FORT BEND JUNIOR LEAGUE PLANNING SUGAR PLUM MARKET AND SEEKING SPONSORS

The Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Sugar Plum Market is already preparing for the holiday season and the opportunity to raise 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. Through funds raised at the holiday shopping event, the Sugar Plum Market has donated nearly $2.5 million to various Fort Bend County charities.

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. Preview Night patrons will be treated to live entertainment, advance shopping Thursday night, a drink ticket, catered hors d’oeuvres and Market entry Friday and Saturday. Tickets may be purchased online beginning Sept. 1 at sugarplummarket.com.

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. 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 or email the co-chairs at [email protected].

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FORT BEND LIBRARIES RECEIVE BROWNSTONE BOOK DONATION

Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) has received a generous gift this spring of hundreds of new children’s books from the Brownstone Book Fund, a private foundation in New York City interested in fostering early reading, a love of books, and opportunities for parents and children to read together.

Each library in the Fort Bend County library system received 100 children’s books, ranging from pre-kindergarten through early readers. Fort Bend County Libraries was chosen by the director of the Brownstone Book Fund, Diane Brownstone, based on the recommendation of Mark Smith, Director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), who named 83 libraries in the state that were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Through this donation, libraries selected desired books from a very broad list that included children’s classics such as Make Way for Ducklings to current favorites like Fancy Nancy and Knuffle Bunny.

Special book displays in Fort Bend County Libraries’ children’s departments will spotlight the donated books just in time for summer reading. More information can be found at fortbend.lib.tx.us.

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RICHMOND FIREHOUSE BATTALION CHIEF RETIRES

Tuesday, Feb. 28 marked a sad yet happy occasion at the Richmond Fire Department as Firehouse Battalion Chief Tom Walleck retired after 36 years with the department. The morning began with a great breakfast (a firefighter’s favorite meal) prepared by his crew along with stories and tales of “Back In the Day” enjoyed by his crew, city administration, and elected officials. Walleck was presented a gold watch by City Manager Terri Vela.

“Although retired from the department and the demands of managing one of three shifts of ‘highly trained and motivated firefighters’, he is not retired from our hearts,” said Fire Chief Mike Youngblood, who knew Walleck for many years prior to becoming the Fire Chief of the City of Richmond. He added, “While working in Missouri City, I responded to mutual aid calls to Richmond and remember working with Tom. Even then I was impressed with Tom and his crews. Knowing the reputation of Tom and the Richmond Fire Department as dedicated and committed public servants was one aspect that attracted me to Richmond.”

The ceremony ended when newly appointed Battalion Chief Bryan Lewis, who will fill Walleck’s boots as the Shift Commander of “C” shift, said, “We wish our mentor, leader and friend the best. Enjoy your retirement – you have certainly earned it – with love and respect.” To see more of Battalion Chief Walleck’s retirement, visit the City of Richmond Fire Department Facebook page.

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FBISD BOARD PRESIDENT KRISTIN TASSIN RECEIVES HERO FOR CHILDREN AWARD

Kristin Tassin, Fort Bend ISD Board President, is the recipient of a 2018 Hero for Children award. Presented by Pastors for Texas Children, an education advocacy organization, the award recognizes individuals for their commitment and support to Texas public schools.

Pastor Charles Johnson, executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, presented Tassin with the award during a celebration of public education on Feb. 28. Pastor Rudy White of Christian Bible Church hosted the event.

“This is a very important moment for us,” said Johnson. “For the first time in our organization’s history, we’re presenting this award to a female and a school board member.”

This is the fifth year for Pastors for Texas Children to present the award. Past recipients have included state lawmakers.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Hero for Children award,” said Tassin, “and I thank Pastors for Texas Children for partnering with us and being instrumental in what we do to support our children.”

Pastors for Texas Children is an independent ministry, advocacy and outreach group comprised of pastors and church leaders from across the state. The group supports quality public education opportunities for all Texas children.

Visit pastorsfortexaschildren.com to learn more.

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FORT BEND COUNTY FAIR HONOREES NAMED

Commissioner James Patterson and his wife, Mary Jo, have been named as the 2018 Fort Bend County Fair honorees. The Patterson family have been remarkable supporters and have spent countless hours bidding, buying, cheering, and enjoying the fair.

“To us, the Fort Bend County Fair has always been a major part of what Fort Bend County stands for,” said Fort Bend County Commissioner James Patterson. “The pride of the students and the accomplishments that they are able to show, truly help youngsters grow up to be leaders, not only in Fort Bend County but across the country. To be chosen as honorees is an amazing honor.”

Known for their service to the community and champions of education, Patterson and his wife were both raised with core, country-life values.

“We both grew up in the country, and as a high school principal, I saw the difference that our agricultural and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs made in kids’ lives,” said the Commissioner. “As I became County Commis­sioner, we realized that there was more to the fair than the FFA & Ag projects and began to support the Art Auction and the Commercial Heifer Sale.”

James and Mary Jo have been married for 53 years and have called Sugar Land their home for 47-years. With James, whose auctioneering talents have benefited many charities and churches, is the strength of Mary Jo. Together, this winning pair has been able to touch many lives. The Patterson family have been instrumental in The Arc of Fort Bend County and countless other organizations.

The Patterson family are proud veteran fair-goers who have been attending for decades. They have participated in the parade, enjoyed the carnival, and have eaten dozens of tamales from the St. John Fisher’s fair-food booth for decades. Seeing the excitement of the kids, the hard work of the Fair board and volunteers, and the pride the community has in the Fair is what keeps the family involved.

“In the early years, from 1965 to 1999 we attended the parade, took our children and then our grandchildren to the carnival and rodeo, occasionally to the Fair’s auction,” said Mary Jo. “ When James became County Commissioner, we continued to attend all those things and then got involved in the four different auctions.”

This year, the Fort Bend Auction Buyers Group will be marking their fifteenth year of commitment. The group is an allegiance of individuals who commit financially to support the Fair’s exhibitors. Patterson was a founding member of the group and continues to be active in the organization’s success. In 2017 the Buyers Group raised $37,700.00 with 132 members and impacted the lives of 154 students through direct contributions and bidding at the auctions.

“We are extremely pleased and proud of the community’s support of our Buyers Group. This group has grown to over 100 supporters each year and has continued to help a large number of students every year,” said Patterson.

Through the years, the Pattersons have seen the Fair evolve into the iconic event it is today.

“First, when the county purchased all the land between the fairgrounds and Highway 36, we guaranteed a great visual presence for the Fair from then on. We have seen the fairgrounds and the buildings be steadily improved, and the Fair board and the community work more as a team,” said Patterson.

In 2017 the George Pavilion was dedicated at the fairgrounds, a construction project that took a team effort to see to fruition. Patterson said, “The ability for all youngsters’ projects to be under the same roof on a good solid footing with excellent ventilation and fans came as a huge source of pride for the whole community.”

Patterson recently had an elementary school named after him in the Fort Bend ISD. Patterson Elementary is the 50th elementary school in the district. He also supported the district’s naming of three agricultural facilities honoring agricultural educators, Jimmy Klemstein, Ronnie Davis, and Bonnie Beard.

James and Mary Jo have one son, two daughters, two sons-in-laws, two grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-grandson.

This yeart the Fort Bend County Fair runs from Sept. 28-Oct. 7 and will be celebrating its 82nd year.

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INSPERITY OPENS DISTRICT OFFICE IN SUGAR LAND TOWN SQUARE

Planned Community Developers, Ltd. (PCD) has announced that Insperity, a provider of human resources and business performance solutions, has opened a district office in Sugar Land Town Square, occupying 4,093 square feet of space.

“We are pleased Insperity chose Sugar Land Town Square’s Texas Drive building for its operations,” said Don Janssen, Principal of PCD. “Insperity’s employees will enjoy a full range of walkable amenities, ample structural parking, and close proximity to many stores and restaurants in an experiential urban-style setting.”

Rich Pancioli, of CBRE, represented Insperity, and Janssen represented PCD in the transaction.

Visit pcdltd.com or SugarLandTownSquare.com for Sugar Land Town Square office leasing information. Learn more about Insperity at insperity.com.

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SSLW FIRST QUARTER PROJECTS REVIEW

Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) is celebrating 29 years of collaboratively serving Fort Bend County and beyond, children and adults, via free and ongoing services and resources.

SSLW began its year of service with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Program and a program at all the Fort Bend County high schools registering graduating seniors to vote and educating them on the voting process.

February programs included a performance by an African Dance Troupe at Hightower High School, sponsorship of the Texas Southern University Debate Team and sponsorship of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) production of “Tell Them We Are Rising: 150+Years of (HBCU’s) in America” live-streaming at University of Houston’s Sugar Land campus.

SSLW’s March events included the 2018 Women in History recognition ceremony and the presentation of honor roll wrist bands to Missouri City Middle School students.

Interested people can help further the mission to design and implement educational, civic and cultural programs that build the self-confidence of students and expand their knowledge and skills to succeed in school and life by becoming an SSLW partner. Visit sslhttp://sslw.orgw.org for more information.

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FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR RECEIVES $25K GIFT FOR MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

The Fort Bend Boys Choir recently received a $25,000 gift from The George Foundation, awarded in honor of Trustee John Null’s 10 years of service. This generous gift will be used to fund scholarships for talented boys in financial need.

For more information about auditioning for the Fort Bend Boys Choir, call the choir office at 281-240-3800 or visit fbbctx.org.