"SASSY"

CAP spokesperson Rita Benton said she is known as “Sassy” for short.

“Sassafras is a sweet loving companion who is very playful – she loves woven rope toys. She needs frequent walks, always on a leash, as she wants to chase other dogs, cats and squirrels, and the like,” Benton said. “She would do best in a home with a fenced backyard where she can run and play off-leash. Plenty of exercise is essential to her well-being.”

Benton added Sassy is crate-trained and housebroken. She does have a strong dislike for vacuums, though, and Benton said having Sassy as a companion “is an excellent excuse for those who don’t want to clean house.”

If you can give Sassafras the minimally-vacuumed home she so desperately wants, go to the CAP website at www.cap4pets.org or call the shelter at 281-497-0591 for adoption information.

The Summer Sounds series offers a sizzling mix of Caribbean country, reggae, zydeco, blues and Latin dance.

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Vendors will set up booths along downtown streets offering produce, local honey, fresh eggs, arts, crafts, antiques and more.

Vendor space is also still available for $20.

Those interesting in renting a space can call 281-391-1993 or download the registration form from www.LimitedEditionArtAndAntiques.com.

Vendors can also come out and pick their spot in person by visiting The Limited Edition Arts and Antiques, 5717 Second St.

Free activities – from game days and movie nights to cookie decorating and scrapbooking classes – are being planned, while area teens discover the wonders of the world that can be found between the pages of a book.

Teens are encouraged to read as many books as they can, and they will 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.

Participants may register at any Fort Bend County library, or they may register online by going to the FBCL website (http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) and clicking on the “Teen SRC Sign-Up” image. Once the online registration form has been completed, the teens will then have their own online page on which to record their hours and activities. Registration ends July 28.

For the first five activities completed, each teen will receive a bookmark. The rewards continue with a key light for 10 activities, a draw-string backpack for 15 activities, and a reading trophy for the first 20 books read.

Reading rewards can be redeemed beginning Monday, June 4. The last day to pick up awards is August 25.

Weekly drawings for gift cards from area stores – donated by the library Friends organizations – will also take place at each branch library. In addition, the names of participants will be entered into a drawing for a $25-gift card that will be awarded to several lucky readers completing 20 activities or more, in a drawing scheduled in August at each library location.

There is no charge to join the Summer Reading Club, and it is open to all teens, regardless of the county of residence. The program is sponsored by the Texas State Library, Fort Bend County Libraries, and the Friends organizations that support the county library system.

For more information, call the library’s public information office at 281-341-2677 or the library branch nearest you.

Children from infancy to early teens are invited to come to the library to read a lot of great books, see some exciting programs, and join in some fun activities to kick off a great summer.

This year marks the 54^th anniversary of the Texas Summer Reading Club for children. The theme for this year is “Get a Clue… at the Library!”

Children are encouraged to read as many books as they can and they will earn rewards based on the total number they read or have read to them, or on the total number of hours they spend reading.

“Research shows that children who are read to from an early age have a larger vocabulary and better language skills when they start school. They also have a greater interest in books,” said Susan King, Coordinator of Youth Services at Fort Bend County Libraries. “Children who want to have books read to them are more likely to want to learn to read. You can give your child a life-long advantage if you start now to develop a love for books and reading. Children who are good readers are usually the most successful learners. That’s why we invite parents to enroll their children, as young as possible, in the Summer Reading Club. Reading is a good habit to start.”

Participants may register at any Fort Bend County library, or they may register online by going to the FBCL website (http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) and clicking on the “Youth SRC Sign-Up” image, which will become available May 29.

Upon registering, participants will then have their own online page on which to record their books. Reading rewards can be redeemed beginning Monday, June 4.

For the first five books read, the child will receive a bookmark. The rewards continue with a pencil for 10 books, a certificate for 15 books and a reading trophy for the first 20 books read.

For every 20 books read, the participant’s name will also be written on a paper dinosaur to be displayed in that branch library. The last day to pick up awards is August 25.

Young readers 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.

There is no charge to join the Summer Reading Club, and it is open to all children, regardless of the county of residence.

The program is sponsored by the Texas State Library, Fort Bend County Libraries, and the friends organizations that support the county library system.

For more information, call the library’s public information office at 281-341-2677 or the library branch nearest you.

The featured speaker will be Sandra Louvier, the director of Houston Community College’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

Louvier will talk about the college’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

The breakfast will held Wednesday at Hasta La Pasta Italian Grill.

Houston Community College recently received a prestigious Star Award for its small business program during the 14th Annual Economic Development Summit.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at HCC received the award for working with small businesses and helping entrepreneurs continue on a pathway of success and growth. The selection of the winner in each category was based upon overall business performance and contributions to the West Houston community during the past year.

The program helps develop skills needed to grow a company. Those selected to participate also receive a series of one-on-one business advising sessions from professionals to help develop a tailored plan for growth.

Networking for next week’s chamber breakfast will begin at 6:45 a.m. with the meal served at 7:15 a.m.

The cost is $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.

All reservations must be prepaid and can be made online at www.katychamber.com or by calling 281-391-5289.

Hasta La Pasta is located at 1415 W. Grand Parkway South, in the Kroger shopping center.

REXI

CAP spokesperson Rita Benton said Rexi is looking for a loyal human companion and maybe even a four-legged buddy to help calm his fears of being alone.

“He is sweet and friendly and is only (at CAP) because he suffers from separation anxiety and his barking was annoying his apartment neighbors,” Benton said.

Rexi, who weighs in at 18 pounds, would do best in an indoor home, but probably not in an apartment.

If you can give Rexi that supportive environment he needs, go to the CAP website at www.cap4pets.org or call the shelter at 281-497-0591 for adoption information.

The event features 25 specialty craft brewers from around the state along with live music and foods from local restaurants in Villagio Town Center.

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New members are always welcome.

The next meeting of the Fulshear Book Club will take place on Monday, May 21, beginning at noon in the library meeting room. The book to be discussed is David Liss’s novel of historical intrigue, “The Coffee Trader.”

The Fulshear Night Readers Guild will not meet in May because of the Memorial Day holiday.

Anyone interested in joining either of the literary review is invited to attend.  For more information, call the branch library at 281-633-4675.

HESC, a private nonprofit organization, currently has more than 2,300 registered players who come from more than 60 zip codes in the Houston metro area.

The club is staffed with professional coaches who implement a training curriculum to provide the best environment for players to succeed.

HESC is committed to a consistent style of play across all age groups and focuses on teaching and developing players individual skills. They encourage players to work with their teammates and introduce them to organized team concepts.

“As the parent of two boys who have played in the program, my take-away is that the program encourages self-expression, confidence and teamwork, all valuable attributes as my boys grow into responsible young men,” HESC President Bob Corrigan said. “As president of the club, I am most proud that we are a resource for, and serve, all young athletes in our community, boys and girls, regardless of resources and ability level.

Houston Express Soccer Club has two programs open to boys and girls, including those living in the Katy area.

HESC’s in-house recreational program offers boys and girls, ages U5-U12, an enjoyable, stress-free soccer experience. Standings are not kept and games are played against other in-house teams. Starting at U8, players can choose to remain in the recreational program or move to play in the competitive Houston Express Program. In age groups U9-U12, scores are kept.

Houston Express focuses on a higher level of development and competition for boys and girls, ages U8 and up, beginning with an Academy program to bridge recreational and competitive play. For U11 and up, Express players participate in full competitive play. Younger players in Express are part of the U8-10 Express Developmental Academy.

“HESC is committed to finding and developing coaches that are qualified to implement our curriculum and to serve as role models; coaches who are capable of sharing their own playing experiences and exhibiting leadership skills,” Director of Coaching Mark Gibbs said. “Our goal is to give children a chance to play in a competitive, positive environment whether a child is at the beginning stages of soccer or striving to play at the collegiate level.”

Houston Express teams are trained by licensed professional coaching staff and compete in various area leagues, such as Eastern District Division One Association Division 1 and Super 2, Houston Youth Soccer Association and State Classic League.

Registration is currently open for the fall season.

For more information, visit www.houstonx.org.

The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s meeting room.

In the program “Early Texas, Early Fulshear,” a volunteer from the Fort Bend County Museum will provide a brief history of the state of Texas, with a special focus on the Fulshear community and its growth over the years.

Twelve photographs depicting scenes of the Fulshear community dating back to the early 1900s will be installed in the library for permanent display. Some of the photographs include people who have not been identified, and the library is interested in hearing from anyone who might be able to identify these individuals.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the branch library at 281-633-4675.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 2.

The book to be discussed is “City of Thieves,” a novel written by David Benioff.

Based on stories told by Benioff’s grandfather about surviving WWII in Russia, “City of Thieves” provides a snapshot of the Nazi’s siege of Leningrad as seen through the eyes of a 17-year old boy.

Copies of the book are available at the checkout desk.

Anyone interested in joining the literary review club is invited to attend.

For more information, call the branch library at 281-395-1311.

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The focus of the event is to promote water safety in an effort to reduce drowning among young people.

The Make A Splash event will include free swim lessons or advanced stroke school, goody bags for the first 350 participants, a bounce house provided by Katy Jumps, water rescue demonstrations and a special visit by Princess Ariel and Prince Eric from Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center.

There will also be water contests for children and raffle prizes.

Additionally, Make A Splash will feature demonstrations and exhibitions of safety equipment from the U.S. Army Corps, American Red Cross and Willowfork Fire & Rescue. There will also be interactive displays for children of all ages.

All Katy area families are invited to the free event on Saturday, May 19 at the Cinco Ranch High School Natatorium. Hours will be 10 a.m. – noon.

Those interested in taking enrolling their children in the interactive swim lessons or the advanced stroke lessons are asked to register in advance online at katyaquatics.org.

Children must be ages three and older to participate in the lessons.

GoodSearch.com is a fundraising platform that donates 50 percent of its profits when members search the Internet, shop online or eat at a restaurant in their GoodDining program.

Compassion Church plans to raise ongoing funds through its member’s online search and shopping activity with GoodSearch and will use the money to pant their church and begin serving the Katy Community.

“One of the biggest things that has been holding us back is until we find a meeting place and begin holding services the church has no money of its own. GoodSearch gives anybody who wants to support us the opportunity to do so, without spending any more money than they are already.” Compassion Church Founding Pastor Rev. Robert Crutchfield said.

GoodSearch.com is a search engine powered by Yahoo.com. When users search the Internet they earn about a penny donation for their cause. The site includes an online mall with more than 2,500 major online retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, JC Penney, Macy’s, Target and Wal-Mart that donate a percentage of every purchase to charity and provide more than 100,000 money-saving coupons.

GoodDining, a partnership between GoodSearch.com and Rewards Network, is the first 365-day a year dine for charity program. A percentage of each dining check, including tax and tip, is donated to the member’s charity when they dine out at any one of 10,000 participating restaurants, clubs and bars nationwide and pay with a program-registered credit or debit card.

More than 100,000 nonprofits and schools have partnered with GoodSearch and have raised more than $8 million for charitable causes through searching the Internet and shopping online.

The company is revolutionizing online philanthropy so that no one is denied the opportunity to support the causes most important to them.

“We have taken simple everyday actions, like searching and shopping, and turned them into ways people can do good with just the click of a mouse,” says Scott Garell, CEO of GoodSearch and former president of Ask.com. “It’s a tough economy and everyone is thinking, ‘How can I give back?’ GoodSearch provides an easy and meaningful way to fund causes most important to them.”

Compassion Church of Katy is a new church organizing in the Katy Area. Their mission is “To empower our members to minister to those affected by crisis as living vessels of Christ’s compassion.”

The non-denominational church is currently seeking low cost meeting space west of Mason Road to begin holding weekly services.

For more information visit their website at www.compassionchurchkaty.org.

HANJA

Hanja is a Korean name for Chinese characters adapted into the Korean language, but CAP spokesperson Rita Benton said the pup could probably do with a new name to go with his new home.

Benton also described Hanja was a “sweet, loving little doggie.”

“He prefers home with kids older and up, but he actually loves everyone, “Benton said. “And he’s the perfect size only 19 pounds.”

Despite his loving demeanor, Hanja’s former owners did not want to take the time to care for a dog, so he found himself homeless.

If you can give Hanja that forever home he so desperately needs, go to the CAP website at www.cap4pets.org or call the shelter at 281-497-0591 for adoption information.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.

Again this year, the festival will feature a vintage baseball game, as well as food, games and family activities.

The Katy Business Association organized the Katy Heritage Festival in 2010.

Admission to the festival is free.

Katy City Park is located on Avenue D at Franz Road, just west of the Katy Police Department.

The session will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s meeting room.

The program will be repeated on Wednesday, May 30, beginning at 10 a.m. in Room 2B of the George Memorial Library in Richmond.

Those taking part will learn how to browse, select, and download audio books and eBooks to a computer, MP3 player or eReader from the library’s online digital library collection, OverDrive. It is necessary to have a Fort Bend County library card to check out eBooks from the library.

The program is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the library’s public information office at 281-341-2677.