Sugar Land, TX News (December 17, 2013) - For the fifth consecutive year, Martha Turner Properties partnered with The Carmen and David Bridges Joyful Toyful to provide toys for children in need during the holidays.

VP and Partner Tom Anderson and VP of Sales Marilyn Thompson with Martha Turner Properties’ Joyful Toyful Collection

Now in its twentithird year, Joyful Toyful distributes toys to local charities Boys and Girls Harbor, Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, The Forge for Families, and Volunteer Houston. Collected toys must be new and unwrapped and appropriate for children aged infant through high school.

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December 17th 2013 Posted to Community News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

SugarLand, TX News (December 13, 2013) - A packed winter social calendar, endless temptations for fattening holiday foods, and mounting holiday expenses may make one want to hide under the covers until spring.

These feelings could be signs of the winter blues, said Catherine Powers-James, Ph.D., clinical psychologist in integrative medicine at MD Anderson. ”During winter months, some people experience feelings similar to depression,” Powers-James said.

And, the shorter days and darker nights of winter can amplify this sluggish mood. Daylight lets the body know when it should be awake and asleep. So, more sunlight makes people more alert and less sunlight makes people groggier. As a result, people crave comfort foods, lack interest in their usual hobbies, and have less energy to exercise during winter.

“But giving in to unhealthy habits can not only negatively affect your health, but also cause extra stress,” said Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., professor and director of integrative medicine at MD Anderson.

Cohen and Powers-James offer these strategies to help avoid or overcome a winter slump:

1. Eat a healthy diet. Feeling blue can make it easy to desire foods high in fat, carbohydrates and sugar. But try to resist temptation. (more…)

December 13th 2013 Posted to Health News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

Sugarland, TX News (December 12, 2013) - Suresh Thampi, RN, is Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s DAISY Award winner, a national honor that recognizes the contributions of extraordinary nurses.

Suresh, house supervisor, was chosen because he always offers the highest level of compassion and support to fellow nurses. He is known for his cheerfulness and great attitude, even during high stress situations. He is honest and ethical in everything he does, and he is an inspiration to other nurses in the hospital for his strong devotion to work and the Houston Methodist I CARE values.

DAISY Award recipient, Suresh Thampi, RN, with wife and the DAISY Award committee.

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December 12th 2013 Posted to Health News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

• Marble Slab Creamery 12510 Fountain Lake Circle Stafford TX 281-980-0543 www.marbleslab.com
  Enjoy the freshest ice Cream on earth, with a variety of gourmet flavor and fixings, as well as the best fresh-baked cookies and brownies.
• Marble Slab Creamery 15227 SW Fwy., Sugar Land, TX 281-565-1717
• Marble Slab Creamery 6250 Hwy 6 S., Missouri City, TX 281-208-5140
• Marble Slab Creamery First Colony Mall, Sugar Land, TX 281-565-7522

December 11th 2013 Posted to Ice Cream Shops,Restaurants |  Email This Post

SugarLand, TX News (December 10, 2013) ― Like most teachers, Christina Martinez-Benitez has a hobby she enjoys while away from the classroom.

Unlike most teachers, Martinez-Benitez’s hobby is collecting Grammys.

Martinez-Benitez, in her second year as the Director of Bands at Wessendorff Middle School, recently went to Las Vegas to collect the Latin Grammy for Best Children’s Album.

Christina Martinez-Benetiz in the Wessendorff Band Hall

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December 10th 2013 Posted to School News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

Sugar Land, TX (December 5, 2013) ― Cornerstone Christian Academy staff and families honored 50 fourth- through seventh-grade students who qualified for the Duke University Talent Identification Program. In order to qualify for this nationally elite group, students must score in the 95th percentile or above in a nationally normed standardized test.

“This is a great accomplishment for our students and our school,” says school principal Gracie Stelly. “It really is a reflection of CCA’s growth in the area of academic excellence. I can’t wait to see how many more we add to this group next year.”

December 05th 2013 Posted to School News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

Sugar Land, TX (December 5, 2013) ― The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is offering two scholarship programs to assist women in Fort Bend County who desire to further their education.

The FBJSL Volunteer Scholarship - The FBJSL Volunteer Scholarship applicant must be an outstanding Fort Bend female high school senior who has completed at least 100 hours of high school community service, has a minimum GPA of 2.5 and desires to pursue higher education in the 2014-2015 school year.

The FBJSL New Beginnings Scholarship - The FBJSL New Beginnings Scholarship applicant must be a Fort Bend woman who has a specific degree or career advancement goal in mind and who has had a break in her education following high school graduation, completion of her GED, or last full-time semester at an accredited college, vocational school or university.

Front row (from left): BRC Members Katherine Minter and Katharine Hunton; Volunteer Scholarship Recipient Arielle Schochler; Volunteer Scholarship Recipient Victoria Rigsby; and FBJSL President Laura Thompson. Back row (from left): BRC Members Renee Jaramillo, Tanya Pal and Tin Salas.

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December 05th 2013 Posted to Community News,School News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

Sugar Land, TX (December 4, 2013) ― Let Sugar Land’s Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa pamper you on Sunday, January 26 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Make a donation to the Fort Bend Education Foundation of $10 and you will receive one of the following for free: mini facial, mini massage, hot towel foot treatment, hot towel hand treatment, peppermint scalp massage, mini cold stone face massage or aromatherapy.

Shelbie Farquar, Preet Munday, Terri Wang, FBEF VP of Community Affairs, Rafael Marquez; Owner, Peggy Jackson, FBEF Board Member Randi Henson, and Morghann Milburn

Additional mini spa services available for $10 each. Snacks and beverages will be served, along with games and prizes and introductory memberships specials. Additionally 10% of all other retail sales will be donated to the Foundation. Space is limited. Reserve your space today by calling 281-265-0065.

December 04th 2013 Posted to Business News,School News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post

Sugar Land, TX (December 3, 2013) ― A team of Fort Bend ISD Title I Social Workers have been invited to present a session during the 23^rd Annual Texas School Social Workers Conference, which will take place February 26-28 in Austin. The conference is designed to give school-based social service providers the skills, strategies and technologies needed for school social work practice in the year 2014 and beyond.

Pictured (from left) are: Kristie Valdez, Regina Garza, LaSonya McArthur, Sara Stansbury, and Priti Avantsa.

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December 03rd 2013 Posted to School News,Sugar Land Texas News |  Email This Post