Heights Happenings: March 28- April 3, 2013

Did Easter coming so early this year throw anyone else off? I am certainly ready for spring, though. Have an amazing weekend!

Thursday, March 28, 7 pm: Sunset Heights CC meeting with Plant It Forward

• This month the SHCC has Kassy Rodriguez from Plant It Forward as their speaker. Ms Rodriguez is going to talk about the organization and how it works in the Heights area.
• Plant It Forward offers economically disadvantaged refugees an opportunity to become self-sufficient through growing, harvesting and selling produce from a sustainable urban micro-farm within the city of Houston. Each farm will have the potential to generate a fair wage for a family of four while providing premium brand sustainably-grown produce to Houstonians. Plant It Forward secures land, selects, trains, and mentors farmers and establishes each on their own urban micro-farm to sell under the Plant It Forward brand.  
• Brethren Church, N Main at 23rd

All weekend! Easter Egg Hop on 19th Street

Friday, March 29, 10 am- 6 pm: 3rd Annual Easter party at Fixers Automotive

Saturday, March 30, 8:30 am: Easter Egg Hunt at Buchanan’s

• Bring the little ones for the nursery’s annual egg hunt
• 611 E 11th

Saturday, March 30, 1 pm- 4 pm: Bunny Wars: The Cute Showdown at Sparrow and The Nest

• In honor of "The Barking Bunny" and celebrating all-things-cute, we will be hosting a day of Bunny-centric art by our own Mistress of Cute, Veronica Triplett (a.k.a., "The Barking Bunny"). 
• The event iwill include a Jazz porch concert, bunny-themed crafts for the kiddos, and the main event: a "Cute Showdown" between Jo Bird, Stephanie, and Veronica in which each contender will attempt to OUT-CUTE one another in three categories of craftiness!!
• Also on hand will be The Gifted Fools "Little Peeps" photo booth, a photo booth for the kiddies that includes bunny props!
• 1020 Studewood

Sunday, March 30, ALL DAY

Happy Easter and Welcome Spring!

Thursday, April 4, 7 pm: Screening of “Faire: An American Reniassance” at 14 Pews

Tickets on Sale now: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5647517878

• The screening will be at 7:00pm sharp, followed by a Q&A with the director in from LA after. After the Q&A we'll have an after party in the garden out back with performance, beer and wine. Faire garb optional - please SHARE SHARE SHARE this invite! HUZZAH!
• About "Faire: An American Renaissance" - In 1963, from a small Ranch in Los Angeles, an event known as the “Renaissance Pleasure Faire” was born as a class project by a history teacher which was eventually turned it into a worldwide phenomenon. Some 45 years later, Faire as it is affectionately known, touches the lives of millions of people a year as attendees, booth owners, and die-hard "rennies". Recently struggling to redefine itself , the Faire now competes with the internet, raves, and Burning Man. The documentary follows the incredible and insightful journey of a quirky group of people that helped define a uniquely American movement. Join the original participants as they share their stories and struggle to find their place in a changing world.

OUTSIDE THE HEIGHTS

Saturday, March 30, 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm: Tire (Bike) Changing 101 workshop

• Whether you're an experienced cyclist or just beginning, one of the unfortunate aspects we have to deal with is flats. Join us the last Saturday of the month for our tire changing 101 workshop and learn how to change your tires like a pro!! 
• This event is presented by The Green Bicycle Initiative of Houston, which is a community of volunteers, organizations, and businesses to reaching out to communities that want to transition to a greener way of living. 
• Hosted by Bohemeo’s, 708 Telephone Road 77023

 And, as always, support your Heights businesses and:

Photo: RUDHouston

Heights Happenings: March 14- March 21, 2013

Friday, March 15, from 6pm -8 pm: Fresh Arts presents Cats, Bunnies, and The Surface Value of It All 

• Art lovers are invited to meet the artists at a free opening reception on at the Fresh Arts gallery, located at 2101 Winter Street, Studio B11. This exhibition of portraits by Lynn Lane and Melanie Loew seeks to understand the dynamic relationship between humans and animals, specifically cats and bunnies, through a series of straightforward- and occasionally funny- portraits.
• Loew says about the exhibition,"It's just not that deep. They are what they are. 'Surface value...' means there is nothing to dig up."
• RSVP here 

Saturday, March 16, 12 noon- 6 pm: The Sustainable Living Fest Returns to Market Square Park

• I know this is technically outside the Heights, but so many Heights people are involved it can almost be considered a Heights event!
• This free festival will transform a downtown neighborhood park into Houtopia!
• This is a great event for people who want a fun and unique way to celebrate all things green! Drive the full 5 minutes from the Heights to Market Square Park to enjoy everything the fourth annual Sustainable Living Fest has to offer! More than 60 exhibitors and promises a full day of eco-education and solution-based interactive events. 
• Enjoy live music, local eats and artists, living green demonstrations, as well a place for kids of all ages to play and learn.
• Be sure to check the Web site and Facebook page for updates - www.sustainablelivingfest.com and facebook.com/sustainablelivingfest. 

Saturday, March 16, 12pm- 4pm: Kiss The Blarney Hound

Sunday, March 17, 11am: Sonoma Heights St. Patrick's Day Brunch

• Sonoma in the Heights will be Open for a special St Patty’s Brunch this Sunday
• Call for more details or to make reservations 713.864.9463 

Wednesday, March 20, 6:30pm: Heights of Health Open House 

• Founder Tracy Southwick is home from London and will be there. There will be live demos, footbaths, and refreshments. Heights of Health is expanding it's platform to include nutrition counseling and holistic psychotherapy. Wednesday will be an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge of how they “help the body heal itself.”
• 540 Frazier, across from Onion Creek

Thursday, March 21, 6pm- 8pm:Third Thursdays with the Urbanites

• Who are the Heights Urbanites? “Supporters and members of the Houston Heights Association. we organize fun networking events and volunteer opportunities for those in their 20's, 30's and 40's.”
• Check out their Facebook page
• This new group will be organizing Happy Hours to meet and network with your neighbors. There will be a focus on supporting local Heights businesses. 
• This month’s event is at The Boom Boom Room- 2518 Yale

PLAN AHEAD

Friday, March 22, 6pm- 10 pm: All Fired Up on 19th St

Ceramic Show Block Party 

• Join Shop Heights 19th for an art block party celebrating local ceramic artists. All of our stores will be open and hosting a local ceramic artist with refreshments and music. This event will coincide with NCECA the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts who will be holding their conference here in Houston. Two of the premiere shows for this event will be on the street at 18 Hands Gallery and Gallery M Squared.

Saturday, March 23, 11am-2pm: Vineyard Church of Houston's Bubblefest 

• For children ages 3-12 years at the Hogg Middle School Spark Park. 
• Bubblefest was voted one of the Heights' best events last year. There will be bubble everything; bubble foam pits, games, face painting, a bubble prince and princess, and bubble contests. 
• Kids should wear play clothes that can get dirty and bring a towel to wipe off bubbles!
• Questions? Email Jill@houstonvineyard.org

IN OTHER NEWS

In case you haven’t heard...

• Houston's One Bin for All idea has been named one of the five winners in the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life. 
• Houston will receive a $1 million innovation prize to help implement its One Bin for All idea and, as the winner of the Mayors Challenge Fan Favorite Selection, Houston will also receive a $50K in-kind grant from IBM to support the implementation of its One Bin For All idea.

What’s the Katch?

• "Restaurateur Luke Mandola, formerly of Ragin' Cajun, and chef Kory Clemens, son of should be a Baseball Hall of Famer Roger, have united to bring "sports and spirits" concept Katch 22 to the former Convivio space on Durham."
• Read the entire Eater.com article for more information

Happy Birthday to Heights Plant Farm

• With Spring in full gear, Heights Plant Farm is having a sale to celebrate their 2nd anniversary with specials on herbs, veggies, and 4" annuals all month
• Also, HPF has a great outdoor space with a bunny coup. Fun to bring the kids by for a visit! Parking in the rear.
• 1422 Yale

Bringing IB Education to the Heights

Because I write this blog and am also the mother of 2 small children, I get a lot of questions about schools in the Heights. I try to give what information I can based on personal knowledge, although we have chosen Montessori for our kids and they do not go to a Heights school. Recently, I found this wonderful post by Heights area Realtor Cynthia Mullins. Here Cynthia talks about the progress and changes our Heights schools are seeing. While Harvard and Travis elementaries are highly regarded and sought after schools, it wasn't always that way. It took dedicated parents and a willing, hardworking administration to make those schools what they are today. With the support of parents and the community, we can see great things in our middle schools and highschool as well. It's already started!

By Cynthia Mullins

Boulevard Realty

What a difference a year makes!  The Houston Heights will hopefully soon be home to not one, but three, International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. Currently the neighborhood has one IB World School in Harvard Elementary.  In the spring, IB Candidate schools Hogg Middle School and Reagan High School will have their on-site authorization visit by an International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) delegation.  This team will spend a day at each school to evaluate and prepare an internal report on the candidate school’s capability to deliver the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in accordance with the IBO’s requirements.

Completion of this critical step will allow Harvard ES graduates, where all students receive the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), to continue their IB learning in the MYP through 10^th grade without leaving the Houston Heights.  Harvard ES Principal Kevin Beringer states, “I am excited for both schools and the students in this area to have access for additional IB programs.”  If you are not familiar with the IB philosophy, it is best summed up by the current IB Director General, Jeff Beard.  He states, “IB programmes are international, develop critical-thinking skills, require a second language, and emphasize cultural understanding in our principle that other people can be right as well. IB students undergo a unique experience that better positions them to tackle today’s global issues in a more creative way than has been done in the past."

The implementation of IB at Hogg MS and Reagan HS is exciting because students today face a much different world than those coming out of college when Bill Gates’ dream was to have a computer in every household.  The rate at which new information enters the world today is much too fast for students to keep pace.  On the last day I graduated from college, my professor told the class that everything we now knew would be obsolete in 5 years.  What????  Now he would probably say less than 18 months.   Students in the 21st century are faced with the challenge of learning about an interconnected world where knowledge is constantly developing. The IB Programme prepares children to be active participants in a lifelong journey of education through inquiry based learning.  This methodology is student centered vs. the traditional approach which is teacher centered.  Inquiry learning is focused on using and learning content as a means to develop information-processing and problem-solving skills. The teacher is a facilitator of learning and there is more emphasis on "how we come to know" and less on "what we know."  In the traditional approach, the teacher is focused on giving out information about "what we know." Students are the receivers of information, and teachers the dispenser.  Much of the assessment of the learner is focused on the importance of "one right answer." Traditional education is more concerned with preparation for the next grade level and in-school success than with helping a student acquire skills to learn throughout life.   What makes the IB Programme so challenging is the development of these skills and questioning in addition to mastery of content. 

No one is more excited about these developments than the principals at Hogg MS and Reagan HS, Dr. Mina Schnitta and Connie Berger, respectively.  They have been working closely together to become IB World Schools that support each other and complete the IB continuum from Pre-K at Harvard ES through high school at Reagan.  This past summer Hogg and Reagan went full force on finishing the work to complete their IB candidacy status.  Teachers and staff from both schools gathered at Reagan HS under the direction of IBO delegates to create a cohesive implementation across both schools.  Principals Berger and Schnitta want to make the transition from middle to high school as seamless and easy as possible for students.  This is challenging as the IB inquiry based learning environment is all encompassing.  In an IB atmosphere, not only is the method in which students learn different, but also ten IB learner profiles are woven through the fabric of their day.  All students strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective in every class every day.  For learners to internalize these characteristics and make them their own is no small task and doesn’t occur by happenstance.

If you haven’t been in Hogg MS since Dr. Schnitta became principal, you owe it to yourself to meet her and tour the school.  When you finish, you will know what a fire-cracker looks like in human form.  As she says, “I don’t play.  I expect 100% from each student every day and there are no excuses.  All children deserve rigor and they will rise to it if given the environment to do it.”  Since she started February 14, 2011, she has decreased disciplinary actions which require suspensions, expulsions or alternative placements to virtually zero.  I have witnessed first-hand how differently she handles rule breakers than past administrators.  She means serious business and the results of  her tactics can already be measured.  Her first full school year was 2011/2012.  She started her second year with an almost 20% increase in enrollment.  She has more than doubled the Gifted and Talented (GT) population in her short tenure.  This is nothing short of miraculous at a school where enrollment had steadily declined for years before her arrival.  Her impressive skills have not gone unnoticed by the IB delegation.  One of its members, who is very familiar with HISD and its middle schools, has visited the Hogg campus several times over the past few years.  He noticed a drastic change at Hogg MS since Dr. Schnitta’s entrance.  He believes Dr. Schnitta and its IB Coordinator, Clementine Arana, have turned Hogg around.  He believes Hogg is an entirely different school with a different attitude, a different climate, and a different way of educating young people than he has seen on previous visits.  That is a pretty powerful statement.  He is also impressed with the partnership between Hogg MS and Reagan HS.

This early photo of Reagan High School from RdlR Architects  (Rdlr.com), who designed the wonderful addition to the historic high school. The school was built in 1926.

Reagan HS is implementing IB MYP for all 9^th and 10^th grade students.  As an IB world school, students are required to learn a second language.  This facet is synergistic with Reagan’s Dual Language Program where students may choose to participate and receive instruction in both English and Spanish.  Students acquire bilingual skills in all academic disciplines (Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies) and are therefore better prepared to participate in a global economy.  Reagan is the only HISD high school offering the Dual Language Program.  The same IB delegate feels Reagan has accomplished more in 6 months than some schools do in two years.  He has alerted the IBO that Reagan is a “school to watch”.  This is not surprising if you are familiar at all with Principal Berger.  She was HISD’s high school Principal of the Year last year.  In her 7 years at Reagan, she has increased enrollment 35%.  Last year, Reagan HS was included in the Washington Post High School Challenge, a list of 1,800 schools representing the top 9 percent in the nation when it comes to preparing graduates for college.

If all goes well, Principal Berger will consider implementing the Diploma Years Programme (DYP) for 11^thand 12^th graders, thus providing them an avenue to enter over 1,000 colleges in the US (and more abroad) with part of college already paid for and behind them.  Considering the escalating cost of a year of college, I’m willing to bet she will be pushed by the community to complete the IB cycle and join the ranks of Bellaire HS, Awty International School, The British School of Houston and Lamar HS.  This means the opportunity to place out of many core courses and their expenses at colleges such as Baylor, Rice, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of Houston, and University of Texas.  Or, if you prefer out of state:  Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, and MIT to name a few.  More universities worldwide provide this opportunity also such as Cambridge and Oxford in the UK.  Each university has different requirements so visit www.ibo.org/recognition for detailed information on a particular university.

This after photo, also from RdlR, shows the modern addition to the school. The thoughtful renovation and addition to Reagan won the school a Greater Houston Preservation Alliance "Good Brick Award" for excellence in historic preservation in 2009.

This spring Hogg and Reagan will join together in coordinating an international festival promoting world cultures and global thinking.  Hopefully they will also be celebrating their new status as International Baccalaureate World Schools.  The PTOs of both schools are working diligently to improve how they are perceived by prospective families and neighborhood residents because each have made significant changes that they want everyone to know.  Principal Berger mentions, “Reagan is seeing less transfers out of our zone.  This is an indication that more families are choosing to stay in the neighborhood to complete their education.  It is no longer necessary to transfer out to get a good education.”  Each truly are “schools to watch.”

................................................................................................

visit Cynthia's very informative Heights real estate blog at http://blogs.har.com/cynthiamullins

Saturday Supplemental: Sustainable Living Fest, March 16

The brain child of Kwrix Creative, with many Heights connections including One Green Street, the The Sustainable Living Fest is bringing on eco-friendly everything at Market Square Park on March 16.

This amazing event actually began as a small health and sustainability expo in conjunction with Earth Week in West Houston.  "The response from the green community was resounding," said Jennifer Masters of Kwirx Creative, the design firm whose efforts have helped start and maintain this ode to the ecosystem. The great response meant the Fest would see another year.  No one involved could have guessed how quickly it would become something else entirely.  As Houston’s own knowledge and fervor for local and sustainable living grew, so did the Fest. With music, art, food, fashion, shopping, this near-zero waste event (NZW) is the only eco-festival of its kind in Texas!

"More than anything," Jennifer says," the Sustainable Living Fest is about this great city. It’s about showcasing the best and the brightest Houston has to offer. It’s about fantastic local talent and the best local eats- about children playing with earth, interactive demonstrations and progressive trends in local businesses. It’s about connecting community. It’s about time to take Houston sustainability from a tradition to trend and back again."

Now held at Market Square Park, the March 16 event should prove to be the best yet!

Pretty cool! Read more: 

Free festival transforms downtown neighborhood park into Houtopia

Heights Happenings: March 7- March 14

Friday, March 8, 8 pm: Moon Over Buffalo opens at Upstage Theater

• “Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a theatrical production? Ever wondered if what happens backstage is half as interesting as what you see out front? Well, wonder no more! UpStage's latest production is the hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, Moon Over Buffalo.
• Set in the 1950s, MOB tells the tale of the Hay family; a has-been husband-and-wife acting team and their daughter Roz who left for a "normal" life. Love quadrangles, mistaken identities, slamming doors and hijinks galore ensue. The Broadway premiere of this show lured Carol Burnett out of retirement to play the female lead.”
• MOB runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm through March 23. There will be a special 2pm “Pay what you wish” Sunday matinee on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
• Directed by Shawn Havranek and features Marc Abramson, John Carmona, Jaci Jeane, Jennifer Leaton, Carolyn Montgomery, Roger Palomino, Samantha Walker, and Matt Zipko. 
• Purchase tickets to this show by clicking here, or you can make reservations by calling 713-838-7191. $15 ($12 for students, seniors and groups)
• 1703 Heights Blvd

Saturday, March 9, 12pm- 4 pm: Second Saturday Craftacular

• The market is small but the love is big! Come check out amazing local artists and crafters outside of Hello-Lucky at 1025 Studewood
• This month’s vendors: Tiny Deer Studio, 1+2=Love, Elaine Bradford, Prettyblaq Jewels, Fab Jewelry, Wee Hollow, Lisa Chow, Orange is the Sun, Kelly Kielsmeier, S&G Farms, Mod-Tops, Forgotten Arts Clothing

Saturday, March 9, 7 pm: The Flyin’ A’s at Rouse House

• There are actually still some seats available for you to see these rising stars of the Texas Music scene. 
• RSVPs are required due to limited seating and will be on a "first come/first served" basis. Rouse House will be limiting attendance to 60 people and this show will sell out.
• To RSVP, please email rouse_house_concerts@yahoo.com
• Suggested honorarium of $20 per person, 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 pm and 7:15 pm for potluck dinner prior to the concert. They provide coffee and lemonade but please bring your choice of beverage should you prefer something else. We have wine glasses 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, here in the lovely Houston Heights.

Saturday, March 9, 3pm - 4 pm: Opera In The Heights offering Free Program for Young Audiences

• The company will be presenting "This Opera's For You," their special one hour interactive lecture/demonstration about opera.
• Jessica Jones (this season's Desdemona in "Otello" ) will perform.
• IMPORTANT: This is not at Lambert Hall. The event will be held at Bellaire City Library, 5111 Jessamine

Sunday, March 10, 1 pm: The Billy Pilgrim Traveling Library at Style Cycle

• The Billy Pilgrim Traveling Library is a Houston-based non-profit traveling library and bookmobile-for-hire. It’s a really cool concept.
• Check them out online http://thebptl.com/ 

Monday, March 11, 6:30pm -8pm: Next Meeting of the Houston Heights Association

Hosted at Houston Heights Fire Station & City Hall -Yale at West 12th 

The meeting will cover the Blueprint Houston presentation.

http://www.blueprinthouston.org/

Tuesday, March 12, 7 pm: Black Tea Class by The Path of Tea

• Join Chris McKann, The Path of Tea owner and Tea guru to taste, smell and explore everything you ever wanted to know about Black Tea. 
• $25 per person and space is limited. 
• Extra Bonus: Get your hands on Thia's "Your Path of Tea" book/journal available at One Green Street and The Path of Tea
• RSVP here
• 3423 White Oak

PLAN AHEAD

Friday, March 15, from 6pm -8 pm: Fresh Arts presents Cats, Bunnies, and The Surface Value of It All 

• Art lovers are invited to meet the artists at a free opening reception on at the Fresh Arts gallery, located at 2101 Winter Street, Studio B1. This exhibition of portraits by Lynn Lane and Melanie Loew seeks to understand the dynamic relationship between humans and animals, specifically cats and bunnies, through a series of straightforward- and occasionally funny- portraits.
• Loew says about the exhibition,"It's just not that deep. They are what they are. 'Surface value...' means there is nothing to dig up."
• RSVP here 

Saturday, March 16, 12pm- 4pm: Kiss The Blarney Hound

Friday, March 22, 6pm- 10 pm: All Fired Up on 19th St

Ceramic Show Block Party 

• Join Shop Heights 19th for an art block party celebrating local ceramic artists. All of our stores will be open and hosting a local ceramic artist with refreshments and music. This event will coincide with NCECA the National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts who will be holding their conference here in Houston. Two of the premiere shows for this event will be on the street at 18 Hands Gallery and Gallery M Squared.

Saturday, March 23, 11am-2pm: Vineyard Church of Houston's Bubblefest 

• For children ages 3-12 years at the Hogg Middle School Spark Park. 
• Bubblefest was voted one of the Heights' best events last year. There will be bubble everything; bubble foam pits, games, face painting, a bubble prince and princess, and bubble contests. 
• Kids should wear play clothes that can get dirty and bring a towel to wipe off bubbles!
• Questions? Email Jill@houstonvineyard.org