SIENNA BRANCH LIBRARY, MAY EVENTS

The following free events are scheduled during May at the Sienna Branch Library located at 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City. For more information or a full schedule, call the library at 281-238-2900.

“An Introduction to Watercolor Painting for Adults” is scheduled on Saturday, May 14, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Illustrator and portrait artist Jan Hampton will provide a basic introduction to painting with watercolors. Attendees will learn about painting materials and various techniques, such as washes and brushstrokes. Hampton will demonstrate how to use these techniques to paint a simple still-life or landscape painting. An art teacher, illustrator, and portrait artist, Hampton has taught private art lessons for more than 30 years.

“An Introduction to Surrealism in Watercolor” painting class for adults is scheduled on Monday, May 23, from 6-7:30 p.m. Multi­media artist Armando Castelan will provide a basic introduction to the artistic style of “surrealism” and painting with watercolors. Class members will create a piece using the methods and concepts they learn. A graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in 1998, Castelan has been a freelance artist doing digital and hand-painted illustrations and book layouts, graphic design, and paintings on canvas in acrylic or oil for the past 15 years.

No experience is necessary for either class, and all materials will be provided. Seating for both classes is limited, and reservations are required. To register at the library’s website (fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Calendar,” select “Sienna Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library.

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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, MAY 5

The 65th annual National Day of Prayer is May 5. Plan events for your family, congregation, business, school, and study groups at nationaldayofprayer.org/events/. Attend the community gatherings at 10 a.m. at Missouri City-City Hall and Sienna Brushy Lake Pavilion; at noon at Meadows Place City Hall and Sugar Land Town Square, and at 7 p.m. at Stafford City Hall and Wessendorf Park in Richmond.

For more information, contact Mary Cook, Fort Bend County Coordinator National Day of Prayer, at 832-651-7771 or [email protected].

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“SURF’S UP SCHOOL’S OUT” BENEFIT FOR L.E.A.F., MAY 6

The azaleas are in bloom, the wild flowers are out, the cold weather is gone. Time to hit the beach because “Surf’s Up!” OakBend Medical Center is the title sponsor for the 2016 Surf’s Up School’s Out, with the Triumphs, benefitting the Lamar Educational Awards foundation (L.E.A.F.). The dinner, dance and auction will be May 6 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Dinner is served from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with Vincent Morales auctioning off 20 desserts immediately following the meal. The dance starts at 9 p.m. with entertainment by Fort Bend County’s favorite party band, The Triumphs.

Funds raised at Surf’s Up go to underwrite grants for Lamar CISD teachers. More than $317,000 was awarded by the L.E.A.F. “Grant Express” in 2015. Since 2000, L.E.A.F has awarded more than $2.5 million dollars in grants for innovative classroom project.

Individual tickets are $25, which includes a chicken-fried steak dinner catered by Vincek’s. Reserved tables for eight are $250. For ticket information or to reserve tables for Surf’s Up, contact Janice Knight at 832-223-0334 or online at leafgrants.org.

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CENTRAL FORT BEND CHAMBER’S HISPANIC BUSINESS COMMITTEE HOSTS CELEBRATION, MAY 5

Join the Chamber’s Hispanic Business Committee for its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration presented by Legacy Ford in Rosenberg. This event is a great opportunity to get connected in Fort Bend County by networking with Chamber members, business owners and community leaders while enjoying free food and drinks.

The annual celebration is free to Chamber members and attracts several hundred people each year. Take part in the fun atmosphere celebrating the Hispanic community’s culture from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at Legacy Ford located at 27225 South­west Freeway in Rosenberg. There will be food, music and door prizes.

Legacy Ford is celebrating 10 years in the Fort Bend County community and hosts multiple events each year to help foster growth through business and volunteer efforts. Owner Ron Ewer and his staff work hard to ensure customers have a positive experience, whether shopping for new or used vehicles. For the last five years, Legacy Ford has played a vital role in the Chamber’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, hosting the event and getting others involved. This year will showcase the years of working together and will be a great networking event for all members.

Underwriting sponsorships are available for $500 and Corporate sponsorships are $250 for the event. Contact Lisa McGarity at [email protected] or 281-342-5464 for questions. Register on the website at CFBCA.org.

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FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR AUDITIONS AND CONCERT

Boys who love music and singing can get in “treble” with the Fort Bend Boys Choir by auditioning for the choir’s upcoming 35th anniversary season. Entry into one of the treble choirs (for unchanged voices) is by audition only. These auditions will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m –noon at the First United Methodist Church-Missouri City. Boys should be 8 years old or going into the third grade for the 2016-2017 school year. Scholarships and payment plans are available in addition to carpool assistance. Call the Choir office at 281-240-3800 for more audition details and/or if you need to schedule an alternate date. Also, ask about Music Magic, the music enrichment program for 6 and 7-year-old boys. No auditions required.

Celebrate the spring season with the Fort Bend Boys Choir on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. The annual Spring Concert will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Call the office to buy tickets.

Four ensembles – Training, Town, Tour and Music Magic – will be showcased as they celebrate this year’s theme “Give our boys a voice … come sing with us!”

Find out more at fbbctx.org.

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MISSOURI CITY BRANCH LIBRARY, MAY EVENTS

The following events are scheduled in May at the Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway. They are free and open to the public. For more information or a full schedule, call 281-238-2100.

Enjoy an afternoon of live music at “Jazz with a Touch of Gospel” on Saturday, April 30, from 2-4 p.m. In recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month, the library will present a brief talk on the history of jazz music followed by a performance by Adrian Berry and the Songbirdz. A local a cappella group, the Songbirdz will perform songs that pay homage to the richness of the jazz experience. Berry is a recording artist, songwriter, and vocal arranger.

Prospective students can gain insight into what to expect at college when a group of current college students and recent graduates share their experiences and tips during a panel discussion, “My College Experi­ence,” on Saturday, May 7, from 2-4 p.m. Kathy Rose, executive director of the CollegeCommunityCareer nonprofit organization in Sugar Land, will moderate this panel discussion.

In recognition of Mental Health Aware­ness Month in May, the library will present the program “Relaxation: Mindfulness Skills for Optimal Well-Being” on Saturday, May 14, from 2-4 p.m. Kathleen Troiano will present a basic introduction and demonstration of this mental-relaxation exercise in which one trains the mind to be calm and silent while in a state of contemplation, introspection, and reflection.

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FORT BEND LAWYERS CARE JUSTICE FOR ALL LUNCHEON, MAY 5

On Thursday, May 5, Fort Bend Lawyers Care and presenting sponsor the West Law Firm invite the public to attend its eighth Justice for All Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sweetwater Copuntry Club, 4400 Palm Royale Blvd. in Sugar Land.

Keynote speaker for the event is Doug Dawson, former Houston Oilers offensive lineman. Commissioner James Patterson is auctioneer for the live auction event.

For sponsorship and ticket opportunities, contact Tasha Hernandez at [email protected] or
281-239-0015.

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HOUSTON NATIVE STEVE TYRELL COMING TO STAFFORD CENTRE, MAY 6

Legendary producer and vocalist Steve Tyrell, also known as America’s wedding singer, returns to his hometown of Houston on May 6 with a performance at the Stafford Centre at 8 p.m.

With humble beginnings from the 5th Ward to Houston’s hero who has been crooning out standard after standard, Tyrell’s career has spanned more than four decades. He is known as an extraordinary artist, producer, music supervisor, songwriter and performer. Tyrell says “I was raised on a mixture of my Italian parents’ music – standards sung by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dean Martin – and music from the neighborhood, where I heard Louis Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong.”

Tickets are available at the box office at 281-208-6900 or at staffordcentre.com. The Stafford Centre is located at 10505 Cash Road in Stafford.

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FBJSL SPRING FLING: A DAY AT THE DERBY, MAY 7

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL)has announced this year’s Spring Fling theme: “A Day at the Derby”. The Kentucky Derby themed event will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 4-8 p.m. Sponsorships are still available, but are going quick for this “must attend” event.

This year, a majority of the Spring Fling proceeds will benefit FBJSL itself. In the15 years since its commencement, the group has raised over $3.4 million for local Fort Bend nonprofits. A true volunteer organization, FBJSL relies on the generous contribution of its members’ own resources for administrative essentials. In order to continue to flourish and help the Fort Bend community even more, the League is focused on improving its infrastructure to support organizational, fundraising and technology needs. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund, which allows FBJSL to extend its financial support even further in the community by providing multiple smaller grants to local charitable organizations.

“A Day at the Derby” will take place at Sweetwater Country Club. Fundraising events include a wine and bourbon pull, live auction, Julep and Gems raffle and a chance to pick the winner as The Kentucky Derby will be shown live.

Sponsors to date include Rangeland Energy; Texas Direct Auto; RISE Communities; Johanson and Fairless, Lawyers; Dr. Dennis Halford, DDS MS, Halford Orthodontics; Dr. Larry Caldwell, DDS, Dentistry for Children; FBJSL Board of Directors; Debbie and Philip Buckner; Dana and Jason Clement; Jennifer and Paul Gottlieb; Lucy and Ron Hudson; and Pure Barre Sugar Land. For more information, email [email protected].

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SUGAR LAND CELEBRATES BIKE TO WORK/SCHOOL DAY, MAY 13

Shape Up Fort Bend and the City of Sugar Land will celebrate National Bike Month on Friday, May 13 with the sixth annual Bike to Work Day and fourth annual Bike to School Day.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with fun, food and prizes at the South Meadow Pavilion at Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd., adjacent to the Pawm Springs Dog Park. The event will begin with a reading of a proclamation from the Mayor’s office in celebration of Bike to Work Day and announcing May as Bike to Work Month.

After a safety briefing at 8:15 a.m., all participants will ride 1.1 miles to Fort Settlement Middle School, 5440 Elkins Road, via University Boulevard. After dropping off students, Bike to Work Day participants will continue another 6.4 miles to Town Square via Commonwealth, Austin Parkway and Lexington Boulevard. The closing celebration at Town Square will include a group photo, food, massages, a spin class and free coffee.

Participants must pre-register and bring their own bicycles and helmets to participate.

Bike to Work Day takes place during National Bicycle month. The event is celebrated nationwide and is an opportunity for local cyclists to spread awareness of bicycling opportunities in the community and to share the efforts being taken to make the City of Sugar Land a safe environment for bicyclists. It is also an ideal time to stress the importance of knowing and following state and local laws that apply to bicyclists, sharing the road legally with motorists and demonstrating the bicycle as a useful form of transportation.

All riders are encouraged to wear bright clothing, travel in the direction of traffic, stop at all stop signs and traffic lights and follow all traffic laws.

For more information and to register, visit sugarlandtx.gov/biketowork.

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SSLW SPRING SERVICE PROJECTS

Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) and its collaborative partners celebrate 27 years of cheerful, willing and generous services and resources to those in need in the community. In May, SSLW will demonstrate staff appreciation at Fort Bend County schools, distribute food and supplies to the hungry and homeless in Fort Bend and Harris counties and have an Adopt-A-Spot quarterly clean-up.

Other ongoing service opportunities include community garden preparation and maintenance once a month for two hours in Fresno. Members are asked to attend and bring others quarterly or annually for two hours to a specific community service project in Fort Bend and beyond. Members are also asked to provide any unique knowledge and skills via specific education/training for children or adults for one hour weekly, monthly, quarterly,semi-annually or annually,

SSLW also requests donations of new or recycled clothes, dry cleaning plastics; men’s shoes, belts, and ties; women’s plus size professional attire, shoes (toes in), handbags and colorful scarves; seniors lap throws, word search, coloring books and crayons, nail care items and household cleaners, paper, foil products; children and youth success incentives, supplies, clothing, gift cards, movie passes; food, personal hygiene items for homeless and hungry.

For more details, call 713-256-7953 or email [email protected].

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ART OPENING TO BENEFIT LAMAR EDUCATIONAL AWARDS FOUNDATION, MAY 14

Richmond artist Charles Weiss will have an exhibit of his works beginning May 14 in Vogelsang’s Heritage Hall in downtown Rosenberg. The opening night reception, 5-9 p.m. on May 14, will feature hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and music, with a cash bar. The exhibit will continue through June 5. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Lamar Educational Awards Founda­tion (L.E.A.F.). The original artwork is available for purchase.

L.E.A.F. funds creative ideas and classroom projects for Lamar CISD teachers which would otherwise go unfunded.

For more information, visit lcisd.org.

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FORT BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HONORS FIRST RESPONDERS WITH CONCERT, MAY 15

Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra (FBSO) concludes its season with a rousing tribute to the superheroes who live and work among us on Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Rd. in Stafford. Working with Behind the Badge Charities, FBSO will distribute free tickets to a group of first responders and their families.

Guest host for the performance will be Officer Ann Marie Carrizales of the Meadows Place police department. She is a former member of the Marine Corps and a former professional boxer. She was awarded the Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2015 (among other honors) for her professional conduct and courage after she was severely wounded in a traffic stop that morphed into a police chase spanning two counties. It later resulted in the successful capture of three members of MS-13, the Mexican Mafia.

The concert begins with the antiphonal brass choirs from John Williams’ theme for the 1996 Olympics, “Summon the Heroes.” Stirring marches on the program include Chopin’s “Military Polonaise,” F. W. Meacham’s “American Patrol” (with familiar embedded themes such as “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean;” “Dixie;” and “Yankee Doodle,”) and Julius Fucik’s “Florentiner March, Op. 214.” Also on the bill is the hauntingly beautiful “Nimrod” from Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” America’s military themes resound in the “Armed Forces Salute.” The orchestra concludes with “Wellington’s Victory” portraying the musical depiction of battle complete with cannon fire, trumpets and marching drums.

Tickets begin at $15 for adults. Teens are $10 per ticket and children 12 and under are $5 each. Discounts are available for college students, seniors 55-plus, military personnel, and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available online at fbso.org or by calling 281-276-9642.

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SUMMER FUN AT MOODY GARDENS PALM BEACH, MAY 21-SEPT. 10

Moody Gardens is offering some new entertainment and traditional favorites at Palm Beach as this popular private beach attraction opens for the summer.

Guests are invited to sink their toes in white sand, lounge beneath palm trees and splash amongst a variety of beach attractions. Visitors can even enjoy concerts and fireworks. Palm Beach will open weekends beginning May 21, including Memorial Day before opening daily for the summer season June 4 through August 21. As the summer season comes to an end, Palm Beach will be open weekends only August 27 through September 10, including Labor Day.

Visitors can enjoy the interactive 650-foot lazy river, wave pool and two 18-foot tower slides. Other attractions include beach volleyball on regulation courts and the Aquarium Adventure play area. The Splashpad automated aquatic water feature offers interactive dump buckets, spray arches and fountains for a day of fun at the beach. Palm Beach admission is $23.95 for adults, $17.95 for children and seniors, or $55 for a season pass. Children ages three and under are free.

Visitors can make it a weekend of entertainment with the popular Bands on the Sand summer concert series at Palm Beach. Beginning June 4, this live music series runs throughout the summer following each show with fireworks over the Moody Gardens pyramids and Offatts Bayou. Admission to each concert is $15 and free for kids three and under. Bands on the Sand will be held from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through August 13. Some of the area’s top local and regional bands will perform. For a complete schedule visit moodygardens.org or call 800-582-4673.

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HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL OBSERVES TESTICULAR CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

In honor of Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital will be lit up purple throughout the month of April. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men ages 15 to 34, with 33 being the average age for diagnosis. It is a rare but highly treatable cancer. Still, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 8,430 men were diagnosed and 380 men died of the disease last year.

“Men of all ages should watch for testicular cancer by doing self-exams and reporting changes to their doctors,” said John Boon, M.D., board-certified urologist at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “Even if it doesn’t hurt, swelling or a lump on the testicle is cause for concern.”

Painless swelling is the main symptom of testicular cancer, seen in 75 percent of cases; but in some cases, the lump or swelling does cause pain. Additional symptoms include aching or pain in the lower abdomen or groin or a sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum.

For an appointment with Dr. Boon or another urologist in your area, please call 281-274-7500 for a physician referral.

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SUGAR CREEK GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW, MAY 26

Sugar Creek Garden Club presents “Good Vibrations,” a standard flower show on Thursday, May 26. Exhibits will be held at the Sugar Creek Country Club in the Garden Room, 420 Sugar Creek Blvd. from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. Please note: This event is a flower show only; the plants are not for sale. Judges will award ribbons for the members who made the arrangements. The public is invited to come out to view and enjoy the arrangements on display.

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FREE ALL-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN RICHMOND, MAY 21

The City of Richmond’s Wessendorff Park Gazebo will be the site of a free all-day musical event, Concert on the Creek, on Saturday, May 21, presenting a variety of musical genres from noon to 6 p.m. Rob Quarles, himself a musician, has desired to produce a music festival in historic downtown Richmond for several years and created Morton Street Music for that mission. Quarles began with A Fall Friday Night last Oct. 30, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

Concert On The Creek is now Morton Street Music’s inaugural event. Attendees can expect six bands/ artists, 5 food trucks and snow cones, and vendors and craftsmen. Wessendorff Park is located on Preston St. between 4th and 6th Streets. The public is welcome to bring chairs, blankets and ice chests.

To view the bands and food trucks, go to concertonthecreek.com. For questions, email [email protected].