Houston’s six wards are steeped with history, real discoveries, culture and distinct personalities and communities. The history of the First Ward tells the story of what was once the center of Houston. Today, the First Ward is filled with the new and the old, which makes it an amazing part of Houston to get lost in. … Read more
SCHOOL CHOICE IN HISD As odd as it may seem, parents in Houston often do not send their kids to the good public school down the street. Instead, they drive miles away to a different public school in a completely different neighborhood on the other side of town. Why? Something called School Choice. School Choice in HISD … Read more
Daniel Anguilu’s artwork gracefully demands my attention as I drive past Midtown. Shattered with gestural swoops and slashes, lines and shapes morph around an apartment complex like a luminous vine. His signature angular and geometrical abstract work stands out in an area of otherwise muted, dull colors. Bold and vibrant–the murals resemble colorful stained glass … Read more
Our Ward Series gives Houston the scoop on the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties to Houston’s old ward system and how it still impacts modern city life. The long history of the Third Ward and its profound impact on Houston’s path toward racial equality can still be seen today, although there are modern additions to … Read more
The Fourth Ward was the last of the original four wards chartered in 1839 when Houston was still newly a city and covered the southwestern portion of the town. Over the years this area has meant a lot of different things to the Houstonians who have lived there, resulting in an intricately layered perception of … Read more
With the conclusion of our segments on the Houston history of the first four wards, we now move into new territory as we take you through the Fifth and Sixth Wards. The original four wards were chartered in 1839, and they undeniably played a crucial role in the foundation of Houston history. While the later wards … Read more
I once heard someone say, “Just stick it in the ground in Houston, Texas, and it will grow.” To a large degree, that is true. Houston’s generally warm humid climate, along with rich soil, is ideal for a great many plant life. Summer gardens here are proof of that. With the first official day of … Read more
You might be wondering why we are doing this series on the Houston Wards. With the launch of our new site, we decided that we want one focus of Just Vibe Houston to encourage you to get out there and explore your city! The best way to do that is to learn the history and … Read more
When I walk into a department store and see a sea of cosmetics, I get a little excited. Makeup is fun, and when it is applied correctly, it should enhance and accentuate. However, I tend to lose a bit of the self-confidence it has taken me over 40 years to achieve when I am confronted … Read more
If you haven’t heard of Kenny & Ziggy’s Restaurant in Houston, you are missing out on something great. No, something amazing. It doesn’t matter what you order from Kenny & Ziggy’s, because everything comes extra large there, even the menus. Ziggy Gruber has taken his knowledge of the New York-style deli and created a Texas-style deli that didn’t exist, … Read more
When you think of movies and films, you tend to think of LA or NYC as being the hubs of cinema. But what about Houston? Regardless of what Hollywood may predispose you to believe, Houston does have a lure that filmmakers have been attracted to for the past 40 years. So, let’s take a look … Read more
YOU’VE MOST LIKELY SEEN IT, AND MAYBE YOU’VE WONDERED ABOUT IT THE MAN BEHIND THE WALL, HOUSTON IS INSPIRED MURAL GONZO247, IS HIDING IN THE DARK NO MORE. There is a tendency toward ambivalence when we see street art, most commonly known as graffiti. Explosions of colorful words and figures are commonly seen behind conveniences … Read more
Houston’s ward system has defined the city virtually from its inception and continues to be a crucial part of the identity of the town and the people who call it home. While Houston’s wards began as an early version of today’s district system and were used as a way to govern and provide representation for the residents, … Read more