sunday
july 9
Hot Picks for Summer Reading The Houston Public Library is luring in kids with visits from the Coney Man, a walking, talking hot dog from James Coney Island, coupons for pizza and other prizes. Now, to remind adults that reading is fundamental, librarians have prepared a list of popular books for summer reading. For "popular fiction," they suggest John Grisham's The Rainmaker; for "suspense" The Apocalypse Watch, by Robert Ludlum; Mary Higgins Clark's Let Me Call You Sweetheart is considered "romance-mystery"; Dave Barry is, of course, the humor candidate with Dave Barry's Guide to Guys; and business types are encouraged to read How to Argue and Win Every Time by trial lawyer Gerry Spence. For more information, visit your local branch library, call 236-1313, or access the library's DialCat on-line computers, 247-2244.
Polka madness The public is invited to attend the Polka Lovers Klub of America's midyear meeting and public dance. There are those who say that normally brave men hate and fear the polka, that when confronted with that dreaded lilting beat some otherwise stouthearted fellows flee formal dance lessons pale, shaken and trembling. This can't be right. Men who hate and fear the polka should shine their boots, hitch up their trousers and give it one more try. The Henry Tannenberger Orchestra will play live music for the festivities. Free polka and waltz lessons for all. 2 p.m. The Texas Hall of Fame, 2309 South S.M. Road 2818, Bryan. (409) 822-2222. For more information, call 774-5485 or 480-3965. $5.
monday
july 10
1995 Galveston Unlimited R/C Air Races and Air Show Hey, nothing says excitement like the description "nitro-burning," and some of this air show's hobby planes are 200 mph nitro-burning Unlimiteds. I have no idea what that means, or how these planes differ from 42 percent Formula Ones, 1/5-scale AT-6s or Thompson Trophy airplanes, but I am sure they go really fast, just buzz like giant mutant wasps. In any case, 200 competitors from all over the country will go radio-controlled wingtip to radio-controlled wingtip, competing for $25,000 in cash prizes. The air show lasts all week and includes a "Big Top" trade show, free tram service between the parking areas and Reno-style closed course air racing. The big finale, Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, will be an air show with aerobatics and actual World War II fighter and bomber planes. This aviation celebration benefits the Galveston Ronald McDonald House. Galveston Airport (Scholes Field), take a right off I-45 on 61st Street, go right on Stewart Road to Jones Road and then right at the airport entrance. For more information, call (800) 741-7058. $5; children under 12 free.
tuesday
july 11
Coffee Talk You'd think the iced tea people would have picked up on this and tried to fight back. Despite the blistering heat of summer in our swampy home, trendy people are spending their leisure time sitting outside and swilling hot liquids, even though most of your better coffeehouses offer iced anything, and frozen Granitas, instead of iced tea. Starbucks, the Seattle-based coffee company, has recently set up shop in our town, and is trying to lure patrons from Cafe Maison, Brasil and the New Orleans-based P.J.'s, among others. The established spots all have their special draws -- poetry readings, game nights, coffee education, lute playing and what have you. For its draw, Starbucks is taking the consumer education tack and offering a soiree with free pastries where, rather than detail the 14 grades of Colombia Supremo or explain why Hawaiian Kona Fancy is finer stuff than any old run-of-the-mill Kona blend, they'll reveal how grinders and brewing equipment work. Add Starbucks' Coffee Talk to the long list of regular events at Houston coffeehouses. Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m. Starbucks, 1655 Voss. For more information, call 975-7667. Free.
wednesday
july 12
Guns, Crime and Freedom That's the title of a book, the author of which is Wayne LaPierre, CEO and chief spokesman for the National Rifle Association. What else do you need to know? In the national media, editorial writers and book reviewers write that the popularity of Guns and other conservative titles indicates that what might be considered propaganda by some is accepted by others as sterling truth. The prevalence of conservative/libertarian/right-wing/Republican truth on the bestseller list these days is indeed overwhelming; meanwhile, Democratic propaganda is about as fashionable as a panhandler at a picnic. A Washington Post article that offered just that observation had a few quotes from LaPierre that outline his stance in a clear, linear, pre-Monroe Doctrine simplicity. "This is about freedom," he declared, "not crime, not hunting, not recreation. Freedom. And people don't want to lose it." LaPierre added that "people are totally fed up with the misreporting of this issue in the national media." So for those people he's written his undoubtedly totally objective, totally true tome. LaPierre will be signing copies of his book and chatting with customers. 6:30-8 p.m. Media Play, 9825 South Post Oak Boulevard (Meyer Park), 723-8575.
