FYI

CityCentre to host Rudolph Fun Run Dec. 8

CityCentre will host the Rudolph Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

This is the second year the race has been held, according to a CityCentre press release. It will feature the Dasher 10K, Rudolph 5K and Cupid 1K runs.

The Dasher 10K starts at 8:30 a.m., the Rudolph 5K at 8:40 a.m. and the Cupid 1K at 8:50 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to wear Christmas costumes, which will be judged. The winner will receive a gift certificate.

Santa Claus will also be on hand for photo opportunities.

All race participants will receive a finisher’s medal and T-shirt.

The cost is $18 for the 1K, $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K.

CityCentre is at 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston.

For more information, visit www.citycentrehouston.com/events/detail/rudolph-fun-run.

Bayou City Outdoors plans Reindeer Romp

Bayou City Outdoors will host a Reindeer Romp event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 at Memorial Park.

Participants will have the opportunity to put on some reindeer antlers and join others as they walk through the park’s trails on a short hike, acccording to a press release.

The event is free, but reindeer antlers will be available for a suggested donation of $5 to $10, with all proceeds benefiting Memorial Park Conservancy.

Hikers should bring flashlights and hiking shoes. The first person to spot the evil Grinch wins dinner from Bayou City Outdoors.

All participants are welcome to join together for dinner at Beck’s Prime at the park’s Golf Center.

Memorial Park is at 1401 E. Memorial Loop.

For more information, visit www.bayoucityoutdoors.com.

Allegro Ballet plans holiday traditions

Allegro Ballet of Houston has announced its schedule of upcoming events.

Champagne and Sugarplums will be held from 7-10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at Lakeside Country Club, 100 Wilcrest Drive, Houston.

The event features an opportunity to pre-shop the Sugar Plum Market while dining on appetizers.

A live auction includes items such as a weekend at Round Top Inn, ballet and opera tickets, dinner at Ibiza and an autographed baseball bat signed by Pete Rose.

A silent auction will also be held, along with a raffle for a diamond. Tickets cost $50 per person.

The 10th annual breakfast with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Sugar Plum Market will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at Lakeside Country Club.

Ballet members will perform excerpts from “The Nutcracker.” There also will be raffles, drawings, costumed characters posing for photographs with children and a reading of “The Nutcracker” story.

Full-length “Nutcracker” performances will be held at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 at Taylor High School Performing Arts Center, 20700 Kingsland Boulevard, Katy.

For more information, visit www.allegroballetofhouston.com.

Learn to make tamales in cooking classes

The Tamale 101 Cooking Classes, sponsored by Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 15.

The event will run from 1:30-4:30 p.m. both days.

According to Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, “the event is a cooking class by Sylvia Casares. She is also teaching a cooking class Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 2-5 p.m.”

Tickets are $65 per class.

For more information, call 713-334-7295 or visit www.sylviasenchiladakitchen.com/.

Food addictions group meets in West Houston

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a 12-step program for individuals suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating and bulimia, regularly meets at West Houston Community Center.

Sessions are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. the center, 725 Bateswood, Houston.

For more information, call 281-392-8914 or visit www.foodaddicts.org.

Houston agencies team up to findhomes for vets

Several Houston-area agencies have recently joined together to offer housing to homeless veterans.

Agencies involved in the effort include the City of Houston, the Houston Housing Authority, Harris County, the Veterans Administration and multiple local community organizations. The groups want to find homes, social services and jobs for homeless military veterans, especially those with disabilities, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.

“The original goal was to house 100 homeless vets in 100 days,” Mayor Annise Parker said in the release. “We have now doubled that number, but I won’t be satisfieduntil all our heroes have a safe place to stay at night. To accomplish this goal we will need all of our community partners to remain engaged. Our homeless veterans also have a role to play by accepting the helping hand that is being offered to them.”

For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20121109.html.

KHOU to hold Secret Santa Toy Drive

KHOU Channel 11 will hold a Secret Santa Toy Drive from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Members of the KHOU 11 team, including Meteorologist David Paul will collect new, unwrapped toys in CITYCENTRE Plaza, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston.

Donors can drive through to drop off their donations. Those who cannot donate at that time can drop off toys at the KHOU 11 studio, 1945 Allen Parkway, Houston from Thursday, Nov. 22 through Friday, Dec. 21. Participating partner locations Randall’s, IHOP and Mac Haik Chevrolet will also collect toys. 

Live broadcasts of the drive will be seen on the 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts on the collection day.

KHOU 11 has been holding the toy drive since 2001. In that time, it has grown to become one of the city’s largest toy collection efforts. In 2011, close to 25,000 gifts were collected for donations to area families.

All donations collected will be distributed through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which provides Christmas assistance for disadvantaged children in the community.