HUNTSVILLE — Guidelines for Best Bets

Best Bets may be submitted through e-mail at bestbets@itemonline.com. Items must be received by 1 p.m. to run the following day. Your Best Bets entry may not appear more than five days in advance of the event because of space constraints. Questions regarding Best Bets should be directed to Lindsey Vaculin at (936) 295-5407 Ext. 3052. Walker County Fair events for today appear on Page 1A.



ANNOUNCEMENTS



No Good Friday Garbage Service

The City of Huntsville Solid Waste Division will not be collecting residential or commercial garbage on Good Friday, Friday, April 22. The Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Facility will be closed to the public  Friday, April 22, but will be open as usual on Saturday, April 23. For more information about the garbage collection, the Solid Waste Transfer Facility, or the Recycling Drop-Off Center, call the Solid Waste Division at (936) 294-5743.



AARP TaxAide

Free tax service will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays until April 18 by IRS-certified counselors. Location is First Baptist Church Huntsville, 1229 Ave. J. (use 13th Street entrance). For more information call Ramona at (936) 291-3441.



HISD Credit by Exam

Huntsville students in first through 12th grades who want to take the Credit by Examination without prior instruction must register with their school counselor before 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, for the June 7, 8 and 9 test dates and by Tuesday, May 17, for the July 12, 13 and 14 test dates. For more info, contact the school counselor or the Office of Special Programs and Assessment at 409-293-2504.

 

Today

Walker County Fair

1-9 p.m.    Carnival Open    

1 p.m. General Admission Begins; Children's Barnyard Opens    

1-2 p.m.    Academic Rodeo Late Registration in the Main Building

1 p.m. Bulldogging Jackpot     in the Arena

2 p.m. Academic Rodeo in the Main Building

5-6 p.m. Little Tyke Rodeo Sign Up     in the Rental Office

6 p.m. Meat Goat Show in the    Livestock Show Arena

Fun With Friends Fair

Fun With Friends Fair to benefit CASA of Walker and San Jacinto Counties will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. today at the Coliseum at Sam Houston State University.  Entry is $5 per person or $25 per family of five or more. Call (936) 294-4638 for more information.

Monday



Celebration Women’s Ministry

Celebration Women’s Ministry meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the First United Methodist Church social hall. Following a light meal and worship, local speaker and author Carrie Oglesby will present the evening’s message, “A Life Overflowing For God.” Child care will be provided for preschool age children. There is no charge for the meeting or child care, and all women are welcome.



Solo Photo Exhibit

A solo exhibition of the photographs of Matthew Weintritt will be held in the SOFA Gallery, 1028 21st St. Monday through Sunday, April 3. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Weintritt, a student at Sam Houston State University, is also a frequent contributor to The Huntsville Item. For more information about his show, contact Weintritt via e-mail at mjweintritt@hotmail.com.



Tuesday



Golden Trowel Award Presentation

John Sims Lodge No. 458 will host an open meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 465 FM 1375 East, New Waverly. A Golden Trowel Award will be presented to Past Master Martin V. Knapp. This is the highest award a lodge can bestow on one of its members.   For more information, call Joe Hardy at (936) 661-8133.



El Chico Fundraiser

There will be a fundraiser at El Chico for the Huntsville Area Literacy Council on Tuesday starting at 5 p.m.



Thursday



Friends of Huntsville State Park

The Friends of Huntsville State Park will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Huntsville State Park Lodge. The program will be “The Eastern Blue Bird.” Guest speaker is wildlife biologist Dan Jones.



Friday



Relay for Life Garage Sale

Relay of Life will hold a garage sale at 8 a.m. Friday at the Bowers Stadium parking lot. For more information, contact Kalyn Cavazos at krc021@shsu.edu. All proceeds to go the American Cancer Society.



‘The State of Texas History’

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and the SHSU History Department will be hosting the Sam Houston Symposium titled, “The State of Texas History” on Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s events include a reception at the Wynne Home from 4 to 5:15 p.m. and a showing of Denton Florian’s new documentary on Sam Houston at the Walker  Education from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Saturday’s programs go from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Walker Education Center.  The symposium is free to the public. Call the Sam Houston Memorial Museum for more information at (936) 294-1832.



Save the Date April



Miss Essence Pageant

The Miss Essence Scholarship Pageant will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Huntsville High School Auditorium. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information, e-mail Tonya Hall at lrh009@shsu.edu or Veronica Stubbefield at vgs002@shsu.edu.



Power of Faith Car Wash

Power of Faith Ministries will hold a car wash from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 2, in the Church’s Chicken parking lot.



Riverside Methodist Garage Sale

The Riverside Methodist Church will hold a garage sale Saturday, April 2. The church is located one block off  Highway 19 in Riverside on FM 980 East. For more info, call (936) 891-7037.



Hispanic Ladies Day

Huntsville Church of Christ, 3737 Highway 30, will host an Hispanic Ladies Day from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2. The program will be in Spanish, and lunch will be served. For more information, call Maggie Smith at 293-8553 or Diane Harris at 295-3069.



Thomas Lake Road Garage Sale

Thomas Lake Road Community Association will host a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Thomas Lake Road Volunteer Fire Department.



Baseball Booster Club

The Huntsville Hornet Baseball Booster Club meeting will be held at the HHS Joe Clements Field House at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4. For more information,  send an e-mail to huntsvillehornetbaseball@gmail.com.



Preschool Story Hour

The Huntsville Public Library hosts Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. The theme for April 7 will be “Butterfly Books” with activities focused on caterpillars and butterflies. For more information, visit the library’s website at myhuntsvillelibrary.com or call the library at (936) 291-5472.



Huntsville Area Newcomers

The Huntsville Area Newcomers Club luncheon and meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Elkins Lake Clubhouse dining room. The program will be “Step Into Spring In Style.” Spring fashions and accessories from Coldwater Creek of The Woodlands Mall will be on display. Reservations are due by March 30. To cancel, call Anna Harbison at (936) 435-1778 on or before April 3. You may request a refund or ask that your payment be donated to scholarship fund.



Political Parties’ Football Game

The Political Science Junior Fellows will host the fourth annual Democrats v. Republicans Charity Football Contest at noon Saturday, April 9. The contest brings together faculty, alumni, community members, and students to participate in the flag-football game, while also showcasing the parties’ ability to work together for the good of the community. Proceeds will be split between the local YMCA and the John Holcombe Memorial Scholarship. The game will take place at upper Pritchett Field, and admission is free. For more information, contact Mike Yawn at (936) 294-1456.



West Book Signing

Local educator and author Bill D. West will sign copies of his new book “To Live Again” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Hastings.  West’s book is an account of the history and archeology of the Robinson-West River Plantation in Point Blank.



Youth Barbecue Cook-off

The American Legion Auxiliary’s Youth Barbecue Cook-Off will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9. An awards ceremony will follow at about 2:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit American Legion Auxiliary Unit 95 charities. Cook-off entry categories are: Ages 8-11 (three per team): chicken tenders (non-breaded), hamburger patties (no pre-made patties),  and pork chops (boneless). Ages 12-17 (three per team): chicken breast (boneless), country-style pork ribs, steak. The entry fee is $30 per team. This includes entry to all categories and team space. Deadline for entering is 5 p.m. Friday, April 8. For more information, contact Lori Muehe at (936) 661-4551 or by e-mail at catlori2004@yahoo.com or call Sam Houston Post 95 at (936) 291-0129 after 4 p.m.



Preservation Society

The spring meeting of the Old Baptist Church Preservation Society, Inc. will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 11 a.m. at the Old Church located one-half mile east of Bedias on FM 2620. Please come enjoy the gospel singing and listening to the music of the Madison County Dulcimers. There will be a short but important business meeting, followed by lunch at the Bedias Civic Center. Please bring your vegetable and salad dishes to add to the meat catered by Linda Bascomb, and great desserts and drinks will be furnished by the Bedias Women's Club. Paper goods will be on hand. Following lunch the Women's Club will have cakes to auction.



New Waverly Arts and Crafts Show

The New Waverly Public Library will have an arts and crafts show Saturday, April 9. For more information, call Darlene Piper (936) 344-6237. 

 

Preschool Story Hour

The Huntsville Public Library hosts Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. The theme for April 14 will be “Old MacDonald Had a Story” with activities focused on farm animals.  For more information, visit the library’s website at myhuntsvillelibrary.com or call the library at (936)291-5472.



Spring Cleaning on the Square

The sixth annual Spring Cleaning on the Square  will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16.  The event, organized by the Main Street Program Office, focuses on cleaning the nine blocks of the Downtown District. Volunteer groups and individuals from the community as well as downtown merchants and residents contribute to the clean-up efforts. Volunteers will meet at the gazebo located on the southeast side of the courthouse, and cleaning will begin at 9 a.m. Hourly prize drawings will be held for those who participate. To participate, contact Maegan at Main Street, (936) 295-2150.



Dulcimer Concert

Musician Peggy Carter will perform an evening of dulcimer music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Walker Education Center in Huntsville. The event is free to the public.



Credit Union Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the membership of Community Service Credit Union will be held at 10 a.m.  Saturday, April 16, in the conference room at the Texas Prison Museum. For more information, call CSCU at (936) 295-3980.



Preschool Story Hour

The Huntsville Public Library hosts Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. The theme for April 21 will be “Reading Rabbits” with activities celebrating Easter, including an Easter egg hunt, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, visit the library’s website at myhuntsvillelibrary.com or call the library at (936)291-5472.



‘Jesus The Miracle’

Family Faith Church will host its annual Easter production of "Jesus the Miracle," with a costumed cast of more than 100.  Performances are at 7 p.m.. Sunday, April 20, on and at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 24, at Family Faith Church, 2407 Sam Houston Ave.



Preschool Story Hour

The Huntsville Public Library hosts Story Hour at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. The theme for April 28 will be “I love Trees!” with activities celebrating Arbor Day. For more information, visit the library’s website at myhuntsvillelibrary.com or call the library at (936) 291-5472.



Celebration of Literacy

The Huntsville Area Literacy Council will host a Celebration of Literacy from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Sam Houston State University. This event is part of the International Day of the Child held worldwide to celebrate the gift of children to the world. The day will include a poetry contest, book reading, reader’s theater, storytelling, poetry reading, a book walk, and other activities related to reading for children. The event will include parents and children, with a focus on children ages 4-12.



Veterans’ Day Golf Tournament

The fourth annual Veterans’ Day Golf Tournament to benefit the HEARTS Veterans Museum and the Wounded Warrior Program will be held Saturday, April 30, at Elkins Lake Country Club. Entry fee is $100 per team. Hole sponsorships are available. Contact Chuck Ellis at (936) 436-1596 or Loran Rhine at (936) 291-6916 for information or to register.



Bike Fun Run

The American Legion Sam Houston Post 95 Sons, Auxiliary and Riders will host a Bike Fun Run on Saturday, April 30. All proceeds will go toward paying Barbara Taylor’s medical expenses. Location is the American Legion Sam Houston Post 95, 1919 Industrial Drive (off FM 2821). Donation: $20 per rider, which includes chopped brisket sandwich and fixings after ride. Make all checks payable to “American Legion Post 95.” Sign-up is at 9 a.m. at the post. Kickstands up at 10 a.m. Return to Post at 3 p.m. Cake auction is at 5:15  p.m. Fire On The Mountain performs  from 6 to 10 p.m. For more Information, call Doug Harvey at (936) 581-0646 or the post after 4 p.m. at (936) 291-0129. For more fliers, go to http://www.samhoustonpost95.org and click on “Fun Run” in the “Scheduled Events” section.



Leadercast Huntsville

The Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce has joined Sam Houston State University, University Heights Baptist Church, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Huntsville Memorial Hospital to host the Chick-fil-A Leadercast “Voices of Change” from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 6. The event will be held in the Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available online at  http://www.shsu.edu/leadercast/tickets.htm. For more information, contact 294-2274 or 295-8113.