Olivia Flores Alvarez

You Want to Be a Houston Press Intern, Don't You?

You won't be sorry.​There are internships where you sit around and do a whole lot of nothing, internships where you actually do a lot, but "a lot" is confined to coffee runs and making copies, and then there's a Houston Press internship. No matter what you're looking to get into -- reporting ... More >>

Food Interns Wanted

Laser BurnersBoys may apply too. ​The Houston Press is looking for interns with excellent writing and/or photography skills to contribute to Eating Our Words and our other dining coverage. Interns must be enrolled in college presently; this program is for course credit only. You must be able ... More >>

4th of July Cruise

See the fireworks spectacular over Clear Lake from the deck of a yacht

The Parade, The Cook-Off: Can The Rodeo Be Far Behind?

Photo by Olivia Flores Alvarez​You want photos of the wholesomeness of the rodeo parade, featuring giant cans of food, and the debauchery of the rodeo BBQ Cookoff, featuring giant cans all but bursting out of western shirts?You know you do. (WARNING: BBQ pictures might not feature the aforemention ... More >>

Thanksgiving Nightmares

​Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for pumpkin pie, good cheer, sweaters...and loved ones swilling booze and going at it. Yes, Thanksgiving family tension -- if not outright violence -- is a tradition as time-honored as postprandial football. Inspired by this recent article in the New York Times, we as ... More >>

$13 at Raia's Italian Market

Photos by Olivia Flores Alvarez​Where: Raia's Italian Market, 4500 Washington Avenue, 713-861-1042, www.raiasitalianmarket.com. What $13 gets you: We'd been driving by Raia's Italian Market for a while, always meaning to stop but never quite getting there. The steady stream of customers shoul ... More >>

Veteran's Day Parade In Downtown Houston: The Photos

Photos by Olivia Flores Alvarez​Tanks and other military vehicles came down Smith Street at lunchtime today, along with drill squads and a few political honchos, all part of today's Veteran's Day Parade.Hair Balls was stationed right by the Houston Public Library, not that it was hard to find a sp ... More >>

$13 at El Jardin

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezWhere: El Jardin, 7849 Harrisburg, 713-921-3633 What $13 gets you: enchiladas Mexicanas. Corn tortillas rolled in a tomato sauce, filled with white Mexican cheese, topped with more sauce, more cheese, cubed fried potatoes and grilled jalapeño slices, served with refri ... More >>

Upcoming Events

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezCrawfish season is at its close, as noted by Robb Walsh last week, and you can catch the last big boil of the season at Calliope's Po-Boy tomorrow, June 13. They're serving up the biggest mudbugs of the year for $26.99 per person, which includes all-you-can-eat crawfish ... More >>

Why Does The Chronicle Hate People In Wheelchairs?

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezIf you're in a wheelchair, it's almost impossible to navigate the north side of the 800 block of Texas Avenue, home to the Houston Chronicle. There are trees planted in the middle of the sidewalk, splitting the already-narrow walkway into sections as thin as 26 in ... More >>

Tonight: John Egan and Little Joe Washington at Under the Volcano

Olivia Flores AlvarezWord has reached Lonesome, Onry and Mean that Little Joe Washington will be on hand tonight when local blues rocker John Egan takes the stage. And Washington will have his guitar with him, if you know what I mean (wink, wink). Egan, who was featured in the Chronicle's Sunday Zes ... More >>

No More Obstacle Course For Metro Riders

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezEarlier we told you about the obstacle course Metro had managed to create at its bus stop near 290 and Antoine.Today we tell you how the Houston Press gets results!! For you!!As promised, the bus stop in question was been moved from between the cement bench and street s ... More >>

The Power Of Christ Compels You...To Pray At City Hall

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezHair Balls was at the National Day of Prayer ceremony at City Hall, asking a few questions. Hair Balls: Why do we need a National Day of Prayer? Hank, a Prayer Station volunteer: That's like asking why do people need to eat? We have a need for physical food and we have ... More >>

Survivor: Metro Bus Stop -- A Hair-Raising Test Of Skill!!

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezBus riders waiting on the northwest corner of 290 at Antoine have had a pretty hard time getting to their bus stop. After a handicap access ramp was built at the site, the bus stop has been impossible for Metro riders to get to without crawling over a cement obstacle or ... More >>

Shades Of The St. Patricio Brigade: Conjunto Meets Irish At The I-Fest

Photo by Olivia Flores AlvarezConjunto Los Diamentes opened the Roomstore Latin Stage on Sunday. The high-school group came in from La Joya, Texas ("You know where McAllen is?" asks 16-year-old accordionist and music arranger Roger Guerra. "It's a little lower from that.")Since they aren't a profess ... More >>

Flashback: Jade Simmons CD Release at Rockefeller Hall

Olivia Flores Alvarez Houston Pianist Jade Simmons previewed her latest CD, Revolutionary Rhythm, Monday night at Rockefeller Hall.

Aftermath: Impulse Artist Series at Wade Wilson Art

Classical music would have no problem attracting crowds if Impulse Artist Series founder Jade Simmons was in charge. During Monday night's kick-off of the week-long piano concert series, "In Their Own Element," Simmons introduced brilliant performances by Nigerian Sodi Braide, Brazilian Vanes ... More >>

Feel-Good Shopping in Houston

You can make Black Friday more meaningful by putting your shopping dollars to good use at local non-profits and independent stores. Freak out your drunk friends with a set of Ghost Goblets. These hand-blown tumblers feature a wineglass inside. Get these, along with other arty presents, at the Museu ... More >>

Slideshow -- Ike's Still Here

Hair Balls made a tour of downtown and some inner-city neighborhoods and found that evidence of Hurricane Ike's destruction is still very much evident. It's nothing like what Galveston and other beach-front communities are facing, of course, but plenty of Houston  businesses and homes are stil ... More >>

Not So Great News from the Health Department, Worst Offenders Edition

This week’s restaurant report is a look at the area’s biggest offenders. Starting off the list is Plallitas y Mexican Restaurant (3406 Mangum) with 14 violations. (Woohoo, that might be a record!) • Plumbing not sized/installed/maintained properly • Heating/air conditioning/ventilation n ... More >>

Hilton Furniture Giving Away Free Water and Ice (and Yes, Jack, That Is a Fact)

Oh Yeah -- It's 9/11

Remembering Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Q&A with Brazilian Musician Djavan

$13 at Candelari’s Pizzeria on Washington

Q&A: Juanes

Radio Houstoned: Timothy Eric and The Sty of the Blind Pig

Radio Houstoned: Nevada Barr and Winter Study

Radio Houstoned: Kristine Mills at Wade Wilson Art’s Second Anniversary Party

Radio Houstoned: Altar Boyz

Radio Houstoned: Café Tacuba

Well, What Do We Have Here?

Radio Houstoned: Gypsy

Radio Houstoned: Dracula at Texas Repertory Theatre

Radio Houstoned: The Cinema of East Germany

Radio Houstoned: Black Pearl Sings at Stages Repertory Theatre

Radio Houstoned: Silver Screams Film Festival

Radio Houstoned: Remembering 9/11 with Dom Irrera

$13 at La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

$13 at La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

Mail Call

Just for Sports

Free Format Download

Chart Check: R. Kelly

Carrot Hot Dog

SXSW Preview

The Umbrella Man

Bikini Brief

Letters to the Editor

The Hipster's Guide to Rock and Roll Vendettas

And you thought rappers were the only ones who had beefs

¡Viva H-town!

Latinos come to the fore in this year's music awards