Good, Bad and Ugly

The Good, Bad & Ugly of Houston News: Oct. 4, 2013

Posted on · We discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of recent Houston news, including a new burger named after Matt Schaub’s interception troubles, Mattress Mack using his stay in the hospital for heart issues to advertise speedy furniture delivery, a government shutdown at NASA and more. We’re joined by:Â Joe Holley, Native Texan columnist and […]

Houston Matters

The Science (or Lack Thereof) of Space in Movies

Posted on · Many sci-fi classics and clunkers alike have tried to accurately portray the experience of being in outer space. The latest to try to bring that experience to life is the film Gravity, which premieres in Houston theaters today. Space City is especially sensitive to how space exploration is presented on screen. We talk about some […]

Houston Matters

Using Dance to Help Special Needs Kids Integrate Into Society

Posted on · Local dance instructor Mary Tiras is using dance to help kids with special needs integrate into society. She’s conducting a free dance workshop to demonstrate that called DanceReach 2013 this Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran School. Tiras is the owner of Creative Motion Dance and Performing Arts.

Houston Matters

Health Exchanges Open – But Do They Work?

Posted on · We’re two days into the signup process for the Affordable Care Act’s provisions for uninsured to receive health insurance via exchanges. How’s it going so far here in Houston and along the Gulf Coast? We found out by speaking with Mario Castillo from Enroll America, an organization dedicated to help enroll uninsured Americans in health […]

Houston Matters

Banned Books Week and Creationism in Texas Schools

Posted on · We have a complex relationship, at times, with what books we use, and how we use them, in public education here in Texas. We have, at times, been at the center of controversy over the language and information presented in Texas classroom textbooks, most notably in the form of occasional challenges to the teaching of […]

Houston Matters

Social Entrepreneurs: Part Non-Profit, Part Business

Posted on · Social entrepreneurs launch businesses or initiatives – some for profit, some non-profit – but all designed to create some sort of social change or value. Recently, Houston’s chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum brought some leading social entrepreneurs from around the country to town to help Houstonians understand what social entrepreneurs do, and the challenges […]

Houston Matters

Time for Texans Fans to Panic?

Posted on · After a painful overtime loss to the Seahawks, the Texans are now a disappointing 2-2. Is it time for Texans fans to panic…more? Is it time to give up on quarterback Matt Shaub…for real this time? We discuss that, the merciful end of another 100-plus loss season for the Astros, and all the week’s sports […]

Houston Matters

Cell Phone Culture in Houston

Posted on · In the latest KUHF-KHOU 11 News Election Poll, more than 88 percent of respondents said the state of Texas should pass a law banning texting while driving. And no wonder – texting and other activities on smart phones are becoming more and more a part of our lives. Houstonians text, e-mail and IM during meetings, […]

Houston Matters

Poetry Slam Team ‘Meta-Four Houston’

Posted on · We meet the Writers in the Schools poetry slam team, "Meta-Four Houston." The team won the state championship in August and represented Houston in the annual Brave New Voices competition in Chicago. Here’s a video of team-member Sarah Portugal performing a poem:

Houston Matters

Speaking Spanish in Houston

Posted on · Houston has as large a Spanish-speaking population as any city in the United States. Larger than most, in fact. As a result, many Houstonians speak both English and Spanish. But some only speak English. And some only speak Spanish. And when they interact, it can be a challenge to communicate. From an English speaking teacher […]

Houston Matters

Jazz Pianist Joe Sample Headlining Annual Henriette Delille Legacy Concert

Posted on · Jazz pianist Joe Sample is headlining the 5th annual Henriette Delille Legacy Concert at the Galveston Opera House tomorrow night. Sample is a founding member of The Jazz Crusaders, and a successful solo artist, composer and arranger. We’ll talk with Sample about his career, hear some of his music, and learn about the Joe Sample […]