Friendswood student places in stamp contest

FROM FRIENDSWOOD ISD

Congratulations to Friendswood Junior High artist Brooke Bartholomew, who placed third in the 2010 Texas Duck Stamp Contest.

More than 425 entries were part of this year’s competition.

This contest is held annually by the United States Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wild Life Service.

“This year the quality of artwork was amazing. There was more top quality works than I have ever seen,” Jennifer Sanchez Texas Duck Stamp Coordinator, said.

Bartholomew’s art teacher is Ron Brown.

“Brooke is an outstanding artist and leader in the field of arts representing Friendswood Junior High at the Texas State Competition in outstanding fashion,” Brown said. “She exemplifies the beauty of ARTS in everything she does.”

Along with being an outstanding artist, Bartholomew is also an excellent percussionist placing second chair in region band.

A copy of the duck stamp design created by Bartholomew is on display in the glass cases by the FJH library.

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Hotel plans cause uproar in Friendswood

by Hayley Kappes / The Daily News
Posted on April 5, 2010 at 8:19 AM
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Galveston Daily News Web site
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — A proposed Sleep Inn and Suites at the corner of FM 528 and San Joaquin Parkway has caused uproar from residents in nearby subdivisions since the project was announced last November.

The three-story, 60-room hotel will be located next to the Boca Raton subdivision.

A major concern for opponents is the hotel’s proximity to Windsong Intermediate School, which sits diagonally across FM 528.

"We’re not opposed to commercial development on that property, but a motel is the wrong use," Ed Dondzila, secretary of the Boca Raton subdivision homeowners association, said. "It doesn’t make sense. It’s eight miles from (Interstate) 45, and there’s no tourist attraction in Friendswood."

Dondzila and other residents in Boca Raton, San Joaquin, Keystone, Falcon Ridge and Sunmeadow developments oppose the hotel because they think it will decrease their property values and increase criminal activity.

City council members have not addressed residents’ concerns about the hotel, nor have they outlined any benefits a hotel would offer the city, Mark and Jackie Taylor, residents of Boca Raton subdivision, said.

Hotel property owner Ajay Jain told a Houston TV station he has not secured the loan to build the hotel and does not know if it will go through.

Friendswood’s current ordinances allow hotels and motels to be built on property zoned for community shopping centers.

Friendswood city council will consider today a change to the way community shopping properties are zoned, which will prevent hotels and motels from automatically qualifying for those properties. The ordinance change also will require a hotel developer to obtain a special use permit approved by the city council, which requires greater scrutiny, Mayor David Smith said.

The change to the city’s zoning laws will not affect the proposed Sleep Inn and Suites because it falls under the current ordinance.

The hotel is not a done deal, however. Jain has submitted site plans to the city, and the planning and zoning commission will review the plans April 15. He can obtain a building permit only after planning and zoning approves the plans.

Today’s city council meeting will have a first reading of the ordinance change, and the second reading will take place in two weeks when the council will vote on the matter, Smith said.


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Soccer king in Friendswood!

By Evan Mohl
The Daily News
Published April 1, 2010

Soccer fans came out in droves to support the Friendswood and Texas City girls soccer teams on Tuesday in Angleton.

It was an impressive showing for about 300 fans from each community who made the 45-minute drive.

Angleton coach Janet Lumpkins said it was the biggest crowd to witness a soccer game at Wildcat Stadium.

The support also proved meaningful, specifically on the Texas City side. A group of students who call themselves the Texas City Hooligans showed up shirtless with chests painted.

They cheered throughout the game, including chants of “Olé.” After the Lady Stings won, they went crazy, promising to “shock the world” against Friendswood and yelling, “we’re not worthy,” while bowing their heads.

The players noticed.

“It’s one thing to have your parents come out, but to have the school behind you with a lot of fans, it’s awesome,” Texas City senior Jennifer Low said. “It makes you want to win more and play harder.”

I often wonder how much fans really can affect the outcome of a game. It’s almost impossible to compute into quantifiable numbers as so many factors contribute to winning and losing.

But in the high school arena or field, I think it matters. A lot. Every player and every coach I talk to at that level acknowledges the importance of involved fans.

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Warrant roundup begins ...

Thayer Evans wrote:
If you have any tickets you haven't gotten around to paying, this is the week to take care of them.

League City, Friendswood, Houston and other cities around Clear Lake will join hundreds of jurisdictions participating in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup this weekend.

Starting Saturday, March 6, police will be visiting homes, schools and workplaces to arrest those with outstanding warrants from municipal courts.

Most of the offenses involve unpaid traffic or parking tickets but more serious violations are included, and no amnesty is being offered. Those with outstanding warrants can be arrested at any location.

Cities are mailing notices to the last known address of those with warrants.

League City Police Chief Mike Jez said those with warrants needs to resolve them before the roundup. His police department will have “quite a few” officers participating in it this year, he said.

“The message to folks right now is avoid getting arrested on your job site or an embarrassing moment,” Jez said. “Come take of things. It’ll save you time, money and embarrassment. It’s something that’s easily avoidable. Most of them are minor offense violations anyway.”

If you think there may be a warrant out on you, contact your local municipal court to find out how to post a bond.

Clear Lake's Houston residents can call 713-731-3950 or visit the city's Clear Lake police station at 2855 Bay Area Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Man throws puppies off of Port Arthur sea wall.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas (AP) - Three rescued puppies are recovering after being thrown over a seawall and on to some rocks in Port Arthur.

Firefighters rescued the crying pups and placed the creatures with animal control.

KFDM-TV reports the man who tossed the animals on Sunday was heard saying he was "turning them into soldiers." A bystander noticed the abandoned puppies and summoned help.

Pat Lavergne with Port Arthur Animal Control says the puppies, with health problems such as mange, were at the shelter Tuesday and available for adoption. She described them as a retriever mix.

The owner of the dogs, who was not immediately located, could face animal cruelty charges.