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

House Bill 910 goes into effect January 1, kicking off a debate over whether—and how—companies should exercise their right to prohibit guns on the premises.

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

Dean and finance professor, C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston

11/03/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Best Places to Work

Office Space: James Nelson

Executive Director, Houston Ballet

11/03/2015 By Steven Devadanam

Best Places to Work

Office Space: Aimee Woodall

President and founder, marketing and PR firm Black Sheep Agency

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, Restaurateur

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

Ice House

November’s Perfect Party

Let-It-All-Hang-Out Edition

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