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APRIL 2013 l TO ADVERTISE CALL 281.690.42424

BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN?

Stop enduring pain. Call or email today and begin your personal treatment plan. 281-313-BACK (2225) or [email protected].

The Spine Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the comprehensive, coordinated option for you in Fort Bend County.

For back and neck pain, there’s only one premier choice — Methodist Sugar

Land Hospital’s Spine Center. Whether you’ve had pain for just a few days

or several long years, you’ll find everything you need to diagnose and

treat your condition in a convenient location, with access to premier

spine specialists and a complete range of treatment options.

Getting started is easy. We will guide you through a

customized treatment plan, with expedited access to

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16655 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-313-BACK (2225) • MethodistSugarLand.com

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29

Keron WeatheredOut of the Box DesignPage 29

CONTRIBUTORS

8 & 10

Linda K. EavesWriter Page 8 & 10

ON THE COVER:Nora, Mohammed and Abrahim Shabibi

Photo by Nesossi Studios.

A P R I L 2 0 1 3 | V O L U M E 1 | N U M B E R 5

40

Steve KursarAuto EnthusiastPage 40

C O V E R S T O R Y 8 TEXANA CHILDREN’S

CENTER FOR AUTISM CHANGES LIVES

Meet Abrahim Shabib, one of many children who has benefited from Texana Children’s Center for Autism in Rosenberg. Diagnosed with autism as a young child, Abrahim has since improved dramatically in his language, literacy, math and social skills.

F E AT U R E S

22 MEDICAL FOCUS Get to know Brazos’ finest medical providers.

34 SUMMER FUN GUIDE Summer will be here soon! Get a jumpstart on your summer plans.

C O L U M N S

10 HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOT Lexi Fatheree: Success on the Court

44 A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY George Ranch: Acres of Historical Past

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

40 2013 DODGE DURANGO

Abrahim, Nora, Mohammed and Karim Shabib. Photo by Nesossi Studios.

N E W S W O RT H Y

11 ROSENBERG RAILROAD MUSEUM Presents Railfest 2013

20 LONE STAR STOMP XXIV We are Texas!

28 STRONG ROSENBERGCONTINGENT Greets TCA Deputy Director

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

18 RECENT RIBBON CUTTINGS

38 CHAMBER LAUNCHESDowntown Rosenberg Division

H O M E

29 SAVVY HOME STAGING Quick Tips for Selling Your House Faster

I N E V E RY I S S U E

6 EDITOR’S POINT OF VIEW

12 SEEN ON THE SCENE Photos from Brazos charitable events

30 OUT & ABOUTIN THE HEART OF BRAZOS A few snapshots of people, places and happenings

41 COMMUNITY EVENTS Fun events the wholefamily will enjoy

42 COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

44

Joan FrancesWriterPage 44

BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN?

Stop enduring pain. Call or email today and begin your personal treatment plan. 281-313-BACK (2225) or [email protected].

The Spine Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the comprehensive, coordinated option for you in Fort Bend County.

For back and neck pain, there’s only one premier choice — Methodist Sugar

Land Hospital’s Spine Center. Whether you’ve had pain for just a few days

or several long years, you’ll find everything you need to diagnose and

treat your condition in a convenient location, with access to premier

spine specialists and a complete range of treatment options.

Getting started is easy. We will guide you through a

customized treatment plan, with expedited access to

world-class neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic

spine surgeons and interventional pain specialists.

Plus, physical therapy, occupational/hand therapy,

and the most advanced imaging and surgical

technologies in the world are available on-site.

16655 Southwest Freeway • Sugar Land, Texas 77479 281-313-BACK (2225) • MethodistSugarLand.com

facebook.com/MethodistSugarLand

@MethodistSLHosp


April means that spring showers will bring us May flowers, and it is typically – if the weather cooperates – the official beginning of spring. But the month of April means much more than that to many parents and children in our community. April is World Autism Awareness Month, and while many of us might think that designation doesn’t directly affect us, the diagnosis in today’s children is more common than you might think. According to the Autism Society, 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability with a 1,148% growth rate. What that means for our community is that approximately 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder according to an April 2012 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But, what you may not realize is that Rosenberg is home to a remarkable center that is devoted to teaching these children providing them with productive, happy, functional lives.

I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand over the course of the past two years the amazing work that the professionals at Texana Children’s Center for Autism provides for our community, for our children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Their staff and the children and families they serve are truly remarkable. In this issue, you’ll meet the Shabib family from Richmond, and you will hear about Abrahim’s journey from an Autism diagnosis to the bright-eyed, engaging young man he is today because of his progress at Texana.

Texana is such an amazing resource for our community that absolutely! Brazos is proud to sponsor their upcoming workshop that helps caregivers, parents and teachers learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Texana Autism Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th, and complete details are on page 33. If you are interested in learning more about Autism, we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

As my team and I are out and about in Brazos, we are receiving so much positive feedback and support from the community. Thank you for embracing our desire to provide a community-focused magazine serving the Brazos area. We appreciate your feedback and support, and we look forward to hearing about what you are doing out and about in Brazos.

absolutely! yours,

[email protected]

EXCLAMATION POINTS!T H E I N S I D E S C O O P S T R A I G H T F R O M T H E T O P

Editor-in-Chief, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI4655 TECHNIPLEX DR. STE. 400

STAFFORD, TX 77477281-690-4242

WWW.ABSOLUTELYBRAZOS.COM

Vol. 1 No. 5 | April 2013

absolutely!TM Magazines are published by absolutely! Focus Me-dia, 4655 Techniplex Dr., Ste. 400, Stafford, TX 77477. Copyright © 2013 by absolutely! Focus Media. All rights reserved. Repro-duction without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely!TM Magazines does not knowingly accept false or misleading ad-vertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely!TM Maga-zines welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

Subscription requests are free to West Fort Bendarea addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25

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E X E C U T I V E P U B L I S H E R SMichael & Lisa Fredrickson

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Patti, Thank you!!! I have been waiting for an issue of this magazine for the little towns between Katy and Sugar

Land. When I saw an absolutely! Brazos publication online, a sigh of relief came over my body. Thank goodness someone finally remembered us!!! I am thrilled and can’t wait to read the past few issues of absolutely! Brazos.

I have lived in the Katy area for most of my life. My family and I moved to Richmond seven years ago, and boy, have we watched it grow! The quaintness of these towns is what attracted us to this area. I wanted a change for my family. A place where kids could be kids and ride their bikes without the fears of big city life. Writing about the little things in this area brings attention to all that we have to offer as a small community with the big city which is just a few miles away.

Thanks again for producing such a wonderful magazine! Patty Knobelock

READER FEEDBACK

In the case of Nora Shabib, though she didn’t know it at the time, autism entered her family’s life when she be-gan getting e-mails from her son’s teacher early on. The teacher’s con-cern? Abrahim wasn’t using as many words as an 18-month-old should.

When he was two-years-old, Nora took Abrahim to the doctor for a check-up. He had such a hard time at that appointment; the doctor suggested in-tervention services. Nora and her hus-

Meet

COVER STORYBy Linda K. Eaves

Abrahim Shabib

Although Abrahim was in speech ther-apy and was improving somewhat, it was obvious there was something going on. “I was reading everything that I could. We knew something wasn’t right, but at that time, we didn’t want to think that it could be autism. It was a very difficult time with a four-year-old and a baby.”

Because he’s a beautiful and happy boy – he laughs, plays and makes eye contact with his mom and dad – Nora and Mohammed didn’t want to believe Abrahim might be autistic. “Just with-in the last year I still didn’t want to believe. I just recently started talking about it. I was in denial. I’ve come to accept it, and that motivates me to do more for him – learning about autism, going to training workshops and reach-ing out to other parents.”

Before he was three, Abrahim was getting services through Fort Bend Coun-ty’s Early Childhood Intervention Project Grow run by Texana. Their speech thera-pist would come to their home and have therapy sessions with Abrahim.

“She helped me get an Admission Re-view and Dismissal (ARD) at the public school and talked to me about red flags. She mentioned the Texana Children’s Center for Autism program and the cost. There was no way we could afford it, so I put it out of my mind. Plus, Abrahim didn’t have a diagnosis at the time.”

Abrahim went to Preschool Program

Abrahim, Nora, Karim and Mohammed Shabib. Photo by Nesossi Studios.


Texana Children’s CenterFor Autism Changes Lives:

A pril is World Autism Awareness Month created to do just that: bring awareness of Autism Spectrum Disor-der (ASD) through the dissemination of education and

information. But, what exactly is autism? Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes problems with social in-teraction and communication. Symptoms usually start before age three and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood.

band, Mohammed, thought it was the language delay affecting his behavior – frustration from not being able to com-municate.

Nora was at home with a new baby, Karim, and attributed Abrahim’s dif-ficult behavior to the “terrible twos.” The couple also has an older daughter, Nawal, and since Abrahim was the middle child, they thought maybe it was middle child syndrome. “We were really struggling,” said Nora.

for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) for a year and then, Head Start a full day with typical kids. He was diag-nosed through The Autism Center at Texas Children’s Hospital and was placed in PPCD a half day with typical kids and a half day in the special edu-cation classroom.

Abrahim was also having speech ther-apy and occupational therapy (OT) pri-vately. Nora and Mohammed had heard about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which seemed to be the best treatment for early intervention – intensive therapy in a one-on-one or small group setting. ABA is currently the one method proven to make profound changes in autistic children.

“It’s expensive and a lot of insurance companies don’t pay for it,” explained Nora. “I began researching, and I remem-bered the speech therapist who told me about the program at Texana, so I con-tacted them. I was put on a waiting list. I didn’t have any hope of getting in.”

But Nora received a call that they were accepted into the DARS grant pro-gram. “Part of it is funded through the government, and we pay a portion based on our income. I feel really blessed to get into this program.”

Rachel Hoffman:Board Certified

Behavior AnalystRachel Hoffman has been working

with Abrahim for almost a year. “He’s a bright boy and has acquired many new skills,” she said.

Abrahim loves attention from his teachers, so they focus on providing praise and attention when he is engaging in appropriate behaviors. They remove their attention when he engages in inap-propriate behaviors.

When he runs from staff to play chase instead of asking staff to play with him, they simply ignore the action of running off, retrieve Abrahim, and prompt him to ask for chase by saying, “I want chase!” “Once he has asked appropriately, we proceed to laugh and chase him within the safety of our gated playground,” said Hoffman. “Due to his love of chase, we use every opportunity to have a peer play chase with him. His brother, Karim, has been very helpful. Typically, we provide a

prompt to his peer, or Karim, to ask him to play chase. They choose who will be the chaser and who will be chased.”

This method has led to the develop-ment of other skills. “Abrahim will listen to the instructions of his peers – stand up, come here, let’s go – and he will imitate their actions during group instruction by clapping hands, dancing and vocally imi-tating. He will sit quietly during a group instruction of ten other peers.”

Recently, Abrahim was included in the bridge program with typically devel-oping peers and autistic children. He’s do-ing well and acquiring new skills, which indicates his ability to be successful in a

less structured environment. “Although I’m sad to see him leave, I’m very excited about his transition into the school dis-trict and believe he will continue to be successful,” shared Hoffman.

IncreasedFamily Happiness

Abrahim has been in the program at Texana for two years. He is more compli-ant, and his language, literacy and math skills have improved. He is able to label things and ask for them, and his social skills have improved.

“Before, we wouldn’t venture to eat at a restaurant because Abraham would get overstimulated and would want to leave,” said Nora. “Going to the mall and grocery store was an ordeal. If I wanted to accom-plish anything, I’d have to plan to have someone to hold his hand. I’d have to call my mom. Now, we enjoy going out as a family to the park, to eat out or to the mall. Before Abrahim began at Texana, doing things that people take for granted was a huge ordeal for us. It’s helped our family life a lot. I’m so pleased with his progress.”

For more information about Texana Children’s Center for Autism, visit www.autismspeaks.org or contact Ellen Catoe at 281-239-1497.

Mohammed, Nawal, Karim, Nora and Abrahim Shabib.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst Rachel Hoffman and Abrahim Shabib.Photo by Nesossi Studios.



Lexi Fatheree:Success on the Court

By Linda K. Eaves

Lexi

Foster High school senior Lexi Fatheree was recently nomi-nated for the 2013 McDon-

ald’s Girl All-American Game, which will be played on April 3rd at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This year, 340 of the top high school girl basketball players in the nation made the list of nominees.

With an overall record of 13-17 and a district record of 8-4, the Lady Falcon Varsity Basketball team and Coach Fatheree captured the Bi-Dis-trict Championship this year. Lexi was named District 23-4A Most Valuable Player, 1st Team All-District and Aca-demic All-District player. In addition

to playing basketball at Foster where her mother is coach of the Lady Falcon Var-sity Basketball team, Lexi also plays vol-leyball and participates in track.

Her most memorable moment in her high school basketball career was in her sophomore year. The Lady Falcon var-sity basketball team made it to the third round of district playoffs for the first time. “It was really unexpected, so to do that in my sophomore year was really exciting,” she said.

Lexi comes from a family of talented athletes. Her mom and dad played basket-ball in college, and her aunts and uncles played basketball in high school. She adds that her younger brother, Deuce, supports the team as water boy. “He supports us big time. He’s at every one of my games,” shared Lexi.

She admits she struggled a bit with the fact that her mom is the coach of her basketball team. “I balance school and sports pretty well,” said Lexi. “Having my mom as a coach is sometimes hard to separate the mom and the coach,” but, she added, they have managed to work out the kinks in their mother/coach – daughter relationship.

Coach Fatheree said, “It is a blessing and honor to coach Lexi. She works hard on and off the court. All of her teachers would agree. She is a natural leader and a beautiful person inside and out. I wish I could clone her.”

At Foster High School, Lexi is a mem-ber of the National Honor Society and was

also a member of the Student Council. Although she stays busy with sports, Lexi finds time to volunteer through National Honor Society at the Women’s Shelter sorting hangers, folding clothes and sorting shoes from the abundant donations.

In the fall, Lexi will be attending Stephen F. Austin on a full ride bas-ketball scholarship and will major in nursing. Her career plan is to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).

Lexi has words of advice for anyone playing sports: “Make sure you have fun,” she stressed. “If you’re not hav-ing fun, then stop doing it because it should always be fun. Even competi-tively, in college, it should still be fun.”

Lexi is the daughter of Reuben and Lorraine Fatheree.

HOT SHOTHigh School

“She is a natural leader and a beautiful person inside and out.” - Coach Lorraine Fatheree


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NEWSWORTHY

Celebrate 160 years of railroading in Fort Bend County at the Rosenberg Rail-road Museum Railfest 2013 on Saturday, April 13th from 11 am to 6 pm. Enjoy a day of live music, tons of fun and games, delicious food and drink from O’Henry’s Catering and fun railfan activities as guests can watch many of the 60+ trains that travel the rails behind the museum every day.

Climb aboard the Quebec, the mu-seum’s 1879 Business Car, and see the display of a railroad “speeder.” Learn about the world’s greatest hobby – model railroads – as guests enjoy watching the miniature world of trains. The Education Station will host three operating layouts in HO & S Gauge, Lionel and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Go back in time to the 1930s when you visit the Rosenberg Railroad Museum’s Hobo Jungle. View period reenactments of the Depression Era railroad community and the men who “rode the rails.” Kids can participate by making their own Hobo Bindle.

Other attractions include a vintage 1917 Ford “Model T” touring car in mint condition, and kids can take a ride on the museum’s Trackless Train Ride. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $3 for children ages 1-14. Parking is free, and guests can register to win a raffle for a free birthday party at the museum.

The Rosenberg Railroad Museum is located at 1921 Avenue F in Rosenberg. Visit www.RosenbergRRMuseum.org or contact Lisa Rickert at 832-725-6841 for more information.

Rosenberg RailroadMuseum Presents

Railfest 2013


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February 8, 2013 • Safari Texas Ranch

Michael Schiff & Sharon HymesAnn Smith, Bridget Yeung & Betty Baitland

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Western Gala Dinner and Auction Benefiting the Fort Bend Boys Choir

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February 9, 2013 • Safari Lodge at Safari Texas Ranch

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Liz & Kevin Dewey with Mary & Fred CollinsDaryl & Annie Cote

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The Central Fort BendChamber Alliance

Recent Ribbon Cuttings

Thursday, February 7thStyle by Rachel Novoa

Richmond, TX

Tuesday, February 19thBrazos Senior Villas

5801 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471

Thursday, February 14thGroundbreaking for

Grand Parkway Professional Building 7790 W. Grand Parkway S, Richmond, TX 77406

BUSINESSBRIEFS

Thursday, January 31stXtreme Danz

830 3rd Street, Suite 220, Rosenberg, TX 77471


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281-342-3211

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AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH • COMMERCIAL

We have companies for all forms of insurance and would like to give you a competitive quote for any line of insurance you may need.

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NEWSWORTHY

Get ready to celebrate all things Texas at the 24th annual Lone Star Stomp gala! Set for Saturday, April 20th, the Stomp is the Fort Bend County Museum Associa-tion’s can’t-miss social event of the year. Held at the George Ranch Historical Park,

Lone Star Stomp XXIV: We Are Texas!

the 2013 gala will feature live music by the original Triumphs, dinner catered by Joe’s Barbecue, live and silent auctions and lots of other Texas extras.

New attractions this year will be a tast-ing booth featuring local beers crafted by

the Fort Bend Brewing Company and a cigar-rolling station headed by El Cubano Cigars.

“We are so excited about the new at-tractions this year and think they will add a wonderfully unique Texas dimension for our guests,” said Director of Development Lindsay Lucas.

This year’s theme, “We Are Texas,” cel-ebrates everything about Texas – its his-tory, culture, style and pride.

“It’s a theme that can resonate with everyone,” said Chairman Jennifer Mont-gomery. “As a ninth-generation Texas, my Texas heritage has always been an impor-tant part of who I am. I’m so excited to be shouting that loud and proud this year at the Lone Star Stomp!”

Museum Executive Director Candace Jones is proud to announce that Anita and David Harris will be recognized as this year’s Honorary Chairmen.

Jones explains, “They are a truly gra-cious and generous couple who have lived in Fort Bend County for more than 30 years. We are delighted to honor them for their commitment to the Museum As-sociation and to the community.”

“The Fort Bend Museum plays such a major role in our county as we are charged with preserving the history and artifacts of the area. The Lone Star Stomp is such a fun night and, most importantly, is the Museum Association’s major fundraiser for the year,” said Anita. “We are privileged to serve as the honorary chairs for such a wonderful organization that gives back so much to the community.”

The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the George Ranch Historical Park, 10215 FM 762 in Richmond. Tick-ets are $65 each and reserved tables are available for groups of eight or more. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the educational and preservation efforts of the Fort Bend County Museum Association.

For more information or to purchase tickets and sponsorships, call 281-342-1256 or visit www.fortbendmuseum.org. Sponsorships are available through March 15th.


• Lenox China, Reed & Barton• Antique Opalescent Glassware• Crystal• Fine Jewelry• Fine Engravable Giftware• Baby Gifts • Collegiate Gifts• Stationary & Invitations

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Advertorial


Vision Trends Eye Care: Providing Quality Care for Over 60 Years

For over 60 years, quality vision care has been associated with the name Wilkinson in the Rosenberg-Richmond area. Dr. Jack Wilkinson opened his first optometric practice in downtown Rosenberg in 1949. In 1973, Dr. Jack Wilkinson's son, Dr. Larry, joined the practice.

When Dr. Jack retired in 1999, Dr. Larry continued to expand the practice. Dr. Ouida Middleton, Dr. Faris Ohan and Dr. Naadei Nikoi have become as-sociates in the practice. The practice, now named Vision Trends Eye Care, has moved a few times over the past many years but has always served the Richmond-Rosenberg area. For the past 25 years, Vision Trends Eye Care has been located at 4000 Avenue I in Rosenberg, across from the LCISD administration building.

Vision Trends Eye Care provides routine vision care, as well as treatment of medical eye conditions. The practice specializes in contact lenses, and the optical dispensary offers one of the largest selection of eyeglass frames in Fort Bend County. From the budget line to an extensive collection of designer frames, there is something for everyone. Most insurance plans are accepted.

The past 60 years have seen a lot of changes in personal service and technology, but the one constant that Dr. Larry Wilkinson has always insist-ed upon is quality personal care with the most advanced testing equipment available. When calling Vision Trends Eye Care, you will always be greeted with a friendly personal voice. Come by the office or visit visiontrends.com.

Timeless Plastic Surgery: Center of Excellence for

Cosmetic SurgeryBeauty is timeless. At Time-

less, we create beauty. With two Ivy League degrees, two doctorates and two surgical residencies, Dr. Chang’s qualifications speak for themselves. One of the most skilled plastic sur-geons in the region, Dr. Chang has over 18 years of experience and training and has been performing cosmetic surgery since 1995 when he did his first rhinoplasty. He has many before and after pictures, and they are real.

Timeless Plastic Surgery’s internal mission is a unique customer service initiative called Timeless Concierge Care. While Dr. Chang performs all cosmetic plastic procedures on ev-ery ethnic group, he is best known for his signature Timeless Tuck. The Timeless Tuck is a gentle blend of a tummy tuck and liposuction that contours the waistline and removes excess abdominal skin. A second procedure that appeals to many patients is the Timeless Lift, a spe-cialized facelift (rhytidectomy) that removes excess skin from the face and neck giving a natural-looking improvement. Lastly, the Timeless Dimple is an advanced modification of the original procedure, the dimple-plasty, made to be more predictable and personalized. A small incision is placed inside of the cheek, leaving no scars on the face.

Dr. Chang and his staff strive to provide what their patients want, when they want it, reasonably and safely with knowledge and skill. Timeless beauty is exactly what Dr. Chang strives to give his clients at Timeless Plastic Surgery. Visit Time-less Plastic Surgery for a free con-sultation. For more information, visit www.TimelessPlasticSurgery.com or call 281-242-TIME (8463). When was the last time you had your eyes examined? Call us.

➤ Complete eye health care for all ages

➤ Treatment of eye diseases

➤ Immediate care for eye emergencies

➤ Full line of fashion and budget eyewear

➤ LASIK evaluation and co-management

➤ Specialists in contact lens fit and comfort

➤ Most insurance plans accepted

Dr. Larry Wilkinson & Associates4000 Avenue I ✦ Rosenberg

Therapeutic Optometrists281-342- 4664

visiontrends.comFamily Owned and Operated since 1949

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The best in sight for all your family

Advertorial


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Timeless Eyelid Lift

Before

After

Timeless Eyelid Lift

Before

After

PETER CHANG M.D.

1327 Lake Pointe Pkwy., Ste. 300, Sugar Land, TX 77478(Next to St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital)

281-242-TIME (8463) • www.TimelessPlasticSurgery.com

Center of Excellence for Cosmetic Surgery

Got Bags?Real PicturesReal Results

Concierge Care Team

Letosha Gale, M.D.Family Medicine

Memorial Hermann Medical Group benefits:

• Electronic Medical Records let your doctor instantly view your medical records, including test results and medications, to ensure your coordinated, optimal care.

• Patient Portal allows you to actively monitor your health, complete paperwork, refill prescriptions and communicate directly with your doctor.

South Texas Medical Clinics, part of Memorial Hermann Medical Group, is a uniquely advanced team of primary care doctors and specialists. Our singular focus is to practice evidence-based medicine while delivering the highest level of collaborative, quality patient-centered care.

To schedule, call 281.344.0207.

South Texas Medical ClinicsBrazos Town Center7607 Town Center Blvd.in the Target wingRosenberg, TX 77471

Our newest dOctOr will see yOu nOw.

Larry Caldwell, D.D.S.

Oral Health Education • Sealants • Intravenous SedationHigh Speed Digital X-Rays • Ora Verse Anesthesia Reversal

Laser Soft Tissue Removal • Accepting New Patients

A N D A S S O C I A T E S

A Special Placefor Special People

Specializing in Dentistryfor Children and those

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

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Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

Advertorial


Formerly Fort Bend Family Health Center

Schedule Your ChildÊs AnnualSports Physical Today!

281.342.4530www.myAccesshealth.org

Are your kids ready for Spring Sports?

We accept Private Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and offer a Sliding Fee Scale for

those who qualify. Offices located in

Missouri City, Stafford and Richmond.

Fort Bend Family Health Center Is Now AccessHealth

In an effort to more accurately describe its vision, Fort Bend Family Health Center is now AccessHealth. AccessHealth provides primary health care for both adults and children, obstetrics and gynecological care, behavioral health services, dental care and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Fort Bend, Waller and Wharton Counties. Upon recently becoming the administrator of the WIC program in Austin, Waller and Colorado Counties, AccessHealth now has 13 service locations.

“We feel that the name is much more representative of what we provide to these communities. Access to health care is so important, and we provide that access to both our clientele with insurance and those who qualify for our services at a reduced rate,” stated Carol Edwards, Chief Executive Officer.

Over the past few months, there have been several changes made regarding registration and scheduling, making it easier for patients to utilize the services of the clinics. “Our patients can feel comfortable that only the name of the organiza-tion and improvements for the registration process have changed. You will still see the same caring physicians and staff that you have developed a relationship with over the years,” said Kelli Metzenthin, Development Officer.

AccessHealth is now accepting new patients at each of its sites and will con-tinue to add additional services whenever possible in response to the needs of the surrounding communities. AccessHealth accepts all major health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid and offers a sliding scale fee for those who qualify.

For more information, call (281) 342-4530 or visit www.MyAccessHealth.org.

Overcoming Back or Neck Pain—Free Seminar

When your spine operates properly and is in good health, you don’t even notice it. But the minute an injury, poor posture or bad work habits (e.g., improper lifting, sitting at a poorly fitted computer station) come into play and create unwanted back or neck pain — watch out! When proper function of the spine is compromised, get-ting back on track takes center stage.

“Most physicians start with conserva-tive treatments in dealing with back pain,” shares Jeffrey Wood, M.D., board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in diseas-es and deformities of the spine and with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Tex-as. “Rest, pain relievers, muscle relaxants and steroid injections in the spine (nerve blocks) may all be tried first to alleviate pain and improve function.”

“Other initial treatment approaches may include the use of physical therapy and the use of back or neck braces,” says Larry Tran, M.D., board certified neurolo-gist with Methodist Sugar Land Neurol-ogy Associates. “These options help to strengthen weak areas that support the spinal column and provide additional sup-port. Exercises approved by a physical therapist can aid in recovery from injuries, minimize pain and help maintain a healthy spine.”

When conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention is the last resort to al-leviate back and neck pain. The following procedures, some of which are minimally invasive, are available at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital: discectomy, laminectomy corpectomy and spinal fusion.

Free Back and Neck Pain Seminar Whether you’ve had pain for just a few

days or several years, Drs. Larry Tran and Jeffrey Wood will answer your questions regarding back and neck pain on Thurs-day, April 11th from 6-7 pm at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. The event includes refreshments and door prizes. Reservations are required: call 281-274-7500 or email [email protected].

See ad on page 5.

Advertorial


Dr. Malik Kutty

[email protected] • www.countrycarecompanions.com

• 24/7 Availability• Meal Preparation• Light Housekeeping• Personal Care• Dr. Visits/Hospital/Dialysis• Medication Reminders • Errands/Shopping

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The Complete Approach to Cosmetic Surgery

Planning cosmetic surgery is an exciting process. A desire to feel bet-ter about yourself (and fit into your older clothing size) is a common rea-son to consider cosmetic surgery.

When that feeling goes beyond a basic dissatisfaction in your appear-ance and becomes a more serious frustration, it is more important to think about the reasons you are con-sidering cosmetic surgery.

For example, it’s not unusual for someone to be a few pounds over-weight and to want liposuction. The best way to get a better shape in that case is to lose the weight. The shape of the area will certainly improve, as well as your general health.

Liposuction is not a good way to lose weight. In fact, clients who are significantly overweight are very poor candidates for it. It is not a cure for being overweight but is intended to tailor body shape. Patients find that getting the right shape only reduces their weight by a small amount.

In order to keep your weight down, it’s important to exercise and eat right. Many people think that since they’re having liposuction, they can eat what-ever they want beforehand and not really take care of themselves. In fact, the opposite is true. Your result will be much, much better if you’re in better physical condition because more ac-curate shaping can be done.

Malik Kutty, MD is a Board-Certi-fied Plastic Surgeon at Luxe Plastic Surgery in Sugar Land, and he can be reached at 281-313-0551.

Advertorial


“I’m in Pain”

$1995

LORDEX SPINE & CHIROPRACTIC CENTERw w w . l o r d e x c h i r o . c o m

281-239-6502

Reg. $187.00 ProgramExpiration Date: 4/30/13

MUST BRING IN COUPON

YOUR INITIAL VISIT WILL INCLUDE: A private consultation with the doctor. A thorough spinal examination including orthopedic & neurological test. A confidential report of our findings. An explanation of our treatment procedure if we determine

chiropractic can help you. A REFERRAL TO THE PROPER SPECIALIST IF WE DETERMINE

CHIROPRACTIC CAN’T HELP YOU. Now Accepting Auto Accidents and Worker’s Comp.

Excludes Medicare.

Can Chiropractic Help Me?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 281-239-6502We are next to the YMCA

THESE CONDITIONS ARE SOME OF THE DANGERSIGNS THAT CAN LEAD TO PERMANENT DAMAGE!

Head Ache Neck Pain Upper Back Pain Whiplash Injury Numbness in Arms & Hands

Numbness or Pain in Legs Scoliosis

(Curvature of the Spine) Pain between shoulder blades Low Back Pain

Revolution Studio:The Premier Indoor Cycling

Studio of Sugar Land

Revolution Studio is a boutique and indoor cycling studio that combines the wildly popular “spin” movement with a total body workout component. “With advanced features like a state-of-the-art facility and cutting edge online res-ervation system, Revolution Studio is truly revolutionizing the idea of group cycling,” said Co-owner Kim Syma. “Our workout is perfect for anyone looking to have fun while burning up to 800 calories per 50 minute session. Each class feels less like a workout and more like a party on a bike!”

The studio has developed an in-novative total body workout, which combines the benefits of cardio and strength training while connecting the mind, body and spirit. “Every class offers cardio, strength-training and a positive way to relieve stress, and most importantly, the Revolution Studio workout delivers results!” says Mitch Syma, former personal trainer for the United States Air Force and Co-Owner of Revolution Studio. At Revolution Studio, the instructors inspire and mo-tivate riders with a high-energy, intense full-body workout choreographed to adrenaline-pumping music that burns fat, tones muscle and builds endur-ance.”

Revolution Studio is quickly becom-ing the ‘go-to’ place in Sugar Land known for the best workout in the most beautiful atmosphere. The studio is the perfect place to meet friends, relieve stress, take a break from the day, or just enjoy the spa-like facilities and incred-ible music. Revolution Studio features 35 bikes, immaculate locker room facili-ties and classes 7 days a week.

To join the revolution, visitwww.revolution-studio.com or stop by the studio at 2125 Lone Star Drive, call 281-313-0662 or visit www.facebook.com/revolutionstudiocycling.

Advertorial


• Small facility with a lovely home atmosphere

• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy

• Medicare/Medicaid Certified• Affordable Private Pay Rates• Exceptional Activities, Dietary

& Housekeeping Services

3010 Bamore • Rosenberg, Texas 77471

281-342-2142www.fortbendhealthcarecenter.com

Join us on FACEBOOK

Fort Bend HealthCare Center

Ladies….It’s Time to Get Your Life Back!

• Do you suffer from: PMS, irritability, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, low energy, low libido or weight gain?

• Have you been to your Physician looking for answers only to leave with more questions?

• Do you want to get the help you need but are afraid no one understands and there isn’t a solution for you?

• Have you been put on prescription medications to combat your symptoms without getting to the root of the problem?

Unfortunately, we’ve grown accustomed to this type of medical care. Until re-cently, we had to accept that how we feel is “just part of life” and how we are cared for is “the only option available.”

After practicing as a traditional Ob/Gyn for over a decade, it became Dr. Shel’s mission to help her patients by giving them the time, understanding, education and care they need to get to the root of their problems and help them achieve a life full of health, happiness and vitality.

At Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa, we strive to provide each patient with the answers and complete care by providing options that have proven to be life-changing for thousands of our patients. Treatments available are: Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement, Weight Loss, Nutritional Testing and Support, Thyroid Op-timization, Gluten and Allergy Testing and Treatment and Detoxification.

Once you feel your best on the inside, we can help you look your best on the outside with: laser treatments, body sculpting, Botox, fillers and skin care.

Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation. We will listen to learn about you and your goals, customize a wellness program for you and help you to Get Your Life Back. Visit www.drshel.com or call 281-313-7435.

See ad on page 2.

David H. KorfinDPM, FACFAS

Bunion Pain?You No Longer Need To Suffer

My staff and I offer apersonalized treatment plan, using

state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques, provided in a warm, car-

ing, compassionate environment.

“ “

• Outpatient Surgery Using Local Anesthesia• Minimum Disability - Able to walk same day• State-of-the-art Medical & Surgical Technology• Dissolvable Pins and Fixation Techniques

• Bunion Correction• Laser Wart Surgery• Endoscopic Heel Surgery• Diabetic Wound Care• Ingrown Toenails• Sports Injuries• Hammer Toe Repair• Adult & Children’s

1327 Lake Pointe Pkwy, Ste 510 • Sugar Land, Texas 77478Located in the Professional Building attached to St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital

www.drdavidkorfin.com

• Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery• Board Certified Foot & Ankle Surgery• Certified Wound Care Specialist• Serving Fort Bend for over 25 years• Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons• Past President & Current Member of the Harris County

Podiatric Medical Society.• Member of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association• Member of the American Podiatric Medical Association• Preferred Provider for most Private Insurance Plans

281-313-FEET (3338)Call today and take the first step to walking in comfort!

Board Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon Podiatrist - Foot Specialist


Sugar Land Face and Body Plastic Surgery Welcomes Clients to Their New Home

Sugar Land Face and Body Plas-tic Surgery is now officially settled in their beautiful new facility. With over 6,400 square feet including a beautiful 30 foot tower atrium, the new medi-cal spa features a private library where patient's families are able to relax while their loved one is having surgery. It is a spa-type atmosphere designed to look like an elegant house that of-fers full-service medical spa services including procedures such as botox, fillers, CoolSculpting and Ultherapy, along with a full service operating room.

Sugar Land Face and Body recent-ly launched a new procedure, Ulthe-rapy, which is an ultrasound tighten-ing of muscles under the skin without surgery, also known as the lunchtime facelift. Sugar Land Face and Body is the first med spa in the local area to of-fer Ultherapy, a revolutionary new non-surgical procedure that lifts and tones loose skin without any down time.

Another procedure provided is CoolSculpting, a breakthrough, non-invasive procedure that uses cooling technology to noticeably eliminate fat without surgery. The treatment lasts one hour per area, and there is no down time for the patient, which is an amazing benefit. There is no anesthe-sia, no needles, no diet, no pills.

Dr. Eric Humble is board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is a member of the renowned American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Along with his caring staff, Dr. Humble provides a safe and welcoming envi-ronment in which patients can reach their goal of finding happiness in the way they look and feel.

For more information, visit www.BeautyBecomesYou.com or call 281-313-0555.

See ad on page 1.

NEWSWORTHY

Strong Rosenberg ContingentGreets TCA Deputy Director

Achieving Cultural Arts DistrictDesignation Remains Primary Goal

On February 21st, more than a dozen groups and individuals welcomed the Deputy Director of the Texas Commission on the Arts Jim Bob McMillan as he visited Downtown Rosenberg. Their unified goal: help Downtown Rosenberg achieve a Cultural Arts District Designation.

Several organizations and business leaders including the Central Fort Bend Chamber, CAST Theater, the City of Rosenberg, Fort Bend Art League, Fort Bend County Com-missioner’s Court, Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert, Hispanic Heritage Forum, Imperial Arts, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, West Fort Bend Manage-ment District, Rosenberg Railroad Museum and merchants of the Historic Downtown Rosenberg Division of the Central Fort Bend Chamber, welcomed Deputy Director McMil-lan for a site visit in anticipation of the Cultural Arts District Application the steering com-mittee will submit later this spring.

Another Time Soda Fountain owner Renee Butler, Chamber representatives, Rosenberg Councilman Juan Salazar and Kathy Golden of the Art League of Fort Bend took McMillan on a tour of downtown and the surrounding businesses and artist’s studios. A contingent of business leaders had lunch with McMillan and spent much of the day answering ques-tions and visiting local businesses.

A steering committee meets weekly to prepare the district designation application. The committee is comprised of representatives from Another Time Soda Fountain, Brazos River Provisions, CAST, the Central Fort Bend Chamber, Fort Bend Art League, Hispanic Heritage Forum, Red Queen’s Attic, Rosenberg Development Corp. and the Vogelsang Building. The application for the designation must be submitted to the Texas Commission on the Arts by June 1st. The boundaries for the downtown district are from the railroad tracks to Avenue I and from 1st Street to 6th Street.

www.absolutelybrazos.com

absolutely! Brazos Magazine wants to provide readers with the best community feature magazine possible. We want to focus on our READERS and mail exclusively to residents who invite us into their home. Requests are FREE to all Brazos addresses*.

* Annual paid subscription required outside the Brazos areas. Call 281-690-4242.

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Submit newsworthy [email protected]

I f you are like most of us, it is difficult to envision the potential of a stripped-bare home. Rooms look too big or too small, the place echoes – which is never a homey sound – and Realtors or builders who verbally paint a picture of the finished beauty have an uphill battle.

On the other hand, homeowners who have thrown open their doors with their belongings intact have also found it challenging to capture a buyer’s interest. What gives? Well, it’s like the story of Goldilocks. One has too little furnishings, the other way too much! The “just right” approach is an art form called home staging, and here are some general guidelines:

SavvyQuick Tips for Selling Your House Faster

Define the Focal PointFind the “focal point” of each room

and design the “flow” to instantly draw the buyer’s eye there. Keep furniture and accessories to the unadorned basics, and strategically place them to empha-size the flow and heighten the feeling of spaciousness.

How do you find the focal point? A tip is to watch a person’s eyes when they first enter the room. Their gaze will immediately land on the “focal point” of the room. Is this what you wanted them to see? If not, then it’s a home staging flaw.

Make it a Clutter-Free ZoneGet rid of clutter that takes away from

a dramatic focal point like a fireplace or backyard vista. These are your beloved possessions, so why is it clutter? It disrupts the room’s flow or distracts buyers from the focal point.

Often clutter is a judgment call that requires a professional designer. For example, art on the walls can be a lovely touch to pop a room and heighten spaciousness. Too much art, like coordinating pieces that line an entire length of wall, turns the room into a gallery. If the focal point is the waterfall pool out of the two-story arched window, you have distracted your buyer.

Get “Un”personalPersonal touches that make it your

home will most assuredly cause discomfort for house hunters. Why? Because they feel like they are trespassing. One framed family photograph on a console is appropriate; five will remind them that it is someone else’s dwelling. You want your buyer to feel like it could be their dream house right now!

Even the tiny details of bath mats and half-used soap are too personal. It’s a subconscious reminder that people still live in the home. A pair of lovely folded towels? Yes. Toothbrushes and a hair dryer left out? No.

Go Light and BrightKeep enough lamps and lighting to

emphasize the focal aspects of the room or brighten if the outside light is minimal. If there are floor or table lamps you are not turning on for a prospective buyer, then remove them.

Area rugs will soften a tile or wood floor. A plant or floral will add just the right homey touch. But a window sill lined with herbs or cacti or a collection of thimbles becomes personal clutter.

HOME STAGING

HOME FEATUREBy Keron Weathered

Stage to SellSo what if the homeowner already

removed the furniture and relocated? What if it’s a newly built home? Builders and realtors often hire a designer to choose just enough rental furnishings to make the house a home. This is a win-win on all accounts: The buyer sees the potential of each room, the designer displays her talents and the home sells quickly. If the new homeowner falls in love with some of the artistically placed pieces, it also benefits the local furniture store that leased them to the designer.

Can you home stage yourself? Sure. Just make sure to keep the result clean, simple, flowing and soft and enhance the focal points. Overwhelmed at the artistic effort and energy that home staging requires? Then hire a professional designer by the hour or by the project.



IN THEHEARTB R A Z O S

OUT&ABOUT

Assistant Manager Ashley Long, Branch Manager Gilbert Limones and Senior Executive Vice President Kenneth Olan welcomed attendees to the First Victoria Bank Blender on January 31st.

Debbie Middendorf, mentor, enjoys working with student Brooke Becker.

Danette Fennesy, a mentor and volunteer, enjoys working with kids like Cody Noriega and seeing their success each year. For more information about the HOSTS program, contact [email protected].

Randy and Kim Stacy were the big winners of the evening with an Apple iPad at the First Victoria Bank Blender.

Community volunteers eagerly donate their time each week to mentor students at Austin Elementary’s Helping One Student to Succeed: the HOSTS program.

Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr. hosted a re-election reception at the Rosenberg Civic Center. Attending the event were Lisa Matthews, Eloise Lucas and Joe Rangel with Melissa and Lionel Martin.

Matt Ontiveros and Whitney Beach enjoyed the event attended by Morales supporters.


Sandra Martinez, Kevin Patton and Jillian Hernandez served up chili soup and rice

A festive time was had as Eric Edmunds, Lyn Hill and Susan Goglia visited with and welcomed Stripes’ employee Summary Rutledge during the recent ribbon cutting.

Jimmy and Pete Cantu served chicken gumbo and cheese soup to the Fat Tues-day crowd.

Tracy Whiting and Steve Onstead had a good old time with good friends.

Attending the Joe Vera event were friends Carmen Rodriguez and Linda Rubalcaba.

Joe Vera hosted an event at Ol’ Railroad Café in February to kick off his campaign. Enjoying the event were Ray Aguilar, Robert and Olga Gracia, Joe Vera and Teri and Dan Martinez.

Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance and Leg-acy Ford celebrated Fat Tuesday in Rosenberg with a Cajun-style bash including delicious food and live music.

Mardi Gras masks, feathers and beads made for a fun evening out for Jane and Troy Kennedy with friends Bill and Susan Herring.

On February 13th, Fulshear celebrated Fat Tuesday with an event that included several Fulshear businesses.


IN THEHEARTB R A Z O S

OUT&ABOUT

Judy Schmid showed off her silent auction donation: a Big Mac tree.

Candace Jones, Anita Harris, Jennifer Montgomery and Kathleen Randall.

Penny Hays, Dora Moore, Joyce Senior and Rosemary Buddecke.

On February 27th, the Rosenberg Civic center held the Citywide Health Fair for the City and County. Brittany Christa, Lauren Swords, Katie Thompson and Erica Martinez represented Oak Bend Medical Group.

Representatives from Fort Bend Health Care Center, Country Care Companions and Guardian Home Health were all smiles at the event. Pictured are Tina Hendryx, Ardelia Miller, Sandra Cook, DeAnne Cooper and Diana Critelli.

Lisa Matthews and Cynthia McConathy visited at the ribbon cutting for Brazos Senior Villas in Rosenberg.

The Fort Bend County Museum Association and the Lone Star Stomp Executive Committee officially “kicked off” the 2013 event with their annual Ladies Luncheon held at the beautiful Bar O Ranch in Fulshear. This year’s 24th annual celebration theme is “We Are Texas.”


PRESENTS THE

Texana Autism Conference OPEN to Parents, Relatives,

Friends & Educators

For more information or to register for the conference,

Call Jennifer Ritchie at 281.239.1435

Learn about:

Common Assessment Tools Early Language Acquisition Teaching New Skills Adolescents into adulthood

Presenters include Ellen Catoe, MS, BCBA; Joanna Jones, BS, BCBA; Allen Jakubik BCaBA; Kate Johnson-Patagoc, MS, BCBA; Nicole Leonard MA/Ed.S; Alyssa Martin, MA, BCBA; Jennifer Perry, MA, BCBA; Tyrrell Price, MEd, BCBA

Saturday April 6, 2013

9:00 am to 1:00 pm Registration 8:30 am to 9:00 am

Hyatt Place Creek Bend Drive

Sugar Land, TX 77478

$25 per Person

Breakfast included

SUMMER FUN GUIDE


Through Karate & Tae Kwon Do classesWe focus on Self Confidence, Academic Success, Concentration & Focus, Respect, Discipline,Self Control, Self Defense, Stranger Danger& Character Development

• Classes for Ninjas (ages 4-7) • Juniors (ages 8-12)• FREE Bully Prevention Workshops• Teen/Adult Self Defense and Fitness Classes• Adult Personal Safety Seminars• Kickboxing Classes

One Month Plus Uniform

222 FM 359 281.513.5566

www.LoneStarKarate.com

Spring Special

$99Try a Free Class Today

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The Arabia Shrine Circusis Coming to Town

L ions and tigers and bears, oh my! The 77th annual Shrine

Circus is coming to Rosenberg April 24th – 28th. The event will be held at the Fort Bend County Fair-grounds and features the famous Shrine clowns along with Ring Mis-tress Catherine Carden running the show under the big top.

This year’s event features a circus favorite: the big animals including tigers and elephants. Carden’s Elephants will perform amazing feats along with Vincent Von Duke’s Big Cats. And, for lov-ers of small animals, Ticolinis Per-forming Felines will amaze and de-light children of all ages.

No circus is complete without high-flying acrobats, and the China Eagle Aerial Bungee Team along with the death-defying antics of Miss Anita will not disappoint. Chi-nese acrobats, contortionists and a spectacular diving act are also included in this year’s lineup.

The Arabia Shrine Circus “where Shriners make children laugh” is a family-friendly event. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for chil-dren, with special family packs at discount prices available. To pur-chase tickets, call 713-224-7287 or visit www.shriners-houston.org. Tickets are also available for pur-chase at the box office beginning April 24th at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds located at 4310 High-way 36 South in Rosenberg.

D id you know that functional flexibility is your ability to keep your body in balance? Balanced muscle strength and range of motion of the joints

allows your body to coordinate movement properly. Ultimately, this minimizes the risk of injury and increases your mobility, which allows you to lead a more active life.

Did you know that regardless of your inner clock, the optimal work-out time is in the afternoon and early evening? During the second half of the day, the body's systems are geared up for action; the heart and lungs are perform-ing most efficiently, and the body is most limber.

If your goal is to tone up your body, you will need resistance training to firm your muscles, but to see the shape of the muscle more, you will have to burn the fat off, and that is primarily done with cardiovascular training.

Lone Star Karate’s Kickboxing Class is a high-energy, cardio workout that feels more like fun than hard work. Incorporating functional flexibility in the workouts, they fix up your routine with balance, coordination and strength-building moves while burning calories, increasing flexibility and building con-fidence.

Lone Star Karate’s group exercise instructors are highly qualified and will work with individuals at all levels of athletic training. And, no matter what your starting fitness level, kickboxing classes will help move you to the next level in a fun, rewarding and exciting environment.

Lone Star Karate is located at 222 FM 359 at Hwy. 90 in Richmond. For more information, call 281-513-5566.

Is Swimsuit Season Sneaking up on You?

THE 2013

PERFORMANCE

SUMMER FUN GUIDE


THE 2013

PERFORMANCE

We offer a Mom’s and Dad’s Programfor individuals or businesses making a donation starting at $100.00, $500.00and up. Plaques are furnished fordisplaying in your home or office ifrequested. This program putsunderprivileged and handicappedchildren into the seats for a greatShrine Circus at no cost to them.

SHRINE CIRCUSApril 24th - April 28thHHHH

Fort Bend County Fairgrounds4310, Hwy 36 SouthRosenberg, TX 77471HHHH

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 10510 Harwin DriveHouston, Texas 77036(713) [email protected]

77 thAnnual

Wed* Apr 24 10:00 am & 7:00 pmThur* Apr 25 10:00 am & 7:00 pmFri* Apr 26 10:00 am & 7:00 pmSat Apr 27 10:00 am, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pmSun Apr 28 11:00 am & 3:00 pm

* 10:00 am performances are forsponsored school children

SUMMER FUN GUIDE


M ost people today would not go to a doctor or buy electronics without doing some research. So, why

sign up for a martial arts school without knowing more about the instructors? Fort Bend Martial Arts Academy in

Fort Bend Martial Arts Academy:World Class Martial Arts in Fort Bend

Richmond offers the finest, most qualified martial arts in-structors possibly in the United States.

A graduate from Austin High School, owner and instruc-tor Master Daniel Elkowitz has been teaching, training and

competing in the sport at the highest levels. For two consecutive Olym-pics, he helped train the U.S. athletes to compete in the Summer Games. He has won national championships, world titles and state championships in Taekwondo.

Fort Bend Martial Arts is cherished by students, parents and teachers as a source of discipline, respect, physical fitness, self defense and bully prevention. All students bring their report cards to Master Daniel for his review. All “A” and “AB” honor roll students with perfect conduct receive a trophy at the end of the school year and wear stars on their uniforms.

Instructor Master Chris Martinez has trained and competed in Tae-kwondo worldwide, including coach-ing at the 2012 Olympic Games. He has won world championships, been a U.S. National Team Member and trained at the U.S. Olympic Center. He was named the Taekwondo Ath-lete of the Year in 2000 and is one of the most highly recognized Tae-kwondo athletes in the U.S.

Instructor Ben Pham is a third de-gree black belt in Taekwondo and has studied Hapkido. He is trained in sparring and form and teaches disci-pline and respect by living the life he teaches his students.

For more information, v is i twww.fortbendmartialartsacademy.com or call 281-342-3262.

BUILDING

CHAMPIONSIN THE SPORT AND IN LIFE

DISCIPLINE • RESPECT • SELF-DEFENSECOURTESY • SELF-CONTROL

Traditional Taekwondo, Olympic Taekwondo, Weapons Class

FORT BEND MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMYw w w . F o r t B e n d M a r t i a l A r t s A c a d e m y . c o m

727 Plantation Drive at Harlem Road • 281-342-3262

MASTER DANIEL’SBACKGROUND

2012 U.S. OlympicSparring Partner

2008 U.S. Olympic TeamSparring Partner

World University GamesGold Medalist

Men’s National ChampionPan American Champion

Two Time Junior National Champion

Junior World Bronze MedalistMultiple Texas State

ChampionshipsU.S. Open Medalists (twice)Quebec Open Gold MedalistMultiple U.S. National Team

Qualifying VictoriesU.S. National Team Member

Junior National Team MemberCollegiate National

Team Member

MASTER CHRIS’BACKGROUND

2012 Olympic Coach in London2008 Olympic Sparring

Partner in China2000 USA Taekwondo

Athlete of the YearCurrently Coaching U.S.National Team Athlete

Multiple State, National andInternational Championships

Training Background atthe U.S. Olympic Center

in Colorado SpringsU.S. National Team Member

Junior National Team MemberCollegiate National

Team Member

EnrichingChildren’s Lives

Come in and askthe parents!

30-Day TrialMembership

IncludesUniform& Belt

$100


SUMMER FUN GUIDE


• Arts & Crafts • Field Trips• Music • Sports• Water Activities• Game Room• XBox 360, Wii, Playstation 2• Library• Big Screen Movies

281.232.9583 2417 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471

www.gbhdaycare.com

K-5th Grade

6:30 am - 6 pmMonday thru FridayRegistration begins

April 1stCost: $125/Week

$50 Registration Fee(Non-Refundable)

Locally Owned

30 YEARANNIVERSARY

RichmondRosenberg Hwy. 59Mons Ave.

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Like Us On

Session I:Session II:

Session III:

June 10th – 28th

July 1st – Aug 2nd

Aug 5th – 16th

No joining Fee April 22 - 30

Healthy Kids Day Sat., April 27,

10am - 1pm, Free Community Event

G et ready for summer fun at Camp GBH in Rosenberg! Locally owned and operated, Camp GBH is a pro-

gram of the Gingerbread House conveniently located on four acres on 4th Street. Celebrating 30 years in business, Gingerbread House’s Camp GBH hosts three sessions of fun-filled, physical and educational activities for children aged Kindergarten through 5th grade.

With three convenient sessions beginning in June and running through August, campers will enjoy arts and crafts, music, sports, a game room with Xbox 360, Wii and Play-station 2, plus weekly Wacky Water Days complete with water slides on site. Campers will also participate in field trips to the Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, the Rosenberg Railroad Museum and Imperial’s Center for the Arts. With a library and movies on the big screen, campers will enjoy fun-packed days at Camp GBH.

Camp GBH has eight outdoor playgrounds and sepa-rate camp amenities including an arts and crafts room, a library and an outdoor pavilion. Three summer camp ses-sions are scheduled for this summer: June 10th – 28th; July 1st – August 2nd; and August 5th – 16th. The cost is $125 per week with a $50 non-refundable registration fee. Conveniently located off of Highways 59 and 36, the hours are 6:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday.

For more information or to register your camper, call 281-232-9583 or visit www.gbhdaycare.com.

Summer Fun is Heating Up at Camp GBH


For All Your Salon & Spa Needs

Owner - Candice Beck819 Third Street

In Historic Downtown RosenbergCall us at

281.239.8601

Downtown Studio

Downtown Studio

The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alli-ance’s Board of Directors approved a new division that will help maintain the recent resurgence and momentum of Downtown Rosenberg.

At a recent Chamber board meeting, Another Time Soda Fountain owner Re-nee Butler and Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales Jr. provided support on behalf

Chamber Launches HistoricDowntown Rosenberg Division

of the proposed division. The Chamber’s board then officially formed the Historic Downtown Rosenberg Division (HDRD) with a unanimous vote.

“If we want to fulfil our mission as a Chamber of Commerce, we need to put a strong emphasis on the local business community, and it doesn’t get any more local for us than downtown Rosenberg,”

said Chamber President Shanta Kuhl. “Mayor Morales, the Rosenberg Develop-ment Corporation, and of course, the down-town merchants have done a tremendous job revitalizing the heart of Rosenberg. The Historic Downtown Rosenberg Division will work to build on the established momen-tum by helping the merchants market their annual events and to achieve their busi-ness goals.”

The HDRD becomes the Chamber’s fourth division. In 2009, the Chamber es-tablished the Hispanic Business Division and the Young Professionals Division. Last year, it christened the Fulshear Area Busi-ness Division.

For more information, call 281-342-5464 or visit www.CFBCA.org.

BUSINESSBRIEFS


4716 FM 359Richmond, TX

832-363-1227www.fcvethospital.com

providing loving expert careState-of-the-Art Medical & Surgical Equipment Highly Skilled & Caring ProfessionalsEarly Disease Detection Programto keep your pet

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We are proud to be in Fort Bend County.

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T he 2013 Dodge Durango is the kind of large crossover that looks more like a rugged SUV,

ready to take on the Piney Woods and then some. It still proudly bears tough styling that’s starting to disap-pear from the SUV landscape since more and more smoothly refined crossovers are starting to dominate the road. But don’t let the Durango’s looks deceive you; it also delivers a ride that is smooth and refined with an interior to match.

Now that car-based crossovers are all the rage, most vehicles in the category concentrate on delivering better fuel economy as opposed to off-road performance. Some cross-overs advertise suspensions that can go through mud, snow and sand with the turn of a dial, but if I were you, I would avoid those conditions

DODGE DURANGOas much as you can. Some looks can be deceiving. And, though I wouldn’t take the Durango to North Africa if I were planning to cross the Sahara, I would be more comfortable driving the ranch in the Durango than I would with some other large crossover.

The Durango is also at the head of its class when it comes to tow-ing regardless of the engine you de-cide to choose. For a starting MSRP of $29,495, you get the standard 290 hp, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine which delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Mated to the standard five speed transmission, the V6 is capable of towing 6,200 lbs. Want a Hemi? Then choose the 360 hp, 5.7-li-ter Hemi which combined with a six-speed automatic transmission gets you 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway and

can tow up to 7,400 pounds.If you’re willing to add

$10,000 to the base Durango, you can get the top-of-the-line Citadel which brings true luxury to this large SUV. This package includes 20-inch wheels, ven-tilated Nappa leather-trimmed front seats and heated front and rear seats, xenon head-

lights, chrome grille insert, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a navigation sys-tem with UConnect 730N to help you stay connected while you are away from home.

As gas prices continue to escalate, Americans accelerate their migration to smaller, more fuel efficient vehi-cles. But Texans will always need the capability that only large SUVs can deliver so it’s a good thing that the good people at Dodge have done such a beautiful job with the 2013 Durango.

Follow Steve Kursur at KursarOnCars.blogspot.com.


April 6th, 8 am OakBend Medical Center Run to Attack PovertyThe race benefits the non-profit organization Attack Poverty, dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Registration begins at 6:30 am in Downtown Richmond behind Morton Street. The 5k begins at 8 am, and the kids’ 1k is at 9:15 am. Awards and vendors will follow the race.Visit www.attackpoverty.org.

April 6th, 5 – 7 pmBrazos River Pickers PerformanceEnjoy a live music performance by an old-time bluegrass band at the amphitheater by the Nature Center in Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762 in Needville. Visitwww.brazosriverpickers.com or email [email protected].

E V E N T S

April 6th, 6 pmRichmond Rotary Annual Fish FryBring the whole family to “Cowboys in the Caribbean” at George Historical Ranch for a fun-filled evening with great food and drinks, kids’ activities, music and silent and live auctions. Call 281-341-0791, 281-343-9555 or visit www.RotaryRichmond.org.

April 13th, 11 am – 6 pmRosenberg Railroad Museum Rail FestTravel back in time to the 1930s and 1940s to celebrate the Rosenberg railroad. Planned activities include museum open house, live music, food and drink, trackless train rides, operating model train layouts, door prizes, children’s play area, raffle, silent auction and more. Visit www.rosenbergrrmuseum.org or call 281- 633-2846.

April 21stStrike Out Autism Family Fun DayJoin Hope for Three at Constellation Field to celebrate families and their unique and special children with a family fun day. Volunteer, sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. Call 1-800-317-0787 or purchase tickets at www.sugarlandskeeters.com/tickets/fundraising.

April 27thStuart Ranch PartyShine your boots and grab your jeans for a Good Ole’ Southern Fish Fry benefiting theRosenberg Railroad Museum. Party with friends Fort Bend Style at Stuart Ranch, 8430 FM 359 in Richmond. There are just 50 tickets available, so get yours today. Email [email protected] or call 281-238-6603.

HOME • FARM • RANCHrvos.comRVOSI N SURANCE

10522 Will Lehman Needville, TX 77461 P: 979-793-7411 C: 979-739-2286 F: 832-550-2833 [email protected]

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Ray's Furniture Center.com

Living Room - Dining Room - Bedroom - Mattresses

Custom Orders Available On:

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Sofas • Big Man Recliners Odd Size Mattresses!

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Mario’s Paint & Body Shop

www.mariospaintandbody.com

• Custom paint• Clear Coat• Expert Color Matching• One Day Service

Wrecker Service24 Hr.

Hernandez FUNERAL HOME

Treating Families Like Family Since 1950

Jose F. HernandezFuneral Director

800 Fourth Street P.O. Box 1042 Rosenberg, TX 77471

Local 281-232-4342Fax 281-232-5477

Metro 281-342-8803

4819 FM 359 Richmond, TX 77406P 282-342-2611F 832-553-7840

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An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

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Come Visit theNew Ol’ Railroad Cafe!

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1116 E. HWY 90ARICHMOND, TX 77406

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NURSING & THERAPY SERVICES IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

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Guardian Healthcare specializes in providing the following home health services:• Skilled Nursing • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy• Speech Therapy • Medical Social Worker • Home Health Aides

Call us for more information about receiving home healthcare. We

provide patient care for Houston and the surrounding areas.

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Albert P. and Mamie George.

George Ranch House.

the first to cross-breed Brahmans and Shorthorns, which he called Brahorns. Albert’s success produced prize bulls for the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo. In the early 1920s, oil was discovered on the ranch, which helped fuel the fami-lies’ wealth. In 1898, Mamie gave birth to their only son, Davis. Tragically, he died in 1899 of cholera at only 22 months. The daughter of Mamie’s cousin, Mary Jones, and her parents, lived with them for most of Mary’s life. In 1943, returning from a trip to Houston with Albert, Mary was killed in an automobile accident. Since the Georges had no immediate heirs, they created the George Foundation in 1945 to make sure their wealth would benefit the citizens of Fort Bend.

George Ranch Historical Park takes visitors back over one hundred years when Texas was still a part of Mexico. With several farms still a part of the land-scape, the ranch is overwhelming. The 1830s Jones’ stock farm with a dogtrot cabin is still working with crops, livestock and weaving demonstrations. The 1860s

Acres of Historical Past

A reenactment of Civil War sharecropping.

Ryon Prairie home depicts life during the Civil War, and the Davis Victorian Man-sion, furnished in the style of the 1890s, is fascinating with a sharecropper’s farm and a working blacksmith shop. There is even a family cemetery dating back to 1820.

The George house, filled with many original furnishings, also has barns and working pens. The park hosts educa-tional programs with actors who reenact the historical past with a touch of reality. Ghost hunters have confirmed several un-explained phenomena that occur in the vintage homes as well as in the cemetery. Special celebrations are held at Easter, Fourth of July and other holidays includ-ing the Runaway Scrape the first week in April, which recreates the challenges of the Jones family in the 1830s.

During the past few years, George Ranch has hosted the Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraiser. The ranch is also available for weddings in the chapel built in 1900 that can seat 80 to 100 people.

Thanks to the generous contributions of people like the Georges’ to preserve our past, future generations will be drinking lemonade for a long time.

A popular quote from Dale Carnegie states: “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This statement

applies to anyone with a history of hard-ships and pain. The early pioneers suf-fered great losses as they attempted to make a new life for their families. From floods to drought, war to sickness, the Fort Bend settlers persevered and led the way to continued growth. Today, as a result of the compassion and drive of the early Texans, our history is preserved. Valuable information is carefully saved to respect the hard work and sacrifice people had to make. One place that is a tribute to our past is George Ranch Historical Park.

George Ranch was settled in 1824 by Henry Jones, one of the Old Three Hun-dred Colonists. His daughter, Mary M. “Polly” Ryon, and her son-in-law, J. H. P. Davis, took over the land, and Davis’ daughter, Mamie, inherited about one-third of the Ryon-Davis estate. Mamie married Albert P. George in 1896; they expanded the ranch to over 23,000 acres and built a two story home contracted by the famous Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton that still stands today.

Albert bred Brahman cattle and was

George RanchPhotos from

Fort Bend County Texas: A Pictorial History.


INSIDE BACK

INSIDE BACK

BACK

BACK

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic is proud to serve the Fort Bend community.Come visit our doctors in Richmond and Sugar Land.

We practice evidence-based medicine while delivering the highest level of collaborative, quality patient-centered care.

15035 Southwest FreewaySugar Land, TX 77478281.344.1715

1517 Thompson Rd (FM 762)Richmond, TX 77469281.344.1715

All of our doctors will see you now.

Visit mhmg.memorialhermann.org to schedule an appointment.

We cover the entire range or orthopedic care and musculoskeletal conditions, including:• General orthopedics • Pediatric orthopedics • Spine surgery

• Orthopedic sports medicine • Sports medicine • Pain management

• Hand / Wrist / Elbow • Joint replacement • Podiatry

april 2013 - absolutely brazos magazine

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