UpClose Magazine

10/20/2025

Heads up! A Great Tradition returns to Classic Chevy Sugar Land this Saturday!

Enjoy the Classic Chili Cook-off from 4pm to 8pm October 24th at Classic Chevy Sugar Land.

Call or email for a booth: 281.491.9000 or [email protected]

10/18/2025

A 134-acre mixed-use retail center in Fort Bend County is nearing completion after 15 years.

10/15/2025

✨ Get UpClose with the Magic of the Season! ✨�

We’re celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with a festive giveaway!

UpClose Magazine is giving away FOUR sets of four tickets (2 sets of early admission and 2 sets for regular market hours) to the Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market — the holiday shopping event of the year! 🎁

Here’s how to enter:
�1️⃣ Follow �
2️⃣ Like this post�
3️⃣ Comment your favorite holiday tradition (or tag who you’d shop with!)

✨ Bonus Entry: Share this post to your Story and tag us!

Contest ends Oct. 31. Winners announced November 3.

🎄 Four winners. Four tickets each. Endless holiday magic.�

The most read direct mailed monthly magazine in Fort Bend county!

10/14/2025

Fort Bend County Commissioners Court Approves New Precinct Map to Restore Fairness and Representation

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court has officially adopted a new precinct map, replacing the 2021 map widely criticized for its partisan bias.

The newly adopted map, created with the support of a bipartisan Citizens Advisory Committee, ensures legal and equitable representation across the county. Under the approved boundaries, the Commissioners Court will reflect a balanced 2-2 political makeup, comprising two Republicans and two Democrats, thereby restoring what many believe to be the rightful balance of power in Fort Bend County.

10/14/2025

Fort Bend County Commissioner’s Court Issues Burn Ban

During its session on Monday, October 13, 2025, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved an outdoor burn ban for all unincorporated areas of the county.

As extreme heat persists and drought conditions worsen, the risk of wildfires continues to increase. The Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office has been closely monitoring the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) – a standard tool used to assess wildfire potential. The index ranges from 0 (no moisture depletion) to 800 (extremely dry conditions). As of October 13, 2025, Fort Bend County’s KBDI reading was 642, indicating significantly dry conditions.

After reviewing drought index data and the extended forecast showing continued heat and minimal rainfall, Commissioners Court determined that current conditions present a potential public safety hazard.

Under the Declaration and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning in Fort Bend County, residents are prohibited from burning or ordering another to burn any materials outdoors unless the fire is entirely contained within an enclosure designed to confine all flames, sparks, embers, and ash. This order restricts the use of open flames, including the burning of trash, campfires, burn barrels, and other open-flame devices.

County Judge KP George is authorized to rescind this declaration upon consultation with the County Fire Marshal when drought conditions improve and hazardous circumstances no longer exist.

10/14/2025

LIVE RAPTORS TO VISITCINCO RANCH BRANCH LIBRARY

\Learn all about raptors at a special program, “Wild Bird Adventures: Birds, Books, & Beyond,” on Tuesday, November 25, beginning at 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library, located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy.

During this program, see live raptors that work as education ambassadors to get citizens excited to learn more about the natural world. The program is recommended for students in grades K-5.

Mary Anne Morris, co-founder of Wild Bird Adventures, will talk about the sights, sounds, natural history, and migratory patterns of raptors, such as hawks, kites, and eagles. Discover their key role as top predators in the animal kingdom.

Morris will also talk about age-appropriate books that students can read to learn more about birds in the wild.

Morris has been educating the public about native-bird conservation for more than 30 years. Wild Bird Adventures provides a home and habitat for birds that can no longer live in the wild.

This program is made possible by the Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library. Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and annual membership dues help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at the library.

The program is free and open to the public, but space is limited. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

10/12/2025

Lamar CISD Buys Property for New School at The George

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District has purchased 15 acres in The George for a new elementary school.

The purchase closed Aug. 15. This is one of two parcels within The George master plan that have been designated for a school.

“A community where parents can walk their children to school or kids can bike to school is an essential part of the vision we have for The George,” said Derek Goff, Vice President and General Manager of The George. “We aspire to create a true hometown for our residents, and quality schools are vital to achieving that.”

The 15-acre site is part of The George’s second phase of development, located in Richmond near FM 2977 and Ricefield Road. The school district will determine timing of school construction. The purchase was made possible through funds raised in a $1.7 billion bond approved in November 2022, which included funding for four new elementary schools across the district.

Johnson Development purchased the 1,500 acres for The George in 2024 along with investment partner the General Land Office (GLO). The GLO is a state agency with a mission to manage Texas state lands; maximize revenue from those lands through sales, leases and mineral rights; preserve historical assets; and use those funds to support Texas public education. As part of its broader efforts to support educational infrastructure through land stewardship, the GLO is working in alignment with Johnson Development in The George. This collaboration ensures that key community amenities, including a dedicated site for a new Lamar Consolidated ISD elementary school, are integrated into the long-term planning of the development.

“The General Land Office is pleased to play a significant role in the Johnson Development venture, which enables families to thrive and live life to the fullest in numerous dynamic communities,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. “The GLO’s mission is to maximize the revenue from our state lands to help fund Texas public education. The purchase of this acreage within The George by Lamar Consolidated Independent School District for a new elementary school is exciting, as it will ensure Texas children will have a dedicated place close to home to learn. The George represents a shared vision for sustainable growth, where public benefit and private development work hand in hand to create vibrant, family-focused neighborhoods.”

Currently, The George is zoned to Thomas Elementary and three adjacent schools — Steenbergen Middle School, Wright Junior High and Randle High School.

The George is expected to begin home sales in Spring 2026. At completion, the community is slated for about 4,000 homes. Learn more about The George at www.lifeatthegeorge.com.

10/12/2025

Sparkle, Sleigh, and Save the Date
Jingle all the way to HMNS at Sugar Land, beginning Nov. 14.

'Tis the season to be jolly and bright. Trade in those (soon-to-be) chilly nights for dazzling lights, as our annual Jingle Tree celebration is sure to be a delight. Prepare for a week of spectacular, spirited seasonal fun at HMNS at Sugar Land, this year from November 14 – 20. It’s time to unwrap the holiday magic and make some merry memories.

Deck the Halls with Dazzling Designs
Step into a true winter wonderland where every corner is aglow. Our museum halls will be brimming with a brilliant forest of designer Christmas trees. These fantastic firs aren't your average holiday fare—each is a unique masterpiece, sponsored and decorated by talented local businesses, designers, and other non-profits, and are truly a feast for the eyes. The best part? You can bid on these splendid spectacles in our online silent auction to take your favorite home and make sure your home is fabulously festive this holiday season.

Leading Lights and Generous Giving
This joyous event is powered by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital (HMSL), returning as the dedicated presenting sponsor of this magnificent museum fundraiser, and our Honorary Co-Chairs Judi Dai & Catalina Flores-Rau.

Michael Garcia, Senior Vice President and CEO of HMSL, shared his excitement: "We’re delighted to be back for another year of Jingle Tree and to help deliver a truly memorable, marvelous holiday season. This initiative provides crucial support for science education and accessibility programs, reaffirming our pledge to community well-being. We're proud to be partnering with HMNS at Sugar Land for progress, investing in a brighter, more inclusive future for our entire community."

Kavita Self, Executive Director of HMNS at Sugar Land, added, "For over 15 wonderful years, HMNS at Sugar Land has been a vital community resource dedicated to science education. Jingle Tree is an essential piece of our ability to offer sensory-friendly programs and vital community outreach. With the continued support of our partners, we are passionately providing resources to inspire scientific curiosity throughout Fort Bend County and beyond."

Every bid is a gift – the funds raised from Jingle Tree enables the Museum to partner with 150+ Fort Bend area schools and 40+ local nonprofits annually, expands museum access to diverse communities including seniors and more than 13,500 school-aged children, and removes barriers to our goal of making the Museum accessible to all visitors by supporting innovative sensory-friendly programming for visitors of all abilities.

Unwrap the fun and check out this year’s event schedule:

Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 14 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
A new family-friendly event! Watch the trees come to light and begin bidding or buy your favorite now!
Ho-ho-hosting for the Holidays Workshop
Tuesday, November 18 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live demos, new trends, and a holiday fashion show, plus tree viewing with light bites and beverages – a perfect time to spend with friends.
Festive Finale
Thursday, November 20 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
A festive party filled with cheer. Don’t miss the live auction with exclusive museum experiences, and final bidding on the designer trees and décor.

Catering by Events by Safari.

For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and all the festive details, visit sugarland.hmns.org/jingle-tree or email [email protected].

Which designer tree will bring a little extra sparkle to your home this season?

10/12/2025

TEXAS AUTHOR AMANDA CHURCHILL TO HEADLINE LIBRARIES’ BOOK FESTIVAL

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Annual Book Festival 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. This year’s event features “FBCL Community Reads” author Amanda Churchill, as well as festive activities for all ages.

FBCL’s Book Festival highlights the talent of local authors – both professional and amateur – while bringing together readers of all ages for a day full of activities, performances, and bookish fun celebrating the art of writing, literacy, storytelling, creativity, and community.

The keynote address by Amanda Churchill will take place from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library. Churchill is the author of The Turtle House, the book selected for Fort Bend County Libraries’ 2025 “Community Reads” initiative, which encourages readers throughout the county to read and share their thoughts on the year’s chosen novel by a Texas author.

In her author talk, Churchill will share the background of her debut novel, The Turtle House, which is inspired by her own grandmother’s memories, lucky turtles, and her discovery of the true meaning of finding and defining oneself despite what society thinks.

She will also talk about the process of building a family-history novel and the importance of documenting family stories so they can be shared with future generations.

While her family stories formed the basis for the novel, certain aspects were fictionalized, and she “colored in” empty spaces with extensive research of places and time periods.

A resident of Keller, Texas, Churchill was a Writer’s League of Texas 2021 Fellow, received support from Tin House and Community of Writers, and holds a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of North Texas.

The Book Festival will also feature activities designed to encourage aspiring writers of all ages and genres. Creative and inspiring programs are planned for children as well as adults who dream of becoming published authors.

In keeping with the Japanese-American themes in The Turtle House, a “Yosakoi Dance Performance” – featuring the Clements High School Yosakoi Dancers – is scheduled in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater behind the library. Yosakoi is a kind of dance that originated in Kouchi prefecture in southern Japan. It combines traditional and modern song and dance and is iconic for its use of naruko, wooden clappers held in the hands.

Readers will have an opportunity to visit with local authors at a meet-and-greet area in the lobby throughout the event. Interact with published writers Taki Zyngtara, Rebecca Torellas, Marcus Sabom, and many others who will all be available for questions, autographs, and photographs. Books will be available for sale and signing.

A Kids’ Book Carnival -- featuring games and activities for the younger book lovers – will be set up in the Bohachevsky Gallery on the lower level of the library.

Also in the Bohachevsky Gallery, visit with local groups and organizations who will be sharing information about their community resources.

A Book Lovers Raffle will take place at 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room, just prior to the keynote address by Amanda Churchill. Enter to win books, swag, and must-have goodies for readers! A bonus raffle drawing -- for readers who participated in Fort Bend County Libraries “Community Reads” initiative by reading The Turtle House and attending one of the library system’s book-club meetings in September, October, and November – will also take place.

About the FBCL Book Festival

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Book Festival celebrates books, authors, and the importance of literature to the imagination. The complete schedule of events can be found on the Fort Bend County Libraries website or on the FBCL page. Participants may attend the whole day, or they can choose which individual session(s) they would like to attend.

Visitors are invited to eat lunch while enjoying the festive atmosphere of a live dance performance in the outdoor amphitheater.

The event is made possible by the Friends of the George Memorial Library.

The Book Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, see Fort Bend County Libraries’ website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

10/10/2025

UpClose Magazine would like to welcome Karina Ibarra to our team!

Karina is a senior account executive and will be in the field talking to the businesses that make Fort Bend such a great place to live. A former project manager and geophysicist with more than 17 years experience working in the oil and gas industry, Karina proudly calls Sugar Land home.

She loves helping others build strength, confidence, and consistency through fitness. “I coach and train at F45 and love pushing myself to new limits,” she says. “That passion to reach new limits extends to my professional life too.”

With both mental and physical strength, a strong drive, and endless energy, Karina is excited about this new opportunity that will allow her to meet her neighbors and learn about their passions. “I’m a proud mom of three — two boys and a daughter who serves in the Navy,” Karina explains. “I earned my degree in Electrical Engineering and have always enjoyed leading teams, organizing projects, and finding efficient ways to get things done.”

Welcome to the team, Karina!

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

Top 5 October Events and Exhibitions at HMNS

Cooler weather and spooky season arrive this October with a month of spine-tingling thrills and tasteful spills at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS). Adults can treat their taste buds at Bourbon Night - A Tasting Event, exploring the tasty science behind every sip, and curious minds can get their historical fix with an Egypt, Hidden Secrets from Abusir lecture, uncovering Pharaoh Sahure’s shadowy burial chamber secrets. The Halloween spirit takes over with not one, but two spook-tacular events: families can brave Tricks, Treats & T-Rex - Magical Maze Festival, jam-packed with carnival games and a fun costume contest, while grown-ups can dance the night away in their spooky best at Spirits & Skeletons, a dazzling adult mixer with live music, drinks, and haunting entertainment. Lastly, guests are invited to sip, socialize, and explore at the Senior Social, a morning event where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and a lively, specially-guided tour through our electrifying Wiess Energy Hall. This October is overflowing with festive fun and intriguing discoveries for everyone.

Check out our website for our full schedule of events and exhibitions.

Event: Senior Social
HMNS Hermann Park | Wednesday, October 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Start your day with a jolt at our next Senior Social! Whether from a fresh cup of coffee or an electrifying tour, you'll be sure to have an energizing start to your morning! Enjoy a spread of breakfast favorites and great company, and then discover the fascinating world of energy and innovation during a docent-led tour of the Wiess Energy Hall. Doors open at 8:30 AM, with tours starting at 9:00 AM. The final tour timeslot is at 10:00 AM.

Please note: Space is limited for each tour time. Event is 50+

Event: Bourbon Night – A Tasting Event
HMNS at Sugar Land | Friday, October 10 | 6:00 p.m.

Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s Native Spirit! Why does almost all of this uniquely American spirit come from Kentucky? What goes into distilling and aging bourbon, and how is it different from other whiskeys? Is the historical record advertised by the distillers factual or are these stories embellished?

Discover the science behind bourbon and explore a range of flavors as you taste different varieties, paired with delicious light bites. Kentucky native, Randy Bruner, will walk you through the history, methods and myths related to bourbon. Randy developed his interest in bourbon at an almost legal age, and has continued to follow trends in the world of bourbon ever since. He has visited every distillery in Kentucky, and makes an annual pilgrimage every year to seek out new products and craft distilleries.

Please note – This event is for adults 21 or older.

Event: Tricks, Treats & T-Rex - Magical Maze Festival
HMNS at Sugar Land | Saturday, October 18 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tricks, Treats & T-Rex is back at HMNS at Sugar Land! The Magical Maze Festival on Saturday, October 18 features early Halloween fun. Every young pirate and princess will enjoy the festival fun, including carnival games, trick or treating, character photo-ops, face painting, and more.

Get creative and wear your best costume for the Grand Costume Contest, with prizes to be won! It’s a spooky Saturday you won’t forget!

Event: Lecture - Egypt, Hidden Secrets from Abusir
HMNS Hermann Park | Saturday, October 18 | 3:00 p.m.

For more than a decade, Dr. Mohamed Ishmail has delved into the sands of the Abusir Pyramids, unraveling the silent whispers of Egypt’s elusive Fifth Dynasty. Now, in a once-in-a-lifetime lecture, he will unveil—for the first time—the hidden secrets concealed within the shadowy depths of Pharaoh Sahure’s burial chamber. What lies beneath may forever change what we thought we knew about ancient Egypt’s royal legacy.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail was appointed as the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in March 2024. He has held distinguished roles within the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, including serving as the Director of Foreign Mission Affairs. His academic specialization lies in the Old Kingdom period, where his expertise has greatly contributed to our understanding of this historic era. His oversight of the development and site management project at the Pyramids on the Giza Plateau demonstrates his dedication to preserving and promoting Egypt’s renowned archaeological heritage.

Eligible for CPE credit.

Distinguished Lectures are supported by Apache Corporation.

Event: Spirits & Skeletons
HMNS Hermann Park | Friday, October 31 | 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. (General Admission)

Creep among the undead as DJ SkaDean spins haunting beats in Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall, or moonwalk your way to the Morian Hall of Paleontology, where DJ Q’s anything-but-prehistoric mix will have you dancing with the skeletons all night long. Over in Wiess Energy Hall, feel the shock of a high-voltage performance by Joilux, or drift into an otherworldly vibe with karaoke and visuals in the Burke Baker Planetarium. And if you dare, venture into the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre for a screening of the horror classic 28 Days Later (2002).

Sip on themed cocktails from our cash bars, and sink your fangs into frighteningly delicious bites from our food vendors—no limbs required! (Cash or card accepted.)

Costumes encouraged. Courage required.

The Best Costume will be crowned at 10:00 pm, and Best Group Costume at 11:00 pm. A mysterious judge will be roaming the halls, handpicking the most terrifyingly creative looks… so dress to distress.

Spirits & Skeletons – VIP Experience
8:00 pm – 1:00 am

Upgrade to VIP!

Take your event experience to the next level with exclusive VIP perks:
· Early Entry to the event (8:00 pm)
· Entry to 3 VIP areas featuring private cash bars and lounging areas
· Interactive activities hosted by our HMNS Education Department (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm)
· Food Voucher good for one meal at any of the food tents near the Sundial (dessert vendors excluded)
· 2 Complimentary Drink Tickets
· Spirits & Skeletons Collectors Cup

For questions, please contact Sami Mesarwi at [email protected] or (281) 684-0430.