Streaking Comets

THU 8/18
In the hoops world, the streak can be your best friend. When you're hot, you're "unconscious," a term ballers use to describe their sudden burst of inexplicable skills. You're faster. You don't leap, you soar. You display sixth-sense court awareness. And the shots just fall. But there's the flip side: Cement weighs down your shoes as opponents blow by you. You make playground-level mistakes. And no matter how close you are to the rim, it's 10 feet farther. Our Houston Comets, four-time WNBA champs, know both sides of the streak well.

On paper, the Comets have the players to win another WNBA title. The team's recent blockbuster trade for Charlotte Sting superstar guard Dawn Staley -- a three-time Olympic medal winner -- is a go-for-broke statement that shows they want to win it all this year rather than build for the future. Franchise player Sheryl Swoopes has been ballin' of late, scoring a career-high 34 points in a recent game against Seattle. But the streaky team couldn't play defense down the stretch and lost the game. Time to step up, ladies. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 18. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. For tickets, call 713-627-9622 or visit www.toyotacentertix.com. Tickets start at $10. -- Greg Barr

Groovy Babies

SAT 8/20
If you think massive entertainment conglomerates don't have kids' best interests at heart, Disney and Sony are out to prove you wrong, spoilsport. "Feelin' Groovy: A Celebration of Health and Swellness" is a touring exhibition that puts the focus on children's health issues (while only incidentally hawking kid-friendly corporate wares). Radio Disney provides "continuous upbeat game show-style activities" in the exhibit, which also includes a medical station -- attended by a huge, costumed Cabbage Patch Kid -- where tots can bring their dollies for a check-up. But perhaps most exciting for today's kiddos is the chance to learn the new Sony PlayStation 2 "dancing simulation game" In the Groove, which claims to somehow burn real-world calories. Hmmmm. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 20. The Galleria, Nordstrom/Foley's wing, 5135 West Alabama. For information, call 713-622-0664. Free. -- Scott Faingold