forums for perhaps the most politically significant race, that for Precinct 3 Commissioner. Previously for decades held by Republicans, Commissioners Court since 2018 has been held by a Democratic majority, with three members of that party and two from the GOP. Longtime incumbent Commissioner Andy

Meyers is one of those two Republicans, with Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales. The precinct’s boundaries were changed by a map pushed through by the Democratic majority in 2022. A Democratic win in November would tighten that party’s hold on the court.

Meyers is being challenged by businessman Mike Khan in the Republican primary on March 5. Meanwhile, there are five Democrats vying for that party’s nomination for the seat. In alphabetical order, they are Allen Bogard, retired Sugar Land city manager Allen Bogard; nonprofit executive Abra-

Fort Bend County Fair Association seeks applicants for Junior Leadership Council

The Fort Bend County Fair Association is seeking applicants for the inaugural year of its Junior Leadership Council. Members can expand their leadership skills and work in a team environment while learning more about the fair’s mission and the fair industry. As a nonprofit, the Fort Bend County Fair Association is a volunteerbased organization with a long history in Fort Bend County. The JLC will give members hands-on experience with the functional aspects of one of the premier events in the county.

give to people who unselfishly step in and do things for our Scouts when they’re not Scouts. I’d love to continue a relationship in the future.”

And, based on comments from Master Gardeners that relationship is likely to continue. “Throughout all our start-up activities, we have enjoyed the help and support of a great organization partner and scouting individual Dr. Gregg Stephens,” Blanton said.

Donna Blackburn, youth activities director, said Scouting is one of many activities in which YAC is involved. A subcommittee works with Boy Scouts and another with Girl Scouts. “Both are actively providing opportunities for these Scouts to earn Merit badges,” she said. “We work closely with the parent organizations to be sure all requirements are followed to allow the Scout to earn these

Applicants must be students enrolled in a recognized Fort Bend County public, private, or home-school program. Sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school as of October 1, 2024, are encouraged to apply. The term of the council is from March through October 2024. Members of JLC will assist the fair’s board of directors and committee chairperson, work with other committee volunteers and JLC members, bring ideas to the board, and get involved with the community. The deadline to apply is March 8, and an interview portion of the application

badges.” Only 4 percent of all Boy Scouts reach the Eagle Scout rank.

The Boy Scout YAC team is comprised of four Master Gardeners who have completed requirements to be a Boy Scout leader, said Blackburn. Blanton said YAC launched its Boy Scouting initiative with Ed Plant, Murugalakshmi Thirumalia, Clarence Gray and himself taking lead roles.

“They plan, implement and follow up with the badge requirement to ensure each Boy Scout is offered the opportunity to earn the badge. To date, they have focused on the Gardening Merit Badge,” Blackburn said. Typically, Boy Scouts meet for a full day on a Saturday to complete many of the initial requirements, she said. So far, the day has been held once a year, but plans call to expand the program so Boy Scouts can earn other horticulturally related badges.

“Our YAC Boy Scout team puts in many hours planning for the Boy Scout Gardening

process will be conducted later. The 2024 Fort Bend County Fair is set for September 27 to October 6. For more information on eligibility requirements or an application, visit fortbendcountyfair.com/p/ get-involved/jr-leadershipcouncil.

Merit Badge,” said Blackburn. “They are dedicated to offering this opportunity for the Scout. The honor and recognition they have received is well-deserved,” she added.

In 2022 and 2023, the YAC Boy Scout team – supported by the FBMG Greenhouse Team, the FBMG Entomology Team, YAC volunteers and Boone Holladay, FBC County Extension Agent, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, – was able to provide a Gardening Merit Badge program for over 25 Scouts,” Blanton said.

For more information about the Texas Master Naturalists Coastal Prairie chapter, call 832-225-6936 or visit https://txmn.org/ coastal.

Zurawski, a freelance journalist, is a member of Fort Bend County Master Gardeners.

him Javed; businessman and broadcaster Zeeshan Isaac; Taral Patel, a former chief of staff to Fort Bend County Judge KP George and staffer in the Biden Administration; and educator Kiran “Karen” Rao. Of the candidates, all but two - Khan and Rao - were present at the forum at the chamber’s offices in Sugar Land.

Patel, whose Indian immigrant parents moved to Sugar Land when he was a child, emphasized his public service experience at a variety of levels. “This is my home. This has always been my home. I got to serve this county, both directly and indirectly, in so many ways,” Patel said in his opening remarks.

Javed, whose parents are also immigrants, is an officer in a nonprofit organization who also has previous governmental service as a staffer in the U.S. Congress. “The commissioner’s job, at the very end of the day, no matter how complicated we might try to make it, is to take care of our neighbors,” Javed said.

Isaac emphasized his business experience in his opening remarks and throughout the forum. “The primary duty of a commissioners is to manage budgets. I’ve successfully managed a $250 million budget when I was a director of American Express. And we are talking about the future,” he said.

Isaac said his key priorities were accountability, building upon infrastructure, and focusing on emergency management.

Bogard, the former Sugar Land city manager, discussed his years of government experience at the local level.

“As an expert in local government management, I believe Fort Bend County is at a crossroads. We need to develop and utilize a

long-range financial plan to constrain spending. We need to prioritize basics first instead of pursuing projects that should be taken on by cities. And we need to have a collaborative economic development program,” he said.

Meyers, the incumbent, stressed not only his long tenure in county government but his relationships with government officials across the state.

“I am your county commissioner and I have been for over 27 years. I have used my vast experience in business to help and keep FBC as the safest and most family-friendly community in the United States,” he said.

After their opening statements, the candidates fielded a set of questions posed by moderator Kevin Riles, a past chair of the chamber. He began by asking each of the candidates what propelled them to seek the commissioner’s seat.

“This is a very unique precinct. It is one of the most diverse parts of Fort Bend County,” Patel said. “I want to make sure that as we keep growing, as we have more traffic, as we have flooding, I want to make sure we have creative solutions to address those problems.”

Patel said he would like the county government to work harder to attract its fair share of federal funding to “fill the gaps” on projects, such as Project Brazos, which is designed to help reduce erosion along the banks of the Brazos River and help mitigate flooding.

“I have spent every day for the past year building infrastructure for the nonprofit industry,” said Javed, referring to his current role. “That same perspective I will bring to Commissioners Court to make sure we are leading in Fort Bend County. We need to make sure we build the startup ecosystem right here,” he said.

Isaac said he would focus on safety and security issues, beginning with raising salaries for the county’s peace officers and first responders. He also emphasized flood mitigation, stating that there are $8 billion in public and private assets currently at risk.

Allen said that Precinct 3 is very unique in Fort Bend County in that the majority of its residents reside within cities, whereas in other parts of the county many more residents live in unincorporated areas. Therefore, he said, Precinct 3 residents are receiving a much smaller share of county services, which he said he would work to address.

Meyers said he has been a leader in county government in working to enhance economic development, including working on the rerouting of Route 36A through the county so that it connects the Port of Freeport to the Dallas region, promoting legislation in Austin that allows county to create industrial development districts, and his appointment by Gov. Greg Abbot as the sole elected official on the new Texas Advanced Nuclear Working Group.

Among the questions fielded by the candidates were ones dealing with mobility concerns as Fort Bend County heads toward a projected 2 million residents by 2040, ways to increase economic development, and how they would address the increased partisanship that has been seen at all levels of government in recent years. Find a recording of the forum at the chamber’s Facebook page.

Early voting in both the Republican and Democratic primaries began Tuesday and continues through March 1, with Election Day on March 5. Learn more about polling places and times at fortbendcountytx.gov/government/ departments/electionsvoter-registration.

The Reid Feed: Zoua and Leon David bring upcycling with style and savings to Fort Bend

You will be hardpressed to find two people in Fort Bend who work as hard as longtime residents and small business owners Leon and Zoua Davis. They are the husband-and-wife team behind the new Uptown Cheapskate in Sugar Land, which opened in November in the University Commons Shopping Center next door to Ulta Beauty. With their Texan grit, Leon and Zoua want to help you clean out your closet and pay you for it.

Uptown Cheapskate is a fast and easy way for you to upcycle your clothing. Now, you may wonder what upcycling is and how it is different from your run-of-the-mill thrift store. Upcycling is when you transform something old and repurpose it in new ways. Unlike other thrift stores where you simply donate your items, Uptown Cheapskate actually buys your gently used and on trend clothing for a choice of either cash or store credit. If you choose store credit, you get an extra bonus of 25 per-

cent more than your cash price offer. This empowers you to constantly refresh your wardrobe without ever having to spend any money, or shop at deep discounts. The range of clothing and accessories offered is impressive. You can find gently used, brand new, vintage, collectible, and luxury items at Uptown Cheapskate. The shopping experience is creative, transformative, eco-conscious, and budget friendly.

Uptown Cheapskate is a Utah-based company with stores in 26 states. This is the first one in Fort Bend. The Davises curate their inventory for the community and from the community. According to Uptown Cheapskate, “When you shop at big box retailers and online companies only 10-40% of every dollar you spend stays in your community. Shopping local business keeps 90% of your money in your local community to benefit your friends and neighbors. It’s like an ecosystem that keeps your community humming, and more and more people are jumping on board the Shop Local train.” Like many people during the pandemic, the Davises had an idea they had been thinking about for years and finally decided to pursue. They shared with us, “We wanted to own a franchise but we weren’t sure which sector would be a good fit for us. After a bunch of research and meetings with the

corporate office of Uptown Cheapskate in Salt Lake City during July 2022, we decided to go ahead and move forward with it.”

Leon and Zoua also brought new jobs to Sugar Land with more than 20 employees. Most of them have been along for the ride since day one, and their loyalty is a testament to the Davises positivity. This is not at the least surprising since Leon and Zoua’s work ethic and candor is contagious. They both still work full-time jobs because launching a new business is hard.

Zoua, a U.S. Air Force veteran, still works at a small oil and gas company, while Leon has his own oil and gas consulting firm. They are also parents of three young children. When we spoke to Zoua, she was managing the store while Leon was watching their three kids all under the age of seven. Hattie is oldest at 7, Lily Belle is 3 years old, and Jai is the youngest at 15 months.

The store’s merchandise is locally sourced. Prior to the opening, there was a “Buy Period” when they purchased inventory from the community. “At first it was overwhelming,” recalled Zoua. “I remember we had piles and piles of clothes in the front and had to start using the changing rooms as storage. It was rough for the first few weeks.” There were lines out the door of people wanting to sell their clothing and accessories. “One of the biggest successes in

my opinion,” says Leon, “is the community response. We filled this store up with gently used merchandise from the community as well as new items in about six weeks.”

The diversity of Fort Bend is clearly reflected at Uptown Cheapskate. They have you covered regardless of your aesthetic. For example, right now, there is a dedicated section just to get you ready for the upcoming Houston Rodeo. There is an impressive shoe collection just for the local sneakerhead community. They previously carried dress shoes, but soon found out that Kenneth Cole’s just simply weren’t what their customers wanted, Sugar Land is more of a “Jordan’s” city. Lululemon also has a dedicated section for those who love athleisure. The vintage section is for the old souls who appreciate the lost art and color blocking of an old-school Lacoste tracksuit. For our luxe locals, Uptown Cheapskate has steals and deals on designers including Chanel, Chloé, Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Louboutin.

Whether you are an experienced thrifter or complete newbie, you will appreciate the curation done for you by Uptown Cheapskate’s buyers. They do the heavy lifting for you to avoid the usual thrift store experience of sifting and digging through copious racks of clothing, hoping to find that elusive needle in a

haystack. Beyond just men’s and women’s clothing, they try to put your whole look together with hats, accessories, bags, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, belts, and scarves. What’s unique about Uptown Cheapskate in particular is how selective they are when it comes to the items they buy and sell, Zoua tells us, “We’re super selective on the items we bring in. We make sure that it’s gently used, no holes, no tears and it’s freshly laundered since it has to be ready to wear.”

As for promotions, there is currently a “Pick Your Pink” special, which gives you 15 percent off anything pink in February. In March, for every $50 you spend, you will get $10 in Uptown cash. In April, there will be a BOGO (buy

one get one) promo. There will also be a Lululemon drop of brand new merch before Spring break. “The Lululemon drop date is in the works. It will be kind of like a little LuluLemon pop-up shop with refreshments and activities,” says Zoua.

To stay posted on Uptown Cheapskate’s offers in Sugar Land, follow them on Instagram: http:// tinyurl.com/UC-SLTX

Janet Sue Reid, “The Culinary Cowgirl”, and Ryan Lee Reid, “The Piano Cowboy”, are artists and creators. They transform space and time to move and heal people through art. They live in Sugar Land with their children. Find their full bios and contact them through ReidFeed.com.

You can visit Uptown Cheapskate in Sugar Land seven days of the week:

HOURS:

Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.

ADDRESS:

13574 University Blvd, Suite 500

Sugar Land, TX 77479 (University Commons Shopping Center next to Ulta Beauty)

PHONE: 281-201-8600

THE PATIO – Everything seems to have survived, although my banana trees look brown but may come back. Like you, I had draped all my outdoor plants – including my cannabis crop – before a freeze hit town a few weeks ago. That cold snap wasn’t too bad, yet it reminds me of what didn’t happen now, but what did happen about three years ago, for which we are still paying a hefty price. If you just arrived and wonder why Houstonians and all Texans shudder at the recollection, in February of 2021, Winter Storm Uri hit. Lives were lost, crops were decimated, life came to a miserable standstill.

The ice of Texas

It even caused a nationwide shortage of chickens. We learned about ERCOT. We also learned the disaster was nobody’s fault and that’s it’s warmer in Cancun. After many wrong counts and finger-pointing, the final results are in. On Wednesday, February 10, electric utility crews are put on standby around the state as weather forecasters project an extreme winter storm. The next day the cold temperatures freeze water in oil and gas wells which (long story) will soon cause a power loss. Ultimately 38 gas plants shut down or reduce production and gas production in Texas drops 45 percent. The weather also takes coal and nuclear generators offline as lines, valves, and other equipment freeze. In addition, dozens of wind turbines stop as ice forms around blades.

By the 15th and 16th of February Texans are freezing in the dark. We really don’t care why, we just want the power on. My wife and I huddle by our gasfed fireplace (why do we still get gas when the gas lines to the power plants are frozen?) and listen to

our battery-powered radio tell us we are cold. The only place I feel comfortable is in bed, fully dressed, under three blankets. I am not alone because by Monday evening most of the state is now under a power blackout. A survey later conducted by the University of Houston found that 69 percent of Texans lost power at some point during the storm and nearly 49 percent had disruptions in water service. That’s at least 15 million Texans.

If we get any water from our taps, we have to boil it before drinking or cooking with it. H-E-B imposes rations on water and propane purchases. Schools close. So do most businesses. I have a doctor’s appointment but I can’t get to his office and he can’t either.

Freezing rain, drizzle, and snow coat the north and central part of the state. Dallas’s temperatures drop to minus 2 degrees, the city’s coldest temperature since 1930 and its second-coldest on record. Dallas even has to cancel two hockey games. Now that is cold. Houston gets down to 13 degrees, the city’s coldest temperature since 1989. In San Antonio:

5 degrees, the city’s coldest temperature since 1989. As I mentioned, statistic keep getting updated. At least 10 people in Texas die in weather-related incidents since February 14, including a mother and a child due to carbon monoxide poisoning. On January 2, 2022, the Texas State Government revises the official death toll in Texas to 246. According to a BuzzFeed study, the actual death toll could have ranged from 426 to 978 in Texas. Uri was the costliest natural disaster in Texas history causing over $195 billion in damages.

We tend to think of what Uri did to us, forgetting that the storm hit areas from Mexico to Canada. It costs over $296.5 billion in damages in the U.S. –hence the loss of all those chickens – and over $1.5 billion in Mexico. (Incidentally, Winter Storm Uri doesn’t have an official title. That handle was coined by the Weather Channel, and seems to have stuck.)

By February 17 we begin to get power back on in some places and, of course, the finger-pointing begins. Gov. Greg Abbott goes on Fox News’ Sean Hannity show to falsely claim that

the blackout was largely caused by renewable energy, although, at that time, Texas’ renewable energy’s contribution was: wind: 22 percent, solar: 1 percent. Hardly a powerhouse, so to speak. In another interview, Abbott said that the crisis in Texas “shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America.” Yet only hours earlier, a senior director for ERCOT said frozen wind turbines were “the least significant factor in the blackouts.”

The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency, in a more than 300-page report, said the disaster was primarily the result of the oil and gas industry’s failure to weatherize its systems, causing nearly 60 percent of power outages to occur at natural gas-fired plants. The sun and the wind were exonerated. Abbott declared the reform of ERCOT an emergency item for the Legislature. He also took full responsibility for the debacle, sort of, declaring: “This was a total failure by ERCOT… and they showed that they were not reliable. These are specialists, and government has

the leader Puzzlers.

to rely upon these specialists to be able to deliver in these types of situations.” It wasn’t his fault, but someone should tell ERCOT that Texas gets cold in the winter and hot is the summer. Get them a calendar.

After the Legislature passed some weak bills affecting the power industry, Abbott said, when signing the bills, “Bottom line is that everything that needed to be done was done to fix the power grid in Texas.” Not exactly. A short time later, ERCOT told us to conserve power because of an on-coming heat wave. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry claimed Texans would rather endure blackouts in freezing weather than have the federal government regulating their power grid.

One thing more: The Legislature also passed bills allowing for more than $9 billion in bailouts for our electric utility companies. We will be paying off those billions over the next 20 or 30 years through charges on our utility bills. Uh-oh. My lights just flickered.

Ashby freezes at ashby2@ comcast.net

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

“Some days won’t end ever / And some days pass on by / I’ll be working here forever, least until I die / Damned if you do, damned if you don’t / I’m supposed to get a raise next week / You know damn well I won’t” - Huey Lewis, “Workin’ for a Livin’”

In 1919, two brothers decided to launch a west coast dairy. Carl and Tom Knudsen were Danish immigrants, and found a consumer niche they decided to fill with buttermilk and cottage cheese. It worked. In 1935, they began producing milk and a variety of specialty items that no one else had. One such product was a special commercial cooking cream which I first sampled in the late ‘80s.

It stands today as the single best clam chowder I’ve ever had. First of all, the clams were fresh and absolutely choice. They were

Let me give you a tip

really big and flavorful. There wasn’t a pile of diced potato in the chowder, freeing up the broth to live as it wished and just be itself.

But it was that cream. That special Knudsen cream. It gifted the soup with such uniqueness and flavor, it set the high bar upon which I judge all other chowders to this day.

I was a working waiter at a popular family-owned seafood restaurant when I first discovered that magical white temptation. Very classy place. Fish flown in daily from the Pacific Northwest. Freshness guaranteed as it was demanded that each order arrive within 24 hours from when the fish was reeled on to the boat, to the time it was delivered to our exceptional kitchen and expert carvers. This place was so committed to quality that when Knudsen decided to discontinue its special cooking cream, our owner hired an expert chemist to analyze the cream and identify what made it so special. He then used the data to replace what Knudsen had created. I ran across him after serving his damn chowder. I really didn’t like him from the beginning. He walked in drunk and seemed to anoint himself governor of my section. He’d arrived with an attractive, young blonde, and was happy to show her off. He walked

in with the swagger of a brash, rich hipster, somehow portraying himself as an amalgamation of the Monopoly Man and Fabio. I’d dealt with morons before, but this cat was an extreme example of customer cluelessness. Our restaurant demanded male patrons wear collared shirt and wool slacks. He arrived in an orange, red, blue, green and yellow Hawaiian shirt and ripped blue jeans. He had a cheesy “Magnum, P.I.” mustache and sandals. It began when he started calling me “garçon”. I was 23, attending college and more than marginally dependent on my work tips to pay for books and the occasional chicken for my Ramen. This guy was unknowingly testing me because he was ordering half the menu. They began with oysters (of course), and then some fresh ahi sashimi. The bill shot up like a thermometer in Phoenix. They ordered four drinks in the interim, all among the highest-priced trendy frozen concoctions we could offer. Then they ordered bottled wine. They tossed ‘em down their gullets like seals eating fish. They spoke loudly and laughed like no one else was there.

Still, I dutifully built their salads with the dressing on the side. I made sure I got their orders correct. I checked with the chef

partway through to make sure everything was OK. I was sure to get their order the moment it was ready. I filled their water glasses. I poured the bottled wine they later ordered, wrapped in a spotless white napkin. I scraped their breadcrumbs off their white tablecloth with a flat sterile nail file. And I set their crème brûlée ablaze as they excitedly watched the show. I proved that I deserved a sweet addendum on that $200-plus bill.

Then he snapped at me with his left hand, demanding his bill with a sarcastic British accent. His date laughed like a Muppet.

Two weeks ago, I read an article entitled “I was miserable in my 30s. Then I turned 50, and I’ve never been happier - here’s the reason why”. The author, Chip Conley, says he found his “emotional intelligence”, and it shed a soothing warm light that lasts to this day at the age of 63. Conley identified emotional intelligence as “a capacity to understand and control our emotions.” That he concludes, leads to EMPATHY. I think he’s on to something. I went through my own personal dark ages for a good nine years in my 40s. And I gradually realized that I wasn’t really looking through a wide lens. Most of my arguments with loved ones, especially

text arguments, were due to misunderstandings and oftentimes a measurable lack of respect.

According to Conley, “with higher emotional intelligence, you’re also better equipped to grasp and empathize with the emotions of others, fostering deeper more fulfilling relationships”. For me, that is spot on. I used to call my reawakening “don’t sweat the small stuff”.

I worked very hard at that restaurant. I know what those service industry people go through. My daughter has been among them. Although when she was left a .38 cent tip on a $63 bill, she once followed the customer out the door, dropped the coins, and told them to keep it. (As you’d imagine, she was a joy to raise). Appropriate? No. Understandable? Yes.

Today, the national minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. When I grew up, it was $3.35. My daughter, who I call Apricot, began working in the service industry at the age of 17. She’s an undisputed expert in all things restaurant. She tells me that servers in Texas make an hourly wage of $2.13, all of which goes directly towards taxes. Servers could not survive without tips. Not in all of Texas, and especially not in higher-income places like Fort Bend. She suspects many people don’t

even claim their cash tips so they can better pay for basic needs, like housing and staples at the grocery. I found similar numbers during my stint at the seafood restaurant. I restrained my body language and gruff tone when I delivered Mr. Hawaiian shirt his check. In the end he left me $4.

I’ve learned to empathize with this particular slice of the U.S. labor force. Remembering the humiliation and unappreciative gestures has helped shape my emotional intelligence. The new standard is now supposedly 20 percent. I exceed that because I can, too often noticing that tired expression on the faces of those who work to serve. It’s hard. And it ain’t sexy. Luckily that night, I’d ingested a large amount of Del Taco cuisine earlier in the evening. As I delivered Mr. Hawaiian his card receipt, I initiated a gastrointestinal bomb with such dispassionate efficiency that I had to look back at the expression on his face once I’d walked away. Upon relating that story to a nephew, I was advised that such warfare has a name. It’s called “crop dusting.” So there’s that.

Garay, a retired television news professional and Sugar Land resident, can be reached at MarkGaray426@gmail.com

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Missouri City to host Third Annual Freedom Walk on Feb. 24

In a community celebration of unity, Missouri City will host the Third Annual Black History Month Free-

City’s slate of Black History Month events was organized in conjunction with the Edison Arts Foundation.

University Branch library to host Rosa Parks documentary on Feb. 26

In recognition of Black History Month in February, the “Reel Talk” film series at Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will feature a documentary about civil rights activist Rosa Parks on Monday, February 26, from 6-8 p.m., in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

This documentary provides a comprehensive and illuminating exploration of Rosa Parks’ life. Chronicling her pivotal role in the civil rights movement, the film also reveals the depth of her activism beyond the iconic moment of refusing to give up her seat on the bus. This film is rated PG.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver to attend this screening.

The movie screening is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www. fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the University Branch Library (281-633-5100) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

Attendees should park inside the gated lot (VISITOR LOT 4). Bring your parking ticket with you inside the library to be valid ted by library staff. Parking is free if you get your ticket validated. Parking outside the gated lot may result in a parking violation from the University of Houston.

See us online www.FortBendStar.com THE STAR Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • PAGE 7 Community Reports Staff Reports PAID FOR BY ELIZABETH PANNILL FLETCHER FOR CONGRESS VOTE BY MARCH 5TH! lizziefletcher.com ENDORSED BY THE

Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will host a documentary about civil rights activist Rosa Parks on Monday, Feb. 26. Here, she is depicted with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Archives photo via Wikipedia. Original source: Ebony Magazine

O

CAROLE P. BOSSLEY

-- WCJC Sugar Land, Brazos Hall, 9am - 2pm; (5) Thursday, 2/1 -- ThriftWise, 501 Hwy 90E, Richmond -- 10am - 1pm. Register to vote, update your current voter registration, and get nonpartisan voting information at any of these events, or contact lwvfortbend@gmail.com.

BOYS CAN SING WITH THE AWARD-WINNING AND EMMYNOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR!

Do you know a boy who loves music and singing? If so, encourage him to audition for the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas! No previous singing experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Boys have a limited time to sing in the unchanged, treble voice so it is important to take advantage NOW! At this time, auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s Audition page at https://fbbctx.org/auditions/ or call (281) 240-3800 for more details. Make the holiday season brighter for you and the boys in your life … check out the award-winning and Emmy nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir today as they celebrate this season’s theme: Singing Boys are Nothing but Treble!

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION

Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718

For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC offers ESL classes on Tuesday nights 6-8:30 from August 22, 2023 through May 21, 2024. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths. All are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www. fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail. com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW

MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www.fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy. org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY

SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO

HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.