Couples and singles enjoy enjoy ballroom dancing at Hometown Heroes Park in League City. A special New Year’s Even dance is scheduled for Dec. 31 at the park, 1001 E. League City Parkway, starting at 8 p.m. with a $15 charge. No membership or reservations are required. Dancers with or without partners are encouraged to attend. Attire is “as you like.” For information, message Neva@LetsDanceBallroom.org
The annual Dunes Day Project in Brazoria County uses discarded Christmas trees to stop erosion on beaches. Trees can be dropped off at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, 5800 Magnolia Parkway, Pearland, Monday through Sunday, no appointment needed. Trees with flocking cannot be recycled, and tinsel must be removed. Dumping outside the gate when the center is closed can result in a fine of up to $200.
Gospel and R&B pioneer Mavis Staples brings her “deep-pocket grooves” to The Grand 1894 Opera House Jan. 7. Learn more at www.thegrand.com.
Tree recycling effort benefits Brazoria County shoreline
Christmas trees dropped off at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center find new purpose along county beaches.
When: Monday through Sunday, no appointment needed.
Details: Trees may be unloaded into the trailer at the recycling center’s entrance gate. Dumping outside the gate when the center is closed can result in a fine of up to $200.
Trees with flocking cannot be recycled, and tinsel must be removed.
As part of the Brazoria County Dunes Day Project, Jan. 15, the trees will be lined up along the beach and staked to the ground, essentially slowing erosion. Additionally, as the trees degrade, they will provide nutrients for dune grasses.
Info: www.pearlandrecycles.com/christmastree-recycling
Dancer’s step out for (an early) New Year’s Eve
Let’s Dance rings in 2022 with a celebration at Hometown Heroes Park ballroom.
Where: 1001 E. League City Parkway, League City
When: 8-11 p.m., or Times Square midnight
Details: No membership or reservations are required. Dancers with or without partners are encouraged to attend. Attire is “as you like.”
The Grand opens doors to birthday visitors
Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House celebrates its 127th birthday with complimentary self-guided tours.
Details: New to even long-time patrons is the special tour of The Grand’s lower level, installed in 2020.
Info: www.thegrand.com, 409-765-1894 or 800-821-1894
Quilters learn more about machine care, repair
Fabrics Etcetera’s Mark Puffer leads a discussion of sewing machine maintenance during Bay Area Quilt Guild’s January meeting at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
Details: BAQG meetings take place the first Tuesday of each month.
Price: Visitors may attend two meetings for free; annual dues are $25.
Info: Carol Garcia, 713-253-2521, or www.bayareaquiltguild.org
Seedling seminar lays groundwork for spring planting
Harris County extension agent Paul Winski presents “Starting Plants from Seeds” as part the Texas A&M AgriLife Home Grown Lecture Series.
Info: www.homegrown2022.eventbrite.com
Railroad commissioner speaks at Galveston Republican meeting
The Galveston Island Pachyderm Club welcomes Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian during its weekly gathering at Coastal Grill.
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Details: Christian is running for re-election in March. The Pachyderm Club meets Thursdays at noon.
Price: Cash bar, lunch purchase
Professional organizer shares clutter-clearing tips
Samantha Davis, founder of Thinking Outside the Closet, reveals proven tricks and ideas for tidy kitchen cabinets during an Evelyn Meador Branch Library Facebook webinar.
Where: www.facebook.com/evelynmeadorlibrary
Details: No registration is required.
Info: www.hcpl.net/events/52609.
The Grand welcomes Mavis Staples
Gospel and R&B pioneer Mavis Staples brings her “deep-pocket grooves” to The Grand 1894 Opera House.
Details: In promotional materials, The Grand heaps praise on Staples, calling her a “once-in-a-generation artist” whose impact on music and culture “would be difficult to overstate.”
A member of the Blues and Rock and Roll halls of fame, her list of achievements also includes Grammy Award winner, National Arts Award Lifetime Achievement recipient and Kennedy Center honoree.
Info: 409-765-1894, 800-821-1894 or www.thegrand.com
Library’s walking club steps out
Evelyn Meador Branch Library’s Happy Feet walking club meets Fridays to work toward its goal of 801 miles, the width of Texas.
Details: Every minute of walking counts as 1 mile. No registration is necessary. Check www.facebook.com/evelynmeadorlibrary for weather updates.
Info: www.hcpl.net/events/51260
Educators discover details about retirement benefits
The Texas Retired Teachers Association and Teacher Retirement System of Texas present a virtual seminar outlining post-employment benefits.
Info: www.trta.org/retirementseminars
Learn the basics of gardening in small spaces
Harris County Master Gardeners outline methods for planting in containers and urban spaces during a Green Thumb lecture presented by Houston Community College and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
Details: Registration at www.hccs.edu/community-learning-workshops is required.
The Pearl Theater presents a six-class foundational workshop covering the technique and tools of acting.
Details: At the end of the series, participants will perform a showcase open to friends and family members. Registration closes Jan. 3.
Synagogue offers adult Hebrew class
Community members wishing to read the Bible in its original language learn Hebrew during informal classes at Congregation Shaar Hashalom.
When: 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays through May.
Details: Congregant Phyllis Greenspan teaches the course, which also covers Jewish themes, customs and history. Registration deadline is Dec. 20.
Price: $10 for congregation members, $15 for others.
Galveston theater welcomes Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys take center stage for their annual concert at The Grand 1894 Opera House.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Details: Lead singer Duane Allen, bass Richard Sterban, tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden have performed such favorites as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “Thank God for Kids” together for more than 40 years.
Info: 409-765-1894, 800-821-1894 or www.thegrand.com
"Given the increase we are seeing in omicron, we could very possibly be at 100 percent omicron by January," said Dr. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist.