FYI

Museum to display Prado masterpieces

“Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado” will be on display through March 31 at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

“The exhibition, on exclusive U.S. loan to the museum, tells the story of the evolution of painting in Spain from the 16th through 19th centuries, and explores how artists reflected the sweeping changes in society, culture, politics and religion,” according to a museum news release.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is at 5601 Main St.

For more information, call 713-426-3473, email guestservices@mfah.org or go to www.mfah.org.

Children’s Museum paraderings in new year

 The Children’s Museum of Houston’s annual Rockin’ New Year’s Noon event will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31.

According to a press release from Children’s Museum of Houston, “This end-of-year bash rings the New Year at the stroke of noon with a parade and shimmering ball drop, just like they do in Times Square. Dance to jazzy tunes as the High Steppers step up to our exciting New Year’s parade. Stick around as we leap into the New Year and dance the afternoon away.”

Tickets are $9 for adults and children and $8 for seniors.

Children’s Museum of Houston is at 1500 Binz, Houston.

For more information, call 713-522-1138 or visit www.cmhouston.org.

Seth Abramczyk achieves highest Scout honor 

 Seth Abramczyk of Houston recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 806 and the Boys Scouts of America.

The troop, of which Abramczyk is a member, is sponsored by the Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Israel, according to a press release.

Abramczyk earned more than 21 merit badges, held numerous leadership positions and organized a major service project to achieve the honor.

For his award project, Abramczyk designed and built four nesting boxes and a mobile animal presentation stand for the Natural Encounters Department of the Houston Zoo.

Abramczyk became a Cub Scout in 2002, earning the Maccabee and Aleph awards. Becoming a Boy Scout in 2007, he served as a senior patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader and troop guide. He is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

The son of Dana and Robert Abramczyk, he is a junior at Carnegie Vanguard High School. He is a member of the school’s Ultimate Frisbee Club and the Aviation Club and also plays on the soccer team. He has been a Houston Zoo volunteer for four summers and has served in the zoo’s summer camp program and the Natural Encounters Department.

Congregation Beth Israel is a reformed Jewish synagogue, located at 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston.

For more information, call 713-771-6221 or visit www.beth-israel.org

Neptune Society seeking Toys for Tots donations 

The Neptune Society is seeking donations for Toys for Tots.

The Neptune Society is seeking donations for The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.

The foundation accepts donations of new and unwrapped toys. Every Neptune Society office in the country is participating in the toy collection.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a nonprofit charity and fundraising organization for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The work of the foundation is managed by a board of directors with a staff located in the Cooper Center on the Quantico Marine Corps Base near Washington, DC. The foundation supports the efforts of local programs across the nation to provide a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.

For more information, call 800-637-8863 or visit www.neptunesociety.com