Texas Beaches

South Padre Island Is the Perfect Family Getaway—11 Months of the Year

Padre’s waters are the closest to blue in all of Texas, its sands closest to white.

06/14/2017 By John Lomax

Cheap Frills

5 Free Events at Miller Outdoor Theatre This October

You won't be shortchanged at these top-notch performances.

10/07/2016 With Glissette Santana

Press Clips

The Myth of Ken Hoffman’s Elusive “Fender Mender”

Is Houston’s mysterious body-work benefactor really as saintly as he seems?

11/03/2014 By John Lomax

Ready, Set— Wait

Is Your Child Really Ready for Preschool?

Before you answer, assess your child’s development in four key areas.

11/03/2014 By John Lomax

Best Preschools

When It Comes to Early Education, B is for Bilingual

The best time to tackle a second language is before the age of six—hence the growth of immersive language programs at schools across the city.

11/03/2014 By John Lomax

Our Lost Youth

Where Have All the Green Lizards Gone?

It's like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (but with lizards).

11/03/2014 By John Lomax

Weather Report

An Ode To Houston’s Non-Summer

Non-summer is simply glorious, wonderful, and sweet—pecan bombardments and venomous caterpillars aside.

11/03/2014 By John Lomax

Politics

Is It Time to Reform Tort Reform?

Tort reform made sense to lots of people at the time, Stephen DiLeo included—that is, until a doctor removed his son’s brain tumor.

09/30/2014 By John Lomax

Marijuana

A New Front in the War on the War on Drugs

This 85-year-old Republican is the legalization advocate the world needs.

09/30/2014 By John Lomax

The Pits

A Grilling Guide, from Coals to ‘Cue

Now that you’ve caught those catfish and killed those quail, why not cook ‘em up?

09/01/2014 By John Lomax

Catch of the Day

A Fisherman’s Map of Houstonia

Whether you’re a saltwater or freshwater fisherman, here’s where to get the big ones.

09/01/2014 By John Lomax

How the Sausage Is Made

Meat Your Maker

Where to transform your deer or boar into sausages and more

09/01/2014 By John Lomax

Football Season

The Ten Commandments of Tailgating

Tailgate parties bring temptation and sin, but there is another way.

09/01/2014 By John Lomax

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

A Round Top Round-Up

The PBS lifestyle comes alive in this Central Texas oasis of culture, antiques, and pie.

08/22/2014 By John Lomax

A Family Guide to Houston

The Ultimate Guide to a Houston Family Reunion

Get your get-together together.

08/03/2014 By John Lomax and Katharine Shilcutt

A Family Guide to Houston

Houston’s Best Spraygrounds

Far from a fad, the splash pad (or “sprayground”) is here to stay—and there are dozens to choose from.

08/03/2014 By John Lomax

A Family Guide to Houston

Houston’s Best Parks Outside the Loop

Who says there’s nothing to do outside the Loop?

08/03/2014 By John Lomax and Katharine Shilcutt

A Family Guide to Houston

7 Great Small Houston Parks

Sometimes, you want to relax with the family away from the maddening crowd.

08/03/2014 By John Lomax

Bayougraphy

A Heated Discussion with the City’s Hottest Muralist

You’ve seen Anat Ronen’s work all over Houston—you just might not know it.

08/03/2014 By John Lomax Photography by Collin Kelly

Our Forgotten History

Mosquitos: the Rodney Dangerfield of the Insect World

Everyone’s least-favorite pest has been shaping our fair city for two centuries.

08/03/2014 By John Lomax