UpClose Magazine

04/11/2024

“We’re not just the burbs in Fort Bend County. We have so many beautiful, unique homes on amazing lots,” says Cathy Stubbs, the leader of Cathy Stubbs team in Sugar Land. “We have easy access to do…

03/11/2024

The balance between health and beauty can be challenging. As aesthetic procedures become widely available at spas popping up everywhere, why not take advantage of the technological advances in beau…

01/11/2024

Our minions worked hard today with Dr. Gru and Scarlett! Have a Despicable Halloween from all of us here at Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental! 🎃🦷

30/10/2024

🗣 CALLING ALL THE COOL KIDS (that means you...yes you)

We are in ✨NEED✨ of amazing volunteers (still talking about you 😉) for our ULTRA 55 Race & Relay happening December 30th - January 1st! If you are a nurse, doctor, or in the medical field - we need you!

Put your special gifts to use this holiday season and find a different way to give back this year by volunteering with Snowdrop where you can join us in being the ! 💜🎗

✨Sign-Up Here✨: https://thedriven.net/event-registration/site.volunteer_registration/eid/42526345679

30/10/2024

Lerleen Hawkins is the October 2024 Rotarian of the Month. Congratulations Lerleen!

Lerleen has been a long-time Sugar Land Rotary Club member and has been married to Larry for over 50 years!

Lerleen embodies the idea of stepping in where help is needed. If you've been in the club for any time, you are probably familiar with seeing Lerleen helping at the front table! She has served several times as club Secretary, Vice President, Sugar Land Rotary College "Professor," and more.
Sugar Land Rotary

30/10/2024

Fort Bend Junior Service League Supports Local
Nonprofits Through CAF Grants and Sugar Plum Market

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) continues its strong commitment to supporting local organizations through its Event Beneficiary (EB) and Community Assistance Fund (CAF) grant programs.

Every year, FBJSL evaluates beneficiary applicants based on the specific needs of the organizations and how well their missions align with the League’s goals. This year, the Beneficiary Review Committee (BRC) recently completed in-person interviews with approximately 40 potential Event Beneficiaries.

FBJSL prioritizes selecting organizations that will flourish with their support.
These selected nonprofits provide critical services throughout Fort Bend County,
and the funds raised during the annual Sugar Plum Market will play a pivotal role
in advancing their efforts.

In addition to the EB program, FBJSL offers smaller, emergency-focused CAF
grants, which are available year-round to provide quick assistance to
organizations in urgent need. Among the latest recipients of these CAF grants
are the Fort Bend YMCA and the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation. The BRC
continues to accept CAF grant applications on an ongoing basis. For more
information or to apply, visit https://www.fbjsl.org/request-support/.

FBJSL invites the community to join them at the Sugar Plum Market from
November 6th-9th at the Stafford Centre. This cherished annual event raises
essential funds for local nonprofits, enabling them to continue their important
work. To learn more, visit https://www.sugarplummarket.com/.

30/10/2024

Fort Bend Junior Service League Announces Momentum BMW
Southwest as the Valet Underwriter for the 2024 Sugar Plum Market

Fort Bend County, Texas: Fort Bend Junior Service League is excited to announce Momentum BMW Southwest as the Valet Underwriter for the 2024 Sugar Plum Market.

The Sugar Plum Market is the signature fundraising event for Fort Bend Junior Service League and all proceeds raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, bar sales, etc. benefit numerous nonprofit organizations in Fort Bend County. This year’s event will be held at the Stafford Centre November 7-9, with an exclusive Preview Night celebration on November 6th from 6-10 pm.

“Many of our employees and valued customers are residents of Fort Bend County,” said Tommy Kuranoff, General Manager of Momentum BMW Southwest. “By supporting the Fort Bend Junior Service League, which supports numerous local Fort Bend programs, it ensures that the funds stay here and our neighbors benefit. Being good stewards of resources is something that is important to our organization.”

Kelsea Weatherford, President of the Fort Bend Junior Service League says, “Fort Bend Junior Service League is so grateful for our continued partnership with Momentum BMW. Their support is invaluable and greatly appreciated as we continue our efforts to make a meaningful impact in Fort Bend County”

In addition to Momentum BMW Southwest, other key sponsors include Memorial
Hermann Sugar Land, Chiang Law Firm, PLLC & Christopher Meyer Law Firm, PLLC,
HEB, The Audra O'Neal Team, Origin Bank, Silt Solutions, Majestic Title LLC, Pierce
Built Homes, The Sansone Group - RE/MAX Fine Properties, Roadrunner Moving and
Storage, J Squared Interior Designs, PB&J Pavement Marking, Inc., Oria Dafe, State
Farm Agent, and Fortified Texas Roofing. Tickets are available now at
www.sugarplummarket.com

30/10/2024

The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County invites you...

Join us for an exclusive unveiling event as we reveal our featured author for Reading Between the Lines.

The evening will include light bites, music, and important organization announcements.

Join us on November 7th from 6-8 pm at the Lit bookbar in Richmond.

RSVP now to reserve your spot and be part of the excitement! We look forward to spending the evening with you.

30/10/2024

30/10/2024

Save the date for the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival, a celebration of books, authors, and the power of imagination! Join us for a day filled with exciting activities for all ages, including a Friends of the Library book sale, a local Author Meet & Greet, games at the Kids’ Book Carnival, and an inspiring Polynesian Storytelling Performance. Don’t miss the chance to chat with "Olympus, Texas" author Stacey Swann or try your hand at the Mythic Mayhem Escape Room! Enjoy tasty eats from food trucks and a lively atmosphere with performances in the outdoor amphitheater.

Saturday, November 16
10 am - 2 pm
George Memorial Library (Richmond)

Order of events:
10:00 am-2:00 pm – Friends of the Library Book Sale, front entrance. All proceeds from the book sales help support the costs of special programming and various cultural events at the libraries.

10:00 am-2:00 pm – Author Meet & Greet, Lobby.

10:00 am-2:00 pm – Kids’ Book Carnival, Bohachevsky Gallery. Games and activities for families with kids of all ages.

10:00 am - 12:00 noon – Mythic Mayhem Escape Room, Meeting Room. In this come-and-go activity, teams of up to 8 members will enter through a virtual portal into another place and time, where they must solve puzzles to find their way through multiple mythical worlds to return to the present!

11:00-11:45 am – Polynesian Storytelling Performance, Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater.

12:00-12:45 pm – Polynesian Storytelling Performance (repeat of 11:00 am show)

1:00-2:00 pm – A Conversation with Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas, the 2024 “Community Reads” selection. Meeting Room.

1:00 pm – Book Lovers Raffle, Meeting Room.

This event has been made possible thanks to the Friends of the George Memorial Library

For more information, visit this link: https://bit.ly/FBCL_BookFestival2024

29/10/2024

29/10/2024

28/10/2024

27/10/2024

PART II -- A great party and a great success! The Finest and Bravest Foundation’s Red and Blue United event, with presenting sponsors Scott and KK West of the West Law Firm, was held Friday night at Talyard Brewing in Sugar Land.

Great food and drinks. Great venue. Great entertainment. And a great cause! The event benefited Sugar Land’s first responders and they were out in full force to share with the community everything they had to offer while out in the field.

Visit the finestandbravestfoundation.org for more information.

27/10/2024

A great party and a great success! The Finest and Bravest Foundation’s Red and Blue United event, with presenting sponsors Scott and KK West of the West Law Firm, was held Friday night at Talyard Brewing in Sugar Land.

Great food and drinks. Great venue. Great entertainment. And a great cause! The event benefited Sugar Land’s first responders and they were out in full force to share with the community everything they had to offer while out in the field.

Visit the finestandbravestfoundation.org for more information.

25/10/2024

2nd Annual Red & Blue United benefitting Sugar Land’s first responders. Happening now at Talyard Brewing. Great cause. Great venue. Great fun!

25/10/2024

TEENS EXPERIENCE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF CREATING MANDALAS

Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library will have a special Young Adult program for teens (grades 9-12), “Create Your Own Mandala,” on Saturday, November 2, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land.

Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Cindy Ventura will share the emotional healing benefits of weaving and creating mandalas.

Often used as an instrument for meditation or focusing attention, a traditional mandala is a square containing a circle, and the entire design is symmetrical and balanced. They are commonly seen woven with threads, painted, or etched in sand. The word mandala itself simply means "circle" in Sanskrit.

Creating mandalas allows participants to express emotions through colors, shapes, and the combinations they employ. The process opens the channels of intuition, perception, and active meditation.

In this workshop, Ventura will demonstrate different weaving techniques used to create a mandala. Participants will create a weaving piece (Ojo de Dios) following the ancient technique. Meditation and healing music is incorporated into the class.

Ventura is a bilingual visual artist, yoga instructor, and holistic therapist with an educational background in psychology, yoga, and ancestral fabrics.

Made possible by the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library, this program is free and open to teens in grades 9 through 12. Seating is limited, however, and reservations are required. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “First Colony Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library (281-238-2800), or by visiting the library.

25/10/2024

Fort Bend County to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Festival at Historic Courthouse

(FORT BEND, TX) – Fort Bend County is proud to announce its annual Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Historic Fort Bend County Courthouse at 401 Jackson St., Richmond, TX 77469. The vibrant celebration will showcase the rich culture and contributions of the Hispanic community in Fort Bend County.

This free, family-friendly event will feature a range of activities, including traditional dance performances, live mariachi music, a bounce house, a petting zoo, food trucks, and various vendors offering goods and services.

A special highlight of the event will be the honoring of Cesar Espinosa, the Executive Director of FIEL, an immigrant led civil rights organization, for his advocacy and contributions to the Hispanic community. In addition, Fort Bend County employees of Hispanic heritage will also be recognized for their dedication and service to the county.

"Our Hispanic Heritage Festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture, history, and contributions of our Hispanic community. I invite everyone to come out, enjoy the festivities, and join us in honoring those who make Fort Bend County a great place to live,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George.

For more information about the event, visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov

Event Details

What: Fort Bend County Hispanic Heritage Festival

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Historic Fort Bend County Courthouse, 401 Jackson St., Richmond, TX 77469

Cost: Free and open to the public

25/10/2024

GEORGE MEMORIAL LIBRARY HOSTS
TRICK-OR-TREAT SCAVENGER HUNT

Kids of all ages are invited to come in costume for a spook-tacular FREE Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt at Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library on Thursday, October 31, anytime between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm. Prepare to have a skele-TON of fun!

Kids and teens are welcome to come in costume, claim a scavenger-hunt card in the Lobby, and explore the library while completing six of nine tasks on the card.

Bonus points can be earned by having a photo taken in costume at the Halloween backdrop in the Lobby, checking out a book, or attending a program.

Upon completion of the challenge, stop back by the event table in the Lobby to claim some festive Halloween treats (while supplies last)!

Materials for this program are made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library.

For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

George Memorial Library is located at 1001 Golfview, at the intersection of FM 762, in Richmond.

25/10/2024

LEARN HOW TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN
AT FIRST COLONY BRANCH LIBRARY PROGRAM

Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library will present an informational program, “YMCA International Services U.S. Citizenship Course,” on Wednesday, December 4, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land.

Jessica Laureano, education program coordinator with the YMCA International Services division, will talk about the benefits of becoming a U.S. citizen and the pathway to achieving that goal. Learn about the Citizenship requirements and test exemptions established by the United States Citizen & Immigration Services (USCIS) department.

Laureano will also talk about the civics program, as well as challenges and barriers that are faced during the Citizenship process.

In her work with the YMCA International Services program, Laureano teaches Citizenship classes to students who qualify to take the exam in their native language (Spanish). She has also taught citizenship students of different literacy levels.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the First Colony Branch Library (281-238-2800) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

The mission of Fort Bend County Libraries is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives, expand minds, and strengthen our diverse community.

25/10/2024

FIRST COLONY BRANCH LIBRARY FEATURES
FESTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE WINTER SEASON

Catch the holiday spirit at Fort Bend County Libraries! Throughout the month of December, the First Colony Branch Library (2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land) will have a variety of holiday-themed programs, from cookie decorating to wrapping those hard-to-wrap gifts.

All activities are free and open to the public. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

“Cooking Extras for the Winter Season” -- Tuesday, December 10, 6:00-7:30 pm. Professional chef Ellen Schwartz will share holiday-baking tips to spruce up the holidays and impress family and friends. Gain inspiration for new and exciting snacks, salad items, vegetable combinations, and desserts. The demonstration will include recipes and tastings of dishes prepared during the program. Materials are made possible by the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library. Registration required.

“Wrap & Yap: A Wrapping Party” – Saturday, December 14, 2:00-3:00 pm. Escape the prying eyes of curious onlookers to wrap gifts at this come-and-go time at the library. A small selection of wrapping paper, tape, and scissors will be provided, but those attending are encouraged to bring their own decorative materials, bows, ribbons, etc. Enjoy festive music while getting creative gift-wrapping ideas. Supplies are provided by the generous support of the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

· “Things to Do in Sugar Land: Winter Edition” – Tuesday, December 17, 6:00-7:00 pm. Discover free family-friendly things to do in and around Sugar Land during the winter season this December and January. Hear about tree-lighting ceremonies, holiday markets, and much more! Light refreshments will be provided, courtesy of the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

· “Winter Open House: Cookie Decorating, Balloon Art, & Crafts” – Saturday, December 21, 10:30-11:30 am. Adults, teens, and families with children of all ages will enjoy a festive day at the library’s Open House! Join in on craft activities, games, and even cookie decorating, while enjoying light wintery refreshments. The WOW Party Art group will entertain everyone with their balloon-twisting creations for visitors to take home. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and relax at this fun, casual event for the whole family! This come-and-go event is sponsored by the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

· Movie Screening – Friday, December 27, 2:00-4:00 pm. This animated family adventure/comedy, released in 2002, takes place 20,000 years ago, when the Earth was being overrun by glaciers, and animals were scurrying to save themselves from an impending Ice Age. When a lost human infant is discovered, a trio of sub-zero misfits – a depressed woolly mammoth, a fast-talking sloth, and a devilish saber-tooth tiger -- team up and brave deadly elements to return the child to its tribe. This movie is rated PG. Refreshments are provided courtesy of the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

· Movie Screening – Saturday, December 28, 2:00-4:00 pm. In this 2005 family adventure film based on a popular book series written by C.S. Lewis, the four Pevensie siblings discover a wardrobe that leads them to a magical world, where they befriend talking animals and team up with a magnificent lion named Aslan and other wondrous creatures to battle an evil witch. This Walt Disney movie is rated PG. Refreshments are provided courtesy of the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

· New Year’s at Noon – Tuesday, December 31, 11:30 am-12:15 pm. Families with children of all ages are invited to countdown to 12:00 NOON with age-appropriate crafts, activities, and refreshments. Refreshments and materials are provided courtesy of the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.

For more information or to register for the cooking program, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the First Colony Branch Library (281-238-2800) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

The mission of Fort Bend County Libraries is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives, expand minds, and strengthen our diverse community.

25/10/2024

Who has the BEST Homemade Holiday Cookies?
Library Seeks Competitors!

Who has the BEST homemade holiday cookies in Fort Bend County? Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library invites cookie lovers to put their creations to the test at a “Holiday-Cookie Competition” on Saturday, December 7, from 2:00-3:30 pm, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

Kick off the holiday season and share some of your family’s favorite holiday-cookie traditions or get ideas for new ones you would like to try! Competitors -- as well as samplers -- are invited to join in on the fun. All cookie types and flavors are welcome.

Prizes will be awarded by official staff judges, but members of the public will get to sample the entries to vote on their favorite cookies for the People’s Choice Award.

Pre-registration for competitors is required. The deadline for registration is December 4. Register at the library or online: www.bit.ly/FBCL_HolidayCookies2024.

Rules & Information:
· Please provide the name or flavor of the cookie.
· All entries must include the list of ingredients used. If not available upon registration, the list must be submitted on or before December 6. Entries without a list of ingredients will not be accepted.
· Judging will be based on flavor, texture, and appearance.
· A minimum of 200 bite-sized servings must be available for the public to taste. This can be miniature cookies or regular-sized cookies cut into quarters.
· One recipe per competitor.

This competition and the taste testing are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the University Branch Library (281-633-5100).

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Park inside the gated lot (VISITOR LOT 4). Bring the parking-ticket stub to the check-out desk inside the library to be validated by library staff. Parking is FREE if the ticket is validated by the library. Parking outside the gated lot may result in a parking violation from the University of Houston.

The mission of Fort Bend County Libraries is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives, expand minds, and strengthen our diverse community.