California

California Might Know How to Party, But Morgan Ensberg Ain't Gonna Find Good Mexican Food There

The Rally at City Hall to Protest Proposition 8

Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of Houston City Hall this afternoon to protest the passing of Proposition 8, California's constitutional amendment taking away the right to marry for same-sex couples. Along with the passing of other anti-gay measures across the nation, Prop. 8 made Novembe ... More >>

MySpaced Out: Gram Rabbit Stirs in the High Desert

Gram Rabbit, "California Christmas" In case you're still in your holiday hangover mode like I am, here's one wonderful holiday YouTube video that our gallant Mr. Rocks Off left out of his holiday onslaught. Cute doesn't begin to describe this one. While we are on the subject, high desert California ... More >>

The Proposition

In Houston, illegal immigrants wait to see what hand California's Proposition 187 has dealt them

Wrap It Up

In Houston, illegal immigrants wait to see what hand California's Proposition 187 has dealt them

News of the Weird

In Houston, illegal immigrants wait to see what hand California's Proposition 187 has dealt them

Wet Backs

Can water shortages be blamed on Mexicans?

Resolution Relief

California Pizza Kitchen

Rafael Espinal: Five Wines That Will Blow Your Mind

California Pizza Kitchen

Mail Call

Lights Out

5 Wines That Will Blow Your Mind

Lights Out

Best (Big) Menu

The Cheesecake Factory

Science Made Easy

How to avoid bacteria this summer? Don't eat shit.

Pure Gold

Kaneyama

Price Paradox

Speaking off the toque: Ronnie Berman

News of the Weird

Speaking off the toque: Ronnie Berman

Immigration... and What's In A Name

Speaking off the toque: Ronnie Berman

The Worst Brisket I Ever Ate

Photos by Robb Walsh​Sampling the goods at shade-tree barbecue stands is one of my favorite pursuits. So when I saw a smoking barbecue trailer with a crowd around it in a parking lot on Fry Road just north of the Katy Freeway last Saturday, I pulled over and checked it out. The sign advertised ... More >>

ACL 2009 Day Two: Braving the Rain to See !!!

Photos by Groovehouse​California dance band !!! must have found conditions at Emo's last night slightly more favorable than today's rainy conditions, but neither the rain nor the lack of climbable surfaces stopped them or the fans from enjoying the day.​More photos of the fun are below the cut.

The Uninsured and Language History

Photos by Groovehouse​California dance band !!! must have found conditions at Emo's last night slightly more favorable than today's rainy conditions, but neither the rain nor the lack of climbable surfaces stopped them or the fans from enjoying the day.​More photos of the fun are below the cut.

SPECIAL NAVIDAD GIFTS EDITION

Photos by Groovehouse​California dance band !!! must have found conditions at Emo's last night slightly more favorable than today's rainy conditions, but neither the rain nor the lack of climbable surfaces stopped them or the fans from enjoying the day.​More photos of the fun are below the cut.

Lagunitas Brewing Co.'s Cappuccino Stout

​This week's historical justification for sampling a random beer is also a cheesy metaphor. One-hundred-sixty-two years ago this month, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill near Coloma, California, kicking off a greedy rush West. Today, if you drive two-and-a-half hours toward the Pacific fr ... More >>

"Absolution: Photographs from Eastern Europe"

Roman Loran gives audiences a visual sanctuary

It's Already Broughten -- California Trash Talk Over That Loose Bull At The Rodeo

​Earlier this week the big news out of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo was a bull who got loose.One of the cowboys competing in the rodeo roped him; unfortunately he headed home to California before the local media could talk to him (The cowboy, not the bull, that is.)But a Sacamento televi ... More >>

Houston Company Hit With Claim Its Fish Contain PCBs

​A Houston-based fish-oil manufacturer might be exposing consumers to a harmful carcinogen, according to a lawsuit filed by environmental activists earlier this month.Filed in a California Superior Court, the suit accuses Omega Protein and seven other fish-oil manufacturers of failing to warn cons ... More >>

Man Vies to Be Sickest Child Molester of All

Also wanted to direct Pampers ads.

Special Regional Anti-Mexican Slur Edition

Also wanted to direct Pampers ads.

Respect and Statistics

Also wanted to direct Pampers ads.

Spotlight On: Z Pizza

​On my way home from work I stopped into Z Pizza (4010 Bissonnet, 713-432-7219) to pick up a pie. Z's takes a healthy approach to pizzas by making them with organic, healthy ingredients. Obviously, these hippie pies started in California.

Drive-By Shootings: Texas Is Second Only To California

Better than New York, for sure​For those of you who always get bummed when Texas gets the lowest spots on national rankings for mental health care, children's insurance, and other benchmarks of civilized society, here's a study that puts us at an impressive Number Two: Drive-by shootings.The gun-c ... More >>

Choking Game Claims Another Victim; Our Report On The Scary Phenomenon

Some kids put themselves on YouTube​Media outlets are reporting that a California teen who died entangled in a Bowfflex exercise machine had been playing "the choking game."In the two years since we reported in-depth on the crazy, dangerous, potentially heartbreaking phenomenon the is the choking ... More >>

Jeff Skilling's Son Found Dead

J.T. Skilling: No "obvious reason" for his death​KUHF is reporting that the 20-year-old son of Enron's Jeff Skilling was found dead in his California apartment. J.T. Skilling, a 2009 Episcopal graduate, was attending Chapman University in Orange, California. His body was discovered by friend ... More >>

The United States of Murder: A Map

Illustration by Monica FuentesClick here for larger version and more info​Serial killers and famous murderers have existed almost as long as mankind, we're sure. But as in so many things, the United States may just have perfected the thing. Each state has its own infamous episode, some very w ... More >>

SXSW: The Most Bitchingest Metal License Plate You Will Ever See (This Week)

​But why is it the most metal license plate ever?

Comment of the Day

​Lauren Marmaduke reported this morning on the eastward move of California's famous In-N-Out Burger chain, where it's expected to open at least half a dozen of its burgers stands in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Houstonians weren't bothered by this "snub," to say the least. Take commenter ... More >>

Wine of the Week: 2008 Sawbuck Malbec

​Oh, sweet nectar of the gods: Malbec. That once-forgotten varietal, making a comeback as a cheap red wine, with plenty of depth, that happens to be a pretty good deal in most cases, is the total package - the Angelina Jolie of the wine world, perhaps - minus all those adopted kids and the wei ... More >>

Wine of the Week: Truchard 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir

At $11 by the glass, the Truchard 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir is a great value from one of California's most famous winemakers.

Jamey Johnson

At $11 by the glass, the Truchard 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir is a great value from one of California's most famous winemakers.

Why Shouldn't Mexicans Speak Proper Spanish?

And is Spanglish something to Celebrate?

Wine of the Week: A Cool-Weather Cabernet Sauvignon from California

​When we think of "California Cabernet," the next two words that come to mind are invariably "Napa Valley" -- the AVA (American Viticultural Area) that changed the way the world perceived American winemaking back in the 1970s. Since that time, "Napa Valley Cab" (oh, how I wish people would st ... More >>

Counter Culture

Belly up to the bar for a build-your-own-burger and a milkshake at this California import.

Bodard Bistro's Special Recipe Spring Rolls

Nem Nuong Cuon (Grilled pork meatball sausage spring rolls) with special recipe sauce​If you ask me where to go for Vietnamese food, my response will usually be: "What are you in the mood for?" Depending on whether you want rice, vermicelli, pho, banh mi, family style meals, etc., my answer wo ... More >>

Houstonian Says His Gay Marriage Should Prevent Deportation

A marriage is a marriage, right?​KHOU has an interesting story about a gay Houstonian who is arguing that his marriage to a U.S. citizen should prevent his deportation. Normally a no-brainer, but in this case the marriage is between two guys who tied the knot in California. The man's name wa ... More >>

Wine of the Week: $15 Is the New $10

​"What's your favorite wine for under $10?" If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me that question, I'd probably have about $15. When it comes to wine pricing, you'll often hear wine trade folks talk about "price points," in other words, a "maximum" price that allows us to categorize ... More >>

Fast Times: Burger King California WHOPPER®

Christina UticoneFlame broiled burgers? Now that's a whopper.​When I saw the commercial for the new Burger King California WHOPPER I thought: "Hey, I like guacamole! And hey, I think I used to like WHOPPERS, too!" And since my last experience at Burger King had been so surprisingly positive, I ... More >>

Wine of the Week: Another Oaky Buttery Chardonnay

Photo by Jeremy Parzen.The marketing campaign by Educated Guess wines is one of the most successful in recent history.​Yesterday, after arriving at the Newark, NJ airport from Milan, Italy (where I admired a statue of Leonardo da Vinci across from the famous Scala opera house), I headed straig ... More >>

Wine of the Week: An "Old Vine" Zinfandel from California (Where Else?)

Photo by Jeremy Parzen.The "Old Vine" Zinfandel by Bogle showed judicious restraint in its alcohol content and concentration.​What does the designation "old vine" mean, anyway? And how did it come to be a "brand name" for California wines in the 2000s? Vine age is a key element in the qualit ... More >>

Fast Times: Pinewood Café at Hermann Park

Photo by Christina Uticone​When I grabbed a book and headed out to Hermann Park last week, I had no intention of eating, much less of writing a Fast Times review of the new Pinewood Café. My favorite reading spot is near the paddleboat rental, which is right next door to the café and its lov ... More >>