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Morning Roundup

Dolly came to Texas, tore the roofs off of homes and knocked out power in the area; but surfers love Dolly for her waves

Houston gets a taste of Dolly today as remnants roll through the area. 70% chance of thunderstorms. High: 88. Low 76.

The Air Force decorated a pilot from Kingwood with the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for saving the lives of German soldiers

How much did you spend on gas last year? A study indicates the average for Texans nearly $2,200. Yowza!

Ralph Nader, a constant presence on the presidential candidate circuit, is coming to Houston despite not being on the ballot

Senator John Edwards visited Houston yesterday to promote his anti-poverty plan

The Houston Zoo has their own plan in mind. Free admission to low income families. The program is based on enrollment in food stamps. FYI, all visitors all get in for free on some holidays.

Meanwhile, the City of Houston got some encouraging feedback on its effort to fight area homelessness

Think twice before you decide to skip paying at the toll

Another escaped prisoner was recovered. This time he was caught swimming in a motel pool.

Houston's finally getting decent press with "boomtown" status. Now, Houston offers 15 reasons for folks to visit.

Chinese love Yao

The Astros are now in last place in the NL Central

Want to write for Houstonist? Shoot an email to write at houstonist dot com

Houstonist Flickr Photo of the Day - Chicken and waffles

Chicken and waffles
by jyoburn

Proclaimed by some to be the best breakfast in town, The Breakfast Klub serves up chicken and waffles and many other delectable goodies including Katfish and Grits, Biskits and Gravy as well as Green Eggs & Ham. They also turn all hard c's and q's into k's. Hey, it's their schtick, just roll with it.

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Every day, Houstonist features an outstanding photo from our flickr pool. If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it here.

For more great Houston photography, check out the Houston Photobloggers.

Flick: The Dark Knight

Believe the title, folks. This isn't your father's Bruce Wayne anymore; no campy, cartoonish or even remotely comedic elements will be found here. The second installment in Chris Nolan's increasingly deep and complex Batman series is indeed dark.

Houstonist ambled up to the movie theatre on Sunday afternoon, intending to catch a matinee showing of The Dark Knight and expecting, despite reports of sold out shows across the nation, to secure a couple of tickets pretty quickly. We should have paid more attention to those reports, it seems. The only showing of the movie not sold out was at 4:40 p.m. (still matinee pricing, though!), and by the looks of the line even that one was going quickly. With a little over an hour to kill before the show started, we sat in a nearby cafe and discussed what we were expecting from The Dark Knight.

We were unconvinced that Heath Ledger was going to be an Oscar-caliber Joker. We were unsure that seemingly mild Aaron Eckhart was going to be a plausible Harvey Dent or Two-Face. And we were skeptical of reports that this wasn't your average "superhero" movie, but something that instead transcended the genre and created its own niche in the cinematic firmament.

We were wrong.

The Dark Knight all but blew us away. Some have complained that the movie is too long, too dark, too complicated, especially when viewed as simply a "superhero" flick. Those should be popcorn-eating, coke-slurping, throwaway films that provide mindless entertainment, right? Not this Batman.

The length of the film, running a little over two-and-a-half hours, isn't overly long at all. Instead, it takes its time laying the groundwork for the battles (both emotional and physical) to come and creating a richly textured universe which is unlike any other in the Batman franchise. Instead, it's more akin to a grand, multi-layered film trilogy such as The Godfather films. You care about the characters, you empathize with them, and you feel as if you too inhabit the world that Chris Nolan has created on-screen. Before you know it, you're as deeply invested in the story as any of the characters are.

Is the movie too dark? Too complicated? Again, perhaps for a superhero movie, but The Dark Knight plays as a drama, a disturbing look at corruption, motivation, redemption, humanity's multiple layers and the ultimate need for hope in a dark world. The plot is nimble, complex and requires constant attention to appreciate the many subtle nuances and turns that have been sprinkled throughout.Christian Bale's Batman is a deeply flawed character, even moreso than when we last saw him in Batman Begins. He is viewed by Gotham City as an anti-hero, despite all the good he does, and this has begun to take its toll on him. He's lost Rachel Dawes (now played brilliantly by Maggie Gyllenhaal, as Katie Holmes had other "committments") to the bright new "white knight" district attorney, Harvey Dent, and even Lucius Fox (the unparalleled Morgan Freeman) has begun questioning Bruce Wayne/Batman's motives while Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) has problems of his own to deal with inside the Major Crimes Unit. The steadfast Alfred (Michael Caine) remains the only rock in Bruce Wayne's quickly-shifting world.

The Joker makes his first appearance early on, in an opening segment so tightly plotted and acted that it grips you immediately, serving as a warning that this will not be a warm and fuzzy movie. Heath Ledger is unrecognizable as The Joker, an "immovable object" that is sick and twisted from the get-go, a "mad dog" who has been let off a chain by the mobsters that rule Gotham City, although that's as much as a backstory as we get on him (so far). This Joker is not an eccentric prankster; he is a vicious, sadistic sociopath in the most clinical sense of the terms. Every moment that he is on screen with his "warpaint," mysterious scars and sickly taunting voice is captivating and repulsive at the same time, and will surely be remembered as one of the best villains in movie history.

Chris Nolan, the actors (including several key cameos to watch for) and -- perhaps in overlooked roles -- his cinematographers and stunt coordinators have created a piece of art with The Dark Knight, something which we never imagined possible with a Batman movie. The ending still leaves you desperate for that third and final act, wondering what Chris Nolan and Christian Bale could possibly still have up their sleeves after playing a hand like this.

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Photo courtesy of flickr user bart234465 via ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com.

Boom Boom What?

Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam is coming town and we bet you are wondering, "What the heck is a Boom Boom HuckJam?"

Well, it's an all-ages touring extreme sports and music event created by professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. The event features skateboarding, bmx biking and motocross and is performed on huge ramps with a jumbotron screen to help facilitate viewing. The event also includes music, a video turntable show and the Huck Jam Village, which includes activities for the family and will also most likely be hawking all kinds of Tony Hawk and HuckJam merchandise.

The event started in 2003 with a single show in Las Vegas and eventually led to a full on touring road show that has toured across the U.S. and included many huge names in extreme sports.

This year's show will be at The Showgrounds in Sam Houston Race Park and features Tony Hawk, Kevin Staab, Jesse Fritsch, Sergie Ventura, and Neal Hendrix plus BMXers Kevin Robinson, John Parker and Dennis McCoy, as well as Freestyle Moto-X riders Drake McElroy and Greg Garrison. It also includes special guest Mike Relm who is a DJ/turntablist/VJ. Relm has toured with the Blue Man Group and played Coachella and Bonnaroo.

So pack up the family and your neighbors, grab some tickets and head down to Sam Houston Race Park on Sunday, July 20th to check out this one of a kind, all ages, extreme sports show.

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Date: July 20th
Time: Gates at 4pm, DJ at 5pm, show at 6pm
Place: The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park
Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 day of the show and $80 for a ticket 4-pack

Morning Roundup

Now appearing in the Caribbean: Tropical Storm Dolly, which could make landfall near the Texas-Mexico border

Families and friends remembered victims of the LyondellBasell crane collapse this weekend as OSHA investigators began combing the wreckage for clues to the disaster

Bobby's on the Bayou, a nightclub near Intercontinental Airport, burned for the second time in a week yesterday afternoon; investigators suspect arson

Last month's flood at the country criminal courthouse, which was caused when the sprinkler system came on and failed to turn off, will cost the county at least $55,000

What's up in Houston? The salaries of local execs riding the energy industry high

If you're thinking of flying with your pet in the cabin on Continental, you might want to think again: The airline is raising its in-cabin pet fee to $125 each way

As if U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent weren't in enough trouble for allegations of harassment, he's now being investigated for possible ethics violations

Houston's lagging behind when it comes to recycling, but new initiatives could help change that

And, speaking of recycling, here are the answers to some questions about the city's recycling program

And more recycling: If you're thirsty, why not turn our humidity into drinking water? It can be done, apparently

From Swamplot, paring shots of our soon-to-be ex Starbucks locations, including the one on the Shepherd curve, the ones in the Humble and Republic buildings downtown and the one in Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza

Today's weather: Guess! And if you guessed a high of 94, a low of 75 and a chance of afternoon storms, you're either psychic or used to our summer. Either way, congratulations.

Houstonist Bites: Raia's Italian Market

Houstonist headed out to Washington Avenue this past Sunday afternoon to try the newest Italian restaurant cum grocery store, Raia's Italian Market. With an untested location in a brand-new building and the time-tested juggernaut Nundini's only a few blocks away, it would appear that Raia's has a lot to overcome if it wishes to succeed in a market already saturated with Italian restaurants (Candelari's, Spaghetti Western, Star Pizza, Collina's, Patronella's, and Cavatore are just a few that spring to mind in the immediate area).

The first issue we noticed with Raia's was that there is no signage as of yet. This may be a minor nitpick to some, but it makes the restaurant rather difficult to find, especially considering the fact that it's tucked into the bottom floor of a two-story strip center, away from the street. However, seeing as how they only opened 10 short days ago, we were willing to cut them a break on this.

It's important to take their infancy into consideration, as every hatchling restaurant goes through opening jitters. Happily, we were greeted by already-knowledgeable servers and friendly staff as soon as we walked in the door. Mondays through Saturdays, Raia's serves a weekly lunch special along with typical Italian fare in a cafeteria-style line. In the evenings and all day on Sundays, however, it's table service only. Although their website has two separate menus for lunch and dinner, we couldn't find any differences between the two.

The market portion of Raia's is well-stocked with various pastas, rice, olive oils, Italian sodas, deli meats, cheese and even some beautiful fresh butter packaged in butcher's paper. The price is right for most items, although you can still get bulk rice or pasta cheaper at Nundini's or even Sam's Club. Quaint-looking chalkboards hanging above the deli counter announce the meats and cheese that are offered each day and their prices. If it weren't for the permeating and inescapable "newness" of the building, it would almost feel like an old-fashioned neighborhood deli.

The tables for the restaurant are scattered in amongst the shelves, which only adds to the old-fashioned feeling, and you can seat yourself. Most tables have a good view of the deli counter and the charming, if small, brick oven. Our server was gracious and friendly and we were excited to sample a few things from their lunch menu. We began with the Cakes & Claws appetizer for $12, then ordered a dish each of the Carmine and the Corleone pastas ($9 a piece).Noticing a distinct Cajun touch in some of the dishes -- the New Orleans pasta, the Cajun pizza and the Muffaletta appetizer, as examples -- we asked the server if there was a reason for this rather out-of-place cuisine. Perhaps the owners are Cajun? She looked quite puzzled and simply shrugged her shoulders; the owners weren't Cajun to the best of her knowledge. The random addition of Cajun food on an Italian menu is distracting and incongruous, regardless of the history behind it, and was our second nitpick of the afternoon.

The appetizer consisted of two enormous crab cakes with a dollop of aioli, heavy on the crab, and six succulent little crab claws. The cakes were a meal in and of themselves, with barely a hint of bread crumbs but still managing to stick together admirably. The claws seemed to have been battered delicately in cornmeal, and both the cakes and claws were surprisingly light-tasting, without a hint of heavy grease. It was a fantastic appetizer that left us anxiously anticipating our pastas.

Unfortunately, only one of the pasta dishes was up to snuff, and this was the last nitpick of the afternoon. The Carmine pasta, a mixture of rigatoni with broccoli, tomatoes and Italian sausage, was uninspired and anticlimactic after the wonderful appetizers. There was no sauce to bring the ingredients together, so it felt instead as if someone had thrown some leftovers into a bowl and called it a dish. The Italian sausage in particular was heavy on the anise seeds, which gave it an overly-bitter and altogether unappetizing taste. We took the majority of this one to go, to pawn off on the next billy goat or other undiscriminating eater we encountered.

The Corelone pasta, however, was magnificent. This dish was a simple combination of angelhair pasta, eggplant, black olives, capers and ricotta cheese in a marinara sauce. The soft, creamy ricotta blended together expertly with the hot marinara, producing something similar to a vodka sauce. The velvety sauce along with the slightly sour bite of olives and capers along with the savory chunks of eggplant meant that we all but inhaled this dish.

Taking a quick look at the dessert menu, our eyes landed on a $2 mini cannoli. How can you resist a mini cannoli? You can't. We ordered it and weren't disappointed. Scattered with a fine dusting of confectioner's sugar and chopped pistachios, it was the perfect little bite of sweet but slightly tart, nutty bliss after a heavy meal.

Despite the very minor issues we encountered, Houstonist thinks that Raia's will do just fine on Washington Avenue, with its heady new mix of trendy restaurants, bars and housing. While not groundbreaking or cutting edge, their good food, friendly service and added benefit of a deli alongside a small but potent market should be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Raia's Italian Market
4500 Washington Avenue
713.861.1042

Friday Afternoon Video: Johnny Rivers-A-Go-Go

If you know Johnny Rivers solely as Secret Agent Man then you are neglecting some of his best work, which includes a bevy of Motown-esque hits recorded during the later half of the 1960s.

There was a time in our teens when Houstonist would listen solely to oldies radio. At one point we discovered that almost all of our favorite angst-y simple-heartbreak songs (Poor Side of Town, Mountain of Love, Tracks of My Tears, Summer Rain, Memphis) as well as several hand-clappy dance numbers (Maybelline, Midnight Special, Seventh Sun, but not the ridiculous Rockin' Pneumonia) were written or covered by Johnny Rivers.

So we were excited to learn that Rivers will be playing the Houston-area August 9. Tickets are on sale now. Unfortunately, he's playing at the Stafford Center. Splashtown over Spring must have already been booked.

Still, we're going. The Fab Five is opening. And we'll have on our favorite pair of white go-go boots.

And because we're feeling generous, here's a bonus video complete with hand-claps:

The Modern Kit Home

Recently Brett Zamore of Brett Zamore Design LLC has been raking in the Architectural accolades, and we can't help but agree. The Houston resident and Rice alum is featured in this month's issue of Metropolis Magazine, along with this last week's very own Houston Chronicle. The buzz is about Brett's eco-twist on modernist prefab housing.

It appears that at long last, Brett has solved a significant problem to kit home design -- shipping. It used to be the case that kit homes would be ordered from a central production facility or studio where they would be assembled out of a set number of prefab pieces and according to a short stack of plans. The house would then be loaded onto a flatbed truck or train, shipped to your door (we've all see the double-wides on the highway), mounted on the plumbing studs and "ta-da!" you've got a house. But the reality is that escalating costs of transporting the house is becoming unattractive to home-owners if not down-right unaffordable. Brett's houses, he has five of them, solve the transportation problem by contracting all of the materials and fixtures for each house to national distributors. Construction supplies come from local vendors, cabinets come from Ikea; fridge, stove and washer from Sears. Each piece of the house is brought to the site and assembled according to his plans and specifications. The distance each piece has to travel is significantly reduced, as is the total budget of each house. More importantly the carbon footprint per house is dramatically reduced. But that's not all. Each home features energy efficient technology and is designed in a vernacular style to fit almost any American locale.

You can see for yourself. Brett just completed three kit homes just north of Washington, on Center near Thompson. We're not sure if they're open for public snooping, but they're definitely worth a drive-by. Just look for the clean, crisp shotguns. If you have any questions, wonder what it would be like to own one of these pioneering throw-backs, of just think they're super cool contact Brett or the builder, Mark Johnson.

More information can be found in Metropolis Magazine article and on Chron.com.

Images from Brett Zamore Design LLC.

Morning Roundup

As Hurricane Dolly heads for Texas, Galveston is preparing for high tides while Houston gets ready for slightly cooler weather

Speaking of Dolly: This is the third most active July in history in terms of hurricanes

Sunmart, a The Woodlands-based gas station chain, has been short-changing customers at the pump, a state official says

Two men robbed two convenience stores within 25 minutes in April, police said yesterday; officers are still searching for them

The Harris County Sheriff's Office will pay deputies overtime for covering vacancies in its patrol division

Neighbors rescued six children from a burning home in southwest Houston on Tuesday morning

An airplane carrying seven members of Congress from Texas, including Ron Paul, made an emergency landing in New Orleans yesterday after losing cabin pressure

Traffic on Harris County toll roads is down 2 to 3 percent from last year, officials say, likely the result of rising gas prices

If you're interested, you can vote on which crappy architectural style you'd like to see in a condo development planned for the Bistro Vino site

Cars swerving to avoid debris on the Gulf Freeway ended up killing a TxDOT worker yesterday

T. Boone Pickens: We need to build more wind farms to reduce our dependence on foreign oil

HEB has recalled fresh jalapeños, fresh pico and items containing raw jalapeños following an FDA salmonella warning

Harris County commissioners awarded a $973K contract to Enterprise Rent-a-Car on Tuesday — even though the county is suing Enterprise over $2 million in unpaid fees, tolls and fines

A Galveston homeless man's claim that a pile of concrete collapsed on three of his friends was a false alarm, investigators found

Today's weather: Hello, Dolly! There's a strong chance of rain for the next couple of days, with highs around 90 and lows in the upper 70s; things should return to summer normal by the end of the week

Houstonist Bartender: Humid in H-Town

While enjoying a "pleasant" summer Houston evening at a local patio-bar this week, we found ourselves itching for a new drink to replace our usual "Goose and Diet Tonic" (hey, we're watching our figure!) While conversing with our cocktail waitress to garner ideas, we overheard a young lady at the table next to us order a "Humid in H-Town."

Having had our curiosity piqued, we glanced at the young lady and stated, "Wow, that's an interesting drink. What is it?" Hoping for this to be the casual ice breaker that could lead to an interesting evening with a beautiful woman, instead we were coldly greeted with a, "why are you eavesdropping, old man?"

Fortunately, the cocktail waitress turned around and made the save by getting the drink recipe for us. But, alas! No digits!

Hmmm... does that really constitute a "save"?

Either way, try the drink out for yourself if you're into fruity-tasting beverages.

Humid in H-Town

+3 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
+ 2 oz. Jose Cuervo White Tequila
+ 4 oz. Cranberry Juice
+ 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

Mix together in shaker, strain over ice and be prepared to sweat.

Have a drink we should spread to the masses? Send it along [bartender at houstonist dot com], and we just may post it after some extensive testing.

Don't be a dumbass. Drink responsibly or take a cab.

Photo: flickr user telwink

Best in Show

The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows is back in town this weekend, marking 31 years of the beloved canine competition. We can't think of a better or more enjoyable way to spend a hot Houston afternoon than inside the Reliant Center watching some fine canine athletic competitions.

Less strict and far more fun than its stuffy cousins, the Reliant dog show offers events such as flyball, agility and obedience, doggie dancing competitions and a student art show where Houston-area students from kindergarten to high school showcase their love for animals in paintings and sketches. There's even a Designer Doghouse competition, with proceeds going to benefit Citizens for Animal Protection.

In addition to the competitive events, there are educational exhibits such as the fantastic Meet the Breed seminars, where prospective pet owners can learn all about different breeds and their temperaments in a friendly, hands-on environment. Over 80 different dogs will be greeting people and acting as ambassadors for their breeds at the Meet the Breed seminar each day, which runs from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be classes on proper grooming and overall doggie health throughout the weekend.

If you're looking to stock up on doggie goodies from both national vendors and local artisans, the McScotty Market has hundreds of booths on hand. Not only will you be able to score some healthy doggie treats, unique chew toys and custom doggie clothes, at least 60 area non-profits will also be on hand with educational material and adoption information.

If you've considered getting a special breed of dog from a breeder, please think twice about buying a dog and supporting a business that's too often fraught with mistreatment, abuse and breeders who only care about a profit. Instead, consider one of the many non-profit rescue organizations who offer the same breeds for adoption for a nominal fee. You can be a hero and provide a loving home to a dog who desperately needs it by rescuing a miniature Schnauzer, a Sheltie, a Shih-Tzu, a Yorkie, a pug, or one of many other dogs that are saved by these breed-specific organizations, many of which will be on hand this weekend in the McScotty Market area.

And as if all of these events and demonstrations weren't enough fun, the Reliant dog show will award three very special dogs with a Best in Show ribbon. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, one dog will receive their prize in the Animal Planet Ring at 7:00 p.m. Best in Breed prizes will also be awarded throughout the show, with over 150 breeds (and 14,000 dogs!) being judged. Be sure to check out the schedule for Best in Breed prize times if you're looking to catch a specific breed.

Tickets for the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows start at $8 if purchased online through Ticketmaster and are $10 at the gate. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult and seniors pay only $5. Parking is $8 per vehicle (cash only!), but Houstonist recommends taking the light rail to get there if you have the chance (Reliant Center is on the Holly Hall stop, which drops you off practically at the doorstep). The doors open at 8:00 a.m. every day, with Friday running until 9:00 p.m., Saturday until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday until 3:00 p.m.

Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows
July 17th through July 19th
Reliant Center
One Reliant Park
832.667.1400

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Photo courtesy of flickr user jeffbalke.

Houstonist Flickr Photo of the Day - DSC_4493.jpg

DSC_4493.jpg
by lM II lL lL S

Using a long exposure and a little creativity, Houstonist Photo Group contributor, lM II lL lL S, created a light painting. It appears the figure he painted is a bit frustrated waiting on the bus.

For more great Houston photography, check out the Houston Photobloggers.

13 Years of Technology Bytes

Technology Bytes, Houston's longest running computer call in show turns thirteen this month and they are having a party to celebrate.

Join the hosts Jay Lee, Dwight Silverman, Peter, Barrett, Phliktid and Groovehouse for the Technology Bytes 13th Anniversary Party, Saturday night at Dean's Credit Clothing at 316 Main St. from 7:30pm until who knows when.

There will be a cash bar with the most amazing frozen cosmos in town and entertainment provided by DJ Amanda Robinson.

"We want all our friends and listeners to come out and join us including the good folks from Houstonist, Twitterers, co-workers from Caroline Collective and everyone who loves technology."

So head over to Dean's on Saturday to get your geek on and bring any cool gadgetry or mobile devices you may have to show off.

Technology Bytes broadcasts Wednesday nights from 8-10pm central time on 90.1 FM KPFT in Houston, Texas and streamed live on the Internet. The crew of Tech Bytes helps to solve computer problems on the air during each show.

Date: Saturday, July 19th
Location: Dean's Credit Clothing
Address: 316 Main St. (Preston St. MetroRail stop)
Time: 7:30pm - ?

Houstonist Flickr Photo of the Day - Tranquil

Tranquil
by QSNguyen

Taken on a camera phone and edited to bring out the color, this image reflects its title, Tranquil. This shot was captured in Hermann Park. George Hermann endowed the park to the city of Houston in 1914 and it later featured one of the first desegregated public golf courses in the United States.

For more great Houston photography, check out the Houston Photobloggers.

Houstonist Flickr Photo of the Day - Swing

Swing
by Barry J Dobson

It's Monday and wouldn't you rather be here than at work?

For more great Houston photography, check out the Houston Photobloggers.

Questions Loom for Texans

The Astros will always be our boys of summer, but this is football country and our eyes are beginning to look towards Reliant Stadium. With training camp beginning this week, some questions still hold heavy over our Houston Texans’ season.

How will the defensive backfield perform?
Dunta Robinson, the anchor of the defensive backfield, is likely out for most of the season. Showing a good deal of promise in his rookie season, will Fred Bennett come close to filling Robinson’s shoes? How ‘bout Jaques Reeves? Many fans raised their eyebrows when GM Rick Smith signed the somewhat unproven former Cowboy to a 5-year, $20 million contract. The loss of Dunta and his leadership will put the pressure on this young group, especially since they’re in the pass heavy AFC South

Who’ll be running the ball?
The Texans signed another oft-injured running back in Chris Brown. Will he and Ahman Green be able to stay healthy for an entire season? If not, Gary Kubiak will rely on young running backs Chris Taylor, Darius Walker, and rookie Steve Slayton. Even still, we can’t believe that Kubiak will go into the season opener with five active running backs. Look for someone to get cut.

Will the Schaub/Johnson chemistry return?
At the beginning of last season, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson were racking up yardage together. Then Andre was lost to an injury. Next, Matt went down. Some fans are still calling for Sage Rosenfels to start (not gonna happen). Johnson still had an amazing year, but could it have been even better with Schaub slinging the ball his way?

In the upcoming months these questions, along with many more, will be answered. Although the big question remains “Will they make the playoffs?” we will have to wait the longest for that answer.

Photo: flickr user: mrp1001

Houstonist Legends: Wilson Whitley

University of Houston legend Wilson Whitley was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this past Friday in South Bend, Indiana along with 12 other players which included stars such as Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and Penn St. head coach Joe Paterno.

Whitley was a wrecking machine while at UH from 1972-76. His senior season was the best of all and it still remains the standard for all UH defensive players. Whitley's 1976 season included 50 tackles with 15 assists, five sacks and with three recovered fumbles. Whitley captured the Rotary Lombardi Trophy for his spectacular season, which honors the nation's best defensive lineman. Whitley was also honored as a consensus All-American while leading the Southwest Conference champion Houston Cougars to a 10-2 record and a 30-21 win over undefeated Maryland in the 1977 Cotton Bowl. The Cougars finished the season ranked No. 4 after the win which still is the highest ranking to this day.

In 1977, Whitley was chosen eighth overall in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitley played six season with the Bengals which was highlighted in 1981 when the Bengals won the AFC championship and played in Super Bowl XVI.

In 1992, Whitley suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 37. Along with being inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame, Wilson was also inducted into the Texas Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and and the UH Hall of Honor in 1998.

Notes: Whitley's senior season was UH's first season in the Southwest Conference and yet, he was still named as the Southwest Conference Player of the Decade.

Photo courtesy of UHCougars.com

Houstonist Was There: Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam

Houstonist headed out to The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park this past Sunday to catch skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk's traveling extreme sports show, the Boom Boom HuckJam. The weather was scorching hot but we braved the heat along with about a thousand other folks to see the show which included skateboarders, bmx bikers and motocross stunt riders. We even got a chance to see Tony Hawk prior to the show. Check out our pics!

H-Town Rock

For the Weekend of July 24th – 27th, 2008

Well, Houstonist must admit that we did enjoy the outpouring of affection for H-Town Rock in the comments section of last week’s installment of this lovely feature of ours. We hope to repay you this week with some of the same snarky, yet informative commentary you’ve started to expect and appreciate here on the pages (screens?) of Houstonist. There are some excellent shows and festivals for the residents of the Bayou City to attend, if only they would be willing to brave the oppressive summer heat and humidity for which this part of the country is known. So, slap on some sunscreen, hydrate yourselves, and join us for some fun out there.

Thursday, July 24th
Awesome. Simply awesome. While we might enjoy some karaoke on occasion (Is there any cheaper or more hilarious entertainment than watching drunks sing Top 40? We don’t think so.), there’s nothing that Houstonist enjoys more than some energetic, fervent, and deeply committed air guitar riffage. So, for those of you who are rabid fans of frenetically charged, crazily costumed, and musically inspired entertainment, you are encouraged to make your way to Warehouse Live for the evening to experience the 2008 U.S. Air Guitar Championships.

The 2008 U.S. Air Guitar Championships at Warehouse Live
The Misfires, The Mathletes, and Lazy Horse at Rudyard's
Recession Thursdays: Featuring Southern Backtones, Generation Landslide, Muzak John, and The Sweaters at Numbers
Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte, Metro Station, and The Maine at Verizon Wireless Theater

Friday, July 25th

Once again, Houston displays its fractured music scene for all the world to see. It’s not to say that there isn’t a lot to go and view all night long, but more that the various acts are rather scattershot. From raucous indie at Walter’s and Rudyard’s to smooth jazz at Arena Theatre, with some ‘80s rock and outlaw country thrown into the mix in other parts of the city, you can’t say that Houston doesn’t offer more than a few chances to enjoy yourself.

The Western Civilization, The Flyers, Pura Pharm, and Wicked Poseur at Walter's on Washington
Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, and Terisa Griffin at Arena Theatre
The Invincible Czars, Two Star Symphony, and Opposite Day at Rudyard's
Plump and Zwee at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar
Foreigner and Bryan Adams at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Cross Canadian Ragweed at Sam Houston Race Park

Saturday, July 26th

We must admit, as exciting as it might be to go partake of Journey up in the ‘burbs, alterna-rock with our crazy roommate at Warehouse, or a Texas troubadour at the Duck, we think that you’d be kinda stupid to not be at The Backroom (aka The Mink) for Twotenanny! Basking in the success of the original Hootenanny from earlier this year, some of the best and brightest indie acts in Houston are gathering together to serve as cover bands for some of their personal favorite acts. Who are we looking forward to most? Why, that would be the alt-country kids of Buxton performing as Scandinavian weird-pop diva Björk (though we’re not quite sure how that’s going to work). Just do yourselves a favor and be there.

Twotennany!: Featuring American Sharks (as The Cars), Buxton (as Björk), Custom Drinker (as Rod Stewart), Flowers to Hide (as The Cure), The Kimonos (as Blondie), Paris Falls (as Rush), Sharks and Sailors (as The Police), Tody Castillo & Friends (as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Welfare Mothers (as Johnny Cash), and Wild Moccasins (as ?) at The Backroom
Journey, Heart, and Cheap Trick at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Nothingmore, Deep Ella, Three Fantastic, and The Urgency at Warehouse Live
Joe's Roadhouse Live: Featuring Brad Absher, Scott McGill, and Old Dog Mac at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar
Cory Morrow at McGonigel's Mucky Duck

Sunday, July 27th

Regardless of where you might all actually end up on this Sunday evening, there are really just two places where you should be: trolling the bars and clubs in the Main Street area of downtown Houston to soak in the multitude of bands performing for the Houston Press Music Awards or consuming the vast quantities of metal being served up fresh out at SHRP. It really shouldn’t be a hard choice: either you’ll be seeking out some of the more top-notch musicians in the greater Houston area in all their musical glory or you’ll be banging your head non-stop for hours on end. You decide. Houstonist knows where we will be.

Houston Press Music Awards: Featuring Arthur Yoria, Beetle, Black Math Experiment, Born Liars, Bring Back the Guns, Buxton, Chrome44, Deep Ella, DJ Ceeplus and Bad Knives, DJ Red, Free Radicals with Harry Sheppard, Hearts of Animals, Indian Jewelry, Karina Nistal, The Literary Greats, LoneStar PornStar, Los Skarnales, Molly & the Ringwalds, Pale, Poor Dumb Bastards, Sideshow Tramps, Sharks and Sailors, Skyblue 72, Spain Colored Orange, Thee Armada, The Tontons, Two Star Symphony, The Wiggins, Young Mammals, and many more at various Downtown venues (including Dean’s Credit Clothing, The Flying Saucer, Hard Rock Cafe, Havana, Mosaic, Notsuoh, Rocbar, and Venue)
Reggie O'Farrell, Phillip Foshee, Elsinore, and Another Run at The Mink
Rockstar Mayhem Fest: Featuring 36 Crazyfists, Airbourne, Black Tide, Disturbed, Dragonforce, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, Machine Head, The Red Chord Slipknot, Suicide Silence, Underoath, and Walls of Jericho at Sam Houston Race Park

Adjective, Verb, Noun

If you're anything like Houstonist, you loved Mad Libs as a kid (noun...snot! adjective...stupid! verb...fart! and so on). And if you're not too cool to admit it, you probably still love them now (although, hopefully your vocabulary has expanded somewhat since your playground days).

DiverseWorks and the Houston Center for Photography are giving you a forum to flex not only your Mad Lib skills but also your photography skills, whether amateur or professional. This Friday, July 25th, from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., SPIN4: Lens Libs invites you to play along with a photo show unlike any other in town.

The gallery walls of the Houston Center for Photography will be filled with the works of 14 local writers, with key words missing throughout. All you photographers out there are requested to bring a few pictures (on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper) of words with which to fill in the blanks. According to DiverseWorks, the final product is expected to be "both whimsical and thought-provoking."

The words should be in one of five categories: noun, verb, adjective, exclamation or place. You can also provide plural nouns (several of something, like a herd of cows). And the photographs don't have to be ones that you took yourself; they can be old family photos or even newspaper clippings. Photos from around Houston are, of course, particularly welcomed.

To particpate, simply bring in your unframed, unmounted, 8 1/2 by 11-inch photograph on Friday, July 25th, starting at 8:00 p.m. Your photograph won't be returned to you at the end of the show, so keep that in mind if you're handing in a treasured daguerrotype of Great Aunt Beulah at her spinning wheel on ye olde family farm.

The finished product will be on display throughout the weekend, ending at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. The Houston Center for Photograph is free and open to the public, so even if you can't make the event on Friday night, you can still check out the finished product over the weekend. However, we highly suggest making it out there on Friday night. Why?

Local artist DJ Shoe will be spinning tracks, there will be an open bar of wine and beer sponsored by Real Ale and there'll even be some sticky, delicious barbeque for sale, since nothing goes better with photography shows than pork ribs. Words will be placed into the works throughout the course of the evening, not thrown up all at once, which should make for a fun and interactive event.

Tickets for the show can be purchased online for $10 at www.hcponline.org or at the door for $15. And if you're one of the first 50 people through the door, guess what you get... That's right: a free Mad Libs game for the car ride home (not that Houstonist is condoning the practice of Mad Libbing and driving). For more information (including answers to some frequently asked questions), visit the Houston Center for Photography's website.

SPIN4: Lens Libs
July 25th, 8:00 p.m.
Houston Center for Photography
1441 West Alabama
713.529.4755‎

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Photo courtesy of www.hcponline.org.

Watermelon Facts & Haikus

It's summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime and here are a few watermelon facts followed by some watermelon haikus.

• Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar.
• Americans eat over 17 lbs of watermelon each year, Houstonist eats double that!
• The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
• Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.

Watermelon Haikus

Season's Peak
July is the peak
of watermelon season.
Be sure to enjoy!

The Description
Red, crunchy and cold.
The satisfying flavor
of a red, ripe one.

Memories
Front porch, summer day,
spitting seeds and sticky hands.
The thought takes me back.

Question
Why is this seedless?
How can a fruit reproduce?
Are seeds really bad?

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Watermelon photo provided by flickr user tompagenet through a Creative Commons license.