Subject:

Annise Parker

  • Blogs

    May 9, 2013

    The Super-Fast Hennessy Venom GT Visits City Hall (w/Video Of It Getting To 186 MPH In 13.63 Seconds At Ellington)

    If Mayor Annise Parker endorses -- nay, celebrates -- a street-legal car that went 300 kilometers per hour (that's 186 mph) within the city limits of Houston, then she's obviously encouraging everyone to get out on the Loop and hit triple digits on the speedometer, right? Not necessarily, you'll b ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 30, 2013

    Mayor Parker Not Interested in "Embarrassing Council Members" with Another Food Truck Debate

    Mayor Annise Parker may be with the times on certain issues -- she's certainly adept at social media, for one -- but the City of Houston's current food truck ordinance isn't one of them. Parker participated in a live online chat via CultureMap yesterday afternoon frm 1 to 2 p.m., part of her contin ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 15, 2013

    No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Houston Activists Say New Recycling System is Not the Way To Go

    A day after Mayor Annise Parker jubilantly announced the city had won $1 million by being a finalist in a municipal-improvements contest, experts held a press conference to say the city's winning "One Bin For All" recycling project is bad for the environment. Experts like Tyson Sowell of the Texas ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 5, 2013

    Parker Restores Library Hours Cut In Budget Crunch

    Libraries whose hours have been reduced for4 budgetary reasons will go back to their normal operational schedule, Mayor Annise Parker will announce tomorrow. The city plans to to restore "library hours cut during [a] tough recession two years ago," according to a release from the mayor's office. M ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 11, 2012

    As Presidential Campaigns Rage And Famous Mayors Stump, Where's Annise Parker?

    Last weekend, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was a busy guy. He was all over California, meeting with President Barack Obama, hanging with George Clooney, and getting loads of national face time. Across the country, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg poured loads of money into the U.S. Senate candi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 21, 2012

    Mayor Annise Parker Gives In, Adopts BARC's Dog Of The Week

    Mayor Annise Parker has been busy posing with the bold, the beautiful and the sad animals of BARC in an effort to win a $100,000 challenge by TV's Rachael Ray. Today cuteness, or a sense of duty, or just wanting to help took control. "I confess. I couldn't resist temptation. Took the BARC Dog of t ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 28, 2012

    Annise Parker Tries to Get You to Adopt World's Saddest Cat

    Meet Callie!!! This wee ball o' fire is just about to bound out of Mayor Annise Parker's arms and straight into your heart with all the exuberance of a fun-lovin' furball!! Or, on the other hand, maybe she's the single most depressed cat ever seen. Her eyes: Either a sullen realization that the a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 8, 2012

    Comment of the Day: Annise Parker, Choosing Her (Non-Chick-fil-A) Battles

    We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning or afternoon from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula i ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 7, 2012

    The Annise Parker Non-Factor: Why Did The Chick-fil-A "Kiss-In" Fail?

    It seemed like the perfect mixture for a successful display of civil disobedience: there was apparent bigotry against a robust community by a very conspicuous company. But still, Friday evening's kiss-in to protest Chick-fil-A and its president, Dan Cathy, who has condemned gay marriage as anti-God, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 20, 2012

    Comment of the Day: Mayor Parker's Cowboy Boots

    We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning or afternoon from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula i ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 18, 2012

    Mayor Annise Parker to Appear on Colbert Report Tonight

    In case you hadn't heard, Mayor Annise Parker will be a guest tonight on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report tonight, which airs locally at 10:30 p.m. after The Daily Show. The announcement of her appearance camer earlier this week. It should be interesting to see the interaction between the two. P ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 12, 2012

    Annise Parker Is The Queen Of The Roller Derby

    Mayor Annise Parker visited the Roller Derby Saturday and blew the first whistle. She stayed for both matches, watching the HRD Knockouts vs. Assassination City (Dallas, of course) and the Houston Roller Derby All-Stars vs Arch Rival Roller (St.Louis) Girls All-Stars at the Bayou Music Center.

  • Blogs

    June 6, 2012

    Houston Is Finally Getting Out Of The Crime-Lab Business

    The chronically hapless Houston police crime lab will be no more, thanks to a City Council vote today. Council approved a measure taking the first steps to close the lab and outsource its work to an independent non-profit organization.

  • Blogs

    March 20, 2012

    Check out the Plans for BARC's Bitchen Adoption Center

    Mayor Annise Parker joined other officials in unveiling designs for a planned $12 million adoption center for the historically troubled Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care Tuesday. Scheduled to break ground in October, the initial phase of the center will be funded by $4.1 million in capital impro ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 28, 2012

    New Jail for Public-Intox Arrests Announced

    If you've been arrested for public intoxication -- and it's a favorite charge if you've somehow pissed off a cop without doing anything illegal -- things will soon be different for you in Houston. Instead of being thrown in with the general population at the city jail, Mayor Annise Parker announced ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 23, 2011

    Sundance Cinemas Houston Opens Today

    In a speech at last night's private grand opening party for downtown's new Sundance Cinemas, Mayor Annise Parker expressed sentiments echoed by many Houstonians, saying, "When the [Angelika Theater] closed its doors, it was like a light went off downtown." The Mayor felt the Angelika's sudden and ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 8, 2011

    It's Election Day!! Go Out & Vote!!

    Today's the day​You probably don't realize it, but today is election day. Mayor Annise Parker is running for another term, there's a crowded and interesting race to represent the new Montrose-Heights council district, and an HISD board member is trying to keep his job via anti-gay mailings. ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 14, 2011

    Cigarettes Banned in City Parks?

    Coming soon to a park near you?​First they came for your barbecue grills, and you didn't speak out because you just microwave your meals. Now they may be coming for your cigs. Discussion at City Council today included talk of banning smoking in city parks because of the fire danger brought o ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 15, 2011

    Mandatory Water Conservation: City Buildings Will Be Dirtier, Your Lawn Will Be Browner

    No city windows or cars being cleaned for a while.​Mayor Annise Parker announced mandatory water conservation in the city because levels at Lake Houston have gotten too low. That means you have 72 hours to fix any detectable water leaks at your house, you lazy bastard, and you're limited in ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 8, 2011

    Ramadan Iftar, Sponsored by the City, Draws Hundreds of Muslims

    Photo by Mandy OaklanderMayor Parker backed Saturday's citywide iftar. ​Sealed bottles of water sit on the white-clothed tables before the crowd of thirsty fasters. It's Ramadan, so for one month, observant Muslims like those gathered here at the downtown convention center will abstain from ea ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 8, 2011

    Protest Your Drainage Fee Via the World's Most Boring How-To Video

    The city has announced the procedures it will use to hear protests over assessed drainage fees, and they look like they're about as much fun as protesting your property tax assessment. Worse, they involve watching the above, five and a half minutes of instruction on how to use the "You think you ca ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 24, 2011

    The Top Ten Greatest Gays of Texas

    Here in Texas, we lay claim to some of the most interesting and influential GLBT men and women of our time. Admittedly, they generally get out as fast as they can, but to us, they'll always be Texans. Here are ten GLBT men and women we're proudest to call Texans, especially during this season of Pri ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 17, 2011

    Comment of the Day: He Who Laughs Last

    ​We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula involv ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 17, 2011

    Houston Begins Water-Shortage Plan: Take Shorter Showers, People

    Your lawn, if this keeps up​Mayor Annise Parker announced today the city will be implementing Stage 1 of its water-shortage plan, which calls for residents to make some changes in their routines. Among them: Showers should be no longer than five minutes. Turn off the water while brishing your ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 16, 2011

    Drainage Fee Change: Your First 1,000 Square Feet of Impervious Surface Are Free, Free, Free!!!

    AND THAT"S NOT ALL!!! Well, actually, it is.​Mayor Annise Parker announced this afternoon that she's changing the new drainage-fee structure after a boatload of complaints that the fees are higher than what the referendum ads said they would be. The fees are assessed according to how much sur ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 19, 2011

    Pools And Community Centers Come Under Parker's Budget Ax

    Pool's closed today, and all summer​Eight swimming pool pools and seven community centers won't open this summer and about 750 city employees will be laid off under the new budget proposed by Mayor Annise Parker today.The fire and police departments avoided layoffs. "Developing this budget h ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 17, 2011

    Bon Jovi Rides His Steel Horse to Meet Annise Parker

    Photos by Allison WagonerHouston Mayor Annise Parker and Jon Bon Jovi stand with their autographed plates that will be featured on SEARCH's "Wall of China."​Even though there's a famous APB on him, Jon Bon Jovi met with Mayor Annise Parker yesterday and was not arrested. Bon Jovi has a concer ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 28, 2011

    Royal Wedding: Vintage Wedding Cards, Modernized

    Okay, you didn't get an invite to the big royal wedding. You should still send a card or something, show `em you care. (Assuming you do.) Mayor Annise Parker did! In case you are looking for cards to send over, we found some vintage ones. Naturally, we modernized them a bit. ​

  • Blogs

    April 27, 2011

    Royal Wedding Can Go On: Annise Parker Has Given Her Blessing

    Jessica Michan​Ending months of increasingly frantic nervous speculation by Prince William and (especially) Kate Middleton, Mayor Annise Parker has greatly eased their mind by officially writing a congratulatory letter, the last big hurdle before any Royal Wedding in London. Preparations for F ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 21, 2011

    That SafeClear Tow Will Now Set You Back $50

    Got $50?​Mayor Annise Parker announced a new wrinkle to the city's SafeClear program this morning -- that forced towing of your stalled car from the highway, the one you can't refuse? It'll now cost fifty bucks. Roadside assistance, such as fixing a flat, will be $30. Parker said the city wi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 9, 2011

    After a Lot of Bitching, City Council Approves Adding Two New Seats

    Meetings will get even longer....​It took a surprising amount of bitching and complaining from people who apparently don't like to share the spotlight, but the city council has approved Mayor Annise Parker's plan to go ahead and add two district seats to the elected panel. The city declared t ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 3, 2011

    Parker Gets Very, Very Gloomy About the Budget

    A hard ax a-gonna fall​If you're making a list of "First sentences you don't want to read in memos," it would have to include "There is no easy way to deliver the news you are receiving today." But that's the way Mayor Annise Parker led off a grim summary to the council and city department he ... More >>

  • News

    February 17, 2011

    Third Ward Heat

    Mayor, police grilled on HPD beating.

  • Blogs

    February 11, 2011

    Annise Parker Talks About Her First Love

    I'm From Driftwood, a Web site dedicated to real-life stories from gays and lesbians, has posted an interview with Mayor Annise Parker talking about her first love and a college romance. Parker remains quietly analytical, of course, but still, in recounting how heartsick she was when her girlfriend ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 9, 2011

    Chad Holley's Police Beating Is Subject of an Angry NAACP Town Hall Meeting

    Mandy OaklanderAnnise Parker spoke at an NAACP town hall meeting last night.​Last night around 7 p.m., the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church was packed tighter than a month's worth of Sunday mornings. Hundreds swarmed to attend the standing-room-only NAACP town hall meeting about the recent ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 26, 2011

    Another Graffiti-Removal Effort About to Be Launched by City

    A graffiti truck​The city of Houston will be unveiling a big new graffiti-removal program tomorrow, throwing a spotlight on five new "graffiti trucks" that will cruise the city removing instantly the scourge of street art wherever it may be. The Greater East End Management District has receiv ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 8, 2010

    City Employee's Furloughs Become Un-Voluntary

    Note: Your Houston furlough may not come with kisses​Those voluntary furloughs for city employees that Mayor Annise Parker announced last week? They just became not-so-voluntary. City Council has given Parker approval to impose mandatory furlough days for the last half of the current fiscal y ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 15, 2010

    Red Light Cameras Are Off! Victory For The People!

    Vox populi and all that​The red light cameras that have vexed Houston drivers are now out of commission, Mayor Annise Parker says. The city council officially canvassed this morning the November 2 election results, making official the vote to remove the cameras. Now the city has to negotiate ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 21, 2010

    Scores Of "Unsightly" Billboards Will Be Torn Down, Parker Says

    A victory for billboard-haters​Mayor Annise Parker says 59 highway billboards on the fringes of Houston's city limits will be taken down under a court order from a long-running lawsuit.The signs -- owned by RTM Media --  are in the city's "extra-territorial jurisdiction" and therefore are sub ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 30, 2010

    Best of Houston: Readers Vs. The Staff

    Everyone's got an opinion​The 2010 Best of Houston issue is out, and formally hits the streets today. As always, it contains an eclectic mix of categories and picks, and you readers get the chance to chime in.And when you do, you often disagree with us.Only one can be right, right? You or us? let' ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 15, 2010

    Annise Parker: Only Six Percent Think She's Doing A Poor Job

    Annise Parker: Where are the haters?​A new poll from KUHF and KHOU is out, showing Houstonians are generally okay with how things are going economically.How do they feel about new mayor Annise Parker? Let's just say her ratings haven't crashed as fast as Obama's. Only six percent of those polled t ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 2, 2010

    Annise Parker Praises Shanghai For Its Acceptance Of Gays

    Annise Parker praises Shanghai for GLBT acceptance​Mayor Annise Parker is in the midst of the first big international trip of her term, a visit to China.She's attending the World Expo in Shanghai (Motto: "Yes, they still have World Fairs"), and in a speech cited the city's openness to gays as a so ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 5, 2010

    Eyesore Apartments On South Side Finally Being Torn Down

    Bring on your wrecking ball​Tomorrow is D-Day for the blighted Park Place Apartments at 7410 Park Place. D as in demolition, as the city announced today it has finally won the long battle to tear down the 43-unit complex.Demolition begins 9 a.m. tomorrow."This is one of the worst examples of negle ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 14, 2010

    Annise Parker Touches Down In Oklahoma City For Astronaut Movie Premiere

    ​Last weekend marked the 10th year for Oklahoma City's deadCENTER Film Festival. Since its beginnings as a small, largely local fest in 2000, it has grown into one of the summer's bigger festivals, drawing thousands of attendees each year and attracting filmmakers from across the world.The closing ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 25, 2010

    Annise Parker & Twitter: Break Out The Fail Whale (Updated)

    Fail Whale, thy name is Annise​In her campaign for mayor, Annise Parker promised to be deep into the whole social-media thing.Annise Parker has more Twitter followers than all of the Mayoral candidates combined. In order to maintain this robust network in one central location, the campaign will pu ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 20, 2010

    Annise Parker's Star Wars Choice: She's With The Bad Guys

    City of Houston photosSo that's what Stormtroopers look like when they take off their helmets​ We'll admit freely that we're not the biggest Star Wars fans in the world. Given the fanaticism of some Jedi followers, it's an easy claim to make.But we thought -- and correct us if we're wrong -- that ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 11, 2010

    Annise Parker's First Budget Doesn't Include Major Layoffs Or Furloughs -- Yet

    ​One of the things that Mayor Annise Parker touts about the city's 2011 proposed budget -- released today -- is that it's balanced without any major layoffs in city departments or any mandatory furloughs for city employees. By the end of her presentation at City Hall, however, Parker said that you ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 3, 2010

    Annise Parker Tries To Spin Away The Loss Of Continental

    Leaving on a jet plane......​Dozens of reporters stood cheek to cheek inside Houston Mayor Annise Parker's stuffy press room Monday afternoon seemingly waiting with bated breathe to hear what she would say about today's announced merger between Continental and United.But in truth, there wasn't a w ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 29, 2010

    Annise Parker Is Almost As Influential As Glenn Beck

    Time magazineAnnise Parker's official Time photo, looking stiff but proudly displaying comfortable shoes​Mayor Annise Parker is the 13th Most Influential or 13th Most Something, person in America, according to Time magazine.Time's 2010 list of "the people who most affect our world" is out, and fea ... More >>

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