FYI

AAR animal shelter needs volunteers  

The Abandoned Animal Rescue shelter is seeking volunteers to help keep the shelter running.

The shelter needs at least 22 volunteers each day to handle tasks such as caring for the dogs and cats, working at the front desk, doing laundry, cleaning the shelter and maintaining the yard, according to a shelter press release.

Volunteers can choose to commit to a weekly day and time, help out in special situations or help at fundraising events.

Community service volunteers can earn hours by volunteering at the shelter. Anyone interested in that must call the shelter first to set up a meeting. Volunteers are also needed to write grants, help with fundraising efforts, marketing and promoting the AAR.

AAR is at 419 E. Hufmith Road, Tomball.

For more information, send an email to aarescue03@yahoo.com.

Family receives new home’s keys from Habitat

Jvon and Linda Woods were given the keys to a new home built by Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, Dec. 1.

According to a press release from the organization, the Woods’ new home is located in the Hamill Crossing community and is the 199th home to be constructed by the Northwest Harris County branch of Habitat. They received the keys at a dedication ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by many friends and family members of the Woods. The family spent 350 hours working on their home and other homes as a requirement to become a Habitat home owner.

The keys were given to the family by Andy Houser, co-chair of the Family Support Committee. The family also received a basket of blessings and Pastor Earnest Sampson of Our Lord Ministry offered a prayer of blessing.

The Woods purchased the home with a no-interest loan. Their monthly mortgage payments are used to fund the building of more Habitat houses.

Cypress Creek FACE plans New Year’s Eve Gala 

The Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment will present a New Year’s Eve Gala concert with the Houston Symphony on Monday, Dec. 31.

Brett Mitchell will lead the concert for the sixth consecutive year at the Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring.

According to a FACE press release, the concert will include music by Richard Wagner, Otto Nicolai, Aaron Copland and Ron Nelson.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Platinum tickets are $65, Gold tickets are $50, Silver tickets are $45 and Bronze tickets are $35.

For more information, visit www.cypresscreekface.org.

Bring a toy to donate at Home for theHolidays

The 32nd annual Home For The Holidays Celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 in Historic Old Town Spring.

According to a press release, the event will feature holiday performances from a variety of groups including the Living Lines Dance Center, Red Satin Dance, Second Chance Choir, Resurrection Church Bells, Texas Stars Youth Choir, Cypress Creek Band, Kohrville Elementary Choir and Ross School of Dance. There will also be festive exhibits, carriage and pony rides, a petting zoo and an opportunity to take photos with Santa.

Additionally, a Be An Angel Foundation toy drive will be held on both days, in which attendees are encouraged to be an unwrapped toy for underprivileged children. Items can be placed in collection bins located at Ellen’s Caf, the Little Dutch Girl and Moore Time Clock shops.

For more information about upcoming events in Historic Old Town Spring, 403 Gentry St., Spring, visit oldtownspring.com.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ auditions set

Fun4Seniors and Lone Star College - Tomball has scheduled auditions for an upcoming performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of the Shakespeare in the Shade Trees program.

According to a press release, Auditions will be held noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at Texas Repertory Theater, 14243 Stuebner Airline, Houston and from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 17 at Mangum-Howell Community Center, Room #113, 2500 Frick Road, Houston.

The performance is scheduled on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Performing Arts Center at Tomball College, 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball.

For more information, call 713-683-0073, visit www.hcp4.net or email Producer Judy Frow at judy@frowbiz.com.