AROUND KATY
YMCA
Turkey Dash fun for families
For those looking for a bit of exercise before the big meal on Thanksgiving Day, the 13th annual Katy Family YMCA Turkey Dash has it all.
About 7,000 participants and more than 1,500 spectators and volunteers are expected to attend on Nov. 26. Race options include a 10K, 5K, kids fun run and a 1 mile walk/run. The 10K begins at 7:45 a.m. The 5K begins at 8:15 a.m. A costume contest will also be held, with prizes for “Best Thanksgiving Theme” and “Most Unique Costume.”
All race proceeds go toward the YMCA’s Annual Campaign and help provide scholarships for child care, summer camps, swim lessons and more. Registration is open now through Nov. 25. To register to participate, visit ymcaturkeydash.org. Registration fees vary.
The Turkey Dash begins and ends at the Katy Family YMCA at 22807 Westheimer Parkway.
SHOPPING
Head to Merrell Center for gifts
The Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, will host the Home for the Holidays Gift Market from Nov. 20-22. Admission is $6 and parking is free. The market will feature more than 200 vendors.
Hours on Nov. 20 are 12-8 p.m. Hours on Nov. 21 are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hours
on Nov. 22 are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit homefortheholidaysgiftmarket.com for more information.
FILM Sing along with ‘Sound of Music’
The Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center will present a free sing-along with “The Sound of Music” on Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. It has been five decades since the film version of the musical was released in America. Guests are encouraged to come in costume to watch the film starring Julie Andrews as the irrepressible Maria von Trapp. Lyrics will be provided, and seniors should bring snacks or lunch to enjoy during intermission.
The center is located at 16600 Pine Forest Lane in Houston.
BARGAINS Citywide garage sale planned
The Katy citywide fall garage sale will be Nov. 21.
Join Keep Katy Beautiful and the city of Katy in promoting reduce, reuse and rebuy in yards and garages all over the city. To include a home on the list of participating garage sales, register at cityofkaty.com. All participants must register.
Once registered, the address will be included on a public list that shoppers can access by picking up a copy at the City Annex, located at 5718 Second St.; City Hall, located at 910 Ave. C; or online at cityofkaty.com. The list will be available on Nov. 20. For more information, email kkb@cityofkaty.com.
NETWORKING
Discover benefits of LinkedIn
Cinco Ranch Branch Library will present a free special program, “SCORE: LinkedIn for Business,” on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest social-media network for professionals and is a vehicle for connecting with potential customers.
SCORE mentor Celina Enamorado will talk about how to make the best use of LinkedIn to network and engage with contacts and businesses.
Learn how to create a profile, receive and provide recommendations, manage groups, utilize statistics, and implement best practices and strategies.
This program is presented in partnership with SCORE, the nonprofit mentoring arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For information, call 281-395-1311. The library is located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd. in Katy.
KPC
Two nature tours sure to excite
This month, the Katy Prairie Conservancy will host two Wild West Tours, “Owl Prowl and Coyote Howl” and “Sparrows on the Prairie,” both led by Master Naturalist Glenn Olsen.
On Nov. 21, from 5:308:30 p.m., he leads “Owl Prowl and Coyote Howl,” an evening jaunt to find elusive owls as they hunt and to detect the howls of a pack of coyotes on the prairie.
The next day, Nov. 22, join Olsen in the morning hours between 7:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. for “Sparrows on the Prairie” as the group tries to spot the secretive birds that blend into the late fall landscape on fields and fence rows.
Both events will start at KPC’s Indiangrass Preserve, 31950 Hebert Road, in Waller.
The Wild West Tours require advance registration online and are geared toward adult learners. The cost is $50 per person, and a portion of that fee goes toward funding KPC educational programs. A light dinner is served for “Owl Prowl and Coyote Howl.”
To register, visit katyprairie.org and click on the “Visit” tab to find “Events.”
CHURCH
Women’s group hosts market
The Women of Mercy group at Saint Faustina Catholic Church will host its first annual Mistletoe Market on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Cinco Ranch Golf Club, 23030 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy.
Shop for holiday items, clothing, gifts, jewelry, games, home goods and more. A $2 cash donation at the door will be taken for entry into the market. The club will have food and beverages available for purchase from 12-5 p.m.
FULSHEAR
Christmas mart at Cross Creek
The second annual Arts Fulshear Olde Thyme Christmas Market, designed to promote artists and small businesses in the Fulshear/west Fort Bend County area, will be Nov. 28 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Cross Creek Ranch Community Center on Cross Creek Bend Lane in Fulshear. The market will feature a variety of homemade goods and art.
MOVIE
‘Jingle All The Way’ shown free
Central Green Park will host a free showing of the yuletide comedy “Jingle All The Way” on Nov. 28 beginning at dusk. Bring blankets and chairs to watch Arnold Schwarznegger play a father who will stop at nothing to get that one special toy for Christmas.
The park is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy.
BOUTIQUE
Library gift mart offers variety
Friends of Katy Library will hold a Potpourri Boutique on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the library. The event will include crafts, gifts, baked goods and gently used books for adults and children suitable for gift giving. Winners of raffle tickets for two handmade afghans and a rag rug made will be announced at 5 p.m. The library is located at 5414 Franz Road in Katy.
CELEBRATION
Bank hosts free Christmas party
Tradition Bank will host its annual Christmas Party and Community Celebration on Dec. 3 from 5:30-8 p.m. The entire community is invited to this free event. Join the bank for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, beverages, prizes and lots of holiday fun. For more information, call 713-6662511. The bank is located at 1515 S. Grand Parkway in Katy.