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

Mystery Solved at Rose-Rich Chamber Event. The evening began with mystery and intrigue mingled with fine wine and a four-course gourmet meal at Safari Texas — the makings of a good “whodunit” novel. Was there a murder? Who stole the diamonds? Who would leave with the pearls?

It all began last November at the annual Celebration Ball hosted by the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce. Joy Dowell, chamber vice president of development, cooked up the idea of offering something unique to guests at the gala —the opportunity to be part of an exclusive Mystery Dinner hosted by Allison Wen of Safari Texas. Adding to the appeal was the chance that everyone would have to win a $1,700 pearl necklace and earring set donated by Dostal ’s Designs in Fine Jewelry.

No one knew quite what to expect when they arrived at the mystery dinner, and several were surprised to be named as active participants in the unfolding drama. The evening began with wine and passed hors d ’oeuvres, and the excitement continued to build as the tale unfolded through the rest of the meal and was solved after the sinfully decadent dessert.

Characters rose from seats throughout the room delivering clues to the thrilled onlookers, all getting to participate in some form or fashion.

Fort Bend Seniors Benefit from NRG Energy’s Global Giving Program. Fort Bend Seniors received a check from the NRG Energy’s Global Giving Program at the WA Parish Plant in Thompsons. NRG representatives presented the $2,000 check to Manuela Arroyos, CEO; and Kristin Weiss, director of development, at Fort Bend Seniors.

“Respect for our communities is a core value of NRG and through NRG’s Global Giving Program, the company invests its resources to strengthen the communities where we live and work, ” said David Knox of NRG Energy. “The WA Parish Plant is very pleased to make this contribution on behalf of NRG’s Global Giving Program to the Fort Bend Seniors to support their efforts in providing daily comprehensive services to over 800 seniors through their Meals on Wheels program. ”

The donation to Fort Bend Seniors was the result of an award that was given to the WA Parish Plant for safety, environmental performance and plant reliability in 2008.

TEXANA AWARDED $250,000 GRANT BY THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT. The Texana Center announced that a $250,000 grant has been awarded by the Houston Endowment Inc. This award will be applied as a match to the $1.5 million challenge grant issued by The George Foundation for the West Campus building project in Rosenberg.

The proposed West Campus project will encompass a Learning Center to provide training in life and job skills and a Service Center, which will accommodate staff and deliver services to those with developmental disabilities.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to receive a grant of this size in these tough economic times. We are very appreciative of Houston Endowment and their belief in our mission to provide services to those with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation and autism spectrum disorder, ” said George Patterson, CEO.

sslw awards scholarships.Suburban Sugar Land Women has awarded scholarships to four area students: Tiffany Ann Polk, Marshall High School; Jordan Michael Johnson, Marshall High School; Sherrell Marie Thierry, Willowridge High School; and Chinanu Chi-Ukpai, Hightower High School.

The selection criteria is based on community involvement, academic excellence and leadership. Students were required to complete an application, write an essay, submit an official transcript and provide two letters of recommendation.

SSLW ambassadors presented the scholarships at award ceremonies at each high school.

Scholarship Committee members are Mable Scott Austin, Elise Leaks Harmon and June Joseph Steele.

Missouri City Receives More Trees from Apache Foundation. The 240 new trees donated to the City of Missouri City know how to multi-task.

Contributed by Apache Foundation, the trees will be planted at Independence and StaMo Parks to help slow down erosion and flash flooding, create a large root grid that will keep soil in place around the parks, provide habitat for wildlife, form shade for fishermen and establish a “no mow” area along deep slopes that were once difficult to maintain.

“Each of these trees will perform a variety of jobs in the second phase of an ongoing erosion control and re-forestation project at these parks, ” said City Forester Paul Wierzbicki. “We are grateful to Apache Foundation for this generous, second donation of 3- to 4-year-old seedlings, which we will plant within the next year. ”

Apache Foundation first awarded 180 trees to Missouri City in the Fall of 2008. With the help of volunteers, the initial batch of donated trees was planted at Independence Park and StaMo Park in January as the first step in the erosion control and re-forestation project.

The foundation’s total contribution of 420 trees, valued at an estimated $10,500, has been donated at no cost to the city.

In 2006, Apache Foundation launched its Tree Grant Program with the goal of awarding 1 million trees to communities across the nation. The foundation, one of the charitable arms of the Houston-based energy company, Apache Corporation, purchased the trees through L & L Tree Farms in Baytown.

“We are grateful to receive this ample donation supporting our city’s urban forestry efforts. These trees will create a better fish and waterfowl habitat, a more stable shoreline, and save the city time and money on maintenance, ” said Wierzbicki.

Sugar Land Resident participates in night of hope. Roy Wiffin, a Sugar Land resident, went to New York to participate in A Night of Hope at the new Yankee Stadium. Wiffin, along with 100 other choir members, was chosen from a group of more than 300 to participate in this event. This was a night of encouragement, inspiration and worship with Lakewood Church pastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen.