Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 30, 2008 in
arts + events Yes, yes. Don’t let my girlish looks fool you. As of Sunday I will have been on the planet earth for 30 years. Time sure does fly when you’re having a ball. So why stop now? Join me + friends at Vinyl Ranch this Friday, October 3rd as we bring it back to 1978! My yummy friends Dave Wrangler + LJ Walker will be spinning all your favorite Honky Tonk classics from the 1970’s.
If you were in attendance at last year’s bash, you’ll remember more than I do, we hope to see you back again. If not, don’t miss out this year. Oh, and fellas, Vinyl Ranch was just voted “Best Place to Meet Single Women” by the Houston Press. So paint on those Wrangler’s and get your Stetson steamed. See y’all there!
Tags: birthday, cosmopolitician, leon's lounge, vinyl ranch
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 19, 2008 in
in the news 
As many of you know, my father is a Deputy Constable with Harris County Precinct 1. He is one of their motorcycle patrol units, and often has the chance to escort city efforts. This week, he has been working with the Centerpoint crews, to help them navagate through traffic while restoring the city with power.
I asked him to share a few sentences about the expereince, as I know most of you are still waiting on these crews to arrive.
Their system is un-fricken believable. It is amazing how they organize such a massive endeavor and get it done as fast as they do. Everybody has a sheets and sheets of Orders. They include “Grids’ that are interrupted and off they go. I took about 15 trucks to Cunningham Rd. very close to Jersey Village, huge transformers all over the roadway…………they had them repaired in about 2 hours and it was off to another Grid.
The workers have been on the road for 18 days. They just left Louisiana after some storm there and about to return to home when they were called and advised Houston was in desperate need for their expertise, so they turned around and here they are.
They all loved my Harley, some have motorcycles back home. Everyone I escorted was from out of State. They came down with Yellow Vest and they almost were hit by drivers because the drivers in Texas think Yellow marker are CONES………….they traded them in for the National standard vests color of Light Green………….too funny.
Read more…
Tags: centerpoint energy, hurricane ike, motorcycles, police, power
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 19, 2008 in
arts + events Yep, Ike tried to knock this one out last week, but Ike can’t keep Ben Tecumseh DeSoto down. So Diverseworks declared, “On with the show!” And so it is.
Looking to get out of your no AC abode tonight? Stop by Diverseworks from 6-8pm for a seaon opening reception.
Understanding Poverty
Photography by Ben Tecumseh DeSoto
Curated by Clint WillourWords by Ann Walton Sieber
Light Installation by Sarah Whatley Ayers
Sept. 19 – Nov. 1, 2008
Opening Reception: Fri., Sept. 19, 2008
6-8pm
DiverseWorks Main Gallery
Houston-based photojournalist Ben Tecumseh DeSoto opens the 2008-2009 season with Understanding Poverty, a multimedia exhibition that sheds light on poverty and homelessness in America by encompassing a 20-year investigation into life on the streets. DiverseWorks partners with the Houston Endowment to bring DeSoto’s incredibly moving work to the Main Gallery.
Check out the latest issue of the Free Press featuring Ben’s image of Barry on the cover. Plus, it includes a great piece on Understanding Poverty from Editor, Omar Afra.
Special Thanks to Houston Endowment, Que Imaging, FotoFest, and UPP Collective.
A Special Performance by Saddi Khali at the Opening Reception of Understanding Poverty
September 19, 2008
DiverseWorks Main Gallery
7pm
Saddi Khali is a poet, performer and photographer from New Orleans. Khali’s work has been featured in numerous journals and anthologies, including Dark Eros, and has been used on several album and book covers, most notably, Triksta: Life and Death and New Orleans Rap by Nik Cohn.
He was featured on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam on HBO, Apollo Theater Salon Series and Uprooted: The Katrina Project. Khali leads an organization that creates and promotes healthy images of people of color in the media.
Tags: art opening, arts + events, diverseworks, photography
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 18, 2008 in
in the news Looking for ways to help out in the aftermath of Ike? Here are a few ways to pitch in.
Feed a family
The Houston Food Bank is accepting much-needed donations between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. They also need volunteers in their warehouse from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to help pack disaster relief boxes for families affected by Ike. (map)
Nurture the animals
The Houston SPCA is asking for items off their wish list. You can make a drop-off from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. While you’re there, find out how you can help. Volunteers are needed to feed baby squirrels and load up animals displaced by the hurricane. (map)
Hug a tree
The city’s green spaces were ravished by Ike. Put the pretty back in the parks by helping to clean debris at Hermann Park from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., or join the Green Work Party at Memorial Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Other clean-ups.
Send a text
You can donate $5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund – which is crucial in helping local families devastated by the storm – by text messaging GIVE to 2HELP. (The charge will show up on your bill). Or, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcross.org to make a larger donation by credit card.
Thanks to Houston Tidbits for the info!
Tags: helping, houston tidbits, hurricane ike, volunteer
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 17, 2008 in
in the news,
personal,
video Lego sandwiches, Mardi Gras Beads, rising bayous, and overturned umbrellas. All will be in my memories of “hunkering down” for Hurricane Ike.
Thanks to Fayza and Michelle for keeping me entertained. To Dad for keeping the generator running, to Matt and Danny for the BEER, to Jill and Heather for cooking, to Pam for the peach cobbler cooked on the BBQ pit! And to mom for putting up with all of us under one roof for 3 days. and 4 dogs!! Getting nervous again just thinking about it!Note: Mom and Dad got power back yesterday morning!
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[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1572881&w=425&h=350&fv=clip_id%3D1754808%26server%3Dvimeo.com%26autoplay%3D0%26fullscreen%3D1%26md5%3D0%26show_portrait%3D0%26show_title%3D0%26show_byline%3D0%26context%3D%26context_id%3D%26force_embed%3D0%26multimoog%3D%26color%3D00ADEF]
Tags: hurricane ike, video
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 17, 2008 in
health,
in the news,
personal 
image: David J. Phillips / Getty Images
read on update on the house in this picture. (thanks Nicole!)
We’re working on it, Houston. Every day we see more hints of normalcy.
If i haven’t been in touch with you, I hope you and your loved ones fared well during Ike’s smack down on the Gulf Coast. I was one of the very lucky ones to never lose power. Got water back Sunday night. Was never so excited to wash dishes in my life.
I know this may be the last thing on some of your minds, but if you can try and get out this week or weekend, visit a museum, attend an event that’s still scheduled. I promise, it will help. I’ve complied a list here of events that are canceled, postponed, or still going on.
A few thoughts, pictures to share:
My Flickr Photo Set:
I took these while “hunkering down” at mom and dad’s in Jersey Village with a house full of adults, kiddos, and dogs. Thank God for Dad’s last minute generator purchase. Power blew about 6am Saturday.
The Short – but eventful – Life of Ike
Stunning images from the last 10 days and Ike’s impace on the Gulf Coast.
images: www.boston.com
Video of some of our cabin fever in Jersey Village.
I would like to commend on outstanding news source that has stood above the rest in this time of information mongering. Our Houston Chronicle online has done an OUTSTANDING job of keeping us informed, up to date with accurate, updated, UNBIASED information before, during, and ongoing through this disaster. From answering readers urgent questions, to letting us know who’s serving cold beer. I’m proud and honored to call this my local paper. People I am honored to call my friends such as Dwight Silverman, David Herrold, and Rob Hays (and many many more) have spent days upon days of doing nothing but consuming and reporting on information that continues to comfort Houston’s citizens. Thanks will never be enough, but know that you have made a difference.
God Bless our fine Mayor Bill White, County Judge Ed Emmett, Centerpoint representative Floyd LeBlanc, the tireless men and women in the Media, our Godsent Police Force (including my father), and thousands of volunteers who have left their homes and families for the greater good of this community, and who, in my opinion, have done an OUTSTANDING job of keeping control, safety, communication, and hope alive in the Coastal communities.
I understand people are still without water, power, food, gas, homes. I continue to think about and pray for these people, for what seems like every second of the day. Tough times push people to the edge, and despite this edge we are hanging on to, I feel these TEXANS have continued to hold steadfast our trust in our city leaders and trust in our neighbors to pull us through this. We’ll get though this. One day at a time.
If you are reading this, I’m assuming you have power or some short term access to it. Please know that my home is open to anyone who needs a warm shower, a cell phone charge, or a blast of AC. Please let me know if you are in need.
I would love to hear from all of you, and how you are doing. Please drop me a commet to let me know you are ok.
Love and big sweaty hugs to all of you! Hang in there!
Tags: hurricane ike
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 11, 2008 in
funny shizz this was just too good to not post. thanks to the creativity of my friend Jaime:
Yo VIP let’s kick it…
Alright stop, evacuate and listen
Ike is back in a brand new position
Something’s hittin’ H-town slightly
Blowing like a monsoon daily and nightly
Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know
Fill up your tanks with the gas and go
To the extreme I load my glock for a vandal
Light up my way using’ one no drip candle
Ike Ike Baby….
By: Kelly Hamilton and Jaime Ball
be safe all! i’m “hunkering down” at my parents in Jersey Village.
Tags: friends, hurricane, songs
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 10, 2008 in
arts + events,
video “I’m gonna ride my skateboard.”
“Jose, i always loved you.”
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Tags: arts + events, westheimer block party
Posted by Monica Danna on Sep 8, 2008 in
arts + events ENTERTAINMENT SERIES
Thursday Concerts on the Green presented by Capital One Bank: Real Guitar Heroes Starring Texas Johnny Brown & I.J. Gosey
Thursdays | 6:30 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage & Fondren Performance Space
Put down the video games and come see real guitar heroes in action!
Thank You, Houston: A Celebration of Gulf Coast Voices, Music, and Food
Saturday, September 13 | 6:30 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage & Fondren Performance Space
Sundays in the Park, presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Houston:
Miss Leslie & her Juke Jointers
Sundays | 3 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage & Fondren Performance Space
Miss Leslie and Her Juke Jointers…Honky Tonk revival!
ART SERIES
Art in the Park
Thursdays | 5-7 pm | Classes are free; however there is a limit of 20 per class | Andrea and Bill White Promenade
The Community Artists’ Collective gives YOU a chance to be the artist. Supplies provided; bring your creativity.
KUHF’s The Front Row Live at Discovery Green
Friday, September 12 | 3-4 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage & Fondren Performance Space
Join The Front Row team for a live broadcast as they take KUHF’s daily arts show out of the studio and onto Discovery Green’s outdoor stage. The program will feature live performances including a preview of KUHF’s silent film concert, Metropolis, with Austin’s Golden Hornet Project.
KUHF Classic Film Concerts: Metropolis
Friday, September 12 | 7:30 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage & Fondren Performance Space
KUHF Houston Public Radio presents a series of silent film screenings accompanied by live music. Metropolis (1927), set in 2026 in a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, tells of the son of the city’s mastermind who falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
HEALTHY LIVING IN THE PARK
Pilates in the Park
Tuesdays | 6 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage
Flexibility and strength training led by this week by Jennifer Young Milstad.
Downtown Green Market: Central City Co-op at Discovery Green
Thursdays | 4 – 7:30 pm | Free Admission | Andrea and Bill White Promenade
A year-round weekly co-op market offering organic produce and locally grown products.
Zumba!
Wednesdays | 6 pm | Free Admission | Grace Event Lawn
It’s not a workout – it’s a party! Taught by certified personal trainer Oscar Sajche. G
REEN
Boot Camp in the Park
Thursdays | 7 am | Free Admission | Meet on Andrea and Bill White Promenade
Instructor Eddie Moreno is an experienced Boot Camp instructor who will use the entire park to give you a workout you won’t forget.
Tai Chi in the Park
Thursdays | 12 pm | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage
Frank Murry helps you reduce stress, increase focus and gain strength through Tai Chi, meditation through movement – on your lunch hour!
Yoga in the Park
Saturdays | 9 am | Free Admission | Anheuser-Busch Stage
Inspired movement overlooking Kinder Lake. Instructor Jerry Randell from TUTS Humphreys School for Theatrical Arts.
Recycling Saturdays
Saturdays | 10 am – 2 pm | Free Admission | Andrea and Bill White Promenade at McKinney Street
Bring your paper, glass, plastic and cans. Enjoy the Recycling Fair with green product demonstrations and Natural Building workshop.
FAMILIES & CHILDREN SERIES
Young Writers Workshop in the Park
Saturdays | 10:30 am | Free Admission | HPL Express in The Lake House Building
The City’s only open, free writing workshop for kids presented by Writers in the Schools in conjunction with HPL Express.
Gymboree in the Park!
Saturday, September 13 | 10:30 am | Free Admission | HPL Express in The Lake House Building
Early childhood development – and fun!
Children’s Discovery Series presented by Wells Fargo
Saturdays | 12 pm | Free Admission | HPL Express in The Lake House Building
Houston Zoo (call HPL Express in Discovery Green @ 832-393-1375 for more info)
Tags: arts + events, discovery green, events, park
Posted by admin on Sep 5, 2008 in
arts + events,
coworking,
music …because i’ll beat you.
This weekend is shaping up to be NUTS! Nuts I say!
Let’s just get into it:
Friday
Hey you artsy fartsies, if you’re looking for a night out of openings, tonight, check out b.s. artblog’s recomendations for an itinerary.
Discovery Green hosts the 10 Year Anniversary of Wes Anderson’s Houston-filmed, Kevin Menchaca-starring (ok, starring is a strong word) Rushmore. 7:30pm at Discover Green Park, free.
Boot Scootin’ Boogie your way over to Leon’s Lounge for Dave Wrangler’s monthly Vinyl Ranch. I can’t believe it’s almost been one year since my last bday bash there. Geez, time flies. 10pm-2am, free.
Saturday
Here’s where things get sticky. Stay with me.
Start your day off at the new Montrose Farmer’s Market in the La Strada parking lot. An awesome KSG write up on Houstonist here. God, I love me some KSG. (not to be confused with MSG).
Head over to Caroline Collective for the Save Ferris…Save Lives Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser, for screenings of 2 of the 80’s best Breakfast Club @ 8, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off @ 10. Don’t forgot your 80’s costumes! $20 adults, $10 kiddos.
The Orange Show, with the help of our favorite local brewery, Saint Arnold, hosts the Annual Foamraiser. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and will feature music by the Sideshow Tramps and The Grass Skirts. Tickets are $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door and include unlimited samplings of Saint Arnold brews. Proceeds benefit the Orange Show Concert Series. Um, did i mention BEER?
Get Kristin2Go’s preview of the event here.
If you are still standing, don’t miss James Pants’ exciting Houston debut at the MFA’s Mixed Media Series. If you’ve never been to one of the Mixed Media Series. WTF? do it do it do it do it. Art Crowd members get into the VIP, so see ya in there! Not an Art Crowd member? Become one! It’s only $25 more to your yearly MFA membership. worth it, i tell ya. See ya in VIP? 
Admission:
$15 General Admission
$10 Students with ID
FREE FOR MFAH MEMBERS
18 and up
Sunday
Rumored that Ms. Spears will be making an apperance on the VMAs. I’ll be speanding the day hoping and praying this it true. Oh gawd Britney, this is what we’ve been waiting for. Don’t screw it up!!!!
Have a good weekend, peeps!
p.s. so this seems trown together, it was. no pretty pictures. 
DEAL. But if you MUST see pretty pictures, check out brentabousko’s post on the weekend here. And he’s so much cooler than me.
Tags: arts + events, caroline collective, discover green, leon's lounge, mfah, orange show