Heights Happenings: September 28- October 5, 2011

Can I just start by saying it was painful to have to put "October" in headline here. Where did the summer go? While I am certainly ready for the heat to be behind us, I am not ready for the onslaught of Christmas crap and other holiday junk, which hits the shelves earlier and earlier every year (it's already out at Target). It can make me quite the Scrooge. I digress... On to Happenings in our immediate and near immediate future!

Thursday, September 29, 6 pm- 7:30 pm: Lush at Langford Market

• Join Langford Market and Lush Cosmetics for a night of fall fashion (if it ever gets cold enough to wear it) and handmade, Earth friendly cosmetics and bath products.
• There will be wine and snacks, plus Lush hand treatments and give aways.
• RSVPs by phone requested. 713.880.1515
• 249 W 19th
• Check out The Heights Life Facebook page for a $25 off coupon (on purchase of $50+) good for this event

Friday, September 30, 8 pm: Heights Live! with Randy Weeks

• "If critical raves drove the record charts, Randy Weeks would rightfully be top of the pops. After all, consider just some of the evidence: “An amazing songwriter” (Salon.com). “Smart songwriting and a broad palette of pop music
  influences” (CD Now). “Amazing musician” (Billboard). “Cooler than an Eskimo beer box” (Houston Press)."
• $18 at the door
• Bonus: special guests Jess Klein and Billy Masters
• 240 W 18th

Saturday, October 1, 6 pm- 9pm: Bill Hailey's "Forever and Thereafter" opens at GGallery

• Bill Hailey believes, among other things, that "the secret of life is likely in the sauce." Sound intriguing? Check out his website. Better yet, join GGallery to see his work up close and personal.
• The show runs through October 31, 2011
• 301 E 11th

Sunday, October 2, 4 pm- 7 pm: Houston Heights Woman's Club Open House

• Please join members of the HHWC for an open house. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Club in a casual environment with no agenda. From charitable work to parties, parties, parties, this fun, active Club is a piece of Houston Heights history. 
• Food and drinks will be served. Door prizes.
• No RSVP necessary. Questions can be directed to Debbie Cranford
• 1846 Harvard, in the historic club house

PLAN AHEAD:

Saturday, Octobver 15, 7pm: Elizabeth Wills at Kolanowski Studios

• Hosted by Greg and Kim Kolanowski, with all proceeds going to the performer. This is a Heights house concert at its best. Elizabeth is a "confessional songwriter" whose music is both accessible and emotional. Compared to the likes of Shawn Colvin or Sarah McLachlan, she instantly draws her audiences in and pulls at their emotions.
• $20, checks or Paypal. Payment required with RSVP. Please contact Kim or Greg for complete payment details. greg@kolanowskistudio.com or kim@kolanowskistudio.com
• Your hosts will provide hors d'oeuvres, sweets and soft drinks. You are welcome to BYOB if you prefer something else.
• 420 Harvard

IN OTHER NEWS:

Want to get fit and help animals? Check out Bungalow Fitness's new referral program!

• The owners of Bungalow Fitness, Laura Finkeldey and Angie Hasara, are equally as passionate about rescuing lost and abandoned animals as they are about health and fitness. Recently, they've teamed up with Lucky Dog Rescue, a local non-profit rescue group. Lucky Dog Rescue has helped Laura and Angie to continue their personal efforts saving animals in need.
• Laura and Angie would like to improve upon their own efforts and help raise money for local rescue groups, which, in turn, will save more animals from certain death. To do this, they have created the Bungalow Fitness to the Rescue referral program at Bungalow Fitness. 
• Refer a friend to one of their fitness programs and they will donate $100 cash to a non-profit, no-kill rescue group of your choice. Your friend will receive a free workout valued at up to $65, depending on which program they choose. Please share this great referral program with your animal loving network. The animals thank you in advance!
• The Bungalow Fitness to the Rescue program is in full effect through December 31st, 2011. Animal rescue groups are typically struggling this time of year, hampering their ability to save homeless pets from the streets and kill shelters. Bungalow Fitness hope to reach their goal of $2500 by the end of this program. That is just 25 referrals needed! Pass it on! Please note: you don’t have to be a client of Bungalow Fitness to participate in this referral program. It is open to everyone that has a big heart and a loving network of friends and family!

Bike Rally Up, People!

I got an email from a recent college grad last week asking if she could guest post on the blog. Usually I dismiss those requests immediately, but I emailed her back and asked what she wanted to write about. She sent me this little write up on this weekend's bike rally. I know the Rally still wants/needs participants so I thought "Why not?" And without further ado:

Registration Winding Down For Heights’ Bicycle Rally/Scavenger Hunt-- Paige Taylor

One of the largest annual events in the Houston Heights is still open for registration for the last week in September. There are 3 days left until the September 29 deadline to sign up. The rally will be open to people of all ages and will be an easy ride for both experienced and novice riders. 

Registrants will have the option to ride a 20 mile course which will run through the Heights and a few different neighborhoods in the area. The other option is a five mile ride that is geared to attract both kids and parents alike. Both of the routes will begin and finish at 18^th Street and Heights Boulevard at Marmion Park, as participants can ride both courses if they’d like. 

Upon registration, those who sign up will receive their rally cards, maps, and clue list for the scavenger hunt.  The scavenger hunt will take place along the 5 mile ride. For the riders that identify the most clues along the ride, there will be prizes awarded. Following the ride there will be a party lasting from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at the park. It will include prizes, food, refreshments and entertainment. 

The entry and registration fee is reduced if you register before the September 29 deadline, although you can still sign up on the day of the ride. If you sign up before September 29 at 8pm the entry fee is $20 for the 20 mile ride and $10 for the 5 mile ride. For those who sign up the day of the rides, the fees will be up to $25 and $15 respectively. The pickup for race packets will take place on the morning of the ride at Marmion Park beginning at 8am

Republic Services will be the primary sponsor for the event, they specialize environmental contracts and waste management.  Design & Inspiration, a branding and solution source, helped through sponsorships as well. Minor sponsorship also help came from Boulevard Realty, who assists residents with Houston area apartments, homes and condominium sales. 

The proceeds from the event will right back into the community with the restoration, beautification, maintenance and education throughout the Heights area. More information and registration applications can be found at the Houston Heights Association Website.  

Heights Happenings: September 21- September 28, 2011

Saturday, September 24, 10 am - 7 pm: Houston Vintage 2011

• Join some of your favorite Heights businesses (Hello, Lucky, Heights Beatniks, Coronation Vintage, plus five dealers from Retropolis and several Retropolis Alums) for this fantastic shopping event!
• Buy tickets here or check the event's Facebook page for more information, like a full list of vendors, planned performances, coordinator contact info and more.
• Update: Link to FB page with entertainment schedule
• Admission: $5. After party will be from 9 pm- 1 am: $20. Limited tickets available for the after party, though!
• Heights Fire Station, on 12th at Yale.

 PLAN AHEAD:

Sunday, October 2, 4 pm- 7 pm: Houston Heights Woman's Club Open House

• This Open House is a great way to come and learn more about the Club in a casual, unstructured setting. 
• Started by a group of community minded Heights women in 1900, the Club's foundation rests squarely in the history of our neighborhood and our city. However, the current membership definitely has an eye to the future and the changing face of the Heights. If you enjoy a strong sense of community, have a desire to give back and/or want to be a part of the Heights' history, please attend. 
• There will be food, libations and lots of opportunities to chat about ongoing philanthropic projects, Club preservation efforts and, of course, social events!
• 1846 Harvard, the the HHWC historic club house.

Heights Snapshot: Thanks, Scott!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Sometime before lunch

Proctor Park

Remember a couple of weeks ago when the weather "cooled" to the low 90s and we all let out a little sigh of relief and decided to go outside again? My family was so excited and ready to get in some good park time. We had been in a state of reverse hibernation, hiding from the intense heat instead of sleeping through the bitter cold. 

We loaded up our red wagon with all the necessary park supplies: blanket to relax on, small trucks and digging tools, a soccer ball, bug spray, sunblock, cold water, fruit and bunny crackers. Big Boy rode his bike, training wheels squeaking from lack of use. Wee One road in the wagon, the park supplies heaped on his lap. As we got close to the park, it was a real joy to see people. Kids on skateboards, parents counting to 10 as little guys scrambled to hide, games of catch and tag. The park was alive again.

Then we noticed what wasn't alive. The grass. The big, open area of Proctor was brown and dusty. The small, sandy area near home base (where the kids dig) had grown to a sand pit three times it usual size. And the trees.... So sad and droopy, some with brown leaves. It was a sad sight to see; it almost brought the excitement of just being there down to Neutral.

After about 30 minutes of hanging at Proctor, I saw a red car pull up. The driver got out and opened the hatch to reveal 2 large coolers and a 5 gallon bucket. The man filled the bucket, walked in to the park and dumped it out at the base of a small tree on the north side of the park. Repeat. Take the cooler out and dump the remaining water. Leave. Come back. Repeat. During my family's time at the park he made at least 3 round trips, bringing buckets of water to the smaller, needier trees.

I approached him. "Thank you so much for doing this," I said. He was worried about the condition of the trees. It wasn't a lot, he said, but he wanted to do something. He said he didn't think he could do enough for the big trees but that maybe he could do something for the small ones. I told him I was feeling the same way about the Norhill esplanade but hadn't realized how bad it got around the park. 

"I'm Scott."

"Hi, Scott. I'm Viula. Thanks again. Really."

Now that it's rained a bit, I am more optimistic for the trees of the Heights. I hope this week's Weather Underground predictions are better than our local news station's. They're saying possible rain daily. Local sources say rain today and sun the rest of the week. I never thought I would want rain so badly.

And who knows if this little bit of rain we've had will save the trees or not. We can hope so. We can also say "Thanks, Scott" for helping give them a fighting chance.

Heights Happenings: September 14- September 21, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 4pm- last call: Grove Park lounge's Grand Opening

• Bacardi is throwing a "Fire & Ice Party" in honor of Grove Park's grand opening. $5 F&I specialty shots all night, plus happy hour pricing on everything else: $4 Absolut, Bombay, Cuervo, Jim Beam, & Bacardi & premium drafts, $5 specialty cocktails. 
• The bar opens at 4 pm, Bacardi party starts at 8 pm.
• Corner of Waugh Dr & Raymond St, behind Chatter's Cafe. Awesome patio:

Saturday, September 17, 11 am- 1 pm: Kraftsmen Bakery Grand Re-opening

• With a new, expanded dining room, Kraftsmen is happy to reopen their Heights location. 
• At the re-opening celebration, there will be paper plane making to "re-launch" the restaurant.
• Frosted Betty is co-sponsoring, so they'll be there with cupcakes, apparently for free, I hear!
• Free kid's lunch with the purchase of an adult lunch
• 611 W. 22nd Street-- 3 blocks north of Heights retail district on 19th, 2 blocks east of Shepherd -- look for the turn-of-the-century clock tower!

Monday, September 19, 6-9 pm: Young at Art Grown Ups Night Out

• Adults only craft night with more than just ceramic painting available. The studio also offers glass fusing and canvas painting.
• BYOB
• 244 West 19th St., Houston, TX 77008
• Reservations required...call 713-862-0900 or email laura@youngatartstudio.net

Tuesday, September 20th, 6:30-8:30 pm.: Candidate Forum for Houston City Council At-Large Positions 1 and 2

Thursday, September 22nd, 6:30-8:30 pm: Candidate Forum for Houston City Council At-Large Positions 3, 4, and 5

• The two candidate forums are being co-sponsored by the following five Super Neighborhood Councils: SN 15 - Greater Heights, SN 22 - Washington Avenue Coalition/Memorial Park, SN 61- Downtown, SN 63 - Second Ward, and SN 66 - Museum Park.
• The participation of all existing candidates has been confirmed. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the candidates, ask them the questions that you want answered, and hear them address issues that are important to all of our neighborhoods. Please distribute information about the candidate forums to your family, friends, and civic club colleagues.
• Both meetings will take place at the West End Multi-Service Center, 170 Heights Boulevard.

PLAN AHEAD:

Thursday, September 22, 6 pm: Cheese 101 with Houston Dairymaids

• Because "eating cheese is the best way to learn about cheese," students will discover the whole wide world of cheese in the Dairymaids upcoming Cheese 101 class.
• Class will be held at the warehouse, 2201 Airline Drive, Houston, TX 77009, and led by Charlotte, "once voted Only Dairymaid that Looks Good in Braids and a Cowboy Hat."
• Call at the warehouse at 713-880-4800 to reserve your spot.
• Class is $30 per person and starts at 6pm.

Sunday, September 25, 10 am- 1 pm: SPICE UP YOUR LIFE- An Ayurvedic Cooking Workshop at Studio Nia Moves

• Learn about medicinal properties of spices, easy techniques for vegetarian Indian cooking and how to assemble a tasty and healthy menu
• $59, includes recipe handbook and lunch
• Instructor Karuna Diedericks received certification as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist through the California College of Ayurveda. Throughout the fifteen years she has been practicing bhakti yoga, meditation and yoga asana, she has had a passion for cooking and healthy eating. She has first-hand knowledge and experience of how cooking and eating can support one’s health and overall quality of life.
• Register & additional information here

Sunday, October 2, 1-4 pm: Houston Heights Outdoor Home Sculpture Tour

• Curated by Jay Wehnert, Director at Intuitive Eye, this tour will focus on the Heights "deep history of supporting artists and their work. The neighborhood is increasingly becoming the home for outdoor sculptures. Installed by creative homeowners to enhance their homes and the neighborhood, this 'public' art is a fascinating addition."
• The tour will be guided by Jay and will visit several featured sculptures throughout The Heights. Homeowners and the sculptors will be on hand to discuss each work. The tour will conclude with refreshments and a chance to discuss the day's discoveries!
• Registration Fee $25 for individual, $40 for couple
• Please contact Jay Wehnert at jaywehnert@hotmail.com for more information.

OUTSIDE THE HEIGHTS:

Sunday, September 18, 2-5 pm: "Build Your Own Compost Barrel" Workshop at The Houston Arboretum

• I know a lot of people in the Heights who compost, so I thought this might be of particular interest!
• "According to the Houston-Galveston Area Council, up to 30% of our garbage headed to our rapidly filling landfills is bagged up leaves, grass clippings and tree limbs. The City of Houston mandates the use of compostable bags to divert your leaves and yard trimming away from costly dumps, saving both city landfill space and tax dollars. Now a private company composts your nutrient-rich wastes and sells it to the public as a natural fertilizer. Learn how to cut out the middle man and compost your own yard and kitchen wastes in this intensive, hands-on workshop where each participant will build their own 55-gallon composting barrel. You can create rich, dark brown compost in as little as 3 weeks!"
• $75 for members; $90 for non-members
• Necessary tools and materials will be provided. Additional barrels and conversion kits will be available for sale at the end of class for $55. Registration is limited.
• Online Registration form
• 4501 Woodway

Heights Happenings: September 7- September 14, 2011

Thursday, September 8, 6 PM: Death to The Fish night at The Corkscrew

• This Thursday and every Thursday, head to The Corkscrew wine bar for $3 fish tacos. 
• Grilling starts at 6
• 1308 W 20th

Friday, September 9, 8 PM: Heights Live! presents Sarah Petite

• Being called everything from “Outlaw country” to “AAA singer-songwriter,” Petite’s songs revive fond memories of history, home and travels. “I don’t always consider myself a country artist,” she says. “My songs range from bluegrass to country to rock ‘n’ roll, but I know my voice sounds distinctly country.”
• Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8 PM. Heights Live! is BYOB.
• 240 W. 18th

Sunday, September 11, 11 AM- 4 PM: Support Bering Omega with brunch at Branch Water Tavern

• Branch Water is donating 10% of sales from this Sunday brunch to Bering Omega.
• Bering Omega Community Services exists to nurture the well-being and meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons affected by HIV/AIDS through compassionate health care and social services.

• Brunch will feature: Table side Bloody Mary's, $15 bottomless Mimosa and Bellini pitchers, Oyster Cart to order, Chef Grossman's brilliant brunch menu and DJ Sun spinning 70's and 80's lounge remixes.
• Reservations requested. 510 Shepherd 

PLAN AHEAD: Saturday, October 15, 8 AM- 1:15 PM: "Lessons in Neighborhood Organizing" Seminar This "Community U" seminar will allow you to gather with other community leaders. The latest tools and techniques for improving your neighborhood will be presented. The half-day conference will provide training, resources and solutions through a combination of workshops, presentations and networking opportunities. Special guest Mayor Annise Parker, plus door prizes and information booths from local vendors. Early registration is required. Pre-registration deadline is September 30. Register and get more information HERE Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 - 8 PM: Buffalo Bayou Partnership Brews Cruise with Phoenicia Specialty Foods Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for a Brews Cruise with Phoenicia Specialty Foods. Hop on their pontoon boat and set sail on a worldwide beer tasting. The cruise menu will include beer samples from around the globe paired with lite signature fare from the newly opened downtown Phoenicia. With international ale in hand, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Buffalo Bayou while on your voyage.  Cost: $45 per person For reservations, contact Trudi Smith at tsmith@buffalobayou.org or 713.752.0314 ext. 3.
IN OTHER NEWS: Mam's is switching to fall hours this week.  You can get your snowball fix on starting at Noon, but don't wait later than 7 pm because that is when the little blue trailer departs the lot at 20th and Rutland!

Heights Happenings: September 1- September 8, 2011

Friday, September 2, 6:30- 8 PM: Opening- Drawings and paintings by Gilbert Ruiz

• Heights Beatniks is proud to present the art of Gilbert Ruiz for the month of September.
• Join the Beatniks at their great store, full of art, vintage treasures and amazing dance shoes. They will be serving light refreshments and the artist will be on hand to chat about his art.
• Gilbert describes his art as "fragmented visions of color, line, and shape that flash briefly in my head. Sometimes the visions appear randomly. Sometimes they are the result of an emotional response to music, people, and other stimuli. My paintings try to capture these visions."
• 709 E 11th St, next door to Zelko Bistro

PLAN AHEAD:

Thursday, September 22, 7:30 PM: Opera in the Heights kicks off their 16th season with "Daughter of the Regiment"

• "Composed while Gaetano Donizetti was living in Paris, the opera is sung in French instead of Italian. This comedy is full of surprises, laughter, some very athletic bel canto singing, and the superlative melodies of the master of song, Donizetti."
• If you have yet to check out a performance in beautiful Lambert Hall, this is a great time to change that. Our little "hometown" opera company has been getting more and more national press and tickets may become harder and harder to come by. Seeing an opera so up close and personal, in a setting so intimate that no sound amplification is used, is truly amazing. You don't need to be an opera enthusiast (all operas are subtitled). These performances will win the heart of anyone who likes theater and/or live music.
• Check their website for a full list of performance dates and to purchase tickets

OUTSIDE THE HEIGHTS:

Thursday, September 8, 5 -8 PM: My Houston 2040, with a special tribute to Robin Holzer

• My Houston 2040 is a meeting of the minds co-hosted by Houston Tomorrow, Citizens' Transportation Coalition, & Air Alliance Houston. This month, the featured speakers will be Christof Spieler on the Midtown Livable Center Program and Robin Holzer, Chair of the CTC, on her vision for the future of Houston. 
• For seven years, Robin Holzer has chaired the board of the Citizens' Transportation Coalition (CTC), which she helped create in 2004. CTC is an all-volunteer nonprofit that works to engage community leaders in the planning of transportation projects that affect Houston neighborhoods. CTC volunteers have touched myriad local projects, including METRO's urban light rail expansion and TxDOT's proposed Grand Parkway. Robin has presented at conferences across the U.S., including Walk21, New Partners for Smart Growth, and Gulf Coast Green, and her efforts have been honored locally by the Museum District Business Alliance, the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the East End Chamber of Commerce.
• Christof Spieler P.E., LEED AP is Director of Technology and Innovation at Morris Architects. His expertise in infrastructure, urban design, and sustainability has been a key part of planning projects including the Midtown Livable Centers Study, the Downtown / EaDo Livable Centers Study, and the Sugar Land Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Christof also leads firmwide efforts in LEED, project process, and Building Information Modeling. 
• Christof has written and spoken extensively on transit and urban planning and has helped Houston neighborhoods shape transportation projects. His articles have appeared in Cite Magazine (where he served on the editorial committee from 1998 to 2010, including 2 years as chair), the Houston Chronicle, and Architecture Magazine; he also covered Houston and national transportation in his blog, Intermodality. He serves as a technical advisor to the Citizens' Transportation Coalition, a board member of the Rice Design Alliance, a member of the East End Chamber of Commerce Rail Subcommittee, and an advisor to the Super Neighborhood 22 Transportation Committee and Richmondrail.org. As is a member of the American Public Transit Association's Sustainability and Urban Design Working Group, which is drafting national standards for urban design around transit stations. This work lead to his 2010 appointment by Mayor Annise Parker to the Board of Directors of METRO.