Gish Picks: Week of December 3, 2008


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 promote 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 THE HOLIDAYS AT BAYOU BEND.

“Yuletide at Bayou Bend” is a special holiday treat through Sunday, January 4 in which The Museum of Fine Arts’ Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is dressed up in its holiday finest. During the holidays, Bayou Bend will feature festive lighting in the gardens, and eight rooms of the mansion decorated with historic recreations of celebratory moments in the lives of 18th-20th century Americans, including a scene of the first meal eaten by the Hogg family when they moved in to Bayou Bend in November 1928 and a drawing room Christmas setting created after Miss Hogg moved out of Bayou Bend into a high-rise apartment. Other scenes go back further in time to show the difference in weddings in 1700 and 1821; the elaborate christening of a New York Dutch-American boy in 1714, and a 1772 party for a commencement from Harvard. Bayou Bend is also hosting other events for families over the holidays with holiday entertainment and refreshments, including candlelight tours (12/5 and 12/12 from 5-8pm); Victorian ornament making (Saturdays in December from 2-5pm); and a “Holiday History Family Day” (12/21 from 1-5pm). Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Houston’s home for America’s treasures, features one of the world’s great collections of American decorative arts and paintings which are displayed in the home of legendary Houston philanthropist and collector Ima Hogg (1882-1975), who gave her estate to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in 1957. The mansion is situated on 14 acres of formal gardens and lush woodlands and is open year-round to visitors, and offers many programs for children, families, and adults. Tickets are free-$10, depending on day and time of visit.

ENJOY CONGREGATION BRITH SHALOM'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA.

Here’s a fun way to get all your holiday shopping done in one place while having a blast with your family: take the kids to the Congregation Brith Shalom’s “8th Annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza” this Sunday, December 7 from 9am-2pm. More than 40 vendors from the Houston area will be showing their products, including an amazing variety of gift items ranging from jewelry, sports memorabilia, unique children’s items, pottery, stationery and invitations, art work, soaps and lotions, handbags, pashminas, and much more. There will be a moonwalk for children and food (including kosher food by Super Pita) will be available for purchase. Congregation Brith Shalom is a dynamic egalitarian Conservative congregation that fosters an atmosphere of participation in all facets of synagogue life. Their synagogue philosophy is based on four principles: Jewish learning, community, caring, and spirituality. The Synagogue is located at 4610 Bellaire Boulevard. Admission is free.

THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON (MFAH) AND THE AURORA PICTURE SHOW (APS) CREATE FAMILY FUN WITH FILMS

"Muppets™, Music, and Magic: Jim Henson´s Legacy": This weekend pays tribute to Jim Henson (1936—1990), one of the world´s most innovative film and puppet artists. A visionary TV producer, film director, and world-class puppeteer who created indelible characters, Henson´s unique combination of childlike wonder and adult sophistication created a prolific body of work that continues to delight audiences of all ages. Programming of Henson films at the MFAH includes two popular features and family-themed short films presented during the "Target Free First Sunday" on December 7. "Labyrinth" is screening Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 at 7pm both nights. A modern-day Alice in Wonderland, 15-year-old Jennifer Connelly plays a girl who must travel through the Labyrinth to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (David Bowie). Full of Henson Creature Shop´s imaginative design, the film´s eye-popping sets create a whole world existing just behind the façade of reality. Saturday´s screening will be introduced by actress and puppeteer Karen Prell. "The Muppet Movie" will be screened this Saturday at 2pm. As Kermit makes his way to Hollywood, he assembles his team of like-minded individuals, including Fozzie bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and more. The songs are wonderful, Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem may have the coolest rock band name in history, and the film ends on a surprisingly existential note.

MUPPET, MUPPETS, and the Muppets Characters are registered trademarks of The Muppets Studio, LLC. All rights reserved.

HERE'S A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT: THE GIFT OF LANGUAGE LESSONS.

Spanish Over Coffee is taking Spanish out of the classroom and into the real world, one coffee shop at a time. Gena Scurry Vaughn, president and CEO of Spanish Over Coffee knows there’s a better way to teach Spanish so she created a program where students don’t just speak Spanish, they live it and can speak it to anyone, anytime and anywhere. The first step in the program is an in-depth interview to not only place students in the right class level but to also outline their goals and identify their obstacles for speaking Spanish. Once the student makes a commitment to set aside all apprehensions for the 10 week program, to use the language tools, and to speak with a native speaker ten minutes a day, students learn and speak Spanish. Classes include up to six students that meet in the mornings and evenings in the Heights area at Waldo’s Coffee House and in the Montrose district at Rain Drop Chocolate; new classes are targeted for the Medical Center and Meyerland areas. The classes are organized in 10-week sessions that include the standard language-learning concepts of grammar and vocabulary as well as “experiences” that include activities such as going to the farmers market on Airline Drive, salsa dance lessons or a dinner party. Language retention is higher because students have fun interacting in the natural atmosphere of a coffee house and in speaking Spanish out in public with the group. Spanish Over Coffee has students from all walks of life, including those who have married into a Spanish speaking family and are raising children or people who want to jump start their careers. Second or third generation Hispanics have also seen results, as have those who embrace Hispanic culture and want to feel more a part of it here and while traveling. In addition to the small group lessons, private and corporate lessons are also available. New group classes start the week of January 5, 2009.

COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW YEAR WITH LANDMARK THEATRES' FILM CLUB HOLIDAY FUN.

As a Landmark Theatres Film Club member, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of their weekly prize packages of DVDs, books, CDs, 4-pack of movie passes and more -- all part of their holiday gift to you! The Film Club contest is open to all members and runs through January 1, 2009; no purchase is required but entrants must be age 18 or over. Their will be one winner per week, prizes may vary by week, and winners must be able to pick up prize package in person (with a valid ID) from the Landmark River Oaks Theatre. Winners will be notified no later than January 30, 2009. Fabulous "Prize Packs" will contain a selection of items including DVD's from "Faerie Tale Theatre"; "Paris, Je T'aime"; "Priceless"; "Son of Rambow"; "The Godfather"; "Blind Boys of Alabama: Go Tell It On the Mountain: Live in New York"; "Tracy Ullman's State of the Union: Complete Season One"; and "Twilight" -- as well as t-shirts, caps, buttons, and more. Not a member? Join now for a chance to win! www.landmarktheatres.com

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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 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 summertime fun, passion-finding (for adults, children, and parents helping their children), marketing, historic preservation, art classes, and activism. 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 and: www.saveourlandmarks.org © 2008 Sarah Gish Designed by West of the World