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Community Corner

🌱 Game Room Bust + BBQ Throwdown

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. Today, we'll look at:

  • HPD cracks down on an illegal game room.
  • The upcoming return of BBQ Throwdown.
  • Vaping tied to lung-related diseases uptick, according to CDC.

But first, today's weather:

Times of sun and clouds. High: 90 Low: 67.

Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. HPD shut down an illegal game room in southeast Houston after months of investigation. The room in question housed more than 200 illegal gambling machines. Around 40 patrons were at the site when police arrived to shut it down. All of them were released after showing their identification to officers. Constable Jerry Garcia released a statement warning the public about such institutions, "These illegal gambling businesses are not regulated by the state or city, and therefore do not create a 'fair' chance at winning. The way these machines are set up, the odds of the public winning are a lot lower than the odds at legal gambling facilities that are regulated." Nice try Constable Garcia, but even at regulated facilities everyone knows that the house always wins. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  2. The 6th Annual Houston Barbecue Throwdown returns to Saint Arnold Brewing on Nov. 20. The BBQ meetup was canceled the previous two years due to restrictions onset by COVID-19, leaving pit masters with all the time in the world to perfect their craft away from the pressure of onlooking eyes. The throwdown will consist of a single challenge whereby competing teams seek to produce a dish that they feel best embodies Houston barbecue. A panel of barbecue experts will then judge the dishes and determine a winner. Tickets are currently priced at $75 and include barbecue and beer samples. Get them now before they're gone. (Houston Chronicle)
  3. A recent study from the CDC determined that over 2.5 million teens in middle schools and high schools have used vapes, or e-cigarettes, in the past month. Nearly half of that number used one at least 20 days out of the past 30. Additionally, it is believed that 1 in 5 children in Houston have tried vaping. Houston doctors say that they are seeing growing numbers of patients diagnosed with EVALI (E-Cigarette or Vaping use-Associated Lung Injury). Despite laws in place that require the sale of e-cigarettes to be done in person, a variety of brands are available online that don't use pre-purchase checks such as government identification. Local medical professionals caution parents to educate their children about the harmful effects of these readily available substances. (Houston Public Media)
  4. The first new DeLorean model in 40 years is slated for arrival in 2024, and its creation is partly due to the devotion of the employees at DeLorean Motor Company Garage in Humble. Classic DMC is the company that owns the rights to the DeLorean name nowadays. President James Espey began working at Classic DMC in 1999 and shared, "When I started here, I wanted there to be a new DeLorean, not just the original classic DeLorean. Basically, we spent the last 23 years trying to get us to that point." According to him, the DeLorean was never meant to become a classic car. The DeLorean Motor Company Garage services DeLoreans specifically, and there are only around 9,000 remaining worldwide. It's an especially unique shop because all of the original parts to the old DeLorean models were shipped to the garage by an entrepreneurial mechanic back in the mid 90s. Unfortunately, your chances at getting a look at this rare luxury car mecca are rather slim unless you happen to own a DeLorean yourself. (KPRC Click2Houston)
  5. Texas Supreme Court oversaw arguments from lawyers representing the Texas Education Agency and HISD as the two entities continue to battle for legal control over Houston's largest school district. The ongoing legal battle has spanned years, and all the while many HISD controlled schools fail to see much needed improvements. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) began its legal takeover due to HISD schools failing to meet state standards year after year. As the legal battle rages on, many of the failing schools that caused the TEA to shoot for a legal takeover in the first place still fail to meet the TEA's bar for acceptable education. (Houston Public Media)

Headlines you need to see:

Patch deal of the day:

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Today in Houston:

  • Boo on the Boardwalk at Kemah Boardwalk (6 p.m.)
  • Music: Mike Allen and Pittsburgh Bob at Evelyn's Park (6 p.m.)
  • Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors at Toyota Center (7 p.m.)
  • Music: House, Techno, Tech house, dancing at 809 Congress St. (10 p.m.)
  • The Riot Presents Friday Night Comedy Showcase at Rudyard's (11 p.m.)

This weekend in Houston:

From my notebook:

  • FOX 26 Houston: "A former Conroe I.S.D. teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for having an inappropriate relationship with a student." (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • FOX 26 Houston: "A Houston Astros fan wanted to find a creative way to propose to his girlfriend, but it didn't go as planned. Marlon Miller decided to put it on a banner during the final Houston Astros game of the regular season." (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)
  • KPRC2 / Click2Houston: "JUST IN: President Joe Biden on Thursday announced he will take executive action to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession." (KPRC2 / Click2Houston via Facebook)

Featured Kitty:

Cricket is a 2-year-old domestic short hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

I hope her favorite snack doesn't have anything in common with her name...

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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 on Monday with your weekend in review. Peace ✌

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