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!

"MR. MAGORIUM'S EMPORIUM" AND "ENCHANTED" ARE COMING TO TOWN JUST IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING.

Studio Movie Grill Copperfield (8580 Highway 6 North at West Road) is offering a private screening of "Mr. Magorium's Emporium" this Saturday, November 17 at 11am for families with special needs children. "Mr Magorium's Emporium" is the story of the world's most wonderful toy store and the moment when its owner, Mr. Magorium, an eccentric 243 year-old, bequeaths it to his klutzy manager, Molly Mahoney. The film starts this Friday, November 16; tickets for the special needs screening are $5.50/person. Studio Movie Grill offers full food and drink service before and during movies. For more information, call 832.593.6684 or log onto www.studiomoviegrill.com.

Alamo Drafthouse is also a fun place to take the family that offers full food and drink services with their movies. Next Wednesday, November 21, their Mason Park location is opening another special family movie, "Enchanted". This film is a modern fairy tale that combines "Snow White" with "Cinderella". For more information, call 281.492.6900 or log onto www.drafthouse.com/mason/frames.asp.

FOELBER GALLERY IS HOSTING AN OLD-FASHIONED "ART FAIR" THIS WEEKEND.

This Saturday, from 1 until 8pm, Foelber Gallery is offering fun and merriment for families by opening their doors to their pottery gallery and educational center at 706 Richmond Avenue. The scheduled events include wheelthrowing demonstrations in the studio, primitive Raku firing demonstrations in the backyard, and a children’s area for creative (and busy!) little hands. There will be music and munchies all day long and attendees will get a chance to see the gallery's new exhibition and to purchase original works by participating clay artisans.

For more information, call 713.524.7211 or log onto www.foelberpottery.com.

"GULLAH HERITAGE DAY" IS COMING TO THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON.

This Sunday, November 18, the Children's Museum invites everyone to join them for their celebration of the Sea Islands at this event to honor the ancestry of the Gullah people with awe-inspiring activities and entertainment. The festivities will start with a flag processional by the Young Maroons, highlighting the many places in Africa where Gullah ancestors come from. This will be followed by a spirited African dance by Kuumba House Theatre and an invigorating discussion by renowned community leader amongst the Gullah people, Dr. Emory Campbell.

For more information, call 713.522.1138 or log onto www.cmhouston.org.

MOTHERS FOR CLEAN AIR AND THE GALVESTON-HOUSTON ASSOCIATION FOR SMOG PREVENTION (GHASP) HOSTS THEIR MONTHLY "AIR EXCHANGE MEETING" TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 15 AT 7PM.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 5308 Buffalo Speedway will be the site of a discussion, "Global and Local Effects of Climate Change", led by Barry Lefer, a University of Houston geosciences professor. Professor Lefer will speak about global warming and the effects of climate change on the local region. This talk will address three main questions: What are the natural and human induced changes on the Earth's climate over the past 100 years? What are the global and local effects of the recent climate change? and What do the climate models forecast for the next 50 to 100 years?

Before the meeting there will be an open house at the MFCA offices at 3100 Richmond Avenue to introduce GHASP's new executive director, Matthew Tejada, and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mothers for Clean Air.

For more information, call 713.526.0110 or log onto www.mothersforcleanair.org.

CHILDREN AT RISK HAS RELEASED THEIR "STATE OF TEXAS CHILDREN 2007 REPORT CARD".

This report card was developed to hold legislators accountable and to ensure that children are represented during the legislative process. The organization graded the Houston delegation on how they prioritized these issues: CHIP and Medicaid, Childhood Obesity, Mental Health, Juvenile Justice, Early Childhood Education, Graduation/High School Completion, Child Welfare, and Maximization of Federal Funding. In determining their "grade", they assessed legislators' voting record on significant issues/legislation impacting children, leadership of children issues, and committee outcomes effecting children. You can access the report card here www.childrenatrisk.org/childrenatrisk.cfm?a=cms,c,417.

For more information, call 713.869.7740 or log onto www.childrenatrisk.org.

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

© 2007 Sarah Gish

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