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Hotel Galvez Book Makes Perfect Holiday Gift

11/22/2011 Christine Hopkins

Book Cover for Hotel Galvez: Queen of the Gulf

For 100 years, Hotel Galvez has been a destination for weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, and family vacations. This personal connection to this historic hotel makes Hotel Galvez: Queen of the Gulf by Gary Cartwright the perfect holiday gift. This commemorative book, published for the hotel’s centennial, is available for purchase online as well as in various shops in Galveston.

Shoppers can find the book in the Hotel Galvez & Spa gift shop, 2024 Seawall, and the following Galveston retail outlets: Big House Antiques, 2212 Mechanic; Bungalow Dry Goods, 2325 Strand; Galveston Bookstop, 317 23^rd Street; Gracie’s, 2228 Strand; Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd.; Moody Mansion & Museum, 2618 Broadway; Murdoch’s Gift Shop, 2215 Seawall; Strand Brass, 2119 Strand; Tina’s, 2326 Strand; and ToLa, 2208 Strand. The book is priced at $39.95 plus tax.

This 131-page, hardcover coffee-table book features both current and historic photos of the hotel and the town of Galveston, as well as a variety of historic postcards. Cartwright tells the story of Hotel Galvez and its significant role in Galveston’s eclectic history. The book includes a foreword by Peter H. Brink, former executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, and color photography by nationally-known architectural photographer Carol Highsmith. The book also includes numerous personal stories and photos from former guests and residents as well as the sought-after recipe for the hotel’s award-winning gumbo. Hotel Galvez Lobby (Circa 1911)

Cartwright is also the author of Galveston – A History of the Island (1991) as well as seven other books. He is most widely known as a long-time writer for Texas Monthly, where he had worked as a staff member since 1982 and has since retired.

Hotel Galvez & Spa, A WyndhamGrand^® Hotel and National Trust Historic Hotel of America, is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. Hotel Galvez, rated four diamonds by AAA, is owned by Galveston preservationists George Mitchell and is part of Mitchell Historic Properties. For reservations, call (800) WYNDHAM -- (800) 996-3426 -- or visit www.WyndhamHotelGalvez.com.

Holiday Lighting is a New Galveston Tradition

11/17/2011 Christine Hopkins

When you think of the holiday season in Galveston, many people may think of the Salvation Army bell ringers, dressing up for Dickens on The Strand, holiday brunch at Hotel Galvez, the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens or even Santa waving a flag on the Seawall. We also encourage you to make the City of Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at Hotel Galvez part of your annual family festivities.

After Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston in 2008, George Mitchell and the Mitchell Family wanted to give back to the community and raise the spirits of residents by hosting a free holiday event. This annual Holiday Lighting Celebration, which is scheduled on the Friday after Thanksgiving, has become a Galveston tradition for many families and visitors.

We invite you and your family to join us on the front lawn of the Hotel Galvez at 6 p.m. for the Fourth Annual City of Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration on Friday, Nov. 25. As part of the evening, Hotel Galvez will be accepting monetary donations for the Salvation Army to help those in need. Throughout the year, hotel staff members volunteer at the Salvation Army and have committed to continue their support by ringing the bell for donations during the event. If you give $10 or more to the Salvation Army you will receive a free Hotel Galvez Centennial poster.

The Holiday Lighting Celebration will kick off with the lighting of the hotel’s 35-foot Christmas tree on the front lawn. Santa Claus will make his grand entrance by horse and carriage. After his arrival, he will visit with children, give gifts and pose for photos with guests. The evening will offer holiday entertainment by the Houston Children’s Chorus, and Bayou City Pipes and Drums. Plus, we know that you will enjoy the Galveston Ballet’s mini-performance of The Nutcracker. Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and Dickens on The Strand’s Queen Victoria also will make a special appearance at the festivities. The event will be emceed by KTRK-TV’s Cynthia Cisneros.

Parents can take their own children’s photo with Santa or purchase souvenir photos from Susan Henry Photography. Inside the hotel, Executive Chef Antonio Rodriguez and his staff invite guests to see the hotel’s holiday gingerbread display.

If you miss Santa’s appearance on Friday, then drop in at Hotel Galvez for brunch on Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 for Sunday Brunch with Santa.

The City of Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration is hosted by hotel owner George Mitchell and the Mitchell Family and presented by Mitchell Historic Properties and Hotel Galvez & Spa, A Wyndham Grand^® Hotel and National Trust Historic Hotel of America. For more information, call (409) 765-7721.

See Images from 1900 Storm at The Tremont House During the August 28 ArtWalk

08/20/2010 Christine Hopkins

People from across the county have heard of the 1900 Storm. While they may be strangers to Galveston many have seen a documentary or read a book related to this catastrophic storm. These documentaries and books often include photos from Rosenberg Library. Now you have an opportunity to see more than 100 photos from this collection and hear from Casey Greene, the head of special collections of the Galveston & Texas History Center at Rosenberg Library.

Rosenberg Library will present The Great Storm: Original Photographs from the Devastating Hurricane of September 8, 1900 at The Tremont House, 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row, on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 6 – 9 pm in conjunction with ArtWalk. The Great Storm presents 102 images during a 15-minute PowerPoint from the Rosenberg Library’s extensive photographic archives of the hurricane. The images include panoramic views of ruin, street scenes, and photographs of survivors and relief workers. These photos are amazing and they really give you an idea of what the survivors had to endure and overcome.

The 1900 Storm is the nation’s deadliest recorded natural disaster. It claimed upwards of 8,000 lives on Galveston Island and several thousand more on the mainland. A storm surge of almost 16 feet covered every part of Galveston. You'll often see markers around town identifying building the survived the 1900 Storm and, more recently, the water line from Hurricane Ike.

You'll also have a good opportunity to purchase a great remembrance of Galveston. Library staff will sell reproductions of historic color postcards from the Forshey Collection. In 2009, Rocky and Sherrie Forshey donated over 700 postcards of Galveston, circa 1898-1930, to the Rosenberg Library. The reproductions illustrate postcards depicting such topics as beach scenes, the Seawall, Hotel Galvez, and other Galveston landmarks.

Rosenberg Library, located at 23^rd and Sealy, suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Ike. The library is currently undergoing a major renovation. To make donations toward the renovations visit www.Rosenberg-Library.org or call (409) 763-8854.

Don’t Miss First Galveston Food & Wine Festival

04/07/2010 Christine Hopkins

The weather is predicted to be in the low to mid-70s and sunny on Saturday, April 17 so I encourage you to buy your tickets early to the inaugural Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival. The event includes a “Tasting in the Park,” from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. following by nine wine pairing dinners that evening. Participating restaurants include 901 Postoffice, Luigi’s Ristorante Italiano, M&M Restaurant, Olympia The Grill at Pier 21, Rudy & Paco, Saltwater Grill, Shearn’s Restaurant, Willie G’s, and Yaga’s Café. Pricing for the dinners range from $62 to $125. Advance reservations are required and can be made on the festival website.

This year, the festival will feature South American wines as well as American wines complemented by live Latin music and entertainment. Mike Dean, president of Yaga’s Entertainment, Inc. and Yaga’s Café, is coordinating the festival.

A wine tasting ticket is $45 in advance or $60 on the day of the event. Only a limited number of tasting tickets are available. Participating wineries include Alamos, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Bonterra Vineyards, Bodega Catena Zapata, Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Dry Creek Vineyard, Flora Springs Winery, Geyser Peak Winery and Montes Alpha. Proceeds will benefit local Galveston charities.

You can purchase tickets at www.Galveston.com/FoodAndWine.

March is the Start of Multiple Free Weekly Events

03/02/2010 Christine Hopkins

As spring approaches, Galveston’s historic downtown district is gearing up for a variety of monthly weekend events. My favorite is Movie Nite on the Strand which resumes at Saengerfest Park, 23^rd and Strand, this Saturday on March 6 with “Back to the Future” at 7 p.m. Movie Nite is scheduled on the first Saturday of the month through October. Bring your own chairs and grab dinner to enjoy these free outdoor movies. If you come every month, you'll start to notice the regulars who arrive early to stack out their spot.

Upcoming movies include “Gone with the Wind” on April 3 at 7 p.m.; “National Treasure” on May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; “Goonies” on June 5 at 8 p.m.; “Top Gun” on July 3 at 8:30 p.m.; “Footloose” on Aug. 7 at 8:30 p.m.; “Rocky” on Sept. 4 at 8 p.m.; and “Vertigo” on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Movie Nite is sponsored by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mitchell Historic Properties and the Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership.

You can also enjoy live music during the monthly Music Nite on The Strand scheduled on the second Saturday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. at Saengerfest Park. Upcoming groups include reggae group Irie Time on March 13; Cajun favorite String Benders on April 10; classic rockers The Convertibles on May 8; The Zydeco Dots on June 12; Irie Time on July 10; Electric Blues Crew on Aug. 14; contemporary country favorite Matt Rawls Band on Sept. 11; and The Convertibles on Oct. 9. If you're a fan of the group you should also consider bringing chairs since there are only a few benches at the park. Music Nite continues through October and is sponsored by the Galveston Island CVB and Mitchell Historic Properties.

The Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership launched a new Market on The Strand in February. This outdoor market is scheduled on the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Saengerfest Park. Also every Sunday, The Lunchbox Café, 213 23^rd, hosts a Farm Box Market from noon to 3 p.m. featuring local farm fresh produce, yard eggs, pasture raised beef, goat cheese and freshly made bread and desserts. We bought some delicious Indian food from Nisha's last week. Make sure you take time to stop in.

Mitchell Historic Properties owns and maintains Saengerfest Park. Mitchell Historic Properties oversees properties owned by George Mitchell and the Mitchell family. For commercial and residential leasing information, visit www.mitchellhistoricproperties.com or call (409) 763-5806.

Time to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Galveston

01/20/2010 Christine Hopkins

Galveston revived its citywide celebration of Mardi Gras 26 years ago. This revival was led by our own George Mitchell and coincided with the grand opening of The Tremont House in 1985. But Galvestonians have celebrated this time of merriment before the Lenten season for 99 years in both private and public events over the years with some breaks during war time.

Hotel Galvez & Spa, The Tremont House and Harbor House provide easy access to Mardi Gras festivities and, in some cases, the parades pass right in front of the hotels. If you want to sport your Mardi Gras beads but don't want to fight the crowds, consider participating in ArtWalk on Jan. 23, enjoying the New Orleans Style Brunch at Hotel Galvez (Sundays) or purchasing tickets to The Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 13.

This year, the downtown entertainment district is free and will feature live bands at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 13 from noon to midnight. Bands are also scheduled on Friday, Feb. 12 from 5 to midnight. Keep in mind that the entertainment district can get a little crowded and people will "beg" for beads from the party goers on the balconies above. As the party continues into the evening this isn't the most family friendly area due to the crowds and alcohol.

During the first Saturday of Mardi Gras on Feb. 6, three parades travel on the city's Seawall - Krewe of Aquarius at noon (14th - 59th Streets); Firefighters Fire Truck Parade at 3 p.m. (14th - 61st Streets); and Krewe of Gambrinus Parade at 6 p.m. (23rd - 63rd Streets). Two of these parades pass directly in front of Hotel Galvez and one starts just two blocks away. The Seawall really allows people to spread out so it's very family friendly. You'll also see vendors selling beads, hats and other items.

During the second weekend of Mardi Gras you'll find that most of the activity is downtown. On Friday, The Tremont House will have the Philadelphia Mummers perform at 5 p.m. in front of the hotel and host a live jazz concert by New Orleans Dr. Michael White and his quartet from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Toujouse Bar. On Saturday, there's a Z Krewe Procession at 3 p.m. through downtown and the Knights of Momus Parade begins on the Seawall, then travels down 25th Street, passes in front of The Tremont House for ball goers and continues downtown. Below, you'll find some more detailed information. Happy Mardi Gras!

ArtWalk

As part of the 2010 Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration, The Tremont House is hosting an exhibit entitled, “26 Years of Celebrations Through Invitations and Doubloons” on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. as part of the city’s ArtWalk. The event is free and open to the public.

New Orleans Style Brunch at Hotel Galvez

Sunday Brunch at the Hotel Galvez will take on a New Orleans flair during the Galveston Mardi Gras season beginning on Sunday, Jan. 24 and continuing on every Sunday through Sunday, Feb. 14, complete with Mardi Gras beads for all guests. This themed brunch is featuring various New Orleans cuisine favorites as well as the popular brunch items and complimentary champagne and mimosas. The cost is $32 for adults; $28 for senior citizens; and $19 for children ages 6 to 12. For reservations, call (409) 765-7721 or visit www.bernardosathotelgalvez.com.

Three Parades Traveling Past Hotel Galvez on Feb. 6

The first parade of the season in Galveston is at noon on Saturday, Feb. 6 with the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius 25^th Annual Parade. The parade starts at 14^th and Seawall Blvd. and passes directly in front of Hotel Galvez. The Galveston County Firefighters Association Fire Truck Parade begins at 3 p.m. on 14^th and Seawall Blvd. This parade also passes directly in front of the hotel. The last Seawall parade of the evening, The Krewe of Gambrinus “Cheers to Our Buds: The Del Papa Family” Parade, begins at 6 p.m. on 23^rd and Seawall and just two blocks west of the hotel.

Free Live Entertainment on Feb. 12

Guests at The Tremont House can enjoy a special preview performance by the Quaker City String Band at 5 p.m. in front of the hotel. The Quaker City String Band is known for their colorful costumes and lively music and has performed in the Philadelphia Mummer’s Parade since 1931 and has been a Mardi Gras! Galveston tradition since 1985. New Orleans native and jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White and his Jazz Quartet performs in the hotel’s Toujouse Bar from 7 to 10 p.m. As part of the evening, Tremont Café is featuring some Mardi Gras inspired menu items. Shortly after 8 p.m., the Krewe Babulu 5^th Annual All Krewe Parade is passing in front of the hotel.

The Tremont House 26^th Annual Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 13

Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebration peaks during The Tremont House 26^th Annual Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party celebrating “A Chinese New Year” on Saturday, Feb. 13. The ball begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $350 per couple which includes an open bar, an extensive buffet featuring Asian cuisine, live music by The Brew from Austin in the lobby and the Dr. Michael White Jazz Quartet in the dining area. Ball guests will also enjoy prime viewing of the Momus Grand Night Parade as floats and marching bands stop directly in front of the hotel to perform. After the parade, ball goers will venture to the after party in the hotel’s ballroom for performances by Chinese cultural dancers Lee’s Golden Dragon Dance Troupe from Houston followed by dancing to the sounds of Eclipse Band and Orchestra. Breakfast will be served at the conclusion of the evening. A portion of the proceeds from the ball will benefit Rosenberg Library. The Tremont House is offering a two-night package that includes accommodations, two tickets to the ball on Saturday, Feb l3, 2010 and parade viewing of the Momus Grand Night Parade For Mardi Gras ball reservations, call (409) 763-0300, email mgreservations@wyndham.com or purchase tickets online at www.Galveston.com/MardiGrasBall.

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