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

Pictured from left to right are: (Back Row) Coach Harlan Vossos, Josh Werner, Andre Davis, Zach Zost, Cameron Henry, Coach Ryan Karnowski, Jackson Cormier, Cole Karnowski and Jaydn Whitsitt. (Front Row) Coach Tom Pepe, Nic Pepe, Conner Sauer, Justin Vossos, Peyton Vossos, Kade Baron and Coach Karl Baron. Not pictured are Coach Trace Werner and Coach Willie Davis.

The boys from Spikes baseball continue to roll with an impressive tournament win at the Texas Prospects Classic in Tomball, Texas.

After a 1-1 pool record, the boys came out on Sunday and beat the Banditos White 14-4, Pro-way Colt 45′s 11-3 and avenged their Saturday loss in huge fashion by beating the Texas Royals from Humble 25-7.

This was a complete team effort and the team would like to thank their sponsors again(Gee Eye Care, JP Morgan, Boyar Miller, Title Club Boxing, Parks and Associates, PC, Markham Development LLC, Savelovegive.com and Dr. Schaffer) for all the support. They also welcome the newly added Texas Direct Auto to the Spikes family.

The movie series will begin on Saturday, June 1, with a crime caper starring Tyler Perry as a federal prosecutor who relocates a Wall Street investment banker’s family to the safest witness-protection house he can think of – his own aunt’s home down South. His aunt and uncle find themselves managing a completely dysfunctional family from Connecticut, but are determined to whip the family into shape with their own hilarious brand of tough love. Showtime is 1:00 pm. This movie is rated PG-13.

The series continues on Saturday, June 8, with an action-adventure mystery based on a series of novels written by Robert Ludlum. When information about Black Ops Treadstone and Black Briar is leaked to the press, the men in charge decide to shut down all operations and make sure everyone involved “disappears.” Aaron Cross, a member of the Outcome special ops, survives the attempt on his life and faces life-or-death stakes triggered by the events of the first three films in this hugely popular series. Showtime is 1:00 pm. This movie is rated PG-13.

The action-adventure film on Saturday, June 15, stars Daniel Craig as James Bond. When Bond’s latest assignment goes gravely wrong and agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked, forcing M to relocate the agency. With MI6 compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond. Showtime is 1:00 pm. This movie is rated PG-13.

The feature film on Saturday, June 22, is a comedy-action-sci-fi film starring Will Smith as Agent J, a streetwise NYPD detective who joins a secret organization that polices extraterrestrial affairs on Earth. Boris the Animal breaks out of a moon-based maximum-security prison and goes back in time to eliminate the person who arrested him – Agent K. When he does so, Agent J realizes that the time line has been changed, and he follows Boris back in time to July 15, 1969 – the day before Agent K is killed. After overcoming some disbelief, Agent J convinces Agent K of who he is and why he is there, and they enlist the help of a being who can see all time lines to track down the escaped villain. This movie is rated PG-13. Showtime is 1:00 pm.

The special feature on Saturday, June 29, is a 2012 action film with a star-studded cast, including Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Nick Fury is director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D.. When global security is threatened by Loki and his cohorts, Fury pulls together an elite team of Marvel Super Heroes, including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow, to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. This movie is rated PG-13. Showtime is 1:00 pm.

All of the movies are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the featured movies, call the branch library at 281-238-2100 or the library’s Public Information Office at 281-341-2677.

All of these unplanned puppies and kittens lead to homeless dogs and cats roaming the county or being abandoned by their owners. Too often the end result is that these animals are picked up by animal control agencies and if no home can be found they are euthanized.

To promote spaying and neutering during the month of March, the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) will be making 2 visits to the area. During the visits free spaying and neutering will be available to Fort Bend County residents who receive government assistance (food stamps, free lunch program in school, Medicaid, TANF, WIC) and senior citizens aged 65 and over.

Spaying or neutering household pets not only stops overpopulation, but provide other benefits for both pets and their families. For example, spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of developing uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the threat of mammary cancer.

Behavior may be improved after neutering as male cats tend to reduce territorial spraying, neutered cats and dogs fight less, and male dogs and cats tend to stay home more after neutering because they no longer wander in search of a mate. Spaying and neutering may cause mild discomfort with most pets returning to normal activity with 24 to 72 hours.

Come visit the SNAP bus on Tuesday, May 21, at the new Missouri City Animal Control, 1923 Scanlin Road.

Clients will be selected from a lottery, which will be held between 6:30 and 7:30 AM when the advance team arrives on-site. There is no point in arriving until just before the lottery begins. The lottery will determine your place in line.

Please do not feed your dog or cat after 10 p.m. the night before surgery. To qualify, proof of participation in one of the following programs is required: food stamps, free lunch program in schools, Medicaid, major VA disability, Section 8 housing, SSI/SSD, TANF, and WIC. Citizens age 65 and older are also eligible.

If you do not qualify, please call 713-862-8001 for information on reduced-cost spaying and neutering.

For more information call 800-762-7762 or visit www.snapus.org.

The students move their feet on the wireless mat as directed on the video.

• “DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition” – an “exergame” demonstrated to encourage physical activity – now incorporated into physical education curriculum at Glover Elementary in Missouri City

• Special collaboration between the companies part of a nationwide effort to improve the health and wellbeing of young people

UnitedHealthcare and KONAMI Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced a joint effort to reduce childhood obesity in  Texas by installing the new DanceDanceRevolution (DDR) Classroom Edition at Glover Elementary in Missouri City. DDR Classroom Edition is the latest iteration of the popular dance game, also known as an “exergame,” that has shown to encourage physical activity among adults and children.

DDR Classroom Edition is an interactive video game that combines physical activity with energetic music and visuals. The game and associated hardware technology, which was developed by Performance Designed Products, enables up to 24 students in Glover Elementary to participate simultaneously, using wireless mat controllers that feature a smart card reader that tracks each student’s individual progress. While students move to the beat, teachers receive vital information about their students’ health including steps, body mass index (BMI) and estimated caloric burn rate.

Besides Glover, KONAMI and UnitedHealthcare have installed the game at two other schools in Georgia and Florida. The participating schools, with assistance from KONAMI and UnitedHealthcare, will use the game to track its impact on students’ health, well-being and activity levels.

“Physical fitness is an important element in the development of young people, and this program helps encourage daily exercise in an entertaining and interactive way,” said Dena Scott, Assistant Athletic Director for the Fort Bend Independent School District. “By using exergames such as this one, we are helping our students recognize that exercise can be fun and rewarding – lessons that can last a lifetime. We appreciate the efforts from UnitedHealthcare and Konami to bring this innovative program to our district.”
Studies indicate “exergaming,” which refers to video games such as DDR Classroom Edition that are also a form of exercise, have the potential to reduce the growing obesity epidemic among children and adults. In fact, a study published this year by George Washington University found that exergames such as DDR “spurred (students) to move enough to meet the recommended intensity criteria for vigorous activity” and that these games are “a useful alternative to traditional physical education.”

Missouri City is excited to share the continuing success of the “Show Me City” at its premier City Centre at Quail Valley. Mayor Allen Owen will welcome regional partners to his annual “State of the City” at its first-class facility to showcase the City’s accomplishments during the past year. The event will focus on Missouri City’s strong citizen and business partnerships and will feature special tributes to both.

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Division continues to provide Chamber members with access to local and state government officials and to provide the business community with an opportunity for input on these issues.  Details of upcoming seminars can be found at www.FortBendChamber.com.

Keep informed and engaged by attending this important and relevant luncheon.  Event Sponsor is available for $1,500 – Event Underwriter Sponsors available for $800 – Corporate Tables for 8 available for $400 – Individual Admission available for $35 – Non-Member Admission available for $45.

Register today at www.FortBendChamber.com  or contact Matthew Ferraro at 281-491-0277 or matthew@fortbendcc.org.

WHAT IS ON THE MAY 11 BALLOT? www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=1099 

QVPROUD DECALS. If you donated $25 or more to PROUD you received two QVPROUD car decals in the mail. Takes a quick process to attach it to the “OUTSIDE” back window of your car. (1) clean and wipe down the car window (2) peel the blue backer off the sticker (3) Adhere the sticker to the window, smooth it out with soft dry cloth.

UPDATE: WATERFALLS EL DORADO ENTRANCE: The QVFUND HOA has 4 different contractors trying to find a solution. It continues to be a “work in progress”. Additional information? Contact QVFUND@AOL.COM.

NEED APPROVAL FOR LANDSCAPING? Contact your HOA to make sure you will be in compliance with your Deed Restrictions. If you do not have the contact information for your HOA then Email QVPROUD@aol.com for this information.

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

FYI: The Fort Bend County Agricultural Agent recommends that home owners with lawns avoid the “weed and feed” combinations of fertilizer. The “weed and feed” could damage your shrubs and trees. For additional information and/or questions: JB.Holladay@ag.tamu.edu

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

UNICEF is a worldwide organization that saves millions of children in 190 different countries and territories that are in poverty. These innocent children are subject to dehydration, malnutrition, abuse and exploitation. Many children are caught in the horrors of war and because of their helplessness they cannot fend for themselves. UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, psychological care throughout the world.

Every penny donated counts for these children. Please join them May 11, from 10am – 4pm at Oyster Creek Park (on Highway 6) in Sugar Land to help support this noble cause in what is sure to be a day of fun for the entire family.