The weather may not always show it but spring is right around the corner which means spring break is here! If you don’t have plans to go out of town, there is tons of fun stuff for you and the kids to do right here in the Memorial District during the week of March 11th through the 15th.
Need to find all day activities to keep the kids busy while you are at work? Then check out Life Time Athletic – City Centre’s week-long spring break camp for kids age 5-12. The camp is offered all week but you can also register your kids on a daily basis. Activities offered include swimming, rock climbing, arts and crafts and science activities. To register, visit their Activity Center or contact the club's Kids Manager, Brandon Day at (713) 630-8451 or by email at bday@lt.life.
Starting at 5 p.m each weekday, Memorial City Mall’s Spring Escape calendar offers a different fun activity such as a Mascots Olympics, a rodeo-themed concert, Dino Fest, Circus Night and even a Luau, ensuring that there is something for every child in your family. Be sure to stay for the 7 p.m. movie when a different family-friendly movie will be shown each week night. Don’t forget the regular weekly activities available at Frolic’s Castle like Storytime on Monday morning; Gymboree’s Kidtastic on Wednesday morning; and Paint Boss on Friday morning.
For the older spring-breakers, catch the latest blockbuster at either Cinemark Memorial City or the Studio Movie Grill. If you want something a little more active head down to the Bowl & Barrel for some friendly bowling or try to figure your way out of The Escape Game.
Over at CityCentre, their monthly Parachute Play Time is a great activity for toddlers. Bring your little one and join the colorful fun in the plaza on Friday, March 15th from 10 a.m to noon. Afterward, get some shopping in, enjoy a nice meal and stay for some live music later that evening – flamenco guitarist John Acevedo will start playing at 7 p.m.
For a bonus spring break activity The Easter Bunny is hopping into town early and will be visiting with children at Memorial City Mall starting Wednesday, March 15th, right in the middle of spring break. Get your visit in sooner rather than later!
Whatever you decide to do, make the District part of your family’s spring break memories this year and be part of the fun as we say good bye to the winter chill and welcome the fresh spring season! You deserve the break!
February is the month of love – including the love for margaritas and tortilla chips. In fact, each one has their own day to commemorate their yummy goodness and they are only days apart so you can combine them into one celebration!
Today, Feb. 22nd is National Margarita Day and Feb. 24th is Tortilla Chip Day. Tortilla chips are so important to a Texan that Tortilla Chips and Salsa are officially the State Snack.
So where will you go to celebrate? Of course the Memorial District offers lots of choices. Enjoy a margarita and chips along with the infamous fish tacos from Berryhill Baja Grill. Cyclone Anaya’s has been a Houston institution for over 50 years. More delicious margaritas and chips await you at Escalante’s or Guadalajara Hacienda. Pappasito’s has a margarita for everyone or enjoy a fine dining experience at Cazadores.
So, we put forth to you a Texas-size challenge – who in the District has the best margarita? Who has the best chips? Check out all the options in Memorial District and get back to us!
It’s rodeo time again! One of Houston’s oldest and proudest traditions, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, kicks off this week with the arrival of 2,000 trail riders from around the state, an unrivaled barbecue contest, Rodeo Run, Go Texan Day and the downtown rodeo parade. The 78-year-old event runs Feb. 25 to March 17.
Most people show up in their coolest western wear, so now is the time to shop for the latest rodeo fashions and accessories you need to look good this year.
Ladies, if you’re looking for a unique and fashionable outfit, check out Marlo Miller Boutique on Kingsride behind the Memorial Hermann Hospital. The boutique, owned by horse-lover and equestrian Marlo Miller, carries the latest fashions from the trendy Johnny Was line along with unique leather jackets and vests that are perfect for an evening at the rodeo. She also features stylish and comfortable boots and the perfect rodeo jewelry. Miller will give you styling tips to make sure you look your best. Marlo Miller Boutique is frequently featured on Great Day Houston with host Deborah Duncan.
If you prefer Americano styling, search for your rodeo outfit at Buckle in Memorial City Mall or Altar’d State at City Centre. You can always find something rodeo-worthy at Dillard’s especially from the Reba clothing line. Nothing says country like Reba McEntire. Her brand conveys the comfort and ease that makes western wear so popular.
For tried-and-true western wear, Boot Barn has it all. From buckles to boots, and hats to jeans, Boot Barn features everything you need for a successful rodeo outing.
And if your taste buds crave barbecue and you can’t wait for the rodeo, satisfy your taste buds at International Smoke. They take barbecue to a whole new level.
Get ready and let’s RODEO!
Native Texan Vanessa O’Donnell made the world a little sweeter when she opened her first pastry shop in Cinco Ranch over 10 years ago and Memorial District is so fortunate to be home to her third and largest dessert storefront. Located at Town & Country Village, 770 West Sam Houston Parkway North, the bakery is 3,000 square feet where magic is baked into delicious confectionaries seven days of the week.
Baking since she was nine years old, Vanessa has perfected the art of pastry and you can taste her talent in the cupcakes and cakes offered in all your favorite flavors (and many, many more). Ooh La La also serves pastries like tres leches, macarons, pies, and dessert bars, just to name a few. Make it an extra special treat with one their specialty coffees, iced or hot, to complement your sweet selection. They even offer seasonal treats such as these Texas themed cookies - a perfect way to celebrate the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Since we know you’ll be coming back, sign up for their e-newsletter and you’ll be thanked with a complimentary cupcake just for signing up as well as for your birthday each year! They’ll keep you updated on the Cupcake of the Day, the Cupcake of the Month and store news and promotions. So, we’ll see you there – just be patient with us as we try to pick out which pastry out of Ooh La La’s huge selection to treat ourselves with!
February is American Heart Month to bring awareness to heart disease and help you and your family and friends learn what you can do to stay heart healthy.
First, take this quick quiz to find out how much you know about the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. After you complete the quiz, read on for some tips and resources.
Did you know that someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States? While chest pain may be the most well-known symptom of a heart attack, it’s not the only one and even more importantly, the signs can vary between men and women. Learning the difference can save a life.
“Recent studies suggest that women are more likely to describe feelings of shortness of breath, upper back pressure, and dizziness. It is imperative that women who are at high risk of having a heart attack know the other symptoms and seek medical care if they believe they’re having heart attack,” said Razvan Dadu, MD, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.
But what can you do to prevent a heart attack or at the very least, lower your risk factor? Review this checklist first to get a better idea of your own risk factor. Once you make an initial assessment of your personal heart health, you can then set up a more formal risk assessment.
And no matter what, be sure you are taking daily steps toward preventing cardiac disease. Dr. Dadu recommends 30 minutes of physical activity each day. That’s easy to do by just taking a brisk walk (in air-conditioned comfort) at Memorial City Mall or around City Centre. Want a more structured exercise routine like a gym or instructor led class? Not to worry, The District has so many options – just check out all that is available!
In addition to exercise, be sure you are eating a heart healthy diet and that’s also not hard to do in The District. Grab fresh ingredients at H-E-B, pick up a healthy meal to go from Snap Kitchen or try a fortified smoothie from Red Mango. If you’d rather dine out then check out the menus at Bellagreen or Zoe’s Kitchen.
It goes without saying that you should also quit or avoid smoking. Above all though, remember, it’s never too late to change your habits. For more information and additional resources on heart health and as well as treatment options available at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Memorial City, visit their website.
*About 600,000 Americans die from heart disease every year—that’s 1 of every 4 deaths.
If you are anything like us - and almost 60 percent of all Americans are - every day is a good to enjoy the delicious goodness of pizza. Whether you like New York or Chicago style pizza, topped with anything from pepperoni to pineapple, you’re in luck! Saturday Feb. 9 is National Pizza Day and we can’t think of a better place to celebrate than right here in the District.
Try a traditional pizza at Ciro’s. Bellagreen bakes them in wood fired pizzas while Grimaldi's cooks their pizzas in coal-fired brick ovens. Enjoy your favorite glass of wine with your pizza at The Tasting Room or if you are in a hurry, grab a slice or two on the go from Luciano Express while shopping at Memorial City Mall. And if you want pizza from a New Orleans original, try Reginelli’s on Kingsride Lane.
Celebrate any way you like, whether you grab a slice just for yourself, meet friends to share a whole pie or pick up a pizza or two to take home for dinner. Just be sure to enjoy America’s second favorite fast food (behind hamburgers) Feb. 9 and every day!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!
You may be pondering what to do for the annual holiday of love. Look no further because Memorial District has you covered with a classic dinner, drinks and dessert for two for our February giveaway.
We will spice up your Valentine’s Day with dinner for two at the newly-opened Pepper Twins in CityCentre and then head to Milano Bar in Hotel Sorella for post-dinner drinks and dessert. Let the romance begin!
All you have to do for a chance to win is visit the Memorial District Facebook or Instagram pages and like the post, and, in the comments, tell everyone “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
That’s it!
Enter by 7 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 10th. We will conduct a random drawing for the winner at 10 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 11th.
Enter today and be sure to share with your friends!
Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day fast approaching. Impress that special someone this year by planning the perfect date in the Memorial District.
First, you need a great gift. For the sweets-lover in your life, Lolli and Pops has beautifully packaged candy gift boxes. Or, you can find delectable chocolates at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Memorial City.
How about a special piece of jewelry? James Avery offers beautiful jewelry for both women and men. You can’t go wrong with one of Kendra Scott's signature designs. Or, go for the bling at Bailey Banks & Biddle, Helzberg Diamonds, Jared, Thomas Markle Jewelers or Zales. A beautiful piece of Swarovski Crystal is another unique gift that’s sure to impress your favorite person.
You also can select a special item and have it personalized at Mine Gifts and Monograms or Things Remembered.
If you prefer a non-traditional gift, try a shared experience where you create your own heat – in the kitchen – by taking a culinary class at Sur La Table with your better half. Do you already know how to cook? Treat your sweetie to a romantic home-cooked meal and pick up the ingredients at H-E-B or Randalls. Don’t forget the roses and wine!
You also can dine out at one of many restaurants in the area. A few even offer special Valentine’s Day menus but reserve your spot sooner rather than later.
Check out the special menu at Radio Milano (in the Hotel Sorella CityCentre) or celebrate a night early at the Pre-Valentine's Tasting Dinner. Other area restaurants offering Valentine’s menus are 024 Grille (in the Westin Houston Memorial City) and Texas de Brazil. If you reserve a table at General Public, you’ll enjoy complimentary chocolate and champagne.
Want to go above and beyond a gift? Then book a romantic getaway. The Hotel Sorella CityCentre is offering special packages. And at Hotel ZaZa Memorial City you can choose between the Love Package or the XO Package.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, we wish you a day full of love and joy with your loved one. Happy Valentine’s!
It’s the time of year again, when football fans everywhere get together to watch the biggest game of the year - Super Bowl LIII. Even though our beloved Texans won’t be there, the matchup between the New England Patriots and the L.A. Rams on Sunday, February 3rd should be plenty entertaining.
We want to make sure you have a great viewing party, whether you are hosting or heading out to watch it with friends.
If you are hosting a party, H-E-B, Target or Randalls offer all of the party essentials like chips, dips, drinks and more. Don’t forget to get themed party supplies at Hobby Lobby.
If you’ve got a large crowd to feed be sure to get your pizza order in with Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Want to really impress your guests? Serve them a delicious Game Day Churrasco from Texas de Brazil with a special 20 percent off offer for take-out or pick-up the day of the game.
If you’d rather watch the game at a local sports bar on multiple screens, Buffalo Wild Wings or Pluckers offer a couple of great options while also having a great game-day menu or enjoy your hard-to-find favorite beer at the Yard House while you cheer on your team. Or catch it on the big screen at the Square at Memorial City.
Don’t forget to wear your team’s colors by getting your favorite player’s jersey or a great tee at Academy.
Last but not least, take the opportunity to help feed families in need by picking up pre-packaged bags from the Red Barrels at participating stores to donate to the Souper Bowl of Caring. The food is delivered to food pantries in or near your neighborhood.
Whomever you are rooting for, the District can make your Super Bowl experience super!
METRO is developing a long-range plan for transit services in the Greater Houston area with the goal of providing more transportation choices for more people. The organization recently launched the second phase of the METRONext Moving Forward Plan and seeks input from the public through a series of public meetings beginning January 26.
The proposed $7.5 billion plan was developed over two years after more than 100 public meetings and substantial comments. The plan would invest in roads, bus systems and rail lines in an effort to achieve greater mobility and potentially reduce automobile traffic.
During the first phase of the project, METRO gathered public comments and ideas that included increased connectivity, quicker travel times, reliable and safe rides, enhanced customer experience and the use of more advanced technology. Since that time, METRO has identified a long-range Vision Plan and key projects to achieve faster commutes and more frequent service.
The open houses begin Saturday, January 26. Citizens also can provide feedback at METRONext.org.
Details for the Memorial District meeting:
Wednesday January 30, 2019
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Houston Community College (HCC) Spring Branch Campus, 1010 West Sam Houston Pkwy N. Houston, Texas 77043.
METRO plans to place the comprehensive plan on the November 2019 ballot.
Do you need a new dress, jacket or pair of slacks altered to fit just right? Or do you want a special outfit designed? Then stop into Memorial Tailors at 9774 Katy Freeway, Suite 350 in Village Plaza at Bunker Hill. Owner Mario Duarte and his nephew, Elwin Tejada, enjoy helping Houstonians look their best and feel confident in great fitting clothes.
Memorial Tailors has been around since 1993 and opened a new store in the Memorial District in 2009. The duo recently moved a few doors down to a bigger and brighter store. They can handle any type of alteration or custom order and can handle quick fixes while you wait.
They specialize in wedding wear, proms, evening wear, uniforms, dance troupe outfits and just about everything else. They can even repair that old battered stuffed toy that is coming apart so your child can cherish it longer and can also outfit your pooch with a specialized bandana.
They have created the outfits for the Rockets and Dynamo cheerleaders and even helped the Houston Astros with a unique item or two.
Duarte and Tejada are passionate about their craft and it shows in the quality of their work and their professional, friendly customer service.
Give yourself a new look by having your clothing professionally tailored. You might be surprised how improving the fit on your suits, dresses or even jeans can improve your appearance and confidence.
Did you know that almost half of all new year’s resolutions are related to fitness? Did you also know that over 80% of those resolutions are abandoned within a few months? Don’t let that be you in 2019!
Starting a workout routine can be daunting. To help you succeed read these five tips that can help you keep those resolutions so you don't become just another statistic.
Fortunately, there is something for every fitness level right here in the Memorial District. Offerings ranges from traditional gyms to Pilates to kickboxing and boot camps.
Check out The Memorial City Club at Memorial City Mall or Life Time Fitness at CityCentre for a gym experience with the latest equipment that also offers group classes and in-house personal trainers.
If you want to build strength through low-impact, high-intensity movement and active stretching, try the Bar Method. Head to Orangetheory where science and technology are combined to create a customized fitness experience.
Limited on time and want a guided calorie-burning routine that takes less than an hour? Then Burn Boot Camp may be right for you. If you are looking for a more intense workout that can help you find some relief from your everyday stress, try kickboxing at 9Round Fitness.
At Revolution Studio you can choose from yoga or cycling. Try a more low-impact workout that will strengthen your core and improve your balance at Dominic’s Ultimate Pilates Studio.
Don’t have the resources right now to sign up for a club membership? Head to The Square at Memorial City Mall Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. and get your heart racing with Fit Factor’s free high-intensity weekly Boot Camp.
After your workouts, rejuvenate and refresh your muscles at Reach Stretch Studios or treat yourself to a massage at Massage Heights.
And, don’t forget about your gear! Whether you opt for a sweat-drenched or a core-strengthening workout, you can find functional, comfortable and beautiful clothing and accessories at several retailers. Grab the latest styles in performance athletic gear at Athleta, Lululemon or Academy.
We hope you find your perfect workout routine here in the District that helps you live a happier, healthier life.