Special Olympics Texas is fundraising for its athletes with a virtual polar bear plunge. Individuals or teams can submit a video jumping into water, and judges will give awards and prizes. Videos are due Feb. 5, and the winners will be revealed Feb. 24. $60 (individual), $480 (team of eight). www.givegab.com/campaigns/plunge-gulf (Gulf Coast), www.givegab.com/campaigns/plunge-houston (Houston)
Through Feb. 20: Clear Creek cleanup
Each Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 20, the Clear Creek Environmental Foundation will lead a cleanup of Clear Creek. Boat owners are needed to assist in clearing thousands of pounds of trash from the area. Lunch and event T-shirts will be provided. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. League City Boat Ramp, Hwy. 270 between Hwy. 519 and NASA Road, League City. 281-830-3419. www.facebook.com/events/420991949051898
Jan. 29: State of the City breakfast
League City Mayor Pat Hallisey and City Manager John Baumgartner will lead a conversation about the city’s recent achievements and outlook for 2021. The Toasted Yolk will provide breakfast. 8:30-10 a.m. $25 (League City Regional Chamber of Commerce members), $35 (nonmembers). Hometown Heroes Park, 1001 E. League City Parkway, League City. 281-3368-7339. www.leaguecity.com
Jan. 31: Chili Fest
Bakfish Brewing Co. is hosting a chili cook-off as a fundraiser for the Pearland Professional Firefighters Association. Ticketholders will be able to listen to live music while sampling and voting on 20 competitors’ offerings. 1-5 p.m. $5. Bakfish Brewing Co., 1231 E. Broadway St., Pearland. 281-993-8658. www.eventbrite.com/e/bakfish-chili-fest-tickets-132460690491
Feb. 1 through 4: Leadership symposium
At this inaugural Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce event, award-winning speaker Amy Castro will lead a seminar alongside local industry leaders on communications, strategic planning, collaboration and more. Virtual and in-person options are available. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Prices vary. Webster Civic Center, 311 Pennsylvania Ave., Webster. 281-488-7676. www.clearlakearea.com/leadership-symposium
Feb. 4: Jazz performance
Pamela Hart, a singer who was named “Austin’s First Lady of Jazz” by •Austin Woman Magazine•, is coming to the Bayou Theater at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She will discuss her over 25 years of experience as a jazz artist and take questions before giving a performance while taking requests from the audience. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing. 6 p.m. $25. Bayou Theater, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 1002, Houston. www.uhcl.edu
Feb. 6: Yachty Gras
Billed as America’s largest Mardi Gras boat parade, Yachty Gras invites area boat owners to decorate their vessel with a theme of their choosing, gather their friends to form a “Krewe” and join the parade as it passes through the Clear Lake Channel along the Kemah Boardwalk to the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center. Judges will give awards to the boats with the most extravagant decorations and energetic Krewe. 7 p.m. $125 (boat registration). 713-882-4040. www.yachtygras.com
