With rain in the forecast I thought I would visit Dick Wray’s last exhibition. I’m always eager to see what new imagery Dick Wray creates. His last body of work is being exhibited at William Reaves Fine Art, a gallery nestled in a quiet neighborhood on Brun Street. As I walk around the gallery I’m a little saddened to see that these paintings are Wray’s final thoughts on his art and life. If you ever want to know about an artist just study his art. Everything you ever wanted to know about Dick Wray is put on canvas: his beliefs, his feelings and philosophy.
OhMyGodThat’sTheCutestDamnThingI’veEverSeen! If a Super Bowl rematch between a mouth-breathing younger brother type and a quarterback seemingly built in a lab isn’t really your thing, the hippies at Animal Planet are offering a distinctly cuter alternative in Puppy Bowl VIII. Grab a bowl (popcorn, Doritos, recreational hallucinogenic drug of choice) and settle in to watch Man’s Best Friend turn grown men into “awwwww-ing” little bitches. Potbelly cheerleaders, flags thrown for on-field potty breaks, puppies that “score a touchdown every two f***ing seconds” and no Madonna? Sounds good. But how are the commercials? Visit TheChronBlog for more.
Oh. Wait. So Dogs Aren’t Cute After All? The debate over banning specific dog breeds heats up, as the number of reported dog bites steadily rises. While Texas does not currently allow breed-specific laws, the “there are no bad dogs, only bad owners” philosophy is being called into question as more children are turning up in the hospital with severe injuries. While some call for animal rehabilitation, others watch and re-watch “Cujo” to confirm their conviction that some animals just need a good beatin’. Rabid deliberation rages on at TheChron.
Saying “N-Word” for the N-Word is Offensive Louis CK said it best (that’s your cue to watch the video above if you have lax work rules about profanity and Louis CK doesn’t generally offend you to the bone). League City’s City Manager has been suspended following his use of a racial slur in the workplace. Kudos to KHOU’s use of white people’s way around saying the racial slur by acronym-ing it for us. Visit KHOU for more.
The Fees that Please With the 2013 move to the Big East Conference, the University of Houston is renovating its facilities expectant of company. Cougar students took to the ballot box to approve a $45/semester fee for each student that will help fund the $120 million football stadium and $40 million renovation for the basketball arena. Unfortunately the $0.50/semester student fee to help fund The Loop Scoop didn’t make it through the gauntlet. Visit MyFoxHouston for more.
Harwin Counterfeits? Sucre Bleu! In the most astounding news you’ll hear all day, a Harwin store was shut down for selling counterfeit NFL merchandise last night. We hope that the tipster got paid a healthy sum for his information. The rest of Houston has been completely in the dark about the shady practices of Harwin all this time. Visit Click2Houston for more.
We can’t help but feel that Jim Crane has made a grave mistake. The old guard has hit the curb. It’s time for a new-look Astros to take over. Hell, who needs a just new look? We were looking for a new name. No better way to distance Houston baseball from its dismal, recent past than pretending like it didn’t exist.
With that in mind, The Loop Scoop was actually on the exploratory committee for the Houston Astros name change. Here are the top ten that we came up with before Crane ultimately turned us down.
Oi, Barkeep! A Round of Vodka Tampons and Gin Gummies!
And here I thought folks I knew at university were creative for snorting Adderall. Maybe they’d have done the same thing if alcohol were hard to come by. Then again, the old smoothy cup of rum during class might’ve been just as desperate an attempt. Soaking tampons and gummies in alcohol is more trouble than it’s worth—both in preparation and in the case of the tampon—shit, I doubt they’re using measuring cups. Visit KHOU for more.
Six More Weeks of Winter? You’re a Liar, Phil.
I don’t know about you, but when I walked the dog this morning, I wasn’t greeted by crisp cool air. I was instead abruptly woken from my pre-coffee stupor by October. That’s 70 degrees and mild humidity. Phil up in PA says the cold months will linger. I call bullshit. Visit KHOU for more.
Criminal Actually Escapes High Speed Chase
This has to be rare, right? I mean, we’ve all seen COPS and America’s Most Dangerous Police Chases. The crook never alludes the LAW. As of last night around 2AM, one did. All the King’s K-9s and all the King’s Men couldn’t put the thief behind bars and cement detention, again? Visit ABC13 for more.
Criminal Doesn’t Escape Chase, Found in Bushes
This one wasn’t quite as smart as the last. He tried robbing a Denny’s at 3AM. Rather than flee on foot or in a stolen mini-van, he chose to hide in the bushes. That’s fine for human eyes, but dogs don’t have human eyes. They’ve got something better. A dog’s nose. Visit ABC13 for more.
Meteor Shmeteor, I Know an E.T. When I See One
Oklahomans and Texans were both privy to an exciting event last night. Those that were outside saw a spaceship. Whizzing above our atmosphere at thousands of miles per hour, the drivers of said ship were apparently uninterested. I can’t say I blame them. We’ve got work to do. Visit KHOU for more.
We’re not exactly sure what kind of “town” Houston is when it comes to food. The great part about being here is that we don’t have to choose. Delicious fajitas one night. Fantastic burgers the next. Steak night can be every night. Houston has a variety of Pizza options. Each unique. Each incomparable with the other… Until now.
Today we force your hand. You must choose. What’s your favorite pizza?
This Ecstasy Tastes Like Ex-Lax
A dozen students at Cleveland High School were taken ill shortly after lunch. And for once, it wasn’t due to the Manwich Monday special in the cafeteria. The teens showed signs of an overdose after partaking of some mystery pills brought in by a fellow student. Come on, kiddos, Just Say No. Don’t make us start re-airing those freaky anti-drug commercials from the 80s. So help me, we’ll do it. Visit Chron.com for more.
The Purloined Pads
I was sure I packed my iPad. But here we are, at our final destination and this suitcase is undeniably sans my handy Apple tablet. What if some duplicitous TSA agent swiped it at the airport! Maybe he’s got an acute Angry Birds addiction and the tempting sight of my digital lifeline was just too much to resist? Maybe someday he’ll be caught and face the wrath of the Angry Travelers he blindly ripped off. Maybe justice will find its way to his sticky fingers… Nah. I probably just left it on the charger at home. Who would dare to swipe an iPad? Some things are sacred. Visit KHOU for more.
Defending the Land of the Free Stuff and Home of the Squatters
When Sam Burbank, the Iraqi War veteran, signed up for the service, I’m pretty sure he didn’t do it to fight for the rights of drug addicts. But when he was deployed to Fort Hood, two junky squatters took over his residence and sold his belongings for more smack. What a smack in the face… Visit KHOU for more.
Houston Wants IOUs Paid ASAP
With all the controversy surrounding the red light cameras, one little fact remained brushed under the rug: Houston wants its damn money, yo. The city claims that they are owed millions in fines and fees from red light runners. How much? $27 Million dollars are outstanding from the coffers. That’s 27 million double cheeseburgers at McDonald’s… roughly half of what Paul has eaten in his lifetime. Visit Click2Houston for more.
Bring a Gun to a Crowbar Fight
Two FedEx employees found themselves in a brouhaha in which one pulled out a crowbar and the other flashed his piece. Details are still hazy, but our guess is that they were probably arguing over the difference between two and three day shipping charges. Happens to us every time. Visit MyFoxHouston for more.
We’ve seen a few of these skulls around town, but haven’t taken the time to snap a shot. Thankfully, RubenS is on the prowl with a camera ready. You can find others in the Heights and down by Montrose/Allen Parkway. Let the hunting begin.
In an effort to avoid stepping on any of our Houston street art hunters’ toes, Paul wanted to share this photo. He found it as a spectator at the 2012 ConocoPhillips Houston Marathon. All he had to do was turn away from the runners that were showing him up to find two artists doing the same. It’s JEWS and SNOT represented here.
Remember, we choose a Street Art of the Week tomorrow. Get your submissions ready and upload them to Flickr. We’re excited for a second taste from Houston’s urban artists this week.
Texas Gets a “C” and That Ain’t Not Bad
The science curriculum in Texas public schools was graded a “C” in a study by the national education foundation. The assessment claims that the low score is due to the curriculum’s treatment of the evolutionary theory, or the “monkey-fish-frog mutant theory”, as some standardized texts brand it. Low score? What low score? We’re up significantly from the “F” we were granted two years ago, so let’s hold our heads high, glare down California, and proclaim in triumphant unison, “Hey, at least we passed.” Visit the Chron.com for more.
See Dick. See Dick Run. See Dick Expose His D***.
Be advised perv: unless you’re in the throes of a hot-and-heavy session with a particular lady friend, or unless you happen to be a member of the La Bare A-squad, chances are that women have little to no interest in taking a gander at your junk. It’s there, we all know it. But until you’re implicitly asked to whip out proof positive, keep it in your pants, ‘k? Visit Click2Houston for more.
Liam Neeson Would Never Let this Happen
I just saw Taken again, and though the movies are rarely an indicator of reality, this story out of Houston is exactly opposite of what I think should happen. A mother is accused of literally pimping out her daughter in Pasadena apartment complexes. Parading her around, the matriarch would take cash and leave her child with the wolves. Disturbing. Ridiculous. Unfathomable. Liam Neeson needs to off this lady like he did all those Albanians. Visit MyFoxHouston for more.
I’m No Cat Lover, But… Whaaaaaaat?!
A Houston man is currently under arrest for taking mewing matters into his own hands. No word on how he did it, but the cruel dude killed his cat with his bare hands. There will be no crying over spilled milk in his house anymore, but hopefully he won’t be going back to his house any time soon. Visit KHOU for more.
Student Suspended for Unnatural Hair Color, Naturally
Fresh off of the news that students at Memorial can’t wear yoga pants comes this even more ridiculous item that a Spring student is suspended from school because of her hair color. Because of its bright color, her hair has been deemed as “disruptive” by school officials. Look, I’m not one to judge, but I’m pretty sure that “disruptive hair” is the least of our education system’s problems. Visit Chron.com for more.
Texas Style T.S.A.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the horses that don’t do so well at the Livestock Show & Rodeo? I mean, what career options does an unsuccessful show horse have in this kind of economy? Apparently, some are shipped off into labor for an unofficial airport security program. Volunteer equestrians are patrolling the perimeters of IAH, stopping “dangerous things” from happening. Dear God, dangerous things! With an obscurity like that and an organization name like the “Airport Rangers,” am I the only one who smells a Discovery Channel reality show in the making? Or is that just the aroma of the horses’ ordure? Visit Click2Houston for more.
Man Clones Cards, Lands Behind Bars A 30-year old Plano man was arrested for stealing Walmart gift cards. He would purchase them, obtain the information number and security codes and then return them in perfect condition. Smart thinking using Walmart’s cards. The same scam at a movie theatre or hardware store just wouldn’t amount to much after a while. Visit KHOU for more.
Limbo
Two American Pilots have been detained in Panama after one of their passengers was caught with millions of dollars in dirty money. The DEA says, “It wadn’t me.” Rep. Issa of Cal-i-for-ni-ahhh, says, “It were the DEA’s reckless attempt at using a double informant to get to higher ups in the laundering ring.” DEA to Issa, “It was our informant – yes, but he is playing us all.” Meanwhile our citizens remain with Cobb and Saito in Limbo. Visit TheChron for more.
Teachers as Politicians and Celebrities The Florence Independent School District recently reprimanded a teacher for participating in the sport of oil wrestling. No, she wasn’t wearing clothing or apparel that in any way made her a representative of the school in that instance. Nonetheless, she was identified and outed in the local paper for having displayed behavior unbecoming of an educational authority. Visit KHOU for more.
Light and Sound Underground
The Chronicle’s Lisa Gray recently explored Houston’s long abandoned underground reservoir by Buffalo Bayou and Sabine Street. The magnificent subterranean cavern was originally built in 1927. It now stands deserted and with the exception of an inch of muddy water – dry. Judging by Mayra Beltrán’s photographs, it stands as a majestic hall with its towering columns, not unlike the Mines of Moria, waiting to be put to use again. Visit TheChron for more.
