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Pix of the Day

To celebrate 50th anniversary, Houston company touts importance of reading with book giveaway

Clifford Pugh
May 17, 2015 | 4:46 pm

John Moore normally makes emergency calls to drain clogs, fix sewers or repair a broken air conditioner at homes and businesses around Houston. But to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the family-owned home services company embarked on a different kind of mission.

A large convoy of John Moore technicians in 25 trucks recently delivered 5,050 specially-created story books and teddy bears to 12 area low-income schools. Created for the company, the children’s book features "Buddy, the Home Repair Bear" and points out that by helping others and doing a good job, everyone can be a hero.

Each elementary school child was thrilled to receive a storybook and a little teddy bear named Buddy, the character in the story.

“Many children don't have enough books at home during the critical early reading years. Buddy's story is a way to give these children both a book and an idea — that each of us can be a hero in our own way," said Don Valentine, president of John Moore Services.

--------------------------

Got a great photo of a Houston happening or everyday occurrence? Send it to clifford@culturemap.com, along with details (who, what, where and why it's special). It might make our Pix of the Day.

Excitement reigned among the students at Atherton Elementary School who were surprised with a book and bear.

John Moore book donation and teddy bears
Photo by Craig Hartley
Excitement reigned among the students at Atherton Elementary School who were surprised with a book and bear.
unspecified
news/city-life

Design For All

Famed Texas architecture office opens call for 2026 $20K design grant

Brianna Caleri
Mar 17, 2026 | 1:30 pm
Loro Houston interior
Courtesy of Hai Hospitality.
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A leading Texas-based architecture office is offering pro-bono services to nonprofits in the Austin, Houston, and for the first time, Dallas-Fort Worth areas. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (MHOA) is embarking on its fifth annual Design for All initiative, with applications open now through May 15 at 5 pm.

MHOA is looking for a registered 501(c)(3) located within 50 miles of the approved metros. The nonprofit chosen will receive a grant covering $20,000 of design services; that might include things like a site analysis, a preliminary floor plan, or a proposal for a work plan, according to a press release.

Even if Hosutonians aren't architecture fanatics, they probably know MHOA's work, especially if they're foodies. The office has worked on Loro, Oporto Fooding House, the M-K-T development, the Heights Mercantile development, and other visually-striking buildings.

The goal of the Design for All Initiative is to help local nonprofits deliver more fully on their community work by giving them more functional spaces to work from.

“Working on Design For All projects reminds us why we became designers,” said MHOA senior associate Chet Morgan in the release. “This work serves as a reminder that thoughtful collaboration can unlock new possibilities long before construction begins.”

Last year's recipient was American YouthWorks, which used its grant to update its existing space, which it had "outgrown," according to a release at the time. Other past recipients include Central Texas Table of Grace (2024), Abigail E. Keller Foundation (2024), The Women’s Home and Children’s Assessment Center (2023), and Austin Angels (2022).

“Design For All has become one of the most meaningful ways we connect our work to the communities we care about,” said MHOA founder and principle Michael Hsu. “With our first Design For All project for Austin Angels completing construction this year, we’re especially proud of how the program continues to grow. As we prepare to open applications for this year’s program, we’re excited to meet the next nonprofit that’s prepared to imagine great possibilities with the support of design.”

Interested nonprofits can submit applications through Google Forms.

MHOA offers the following timeline for the process going forward:

  • Call for Entries – March 10
  • Questions due – April 10
  • Q&A posted on website – April 24
  • Submission Deadline – May 15 at 5 pm
  • Shortlist Interviews – June 8-19
  • Partnership announced – June 26

More information about the Design for All initiative, including more specific eligibility requirements, is available at hsuoffice.com.

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