liday o H
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4 Holiday 20 Sports bars events 22 Fun places 23 Live music in town Tips for partying 28 with your family
THE COVER
STAFF
ABOUT HOT SPOTS
“Fannin “ photograph by Adam Baker. Obtained from flickr.com.
HOT SPOTS Design Stan Le
HOT SPOTS is a production of The Daily Cougar, the official student newspaper of the University of Houston.
Design by Stan Le.
HOT SPOTS Content Tahira Banks, Breanna Rogers, Travis Hensley
2 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
© 2010 University of Houston Student Publications.
No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the permission of the Director of Student Publications. Phone: 713-743-5450 E-mail: stupub@uh.edu Web: www.uh.edu/sp
Revitalizing the heart of Houston, one home at a time.
2914 Eagle Street Houston, TX 77004 (713) 523.8585 info@mayberryhomes.net www.mayberryhomes.net Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 3
Holiday spots Festival Of Lights Moody Gardens | Nov 13 – Jan 1 One Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, (800) 582-4673 “Frosty The Snowman” Express Children’s Theatre Nov 15 - Dec 27 446 Northwest Mall Houston, TX 77092, (713) 682-5044 Yuletide Bayou Bend Collection | Nov 18 - Jan 2 1 Westcott Street at Memorial Houston, TX 77007
“A Christmas Carol “ ALLEY THEATRE | Nov 19 – Dec 27 615 Texas Avenue Houston, TX 77002 (713) 220-5700 “The Santaland Diaries” ALLEY THEATRE | Nov 21 – Dec 31 615 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002 (713) 220-5700 Outdoor Ice Skating Discovery Green | Opening Nov 25 1500 McKinney Houston, TX 77010 (713) 400-7336 “The Nutcracker” Houston Ballet | Nov 26 - Dec 26
4 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave at Smith St, (713) 227-2787 Dickens On The Strand Open Dec 4 - Dec 5 On Strand St between 25th St & 20th St, (409) 765-7834 Christmas Around The World HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE Dec 7 5555 Herman Park Dr Houston, TX 77030, (713) 639-4629 Christmas Boat Lane Parade Kemah Boardwalk | Dec 11 215 Kipp Avenue Kemah, TX 77565
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 5
Free yourself
of contrac ts and c a bl e s
J
ust like clockwork, there it is. That little white envelope sitting in your mailbox yet again. it usually ends up unopened and crushed inside the cup holder of your car, absorbing the sweat from your 24-ounce energy drink. of course you recognize it as your monthly internet bill. you also realize that you’ll be getting one of these well into your twenties, thanks to that contract you were forced to sign when the big guy with the tools showed up to install your internet connection. Turns out you have an option now that Clearwire has introduced rover™. it’s instant gratification for the internet-addicted. rover is the nation’s first payas-you-Go 4G Mobile Broadband service. With rover, you can easily and quickly connect to the Clearwire 4G networks available in more than 60 major cities across the united states. rover offers several cool new devices to get you
6 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
onto the web. The rover puck™ is an ergonomically designed portable Wi-Fi hotspot that lets users connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. The rover puck also features mobile download speeds up to 4x faster than conventional 3G. The rover puck is available for $149.99. rover also offers the rover stick™. it’s a personal 4G usB modem that connects any notebook, laptop or desktop to the rover 4G service. The rover stick also offers the same super-fast internet speed as the rover puck and is available for $99.99. rover is priced at $5/day, $20/week, or $50/month for unlimited 4G internet usage. rover also offers new users two free days to test the service and a 14-day no-hassle return policy for any device purchases made on rover.com or in Clear stores. if you want to fill your head with more rover info, check out evology.com.
Local Houston Area Retailers: 1 Stop Wireless & Video 2637 Little York Road Houston, TX 77093 713-742-9598 or 281-704-2859
PNK Wireless 13904 Almeda Road Houston, TX 77053 713-413-1999 or 713-875-7889
Wireless & More 10206 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77042 281-974-2166 or 732-829-3613
A-1 Wireless Plus 3030 Gears Road, Suite C Houston, TX 77067 281-537-8888
Walters Rd Wireless & Tech 13712 Walters Road, Suite 150 Houston, TX 77014 281-893-1661
Wireless Max 12709 Beechnut Street, Suite 170 Houston, TX 77072 281-495-3733 or 832-466-9668
Cell Planet 1777 Airline Drive Houston, TX 77009 832-231-6669
Wimax Houston 3838 North Shepherd Drive Houston, TX 77018 281-506-0028 or 281-932-6600
Zook Mobile 220 N. Vista Drive, Suite C Houston, TX 77073 281-821-2883 or 281-281-2885
Cellular Etc & Gifts 6060 Bellaire Boulevard Houston, TX 77081 713-661-1700
Home & Away. No Commitments. Search for other Houston area retailers at Rover.com
Unlimited plans subject to Rover’s Acceptable Use Policy, posted at www.rover.com/legal/aup. Limited time offer. Visit www.rover.com for additional pricing and coverage information and restrictions. Rover and the Rover logo are trademarks of Clearwire Communications LLC. © 2010 Clear Wireless LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 7
WE DN E S DAY
8 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 9
Niko Niko’s
salads, sandwiches and so much more. patrons can enjoy greek wine over a chicken kebob sandwich, or hazelnut coffee over a gyro breakfast pita, stuffed with tomatoes, eggs, onions and potatoes.
TaHiraH BanKs | Bauer ColleGe oF Business: aCCounTinG
W
hen dimitri Fetokakis made the final decision to open another installment of the niko niko’s restaurant, demeter, Greek Goddess of the harvest, must have been smiling down upon us. nestled in the heart of Market square it brings all the Greek charm and flavor to what has been noted as the Geographic Centerpiece of downtown Houston. With a to the point menu, charismatic pedestrian scene, and the trademark exceptional niko niko’s Quality food and service, patrons of the original Montrose location will find it hard pressed to leave dissatisfied. Whether you are a student on the way to class, an accountant taking lunch outside the office, or a bus driver on break from your shift, niko niko’s Market square has something for you. The menu boasts greek lattes, iced or blended coffee, Breakfast pitas, soups, 10 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
paired with the Montrose location, the addition of niko niko’s Market square has set the bar pretty high for the competition. offering clients excellent affordable food, service and scenery, it is safe to say dimitri and the fine staff over at niko niko’s have out done themselves yet again.
locations: Market Square 301 Milam (at Congress) Houston, Texas 713-224-GYRO (4976) Monday - Friday 7am - 8pm (or later) saturday & sunday 9am - 9pm (or later) 2520 Montrose Houston, Texas 713-528-GYRO (4976) Monday - Thursday 10am - 10pm Friday - saturday 10am - 11pm sunday 10am - 9pm
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 11
12 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
Out of bed at 8:30. In class by 9. Sweet.
or live above it all in Moody Towers ... Go Retro in the Quad, a Cougar original ... Exclusive upper-class environment Beautiful courtyards Suite-style rooms and bathrooms 24-Hour computer lab Upgraded lounges OB Hall student kitchen
Apply
NOW!
.uh.edu www.housing
Panoramic views in upper levels Convenience store 24-hour computer lab Walking distance to Recreation and Wellness Center Adjacent to future METRO Rail stop Totally renovated dining hall Dedicated social/study lounge
Live on campus. Walk to class. For more information, please call 713.743.6000 4361 Wheeler, Houston, TX 77004 • housing@uh.edu Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 13
Niko Niko’s
TaHiraH BanKs | Bauer ColleGe oF Business: aCCounTinG
i
read about live oak Bar & Grill in June and i had to go check them out, if only to watch the pride of my heart Brazil play in the World Cup. since then i’ve been back more times than i can count. it’s hard to describe the surprise and homeliness i felt the minute i pulled up to 10444 Hempstead rd. an oasis in the mists of the Houston madness, you can’t help but wonder, Where am I? The wooden structure and beautiful oak trees create this tranquil atmosphere. i could swear i was back home in anguilla, minus the beautiful sea. i abandoned the cool patio for the flat screens and a bar stool as i settled in to watch what i was sure would be a Brazilian blow out victory. as renee the exceptionally friendly waitress/bartender brought me a Coca Cola, i took the time out to admire my surroundings. i’ll admit i’d never been in one of those bars or 14 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
diners you see on Tv, you know, the ones with the jukeboxes and the really good food you can taste right off the plasma screen, but this was it. i ordered up a Grilled Chicken sandwich and large Fries, extra salt, to go with my coke, and sat back to watch Kaká miss what i considered easy goals. i could see the chef fixing my plate right behind the door and i liked that. some guys were just finishing up lunch and taking in what Cnn or Fox or one of those stations was spewing. My food came and it was scrumptious - really hometown minutes away from downtown. as i dipped the last of my french fries into the ketchup i couldn’t help but feel content. you know that feeling. When the food is good. The vibe is good. The atmosphere just feels a little bit more special than normal. and then Brazil conceded another goal. GaMe over. i was furious, until i got the check. Those prices really cooled me down. less than $8 for all that food! Great thing is, i could’ve ordered just about anything on the menu for those prices. so yeah, BraZil lost the world cup again! and i was pissed. i’m still pissed. But my chicken sandwich with fries and a coke? deliCious! i’d take a loss anytime if it comes with a live oak consolation. i think.
YOUR LUNCH, DINN
16 BIG FLAT SCREEN TVs
ER OR WEEKEND!
HAPPY UR Monday - SatuHrdOay 4-8pm HAPPY HOUR BUFF ET Coming Soon!
Have Your Party Wit
h Us
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 15
16 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
LOCATIONS 3919 Scott Street @ Wheeler 713-748-2233
Scott Street @ O.S.T (Inside HEB)
AT WHEN YOU CAN’T EAT ’S! Y HOME EAT AT FRENCH
*Two blocks away from campus
EVERYDAY SPECIALS
10 PIECE SPECIAL
3 Legs, 4 Thighs, 3 Wings (chicken only)
KING SPECIAL SPECIAL
3 Wings, 1 Leg, 1 Thigh, Small Drink, Dirty Rice or Frenchy Fries
Like us? Follow us!
www.frenchyschicken.com
Fine arts spots Blaffer Art Museum: yaap eXHiBiTion openinG reCepTion 5:30, Friday, november 19 openinG reCepTion For THe 2010 sCHool oF arT annual sTudenT eXHiBiTion 6:00pm, Friday, december 3 openinG reCepTion For “JoHan GriMonpreZ” and “FirsT TaKe: oKay MounTain” 6:00pm Friday, January 14
BlaFFer Gala Friday, april 15 openinG reCepTion For THe 2011 MasTers THesis eXHiBiTion 6:00pm, Friday, april 22
_________________________
Blaffer offers free guided tours for groups of 10 or more Book a tour today 713.743.9526 The Public Art Guide is available at Blaffer Gallery and visitor booths on campus.
Mildred’s UMbrella is known for its innovative, experimental theatre productions seen nowhere else in Houston. Contact: info@mildredsumbrella.com 832-463-0409 www.mildredsumbrella.com
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 17
18 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 19
Sports bars
Our Pick of Houston’s Best Sports Bars: Nick’s Place 2713 Rockyridge Houston, TX 77063 (713) 780-8338 Live Oak Bar & Grill 0444 Hempstead Rd Houston, TX 77093 |Outer Loop - NE | (713) 686-9625 Junction Bar & Grill 160 West Gray St Houston, TX 77019 (713) 523-7768 Firkin & Phoenix 1915 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77098-1521 (713) 526-3100 Coaches Pub 2204 Louisiana Houston, TX 77002 (713) 751-1970 Homeplate Bar & Grill 1800 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77003 (713) 222-1993 Sawyer Parks Sports Bar 2412 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77007-6019 (713) 863-9350 Mezzanine Lounge Suite 150 2200 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098 (713) 528-6399 SRO SPORTS BAR & Grill 444 Northwest Mall Houston, TX 77092 (713) 683-5025 PJ’s Sports Bar 614 West Gray Street Houston, TX 77019-4447 (713) 520-1748
20 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
College Night!
Every Wednesday
Join us each and every Wed from 3pm-10pm for College Night. Stop by any Mission Burrito, show us your student, faculty or staff ID and get
25% OFF The College Night offer cannot be used with any other offer; including but not limited to any student saver cards, coupons, certificates or any other special offer. One or the other please.
missionburritos.com
Follow us @missionburritos
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 21
Fun spots
Our Pick Of The Best Entertainment Spots HOuSTOn ROCkETS In 1500 polk st Houston TX Town (281) 656-1849 300 BOWlinG 925 Bunker Hill rd Houston, TX 77024 (713) 461-1207 DavE & BuSTERS 6010 richmond ave Houston ,TX (713) 952-2233 GliTTER 2621 Milam st Houston, TX 77006 22 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
HOuSTOn ROllER DERBY 611 shepherd dr Houston, TX 77007 iMPROv COMEDY CluB 7620 Katy Fwy # 431 Houston, TX 77024-2024 (713) 333-8800 MEMORial CiTY iCE 902 Memorial City Way Houston, TX 77024-2507 (713) 463-9296
SliCk WilliES 1200 Westheimer rd Houston TX (713) 522-2525 ZuMa Fun CEnTER 6767 southwest Fwy Houston TX (713) 981-7888 Zula 705 Main st # B Houston, TX 77002-3313 (713) 227-7052
Live music spots
Best Spots In Town To Catch Live Music
warehouse Live 813 St. Emanuel St Houston, TX 77003 (713) 225-5483 Fitzgeralds 2706 White Oak at Studemont Houston, TX 77007, (713) 862-3838 Sambuca 909 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002, (713) 224-5299
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar 1201 Fannin St Houston, TX 77002-6929 (713) 337-7383
Walter’s on Washington 4215 Washington Ave Houston, TX 77007 (713) 862.2513
The Continental Club 3700 Main St Houston, TX 77002-9504 (713) 529-9899
The Concert Pub 5636 Richmond Ave Houston, TX (713) 785-7267
House Of Blues 1204 Caroline St Houston, TX 77002-6931 (713) 652-5837
Last Concert Café 1403 Nance St Houston, TX 77002-1125 (713) 226-8563
The Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club 5731 Kirby Dr Houston, TX 77005-2407 (713) 523-9999
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 23
— Word map produced using wordle.net based on comments on thedailycougar.com
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THE DAILY COUGAR 24 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
®
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 25
2010 publicity page final.pdf
6/7/10
10:46:17 AM
Comprehensive Vision Care on the UH Campus
The University Eye Institute (UEI), offer services that range from comprehensive vision examinations to the medical and surgical management of eye disorders. Whether you need a complete exam, fashionable eyewear, sports vision goggles or contact lenses, you can count on the UEI to provide all your vision needs. The University Eye Institute is located at 4901 Calhoun, UH Entrance #2 in the J. Davis Armistead Building. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with complimentary patient parking. We accept most health and vision plans, including the UH student health insurance.
Visit www.uei.uh.edu for more information or to make an appointment, call 713.743.2021 26 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
Yogurtland Ad
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 27
Cheers to drinking with the fam’. Now, Some Tips on how to keep it together... Travis Hensley 28 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
A
lcohol and awkward silences, holidays are here at last. Now that you’re an adult, when you go to family gathering you might want to crack open a cold one. Your uncle could offer you his award-winning eggnog. While you’re spot at the kiddy table is now forever vacant, there is still a steep learning curve if you want to drink around your parents. That’s true, of course, unless you want to scream, “I’m irresponsible and should move back home so you can look after me.” The first step to take is to determine whether or not you want to drink. Ask yourself the question: Why am I drinking? If the answer involves a combination of the words “good,” “taste,” “fun,” “moderation” and “free,” then you should maybe practice hydrating for long distance sports with massive amounts of water. Once you’ve decided, in fact, you want to drink, there are going to be other hurdles to overcome. Part of getting to pretend that you’re an adult is knowing your responsibilities. Some of those responsibilities may involve getting in a car and driving to pick up something at the last minute. Because of this, you also need to know that .08 blood alcohol level sneaks up on people faster than you would think. Tell whoever needs an errand that you feel fine, but they may need to give you an hour just to be safe side. The benefit of drinking with family or friends is that no one is going to criticize you for being responsible. One of the great parts about being a driving nondrinking member of the family is that you can leave whenever. That means you have to turn down all of the opportunities to leave and to get some fresh air. Now you’re going to have to actually field questions about your future. Family members like asking: When are you going to graduate? What’s your major? What do you plan to do after college? When asked about graduation, tell them that it’s moving faster and that you’ve made that possible. What you mean
is that time is passing quickly; what they think is that you’re going to graduate soon. Then there are questions about your major. If you don’t know, just tell even if it is philosophy. If you don’t know, tell them you are going to pursue a liberal arts major. There are so many different degrees in that classification that to say “science major” will translate in family-talk that you want to put on a lab coat or be a doctor. Not that those these are bad things; the blow will be less harsh if you turn out being performing arts major. When asked about post-college plans, don’t answer with any career paths. Instead, start talking about how one in particular interests you and how you would like to pursue that. Getting a job after college is going to be tough, sometimes tougher than it was for the parents. Don’t tell them that, just go with over explaining a simple class. (Side note: if that class is karate or something less professional, say “kinesiology”. Makes it sound a little better.) So you’ve been drinking, you answered questions like the intelligent academic that you are and now
things are starting to calm down. The kids are asleep and grandpa is passed out on the couch with his hands in his pants. Remember that this is not a college party; there is no challenge to finish a beer in the ice chest, and no one is going to blame you for going to sleep. So when that time comes to leave, make sure you’re good to drive. If not, see if the other couch is open. If your plans were to sleep there in the start, just go to your room. Make sure to clean up what you can before leaving because no one likes to clean up after drunks. Then tell everyone that you love him or her, and that you wish you got to spend more time with all of him or her.
“Remember that this is not a college party; there is no challenge to finish a beer in the ice chest, and no one
is going to blame you for going to sleep.”
Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 29
Your dream home is within reach. Call today. Mayberry Homes, Inc. is committed to our mission, Revitalizing the Heart of Houston, One Home at a Time. We focus on making home ownership a reality for all individuals by providing quality new homes at an exceptional value to our clients. Mayberry Homes, Inc has a broad clientele, including low and moderate income families in our surrounding community and the middle to upper class in the Greater Houston area. We share in the City of Houston’s effort to remove blight in the neighborhoods where we were raised and continue to live. The launch of the Mayberry Signature Series has allowed us to broaden our clientele and cater to the luxury class home owners in search of an exceptional residence. Now, through your vision and our expertise, allow Mayberry Homes, Inc. to become Your Builder of Choice to conceive and build the home of your dreams, no matter where in the greater Houston area you want to live! Visit our model home at16727 Cypresswick Ln Spring, TX 77379 in the Cypress Trace Subdivision!
2914 Eagle Street Houston, TX 77004 (713) 523.8585 info@mayberryhomes.net www.mayberryhomes.net 30 Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots • Winter 2010
A+
TAKE NOTE!
Learning & Assessment Services is here to help!
Learning Support Services • Peer tutoring • Learning Strategies workshops/ counseling ( (713) 743-5411
University Testing Services • Accuplacer • Placement tests • Credit by exam • CLEp • Advanced Placement ( (713) 743-5444
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• Peer education • Living healthy • Stress management • Sexual responsibility
Retention Programs • Challenger Program
( (713) 743-5420 • Urban Experience Program
( (713) 743-6032
( UC : (713) 743-5455 ( CRWC : (713) 743-5430
Parent Education Project 713-743-5491
HELP US HELP YOU BY GIVING US YOUR OPINION.
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Student Satisfaction Survey is administered by Measurement & Evaluation Center, Learning & Assessment Services
Funded by your Student Service Fees Winter 2010 • Houston’s Holiday Hot Spots 31
Eye & Vision Care you can count on
See the difference ...See the best
Visit www.uei.uh.edu for more information or to make an appointment, call 713.743.2020 4901 Calhoun, J. Davis Armistead Bldg, UH Entrance #2. Open to the public • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.