“Greetings from Houston: Vintage Postcard Views of the City”
A pictorial history of Houston, from streets filled with horse-drawn carts in the early 1900s to luxury downtown hotels in the 1950s, is captured in “Greetings from Houston: Vintage Postcard Views of the City.” The exhibit shows not only Houston’s changing skyline but the similarities in the sentiments expressed in…
Chuy’s Summer Cocktails
My tried-and-true formula for a successful Chuy’s experience usually goes something like this: Texas Martini + Chips + Creamy Jalapeño Dressing + Steak Burrito = Bliss. When I deviate from this formula, I go for “Chuychanga” or chile rellenos instead of the burrito. But the Texas Martini almost always seems…
Lone Star Seeking Houston Bands For September Brewery Bash
Oh, Lone Star Beer, is there nothing you can’t fix? Bad days at work, unfortunate romantic entanglements, days that end in the letter “y” – there is truly no task that you can’t whisk away with three or ten bottles of your God-sent goodness. You do so much for the…
Gene Green: He’s Got Everyone Wondering What He’ll Do About Latest Clean-Air Toxic-Chemicals Bill
Health and safety advocates will be watching U.S. Congressman Gene Green closely tomorrow, when his colleagues on the House Energy & Commerce committee are expected to introduce a bill intended to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products, such as clothes and children’s bath toys.Green represents folks living…
Red Curry Hot Pot from King Biscuit
I was in the lower part of the Heights and popped in to King Biscuit (1606 White Oak Drive 713-861-2328) for a cocktail and a bite to eat. I ordered a gin and tonic and the red curry hot pot. The dish came out in the cheap red and white…
Fingertip Popcorn
Ask anyone familiar with Chicago’s food scene, and they will inevitably mention Garrett’s Gourmet Popcorn. Locals and tourists alike form lines out the doors of the small chain of popcorn shops to procure huge helpings of Garrett’s famous cheddar and caramel popcorn mix. The salty-sweet combination is seriously addictive. Now…
Lady Gaga Style Tips From Two Houston Experts
This coming weekend, Houston will be engulfed by the Lady Gaga phenomenon. Taking equal parts Madonna, Marilyn Manson, Klaus Nomi and a dash of new-school decadence, the New York-bred star has set a whole new course for pop music and even pop culture in general. Among other things, Gaga is…
Chef Chat, Part 1: Sylvia Casares of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
We met with Sylvia Casares, founder of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, to discuss how she gambled her life savings to realize her dream of a mesquite grill. EOW: As I understand it, you used to have a corporate job and then took the leap into becoming a restaurant owner. Tell me…
Heights Walmart: Lots Of Questions, Few Answers At Meeting
Even though it’s not yet been signed and delivered, Heights residents are already trying to figure out how to deal with the possibility that a big-box monster might be moving in next door.Residents spoke at the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council meeting Tuesday about their objection to Walmart, and as…
Gravitas Not Closing; The Twitter Rumor Mill Continues to Spin
It started with a Twitter update from @jimbo126 this past Sunday, July 18: “Per waiter, Gravitas closing after today’s bruch service. Sure felt like it – out of half the menu and no bread! Out of SALAD DRESSING.” Before long, what was merely an out-of-context statement had become fact: Montrose-area…
Elisabeth Mandala: A Death In Mexico Joins The List Of Tourist Trouble In Foreign Lands
When Elisabeth Mandala, a high school student from Sugar Land, was murdered in Mexico in May, it made national news. The stories, however, didn’t just focus on the death of an American teenager in Mexico, but more about Elisabeth’s secret life outside the suburbs. News agencies referred to her as…
The 15 Most Annoying Ringtones You Can Get
It’s not good enough for a phone to simply ring anymore. Your phone’s ring must say something about you, become an expression of your unique individuality, or, failing that, let everyone around you know that you really, really like that OutKast song that everybody else likes. However, individual expression is…
Glitchville, USA: But We’re Working On It
If your regular Wednesday afternoon routine includes clicking on the Houston Press homepage to see what the new issue contains (and of course it should), you may be a bit baffled right now.For some reason the links to the stories on the homepage aren’t working.We are “efforting,” as they say…
Wine of the Week: Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah
While the history of how Petite Sirah came to be known as Petite Sirah is completely confusing, we do know that it is a varietal that originated in the 1880s and was soon after introduced to California. The other name for this grape is Durif, whose namesake is Dr. Francois…
Game Time: Astros’ GM Ed Wade Is Making His Booty Call To The Phillies
booty call n. (BOO-tee kahl) A late night summons — often made via telephone — to arrange relations on an ad hoc basis. — Urban DictionaryActually, if you look up “booty call” on urbandictionary.com, there are about a dozen different definitions, all meaning about the same thing — when you’re…
Happy Anniversary, Appetite For Destruction
July 21, 1987 began as a day like any other. The Reagan Administration told The New York Times that any discussion of presidential pardons in the Iran-Contra affair were “inappropriate at this time.” Iran announced it would ignore the cease-fire with Iraq unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council…
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. Culture Map: Former Eating Our Words blogger Sarah Rufca dishes up a…
Terry Grier Sticks HISD Principals With $19 Million Bill (Updated)
UPDATE: News flash from Houston ISD: Summer School will go on, just maybe not in the way it previously operated. And the $19 million shortfall may not be quite that high. See end of post. Houston ISD principals are going to have to put their math skills to the ultimate…
Tea Party Caucus: Rest Easy, Montrose — Your Congressman Has Joined This Elite Group
If there’s one part of town we think of when we ponder the noisy-old-people phenomenon that is the Tea Party, it’s Montrose.The `trose is just packed with factually challenged, self-deluded Obama-haters…isn’t it?Not really, of course. The neighborhood went heavily Deomcratic in 2008, as it always does.But thanks to the vagaries…
Top 10 Celebrity Music-Video Cameos
Ratt, “Round and Round” Thursday night, Ratt hits up Warehouse Live with what passes for their original line-up. At their peak, the band was a gritty and decadent alternative to bands like Poison, skewing closer to Motley Crue in terms of excess and drug abuse. The band managed to get…
Homer No Function Beer Well Without: Geeks Who Drink Present an All-Simpsons Pub Trivia Night
Homer Simpson and beer are virtually inseparable. Just take a look at some of his finer quotes on the malty beverage: There are endless pages of them. It’s fitting therefore that the Geeks Who Drink host an annual Yellow Fever night, an all-Simpsons pub trivia challenge. On August 18 at…
Corpse Flower: The Smell Is (Almost) On
It appears the biggest tease since Roger Clemens’ last semi-retirement is over.Word via Twitter, Facebook and webcam (when it’s working) is that the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s corpse flower, the ever-hesitant Lois, has almost begun to bloom.HMNS says Lois has shown “great progress – and it is possible that…
Stirred and Shaken: Liberty Station’s Pants on the Ground
Liberty Station (2101 Washington Ave., 713-640-5220), the latest bar to sprout up on Washington, was designed to be different from the Ed Hardy/woo-girl places that come to life four days a week on the west side of Studemont. “We don’t want any pretentious douche bags,” bartender Shadi told us on…
Footpie, Dread-Free And Jammin’ The Suburbs
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. Footpie is, quite possibly, the greatest all-white three-man…
Unidentified Female, Bayou Body Count No. 182
The body of a partially clothed female was found dead in the 12600 block of Hillcroft Sunday morning.Police say a female witness saw the body in the grassy median of the street and called police. The body, on which identification was pending, had multiple wounds to the body and head.Police…
Brewmasters International Beer Festival
Legally putting on a beer festival in the state of Texas is about as easy as sitting down at your favorite Tex-Mex place and limiting yourself to one chip and one scoop of salsa. Probably not going to happen. Moody Gardens is hoping to change the former — Richard Simmons…
Last Night: Silversun Pickups And Against Me! At Warehouse Live
Silversun Pickups, Against Me! Warehouse Live July 20, 2010 Against Me! opening up for Silversun Pickups would be like the Replacements opening up for My Bloody Valentine in 1991. Except that Against Me! isn’t on the wane of their career and Silversun has way more albums in them than their…
Roger Clemens: Ex-Red Sox GM Jumps On The Steroids Bandwagon
I’ll admit that I’ve taken my share of potshots at Roger Clemens. I’ve tried to rely on matters that have been part of some record, or have some evidence for support, like The Mitchell Report, Clemens’ public statements, and things said to Congressional investigators. I believe Brian McNamee. The guy…
Want To See U2 Tonight?
Sorry, can’t help you there. For that you’d need a passport – and a time machine, because the Irish supergroup’s next concert isn’t until August 5 in Turin, Italy’s Stadio Olimpico. Instead, you can either head over to U2.com to sign up for tickets for the postponed/rescheduled second North American…
BP Oil Spill: Tunes For Turtles This Weekend
Since the BP oil spill began 8,427 days ago, we’ve heard about how the catastrophe has endangered the welfare of birds, fishermen, tourist shops, and at least one British dickhead CEO, but there hasn’t been much said about our society’s most vulnerable — Gulf Coast sea turtles.Until now, that is: On Sunday…
EaDo Gets Epicurean
As the push continues to create an urban residential and entertainment district in EaDo (short for “east of Downtown”) out of the ashes of old Chinatown, Anthony Wegmann — owner of EaDo establishments Lucky’s Pub and Cork Soakers — noticed that there was a vital component missing in the gentrifying…
Mechanical Boy: What They Taught Us About Sex
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. Day three of Houston Week here at the daily video. Hump day,…
Sports Illustrated’s 10 Strangest Covers Of The `60s
We all know Sports Illustrated, for decades the leading athletic magazine around. Even in its heyday, though, editors felt the need to be hip and edgy.Sometimes.Or maybe they just did a lot of drugs in the Time-Life offices, and occasionally the boss who was supposed to stop terrible cover ideas…
Curve’s Franco Stevens: Five Top Moments Of The Iconic Lesbian Magazine
Photo by Paula BeltránFranco Stevens and Jen Rainin. See a slideshowFounder Franco Stevens is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic national lesbian publication, Curve Magazine, and along with her wife Jen Rainin, brought the party to Houston this weekend. Stevens and Rainin joined Mayor Annise Parker’s Sustainability Director Laura…
The Shameless Chef: Make Your Own Damn Salsa
I gotta be honest with you, the column almost didn’t happen today. I think I came down with something, because I slept about 20 hours yesterday. No lie, I passed out around 5:30 p.m., woke up about a half hour past midnight, then passed out again around 4:30 a.m. and…
Bobby Heugel’s Weekly Cocktail: The Bee’s Knees
This week’s cocktail is the Bee’s Knees – both figuratively and literally. The phrase “the bees knees” appeared at some point in the 1920s as an allusion to the prized pollen carried by bees in sacs located on their legs. The cocktail itself originated during the same period as a…
Metro: No Ads On Buses, Despite (Or Because Of) Tough Economic Times
Anyone who has taken mass transit in most major cities knows one thing: There are a ton of ads on the buses and trains.Not in Houston, though. And that policy won’t change anytime soon, even though one study showed Metro could get “tens of millions of dollars” over 15 years…
Dreyer’s Limited-Edition Root Beer Float Ice Cream
I usually mock products self-consciously designed to taste like a completely different food medium, e.g., Blueberry Muffin Pop-Tarts. (Are people so conflicted that they can’t decide between blueberry muffin and a regular Pop-Tart?). But once again, the phrase “limited edition” led to me to violate my own scruples. This past…
Music Award Nominee MP3s: The New Batch
Rocks Off hopes you have been voting in this year’s Houston Press Music Awards so far, but if you’re the stubborn Luddite sort, the ballot will be on page 49 of the print issue that hits newsstands tomorrow or Thursday, depending on how far out you live. Rocks Off thinks…
George Russell & Wesley Altom: Environmentalist, Cop File Lawsuits Over Incident
Strangeness is brewing in Hunstville and surrounding Walker County. And the main players seem to be the city council, a former city police officer, prosecutors at the DA’s office, and a zealot environmentalist who once made eyes at the Governor’s Mansion.Conspiracies and lawsuits are afoot. They involved retaliatory firings, false,…
Recipe: Polenta Taragna
Today I’m expressing my Italian side with an Italian polenta. This is because I love cornmeal, and also because I enjoy speaking with a fake Italian accent while cooking Italian dishes. I believe the louder one speaks with his or her best Italian accent while cooking Italian food, the better…
Johnny Depp Narrates When You’re Strange: A Film About the Doors
Featuring stage and studio footage (much of it rare) as well as home movies and photos, When You’re Strange tells the history of the Doors and their music with fan/narrator Johnny Depp. But with all respect to John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek – whose organ/keyboard sound, for Eyeballin’,…
Game Time: Hey, I Interviewed Michael K. Williams (“Omar” from The Wire), and Here It Is! (w/ audio and video)
I know I’m supposed to be a “sports guy” on this blog, that’s my assigned purpose in this here blogosphere, and for the most part I adhere to it (the occasional Sopranos post notwithstanding).But sometimes you have to call an audible, and ask yourself, “If I were a reader would…
New Offerings from Big Daddy
When you decide to put Ass Burn in the name of your hot sauce company, you better have a tasty product. If people take the risk of getting a burning ass, then they better also get the reward of spicy, vinegary goodness for their troubles. Big Daddy Trevi and Big…
R.I.P. James Gammon, Urban Cowboy’s Steve Strange
James Gammon, popular character actor from the Major League baseball-movie series and of course Urban Cowboy, died last Friday of cancer in Costa Mesa, Calif. He was 70. Rocks Off has been spotlighting Urban Cowboy this past month for the Houston-based film’s 30th anniversary. Gammon’s character, ex-rodeo star Steve Strange,…
Houston, You’re Not Gay Enough, Survey Finds
Although Houston is the biggest city in the country with an openly gay mayor and the launching pad for the landmark Lawrence v. Texas case, we’re just not queer enough for some people: The latest Gay/Lesbian Index rankings of the top 20 gayest cities includes Austin and Dallas — freakin’ Dallas…
Brew Blog: Magic Hat Brewing Co.
Magic Hat Brewing Co. (of South Burlington, Vermont) unloaded some schwag at our offices a while back, and we’re just not wired to pass that sort of thing up. The generously donated trio of brews (only one of which we sample for you today) is part of Magic Hat’s “Odd…
Ceviche Throwdown: Hauling In a Catch for Gulf Fishermen
Last night’s Ceviche Throwdown was the sixth and easily the most successful that the Houston Chowhounds have thrown to date, and not just because of the sheer volume of raw fish being prepped by the 11 participating chefs. This competition had an additional component never before seen at other throwdowns:…
Ten Songs We’d Rather Not Have Played At Our Funeral
Last week, as Rocks Off was driving home from the River Oaks area, we drove by a gnarly accident on Shepherd between West Alabama and Richmond. The scene was what one would expect: A cop car, two tow trucks, an ambulance and a totaled Volkswagen Jetta. Although, from what we…
Orlando Sanchez: Harris County Treasurer, Devoted Glamour Reader?
Orlando Sanchez, tired of getting whomped in hopeless races for mayor, won the Harris County Treasurer’s job in 2006, a job that personifies the phrase “no heavy lifting.”The do-nothing office has been abolished in other Texas counties; for years former KPRC crime reporter Jack Cato carved out a nice semi-retirement…
5 Crazy Ways to Diet
5. Deal-a-Meal: Reasons it’s crazy – a.) it involves Richard Simmons, and b.) it involves Richard Simmons. Aside from its affiliation with the spandexed, hyperactive little man, Deal-a-Meal allowed you to “buy” your food by moving color-coded cards from one side of your special diet wallet to the other. Certain…
The Five Greatest Rap-A-Lot Album Covers Ever
Rap-A-Lot has churned out a kabillion albums from its rap assembly line over the last two decades. But only a handful of those albums made an indelible impression on us for their visual dimension. We picked these covers for their originality, impact, and ability to scar unsuspecting viewers. 5. Bun…
Relana Gerami: League City Teacher Finds The Neon Lights Are Indeed Bright On Broadway
Relani Gerami during one of the workshopsSize, or at least, the size of the stage a performer commands does matter: Relana Gerami spent the weekend doing what she loves, talking musical-theater shop, but instead of doing it with her middle school students in League City, Texas, she was doing it…
Mr. Pelon Pelo Rico and Mangoper Candies
In the mood for sweet yet spicy little things? Suck on these. Mr. Pelon Pelo Rico invites you to suck on its head so you can make its sweet tamarind hair grow. If sucking the head of a fat, plastic, lipstick-looking thing doesn’t appeal to you, there is another way…
Preemo: HPMA Nominee Gives A Few Awards Of His Own
The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place -lots of times, you’re even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good- so once a week we’re going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask…
Jeff Bagwell: An Astro Who Actually Cares About Baserunning
I don’t care what Jeff Bagwell does as a hitting coach. He may turn out to be an even bigger flop that Sean Berry and I won’t care. That’s because Bagwell has taken it up on himself to do something with the team besides teaching Hunter Pence the strike zone.Yes,…
Upcoming: Apples In Stereo, Black Angels, Spearhead, Vaselines, Etc.
Amy Grant: Tue., Sept. 28. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. The Apples In Stereo: Sun., Nov. 7. Walter’s on Washington. Azure Ray: Fri., Oct. 15. Walter’s on Washington. Behemoth: Tue., Nov. 23. Warehouse Live. Black Angels, Black Mountain: Wed., Nov. 17. Warehouse Live. Blonde Redhead: Mon., Nov. 29. Warehouse…
Hungry Farmer Bar-B-Q
While lost somewhere on Crosstimbers, I pulled into The Hungry Farmer Bar-B-Q (40 East Crosstimbers, 713-697-4874). It just looked like my kinda place, the kinda joint that has been there for a hundred years and has chicken-fried-steak sandwiches. I was right about the CFS sandwiches, but I think Hungry Farmer…
When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong: Acoustic Edition
Dave Chapelle teaches us that the art of “keeping it real” may sometimes go awry. According to urbandictionary.com, this occurs when “in the act of keeping it real, the outcome is unexpected and usually has a negative effect on the individual who decided to keep it real.” Singer-songwriters are not…
Brittanie Shey: New Web Editor At The Houston Press
Brittanie Shey, a frequent travel and music blogger for the Houston Press, has been named the publication’s new Web Editor. She fills the role vacated by Katharine Shilcutt, who is moving to Food Critic.Shey is an experienced blogger, social media expert and traveler. She studied journalism at Oklahoma State University…
Pop Rocks: A Modest Proposal — Hollywood, Keep Your Clothes On
I’m not sure when the thought first occurred to me, maybe it was as I was perusing the latest set of topless Jennifer Aniston photos, or perhaps the umpteenth PG-13 pictorial featuring another Z=level celebrity (almost) getting her goodies out, but I finally reached my saturation point. The ubiquity of…
Houston Is An Ant City
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. Welcome to the second day of Houston Week here on the daily…
Where Are We Drinking?
That’s not a buttery chardonnay. That’s the most generous pour of Eiswein we’ve ever seen in our lives. Can you guess which bar got a little pour-happy with the vin de glace? Think you know where we’re drinking this week? Leave your best guess in the comments section below…
Coyotes In Montrose?
Back in January, we noted that wild predators — bobcats and coyotes, specifically — were becoming more of a problem in places like Bellaire and West University. In Bellaire, a woman used a motion-sensing camera to videotape bobcats and coyotes coming to her yard and eating her pet ornamental deer.Still,…
Arthur Day: From Sexual Discrimination Lawsuits To A Prestigious Job At UT Medical School-Houston
Editors Note: Lawyers for Dr. Arthur Day have complained about this Hair Balls post. Use of the word “guilty” was never intended to imply criminal responsibility by Dr. Day. The verdict slip from the jury trial shows the actual decision by the jury in Boston on each question presented. The…
Reports: Geto Boys’ Bushwick Bill Facing Deportation; Big Star’s Andy Hummel Dies
Don’t expect a Geto Boys reunion like the one that happened two years ago at Warehouse Live anytime soon. Not only is Willie D out of action for a little while serving a federal bid for Internet wire fraud, but earlier today several hip-hop blogs picked up a report from…
Pretzel-Wrapped Hot Dogs at The Ginger Man
Just the other day I was fantasizing about how amazing it would be to find a bar that serves exceptional beers on tap and has pretzel-wrapped hot dogs. Then I stopped by The Ginger Man (5607 Morningside Dr., 713-526-2770) and found just that — a huge sausage encased in a…
Weiner Dog Races: The Brutal, Ugly Truth
Sam Houston Race Park hosted the latest edition of its Weiner Dog races, the biggest sporting event outside of the World Cup and Super Bowl combined.It may seem like fund and games, but in reality it makes MMA look like a ladies’ tea…
Fig and Goat Cheese: A Match Made in Crepe Heaven
My Twitter stream has been abuzz the last few days with talk of Melange Creperie’s newest menu item: a resoundingly summery fig and goat cheese crepe with local honey. Lately, it’s not as if Buffalo Sean and his tiny crepe stand need the extra buzz. It’s hard to drive past…
Palma Garcia Marlen-Beatrice, 30, Bayou Body Count No. 181
Back on May 13, 48-year-old Pedro Cueva-Ferman thought he had come up with the perfect way to get rid of his wife and get clean away with the crime, according to allegations in a probable cause warrant on file at the Harris County Courthouse.He would pile her and their child…
Is “Country Rap” An Oxymoron?
Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday (that isn’t a national holiday) Rocks Off will have some of them hear discussing issues relevant to their culture. This Week’s Panel: Candi Redd, (HPMA Nominee) Preemo, Niq from the G.R.I.T. Boys Not Invited: Dallas Penn This Week’s Prompt: Pimp…
$7 at Dacapo’s Pastry Café
Where: Dacapo’s Pastry Café, 1141 E. 11th Street, 713-869-9141 What $7 gets you: A gorgeous ALT sandwich on fresh-baked honey wheat bread with a small side of carrot soufflé and a pickle, all served in a cute-as-pie café in the heart of the Heights…
Lyondell’s “No Injuries” Refinery Fire Had Some Injuries After All, Suit Says
On May 17, after a fire erupted at a local LyondellBasell refinery, the national headlines read “No Injuries at Houston Refinery.”The source? ‘Twas the friendly P.R. folks at Lyondell, of course.Given this fact, perhaps it will come as no surprise to learn that there were in fact injuries. At least…
One Local Winner Not Enough At “Superstar Soul Search” Contest
“The talent here was so strong, I couldn’t decide on one (contestant) to pick,” Andre Harrell said. “So I decided with the other judges to pick three.” According to the press release Rocks Off received concerning the “Superstar Soul Search” for the next great R&B singer, only one semifinalist was…
Robb Walsh’s 100 Favorite Houston Dishes #4 Campechana at Goode Company Seafood
Over the course of the next few months, I’m counting down 100 of my favorite Houston dishes. I chose some because they are such quintessential Houston creations, others for their cultural or historical significance, and others because they are just so damn tasty. Share your own nominations in the comments…
Game Time: An Open Letter To Carlos Lee
Dear Carlos: I hope your travels are going much smoother this week than last week. I’m guessing the pilot of the Astros’ team charter doesn’t have any issues with an expiring pilot’s license, so getting from Pittsburgh to Chicago and then eventually back here to Houston should be no problem…
Toadies At House of Blues: Twitter Edition
To Rocks Off’s eternal anoyance, we can’t be everywhere at once, so Saturday we had to fall on our sword and skip the sold-out Toadies show at House of Blues. This time… we won’t let them come back without seeing them, promise. Especially since the general opinion among those who…
McDonald’s New Fruit Smoothies Surprisingly Good
At a chili cookoff a few months ago, I struck up a conversation with one of Houston’s many McDonald’s franchise owners. The gentleman had owned and operated the McDonald’s near the downtown Greyhound bus station for many years and despite having an endless array of bizarre stories about the antics…
Corpse Flower: PR Ploy Or Just Another Stubborn Plant?
Is it just us, or is it starting to seem like that Corpse Flower deal over at the Houston Museum of Natural Science is just a PR stunt? Either that or someone really needs to do a credential check on the in-house horticulturalist, Zac Stayton. For over a week viewers…
Saturday Night: Weird Al Yankovic At Verizon Wireless Theater
Weird Al Yankovic Verizon Wireless Theater July 17, 2010 Aftermath is probably not going to write very many, and you’re probably going to read even fewer, concert reviews that begin by delineating the finer points of parody and satire. But this is Weird Al Yankovic we’re talking about here, so…
Food Overdose Items
In a crowd of adults at a dinner party this weekend, conversation turned to matters of taste, specifically to items each of us couldn’t stand. These weren’t just your garden-variety dislikes, however, these were food overdoses — dishes or ingredients we once loved, or rather over-loved. We ate these things…
Unidentified Male, 41, Bayou Body Count No. 180
A man who had been arguing at a gas station stepped into traffic and was killed by a drunk driver Sunday night, police said.Milton George Monroe, 66, was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the incident.Police say the victim, whose name was not released “caused a disturbance” at a gas station…
Friday Night: The Fleshtones At The Continental Club
The Fleshtones Continental Club July 16, 2010 The Fleshtones are the kind of rock and roll success story Aftermath likes to imagine other musicians aspire to. They’ve been touring incessantly since 1976, have recorded dozens of EPs and LPs almost exclusively without major-label recognition, rocked the hallowed halls of CBGBs…
The Anachronistic Chef: Fish Envelopes
This is one in a series of posts in which I sample recipes from the days of yore (i.e., not the 1990s). The dishes featured were mainstays of nineteenth-, eighteenth- and even seventeenth-century tables, but for one reason or another (unusual taste, archaic ingredients), have fallen out of culinary fashion…
H2Orange: UT Gets In The Bottled-Water Business
If there is one thing this world doesn’t have enough of, it’s bottled water. The University of Texas is addressing that heartbreaking shortage by introducing H2Orange, which is water in a bottle shaped like the UT Tower.Sales will go to fund scholarships school officials say.”Our battle cry is ‘Drink water…
Friday Night: Michael Buble At Toyota Center
Michael Buble Toyota Center July 16, 2010 “I think Michael Buble speaks three languages: English, Sinatra and vagina,” said the girl sitting next to us, who we will call Tammy, at the Canadian singer’s sold-out gig Friday at Toyota Center. Walking into the venue that night, we would have said…
Litter In La Marque? You’re Going To Jail
La Marque is fed up with litter. The Galveston County suburb sees only one way to address it — send people to jail.Starting August 1, city officials told the Galveston County Daily News, “anyone caught littering will go to jail and will have to pay a hefty fine.”Well, that seems…
New Orleans Dining on the Cheap: Daisy Duke’s
Shockingly, most restaurants in or around the French Quarter of New Orleans area close at 10 p.m. during the week. The drunks are left to choose from Lucky Dogs or greasy pizza. But if they stumble slightly out of the Quarter to 121 Chartres St., they’ll happen upon this 24-hour…
True Blood: Looking For “Trouble” With Suzi Quatro
Well folks, it’s finally happened. The world of Suzi Quatro and the world of vampires have collided. Gothtopia hopes you’ve enjoyed his writings here at Rocks Off, and regrets leaving you at the mid-season mark of True Blood. For you see, there is now simply nothing left to live for,…
The Week In TV: Louis C.K. vs. Mississippi
The weather’s terrible, I’m living off DVR’d episodes of Community, and it’s possible this is all just a dream. This was the week in TV Land: • AT&T reached a deal with Rainbow Media last week to continue carrying the company’s networks — including AMC, IFC, and WE — on…
Friday Night: Andrew Karnavas At McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Andrew Karnavas McGonigel’s Mucky Duck July 16, 2010 We did not plan on writing a review of Friday night’s Andrew Karnavas show at the Mucky Duck, but after sitting in on near two hours of super-solid folksy Americana (and some blues, too) it seemed like it had to be done…
Unidentified Male, Bayou Body Count No. 179
A man dead from multiple gunshot wounds was found in Freshmeadow Park on the northwest side of town Saturday morning.Houston police say the body was found on a soccer field at the park about 7 a.m.They have no known witnesses or suspects at this time.Anyone with information is urged to…
Houston’s Shellee Coley: We Are Over The Rainbow For Her
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. We here at the daily video are usually striving to draw from…
Where Are We Eating?
A hot cup of fresh frites with a side of mayonnaise. All that’s missing now is a cold glass of Stella Artois. But, wait…what’s that? Ketchup?! Can you guess where we’re eating, a place that serves ketchup alongside its frites? Just don’t tell any Belgians about this… Leave your best…
Carlos Lee Goes AWOL: At Least Someone Noticed
So the Astros were upset that Carlos Lee missed a voluntary workout in Pittsburgh on Thursday, and as a result, he was benched on Friday night.The puzzling thing is trying to figure out just why it is the Astros were upset. The workout was voluntary. What part of “voluntary” doesn’t…
Nikki Araguz: Lawsuit Says Widow Of Heroic Wharton Firefighter Was Born A Man
Nikki Araguz was the wife of Thomas Araguz II, a captain in the Wharton Volunteer fire deprartment who died earlier this monthfighting a blaze at a historic site.Nikki is now being sued by Thomas’ mother and ex-wife, who claim he never knew that Nikki had been born a man.Lawsuits in…
Oscar Salvador Fierro, 23, Bayou Body Count No. 178
A fight that began outside a near-downtown club led to a fatal shooting early this morning, police say.Oscar Salvador Fierro, 23m was killed in the 2800 block of Smith after an incident that began as he was leaving Club Plush about 2 a.m., police say.Fierro suffered a gunshot wound to…
Bono, Gaga And ZZ Top Write Like Raymond Chandler? Who Knew?
Ask anyone who really knows Rocks Off, and they’ll probably tell you we can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes. We proved this once again earlier this week, when we updated our Facebook status with a plea for someone to explain to us what in tarnation a “meme”…
A Night At TUTS’ Little Shop of Horrors: Don’t Forget The Bug Spray
The Theatre Under The Stars acting company is staging its usual summer freebie at Miller Outdoor Theatre. This year’s installment is the Broadway staple, The Little Shop of Horrors. Hair Balls decided to check it out, taking the time to also investigate alternate modes of transportation. The Metro light rail…
Openings and Closings
Openings all over town have things looking up for intrepid food lovers as well as those ready to welcome back some old favorites. In the Clear Lake area, the beloved Alpine Brauhaus has opened back up in a new location after being closed for two years. German food and beer…
For Inception: Bad Dream Sequences In Good Movies
Inception is getting good reviews as a dream-based thriller, but there are plenty of examples of perfectly good movies or shows being ruined, or at least temporarily harmed, by dream sequences.Among them:1. The Sopranos with that damn Kevin Finnerty Tony gets shot and then the wheels come off. We get…
Lady Gaga: Your Guide To Local Ticket Giveaways
OK, Rocks Off campers, here’s fair warning right now that next week will be all about hair metal and Lady Gaga, leading up to the latter’s two-night stand at Toyota Center next Sunday and Monday and the big Ratt show over at Warehouse Live on Thursday night. All right, not…
Get Your Yogurt, 39 Cents an Ounce
I’m a huge fan of the tart, almost acidic yogurt served up by the likes of Pinkberry and its numerous imitators. There’s something terribly refreshing about eating a cold, puckery frozen yogurt on a hot summer day: no sticky, sickly, sweet taste left in your mouth afterwards, only the pleasant…
This Week in Deliciousness
Welcome back to the weekly roundup here at Eating Our Words, where your potato cannon is no match for our pumpkin bazooka. We started the week out by trying some delicious menudo, which is made from tripe. If you’re wondering which part of the cow tripe comes from, DON’T. Just…
Joseph Michael Weeks: East Texan Accused Of Teen’s Cough Syrup Sex Assault
An 18-year-old man is behind bars in Lufkin after it was alleged that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl who was incapacitated by a cough-syrup high.According to an arrest affidavit, the accused, Joseph Weeks, met up with the victim at the home of a mutual friend. The mother of that…
Unbelieva-Burger (Again)
In another “does-the-world-really-need-another-giant-burger” story, Hardee’s (in Indiana) and Carl’s Jr. (in Southern California) are testing out a new 12-inch burger. In the anti-Subway move, these abominations contain three large patties and three cheese slices wedged into a foot-long sub roll for a mere $4. If you’re feeling healthy, add $.50…
Urban Cowboy: How Does It Hold Up In 2010? (SPOILER ALERT)
Hollywood Shuffle can’t really explain why we’ve never seen Urban Cowboy before. The only excuse is that we were born in 1980, the same year the film was released, and by the time we were old enough to appreciate it the line-dancing honky tonk fad that has swept America in…
Game Time: LeBron James — All Right, Now It’s Getting Weird (The Mav Carter Pendant Story)
I wanted to write about Luis Scola today, I really did. I wanted to talk about how good Daryl Morey has to feel that he was able to lock in Scola for an annual number below $10 million per year in a goofy free agent market that has seen $6…
FAIL: Prince, Johnny Rotten, Too Short, Auto-Tune
Internet Not As “Over” As Prince Had Hoped: Remember last week when Prince said the Internet was “over,” and that was why he’s now giving copies of his new CD away for free whenever you buy a copy of that thriving and relevant medium, a British newspaper? Well, enterprising Englishmen…
Robb Walsh’s 100 Favorite Houston Dishes: #5 Fried Chicken at Barbecue Inn
Over the course of the next few months, I’m counting down 100 of my favorite Houston dishes. I chose some because they are such quintessential Houston creations, others for their cultural or historical significance, and others because they are just so damn tasty. Share your own nominations in the comments…
Chef Chat, Part 3: John Brand of Las Canarias and Pesca on the River
This week we chatted with Chef Brand and tasted a smattering of the dishes he helped develop for the Omni Hotel’s Texas Triple Play menu. Because Chef Brand was visiting, he did not prepare the meal himself – it was prepared by Omni Houston’s Café on the Green. We started…
Michael Buble: Why Are We Going Tonight?
Canadian neo-jazz crooner Michael Buble plays Toyota Center tonight, touring behind his latest album, last October’s Crazy Love. For the most part Buble is beloved among women. The dude has a massive voice, and ladies love the fact he looks like he would open doors for them, knows how to…
Nicole Ileen Murphy: Meth Stashed In Vadge Fails To Fool Persistent Cop
A wee-hours traffic stop led to a slew of charges against a Montgomery County woman yesterday.Around 1 a.m.. Montgomery County Deputy J. Bergland was patrolling Newton Drive in New Caney when he spotted a car with an expired inspection sticker and partially obscured license plate. He pulled the car over…
Art Rock: DJ Shortee Benefit At The Continental Club
[jump] See more details on Sunday’s benefit here…
Mark A. Williams, 28, Bayou Body Count No. 177
A California man was killed and his female companion critically injured after being shot multiple times as they sat in a Cadillac Escalade at a west side apartment complex.Mark A. Williams, 28, of Lynwood, California, was sitting in the silver SUV with Danielle M. Coats, 23, of Seguin, about 10:25…
$13 at Hobbit Cafe
Where: Hobbit Cafe, 2243 Richmond Avenue, 713-526-5460 What $13 gets you: A whole lot of eggs, an order of fresh pico, and some disappointing fajita beef and veggies. After a long bike ride Sunday morning, the normal taqueria stop got vetoed, and I found myself at Hobbit Cafe instead. I…
Houston’s Niceguys Have Trouble Making A Great Video? “Not At All”
Rocks Off’s Kim Douglass wrote this about The Niceguys almost one year ago to the day. If you’re not familiar with them, you should read it, because then we don’t have to do the perfunctory “This Is How They Got Started, This Is Why They’re Different Then Every Other Group…
Parking Garage Suicide: Man Fails To Drive To Death, Jumps Instead
A man tried to drive to his death from the heights of a parking garage downtown this morning, police said. When steel wires kept his car from going over the ledge, he opened the door and jumped…
Top 10 Rap Covers By Non-Rap Artists
Artists have many ways of expressing admiration for their peers. Name-dropping those who inspire them in liner notes and offering them groupies on the tour bus are just a couple of ways of showing respect. Covering one of their popular songs? Now that’s the ultimate tip of the hat. That’s…
Bret Michaels’ Diet Snapple Trop-A-Rocka Tea
Confession #1: I am not, nor ever have been, a fan of the band Poison. Confession #2: I have never seen a single episode of The Apprentice. But I nevertheless have become somewhat obsessed with Bret Michaels’s Diet Snapple Trop-a-Rocka Tea, which the former rock star designed as part of…
MLS All-Star Game Build-Up Begins, And Dynamo Start Super Liga Action With A Win
The Houston Dynamo officially kicked-off their Super Liga schedule last night with a 2-1 over Mexican rival Pachuca. Joseph Ngwenya was the hero of night with both goals for the Orange. Ngwenya first got on the board in the 19th minute, when he volleyed a deflected shot into the right…
Hot Topic’s Music Buyer Tells How He’ll Put Your Band In Stock
Gothtopia is almost certain he is the only Houston Press staff member to have an album that was sold in Hot Topic stores. [Ed. Note: Rocks Off No. 2’s debut Hlocked and Hloaded should be in stores next year.] That came to be purely through dumb luck. In order to…
Honduras Mayan Cafe & Bar
I was headed over to Pico’s for some top-shelf margaritas and mole when I decided to try something new, Honduras Mayan Cafe & Bar (5945 Belliare Blvd. 713-668-5057), which is right next door…
BP: 11 Songs We Found On The Executive iPod
British Petroleum (BP) officials announced Thursday that they had successfully capped the largest and most devastating oil spill in U.S. history. You know, a mere 85 days, 11 casualties, 184 million gallons and thousands of dead or oil-covered animals later. A tense 48-hour waiting period to observe whether the cap…
Houston Astros: 17 Reasons To — Believe It Or Not — Watch The Rest Of The Season
The Astros return to action tonight, and with a record of 36-53, you’re probably wondering why it is that you should give a damn about the rest of the season. Especially since Houston Texans training camp is not far off, college football is just around the corner, and the Astros…
Health Dept. Roundup
There’s something to be said for shooting straight. Label your restaurant with the name of a country, and it takes the guesswork out of things for twitchy white people unsure whether they’re ready to gamble on fare that could range from South Asian to Middle Eastern to African. Of course,…
Vulcho Bonev: God Is Right, And Also Funky As Hell
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. Rocks Off cannot believe it’s possible, but the daily videos for this…
The Week In Photos
Our talented Flickr photographers have been braving the heat and humidity over the past week to capture some beautiful and bizarre shots around the city. Want to see your own work featured here? Then jump into the pool! As always, for more information about a subject or photographer, simply click…
Hurricane Alex: Mega 101.1 Helps Victims Of The Forgotten Storm
Remember Hurricane Alex? Not very many people do. While most Houstonians geared up for a weekend of fireworks, barbeque and possibly too much time with family, many also spent this past Fourth of July weekend waiting to hear whether the homes of family members back in northern Mexico had survived…
U.S. News & World Report Again Ranks Houston Hospitals Highly, But How Serious A Study Is It?
Anyone familiar with U.S. News & World Report’s annual hospital rankings knows that Houston facilities are repeat performers. The magazine’s just-out 2010 list of the top 50 ranks M.D. Anderson as number one for cancer care; the Texas Heart Institute came in at number four for cardio care; and Texas…
Diana Davila Takes No Questions As She Resigns
Diana Davila took no questions from reporters before or after resigning from the Houston school district board this afternoon.Instead she gave a somewhat rambling speech on her sudden decision, saying the time demands of the board-member job had become too much.”There’s all these crazy rumors but they are just that,”…
Food Fight: Battle Brownie
Let’s cut straight to the chase here: Battle Brownie is a battle we all lose. There is nothing quite so frustrating as the fact that it’s nearly impossible to get a good store-bought brownie. It’s almost as disheartening as halfheartedly chewing your way through day-old, leftover brownies. The things are…
TCEQ, State’s Clean-Air “Watchdog,” About To Be Sued Over A Local Plant
As the Houston Press has written about, and as the Obama administration has determined, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is a pretty lax watchdog.Now they’re going to get sued over it.A coalition of clean-air groups has served formal notice that they intend to sue TCEQ for giving a “flexible…
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…
18 Successful Musicians Under Age 18
Tonight House Of Blues welcomes the traveling underage rock revue School Of Rock as they re-create highlights from 1985’s Live Aid concerts. SOR features three bands or teens and preteens rocking out and learning the ropes of touring and rock. Some these kids are young, like they probably were born…
Catalan’s New Happy Hour
Great news, food fans: Catalan has recently started an outrageously awesome happy hour. Whether you know and love the place, or have had it on your must-try list for years, the new deal provides an affordably fun way to get your fantasy fix. The happy hour menu includes six “street…
The 10th Annual Kolache Olympics
This year marked my second year judging the Kolache Factory’s annual Kolache Olympics, and it’s possibly my favorite thing to sit in on each year — not just because of the wealth of different and amazing kolache recipes that the judges get to taste, but because of the spirit of…
Robert Ellis & The Boys Back In Full Swing At Mango’s
Mango’s was packed last night for the return of Robert Ellis & the Boys’ Wednesday-night Montrose barn dance. Ellis recently got back into town from a three-week solo tour that took him New York City and Chicago. Only a few people were present when the band hit the stage about…
Barbara Mobley, Mother Of Student Who A Teacher Ordered To Be Punched, Sues
A punching bag?You knew this was coming: Barbara Mobley, the mother of a five-year-old boy who was punched by other students on order of a teacher, is suing.Mobley is seeking damages for pain and suffering from Robindell Private School, Courthouse News Service says, in a suit filed here in Harris…
Chef Chat, Part 2: John Brand of Las Canarias and Pesca on the River
We continue our meeting with Chef John Brand from San Antonio, discussing how he makes his brisket, what his mama taught him, and how to spot a poser. EOW: You mentioned how you cook a brisket now is different than 10 years ago. Tell me how. Brand: Well, I now…
R.I.P. Hank Cochran, Author Of “I Fall To Pieces”
Hank Cochran, one of the elite songwriters in country music, died earlier today. He was 74. Born in Mississippi, Cochran worked for a while with rocker Eddie Cochran (no relation) in a California band styled The Cochrans. In 1960, Cochran moved to Nashville and teamed up with songwriting legend Harlan…
Free Roast Beef Sandwich from Arby’s
As a kid, summertime was synonymous with Arby’s. For each book I read that was more than 100 pages, my parents would reward me with trips to the neon cowboy hat. So I would go to the library to find 100-pagers with the largest print possible, blaze through them, and…
Your Marriage Proposal Is On The Auto-Parts Store Wall, Miss
Graffiti Proposal from PR!MO on VimeoWe’re not big on “thinking out of the box” marriage proposals, we have to admit.But this one, involving a local guy who commissioned a street artist named Ack to paint his proposal on a Midtown auto-parts store, is making it big on the webz.Maybe it’s…
Ten Songs You Never Want To Get Caught Singing Out Loud
Some songs are catchy as hell, yet if you’re one of those people who sometimes unconsciously sings out loud to yourself in public, there are some you’ll want to avoid. Here are a few tunes which, when sung aloud, may inspire anything from fearful glances to vicious beatings. 1. The…
Brand-New Banh Mi at Cafe Shoppe
In the 17 years since Kim Hung Supermarket opened on St. Emmanuel, the once bustling stores inside have mostly closed down and the structure — except for the long-running grocery store that takes up the left half of the mall — has become a ghost town. This, of course, makes…
Game Time: George Steinbrenner’s Death Raises Anxiety of Billionaires
If you’re one of those people that has tried a thousand different ways to take off weight, somewhere along the way you’ve probably tried Bill Phillips “Body For Life” program. It’s a pretty popular one because (a) it works and (b) it incorporates a “cheat day” — basically, one day…
America’s Best Bars: Not in Houston. Thanks, Playboy
What the hell does old-ass Hugh Hefner know about great bars anyway?! Playboy magazine will release a list they are calling “America’s Best Bars” in the August issue and there are four from the state of Texas. Guess where they are. Two are in Austin, and two in Dallas. I…
Beavis And Butt-Head’s Greatest Video Hits, Dillhole
On the night of November 28, 1997, Rocks Off was sitting in his friend Chad’s parents’ house in Pearland, watching the final episode of MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head. The boys had been a part of our daily lives since at least fifth grade, and as we marched into the second…
Corpse Flower: Were Vladimir And Estragon Waiting For Godot, Or It?
The Houston Museum of Natural Science’s suddenly famous corpse flower has refused to bloom yet, no matter how furiously the museum twitters about it. We believe it was Friday or so when they started telling us “any minute now.”If you’re among the people waiting anxiously online to smell the putrid…
Happy Hour Scene: Voice
The Place: Voice Lounge at Hotel Icon220 Main St. 832-667-4470www.hotelicon.comThe Hours: The “Traditional Happy Hour” at Voice runs on Fridays 4-7 p.m., but drink specials also are offered on Wednesdays 4-7 p.m., and Thursdays, for the “legal community,” 4-9 p.m.The Deals: Martinis are $1 on Wednesdays, and on Thursdays, draft beer…
Weird Al Yankovic Dishes On Gaga, Michael Jackson, McCartney And More
While most comedy artists quickly dissipate into one-hit-wonderdom, Weird Al Yankovic has continued to reign as the accordion-toting king of musical satire for over three decades now. In anticipation of Saturday’s show at Verizon Wireless Theatre, Rocks Off chatted with Weird Al about Houston hip-hop, Michael Jackson and his upcoming…
Lee High School Is Sinking!!
Lee High School is almost 50 years old, and it doesn’t seem to be aging well.In fact, it’s sinking.Worse, the two distinct parts of the building are sinking at different rates.”The building has been declared safe, but it needs to be stabilized,” Houston school district spokesman Norm Uhl says.So the…
Odd Pair: Vinho Verde Branco Sonalto and Grilled Cheese
Yep, the Portuguese Vinho Verde rears its beautiful head once again – this time under the odd pair category. So sue me, I can’t stay away from the light, tasty wine. It’s refreshing and has an everyday versatility, not unlike the everyday viewing pleasures of The Big Lebowski. So why…
Sophia Fresh Work For T-Pain, Stay True To DJ Screw
Crystal, Skye and Cole Rose, collectively known as Sophia Fresh, may be one hit away from national fame, but they’re unwavering in their loyalty to the Bayou City. Case in point: Sophia Fresh recently unleashed a remix of the DJ Screw classic in honor of the chopped and screwed tunes…
HISD’s Diana Davila Resigns, And Rumors Fly
Houston school board member Diana Davila’s sudden resignation, announced late yesterday, has a lot of rumors flying.Whether any of them are true is another question.Davila did not respond to our request for an interview, but HISD spokesman Norm Uhl says she told the district “she was resigning for personal and…
Bradley Prior: Don’t Impersonate A Cop On The Jailhouse Phone
Last Sunday, 21-year-old Bradley Pryor apparently forgot his Target card when he went shopping for memory cards and clothes in his native League City. Also his checkbook and cash, because he is alleged to have walked out without paying for anything.Pryor was arrested, charged with misdemeanor theft and taken to…
Remember Devin The Dude’s Waitin’ To Inhale?
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. Devin the Dude Waitin’ to Inhale (2007, Rap-A-Lot) For the breadth of his decade-long career, the Dude’s content has…
Recipe Tasting: Spinach Bread
It’s the end of a stretch of diet for an upcoming vacation. Refined starches are a no-no, but I can’t help but miss bread. Rather than sneak over to a French bakery and blow the diet, I decided to take a stab at this recipe I found online. “Slice and…
Lindsay Lohan: 10 Songs To Put Her In The Mood For Prison
It was just six years ago that the world was in love with Lindsay Lohan, the grown-up child star of The Parent Trap and that year’s Mean Girls. At the time, Craig’s Hlist was dating a girl who forbade her visage at every turn – we were a Hilary Duff…
One Man’s Entry For Five Worst Houston Sports Moments — Where Are Yours?
I couldn’t help but notice that the bosses are soliciting suggestions for the best and worst sports moments in Houston history.So I thought I would make a few suggestions.I’ll do my top 10 moments when the issue comes out with the winners, but here are my five worst moments.1. January…
Messer Chups’ Important Lessons From The Vincent Price Bible
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 perfect man, the man all other men should aspire to be,…
Pop Rocks: The Ten Hottest (Non-Celebrity) Commercial Spokespersons
Nobody watches commercials much these days. Digital TV recorders and the steady decline of network TV mean we no longer have to pay a lot of attention to television advertising. And anyway, companies have figured out other avenues, using the internet and people’s foreheads and Jerry Bruckheimer movies to push…
Top Five Appetizing Spa Treatments in Houston
These days, it seems food and drink are meant not just to be eaten but also to be massaged into our skin, soaked into our hair and rubbed into our nails. (Perhaps this is also why spas offer “menus” of services.) And forget the old cucumbers-over-your-eyelids deal; these treatments are…
Music Awards Voting Now Open; Trae Added To Showcase
So get to it right here, y’all. Also, late Wednesday, recent cover star Trae the Truth confirmed as the “Special Guest” on the Bud Light Outdoor Stage at the HPMA showcase on Washington Avenue Saturday, August 7. Trae and whoever else he wants to bring with him are scheduled to…
Nancy Ames: This Is What KUHT Fundraising Needs Again
KUHT, always with the fundraising and “Viewers Like You” and all that.They think they can get us to donate with some cheap Les Miz collector’s CD, a totebag and some doo-wop reunion concerts? No chance.KUHT used to take this stuff seriously. As evidenced by the above clip, featuring Houston songstress…
Chances, Longtime Lesbian Bar: On The Market?
Chances Bar, the semi-landmark at the corner of Westheimer and Waugh, may soon be no more.Just as Mary’s, Hollywood Video, Skybar and Felix’s have all pretty much bit the dust, the owners of Chances have put the property on the market: Entire block in busy Midtown commercial area with frontage…
The Development of Independent Filmmaking
The Southwest Alternate Media Project (affectionately known as SWAMP) has been at the forefront of independent filmmaking in Houston for more than 30 years. Today, members of SWAMP and their friends look back on The Evolution of Independent Film in Houston with a panel discussion by Marian Luntz, a former…
Alex Kava: Damaged
The only thing that could make Alex Kava’s new novel, Damaged, more realistic would be the inclusion of tar balls on the beach. With recognizable elements of life on the Gulf Coast leaping off every page at those of us who call the area home, Kava has created a story…
Jewtopia
The premise of the Back Porch Players’ newest production, Jewtopia, the outrageously successful comedy about all things Jewish, is simple enough. Chris O’Connell, a Gentile, spends the play trying to learn how to be more Jewish-like in order to win back his Jewish girlfriend who dumped him after college. He…
The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows
There will be yipping, yapping, barking and the occasionally out-and-out growl as canines from around the country put their best paws forward at the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows. The dog-eat-dog competitions will include tests of agility, weight pulling, obedience, Frisbee catching, flyball and something called “musical freestyle”…
Welcome to Mi Pueblito, Washington
At age 17, Sergio Marquez left his hometown in the Mexican state of Michoacán and traveled to the small U.S. town of Wapato, located amid the fertile farmlands of Washington’s Yakima Valley. Even in Mexico, he had heard about the valley’s famed apple trees—and the work that could be found…
“Lonesome Travelers”
One of the many strengths of the Houston gallery scene is its attention to Texas-based artists — but that doesn’t mean the whole town is filled with pictures of tumbleweeds and cowboys. Case in point: “Lonesome Travelers” at Art League Houston exhibits the work of three Texas photographers — Mario…
Children’s Hilltop Festival
TV shows, computer games and 3-D flicks are all vying for your kid’s attention this summer. Take a break from the artificial, CGI images and see some real, live actors onstage at the Children’s Hilltop Theater Festival this week. Kicking off the Express Children’s Theatre-sponsored event Tuesday is Kian Long,…
“Found: Discoveries of FotoFest and PhotoNOLA”
The John Cleary Gallery spotlights the work of more than a dozen up-and-coming photographers in “Found: Discoveries of FotoFest and PhotoNOLA.” Gallery owner Catherine Couturier says that while the works cover a wide range of styles, subjects and sizes, the one quality they share is a high level of excellence…
Eyes Wide Open
Temptation and unquenched desires enter the life of Aaron (Zohar Strauss) in the movie Eyes Wide Open. This father of four children runs a kosher butcher shop in an ultraorthodox quarter in Jerusalem. Things go astray for him when Ezri (Ran Danker) comes into the community, causing feelings Aaron thought…
Clue
The cult-classic Clue brings the best board game ever to life with more wordplay than you could shake a candlestick at. Tim Curry (as Wadsworth the Butler) serves up plenty of puns and double entendres to the rest of the all-star cast, including Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Madeline Kahn, Eileen…
Gypsy
Everything’s coming up roses at the Island ETC theater company. The group’s production of the Broadway musical Gypsy launches its new season and features some of the most famous songs ever performed on the Great White Way. There’s “Let Me Entertain You,” “Together Wherever We Go” and, of course, “Everything’s…
Lost Voices: Passion & Perseverance
Adam Vincent Clay, a pianist and the founder of Houston New Arts Movement, is out to right a wrong in Lost Voices: Passion & Perseverance, a concert that celebrates Russian music that was previously suppressed. “The composers that we picked, many of them were composers that were under [Stalin’s] Zhdanov…
Third Saturdays Open Studio
Take a look at the latest in Houston’s art scene during Third Saturday Open Studios. Several artists in the Hardy/Nance Street Studio throw open their doors, giving personal tours, discussing their work and in general making nice with potential buyers. Many of the artists will also be demonstrating their skills…
Vaud E. Ville’s Shenanigans
Vaud E. Ville’s Shenanigans is perfect for easily distracted audiences, according to director Angelo La Pietra. “It’s short-attention-span theater,” he says. The original, vaudeville-style show features skits and musical numbers, none of which have much to do with each other, all laced together with broad humor. “It’s shtick,” admits La…
Le combat dans l’ le
The first in the Four French Films: The New Wave, Clouzot and Romy film series, Le combat dans l’ le, proves that just like everything else, love is all about politics. A protégé of Louis Malle, first-time director Alain Cavalier creates a love triangle between Clément, an inexperienced terrorist (played…
Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore has a comedy legacy few others can match: His father opened for Elvis, his mother owned the Comedy Store on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and he was mentored by none other than the late, great Sam Kinison. Shore’s latest film, Adoption, which he wrote and directed, hit DVD shelves…
“Introducing the Graduates”
Works by a quartet of female artists comprise the exhibit “Introducing the Graduates.” New Gallery Owner Thom Andriola says the women – Julia Bland, Annabeth Marks, Erin Joyce and Sophia Casas – are each recent graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design. He describes them as abstract painters who…
Alley Theatre: St. Nicholas
Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s St. Nicholas is a dark work filled with gleefully wicked vampire tales told by that most infamous of all blood suckers – the pompous theater critic. The man moves about the stage with his pocket full of anecdotes for 90 mesmerizing minutes. Lucky for Houstonians, the…
Trifecta Perfecta
Linda Darke, owner of Darke Gallery, had quite a time putting together the exhibit “Trifecta Perfecta.” The three participating artists, Anne J. Regan, Geoff Hippenstiel and Debra Barrera, have been trying to break her spirit, Darke jokes. It seems the trio have been reluctant to put prices on their works,…
The Planets- An HD Odyssey
British composer Gustav Holst’s space opera The Planets was written almost 100 years ago (between 1914 and 1916). A bit ahead of its time, it was the forerunner of John Williams’s sweeping film music such as “The Imperial Motif” from Star Wars and “Flying” from E.T. Enjoy all those inspiring…
The Marvelous Wonderettes
Tired of sweeping operas, tense psychodramas and rock extravaganzas? Try the saccharine songstresses who star in The Marvelous Wonderettes. The ultra-light musical romp, presented by Stages Repertory Theatre, is set at the 1958 prom of Springfield High, where Missy, Suzy, Cindy Lou and Betty Jean – decked out in Mad…
Helena Andrews
Author, essayist and self-proclaimed smart-ass Helena Andrews discusses and signs her new memoir Bitch Is the New Black. Told with humor, insight and honesty, Bitch details Andrews’s life as a single, educated black woman living and working in Washington, D. C. Challenging the concept that black women are one-dimensional, Andrews…
Kid Flix Mix
Kids can get pretty animated – especially during the summer with all that time on their hands. So if seeing Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me hasn’t given them their fill of summer films, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is offering Kid Flix Mix. The curated collection features award-winning…
“Visions for a New Haiti”
Ronel Pierre, a Haitian artist, seems to have gotten things a little backwards. He first exhibited his work before the age of 13 and enjoyed a modestly successful career for years. Now, near the age of 30, the up-to-now self-taught painter has begun to take art classes at a Houston…
Paula Butturini: Keeping the Feast
Author Paula Butturini will read from and sign her book Keeping the Feast today at Brazos Bookstore. In this memoir, Butturini shares the tragedy and triumph of her life. As newlyweds, Butturini and her husband moved from Italy to Warsaw to report on the rebellion in Romania. After the near-fatal…
“Tattoo/Taboo”
The pairing of skin art and the forbidden came together quite naturally for gallery owner Meg Poissant as she put together the exhibit “Tattoo/Taboo.” She tells us, “I think people make visual judgments all the time, either about tattoos or something else that signals a taboo. Both are forbidden.” Most…
Jeannie Holmes: Blood Law
Supernatural novelist Jeannie Holmes’s debut title, Blood Law, is a bloody mess. We’re not talking about her writing – that’s deliciously fresh and witty. We’re talking about the storyline, which centers on vampires in a small Southern town (hmm, that sounds vaguely familiar). The vamps, who are technically dead, are…
Man vs. Megastore
Man Vs. Megastore Online readers came out fast and furiously in their comments on the “Walmart vs. the Heights” Hair Balls blog by Chris Patronella Jr., July 7: Caveat emptor: Walmart sucks. In particular, they have a pretty serious string of labor violations (locking employees in stores, shaving clocked hours, unpaid overtime),…
Capsule Art Reviews: “Neopopstreetfunk II”, “Steve Wolfe on Paper”
“Neopopstreetfunk II” For an exhibit billing itself as “bored with convention and the mainstream,” “Neopopstreetfunk” seems to be anything but. Largely rooted in a street/urban aesthetic, some of this work is as commercial and mainstream as it gets. That’s not necessarily bad, though, and there’s much to love here. Robert…
They Might Be Giants
The East End’s D&W Lounge (911 Milby) looks like it’s an awful, tedious, dreadful spot for nightlife. It’s an unattractive building on an unattractive road in a part of town that, despite whispers it’s becoming the “new Heights,” is still pretty unattractive. If Houston after dark is Twins, say, and…
Capsule Stage Reviews: Five Guys Named Moe, The Hollow, Hunter Gatherers, The Mousetrap
Five Guys Named Moe The joint’s jumpin’ at Ensemble Theatre with this jukebox tribute to Louis Jordan, the musician acclaimed by such masters as Bill Haley, Chuck Berry and James Brown as the “father of rhythm and blues.” Jordan was an influential bandleader in the ’40s whose style and professionalism…
Respect and Statistics
Dear Mexican, Most Mexicans I know (myself included) feel it’s a terrible disrespect to keep old photos around of you and your ex, and vice versa. I’d never keep pictures of me and an ex around to try and push my new/current boyfriend’s buttons; I guess I feel it’s a…
Burger and a Boddingtons
I couldn’t help but notice how many of the restaurants at Houston Pavilions were big chains: House of Blues, the McCormick & Schmick’s and Mia Bella. Polk Street Pub might be one of the few places in the Pavilions that’s not a chain. I sat down at the bar with…
Fleshtones
Almost 35 years since starting out in the wilds of Queens and soon after landing on the wild stage of CBGB, the Fleshtones are still out in the garage thrashing out raw, perhaps surprisingly vital rock and roll ensnared in a serious time warp. The Fleshtones’ world is fast, short…
Bistro Catron
Doug Catron was the financial guy for Frank Triola at Azzarelli’s and when Triola decided to sell it, Catron and a couple of other investors stepped in and renamed it Bistro Catron (17754 Katy Fwy. (281-398-4070). While Catron is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, he has spent more than 30…
Weird Al Yankovic
If you dig around on YouTube long enough, you’ll find footage of Weird Al Yankovic’s first-ever television appearance on NBC’s Tomorrow with Tom Snyder back in 1981. It’s a strangely harrowing version of “Another One Rides the Bus” done solely on accordion by a manic Yankovic with a man tinkering…
That’s A Wrap
The Blini Beef ($7.95) at Imperia Bar & Grill (12151 Westheimer, 281-558-8222), a new restaurant specializing in Russian food, is a wonderful appetizer. The crepe-like blinis are made from buckwheat flour, so they have a spongy texture and are darker than those made with wheat. They’re stuffed with a savory beef…
1820 Bar’s Bo-Tang
Outside of the occasional pedicab and the 24-hour glow of bail bondsmen’s office lights, the northeast side of downtown was dead and dark on Tuesday evening. This isn’t a good sign for the Astros considering I was two blocks from Minute Maid Park during a home game. But at 1820…
Summer Swoon
Since releasing a rhapsodic, fuzz-laden debut, Carnavas, in 2006, the Los Angeles-based Silversun Pickups have assiduously chiseled a name for themselves in modern rock’s pantheon. Carnavas’s hissing kickback set against lead singer Brian Aubert’s bittersweet melodies was immediately embraced in the hip L.A. neighborhood, Silver Lake, that the band calls…
The Mother Truckers
You know the old saying “a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll?” Austin’s Mother Truckers are more like a whole lot of country, a shit-ton of rock and roll, but the two halves of that soon-to-be cliché aren’t mutually exclusive. Sure, the Truckers can throw down with…
Book Learning
The Literary Greats don’t keep an especially high profile in local music circles. Between day jobs, families and once-a-month weekend tours to nearby cities, the Houston quintet that describes its sound as “the Pixies meets Kenny Rogers” only plays its hometown a few times a year. Perhaps less is more…
Delta Spirit
No one pairs vintage soul and Americana with the fiery heart of punk rock better than Delta Spirit. Singer Matt Vasquez writes songs from the perspective of an observant traveler who’s seen his share of back-alley drama, sketchy characters and fellow road-worn travelers. Delta Spirit’s working-class soul won’t ever make…
The Story of Matthew
It was a rock in the sandy road that caused Wyoming student Aaron Kreifels, out for a late-afternoon bike ride, to somersault over his handlebars and land within feet of the body of Matthew Shepard. Getting up from his tumble, still slightly disoriented, he thought the dark shape lying at…
Scumbag Karaoke
Friday nights at this two-story West Gray watering hole, the upstairs space turns into the most drunken and debauched karaoke party of the evening, if not the week. Lone Stars are sold by the bucket and the bar slings out cheap mixed drinks to coax even the most dedicated wallflower…
Get Outta My Dreams
Inception is a chilling trip into the psyche…of writer-director Christopher Nolan, an Anglo-American action director who shattered the Tomatometer of mass-consensus with The Dark Knight. Nolan’s follow-up offers more muted colors, gift-wrapped themes and GQ leading men with stockbroker comb-backs over the frowns carved in their brows — indicators of…
Toadies
With 1995’s Rubberneck, the Toadies became radio mainstays across the country and hard-rock icons at home in North Texas. But somehow they couldn’t keep the attention of label Interscope Records. As was the plan, the band went into the studio, sure enough — but the Interscope higher-ups didn’t approve of Feeler,…
The New Normal
Serious comedy, powered by an enthusiastic cast and full of good-natured innuendo, Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right gives adolescent coming-of-age and the battle of the sexes a unique twist, in part by creating a romantic triangle between a longstanding, devoutly bourgeois lesbian couple, Nic and Jules (Annette Bening…
Adaptive Behavior
Implicit in its title, the premise of The Killer Inside Me — directed by Michael Winterbottom from Jim Thompson’s 1952 crime novel — could be summed up in a classified ad: Texas cop with pleasant boyish demeanor seeks compliant dames for sadistic sex games culminating in murder. What complicates this…
Battle in the Heights
SPACED CITY Battle in the Heights Walmart brings out the passion By Christopher Patronella Jr. The Heights may soon be dealing with an unwanted resident, and they’re going to have to put up a strong fight to keep them out. The possibility that Houston’s seventh Super Walmart could land in…
Trash Talk
A ho gotta promote her brand. The sentiment was posted in March 2009 to a forum on the gossip Web site LipstickAlley.com, a popular destination for NBA wives, ex-wives and the adulterous athlete’s best not-so-secret friend, the ubiquitous jumpoff girl. The alleged “ho” referred to in the aforementioned comment was…
