28 January 2006
Gearing up for the Tour de Houston
Last week Mayor White announced that the second annual Tour de Houston will be held March 18th:
Mayor Bill White joined State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Mayor Pro-Tem Carol Alvarado and title sponsor Guaranty Bank today in announcing the routes for the 2nd annual Guaranty Bank Tour de Houston bicycle ride benefiting Houston parks on Saturday, March 18, 2006.
“This event has become a tradition for anyone who wants to come out and have a great ride through our beautiful city. It's a chance to see our diverse neighborhoods in a fun and different way,” said Mayor White.
[snip]
The inaugural Guaranty Bank Tour de Houston drew more than 2,500 riders last year and, as an official recommended ride for the upcoming BP MS 150, has already become a popular Houston cycling classic.
I'm amused. It's the second one and the city is calling it a tradition and a cycling classic!
Anyway, best of luck to everyone who participates, including (I'm sure) Houston bicyclist Bob Stein.
Wear your helmets! Watch out for the Danger Train!
RELATED: Tour de Houston website
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/28/06 05:46 PM |
27 January 2006
The professional sensitives don't like Houston 1836
Well, according to the New York Times, Hispanics are outraged by the name Houston 1836:
Many Latinos in Houston, though, greeted the unveiling of the team's name this week with a shudder. Eighteen thirty-six also happens to be the year that a group of English-speaking interlopers waged a war of secession that resulted in Mexico's loss of Texas, ushering in more than a century of violence and discrimination against Mexicans in the state.
In fact, the team's owner, the Anschutz Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, appears to have upset some of the very soccer-crazy fans they were hoping to lure, after basing its venture in part on the crowds of Spanish-speaking fútbol aficionados who regularly fill stadiums here to attend the matches of visiting clubs from Mexico. Marisabel Muñoz, a spokeswoman for Major League Soccer in New York, which is controlled in part by Anschutz, declined to comment.
"Clearly, not enough homework was put into this," said Paco Bendaña, a prominent Houston-based authority on marketing to Latinos. "Historically speaking, 1836 is not something we celebrate."
[snip]
The announcement of the name on Wednesday quickly elicited strong reactions among Latino soccer followers. Carlos Puig, the editor of Rumbo de Houston, one of the city's Spanish-language daily newspapers, said his e-mail inbox filled with messages from readers "going crazy with the name."
Rumbo lambasted the name on its front page on Thursday, describing the choice as an "own goal," a soccer term for the occasion when a player inadvertently kicks the ball into his own goal, scoring a point for the opposing team. Rumbo also questioned whether the name would attract fans among Latinos, who account for more than 40 percent of Houston's population.
[snip]
Some in Houston were quick to defend the team's name, including one participant in a soccer blog carried on the Web site of The Houston Chronicle who identified himself as Mexican-American and told critics of the name to "give me a break and stop being so politically correct."
Amen! Those who are so easily offended by EVERYTHING (that includes the New York Times) need to get a life.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/27/06 07:20 AM |
26 January 2006
That unity dream was short-lived
I remember seeing KHOU-11's story on the MLK Jr. Day parade earlier this month and thinking how the story sure put a happy face on the years-long dispute between two competing groups:
A decade-long feud between two Houston groups ended Monday with a single parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The feud had meant competing parades each MLK Day, but this year it was a different scene downtown.
"I love it," said Bertha Edison, parade goer. "Dr. King stood for unity. Always stood for unity."
The crowd was larger and the parade longer, but Bertha Edison was especially pleased the two feuding parade organizers have finally come together.
"If we can't come together how do we expect others to follow what we're trying to preach here?" Edison asked.
[snip]
It was a history-making day for the annual MLK Parade. Many said there's no better gift for the dreamer than unity on his birthday.
"This is it," said Carolyn Scantleberry, parade goer. "This is the way it should be."
Yeah, well, so much for unity:
A second promoter has filed a competing permit application for a 10 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. parade, setting up the first test of the city's parade ordinance that calls for rival groups to go into arbitration.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/26/06 03:31 PM |
The 36ers are too...American
Following up on the Houston 1836 name post, here's a USA Today story that includes a critic who thinks our new team is lacking something: diversity:
Juan Giraldo is the president of the Houston Toros, a team in the semipro Universal Soccer Federation. Houston 1836 has mostly American players and none from Mexico, although it does have one from Venezuela and another from El Salvador. Giraldo said that's not enough.
"The Hispanic community is very excited that this is happening," Giraldo said. "But they definitely need to integrate some more Hispanic players. The Mexican community is very close to the Mexican leagues. For the MLS to work here, there has to be some connection to their own teams."
How predictable...and how tiresome.
RELATED: Houston 1836 roster
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/26/06 12:02 PM |
Houston 1836 (updated)
It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.
Does it generate soccer excitement for you? When the team gets into the playoffs (or whatever it is MLS does) what will Houston 1836 fans do to celebrate? Wear circa 1836 outfits?
I guess it'll work, since San Francisco has the 49ers, and they are often called the Niners. So, the 1836ers will be called the Sixers? No, can't do that. That's taken. It'll have to be the 36ers.
The Houston 36ers.
It still doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but they are all ours! Go team! (in a privately-financed stadium.)
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: I guess since we call ourselves a cityblog, we had to weigh in on this eventually, eh? I'm glad Anne led off.
Here's my question -- shouldn't it be Houston 1836/1837? Sure, the city was "founded" in 1836, but not incorporated until 1837. And given Houston's problems with skyrocketing violent crime, the "/" (SLASH!) might even give the marketing folks something to work with, so to speak.
Anyway, Laurence Simon is about to launch a new site, 1836 Is Full Of Crap (what else?) and he'll be soliciting input on better names. 1,836 of them. There are surely many more names that are better than 1836, but one does have to draw the line somewhere. So start thinking about your entries!
KEVIN WHITED ADDS MORE: Rob Booth posts a great roundup of the blogversation about the name.
UPDATE: 1836.IsFullOfCrap.com is now live. Go add your entry!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/26/06 06:42 AM |
25 January 2006
House of Blues coming to Houston
The Houston Pavilions has landed a high-profile tenant:
The developers of Houston Pavilions, a shopping, entertainment, office and residential complex planned for three blocks of prime downtown land, planned to announce at a press conference Wednesday that House of Blues has signed the first major retail lease in the project.
Developers Geoffrey Jones and William Denton, who set the wheels in motion for the Pavilions more than two years ago, said they expect to begin construction this spring.
[snip]
With its roughly 3,700 residents, downtown Houston still doesn't have the critical mass of residents that retailers typically require to open new locations. But Thornton said he's not worried.
"Because we're destination entertainment, we're basically a traffic generator," he said.
Indeed, the developers said the venue will attract customers from far beyond the city center, which will help bring in additional retailers.
[snip]
The developers also received financial assistance through an $8.8 million development grant from the city of Houston and $4.4 million from Harris County.
City officials and other industry experts said the project will act as a catalyst for downtown retail.
The Houston Downtown Management District approved a $1 million grant as part of a program established last year to provide financial assistance to developers bringing retailers to downtown.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/25/06 07:41 AM |
24 January 2006
Shooing away Houston's homeless (updated)
Houston is working hard to rectify a dismal seventh place showing in that meanest-cities-to-the-homeless report:
Houston police today rousted dozens of homeless from downtown encampments in a sweep spurred at least partly by complaints from businesses and residents.
Beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon, officers ordered people to gather their belongings and leave locations where they had spent the night in Tranquillity Park, parking lots near homeless shelters and under bridges.
Although some complained, most complied, wandering off with what possessions they could carry. Police made no arrests during the early part of the operation.
Police Capt. Dwayne Ready said the sweep was part of a continuing, comprehensive homeless program delayed since August as the city dealt with the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Houston's (and New Orleans') homeless needn't fret for too long, though -- soon there'll be a lovely park and underground parking garage to call home.
KEVIN WHITED ADDS (01-25-2006): KTRH 740's Chris Baker has it nailed. The city is sanitizing visible parts of downtown in preparation for the NBA all-star game.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/24/06 01:19 PM |
19 January 2006
A big roar is silenced
This is sad news out of the Houston Zoo:
Bruno, whose deep-throated roar could be heard throughout the grounds of the Houston Zoo, and sometimes as far away as nearby Ben Taub Hospital, was euthanized by local zoo officials Tuesday.
Zoo officials said the African lion was in severe kidney failure with no other treatment options available.
Bruno had been at the Houston Zoo since 1989. Over the weekend, the animal showed signs of deteriorating health. He lacked an appetite and winced as in pain.
This Chronicle story has a beautiful picture of Bruno and includes a wonderful remembrance:
"He had a tendency to call first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening," said Hollie Colahan, the zoo's curator for primates and carnivores. "You could hear that all over the zoo."
[snip]
Other than his daily roar, Bruno didn't do much, but he still managed to maintain a high profile with zoo patrons.
"He lay around and looked good — that was mostly his job," Colahan said.
Well yes! That's what kitties do best. (Striking resemblance, eh?)
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/19/06 07:53 PM |
18 January 2006
Dueling MLK parades are a potential new revenue stream
The Chronicle today reports that one day after holding a joint parade to honor Martin Luther King, two groups returned to squabbling:
Less than 24 hours after holding a joint parade to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the race to obtain separate permits for next year was on Tuesday with the Black Heritage Society striking first.
Ovide Duncantell, the group's executive director, arrived at Department of Public Works and Engineering headquarters just after 9 a.m., making his the first permit application for a 2007 parade received by the city.
Afterward, he said he had no doubt Charles Stamps, president of the MLK Grande Parade Foundation, promoter of the city's only other King parade, would seek a permit, too.
"Whoever has the permit has the parade," Duncantell said. "I wanted to make sure I'd done everything proper."
The city has 10 days to review the application.
Under city ordinance, another organization can apply for a parade permit during the 10-day review period. If a second application is made for the same day, both applicants must submit to — and pay for — arbitration to resolve the dispute.
Mayor White is missing a big opportunity to "run the city like a business," as he is sometimes known to drawl to the press. Let the two groups have competing parades. And instead of forcing them to pay an arbitrator, jack up those parade fees and make sure the city profits handsomely from it!
That's one new revenue stream that I could support.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/18/06 10:45 PM |
16 January 2006
Chronicle reports on crime in the city
The Chronicle has run several stories on Houston's crime problem.
MayorWhiteChiefHurtt's preferred bogeyman ("bad" apartment complexes) gets some play, but there are also illustrations of HPD's manpower shortage. It's some interesting reporting from out and about in the city (and not just from a desk). I'm going to post links without excerpts. Feel free to discuss in the forum.
Violence hits home in city's deadliest district (Rhoma Khanna and Robert Crowe)
Increased gang activity part of problem (Robert Crowe)
Crime's effects felt by all (Robert Crowe and Monica Guzman)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/16/06 09:27 PM |
15 January 2006
Food and drink roundup (01-15-2006 edition)
The Food and Drink offerings have been a bit meager to start the year, but we'll try to throw something together.
Alison Cook reviewed downtown restaurant 17 as her last review of the year, and liked changes from the new kitchen management.
Brian McManus's reviews of local eateries remind us that we haven't heard from Robb Walsh in a while, and also make us hope he gets back soon. I'm not sure why a review of Tony's or a later review of the wild Sunday brunch at La Strada necessitates multiple mentions of the male sex organ. There's too little talk of food or cuisine in this man's restaurant reviews.
Mary Vuong looks at what Houstonians can expect trend-wise from local eateries in 2006. She also looks at the versatility of teas in drinks and food.
Ken Hoffman's fast food reviewing talents have been on a bread kick the past two weeks. Last week Blimpie's "new" whole grain wheat bread got a gander. This week Quiznos new bread bowls get the nod. The bread bowls sound yummy. What a bad time to start a diet for a New Year's resolution.
And Gracie Ochoa does a short write-up for Montrose lounge The Flat.
World Class, all of it. Enjoy!!
Posted by Callie Markantonis @ 01/15/06 10:16 PM |
Neighborhood Protection unit focuses on graffiti (updated)
KHOU-11 posts some good news on the city's worsening graffiti problem -- MayorWhiteChiefHurtt are finally paying attention:
You might have seen it and police confirm it -- graffiti is popping up in more places.
Graffiti is popping up in more places around Houston.
This type of vandalism is exploding in Houston and there is one city department now appointed to erase the writing on the wall.
[snip]
In the past citizens turned to several different agencies for help, but those groups ran out of money. With the resurgence of graffiti, HPD’s Neighborhood Protection will now take on the problem.
“It’s huge,” said Assistant Chief Brian Lumpkin who heads the new unit.
He said his approach to erasing this problem is simple.
“Take some money that the mayor’s anti-gang office had for abatement and we’re going to train our inspectors to supervise probationers and trustees. And we’re going to come out as aggressively and as fast as we can start covering it up,” Lumpkin said.
[snip]
While Lumpkin’s group will target all graffiti, but first on his list are “The ones that are most hateful and the ones that are race related and the most hurtful,” Chief Lumpkin explained.
Chief Lumpkin said an inspector would check out locations two days after receiving a call.
They’ll place a yellow notice and let the owner know that they have 30 days to clean up the criminal mischief.
If an owner who can afford to clean up doesn’t, the city will spray away the problem and a lien will be placed on the property.
“We’re probably going to be hitting some other locations multiple times before we get it under control,” Chief Lumpkin said.
MayorWhiteChiefHurtt haven't wanted to spend money on this problem, but the explosion of graffiti is kind of hard to ignore after a while. It's good that citizen complaints and ongoing media coverage have finally prompted a response, although we'll reserve judgment until we see more in the way of results, and not just PR. Indeed, there's an abandoned building here in midtown that's a graffiti eyesore. I'll be reporting it to the hotline on Monday, and tracking the response.
The KHOU report says graffiti can be reported using the city's 311 number. They also give the Neighborhood Protection number: 713-884-3131.
UPDATE (01-16-2006): I called the last number listed by KHOU. I got someone whose name I didn't recognize at HPD. He told me the number I need is actually 713 525 2525. That number was not functional.
I then called the city's 311 number to report a graffiti problem. I listed the intersection of the problem property. The 311 operator told me the system will not accept an intersection, I must have a physical address. I told the operator that the address has been tagged over, the property is abandoned, and that I can't obtain the physical address or even a nearby address. I suggested that it is across the street from a city park, and perhaps she could obtain the address from that. Nope, she wanted a physical address, otherwise she couldn't report the problem. And she couldn't transfer me to Neighborhood Protection directly because today is a federal holiday.
So, right off the bat, the PR for this program already exceeds the actual functionality of the program, and my time has been wasted. I'll try to email various parties in the city about the incident I want to report as well as the deficiencies in the program, and we'll see if anything happens.
UPDATE (01-16-2006): About 5pm today, someone from 311 answered my email, thanked me for my concerns about the onerous reporting requirements of the phone line, and said my complaint had been entered in the database. I'll try to remember to follow up on the complaint.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/15/06 06:20 PM |
11 January 2006
There's always next year
Houston is no longer America's fattest city.
And it turns out we're also not America's meanest city when it comes to homeless people. We're #7.
Here's the report from KHOU-11:
A report by the National Coalition for the Homeless ranks Houston as the seventh meanest city in the country when it comes to the way it treats its homeless.
The report focuses on specific city measures from 2005 that have targeted homeless persons, such as laws that make it illegal to sleep, eat, or sit in public spaces.
Life on the streets is where an estimated 14,000 people in Houston claim a patch of concrete as home.
"Some people feel safer out here on the streets than in a house, but not all of us. Some of us want a roof over their heads," said Anthony Scott.
When we talked with Anthony Scott last year he was hopeful. The City of Houston was working with various downtown groups to provide emergency housing for the homeless.
But homeless advocates in Houston say it's all window dressing.
"Civility ordinances, pahhandling ordinances to me is like taking a shotgun and shooting at a fly," said Anthony Love with the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.
Houston must work harder to be #1 at something!
UPDATE (01-12-2006 - 9:10 am): Michael Berry is discussing this issue on his radio show today, KPRC-950 (9 - 11 am).
UPDATE 2 (9:23 am): A representative from the organization that put out the study was scheduled to talk about it on Berry's program. Apparently, they decided Berry's show wouldn't be 100% free, uncritical publicity, and backed out. So much for conversation about the issue, as opposed to simply repeating talking points.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/11/06 10:35 PM |
10 January 2006
Cavalia comes to Houston
If you've been along Richmond in the Galleria area lately, you've probably noticed the commotion involving a huge tent and other construction.
The tent will house Cavalia, which opens on January 24. Here's KUHF-88.7's description of the event:
The biggest touring tent in North America is now up in the Galleria area. The 110-foot tall Big Top houses the adventurous and innovative production of Cavalia.
Acrobats, aerialists, riders and horses will perform in the 26,000 square-foot Big Top. Normand Latourelle is the president and artistic director behind Cavalia. He was also one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil.
"We are as modern as Cirque du Soleil. But the difference is we have horses."
Latrourelle started working with horses only ten years ago. He considers the animal the most beautiful creature on stage."You don't need to put a costume to a horse, you don't need to do make-up to a horse. Just looking at horse, having fun and playing with trainer to me is just a gift from the sky."
The show depicts the relationship between horses and humans.
More information is available via the press release and the Cavalia site.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/10/06 10:24 PM |
09 January 2006
Rodeo announces entertainment lineup
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced their schedule of artists today.
It's a decent mix of Nashville Country, Texas/Americana, and assorted categories this time around.
The full lineup is here.
UPDATE: For those of us who don't care so much for the "big" commercial country artists, the Hideout (the Hideaway in the past) hosts lesser-known artists as well at the Rodeo. Sara Cress has the schedule.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/09/06 09:59 PM |
08 January 2006
On magazine PR gambits and flawed methodology
A magazine has posted an update to its annual survey of "fat" cities. Houston no longer is "fattest" according to said magazine.
We've had nothing to say about the magazine's annual effort at free publicity because their methodology doesn't measure what they say, and the novelty factor has worn off.
But in case you were wondering why we haven't said anything about it this time around, this old post does the job adequately.
BLOGVERSATION: TBIFOC, Isolated Desolation, Slightly Rough, Off the Kuff.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/08/06 01:00 PM |
03 January 2006
Would you pay $10 to see these people play basketball?
This year the NBA All-Star game will be at the GRB on February 17, and for only $10 you can go and stargaze:
In years past, the game has featured celebrities such as Sean P. Diddy Combs, Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, Vivica A. Fox, Wilmer Valderrama, Nelly and Frankie Muniz.
The roster for this year's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will be released in February.
Eh, let's hope the caliber of celebrity improves.
UPDATE: On a related note, here's a story out of HISD:
The National Basketball Association is dunking $250,000 into an HISD school.
During its December meeting, the HISD Board of Education unanimously approved the acceptance of a $250,000 donation from the NBA for renovations at McDade Elementary School (5815 Hirsch, 77026).
Thanks to the NBA’s generous grant, students at McDade Elementary will be able to read and learn in a library equipped with a new technology center, and play in their school’s new indoor physical education classroom and outdoor recreational area—the latter of which will feature a brand new basketball court after the renovations are complete.
The project, championed by the Houston Rockets, will be highlighted during the nationally televised NBA All-Star Week in February.
That's terrific, but please, please don't let Paris Hilton go anywhere near that elementary school.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 01/03/06 08:52 AM |
23 December 2005
More information on Houston's new soccer team
Here's the City of Houston's press release announcing the new soccer team. It contains some information that's new to me...but maybe not to you.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/23/05 12:12 PM |
21 December 2005
Nativity scene opponent in high dudgeon, needs Christmas spirit
A Professional Sensitive has himself all worked up in Fort Bend County:
That nativity scene in dispute is in New Territory in Fort Bend County. It's not sitting well with everyone living there.
Opponents say the nativity scene alienates other religions. They also say the scene is on government property and should not be there. The homeowners' association says it's not on government property and they're not going to take it down.
Holiday displays are decorated on the fronts of dozens of neighborhoods in New Territory, but a nativity scene has some non-Christian people offended.
"We represent Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews," said Seth Riklin, an opponent to the nativity scene. "Anyone who is not of the Christian faith is relegated to second class citizenship"
Opponents of the nativity scene say they want it taken down because they believe it alienates other religions.
"Relegated to the back of the bus because they're not of the Christian faith," said Riklin.
Mr. Riklin needs to find a (better) hobby...or maybe get a dog.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/21/05 07:55 AM |
19 December 2005
Food and drink roundup (12-19-2005 edition)
It has been ages since a Food and Drink round up appeared. They stopped about the time of Hurricane Katrina. It didn’t seem appropriate for me to prattle on about such matters while people lost life and home. It’s time we got back to eating and drinking business. I’ve picked a few reviews from the past few weeks.
Alison Cook sees the ghosts of Antone's Po' boys past as she wanders through Gravitas, located in Antone's former digs on Taft. She finds some hits and misses in the new restaurant, but I loved remembering the old place through her descriptions. She also lets us know that Pronto Cucinino does a pretty good job at the fast casual effort.
A few weeks ago, Robb Walsh reviewed one of the bH crew's fave Tex Mex joints, Cyclone Anaya's. His latest review is about the newest sushi seen-and-be-seen spot Uptown Sushi.
Mary Vuong, inspired by a new dish tried, of all places, on an airplane flight, goes off in search of Houston versions of bibimbap. This probably falls in the olds column, but do we know what happened to Dai Huynh? Is she another one for the Chron Brain Drain list?
Ken Hoffman tries Margaritaville Calypso Coconut Shrimp from the Jimmy Buffet frozen food line. Yes. The Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville frozen food line. Okay. He also tries the new unorthodox Reuben sandwich at Arby’s.
And Gracie Ochoa checks out Katy's EinStein's Pub.
World Class, all of it. Enjoy!!
UPDATE: Laurence's review of Bubba's is a good read too.
Posted by Callie Markantonis @ 12/19/05 10:44 AM |
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