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Bayou City Art Festival Returns to Downtown Houston in the Fall
Blue Origin to launch its 1st astronaut flight with Jeff Bezos and crew of 3 today
Blue Origin will attempt a historic first crewed spaceflight Tuesday (July 20), as the company attempts to launch its billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and a crew of three to kick-start a space tourist program for those who’ve always wanted to fly in space.
If all goes to plan, the company’s New Shepard rocket and capsule will take off for an 11-minute journey, launching and landing outside Van Horn, Texas at Blue Origin facilities, dubbed Launch Site One. The rocket will carry the spacecraft on a suborbital path before separating, allowing the crew to descend in their capsule under parachutes for a ground landing. Liftoff is set for 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).
Crew member Wally Funk, 82, has been waiting for the longest flight opportunity. The Mercury 13 aviator tried six decades ago to join NASA’s astronaut corps but was excluded due to her gender and lack of military experience during an era when American women were excluded from military pilots. The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, didn’t reach orbit until 1983.
When Funk was asked in a CBS interview Monday (July 19) about her wait since she was a “twentysomething”, Funk joked that she still feels 24 years old. Indeed, the octogenarian said she plans to do “somersaults and tumble and do anything that I’ve learned to do” during her 19,600 hours of flight experience on Earth.
Bezos created Blue Origin in 2000 to chase down a childhood dream for spaceflight; he decided at a young age to become a rich entrepreneur to fund his way into becoming an astronaut and struck it rich after founding e-commerce giant Amazon in 1995.
“People say they go into space [and] that they come back changed; astronauts always talk about that,” Bezos told NBC Today on Monday. “I can’t wait to see what it’s going to do to me,” the long-time businessperson added.
Referring to the “overview effect” that some astronauts say they experience when they look at Earth from above, Bezos said he is anticipating seeing “the thin limit of the Earth’s atmosphere, and seeing how fragile the planet is, that it’s just one planet.”
Bezos’ brother Mark, a venture capitalist and volunteer firefighter told CBS that he is still in disbelief that he gets to experience such a rare opportunity that “your big brother loves.”
He added, “I fell in love with space, the promise of it, the adventure of it. I’m just so excited to be able to be there, and represent my mom and dad and our sister Christina, and supporting Jeff. Realizing this lifelong dream, it’s a real honor.”
Rounding out the crew is 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, whose father (Somerset Capital Partners CEO Joes Daemen) bankrolled the trip for an undisclosed amount. Daemen is working on a pilot’s license and has been interested in space since age four.
Daemen came onto the crew at the last minute after an auction winner, who successfully bid $28 million for a seat on the first flight, could not make the opportunity due to a scheduling conflict. As the runner-up bidder, Oliver moved up a flight from being scheduled on the second crew.
When asked by CBS how he was feeling, Daemen said while it’s been hard to sleep lately because of the anticipation, “the excitement just overtakes the nervousness” and he can’t wait to go up to space.
Source: www.space.com
Vaccination event planned late this afternoon in Houston
The Texas County Health Department announced it would offer an evening COVID-19 vaccination clinic Monday, July 19, at its North U.S. 63 facility in Houston.
The hours are 4 to 7 p.m. It will be Johnson & Johnson, the single-dose vaccine.
Southwest Missouri is in the national spotlight due to a big jump of cases prompted by a low vaccination rate and the arrival of the delta variant. In Texas County, only about 20 percent are fully vaccinated.
Source: www.houstonherald.com
Galveston County Health District confirms 156 COVID-19 cases, including fully vaccinated residents
The Galveston County Health District has confirmed 156 COVID-19 cases, including fully vaccinated residents, were tied to the recent outbreak at a church camp.
Health officials said 25 of those test samples have tested positive for the Delta variant. Officials said out of the 156 cases, 20 fully vaccinated residents tested positive for the coronavirus. The health district identifies those cases as “breakthrough cases.”
In addition to the 156 cases, another 10 county residents have self-reported testing positive for the virus to the health district, according to officials. The health district said it will continue investigating those reports as they are not all confirmed cases.
Sources: www.click2houston.com
Houston Methodist sees alarming spike in COVID-19 cases hospitalizations
Houston Methodist Hospital says it is seeing an “alarming spike” in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the Houston area.
According to the hospital, staff reported the steepest increase of cases over the weekend, adding stress to many of its hospitals that are nearing capacity.
Officials with Houston Methodist said it had a little over 100 COVID-19 patients across its hospital system, but as of Monday, it has more than 185 COVID-19 patients. According to officials, the majority of its hospitalizations are those who are unvaccinated. About 85% of its hospitalized COVID-19 patients have the Delta variant, officials said.
The hospital also identified its first Lambda variant.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Virus cases test Olympic organizers’ assurances
Two South African soccer players became the first athletes inside the Olympic Village to test positive for COVID-19, and other cases connected to the Tokyo Games were also confirmed Sunday, highlighting the herculean task organizers face to keep the virus contained while the world’s biggest sports event plays out.
The positive tests came as some of the 11,000 athletes and thousands of more team officials expected from across the globe began arriving, having traveled through a pandemic to get to Tokyo.
They’ll all now live in close quarters in the Olympic Village on Tokyo Bay over the next three weeks.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said last week there was “zero” risk of athletes passing on the virus to Japanese or other residents of the village. But that bold statement was already being tested.
The Olympics, which were postponed for a year because of the pandemic, are set to officially open Friday and run until Aug. 8.
The two soccer players and a team video analyst who also tested positive had been moved to “the Tokyo 2020 isolation facility,” the South African Olympic committee said. The rest of the squad members and officials had also been quarantined.
Those positive tests further stoked local fears, with the South African team scheduled to play against host nation Japan in its first game on Thursday.
There have already been consistent opposition from the Japanese public to holding the Olympics during the pandemic, with fears that it could become a super-spreader event and cause a spike in infections among Japanese people.
Bach and the IOC have insisted it will be safe and have forged ahead against most medical advice. The IOC says it sees the Games as a chance to foster international solidarity during difficult times, but the IOC would also lose billions of dollars in broadcast rights if the Games were to be canceled completely.
Also Sunday, Team South Africa confirmed the coach of its rugby sevens team also tested positive at a pre-Olympics training camp in the southern Japanese city of Kagoshima. He was also in isolation there and would miss the entire rugby competition, the team said.
And there were other Olympics-related positive tests. Olympic organizers said that another athlete had tested positive, although they were not residing in the Olympic Village. The athlete was not named and only identified as “non-Japanese.”
The first International Olympic Committee official was reported as positive. He recorded a positive test on Saturday when arriving at a Tokyo airport. The IOC confirmed the test and identified him as IOC member Ryu Seung-min of South Korea. He was reportedly being held in isolation, too.
Former distance runner and world championship bronze medalist Tegla Loroupe, the chief of mission of the IOC’s Refugee Olympic Team, tested positive for COVID-19 before the team was to depart its Doha, Qatar, training base for Tokyo, two people with knowledge of her condition told the AP. The team delayed its arrival in Tokyo while Loroupe is expected to stay behind, according to the two people, who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to reveal medical information.
Organizers say that 55 people linked to the Olympics in Japan have reported positive tests since July 1, but that figure does not include athletes or others who may have arrived for training camps but are not yet under the “jurisdiction” of the organizing committee.
The British Olympic Association said six athletes and two staff in the track and field squad are isolating at the team’s pre-Olympic base in Yokohama after being deemed close contacts of a person who tested positive following their flight to Japan. U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff didn’t travel to Japan after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Tokyo reported 1,008 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the 29th straight day that cases were higher than seven days previously. It was also the fifth straight day with more than 1,000 cases. The Olympics will open under a state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures.
No fans, Japanese or foreign, will be allowed at any of the Olympic sports in Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures. A few outlying venues may allow a small number of local fans, but it has effectively become a TV-only event.
About 200 protesters gathered Sunday outside Shinjuku station in central Tokyo, waving signs that read “No Olympics.” It was the latest in a series of small protests against the Games in the last few months.
“This is ignoring human rights and our right to life,” protester Karoi Todo told the AP. “Infections are increasing. To do the Olympics is unforgivable.”
Japanese and IOC organizers hope stringent testing protocols, where athletes, team officials, and others are tested daily, will mitigate the risks posed by the thousands of foreigners arriving at once. Visiting athletes, officials and media will be in a “soft quarantine” situation and restricted to the Olympic venues, the village, and designated hotels, and will be kept away from the Japanese general public. The IOC also says more than 80% of the athletes set to compete in Tokyo will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
But, despite the assurances, the positive tests five days out from the opening ceremony showed the regulations aren’t — and can’t be — foolproof.
The South African team’s chief medical officer said every member of the team had two negative tests before traveling to Japan “as per Tokyo 2020 requirements.” They also tested negative on arrival in Tokyo, Dr. Phatho Zondi said.
“Team officials and management have followed all relevant Olympic Playbook rules, protocols, and procedures throughout the pre-Games and Games arrival routines,” the South African Olympic committee said.
Coach Neil Powell and the entire South Africa rugby squad were held at a quarantine facility after arriving in Japan because of a positive COVID test on their flight, Team South Africa said. They were cleared to leave, only for Powell to test positive a few days later.
Powell had been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine in South Africa on May 24, team spokesman JJ Harmse told the AP.
South African Olympic and soccer officials didn’t immediately confirm whether the two soccer players and officials who tested positive had been vaccinated, although South Africa’s Olympic committee said in May it would offer all its Olympic athletes the J&J vaccine.
The Olympics were effectively over before they began for the two soccer players and Powell as they would have to remain in quarantine for 14 days under Japanese regulations.
The only way the soccer players might be able to play is if their team made the semifinals.
Source: www.click2houston.com
5 Texas House Democrats who traveled to Washington, D.C., have tested positive for coronavirus
Five Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives who traveled to Washington D.C. last week have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
The five lawmakers are among House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., to stave off GOP priority voting bills during the special legislative session. The members who tested positive all have been fully vaccinated, which helps protect against severe illness. All of the lawmakers are showing no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
The House Democratic Caucus announced on Saturday that three Democrats had tested positive. After further precautionary testing, two more members tested positive for COVID-19, the caucus announced late Sunday.
San Antonio Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said Sunday he was among the two new positive tests.
“Today, I received a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test result. I am fully vaccinated and had tested negative on Friday and Saturday. I am quarantining until I test negative, and I am grateful to be only experiencing extremely mild symptoms,” he said in a statement, which urged the public to get vaccinated and said he will continue to participate in the quorum break.
Earlier Sunday, Austin Rep. Celia Israel said in a statement she was among the initial three to test positive.
The House Democratic Caucus said it would not identify lawmakers who test positive out of respect for their privacy. But the caucus has started additional precautionary measures, like providing daily rapid tests for all lawmakers and their staff in Washington, D.C.
On Friday night, one member tested positive for the coronavirus and immediately alerted colleagues, who, in addition to staff members, took rapid tests. On Saturday morning, two additional members tested positive after taking rapid tests. The cases were first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
In a statement, Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, the caucus chair, said the caucus is adhering to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and following protocols. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive and they are showing no symptoms. Also, if traveling in the United States, fully vaccinated people do not need to get tested or self-quarantine before or after travel.
“This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions,” Turner said. “We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work.”
A small percentage of vaccine breakthrough cases, in which a fully vaccinated person tests positive for the coronavirus, have been expected, according to the CDC, but they are rare and do not discount the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
The number of average coronavirus cases reported in Texas each day in the last week has increased by almost 1,000 cases compared with the average a week ago, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Hospitalizations have also increased, and as of July 14, more than 2,500 Texans were hospitalized. On Saturday, the state hit a positivity rate of more than 10%. The positivity rate measures how prevalent the virus is in Texas based on positive test results.
The highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus has raised the alarm of some health experts. At least three cases from a recent outbreak at a Houston-area church camp have been confirmed to be the delta variant.
In recent days, Republican lawmakers, who have criticized House Democrats’ move to break quorum, have urged their colleagues to return to the Capitol before the current special session ends Aug. 6. More than 51 Democrats left the state last week, leaving the House without the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct business. However, a handful of Democrats have remained adamant that they don’t plan on returning to the state any time soon.
In a statement on Saturday, House Speaker Dade Phelan wrote on Twitter that he extended his “prayers for safety and health” to Democratic caucus members.
Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, said on Thursday he would charter a plane this weekend to Austin to retrieve Texas Democrats from the nation’s capital. A move to issue a “call of the house,” which permits lawmakers to track down lawmakers who have fled the House chamber, passed in the House on Wednesday. However, Texas law enforcement does not have jurisdiction in Washington, D.C., so it’s not clear if the procedural move has any power until lawmakers return to the state.
Source: www.click2houston.com
Splashtown closed after over 100 people decontaminated following chemical leak
Over 100 people were treated Saturday afternoon after a chemical leak at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, according to local officials. Investigators believe the leak was some sort of mixture of bleach and sulfuric acid.
According to Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, 31 people were taken to the hospital while 55 refused transport. Officials said those affected were decontaminated before being allowed to leave the park.
As of Sunday morning, all 28 patients treated by the Memorial Hermann medical system had been discharged in good condition, according to a representative.
In a statement Sunday, a Splashtown representative said the park will remain closed Sunday and Monday as an investigation into Saturday’s incident continues.
The representative said preliminary findings indicate there was a vapor release in a small outdoor section of the park that quickly dissipated.
“We are working hand in hand with Harris County Public Health officials, along with third-party industry experts, to determine a cause, and we will reopen when we are confident it is safe to do so,” the representative said in a statement. “It is our understanding that all impacted guests and team members have been released and are back home. The safety of our guests and employees is always our top priority.”
Fire crews responded to Splashtown around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. According to investigators, the incident started in the kiddie pool area when a lifeguard became sick. Shortly after, more people became sick including children.
Officials said most people experienced minor skin and inhalation irritation. A 3-year-old child was rushed to the hospital but is in stable condition. A woman went into labor during the evaluation and is doing fine.
Investigators said the system that controls the chemicals at the water park did not have any alarms or readings set off.
HCFMO hazmat is investigating to identify the cause of the incident and to verify the chemicals involved. They said they took water and air samples and that the levels appear to be normal at this time. Officials will continue to monitor the air and water quality.
County Judge Lina Hildago has ordered the park to close down until further investigation. Officials said Six Flags is cooperating.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the last time Splashtown had an inspection was June 2021.
Steven Morris and his 9-year-old daughter Lia are among the more than 30 people who were rushed to a local hospital following the leak at Splashtown.
“I thought it was a terrorist attack it felt like we got gassed,” said Steven Morris.
He said he knew something was wrong when his daughter began crying and vomiting. Doctors and nurses said her oxygen levels were low.
“I just started coughing and then my eyes swelled up,” said Lia Morris.
Another father said he smelled a harsh smell and quickly realized something was wrong.
“You don’t plan your day around something like this you know… stuff happens but you never expect something like this you know,” Hunter said.
He shared videos that show the chaotic scene following a chemical leak at Splashtown.
“You see the videos of the people rioting it’s almost like that man. People running everywhere it’s chaotic,” Hunter said. “I talked to some lifeguards that are here from Splashtown and they informed me that the chemicals were mixed wrong.”
Hunter said he is concerned for his son and potential long-term effects.
“My son, he’s still in the hospital right now. They are monitoring him for six hours. I think the main thing we are worried about is the long-term effects.”
The father said this was not the day he was expecting.
“You started the day trying to make memories at Splashtown and now you end up here at the emergency room,” he said. “It’s very traumatic, man. My heart goes out to all the families out there and all the kids. It couldn’t happen in the worst spot.”
“At approximately 2:30 this afternoon, a small number of guests in a section of the park reported feeling ill with respiratory irritation. The safety of our guests and team member is always our highest priority and the park was immediately cleared as we try to determine a cause. Out of an abundance of caution, the park has been closed for the day.”
“Related to a reported chemical spill in the Spring area yesterday, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center received a total of 21 patients, and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center received a total of seven patients. All 28 patients have been discharged in good condition.”
Source: www.click2houston.com
M-Line Trolley Celebrates 32 Years of Service to Dallas
On Thursday, July 22, the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) will celebrate 32 years of streetcar service to Dallas residents, businesses, and visitors.
In 1983, MATA was founded to return heritage streetcars to the urban fabric of Dallas. Two Dallas residents, Phil Cobb and Ed Landrum, began championing the idea after discovering tracks on McKinney Avenue that had been paved over and forgotten. On July 22, 1989, the McKinney Avenue Trolley celebrated the grand opening of its 2.8-mile route.
The M-Line has expanded several times over the years, eventually reaching a total of 4.6 miles in length. The first expansion opened in 2002, extending the route north to connect to DART’s Cityplace/Uptown Station, followed by the construction of a turntable in 2011. The second expansion opened in 2015, creating the southern loop in downtown Dallas that connects riders to DART’s St. Paul Station.
Currently served by seven vintage cars, the M-Line trolley provides more than 600,000 rides every year within Uptown and Downtown Dallas.
A selection of historical photos:
Looking north from Olive Street
Looking west from McKinney and Maple-Routh
Source: dart.org
SpaceJam: A New Legacy!
SPOILER ALERT! – There will be some spoilers below so if you have yet to see the movie SpaceJam: A New Legacy, proceed with caution.
Que Onda! We are everywhere you need us to be!
SpaceJam: A New Legacy came out Friday, July 16 starring LeBron James and the Tune Squad. This movie focuses on the relationship between LeBron and his son, Dominic “Dom.” The four-time NBA Champion played himself in the movie but with a twist! He portrays a strict father who wants his children to take after him with his love and passion for basketball. However, his son Dom is more of a gamer and has a passion for creating video games. This creates a strain between the two, which allows the protagonist, Al G. to swindle his way in. Al G. challenges LeBron to a basketball game where LeBron has to fight back to get his son and escape Al G’s digitalized world. LeBron is then sent to Tune World to gather his team and prepare them for what’s to come!
You will see a lot of familiar characters like Bugz Bunny, Marvin the Martin, Donald Duck, and even Rick and Morty! Don’t miss out on watching this great film – get your tickets now!