Welcome to this week's "Gish Picks", where I highlight family-oriented cultural events, products or services. Please note that I "highlight" these events, but I don't know if they are appropriate for your particular children, so choose wisely based on age, maturity and interests.

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Now, GO FIND FUN!

"DREAM IT UP!" WITH MAIN STREET THEATER'S KIDS ON STAGE (KOS) OPEN HOUSE.

Main Street Theater opens its doors and its stage for a party from 11am until 1pm at their Chelsea Market location, 4617 Montrose Boulevard. The Spring KOS teaching staff will lead kids of all ages in mask-making, arts and crafts, theater games, and dance in their "Dream It Up!" Open House that has become a tradition showcasing the program's classes and projects. KOS, now in its 19th season, has been designed to spark a lifelong appreciation of theater by encouraging young people to participate in all aspects of play production, from movement and monologues to stagecraft and theater history.

The curriculum teaches essential skills such as creative thinking, teamwork, self-confidence, and communication-skills that enhance the overall learning process. Through year-round KOS classes, outreach programs, and camps both on-site and at satellite locations, students are able to develop their voices, bodies, and imaginations through a challenging and fun curriculum, taught by talented instructors.

To see a KOS graduate in action (who also happens to be the son of GISH PICKS' designer), catch actor Julian Brashears in "Caroline, or Change" at Main Street Theater through January 20 (see schedule here).

For more information, call 713.524.9196 or log onto www.mainstreettheater.com/kos.

THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL BOAT, SPORT AND TRAVEL SHOW IS PULLING UP ANCHOR THIS WEEKEND.

The 2008 Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show, one of the largest in the country with more than 1,000 luxury yachts, sailboats and powerboats and 450 exhibits, will be at Reliant Center through Sunday, January 13. Besides more than five football fields of boats and exhibits, those new to boating can visit the show’s “Discover Boating Center” for valuable information on boater safety, tips on how to buy a boat, and more.

Back again in 2008 is the world’s only traveling stingray tank that offers an up-close look at these fascinating sea creatures and a hands-on education with this traveling touch-tank. Still another popular attraction is the show’s "Fish-A-Rama" where kids of all ages can try their hand at reeling in a prize catch. Fishing enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the “Bass Tub,” a 40-foot-long, five-thousand gallon mobile aquarium stocked with game fish. Expert fishing guides will use the "Bass Tub" to conduct daily demonstrations of the latest casting techniques.

Show hours for the Show are Wednesday through Friday, January 9-11, from 1 until 9pm; Saturday, January 12, from 10am until 9 pm; and Sunday, January 13, from noon until 6pm. Admission is $8/adults and $4/kids; children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Reliant Center ticket office.

For more information, call 713.790.1900 or log onto www.houstonboatshow.com.

THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, THE HARRIS COUNTY JONES PARK IS FULL OF ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES:

• Winter Wood Orienteering, 10am
  The lack of fire ants, mosquitoes and snakes makes exploring the woods at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center a great weekend activity. Guests ages 10 and older are invited to experience orienteering by exploring off the trail with a compass. Scout groups are welcome to attend this program and all participants should bring a compass. Reservations are required.
  
  
• Second Saturday Settlers—Fire making, 1 until 3pm
  Join Jones Park staff and volunteers to learn how early settlers made a fire and see the Redbud Hill Homestead come to life.
  
  
• Pioneer Campfire and Stargazing, 6pm
  There is nothing quite like keeping warm around a campfire on a cold winter evening while viewing the nighttime sky through a telescope. All ages are welcome and reservations are required.

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, a Harris County Precinct 4 facility under the leadership of Commissioner Jerry Eversole, is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble. All programs are free of charge and open to the public.

For more information, call 281.446.8588 or log onto www.hcp4.net/jones.

BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH MUSIC LESSONS AT THE MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

Send your children (or yourself) to the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music! The Preparatory and Continuing Studies Department offers a variety of private lessons and group classes for students of all ages and abilities to the greater Houston community. Classes include The Suzuki String Program, The Piano Program, and Private Instruction [voice, piano, violin, viola, cello, saxophone, flute, guitar (classical & jazz), theory/composition, trumpet, French horn, organ, and most orchestral instruments]. Classes for the spring semester begin the week of January 14.

And here's my special recommendation for this music program: my son, Matthew Buchanan, takes private violin lessons with a Moores School of Music instructor which has vastly improved his skills as well as increased his love of the instrument.

For more information, call 713.743.3398 or log onto www.pcs.uh.edu.

TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL "KIDS' FUN RUN" WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12.

This 3K non-competitive run will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center and is a collaboration between Texas Children’s Hospital and the Chevron Houston Marathon, also happening this weekend (on Sunday morning). Every participant is a winner and the run is open to all children 5 to 15 years old, including those with special needs. This run is the kickoff event of Chevron Houston Marathon weekend -- it covers a portion of the actual marathon course and all finishers will have the opportunity to cross the actual marathon finish line. Three races will be held between 9am and 10am and every participant will receive a bronze medal, t-shirt and a ticket to the Chevron Houston Marathon Kids Expo. The cost is $10/child and parking is free.

For more information, call 832.824.2047 or log onto www.ChevronHoustonMarathon.com.

Sarah Gish
Gish Creative
1940-A Fountainview, PMB 116
Houston, Texas 77057
phone/fax: 713.532.1173

email: sarah@gishcreative.com
web: www.gishcreative.com
and: www.thesummerbook.com
and: www.saveourlandmarks.org

© 2008 Sarah Gish

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