This Week in Houston #031

Welcome to another week in Houston! I hope your Mother Day adventures were fun and mom felt loved.

Alrighty, let’s jump into this week.

Events

Here are some things going on throughout Houston in May:

Hamlet - May 2 - 24 - “In this stripped down, modern adaptation from Off-Broadway theatre company BEDLAM, 4 actors take on over 30 roles as they offer a fast-paced, intimate reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic masterpiece.” see more

Looking for community workouts? Checkout Sweatpals! They have meet ups all throughout Houston. See here.

Looking to get in an adult sports league? Checkout Sportskind. They have everything from basketball to cornhole to pickleball and more.

Checkout more Music and Theatre throughout the month of May at Matchbox - see here

👀 Things to look forward to in May and Beyond

May 23 - Candlelight: Tribute to the Beatles

May 24 - Journey HTX Farmers Market - see more

May 31 - Summer Kickoff Party at Home Run Dugout - see more

June 1 - Juneteenth Celebration - see more

June 6 - Houston Tattoo Arts Festival

June 14 - Dukes and Boots Mimosa Festival - see more

June 21 - Brewsology - see more

Jun 29 - Beyonce at NRG

Sep 4 - NELLY WITH JA RULE, EVE, & SPECIAL GUESTS: WHERE THE PARTY AT TOUR - see more

Did you know? 🙋‍♂️

“With over 145 different languages spoken, Houston ranks third in the U.S. for linguistic diversity, following New York and Los Angeles” - culturetrip

Putting that into perspective: New York has a population of 8.258 million vs LA 3.821 million vs. Houston 2.314 million

⚾️ Houston Sports

Astros - The Astros secured a 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, clinching the rubber match of their three-game series. Veteran second baseman, Jose Altuve, missed Sunday's game due to tightness in his right hamstring. The team does not plan to place him on the injured list and hopes for his return in the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals.

Rockets - The team has since extended the deadline for VanVleet's $44.9 million player option to June 29, allowing more time for potential contract negotiations.

Texans - Second-round pick Jayden Higgins has made history by signing a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $11.7 million, including over $5.1 million as a signing bonus. Higgins is expected to contribute immediately to the team's offense.

Dynamo - The Dynamo have signed Brazilian defender Felipe Andrade on loan from Fluminense FC, with an option to purchase. Andrade made an immediate impact by scoring the opening goal in a 4-1 win against Phoenix Rising in the U.S. Open Cup.

📰 Houston in the News

🍻 Decline in Texas Craft Beer Industry

In 2024, Texas' craft beer production fell by 8.7% to 1.34 million barrels, with 29 brewery closures and only 22 openings. This trend reflects changing alcohol consumption patterns and increased competition from alternative beverages. Despite the downturn, Houston's Saint Arnold Brewing saw a 5.2% sales increase. see more

🏠 Houston's Embrace of Housing Sprawl

A report from the George W. Bush Institute highlights Houston's suburban housing sprawl, which keeps housing affordable compared to coastal cities. From 2010 to 2023, Houston contributed 5.2% of new housing in the 250 largest U.S. metro areas. However, housing remains unaffordable for many low-income residents. see more

⚡️ Concerns Over National Weather Service Staffing

Houston-area Democratic Representatives are urging the Trump administration to address staffing shortages at the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office. With hurricane season approaching, unfilled positions pose risks for severe weather alerts and employee burnout. A formal response is requested by May 30. see more

❄️ Public Concern About Climate Change

A majority of Houston residents express concern about climate change, with 64.5% in Harris County reporting being "somewhat" or "very" worried. This concern is heightened due to the city's exposure to natural disasters and rising temperatures. see more

💵 Diverse Economic Growth in Houston

Houston has diversified its economy beyond oil and gas, incorporating renewable energy, healthcare, aerospace, and advanced technology. The city is home to the world's largest medical complex and has seen substantial investments in solar power and healthcare start-ups. Despite challenges like crime and infrastructure, Houston remains attractive for foreign investment. see more

🌞 Weather

Welp, I was wearing a hoodie this morning but looks like things are heating up this week.

That’s it for today! See you Thursday for our mid-week update.

Let’s have a great week.

Cheers!
Chris