WHAT'S YOUR PICK THIS WEEKEND?

Recently I heard a political activist (Ai Wei Wei to be specific) state that the revolution of our time is TRANSPARENCY. We have been through the Civil Rights movement and the 1960s freedom train but the newest movement on our hands, in my opinion, is the call to transparency for corporations and individuals. I don’t think I need to go into detail for you, dear GISH PICKS reader, about that – surely you’ve read the news?! But all the latest hoopla that’s been going on has made me think about the importance of shopping local. Below is an image borrowed from a friend’s Facebook page that I just love – it basically says it all for me. If you’re looking to have an impact in your world, think about shopping with your dollars. Where we spend our money influences what and who becomes successful. It’s as simple as that. As a busy mama, I don’t always have time to become “political” in the grand sense of the word, but I can become an everyday activist with my shopping choices. In fact, one year I gave up shopping at non-local businesses for Lent --- not an easy task! Houston has hopped on the local motion bandwagon – there’s a terrific organization that is encouraging spending dollars right here in H-town – “Support Local, Grow Together” (#slgt on twitter and on Facebook). I hope you’ll join me in the revolution to create a self-sustaining, thriving, growing city! It’s a great example to set for our kids.

As you may know, I love to support cultural activities – this newsletter blog is an example of that. I also love Houston, so back in March, I created a Facebook page, Houston Gems, to celebrate unique people, places, and things about Houston. Stop by and check out the Gems and feel free to add some of your own. And recently I decided that I was tired of negativity on Facebook, so I created a public “event” called “Enjoy Life (every day).” If you’re on Facebook, you can see it here. It’s kind of a crazy idea – taking a concept (enjoying life) and turning it into an event – but it’s really caught on. Many people are not only “going to Enjoy Life” but they’re also sharing on the page HOW they enjoy life! It’s so much fun – I hope you’ll join us. And finally, while you’re surfing around Facebook land, please like my two Facebook pages touting my products for parents: GISH PICKS and THE SUMMER BOOK: A GUIDE TO CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES. My business grows by word of mouth, so your endorsing me to your friends is a great way to “Support Local”!

Have a great week and GO.FIND.FUN.

JOIN ME THIS FRIDAY FOR AN END-OF-SUMMER CELEBRATION.

The Aurora Picture Show and I teamed up with Girls Rock Camp Houston for "I Can Do Anything!", a rock and roll performance and screening of film shorts which I curated that are by, about, and for kids. As part of the Aurora’s “Popcorn Kids” series, this night of music and film celebrates children who truly can do anything because they still know how to dream! From documentaries to animation, the short films will showcase Texas filmmakers, including Austin-based Kat Candler, Houston filmmaker Maureen McNamara, and Houston production company Zenfilm. We’ll see a group of children who want to turn their school’s concrete slab into a garden (“Growing Dreams”); in local filmmaker Maureen McNamara's "Hip Hop Scotch," her daughter takes on child’s play with panache; a young boy named Turtle dares himself to ask a girl out in “Love Bug”; and for comic relief, we learn about Marvin, a kid who has a hole in his head (“Marvin”). In addition to the screening, the night will kick off with a performance from the Girls Rock Camp Houston All-Star band. Girls Rock Camp Houston is dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and creative expression at a one-week summer day camp – the film they made during this year’s camp will kick off the screening.

The program begins at 7pm and is free and open to the public. The Aurora Picture Show is located at 2442 Bartlett Street, off Kirby (look for the Goode Company armadillo!). I’ll be there with free copies of THE SUMMER BOOK to give away (hey, summer is over but you can still use them as a resource…). I look forward to meeting you!

LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE…AND A GREAT WAY TO END THE SUMMER.

Upstage Theatre is hosting their third annual “Festival of Comedy,” a homage to all things funny, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through this weekend. The curators of this annual comedy theater event scoured submissions from around the country before selecting the top four farces for production. Family-friendly and super funny, these original one-act plays will get a full stage treatment at Lambert Hall. The show opens with “Super Salad Days,” a comedy about aging superheroes and their nemeses gearing up for one last battle, followed by “Emergency Room,” a timely satire about one man's inability to pay his medical bills. After intermission, the hilarity resumes with a middle-aged Barbie trying to extend her shelf-life in “The Way We Were (Marketed)” and “Scene Change,” where a simple attempt to set the stage turns into a theatrical thrumming that would do the Three Stooges proud.

Upstage Theatre performances take place at Lambert Hall, located at 1703 Heights Boulevard. All tickets for the “Festival of Comedy” are $10.

“THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.” SWIMS INTO TOWN THIS WEEKEND.

Playhouse 1960 Youth Theatre presents Disney's “The Little Mermaid Jr.” on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm beginning this Saturday, August 25 and running through Sunday, September 16. This fishy tale features beautiful music and the heartwarming tale of young Ariel who lives in a magical kingdom fathoms below. The beautiful mermaid longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. Adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production, this show features the hit songs “Part of Your World,” “She’s in Love,” and the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea.”

EASE AWAY BACK-TO-SCHOOL STRESS WITH A MASSAGE.

I just got an awesome massage from Liz Keels, LMT, and now I am oh-so-ready for the back to school crunch. Liz is great at working with your needs, whatever they are. For example, I needed deep tissue work after a lot of driving on a long summer road trip – and her massage healed the pain. Regular massages are perfect for we parents with busy lifestyles, as there are many benefits to receiving them on a regular basis, including stress reduction, improving circulation and flexibility, improving posture (our mamas would like that one!), strengthening the immune system, relieving headaches, and much more. Liz draws on her knowledge of various therapeutic modalities to create a customized and effective massage treatment plan. And she’s all natural – she uses Zen Organics, non-toxic massage products, and Young Living Essential Oils.

Her office is centrally located at 1911 W. Alabama but she also provides on-site massage services throughout the greater Houston area (additional travel fees may apply, depending on location) as well as chair massages for offices or special events. She has 60- or 90-minute massages that can be purchased as packages to save money. Her services are available Mondays through Saturdays from 10am-8pm by appointment. Gift certificates are available upon request. For more information or to book an appointment, contact Liz at LizKeelsLMT@gmail.com or 713.504.3081. I promise you’ll leave her office a relaxed and happy camper!

Sarah Gish
GISH CREATIVE
1940-A Fountainview, PMB 116
Houston, Texas 77057
phone/fax: 713.482.7065
artist.mama.connector.changemaker.

© 2012 Sarah Gish

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