By now, we're sure that everyone's heard the news about Starbucks' decision to shutter 600 stores nationwide. Houston can expect to see a signifcant portion of that impact, as we are not only home to the world's first pair of side-by-side Starbucks (at West Gray and Shepherd), we also have a whopping 283 stores (although it seems like much more than just that at times) throughout the greater metropolitan area. These 283 stores are comprised......

:: Spring 2008 Class Registration at Art League Houston :: Even if you've given up on all your New Years Resolutions by now, there's still time to make something of the year by taking a class. You can't go wrong with bettering your brain. The Art League, besides having a very cool building, gallery and coffee shop, also happens to offer classes. Try your hand (or brush up on) drawing, painting, jewelry, watercolor or......

Missed Connections was pretty interesting this week. Brittany is missing again. And, forget Jenny. Some dude has Amanda's number. Oh, Mark Marco needs a date. JEREMIAS from Brazil - French Bulldogs breader - m4m Hi there! I would like to ask you if any of you guys have a contact information for Jeremias. He is originaly from Brazil and living in Houston he was selling high quality French Bulldogs bread in Brazil. My cell......

Coffee giant Starbucks will close all its doors from 5:30 PM to 9 PM to train their staff in "the Art of Espresso." Great Scott! The world is ending! The world is ending! NOT. The training period comes at a time of day when most folks probably aren't in need of caffeine except, maybe, college students and rock stars. During the interim, Starbucks suggests that you roast a turkey or color your hair. Houstonist......

::Lucy VIP Party:: If you haven't made it over to the Museum of Natural Science to see Lucy, the oldest hominid ever discovered, tonight's an excellent time to go. The museum is hosting a VIP party from 6-9PM which will be all about Lucy and other good things from Ethiopia, such as traditional coffee ceremonies, honey wine, music, native food, and of course, the lovely lady herself. Curator Dirk Van Tuerenhout will be there......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. Something's Brewing At WhiteBoard Labs Houston based WhiteBoard Labs is currently beta-testing MotionNotes, a web based app that allows messaging via video and multimedia interfaces such as Flash movies, PowerPoint Presentations and slideshows. MotionNotes is slated for release this fall. WhiteBoard Labs was founded in 1994 and is a recognized leader and pioneer in the development of Rich Internet Applications. PlaceShout It Out Loud There's a......

Here are a few books Houstonist thinks your friends and family won't use for doorstops (that's the fruitcake, right?). Everyone likes a good read, or at least a smart-looking book to sit on the nightstand. Give these a try. And shop at your local independent bookstore -- they can give you even more recommendations, and probably a good cup of coffee as well. Fun, mostly fiction books for people who are... Houstonians and/or architecture......

One of Houstonist favorites (which really means very little, because we are hard pressed to find a cookie we DON'T like) is the simple, honest, and slightly gussied-up sugar cookie - the Snickerdoodle! In a very lame homage to that "Stewart" lady, we get festive this time of year, rolling our holiday version of the cookies in red and green sanding sugars. It's all in the presentation, you know. Snickerdoodles 1 1/2 cups sugar......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. Local blog roundup Grand Stream Dreams has some defrag tools for you. Mike McGuff is back from Japan, check out the videos on his site. jkOnTheRun has some new reviews and apps for you to check out. HAL-PC Prepares To Party If you've been thinking of joining HAL-PC, now is the time because HAL-PC is getting ready for its annual Christmas party. The party will be......

::Steel Lounge Underground at the CAMH:: Did you miss the HIWI party last night at Lawndale? (Apparently some of us probably should have, given we mistook it for a drinking contest.) Well loyal readers, you are in luck. Two great things rolled into one awesome basement tonight: the Houston: It's Worth It folks will be hosting the final Steel Lounge of the year at the CAMH. In almost a deja vu of last night, DJ......

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor laanba. Comments from the photographer: The lighting was very interesting the day I was there. There were storms coming in with heavy clouds, but it was also sunset. It made for some dramatic skies. We agree wholeheartedly. __________________________________________________________ If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 450 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group.......

For about 40 years, Houstonians have known where buy the best pies. Founded in 1967 The Flying Saucer Pie Company has been baking up a wide variety of pies daily, using the freshest available ingredients. Other than HoustonistMama, who is getting tired of baking for us, these are the bestest pies ever. We are partial to their line of cream pies! Whether you are ordering your meal pre-cooked, or popping your turkey or turducken in......

::OpMom Web 2.0 Launch Party at Benjy's:: Three things we love: Moms, Web 2.0, and Benjy's. Can't go wrong here. And Houstonist has your ticket to this private launch party. Unless you've been living under a Web 1.0 rock, you are probably aware that Houston has recently been a hot bed for Social Media Startups, as Brad Hem reported this weekend. One of these ventures, the locally-based OpMom, tonight celebrates their own jaunt into Web......

Hot day to wear tie. Might as well be a silk noose-- Damn this "October". Kick in the front door. I stumble inside, collapse at the A/C vent. Breaking out the Shout! Dress shirts with rings on collars. Damp clothes, damp house, ugh. Afternoon fatigue Paralyzes, in cahoots with narcotic heat. Mr. Brown Coffee Dream-can of freshness, zestness, Lift up and heal me. "The name's Brown, sucker. Woe to he who doubts my fresh,......

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday. Monday: Hit the East end tonight for coffee and Dia de Los Muertos art-perusing at Bohemeos (708 Telephone Rd). They've got free wifi so you can catch up with all your weekend MySpace alerts over a kick-your-face-in cup of Guatemalan coffee or a cold......

Today’s Photo of the Day comes from flickr user and Houstonist photo contributor parkerjones. One of many images from "anatomy of a coffee store." I can smell the aroma of the coffee already! If you have a passion for Houston and photography, consider joining over 400 of Houston's best photographers in the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group. If Houstonist uses your photo for Photo Of The Day, submit it here. For more great photography check......

Protest over national vs. regional chains, the never-ending debate over the place of cars and bicycles in our metropolises, professional sports scandals, remembering a solemn day, and being issued a search warrant - it all happened across our sites this week! Another banner week at Chicagoist started off with daily reports from food writer Lisa Shames on her attempt to eat only locally grown and raised foodstuffs all week as part of a farmers market......

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday. Monday: Fight the Monday blues with booze, munchies and beats. Hit Berryhill Tamales all over the city for cheap-o specials (like $2 fish tacos in Montrose and free tamales with bar drinks in River Oaks). After you've devoured your share, head over to Brasil......

After much anticipation, Sugarbaby’s finally opened its doors this past summer. As a rule of thumb, Houstonist always likes to give these big openings a bit of time to iron out wrinkles before we come in. In the meantime, we had images of a Houston version of Magnolia Bakery in NYC and Sprinkles in LA. And when we finally walked in, it took us a bit to take in the interior - all black, white......

Psssstttt... are you still awake?? All you insomniacs and uber-early risers are in for special moon effects early-early this morning. Take a peek out the window around 5 - 6:20am today (Tuesday) and watch as the moon passes through the Earth's shadow and turns a lovely copper-red. Grab those binoculars and a Super Sized coffee as you won't be getting mooned like this again until 2011. We heart lunar eclipses (and our snooze button).......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. The BarCamp Houston Files Here's a roundup of links, blog posts and photos from BarCamp Houston 2. Dwight Silverman experimented by covering BarCamp ad nauseum through Twitter. If you couldn't be there Dwight's Twitter Litter could keep you up to date virtually minute by minute. Jim Thompson, Katherine Druckman, Robert Nagle, A Wandering Eyre and sean.blog were there too and posted their experiences. There are also......

"The Master of Orgasims", Jean Gerrard a crepe lover and a flaming escort joined the fray of Missed Connections as Houstonians searched for amateur philanthropists, hotties with some hotness or their roommate this week on Craigslist. Coffee shop crushes rebounded for those of you keeping score at home. Pickings were slim this week yielding only one "good" post. Enjoy? DOMINOS PIZZA - WEST ALABAMA / GREENWAY - m4m A shot in a million.... YOU:......

A quickie tidbit on a local institution: Café Brasil (2604 Dunlavy) is undergoing some major construction to keep their coffee guzzlers and pizza munchers satiated. Nothing to get your feathers ruffled over, you can still order, drink and mingle as before - but you have some new goodies to look forward to. In the coming months Brasil's menu is doubling and seating area expanding meaning you'll have just that many more seats to stumble......

Ever since Inversion Coffee House opened its doors this past March fans have been raving about the artsy space, local coffee, and great Houston vibe. Though it may seem like Starbucks is taking over the world (and saving the world), this local dig is a breath of fresh air. Loyal patrons have been screaming for expansion since March. The people have spoken and owner Michael Terrazas has listened. Houstonist has learned that Inversion will be......

...and so are temperatures all over the planet (especially in Houston this week). This afternoon, environmental leaders engage citizens, in the form of Starbucks customers, in conversations about climate change and offer practical solutions to the climate crisis. This afternoon from 2 - 3pm at the W. Gray Starbucks (um, the one with the drive-thru, not to be confused with the one across the street without the drive-thru), the green-minded coffee company will host a......

Oodles of noodles on Shepherd at W. Alabama! Today marks the grand opening of the second Jenni’s Noodle House. The original Jenni’s Noodle House, located in Old Chinatown downtown, opened its doors six years ago. Houstonist loves Jenni’s because of the big personality that co-owner Scott Weaver brings to the store. Always the approachable and high energy character, we chatted with Scott about Jenni, Jenni’s and the new restaurant. What were the inspirations for the......

Good morning, Houston. If you'd like a little more Kinky in your life, you may be in luck. Erstwhile gubernatorial candidate and the bane of Chris Bell's existence Kinky Friedman said he might make another run for the office in 2010. This time, though, he's thinking about losing the independent label and running as a Democrat. Consultant Kelly Fero said, "They're going to be looking for real serious, legitimate candidates. Kinky should throw his......

Westheimer Road is a long, thriving, paved snake of potholed infrastructure. It guides you into town from the Grand Parkway through Beltway 8 and Loop 610 until it brings you all the way into a cozy, little enclave of town we lovingly refer to as The Montrose. Not really the heart of Houston, because that would probably be the Medical Center, but more like the liver or one of the kidneys of Houston as......

Those who know it love it. And those who don’t know it don’t know they love it. Kraftsmen Baking not only serves preservative-free bread, pastries, sandwiches, salads and soups, they also provide many Houston restaurants with carbo-loaded delights as well. The owners of Kraftsmen have a wonderful collaboration that unites the Houston culinary community and places priority on quality, organic and local ingredients. Located in an adorable nook on Montrose where the buildings are covered......

Local tech news in a compact, digital format. What Does A Hydrogen Generator Look Like? Last week we told you about Trulite's revolutionary hydrogen generator. This week we found an image of this generator and wanted to share it with you. Bum Shuttle Computer Is From Conroe A computer bound for the space shuttle Endeavour that was found to have been deliberately damaged came from Conroe based Invocon, Inc.. Invocon Inc. is a systems......