After almost two months of 90+ degree weather, we thought it was time to share some of our favorite summer songs on the July edition of the Houstonist iMix. For some reason, summer and the 1980’s go hand-in-hand for Houstonist. Maybe it’s because we were wee ones at the time without a worry in the world, or maybe 80’s music was just more fun in general. Either way, we have our share of summer songs... [continue]

Chances are, the weather outside is downright hot and humid. It is, after all, Houston and summer. Cranking the AC down to Arctic keeps some folks cool, but for those of us that are looking to save (money or the environment), thankfully, there are other options out there for energy reduction. The Simple Dollar suggests some handy "ceiling fan hacks" that will allow you to save some energy: A typical central air conditioning unit uses... [continue]

This weekend is the final weekend of Urban Harvest's Bayou City Farmer's Market Tomato Fest! Yep, tomatoes are fruits and not vegetables and the homegrown ones are worth doing tricks for. So, head over to Richmond Avenue and Eastside and select from a variety of fresh tomatoes. Growing your own? Have some questions (we do, we had a rough 'mater year here at Houstonist), ask the Tomato Doctor. Farmers will have animals and equipment on... [continue]

Missed Connections is a plethora of behavioral and grammatical car accidents. But, who are we to say that folks should not be seeking out some sexual chocolate, a man whore or other shimmering holes. Whatever. Everybody's gotta be somewhere. By the way, come to the crawfish boil if you're looking for guys and gals from Volcano. Dick... East Beach Galveston - m4m - 60 Does anyone know what became of Dick, who drove a... [continue]

Did you know Houston's Pride Parade is the only one in the country to take place at night? And that it's the largest in the Southwest? Houstonist didn't, but that's never stopped us from enjoying the parade from the patio of Catbirds, beverage in hand. Pride Houston is celebrating it's 30th year serving H-town's GLBT community with festivities all day Saturday. This year's theme is "We Are Family," a fitting motif in the wake of... [continue]

Houston Roller Derby's HaRD KNOCKS take on Los Angeles' Angel City Derby Girls this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Shenandoah, TX (that's The Woodland's, ya'll). Seating is limited to 200 bleachers and 100 on the floor (and bring a cushion for that hardass floor) and entry is a mere $10 (you should buy online HERE to ensure your spot!) and that price applies at the door, too. Alcohol will not be for sale at this... [continue]

Good news, Houston! Not only have we finally Jenny Craig'd our way out of the "Fattest City in America" title, we are also steadily becoming less sweaty. That's right: Houston has managed to stay relatively dry in the latest rankings of the Sweatiest Cities in America, a yearly list complied by Old Spice and their parent company, Proctor and Gamble. For 2008, Houston came in at ninth-sweatiest out of 100 other contenders across the nation.... [continue]

Tonight, the Rice Design Alliance hosts a Civic Forum to discuss some of our city's urban design issues, called Good City, Good Citizen: Houston. As the name suggests, the basis of the forum is the hope that increased citizen awareness will lead to an improved city. Topics will include public information accessibility, community leadership, and expectations for the future. The panel is comprised of Andy Icken, Deputy Director, Public Works & Engineering Department; Susan... [continue]

Oh hells yes, Houston. This weekend marks the 21st Annual Art Car Parade and there are some new festivities afoot, too. Houstonist has this handy little recap for you, so you are all "in the know" for the weekend. First, tonight, from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm, you can attend a little sneak peak and symposium at The Orange Show, during which Munger Street will be closed off and there will be a "Talk Shop"... [continue]

H115 - a by Axelhouston Axelhouston has done something that most flickr photographers don't, shoot film. In this Hasselblad image he has captured the beautiful oak trees that line Sunset Blvd. Did you know that Rice has an interactive (but hard to decipher) map of the trees on campus? They do, you can find it here. ________________________________________________________________ Every day, Houstonist features an outstanding photo from our flickr pool. If you have a passion for... [continue]

Cityscape by deji_01 Deji 01 has captured the evening mass exodus of Mexican Free-Tailed bats from underneath the Waugh Street bridge. Did you know that the largest colony of Mexican Free-Tailed bats can be found at Bracken Cave, north of San Antonio, Texas? The Bracken Cave bats have a population of nearly 20 million bats and can eat up to 250 tons of insects per night! While our bats don't number 20 million, there... [continue]

Fred Hartman Bridge by Chicago Love Chicago Love has captured the Fred Hartman Bridge at sunset. She also captured a wonderful reflection of the bridge in the water. The Fred Hartman Bridge connects Baytown and LaPorte and was built at a cost of $117,500,000. ________________________________________________________________ Every day, Houstonist features an outstanding photo from our flickr pool. If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining a whole bunch of Houston's best photographers... [continue]

Rookie power forward Carl Landry took a flying leap into the collective hearts of Houston sports fans last night with a gritty performance that helped the Rockets eek out a 94-92 victory against the Utah Jazz in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. On a night when every Houstonian who ordered a Heineken actually received his or her beer of choice, guard Tracy McGrady led the charge to give the Rockets a... [continue]

All day today, Houston will unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS as area restaurants will generously donate 33% of food bills all day long. AIDS Foundation Houston supports thousands of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and provides services such as housing, case management, and food assistance for nearly 5,000 HIV+ men, women, and children. Restaurants all over town are participating, and you are sure to find one in your neighborhood. If you... [continue]

Tomorrow is officially the day to participate in Dining Out For Life, benefitting AIDS Foundation Houston. This is the easiest ever way to make a donation to a great cause, just go out to eat - you know you're gonna eat anyway, so, make it count - you can pack a sack lunch Friday. Participating restaurants ("eateries") will be donating 33% of your food bill to AFH, well - all buscept the Little Bitty Burger... [continue]

Tomorrow is offcially Earth Day and there have been some celebrations or educational programs going on around us. However, we like to think that every day is Earth Day, ever since we saw that infamous anti-litter campaign featuring Iron Eyes Cody. We have some pretty simple tips for being a little bit greener we'll share with you. Yeah, we know, you're going to roll your eyes at some, but, we may impart a new idea... [continue]

So you know how the NFL Draft is coming up this weekend, right? And you know how very few of us, not being professional athletes, can actually participate in it? (And no, belonging to the croquet team in college doesn't make you a pro athlete, despite what your mom might have told you.) Well, we've got a deal for you: Become a first-round draft pick for Houstonist. No, seriously. Houstonist is looking for writers to... [continue]

Great news!! If you have not checked the list of participating eateries in the Dining Out For Life list, Niko Niko's is participating!!! Houstonist had lunch w/ a couple of peeps this week. As always, it was delish - we chose rice for our starch to accompany the gyro plate, it's creamy and flavorful - we'd love the recipe, just saying. We've had the potatoes and the fries previously, both are very good choices, as... [continue]

DSC_4817 by Axelhouston ________________________________________________________________ If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining a whole bunch of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it here and for more great Houston photography, check out the Houston Photobloggers.... [continue]

While running along Montrose Ave this morning, discovering the sidewalks (and subsequent ankle-twisting cracks) of a neighborhood we have often admired, but of recent become a resident, we got an upclose look at many of the establishment we have visited many a time, yet on foot were allowed to explore a bit more. In the effort of being visionaries, we've decided to name this strip of road SoMo (or South Montrose, for you slow pokes.)...... [continue]