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 CRAFTY WITH PAPER.

Join the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
this Saturday, October 3, from 11am-3pm for “Hands-On Houston”, a free craft-activity open house for the whole family on the first Saturday of every month. This month kids will get to discover the fascinating art of creating paper with Houston artist Kathy Gurwell.

Participants will learn how to “pull” a sheet of handmade paper made from 100% cotton fiber. Due to the nature of papermaking, time must be allowed for each sheet to dry so participants will be asked to pick up their sheets on the following Saturday. This activity is suitable for all ages and materials will be provided.

Before or after the activity, get inspired by the fabulous fiber art on view in HCCC’s new exhibition, “Celebrating Our Creative Spirit: Texas Federation of Fiber Artists” (in the large gallery) as well as unique metal art jewelry in “Texas Masters Series: Rachelle Thiewes” (small gallery), and incredible wood stiletto sculptures in “Omar Angel Perez: Stilett'O's” (Artist Hall).

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is located at 4848 Main Street in the Museum District. Admission is always free.

HERITAGE SOCIETY "FAMILY DAY" FOCUSES ON FALL FUN AND HISTORY.

This Sunday, October 4, join the Heritage Society from 1-4pm for their free "Family Day." This afternoon of family fun will connect with the past through clothing as inspired by the exhibit, "Spinning a Yarn: Houston History Through Clothing". Kid’s hands on activities include leaf rubbings, decorating pumpkins and making cornhusk dolls. Entertainment will be provided by Celtaire String Band, a group that performs in period costumes and utilizes hand-made acoustic instruments to enlighten audiences about the roots of our Texas music traditions. There will be refreshments to enjoy.

The Heritage Society Museum is located at 1100 Bagby in the Sam Houston Park. Founded in 1954, The Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization which strives to preserve the history of the community through preservation, restoration of historic structures, exhibition and educational programs. Through permanent and rotating museum exhibits, daily historic structure tours, special lectures, events and trips, children and adults are able to understand and experience life in early Houston. The museum and historic structures are open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-4pm and Sundays 1-4pm. There is an admission charge for the historic structure tours with special rates for seniors, students and children.

Parking is available directly behind the historic Kellum-Noble House; enter the lot from Allen Parkway inbound.

MUSIC MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND.

Music is the best way to inspire kids and open their minds – so bring them to hear the internationally acclaimed Houston Chamber Choir. They are opening their 14th concert season this Saturday, October 3 at 7:30pm at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church at 2929 Woodland Hills Drive in Kingwood. Hailed as one of the country’s leading choirs, the Houston Chamber Choir is an ensemble of 28 highly trained professional singers whose touching and engrossing performances entertain audiences around the world. The choir will step back in time with historic pieces in their program “Beyond the Battle Royal - Renaissance Music of England and Spain”. Kids will learn about the exciting time when Queen Elizabeth I of England and Spain’s King Philip II battled for supremacy. Their reigns in the late 16th century were being immortalized by the music of William Byrd and Tomás Luis de Victoria and the Houston Chamber Choir’s soaring voices capture the essence of these two masters.

Artistic Director Robert Simpson founded the Houston Chamber Choir in 1995 with the goal of increasing the awareness and appreciation of choral music. Tickets start at $10 and are available at the door or online.

THIS WEEK'S ATTRACTION...THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FUNERAL HISTORY. For more attractions, go to www.gishcreative.com/attractions.htm.

“Any day above ground is a good one™” is the motto of the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, my attraction for this week. Yep, their focus is the business of death but they make it educational, so it’s a great site for families. And they have a special exhibit, “Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of the Popes,” a product of a three year collaboration between the Museum and the Vatican (they even expanded their space to accommodate this show!). Kids will love their “Fantasy Coffins” display which has fun and colorful caskets including a chicken, cars, and an airplane. The original holder for the John F. Kennedy “Eternal Flame” is on view as is an 1860 German “Glaswagen” Funeral Coach. Other exhibits include information about Civil War embalming methods and a 1920s RockFall hearse from Illinois. The museum was founded by Robert Waltrip in 1992 because he wanted to educate the public on the rich heritage of the funeral industry. I promise it’s an exhibit you’ll die for!

The Museum is located at 415 Barren Springs Drive at Ella Boulevard in north Houston and is open Mondays-Fridays 10am-4pm and Saturdays and Sundays, noon-4pm.
Admission fees start at $7 and group rates are available.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE PEACEFULLY.

The Decade of Nonviolence-Houston is sponsoring a workshop weekend, "Reach Out for Life: Creating Meaningful Relationships," starting Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street. The workshops are presented by The Center for Nonviolent Communication and facilitated by Jori and Jim Manske and include topics such as "The Language Going 'Round the World: Free Introduction to Nonviolent Communication" (10/8); "Being Compassionate with Yourself" (10/9); "Creating the World You Want to Live In" (10/9); and "Deepening Your Spirituality" (10/11).

"Bringing Peace to Your Family" is being presented on Saturday, October 10, 9:30am-5pm and will provide parents with the tools needed to more fully live the love they feel and to create a peaceful family life. Discussions and activities will center around transforming potential conflict into connecting dialogue, learning where to go after saying "No", repairing ruptures in relationships, and nurturing the power of independent community. If you're searching for ways to increase harmony with your kids and spouse, this workshop is for you! Registration is $100 and includes lunch.

Register for any of the workshops online or by mail to Stephen Scholl, 849-A Harvard Street, Houston, 77007 (make checks payable to "Decade of Nonviolence-Houston). For more information, email bbhardt@gmail.com or call 713.303.3403.

WHO'S GETTING YOUR VOTE?

This Sunday, October 4 from 2-5pm, Discovery Green is hosting "Rally on the Green: Discovering Houston's Leadership" presented by the Houston Area League of Women Voters. Come out for an afternoon to meet and hear the candidates for Houston's city government. Candidates for Comptroller and Mayor will discuss important issues facing the city at 2pm and 4pm and candidates for City Council, HCC and HISD will greet citizens at 3pm accompanied by music from local schools. There will also be lots of fun activities for families.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political candidate or party.

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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