Heights Happenings: August 1- August 8, 2012

Well, there isn't much to say. If you don't already know what's happening in the Heights this weekend... 

But just in case you just emerged from your Edina-style isolation tank, this weekend is none other than White Linen Night. If you're just finding this out now, don't try to book a room at a Heights B&B or make reservations at your usual Heights eatery. Booked solid. However, do roam the main roadways of the Heights and experience all kinds of everything good the neighborhood has to offer.

White Linen Night Facebook Page:

the best resource for what's happening where, with links to the webpage schedule and updates as we get closer.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Ruggle's Green

The neighborhood was anticipating the Heights location of Ruggle's Green to open by August, but that isn't going to happen. As is often the case, once work started in the building, they realized they were worse off than they thought. The interior will need even more work and a lot more money than originally anticipated. Freddie Marques, the "Green Guy" behind the restaurant chain, says RG is still committed to the location. "What we want is to build something that is very nice and functional and maintains integrity of the original building." I don't know about you, but I feel very certain the investment will pay off. I look forward to seeing the new renderings when they're complete and sharing them with you.

Heights Happenings: July 26 - August 1, 2012

I’m late with my post this week. My mom is in town and we are getting some major purging done at the house. Today I dropped off donations at five different locations, including Sand Dollar on Yale, Heights Interfaith Food Pantry, to a mom who brings items to Casa de Esperanza, and to Texas Art Asylum! I hate to generate trash and tend to hold on to things like pieces of my kids toys because I always think “someone, somewhere will be able to use this and keep it from the landfill.” Texas Art Asylum is the place that makes that happen! From used paint to toy parts to old photos to whatever, this quirky shop gives a 2nd life to many things we would otherwise throw away. 

Texas Art Asylum: Cool Stuff for Creative Reuse. 1230 Houston Ave.

Friday, July 27, 9pm: Annika Chambers & The Houston Jazz Band at the Boom Boom Room

• This locally owned and operated wine bar seems to fly under the radar. It’s a great, intimate venue for live music. 
• Wonderful wines and atmosphere. Their brownie dessert is to die for!
• 2518 Yale

Sunday, July 29, 4 pm- 6 pm: "XXY" at 14 Pews

• “For just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15 year-old Alex (Inés Efron,) who was born an intersex child.* As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore, along with their 16-year- old son Álvaro (Martín Piroyanski.) Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity, and forces both families to face their worst fears.” 
• Theatrical trailer (this acclaimed movie is subtitled)
• Doors open at 3:45PM
• Free parking on street

Wednesday, August 1: Houston Restaurant Weeks kicks off

• Houston Restaurant Week was established in 2003. Now called Houston Restaurant Weeks, the event showcases and promotes Houston's incredible array of fine restaurants while raising money for the Houston Food Bank. Staffed entirely by volunteers, this is an amazing fund raiser for the Food Bank!
• Heights area restaurants include: Glasswall, Shade, Cavatore and Rainbow Lodge
• Restaurants and menus will continue to be added through July 31. 
• More information on their website

OUTSIDE THE HEIGHTS

Saturday, July 28, 6pm: 26^th Annual Watermelon Dance & Summer Social 

• Embrace the fun of summer with local live music and ice cold watermelon; at the same time support 90.1 KPFT listener sponsored radio.
• Hosted by Last Concert Café with music from Premium Blend, Hightailers, Potroast, D.R.U.M., Jimmy Lee Deen and belly dancing from The Tribal Lillies.
• $15-20. You decide.
• 1403 Nance

IN OTHER NEWS

A 2nd Cup Coffee Shop now open and in need of volunteers. 

This not for profit coffee shop on 11th aims to help some of the many people who are taken against their will and trafficked in our city. To maximize how much they can help, they rely on volunteer power. Can you spare some time or your service to help them out?

• Baristas
• Want to help serve the best coffee in Houston? Training required, but don't worry—it's painless. Email Erica to sign up!
• Plumber
• Do you know a Licensed Plumber who would be willing to donate their time to helping us make some changes in the kitchen? Email Erica.
• Accountant
• Do you know an Accountant who would be willing to help us organize our books as we now have a more steady flow of income? Email Erica.

Are you friends with Friends for Life on Facebook?

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about FFL’s new amazing LEED certified, no kill shelter in the Heights. I want to recommend liking their Facebook page for a couple of reasons:

• It’s a great way to find out what their greatest needs are at any one time. You can usually order supplies for the shelter right from their Amazon Wish List. By being a fan on Facebook, you’ll know if their greatest need is pureed baby foods for new kittens, stainless steel feeding bowls, or ink cartridges for their printer. It makes it so easy to support them with in-kind donations.
• You’ll also get the warm and fuzzies with all the photos of successful adoptions, plus updates on some of their most memorable past boarders.

Heights Happenings: July 18- July 25, 2012

Thursday, July 19- Saturday, July 21: HITS Theater presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was the winner of the 2005 Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor
• Three days only, Thurs/Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm and one matinee Saturday at 2:30 p.m. 
• The show centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. 
• Tickets are $15 general admission; $5 students.  Call or e-mail to reserve tickets: (713) 861-7408 or info@hitstheatre.org

Friday, July 20, 5:30 pm-11:30 pm: Casino night and Texas Hold’em Tourney to support the Foster YMCA

• Check in begins at 5:30, casinos open 7:00 pm
• Hosted by Marek Brothers- 2115 Judiway 77015
• Join the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA for a night of casino games and Texas hold 'em poker benefiting the Partners Campaign. Enjoy a great evening of food and fun while supporting a great cause. All proceeds will help local children attend summer day camp programs who would normally not have the option.
• EVENT FEES:
• Casino Entrance (Pit Boss): $50, Includes one entrance to the Casino, drink tickets and food. Click Here to Register
• Texas Hold 'em Entrance (The High Roller): $125, Includes $3,500 in casino chips, drink tickets and food.Texas Hold 'em Grand Prize: 2 Night Stay in Las Vegas. Click Here to Register
• Texas Hold 'em Entrance (The Card Shark): $75, Includes $3,000 in casino chips, drink tickets and food.
• Don’t gamble? There is also a Bunco Tournament! Bunco Entrance (3 of a Kind): $50
• Includes one Bunco registration, drink tickets and food.
• Click Here to Register
• Child Care available at the Foster Family YMCAClick Here to Register for Child Care
• Event fees are non-refundable and benefit the Y Partners Campaign
• Must be 21 or over to attend this event

Saturday, July 21,6-8pm: Hello-Lucky celebrates Lisa Chow and Her Band of Curious Mischief Makers

• “Tiptoeing that fine line between real life ending and imagination beginning, Lisa Chow's drawings and paintings introduce viewers to a whimsical world ruled by a cautious little Girl and her not-so-imaginary friend, Rabbit. Together, Girl and Rabbit spend their days tea sipping and flower picking and ship sailing and adventure taking.”
• In her upcoming Hello-Lucky exhibition, Chow displays a collection of miniature portraits which introduce a new group of characters joining Girl and Rabbit in their explorations- A band of curious mischief makers.
• Work on view through Saturday September 1, 2012
• 1025 Studewood

Tuesday, July 24, 7 pm: The Houston Heights Woman's Club general meeting

• Join the HHWC for their next General Meeting at the Historic ClubhouseThe program includes standard Club business, plus a speaker from The Women's Institute of Houston
• Refreshments and a door prize raffle 
• Interested in membership? Please join the meeting for more information

IN OTHER NEWS

Welcome A 2nd Cup Coffee to the neighborhood

• What could be special about another coffee shop in a neighborhood that has some pretty awesome places to get coffee? This one is a non-profit. Coffee for a cause!

• From their Facebook page: “We will be a money-making engine to fund after-care solutions for survivors of human-trafficking, including housing, mentoring, tutoring, job-skills, and other life skills for reintegration into society. “
• 1035 E 11th, next to the Vineyard Church

Call for artists from G Gallery

• G Gallery is seeking artists who use dogs as subject matter in their work for inclusion in an exhibition to be presented from September 1-30, 2012.  
• Work in all media will be considered and submissions (artist resume; images of work with title, date, size, medium; contact info) should be sent with subject line DOG PARK to diane@dincthink.com no later than August 5, 2012. 
• For  more info visit www.ggalleryhouston.com.

More retail coming to White Oak! 

One Green Street, an eco-conscious store with everything from makeup to matresses, is taking over the beautiful cottage that used to house The Artful Corner.

Heights Happenings: July 11- July 18, 2012

Thursday, July 12 thru Saturday, July 14: “13” at HITS Theater

• HITS Theatre in the Heights is putting on a production of "13 The Musical," featuring a cast of performers in middle school/early high school.
• “13” is a “hilarious, high energy musical about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.” When his parents get divorced, Evan Goldman is forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, where he just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done. 
• Tickets on sale at http://www.hitstheatre.org/

Friday, July 13, 4pm- 8 pm: Chip Hight at Heights Cigar Lounge

• HCL is pleased to host Chip Hight for their first Hight Cigar Event. They will be introducing 3 NEW blends, along with Primitivo.
• Chip Hight is raffling off a "Special Rolling Event". This will be a 2 hour rolling party with 30 cigars!!
• Buy Any 4 Get 1 FREE +(1) Raffle Ticket
• Buy Box Get 20% OFF +(2) Raffle Tickets
• Hight Cigar will donate one cigar for each cigar purchased during the event to send to our troops thru the USO.

Saturday, July 14, 10:30 am -2 pm: The Transition Houston Transportation Action Group (TAG) bike rodeo volunteer training

• Facilitated by Bike Texas
• Hosted at the Green Building Resource Center at the east end of Washington Avenue. The SafeCyclist Curriculum is a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian safety education curriculum designed for fourth and fifth grade elementary students. The SafeCyclist Certification Training provides teachers, public safety and youth professionals with bicycle and pedestrian safety interactive lessons and the curriculum needed to teach these life-saving skills to their students.
• Please register by emailing or calling Brenda Chuleewah, Teacher Training Manager: education@biketexas.org or 512-476-RIDE (7433).
• Bring your lunch or $5 for lunch on site. Please dress appropriately. Helmets provided. Some bikes provided, but please bring your own if convenient.
• The volunteer training is be open to everyone--gym teachers, school teachers, community leaders, etc.

Saturday, July 14, 8 am- 11 am: Open house, free classes at Studio Nia Moves

• Come see why your neighbors and friends adore NiaMoves! Nia offers over 50 classes a week, starting as early as 6 am. In addition to Nia, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba, they also offer Hoop Dance, Belly Dance, Yamuna Body Rolling, ZumBellyBolli, Kid's Music Classes, and more!
• Nia with Helen 8-9 am
• Nia for Beginners with Kristie 9:15 - 10:10 am
• Yoga with Elisabeth (subbing for Kay) 10:15 - 11:15 am
• Crescendo Family Music at 9:15 am ~ There are two open demo spots this Saturday to join our regular class. To RSVP, please contact Christi Gell at crescendofamilymusic@gmail.com. For more information, visit the website at www.crescendofamilymusic.com.
• What is Nia? Learn about Nia and the White Belt Training 9:15 am. Nia Intro Discussion on the deck. An informative talk on the benefits of the body-centered practice of Nia White Belt Training for those who want to take their practice deeper and/or teach Nia. Not ready to attend class? Stop by and meet the various NiaMoves' teachers and learn about their classes. They will be on the deck, happy to talk with you.
• They will have refreshments.
• 508 Pecore St

Saturday, July 14, 7 pm- 10 pm: Opening reception for Lisa Chow’s Once there was; once there wasn’t

• Fresh Arts hosts Once there was, once there wasn't: Two tales from the minds of Lisa Chow & Y. E. Torres, “a collaborative exhibition by an unlikely duo. Opening with Lisa Chow’s sweetly delicate paintings, this exhibition will slowly morph into Y.E. Torres’ darkly seductive installation performance. Midway through the exhibition, an afternoon tea celebrates the merging of both artists’ whimsical and feminine aesthetics, where each artist examines where reality ends and fantasy begins.”

• The opening will feature Lisa’s paintings, plus streamers, glitter and cupcakes. She says “Welcome to my world.”

Saturday, July, 5pm- 9 pm: “Women with Figures” on at S and T Art and Design

• Lynet McDonald, Kelley Devine, Julie Zarate and Ogla Galindo will be featured in this show at the Sawyer Heights Lofts at 2424 Sawyer Heights.
• “Women with Figures will display works from four women painting sexy, mysterious women who have hidden secrets and entice you to get to know them.”
• For more information on the "Women with Figures” and the artists http://www.sandtartanddesign.com/in-the-news or contact Terrence Boggs at  (832) 413-2902  or via e-mail at terboggs@sandtartanddesign.com. 

Wednesday, July 18, 5pm- 9pm: Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce’s Heights Community Expo featuring “Idol of the Heights”

• Tickets are on sale for this community event, including the American Idol style singing contest, local businesses on display, demonstrations and the Heights of Dining. 
• Event tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door (each ticket entitles adults to one beer or other beverage). Advance tickets can be purchased on the Chamber website, www.heightschamber.com. 
• Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event. 
• SPJST Lodge, 1435 Beall Street @ West 15^th Street

IN OTHER NEWS:

Vinal Edge is now open on 19th Street

Their motto: Scaring your mother since 1985, this record and cd shop recently relocated to the Heights 19th St shopping district. Now open from 10 am- 7 pm, Mon- Sat and 11am - 6 pm on Sundays. Pop in and welcome them to the neighborhood!

NSABA- a new group working for a better Heights

“The North Shepherd Area Business Association is committed in improving the community as well as our businesses.”

Like their Facebook page and help this new community organization grow.

Are you ready for White Linen Night?

Check out the music line up at 226 Recordings on 19th St

Happy 4th of July

Not posting any Happenings this week. Too busy hanging with the family. Have fun and be safe!