Are you a resident of River Park West and have questions about the polling processes? The elections administration office will be holding a meeting to explain and demonstrate the joint primary procedures on January 13 at 2 p.m.

Since Fort Bend County commissioners approved the Joint Primary Election Agreement last month poll stations will now be represented by an integrated team of Republicans and Democrats and the voting booths will be shared by both parties. One team of election workers comprising representatives from both parties will be created for future elections as well.

The public is invited to join the media, election workers and representatives to get a clear first hand understanding of how the new system, unanimously approved, will work. If you would like to attend the demonstration will be in the Gus George Training Academy on Ransom Road in Richmond.

The 17th Annual Valero Alamo Bowl was more than a year for a Texas tradition, and for many people in Richmond January 2nd was more than a competition between Texas Tech and Michigan State. This year it was a once in a lifetime chance for 160 kids from Texas. The Lamar Consolidated High School Mustang Band was chosen to perform at the Alamo Bowl halftime show, but their performance on the field didn’t stop there.

Upon arrival on Thursday December 31 the band competed in the Alamo Bowl Marching Contest which determined the top notch band who would take center stage in the pregame march, performing prior to the Texas Tech and Michigan State bands. “The Mustang band – the only band from Texas to compete – placed first in every category in the large band division,” said Jason Levin, LCHS band director.

The Mustangs swept the field, receiving first place awards for Outstanding Marching, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Drum Majors, Outstanding Colorguard, and Outstanding General Effect. The band not only made the play in the large band division, it was also named Overall Outstanding Band, meaning it had the highest score of all the bands regardless of size.

The numbers were presented Dec. 14 at a GHP-sponsored event at the Intercontinental Hotel featuring a panel of economic experts.

Demand for chemicals and plastics products used in construction and manufacturing will drive growth in 2010, the report said. An upturn in Asian economies is expected to bring growth to the city's wholesale trade sector, which will add 5,200 jobs.

Other sectors expected to see a net gain in jobs are health care (2 percent gain); food services (0.5 percent) and administrative and support services, which is expected to pick up 5,400 jobs. Largely driven by gains in the public education sector, the public sector will add an additional 4,100 jobs.

Lamar Independent Consolidated School District is getting ready to select textbooks for next year and would like community feedback.

For the 2010-2011 school year new textbooks, will be implemented in K-1 for English Language Arts and Reading, and Spanish Language Arts and Reading; in grades 2-5 for Reading, and Spanish Reading; in grades 6-12 for Literature; in grades 6-8 for Reading Electives; and in grades 9-12 for AP Language, AP Literature, English for Speakers of Other Languages I & II, and English Language Proficiency Standards.

From now until December 18, all textbooks will be on display at each applicable campus based on grade level. Community residents are encouraged to review the textbooks and give their feedback by writing to Bonnie Walker, Executive Director of Curriculum, 3911 Avenue I, Rosenberg, TX 77471.