http://pasadena.palomacruz.com Info, links, news and calendar items from the virtual streets of Pasadena, Texas and surrounding areas Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:36:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Some stories to watch & things to do:A great story in the Pasadena Citizen about how Literacy Advance tutors are helping the parents of students from Gardens Elementary learn English -- "Breaking down barriers with ESL"Houston gasoline price still cheapest in Texas at $3.44 a gallon, says the Houston Business ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/09/07/pasadena-news-links-7/ Food in HoustonOne of my new favorite blogs, Food in Houston, has a great post about Houston food classics you can still get in the city:James Coney Island Chili Cheese DogAntone's Po BoysTriple A Cafeteria's rollsBarbecue Inn's stuffed crabRagin Cajun's oyster po boy, boiled crawfishHouston is gaining jobsAccording to the ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/09/01/pasadena-news-links-6/ Minority population increases in Harris CountyThe Houston Chronicle reports that Harris County's population is getting closer to 4 million, due in large part to immigration and growth of minority communities. "The Anglo population, however, declined in Harris, a trenddemographers say reflects a sustained exodus to suburban counties, according to 2007 ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/08/07/pasadena-news-links-5/ McDonald's may end $1 cheeseburgers ABC 13 reports that the price increases in gas, and food, is being felt by fast food too. We should all prepare to see the $1 cheeseburger disappear. Prices will go up, or changes will be made to the food, but it won't remain the same. And ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/08/05/pasadena-news-links-4/ In case you missed it, Tropical Storm Eduoard is on its way to Houston. Did you prepare? http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/08/05/eduoard/ Texas leads the nation in teen pregnanciesKHOU reports that Texas has more teen pregnancies than any other state. To top it off, teen pregnancies are on the rise for the first time in 15 years. Experts are baffled by the reason why the increase is happening.No Tax WeekendABC13 reports "The ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/08/01/pasadena-news-links-3/ Something to add to your to do list -- "Prolific photographer captured memorable Houston moments," reported by the Houston Business Journal:History is preserved in many ways. One of the most vivid is through the medium of photography. A photograph captures a moment in time that conveys a wealth of information ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/31/view-the-cecil-thomson-collection/ Did you think that Houston had a great cost of living too? It's not so cheap, says Forbes. The magazine listed Houston as the 8th-most-expensive city in the US. Why? Commuting costs.Houston not a bargain on this listForbes says commuting makes it the 8th-costliest U.S. city-- Houston Chronicle2[snip]Saying that "the ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/30/houston-is-the-8th-costliest-city-in-the-country-says-forbes/ Tropical Storm Dolly could become a hurricane-- KHOU CBS Channel 111Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the western Caribbean, but 11 News meteorologist Mario Gomez says even if Dolly becomes a hurricane quickly, it’s still unclear if it will strike anywhere in Texas.[snip]The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/21/will-dolly-threaten-texas/ Did you know that Houston has the cheapest gas in the state? That's according to the Houston Chronicle2. They report that, statewide, gas is averaging for $3.94 (a figure they got from AAA). Since we're so close, that's good news... sort of.The Houston Business Journal reports that CNBC ranked Texas ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/12/pasadena-news-and-links/ TodayShow.com has a great reason to keep eating blueberries (my new favorite fruit): they are a memory-boosting food. "Berries have some of the highest antioxidant concentrations among fruit, and ALL berries are rich in healthy compounds called anthocyanins and flavanols… which may help protect against the breakdown of brain cells." ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/12/the-power-of-blueberries-and-where-to-find-them/ Welcome new Dickinson Independent School District principals:Kellie M. Shotwell is the new principal at Dickinson High SchoolTraci Goodwin is the new principal at McAdams Junior High SchoolPatricia Lankford is the new principal at Hughes Road Elementary SchoolStephanie Williams will become the principal of San Leon Elementary mid-yearSource: The Houston Chronicle http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/11/new-dickinson-isd-principals/ It seems that times are so bad that even teenagers are having to tighten their belts. Best known for their overabundance of time and disposable income, teens are being hit by a combination of lack of jobs and increased prices. Bad news for retailers who depend on their purchases.Teens forced ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/06/teens-have-to-budget-too/ Houston-area cities get new ZIP codes-- KHOU CBS Channel 111New ZIP codes have taken effect in Baytown, Richmond and Sugar Land.The post office says the ZIP code changes are necessary because of growing demand for mail services. [snip]Footnotes1 = may require free registration. http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/07/03/new-zip-codes-for-houston-area-cities/ The Big Green Purse is reporting that the Home Depot is recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs. Good news for those of use who have been using them but were worried about what happens when they have to be replace.Simply bring in your expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/28/recycle-your-compact-flourescent-lights/ The Houston Chronicle recently ran a story about the lack of optimism worldwide1. "The can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in the American psyche is under assault. Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance."Footnotes:1 ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/24/pessimism/ Police: Burned bodies of missing Pasadena children foundSearch brings authorities to southeast Houston-- Houston Chronicle2The burned bodies of two missing Pasadena children were found inside a charred wooden chest and suitcase, Pasadena police said this morning, ending a nearly weeklong search for the siblings.Randy Sylvester Sr., the father of Randy ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/24/bodies-of-children-found/ Council increases funding on meal program-- Houston Chronicle2The city council approved $59,000 in additional funding for the Deer Park home bound meal program at it's June 3 meeting. The additional funding will cover the cost of a new vehicle, a new part-time employee and 25 additional meals on an annual ... http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/13/deer-park-continues-funding-on-home-bound-meal-program/ South Houston, Kruse elementary schools receive grant-- reported by the Pasadena CitizenKruse and South Houston elementary schools will be expanding their school library collections with the help of a $6,000 grant from The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.[snip]Congratulation, Kruse & South Houston. http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/13/kruse-gets-grant-for-library/ OK,may not "the worst," but a recent article from the Houston Business Journal ranked Houston as the seventh-most congested in the country. Bad news for Dallas, they ranked fifth. http://pasadena.palomacruz.com/2008/06/12/houston-traffic-is-the-worst/