“Vanessa Estrada: Just Kidding Around”
Longtime Houston artist Vanessa Estrada brings her whimsical exhibit “Just Kiddin’ Around” to Koelsch Gallery, which shows kids engaging in the everyday pleasures of childhood. One shows a boy in shorts and cowboy boots with his hands on his hips, standing next to a rocking horse. Another depicts a young…
“Following Huck Finn”
Photographer Logan Sebastian Beck pays homage to the author of one of the most beloved road-trip stories in American literature in his exhibit “Following Huck Finn.” Marking the 175th anniversary of Mark Twain’s birth and the 100th anniversary of his death, Beck made the trek from Houston to Hannibal, Missouri,…
Rocks Off’s Top 10 Favorite Story-Songs
The Internet wants to kill Gordon Lightfoot – back in February, someone started a rumor that the Canadian troubadour was dead. Of course it started on Twitter, of all places, where an offhand remark about a celebrity death will be held as fact. Hell, the other night we killed Tim…
American Idol Meets the Gong Show On Acid at “Come As You Are: Houston”
Houston may finally be celebrating the perfect gay marriage. Next month, DiverseWorks Art Space will be presenting Come As You Are: HOUSTON! – a showcase of original work that couples local performance art with explorations of queer sex. DiverseWorks performing arts curator Sixto Wagan knew that he wanted to spotlight…
Anchor Bay: Judge Gives West Galveston Development Green Light
A federal judge has lifted an injunction against construction of a controversial West End development on Galveston Island, the U.S. Attorney’s office has announced.Judge Sim Lake lifted an injunction that had prevented the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing a permit for the 142-acre development near the Spanish Grant…
Sashimi at Sushi Miyagi: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
This week’s cafe review of Sushi Miyagi couldn’t possibly capture with words alone how vibrantly beautiful all of the sashimi was. Luckily, we’re now running slideshows along with all of our restaurant reviews each week. Have you seen them yet?…
Billy Idol, “Sweet Sixteen” And Wild Women of Wongo
Before “Cradle of Love,” the song that introduced Billy Idol to a generation of ’80s babies (this writer included), the shock-haired singer already had one song about a heart-stealing young vixen under his belt. Since the moment we heard “Sweet Sixteen,” it’s been our favorite piece of Idol’s solo work…
Answers To Rocks Off’s Musical Nickname Quiz
Rocks Off hopes you enjoyed our musical nickname quiz earlier today. We have had a few nicknames ourselves over the years – our dad called us “Boog” after former Baltimore Orioles first baseman Boog Powell, and we were known for years around the Austin Chronicle offices as “Weezer,” which we…
Dr. Michael Brown, TV Star, Arrestee, And Chron Society Page Fave
The Houston Chronicle had the story yesterday about the latest arrest of Dr. Michael Brown, this time accused of assaulting his wife.Everytime the Chron mentions Brown, we think of the 2002 Houston Press story on his druggy, wife-abusing ways (if sworn affidavits are any indication) and the other articles we’ve…
Stirred & Shaken: The Dubliner’s Strawberry Pamcake
If you go out on St. Patty’s Day or New Year’s Eve, you’ll encounter hordes of unseasoned drinkers. They’re an irritating but forgivable element of the high-drinking holidays. But what possesses a lightweight to push it past the point of no dignity before 10 p.m. on an August Tuesday? My…
Margaret Cho Channels Bette Midler on New Album, Tour
Just yesterday, comedian Margaret Cho released Cho Dependent, a 13-track album of songs featuring well-known songwriters like Ben Lee, Patty Griffin, Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Grant Lee Phillips and Ani DiFranco. But before you go and think Cho is leaving stand-up, take a look at some of the song titles:…
Burger King Ups the Ante with New “Pizza Burger”
My friend has a theory that fast food menus are created in boardrooms filled with college students and copious amounts of pot. I’m starting to think he may be onto something. What other possible explanation could there be for Burger King’s latest offering to the fast food landscape, the…
Game Time: Houston Texans — Stats That Will Illuminate Your Mind (and Break Your Spirit)
If you asked most adult sports fans why they follow a particular team or sport, my guess is their answer would be something along the lines of “It/they provide a distraction from my boring everyday life.” In fact, maybe we can get Family Feud to ask this as a question…
$7 at Istanbul Grill and Deli
Where? Istanbul Grill and Deli (5613 Morningside, 713-526-2800) What $7 gets you: A gorgeous sandwich and a glass of water. I stopped by Istanbul Grill and Deli in the Rice Village for lunch with family. It was a scorching day, and Istanbul’s cool interior was refreshing. Istanbul has a small…
Bartender Chat: D’Neta Cavazos of Liberty Station
Liberty Station is the kind of chill bar that makes you want to enjoy a cocktail with some friends while tossing around a bean bag or two. And D’Neta “Jet Setta” Cavazos is exactly the bartender you want to see smiling at you from behind the bar. You can tell…
XXXL Bandit Strikes Again, Earns FBI Respek
Earlier we brought you a tale of the biking brigands, two unrelated Huffy-rolling heisters breaking banks in far-flung suburbs around Greater Houston.Today we bring you the further adventures of their portly polar opposite: the one they call the “XXXL Bandit.” That’s right — that’s triple-XL, people. And we say “further”…
Mullets & More: 17 Signature Musical Hairstyles
If you have hair, Craig’s Hlist hates you. Not in a “you shot my whole family” or “you are the serial killer who dissolved my sibling in a vat of acid” way, more in a “you got the last sausage and cheese kolaches at the office” way. Our hair loss…
The Next Evolution of Dessert?
Americans love dessert. After all, we all want flat tummies — but not nearly as much as we want that bread pudding. Here in Houston we’ve got several exceptional pastry chefs who showcase their skills at various restaurants around town, but what about specialized dessert shops? At one time ice…
Rick Perry’s No Coward, Chronicle Ad Department Decides
See that ad over to the right? The Houston Chronicle doesn’t think you have the smarts to handle it. Or that it would offend your tender sensibilities so much that you would have the vapors and be required to sit a spell. As pointed out in the Texas Tribune, the…
Voyeur Cameras In Female Cops’ Changing Room, Lawsuit Says
It’s no secret that HCC and its police department are going through some tough times. Well, throw another log on the fire. Two HCC employees have filed a lawsuit against the college claiming that officials authorized hidden cameras in a room used by female police officers to change in and…
Five 2010 Albums That Should Be Recalled
Like many other foods you thought you knew, eggs will now kill you. A salmonella contamination has caused a massive egg recall across the country, and it just seems to be getting worse. But, you know something, it’s for our own good. If only other industries were as considerate about…
A Bountiful Breakfast at Fountainview Cafe
The last time I wrote about Fountainview Cafe, I got a lot of flack in the comments section — not all of it undeserved — for talking more about the atmosphere of the old-school restaurant and less about what really mattered: the food. And while there are some things about…
Angry Blue October Fan Appeals Our Ethics To Washington Post
All these months later, and some Blue Meanies (as Blue October fans call themselves) won’t let it go…Yesterday, in one of Washington Post feature writer Gene Weingarten’s hosted chats, a reader wanted to know what the two-time Pulitzer-Prize-winner thought about my angle in the Justin Furstenfeld profile we ran in…
Five Terrible Rap-Related Business Ideas
If you believe the bean counters at Forbes, rhyme still pays and the 2010 hip-hop cash kings (Jay-Z, Diddy, Eminem, etc.) are cashing major checks from their business ventures. But cashing in on rap commercialism is no cake walk. If you have no intention of ever making Forbes’ Cash Kings…
$50-Plus Wine for $10 (And How the Hell This Is Possible)
A friend called about a week ago. She excitedly relayed the details of a Cameron Hughes Wine presentation she had seen at Costco that afternoon. My reply: “That sounds great, but I think you’re leaving something out. There is just no way this guy is buying up someone else’s high-priced…
Harris County Still Buying Cemetery Space For All You People Who Refuse To Be Cremated
Oooooh, cremation: It’s so terrible. How can you possibly shake hands with St. Peter at the heavenly gates if you’re a pile of ashes? Harris County is running out of cemetery space to bury indigent people. So they should switch to cremation, right? You can pack a lot of ashes…
Sampler Plate: This Week In Food Blogs
Each week, we put together a sampler plate of the most interesting links from both local and national food blogs. Know a blog we should be paying particular attention to? Leave the address in the comments section below. Aghastronome: That’s right, Houston’s own Bryan Caswell will be competing on the…
KTRU’s Final FM Local Show – Maybe – Goes Out With A Bang
For more photos from Tuesday, see our slideshow here. In what perhaps can best be described as a rabid celebration of local music, the KTRU studio at Rice University was mobbed with a host of DJs, local musicians and assorted friends on Tuesday night. Already a confined space, the small…
Rarely Seen (Possibly Demon-Possessed) Objects On Display at Menil
Recently opened at The Menil Collection, Objects of Devotion examines the power of objects and our relationship to them. Not just objects in general, of course. We’re talking rare, priceless objects that currently-dead people thought were blessed by supernatural forces–things that kill people in horror movies. The intimate group, selected…
I Wanna Be Your Dog (Or Cat): Back To School Edition
School’s only been in session for two days, yet some teachers are already piling on the homework. This isn’t a huge deal for home-schooled kids, who pretty just much have to memorize which animals God created on which day, but it can be a real pain in the neck for…
Dynamo Talk New Stadium, New Philosophy On Stars
The Houston Dynamo held a press conference yesterday afternoon to update the community and fans on the progress team’s plans heading forward. On hand for the Dynamo were majority owner Tim Leiweke of AEG, and Dynamo Chief Operating Officer Chris Canetti. Topic numero uno was an update on the downtown…
Ten Iconic Musical Nicknames, And 25 You May Never Guess
You know what sucks? Getting saddled with a really awkward family nickname when you are younger and it following you until it takes a frenzied freak-out to stop it. We were once called “Pooter” by our mother until an eight-year-old Rocks Off gave her a terse look right before third…
Taco Bell’s Cantina Tacos v. Laredo’s Taqueria
The advertisements for Taco Bell’s new Cantina Tacos really caught my eye: corn tortillas stuffed with slow-cooked pork, fresh cilantro and onions, wrapped in foil with a lime wedge. I mean, really? We are in the land of taquerias. Would anybody really rather eat Taco Bell then say…Ruchi’s? Fast-food chain-restaurant…
Concealed Handgun Licenses: Finally, Texans Can Apply Online
It’s about damn time: Applicants for Texas concealed handgun licenses who want to apply through the mail can now go on the DPS website to download the application forms instead of waiting to receive the application packet in the mail. Applicants also have the option of completing the CHL…
Random Ephemera: Kat Greece
Every week, Art Attack explores a chance combination of words and the images they yield. With the internet, where people go to find stuff, it’s easier than ever to plug in the pieces and search for a random epiphany. So again, in an attempt to mine the collective super-consciousness of…
Lotus Effect Reacts To HPMA Win Rather… Dramatically
Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group “Artist of the Week,” bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn’t awful? Email their particulars to sheaserrano@gmail.com. Here’s part of a email we received about…
Rice Coach David Bailiff: Optimism On South Main
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Rice Owls football team. In days gone by, it would have been pretty simple. Just expect them to lose.But things have slowly started to change over at Rice Stadium. The Owls have actually been to two bowl games in the past…
Local Filmmaker Captures an Imaginary City (To Some)
While the national debate roils about whether or not it’s a good idea to build a mosque at Ground Zero, a local filmmaker is spotlighting what could be the world’s most misunderstood center of Islamic learning. You might say he wants to “Blow ’em all to Timbuktu.” Mohammed Kamara is…
Rapping Osama Bin Laden, As Portrayed By A Young Child
Every day Rocks Off trolls the tubes of you in search of the best and the worst of musical videos. If you have a video that you think deserves to be video of the day, send a link to jef_rouner at yahoo dot com. Rocks Off has very little to…
8 Common Foods (That Are Poisonous)
Earlier this week, Katharine Shilcutt took a look at 8 foods notable for containing trace amounts of radiation. She carefully pointed out that the radiation in those foods was so negligible, there’s no real threat to you or me unless we were to ingest massive amounts of them. Well, that’s…
Facebook Wants To Consume The Time And Attention Of Teachers, Too
Teachers at HISD schools and across the nation may be facing a bit of bad news this week. No, not that school is starting up, instead, that Teachbook.com (a teacher-specific social networking site), is facing the legal wrath of the Facebook. The social networking gargantuan has filed a cybersquatting, dilution,…
365-Day-Old Wedding Cake
My husband and I recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We ate a lovely steak dinner, reminisced about the wedding (this mostly involved thanking God we were no longer planning it), and toasted our future. We also had a lively discussion about the custom of freezing the top tier of…
Why Do We Kill The Music? Motives Behind 5 Notorious Murders
On this day in 1981, Mark David Chapman was sentenced to a term of 20 years to life for the murder of John Lennon. Why did he do it? Today Rocks Off explores the motives behind the attacks on some of the musical messiahs in our midst, and tries to…
GAME TIME: Houston Rockets – Carmelo Anthony…Make It Happen, Daryl
“Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.” — Bud Fox Since taking over general manager’s duties for the Rockets in May 2007, Daryl Morey’s tenure has been marked more by readying the team for “the big deal” as opposed to going and making it;…
Sam’s Deli Diner: Keep the Change?
I admit to having an enormous soft spot in my heart for Sam’s Deli Diner. Before it moved to its current location at 11637 Katy Freeway, I used to ride my bike up to the old restaurant — anchoring a tiny strip mall in front of a typical, tree-lined Houston…
Last Concert Cafe Not Closed, Just “Handicapped”
Hats off to Culturemap, whose offices are located a few blocks from Last Concert Cafe, for breaking this Monday, but Rocks Off figured our readers (especially those who have ever participated in a drum circle), would like to know as well. The nearly hidden north downtown hippie hideout/Mexican restaurant, where…
New Anti-Perry Ad: Can The Return Of The Chicken Suit Be Far Behind?
Back to Basics, a PAC supporting Texas gubernatorial candidate Bill White, has unleashed a new anti-Rick Perry ad. We’re not sure, but we think they’re questioning the current governor’s manhood. Tell Rick Perry to stop cowering and face Texans like a man. White’s supporters are continuing to harangue Perry for…
Strange Brews: Beer Cocktails
Before I start receiving death threats from beer purists in the comment section, I want to point out that blending beers and creating new combinations is nothing new. In fact, according to Beer Advocate, this kind of experimentation actually led to several varieties of beer as we know them today…
Austin City Limits Festival Releases Preshow, Aftershow Lineups
This morning C3 Concerts, the folks behind the Austin City Limits Music Festival, announced the schedule for the pre- and after-show gigs surrounding the festival. As with this past March’s SXSW, those without official credentials aren’t totally being shut out of the fun. Starting Wednesday, October 6, venues all over…
KTRU Flap Inspires Downfall Parody, Uncle Charlie Poster
As of Wednesday morning, the Save KTRU Facebook page is up to almost 1,500 members, another petition is circulating at savektru.org and Rocks Off has heard that KTRU supporters have already received sizable financial support for a potential legal action against the university. More on that soon, we’re sure. Meanwhile,…
The Green Scene in Fredericksburg
Attention, Houston-area organic chefs, farmers and food producers: Fredericksburg wants you! The annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair, which takes place this year from September 24 to 26, is looking for people to come and demonstrate their own organic food products at the Organic Food Demo Station. Afterwards,…
Future Of MMA Uncertain in Texas?
STRIKEFORCE, a California-based mixed martial arts promotion company, hosted their “Strikeforce: Houston” event at the Toyota Center last Saturday. Among the results, Rafael Feijao unexpectedly defeated “King Mo” Lawal by knockout in the third round, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza won a unanimous decision over Tim Kennedy to capture the vacant World…
Rocks Off Seeking Fall Intern, School Band Photos
If you’ve been keeping up with Rocks Off lately, you know that sometimes some pretty interesting things can happen on college campuses. With school back in session now, we’re looking for one lucky (we think) college student to help us keep up. To qualify, you must be enrolled as a…
Where’s It Hanging?
Summer’s winding down and so is the Houston Center for Photography’s group show “SPIN 6: Spin on Summer.” The exhibit, which takes summer as its theme, garnered a slew of responses, including the multi-colored seahorse shown above, taken by Maria Elena. The exhibit closes this Friday with a swank party…
Bad Cop Lesson #248: Don’t Rip Off The Non-Criminals
Times must indeed be tough locally if Houston police are forced to seek “financial assistance” from the civilian population: A Houston police officer has been accused of stealing from drug suspects and those he pulled over in the line of duty. Matthias Dornellien, 24, was charged with theft by a…
Brew Blog: 16th Anniversary Wood-Aged Double IPA from Great Divide Brewing Co. of Denver
With so many good craft beers in a reasonable price range, we don’t often spring for the $10-plus bottles of uber-high-end brew. But when we spotted the 16th Anniversary Wood-Aged Double IPA from Great Divide Brewing Co. of Denver, we decided to nab it. Good thing. Aged on oak chips,…
Upcoming: Clay Aiken, The Cult, Old 97’s, Smashing Pumpkins, Etc.
36 Crazyfists, Straight Line Stitch, Taking Dawn: Wed., Sept. 29. Scout Bar Clear Lake. Attack Attack!, Emmure, Pierce The Veil, Of Mice & Men, In Fear & Faith: Thu., Dec. 2. House of Blues. Bob Schneider: Fri., Nov. 12. House of Blues. Bright Men Of Learning: Sat., Sept. 18, 3…
Shove This J-O-B: A Mixtape For The Unintentionally Unemployed
In the wake of last week’s announcement that the number of unemployed Americans filing for unemployment insurance has hit its highest level in nine months, Rocks Off figured it was time for a “fuck insolvency” mixtape. This isn’t hyperbole on our part; as we type this, we’re well into our…
Case Keenum: On Every Award’s Watch List
Back during the Cougars media day, head coach Kevin Sumlin was asked about what type of improvement would be seen from quarterback Case Keenum this season. It’s kind of trick question because, frankly, if one looks at the UH record book, there’s really not much room for Keenum to improve,…
Let’s Have An Accurate Social Network Movie
The Social Network, David Fincher’s movie about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg, AKA “The Discount Michael Cera”), opens in October. Virtual fur is already flying, however, over alleged liberties taken by Fincher and author Ben Mezrich (the movie is based on his book The Accidental Billionaires). Zuckerberg,…
Pop Rocks: Let’s Have An Accurate Social Network Movie
The Social Network, David Fincher’s movie about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg, AKA “The Discount Michael Cera”), opens in October. Virtual fur is already flying, however, over alleged liberties taken by Fincher and author Ben Mezrich (the movie is based on his book The Accidental Billionaires). Zuckerberg,…
Chromeo: “Don’t Turn The Lights On” Is Scarier Than The Dark
Every day Rocks Off trolls the tubes of you in search of videos to share. If you have something that you think deserves to be video of the day, send a link to jef_rouner at yahoo dot com. Today’s musical mental mindfuck comes to us courtesy of Mick Cullen of…
Where Are We Drinking?
It might look like a frilly, frou-frou, girly drink, but that’s where you’d be wrong — especially after two of these mighty margaritas. Does this glass and shaker look familiar to you? Think you know where we’re drinking this week? Leave your best guess in the comments section below…
Slideshow: Gaian Gathering at Lucky Strike
Fans of Gaia Online, a sort of geeky, Anime, virtual-reality cousin of Facebook, gathered at Lucky Strike Lanes last Saturday to actually meet each other in the flesh. Users spend countless hours customizing their avatars, playing various interactive games, and messaging in forums, all in the hopes of accumulating digital…
The State Bar Says “No” To Sex With Clients, We Reply With A List Of Sleazy Movie Lawyers
Anyone who’s ever sat in front of television long enough knows that lawyers are better than regular people. They have nicer suits, drive cooler cars, and have awesomer sex — sometimes with each other, sometimes with clients. But apparently that last one can be a bad thing, which is why…
Flora Ryan, 92, Bayou Body Count No. 209
Dean Jerome Wood has been charged in the death of 92-year-old Flora Ryan. Police report that officers were sent to assist Houston Fire Department personnel when Wood caused a disturbance at the scene of a sick call in the 1300 block of Redford. Ryan had been found unresponsive in a…
Melting Food On A Houston Sidewalk: The Movie(s)
How ’bout this heat? Houston has been going through an unprecedented heat wave. Highs have been five degrees above normal for August, with lows only dipping down into the low 80s at night. We’ve had a heat advisory pretty much every day this month, with heat indexes (the “feels like”…
A Wealth of Options at Brown Bag Deli
One of the reasons I enjoy Brown Bag Deli so much is having options. Yes, it’s a locally owned sandwich shop (brought to you by the same folks as Barnaby’s), so you can feel good about supporting the community. Yes, they use all recyclable materials. Yes, the bread is baked…
Bike Bandits Plague Houston: FBI Seeking Duo Of Pedal-Powered Brigands
“Hurry up, my ten speed’s double-parked.”At the outset, the situation couldn’t have seemed more menacing. Right around the time they opened their doors this morning at the Capital One bank on Highway 6 North, a tall, lanky guy in dark clothes and a baseball hat strode up to the counter…
Bank-Robber Chic at Grant Road Wells Fargo
What are bank robbers wearing to the crime scene this year? Saucy jean shorts. The FBI Houston Bank Robbery Task Force needs your help nabbing a depeche mode bandit who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank at 10978 Grant Road this afternoon. According to the press release, the smooth criminal was…
Bun B, Slim Thug, Devin, Chingo: Your HPMA Trophies Are Ready
The Houston Press Music Awards are now just a recent memory. It was only three weeks ago that Grandfather Child got showered with panties onstage, A dream Asleep reminded us how to spell “Tits,” and Chris Wise and Cody Swann got their kiss on in front of the Warehouse Live…
Unidentified Woman, Bayou Body Count No. 208
An unidentified woman’s body was found Sunday morning near the 10500 block of Richmond, just west of the Sam Houston Tollway. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., police received a call about a person being down. When officers arrived, they saw a woman lying in a grassy ditch. It appeared as though…
The Garden at Laurenzo’s
Jeff Hilson is passionate about the soil, the water and even the air that food is grown in. And he’s begun constructing a garden in the back of the Laurenzo’s. Guests will eventually be able to eat vegetables from the garden at tables sitting right in the middle of it…
The Cheeseburger at Taqueria Abasolo
A co-worker told me about the burger at Taqueria Abasolo (1109 Hogan St.), saying it was huge. So I popped by for lunch. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed, besides the fact that I was the only white person in the place, was all the kitschy knick-knacks…
For The Family That Has Everything: FLDS “Prophet” Warren Jeffs’ Sermons For Sale On eBay
If you never had a chance to hear Fundamentalist Mormon prophet/alleged child-rapist Warren Jeffs wax philosophical on such heady issues like marrying your underage cousin and why blacks are an inferior race, now’s your chance: cassettes of Jeffs’ sermons are now available on eBay. Jay Beswick, a child welfare advocate…
Saturday Night: Natalie Merchant At Verizon Wireless Theater
Natalie Merchant Verizon Wireless Theater August 21, 2010 For more photos from Saturday’s show, see our slideshow here. Natalie Merchant must either have always had the patience of a saint or simply instilled it in herself upon deciding to open her current tour with 90 minutes of material from new…
Houston Police Museum Still Open (With A/C)
As if the city needed another niche museum to promote Houston’s great world-class-museum-going pastime, there is yet another air-conditioned room designed for exhibiting stuff. Back in May, the eagerly anticipated Houston Police Department Museum opened its doors in the lobby of HPD headquarters at 1200 Travis. According to the museum’s…
GAME TIME: Texans-Saints — 5 Winners, 5 Losers
I keep trying to tell myself that the results of the Texans’ trip to New Orleans last week didn’t really count. Texans fans everywhere (and my liver) seem to disagree. New Orleans is one of a handful of places on earth that embodies the “too much of a good thing…
Ingredient of the Week: Mache
What is it? Pronounced “mawsh,” it’s also known as lamb’s lettuce. At Whole Foods the other day, a woman picked up a prepackaged container and asked herself aloud, “What’s mache?” I had no idea. But thanks to this story on NPR, I now have a little background to go on…
Now Brewing at Saint Arnold’s: Weedwacker and Divine Reserve 10
Saint Arnolds’s Brewery, at 2000 Lyons, is known for its steady release of fine local beer, but it’s also known for its exclusive limited-run beers designed to keep Houston’s beer lovers titillated. Last Thursday, I went to Saint Arnold’s for the first time to investigate its latest such limited-edition beer,…
Friday Night: Dr. John At House of Blues And Jon Cleary At The Big Easy
Dr. John/Jon Cleary House of Blues/The Big Easy August 20, 2010 In spite of all the BS whining that we don’t “support the local scene” or that we have our head up somebody’s ass, it’s a great time to be a music journalist in Houston. Friday night was no exception,…
Keisy Marquez, Bayou Body Count No. 207
A man leaving a gas station on Friday night made it less than a mile down the road when he was shot to death by a motorist. Keisy Marquez, 28, was driving eastbound near the 10700 block of Bissonnet when someone in another car pulled up to Marquez and shot…
The Great Food Truck Race, Episode 2: Recap
8:00 – Recap of last week’s episode. Damn, this is a long recap! 8:01 – Here we are in Santa Fe with six trucks remaining: Crepes Bonaparte, Grill ‘Em All, Austin Daily Press, Nom Nom Truck, Rajin’ Cajun, and Spencer on the Go. Tyler is still wearing a hideous outfit…
Friday Night: Screeching Weasel At Warehouse Live
Screeching Weasel Warehouse Live August 20, 2010 For more photos from Friday’s show, see our slideshow here. There is a certain amount of baggage involved in seeing a band you’ve loved since high school for the first time, especially when that band carries some baggage of its own. Put your…
Trending: Art Chairs?
Just one week ago we posted some pictures of Aerosol Warfare founder Gonzo247’s vintage Herman Miller fiberglass chairs decorated with his own unique graffiti art. And now, currently on display at Finger’s Furniture near Cullen and the Gulf Freeway, there’s another exhibit of art chairs. Is this a trend? The…
‘Gaians,’ Bowling, DJ Helsing, Oh My! Online Community Hosts ‘Real Life’ Gathering
See a slideshow of the costumes and games. Raccoon and bunny tails. Pirate and samurai hats. Pizza and bowling. Teenagers and snooping parents. Anime and Manga. Virtual versus the real world. And DJ Helsing behind the microphone on behalf of Gaia Online. That’s what Saturday at Lucky Strike in Downtown…
8 Foods You Didn’t Know Are Radioactive
“Tonight, find out why you could be putting your whole family at risk by serving foods high in radioactivity. That’s right, radioactivity. Find out more about this shocking, potentially lethal news here on KEOW tonight at 10 o’clock.” Let’s just go ahead and beat the 10 o’clock news to the…
The Perfect Chicken Wings (For Real)
The only thing better than eating is eating while watching football. Okay, mix a good ol’ American craft beer in there too, and that, my friends, is a party for the ages (or at least for a really great weekend). But what to eat when you are watching football? In…
Unidentified Male, Bayou Body Count No. 206
Murder charges have been brought against Fredy Ramon Lagos in the stabbing death of an unidentified man Saturday night. Police say an argument between the two men that took place at an apartment complex in the 6300 block of West Bellfort around 11:00 PM escalated into a fist fight, then…
A Simple Question This Week: Where The Ladies At?
Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week’s Panel: Nosaprise, Yung Redd, Kyle Hubbard Not Invited: Girls, apparently. Actually, we sent invites for this week’s discussion to Candi Redd, Perseph One, Kenika…
House Of Blues Extends Tax-Free Merch Sale Through 7 p.m. Today
House of Blues has extended its “Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Sample Sale” to a second day, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today in the Bronze Peacock Room. Sales tax for all merchandise, available for as low as $3 for CDs and hats (Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, KISS) or even…
The Week In TV: Even Stevens – Tyler and Slater Ready for Reality
My lawn is dying, we’re creeping into awards season, and as for that other guy, I guess he’s Xbox while I’m more Atari. This was the week in TV Land: • Let’s get down to the reason we all got out of bed today: American Idol. Jennifer Lopez is apparently…
Ching’s Hat Trick Propels Dynamo To Victory
The Dynamo finally got back on a winning track Saturday night as they cooled down the Chicago Fire 4-3. The hero of the match was Brian Ching, who netted a hat-trick in the win for the Orange. Ching first tallied in the 31st minute off of a corner kick. The…
Health. Dept. Roundup
Don’t complain about your adobe — you’ll wind up getting re-inspected on Health Department Roundup. Forgive for the Mad Libs. Let’s get to this week’s rundown: A complaint at Murphy’s Deli (16536 Park Row) forced an August 17 inspection, during which the inspector found an employee not restraining his or…
True Blood: Patty Griffin, Bon Temps Crew Smell A Rat
Alan Ball was known for his masterful use of music in Six Feet Under. He’s lost none of his touch when it comes to his current HBO series, True Blood – which happens to be set in the Louisiana swamps, not terribly far from Houston. Season 3, Episode 10: “I…
The Eight Reasons Your IT/Tech Support Guy Hates You
Working in IT and related fields is a thankless job. The average person seems to believe that anyone working in tech support is just some nerd who must be tolerated when your computer stops working for something that is clearly not your fault. This is particularly true of large corporations, where…
Saturday Night: Young Jeezy And Slim Thug At Arena Theatre
Young Jeezy, Slim Thug Arena Theatre August 21, 2010 Wanna see more pictures from the concert? Right this way. 8:34 p.m.: The PR people said that if the media wasn’t here by 8:30, then they wouldn’t be allowed in. So we got here on time. And now we want to…
Weird Weekly Video: A Purple Mouth Sings Billy Joel
Video artist Eileen Maxson creates little curiosities that seem to pop out of nowhere with no explanation. They’re the kind of odd little snippets you might catch while switching channels (or searching YouTube). But Maxson’s work is almost disturbingly hypnotic. Her videos are like little bits of evidence posted on…
Dear Renu Khator: Use KTRU To Spread UH Sports
Dear Dr. Khator:Now that some time has passed, I thought I would offer up my congratulations on the University of Houston’s purchase of KTRU from Rice. I know that you have probably been hearing from some angry people, but seeing as how the station didn’t even generate enough listeners to…
Where Are We Eating?
Red and white checks on the tablecloths, chubby canisters filled with parmesan and red pepper flakes, black vinyl chairs holding a happy crowd of diners. Think you know this neighborhood joint and the pizza below? Take your best shot. Leave your best guess in the comments section below…
Iris: “Closer To Real” Is Nearer To Perfect
Every day Rocks Off trolls the tubes of you in search of videos to share. If you have something that you think deserves to be video of the day, send a link to jef_rouner at yahoo dot com. Your Daily VJ is one of those people who didn’t really become…
Texas Veterinarians: Horse Teeth Floaters Are Breaking the Law
Who knew that in one week Hair Balls would write not one, but TWO stories about horse teeth floaters and live to tell about it. As we discussed on Thursday, Libertarians rallied in Austin on Friday to protest changes to rules that could negatively affect the career path of horse…
No Offense: Charges Dropped Against Accused Kingwood Flasher
The sucky thing about being a registered sex offender is that, anytime some dude whips out his weiner in your neighborhood, the police are eventually going to look in your direction. Such is the case with Kingwood resident/creepy guy Jose Gregory Moore, who had been charged with indecency with a child in June,…
KTRU Protest Draws Staff, Students From Both Universities
Photos by Brittanie SheyCheck out a slideshow of the protest. At least 100 staff, students, alumni and music fans from Rice University, the University of Houston and Rice’s student-run radio station KTRU gathered on the Rice campus this afternoon to protest the sale of the station to the University of…
KTRU Protest Draws Staff, Students From Both Universities
Photos by Brittanie SheyCheck out a slideshow of the protest. At least 100 staff, students, alumni and music fans from Rice University, the University of Houston and Rice’s student-run radio station KTRU gathered on the Rice campus this afternoon to protest the sale of the station to the University of…
GAME TIME: Houston Texans – Final Practice Report (LIVE from New Orleans)
As we head into the back end of our trip to New Orleans for Texans-Saints Practicepalooza 2010 (also known as the “realizing there actually can be too much of a good thing” phase of the trip), I’d like to take a minute to wish a very happy third birthday to…
Leah White: The Houston Zoo Muse’s Eight Favorite Animal Songs
Rocks Off does not have children, nor do we anticipate doing so anytime in the forseeable future. Frankly, the thought of being responsible for another living creature around the clock both terrifies and confounds us – just ask our cat, Neko. However, we have crossed paths with popular Houston children’s…
This Week in Deliciousness
Welcome back to the weekly roundup here at Eating Our Words, where man cook meat with fire. This includes cooking froggie with fire, which, while delicious, look disturbingly like a bunch of little naked half-people on the grill there. Yikes. Popular night-owl hangout Denny’s caught some praise from us, but…
FBI Offers $20k Reward for “Bayou Bandit”
The Houston FBI wants to get the word out about a $20,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the “Bayou Bandit,” who they believe could have robbed eleven banks in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, since March. Although Houston agents don’t believe the BB has hit any…
Glory Foods Roasted Vegetable Seasoned Cooking Base
During holiday season, I make my own vegetable stock and freeze many quart-size bags to use later in the year. When what I’ve frozen runs out, I just hate to use those stinky little bullion cubes. They tend to do the trick in some instances, but they just lack the…
Eyesore: Re-Purposed Ike-Aftermath Installed at Market Square
It’s hard to see it through the chain-link fence and advertising tarps that surround Market Square downtown, but Houston has received another piece of crappy public art. The brown lump you see above is actually a carved tree stump that’s been removed from Galveston soil and installed at the new-and-improved…
Schoolhouse Rocked: Allegations of Conflicts of Interest at HCC
Things seem to keep getting uglier over at Houston Community College. On Thursday, the board of trustees reportedly held a closed session to discuss an investigation into possible conflicts of interest by trustee Yolanda Flores and former trustee Abel Davila. The two are being scrutinized for allegedly having financial interests…
Ernest Goes to Jail: Accused Trailer Park Child Molestor Gets In Trouble Before Trial
UPDATE: Ernest is going to jail for a very, very long time. After his conviction, the jury took a half-hour to decide on his punishment: life, twice: once each for indecency with a child by exposure and contact. Back in July of last year, an 8-year-old girl who lived near…
Farmers’ Market at Houston’s CityCentre
I’m not even going to mention how stupid it is that the new retail/dining complex located way out on 1-10 and Beltway 8 is called CityCentre. Oops. Anyway, when I heard that a farmers’ market was taking place there on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., I had to check…
FBI Makes Arrests in Sex Trafficking Operation
In Houston, when we think of traffic, we think of road construction and car accidents and general gridlock. It’s annoying, but generally not life threatening.The FBI, on the other hand, deals with trafficking…of the human variety and Friday they made a bust they hope will put a serious crimp in…
Top 10 Old-Timey Burgers in Houston
Sometimes, you don’t want a burger covered with crushed Cheetos or peanut butter. Sometimes you don’t want a burger served under flocked wallpaper that you had to wait 25 minutes to be seated for. Sometimes you don’t want a burger that’s served to you by a guy who’s dressed better…
August 14-20: the Week in Photos
Each week, we take a dip into the Houston Press Flickr pool and see what our talented photographers have been up to. As summer winds down, be sure to add your images to our Flickr pool. They might even show up online. As usual, for more information on a subject…
FAIL: Courtney Love, Joe Jackson, Gravity
Courtney Love Is Not Having an Easy Time of It: First, the lawsuit involving Courtney’s share of Nirvana’s musical rights was settled, most likely for less than she wanted. We have a hard time mustering up any sympathy there, but even we get uncomfortable and sad when we see the…
The New UH Fresh Food Company — Not the Dorm Food You Remember
Collegiate dining usually conjures up thoughts of boring, fattening, borderline-inedible food. But those of us who had to suffer through sad dorm room cuisine will be astonished to learn about the brand new dining concept being rolled out at The University of Houston’s Moody Towers dining hall. Tori Bergerson, executive…
Houston Gets Its Own Street Art Documentary
Stick ‘Em Up! teaser from PR!MO on Vimeo. A local documentary in the works, Stick ‘Em Up! explores the phenomenon of “wheat pasting” in Houston. Wheat pasting is the process of adhering a paper poster to a surface by applying a liquid mix of starch and water with a roller…
Spare a Square: Public Restroom Survival Kit Kills Germs for Under 15 Bucks
When I was only a teenager, I went on a trip with my parents and one of the stops was in Ephesus, Turkey. As I was strolling the what some consider holy grounds, I felt the need to, you know, use the little boy’s room.I located a restroom and made…
Unholy Trinity: Three Ways To Listen To Cthulhu
In February 1928, a man named Howard Phillips Lovecraft, who would be 120 years old today, published a short story to little acclaim called The Call of Cthulhu. A horror story written in a narrative style, the tale investigates a secret cult that worships a strange, mad star god named…
The Five Worst Houston-Area High School Team Names
When you live in Texas, you realize that certain things are sacred whether you like them or not. The Alamo, good barbeque and football are at the top of the list and when it comes to football, nothing is more sacred round these here parts than the high school variety.With…
The Top 20 Iconic Rock T-Shirts Of All Time
When you are young and exploring all the magic that rock and roll offers, wearing a shirt of your favorite band feels like an act of defiance. You want everyone to know who you support, even if the shirt doesn’t fit right or it’s faded. We remember a time when…
Upcoming Events
No big surprise here, but a welcome announcement nonetheless: Houston Restaurant Week has officially been extended until Labor Day, making it — in effect — Houston Restaurant Month. HRW was expected to end on August 21, tomorrow, but will now run through Monday, September 6. A full list of the…
UH Agenda Items May Be Too Cryptic for the Public Good?
Questions continued today about the pending sale of Rice University’s student-run radio station to the University of Houston as Texas Watchdog asked whether open meeting notification requirements were met in the official meetings. According to the Texas Watchdog, attorney Joe Larsen, who is with the Freedom of Information Foundation of…
Post KTRU/KUHF, Possible Houston Mergers & Acquisitions To Come
Rice University and the University of Houston have reached a deal to convert KTRU into a 24-hour white-noise station to help our city’s insomniacs. Fitzgerald’s was just bought out by the guys who made Mango’s a viable venue for the first time since its days as The Oven. It seems…
Friday Meal Deals
Know of more? Please share in the comments. This weekend and next, Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering 50 percent off a bagel bucket with this coupon. So for anyone toting kids around for Saturday morning sports, this might be an option for feeding them. If you’re going to IKEA tonight…
Is the End Nigh for American Apparel?
Rumors and reports have ignited across the internet about the scandalized-and-scandalous L.A.-based clothing company, American Apparel. Wednesday’s Inc. alleges the company is near bankruptcy. The chain of stores has been rapidly expanding over the last few years, including opening stores in 19 countries, not including the United States. Less-than-popular founder…
Roger Clemens Gets His Day in Court
What sports fans have been expecting for over two years finally happened Thursday as an indictment alleging perjury and obstruction of justice was handed down by a Washington D.C. grand jury against Roger Clemens. Perhaps the only surprise from the indictment is that it took so long. We were told…
Trae’s Can’t Ban Tha Truth A Landmark Of Houston Rap
There has not been, nor will there be, a rap album from Houston this year as entangled in storylines and ramifications as Trae’s Can’t Ban Tha Truth. Not even if he somehow manages to release The Truth, the LP that was supposed to usher him into the national spotlight but…
Openings and Closings
It’s been a busy week in Houston’s restaurant scene, with just as many closings as openings. And some of the closings are certainly blows to the small ethnic dining scenes to which they belonged. Miguelito’s Venezuelan Restaurant (5506 Richmond) and Addisaba (7668 De Moss Drive) both closed in the last…
‘Funeral for the Gulf’ Endures Weak Turnout, But Message Is Still Made
A wise Hairballian philosopher once posed the question: If a demonstration happens in Downtown Houston and few come out to participate, does it still happen?In the instance on Thursday afternoon, the answer was yes. Though well intentioned, the “Funeral for the Gulf” failed to draw the turnout organizers expected, but…
KTRU Meeting Confronts Long Odds Of Blocking Frequency’s Sale
“Your frequency is gone.” It was a statement that certainly didn’t make Rice alum and former KTRU Station Manager Tag Borland any friends on Thursday evening. But his pragmatic outlook is probably the most important point of view brought up at Thursday evening’s Battle Plan meeting of the Save KTRU…
Slideshow: Domy Does Dunny
Last night, Domy Books hosted a release and trading party for the “Dunny 2010!” series of vinyl collectable toys. This year’s series includes zombies, ninjas, Vikings, wizards, condiments and even a super-rare “Golden Ticket” Dunny. Some of the artists involved in this year’s series include Frank Kozik, Huck Gee, Jesse…
Five Reasons Your Facebook Friends Hate You
It’s true. Your Facebook friends all hate you. You don’t know it, but most of them hid your sorry ass long ago. That’s how it came to be that nobody ever likes or comments on anything you ever post. But we polled our Facebook friends to delve deeper into the…
Tagliatelle with Truffle Butter
Despite my doctor’s warnings, I love rich, buttery pasta dishes. But I do feel guilty after consuming a large bowl of carbs and cream. Then I was introduced to buttery pasta with truffles. Truffles are like expensive mushrooms, and since mushrooms are said to have medicinal benefits, that must mean…
Last Night: Rocks Off’s Reduxion At Walter’s On Washington
For more pictures from Thursday’s Reduxion, see our slideshow here. What if we threw a free show and nobody showed up? Luckily, Rocks Off did not have to find that out at our first Reduxion at Walter’s on Washington Thursday night. Instead, we found out that the Kinks never age…
Cardinals Mercifully Take Feliz Off Astro’s Hands
I didn’t think it was possible, but apparently, there’s another baseball general manager out there who is actually able to make Ed Wade look smart. But meet John Mozeliak, the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals who, yesterday, actually traded for Pedro Feliz.That’s right. There was somebody out there who…
OB/GYN & Dentist: What, No Proctologist?
A man of many holes apparently works at this Spring Branch clinic.OB/GYN, dentist, what’s the difference? It’s all the same in the dark, amirite fellas? Amirite?…
Chef Chat, Part 3: Heather Vaughan of Chef Heather’s Personal Chef Services
Heather Vaughan is the kind of personal chef you dream of having when you become rich and famous. Luckily, her pricing is affordable enough that even we commoners can hire her to prepare a few gourmet meals at home. And if you’re in the mood to host a dinner party,…
Trade Martin: Stopping The “Mosque At Ground Zero” In Song
Every day Rocks Off trolls the tubes of you in search of videos to share. If you have something that you think deserves to be video of the day, send a link to jef_rouner at yahoo dot com. Now, your daily VJ has been told by the nice people whose…
The Week in Art Photos
Each week, we scour the Houston Press Flickr Pool and see what kinds of art shots our talented photographers have added. If you think you’ve got a good eye, drop your pictures in the pool and every Friday we’ll post the most eye-popping shots. As always, for more information on…
Humana Announces Three Houston Finalists for Grant
Insurance giant Humana has announced the three Houston non-profit finalists for its $100,000 Humana Communities Benefit grant. Recipe for Success Foundation, HOPE Clinic, and Elves & More are all in the running for the grant, which was created to help non-profits “create new programs or enhance ongoing activities focused on…
ExxonMobil Sued Over Alleged Exec’s Anti-Social Behavior
The introduction to a lawsuit filed by a businessman against ExxonMobil and one of its executives says it all: “This case is about criminal and civic disobedience, but this litigation is also about fundamental issues of freedom, respect, dignity and economic and social equality and freedom. It is about acknowledgement,…
Suspension Stands: Texans’ Cushing Out First Four Games
Brian Cushing had better get his training regime in order, because the NFL isn’t buying that “Overtrained Athlete Syndrome” nonsense. Today, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league will uphold the second-year linebacker’s four-game suspension for taking a banned performance enhancing drug.Cushing was suspended in May after he tested…
Separation of Church and Finances: Pastor Swipes $462,000 Through False Investments
Let your minister or rabbi or guru give you spiritual advice, but leave the financial dealings to your broker or accountant. The case of Jeremiah Yancy, aka Jeremiah Glaub, is a perfect example. While the pastor of a church in Idaho, Yancy managed to coax 64 individuals into opening forex…
Nachos at The Velvet Melvin
The Velvet Melvin (3303 Richmond Ave., 713-522-6798) is sort of an odd fellow in the area around Greenway Plaza. Despite the fact that the bar is now nearly an island in the growing population of luxury apartments, it still manages to maintain its dive-y feel, without the actual dirt that…
Walmart Drops Propaganda Mailer, Website for Proposed Heights Store
The battle over whether Walmart will open a new store in the Heights is heating up. Mailers proclaiming “It’s time to clean up this property and put it to work for all of Houston” have been popping up in mailboxes around town trying to convince residents that the abandoned property…
Libertarians Rally for Horse Teeth Floaters
In what is apparently the worst government over-regulation since monkeys were banned from grinding organs for a living (damn you, Organ Grinders Local 182!!!), the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is meeting to decide whether the important job of horse teeth floating will be handed over to, God help…
The Grass Is Greener: As Rice Gallery Scales Back, UH’s Blaffer Forges Ahead
After we reported that Rice Gallery would most likely scale back its programming amidst the news of KTRU’s pending sale to the University of Houston, we wanted to find out the state of the arts over at UH. We figured if KUHF has $10 million to spare on a second…
A Side Lover’s Lament
Stop right there before you head down to comment land at the bottom of the page and write, “You don’t go to barbecue restaurants for the sides.” Don’t even think of writing that — it’s just a dumb thing to say. If barbecue restaurants don’t want to be judged on…
Vanilla Ice And 11 Other Artists Dallas Can Keep
Tomorrow night at 2016 Mainstage, Houston gets to relive its (our?) dark white-rap past when Dallas native Vanilla Ice hits the stage at the venue formerly known Sammy’s On Main. Yes, that Vanilla Ice, from our haughty neighbors to the north who can do no wrong in the eyes of…
Going Gabacha at Taqueria Lo Mejor de Mexico
Here’s a question that seems pertinent in Houston, of all multiethnic, multilingual cities: When you’re dining in a Hispanic restaurant where the staff speaks little to no English and you, as a product of being raised in a multilingual city, speak Spanish, what do you do? Do you (a) speak…
Justin Lewis: Katy Junior High Science Teacher Busted For Kiddy Porn
A Katy seventh grade science teacher has been arrested for possessing and promoting child pornography, the FBI announced today. The cul-de-sac-land home of Justin Wallace Lewis, 40, was stormed yesterday by Houston cops. Lewis was in the county jail last night and handed over to the Feds today. Accused of…
Reduxion: Talking Kinks With Young Girls’ Pete Tijerina
When it comes to the Big Three of the British Invasion, the Kinks were always the Chrysler to the Beatles and Stones’ Ford and GM – up there, but not quite that far up there. Nevertheless, among Anglophiles and songwriting buffs, the Kinks are arguably more revered than either one…
Food Fight: Battle BLT
I hate to call the BLT something so cliché as a “simple classic,” but that’s exactly what it is: a sandwich so timeless and straightforward, it’s just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. Unfussy, uncomplicated, undemanding… and undeniably delicious. A timeless classic, indeed. Although the sandwich was…
GAME TIME: Texans Thursday AM Practice Report (LIVE from New Orleans!)
While on the surface, this is technically a “business trip” for me, it’s really hard to call any trip to New Orleans an out and out “business trip.” I mean, I spent fifteen years in the corporate world, where “business” meant mind-numbing meeting after meeting followed by hotel food and…
Vince Gill Heads Huge Weekend Of Music In Conroe
This one has sorta snuck up on us, but this weekend Conroe is bulging with top quality Americana and country music. The centerpiece of the weekend is Saturday’s writers-in-the-round at the Crighton Theater, which features Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, big-time songwriter Tony Arata and the inimitable Mark…
CAMH Director Bill Arning Talks Basquiat, ’80s NYC
Tomorrow, the new Tamra Davis-directed documentary Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child opens downtown at the Angelika. Based around a never-before-seen 1985 interview of Basquiat by Davis, the film features recollections of the artist by friends Glenn O’Brien, Julian Schnabel and Fab 5 Freddy, among others. Bill Arning, the former chief…
Prisoners Still Can’t Get No Relief from Courts, Rita
In the end, it wasn’t about how awful the conditions were for inmates trapped inside a Beaumont federal prison during Hurricane Rita. To the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, it was all about jurisdiction. Two years ago, more than 400 former and current inmates sued the U.S. government, claiming…
Living La Vida Local at Hugo’s
The last week of August marks the end of squash blossom season at Hugo’s (1600 Westheimer), the restaurant that popularized the edible flowers here in Houston. Hugo Ortega, chef and owner, is sad that another season is almost over. But in his typical, happy-go-lucky spirit, he says, “We enjoy it…
First Play: Scooby’s D. Coleman Mixtape Vs. Lil Ray’s It’s Lil Ray People Vol. 4
Houston exists largely as its own market. As such, the rappers here tend to not like to – on the record, anyway – rank themselves or their albums or songs against each other or each other’s. So we’ll do it for them. The Albums: Scooby’s D. Coleman Mixtape; Lil Ray’s…
Rice Students Protest Planned for Willy’s Statue Sunday
Rice students opposed to the sale of their radio station KTRU to the University of Houston have called for a protest 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, at Willy’s Statue in the quad on campus. The one-ton statue of William Marsh Rice is, of course, famous for being turned around by students…
Brewery Lineup Posted Here: Brewmasters International Beer Festival
This morning I was visited by the Beer Fairy. If you haven’t had the pleasure, just imagine a miniature Mike Ditka, aviator glasses and all, in a non-descript sports jersey and tutu yelling “Da Beers!” The reason for tiny Ditka’s visit: Da Brewmasters lineup. Below is a list of more…
Clemens to Be Indicted for Making False Statements to Congress
Roger Clemens testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform over two years ago saying that his former trainer Brian McNamee had lied about his use of steroids. Today, federal authorities have decided the former Houston Astro pitcher lied under oath and have indicted him on perjury charges.Clemens…
Rice Students Protest Planned for Willy’s Statue Sunday
Rice students opposed to the sale of their radio station KTRU to the University of Houston have called for a protest 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, at Willy’s Statue in the quad on campus. The one-ton statue of William Marsh Rice is, of course, famous for being turned around by students…
HISD Trustees Decide to Trust District VIII Voters, Call For Election
State Representative Armando Walle appeared before the Houston ISD school board today to argue that rather than an appointment, the trustees should vote for a called election this November to fill Diana Davila’s unexpired term. “We don’t like this patron politics,” Walle told the board during its workshop session. He…
Hurricane Ike Gets Into the Act At This Year’s Ten By Ten Short Plays Showcase
Roughly a third of the plays at this year’s upcoming “Ten By Ten” showcase are about Hurricane Ike and the credit or blame for that can go in large part to Fernando Dovalina. Dovalina, who took up playwriting in earnest when he retired from the Houston Chronicle a few years…
What If The KTRU And Fitzgerald’s Sales Were Reversed?
Rocks Off is quite keen on alternate realities, the kind where The Joker is actually a superhero or Spider-Man joined the Fantastic Four. That kind of thing. This summer has seen two of Houston’s seemingly most-stable institutions thrown into complete chaos. First, Sara Fitzgerald turned over the lease of the…
Why Your Barista Hates You
Last week, we explained why you might be getting sorry service when you dine out: treating the hostess like a subhuman creature, whether as a sewer-dwelling mutant with no education or as a hot piece of ass there purely for your carnal desires. This week, we interviewed several baristas in…
Kashmere Reunion Stage Band Concert Tomorrow, Not Saturday
Rocks Off can be a bit of a clod sometimes. In this week’s print edition, we got our wires crossed and listed this weekend’s Kashmere Reunion Stage Band concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre, which you can (and should) read about in this week’s music feature “The Thunder Rolls,” as taking…
Where The Hurricanes At? Weather Guys Say They Are Coming
Each year we are treated to a barrage of predictions from noted hurricane experts about how active a hurricane season we will have in the Atlantic basin which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. This year, the predictions were rather dire with some calling for more activity…
Wine of the Week: Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
Sometimes, being mediocre will get you everywhere. The Louis M.Martini Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t a heavy, complex monster of a red, but an everyday-drinking, middle-of-the-road wine with obvious mass appeal. For a quick and dirty hostess gift, Christmas present or just a middle-of-the-week sipping experience, Louis Martini is pretty failsafe. Think…
Remember The Niceguys’ Green Room EP?
Houston’s history is dotted with albums that, fairly or not, have been swept aside. We’ll examine them here. Have an album that you think nobody knows about but should? Email sheaserrano@gmail.com. The Niceguys Green Room EP (265 Pro/The Pi Group, 2009) You know The Niceguys. If you don’t, read this…
Top Five: Horror Flicks with Cult Followings
Whatcha doing the weekend of August 27th – 29th? Well, scratch that. We’re all going to go see the above movie at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Stop reading and watch the clip. Not enough to whet your appetite? Go read this review, complete with what have to be…
Term Limits FAIL: City Council Rejects Extension Proposal
With immigration, taxes, abortion, religion and terror babies dominating so much of the news, one mainstay of political discussion doesn’t get the love it once did, but it looks like city council is digging deep into the political debate archive and bringing back our old buddy term limits.Yesterday, council rejected…
Vietnamese Pork Skewers
Last week I shared a simple recipe for naked fried chicken. Today I’ll share a deceptively simple Vietnamese recipe courtesy of my aunt and uncle from Austin. What makes it deceptively simple is the marinade. A casual eater would have no idea of the amount of time that goes into…
Last Night: Jack Johnson At The Woodlands
Jack Johnson Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 18, 2010 Check out a slideshow from last night’s concert. The dirty secret about Jack Johnson is that he may be the closest thing this generation has to the iconic singer-songwriters our parents grew up with in the late ’60s to the early…
Sam McGuffie, Ready To Fly At Rice
Sam McGuffie wasn’t very comfortable while playing football at Michigan. He suffered several concussions. He was a bit of a loner. He missed his family. He was a long way from home. All of this was written in various stories after the 2008 college football season. So he was granted…
Unidentified Male, 30, Bayou Body Count No. 205
A 30-year-old man was shot in his Sharpstown-area apartment and made it to the hospital before dying early Wednesday, Houston police say. The victim, whose identity was not released, was in his apartment in the 7600 block of Gulfton when an unknown assailant shot him several times, ransacked the place,…
Cat Spokeswoman Voices Opposition To Justin Bieber
Every day Rocks Off trolls the tubes of you in search of videos to share. If you have something that you think deserves to be video of the day, send a link to jef_rouner at yahoo dot com. The Internet and cats go together like nerds and a lack of…
Archie’s Comic Comeback: File Under “Things Destined To Fail”
(Note: Pete Vonder Haar is on vacation.) Saturday The New York Times examined the attempt by the owners of Archie comic to transform him and his Riverdale pals into “global brands in comics, film, apparel and more.” “We’re at the beginning of the beginning,” says Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of…
Chef Chat, Part 2: Heather Vaughan of Chef Heather’s Personal Chef Services
Yesterday we sat down with private chef Heather Vaughan. Today we continue the conversation. Eating Our Words: Since you spend so much time cooking, do you prefer cooking for yourself when you get hungry or do you like going out to eat? Heather Vaughan: I still enjoy cooking. I find…
Archie’s Comic Comeback: File Under “Things Destined To Fail”
(Note: Pete Vonder Haar is on vacation.) Saturday The New York Times examined the attempt by the owners of Archie comic to transform him and his Riverdale pals into “global brands in comics, film, apparel and more.” “We’re at the beginning of the beginning,” says Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of…
Randall Kallinen, Others Want The New Public Defender’s Office Done Right
More than a dozen local civil rights and justice advocacy groups banded together Wednesday in an attempt to ensure that the proposed Harris County public defender office gets done right. At a news conference, the organizations, which come together to form the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice, offered several recommendations…
O Casamento de Romeu e Julieta
We’re pretty sure Shakespeare didn’t have anything like the romantic comedy O Casamento de Romeu e Julieta (The Marriage of Romeo and Juliet) in mind when he sat down to write his famous love story. In other reworkings of the tale, the young lovers have been separated by race, religion,…
Terra
The show Terra is a display of contradictions. There’s a bit of street dancing here, a burst of modern style there; a shaman’s drumbeat is quickly followed by a classical violin. Somehow, the bits of such varying styles come together to form one surprisingly cohesive and appealing whole. Choreographers from…
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The A.D. Players bring the classic C.S. Lewis children’s story The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the stage. In the play, four children have stumbled into the magical world of Narnia, where the evil White Witch is keeping the world trapped in a continuous winter. Hoping to help…
Paula Poundstone
Paula Poundstone could be called the comeback kid, though it’s a nickname we’re not sure the comedian would appreciate. After a fairly successful career in standup, Poundstone’s reputation as a comic was overshadowed by her career as a criminal. Not that she went out and robbed banks or anything. In…
Houston Ballet:: Three for the Ages
George Balanchine, Igor Stravinsky, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Houston’s own Stanton Welch and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — that’s a remarkable line-up of talents (we would say geniuses, but we don’t like to gush). The repertory program Three for the Ages draws on choreography and music by these giants as well…
3rd Annual Houston Fringe Festival
Here’s a tip for anyone attending the 3rd Annual Houston Fringe Festival. Don’t blink; you’ll be sure to miss something. The fast-paced festival features works that are all less than 30 minutes long. Indie film, outsider art, free-form music, experimental theater and contemporary dance are all on the program. Running…
October Country
The documentary October Country was inspired by Donal Mosher’s photography. The film takes viewers through one year in the life of the severely dysfunctional Mosher family, examining everything from post-traumatic stress disorder to abuse, estrangements to twisted love-hate relationships. 7 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet. For information,…
The Hours
It wasn’t just a lump of putty stuck on her nose that earned Nicole Kidman lots of attention for her performance in The Hours. It was also a bit of fine acting as the mentally fragile writer Virginia Woolf (her performance won her an Academy Award). The film begins with…
“Al Puro Tiro: Bootmakers and Bootmaking in Houston, Tejas”
Animal skins, bootmaking tools and custom-made shoe wear are on display at the HCC-Northline campus exhibit “Al Puro Tiro: Bootmakers and Bootmaking in Houston, Tejas.” Sponsored in part by the Art Education Foundation of Francisco Cantú Medel, the exhibit showcases the artistry of Houston-based Mexican bootmakers. The Spanish equivalent of…
Frankenstein Unbound
Time travel, a classic monster and its creator all make their way into Frankenstein Unbound. In the 1990 film adaptation of the Brian Aldiss book, Dr. Joe Buchanan (John Hurt) is transported from modern times to 1817. Now stranded in early 19th-century Switzerland, he finds Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Raul Julia)…
Houston Roller Derby
The 2010 Houston Roller Derby season has almost come to an end, but you still have time to see some of the last bouts of the year. The Bayou City Bosses are taking on the Spindletop Roller Girls in the first bout, and the Brawlers are going up against the…
“Out of the Cold Refuge”
Claire Richards’s solo exhibition “Out of the Cold Refuge,” currently at the Heights Contemporary Fine Art Gallery (H-Gallery), is a series of paintings that details the struggles of living in a frozen wasteland. The images are based on Richards’s real-life experiences living near the Bering Sea for ten years. 7…
Time to Hit the Books: Back to School Wonderweek
Sorry kids, but summer is over, and it’s time to go back to school. And Time to Hit the Books: Back to School Bash WonderWeek is ready to help you be your best for the first day of school. Dress up your pencils, design cool book covers, redesign a school…
El Prisionero 13 (Prisoner 13) and El compadre Mendoza (Godfather Mendoza)
Fate deals Julian Carrasco an unimaginable hand in the 1939 film El Prisionero 13 (Prisoner 13). A wanton, violent drunk who long ago lost his wife and young son, Carrasco is a corrupt soldier in the Mexican army. He takes a bribe to exchange an innocent man for a condemned…
Bedtime Stories
Natalie Merchant first attracted attention as the dusky vocals fronting 10,000 Maniacs, whose chime-y folk-rock concealed serious subject matter like child abuse and severe depression on ’80s college-radio favorites “What’s the Matter Here” and “Like the Weather.” Merchant left the Maniacs following 1992’s Our Time in Eden, and was perhaps…
Vanilla Ice
You can’t keep King Vanilla down. Dallas native Rob Van Winkle continues to draw large crowds who yearn to hear “Ice Ice Baby” and “Play That Funky Music” over and over again. Personally, we really want to hear “Ninja Rap” from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of…
Like Hell Yeah
A full house came out to Warehouse Live last Wednesday evening for the 2010 Houston Press Music Awards ceremony. Emceed by 103.7 FM’s Johnny Bravo, the evening honored winners in more than 40 HPMA categories as chosen by our readers. First-time winners included L.A. transplant Mike Stinson (Best Song, “No…
Andre Williams
Just how crazy is Andre Williams? The Houston Press asked someone who ought to know: Allen Hill, whose Allen Oldies Band will be backing up the notorious “Black Godfather” Friday in Austin and Saturday at the Continental Club here. “He’s crazier than all the stories you hear, and the stories…
Life Is Beautiful
The Switch is a loose adaptation of a Jeffrey Eugenides story called “Baster,” published in The New Yorker in 1996 and deemed fit for inclusion in the 2001 best-of anthology Wonderful Town. Last week, when asked by The New Yorker’s book blog about the film — which stars Jennifer Aniston…
Bob Livingston
Bob Livingston is a living legend. He was part of the original Lubbock music mafia and, in a timely move, became a key player in the Dallas folk scene that produced Ray Wylie Hubbard, B.W. Stevenson and Michael Martin Murphey. Also an integral part of the musical explosion in Austin…
Hospital mixes up big toe and fetus
Courts A Big Toe Is Not a Fetus Hospital mixed up the two, suit claims By Richard Connelly Amy Ramos was five months pregnant when she had complications and her baby’s heart stopped. She and her husband Richard arranged to bury the fetus, telling the East Houston Medical Center to…
The Thunder Rolls
Kashmere Gardens, the Northeast Houston neighborhood sandwiched between the Eastex Freeway and Loop 610, has been racked with drugs and violence for longer than most people care to think about. Finding hope in, or a way out of, the tumultuous area has never been a simple task. But at Kashmere…
Battle of the Bands
Beyond the bright green door to Room 1018 — the one with the “Support Our Band” sticker — Renford Joseph stands with arms crossed, in the middle of one of his long-winded diatribes directed at a group of kids on the floor. Twenty-one members of the Worthing High School band,…
Ghetto Fabulous
Midway through Lottery Ticket, a teen-comedy-cum-wish-fulfillment fantasy, the movie’s hero, Kevin Carson, goes on a spending spree. The holder of a $370 million lottery ticket that he can’t cash in until after the July 4 holiday, Kevin accepts a $100,000 loan from a local gangster and proceeds to spend it…
The Barbed Rose
Joe Schneider used his mother’s name, Barbara Rose, as inspiration for his new restaurant in Alvin, The Barbed Rose (113 E. Sealy, 281-585-2272). He’s been in the restaurant business all his life. “I was mother’s little helper in the kitchen, and then I ran officers’ clubs in the army for…
Offal Sweet
Mention that you like to eat sweetbreads, or a calf’s thymus gland, to most people, and they’ll look at you as if you’re a little strange. But for some, they have almost a cult status, since it’s so rare to find them on a menu. So imagine our delight when,…
Capsule Art Reviews: “If We Only Knew Now What They Knew Then,” “Jay Shinn: Refuge,” “Kaneem Smith,” “Seth Alverson”
“If We Only Knew Now What They Knew Then” Doilies meet fringe in “If We Only Knew Now What They Knew Then” at the Houston Arts Alliance’s space 125gallery. The show pairs Individual Artist Fellowship recipients Melanie Crader and Katy Heinlein. Crader is known for her deadpan “girly” abstractions referencing…
Billy Idol
If you watch Sex Pistols doc The Filth and the Fury, you can spy a young Billy Idol in his best scene duds right around the time he formed punk pioneers Generation X. Most people forget that Idol is old-school punk elite, with his poppier latter-period hits overshadowing his work…
Wanna Be a Cowboy
The cowboy is the very embodiment of Americans’ self-mythology: independent, rugged, hardworking, adventurous. Nineteenth-century dime novels birthed the cowboy myth as we know it. And those romanticized notions were reinforced by “Wild West” shows of the period, in which actual cowboy characters like Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack performed staged…
Honky-Tonk Houston
Honky-Tonk Houston Online readers comment on “Died and Gone to Houston,” by Chris Gray and William Michael Smith, August 5: That was a great article: It was most informative and covered a lot of ground. I think we are very fortunate to have one of the best songwriters around, Mike…
Honduras in Houston
See images from the kitchen of Honduras Maya Cafe & Bar in a slideshow. “Chingao!” my friend exclaimed quietly but forcefully as he polished off the last of the anafres sitting in the tall clay pot between us, swiping up any final smudges of the refried black bean and cheese…
Capsule Stage Reviews: Art, Fear of Ducks, Leaving Iowa
Art Despite its title, Yasmina Reza’s hugely successful Art, which opened in Paris in 1995, isn’t really about the expensive painting that causes conflict between the three characters who populate this compact little play. It’s true that the stark white canvas that one character pays 200,000 euros for is the…
NOAH’S ARK BAR AND GRILL’S OYSTER SHOOTER
Noah’s Ark Bar and Grill (4438 Boulevard St., 281-339-2895) in Bacliff is salty as hell, in the best way possible. Downstairs, countless cigarettes have infused the walls with a smell we city drinkers aren’t exposed to much anymore, thanks to Houston’s indoor smoking ban. Area residents pack the weatherworn patio…
Wrong on Mormons? Stop Deportation
Dear Readers, As you read this, my trusty burro, pigtailed chica and I are crisscrossing Aztlán researching Mexican food. So now is as bueno as any time to do some housecleaning for the columna. Hay que start with a letter from the Mexican’s longtime amigo, William Lobdell. For years one…
Dr. John & the Lower 911
With yet another unnatural disaster welling in the Gulf of Mexico and virtually knocking on New Orleans’s door, that city’s avenging angel gets ready once again to combat the forces of greed and technology, armed only with the ageless power of voodoo, the blues and his own sly wit and…
Rocks Off Presents: Redux-Ion
The Houston Press’s music blog Rocks Off is test-driving a new concept tonight at Walter’s On Washington, pairing some of the city’s best bands with the catalogs of their most revered artists, the ones who shaped their sound and attitude. The inaugural night brings hardcore kings The Burden covering their…
Screeching Weasel
A lot has been made of the 2009 reunion of pop-punk legends Screeching Weasel — but the fact is, the band has broken up and re-formed numerous times since starting in suburban Chicago in 1986. Snotty, catchy and just sloppy enough to keep it real, the group became a beloved…
