houston
family july 2017 free
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It’s the 4th of July...
Let’s have a parade! The Worst Sunscreens for kids
3d Printing: the future you must know today
Road Trips Rule!
+ education
directory
contents
july twenty-seventeen
on the cover Xavier E. Alberter-Galvan, age 4, likes big hugs, playing soccer, is a great swimmer, and is a wonderful big brother. Loves Mickey Mouse and Spongebob Squarepants. Enjoys working with the alphabet and building words. Also loves working with numbers.
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Photographed for Houston Family Magazine by Alisa Murray Photography..
fe ature s
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ROAD TRIPS RULE! Life hacks for on-the-road travels this Summer. by Kimberly Davis Guerra
FAMILY FYI Facts and tips you need to know
I AM HOUSTON Kaylen Simpson: Chef With a Cause by Sara G. Stephens
THE WORST SUNSCREENS FOR YOUR KIDS A top list of sunscreens to avoid this summer! taken from EWG.org
16 WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME! How to organize a simple, Fun, fourth of july parade. by Sara Stephens
20 HOUSTON FAMILIES SING SONGS OF OUR FATHERS Join these Houston families in honoring our great country by singing patriotic songs with your family by Sarah Lyons
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24 3D PRINTING IS THE FUTURE, AND YOUR KIDS HOLD THE KEY 3D printing will rock the world in many ways, but will we be ready? by John Hornick
34 TRAVEL TUCSON Looking for a family destination that is off the grid and offers something for the whole gang to enjoy? by Kimberly Davis Guerra
departments 6 EDITOR’S NOTE
10 ASK AUNTIE A Helpful advice from Auntie A by Alisa Murray
11 BOOK BITES Recommendations from Blue Willow Books your kids will want to gobble up
12 FAMILY FINDS It’s never too late or too early to join the Maker Movement
14 TALK TO THE DOC How much caffeine is too much? by Dr. Katherine Leaming-Van Zandt
on the go 35 JULY ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES
real life g ui d e 54 HOUSTON LIFE Snapshots of life in and around Houston
resources 28 EDUCATION DIRECTORY
53 MARKETPLACE
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july 2017 . houston family magazine . 5
houston
editor’snote
family PUBLISHER Kimberly Davis Guerra
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dana Donovan
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sara G. Stephens
EVENTS COORDINATOR Natalie Johse
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS John Hornick Dr. Katherine Leaming-Van Zandt Alisa Murray
quick--what three words come to mind when i say “america?” For me, the words are: opportunity, innovation, and patriotism--and hot dogs, for some reason. But let’s not talk about that. The Land of Opportunity is our country’s unofficial slogan. For centuries, we have been the world’s El Dorado, where people flock for a real opportunity--the right set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something--for education, for work, for life, for happiness. As time moves on and shifts the circumstances of how we live, we might become momentarily disoriented and unable to spot where the opportunities have landed in the shift. Sometimes we panic, and we assume the opportunities have disappeared altogether. These are the times we must muster the courage to pull back our perspective and take in a wider scope of the landscape. The opportunities are there: just shifted. Opportunities for education are still there. Your higher education needn’t be obtained at an Ivy league university, which has become more costly than many of us can afford, and which doesn’t guarantee employment after graduating. The shift we’ve made to a knowledge economy requires innovation, with skilled technicians in an array of fields, from automotive to medical and more. You can get this training at a trade (vocational) school--a higher-ed opportunity that takes less time and costs less money than traditional, 4-year institutions, and which generates immediate employment after graduation (see PAGE 26 for 5 reasons to go with a trade school). This opportunity dovetails into another opportunity--employment. We’ve all read the headlines about American workers’ losing their jobs to automation. Indeed, the right education will prepare us for getting the next generation of jobs that will be unveiled on the new “factory floor of opportunity.” Do you really want to seize this opportunity? Then you need to know about 3D printing. From automobiles to prosthetic limbs, 3d printing is today’s most promising driver of American innovation. Get your kids in on the ground floor to secure their grasp of this technology and watch their wings of innovation spread (see PAGE 22 for more on introducing your kids to 3d printing). Opportunity and innovation. These are our national riches--our wealth as a culture. This 4th of July, let’s celebrate this culture with the biggest of patriotic displays--and by that, I’m talking parade! Your parade can be big or small--marching through your neighborhood or down your driveway. The selfie above was taken when my Dad was hospitalized after his stroke. The girls and I donned our patriotic hats, grabbed some American flags, and surprised him at the hospital. He was the grand marshall, as we wheeled him around the hospital floor, playing patriotic tunes for the patients as we passed. Even Uncle Eddy joined in on the fun via phone! That day, we made a parade that rivaled any other parade going on the country, and all it took was a love of family and love of country. (see PAGE 16 for tips on creating your own parade). Happy 4th of July, Houston families! Be safe, be strong, be brave! Sincerely, Sara G. Stephens Editor-in-Chief 6 . houston family magazine . july 2017
ADVERTISING SALES Beverly Davis Tish Petty Marisa Starks
“opportunity and innovation. These are our national riches-our wealth as a culture.”
PRODUCTION Casey Johnson, Graphic Designer Gayle Wheeler-LeSueur, Graphic Designer Alisa Murray Photography Anthem in Art Photography Yvette Michelle Portraits
PRINTING Publication Printers
Contacts Us: 2870 Gessner Road, #7C Houston, TX 77080 (P) 713.266.1885 (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Houston Family is published monthly by Red Head Publishing, LLC. Houston Family is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material. Houston Family is ©2017 by Red Head Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited.
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july 2017 . houston family magazine . 7
familyfyi news, events and entertainment nt
buy yogurt, get zoo tickets
B
y mid-July, even your ur go-to, summer activities can feel a little ittle tired. One idea that always works forr suburban AND urban families is to spend an afternoon at the local zoo or aquarium aquarium. Organic yogurt maker Stonyfield wants to make that trip even more affordable for parents by giving a free kid’s admission ticket to families who buy two YoKids yogurt packs. Stonyfield is sponsoring the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ SAFE Program, dedicated to animal conservation efforts, and is embarking on a yearlong campaign to encourage kids to learn how they can help endangered species. You can learn more about the program at Stonyfield.com/Azasafe.
ivy kids continues rapid expansion, awards eight franchises for 2017 Since it started franchising in early 2016, Ivy Kids has awarded eight franchises in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. Ivy Kids’ success has stemmed from its state-of-the art facility, healthy and nutritious meals, teacher development and support, and its Ivy Prep Curriculum. You can find a center in any of five areas in the Metropolitan Houston: Aliana, Cypress Creek Lakes, Birnham Woods, Silver Ranch, and Atascocita. For enrollment forms, open house info, and/or to schedule a tour of any of these locations, visit ivykids.com.
on-demand dog walking app launches in houston ag!, the first app to provide dog owners with instant access to quality dog walkers, is now available in Houston. Even more exciting, Wag! will treat busy dog parents to their first walk for free! With Wag!, dog walkers can be summoned with as little as 30 minutes’ notice. Walks can be tracked on users’ phones by GPS in real time. A “pup report” is delivered by the app at the
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end of each walk, including a picture/video of the pet, map of the route taken, and full disclosure on exactly when and where the pet did its business. Walks can last 20, 30, or 60 minutes, with an additional charge of $5 per dog in the same household. Walkers are available 24/7. Wag! also donates a meal to a shelter dog for every dog walked, through Rescue Bank.
app helps students stand out to colleges In addition ddi i to requiring i i ACTs, SATs, essays, and applications, a wide variety of schools—from large state schools to small private schools—are signing on to ZeeMee as a way to get better acquainted with their applicants. Using ZeeMee, students can create a profile where they can post photos, videos, portfolios, files and text, introducing themselves and organizing materials by their interests and hobbies. To date, ZeeMee has worked with 200 colleges including Tulane, Virginia Tech, and Carnegie Mellon. zeemee.com
u.s. military war dogs need your support Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center’s annual fundraiser “Operation: War Dogs” serves to raise awareness about the support needed to help active and retired U.S. Military War Dogs. Meadowlake will gift a free night of lodging for every donation over $50! Donations can be made through July 4th by calling Meadowlake directly at 713-413-1633 or via the fundraiser website. www.flipcause.com/secure/ cause_pdetails/MTk0NTc= www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
The 14 Worst Sunscreens for kids! from ewg.org
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hoosing the right sunscreen from the hundreds of products lining store shelves can be daunting. EWG researchers came up with a list of 14 worst-scoring sunscreens for kids to avoid: • Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100 • Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
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• Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70 • Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray Kids, SPF 70 • Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70 • Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Water Babies, SPF 70+ • Coppertone Sunscreen Stick Kids, SPF 55
• Coppertone Sunscreen Stick Water Babies, SPF 55 • Coppertone Sunscreen Water Babies Foaming Lotion, SPF 70 • CVS Health Children’s Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55 • Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70 • Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+ • Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
• Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Sticks, SPF 55 You also can check out the ratings for almost 1,500 sunscreens, moisturizers and lipbalms with SPF in the EWG 2017 Guide to Sunscreens. For more information about how to stay safe in the sun, visit EWG’s Sun Safety Campaign. And don’t miss our sunscreen label decoder! http://ow.ly/kO4v30bYDfn
july 2017 . houston family magazine . 9
askauntiea by alisa murray
Q.
I have a daughter who, from day one, has been headstrong. As an infant, she would scream until whatever demands she was making were met, and now, as a toddler, she will not listen to me at all. I have asked her repeatedly not to rip the pages in her books, and she does so looking straight at me to see if she can “test” her boundaries! When we go to the local pool she runs from me and goes straight to the deep end of the water and jumps in, even though she does not know how to swim! I feel like I am parenting a wild animal at times, and it is frustrating. My parents have mentioned that she needs more “discipline,” as if to suggest the consequences of her defiance should warrant spankings, such as they gave to me and my siblings. My husband and I, however, do not wish to spank her. Do you have any advice on how to get her to comply? untie A: Count yourself lucky to be the parent of a strong-willed child. It’s a rough go of it when they are little, but these children are the world changers of tomorrow! Most parents figure out fairly quickly that they have a strong-willed child, because early on these children have a different set of standards that they hold us to. Their world has to bend to their desired expectations, and they are often not understood. Many times, parents interpret the behavior as defiance, when in fact, the motive behind the behavior is to see if cause equals effect. Give your daughter reasons why she should not rip her books, rather than just telling her to not do so. Explain that she can die if she enters a pool without supervision, and tell her how that happening would make you feel. As she grows, you will discover that she is inner
A
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motivated and will probably not be as likely to follow her peers as much as her own compass. That can be a blessing. Strong-willed children, if guided properly, will turn into adults that are entrepreneurs and not rule followers. These children are intelligent, often beyond their years; and using communication with reasoning and explanations usually works best.
Alisa Murray, aka “Auntie A,” is an a-winning columnist and fine-art photographer. She holds a BS in Psychology www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
bookbites book reviews
for the love of reading hand-picked by valerie koehler, Baby/Toddler: Blue Ethel by by Jennifer Back Reinhardt (Farrar Strauss Giroux/Macmillan Childrens Books , May 2017)
Ethel is an old, fat, black and white cat who’s very set in her ways. When she rolls in some sidewalk chalk and turns blue, she’s taken aback. A charming story that will help readers realize that being different from what you expected can be a very good thing. Be Quiet by M.T. Higgins (Disney Hyperion, April 2017)
The three mice from HOTEL BRUCE are trying to write a picture book without words, but they can’t stop talking. Hilarious dialogue and clever drawings allow readers to explore the concept of wordless picture books and literary terms in a very fun way.
Emerging Reader: Claymates by Dev Petty and Lauren Eldridge (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, June 2017)
An artist makes two creatures from clay and leaves. When the coast is clear, the creatures www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
owner of the beloved blue willow bookshop, and her staff
come to life and have a fine time transforming into a variety of other creatures. Lots of fun for all to share. May I Have A Word by Caron Levis (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, May 2017)
The consonants rule in this sly picture book for beginning readers. By learning your letter sounds, you get to help solve the main problem in the book: K does not appreciate C stealing his “sound.” By the end, every letter is happy, and you are too!
Tweens: Explorers: The Door In The Alley by Adrienne Kress (Delacorte Press, May 2017)
Sebastian is used to predictability and order, but things are about to change when he walks down the street and sees a small pig wearing a hat who leads him to the Explorers
Club. He soon joins forces with Evie, who is searching for her grandfather, an explorer himself. Full of humor and wonderful illustrations, it’s a great summer read. Posted by John David Anderson (Walden Pond Press, May 2017)
Shortly into the year, cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School. Students take to communicating via low-tech sticky notes, and soon both positive and cruel messages are papering the school. A powerful novel of the power of words, true friendship, and standing up for what is right.
Teens: The One Memory of Flora Banks (Penguin Books For Young Readers, May 2017)
Flora Banks is seventeen, but still feels like a ten-year-old
because of short-term memory loss, a complication of a brain tumor removal surgery. Flora is mostly confined to her house, only let out for brief periods to be with her friend, Paige. Then she kisses a boy for the first time. And remembers it. After her parents are forced to travel to France, Flora decides to chase down the boy whose kiss she can remember. Midnight At The Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Harper Collins Teen, June 2017)
Three young girls from three completely different places and decades are all connected through history. Before she’s to be sent to colonize Mars in the year 2065, Adri goes to stay with her only living relative, her Great Aunt Lily, near the launch site in Kansas. There she finds a series of letters written from Catherine in 1934 Oklahoma and Lenore in 1919 England to her best friend Beth, who has just moved to America. The end of the book reveals how all their stories connect. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 11
familyfinds the good stuff
it’s never too late or too early
maker movement. to join the
these products can help launch your journey.
Janome 2206
Circuit Cubes
Chocolate Science Lab
Bloxels
Discover new ways to express your artistic side with Circuit Cubes! Using moving parts and a motor, your art can spin and swivel or move up and down. $50. tenkalabs.com
Your resident Willy Wonka will go bonkers for this kit, which will teach him both how to make delicious chocolate treats and the science behind it.$16. Target.com
Let your kids build, capture, design, play, and share their very own video games - all with the power of regular old building blocks. $50. Fatbraintoys.com
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This full-size machine is top-rated for its simplicity and reliability--perfect for beginners. With 6 built-in stitches and a 4-step buttonhole, it will help make any design come to life. $142. amazon.com
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Filmora Calling all future Martin Scorcese’s! Filmora’s wide range of powerful editing tools enables people of all skills to create beautiful, amazing videos easily. Free download; $39.99/year license. wondershare.com
Maker Books So much of being a Maker is having an idea and matching it with the resources you have at hand. These books will help kids master this skill:
LittleBits Gizmos & Gadgets Kit For kiddos with big ideas, these magnetically-connecting circuits, switches, and output devices make it easy to build all kinds of electronic DIY projects. $199.95. Littlebits.com
Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects : Build, Invent, Create, Discover This book includes 28 kid-safe projects and crafts that will get young inventors’ wheels turning and make science pure fun. $19.99. amazon.com
Churncraft Churning butter at home is a great activity for kids! It’s a fun and easy task to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. $240. Churncraft.com
ReMaking History This three-volume set looks at famous inventions and the stories behind them and then teaches students how to build them using 21st-century tools. $47 for set. amazon.com
PinBox 3000 The first DIY, tabletop pinball system made of recycled cardboard features die-cut parts and customizable play boards, is powered by rubber bands, gravity and you. From $49.95. Pinbox3000.com
The Lemonade Stand Cookbook Kid experts from around the country inspired this compilation of step-by-step recipes and crafts for kids to make and sell. $17. amazon.com www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
july 2017 . houston family magazine . 13
talktothedoc health and wellness how much caffeine is too much? by dr. katherine leaming-van zandt, pediatric emergency medicine specialist at texas children’s hospital • Jitteriness and tremors • Agitation and anxiety • Hyperactivity • Dizziness • Difficulty concentrating • Trouble sleeping • Palpitations • Chest pain • Higher blood pressure • Stomach aches • Diarrhea • Increased urination • Dehydration Because of its rapid absorption in the body, symptoms of caffeine toxicity usually begin within two to four hours of ingestion. Although it is relatively uncommon in children and adolescents, excessive caffeine
Serving Size, oz.
Caffeine, mg
Coffee, brewed
8
133 (range: 102 to 200)
Espresso
1
40 (range: 30 to 90)
Snapple Iced Tea, Lemon/Peach/Raspberry
16
42
Starbucks Tazo Chai Tea Latte (grande)
16
100
Coke
12
35 to 47
Mountain Dew
12
54 (20 oz. = 90)
Dr. Pepper
12
42 to 44
Monster Energy
16
160
Red Bull
8.3
80
8
68 to 84
1.45
31
41g (9 pieces)
9
8
3 to 13
Foods/Beverages
caffeine intake by children is on the rise, and parents often are unaware of how the drug is affecting their kids. forewarned is forearmed. 14 . houston family magazine . july 2017
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affeinated beverages and foods, such as gourmet coffee drinks, sodas, iced teas, energy drinks, ice-cream, and candy are readily available to children and teens. However, when purchasing these seemingly innocent treats for their children, parents may be forgetting caffeine is actually a drug that stimulates the brain and nervous system. While lower levels may increase a person’s energy, mood, and performance, too much caffeine can cause many symptoms:
consumption may cause intoxication, resulting in vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and even death. According to a 2014 study published in Pediatrics, children consume most of their caffeine from sodas. However, coffee and energy drinks are increasingly representing a greater proportion of caffeine intake in children! Although parents may know of its presence in certain foods and drinks, they may not be aware of the actual amounts of caffeine their children are consuming throughout the day. The following table lists the caffeine amounts in some of the most popular foods and drinks on the market.
Ben and Jerry’s Coffee Ice Cream Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Bar Hershey’s Kisses Hot Cocoa
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Most pediatricians recommend children younger than 12 years old should avoid caffeine altogether, and adolescents and young adults should not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine per day. Other reasons for children to avoid caffeine include: • Many caffeinated beverages and foods also contain a large amount of sugar and empty calories, children may be at higher risk for tooth decay, nutrient deficiencies and obesity. • Caffeine is a diuretic that can lead to increased urination (or peeing). Without continuous hydration with water or other non-caffeinated, non-carbonated beverages, children who are engaged in prolonged, vigorous activities or live in hot, humid environments, are at particular risk for dehydration. • Although small amounts may not cause serious harm, tolerance can quickly develop, thereby necessitating higher doses to achieve some of the desired effects of caffeine. • Abrupt removal of caffeine from the diet can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, tiredness, decreased energy, decreased alertness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating and irritability. Withdrawal symptoms usually occur about 12 to 24 hours after discontinuing caffeine, peak at one to two days, and may persistent for up to nine days! So, as sports training sessions resume, and hot and humid weather looms ahead, avoid the iced or frozen cappuccinos, energy drinks, and sodas … and purchase healthier alternatives, such as water, sparkling water, milk or juice, for your children.
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july 2017 . houston family magazine . 15
when comes marching
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How to Organize a Simple, Fun, Fourth of July Parade By Sara G. Stephens
Whether you’re organizing a neighborhoodwide Fourth of July parade or involving just a few friends, this step-by-step guide will help you get started.
1
Determine your parade route.
You can go big or small with your parade. Either way, you’ll need to designate the route before you do anything else. Smaller parades can march the length of the driveway, across someone’s yard, or down a stretch of sidewalk. Any of these venues will work for kiddos’ marching with instruments and flags, etc. If you’d like to go larger, and include bikes, trucks, and floats, it’s possible you will need to obtain permission from your city council to block off a street. Determine how you will mark the start and end points of your parade. It’s also a good idea at this stage of the planning to devise a “rainy day” alternative. Garages or a www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
series of pop-up tents down the stretch of sidewalk should do nicely. For bigger events, check with the proprietor of a local gym, perhaps the local YMCA, to see if they’d be willing to let you use their space in the event of rainy weather.
2 Getwordtheout. You need two things for a parade: participants and spectators. Distribute flyers to your neighbors encouraging them to join in the fun. Hyperlocal social media sites like Nextdoor are another good way to promote your larger event to a wider audience. Make sure you outline the parade route in your flyer, so onlookers will know where to set up their lawn chairs. Encourage them july 2017 . houston family magazine . 17
to spread the word to their friends who might not live in the neighborhood. Suggest that folks dress in their most festive, patriotic attire. As people start lining up along the route, enlist some of the kids to pass out tiny flags or hats.
a patriotic banner. 3 Make Cut off 6-10 feet of red, white, or blue butcher paper and spread it out on the floor. You can pick up poster paint markers, glitter glue, and other spangly decorations at most dollar stores. Have the family brainstorm to come up with a name for your parade. Write it boldly across the banner, then have fun decorating. It’s an exciting way to visually announce the parade’s arrival to spectators. If the banner turns out nice enough, you can roll it up and save it for next year’s event.
4
Assemble a marching band.
What follows the parade banner? Why, a marching band, of course! Enlist some of the neighborhood kids to play some instruments, either for real or pretend. You just might be able to coax older kids who play in the school band to play a patriotic tune. On the other hand, you could just outfit the smaller kids with makeshift drums, tambourines, and guitars (the oatmeal box, cereal box, jingle bells and rubber-band variety) or kazoos, and it would be just as fun. Or do both--most parades have more than one marching band, right? If you opt with a strictly pretend band, consider having one of the kids pull a wagon with a boombox playing patriotic music, so the kiddos can feel like a real marching band. Are some of the neighborhood kids involved in cheer? Invite them to march along with the band for some extra adorable pep. The spectators will love it.
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5
Time for the “floats!”
Invite the neighborhood kids to dress up their bikes and scooters. Maybe they can decorate some play wagons to make floats and pull them with their bikes. Encourage the children to dress up in costume and wave to the spectators. And don’t forget Fido! Tie bandanas around pets’ necks, and have their owners walk them along the parade route. If you’re going all out with a larger parade, you can invite neighbors to put together floats using their trucks and flatbeds (we’re in Houston, so at least one person on the block is equipped). Alternatively, get together to make one, final showstopper float. Decorate the flat bed with crepe flowers, flags, and streamers. Add some hay bales for some noteworthy locals--perhaps a soldier who’s returned home--to sit on and throw out candy as they wave to the spectators.
6
Organize an “After Party.”
Wherever the parade ends, consider setting up a small table with some lemonade and cookies or other treats. A friendly red-and-white checkered tablecloth with some balloons will set the stage nicely and will serve as a sweet thank-you to all who participated. For an even bigger thank you, you can host a barbecue or potluck at your house. If you go this route, be sure to include it in your flyers and evites so you can ask people to chip in with sides and desserts (see sidebar for helpful tips on hosting a post-parade party).
7
Sit back and enjoy.
It’s the Fourth of July--a time for celebration, tradition, family, and friends. So don’t sweat the small stuff. Once the day arrives, enjoy the fun, however it turns out.
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Host an AfterParade Party! After your parade, invite everyone over for a patriotic celebration, complete with good ol’ grilling, games, and gab. Here are some tips we’ve come up with to make the day extra fun: • Decorate. Remember, it’s all about the stars and stripes! You can buy small flags just about anywhere, including most dollar stores, making the price exactly right for an affordable, patriotic setting. These stores also usually carry an entire section of red, white, and blue pinwheels, paper lanterns, flowers, wreaths, and balloons to complete the look. • Whether it’s an outdoor, picnic table or a formal, dining room table, the perfect centerpiece is just a few, crafty moments away. Consider filling large Mason jars with red, white, and blue jelly beans. Get the kids to help, so long as you buy a few extra candies to account for pieces “lost” during production. • Another way to involve the kids is to have them make patriotic pinwheels. They’re fun to make (check out this link for instructions: www.leslietryon.com/ 3dcolorcutout/makepinw/ makepinwheel.html), and you can hand them out as party favors to your guests. • Let the crafting fun continue into the party by setting up a crafting table with materials for making 4th of July star wands, patriotic www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
handprint flags, yarn-and-bead necklaces, and/or American flag tissue paper wreaths. It’s a perfect activity for kids of all ages! • Be sure to dress the part. Definitely don the colors, and, if possible, some stars and stripes, too. Another fun idea is to have guests come dressed as a state-a wonderful ice breaker and conversation starter, and an excellent way to get people in the party mindset before they even reach your home. • If guests would rather not get into costume, you can still celebrate the 50 states by asking folks to pick a state and bring a dish or food that represents that state (Buffalo wings for New York, corn on the cob for Nebraska, etc.). • Independence Day party activities mostly take place outside, where the grill is, so be sure to have some outdoor games planned. Break out the Slip ‘N Slide, fill up some water balloons, and have a watermelon-seed spitting contest. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 19
houston families sing songs of our fathers Boy Scout Arun installs flags as a troop fundraiser, with a little help from his sister, Priya.
Nothing swells the heart with pride like singing songs that honor our country. It’s a tradition that has sadly started to fade, with fewer schools teaching these songs to our kids. This 4th of July, join these Houston families in honoring our great country by singing patriotic songs with your family. We have the lyrics for some of the most popular songs here, if you need them!
Chloey enjoys the freedom of a shining sea aboard a Galveston ferry.
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER (words by Francis Scott Key)
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL (by Katharine Lee Bates)
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
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Annie invited Pops to her school’s Veteran’s Day celebration, where he was honored for his service to our country during the Korean Conflict.
Ethan, Easton, and Ella, children of a retired Naval Chief, are “Proud to Be an American.”
WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME (lyrics by Patrick Gilmore)
GOD BLESS AMERICA (by Irving Berlin)
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We’ll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah! Hurrah! Oh, the men will cheer the boys will shout The ladies they will all turn out, And we’ll all feel gay When Johnny comes marching home. And we’ll all feel gay When Johnny comes marching home.
God bless America, Land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her Thru the night with a light from above; From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam, God bless America, My home, sweet home. God bless America, My home, sweet home.
Kaitlin joins in on the music-making at a Memorial Day concert in Sienna Plantation.
Nolvia (Mom), Ethan, Evan, Madelynn, and Gilbert (Dad) pay tribute to the Stars and Stripes!
THIS LAND IS MY LAND (by Woody Guthrie)
AMERICA (MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE) (Lyrics by Samuel F. Smith)
This land is your land, this land is my land From California to the New York Island From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me As I went walking that ribbon of highway And saw above me that endless skyway I saw below me the golden valley This land was made for you and me
My country, ’tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring.
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july jul ulyy 20 2017 . h houston houst hou ton family milly magazine ne . 21
ROAD TRIPS RULE!
22 . houston family magazine . july 2017
Hitting the road this summer? Want it to be a pleasant experience? Here are a few hacks that will make everyone have a trip ďŹ lled with memories not meltdowns! By Kimberly Davis Guerra
www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
1. BE A LOCAL Try to avoid the tourist traps and the trendy destinations. Pick a place off the beaten path, have a ‘loose’ schedule and see what happens!
2. DON’T OVER PLAN When you have a family, you tend to be a planner to try to insure that everyone is happy & satisfied at all times. It’s summertime. Let go a little and see where the wind blows you! Enjoy the adventure.
3. FIND THE BACKROADS There is not a lot to see when you drive down the freeways these days. Most of the towns look alike with Super Wal Marts, Chik Fil-A and Texaco’s on every corner. Grab your map and take some back Farm to Market roads instead. You will slow down and see a lot more of what the country has to offer.
4. HAVE A THEME Pick your favorite movie, your favorite book, your favorite song. and have the theme of your trip reflect your choice. Get the whole family involved & be creative. Inspiration can come from anywhere! It will make your trip even more memorable.
5. TRIP JOURNAL Speaking of memories, there are more ways to memorialize your trip than just pictures. Grab brochures from local attractions, local newspapers, ticket stubs, wildflowers, receipts, whatever! Bring an envelope to keep everything in. When you get home, the whole family can go through the envelope together. You can glue the items onto hard stock, have everyone add their thoughts, notes, or drawings to the pages and create your own memory book. It will be a way to relive for many years to come.
6. A SOLAR CHARGER IS A GREAT INVESTMENT If technology is going on your trip, then you are going to need chargers, power cords, batteries, etc. Be sure you have ample for everyone in the car. A great investment is a solar charger for those times when there is no power www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
or too many devices and not enough plugs!
7. CASH IS STILL KING When you are on a road trip, things happen that you don’t plan. That’s what makes it fun! However, sometimes that means that the diner you stop in doesn’t take plastic. Be sure to have some cash on hand for those moments.
8.EMERGENCIES HAPPEN Be aware that emergencies happen. Be sure to have a first aid kit supplied with supplies to handle your family’s needs. For instance, if your little one tends to get bit by bugs and have allergic reactions, be sure to have some Benadryl gel on hand. Epi pens, Tylenol, band aids, etc. When you are far from home, it’s good to have the ability to handle those minor emergencies.
9. APPS ARE LIFESAVERS Gas Buddy and Dark Skies are two of my favorites. Gas Buddy will show you the closest gas stations and the gas prices. It’s great when you are getting low on gas and need to know where the nearest station is. Dark Skies will let you know if your heading towards bad weather and help you avoid it! Both are really helpful when you are on the road for long distances in unknown territory.
10. BE HEALTHY Road trips are great for new experiences, but too much ‘road food’ is never a good thing. Experience some of the local delicacies, but be wary. There is nothing worse then being stuck in a car with someone who has eaten too many pork rinds or spicy pickles from the local gas station! Have fun, but just be smart!
tell me more... We wish you safe travels and many adventures this summer! Email us some of your best pics and they may make it into our Houston Life column next month! editor@houstonfamily magazine.com july 2017 . houston family magazine . 23
3D Printing kids
is the future, and your
hold the key
By John Hornick, excerpted from his book, “3D Printing Will Rock the World”
3D printing will rock the world in many ways, but will we be ready? Many companies probably will be unprepared. But the opposite may be true of educators and government policy makers. The former seem to see that tomorrow’s workforce needs to learn about 3D printing today, and the latter are hopeful that 3D printing can revitalize manufacturing. For both, kids are the key, and schools and governments around the world are getting serious about 3D printing.
kids
are just starting to use simple, inexpensive, consumer-grade 3D printers today. They are the early adopters, and machines that are good enough today will become better and better, faster and faster, and capable of making more and more things. Kids will not only grow up with the technology, the technology will grow up with the kids because they will contribute to its advancement. Today’s young innovators will 3D print our future. To some extent they will learn by using their own machines, teaching themselves, and improving the machines as they go. But they will also need access to advanced machines, processes, and materials. Schools and governments are beginning to pave the roads that kids will follow, from printing toys at home today to making high-tech parts and products in the factories of tomorrow.
24 . houston family magazine . july 2017
Turn on the STEAM There is a lot of talk about the importance of STEM education. Recently, the issue became hotter when STEM became STEAM: Science & Technology interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, all based in Math. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States will have about 9.2 million STEM jobs in 2020. But according to the National Science Foundation, there will not be enough qualified graduates to fill those jobs. Geopolitical expert George Freedman believes the United States will have a severe labor shortage beginning no later than 2020, which will accelerate in that decade. But there is hope. According to a joint international report spearheaded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Education Society, 3D printing will significantly enhance STEM+ education within a few years. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
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Inspiring Kids to Learn Adults often ask: “If I had a 3D printer, what would I do with it?” In my 3D printing lectures, I answer this question with a brilliant insight I learned from Mark Trageser, an independent toy designer who uses 3D printers to prototype and make toys. He says, “Don’t ask me what to do with a 3D printer, tell me what to do with it.” I love it. Many adults need a little help to see how 3D printers can fit into their lives, at least today. But kids don’t ask this question. They seem to be born with the innate ability to use technologies available to them. Hand a kid a 3D printer, and he or she will figure out what to make with it. Some of the things they make may not impress you, but I guarantee you that kids will push the envelope, not only of the things they make but of what the machine can do. Kids will do things with 3D printers that we may not think are possible. Why? Because they are not burdened with adult prejudices. Kids don’t know what can’t be done. It isn’t always easy to get kids interested in learning. But 3D printers inspire kids to learn simply because they exist. Put them in the same room together, and great things will result. I hear story after story of how kids are drawn to 3D printers as if they contain superstrong kid magnets that pull back their eyelids, exposing 26 . houston family magazine . july 2017
bulging eyes. Is it that these machines empower them to make things they want, without depending on adults, or that they tug at the maker strings deep inside them, or that they know with some sixth sense that these machines have a fundamentally different ability to transport them to places they could reach in no other way? Adults can help the learning process. It is the adults’ responsibility to bring 3D printers to the kids or to bring the kids to the printers. In “Coming to a school near you” and “Coming to a school not so near you,” I give examples of how kids are being exposed to 3D printers in schools and libraries all over the world. Learning takes place for everyone, every hour of every day, everywhere we go. This goes double for kids, and the BBC gets it. In the UK, the BBC is trying to inspire young viewers with new TV shows, online learning, games, and contests involving 3D printing and other technology. In one show, Nina and the Neurons: Go Digital, the characters get hands-on experience with 3D printers. As 3D printing industry writer Michael Molitch-Hou said, the new shows are like “Sesame Street for the digital era.” Anything that connects kids and 3D printers is good, especially if it meets kids on their own ground. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
The more kids are exposed to 3D printing, the more they will be inspired, the faster the technology will be adopted and improved, and the more prepared they will be for the future.
Coming to a school near you A joint report by the New Media Consortium, the Consortium for School Networking, and the International Society for Technology in Education (“New Media Report”) predicts that 3D printing will be fully adopted in K–12 education by about 2019. An amazing array of public and private initiatives is making this happen. One is the Obama administration’s program to bring fully equipped makerspaces into a thousand US schools. Another is M.Lab21, which is bringing high-school shop classes into the twenty-first century by adding 3D printers and scanners, and developing advanced-manufacturing curricula. Its founding members, America Makes, 3D Systems, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (now called SME), will be supported by the likes of Deloitte, GE, Intel, Johnson Controls, Lockheed Martin, and NIST, which are all in the forefront of industrial 3D printing adoption. Consumer 3D printer maker MakerBot launched the MakerBot Academy to put a MakerBot 3D printer in every American high school. For colleges, MakerBot launched MakerBot Innovation Centers. The first center, at the State University of New York at New Palz, is making more than thirty 3D printers available for free use by students and faculty. 3D printing software powerhouse Autodesk earmarked $250 million to improve STEAM education in America’s twenty-seven thousand middle and high schools with its Design for the Future program. According to president and CEO Carl Bass, “Our customers have unfilled, high-paying positions due to the lack of qualified www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
US high school and university graduates.” The program gives teachers the tools they need to prepare students for STEAM careers. Consumer 3D printer maker Airwolf is implementing a similar idea close to home: teaching Orange County California teachers how to use 3D printers in the classroom. To help teachers know what to teach, teacher J. J. Johnson’s SeeMeCNC offers a complete 3D printing curriculum. How do these efforts translate into the schools? One example is Charlottesville, Virginia’s, school-within-aschool concept, where “lab schools” within area middle and high schools give students work experience in advanced manufacturing. Garnering international TV coverage, Buford Middle School launched the program with a 3D printing workshop, where students made their own stereo speakers. 3D printers are also coming to a college near you. T. J. McCue, who spent eight months traveling the United States to see firsthand how 3D printing is changing America, reports that over two hundred universities and colleges offer 3D printing coursework. MIT and the New York City College of Technology offer industrial 3D printing courses to scientists, engineers, and architects. Florida Polytechnic University opened a 3D printer–equipped Rapid Application Development Makerspace Lab. Purdue University opened a 3D printing lab for students in its College of Technology.
John Hornick is a partner with the Finnegan IP law firm, based in Washington, DC and the author of the new book, 3D Printing Will Rock the World. As the founder of Finnegan’s 3D Printing Working Group, he advises clients about how 3D printing may affect their businesses. Hornick frequently speaks and writes on 3D printing and has been recognized as a thought leader in this space. His book is available for purchase on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 27
camp directory 2012
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
E D U C AT I O N DIRECTORY
One of the most important things we will be faced with as a parent is making sure that our child receives a good education. With so many dierent options available today, it makes it very diďŹƒcult to choose a school. By investing some of your time and researching the options, you can make the right decision for your child. This directory will help you start the process. Since it only provides a small amount of the information you need to make your selection, please call the school directly. Let them know that you found them through Houston Family Magazine.
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston ChooseCatholicSchools.org
The Branch School 1424 Sherwood Forest Street, Houston 77043 713-465-0288, www.thebranchschool.org
College Nannies & Tutors 13005 West Loop South, Suite 248 Houston, TX 77027, 713-393-7724 www.collegenanniesandtutors.com/bellairetx
Cypress Christian School 11123 Cypress North, Houston Road Houston 77065 281-469-7745, CypressChristian.org
First Baptist Academy 7450 Memorial Woods Drive The Woodlands 77024 713-290-2500, www.fbahouston.org
Kinkaid School 201 Kinkaid School Dr., Houston 77024 713-782-1640, www.kinkaid.org
The Regis School of the Sacred Heart 7330 Westview Dr., Houston 77055 713-682-8383, www.theREGISschool.org
School of the Woods 1321 Wirt Road, Houston 77055 713-686-8811, www.schoolofthewoods.org
A transformative education is closer than you think. Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston serve over 19,000 students and we welcome students of all faiths to experience the exceptional gift of a Catholic HGXFDWLRQ 9LVLW &KRRVH&DWKROLF6FKRROV RUJ WR ÇŒQG D VFKRRO QHDU \RX
1XUWXULQJ HQYLURQPHQW FKDOOHQJLQJ DFDGHPLFV 0LGGOH 6FKRRO RÇ‹HUV 21st century skills including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Whether your family needs the quality care that comes from one of our role model nannies or the one-on-one attention from one of our College Tutors, we are committed to helping you build a stronger family. Please call or stop in today to schedule a personal family consultation.
The mission of Cypress Christian School is to provide students an education based upon academic excellence and biblical values. K-12 Education.
FBA is an enthusiastically Christian, academically rigorous school that fosters a passion for learning, leadership and service. Our students love school that fosters a passion for learning, leadership and service. Our students love being DW )%$ ZKHUH WKHLU FRQÇŒGHQFH VRDUV
Kinkaid’s mission is “to promote educational excellence, personal responsibility, and balanced growth; and thereby to help its students discover and develop their talents and achieve their best potentials.� The esteemed faculty and VWDNj SUHSDUH VWXGHQWV IRU VXFFHVV LQ DFDGHPLFV DWKOHWLFV WKH DUWV DQG H[WUD curricular opportunities.
The Regis School of the Sacred Heart is an independent school where boys become scholars and gentlemen. Call or visit our website to learn more.
6FKRRO RI WKH :RRGV RÇ‹HUV DFFUHGLWHG 0RQWHVVRUL HGXFDWLRQ DQG D XQLTXH learning environment through personalized curriculum. Educational programs encompass Early Childhood-Kindergarten, Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and Woods High School college preparatory.
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july 2017 . houston family magazine . 29
S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N
E D U C AT I O N D I R E C T O R Y
St. Francis de Sales School 8100 Roos Rd, Houston 77036 713-774-4447, www.sfdsschool.org
St. Mark Lutheran 1515 Hillendahl, Houston, TX 77055 713-468-2623, gostmark.org
The Village School 13077 Westella Drive, Houston 77077 281-496-7900, www.thevillageschool.com
Western Academy 1511 Butlercrest, Houston 77080 713-461-7000, www.westernacademy.net
Xplor 121401 Rhodes Rd, Spring, TX 77388 8615 West Rayford Rd, Spring, TX 77389 xplortoday.com, 877-322-2891
Yorkshire Academy 14120 Memorial, Houston 77079 281-531-6088, www.yorkshireacademy.com
30 . houston family magazine . july 2017
Our mission is to educate students in a spirit of faith and academic excellence according to Roman Catholic principles. As part of a caring, disciplined community, our school, in partnership with parents, nurtures and challenges each student to their fullest potential.
St. Mark Lutheran School has integrated Christian principles and values with a demanding academic curriculum since 1949. We’d love to show you around. Schedule a personal tour today!
We are Village. Are you? Join us for our all school open house and meet our dynamic faculty, tour our facilities and learn about our exciting campus H[SDQVLRQ :H DUH D GD\ VFKRRO DQG RÇ‹HU ERDUGLQJ IRU KLJK VFKRRO VWXGHQWV
Western Academy is a private, independent, liberal arts, lower and middle school IRU ER\V 7KURXJK SHUVRQDO DWWHQWLRQ DQG GHGLFDWHG HÇ‹RUW WHDFKHUV IRVWHU D genuine passion for learning.
The perfect balance of learning and play.Xplor provides excellence in preschool, kindergarten, before and after school programs and summer camp for families living in the state of Texas. Ages 6 weeks to Pre-K 2
Yorkshire Academy, a private school located in the Memorial area, was established in 1984, with its primary goal being to create an environment in which children can develop to their fullest potential at their own individual rate. Students range in age from 18 mos-Grade 5. Yorkshire’s afterschool enrichment SURJUDP RNjHUV FODVVHV DV GLYHUVH DV HQJLQHHULQJ \RJD FKHVV SLDQR WDH NZRQ do and dozens more.
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july 2017 . houston family magazine . 31
iamhouston people who represent all that is good about houston
kaylen simpson: chef with a cause by sara g. stephens
for A 2nd Cup, a Heights-based coffee shop whose mission is to raise awareness of human trafficking. Her passion for the culinary industry is equalled only by her passion for this cause.
FM: When did you know you wanted to be a chef? How did you go about pursuing this career? KS: I knew I wanted to be a chef when I saw the character Sookie from “Gilmore Girls” on TV. I remember very vividly seeing what she did, pointing at the TV, and saying, “That’s what I want to do!” My mom says that I’ve always wanted to experiment in the kitchen with her as a child, but I became bee-line focused on it as I looked into and applied to high schools. I was told about a high school that had a culinary program (Westside High School), and after touring the school I fell in love and knew it was the place for me. I participated in the program for the three years it was available to me and was involved in everything I could be-competitions, leadership, catering events, etc. I also applied for and was accepted into both the Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, New York) and Johnson and Whales (Providence, Rhode Island), but
H
32 . houston family magazine . july 2017
after much frustration, I couldn’t go because of how much it cost. HFM: So, what did you do? KS: After high school, I got a job at Tiny’s No. 5 in the pastry department and worked there for a year before deciding to go to a Biblical discipleship training internship in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I attended that for 9 months and right after graduating took a job as the elementary director at a church in Sugar Land. After that, I took a position as Elementary Director at another church in the Heights, which was only part time. This led me to looking for another part-time job. HFM: And this led to your becoming executive chef at A 2nd Cup. How did this happen? KS: It happened that A 2nd Cup was in the process of building and hiring. So I messaged Erica [Raggett, founder] and asked her to let me know when they were doing interviews. Fast forward, I got the job and have been here ever since. I have since quit the job at the church to pursue my education once again, as well as continue to work for A 2nd Cup.
‘‘
‘‘
Kaylen is a native Houstonian and Executive Chef
I think we all need a reminder that who we are and what we do absolutely can change the world.
HFM: Were you drawn to the human trafficking cause or to the culinary work? KS: I would have to say that it was both the cause and the work that drew me. I definitely was desperate to get my hands back into food. Being away from food for so long made me desperately miss it! I would often create elaborate meals for myself in the dorm I was living in in Arkansas, and my peers would be amazed and confused as they ate their ramen and PBJs. But I also grew to dislike aspects of the food service industry as I worked at Tiny’s, and I knew that if I were to get back into it in a professional capacity
that I wanted to be able to shape the atmosphere I was working in. Being hired as one of the managers certainly gave me that opportunity as I got to treat my employees the way I wanted to be treated. I don’t in any way want to accuse Tiny’s of being a terrible work environment. What I’m really trying to communicate is that the industry as a whole is hyper competitive, which drives people to not be as compassionate, as they are trying to get ahead themselves. This just isn’t something I thrive in. I wanted, and really still want, to see the industry come to a place where we can build each other up as creative individuals who each have something to bring to the table. Also, I love people. I have a real heart for building up and being a part of a community that rallies behind each other and around justice. I saw the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something that www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
had the absolute potential to be amazing and life changing, and I knew that I could be of use to the cause. I love that one of Erica’s passions is to equip, empower, and inspire people to use the skills that they already have and the jobs that they already participate in to advocate for victims of injustice. I don’t think that concept gets tossed around enough. I think we all need a reminder that who we are and what we do absolutely can change the world. HFM: A 2nd Cup is building out a program to train trafficking survivors in the foodservice industry. KS: Yes, our goal is to have our first cohort of interns in March of 2018. HFM: Why is this industry well suited for these victims? KS: For many reasons: Food will never go away, because everyone has to eat; the restaurant/ hospitality industry continues to grow and increase, especially in Houston; the diversity of our city is one of the reasons why human trafficking can hide so easily, but it also creates the gorgeous potential for food to be stretched beyond where it is now; and restaurants and hotels alike have been a part of facilitating human trafficking. I am not claiming that all or even a majority of restaurants/ hotels use forced or undocumented labor, but it is happening. It’s easy to hide someone in the back of a kitchen, bar, or hotel, especially as it hustles and bustles constantly--out of sight out of mind. There is also often a very high turnover rate, which means that it’s easy to keep people from noticing trends. The competitive nature of a restaurant industry also brings about a deep need to stay competitively priced, so there’s not always a ton of room for staff to be paid a great salary, and sadly, sometimes they’re not paid at all. Another very common avenue for human trafficking are cantinas where women disguised as “servers” offer their bodies instead of what’s “on the menu.” www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
HFM: Are there opportunities for Houston families to volunteer at A 2nd Cup? KS: Absolutely! We have weekly front-of-house volunteer positions available where you will help our baristas greet customers, take their orders, maintain our shop, and learn our drinks! At every major event we hold, we ask for volunteers for various positions from set-up/ clean- up to registration. All of these things can be discussed with our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@a2ndcup.com. HFM: How has awareness of human trafficking impacted you as an individual? KS: The awareness has changed many things about my life. Being constantly aware of injustice has removed my complacency for it when I see it--really in all avenues of injustice. It also has heightened my compassion for people and their stories. HFM: What thoughts regarding human trafficking are top of mind for you this month, as we celebrate “the land of the free?” KS: As I dive into fleshing out this program, and as I have more conversations with people, I realize that there is a huge misconception about human trafficking. People believe that it’s just sex trafficking and that it’s all foreign women. I think that not knowing the whole story is not only detrimental, but also greatly diminishes the life experiences of those you don’t acknowledge. The truth is that there are more forced labor victims than there are sex exploitation victims. HFM: Do you see yourself working for this cause indefinitely? KS: I see myself working for A 2nd Cup until I can launch my own program--probably several years down the line. My personal passion is food justice. I would love to go into low-income neighborhoods and build programs off of urban gardens. Like I said before, I love people, and I want to be able to provide for the hungry and use food to impact a community. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 33
Tanque Verde Ranch Photo by Kimberly Guerra.
34 . houston family magazine . july 2017
www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
4th of July Celebrations ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights: A Star-Spangled Salute. Enjoy an evening of patriotic, toe-tapping music performed with The Houston Symphony complete with cannon blasts and fireworks! All ages. Free. 8:30pm. Miller Outdoor Theatre. 6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. www.houstonsymphony.org.
La Centerra’s 4th of July Celebration.
Bellaire’s July 4th Parade and Festival. Following the holiday parade, which will roughly be around 10am, the festival begins at the Bellaire Town Square with a petting zoo, moon jumps, carnival games - including a dunk tank - and a mini Ferris wheel. All ages. Free. 9:30am. Bellaire Town Square. 7001 5th St., Bellaire. www.bellairetx.gov.
Missouri City’s 4th of July Celebration.
It’s a spectacular event that begins with a Kid’s Patriotic Bike Parade and ends with music and fireworks! All ages. Free. 4:30pm-9:30pm. La Centerra at Cinco Ranch. 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. www.lacenterra.com.
Missouri City’s patriotic tradition offers plenty of fun and excitement for the whole family! All ages. Free. 6pm-9pm. Buffalo Run Park. 1122 Buffalo Run Blvd., Missouri City. www.missouricitytx.gov.
Freedom Over Texas.
Kidependence Day!
Fireworks will ignite the sky, and country tunes will set the stage for Houston’s signature annual patriotic celebration, CITGO Freedom Over Texas featuring Hunter Hayes. All ages. $8-$10. 4pm-10pm. Eleanor Tinsley Park. 150 Sabine St., Houston. www.houstontx.gov/july4.
The stars and stripes will be in full effect as we celebrate our country’s 241st birthday at the Children’s Museum of Houston 2016 Summer of Spies! All ages. Free with museum admission. All day. Children’s Museum of Houston. 1500 Binz St., Houston. 713-535-7264. www.cmhouston.org.
178th City of Galveston Celebration Independence Day Parade and Fireworks. Nothing says “summer on Galveston Island” better than the 4th of July! Don’t miss this wonderful evening with a glittering parade followed by a dazzling fireworks display over the Gulf! All ages. Free. 7:30pm. Galveston. 37th St. and Seawall Blvd., Galveston. www.galveston.com.
19th Annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival. Celebrate freedom in The Woodlands at the 2017 20th Annual Red, Hot and Blue Festival with vendor booths, great food, children’s activities and entertainment on multiple stages plus an amazing 20-minute fireworks extravaganza. All ages. Free. 6pm-10pm. Town Green Park and The Woodlands Waterway, The Woodlands. www.4thofjuly.org. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Celebration of Freedom. Join the city of Pearland in celebrating our country’s birthday! All ages. Free. 6pm-10pm. Pearland High School Football Stadium. 3775 S. Main, Pearland. www.pearlandtx.gov.
4th of July Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk. Live music & patriotic fireworks show over Galveston Bay! All ages. See website for admission. All day (fireworks at 9:30pm). Kemah Boardwalk. 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah. www.kemahboardwalk.com.
Star Spangled Spectacular. Come out and celebrate America’s birthday and enjoy children’s entertainment, a baseball game, and a patriotic fireworks finale. All ages. Free. 6pm-10pm.Sugar Land Festival site,18355Southwest FWY, Sugar Land. www.sugarlandtx.gov. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 35
onthego
calendar of events
ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights: A Star-Spangled Salute
8 july
Sandcastle Day in Galveston.
nature revealed: leaping lizards Anoles, iguanas, chameleons, and more! Lizards are a fascinatingly diverse group, ranging from tiny geckos to enormous komodo dragons. Interact with lizard ambassadors Nemo (the bearded dragon) and Karma (the veiled chameleon), and we’ll also meet some local wild lizards. Finally, we’ll go on a hike to look for lizards and their habitats. Notes: Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather. 13 and up. $25. 9:30am-11:30am. Houston Arboretum. 36 . houston family magazine . july 2017
29
1930s Archeology Dig at George Ranch.
family faves
by kimberly davis guerra
1 saturday
4
4501 Woodway Dr., Houston. www.houstonarboretum.org.
18000 Groschke Rd., Hangar B-5, Houston. http://houstonwing.org.
CAF houston wing museum and hangar
kids 1st saturday – the breakfast klub
The Houston Wing is proud of its WWII museum is primarily dedicated to WWII aviation but which also covers American, German and Japanese military and home front life during the War. You are invited to spend time in our hangar and museum during your visit. The museum exhibits are labeled but there are knowledgeable docents avaliable to expand on the items on display. Free. 10:00am-3:00pm. West Houston Airport.
Kids 1st Saturday takes place every 1st Saturday of the month. This is a FREE event that includes a face painter, moonwalk, arts & krafts, and kid-friendly entertainment. Free. 10:00am-2:00pm. The Breakfast Klub. 3711 Travis Street, Houston. http://thebreakfastklub.com.
preschool story time – lakewood neighborhood library Join us for stories, songs, and ac-
july 4
exxonmobil summer symphony nights: a star-spangled salute Houston’s favorite Fourth of July celebration features patriotic music and a fireworks display.
july 29
1930s archeology dig TDig in and discover the past with this hands-on tutorial in archeology at George Ranch
indicates family fave pick www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
onthego Free. R.B. Tullis Branch Library. 21569 Us Highway 59, New Caney. www.countylibrary.org/tullis.htm
tivities that will help prepare your child for school readiness with basic concepts including ABC’s, 123’s, Colors, and Shapes. Intended for children ages 3-5 years and their caregivers. Free. 11:00am-12:00pm. Lakewood Neighborhood Library. 8815 Feland St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library.
melrose golf course
docent guided historic buildings tour – heritage society Nestled among 19 acres in the heart of downtown Houston, the Heritage Society boasts eight historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905. Each historic structure is authentically restored to reflect its original magnificence. Tours begin at 10:00, 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30. Free admission for children 5 and under. $6 for Children 6-18. Adults $15. Seniors $12. 10:00am. Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park. 1100 Bagby Street, Houston. www.heritagesociety.org.
young writers workshop – discovery green Kids learn to express their thoughts and develop language skills at Houston's only free and open writing workshop for kids conducted by Writers In The Schools. Limited to 25 students, first come first serve. Free. 10:30am. Discovery Green - HPL Express. 1500 McKinney St, Houston. www.discoverygreen.com.
historic buildings tour at the heritage society Nestled among 19 acres in the heart of downtown Houston, the Heritage Society boasts eight historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905. See July 1. Photo courtesy of GHCVB.
2
sunday
bayou bikers Bayou Bikers meet for 25- to 40mile bike rides exploring the bayous of Houston. Rides are open to all. Mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires are necessary. This is an informal group whose purpose is to show Houstonians and visitors the beauty of Houston's waterways. Free. 8:00am. All ages. Market Square Park. 301 Milam, Houston. www.marketsquarepark.com
head to the farm family story time – central library Come one, come all for a storytime featuring books and activities for everyone in the family! Encourage your family’s love of reading through this cross generational literacy experience. Free. 11:00am. Central Library, Jones Building. 500 McKinney St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ central-library-jesse-h-jones-building. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Looking to make the switch to organic & local? Visit this local gem and find what you are looking for. Visit their website for more info before you head their way. 12:00pm-5:00pm. Gramen Farm Store. 20158 Bauer Hockley Rd, Tomball. www.gramenfarm.com
pick your own Fresh strawberries, fresh locally grown seasonal produce, and
more, right in Spring. When the season becomes just right to buy fresh strawberries, some of the finest handpicked and the best tasting fresh strawberries and other grown produce can be found. 10:00am-2:00pm. All ages. Atkinson Farms. 3217 Spring Cypress Rd., spring. www.atkinsonfarm.com
3
monday
helping hands Join us as we build a better world with a new community service project each week! This week’s theme is Candy Bags for Cops. 12 and under. Free. 4:00pm-5:00pm. R.B. Tullis Branch Library. 21569 Us Highway 59, New Caney. www.countylibrary.org/tullis.htm.
texas snakes Learn about different Texas snakes and reptiles; and then visit with some, too! Presented by Mr. Clint of Texas Snakes. Two showings of the same event. 2:00pm and 3:00pm.12 and under.
Melrose Park golf course is one of the few 18 hole par-3 golf courses in the state. And, it is lighted for night play! Imagine being able to play 18 holes in less than 2 hours and have a chance for a hole-inone on every hole! $6 children, $10 Adults. 8:00am-8:00pm. Melrose Golf Course. 401 Canino, Houston. www.houstontx.gov/ municipalgolf/melrose.html.
family movie – lakewood neighborhood library Sit back, relax, and enjoy watching a movie that's fun for the whole family! All films rated G-PG. Free. 3:00pm-5:30pm. Lakewood Neighborhood Library. 8815 Feland St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library.
lunch at the library – central library FREE summer meals are available for youths ages 1-18. No registration is required to eat; just show up at a site near you! The nutritious packed lunches are prepared to USDA standards and delivered daily by the Houston Parks Department. First come, first served. Children must consume food on site. Free. 12:00pm-1:00pm. Central Library, Jones Building. 500 McKinney St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ central-library-jesse-h-jones-building.
stem at your library – carnegie neighborhood library Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Please contact your library for further details. Balloon Hovercraft. Make your own moving wheels using a balloon. Free. 1:00pm-2:00pm. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 37
onthego Carnegie Neighborhood Library 1050 Quitman, Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ carnegie-neighborhood-libraryand-center-learning.
http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library.
4 tuesday
Robotic Arm. Use simple materials to make your own moving arm. Free. 1:00pm-2:00pm. Carnegie Neighborhood Library 1050 Quitman, Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/learnexplore/library-events/stem-yourlibrary-70.
STEM at your library – carnegie neighborhood library
fourth of july celebrations. See Spotlight on page 39.
5
wednesday
family-friendly laughter meditation at the rothko chapel Don’t worry, be happy. Experience the power of laughter to uplift the spirit and heal both body and mind at the Rothko Chapel. The nonprofit has scheduled a familyfriendly guided meditation exploring the important role laughter can play in spiritual health. All ages and experience levels are welcome. 12:00pm. http://rothkochapel.org.
magic of reading – lakewood neighborhood library A family-friendly magic show that includes live animals, comedy, music and special treats for all helpers. Featuring magician Steve Burton. Free. 10:00am-10:45am. Lakewood Neighborhood Library. 8815 Feland St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library.
in the spotlight - carnegie neighborhood library Karaoke. Showcase your talent, skills, or wacky abilities in this friendly talent show competition. Have fun singing some of your favorite songs. Free. 12:00pm-1:00pm. Carnegie Neighborhood Library. 1050 Quitman, Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/learnexplore/library-events/spotlight-9.
puppet pizzazz A fun and theatrical program for all ages: hand puppets, giant full 38 . houston family magazine . july 2017
7
friday
kids archery class
pick your own berries. When the season becomes just right to buy fresh strawberries, some of the finest handpicked and the best tasting fresh strawberries and other grown produce can be found. See July 2.
creative team building
body puppets, puppets made from found objects and recycled materials, and shadow puppetry too! All ages. Free. 10:30am-11:15am. Carnegie Neighborhood Library 1050 Quitman, Houston. http:// houstonlibrary.org/learn-explore/ library-events/puppet-pizzazz-7.
Instant Challenge for Destination Imagination. Ages 13-17. Free. 1:30pm and 3:30pm. R.B. Tullis Branch Library. 21569 Us Highway 59, New Caney. www.countylibrary.org/ tullis.htm.
docent guided historic buildings tour
toddler storytime – blue willow book shop
See July 1.
We read a book, sing songs, and do a craft! Toddlers, Preschool. Free. Blue Willow Book Shop. 14532 Memorial Dr., Houston. www.bluewillowbookshop.com.
lunch at the library – central library See July 3.
6
thursday
summer sounds on the plaza kicks off with the boomtown brass band
STEM at your library – lakewood neighborhood library
The summer is heating up with a family-friendly New Orleans jazz concert at Rothko Chapel. Families are invited to bring a blanket and picnic and grab a spot on the lawn. Free. Suggested donation $10. 7:00pm. http://rothkochapel.org.
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Free. 3:00pm. Lakewood Neighborhood Library. 8815 Feland St., Houston.
Mangum-Howell Center is offering children’s archery and archery safety 1 hr lessons at a full-service outdoor range. Bows, arrows, and arm guards will be provided. Free. Ages 9-15. 9:00am. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Mangum-Howell Center is in Doss Park. 2500 Frick Road, Houston. www.hcp4.net/community/ comunitycenters
giving spirits benefiting caiden’s hope Come out to enjoy live music from Collector's Item in the Plaza and learn more about the local non-profit, Caiden's Hope! This organization increases each NICU parent's ability to care personally for their precious newborn by partnering with hospital social services departments nationwide to provide travel expenses for NICU families. Entertainment will include a mix of dance, Motown, funk, R&B, smooth jazz & contemporary music. Free. All ages. 7:30pm-9:30pm. Sugar Land Town Square. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com
royal purple racewaylegal street racing Friday Night LEGAL Street racing is where you can race your friends or pit your car against the world www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
fourth of july celebrations
Fourth of July Celebration at Bayou Bend
Fourth of July Celebration at Bayou Bend Celebrate Independence Day at Houston’s home for American decorative arts and paintings. The annual Fourth of July festival at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens offers an extravaganza of Americana performers, crafts, activities, refreshments and even a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence for everyone to sign before they leave. A reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a lemonade toast, takes place twice during the afternoon on the Diana Terrace. Free. 12:00pm-5:00pm. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. 6003 Memorial Dr., Houston https://www.mfah.org.
Kidpendence for Kids The stars and stripes will be in full effect as we celebrate our country’s 241st birthday at the Children’s Museum of Houston. Before rockets glare and fireworks are in the air, exercise your right to be a kid as long as possible with some good ole American fun. Don’t forget to wear your red, white, and blue to pay tribute to the land of the free and the home of the brave. Meet the embodiment of American patriotism, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. $12. 10:00am-6:00pm.Children's Museum of Houston 1500 Binz, Houston, TX 77004 http://www.cmhouston.org.
Red, White, Blues & Brews Featuring Tribute to George Strait Band Pack up your chairs and head to the Plaza to indulge in snacks and brews from Baker Street and live country music from Tribute to George Strait to kick off your 4th of July weekend! Having spent time at the Grand Ole Opry, Derek Spence shared the stage with folks like Shania Twain, Diamond Rio, Kenny Rogers, Trisha Yearwood, and Restless Heart. Not only does he sing George's tunes, he looks like him too! This is going to be a concert you won't want to miss. (Note: this will not include a firework ceremony, only live entertainment). Free. All ages. 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Sugar Land Town Square. 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com
ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights: A Star-Spangled Salute Houston’s favorite Fourth of July celebration features patriotic music and a fireworks display, courtesy of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Celebrate Independence Day with a true Houston tradition at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Featuring patriotic tunes and post-concert fireworks, this year’s Star-Spangled Salute showcases vocalist Ryan Shaw’s soulful sound and the spirited leadership of our new Principal POPS’ Conductor, Steven Reineke. Fireworks begin at 10:00 PM. All ages. Free tickets available while they last. See website for details. 8:30pm. Miller Outdoor Theatre. 6000 Hermann Park, Houston. http://www.houstonsymphony.org. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
july 2017 . houston family magazine . 39
onthego mance. No two performances will be the same, and each performance will culminate in a big kid dance party and trash orchestra with Garbage Man Joe and the cast. Old toys will be donated each week to a local charitable organization. Each ticket includes one complimentary beverage of coffee, mimosas or juice boxes for the kids. $10. 10:30am-11:30am. Rec Room Arts Bar. 100 Jackson St., Houston. www.recroomhtx.com.
famous timers on the fastest quarter-mile on the planet. There is no place for street racing on Texas streets and highways. We encourage this practice only at Royal Purple Raceway in a controlled setting. Race the strip not the street! Car & Driver: $20, Spectators: $10, Children 12 and under are free. 6:30pm-12:00am. Royal Purple Raceway 2525 FM 565, Baytown. http://racerpr.com.
the big show 2017 The Big Show is an annual juried exhibition showcasing new work in all media by artists living within a 100-mile radius of Lawndale Art Center. With 'Rate of Change' as its organizing principle, The Big Show 2017 showcases works of art addressing change - in its myriad forms - within the past year. Free. 12:00pm-6:00pm. Lawndale Art Center. 4912 Main Street Houston. askus@lawndaleartcenter.org.
tanabata festival The Children’s Museum of Houston and the Consulate General of Japan at Houston invite you to celebrate the Make a Wish! As legend is told in the Japanese culture, two lovers, Vega and Altair are separated by the Milky Way. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. This reunion marks the celebration of Tanabata. Join us as we honor this special occasion through traditional Japanese Dance, Kamishibai (Tanabata storytelling), and the hanging of Tanzaku (wish cards). Toddlers, Preschool, and Elementary age children. $12. 10:00am-3:00pm. Children's Museum of Houston. 1500 Binz, Houston. www.cmhouston.org/event.
dive-in movie
second saturday bird walks. Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. See July 8.
fun family activities that are sure to entertain kids and adults alike! All ages. $18 for adults and children ages 12-18. $14 for children ages 2-11. $11.50 for Ages 65 and up. (Check Houston Zoo website for evening and other discounts.) Houston Zoo. 6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. www.houstonzoo.org/cool-nights.
8
saturday
sand castle day Each event will begin with an instructor building a sandcastle from 8-11am. Followed by lessons at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Equipment will be provided on a limited basis and participants are encouraged to bring their own sand buckets and shovels. Event is free. Parking at Stewart Beach costs $15 per car during Sandcastle Days. Stewart Beach. 201 Seawall Blvd., Galveston. www.galvestonbeachinfo.com.
cool nights Sponsored by TXU Energy, Cool Nights allows patrons to enjoy the animals the cooler evening weather by staying open later. From 5-8pm guests can enjoy added music and 40 . houston family magazine . july 2017
second saturday bird walks Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join
us on the second Saturday of each month at the front door of the building for a two-hour bird walk led by Kelsey Low, resident bird enthusiast. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all ages (as long as you’re quiet) but no dogs, please! All ages. Free. 8:00am-10:00am. Houston Arboretum. 4501 Woodway Dr., Houston. www.houstonarboretum.org.
houston symphony symphonic sights and sounds $20 Orchestra/ FREE Mezzanine & Lawn seating. 8:00pm. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. www.woodlandscenter.org.
garbage island 3.0 Featuring absurdist humor and improvisation as well as audience participation, Garbage Island takes place in a literal garbage dump where off-the-wall characters come to life to solve mysteries using creative and critical thinking skills. Children are invited to bring an old toy with them every week that may be used during the perfor-
Swim and a movie! $5. 8:30pm – 10:00pm. All ages. Ridgewood Pool. 4192 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
screen on the green - trolls Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Poppy and Branch will be on-site for photos from 6:15-8:15pm. Movie begins at 8:30. You are welcome to bring blankets,and chairs to view from the hill. Food and beverags are available at the Lake House. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages, please. Free. 6:15pm-10:00pm. Discovery Green - Anheusur Busch Stage. 1500 McKinney St, Houston. www.discoverygreen.com/1360676
family story time – central library Come one, come all for a storytime featuring books and activities for everyone in the family! Encourage your family’s love of reading through this cross generational literacy experience. Free. 11:00am-12:00pm. Central Library, Jones Building. 500 McKinney St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ central-library-jesse-h-jones-building
28th annual shrimp boil On Saturday, July 8, 2017, Houston community members are invited to the 28th Annual Shrimp Boil, www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
where thousands of pounds of shrimp will be served to raise funds for breast cancer healthcare. All ages. $10-$30. 4:00pm-8:00pm. Pasadena Convention Center. 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. http://bit.ly/2rkGJfO
family movie – lakewood neighborhood library See July 3.
lunch at the library – central library See July 3.
11
tuesday
Central Library, Jones Building. 500 McKinney St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ central-library-jesse-h-jones-building
lunch at the library – central library
FREE Houston Museum District Thursdays.
See July 3.
9 sunday square fit bootcamp full moon labrynth walk The public is invited to participate in Full Moon labyrinth walks. 8:20pm. Each walk begins approximately 1/2 hours after sunset. To access the beach labyrinth, use the seawall steps located at 17th and Seawall Boulevard. Free. Stewart Beach. 201 Seawall Blvd., Galveston. www.galvestonbeachinfo.com
justice advocacy workshop The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites the interested public to attend a Justice Advocacy Workshop taught by experts from TX Impact, an Austin-based interfaith justice advocacy organization. Free. 4:00-6:00pm. 6 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas, Robertson Hall, as well as online, via web meeting. The University of St. Thomas. 3800 Montrose Blvd. in Houston. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
harlem globetrotters world tour All $19 and up. 3:00pm. Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Rd., Cypress. www.berrycenter.net/
10 monday paddles & paws Explore Lake Woodlands with man’s best friend. 2 hr rental. Dog life jackets are required. You are welcome to bring your own or borrow one from the Riva Row Boat House (limited availability). $15 - $20. 2:00pm-6:00pm. 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands. https://apm.activecommunities.com/ wcscparksandrec/Home www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Break a sweat without breaking the bank! Head out to The Square for a free, high intensity class by Fit Factor that will tone muscles and build strength. Free. 6:00pm-7:00pm. The Square at Memorial City. 303 Memorial City Way, Houston. www.memorialcity.com
beginning skateboarding class An introductory class designed to teach participants on the proper technique of skateboarding and to enhance their overall experience at the skatepark. Enrollments are filled on a 'first-come, first served' basis during specified registration periods listed above. Classes are limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Participants must bring their own skateboard and skateboarding helmet. Also, it is recommended for each participant to bring a plastic bottle of water. No class on July 4th due to holiday. Registration from June 26th July 6th. Free. 5:00pm-6:00pm. 103 Sabine St, Houston. 713-222-5500. www.houstontx.gov/ parks/parksites/leejoepark.html
toddler yoga Toddler Yoga is a fun, active way to interact with your child as they become a lot more mobile. You will be shown simple yoga poses that you can demonstrate to your child first and then encourage your child to do the pose. Over time, practicing poses will eventually take place! A fun program that will give your child a sense of accomplishment. 2 years and under. Parent or caregiver must accompany child in class. Free. 10:30am-11:15am.
hawaiian luau with “elvis” luncheon Dress up in a floral outfit and join the fun Hawaiian Luau featuring Elvis tribute artist Billy Wayde. Sing along, shake your hips and legs, and sway to the music of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. The delicious lunch menu includes pork loin, new potatoes, vegetable medley, rolls, pineapple upside down cake for dessert, along with iced tea and coffee. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, July 7. $10 suggested donation. 12pm. All ages. Mangum-Howell Center is located in Doss Park, 2500 Frick Road, Houston. www.hcp4.net/ community/communitycenters.
texas snakes and more – bracewell neighborhood library This snake and reptile show educates and entertains people about snakes and provides participants an opportunity to touch a variety of non-venomous snakes. Free. 10:30am-11:15am. Bracewell Neighborhood Library. 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library.
12
wednesday
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Every Thursday, many of Houston’s museums offer free admission.
Holocaust Museum Houston 2-5pm. 5401 Caroline St., Houston. www.hmh.org.
Children’s Museum of Houston 5-8pm.1500 Binz St., Houston. www.cmhouston.org.
Health Museum 2pm-5pm. 1515 Hermann Dr., Houston. www.mhms.org.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 10am-9pm. 1001 Bissonnet, Houston. www.mfah.org.
nature discovery center - scales and tails
Houston Museum of Natural Science
All about reptiles, including snake skins and sheds, turtle shells, an alligator skull, and live animals to be touched like snakes, lizards, turtles, and more! Free. 10:00am-10:45am. Lakewood Neighborhood Library 8815 Feland St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library
2-5pm. 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. www.hmns.org.
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum 1-5pm. 3816 Caroline St., Houston. www.buffalosoldier museum.com.
july 2017 . houston family magazine . 41
onthego Beach Tour "Texas Grand Prix." This is the USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier. You do not have to be a GCVA member to participate. Registration at www.teamusa.org. Entry fee $25.00. Ages 12+. 8:30am. East Beach, Galveston. www.galveston.com
rolling roadshow Join us for a movie under the stars as the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow presents Almost Famous (R). Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and grab a spot on the lawn as we watch this story about a high-school boy who is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine about an up-andcoming rock band as he follows them on tour. Free. Ages 8:30pm. 13+. Market Square Park, 301 Milam, Houston. www.marketsquarepark.com.
moonlight movies The summer movie series continues with a showing of Tangled. Free popcorn from Sewell Cadillac! Movie starts at dusk; no outside food & beverages allowed. Free. All ages. 8:00pm. City Centre, 800 Town & Country Blvd., Houston. www.citycentrehouston.com
lunch at the library – central library See July 3.
13 thursday game of phones Use your smart phone as the ultimate gaming partner. Find the weirdest and best things on your phone to win. Only the fastest and funniest will survive. Free. 3:00pm. Bracewell Neighborhood Library. 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
learn parkour Experienced, certified coaches utilize a unique, deconstructed approach to teaching running, jumping, climbing, crawling, balancing, vaulting, and fluidly moving through any environment…Turning “working out” into “play”. This is a beginner class and will meet on the Deck under the Oak Trees. Participant must arrive by 6:45pm to take part in this class. Under 18 must have 42 . houston family magazine . july 2017
pig the pug and pig the winner storytime
disney princess day with the astros Join the Astros and have the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses, get your face painted, participate in a costume contest, and get a special Astros princess item as they take on the Minnesota Twins. See July 16. Photo courtesy of GHCVB.
Join Pig the Pug as he learns lessons the hard way with his footlong playmate Trevor by his side. Young readers will love the irresistibly quirky and funny illustrations that are paired with a relatable lesson of learning to share with others. Activities to follow. Free. 11:00am. All ages. Barnes & Noble River Oaks. 2030 W. Gray St., River Oaks. www.barnesandnoble.com
buffalo bayou volunteer day parental consent. Limited to 25 students per class. Participants are required to sign an exercise release form upon arrival. Wear clothing that allows freedom of movement (Jeans or other tight, restricting clothing are discouraged). Bring water. Free. Ages 12+. 6:30pm-8:00pm. Discovery Green. 1500 McKinney, Houston. www.discoverygreen.com
Izumi Miyahara, and harpist Emily Klein have a sensational concert planned for “Music for Autism” families and friends. Free for individuals with autism and their family members. 11:00am. RSVP Westview School 1900 Kersten Dr., Houston. https://musicforautism.org.
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Sit back, relax and enjoy great music of local favorites, Sound Advice with a nice cool breeze blowing off Towne Lake. Free. All ages. 6:30–9:00pm. Boardwalk Towne Lake, 9945 Barker Cypress Rd., Cypress. www.boardwalktl.com
friday
$1 movies at SMG Fall in love with Kung Fu Panda again! For $1 tickets, you can bring the whole neighborhood crew! $1. All ages. 10:00am. Studio Movie Grill, greater Houston locations. www.studiomoviegrill.com
music for autism Music for Autism is enriching lives and raising public awareness through autism-friendly interactive concerts developed specifically for individuals with autism and their families. Based in Houston, inFLUX founders flutist
soundwaves on the boardwalk
kids archery class See July 7. cool nights See July 7.
15
saturday
USAV junior beach tour: texas grand prix The Gulf Coast Volleyball Association will host its USAV Junior
Get your gloves out and sign up for a Volunteer Workday at Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Help maintain and revitalize Buffalo Bayou this summer while having fun. No tools necessary. Just sign up and complete the required online volunteer waiver. Free. 8:30am-11:30am. The Water Works. 105 Sabine St., Houston. http://buffalobayou.org/ event/volunteer-workday-july-2017
dr. who revelations His identity is vast as space and timeless as infinity. But, who is Doctor Who? Unravel the mysteries of the ultimate Time Lord and encounter not one, not two, but THREE of your favorite incarnations of The Doctor. Accompanied by the time-travelling ship, the TARDIS, join planet Gallifrey’s inhabitant and take part in our Sonic Screwdriver workshop during this fan celebration. $12. 10:00am-6:00pm. At Kids' Hall Alcove. Children's Museum of Houston 1500 Binz, Houston. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
music on the patio at italian maid cafe
Galveston Events
The annual Music on the Patio series returns to the Italian Maid Cafe, with summer concerts happening once a month on Saturdays from 5-7:30pm. Planned performances jazz guitarist Rom Ryan on July 15 and guitarist Brian Rutledge on Aug. 26. Free. 5:00pm-7:30pm. www.italianmaidcafe.com. Bands on the Sands at Moody Gardens.
CAF houston wing musuem and hangar See July 1.
garbage island 3.0 See July 8.
16 sunday dolphin sightseeing tour Join Galveston Water Adventures for their one hour tour of Galveston’s Harbor to see birds and marine life. They are usually able to get a close-up view of playful dolphins jumping. The tour is aboard Cruise-N-Time, their twin engine open-air tour boat. $8 kids under 12, $12 adults. 10:00 am. Galveston Water Adventures, Pier 21, 100 21 St., Galveston. www.galveston.com
disney princess day with the astros Join the Astros with a special ticket package and have the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses, get your face painted, participate in a costume contest, and get a special Astros princess item as they take on the Minnesota Twins. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with princesses, such as Cinderella, Jasmine, Elsa, Tiana, Snow White, and more! $20 - $50 Special ticket required. All ages. Game is at 1:10pm (arrive early). Minute Maid Park, 501 CrawfordSt., Houston. www.houston.astros.mlb.com.
17 monday astros vs. mariners, coca-cola value night Discover one of the best ballpark www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
First Food Truck Saturday Kicks Off July 1st Stewart Beach 6-9pm Galveston is known for its pristine beaches and outstanding food, and both will be in the spotlight on July 1 at the 1st Food Truck Saturday at Stewart Beach Park. Six premiere eateries in the HoustonGalveston area will have their food trucks at the event, which takes place from 6-9 p.m. There’ll also be attractions for the kids, including a waterslide, bungee trampolines and more! Participating food vendors include Pounders Food Truck, Cool Runnings Jamaica Grill, Cousin’s Main Lobster Food Truck, Nacho Nachos, D’Lish Curbside Bistro, and The Cuban Spot. Stewart Beach Park is located at 201 Seawall Blvd, Galveston.
Boots ‘N Eats on the Beach Stewart Beach Pavilion 6-9pm Galveston kicks off the month, with a free concert from award-winning country music star and four-time Texas Female Vocalist of the Year, Bri Bagwell. Free. All ages.
Galveston Gears Up for Independence Week The barbecue pits are about to be fired up, while fireworks light up Galveston skies as Islanders and visitors alike gather to say, “Happy Birthday, America!” Indeed, Galveston is the place to be to celebrate Independence Day week, which runs from Friday, June 30 to Saturday, July 8. To be sure, there’ll be spectacular fireworks – and much more! There’s something in store for the entire family, from a traditional Independence Day parade to Movies on The Strand, and live music at Moody Gardens. Fasten your seat belts – it’s about to go down! Moody Gardens will host its popular Bands on the Sand concert series on three nights – Friday, June 30; Saturday, June 1; and on Friday, July 7. Each concert will be followed by a fireworks display over Offatts Bayou.
Bands on the Sand concerts are held from 6-10pm at Moody Gardens’ Palm Beach. Tickets are $15 per person. For details, visit online or call 800-582-4673.
Independence Day Parade At 7:30pm on July 4, Galveston Island will celebrate its annual Independence Day parade with a procession of floats, decorated military vehicles and performers. The parade will kick off at 7:30pm on Seawall Boulevard starting at 59th Street and ending at 22nd Street. After the parade, the Island will host a 20-minute fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico near 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard. The Galveston Park Board of Trustees is sponsoring the fireworks display. There will also be fireworks displays at 9pm on July 2 and July 3, also near 37th Street and Seawall. And if you miss all three fireworks show, come back on any Sunday through Sept. 3rd – The fireworks shows will take place at 9pm at the intersection of 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard!
Sand Castle Day July 8, 2017 8am-4pm, Stewart Beach Attention budding builders – sandcastle builders, that is. This summer, Galveston will host a free, family friendly event series to help beachgoers create spectacular sandcastles with tips from the pros. Visitors to Stewart Beach can participate in “Sandcastle Days” events to receive free sandcastle building lessons from a professional sandcastle builder. Each event will begin with an instructor building a sandcastle from 8-11am followed by lessons at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Equipment will be provided on a limited basis and participants are encouraged to bring their own sand buckets and shovels. Registration is not required. The lessons will take place on the sand near the Stewart Beach Pavilion. Sandcastle Days events will be led by sculptors Emerson Schreiner and Lucinda Weirenga. july 2017 . houston family magazine . 43
onthego City Centre, 800 Town & Country Blvd., Houston. www.citycentrehouston.com
bargains for select weekday games with a Deck I ticket, hot dog, popcorn and Coca-Cola product for only $18! 7:10pm. Minute Maid Park. 501 Crawford Street, Houston. www.houstonastros.mlb.com
kids archery class
family movie – lakewood neighborhood library See July 3.
lunch at the library – central library See July 3.
18 tuesday summer fun with emma virjan – blue willow book shop Author Emma Virjan will read from her beloved 'Pig in a Wig' rhyming books, and we'll have a fun photo booth activity! Free. 11:00am. Blue Willow Book Shop. 14532 Memorial Dr., Houston www.bluewillowbookshop.com/ event/summer-fun-emma-virjan
nature discovery center - bunny buddies Students learn all about rabbits and how to love them while visiting with a live rabbit and listening to a rabbit tale. Free. 10:30am. Bracewell Neighborhood Library 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
toddler yoga See July 11. lunch at the library – central library See July 3.
toddler story time – carnegie neighborhood library See July 11.
circus acts. Circus Arts will consist of ground arts and ground acrobatics such as, contortion/flexibility, Low Tight wire, Partner acrobatics, juggling and hand balancing. See July 25.
Free. 11:00am. Blue Willow Book Shop 14532 Memorial Dr., Houston. www.bluewillowbookshop.com/ event/summer-fun-emma-virjan
houston world series of dog shows The Houston World Series of Dog Shows is a cluster show, meaning it is actually several separate shows, held over consecutive days. Beginning Wednesday, visitors can catch the Houston Working Dog and All-Terrier shows and chat with owners/handlers as they prepare their show dogs in the Crating and Grooming area. Free admission & parking today only. All ages. 8:00am-6:00pm. NRGPark, 8400 Kirby Dr., Houston. www.visithoustontexas.com
docent guided historic buildings tour See July 1.
20 19 wednesday coffee cake book club The Coffee Cake Book Club meets the third Wednesday of each month. 44 . houston family magazine . july 2017
thursday
$1 movie Hotel Transylvania 2. $1. 9:30am. All ages. Cinemark Memorial City, Memorial City Mall, Houston. www.cinemark.com
blanket bingo at market square park This popular park favorite is back! Bring your blanket and lawn chairs — or snag one of the tables at the park — for a night of bingo, music and great prizes. The event benefits Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. $10. All ages. 6:00pm-9:00pm. Market Square Park, 301 Milam, Houston. www.visithoustontexas.com
summer sounds on the plaza See July 6. stem at your library
Mangum-Howell Center is offering children’s archery and archery safety 1 hr lessons at a full-service outdoor range. Bows, arrows, and arm guards will be provided. Free. Ages 9-15. 9:00am. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Mangum-Howell Center is in Doss Park, 2500 Frick Road, Houston. www.hcp4.net/ community/comunitycenters
afternoon movie and popcorn Mangum-Howell Center is offering a showing of Hope Floats along with popcorn, drinks, and treats. In this romantic drama, Birdee Pruitt (Sandra Bullock) has a life most people would envy. But when her cheating husband reveals his infidelity to her on a national TV talk show, her perfect life comes crashing down. Devastated, Birdee and her young daughter try starting over by returning to her small Texas hometown. Free. All ages. 1:00pm. Mangum-Howell Center is in Doss Park, 2500 Frick Road, Houston. www.hcp4.net/community/ comunitycenters
cool nights – houston zoo See July 7.
See July 6.
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21
manga mania – bracewell neighborhood library
friday
parachute play time Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus presents Parachute Play Time with Gymboree Play & Music for a morning of toddler-friendly fun. Young children are encouraged to learn and develop as they play movement games, participate in song and dance, and experience the famous 20-foot rainbow parachute. Free. Toddlers. 10:00am-12:00pm.
saturday
Meet up and share your love of Japanese comics with fellow enthusiasts. Free. 2:00pm. Bracewell Neighborhood Library 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
make and take arts & crafts Be creative with nature-themed arts and crafts! Participants can www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
create pieces of colorful art by making fish or leaf prints using washable paints. Crafters may also make their own all-natural bird feeder using pine cones, peanut butter or honey, and bird seed. Projects vary by season and available resources. $5 per adult ages 13+; no additional charge for activities. No reservations necessary. 10:00am – 11:00am. Lake Livingston State Park, 300 Park Rd., Livingston. www.tpwd.texas.gov.
good morning, superman!, be a star, wonder woman! and bedtime for batman storytime Superheroes have to get up in the morning, go to school and have a bedtime, just like you! Join us as we read about turning everyday situations into amazing super adventures! Kids, come dressed as your favorite superhero, villain or character to show your fandom! Activities to follow. Free. 11:00am. All ages. Barnes and Noble River Oaks, 2030 W. Gray St., River Oaks. www.barnesandnoble.com
saturdays in smither park Watch Houston's newest and most creative green space evolve as local artists hand-place reused and repurposed material to mosaic the park's many structures. Spend time gazing at all the whimsical mosaics that have been completed including the rocketship, octopus, goldfish, and crazy cat lady. Bring a picnic lunch and hang out under the Vinson & Elkins Pavilion, start a spontaneous drum circle or performance in the Lindley Fish Amphitheater, or just enjoy relaxing on the swings. And while you're there, make sure to visit The Orange Show Monument, located next door! Free. All ages. 11:00am-2:00pm. Smither Park, 2402 Munger St., Houston. www.visithoustontexas.com
anime club Calling all otaku! Let's meet up www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
2618 Broadway, Galveston. www.galvestoncm.org
family movie – lakewood neighborhood library See July 3.
25
tuesday
circus acts
close up comedy magic show. In-house comedy magician who will wow and amaze you while getting everyone involved and laughing along the way. See July 27.
Discover a fitness form consisting of ground arts and acrobatics. Circus Arts will consist of ground arts and ground acrobatics such as, contortion/flexibility, Low Tight wire, Partner acrobatics, juggling and hand balancing. Circus Arts is taught by instructors from Cirque la Vie, a Houston Contemporary Circus company formed by Reyie Nal. Free. Ages 13+. 6:00pm-8:00pm. Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston. www.discoverygreen.com
all about turtles and share our love of Japanese anime, manga, and pop culture. Free. 3:00pm. Bracewell Neighborhood Library 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
sand castle day – stewart beach See July 8. garbage island 3.0 See July 8.
young writers workshop – discovery green See July 1. family story time – central library See July 8.
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sunday
tour aunique ranch Ride along in the Kabota and tour the beautiful Aunique Ranch home of the Gypsy Cob Horses. Take photos as we turn out the horses. Happy Horses running through the fields playing and grazing. If you love photography or just watching a beautiful moment in time, this is a great time to come. You will enjoy learning about this beautiful breed of Gypsy Cob horse, their history and meeting them in person. Pack a picnic lunch and dine after the tour while watching the horses graze. Call for pricing. All ages. 8:00am & 10:00 am. Aunique Ranch, 1954 FM 1375 Rd. E., Huntsville. www.visithoustontexas.com
galveston summer fest presented by metroPCS.
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monday
Enjoy Music, Food, Sponsor Giveaways and participate on the 5v5 Beach Soccer Cup or the Coed 16+ Beach Volleyball Tournament. Win Prizes and have fun. Free. All ages. 10:00am-4:00 pm. East Beach, 1923 Boddecker Dr., www.galveston.com. www.galvestonsummerfest.com
mommy/daddy & me Galveston Children's Museum invites you to have fun with your baby or toddler and explore the world through the eyes of your little one during our specialized sensory, tactile or fine motor skills themed activities. $7. 10:00am – 12:00pm. All ages. Galveston Children’s Museum,
Turtle conservation program with live specimens on exhibit! Free. 10:30am. Bracewell Neighborhood Library. 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
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wednesday
ballet talks sleeping beauty Participants learn how Sleeping Beauty's story is told through the art of ballet by sharing abbreviated video clips of a Houston Ballet production. This interactive hands-on experience includes costumes, props and pointe shoes for students to examine. Recommended for kids ages 6 and up. Free. 10:00am-11:00am. Lakewood Neighborhood Library. 8815 Feland St., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ lakewood-neighborhood-library.
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thursday
close up comedy magic show In house Comedy magician who wow and amaze you july 2017 . houston family magazine . 45
onthego adaptations, hands-on-seining, fiddler crab sightings and more under the guidance of FoGISP (Friends of Galveston Island State Park) volunteers. $5. All ages. Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. www.tpwdtexas.gov
all while having you crack up. Its interactive as he will use lots of volunteers from the audience whether to make things vanish, multiply money, or read minds, he gets everyone involved laughing along the way. $15. Ages 3+. 7:00pm-8:00pm. Murder by Chocolate, 18201-B Egret Bay Blvd., Houston. www.murderbychocolate.com
retro games – bracewell neighborhood library Whether you're feeling nostalgic or love the thrill of competition, come and enjoy your favorite classic board games, card games, party games and more at the library! Free. 3:00pm-4:30pm. Bracewell Neighborhood Library. 9002 Kingspoint Dr., Houston. http://houstonlibrary.org/location/ bracewell-neighborhood-library
fireworks over the sea
1930s archeology dig Dig in and discover the past with this hands-on tutorial in archeology at the Park. See July 29.
cool nights – houston zoo
dart baseball
See July 8.
Learn more about these 250,000 magnificent Mexican free-tailed bats that share the city with us! Led by a “bat girl” docent, guests will enjoy an amazing view of the bats’ dusk emergence from the Waugh Drive Bridge on Buffalo Bayou. $30. Ages 4+. 8:00pm-9:30pm. Sabine Promenade. 150 Sabine St., Houston. www.buffalobayou.org
kids archery class – doss park See July 7. 46 . houston family magazine . july 2017
garbage island 3.0 See July 8.
See July 7.
sand castle day – stewart beach
waugh bat colony boat tour
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monday
$1 movie at SMG
28 friday Throw darts at a corkboard baseball diamond and keep score just like a real baseball game! No skills are needed to join the team – just a willingness to try. A $1 per week suggested donation helps defray the cost of supplies and tournament expenses. 10:00am. All ages. Doss Park. 2500 Frick Rd., Houston. www.hcp4.net
Enjoy dazzling fireworks over the Gulf! The show takes place at the intersection of 37th and Seawall Blvd. Free. All ages. 9:00pm. www.galveston.com
29
saturday
1930s archeology dig Dig in and discover the past with this hands-on tutorial in archeology at the Park. Who knows what you may find?! Free with admission. All ages. 10:00am – 12:00pm. George Ranch Historical Park, 10215 FM 762 Rd, Richmond. www.georgeranch.org
preschool story time – lakewood neighborhood library See July 1. young writers workshop – discovery green See July 1. family story time – central library See July 8.
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sunday
bay exploration Discover the wetlands with a close-up look at the critters, grasses and birds that inhabit the marshland and bay. Tour activities include edible plants and
outdoor family movie – finding dory Come enjoy an outdoor movie under the Memorial Hermann at 6 p.m. and the movie will begin at dusk! Bonus - Enjoy a FREE Kids Meal at Fish City Grill on Movie Nights with the purchase of an adult entree. Free. 6:00 pm. All ages. Pearland Town Center, Corner of Hwy 288 & Fm 518, Pearland. www.pearlandtowncenter.com
The Peanuts Movie. Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home to win the love of his life. $1. 10:00 am. All ages. All Greater Houston SMG locations. www.studiomoviegrill.com
urban line dancing Join this volunteer-led class that exercises both the body and mind in a fun and exciting way with choreographed steps to jazz, pop, hip-hop, or rhythm-and-blues music. A partner is not needed. Free. 7pm. Doss Park. 2500 Frick Rd., Houston. www.hcp4.net
getlisted!
To submit calendar listings, send information to calendar@ houstonfamilymagazine.com (no attachments please). Include the name of the event, date and time, venue address, short discription, appropriate age range, fee, phone number and web site address. Submissions are listed on a space-available basis. We’d love to include high-resolution photos, as well; please submit 300dpiminimum, color jpegs. Print deadline for the calendar is two months in advance of issue date. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by A.D. Players
Houston Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
centerstage HOUSTON IS RICH WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE FAMILY- FRIENDLY THEATER PERFORMANCES. HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S AVAILABLE THIS MONTH. PRESENTATIONS ARE FOR ALL AGES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
The Wizard of Oz by Main Street Theater
in high-definition on a giant screen while hearing the orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score.
A.D. Players Main Street Theater Midtown Arts &Theater Center, Houston 713-524-6706 www.mainstreettheater.com
The Wizard of Oz June 14 – July 1, 2017 at Varying times Tickets $12- $22 Based on the book by L. Frank Baum. Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, The Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion find adventure, courage and the true meaning of friendship. Visit website for specific show times.
Houston Symphony 615 Louisiana Street, Houston | 713-224-7575 www.houstonsymphony.org
Video Games Live July 14, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets $23- $95 Immerse yourself in the sweeping lands of fantasy and www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
imagination as your favorite video games are brought to life in a one-of-a-kind multimedia concert experience with live music, solo performers, and exclusive video footage on three giant screens with synchronized lighting and live action. You'll see great games like never before: from Final Fantasy to Zelda, Skyrim, Donkey Kong Country, Warcraft, Shadow of the Colossus, Pokémon, Mario and many more. It’s a one-ofa-kind explosive entertainment experience that you won’t want to miss!.
The Music of Prince July 15, 2017 at 7:30pm Tickets $29- $109 Touted by Rolling Stone as “one of the most naturally gifted artists of all time,” Prince left us with an unprecedented body of work that spanned
decades, and included mega hits “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Kiss,” “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry.” To remember his legacy, we’re teaming up with returning conductor Brent Havens and the group that brought you The Music of Led Zeppelin, The Music of Queen, and others for an exceptional night of Prince’s eclectic music, complete with full orchestra, band and featured vocalist Marshall Charloff.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert July 21, 2017 at 7:30pm and July 22, 2017 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm Tickets $23- $105 This concert will feature the Houston Symphony performing every note from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film
5420 Westheimer, Houston 713-526-2721 www.adplayers.org
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe June 14 – July 1, 2017 at 10:30am Tickets $15- $25 While living outside London, in the home af an eccentric professor during WWII, four siblings discover a wardrobe that leads to the mystical land of Narnia. There they encounter Asian, the great lion, and his nemesis, the White Witch. In Narnia there are duels, chases and narrow escapes – an ultimately the triumph of good over evil.
Godspell July 21 – Aug. 20, 2017: Varying times Tickets $15- $32 While living outside London, in the home of an eccentric professor during WWII, four july 2017 . houston family magazine . 47
centerstage siblings discover a wardrobe that leads to the mystical land of Narnia. There they encounter Asian, the great lion, and his nemesis, the White Witch. In Narnia there are duels, chases and narrow escapes – an ultimately the triumph of good over evil. Visit website for specific show times.
with dance music. These six talented men combine energetic choreography with outrageous fun! Their music provides entertainment for all and will have you singing and dancing!
ExxonMobile Summer Symphony Nights – A Star Spangled Salute*
The Grand 1894 Opera House 2020 Postoffice St, Galveston 800-321-1894 www.thegrand.com
Ezra Charles: "The Story of Boogie Woogie" Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 3:00pm Tickets $18- $100 “Nobody doesn’t like boogie Woogie!” That’s Ezra Charles’ exclamation as he weaves the history of this bouncing, jiving piano format. Performing many of the most famous standards of the genre, he performs what was originally called “Texas-Style Piano” accompanied by his son Jakob on percussion.
Prince Royce with Luis Coronel
Riders in the Sky Salute to Roy Rogers
Star Spangled Salute
Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 8:00pm Tickets $24-100 Comedy and Western favorites Riders In The Sky return to The Grand with a salute to country legend Roy Rogers. Join Ranger Doug, Too Slim, Woody Paul, and Joey the Cowpolka King, as they present an evening of toe-tappin' fun! For more than thirty years Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame of Western music passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands | 281-363-3300 www.woodlandscenter.org 48 . houston family magazine . july 2017
Riders in the Sky: Salute to Roy Rogers at The Grand 1894 Opera House.
July 01, 2017 at 8:00pm $131.50 Reserved Pit Reserved $101.50, $79.50, $59.50 & $39.50 Lawn seating is not a vailable for this show.
Sponsored by the Woodlands Development Company July 03, 2017 at 8:00pm Free
Houston Symphony: Symphonic Sights & Sounds July 08, 2017 at 8:00pm $20 Orchestra Free Mezzanine & Lawn Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Houston Symphony: The Composer is Dead July 19, 2017 at 8:00pm $20 Orchestra Free Mezzanine & Lawn Jason Seber, conductor. Music by Nathaniel Stookey with text by Lemony Snicket Sponsored by Woodforest National Bank
Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston | 281-373-3386 www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 July 1, 2017 at 8:30PM Symphony composer and conductor, Alex Prior made headlines when at 17 he became the Seattle Symphony’s youngest assistant conductor ever, and now at 24 he’s stopping by Houston before taking up a post as Chief Conductor in Edmonton. Prior is joined by the Silver Medalist of the 2017 Ima Hogg competition, and the program concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 4.
Jul 4, 2017 at 8:30pm; Fireworks begin at 10pm. Houston’s favorite Fourth of July celebration features patriotic music and a fireworks display, courtesy of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Celebrate Independence Day with a true Houston tradition at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Featuring patriotic tunes and post-concert fireworks, this year’s Star-Spangled Salute showcases vocalist Ryan Shaw’s soulful sound and the spirited leadership of our new Principal POPS Conductor, Steven Reineke. Plus enjoy favorites like our Service Medley and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
Pippin* July 11-16, 2017 at 8:15pm
“PIPPIN is a journey of a young man trying to find out who he is and prove himself to his father. Through music and dance we live the story as orchestrated by the Leading Player with the help of her band of players. On this journey there is mystery, intrigue, deceit, death, peer pressure, despair, kindness, strength and love.
The Village People* July 3, 2017 at 8:30pm The one-of-a-kind Village People have sold more than 100 million recordings worldwide, earning them the title “Kings of Disco”. Recipients of a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the one-of-a-kind Village People is synonymous
Houston Shakespeare Festival - Twelfth Night* July 28 and July 30, 2017 at 8:15pm Houston Shakespeare Festival’s intoxicating comedy Twelfth Night ponders love lost and found. Mistaken identities and role reversals abound in one of www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Shakespeare’s most inventive romantic romps. A shipwreck separates the twins Viola and Sebastian, but tragedy quickly turns to comedy when they wash up in a land turned upside-down by love. Artistic Director Jack Young directs this relentless pursuit of unrequited love with gender-bending wit, drunken high-jinks, and swooning serenades. * This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office the day of the performance between the hours of 10:30am-1:00pm. If tickets remain at 1:00pm, the box office will re-open one hour before show time to distribute the remaining tickets. As always, open seating on the hill. The shows goes on rain or shine.
Miller Outdoor Theatre Express Theatre’s Hilltop Festival for Children
Freedom Train July 18, 2017 at 11am A mother and son escape a plantation in Texas and journey to freedom along the Underground Railroad to Mexico in 1844. Based on actual events in Texas history. Written by Celeste Bedford Walker and Tim Fried-Fiori.
Sinbad the Sailor (Bilingual English/Spanish) July 19, 2017 at 11am Inspired by the classic story in the Arabian Nights, an adolescent girl disguises herself as a boy to join the crew of a sailing ship. Written by Jack Helbig and Tim Fried-Fiori. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Let’s Make a Play Today! July 20, 2017 at 11am Taking suggestions from the audience, the Express Improv Players create a spontaneous childrens play with costumes, props, and spur-of-the-moment songs! Designed to help children directly experience the power of collaboration and creativity.
Adventures of Santa Claus – Christmas in July July 21, 2017 at 11am Inspired by the classic story in the Arabian Nights, an adolescent girl disguises herself as a boy to join the crew of a sailing ship. Written by Jack Helbig and Tim Fried-Fiori.
Stages Repertory Theatre 3201 Allen Parkway, Houston 713-527-0123 www.stagestheatre.com
Always….Patsy Cline June 28 – August 20, 2017 at varying times Tickets start at $21 This internationally acclaimed hit musical written by Stages Founding Artistic Director Ted Swindley is based on a true story of the lifelong friendship between the beloved country singer and a devoted Houston fan. 27 of Cline’s unforgettable hits make this an event that audiences clamor for year after year. Susan Koozin returns as Louise—the role that made her a Stages’ audience favorite.
Company On Stage 9647 Hillcroft, Houston 713-726-1219 www.companyonstage.org
Adventures of Robin Hood June 16 – July 15, 2017 at 2pm on Saturdays and 7:30pm on Fridays Tickets $10 july 2017 . houston family magazine . 49
Modern Twist at Asia Society Texas.
Vedem: the Underground Magazine of the Terezin Ghetto at The Holocaust Museum
Humanae, Work in Progress at The Health Museum
nowexhibiting EDUCATION CAN BE FUN WHEN KIDS GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE DIVERSIFIED, CULTURAL, ARTISTIC, HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITS AVAILABLE AT HOUSTON MUSEUMS AND ENRICHMENT CENTERS.
Museum Hours Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm – 6pm, Thursday 10am – 8pm Tickets: $12
Coding Hangout
The Health Museum Hermann Dr. Houston 713-521-1515 www.thehealthmuseum.org Museum Hours Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Thursday 9am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm Tickets: Adult: $10, Child (3-12): $8, Senior (65+) $8
Humanae, Work in Progress Now – September 5 Humanae at The Health Museum is a "work in progress" by the Brazilian artist Angélica Dass and challenges visitors to rethink how they see race and think about skin color through a chromatic inventory of the 50 . houston family magazine . july 2017
different human skin tones that label human subjects with their corresponding color in the industrial palette, Pantone. This marks the first time this exhibition has been seen in the Southwest. 250 portraits are featured from the ongoing collection of 3,500 images taken in 26 cities and in 17 different countries:
Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code June 9 – September 11 DNA literally is the 'stuff of life' - it is the set of instructions for making everything from you to zebras, strawberries, and even yeast. Understanding what the language of DNA means will revolutionize your understanding of yourself, your health,
and your connections to life on Earth. GENOME: Unlocking Life's Code will take visitors deep inside their own bodies to explore the mysteries of the human genome. They will learn what genomic science tells us about human disease, where we fit into the natural world, and how humans populated the world. Through physical and computer interactives, media experiences, specimens and artifacts, replicas, GENOME: Unlocking Life's Code will reveal the thrilling nature of genomic science and what it means to us as humans.
The Children’s Museum 1500 Binz, Houston, Texas 77004 | Phone: (713) 522-1138 www.cmhouston.org
June 3 – January 21 The Children’s Museum of Houston invites you to kick it at Houston’s newest hangout for kids, the all-new “Coding Hangout” exhibit will help you move beyond being merely a consumer of technology to becoming a creator of technology by learning core computer coding skills. Move beyond the language and into the core computational thinking skills necessary to bring your ideas into reality. Explore how coding and computational thinking works through activities involving manipulation, critical thinking and experimentation, like solving puzzles, coding drawings, and programming robots! www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
The Holocaust Museum 5401 Caroline St., Houston. 713-942-8000, www.hmh.org
Morgan Family Center Hours Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am.- 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm
Vedem: the Underground Magazine of the Terezin Ghetto Mincberg Gallery June 16 through July 23, 2017 This multimedia art exhibition deconstructs and reinterprets the literary work of a secret society of Jewish boys, who created the longest-running underground magazine in any Nazi camp. Using a combination of pop-art graphics, drawings, paintings, and the prose and poetry of adolescent prisoners in the Terezin Ghetto, the exhibit explores 83 weekly issues of the Vedem magazine produced from 1942 – 1944. Also included are four videos of never before seen
footage from Terezin filmed for the documentary film, “Vedem Underground.”
Space Center Houston 1061 NASA Parkway, Houston. 281-244-2100 https://spacecenter.org/ Exhibit Hours Monday – Sunday 9am – 7pm General Admission tickets $24.95 - $29.95
Science Fiction Science Future If you thought teleportation, holograms, invisibility and mind control were only in the movies — think again. Move objects with your mind, turn them invisible right before your eyes and see augmented reality in action in our all-new summer exhibit Science Fiction, Science Future, presented by Coca-Cola. With hands-on and full-body experiences that challenge the mind
Science Fiction Science Future at Space Center Houston www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
july 2017 . houston family magazine . 51
nowexhibiting and body in a stunning visual environment, this exhibit sets the stage for a unique journey of science exploration, curiosity and discovery. Experiment with evolving technologies and develop an understanding of how science will benefit society now and in the future.
Asia Society Texas 1370 Southmore Blvd. Houston. 713-496-9901 http://asiasociety.org/texas Museum Hours Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Tickets $5 for non-members
Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art Through July 30, 2017 Bamboo is characterized by strength, flexibility, and lightness—bending, not breaking, with strong winds, while enduring harsh winters. This exhibition explores the innovative shape bamboo art has taken in Japan since the mid-twentieth century. With rare wall-hung installations and sculptures never before seen in Texas, the exhibition both engages and educates audiences
Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. 52 . houston family magazine . july 2017
about a vibrant cultural art form. Modern Twist examines the rising awareness of this medium as an innovative art form. In the last century, the creativity and talent of bamboo basket makers has elevated their status from artisans working primarily anonymously to sought-after artists. The exhibition celebrates these artists who have helped to redefine a traditional craft as a modern genre, inventing unexpected new forms and pushing the medium to groundbreaking levels of conceptual, technical, and artistic ingenuity. See Museum website or call for fees and more information.
Museum of Fine Arts 1001 Bissonnet, Houston. 713-639-7300 www.mfah.org/exhibitions Museum Hours Tuesday & Wednesday, 10am - 5pm, Thursday, 10am – 9pm, Friday & Saturday, 10am - 7pm, Sunday, 12:15pm – 7pm Tickets $13 - $18
Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish June 11, 2017 — September 17, 2017
Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish at the MFAH
This summer, the MFAH continues its series of grandscale, immersive exhibitions. Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish brings together two mesmerizing works newly acquired by the Museum. Under the direction of the artist, these light-based and video-based installations transform the vast, central gallery of Cullinan Hall into a cosmic journey through time and space. Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist (born 1962) has been among contemporary art’s chief innovators since the mid-1980s, working at the forefront of video and digital imagery. Pixel Forest, created in collaboration with lighting designer Kaori Kuwabara, is among Rist’s newest works, consisting of thousands of hanging LED lights, each controlled by a video signal so that the “forest” is constantly changing. Light sometimes shifts in a staccato rhythm, and sometimes in waves of color. Worry Will Vanish is a corner projection with a lyrical, resonantly textured soundtrack by musician Anders Guggisberg, who has worked with Rist
on numerous projects. Rist’s panoramic sequences chart a dreamlike journey through the natural landscape, the human body, and the heavens.
Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston. 713-639-4629 www.hmns.org/exhibits
Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum March 10 – September 4. Tickets Adult $30, Child $20 This exhibit takes us through time and through the Roman Empire. Featuring original artifacts from the Colosseum never before exhibited outside of Italy, this large international exhibit illustrates the compelling and fascinating world of the gladiators. It also explores the behind-the-scenes lives of the gladiators and the colossal stage upon which their fate was determined, the Colosseum. Theirs was a world of specialized training, discipline, regulation, and peril, but also of hope of fame, redemption and even wealth and freedom. Call or check Museum website for hours, offers, and more information. www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
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PHOTO BY PAT BERGMAN, PROUD GRANDFATHER
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Owen dreams of becoming a Houston Astro. (Memorial Ashford Little League in West Houston)
Home of the Brave “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” --Babe Ruth
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