August 2020 Volume 2, Issue 3
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August & September ~ Cafe Sol ~
Tuesdays 12 noon - 11 p.m. Taco Tuesdays
Tuesdays just got a lot better. Be sure to come by and enjoy: *$2 off menu Tacos *$4 Frozen Margaritas *offer valid from OPEN to CLOSE
Wednesdays 12 noon - 11 p.m. Wing Wednesdays
Daily Happy Hour Specials 3p.m. - 6p.m. Join Cafe Sol every Wednesday and enjoy BONE OUT WINGS at .60¢ a piece (minimum order of 10 wings)
Fridays - 12 noon -11 p.m. Family and Friend Special
Come and pick up a deal you can’t beat! $22 - 2 pizzas & 6 wings Call to place your pick-up order 346.816.7202
~ Virtual Book Club ~ Sundays 10 - 11 a.m. - ONLINE
Discussions online. Join at any time! Email michelle@meridianatexas.com for details.
~ Camp Gladiator Work Out ~
Mondays, 5 a.m. - ONLINE Tues. & Thurs. 5 a.m. • 5:30 / 6:45 p.m. - ONLINE
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Meridiana Blues ® Brews & BBQ June 27th Good Music, Food & Crafted Brews Along With Painting & Balloon Artists & Booths
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Horizon Band
from Sugarland, Texas
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Barbeque Food Truck “Well Worth The Wait”
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Balloon Art
“Always Brings Out The Smiles”
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Painting Art
“Brings Out The Super Hero”
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Booths
“Making The Day Complete”
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LIFESTYLE
Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes lands on top-selling list
For the first time ever, Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes has landed on one of the esteemed lists of the 50 top-selling communities in the nation. The neighborhoods placed #29 on the published mid-year report from the housing research firm Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) that ranks master-planned communities by the number of homes sold.
Rankings are determined by the previous year’s sales. Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes builders recorded 216 sales during the first six months of the year. Last year the builders sold 156 homes which is a 67 percent increase and a lot of new neighbors. Overall, sales in the top 50 master-planned communities rose by 16 percent. Only true master-planned communities that reflect a
comprehensive master plan incorporating a variety of housing types, sizes, prices, shared common space and amenities are included on the list, according to RCLCO. Much of what makes the community special comes down to the developer, Land Tejas — one of the most innovative and prolific developers in Texas.
Alvin ISD updates website concerning 2020-2021 year
Updated July 13, 2020 - Subject to change based on direction from the State of Texas, Texas Education Agency, and local health authorities. The million dollar question has been “What will school look like in the fall?” With vital feedback from the community, as well as direction from the State of Texas, Texas Education Agency, and local health authorities, Alvin ISD will safely reopen schools and activities for the 2020-2021 academic year on August 12, 2020 aligned with our District Goals and Beliefs. Alvin ISD is giving families the choice of either face-to-face instruction or virtual instruction. Student on-campus learning entails a full day of school during normal school hours and instruction from Alvin ISD teachers at home campus. Virtual learning also entails a full
day of school during normal school hours but in a virtual atmosphere. Both learning scenarios will have rigorous coursework and grading and students in both situations are expected to perform to their highest achievement. Students on campus will have access to all the courses offered where students in virtual learning will have most courses available to them with limited elective courses. Alvin ISD has also created a “Frequently Asked Questions” page to help you make
the best choice for your family. Please see the website for more information as it continues to be updated.
www.alvinisd.net
Work is progressing on the bridge that will aid in connecting subdivisions in Iowa Colony to Hwy. 6 in Manvel.
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Local Business DIRECTORY
New to the area? Need help around the house? The Local Business Directory has proven beneficial in connecting the community with businesses who provide much needed services. “It’s reassuring to know who to call.”
Your Business Could Be Here Call 281-331-4421 Ask for Darlene
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DAY TRIP
Big Slough Auto Tour at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Since a lot of indoor entertainment hasn’t been available at this time, our family has been looking for something to do on the weekend. For months we’ve been saying that “this weekend we’ll go check out the auto tour at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge”. Well, we finally made it and we were not disappointed. We weren’t exactly sure where it was located but thanks to Google Maps and a smart phone it was really easy to find. It was a beautiful day and from Alvin it was less than a one-hour drive.
We turned into the entrance of the wildlife refuge and followed the road to the Discovery Center. We spotted the signs that designated the direction of the Auto Tour and took off on our weekend adventure. We didn’t really know what to expect. It was our first time visiting a wildlife refuge but the option of an Auto Tour had really caught our attention. Driving slowly along the unpaved road, we almost immediately spotted a big gray bird wading in shallow water. The bird’s beak
poked down into the water and brought up a small fish. As soon as the fish is caught, we see another bird of the same species creeping up behind the fisher“bird”. We decided the creeper was too lazy to do its own fishing and was just waiting for an opportunity to grab the fish for itself. We watched for quite a few minutes as the one bird enjoyed its haul and can report that the fish did not exchange beaks. Continued on page 14
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We left those two behind and continued on the route. Other species of birds were also wading in the water hoping to catch a snack but we did not see any other catches. Again, driving slowly, each of us looking out their own window. “There’s an alligator” rang out. Just barely poking its head above water, a small alligator was spotted on the passenger side. “There’s one over here, too” came another call. I regret that I was not able to take a clear photo of either gator. The photo to the left reveals a tall white bird using a different approach to fishing. We saw this great bird flying toward the car and land on the road a ways past us. The bird began walking toward the water and stopped at the edge. It didn’t enter the water but stood over the edge, just watching. We slowly moved the car closer. Patiently the bird watched for several minutes but we didn’t get to follow through with its endeavor since another vehicle on the tour was coming up behind us. Continuing on we spotted a black bird with a spot of red on its wing sitting on a bit of brush. I remembered when I was a child, we had a book in our home that was part of an encyclopedia set. This book was all about birds and reptiles and there was a picture of a Red Winged Blackbird but I’ve never seen one in real life. Could it be that I finally did? I tried to snap a photo but apparently we were too close for its comfort and it flew off. On the left, we came upon this bird walking down the road ahead of us. It seemed really odd to see it walking on the road but then if you look on farther on the right side. Hmm, is it going for the picnic table or the other facility? We continued on around and left the bird to its privacy.
All kidding aside, it was really an enjoyable day. There were large pink birds off in the marsh areas, hawks in flight and ducks moving among the waterlilies. I’m positive that the tour would definitely be a different experience each time you visit the refuge. The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge has more to offer than the auto tour if you’re looking for a day trip right in our own back yard. Visit the website for information.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/brazoria/ 14
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