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Local Houston Gift Guide for the Homesick Houstonian

Looking for unique Houston-inspired gifts this Black Friday? You’re in luck. The Pop Up Shop at The Galleria is a one-stop shop for locally-made gifts, clothing, accessories, and more. Not only will you be able to snag some great gifts for the people on your list, you’ll also get to learn more about the Houston makers, artists and business owners who made them. Here’s a quick guide to some of the businesses you’ll find at the Pop Up Shop so you can get a head start on your Black Friday shopping…

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FAQs: Houston Via Colori® Street Painting Festival

The one-of-a-kind Via Colori Street Festival is back and bigger than ever! If you’re thinking about attending, here are a few things you need to know before you enjoy the amazing art taking over downtown Houston. View this post on Instagram Done piece!!! ————————————— Thanks again to @ngenradio for sponsoring this years 🔲 and to @viacolori for putting on the Dopest #chalkartfestival thru art we are able to give back to #thecenterforhearingandspeech A…

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Chandra Wilson

You have to see downtown Houston for the skyline, you have to see the famous Astrodome, you have to visit The Galleria and go skating, and you have to take the full ride around the 610 loop. What surprises me about Houston is that even though it’s such a big city, it maintains its intimate town feel. Houston is special because it is the perfect mixture of different cultures, the arts, big city influence, neighborhood intimacy, good old fashioned ranch living and a lot of Texas pride. People will…

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Carl Lewis

Athlete/Entertainer Houston has the cultural diversity that many cities do not have. There is a real love for the arts. The city ranks No. 2 in the country in theater seats and has great museums. I’ve traveled a lot and would consider The Galleria the best shopping in the country. I would consider Houston the best city in America for restaurants—both quality and cost. I moved to Houston to go to the University of Houston. It was the first time away from my parents, so I really grew up as an…

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Bobby Heugel

Owner, Anvil Bar and Refuge James Beard-nominated Bobby Heugel has forever changed the way Houstonians look at libations. The native Houstonian bartended his way through college and developed a drink program that highlighted quality spirits and fresh ingredients while earning a Master's degree in Inter-Cultural Communication. After college, Heugel continued to pursue the craft, turning out creative cocktails at Benjy's and Beaver's Ice House, before launching Montrose's Anvil Bar and Refuge…

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Bryan Caswell

Chef/Owner of Reef, Little Bigs and El Real Tex-Mex Cafe Staying true to his Gulf Coast roots, Chef/Owner Bryan Caswell imparts his love for fishing and the ocean in his seasonally-changing, award-winning Reef restaurant. Diners love the spot's refined blend of locally-grown produce and use of Third-Coast-caught seafood, as do foodies on the national stage. He has expanded his restaurant empire with Little Bigs and El Real Tex-Mex Cafe. Caswell has been named a Finalist for a James Beard Award…

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Chris Shepherd

Chef/Owner, Underbelly Midwest-raised Chef Chris Shepherd spent weekends as a child scouring farms throughout Oklahoma in search of straight-from-the-vine tomatoes, fresh corn and peas. He left boundary-pushing Catalan restaurant to open Underbelly in March 2012, featuring locally-sourced food inspired by the ethnic diversity of Houston. The Art Institute-alum and former Executive Sous Chef-turned-Sommelier of Brennan's brings his farm-to-table passion to fruition at the new spot, which was…

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Constance Washington

Actress, The Ensemble Theatre Jet-setting singer-actress Constance Washington has always been on the move. From a young age, the Texas native--who currently works for United Airlines between gigs--showed a natural proficiency for the performing arts through dance, vocals and music. Though her instrument of choice remains the piano, Washington also plays the bass, saxophone, drums and guitar. Vocally, she recently appeared at Disneyland and also performed at the 2009 Inaugural Ball for President…

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Frank Huang

Concertmaster, Houston Symphony At age 11, Beijing-born violinist Frank Xin Huang performed his first solo with the Houston Symphony. In the time since, the Chinese-born American has gone on to win several international music competitions, most notably the 2003 Naumburg Competition. In 2009, he was appointed the first violinist of the Grammy award-winning Ying Quartet and a professor of violin and chamber music at the Eastman School of Music. In January 2010, Huang began his tenure as…

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Grant Gordon

Executive Chef, Tony's In 2010, Houston native Grant Gordon took over as executive chef of Tony's at the age of 24-parlaying his experience and skills into the top job at one of the city's most venerated restaurants and earning him a position on Forbes' 30 under 30 list. Gordon graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and proceeded to hone his skills at restaurants in New York, Napa Valley and Austin before returning to his hometown. Clearly a quick study, the chef…

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