Erin Mills is the Education Manager for Houston Botanic Garden and Justin Lacey is their director of communications. Houston Botanic Garden is a beautiful and diverse series of biomes created to take visitors on a journey through our local flora but also take a look at plants from around the world. We discuss the right way of planting and caring for non-native species but we emphasis that for most backyards, going with native plants is the way to go. Especially if one wants to help Monarch Butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico and attract all the millions of migrating bids and pollinators that make nature so awesome to watch.
Another exhibit is “Glass in Flight” by Tucson-based artist Alex Heveri. There is a lot more going on. so check out their website to see the ever-transforming Houston Botanical Garden: www.hbg.org.

Elizabeth Elder is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, Tiffanie Williams is serving on then board of directors and Kate Peden is one of the founding board members and a vendor at their upcoming Magnolia Moms Holiday Market. She is a master baker and I know because I got to try her macaroons and so can you, just by going to the event on November 2nd from 11-6 pm at The Powder Keg. There will be vendors who specialize in hiring people with disabilities – or special abilities, as we like to say – and raffle baskets, great, fun people and even a signature cocktail. Magnolia Moms provides group support for parents raising children with special needs. They are a spectacular start-up in Houston’s Non-profit scene and when you hear about how successful their programs are, you’ll understand why. Go to Www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com for all info!

Rachel Poysky is Joel’s mother. Joel is living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and she is raising awareness about this rare genetic disease which affects boys. There has been some progress in the past decade but a lack of awareness of the disease means there is great need for funds and new research. Current progress show that with research, a cure could be found and we talk about the quality of life for those living with the debilitating disease that weakens muscles, including the heart. While you listen to this compelling conversation, go to www.coachtocuremd.org and consider giving a few bucks. It makes a difference.

Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum, one of the most fun museums in town. Their regular exhibits are beautiful Warbirds and machines from the Space age (in the new Space Gallery) and they’ve acquired a new MaxFlight flight simulator you can “ride.” It’s on a Gimbal and will twist and flip you around as you control an airplane or ride a roller coaster. On September 23 they are celebrating girls in aviation and they’re having the Hanger Bash on Saturday Sept 30. We talk about how important aviation has been to Houston and have fun relating experiences flying in old planes – which is also something you can do. Check out their Warbird Rides on: www.lonestarflight.org

Chris Brown is a member of the board of directors for the Bayou Preservation Association. They work to celebrate, protect, and restore our bayous and waterways. They’re running a water quality testing program including training. Anyone living near one of our 40+ bayous can learn how to test the water and help identify problems. They also celebrate this awesome natural resource which could be a lot more helpful in managing our flooding problems. Human interference (like lining bayou with concrete walls) is slowly being turned around for the better and on Sept 20-21, the Bayou Preservation Association is holding its annual symposium. It’s virtual and therefore open to all. Go to www.bayoupreservation.org to register.

Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Tobi Shonowo is one of their Club Directors. Registering only costs $10 for the whole year and Tobi explains the mountain of awesome opportunities available to campers. 25 clubs in the Houston area are open everyday after school where they feed all comers and don’t take roll! Parents can bring their children once a week or everyday and know there will be great food, education – including homework support and workforce readiness training – and awesome activities in clean, safe facilities. Tobi’s club even has a full-fledged kitchen. There is also a game room with consoles and all that. It's a great place for kids and teens. Go to www.bgcgh.org to sign up or contribute.

Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of the Periwinkle Foundation and Doug Suggitt is their executive director. They are celebrating 40 years of serving children who are fighting cancer. They’ve built an amazing camp for these special kids and their families. It’s a full-fledged medical facility as well, allowing campers to continue their chemo or receive whatever care they may need while enjoying a most American pastime: summer camp. They are also behind the iron Sommelier event, their big fundraiser which is on November 9th. While you listen to Dr. Gerson tell us how he founded this Org, go their website and see their life-changing work: www.periwinklefoundation.org

Dr. Robert Hilliard is the CEO of Legacy Community Health and Chinelo Nweke is their operations director for senior care. Senior care is one of the expanding areas of services Legacy Community Health has been deploying lately. Expansion is in fact the name of the game as they will also open 3 new clinics in schools. Dr. Hillard also explains how they are implementing value-based healthcare which includes keeping up with patients and helping them stay on their therapies. You can help them reach even more people by donating here: www.legacycommunityhealth.org

Keith Ostfeld, aka Mr. O, is the director of educational technology and exhibit development for the Children's Museum of Houston… at least officially. He’s really their resident mad scientist and he’s hellbent on thinking up of fun ways of teaching kids. That’s the best thing about the Children’s Museum of Houston: it’s a ton of fun, it’s the biggest, most awesome playground in town but it’s first and foremost an educational institution. It’s basically the coolest school in town. The kids won’t even notice they’re leaning useful concepts! Check out their website and see if your kids aren’t interested in visiting: www.cmhouston.org

Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges has clinics built inside of shipping containers! These awesome portable clinics have plumbing, beds, and the tech necessary to perform all sorts of medical exams and procedures. Built by Texas A&M students, they are then shipped to poor communities to serve people who would otherwise have little to no access to healthcare. Medical Bridges also ships tons of surplus medical equipment and Akinyi explains how this process takes place. They have the complicity of our medical centers which are very generous. You can help them do more by going to: www.medicalbridges.org. You can donate, volunteer and just spread the word.