To heighten awareness of this ever-present threat in  surrounding areas and throughout the country, Liberty Mutual is providing  Harmony School of Science Sugar Land with a crashed vehicle for a safety demonstration for freshman and sophomores at the high school on May 22,  beginning at 11:00 a.m.  The program will feature a real-life depiction of the dangers of drinking and driving, and the roles of the Sugar Land Police Department and Sugar Land Fire Department while responding to car crash involiving a drunken driver

“Teen drivers in our community have the potential to set a meaningful example for their peers,” said Alonzo Everhart, an Insurance Sales Professional for Liberty Mutual’s Sugar Land office.  “Through activities such as our crashed car demonstration, we can encourage positive decision-making among teens and prevent drinking and driving on prom night.”

Schools also play a vital role in curbing dangerous behaviors.  According to a 2011 study by Liberty Mutual and SADD of more than 2,200 high school students, 89 percent of teens reported their schools have programs or policies in place to prevent teens from engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as underage drinking, at school-related functions.  The outcome is positive: according to the Liberty Mutual/SADD survey, only 6 percent of high school students say they have driven under the influence on prom night.  This is a stark contrast to the perception of this behavior among their peers: in a 2009 study, 90 percent of teens felt their peers would be more likely to drink and drive after prom than at other times of the year.

The Liberty Mutual/SADD teen driving study is part of a robust library of resources for parents and teens to navigate the early driving years.  Helpful, easy-to-navigate tools are found at www.LibertyMutual.com/TeenDriving, including a Parent/Teen Driving Contract designed for families to jointly discuss responsible driving habits, and to customize mutually agreed consequences and rewards for behaviors such as cell phone use, text messaging, speeding, seat belts, alcohol and other drug use, and curfews.  Additionally, the website provides state-by-state teen driving laws, practice permit tests, and video demonstrations of safe driving techniques.

All participants should be prepared to sing for 60 to 90 seconds without musical accompaniment.  In addition, contestants must be over 14 years of age and residents of Fort Bend County to be eligible for competition.

For more information about the competition, including contestant applications, visit SugarLandTownSquare.com.

Photo by Max Wolf

Some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. A truck caught on fire on Mothers Day  on Highway 59, between Hwy. 6 and Williams Trace. This photo was taken as a Sugar Land fireman was putting out the blaze. Cause of fire was undetermined and no injuries reported.

Kyle Dawson, Skeeters Sr. Director Community Development, Evelyn Traylor, Event Coordinator and SFC Celso Pacheco (Center) join the 72nd BSTB National Guard Unit to discuss plans for the May 28 Legacy of Freedom-Saluting Our Heroes event.

Plans are underway for Fort Bend County citizens, county and city officials and civic organizations to come together in a countywide event to honor those who have given their lives for our country, our veterans as well as those who will be entering the Armed Forces in 2013.

The event, “ Legacy of Freedom-Saluting Our Heroes”, will be held in conjunction with the Skeeters home game on Tuesday, May 28 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 5:45 pm.

Officials from the city, county and state will be presenting proclamations to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces.  As part of the event, the 72nd BSTB National Guard Unit and other first responders will be on hand to show off their latest equipment and technology.

Make plans to join us.  For ticket information and those wishing to sponsor a ticket for a veteran and/or new enlistee, please contact the Skeeters Box Office at (281) 240-HITS or www.sugarlandskeeters.com. The ticket price will be $8 Field Box seats (regular price $12).

Due to inclement weather, event organizers were forced to reschedule the popular event, originally slated for April 27.

Auditions were held in March and the judges selected finalists, ages 9 to 13, to perform during the live finale.

Due to the popularity of Sugar Land Superstar, Town Square’s American Idol-like singing competition held each summer, Junior Superstar was created to provide a venue for the community’s younger vocal talent. Last year, celebrity judges named eleven-year-old Selena Packard the 2012 Sugar Land Junior Superstar.

Come out and see who will be named the 2013 Sugar Land Junior Superstar! This event is free and open to the public.

For more information on the competition, visit SugarLandTownSquare.com.

Shown left to right:  Lynette McQueen, Carrie Sample, Tour Chairman-Cheryl Swanson, Sue Jordan, Rose Ann Acosta, Beverly Todd, Vicki Fordyce and last, but missing, Diana Miller.

“The Secret Gardens of Sugar Lakes” is the theme for this year’s Sugar Land Garden Club’s 14th annual Spring Garden Tour. On Saturday, May 18 from 9 am to 3 pm, the public is invited to tour nine unique private gardens in the Sugar Lakes subdivision.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased the day of the tour at any one of the tour locations, 534 Kingfisher Dr., 403 Kingfisher Dr., 814 Kittiwake Ct., 234 Kingfisher Dr., 819 Oyster Creek @ Teal, 206 Brook Forest Trail, 407 Baybridge Dr., 871 Harbour Place, 1122 Heron Way.

For more information visit:  sugarlandgardenclub.org click on Tour and click on map.

RAIN DATE: Sugar Land Garden Tour moves to May 18th. www.sugarlandgardenclub.org

NATIONAL POLICE WEEK: Missouri City has never lost a police officer in the line of duty.

FLAG POLE APPROVAL? Contact your HOA about placement of the pole in your yard. Caution: Do “not” put it in the easement of your lot. You run the risk of having to remove it to allow for utility repairs, etc.

GLEN LAKES OFFICE BUILDING: City Code Enforcement has inspected the property and identified several code violations. This information has been given to the attorneys for the estate because the property owner is now deceased. An on-site meeting with all “parties” is planned to discuss eliminating the violations.

SAVE THE DATE: PROUD’s annual Memorial Day Kids, Bike, Dog and Wagon Parade. Monday, May 27th. Registration forms: QV Pro Shop.

PARENT’S NIGHT OUT: QV Recreation/Tennis Center Additional Information: 281-403-8637.

PROUD NOW HAS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: There is a simple registration on Proud’s Facebook page. Go to: www.facebook.com/qvproud and click on the link under our banner called “email registration

SUPPORT QUAIL VALLEY PROUD. Help PROUD sponsor QV Projects: Youth Programs, Community Appearance, Community Safety, and Educational Support for Quail Valley Schools. We need your assistance in the form of a tax deductible donation of $25 or more.”

MAIL YOUR DONATION TO: Frost Bank, Lock box Department, Quail Valley PROUD, P. O. Box 367 Dept. 06, Houston, Texas 77001.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Email the PROUD HOTLINE at QVProud@aol.com. OR Phone 281-438-4714.

SIGN UP FOR QUAIL VALLEY NEWS. Email your name/address to: ViewsNewsList@aol.com 

Sam & Diane Livingston are shown in their celebration of life garden. The Quail Valley Garden Club thanks you for record attendance at its April 27 Backyard Tour!

Quail Valley Yard of the Month winners are Sam & Dianne Livingston of 3614 Ridgeview. Not just a sight for those who love roses, it’s a series of free-form beds full of roses, hibiscus, variegated flax, Bulbine, Society Garlic, hawthorne, & Asparagus Fern.

Anchoring the free-form beds and interesting statuary are beds along the house, drive and garage that welcome the visitor with many surprises including two small courtyards on each side of the front door. All use a diversity of well-adapted plants to our region such as Bottlebrush, Aspidistra and Nandina.

Dianne says the garden was her solace when fighting a major disease. In an area known for beautiful gardens, you’ll want to drive-by this garden because of its celebration of life.

The Livingston’s received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Quail Valley Garden Club and a plant from Flowers by Adela. Membership info www.traction.typepad.com/QVGC

The Skeeters received another great start by Jason Lane, who went seven strong innings of one run ball.  They also receive power on homeruns by Dustin Martin and Aaron Bates, as well as two more RBIs by Dominic Ramos that accounted for half of the eight runs in the win.

The Skeeters returned home on Tuesday to take on the Bridgeport Bluefish for the first time this season, for a six game home stand.

Skeeters Highlights 

• Jason Lane: 7IP, 4H, R, 3K
• Dustin Martin:  2-5, 2RBI, 2R
• Steve Moss: 2-4, BB, R
• Aaron Bates: 3-5, R, 2 RBI
• Dominic Ramos: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, SB
• Kevin Rios: 2-4, R

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert expressed the community’s loss during a commissioners court meeting acknowledging her committed public servant contributions.