Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine Jan 2009: Houston, People, Events, Business

Junior League Books Make Dreams Come True

In 2002, The Junior League of Houston Inc. published an enchanting children’s book, Sweet Dreams Douglas by Regan Dunnick. Since then, not only have thousands of Junior League members and friends purchased copies of the book to enjoy with their children and grandchildren, but the Junior League has donated copies of the book to dozens of organizations around Houston so that sick and underprivileged children may enjoy the book as well. For many of these children, Sweet Dreams Douglas may be the first book they have ever owned.

In an ongoing effort to support one of the league’s focus areas—children’s education—and to promote literacy among children, the league has donated more than 2,200 copies of Sweet Dreams Douglas in the last six months.

Organizations such as Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital use the books to entertain sick children. Other agencies, such as Casa de Esperanza de los Ni ños and BEAR … BE A Resource for CPS Kids, offer the books as gifts to children who have been displaced from their homes or whose families are seeking shelter. At Bo ’s Place, an agency that provides support to children who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling, the books have been used in conjunction with the seminar Looking at Dreams During Bereavement Through a Psychodynamic Lens. The seminar focuses on types of dreams, themes of dreams, psychodynamic theory and psychological defenses.

If you know of an organization in need of children’s books, contact Melissa Garlington, Junior League of Houston publishing chairman, at 713-871-6608.

What’s New in Houston

Houston Endowment Inc., a Houston-based philanthropy, has approved an $850,000 grant to help install a 100-kilowatt solar energy system on the roof of the downtown convention center. The pilot program calls for solar panels to be installed atop the 16-acre roof of the building in 2009.

Hotel Derek, the chic boutique hotel with the fashionable Galleria address, is in the midst of a makeover. The $2.5 million renovation includes a complete transformation of the hotel ’s 314 rooms, including its suites and floor landings, adding a warm, residential feel to the hotel. The renovation will be complete by January 2009.

Getting around downtown and Midtown has gotten a little easier—and a little greener—with the launch of a new electric/zero emission motor car taxi service.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, the oldest craft brewery in Texas, is moving downtown because the company has outgrown its original location in a warehouse district in Northwest Houston.

Sam Houston Race Park and Live Nation have partnered to launch The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park, Houston ’s newest outdoor entertainment facility.

Canstruction® Houston 12th Annual Competition

The Houston Chapter of the Society for Design Administration announced the winners of Canstruction ® Houston 2008—a design/build competition benefiting the Houston Food Bank. Local area architects, engineers and construction professionals used canned food to show off their design/build talents by constructing amazing canstructures. Contributors also presented 54,377 cans to the Houston Food Bank.

The winners were Juror’s Favorite:Heights Venture Architects, LLP and TMD Engineers – “You Can Change Houston”; Structural Ingenuity and Public Favorite: Cobb Fendley & Associates with Costello, Inc. – “Almost There”; Best Use of Labels: Fluor Corporation – “Tex-a-Can”; Honorable Mention: English + Associates Architects – “eCANachae”; Friendswood High School: “The World is in Our Hands”; Best Meal: Morris Architects – “Mission to End Hunger”; Best Use of Most Needed Items: Kirksey and Turner Construction – “Can Man”; and Best Sign: Gensler – “No Mas! Famous Chihuahuas Fight Hunger.”