Stephanie Bartels (Cano)
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Articles by Stephanie Bartels (Cano)
3 Charities and Programs Helping Kids in Houston
Looking for a way to give back to your community this holiday season? Here are three local charities dedicated to supporting children that could use your help. Books Between Kids Ten years ago, galvanized by the realization that many underprivileged children do not have access to books of their own, elementary teachers Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn launched Books Between Kids with a mission to get books into the hands of kids who need them the most.
Houstonia’s Pet of the Week: Henson the Playful Pup
Houstonia has partnered with BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions to bring attention to some of our city’s goodest boys and girls. Every week, we’ll be highlighting a pup or kitty currently in need of a forever home. We love animals, and we hope this feature will help bring these furry friends closer to finding their human soulmates.
These Houston Movie Theaters Double as Restaurants
Dine-in movie theaters like Cut! By Cinemark are an easy way to upgrade your dinner-and-a-show experience. Image: Courtesy Cut! By Cinemark Dinner and a movie: It’s been a classic American pastime for friends, families, and lovebirds since the inception of cinema. It’s the perfect way to make a night out of watching the latest premiere, or the best plan when you simply can’t think of anything else to do.
Houstonia’s Pet of the Week: Hazel the German Shepherd Mix
Houstonia has partnered with BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions to bring attention to some of our city’s goodest boys and girls. Every week, we’ll be highlighting a pup or kitty currently in need of a forever home. We love animals, and we hope this feature will help bring these furry friends closer to finding their human soulmates. Meet Houstonia’s Pet of the Week: Hazel! Is your motto more Namastay-in-bed than Namaste?
10 Fun, Fancy, and Totally Free Dates in Houston Original
The old saying goes: The best things in life are free. While this may be true, in our experience, free things plus your favorite person are even better. Fortunately, there's a fun variety of free things to do around Houston. From boat tours to art viewings and open-air performances, treat your date to a rom-com-style day of fun (cheesy video montage is optional). After all, love doesn't cost a thing—especially when the dates are gratis. 1. Stroll the Japanese Gardens at Hermann Park.
5 Houston-Area Farms to Visit in Fall 2022
TGIF: Thank God It's Fall. Local farms are embracing all the pumpkin spice and everything nice that takes over Texas during this time of year. It’s a lot like the Christmas spirit, but a little spicier and full of hope for at least a few autumn-colored leaves in the Houston vicinity. Now is the perfect time to venture out to one of the local farms in and around the Houston area for a day of pony rides, pumpkin patches, photo-ops with spot-on fall vibes, and seasonal treats.
Is Houston's Real Estate Market Finally Returning to Normal?
It’s been two years since the Houston housing market launched into a historical frenzy with homes listing and selling practically on the same day and offers reaching, at times, $100,000 over the asking price. A persistent lack of inventory and rising prices began pushing would-be homebuyers to either wait out the storm or turn to rental housing options.
Everything You Need Know to Win the Tour de BCycle
Holy spokes! It’s time for BCycle’s annual neighborhood challenge, Tour de BCycle. If you think you can visit all (or most) of the Houston BCycle neighborhood bike share stations in October, then join the challenge in exchange for various prizes and serious cyclist bragging rights. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming the next tour champion! For starters, what is BCycle? BCycle is a nonprofit bike sharing service in Houston.
The Expert’s Guide to Candytopia in Houston
Admit it: you’ve held your breath while opening a chocolate bar, hoping a golden ticket will slip out and transport you to a world of pure imagination—or is that just us? While an Oompa Loompa is probably not going to escort you through the Wonka factory any time soon, you can satisfy your dream with a visit to the sweetest, candy-coated immersive exhibit in Houston: Candytopia.
7 Texas Festivals Worth a Road Trip
If you have vacation time to cash in before the end of the year and your Instagram could use photos from somewhere other than the beach, you’re in luck because it’s prime time for festivals in Texas. Whether participating in wurst behavior in New Braunfels or purchasing your newest “Fall Y’all” sign in Waco, it’s time for a mini getaway before the holidays.
MECA Will Honor the Uvalde Victims This Día de los Inocentes
For two days following Halloween’s ghoulish festivities, Latin communities around the world celebrate an ancient spiritual tradition.
How the Uvalde Shooting Has Changed Safety Protocol in Texas Schools
Bouncing around on social media (as such things do), there’s a widely shared image of actor Ken Jeong squinting at a tiny piece of paper with a heading that reads, “a list of people I trust with my kids.” What makes it funny (like so many other memes) is how relatable it is. There are not many people we tend to feel comfortable leaving our little ones with. However, when they reach age 5 or so, we sign them up to be watched by others for the next 12 years.
Houstonia's Guide to Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year since it was first observed in 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month has acknowledged the history and cultural achievements of Latinx/Hispanic Americans. It grew from a single week to a dedicated month when it was enacted into law in 1988 under former President Ronald Regan. Today, Houston’s population is made up of nearly 50% Latinx, and the list of leaders and innovators continues to grow.
Check Out All the Mexican Independence Day Events in Houston in 2022
Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain, is kicked off each year by “El Grito,” the battle cry that launched the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. The ceremonial exclamation “Viva México!” happens on September 15, the eve of the country’s official Independence Day holiday, which is celebrated with parades, music, fireworks, family gatherings, and food.
8 Essential Escape Rooms to Master in Houston
What do you get when you mix adventure with a mysterious storyline and an assortment of puzzles, riddles, and clues? A thrilling challenge in one of Houston’s immersive escape rooms! From voyages on the Titanic to a western bank heist and defeating a pandemic, there’s a unique variety of trials for anyone who loves the anxiety-inducing task of escaping a locked room.
Zoo Boo Returns to the Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo has announced dates for its annual Halloween celebration, Zoo Boo, which features a spooktacular lineup of interactive adventures. Here's everything you need to know about this year's event: What are the dates for Houston's Zoo Boo in 2022? Zoo Boo happens October 1 to 31 from 9 am to 5 pm, last entry at 4 pm. Zoo Boo After Hours happens every Friday until 8:30 pm, last entry at 7 pm. How much are tickets for Zoo Boo? Tickets will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and start at $20.
Where to See the Blue Angels During Wings Over Houston Airshow in 2022
Houston, prepare for takeoff! The Wings Over Houston Airshow will once again soar over Space City this fall, and includes a major comeback from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, re-joining the show for the first time since 2018.
See the Most Expensive Homes Sold in Houston in July 2022
While July single-family home sales dropped to their lowest levels since January, the $500,000 to $1 million segment rose 10 percent. According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ (HAR) July 2022 Market Update, single-family home prices are rising, leaving some potential buyers to either opt for rental properties or wait out the frenzy. Meanwhile, Houston’s well-to-do are happily snapping up the city’s megamansions. Curious to see what Houston’s most expensive homes have to offer?
The Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Houston
Starting from the fact that the Lone Star State leads the nation with the most Fortune 500 companies, there’s no doubt there’s an abundance of wealth in Texas. With 53 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters and more businesses relocating and expanding throughout the state, the list of the state’s well-to-do residents includes such personalities as Bert Beveridge, founder of Tito’s Vodka; Michael Dell, CEO of Dell; and Alice Walton, an heir to the Walmart fortune heir.
5 Homes in Houston Listed for Under $400K
As temperatures continue to rise, home sales in Houston have experienced a cooldown, and inventory has reached the highest since November 2020. While there are finally more homes on the market, buyers are facing a new challenge. According to HAR, median home prices increased 11% in June to $436,425, and a lack of homes priced below $250,000 has left buyers with no choice but to weigh more expensive property options.
Your Dream Home Is for Sale in Houston’s River Oaks Area
Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected] River Oaks is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Houston. The area is home to stately dwellings, upscale shopping, and the recently salvaged art-deco-style River Oaks Theater. If we’re dreaming up a neighborhood for our fantasy home, River Oaks is where we want to be.
Tour Midcentury Modern Homes for Sale in Houston
Characterized by clean lines, minimal decoration, and large, open spaces, midcentury modern homes are true classic American architecture. In Houston, new homes are popping up in almost every neighborhood, but we found five midcentury modern homes that still capture that old-school vibe. While some might call for updates, they’re worth the effort for the classic architecture.
Tour This Modern Home for Sale in Houston’s West University Area
Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected] The West University area of Houston, also referred to as “West U,” is home to the renowned Rice University and tree-lined streets with storybook homes. In fact, many of the streets are named after writers, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Christopher Marlowe, and William Shakespeare.
5 Homes in Spring Listed for Under $450K
Just a 30-minute drive (on a light traffic day) north of downtown you’ll find the Spring area, which is a wonderful suburb for families and downtown commuters looking for a home with backyard space, large kitchens, and community amenities. Thanks to its proximity to neighboring towns such as The Woodlands and Tomball, Spring is also a prime location for those who enjoy shopping, outdoor activities like kayaking in Lake Woodlands, and antique shopping at Old Town Spring and Old Town Tomball.
Property Dreams: Resort-Style Living in Kingwood
When you live in a state as extremely hot as Texas, you fill your days with activities in the cool embrace of a hardworking air-conditioning system. So if you’re going to hibernate most of the summer, it’s ideal to have a home with plenty of space and amenities for entertainment. It’s also nice to dream of those amenities at a larger, more luxurious scale—say, along the lines of this 17,331-square-foot home in Kingwood, if we’re going to be dreaming anyway.
Homes for Sale in Katy Under $380K
As of May 2022, home prices continued to climb in the greater Houston area, with the average price of a single-family home reaching $440,670 and the median price reaching $351,000. On top of that, in the past couple of years the competitive local market has driven buyers to make offers well over the asking price—some by $100,000 or more. In Katy, we found homes listed just above the median, at $380,000 and below.
Shell Freedom Over Texas Returns to In-Person Celebration
After two years of reimagined celebrations, Shell Freedom Over Texas is returning to its full star-spangled glory with an in-person event featuring six hours of festivities along Allen Parkway. Last year, the virtual event included a special moment honoring frontline workers, and the traditional height of the fireworks was doubled to facilitate widespread viewing of the show.
Property Dreams: Wide-Open Spaces in Cypress
As the second-largest state in the US, Texas is vast. Even in our highly populated metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth, homeowners with a hankering for space can find ample land, countless trees, and spread-out neighborhoods. If you’re one of those people and there’s a chance to own a generous slice of Lone Star paradise, you take it—or in the case of this $3 million home, you dream of taking it.
The Best Brunch Restaurants in Houston
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The coconut pancakes at Pondicheri are a legendary Houston brunch dish. Image: Courtesy Pondicheri Weekends were made for slow mornings spent catching up with your people over a mimosa and fresh stack of fluffy pancakes. Houston honors this tradition with a slew of options such as strawmosas at Barnaby’s, coconut pancakes at Pondicheri, and Mexican breakfast delights at Hugo’s. Here are some of the best brunches in Houston.
By Megha McSwain Verified, Meredith Nudo, Stephanie Bartels (Cano) Verified, Daniel Renfrow Verified
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Houstonia
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Property Dreams: Royal River Oaks Estate
Having recently subscribed to all coverage of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I’m still fixated on all things British fashion, traditions, and architecture. The most iconic balcony in the world, in my opinion, is the Buckingham Palace balcony where members of the British Royal Family make appearances during special events alongside the Queen.
Where to Rent Electric Scooters in Houston
Downtown Houston is generally quiet and still if there isn’t a Rockets game or a concert, but now on weekends, you can hear the whirring sounds of a new two-wheeled thrill. If you’ve ever cruised down the corner of Polk and Main streets on a Friday night, you’ll see groups of family and friends speeding past on scooters. Major cities like Austin and Los Angeles have seen similar scooters overrun popular areas, but Houston’s setup is putting locals first.
Where to Cool Off in Texas This Summer
While there are plenty of pools and water activities in Houston, it’s time to venture out and find somewhere exciting to escape the relentless sun. Fortunately, there arerefreshing ways all around Texas to achieve sweet relief from the heat and boredom. It’s not hard to locate an ideal spot to cool down, ranging from a crystal-blue lagoon to an indoor water park or a natural spring. Scroll ahead for 8 essential water adventures to experience in Texas.
Property Dreams: Wrap-Around Porch in the Woodlands
The Houston housing market has been in a hot frenzy since 2021, and single-family home inventory remains at a record low. It can be challenging to stay on top of recent listings, so Houstonia set out to find gorgeous homes on the market. This week, we found a hauntingly stunning home in The Woodlands, complete with sweeping wrap-around porches and a domed stained-glass ceiling.
Luxury Homes For Sale in Houston
We’re tracking all the most breathtaking homes with water amenities in Houston. According to a hotter than average forecast, summer in Texas will be a scorcher. With temperatures predicted to rarely dip below 90 degrees this summer, a home with a pool might be at the top of your non-negotiables. So we set out to find the most stunning properties with entertaining outdoor spaces on the market.
Chill Barside La Colombe d'Or Hotel. Looking for a unique and more intimate stay? A boutique hotel might be more your style if you prefer smaller spaces with fashionable designs and luxurious amenities. Houston’s boutique hotels offer cozy and stylish rooms within historical buildings, and are often adorned with works from talented artists of the city.
Plan a Staycation in Houston
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In retrospect, the continuous two-year pandemic we’ve all experienced has progressively become mundane. And, unfortunately, with uncertainty in the air, weeklong tropical vacations are now determined by safety precautions, vaccine mandates and mask requirements. Not to mention, a new COVID-19 variant could cancel your trip entirely. But while we wait for a spotty sense of normality, Houston has become a utopia of its own, and a hot commodity for food, entertainment and self-care.
By Stephanie Bartels (Cano) Verified, Geneva Diaz, Danielle Wright Verified, Shelby Stewart Verified
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Houstonia
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Texas Farms to Visit this Spring
Barton Hill Farms will host “Brews and Berries!" and "Brews and Blooms!" this spring. The Lone Star State becomes a pure beauty in the springtime with bluebonnets, natural spring pools and so much more. It never fails. The farms in Texas are a great place to see what the state’s natural wonders have to offer. If you’re looking to explore the state’s spring gems, most are just a day trip away from Houston. Texas Tulips is about four hours north of Houston in Pilot Point.
Texas Farms to Visit this Spring
Barton Hill Farms will host “Brews and Berries!” and “Brews and Blooms!” this spring. Image: Barton Hill Farms The Lone Star State becomes a pure beauty in the springtime with bluebonnets, natural spring pools and so much more. It never fails. The farms in Texas are a great place to see what the state’s natural wonders have to offer. If you’re looking to explore the state’s spring gems, most are just a day trip away from Houston. Texas Tulips is about four hours north of Houston in Pilot Point.
The Houston housing market has been in a hot frenzy since 2021 and, according to HAR.com, the median price of a home increased 19.3% as of February 2022, and single-family home inventory continues to be at a record low. With such high demand, it can be challenging to stay on top of recent listings, so we set out to find the most gorgeous homes on the market. Double-entry staircases, sweeping waterfront views and resort-style homes are what we are swooning over this month.
Start a New Hobby in Houston This Spring
Spring in Houston blooms with a sunny backdrop and warmer temps, making it the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. But as we enter the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, things haven’t been as sunny for some. “Throughout the pandemic, we have seen a rise in new and existing cases of mental health crisis,” says Jacqueline Muñoz, LCSW at Houston-based therapy center The Muñoz Practice.
Things To Do In The Woodlands
Experience Houston's best-kept-secret, The Woodlands. TAKE A DRIVE 30 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN, and you'll find the city's best-kept secret; everything you love about the inner loop, but with seemingly less traffic and plenty of greenery. From the outside looking in, The Woodlands is just another posh suburb; but spend a day in this neighborhood, and you'll realize it's so much more than perfectly manicured lawns and an opulent shopping mall.
8 Bucket List Ideas For Your Next Dream Trip
Hacienda at Cerritos Beach, Baja, Mexico. After nearly two years in a Pandemic, which initially brought travel to a screeching halt, Houstonians are packing their bags and starting to travel again. While the way we travel now is a bit different and more cautious, many are planning to finally escape for spring and summer break again. While some may be booked and ready for a dream vacation this year, others might still be adding to their destination bucket list.
Property Dreams: Breathtaking Homes For Sale In Houston
Houston is filled with unique and exciting neighborhoods with homes of every size, color and shape.
Trendy Winter Getaways
For a low-key wintertime ski trip, but without the lines, visit Ruidoso Ski Apache. Winter is arguably the most tempting time to stay home, and shamelessly watch endless amounts of Netflix. While that’s certainly on the bucket list for this season, considering Houston has been on the colder side, a getaway is usually fitting during this time as well. With generally cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds, winter is the most coveted time to take a spontaneous trip to one of these destinations below.
Where to Get the Best Chili in Houston
Find the best chili in Houston. Image: Shutterstock/vm2002 IT’S 50 DEGREES IN HOUSTON, which means winter in Texas is in full swing. Whether you’re staying in or going out, the holiday season is the perfect time for looking cute, sipping hot cocoa, and indulging in all things warm and cozy. Looking to warm yourself up with a nice, hot meal? One of the advantages of living in Texas (besides that mild winter temp) is our easy access to some of the tastiest chili in the nation.
PJ Henderson Shares Bachelorette Experience
PJ Henderson talks Bachelorette experience, favorite Houston hangouts and his family’s charitable foundation. If you’re watching the current season of The Bachelorette, then you know Houstonian PJ Henderson is single once again. The 31-year-old Houston firefighter rode in on a fire engine on night one, but fortunately for the single ladies of Houston, things didn’t heat up with Bachelorette Michelle Young. Texas has always been home to Henderson.
Chef Aaron Bludorn Joins Taste America Culinary Series
Chef Aaron Bludorn will participate in James Beard Foundation's Taste America culinary series Houston’s Chef Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn Restaurant is joining the James Beard Foundation’s 2021-2022 Taste America culinary series. The Taste America series features events in 26 cities nationwide, celebrating local restaurants and the effort to rebuild a more sustainable and equitable industry.
Family-Friendly Holiday Events in Houston
Winter Cathedral by Mandy Lights, MyChristmas Trails 2020. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you also have your Christmas tree lit and ready. Temperatures in Houston are dropping as the sounds of Jingle Bells and Christmas carols are rising. While it’s only November and some might say it’s too early for the “holiday-whobilation” to start, there’s no denying the Houston-area has caught the holiday bug.
The Masked Singer Tour Announces Tour Stop in Houston
The Masked Singer National Tour is coming to Texas with a stop in Houston. The Masked Singer announced dates for its epic national tour with three Texas stops, including Houston. The show, which has become a fan favorite, is in its sixth season. What’s the twist? The audience has no idea who the celebrity "singer" is, and isn't revealed until eliminated. The show became a sensation as celebrities like La Toya Jackson, Tony Hawk, Lil Wayne and Drew Carey were unmasked throughout the six seasons.
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