Holiday events run the gamut in the Cy-Fair area
Opportunities to get in the holiday spirit in the Cy-Fair area range from festive outings and performances to holiday markets and projects to give to families in need. Chances to give
Cypress Assistance Ministries is requesting donations of Thanksgiving food for the needy by Thursday, Nov. 19, and for Christmas by Thursday, Dec. 17.
Donations may be made from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at the group’s food pantry, 11265 Huffmeister.
The organization is seeking toy donations by Thursday, Dec. 17. Items should be new and unwrapped. Bikes and gift cards are especially needed.
CAM is also creating baking baskets with ingredients for holiday treats and collecting monetary donations to help families.
The holidays are especially busy at the nonprofit organization, executive director Martha Burnes said.
“The winter months are always the toughest on families who are struggling,” she said. “There is so much additional cost. Children need warmer shoes and clothes, many families face additional child-care costs while their children are out of school for the holiday break and heating bills go up.”
Many area families do not have the budget for traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, she said.
“Families in our programs do not have any extra money for Christmas presents, and it is heartbreaking for these parents who want to give to their children,” she said.
CAM’s Angels’ Attic resale shop features a section of Christmas-related items for sale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
For more information about CAM holiday endeavors, call 281-995-7684 or visit www.cypressassistanceministries.com.
Toys for Tots started collecting donations on Nov. 1 at the Lakes at Cypresswood and will continue the drive until Saturday, Dec. 12. Stop by the official drop-off location, 9889 Cypresswood Drive, with new, unwrapped toys and books. Donations will be accepted during office hours, which are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information: www.toysfortots.org.
CyFair Helping Hands is on the hunt for volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 26 at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 14423 West Road.
The organization is seeking donations and volunteers before the event. Food may be dropped off from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at the office, 7710 Cherry Park Drive, or 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26 at the church. For more information, visit www. cyfairhelpinghands.org. Holiday exercise
Tru Tri Sports is hosting Hannah’s Turkey Trot on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Bridgeland. Participants are invited to park and register at 5 a.m. A 5K run starts at 6:45 a.m. and a 10K race is at 7:15 a.m. A 2-mile walk begins at 8:15 a.m. and a Kid Run starts at 9 a.m.
The event is at Festival Park in Bridgeland, 16919 N. Bridgeland Lake Parkway in Cypress. Parking will be available at CyRanch High School, 10700 Fry Road in Cypress.
All proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Jennifer Darnell, co-owner of Tru Tri, was inspired to start the event by her cousin Hannah Stewart who has Type 1 diabetes.
“It’s a deadly disease, and it’s super important that people understand the seriousness of it so we can find a cure,” Darnell said.
Cost for the 5K or 10K runs is $45. The kids run is $25, and 2-mile walk costs $30.
For more information, visit www.athletepath.com/hannahs-turkeytrot/2015-11-21.
Another option for those looking for holidaythemed exercise is the Jingle Bell Run, slated for 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Towne Lake, 9945 Barker Cypress Road at the neighborhood’s new boardwalk.
Pre-race festivities begin at 7 a.m. and include a disc jockey, holiday music, bouncy houses, hot chocolate, face painting and pictures with Santa.
All racers will receive jingle bells for their shoes and a red long-sleeved Tshirt. Three prizes will be awarded for the most festive attire.
Prices for those registering before Nov. 25 are $15 for the 1-mile kids run, $30 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K. Costs increase by $5 after that.
For more details, visit www.townelaketexas.com/jinglebellrun.
K2 Academy of Kids Sports, 15255 N Eldridge Parkway in Cypress, offers a number of opportunities for kids to get active during the holidays. The facility specializes in gymnastics, cheer and tumbling.
The Turkey Run Day Camp, a Thanksgiving holiday camp, will be from Monday, Nov. 23, to Wednesday, Nov. 25. The camp for ages 18 months through 13 years will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for preschoolers and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those in kindergarten through seventh grade. Children will enjoy a day filled with games, arts and crafts, open playtime, bounce mountain, foam pit and outdoor fun.
K2 Academy is also offering Winter Wonderland from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. Guests will get to take photos with Santa, play with snow, decorate a cookie, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and play in the gym. There will also be a coat drive for the nonprofit organization One Warm Coat. Families sign up for one-hour time slots.
K2 is hosting Santa’s Workshop Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. Extended care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“Our day camps are unique because we are a fitness-based camp,” spokeswoman Alicia Smith said. “The day is made up of 20- to 30-minute rotations throughout our 10,000-square-foot gymnastics facility, classrooms and outdoor playground.”
For costs and more information, visit www. k2academy.com. Markets, craft shows
For shoppers on the hunt for unique gifts, the CyFair Mistletoe Market is a free upscale shopping event planned for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road. More than 150 vendors will offer women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry, home décor, art, crafts and gourmet food items.
Details: www.berrycenter.net/events.
The Country Christmas Craft Show, hosted by the Cy-Fair High School FFA, will offer homemade gifts. More than 225 booths will feature crafts, yard art, candles, quilts, jewelry, woodwork and holiday decorations.
The market takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Cy-Fair ISD Exhibit Center, 11206 Telge Road in Cypress. Admission is free.
Santa will be on hand to pose for photos. There will also be train rides, chicken bingo, barbecue plates, a cakewalk, whole briskets for sale, choir performances and a silent auction.
Details: www.cyfaircountrychristmas.org.
Bridgeland’s Artisan Market is slated for 12:303:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing. In addition to the usual farmer’s market, local artists will sell gift items including jewelry, ceramics, paintings woodwork and natural rock oil lamps.
Details: www.farmersmarketatbridgeland.org. On stage
Ballet Theater Houston will present the holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road. Three performances — 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 — are scheduled. For information, visit ballettheatrehouston.org.
Grace Symphony Orchestra presents “Christmas in Cypress” — a concert featuring sing-a-longs and holiday favorites — at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road. Details: www.gracesymphony.org.
Artisan Ballet Company will host its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11; 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. Details: www. artisanschoolofdance.com.
The classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” will take the stage at the Houston Family Arts Center, 10760 Grant Road. Performances run from Friday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 20. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m. Details: www.houstonfac.com. ‘Night in Bethlehem’
Messiah Lutheran Church, 11522 Telge Road, will re-create Bethlehem of old for visitors complete with shepherds, Roman soldiers and a storyteller guide. The free interactive Christmas story will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6.
Children can make candles, create a clay pinch pot, sew a coin bag or play Bethlehem dress-up. They will also be able to pet animals. Cookies, cider and coffee will be available.
For information, visit messiahlc.org. College events
Lone Star College-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress, will host the Holiday Vocal Concert at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The show, which features the Houston Festival Choir and the college’s Concert Choir, will be at the Center for the Arts Main Stage, 9191 Barker Cypress. in Cypress. Tickets are $18, $12 for senior adults and $7 for students.
Details: www.lonestar.edu/box-officeticketinfo.htm.
The campus will also offer two holiday-themed L.I.F.E. (Learning, Inspiration, Fellowship, and Enrichment) courses. Both are free and open to the public.
“Cake Decorating with Angelic Confections” is slated for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in room 131 in the library. Angela Harkins will teach the course, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
“Holiday Melodies” will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at ARTS Recital Hall 102. Chanteuse Miriam Hoyt will lead guests in a festive holiday singalong.
Details: www.lonestar. edu/library/14656.htm.