The Real Mom 2.0
Some of you have probably heard recently of the amazing project I’ve been lucky to be a part of: the 1st Annual Mom 2.0 Summit taking place in Houston next February 19th-21st, a conference that will bring together Moms, Bloggers, Marketers, Media, and all things saavy and smart. Houston has become a hot bed for these talented Web 2.0 moms, and I am happy to be able to showcase Houston the the country, when over 300 attendees, speakers, and sponsors descend upon the Bayou City in February. Check out all the deets here, and don’t miss our 2nd Houston Kick-Off Party at the Caroline Collective on Wednesday, Dec 17th.
No, I’m not a mom, but I have a pretty great one, as I’ve pointed out many times on this blog. I think being a parent is the greatest, most important job in the world, and both of mine have managed to do it with flying colors. I would be so lucky to be half the woman that my mom is. Which brings me to another reason why I truly believe my mother is a saint.
A few weeks ago, my parents were awarded custody of my cousin’s two month old baby girl, Kailey. Baby Kailey had been in and out of the hospital since she was born on Sept 8th. Without going into too many details, CPS stepped in and held an emergency hearing for Kailey’s welfare. While a few of Kailey’s caregivers are being investigated, the baby was to come live with my parents.
I’ll never forget the night at Texas Children’s Hospital with my mom and Aunt Barbara. I’ll never forget the look on my mother’s face, a look of concern, sadness and determination to get this baby to a safe place. The next morning an emergency hearing was held. The baby was appointed an attorney, and the case was assigned a case worker from CPS. My parents were identified as potential candidates for custody, pending a house visit from both the baby’s lawyer and the CPS worker.
Filed under: arts + events, personal, social media issues | 3 Comments
Tags: conferences, family, houston, mom, mom 2.0 summit, mom2summit, mothers
I wrote the below story 2 years ago for a Barstool Magazine Assignment. It’s always been one of my favorites. Given the Greek Festival is taking place this weekend, thought I’d revisit the story. Entirely true life events. 
My Big Fat Greek Hangover
by Monica Danna
Originally Published: Barstool Magazine, Nov 2006
As the hot Houston heat subsides and the autumn temperatures creep in at a snail’s pace, one thing Houstonians can look forward to is the Fall festival season. Art festivals, the Italian festival, Turkishfest; we even celebrate Dia De Los Muertos for our neighbors south of the border. And all this before Halloween festivities even begin.
Being Italian, I’m fairly familiar with Greece and Greek culture. My knowledge goes a little bit beyond Mary Kate and Paris Hilton’s ex-lovers, but I am still always anxious to partake in any “cultural studies” especially when food and drink are involved. So I headed down Montrose to check out the 40th annual Greek Festival.
Armed with a posse of fearless friends, we were for some reason filled with the urban spirit and decided to take the bus. YES-the Houston Metro. After walking halfway down Montrose (which would prove to not be my only trek down Montrose this night) we looked for a bus stop. We must have looked like Oprah Winfrey in a Wal-Mart. We had no idea were one was or what to do once we found one. I’ve lived in Houston for 28 years and have never been to a bus stop, much less on a Metro Bus. Wait, does the Rodeo Shuttle count? After finally finding one, waiting for 30 minutes for the right bus, we seceded our valiant environmental efforts and as a friend pulled up, “To Greece!” we shouted at our still-confused chauffer, and thus our Dionysian worship began.
Filed under: Revisited, arts + events | 2 Comments
Tags: greek festival, wine
On November 2nd Ben “Paco” Jennings, best known as DJ Melodic, suffered cardiac arrest and is currently at St. Luke’s Hospital in critical condition. Soular Grooves and friends are organizing a benefit to offset medical expenses and support his family during this difficult time.
Please join us for a beautiful Sunday afternoon benefit filled with great music, light bites and prizes. Paco’s closest friends DJ SUN, DJ Chicken George and Nick Cooper will perform a musical tribute.
Plus, you can purchase raffle tickets and win some of the coolest things from shops like Barney’s Co-op, Sloan/Hall, Peel Gallery, Raye, Melodrama, Vanessa Riley + prizes from great businesses like SugarHill Recording Studios, Soundwaves, Warehouse Live, Boheme, AvantGarden, Dolce Vita and much more!
Check out all of the amazing raffle items .
Light bites will be provided by Gravitas, La Strada and Stir-It-Up Coffee House.
Sunday, November, 16, 2008
1-4PM
@ Block 21
2420 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77246
Event Tickets are $10, available at the door only
Raffle Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
Thank you to Ziggy at Block 21 for generously offering to donate a portion of the bar sales to support the cause.
ABOUT PACO
“A genuine good guy”
“A great dj and great, positive person”
“A truly positive dude”
These and many other quotes like those are what people who have been touched by Paco aka Ben Jennings IV aka DJ Melodic express when they think of the person, the dj, friend. His gentle and positive spirit has touched many. His humility is unmatched.
Paco came to Soular Grooves and entered the Houston DJ community with the same genuine positive spirit and humility that so many describe about him. He learned as much as he could about dj-ing from as many as he could and applied those characteristics to his vast knowledge of music, to become one of the most respected, well-liked, and precision-like djs in Houston. His aesthetic is unique and contributes to creating an uncompromising signature of sounds that have no match. To listen to Paco, DJ Melodic, as he deejays, is to be taken on a course of great music that blends together seamlessly and continuously. All his selections, he intuitively knows, belong together. It is a truly joyful experience to listen to him and watch him perform.
Filed under: arts + events, music | 1 Comment
Tags: arts + events, benefit, block 21, dj melodic, music, raffle
We’re All In This Together
this Ben Lee song has been running though my mind for the past 2 days. because it’s true. we’re all in this together. it’s not about how this election will affect YOU. it’s about how it will affect US. as a COUNTRY. and i finally feel like we ARE all in this together. for once.
“We’re all in this together”
by Ben Lee
I woke up this morning
I suddenly realised
We’re all in this together
I started smiling
‘Cause you were smiling
And we’re all in this together
I’m made of atoms
You’re made of atoms
And we’re all in this together.
And long division just doesn’t matter
‘Cause we’re all in this together…yeahI saw you walking
In the city
We’re all in this together
The city’s changing
cause we are changing
and we’re all in this together
every 12 seconds
someone remembers
that we’re all in this together
In the kitchen of your rent control apartment
we’re all in this togethercome on baby i don’t mean to rush you
I only wanted to reach out and touch you
I’ve got to start to open my heartI know you think about jumping ship before it sinks
but we are all in this together
ask a scientist
it’s quantum physics
we are all in this together
and on the subway we feel like strangers
but we’re all in this together
yeah i love you and you love her and she loves him
But we’re all in this togetherYou know baby there’s never been protection
and all the history of human connection
come on darling its alright to show me
you dont ever need to be lonely
once you start to open your heartI saw you crying
I started crying
cause we’re all in this together
and then religion is a big decision
but we’re all in this together
Filed under: personal | 1 Comment
Tags: ben lee, election 2008, patriotism
2 greats. 1 night.
Yes, folks. They’re baaaaack. Both of ‘em. 2 greats in 1 night: Mustaches for Kids and Vinyl Ranch. You just can’t make a pairing like this up. Ya can’t.
This year’s Mustaches for Kids Campaign officially kicks off tomorrow night at Leon’s Lounge with the big “Shave-off.”
Join your most excellent hosts Dave Wrangler and LJ Walker for DOLLYWOOD, a celebration of Dolly Parton’s “hits” (film and music) this Friday evening! Vinyl Ranch hosts this super fun, FREE and unique even that is taking place at the quaint and charming Leon’s Lounge.
The party begins at 9pm with a “Shave-Off” mixer for the Houston chapter of “Mustaches For Kids“. MFK is an organization which grows mustaches to raise money for children’s charities. Read the “2008 grower’s information” here so you are adequately prepared for what you are about to get yourself into should you decide to grow!
At 10pm, the DJs fire up the turntables with heavy emphasis on Dolly Parton’s solo and duet recordings. As usual, they will also be spinning your favorite VINYL honky-tonk classics from Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn and more! catch a few different flicks starring Dolly Parton on the tubes! Again this event is free-so please come out and take part in the fun!
Dollywood - Friday, November 7th
Leon’s Lounge
1006 McGowen
Houston, TX 77002
Vinyl Ranch MySpace
Mustaches for Kids Houston
Filed under: arts + events, music | 1 Comment
Tags: fundraising, leon's lounge, m4k, mustaches for kids, vinyl ranch
Houston Dynamo in the Playoffs!
Peeps!! Our HOUSTON DYNAMO is taking on the New York Red Bulls in the Western Conference Semi-Finals!!! After a long hard season, the boys in ORANGE have made it back to the Playoffs!
As you know, our HOUSTON TEAM is back to back MLS Champions for the last 2 years in a row. Come help cheer them on for #3 in a row in 2008!
We tied in game 1, let’s pull out a W for Game 2!!
If you are interested in getting tickets all in a group for this Sunday’s game, please shoot an email to Kristen Gambetta and she can get everyone close together.
Also, if you can’t make it for this Sunday’s game, but are interested in the next round of playoffs, Kristen can help you with those tickets, too. Tickets are $17 for this game.
Dynamo vs. Red Bulls
Game #2 - Playoffs Round 1
Sunday, Nov 9th
2pm
Robertson Stadium
tickets: $17
Hope you can make it out!
p.s. after the game, stop by and join us a Avant Garden for Dr. Sketchy Anti-Art School!! www.houstonsketchy.com 2-6pm
Filed under: Uncategorized | 0 Comments
Tags: Houston Dynamo, MLS, playoffs, soccer
Discover DG This Week
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Filed under: arts + events | 0 Comments
Tags: arts + events, discovery green
Halloweiner!
So I just finished a monster post on Halloween events for tomorrow over on Houstonist. I’m too exhausted to repeat. Here are some of the places I’m thinking of haunting tomorrow. Who’s up for what?
BTW, i STILL need a costume. Send ideas, please. Kthxbai. (nothing with sexy before or after. or during. ok, maybe after.)
__________PM.jpg "halloween")
Nightmare on Alabama Street
West Alabama Ice House | 1919 W. Alabama
6pm-2am
FREE
A costume contest, live music by Human and Runaway Sun, and more than 50 lit pumpkins handcrafted by visitors the night before in a pumpkin-carving contest.
Steel Lounge Underground
Contemporary Arts Museum | 5216 Montrose
8-11pm
FREE
Josh Zulu & DJ Pooks present the next edition of “Steel Lounge Underground” Halloween Night at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston! This will be the last Steel Lounge Underground for 2008. Fat Tony, Kam Franklin feat. members of Free Radicals, Seth Jones, “Little” Martin.
13 on the 31st
13 Celsius | 3000 Caroline
7:30 pm to 1 am
Admission: $31 at the door and $5 discount if you bring a photo.
13 Celsius will once again be creating the altar of ‘things come and gone’. Bring a photo for the altar that we will be building in the courtyard. Serving food from “My beautiful Huetamo” the taqueria on wheels. Quesadillas al pastor lovingly topped off w/ sour cream, avocado and cilantro w/ a foil pouch full of radishes and marinated onions. Music from Miguel “Mano” Grillo, Esteban Torres & DJ Pooks. Video imagery will include larger than life surreal, cultural and iconic imagery projected on the multistory building next door.
*Admission includes 13’s famous Sangria and Michelada’s Spanish Red and White
Boo! EL & 002 Magazine Halloween Party at the Alden Hotel
Alden Hotel Houston, a+ | 1117 Prarie
8 pm - 2 am
FREE
Join the Emerging Leaders and 002 Magazine at a+ bar. No tricks, just treats for the best dressed. Costume contest judging at 10 pm. No cover, cash bar and bites available in the Alden Lobby. The Alden Hotel is calling all goblins and ghouls for an 8 p.m. scary soiree that starts on their ah-mazing veranda and creeps down to a+ bar late night. Get in for free by donning a costume, catch classic horrors on the big screen and nab a best-dressed prize. You can extend the mayhem by booking a room for a special $155 rate.
Halloween w/ Listen Listen, BooTown, and Scatter!
Caroline Collective | 4820 Caroline
6pm
$5 admission at the door
Let Caroline help you start your Halloween night off right with improv, scary stories, and local music. The October installment of Caroline Collective’s Final Fridays series will be an early Halloween party featuring a set by Houston band Listen Listen, Scary Storytime with BooTown, and a costume contest with improv group Scatter! Doors open at 6pm, and the Improv and Costume Contest set begins at 7. The show is open to all ages, and admission is $5. There will be free St. Arnold’s at the event for those 21+, as well as soda and water. The event ends at 9:45pm so that we will all have time to experience the other great events that Houston has to offer on Halloween night. www.carolinecollective.cc
Westheimer Halloween Pub Crawl
Brasil, Poison Girl , Boondocks, Etro Lounge, Catbirds, Slick Willie’s
starts at Brasil at 6:30pm
FREE
Ditch reality & join the 2nd Annual Montrose Crawl this Halloween Night, October 31st. First get your costume on, then get your drink on as The Crawl starts at Brasil and then goes from bar to bar between Dunlavy & Montrose on Westheimer. No covers, no tickets, plus drink specials all night long. And prizes will be awarded for the best outfits, so get into the spirit before you get into the spirits. More info: www.montrosecrawl.com
Where are YOU gonna be at?
Filed under: arts + events | 0 Comments
Tags: halloween, parties
Yes, the O Show, fo’ show is headed to Craft Night at Caroline this week.
Each year, the OS holds craft workshops leading up to their BIG GALA to help makes decorations and crafts. The last workshop will be tomorrow (Tuesday) at Caroline Collective (how convenient, on craft night!).
I attended one of these last year and it was incredibly fun! Beer + Food + Crafts + O Show = hella fun.
Tuesday night from 7-10pm we’ll be working on Sugar Skulls, Papel Picado, and Paper Flowers in preparation for the Dia De Los Muertos themed Gala this Saturday, Nov 1st.
BTW, if you are looking to Volunteer for the Gala on Saturday, shoot me and email. I’m getting a group together and it promises to be the most fun you’ll have all year. totes. ridic.
Hope to see you at Caroline Tuesday and slash or at the Gala on Saturday!
Filed under: arts + events | 0 Comments
Tags: arts & crafts, arts + events, caroline collective, gala, orange show
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