Gish Picks: Week of June 6, 2007


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. Do you have something you would like to advertise on Gish Picks? Advertisers can promote family-friendly events, products or services to Houstonians all over the city and the surrounding area who are active parents, involved citizens and great shoppers. We love doing this community service and want to keep it free for our readers but in order to justify the hours spent researching, writing and designing this newsletter, we need advertising support. If you'd like to learn more, please click below. Now, GO FIND FUN!

CELEBRATE "SPORTS IN THE PARK" THIS WEEKEND AT THE HERITAGE MUSEUM.

This Sunday, June 10 from 2 until 4pm, join The Heritage Society for a free afternoon of family fun and entertainment. Children and their families will view memorabilia depicting the history of Houston’s professional sports teams, new and old, concurrent with the museum's exhibit "It’s How You Play the Game: Professional Sports in Houston". Refreshments will be available.

Activities will include a vintage 1860s era exhibition baseball game, meeting sports mascots from favorite Houston teams, scoring goals like a Dynamo with an interactive speed kick inflatable, shooting a puck like the Aeros with the slap-shot inflatable and learning street hockey; shooting hoops like a Rocket or Comet on their mini hoop; and getting face painting with team mascots. The Heritage Society Museum is located at 1100 Bagby, Sam Houston Park.

For more information, call 713.655.1912 or log onto www.heritagesociety.org.

DOMY BOOKS IS PRESENTING THEIR FIRST CHILDREN'S EVENT.

This Saturday, June 9, Domy Books (next to Brasil Café at 1709 Westheimer) is presenting two "Build A Better Bear or creature, or thing, or food Workshops" with Shawn Smith and Jen Brody of Shawnimals (www.shawnimals.com).

Children 6-15 will make creations from 10am until noon and children 16 and up will make creations from 8 until 11pm. Shawn and Jennifer will show character design and basic sewing techniques to help bring 2D creations to life in plush form. If kids can't draw, no worries! Some of the best stuffed things are more blobby than specific. They'll supply fabric, stuffing, thread, paper and other such materials and all kids have to supply is an imagination.

This Shawnimals workshop is part of a kick-off weekend for the "Free Hugs" exhibition of Shawnimals characters that opens at Domy on Friday, June 8 from 7 until 9pm and is on view through July 6. Space is limited to the "Build a Better Bear" workshops, so call now to reserve a spot.

For more information, call 713.523.3669 or log onto www.domystore.com.

JOIN THE PEARLAND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR FREE FAMILY CONCERTS THROUGH JUNE 29.

The Pearland "Summer Concert Series" has kicked off at the Southdown Park (2150 Countryplace Pkwy) with free music every Friday night. Families are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs and there is a variety of concessions available, as well as inflatables and lots of free stuff for the kids, and prize drawings for the adults. Each week the series includes the finals competition performance of one of the "Let Freedom Sing" talent search finalists, which includes Julian Brashears, son of GISH PICKS designer Kristine Brashears!

The remaining schedule is:

• June 8 Mango Punch (Latin, Salsa, Pop)
• June 15 Russell Ray (Country)
• June 22 Wilfred Chevis (Zydeco)
• June 29 Local Church Bands

For more information, call 281.652.1673 or log onto www.pearlandparks.com.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS HAS A GREAT WAY TO HELP FAMILIES SOAK UP SOME CULTURE TOGETHER.

The SPA 2007-2008 "Family Fun Series" has something for everyone so that family members ranging in age from five to 95 can enjoy the performing arts together! Families can enjoy live music from "Dan Zanes and Friends"; the full-length dance piece "The Velveteen Rabbit"; the Shaolin Warriors’ spectacular showcase of Chinese Kung Fu; the pipes and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; and the skateboarding extravaganza "4-Ish". For the best seats, the children’s "Family Fun Series" is discounted up to 50% off single ticket prices!!!! Click here to read more www.spahouston.org/CalendarList.aspx?series=3 or to ORDER NOW www.spahouston.org/subscribe.aspx.

For more information, call 713.227.4772 or log onto www.spahouston.org.

WANT TO PUT YOUR FAMILY ON "SUPERNANNY"?

The casting team of ABC’s hit reality series "Supernanny" has asked me to help spread the word as they search for families from the Greater Houston area to take part in the new season of the show -- so contact them now to get help with creating a more harmonious family life. "Supernanny" is premiering its fourth season later this year and casting producers are searching the country to find families from a variety of backgrounds to offer Jo Frost, America’s number one nanny, the challenge of her career.

Parents who are interested may apply online via www.supernanny.com or call in to the Casting Hotline at 877/NANNY-TIME (1-877-626-6984). Be sure to tell them that GISH PICKS sent you!

For general information, please call 323.904.4680 or e-mail supernanny@ricochettelevision.com.

For more about my marketing company, Gish Creative, and the services we offer, please click here. You are on this list because I thought this e-newsletter would be helpful to you or because you signed up for it. However, if you want off this list, click here and you're a goner. Also, your name and information will never be shared or sold, so feel free to tell your friends to subscribe by clicking here.

My goal is to serve as an information resource for Houston parents through my various endeavors, including:

GISH PICKS, which is online (www.thesummerbook.com/gishpicks_archive.html) and in print through the Houston Community Newspaper group (www.hcnonline.com);

THE SUMMER BOOK®: A GUIDE TO HOUSTON DAY CAMPS AND CLASSES FOR KIDS AND TEENS (www.thesummerbook.com) which comes out annually on March 1 and is sold at bookstores all over Houston, including Barnes and Noble and Borders; and

Speaking engagements, interactive workshops, private consultations, and art programs that cover topics such as parenting (www.freewebs.com/glowfished), marketing, and passion-finding. All of these services can be tailored for any audience and budget.

The purpose of GISH PICKS is to help parents become aware of all the fun things they can do with their children in Houston and the surrounding area, so HAPPY TRAVELS! Please do give me feedback and ideas, as you are out there in the trenches also looking for interesting things for your family and I want to hear what you find. If you are having trouble getting to a website listed here, try hitting the “Ctrl” button and left-clicking on the web address, which should make it “live”.


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 © 2007 Sarah Gish Designed by West of the World