MABLE SCOTT AUSTIN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.

Mable Scott Austin of Sugar Land is celebrating 50 years of membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In 1968, Austin received a written invitation to become a member of the public service sorority and was initiated during her first year at Jackson State University, Mississippi from Delta Pi Chapter. She graduated in three years on a full academic scholarship, which included a clothing allowance. She received her master’s degree from Texas Southern University, and completed courses toward her doctorate degree.

Since her induction in 1968, Austin has served on sorority’s committees on the national, regional,state, and chapter (local) levels. She has served as a journalist /PR coordinator on the national, regional, state, and chapter levels. On the chapter level, she has served as an elected officer, chairperson or member on a variety of committees and projects. Austin is an active member of the Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter, which has over 300 members serving Fort Bend County since 1976.

Austin is currently a member of Windsor Village Church (since1983); Suburban Sugar Land Women (co-founder, 1989); Jackson State University Houston Area Alumni Chapter (founding member/ treasurer, 1976); Fort Bend Regional P-16 Council (founding member/treasurer, 2006); The Ensemble Theatre Houston (since1990) and others.

In her spare time, Austin enjoys studying the Bible, serving others, spending time with family and friends, traveling, exercising, taking golf lessons, checking out new restaurants and living a healthy and peaceful life.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was founded by 22 college-educated women in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 13, 1913. It stands on three basic principles: scholarship, public service and sisterhood. Delta’s five point thrusts are economic development, educational development, physical and mental health, political awareness and involvement and international awareness.

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ROTARY CLUB OF RICHMOND PLANTS 45 TREES TO ANSWER WORLDWIDE INITIATIVE

A Rotary International (RI) challenge was issued by RI President Ian Riseley of Australia to plant one tree for each of the 1.2 million Rotarians globally in order to raise awareness of the importance that plants, and especially trees, are to the worldwide environment. The challenge was accepted by Rotary Club of Richmond President Larry Pittman, with the planting of a variety of 45 trees in George Park in Richmond on Tuesday, March 20.

The Rotary Club of Richmond contacted Barry Ward of Trees for Houston, a local nonprofit that plants thousands of native trees in the greater Houston area, to help Richmond Rotary fulfill the RI President’s challenge. This partnership then worked with the City of Richmond’s Parks Department and Keep Richmond Beautiful to determine the site location, varieties of native trees to plant and the amount of manpower needed to plant the trees. One of Richmond’s City parks, the 217-acre George Park, was chosen, partially to support and update a pavilion Richmond Rotary club had donated more than 25 years ago. With intent to plant one tree for each of the Richmond rotary club members, the variety of live oaks, pecans, flowering dogwoods and crepe myrtles planted became a project that covered one of the trails around the park as well.

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2018 SUGAR PLUM MARKET SET FOR NOV. 1-3

The Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Sugar Plum Market is already preparing for the holiday season. The annual event raises money for Fort Bend County’s charitable organizations, which provide for those most in need. Since its inception in 2001, the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) has found purpose in giving back to the community. Through funds raised at the popular holiday shopping event, the Sugar Plum Market has donated nearly $2.5 million to various Fort Bend County charities. Those grants have and will continue to bring joy into the lives of so many in need.

Presented by FBJSL and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, the 18th Annual Market will take place at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3. Market hours will be from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. A special preview night shopping event will be held Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6-10 p.m. Unique vendors from across Texas will fill the Stafford Centre for this ultimate one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza.

General Admission tickets for Friday or Saturday are $12 each. A limited number of preview night tickets are available for $75 each and include an exciting and exclusive experience. Preview night patrons will be treated to live entertainment, advance shopping Thursday night, a drink ticket, delicious catered hors d’oeuvres, and Market entry Friday and Saturday. Tickets may be purchased online beginning Sept. 1.

The Sugar Plum Market would not be able to contribute to charities in the community without the generosity of sponsors and underwriters. A variety of sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are offered for both businesses and individuals, with specially tailored packages available to be customized to best fit marketing and return on investment needs. Sugar Plum Market sponsors receive incredible marketing benefits, with some packages including social media posts, Facebook Live opportunities, event signage, and website and program recognition. New to the 2018 Market, certain sponsor and underwriting levels gain access to the exclusive preview night VIP lounge area.

For more information, including sponsor opportunities,visit sugarplummarket.com.

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CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND HOSTS ANNUAL LIGHT OF HOPE CEREMONY

Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Exchange Club of Sugar Land joined forces to blanket the county in blue during April for Child Abuse Prevention Month. On April 14, Child Advocates of Fort Bend kicked off the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Pinwheel Project with their annual Light of Hope Ceremony with help from Exchange Club of Sugar Land and The Fort Bend County Child Welfare Board. Child Advocates of Fort Bend Board President Denny Adelung welcomed everyone and shared some statistics about child abuse. Exchange Club of Sugar Land President Rod White told the story of the blue ribbon and Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford shared information on how people could get involved. Although child abuse knows no season, April is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information, call 281-341-9955 or go to cafb.org.

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MEN FOR CHANGE, INC. PRESENTS “UPLIFTING YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION” AWARDS

Men for Change, Inc. (MFC), hosted its Annual Scholarship Awards Gala in April at the Quail Valley City Centre. The event serves as a platform to grant scholarships to enable high school graduates to pursue their academic successes, while helping families reduce financial burdens. FBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Dupre served as guest speaker at the event. He inspired students by sharing his background and educational journey that led to him becoming superintendent. He also reminded the students of the unlimited possibilities they can realize with diligence, commitment, steadfast purpose and hard work. This year MFC awarded six scholarships, totaling $2,000 each, to deserving Fort Bend ISD and Stafford Municipal School District students. The scholarship awards were possible through the generous donations of MFC benefactors and sponsors. The 2018 MFC scholarship recipients include: Toni Ajala, Dulles HS; Sidney Brigance, Elkins HS; Louisa Idah-Oze, Marshall HS; Treveon J. Wigrys, Hightower HS; Aumari Wilson, Willowridge HS; and Jalon Jackson, Stafford HS. “We were humbled and very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from our friends and sponsors, without whom these scholarships would not be possible,” said Will Willis, MFC president. “Because of them, we are able to help students in our community become all they can be.”

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THIRD ANNUAL FORT BEND DRUG SYMPOSIUM ATTRACTS 300

The Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition (FBCPC) held its third annual Fort Bend Drug Symposium at the Missouri City Community Center on April 20 or “4/20,” a date that both marijuana smokers and non-smokers recognize as a national holiday for the cannabis culture. FBCPC puts a positive spin on this day by convening national speakers to address the impact of substance abuse in the community.

The symposium welcomed opening remarks from Mayor Allen Owen and Council Member Chris Preston of Missouri City. They shared the need for community collaboration to effectively prevent substance abuse. Javier Pena and Steve Murphy, the two DEA agents behind the manhunt for the Colombian drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar, were the featured speakers for the 4/20 Symposium. Their story provided the framework for the hit Netflix series, NARCOS. Sophomore Mehul Mittal, from the Math and Science Academy at FIBSD Dulles High School, shared the need for substance abuse prevention and his commendable personal efforts that are helping fellow students. The symposium attendees also learned about the importance of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) from Dr. Marc Fleming, assistant professor at College of Pharmacy, University of Houston. PDMPs are highly effective tools utilized to reduce prescription drug abuse and diversion. PDMPs collect, monitor, and analyze electronically transmitted prescribing and dispensing data submitted by pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.

The event was co-hosted by FBCPC, Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse (FBRC) and the Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Community Prevention Sponsors included the Missouri City Police Department, Memorial Hermann Preven­tion and Recovery Center (PaRC), Behavioral Hospital of Bellaire, Westpark Springs, Unlimited Visions After­care, and Parris Foundation.

Coalition Coordinator Payal Patani said, “The FBCPC serves a vital role in protecting the health and welfare of all people in our larger community. Our volunteers are dedicated to reducing substance use among youth.” The FBCPC seeks community-level changes that result in fewer young people becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. For more information, visit fortbendcpc.org.

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HMNS SUGAR LAND OPENS NEW EXHIBIT

At the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, visitors can explore eight galleries dedicated to the curious, the strange, and the inexplicable in the Collection of History, Mystery and Wonder. A different theme in each chamber tells the story of a curious person whose gatherings may have been augmented by the purchase of exotica from sailors returning to port or from commissioned travelers who brought specimens from far-off places.

HMNS at Sugar Land Museum Director, Adrienne Barker, recently welcomed Board members from the Fort Bend Junior Service League for a viewing and tour of the exhibit. FBJSL serves as the exhibit’s local sponsor. “The Fort Bend Junior Service League is excited with how fantastic the exhibit is,” said FBJSL President Jen Rizzo. “There is truly something for everyone to see and explore. We feel very privileged to be able to make this exhibit possible for area residents. Sponsoring the exhibit is a great way for the Service League to meet its commitment to education in Fort Bend County.”

Admission to Collection of History, Mystery and Wonder is a separate ticket and includes entrance to the permanent exhibit halls. Tickets and more information is at hmns.org/sugarland or by phone at 281-313-2277.

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GEORGE RANCH HS BAND BOOSTER CLUB AUTORAMA ATTRACTS THOUSANDS

The George Ranch High School Band Booster Club’s (GRBBC) 5th Annual AutoRama at the Ranch held on April 22 was a success. The event is a unique car show featuring over 100 Sports, Classic, Muscle, Exotic, Tuner and Sport Compact and Low Rider Cars plus several trucks and motorcycles from all eras.

Thousands of people attended the show, visiting with the car, truck and motorcycle owners who were displaying their vehicles. A continuous stream of musicians performed on the front steps of the school – a natural stage and focal point for the show. This year’s featured musical acts were local student groups, including the GRHS jazz band, drumline, student choirs and more. For more information on supporting the program, visit grhsband.org.

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SPECIAL GRANT IN HONOR OF JOHN NULL

With increasing structured activities and demands on time for families, less and less time is spent outdoors in natural settings. But according to multiple surveys over the last few years, the public wants just that.

To ensure opportunities like this exist in Fort Bend County, The George Foundation awarded a grant of $60,000 to the Cullinan Park Conservancy in honor of John Null’s service as trustee from 2008 – 2018. Null, the outgoing chairman of the board, developed a passion for the project and the Conservancy’s mission during his term as trustee.

Conservancy Board President Gary Tuma said, “We are thrilled to receive Mr. Null’s, and The George Foundation’s, continued support towards our planned improvements for Cullinan Park. It is an honor to know they entrust the Conservancy with stewarding the resources to effectively carry out the vision of the Park.”

Visitors to the 754-acre Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park in Sugar Land will find a huge variety of flora and fauna, as well as trails. The Conservancy works to enhance the natural beauty of the Park for all by raising funds for capital improvements.

Visit cullinanparkconservancy.org or contact Execu­tive Director Angie Wierzbicki at 281-616-7860 or [email protected] for more information.