Simply because I know you were sitting there thinking, "Man, how am I going to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing with my family without spending an arm and a leg," I figured I'd pass along an email I received (thanks go to reader Terry this time) aimed at just that thing.

Downtown's Discovery Green, which has solidified itself as one of the premiere spots for free family fun, has a great line-up of events this weekend to help you celebrate.

After the jump, see a blurb from their site as well as a rundown of the entire schedule:

Read more...

If you've got a tiny dancer in your home, the following might be of interest to you.

Dance Houston, one of (if not the) Houston's premiere dance companies, has two dance camps available this summer that are currently open for registration.

The first camp, called "Shooting Stars," is aimed at the beginner 8-11 year-old age range. It runs from July 20th through July 31st. Dancers will take three to four classes a day (it's basically a school-type setting; kids are there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and will have a final performance on the 31st.

The second camp, called "Young and Intense," is a three-week long intensive workshop and performance. It runs from August 3rd through August 21st and is aimed at the 12-17 year-old age range. (Same hours apply.)

You can get more information about both, including prices, locations, and how to register, here.

Get out your Crayolas, Sharpies, rolls of duct tape, aluminum foil and hangers because the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown's annual "Art on Water" (which is exactly what it sounds like) has begun accepting admissions for October's installment. Here are the pertinent pieces of information you need, lifted graciously from the press release:

"The event, located in Houston’s City Hall Reflection Pool, 901 Bagby between Walker and McKinney Streets in Hermann Square, is the centerpiece of the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown October 10-11, 2009."

"Individuals, groups and students are invited to design original floating, stationary or kinetic art pieces for the water-locked art display. 'Art on Water' is launched October 9 and is up through Sunday, October 11. The pieces are on view to approximately 30,000 art festival patrons."

“Bayou City Art Festival Downtown staff and invited outside jurors will select fifteen pieces for the exhibit. Festival art jurors will award cash honors to the first ($500), second and third place ($250 each) artists on Sunday, October 11. Festival patrons will also select a Patron's Choice award ($250)."

You have until September 18th to get your submissions in (which, if you're anything like me, means you won't get started on yours until about September 16th). More information is available here. Good luck.

Yelp.com, a "business review site where locals read, write and share reviews" about various local establishments, is hosting their first ever Restaurant Week July 20th through July 26th. For those of you who happen to be restaurant buffs, this looks like it's an ideal deal. $25 scores you a three course meal during dinner at Benjy's (in the Village), Mia Bella, Sullivan's Steakhouse, and many others.

If you want to participate, you'll need to be sure to call to make reservations. (The open spots filling up quick, so hop to. And make sure to request the Yelp Eats! menu.) Also, the $25 does not include drinks and/or gratuity. Click here to get full details as well as see a full listing of the participating restaurants (and even a couple of menu selections).

Should you have any questions, event coordinator Farrah A. will be able to help via Houston@yelp.com.

Photo© Yelp.com

I almost forgot to mention this: McCormick & Schmicks, an upscale seafood restaurant waaay better than the one I typically attend (Long John Silvers), is offering a solid July 4th deal this weekend. They're celebrating what they call “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Lobster” with a special menu item featuring one full pound of steamed Lobster served with seasonal chef’s accompaniments for $19.95. Considering one pound of lobster usually costs somewhere around $3,800*, I'd say that's a pretty good deal. More details here.

*That's a rough estimation.

1151-01 Uptown Park Blvd
713.840.7900

1201 Fannin Street
713.658.8100

Stop by and tell them you heard about the deal at http://houston.about.com. You won't get anything for free, but you will be advertising this site. (Which works out nicely for me. Thanks.) See you all Monday.

Photo © McCormick & Schmicks

Alright, kiddos, you make sure and stay safe this 4th of July. Remember, there is a burn ban in effect, so rather than risk getting a pricey little present from Harris County, hit up one of these sure-to-be-fun 4th of July events in Houston. (If you're looking to get do a little swimming, perhaps one of these public pools in Houston will suit your fancy.)

Oh, also remember that if you buy a rack of baby back ribs from Whole Foods Market, they will provide you with free Stubbs Bar-B-Que Sauce, jalapeno Whole Foods Market Bakehouse Cornbread, and 1 lb. of coleslaw.

Have a safe one. See you Monday.

Dance Houston, the stellar dance company that I've mentioned several times before, will be hosting a free Michael Jackson-inspired dance party at Discovery Green (1500 McKinney).

Here's a blurb from the press relase:

"Lauren Perrone of Sandra Organ Dance Company along with the Houston Dance Community and their friends will be teaching the Thriller dance to anyone and everyone at Discovery Green Park on Thursday. WE want to commemorate the man who inspired so many of us to moonwalk and sing our hearts out. ROCK WITH US! Bring the kids, sneakers, and soul."

I've got kids and soul - does anyone have some soul that I can borrow? I'll do my best not to get it sweaty. Thanks.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Photo © Wikipedia

Would you like to be a millionaire? Do you shout curse words at the TV when the show is on because a contestant foolishly uses their 50-50 lifeline before the $32,000 plateau? Lucky you, because Meredith et. al will be in Houston Wednesday, July 1st holding auditions for Millionaire. Get all the details you need after the jump.

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Received an email about an upcoming event re: Houston's Mayoral race that I thought you might need to see. The event in question is called NOZONE: Houston's Mayoral Forum on Land Use and it looks like a proper good time for anyone with a rooted interest in land use in Houston. A blurb from the email describes the event aptly:

"Zoning and land use are [poised] to be major issues in this year's mayoral campaign, and this event offers a unique opportunity not only to hear the positions of the candidates on these issues--as well as transportation, education, growth, and innovative proposals for city planning and management--but also responses on these issues and to the candidates positions by respected experts in these fields."

NOZONE: Houston's Mayoral Forum on Land Use will be held on Thursday, July 9th, at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and will be free to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. The forum itself will begin at 7 p.m.

Candidates Peter Brown, Annise Parker, TJ Huntley, Gene Locke, and Roy Morales have confirmed their participation.

If you get the opportunity, get the family out to Discovery Green for a bit this June 27th. They've got a nice little line-up of family-related events going on.

First, they've got DockDogs starting at 9 a.m. (it's kind of like those dog events they show on ESPN occasionally - and you can even participate).

Second, there's the Hip2BFit family workout from from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

And lastly, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. the Houston Zoo will have their ZooMobile out for the Sky's the Limit show (Birds and whatnot). It's a "fun, interactive learning experiences where students (K - 6th) may touch live animals and biofacts such as animal skins, skulls, and mounts, and participate in educational games and activities."

And that's not even the whole of it. If you're so inclined, you can get more details on the listed events, as well as check the rest of them, here.