Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Jul 2009: Calendar of Events 1

ONGOING

kidz art kamp

The Artists Alliance of Sugar Land is once again sponsoring the ever popular Kidz Art Kamp. The camp provides kids, between the ages of 5 and 18, the opportunity to create their own summer. For example, when it is hot or rainy, kids can paint their own kool place or fair weather. They could sculpt their own swimming pool or express themselves through mosaics, collages, wire and jewelry design —the opportunities are as limitless as the imagination.

Art promotes physical development, particularly eye to hand coordination, dexterity and rhythm. Likewise, it facilitates non-verbal expression development. For example, one can sculpt content and paint discontent. However, by learning the use of new words with regards to art methodology and projects, verbal skills are augmented as well. Artistic endeavors also encourage development of spatial and dimensional relationships.

The facilitators are all professional artists and members of the Artist Alliance of Sugar Land.

The Kamp concludes in August, and the young artists will have a chance to show what they have accomplished. Visit the facility at 104 Industrial Blvd., Ste. Q, Sugar Land.

For additional details and Kamp registration, call 281-565-0957 or visit www.artistsallianceofsugarland.com.

ONLY JULY 4

Missouri City Marks 25-Year Milestone with Fourth of July Celebration

The award-winning Tejas Brothers Band will be on the main stage on July 4 forMissouri City ’s 25th annual Independence Day celebration. The main stage will resound with the mix of country, rock and blues from the group who was awarded the Best New Act of 2008 by the Dallas Observer and is nominated for the “Best Emerging Artists” award by Lone Star Music Awards.

It will be fun for the entire family at the festivities to be held at Buffalo Run Park, 1122 Buffalo Run Drive, off Texas Parkway in Missouri City. The entertainment begins at 6 p.m.; a fireworks show over the lake will start at 9 p.m. The Missouri City Pops will perform during the fireworks display again this year.

Other highlights include: Break Shop, a high-energy mix of head-spinning acrobatics and break-dancing; Dance Heads, a one-of-a-kind technique that superimposes participants ’ heads onto the bodies of professional dancers while they sing along to hit songs; stilt walkers and face painters for the kids.

In addition, wristbands will be on sale for unlimited use of the rock climbing wall, extreme jump, gyroscope and basketball toss.

For more information, call 281-403-8500 or visit www.missouricitytx.gov.

ONLY JULY 18

Moms and Sons Missouri City’s Super Hero Lunch

Moms and their sons won’t have to fight a villain or hide a secret identity to attend Missouri City’s Super Hero Lunch on July 18. But like most Super Heroes, participants will have to wear a distinctive costume to this annual event.

The lunch for mothers and sons will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center next to City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway. A limited number of tickets are on sale. The tickets are $20 for moms with one son, and $10 for each additional son.

Moms and sons are encouraged to dress as their favorite Super Heroes. They will have a chance to color and decorate their own capes to take home.

Activities planned for both moms and sons include: Spiderman moonwalk, photos, door prizes, lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A, and group games and prizes.

This event is perfect for boys ages 10 and under. Tickets are available at the Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway, during regular business hours or by calling 281-403-8500.

ONLY JULY 19

CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS WITH MARK ROBERTS

Mark Roberts, the “King of Christmas” and one of the country’s largest and most admired creator of collectible Fairies, Santas and Elves, will be at Interiors Market in Sugar Land on Sunday, July 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during his 2009 National Signing Tour. Mark Roberts has committed an amazing amount of time and money over the years to charitable causes that are dear to his heart.

For more than 12 years Roberts has been designing and creating magical fairies and elves. Based upon inspiration from his mother’s childhood tales of fairies of all sorts to her pushing Mark to realize the only boundaries to success were inside his own head, Roberts ’ designs have swept the nation and world with collectors in all 50 states and some 20 different countries. What started out as an extremely small part of his company has now grown to become a huge part of his work. The company ’s signature Fairies, Santas and Elves tell the stories that every child hears and provides inspiration for the creation of new fantasies and fables. Roberts also has a designer line of timely, yet timelessly, designed home accessories in a mixture of mediums, adding a touch of whimsy to each item.

Another inspiration Roberts got from his mother is his ongoing support of worthwhile causes. “My mother regularly instilled in all of my siblings the importance of living the Gospel by helping those less fortunate than ourselves, ” Roberts said. Since 2005, Roberts has dedicated profits from certain of his designs to worthwhile causes. This year, he is supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Mark Roberts is embarking on a 20-city tour this year, promoting these designs along with signing consumers ’ purchases while meeting collectors. For more information, contact Interiors Market at 281-980-2070 or www.interiorsmarkettx.com.

events at sugar land town square, during july

Each month, Town Square adds new, exciting events to this ever-changing schedule. For more information, go to www.sugarlandtownsquare.com or call 281-313-SLTS.

Thursday Night Jazz Concert, July 2, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of jazz as saxophonist Stephen Richard performs in the Plaza.

Concert in the Plaza, July 10, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Come out for a concert by seasoned country musician Drew Kennedy.

Sugar Land Superstar, July 11, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Don’t miss the second semi-final of Sugar Land Superstar as 15 contestants perform and five finalists are named. Event is sponsored by David Taylor Cadillac.

Thursday Night Jazz Concert, July 16, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Relax while spectacular jazz duo Kim Prevost and Bill Solley entertain.

Dancing Under the Stars, July 17, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Boogie to Beethoven as dance instructors from Fred Astaire Dance Studio teach you how to swing, hustle and jive. Wear dancing shoes.

Movie Under the Moon, July 18, 9 p.m.-11 p.m. Bring family and friends for a free movie under the moon. Vote for your favorite at sugarlandtownsquare.com.

Concert in the Plaza, July 24, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Moodafaruka will be on hand to mix flamenco, Middle Eastern, Spanish and Western motifs into a tapestry of sound that is both familiar and new.

Concert in the Plaza, July 25, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Latin sensation Tropicrew will bring their sultry sound to the plaza.

Thursday Night Jazz Concert, July 30, 7p.m.-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the performance of contemporary jazz artist Dwayne Hildreth.

Free Citizenship Classes at
literacy council, wednesdays

Free citizenship classes are in session at the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. Classes are ongoing and conducted each Wednesday evening from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Literacy Council Center, 12530 Emily Court, Sugar Land. Students may join at any time.

Call 281-240-8181 for information or to register. For information about the Literacy Council ’s programs, visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.

summer reading clubs
at library

The 2009 Texas Summer Reading Club and Young Adult Reading Club for Teens continues through August at all Fort Bend County Libraries locations. Children from infancy to early teens are invited to come to the library to read great books, see some exciting programs and join in some fun activities.

“Time Twistin” is the theme for this summer’s Young Adult Reading Club for Teens. Exciting activities—from game days and movie nights to cookie decorating and scrapbooking classes—are planned.

Teens are encouraged to read as many books as they can, and earn rewards based on the total number of hours they spend reading or the number of reading-related activities they complete. The reading activities may include watching a movie based on a book, attending a teen library program or making a bookmark or poster based on a book. Listening to audio books and reading magazines and newspapers may also be counted.

This year marks the 51st Anniversary of the Texas Summer Reading Club for children. The theme for this year is “Libraries Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Young patrons are also invited to register to win plush book-characters that will be given away in weekly drawings. In addition, the names of participants will be entered into a drawing for gift cards from area stores —donated by the library Friends organizations—that will be awarded to several lucky readers of 20 books or more, in a drawing scheduled in August at each library location.

Participants may register at any Fort Bend County library, or register online at http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us and click on the “SRC Sign-Up” icon. Select the tab for the Teen Summer Reading Club, or Book Club and complete the online registration form. Upon registering, participants will then have their own online page on which to record their books. The last day to pick up awards is Aug. 29.

There is no charge to join the Summer Reading Club, and it is open to everyone regardless of the county of residence. For registration information, call 281-341-2677 or visit the library branch nearest you.