THSH Family Fun Series
Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston’s (THSH) Family Fun Series invites speakers from Houston museums, educational programs, and many more to present multiple events throughout the year. These events are open to the public and aim to provide a fun learning environment for youth and promote continuing education for adults. In addition to didactic presentation, each event also includes hands on participation. A secondary goal of the program is to encourage member involvement and to stimulate dialogue between the diverse communities of Greater Houston.
The THSH Family Fun Series is made possible through funding provided by THSH with additional support from its subsidiaries: the Taiwanese Community Center and the Houston Taiwanese School of Language and Culture.
The THSH Family Fun Series is made possible through funding provided by THSH with additional support from its subsidiaries: the Taiwanese Community Center and the Houston Taiwanese School of Language and Culture.
Get Involved!
Because these events are free of charge, we rely on volunteers to make them run smoothly. Tasks from advertising event information, preparing refreshment, managing audio/visual equipment, to directing traffic on the day of the event all require efforts from volunteers.
Many of us have attended these wonderful lectures and hands on activities with our families and children. Please consider giving back by signing up to work one of the upcoming events. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other members of our community and build camaraderie!
Because these events are free of charge, we rely on volunteers to make them run smoothly. Tasks from advertising event information, preparing refreshment, managing audio/visual equipment, to directing traffic on the day of the event all require efforts from volunteers.
Many of us have attended these wonderful lectures and hands on activities with our families and children. Please consider giving back by signing up to work one of the upcoming events. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other members of our community and build camaraderie!
Program Contact
Lain Wu at [email protected]
Program Location
Taiwanese Community Center
5885 Point West Drive
Houston, TX 77036
713-271-5885
Lain Wu at [email protected]
Program Location
Taiwanese Community Center
5885 Point West Drive
Houston, TX 77036
713-271-5885
Past Events
Wild Things Zoofari 10/13/2018
Let's Talk About Oral Health 9/15/2018
Board Game Night 8/4/2018
Taiwanese Tamales DIY 6/16/2018
4/14/2018 Urban Coyote
4/7/2018 Texas’s Rare Wildlife Species
3/10/2018 & 3/31/2018 Skin Care & Cosmetics
NATWA, which has not hosted an event in a long time, was happy to host makeup artist Nancy Huang to teach simple makeup techniques on Saturday, March 10th from 2 to 4. In a short time, she taught some makeup techniques, such as how to use foundation and blush, finding the front and end of the eyebrows, how to draw eyebrows, and how to choose eye shadow based on the color of your clothes. Attendees included middle-aged mothers and young mothers, and even the children who were taking dance class were amazed by how Ms. Huang could change the face with a magic touch and some tools. Ms. Huang will be holding another session on Saturday, March 31st, from 2 to 3PM. Everyone is welcome to join. Costs have been covered by NATWA and THSH has provided the space. Thanks to Ms. Huang for taking the time out to teach new learners some valuable lessons, and we hope everyone will remember to support the TCC at the end of the year. (Report by Shirley Yen)
3/3/2018 Property Tax Exemptions and Protests
On Saturday, March 3rd we were happy to welcome Harris County Assistant Attorney Mr. Scott R. Hilsher to come talk about how to reduce property taxes. He introduced several common exemptions (such as Homestead, Over 65, Disability). These are all common exemptions to property tax, and he also explained how to protest if you do not agree with the county’s appraisal of your home value, what data is needed, and what websites can be used to collect useful information, etc. About 15 to 20 people attended and asked many practical questions. (Report by Steve Jang)
2/24/2018 Highlight Texas Animals
On February 24 ( Saturday 12:30PM to 1:30PM), Ms DeAndra M Ramsey, a Houston zoo specialist made a special trip coming to our center to share with us about some of Texas's special animals. She briefly introduced ocelot, chachalaca and TX tortoises common to the South Texas Plains; river otters, bullfrogs, and red cockaded woodpeckers in East Texas -Pineywood; and bottlenose dolphins, diamond back terrapin and prairie chickens along the Texas Gulf Coast area. She mentioned that prairie chickens face extinction and their biggest natural enemies are fire ants and urban developments. Ms. DeAndra M Ramsey says she really love bats. She says there are 33 different kinds of bats, and there are 11 species found in Houston. There are also urban wild animals, such as rats, mountain lions, ants, toads, raccoon, etc., and they are masters of survival. She also listed some of the urban wildlife for us to learn: bats, all kinds of birds (owls, hawks, eagles, water birds, songbirds ... etc.), reptiles (alligators, snapping turtles, diamond backed water snakes ... etc.) and some mammals (nutria, River otters, raccoon, possum, squirrel, coyote, armadillo, skunk ... etc). At the end of the presentation, she hoped that we can learn more, care more and save more animals.
1/20/2018 Owls & Raptors
On January 12th, Ms. Mary Anne Weber and Ms. Dawn Monachino of the Houston Audubon Society came to speak about special characteristics of Texas raptors. They began by introducing French-born John James Audubon (1785-1851), who drew many birds for the reference of future generations in the spirit of protecting bird species and maintaining peaceful coexistence between humans and the environment. Ms. Weber said bird-watching is the second largest hobby for humans (second only to gardening). Houston is a prime location for bird-watching because migratory birds travel through Texas. She brought three different raptors with her: Amelia the Purple Martin, Skeeter the Mississippi Kite, and Juliet the Barred Owl. She described their various habits and displayed six other specimens for everyone to study: Cooper’s hawk, Mississippi kite, American kestrel, barred owl, red shoulder, and peregrine falcon. We learned a lot about raptors, and children especially enjoyed them. Everyone is welcome to join the activities at the Houston Audubon Society.
12/9/2017 How to Hire a Repairman
Ms. Candy Twyman from the Houston Better Business Bureau (BBB) came on December 9th to explain how to go about getting a suitable home repair service. According to her: (1) Check the business listings published by BBB. These are all registered companies with a good reputation. If you find out about a company through other means (like family, friends, neighbors, etc.), you should look up their reputation. (2) When signing a contract, put everything in writing. Other than the repairs to made, materials, brands, and pricing, the contract should include what guarantees and post-repair upkeep. (3) If any changes are made, get it in writing. (4) Get a confirmed phone number and address to prevent being ripped off. (5) If any work requires the person to have a license, look up their license validity. (6) Ask them for proof of insurance.
She further warned that people who knock on your door to advertise, provide lots of discounts, are using leftover materials, or do not have a phone or fixed address are often fraudsters. Texas has a regulation that gives you three days to think over a contract and you can cancel the contract within three days. If you sign a new contract, the price should be the same. If you have any questions, you are welcome to call Ms. Twyman at (713) 341-6141 or email her at [email protected].
She further warned that people who knock on your door to advertise, provide lots of discounts, are using leftover materials, or do not have a phone or fixed address are often fraudsters. Texas has a regulation that gives you three days to think over a contract and you can cancel the contract within three days. If you sign a new contract, the price should be the same. If you have any questions, you are welcome to call Ms. Twyman at (713) 341-6141 or email her at [email protected].
11/4/2017 Monarch Butterfly Migration
Dr. Nancy Greig, former director of the Cockrell Butterfly center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, gave us a talk about the Monarch butterfly on November 4. Monarch can’t survive the cold weather. The plants they eat, milkweed, will freeze to death in winter. They start migrating south as early as the first week of September from the north like Idaho and arrive near Austin in early October. They finally arrive in Mexico in early November, stay about four months, and start breeding in February. They fly north in March, and back to the south of Canada. Texas is an important spot for butterfly’s migration. There are several butterfly centers in Texas. The Houston Museum of Natural Science Cockrell Butterfly Center is one of them. You are welcome to pay them a visit. If you want to know more information, please check out following website: http://www.monarchwatch.org/
10/21/2017 Know Your Post Hurricane Right As a Renter
The flooding from August 27th caused many people to be occupied with cleaning and repairing homes. Many also needed to move out and rent a home to take care of these problems. Whether renting an apartment or house, as a renter, you may encounter some problems. The Harris County Attorney’s Office will invite Ms. Rosemarie Donnelly coming to teach us about your rights as a renter post-hurricane, so you can avoid difficulties from your landlord. Hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity. Cost: free for both members and non-members.
Reference: http://www.harriscountycao.org/
Reference: http://www.harriscountycao.org/
10/14/2017 Wills & Probate
In July, Harris County Assistant County Attorney Ms. Susan Fillion came to explain living wills, which was very popular. Many people suggested inviting someone to explain how to create a trust fund. After contacting Harris County, we were informed that there is no such talk available. However, they will be sending Assistant County Attorney Mr. Brian A. Quintero to explain why you need to have a will, how to use a will, what to do if you don’t have a will, how to notarize and execute a will, etc. These are practical issues. Mr. Brian A. Quintero has been working at the Harris County Attorney’s Office since 1999 and has a wealth of experience and knowledge on these subjects. Hope that everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to attend.
10/07/2017 3 National Marine Sanctuaries
Did you know? In the Gulf of Mexico outside of Galveston, there are three national marine sanctuaries. There are coral reefs, black coral, tropical fish, sharks, whales, creole fish, manta rays, coral spawn, etc. It’s a precious place for diving, exploring, studying ocean life and protecting deep sea animals. Ms. Kelly L. Drinnen used to work at Moody Gardens explaining the aquarium fish there to visitors. Now she works at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. She will be coming to talk to us about these three national marine sanctuaries and let everyone discover the world of ocean life. We hope everyone will demonstrate their interest and protect these areas.
9/23/2017 Begonia caring & propagation
On September 23rd, Harris County Master Gardener Dr. Jean A Fefer came to talk about raising and propagating begonias. She introduced the flower, how to care for them, and how to propagate them.
09/16/2017 E.T. Cluster of Star
On September 16th, astronomer Ms. Debbie Moran came to talk about our location in the universe. Earth is only one planet among tens of millions of planets. The star nearest to earth is called “Sol”. It is part of the solar system. The sun is also an astronomical body, 93 million miles away from Earth. The moon is the astronomical body closest to the Earth, at a distance of 238,000 miles. The solar system has eight primary planetary bodies: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. If anyone is interested, she would be happy to give us more detailed explanations.
Courtroom Observation and Q&A with Your Elected Judge
Thanks to Judge Kristen Hawkins of the 11th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, on August 14, 2017, members of Taiwanese Heritage Society of Houston observed the judicial process in person. Through the courtroom observation, attendees learned about the daily responsibilities of a civil judge, how juries are selected, the method in which the court reporter transcribes testimony and the actual opportunity to bang the gavel.
8/5/2017 Hibiscus
Mrs. Marti Graves
Lone Star Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society
Mrs. Marti Graves
Lone Star Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society
07/18/2017 - 08/29/2017 Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Mrs. Doris Muinde
Gateway to Care
Gateway to Care
07/15/2017 Living Wills and Advance Directives
SUSAN M FILLION, J.D.
Assistant County Attorney
Compliance Division
Harris County Attorney
07/08/2017 Roses Gardening
Mrs. Mary Fulgham
Master rosarian
Houston Rose Society
07/01/2017 Personal Safety Tips
Ted Wang
Police Officer at City of Houston
City of Houston
06/24/2017 Workshop for cold-process handmade soap
Melinda Chi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Radiation Physics - Patient Care
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
06/24/2017 Emergency Preparedness
Ms. Julie Oates
CERT Coordinator
Harris County Office of Homeland security and Emergency Management
06/17/2017 Flood Control
Jeffrey Lindner
Meteorologist
Harris County Flood Control District
Whether you are an avid gardener, a butterfly enthusiast, or just have young children who would enjoy learning about these beautiful creatures, please come join us on November 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm for a fun presentation on butterflies. Dr. Nancy Greig, director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center will explain butterfly metamorphosis, talk about what caterpillars eat, and how to attract local butterflies to your garden.
Light refreshment will be served. We will have fun packs and crafts for the young children. Please register online by November 12 at to reserve fun packs.
Light refreshment will be served. We will have fun packs and crafts for the young children. Please register online by November 12 at to reserve fun packs.