MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

It was only a sunny smile,

And little it cost in the giving.

But like the morning light, it scattered the night,

And made the day worth living. – Anon

 

I must say, it’s time to say adieu to the clouds, rain, and yes, even ice that January brought to Houston!  I hope that by the time we greet February that the sunshine has returned to brighten and warm our days.    In spite of another wet day, our January meeting was well attended and many enjoyed lunch nearby following the meeting. Our speaker, provided by The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research Speakers Bureau, was Steven F. Hotze, M.D., of the Hotze Health and Wellness Center.   His insightful presentation certainly led to thoughtful discussions.

 

It’s that time of the year again to get ready for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo. It’s time to “Go Texan.” Our February lunch meeting will be held Thursday, February 15^th at Goode Company Texas Barbeque on the Katy Freeway. Mark your calendars now and please find the details in the following article. Join us and bring along a friend or two.  On another note, due to the lack of a suitable venue, ICH will not be hosting a Brazilian Carnaval this year. The board is busy working on other exciting activities for our members - we are always looking for great ideas so please pass your suggestions on to us.

 

The ICH Board recently discussed establishing a “Sunshine Program” and we are looking for ideas as well as volunteers to work out the details, parameters and set the program in motion.  Our thoughts include a program to assist newcomers and members in the areas of Houston information, transportation and times of emergency or need. If you would like to be involved, please advise me or Barbara Donnelly, VP Activities. Looking for a good book? Check out our new Book Exchange Program at the monthly meetings.

 

All my best and Happy Valentine’s Day!  

 

 

 

Chris Lusignan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New ‘ BOOK EXCHANGE’ - Any good used books of current interest are encouraged to be brought to the monthly meeting or given to any of our Board members.  This will go into a box and any member can dip in and take a book (a $1 donation to our Scholarship Fund will be much appreciated).

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ is the heartbeat of the Southwest, with more than 16,000 volunteers who annually contribute their time, resources and talent as part of the world's largest livestock exhibition, world's largest rodeo and premier entertainment event.  Rodeo paid attendance has topped 1 million for the past 12 consecutive years!

The Houston Fat Stock Show and Rodeo was established in 1931 with the 1st show held in 1932.  This year, the 75th Anniversary of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will take place at Reliant Park from February 27—March 18.

To add excitement to our Texas Rodeo themed meeting, prepare yourself for educational and entertaining bits of info from a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Speakers Committee.

YA’LL COME NOW!

 

The Goode Company Texas BBQ is famous for baking their own breads & pies, smoking their own meats & sausages, & perfecting their sauces & spices.  Ala Carte Plates, BBQ Dinners, Vegetables, Desserts & Drinks.  Your choice, separate checks for $15 or less, if you decide to stay for lunch.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FEBRUARY’S MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOODE COMPANY TEXAS BBQ ON THE I-10, LUNCH IS OPTIONAL.

 

Directions:

8911 Katy Freeway,

 Houston, TX 77024

 Phone: 713-464-1901     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Houston International Music Conference and Festival (February 1 – 4)

Serious musicians can attend clinics, sessions etc… For the musically challenged, just relax and enjoy the music at the Cajun and Zydeco Festival February 2nd, a Sunday Gospel Brunch on February 4th, Latino and Tejano Festival amongst others.  For more information, click on

http://store.himcf.biz/festivals1.html.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Feb 27 – March 18 

If you are new to Houston, you will not be able to avoid it.  The city puts on their rodeo glad rags (turquoise belts, boots, hats, lariats…) and welcomes the trail rides (Black, Latin and Western Heritage groups ride for days and camp out at Memorial Park.) Almost all schools will have a Rodeo Day when the children celebrate their Texan heritage with dancing and costumes.  Make time to visit the actual show at Reliant Park which is a mixture of macho bullriding and horse show, child friendly fairs and livestock shows and pop and country music for everyone. Not to forget the BBQ and chili cook-offs for the goodies.  For more information, click on 

http://www.rodeohouston.com/

For the sports fan, the Houston Aeros (yes, Houston does have an ice-hockey team), they play 80 games for the October – April season at the Toyota Arena.  It’s a fun sport to watch (the revolving door action of the players as they tag in and out is quite dizzying!).  For schedules and tickets, click on http://www.aeros.com/.

 

LOOKING FOR A MORE ORGANIC EXPERIENCE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY? If you are desperately missing locally grown fresh flowers, fruits and organic chocolates at this time of year, check out these listings of farmer’s markets in Houston and don’t forget that wonderful website that will show you where to pick-your-own (we went blueberry picking last year and scored 2 buckets of organic Texas blueberries that would have cost a mortgage at the local supermarket).

 

 

 

Bayou City Farmers Market (Wednesdays 4 – 7 pm and Saturdays 8 - noon) 3000 Richmond Avenue between Eastside and Kirby.  http://www.urbanharvest.org/farmmarket/index.html

 

Houston Farmers Market at Onion Creek Coffeehouse, (Saturdays 8 – noon) 3106 White Oak, Between Studewood and Heights Blvd.  On Tuesdays, the market moves to Rice Village and is known as the

Houston Farmers Market at Rice Village (Tuesdays 4-7 pm) in the parking lot of Christ the King Lutheran Church
2353 Rice Blvd. 

Houston's first Texas State Certified farmers market is located in the Heights, a mix of late Victorian and Arts & Crafts bungalows, old trees, narrow streets and wide front porches... You'll find seasonal produce, micro greens and herbs from Gundermann Farms and other area farms, bread from Kraftsmen Bakery, chocolates, preserves, hot pepper jellies, handmade soaps and flowers.  http://www.houstonfarmersmarket.com/

 

Midtown Farmers Market (Saturdays 8 – noon) 3701 Travis Street in the parking lot of famous local restaurant t’afia, one block north of W Alabama next to the Breakfast Klub.  Featured in the Houston Chronicle recently, it features organic coffees, chocolates, fresh baked goods and seasonal produce.  http://www.tafia.com/mfm.html

 

Central City Co-Op (Wednesdays 9am – 6.30pm, Saturdays 9am-2pm) 2115 Taft Street is a co-op selling fresh organic produce at reasonable prices.  Produce is bought in bulk and the co-op members sell them in a market setting.

 

Pick Your Own (year round in and around Houston) pick your choices from a variety of farms with different produce.  For seasonal variety, click on http://www.pickyourown.org/TX.htm.

 

 

Activities Co-Coordinator:  Barbara Donnelly (ich_activities@yahoo.com).

Note that all participants in ICH activities must be members of ICH!

 

*In all the following activities, please contact the activity leaders using their personal phone numbers or e-mails found in the ICH MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. Alternatively, contact the activity co-coordinator Barbara Donnelly at ich_activities@yahoo.com or membership secretary Shelagh Metselaar at ich_membership@yahoo.com.

 

If you need a copy of the ICH Directory, please e-mail Shelagh Metselaar at ich_membership@yahoo.com to request one.  Also, when corresponding by snail mail, please do not forget to add your return address on the top left corner of the envelope in case it needs to be returned to sender (e.g. insufficient postage).

 

SPECIAL ICH ACTIVITIES

 

** New activity starting this month:

SPANISH LESSONS (BEGINNER) 

 

There will be a new Spanish class starting on Tuesday 6^th February 10 am -11.30 am, at Coloquia Language Arts on Memorial/ Eldridge.  There are currently 4 members signed up for this group.  We have space for two more members in this session but Barbara can arrange another group if there are enough members who wish to participate.  The cost will be $60 per hour, split between the group. The first session is free. 

Members will need to pay in advance for a 10 week course. There will be no refunds for missed sessions and there will be no ‘make –up’ sessions. Coloquia have offered us a discount for payment in advance which will be negotiated at the first (free) session.  

 

If we have any members who consider themselves ‘intermediate’, please let Barbara Donnelly know and she will determine whether we can form another group. If we get a group together in another part of town (either beginners or intermediate) and the tutor has to travel, the sessions will be a minimum of 1 ½ hours.

 

SPANISH CONVERSATION

 

Hola!

There are a number of members who would like to get together for Spanish Conversation. They are looking for a native Spanish speaker who would be willing to lead/tutor them. The ‘conversations’ could be held in members’ homes, a coffee house or any other suitable venue. The group wishes to practice their spoken Spanish in a relaxed environment with input from a native speaker who can help them improve.  If anyone would like to join this group or is willing to lead or tutor them, please contact Barbara Donnelly at ich_activities@yahoo.com.

 

DINING DAMES!

 

Ladies Night Out! Husband traveling? Looking for a pleasant evening with the girls? Each month, either a Tuesday or a Wednesday, the hostess will choose a restaurant and make reservations, bill to be split. Please honor your reservation and advise hostess of any cancellation. There will be no Dining dames in February. We are looking for someone to organize this activity. If you are interested in hosting an outing or organizing the group, please contact Barbara Donnelly at ich_activities@yahoo.com

 

COUPLES DINING OUT

 

 

 

There will be no couples meeting in February. The next meeting will be Saturday March 10 2007 at Houlihan’s restaurant on Sage/ Alabama. For more information about this event contact either Beverly Smolenski or Catherine Hay.

 

INTERNATIONAL LUNCH

 

 

 

Hope you can join us at one of our lunches as they are deliciously fun. The next luncheon will be Canadian themed.  The date and time will be circulated soon.  Contact Jo Hentschel to reserve.  Places are guaranteed with a $25 check made out to ANA HENTSCHEL.  

 

A venue is required so if you feel inclined to host one of these very special lunches (usually for a sit down lunch of around 20 people or so); please do contact Jo Hentschel or Barbara Donnelly.  The hostess is not required to cook and there will be ample assistance in preparing and clearing up. We are still looking for cooks. Find out where the most fun is..... in the cucina!! Contact ICH activities (ich_activities@yahoo.com) or Jo Hentschel.

 

 

NEW2ICH COFFEE    

Our next New 2 ICH Coffee will be held on Tuesday, February 6^th 2007, 10.30 - noon.  If you are a new member of ICH and wish to be invited please contact Barbara Donnelly or Liz McLaren to confirm and ask for directions.

Note that this coffee morning will be held in the West Houston/Eldridge area.   Venue details will be sent to you when you contact Barbara or Liz.

The next meeting will be Monday 6^th April in the Galleria area.

 

EXPLORE HOUSTON             .

 Watch this space for exciting tours coming up in 2007!

 

 

 

BOOK CLUB

 

WHEN:

The fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

If you are already a member of the group, you will be given directions to the venue.  If you would like to join, please contact Amber Wickwire OR Jeanne Hero.  If you feel you cannot keep up the pace of one book per month, you can choose one or more titles and attend the appropriate meeting. "Casuals" are most welcome.

 

Book Selection for February: 

A Complicated Kindness, by Miriam Toews. 
A 16-year-old rebels against the conventions of her strict Manitoba Mennonite community and tries to come to terms with the collapse of her family in this insightful, irreverent coming-of-age novel. (www.amazon.com)
 

The list for March 2007 – February 2008 is being compiled. It will be published in the March Newsletter.

 

FRIDAY NIGHT BRIDGE – NEW ACTIVITY

Anyone interested in playing bridge in the evening?  Come with a partner or request a partner to play fun bridge on the second Friday of the month. For more information please contact Barbara Donnelly or Friedel Liptay.

 

We are trying to get together for a second night a month. If you are interested, please contact Friedel Liptay.

FRIENDLY BRIDGE

 

Every other Tuesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you would like to play with this group, please get in touch with Raquel Fernandez.

 

 

GET UP AND DANCE!

 

If you would like to explore the world of social dancing in Houston then Bronwyn is happy to facilitate that.  She knows where you can go to begin or can find out. If it’s two step, polka, east or west coast swing, salsa, waltz or hip hop, she can help get you launched and would be happy to accompany you to your first class or for your first social outing and to join you regularly for dancing. Its fun and a great way to meet locals and an interesting thing to take visitors to see.  To find out more contact Bronwyn Browne.

 

GENTLE GOLF   

        

We have been playing every Wednesday morning at Bear Creek Golf Club - anyone interested in joining us call or email Jen Carne.  We would love to have you join us and we would welcome some more players.

 

ICE SKATING

* Note: meeting time has changed from 11am to 10am.

When: First Friday of the month, 11:00 am.

Where: Galleria Ice Rink.  Meet at La Madeleine at 10 am for coffee. Contact Sandra Pezzetta.

 

MOVIE MATINEE

 

Movie Matinee meets every second Thursday of the month. Leading this activity is Susan Cunha.  Please contact Susan for further information, schedules and location.

 

PLAYGROUP

ICH members have been invited to join the TANZOT playgroup. They don’t mind at all if you are not from The Antipodes! The playgroup meets every Thursday morning 10:00am-12:00pm, usually at a member’s home. Come and let your kids play, while you have coffee and a chat. For mothers and children from 0-4. For information, contact Barbara Donnelly.

 

 

 

 

STITCHING GROUP

 

The Lone Star Stitchers (embroidery, quilting, cross-

stitch etc) meet every Monday from 1:00–4:00pm. If you wish to join the group, call Margaret Wallace.

 

TENNIS 

 

If you are interested in playing tennis, please contact Barbara Donnelly.

 

 

WEST SIDE WALKERS

 

This is a great way to meet people in your West Memorial area, especially if you are new to Houston. We meet weekly on Friday mornings at 9:00am, at Terry Hershey Park on Memorial Drive, and ¼ mile west of Eldridge. Meet by the pavilion (gazebo) on the north side of Memorial Drive.  Contact Kate Horan or Chris Lusignan.