Run, run reindeer on December 22

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer at the first annual Reindeer Run 5K & Donation Drive hosted by the Katy Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The event has already reached capacity and can no longer accommodate additional runners – but – the group is still accepting donations of new socks or new or gently worn and clean coats, jackets and blankets. Bring your donations, which will go to Hope Impacts and to The Rescue Center, to Willow Fork Park,23440 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, at 3 p.m. on December 22.

Join the Elks Lodge for a Christmas Eve candlelight service on December 24

The Katy Elks Lodge #2628, located at 1050 Katy Fort Bend Road in Katy, will host its first annual Christmas Eve candlelight service on December 24 from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Jack Moore will officiate at the non-denominational service. Everyone is welcome.

Celebrate the Holidays in Style with Antipasti and Arias on December 27

The Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO Orchestra) presents a Night in Italy, a Nearly New Year’s Eve experience to celebrate the holidays in style on December 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Houston West, 13210 Katy Freeway. Guests are invited to begin the evening with Italian wine, appetizers and pastries accompanied by Italian music both classical and modern by Pianist Mary Peterson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature performances by Tenor Ruben Erazo, Soprano McKenzie Garey and Flautist Katherine Rivas Fuentas. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to echorchestra.org/.

Enjoy a New Year’s potluck at the Fussell Senior Center on December 31

Network with other Katy-area senior citizens at the Fussell Senior Center’s potluck lunch on Tuesday, December 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. Sign up at the Senior Center at 5370 East Fifth Street in Katy.

Serene Beans to resume monthly holistic fair starting in January

Healers, readers and creatives alert! Serene Beans Coffee Shop, located at 5609 Third Street in historic old town Katy, will be restarting its holistic fair on the first Saturday of every month. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For booth information, please visit the shop or call 832- 437-5567 or email serene.beans21@gmail.com.

Choose from these events happening at the Maud Marks Library in early January

The Maud Marks branch of the Harris County Library System at 1815 Westgreen Boulevard in Katy has scheduled a variety of events for early to mid-January. For more information or to register, call 832-927-7860.

· January 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.: 3D Printer Orientation. This orientation session will instruct participants on how to use the 3D printer in the library. Those completing the class will then be able to schedule time to use the 3D printers at HCPL branches and MakerCentral, at which time they will complete a short machine-specific orientation at the location of their choice. Attendees will receive the 3D Printer and Dremel DigiLab 3D45 badges in Beanstack upon completion of orientation. Registration is required and space is limited.

· January 3 at 2 p.m. Spice Tea Program. Learn about the herbal and spiced teas made in diverse Asian cultures. Make your own herbal tea blend and enjoy tasting it in class. Limited Space. Registration required.

· January 7, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Teen Anime Club. Teens 6th – 12th grades, come hang out with your fellow fans as we practice manga art, watch anime shows, and sample Japanese snacks.

· January 9, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Teen and Tween After-School Game Day. Tweens and teens, grades 4rd—12th come play tabletop games, including chess.

· January 10 at 4:30 p.m. Innovation Lab Open House. Learn about the different machines housed in the Maud Marks Library’s Innovation Lab and create customized art using materials made with the laser cutter, 3D printer, and our Cricut.

· January 9, at 2 p.m. Book Discussion Clubs to Meet. Booked This Afternoon meets in person on the second Thursday of the month. This month the group will be discussing Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris.

· January 9 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Teen Time Snowflake Art. Teens 6th – 12th grades unleash your creativity with hot glue, salt, or paper to create various snowflakes as original as you.

· January 13 at 2 p.m. Food for Healthier Brain. You are what you eat! Join us to learn about the right fuel for your brain health and ways to incorporate more high-quality vitamin-rich foods in your everyday diet. This engaging and informative presentation is made by training specialists at Amazing Place. They are a non-profit dedicated to helping families with the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s and to fostering brain health.

· January 13, 6 – 8 p.m. Cricut Orientation. This orientation session will instruct participants on how to use the Cricut in the library. Those completing the class will then be able to schedule time to use the Cricut machines at HCPL branches and MakerCentral, at which time they will complete a short machine-specific orientation at the location of their choice. Attendees will also receive the Cricut and Cricut Air badges in Beanstack upon completion of orientation. Registration is required and space is limited.

· January 14 at 2 p.m. DIY Workshop. Join us we transform old shoeboxes into beautiful lanterns. Registration is required for this event and seating is limited.

· January 14, from 8:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Timeless Travelers: Wendish Heritage Museum. Seniors 55+ are invited to join the Maud Marks Library’s Timeless Travelers program for a trip to the Wendish Heritage Museum. The Texas Wendish Heritage Museum preserves the history of the Texas Wends, Slavic immigrants from Lusatia, an area in eastern Germany. The bus will be departing on Tuesday, January 14. Registration runs December 30-January 4, 2025. Timeless Travelers is a program series promoting educational and cultural enrichment for senior adults. Once a month, we will take free bus trips across southeast Texas to experience the culture and history of this great state. The only requirement is that you are old enough to attend (55+). Thanks to the Friends of the Maud Marks Library for sponsoring this series.Celebrate the holidays in style with ‘Antipasti and Arias’ on December 27

The Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO Orchestra) presents “A Night in Italy, a Nearly New Year’s Eve” experience to celebrate the holidays in style on December 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Houston West, 13210 Katy Freeway. Guests are invited to begin the evening with Italian wine, appetizers and pastries accompanied by Italian music both classical and modern by Pianist Mary Peterson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature performances by Tenor Ruben Erazo, Soprano McKenzie Garey and Flautist Katherine Rivas Fuentas. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to echorchestra.org/.

Enjoy a New Year’s potluck at the Fussell Senior Center on December 31

Network with other Katy-area senior citizens at the Fussell Senior Center’s potluck lunch on Tuesday, December 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. Sign up at the Senior Center at 5370 East Fifth Street in Katy.

Give blood at Exley Elementary on January 17

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center’s donor coach will be at Exley Elementary, 21800 Westheimer Pkwy. in Katy, on January 17 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donors receive a free long-sleeved T-shirt. To register or for more information, contact Heather Hedges at heatherahedges@katyisd.org and use donor code U555. Bring ID.

Celebrate international cultures at Stockdick Junior High’s ‘Sabercats Around the World’ on January 21

Enjoy international food, music and exhibits at the “Sabercats Around the World” festival at Stockdick Junior High from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on January 21. The campus is located at 4777 Peek Road in Katy.

Start the New Year with these programs from Maud Marks Library in late January

· January 14: Teen Time Snowflake Art. Teens 6th – 12th grades, unleash your creativity with hot glue, salt, or paper to create various snowflakes as original as you! 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

· January 16: Tween Time Snowflake Art. Tweens 4th – 5th grades unleash your creativity with hot glue, salt, or paper to create various snowflakes as original as you! From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

· January 17: Immunization Service. Harris County Public Health will be bringing their mobile unit for Immunization services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a free service for patients who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover out-of-pocket healthcare for vaccines. The flu and COVID vaccines are for anyone regardless of insurance status. They will be providing Flu, COVID, and adult and children routine vaccines.

· January 17: Resume Workshop. Need help polishing your resume? Haven't made one before? In this workshop/presentation by FutureU, we'll look over your resume and help you optimize it for your desired careers or academic needs. Whether you're seeking your first job, searching for an internship, switching careers, or applying to a major that requires a portfolio, we'll help you design and curate your resume effectively! Join us at 4 p.m.

· January 21: Teen Video Game Day. Teens 6th – 12th come play Wii and Switch with friends! 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

· January 23: Tween Video Game Day. Tweens 4th – 5th come play our Wii and Switch with friends! From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

· January 25: Book Sale. The Friends of the Maud Marks Library will hold their January book sale from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is a large selection of hardback fiction and nonfiction, as well as children’s books, paperbacks and other hidden gems. A “Friends Members-Only” preview will be held on Friday, January 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All items sell for rock bottom prices.

· January 25: Laser Cutter Orientation. This orientation session frm10 a.m. to 12 p.m. will instruct participants on how to use the laser cutter in the library. Those completing the class will then be able to schedule time to use the laser cutters at HCPL branches and MakerCentral, at which time they will complete a short machine-specific orientation at the location of their choice. Attendees will receive the Laser Cutter and Dremel DigiLab LC40 badges in Beanstack upon completion of orientation. Registration is required and space is limited.

· January 27: Meditative Yoga. Join us at 2 p.m. for Meditative Yoga. This is a class for all levels and abilities with a focus on the understanding and purpose of yoga through breathwork, basic asanas, stillness and sound therapy to go inward. The flow of the class is not fast-paced, so everyone can escape from the accelerating aspects of society and into the slowness and awareness of the inward journey. Asana holds will vary ranging from short couple of breaths to 3+ minutes depending on the needs of the class. Hands-on adjustments will not be provided for the comfortability of individuals. Please bring a yoga mat, one or two yoga block(s), blanket, an eye pillow, and comfortable clothing. Everyone participating will need to sign a liability waiver form.

· January 28: Teen STEAM – Play Like it’s PreK. Teens 6th –12th grades, come enjoy a sensory-rich play experience—just like in PreK! From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.