August 2020 | Vol. 32 | Issue 8
BACK to school
VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON??
Learning Styles
WHICH IS YOUR CHILD'S?
workstation inspiration PLAN THE PERFECT AT HOME WORKSPACE FOR THE KIDS
a dad’s perspective
WITH ACTOR GREG ELLIS
EDUCATION DIRECTORY
Now offering COVID-19 testing! Use our virtual care platform to see and speak directly to one of our providers from the comfort of your own home. We know that when your child is sick, having immediate access to a trusted and convenient after-hours resource is critical. You can now access the same care your little one experiences in our clinics straight from your phone.
COVID-19 Clinic Hours Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Weekends 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
NightLightPediatrics.com/Telemed Telemedicine Hours* Weekdays / Weekends 6 a.m. - midnight *Telemedicine is available for newborns to 21-year-old patients all across Texas. Sugar Land - Cy-Fair - Pearland houston family magazine 2 AUGUST 2020
Your night, made brighter.
Humble - Webster - Tanglewood - Garden Oaks - Katy
contents
AUGUST 2020
departments
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8
features|in this issue 8
10
on the cover
Joshua is a 7 year old student who loves all things dancing. He even teaches dance lessons on TicTok and YouTube! He also has a love for education and aspires to be an online tutor for kids struggling in math and science. Cover Credits: Photographer: Alisa Murray Photography
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What's your child's learning style
Get a jump start on teaching your child in the best manner possible for them.
back to homeschool
publisher's note
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family FYI
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family finds
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family tech
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i am houston
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the dad perspective
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Texas Travel
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book Bites
Take that 2020!
Things you need to know about Back to school favorites Apps for back to school Get to know Linda Rhodes
HFM gets personal with actor Greg Ellis Waunderlust an education in adventure Good reads for back to school
Read us on the go! Download our app in the app store or google play.
Workstation ideas to kick off the school year from home.
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homeschooling tips for parents
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back to school?
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Trying something new can feel overwhelming, here are some tips to help you get started. What are things going to look like going into the 20-21 school year around H-Town?
movie bites
Family movie suggestions with a school theme.
resources
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Education directory the big to-do
Activities for Families
follow us on social media AUGUST 2020
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
TAKE THAT 2020!
publisher/editor
Kimberly Davis Guerra kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com
online editor Latesa Guerra
associate editor
Chantal Lemieux calendar@houstonfamilymagazine.com
PRETTY SURE THIS IS HOW MOMS ARE FEELING THESES DAYS - READY TO SMASH IT ALL!
creative director/ production
Casey Johnson casey@houstonfamilymagazine.com
event director
Mary Sue Kent marysue@houstonfamilymagazine.com
contributing authors Kimberly Davis Guerra Elizabeth Irvine Casey Johnson Valerie Kohler Sarah Lyons
contributing photographers
Alisa Murray Photography Relics of Rainbows Photo
advertising sales Beverly Davis Amy Garrett Mary Sue Kent Tish Petty
printing
Midway Press, Ltd Dallas, TX
contact us:
14123 Bluebird Lane Houston, TX 77079 (P) 713.266.1885 (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com
Houston Family is published monthly by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. Houston Family is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material. Houston Family is ©2020 by Houston Family Magazine,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited. houston family magazine
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ABOVE// Kim and pal take out their agressions with a little “smash therapy” at a Tantrums located in Houston. THE BIG TO DO Did you know our online calender is packed with even more great family friendly events? Check it out at houstonfamilymagazine.com. FIND US ON FACEBOOK @houstonfamilymagazine FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @houstonfamilymagazine CONTACT US Let us know how we’re doing. kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com
This year will go down in history for centuries. In 100 years, people will refer back to 2020 as the year the world stopped. It really has been like living in a movie. Every time we think we are turning a corner to come out the other side, we slide back into an outbreak or an increase in cases. I had hope that by the time school started back, we’d be on a better track. Unfortunately, we are still reeling with the ups and downs of COVID-19. With that said, many of my colleagues and friends tell me this time has given them opportunities that they did not know they needed or even wanted. Time to slow down. Time to reconnect with friends and family. Time to self-care. Just time to step back and take stock of their lives and their families to see how/if/where/when changes should be made. It is with this outlook that we tread lightly into the new school year. Our Back to School issue normally looks a lot different than it does today, but that is just part of recreating and redefining who we are and how we serve our community. In this issue, we take a look at “Learning Styles” of our kids. Since many of us will be making changes to how our kids receive their education through online learning or homeschooling or maybe a new private school, taking stock of how our kids learn is of great importance. If you choose to keep your kids home and homeschool, we have pulled together some tips to help ease the transition. Whether the kids are going back to school on campus or at home, one thing COVID-19 has shown us is that we all need a comfortable workstation at home. Our own creative director got inventive this spring and designed and built her own workstation, which is included in this month’s article, along with other inspiring ideas. If you are looking for a spark of inspiration, we think these ideas will put you in the right direction for either you or your kiddos this fall. Speaking of direction, we have two inspiring profiles this month. First, in I am Houston, we speak with Linda Rhodes from the Women’s Fund for Health Education. In today’s environment with all that is going on, her work and organization are essential to our community. Second, in our revamped Dad’s Perspective, we speak with actor Greg Ellis on the trials and tribulations of dads in today’s society. Greg had so much to say in fact, we had to break it up into two articles! Part 2 will be included in the September issue, but be sure you do not miss out on this month’s feature. As summer winds down, we sincerely hope that you have found moments with your kids to make some memories, have a few laughs and become a closer family. The school year is (maybe) upon us. Time to get back to the grind. Thank you for taking Houston Family with you!
family fyi CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: MAM BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
RASCAL + FRIENDS In response to the coronavirus pandemic’s increasing negative impacts, one of Texas’ most popular new baby brands, Rascal + Friends, is giving back to communities in both Dallas and Houston with a generous diaper donation. The donation came about from a conversation between Rascal + Friends’ CEO and award-winning actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The internationally celebrated baby brand, originally from New Zealand, has donated more than 130,000 diapers between Hope Supply Co. in Dallas and the Houston Diaper Bank. The donations to the diaper banks in Dallas and Houston represent the largest donation Rascal + Friends has made in the United States to support vulnerable families in need. Rascal + Friends is all about community – that’s where the “Friends” part comes in!
The MAM Back to School program helps parents shop for new uniforms for their children, because all children deserve to have a great back-to-school experience! Starting the school year with new clothes helps children feel confident to greet their friends and focus on their studies. They feel great knowing they will fit in with their classmates. Many families in our northwest Houston community are struggling and cannot provide new uniforms for their children without help. Your generous support sends children Back to School ready to learn. For more information, visit Memorial Assistance Ministries www.mamhouston.org.
MEMORIAL PARK’S 100-ACRE CLAY FAMILY EASTERN GLADES OPENS! Looking for more green space to social distance and get outside? You are in luck! The first major project of Memorial Park’s Master Plan, Eastern Glades opens Aug 1st! Highlights include: • 5-acres Hines Lake and wetlands • 1.5 miles of majestic new boardwalks and walking trails • New Picnicking area including Live Oak Court, food truck court and event lawn alongside picnic pavilions and picnic pads Eastern Glades in Memorial Park is located on East Memorial Loop Drive, north of Memorial Drive between Memorial Park Golf Course and Crestwood Drive
To learn more, visit www.RascalandFriends.US.
A NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK ABOUT HURRICANES WITH LOCAL CONNECTION! “My Name is a Hurricane?” is the story of a boy on a mission to find out if his mischievous ways may be to blame for sharing his name with a hurricane. Full of rhymes (who knew so many words rhymed with hurricane?!) and adorable illustrations, this book offers the perfect gateway to discuss more about the potentially devastating storms, hurricane preparedness and how good things can come out of bad situations. The book is available, along with her first book, “H is for Harvey” on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. AUGUST 2020
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FA M I LY F I N D S | T H E G O O D S T U F F
back to school
favorites
We love searching for products to help make your life a little easier. This month we’ve got some items that will make going back to school a little more functional for you all.
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1. Square Panda Multisensory Phonics Playset 2.0 | Includes 46 smart letters and workstation to play interactive games on your ipad or android tablet. Helps kids learn to read in an engaging way! $49.50 • squarepanda.com
4. HP - 2-in-1 14” Touch-Screen Chromebook Make sure the kids are tech ready with this 2 in 1 laptop/tablet combo. Comes with a built in webcam and microphone. $319• bestbuy.com
2. Micke Desk | Everything you need to set up the perfect small workspace for your child for their at-home learning experience. Get creative and put multiple desks together for more kids. Available in black/brown or white. $119 • ikea.com
5. Chalkboard Wall Decal | Don’t want the mess of chalkboard paint or the hassle of nails in the wall, try this chalkboard wall decal. It’s great for the kids and works with both chalk and chalk pens. Size: 2’ x 8’. $46 • simpleshapes.com
3. Three Tier Metal Utlity Cart | Keep all of your school supplies organized with this rolling cart. Add a few cans or jars to hold pencils, markers and more. $35.00 • target.com houston family magazine
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PRIMARY CARE that fits your life NOW OFFERED VIRTUALLY
Convenient, quality primary care. During these uncertain times, Houston Methodist primary care doctors are still available to provide personalized care for you and your family via video visit. Our doctors: • Can speak with you real-time via video
• Accept most major insurance plans
• Are seeing new and existing patients
• Are available for in-person visits, if needed
houstonmethodist.org/pcg 713.394.6724
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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY E D U C AT I O N
WHAT’S YOUR CHILD’S
Learning Style? written by Sarah Lyons
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Does your child love reading and writing? Do they have a knack for music? When they tell a story do they tend to use their whole body to describe what happened? Are they drawn to groups or do they prefer to work alone? These traits can give a clue about your child’s learning style. A learning style is the method a person uses to learn and should be used to maximize learning. It’s important for parents to understand their child’s learning style so they can help them find study methods, environments, and activities that help them learn best. (www.classroom.com)
Visual
Visual learners prefer seeing pictures and images to learn new things. They usually have good spatial awareness skills. Kids with this learning style understand maps and have a good sense of direction. They usually love doodling and drawing. Study habits best for these learners are to write information down, underline or highlight as they read, use colorful diagrams, charts, and pictures to enable hem visualize what they want to remember.
Auditory
People who are auditory learners e are typically drawn to music.
They may sing, play a musical instrument, or have the ability to pick individual musical instruments out of a piece of music. They may hum, sing, or tap their feet while they work. Using music and rhythm to remember information can be helpful for kids who have this learning style. It might also be helpful to record and playback things you want to remember, or read and recite information aloud.
Verbal
Kids with a verbal learning style can easily express themselves in both speaking and written communication. Verbal learners have a strong understanding of the meaning of words and will consistently
seek out new words to master which they will later use to communicate with others. Try using acronyms or reading information aloud while learning new things. Role playing can also be helpful for the verbal learning style.
Physical
Kids who prefer using their bodies, hands, and sense of touch prefer the physical learning style.
Many of these learners enjoy drama, dancing, woodworking, or exercise. They would rather go for a run or walk when something is bothering them than sit at home and think it through. These kids use hand gestures and body language to communicate and are very aware of the world around them. Sitting and listening to a lecture can be a challenge for kids who prefer a physical learning style so they will often fidget and look forward to when they can move around. Try actually incorporating the physical objects they are learning about or allowing movement whenever possible. Writing, drawing, and using flashcards can also be helpful for kids who have this learning style. Frequent breaks can help the physical leaner feel more prepared for study time. You can also try standing while reading, using a computer for studying, or making review into a gross-motor style game.
Logical
Kids with a logical learning style generally excel in math and critical thinking.
They can recognize patterns and commonalities in seemingly unrelated content. They often understand and work complex calculations in their head. Problems are usually tackled in a systematic way and they enjoy creating lists, agendas, charts, and procedures. Kids with this learning style will retain information if they understand the logic behind it. They need not simply memorize information but truly understanding the concepts and reasons for the information to retain them long term.
Social
People who are drawn to the social learning style love working in groups or participating in classes.
They enjoy sharing their ideas with others and listening to what others think. Kids with this learning style are good at both verbal and nonverbal communication and understand others as well. People typically like being around the social learner and seek their advice or input when faced with problems. They prefer to work through challenges in a group and will often be found staying after class to chat with friends. Kids with this learning style will enjoy role playing, studying in groups, or sharing what they have learned with others.
Solitary
People with a solitary learning style often prefer working alone and enjoy thinking and reflecting on things. They tend to be independent, introspective, and private. They are good at focusing on a task and have strong concentration skills. They may also enjoy keeping a journal to reflect on personal thoughts and feelings. Kids with this learning style prefer to study alone in quiet spaces. Understanding your child’s learning style is important so you can help them get the most out of their education while identifying any ways to handle challenges that may occur because of their preferred learning style. Also, parents can use this to their advantage to appeal to their child’s interests when learning new things. Don’t be surprised if your child seems a combination of learning styles as this is very common. When caring adults understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning, it can only improve their experience at school and their study habits at home. Sarah Lyons is a mom of six kids, including six year old triplets. She enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outside with her kids.
Read more parenting tips online at
houstonfamilymagaine.com AUGUST 2020
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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E
back to Homeschool Workstation ideas to kick off the school year from home sweet home. written by Casey Johnson
The countdown has begun, school is almost back in session. However, it’s going to look a lot different for many of us starting off this year. The decision to send our kids back to campus or keep them home has been weighing heavily on many parents’ minds of late. I know personally I’m at a loss at what to do. On one hand, I know my kids miss the social interaction with their friends and the inperson, hands-on learning they need to thrive. (They are literally begging me to send them back!) But on the other hand, there is the issue of safety for the kids, the teachers and the school staff. There is no easy solution and no simple decision. What I do know is that school will most likely begin online for the first part of the year and being prepared is my goal.
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No. 1 Multi-Kid Homework Station
Clean, simple and easy to build this bar height workstation works great for multiple kids working on their online classes. Check out the diy plans at www.classyclutter.net/homework-station houston family magazine
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How do we prepare to educate our kids at home? Creating a space where the kids are able to focus on schoolwork and be productive in their learning is going to play a big part in them moving forward effectively. Maybe you have an empty room in the house, a nook that you’re not sure what to do with or a dining room that you never use. Thanks to websites like Pinterest, we’re able to find ideas on creating amazing study spaces for the kids or even for ourselves since many of us are now working from home exclusively. Here are some ideas to get you started creating the ultimate school from home workspace.
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No. 2 The Floating Desk
This is my personal work/school area I created in the front room of my home. It was an area that we never really used and didn’t function for anything because of the layout. We had a 10 ft wall between the window and the stairs that turned out to be perfect for building a floating desk and shelves. It’s a large enough area for me to work on one side and one of my daughters to work on the other side. I built the whole space for less than $300.
No. 3 Small Space Workspace for Two
A two-sided desk doubles the workspace, but not the used floor space. This desk is assembled from an unfinished bookcase and a laminate-covered piece of medium-density fiberboard structured by two pairs of legs. The whole structure is just 5 feet long. www.bhg.com/decorating/small-spaces/strategies/small-spacehome-offices/#page=19
No. 4 From Gameroom to School Room
This is great if you have multiple children you have to accommodate for. It’s a simple as adding a countertop with some bookcase shelving underneath for support and you have a quick and easy work area for the kids. Don’t you just love the map decal idea, or maybe spruce the wall up with some chalk paint. https://nicety. livejournal.com/1331010.html
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No. 5 The Closet Workspace
No extra space in the house but you have an extra closet you could convert? Check out this space from California Closets for a little inspiration. Don’t worry if you only have a small closet space to work with. There are tons of tiny closet office ideas on Pinterest. www.californiaclosets.ca/en/living-area/playroomstorage/
No. 6 Family Friendly Workstation
Great for families that are working from home and having to play teacher as well. This simple but functional design is probably my favorite as far as functionality goes. Another great thing about living in Houston is we have our own IKEA nearby. You can purchase this entire desk set-up. Check out more on this design at https:// betrueimagedesign.com/be-true-hq-raleigh-baby-and-childphotographer/
No matter what type of set up you decide to go with, there are tons of great ideas out there to help you get started. You don’t have to be a master craftsman to build an effective workspace either. It just takes a little creativity and a few trips to my favorite places, IKEA and The Home Depot. Best of luck and happy creating!
Looking for more insipration? Head over to our Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/houstonfamilymag/home-school-workstations/
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D E PA R T M E N T | FA M I LY T E C H
back to school apps
to keep the kids focused and ready to learn As we all patiently away the start of school and wonder what that is even going to look like, we have to get the kids switched over to “learning mode”. Here are some apps that are sure to help make learning fun and easy.
BRAINSCAPE – SMART FLASHCARDS Cost: FREE www.brainscape.com Find, create and share Smart Flashcards on any device.
MY HOMEWORK STUDENT PLANNER Cost: FREE https://myhomeworkapp.com Track classes, homework, tests & assignments to better manage time.
DUOLINGO
CODESPARK
Cost: FREE www.khanacademy.org Learn anything for FREE
Cost: FREE www.duolingo.com Learn a second language and have fun doing it.
IXL
QUIZLET
Cost: $9.99 monthly https://codespark.com Coding puzzles, scrolling (code-created) video games, and mini challenges are all available with codeSpark. Plus there is a free teacher dashboard included to see how your class is doing with their coding activities.
KHAN ACADEMY
Cost: FREE www.ixl.com/apps K-12 learning on the go through games.
LOUD ALARM CLOCK Cost: FREE Available on the App Store and Google Play For heavy sleepers or teens having trouble getting up in the morning.
Cost: FREE https://quizlet.com Flashcards and study tools.
SNAPCALC – MATH PROBLEM SOLVER Cost: FREE www.apalon.com/snapcalc. html (This is for the parents) need help with a math problem? Snap a pic and this app will solve it for you!
LOOKING FOR MORE GREAT APPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY? VISIT US ONLINE AT HOUSTONFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY E D U C AT I O N
Are you considering homeschooling your kids? Maybe you’ve tried it during this time of social distancing and decided you enjoy it and would like to consider doing it full time. Or maybe, you are looking to supplement your child’s distance learning while we are in quarantine. Maybe you have felt called to homeschool your kids since they were born. However you have come to the decision, it can be overwhelming at first. houston family magazine
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g n i l o o h c s e m o H s t n e r a P r o f Tips written by Sarah Lyons
IT’S OKAY TO BE OVERWHELMED When you are trying something new it is normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. While the idea of teaching your children at home may seem daunting, try not to worry. No one expects you to have everything figured out right away, not even your kids. Let them know that you are all trying something new and it’s fine to allow time for adjustments and frustrations along the way. Do some research and make a list of things you would like to try so you have a place to refer back to if you need ideas.
CREATE A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE Creating a schedule is a great way to keep your kids, and yourself, on task. It can be easy to get distracted when you are adjusting to the new idea of learning from home. Home is typically a place where you relax, rest, and play but it will also need to be a place to get work done during homeschool. Create time and space for learning from home and use a schedule that works for your family. If you are freshest in the morning, try to schedule learning right after breakfast. If you are a family of night owls, later in the day may be a better
time to focus. Allow time for outings, errands, play time, and free time in your schedule. Unlike traditional school, you do not need to be working on school work the majority of the day. A big benefit of homeschool is the flexibility it can give your family.
FOLLOW YOUR CHILD’S LEAD Kids are more excited about learning when they have an interest in what they are learning about. When planning your curriculum try to include and incorporate things that your child is interested in. For example, if your child is interested in animals, have them research different animals by reading books, watching educational videos, or visiting a zoo or nature center. If your child is interested in cooking, have them plan a meal, shop for the ingredients while learning about money, make the recipe while discussing the math and science of cooking, and serve the meal while they learn about social skills such as how to set a table, manners, and clean up. Reading, writing, math, social studies, and science can be incorporated into almost any topic. Follow your child’s lead and take note of what they are interested in, what type of learning they enjoy, and what works best for your family.
DON’T OVERDO IT When you are just starting your homeschool adventure it may be tempting to do too much. Don’t spend a lot of money on curriculums that you may not end up using. Don’t try to cram too much into each day. Try to be flexible while you are learning and see what works well for you, your budget, and your kids while still meeting the requirements. Take it a little at a time and you will become more comfortable and confident.
ENJOY THE TIME Homeschooling is fun and allows for quality time as a family. Whether you are homeschooling due to social distancing and plan to return to a traditional classroom or you are wanting to homeschool full time, you get to be a role model to your kids. As adults, we can learn new things too. You do not have to know about everything you teach prior to teaching it. Have fun learning along the way, experience reading new books with your kids, enjoy watching them discover new things, and enjoy the quality time together.
A NOTE ABOUT CONTINUOUS ONLINE LEARNING
as homeschooling. Many of us were thrown into teaching our kids at home during a high stress time. Parents are trying to work from home, keep up with their daily responsibilities, and deal with the emotional stressors that go along with a quarantine for both themselves and their children, all while teaching their kids at home for the first time. Many are dealing with financial troubles, disappointments as things they were looking forward to are postponed or cancelled, and have feelings of loneliness and depression. All of these complicated feelings combined with jumping into homeschooling unprepared is a lot for all of us. During this time, give yourself and your kids grace to make mistakes, to have days where online learning doesn’t work, to adjust, learn, and grow during this time. It’s enough to do your best each day, one day at a time. You may find that you love the idea of homeschooling your kids and decide to do it full time in the future. If you think homeschooling is a good option for your family, start by talking to some friends in your community that have experience with teaching their kids at home. They will be a great resource for support in your area.
Distance learning or continuous online learning is not the same AUGUST 2020
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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY E D U C AT I O N
BACK TO SCHOOL?
As we roll into the end of summer, we would normally be gearing up for getting the kids back to school. However, 2020 is proving to be anything but normal.
written by Kimberly Davis Guerra
O
f the (19) public school districts in the Greater Houston area, most were scheduled to start mid to late August with in-person and online school options. Yet, as we have all learned, those dates changed late July as Houston continued to experience large increases numbers of positive cases for COVID-19. Houston ISD led the change with pushing back their start date to 9/8/20 and offering only online classes until
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10/19/20. Logic is that this will give the city a chance to get the virus more under control before we throw our kids back in school. Since Houston ISD is the largest ISD in the country, I think this was a safe bet and helpful to parents for planning. Fort Bend ISD also made a decisive call mid-July that they are going online only until further notice leaving them ample time to make necessary adjustments. This again offers parents the ability to make plans on how they are going to handle
the new school year. A couple of the other districts, Goose Creek and Galena Park, are set to follow Houston ISD’s lead and have adopted similar plans. Cy-Fair ISD has opted to begin school on September 8 with in person and online options. Which leaves the rest as a complete mixed bag. At time of press, numerous districts still have not made their announcements. This is leaving many parents and children anxious and frustrated. Yet, most of the private
schools are ready to go with plans in place for both inperson and virtual options. If you are unsure about sending your kids back to public school, we have included our Education directory filled with excellent choices in all parts of the Greater Houston area. Give them a call. Schedule a tour. See what options are available. It just might be time to make the switch.
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G | E D U C AT I O N D I R E C T O RY
ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTONHOUSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
11123 Cypress N. Houston Rd. Houston, TX 77065
As the largest private school system in Texas, our 60 Catholic Schools serve students in grades Pre-k through 12. Actualize your child’s potential and choose a Catholic school.
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
www.choosecatholicschools.org
BAY AREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bay Area Christian is accredited for academic excellence and has been serving kindergarten through 12th grade students in the Bay Area with Christian values and leadership for over 40 years. It is their joy to have a school ministry that provides quality education and Christian education. The entire school staff is dedicated to helping each child reach his/her greatest God-given potential with the belief that well-educated Christian youth will have a great influence on our future communities and nation. Bay Area Christian School prepares students for college and offers extracurricular activities including competitive music and sports!
www.bacschool.org 281-332-4814 4800 West Main Street League City, TX 77573
CYPRESS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL The mission of Cypress Christian School is to provide students and education based upon academic excellence and biblical values. Serving grades K-12 throughout northwest Houston since 1978.
Houston Christian High School engages students to become impactful leaders through an empowering, dynamic education within a spiritual worldview. Houston Christian is an independent, nonprofit, coed day school accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and serves nearly 500 students in ninth through twelfth grades.
www.houstonchristian.org 713.580.6000 2700 W Sam Houston Parkway N Houston, TX 77043
LIFESTYLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LCS is a Christ-centered, fully accredited school serving students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. With a strong history spanning more than 35 years and a clear vision for the future, LCS is leading the way for Christian education in the north Houston area. Learn more about LCS and experience the difference!
lifestylechristian.org 936-756-9383 3993 I-45 North Conroe, TX 77304
www.CypressChristian.org 281.469.7745
INTRODUCING BLUE WILLOW'S
CYPRESS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CLASSES START
AUGUST 13
SCHEDULE A PRIVATE WHICH WAY TO GO TOUR OF OUR CAMPUS TODAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
K-12 | est. 1978
CypressChristian.org
TEACHER LOVE PROGRAM
Support your favorite teacher with a payit-forward gift card donation to help build classroom libraries! Learn more at bluewillowbookshop.com or by calling (281) 497-8675.
@bluewillowbooks
Sharing His Vision. Teaching His Values.
Contact the Admissions Office Today admissions@stannecs.org or 713.526.3279
www.stannecs.org AUGUST 2020
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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G | E D U C AT I O N D I R E C T O RY
RAINARD SCHOOL
ST. ANNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Rainard School for Gifted children addresses students unique academic and social needs. Since 1986, Rainard school has provided Gifted students with an individualized, supportive, and rigorous learning environment.
The mission of St. Anne catholic school is to develop each student academically, spiritually, culturally, physically, and interpersonally in a catholic environment.
www.rainard.org 713.647.7246 11095 Timberline Road Houston, TX 77043
ROSEHILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Our goal at Rosehill Christian School is to partner with families and lead children both spiritually and academically. The growing faculty and facilities enable Rosehill Christian School’s student/teacher ratio to remain low, and classroom technology is rapidly advancing to keep pace with the changing instructional needs and learning styles of today’s youth.
www.rcseagles.org 281.351.8114 19830 FM 2920 Tomball, TX 77377
SCHOOL OF THE WOODS Serving Houston since 1962 as a leading Montessori education resource, School of the Woods offers a diverse learning community at all grade levels from preschool through college preparatory.
www.schoolofthewoods.org 713.686.8811 1321 Wirt Road Houston, TX 77055
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www.stannecs.org 713-526-3279 2120 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77098
ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL SCHOOL St. Francis offers an inspired education with rigorous academics, thoughtful religious instruction, competitive athletics, robust fine arts, advanced technological instruction, and compassionate service learning.
www.stfrancishouston.org 713.458.6100 335 Piney Point Road Houston, TX, 77024
ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Celebrating nearly 30 Years of Excellence in Education. SLCS serves students in PreK-8th grade and is conveniently located in the heart of Sugar Land, TX. Twice recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of excellence. Learn more at wwww. stlaurenceschool.org.
www.stlaurenceschool.org 281-980-0500 2630 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX 77479
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G | E D U C AT I O N D I R E C T O RY
ST. MARK LUTHERAN SCHOOL
WESTBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Set your child up for success with an education from St. Mark. With a NEW K-8 school building and a dedicated staff, it’s a great time join this growing community!
Westbury Christian School, a private institution that serves students from grades K-3 through 12, offers an affordable, challenging, and unique private education experience taught from a biblical perspective.
www.gostmark.org 713.468.2623 1516 Pech Road Houston, TX 77055
www.westburychristian.org 7135518100 10420 Hillcroft St. Houston, TX 77096
THE BRANCH SCHOOL The Branch School is a private school inspiring PK3-eighth grade students to love, learn, and lead. Our STEAM-infused, project-based curriculum taps students’ creative energy for deep and lasting learning.
www.thebranchschool.org 713.465.0288 1424 Sherwood Forest Houston, TX 77043
XPLOR PRESCHOOL & SCHOOL-AGE Xplor’s preschool curriculum prepares children for elementary school by developing important academic, social and emotional skills. Our robust school-age programs include B&A care and camps.
XplorPreschool.com 877-959-3743
YORKSHIRE ACADEMY
THE KIPLING SCHOOL Our childhood programs focus on cognitive, emotional and social growth, while our kindergarten through 8th grade curriculum will challenge your child to build self-confidence, good citizenship and friendship.
www.thekiplingschool.com 713.880.3318 600 Shepherd Drive Houston, Texas 77007
Yorkshire’s primary goal is to create an environment in which children can develop to their fullest potential at their own individual rate. Students range in age from 18 mos-Grade 5. Yorkshire invites you to visit to see for yourself why its tagline, “A Little School Making a Big Impact” rings so true.
www.YorkshireAcademy.com 281.531.6088 14120 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77079
WHERE CHILDREN LOVE, LEARN, AND LEAD In this hurry-up world, The Branch School offers a culture of loving kindness, where accomplished educators help children develop as inquisitive scholars and kind people with authentic regard for one another and our world. Our STEAM-infused, project-based curriculum taps students’ creative energy for deep and lasting learning. Schedule your visit at www.TheBranchSchool.org. Accredited by:
1424 Sherwood Forest St. Houston, TX 77043 • 713-465-0288 • TheBranchSchool.org
NOW ENROLLING PRE-SCHOOL - 8TH GRADE
In August Rainard will offer classes in-person and online. Our On-line Classroom: • One on one virtual time daily with their teachers • Virtual platform is easy to use, even for our youngest learners • Core disciplines taught daily • At home science projects and labs • Weekly interaction with the Head of School FOR MORE INFORMATION
In-Person Classroom: • Classrooms will be live streamed through Google Meet/ Google Classroom • All classes will be recorded • Able to Triage all students before they enter the campus • More details to come before school starts August 25th
E-mail: info@rainard.org or bspringer@rainard.org Online: www.rainard.org • Phone: 713.647.7246 Address: 11059 Timberline Rd, Houston, TX 77043
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with, however, it is a skill that can be learned and developed. Resiliency is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant source of stress, such a family and relationship problems, health issues, and financial stressors. Our focus on resiliency is what sets us apart from other health education organizations. My role as Executive Director encompasses all aspects of the organization from fundraising and finance to programs and publications. On any given day I will have worked on or with accountants, our PR firm and grant writer, board members, community partners, staff or been the face of the organization with the media or donors. I consider myself a generalist since I touch every aspect of the business fluidly.
interview by Kimberly Davis Guerra | photos by Al Torres Photography Inc.
i am houston
LINDA RHODES
I AM HOUSTON | EMPOWERED HOUSTONIANS
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his month we talk to Linda Rhodes, Executive Director of The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency. The Women’s Fund serves close to 12,000 women and adolescent girls and distributes 9,913 publications each year. Using her strength in bringing individuals and teams together, Rhodes has been able to collaborate with community partners to provide The Women’s Fund programing and resources free of charge to the communities with limited access to health information. The Women’s Fund has pivoted all programing online and at no cost in order to continue serving the community and providing tools needed to be resilient and healthy during the pandemic.
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN’S HEALTH FUND AND YOUR ROLE THERE. The Women’s Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Houston-area women and girls with the tools they need to be advocates for their health. For 41 years, The Women’s Fund has been educating girls and women through classes, workshops, lectures and publications. Our programs focus on seven of the eight dimensions of health and wellness as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), which includes: emotional, intellectual, physical,
environmental, financial, occupational, and social. It’s a holistic approach to good health and wellness. You cannot achieve optimal physical and mental health if you are in an unhealthy relationship, struggling with your finances, or having problems managing or coping with stress. Our program participants learn resiliency skills to increase self-efficacy, decision-making, goal setting, communication and resourcefulness to be their own health advocates and ensure positive health outcomes for individuals and communities. Resiliency is not a trait that we are inherently born
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ONE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TODAY FOR WOMEN? FOR YOUNG WOMEN? Prioritizing our physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing! For women in particular, prioritizing our health is a huge challenge. Most women, including me, take care of everyone else in the family first and then when they find the time (which is almost never), schedule that well-woman check-up. It is vital that we, as women, make our health a priority because when a health issue develops, it becomes much more difficult to take care of those we love. Additionally, it is hard to prioritize health care when the financial impact is costly or you do not have access to health care. More than 25% of residents in Harris County are uninsured and of those, the majority are low-income, ethnic minority and female. While there are multiple health care resources available for adolescents under the age of 18, resources for adults are not as readily available. This leads me to the second part of my response which applies to both women and girls, the health information gap.
Linda & the TWF Team
We need to ensure we have accurate information regarding our physical, mental and emotional health regardless of our socio-economic status or whether or not we have health insurance. With the many different platforms including “Dr. Google” and the variety of social media sites, information is more accessible than ever, however we all need to ensure that the information we use to make decisions regarding any factor of our life is from a credible source. We need to ask ourselves is this fake news? Also, we should look for additional research from trusted organizations such as Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Office on Women’s Health (OWH), World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? The individuals I have the pleasure of interfacing with whether it be our staff, community partners, volunteers, donors or board members. I am a people person and love cultivating and stewarding those relationships.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE SERVICES OFFERED? We are still providing the services we have in the past, however in a different format - virtually whether it is our programs and lectures or our special events, like our recent Wine Dinner. We pivoted quickly to get our women’s sessions online within two weeks of closing our offices and began adding new presentations monthly. We are currently offering our adolescent girls “What About Me?” classes weekly and have a monthly presentation in Spanish for women. All open to the public and at no cost. Some of our community partners who did not have a disruption in their services moved forward with scheduled classes using our virtual format beginning in April. During August we will be adding additional classes each week for both women and girls. We also have a plan in place for the upcoming school year to provide our interactive “What About Me?” and Power Up the H.E.A.T classes virtually. I believe one positive long-term outcome from this pandemic for our organization is a new and efficient method of providing
services in a virtual platform moving forward, which ultimately opens new doors and expands our footprint in the community.
offers affordable housing, plenty of family-focused activities and for the most part, and an exceptional public education system.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE PANDEMIC FOR WOMEN?
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HOUSTON?
I believe it has been a huge wake-up call for all of us. As a voluntary health organization, we made the call to close before the statewide closure in March, forcing us to take a step back, slow down and re-evaluate, which in turn forced us to change patterns and behaviors both professionally and personally. Change is always intimidating, however with change comes growth. Personally, I realized what a fast pace at which I was operating. I felt like the Energizer Bunny! This time working remotely has allowed me to slow down and enjoy hobbies and family. For those of us who are more resilient, this pandemic as helped us refocus our energies, become more mindful and embrace change because with the pandemic life is changing daily. From what I have heard from others in my circle, they are having similar experiences.
AS A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY? I love the diversity of our city, not just the many ethnicities who call Houston home, but the diversity in our culture, theater and museum districts, and cuisine offerings as well as the relatively mild climate if you don’t count our Houston summers!
WHY DO YOU THINK HOUSTON IS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY?
The sheer size of the Houston Metro area. When you add up the many suburbs that are considered a part of Houston, you are looking at 10,062 square miles! Most visitors do not fully comprehend how spread out city/community is.
AS A BUSY EXECUTIVE, JUGGLING THE DEMANDS OF LIFE AND CAREER, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU RELIEVE STRESS? I practice one of the things we at The Women’s Fund advocate with participants, SELF CARE. My personal methods are regular massages, reading every day, finding new recipes, playing golf, swimming or if the mood strikes, not doing anything at all! In fact, every Saturday morning you will find me in bed with a book, my Cocker Spaniel Cooper and coffee until noon, but most importantly with NO GUILT.
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT? My husband, Dusty, but dessert is a close second! A native Houstonian, Linda Rhodes has been married for 20 years and enjoys playing golf, reading, painting and traveling. At home, her time is spent with her husband, grandchildren and their Cocker Spaniel named Cooper.
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EDITORIAL | THE DAD PERSPECTIVE
THE DAD PERSPECTIVE
greg ellis EMMY NOMINATED ACTOR, AUTHOR & FATHER
interview by Kimberly Davis Guerra | photos by Dani Brubaker
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his month we have a treat! HFM spoke with Emmy nominated Hollywood actor Greg Ellis (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, STAR TREK, TITANIC) who over the last year has set out on a journey to explore the condition of the modern male experience via his brand-new video podcast, The Respondent. This show explores positive masculinity, family law, parenting, sexuality, men’s rights and more with celebrity, author, and expert interviews.
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One of the core themes of The Respondent is family, and more specifically how and why families have become so torn. As a divorced father with two young sons, Greg has become increasingly concerned about the effects the family court legal system is having on families. Greg discusses how men are considered defective if they talk about their feelings and when it comes to the dwindling importance of fatherhood, and a legal system that practically promotes family dissolution, something has gone completely haywire.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO TAKE THIS IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO THE STRUGGLES OF MODERN MAN AT THIS TIME? Over the years, despite my achievements and all the trappings of professional success in Hollywood, I increasingly became immersed in superficial pursuits, wrestling with the shame I carried from my family of origin. Eventually, feeling as though I was drowning in emotional dishonesty, I committed to
re-aligning my moral compass and living with more purpose and meaning and set about creating aspirational projects that might ‘give back’ and be of service to others. Perhaps the gravest indicator at the root of American’s torn familial tapestry is marriage and family breakdown. Social ills and public policy stem from the health and well-being of relationships and family formation. Yet these days, our society seems to undervalue the importance of the family unit, the significant role a father plays in the developing minds
of young boys, and with such negative messaging masculinity, the patriarchy, and men in general being vilified - it’s no wonder boys are suffering at school and at play. And with our current education system failing our boys, an extra burden is being placed on fathers, on men, on ‘masculinity’ - to pick up the slack with more immediate remedial interventions to help stem our boy crisis. The general lack of motivation being instilled in our younger generations of boys by an educational system that is not paying much attention to what boys need is disturbing. Boys need motivational curriculums. Why then, are we not asking more men what boys need? After all, men have been boys... and boys will become men. As a society, I believe we need to ask ourselves some difficult questions about the ever-diminishing valuation we are placing on fatherhood and family. If masculinity is being targeted, fatherhood lies in the bull’s-eye. As society has rightly opened up the institution of family to be more inclusive, the traditional role of a family patriarch has been severely denigrated. For 30 years, the virtuous and binding thread that fathers have served as in a healthy Western society has increasingly been pulled out of the modern tapestry, thanks to a consistent drum beat of modern feminism, pop culture stereotypes, and a broken family law system. In my book ‘The Respondent,’ I explore the realm of fatherhood through the lens of my personal story. As a father of two beautiful boys I’m always mindful of learning new ways to improve and expand my parenting arsenal – I call it my ‘emotional toolkit.’ Striving to thrive to become a better man, fatherfigure, and role-model, not just to my sons, also to the younger generations of boys. Whatever situation I’m in – coaching the lads on my AYSO soccer team, mentoring younger men
“As a society, I believe we need to ask ourselves some difficult questions about the everdiminishing valuation we are placing on fatherhood and family.” I work with, coaching aspiring artists – I believe we are all response able – and all of us have a moral obligation to work harder to become less reactive in our interpersonal relating – particularly during a pandemic – and become more responsible. How can each of us, individually, repair the ruptures of our familial relationships with better communication skillsets? In a way, we are all The Respondent. One of the core themes of The Respondent is family, and more specifically how and why our familial tapestries seem to have become so torn. As a man and a father, that is my life lens, so I approached the project with a primary focus on fatherhood and family. One of the complex joys of fatherhood is how best to prepare our sons for the challenges of manhood. In an information ‘Ice-Age of Unreason,’ with young men and boys being bombarded with misandrist messages of ‘all men bad,’ ‘toxic masculinity,’ and ‘smash the patriarchy,’ todays younger generation of boys need encouragement and advocation now more than ever it seems. So how might we fathers better shepherd our sons through adolescence to
learn more self-discipline, responsibility, self-reliance, so that they can be better prepared for when they leave the family home? And why are there so many fatherless children? In 1960, eight percent of children lived in a home with only their biological mother and today more than 23 percent do. According to dozens of official sources, these children are at a greater risk of having more difficult lives according to just about every measurable metric. They are more likely to misuse drugs, experience abuse, or go to prison. They are twice as likely to drop out of high school and live in poverty. They are seven times more likely to become pregnant as a teen. Children who grew up with fathers in the home have stronger cognitive skills, better health, more confidence, and—contrary to the story we’re fed—more empathy. But perhaps our ambivalence to the importance of fatherhood is best exemplified by the instruments society has put in place to prevent men from taking on their rightful role and participating in fatherhood in the first place. I’m talking about paternity laws. Consider this fact. Currently it is an accepted fixture of modern Western society and perfectly legal in just about every region in the Western world for a mother to conceal from a biological father that he is a father at all. A mother can give birth without ever communicating a thing about it. It goes even further: A mother can knowingly or mistakenly drop another man’s name onto the birth certificate, and even if, after a few years, a paternity test scientifically overturns the mistake/lie, the biological father cannot reverse this manufactured reality and gain his rightful status as the true father. He has no right to even see a photo of his child— ever. And a child grows up not knowing their biological father. If you’re like most people, you shrug at this. After all,
you might think, there are good reasons, chief among safety for the mother in a sliver of situations. Yes, there are exceptions. But this reality of life is a tragedy for eager and would-be fathers and betrays our callousness and indifference to men, their emotional lives and biological parenting instincts. When the testosterone in boys is not channeled well, boys become destructive. When fathers are not present in the family home to instruct, boys destruct. When testosterone is channeled well, boys become constructive.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF MODERN MAN, AS YOU SEE IT? Big question. No easy answer. There are many characteristics that I think make up a ‘modern man’ and I’m evolving my ideas as I move through working on ‘The Respondent.’ If I were to pick a few words I’d say stoicism, courage, empathy, and vulnerability. That last one bit can be a hard one for men. The traditional male role is to project strength and to hide vulnerability. Men fall victim to the canard that we should avoid discussing the emotional shrapnel that comes from traumatic events and ignore the aftershocks that reverberate long after. Stoicism and machismo, both of which have their place and shouldn’t automatically be considered toxic, nevertheless can block us from exploring the pain that comes from life-changing crises, leaving one confused and adrift. This diminishment of the father has metastasized into an emotional exigency for our children demanding urgent attention. Only since doing my own personal recovery work, only since becoming more adept at getting out of my own way, am I becoming AUGUST 2020
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“When boys run to climb a tree and swing and play in the branches, their mothers are concerned at the possible dangers and risk involved, whereas dad sees it as a necessary adventure of boyhood learning.” more fully wake and alive, after a lifetime of struggling for restful sleep at night and sleepwalking through too many hours of the day. At first, this intense focus on bettering myself seemed gratuitous and narcissistic. But, in fact, it is a loving act. Because only when we come to know ourselves more completely, can we help lift everyone around us up to a higher plain. After all, isn’t intimacy ‘knowing and being known?’ So how can I allow someone else to know me better when I hardly know myself?
YOU MENTION RELIEVING DEVICE DEPENDENCY, TOXIC MASCULINITY, #MENTOO IN YOUR TRAILER. DO YOU houston family magazine
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FEEL THESE ARE THE DEFINING OBSTACLES
A key point I make in my book The Respondent is that, no matter our gender, we need to become better acquainted with our emotions, including our rage—albeit, in an effort to refocus it into beneficial channels. The deep hypocrisy in our current gender conversation is infused with a cycle of shame and rage: At the same time that men are being browbeaten with stale stereotypes about toxic masculinity, a growing chorus of writers is urging women in celebrated books to go as far as to physically assail anyone who does them wrong. How does advocating this type of behavior help our familial relationships? The reverse psychology embedded in the algorithms of our technology (anti-social media like Facebook etc.) and the devices we rely on such much in this age of information overload are creating chemical imbalances and dopamine addictions – where the device becomes more important than the human to human interactions. This disturbing trend is causing mental health issues, particularly with our younger generations, whereby people are exercising with the eyes down, rather than exercising from the neck up.
MEN FACE TODAY? I think we need #MenToo in the conversation. There’s a saying: Speak up and risk something. Remain silent and risk something else. Pick your poison.” I think it’s time for men to speak. We have reached the point where men need to stand up and explore the nature of the modern male experience in this era of deteriorating respect for family. To sever ties with #ToxicMasculinity and serve up #TonicMasculinity. What are we going through and what is our future? Men and fathers need to be the authors of their own stories of pain and struggle for redemption, they need to defend and celebrate the positive side of masculinity, and they need to advocate for the changes necessary to make life better for everyone.
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT FATHERHOOD? How challenging, meaningful and rewarding it is. My boys are the meaning of my life. There is always a space between who you perceive yourself and who you are in the eyes of those close to you. I hope I’ve done enough work on myself so the more positive aspects of masculinity can be instilled in them – not by telling them what to think, rather, teaching them how to think. Preparing them for individuation as they mature into becoming their ‘own men.’ And learning from them. I’ve learned so many lessons through my experiences as a father. Little Boys play with
different toys than girls. They fight with clenched fists not sharp finger nails. When boys run to climb a tree and swing and play in the branches, their mothers are concerned at the possible dangers and risk involved, whereas dad sees it as a necessary adventure of boyhood learning. How the matriarch and patriarch negotiate these differences of opinion so that the child gets the most opportunities to take risks, but not risks that will kill or severely injure him, is vital. I remember the first time my sons squared off to fight physically. I reassured my wife it was a necessary rite of passage, as our youngest needed to experience that prideful moment of taking his ‘elder’ brother on (and maybe even teach him a lesson in the process). She was still somewhat distressed as I led the boys to an imaginary boxing ring in the middle of our back garden, although she trusted me enough to calm her understandable mother-bear concerns to believe that I might know how better handle this ‘rush of testosterone’ situation. This sort of balanced parenting cannot take place if the father is not present. There must be a balanced “Spirit Level of the Sexes” in order for boys to become more fully formed, self-actualized young men, with a deeper more ingrained sense of healthy boundaries so that eventually they alone can begin these rites of passage, to start to ‘think like men’ (responsibility = reward) and ‘feel like boys’ (risk taking = ambition). Advocating fatherhood is not about diminishing motherhood.
LOOK FOR PART TWO OF GREG’S INTERVIEW IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE. In the meantime, check out his podcast at https://podcasts. apple.com/us/podcast/therespondent/id1519524161
H O U S T O N FA M I LY M A G A Z I N E . C O M
E D I U G IVAL
V R U S NG I T N E AR P R U RS! YO A E Y 0 3 R E V FOR O WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU NEED US.
IN PRINT • DIGITAL APP • ONLINE • E-MAIL • SOCIAL MEDIA SIGNATURE EVENTS • SPEAKER SERIES • AND BEYOND
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E D I T O R I A L | FA M I LY T R AV E L
Wanderlust an education in adventure written by Casey Johnson | photos by Nicole Oman of Relics of Rainbows Photo
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ith a dream and a mission, local mom & photographer of Relics of Rainbows Photo, Nicole Oman decided to put her Coronavirus worries aside for a bit of wanderlust with the family. “We decided since Covid probably won’t be over for a while that we’d act now on our dream of buying an airstream and seeing more of the U.S.,” said the Houstonian mom. While school starts are delayed all across the Houston area, it’s a good time to get out and give
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED FOR A DRIVE BY PRADA MARFA, INSTALLATION BY ARTISTS ELMGREEN AND DRAGSET, LOCATED 1.4 MILES NORTHWEST OF VALENTINE, TEXAS houston family magazine
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the kids a different kind of education. “We traded in the monotony of quarantine with its abundance of screen time for life lessons on the road. Every place we stop fosters discovery and an appreciation for the beauty of our Earth and our Country. More significantly, they’re learning Earth and Life Science by seeing and breathing it.” As many great adventures start, Nicole and her family began by driving off into the sunset headed west through Texas then traveling to New Mexico, Arizona and ending in San Diego.
On their return trip, they will travel through Utah before headed back to our great state of Texas. Armed with her trusty camera, Nicole has captured some amazing imagery that we are excited to share with our HFM readers. We hope you enjoy the visual journey and that it inspires you to embark on your own family adventure. Follow Nicole on Instagram @relics.of.rainbows and @nic_oman Check her out online at www.rorphoto.com
SUNSET WALK THROUGH SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, TUCSON TO LEARN ABOUT THE SONORAN DESERT
EXPLORING WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NEW MEXICO WHILE A MONSOON APPROACHES
CAMPING MARFA, TEXAS (MARFA YACHT CLUB)
EXPLORING TIDE POOLS AT MONTAÑA DE ORO STATE PARK, LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA
ROCK CLIMBING, SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA
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HIKING AROUND MONTAÑA DE ORO, LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA
“It’s the not the Destination, It’s the journey ” Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO
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SUNNY SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, TUCSON, ARIZONA
CLIMBING THE ROCKS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Your Trusted Health Care Team for Times Like These
The Legacy Pediatric team wants ALL families to know that we are here for you, to answer your questions about COVID-19 and provide expert care for your children with in-person and video visits! And, we’re taking extra steps every day to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff. • Newborn to Young Adult Care
• Pediatric Walk-In Clinic
• Well-Child & Sick Visits
• Vaccinations & Immunizations
• School & Sports Physicals
• In-Person & Video Visits • 11 Convenient Locations • Evening & Weekend Hours Available
Immediate Appointments Available! New Patients Welcome! Call (832) 548 5000 or visit LegacyCommunityHealth.org to make an appointment.
We accept HMO/PPOs, Medicaid and CHIP, plus offer programs to reduce the cost of services. AUGUST 2020
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EDITORIAL | MIND BODY & SOUL
a n i r o f i l a g n i c m a e r d written by Elizabeth Irvine
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wrote this below, California Dreaming, in January 2020. Who could have guessed that 6 months later we are all living in a new way-quarantine, riots and fear of the unknown. For me, reflecting back on this beautiful trip brings me a new sense of hope and inspiration. Life in its very simplicity is good. And, I believe goodness and light are contagious too. As I see it there are two vibrations; 1. Light 2. The absence of light. Every day, and every moment we all get the opportunity to be truly alive. Whether it
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is being inspired by a new place, something we read, our own stillness, the morning sunshine, or our daily food that nourishes us. Hold onto the light, continue to reach for it and trust. [On a recent trip to California, to celebrate the girls’ birthday, unexpected experiences appear. Allie is finishing up a two-year program studying depth psychology. Sarah and I join her at the end of one of her sessions to take a few days of R&R, and start 2020 in a fresh and inspiring way. Over a glass of champagne,
the three of us make a rough plan of what our three days in California will hold. We all agree — time together, in nature, along with good food and wine are the top of our list.
SEAL SANCTUARY VILLAGE The hiking guide book piques our interest — a hike along the coast line with a viewing spot of the seal sanctuary. The next morning we walk along the path to the coast greeted by a promenade of giant eucalyptus trees, who seem to welcome us in. The trail turns soft and sandy as we head towards
the coast line. Winding along the foot path of succulents we reach the cliff line, the path turns and we look down to the beach. What we see next honestly, takes my breath away. A colony (or what seems like a small village) of mama and baby seals basking in the sun and playing in the water. A world in its own, and us the silent observers.
MORNING AT THE TEMPLE The next day, Allie takes us to one of her favorite spots. Tucked into the hills behind her campus is a temple where she
would often hike up to during a session break. She talks a lot about this place, and so Sarah and I are excited to finally be there too. As we get out of the car and walk up the path I begin to feel a sense of peace and calm wash over me. I ask the girls if they feel it too. Allie says, “Yes, I feel happy and content.” Sarah says, “I feel peaceful and quiet.” We sit on the entrance stairway basking in the sun of this modest temple, taking in the flowers and brilliantly alive plants bursting with color, they feel almost electric. As we sit quietly, it feels as if we are acclimatizing to the atmosphere — the sacred space — and being welcomed in. After settling into this ‘feeling’ we enter into the simple and elegantly designed temple — the structure engulfs quiet stillness held through years of meditation, which seems to wrap around us like a warm blanket. A place like this makes slipping into meditation an easy and welcome feeling. This Vedanta temple holds representation of many religions — Buddhism and Catholicism. We feel at home. We walk back out into the sunshine and take in the expansive Pacific Ocean view, and linger around the grounds a little longer. It is hard to put feelings into words, but the best I can sum it up is; a satiated, deep peaceful contentment feeling of nolack, to want for nothing. The weekend held many special moments, but this one is one I want to recall.
AFTERNOON AT THE BEACH The power of nature can be un-nerving. Especially, the force of the sea. In the afternoon we picnic, lounge, and walk the beach. After about an hour I notice feeling overwhelmed by the magnetic pull of a force much greater than me. As we eat, relax, walk barefoot and search for stones — the afternoon turns to dusk and we lose track of time (and everyone else on the beach
too). The sound, scent, feeling, compartmentalizes us into our own salty sacred private world.
DINNER AT THE INN A special birthday dinner celebration finishes the day. As we drink wine and enjoy a beautifully presented dinner, we take it all in — the flowers, the candles, the presentation of a well-thought out table setting. Sitting outside under a full moon and twinkle lights, gratitude is a strong running under current among us.
SHARED EXPERIENCE I share this personal California experience, as yours too. Every day, and every moment we all get the opportunity to be truly alive. Whether it is being inspired by a new place, something we read, our own stillness, the morning sunshine, or our daily food that nourishes us. Life is good. Everything is alright. It is a matter of trust. All is well, and just as it should be.]
Elizabeth Irvine: Nurse, educator and award-winning author. She is the founder and owner of Truewellbeing Inc— you can purchase her books, jewelry and sign up for soulful workshops and retreats around the world. The “new normal” holds a way of doing things differently— virtual time spent together is an economical and empowering new paradigm. The virtual workshop groups that form each week are nothing short of magic. www.elizabethirvine.com/ truewellbeing-virtualworkshops
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THE BIG TO DO | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
the big to do
Photo by Brandy Dykes Photography | Cypress, TX
Families can discover plenty of child-friendly activities during the last part of summer. Here are the top events happening in and around for the month of August. All events listed are FREE unless otherwise noted.
AUGUST 1 Turtles Leapin’ lizards, slitherin’ snakes, and tough turtles! Join naturalist for a firsthand look at the turtles that live in Harris County, how to identify them, and the benefits they provide us. hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Nature Center 10am. All ages
Reptile Open House (August 1 & 2) Guests of all ages are invited to meet a variety of reptiles and amphibians from the largest pythons to the smallest frogs while learning about their fascinating natural history. Visitors will enjoy live animal displays, including an appearance from Lucky, the 10-footlong Burmese python. hcp4.net/jones houston family magazine
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Jesse Jones Nature Center 1-4pm. All ages
Free Sandcastle Building Lessons (all summer) Galveston is hosting a free, familyfriendly event series to help beachgoers create spectacular sandcastles with tips from the pros. Galveston.com Stewart Beach, Galveston All day. All ages
1892 Bishop’s Palace Basement to Attic Tour Offering participant a rare look into parts of the National Historic Landmark that are typically off-limits. Galveston.com Bishop’s Palace, Galveston 11am-12:30pm. All ages
Virtual Galveston Island Beach Revue This special online event will feature special presentations, guest appearances, live performances, and more leading up to everyone’s favorite Bathing Beauties Contest! Galveston.com Virtual. 2-4pm. All ages
Photography workshop: understanding color These community-driven workshops focus on photography as a means for creative expression and acquiring basic photography skills. facebook.com/LevyParkHou/ Virtual 9am. Age: 15+
AUGUST 2 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival (until August 14th) Enjoy live chamber music right from your home this summer with a livestreamed line-up of 13 concerts. Roco.org Virtual concert. Various times. All ages
Arts and Crafts Online with The Orange Show: Making slime If you have 5 minutes and 4 ingredients, you can make ooey, gooey, fun-for-hours slime! Watch as Houston artist Que Byers from The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art shows you how. discoverygreen.com/crafts Virtual craft. Various time. All ages
August 2 02 0 Bayou Bikers
Trivia Game
On the first Sunday of the month for 25- to 40-mile bike rides exploring the bayous of Houston. Rides are open to all. Mountain bikes or bikes with fat tires are encouraged. marketsquarepark.com
Test your trivia skills with this fun filled game held over the phone. westutx.gov/1189/West-U-Virtual-Play
Market Square 8am. All ages
AUGUST 3 Summer Art Explorers: Playing with animals Explore inspiring and extraordinary works of art either in person or online, and discover amazing art in the Modern & Contemporary collection. Print the downloadable guides to use at home, or bring them with you. Each guide contains activities, conversation starters, and instructions for an art project to make at home. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 7+
Story Time in the Gardens every Monday Mercer Botanic Gardens invites parents and children to enjoy story time in the natural setting of the garden. Story time garden locations may vary each week. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age: 2-5
Full Moon Labyrinth Walk: Sturgeon Moon The public is invited to participate in Full Moon labyrinth walks. Each walk begins approximately 1/2 hours after sunset. Galveston.com To access the beach labyrinth, use the seawall steps located at 17th and Seawall Boulevard. 8:35pm. Age: 10+
Live Virtual spider-man trivia game! Enjoy spider man trivia questions and fun facts hcpl.net Virtual Fairbanks Branch Library 4pm. All ages
AUGUST 4 Garden Tours every Tuesday and Thursday Stroll through the gardens with a garden docent or staff member to look for seasonal color, perennial favorites, and more. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 8:30am. All ages
Gardening in the Tropical Garden Join a Mercer horticulturist in the Tropical Garden to work with palms, plumerias, bamboo, and special collections. Tools and gloves will be provided. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 9-11am. Age: 16+
Virtual 11am. Age: 10+
Virtual Baby storytime Join our Storytime and engage with your baby at Barbara Bush. hcpl.net Virtual Barbara Bush Library 10am. Age: 0-5
Virtual Toddler Yoga Namaste! Enjoy sun salutations and other yoga poses on the spring branch memorial branch library Facebook page. hcpl.net Virtual spring branch memorial library 10:15am. Age: 4+
AUGUST 5 Homestead Open House every Wednesday and Saturday Appreciate modern conveniences by taking a step back in time. Enjoy a look around the park’s historically accurate 1830s Redbud Hill Homestead and Akokisa-Ishak Village. Learn about two very different, yet successful ways of life. hcp4.net/jones Jesse h. Jones Nature Center 1-4pm. All ages
Free Comic Book Summer! (until September 9th) Come in and pick up new, exciting, and (most importantly) FREE comic books all throughout the summer! Be on the lookout for Social Media Posts detailing which Books will be released each week so you can grab your favorite titles. Freecomicbooktoday.com Various locations, The Woodlands Various times. All ages
Virtual Trivia Night Join in a round of Online Trivia! twitch.tv/thernrnerd Virtual 7:30pm. All ages
Virtual Variety Show Did you think we’d stop bringing you Storytime and fun crafts just because it’s Summer? Never! hcpl.net Virtual Barbara Bush Library 10am. All ages
Movie night: 10 Things I hate about you Enjoy an outdoor screening of 10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13). Bring your blankets and watch as a pretty, popular teenager can’t go out on a date until Katarina (Julia Stiles), her ill-tempered older sister, does. marketsquarepark.com Market Square 8:30pm. All ages
Bringing the zoo to you Visit our furred, flippered, and feathered friends are up to and how our
zookeepers are caring for them. Follow along and check out the fun at-homelearning activities below! houstonzoo.org/bringing-the-zoo-to-you/ Virtual 11am. All ages
AUGUST 6 At-Home Art Making Let’s make art! Follow along with how-to videos and downloadable instruction guides to create works of art inspired by art from across the world and time. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 4+
Gardening in the Children’s and Vegetable Gardens Join a Mercer staff member to plant new plants, sow seeds, thin and harvest vegetables, and weed garden beds in the Children’s Garden and Vegetable Garden. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 9-11am. All ages
George Hermann’s 177th birthday Party Children of all ages to celebrate our Park’s namesake and hero, George Hermann. In honor of his 177th birthday. Kids’ activities including games, arts and crafts, face painting and more! hermannpark.org Hermann Park 10am-2pm. All ages
Rock the Row at Hughes Landing: Classic Rock
participate in a fun activity like coloring a picture or planting a seed to take home. hermannpark.org Hermann Park 10am. All ages
Galveston Seafarers Center Free Coffee Fridays Each Friday, the Galveston Seafarers Center hosts “Free Coffee Fridays”. It’s a chance for the local community to come in and see the newly renovated center. Galveston.com Galveston Seafarers Center, 221 20th Street 8:30-11:00am. All ages
Virtual Bingo You will need two Bingo cards and a way to mark your cards (like seeds or buttons) during this virtual Bingo game played online or by phone, using Join.me. westutx.gov/1189/West-U-Virtual-Play Virtual. 2pm. Age: 5+
AUGUST 8 Second Saturday Settlers: Homestead Fun Sample homemade ice cream and watermelon, play old-fashioned games, and witness the daily activities of Texas settlers at the Redbud Hill Homestead. Reservations are required. hcp4.net/jones Jesse h. Jones Nature Center 1-4pm. All ages
Family Day: Needle Through a Balloon
Experience Hughes Landing on scenic Lake Woodlands with FREE, live music Thursday evenings. woodlandsonline.com/
Locate the areas on the balloon that can be stretched, allowing the skewer to penetrate through the balloon without it popping. oceanstaroec.com
Hughes Landing, The Woodlands 7pm. All ages
Ocean Star, Galveston 10am-3pm. All ages
Educator Day at HMH
La Porte Kids’ Rodeo
Educators interested in learning more about Holocaust Museum Houston are invited to visit the Museum for free. hmh.org
Calling all amateur cowboys and cowgirls, the City of La Porte is planning a rodeo you won’t want to miss! Arena events for all ages and fun for the whole family are sure to be had here. ci.la-porte.tx.us
Holocaust Museum 5-9pm. Age: adult
AUGUST 7 Fun4Kids Program: Stay Fit and Active Staying motivated to keep fit and active in all seasons can be a challenge. With this activity kit, you can get in workouts without taking up a lot of space. Please call 281-591-7830 to sign up, as supplies are limited. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 11:00am-1pm. All ages
Children’s story hour every Friday Bring your little ones to listen to a story every Friday morning in the McGovern Centennial Garden’s Family Garden. After the reading, children are invited to
Lomax Rodeo Arena Noon. All ages
Virtual Children Spanish storytime Enjoy stories in Spanish read by local celebrities. For small children and those that love children’s books. facebook.com/mcmlsTX/ Virtual. 10am. Age: under 7
TEXAS BACK TO SCHOOL TAX FREE WEEKEND AUGUST 7-9, 2020 AUGUST 2020
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ON THE GO | CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST 9 Second Sunday Pickers Join this musical group celebrating more than 30 years of concerts! The Second Sunday Pickers entertain with acoustic music, including country-and-western, bluegrass, folk, gospel, Cajun, and blues. Visitors are welcome to listen to free folk music or bring an instrument to play along. hcp4.net/jones Jesse h. Jones Nature Center 2-4pm. All ages
Sunday Indoor/outdoor Farmers Market The purpose of our farmers market is to bring fresh and local, top quality food products. woodlandsonline.com 14310 FM 1488, Magnolia 2-6pm. All ages
AUGUST 10 Summer Art Explorers: Playing and building Explore inspiring and extraordinary works of art either in person or online, and discover amazing art in the Modern & Contemporary collection. Print the downloadable guides to use at home, or bring them with you. Each guide contains activities, conversation starters, and instructions for an art project to make at home. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 7+
National Audubon Society Outside your door, on your way to work, at the beach, birds are everywhere. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first pair of binoculars or an experienced birder in search of identification. audubon.org/birding/how-to-startbirding Virtual. Various times. All ages
AUGUST 11 Keep Cool! Get the Scoop! Ice Cream Parade I scream, you scream, we all scream for sweet ice cream and pops! Cool off Houston’s summer heat by attending the Mangum-Howell Center drive-thru ice cream parade. Registration is required. Please call 281-591-7830 to sign up; ice cream is limited. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 1-3pm. All ages
Water Play at Kinder Lake Kayaking on Kinder Lake is a fun and easy way to try out this water sport beneath the shadow of the Houston skyline. Kayak and R/C sail boats are available. discoverygreen.com/kayak Kinder Lake at Discovery green All day. All ages
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Story time videos from the Bellaire Library Babies and Books. bellairetx.gov/657/Library Virtual. 10am. Age: 1-4
Sensei teach me Japanese! Come learn and practice Japanese with friends and a native speaker! hcpl.net Aldine Branch Library - Aldine Meeting Room 4-6pm. Age: 15+
AUGUST 12 Virtual Lunch Bunch: Big Bend Camping and Collections Trip Join Mercer greenhouse manager, Jacob Martin, and Brandon Hubbard, the manager of The Mercer Society’s Horticultural Propagation Center, for this online presentation as they share their Big Bend journey, including the difficulties they overcame. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 12pm. Age 12+
Story time videos from the Bellaire Library Little Listeners www.bellairetx.gov/657/Library Virtual. 10am. Age: 3-8
AUGUST 13 Let’s make beads: exploring African bead work Let’s make art! Follow along with how-to videos and downloadable instruction guides to create works of art inspired by art from across the world and time. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 4+
Rock the Row at Hughes Landing: Dance/pop Experience Hughes Landing on scenic Lake Woodlands with FREE, live music Thursday evenings. woodlandsonline.com/ Hughes Landing, The Woodlands 7pm. All ages
Chinese Calligraphy and Tea Tasting Savor the tasting of special teas while learning Chinese calligraphy. hcpl.net/events/24493 La Porte Branch Library 10am. Age: 10+
AUGUST 14 Boots, Chaps, and Cowboy Hats Round up the posse! Wear your best cowboy outfits to pick up a new do-at-home craft. Staff will have craft kits ready for participants to create a fun sand art picture. Packages will be handed out in the parking lot. Smile for the camera in our drive-thru photo
booth while you wait! hcp4.net
Fly at the Cockrell Butterfly Center
VIRTUAL Beats & Eats
Walk through a living butterfly habitat, marvel at spectacular live and preserved specimens of some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods, and enjoy interactive games and quizzes. hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center/
Big Stone Lodge, Dennis Johnston Park 1:30pm. All ages
Join our virtual party featuring local musical talent and great vibes. Guests are encouraged to support local restaurants during Beats & Eats. facebook.com/MidtownPark/ Virtual 6:30-9:30pm. All ages
AUGUST 15 Walk with the Doc Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. What better way to start your weekend than on your feet making strides to help your heart and improving your general health to live longer! hermannpark.org Hermann Park 9am. All ages
Photography workshop: introduction to landscape These community-driven workshops focus on photography as a means for creative expression and acquiring basic photography skills. facebook.com/LevyParkHou/ Virtual 9am. Age: 15+
Express Children’s Theatre, Improvisation in Art & Life Putting on a show requires more skills than just acting, writing, directing and design. Students have to be able to effectively express themselves, work well with others, lead when required, and stand up and be heard. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park Events Pavilion 1pm. All ages
Virtual Children Spanish storytime Enjoy stories in Spanish read by local celebrities. For small children and those that love children’s books. facebook.com/mcmlsTX/ Virtual. 10am. Age: under 7
The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill The Woodlands Farmer’s Market with local Produce, prepared food, and Artisan Goods every Saturday rain or shine. woodlandsonline.com/ 7 Switchbud Place, The Woodlands 8am-noon. All ages
AUGUST 16 Be bedazzled at Smither Park Take the kids out to explore art, swings, arches, tiles, furniture, murals and other interesting installations all connected by a mosaic walkway. orangeshow.org/about-smither-park Smither Park All day. All ages
Cockrell butterfly center at the Natural Museum of Science All day. Every day. All ages
AUGUST 17 Summer Art Explorers: Playing with snack time Explore inspiring and extraordinary works of art either in person or online, and discover amazing art in the Modern & Contemporary collection. Print the downloadable guides to use at home, or bring them with you. Each guide contains activities, conversation starters, and instructions for an art project to make at home. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 7+
STEM Club STEM Club has gone virtual! Pick up your next STEM Club kit through curbside. hcpl.net Atascocita Branch Library 4pm. All ages
AUGUST 18 Virtual Children’s Story Time Join in for a virtual sing-a-long performance by AndyRoo & the AndyRooniverse followed by a special reading from iWrite Literacy. facebook.com/midtownHOU/ Virtual. 11:30am All ages
Whodunnit? Have you ever wanted to solve a real-life mystery? hcpl.net/events/20515 Maud Smith Marks Branch Library 7pm. All ages
AUGUST 19 Virtual Family Storytime: Carrot & Pea Tune in to the story telling of Carrot & Pea an unlikely friendship. houstonlibrary.org Virtual. 11am. Age: under 7
Virtual Event: bedtime Yoga & Meditation for Kids A kid-friendly calming breath exercises and tell an interactive yoga story with gentle poses to relax our bodies. Afterward, we’ll finish with a candlelight Secret Garden meditation. facebook.com/bloomingbreathyoga Virtual 6:30pm. All ages
August 2 02 0 AUGUST 20 Let’s make monsters: exploring found objects Let’s make art! Follow along with how-to videos and downloadable instruction guides to create works of art inspired by art from across the world and time. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 4+
Craft: Keep Calm with Ceramics and Sounds Let your creative spirit soar as you listen to the soothing, meditative sounds of the wind while calmly painting ceramic pieces. Each participant will receive a bag that contains several ceramic pieces, one small assembled wind chime kit, and a set of paint and paintbrushes to complete the project. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 11:00am-1pm. All ages
Make Time to Make Stuff Enjoy a fun craft. hcpl.net/events/27505
La Porte Branch Library 10am. Age: Adult
Virtual Blanket Bingo We’re hosting our famous “blanket” bingo with your favorite host Mills McCoin, fun surprises and the chance to win a $50 gift card to some of your favorite restaurants in Downtown Houston! marketsquarepark.com Virtual 7pm. All ages
AUGUST 21 My Weird Read-A-Loud with Dan Gutman Cozy up on the sofa and listen to My Weird School author Dan Gutman as he reads chapters from his book. facebook.com/DanGutman-60020139122/ Virtual 1pm. All ages
Santa Monica College Planetarium Now A Virtual Night Sky Show is presented live via Zoom. The Night Sky programs last roughly 30 minutes. smc.edu/ACG/Marketing/Events/Pages/ Planetarium.aspx Virtual 7pm. All ages
Virtual Craft time: recycle egg cartons Eggs are delicious but what can we do with egg cartons? How about making cute little turtle? Houstonlibrary.org Virtual 10am. All ages
AUGUST 22 Wildlife Photography Come enjoy a presentation from a member of the Kingwood Photo Club and learn tips for snapping the perfect shot and discovering the wonders of outdoor photography. hcp4.net/jones Jesse h. Jones Nature Center 10am. Age: 10+
Fly the Fortress: Conroe Rides Day Come ride the B-17 Flying Fortress “Texas Raiders” or the Twin Beech C-45 JRB “Little Raider”. b17texasraiders.org
General Aviation Services, 5260 Central Parkway, Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, Conroe 10am-4pm. Age: 10+
Summer Family “Camp out” Come enjoy a fun, family-friendly event for all ages. Explore NEO’s interactive campsite with tents, games, friendly competitions, and even a lawn fishing tournament while listening to live music. sugarlandtownsquare.com Sugarland Town Square 6:30pm. All ages
AUGUST 23 Arts and Crafts Online with The Orange Show: Monster boxes Little monsters running around your house? Show them how to make cute and quirky monster boxes. All they need is a small recycled box, tape, glue and either markers, watercolors or food coloring. discoverygreen.com/crafts Virtual craft. Various time. All ages
Grand Park Sunday Sessions: The Well Let the beat drop at home this summer as the annual dance and music party goes online. Some of LA’s finest House music curators host multiple-hour sets on select Sundays. grandparkla.org/event/sundaysessions-2020/
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: An interactive Virtual event Interesting in learning about the stars in our solar system? You will have the opportunity to ask all your burning questions and about new stars, old stars, and the biggest star in our system: the sun. youtube.com/user/mjguillette Virtual 6:30pm. All ages
AUGUST 25 Two-For-Tuesdays: Buy One Aquarium Adventure Pass, Get One FREE on Tuesdays! Enjoy the day at the aquarium. aquariumrestaurants.com/ Downtown Aquarium All day. All ages
Harry Potter at Home Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is read aloud by actors from the Harry Potter series. wizardingworld.com/collections/harrypotter-at-home Virtual Various times. All ages
AUGUST 26 Stars, Stripes and Crafts Round up the posse! Wear your best cowboy outfits to pick up a new do-at-home craft. Staff will have craft kits ready for participants to create a fun sand art picture. Packages will be handed out in the parking lot. Smile for the camera in our drive-thru photo booth while you wait! hcp4.net
Big Stone Lodge, Dennis Johnston Park 1:30pm. All ages
Nature Story Time Stories, live animals, specimens, stuffed animals, and sometimes a craft, coloring page, or nature walk in the park for preschoolers and their caregivers. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discovery Center 4pm. Age: under 7
AUSGUST 27 Let’s make webs: exploring weaving Let’s make art! Follow along with how-to videos and downloadable instruction guides to create works of art inspired by art from across the world and time. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 4+
S E E E V E N M O R E FA M I LY F R I E N D LY E V E N T S I N O U R ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR! houstonfamilymagazine.com/event-directory/
Virtual 4-10pm. All ages
AUGUST 24 Summer Art Explorers: Playing with toys Explore inspiring and extraordinary works of art either in person or online, and discover amazing art in the Modern & Contemporary collection. Print the downloadable guides to use at home, or bring them with you. Each guide contains activities, conversation starters, and instructions for an art project to make at home. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 7+
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O N T H E G O | C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S Origami Oasis Try a new origami or papercraft project each month. hcpl.net/events/23643
La Porte Branch Library. Please register online or call 281-471-4022 to reserve your take-home kit. 10am. Age: Adult
Virtual afternoon book Club Join in a lively discussion about literary great reads. hcpl.net/events/34765 Barbara Bush Library. To join contact cc@hcpl.net 2pm. Age: Adult
AUGUST 28 Craft: Get Crafty! Rock On! River stones look attractive and can be used to make a fun craft activity. All you need are small, smooth stones and colorful paints. Each stone can be painted using inspirational words or phrases, designs, or patterns. The beautiful personalized stones are perfect to decorate your flower garden, mark indoor herbs, or give as personal gifts. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 11:00am-1pm. All ages
Get your Zen Back at the Japanese Garden Stroll through the peaceful paths of the Japanese Garden that features a traditionally designed teahouse and Japanese landscaping. It’s a great place to think, read, meditate, take pictures or hang with someone special. Garden.org Hermann Park All day. All ages
AUGUST 29 Aurora Picture Show, Making Movies with Animation Immerse yourself in the world of animation through activities that explore basic history, theory, and practice of the art. Students will conceptualize original characters and bring them to life with photographs, clay or objects. Invent your own story and characters and watch them come to life with a few moves. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park events Pavilion 1pm. All ages
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Urban Harvest Farmers Market on Buffalo Speedway An inner Loop mainstay, Urban Harvest’s open-air farmers market features more than 70 local vendors and food producers. urbanharvest.org/farmers-market/ Urban Harvest Farmers Market 8am-12:30pm. All ages
Opry on the Square Come out to enjoy Country Now and Then, featuring country favorites that will appeal to all generations of country music fans! sugarlandtownsquare.com Sugarland Town Square 7:30pm. All ages
AUGUST 30 Get some fresh air at the Armand Bayou Nature Center Enjoy 2000 acres of lush nature preserve with hiking trails, wildlife and bird watching. Abnc.org Armand Bayou Nature Center All day. All ages
AUGUST 31 Let’s make stamps: exploring patterns and colors Let’s make art! Follow along with how-to videos and downloadable instruction guides to create works of art inspired by art from across the world and time. mfah.org Museum of Fine Arts Houston All day. Age: 4+
Bike, Hike, or run on the Ho Chi Minh Trails Rediscover the mixed-use trails at the south end of Memorial Park called the Ho Chi Minh in reference to the jungle paths of Vietnam. Grab your bike, hike, run and encounter an occasional horse rider. Memorial Park, 6501 Memorial Dr. All day. All ages
take a famil yf trip to Galv ishing eston!
EDITORIAL | BOOK BITES
Au gu s t 2020 NOW EXHIBITING | MUSEUM CALENDAR Education can be fun when kids get up close and personal with the diversified, cultural, artistic, historical and comtemporary exhibits available at Houston Museums and Enrichment Centers.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
mfah.org
Temporary Hours of Operation
Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am6pm, Sunday 12:30pm- 6pm Monday- closed except selected holidays, Tuesday – closed
Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power features work by more than 60 Black artists that was created over two revolutionary decades in American history. Accompanying the exhibition is a dynamic lineup of virtual programming: artist talks, discussions, films, and more. Through August 30
Glory of Spain: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library The traveling exhibition spans more than 4,000 years of Hispanic art and culture through some 200 objects: paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, maps, textiles, porcelains and ceramics, and metalwork and jewelry. Through September 7
Kindergarten Hat by Janet Lawler
Carlos Abredo loves building forts, playing soccer, and gardening but he does not want to start kindergarten, until his new teacher reaches out to make him and his fellow students feel welcome.
hmns.org
9am-5pm Mon-Sun
Cockrell Butterfly Center Embark on a tropical adventure in a living butterfly habitat! The rainforest conservatory, complete with thousands of live butterflies, tropical plants and a zen waterfall is enjoyed by guests of all ages.
State of Water: Our Most Valuable Resource The exhibition showcases the designs and architecture behind the water systems we use every day.
Mars by Luke Jerram Distinctive features, like craters, canyons and Rover landing sites, are displayed in stunning resolution on this unique installation.
Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds
Miranda is an animal expert. Or at least, she watches a lot of Nature Joe. Nature Joe is incredible. He rescues animals, returning them to their natural habitat. Mrs. Birdley is a teacher. The natural habitat of a teacher is a classroom. So when Mrs. Birdley escapes school and ends up wild, loose, and confused at the local grocery store, Miranda knows just what to do: she must use her brain, her guts, and her extensive knowledge of Nature Joe to rescue Mrs. Birdley--at any cost!
I’m Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal’s Office
Through October 7
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
lonestarflight.org
resents furniture, lighting design, architectural models, paintings, and other objects drawn from the landmark collection of Dennis Freedman.
Waltrip and Heritage Hangars
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Valerie Koehler, owner of the Blue Willow Bookshops, shares some of her favorite kid reads. See more at BlueWillowBookshops.com
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Radical: Italian Design 1965–1985, The Dennis Freedman Collection
Through September 7
BOOK BITES
10am-5pm Tues.-Sat., noon-5pm Sun.
Visit the panels detailing the history of aircraft, manufacturing and aviation training in Texas, as well propeller and engine exhibits line the. Visit the featured Norden bomb-sight, service vehicles, WWII command car, MUTT service Jeep, and interactive touchscreens with a view of cockpits.
by Jancee Dunn
What would happen if your teddy bear stowed away in your backpack and followed you to school? And what if your teddy convinced all your friends’ stuffed animals to come along for the party? Would you believe they might sneak into the cafeteria to play Pizza Disc, head to the band room to put bubbles in the wind instruments, make a clever glue trap for the art teacher, and roll around in finger paint as well? Luckily, the principal remembers what it was like to be young and may let the rambunctious teddy bear and crew off just this once.
hmh.org
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm., Sat. 10am5pm., Sun. 12-5pm
The Book Smugglers “Would you risk your life to save a book?” That is the underlying question of Holocaust Museum Houston’s new exhibition. Through August 16
Samuel Bak Gallery and Learning Center Bak and his mother survived the Holocaust, The Bak Learning Center will help visitors understand the content of his works, as well as the rich symbolism used in his paintings.
DON’T FORGET TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF HERMANN PARK WHILE YOU’RE IN THE MUSEUM DISTRICT!
What Stars Are Made Of by Sarah Allen (FSG Books)
Twelve-year-old Libby Monroe is great at science, being optimistic, and talking to her famous, accomplished friends (okay, maybe that last one is only in her head). She’s not great at playing piano, sitting still, or figuring out how to say the right thing at the right time in real life. Libby was born with Turner Syndrome, and that makes some things hard. But she has lots of people who love her, and that makes her pretty lucky.
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F E AT U R E | FA M I LY L I F E
MOVIE BITES back to school edition
Many of us still don’t know exactly when the kids are going back to school this year, so I thought we’d come up with some fun school related movies to check out! SCHOOL OF ROCK - PG13 After being kicked out of his rock band, Dewey Finn becomes a substitute teacher of an uptight elementary private school, only to try and turn his class into a rock band.
BACK TO SCHOOL - PG13 Millionaire businessman Thornton Melon is upset when his son Jason announces that he is not sure about going to college. Thornton insists that college is the best thing he never had for himself, and to prove his point, he agrees to enroll in school along with his son.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (1-3) - G Roy Bolton and Gabriella Montez are two totally different teenagers who meet at a party while singing karaoke on New Year’s Eve. One week later Troy goes back to his high school, East High, in New Mexico to find that Gabriella is a new student there. They quickly become close friends and accidentally audition for the school musical.
ROMY & MICHELE’S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION - R Romy and Michele have been through it all, including being tortured by the Popular crowd when in high school. When they receive word of a 10-year reunion, they come to realize their lives aren’t as impressive as houston family magazine
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they’d like them to be. Instead of staying home they go to the reunion with business outfits, cell phones, and one heck of a bogus success story.
SPY SCHOOL - PG Doubting Thomas is the story of a twelve-year-old boy known for telling tall tales who overhears a plot to kidnap the President’s daughter. When he goes public with his story, no one believes him, and he is forced to save her on his own.
GREASE- PG A musical about teens in love in the 1950s. It’s California 1958 and greaser Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Australian Sandy Olsson (Olivia NewtonJohn) are in love. They spend time at the beach, and when they go back to school, what neither of them knows is that they both now attend Rydell High. Danny’s the leader of the T-Birds, a group of black leather jacket-wearing greasers while Sandy hangs with the Pink Ladies, a group of pinkwearing girls led by Rizzo (Stockard Channing). When they clash at Rydell’s first pep rally, Danny isn’t the same Danny from the beach. They try to be like each other so they can be together.
ZOOM - PG Former superhero Jack Shepard, also known as Captain Zoom, is called back to work to transform an unlikely
group of ragtag kids into a new generation of superheroes. At a privacy academy, he trains Dylan, a 17-year-old boy who can turn invisible; Summer, a 16-year-old girl with telekinetic powers; Tucker, a 12-year-old boy with the power to enlarge any part of his body; and Cindy, a 6-year-old girl with super strength.
SKY HIGH - PG Will Stronghold, the son of the two famous superheroes, and his best friend, Layla are facing their first day of a secret school in the clouds like none on earth: Sky High, the first and only high school for kids with super-human powers going through crime-fighting puberty. But with no apparent superpowers of his own, Will seems destined to grow up a mere sidekick. But as he discovers his true strengths, he’ll also learn that it takes loyalty and teamwork to truly become a hero!
EVERY DAY - PG13 Every Day tells the story of Rhiannon (Angourie Rice), a 16-year old girl who falls in love with a mysterious soul named “A” who inhabits a different body every day. Feeling an unmatched connection, Rhiannon and A work each day to find each other, not knowing what or who the next day will bring. The more the two fall in love, the more the realities of loving someone who is a
different person every 24 hours takes a toll, leaving Rhiannon and “A” to face the hardest decision either has ever had to make.
CLUELESS - PG13 Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was -- and falls for him.
BRING IT ON - PG13 The Toro cheerleading squad from Rancho Carne High School in San Diego has got spirit, spunk, sass and a killer routine that’s sure to land them the national championship trophy for the sixth year in a row. But for newly-elected team captain Torrance, the Toros’ road to total cheer glory takes a shady turn when she discovers that their perfectlychoreographed routines were in fact stolen from the Clovers, a hip-hop squad from East Compton, by the Toro’s former captain.
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