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!

GET OUT OF THE GALAXY THIS WEEKEND.

This Sunday, January 25, from 1-4pm, join the Heritage Society Museum Gallery for their “Out of This World Heritage Family Day”. This free afternoon of family fun and entertainment will celebrate the history of NASA and the Johnson Space Center. Children and their families will have an out of this world experience as they explore the secrets of space in the Discovery Dome planetarium, go airborne in the space station inflatable and create aircraft models and other celestial crafts. And for those hungry space riders, there will space age treats available. The “Family Day” has been organized in conjunction with “Creating Space City, USA,” an exhibition that focuses on the early years of the space program, from the creation of NASA in 1958 to the naming of the first class of space shuttle astronauts in 1978. When Apollo 11 landed on the moon, Neil Armstrong’s first words were “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” As the world watched and listened to those words, Houstonians felt a special pride. Since construction began on the Johnson Space Center in 1962, the city of Houston has played a critical role in NASA’s achievements. The Heritage Society is the city's only outdoor, interactive historic museum and park. Nestled in 10 acres of beautiful green parkland in the heart of downtown Houston, The Heritage Society boasts 9 historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.

EVEN FISH CAN SING!

Houston Grand Opera and Opera to Go! present the opera “Little Mermaid” (based on Dvorak's “Rusalka”) at the historic Heinen Theater at the Houston Community College Central Campus at 3517 Austin Street. This opera introduces audiences to a little mermaid who would do anything to be with the man she loves - even sacrifice her voice! With beautiful scenery and costumes, and a cast of 6 dynamic singers, this is the perfect show for opera lovers of all ages. Opera to Go! is the traveling arm of the Houston Grand Opera that performs operas at schools or community venues. These productions, created especially for students and sung in English, are 45 minutes long, complete with full sets and lavish costumes. Every January, Opera to Go! presents a brand new production at the Heinen Theatre for the general public. “Little Mermaid” will be performed daily from January 20-24 at 9:30am and 11:15am.

Tickets are $5/each.

IT'S TIME FOR A "YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERT" AT RICE UNIVERSITY.

"Music for the Theatre" is being presented by the Shepherd Society this Saturday, January 24 at 11am at the Shepherd School of Music's Stude Concert Hall. This raucously jazzy and lyrical American piece is by famed composer Aaron Copland and features the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra with narrator Rachel Buchman who will be joined by several Houston children creating an amazingly vivid story that will stir the imaginations of listeners. The concert is free and open to the public and is RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 4 YEARS OLD AND UP.

SMART, SAVVY MOMS DISCUSS SOCIAL MEDIA AT HOUSTON'S "MOM 2.0 SUMMIT" FEBRUARY 19-21.

Women. Moms. Marketers. Houston is about to be hit with a wave of awesome gals (along with a Guy and Mr. Mann!) coming together at the Four Seasons for the Mom 2.0 Summit on February, 19-21, 2009. The Mom 2.0 Summit is a meeting place for moms, marketers, bloggers, mompreneurs and smart savvy women to get to know one another, swap ideas, and meet some great peeps. A place to connect, converse, and build relationships. This year's Summit discussions will focus on social media, marketing, networks, and brand building. We will explore what those relationships mean and how we all contribute to social media. Are you curious what this whole Social Media thing is about? Well, so are we! Curious how it can help you streamline, share, enhance or make your life better? Us, too! Or, do you just love a great party with other amazing women? Um, yes please! Well, we've gotcha covered! We've put together an amazing group of women (and a few lucky guys) to gather in Houston to discuss all of these topics and much, much more. We'll also feature a two day expo aimed at giving you the best of services and products for women, and of course...the parties! How could we forget the parties?! We hope to see you at the Summit in February! For inquiries please contact monica@mom2summit.com.

Special for Gish Picks Readers! The Mom 2.0 Summit will be offering 10% off all ticket types, be it the full conference registration, or the "light version" of Networking (aka: parties!) and Expo ticket. Just enter the code GISH when registering.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR HELP IS A BREEZE WITH THESE CARDS.

Sometimes the simplest products can bring a big positive change into your life! Like sliced bread or wet wipes, now you can simplify your household chores with HOUSEKEEPER CARDS in English and Spanish. So many times you just don't have the time or energy to make a to-do list, much less communicate it to your helper that may speak limited English. These cards help you communicate politely and end frustration for both you and your helper. Each card shows an action picture of the chore along with the text in English and Spanish. You simply set them out for your help along with an instruction card that explains the concept. Brilliantly designed, they've got you covered with sixty cards in the Basic Edition which include statements like "Please, dust the ceiling fans," "Please, sweep and mop the floors," and "Please, water the plants." Frances Moore-Jones of www.TranslatedPhrase.com created this unique concept because of a personal need - so she knows they work! Purchase the HOUSEKEEPER CARDS on her website or at several Houston retailers. These cards help you in a big way!

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

© 2009 Sarah Gish

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