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!

"OPERA TO GO" IS BRINGING MOZART TO KIDS THIS WEEKEND.

The Houston Grand Opera's "Opera to Go" outreach program is presenting "The Magic Flute" this Saturday, January 19 at 10am and 11:30am. This timeless masterpiece has been adapted for the times and kids -- this will still be the classic tale of good vs. evil but there will also be magical cell phones and an unforgettable "Queen of the Byte". Keeping children's needs in mind, "The Magic Flute" is sung in English for a 45-minute performance. Games, snacks, crafts, and hands-on arts activities will follow the production. The show is part of HCC's "Saturdays at Central" season and will be at the HCC Heinen Theatre, 3517 Austin at Holman and it's free but reservations are recommended.

For more information, call 713.718.6570 or log onto www.centralfinearts.info.

THE HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER CELEBRATES "ARBOR DAY" THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 19.

"Arbor Day" will take place from 10am until 4pm with music, family activities, tree tours and more. Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It originated in 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska and is now celebrated around the world. This free annual event at the Houston Arboretum will take place at their 155-acre nature sanctuary, located at 4501 Woodway near Memorial Park. Activities will include a visit from Johnny Appleseed and HANC the Owl. Visitors will learn how to make paper, design paper hats and create paper flower pots. Attendees will also learn how every single tree that is preserved and cared for can make a difference.

Over 1,000 bare root pine seedlings will be given away at the event and several sizeable native tree and shrub species will be available for sale, ranging in price from $30 to $90. Naturalists will be offering tree tours through the forest trails and provide hands-on demonstrations of proper tree planting techniques. Members of the Gulf Coast Woodturners Association and the Woodworkers Club of Houston will also be on hand to demonstrate their talents.

For more information, call 713.681.8433 or log onto www.houstonarboretum.org.

IT'S "FAMILY DAY" TIME AT BAYOU BEND.

The Museum of Fine Arts presents its monthly "Family Day" program, "Texas Legends", at Bayou Bend. In addition to being one of the premiere collections of American decorative arts, Bayou Bend was the home of Miss Ima Hogg, one of Texas' greatest figures. Miss Hogg took great pride in her heritage, and this month we celebrate her and her fellow Texas legends.

Visitors will use arts and crafts to explore the six flags over Texas and the state flower and bird, and then join storytellers and performers who bring to life the story of Texas' struggle for independence, our role in the moon landing, and many more of the legends that make the Lone Star State unique.

For more information, call 713.639.7750 or log onto www.mfah.org/bayoubend.

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.

"AWAKENING THE DREAMER, CHANGING THE DREAM" SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND.

This Saturday, January 19, from 9am until 4pm, the Houston A.R.E. Center at 7800 Amelia Road will be host to the "Awakening The Dreamer, Changing The Dream" Symposium which will explore the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment. Using video clips from some of the world's most respected thinkers, along with inspiring short films, leading edge information, and dynamic group interactions, the Symposium allows participants to gain a new insight into the very nature of our time and the opportunity we have to shape and impact the direction of our world with our everyday choices and actions. With a common purpose of igniting a global conversation, the goal is to work towards the sustainability of all of our lives. Entry is $35/advance registration or $40/door; this investment includes a vegetarian lunch and a wonderful book, The Better World Shopping Guide. There are discounts for students.

For more information, please call 713.240.4478 or log onto www.awakeningthedreamer.org.

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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