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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY JUNE 21st


WHAT CHANCE DOES HE HAVE?
         His father deserted the family leaving him, his brother, and his uneducated mother, in the slums of Detroit. In school he was called dumb but his mother made her two boys read books and write essays on them. She checked and marked their papers. Maybe she could read them and maybe not, but within a year her dumb son was one of the smart kids. He went on to become a doctor. You might have heard of him as he was the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head. Judging by his environment he didn’t stand a chance of being a famous doctor. And now he is running for president. Does Dr. Ben Carson stand a chance?
 TRUANCY —A CRIME
Some people think the way truancy is handled as a crime, is a crime. Deron Harrington,  a Sienna Plantation resident and parent of Fort Bend ISD students, has filed a class action non-monetary” lawsuit  over the legality of the Fort Bend Truancy Court.
Harrington with the help of three other lawyers, wants to close the Truancy Court on the grounds that it violates the Texas Constitution, students constitutional rights, and their due process. The lawsuit names 12 defendants, including Fort Bend ISD superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, the FBISD board, Ft. Bend County Judge Robert Hebert, Ft. Bend Truancy Court Judge Nina Schaefer and Pct 3 Justice of the Peace Kenneth Cannata.
Last month, Dr. Dupre announced that the district was suspending its truancy program. In Truancy Court, students can face a Class C Misdemeanor charge. No new cases will be referred to the Truancy Court this year, and cases waiting to be heard will be dismissed. But there are still as many as 600 cases still in the system, according to Harrington. The class action suit aims to prove that all citations should be void and unlawful.”

The U. S. Justice Department announced an investigation of the only other Truancy Court in the state, in Dallas County. Harsh truancy policies made headlines when a Houston-area judge jailed Diane Tran, 17, for missing too much school and fined her $100. Tran was an 11th grade honor student working two jobs to support siblings after her parents divorced and moved out of state. Tran's treatment attracted the public's attention, but thousands of students and their parents are regularly churned through similar courts without public scrutiny of the process, its costs, or its effectiveness.
         Poor attendance can bring a schools rating down not to mention the money the state pays based on each day each student is in class.
State Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) has led the charge to decriminalize truancy. Texas is one of just two states that has students face truancy charges in an adult court.
HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED!
About 1922, an airplane flew right over Almeda School. The students watched out of the two-story windows as the plane made a forced landing north of Almeda Genoa Road. The boys took off without even thinking the that the teacher would object. “You boys come back,” fell on deaf ears.
In less than ten minutes, they were running their fingers over every inch of the plane and asking the pilot a million questions as he tinkered with the motor. After he made some adjustments, he told the boys to stand back as he spun the propeller. The wind seemed to tear their clothes off. Over the roar of the engine  through the swirling dust, the pilot yelled, “Anybody want a ride.”
The skies looked friendly but would the ground be friendly when they came down? The plane roared off without a passenger. The boys stood around kicking the dirt, discussing aeronautical engineering until they decided they ’best’ go home and give their teacher a chance to reflect on the educational benefits of their impromptu field trip.  
An excerpt from
Back Yonder in Almeda which starts with the survey of Sims Bayou. Pick up a copy at Debbie’s Barber Shop (next to Parker’s Hardware) in the 14000 block of Almeda Road for $12 or have a copy mailed to you for $14.50. Send a check to Our News P. O. Box 450336 Houston, TX 77245
The book is $12 Postage $2.50
call 713 433 1098 for more info


 HURRICANE SEASON JUNE 1– NOVEMBER 30th        
         The website www.harrisready.org or Regional Joint Information Center has the most up to date information and plans in the event of any type of disaster except a volcano.
         Since the evacuation a few years ago was a disaster, plans are in place that are more workable. A mandatory evacuation will be given out by zip codes. Counter flow lanes on freeways can now be opened up quickly. Designated routes will be provided with gasoline and other necessities. Plans for pets, even horses, are in place.
Usually with a hurricane, we have days to prepare, but some disasters, might require a ten-minute mandatory evacuation. Would you know what to take? Would you have a designated person to call in case you  are separated from other family members. If you need assistance to evacuate, call 211 and register. You must re-register every year. The center keeps in touch with surrounding counties as well as the 34 cities, 54 fire departments, 125 law enforcement agencies in Harris County - the 3rd largest county in the nation. They plan ahead and so should we.
EPA LIKES CONTROL
According to The Atlantic, the EPA itself admits that the  Clean Power Plan effect against the threat of climate change will be so small, reducing warming by 0.016 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century, that it will be impossible to measure. So why do they want to put their plan along with more regulations into action?
Homeschooling Rises 62 Percent in a Decade
The number of American children ages five through 17 who are homeschooled rose from just over 1.09 million in 2003 to 1.77 million in 2012, an increase of 61.8 percent over the 10-year period. Figures released by the Department of Education this month in its Digest of Education Statistics, the most recent available, show that 3.4 percent of the nation's 51.6 million students in that age group were homeschooled in 2012. Truancy court not an issue.
Representative Al Green voted:
No on a bill to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Bill passed.
Voted yes on a bill that gives Congress an initial 30 days to review any final nuclear pact with Iran.  Bill passed.
 FOR THE JOY
         For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame as He became sin for us that He might bring us to God.
         He went to Jerusalem knowing exactly what would happen to Him. Knowing also that through death He might destroy the devil, who had the power of death, and deliver them (us) who through fear of death were all their lifetime in bondage.
Jesus knew that through  his death and resurrection, millions of people held captive in the kingdom of darkness would be released into His marvelous kingdom of light and eternal life.
If the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents, think of the joy Jesus must have for those he loves. 
We as joint heirs with Christ can enter into His joy for in His presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11
While we might fret over the laws that are being passed that are against Christians, there is no law against joy. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. No one can take that away. Nor can they take  the peace, love, goodness, faith, etc.  Galatians 5:22,
  Hebrews 12:2, II Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 2:14 & 15, I Peter 2:9
 GARDEN PILL BUGS –ROLY POLIES
The female produces eggs that hatch in 3 to 9 weeks. The 25 or so spend a few days in her pouch. She has two to three broods a year. They live from two to five years. and breathe thru gills but they can drown.
         Okra, black-eyed peas, and eggplant produce all summer. Has anybody ever picked okra earlier than Jr. Keyworth who picked his in mid-May?
 Financial Peace University (FPU) teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps on how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! FPU classes meet for an hour and a half each week for nine weeks.   Evening classes are scheduled to start in June.  There is no cost for the class but class materials will need to be purchased. Call Pat Patterson of Abiding Faith UMC at 281-550-4939 for more info and to register.
These classes will also be taught at Southway Community Church starting June 4th from 6:30 to 8:30. Call Bev Moore at 713 436 2861.
         Almeda Moe
“It’s Friday night Moe, let’s go get a few beers,” said Joe. “You go ahead Joe. I’m going home,” replied Moe. “What? Why? Last week you were the life of the party.” “Yeh, last week I also veered off the road, got out of the car, slipped, and fell in a muddy ditch. As I laid there resting a pig came up and laid beside me.” “ Aw Moe, don’t let a little thing like that bother you,” said Joe. “Except my disgusted father-in-law said ‘You can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps.’ That’s when the pig got up and walked away.”

 Vacation Bible School is on the way! July 6-10, 5:30-8pm. Southway Community Church will be presenting SonSpark Labs: a fun-filled exploration of God’s saving plan, where kids will learn the answers to life’s most important questions. Registration is now open for kids ages 4-12, so visit Southway.org, or call (713) 433-0500 for more info.
Nalco Champion
Nalco Champion in Fresno has gone 929 days without having a recordable incident or injury.
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION
Sugar Land Junction is the intersection of the Sugar Land Railroad and the Santa Fe Railroad, located about 1/4 mile east of the Sienna Plantation bridge over the railroad. A Dow pipeline parallels the west side of the old railroad. In the southwest corner of the Sugar Land Junction there was a 3/4 acre cemetery with a tombstone of a Texas Ranger, generally believed to be a Terry’s Texas Ranger from the Civil War. Now, two railroad tracks are under the bridge because HL&P in the 90’s built a track to the Parish generating plant, solely for coal trains. The HL&P crew bulldozed the cemetery and built tracks over the graveyard.
Does any one remember the cemetery or what was written on the tombstone or even better have a photo or know where one is? Please text a message to 281-923-9903 or email John@cryptoheaven.com
Vinson Library
3810 W. Fuqua 832 393 2120  closed Sun. & Mon.
Multi-center open Mon. thru Fri.
Sienna Branch Library
8411 Sienna Springs Blvd 281-238-2900
Summer Movie Series begins Tue. June 9, 5:30 pm rated PG-13. The movies are free, call for more info.
How Money Works, a financial-wellness program begins at 7pm Thurs. June 25th. Summer Reading Clubs for children, teens and adults. Registration begins June 1st thru August 29th. No charge. Prizes to be won.


 OF ARCOLA ELECTION Glen Sanco, and Evelyn Jones (former mayor) won seats. Rosie Rojas and Thomas Hilton tied for the other open seat.
Change the World in 30 Days
As Muslims fast during Ramadan from June 18th to July 17th, you are invited to join other Christians and pray that God will open many hearts to the truth of the good news that Jesus, in love, offers all sinners forgiveness. They like the Apostle Paul will come to know Him. For a booklet to guide you, go to the website: 30 Days of Prayer. Booklets available in several languages for adults and children.   
THERESA BAILEY
October 4, 1923-May 8, 2015
Born in Chappell Hill, and raised in Richmond, Theresa came to Houston in the 1940’s to work in the shipyard where she met Charles “Bill” Bailey. They were married in 1945. They moved to Almeda where they raised two sons and started a business, Bailey’s House of Guns Inc. & Bailey’s Rifle & Pistol Range.  After Bill died she kept the business going. She knew a lot about guns and did some serious deer hunting besides cooking, gardening, and nursing any sick animal that came to her doorstep. Preceded in death by four siblings, Theresa is survived by sons: Charles “Butch” Bailey III and Bernard Bailey; step daughter Karen Smart, four grandchildren and two greats. Services were held at Sacred Heart in Manvel.
REBECCA ROCO  66, Born February 12, 1949 passed away May 12, 2015. Becky lived in Almeda until she graduated from U of H. She then lived in the Heights and was self employed as a head hunter for attorneys. She loved the outdoors and animals. She was living in Medina, Texas when she passed away. Preceded in death by her father, Al Roco Sr., she is survived by her mother, Dorothy Bruns Roco; sister, Martha Roco; brother, Al Roco Jr.; aunts, Marian Binner and Patti Sue Parker.


MAY 2015  ISSUE

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER  MAY 7TH

MOTHER’S DAY MAY 10TH




The Almeda Diner Staff Family
 Elena Guerrero, Adriel Ayala, Gabriela Ayala, and Joseph Carzon and Mr. Cenobio Ayala, works full time at Ryder Truck Rental,  to support his family making it possible for his wife, often called Mrs. A., to fulfill her dream of having a restaurant.
         Her son, Adriel says, “March 10, 2013 was a wild, crazy, adventurous day that we will never forget.”
After that day they opened, they went deep in the hole. They came close to giving up but, Mrs. Ayala. says, “We pulled ourselves up and kept trying.”
She had learned to face obstacles. As a child growing up in Mexico, she knew how to stretch a dollar. Thirty years ago when she first came to Almeda she could not speak English, but learned by  teaching herself to read and write. As a stay at home mom, Mrs. A. was a faithful volunteer at Almeda Elementary, even after her children graduated. “A true and loving mother,” says Adriel.
Her oldest child is working in Utah and sends his mom growing flowers. Her yard is beautiful. Adriel and Gabriela also return Mom’s love as they set aside some of their plans to help her by working without pay - even using some of their tip money to meet expenses. Now that business is better, Ariel, at 22 is a sophomore studying kinesiology and plans to be a physical therapist. Gabriel, who will be 20 on May 18th, is a freshman majoring in speech pathology and hopes to work at Almeda school some day.
         They start work at 5:40 am taking orders on the phone  for those who want their breakfast ready and waiting at six a. m. “Most order their breakfast special, but some want pork chops, chicken fried steak, grilled onions…” “Stop, I’m getting hungry,”  interrupts Gabriela.
Their customers want fresh home cooked meals, which is worth waiting for but if they don’t have time on their lunch break to wait they call in their order ahead of time also.
Mrs. Ayala’s children don’t seem to mind in the least that they are working a lot more than most in their age group without getting paid. “We have to work one way or the other.” says Adriel.
Mrs. A. recounts tough days when Gabriela was a baby and they applied for Medicaid. The government said they would also give her food stamps. “I don’t need food stamps. My husband has a job. We have food.”
Even though they looked at her like she was crazy, Adriel says, “It’s immoral to take if you don’t really need it.”   
Some people might say she is too proud but “It’s not being too proud, to learn how to make do,” says Mrs. A. 
She will admit to being  proud of her three children. And she has reason to be.
  She says, “My goal is to leave the world a little bit better than when I found it.” 
She and her family are certainly making Almeda a better place. Good home cooking, good family and hard workers, . Happy Mother’s Day Mrs. A. 

Lawsuit Filed Against 5 Corners
       Trial was held on April 17, 2015 for a jury to decide on 25 complaints from the commercial property owners against 5 Corners. The jury ruled on 24,  but the one filed by Sterling Bank will be ruled on by the judge. At the heart of the matter is the assessment of 10 cents on every $100 valuation of all commercial property.
         In order to form the 5 Corners District, only 25 commercial property owners needed to sign a petition, but over 2,300 commercial properties owners are required to pay to fund the district. 
COMMUNITY LEADERS WANT HEB
 HEB is  in the early stages of building a  Joe V’s Smart Shop,  a low frills  grocery store usually built in low income neighborhoods. Community leaders are asking residents to call the HEB Customer Relations Department Toll Free at 800-432-3113 or 210-938-8357 direct into Customer Relations if you want a regular HEB instead of a Joe V’s Smart Shop at W. Fuqua & Beltway 8. Medium income is $48,642 in District K compared to $42,962 in Houston.  
Residents Want Regulations on Game Room
Raquel Mamou – the chairperson for the Teal Run Civic Association wants residents to write letters to Ft. Bend County Judge Bob Hebert and Commissioner Precinct 1 Richard Morrison concerning a game room in the Teal Run (Shopping) Center which plans to be open 24 hours a day.
Hopes are that Ft. Bend County will implement similar regulations to Harris County.

JULIFF TEXAS
Just 3.3 miles south of Arcola on Hwy.521  a few scattered houses is all that is left of  Juliff, Texas. In the 1850’s it was a shipping point on the Brazos River. In 1858, the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railroad ran through Juliff. Later the same railroad brought settlers to Almeda and Fresno.
In September 1891, John Juliff was the town’s first postmaster. Few people heard of Juliff but many people heard about it. In 1934, a song was written about it called “Diddy Wa Diddy, ain’t no town, ain’t no city.” By then the town had become a center for drinking, gambling and prostitution after “Doc” Duke opened a store and leased land for taverns and a dance hall. In 1958, the post office closed as well as the bars which relocated to Houston or Rosenberg.
         The town faded away and now no one seems to remember the song that was popular from the 30’s thru the 50’s or just what Diddy Wa Diddy even meant. 

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
         A group of children in a Bible study were asked what difference does it make to you that Jesus is alive. Not one child offered to answer that question. How would you answer knowing that Jesus conquered death. Surely, WE CAN say, I have no fear of death for I already have eternal life. (John 5:24) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”
WE CAN also face any problem in life and be content because he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5. WE CAN but do we?
 Jesus gave his followers bread and wine as a symbol of his body and blood and said, Take and remember me. Luke 22:19. How could anyone forget their Savior? 
We do, when we are fearful or afraid but we can trust him and it will make a difference. 

Correction: Michael Saenz not Mike Saenz Jr. is running for Arcola City Council Election on May 9th.
IMPORTANT QUOTES
“We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society.”Hillary Clinton
“Society needs come before the individual needs.” Adolph Hitler. 
    I am seeing unbelievable spin on truth so easily accepted by those who fail to think for themselves. I taught for many years and the greatest difference in generations was that many of the current young people do not even want to think through in a logical fashion. Many even told me, “I don’t WANT to think. Just tell me the answer.” So we are left with those who accept whatever is told them without fact or logic. Barbara Wistrand Whitman.
Almeda Moe
“Hey, Moe. How is business?”
“It is great Joe. People around here really love a sale.” “I heard that everything in your store is on sale. How can you afford it?” “Volume Joe. Volume.”  “Do you advertise 10% off?” “Oh no. I advertise Buy one for the price of two and get the second one FREE.” 

Vinson Library
3810 W. Fuqua 832 393 2120  closed Sun. & Mon.
Multi-center open Mon. thru Fri.
Sienna Branch Library
8411 Sienna Springs Blvd 281-238-2900
Learn basic legal database-searching tips and the use of form-finder tools at Ft. Bend Law Library. 
To register, call the Law Library at 281-341-3718 in Richmond.
Fresno Fresh Water Supply
The Teleview Terrace subdivision, southeast of the fire department, main trunk lines are under construction. This is the first area the District is installing water and sewer at the same time. The District will be holding Town Hall meetings for residents of Teleview Terrace Only to sign up for their water and sewer to be hooked up.  The lawyers are looking at holding the Town hall meetings at the Mustang Center on Thur. April 30th, May28th, and June 25th, most likely 6 PM.  The lawyers, and notary public will be there to assist the residents with the applications and submittal. The next area to receive water and wastewater will be Marbill Estates and the western edge portion of Ridgewood Estate Subdivision.  At the present time, the construction drawings are completed and awaiting State agency review & approval. WWW.FORTBENDWATER1.COM
GARDEN
Every seed came up which was kept in the refrigerator and dated 2003.

PUBLIC HEARING
May 12th, at one pm at commissioners Court, 30 Jackson Rd. in Richmond, TX, citizens can voice their views on being allowed to vote anywhere in Fort Bend Co. on election day.
Condolences
Gertrude Wagner 95, passed away March 27, 2015. A faithful member of Southway Community Church, she taught the women’s Bible study until she went to the hospital. At age 62, she started working at Walgreens, stocking shelves. She felt she couldn’t give her job 100% so she quit at the age of 95, three weeks before she passed away. She is survived by her son, David Wagner and one granddaughter, Linda Wagner. 

Lebert Prihoda 82  June 30 1932- April 7, 2015. A longtime resident of Fresno, Texas, Lebert belonged to the  Knights of Columbus, KJT, and the Carpenters Local Union #213. A retired carpenter in the acoustical ceiling business, he also served in the Army with most of his tour in Germany during WWII.  Lebert enjoyed deer hunting and fishing, he had a collection of Czech music and loved to waltz. He and his wife spent a lot of time saying rosaries in adoration and for the sick in the chapel at Sacred Heart. All he wanted to do these last few months in the hospital was to pray. He loved the Lord. Preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Tina Marie, and seven siblings, Lebert is survived by his wife, Scholastica Kolodejcak Prihoda of Fresno, daughter Susan/Jefferey Jurek, son Mark/Robin Prihoda, grandchildren: Kevin, Nicole, Bethany, Gabrielle and Madeline Jurek, Susan Bearden and Charlene Hernandez; 7 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church in Manvel TX.