midtown paper_1Q11 by QuantumSUR

midtown PAPER

A PUBLICATION OF MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT • houstonmidtown.com

inserted what’s inside • midtown map

in & about a list of new and exciting happenings in midtown

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midtown meetings choose a meeting and attend

it’s time for art in midtown 12th annual midtown visions cultural arts tour masterpiece in the making helping hands in midtown

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midtown dining HCCS culinary arts restaurant and red pier

“Eyes of God” by Michelle Samour

calendar of events a list of midtown events

Mai’s Restaurant Tradition returns with a blend of technology

hot block on holman how well-designed streets improve neighborhood living rockin’ and rollin’ midtown style... meatball invitational 1st annual competition at midtown

who’s new in midtown midtown is the place to be in houston...

y the time Anna Pham blows out her birthday candles on April 16, her “gift” will have already been delivered and a continuous wave of friends, old and new, will be there to help her celebrate. The day has been long awaited as Anna, the third generation proprietor, reopens the doors of Mai’s Restaurant. On February 15, 2010, a kitchen fire destroyed the Houston landmark, leaving family members and a multitude of long-time customers wondering if the restaurant would ever reopen. On that same day, seven months pregnant with her third child, Anna vowed to make everything happy again for her grandma and her mom. Anna’s grandparents, Phim and Phac Nguyen came to Houston in 1975. A year later Phac, a carpenter, built a restaurant at 3403 Milam, “all the way down to the tables and chairs,” as a means to support the family’s eight children. In 1991, the couple retired, passing the business on to Mai who became the restaurant’s namesake. Daughter Mai was no stranger to the business. Like Anna, she grew up in the restaurant and later was employed by her parents. Mai Nguyen sadly remembers last year’s devastation. “The day of the fire was so bad. You didn’t know what to do; to go or to stop. All we could do was pray. All my years of working, it was gone in just three hours,” she recalls. The amazing support from the community, local businesses, kind words from patrons and hundreds of emails helped the family get through the early days after the fire. Almost immediately, Mai began receiving calls from across the city, with offers of other locations, even restaurants that were move-in ready with space for her to start again. “I told them ‘No, this is where my family built the restaurant. If I come back, this is where I will rebuild, here in Midtown.’ ” When the decision was made to rebuild, Richland Construction and Midtown’s Studio RED Architects were chosen, ultimately pro-

first four, then

Eight...

Midtown scores with NCAA® Final Four ® Restaurant Retail Program.

1st qtr 2011

ams and Bulldogs were never meant to be side-by-side, nonetheless, under the same roof. The same goes for Wildcats and Huskies. But Southern hospitality influenced even the most devoted fan when the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® hit the court at Houston’s Reliant Stadium April 2-4. For many Midtown Paper readers (post April 4) the net will already be snipped and the fight for the Championship a thing of

the past. The anticipated 50,000 visitors will be homeward bound or perhaps, recuperating, yet eight Midtown restaurants will still be rejoicing, not only for their newfound notoriety but also for the many hundreds of walletcarrying fans that came through their doors. The Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC) for the 2011 NCAA® Final Four® created four areas within Houston as “Fan Gathering Zones,” with Galleria/Midtown being one of the four. Restaurant owners put their “best feet forward” on paper, convincing the Committee why their eateries would be an ideal place

viding, “a virtual walk-through” of the totally rebuilt interior, designed in an urban Asian style. Customers will readily notice the extra parking spaces and, once inside, the sleek two story atrium area, roomy banquettes and more than ample upstairs dining – a sleek space suitable for lunch and dinner crowds, but easily divisible for business meetings. Web marketing and social networking is another upgrade for the restaurant. “Our new website will launch our latest menu. You can order online, make reservations online, things we were not able to do before. We will be able to better accommodate our patrons, particularly our lunch crowd. It’ll be worth it,” Anna says. The infusion of wood upon the newly painted walls is a tribute to Anna’s grandfather. Her grandma’s signature piece? “Hospitality is what my grandma is best known for. ‘Is the food O.K.? Are you comfortable?’ she would say as she walked among the customers. The traditional ways – the way my grandma raised my mom, the way Mai raised me – that’s what’s still here. We want this to continue to be a comfortable dining destination.” Anna vows she’s not compromising tradition for the sake of technology. “There is so much character in this building,” she explains as she points to the concrete floors. “The floors are original. Every seam you see shows each time Mai’s had a renovation. Every column is still where it was. The niche for the fish tank is even still here. You can come to Mai’s today and still know its history.”

for fans to gather. Perks for the winners included a listing in the NCAA® Final Four® Fan Guide distributed to all visitors coming into Houston for the Final Four®, a listing in the Welcome Desk Notebook placed at all contracted hotels, where Final Four® “concierges” help people find their way around Houston, and a complimentary NCAA® Final Four® décor package that added extra pizazz to their place. Two Midtown favorites were victorious, chosen as official Fan Gathering Restaurants —Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill (2000 Bagby) for East Regional die-hards and Sushi

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Raku (3201 Louisiana) for those wanting a West Regional team to come out on top. Six additional Midtown eateries were chosen by the HLOC as Participating Restaurants with the opportunity to offer visitors and local fans a multitude of menu choices and price points. Participating Restaurants received perks similar to the Fan Gathering Restaurants plus the chance to compete in the “Big Dance” Restaurant Competition where six local restaurants were chosen to cater the three-day Big Dance concert series held at Discovery Green. Congrats to Coaches Pub Midtown (2204 Louisiana), Damian’s Cucina Italiana (3011 Smith), Farrago Restaurant (318 Gray), continued on page 4

in&about

pril 16 is international Record Store Day and what better place to celebrate than Midtown’s Sig’s Lagoon. This year marks the fourth anniversary of the ever-growing annual event that honors the owners and culture of the independent music retailers as well as the customers who passionately support them. Music, special events, signings and giveaways are in the works. Limited releases, names like13th Floor Elevators and Red Crayola, only available at indie record shops, will also be available same day. Doors open at 10 a.m. at Sig’s relocated shop on Winbern, just opposite Continental Club.

appy Anniversary to Ambassador Shoe Repair, celebrating 60 years on Main Street. The family-owned and operated shop recently received “Town & Country” magazine’s “Best Cobbler in the World” award for their fine service. Owner Paul Zermeño is a third generation craftsman in the fine art. Zermeño’s words of shoe wisdom: “Buy long lasting, all leather bottoms and you won’t go wrong.” Ambassador Shoe Repair is located at 2204 Main at Webster with M-F hours, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

estaurateur Alex Brennan-Martin recently accepted the Stewart Title Award, when Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) presented the 2011 Good Brick Awards for excellence in historic preservation. GHPA and Stewart Title recognized Brennan’s of Houston for rebuilding and left, GHPA President Larry E. Whaley, reopening its From Faith Morris, Alex Brennan-Martin, Stewart Title President and CEO Stewart Morris, Jr.   landmark restaurant after fire gutted the historic structure during Hurricane Ike in 2008.   Brennan’s opened in the former Junior League Building (1930) at 3300 Smith Street in 1967.

ar’hous Visual Studios continues to “wow” with their one-of-a-kind art shows with March and April, no exception. When SAFEWALLS, an art project curated by Cirque du Soleil, made their threeday stop in Houston, War’hous was their gallery of choice. SAFEWALLS commissions daring and original alternative poster designs for their Cirque du Soleil shows. OVO was the Houston show with artists Shag, El Mac and Jason Limon’s original OVO posters shown at War’hous. April 16th brings “She Speaks,” a new collection by Houston-based artist Anna Sprage. Special guest artists include Claire Richards and Kelley Devin along with Wendy Colonna and her dark, sultry blues acoustic set. It all begins at 8 p.m. See more at www.shespeaksartshow.webs.com. War’hous is located at 4715 Main.

3 celsius wishes to thank Houston artist Ebony Porter for creating its third holiday art installation, a glass painting titled “Slight Chance of Snow.” Utilizing 13’s large windows as a canvas for a winter weatherscape, the painting surrounded patrons in delicate, abstract forms that suggested the gentle falling of winter snow.

lastic toys needed! Lawndale Artist Studio Program residents Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand are working on a project and are looking for all of those crazy broken and discarded small, primary colored plastic toys that you keep in the big storage bin in the closet. You know the one; you don't want to throw them away but they’re just taking up room with mismatched doll arms, robot heads, plastic yellow lemons and so on. Nothing is too crazy, the brighter the color and more plastic, the better! Drop your items off at Lawndale or email the artists directly (info@ hillerbrandmagsamen.com) to arrange pick-up. For more information on Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand visit www.maryandstephan.com

ith the arrival of spring, the Tenuto Music Series returns to the courtyard at 13 celsius to offer live music from local bands in an intimate setting.The free performances will be paired with palatable potions including delicious wine, handcrafted micro brews and gourmet coffee drinks.Watch for dates and the featured lineup, coming soon.

ind a friend and take them to Habaneros for the Midtown favorite’s $14.95 Combo Fajitas for Two, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. till close. Habaneros MexGrill is located at 3017 Milam (with plenty of parking in the back!)

“D

o You Have What It Takes to Open a Restaurant?” It’s more than a question... it’s the name of a one-day class at University of Houston Small Business Development Center (UH SBDC.) Vital business information and expert information can take your entrepreneurial ideas to fruition. Visit their “Workshops & Seminars” at www.sbdc.uh.edu and see what might be right for you.

Photo by Pete Baatz/Formula One Photography

Esther Gutstein

Check out what's happened, is happening and will happen... It’s all about Midtown!

l to r: Tommy and Paul Zermeño

idtown resident Esther Gutstein is gallerycurator for The Brayer Room, a cultural initiative meant to bring artists, empty spaces and neighborhoods together. The concept has been coined as a Pro Tem gallery, meaning each future appearance of the Brayer Room will take place in a different, unused space throughout Houston. As a roving gallery, the Brayer Room may pop-up in future months anywhere from a warehouse, to an abandoned shoe store. Gutstein hopes to provide a small boost, even a change, to a real estate economy that has long been experiencing recession. For more info call 949-293-1595, or visit thebrayerroom.wordpress.com

atre as a means to explore and inspire. Classes are held Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Extended day is available from 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Go to www. ensemblehouston.com for more information.

he Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers Program (YPP) is for young people ages (7–17) wanting to explore their creative and artistic talents. Since 1983, more than 3,000 Houston area youth, including some who are now professionals on Broadway, film and television, have participated in this exciting program, which combines the study of theatre, dance, music, arts education, technical, creative dramatics and performance. Register now for upcoming sessions, June 6-July 2 and July 11-August 6. The program offers an introductory overview of the arts through theatre, dance and music motivating youth to use the-

'Ouvert Caribbean Cafe promises they have the best lunch specials in all of Houston every Monday thru Saturday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.! Enjoy their savory whole wings, hearty sandwiches, and famous Roti wraps all for under $5.Traditional Caribbean dishes are served throughout the day including their famous Jerk Chicken, Brown Stew Fish, and Pesto Basil Pasta. The mango cheesecake is back by popular demand. Be sure to ask about the new entree discount if you’re a student, faculty, or staff member of any local area high school or college. J'Ouvert Caribbean Cafe is located at 3030 Travis, just past Elgin in the Midtown Shoppe Center.

ave you heard about “The Midtown Journal?” It’s a joint effort of the Art and English Departments at Houston Community College Central (HCC-Central), published online twice a year. Check it out http:// midtownjournal.com/about/

peaking of HCC-Central, enrollment is up 13.2% from last Spring (14,919) making Central the second highest in student population. Central College begins a new era in 2011 with the restoration of the historical San Jacinto Memorial Building. The exact time frame of the renovation project to demolish and rebuild the interior is being developed, while using Fall 2012 as a projected completion timeline. This temporary inconvenience will yield a much-needed facelift to one of Houston's most significant historical buildings, and will result in multimedia classrooms and an increased student interface for Central College, located at 1300-B Holman.

rtist Ann Bell offers one-day watercolor classes every month. Find a time to explore your creativity at www.annbell.net. Ann is a talented mixed media artist whose joy is to create tranquil paintings on canvas and paper.

sian Buns, Marjoram Pesto and Umbrian Cicerchia…they’re just three of the new recipes added this year to Monica Pope's Online Cookbook available at www. ChefMonicaPope.com. Subscribe to the cookbook (like a magazine subscription) for $35 and choose to renew every year (at a reduced rate.)

pring workshops are now available at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.The schedule features metal artist John Barber and wood turner Thomas Irven, two current artists-inresidence —ceramicist Elizabeth DeLyria and metal artist Lisa Wilson, and two paper artists extraordinaire —Joan Son and Marguerite Belkin. Sign up online at www.crafthouson.org

“I

f Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day, Why Not Have It Twice?” so says the breakfast klub. Stop saying “We should go there one day,” and just GO! The breakfast klub, 3711 Travis at Alabama, voted Best B re a k f a s t and Best Chicken Wings in Best of Citysearch, 2010 and Houston Press’ 2010 Readers Choice for Best Breakfast.

J SUN's new release is the first single off a forthcoming album due in spring 2011, entitled, "One Hundred." The new single features two songs Bus b/w Fun that reflect an era of production that emphasized the analogue elements which DJ SUN has used to stamp his signature in production. Grab the cool 45 vinyl format at Domy Books or Sound Exchange before they're gone. Or download at Gigacrate.com.

reformatted wine list and food menu plus a few sweet additions sum up some subtle refinements at 13 celsius. Savor their new chocolate service featuring deliriously creative and unbelievably seductive sensations made exclusively for 13 by local artisan Brown Paper Chocolates. And if you’re craving something more, simply order the s’mores, only a chocolate-square-graham-crackermarshmallow-fluff fantasy away.

big high-five to Hank Schyma and Johnny Falstaff, writers, directors and stars of the movie “Honky Tonk Blood.” This chilling, tongue-in-cheek, indie music horror film pays tribute to Houston, the city and the music scene that gave it life... and death. Midtowners Josh and Tina Zulu have cameo appearances in the movie.

L Teahouse will tempt you with their bubble teas and fried shrimp and shrimp fried rice but it’s their lighter than air springs rolls that are to die for. It’s o.k. that you don’t know that Banh mi Bo is “Beef Steak” or that Chay/Rau/Bo is a “Veggie Avocado Sandwich.”The oversized menu boards spells it out in both languages. Give ‘em a try at 2808 Milam.

ouston Re-Market features vendors whose products range from dog treats to art to couture fashion. All vendors utilize sustainable practices. The market features a free ‘swap’ where you can trade gently used unwanted items with others. What’s left will be donated to local shelters. Bring

your household recycling. Fresh, local food will also be cooking up on the grill. Houston Re-Market calls  2850 Fannin “home” every 3rd Saturday of the month.

he Lawndale Artist Studio Program is part of Lawndale’s ongoing commitment to support the creation of contemporary art by Gulf Coast area artists. With an emphasis on emerging practices, the program provides three artists with studio space on the third floor of Lawndale Art Center at 4912 Main Street in the heart of Houston’s Museum District. Check the Calendar (page 7) and see how hard this year’s artists have been working.

enting but would like to buy? Norhill Realty produces a weekly update for the Midtown market at http://www.norhillrealty.com/ neighborhood/midtown or email Vincent at viondillo@norhill.net for a copy.

ant to know your way around a gym AND get results? Train with a qualified personal trainer at Metamorphocise Midtown for only $20/session. Don’t try to “figure” it out on your own, they can help. Guaranteed results. Join for only $25 down and $18.99/month. (Some restrictions apply.) Also, check out their “Making Fitness Fun,” a guide to actually ENJOYING coming to the gym. Call 713-942-7400 for more information.

lanning an event and need a space? Call Damian’s Cucina Italiana. Located in the heart of Midtown for more than 20 years, this favorite for lunch, dinner and pre-theatre dining also has a great party room. The second-story space is ideal for rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, engagement parties, holiday gatherings, birthday bashes and corporate functions. They can accommodate for as few as 20 and as many as 140 guests, for standing cocktail receptions or full-service seated meals. Damian’s professional and attentive staff can handle all aspects of your event, from cocktails to cake, flowers to photographers, and everything in between. Call JoAnn DeNicola to plan your event. Damian’s Cucina Italiana, 3011 Smith, 713-522-0439, www.damians.com.

hru May 15 (on or about) Inman Gallery will be located at Inman Annex (3917 Main Street) while their 3901 Main Street location is being repaired. The Annex is located at the south end of Isabella Court, so parking access remains the same. Check out their exhibition schedule in the Calendar, page 7.

re engagement or wedding photos in your plans for 2011? Check out Dr. Brian Martinez's “Whitenings for your Wedding Day!” special. Make appointments for two members of your wedding party and receive one of the in-office whitenings at half price. Dr. Martinez and his staff bring out your brightest smile ever. Restrictions apply, Offer valid during April, May and June, 2011. Call 713-523-6848 or stop by 3600 San Jacinto, and reserve your space soon.

teve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation, was the featured speaker at the recent Houston Technology Forum® on March 10, offering his insight into the strategic implications for

Houston as a center for innovation. Named among Forbes top 10 “incubators changing the world” the Houston Technology Center provides education, insight and access to capital that entrepreneurs need for commercialization. Houston Technology Center is located in Midtown at 410 Pierce.

“A

Celebration of Entrepreneurs," presented by Houston Technology Center, will be held May 12, at Omni Houston Hotel, honoring Welcome Wilson Sr. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be given to Dr. Andrew Barron, Nanotechnology; Pat Campbell, Energy; Dr. Tom Caskey, Life Sciences; Lee Cook, Information Technology; and Edelmiro Muniz, Aerospace.

ree appetizers await at Piola’s bar, Monday through Friday, 4 p.m to 7 p.m., 3201 Louisiana (The Mix.) And don’t forget Lucky Gnocchi Day —all the homemade gnocchi you can eat served in a variety of homemade sauces —every 29th of each month.

ncaustic is quickly becoming one of the most exciting "new" old medias for experimental as well as traditional artists. Learn why this wax painting method holds so much potential for rediscovery. No previous experience is necessary. Sign up for one workshop or all, each on a Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. “Encaustic and More!” is offered at Art Supply on Main, 2711 Main. $65.00/workshop. All materials included. April 16, May 21 and June 25. Learn more

he Continental Club is proud to present Big Kat’s and the Kat’s Meow, the new barbershop, hair salon, and tattoo parlor next to Sig’s Lagoon. DJ Big E’s running the joint, so rockabilly cuts are a specialty, but you can get any style you’d like. Check it out.

oming to The Continental Club in April… The Suspects,Meat Puppets,TheWagoneers, Dirt Daubers, Skyrocket! Runaway Sun, Chase Hamblin and Freddie Steady Five and more!!! Don’t forget to check for updates at www. continentalclub. com. For advance tickets to upcoming shows (other than the block party), go to www.sigslagoon. com or contact Sig’s Lagoon at 713-533-9525.

hinking of joining a book club? There’s one just around your corner. Midtown Book Club meets at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1311 Holman, between Caroline and Austin. Parking is available in the church lot at the corner of Holman and Austin. Book selections are posted a month ahead on Craigslist. New members are welcome, even if you haven’t had time to complete the present book. Call or email Amanda at 713203-1279 or Amanda@shrevesites.com.

uco Xicana.You might not know the name but you’ll know the place. Chef Jonathan Jones is ready to not only take your taste buds to a new level but the same for your definition of “traditional Mexican food.” Xuco Xicana will soon be the rebranding for Midtown’s El Patio but before you get in a tizzy about a Houston institution, don’t despair. The flagship, the original El Patio on Westheimer, will stay the same. Change is good and you’ve probably already sampled part of the new menu if you’ve stopped by for brunch or lunch since January. We’ll tell you more in our next issue.

EARCH’s annual luncheon hosted over 700 attendees from the Houston Business community. Honoree Bill Boyar (former Chairman of BoyarMiller) inspired the audience with his commitment to service in the community. Gregg Lynch (Luncheon chair), John Knox, The program Photo: Jr. (Chairman of the Board),Thao Costis (President highlighted and CEO), and Bill Boyar (Honoree). SEARCH’s House of Tiny Treasures, an off-site day care center for children from ages 2-5.

top by 4850 Main and experience Museum District TSO’s new technology, OptoMap Retinal Imaging. This non-invasive procedure allows the doctor to see a much broader and

more detailed view of the retina and may eliminate the need to dilate the eye. Museum District TSO screens for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, retinal holes and other abnormalities. Call 713-523-5109 for a demonstration of the latest technology in detecting early signs of disease.

I F in&about T t’s easy to be in IN & ABOUT and it’s Free. Email news about your business to mary@quantumsur.com for the next issue.

he Bagby Reconstruction Project is the reconstruction of Bagby Street from St. Joseph to Tuam, including two blocks on Pierce Street from Baldwin to Brazos. Several improvements, upgrades and enhancements are planned. A public meeting with stakeholders will be held in May 2011, with September 2011 as he preliminary schedule for design completion. To learn more details about this exciting project, please visit www.houstonmidtown.com.

orget what you remember about the Houston Fire Museum. The iconic Midtown fire station has been totally re-installed. The new area called Tike Town teaches fire safety in a

fun and memorable way, complete with a Junior Fire Academy, a two-story escape house, a fire pole and the cab of a “real” fire truck.There’s plenty to keep adults busy, too. Stop by 2403 Main and see the new look.

Midtown

meetings... At Midtown Management District (MMD) & Redevelopment Authority, offices: 410 Pierce St., Suite 355, Houston, TX 77002.

Please call ahead (713-526-7577) to confirm time and dates or visit: houstonmidtown.com

Midtown Management District Board Meeting Apr. 6 (11 a.m.) May 4 (6 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam) Jun. 1 (11 a.m.) Midtown Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting Please check dates online Public Safety Committee Apr. 19, May 17 @ 4 p.m. Jun. 17 (6 p.m. @ Central Bank–2217 Milam) Marketing Committee Apr. 12, May 10, Jun. 10 Second Tuesday of each month @ 4 p.m. Urban Planning Committee Apr. 14, May 12, Jun. 12 Second Thursday of each month @ 4 p.m.

Services and Maintenance Committee As needed. Please check online. Baldwin Square Homeowners Association (HOA) Apr. 13, May 11, Jun. 8 Second Wednesday of each month @ 4 p.m.

meetings offsite HPD – Positive Interaction Program (PIP) East side of Louisiana

Apr. 19, May 17, Jun. 21 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD South Central Division 2202 St. Emanuel @ Hwy 288 Officer J. Sanchez 713-238-2282 HPD – Positive Interaction Program (PIP) West side of Louisiana

Apr. 27, May 25, Jun. 22 4th Wednesday of each month @ 7 p.m. Held @ HPD Central Division, 1602 State St. Officer Wayne Pate 713-284-8604

Rockin’ and Rollin’ Hot Block o n H o l m a n W A midtown style...

Midtown — how well-designed streets improve neighborhood living

coalition of local nonprofits, businesses and individuals will present “Hot Block on Holman,” a one-day living workshop Saturday, April 9, to energize Midtown Houston and demonstrate how well-designed streets and roads can create safer, more accessible neighborhoods in which to live, play, work and shop. The 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. event will feature live music and dance performances, food and craft vendors and original artwork. The event is presented by Better Block Houston and hosted by the Community Artists' Collective (The Collective), Planners' Revolution and Ecotone. “This is a participatory educational event where anyone can come and experience the difference that smart design makes in creating a healthy, sustainable neighborhood,” Michelle Barnes, executive director of The Collective, said. “Now that the city has passed Proposition 1, which will enable many streets to be rebuilt, it is

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even more important that we make sure our public places meet world-class standards,” she added. The “Better Block” project provides a one-day living workshop of how streets can be designed and operated for all users—pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders. These “complete streets” make it easy to cross the street, walk to shops, bicycle to work and allow buses to run on time. The Better Block is a national movement that originated in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Better Block projects have improved neighborhoods in Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, Portland and Memphis and is the first of several Better Block events planned for Houston. Among the groups participating in the Better Block projects are Asakura Robinson Co., Bike Houston, Citizen's Transportation Committee, CNUHouston, Houston Tomorrow and The Where I Park My Bike Project. For more information contact www.facebook.com/betterblockhouston or Community Artists' Collective 713523-1616 • www.thecollective.org.

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Meatball Invitational 1st Annual competition at midtown

ho has the best meatballs in Houston? Discover for yourself on Sunday, May 1 at Damian’s Cucina Italiana where local chefs, restaurants and caterers will serve their signature spheres – Italian to Swedish and everything in between – in the hopes of being crowned at the 1st Annual Meatball Invitational. A panel of celebrity judges will select winners for Best Italian Meatball and Best Non-Italian Meatball. Hungry attendees will enjoy meatballs from the contestants and will cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. Damian’s will provide delicious nibbles; Spec’s

Wines Spirits & Fine Foods will provide wine. A $35 ticket includes meatballs and other nibbles, wine and one (1) voting ballot. Cocktails will be available at the cash bar. Complimentary valet parking will also be included. The event is sponsored by Damian’s Cucina Italiana, “My Table” magazine and Spec’s Wines Spirits & Fine Foods. Event proceeds benefit Houston Food Bank and the Texas Italian American Sports Foundation. To purchase tickets, contact Taylor at 713-529-5500 or email taylor@ my-table.com. Damian’s Cucina Italiana is located at 3011 Smith.

hat do you get when you combine a 36” X 60” piece of ¾” MDF, relief ink, the feet of beautiful dancers AND a steamroller? San Antonio knows the answer, so does Austin and San Francisco, even Missoula, Montana. You will, too, on Saturday, June 11 when steamroller printing happens in Midtown. The popular nationwide art form has lacked a presence in Houston until Houston’s newest arts organization, PrintMatters, came to the rescue. PrintMatters and Art Supply on Main in Midtown have created Rockin’ Rollin’ Prints, a day long festival, where artists from around the state bring their oversized woodcuts carved to this year’s theme “the seven deadly sins,” all to be printed under the 47” drum of a steamroller. An optional “printing press” will be the moving feet of beautiful dancers. Former Houston Ballet’s Sandra Organ Solis will bring her dance company, Earthen Vessels: SODC, to assist in what promises to be an annual event. Food and festivities will be part of the day along with artists from Drive-By Press who will be printing t-shirts and posters from the back of their station wagon. Free online registration for artists is available through June 1, 2011. Here’s how the day will (should!) unfold: (1) Artists register with their carved 3’ X 5’ MDF board, then proceed to a designated inking area. (2) A special relief ink (with modifiers) is applied with paint rollers, with special care given to cover corner to corner. (3) The board

Mai’s Restaurant

is then placed onto an approved, designated, traffic-free Midtown street (4) Next, a “Clean Hand Brigade” lays the oversized piece of paper down on the unusual “letterpress bed.” A padding is then placed on top of the paper. (4) The grand finale! The steamroller rolls across the paper and voila! the paper is peeled back and a magnificent print is revealed! A special thanks to Midtown Management District, Community Artists’ Collective as well as Gamblin and Canson for donating ink and paper. PrintMatters sponsors PrintHouston, a month-long celebration of traditional and non-traditional printmaking during the month of June. Exhibitions include works at Art League of Houston, Houston Museum of African-American Culture, Museum of Printing History, Hooks-Epstein Gallery and other participating galleries including Midtown’s Philomena Gabriel Contemporary. The Community Artists’ Collective will showcase children’s prints created at the Midtown Arts Center. Prominent speakers including artists, gallery owners and professors from across the state are also scheduled. PrintMatters meets the first Sunday of every month at Art Supply on Main located in Midtown, 2711 Main. Individuals can join as an associate member, but an artist member must be juried into the group. Artist membership - $35, associates and collectors - $25.

For more information: www.artsupplyonmain and www.printmattershouston.org from page 1

“The only thing we’ve changed is the way it looks,” she continues. “It’s the same focus. You can walk in just the way you are. The same hours, the same friendly faces. My grandma is still here and will be able to still breathe that same life into Mai’s. This is what makes us.” Mai Nguyen smiles as her soft-spoken voice tells the story of the day they began filling positions for the new restaurant. “The fire was on February 15. One year and one day later, February 16, 2011, we opened the doors to begin hiring. Our employees showed up. They all showed up. One told the other who told another, who told another. They were all here, to come back, to work with us. It was very important to me to see them all. They are part of my family. They said, ‘We have been waiting for you and we will be back with you and we will start again.’ ” A special ribbon cutting is planned for the restaurant’s reopening on Saturday, April 16, at 11 a.m. with closing, “as usual,” at 4 a.m. Mai’s Restaurant 3403 Milam, 77002 • 713-520-5300 • www.MaisHouston.com www.facebook.com/MaisHouston • www.twitter.com/MaisHouston.

First four, then eight...

from page 1

Howl at the Moon (612 Hadley), Julia’s Bistro (3722 Main) and Tacos A Go-Go (3704 Main) as the winning Participating Restaurants. Keep in mind, don’t wait for the cameras and lights to get you to try a Midtown restaurant. Take a walk, grab your bike, hop on the METRO, even drive your car —get out and explore the restaurants in Midtown.

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Live, Learn, Work and Play... the Midtown Way

RESTAURANTS / BARS A1. 13 Celsius 713-529-VINO (8466) A2. Brennan’s 713-522-9711 A3. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 713-650-0002 A4. CoCo's Crepes & Coffee 713-521-0700 A5. Crave Sushi 713-527-8744 A7. Ibiza Food & Wine Bar 713-524-0004 A8. Luigi’s Pizzeria 281-793-3333 A9. Piola 713-524-8222 A10. Pub Fiction 713-400-8400 A11. Rich’s Houston 713-759-9606 A12. Sushi Raku 713-526-8885 A13. Sweet Lola Yogurt Bar 713-521-1333

HOUSES OF WORSHIP / NONPROFITS E1. Career & Recovery Resources Inc. 713-754-7000 E2. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 713-526-4611 E3. First Evangelical Lutheran Church 713-529-3589 E4. Holy Rosary Parish 713-529-4854 E5. South Main Baptist Church 713-529-4167 E6. St. John's Downtown / Bread of Life 713-659-3237 E7. SEARCH Homeless Center 713-739-7752 E8. Trinity Episcopal Church 713-528-4100 E9. The Salvation Army Family Residence 713-650-6530

F10 A4

F11 B9

A13 G2

F10

H14

F10

F8 F7

SERVICES / RETAIL B1. Ambassador Shoe Repair H1 713-659-0161 B2. Art Supply on Main 713-652-5028 B3. BCP Veterinary Pharmacy 713-771-1144 B5. Brian Martinez, DDS, PA 713-523-6848 B8. Kwik Kopy Business Solutions 713-526-6364 B9. Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 B11. Norhill Realty 713-449-2416 B13. Randall’s Food & Pharmacy 713-331-1042 B15. St. Joseph Medical Plaza 713-961-5900 B16. Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods 713-526-8787 B17. Stewart Cadillac 713-874-0900 B18. TSO Museum District 713-523-5109 B19. Urban Tails Pet Center 713-658-0900 B20. YogaOne Studios 713-522-0876

A10

B13

B16

D1 F3 D2

F3 H2

G4 H9

H8 B17 E1 E2

A11

B20

A12 A9

H12A1

E8 H11

H4 E4 C8

Financial Institutions D1. Central Bank 832-485-2360 D2. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 713-533-1309

P1 H3 C1

H7 C4

H10

F12

PARKS / PUBLIC SPACES P1. Elizabeth Baldwin Park P2. Houston Fire Station No. 7 P3. Midtown Park P4. Peggy’s Point Plaza Park

= METRORail stops

C3 B18 H13 C5 B11

B19

CULTURAL ARTS C1. Community Artists' Collective 713-523-1616 C2. Gallery Sonja Roesch 713-659-5424 C3. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 713-529-4848 C4. Kinzelman Art Consulting 713-533-9923 C5. Lawndale Art Center 713-528-5858 C7. Station Museum of Contemporary Art 713-529-6900 C8. The Ensemble Theatre 713-520-0055 C9. War’Hous Visual Studios 832-768-9515

B15

MIDTOWN historic markers 1. H H2. H3. H4.

DePelchin Faith Home Houston Fire Museum First Evangelical Lutheran Church Holy Rosary Church

H5. H6. H7. H8. H9.

C. L. House Building Houston Light Guard Armory Temple Beth Israel The Sheridan Apartments Benjamin Apartments

H10. Isabella Court H11. Trinity Episcopal Church H12. 13 celsius H13. Lawndale Art Center H14. Kirby Mansion

MIDTOWN LIVING OPTIONS F1. 2016 Main 713-659-1801 F2. Camden City Centre 713-651-0350 F3. Camden Midtown 713-652-9944 F5. Edge Condominium 281-687-8429 F7. METRO Midtown 713-529-5333 F8. Midtown Arbor Place 713-874-1313 F10. rise 713-523-5700 F11. Post Midtown Square Apartment Homes 713-739-7678 F12. Ventana at Midtown 713-550-9600 EDUCATION / Technology G1. Houston Academy for International Studies (HAIS) 713-942-1430 G2. Houston Technology Center 713-658-1750 G3. Houston Community College – Central 713-718-6000 G4. UH Small Business Development Center 713-752-8444

Get on the map! advertise in the midtown paper Call Today 281.955.2449 ext. 11 midtown@quantumsur.com

Come see the Artists 5th Annual Midtown Art in the Park

5th Annual Midtown Art in the Park Saturday, April 9, 2011 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Elizabeth Baldwin Park 1702 Elgin, between Chenevert and Crawford Streets Free admission (Sorry, due to the expected number of attendees, no pets will be allowed)

s last years Art in the Park came to a close, many of the artists had the same request... â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sign me up for next year!â&#x20AC;? And why not? With a beautiful park setting, free parking, bike racks, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playground, a historic Heritage Gazebo, food and refreshments and Precinct 7 security on hand, Midtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art in the Park is no doubt the perfect venue. Midtown is home to over 8,000 residents and over 300 businesses, offering that perfect win-win setting for artists and patrons. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event promises to be even bigger and better. Underwritten by the Midtown Management District, a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors. Midtownartinthepark.com.

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It’s Time for Art in Midtown Who 12th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour — April 9th, 2011

idtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour is your key to artists’ studios, galleries and outdoor venues. The day long event will lead you along a well-mapped path, complete with addresses and convenient METRORail locations. At your own pace, you can feel free to explore, ask questions, even purchase art directly from the artists. The creative visual and performing arts environments is part of Midtown’s growing art community.

Here are just a few of the many talented artists you’ll meet... Before Houston, Brenda Furman called South Africa home. She paints from the journey of her own life, capturing the world through the bold use of color. She is not only dutiful to her canvas but to the community as well. Brenda works as a hotline advocate and sexual assault accompaniment counselor for the Houston Area Women’s Center, serving the needs of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. With oil paint pens in hand, Michael Mistric, PhD begins to doodle…and doodle…and doodle. The end result is an amazing piece of art created on his “doodle pads” of wooden boxes, cabinets, tables and even a chair and a bed. Michael has been a registered nurse for over 30 years and currently a nurse practitioner for the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston working with patients dealing with dementia. He holds faculty appointments at Texas Woman’s University School of Nursing in Houston and University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing in Galveston. In addition, he’s a talented musician. Susan Spjut’s art is undeniably newsworthy. Susan discovered painting or drawing images over found newspaper articles, created powerful images. Her unique artwork raises awareness of some of society’s many problems including conservation, the

recent BP oil spill and a subject close to her heart —domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Susan is a Forensic Nurse that each day sees her subject matter all too closely. Other participants include... Art Square Studios 2711 Main St. 713-652-5028 www.artsquarestudios.com

Midtown Art Center 3414 La Branch 713-521-8803 www.midtownartcenter.com

Emergency calls: 9-1-1 Non-Emergency Houston Service Help Line: (Traffic signals & signs, potholes, broken curbs, water leaks, etc.) Be sure to request a reference number. 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311

Houston Community College Art Department www.centralfinearts.info

Midtown Management District 713-526-7577

Inman Gallery 3901 Main Street 713-526-7800 www.inmangallery.com

City of Houston – Animal Control 713-229-7300

Community Artists' Collective 1413 Holman 713-524-3027 www.thecollective.org

Station Museum Of Contemporary Art 1502 Alabama 713-529-6900 www.stationmuseum.com Houston Center for Contemporary Craft 4848 Main Street 713-529-4848 www.crafthouston.org The Ensemble Theater 3535 Main Street 713-520-0055 www.ensemblehouston.com CTRL gallery 3907 Main Street 713-523-2875 www.ctrlgallery.com Gallery Sonja Roesch 2309 Caroline 713-659-5424 www.gallerysonjaroesch.com Lawndale Art Center 4912 Main Street 713-528-5858 www.lawndaleartcenter.org 12th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour Saturday, April 9, 2011 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Maps available at Art Supply on Main, 2711 Main @ Dennis

Masterpiece in the Making helping hands in midtown

do I Call?

By Elizabeth C. Searcy

.S. Army Specialist Pedro Antonio Maldonado had a masterpieces in the making. Walking through the 10,000 square loving wish to improve his father’s life by replacing foot workshop and laboratory, the environment exudes the the worn out prosthetic leg that gave him anguish. sense that something truly special happens here. When a local news station aired a segment that The main workshop can be likened to a hi-tech cobbler’s Pedro had been killed in action before realizing workshop with rows of workstations and tools his wish, the story touched the heart of Douglas of the trade. Arms and legs are fashioned out of Dinkins, who immediately knew he had to help. primary materials such as carbon fiberglass, and Dinkins met the elder Mr. Maldonado, and saw his two kinds of resins. The highly professional ABCneed firsthand. certified prosthetists, and friendly staff at MPI “I never had the money to get a new prosthedisplay tireless dedication to their craft of restorsis and kept trying to fix it on my own,” explains ing the mobility and functionality of their patients Maldonado. “It was very heavy and just walking who have suffered the loss of extremities. around a little made me tired.” “Mr. Maldonado’s existing prosthesis weighed Six years earlier, Maldonado sought help from 10 pounds; five pounds heavier than it should Ted Muilenburg, CP, LP, FAAOP Ted Muilenburg, CP, LP, FAAOP, and owner of be,” shares Muilenburg, a second-generation Muilenburg Prosthetics, Inc. (MPI), a 60-year-old business locatprosthetist. “Each mold is custom. Fitting well is the most ed on LaBranch Street in Midtown. Now this new visit would important aspect of my job—my number one priority.” bring with it the hope of a modern prosthesis, strong, durable, In January, Muilenburg, Dinkins, and the Maldonado family and well able to perform. were all together for the first time during the IPSSA meeting Muilenburg offered a generous discount for the creation of and presentation. Pedro gave his life for his country and comthe new leg. Along with a committee from the Independent passionate people responded to his story. Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA), Dinkins implemented a “It brought tears to my eyes,” shares Dinkins. “This is the plan. most rewarding contribution we have ever made.” During the “We wanted to make this soldier’s wish come true,” shares meeting, a video tribute to Pedro was viewed. As Dinkins and Dinkins. “We ‘passed the hat’ among the members of our IPSSA others watched, the evening was graced by a heavenly touch as Texas chapters who gave generously. In addition, Platinum Pools a startling fact was revealed. also stepped up and donated. We raised the money within 60 To the astonishment of many, it was now apparent that the days.” long-awaited wish of the soldier, who did not see it come true The new prosthesis is being made in a facility that is a sight in his lifetime, was fulfilled on the date of the presentation— to behold. When stepping into Muilenburg’s world, one can see January 11. Pedro’s 21st birthday.

City of Houston – Public Works City of Houston – Public Utilities City of Houston – Solid Waste City of Houston – Curbs & Ditch City of Houston – Code Violations/ Neighborhood Protection City of Houston – Fire Marshall Enforcement 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 www.houstontx.gov City of Houston Environmental Investigations 713-525-2728 CenterPoint (gas) 713-659-2111 Reliant Energy (electric) 713-207-7777 Non-working street light. Provide the 6-digit pole number (6-7 ft high on the pole)

AT&T (telephone) 1-800-464-7928 (new service) 1-800-246-8464 (repair) Comcast 713-462-9000 METRO Light Rail/Bus Schedules & Routing 713-635-4000 Police Dispatch (concerns along the rail/bus stops & HOV) 713-224-COPS (2677) Houston Police Department (HPD) (Non-Emergency) 713-884-3131 HPD Central Station 713-247-4400 HPD South Central Station 832-394-0200 Harris County Sheriff’s Dispatch 713-221-6000 Harris County Precinct 7 Dispatch 713-643-6602 Crime Stoppers 713-222-8477 Texas Poison Center Network 1-800-222-1222 Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office 713-527-4002 mayor@cityofhouston.net James Rodriguez, City Council District I 832-393-3011 districti@houstonTX.gov Wanda Adams, City Council District D 832-393-3001 districtd@houstonTX.gov

Midtown A restaurant with no name

By Sara C. Strong

et in a Midtown office building is a restaurant known well to local foodies but completely unknown to most others. It often fills to capacity even though it never advertises. There is no sign outside, and the place doesn’t even have its own name. The anonymous gem opens just part of the year and on Thursdays only — and not even then if the staff has something more pressing to do. If you’re available on one of the lucky dates and reserved your space in advance (that’s the only way to get a table,) you’re in for a treat. A serious bargain, too. Just remember to be on time because this kitchen can’t wait. For at least a decade, the Culinary Arts Department of Houston Community College System has served lunches and dinners at 3100 Main. (That’s the Administration Building with the HCC eagle logo near the top, not the HCC Central Campus a few blocks away.) From servers in front to chefs, cooks and dishwashers in back, the entire operation is run by students in two A La Carte Cuisine classes who rotate on four-week cycles that take them through all the jobs. Keeping a close eye on operations are chef-professors Christy Sykes at dinner and Charles Rucker at lunchtime. “What we are trying to do is give the students a very brief exposure of what it’s like in a real restaurant.” Chef Rucker explained. The meals feature gourmet fare served in at least six courses, sometimes seven. One recent evening menu started with an appetizer of Duck Confit and continued through an entrée of Chicken Picatta with capers and lemon brown butter and ended with yummy-sounding Gingered Chocolate Decadence cake. In between, three other courses came and went: soup, salad and an intermezzo of berry sorbet. One other recent menu revolved around Seared Sea Scallops and another, Roasted Pheasant. There is only one menu per meal, and most guests reserve attendance without knowing what dishes will be offered. Some patrons become regular supporters, Sykes said, reserving multiple dates. If you still remain unconvinced about a

visit, here’s another temptation: It’s amazingly inexpensive. Just $10 plus tip for lunch, $20 plus tip for dinner. Lunch is exactly from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. Lunch, especially, operates on a strict schedule (the students’ kitchen must be yielded to the next class.) Scheduling can get tricky. Dinner is offered in spring semesters only; lunch is served spring and fall. The restaurant doesn’t operate on holidays, spring break or summer. It also skips the first couple of weeks of each semester and final exam week. Translation:You’ve got five more Thursdays for lunch or dinner this semester. Every Thursday in April, and May 5. Except not exactly, because seating on some dates is already taken. “Spaces do fill up pretty quickly,” Sykes warned, making early reservations is a very good idea. The students and

their teachers are at the vortex of this country’s obsession with everything culinary, including TV chefs with rock-star followings. That draws a lot of attention to a quality program like HCC’s. “This Spring semester, the classes filled up in just three days,” Sykes said. While some are traditional college students, several are turning to culinary arts after retiring from careers in other fields. Yolanda Feagins, for example, is a retired hospital phlebotomist who always enjoyed cooking for her husband and five children. These days, as a culinary student, she’s a busy lunchtime team member who’s channeling family inspiration to a second career. The program is so popular, that enlargements to the HCC Culinary Arts Department and its eatery are planned. And that’s not bad for the gourmet restaurant no one’s heard of. But for now, the two crews are eager to serve you at 3100 Main Street. HCCS Culinary Arts restaurant 3100 Main at Elgin, 1st floor. Reservations required. Seating is very limited. No credit cards accepted, only cash. Lunch, $10, is served promptly at 11:30 a.m. and lasts through 1 p.m. For lunch reservations, email: charles.rucker@hccs.edu. Dinner, $20, is served promptly at 6:30 p.m. For dinner reservations, email christy.sykes@hccs.edu. No alcohol is served or allowed on campus. Tips, which are appreciated, help fund culinary students’ once-a-year-visit to a fine-dining establishment.

dining...

great places to eat!

Red Pier: It’s a family affair

By Sara C. Strong

tep into Red Pier, a sevenmonth-old Asian-fusion restaurant on Milam, and you’ll find a nice surprise. The restaurant’s bright mural and contemporary décor take you miles away from outside’s traffic and tight parking. “I want to make my customers comfortable,” said Long Le, who manages Red Pier with younger brother Huy. Slotted into an old strip center, Red Pier wraps around its sister establishment, the popular Les Givral’s Sandwich & Cafe. Two expansions in its short history have given Red Pier two front doors, one facing busy Milam and the other on the side street Drew. For the menu, the Le family mixed their own Vietnamese cuisine with traditional Chinese.Vietnamese dishes are distinguishable by their fresh uncooked vegetables, Long Le pointed out, while Chinese styles turn more often to stir-fry. Popular dishes include garlic beef, Vietnamese fajitas, salt-toasted squid, deep-fried egg noodles topped with seafood, and crisp-outside, soft-inside crepes. A traditional party food is the Bò Tái Chanh, a sort of Vietnamese rare-beef ceviche.Vermicelli bowls, beef noodle soup and rice platters are popular with the lunch crowd. Or try Cháo Tôm (aka Sugar Cane Shrimp), a traditional Vietnamese wedding food with spears of sugar cane carrying oblongs of grilled seasoned shrimp paste. Cut the shrimp portion free and wrap it in lettuce leaves with pressed vermicelli, mint, cilantro and cucumber, then dip in fish sauce. With the slight sweetness imparted by the sugar cane and bit of char from the grill — delicious. If you’re a newcomer, Do (pronounced “Doe”) is eager to introduce the menu’s subtleties. Sugar cane stalks are inedible, she advised, but try chewing on an end or two as a pleasant finish to your meal. If you choose a sweet bean dessert, she’ll show how to properly stir from the bottom. For the new restaurant, the Le family broke with Les Givral’s focus on speed. At the upscale Red Pier, customers linger over meals that go far beyond ordinary. “We love to feed people. We enjoy

looking at people’s faces and seeing them smile,” Long Le said. But reaching that goal took “lots of blood, sweat and tears,” as he described it. “It was during the war (1979) that our family came to Hong Kong on our own boat. My parents came with nothing, just the clothes on their backs.” From a camp, they followed friends to Houston. Speaking no English at first, they worked at any available job before settling into restaurant work. “They still work 365 days a year, and it’s been 30 years now,” Long said. “My father always tells me: ‘At least in this country you have a chance. If we had stayed in Vietnam,

we’d still be peasants no matter how hard we worked.’ ” He and his three siblings were born into the restaurant business, starting by peeling shrimp and cleaning tables. His eldest brother now manages their oldest Les Givral’s next door, while their sister manages the downtown and Washington Street locations. Long and Huy helm Red Pier, which is building its own following in Midtown. Its next evolution, outdoor seating, will be added within weeks. For the future, the Le family is considering adding late-night service and a full bar in addition to the current beer and wine lists. Red Pier 2704 Milam, between Dennis and Drew 713-807-7726 • www.theredpier.com Opens at 10 a.m. Closes at 10 p.m. Sun–Thu, and 11 p.m. Fri & Sat Patio service to be added soon. Call for latest details.

calendar of events “Give It A Shot”, Frequency, Jonathan Leach.

ONGOING

hru April 5. “Scratch Off.” Itchy Acres is a little artist's enclave on the north side, where the only thing more abundant than poison ivy is creative energy. For 20 years, this wooded maze of studios, sculpture, houses and art cars has been home to some of Houston's most extraordinary artists. This group show includes works by nine artists. Houston Community CollegeCentral Fine Art Center, 3517 Austin at Holman.

hru April 22. “Frequency.” Works by Susanne Ackermann, Aldo Chaparro, Jonathan Leach, Rossana Martinez and Myke Venable. Group exhibition featuring vibrant, abstract works in a variety of media by five contemporary artists. Organized by Kinzelman Art Consulting on behalf of the owners of Bank of America Center, M-M Properties and General Electric Asset Management. Works loaned courtesy of Gallery Sonja Roesch. Weekday viewing 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

hru April 24. “Jitney.” August Wilson’s play, set in 1977, tells the story of a group of men in Pittsburgh’s Hill District who drive unlicensed “gypsy” cabs that for years have served as a vital means of transportation for the working class. The men struggle to overcome their personal conflicts in order to foster a sense of solidarity against a backdrop of diminishing opportunities. The Ensemble Theatre.

hru May 15. “Truth and Transience: Michelle Samour.” Michelle Samour incorporates various media, such as handmade paper, painting and light boxes to create a unique and vibrant installation that is part science, part imagination. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

hru May 28. “Lisa Gralnick: The Gold Standard.” “The Gold Standard” is a series comprised of three parts. In “Part I: Commodification and Sensible Economy,” Gralnick casts recognizable commodities and objects in 18k gold and plaster. “Part II: Phenomenology and Substantialism” was borne out of the artist’s need to recycle gold from discarded jewelry and objects she collected. In “Part III: Transubstantiation and the Historicized Object,” the artist employs the recycled gold to create an ironic collection of objects with invented histories. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

april

-May 7. “Regine Schumann, Germany.” Regine Schumann explores the fundamentals of color, light, and form through her objects, using black light, fluorescent Plexiglas and plastic light cords to transform space into a “black box”

“Eyes of God: Conversations About Science and Faith, Grid”, Truth & Transience: Michelle Samour.

filled with a glowing constellation of her work. Gallery Sonja Roesch.

-9, 10, 13-16. “Little Shop of Horrors.” Kathleen Knight directs the thrilling tale of Seymour Krelborn, a down-and out skid row floral assistant, who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon "Audrey II" grows into an evil-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination! Houston Community College-Central’s Theatre One. Tickets, $5.00 students and seniors, $8.00 general admission. For times and reservations, call 713-718-6570.

-June 12. “Part Geometry, Part Zen: A Personal Exploration through Paper.” Old and new works of renowned Houston origami artist Joan Son. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

-May 14. Jamal Cyrus. Cyrus' new work is less about the identity and agendas of specific movements, or individuals associated with them, than it is about defining the essence of all struggle for political and social change. Cyrus lives and works in Houston. CTRL gallery.

-May 15. “Unnatural Histories, Kristin Musgnug.” Opening reception April 15, 6-8 p.m. Inman Gallery.

-May 3. 2011 Spring Juried Student Art Exhibit. Reception April 19, 6-8 p.m. Houston Community College-Central Gallery.

-June 4, 2011, MEASURED | Hillerbrand+Magsamen, Daniel McFarlane and Anthony Thompson Shumate.  Lawndale Artist Studio Program Exhibition Hillerbrand+Magsamen’s videos, photographs and installations reinterpret the people, activities and objects of their everyday life and engage the edge between the heroic and tragic. Daniel McFarlane’s work explores color space and highlights the relationship between improvisation and control.  Anthony Thompson Shumate explores the measurements imposed and created by mundane objects and their influence on how individuals are viewed. Opening Reception, April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,  Artists’ talks at 6 p.m. Lawndale Art Center.

-30. Central Dance Ensemble in Concert. 7:30 p.m. Houston Community College-Central’s Heinen Theatre. Tickets, $5.00 for students and seniors, $8.00 general admission. For reservations, call 713-718-6570.

A list of Midtown’s Events

“Eat” Joan Son-Part Geometry, Part Zen: A Personal Exploration Through Paper, Joan Son.

may

july

-8. “Hi-Hat Hattie: The Story of Hattie McDaniel.” Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for her portrayal of Mammy in “Gone With the Wind.” She also has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for radio and one for film. Directed by Bebe Wilson, this play creatively blends comedy and drama into this musical biography. The Ensemble Theatre.

-30. “The Big Show.” The Big Show is Lawndale Art Center’s annual open-call, juried exhibition. Emerging and under-represented Houston area artists have gained exposure since the show’s conception in 1984. The Big Show was formerly the East End Show, sponsored by the East End Progress Association, at Lawndale’s original location. Opening Reception Friday July 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Entrepreneurs. Sponsored by Houston Technology Center, the special event honors Welcome Wilson Sr. as well as Lifetime Achievement Awardees Dr. Andrew Barron, Nanotechnology; Pat Campbell, Energy; Dr. Tom Caskey, Life Sciences; Lee Cook, Information Technology; and Edelmiro Muniz, Aerospace. Omni Houston Hotel. 6:30-9:30 p.m. For more information, please contact organizer Sheila Whanger, swhanger@houstontech.org.

The Yin & Yang of Origami with Joan Son. Workshop. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $100 + $15 materials fee. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

-22. “No Child.” “No Child” is a hilarious and touching effort to shed light on the New York public school system. It offers an insightful look at the teachers, students, administrators, janitors, and security guards who inhabit our schools and shape the future of America. The Ensemble Theatre.

-July 2. “Jackie Gendel.” If the typical portrait painting is a snapshot, then Jackie Gendel's portraits are entire novels. She treats both her paintings and the figures they contain as collaborators and free agents with their own postures, needs, foibles and baggage. The personalities that finally emerge contain the varieties and contradictions of human experience, the layered history of Gendel's process, and the history of painting as a whole. CTRL gallery.

-July 2. “Feeling Easy Feelings.” Shaun O’Dell. Opening reception May 20, 6-8 p.m. Inman Gallery.

june

11 19

Rockin’ Rollin’ Prints 2011. See story, page 4.

-July 24. “Blues in the Night.” This Tony-nominated scorching Broadway musical is set in a seedy 1930s Chicago hotel. A compilation of blues songs that interweave stories of life, loss and love through the unrivalled tunes and lyrics of some of the best blues artists of the century. The Ensemble Theatre.

“Chameleon” Regine Schumann-Germany, Regine Schumann.

how to find them... CTRL gallery 3907 Main, 77002 713-523-2875 ctrlgallery.com Gallery Sonja Roesch 2309 Caroline, 77004 713-659-5424 gallerysonjaroesch.com Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) 4848 Main, 77002 713-529-4848 crafthouston.org HCC-Central Heinen Theatre, The Gallery, Theatre One 3517 Austin, 77004 Fine Arts Office: 713-718-6600; Box Office: 713-718-6570 Inman Gallery 3901 Main Street, 77002 713-526-7800 inmangallery.com Lawndale Art Center 4912 Main, 77002 713-528-5858 lawndaleartcenter.org The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main, 77002 METRORail: Ensemble/HCC Station 713-520-0055 www.ensemblehouston.org

Who’s New in Midtown midtown is the place to be in houston...

“Who’s New?” was a feature created last year when a large number of new businesses suddenly decided to make Midtown home.The numbers sounded a bit above average, particularly in a depressed economy, so we wanted to brag. Then came the next issue... and more new businesses that made for a similar column. Enter 2011. You guessed it. Growth may be slow in the rest of the country but it looks like no one told Midtown. Take a look at who’s making Midtown home for their new business. AL’S HANDMADE BOOTS top by and meet Alvaro Rivera, a fifth-generation bootmaker at his new Midtown location, 2323 Fannin. Al's western boots are made with incredible workmanship and quality, traits the master bootmaker inherited from his father, Guillermo Rivera. Al is quick to praise his mentors as well, “two of the greatest boot craftsmen in Texas, Joe Gonzales and Antonio Moreno.” A stop at the Midtown location helps the decisionmaking with the chance to see and feel a variety of skins – choices like ostrich, lizard, armadillo, alligator, crocodile, rhino, shark, and of course, the ever popular cow – all chosen from brokers across the U.S. Al can take your exact foot measurement (key word “exact”) in Midtown or in the comfort of your home or office. He aims to please and by the list of his satisfied customers, he’s making a lot of people happy. A pair of Al’s handmade boots start at $850, with a six to eight week delivery, depending on the availability of the skin. Each boot order

l to r: Armando Torres , Alvaro “Al” Rivera, Master Bootmaker.

includes a matching belt with same skin and color. There’s a 10% discount on all repairs and custom creations when you mention the Midtown Paper through April 30, 2011.   2323 Fannin • 832-488-3000 AlsCustomBoots@gmail.com M-F 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. TEXAS COAST KARATE ang Soo! It’s the phrase that students of the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do use to greet one another. It's a term of endearment, respect and also a way of expressing thanks. Tang Soo Do is a less flashy option to its cousin, TaeKwonDo, yet extremely effective in its methods for self defense. Tang Soo Do is offered through Texas Coast Karate, a business borne through an interest generated from Dr. Jackie St. Cyr, owner and operator of Innate Chiropractic Healing Arts Center. Dr. Jackie and Texas Coast Karate’s Sa Bom Nim (Master) Wayne Boozer met at the suggestion of a friend at The Path of Tea in the summer of 2009. Dr. Jackie expressed an interest in learning a traditional martial art to compliment her skills as a chiropractor. Through word of mouth, the school grew at her practice for more than a year, where students would gather in a 200 square foot room and train for hours on end. In August 2010, Texas Coast Karate relocated to their new 800 square feet of training space at Metamorphocise Midtown. Texas Coast Karate has a facebook fan page, a meetup group page (http://www.meetup.com/Texas-CoastKarate/) as well as a training blog at http://www.sbnboozer.wordpress.com. 3001 La Branch (inside Metamorphocise) 832-729-0064 • texascoastkarate.com

YOUR PRINTING NOW im Morrell compares his new Midtown store as a “Kinko’s on steroids.” After all, how many

pack ‘n ships do you know that have free WiFi, PCs and MACs, a nice chill-out area and complimentary beer, wine and appetizers every second Thursday of the month? More options are still in the works but for now, the printing and packing services are fine-tuned and available. Your Printing Now (YPN) is an Authorized FedEx Pack & Ship Center as well as an authorized shipper for USPS and DHL. YPN can also ship UPS and Lonestar Overnight as well as offers a full range of services including packaging and shipping supplies, mailboxes, full service printing, banners, ad specialties and more.Your Printing Now can print up to 110# cover stock and sheets as large as 13” X 19”. Through June 1, 2011 new customers get a free box with the purchase of a full service pack and ship using YPN's FedEx account number.  (To get on the second Thursday evite list, email Linda at www.yourprintingnow.com) 2505 Bagby at McGowen • 713-2421841 (t), 713-677-0700 (f) • M-F 9 a.m.6 p.m. • yourprintingnow.com THE COLLIER COLLECTION ack up the family, drive in traffic, and deal with parking? Not at The CollierCollection's online store. Enjoy a shopping experience from your home. Browse 33 unique product lines featuring "Fine Graphic Products" of original and vintage artwork for your decoration or personal pleasure. Posters, Prints, Shirts, Cards, Tote Bags, Aprons, Keds shoes, iPhone/iPad Cases and more.Wall Décor, Calendars,Travel,

National Parks, Art Deco, WineLine, Vintage Art, Quilt Art, Cats and Dogs and funtastic KidsLine products, over 3600 custom designed products. For the true Texan at heart, explore the newly introduced “Taste of Texas Line” and discover "The Art of the Boot," boot art presently being featured at Texas Junk Company, a cool Houston stop for second hand boots. The CollierCollection. It's fun, it's convenient, it's quality and your purchase is guaranteed by Zazzle or your purchase cheerfully refunded. The CollierCollection is open 24/7 for your leisure shopping experience at zazzle.com/colliergraphica. ESTATE LIQUIDATOR GOLD & SILVER ather up your unwanted gold and silver and head over to Juan Tavarez. The Midtown entrepreneur buys not only gold and silver but watches and even m i d centur y furniture. The shop is open Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., located at Elgin and Westheimer. 3111 Bagby • 713-428-2319.

MY FITNESS AT MIDTOWN idtown marks the second location for this private institution that helps you reach your fitness goal without the extra baggage of processing and enrollment fees, first and last month dues or complicated contracts. Imagine…no membership fees. The Midtown location is still “in the rough” but leave your name and number and you’re guaranteed a call back that might lead to a new you. 4715 Main St. • 713-465-0550

Midtown Management District

credits

MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

410 Pierce Street, Ste. 355

Send Information to:

Chairman of the Board

Houston, TX 77002

Design & Production: Quantum/SUR 12818 Willow Centre Drive Suite B Houston, Texas 77066 281-955-2449 www.quantumsur.com

Editor Mary Chavoustie, mary@quantumsur.com Publisher/Art Director Leonel E. Mejía, leo@quantumsur.com Contributing Writers Elizabeth C. Searcy Sara C. Strong Accounting Manager Marta M. Mejía, marta@quantumsur.com The Midtown Management District (MMD) and Quantum/Sur do not knowingly accept false or misleading information or editorial, nor do they assume responsibility should such material appear in the paper. Views expressed in the midtown paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, publisher, or the MMD. Every effort has been made to ensure accurate information at the time of publication, however, this cannot be guaranteed. Publishing of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of any product or service offered. All submissions of editorial or photography are only accepted without risk to the publisher or the MMD for loss or damage.

Todd Triggs

Matt Thibodeaux

Executive Director for Midtown Management District & Midtown Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ #2) mattt@houstonmidtown.com

Cynthia Alvarado

Managing Director cynthiaa@houstonmidtown.com

Katherine Mestousis

District Assistant kmestousis@houstonmidtown.com MIDTOWN redevelopment authority and tax increment reinvestment zone #2 ( TIRZ #2)

Robert Sellingsloh Chairman of the Board

Kandi Schramm

Administrative Manager kandis@houstonmidtown.com

Marlon T. Marshall