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!

AFTER THE MOON, THE NEXT STOP IS MARS.

The Health Museum has a special exhibition, “Facing Mars,” on view through September 7. With all the hoopla about the moon, it’s easy to forget our fiery red friend, Mars! This exhibit demonstrates the challenges of sending human explorers to Mars as kids are transformed into a rocket scientist for the day and get to explore the challenges of aerodynamic stability and experience what it is like to walk on Mars at a station that subtracts 60 percent of each person’s weight to simulate Martian gravity (I’ll be first in line for that one!). Visitors will also learn about some of the potential psychological and emotional stresses that astronauts may face on their journeys while examining how contagious emotions can be and discovering where personal space thresholds lie. “Facing Mars” was developed by the Ontario Science Center and is sponsored locally by Southwest Airlines. In conjunction with this show, there will be a “Family Science Workshop” next Thursday, August 20 from 3-5pm. The focus will be “Mars Vision” and you can’t be squeamish because you’ll get to see a cow eye dissection. Families will discover the features of the Martian surface, then make their own 3D glasses and take a far-out tour of Mars. Workshops are recommended for parents with children ages 8+ and an adult must be present for child to participate in dissection class. Admission per adult/child pair is $15/members; $20/non-members; and $5/extra child.

The Health Museum offers dozens of hands-on exhibits and science stations inside its signature exhibition, The Amazing Body Pavilion, featuring a larger-than-life walking tour through the human body where guests can explore how each system of the body works. It is located at 1515 Hermann Drive. Admission is $8/adults, $6/children and seniors, and free for children two years old and under.

STORY TIMES ARE EVERYWHERE.

We all know that reading to a child raises their intelligence level – not only because it stimulates imagination and other areas of the brain but also because it increases vocabulary and forces a kid to concentrate in a calm manner (no electronic bells and whistles!). Luckily for us, story times are also indoors, a blessing in Houston in August. Here are some story times to help raise IQ’s while beating the heat:

• Barnes and Noble and Borders Books: They offer story times at most of their locations on a weekly basis at the same time. Check the store nearest you for details.
  
  
• Harris County Public Library: This library system serving communities in and around Houston (including West University) features several story times a week.
  
  
• Houston Public Library: There are at least 10 story time programs at library branches throughout the system each week. Interesting ones at the Central Library include “Bedtime Storytime” on Thursdays, 7-8pm (bring your stuffed animals and wear your PJ’s) and “Eat Your Words” story times on Mondays, 3-4pm (read a story about food and then eat related food when done).
  
  
• Kaboom Books: Kaboom Books are two funky Heights spots that are run by New Orleans transplants Dee and John Dillman. In between the carefully loved used books, there are plenty of children’s books. They’ve started a new story time tradition – the August ones are the 12th and 26th at 10:30am at their 733 Studewood location.

THIS WEEK'S ATTRACTION...GALVESTON ISLAND. For more attractions, go to www.gishcreative.com/attractions.htm.

I recommend that you visit Galveston Island before school starts up again. It’s been almost a year since Hurricane Ike, the third most destructive hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States -- and Galveston Island residents are reflecting, taking stock of what they have repaired and renovated, and celebrating. The Island has had to recover from the 20 foot storm surge and 110 mph winds they survived when they were “Iked” and virtually everything in Galveston needed to be fixed and they lost landmarks such as the Flagship Hotel and the famed Balinese Room. But in the wake of tragedy comes rebirth: the all important tourism business, bringing in $800 million annually to the Island, is back in full swing with the majority of hotels open and the first phase of a $10 million beach nourishment project complete. A plethora of new businesses have opened and 75% of businesses have already returned to the Island. The Lone Star Flight Museum has reopened and they have resumed the sleepover program for the Military Exhibit at Seawolf Park. If it’s Galveston’s nature you’re interested in, Artist Boat provides guided interpretive tours to places of natural significance on Galveston Island and in Galveston Bay via kayak with biologists and artists.

This fall, September 8-13, the city is hosting a series of events called “Revival and Reflections,” commemorating the year of dedication and resiliency. The dates are significant: the start date of September 8 marks the 109th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900 and the end date of September 13 marks Hurricane Ike’s arrival. There will be a variety of events such as giving thanks to the first responders at a United Way luncheon, commemoration ceremonies, a showing of “Ike: The Documentary”, live entertainment and art projects, and various tours of the Island’s progress. A full list of events can be found on www.galveston.com/ikeanniversary/.

BEGIN THE NEW SCHOOL 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 fall semester begin the week of August 24 and the registration deadline is August 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.

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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