Mangum-Howell Center’s free intergenerational programs are part of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s educational and recreational commitment to Harris County residents. Mangum-Howell Center is located in Doss Park at 2500 Frick Road, Houston 77038. Center hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information regarding classes or other Center programs, please call (281) 591-7830 or visit www.hcp4.net/ccenters.
Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Anyone requiring special assistance to participate in any program should contact Mangum-HowellCenter. An adult must accompany children under the age of 18. Childcare is not provided at any Precinct 4 facility and children are not allowed in classes in which they are not eligible to participate.
Please note: In observance of Labor Day, Mangum-Howell Center closes Friday, September 2 at 5 p.m. and reopens Tuesday, September 6 at 8 a.m.
Class sizes are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rhythm Walking
Weekdays at 8:10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Start or end your day with a 2½-mile walk to music in the comfort of the Center.
Puzzle and Game Room
Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out the Center’s new puzzle and game room! Bring your own puzzle, game, cards, or dominoes, or check out one of these items from the staff and enjoy your favorite past time in a quiet, cozy space. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Intermediate and Advanced Quilting
Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m.
Take this opportunity to quilt, share ideas, and enjoy the fellowship of other quilters.
Dart Baseball
Mondays and Fridays at 10 a.m.
No skills are needed to join the dart baseball team—just a willingness to try. A $1 per week suggested donation helps defray the cost of supplies.
Hatha Yoga
Mondays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. (DossActivityBuilding)
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. (Mangum-Howell Center)
A certified instructor leads hatha yoga, a form of exercise based on the belief that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind by controlling breathing and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas. Thursday evening class is led by a volunteer.
Beginning and Intermediate Line Dancing
Mondays: Beginning I Class at Noon; Beginning II Class at 1 p.m.; Intermediate Class at 2 p.m.
Talented volunteers teach popular line dances. A partner is not needed and participants should wear light colored, rubber-soled shoes.
Beaded Jewelry
Mondays at 11 a.m.
This fun and creative class makes custom beaded jewelry.
Tae Kwon Do Martial Art
Mondays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. (Doss Activity Building)
A volunteer Texas state karate champion with a third-degree black belt leads these free tae kwon do karate classes. A white, karate-style uniform is required and may be purchased for $30 at the first class. Cash only please. For more information, call Albert Rangel at (832) 370-7295.
Urban Line Dancing
Mondays at 7 p.m.
A volunteer instructor leads this new dance craze. This class exercises both the body and mind in a fun and exciting way with choreographed steps to jazz, pop, hip-hop, or rhythm-and-blues music. A partner is not needed.
Sit and Be Fit Exercise
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.
This great exercise experience is designed to help people who suffer with arthritis, joint aches, and stiffness.
New Class: Meditation
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
A volunteer instructor covers many different techniques of meditation that help achieve calmness, relaxation, concentration, compassion, a sense of well-being, and insight.
Ceramics
Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break for lunch
Learn how to prepare, paint, glaze, and fire a variety of green ware pieces. A $2 per class suggested donation helps defray the cost of supplies. Only pieces painted by students during class may be fired.
Mangum-Howell Coupon Clippers
Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Doss Activity Building)
Join the Mangum-Howell Coupon Clippers to help them prepare coupons for shipment to 36 military bases around the world. Scissors and coupons are provided.
Beginning T’ai Chi
Beginning Class: Thursdays at 10 a.m.
A volunteer instructs this class that builds strength, balance, and a sense of well-being through various steps of slow, circular, and fluid movements.
Watercolor
Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
A professional artist and instructor teaches the fundamentals of watercolor using a variety of subject matter.
Beginning Sewing and Serging
Tuesdays: Sewing at 1:30 p.m.; Serging at 2:30 p.m.; Youth Sewing at 6 p.m.
A volunteer instructor teaches beginning sewing and serging classes, which cover basic machine stitches, measuring, combining and interchanging patterns, and seam finishing. While the Center has several machines for students’ use, please bring your own serger or sewing machine to become familiar with how it operates.
Beginning Oil Painting
Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Join a professional artist as she teaches composition, design, color, and contrast using a variety of subject matter.
Beginning Line Dancing
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
A volunteer instructor teaches popular line dances.
Woodworking Group
Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. (Doss Activity Building)
These “how to” sessions include designing patterns and the use of different tools. A $1 per class suggested donation helps defray the cost of additional supplies.
Blood Pressure Check
Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
A volunteer and retired nurse measures and records your blood pressure.
Mah-Jongg
Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
A volunteer instructor teaches this fun, popular Chinese game similar to rummy.
Advanced Stamping and Embossing
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Share your knowledge and techniques with others while creating professional-quality greeting cards, stationery, and other paper treasures. A basic supply kit is needed to participate, however, observers are welcome. Note: This class meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
Cards and Dominoes
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Bring a partner or attend alone and try your hand at a variety of card games or dominoes.
Guitar Lessons with Travis Hunt
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
These free lessons are open to everyone and no prior guitar experience is necessary to participate.
Intermediate Knitting and Crocheting
Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Share knitting and crocheting techniques with other seasoned veterans.
Ten-Form Integral T’ai Chi
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Volunteers instruct a combination of exercise, breathing, relaxation, visualization, and meditation techniques.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS)
Thursdays at 9 a.m.
This support group offers nutritional information and encouragement to help control weight.
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Thursdays through November 17 at Noon
An instructor leads this six-month course in which she shares her passion for the Spanish culture and language. No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary. A $2 per class suggested donation helps cover the cost of supplies.
Duplicate Bridge
Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of AmericanStandardBridgein a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Elite Express Cloggers
Thursdays: Children’s Class from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Beginning Class from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Intermediate Class from 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
A volunteer instructor teaches the techniques of clog dancing that is done in time with rousing fiddle and bluegrass music. A partner is not needed. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Beading
Fridays at 1 p.m.
Join this lively group of beaders that create a variety of beaded items such as decorative jewelry, holiday ornaments, and home decor.