How DELISH!!! With the new cooler weather and the breeze blowing across the lawn there isn't a better way to spend a Sunday morning/afternoon than this! At least not one that DISH can think of! We just might be there every Sunday!

It says it's only THIS Sunday September 25, but DISH is convinced that it will be such a success it will be a regular event! At least we hope so!

The best part..it's ONLY $27! WOW!

Let's get those hoops out, DISHIES for a delish time and a great cause!

MAM'S House of Ice Family is proud to be a part of this wonderful event Care2Spin.

Hula Hoop Houston happen August 28, 2011!

One goal is to raise money and awareness for Easter Seals, of course BUT the other goal is to setthe Guinness World Record(tm) of 3100 simultaneous Hula Hoopers! WOOHOO! That's a whole lotta hooping going on! It's happening at Discovery Green from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.! All funds raised will benefit those who receive free services from Easter Seals Greater Houston.

To set the record 3100 people are needed!

Now here's the kind of a pain in the backside part..but stay with DISH because it's worth it....

You have to register to Taking the Challenge... which will also create a fundraising page. THEN you need to share that page with your friends and ask them to either donate to your page or to Take the Challenge themselves and create their own fundraising page.

Here's why it's worth it...not just for the REALLY FUN Hooping Time...

1 in 5 Houstonians live with a disability. The state budget cuts caused 1 in 6 of these people to LOSE services such as respite care and early childhood intervention. We can make a difference and have fun. the fundraising goal is of $250,000 from the Hula Hoop event!

Get started now! See you AUGUST 28th. The thing that makes it easier is they will do walk up registrations...That's prob how DISH will do it!

See you there, DISHIES!

Well done, Discovery! Not only is it the greenest park in town but it consintues to do the right thing by the environment including cancelling parties for the good of Houston's ecology! See...it's really isn't about the all mighty dollar, DISHIES! You really can just do good!!

Here's the DISH: Discovery Green is increasing its water conservation efforts due to the extreme drought conditions in Houston. The park will close its Gateway Fountain on Monday through Friday beginning August 22 and open for weekends ONLY from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition, the Inaugural Discovery Green Adult Swim Fundraiser presented by eVgo scheduled for August 26 has been cancelled. Ticketholders will receive a full refund. The small fundraising event was scheduled to be held in the Gateway Fountain on Friday, August 26, with proceeds benefitting the free programming at the park. 

“While we are disappointed that current weather conditions have forced the cancellation of Adult Swim, as a leader in conservation and clean energy, eVgo commends the City of Houston and Discovery Green in their efforts to encourage water conservation during this drought,” said Arun Banskota, president of eVgo.

Conservation – both energy and water – was a pivotal aspect of the design of Discovery Green, which is LEED certified at the Gold Level. The Gateway Fountain is highly efficient, recycling filtered water from an underground reservoir source. However, a small amount of water is lost to evaporation and wind. Houston’s recent extreme high temperatures increase the amount of water lost. To conserve water with minimal impact, the fountain will close on weekdays once HISD begins classes on August 22. 

“The fountains at Discovery Green are hands down the most popular attraction at the park, but like so many others, we are adapting to the current weather conditions,” said Discovery Green President Barry Mandel said. “With the revised weekend hours we hope to continue to be the cool spot for families and children.”

While adhering to the City’s restrictions, Discovery Green reduced its watering of the park’s landscape so that minimal amounts of water are used. Watering occurs on the days designated by the City of Houston. TreeGators, 20-gallon water sources are rotated throughout the park, attached to trees to release water with the greatest efficiency over a five to nine hour period. Finally, the Mist Tree, located on the Sarofim Picnic Lawn, and the Riley Fountain, located in the Wortham Gardens, are currently turned off and will remain so as long as the city’s water conservation measures are in effect.

Discovery Green will continue to monitor weather conditions and the status of the City of Houston’s water restrictions and adapt operations accordingly.

By DISH Contributor: Jayme Lamm

Our city has waited since 1971 for the Final Four to make its way back around and this weekend, we welcome it with open arms.
The entire city has been making preparations for years as the NCAA and its fans are finally here to overtake the town for the 73rd edition of the Final Four. We haven't seen any real sports action (big games, big series) since the 2005 World Series and we are excited for some...excitement!

Not to take the wind out of everyone's sails, but the tournament is lacking comparatively speaking. The Final Four is used to hosting big name schools with huge basketball programs. Adorning fans travel the country to cheer their team on, celebrities quickly fill the venues and local hotspots. But this year may be different. Still a little too early to tell. There have only been 3 times in the history of the tourney (since seeding began) that at least one #1 seed didn't make the Final Four - 1980, 2006 and 2011! Another notable point of contention is that an #11 seed is the lowest seed to make an appearance in the Final Four. LSU did it in 1986, my Alma Mater George Mason did it in 2006 and VCU is doing it this weekend.

The National Semi-Finals take place at Reliant on Saturday. With more than 330 NCAA colleges and universities initially eligible for the championship each year, only 68 get invited to play in March Madness. Of those 68, we are down to these Final Four:

#4 Kentucky vs #3 UCONN
#11 VCU vs #8 Butler

The winners of each of those games will compete in Monday's National Championship game. Both games will be televised on CBS, but why on earth would you miss the excitement right in your own backyard? Remember, since some of the bigger name teams didn't make it, there are plenty of tickets being sold at face-value.

The chance to celebrate this kind of event doesn't come often. Check out a live slam dunk contest, dribble all the way from George R. Brown to City Hall, shoot hoops for charity, enjoy free concerts by some of your favorite bands in the beautiful weather. Bracket Town is taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green today through Monday (other notable sports events are listed below happening all over town):

Bracket Town™ refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero™

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
Admission: $10 (ages 12 and over), $6 (ages 3-11, college students*, senior citizens (55 and older), and military*) Free (ages 2 and under)*Appropriate ID required
Hours: 5 - 10 pm All Weekend
Description: Come play with the best at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero - the ultimate fan experience. Fans of all ages can test their skills and enjoy championship action with basketball competitions, clinics, performances, autograph sessions and photo ops, the latest in interactive games and demonstrations, prizes and more. Everyone's a champion at Bracket Town.

23rd Annual State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3 Point Championships

Location: University of Houston, Hofheinz Pavilion
Admission: Start at $10; tickets can be purchased at HERE                                                               Hours: 6:30 pm
The Annual College Slam Dunk & Three Point Shooting Championships bring together college basketball’s top three-point shooters and slam dunk artists in Houston and will be televised by ESPN2 on Thursday, March 31 at 8:00pm.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

USBWA Awards Breakfast

Final Four Friday® - Team Practices

1 - 1:50 p.m. Game No. 2 Lower Seed
2:10 - 3 p.m. Game No. 1 Higher Seed
3:10 - 4 p.m. Game No. 2 Higher Seed

Reese's® - College All-Star Game

Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Free
Hours: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
The Reese's College All-Star Game features two teams comprised of the top collegiate senior student-athletes in the country. For the third year, the game will be played in the Final Four venue and will provide Texas residents and other NCAA basketball fans the chance to see many of the best college basketball players perform in action for free!

The Big Dance® - Concert Series

Headliner: SUBLIME WITH ROME
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 4 - 10:30 pm

Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

POWERADE® NCAA Youth Clinics

Location: University of Houston, Houston Baptist University, Texas Southern University and John H. Reagan High School
Admission: Free (Participants must be between 8-16 years of age [boys and girls] and pre-registered - pre-registration is highly encouraged)
Hours: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration: Log on to www.NCAA.com/finalfour for details. Online registration will be available for the first 300 youth at each site at www.NCAA.com/youthclinics.
The Powerade NCAA Youth Clinics are a community outreach program that connects kids ages 8 – 16 with the basketball championship and provides them with resources designed to have a lasting impact. Participants receive sport instruction from NCAA coaches and student-athletes and get valuable information on fitness, healthy lifestyles and sportsmanship. The clinics also feature a session for parents and guardians with information on recruiting, academic and eligibility issues.

The Big Dance® - Concert Series

Headliner: THE KINGS OF LEON
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 11:30 - 8:00 pm

Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

NCAA Final Four Dribble® presented by Lowes Senior CLASS Award®

Start: Herman Square at Houston City Hall; 900 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Finish: George R. Brown Convention Center (Bracket Town)
Admission: Free
Hours: Dribble begins at 2 p.m.; All participants, including pre-registered, must check-in prior to 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Log onto www.NCAA.com/finalfour to register for the NCAA Final Four Dribble presented by Lowes Senior Class Award. Online registration will be available to the first 3,700 registrants.Onsite Registration: Onsite registration will be available to the first 800 registrants who did not pre-register online.
Basketball fans, under the age of 18, will have the opportunity to dribble from Houston City Hall to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Participants will receive a free basketball and t-shirt courtesy of the NCAA, Lowes Senior Class Award, Wilson Sporting Goods and the Houston Local Organizing Committee. Participants wearing their Final Four Dribble t-shirt will also receive free admission to Bracket Town on event day. Participants must be present to receive complimentary items and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Big Dance® - Concert Series

Headliner: KENNY CHESNEY
Location: Discovery Green
Admission: Free
Hours: 3 - 10:30 pm

Discovery Green will be fenced for the event. There will be four entrances with security. No dogs, food or beverages are allowed inside the gates. Please read the following rules before you head to The Big Dance!

MONDAY, APRIL 4

National Championship

Location: Reliant Stadium
Admission: Sold out. Seating capacity is approximately 76,000
Hours: Tipoff is approximately 8:23 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.) 
Description: This is the game everyone has waited for. The top two teams in the nation will play each other for the most coveted title in every intercollegiate sport - National Champions!

NABC Championship Trophy Presentation Celebration

Location: Final Four Winning Team Hotel
Admission: Free
Hours: Postgame
Description: Winning coach and student-athletes will be presented with the NABC championship trophy in a pep rally setting for all fans to enjoy.

Be sure to check out DowntownHouston for updated info on the event schedule.

Our friends over at Big Fuel told us about Buick's fan interaction with the Human Highlight Reel taking place throughout Bracket Town.

Other notable sporting events this weekend alone are the Shell Houston Open, Astros Opening Day and Houston Rockets