Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2009: Fort Bend, People, Events, Business 1

Freedom Tree Park to Flourish With Help from H-E-B. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 20, the Show Me City’s newest grocery store presented a $5,000 check to the city for the development of Freedom Tree Park.

“This generous donation will help the city honor this historic setting,” said Kelly Snook, director of parks and recreation. “Residents requested that this park be developed because of its importance to the city, the state and the nation. With donations like these, we are gearing up to make Freedom Tree Park a reality. ”

Freedom Tree Park kicked off its development on Feb. 19, when the city, Home Depot and the Houston-Galveston Area Council planted 55 trees in the new park.

Missouri City and CenterPoint Partner to Plant Tree Trail. Missouri City and CenterPoint Energy have partnered to create a power line friendly Tree Trail in Missouri City. The arbor trail, which is lined with more than 30 trees that can grow to maturity without coming into contact with overhead power lines and disrupting electric service, is the first of its kind in CenterPoint ’s nine-county service area.

missouri city’s freedom tree park to grow. Freedom Tree Park kicked off its development when the city of Missouri City, Home Depot and the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments planted 55 trees on the six-acre property on Misty Hollow Road.

“We are fortunate to have Home Depot and HGAC donate these trees to enhance this extraordinary green space, ” said City Forester Paul Wierzbicki. “Residents asked us to develop this park because they recognize its historical significance. With these new trees, we are making Freedom Tree Park a special destination for citizens from around the city and beyond. ”

More than 100 Home Depot volunteers, municipal Urban Forestry volunteers, HGAC representatives and city staff were at the tree planting event.

Lamar CISD librarians make book donation. Lamar CISD librarians donated paperback books to the Fort Bend Community Partners Rainbow Room as part of the Rainbow Room ’s annual Christmas Project.

The project provides Christmas gifts for children identified by case workers at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Astros Caravan visits patients at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Patients at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital received a sneak preview of baseball season as the Houston Astros 2009 Caravan rolled through Fort Bend County. Players Geoff Blum and Michael Bourn, former Astros slugger Jimmy Wynn and broadcaster Jim Deshaies visited patients at the hospital.

The Astros Caravan is a three-week community outreach tour held during the month of January. Astros players, alumni, coaches and front office staff take part in the tour. The caravan features visits to schools, hospitals, senior centers, youth complexes, meet-and-greets, luncheons, baseball seminars and free autograph sessions throughout Texas and parts of Louisiana and Mexico.

An excited Angelic Rawls, center, and her husband, Chris Rawls (second from left), greet members of the Houston Astros Caravan in her patient bed at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Among the visitors were (l-r) TV announcer Jim Deshaies, infielder Geoff Blum, outfielder Michael Bourn and former Astros player Jimmy Wynn.

Local Agencies Join Forces to Fight Child Abuse. In an effort to combat the injustices of child abuse and neglect, more than 20 agencies signed an agreement renewing their commitment to work together on behalf of child victims. The ceremony, hosted by the Child Advocates of Fort Bend Children ’s Advocacy Center, was held at CAFB’s offices.

The Protocol/Working Agreement details the importance of the CAFB Children’s Advocacy Center and lists the responsibilities of each agency in working child abuse cases.

“The Children’s Advocacy Center is an important piece in the collaboration of agencies working to reduce the trauma to children going through the civil and criminal systems, ” said Fiona Remko, CAC program director. “The center helps to bring together those agencies charged with the civil and criminal investigations of child abuse to ensure that the unique needs of abused children are being addressed in a child friendly manner. The Fort Bend community is very fortunate to have such a strong commitment from police chiefs and agency heads in fighting against child abuse. ”

“We are most grateful for all of our partners who work very hard to make sure hundreds of children receive the services and treatment they deserve, ” said Susie Moseley, CAFB executive director.

(L-R, front row) Roy Cordes, Fort Bend County attorney; Chief Ron Echols, Missouri City Police Department; (back row) Susie Moseley, CAFB executive director; Chief Michael Baker, Meadows Place Police Department; Lt. Bill Staney, Houston Police Department; Chief Robert Gracia, Rosenberg Police Department; Dr. Rebecca Girardet, University of Texas – Houston Medical School; Scott Dixon, CPS regional director; John Healey, Fort Bend County district attorney; Fiona Remko, CAC program director; and Detective Reginald Morgan, Arcola Police Department.

Want a Tee Time at Quail Valley Golf Course? Go Online. Golfers who want to play a round at the Quail Valley Golf Course in Missouri City can now sign up for a tee time online. The Golf Course ’s Web site, www.golfquailvalley.com, has a new feature that allows users to reserve a tee time up to seven days in advance of play.

Golfers can visit the Web site and click on the link labeled “Make Your Tee Time Now.” Golfers must provide their name, an e-mail address and a credit card number to book a tee time. There is no charge to request the tee time, but a credit card is required to hold the reservation.

“This is a great service that we wanted to offer golf lovers who are ready to play at Quail Valley, ” said Tyson Stittleburg, head golf professional. “This option means golfers aren’t restricted by the golf shop hours or our location when it comes to signing up for a tee time. Any golfer can sign up for a tee time now, 24-hours a day. ”

The property’s second 18-hole golf course, the El Dorado, is being rebuilt with plans for reopening in late 2009.