Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes magazine Dec 2008: Calendar of Events

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa at HMNS Wortham IMAX® Theatre

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is now playing at the Houston Museum of Natural Science Wortham IMAX® Theatre. Digitally re-mastered through IMAX DMR, a technology with crystal clear, larger than life images and state-of-the-art digital surround sound, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in large format, puts audiences in the movie for the most immersive cinematic experience around.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults; $10 for members; $10.50 for children ages 3-11, $11 for seniors (62+) and students with a valid college ID; and $11 for groups of 20 or more. For tickets, visit www.hmns.org or call 713-639-4629.

First Colony Mall is one-stop center for gifting and giving back

Whether it’s giving back to the community or gift-giving on the agenda, General Growth Properties Inc. malls, including First Colony Mall in Sugar Land, are the place to be this holiday season. Throughout the country GGP malls will have a variety of fun, holiday festivities and events to help consumers breeze through their holiday shopping and support both local and national charities.

To help the holidays remain happy and stress-free, consumers can log on to www.thegivingspree.com. Shoppers will find a one-stop guide to GGP mall happenings across the country; helpful holiday tips from America ’s sassiest lifestyle guru, Steve Kemble; specifics on how to donate to a favorite charity and be rewarded with discounts from mall retailers; and an array of Merry Giving advice and resources.

A recent online survey conducted by GGP revealed 84 percent of consumers would rather give than receive. The Giving Spree provides shoppers the perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season by giving back to their community. Now, shoppers can log on to www.thegivingspree.com and donate to Habitat for Humanity or one of the additional 10 charities.

Don’t leave that special furry friend out of the mix this holiday. Every Monday through Dec. 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., pet lovers and their furry companions can have photos taken with Old St. Nick.

For information, call 281-565-6255 or visit www.firstcolonymall.com.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Pilgrimage 2008

Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation of Houston will hold its Kappa Holiday Pilgrimage 2008, a biennial tradition since 1941, which kicks off the holiday season with its luncheon and home tour.

The luncheon will be held on Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. at River Oaks Country Club. This event will feature renowned chef Jason Graham of Cal-a-Vie,Spa Havens in Vista, Calif., who will discuss the timely topic of healthy eating during the holidays. The cookbook Cal-a-Vie: Gourmet Spa Cuisine, which Graham co-authored, will be sold, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Pilgrimage. Additionally, delicious food items from the Kappa Kitchen and beautiful needlepoint creations made by the Kappa Stitchers will be available for purchase.

The holiday home tour will be held on Dec. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 7. The tour features four exquisite homes, two in River Oaks and two in Tanglewood, decorated for the holidays by some of Houston ’s top professional floral designers.

The cost of the luncheon is $250 and the home tour is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. It includes all four homes.

Tickets are available at Bering’s, all Rice Epicurean locations and at the homes. For ticket information, call 713-662-2266.

fort bend La Leche League, meets monthly

Mothers wishing to find out more about breastfeeding are invited to attend a meeting of La Leche League of Fort Bend every second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital or every third Monday at 10:30 a.m. at River Park Community Center. Babies are always welcome at meetings. La Leche League leaders of Fort Bend are available by phone for anyone who needs more information. Call Laura: 281-277-4989, Melia: 281-344-8585 or Karen: 281-937-9597.

La Leche League of Fort Bend is a breastfeeding support group for new and expectant mothers and also offers meetings and education.

Santa clicks with pets at First Colony Mall, Dec. 1, 8, 15

Pet owners are invited to bring their four-legged friends and come have a photo taken with Santa Claus. First Colony Mall has Pet Nights scheduled Mondays, Dec.1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, beginning at 6 p.m.

Special for 2008, Santa has a wardrobe of fun costumes for his furry friends. Pet owners can choose from antler ears, a big red bow, even a princess or biker outfit. Prices for photos begin at $13.95. It ’s all fun, and the costumes come in a variety of sizes to fit all varieties of cats and dogs.

Santa’s Rudolph Studio is located in the courtyard, near Dillard’s. Cats and dogs on a leash or in an appropriate carrier only, please. Animals, other than those servicing the disabled, are not allowed in the shopping center other than during Pet Night. Call 281-565-6255 or visit www.firstcolonymall.com for more information.

Fort bend boys choir annual christmas musicale

The Fort Bend Boys Choir’s annual Christmas Musicale will be held on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. at Williams Trace Baptist Church. All four performing choirs —Training, Town, Tour and Alumni—will be showcased.

Tickets are available by calling the choir office, from any choir member or at the door. Admission is $15 for adults; and children 12 and under are $5. The Fort Bend Boys Choir office can be reached at 281-240-3800.

CAMPFIRE CHRISTMAS at the george ranch, Dec. 5-20

The George Ranch Historical Park’s Annual Campfire Christmas is set for Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 5-20. This annual Christmas feast combines the legacy of Texas heritage and the rich traditions of the holiday season.

This years activities are staged at two of the parks many historic sites; the 1830s Jones Stock Farm and the 1890s Davis Victorian Mansion decorated in the spirit of the holiday season. The evening events include an abundant holiday feast, a mule-drawn, hay wagon ride around the park with singing and story-telling at the cowboy campfire with the George Ranch cowboys.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $50 for adults; children, seniors and groups of 10 or more are $45 each.

Call 281-343-0218 to make reservations or go to www.georgeranch.org for more information.

fort bend museum CANDLELIGHT TOUR TO
FEATURE CHRISTMAS CAROLS THEME

The Fort Bend Museum docents will host their annual Candlelight Tours on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year, each of the 10 rooms in the historic Moore Home will be decorated according to a “Christmas Carols” theme.

“The house is so beautiful when it’s decorated for the holidays and the candlelight makes it extra special,” said Fort Bend Museum Education Coordinator Claire Rogers.

The docents are also holding a raffle on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. The grand prize is a queen/king-sized strip quilt in soft colors called “Organized Chaos.” Sixteen additional items will also be on the raffle list that evening.

The annual Candlelight Tours event is a fundraiser benefiting the programs of the Fort Bend Museum. Tickets for the Candlelight Tours are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children. Raffle tickets are available now for $2 each, $5 for three tickets or $15 for 10 tickets. Tickets are available at the Fort Bend Museum or from any docent.

The Fort Bend Museum is located at 500 Houston Street in Richmond. For more information, call 281-342-6478 or visit www.fortbendmuseum.org.

silver bells christmas tea, dec. 6

Beta Sigma Phi, a worldwide social-service organization, invites women of all ages to attend the upcoming Silver Bells Christmas Tea on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sweetwater County Club.

Guests are invited to enter a drawing to win Sweetwater Sunday Brunch for Two by purchasing one Merchant ’s Gift Card to be donated to the Child Advocates Christmas Gift Program.

The Beta Sigma Phi’s Web site is www.bspswhcc.com. Contact Vickie Looney, chair at vlooney@jmi-inc.com to register for the tea and to obtain more information about the Child Advocates Christmas Gift Program.