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Two New Spots Aim to Spice Up Houston's Nightlife Scene

Thirsty Houston? You're in luck. Two new lounges from folks behind popular Austin concepts are set to open soon in Houston. J. Black's (pictured), an upscale lounge that debuted on Austin's West Sixth Street in 2007, is opening at 110 Heights Blvd. The spot on the corner of Washington Avenue was built for, and briefly held, Phil's Texas BBQ. In Austin J. Black's is known for its above-par bites (items like lamb lollipops and crab cakes with remoulade sauce) and extensive wine menu, in addition…

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11 Teams Say They Want to Build New Convention Center Hotel

Houston First Corp. says it's received 11 responses to a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a developer to build a second convention center hotel near the George R. Brown Convention Center. The deadline for the RFQ was April 20. The development-design teams that met the deadline include: • Discovery Central Development Team • Hines • Houston Now • Matthews Southwest • Mortenson • Parkway Service Group, LLC • Product Marketing International • Rida Development • Trammell Crow • TRT…

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Field Trip: Going aboard Battleship TEXAS

A few weeks ago, my colleague, AJ Mistretta, and I had the opportunity to tour Battleship Texas, which is located along the Houston Ship Channel, in La Porte. If you haven’t been before, you are truly missing out. Visitors are able to explore the ship and get a glimpse at crew life during World War I and World War II. During the self-guided tours guests can venture all over the landmark—climbing high on the bridge, controlling the turrets on the main deck and going below, into the ship’s…

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Initiative Aims to Bring More Bicycles to Downtown Houston

A pilot program set to launch May 2 will introduce bike sharing to Houston's city center. H-Town is one of only 15 U.S. cities to develop such a program, which will be known as Houston B-cycle. To prove the concept, the program will start with just 18 bikes at three stations including City Hall, the George R. Brown Convention Center and Market Square Park. Here's how it works. Houston B-cycle will be a membership-driven program, with individual memberships available by the day, week or year…

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Houston Texans' Schedule Released; 5 Nationally Televised Games on Tap

The Houston Texans will be prepping for prime time next season. The NFL franchise will play five games on national TV, the most the team a team can have in a single season. The national TV schedule for 2012 NFL games was released April 17. It has the Texans playing two Sunday night football games - Oct. 14 at home vs. the Green Bay Packers and Nov. 11 at Chicago. The Texans will also have a Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit and two Monday night football games - vs. the New York Jets…

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Time's Running Out, What's on Your Houston Bucket List?

Have you heard? We don't have much time left. According to the ancient Mayan calendar, the world is going to end on December 21, 2012. So that got us thinking: If we really did only have a few months left to experience all there is, what would we do in our favorite city, Houston, Texas? Think about it. Have you ever wanted to kayak down Buffalo Bayou? Or watch a Texans game from the sidelines? Go shopping with designer Chloe Dao? Or perhaps skydive over Southeast Texas…

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Holocaust Museum Houston gets AAM Accreditation

Holocaust Museum Houston has achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition possible for a U.S. museum. The recognition, announced on April 10, represents a milestone for the 16-year-old museum. Of the nation's estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are currently accredited. Holocaust Museum Houston joins the Museum of Natural Science, the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts as one of only four AAM-accredited museums in the city…

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Local Chefs Compete in Mega Pig Roast

Go Pig! Or Go Home! Doesn't that get you excited? On April 15, Kata Robata, will host the first annual Suckling Pig Throwdown. Thirteen of Houston's top local chefs will come together to take part in this friendly competition for the title of suckling pig champ. The event will benefit Recipe for Success, a nonprofit that helps fight childhood obesity (insert tiny ironic laugh here). Chefs will offer up bites of their pig roasts to attendees who will also get to enjoy signature Kata Robata hor…

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Rice U. to Host an UnConvention

With its pastoral landscape and century-old architecture, few would use the term "unconventional" to characterize Rice University. But the revered institution of higher education is embracing just that term. As part of its centennial year celebration, Rice is opening its campus up to all Houstonians April 12-14 for a massive open house it's calling an UnConvention. From a display of inventions by student engineers and an Asian Film Festival, to Shepherd School of Music concerts and a lecture…

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TopGolf breaks ground on Houston location

Good news golfers… and wannabe golfers. Illinois-based TopGolf is opening a 65,000 square foot facility in Houston. Though company brass remains mum on where the new entertainment complex is setting up shop, they will confirm that it’s scheduled to open in October 2012. For those new to the TopGolf experience, it’s basically an over-the-top, state-of-the-art driving range that brings together groups for golfing, dining and drinking. The concept replaces traditional golf balls and with…

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