5 Wildlife  Attractions in Houston

Did you know a few  Houston attractions have some of the rarest animals in the world.  Cattle and horse ranches now  share the land where the deer and antelope once played,  with giraffes, rhinos and other exotic wild animals.    

Houston is close to several wildlife parks and has a few fascinating wild critters you should know about. If you are looking for some family-friendly  fun you will enjoy discovering these interesting places where  animals roam freely and  visitors  are the ones in cages.   

Waugh Drive Bridge
Big Thicket
Deussen Park
Bayou Wildlife Park
Downtown Aquarium


Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Houston's  Aquarium is a place where you can check out an exhibit containing Red-bellied piranhas, nurse sharks and a  20 feet long Tiger Reticulated Python.   These unique creatures are seldom seen in this part of the world and  rarely seen in the wild.  

The Aquarium’s 500,000 gallon water-filled exhibit is just a part of the facility. You probaly have already spotted the huge Ferris wheel, from the Interstate.

Well there’s even more cool things to checkout. The attraction  also has  geographic exhibits, shopping, dinning and a variety of other amusements.


Waugh Drive Bridge

One of the cool things to do in Houston on weekends is check out the fascinating resident living under the Waugh Drive bridge
It's  home to one of the largest  Mexican Free-tail bat colonies in the Southwest. Each evening (a half hour prior to sunset)  you can view their nightly swarm as they emerge from their daytime roost and head to their happy hunting grounds.  

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department  often has  bat ambassadors on hand to answer questions and lead the viewing activities.The Buffalo Bayou Partnership also offers monthly bat tours from one of their pontoon boats.

Big Thicket

The piney woods  of  East Texas are reported to  be home of an elusive hairy creature. Many believ that the Big Thicket harbors more than just an abundance of deer, boars and 4-legged animals.   Researchers claim, Big Foot has been creating vocalizations and strange chatter from the Big Thicket to  Sam Houston National Forest.

They have documented accounts of Big Foot sightings in San Jacinto, Polk and even Harris county, where in 2006 an endurance bicyclist claims to have encountered a Big Foot near the  Addicks Reservoir.

You can view info about the latest sightings for any county in Texas at the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy website.  

Deussen Park

Houston may have lost many of its rural homes, but it is still a place where the buffalo roam. Deussen Park has a small herd of buffalo romping around in a natural setting. You might expect to encounter a gator or two there, but it has also has an animal shelter for  buffaloes, deer and other animals.

These magnificent  creatures and other wildlife are on display near Lake Houston.  The park’s hours vary by season,  contact them prior to any visit.  Need more details call 713.440.1587

Bayou Wildlife Park

The sighting of a white rhino, birds from Africa, India and Asia,  is a common occurrence at the wildlife park outside of Alvin, Texas. They will take you on a tram ride of the  80 plus acre animal reserve.

The mini-zoo has over 500 animals that have been added to the park during the past  30 years. Visitors get an opportunity to feed, ride and pet some of them. Their normal visiting hours  are 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM  Visit their website for more info.

These are just a few of the animal attractions in and around the Houston area.  They are all kid-friendly places where  you can take your family to enjoy experiencing God’s creations  from all over the globe,  without having to travel all over the world to see them.

There are some fantastic recreational activities and attractions in Houston  available for you, your friends and your family to enjoy during your downtime or next visit to the city.  The city is an incredible place for professional and semi-pro sports, zydeco music and scenic tours.
 
Athletes and musicians from all over the world have played in Houston events from the Grammy’s and World Championship rodeos, to the Superbowl and major league baseball’s World Series.


Houston Recreation Center
Boat Tour of Port Of Houston
Zydeco Events
Attend Semi-Pro Sporting Event
Visit Big Thicket

Houston Recreation Centers

The city Parks and Recreation Department facilities are well equipped, clean and so good that local pro athletes, semi-pros and amateurs often workout  at the gyms, swimming pools, and weight rooms.
They offer an array of activities including aerobic exercise classes,  programs for seniors and youth day camps. Some of the major parks are:


West Grey Rec Center.(adaptive sports programs for  disabled or rehabilitating persons )
Memorial Park
Fonde Recreation Center
Judson Robinson Park
Take A Boat Tour of Port Of Houston


You can enjoy the cooling, relaxing  breeze that blows  in from the Gulf when your touring the Port Of Houston.

They offer free boat tours to individuals and small groups  during the week. It’s a leisurely 90-minute round-trip cruises from  the comfort of a air conditioned cabin or the deck of the the M/V Sam Houston . It’s simple to take the tour by either registering online any time, or call 713-670-2416, Mondays through Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Zydeco Events

Houston music scene has plenty of Zydeco dances and concerts on the weekends. Everybody who is anybody in Zydeco has played the city and the local trail rides. Sometimes you can even get  a chance to hear free concerts in Houston at the miller outdoor Theater, Discovery Green in downtown Houston and other venues.

Check frequently at our free concert page to find details about upcoming music events and local concerts.  


Attend Semi-Pro Sporting Event

Elite athletes from all over the world have competed in popular semi-pro events and professional sporting events in Houston   including rodeos, football and basketball leagues.

If sports is your passion  remember that in addition to well known professional teams  world class athletes compete here in a variety of other sports.

Women’s Basketball
Women’s Football
Semi-Pro Football
NBA-dleague



Visit Big Thicket

There are still a few scenic views available from beneath the canopy of hardwoods and thickets that dominate the Texas outdoors because an area called the “Big Thicket” was set aside for public use.  Its amazing diversity of plants and animals are from all over  North America.  The earliest settlers in the area  reported a mysterious and extremely elusive creature roamed the thicket  known by several names, such as the “wild man,” "mossyback," and "Bigfoot."

The  Big Thicket National Preserve offers hands-on activities, an interactive discovery center and  as well as other  displays.

Texas outdoors. The best way to take advantage of the hunting and fishing around the dam is by using local guide services familiar with Lake Livingston and Trinity River area


You can exciting stuff to do in Houston and increase the knowledge about our fragile environment for youth and yourself by getting out to visit some of the exciting Houston events happening each month. Just about every recreational activity and attraction under the sun are located  within a short ride of the  metro area.

The info we have share with you here is to help you find out where in the city, you can go to  participate in many of your favorite leisure time activities.

If you have friends, family members or any other group activity on your list this weekend load them up and hit the "Number 3"  summer festival in Houston,  Houston’s Juneteenth Festival.  

Thanks to former State Representative Al Edwards who helped June 19th has become a  Texas State holiday, increasing the observance and popularity of this historical day across the Gulf Coast and the United States.

Houston will play host to people from all over the nation who come to attend and participate in  the parades, concerts, picnics and parties held all over the area each year.

 Some of the Houston area festivities are shown below:  


The National Emancipation Association’s 38th Annual Juneteenth Parade

The longest running parade honoring African American freedom, featuring floats, trail riders and marching bands from local high schools.

The parade begins at Minute Maid Park .

Playwright Dwight Baxter’s newest production, “FREEDMEN’S TOWN”  about Houson’s Freedmen’s Town and the men an women who organized the first Juneteenth celebrations will be presented  at Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church.

Friday. June 17, 2011 •  7-10pm
7pm Reception  •  8pm Show


Emancipation Park the site of Houston’s oldest Juneteenth festival has several events scheduled during the month of June. Featuring Miss Juneteenth Pageant..Healthy Living
  Triathalon... Freedom Golf Tournament

Houston Black Dance Festival 2011: Retracing Our Roots. This biennial dance festival celebrating the culture and contributions of the African Diaspora to the Art to Dance.

Celebrations Happening Sunday June 19

Emancipation Park Community Center & Park Grounds
Juneteenth Gospel Sunday Jubilee & Expo (Free)
Vendors, Church Choirs, Pie Cook-off, Freedom Play, Bands


SHAPE Community Center

Reclaiming the Village Juneteenth Celebration and Health Fair  (Free)
Health Fair, Fun, Food Co-op, Games & Vendors at Our Park next to Shape Center

Miller Outdoor Theater

Highlighting this year's musical performances at Miller Outdoor Theater is:
 Glen David Andrews Band, from New Orleans, Louisiana. Other artist scheduled are:
Blues legend Texas Johnny Brown and the Quality Blues Band
Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band

There is plenty of exciting things to do this weekend, to chase away the boredom.  Especially, the Juneteenth celebrations which have  their roots in Galveston, Texas. It's  where the Emancipation Proclamation was actually read from the balcony of Ashton Villa.

Houston’s African American community has a rich tradition of celebrating this historical event. Don’t forget about visiting the statues, parks and museums in Houston that shed light on African American contributions and experiences in America during Juneteenth weekend,

It’s time for the one of the best free events in Houston this weekend,  the Annual Dancin' in the Streets: Motown & More Revue. This Memorial Day weekend features  talented vocalists and dancers recreating soul music acts from its inception in the 1950s to the present.

They always provide electrifying and soulful performances featuring some of the city’s best musicians under the direction of Sam Jackson, Musical Director and Maestro.

More Stuff To Do For Free In Houston  

Free Houston museums
Houston’s Free Art Exhibits
Free Film Screenings in Houston

In Houston art surrounds us everywhere we go. It's not restricted to  museums. It's outdoors on buildings, hanging on walls and for sale inside of some restaurants. It's a become a respected  valuable community resource that’s on display for free  in a variety of places around the city.

• City of Houston Art Collection
• CAM-Houston
• Center for Contemporary Craft

Free Museums In Houston
A cool place to hangout on hot summer days is  a museum. There are some fabulous  works on display in Houston museums  that will awaken your artistic side. Even in the youngest members in your bunch can get into the act with the engaging interactive exhibits at our local museums. Here’s a list of the free museums located in the city.

• Contemporary Arts Museum
• Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
• Children's Museums-(free on Thursdays)
• Heritage Society Museum
• Project Row House

Free Films Screening

If you're into film, cinema or foreign movies with subtitles, visit any of the venues below for free film screenings.

• Domy Books
• Dean's Credit Clothing
• Rice Media Center
• Project Row House
• Museum Of Fine Arts
• Aurora Picture Show
• Discovery Green

Free Concerts In Houston

You can catch some of the top names in music performing at free concerts in Houston. Here’s a list of places that often have shows where you won't have to pay a cent.

• Miller Outdoor Theater
• Discovery Green
• Jones Plaza
• Tom Bass Park

Parks and Recreation In Houston

Houston has an abundance of free stuff to do available through it’s city and county parks and recreation areas. They are equipped with covered pavilions, plenty of parking and some allow overnight camping.

• Harris County Parks
• Houston Parks and Recreation Dept
• State Parks
• Skate Parks
• Metropolitan Multi-Service Center ( handicap accessible pools and gym )-West Gray

  They are one of the favorite places for families, groups and couples  to hangout on  holidays? To obtain a covered area you have to call the park  and reserve it in advance.

Parking At Events In Houston

Take a look at a few tips on  parking at free events in Houston that you should know before you head out the door. Parking at many places in and around downtown Houston is limited and parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. except where posted signs indicate otherwise.

Parking meters are not enforced on official city holidays. Just in case you are not familiar with (COHouston) holidays, we have a  list of Holidays in Houston.

Kwanzaa events in Houston are celebrations for the entire family that are designed to enlighten family members and inspire children to pay an annual  homage to their African ancestry. The African American tradition is gaining  larger following and acceptance outside of California where the first celebrations were held.

The event is centered around the first fruits harvest celebrated for centuries by African farmers. It’s melded with a message that reminds participants that building a vibrant and culturally rich  family and community are essential components of African American society.  

Despite its 45 year history of organized celebrations, Kwanzaa is still fighting to assume a role alongside St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest and other recognized holidays.

In Houston during recent Kwanzaa festivities vendors and performers gathered at the Blue Triangle Community Center for a family celebration. Earlier in the day there are always children-oriented celebrations that are being  held at a variety of places in the community.

Each day a different principle from the seven guiding principles, “Nguzo Saba” is highlighted and festivities are slated at several different venues around the city.

Shape Community Center
Third Ward Multi-purpose Center
Project Row House
Blue Triangle Multi-Cultural Center
Shrine Of The Black Madonna

At one of the recent Kwanzaa events in Houston, Executive Director of S.H.A.P.E,  Deloyd Parker Jr.  commented that you can’t have a successful Kwanzaa celebration without using all of the principle of the “Nguzo Saba” to bring the people, businesses and entertainers together on one accord.


  It has become more than just a festive occasion. It is an entrenched African American  tradition that cultivates an awareness of building a strong community, healthy lifestyles and eating.

   HOW THE MASS MEDIA IS BEING USED AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN WHITE DOMINANCE

  Many African Americans now holds the opinion that in the face of greater gained opportunities that many within their race became their own worst enemies. It is not uncommon to hear these negative sentiments about their own race now echoed by many African Americans themselves—they that consider themselves as being exceptions to this norm. This perception often engenders profound feelings of immense humiliation, racial self contempt, and disunity among many African Americans in the 21st-century. But are these self contemptuous views among so many African Americans correct?

And if so how have African Americans, the racial group that demonstrated an unprecedented degree of Black racial pride and unity during the 1960's civil rights movement now become living contradictions of their former selves?  The common response, when presented with this daunting question is to take the position that the core problem lies with something to do with Black people themselves. Although tragically many Blacks themselves have also come to accept this viewpoint, the emerging evidence does not support this premise.  Such assertions are racist and totally not consistent with the history of African Americans.

 While perhaps difficult to believe today, Black unity (Umoja) was historically, the cornerstone of the African American community and a crucial factor in their survival for more than four-hundred years of White racial oppression. Black unity was the most significant factor in the success of the 1960's civil right movement. The remarkable degree of unity among African Americans then was made evident by the brilliant organization and mobilizations of mass bus boycotts, marches, freedom riders, and sit ins that were peacefully conducted through the unified protest of civil disobedience. The degree of unity and organization demonstrated among African Americans then was extraordinary and arguably remains unrivaled by any other group in the history of America. So what then is the reason for the unprecedented racial self contempt and disunity among many African Americans today?

The present unprecedented feelings of racial self contempt among so many African Americans are neither a baffling phenomenon, nor the result of some innate racial deficiency. It is instead the result of a deliberate governmentally deployed mass manipulating social engineering program. White America’s methods of institutionalized racism has been secretly modified into a more sophisticated and stealthy design.  Today to control and produce conformity among the masses, the U.S. government commonly disseminates propaganda domestically among its own citizens. To domestically defend its position of white dominance that was lessened by civil rights gains made by the civil rights strategies and efforts of African Americans, the U.S. Government secretly deployed these same mass propaganda programs against its entire Black population. Through the usage of psychological manipulation programs Black people in the United States are seeing themselves through lenses that have been secretly and deliberately assigned to them by white mass manipulation experts. This psychological manipulation program uses negative propaganda to adversely manipulate and shape the minds and collective perceptions of America’s Black population. Through totally white controlled outlets it conditions African Americans to admire whites and despise themselves by subjecting them to seeing only the fraudulent worst in themselves.

  The mass media is the most powerful tool used by the ruling class to manipulate the masses. It shapes and molds opinions and attitudes of its recipients. Most African Americans that frustratingly and shamefully complain about the national disparities among their group are, for the most part, responding to negative statistics and depictions given about their race totally comprised by white controlled sources and media outlets. African Americans own negative personal interactions among their group merely then act as a confirmation of what is being implied through these white sources.

Because the previous blatant methods used in the past for ensuring that white dominance be maintained in the U.S. had become morally and socially unacceptable, the U.S. government secretly implemented this more sophisticated and stealthy system.  For several decades covert agencies within the U.S. Government have secretly disseminated false deplorably racially devaluing statistics and propaganda about its Black population. It uses the psychology of deceit to adversely affect African Americans in terms of their perceptions and behavior. Its constant deplorable depiction of African Americans is a very carefully and deliberately designed massive media manipulation program that subjects African Americans to seeing only the fraudulent worst in themselves. Its fraudulent information is designed to adversely manipulate and shape the minds and collective consciousness of its African American population. The motto of this method of psychological manipulation is to divide and conquer and it works by affecting the unconscious mind through deception. It is designed to corrupt African Americans’ sense of racial unity and cohesion, mold the character of self-hatred, engender self-doubt, self-loathing, and distrust among their group while insinuating that Blacks admire, respect, and trust only Whites. Thus fostering a massive setting for where of which African Americans are more easily divided, exploited and ultimately suppressed. This present system uses the national media's proven ability to mass manipulate the perceptions of the public by the usage of propaganda. This process merges the often harsh individual realities of many black people with what is misleadingly deplorably depicted of them, therefore solidifying the thoughts within their psyche that it is they that are now their own worst enemies. Its unrelenting daily assault on the Black psyche also drills the message that Blacks are powerless, of lesser moral, and intelligence and that they need whites to govern over their lives. It totally detaches African Americans from their sense of power and reality.

When most people hear the term of psychological manipulation they usually think in terms of the classic "conspiracy theory" that refers to overt mind control such as mind altering drugs with carefully hypnotic programming. However, the real and true danger is this well proven method of affecting the unconscious mind by using deception, and psychological manipulation. It is neither magical nor mystical, but a process that uses the psychology of deceit to adversely affect targeted groups in terms of their perceptions and behavior. This massive manipulation program is being done to African Americans through an immense campaign of false derogatory media reports and statistics. These fraudulent data are created by U.S. governmental agencies and then leaked to its collaborators in the news media, which either knowingly or unknowingly carry the stories as their own. These false information about African Americans are then disseminated unrelentingly everywhere; it is deliberately perpetuated through news releases in magazine articles, radio, television, press releases, documentaries, and false census reports. However, the weapon is not in how the message is carried, but is instead within the messages that it carries and how these messages perpetuate and frame the myth of Whites’ racial, moral, and ethical superiority over its Black population. The ultimate goal of this psychosocial treatment of African Americans is to destroy the Black unity and cohesion that was a crucial factor of the survival of African Americans through more than four hundred years of white racial oppression. Logic dictates that given that unity and cohesion among African Americans was responsible for the demise of White America’s past blatant system of institutionalized racism, then destroying this unity would be an essential objective of this psychological manipulation program. This modern method of deploying white racism is far more sophisticated and stealthier than those blatant methods used in the past. Moreover, it is directly attributed to the intensification of internalized self hatred, and profound disunity presently among many African Americans.  All African Americans have experienced the burden of this applied psychological conditioning, some more severely than others have. To the detriment of many African Americans it has been extremely effective. It has successfully conditioned many African Americans to not only accept the white dominance over their lives but to also prefer it. It also engenders an aberration of internalized self contempt among many African Americans that pulverizes Black unity and halts Black upward mobility. This psychosocial program is in fact so fundamentally detrimental to the Black human condition and psyche that it may even affect the extent to which many African Americans realize their full human potential. No group can be preconditioned to see only the worst in themselves and not exhibit some degree of negative psychological impact.

This massive psychosocial program is at the root of both the profound division and self hatred now afflicting so many Black Americans and is at the heart of internalized feelings of superiority that many whites possess. And while many African Americans have successfully navigated through this psychologically mortifying mine field and have gone on to lead successful, productive lives, for far too many this immense devaluation can seem inescapable and tragically, over time, many begin to subconsciously accept the negative portrayals of themselves.

 IT IS ALSO GARNERS SOCIAL CONSENT FOR THE MISTREATMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS

Not only does this psycho-social program negatively impacts Blacks self perceptions, but it also conveniently provides a more socially acceptable  means of ensuring that the masses of African Americans remains the most racially devalued and most economically exploited group in America. Its deplorable depictions of African Americans are also used to engender national consent that justifies their mistreatment. Its deplorable depictions of Africans Americans are also designed to create a shift of victimization in behalf of whites while lessoning pressures for social changes in behalf of Blacks. Thus creating a consensual national setting that facilitates the easier exploitation and suppression of African Americans. This is in fact a common practice used throughout modern western history. When groups in power want to suppress or to exploit its minority group they do so by portraying that group as a fearsome enemy or a major problem of the society through lies and manufactured news items. This same type of propaganda technique was also used by Adolph Hitler to facilitate a national consensual setting that allowed his heinous mistreatment of the Jews. Hitler's propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels portrayed them as a fearsome enemy of German society through lies and manufactured news items. These negative imageries were used to justify their annihilation. This tradition continues today in the case of African Americans. The U.S. media’s constant deplorable depictions of Black Americans is deliberately designed to produce prejudice distorted and acrimonious beliefs about African Americans that makes the others insensitive to their plight, tranquilizes efforts on their behalf, and makes any serious criticism of White racism in the U.S. almost impossible today. This also creates false justifications for the legal system’s mistreatment of African Americans wherein they are disproportionately incarcerated, given stiffer sentences, and are more likely than other racial groups to be treated brutally, beaten, and fired upon by police officers while they are unarmed. These injustices now goes ignored because the perception has subconsciously become that it’s more often justified. When contempt of Blacks is made to appear to be justifiable, it is the fiercest and most effective type of racism because its witnesses, bystanders, and even world audiences will sit by idly allowing African Americans to be brutally mistreated under the belief that it is justified. This is what America’s renowned propaganda expert Dr. Edward Bernays referred to as “socially engineered consent”.
The effects of this social program are also manifested in ideas, education, governmental policies, economic stratification, social segregation, housing markets, hiring and promotion practices, psychological issues, and minority access to a variety of social services and opportunity. It also affects attitudes that when enacted through governmental policies, laws, and other legislation actions, serve to ensure that African Americans will not advance. Some studies have shown that this social program has engendered increasingly acrimonious beliefs and prejudiced perceptions about and against African Americans that are arguably now stronger today than they were after emancipation. It was this psychological conditioning program that ended the Black revolutionary movement of the nineteen sixties and that stripped African Americans of the national and global support that was acquired during that era’s civil rights struggles. This article is an excerpt from the book the Black Matrix ©2006, 2008 By F. Jones. Please forward this article everywhere and to everyone. To learn more visit www.divineblacktruth.org

There are lots of things to do in Houston this weekend that will motivate you to get off the couch and out of the house.  I hope to run into you while I'm  hangin out in and around Midtown Houston. Here are a few events taking place that promise to be places for fantastic fun.

Houston Museum of African American Culture

There is a worthy cause you should consider supporting this weekend., the  Houston Museum of African American Culture's silent auction Friday night October 8, 2010, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 Everyone knows that Houston’s African American nonprofit organizations can not function without the generosity of their volunteers. This group is in need of a few more hard working people to help them out.
So, give them a shout by email at info (at) hmaac.org or call them at 713.353.1578

1st Annual Red Cat Jazz Festival




The Red Cat Jazz Cafe is setting up the stage in Jones Plaza for its Jazz Festival, October 9, 601 Louisiana Street.

There should be some phenomenal performances with Ronnie Laws, Bobby Lyles, and a host of other jazz greats slated to perform.

Miller Outdoor Theater

If you want something more laid back and casual to do this weekend in Houston. You can check out the 31st Annual Festival Chicano.

This unique cultural festival brings music, dance, and more to the Miller Outdoor Theatre. For the past 31 years they have celebrated Chicano music from Tejano and Conjunto, to Mariachi and Orchestra at this festival.

It's one of the oldest ongoing events of its type in the world.

Houston Poetry Fest 2010

 It’s time a gain for Houston's oldest poetry festival. This year they are celebrating their 25th anniversary. The official opening is  October 7 with readings from local and regional poets October 8, 9 & 10 at University of Houston in downtown Houston, Texas.

 Melody Club


Here’s something I may try this weekend. A "Swingin' Fridays" dance for fun-loving people who enjoy dancing and meeting some new cool peeps!

Melody Dance Studio on Crossview  opens it’s doors to the publis for a Friday night social. They offer dance classes for all levels of dancers to get started in West Coast Swing.

 Project Row House

Artist Installation Round 33: Curated by Nery Gabriel Lemus and Edgar Arceneaux, runs from October 9, 2010 – February 27, 2011.

The exhibit represent different generations of artists, including Charles Gaines, Rodney McMillian, Olga Koumoundouros, Andrea Bowers and the curators, Nery Gabriel Lemus and Edgar Arceneaux (director of PRH’s sister venture, Watts House Project, LA).

 All the work  (in a “scaled-down version”) will be on view, plus one site-specific work by each artist.

A newly minted BBQ pit for PRH’s Young Mother’s program, designed by artists Andrea Bowers and Olga Koumoundouros, will ensure that food and conversation are among the many things shared at Round 33.

The historic Blue Triangle Multicultural  Association’s  banquet  honoring 18 of Houston’s African American living legends is this weekend at Brady’s Landing.  

This annual banquet salutes community members whose integrity, dedication and determination  played a key role in shaping Houston into a great place to work,  live and raise a family.

Throughout the years these living legends have displayed a colossal spirit and become integral parts of their community, their church and their families.

                           This Years Living Legends
Some of the notable Houstonians being honored in the 2010 Living Legend tribute this weekend include the outstanding Jazz vocalist Jewel “Teasing” Brown whose professional singing career started when she  was 12 years old and eventually lead to stints with Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton's band.

Another honoree is  Dr.  Paris Bransford  a graduate of Meharry Medical College and former chairman of The  National Medical Association board of trustees alongwith:

Mrs Lillian Parker            Ida L. Thomas 
Mrs Lula Rogers Tigner      Mrs. Maxine Hall    Deloris Marie Johnson        Walter Jackson
Helen Wheatley                  Mildred Johnson
Carrie B. Maxie          Vassar Dickerson White
Mrs Ola Maxie Fulton       Dr. Edith Irby Jones
Lorenzo Lucas                     Billie Joe Johnson
Mrs. Lois F Jones              Dr. Paris Bransford  Ms Jewel Brown              Mrs. Lilly Love Lacy 
                 
Historians can't always include everyone in their textbooks. Many people who toiled and labored alongside the great leaders who are written about seem to go unnoticed.  

These grass roots workers are often unsung heroes in our city, but  the Blue Triangle celebration this weekend in Houston is one of a handful of awards programs that has stepped up to the plate to bring awareness to the influential Houstonians from of all walks of life.

Their accomplishments will be highlighted and they will rewarded with special recognition from Houston city council members, state legislators and local U S Congressmen.

On an outdoor adventure in Houston,  with your family,  you might spot a black bear, gators or river otters. If you can get your family to turn off the TV long enough to  experience the great Texas outdoors? They’ll  discover some of the gorgeous scenes produced by Mother Nature in Houston Parks, Harris County Lakes and Texas State Parks where each day there is a new show  and there are never any dreadful reruns. 

Your family's first step should be to brush-up on their wilderness skills at a Texas Outdoor Family Workshop.

• How to set up and break down camp (including your tent)
• Fire starting
• Outdoor cooking

These are only a few of the things to do outdoors that are covered in the workshop.  It’s designed to introduce   families  to the  important  skills  needed to make them feel comfortable in any outdoor setting.

Parks In Houston

Houston Parks have some awesome recreational facilities, activities and programs  that children, tweens and teens will find interesting. Here’s a list of some of them.

Hike and Bike Trails
Golf Courses
Swimming Pools
Tennis Courts
Fitness Centers

Did I mention that at some parks in Houston,  you can participate in an urban gardening project, a volleyball league or  play basketball in their gym or on an outdoor court.

Some parks have  pavilions, picnic tables and spaces that you can reserve. If you need a sports field (softball, baseball, soccer, flag football, ) for practice,  league and/or  tournament play just contact the Parks Permits Office.
Field Reservations: (832) 395-7010 or (832) 395-7011

Houston Recreation Centers

The recreation centers at Houston parks offer summer enrichment sessions, a program geared toward athletes, (Athletes Seeking Knowledge) and lots of fall activities that will begin sign-up soon.

Here’s a list of some of the parks outdoor activities in Houston for children and adults.

Youth Sports & Recreation
Adult Sports & Recreation
Adaptive Sports & Recreation
Senior Sports & Recreation
Skate-parks
Tennis
Volunteer Opportunities
Healthy Kids Houston
H.P.A.R.D. Internships

An outdoor adventure in Houston can be a chance to learn something different. It doesn’t  require that you travel far away, be a naturalist or an outdoor expert either.

A short hike or a picnic in a local park, National forest or State park will give your family plenty of time to discover nature, explore other habitats and burn-up lots of calories.
more info about
Houston Parks and Recreation