Kids can pick up the book of their choice from their local library. They musy present their iT'Z reading logs upon pick up to receive a librarian's signature and upon completion parents must also sign the log. Kids have the opportunity to read up to ten books for a total of 50 points and have until September 1st, 2008 to turn in their logs. Logs are to be turned in to iT'Z Houston, located at 13855 Tomball Parkway State HWY 249 & 1960, in order to receive points. For more information on iT'Z Houston you can also visit www.itzusa.com/houston.

Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest
Alley Theatre - 615 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002

Dates: July 11th - August 3rd
Ticket Price: $21,$25, $29, and $35

Alley Theatre will produce one of Agatha Christie's favorite murder mysteries, Agatha Christie's the Unexpected Guest during its popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. ExxonMobil Summer Chills productions are perfect summer outings for families and friends seeking a cool respite from the Houston summer heat. With tickets starting at the low price of $21, Exxon Mobil Summer Chills is a great way to introduce live theatre to first-timers, giving them an opportunity to thrill in the series' plot twists, suspenseful moments and unexpected revelations. Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest begins performances Friday, July 11th and runs through Sunday, August 3rd, 2008. Tickets are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Ave., or by calling 713-220-5700

Theatre Suburbia Presents: The Curse of an Aching Heart
Written by Herbert E. Swayne
Directed by Doris Merten
Dates: July 18 – August 23
Show Times: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 PM; Sundays, August 3, 10, and 17 at 3:00 PM.
Tickets: $12 adults; $11 Students & Seniors; $10 Sunday (Everyone). For reservations, call 713-682-3525

This modern treatment of an old melodrama will have folks hissing, booing and applauding. The sweet heroine is Melody Lane, a self educated and lovely orphan who falls into the hands of scoundrel Windermere Hightower. After Melody and the villain are married, he tells her that he expects her to carry out his criminal schemes. Revolted, she flees a wife in name only. Several months later she is at the None Such ranch where she falls in love with stalwart Lucius Goodenough. When Windermere appears at the ranch, Melody is appalled. He tries to force his attentions on her and Lucius knocks him down. For revenge, Winderemere steals money and plants it on Lucius. His dirty work is discovered and he is unmasked but he gets away and returns to the ranch disguised as a peddler. And once again the virtuous heroine is rescued by guess who?

NOTE: Please call 713-682-3525 for details of the location for this production. Or, check our website at www.theatresuburbia.com.

Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Time: During museum hours; Daily 3/7/08-9/1/08
Cost: Adults $15; Seniors, Students, & Children (3-11) $12

The special exhibit features more than 50 custom-built wooden models of Leonardo's most innovative designs and inventions, including a hang glider, helicopter, military tank, and elegant bridge structures produced in vivid detail from his original drawings. Several models are interactive and hands-on, encouraging guests to push, pull, and crank for a greater understanding of their purpose and operation. Tickets include admission to the permanent exhibit halls. 713.639.4629; www.hmns.org

KidzPlanet
Time: 9:30 am; Ongoing Each Sun; check with location for exceptions.
Cost: Free

KidzPlanet is a weekly zany and creative children's theatre production, which uses music and drama to teach kids about important life values like honesty, respect, and trust. Performances are each Sunday morning at the Country Playhouse. 713.344.1323; www.kidzplanet.org Ages: 4-11

Story time with Wiggles the puppet
Location: Wendy's - 6670 Woodlands Parkway, The Woodlands, Texas 77382
Cost: Free
Time: Every Tuesday 11-2pm
Ages: Pre-kindergarden

Story time with puppet for pre-kindergarden kids - prepare young kids for school, also provided free face and/or handpainting, free balloon animals
Please visit: www.merrymakersinc.net and click on "Free Events" for more detailed info as well as "Story Gallery." Also visit http://kidspartyinhouston.com and click on "Free events."

Chrysanthemum Society
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens - 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd. (one mile north of FM 1960)
Time: Fourth Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cost: Free

Call (281)443-8731 for more information. www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm

Piney Woods Wildlife Society
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens - 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd. (one mile north of FM 1960)
Time: Third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the study of birds and other wildlife and protection of the environment. (281)443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm

Mercer Bamboo Meetings
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens - 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd. (one mile north of FM 1960)
Time: Fourth Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - Noon
Cost: Free

Monthly meetings feature hands-on training in Mercer's bamboo garden. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy. Call to confirm meeting times for the month. (281)443-8731, www.hcp4.net/mercer/index.htm

La Leche League Press Release
Memorial Hermann Sugarland Hospital
Time: Every Second Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Every Third Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free

River Park Community Center
Time: Every Second Monday at 6:30 p.m. and Every Third Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free

Interested about breastfeeding? Mothers wishing to find out more about breastfeeding are invited to attend a meeting of La Leche League of Fort Bend every second Monday at 6:30pm at Memorial Hermann Sugarland Hospital or every third Monday at 10:30am at River Park Community Center. Babies are always welcome at meetings. La Leche League Leaders of Fort Bend are available by phone for anyone who needs more information: Laura 281-277-4989, Melia 281-344-8585, Ingrid 281-778-3433, Karen 281-937-9597 La Leche League of Fort Bend is a breastfeeding support group for new and expectant mothers.We offer meetings, education, and support. We all want to do what's best for our babies and breatfeeding can be a part of doing what's best.

Cockrell Butterfly Center & Hall of Entomology
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Time: During museum hours
Cost: Adults $8; Seniors and children (3-11) $6, (under 3) free

The butterfly exhibit is a three-story glass structure that showcases hundreds of live butterflies in a naturalistic rainforest setting, where butterflies flutter among - and occasionally land on - visitors strolling the paths or relaxing on benches. The Brown Hall of Entomology contains several live insects from around the world, as well as interactive displays. A children's room provides a nice quiet spot for parents to sit and for kids to use their imaginations - on hand are books, puzzles, games, tables and chairs, soft benches, insect puppets, and a giant beehive for kids to crawl through and clamber upon. 713.639.4629 www.hmns.org.

The library invites schoolkids to chill out with a movie after a long day of classes. Call for movie title.

832.393.2630             http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/ste_home.html
Ages: 8 and up

Gaming And Computer Room
McGovern-Stella Link Branch Library
Ongoing Each Mon-Thu; check with location for exceptions.
Time: 4pm-5:45pm
Cost: Free

In the afternoon, the library offers a gaming and computer room, featuring X-Box and PlayStation 2 games and ten laptop computers, for kids 18 and under.832.393.2630 http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/ ste_home.html

Playgroups
Henington-Alief Regional Branch Library
Ongoing Each Mon; check with location for exceptions.
Time: 10:30am-11:30am
Cost: Free

This program, for parents and kids together, provides a multi-sensory approach to early literacy.
832.393.1820             http://www.houstonlibrary.org/branches/ali_home.html
Ages: 0-4

Preschool Skate
Dairy Ashford Roller Rink, 1820 S. Dairy Ashford Houston
Every Friday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$5 to play or skate.

Every Friday Morning, for ages 7 and under, bring strollers or push toys. Call 281-493-5651 for more information or visit www.skatedarr.com.

Weekend Nature Programs
Brazos Bend SP, 21901 FM 762, Needville
Every Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: Free

At least six free nature-oriented programs ranging from guided nature hikes to live animal programs to video and slide shows are presented. Programs change from week to week.