Kids & Families

Events - ArtsHound.com

CMH Mommy Mingle (Tuesdays)

CMH Mommy Mingle (Tuesdays)

09-14-2010 - 10-19-2010

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Mommy Mingle is FREE with General Museum Admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Tuesdays, Sept 14—Oct 19, 2010 10 am - Noon

Calling all Moms! You’re invited to the new Mommy Mingle meet up at the Children's Museum of Houston.

Now that the big kids are back in school, enjoy free coffee and cookies on us and meet other mommies from your part of town. Bring your little ones to the all-new Tot*Spot for awesome playtime and meet the exhibit’s educator for special take-home activities and an informal Q&A.

Special meeting dates will be held every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Discovery Room by the Tot*Spot exhibit. Be on the lookout for your future area Mommy Mingle days! Visit www.cmhouston.org/mom-mingle.
- Outer Loop Moms: September, 14
- Katy area Moms: September, 21
- Pearland area Moms: September, 28
- Sugar Land area Moms: October, 5
- The Woodlands area Moms: October, 12
- Inner Loop Moms: October, 19
Mommy Mingle is FREE with General Museum Admission: $8 per person and $7 for seniors 65+ and for military personnel. Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission.

For more information, visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138.
Children of Hangzhou Debut Event

Children of Hangzhou Debut Event

10-02-2010 - 10-02-2010

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Events are FREE with General Museum Admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Museum hours 10am-6pm See details of event schedule above

Children's Museum of Houston debuts a new cultural exhibit, Children of Hangzhou, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and with a day of traditional Chinese performances, Saturday, October 2. Sponsored by KMPG, Devon Energy and the Williams Stamps Farish Fund With promotional sponsorship by Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston.

You’re invited to go on a whirlwind adventure to the Far East through the lives of four Hangzhou children. With China becoming the second largest economy in the world, Children of Hangzhou bridges the gap of understanding between our two genuine cultures. Join us as we celebrate the exhibit’s opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a day of traditional dances, musical performances, martial arts, Chinese painting and calligraphy!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Chinese Consulate: Listen to the Chinese Consulate’s take on the exhibit. Plus, learn about a boy from Hangzhou who lives right here in Houston! Ribbon cutting followed by traditional folkdance. Begins at 10:15 a.m.

Spotlight Performances: Stick around for a Chinese cultural experience with local kids! Enjoy a Chinese folkdance by students from the J&H Dance school, followed by the musical artistry of the Changlu Wu Music School and the Li Qi Music School. Then, watch an adrenaline rushed martial arts performance by the Shi Xing Hao School, culminating with the poise and finesse of the Wan Xin Sheng School’s Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstration. Two shows: 11 a.m.—Noon; 1—2 p.m.
YallagA Mountain Village in Mxico

YallagA Mountain Village in Mxico

10-30-2010 - 02-20-2011

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org/

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission Free Family Night every Thursday 5 – 8 pm

(713) 522-1138

Start Time(s): Fall Museum Hours: Tues – Sat; 10 am – 6 pm Sun: Noon – 6 pm Free Family Night every Thursday 5 – 8 pm

Explore Yalálag—A Mountain Village in México! One of the original Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH) exhibits, Yalálag returns with a facelift and a bang on Oct. 30, to provide you with the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of people who live in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag—a Zapotec village located in the Sierra Juárez Mountains of Oaxaca, México. You’re invited to an exotic trip south of the border to learn about the cultural attributes that give the people of Yalálag a unique take on life!

Yalálag is an interactive new display set in the backdrop of an Oaxacan mountain village. The exhibit explores the customs, daily life and heritage of modern day people there. The realistic environments provide authentic opportunities for you to "step into" life in Yalálag and discover a culture that is unique but shares the same social values we do.

Children's Museum of Houston explores life and culture “South of the Border” Oct. 30, 2010—February 12, 2011. Sponsored by Maseca and Downy Fabric Softener.

So, pack your bags and go on a journey “south of the border.”

WHAT’S THERE TO DO IN YALÁLAG?
- Role-play as shop keepers, consumers, craftsmen, artists, and children in authentically-recreated buildings iconic of the village of Yalálag.
- Participate in hands-on informances and celebrations that relate to traditions and holidays in Oaxaca.
- Experience the importance of craftwork and art in Oaxaca by creating arts and crafts of your own.
- Watch HD videos of important people, places, and things in Oaxaca.
SITES TO SEE
- Central Plaza: Explore the market place which is also the city’s center. It leads you to the other buildings of Yalálag. Discover common Oaxaca herbs and foods, plus their fragrances, and try your hand at weaving on a loom.
- La Miscelánea: This store is filled with soap, sugar cone, beans, tools, toys, just like actual shops in Yalálag. Be the store keeper, learn how sugarcane is harvested and refined and try your hand and exchanging dollars to pesos.
- La Casa: Discover what homes look like, decorated with the region’s well-known black pottery. Learn how black pottery is made, and what places to visit throughout Mexico and annual festivals. There is also a family owned café attached to the kitchen.
- El Restaurante: “Make” tortillas and other Oaxacan foods in this family owned and operated restaurant. Then serve them to families and other visitors.
- Huarachería Aquino: Sandals (huaraches) are still made by hand using a hammer, anvil and other tools. Help run the store and make shoes out of paper die-cut pieces. You can also get a first hand look at the sandal-making process by watching video filmed at the Huaracheria Aquino in Yalálag.
- Schoolhouse: Through hands-on activities, puzzles, and crafts, explore the natural environment and regions of Oaxaca, the important festivals and traditions in Yalálag, and learn to speak/read the native indigenous language of Zapotec.
- Municipal Building¬: Discover artifacts including dolls, pottery, alebrijes (wooden figurines), and traditional costumes from the Oaxacan region.
- Church: A replica of a real church in Yalálag, the facade and imagery adds to the authenticity of the exhibit and highlights the importance of religion in Yalalatec life.
- VW Bus: Take a ride through Yalálag on this real old-time VW bus.
- Bajaj Mototaxi: Take a drive on a cross between a motorcycle and a golf cart, vehicles that have redefined transportation in Oaxaca.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
Winner of 2010 Click2Houston’s Best “Best Museum,” the Children’s Museum of Houston is a Citysearch.com’s nationwide 5-star children’s museum and one of the top two Children's Museums in the country by Child magazine. Serving more than 750,000 people annually, the Children's Museum of Houston is the highest-attended youth museum in the country for its size. The Museum is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning and offers 14 galleries of hands-on exhibits and innovative bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Children’s Museum operates as a 501(c)(3) under the direction of a Board of Directors and is located at 1500 Binz in Houston’s Museum District. Admission is $8 per person and $7 for seniors 65 years and older and for members of the military. Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission.

Free Family Nights are offered Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. courtesy of The Wortham Foundation, Inc. and Kathrine McGovern and the late John P. McGovern, M.D. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 6 p.m. The Museum is open at 9 a.m. on the Second Saturday of every month for Museum Members. The Museum is closed Mondays but open on Federal Holidays, during Houston Independent School District’s Spring Break and during the summer months from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138.
Happy Halloween Mansion

Happy Halloween Mansion

10-19-2010 - 10-31-2010

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Included with general Museum admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Fall MUSEUM HOURS: Tues – Sat; 10 am – 6 pm; Sun: Noon – 6 pm Free Family Night every Thursday 5 – 8 pm Extended Halloween hours until 8 pm on Oct 28—31

The Children's Museum of Houston is taken over by magic and myst-eerie as it morphs into the Happy Halloween Mansion for two spine-tingling weeks, Oct. 19 through 31! Take on a journey of tricks and treats as you wander through the Mansion’s hocus pocus hallways in search of goblin goodies and terrifying trinkets. Or, try your hand at bringing Fraken Critters to life and experimenting with ooey, gooey slime, among other frightful activities. Beware! The exhibits will be converted into their own Halloween theme complete with creepy creations, thrills and chills! Wear your costume daily!

Celebrating two weeks of frightful fun and safe trick-or-treating. Join Children's Museum of Houston for “the largest Halloween gathering” world record attempt on Halloween. Special extended hours until 8 p.m., Oct. 28 – 31. Partially sponsored by Imperial Sugar.

BEWARE OF THESE HOWLIFIC EVENTS:

WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT: Join us on Halloween Day as we shoot for the world’s largest Halloween gathering and attempt to get the most people dressed in costume in one place. The current record is 394 people. Help us beat this on Halloween, Oct. 31!

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR: Howl at the moon while you bask in Houston’s ultimate Halloween party for kids on Halloween, Oct. 31. Come dressed in costume and let the ghoul times roll as you dance to hauntingly hip tunes of a “live” DJ. Be sure to come dressed in your most boo-tiful or frightfully freaky costume!

SAFE AND FRIENDLY TRICK-OR-TREATING: Wander through the mansion’s howlific hallways in search of goodies from 4 to 6 p.m. every day! Open late until 8 p.m. for safe trick-or-treating on Oct. 28, 30 and during Houston’s ultimate Halloween party for kids, the Halloween Spooktacular, on Oct. 31!

HALLOWEEN PARTY WITH LEAH WHITE: Join this wicked musical enchantress for a spooky time full of toil and trouble! Oct. 21, 6:30 – 7 p.m and Oct. 23, 2 – 2:30 p.m.

BEWARE OF THIS FANGTASTIC ACTIVITIES:
- Trick or Treat Bags: Head over to Junktion to design a trick or treat bag to collect goblin goodies and terrifying trinkets.
- Do You Feel the Chill: Come join us at Science Station for spooky experiments that will both thrill and chill.
- Spooky Animation: Design your own spooky Halloween animation stories through the techniques of stop motion, zoetrope and flipbooks at the Inventors’ Workshop.
- Franken Critters: These creepy creations are based on the technology which makes cell phones jitter! Use real electric motors to bring your creature to life. (Take home kit fee = $3)
- Spooky Landscapes: Create a chilling picture of fall at night or a creepy haunted house.
- Halloween Bead Pattern Mania: Create your own Halloween bracelet using beads and maniacal math patterns.
- Halloween Starburst Graph: Learn how to use Halloween candy for fun math activities.
BE ENCHANTINGLY REWARDED:

Social Media Monsters: Calling all pumpkins, superheroes and witches! Come to the museum in costume then post a photo on our Facebook page for a chance to win a membership! No costume, no problem! Swing by the face painting station and follow a Halloween face painting activity. Then, post that photo to Facebook. Every other day we will randomly select a winner.

Sneaky Detectives: Can you solve the mystery? Each day we will have a secret special trick-or-treat station. The only way to find it is through clues announced daily on Facebook and Twitter. Think you have what it takes to win the grand prize? There will be TWO daily clues: one for the trick-or-treat station and the other to solve the grand prize mystery which will be announced during our Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 31.

Spooktastic Moms and Dads: Families all dressed in costume or parents dressed in costume will receive 10 percent off at Fiddle Sticks Gifts.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
Winner of 2010 Click2Houston’s Best “Best Museum,” rated a 5-star nationwide children's museum by Citysearch.com, voted “Ultimate Kid-Friendly Attraction” in a Houston Chronicle reader’s poll, and tied for the nation’s best children’s museums No. 1 spot in Child magazine, the Children's Museum of Houston is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning. CMH houses 14 new exhibit galleries of innovative bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Children’s Museum is located at 1500 Binz in Houston’s Museum District.

Admission is $8 per person and $7 for seniors 65 years and older. Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission. Free Family Nights are offered Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. courtesy of The Wortham Foundation, Inc. and Kathrine McGovern and the late John P. McGovern, M.D.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday. Extended Halloween hours until 8 p.m. on Oct. 28—31.
Pure Pumpkin Patch 2010

Pure Pumpkin Patch 2010

09-26-2010 - 10-31-2010

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St Luke's United Methodist Church

http://www.stlukesmethodist.org

St Luke's United Methodist Church - 3471 Westheimer at Edloe Houston TX 77027

Admission: Free Event

713-622-5710

Start Time(s): Monday-Friday 11am-7pm Saturday 10am–6pm Sunday 9am-6pm

Fall at St. Luke’s means Pumpkins! Our front lawn will soon be covered with thousands of gorgeous pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, ready for your fall holiday shopping needs.

The Pure Pumpkin Patch 2010 officially opens on Sunday, September 26 and will run through October 31. Hours of operation are 11-7 weekdays, 10-6 Saturdays and 9-6 Sundays. Pumpkins are priced by size, and volunteers will help deliver your purchases to your car.

A portion of all proceeds benefits Pure Sound’s tour fund; plans are currently being made for their winter 2011 tour. Thanks to all our “Friends of Pure Sound” who work or shop in our Patch. Your support means so much to us!
2010 Orange Show Pumpkin Carving Workshop

2010 Orange Show Pumpkin Carving Workshop

10-23-2010 - 10-23-2010

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Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

http://www.orangeshow.org/

Orange Show Monument - 2402 Munger St Houston Tx 77023

Admission: Free event Bring your own pumpkin

713-926-6368

http://www.orangeshow.org/

Start Time(s): 1pm-4pm

The Orange Show presents a Pumpkin Carving Workshop on Saturday, October 23rd.

Saturday, October 23rd
Pumpkin Carving Workshop

Think you’re too old to carve pumpkins? Well you don’t know jack-o-lantern! Scoop out a night to learn how to turn a plain old pumpkin into a Halloween work of art!

We will also have fun activities to create our fabulous gala treasures.

BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) 1-4pm- FREE.
Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween Spooktacular

10-31-2010 - 10-31-2010

Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Included with general Museum admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Sunday, October 31 Noon – 8 pm

Children's Museum of Houston invites you to the ultimate Halloween party for kids and safe trick-or-treating. Join CMH for “the largest Halloween gathering” world record attempt at the Halloween Spooktacular, Halloween Day October—31. Partially sponsored by Imperial Sugar.

You’re invited to take on a journey of tricks and treats! Wander through the Happy Halloween Mansion’s hocus pocus hallways in search of goblin goodies and terrifying trinkets during the Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 31. Dance to the fangtastic sounds of a live DJ and don’t forget to come dressed in costume to help us set a world record!

Open until 8 p.m. for safe trick-or-treating.

Special Events:

WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT: Join us on Halloween Day as we shoot for the world’s largest Halloween gathering and attempt to get the most people dressed in costume in one place. The current record is 394 people. Help us beat this!

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR WITH “LIVE” DJ: Let the ghoul times roll as you dance to hauntingly hip tunes. Be sure to come dressed in your most boo-tiful or frightfully freaky costume!

SAFE AND FRIENDLY TRICK-OR-TREATING: Wander through the mansion’s howlific hallways in search of goodies. Enjoy safe trick-or-treating until 8 p.m.

Activities:
- Spooky Science: Don’t miss howlific science experiments at Science Station.
- Spooky Landscapes: Draw a creepy haunted house at Alexander Art Academy.
- Creepy, Crawly Creatures: Use a button battery and LEDs, to build creepy, crawly creatures whose eyes flash only when their antenna moves in the Inventor’s Workshop (Take Home Kit Fee = $3)
Earth Science Experience

Earth Science Experience

10-12-2010 - 10-17-2010

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Included with general Museum admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Fall MUSEUM HOURS: Tues – Sat; 10 am – 6 pm; Sun: Noon – 6 pm Free Family Night every Thursday 5 – 8 pm

IT’S LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE, DUDE! Children's Museum of Houston looks into Earth’s scientific wonders during the Earth Science Experience October 12—17.

Become a master geologist for a day by joining us in the Earth Science Experience at the Children's Museum of Houston. Geology is the study of the landscape of our planet and how it has been formed over time. This is your chance to look at some fascinating rocks, learn how to find places on a map, and see everything else that makes our planet’s surface unique.

On-Going Activities:

Road to Fossilization: Follow the Road to Fossilization and discover more about how fossils (pictured) form at Junktion.

Places on the Planet: Swing by Junktion and use longitude and latitude lines to find different places on the map.

Investigating Rock: Identify rocks and sort them out by their texture, shape, color or grains at Junktion.

Our Natural Resources: Science Station is diving into alternative energies. Come explore some of the world’s natural resources and learn how we can use them in the future.

Special Events:

TBA...
Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week

10-03-2010 - 10-10-2010

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Children's Museum of Houston

http://www.cmhouston.org

Children's Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Houston TX 77004

Admission: Included with general Museum admission General Museum Admission Rates Effective March 12, 2010: $8 per person $7 for seniors 65+ Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission

713-522-1138

Start Time(s): Fall MUSEUM HOURS: Tues – Sat; 10 am – 6 pm; Sun: Noon – 6 pm Free Family Night every Thursday 5 – 8 pm

STOP, DROP AND ROLL! Children’s Museum of Houston educates families on fire safety and prevention during Fire Prevention Week October 3 – 10.

Did you know that most fires are caused by cooking, heating or electrical equipment? Although fire may be hot and dangerous, it’s definitely cool to know how to prevent one and what to do in case it happens at home! Join the Children's Museum of Houston for some heated activities about important fire safety.

On-Going Activities:

Wear A Firefighter Hat: Make a hat like the firefighters wear when they are on the job.
Carry A Hero Badge: Clip on a hero badge just like the firefighters.
Fire Safety Poster: Hang a poster in your house reminding everyone of the fire safety tips you learned at the Children's Museum of Houston.

Special Events:

Meet and Greet with the Houston Fire Department (HFD): Say hello to our local heroes as the Houston Fire Department and the Juvenile Fire Stoppers swing by with a real fire truck and safety smokehouse in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. Don’t miss a fire safety presentation in the Brown Auditorium!
Event Date: Thursday, October 7 from 6 – 7 p.m. during Free Family Night
Sophie Jordan: book signing and discussion

Sophie Jordan: book signing and discussion

09-11-2010 - 09-11-2010

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Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079

Admission: The event is free and open to the public Blue Willow Bookshop is proud to be the Houston stop for many wonderful authors We work hard to make each event enlightening and entertaining All Blue Willow Bookshop presentations are free of charge If you would like to go through the signing line and meet the author for book personalization, you must purchase the author's current book from Blue Willow Bookshop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 1:30pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Sophie Jordan, Saturday, September 11, at 1:30pm. New York Times Bestselling author Sophie Jordan will discuss and sign Firelight, the first book in her young adult paranormal series.

With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows.

Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.
Jon Scieszka: book signing and discussion

Jon Scieszka: book signing and discussion

10-14-2010 - 10-14-2010

4

Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079

Admission: The event is free and open to the public Blue Willow Bookshop is proud to be the Houston stop for many wonderful authors We work hard to make each event enlightening and entertaining All Blue Willow Bookshop presentations are free of charge If you would like to go through the signing line and meet the author for book personalization, you must purchase the author's current book from Blue Willow Bookshop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 5:00pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Jon Scieszka, Thursday, October 14 at 5:00pm. All Hail the Ambassador Emeritus! Jon Scieszka returns to discuss his newest middle grade novel, Spaceheadz..

Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard enough, the kids he seems to have made friends with apparently aren't kids at all. They are aliens. Real aliens who have invaded our planet in the form of school children and a hamster. They have a mission to complete: to convince 3,140,001 kids to BE SPHDZ.

But with a hamster as their leader, "kids" who talk like walking advertisements, and Michael K as their first convert, will the SPHDZ be able to keep their cover and pull off their assignment?

Jon Scieszka was born in Flint, Michigan on September 8, 1954. It was a Wednesday. Right around lunchtime. He is the second-oldest, and nicest, of six Scieszka boys. No girls. His mother, Shirley, worked as a registered nurse. His dad, Louis, was an elementary school principal at Freeman Elementary. His dad's parents, Michael and Anna, came to America from Poland. "Scieszka" is a word in Polish. It means "path." Jon ScisezkaJon went to Culver Military Academy for high school. He had some spectacular teachers there, and became Lieutenant Scieszka.

Jon thought about being a doctor and studied both Science and English at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. He graduated in 1976, lived in Detroit, then moved to Brooklyn, NY to write instead. He earned his MFA in Fiction from Columbia University in New York in 1980, then painted apartments.

Not knowing what he was getting into, Jon applied for a teaching job at an elementary school called The Day School in New York City. He started as a 1st grade Assistant Teacher, graduated to teaching 2nd grade, taught 3rd and 4th grade Math, 5th grade History, and then some 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

Jon ScisezkaTeaching school, Jon re-discovered how smart kids are, and found the best audience for the weird and funny stories he had always liked to read and write. He took a year off from teaching to write stories for kids. He sent these stories around to many publishers, and got rejected by all of them. He kept painting apartments and writing stories.

Through his wife Jeri, who was working in NY as a magazine art director, he met a funny guy named Lane Smith. Lane was painting illustrations for magazine articles, and working on his first children's book. Jon gave Lane his story—
A. Wolf's Tale. Lane loved it. Lane drew a few illustrations for the story and took it to show many publishers. He got rejected by all of them. "Too dark," they said. "Too sophisticated," they said. "Don't ever come back her, okay?" they said.

Jon and Lane liked A. Wolf's Tale. They kept showing it around. They kept getting rejected. Finally, Regina Hayes, an editor at Viking Books said she thought the story and the illustrations were funny. She said she would publish the book. And she did, in 1989, with the title changed to: The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!.

Jon Scisezka3 Pigs! has now sold over 3 million copies and has been translated into 14 different languages. Over the last 19 years, Jon and Lane have worked together on 8 picture books and 8 Time Warps. Lane's wife Molly Leach has designed all of their picture books.

Jon's books have won a whole mess of awards, and sold over 11 million copies all around the world.

Jon is now working on a giant pre-school publishing program called Trucktown. It's a world where all of the characters are trucks. And all of the trucks act like real preschoolers—loud and crazy and wild and funny.

Jon still lives in Brooklyn with his wife Jeri. They have two children: a daughter Casey, and son Jake.
2nd Annual Polish Harvest Festival - Dozynki Houston, Texas

2nd Annual Polish Harvest Festival - Dozynki Houston, Texas

09-18-2010 - 09-19-2010

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Forum Polonia

http://www.polishharvestfestival.org

Our Lady of Czestochowa Church - 1731 Blalock Rd Houston TX 77080

Admission: Admission: $300 per person for two days (children free) Free parking

281-565-1507 or (713) 973-1081

Start Time(s): Saturday,10:00am - 10:00pm  Sunday, 11:00am-6:00pm

Join Forum Polonia and Our Lady of Czestochowa Church September 18-19, 2010, as we celebrate the 2nd Annual Polish Harvest Festival - Dozynki Houston, Texas at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, 1721 Blalock Road, Houston, Texas 77080.

The (Dozynki) festival is a tradition that dates back for many centuries. This is a feast to symbolize the end of harvest for the farmers. It's a celebration of happiness, good food, folk dancing, live music and our Polish customs and traditions.

Admission: $3.00 per person for two days (children free). Free parking.

Click here for entertainment details:
Saturday
Sunday

Polish Harvest Festival - Dozynki Houston, TexasPolish and Slavic food - Bier Garden, Kids Carnival Games, Dance and Music, Arts and Crafts, Gifts and a Raffle.

Harvest Festival in Poland
The biggest annual farmers holiday celebrated as a crowning achievement of their labor and held after all important fieldwork has ended and crops, especially grain crops, have been gathered. It was celebrated in Poland probably as early as 16th century. In Polish the feast is called "Dozynki." Polish land proprietors have organized harvest festivals for their laborers. It was connected with dancing, eating and was kind of being a form of a prize for good performance of their harvest job.

The harvest was a reward for farmers' effort. Human existence depended to great extent on the quantity and quality of the crops gathered. There were also old, archaic and pagan elements present in harvest celebration that are nowadays explained as traces of ancient rituals and sacrifices made for fertility deities. Among the rituals there were practices and habits e.g. connected with the last handful of uncut grain. It was left on the filed for some time after the harvest to retain continuity of grain vegetation and fertility. It was reaped in a very solemn way by the best harvester and then passed over to the most efficient of woman harvesters. Harvest celebration began with weaving of a wreath of the grain left on the field, bunches of rowan berries, nuts, flowers and ribbons.

Harvest wreaths were usually of a shape of a crown or a circle. In the past farmers also put life (or artificial) chickens, ducklings or goslings into their wreaths to provide for future abundant crops and healthy offspring. The best woman reaper with the help of other laborers carried the wreath. They led the procession of solemnly dressed harvesters carrying cleaned and decorated with flowers scythes and sickles on their shoulders. Then the wreath was taken into the church to be blessed and the procession set for the mansion house of the estate or the household of the field's proprietor (the host of harvest festival). Harvesters sang about hardship of their work, about crops and concern for future harvests as well as about wishes for good crops and hope for fun and treat they deserved. The harvest wreath was kept in a barn until the next sowing. As we can see, Polish harvest festival habits are several centuries old and little has changed.

It is still a festival of farmers work and at the same time it has also become a religious festival and thanksgiving to God and Blessed Virgin Mary for successful harvest and crops gathered. Colorful processions with wreaths being placed in churches along with other crops of the soil are still organized. Farmer's pilgrimages to the places of worship have become new tradition. The most popular is the pilgrimage to Jasna Gora in Czestochowa. It is the place of the most celebrated and the biggest Polish harvest festival and pilgrimage. Plenty of people and delegations of farmers from all over Poland participate in the celebration. Everybody is dressed in traditional costume, carrying beautiful wreaths and loafs of bread baked of the present harvest flour. Farmers are sharing this new bread with others, so no one should ever go hungry. Apart from its religious aspect it is also a time for joy, for fun, dancing and singing, for eating and drinking. It still creates an important part of Polish folklore, bringing the past to the present and consolidating the old with the new and thriving with atmosphere of optimism and joy.

Come and join the fun and fellowship in the true spirit of community. ZAPRASZAMY!!
47th StsCyril & Methodius Annual Slavic Heritage Festival

47th StsCyril & Methodius Annual Slavic Heritage Festival

09-26-2010 - 09-26-2010

Slavic Alliance of Houston (Slavic Heritage Festival)

http://slavicheritagefestival2010.com/Home.html

Knights of Columbus Fields and Hall - 607 E Whitney Drive Houston TX 77022

Admission: General admission is $3:00 Children ages 12 and under are free

713-825-7875

Start Time(s): 10:00am - 6:00pm

The Slavic Alliance of Houston presents the 47th Sts.Cyril & Methodius Annual Slavic Heritage Festival, Sunday September 26, 2010, 10:00am - 6:00pm, at the Knights of Columbus Hall and Grounds, 607 E. Whitney Drive, Houston TX-77022.

Under the direction and guidance of the Slavic Alliance of Houston, the Slavic communities gather annually to honor Sts. Cyril & Methodius, and to share in the celebration of their Slavic heritage with ethnic foods, singing and dancing. The general public is invited to join in this celebration and to learn about the wonderful histories and culture of the Czech, Croation, Polish and Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainians will serve as the host group for 2010. Three Ukrainian organizations in Houston, the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrova)Ukrainian Catholic Church; the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Inc., Branch 118; and the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston are spearheading the preparations for the big day.

A History of the Festival (Slavic brothers sharing their heritage in Houston, Texas):
Rev. Dmytro Blazejovskyj came to the United States in 1946 to organize Ukrainian catholic Churches, mostly in the Western states. In 1957 he became the pastor of St. Pius X Ukrainian Catholic Church in Houston. He served in Houston until 1973, when he was transferred to the Vatican as Church Historian. He is the author of numerous books and articles. Today, this Ukrainian Catholic Church has been renamed Protection of the Mother of God.

While serving in Houston, Rev. Blazejowskyi became well known to his Slavic brothers and sisters. In the absence of a polish-speaking priest, the Polish parishioners of Christ The King Catholic Church requested the services of Rev. Blazejowskyi. He heard their confessions in polish and even went to their homes and administered the sacrament of the Extreme Unction to the very ill.

In 1963, The 1100th anniversary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius was being celebrated by many national groups in the United States. All these celebrations were done by individual groups. As a historian, Rev. Blazejowskyi saw a need for a united rather than divided celebration. He devised a plan and discussed it with the leaders of his Ukrainian parish. They thought it was a good idea. Rev. Blazejowskyi contacted the Polish group associated with the polish Home and Maurice Hafernik of the Czech Group; the three groups met and planned the first celebration. It was decided to hold this celebration on Knights of Columbus property.

All three languages were represented in the celebration of the Mass that has become an integral part of the Festival. Bishop Morkowsky was approached to give the sermon in Czech and take part in the celebration. From that day forward Bishop Morkovsky attended the Slavic Festivals. He would go from booth to booth to visit with everyone. The original three groups in time were joined by the Croatians and the Slovenians. The celebration is now a tradition.

Bishop Morkowsky was a compassionate, caring man with a homespun kind of humor. He was gracious, kind, and able to communicate with people from all walks of life, both economical, social and religious. He enjoyed life and wanted everyone to enjoy it with him. He liked to fish, golf, hunt, garden, travel, plan and attend any kind of gathering of people especially family reunions, singing and playing his harmonica. He enjoyed all kinds of good food, and whenever you would ask him if he was on any kind of special diet, he would always reply : "Oh yes, I can only eat food."

Rev. Dmytro Blazejowskyi was born in Ukraine on Aug. 21, 1910, and was ordained into the priesthood in Rome on April 2, 1939. He received a Ph.D. in Theology in 1942 and a second Ph.D. in Church History in 1946. He speaks English, Ukrainian, Polish, Latin and Italian.

Bishop Morkowsky was born on Aug. 16, 1909, in Praha, Texas; the seventh of ten children. His parents were both Czech and his love for people undoubtedly a result of his heritage. He spoke Czech, Spanish, Italian and Latin and had a reading knowledge of German, French, Portuguese and Polish. He died March 24, 1990

Schedule of Events:

10:00 am: Traditional Slavic Mass Honoring Sts. Cyril & Methodius
Byzantine Catholic Liturgy: Celebrants: Fr. Mykola Dovzhouk
Fr. Paul Chovanec

11:50am: Procession with the Knights of Columbus

12:00pm: Introduction and Greetings by the Festival Chairmen and Dignitaries
Singing of the National Anthems

12:30 pm: Presentation of the Queen and Princesses

12:45 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

1:00 pm: Zhuravli Ukrainian Dancers of Houston ( Transcarpathian Dances)

1:20 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

1:45 pm: Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish School featuring Polish Singing and Dancing

2:25 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

2:30 pm: Zhuravli Ukrainian Dancers of Houston (Carpathian Dances)

2:45 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

3:00 pm: Czech Heritage Singers

3:30 pm: Croation Dances performed by the Houston International Folk Dancers

3:50 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

4:00 pm: Croation Dancers

4:20 pm: Ukrainian Music by Vlodko & Band

4:30 pm: Zhuravli Ukrainian Dancers (Poltava Dances & Finale)

5:00 pm: Raffel Drawing
Polka Contest & More Dancing!

6:00 pm: Festival Closes

Join the fun!
10th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival

10th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival

09-18-2010 - 09-19-2010

6

Houston Hot Sauce Festival

http://www.houstonhotsauce.com/

Stafford Centre - 10505 Cash Rd Stafford TX 77477

Admission: Admission TBD (Call for details) Children 12 and under Free (no pets allowed) Admission always includes the sampling of fiery food products no extra fees or ticket purchases required for tasting the products Food and beverages concessions are "pay as you go" - no tickets either!!!

281-558-3518

carol@houstonhotsauce.com

Start Time(s): Saturday 11am-6pm Sunday 12noon-5pm

It's the 10th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival! September 18 & 19, 2010, at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Rd. Stafford, TX 77477.

Rain or Shine it is one HOT Party! The best part... No Dust at the Stafford Center! The economy may have slowed down some. But, as always, we still packed a punch!!!!! Our award winning exhibitors were selling out of product... some had to close down because they were sold out. The weather was beautiful, the new venue was great... a huge upgrade from previous years! A little warm - but what could you expect... it was HOT!

Featuring:

Cold Beverages
Wide Variety of Food
Ongoing Stage Entertainment
FREE Children's Activities
Contests, Prizes, Give-a-ways

Admission always includes the sampling of fiery food products... no extra fees or ticket purchases required for tasting the products!

Food and beverage concessions are "pay as you go" - no tickets either!!!

Click here for a lineup of entertainers.
Michael Buckley: book signing and discussion

Michael Buckley: book signing and discussion

09-23-2010 - 09-23-2010

4

Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079

Admission: The event is free and open to the public Blue Willow Bookshop is proud to be the Houston stop for many wonderful authors We work hard to make each event enlightening and entertaining All Blue Willow Bookshop presentations are free of charge If you would like to go through the signing line and meet the author for book personalization, you must purchase the author's current book from Blue Willow Bookshop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 4:30pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Michael Buckley, Thursday, September 23 at 4:30pm. Michael Buckley, author of the Sisters Grimm series, visits Houston to discuss and sign his newest book, Nerds: M is for Mama’s Boy.

NERDS combines all the excitement of international espionage with all the awkwardness of elementary school, and the results are hilarious. A group of unpopular fifth graders run a spy network from inside their school. With the help of cutting-edge science, they transform their nerdy qualities into incredible abilities!

Their enemies? An array of James Bond-style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.

In the second installment of Buckley's series, the Nerds make their return and this time, the group must fight a villain so unlikely, he still lives with his mom. In other words, it's the Nerds against a nerd.

Join us as we welcome a very funny author to Blue Willow!

New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats).

Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.
Rachel Simmons: book signing and discussion

Rachel Simmons: book signing and discussion

09-30-2010 - 09-30-2010

4

Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Admission: This is a ticketed event that will be held at St Agnes Academy Each ticket of $15 will admit a parent-daughter pair to the event, which includes one copy of The Curse of the Good Girl If you would like to include another daughter at the event, the charge is an additional $5 To obtain tickets, please contact us at (281) 497 8675, or stop by the shop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 7:00pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Rachel Simmons, Thursday, September 30 at 7pm, at St. Agnes Academy, 9000 Bellaire Boulevard. Join Rachel Simmons (Odd Girl Out, The Curse of the Good Girl) for a fun, interactive back-to-school workshop on getting the most out of friendships and staying true to yourself.

You and your daughter (ages 8 & up) do not want to miss this opportunity to see Rachel live!

With laughter & honesty, Rachel will teach the girls powerful strategies to express themselves with authenticity and confidence, deal with friend drama effectively and make healthy decisions in relationships. Adults will learn tools to support girls on their journey. Bring lots of questions and stay for the book signing of Rachel's newest book release in paperback: The Curse of the Good Girl.

Rachel Simmons is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, and The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence. As an educator and coach, Rachel works internationally to develop strategies to address bullying and empower girls.

After graduating from Vassar College, Rachel won a Rhodes Scholarship from New York in 1998. She attended Oxford University, where she began her study of female aggression.

The co-founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, Rachel currently serves as a consultant to schools and organizations around the world. She has worked as a classroom teacher at Miss Hall’s School in Massachusetts and the Roedean School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Rachel was the host of the recent PBS television special, “A Girl’s Life,” and writes an advice blog for girls at TeenVogue.com.

Rachel has appeared on Oprah, is a frequent contributor to the Today Show, and appears regularly in the national media. Odd Girl Out was adapted into a highly acclaimed Lifetime television movie. Rachel lives in western Massachusetts with her West Highland Terrier, Rosie, who is currently taking private workshops with Rachel to learn how to stop bullying other dogs.

NOTE: This is a ticketed event that will be held at St. Agnes Academy. Each ticket of $15 will admit a parent-daughter pair to the event, which includes one copy of The Curse of the Good Girl. If you would like to include another daughter at the event, the charge is an additional $5.

To obtain tickets, please contact us at (281) 497 8675, or stop by the shop.
Tony DiTerlizzi: book signing and discussion

Tony DiTerlizzi: book signing and discussion

10-19-2010 - 10-19-2010

2

Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079

Admission: The event is free and open to the public Blue Willow Bookshop is proud to be the Houston stop for many wonderful authors We work hard to make each event enlightening and entertaining All Blue Willow Bookshop presentations are free of charge If you would like to go through the signing line and meet the author for book personalization, you must purchase the author's current book from Blue Willow Bookshop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 5:00pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Tony DiTerlizzi, Tuesday, October 19 at 5pm. We're delighted to welcome author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. He will be at Blue Willow to discuss and sign his newest YA novel, The Search for WondLa.

When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her, for she knows that other humans exist, because of an item she treasures—a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, "WondLa."

Tony DiTerlizzi honors traditional children's literature in this totally original space age adventure: one that is as complex as an alien planet, but as simple as a child's wish for a place to belong.

Dragons, space monsters, goblins and insects: the characters that inhabit storyteller Tony DiTerlizzi’s world haven’t changed since he was a kid growing up in South Florida.

Born in Los Angeles, California in 1969, DiTerlizzi is the oldest of three siblings raised in an artistically rich household. He started drawing at a very young age including a crayon mural of Winnie-the-Pooh on his freshly painted bedroom walls.

One of his first hand-made books was on his favorite subject; dinosaurs, and was done for a Boy Scout merit badge. Fascinated by nature’s endless designs, Tony made another book, this time on insects, carefully drawn from his own collection.

In 1981, after seeing Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal” and playing Dungeons & Dragons, the 12 year-old Tony spent the summer writing and illustrating an entire field guide on fantastic creatures. He would return to this premise many years later as the genesis for “The Spiderwick Chronicles”.

By the time he graduated high school, DiTerlizzi had dreams of becoming a children’s book creator. He attended several art schools including, Florida School of the Arts and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, receiving his degree in graphic design in 1992.

After graduating, the 23 year-old DiTerlizzi began working freelance for TSR, publisher of Dungeons & Dragons - the game that had inspired him so much as a child. He illustrated many fantastical images of warriors, wizards and monsters over the next 6 years, and also contributed to the collectible card game Magic the Gathering.

A move to New York City in 1996 brought Tony to the center of the publishing world. At last, his dream of writing and illustrating outstanding imaginative books for children could be realized. And he did it at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

In 2000, his first picture book, “Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure” debuted. Inspired by Windsor McKay’s “Little Nemo in Slumberland” and Norman Rockwell, the story of a young space adventurer in search of his favorite snack garnered positive reviews. Kirkus compared Tony’s work to that of David Wiesner and William Joyce. More importantly, children loved the book.

The next year, he followed up with “Ted”, the story of a workaholic single parent trying to find time for his son and his mischievous imaginary friend. Once again, the book was well received, and it won several state awards including the University of Chicago’s Zena Sutherland Book Award.

His third picture book, “The Spider and The Fly”, was based on Mary Howitt’s famous 1829 poem. Here, DiTerlizzi exhibited his love of insects and arachnids as he rendered Chaz Addams-esque paintings of the intrepid spider and the guileless fly. The result was a critically acclaimed, New York Times bestseller. It won a Caldecott Honor, an award for high artistic achievement in children’s publishing, in 2003. Tony’s career as a creator of children’s books was on its way.

During a magazine interview on his work for Dungeons & Dragons, DiTerlizzi met up-and-coming writer Holly Black. A fellow fantasy and folklore lover, the two became fast friends and Tony showed her sketches he was working on for a field guide to fantastic creatures. Black began helping him, and the two created the chapter book series “The Spiderwick Chronicles”.

Spiderwick followed the adventures of three New England children who unearth an old John James Audubon-styled field guide to fairies, trolls and goblins. No sooner do they find the tome, they then discover that all of its subjects are real and want the guide. “The Spiderwick Chronicles” were loved by children and adults alike, and was published in over 30 countries, selling over 7 million copies in the US alone.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies released a live action adaptation of “The Spiderwick Chronicles” in 2008 starring Freddie Highmore, Mary Louise-Parker and Nick Nolte. The film was well received by critics and the public, remaining in the top 3 at the box office for a number of weeks.

In 2006, Tony took a break from Spiderwick, returning to the picture book format with his nonsense alphabet book, “G is For One Gzonk!” Next, he and Holly continued the Spiderwick saga in the new series, “Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles”. The latest Spiderwick story arc followed a new set of kids dealing with giants, mermaids and nixies in the hot, humid tropics of South Florida.

DiTerlizzi’s passion for crafting more chapter books for young imaginations continued with 2008’s “Kenny and The Dragon”. Inspired by “The Reluctant Dragon”, it tells the story of a young, bookish rabbit who becomes friends with a happy-go-lucky drake. As the two become best friends, the king orders the town dragon-slayer to execute the beast – and it is up to the rabbit, Kenny, to stop him. The book became a New York Times bestseller the week of its release and was nominated for several state book awards.

He followed Kenny by teaming up with his wife, Angela, on a silly series of young picture books, “Adventure of Meno”. Meno, the space elf, and his best friend (a jellyfish named Yamagoo) do not speak in correct grammar and go on ridiculous adventures where they are visited by a variety of guests such as David Hasselhoff and Eddie Vedder.

“Ang and I wanted to create a very young book that made you laugh.” Tony explained. “There are plenty of soft and cute books for toddlers, but we wanted one that caused laughter with both the parent and the child, forging a love of fun books from the onset.”

2010 marks a decade of creating books for children for Tony. “This is what I have always dreamed of doing,” he says. “I keep waiting for my mom to wake me up and it has all just been one middle school-aged escapist dream.”

DiTerlizzi celebrated his ten-years in children’s publishing by returning to aliens and spaceships with his futuristic fairy tale, “The Search for WondLa”. The story follows a 12-year old girl, Eva Nine, who is raised underground by a robot. Eva discovers that she is the only human alive on an alien planet and begins searching for others like her.

Tony works with his wife, Angela, and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with their daughter.
Scott Westerfeld: book signing and discussion

Scott Westerfeld: book signing and discussion

10-12-2010 - 10-12-2010

2

Blue Willow Bookshop

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079

Admission: The event is free and open to the public Blue Willow Bookshop is proud to be the Houston stop for many wonderful authors We work hard to make each event enlightening and entertaining All Blue Willow Bookshop presentations are free of charge If you would like to go through the signing line and meet the author for book personalization, you must purchase the author's current book from Blue Willow Bookshop

(281) 497-8675

Start Time(s): 5:00pm  

Blue Willow Bookshop presents Scott Westerfeld, Tuesday, October 12 at 5pm. We're delighted to welcome Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series. He will be at Blue Willow to discuss and sign his newest YA steampunk novel, Behemoth.

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker Powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

The Author Writes:

Scott Westerfeld is me. I’m the author of five science fiction novels for adults. I’ve also been an occasional ghost writer, which is like driving someone else’s car really, really fast for lots of money. (I could tell you what famous authors I ghost-wrote for, but then I’d have to kill you.) In my artsy days, I wrote music for artsy downtown New York dancers, some of which sounds like this.

I have written three sets of books for young adults. The first is called Midnighters, a tale of five teenagers born on the stroke of midnight, for whom time freezes every night, revealing a dark and terrible hidden world. All three books are out now.

My other trilogy is Uglies, set in a future where cosmetic surgery is compulsory when you turn 16, making everyone beautiful. Of course, there are some people who want to keep their own faces . . . but they’re not allowed. All three books—Uglies, Pretties and Specials—are out now. A companion novel to the trilogy, Extras, will be out in October 2007.

My third set of books is three stand-alone novels from Razorbill, all set in contemporary New York. The first is So Yesterday, about a cool hunter who runs afoul of a plot to end consumerism. The second is called Peeps, a "vampire" novel. The third is The Last Days, set in the same world as Peeps, which is also out now. I’ve also written a few short stories that you can find online for free, but be warned that all of them contain dirty words.

I was born in Texas, and split my time between New York City and Sydney, Australia. (I have more frequent flyer miles than you do.) You can read many personal details of my life on my blog. And consult the Scott fact sheet here.
Proctor Plaza Pooch Promenade

Proctor Plaza Pooch Promenade

10-09-2010 - 10-09-2010

Proctor Plaza Neighborhood Association

http://proctorplaza.com/

Proctor Plaza Park - 803 W Temple Houston TX 77009

Admission: Registration: $10 ($5 for additional dogs) Photographs:  $5 (includes frame) Registration fees and additional donations are tax deductible  Cash, check, and/or credit cards are accepted  Please make all donations payable to "Proctor Plaza Neighborhood Association" Click <a href="/sites/artshoundcom/application form2jpg">here</a> to download and print application

poochpromenade@gmail.com

Start Time(s): 10am-12pm (Registration begins at 9am)

Proctor Plaza Neighborhood Association presents the Proctor Plaza Pooch Promenade, benefitting the Proctor Plaza Neighborhood Association's Street Lights Campaign. Saturday, October 9, at Proctor Plaza Park, 803 West Temple. 10am-12noon (registration begins at 9am).

Prizes will be awarded for:
- Most Talented
- Best Dressed
- Dog/Owner Look-alike
- Best Story
- Prissiest Tail
- Most Beautiful (Miss Proctor Plaza)
- Most Handsome (Mr. Proctor Plaza)
- Mr. or Miss Congeniality
- Best in Show
All dogs must be on a leash, and proof of vaccination is required.

For more information contact Eloise Daigle at poochpromenade@gmail.com, or visit www.proctorplaza.com.

Also being accepted will be donations of food for pets and people in need.
4th Annual MECA's El Dia de los Muertos - The Day of the Dead - At Traders Village

4th Annual MECA's El Dia de los Muertos - The Day of the Dead - At Traders Village

10-24-2010 - 10-24-2010

MECA

http://www.meca-houston.org

Traders Village - 7979 N Eldridge Rd Houston TX 77041

Admission: Free Event  Note: Parking at Traders Village is $3 per car

713-802-9370 or 281-890-5500

Start Time(s): 11 am - 7 pm

The Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) presents the 4th Annual MECA's El Dia de los Muertos - The Day of the Dead - At Traders Village.

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have gone before us. A playful mockery of death and a reaffirmation of life are demonstrated through music, dance, and visual arts.

Traders Village in Houston presents El Dia de los Muertos – The Day of the Dead. Sponsored by the Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts (MECA). The Day of the Dead event will celebrate this long time Mexican Tradition with authentic music performed live from the Pepsi Concert Stage, Ballet Folkloric, Altars and Art by Houston-based Latino Artists, Dancing, Ethnic Foods and Beverages, Hispanic Merchandise Vendors and more.

Free to the public, parking $3.

The largest, most visited open-air market on the Texas Gulf Coast, Traders Village is at 7979 North Eldridge Road near Highway 290, just minutes northwest of downtown Houston. Call 281-890-5500 for more information.

MECA proudly extends this annual celebration for its fourth consecutive year at Traders Village Houston.
PetFest 2010

PetFest 2010

10-23-2010 - 10-24-2010

6

Old Town Spring Preservation League

http://www.petfestoldtownspring.com/

Old Town Spring - 123-F Midway Spring TX 77373

Admission: Free Event! NOTE: <ul> <li> Pets must be on a leash, crated or in an x-pen at all times PetFest is not responsible for the actions of your pet Pets must be under control at all times</li> <li>Pets must be current on vaccinations</li> <li>Pets be sociable with other animals, adults and children and not aggressive about food toys or owner</li> <li>Pets must be comfortable in a loud and festive environment Please be aware of the stress level of your pet at all times We want this to be a positive experience for everyone</li> <li>Pets must be at least 4 months old since younger animals have weak or no immune systems</li> <li>Sponsers reserve the right to refuse entrance or ask to leave anyone whose pet is exhibiting aggressive behavior</li> </ul>

(281) 528-7070

PetFestOTS@aol.com

Start Time(s): Saturday 10am till 5pm Sunday 11am till 5pm Click <a href="http://wwwpetfestoldtownspringcom/eventshtm">here</a> for a more detailed schedule of events

PetFest 2010 is a weekend event in Old Town Spring, Texas dedicated to finding homes for the many wonderful animals in shelters and rescue groups across the Houston and surrounding areas. We invite you to grab your furkids and join us for this fun-filled festival of entertainment and education while helping raise money, volunteers and foster homes.

There will be two days of contests, demonstrations, seminars, live music, pet supplies / products and even a "Yappy Hour" from 5pm-8pm to keep you and your pets entertained. Come see the latest in pet fashions, shop with all the vendors and the pet friendly stores in Old Town Spring, and find out what your pet is thinking with Houston's favorite Pet Psychic, Lisa Greene!

This festival is great for the whole family and pet lovers alike.

Come join us at PetFest and see what we have to offer!

PETFEST TIMES:
Saturday 10am till 5pm
Sunday 11am till 5pm

Some of the events taking place during the 2010 PetFest:

We are excited to welcome the Heart of Texas Dock Dogs to PetFest this year!! The Dock Dogs are making a splash all over the world! They have been featured on such programs as ESPN, David Letterman, and many other programs. Now is your chance to see these "diving dogs" in action, upclose and personal, plus the opportunity to try your dogs at this fastest growing dog sport.

In between competitions, there will be practice time for new dogs to learn how to dock dive with training from experienced dock dog handlers. Come and experience this fun with your 4-legged friend as long as they are at least 6 months old and the handlers at least 7 years old. He/she is welcome to join the competition!

Please visit our website at www.heartoftexasdockdogs.com. For any questions, please email Heart of Texas DockDogs at HeartofTexasDockdogs@gmail.com.

2010 Costume Contest - The PetFest Costume Contest has always been a crowd favorite! Be sure to dress up your pets and and join the costume contest in it's favorite costume.

Cost: $5.00 per pet entry

Blessing of the Animals - Deborah Taliaferro
We can all use all the blessings we can get and that includes our special animals. Due to the popularity of this event last year, we will be doing it both on Saturday and Sunday so that everyone will have the chance to attend. This is a free event.

Ordained minister, Deborah Taliaferro, has been very popular at the past PetFests with her beautiful blessingsfor God's wonderful creatures. Her lucky pets 5 boxers,1 pug,1shih tzu mix,1 double yellow head amazon parrot and 3 miniature horses are definitely blessed to have her as their mom. She also shows her love for all animals as a Animal minister, is certified to do dog massage and reiki and has been trained in pet first aid. Please join us at the blessing of the animals.

Celebrity Booth
Come meet your favorite local celebrities and their pets this year in front of Home Sweet Home! Get an autograph, take a picture or just enjoy meeting them. This is a free booth but donations are welcome for the PetFest Rescue Group and Shelter Drawing. The celebrities have gracious agreed to donate their time to come meet you and help the homeless animals of Houston!

Other celebrities will be listed as they are confirmed. The schedule will be included on the website in October. If you are a Houston celebrity and would like to join us at PetFest, please call Shelly at 281/528-7070 or email at PetAttire@aol.com.

Pet Psychic, Lisa Greene
Find out your pets perception of their life! Are you having behavior problems, medical issues or just want to know what's on your pet's mind? Lisa Greene, Houston's "practical" pet psychic, will be doing personal readings during PetFest. She does not just give you "fluff" (like your dog likes cheese) but answers the questions you have for your pets and gives you information you can actually use.

To read testimonials from some of her clients, please check out her website at www.petperceptions.com.

Lisa works by appointment only, so if you'd like to meet with her at PetFest, please call her at 281.497.8073 or email her at lisa@petperceptions.com to schedule your session before the event. Appointments are one hour in length and the fee is $120. Your pets do NOT have to be present for a great reading!

Pick up poop and win a prize!
How often can you potentially win a prize for being a responsible pet owner and picking up your dog's poop?! At PetFest that is actually what could happen. Pick up your dog's waste with your own or one of the poop pick-up bags that will be provided and drop it off at the Call To Doody Dog Waste Removal booth located on Gentry in front of B's Place. The Call To Doody staff will give you a raffle ticket for every bag you drop off. Then drop your raffle ticket in the bag for the prize you would most like to win. Drop off the poop and drop your raffle ticket - now that's a great deal! Winners will be drawn at after 3PM on Sunday, October 24. Need not be present to win.

Smile! You're on Candid Camera!
If you see our roving photographer, Rebecca Romo of Posh Pets Portraits, taking pictures, be sure to smile! Check her website at www.poshpetportraits.com to see if your pictures made it! You can email her at luvalldogs@earthlink.net if you would like to purchase them.

www.poshpetportraits.com

Raffle Tickets & Prizes - 2010 raffle prizes have been announced!
1st Prize - Insignia LCD HDTV & Samsung Blue Ray Home Theatre System
2nd Prize - Apple IPad with WiFi
3rd Prize - $500 Visa Gift Card
4th Prize - XBox 360 Arcade
5th Prize - $200 Shell Gas Card

PetFest Silent Auction - Make sure you check out the silent auction at the INFORMATION BOOTH during PetFest. Items to be announced.

"Yappy Hour" - Bring your friends, both 2-legged and 4-legged, to have fun and help the homeless pets at the same time. Margaritas and food will be provided for all to help get you in the spirit of raising money for the homeless pets of PetFest with an auction.

Photos above by Posh Pets Portraits.
12th Annual Halloween Boo Bash for Kidz

12th Annual Halloween Boo Bash for Kidz

10-23-2010 - 10-23-2010

6

Traders Village

http://www.tradersvillage.com/index.html

Traders Village - 7979 N Eldridge Rd Houston TX 77041

Admission: Free Event Note: Parking at Traders Village is $3 per car

281-890-5500

Start Time(s): 1pm-4pm

Traders Village presents the 12th Annual Halloween Boo Bash for Kidz, Saturday, October 23. Throw on your best Halloween costume and get ready to do the Monster Mash as Traders Village presents the annual Boo Bash, the biggest free spooktacular for kids in Houston.

On Saturday afternoon, from 1 to 4 p.m., Traders Village will be loaded with more Halloween entertainment and fun than ever before. Boo Bash 2010 will present continuous live musical entertainment and activities, and monster-sized Trick-or-Treating. From 2:30-3:30 p.m. children aged 12 and under can Trick-or-Treat for candy at participating shops throughout the market, while supplies last, with their free Trick-or-Treat bag compliments of Traders Village.

The Haunted Hallway is creepy rooms of scares and goodies for little guys. Every child attending will receive a Halloween gift and Trick-or-Treat bag while supplies last.

Free to the public, parking $3.

The largest, most visited open-air market on the Texas Gulf Coast, Traders Village is at 7979 North Eldridge Road near Highway 290, just minutes northwest of downtown Houston. Call 281-890-5500 for more information.
Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring

Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring

11-05-2010 - 12-24-2010

1

Old Town Spring Preservation League

http://www.oldtownspring.com/

Old Town Spring - 123-F Midway Spring TX 77373

Admission: Free Event! Note photo and train ride costs above

1-800-OLD-TOWN or 2813539310

Start Time(s): Call for times Shops open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day  

Old Town Spring presents Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring. BEGINS NOVEMBER 6th & 7th.

It’s Christmas time again! We would like to invite you to come celebrate “Home For The Holidays” in Old Town Spring. Load up the whole family to enjoy the 28th annual Christmas celebration. Spend the day shopping, listening to strolling musicians and barbershop quartets, taking pictures with Santa, touring our museum, enjoying a train ride, and last but not least enjoy horse and carriage rides.

Don’t miss the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting at dusk November 6th. Come enjoy the day shopping then come down to the museum around 6:00pm for children’s activities, entertainment, the tree lighting, and of course don’t miss every ones favorite Santa Claus.

Old Town Spring will be draped with thousands of twinkling white lights and colorful decorations. The street lamps will be decorated from top to bottom to give you that old town Holiday feeling. Come step back in time and enjoy “Home For The Holidays” in Old Town Spring.

For more information call 1-800-OLD-TOWN or 281.353.9310.

Two open-house weekends with:

1) Musical entertainment
Spring Historical Museum parking lot
Strolling

2) Horse and carriage rides
Both compliments of Old Town Spring merchants.

Every weekend through December 20th:
Santa House with photos with Santa
Christmas train

Photo's with Santa:
Location: Museum Parking Lot
Times: 10am till 5pm Sat. / 12 till 5pm Sun.

Costs:
1 pose $5.00
2 prints $8.00
3 prints $10.00
4 prints $12.00

Train Ride:
Location: Museum on Gentry Street
Times: 10am till 5pm Sat. / 12 till 5pm Sun.
Cost: $3.00

Shops open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The 44th Annual Greek Festival

The 44th Annual Greek Festival

10-07-2010 - 10-10-2010

6

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

http://www.greekfestival.org/

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral - 3511 Yoakum Boulevard Houston TX 77006

Admission: Admission at Gate $500 (adults) Children 12 and under admitted free Pre-sale Tickets $1800 - Includes admission and dinner plate with your choice of Souvlaki, Greek Salad, or Pastry Box (note: Does not include Gyros) Free Parking & Free shuttle Free METRO shuttle from Lamar High School West "Student" parking lot, 3325 Westheimer (between Westheimer & West Alabama, and between Buffalo Speedway & Kirby) Free parking is available for shuttle passengers Parking is available at the festival on side streets but avoid the no parking signs We strongly recommend you take advantage of the FREE METRO shuttle running continuously throughout the festival

7135265377

festival@agoc.org

Start Time(s): Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 7 - 10, 2010 Thursday Dinner: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Dance Program: begins at 6:00 pm Friday Lunch: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (free admission) Note: the Festival grounds are closed after lunch and reopen at 5:00 pm Dinner: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Dance Program: begins at 6:00 pm Saturday Continuous food service from opening: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Dance Programs - Youth: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm Dance Programs - Adults: begins at 5:00 pm Sunday Continuous food service from opening: 12 noon - 7:00 pm(while quantities last) Dance Programs - Youth: 12:30 am and 1:30 pm Dance Programs - Adults: begins at 4:00 pm Visit the <a href="http://wwwgreekfestivalorg/">website</a> for a detailed schedule of events

Come and join The Original Greek Festival, now in its 44th year, and be Greek for a day! Growing attendance over the years continues to create excitement as the word gets around, so bring your family, friends and co-workers to enjoy the festive atmosphere and our new expanded festival site. Facilities, children's activities, Athenian playground & seating capacity have also been expanded. OPA!!

For decades now, Houston residents have turned out to partake of Greek culture and tradition. This four-day festival boasts a busy slate of live music, Greek folk dancing and authentic Greek food. Feast on the most delicious Greek cuisine this side of the Aegean prepared by community parishioners from recipes handed down over the centuries. Whatever you do, make sure not to miss the pastries!

Children's activities make sure everyone in the family is accommodated, and a free shuttle helps take the hassle out of parking.

Presale tickets include admission to the festival and a dinner plate; a gift shop and cathedral tours are also available.

The Greek Festival, held on the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral campus each year during October, is said to be one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States. It originated in 1967 as "Greek Night," held in celebration of the Cathedral’s 50th anniversary. The following year saw the institution of an annual Festival to celebrate Greek culture, food and Orthodox life. Today, the Festival draws some 40,000 visitors over a period of four days, and is one of the tourist attractions of the Houston area.

Proceeds from the Greek Festival have helped many people through donations to various charitable organizations, such as Children's Assessment Center, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Women's Home, Covenant House, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC), and the Star of Hope Mission.

Highlights
• Cathedral Tours
• Religious Artifacts/Icons
• Greek Folk Dancing
• Authentic Greek Foods/Pastries
• Gift Shop
• T-shirts, Videos, CD's, Tapes
• Agora Greek Food Store
• Annunciation Orthodox School Exhibit
• Athenian Playground (Children's Activities)
Pearland Citywide Little League Parade and Celebration

Pearland Citywide Little League Parade and Celebration

09-11-2010 - 09-11-2010

6

Pearland Parks & Recreation

http://www.pearlandparks.com/

Pearland City Hall - 3519 Liberty Dr Pearland TX 77581

Admission: Free and open to the public

281-412-8900

Start Time(s): Beginning at 10am

Pearland Parks & Recreation presents a Citywide Little League Parade and Celebration. A parade honoring the Pearland Little League All Stars is set for Saturday, September 11, starting at 10 a.m. at the corner of FM518 (Broadway) and Pearland Parkway.

The team recently won the Southwest Little League Regional championship, and went on to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The team earned the distinction of making it all the way to the United States Championship game, claiming the rights to "one of the top four (4) teams in the world".

The parade route will travel east on Broadway, turn south onto Liberty Drive, ending in front of Pearland City Hall, where Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and members of the City Council will honor the team and acknowledge their accomplishments.

For questions, please call 281-412-8900.

Photo left to right: (front) Caleb Maly, Pryce Beshoory, Matthew Bettencourt, Beau Orlando, Hunter Smith, Blake Toler (back)
Coach Don Smith, Jorge Gutierrez, Jaron Roblyer, Mason Van Noort, Jake Orlando, Chris Leger, Manager Mike Orlando. (Photo
courtesy of ©2010 Little League Baseball and Softball Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Pearland Trick or Treat Trail

Pearland Trick or Treat Trail

10-31-2010 - 10-31-2010

Pearland Parks & Recreation

http://www.pearlandparks.com/

Admission: Free event  

281-652-1673

Start Time(s): 5:30 - 8:00 pm  

Pearland Parks & Recreation presents Trick or Treat Trail, Sunday, October 31, 2010. Location: Pearland High School Visitor Parking Lot, 3775 South Main. Calling all ghosts and goblins! Join us for a SPOOK-tacular time!

Trick-or-Treaters of all ages are invited out to this FREE community-wide event. Local businesses and organizations create a "trail" to pass out candy and other goodies.

Come out for games, inflatables and a costume contest! Kids 12 years old and younger are encouraged to take part in the contest - no registration necessary.

Food vendors will also be on-site selling tasty treats and beverages. Or bring your own reusable water bottle for free drinking water during the event!
Domy Books Tuesday Movie Nights: The Princess Bride

Domy Books Tuesday Movie Nights: The Princess Bride

10-12-2010 - 10-12-2010

2

Domy Books

http://www.domystore.com/

Domy Books - 1709 Westheimer Houston TX 77098

Admission: Free event!

713-523-DOMY (3669)

Start Time(s): 8:30pm

Domy Books, in association with Domy Films, is pleased to present, Domy Books Tuesday Movie Nights, curated by Film Forum on OurGroupProject, at Domy Books, Houston, 830pm – 10pm, FREE ADMISSION.

"Film Forum was started because Adam wanted to have a podcast that allowed free discussion of movies that not only kept an open mind but allowed him to force his opinions on others. We hope that this podcast grows and spreads the love of one our favorite art forms. The art of film. Our views are not law so tell us what you think. And if you like the show please subscribe as its the quickest easiest way to get the show." – Film Forum

October 12 - 80s Fantasy/Comedy
The Princess Bride
by Rob Reiner

Based on William Goldman's novel of the same name, The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk's character assures a romance-weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story, including but not limited to fencing, fighting, torture, death, true love, giants, and pirates.

Indeed, The Princess Bride offers a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy-turned-pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright), his true love, away from the evil prince (Chris Sarandon), whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death.

With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max (Billy Crystal), swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), and a very large man named Fezzik (Andre the Giant), the star-crossed lovers are reunited.

1987, 830-1030pm, free admission
RUNTIME: 98 min
Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

Galveston Island Shrimp Festival

09-24-2010 - 09-26-2010

6

Galvestoncom & Company

http://www.galveston.com/shrimpfestival/

Galveston - various locations - Galveston TX 77550

Admission: Call for details Click <a href="http://wwwgalvestoncom/shrimpfestival/">here</a> for venue information by event

(888) 939-8680 or (409)763-8676

Start Time(s): Friday-Sunday See details above

Who doesn’t love a good bowl of gumbo? Visitors can sample gumbo from professional cooking teams as part of the inaugural Galveston Island Shrimp Festival. Shrimp Festival activities begin on Friday, Sept. 24 and continue through Sunday, Sept. 26. Events include a 5K run/walk, gumbo cook off, children’s parade, merchant walkabout and bicycle ride followed by a tailgate party. Gumbo lovers can sample and judge wild shrimp gumbo prepared by area restaurants participating in the professional category.

"We invite not only our local residents but all Texans to join us in celebrating the return of Galveston Island from Hurricane Ike and take this opportunity to honor the shrimp industry in Texas,” says Mike Dean, president of Yaga's Entertainment, Inc., a local events company. "We plan on making this festival one of the largest shrimp festivals on the Gulf Coast in the years to come."

This year, the festival will limit the number of participating teams to 100 including 20 teams designated to Gulf Coast area restaurants and Texas Department of Agriculture's GO TEXAN Program members. All shrimp in the contest must be wild Texas shrimp. Attendees will taste and vote on the best shrimp gumbo of the twenty restaurants. The best in the amateur category will be decided by a panel of judges. The winning amateur team will be honored by having their championship gumbo on the menu of Yaga's Cafe in Galveston for one year. Other gumbo categories include chicken and sausage, shrimp bisque and an open division.

A limited number of Texas wineries will offer wine samples to festival attendees. "We are focusing on bringing Texas wineries to the festival as well as Texas artisans so we can showcase Texas only products,” notes Dean. “All exhibitors will have to qualify as GO TEXAN members to participate in the event.”

The Galveston Island Shrimp Festival Schedule is as follows:
- Friday, Sept. 24, 8pm - 10pm: Cook off Team and Sponsor Party
- Saturday, Sept. 25, 8:30am: 5K run and 1K children’s walk ( register here ) benefitting the University Texas Medical Branch
- Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:30am - 4pm Merchant Walk-About
- Saturday, Sept. 25, Noon - 3pm Public Gumbo Tasting
- Saturday, Sept. 25, 3pm Little Shrimps Children’s Downtown Parade
- Sunday, Sept. 26, 11am: Whimcycle Shrimpcycle followed by tailgate party for the Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys football game. Pre-registration is required.
For registration and more event information go to www.galveston.com/shrimpfestival. To register for the run/walk, click here.

For more information on Galveston Island events or to book accommodations, rely on Galveston.com. For lodging reservations, click here, or call toll-free (888)939-8680. Remember, when you book lodging via Galveston.com, you'll automatically receive up to $500 in money-saving Island coupons to use during your stay.

About Galveston.com & Company...

Galveston.com & Company, Inc.is a destination marketing corporation based in Galveston, Texas. The company specializes in destination portals, as well as online lodging, cruise, parking, and transportation reservations; and event ticketing via its proprietary DestinationNext module.

For more information, contact Galveston.com & Company at via phone (409)763-8676 or email at websites@galveston.com.
Halloween Missions at the Challenger Center! Lost in Space Return of the SS Observer

Halloween Missions at the Challenger Center! Lost in Space Return of the SS Observer

10-30-2010 - 10-30-2010

6

Houston Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org/

George Observatory - Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762 Needville TX 77461

Admission: Cost: $15 per person, plus $5 per person park entrance fee Ages: 8 years old and up to adult (If you are age 8-9, you must have an adult participate with you)

(281) 242-3055

https://store.hmns.org/

Start Time(s): 3 pm; 4 pm; 6 pm; 7 pm

The Houston Museum of Natural Science presents Halloween Missions at the Challenger Center! Lost in Space — Return of the S.S. Observer.

The Space Station Observer was abandoned in the year 2025 — lost in space for years. Astronauts will board the lost ship and return it to our Moonbase I, solving problems along the way. Come help rescue the ship and land it safely on the Moon.

Great spooky family adventure for young and old. Costumes are encouraged, but optional. The Challenger missions are usually open only for groups with reservations, but for this Halloween event, individuals can sign up online to participate.

In addition, the George Observatory telescopes tickets will go on sale at the gift shop for $5 at 5 p.m. for regular public viewing (weather permitting and no advance sales.)

Date & Times:
Saturday, October 30: 3 p.m.; 4 p.m.; 6 p.m.; 7 p.m.

Ages: 8 years old and up to adult. (If you are age 8-9, you must have an adult participate with you.)

Cost: $15 per person, plus $5 per person park entrance fee
Tricks, Treats & T Rex 2010

Tricks, Treats & T Rex 2010

10-30-2010 - 10-30-2010

6

Houston Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org/

Houston Museum of Natural Science - 5555 Hermann Park Drive Houston TX 77030

Admission: $6 members $8 non-members  

(713) 639-4629

http://store.hmns.org/

Start Time(s): 10am-2pm

Gather up your littlest ghosts and goblins and celebrate Halloween at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston’s very own dinosaur bone-yard—during Tricks, Treats & T. Rex 2010, Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 10:00 AM!

Mad Scientists will shock you with their spine-chilling skills; Creepy Chemists will delight you with their bizarre concoctions; and Terrorizing Taxidermists will unleash their crazy creations. Discover the scary side of science at the Houston Museum of Natural Science!

Don’t miss our Mysterious Magician, as he astonishes even the most skeptical with his terrifying tricks with live performances at Tricks, Treats & T. Rex!
5th Annual Heights Bicycle Rally and Scavenger Hunt

5th Annual Heights Bicycle Rally and Scavenger Hunt

10-03-2010 - 10-03-2010

Houston Heights Association

http://www.houstonheights.org/

Marmion Park - 1802 Heights Blvd (W 18th St & Heights Blvd) Houston TX 77008

Admission: Entry Fee: Before October 1 : Adult - $15 Child (12 & under) $750 Day of Event: Adult - $20 Child (12 & under) $10

713-861-4002 or 713-869-0505

http://www.houstonheights.org/bicycle.htm

Start Time(s): 7:30am-4pm

Get out the bicycle and enjoy the 5th Annual Heights Bicycle Rally and Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, October 3, 2010. The rally will start and end at Marmion Park, (18th & Heights Blvd.).

Rally participants may start their ride any time after 7:30 on the day of the event. Riders must finish by 4:00 pm. Entrants will bicycle a 20-mile course through the Heights, 6th Ward, Timbergrove, West End, and Oak Forest. The route is on City of Houston bike trails. Each entrant will be issued a rally card, rally map and a scavenger hunt clue list. The rally starts and ends at Marmion Park (18th & Heights Blvd.).

This is not a race! Riders under 12 years of age must wear required safety gear. Riders must obey all traffic laws.

To be eligible for prizes an entrant must complete the rally by 4:00 pm and deposit the validated rally card in the prize entry box at Marmion Park. The rally card must have been validated at the check point. There will be one combination check point -water station near the mid-point on the ride.

Scavenger Hunt: Each entrant will be provided a list of clues that describe a sight or an object that can be seen along the rally course. The person who finds the most mystery objects will be named the winner. The clue list will have a place to write the address or near-by intersection where the mystery object is located. Scavenger hunt entries must be turned in by 4:00 pm.

End of Rally Party: An End-of-Rally Party, with live music, will be held in Marmion Park, starting at 4:00 pm.

There is no rain date for this event. Rain or shine, the event goes on as planned. For additional information contact Rally Chairman, Paul Carr at mailto:www.TortureT@aol.com or 713-869-0505.

The Bicycle Rally is a function of the Houston HeightsAsocation. All proceeds benefit the Heights Blvd. Esplanade and Marmion and Donovan Parks. Houston Heights Assocation is a not for profit 501 (c) (3) organization.
Astronomy Day 2010

Astronomy Day 2010

10-16-2010 - 10-16-2010

6

Houston Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org

George Observatory - Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 FM 762 Needville TX 77461

Admission: Admission to this event free to the public and HMNS members There is a $5 per person charge to enter Brazos Bend State Park, children 12 and under are admitted free $3 for seniors 65 and older Texas residents born before September 1, 1930, are free

(713) 639-4629 or (281) 242-3055

Start Time(s): 3:00 to 10:30 pm

Make plans to attend Astronomy Day 2010 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, Saturday, October 16. Free with park admission.

Make plans to attend Astronomy Day 2010 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park. This annual event is open to the public and includes activities for all ages. Festivities begin in the afternoon, but this event really comes to life after dark when the stars begin to shine. Dozens of telescopes—including the extremely large professional research telescopes—will be available to give everyone a chance to enjoy the delights of the night sky, which will include star clusters, planets and galaxies.

Astronomy Day at the George Observatory is a hands-on way to learn all about space and astronomy. Take a simulated space mission in the Challenger Center, view sunspots in the daytime with filtered telescopes, explore the numerous indoor displays, meet local astronomy clubs, learn how to purchase and use telescopes, hear astronomy presentations, participate in children’s crafts, and receive a guided tour of the constellations from the Observatory deck.

This family event is sponsored by a dozen local astronomy clubs and NASA organizations. The event is free with $5 per person entrance fee for Brazos Bend State Park; children 12 and under are admitted free. Entrance into the park is not permitted after 10 p.m. For more information, please visit www.astronomyday.org or call (281) 242-3055.

Detailed Schedule of Events to follow....
Second Saturday: Eye Spy! Getting to Know HMNS at Sugar Land

Second Saturday: Eye Spy! Getting to Know HMNS at Sugar Land

09-11-2010 - 09-11-2010

6

Houston Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land - 13016 University Blvd (at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds) Sugar Land TX 77478

Admission: Members Free Adults $12 Children (3-11) $9 Seniors (62+) $9 School Groups (K-12) $250 Groups of 20 or more $5

(713) 639-4629 or (281) 313-2277

http://www.hmns.org/education/sugar_land/visit_hmns_at_sugar_land.asp

Start Time(s): 9am-6pm

Join the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land for a special family event on the Second Saturday of each month. Saturday, September 11, HMNS at Sugar Land presents Second Saturday: Eye Spy! Getting to Know HMNS at Sugar Land, 10 am – 2 pm.

Join us for crafts, games and fun for the whole family as you explore HMNS at Sugar Land! You will receive an HMNS Passport to the World of Science to fill with stamps at science stations throughout the Museum. Then, chart your Summer Travels on the World Map of Discovery and take a break while Waldo entertains you during Story Time.

Activities are included with general admission to HMNS at Sugar Land.

Sugar Land Permanent Exhibits
From terrifying T. rex to tiny, living frogs there is something for everyone at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Permanent galleries reflect the most popular exhibit areas of the main Museum campus, each of which present required science topics for Texas schools as fun and engaging activities for the whole family.
Overture - Music Classes for Kids (Saturdays)

Overture - Music Classes for Kids (Saturdays)

09-04-2010 - 10-23-2010

6

The New Community Music School

http://www.overturekids.com

NiaMoves - Houston Avenue - 3221 Houston Avenue Houston TX 77009

Admission: $104

832-390-4010

Start Time(s): 11:00 am

Overture is young children (birth to 9) dancing to live folk and classical music, singing tunefully, gaining rhythmic sensitivity, and expressing themselves through drumming and free verse.

Besides the fun of dancing and playing with instruments, children get pattern instruction based on Music Learning Theory research.

Start the Music! Register now.
Young Performers Studio (Saturdays)

Young Performers Studio (Saturdays)

10-02-2010 - 05-14-2011

6

Alley Theatre

http://alleytheatre.org/yps

Alley Theatre - 615 Texas St Houston TX 77002

Admission: YPS Annual fee: $3000 YPS FlexCard: $70 for 4 classes $120 for 8 classes

713-315-5423

rochelles@alleytheatre.org

http://alleytheatre.org/yps

Start Time(s): 10:00 am- 11:30 am

The Alley Theatre presents YPS (Young Performers Studio). YPS teaches continuing and pregressive classes in acting, writing, directing, vocal techniques, movement and improvisation.

Students can look forward to exciting activities during any of our Young Performer Studios. Our teaching artists strive to make each lesson engaging and fun. Some activities will include: storytelling, improvisation, voice, movement, and lessons on basic acting. Guest artists from the Alley staff will frequently demonstrate various acting, design, and production techniques to all of the classes.

The Alley Theatre’s Education & Community Engagement Department strives to serve future artists, educators and learners of all ages. Our goal is to encourage participation in theatre at all levels, spark intellectual curiosity, enhance creative expression and foster personal growth. By offering weekend workshops, after school classes and summer camps that focus on playmaking, ensemble building and the design process, YPS promotes individual creativity and connects youth and families to the work of the Alley Theatre in a profound and personal way.

Young Performers Saturday Studios are process classes that teach students how to do theatre. Basic skills such as acting, writing, directing, voice, movement, and improvisation will be taught on a continuing basis with students constantly being challenged to expand their skill set. Occasional sharing sessions will be scheduled as students achieve certain benchmarks, but the focus will be less on performance and more on becoming better artists of the theatre. Since classes will be ongoing, it will allow us to bring in specialty teachers to teach units on specific teaching methods. Such units will include: Viola Spolin’s Theatre Games, Rasa Boxes, Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints and Laban Movement techniques. Schedules will be released monthly and students will be able to choose which classes interest them most.

There is an annual family membership fee of $30 to become a member of the Young Performers Saturday Studio. A Flexcard must be purchased in order to attend a Saturday Studio session at the Alley Theatre.

We offer 24 studio classes during the school year. There are many options for each student within the following age groups and skill levels.
- Basic (ages 8-10)
- Scene Lab (ages 8-10)
- Fundamentals (ages 11-15)
- Troupe (ages 11-15)
- Vanguard (ages 10-15)
The Flexcard allows families the grace to attend classes when it is convenient. Each time a class is taken, the Flex card will be stamped. All students will be evaluated at the start the 2010/11 season for placement purposes. Advancement to a different level will be determined after three sessions by teaching artists as key skills and benchmarks are demonstrated. This is a great program for students involved in other theatre and performing arts programs.

The YPS Flexcards cost $120 for 8 classes or $70 for 4 classes. All punch cards expire on May 14, 2011 or 6 months after being purchased.

All classes are Saturday from 10:00am-11:30am. The 2010-2011 dates are:
- October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
- November 6, 13 & 20
- December 4 & 11
- January 8, 22 & 29
- February 5, 12 & 19
- March 5 & 26
- April 2, 9, 16 & 30
- May 7 & 14
ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition

ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition

08-13-2010 - 10-24-2010

6

Houston Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land - 13016 University Blvd (at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds) Sugar Land TX 77478

Admission: Members $5 Adults $17 Children (3-11), Seniors (62+) & College Students $14 K - 12 School Groups $750 Groups of 20 or more / Corporate $10 Ticket includes admission to the Paleontology Dig Pit at HMNS at Sugar Land

(713) 639-4629 or (281) 313-2277

http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special_exhibits/robots.asp

Start Time(s): Normal Operating Hours Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 6 pm Summer and Holiday Hours 9 am – 6 pm daily

Long before the word “robot” existed and before computers were commonly used, humans dreamed of mechanical people. Characters such as Frankenstein’s monster, the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, C-3PO and Mr. Data have shaped our imagination. Beginning Aug. 13, immerse yourself in the world of these fascinating machines when ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition opens at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land.

ROBOTS, based on the 20th Century Fox animated feature, depicts a world populated entirely by mechanical beings, including genius inventor Rodney Copperbottom and his friends, the Rusties, who seek to make the world a better place through innovation and determination.

“Robots provides a wonderful teaching tool and can serve as a great inspiration for children to appreciate science and math while having fun and learning at the same time,” said Susan Buck, director of the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. “The purpose of our Museum has always been to enhance in individuals the knowledge and delight in natural science and related subjects, and this exhibition helps us accomplish that goal.”

Enter The World of Robotics and explore both “reel and real” science of robotics. Climb aboard the Crosstown Express, featured in the film. Become a Robotic Explorer in deep space, underwater or on the surface of Mars. Build-A-Wonder-Bot that can help you out with your daily chores. Experience first-hand how robotic arms work and other Industrial Robots that have become an invaluable part of the workforce. Also, get a glimpse of the Future of Robots that will re-shape our world. Then, visit the Robots Hall of Fame, and more.

At 3,500 square feet, this multimedia exhibition captures the wit, imagination and excitement of the film and translates it into an immersive, educational experience for the whole family. From futuristic displays to real-life robotics, visitors will come away thinking about robots in a whole new way. Under license by Twentieth Century Fox, the exhibition was produced by Global Experience Specialists, Inc.

ROBOTS: The Interactive Exhibition and its national tour are made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, the community relations and philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. “This exhibition introduces the future scientists and engineers of tomorrow to the innovations of today and we are proud to continue the Ford tradition of enriching our communities through science education opportunities,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

ROBOTS will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land from Aug. 13 through Oct. 24, 2010—located at 13016 University Blvd. (at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds.). Tickets may be purchased online. For more information, visit the museum’s web site at www.hmns.org or call (281) 313-2277.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most-heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, including the Wortham IMAX® Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Houston Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. Established in 1949 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fun supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford’s legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.

About Fox Licensing Merchandising
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.

GES
Las Vegas-based Global Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES), a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a leading provider of exhibition, event and retail marketing services. Given its recent consolidation with Exhibitgroup/Giltspur and Becker Group, GES provides an even wider range of services, including turn-key official show services, cutting-edge creative and design, marketing and measurement services – all with an unrivaled global reach. GES partners with leading shows and brands, including the International CES, Spring Fair Birmingham, International Woodworking Fair, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE, Bell Helicopter, Genzyme, L’Oreal, Warner Bros., and Simon Property Group. For more information, visit www.ges.com.
Visit Dewberry Farm (Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch and much more - Weekends)

Visit Dewberry Farm (Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch and much more - Weekends)

09-25-2010 - 11-23-2010

Dewberry Farm

http://www.dewberryfarm.com/

Dewberry Farm - 7705 FM 362 Brookshire TX 77423

Admission: General Admission: Note: Checks, Cash, Visa, MasterCard are accepted ATM machine available at the farm Children 2 and under: FREE Kids (age 3-54) $1200 (tax included) Seniors 55+ $900 (tax included) Military and Law Enforcement $1000 (tax included) For groups of 15 or more paying guests, there is a discount of $100 off the admission ticket Note: This is not to be used in conjunction with any other discount General Admission Includes:  Hayride to pumpkin patch, Corn Maze, Barrel Train Ride, Fort DewHickey, Hay Mountain, Giant Roller Slide, Black Mamba, Singing Chickens, Barnyard Area, Rubber Duck Races, Pig Races, Farmer Flinger and Little Farmersville Special Activities (additional fee): Purchase Pumpkins Pumpkins are 50 cents per pound with a minimum of $1 per pumpkin and a maximum of $24 per pumpkin Goat Feeding 25¢ per container of feed Corn Cannon $300 to shoot 9 ears of corn Pedal Carts $300 for all day pass Kidilla Hoppers $300 for all day pass Pony Rides $500 a ride Gemstone Mining bags of 'rough' $500 Flower Bouquet Picking $500 per bouquet cup Zip Lines $300 for all-day pass Black Hole $200 per trip Pumpkin Blaster 3 shots for $3 Punkin Hollar $300 per stroll Season Passes: SeasonPass: $2200 (tax included) Includes unlimited general admission for one on weekends and open holiday dates during the 2010 Fall season

(866) 908-FARM (3276)

http://www.dewberryfarm.com/tickets.php

Start Time(s): 2010 Farm Hours/Dates September 25 - November 23 Open to the Public Saturdays: 10am - Dusk Sundays: Noon - Dusk Monday, October 11, Columbus Day 10am to 6pm Monday and Tuesday, (November 22 and 23): 10 am - 6 pm

Dewberry Farm is back! Open for the 9th season September 25 to November 23, 2010. Located west of Katy, Texas, Dewberry Farm is all about making memories and enjoying good clean country fun. We're open weekends to the public in the Fall, when a 4 acre Corn Maze and 16 acre Pumpkin Patch are featured activities, but there's a lot more to "dew" at the farm! We've got attractions from A to Z!

A visit to Dewberry Farm is a return to the simpler times of our grandparents. Located west of Katy, Texas, Dewberry Farm is all about making memories and enjoying good clean country fun. Our Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch are featured activities, but there is much more for all ages to enjoy!

Farms are different things to different people. To many they are the plots of land we see from the car as we drive down the highway. To others it might be the memories of Green Acres reruns on TV. Farms are a lot more than that. They produce the food we eat, the fiber for the clothes we wear and the wood with which we build our homes. Farms and farming are the cornerstones on which civilizations are built. They give us the beauty of flowers, green grass of Spring time, a communion with nature and wide scenic vistas.

Dewberry Farm is our attempt to bring a taste of the farm of past, present, and future to the public of today. Since not everyone has a grandpa or favorite uncle to visit on the farm, we try to bring some of the experience to you. And you don't even have to clean out the chicken house!

In addition to our Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch we have Little Farmersville, the Flower Patch, Rascal's Roundup, The Barnyard, Rubber Duck Races, the Chicken Shack, Hay Rides, Pig Races, and Gemstone Mining!

And come hungry (like our pet armadillo, Rooty) and enjoy the delicious country BBQ at Dewberry Farm. Our food areas (Zeke’s BBQ & Mattie's Kitchen) feature roasted ears of corn, sausage on a stick, barbecue-beef sandwiches, hot dogs, frito pies, apple blossums, pies and cakes. Chips, candy, soft drinks and water are available at all times. Hot chocolate and coffee will warm you up on the colder days. Our prices are very reasonable. Guests are welcome to dine in our large pavilion with lots of picnic tables or the tents and picnic tables located in the open areas of the farm.

The Zip Lines: Find your height on the chart and go to the Zip Line for your height. There are six different stations. Run down the ramp and your speed will carry you across sixty feet to the Center Pole. Reverse and do the same thing! What a wonderful feeling of flying!

The Lighted Pumpkin Stroll: This year, we've moved the lighted pumpkins into their own habitat -- Punkin Hollar! Artists have hand-carved different scenes on more than 500 pumpkins. You'll see carvings ranging from President Bush and SpongeBob -- to Betty Boop, Spiderman, Cinderella and so many more. It's an extravaganza! Step back in time ... to a dark wooded hollar. There may be owls in the trees, bats swirling in the sky, and twinkling stars overhead. Watch for an old moonshiner and his still! And more!

Corn Maze: Not only is the Pumpkin Stroll in a special building, but it is also the theme for the 2010 cornfield maze. Pumpkins are such a popular theme during our fall season, and we are carying it through the design in the four-acre cornfield. The maze has been moved from the place it stood for eight years - and people can have a fun time just finding where the maze is this year! Inside the maze there will be different types of games to play: (1) Word Game: Find the four word stations in the maze and answer questions; (2) Picture Find: Find all four picture stations and make rubbings from each; and (3) Finger Fun: Five stations are set up with different color chalk to color a fingertip. When all five digist have a different color, compare colors with the chart and "perform your funny".

Pumpkin Blaster: Get yourself some baby pumpkins, aim them at the targets and see how fast they will be blasted off. What a kick!

The Black Momba: The children will enjoy the freedom of movement on this unusual swing.

Join us for your old favorite activities at Dewberry Farm:

Activities at the Farm With General Admission:
Wagon Rides to pumpkin patch
Cow Train
Hay Mountain
Fort DewHickey
Black Mamba
Farmer Flinger
Giant Roller Slides
Singing Chicken Spectacle
Rubber Duck Races
Barnyard Animals
Pig Races

Special Activities:
Jumping Pillows ($3.00 All Day)
Pedal Carts ($3.00 All Day)
ZipLines ($3.00 All Day)
Gemstone Mining ($5.00)
Black Hole ($2.00)
Corn Cannon ($3.00 for 9 shots)
Pumpkin Blaster ($3.00 for 3 shots)
Flower Picking ($5.00 for a bouquet)
Lighted Pumpkin Stroll ($3.00)
Pony Rides ($5.00)
Face Painting ($3.00-$7.00)

Click here to see some of the many things to do at Dewberry Farm!
Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express (Fridays-Sundays)

Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express (Fridays-Sundays)

10-03-2010 - 10-10-2010

6

Texas State Railroad

http://www.texasstaterr.com

Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot - Park Road 76, US Hwy 84 West Rusk TX 75785

Admission: Coach & Open Air: $24 Child (ages 2-11) $4150 Adult Climate Controlled: $26 Child (ages 2-11) $4450 Adult Infants under 2 ride free

1-888-987-2461 (toll-free)

http://www.texasstaterr.com/events.php#pumpkin

Start Time(s): October 3, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30 & 31, 2010 Fridays & Sundays - 11:00am Saturdays - 11:00am & 1:45pm  

The Texas State Railroad presents Peanuts™ - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Departing the Rusk Depot October 3, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30 & 31, 2010.

Take a train ride to the "Great Pumpkin Patch"! There you will meet Snoopy, pick your own pumpkins & decorate them, visit trick or treat street, enjoy live musical entertainment, hay ride, food vendors, and more!

New this year! - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express will depart from the Rusk depot and the event will take place at the New Corn Maze. A portion of the corn maze will be open for the event. Children are encouraged to wear costumes for this fun event!

Total event lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

*Please wear appropriate socks and shoes to protect little feet.
Overture - Music Classes for Kids (Thursdays)

Overture - Music Classes for Kids (Thursdays)

09-02-2010 - 12-23-2010

4

The New Community Music School

http://www.overturekids.com

Admission: $260

832-390-4010

Start Time(s): 3:30 - Children up to age 3 4:15 - Children age 4 to 5    

Overture is young children (birth to 5) dancing to live folk and classical music, singing tunefully, gaining rhythmic sensitivity, and expressing themselves through drumming and free verse. Research-based!
Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 (Fridays-Sundays)

Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 (Fridays-Sundays)

10-15-2010 - 10-24-2010

6

Texas State Railroad

http://www.texasstaterr.com

Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot - Park Road 76, US Hwy 84 West Rusk TX 75785

Admission: $1516 - $1949 Visit TicketWeb or call 1-866-468-7630 to book your tickets today!

1-888-987-2461 (toll-free)

http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=22089&REFID=tsrr

Start Time(s): October 15, 16, 17 & 22, 23, 24 10:00am, 10:45am, 11:30am, 12:15pm, 1:00pm, 1:45pm, 2:30pm & 3:15pm *Additional 4:00pm on Saturdays 

The Texas State Railroad presents a Day Out With Thomas™ : The Celebration Tour 2010. Departing the Rusk Depot October 15, 16, 17 & 22, 23, 24.

Day Out with Thomas is an exciting way for children and grown-ups to enter the world of Thomas & Friends. Day Out With Thomas™ offers an opportunity for children and their grownups to take a 30 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, the Controller of the Railway.

Every event includes Thomas & Friends™ storytelling, a viewing station for Thomas & Friends videos, temporary tattoos, and Build with MEGA® BLOKS Bricks in the Imagination Station. The activities on site at Day Out With Thomas™ are for you and your children to enjoy for several hours or more.

Please plan your arrival times accordingly.
City of Conroe's KidFish

City of Conroe's KidFish

09-19-2010 - 09-19-2010

City of Conroe Parks and Recreation Department

http://www.cityofconroe.org/parks

Admission: FREE event!

936-522-3900

recreationcenter@cityofconroe.org

Start Time(s): 1-4pm

The City of Conroe Parks and Recreation Department presents the City of Conroe's KidFish, the 11th Annual Fishing Derby. Sunday, September 19, 1pm-4pm. A Free event!

This experience is geared for children ages 16 and under. Participants will attend KidFish College where they will learn the basics of fishing, conservation, respect for other anglers and the environment. Fishing rods, bait, and tackle will be provided or you can bring your own.

Awards will be given by age division for the longest fish and all participants have the opportunity to advance to the KidFish Classic.
Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express

Peanuts - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express

10-29-2010 - 10-31-2010

6

Texas State Railroad

http://www.texasstaterr.com

Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot - Park Road 76, US Hwy 84 West Rusk TX 75785

Admission: Coach & Open Air: $24 Child (ages 2-11) $4150 Adult Climate Controlled: $26 Child (ages 2-11) $4450 Adult Infants under 2 ride free

1-888-987-2461 (toll-free)

http://www.texasstaterr.com/events.php#pumpkin

Start Time(s): October 3, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30 & 31, 2010 Fridays & Sundays - 11:00am Saturdays - 11:00am & 1:45pm  

The Texas State Railroad presents Peanuts™ - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Departing the Rusk Depot October 3, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30 & 31, 2010.

Take a train ride to the "Great Pumpkin Patch"! There you will meet Snoopy, pick your own pumpkins & decorate them, visit trick or treat street, enjoy live musical entertainment, hay ride, food vendors, and more!

New this year! - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express will depart from the Rusk depot and the event will take place at the New Corn Maze. A portion of the corn maze will be open for the event. Children are encouraged to wear costumes for this fun event!

Total event lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

*Please wear appropriate socks and shoes to protect little feet.
Overture- Free Sample Music Class for Kids (Saturdays)

Overture- Free Sample Music Class for Kids (Saturdays)

09-04-2010 - 10-23-2010

6

The New Community Music School

http://www.overturekids.com

NiaMoves - Houston Avenue - 3221 Houston Avenue Houston TX 77009

Admission: FREE! One free visit per family After first visit, each drop-in is just $13

832-390-4010

Start Time(s): 11:30 am

Overture is young children (birth to 9) dancing to live folk and classical music, singing tunefully, gaining rhythmic sensitivity, and expressing themselves through drumming and free verse.

Start the Music!
Soul Street: Taking it to the Streets

Soul Street: Taking it to the Streets

09-25-2010 - 09-25-2010

6

Cypress Creek FACE

http://www.cypresscreekface.org

The Centrum - 6823 Cypresswood Drive Spring TX 77379

Admission: All children’s concerts are FREE and no tickets will be distributed  

281-440-4850

Start Time(s): 10:00am

Cypress Creek FACE presents Soul Street: Taking it to the Streets, 10 a.m., Saturday, September 25, 2010.

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease! They dance en pointe while semi-crouched in high-top sneakers!

Catch the excitement of Street Dance as these energetic performers demonstrate their varied styles and discuss the distinctive features and origins of each dance. From Brazil’s Capoiera to New York’s Break Dance and the multi-component form of hip-hop, audience members learn how these styles developed and evolved.

Find out what happens when today’s diverse dance styles meet classical music by 17th century composer Antonio Vivaldi!

Soul Street Dance Company takes off on the concert stage with a unique combination of entertainment and art. Attracting highly diverse audiences, they appeal to the young and old, male and female, sophisticated and unsophisticated, and all ethnicity's and cultures. Standing ovations have become the norm. Audience's leave the theater delighted!

Soul Session Dance Concert features a variety of dance styles and selections including a mix of hip-hop, classical and new dance styles with urban-fashioned costumes, and comic delivery. These high-energy selections are fun and exciting. There is no other group like Soul Street- youthful, masculine, risk-taking.... new and different, uniquely Soul Street.

All children’s concerts are FREE and no tickets will be distributed.
Dallas Children's Theatre: Giggle, Giggle, Quack

Dallas Children's Theatre: Giggle, Giggle, Quack

10-12-2010 - 10-12-2010

2

The Grand 1894 Opera House

http://www.thegrand.com

The Grand 1894 Opera House - 2020 Postoffice St Galveston TX 77550

Admission: Matinee: Adult $10 Child $6 Evening: All tickets $10 Pre-performance dinners of Hot Dogs or PB&J sandwiches (with side and drink) will be available for the evening performances from 6-6:45pm in Edna’s Room at The Grand An additional ticket is needed for the dinners and is available at $5 per person

(800) 821-1894

http://www.thegrand.com

Start Time(s): 10am & 7pm Pre-performance dinners of Hot Dogs or PB&J sandwiches (with side and drink) will be available for the evening performances from 6-6:45pm in Edna’s Room at The Grand An additional ticket is needed for the dinners and is available at $5 per person

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents Dallas Children's Theatre: Giggle, Giggle, Quack, Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 10am and
a NEW! Evening performance at 7pm.

The Grand 1894 Opera House’s 2010-2011 Serious Fun season opens with two performances of The Dallas Children's Theatre's production of Giggle, Giggle Quack on Tuesday, October 12th at 10am and 7pm. Returning this year to the Serious Fun Children’s Series are evening performances, and new this year is a pre-show dinner option for families on the go. Recommended for children in grades pre-K through third grade, kids of all ages will enjoy this hilarious sequel to the barnyard blockbuster, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.

There's a duck on the loose at The Grand. Good ole Farmer Brown decides to take a vacation and leaves his city-slicker brother, Bob, in charge with specific directions on how to care for the animals. Duck re-writes the instructions demanding “pizza for the hen”, “bubble baths for the pig”, and “movie night for the cow.” It’s another madcap musical mutiny, so come and join the fun! Giggle, Giggle Quack is based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin and adapted by James E. Grote with music and lyrics by George Howe.

Pre-performance dinners of Hot Dogs or PB&J sandwiches (with side and drink) will be available for the evening performances from 6-6:45pm in Edna’s Room at The Grand. An additional ticket is needed for the dinners and is available at $5 per person.

The children's series performances have been designated The Harris L. Kempner Children's Series in honor of his lifelong commitment to youth, education and The Grand's programming.

CURTAINS UP ON THE AUTHOR
Doreen Cronin is the New York Times bestselling author of Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider; as well as Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a Caldecott Honor Book; and Giggle, Giggle, Quack. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and their daughters.

CURTAINS UP ON THE ILLUSTRATOR
Betsy Lewin grew up in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. She always loved to draw and has always wa nted to be an artist. After graduating from Pratt Institute where she studied illustration, Ms. Lewin designed greeting cards. Later, she began to write and illustrate stories for children’s magazines, and then expanded to illustrating children’s picture books. Betsy’s art is usually humorous, drawn in pen or brush with watercolor washes, as in Click, Clack, Moo; Cows That Type and Giggle, Giggle, Quack but she also paints in a naturalistic style as in Chubbo’s Pool.

CURTAINS UP ON THE PLAYWRIGHT
Jim Grote has been a member of the artistic ensemble of Lifeline Theater in Chicago, Illinois since 1999. He became a playwright for Lifeline in 2000 with his adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Silver Chair, which was named the best family show of that year by the Chicago Tribune. Along with Giggle, Giggle, Quack, Jim has adapted Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type and Duck for President, both also based on the book series by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. He has also adapted The Dirty Cowboy and Deep in the Jungle for Lifeline’s KidSeries. Mr. Grote has also appeared onstage in Everyman at Steppenwolf Theatre, The Secret of the Old Queen at Stage Left Theatre, and has toured with the National Theatre for Children and Health Works Theatre. Jim is a graduate of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

CURTAINS UP ON THE COMPOSER
George Howe is an award winning composer/lyricist/cabaret artist. He has written the songs for many other children’s shows including Brave Potatoes; Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch; and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. His latest musical, Sleeping Ugly, which premiered at Griffin Theatre in 2006, won him a 2006 After Dark award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics.

Rated by TIME Magazine as one of the top 5 theaters in the nation performing for youth, Dallas Children’s Theater is a professional theater serving more than 270,000 young people and their families through its 11 main stage productions, national touring company, and education and outreach programs. As the only major organization in Dallas focusing solely on youth and family theater, DCT builds bridges of understanding between generations and cultures, instilling an early appreciation of literature, art and the performing arts in tomorrow’s artists and patrons.

In October 2003, following an $8.6 million renovation, DCT celebrated the grand opening of its 58,000 square foot facility, the Rosewood Center for Family Arts.
Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures Band

Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures Band

10-30-2010 - 10-30-2010

6

Cypress Creek FACE

http://www.cypresscreekface.org

The Centrum - 6823 Cypresswood Drive Spring TX 77379

Admission: Family Series Individual Tickets: $15 Adult, $12 Senior, $8 Student/Child, $10 Group Rate (6 or more) Do you belong to a scout troop? Give us a call for a special scout rate

281-440-4850

http://www.cypresscreekface.org/

Start Time(s): 6:00pm

Cypress Creek FACE presents Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures Band, 6 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2010.

Enjoy an Austin music treasure, Joe McDermott, as he performs at The Centrum with his Smart Little Creatures Band. Joe combines a teaching background with a pop music pedigree to create effervescent songs, such as “Everybody Play Air Guitar,” “Momma’s Gonna Have a Baby,” “Our Family Car is a Helicopter,” and many more! Kids identify with “I Am Baby,” while adults hear a blues lament for the harried parent whose keys somehow wound up at the bottom of the diaper pail. He can also get plenty silly, but McDermott doesn’t pander. As a result, his clever songs work for both kids and adults. He’s been called “The maestro of imagination” for his creative approach and appeal. He’s also a Parents” Choice Award winner.

Joe McDermott has been obsessed with music ever since he was a little kid growing up in Chicago, the youngest of eight children.

“It all started out with a coffee can and a couple of drumsticks my dad gave to me. I think he was sorry he got them.” His first gig was when he and his brother performed at a Harlem Globetrotters show. Five year old Joe played drums and sang “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” with his older brother. This amazing debut was arranged by their aunt who was organizing a hospital benefit. “We had medallions and everything – I wore the Sagittarius,” Joe remembers.

All he wanted to do from that point on was make music and make people smile. His next big show was in the 4th grade, when he played drums in his brother’s rock band.

As he grew, Joe’s creative endeavors shifted for awhile to fine art and painting. While he learned to play guitar and played in rock bands, he moved to Austin and earned a Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas. Hoping to make it in the art world, he took a job as an art teacher at Athena Montessori. Five years later, he opened his own preschool, The Phoenix School, in Central Austin. Little did he know how this melding of creativity and immersion in early childhood education would lead to his future career as one of the nation’s top children’s music recording artists. “It’s amazing how it all evolved so organically. I’m not sure about fate, but it seemed there has been a guiding hand in this,” Joe says.

In a rambling old Austin house, Joe and his wife ran the preschool in the front two rooms, and on the weekends played music in the back room studio with friends. Joe realized that children were an unending source of inspiration for songwriting. One Christmas, he recorded a tape with the school children as a gift for the parents. It was just a dabble into the world of children’s music, but the response was so positive, and his own experiences as a parent made songwriting for children an irresistible force.

Joe’s first nationally distributed CD, I Am Baby, won a Parents’ Choice Recommended Honor in 1998; and both Great Big World (2001) and Everywhere You Go (2003) won the esteemed Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award. Joe was honored with his first NAPPA Gold Award for Everywhere You Go, which includes the Children’s Music Web Award winning song, “Baby Kangaroo.” This song also captured a second place prize in the International Song Writing Contest, Children’s Division in 2005. In 2007, Joe released his fourth family music CD, Everybody Plays Air Guitar, which received a Parents’ Choice Recommended Honor. Many songs from all four releases are in regular rotation on XMKids Radio.

McDermott’s proficient songwriting abilities enabled him to compose music for children’s video games (Zombies Ate My Neighbors) and educational software. One project teamed Joe with Stan and Jan Berenstain, authors of the classic Berenstain Bears books. Impressed by Joe’s work, author Stan Berenstain enlisted him to adapt ten of their books to song. After working with Joe, Stan Berenstain said, “Joe McDermott is not only a magnificent songwriter, he’s also an absolute wizard at communicating with children through music.” Many of Joe’s catchy songs have been arranged for orchestral performance, allowing him to perform with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and the Allen Philharmonic Symphony.

Children’s music is a full-time focus for Joe McDermott. “What I love about this genre is how open it is to expression. His artistic training helps him create visually rich songs that evoke emotions in “people of all sizes.” He’s been called “The maestro of imagination” for his creative approach and appeal.
The World in Your Neighborhood: Grand Opening Festival for Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center

The World in Your Neighborhood: Grand Opening Festival for Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center

09-25-2010 - 09-25-2010

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Neighborhood Centers Inc

http://www.neighborhood-centers.org/en-us/content/Baker-Ripley+Grand+Opening.aspx

Admission: Free and open to the public Directions & Parking:  Because of construction on Hillcroft, Baker-Ripley may be best accessed from Sands Point Dr off of 59 South, or Rookin St off of Bellaire Blvd Limited parking is available at Baker-Ripley A shuttle will be available from these remote parking locations: Southwest Multi-Service Center - 6400 High Star YES Prep - 6565 DeMoss

713-592-0288

Start Time(s): 12:00PM - 4:00PM

Neighborhood Centers Inc. is pleased to announce that the new Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center is now open! This vibrant four-acre, five-building village center supports neighbors in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area who are working to achieve the dream of a better life.

You are invited to experience the new center first hand at a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Sept. 25, The World in Your Neighborhood. The entire community is invited to attend this free family event. A FREE day full of live performances, activities, food and fun!

The theme reflects the rich international culture of the Gulfton/Sharpstown community and the celebration will offer a sample of the area’s diverse sights, sounds and tastes to all who attend.

Information Booths & Cultural Exhibits.

Free activities for all ages include:

Face & Hair Painting
Dance Lessons (Zumba, Tango, Salsa, Capoeria)
Moon Bounce
Storytelling by Houston Grand Opera
Henna Art
Hula-Hoop Contests
Kite Making
Jump Rope Contests
Sand Art
Water Duck Fishing
Cake Walk
Wii Tournament

A Taste of the World - Free! Try food from Mexico, Africa, Jamaica, Italy and Vietnam. Also hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and paletas.

The schedule includes performances by:
- Mango Punch!
- Lee's Golden Dragon Dance Troupe
- Chu's Kung Fu
- Shunyata belly dance
- UrgeWorks Hip Hop
and so much more!

Click here for a full schedule of opening events!
Tadpole Troopers (Ages 3-5, Friday-Saturday): Sneaky Spiders

Tadpole Troopers (Ages 3-5, Friday-Saturday): Sneaky Spiders

10-15-2010 - 10-16-2010

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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/index.asp

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center - 4501 Woodway Drive Houston TX 77024

Admission: Cost (per child/per class): $15 for members (Family Tree or above) $28 for non-members Register for the fall class series and save: $53 for members (Family Tree or above); $104 for non-members 

7136818433

register@houstonarboretum.org

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/tadpoletroopers.asp

Start Time(s): See times/dates above

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center presents Tadpole Troopers.

Tadpole Troopers classes are nature investigations for 3, 4 and early 5 year olds accompanied by a big person of their choice. Learn how to engage your child or grandchild in a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Fall 2010 Schedule:
This fall we will explore the creepy and crawly side of nature. Come join us as we take a close up look at the slimy, scaly, mushy, or creepy animals of the Arboretum.

Wiggly Worms
Come wiggle and jiggle like a worm as we learn how important they are for soil and plants.
Friday, September 17:
9:00 - 10:15 a.m
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 18:
9:00 - 10:15 a.m
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Sneaky Spiders
Join us as we sneak a peek at spiders and the webs they make.
Friday, October 15
9:00 - 10:15 a.m
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 16:
9:00 - 10:15 a.m
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Snail Trails
We will get slimy as we learn about snails and slugs.
Friday, November 19:
9:00- 10:15 a.m.
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 20:
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Marvelous Mud bugs
Crayfish aren’t really bugs, so why are they called “mud bugs?” We will discover the fun antics of crayfish.
Friday, December 17:
9:00- 10:15 a.m.
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 18:
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Naturalist Explorers (Ages 5-8): Feathers, Beaks, and Feet, Oh My!

Naturalist Explorers (Ages 5-8): Feathers, Beaks, and Feet, Oh My!

10-16-2010 - 10-16-2010

6

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/index.asp

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center - 4501 Woodway Drive Houston TX 77024

Admission: Cost (per child/per class): $18 for members (Family Tree or above) $33 for non-members Pre-registration required by noon on Friday prior to class 

7136818433

register@houstonarboretum.org

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/naturalistexplorer.asp

Start Time(s): 9:00 – 11:00 am OR 1:00 – 3:00 pm

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center presents Naturalist Explorers.

Naturalist Explorers classes introduce children ages 5 to 8 to environmental and natural history topics in a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere. Classes include a short introduction inside followed by hands-on, engaging activities outside. Parents are welcome to participate with their child or drop them off.

All classes include a short introduction inside followed by outdoor activities. Children should come dressed for the weather, wear closed toe shoes, and bring a snack and water. Parents are welcome to drop their kids off or to stay and participate with their child.

Classes are offered one Saturday each month from September to May.

Fall 2010 Schedule
This fall, come and learn what it's like to be a bird! Discover how birds live and survive in the wild, and what makes each bird different.

September 18 :
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. OR 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Tremendous Travelers
Some species of birds move households twice a year, traveling thousands of miles in some cases. Discover how these birds accomplish such an incredible trip.

October 16 :
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. OR 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Feathers, Beaks, and Feet, Oh My!
Why can’t a hummingbird gobble up a mouse? Why can’t a sparrow catch a fish? Explore how birds are adapted to survive in their habitats.

November 20:
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. OR 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Chirp, Chirp, Chatter
Birds communicate in many different and unusual ways. Explore some of the ways birds talk with others through songs, calls, and displays.

December 18 :
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. OR 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Feathered Families
From nests, to eggs, to fledglings, bird parents are very busy. Come and learn about life in a feathered family.
Justin Bieber: My World Tour

Justin Bieber: My World Tour

11-06-2010 - 11-06-2010

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Toyota Center

http://www.houstontoyotacenter.com

Toyota Center - 1510 Polk Street Houston TX 77002

Admission: Ticket Prices: $56, $46, and $36

1-866-4HOUTIX (866-446-8849)

http://toyotacentertix.com/events/event_1007.php

Start Time(s): Doors at 5:30pm Show at 7:00pm

Toyota Center is excited to welcome Justin Bieber to Houston on Saturday, November 6!

After a sensational sold out first leg of his “My World” North American Tour, he’ll head to Houston on his second leg to support MY WORLD 2.0, the multi-platinum, chart-topping new album and follow-up to his debut, MY WORLD. MY WORLD, which earned RIAA platinum in just a few short weeks, contained Justin’s first four Top 40 hits on the Hot 100. This made Justin the first solo artist in history to send four songs from a debut album into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 prior to the album’s release.

An old soul is the last thing you would expect to find inside Justin Bieber. But all it takes is one listen to the 15 year-old soul-singing phenomenon to realize that he is light years ahead of his manufactured pop peers. After posting dozens of homemade videos on YouTube in 2007, where the multi-talented Bieber put his impeccable spin on songs from artists like Usher, Ne-Yo and Stevie Wonder, Justin racked up over 10,000,000 views purely from word of mouth.

“I started singing about three years ago,” says the Canadian native who grew up an only child in Stratford, Ontario. “I entered a local singing competition called Stratford Idol. The other people in the competition had been taking singing lessons and had vocal coaches. I wasn’t taking it too seriously at the time, I would just sing around the house. I was only 12 and I got second place.”

In an effort to share his victory with his loved ones, Justin began posting his performance footage online. “I put my singing videos from the competition on YouTube so that my friends and family could watch them,” he says. “But it turned out that other people liked them and they started subscribing to them. That’s how my manager found me. He saw me on YouTube and contacted my family and now I’m signed!”

Seven months after Justin started posting his videos online, former So So Def marketing executive Scooter Braun flew the then 13-year old singer to Atlanta, GA to meet with his elite colleagues. As if Justin’s natural singing talent wasn’t enough to impress Scooter’s inner circle, Braun knew Bieber was also a self-taught musician who plays the drums, guitar, piano and trumpet.

“Right when we flew into Atlanta, Scooter drove us to the studio and Usher was there in the parking lot,” remembers Bieber. “That was my first time ever being out of Canada so I went up to him and was like, ‘Hey Usher, I love your songs, do you want me to sing you one?’ He was like, ‘No little buddy, just come inside, it’s cold out.’”

All it took was a short time online for Usher to realize he was in the company of a future superstar. “A week later Usher flew me back to Atlanta,” says Bieber. “I sang for him and his people and he really wanted to sign me then and there but I still had a meeting with Justin Timberlake who also wanted to sign me. It turned out Usher’s deal was way better. He had L.A. Reid backing him up and Scooter had a lot of really good connections in Atlanta. I always tease Usher now and remind him he how he blew me off the first time we met.”

In October of 2008, Justin Bieber officially signed to Island Records. His debut album, My World is an intimate look into the mind of a budding young renaissance man. With production from star hit men like The Dream and Tricky Stewart who produced “Umbrella” for Rihanna and Beyonce’s latest smash, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” Justin has everything he needs to achieve pop supremacy.

His first single, “One Time” produced by Tricky, is about one of Justin’s favorite topics, puppy love. Usher joins Justin on “First Dance” where the two share verses on a song that Bieber describes as, “A slow groovy song that people can dance to.” On the Midi-Mafia produced “Down to Earth” Justin digs deep to talk about growing up. “Bigger” finds the teenaged singer maturing at a steady rate, while motivating his listeners to strive for their goals.

“I’m looking forward to influencing others in a positive way,” says Justin. “My message is you can do anything if you just put your mind to it. I grew up below the poverty line; I didn’t have as much as other people did. I think it made me stronger as a person it built my character. Now I have a 4.0 grade point average and I want to go to college and just become a better person.”

A virtually untapped well of natural artistic talent, Justin Bieber is primed to be a solid force in music for many years to come. “I think older people can appreciate my music because I really show my heart when I sing, and it’s not corny,” he says. “I think I can grow as an artist and my fans will grow with me.” And just think, he’s just getting started.

Catch Bieber Fever when Justin brings his “My World” North American Tour to Houston in November!

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