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Community Corner

🌱 Eminent Taquerias + Houston Heroes + Mayor Grants

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

Chris Stomberg, Neighbor
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(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.

First, today's weather:

A stray afternoon thunderstorm. High: 94 Low: 79.

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Here are the top stories in Houston today:

  1. Chef and food writer Adán Medrano released the first chapter of his five-part series, "Cambios" which will examine Houston taquerias that have persisted through gentrification. The first article examines El Rancherito Taqueria: a Gulfton-Bellaire area restaurant serving authentic Mexican food. Future additions will feature Taqueria Del Sol, Laredo Taqueria, Gerardo's, and Brothers Taco House. Whether you're looking for your next Mexican meal or interested in learning more about the "intersection of food and community," Cambios is a story worth saving. (Chron)
  2. A Texas tow truck driver in Pasadena risked his life to save a Harris County Constable's deputy from a burning wreck. Deputy K. LeMelle was monitoring traffic on Beltway 8 from a stationary position when a passing large truck slammed into her SUV causing the patrol vehicle to roar up with flames. Tow truck driver Richard Borgstrom happened to witness the crash and immediately pulled over, smashed the driver's side window glass, and pulled LeMelle from the vehicle. Precinct 8 Constable Phil Sandlin stated, "This is yet another example of a tow truck operator who stepped up to render assistance to one of my deputies when needed and for that, I am grateful." (Houston Patch)
  3. Mayor Sylvester Turner and Wells Fargo announced the launch of the Open For Business Grant: a $20 million fund for diverse Houston-area small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The application portal goes live on Aug. 9. All told, the fund is expected to support over 500 local businesses. To learn more about whether your business qualifies, visit the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equality website. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  4. Houston's Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) will award $35,000 through the competitive grant program "Let Creativity Happen." Mayor Sylvester Turner clarified, "The digital focus of this grant program provides an opportunity for innovation that opens Houston's vibrant arts and cultural community to a global audience." The grant focuses on works of art that use technology to extend the reach of Houston's cultural history. Artists interested in applying for the 2022 grant cycle should visit the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) website. (Houston Style Magazine)
  5. Houston Methodist, MD Anderson, and other local hospitals are ranked among the best hospitals in the U.S. News and World Report for 2022-2023. These annually released hospital rankings have been published for more than 30 years to help guide patients' decisions on where to seek proper care. MD Anderson ranked No. 1 in cancer care while Houston Methodist Hospital made No. 15 for best overall care. Notably, TIRR Memorial Hermann ranked No. 2 for rehabilitation as well. (The Business Journals)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Video of Houston security guard weeping at Kendrick Lamar concert racks up 11 million views. (Chron)
  • Houston approves $25 million to house inmates in WTX prison due to overcrowding. (Chron)
  • 40,000 pounds of pineapple spilled on I-45 following big rig crash in Montgomery County. (KHOU.com)
  • 🔒Ultimate Texas to-do list: The Lone Star State's 101 best experiences. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Houston's top-selling master-planned communities. (Houston Chronicle)

Today in Houston:

  • Dunkin' of Houston Offers Free Iced Coffee on Wednesdays When You Order Ahead on the Dunkin App. (6 a.m.)
  • Betsy's Benefit Bingo at Evelyn's Park Conservancy. (6 p.m.)
  • Dungeons & Dragons with Circle of Barhaven at Darkhorse Tavern. (6 p.m.)
  • Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Palace Social. (7 p.m.)
  • Houston Symphony — Classical Mystery Tour: Music of The Beatles at the Woodlands Pavilion. (8 p.m.)

Featured Kitty:

Tima is an 8-month-old female domestic short hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

She might look shy, but that's just because she hasn't gotten to know you yet!

From my notebook:

  • A robot manicurist may soon give manicuring specialists a run for their money. The tiny robot uses photo imaging and artificial intelligence to perform a 10-minute manicure for less than $10. (KHOU 11 News via Facebook)
  • The founder of Raising Canes is buying Mega Millions jackpot lottery tickets for each and every one of his 50,000 employees. If any of the employees win, the money will be split amongst all of them. Current calculations estimate a prize of several thousand dollars going out to each employee if they happen to win. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • A popular food magazine is going after Texas' native Blue Bell ice cream. New York-based writer Steven John accused the company of using low-quality ingredients. As a fifth-generation Texan and Blue Bell advocate, I feel personally attacked. Besides, I think I speak for a lot of Texans when I say there's simply not an ice cream out there better than Blue Bell. (Houston Chronicle via Facebook)
  • Russia plans to separate from the International Space Station after 2024 and build its own space outpost. Just when Russian nationals thought things couldn't get any more embarrassing, too. (KHOU 11 News 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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