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Getting you in the Holiday Spirit…

Ikea Houston Silver Screen at Discovery Green with Mix 96.5
Enjoy some of your favorite holiday movies outdoors on the big screen a the park Thursday nights at Discovery Green!
Thursday, December 2, 2010 – Elf
Thursday, December 9, 2010 – The Polar Express
Thursday, December 16, 2010 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Thursday, December 23, 2010 – It’s a Wonderful Life
Thursday, December 30, 2010 – Home Alone

Mayor’s Holiday Celebration at City Hall
Friday, Dec 3, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Join Mayor Annise Parker for music and the lighting of the official holiday tree, with fireworks. Featuring Eddie Levert of the O’Jays. Please bring a new unwrapped toy to the Reliant Energy Booth and make the holiday brighter for a child this season.

37th Annual Dickens on The Strand – Galveston
Saturday, Dec 4 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
A holiday festival that recreates the Victorian London of Charles Dickens. Characters from Dickens novels walk the street. Food, shops, and entertainment fill the area with sights and smells that take you back to another era.

Joseph Medical Center ICE at Discovery Green
Open Daily from November 25, 2010 – January 17, 2011
The Downtown Houston skyline is perfect backdrop for outdoor ice skating on the model boat basin, which is chilled to a frosty 22 degrees using recycled water from Kinder Lake and powered by renewable energy. Even the ice rink border is made from recycled plastic!

The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet
November 26 – December 26, 2010
A wonderful ballet for the entire family, The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance. Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Desmond Heeley, Ben Stevenson’s breathtaking production of The Nutcracker is, in the words of the Houston Chronicle, “the crown jewel of holiday entertainment.”

In case you missed it:

This map from Swamplot gives an indication of where you’ll soon be able to find electric-vehicle charging stations around the city. The new eVgo network announced Thursday by NRG Energy, owned by Reliant Energy, is calling Houston’s eVgo “the nation’s first privately funded, comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.” The company expects to have 50 Houston stations in place by the middle of next year.

Things to do in Houston this weekend:

5th Annual Winter Holiday Art Market (WHAM)
November 19-November 21, 2010
WHAM offers a wide variety of art and specialty items made by more than 60 local artists of all disciplines, including paintings, sculpture, and photography, as well as jewelry, clothing, bath and body items, and more. Presented by Spacetaker at Winter Street Studios

Houston Culinary Tour
Sunday, November 21
Explore the hidden gems of Houston’s new Chinatown. Join Catalan’s Chef Chris Shepherd as he visits a hole-in-the-wall spot for unforgettable Beijing-style Peking duck that’s so popular, guests have to order it a day in advance. Other tour highlights include stops for delicious beef-soup dumplings, pan-fried pot stickers-you can even grab a frozen bag to go-and fried chicken. Tours are $180 per person, which includes tastings at each stop, complimentary Saint Arnold’s beer, limo-bus transportation and gift bag. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Houston Food Bank.

9 To 5: The Musical
November 9-November 21, 2010
9 To 5: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, tells the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do — even in a man’s world. Presented by Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) at Hobby Center – Sarofim Hall

Mutts & Moonlight Mixer
Friday, November 19, 2010
Let Fido and Spot get together to socialize for the evening while you relax and enjoy appetizers, live music, drinks and great conversation with fellow dog lovers and arboretum friends. Presented by Houston Arboretum & Nature Center at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Guys’ Night Out: Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 7:30 PM
For every two (2) tickets purchased, you will receive: 2 Clutch City Hot Dogs, 2 Large Beers/Sodas, 2 Rockets Coaster Sets.

36th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival
October 9-November 28, 2010
Enjoy the final two weekends of The Texas Renaissance Festival. The Texas Renaissance Festival welcomes more than 400,000 guests annually who enjoy hundreds of costumed performers showcased in over 200 daily performances. Visitors meander along shaded cobblestone walkways lined with more than 340 shoppes overflowing with unique arts.

This week’s Houston Chronicle Real Estate transactions

How to spend your free time in our great city:

Bayou Bucket: University of Houston v. Rice University
Saturday, October 16 at 2:30 PM
The fight for college football supremacy in Houston takes place at Rice Stadium this Saturday.

Classic Albums Live at Miller Outdoor Theatre: Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”
Friday October 15, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Craig Martin has assembled a cast of talented singers and musicians who recreate the entire classic rock album during the first set and then perform a selection of “greatest hits” in set 2.

Houston Italian Festival
October 15-17, 2010
The Houston Italian Festival held on the St. Thomas University campus features live entertainment, bocce ball, a grape stomp, pasta eating contest, food, children’s activities, and more.

Park to Park Run
Saturday, October 16
The Park to Park Run is a community boosting event supporting Hermann Park Conservancy with a run beginning at Discovery Green and ending at Hermann Park, complete with a Post Race Party!

Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship at The Museum of Natural Science
October 8, 2010 – February 6, 2011
Real Pirates, a touring exhibition organized by National Geographic, features real stories of the people who populated the Atlantic world in the age of slavery and piracy. Guests see more than 200 actual Whydah artifacts, such as treasure from more than 54 ships, gold and silver coins from all over the world, Akan gold jewelry, cannons, swords, pistols, personal belongings, leg iron moldings from shackles, the ship’s bell and its massive anchor! Kids also learn about the exciting world of nautical archaeology and the many technologies that have been developed to allow scientists and historians to unlock the clues embedded in these 300 year old “treasures.”

In case you missed our posts this week:

Industry Trends
CIRE Magazine: Major Drivers in Transactional Funding

Suggestions for your weekend:

ARTernative Festival at Sugar Land Town Square Plaza
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Spacetaker and Fresh Arts Coalition, two Houston-based organizations committed to the cultural enrichment of our community, are joining forces to host the first ever ARTernative Festival on Saturday, October 2nd at Sugar Land’s Town Square Plaza. The ARTernative Festival features a jam-packed schedule of events for the entire family, including workshops for youth led by professional artists, interactive art stations, a visual art exhibition, and full line-up of back-to-back stage performances.

Outdoor Screening of Where the Wild Things Are at Discover Green
Saturday, October 2
Free films presented in the shadow of Houston’s dramatic skyline. Take the family to enjoy the weather and a screening of Where the Wild Things Are.

2010 Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 2
This year the Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® celebrates 20 years as a leader in the fight against breast cancer. Since it’s founding, the Affiliate has granted over $7 million for research nationally and $22 million for community grants in Harris, Fort Bend, Chambers, Montgomery, Brazoria, Liberty and Galveston counties. This year’s Race will begin and end at downtown’s Sam Houston Park and is projected to raise over $4 million for breast cancer screening, treatment and education in Southeast Texas.

In case you missed it:

REDNews Market Reports: Surge in Loan Workouts is Healthy Sign for Distressed Real Estate

It’s officially fall. Some ideas of how to enjoy it:

Central Market Couples Cooking Class: Fall Harvest
Friday, September 24, 2010
Hands-On Central Market Cooking School where you will cook a fall harvest dinner including Cherrywood Smoked Pork Chops with Port Cherries, Smoked Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Leeks, Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese, Apples, Spiced Caramelized Pecans & Spago House Dressing, and Almond Cake with Coffee Cream & Honey Roasted Pears.

Houston Museum District Day
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Enjoy a free day in the Houston Museum District on Saturday, September 25 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Board a free shuttle bus at any of the 17 participating museums offering free general admission.

Sunday Concert Series at Haak Winery
Sunday, September 26, 2010 and Ongoing
Bring your own wine glass  and a lawn chair and enjoy live music, food, and premium Texas wines.

Cowboys v. Texans
Sunday, September 26 at 12:00 PM
Let’s make it 3-0

Movies Houstonians Love at the MFAH
Tuesday, September 28
The sixth season of this popular series has a dynamic launch on September 28 with Mayor Annise Parker’s Favorite Film The Wizard of Oz.

In case you missed it:

Consumer Spending Survey: Texas Downturn had an Upside 

Where to go this weekend:

Tex-Mex Soups and Stews Cooking Class at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
Saturday, September 18, 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Sylvia Casares teaches Carne Guisada, Caldo de Res, Fideo, and Tortilla Soup. All classes include a full meal and dessert and your choice of beverages.

Houston Astros v. Cincinnati Reds: Post-Game Concert with Robert Earl Keen
Saturday, September 18
Texas country music legend Robert Earl Keen will be live in concert at Minute Maid Park after the Astros host the Cincinnati Reds at 6:05 PM. Your game ticket is also your ticket to the post-game concert and seating for the show will be general admission. The concert stage will be located at third base facing the visitor’s dugout.

Houston Astros Dog Day at Minute Maid Park
Sunday, September 19
Bring man’s best friend to Houston Astros Dog Day at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, September 19th and see your Houston Astros take on the Cincinnati Reds at 1:05 p.m.

Me. My. Self. Eye. Modern and Contemporary Self-Portraits from the MFAH Department of Prints and Drawings
August 4 – September 19, 2010
Me. My. Self. Eye. features modern and contemporary self-portraits from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston collection of prints and drawings. This engaging exhibition illustrates how artists fuse their physical likenesses with their artistic personas to shape the viewers’ perception.

What’s going on in the Bayou City this weekend?

“Greetings from Houston: Vintage Postcard Views of the City”
July 13-November 14
A pictorial history of Houston and it’s history is captured in “Greetings from Houston: Vintage Postcard Views of the City.” The exhibit shows not only Houston’s changing skyline but the similarities in the sentiments expressed in the senders’ messages (let’s just say lots of people mentioned the weather). Included with the cards are items related to the scenes shown, such as a banner from Camp Logan and souvenir dishes from the Rice Hotel.

Ex-CRAB-aganza – Brennan’s of Houston
September 7-21
A two-week celebration of Blue Crab featuring a three-course menu by Chef Trace at the updated Brennan’s of Houston.

Colts v. Texans
Sunday, September 13 at 12:00 PM
Season Opener against the defending AFC champs

“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” is an all-new, original George Lucas film interactive exhibit that allows fans to step into action scenes from the films. The fun only lasts through Through September 19.

This week’s Chronicle Transactions

Brewmasters International Beer Festival
September 3-6, 2010
A Labor Day weekend Beer extravaganza with hundreds of beers, musical entertainment, food, and educational seminars on how to brew your own. Let your taste buds get carried away with specialty beers from around the world. Utilizing the beautiful bayside oasis of the Moody Garden grounds & conference center, beer enthusiasts gather to grab a mug, take a chug, and enjoy the ultimate beer sampling experience.

College Football Opening Weekend

Texas State at University of Houston
Saturday, Sept. 4th at 7 p.m.
Roberston Stadium

University of Texas at Rice
Saturday, Sept. 4th at 7 p.m.
Reliant Stadium

Broadway Rocks!
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 8pm
The Houston Symphony performs selections from the latest generation of Broadway Musicals like The Lion King, Rent, Wicked and Mamma Mia!

We are starting a new “Weekly Wrap Up” segment each week that will review the stories we’ve published and offer up a few ideas of things going on around our great city.

So, in case you missed it:

Hwy 290 and Grand Parkway updates
Deal In Works Over Heights-Area Wal-Mart Development
MUDs and the Houston Annexation System

And, some ideas for your weekend:

Houston Restaurant Week
This is a wonderful opportunity for diners to try new restaurants or re-visit old favorites while helping to fight hunger in Houston. HRW is planned by volunteers so that 100% of funds raised are donated to the Houston Food Bank. Originally slated to end, August 21, select restaurants are extending their menus through September 6th.

Market Square Park Grand Re-opening
Saturday, August 28 from 2:00 Pm to 6:00 PM
The newly re-designed park “officially” opens August 28 with Niko Niko’s Greek Cafe, art installations, gardens, lots of shade and the great dog runs. The grand opening includes dog activities, music, tours, and a ribbon cutting with Mayor Annise Parker.

Houston Texans v. Dallas Cowboys Pre-season game
Saturday, August 28 at 7:05 PM

Life After Katrina, Part 2: The Katrina Ballads
Saturday, August 28 at 8:00pm
The Katrina Ballads is a powerful new piece of music by Ted Hearne, performed by 5 singers and an ensemble of 11 musicians, drawn entirely from primary source-texts from the week following Hurricane Katrina; Katrina Ballads creates a vivid look into one of America’s darkest hours. A fundraising concert presented by The Foundation for Modern Music.

Breakfast On The Bayou
Saturday August 28 and ongoing
This trip through the heart of the Nature Center presents an uncommon opportunity to observe wildlife and learn about bayou life. Enjoy pastries, juice and coffee while drifting down the bayou on the pontoon boat, the “Bayou Ranger”. Reservations required.