THU 12/18

Houstonians often complain that we don’t have seasons. But that’s not a problem
for Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Joe, who hustle south each winter to enjoy our mild
Gulf Coast weather. Nor do migratory birds seem to long for salty roads and
frozen lakes. A group of endangered whooping cranes — worldwide population,
400 — migrates from Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada’s Northwest Territories
to near Port O’Connor, Texas, every November. They dine on berries and grains
but prefer blue crab (who doesn’t?).For the last ten years, Matagorda Island
State Park and Wildlife Management Area has been sponsoring monthly bus tours
to view the whooping cranes. The birds are easy to spot, since, at about five
feet tall, they’re the largest standing birds in North America. “They are of
awesome size and beauty,” says park manager John Stuart. “Especially when they
fly right above you.” Get a glimpse of them now, because, like Aunt Myrtle,
come April, the cranes head back North. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, December
18. 16th Street and Maples in Port O’Connor. Get there around 8 a.m. For information,
call 361-983-2215. $4 to $8. Reservations required. — Eric Norvell

 

Hoot and Holler

MON 12/22

Rice University athletics finally picked itself up by its nerdy bootstraps
last summer when its baseball team won the national championship. And men’s
basketball coach Willis Wilson believes that this season his boys will dominate
on the pines. “We’re more athletic than ever before; we have more speed than
ever before,” he recently told ESPN. “We have a chance to be a very, very good
team.” The Owls, who went 19-10 last season, have three full-time starters back
on the floor, including Michael Harris, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding.
He’s sure to be on the ball when Rice tips off against Navy this week. 7:05
p.m. Monday, December 22. Autry Court at Rice University, entrance no. 8 (off
University Boulevard). For information, call 713-348-4068 or visit www.riceowls.com.
$11 to $15. — Keith Plocek

This article appears in Dec 18-24, 2003.