I know summer is looming, but never fear! There's no need to stress out over summer camps since THE SUMMER BOOK® 2008 is here! My guide to over 200 summer day camps is available at retailers all over Houston and surrounding areas; log onto www.thesummerbook.com for a complete list of where to purchase it. I’d like to welcome our new vendors: The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston (www.camh.org), the Houston Museum of Natural Science (www.hmns.org), Kaboom Books (www.kaboombooks.com), and the Pink Pokka Dot (www.pinkpokkadot.com). I urge each of you to purchase your own copy (please don’t share!) as your support of this community endeavor not only covers my cost to produce, market, and distribute it – which keeps it going year after year -- but it also supports all the fine stores carrying the books – many of which are family-owned, locally-run businesses. Thanks for your appreciation of our endeavors.

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.

I know many of you go to events based on GISH PICKS recommendations; PLEASE remember to tell the organization that you are there because of us. Word-of-mouth like yours helps our business to grow. In the same spirit, please also feel free to share GISH PICKS with friends and families.

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Now, GO FIND FUN!

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA AND KUHF 88.7-FM HOST NPR’S “FROM THE TOP” HERE IN HOUSTON THIS FRIDAY EVENING.

It's time for the live appearance of the nationally-acclaimed NPR radio show “From the Top” at the Wortham Theater Center, Brown Theater this Friday, March 28 at 7:30pm. “From the Top” will record its radio and television programs in front of a live audience. Young classical musicians, ages 9-18, from the Houston area will perform as part of this presentation. Among the performers on March 28 will be the Houston Grand Opera Children’s Chorus, members of HGO’s High School Voice Studio and Liz Kaufman, Joan Scheirman and Laura Smolik (the Three Genii from HGO’s recent production of "The Magic Flute") along with HGO Studio soprano Rebekah Camm. “From the Top” is hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley. Tickets to the performance start at $19.50.

For more information, call 713.228.6737 or log onto www.houstongrandopera.org.

"SI SE PUEDE" IS COMING TO HOUSTON THIS WEEKEND.

Talento Bilingüe de Houston (TBH) is presenting a unique opportunity for children to learn about Cesar Chavez, a leading voice for the rights of migrant workers and someone who has been recognized as one of the great leaders of the 20th century.

In collaboration with Talento Bilingüe de Houston, Sandra Organ Dance Company will present a full-length modern dance performance inspired by the legacy of Cesar Chavez and the history of the migrant farm worker movement. "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can") opens with "A Prayer for the Farm Worker", written by Cesar Chavez, and also includes "Tata Dio", a dance about a couple and their struggles as migrant farmers. "Si Se Puede" offers students of all ages a creative and unique perspective on this important issue.

The performances are as follows:

• Thursday, March 27, 9:30am and 11:15am

• Friday, March 28, 9:30am and 11:15am

• Friday, March 28, 2008 8pm evening

Tickets for the morning performances are $5/each and tickets for the evening performance are $10/adults, $8/students and $5/seniors and children.

For more information, call 713.222.1213 or log onto www.tbhcenter.org.

KID'S MARKET DAY IS THIS WEEKEND AT THE BAYOU CITY FARMERS' MARKET.

This Saturday, March 29, from 8am until noon, take your family to visit "Kids' Market Day", which offers children of all ages the opportunity to see where their food really comes from. Kids participating in school gardening programs will bring their produce to sell at the farmers' market and vendors will bring animals and equipment from their farms for hands-on demonstrations. Kid-friendly activities will include seed planting, face painting, and egg dyeing using natural colors. Live music and a cooking demonstration will also be featured.

The Bayou City Farmers' Market is a project of Urban Harvest, a nonprofit organization that helps build communities from the ground up by promoting sustainable land use and horticultural practices to grow food and reduce hunger. Its farmers' market project helps educate the public about the benefits of eating local produce in season and provides the local agricultural community with a direct outlet for their products.

For more information, call 713.880.5540 or log onto www.urbanharvest.org.

KIDS HAVE FUN WITH NATURE AT THE HOUSTON ARBORETUM SUMMER CAMPS.

This summer send your kids to our inner-city, 155-acre nature sanctuary, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, for their "Nature Trekkers Summer Camp 2008", for kids ages 5 to 12. Naturalist teachers will lead kids through fun-filled week long camps that explore the natural world through active hands-on indoor and outdoor adventures. Children are taught in classes by age (5 & 6 years old, 7 & 8 years old, and 9-12 years old) while each group follows the same theme.

The weekly themes are:

• City Critters - June 9-13 or July 14-18

Learn about the creatures who manage to live close to humans while still staying wild. We'll see how everyone can make their yard a miniature wildlife preserve to attract some of these intriguing critters. Your child will become the family expert on ecology with an urban twist.

• Arboretum Underground - June 16-20 or July 21-25

Come discover the hidden world beneath our feet. We'll explore everything from plant roots to voracious shrews and set our sights on anything that hunts, burrows, sleeps, or lives underground.

• Predator! - June 23-27 or July 28-August 1

Why does a cat stalk its prey? Why are some grasshoppers shaped like a leaf? Life on our planet is a never-ending struggle between predators and prey. Come find out how creatures great and small use intelligence, speed, strength, special senses, coloration and weapons to survive.

• Living on the Edge - Endangered Species - June 30-July 3 (4 day class; rate is prorated) or August 4-8

Have you ever seen a Red Wolf, a Texas Horned Lizard, a Houston Toad, or a White-nosed Coati? These animals are all native to Texas, yet seldom seen because they are either endangered or threatened species. Games, educational crafts, and outside activities will help us learn about the rarest of Texas animals and the reasons for their rarity.

• Nature Rangers to the Rescue - July 7-11 or August 11-15

A Nature Ranger explores, investigates, and protects the natural environment. Learn the skills that a ranger uses to protect and improve ecosystems. We'll investigate the environment through experiments, games and hands-on activities. Our rangers will plan and implement a conservation project to improve habitat here at the Arboretum.

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

"RAISE A READER!" LECTURE SERIES IS BACK THIS APRIL.

Children's Museum of Houston resumes back-by-demand Raise a Reader Lecture Series during April. Attendees will explore many fun ways in which parents and educators can introduce children into the wonderful world of reading. This series of workshops, led by reading and writing specialist Dr. Terri Beeler and assisted by University of Houston Clear Lake Associate Professor Emeritus Dr. Barbara Samuels, will focus on the literacy needs of children from preschool to 2nd grade.

Each session will include discussions, hands-on opportunities, interactive fun and question and answer time. The series runs Thursday nights from 7 until 8:30pm starting April 3 and ending April 24 and will take place at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway. The lectures are $8/night per person; you can receive one night free if you sign up and prepay for all four nights. Payment will accepted the night of the lecture and all reservations are handled through the Children's Museum of Houston.

For more information, call 713.535.7238. To download the form, log onto www.cmhouston.org/totspot and email it to reservations@cmhouston.org or fax to 713.524.6471.

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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