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Community Corner

🌱 Greek Festival + 'Culture War' Roots + Imperial Sugar Plans

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Houston.

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Wake up, Space City! It's me, Chris, your humble servant of the Houston Daily — coming right back at you with the plug on what's happening. Today, we'll look at:

  • The Greek Festival taking place this weekend.
  • The origin of the term 'culture war'.
  • Future plans for the historic Imperial Sugar refinery.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 89 Low: 66.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. Houston's annual Greek Festival will take place this weekend starting today at 5pm. The festival will also be open on Friday and Saturday from 11am - 10pm. The Greek Festival has been an annual fall celebration in Houston ever since 1917 when Greek immigrants gathered at Tranquility Park to toast to their heritage. Besides delicious Grecian eats, wines, and beer, the festival also puts on traditional Greek dance performances from both adult and child performers. Additionally, you can find unique merchandise like Grecian sandals and jewelry. Go Greek this weekend by joining the festivities at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Chapel. (Houston On The Cheap)
  2. Believe it or not, the popular political term 'Culture War' was actually popularized here in Houston during the 1992 Republican Convention. Former White House Communications Director Pat Buchanan made remarks at the Houston Astrodome that have climbed their way to the forefront of conservative political tactics in the present day, saying, "There is a religious war going on in this country. It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we shall be as was the Cold War itself, for this war is for the soul of America." Today, tangentially related terms like "radical" and "political correctness" continue the same divisive conversation of identifying fellow Americans as outsiders and estranging them. Perhaps if we could change the focus from our differences to our similarities, the country might become a better place. (Chron)
  3. The historic Imperial Sugar refinery for which Sugarland got its name has been closed since 2003, and city officials continue to struggle with a plan for its future. This is largely due to the fact that the building is considered historically significant but also remains privately owned. Although city officials have been coordinating with the owner in order to fashion a plan for the site, but they've yet to find "a developer experienced in historic preservation and whose vision for the property aligns with the city's." according to city communications director Doug Adolph. Meanwhile, "no trespassing" signs hung about the old building are failing to preserve the site from rogue graffiti artists who continue to decorate the refinery with their own visions. Sugarland City Council did mention that the refinery is one of five "activity centers" planned as future development spaces to attract new residents. However, they say they've first got to build new housing for these residents before work on the activity centers can take place. In other words, it will likely be decades until the historic site sees the restoration it needs. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  4. Hold off on the Starbucks and give one of these unique local Houston coffee shops a try. Blacksmith located in Montrose is a great shop to set up your mobile office thanks to the award-winning baristas, rustic barebones aesthetic, and some of the best food you'll find at any coffee store, let alone Houston's coffee scene. If you don't believe me, give the Vietnamese steak and eggs a try. In case you're looking for something more eclectic, Little Dreamer inside of the Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks supplies every variety of coffee you can imagine and more from a cute turquoise shipping container. Their menu even includes coffee cocktails which is the perfect beverage to have in hand for the Urban Harvest Farmers Markets hosted on the site every Saturday. (houstonfoodfinder.com)
  5. You don't need to travel far for a mini-romantic getaway; just book a night at one of the top romantic restaurants in town. Killeen's Steakhouse in Pearland provides an ambience that's difficult to contest thanks to their patio seating with comfortable lounge chairs and tables featuring small fires burning at their center. Brennan's of Houston in Midtown is perfect for romantic meetings in the earlier hours of the day, especially if you can nab a seat in their tropical courtyard where the sound of their gorgeous fountain often intermingles with live jazz performances. (Houstonia Magazine)

Headlines you need to see:

  • What Do Elephants Like for Trick or Treat? Smashing Pumpkins! (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Police search for man accused of biting part of victim's ear off at business on Main Street (KTRK-TV)
  • Houston's tax rate is going down, but your bill still likely to go up (Houston Chronicle)
  • How to register to vote in Texas, important deadlines and more (Houston Chronicle)
  • City of Houston questions 'public good' of KPRC 2 Investigates reporting on airport director's relationship with subordinate (KPRC Click2Houston)

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Today in Houston:

  • Fitness at Discovery Green - Pilates (6 p.m.)
  • Concert: Gruesome at White Oak Music Hall (6 p.m.)
  • Theater: Disney's Winnie The Pooh at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (6 p.m.)
  • Concert: Tracy Lawrence at House of Blues (7 p.m.)
  • Karaoke Thursdays at The Secret Group (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Candy corn was ranked as the No. 2 worst Halloween candy for 2022 by candystore.com. Just ahead of it is circus peanuts. Like them or not, I'm having a hard time believing that circus peanuts are more enjoyable than candy corn. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have each hired divorce lawyers according to an inside source. The same source said that the power couple have been living separately in recent weeks and are currently exploring their options. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • A new court filing from Angelina Jolie claims that ex-husband Brad Pitt struck both her and their children during a private flight in 2016. Jolie alleges that their children dogpiled Pitt to protect her from him at which point Pitt ended up striking one child and choking another. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you tomorrow!

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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