Since our first cool blast of December has rolled into town, we're even getting into the over-commercialized holiday mode. So, we thought we would share with you some of our favorite Christmas and holiday songs, both past and present, with you. Throw out the $5.99 CD compilation you bought at Wal-Mart -- this is all you need. The standards (Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Elvis) and more modern-day standards (John Lennon) are here. The 80's......

There have been many epic songs (think "Paradise by the Dashboard Light”) and videos (think "November Rain”) in our lifetime, but no one has taken it to the extreme that R. Kelly has. Two years ago, R. Kelly released chapters one through five for his epic “Trapped in the Closet.” We’re bringing you those first five chapters, but if you want to see the remaining 17 chapters (you have nothing else to do this......

The tryptophan has worn off, we all trudge back to work, and sit down to surf the web. Between another crushing Texans loss, the Aggies poaching one of the Texans' coaches, and the Rockets finally getting their act together, it was a busy holiday season for Houston sports. Let Houstonist do the surfing for you and bring you up to speed on what the web is saying about our teams: - Ok, this is just......

Yesterday, members of the Caribbean Impact Foundation, a local non-profit organization, stood before the International Liaison and Protocol Committee to request that the city name this week Caribbean Relief Week due to the devastating effects Hurricane Dean had on many Caribbean nations. The mayor issued the proclamation and encouraged Houstonians to do what they can to aid the relief work: Houstonians have always shown a big heart in times of need, and I know they......

Monday Night Movies at Domy Books A trip to Cafe Brasil last night confirmed what we told you last week. They are getting a big honking, new kitchen. All the more room to make those yummy pizzas. The roof of our mouth is still mad at our inability to control the yumminess. We've been loving the Monday Night Movies at Domy all summer long. And we especially look forward to stopping off at Brasil before......

You know you’re cool when, while in your late 60’s, you are immortalized in an episode of South Park (the classic “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo” episode, where Glass composed the elementary school’s play). Not that Philip Glass needs that type of recognition – he’s been composing music for film, operas, symphonies, and even some pop music. The ambient, minimalist composer brings his work to the University of Houston’s Moores Opera House tonight, where he’ll......

Tuesday We’ve given you a lot of Halloween ideas, including costumes to wear, places to go, and haunted places. Want one more? How about Halloween from Hell III? Since My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is headlining, you know Lucifer will be there. 8 p.m. at The Engine Room | tickets and info Wednesday Yesterday, we recommended the Ben Folds and Houston Symphony concert for tonight, and we still do. There’s good local......

Let's take a look back at a week that raised this Zen koan: if Kevin Federline got into a wrestling ring with a wrestler, who would you root for? Austinist was in an entertainment state of mind as they covered the dickens out of the Austin Film Festival, depicted all the Big 12 football coaches as South Park characters, and interviewed Jose Gonzalez. Chicagoist talked about the passion as they bid adieu to Bell......

This morning, Metro's limited rail service became more limited when a power outage shut down the MetroRail line. METRO officials said a power outage at about 4:15 a.m. shut down the entire line. Power had been restored to the line running from the Fannin South Park & Ride lot to its stop near Memorial Hermann Hospital by 7 a.m. The portion of the light-rail line includes all stops in the Texas Medical Center. While crews......