Houston Blog

Located on the west side of Houston just outside of the Beltway, the Moore Nature Sanctuary is an easy-to-miss oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Many families and birders from the Memorial and greater Houston area have discovered this hidden gem.

The Sanctuary hiking and biking trails will keep you and your family busy all day. Be sure to check out the historic log cabin and join the Owl Prowl in the evening.

If you feel like traffic in Houston is out to get you during rush hour, don't fret, at peak times, it's out to get everyone.

Become one step ahead of the citywide hustle by viewing Houston Transtar's Real-Time Traffic Map. This interactive map is an online tool that assists you in planning your route to work, indicating lane closures, accidents and how fast traffic is flowing on the freeways.

The informative traffic website should save you time and help you plan an alternate route.

This week, explore one of Houston's oldest, most unique neighborhoods. The Heights is a diverse, small town neighborhood within the 610 loop that exudes old Houston character. Real estate in the area is still more affordable compared to other affluent areas like River Oaks, and is close to downtown for Houston commuters.

There are many historical landmarks in the Heights district and guided home tours occur at various times of the year, especially during the holidays. Learn more about The Heights as an eclectic neighborhood and its demographics.

Father's Day is quickly approaching (June 15th)!

Need some ideas on what to do for your dad in Houston? Visit the Houston Father's Day guide and learn where to go for brunch, what to shop for and explore the many activities that you can do with your dad during Father's Day weekend.

My pick? Play Golf with Dad
Dust off the clubs and bring dad to Hermann Park Golf Course. Built in 1922, Hermann Park Golf Course is an oak-lined oasis in the heart of Houston, conveniently located in the Texas Medical Center area and also adjacent to Hermann Park. Call 713-526-0077 to reserve your tee time, as the course tends to be crowded in the morning.

Tim Donaghy, the convicted former NBA referee guilty of fixing and betting on NBA games says Jeff Van Gundy was right when the former Rockets coach said a league official said refs were told to target Yao Ming in a playoff series against Dallas.

Van Gundy was fined $100,000 by the league for saying an NBA official told him the refs were targeting Yao.

Houston based Continental Airlines will cut 3,000 jobs and shrink its jet fleet by 18 percent, becoming the fourth major U.S. carrier to slash payrolls and flights as soaring fuel prices push the industry to its worst losses since Sept. 11.

Continental, the fourth-largest U.S. airline, will seek volunteers to give up their jobs before dismissing employees to cut 6.6 percent of its workforce. It is grounding 67 planes from a main jet fleet of 375 aircraft.

Chief Executive Larry Kellner and President Jeff Smisek said they won't take salaries for the rest of the year or bonuses. Continental has more than 45,000 employees.

Sean Penn has been spotted in Houston in over the past couple of days filming Terrence Malick's Tree of Life.

Sunning by the pool Sunday at the Four Seasons, Penn did not go unnoticed by fans, once discovered, the film star allegedly quickly ducked indoors. Penn also dined at the Grove Restaurant adjacent to Discovery Green Park in downtown with a pal who picked up the tab.

Actor Brad Pitt was also spotted on Tuesday in the Museum District area. The actors are filming at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Stop by one of the Houston-area Sharper Image locations this week to find bargains at their bankruptcy sale.

Store closing sales have just begun at all 86 Sharper Image stores as part of a major transformation of the Sharper Image brand. Over $50 million of inventory is being sold. Discounts of 20% to 40% are now being offered on all merchandise.

Four stores are located in our area: Two in Houston, one in Sugar Land and one in The Woodlands.

The new Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark on Sabine Street located on Buffalo Bayou includes 30,000 square feet of skateable area with features that appeal to beginner as well as advanced skateboarders. It also boasts the world's largest known "cradle," a concrete half-dome with a 20-foot diameter.

The $2.7 million park project was sponsored by PUSH, or Public Use Skateparks for Houston. The skatepark is adjacent to Eleanor Tinsley Park.

This Saturday, visit the Midtown Farmer's Market, where an array of produce and freshly baked goods are sold to the adoring crowds! Everything sold at the Farmer's Market is local with just picked produce including vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Items you can find at the market:

• Small production, handcrafted prepared foods
• Fresh baked breads and sweets
• Fresh roasted, fair-trade & organic coffee
• Pasture raised beef, lamb & chicken
• Cut & potted flowers & plants
• Breakfast

The market is open every Saturday 8am - Noon rain or shine, located at Monica Pope's restaurant t'afia.

3701 Travis Street
One block north of West Alabama
Light Rail Station: HCC/Ensemble