Beach, Anyone?

Anyone up for a beach playdate on Thursday? Isolated thunderstorms are forecasted, but it would be a great day to go down if the weather's okay. Regardless of whether or not it rains, however, we Grundbergs need some playtime!

Game Night

Ladies don't forget that this Thursday is game night! Bring your favorite game if you would like. We will have lots of different games going on to play. We hope to see all of you there! 7pm @ the church.

Free Clothes

I received a rather large donation of clothes yesterday, and am offering any of you who may be interested the opportunity to pick through them, before they are donated to a worthy cause. There are both women's and girl's clothes, with the women's clothes primarily being tops, including sweaters, polos, dress shirts, and t-shirts, sizes M-L. The girl's clothes are from 4T and up, with a good assortment of jeans and shirts. The clothes appear in good condition, but will need to be washed. There are also several light jackets. If you know someone who could benefit, please let them know. I will keep them through the end of the week. If you are interested, email me sarahgoit@hotmail.com.

Girl's Night Anyone?

I am in desperate need of a girl's night. So, if anyone is interested, I'm throwing myself a b-day party this Friday, 7pm at Salt Grass Steak House (Webster, near I-45).

Hope to see you there!
-Amber Cowley

Celebrate Apollo 40th Anniversary

There are some exciting things going on over the next couple of weeks as NASA and the community celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 and the first men on the Moon! Here are a few I am planning to attend with my family. If you want to join us, let me know!



This Saturday, July 18th, 2009 at 6pm, is Fly Me to the Moon – a community celebration of the First Lunar Landing at UH-Clear Lake. Admission is free and open to the public! For more information, see http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/ALR/flyme/lunar_landing/event_info.html


Rice University is partnering with Discovery Green park in downtown Houston to present films and activities from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, culminating on Monday, July 20th from 4-9pm with Spacefest: 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing Celebration, an evening of activities including the “Driven to Explore” NASA mobile exhibit. See the Discovery Park website link for more information on this free event.

Also Monday, July 20, 2009 @ 7:05PM is NASA Night with the Astros at Minute Maid Park, where they will be giving out Apollo 11 hats to the first 10,000 in attendance (hint, get there before the 7:05pm game start) and recognizing the 40th Anniversary of Walking on the Moon. We are getting a group together to go so if you want to try to sit with us or near us, contact Brandon or me ASAP so we can include you in our ticket order or let you know where our seats are! Here is a link for discount tickets.

On Friday, July 24th from 6:30-10pm, Space Center Houston is hosting the Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Splashdown Celebration. Tickets are $11/person, with kids 4 and under free, which covers admission (exhibits will be open), a "hot dog buffet", moon pies, live music, and a live program. Click the image link for more information or to buy tickets.

That's all the awesome stuff going on I've heard - if you hear of more, let me know because the Apollo program is one of the things that most inspired me! :) Erin

Got plans for the 4th?

So I've heard several people ask me what there is to do around here for the 4th. Well, first of all start your day out with a GREAT breakfast at the ward! Breakfast will be served ANY TIME between 7:30-9:30 a.m. Feel free to come when you want and stay as long (or short) as you want. Here is a run-down of the schedule:
7:30 Welcome and Flag Ceremony
8:30 Patriotic Musical Program featuring Steven Grundberg
9:00 A Patriotic Sign Along
9:30 Fond Farewell
Here is a list of those that signed up to help:

Amanda Mareth: Bringing Syrup

Ben Hewett: Bringing a dozen eggs and Performing

Ray & Jacquelyn Neher: Bringing 2 Dozen eggs and help cook

Grundbergs: Bringing syrup, fruit, and performing

David Dickamore: Bringing a dozen eggs

Rob Carroll: Bringing syrup and helping clean up

Anna Clements: Bringing butter

Cindy White: Bringing a dozen eggs

Sarah Goit: Bringing fruit

Marie Palmer: Bringing Syrup

Chrisitne Sturgeon: Bringing butter, 2 dozen eggs, and help clean up

Devey Kelly: Bringing butter and syrup

Carina Olsen: Bringing fruit

Charlene Garrison: Bringing a dozen eggs

Anna Dupree: Bringing fruit

Wanonie Anderson: Bringing syrup

If anyone else would like to volunteer to bring food, COOK, or help with CLEAN-Up contact Amber Cowley.

So What else?

There will be no excuse to sit around in the couch all day. So here is a list of Independence Day celebrations you can enjoy in our area:

League City
Citizens Appreciation Day
Our Annual July 4th Clebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at League Park. The Mayor, City Council, and the Parks Board will be serving refreshments in appreciaton of the citizens of League City. There will also be live music, face painting and balloons. All refreshments (Hot dogs, soft drinks, popcorn, snow cones & Ice Cream) will be FREE!

Downtown Houston
Fireworks will fly and tunes will fill the air at Houston’s star-spangled Fourth of July celebration, Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell. This year’s event, saluting Houston’s military heroes and honoring the 40th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo XI Lunar Landing, will feature the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, unbeatable entertainment and a lively outdoor festival. Admission is FREE. On Saturday, July 4, Clay Walker will ignite the stage and the concert will be followed by the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, presented by Shell Oil Company and produced by the world-renowned fireworks artists from Pyro Spectaculars North by Souza. Both the concert and the fireworks will be televised live on KTRK-TV (ABC), Ch.13 from Eleanor Tinsley Park. "I want to invite our fellow Texans to Houston's All - American Fourth of July celebration" said Mayor Bill White. "This year we salute Houston's Heroes. This includes the men and women serving our armed forces today and in years past. It also includes NASA's iconic space program on the 40th Anniversary of the historic Apollo XI Lunar Landing. Thanks to our Anchor Sponsors, the city is able to bring in an unbeatable headliner and a host of other entertainment. For the fourth year in a row, Shell is on board to underwrite a spectacular fireworks show, making Houston the number one Fourth of July destination in the country."
Texas-native Clay Walker will take the Freedom Stage at 8:00 p.m. to perform a selection of his chart-topping hits. Walker fell in love with country music at an early age and started to pursue his musical career after high school. He toured across the South, Midwest and Canada while taking courses about the music business and eventually became the house singer at the Neon Armadillo bar in his hometown Beaumont, where he then signed a contract with Giant Records. Walker’s first two singles “What’s It To You” and “Live Until I Die” released in 1993 reached No. 1. By the end of 1998 he had a dozen Top 5 hits and his first four studio albums were certified platinum. Walker’s Greatest Hits and album Live, Laugh, Love were certified gold.
When the concert comes to a close at 9:30 p.m., eyes will turn skyward for an extraordinary fireworks spectacular perfectly set to a selection of America’s favorite tunes, from patriotic songs to rock ‘n’ roll hits to classic bestsellers.
All the excitement for Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday July 4. In addition to this year’s entertainment headliner, the festival will also spotlight a top-notch selection of local and regional music. Throughout the day, three stages will keep toes tapping with music ranging from country western and rock 'n' roll to Latin, pop and oldies. Festival-goers will enjoy a variety of activities throughout the site. Liberty Park will showcase displays of military artifacts and vehicles including representation from all five military branches and more. The branches and the Houston Police Department will also offer recruiting opportunities on site. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Shell-sponsored NASCAR, Kevin Harvick’s car and the Tire Change Challenge. Children will stay entertained with free rides, games, face painting, jugglers and more in the Fiesta All American Kids Zone. Event patrons visiting the Gexa Energy booths will have the opportunity to take advantage of special offers on 100% wind-powered, 100% pollution-free electricity plans, learn more about renewable energy solutions, and discover actions they can take to pay less for electricity.
For more information, http://www.freedomovertexas.org/ or http://www.houstonspecialevents.org/.

Galveston
Summer Heats Up with Host of July 4th Activities Across the Isle
What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with traditional dazzling fireworks, an All-American Parade, magic shows, a long day at the beach, an outdoor concert, and more?
Come Fourth and join in the fun at Galveston’s 4th of July Parade and celebration! Led by Parade Marshall and KPRC Local 2 Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley, the parade begins at 10am at the Galveston Railroad Museum on 25th Street, heads south and winds its way through historic downtown Galveston, from Postoffice Street to 21st Street, north on 21st Street to Strand, then west on Strand to 25th Street. The parade will be followed by a celebration of our nation’s birth at the Galveston Railroad Museum, 123 Rosenberg (25th) Street. The celebration will include musical entertainment by Sparky Koerner and a patriotic program hosted by Joe Huff of Galveston College. Hot dogs and lemonade refreshments will be provided by our organizers and Sweet Leaf Tea will be on hand to provide their delicious brews.
Saturday evening, July 4th, the Park Board of Trustees will light up the Gulf of Mexico with its annual spectacular fireworks show. The 25-minute fireworks salute to Independence Day begins at 9:15pm at 37th Street & Seawall Boulevard. Great viewing is available along most of Seawall Boulevard.
That same evening, you're invited to at well, dance the night away, and enjoy fresh night breezes on an authentic replica of an 1800-style Paddlewheeler around Galveston Offatts Bayou. The three-hour Colonel Paddlewheeler Dinner Cruise will sail from 7pm to 11pm, and will feature a live DJ, a dinner buffet, and a full-service cash bar. For reservations and information, please call 1-888-740-7797.
Back by popular demand, magic buffs won’t want to miss The Curt Miller Magic & Comedy Show. Running Thursday through Saturday July 2 - 4, Curt’s “Las Vegas Style” show dazzles the audience with a mixture of large-scale illusions and comedic flair. You’ll be left dazzled and laughing out loud as Curt makes audience participants disappear, levitate and break up into different pieces. This show is a surprising blend of incredible magic and clean comedy suitable for all audiences. Tickets may be purchased online here, or by calling 409-683-4186 or toll free at 1-800-582-4673 ext. 4186.
Sunday, July 5th, Artist Boat Kayak Adventures will paddle Galveston Island State Park beginning at 10am. The Galveston Island State Park offers paddlers access to one of Galveston’s premier ecological and historical jewels. Witness herons and pelicans flying overhead, travel back in time to when the Karankawas made Galveston Island their winter home, and discover how restoration scientists have restored wetlands and fisheries. This 1,200-acre state park hosts many examples of barrier island habitats explored easily from the beach or by walking trails. Artist Boat is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of coastal margins and the marine environment through the disciplines of the sciences and the arts. For reservations, call (409)770-0722.
KRBE 104.1 FM and Island Star Performances are proud to present American Idol David Cook live in concert on Sunday July 5th, at the Moody Gardens Outdoor Amphitheater. With the new single “Permanent” from his self-titled album rapidly climbing the Billboard charts, Cook brings his white-hot Declaration tour to Galveston Island for a rockin’ concert under the stars. Gates to the event will open at 5pm, with Cook taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at moodytickets.com, by phone at 409-683-4186, and via the Concerts on the Gulf Box Office located in the lobby of the Moody Gardens Hotel. The box office will be open Monday through Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. General questions should be directed to the box office phone at 409-683-4186. The concert will be immediately followed by a spectacular fireworks show. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Galveston Recovery Fund.
Galveston Summer Band Concert at Saengerfest Park, located at 23rd and Strand. Performance at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Kemah
4 Fourth of JulyEnjoy Entertainment great Dining and Fun! Big Time Fireworks show, shot over Galveston Bay at 9:30 pm @ the Kemah Boardwalk.
One Great Annual KemahSmall town Parade 10:00/10:30 a.m.Mayor Matt Wiggins and the Kemah City Council invite you to Breeze into Kemah for family fun and join us July 4th for the Annual Kemah Parade.The Children’s Bicycle Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Schoolhouse Museum Parking Lot on Bradford Avenue at 6th Street. Children of all ages are welcome to decorate their bikes, wagons, strollers, (children are not permitted on motorized vehicles) and parade down Bradford to 5th Street, 5th Street to Kipp, Kipp to 8th, 8th to Bradford and back to theThe Main Parade with antique cars, fire engines and floats will start at 10:30 a.m. Individuals, groups and businesses are encouraged to decorate a float. No registration is required.Just want to watch? Bring a chair and pick a spot on Bradford, 4th Street, along Kipp or 9th Street and you are sure to have a front row seat.For information contact City Hall at 281-334-1611 or the Kemah Visitor Center Schoolhouse Museum Parking Lot on Bradford. at 281-334-3181. For information on parade cancellation, please call the Kemah Police Department at 281-334-5414 after 8 a.m. on the 4th.Participation, admission and parking are free.

Friendswood
The Fourth of July Steering Committee and the City of Friendswood wish to invite all to participate in the 114th annual Friendswood Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2009. The daylong celebration is packed full of entertainment, food and fun for the entire family. The theme for this year's celebration is "Family, Friends and Friendswood, a Standing Tradition".
The daylong celebration will kick off with the Grand Parade that will travel down Friendswood Dr. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of FM 518 and Heritage Drive, and will feature over 100 entries from Friendswood and around the State of Texas.
The parade will conclude at Stevenson Park where rides, games, food, live entertainment and fun for the entire family will take place. Musical group The Zydeco Dots will be the featured entertainment along with a variety of patriotic performances throughout the day. The activities will begin shortly after the conclusion of the parade. Over 50 booth entries will provide the backdrop for the daytime activities, which are scheduled to conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m.
The Evening Program, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will be held at Friendswood's Centennial Park. This year's program should be one of the best family fun events for 2009. The Bellamy Brothers will headline the evening entertainment, and local performers will round out the evening program entertainment. A fantastic fireworks extravaganza will light up the sky beginning at approximately 9:20 p.m. The fireworks will be choreographed to patriotic music and is guaranteed to be one of the best fireworks displays in the Houston area.
Public parking will not be available at Centennial Park for the Evening Program. Spectators must ride the free shuttle service to gain admittance into the park. Shuttle Service will be available from Clear Brook High School, at 4607 FM 2351, and from Friendswood Community Church, at 2821 Parkwood Ave. Shuttle services will begin running at 6:30 p.m