We figured it was worth recapping the traffic closures coming downtown in the next couple of days as part of the Freedom Over Texas celebration — so if you're planning to drive that way, pay attention: As of 10 a.m. today, the exit ramps to Allen Parkway from I-45 north- and southbound are closed, as is the ramp from Walker Avenue to Allen Parkway. The inbound lanes of Allen Parkway are closed at Taft and......

So it's almost time for Chevy's Freedom over Texas, the city's July 4 celebration — and that means some traffic changes you'll want to know about, beginning this weekend. One change in the festival plans is the result of all the rainy weather we've been having lately: The main stage will move from the south bank of Buffalo Bayou, where it's usually located, to the inbound lanes of Allen Parkway and the feeder road......

Many non-profit organizations pay the city nominal fees to rent their land. This was brought to light recently during the Center debacle, and now many other dollar-a-year deals with the city are under scrutiny, according to the Chronicle. Mayor Bill White would like to take a more characteristically "businesslike approach" to dealing with city leases. He believes that token rent agreements are justified only in rare circumstances in which the service provided in exchange is......

Good morning, Houston. One word for you: Friday. Did you know the day was named for the lovely lady above? She's Frigg, the Norse goddess of beauty, love and fertility. Among Frigg's hobbies: using Orion's Belt to make clouds. Seriously? Lay off a little, Frigg; we need some sun this weekend. >> Fire on the Ship Channel: Thick black smoke rose over the east side shortly after noon yesterday when a tanker truck exploded......

Do you have any information or ability to dispute a rumor that a mosque is being built at the corner of Allen Parkway and Montrose? — Johnna The site — on the east side of Montrose between Allen Parkway and West Dallas — won't be home to a mosque, per se, but rather an Ismaili center built by the Aga Khan Foundation. According to the Chronicle, the center will include lecture and conference facilities and......

Good morning, Houston. We were going to begin the day talking about how American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar finally got voted off the show last night, but then we ran across this item: Wednesday was the 30th birthday of KTRK's Live at Five afternoon newscast. Big deal, you say? Why yes, it is — because, thanks to Channel 13, you can watch the very first episode of the show, from April 18, 1977. Dave......

Something we missed over the weekend in the story of the city vs. The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation: On Sunday, the Chronicle published a letter from former City Attorney John Wildenthal about agreements the city had made with social service agencies like The Center. You may remember that the Chron talked with Wildenthal, who served as city attorney from 1964 to 1966 under Mayor Louie Welch, about the situation last week, and......

Another development in the story of The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's attempts to stay on its West Dallas Avenue land: The Chronicle reports that high-powered law firm Baker Botts has agreed to represent The Center pro bono in its dealings with the city of Houston. As we said yesterday, The Center isn't going quietly. With regard to the city's claim that a 99-year lease The Center negotiated with former Mayor Lewis Cutrer in......

If The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation does end up losing its West Dallas Avenue land, it's clear it won't happen quietly: Yesterday, about 200 of The Center's residents, board members and supporters made the scene at City Hall, holding banners outside the building and packing the City Council chamber to make their side of the story heard. The Center, you'll remember, is concerned over news that the city wants to seize the land......

As most of you have probably heard, The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation is in a battle with the city over their land - which is worth $26 million - on West Dallas. The Center has friends on City Council and has created a Save the Center website, which includes a number of ways citizens can help The Center fight to stay at their location of 44 years. Incidentally, the city intends to help......

More on the story of the city trying to take The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation's land: The Chronicle reports that advocates of The Center seem to have found supporters on City Council. To recap, the issue here centers on an agreement The Center worked out with former Mayor Lewis Cutrer in 1963 to lease the land at West Dallas and Shepherd for 99 years. Under the agreement, The Center would pay the city......

Universal Happy Hour Day Houstonist loves happy hour, and we especially love it on Thursdays, when it seems that everyone in the world loves happy hour. It is our early evening celebration of the approaching weekend. In honor of what we like to call "Happy Hour Day", here is a list of Thursday Happy Hours in and around the Houston area... enjoy! Amazon Grill 5114 Kirby Drive Houston, TX 77098 4pm-7pm $1 off wine Various......

Houstonist loved Valentine's Day as a child - poking all the chocolates in the Whitman's Sampler box Mama Houstonist "hid" on the refrigerator - gotta get the good ones! Now that we are all grown up, things are more serious and any Houstonian in love or like needs to impress that special someone with a fancy or just romantic dinner (flowers, gifts, sparkles, cards - at least a stinking card). If you haven't made the......

Did you think there wasn't room for another strip center near Montrose? Ah, think again: A developer has bought an acre on Montrose Boulevard and plans to build about 25,000 square feet of retail. Wellington Development assembled the acre at the corner of Montrose and West Dallas from several local owners for about $1 million (we assume it's the southeast corner, which is already empty). "This is a strong site for a retail spot,"......

Things are hard in River Oaks these days: first there was the rat problem, and then early this morning, a police chase ended in one of the residents' front yards. The chase stared around 2:30 a.m. near West Dallas and Columbus when the suspect ran a red light and nearly hit a deputy sheriff's car head-on. When police gave chase, the suspect led them through Montrose and River Oaks for about 15 minutes, finally ending......