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Community Corner

🌱 Dollar Bandages + Secret Snacks + Alabama Theater

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:

  • Tax dollars sealing bullet wounds.
  • Well-hidden Houston eateries.
  • The history of Alabama Theater.

But first, today's weather:

Hot. High: 99 Low: 76.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. Harris County taxpayers provided $38 million to treat gunshot wounds over a 12-month period. Harris County Hospitals shared that 84% of their costs come directly from taxpayers. The money is used to pay for everything involved in a victim's healing process, from ICUs to pain meds and more. Of course, victims also spend no small amount of money out-of-pocket to receive care as well. The trauma medical director of Ben Taub Hospital said, "Most of the care I'm providing is to underinsured patients or totally non-insured patients who get shot. Their care is paid for by the county. This is a county hospital, so all of those charges that we assign to the care of that patient, it comes out of the money that we get from Harris County Commissioners Court." (KTRK-TV)
  2. Some of Houston's pricier restaurants are taking root in unexpected neighborhoods, adding a touch of confidentiality to their allure. Diners craving something from across the Atlantic Ocean can travel down to Fourth Ward and visit Bludorn. Menu items include the best salmon you'll ever taste, fine-cooked lamb, delicious foie gras, and the unforgettable lobster pot pie. Alternatively, Tiny Champions in Eado offers a casual outdoor setting where you can enjoy a cold beer with some of the most inventive pizzas you'll find in town. While the restaurant better mirrors a bar than a fine-dining establishment, a closer look into the food and decor will reveal that this eatery is a book you'll regret judging by its cover. (Houstonia Magazine)
  3. A 359-unit $31 million apartment complex called Lenox Heights is slated to begin construction this December. The complex will be located in the Heights despite the area's well-known reputation for single-family homes. Vice president of development on the project Jackson Simons said, "This part of town attracts young professionals and families alike due to its proximity to major employment centers, charming neighborhood setting and rare walkability to some of Houston's top retail and dining destinations." Not that residents will need to walk anywhere to have a good time. Lenox Heights is planned to have two pools, a Skydeck, a clubhouse, a pet spa, and more. (The Leader)
  4. Located off of Shepherd Drive and West Alabama, Houston's former Alabama Theater has served as a flagship Trader Joe's location for years; however, it didn't always function as an eclectic grocer. The building first opened as Alabama Theater all the way back in 1939. It first hosted live shows including greats like "The Sound of Music". Later on, it would become a movie theater that saw lines of Houstonians waiting to witness cinema classics like "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" and "American Graffiti". In 1983, it left its theater roots behind and became a book store location for the chain Bookstop: a once thriving Texas book chain that was ultimately bought out by Barnes & Noble. Today makes a decade since the old Alabama Theater has functioned as a Trader Joe's. For many residents of Montrose, the neighborhood wouldn't be the same without it. (Chron)
  5. An inexperienced robber left a fast food joint empty-handed this past Sunday after telling employees it was his first robbery. Dressed in all black and a ski mask, the robber flashed a gun and demanded that employees hand over the store's cash. Workers at the fast food venue seem to not have taken the young man seriously. After about two minutes of conversation, the clearly frustrated robber turned and left the building. Better luck next time, champ. (KTRK-TV)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Broken concrete closes I-45 ramp into downtown Houston (Houston Chronicle)
  • Husband stabbed 89 times: Houston jury acquits widow Janet Alexander of murdering husband in 2018 (KTRK-TV)
  • Houston rises to No. 3 in U.S. for most downtown apartment residents (CultureMap Houston)
  • Homeless man shot to death in his sleep in what police call random act of violence on Fondren Road (KTRK-TV)
  • Forklift drags down power line in Houston's Warehouse District (KHOU.com)

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Today in Houston:

  • Haunted Hues at the Color Factory. (all day)
  • Pilates at Discovery Green. (6 p.m.)
  • The Riot presents "Funniest Person in Houston" Comedy Competition at Rudyard's. (7 p.m.)
  • Good Vibrations by the Houston Ballet at the Wortham Center. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Karaoke Thursdays at The Secret Group. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • The winners of the most recent Mega Millions Jackpot claimed their prize finally, though they wished to remain anonymous. The two of them walked away with a lump sum of $780.5 million. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • Houston Baptist University is changing its name to Houston Christian University. The education institution hopes to promote enrollment with the rebranding. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • NASA's powerful James Webb Space Telescope captured some of the best images of Neptune, its rings, and the 14 moons that surround it ever taken. The only images that rival the recent photos were taken in 1989. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

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Now you're armed with current events and ready to throw down in H-town! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow. Peace ✌

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

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