The October Critical Mass

Dress up, come out and ride! Critical Mass rides are self-organized, non-commercial and non-competitive, just fun. Starts at Tranquility Park on Friday the 26th at 6:30pm to ride at 7:00pm. Find out more at Critical Mass’ Myspace

Moonlight Ramble 2007

Saturday night/Sunday morning brings us the Moonlight Ramble, an all-ages annual rolling bike party through the city. Costumes, bikes, noise, people all night long. A ride with your choice of 8 or 20 miles, starting at 2am (the second one) and rolling from the GRB Convention Center downtown and path through the city.

Registration for the Moonlight Ramble is $30/person and all proceeds benefit Bike Houston. Find out more info on the flyer [pdf] and the FAQ.

So, come out and support cycling, fun and great people. And remember to dress warmly, its gonna be in the low 50’s.

I really love the Waldo wheatpastes all over Houston. It really makes the city more enjoyable.

I know street art tends to divide people. Something like Waldo this is not really destructive and it provides and interesting flair that is quite unique. Is that a crime? Is it tasteful? What do you think of it?

Oh? You don’t know what the BP MS150 is? Well then, the MS150 is a two day bike ride from Houston to Austin to raise money to support research into the cause and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

So, get out there, sign up and do some good! And then start training like mad.

Did anyone catch the full lunar eclipse Monday night? We had a pretty good view here in Houston, despite it being at 4 in the morning.

Sarah G. captured this fantastic shot of our convention center, big red pipes and all. I’ve always loved the purely ornamental industrial components of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

If you would like to leave a message for his family, KTRK has set up a forum.

Houston Metblog Photographer Jeff Balke has been posting some really great stuff lately.

I’m not a huge sports fan, but you can’t deny the visual appeal and personal feel of Jeff’s recent Astros photographs.

Officer Barnes says the guy had a gun drawn, and in some earlier reports, that he pointed his gun at the officer. They did, in fact, find a .38 cal next to Rivera’s pocket, though the video doesnt show whether he actually had it in his hand or not. Turns out that Alex Macario Rivera is a documented Crips gang member.

This event has been painted all kinds of ways in the past week: “The officer shot the guy in the back, he’s wrong!” and “The guy was bad, he deserved it!” being two of the loudest sentiments.

Unless you happen to be a Crip member yourself, I think we can all agree that guys like that probably aren’t the kind you want running around on the street. However, Officer Barnes wasn’t privy to that information when he shot. And remember, he did shoot the Rivera in the back, not exactly a threatening position. Then again, police officers are supposed to make those kind of split second decisions; decisions that decide whether or not someone lives or dies.

Did the officer do the right thing? Did he react too quickly? Would this have been a nice time to use his taser, as opposed to using it on kids or child-holding parents? What do you think?

The annual Westheimer Block Party is coming up Saturday March 24 and the Free Press has announced this year’s lineup:

Penny Royal, Satin Hooks, Scattered Pages, Cee Plus and the House of Bad Knives, Thee Armada, Generic Tribe, Arthur Yoria, Medicine Show, the Dimes, Free Radicals, Muzak John, .belville, Nosaprise, Stadium, Umbrella Man, Flowers to Hide, Honeysuckle, 9Volt, Guy Schwartz, Brains for Dinner, Guns of Detroit, Ninja Stars, National Electric, Police State America, the Krinkles, Million Year Dance, SkyBlue72, Doo Doo Butter, Novice, Mic Skills, the Jane Frequency, Standing Souls, Generation Landslide, Cartwheels in Central Park, Deep Above Surface, the Riff Tiffs, Poison Apple Martini and Organ Failure.

WBP promises 40+ bands, live guerilla arts, come and zine fest, boys, girls, food, booze and police repression spread across Numbers, La Strada, Mango’s and Helios. Sounds like riot… er, a good time. So, get out there and support local music, the Montrose and Houston life in general.

Proving he has more than fantastic ears, the superb eye of photographer deneyterrio brings you this really unique view of the Houston skyline we all know and love. It also brings a new twist on the stark blue skies we’re used to.

Join other Houston area photographers in the Houston Metblogs’ flickr group and show us the city through your eyes.