Temple Public Library Director Natalie McAdams poses with an astronaut cutout in preparation for CineSpace, a film competition sponsored by NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society. Last year’s contest finalists will be presented in the third-floor McLane Room at 5 p.m. Friday. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | June 2, 2022

Lift off is at 5 p.m. Friday.

That’s when CineSpace — a collection of short films that is literally out of this orbit — returns to Temple Public Library for its second year.

“CineSpace is a film contest sponsored by NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society,” said Library Director Natalie McAdams. “We will be showing eight short films that were last year’s finalists. The longest is 10 minutes, and they showcase amateur filmmakers’ love of space.”

“They can be about anything, but they do have to utilize a percentage of NASA film,” McAdams said. “It can be about rocket space boards, 1950s style space films, potential life on Mars — there will be a lot of variety and a lot of creativity.”

Cassi Coates, outreach coordinator for Temple Public Library, said NASA reached out a year ago and asked if the local library would partner with CineSpace.

“The films are just part of the CineSpace experience,” Coates said. “We will have space trivia, prizes, drinks and snacks, and giveaway bags containing space-related arts and crafts. People can take the bags home or work on the crafts at the library.”

Last year, 21 people participated in CineSpace, and McAdams and Coates are expecting more this year.

The event will be in the McLane Room on the library’s third floor. The films and activities will take about two hours.

“Temple has a strong connection to space, so it is natural that we participate,” McAdams said. Barnard Harris, a former Temple resident, was the first black astronaut to space walk.

NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society began accepting submissions for the 2022 CineSpace International Short Film Competition earlier this spring and filmmakers have until noon July 15 to submit their work.

Films can be of any genre and on any topic, but they must not be more than 10 minutes long and at least 10 percent of the film must use NASA archival footage.

Finalists will be announced at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival in October and winner will be named in November. Winning films will be shown at film festivals, schools, libraries, museums, on NASA TV and even aboard the International Space Station.

For additional information, visit https://www.nasa.gov/offices/COECI/index.html.

Library launches homebound program

The Temple Public Library has launched its Homebound program, and applications are now available.

Staff will deliver library materials to patrons who are unable to visit the facility due to prolonged illness, extended convalescence or a disability that limits their capability to leave home.

Temple residents can sign-up for the program and browse library materials by visiting exploretpl.com/homebound. Once a month, staff will deliver requested materials to patrons’ homes and pick-up any items that need to be returned. The loan period for each item is 30 days.

For more information, call (254) 298-5295.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

today’s best bets

• Trivia Night at Fire Base Brewing Co. with Texas Red. 7 p.m.

• Poetry & Music open mic night at Corky’s  with host Nate Biddy. Sign up at 6:30, first act at 7:10.

• Clay with Lindsay at Cultural Activities Center. Go to cacarts.org to sign up for her classes

• Free dance lessons at Bo’s Barn from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Karaoke from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m

• Lonesome Dove: The Photo Exhibit runs through June 25. The exhibit is a collection of black-and-white framed photos captured by the late Bill Wittliff, renowned photographer, writer, and co-executive producer of the popular Western mini-series.

• All Craft and Arts Retreat at Rockin’ R Retreat Center, 5650 Bottoms Road in Temple. Bring your own projects and come create! Retreats and classes are for ages 18 and up, but ages 14-17 may attend with an adult. Details and registration at www.renacotti.com

To include your events in What’s Happening and Today’s Best Bets, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!