Houston: Space City

Taste The Local Food And Flavors Of Houston, Texas

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you are heading to Texas, you have to taste the local food and flavors of Houston. Even if you are a local you should really get out and try the neighborhood restaurants and diners. Houston has incredible food, and is the fourth largest city in the United States.

Mexican, Brazilian and Seafood are just some of the cuisines that you can try. If you feel like Thai, Japanese, or Chinese you will not be disappointed.

Food trucks are the latest craze to hit every city in America, and you can taste the local food and flavors in Houston when you hit the streets.I found some more information here. It is not just hamburgers and hot dogs anymore. You can get just about anything you want. Sliders, chicken, waffles, and fusion are just some of the local delicacies that you can try.

Texas is known for great barbecues, and there are plenty of restaurants and diners in Houston that specialize in this type of cooking. Try a brisket that melts in your mouth, and pair it with mash potato salad or baked macaroni and cheese. If you like ribs, you will love the moist and smoky flavor of pork and beef that falls off the bone.

Instead of cooking tonight, get out and explore the neighborhood. Experiment with the local food and flavors of Houston. That local diner that you have not tried yet just might become your favorite restaurant.

Outdoor Excursions For Nature Lovers In Houston Texas

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Houston is the biggest city in Texas. As a result, it boasts many fun and entertaining outdoor attractions. Here are a few of the best outdoor excursions for nature lovers in Houston, Texas.

1. Explore the Houston Zoo. Few outdoor excursions or trips in Houston, Texas are as entertaining as the Houston Zoo. Located on Hermann Park Drive, the Houston Zoo boasts many one-of-a-kind animals and exhibits. Popular animals include orangutans, Gaboon vipers and Komodo dragons. Popular exhibits include the African Forest, the Wortham World of Primates, and the Kipp Aquarium.

2. Visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center. If you want to immerse yourself in a living butterfly habitat, a trip to the Cockrell Butterfly Center is essential. Besides featuring a wide variety of different plants and butterflies, the Cockrell Butterfly Center also boasts a spectacular 3-story glass structure that happens to be built around a whopping 50 foot waterfall.

3. Explore the Japanese Garden. If you’re looking for a peaceful outdoor excursion in Houston, Texas, look no further than the Japanese Garden. Located in Hermann Park, the Japanese Garden features a tea garden, a scroll garden and even a kaiyushiki stroll garden. Bring a camera as the garden is breathtaking.

Explore Houston’s Abundant Night Life

admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are many people who enjoy the nightlife. It is nothing life getting a group of men or women together and having a good time. Those who will be visiting Houston will be thrilled to know that this city has some of the best nightclubs around. People who just want to enjoy a drink and some good music will like the Eden, Pink Monkey and Resurrection. These are after hour clubs that are open until 2 a.m. or later.

People who want to get a good laugh while they are out can choose from on of Houston’s many comedy clubs. Some of the most popular include: The Improv, Laff Comedy Club/Cafe and Laff Spot, Houson’s. Those who want to enjoy a good meal in addition to dancing and drinking should consider vising Dave and Buster’s.

Texas is known for its good country music and there are many nightclubs that play just that. Some of the most well-known country clubs in Houston include: Wild West, Mo’s Place, Lone Star Saloon and Big Texas Dance Hall and Saloon. People who prefer to listen to exclusively jazz will enjoy either the Melody Club, Red Cat Jazz Cafe’ and Sambucca Jazz Cafe.’ Houston has something for everyone who enjoys the nightlife.

Spring in Houston – Family Outings

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Houston is a vibrant, cultural city and there’s much more here than cowboys, the just energy electric and gas company and BP. Spring is a great time to get out and explore what the city has to offer, and here are a few of the best things to do in Houston this time of year…
The Downtown Aquarium has long been a family favorite and kids will love checking out the penguins, beluga whales and even sharks! An inexpensive day trip, this excursion is a great choice when the weather outside is less than ideal.
Houston Zoo is another great place to check out rare and exotic animals and it’s nice to be outside! The whole family will enjoy a jaunt through the snake house or past the elephants and there are plenty of dining options in the attraction as well.
The Space Center in Houston is one of the city’s greatest treasures…and it makes a wonderfully educational outing! Avoid weekdays when field trips run the place over and get out with your family over the weekend to check out the old rockets and historical artifacts on display. Houston…we have (no) problem!

Other Houston Nicknames

www.houston-spacecity.com — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:29:57 +0000

Not content to stick with just one nickname, Houston residents have come up with several other monikers for their beloved city. Memorize them all so you won’t be out of the loop on your next trip to theBayou City: Houston has ten waterways within its limits and close surroundings. Most notable is Buffalo Bayou, where the first settlements were founded and the backdrop to the Battle of San Jacinto.H-Town: A nickname with its roots in the entertainment industry, H-Town is the moniker applied to the annual Blues Festival, the city’s Arena Theatre, and a hip-hop group which formed in 1992.Magnolia City: Natural magnolia forests existed east of the city in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, but were gone by the 1920s. However, some people still use this nickname today.Clutch City: The Houston Chronicle once declared Houston to be “Choke City,” but locals dubbed it “Clutch City” after two consecutive NBA championship wins by the Houston Rockets. Clutch is also the name of the Rockets’ mascot.The Big Heart: This name arose out of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, when more than 150,000 evacuees sheltered in the city. Houston set up army-style health clinics to offer aid to their guests.

Tourist sites to keep your feet on the ground

www.houston-spacecity.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:30:40 +0000

When you turn your head from the stars and look around at Houston, you’ll still find plenty of areas for your family to explore. Whether alien or human, these are some of the Earthling sites you won’t want to miss the next time you’re in the neighborhood.

The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: More than your average slice of Americana, this 28-room mansion belonged to the unfortunately-named Ima Hogg before she donated it to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts in 1957. Included with that donation were Miss Hogg’s beautiful collections of both Native American works and pieces by foreign artists. Visitors will love experiencing the home of a true Texas original.
Houston Zoo: Whether you want to see baby flamingos or a ferocious T-Rex, the Houston Zoo is the place for you. In addition, you can watch Baylor the baby elephant scratch his belly on a tree trunk, or squirt milk into the mouth of a waiting lion. The only risk is that you might be overwhelmed by all the cuteness on display.
The Battleship Texas: Where can you find the world’s last existing dreadnought? Why, in Houston, of course. The Battleship Texas served in the Occupation of Veracruz and both World Wars, and visitors today will be guided by crew members who served in those events. For a truly unforgettable experience, grab a group of friends and apply to spend the night onboard the ship.
Kemah Boardwalk: Children of all ages (and parents too) will fall for the vast selection of rides at the Boardwalk. Of course, that also means they’ll be twirled in circles on the Ferris Wheel and swung on Pharaoh’s Furyand you can only imagine what happens on the Drop Zone. Afterwards, enjoy dining at one of the festive restaurants, including the original Joe’s Crab Shack.

Refuel in between launches with the best in Houston dining

www.houston-spacecity.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:24:20 +0000

Even the heartiest space fanatic needs to sit down for a meal once in a while. Houston offers plenty of options on that front, ranging from traditional barbecue to Asian delicacies. This list features just a few of the Houston restaurants with intergalactic taste.

Mark’s American Cuisine: This historic restaurant is located in a renovated church from the 1920s. However, the atmosphere is only one of the reasons it was voted Houston’s Most Romantic Restaurant. Wine director Saree Mulhelm ensures that there is always the perfect flavor to go along with Head Chef Mark Cox’s specialties, including Copper River Salmon and Kobe Beef Osso Bucco.
Quattro: Even though it’s located in Houston’s Four Seasons Hotel, Quattro is anything but your ordinary hotel caf. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an antipasto bar, Quattro provides a delightful Italian experience in both flavor and atmosphere. The menu is seasonal, so it’s always a surpriseand always fresh. Some classics, though, include garlic tiger shrimp with lemon risotto and a creamy truffle fondue on ciabatta.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse: If there’s one thing Texas knows besides space, it’s steaks, and you’ll find some of the best examples at Pappas Bros. It’s garnered several awards from newspapers and national organizations like the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. The Pappas family has a long history in the food business, dating back to their grandfather’s first restaurant opened at the end of the 19^th century.
Chez Nous: Finally, for a traditionally exquisite French experience, Chez Nous delivers. With a 5 Diamond Award from DiRona Awards, the restaurant continues to impress visitors. Gerard Brach founded the restaurant in an old Pentecostal church in 1984, and won over guests so easily that he never had to move. With entrees like Gulf Shrimp Provencale and Grilled Breast of Muscovy Duckling, who can blame them?

Move to Houston for an out-of-this-world experience

www.houston-spacecity.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:18:33 +0000

Houston is the 4^th largest city in the United States, only rivaled by Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. But despite its big city feel, Houston also manages to maintain a friendly neighborhood feel, with a cost of living 9.6 below the national average. In contrast, New York’s is 52.8 above the average. How does the city manage it? Mainly, it’s due to a combination of bargain housing and lower taxes.Houston is also an area full of peaceful diversity, with an only 42 Anglo population, followed by 33 Hispanic, 18 African-American, and 7 Asian or other. Amazingly, 94 of students in the independent school district speak Spanish. This allows a great deal of interplay between cultures, and ensures that Houston students have a leg up on the competition when it comes to working in a global economy.If you’re interested in relocating to Houston, take a look at some of the career opportunities offered. These include energy corporations like Exxon/Mobil and Shell as well as a variety of legal and real estate interests. The site Houston Newcomer Guides provides free resources to anybody looking into the area. Here, you can find the perfect neighborhood for you and your family, as well as browse finance options and entertainment centers.These are just a few of the reasons to consider a move to Houston. The city also offers great education options from elementary all the way up to the University of Houston and beyond. A move to Houston could be more than just a change of environmentit could be an investment in your family and your children’s future. If you’re interested, go to Houston Newcomer Guides and start searching today.

Johnson Space Center keeps NASA pointed toward the future

www.houston-spacecity.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:14:49 +0000

Houston’s connection with space travel dates back to 1963 when NASA opened the Manned Spacecraft Center. In 1973, the station was renamed to its modern moniker, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, in honor of one of the state’s most illustrious natives. From there, things, have only gone upliterally.Starting with the launch of Gemini IV (manned by James McDivitt and Edward White) in 1965, the Houston Center has served as the operational site for every manned mission. This includes the entire process of the mission, starting with astronaut training in facilities like the Sonny Carter Training Facility and Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. The NBL contains full-sized training sets including the space shuttle bay and the International Space Station located underwater. Astronauts take a deep breath, don their suits and add weights to counteract buoyancy, allowing them to experience a zero-gravity environment.Missions used to end with quarantine in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory, but once scientists were sure that no deadly space viruses were travelling back with the astronauts, the facility was used to house the samples brought back from those missions. The LRL now contains a Life Sciences department devoted to biomedical and environmental experiments.Since its inception, the Johnson Space Center has also been the center of NASA’s research inquiries. These advances have had impact on the fields of medicine, transportation, and agriculture, among others. Currently, the Center is focusing on discovering the risks of long-term space flight and how to eliminate them. As humanity continues to set its sight on the stars, this could be instrumental in making the first tentative steps towards a definite human presence in outer space. There’s no better time than the present to visit the Center and learn about where our species may be headed next.

Houston Space Center workers avoid job losses

www.houston-spacecity.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:08:59 +0000

In June, workers at the Johnson Space Center were preparing to seek employment assistance. The reason: a proposed retirement of NASA’s shuttles and the cancellation of the moon program. 7,000 jobs were on the chopping block. Even more disturbing than the setback this would represent for America’s space program was the obstacles it would create for thousands of newly unemployed workers. However, the majority of the losses could soon be avoided thanks to a new budget bill passed by a Senate Committee on Thursday, July 15. The bill calls for a 19 billion budget which brings the number of losses down to a projected 15 of the original 7,000somewhere around 1,050.The conflict over the current direction of the space program is due to a difference in destinations: while NASA’s Constellation program is hoping to reach the moon, President Barack Obama wants the focus to be on Mars and commercial spaceflight. Obama hoped that private companies could be tasked to deliver supplies to the International Space Station within the next few years. However, some astronauts and senators don’t feel the private sector is ready for this responsibility yet. Hopefully, this bill will allow for the “best of both worlds”, as it were. At any rate, it would secure Houston’s position as the continuing center of manned space flight.It’s too early to consider this a full victory, as the President still has the opportunity (and probably the power) to prevent the bill from even reaching the full Senate if he so chooses. With the amount of money being discussed here, it’s easy to expect strong feelings on both sides. Keep your eyes and ears open as this story progresses. If things don’t go the way Houston is hoping, we could be looking at a profound historical change in the space program.