Heights Happenings: November 30- December 7, 2011

Um, is that already December knocking on our door? Wow.

Thursday, December 1, 6 pm- 7 pm: Heights of Health presents "Improving your Family's Immune System"

• Staff from HoH will discuss diet, nutrition, supplements and tools to reduce chemical and emotional stress. This class will benefit all ages - baby, teens and adults. Each person will receive an informative packet explaining simple ways to boost and maintain optimal health. 
• This event is free and first 22 people to register you will receive a packet worth $25.
• Call today to register. Space is limited. 713.861.6777
• 540 Frazier at White Oak

This weekend is Heights Mistletoe Madness. Three great days of Holiday fun:


Friday, December 2, 6 pm- 10 pm: Holiday on 19th

• Join your 19th Street merchants for some holiday cheer while shopping, strolling and enjoying the atmosphere.There will be live music, hot chocolate, strolling Santa's and more! 
• This year 19th St business owners have partnered with Noah's Kitchen, a local non-profit with Heights ties, that feeds the homeless. Businesses will be accepting donations of peanut butter, dry pasta, pasta sauce, new socks and small toiletry items in addition to financial contributions. Noah's Kitchen Elves will be out on the street anxious to tell you about their fantastic organization and all they do for the Houston community.

Saturday, December 3, 11 am- 6 pm: 1st Saturday Arts Market

• Here is a great opportunity to knock out some of your holiday gift buying while supporting local craftspeople and artisans. Always fun, unique items at the Market!

Saturday, December 3, Noon - 5 pm: 3rd Annual Craftidote

• Sure to be the coolest, most interesting stuff around.
• 729 Studewood

Saturday, December 3, 2:30 pm - 4 pm: The History of Woodland Heights book signing

• Write Now! will be hosting Omar Holguin, the author of this great book on Woodland Heights. You can get your copy of The History of Woodland Heights signed between  2:30-4:00
• The shop will be serving cookies and cider as well.
• 3122 B White Oak Dr., 281-974-2138, www.writenowgreetings.com

Friday, December 2, 6 pm- 9 pm and Saturday, December 3, 3pm- 9 pm: Heights Holiday Home Tour

• Six Houston Heights homes will be decorated for the holidays and open for tours at Deck the Heights, the 2011 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour. Tour goers will have a fabulous time looking inside these unique spaces that reflect the rich architectural tradition of our amazing neighborhood. 
• Advance tickets are available at these locations: Another Place in Time, Buchanan’s Native Plants, Davis Hardware, Heights Antiques on Yale, Jubilee, and Write Now! Tickets will also be available on tour days at the Heights Fire Station (12th and Yale) and at each Holiday Home Tour home. 

In addition to the Mistletoe Madness events, there are a couple more great places to pick up unique, hand crafted items on Saturday:

Saturday, December 3, 11 am- 5 pm: 5th Annual Underground Arts Market

• A small group of local artisans gets together once a year at the home of one of their own to do a small, eclectic market. 
• Featured artists include Susan Lewis Storey, Origami Crafts,Space Montrose, Stephanie Lienhard, and more
• For more information and photos of some of the cool stuff for sale, click this link
• 802 Ralfallen at Beverley

Saturday, December 3, 2 pm- 7 pm: 7th Annual Heights Holiday Market

• More than a dozen local vendors. Click here for a complete list of vendors and what they'll be selling.

Saturday, December 3, Noon - 5 pm: Open house at Heights Library

• The gorgeous Heights branch will be having an open house with refreshments and entertainment all day.
• Santa will arrive at 3 pm for photo opportunities as well
• 1302 Heights Boulevard

Saturday, December 3, 7 pm and Sunday, December 4, 11 am: St. Mark's United Methodist Church Annual Outdoor Christmas pageant.  

• Everybody is welcome; this is a super family friendly event! 
• The pageant includes a reenactment of the Christmas story, with beautiful music celebrating the season, shepherds herding live animals and little singing angels. 
• Holiday sweets and treats will be served before, during and after the performance
• 600 Pecore

Sunday, December 4, 8:30 am- 10:30 am: Breakfast with Santa at Zion Lutheran

• Pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa, Nativity stories, plus games and other fun
• Free but please consider a donation of a gently used or new stuffed animal or non-perishable food for the Heights InterFaith Ministry Food Pantry
• Zion Lutheran Church, 3606 Beauchamp (at Pecore)

OUTSIDE THE HEIGHTS, aka Back To More Practical Matters:


Tuesday, December 6, 9 am- Noon: CoH 3^rd annual "Meet the Buyer" Purchasing Forum.  

• This free event at the George R. Brown Convention Center gives local small business owners a unique opportunity to meet with buyers from City departments and discuss current and future procurement opportunities. There will be information presented on the City procurement process, vendor registration and requirements. 
• Attendees can also learn about Hire Houston First, an ordinance passed by Houston City Council that is intended to boost the local economy by utilizing Houston-area businesses.
• Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Business owners can register online at www.houstontx.gov/obo/meethebuyer2011.html through Friday, December 2, 2011. Onsite registration the day of the event is also available. 
• For additional information or questions email Roger Harris at Roger.harris@houstontx.gov or call him at 832.393.0623.

IN OTHER NEWS:


A Heights mom just started a new Etsy shop, offering hand-picked vintage items for kids. Love buying local on Etsy!
Falabellas

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Freedom from Want by Normal Rockwell

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Heights Happenings: November 17- November 23

Thursday, November 17, 6:30-8:30 pm: That's TONIGHT! Join me and a lot of people cooler than me at Thairapy Salon to support Bread of Life! I'll be sporting a great retro look from Heights Beatniks and rocking full 50s hair.

Indulge in an evening of retro glamour before the holidays kick into high gear. On November 17, 2011, from 6:30p.m.-8:30pm, Thairapy is sponsoring a pin-up-worthy event.

Dress in your vintage best as Thairapy’s expert hair and make-up technicians demo vamp 1950s makeovers while you sip on-the-house cocktails. A few lucky audience members will be chosen for the makeover. Clothing will be provided by Beatnik Vintage.

Fall back into a time before botox and boob jobs. When jello molds, cat eye glasses and poodle skirts were all the rage, and hair, makeup and style were more “starlet” than “harlot.”

Best of all, all proceeds will benefit Bread of Life Inc, a Houston grassroots organization dedicated to feeding the homeless.

Hope to see you there! 

IN OTHER NEWS:

Purchase your promotion at this link!

Reminder: Vital meeting about the I45 expansion TONIGHT!

This is the reminder letter I got from the I45 Coalition today, which highlights some of the big questions. PLEASE attend. We are fighting for our homes!

REMINDER –TxDOT Public Scoping Meeting is tonight at Jeff Davis High School, 1101 Quitman St., 6 pm – 8 pm.Meeting will be in an ‘Open House’ format, so you can come & go. A short 10-minute video will be shown regarding the project. There will be informational maps shown & TxDOT will be there to answer questions.
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND SO YOU WILL KNOW WHAT TxDOT IS PLANNING TO DO ON I-45!  TxDOT wants your input!  Please give it to them!!~ New updates ~·        TxDOT says that “Acquisition of additional ROW (right-of-way) would be required to construct the proposed improvements”!  What are the proposed improvements??  No one knows!  [a]
·        TxDOT says that along I-45 from I-10 heading north to 610 – additional ROW will likely be needed atall intersecting streets with I-45. [b]   How far into the neighborhood?
·        TxDOT also says that along I-45 from 610 North to Beltway 8 North – more ROW will likely be neededeverywhere – at & between all intersections! [b]   How much bigger? How far into the neighborhood?

At the Public Meeting make sure you get as many answers as you can.  If there are ANY questions that do not get answered - or - if you do not like the answers, it is VITAL that you put your comments in writing either at the meeting, by email or by postal mail after the meeting but no later than12/5/11.Are there concerns or demands that you have?   Put them in writing! Here are some of our concerns and questions:·        TxDOT has already stated they want additional right-of-way to increase the size of the freeway! How much is enough?
·        We do NOT want to expand the freeway right-of-way! Do NOT expand into our neighborhoods!·        We would like reduced congestion but not at the expense of losing our homes!·        We do NOT want a multi-level freeway above the ground – the noise and pollution will affect our neighborhoods! … our schools & our children!
·        We want TxDOT to look into other technologies – other than just pouring more & more concrete for more and more lanes. We don’t have room for an I-10 on I-45!
·        We do not want our quality of life negatively affected.·        We do want TxDOT to look into the possibility of building a tunnel to reduce traffic congestion.·        Where is the funding coming from for this project?  Will the lanes have a toll charge?·        Will the project cause additional flooding in the neighborhood from additional concrete? ·        If detention or retention ponds are needed, will they be created as ‘park-ready’?Be sure you put your comments in writing either at the meeting or via postal mail (Director of Project Development, TxDOT, P.O.Box 1386, Houston TX 77251-1386) or by email   (probably the best way) (HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov). The deadline for comments is December 5, 2011.You can get additional information from TxDOT’s website at www.IH45NorthandMore.comWho is the I-45 Coalition? We are a grassroots organization of concerned citizens and civic associations from neighborhoods affected by potential I-45 expansion.Are you on the I-45 Coalition’s email list? We will notify you of all meetings & issues so you stay fully informed.Please go to our Face Book page and / or  www.I-45Coalition.org  and sign up.     
If you care about your neighborhood; if you are concerned about noise, pollution and your quality of life – YOU MUST ATTEND! Stay involved …it is your neighborhood!
[a] North Houston Highway Improvement Project, Draft Agency Coordination & Public Involvement Plan, Page 2, paragraph 2[b] North Houston Highway Improvement Project, Draft Need & Purpose, Page 1-8, paragraph 1

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Heights Happenings: November 9- November 16, 2011

Friday, November 11, 9 PM: Opening night for "My Cold Dead Fingers"

• Grown up puppets perform a new piece by Joel Orr, artistic director of Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theater
• Bobbindoctrin has been producing original puppet works for Houston since 1995. Bobbindoctrin provides experimental adult puppet performances with low admission prices and gives actors, directors, playwrights, musicians, sculptors, dancers and engineers a much-needed and unique venue for their art while encouraging theatregoers from all economic strata to attend. 
• Bobbindoctrin has a history of introducing audiences to new forms of stagecraft using puppet techniques rarely touched upon by conventional theatre groups. Bobbindoctrin incorporates a mix of shadow, rod, hand, string and tabletop puppetry, as well as masks, in any given show. These varied traditions of puppetry are applied to presenting new and original works (not performed or published elsewhere) written explicitly for the puppet stage by local playwrights.

Saturday, November 12, 2 pm- 4 pm: Po'No Ragazzi International Academy Community Meeting

• Po'no Ragazzi International Academy is a new school in the Heights area, located at Shepherd Drive United Methodist Church, 600 South Shepherd.
• The school will open its doors in 2012 for grades four through eight.  
• DISCLAIMER: I don't know much about this school at all and their website is not as informative as I would like. However, parents in the Heights area are always looking for expanded school options so I thought I should throw this out there. 
• The Po'No Ragazzi Facebook Page actually offers slightly more information than the website, saying "Think, Do, Learn in small, interdisciplinary and creative learning environments for K-12 students. We focus on learning that fits students learning styles. As educators, we use local, state, national and international resources teach and reach all of our students."
• For more information, email director@ponoragazzi.com, call 281-300-7602 or www.ponoragazzi.com

Saturday, November 12, 10 am- 4 pm: St Andrew's Autumn Bazaar

• St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Heights Blvd at 19th will host more than 50 crafters and artisans. 
• The Reagan High School Jazz Band will perform and It's a Wrap mobile bistro will be on hand serving great food. They will also have delicious homebaked goods and ready-to-reheat casseroles for sale. 
• Admission is free.

Saturday, November 12, Noon - 6 pm: Second Saturday Craftacular, followed by Artist's Reception for Francis Trotter and Jason Villegas at Hello Lucky

• Second Saturday Craftacular out front of the shop from Noon to 4 pm
• Followed by the artists reception inside the shop from 4 to 6pm for artists Frances Trotter and Jason Villegas
• Works by these artists will be on display until December 3rd

Saturday, November 12, 2 pm- 5 pm: Open studio for Melanie Millar

• Local artist Melanie Millar is opening her studio for guests as she presents her new "Botanicals" series.
• "For the past few months I have mostly been working on a much smaller scale after a couple of years of working almost exclusively on large canvases.  And instead of the ornamental forms that have preoccupied me for a long time, I am finding myself more interested in exploring natural forms."
• Melanie is at Spring Street Studios, No 104, 1824 Spring St

Saturday, November 12, 6:15 pm: Rouse House Concerts presents Grace Pettis and Megan Burtt

• Megan and Grace were winners of this year's Kerrville New Folk Singer-Songwriter competition. This week, Megan and Grace are touring Texas with this year's New Folk Winners. Deb and Lindsey are excited and honored they found time to play at Rouse House concerts.
• RSVPs are required due to limited seating and will be on a "first come/first served" basis. To RSVP, please email rouse_house_concerts@yahoo.com. 
• An honorarium of $15 per person is suggested, which can be paid by cash.  All proceeds go to the performing artists. CDs are usually available for sale during intermission.
• Please arrive between 6:15 and 7:15 pm and for a potluck dinner prior to the concert.  Lindsey and Deb provide coffee and lemonade but you're welcome to bring whatever else you prefer. Wine glasses are available for those who wish to bring wine. Music will begin at 7:30 pm.
• Performances are presented at the house of Deb Rouse and Lindsey Lee, located in the Houston Heights.  The address is 623 E 7 ½ Street, Houston, Texas 77007
• If you have any questions, email address is rouse_house_concerts@yahoo.com 
• Facebook page is www.facebook.com/rouse.house.concerts

PLAN AHEAD

Saturday, November 19, 9 am - Noon: Bayou Village School presents Rhythm, Ritual, and Reverence: How Waldorf Education Supports the Need of the Growing Child- A Workshop with Laura Olson

• Join BVS for a morning of discussion and learning as they explore the practices and principles of Waldorf Education in early childhood. The presentation will journey through the why's and how's of the Waldorf Early Childhood class day and consider the relationship of home and school for the young child. How can a "bridge" between home and school be created for the young child that creates continuity and security? How can the rhythms and joys of every day life enhance and nurture the child's growing body and imagination? Discover how the arts, the sciences, mathematics, and language arts education are imparted through such things as bread baking, gardening, singing, play, rhyme and story. Learn more about the role of adults in children's lives and how Waldorf educators believe we can protect these early years and "savor them alongside our children in truly joyful ways!"
• $25/individual or $45/couple
• Pre-registration with payment is required for this workshop. Contact BVS (713-499-0598 or bayouvillageschool@yahoo.com) or download a registration form from our website: www.bayouvillageschool.org.
• Bayou Village School opened in 2010 and was founded by 2 Heights mothers. The school is located in 2 wonderful bungalows at 747 E 18th, across from Field Elementary

Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 pm: The Corkscrew offers you Dateapalooza

• The Corkscrew wants to make sure you have a date for the Holidays and they're willing to help by bringing back speed dating. They ask "Isn't speed dating lame?" And then they answer "Yes, other people's speed dating is lame. At The Corkscrew we use a secret ingredient to make it a lot more fun....boat loads of wine!" Basically, you have 2 minutes to chat up a member of the opposite sex with a big glass of wine in front of you. If you hate them, then in two minutes, they are out of your life forever, if you like them and they like you.....magic. 
• The Corkscrew claims to work magic, bragging they have had 2 marriages come out of past Dateaplooza events. 
• Contact Amy at thecorkscrewhoutx@gmail.com as they also claim the event fills fast!
• $30 per person. 1308 W 20th

IN OTHER NEWS

Here is a great little bit Channel 13 did on 19th Street: Hidden Treasures in the Heights video clip. It highlights many of our great local businesses, including Bliss on 19th, Erica DelGardo jewelry, and Carter and Cooley deli.

Many shops on 19th will be open late on Thursdays for the months of November and December. This is a great opportunity to get your holiday shopping done and support local businesses. Please shop local first if you want to see these stores and restaurants stay strong and continue to contribute to our wonderful quality of life!

Also, Write Now! on White Oak is having a huge sale, up to 50% off on gift and craft items. Shanna has also brought in a great selection of high quality toys and puzzles just in time for stuffing stockings.

Write Now! will also be getting a new neighbor. In addition to Heights Vinyl, a new dress shop, La Camella, will open in the strip center. Can't wait to see what she has to offer!

Can You Serve Some "Breakfast for the Brain"?

If you're fitness oriented, here is a wonderful opportunity to pass on that passion to the next generation!

Ms. Sipps, the PE Teacher at Travis Elementary, is starting a morning fitness program for 4th and 5th graders.  It is called "Breakfast for the Brain."  She is cleaning out a storage area at the school to make a fitness room where the kids can exercise in the mornings before school (it will also be available to faculty at other times).  A lot of kids are already at school during that time, doing nothing but sitting around.  And many of them are the ones who most need some physical exercise.  It sounds like a great and much needed program.

Ms. Sipps is looking for volunteer mentors and donations.  Mentors would join the group from 7:15-7:45 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays to work out with a child and mentor him or her throughout the year (once a week is fine, preferably the same day each week).  Volunteers do not have to be a Travis parent to be a mentor, all you need is a desire to make a difference for some of these kids.  You would need to be cleared through HISD's Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program if you aren't already, but that is apparently a simple process.

Travis Elementary, 3311 Beauchamp in Woodland Heights

Ms. Sipps is also looking for donations, specifically a stationary bicycle, an elliptical machine, and a Nintendo Wii system with Wii Fit or Wii Sport.  Monetary donations would be welcome as well; any donations are tax deductible.If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please contact Ms. Sipps at ssipps@houstonisd.org.  Also, feel free to forward this info rmation to anyone else that you think might be interested in volunteering or donating. This kind of program can really help set kids on a lifetime of fitness and good health!

Criminal Scum on the Loose!

I am posting this with permission from a neighborhood mom and member of Heights Kids Group. She sent it to the forum, but as you can imagine is feeling pretty vulnerable right now so I am not including any of her information. This is just too important not to share!

Hi! I just wanted to post this to the group just in case it can help prevent this from happening to anyone else. Last Thursday I came home with all three kids to find my backdoor wide open! I was terrified! They took EVERYTHING!!! Even our food.. Most importantly they robbed me and my family of our sense of security in our own home. :( 

Anyway, [this group has] consistently been hitting about 5 houses in the area a day. They seem to be focusing in Lazybrook, Timbergrove, and Garden Oaks/Oak Forest. One of the worthless thieves was caught and arrested on Monday. I spoke with an officer today and [the thief] is out and has already hit more houses!! Absolutely ridiculous that he was able to bond out. Infuriates me! 

I wanted to post all the info I have been given so if you see them please call the police as soon as possible. I saw two vehicles that fit the description this morning and they said it was them but were unable to get them. :( There is a tan Ford 150 (four door) with license plate number 35H BG9. Tan buick sedan license plate CB7 N25. There is also a light blue toyota and black SUV (possibly a Tahoe). They apparently knock on the door and when no answer they go around back and kick in the door. Please always make your presence known! The police said even if there is a car and alarm they will kick in door with no answer. Which terrified me since I NEVER answer the door. Be safe and please please please keep your eyes out for these cars! The guys that have been spotted at the door and previously arrested are hispanic males. One is about 6ft tall and 200 pounds with tattoos on his neck and sometimes wears horn rimmed glasses. There were apparently two white males that knocked for a long time on my door the day before our robbery! My neighbors said they were very insistent and aggressive with knocking. Please stay safe and keep your eyes out!

So, there you have it. All eyes on deck to find these guys before someone else has to share a story like this! In my opinion, the best neighbors are nosey neighbors. 

Heights Happenings: November 3- November 10, 2011

Finally, the weather is something to be happy about. It was a long, long, hot, hot summer and now we are finally being rewarded for our tolerance and patience with Mother Nature. Check out this weekend's forecast!

Friday, November 4, 5pm- 10 pm: Jenni's Noodle House "Celebrity Night" supporting Noah's Kitchen

• Jenni’s Heights location is allocating one night to provide much needed financial assistance to Noah’s Kitchen, a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding the local homeless and hungry in Houston. Friday night, Noah’s Kitchen “celebrities,” including founder Amber Rodriguez, will wait tables, accruing tips for their organization. Open to the public, this event represents the first in a series of rotating charity events that Jenni’s Noodle House will be participating in with local charities, providing much-needed revenue as well as event space to community partners.
• 602 East 20^th Street

Saturday, November 5, 10 am- 2 pm: AIGA's 2nd Annual Ctrl + Art + Create Art Festival

• Live music, raffles, giveaways, art and inspiration at the Heights Theater
• FREE, 339 W 19th
• AIGA, the professional association for communication design, is committed to furthering excellence in communication design as a broadly-defined discipline, strategic tool for business and cultural force.

Saturday, November 5, 11 am- 4 pm: 1st Saturday Arts Market

• With this weather, what else would you want to do on a Saturday? Local artists, food vendors, live music. This may be the best weekend of the year to partake in the 1st Saturday fun!

Now- December 31, 2011: Glass artist Michelle Rial at A Peaceful Pet

• Michelle describes her work as "multi-layered, highly textural, kiln- fused glass art creations."
• Sadly, this will be A Peaceful Pet's last art installation in the Heights. Sandy and her little clan of cuties are moving to a bigger, brighter location early next year. With all the recent development along White Oak, they feel this is a good move and we wish them so much luck! However, we have a couple months left to enjoy their company and check out this great art!

Saturday, November 5, 6 pm- 8:30 pm: Cameron Frederick Sands opening at Heights Beatniks

• Heights Beatniks is proud to have native Houstonian Cameron as their featured November artist.
• A graduate of UT and holding a Master's degree of UofH, Cameron has been spent the last 8 years teaching art on the secondary school level.  

• Light snacks, wine and other refreshments will be served.
• Music by DJ Tuzzo Martini
• 709 E 11th in the little, yellow bungalow

PLAN AHEAD:

Saturday, November 12, 2 pm- 4 pm: Upcycled Charms with Celia Clowe at Texas Art Asylum

• This class will introduce you to the basic tools and techniques used in charm
  construction.  Armed with that knowledge, you will transform game pieces, 
  hardware, bottle caps, coins, buttons, and whatever strikes your fancy into 
  wearable, collectible, giftable Upcycled Charms.
• Class provides:  All basic materials, and you will receive a supply voucher to 
  choose some of your own special bits.
• Instruction $45, Materials $10
• 1230 Houston Ave

Friday, November 18- Sunday, November 20: Spacetaker's WHAM!

• Every year, Spacetaker hosts the amazing Winter Holiday Art Market: "one part curated festival, one part holiday party, and all kinds of fun." Some of Houston's most wonderful artists and crafty folks come together to create a "winter wonderland of paintings, jewelry, clothing and more." Shoppers enjoy art, food, entertainment. This also really allows Houston artists to benefit from the once a year extravaganza that is the holiday revenue stream.
• Friday, November 18th: Exclusive Preview Party, 6 - 10 p, $20, more info and ticket sales at this link
• Saturday, November 19th: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. - Free
• Sunday, November 20th: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Free
• Winter Street Studios - 2nd Floor, 2101 Winter Street