An Evening With William Rodriguez
This Saturday, August 11th, 2007
8PM @ the University of Houston

This man was one of the last survivors pulled from the World Trade Center rubble and is a very vocal fighter in the 9-11 Truth movement. If you don’t know who he is or have never heard of his story then I urge you to attend this free event. As for those already interested in this subject matter you know you have to be there. This will be a very intimate & inspiring moment for Houston.

Find out more about this hero here: http://www.911forthetruth.com/pages/Rodriguez.htm

WHO: Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows, hosted by:
Houston Combined Specialty Association (Thursday, July 19)
Houston Kennel Club (Friday, July 20)
Beaumont Kennel Club (Saturday, July 21)
Galveston County Kennel Club (Sunday, July 22)

WHAT: The 30th annual Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows, America’s premier canine extravaganza and one of the largest events of its kind, with 12,000 dogs entered and 40,000 visitors and participants.

WHEN: Thursday, July 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday, July 20, 8:00 a.m. to 7: 00 p.m.
Saturday, July 21, 8:00 a.m. to 7: 00 p.m.
Sunday, July 22, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Reliant Center, 8400 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX, Parking: $8/day. Take the Holly Hall entrance from Fannin, or ride Metro Rail to avoid parking fees.

photo courtesy of AKC

Domy Bookstore (1709 Westheimer) is hosting an art opening par-tay for Houston artists Give Up and Yar this Friday from 7-9pm.

Can’t make it then? The show runs at Domy until August 17th, or you could be cool and just pick up an inaugural copy of Case Magazine to see some more Houston urban art lovelies.

The Health Museum (1515 Hermann Dr.) is presenting the Candy Unwrapped exhibit from May 26 – September 3. The exhibit looks at the science of sweets through biology, chemistry, physiology and psychology of our love and desire for candy.

Climb on a sugar Crystal Mountain, check out the difference between flavor and tastes, learn about the history of chocolate and all sorts of other cool stuff. This looks like a cool event for kids and older sugar junkies/dentist haters alike. Wonder if they pass out tooth brushes as you leave?

So Jesse and the hot rod gang are back at the Continental Club (3700 Main St.) this weekend with the Honky-Tonk and HotRod Festival.

In Jesse’s words:

The HONKY-TONK AND HOTROD FESTIVAL at the CONTINENTAL CLUB in HOUSTON on MAY 19TH is lookin sweeeet… cars, bikes, 5 bands, (all killer…no filler), and booths galore (check our HTHR myspace site or the Houston Chronicle for details)…it cost NOTHING to bring your car and we’re giving away a $$$ cash prize for the best sled (we like it all…hotrods, muscle cars and lowriders)…starts @ 2:00 pm this year…Want rockabilly? Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs…want hillgrass bluebilly?…the Weary Boys…Latino Rockabilly Ska?…ex Los Skarnales members the Umbella Man…Texas Songwriter?…Hayes Carll, (me and Brad and Lisa are backing him up…dayyymn!)…and then the JD Band gets it on w/ suprize guest…y’all know I love me some Houston Tejas baby.

Gotta’ love that guy. Be there or be square dudes.

Houston photographers were out in full force this weekend at the Houston Art Car Parade. Check out the brand spanking new Houston Art Cars Flickr group, some amazing images added to the Houston Metblog photo pool and these very complete Picasa galleries here.

I am particularly partial to all of the pre-parade party photos of the 20 wackos wearing firecracker hats to celebrate the Orange Show’s 20th Anniversary. FIRECRACKER HATS!!! Isn’t that like every single 8-year-old boy’s dream come true? Photos with many warm thanks to DeneyTerrio/Jaymac and Ed Schipul

This Sunday, May 6th, is Lemonade Day – a day where over 2000 middle schoolers will be building and running their own lemonade stands under the mentorship of Houston-area business owners.

Our ‘Lemonade Lessons”, along with the help of a Responsible Adult, will experientially teach participating students about budgets, securing investors, identifying ‘retail’ locations, advertising and making money. Kids will also learn character-building lessons such as customer service, saving money, and giving back to the community. Oh, and of course – how to make lemonade!

I’m not involved this year, but think it’s a really cool idea. Be sure to stop by a lemonade stand this wekeend to support Houston’s newest young entrepreneurs (oh – and don’t drink the warm ‘lemonade’). Photo via Flickr thanks to jamieanne

XM, Walmart, and The Children’s Miracle Network are banding together for the XM Kids Road Show. The effort is to show kids how to help kids, which is really awesome. The goal is to raise $10 million in 30 days by having fund raising events at local Walmarts. Proceeds are going to local children’s hospitals. If you aren’t doing anything for Cinco de Mayo, here is the info for Saturday’s show:

Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 12:00 – 2:00
Location: Wal-Mart 13484 Northwest Freeway Houston TX 77040

Can’t go but want to donate? Do that here.

IMG_0737
Originally uploaded by doctor.quang.

The Dalai Lama visited Rice University yesterday drawing an enormous crowd of 4500 to listen to him speak on the compassion of everyday life.

“We have to act according to the new reality,” said Dalai Lama. “Under these circumstances, the different races, different nationality, different religious faith, these are secondary and not important. Important is six billion human beings and one planet.” (read more here)

Did you get to see the Dalai Lama yesterday? What are your stories?

Saturday (today?) is the 8th Annual Midtown Visions Cultural Arts Tour, an art walk including studios and galleries along Main Street and adjacent streets just south of downtown Houston. I will be upstairs from Art Supply on Main, 2711 Main Street, in studio 215 from noon to 5 with about 30 of my photos for show and sale, probably keeping myself entertained by reading some Jim Steinmeyer and listening to my iPod, but if you’re in the neighborhood, or heading to the Houston International Festival, drop by and say hi!