12:00 pm: Learning English? Get Practice At Libraries’ Esl Conversation Circles

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Apr 3, 2023

Are you learning to speak English? Would you like some practice in a casual, informal atmosphere? Fort Bend County Libraries presents a program for individuals of all nationalities who would like a place to practice their English language and conversation skills. The “ESL Conversation Circles” provide an opportunity for non-English-speaking people to gather in a relaxed setting, and discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills.

The ESL Conversation Circles will take place at multiple locations in the Fort Bend County library system in April. Reservations are NOT required. The schedule is as follows:

Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library– 8100 FM 359 South, Fulshear. Mondays, April 3 and 17, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm

Mission Bend Branch Library– 8421 Addicks Clodine Road. Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2:00-3:00 pm, Meeting Room.

Cinco Ranch Branch Library– 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy. Fridays, April 14 and 21, 2:00-3:00 pm, Multi-purpose Room.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the ESL/Adult Literacy Department at George Memorial Library (281-341-2652), the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-465), the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311), or the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900).

10:00 am: Earth Day Festival At George Memorial Library

10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Apr 15, 2023

Fort Bend County Libraries will have an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 15, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, atGeorge Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive in Richmond. Learn about ways to help the planet by reducing waste, and discover how to save money as well!

The festival will feature exhibits, presentations, a plant swap, and even a performance in the amphitheater! Families with children of all ages will be inspired and motivated with ways to welcome environmental-sustainability practices into their daily lives.

Get a glimpse of electric vehicles from Tesla and Texan Hyundai that will be on display in the south parking lot, while children enjoy free face painting nearby.

Tables will be set up in the lobby with representatives from Fort Bend Beekeepers Association, Fort Bend County Environmental Health, Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, Keep Sugar Land Beautiful, and the FBCL Living Sustainably Club.

Gardeners of all experience levels are invited to participate in a Plant Swap, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, in Room 2B. Bring plants, seeds, or cuttings to swap with fellow gardeners. Be prepared to chat, trade, and learn about new and different plants. No plants for sale – just trade. Registration is required.

The Earth Day Festival will also include workshops where visitors can learn about recycling and making more efficient use of the earth’s natural resources.

Dan Lawlor from the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners will kick off the schedule of workshops with a program on “Gardening for Native Bees” from 10:00 to 11:00 am, in the Meeting Room. Hear about host and nectar plants that attract and help beneficial garden friends – native bees.

From 10:30 to 11:30 am, members of the Keep Sugar Land Beautiful Youth Advisory Board will present “Live It…Love It… Reuse It… Recycle It!” in Room 2A. Get tips on replacing single-use items with reusable ones. Learn how to make a reusable tote bag from a t-shirt, and guess the origins of some recycled and upcycled items. Registration is required.

Learn about “Sustainable Fashion” from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, in the Meeting Room. Helai Hasanzada, owner of Dunya Boutique, will talk about socially-responsible fashion. Discover “slow fashion,” the movement that supports local artisans and the use of eco-friendly materials, with the goal of preserving crafts and the environment.

Families with children of all ages will enjoy a musical show by Tom’s Fun Band in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. In his performance of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!” Tom’s Fun Band will incorporate songs, chants, and a guitar – as well as some very unique homemade instruments – to motivate everyone to make everyday changes in their homes and daily lives to help save the planet. Children will love this family-friendly performance in the library’s outdoor amphitheater!

From 1:30 to 2:30 pm, learn about “Solar Ovens: Cooking with the Sun,” Room 2A. Learn how to make a solar-powered oven with a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and glass.

Naomi Mercado-Velez and Patricia Bakhoum, from the Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department, will talk about environmental contamination from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, in the Meeting Room. Learn about potential contamination of food and water sources, such as drinking water, recreational pools, and rivers. Get tips on how to properly wash one’s hands to prevent the spread of contaminants.

All events at the Earth Day Festival are free and open to the public. For more information or to register for the Plant Swap, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call George Memorial Library (281-342-4455) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

12:00 pm: Learning English? Get Practice At Libraries’ Esl Conversation Circles

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Apr 17, 2023

Are you learning to speak English? Would you like some practice in a casual, informal atmosphere? Fort Bend County Libraries presents a program for individuals of all nationalities who would like a place to practice their English language and conversation skills. The “ESL Conversation Circles” provide an opportunity for non-English-speaking people to gather in a relaxed setting, and discuss topics of their own choosing while practicing their English skills.

The ESL Conversation Circles will take place at multiple locations in the Fort Bend County library system in April. Reservations are NOT required. The schedule is as follows:

Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library– 8100 FM 359 South, Fulshear. Mondays, April 3 and 17, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm

Mission Bend Branch Library– 8421 Addicks Clodine Road. Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2:00-3:00 pm, Meeting Room.

Cinco Ranch Branch Library– 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy. Fridays, April 14 and 21, 2:00-3:00 pm, Multi-purpose Room.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the ESL/Adult Literacy Department at George Memorial Library (281-341-2652), the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-465), the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (281-395-1311), or the Mission Bend Branch Library (832-471-5900).

11:00 am: Libraries Launch New Online Financial-Planning Resource

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Apr 20, 2023

Fort Bend County Libraries announces the addition of a new online financial-planning resource – Weiss Financial Ratings – for consumers. This new resource provides powerful tools for individuals who want to protect their finances, invest wisely, grow their wealth, and learn more about financial management.

A demonstration of this new resource will take place at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library on Thursday, April 20, from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear.

Library staff will provide an overview of key features of the Weiss Financial Ratings resource. Learn how the resource provides consumers with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their financial needs.

About Weiss Financial Ratings

How do you know if your bank or credit union is financially stable? Did you pick the best life insurance or property-insurance company? Are you getting the best deal on your Medigap insurance? Which mutual fund will give you the best return? Which stocks are the best to choose?

Discover the answers to these questions and more with the Weiss Financial Ratings resource. An FBCL library card is required to access this resource outside of the library.

Weiss Financial Ratings is designed to direct users toward safe banking and insurance options and strong investments, while helping avoid unnecessary risk that could lead to financial losses.

Weiss Financial Ratings provides accurate, independent ratings and financial-planning tools needed to make informed decisions about insurance, banking, and investment options.

Learn…

How to find the safest bank or credit union in the area;
How to avoid the weakest insurance companies… and how to find the best ones;
What Medicare does and does not cover;
How to pick the best Medigap plan and get the lowest premiums;
How to find the best mutual funds… and make sure one’s retirement funds are safe;
How to pick the best-performing stocks;
And much more!

Creating a Personal Profile is optional, but doing so enables one to create a watchlist, get email notifications when companies on the watchlist are upgraded or downgraded, and save one’s customized search criteria.

Consumer Guides and a series of Financial-Literacy Basics are some of the tools available in the Weiss Financial Ratings resource.

Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides offer easy-to-use tools to help individuals navigate through nine important areas: homeowners’ insurance, automobile insurance, variable annuities, term life insurance, health savings accounts, long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare prescription drug coverage, and elder-care choices.

Each easy-to-read, step-by-step guide is packed with accurate, unbiased information and recommendations from Weiss Ratings. The 50- to 70-page guides offer a narrative about the subject, what one should look for when choosing a plan or policy, recommended companies to work with, and so much more.

Weiss Ratings Consumer Guides offer easy explanations for hard-to-navigate financial decisions, removing the guesswork and confusion with straight talk and sound guidance. Plus, each guide includes several helpful Worksheets & Planners to further aid the decision-making process.

The Financial-Literacy Basics series provides readers with easy-to-understand guidance on how to manage their finances. Designed for those who are just starting out and for those who may need help handling their finances, this series outlines -- step-by-step -- how to make the most of one’s money, which pitfalls to avoid, and what to watch out for. The guides provide the necessary tools to make sure one is fully equipped to manage one’s finances.

Filled with valuable information, alongside helpful worksheets and planners, these volumes are designed to point individuals in the right direction toward a solid financial future and give them helpful guidance along the way.

Topics include: How to Manage Debt, How to Make and Stick to a Budget, Buying a Car and Understanding Automobile Insurance, Renting an Apartment and Understanding Renters’ Insurance, Calculating the Cost of College and Understanding Student Loans, How to Start a 401(K), Understanding Health Insurance Plans, and What to Know About Checking Accounts.

The demonstration is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) or call the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-4675) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

12:00 pm: Libraries Present Programs For Adult Crafters In April

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Apr 21, 2023

Fort Bend County Libraries will present a variety of craft-themed programs for adults in April to introduce people to new hobbies and activities, and to give current crafters inspiration and new ideas.

Find encouragement, get feedback, or simply enjoy the camaraderie of other crafters during these free events. Samples of the library’s instructional books, magazines, and websites on various crafts will be available.

“Nifty Needlers” -- Friday, April 21, 12:00 noon-2:00 pm, Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library, 8100 FM 359 South, Fulshear.

Needlework enthusiasts of all experience levels who enjoy any type of crocheting, knitting, or sewing are invited to attend to get other needlecrafters’ perspectives, critiques, and suggestions. Those attending should bring their own yarn, strings, and needles to start or finish a project, while chatting, networking, and enjoying the company of fellow needlecrafters. The group meets on the 3rd Friday of every month.

These programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library organizations that support each library.

The activities are free and open to the public. Registration is required for some of the programs. To register online at the library’s website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select the branch library, and find the program on the date indicated. For more information, call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

12:00 pm: Needlecrafters Invited To Nifty Needlers Club At Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Apr 21, 2023

Needlework enthusiasts are invited to a monthly “Nifty Needlers” club at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library on Friday, April 21, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear. Share tips, get ideas and inspiration, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow needlecrafters!

People of all experience levels who enjoy any type of crocheting, knitting, or sewing are invited to attend to get other needlecrafters’ perspectives, critiques, and suggestions.

Those attending should bring their own yarn, strings, and needles to start or finish a project, while chatting, networking, and enjoying the company of fellow needlecrafters.

Samples of the library’s instructional books, magazines, and websites on various crafts will be available.

The program, which meets on the 3^rd Friday of every month, is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-4675) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

2:00 pm: Needlecrafters Invited To Nifty Needlers Club At Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Apr 21, 2023

Needlework enthusiasts are invited to a monthly “Nifty Needlers” club at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library on Friday, April 21, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear. Share tips, get ideas and inspiration, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow needlecrafters!

People of all experience levels who enjoy any type of crocheting, knitting, or sewing are invited to attend to get other needlecrafters’ perspectives, critiques, and suggestions.

Those attending should bring their own yarn, strings, and needles to start or finish a project, while chatting, networking, and enjoying the company of fellow needlecrafters.

Samples of the library’s instructional books, magazines, and websites on various crafts will be available.

The program, which meets on the 3^rd Friday of every month, is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-4675) or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

10:30 am: Abbreviated Children’s Program Schedule In May

10:30 am – 11:30 am
May 2, 2023

In preparation for the Summer Reading Challenge, which begins May 29, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear) will have an abbreviated schedule of children’s programs in May.

Family Story Time will take place during the first week ONLY. The children’s librarians will be preparing for the Summer Reading Challenge, which will begin May 29, for the rest of the month.

Craft packets will be given out at the end of each program, so that children may take them home to enjoy.

Family Story Time will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 2 and 3, beginning at 10:30 am, in the Meeting Room of the library. The theme for the week is “Flowers.”

Building Club will take place on Thursday, May 4, beginning at 4:30 pm, in the Meeting Room. Families with children of all ages will use LEGO®s and other materials to build the challenge of the month or something of their own design.

Materials for these programs are made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library.

NOTE: The Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library will be closing in anticipation of opening the new Fulshear Branch Library, located off Texas Heritage Parkway. For library services, visit other libraries nearby: George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview in Richmond), the Cinco Ranch Branch Library (2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy), or the Mission Bend Branch Library (8421 Addicks Clodine Road).

The schedule of youth activities will resume at the new location; date to be announced.

These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library (281-633-4675), or the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).

10:30 am: Abbreviated Children’s Program Schedule In May

10:30 am – 11:30 am
May 3, 2023