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Barack Obama and Me

It was the year 2000 and I was a young hungry reporter in Chicago covering a young hungry state legislator
Mescaline on the Mexican Border

Texas is the only state in the country where peyote is sold legally. Really.
A Prison Cover-up During Hurricane Rita

For days after the storm, inmates in Beaumont lived without A/C, electricity or hot meals. Press releases kept saying everything inside was fine. Guards and prisoners agree — that was nothing but B.S.
Little Bitty Burger Barn

"It's okay to be little bitty in the big city" is an apt slogan for this new burger joint, where sliders rule
Ghost Town CFS: Carriage House Cafe

Step back in time — to a spooky old carriage barn with a monster chicken-fried steak

Barack Obama and Me (253)

It was the year 2000 and I was a young hungry reporter in Chicago covering a young hungry state legislator
A Prison Cover-up During Hurricane Rita (20)

For days after the storm, inmates in Beaumont lived without A/C, electricity or hot meals. Press releases kept saying everything inside was fine. Guards and prisoners agree — that was nothing but B.S.
Save Lobo: A Siberian Husky Mix is Sentenced to Die (28)

Why? Because he's big and intimidating and because one family complained about him over and over again
Are You Hot Enough for Citizen Lounge? (7)

All This Useless Beauty
HoustonHipHop.com Relaunch Party (5)

"CSI: The Experience"

Exhibit inspired by CBS series puts you behind the evidence
Lisa Landolt and Jo Barrett

Two law-school-grads-turned-chick-lit-authors show us amore might be the death of us yet
Michael Winslow

The man with ten thousand noises comes to Houston
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade

Watch downtown turn into cowpoke heaven
Free First Sundays: Family Flicks

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston hosts four kid-friendly films

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National Features

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The Candidate

Our columnist knows Ralph Nader's running mate all too well.
By Matt Smith
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How Not To Be a Rap Star

First of all, lay off the Ecstasy.
By Nadia Pflaum
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What becomes a gossip columnist most?
By Michael Musto

Houston Roller Derby

Skating queens hit the rink -- and each other

By Bob Ruggiero

Published: July 12, 2007

The roller derby exhibition match “In Quad We Trust” pits Houston teams Psycho Ward Sirens against the Burlesque Brawlers and Machete Betties against the Bayou City Bosse$. While Houston has emerged as an unlikely city for the thriving revival of roller derby, local skater Pvt. BeenJammin’ wants you lily-livered girlie-men to know one thing: These skating sirens aren’t just lookers -- they can also probably kick your ass. “Hey, this is not the unruly, staged, theatrical performance from the ‘70s. We are strong, competitive athletes that train hard!” she says. And while there is, of course, a punker/Bettie Page sex appeal to these wheeled women, their miniskirts and fishnet stockings show off not just skin, but plenty of scratches, bruises and blood. For these derby queens, that’s just part of the game. The fact that the ladies take on personas and have fun with the “show” part of it adds to the appeal. While a venue that’s seen more rock shows than rink action might seem a funny location for an exhibition match, Pvt. BeenJammin’ says the League’s portable “Sport Court” fits in nice and snug -- just like a competitor’s head in the crook of her muscled arm.
Sun., June 17, 5 p.m.; Sun., July 15, 5 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 19, 5 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 16, 5 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 21, 5 p.m., 2007

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Arts & Entertainment

Most Popular

It was the year 2000 and I was a young hungry reporter in Chicago covering a young hungry state legislator

Texas is the only state in the country where peyote is sold legally. Really.

For days after the storm, inmates in Beaumont lived without A/C, electricity or hot meals. Press releases kept saying everything inside was fine. Guards and prisoners agree — that was nothing but B.S.

"It's okay to be little bitty in the big city" is an apt slogan for this new burger joint, where sliders rule

Step back in time — to a spooky old carriage barn with a monster chicken-fried steak

It was the year 2000 and I was a young hungry reporter in Chicago covering a young hungry state legislator

For days after the storm, inmates in Beaumont lived without A/C, electricity or hot meals. Press releases kept saying everything inside was fine. Guards and prisoners agree — that was nothing but B.S.

Why? Because he's big and intimidating and because one family complained about him over and over again

All This Useless Beauty

Exhibit inspired by CBS series puts you behind the evidence

Two law-school-grads-turned-chick-lit-authors show us amore might be the death of us yet

The man with ten thousand noises comes to Houston

Watch downtown turn into cowpoke heaven

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston hosts four kid-friendly films

Recent Articles By Bob Ruggiero

concert preview

Valient Thorr and Riverboat Gamblers perform Monday, August 6, at Red Room inside Meridian, 1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717. ASG and Totimoshi are also on the bill.

Grady performs Saturday, July 28, at the Continental Club, 3700 Main, 713-529-9899. Studio Magick Black is also on the bill.

Elvis on Speed and Amplified Heat perform Friday, July 13, at Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh, 713-521-0521.

Dave Mason performs Friday, June 15, at the Meridian, 1503 Chartres, 713-225-1717.

National Features

SF Weekly

The Pitch

Village Voice

Houston Roller Derby

Skating queens hit the rink -- and each other

By Bob Ruggiero

Houston Press Insiders