FYI

Houston Swim Club earns award at conference

The Houston Swim Club was awarded the Best Safer 3 Activity award by the United States Swim School Association.   The award, which recognizes the club’s initiative to reduce drowning incidents, was presented at the association’s conference in Waikiki, Hawaii.   “Drowning prevention is a big passion of ours and we are honored to win this award,” Bonnie Howe, owner of Houston Swim Club, said in a press release.   According to the release, swim schools across the world come together every year to network, gain education and reward the association’s finest.    Before this year’s conference, member schools were invited to submit entries for a variety of awards, and those in attendance at the conference voted to determine winners in each category.   Houston Swim Club was founded in 1953 and has locations in Sharpstown, Sugar Land, Katy and Pearland. For more information on Houston Swim Club, call 713-774-7946 or visit houstonswimclub.com     Breast Friends Support Group meeting Dec. 11   The University of Texas MD Anderson Regional Care Center will host the next Breast Friends support group meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11.   The support sessions are open to all breast cancer patients or survivors, regardless of where they are receiving or have received treatment, according to a press release.   Group facilitator Monica Cerda-Juarez, nurse navigator at MD Anderson Care Center, will lead the session, which includes a guest speaker.   Following the presentation, there will be time for questions and answers as well as group discussion with MD Anderson physicians.   Light refreshments will be offered. No pre-registration is required.   Meetings take place in Classroom B on the second floor of CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital at 701 S. Fry Road, Katy.   For more information, call 713-563-9600, ext. 6-4371, or visit www.mdanderson.org/katy     St. Peters Retreat to host January girlfriend getaway   St. Peters Women’s Retreat will hold its Girlfriend Getaway 2013 from Friday to Sunday, Jan. 18-20 at Round Top Retreat.   The event will include a weekend of spiritual growth and fellowship with women of all ages.   The theme of the retreat will be Pearls and Grace with speaker Kathy Howard. Howard is known for her practical speaking and teaching through learned-by-experience stories. She has spoken to women across the nation.   The retreat will also offer games, movies, yoga, shopping and free time. The cost of the retreat is $150 per person, which includes two nights accommodations, three meals Saturday, one meal Sunday, a T-shirt and retreat materials.    Scholarships are also available. To learn more about Howard, visit www.kathyhoward.org   For more information on the retreat, call St. Peters United Methodist Church at 281-492-8031.     Willowfork F.D. Hosting Toys for Tots drive   The Willowfork Fire Department is teaming up with the United States Marine Corps to sponsor the Katy-area Toys for Tots drive.   Donations of new and unwrapped toys for ages infant through high school are requested and can be dropped off at Willowfork Fire Department, 24655 Westheimer Parkway, Katy.    Those in a group who have collected a large amount of toys can request a department pickup. To make such arrangements, call Beth Robinson at 281-395-0011.   This marks the seventh year the department has participated in the event.     Morton Ranch band earns eighth place   The Morton Ranch High School Band placed eighth at the University Interscholastic League Area E Marching Contest.   The band received the honor Oct. 27 at Kelly Reeves Stadium in Austin.   For more information, call 281-237-7908 or visit www.mrhsband.com     Taylor band to host Jet Band Jingle   The Taylor High School band will present Jet Band Jingle, a dinner concert, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the school’s Performing Arts Center.   Dinner, provided by Barryhill Baja Grill, will be served from 5-7:30 p.m. The JV band will kick off the concert at 6 p.m., followed by the Cadet band at 6:30 p.m. and the concert band at 7 p.m.    The symphonic band will perform at 7:30 p.m., with the wind ensemble closing the concert at 8 p.m.   A silent auction will run throughout the evening in the commons, and items will be available from a raffle.   Tickets cost $13 for adults and $7 for children 6 and younger and must be purchased by Wednesday, Nov. 28.   Taylor High  is located 20700 Kingsland Blvd., in Katy. For more information, call 281-237-3100.     Christmas tree lighting a family friendly affair   The city of Katy will its 40th annual Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29 at Harvest Plaza.    The Parks and Recreation Department will host holiday-themed activities for children such as writing letters to Santa and making Christmas ornaments and a candy cane reindeer. Santa will be available for photos, which cost $5.   The event will also feature entertainment from church and schools choirs, dance teams and the Katy tiger mascot.