Best Places to Work 2015

Judging from our survey of the city’s best places to work, theres’s never been a better time to be gainfully employed in Houston. Plus, anxiety in college, a car buyers’ guide, a chat with restaurateur Tony Vallone, and more.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Theater

Silent Sky Blends Romance, Science, Feminism and Bigotry

Main Street Theater takes on the astronomical story of a woman who connected the dots and made history.

11/03/2015 By Nick Esquer

Film

The Cinema Arts Festival’s New Frontiers

Under Richard Herskowitz’ leadership, the Cinema Arts Festival continues its expansion in new and exciting directions.

11/03/2015 By Steve Jansen

Pitch Perfect

No Instruments, No Problem

As this year’s Straight No Chaser show nears, we try to lure UH a capella groups into a little smack talk.

11/03/2015 By Nick Esquer

Best of Houstonia

Car Buyers’ Guide 2015

What you need to know now if you’re in the market for a new car.

11/03/2015 By Jeff Balke, Nick Esquer, Sarah Rufca Nielsen, and Katharine Shilcutt

Best of Houstonia

Best Places to Work 2015

There’s never been a better time to be gainfully employed in Houston, where our top companies are hard at work attracting—and keeping—the best and brightest.

11/03/2015 By Lonna Dawson, Steven Devadanam, Fayza Elmostehi, and Brittanie Shey Edited by Katharine Shilcutt

Eat & Drink

Editors’ Picks

Houston’s 10 Best New Food Trucks

The food truck craze continues with these delicious newcomers.

11/06/2015 By Megha Tejpal

Editors’ Picks

10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants for Fall

Don’t dial the babysitter; your little ones are welcome here.

11/03/2015 By Nicholas L. Hall

Cocktails

As You Spike It

As the weather cools, try one of Honeymoon’s cozy coffee cocktails.

11/03/2015 By Megha Tejpal

Restaurant Review

Crossing Over: Southern Goods and Brick & Mortar Kitchen

We visit two new foodie destinations, unlikely only at first glance.

11/03/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Editor’s Note

A Very Good Gear

Thoughts on passing the baton, from cars to editors.

11/03/2015 By Catherine Matusow

Health & Wellness

Mental Health

Anxiety Goes to College

Houston-area campuses are scrambling to meet the mental health needs of a generation of students beset by an increasingly diagnosed condition.

11/03/2015 By Marianella Orlando Photography by Brian Goldman

News & City Life

Sports

The Game That Keeps On Giving

International tennis star Zina Garrison teams with UH to provide young athletes the same opportunities she was once given.

11/03/2015 By Catherine Matusow

Whatacluster

Local Businesses Brace for Open Carry

Restaurants and other area businesses prepare for the fight to bear arms.

11/03/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Bayougraphy

Video: Behind the Scenes with Tony Vallone

After 50 years in the Houston restaurant business, Tony’s still got it.

11/03/2015 Videography by Bryan Lozano

Car Buyers’ Guide

Meet Houston’s Famous First Lady of Car Sales

In a male-dominated industry, Carolyn Cross worked her way up from a typist to the big boss at the best dealerships in the country.

11/03/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Best Places to Work

Office Space: Latha Ramchand

This dean’s office decor spotlights Hindu gods and Steve Jobs.

11/03/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Best Places to Work

Office Space: James Nelson

This creative’s space is home to custom masks and kinetic art.

11/03/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Best Places to Work

Office Space: Aimee Woodall

You’ll find bullhorns and bubbly in this boss’s office.

11/03/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Best Places to Work

Recruiting in the Age of Social Media

If you want to find truly the best candidates, it’s time to change tactics.

11/03/2015 By Lonna Dawson

Best Places to Work

Houston’s Best Places to Work in 2015

The results are in: here are Houston’s hottest workplaces, from coolest office space to biggest perks.

11/03/2015 By Lonna Dawson, Fayza Elmostehi, and Brittanie Shey

Bayougraphy

You Want It, You Got It

Tony Vallone dishes on how to survive 50 years in the Houston restaurant biz.

11/03/2015 By Jeff Balke Photography by Nathan Lindstrom

Ice House

November’s Perfect Party

You know what? This month we’re going to let it all hang out.

11/03/2015 By Catherine Matusow

Charity

When Once-A-Year Volunteers Strike

‘Tis the season for giving back—but what happens when there’s a surplus of samaritans?

11/03/2015 By Marianella Orlando

Dept. of Editorial Justice

We’re With the Banned

A discovery that Houstonia is prohibited in Texas jails illuminates the often-arbitrary rules governing what prisoners can—or can’t—read.

11/03/2015 By Lonna Dawson

HERO

The Decent Place

Late-night thoughts on listening to opponents of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance

09/14/2015 By Scott Vogel

Style & Shopping

Car Buyers’ Guide

Overhauling: 5 Fine Redesigns for 2016

Makeovers can be hit-or-miss, but these old favorites are looking better than ever.

11/03/2015 By Katharine Shilcutt

Car Buyers’ Guide

5 To Drive: Cars Designed with You in Mind

The biggest trend for the 2016 fleet of new vehicles? Personalization that starts in the driver’s seat.

11/03/2015 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Car Buyers’ Guide

Is There Anything These New Cars Can’t Do?

It’s about more than what’s under the hood these days, and the new high-tech vehicle features just keep coming.

11/03/2015 By Jeff Balke

Car Buyers’ Guide

Is An EV Right For You?

Thinking of buying an electric vehicle? Here are some factors to consider.

11/03/2015 By Nick Esquer

Car Buyers’ Guide

Plugging Away: Tesla vs. Texas

As electric vehicle technology evolves, a battle is waged over how those cars may be sold across the state.

11/03/2015 By Nick Esquer

Car Buyers’ Guide

Falling Flat

Stave off those near-inevitable flat tires with the best protection and services offered around town.

11/03/2015 By Nick Esquer

Stacks On Deck

The Bold Boot Is Back

Stomp all over town in style with stacked heels.

11/03/2015 By Sarah Rufca Nielsen

Style Trial

Why Doesn’t Houston Have a Serious Fashion Week?

Four organizations compete for the glory of hosting Houston’s premiere fashion event.

11/03/2015 By Layne Lynch

Travel & Outdoors

Travel

Revisiting the Spirit of Mexico City

On returning to the source of childhood memories—this time, with children of one’s own.

11/03/2015 By Claudia Kolker