Take a free tour of WWII planes
Spend part of the Fourth of July weekend learning about history and aircraft.
The Houston Wing of the Commemorative Air Force invites the public to visit its hangar and tour the World War II Museum on the first and third Saturdays of each month.
The next opportunity will be July 2 from 10 a.m.3 p.m. Free admission. Get up close to the five flyable WWII military aircraft, or go inside a WWII paratroop aircraft and climb into the cockpit of a WWII trainer.
The hangar is located at the West Houston Airport, 18000 Groschke Road, two miles north of Interstate 10, just east of Barker Cypress. Visit www.houstonwing.org for detailed directions and more information.
Waffle Bus to visit Katy area
The Waffle Bus is coming to Katy to help promote Memory Care Awareness.
The Waffle Bus will be at Sundance at Woodcreek Reserve, 1820 Woodcreek Lane, Katy, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 30.
Visit https:// www.facebook.com/ events/1302159753146406/ for information.
Nation’s pioneer days recalled
George Ranch Historical Park will celebrate the Fourth of July with “An American Tradition” on July 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Events will include a vintage wheels parade, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a hot dog feast, a cobbler eating contest, historic games and a scavenger hunt. Reservations are required for the meal.
The park is located at 10215 FM 762 in Richmond. For more information, visit www. georgeranch.org or call 281-343-0218.
Stars, Stripes Celebration set
The birth of America will be commemorated with fun and fireworks at the Cross Creek Ranch Stars and Stripes Celebration on July 2.
The free annual event will be from 6-9:30 p.m. on the big hill at 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane. Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive activities including a dunking booth, a pieeating contest, face painting, and a bounce house. Houston favorites The Grateful Geezers will rock the party with renditions of blues, R&B, rock and jazz tunes.
At 9:15 p.m., Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics will light up the sky with fireworks. Families are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Food trucks — including Tu-Go Kitchen, Cupcake and a Smile, Grab & Go Grill, Cousin Main Lobster and Anna’s Greek Gourmet — will be on-site offering a range of cuisine choices for purchase.
The community is located west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093.
Libraries close for holiday
All branches of Fort Bend County Libraries will be closed July 2-4, in observance of Independence Day. Regular library hours will resume July 5.
The online library is always open at www.fortbend.lib.tx.us for searching the catalog, renewing books or placing holds, downloading e-books or music, streaming movies, or using the research databases. For information, call 281-633-4734.
Family films on summer screen
Alamo Drafthouse Houston is offering its Kids Camp screenings at its Mason Park location through August.
Selections range from “Babe” to “The Karate Kid,” and tickets cost from $1-$3. All ticket sales will benefit the Katy Family YMCA and the D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA. The screenings are open to Alamo fans of all ages.
At the Mason Park location, “The Dark Crystal” will be shown July 1-7, and “Horton Hears a Who” will be July 8-14.
Mason Park is located at 531 S. Mason Road in Katy. To reserve seats, visit https://drafthouse.com/houston.
Brewery plans first Local Fest
No Label Brewing Co. will host the first No Label Local Fest on July 3 from 12-6 p.m. The event will consist of local live music, as well as local food trucks and vendors.
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available at nolabelbrew.com/ local-fest.
The brewery is located at 5351 First St. in Katy.
Free 4th July fun in downtown
The ninth annual Fulshear Freedom Fest comes to historic downtown Fulshear on July 4 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the city of Fulshear and the Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the Houston Methodist West Hospital, the free event will kick off with a traditional parade at 5:30 p.m. and conclude with a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Entertainment will include the popular Spazmatics band, along with food trucks, vendors and children’s activities.
Retired military dogs assisted
Rover Oaks Pet Resort, 24250 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, has launched its sixth annual monthlong donation drive, “Operation: War Dogs,” to support the nonprofit Mission K9 Rescue, the Houston chapter of the U.S. War Dogs Association.
The drive ends July 4th. In 2015, Rover Oaks raised more than $35,000.
Mission K9 Rescue is dedicated to the service of retiring and retired military working dogs. It provides monetary, transportation, adoption and professional assistance for these retired dogs.
Donations can be made by credit card at roveroaks.com/wardogs. Donations will also be accepted via cash or check at Rover Oaks Katy near Katy Mills Mall.
To learn more, call 281693-7687 or visit www. roveroaks.com.
L.I.F.E. serves up ice cream
Attendees at Lone Star College-Cy Fair’s Learning, Inspiration, Fellowship, and Enrichment program next week are in for a cool treat.
On July 6, attendees will be treated to ice cream to chase away summertime blues. The free program meets 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays in the library (Room 131 unless otherwise noted) at 9191 Barker Cypress.
Call the library at 281290-3214 for L.I.F.E. program information or go online to LoneStar.edu.
Turn front yard to edible garden
The Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center, 16600 Pine Forest Lane in Houston, will introduce ways to turn a front yard into an edible garden on July 6 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Master Gardener Ronald Richter will talk about edible plants that can be incorporated into a front yard without sacrificing beauty. For example, sweet, tender lettuce and tri-color beets can be grown in harmony with existing flowers and shrubbery. The class will cover how to lay out the landscape, as well as drought-resistant plants, and combining edible flowers with vegetables in the landscape.
Free screening of 1980s classic
Join the city of Katy Parks and Recreation Department for Katy Summer Nights, a family summer fun series, held on the second Friday evening of July and August. This month’s free movie will be “Back to the Future” on July 8 from 7-11 p.m. in Harvest Plaza. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the movie and will enjoy pre-movie games, popcorn, and props for photo opportunities. Harvest Plaza is located at 5701 Third St. in Katy. Visit cityofkaty.com for more information.
Health fair open to public
The Maud Smith Marks Branch Library will host a free health fair on July 9 at 1 p.m.
Come listen to health and safety professionals about how to stay healthy and safe. Learn your personal numbers and check on your health with the visiting mobile clinic.
The library is located at 1815 Westgreen Blvd. in Katy.
Competitive eaters sought
Hub Hyundai West’s second annual hot dog-eating contest has been changed to July 16, pitting area police officers against firefighters. The goal is to raise $20,000 for the 100 Club. Festivities will begin at 11:15 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m.
The dealership is seeking five willing police officers, five firefighters and five civilians. Prizes, trophies and bragging rights are at stake.
For more information, call 832-739-6302. The dealership is located at 17007 Katy Freeway in Houston.
Live music returns to café
The Music on the Patio series has returned to Italian Maid Café in Cross Creek Ranch.
Blues musician Randy Burns will play July 23 from 5-7:30 p.m., and guitarist/vocalist Dave Miley will perform Aug. 6.
Italian Maid Café is located at 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, adjacent to the community information center. Visit www.italianmaidcafe.com for more information.