Category Archives: Elsewhere in Houston

Prentiss Riddle gets into the “Houston: It’s Worth It” game by giving us thirteen things he’ll miss about our fair city now that he’ll no longer need to travel here on a regular basis. A couple of things I’d add … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This is the best article I’ve seen by a non-Houstonian about what there is to like here. The writer was inspired to visit by the Houston: It’s Worth It campaign, and the best evidence that he gets it is right … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Don’t look now, Houston. The Super Bowl could be back real soon. The NFL was so impressed by the show Houston put on for Super Bowl XXXVIII that commissioner Paul Tagliabue vowed the game would return to the city. It … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s time once again for the best neighborhood Christmas festival in Houston, Lights in the Heights. The festival, which was born almost two decades ago as a way for neighbors to get to know each other, has ballooned into one … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Houston has hosted the Super Bowl and the MLB All-Star Game, and in 2006, we’re going to get the NBA All-Star Game. The Rockets scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference for the announcement, but the Rockets had been considered certain … Continue reading → Continue reading →

More development in an overlooked part of town, thanks to the light rail line. “The area’s been slow to develop,” said Bob Parsley of realty firm Colliers International. “But we’re beginning to see an overall acceptance in the marketplace for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Tilman Fertitta and his Downtown Aquarium have added four white tiger cubs to their list of attractions. Having not been to the aquarium myself yet, I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m glad to see that the article … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Coyotes in River Oaks. What’s next? Fears are running high that coyotes living in Memorial Park’s isolated areas are wandering farther afield, bringing them into contact with joggers and residents of the city’s toniest neighborhood, River Oaks. And here I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m not quite sure what to make of this Chron story about crime rates in Houston and Harris County. Crime was down inside the Houston city limits last year, but the FBI reported Monday that many of the crimes committed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The city of Houston is buying land for a new downtown park. The city has begun acquiring property for a 13-acre urban park that is likely to trigger substantial new development on the east side of downtown, Mayor Bill White … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This has caused no small amount of heartburn at the Kuffner house, since infants are vulnerable to the flu but those younger than six months old cannot be vaccinated themselves, so Olivia has to wait until December 6. Tiffany has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve mentioned MetroBlogging before, so I’m pleased to note that the site now covers Houston. Looks like it ought to be a pretty good resource for the arts and entertainment scene, so if that excites you, you know where to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I kept forgetting all last week to blog about the fact that there was a huge fire at an old WWII airplane hangar down in Galveston, destroying what was to be an integral part of the new Schlitterbahn park. That … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Governor Perry has appointed a replacement for the leaving-in-shame Oliver Kitzman. Gov. Rick Perry on Friday appointed William Parham of Hempstead as the new criminal district attorney for Waller County. Parham, an assistant district attorney, will succeed Oliver Kitzman, who … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Looks like we may have finally settled the what-to-do-with-the-Astrodome question: The company which is seeking to redevelop the Dome now has a plan to turn it into a hotel/entertainment center. The new plan still calls for some rides, possibly even … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Criminy. Don’t storms know when they’re over any more? I’ll echo what Christine said: After Tropical Storm Allison, no one around here is saying “well, at least it’s not a hurricane”. Stay dry down in Seabrook, Jack! Continue reading →

I’ve been reading about Drinking Liberally at Eschaton, and figured I’d check it out to see where they’re organized. Lo and behold, Houston is a member city. Thursdays are inconvenient for me in the fall because of MOB practice, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Via Ginger, the Chicago Tribune explores the Houston: It’s Worth It campaign. I can’t tell you how happy I am that they took the initiative to contact Elyse Lanier to ask her what she thought of this campaign. Her answer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Decent article on the six historic Wards of Houston, which were municipal government areas from the late 19th century. Unfortunately, the hardcopy Lifestyle cover, which included a map of the wards and famous places within them, doesn’t seem to appear … Continue reading → Continue reading →

If the charges in this LA Times story are true, then the problems in Waller County go way beyond whether or not Prairie View students can vote in local elections. In lawsuits, documented complaints to authorities and interviews, civic leaders … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Last week I saw a neighbor wearing an It’s Worth It button. Yesterday I saw an It’s Worth It bumper sticker on a car. That’s already way more popular acceptance of any marketing scheme for the city of Houston than … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Brian Leiter comments on Rice’s new President and gives his thoughts on how it can beef up its humanities departments. Check it out. One comment, since I know my Rice friends will make note of this: Rice’s gross endowment ranks … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The Orange Show is doing some repairs on their headquarters and on the Beer Can House. For the Orange Show, wind and dust attack its fragile sculptures and painted surfaces constantly, while one of the wettest Junes on record compounded … Continue reading → Continue reading →

H-Town Blogs points to Metroblogging, which appears to be a group blog about events and happenings in different cities by the people in those cities. As yet, Houston is not represented, but that will be rectified when enough people have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Oliver Kitzman, the Waller County DA who tried to keep Prairie View A&M students from voting in that county, will resign his post in September. Oliver Kitzman announced his plans to resign during a monthly Republican party meeting Thursday night, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Tom and Kevin both note this NYT story about the Houston: It’s Worth It campaign. I think it’s pretty strong evidence for the effectiveness of the HIWI campaign that the Times wrote a respectful and gets-it article about the effort … Continue reading → Continue reading →

They’re an optimistic lot in the Houston hotel business, that’s for sure. The Super Bowl drove thousands of visitors to Houston hotels earlier this year, but it still wasn’t enough to cure the city’s ailing lodging market. More than two … Continue reading → Continue reading →

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Houston which alleges that there is an organized campaign to harass and intimidate black elected officials. HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Six black Waller County leaders filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against white … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This Sunday Chron article on property tax variances was a bit of a disappointment to me. I don’t think it’s any great secret that some municipalities in Harris County, like Southside Place, have lower taxes than others – I mean, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The lawsuit to remove a Bible display from outside the Harris County Civil Court building (first noted here) has been decided for the plaintiff, with an appeal pending. As I noted in my original post, I support this ruling, though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Whatever else one may think of the Houston: It’s Worth It! marketing scheme (and as noted, I rather like it), if Rick “Hostshot” Casey and Kevin Whited both think it’s a good idea, it must be doing something right. Now … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m moderately surprised that as of this blogging, none of my fellow Houstonians have commented on this. Throughout its existence Houston has struggled to come up with an effective image campaign. There have been many attempts, but none like the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Olivia and I attended National Night Out last night – NNO is always a big deal in our neighborhood. (Tiffany is taking a Tuesday night Pilates class, in case you were wondering.) Thankfully, there are no kleptomaniac cats – that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m not even a car person, but I’m sorry I missed the Lowrider Evolution Tour yesterday. “It’s just what I love; I love old cars,” said a beaming O’Brien Longoria, of Conroe, as he explained why he spent three years … Continue reading → Continue reading →