Betsy Denson

Before the mechanical bull started spinning and the petting zoo drew its first crowd, the inaugural Heights Rodeo opened with an event recognizing those who make the Heights the special place it is. The Houston Heights Association hosted a VIP Reception on February 21 inside the Heights Fire Station, where fifteen awards were presented across three categories to recognize the neighbors, businesses, and volunteers who have shaped the Heights into the community it is today.

The Malala Yousafzai mini mural at Ella and TC Jester is back, and its restoration caught the attention of the subject’s father. Ziauddin Yousafzai, Malala’s father, tweeted City Council Member Abbie Kamin to say how beautiful the mural looked after Noah Quiles of UP Art Studio cleaned off the vandalism last week. Kamin had visited the site while the work was being done. “These murals mean so much to the neighborhood and are having a global reach,” Kamin said.

It is, in fact, their first rodeo. The Houston Heights Association is throwing a neighborhood-sized party on Feb. 21, transforming the Heights Fire Station into a family-friendly celebration of all things Western. The inaugural Heights Rodeo runs from 2 to 6 p.m. and features a petting zoo, pony rides, a mechanical bull, carnival-style games, food trucks, live entertainment and a local artisan market.