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!

THE SAN JACINTO MUSEUM OF HISTORY IS HOSTING A "FAMILY DAY" THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

Families are invited to come out and explore the museum located at the base of the San Jacinto monument this weekend. Adults purchasing one ticket will get one child’s combo ticket for free. Tickets include admission to ride the famous 489-foot elevator to the top of the Monument; a viewing of the film "Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto"; and a visit to the exhibition "Drawn from Experience: Landmark Maps of Texas at the San Jacinto Museum of History", which features more than fifty important maps depicting Texas and the Gulf Coast region that date from the 16th century to the present. The history of Texas will come alive with free tours of the map exhibit on Friday and on Saturday, there will be children's crafts and a visit by period re-enactors. Be sure to ask for your free "Chronicle in Education" curriculum guide, available on-site. The museum is open daily from 9am until 6pm and is operated by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association in collaboration with the Texas State Parks and Wildlife Commission.

For more information, call 281.479.2421 or log onto www.sanjacinto-museum.org.

ST. MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS PRESENTING A WONDERFUL MUSICAL PLAY.

Music St. Martin's presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian-Carlo Menotti, coming to St. Martin's Episcopal Church this Friday, December 7 at 8pm and Saturday, December 8 at 4pm. This amazing musical play is the tale of a crippled shepherd boy (Amahl) and his mother who are visited by the Three Kings being led by a star on their way to seek the Holy Child. The story line reveals pain, sin, repentance, forgiveness, healing and a commitment to give freely to others. Children and young at heart will be charmed by the miracle that happens during the play.

The production involves a professional orchestra, sets, and a costumed cast of soloists, including Elaine O'Rourke as Mother and Daniel Marymee as Amahl (who is also starring in the Sandra Organ Dance Company's production opening next weekend). George Mims is the Conductor, Erica Robinson is Concertmistress, and David Henning is Pianist/Organist. St. Martin's Choir will sing excerpts from the "Christmas Oratorio" by Camille Saint-Saens and "Alleluia" from The Place of the Blest by Randall Thompson. The soloists for the Oratorio include Nancy Curtis, soprano, Dawn Mena, alto, and Laura Witt, Harpist.

This musical play is the first opera ever written for TV and was premiered in 1951 on NBC under the direction of the composer, Gian-Carlo Menotti. Menotti is the composer whose "Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto" has received world-wide acclaim for its power to introduce the general populace to classical music.

The entire program lasts under an hour and a half and tickets are available at the door beginning forty-five minutes before the concert. Tickets are family/$20; adults/$15; seniors and students/$10. St. Martin's Episcopal Church is located at 717 Sage Road on the corner of Sage and Woodway, near the Galleria.

For more information, log onto www.stmartinsepiscopal.org or call 713.985.3838.

DANZARTS IS PRESESENTING “POSADA NAVIDEÑA” THIS WEEKEND AT THE BRAZILIAN ARTS FOUNDATION.

“Las Posadas" (Spanish for "The Inns") is a nine-day celebration beginning December 16 and ending December 24 which symbolizes the trials that Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born. DanzArts will be interpreting this story through dance with Sabor México, their theatrical dance company and the audience can then stay to celebrate.

DanzArts embodies the history and culture of the Hispanic culture through dance and other art forms. Its goal is to preserve and perpetuate the folklore of Hispanics including their descendents and ancestors. DanzArts promotes artistic expression and creative movement through performing arts, education, and other community-building activities. The performance is Saturday, December 8 at 7pm at the Brazilian Arts Foundation located at 1133 E. 11th Street in the Heights. Tickets are $15 at the door.

For more information, call 713.870.0805 or log onto www.danzarts.org.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE, HOUSTON-FOCUSED CHRISTMAS GIFT, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER.

The fabulous film "Hot Town, Cool City" makes a great stocking stuffer or present for out-of-town relatives. Its engaging style takes you on a trip exploring the hidden gems of our city from The Chocolate Bar to the Glass Watermelon Stand to Glenwood Cemetery. This film is by local filmmaker (and former Landmark Theatres manager) Maureen McNamara and it makes us all proud to be residents of this wild and wooly Bayou City. "Hot Town, Cool City" T-shirts and DVDs are $15 and can be purchased online as well as at Brazos Bookstore and other fine stores around the city.

For more information, log onto www.hottowncoolcity.org.

HELP BRING ZEN-LIKE SANITY TO YOUR HOME.

Simplifying your life at home means solving your time-eating issues so that you have time to spend doing what you love. Simplify...Home Life is a new company that has proven systems that can work to get families organized and keep them that way. From the first in-home analysis, they work with you on a one-on-one basis to identify the things that need changing and they develop systems that you can live with to make those changes part of your life. Owner Lisa Serebrin offers personal consultations, services such as errand running and gift wrapping, and seminars for groups.

For more information, log onto www.simplifyhomelife.com.

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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