Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Jan 2010: Calendar of Events in Fort Bend County

JAN 17

cfbca presents murder mystery

The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance will present a Murder By Chocolate Mystery Dinner Theatre production of Murder at the Mansion on Jan. 17. The interactive, audience-participation production will be held at Safari Texas. Guests who correctly solve the Who Done It will be entered in a drawing for the grand prize —an exquisite ring, donated by Dostal’s Designs in Fine Jewelry and valued at more than $1,800.

Bill Dostal, owner of Dostal’s Designs in Fine Jewelry, in business for 72 years, said, “We try to do whatever we can do to support the promotion of this community. That’s what most of the things we do are all about. It’s about supporting the people of this community. We appreciate being able to give back to the people who have brought us (our business) to this point, ” Dostal said.

Murder By Chocolate, a family-friendly interactive dinner theater group, frequently performs at Chabuca ’s Steaks and Rotisserie in Webster and Star Fleet Yachts at Star Fleet Marina in Kemah. Owner Wes Adair will soon initiate performances at Fernando ’s Restaurant and Bar in Sugar Land, and is also considering expansion into Katy. “Everything people do (for entertainment), like going to the movies, is based on watching things. We ’re one of the few G-rated, family-fun organizations that are appropriate for all ages. You can have entire families come to the shows and act goofy and wear costumes and not be embarrassed to bring the kids because there is no foul language. The people have a choice. They can just sit back and watch or they can get involved. ”

For more information, contact Joy Dowell at jdowell@CFBCA.org or call the chamber at 281-342-5464.

JAN 23

ARC Super Ball IX

The American Red Cross Super Ball IX will reveal an exclusive live auction offering at this year ’s event on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Safari Texas. A private wine dinner for 10 at Perry ’s Steakhouse & Grille in Sugar Land will be the featured item in the live auction.

The gourmet dinner, to be prepared by Perry’s Executive Chef Jorge Trujillo, will feature wines by award-winning California winemaker Tom Eddy, who will attend the private event. Rare library wines and reserve offerings from Eddy ’s private collection will be served, and Eddy will be on-hand throughout the evening to visit with guests and answer questions. The wine dinner will take place in April as determined by the buyer in a private dining room at the restaurant in Sugar Land Town Square.

Other activities at Superball IX include a tailgate-themed buffet full of football food favorites, live and silent auctions, a Half-Time Dance with music by The Spiffington ’s and a midway with games for guests to compete in. New to the midway is the Guitar Hero Show Down sponsored by Best Buy. Guests will have the opportunity to compete to win a Wii game system and a Guitar Hero game system with guitar. Long-time midway favorites are also back: two Basketball Shoot-Outs and the Football Toss. Finals will be held for the high scorers in each competition.

Proceeds from the American Red Cross Super Ball IX will support service delivery, program operations and general operating needs for the ARC Southwestern Branch. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000. Tickets are $75 per person or $130 per couple. To purchase tickets or to participate as a sponsor, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Branch at 281-342-9480 or visit www.houstonredcross.org/super-ball.

FEB 05

afort bend corps hearts &
hammers gala

The Fort Bend CORPS, a nonprofit corporation, was established in 1999 and has completed home repairs on more than 1,100 homes in Fort Bend County. All repairs are provided free of charge with no obligation. This assistance is made possible by grants, monetary donations, in-kind donations, as well as the tireless work of hundreds of volunteers. There is currently a 6-month waiting list of projects within Fort Bend County.

On Friday, Feb. 5, at Safari Texas Ranch, the Fort Bend CORPS will hold its 2nd Annual Hearts & Hammers Gala to raise funds for the organization. Fifty percent of funds raised will go toward a permanent CORPS office and warehouse space. The other 50 percent will go to the Hearts & Hammers Program, which does the exterior restoration of homes. For more information, call 281-282-7476.

Sugar Land’s Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program

The City of Sugar Land and Keep Sugar Land Beautiful are sponsoring the annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program.

Christmas trees that are free of ornaments, tinsel, trimmings, metal tree stands and plastic tree sacks can be recycled. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

A curbside tree collection will occur on Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. Drop-off sites will be available at Lost Creek Park and Eldridge Park until Jan. 17.

The city will provide high-quality mulch to residents on a first-come, first-served basis on Jan. 23 at Lost Creek Park and Eldridge Park at 11 a.m. Residents should bring a container and shovel to collect the mulch.

For more information, call 281-275-2450 or e-mail solidwaste@sugarlandtx.gov.

literacy council tutor
training, jan. 9, 16

Tutor training dates for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County have been scheduled for Saturdays, Jan. 9 and Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All training takes place at the Literacy Center, located at 12530 Emily Court in Sugar Land.

LCFBC volunteer tutors teach adult basic literacy and/or English as a Second Language (ESL). Students will benefit from the individualized attention while tutors will enjoy the rewards of helping improve adult literacy. Please volunteer and make an important difference in someone ’s life. Literacy tutors do not need knowledge of any foreign language, nor do they need formal teaching experience. The most important requirement is that volunteers be committed to helping adults change their lives by improving their ability to read, comprehend, and speak the English language.

Tutor-training workshops are held every other month and attendance at all scheduled days of training is required in order to become a certified tutor. For more information about LCFBC or to register for the January tutor training workshop, call 281-240-8181 or visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.

AUTISM Play Group of Fort Bend County, jan. 9

The Autism Play Group meets the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m.-noon at Sugar Land City Park, 225 Seventh St., Sugar Land. The play group provides social opportunities for children ages 1-12 years with autism and their families while building a support network in Fort Bend County. Thanks to local sponsors, drinks, snacks and door prizes are provided. Cost is free, but donations are appreciated. An RSVP is required. For more information, contact Susan at susan@susangar.com or 281-726-2665.

Saturday with the Master Gardeners, Jan. 9

Visit the 4 acres of Demonstration Gardens and talk to the volunteers who design and maintain them on Jan. 9 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Park in front of the Agriculture Center, located at 1402 Band Road in Rosenberg and take one of the sidewalks back to the area behind the building to find the Master Gardeners.

For more information, call 281-341-7068 or go to www.fbmg.com.

sweet adelines/sugar land, meets mondays

Sweet Adelines International is open to women of all ages who enjoy singing and is dedicated to educating its members in the art of singing four-part harmony, barbershop-style. Musical knowledge isn ’t necessary to sing with this chorus—any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her vocal range.

Sweet Adelines/Sugar Land meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land. For more information, call 713-774-3975.

Shared Dreams Toiletry Drive, Feb. 1-5

Travis High School will hold its Shared Dreams Toiletry Drive Feb. 1 through Feb. 5. Shared Dreams is a program that provides children in Fort Bend ISD with clothing and items needed to attend school.

Donations of any of the following “new” items will be accepted: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, combs, hairbrushes, deodorant, bath soap, shower gel, and socks (all sizes).

Donations can be placed in the Shared Dreams Drop Box located inside the front entrance doors of Travis High School between 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers will also collect items at the car drop off at the front entrance before classes begin. For more information, contact travisvips@yahoo.com.