Photograph and article by Laura Coburn Take a shower. Unless Iggy himself touched your shirt, wash it. And once you’ve cleaned up, it is time to begin mental and physical detox. Sleep in. Go to breakfast- swing by Christy’s Doughnuts if you just want something quick and cheap, just in time to crawl back into bed. If you’re feeling more adventurous, head over to Buffalo Grille for some pancakes. After breakfast, and perhaps a bit more sleep, find your closest pool, whip out that sweaty swimsuit you haven’t touched since FPSF, and find a peaceful spot to lay out your ... Read More »

By Alex Wukman Jesus, a decade. When the Free Press started most of us didn’t think it would last 10 months let alone 10 years. Like all businesses, the paper struggled early on. There are legendary stories of staffers getting paid in weed. Because of the lack of resources, the early years relied on the drive and dedication of the people involved to make the paper happen. No one was at the Free Press to get rich–people were there because they believed in it. Sadly, nothing can stay young and reckless forever. Over the years, the paper has become respectable. ... Read More »

By Amanda Hart Illustration by Blake Jones How many times have you been sitting around with friends sharing some beers and wished that not only was there a beer fairy to replenish your stash but also one that would bring you some food? Well, wishing is now a thing of the past. Allow me to introduce Liam Musgrove and his genius business adventure, Clutch Delivery. What is Clutch Delivery? Clutch Delivery is the go-between for people that want to travel less and [still get] the things that they need.  Anyone can send us a shopping list and Clutch Delivery will ... Read More »

Houston is a city defined by a lack of zoning. While the majority of US cities plan which areas they want designated for shopping centers, businesses, bars or residences, Houston isn’t tied down by that invisible government map. That lone bar down the street from your house, the adult video store next to your church, the scattered clusters of skyscrapers , all these phenomena are gifts of Houston’s non-zoning approach to city planning. The parking problem, largely created by the lack of zoning laws, has ironically prompted the city to pass parking ordinances. These ordinances have the potential to become ... Read More »

 Illustrations by Blake Jones and John Forse  “Opinions are like nipples, everybody has one. Some have firm points, others are barely discernible through layers, and some are displayed at every opportunity regardless of whether the audience has stated, ‘I am interested in your nipples’ or not.” ― David Thorne Now, before you go getting all butthurt, please note that the opinions expressed in these next several pages are simply that: opinions. Everyone has got ‘em and everyone is entitled to ‘em. These statements are not meant to offend, rather they are meant to alert you to things you may not ... Read More »

In a culture dominated by internet shopping, online gaming, and socializing through sites like Facebook and Twitter, the more “connected” we seem to be, somehow, the less connected we feel. That’s where the Lone Star Bazaar comes in. The Lone Star Bazaar is all about getting you off that couch or out of your chair, and into the fresh air and social atmosphere of a market. With lots of locals embracing community driven pop up events like this, it’s obvious that Houston is defining itself. Bringing the community together is a big part of what makes the Lone Star Bazaar ... Read More »

Peep Shelby Hohl’s killer animation on the Noise Ordinance with music by Future Blondes and our interview with Montrose legend Merlyn! Read More »

By: Erin Dyer The past few months I’ve been in a constant state of physical discomfort. Chronic heartburn, chest pains, and a mysterious fainting spell. Even I will admit that I can be a little dramatic at times, but I knew this was not something to swat away like a summer mosquito. After Google-searching and WebMDing the shit out of my symptoms, I had myself fully convinced that I had experienced a heart attack– so I finally got myself to the doc. Okay, so it turns out my drama got the best of me; I didn’t have a heart attack. ... Read More »

By Alex Wukman Once that big new H-E-B opened we all knew it was just a matter of time before market forces came in and Montrose Fiesta went out. We tried to prevent it from happening, but it was all for naught.  And when we heard that current owner Suzanne Levin was seeking variances seemingly designed solely to make the property more attractive to potential buyers, well we put two and two together and came up depressed. But it wasn’t real. It was an abstraction, like nuclear war, something that might happen but probably wouldn’t. Who would want to buy ... Read More »

  by M. Martin I am, be it freely admitted, older than dirt. When I first started hanging out in Montrose, Sid Vicious was still alive, Ronald Reagan was merely an embarrassment to the state of California…and Montrose had neighborhood grocery stores.  Oh, there were encroachments by large corporate chains–but there was also Butera’s on Bissonnet, The old Alabama Grocery at Jack Street, Richwood Market (AKA “Freaky Foods”) on Richmond, and numerous small examples of what used to be called “Drive-ins”, like Lankford Grocery (still there, but now just a mom and pop burger stand). One of the biggest “chain ... Read More »