Start Out Right in the New Year
Are you looking for something to do for the New Year? Want to do something with the family? Get the New Year started out right by participating in the “3rd Annual Friends of Galveston Island State Park New Year Fun Run”.
The “3rd Annual Friends of Galveston Island State Park New Year Fun Run” will take place on January 5th, 2013. The event will offer a 5K & 10K course; fun run will begin at 9:00am with the runners….the walkers will begin shortly after them. There will be refreshments offered and prizes handed out. You’ll also receive a t-shirt and a “goodie-bag”. It’s a family friendly event, kids are more than welcome! Once the prizes have been given out, just enjoy the scenery and fresh air. Take in what Galveston Island State Park has to offer. Their mission is to Improve the park’s facilities, protect it’s wildlife, to preserve and restore its fragile environment.
If you register before December 28th, a $20 dollar fee will be required for each participant. The day after December 28th the fee will go up to $25. Registration can be made here:https://tickets.destinationnext.com/fogisp/funrun.aspx
Endeavour – An Amazing Bird
This past week Houston got to see an amazing bird!
Yes….AMAZING!
Although the city was not happy with the outcome of where all the space shuttles end up, we at least got an opportunity to see one up close. Space shuttle Endeavour, on its way to California, made a fly over and an overnight stay here in Space City Houston. The space shuttle parked overnight at Ellington Field. A couple of thousand of people made the trek to Clear Lake City/Webster area in the Houston Metroplex. I was one of them.
Before going to class, I made the trip to see this shuttle. People parked as far as 2 miles away from the entrance to the tarmac. It was a well worth trek. The shuttle is an amazing bird on top of another amazing bird that is transporting it. I like planes, love flying, and this was just an overwhelming, once in a lifetime experience.
From only 100 yds away, I took several pictures. People were taking in this experience. NASA people, I’m sure, were happy to see up close something that many of them worked on/for in one way or another. For the city itself, being command central, the city was pleased and thankful that NASA gave us this opportunity (I Hope).
What is a place to visit when you come to Houston? Head down to Webster, TX to the Johnson Space Center. It is like the Disney, maybe ????, of anything astronaut and space. They do have a mock shuttle that you can walk in and see the astronaut environment. This is the only place in the nation that you can see this. There you go. For all astronauts and space enthusiasts – this is a must see.
OH TO BE AN ASTRONAUT!
Here are a couple of pictures I took of the shuttle. Enjoy.
To Go or Not To Go — That is the question
Every summer the city of Houston, in association with the University of Houston, hold the annual Houston Shakespeare Festival. Since the beginning the festival has entertained almost 500,000 people who come all sorts of places. This is a great family event to go to, or make a family day out of it by first visiting one of the museums in the area. All you need is a blanket or couple of chairs to sit on the hill.
There are two productions/plays put on each summer. Go out to Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann park to watch either Hamlet or The Comedy of Errors. These are both great plays sure to bring an evening of great entertainment.
So here are the details:
The Oasis at Cafe Mawal
In the past year I have visited this little known restaurant in Houston about 4 times. Its name: Cafe Mawal.
Cafe Mawal is a small Mediterranean restaurant in the Galleria area of Houston. The food is delicious. The food has its origins from the country of Jordan. The general manager/owner, Ibrahim, started this little restaurant a couple of years ago. It has slowly gained its customers, and now is named one of the best restaurants according to HoustonPress.
The food
Italian Expo 2012!
Quick notice:
Until further notice, the 2012 Italian Expo has been cancelled.
It is a sad notice for me. I enjoy going to the expo and volunteering.
Check back here to see if anything changes.
Trip Down the Trinity
State parks are always a good bet when you want to go camping. They have pre-planned places where you can set up camp with a bonfire, have water and electricity, and access to bathrooms. They make it camping an enjoyable trip, convenient too, for those who are not all that into the outdoors. The parks offer a variety of activities such as bird watching, water sports, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, etc. All you have to do is search for it on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the perfect park for you.
Texas has more to offer than just the state parks. There are plenty of lakes and rivers to enjoy water sports. There are different terrains to traverse, i.e. hills, mountains, rocks, beaches, plenty of places to enjoy the real outdoors. Recently I took a trip with some friends to a place about an hour outside of Houston. We traveled to Cleveland, TX. Well we went to a spot a few miles east of Cleveland on F.M. 787. What’s there you ask? The Trinity River.
Texas has many rivers and lakes. The Trinity River is a long river than goes from north Texas to the Gulf of Mexico (Trinity Bay). Want to see some beautiful scenery; all you have to do is go down a river. I took my camera on the trip, but was not equipped to take pictures; did not want to get my camera wet.
Our Trip
Upcoming Spring Events and Festivals
I thought that I would provide you all with something upcoming rather than something that has past.
Here are a few upcoming festivals or events in Texas:
Warrenton, TX – Antique Show
Are you into antiques?
Do you go to flea markets or garage sales looking for knick-knacks?
Every year, twice a year, there is an antique show in a small town outside of La Grange called Warrenton. This antique show is the largest or one of the largest in Texas. It is a few miles long. Arts. Crafts. Music. Food. Sellers and Dealers from all over come to this show. Don’t miss out on some awesome stuff and great deals!
Preview Weekend: March 28-30, 2012
Antique Weekend: April 5-8, 2012
Austin, TX – SXSW
A mass gathering of all people who love music, film and interactive, South X South West is one of the most exciting festivals around. About a week long of music concerts of local, indie, and upcoming artists is epic. The week long Film festival screenings of indie films, documentary, shorts and more from local and other film makers made for the film enthusiast. To top it all off it takes place in Austin, the live music capital and home to the UT Longhorns and the famous 6th street.
When: March 9 – 18, 2012
Galveston, TX – Mardi Gras
MARDI GRAS!
The biggest and best Mardi Gras celebration outside New Orleans. Come on down to the oceanside city to celebrate the biggest party in Texas. Great people, amazing float parades, and lots of beads. If you’re looking for a Mardi Gras celebration that doesn’t have a lot of crazy people, then this is your place. While in Galveston, take a tour to the Historic Strand District.
When: February 10-21
Houston, TX
Bayou City Art Festival
When: March 23-25
Houston International Festival
Get cultured in a new culture every year at this festival. Last year’s theme was The Silk Road: Journey thru Asia. This year do the TANGO! You’ll love the food (chimichurri), the people and the culture. Don’t miss out on this yearly event.
When: April 21-22, 28-29
Worldfest: Houston International Film Festival
When: April 13-22
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
When: May18-20
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The largest rodeo show in the nation is back again! A whole month of music, food, livestock, and RODEO! Buy some wranglers, grab a hat, and put on some boots and head down to the Houston Rodeo. Choose your favorite country music star from the lineup, ride the tall ferris wheel, try a fried oreo, pet some sheep and have some fun. Are you Latin? Go to Go Tejano Day. Come on down for Black History Month Day at the Rodeo. For all the tweens and teens Big Time Rush will be in town. Let’s not forget The Band Perry. Don’t miss out on some great deals.
When: February 28 – March 18
A four season delight
A three course meal at Quattro restaurant consisted of: antipasti, primi, and pesce. Tutto era molto delicioso!
Groupon gave me the opportunity to visit a restaurant that I have wanted to go to. Over the past two years I have attended the Italian Expo and Italian Festival. In the two places I was able to meet the executive chef to Quattro, Chef Maurizio Ferrarese. Quattro is an upscale restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston.
An elagant restaurant with fine dining. I took my opportunity and had a three course meal. It all started with the antipasti - Prosciutto di Parma e Mozzarella. One of my favorite things to eat is prosciutto. This prosciutto was paired with sweet Texas melons. I couldn’t help but to slowly savor each bite. The second course was the primi - Parppadelle con Guace di Vitello. It’s parppadelle pasta with veal and porcini mushrooms. Yummy! The third course was the pesce - Dentice. This consisted of Texas red snapper, cannellini bean ragout, butternut squash, and fig marmalade. To top it all I had a glass of wine – Montepulciano.
What made my night was not just the food, but to see the chef come out and make sure every was enjoying their meals. I did stop him and told him I 
finally made it to his restaurant. At the Italian Expo 2011 I took part in a cooking competition in which the chef made a delicious Black Truffle Risotto. At the Italian Festival I sat in his cooking class where he made another Risotto with Sausage. An amazing chef and one I would like to take a cooking class from someday.
For more reviews check out
Yummy-ness on W.Alabama – Houston
With a recent fascination with taco trucks, I’m on a quest to visit every taco truck/stand in Houston and try them out. This quest began after a group of coworkers and I visited Tacos Tierra Caliente. It has been said that this taco truck is one of the best in town. With the help on an Ipod/Iphone App I will be able to visit these other taco trucks. Have any ideas on where to visit? Leave me a comment.
Tacos Tierra Caliente has been around for years, but I recently just found it. It has been at its current location for about a year. The ladies who work the taco truck are really nice, and if it’s not busy you can talk to them. In my opinion, they have some awesome tacos! For a reasonable price, under $10, you can get a meal. These tacos are not greasy, their yummy! They’re served with enough cilantro and onions, and a couple of different homemade salsas. In the mood for pastor, chicharron, barbacoa, or lengua tacos? Then this is the place to go. Click the links below to see more reviews. This is sure to please the taco lover. The hours are great! Their open til midnight on most nights. So if you’re hungry for a late night snack, grab a couple of tacos. Located next to, on the property of the West Alabama Ice House makes for a perfect combination, symbiotic relationship. Grab a bite to eat, turn around and grab yourself a nice, cold beer.
Tacos Tierra Caliente
1919 West Alabama St.
Houston, TX 77098
Hours of Operation:
around 9am – 12 midnight.
For more reviews:
Houston – Italian Expo
Ciao!
Would you like to learn a little about Italy? You don’t have to leave the country to experience “La Dolce Vita”, that is “The Good Life” in italian. The expo is a fun-filled event for everyone put on by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce. For the past three years the City of Houston has been host to the Italian Expo. This year the event will take place on: June 3-5, 2011, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The expo showcases Italy’s finest culture, food, wines, fashion and much more. Guest will be able to taste a variety of Italian wines; reds and whites, sweet and “bubblies”, Rosé and Sparkling wines. Don’t forget to try the cheeses! More than 30 vendors will be there. One of my favorite stops is at the Prosciutto di Parma and Prosciutto di San Daniele. Don’t miss out on all this good stuff. This is all partially possible from a sponsorship from Spec’s Liquor.
New to this year’s event are the Fashion and Cooking Competitions. The chefs competing are from Houston area Italian restaurants. Earlier this year I was able to see and meet two of the chefs competing. Maurizio Ferrarese from Quattro and Renato di Pirro from Ristorante Cavour. They are my favorites so far, but you decide who is “Maestro della Cucina”. You will be able to taste their foods throughout the three-day event. A “panel” of judges, selected at random from the audience, will decide who has the best dish. Be there June 5 at 5:30 pm to find out who the best of the best is.
Is Fashion your Passion? An emerging group of fashion designers will be able to showcase their work this year. The show will bring together fashions from Italy and United States. Designers will be judged on Saturday, June 4, don’t miss out! Besides the competition, you will get a special show by Houston designers Chloe Dao and David Peck.
Cars and Motorcycles your thing? You can see Ducati and Ferraris on display. Visit the art exhibit or home decor section. Listen to some music while you eat. Take the kids to learn Italian. Then top it all off by taking a stroll down the market to buy some fine italian products.
Tickets are on sale now! Get them online and save $5. You don’t want to miss out on this amazing event. Join me! I will be there all weekend.
Visit – Italian Expo Houston for more information.
When: June 3-5, 2011
Where: George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.
Prices: $10 if pre-ordered online before June 2.
$15 at the door.
Children 12 and under are free.
Get your tickets NOW!
*** Bring extra money for parking and food, souvenirs, etc. I usually spend about $5 -$8 on food. There are many shops where you can buy things, up to you how much you are willing to spend. Other than that, to my knowledge, everything is free.***
