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Community Corner

🌱 Gun Survey + Trees For Houston + Latin Grocers

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:

  • A newly published Texas gun control survey.
  • Trees for Houston taking root.
  • Local Mexican and Latin grocers for all your Tex-Mex needs.

But first, today's weather:

Hot. High: 97 Low: 75.

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Here are the top stories today in Houston:

  1. A newly released Texas survey shows that over 70 percent of respondents desire more strict gun control laws across the board. The survey presented questions on big ticket gun control questions including minimum age, background checks, "red flag" laws, and gun ownership for individuals under restraining orders. Rice University political science professor Mark Jones commented, "As we are reminded in the news daily, we live in a politically polarized time. And yet, majority support for one of the most contentious areas of public policy — gun safety measures — is found across demographic and political lines." (University of Houston)
  2. Local nonprofit Trees for Houston has already sunk 600,000 trees into the city's grounds, but they won't stop until they meet Mayor Sylvester Turner's goal of 4.6 million trees planted inside Houston by the end of the decade. The nonprofit began construction on its new facility, Kinder Campus, this past April thanks to a $3 million donation from the Kinder Foundation. Using the new space, they hope to dramatically increase their tree distribution. Executive Director of Trees for Houston Barry Ward said, "If you want the trees, no matter what part of the city you're in, we'll get the trees to you. We'll be committed to going to neighborhoods and not making you come to us. Making people come to us would just be repeating mistakes from the past." You can learn more at treesforhouston.org. (Subscription/Houston Chronicle)
  3. While Texas grocers like H-E-B and Kroger are great for general purposes, there are a number of Mexican and Latin food marts in Houston that can up your Tex-Mex game. Boasting over 30 locations throughout Houston, Fiesta Mart is the most well-known and readily available Mexican mart around town. However, they've been so successful that they've expanded their merchandise to more closely mirror a Walmart more than a grocer, so shoppers strictly interested in food might want to browse elsewhere. There's also Mi Tienda, a part of the H-E-B grocery family, where you can find food, fruity refreshments, sweet bread, and more items that you'd normally have to travel to small villages in Mexico to find. Lastly, markets such as the La Michoacana Meat Market, Granel Spice Market, and Houston Farmers Market are a surefire bet for tracking down Latin and Mexican cooking ingredients unavailable in other stores. (Chron)
  4. A Harris County Precinct 5 deputy chief was fired shortly after being arrested at a prostitution sting. 57-year-old deputy chief Brian Harris was among 14 men who were apprehended and charged with solicitation of prostitution: a felony charge. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said, ""We are sending a message that we are not going to tolerate this activity in our community. We will arrest and charge those who engage in this illicit act. We will also continue to identify those who have been forced into trafficking by rescuing them from their situations and connecting them with services to help with their recovery." (Houston Public Media)
  5. Houston rapper Jermaine West, also known as 'The Breadman,' was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for drug trafficking. West was a part of "Hood Kat Music Group" rap studio based out of southeast Houston. Besides distributing illegal narcotics including meth, cocaine, and opioids, West was also a well-known gang member in the area. U.S. District Judge George Hankss mentioned during sentencing that the rapper's actions had "destroyed people's lives." You have to wonder if some of these lesser-known rappers ever take notice that the most successful artists in the game stay well away from drugs and gangs. (KTRK-TV)

Headlines you need to see:

  • Fogo de Chão to open third Houston location in Baybrook Mall (Subscription/Houston Chronicle)
  • Houston jury awards $95.5M to family of girl who suffered brain damage after sedated, restrained by dentist, attorney says (KPRC Click2Houston)
  • Auto sales increasing in Houston despite global microchip shortage (Houston Chronicle)
  • New Great Wolf Lodge breaks ground on brand new indoor adventure park in Webster, Texas (KTRK-TV)
  • Houston home sales are cooling off, but home prices are not (Houston Public Media)

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Today in Houston:

  • Live on the Lawn at Market Street. (6 p.m.)
  • Houston miniFEST at Warehouse Live. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Color Me Badd and More at The Barn. (6:30 p.m.)
  • Karbachtoberfest at Karbach Brewing Co. (7:30 p.m.)
  • Katie Hannigan at The Riot Comedy Club. (7:30 p.m.)

This weekend in Houston:

From my notebook:

  • The Astros swept the Rays this week, putting forth more good omens for a 2022 World Series title. I'm interested to see what kind of excuse the baseball world will come up with for our victory this time around. (Houston Astros via Facebook)
  • A video of an employee at La Porte High School aggressively reprimanding a student went viral. The discipliner in the video steps within inches of the student's face, clearly trying to assert some sort of physical dominance. (ABC13 Houston via Facebook)
  • A man diagnosed with brain cancer who was given 6 weeks to live by doctors is still alive 6 years later. The survivor has undergone multiple operations and chemotherapy treatments, but the fact that he's alive at all is something doctors are calling a miracle. (FOX 26 Houston via Facebook)

Featured Kitty:

Mable is a 4-year-old domestic short hair available for adoption at the SPCA.

She loves attention and playing with toys for you high energy cat lovers out there.

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Events:

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 ✌

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

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