EVENT CALENDAR continued
ASK JODY
WORKPLACE BULLYING, HELPING THE STIR CRAZIES & ASKING AN ADVICE COLUMNIST TO SOLVE A MATH PROBLEM by Jody Reed
jody.reed@publicnewsonline.com
Dear Jody, I was wondering if I should drag my boss into a situation. I have a coworker who keeps making rude comments to me and seems to be undermining everything I do. I have tried to downplay it and not let it bother me, but all I can think of is how much better it would be if I had another job, even though I really love what I do at my current job. It obviously is getting to me, and I don’t know what Jody Reed to do. Should I risk sounding like a whiny kid and go to my boss about it? Fed Up Dear Fed Up, Ignoring the situation hasn’t worked for you, so I’d say it’s about time to initiate Plan B. Workplace bullying is not okay. First of all, be confident and let this coworker know that his/her behavior is unacceptable to you and ask that it stop. If that doesn’t do the trick, then you should go to your boss and explain what is going on. Perhaps your boss will provide a solution that will end the bullying. It will likely include a meeting with you and the coworker. I hope it works out for you. Just know that if you change jobs, there may be someone else that is antagonistic towards you. Unfortunately, conflicts can arise anywhere...there are so very many different personalities in this world. At least life is not boring! Dear Jody, Could you please suggest some things to do with the kids over the summer? I have a limited budget and four active children, ages 3 to
10. We need to get out and have some fun... going stir crazy over here! Frazzled Dear Frazzled, Summertime in Texas can be draining in the intense heat, but being cooped up inside with little ones can be equally as draining! The public library has a lot of children’s programs during the summer, and being in the library checking out new books is a great way to encourage blooming readers. Another option is to join the YMCA for a month or two and hang out at the swimming pools they offer. Being in the water is a great way to spend time outdoors while staying cool. Many local churches offer VBS programs for school aged children, and most of them are at no cost to you. And of course, scheduling play dates for your children is a fabulous way to keep them connected to their peers. When all else fails, create a fun treasure hunt for them at your home. Who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? Hopefully some of these ideas will help you and your kiddos beat the heat without getting frazzled! Jody Dear Jody, I have a BIG problem that I hope you can help me solve. Are you ready for something this big? Okay, here it is. Find the slope and concavity of the graph of x to the 2nd power times y + y to the 4th power = 4 + 2x at the point (2, 2). The Mathematician Dear Mathematician, Ha! I’m getting a headache just looking at that problem. My best advice for you is to track down a college professor in the field of higher mathematics. You would not want me to even attempt solving that kind of problem... Jody
continued from page 9 ists. Her original plays have been among the most wildly popular summer offerings. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis with a suggested ticket price of $25. For more information call 713-522-2723 or visit them on the web at www.catastrophictheatre.com Stages Repertory Theatre presents The Honky Tonk Angels Running through Sunday September 6, 2015 Stages Repertory Theatre 3201 Allen Pkwy., Houston, TX 77019 In this country music extravaganza, three wide-eyed dreamers meet on a bus bound for Nashville and sing their way along the bumpy road to stardom. With romance, husband trouble and a little gospel thrown in for good measure, this torchin’ and twangin’ songfest features favorite hits including “9 to 5,” “Delta Dawn,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Stand by Your Man,” and celebrates women’s voices in country music throughout the years. Tickets start at $21. For more information call 713-527-0123 or visit them on the web at www.stagestheatre.com
Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company presents The Drowning Girls Running through Saturday August 1, 2015 Studio 101 at Spring Street Studios 1824 Spring St., Houston, TX 77007 Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company presents the regional premiere of The Drowning Girls by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic. A modern interpretation and poetic retelling of the “Brides in the Bath” slayings in 20th century England, the play also examines the lengthy history of misogyny and domestic abuse in modern civilization. Originally produced in Canada for the Edmonton Fringe Festival, the work will make its Houston debut. In line with MU’s mission to promote and support the work of women, the play, written by three female playwrights, illustrates how far women have come in the fight for equality in the past 100 years. Tickets start at $15. For more information call 832-463-0409 or visit them on the web at www.mildredsumbrella.com Broadway at the Hobby Center presents Motown The Musical Running through July 26, 2015 Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
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JULY 23 - AUGUST 5, 2015
PUBLIC NEWS
800 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002 Motown The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Tickets start at $25.50. For more information call 713-622-7469 or visit them on the web at houston.broadway.com Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical Running through July 26, 2015 The Ensemble Theatre 3535 Main St., Houston, TX 77002 Trav’lin: The 1930’s Harlem Musical is a humorous, heart-warming story of three couples playing the game of love in 1930’s Harlem. The jazz-inflected score celebrates the music of Harlem Renaissance composer J. C. Johnson and is reminiscent of many well-known, bluesy Broadway shows. For tickets and information, call them at 713520-0055 or visit them on the web at www. ensemblehouston.com
2015 Houston Shakespeare Festival: Macbeth Starting Friday, July 31 through Saturday August 8, 2015 8:30pm Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030 The University of Houston will present Macbeth as part of the annual Houston Shakespeare Festival. Three mysterious witches promise a great future to a worthy soldier, firing his ambition. His power-hungry wife urges him to shape his fate, no matter the cost. But what price must a man of conscience pay to pursue his hungriest ambitions? This is a ticketed event for the covered seating area. Free tickets are available (4 per person over age 16 while they last) at the Miller Outdoor Theatre box office the day of the performance between the hours of 10:30 am-1 pm. If tickets remain at 1 pm, the box office will re-open one hour before show time to distribute the remaining tickets. As always, open seating on the hill. Admission is free. For more information call 281-373-3386 or visit them on the web at www.houstonfestivalscompany.com/hsf/ 2015 Houston Shakespeare Festival: The Merchant of Venice Starting Saturday August 1 through Sunday August 9, 2015 Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030 The University of Houston will present The Merchant of Venice as part of the annual Houston Shakespeare Festival. In the City of Commerce, Antonio’s business thrives, yet he finds himself strapped for cash. In the City of Glamour, Portia’s romantic suitors must submit to a lottery for a chance at winning her hand. At the crossroads of these two plots stands Shylock, whose novel way of securing interest sets them all on a path that