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December at MECA – Fiesta Guadalupana – Sunday December 12th, 2021
8 best Houston holiday plays and performances boast classics, comedy, and more
The flurry of debuting holiday shows last month becomes a winter wonderland, Houston style, in December.
With 12 singing dames, eight disgruntled reindeer, seven reenacted Harry Potter books, two Little Mermaids and one detective nun, we likely have enough holiday theater this month to do our own version of the “12 Days of Christmas.”
And, as Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker dances back into the Wortham and HGO premieres a Snowy opera to the world, you’ll find music and dance to warm even the most humbug heart.
The Nutcracker from Houston Ballet (now through December 24)
After a streaming selection of “Nutcracker Sweets,” HB artistic director Stanton Welch’s glorious vision of the season tradition is back live at the Wortham.
Dancing to the beloved Tchaikovsky score, all our favorites — the Nutcracker Prince, Sugarplum Fairy, Rat King and the international ambassadors —will take a turn at the magical winter court.
In Welch’s imagining, Clara becomes the hero of this enchanting story where the all the animals dance as well as the weather, in the form of the loveliest snowflakes in HB company.
Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold at Stages (now through December 31)
Denise Fennell is back as Sister and this time, she’s playing detective as she teaches her annual Christmas catechism class.
Just what happened to all that gifted gold those the wise men brought to the most famous Christmas party/baby shower in history? No texting or gum chewing in this class, as Sister will call on her students and sometime require active participation.
“The show transcends the boundaries between audience and artist, and everyone gets to share the joy,” explains Stages artistic director Kenn McLaughlin.
Panto Little Mermaid at Stages (now through December 31)
Take a holiday dive into the latest in Stages’ tradition of bringing world premiere panto shows that weave together contemporary fairytale revision with some adult satire and silly fun for kids.
Stages teamed up local playwrights ShaWanna Renee Rivon and Elizabeth A.M. Keel to pen this very Houston spin on the Hans Christian Anderson classic. In this new take Gulf Coast mermaid sings to keep her home waters clean with some help from her sea creature friends and a perhaps princely marine biologist.
Look for Panto favorites Ryan Schabach as Buttons and and Genevieve Allenbury, bringing her rarified U.K comic timing, to join in the third coastal musical adventures.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid from Theatre Under the Stars (December 7-24)
Another Little Mermaid hits the Houston stage shores — this time as the Disney live stage production from TUTS.
The mammoth musical producers have gone big as they’ve come home to their Hobby Center stage after over a year way, and this Little Mermaid will be their biggest show yet for 2021.
Expect a cast as big as the sea filled with Broadway veterans, local favorites and even some future musical stars from TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. Listen for classic songs from the original animated film and Broadway production like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.”
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience at Hobby Center (December 7-January 2, 2022)
What began as a five-minute street show in 2005 from the UK writing/performing team Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, Potted Potter has become a theatrical phenomena onto itself for both fans and newbies to the Harry Potter world.
This most recent tour stars Scott Hoatson and Brendan Murphy. The two-man live comedy condenses (with some gentle parody) all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes, while still having time for an audience participatory game of Quidditch.
The original creators are always adding and tweaking the show as the J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world continues to grow.
The Snowy Day from Houston Grand Opera (December 9-19)
Declare a family snow day for the perfect holiday world premiere to introduce kids to opera. Based on the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, Snowy Day tells the story of young Peter, who wakes up to a snowy wonderland in New York and sets off onto a childhood operatic adventure. HGO Studio soprano Raven McMillon takes the role of Peter.
“We are so proud of this new opera and were devastated last year when we had to cancel,” says HGO Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers. “It is our first commission from a Black composer and librettist team—Joel Thompson and Andrea Davis Pinkney — and these brilliant artists have created something truly special.”
To allow the world to share in this very special premiere, HGO will offer a free livestream of the opening night performance.
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues from Dirt Dog Theatre (December 10-18)
It looks like a certain North Pole monopoly might need some HR intervention, OSHA compliance training and perhaps top attorneys if this antlered team of disgruntled worker have their say.
That’s right, allegations have been made and now Dasher Dancer, Comet, Cupid, et al spill all the coco on Santa in this decidedly not family friendly but adult’s-only holiday show.
While the play was first produced in the mid-’90s, it will likely hit some timely #Metoo notes. Find out what kind of boss Santa really in what may be the most dark comedy on our naughty and nice list.
The Twelve Dames of Christmas at A.D. Players (December 13 and 14)
Emmy-nomiee Angela Ingersoll conjures up the ultimate diva holiday-themed concert as she captures the voices and styles of Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Janis Joplin and more in this celebratory evening.
The latest show in A.D. Players partnership with Artists Lounge Live to bring headliners with distinguished careers in Broadway, theatre, film, and television to Houston.
For this holiday show, Ingersoll will be backed by a stellar band as they raise the holiday spirit with dame-worthy standards like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Baby,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Source: houston.culturemap.com
Travis Scott requests lawsuits be dismissed, issues general denial following deadly Astroworld Festival
Rapper Travis Scott has requested for lawsuits to be dismissed Monday following the deadly Astroworld Festival on Nov. 5.Scott, whose real name is Jacques B. Webster II, asked a judge to dismiss 11 lawsuits against him, court documents show.
According to NBC News, the documents, which were filed in Harris County District Court, said Scott’s attorney Ed McPherson issued a “general denial” on his behalf to allegations that he was responsible for the deaths and injuries of multiple concertgoers. The filing was also made for Cactus Jack Records, LLC, which includes Scott’s other companies.
The rapper has asked that the claims be “dismissed with prejudice,” which means once the case is over with, it can’t be refiled or brought back to court.
A total of 10 people died after a crowd surge at the Houston concert where nearly 50,000 people were in attendance. Nearly 300 lawsuits have been filed against Scott and the organizers of the event.
Of the 10 people that died following the tragedy, their ages ranged from 9 to 27 years old.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Omicron variant detected in Houston’s wastewater, health department confirms
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Houston’s wastewater, the Houston Health Department announced Monday night.According to the report, wastewater samples collected on Nov. 20-30 showed the omicron variant at eight of the city’s 39 wastewater treatment plants, including W.C.I.D. #111, Chocolate Bayou, Keegans Bayou, Metro Central, Northgate, Sims Bayou North, Turkey Creek, and West District.
“The Houston Health Department and Houston Water continue to do an exceptional job tracking the impact of the virus in our community,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Vaccines help protect us, our loved ones, friends, and colleagues in the work environment. As the holidays approach, I encourage everyone to remain vigilant about their health and safety.”
Federal health officials are conducting studies on whether Omicron is more transmissible, causes more serious illness, or evades vaccine protection compared to other variants of the virus. Results are expected in the next few weeks.
“Omicron in Houston is cause for concern but not panic,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “It’s important to remember that vaccination is our best tool to reduce cases, prevent serious illness and death, and slow the emergence of new variants.”
The health department routinely tests the city’s wastewater for the virus that causes COVID-19, including variants, and recently started testing samples for Omicron. People infected with COVID-19 shed the virus in their feces, according to reports .
The wastewater data helps to more quickly identify emerging outbreaks and hotspots needing interventions to help stop the spread of the virus.
“If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please do it now to protect yourself, your family, and our community,” said Dr. Persse. “If you are 18 years or older and it’s been six months since your second dose of Moderna or Pfizer or two months since the single dose of Johnson & Johnson, please get your booster shot.”
Source: www.click2houston.com
Royal Dutch Shell plc third quarter 2021 Euro and GBP equivalent dividend payments
The Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc (“RDS”) today announced the pounds sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments in respect of the third quarter 2021 interim dividend, which was announced on October 28, 2021 at US$0.24 per A ordinary share (“A Share”) and B ordinary share (“B Share”).
Dividends on A Shares will be paid, by default, in euros at the rate of €0.2121 per A Share. Holders of A Shares who have validly submitted US dollars or pounds sterling currency elections by November 26, 2021 will be entitled to a dividend of US$0.24 or 18.06p per A Share, respectively.
Dividends on B Shares will be paid, by default, in pounds sterling at the rate of 18.06p per B Share. Holders of B Shares who have validly submitted US dollars or euros currency elections by November 26, 2021 will be entitled to a dividend of US$0.24 or €0.2121 per B Share, respectively.
Euro and pounds sterling dividends payable in cash have been converted from US dollars based on an average of market exchange rates over the three dealing days from 1 December to 3 December 2021.
This dividend will be payable on December 20, 2021 to those members whose names were on the Register of Members on November 12, 2021.
Source: www.shell.com
Governor Abbott Meets With U.S. Air Force Representatives, Discusses Texas’ Ongoing Support Of Military At Sheppard Air Force Base
Governor Greg Abbott today visited Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita County, where he met with United States Air Force representatives to discuss the state’s ongoing support of military bases, military service members, and military veterans in Texas. The Governor thanked the men and women stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base for their service and reaffirmed Texas’ commitment to supporting members of the military. Governor Abbott also recognized the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and encouraged all Texans to honor those who continue to defend the United States.
“There has long been a deep and enduring bond between the State of Texas and the U.S. military, and on behalf of a grateful state, I want to thank the men and women of Sheppard Air Force Base for your service and sacrifice for our nation,” said Governor Abbott. “Not only is Sheppard Air Force Base critical to the defense of our nation, but it is also a valued member of the Wichita Falls community. Your impact helps small businesses grow and succeed, boosts the local school system, and contributes to a strong and thriving community. Our service members mean so much to Wichita Falls, to Texas, and to the entire nation, and we will continue to tirelessly support those who defend our nation.”
Sheppard Air Force Base employs more than 9,500 people, including active duty and civilian personnel, and supports more than 3,700 retirees in the area. It is the largest employer and economic driver in the Wichita Falls community, and contributes to an economic impact of more than $4.6 billion in the Texas economy.
Texas is home to 15 major military installations and the Army Futures Command. Combined, they add over $123 billion to the Texas economy, directly support 220,000 uniformed and civilian jobs, and directly or indirectly support over 630,000 jobs in communities across the state. Texas is also home to more than 1.6 million veterans and their families. In recent years, Texas has developed new ways to support service members, including: removing barriers to employment for military spouses and veterans; securing education opportunities for military children; and helping active duty servicemembers transition into civilian employment.
Governor Abbott Thanks Tennessee Governor Bill Lee For Operation Lone Star Support
“States across the nation are experiencing the harrowing effects of the federal government’s failure to address the drug trafficking crisis along our southern border,” said Governor Abbott. “Our country is stronger and safer when we tackle dire issues together, and I thank Governor Lee for these additional members of the Tennessee Guard who will join Texas in securing the border and protecting our communities.”
Governor Abbott has taken significant action to secure the border in the wake of the federal government’s inaction. Those actions include:
- Signing laws that provide $3 billion in funding for Texas’ border security efforts
- Launching Operation Lone Star and deploying thousands of National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers
- Creating a system to arrest and jail illegal migrants trespassing or committing other state crimes in Texas
- Signing a budget authorization to build the border wall in Texas
- Signing a law to make it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into Texas
- Signing 9 laws cracking down on human trafficking in Texas
- Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
- Issuing a disaster declaration for the border crisis
- Issuing an executive order preventing non-governmental entities from transporting illegal immigrants
- Taking legal action to enforce the Remain in Mexico and Title 42 policies in Texas
Source: gov.texas.gov
Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce Extension Of Emergency SNAP Benefits For December
“The extension of emergency SNAP food benefits for the month of December ensures that Texans can put food on the table this holiday season,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank HHSC for their continued efforts to secure access to nutritious food for millions of Texas families.
“As Texas families gather to celebrate the holidays this month, this will provide some comfort to them with these additional funds to help them buy nutritious food,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, and all SNAP households will receive a minimum of $95 in emergency allotments. This additional emergency allotment should appear in recipients’ accounts by December 31.
The emergency December allotments are in addition to the more than $5.1 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans since April 2020.
Administered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
Source: gov.texas.gov/
La publicación destaca el trabajo de capacitación que HHS realiza sobre la trata de personas
La labor de la HHSC para ayudar a los profesionales de la salud a combatir la trata de personas ha sido destacada recientemente en un artículo publicado en el Journal of Human Trafficking.
En 2019, el proyecto de ley 2059 de la 86a Legislatura exigió a la HHSC que analizara los cursos de capacitación sobre la trata de personas y ofreciera una lista de las capacitaciones aprobadas en su sitio web (en inglés). Ciertos profesionales de la salud deben completar un curso aprobado antes de renovar su registro, permiso o licencia.
Después de que este proyecto se convirtió en ley, el Centro de Recursos contra la Trata de Personas de la HHSC elaboró las normas para la capacitación basadas en una herramienta de evaluación ampliamente respetada (en inglés). Estas normas exigen que los cursos aprobados cumplan con ciertos criterios, entre otros: deben ser integrales, estar orientados al trauma, estar basados en los derechos humanos y ser culturalmente sensibles. El centro también implementó un proceso de revisión de tres niveles para asegurarse de que los cursos cumplan con las normas, así como con las leyes estatales y federales y las políticas de la dependencia, antes de que reciban la aprobación final de la comisionada ejecutiva de HHS.
El artículo de la publicación, que lleva por título “Requisitos obligatorios de educación continua para la obtención de licencias estatales para profesionales de la salud: El modelo de Texas”, señala que la educación estatal obligatoria sobre la trata de personas en todo EE. UU. es bastante irregular, probablemente debido a las dificultades que supone capacitar a un gran número de profesionales en un tiempo limitado, así como a la falta de normas universales y a la variedad de requisitos para los profesionales.
Los autores reconocen al estado de Texas porque exige a los profesionales de la atención directa que completen un curso aprobado y porque cuenta con “las normas y el proceso de aprobación más objetivos y completos”. Afirman que el modelo de Texas favorece que esta educación esté basada en la evidencia y diseñada con todo cuidado, a fin de evitar la desinformación, empoderar a los profesionales para reconocer a los pacientes de riesgo, y ayudarles a ofrecer la atención y los servicios adecuados.
“La implementación de esta legislación ha sido un proceso emocionante y lleno de retos para el Centro de Recursos contra la Trata de Personas de la HHSC”, dijo Brandi Soules, especialista del programa en el centro. “Las normas de capacitación y el proceso de revisión exhaustiva garantizan cursos de alta calidad, de modo que los profesionales tienen las herramientas necesarias para ayudar a los pacientes y clientes que han sido víctimas de la trata de personas. Estamos orgullosos del reconocimiento que se nos hace en este artículo”.
Según estima la HHSC, cerca de un millón de profesionales en Texas completarán una capacitación aprobada durante cada periodo de renovación de la licencia.
La HHSC creó en 2018 su Centro de Recursos contra la Trata de Personas para conectar al personal de la dependencia, los profesionales de la salud, los miembros de la comunidad, otras partes interesadas y las víctimas de la trata de personas con los recursos locales, estatales y nacionales. En 2020, el centro publicó la Guía para proveedores: Servicios para las víctimas de la trata de personas en Texas (PDF en inglés).
El centro también ha elaborado una capacitación en línea sobre la trata de personas, “Hearing, Evaluating, Activating, Resourcing & Training” (HEART) [Escuchar, evaluar, activar, ofrecer recursos y capacitar], que cumple con todos los requisitos para la aprobación. La HHSC pronto pondrá este curso a disposición del público sin costo alguno.
Source: www.hhs.texas.gov
Crime Stoppers of Houston Gifts $20,000 to Good Samaritan Who Found Money at Lakewood Church
Crime Stoppers of Houston has a long-standing history of helping law enforcement solve criminal activity. In 2014, Lakewood Church reported theft of approximately $600,000 in cash and checks; Crime Stoppers of Houston immediately sprung into action ready to help HPD, Lakewood and the community find the suspect(s) responsible.
As a normal procedure, Crime Stoppers of Houston automatically offered a cash reward of up to $5,000. Lakewood Church added a supplement reward of $20,000 yielding a potential reward of up to $25,000 for the person or persons with information leading to the identification, charging, and/or arrest in the case. By 2016, Lakewood decided to shift that supplemental reward into a charitable donation to Crime Stoppers of Houston in support of its ongoing public safety work in Houston and beyond.
On November 10, 2021, HPD reported that during a renovation project, a plumber had discovered a large amount of money hidden in a wall. Evidence from the recovered checks suggests that the discovery was connected to the March 2014 theft. HPD is still investigating.
This past Friday, December 3, 2021, as more pieces of this case came together, Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious began talking to Deputy Director Nichole Christoph who also discussed the issues with our law enforcement partners. Mankarious also began asking the Crime Stoppers Executive Committee if the organization could gift $20,000, the amount originally given to Crime Stoppers by Lakewood, to the ‘Good Samaritan’ plumber who made the discovery and turned in the money. Today, Mankarious received the approval to move forward with the gift.
“Crime Stoppers of Houston is a public safety organization that thrives on the public safety of all communities. We believe that it takes all of us, working together, to keep Houston safe and thriving. In 2014, Lakewood Church gave us $20,000 to work on this case. In 2016, they chose to gift us those funds for operations. Today, we are gifting that same about of money to this Good Samaritan and wishing he and his family a wonderful holiday season.” says Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious
This case left many community members asking how the Crime Stoppers tip line and reward program work. For 41 years, Crime Stoppers of Houston has offered the Greater Houston Area an anonymous Tip Line, a valuable reporting platform that has proven to be extremely helpful in both solving serious crimes and in locating dangerous defendants and fugitives. A standard cash reward of up to $5,000 is offered on any unsolved felony case for information that is reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers. The tips reported must lead to the identification, charging and/or arrest of a felony suspect(s) in order to receive a cash payout.
As always, if you have a tip about an unsolved crime, call 713-222-TIPS or report online at www.crime-stoppers.org. You can also report a tip using their mobile app. Download “Crime Stoppers Houston” from the app store. It’s free and available in more than 20 languages.