March/April 2012 - Pearland Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings

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ThePearlandPosse:

MARCH/APRIL 2012

Promoting Outstanding,Successful Student Efforts

Inside:Focus On Community

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ON THE COVER:Pat Lopez, Connie O’Day, Mike O’Day,

Ann Wagoner and Tyler Newsome.Photography by Nesossi Studios.

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian Covault Texas Community Referral NetworkPage 2222

Swet Chaudhari, MD Divinity Med Spa & WellnessPage 2626

Alisa MurrayAlisa Murray PhotographyPage 44

44

23

Ronique BastineBastine and AssociatesPage 23

M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 2

pg 8

06 PUBLISHER’S PREVIEW

14 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

17 PEARLAND NEW NEIGHBOR

19 HEADLINERS

48 HISTORICALLY PEARLAND

I N E V E R Y I S S U E

27 SPRING INTO THE LIGHTShed off the winter blues and add some spring in your step by incorporating light and bright colors into your home’s décor.

28 HOME IS WHERE THE HEART ISFind your home and make it your own! Peruse these pages for resources that will help you turn your house into your dream home.

41 FINANCIAL FOCUSFocus on your financial status and manage your money! These institutions can help you get – and stay – on the right track!

F E AT U R E S

08 THE PEARLAND POSSE: PROMOTING OUTSTANDING, SUCCESSFUL STUDENT EFFORTSThis vital group of community leaders give financial support and encouragement to local FFA students, building their pride, confidence and self esteem.

C O V E R S T O R Y

16 HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOT

18 SEEN ON THE SCENE

24 SCRAPBOOK

39 COMMUNITY EVENTS

40 CHALKBOARD

A R O U N D T H E C O M M U N I T Y

12 FOCUS ON FINANCE

22 FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

26 FOCUS ON BEAUTY

44 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE

C O L U M N S

pg 18

16

Linda K. EavesFreelance WriterPage 16

27

Lauren CaldwellTwenty Two Fifty InteriorsPage 27

John D. “Mickey” MarkPearland Historical SocietyPage 48

48


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READERS FEEDBACK

Facebook.com/PearlandFocus

ExEcutivE PublishErsMichael Fredrickson

Lisa Fredrickson

PublishErJessica Kij

Managing EditorPatti Parish-Kaminski

coMMunications dirEctorSusie Ainsworth

account ExEcutivEsSusie Ainsworth

Robyn Miller

officE ManagErNorma Loredo

contributorsSusie AinsworthJason AldermanRonique BastineLauren Caldwell

Swet Chaudhari, MDBrian CovaultLinda K. Eaves

John D. “Mickey” MarkAlisa Murray

art dirEctor

Grace Belleza

art & ProductionconsultantJoey Belleza

graPhic dEsignErsElizabeth Pace

Debi Beauregard

WEb dEsignErJoey Belleza

(Jobpagegraphics.com)

March / April 2012Vol. 3 No. 2

Pat Lopez, Connie O’Day,Mike O’Day, Ann Wagoner

and Tyler Newsome.

Photo by Nesossi Studios

4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 400

Stafford, TX 77477

www.pearlandfocus.com

Single copy $2.95

c 2012

on thE covEr

To advertise call281-690-4242

TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7469Direct mailed to businesses

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Pearland Focus Magazine

P ublisher’s Preview

Dear Pearland Friends,

Spring is arriving early this year! Azaleas are blooming, birds are chirping and the temperature is divine. And, how about the contrast of spring green leaves against a crystal blue sky? Absolutely inspirational!

This issue of Pearland Focus features the Pearland Posse. This group of community leaders and business owners gives financial support and encouragement to local FFA students. Their efforts have lead to the first ever Pearland ISD Livestock Show and Career Expo this September. This event presents a way to support and appreciate our future leaders as they build their pride, confidence and self-esteem.

Spring brings the challenge of tackling those lingering home projects. Our special Home Is Where The Heart Is section is designed to help you in completing those projects such as spring cleaning, decorating or selling your home.

And, of course, the tax man cometh. Our Financial Focus section presents resources to streamline your finances. Financial Focus gives useful tips on tax deductions and planning for the future.

Focus on Beauty defines skin care procedures to help keep us all radiant in the upcoming hot summer months.

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The views and opinionsexpressed by our advertisers

and columnists do notnecessarily reflect those of

the publishers and their staff.

As always, be sure to send us your headliners, photos and event news as well as your article ideas, community highlights and celebrations. Our readers want to know what’s happening in Pearland! We welcome your feedback as well. Please contact us at [email protected], 281-690-4242 or www.pearlandfocus.com.

Stay Focused!

Jessica [email protected]

Publisher Jessica Kij.

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Jaycee Morgan trying to round-up her pig.

T he word “posse” elicits thoughts of a rogue group of men coming together to help maintain law

and order from the cowboy days of old. Today, there is a group of community leaders and business owners that calls

themselves the Pearland Posse. This posse represents a strong foundation of support and a platform for building up our youth, making a difference in FFA students’ lives not only today, but for the past two decades.

ThePearlandPosse:Promoting Outstanding, Successful Student Efforts

Pearland Posse members Connie O’Day, Pat Lopez, Ann Wagoner and Mike O’Day with Jayce Morgan and Michelle Mendoza.

By Susie AinsworthPhotos by Nesossi Studios

COVER STORY


Though the reins of this posse have changed hands a few times, they stay true to their original mission of giv-ing financial support and encourage-ment to local FFA students trying to earn money from the animals they have raised and shown at the Brazoria County Fair. Each year, the posse gets donations from local business owners to help achieve their mission. “The role of the Pearland Posse was not to buy champion animals but to have our donated funds available for the support of the other kids in the program that made the auction whether it was first place or seventh place,” explained long-time posse member Mike Lee.

Now, the posse’s efforts have paid off as we gear up for a community event right here in Pearland with the first ever Pearland ISD Livestock Show and Career Expo this September. The purpose of this new event is to provide Pearland FFA students an opportunity to showcase their animals to the local community and participate in art and culinary categories as a way of earn-ing money. For the opening year, the livestock categories are steer, swine, sheep and goats. The district is expect-ing 75 head to enter the livestock show along with 100 art entries from PISD students from grades four through 12, and 80 culinary entries.

“This new livestock show and career

Cassandra Salmons and Alex Lopez. FFA teacher Hunter Morgan.

expo will create an opportunity in our own backyard,” said FFA teacher Hunter Morgan. “I believe the commu-nity will come together and give these kids an active audience that sees what great things these kids are capable of. And if we are lucky, come sale day, these kids will get to see the fruits of their labor come alive with a few dollars in their pockets.”

Members of the Pearland Posse were instrumental in getting this new event off the ground locally. Over the years, they saw the challenges of getting Pear-land people interested and willing to drive to Angleton to support the Pear-land kids showing at the county fair. This event is not intended to replace the Brazoria County Fair, but allow for more local residents to see the talent and work of our own students. The goal is to make this event a blend of the country fair and the after county show.

Brooke Von Ruff.

Pearland ISD LivestockShow and Career Expo

September 27, 28 and 29, 2012 Richard L. WagonerAgriculture Facility

Justin Cole.


“As far as the new show, let me just say how excited I am to be a part of it,” said Lee. “Being asked to serve on the advisory board is an honor. This can and will become an annual event looked upon by the community as a way to support and appreciate our future leaders who are developing into fine young adults as they participate in the FFA program. This is an event that the community can wrap their arms around and be proud that it is our own that we are watching!”

Janet Cole, whose son participates in Dawson High School’s FFA and serves on the committee helping to get local sponsorship for the Pearland ISD Livestock Show and Career Expo, feels that “this event will also give our com-munity a chance to support our students. Witnessing these kids and their projects

will restore faith in our youth and inspire adults.”

The Pearland Posse was formed back in the early 1990s by Dick Wagoner and Mike O’Day. “Across the 20 years, it has probably donated an average of $12,000 per year to kid’s projects at auction and provided additional assistance to kids with auction projects from individual posse members that bought on their own for another $12,000 a year,” explained Pat Lopez who helped run the posse for many years while his girls were in the FFA. That averages out to about $24,000 per year for Pearland FFA students. Now, multiply that by 20 years, and the amount of financial support the posse has provided is truly astounding.

The FFA builds pride, confidence and self esteem. It also instills good values

FFA students Marissa Wildey, Gabrielle Henley and Brooke Von Ruff.

Matthew Gonzales and Alex Lopez.

and a sense of accomplishment. “When a student has worked hard to achieve something, and there are people there to support with applause, congratulations and money, they get excited,” said Lopez. “I can remember a few years back when a mother told me that all her daughter wanted to do was to have the posse buy her pig. The reason was because of all the excitement that we give them.”

The Pearland community has long been an FFA community. The arena where the Livestock Show will take place is the Roddy Ordeneaux Arena, which is the perfect place as he was the founder of the FFA here in Pearland back in 1978, according to Morgan.

The FFA teaches so many impor-tant skills and life lessons to students. “The FFA motto sums it up wonder-fully - Learning To Do, Doing To Learn, Earning To Live, Living To Serve,” said Cole. “The FFA teaches responsibility, teamwork, leadership skills, and life lessons. Raising animals focuses on responsibility, nutrition, the daily general care and health care of the animal. Other components, such as leadership develop-ment and career development, teach team work and individual goal-setting.”

“I think that this event is important to our community because it showcases our kids at a local level,” said Lopez. “It gives our community an opportunity to be involved with a livestock show, art and culinary event right here in town. This is an opportunity to develop leaders for our future.” H

The FFA motto sums it up wonderfully- Learning To Do, Doing To Learn,

Earning To Live, Living To Serve, said Cole.


PUBLICATION:Pearland Focus MagazineINSERTION:03/01/12MATERIALS DUE:02/17/12

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on Finance

Provided by Texas First BankBy Jason Alderman

Tax Strategies in a Tough Economy

F or most of us, income tax calculations don’t change much from year to year. But thanks

to the roller coaster economy of the past few years, many people have undergone major life changes that can have a significant impact – good or bad – on their taxable income and how they should file taxes.

Even though April 17 (this year’s tax-filing deadline) is a ways off, it’s never too soon to start planning your strategy, particularly if you experienced financial hardships in 2011 that could affect your taxes. The IRS has a handy guide called “The What Ifs of an Eco-nomic Downturn” (search www.irs.gov) that reviews the tax impacts of different scenarios such as job loss, debt forgive-ness or tapping a retirement fund.

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You lost your job. Remember that unemployment benefits, severance pay and payout of accumulated vacation or sick leave are all considered taxable in-come, so if you didn’t have taxes with-held from these payments, be prepared for a potentially nasty tax bill.

IRA or 401(k) withdrawals. If you

withdrew money from your regular IRA or 401(k) account to cover expenses, you’ll owe income tax on the amount, plus an additional 10 percent penalty unless you’re over age 59 ½ or meet special circumstances. Also, outstanding 401(k) loans must be repaid (usually within 60 to 90 days of termination) or they’ll be counted taxable income – plus be subject to the same 10 percent penalty.

The good news is that many public assistance benefits such as welfare, food stamps and disaster relief payments don’t count toward taxable income. Read the IRS’s “Tax Impact of Job Loss” for details at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4128.pdf.

Lowered income. If you took a big pay cut or lost your job in 2011, it might lower your adjusted gross income (AGI) enough to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a “refund-able” tax credit, which means that if you owe less in income tax than your eligible credit, you’ll not only pay no tax, but ac-tually get a refund for the difference. To learn more, search EITC at www.irs.gov.

Forgiven debt. Many people don’t realize that when you borrow money from a bank or other commercial lend-er and the lender “forgives” the debt, you generally must count the forgiven

amount as taxable income. There are several exceptions to the

rule, however. For example, the Mort-gage Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude up to $2 million in forgiven mortgage debt ($1 million if married filing separately) on their principal residence if it came through mortgage restructuring, fore-closure or a short sale. The mortgage exclusion is set to expire at the end of 2012 unless Congress intervenes.

Other exceptions include debts dis-charged through bankruptcy or, if you are insolvent when the debt is can-celled, some or all of it may not be tax-able. (Insolvency means your total debts are greater than the fair market value of your total assets.) For more informa-tion, search for Mortgage Debt Forgive-ness at www.irs.gov.

Taxes are the last thing you want to worry about when facing financial hardships. Just be sure you’re prepared for the possible tax implications if your income or debt situation has changed in the past year.

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BUSINESSSPOTLIGHT

DANNY NGUYEN COMMERCIAL:Developing Opportunities

for Communities and Individuals

D eveloper, entre-preneur and com-munity leader all

describe the President and Founder of Danny Nguyen International. Nguyen, a seasoned veteran in commer-cial development, brokerage and investments, has devel-oped, brokered, and invested in properties throughout the greater Houston area and now, he has a project in the heart of Pearland’s fastest growing community: Shadow Creek Ranch.

The Class A +/- 35,000 square foot shopping cen-ter in Pearland is just one of many Danny Nguyen

Commercial’s projects. Located across from Shadow Creek Ranch, The Alexan at Shadow Creek Ranch, an upscale lux-ury apartment complex, and Second Baptist’s South Cam-pus, the center is less than one mile from Hwy 288 and FM 521 and is an excellent Mixed-Use site for retail, restaurant or professional businesses.

With over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate in Houston and Texas, Nguyen and his team specialize in income-producing properties, shopping centers, buildings and land. They have leased, managed, brokered and developed hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail space in addi-tion to conducting multimillion dollar transactions with large and small landlords, tenants, sellers, buyers and investors.

Nguyen utilizes his – and his team’s – vast knowledge, experience, and contacts to help tenants pinpoint the most advantageous and cost-effective location for their business. The company also provides services to landlords by assisting them with filling their retail centers with credit-worthy ten-ants from local “mom and pop shops” to national retailers. They also assist buyers in finding beneficial investments for their portfolios including shopping centers, other types of income-producing properties and land. Working with Dan-

ny Nguyen Commercial, sellers find buyers in a reasonable timeframe and with the highest-possible return.

Nguyen’s success in the industry has landed him and his team many accolades. In 2009, the Houston West Chamber of Commerce awarded Danny Nguyen Commercial with the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Nguyen also received the “Outstanding Minority Achievement” award from the YMCA in 2010 and received an Honorary Degree from Houston Community College in 2008 in recognition of his continuous contribution to the community. “I feel honored and inspired that the HCC Board of Trustees selected me for this award,” said Nguyen. “I want to use this opportunity as a source of motivation for others, especially young people, who dream of getting higher education but do not have confidence in them-selves, their talents, and God-given unlimited potential.”

Despite the challenging economic times, Nguyen has kept his company at the forefront of the industry with his resourcefulness. Danny Nguyen Commercial was the buyer’s broker for the purchase of approximately 192,000 square foot of retail space formerly known as JCPenny in Sharpstown Mall, and Nguyen also assisted Missouri City with its redevelopment plan for Texas Parkway. He and his partners purchased and renovated a distressed Blockbuster building, renaming it Texas Independence Plaza. They transformed the space into a 6,000 square foot retailer center with an anchor restaurant.

“I know times are difficult right now,” said Nguyen. “But, I think crisis always breeds new opportunities. You are forced to be resourceful and creative. This is a tough time to ask people to invest, but it is the best time to plant seeds of investments. Buyers have the stronger negotiating hand be-cause there are more sellers competing for their investment.”

A Missouri City Councilmember at Large and Chair of the International Relations Committee, Nguyen is a Certi-fied Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). The CCIM designation is considered in the industry to be the “Ph D of Commercial Real Estate.” Additionally, Nguyen has partici-pated in several trade missions with mayors and leaders in the greater Houston region.

Danny Nguyen Commercial is located in Houston at 9999 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 909. For more information about commercial real estate opportunities, contact Nguyen at (713) 270-5400 or visit www.DNCommercial.net. H

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HOT SHOTHigh SchoolBy Linda K. Eaves

Anita Rao: Working toImprove Kids’ Health

“The fact that I have 19 other like-minded individuals who have the same passionand drive that I do inspires me to do what I love – making kids’ lives healthier.”

Anita

I n January, Alliance Youth Adviso-ry Board member Anita Rao had the honor of speaking on a panel,

Raise the Bar for Healthy Schools, at the inaugural Health Matters: Activat-ing Wellness in Every Generation con-ference in California.

After the Dawson High sophomore spoke eloquently of her efforts to pro-mote healthy living for students, mod-erator Chelsea Clinton remarked, “I think you can tell from the applause in this room how inspirational we all find you.” The conference was organized by the Clinton Foundation and the PGA to promote wellness across all genera-tions as a precursor to the Humana Challenge Pro-Am Golf Tournament. President Bill Clinton welcomed con-ference attendees and gave opening remarks.

Anita is a member of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation whose goal

is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 and to encourage youth to lead healthier lives. When the alliance recognized that a child’s voice was needed, they created the Youth Advisory Board comprised of 20 individuals, aged 8-17, whose common passion is to overcome this health epidemic in their communities.

In July 2011, Anita was selected as one of 20 students across the United States to serve on the Youth Advisory Board. “Be-fore I joined the Youth Advisory Board, I was already really interested in public health, especially adolescent sleep pat-terns, and came to realize that sleep af-fects all aspects of life, even childhood obe-sity,” said Anita.

She started the group ChOOSE HEALTH – Childhood Obesity Overcome by Sleep Education, Healthy Eating and Aerobically Loving The Heart. “The goal

of this group is not only to promote diet and exercise but also to really promote practicing healthy sleep habits.”

Previously, two of her health proj-ects SIESTA (Students Involved in the Education about Sleep Hygiene for Teen Adolescents) and ChOOSE HEALTH won second place overall at the Future Problem Solvers Inter-national Conference in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Anita said, “When I came across the Alliance, it was like a dream come true. This was an organization that could provide support I needed and also an opportunity to incorporate the knowl-edge that I had on sleeping into the Al-liance’s main message.

“I’m currently using one of the Alli-ance’s tools, the Healthy Schools Pro-gram, to improve the well-being of stu-dents by implementing school wellness councils in four schools in my district. I’m also working with Baylor College Medicine Sleep Professionals to incor-porate that sleep angle as a supplement to the tools the Alliance has given me.

“I am really fortunate to be a part of the Alliance,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn’t have the credibility or the tools for getting kids to lead healthy lives. The staff is fantastic. I can call them any time of day to talk or bounce ideas off them if I’ve hit a barrier. The fact that I have 19 other like-minded individuals who have the same pas-sion and drive that I do inspires me to do what I love – making kids’ lives healthier.” H

Former President Bill Clinton and Anita Rao.

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Hosts First EventApril 24th – 26th

Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consign-ment is “The Nation’s Premier Chil-dren’s Consignment Event Venue” and has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Founded by Rhea Lana Riner in her living room in 1997 and headquartered in Conway, Arkansas, Rhea Lana’s now holds 50 semi-annual consignment events in 16 states. The company is the first consignment sale in the country to offer on-line man-agement and real time tracking of merchandise through a computerized inventory system and a convenient mo-bile application.

One aspect that makes Rhea Lana’s so successful is the unique company culture that connects its consignors, shoppers and volunteers. The heart of the company seeks to serve communi-ties by providing a venue for families to stretch their budget through buy-ing and selling their high-quality chil-dren’s items. As the owner of Rhea La-na’s of South Houston, “It is my goal to make this opportunity available to our community,” said Monica Hodges.

Rhea Lana’s is holding their first community event April 24-26 at The Green Event Center in Friendswood, Texas. Donations will go to The Bridge Over Troubled Water, a comprehensive crisis center that assists survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence and those who are homeless due to these circumstances or another crisis.

We are confident you will be more than satisfied with your Rhea Lana’s experience and will want to share the opportunity with family and friends. Help us make our first event a great success! To learn more about Rhea La-na’s visit our website at www.rhealana.com or call 832.398.1554. H

See ad on page 39.


Donna & Charlie Rizzo

Go to www.PearlandFocus.comSeen on the Scene

Thursday, January 26, 2012 • The Knights of Columbus Hall

50th Annual Banquet Pearland Chamber of Commerce

Amy & Greg Hill Jenny Jackson, Gary Bucek & Dana Osborne

Cheri Goggans & Jeremy Martinez

Gary & Kelly Idoux

Matt & Monica Sebesta with Kerri & Larry Taylor

Photos by Jessica Pledger Photography

Crystal Carbon & David Bierwirth

Wood & Diane Owens

Ruben & Norina Ramos

David & Fay Watson

David & Stephanie Palmer

Gary Pearson, Michael Shannon & Jerald Roberts

Joe Tarantino with Steve & Heather Hill Tom & Debra Amundsen

Lauren & Craig Slater Eric & Kristie Melass Donna Bierwirth, Crystal Carbone with Don & Becky Carbone


LITTLE TOKYOLITTLE TOKYOJapanese Restaurant

Sushi BarVoted Best Sushi Bar in Pearland

by The Journal in 2010!

281-485-0297www.littletokyosushi.net

8201 Broadway St. #101, Pearland, TX 77584

Coupon valid Tu, W, Th & Sun. Pearland Location OnlyExpires April 30, 2012

$3 OFF purchase of $25 or more

Serving Pearland for Over 4 Years!

Best Prices • Most Sushi Choices in Town

Coupon valid Tu, W, Th & Sun. Pearland Location OnlyExpires April 30, 2012

$5 OFF purchase of $50 or more

Dr. Melanie Melançon Therapeutic Optometrist

Optometric Glaucoma Specialist

*Offer not valid with insurance or any other offer. Restrictions apply.

10555 Pearland Pkwy (at Beltway 8 next to Subway)

713-991-5522 www.pearlandeyestyles.com

* Family Eye Care

* Lasik Co-management * Specialty Contact Lens Fittings

MARCH SPECIAL!! Pick an egg for Great Discounts

on your Glasses*

Valid from March 1st - April 7th

April Special!!

Single Vision Polycarbon Lenses with Purchase of Designer Frames*

Valid from April 9th - April 30th

PEARLAND

HEADLINERSSend your news via www.PearlandFocus.com. All submissions are subject to the publisher’s approval, editing and space availability.

The Cookies are Coming!

Cookies are coming! Local Girl Scouts have begun selling the highly anticipated tasty treats and every Girl Scout Cookie has a mission: To help girls do great things!

Indulging your sweet tooth never felt so satisfying. Proceeds from these once-a-year treats inspire girls of all ages to become confident and learn about finan-cial literacy, as well as provide funds for service projects, programs, and fees for camps and memberships.

The 2012 cookie sale kicked off Janu-ary 7 and will end on March 25. The cost per box of cookies is $4. Eight varieties of cookies are available for sale this year, including Thin Mints, Caramel De Lites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Peanut But-ter Patties, Shortbread, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades, and Shout Outs.

Cookies are a once-a-year treat to be enjoyed in moderation. All of the 2012 cookie varieties have 0 grams trans-fat per serving. Seven varieties are trans-fat free with no hydrogenated oils, seven varieties have no high fruc-tose corn syrup or artificial colors, and four are nut-free. Daisy Go-Rounds are packaged in portion-control sizes. There is also a toll-free cookie hotline at 1-888-GS-COOKIE and website at www.gssjc.org/findcookies/ to help consumers find the nearest Girl Scout cookie booth.

In addition to buying cookies for your-self, you can purchase boxes and have them donated to the military to bring a taste of home to troops overseas. H

Adele Cooper, Marisol Penry, Jessica Ruiz, and Kenena Hansen host a cookie booth, while supplies last!

Headliners continued on page 21


Sean Smith & Josh Hari

Go to www.PearlandFocus.comSeen on the Scene

Thursday, February 2, 2012 • The Golfcrest Country Club

CEO Roundtable LuncheonNorthern Brazoria County Education Alliance

Mona Chavarria & Josh Daniels Dawna Bondreaux & Kim Koza

Ruth Keenan & Dr. Sarah Janes

Greg Hill & Virgil Gant

Michelle Hicks, Lisa Cushing & Paula Scardino

Photos by Jessica Pledger Photography

Lindsay Smith, Travis Baughman & Lucy Stevener

Kevin Fuller, Donna Rizzo, Alphesh Shukla & Rob Bavarian

Ed Slaback & Ed Thompson

Lindsey Krist & Lisa Lane

Michelle Smith, Bill Eisen, Woody Owens & Rita Ashley

Melanie Melancon, Linda Darnell & Tania Monroy Lance Smith, Connie O’Day & Larry Stanley

Fredi Seeker & Terrie Morgan Dupree & Linda Cessac

Patsy Skinner, Jackie Shepherd & Lynn Walker


2625 Town Center Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479

281.980.2070 www.interiorsmarkettx.com

Follow us on Facebook

Flowers in Full Bloom

are abundant in the

Spring Collection!Bright and Vibrant, Crisp Green colors will bring new life

to your style and mind!

THE ONLY THING YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT ON THE BEACH

THIS YEAR IS A SUNBURN.

You Can Have Your Body Back by this Summer!

This is a women’s only boot camp coached by Highly Qualified Fitness Experts! We will have you beach ready in just 4 weeks!

CALL OR SIGN UP ONLINE!

713-515-5081www.GetToBootCamp.com

PRE-SUMMER SHAPE UP CAMPStarts March 19 & April 23 - Hurry!

o Lose 3-5% BODYFAT!

o Improve your STRENGTH, ENDURANCE and SELF-CONFIDENCE!

o Convenient TIMES for your work or school schedule!

o All SHAPES, SIZES and EXPERIENCE LEVELS welcome!

o Everyone is SUCCESSFUL!

HURRY!Register Today!

Pre-Summer Shape Up Camp

Starts March 19!(Next camp April 23)

before after

Women Only!

Headliners continued from page 19

Headliners continued on page 46

The South East Express Network of the American Business Women’s As-sociation will present Networking 101: Keeping it Real in this back to basics New Year lunch program. As a group grows, all members need to get involved to get all they expect from any organization. The group will present practical ways to stay involved, keep communication flow-ing and ways get to know the individuals that you are associating with in a very real way. Contact Kim Kankel at 281.726.3260 or [email protected] to make your reservations. H

Networking 101: Keeping It Real

Traditional Treasures Spring Camp 2012, a unique 2-day program for children aged 10 to 16 years focusing on the contri-butions of ancient (east) Indians to mod-ern science, will be conducted by Global Organization for Divinity-Houston chap-ter on March 12 and 13.

The all-day camp will be held in Man-vel. The camp will focus on three major areas that ancient Indians excelled in and whose discoveries and tenets are being used by modern science today. The special workshops will be presented in a fun and interesting manner, woven in with several activities and games to pique the partici-pants’ interest.

The session on science will give a glimpse into India’s medical heritage and into the working and science behind Ay-urveda, a form of holistic diagnosis and treatment that is gaining widespread popularity in the world today. The second session on science and technology will fo-cus on the various modern mathematical, astronomical, scientific and related con-cepts that were in use in ancient India. The third and most intriguing session will be on the concept of rebirth and reincarna-tion as set forth in age-old texts, and evolv-ing western concepts in past life regres-sion and study. Register online at http://gkspring2012.eventbrite.com/ or call Sri-ram Ramanujam at 832-515-1251. H

Unique Spring Campon Modern Contributions of Ancient Indian Civilization

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

Stay Connected With Your Community

By Brian CovaultFounder and President of TCRN

S pring will soon be here, and warmer weather is around the corner. Spring is a time for

various home projects. Some prefer to be “Do it Yourselfers” while others choose to hire out for these projects. From home to medical services and restaurants to churches, TCRN-Pearland is a cross section of the very best Pearland has to offer. The online Business Directory is just one of the many community resources found on www.TCRN-Pearland.com.

The website is user friendly and offers mul-tiple ways to access the Business Direc-tory. Here you will find businesses that you can trust because they have been pre-screened by Texas Com-munity Referral Network to insure quality standards of each business that is a mem-ber of TCRN-Pearland. Just type the key words of the type of business you are looking for in the “Search” section. For example, if you type in “plumber,” you will find Abel Plumbing Services. You can also click one of the large but-tons and browse through the different categories in any of the seven sections for a wide variety of businesses.

Each business listing has all of the contact information you’ll need,

including links to the website for the respective business. You can

even click on the Profile Page to view

more information about that business

and leave reviews for your favorite one.

Don’t forget to look out for the Preferred Customer Card icon, too! It indicates the businesses that offer something associated with the TCRN card! There are lots of ways to SAVE money with your Preferred Customer Card. In fact, there is a NEW feature on the website! Now you can stay con-nected and sign up for TCRN updates and money saving tips on the home

page by entering your email address and your first name. When you do, you will receive a FREE appetizer at Sta-dia Sports Grill located in the Pearland Town Center! Once you sign up, you will receive a printable coupon via the email you entered. Not only can you go to Stadia for your free appetizer, but you can also save 15% OFF of your food bill every time with your TCRN Pre-ferred Customer Card.

TCRN is dedicated to the residents of Pearland and its surrounding area. Tell your friends about our local web-site, our Facebook page, and be sure to give them a Preferred Customer Card. TCRN wants to bring you the Best Pear-land has to offer, and serve as a com-munity resource. TCRN…Connecting YOU with the community! H


BUSINESSSPOTLIGHT

The division of the marital estate can be a rather murky proposition. A trial court may order a dispropor-tionate division of the assets as long as it is not ineq-uitable. This may even hold true for separate property.

In this state, property is either commu-nity or separate based on the circum-stances surrounding the inception of the title. However, if the separate and com-munity property has been so commin-gled that there is a difficulty in identifi-cation of the origin of that property, then the courts are likely to operate under the presumption that the entire mass is

Is What’s Mine Yours?community when it comes time to divide the property in a divorce proceeding.

If you are claiming that something is your separate property, then it is your responsibility to establish this by trac-ing and clearly identifying that prop-erty as being separate. Tracing involves showing through clear and convincing evidence the time the property was origi-nally obtained and the means by which the property was obtained. This can be a difficult task in the dissolution of a long standing marriage.

Keeping property separate can be established through different avenues. Prior to a marriage, one could have a legally prepared and binding prenup-tial agreement. If you are already mar-ried without a prenuptial agreement, separate property can be protected by retaining its separate status through

precise identification or sole control and power over the asset during the mar-riage. These funds or assets should not be mixed with the community funds or should be clearly traceable. All the ac-counts containing funds obtained prior to marriage should be kept separate or in a way that they are clearly distinguish-able. However, if you find yourself in a situation where your marriage is coming to an unfortunate end, and you have not clearly delineated the separate assets, all is still not lost. There may still be ways a good legal mind can use to help clear up the murky waters and assist you in keeping what is rightfully yours.

The information contained in this article is not intended to be legal advice. Please con-sult a lawyer about any questions you may have concerning these matters. H

Provided by Bastine and AssociatesBy Ronique Bastine

Ronique Bastine


&Bastine

associates

The family law firm that cares about family.

FAMILY LAWDivorce • Child Custody • Adoption

Child Support • Modifications Name Changes • Voluntary Paternity

Attorney General Cases for Custodial and Non-Custodial Parents

Child Support Review Hearings

CRIMINAL LAWFelonies • Misdemeanors

Juvenile Cases • Probation Revocations Adjudications of Guilt

ESTATE PLANNINGWills • Trusts • Probate • Living Wills

Powers of Attorney • Physician Directives

BUSINESS LAWCorporations • Mergers and Acquisitions

LLC’s and Partnership Agreements Contract Negotiations • Real Estate Law

Continuing Business Operations Non-Profit Organizations 281-240-7979

www.Bastineandassociates.com

Call for your consultation

Contact Patti [email protected]

• Writing • Editing • Developing Story Ideas • Event Planning • Promotion • Email Marketing

Summer InternsWANTED:

We are looking for High School or College students who want to learn about the exciting world of magazine publishing. Class credit available.

Is Growing - Come Grow With Us!

LEA

RN


Women in Leadership Society Groovy Bunco Party

(Back) Hedy Minter, Jacalyn Delange, Janet Durand, Brenda Kennedy, Billie Jo Moffett, Teresa Olson, Cheryl Stavins, Sheila Raye, Paula

Scardino, Shirley Britt, Michalyn Ordeneaux & Susie Wilcox. (Front) Donna Rizzo, Bunny Denton, Kandas Babb, Sally Mercer, Rose Martinez, Erin

Steele, Deanna Johnson, Janice Eisen & Sara Goldsmith.

WLS President Cheryl Stavins & Bunco Chair Teresa Olson.

Carol Artz-Bucek, Mayor Tom Reid & Tony Carbone.

Pearland Chamber of Commerce State of the City Luncheon

Send us your event photos! E-mail your event photos to [email protected].

Deadline for submission is the 20th of the month prior to publication. Please note that all submissions must be complete, including

names, to be considered for publishing.

GuadalupeRIVERFRONT DUPLEXEach duplex can accommodate four adults and four children or rent both for groups.

More pictures at RioRatonDuplex.com book at 832-788-2294

RelaxingWaterfront Living

Located in Rockport, Texas on beautiful Copano Bay, this 6.27 acre property boasts an (approx.) 520 ft. waterfront. The (approx.) 5500 sq. ft. home has 4 bedrooms and 4 baths with an attached garage and a 4000 sq.ft. shop. A must see! By appointment only. $1,710,000.

Contact Terese Peabody | 512-628-8532 office | 512-699-7711 cell 866-894-3488 toll free | www.tpeabody.com | [email protected]


Dentistry

4Children

www.dds4childrenpearland.comDr. Lisa G. Richardson & Dr. Ginger B. Stagg

Promoting Healthy Smiles for a New Generation

Pediatric, Adolescent & Handicapped Dentistry

281-485-70122015 E. Broadway, Ste. B

Pearland, TX 77581Open Mon – Thur 8:00 - 4:00

& Fri 8:00 - Noon

Two Locations:

713-436-466912234 Shadow Creek Pkwy.

Ste. 2100Pearland, TX 77584

Open Tue – Thur 8:30 - 4:30

Educating the Total Child in Wisdom, Age and Grace

281.485.28452213 Old Alvin Rd., Pearland, TX 77581

www.StHelenChurch.org

St. Helen Catholic School

St. Helen Catholic School

Enrolling Students All Year

The mission of St. Helen Catholic School is to provide a well-rounded

education emphasizing Catholic ideals of academic excellence,

personal integrity, Christian service and enduring faith.

A More Youthful You

Focus on BeautyBy Swet Chaudhari, MD

With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to refresh and rejuvenate your skin. Whether you’re fighting off signs

of aging, correcting sun damage, or just looking for a smoother and firmer appearance, women today have a wide variety of options.

Let’s take a look at some of today’s most popular choices:Photo Facials use intense pulses of light to remove

damaged, unwanted skin with precision, stimulating the formation of new layer of smooth, healthy skin. Laser treatment is a great choice for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, treating age or sun damage, minimizing acne scars, removing liver spots, and evening out skin tone.

In addition to skin rejuvenation, Laser technology is also very effective in the treatment of spider veins. A long-pulse Nd-YAG laser targets the hemoglobin in en-larged capillaries, which becomes thermally coagulated and are then absorbed by the body. This is also a safe and effective treatment for those who suffer from rosacea.

Microdermabrasion is a gentle exfoliation proce-dure performed with medical grade mineral crystals or a diamond tip, brushing the skin’s surface with the aid of a gentle vacuum. Microdermabrasion is effective for treat-ing scars, fine lines, sun damage, blemishes, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tone.

Dermal Fillers are sometimes referred to as “liquid facelifts,” and are an attractive, non-surgical option for

reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Injectable fillers restore volume to the skin, smoothing out lines and wrinkles. Some popular dermal fillers being used by top plastic surgeons are Juvaderm®, Re-stylane®, Radiesse® and Sculptra®.

Botox® injections are the most com-monly performed minimally-invasive procedure used to reduce or eliminate the appearance of facial wrinkles. Botox® blocks the nerve muscles respon-sible for the repetitive actions that cause fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing them away for a younger and more refreshed appearance.

Facials. Sometimes just a good facial is all you need to leave you refreshed. Most beauty and med spas offer basic, deep-cleansing or acne facials, and many also offer add-on treatments enhanced with vitamins and natural supplements to improve elasticity and even treat fine lines and wrinkles.

Combination treatments. Combining many of the methods above can produce a synergistic effect of facial rejuvenation. A common pairing is the simultaneous use of Botox® and Dermal Fillers to dramatically reduce the appearance of unwanted facial wrinkles.

All of these services and more can be found at Divin-ity Med Spa & Wellness in Friendswood. Visit Divinity at www.divinitymedspa.com or Like Us on Facebook. H


Varicose & Spider Veins Solved!Leg pains and heaviness gone immediately •

Walk in and walk out. No Downtime •Gentle procedure. Virtually pain free •

Covered By Medicare & Private InsurancePromotes healing of painful leg ulcers •

Improves dark skin around ankles •

Call Today For YourComplimentary Consultation

281-346-40914690 Sweetwater Blvd., Ste. 200 Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Additional locations in Bellaire and Kingwoodwww.hamiltonvein.com

Look Better, Feel Better

“Into the light” is what these designing ladies have labeled the on-going trend of light colors and softer textures. In many of their current projects, they are incorporating natural fabrics such as linens. One of the biggest myths is that lighter colors can give you a cold feeling. In many ways, the lighter colors give you a breath of fresh air and with the slipcovers, they can be as plush as you would like.

One of the drivers of the lighter trend is the economy. When the economy slows down, experts say that people tend to lean towards lighter colors and simpler things. The photos here illustrate how lighter colors can be warm and livable.

If you are looking to lighten up your space, Twenty-Two Fifty Inte-riors has the perfect items and designers to help you. In the coming weeks, the store will be featuring a new bedding line. The bedding is a complete line of washable linens, silks, and velvets. The concern with solids and lighter fabrics many times is the idea of staining, but with washable fabrics, stains are easily solved.

The other thing that can be a quick fix to your home decor is inter-esting lighting. For example, incorporate some interesting lighting in a hallway to transform it from a plain hallway into a point of interest.

For more tips on design, visit Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors in Sugar Land Town Square or call 281-265-2250.

A s the winter days come to an end and the wonderful season of spring emerges, it sparks interest in the design world. Much like spring taking

place after a dead and dreary winter, some of the best design takes place after the bare bones of a home are exposed and revamped. Design is all around us from the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, to the chair we curl up in and read a griping novel. At Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors, Teena and Lauren Caldwell stay on the cutting edge of design. This designing duo spends numerous weeks out of the year traveling to see what the newest trends emerging in the market will be. Their store, Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors, is located in Sugar Land Town Square at 2250 Lone Star Drive.

LightSpring

into the

By Lauren Caldwell,Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors

Twenty-Two Fifty Interiors is introducing a new bedding line this spring featuring washable linens, silks, and velvets.


Home Is Where The Heart Is Advertorial


The Designer’s Niche

The Designer’s Niche was established in the Pearland area in 2008 by Dina Holleron. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Houston, and she is also an active Allied Member A.S.I.D. Dina has over 12 years of hands on design experience in both residential and commercial projects, and works very closely with her clients to achieve a design that is tailored to suit each individual need in regards to their style and budget.

Dina feels that when you invite her to design your space, you are inviting her into one of the most personal areas of your life. She works with you one-on-one to create an atmosphere that best suits you both aesthetically and financially. “My client’s sentiment plays an important role in the design process, and when that is combined with our award winning expertise in style, function, and design, each cli-ent ends up with their own signature space. There is no template that is one size fits all for style nor budget.”

The Designer’s Niche offers a variety of services at no obligation including hour-ly consultations, one-day makeovers, and full-service design for both residential and commercial projects. Unique home décor, rugs, lighting, custom cabinets, up-holstery and custom window treatments are also available. Dina also has formal training in the art of faux and can offer over 40 different finishes and textures for walls, ceilings and cabinets/furniture, transforming rooms and pieces from boring to “wow.”

For more information, call 281-323-3630 or visit www.thedesignersniche.com. H

[email protected]

P.O. Box 841161, Pearland, Tx 77584

• One Day Makeovers • Hourly Consulting• Full Service Design for Residential & Commercial • Retail & Custom Design Services• Custom Faux

Residential & Commercial Design

Dina Holleron, DesignerB.F.A. Interior DesignFaux Finish ArtisanAllied Member A.S.I.D.

www.thedesignersniche.com

Five Star Floors

Your home says a lot about you, and your floors are the stage where your family’s life plays out. What do your floors say about you? At Five Star Floors, helping you select the perfect flooring is a passion. “When deciding on flooring, it’s important to consider your lifestyle,” said owner Mike El Kilani. “If your children have left home, you might not want the same floor as a couple who’s just starting their family.”

Many things should be considered. Do you want to make a dramatic state-ment in your foyer or have a tranquil look in your bedroom? Are you looking for the permanence of stone for your outdoor kitchen? Where should the car-pet end and the hardwood floor begin? What about your tub surround in the powder room? What will it cost?

Whether your design ideas are etched in stone or just a general notion of what you like, whether you’re reno-vating or building from scratch, the experts at Five Star Floors will take time to listen to your ideas. They will ask questions about your needs, your vision and your budget then present you with choices. Finally, they will fol-low through with quality workmanship and attention to detail and back it all up with their own one-year installation warranty on top of the manufacturer’s guarantees.

“Customer service is our hallmark,” Mike said. “We know you have a choice when it comes to flooring companies. That’s why we go the extra mile to make sure we sell you a floor you can love now and for years to come at a price you can feel good about later.” Bring your dreams and let the Five Star team help you make them a real-ity. “We’ve been told that we pamper our customers,” Mike said. “Once some-one comes in with an idea, we search local design centers until we find all the choices they might like. Then we walk with them through the design process.” Call 832-736-9595 or visit www.fivestarfloors.net. H

Our commitment to QUALITY and EXCELLENT

customer service makes FIVE STAR FLOORS

the clear choice for your flooring needs.

Free In-home Consultations

Monday thru Friday - 10am to 7pmSaturday - 10am to 5pm

Open Sunday - 12pm to 5pm

Imagine the Possibilities...

832H736H95958209 Broadway (FM 518) • Pearland, TX

www.5starf loor.com

Five Star Floors

$100 offMin 200 sq. ft. of any tile, wood or laminate& 50 yards of any carpet purchase. One coupon per family.Prior purchases excluded.Not valid with any other offer.Coupon has no cash value and is non-transferable.Expires April 30, 2012

We also carry: Bruce, Mannington, Columbia, Earthwerks,Marazzi, Emser, Quickstep & Appalachian.

Tile20x20

Or 18x18$3.99

per sq. ft.installed

Hand Scraped Wood

Starting at $5.49 while supplies last

Carpet$1.69

per sq. ft.With 1/2” 6 lb. pad installed

Granite$29.99

per sq. ft.Including 1 1/

2”

bullnose.Limited

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Quick Step Laminate

$2.99 per sq. ft.

with basic pads & trims installed

Beautiful durable floors for less.

Carpet | Area Rugs | Tile & Stone Hardwood | Laminate | Resilientshawfloors.com

Engineered Wood

starting at $4.99

per sq. ft. installed with trim

FLOORS



What’s on the Market

4 BEDROOM/4 BATH 2 AC. MLS# 10148577

$150,000

4 BEDROOM/2½ BATH MLS# 85912545

$159,500

3 BEDROOM/2 BATH (WEBSTER)

MLS# 10148577 $123,900

5 BEDROOM/3½ BATH MLS# 97913749

$225,000

4-5 BEDROOM/3½ BATH 1.9 AC. MLS# 10923654

$249,900

4 BEDROOM/2 BATH 15 AC. MLS# 9235810

$450,000

FOR LEASE— 2/1 MLS# 65411444 $750 PER MO.

14.70 ACRES MLS# 44520014

$925,000

COMMERCIAL — 28.28 AC. MLS# 18424205

$2,596,640

COMMERCIAL Office Building

FOR SALE OR LEASE $425,000/$875 PER MO.

COMMERCIAL Storage Units/Offices

$2,200,000

1705 Broadway Pearland, Texas 77581

DAVID L. SMITH REALTY Susan S. Lenamon, Broker/Owner

281-489-2424 www.dsmithrealty.com

What’s on the Market DAVID L. SMITH REALTYSusan S. Lenamon, Broker/Owner

281-489-2424

.5

.5

.52.5 BATH 3.5 BATH

3.5 BATH

Serving Pearland for 52 Years:David L. Smith Realty

“Serving the Pearland area since 1960” is the slogan of David L. Smith Realty. Ask-ing an adolescent how long that is, would elicit a reply “that is really old.” To many of us, 52 years isn’t old at all, but is a reminder of what has transpired in the past.

David L. Smith Realty was founded in 1960 by David and Frankie Smith. David was the broker and Frankie a sales agent. Along with selling real estate, the couple devel-oped real estate which added two more personnel positions – Clarence Smith (David’s brother) and A. L. Poe (finance guru). At this time, David is the only survivor of the “fantastic four,” but he continues to go to the office seven days a week. Although David no longer owns David L. Smith Realty, his presence is necessary to continue the success of the business.

In 2008, Susan Smith Lenamon, David’s middle daughter, bought the company and has continued the family tradition of Hometown Values . . . Hometown Traditions. “I haven’t changed a thing from the original company except the location,” states Lena-mon. “My father has said for years, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ so the commission rate, the commission split for the agents, and the strict ethics that are a must in the real estate arena are the same as in 1960.”

When entering the offices of the company located at 4418 Broadway, two things will be seen: a rendering of the original David L. Smith Realty building and a portrait of David and Frankie upon their 50 year wedding anniversary. Lenamon says, “I attribute my success to my parents, who instilled Christian values in me. I won’t compromise my principles, and I guarantee our clients will receive the best representation.”

Contact David L. Smith Realty at 281-489-2424 or visit www.dsmithrealty.com. H

TWFG Insurance’s Shannon Hartgrove

Offers Value and Experience

Since 2003, Shannon Hartgrove has provided experienced insurance quotes with maximum coverage at a great price. She offers a full-service indepen-dent agency dedicated to finding you the right product at the right price – while delivering outstanding customer service.

Located in the Pearland Town Cen-ter, Hartgrove offers Hassel-Free In-surance Shopping. Average savings to clients is between $300 to $400 in an-nual premiums.

Hartgrove started her branch, TWFG Insurance, with the intent of offering quality insurance at a com-petitive price. TWFG quotes multiple carriers to provide the best coverage at the best rate. When TWFG opened its doors, there was one goal in mind: pro-viding businesses and families with in-surance solutions that not only fit their lifestyle but also their budget. A large part of TWFG’s growth can be attrib-uted to providing advanced technology and consulting expertise to create next generation insurance services for our clients. These services reduce customer costs, increase coverage options and improve overall insurance protection.

TWFG has over 50 different nation-al and regional carriers and are proud to be a Trusted Choice agency. They represent more companies than most agencies. This gives you the best selec-tion to look at without having to spend hours searching for the right carrier!

TWFG coordinates coverage for households and business owners with a variety of auto, home and commercial insurance products. Contact us today at 832-895-6561 or [email protected] and let us give you the quality in-surance and customer service you de-serve. H

See ad on page 34.

Home Is Where The Heart IsAdvertorial


Because the Pearland areadeserves the very best in

swimming pool design andconstruction...

The Pearland Residents VisitAnthonySylvan.com/Pearland for your special offer

Anthony & Sylvan has been building custom designed swimming pools

for nearly 70 years. We have constructed more than 370,000 swimming

pools nationwide, and have developed a reputation for quality and

innovation. We know that when deciding to purchase a pool, you need

to believe that the company you choose locally is going to deliver the

highest quality materials and designs as well as have the financial strength

to stand-behind the product they build for years to come. Anthony &

Sylvan Pools is that company. Call your local design consultant to get

started on your dream pool today.

866.529.0251www.anthonysylvan.com/Pearland

27651 AS_Pearland:Layout 1 2/13/12 4:32 PM Page 1

Anthony & Sylvan Pools

Each Anthony & Sylvan Pool is more than simply a backyard addition; it’s a reflection of your lifestyle, custom-tai-lored to complement your home’s archi-tecture and you. We install swimming pools and spas as diverse and excit-ing as the reasons people enjoy them. Guided by an unwavering passion for craftsmanship and integrity, our skilled professionals use a variety of textures, colors and styles to create the aquatic environment of your dreams.

There is nothing quite like a swim-ming pool in your backyard. The ex-quisite beauty, even when it’s not in use, is unsurpassed. Spend a fun-filled day with family and friends or sit and watch the moonlight shine off the crys-tal blue water and know that you have created this private oasis.

Anthony & Sylvan builds swim-ming pools for all types of people and all types of backyards. Whether your taste is a traditional pool with a rock waterfall, or a contemporary pool de-sign with a raised spa, your swimming pool will complement your lifestyle and your home. So whether you enjoy your swimming pool to celebrate the dog days of August or to simply idle away an afternoon with the family, you se-lect your dream pool – we’ll make it happen.

We know that you will not find an-other Pearland area pool builder who can match our expertise in achieving the perfect pool for your backyard. CALL NOW – 866.529.0251. You’ll be happy you chose Anthony & Sylvan Pools to make your backyard dream a reality! H



Our Policy*

Combined Deductible for Building & Contents

Named Storm Deductible Options of 2, 3, 5 & 10%

Other Wind & Hail Deductible Options of 1,000, 2,500 & $5,000

WPI-8 Certificate Not Required

25% Increased Cost of Construction Included

10% Loss of Use Coverage Included

TWIA Policy

Separate Deductibles for Building & Contents

Named Storm DeductibleOptions of 1, 2, 3 & 5%

Other Wind & Hail Deductible same as Named Storm

WPI-8 Certificate Required

Increased Cost of Construction Additional

Loss of Use Coverage Additional

*Specialty wind policy not affiliated with Farmers Insurance. Certain eligibility requirements apply. Call to determine your eligibility.

Craig Slater Insurance Agency3718 E. Broadway, Pearland, TX 77581Visit us at www.farmersagent.com/eslater

281-997-7575Local Pearland Agents ... “We not only work here, we live here!”

Looking for Wind Insurance Options?

We Have One!

Home Sweet Home Insurance Tips

Buying a home can be an exciting but also overwhelming experience. With so many details to consider, here are some insurance considerations to think about before you make that all important purchase.

Start with the BasicsIt’s a good idea to compile a list of

basic information that can affect a home’s premium and insurability:

• What year was it built?• How old is the roof, and what type of roof is it?• What is the home’s square footage?• Have there been any prior losses?

Other Factors to ConsiderWe receive many calls from custom-

ers who are thinking about buying a home, and we encourage this communi-cation. We can give premium estimates on a home they are considering and un-cover issues that may cause headaches down the road. Important factors to consider are:

Location: How close is the home to a fire hy-

drant and the nearest fire station? Is the home located in a coastal county (such as Brazoria or Galveston)? If so, is it windstorm certified? Is the home located in a flood zone?

Inspections:Unrepaired damage can affect in-

surability of a home. A home inspection can uncover issues that aren’t readily apparent – especially water damage.

Liability Coverage:Pools and trampolines are great fea-

tures, but be aware of the risks that go along with them. Secure proper liability limits on your policy.

Don’t wait until your closing date to think about insurance. Call your agent before you buy so there are no surprises that can ruin your home buying expe-rience. For more information, contact Craig Slater Insurance Agency at 281-997-7575 or visit www.farmersagent.com/eslater. H

• Residential / Commercial• Offices• Commercial Lawn Services• Complete Floor Care• Commercial Windows• Extensive Training & Quality Control

Members of Pearland & Alvin Manvel Chamber of Commerce

281.489.8614

$20 OFF 2nd Cleaning$10 OFF Referral Fee

$30 OFF FIRST CLEANING With Coupon

Only

2010 Recipient of Blue Ribbon Award(US Chamber of Commerce)

2004 Business of the Year

(Pearland Chamber of Commerce)



Ashton Woods . Avanti . Coventry . Custom Classics . Darling Homes . DR Horton . Fairmont Custom HomesMeritage . Monterey Custom Homes . Newmark . Partners in Building . Perry . Plantation . PulteRegan Custom Homes . Ryland . Sterling Classic Custom Homes . Trendmaker . Triumph . Westport

from $170s-Millionssiennaplantation.com facebook.com/siennaplantationSienna Parkway at Hwy. 6 . 281-778-7777

Friends & Family

Live Where Your Friends and Family Live.Beautiful affordable homes. 3 Waterparks. Bike and Hike. Sports Fields. Peaceful parks.

5 FBISD schools. And more! Come to our HomeFinder Center for maps and more information about Sienna. We will be looking for you. Sienna builders are offering homes from the $170s to the millions.

DowntownGreenway

Galleria

Med Center

Fort BendParkway

Open Homes Tour -April 13-29

Houston Homes for Sale

Text H H S to 87778

CONNECT DIRECTLYTO OUR APP

FREE Mobile App for GPS house hunting on the go.

281.819.9200www.GaryGreene.com

2251 CR 94, Suite #101, Pearland, TX 77584

View homes For SaleFrom Any Cell Phone!

The Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Mobile Search is the ultimate field tool for homebuyers.

Looking for a new home? Our mobile search can help! By utilizing any phones location technology, the app allows users to get a sense of place and community within the areas of their home search. Call today.





Sienna Plantation Hosts Friends & FamilyOpen Homes Tour April 13th - 29th

Sienna Plantation will host its Spring Open Homes Tour, April 13-29, providing home buyers with the opportunity to tour 17 model homes and “live where your friends and family live” in one of the top-selling communities in the United States.

Low interest rates, Sienna Plantation’s access from the Fort Bend Parkway and a large selection of homes ready for move in make it a great time to visit the award-winning master-planned community. Among its countless amenities, the 7,000-acre master-planned community is home to three water parks including the south’s largest private water adventure park with 200 feet of twisting slides, the all-new Sienna Springs Resort Pool, 36 parks and playgrounds, the Camp Sienna Sports Complex, the Sienna Plantation Golf Club, a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, eight lighted tennis courts and lakes for fishing and kayaking.

Families in the community attend schools in the renowned Fort Bend Indepen-dent School. This fall, Sienna Plantation will welcome the opening of the commu-nity’s first private school, Sienna Lutheran Academy.

A project of Johnson Development, the community offers homes from the 170s to the millions with purchase incentives available from all Sienna Plantation builders.

Visit the Sienna Home Finder Center, 5777 Sienna Parkway, for maps, informa-tion on builders, amenities, schools and more. The center is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday from noon – 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.siennaplantation.com. Families also can fol-low the community on Facebook, www.facebook.com/siennaplantation. H



DIY Interior Design

Your home is your place of refuge and relaxation; it is the single place you want to go at the end of a long day. Your home is the place where you spend your time hosting and entertain-ing your friends and family. Your home should be a place where everyone feels relaxed and at ease.

Having a beautiful home is some-thing everyone should have, and it is easier to do yourself than you might think. Here are a few tips:

• Start by using things you already have. Try giving those old trinkets a fresh coat of paint or use a piece of fur-niture in a new way.

• Give your space a pop of color, whether it’s painting an accent wall or adding pillows to your sofa.

• Be creative. You can always put things back the way they were if you don’t like it.

Lacie, the face behind Lacie Grace Interior Design, is a Houston native who has settled in Pearland and is now open for business. She has a passion for the design of beautiful homes and en-joys working closely with her clients to find out just what they need to have the perfect home. She believes a beautiful home is an investment in your happi-ness.

Whether you need full-service de-sign or just some ideas on how to use what you already have, Lacie Grace In-terior Design can help. She would love to talk to you about creating the home you have always dreamed of. Visit www.LacieGrace.com. H

Let me do the shopping for you.

Call 832-895-6561 today for your same day quote.

11200 Broadway, Suite 2743713-515-5774 - cell

[email protected] shartgrove-insurance.com

• Providing the best rates and coverages for your home, auto, life/health and commercial needs.

• We have over 50 different national and regional carriers and are proud to be a Trusted Choice agency.

Receive a FREE

$25 Gas Card when your

friends & family sign up with us.

Shannon HartgroveBranch Owner/Agent

Ten years of dependable service.



Visit the Premier Pools & Spas Pavillion at the new Sugar Land Skeeters Constellation Field!

Got a Passion for Splashin’TM?

Our path leads to

your door...

[email protected]

www.onerealtors.com3272 Broadway

Pearland, TX 77581

Whether it’s Pearland orany of the other surrounding

Texas real estate areas, we’ve got you covered.

We’re experts in real estate.We can help you.

Call and see why we are the “one” to choose when

buying and/or selling your home.

Family owned and operated Premier Pools and Spas has focused on building relationships with its customers for over 20 years. Company president, Bill Unger, knows it is these long standing relationships that drive his business.

Premier Pools and Spas views each project as a cooperative endeavor. From classic lines to cutting edge design, Un-ger and his team deliver a product that incorporates top notch engineering to create the highest standard of struc-tural integrity. “By listening to my cli-ent’s goals and ideas for their outdoor living space, and by learning about their lifestyles and taste, I can design a complete backyard concept from pool to hardscape that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally efficient,” Unger states.

The company offers the safest pool with current techniques that puts Pre-mier Pools and Spas on a new level in

Premier Pools and Spas

the industry. Premier Pools and Spas have been seen on DIY Yard Crash-ers and has been the only company to win National Pool Builder of the Year award. Premier Pool and Spas is cur-rently 3rd largest pool builder in the nation. Indeed, the company’s success comes from making each client feel spe-

cial and by addressing individual needs during design and construction process.

For anyone with a tired pool in need of a facelift, Premier Pools and Spas also excels at pool renovation. For more information, contact Premier Pools and Spas at 713.436.4944 or www.ppas.com. H



When Mona Chavarria first started A & A Cleaning Services, her mission was clear: to provide quality residential cleaning services that exceed customer expec-tations. Almost fifteen years later, A & A has expanded its wide range of services to include: residential cleaning services, commercial cleaning services, janitorial supplies, professional commercial lawn care services, window cleaning, and carpet cleaning for both residential and commercial businesses

Locally owned and operated, A & A Cleaning Services is highly invested in the Pearland community. “I believe it is important to give back to the community that has given so much to me,” says owner Mona. “That’s why I give so much of my time and money to various local organizations in community service.”

One of the many organizations that A & A supports is the Adult Reading Center in Pearland, which provides instruction to adults with low literacy skills. Mona is a board member and a past Chairwoman of the Annual Red Hat Literacy Luncheon which raises money for the center.

A & A Cleaning was awarded the Business of the Year by the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, A & A received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Small Business Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A & A was recently presented a reso-lution by the State of Texas House of Representatives for demonstrating the degree to which a successful business can make a positive difference in the community it services.

To find out more about A & A, visit www.aacleaningservices.com. HSee ad on page 32.

As a long time resident, Yvonne Smais-trla knows the community, the schools, and most importantly the people of Pear-land. Her goal is to give every client, who is either buying or selling, peace of mind by creating a seamless transition while providing the highest level of professional service and accountability. She has the unique ability to identify the needs of her clients and help them look at the big pic-ture to ensure that they arrive at the best decision for their family.

In addition to Yvonne’s uncanny sales ability, she is continually educating her-self in this ever changing fast-paced real estate market, in order to always offer top notch service to her clients. In 2009, Yvonne obtained the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® designation. She has found that the 50+ market has very specific relocation needs and holds this certifica-tion close to her heart. The extra educa-tion that is needed to obtain the SRES® designation has provided her with the knowledge and understanding to counsel these clients through the major financial and emotional challenges involved in re-locating, refinancing, or selling the family home.

So whether it’s handing over the keys to an excited first time home buyer, or serving a beloved senior, you can rest assured that as your agent, she will do everything in her power to simplify the transaction and facilitate a situation in which your goals are met.

“I love my job, and I would be honored to sit down with you, listen to your needs, and come up with a strategy to either mar-ket your home or begin a search for your dream home!” said Yvonne Smaistrla.

The local real estate climate is improv-ing. In fact, this past January, 102 Single Family homes sold in Pearland ranging in price from $71,000 to over $499,000! That’s a 50% increase from 2011! As there are more loan programs available, lenders are able to provide buyers with better op-tions to meet their specific needs. Rates are at historic lows. Many clients are find-ing that they are able to afford more home for their money. When you are ready to make your next move, call Yvonne at 713-922-1100. H

Yvonne Smaistrla,Keller Williams Realty

in Pearland

A & ACleaning Services

With her warm, caring personality and southern

charm, Yvonne Smaistrla brings the highest level of integrity,

professionalism, and dedication to the Real Estate business.

A Realtor® You Can Believe In!

FREEMarket Analysis

with this ad Call Yvonne at 713-922-1100

www.har.com/yvonnesmaistrla

Yvonne Smaistrla REALTOR®

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

C O U P O N

713-922-1100 [email protected]

www.har.com/yvonnesmaistrla



Your New OutdoorLiving Room!

Patio Covers • Outdoor Kitchens • Screened PorchesDecorative Patios • Sunrooms • And More!

Call today to schedule a free design consultation.281-265-1994 TexasCustomPatios.com

Family & FriendsMake it an

Outdoor Event

Protecting Your Most Valuable Investment

A termite is an insect with six legs and a three segmented body: a head, thorax and abdomen. When an infested piece of wood is broken open, you will see what looks like a maggot with legs.

Termites can be categorized into two groups by their nesting sites. The most common here is the earth-dwelling ter-mites that make tunnels in the ground or build tubes above the earth, called subterranean termites. Termites are most abundant in the south and south-west parts of the country. The Gulf Coast is known as the “termite belt.”

Since termites try to avoid light and open air spaces, termites and the destruction they cause can be unde-tected. Termites destroy over five bil-lion dollars in property annually which equates to over two million homes across the U.S.

Termites are destructive because they live long lives, their colonies are self-repeating, and they have a con-stant supply of food. Subterranean termite season begins in March, which means it’s time to have your home checked.

Conducive conditions for termites to infest buildings include:

• Wood to ground contact• Foundation cracks• Uneven drainage• High landscaping covering slab• Debris against the house• Joints between porches and foundations• Pipes and insulation By inspecting your home or property

at least once a year, you can hopefully prevent costly damage. Set up an ap-pointment for Killum Pest Control to check on your most valuable asset- your home! Contact Eric Melass at [email protected] or 888-297-9993. H

$20 OFF with this adGood on initial pest or termite service only

Offer expires April 30, 2012

Killum Pest Control Named Best Pest Control

Company of 2011

by Pearland Journal



Texas Custom Patios:Creating Stylish and Functional Outdoor Spaces

Texas Custom Patios is the Houston area’s premier designer and builder of styl-ish outdoor living spaces. The company is a family-owned residential remodeling contractor specializing in designing and building custom projects to enhance out-door living, such as patio covers, outdoor kitchens, sunrooms, fireplaces, screened porches, pergolas and decorative patios. They have completed over 700 projects in the Houston area since 2004.

Texas Custom Patios provides a turnkey custom design project. Their specialty is building projects that look original to the home, including patio covers, pergolas, screened porches, room additions, guest houses, decks, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and custom patios.

They serve much of the Greater Houston area including Cypress, The Wood-lands, Fulshear, Katy, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg, Pearland, Spring, Sugar Land, and Tomball. If you’re in or near these areas, please contact Texas Custom Patios today to discuss your project.

You will know exactly what you are getting when you choose to work with Texas Custom Patios. Detailed designs include rendered views showing the completed project on the back of your home. If you would like a detailed explanation of the process they use from design to completed construction, please visit their website where they will walk you through the steps. There is also a huge photo gallery with hundreds of pictures of completed projects to give you ideas for your dream backyard.

Contact Texas Custom Patios today to schedule your free design consultation at 281-265-1994 or visit www.texascustompatios.com. H

See ad on page 37.

Forgotten Angels’Resale Shop

“You wouldn’t have liked my last group home. They made us fight. I got out of there as soon as I could!” These words came from a resident of a Forgot-ten Angels’ group home. Those words remind us that citizens with develop-mental disabilities are easily victim-ized and exploited. Since its inception in 2001, Forgotten Angels has been committed to protecting and caring for those with developmental disabilities.

As the economy continues to waver, creativity in fundraising has become necessary to ensure a solid founda-tion for those who have come to rely on Forgotten Angels for care of their loved ones living with such conditions as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular sclerosis and more. To that end, Forgotten Angels came across a unique opportunity to open a resale shop at 5096 Broadway in Pearland. The store opened on September 1, 2011 with a one-time allotment of fine fur-niture, house wares and art from the former White House Ranch in Friend-swood. As the estate furniture sold down, the space was filled with clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, and all kinds of useful items and collectables, donated by the community, and a permanent resale shop was formed.

Donations of gently used clothing, furniture, toys and household items are welcomed and are tax deductable as allowed by law. This year, let your spring cleaning help Forgotten Angels continue to provide for and protect our neighbors with developmental disabili-ties. For more information, visit www.forgottenangels.org or call Holly Mc-Donald at 281-412-6435, ext. 136 or [email protected]. H

5096 Broadway in the Cinema 6 Center

832-243-6463

Donations Welcomewww.forgottenangels.org

Furniture • Clothing • Toys • Much More

Forgotten AngelsResale Shop

All proceeds benefit Forgotten Angels. Forgotten Angels provides exceptional care to adults and children living with developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, autism,

cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and many others.

Clean out your closets and

recycle with us!

Open 10- 6 Tuesday - Saturday


Now Seeing Patients in Pearland!Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Routine Eye Exams LASIK • Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Diabetic Eye Exams • Cataracts • Glaucoma

Stewart Zuckerbrod, M.D.General Ophthalmology

713-558-8702 • 8619 W. Broadway St., Ste. 101, Pearland, TX 77584

Congratulations! You’re Pregnant...

Rite PassageWomen’s Health & Birth Center

281-485-2886Se Habla Español

Well Women Exams, Bio-Identical Hormones, Preconception Counseling, Prenatal Care and Delivery, Waterbirth, Breastfeeding and Infant Massage Classes

Home Birth Option Now Available

Bernadette Olivier, RNC, CNM, MSNMelissa White, RN, CNM, MSNJaymee Boughton, LM, CPM

2206 E Broadway, Suite E • Pearland, TX 77581www.PearlandBirthCenter.com

Call Today for a Free Consultation & Tour

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Events, schedules and information may change without notice. Please refer to the event’s contact person or check the event’s website for more information.

March 22nd Thursday, 10:30 am9th Annual Red Hat Literacy Luncheon Featuring Elissa Rivas, Channel 13 News Anchor, and Speaker Jana Mullins, author of Open Hands: Lessons on Giving and Receiving.All proceeds support the Adult Reading Center of Pearland.Call 281.485.1000 or visit www.adultreadingcenter.org.

March 24th, 31st, April 21stPrimrose Spring FlingFamily FundraiserFamilies attending can enjoy train rides, face painting, foam machine and more. Parking is available at Lowe’s and shuttled by Primrose bus to school. Tickets to various event activities may be purchased on theday of the event at the school.

March 24thSaturday 10 am – 2 pmThe Primrose Schoolof Pearland Parkway

2240 Pearland Parkway. Visitwww.primrosepearlandpkwy.com

or call 281.997.8855.

March 31st Saturday, 10 am – 2 pmThe Primrose School

of Pearland2350 CR 94. Visit

www.primrosepearland.comor call 713.436.4120.

April 21stSaturday 10 am – 2 pmThe Primrose School

of West Pearland 1751 Kirby Drive. Call 713.436.0404.

April 28thSaturday 9 am – 3pm EpiphanyLutheran Spring Fair The women of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pearland sponsor this annual fundraiser. Activities include barbeque, craft booths, children’s games, face painting, moon walks, baked goods, silent auction, plants for sale, a raffle, door prizes, and much more. The event is held at 5515 West Broadway. Call 281-485-7833.

E V E N T S May 10thThursdayKeller Williams RealtyPearland’s 4th Annual Red DayA Keller Williams Cares community outreach event focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals in the community. It is our way of giving back to the community in which we service. For information, contact Yvonne Smaistrla at 713.922.1100.

Submit your calendar events [email protected]

The published photos came from Press Releases submitted to Pearland Focusby the schools/organizations of these children.

Pearland Kids ChalKBoard Please note:Submitted news must

include complete captions, including

names, to be considered for

publishing.

As part of Troop 21304’s cookie service project, the girls, who are a first-year Brown-ie troop, donated 55 boxes of shortbread cookies to the Trinity Oaks senior community during their Valentine’s Party and Dance. Pic-tured are Anna Holden and Kelley Greer help-ing serve sandwiches to the seniors.

Gabby Ramirez, Kelly Childers, Shelby Tolar, and Ashley Wilks from Troop 2018, along

with dozens of other volunteers, helped lay wreaths at the Houston National Cemetery.

Maya Carrillo, Evelyn Hansen, Maya Durio, Aliyah Olajuwon, Lauren Blanchard, Chloe Poggemoeller and Sasha Spain that make up Daisy Troop #27552 filled care packages of food and other pantry staples, plus miscellaneous household items to be sent to the families in Bastrop that were affected by the wildfires.

Being the animal lovers that they are, Daisy Troop 27560 visited the Houston SPCA to earn the “Paw Pals” Girl Scout Patch. As part of the requirements, the troop had to collect donations and visit the shelter. Daisies visiting the shelter include Troop Leaders Tisha Walker and Regina Lacy, Daisies Naylo Peters, Kaitlyn Barry,

Kiryn Mookerjee, Gwendolyn Varnado, Madeleine Hanks, Morgan Walker, Isabela Douglas, Anabella Sloan, Reagan

Baimbridge, Lailah Bowie and Natalie Aguirre.

Katja dePeuter, Rebecca Rose, Kayia Adams, Kaila Delafance, Camille Harrell, Ava Auletti,

and Bridg’ette Fenton from Troop 21263 created signs that offered water saving tips and posted them throughout York Elementary

to spread their “SAVE WATER” message.

Junior Girl Scout Troop 27114 visited Pearland’s Saltgrass Steakhouse for a tour of the kitchen and restaurant to earn a component of the Simple Meals Badge. Pictured

are Erin McSpadden, Julie Henry, Kaitlyn Beaupre, Lauren Scott, Maya Prince, Meagan Hodges, Micah Williams,

Sydney Rouah, Audrey Maricle, Baleigh Stephens, Olivia Huhn, Allie Aloia and Hailey Moore.


Financial FocusAdvertorial


www.BrookesBoutiquePearland.com8209 Broadway, Suite 106, Pearland, TX 77581

(518 & Cullen – in the shopping center next to Kroger & McDonald’s)

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Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 7 pm | Sunday Noon - 5 pm

Designer Labels at a Fraction of

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Need a Better Tax Preparer?

We’re professionals–it’s what we do.We’ll make sure you get all the tax benefits available.

Call now for an appointment.

Taxes are complicated, so don’t trust them to just anyone. Let us take the worry and frustration of preparing your

personal or business income taxes off your hands.

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Your IncomeTaxes for 2011

There were a number of tax changes in 2011. Here’s a look at a few important tax tips that might help to reduce your income taxes and the stress of preparing your tax return:

April 17 TaxDeadline: Two Extra Days

Taxpayers across the nation will have until Tuesday, April 17, 2012 to file their 2011 tax returns and pay any taxes due. This is because April 15th falls on a Sunday, and April 16th is a holiday in the District of Columbia.

Tax Credits Extended Tax laws enacted in December 2010

extended several tax breaks into 2011, including the American Opportunity Credit (for college tuition costs for par-ents and dependent students), the child tax credit, and the expanded Earned In-come Tax Credit.

ResidentialEnergy Property Credit

This credit generally equals 10% of what a homeowner spends on eligible energy-saving improvements, up to a maximum tax credit of $500. Items that qualify include high-efficiency heating and A/C systems and water heaters along with labor costs for installation. Energy-efficient windows and skylights, doors, qualifying insulation and certain roofs also qualify for the credit exclud-ing installation costs.

Health Insurance Deductionfor Self-Employed Persons

In 2011, eligible self-employed indi-viduals and S corporation shareholders can deduct the costs of health insurance premiums. Health insurance covering the taxpayer, spouse and dependents generally qualifies for this deduction.

While some tax laws are clear cut, understanding the complex IRS tax code can get to be a bit daunting, which is why you should consult with a CPA to make sure you don’t overpay your income taxes. For more information, contact Patrick Cooper, CPA at (281) 488-1854 or www.cooperassociatescpa.com. H

Financial Focus Advertorial


At Andrew G. Shebay & Co., our CPA’s work with estates and trusts. In order to prepare a comprehensive es-tate plan, you need the following items:

• A current will - both you and your spouse• Current trusts• Power of Attorneys and medical directives• A summary of your assets and liabilities• Do some of your assets need management such as closely held business?• A list of your heirs with their age and special needs including education and medical• A desire to make charitable gifts• Partnership Agreements or agreements that could be affected by estate planning• A current tax returnsDue to our long history with our cli-

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Get Yourself (Financially) Organized This Year

Stressed from looking for — and not finding — that statement you need to file your 2011 tax return? Frustrated by the stacks of financial paperwork taking over your home office?

Despite good intentions, many people avoid dealing with growing volumes of statements, receipts and other financial documents because it’s not always easy to see a payoff for the effort to keep it all or-ganized. But, say financial experts, what seems like drudgery is actually money in your pocket — and a stress saver — when you need to support a tax deduction, prove you paid off a loan or just take care of your daily business affairs efficiently. How do you get started?

Choose or create a document management system that works best for your needs, whether it is paper-based, electronic or a combination of both. In-clude primary files for current bills, re-ceipts, financial account statements, family and personal records, insurance policies and legal documents.

Allocate a place within your sys-tem to accumulate and organize tax-related documents. You’ll thank your-self when tax time rolls around and you can quickly put your hands on everything you need to support tax-saving deduc-tions, exemptions and credits.

Keep only what’s necessary. Your accountant can advise you about how long to keep various types of financial records. Periodically purge files you no longer need and shred old, unnecessary paper documents to protect yourself from identity theft.

Go paperless, if possible. Increas-ingly, financial institutions (like Frost) and other companies offer a “paperless” document option, ridding you of tedious paper trails altogether.

Leave instructions. Make sure someone you trust knows how to access all your documents, accounts, policies and legal records — paper and electron-ic — in case you are unable to do so for yourself.

Looking for more ways to make the most of your money? Call Frost at 713-388-1425, or visit us at frostbank.com. H

estate and trusts’ unique accounting and tax issues. You determine which issues to be addressed. After those ar-eas have been discussed, the tax im-pact of the plan is reviewed.

Although the tax impact may affect the plan, the final decision of succes-sion planning may be driven by other factors. We realize it is important to remember the estate plan is driven by family dynamics and type of assets rather than only tax considerations.

Family owned and operated, we would be happy to talk to you regarding any of your tax matters. Our services also include preparation of federal and state income tax returns for individuals and their business ventures. We are conveniently located at 8703 Broadway Street, Suite 129, just West of Cullen. If you would like more information or an Estate Planning Guide, call us at 713-782-4524 or e-mail [email protected]. H

Planning for the Future: Estates and Trusts

Financial FocusAdvertorial


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Upscale PearlandConsignment Boutiques

Help You Save AND Make Money!

By Cecile Reynolds

When shopping these days, people are seeking more val-ue for their dollar and searching for sources of extra income. Consignment boutiques offer both answers that many have already discovered. But, if you aren’t one of them, it’s time for you to experience it for yourself!

Consignment boutiques partner with individuals to dis-play their quality items. When an item is sold, the money is split between the boutique and the seller. Consignment boutiques have high standards on the items they accept; therefore, you can expect to find name brand clothing and accessories that are in pristine condition.

Benefits for Sellers:• Drop off “no longer needed” quality items and let some-

one else deal with the sales transaction. No worries about bounced checks or handling cash.

• Avoid the hassles of online auctions and classified ads. Benefits for Buyers:

• You get something new and amazing without breaking the bank. • Upscale boutiques sell high-end designer merchandise that would otherwise be out of reach for many people.

Top Reasons to Consign:• Size: Gain or loss of weight or kids outgrowing clothes.• Change in Lifestyle: Retired or changed profession.• Change in Residence: New home with smaller closets and not enough room.• Bad Memories: Gifts from ex-boyfriend/ex-husband.• One Occasion Outfit: Formals, party dresses.

Top Reasons to Buy Resale:• Save Money: Champagne taste, beer budget.• Special Occasion: Why pay tons for a one-time outfit?• Children’s Clothing: Kids grow so fast!• Change of Size: No fun if it’s up, lots of fun if it’s down. • Accessories: Inexpensive and fun!• Save the Environment: Recycling at its finest.• And, It’s Fun: Unpredictable and a happy hunting ground for the unusual at affordable prices.At Brooke’s Boutique in Pearland, we provide our customers

with one-on-one, excellent service. It is our number one priority. Visit Brooke’s Boutique: Upscale Consignment of Women’s and Children’s Clothing and Accessories. We will help you earn cash, save money, and have fun!

Brooke’s Boutique is located one block from 518 and Cullen in the shopping center next to Kroger and McDonald’s. Visit www.BrookesBoutiquePearland.com or call 281-997-1001. H

See ad on page 41.

Living the Sweet Life: By Alisa Murraywww.AlisaMurray.com

Nationally recognized portrait artistand award-winning columnist.

Mothers and Daughters

I think there’s nothing more amazing than being a mother. It is crazy, but from the first time I laid eyes on my children, I began making comparisons to who

they look like. As babies, it was who’s feet and hands does she have ... does he have my eyes? As they got older and began to become more themselves, other traits and interests emerged.

Parenting a daughter is for me more difficult than parent-ing a son … at least for right now. I shun the idea that a correct assessment could be made by saying it has anything to do with me having lost my own mother. I doubt that at all. I do though, see clearly that I want for my daughter to be like me – driven. I want for her goals to be similar to mine … to be the best. PERIOD. I have a tendency to push my daughter harder than my son, and luckily, Brian has a tendency for the opposite. He pushes James Edward harder than Victoria Ann. That is why it is almost impossible to correctly parent without both parents working together!

There’s got to be a common ground in parenting that I am coming to find more of a reality than an anomaly. Like in a suc-cessful marriage, after all the butterflies leave the air and the years set in, you have to have something else – commonalities. This is why I never could nor will I ever understand all the marriages between people of vastly different walks of life. Brian and I have “meat and taters” stuff we like and stuff we agree on. These hobbies, interests and ideals have to be intertwined, otherwise the relationship fails. Being raised in the same small town and going to church and activities together has helped too, I am sure.

Parenting is complex and scores of books have been writ-ten on the parenting of a same sex child. Opposite sex parent-ing, on the other hand, is easier. Fathers and daughters and mothers and sons supposedly have a special relationship. That is, of course, the excuse made when eyes roll at the antics of a

mother-in-law or the hysterical father of the bride when fathers feel like they are loosing a precious daughter. The dichotomy of parenting a same sex child lends itself to seeing more imperfec-tions in oneself, and sometimes, the desire to mold the child into something you wanted to be or once were. That, I think, is the key to understanding why so many mothers and daughters fight particularly during the teen years.

I began to discover a clearer picture of how commonalties played an intrinsic part of my relationship with my daughter after she began attending ballet. I had signed her up for ballet when she was very little and after a recital, she was disinter-ested. “Oh well, I thought. She’s not going to be a ballerina....moving on!” But as she turned 13, she began to show interest in the stage. She surprised us by doing karaoke to a packed house. Later, she wrote her own songs and won in talent shows. She asked to take ballet, and I shopped for what I believed to be a perfect studio. I knew she knew I had taken ballet from first grade through high school, and although I never made a big deal out of it, I truly love ballet. Eventually I danced in a company and performed on pointe.

Each Monday night, it became a big deal for me and only me to take her to dance. I would pack up the iPad and grocery list and drop her off for the class. Instead of fighting with her broth-er in the car or trying to play really loud what I call “BOOM BOOM BOOM” music, she actually wanted to talk to me. We became increasingly closer, and I looked forward to taking her and watching her dance. Within weeks she was asking for pointe shoes, and I knew she had the legs (They are mine! LOL) strong enough to do it! I just smiled and explained to her that it had taken me years of preparation to get pointe shoes. Eventu-ally, her teacher observed her and granted her permission to get those shoes. It was a wonderful evening seeing the sparkle in her eyes and the anticipation of getting to do this. I remembered the day I got my own.

Now, I have a ballerina who after school, puts on pointe shoes and walks around the house in the special slippers on her toes. I have to say it ... “Just like me!” Recently, I told her of how each pair of my toe shoes had hung off my canopy bed. Once their boxes were broken, they had to be replaced, but I never threw any of them away! “I took them off my bed and packed them up when your Daddy and I got married,” I told her. “They are in the attic somewhere!” She looked at me and smiled. Commonalities. Ballet has brought us closer. I am looking forward to when she will perform. I want to sit front and center for her, for my mother that never got to see me do it, and of course, for myself!

Take Care of You!

Alisa and Victoria Ann



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9th Annual Red Hat Literacy Luncheon Benefiting the Adult Reading Center

Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 10:30 am Knights of Columbus, Pearland, TX

Mistress of Ceremonies Elissa Rivas, Channel 13 News Anchor

Featured Speaker Jana Mullins, Author

Open Hands: Lessons on Giving and Receiving

All proceeds support the Adult Reading Center whose mission is to provide FREE instruction to adults with limited English literacy skills. Join us in…

Growing a Literate Community

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 281.485.1000 or visit www.adultreadingcenter.org

The response of the community to Pet Hub Animal Rescue’s Operation Paperback program was overwhelming. According to Tammy Dexter, Pet Hub Animal Rescue Executive Director, “The program far exceeded all expectations. The community do-nated approximately 1,500 books to the initiative and more than 60 shipments were sent to fulfill requests from our troops.”

The troops clearly appreciated the support. In the words of one soldier in Kabul who received books from Operation Paper-

back, “On behalf of the whole multina-tional team [in] Kabul, we just wanted to pass on our thanks for the kind donation of novels by Volunteers of Operation Pa-perback. It’s difficult to explain or under-estimate that little spark of interest and excitement when you come across a new or old, familiar novel to read. As you can appreciate, the battle tempo in Afghani-stan is such that you’re always waiting for that flight at 3 in the morning - so to have a novel to hand in your combat jack-et is a lifesaver and helps keep you sane or at the very least provides that welcome distraction. So, from the Brits, Germans and US personnel of the Medical Branch in Kabul, many thanks.”

Given the overwhelming response to Operation Paperback, Pet Hub Animal Rescue plans to repeat this event for the community each January.

Pet Hub Animal Rescue rescues and fosters homeless animals until perma-nent homes are found through station-ary adoptions at Silverlake Animal Hos-pital and mobile adoptions at Pearland PetSmart, promotes spay/neuter pro-grams, and helps return lost pets to their owners through its free PETS411 service. For further information, visit at www.pet-hub-rescue.org. H

Pet Hub’s Operation PaperbackA Huge Success

Dropping off books at a residential drop off point are Dan Dexter, Yossef Alsabawi,Meredith McNichols and Coby McNichols.

Headliners continued from page 21


Remember the day you said “I do” like it was yesterday.

Real Weddings

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A Sad Memory for Pearlanders

In 1937, after 22 years of Pearland students attending high school in Webster, Pearland opened its brand new high school on Grand Boulevard. Today, it is the administration

building for the Pearland Community College Center marked with a Texas Historical marker.

When the school opened in the fall of 1937, the new Superin-tendent B. B. Ainsworth went up to Sam Houston State College in Huntsville and Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches and hired a group of young and energetic teachers. Superinten-dent Ainsworth also asked the new young teachers to create extracurricular activities to give the high school students after school enjoyment. Among the new teachers were Coach Lloyd C. Hawkins, Principal and history teacher, Billy Wall, typing and bookkeeping teacher, Oleta Campbell (who would later be Mrs. Lloyd C. Hawkins), English teacher Fay Brookshire Hunt-er and home economics teacher Hazel Skinner. Oleta Camp-bell started a weekly evening dance class at the old gymnasium where she and Hazel Skinner tried to teach the high school boys and girls the steps to whatever dances were in vogue at the time. In reminiscing about their high school days, many of the men looking back spoke of looking forward to the weekly dance lessons and particularly dancing with Oleta Campbell and Hazel Muetz.

Historically Pearland By John D. “Mickey” Mark, President – Pearland Historical Society

For more Pearland history, visit the Pearland Historical Society @ www.pearlandhistoricalsociety.org.

Walter Muertz ‘s wreck resulted in changes to the Gulf Freeway.

Oleta Campbell Hawkins and Hazel Skinner Muetz at the Pearland Historical Society Annual Reunion Luncheon in 2007. Both ladies have since passed away.

When Hazel Skinner Muetz passed away, it brought to mind another story which some very long time Pearlanders probably thought about. Sometime in the early 40’s, a young doctor by the name of Walter Muetz opened his office behind the old cor-ner drugstore at 518 and 35. Dr. Muetz came to the U.S. in 1940 after fleeing from Vienna and the Nazi regime in 1939. He spent seven months in a refugee camp in England prior to his coming to the U.S. He became a U. S. citizen in 1944. He fulfilled a real need in Pearland and was an extremely popular physician. Some-time in the early 40’s, probably around 1944, Dr. Muetz married the pretty and popular high school home economics teacher, Ha-

zel Skinner. The Muetz’s made their home in a house on East Houston Street just south of what is now the Pearland State Bank parking lot. Within a couple of years, Dr. Muetz moved his practice and his home to Garden Villas. Al-though his practice was in Garden Villas, a majority of Pearland citizens still considered Water Muetz as “their doctor.” The move to Garden Villas made Dr. Muetz’s drive to St. Joseph Hospital much quicker and easier. Over the next several years the Muetz had three children – a daughter, Susan, and two sons, Richard and Eric. Dr. Muetz’s drive to St. Joseph became even easier when the Gulf Freeway was extended to Gulfgate. On Wednesday, April 4, 1956, Hazel Skinner Muetz was shocked when she received the tragic news that Dr. Walter Muetz had been killed in a wreck on the Gulf Freeway. Not only was the news devastating to Hazel Muetz, but it also was a shock to all Pearlanders and resulted in a major change to the Gulf Freeway.

Prior to the wreck, the outbound and inbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway were separated by only an esplanade. In the wreck which killed Dr. Muetz, an off duty policeman was driving fast and reck-lessly on the inbound lane when his car jumped the esplanade and hit Dr. Muetz’s car head on. Dr. Muetz’s car exploded in flames killing him instantly. After the wreck, the City of Houston put up a chain link fence between the outbound and inbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway. A sad day for Pearland. Just a bit of Pearland history from many years past. H

Dr. Walter Muetz.

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Khursheed Banglawala, M.D.Family Medicine

Pearland

Miranda Wang-Gor, M.D.Family Medicine

Pearland

Quang Bui, M.D.Family MedicineWest Pearland

Chieu Foo, M.D.Family MedicineWest Pearland

Marta Molina, M.D.Family MedicineWest Pearland

Zenithe Pierre, M.D.Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

West Pearland

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PUBLICATION:Pearland Focus MagazineINSERTION:March/April 2012MATERIALS DUE:02-10-12LATITUDE JOB NUMBER: MHH-11-0011 CLIENT: Memorial Hermann JOB NAME: Pearland and West PearlandMedical Group AdLIVE: n/aSIZE: 7.25" x 9.75"BLEED: NONECOLORS: 4cp/0 133 ls; SWOP 280 FORMAT: Press Ready PDF X TRG link to Pub. QUESTIONS CALL: Pat Hartman @ 214-696-7913

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March/April 2012 - Pearland Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings