Houston, TX

On Sunday, 41 year old Craig Biggio said goodbye to his legion of Houston fans at Minute Maid park for the last time. The second baseman retired but leaves behind an impressive record that makes him a contender for the Hall of Fame: 20th in major league history in hits (3,060), 12th in runs (1,844) and fifth in doubles (668). Biggio has given twenty years of fun and excitement to Houston Astro baseball fans.

What will you miss most about Craig Biggio or what’s your favorite memory of a game he played?

Do you enjoy learning about and seeing entertainment from other cultures? How about some exciting Japanese performance?

If this sounds up your alley, check out the Miller Theatre tonight!
EVENT 11th Houston Grand Taiko Festival
WEBSITE www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
BEGIN 9/28/2007
END 9/29/2007
LOCATION Miller Theater, In Hermann Park, 100 Concert Drive

NOTES High energy Japanese Taiko Drumming and Japanese Dancing Extravaganza. This year’s guest artist is Big Mountain Family (Native American Indians). 7:30 p.m.

PHONE 281.FREE.FUN

Miller Outdoor Theatre, Miller Theatre, Grand Taiko Festival, fun in Houston

If you are my age (give or take) you might remember an old song called Delta Dawn. That song gets stuck in my head when I see news about the Delta II rocket taking the Dawn Spacecraft on a mission.

This $449 million eight-year mission will take the Dawn Spacecraft to the asteroid belt to study Vesta, the largest object in the asteroid belt, and Ceres, a dwarf planet.

According to the Houston Chronicle

The probe’s first destination is Vesta, an asteroid about the size of Arizona, where observations with telescopes suggest it has qualities like the solar system’s rocky inner planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

Dawn should reach Vesta in August 2011.

After circling Vesta for seven months, the spacecraft will aim for Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid belt. The Texas-sized object may have a weak atmosphere, a thick layer of water frozen below a dusty surface and polar caps. Those qualities resemble those of the moons of the solar system’s outer planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Moved along by ion propulsion, Dawn would reach Ceres in February 2015 for at least six months of observations.

The purpose of the mission is to, “provide scientists with new clues about the collection of rocky materials that were left over from the formation of the planets. Thousands of asteroids orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiter.”

Ceres, the dwarf planet in the asteroid belt.

dwarf planet, Vesta, Ceres, asteroid belt, Delta II, Delta rocket, Dawn spacecraft

According to the Houston Chronicle, Governor Rick Perry, with the backing of the state legislature, announced that Texas will pay for school districts to increase their background checks of teachers and other educators, such as administrators, counselors, librarians and other professionals. This includes fingerprinting and background checks of criminal history. The cost is $50 per person and is projected to cost the state $10 million over the next two years.

The background checks and fingerprinting was implemented as a requirement in 2003. However, after they passed it into law earlier this year state legislators stripped the state funding for it from the budget. School districts or the teachers themselves would have been forced to cover the cost.

Teacher groups objected and

On Monday, Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick signed a letter directing the Texas Education Agency to shift funding to cover the $50-per-person cost of the checks for teachers, administrators, counselors, librarians and other professionals.

The Chronicle also reports

Support personnel, such as bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers, also will have to undergo criminal background checks but will not have to submit their fingerprints.

Texas began requiring national criminal background checks for all teaching candidates in 2003, but that law did not apply to teachers who were already certified. Since those checks began, almost 200 candidates have been found to have serious offenses on their records, including sexual misconduct and crimes against children.

Do you believe this is a good allocation of state money? Should support personnel also be required to undergo the same scrutiny as teachers and educators?

For a great list of all there is to do, check out the City of Houston’s guide and calendar of events, but here’s a few highlights of great things to do:

Friday

Dave Matthews Band
WEBSITE www.woodlandscenter.org
BEGIN 9/21/2007
END 9/21/2007
LOCATION Woodland Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive
NOTES With Robert Earl Keen, 7:00 p.m.
PHONE 281.363.3300

It’s How You Play the Game: Professional Sports in Houston
WEBSITE www.heritagesociety.org
BEGIN 6/5/2007
END 9/23/2007
LOCATION Downtown, 1100 Bagby @ Allen Parkway
NOTES Chronicles the highs and lows Houstonians have experienced over the years as they supported their home teams. This city has been a part of many firsts in sports history, from the building of the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome, to the first champion women’s professional basketball team.
PHONE 713.655.1912

Theatre Under The Stars - Whistle Down The Wind
WEBSITE www.tuts.org
BEGIN 9/11/2007
END 9/23/2007
LOCATION Hobby Center, 800 Bagby
NOTES Andrew Lloyd Webber’s London Hit. In the rural Louisiana of several decades ago, a lonely teenager discovers a mysterious stranger on her family’s property. As she demands to know his identity, he swears Jesus Christ!…and it’s as if all her prayers have been answered.
PHONE 713.558.TUTS

Weekend of Texas Contemporary Dance
WEBSITE www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
BEGIN 9/21/2007
END 9/22/2007
LOCATION Miller Theater, In Hermann Park, 100 Concert Drive
NOTES This 13th annual event presents a snapshot of the contemporary dance scene in Houston featuring new work and revivals of recent work in a range of choreographic styles set to music that ranges from classical to experimental. 8:00 p.m.
PHONE 281.FREE.FUN

Saturday
Houston Cougars vs. Colorado State
WEBSITE www.uhcougars.com
BEGIN 9/22/2007
END 9/22/2007
LOCATION Robertson Stadium, Cullen Blvd. @ Holman
NOTES College football. Located on Cullen Blvd., between Holman and Wheeler, on the University of Houston campus.
PHONE 713.743.9444

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
WEBSITE www.thegrand.com
BEGIN 9/22/2007
END 9/22/2007
LOCATION 2020 Postoffice Street, in Galveston
NOTES Direct from New York, this Pulitzer Prize winning composer and trumpeter brings his incredible fifteen piece ensemble to The Grand. 8:00 p.m.
PHONE 800.821.1894

Stages Theatre - Souvenir
WEBSITE www.stagestheatre.com
BEGIN 9/5/2007
END 9/30/2007
LOCATION Stages Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway
NOTES Comedy offers an affectionate portrait of Jenkins, a music-loving socialite whose charity concerts earned her a cult following in New York in the 1930s and ’40s, culminating in a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. Genuinely devoted to “her art,” Jenkins was apparently oblivious to the appalling sounds she produced, and the fact that her “fans” attended for laughs, not musical excellence.
PHONE 713.527.0123

Houston, music, theater, dance

The instability the mortgage and financial industries created with the subprime lending scandal has only increased since the news about the problems broke. More and more people are more and more afraid of a recession. As a result—because fear and emotions are often responsible for creating financial problems—the Federal Reserve policy makers are meeting to discuss cutting key federal funds.

Ben Bernanke, pictured above, as Federal Chairman has promised to cushion the market and smooth over the instability as needed.

Click here to learn more about Bernanke’s plans and their expected results.

Are you currently worried about the market? Have you made any changes, financially?

federal reserve, federal reserve chairman, federal funds, market instability, subprime lending

Jazz Houston features the top shows around town. Tonight there are a few special one night only gigs that you might not want to miss!

Saxophonists Paul Peacock and Woody Witt * Cézanne Saxophonists Woody Witt and Paul Peacock meet for an evening of music that’s sure to be exciting. Joining them will be David Craig (bass) and Sebastian Whittaker (drums). $10

Kim Prevost & Matt Lemmler Duo Tommy’s Seafood Steakhouse Kim Prevost-vocals Matt Lemmler-piano no cover

The Old School Swing Band Ovations CD Release Party, “Swing On By!” The Old School Swing band will perform ORIGINAL and CLASSIC SWING JAZZ music from the 20th and 21st century. Check out our web site, with audio and video demos: http://oldschoolswing.com. April Wheat, vocals Edward Grigassy, guitar Benny Theiler, Joe Wheeler, clarinets Thomas Helton, bass Richard Cholokian, drums Max Grosch: violin and more… $10 Cover.

The Matt Lemmler Quartet featuring Warren Sneed,Mike Wheeler & Daleton Lee Tommy’s Seafood Steakhouse Warren Sneed-saxes Matt Lemmler-piano Mike Wheeler-guitar Daleton Lee-drums no cover

jazz, jazz houston, houston jazz, houston, Kim Prevost, Matt Lemmler, Paul Peacock, Woody Witt

Humberto unexpectedly turned into a Category 1 hurricane before hitting high Island and then the Beaumont and Port Arthur coastline. Although there is some flooding, the main damage is loss of power, damage to houses, downed tree limbs, and debris. One man did die when his carport fell on him. It also affected refinery operations. Houston once again managed to remain clear of the storm. However, there is already another tropical depression in the Caribbean.

Do you think our area’s luck will hold?

Houston, Hurricane Humberto, Humberto, Beaumont, High Island, Port Arthur

The Alley Theatre is now playing Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, and the winner of last season’s Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Directed by James Black, it began playing on the Hubbard Stage on August 31 and runs through September 23, 2007. Set in 1964 in a Catholic school, the play centers on a nun’s suspicions of the actions of a priest towards a young scholarship student. Her suspicions are not the main question of the play; instead, the focus is on moral ambiguity—what she ought to do about her suspicions: voice them? Or remain silent? Protect the students, regardless, and with no proof, at the possible expense of an innocent man? Or not?

The play leaves the question in the hands of the audience.

What do you think your answer would be?

Doubt: A Parable, John Patrick Shanley

Most Houstonians love their beef, and when looking for something more casual than steak au poivre but better than fast food…we need good recommendations for great burgers!

Every Tuesday the Houston Chronicle does an online reader poll to find out the best recs by residents. Recently readers voted for their favorite hamburger restaurants. See where readers say you ought to be eating for the tastiest burgers:

#1 Lankford’s Grocery — Lankford’s is a retro spot in mid-town on Dennis Street, and readers loved the juicy burgers piled high with all the veggies. It sounds like delicious burgers and great ambience if you like classic diners.

#2 Tookie’s — this one surprised me. I had heard it highly suggested so we gave it a try. We must have hit it on an off-day because we found tiny, tasteless burgers of McDonald’s quality for top price! But 20% of readers—the highest number—said it has the best burgers in the Houston area. Tookie’s is down on 146 just before the Seabrook-Kemah bridge.

#3 Bellaire Broiler Burger — A classic burger joint from the ’60s, readers loved the flame broiled burgers so juicy you need extra napkins. Critics say the decor is simple, the food traditional and delicious. Located on Bellaire Blvd in Bellaire.

#4 Christian’s Tailgate Grill and Bar — After the top three old-fashioned and retro entries, readers next liked the modern version of hamburger and sides. Select from hand-formed burgers, prefab fries and carmelized onion rings. Located on Bagby in Houston.

#5 Mytiburger — Mytiburger has two locations in Houston (northwest and west). I haven’t tried it and no readers rated it with any specifics so it’s a bit of a mystery…but if you feel like taking a bet, perhaps 9% of readers responding to the poll can’t be all wrong!

The #1 write in was the District 7 Grill on Pierce St. in Houston. Apparently the service is as good as the burgers there.

Have a great weekend.

[tags]Burgers, Best Burgers, best Burgers in Houston, Houston Chronicle Poll[/tags}

NASA has just awarded a contract to The Boeing Company, in Huntsville, Alabama to construct the new Ares series of rockets. The Ares I rockets will shuttle astronauts to the International Space Station, and is also intended to carry astronauts back to the moon for more research. Big projects such as these are possible in part from federal funding, which is a priority in Washington right now say politicians.

At his Congress @ Your Corner, Nick Lampson expressed a desire to provide additional funding to NASA. This is a popular thing to say in Clear Lake, where a large number of NASA employees reside. However, it is a consistent message from a variety of politicians. In 2006, the President’s budget allocated $724.4 million.

According to NASA Administrator’s Statement About FY 2007 Budget

NASA’s budget is roughly 0.7 percent of the overall federal budget. …. operating 56 space missions with an annual budget of over $5.3 billion per year.

However, NASA isn’t the only industry in H-town.

What industry do you think the federal Government should also focuses on assisting and building in our town?

NASA, NASA budget, NASA funding, Ares I rockets, International Space Station

Yesterday Chicago announced scrapping plans for a citywide wi-fi blanket access. The mayor cited decreased costs for Internet access to th epublic and increased public connectivity.

Apparently most people already have Internet access and don’t need it, plus, as the mayor said,  it’s widely available through libraries, cybercafes, and so forth.

So why, with the recent EarthLink announcement of employee layoff and other obstacles to delivering Houston blanket wi-fi plan, is Mayor Bill White persisting with the wi-fi plan?

EarthLink has delayed for months and now has paid Houston $5 in reparation. There is a nine month lag ahead, as well. The wi-fi plan is in jeopardy, says the Houston Chronicle.

Is this access necessary? What do you think?

Houston, Houston wi-fi plan

Despite controversy and criticism, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has imported the famous fossil known as “Lucy,” which was once believed to be the earliest human ancestor and the answer to many questions about human evolution.

Lucy traveled to Houston from Ethiopia, where the fossils were found and have remained since they were discovered by Donald Johanson.

Currently, Johanson is the director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. He endorses the exhibit, “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia,” and says that now is the perfect time to provide education about human origin, stimulate curiosity and interest in the study of human origin, and believes that the exhibit will be educationally beneficial.

Critics, including Richard Leakey, say the exhibit exploits human ancestors and is too risky for the fragile fossil, which could easily be damaged.

The museum says it has taken all precautions, and Dirk Van Tuerenhout, curator of anthropology for the Houston museum, said the fossils are in the same condition in Houston as they were when they left Ethiopia, and that the bones are not as fragile as some other exhibits have been.

The exhibit runs from August 31, 2007 through April 20, 2008.

There is a live press conference being broadcast through the Internet on August 28, 2007, 10:00 a.m. The broadcast will support either Windows Media Playertest
or QuickTime 7test. For more information, see the museum’s Web site.

Lucy, Lucy’s Legacy, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Donald Johanson, Richard Leakey

I decided to jump out with the Google tool and find some good guides to shopping in these last few days before school starts.

Here’s what I found:

S. Thompson wrote Back-To-School Clothes Shopping Tips for Students in Houston, TX which contains many good tips, such as, “keep the dress code in mind.” Thompson also has suggestions for walkers (take a water bottle) and even hair ideas. Click over for more specifics.

Marvin Zindler, who passed away last month, benefited Houston area consumers tremendously. His legacy is the very helpful Consumer Blog. Check out the post, “A Realistic Back to School Guide for College Students,” if you have a student heading out to college. Check out the rest of the blog for more great and helpful consumer information.

Shop Girl has information about weekend events and shopping.

In other news, Melinda Davenport notes that, “The Houston Theater District will celebrate its fourteenth annual Open House event this year on Sunday, August 26 from 12 noon - 5 pm.”

Have a great weekend and I wish you all the best as you wave your children back to school.

school, back to school, back to school shopping

Lesley Alberty is a mother of four who moves frequently due to her husband’s job. After two years in Pittsburgh, the Alberty family just moved to Fort Bend. She has a few tips to ease children’s entrance into a new school.

1. Take it slow. Go day to day. Help your child set realistic expectations and a frame of reference. For example, let your child know honestly that he or she will be the new child and this means other children won’t know what he or she likes, won’t know his or her name, etc. Depending upon your child’s personality, help your child come up with specific methods of introducing him- or herself and getting to know other children.

2. If you enter in the middle of a school year, or even at the beginning, ask the school for information. Learn the schedule your child will have, the teacher’s name, current assignments, and the layout of the school. For example, help your child make a map and overlay a schedule on the map, such as, “Here’s the door I enter, here’s my classroom, there’s the gym, that’s next, then lunch…” about the schedule.

3. Show that you are comfortable with the school and display confidence about your child’s ability to join the school.

4. Find things to look forward to and be excited about, other than friends. For example,  talk about what a neat playground the school has, or find out what the class will be reading and get excited about the books your child will get to read.

5. Reinforce the positive. Remind your child about positive experiences she or he had at the last school. Build self-esteem by helping your child remember all he or she has accomplished (for example, made friends, did well in class spelling bee, got a part in the class play and did well, etc.). Your child can feel proud about all he or she has achieved, and can believe that is possible again.

6. Join outside school activities. This is a good way to meet other children and socialize. But, be careful to not get overloaded and remember not all activities need to begin at the start of school. Consider how many new things and transitions you ask a child to make all at once. Outside activities also build self-esteem and remind your child of a broader world, beyond the school classroom.

7. Pay attention to your child’s cues about how he or she is adjusting. Check in with your child each day and ask specific questions, not questions that are too general and vague, or could garner a yes/no response. For example, ask your child: What story did your teacher read? Was there a challenging math problem? What activity did you do in gym? Did anyone tell a funny joke or make you laugh today? Find out what your child felt good about during the day, and what was a challenge. Encourage pride of accomplishment, and talk through ways to work out challenges.

8. If it’s not going well, for example, your child is not making friends, help your child make friends through other outlets such as in activities or neighborhood…remind you child it’s okay to not have a best buddy in class because school is for learning.

9. Keep up family activities. The family activities give a good, solid foundation. Do fun things together such as go to museums, the library, beach etc. This also gives sense of community, and reminds your child to not center too much on school.

10. Support your child in keeping in touch with old friends and past teachers. Buy a package of postcards and help your child write to friends.

Good luck with a new school year, especially if you are in a new place.