Fair Fun, What’s your favorite?

Yes, it is true the carnival is in town. In case you did not know the Fort Bend County Fair is in full swing. From food & wine to rodeo & carnival rides every night this week you and your family can be entertained. For all age groups there is something fun at this year’s fair.

For the kids the bright lights and sounds of the carnival are irresistible. There is no doubt the Midway is the favorite spot for most of the younger generation. Ferris wheel, scream rides and carny games with big stuffed animals keep kids.

If food is your ticket, you have a few options. Funnel cakes, roasted corn and turkey legs are all on the menu. However veteran fair goers may have their favorites. My personal favorite food vendor is the St John Fisher Catholic Church Mexican food booth. Tamales, tacos and stuffed jalapenos have an incredible taste and flavor. They have been able to serve up good food and maintain a wonderful reputation for years. I am not sure who is cooking, but I am thinking a Bobby Flay showdown needs to be considered.

Returning for the second year as entertainment is the Michael Mezmer Comedy Hypnosis Show. This show is fun for the entire family. Several people from the audience go under hypnosis and do some funny & silly things. One of the most enjoyable parts of the show is to know some of these gutsy volunteers who are randomly picked from the audience. This is a sleeper hit at the fair and a must see show.

Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping. There are indoor and outdoor vendors with a long list of items for sale. If you are into bling, there are several booths that will shine bright to you. Everything from Jewelry, purses and funky flip flops can be found.

Animal action and attractions are all over the fairgrounds. Kids 4H and FFA projects can be found in the livestock barn. The most rewarding is watching kids show their animals they have raised all summer. Pigs, lambs, steers and rabbit and many more can be seen. In the Rodeo arena, every night you will see some type of competition. Cowboy and cowgirls will show off their riding skill and horsemanship.

Live music, art exhibits, a wine bistro and several other attractions can all be found at this year’s fair. The fair gates & midway open at 5pm during the week and at noon on Saturday.

The cost of a ticket for admission = 10 dollars, the cost of a funnel cake = 3 dollars, the cost of supporting youth = PRICELESS!

For schedule of events and more information visit the
Fort Bend County Fair Assoc. Web site at... fbcfa.org

Jewels of Fort Bend County

I love living in Fort Bend County for so many reasons. We come together as a community in times of laughter, troubles and triumphs. Today, at Safari Texas Ranch, a luncheon and fashion show was held featuring five women for their commitments to our wonderful County. This year’s Jewels of Fort Bend County being honored were, Billie Neuhaus, Donna Kay Tucker, Ann Smith, Lizz Sansone and May Tape.

I am honored to be in a community where these fine women set the standards in their work with in a variety of different organizations. Our County Fair, the Arts, Youth and Seniors Citizens programs and countless other causes have benefited from these women's efforts. I personally know three of the five women. Actually, they have known me since I was a child. I am so grateful to be raised around such pillars of the community.

Donna Kay Tucker has been a victor in life and principal of many causes. Her support of the sport of Rodeo is enduring. From professional rodeo to local youth events she has stepped up and in as a believer of the sport. For years she stood in the shadow of the Miss Rodeo America crown, all in the glory of the sport of rodeo. She is a true ambassador of the sport.

Ann Smith has been a supporter and a pioneer to many causes that remain close to her. She is the flying eagle of the ARC’s fundraising. “Best in the West” benefits The Arc of Fort Bend County. Funds raised help maintain group homes, activity and work centers and provides for training and transportation of citizens with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Billie Neuhaus, I know best. By no means let her age fool you. She is as clever with wit as she has ever been. She is a lady who wears boots for a reason and not for the fashion. You never have to guess what she is thinking; she will tell you her thoughts.

She has been a strong supporter, a lioness of sorts, to the Fort Bend County Fair. In the early 1960’s she engrossed the responsibility of the annual parade, growing it to a community wide event with over 500 participants. Through the 73 years the fair has been open to the public, Ms Billie along with her family have been a constant fixture of the event. She has sponsored Christian concerts, World champion cowboy rodeo events and purchased a plenitude of show animals from deserving FFA and 4H kids. She sat on the fair board for several years.

She always arrived late to the Fair auction. She was not there for the grand champion front page bidding; rather she helped the kids who made the end of the sale. She wanted to make sure these kids were getting a fair and decent price for their efforts.

Lizz Sansone and May Tape were also honored. I do not have not have the pleasure of knowing the women personally; however the company they keep speaks volumes of the type of people they are. They are trailblazers in their relentless efforts of giving to the community.

These are five reasons why Fort Bend County is a great community to be a part of and involved in.

Christmas Shopping in September

12 days of Christmas should now be known as several months of shopping. Many holiday hungry shoppers are already purchasing gifts. Early start to the Yuletide season comes in many different forms from online spending to shopping mall Mecca’s. Consumers and businesses are reaping the rewards of Christmas shopping in September.

Retailweek reports that as many as 48% of the 8,000 people surveyed said they had already purchased some presents. This early shopping according to half of those surveyed is to cut cost.

Online shopping has special offers persuading shoppers to buy early. Get your gifts ordered and delivered in time to beat the holiday rush is a typical message on popular shopping Web sites. Web sites have important dates already posted for consumers to view to help with shipping. Google and Yahoo will be utilized for shoppers to search for the perfect gift. Facebook and twitter will be experiencing a large platform this holiday season to woo shoppers to certain businesses. Social media will be used more than any other year.
Cruise and travel agents are really pushing holiday deals. One cruise line is currently running a commercial with Christmas music. Cell phones companies also are doing a huge early push. Already offering deals on popular phones and incentives.

Recessionwire says that stores like Toys R Us have been luring customers with the promise of discounts on toys and retailers and Sears have promoted a Christmas Club card program that rewards customers for shopping early—and often—for their holiday supplies. Toys R Us is also setting up temporary holiday locations for consumers. Again convenience and costing cutting measures are the prime reasons for the early shopping.

Shopping malls and discount stores will soon be extending their shopping hours. For now, gift selections are already being placed on displayed. Shoppers can get holiday decorations for indoor or outdoor. Many craft stores have a large selection of decorations already on display for purchase.

Spirit of giving is upon us or at least with some of us. Here’s to a safe and fun holiday season.

Crime in Our Community

Detectives need your help on two recent crimes in our area. Armed robberies and commercial burglaries are being committed by several suspects. Sugar Land police department and the Fort bend Sheriff’s office both recently sent out surveillance pictures to help identify suspects.

Sugar Land police are investigating a burglary at All Tech Communications, 16126 Southwest Freeway, on Sept. 11, at 2:15 a.m. Surveillance video from the business shows the male suspect prying open the front door, removing a wall-mounted television and leaving in a black pick-up truck. The same business had been burglarized two months earlier. The suspect is believed to be connected to several other commercial burglaries in the area.

Today, Fort Bend Sheriff’s office detectives are asking for help in aggravated robbery at the Game Stop located in the 22700 block Bellaire Blvd. back on September 4, 2009. Just before 9pm three suspects entered the business. One suspect was armed with a handgun and ordered all the store employees to lie on the floor in a back office. During the robbery one suspect held the employees in the office and the two other suspects stole store merchandise and money from the registers. These suspects are believed to have committed other similar crimes at two other Game Stops during June and July.

If you have any information on either these crimes you can call the Fort Bend Crimestoppers at (281) 342-TIPS (8477).

A little dose of facebook and twitter!

Have you ever had a family member in the hospital? The stress of dealing with your loved one’s illness is at times overwhelming. Adding to the stress is keeping everyone updated on how the patient is doing. Family members are now utilizing social media platforms to keep family and friends updated.

Facebook, twitter and texting are options that families are utilizing to communicate latest information on family members conditions during hospital stays. No matter how complicated the update, the message can be sent to several persons at one time by using any of these media.

Recently a friend on facebook was coping with an ill parent. My friend posted several updates on how the parent was doing but also on how the family was doing. I found it very informing but also able to post words of support without “bothering” the family. This way my friend knew I was thinking of the family but not intruding upon their difficult time.

Facebook also was the source of information on a school friend who recently had an accident that left him seriously injured. I know prior to facebook, I would have never known about my friend’s serious injuries. I was thankful that I could send wells wishes to him and his family.

Twitter has been a brilliant way to keep family members not only informed but in touch with each other. One instance is in when you have a love one in ICU. ICU visits are restricted by time and the number of guest. Family in the waiting room can get updates on their family instantly by using twitter.

Personally I have been using text messages in group form to let everyone know of two of my family members’ conditions. While some of my family and friend are near a computer, all of them have cell phones. It was useful and resourceful to text everyone at one time to give them the latest information.

As medical technologies get more advance, family members stay connected using different social media platforms. These are just a few examples of the family circle keeping together.

Follow me on twitter... http//twitter.com/barbaramagana

facebook... Is your community on it?

Friends and family have been re-connected by the social network site facebook. Now, many law enforcement agencies and public safety departments are creating their own facebook profiles to keep residents informed of on-going events in their jurisdictions.

Social network site facebook is a free online service that anyone may join. Facebook works to connect school friends, helps family members stay in touch and allows you to create a community of your friends and contacts.

Now public safety offices like, Fort Bend Office of Emergency Management, City of Sugar Land, Missouri City Police Department, Rosenberg Police Department and Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are joining facebook to keep in touch with the communities they serve. Residents can become friends or fans of the agency's facbook page.

Agencies are posting alerts and updates to keep residents informed on a variety of issues. Weather alerts, flu updates and community events are all types of status updates you may find on an agencies facebook page.

Fort Bend OEM's facebook page is very active. Residents can find out the latest on H1N1 virus, thunderstorms, road closures or citizens classes that are being offered. Other sites share pictures of community events and leaders.

So being in touch just became a little easier. Sign up and become a friend or a fan.

Flu Fears

Today,at least 100 plus students were sent home from Dulles Middle School for flu like symptoms. Most of the students complained of a headache, cough and sore throat. The nurse’s office had parents pick up their children who were feeling ill.

Flu fears have kept doctor’s offices busy. Most clinics have been testing for the H1N1virus as a precaution. While most test results for the more serious strand comes back negative, flu season is upon us.

More schools and districts will be challenged this flu season. Faculty and students will miss several days due to the influenza cases. Fort Bend ISD is working with the health department to ensure they have the latest on recommendations related to H1N1 flu virus.

Throughout the community flu shots are being offered. Pharmacies, grocery stores and even some churches are offering flu shots. Shots will range from $10 dollars to $25 dollars per injection.

Good luck this school year, better luck this flu season.

Oilfield Road Renaming

As long as I can remember my childhood home has been near Oilfield Road. Now as part of a huge expansion plan the pioneer route is being renamed to Scenic Rivers drive.

This past April, Fort Bend County Commissioners approved the name change. Recently the signs have been put up in place of the old Oilfield Road signs. The old green and white street signs are now replaced with colorful red and white signs.

The one time two lane country road is now becoming a four lane drive that will be a main thoroughfare for several neighborhoods. Riverstone development has created and constructed a luxury waterside living community. Most of the homes feature great amenities and range starting in the $200,000s into the millions.

For all us who grew up in the area, for me the Frost Ranch and for some Pecan Manor, a little part of history is gone. I can remember when the bridge on Oilfield road was one lane. One childhood memory is a cow being on the bridge and the school bus driver did not know how to get the cow to move. We were all home late from school that day.

Oilfield road serviced several affluent homes that were adjacent to the property lines of the sprawling Frost Ranch. Oil wells, pumping jacks and cattle lined the remote road.

Today, I did get some good news. Commissioner Patterson told me that Oilfield Road will remain the name just off Highway Six. A sign was mistakenly erected with the new Scenic Rivers drive and will be changed back soon.

Just a little bit of history in a growing community.

Dog Lovers Wanted

Soon there will be a new place for Rover and Buddy to hang out. A new dog park is being constructed in Sugar Land. The Pawm Springs dog park is under construction next to the Sugar Land Memorial Park at Commonwealth and University boulevards.

Sugar Land officials tell us the park will be opening next month. The grand opening is set for October 10 from 10am to 1pm. This is welcomed news for Fort Bend County residents who currently have to drive into Houston or Katy to enjoy a dog park.

Dogs and their owners will be able to enjoy a six acre area that is set as a tropical oasis theme. The park has a beach area, a palm tree water spray feature and a resort style pool. All is enclosed by a chain linked fence. There is also a shaded pavilion to enjoy and cool your paws.

The dog park is the latest amenity that Sugar Land Memorial Park offers. The park spans 400 plus acres. It features walking and jogging trails, a playground, a covered picnic area and a lake.

Dogs large or small all are welcome. The dog park provides fun for our four legged friends.

Two Million Dollar Crime Spree

J.C. Penney stores have been the target of several burglaries this past summer. The burglaries have occurred in Rosenberg, Texas, Pasadena, Texas and several out of State locations. The suspect would enter the store by cutting a hole in the roof.

Pasadena police have arrested Ricky Orlando Garcia and have charged him with burglary of a business. He is now facing charges in Rosenberg, Indianapolis, and several towns in Louisiana.

Search warrants were executed at three locations in Houston on Tuesday. Garcia was arrested at this time. Investigators estimate the total value of the recovered merchandise from the three locations at over two million dollars ($2,000,000).

Pasadena police worked with Rosenberg PD, St. Tammany Parrish SO, Harris County SO, along with J.C. Penney investigators. The burglaries in Rosenberg and Pasadena occurred in July.

Both Hays and Dallas counties have warrants for Garcia. Garcia is believed to have committed similar crimes in their area in 2008.

Shoppers Beware

A trip to the grocery store is a weekly ritual for some. For one Fort Bend county woman her trip turned into a crime. She was a victim of a purse snatching at the River Park HEB. In an effort to keep customers safe the HEB grocery store has beefed up security at this location located near 59 and the Grand Parkway.

Last week, just before eleven in the morning the woman was putting groceries into her vehicle when a man drove up to her. His ploy was to ask for directions, when the victim turned to him he grabbed her purse strapped and drove off. The woman was bruised during the ordeal. The suspect has not been arrested.

Now, from open to close a security guard is patrolling the storefront. Customers may notice the guards as they ride their bikes through the parking lot.

This crime in particular is disturbing for two reasons. For one reason, the suspect chose an elderly woman as his victim. Second, the crime was committed in the daylight. Both actions show the suspect’s desperation.

Fort Bend Sheriff’s deputies released surveillance pictures of the suspect. He was caught on video using the victim’s stolen credit card at area businesses. If you can identify this suspect or have any information on this crime you should call the Fort Bend Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS.

To see more photos of suspect, go to...

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department

|| PRESS RELEASE ||

The Need for Nixle

Just when you thought you were up to speed with your facebook account, there is now something new to join... Nixle. Nixle is a new social media tool being used by several law enforcement agencies. Pasadena Police department is the latest to be reaping the benefits of what Nixle has to offer.

Nixle is a unique way that police are able to communicate with residents, businesses, hospitals and other law enforcement agencies of ongoing incidents in the area. It is a computer program that allows alerts to be sent to your email or by text message to your cell phone.

In cases of emergencies, missing children, accidents, police scenes and other situations can be sent out through text and email directly to citizens. Residents have the ability to customize what alerts they want to receive.

Nixle is free to join and simple to sign up. The service allows you to put in several addresses to monitor. Meaning you can monitor your home, your child’s school, an elderly relative’s home or your job.

Police departments and law enforcement agencies arouund the Nation have been utilizing the fairly new program. As of August of 2009, 1800 departments have become members. Chicago, Baltimore, Dallas, Ft Worth, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Philadelphia are a few cities that are currently using Nixle. As more departments join Nixle, the more communities will be serviced.

The lessons that Hurricane Katrina taught us as a Country are many. Communication was crippled by the massive floods in New Orleans. However, texting was one service that worked following days after the storm. Nixle utilizes texting as a way to communicate.

With the H1N1 flu fears being a concern, CDC and local health departments are looking at Social Media networks to spread information. Nixle prides itself on being secured to ward off any fraud accounts or messages.

Nixle, it is here and growing. So sign up and stay connected.

Roll up your Sleeves

Your help is needed. Major Jerry Clements of the Fort Bend Sheriff’s office is battling an illness and has an urgent need for blood. Officials tell us they are trying to get 25 pints of blood donated.

The Sheriff’s office is working with the Blood Bank to make the donations possible. Sheriff Deputies have rallied around the ailing veteran lawman. He is currently at Methodist hospital.

A fundraiser is being planned to help with the rising hospital bills. Clements has been in the hospital for several weeks.

Major Clements is the Enforcement Bureau commander. He oversees all criminal law enforcement within the unincorporated areas of the County.

Best wishes to the Major and his family. Get well soon.