Take a trip with Towers and Trees, the newest downtown tour, will explore the magnificent architecture between Hermann Square and Discovery Green as well as the changing dynamics of our downtown. Take a look at the partially realized civic center plan surrounding Hermann Square, the historic backbone of Main Street, the ambitious 1970 proposal that would become Houston Center, the internationally recognized icons from the skyscraper boom of the 70’s and 80’s, and Discovery Green, the newest catalyst for downtown development in Houston.

What: Towers & Trees Downtown Walking Tour
When: Saturday,January 28, 2012, 10AM-12PM
Where: City Hall / Hermann Square, 900 Bagby St, Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713.520.0155

Price: $20 (Non-Member), $10 (Member)

Register/Get Info

Recommended parking at the Hobby Center Parking Garage. Parking fees not included in registration. Tour meets at the base of the reflecting pool in Hermann Square near Smith Street and departs promptly at 10am, please arrive early to park and check in. Walk-ups are welcome, though advanced registration is strongly recommended. Thank you.

Selected landmark structures along the tour route:
A City Hall B Tranquility Park C One Shell Plaza D Bank of America Center E Pennzoil Place F Niels Esperson Building G BG Group Place H JP organ Chase Building I Carter Building J Houston Center K Hess Tower L Discovery Green M George R Brown Convention Center N Hilton Americas O First City Tower
P One City Center Q 1000 Main R Macy’s S 1111 Louisiana T Wells Fargo Plaza

Take a trip with Towers and Trees, the newest downtown tour, will explore the magnificent architecture between Hermann Square and Discovery Green as well as the changing dynamics of our downtown. Take a look at the partially realized civic center plan surrounding Hermann Square, the historic backbone of Main Street, the ambitious 1970 proposal that would become Houston Center, the internationally recognized icons from the skyscraper boom of the 70’s and 80’s, and Discovery Green, the newest catalyst for downtown development in Houston.

What: Towers & Trees Downtown Walking Tour
When: Saturday,December 31, 10AM-12PM
Where: City Hall / Hermann Square, 900 Bagby St, Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713.520.0155

Price: $20 (Non-Member), $10 (Member)

Register/Get Info

Recommended parking at the Hobby Center Parking Garage. Parking fees not included in registration. Tour meets at the base of the reflecting pool in Hermann Square near Smith Street and departs promptly at 10am, please arrive early to park and check in. Walk-ups are welcome, though advanced registration is strongly recommended. Thank you.

Selected landmark structures along the tour route:
A City Hall B Tranquility Park C One Shell Plaza D Bank of America Center E Pennzoil Place F Niels Esperson Building G BG Group Place H JP organ Chase Building I Carter Building J Houston Center K Hess Tower L Discovery Green M George R Brown Convention Center N Hilton Americas O First City Tower
P One City Center Q 1000 Main R Macy’s S 1111 Louisiana T Wells Fargo Plaza

After dating for more than three years, the green-eyed beauty and her businessman boyfriend, John Utendahl have reportedly gone their separate ways.  The two began dating in 2008 and during the run, Banks and Utendahl have always kept the union low-key.

Banks has been mum on the breakup and according to reports, has jetted off to Bali for a spiritual retreat with a female friend.

Santa-at-The-Ensemble is a day of entertainment and activities with toys and books provided to each child. Attendees come from a variety of school programs and organizations offering social support services. The program has benefited over 3,000 children since it began ten years ago.

“Our goal is to touch the lives of our youth who are dealing with situations that require a little extra care during the holiday season,” said Ensemble Board Member and event Chair Renee’ Logans. “We look forward to creating an uplifting holiday experience for each child.”

The children will see excerpts from The Ensemble Theatre’s back-by-popular demand holiday musical: Cinderella, by the African American Shakespeare Company. Each child will also have pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Other activities include: an ornament making workshop, face painting, a lesson on healthy choices for food and go-green initiatives, a behind the scenes actor’s rehearsal experience, and a special performance by The Ensemble Theatre’s Young Performers. Storytelling provided by Katishia “Kat” Cosley, Host/Producer Live Well For Less KTRK-13.

“We believe theatre can offer so much more than entertainment,” says Janette Cosley, The Ensemble Theatre Executive Director. “Over the past ten years we’ve used the rich programming at The Ensemble Theatre as a call to action, by using the arts to build brighter holidays for youth and families in need.”

The program was created by The Ensemble Theatre board as a way to give back to the community. Volunteers help run the event each year with The Ensemble Theatre Guild soliciting donations for toys and books. This year Santa’s helpers for the day of the event are from, Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. BP America, Schlumberger, Port City Links, Spectra Energy, and ADSI. All volunteers participate in the theatre’s endeavors to provide a memorable holiday season to youth in the community. This event is sponsored in part by H-E-B, Schlumberger, Port City Links and Reliant an NRG Company.

The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain, and enrich a diverse community. The theatre is known as the only professional theatre in its region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African-American experience. In addition to being the oldest and largest professional African-American theatre in the Southwest, it also holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African-American theatres that owns and operates its facility with an in-house production team. Board President Emeritus Audrey Lawson led the capital campaign for The Ensemble’s $4.5 million building renovations that concluded in 1997.

The Ensemble Theatre produces a main stage season of six contemporary and classic works devoted to the portrayal of the African American experience by local and national playwrights and artists. The theatre’s Performing Arts Education program provides educational workshops, Artist-in-Residence experiences and live performances for students both off-site and at the theatre; and the Young Performers Program offers intensive summer training for youth ages seven to 17 encompassing instruction in all disciplines of the theatre arts. Through its varied programs, The Ensemble Theatre benefits an audience and artistic constituency of approximately 65,000 people annually.

Take a trip with Towers and Trees, the newest downtown tour, will explore the magnificent architecture between Hermann Square and Discovery Green as well as the changing dynamics of our downtown. Take a look at the partially realized civic center plan surrounding Hermann Square, the historic backbone of Main Street, the ambitious 1970 proposal that would become Houston Center, the internationally recognized icons from the skyscraper boom of the 70’s and 80’s, and Discovery Green, the newest catalyst for downtown development in Houston.

What: Towers & Trees Downtown Walking Tour
When: Saturday,December 10, 10AM-12PM
Where: City Hall / Hermann Square, 900 Bagby St, Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713.520.0155

Price: $20 (Non-Member), $10 (Member)

Register/Get Info

Recommended parking at the Hobby Center Parking Garage. Parking fees not included in registration. Tour meets at the base of the reflecting pool in Hermann Square near Smith Street and departs promptly at 10am, please arrive early to park and check in. Walk-ups are welcome, though advanced registration is strongly recommended. Thank you.

Selected landmark structures along the tour route:
A City Hall B Tranquility Park C One Shell Plaza D Bank of America Center E Pennzoil Place F Niels Esperson Building G BG Group Place H JP organ Chase Building I Carter Building J Houston Center K Hess Tower L Discovery Green M George R Brown Convention Center N Hilton Americas O First City Tower
P One City Center Q 1000 Main R Macy’s S 1111 Louisiana T Wells Fargo Plaza

Photo Credit:MFAH/Design by Michele Roberts

Enjoy a holiday artist workshop at Rienzi! Michele Roberts will lead participants in the creation of their very own needlepoint ornament that will adorn trees for years to come!

Her original design features a swan worked on a sparkling golden canvas in colors reminiscent of Meissen porcelain swans that are featured in Rienzi´s collection.

No prior experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.

Studio fee is $15, all supplies are included. Please call 713.639.7800 or click here to reserve your spot.

About the instructor:
Michele Roberts is a Rienzi docent. An internationally known embroidery teacher and speaker, she is an American Needlepoint Guild Senior Master Teacher, an Embroiderers´ Guild Certified Graduate Teacher, has a Royal School of Needlework Certification with Distinction, and a British Cities and guilds Certification in Stumpwork. She recently received the National Academy of Needlearts Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rienzi
1406 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77019
713.639.7800
Email: Rienzi@mfah.org
Online: www.mfah.org/rienzi

The conversation begins with a brief introduction to 18th-century English foodways—in which meals were sourced locally and nothing was wasted—by Christine Gervais, MFAH associate curator of Decorative Arts and Rienzi. Then the minds behind Feast share their thoughts on eating locally and seasonally; the nose-to-tail palate; and the “farm-to-table” movement.

Guests enjoy a social hour at 6 pm with wine, light bites, and tours of Rienzi—followed by the conversation with the “Feast Family” at 7 pm in Rienzi´s intimate Gallery.

Admission is $12 for MFAH Members, $15 for nonmembers.
Tickets may be purchased by clicking here or calling 713.639.7800.

About the Speakers:
Richard and James grew up together on the south coast of England and have been eating, drinking and cooking together for their entire lives. Meagan, born and raised in Massachusetts and Arizona, joined the group and the Feast Family was born. Their work together has repeatedly, and rightly, been described as a ´labor of love´ and it is their unique style of hearty, passionate, European-style eating that they now bring into downtown Houston. The menu at Feast comprises traditional British fare such as Pork Belly and Fish Pie along with dishes dictated by the seasons and the Feast Family’s own adventurous palates. The meats served at Feast are never factory farmed nor intensively raised; all food items are sourced locally.

Rienzi
1406 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77019
713.639.7800
Rienzi@mfah.org
www.mfah.org/rienzi

In an interview with the new Spanish edition of Vanity Fair magazine, The Desperate Housewives star, 36 opens up about her relationship with Cruz, 26 insisting she’s “very lucky” to have met him.  Longoria admits to feeling blessed to have Cruz in her life after her divorce from basketball star Tony Parker earlier this year.

The new couple have been photographed together on numerous occasions and rumors have swirled for months on the Longoria/Cruz union, but Longoria is just now confirming the romance.

She tells the publication, “Love did not work with that person (Parker). But it can work with another. The only thing I will say is I was very lucky to find Edu (Cruz).”

Still a believer in love, Longoria holds no hard feelings towards Parker for their failed marriage.

She adds, “There’s a reason I fell in love and got married. I believed in it. Supposedly I should be angry, resentful and disillusioned about relationships. But I’m not.”

Want to bulk up your social skills?  Try the social beverage “facedrink”.  The social energy drink shot is currently being marketed on Amazon.com by Barry Moustapha.

Available in a 6-pack, the drink promises to give you “social energy” and the “taste of friendship” as it claims to keep you powered for hours while giving you sustained mental focus.

Packaging for facedrink is eerily similar to the Facebook brand, borrowing heavily from the social media website and even including the “add a friend” button.

The social drink contains taurine and caffeine, which are also the main ingredients for the power drink Red Bull.

No word on how long the drink will be available on Amazon.  Facebook has trademarked the word “face” and since the drink packaging mimmicks the social media website, it’s almost a given the social drink will be pulled from the market soon.

“The Institute for Applied Cancer Science will exploit the enormous opportunities provided by recent truly transformative scientific and technological advances to improve the appallingly low rate of success in the nation’s current cancer drug development system,” Ronald DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson, said.

“Only 5-10 percent of potential cancer drugs make it from initial discovery all the way to patients as approved treatments. And more than half of those fail in phase III clinical trials, the final step of development. That’s costly not just economically but costly to patients who are subjected to largely ineffective treatments,” he said. “Improving this unacceptable performance requires that we hit the reset button and develop a new organizational model that systematically secures the knowledge needed to fully understand key targets and develop a clear clinical path for new therapies.”

The new institute will convert basic discoveries into effective new drugs and diagnostics for cancer patients.  Five years of financing for the new institute will be taken from M.D. Anderson’s existing funds and fundraising.  The institute will operate using $15 million per year and employ 28 scientists to help launch an advanced biotech industry in Houston for cancer drug therapies.

DePinho and institute leaders joined Gov. Rick Perry and University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Gene Powell to announce creation of the institute today.