FYI

San Jacinto Girl Scouts expands campgrounds

The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council organization is currently developing its Camp Myra S. Pryor property, located in Nada, to accommodate its growing membership and expansion of programs.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in October to mark the beginning of construction on the camp’s ranch site, one of three sites that maximizes the camp’s varied terrain.

The camp encompasses 277 acres. In addition to the ranch site, a lake site and river site will also be developed to offer a range of diverse programs focusing on conservation education.

Camp Pryor’s new eco-friendly design will turn it into a destination for 3,800 girls and adults each year. Updates will also be made to current cabins in addition to the construction of new ones.

All updates and construction are expected to be finished in five years.

Contemporary Arts to host performance art

The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston is hosting a series of performance art performances as part of an exhibition titled Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art.

The exhibition is a survey of performance art by black, visual artists. It covers a history from the 1960s through to the present and will make use of video and photo documentation of performances as well as live performances, according to a museum press release.

The upcoming live performance for the exhibit is Jamal Cyrus, who will present “Texas Fried Tenor” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. The piece will explore the use of the saxophone in American music. The performance is part of his larger “Learning to Work the Saxophone.”

Admission to the museum is free.

The museum is at 5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston.

For more information on the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston, visit www.camh.org.

Montrose Center to sponsor World AIDS Day event

The Montrose Center will be sponsoring events for World AIDS Day on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Musical performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston and the Bayou City Women’s Chorus begin at 5 p.m., and Blake Hayes, the event’s emcee, will give an introduction at 5:30 p.m.

Stephen Williams from the Houston Department of Health and Human Services will speak at 5:45 p.m., followed by Thomas Giordano from the Thomas Street Clinic at 5:50 p.m.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker takes the stage at 6 p.m. and will be followed by testimonials from people living with HIV/AIDS. A lighting of candles will take place at 6:40 p.m., and Aaron Coleman will read a poem at 6:45 p.m.

There will be a silent observance and closing remarks.

Throughout December, the Montrose Center display a World AIDS Day Paper Chain of Remembrance. Members of the community are invited to add links to the chain.

All events will be held at Tranquility Park, at 400 Rusk St., Houston.

The Montrose Center is at 401 Branard St., 2nd Floor, Houston.

For more information, visit www.montrosecenter.org.

Eighth light of Hanukkah to be lit at City Hall

The Chabad Outreach Center and Synagogue of Houston will hold its 17th annual public Menorah lighting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in front of Houston City Hall.

The event will commemorate the lighting of the eighth Hanukkah candle and honor the memories of soldiers who gave their lives for America, according to a press release.

After the presentation, synagogue members will serve Hanukkah treats, gelt and dreidels to all participants. The event will also feature a video and Hanukkah gifts for children who attend.

“The holiday of Hanukkah contains a universal message for people of all faiths; namely that good will ultimately triumphs over evil, freedom over oppression, and light over darkness,” said Rabbi Moishe Traxler, director of Chabad Outreach of Houston, in the press release.

Houston City Hall is at 900 Bagby, Houston.

For more information, call 713-774-0300 or visit www.chabadoutreach.org.

Heritage Society to host its 50th candlelight tour

The Heritage Society will host its 50th annual candlelight tour from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8 and from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9 at Sam Houston Park.

The tour features decorated buildings, historic characters relating stories of the past, Christmas carolers and entertainment.
Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for students. Children five and younger admitted free.

Sam Houston Park is at 1100 Bagby St., Houston. To buy tickets, visit www.heritagesociety.org.

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that marks the end of Greek rule over the Jews and their holy temple in Jerusalem more than 2,100 years ago.

The event remembers a small band of Jews who fought huge armies for religious freedom and won. At the same time, the service will pay respects to soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for and defending the United States.