09.01.08
Posted in News at 8:43 pm by Paloma Cruz
Houston is gaining jobs
According to the Houston Business Journal, the “Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area had the second-largest employment increase in the United States in the year to July, adding 57,100 jobs.” It seems we were beat by Dallas. So, overall, Texas is doing well in job gains as well.
Food in Houston
One of my new favorite blogs, Food in Houston, has a great post about Houston food classics you can still get in the city:
- James Coney Island Chili Cheese Dog
- Antone’s Po Boys
- Triple A Cafeteria’s rolls
- Barbecue Inn’s stuffed crab
- Ragin Cajun’s oyster po boy, boiled crawfish
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08.07.08
Posted in News at 11:04 am by Paloma Cruz
ProMexico office in Houston
ProMexico is opening an office in Houston, reports the Houston Business Journal. ProMexico is a trust that promotes trade between Mexico and the US. The Greater Houston Partnership is credited with this move
.
Minority population increases in Harris County
The Houston Chronicle reports that Harris County’s population is getting closer to 4 million, due in large part to immigration and growth of minority communities. “The Anglo population, however, declined in Harris, a trend demographers say reflects a sustained exodus to suburban counties, according to 2007 Census Bureau estimates released today.”
The good news is that a “solid middle class has been retained” while the growth remains constant.
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08.05.08
Posted in News at 10:31 am by Paloma Cruz
Starbucks is running a sale, sort of
The Houston Chronicle reports that Starbucks will begin to offer customers a $2 iced coffee drink after 2 p.m., if they show their receipt from the cup of coffee that morning. They call is a response to consumers’ requests, I call it a sale to get customers back in in the afternoon.
Old office buildings are going green
The bizjournal’s green channel reports that San Francisco is seeing a trend where old buildings are being brought up to LEED standards for “existing building.” This is a step to make the older buildings more competitive with new, sustainable buildings.
Gates to fund new “green” campus
Again, from the bizjournal’s green channel, a story about the Gates Foundation creating a new green campus for themselves. The 900,00 square foot project is expected to cost $500 million, be built to LEEDs gold standards and will be one of “the largest energy-efficient office complexes in the state of Washington.” Very cool.
McDonald’s may end $1 cheeseburgers
ABC 13 reports that the price increases in gas, and food, is being felt by fast food too. We should all prepare to see the $1 cheeseburger disappear. Prices will go up, or changes will be made to the food, but it won’t remain the same.
And an era ends…
No money? Visit your library!
It seems that I’ve seen a rush of stories about how great the library is, especially is you’re strapped for cash. The Houston Chronicle joins the ranks of library fans with a story from the Newhouse News Service which, basically, discusses libraries’ importance all the time, and especially when economic times are hard.
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Posted in News at 2:32 am by Paloma Cruz
House of Blues is coming to Houston
I have never been to House of Blues, so I am thrilled to read (in HBJ) that one is opening in Houston on October 18th. The celebration includes performances & concerts by B.B. King, Willie Nelson and The Black Crowes during November. Tickets for the VIP event go on sale via Ticketmaster auction on August 8th.
Eduoard
In case you missed it, Tropical Storm Eduoard is on its way to Houston. Did you prepare?
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07.31.08
Posted in News at 11:02 pm by Paloma Cruz
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Watch the trailer
of the much-anticipated sixth movie. In this one, a prominent character dies. It’s the darkest of all the books, and the only one my niece didn’t finish. “It was boring,” she explains. I didn’t think so, but I’m no a pre-teen.
No Tax Weekend
ABC13 reports “The 10th annual Texas sales tax holiday will be Aug. 15-17 as families prepare to send children back to school.” Check out their story for more info on the types of products exempt from taxes.
Texas leads the nation in teen pregnancies
KHOU reports that Texas has more teen pregnancies than any other state. To top it off, teen pregnancies are on the rise for the first time in 15 years. Experts are baffled by the reason why the increase is happening.
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Posted in News at 10:58 pm by Paloma Cruz
HISD to unveil new charter school
– KHOU CBS Channel 111
Early next month a simple complex on the La Porte Freeway will host HISD’s newest charter school.
It will be called the Houston Advantage East End High School. The facility will be publically funded, privately run and will serve up to 450 students who struggle in traditional school settings.
[snip]
Footnotes
1 = may require free registration.
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07.30.08
Posted in News at 12:56 am by Paloma Cruz
Did you think that Houston had a great cost of living too? It’s not so cheap, says Forbes. The magazine listed Houston as the 8th-most-expensive city in the US. Why? Commuting costs.
Houston not a bargain on this list
Forbes says commuting makes it the 8th-costliest U.S. city
– Houston Chronicle2
[snip]
Saying that “the city lacks a useful, extensive or reliable mass-transit system,” the magazine also concluded that, on average, 20.9 percent of Houstonians’ expenses go toward transportation.
[snip]
Footnotes
2 = article may expire in a few weeks.
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Posted in News at 12:17 am by Paloma Cruz
In view of economic slowdown, I find it interesting that Houston executive pay packages swell by over 30% (reported by the Houston Chronicle)1. “The soaring energy industry took top executives along for the ride last year, lifting pay an average 31 percent for leaders of publicly traded companies in town even as the national economy soured, according to the Chronicle’s annual survey.”
Footnotes:
1 = Story found on the Houston Chronicle. Article may expire in a few weeks.
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07.21.08
Posted in News at 12:11 am by Paloma Cruz
Tropical Storm Dolly could become a hurricane
– KHOU CBS Channel 111
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the western Caribbean, but 11 News meteorologist Mario Gomez says even if Dolly becomes a hurricane quickly, it’s still unclear if it will strike anywhere in Texas.
[snip]
The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning Sunday for the Yucatan Peninsula from the Border of Campeche, Mexico. The storm is currently moving toward the northwest at 17 mph.
Dolly is the fourth tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.
Footnotes
1 = may require free registration.
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07.12.08
Posted in News at 6:44 am by Paloma Cruz
Did you know that Houston has the cheapest gas in the state? That’s according to the Houston Chronicle2. They report that, statewide, gas is averaging for $3.94 (a figure they got from AAA). That’s good news… sort of.
The Houston Business Journal reports that CNBC ranked Texas #1 for business. “To create the list, CNBC scored all 50 states in an number of categories, from education to economy and transportation to cost of living. The financial and business news channel says Texas’ booming energy industry in these times of record oil prices is the main reason the state rose to the top this year.” Want to see where everyone ranked? www.cnbc.com/id/25447829
HBJ also reported that the population growth in Houston topped the nation. “More people moved to Houston than to any other large city in the United States in the 12 months up to July last year, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau.” According to this, we have nearly 40,000 more Houstonians this year than last year. I think they’re all on my morning commute with me.
Footnotes
2 = article may expire in a few weeks.
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