😊 It’s Monday and life is good.  Get assertive and take control of your week.  You got this!

In this edition of Houstonicity:

·         Burning Rubber Smell Noticed In Houston

·         Houston Grand Opera Wins Grammy

·         Houston Musicians Mourn DJ Michael Watts

·         Bestselling Author To Speak At Houston Library

·         And more…

Today: 70F | 60F | ☁️ | 5% Precipitation | S 16 MPH Winds

Tuesday: 71F | 50F | ⛈️| 80% Precipitation | SSW 13 MPH Winds

Wednesday: 63F | 43F | 🌤️| 15% Precipitation | N 16 MPH Winds

Thursday: 65F | 46F | ☀️| 3% Precipitation | NNW 8 MPH Winds

Friday: 75F | 49F | ☀️ | 3% Precipitation | W 10 MPH Winds

Link for more weather information.

Many residents across Greater Houston reported a strong burning rubber smell Sunday morning, raising concern. The Houston Fire Department said it is aware of the reports and is monitoring the situation.

Some residents pointed to a large tire shop fire in Channelview from the night before, but fire officials have not confirmed it as the source. No active or confirmed fires are currently linked to the odor, and updates will be shared if more details emerge.

Houston Grand Opera earned a major win Sunday night, taking home a Grammy for Best Opera Recording for Intelligence. The honor marks the company’s third Grammy and puts Houston’s arts scene in the national spotlight.

Recorded live during its world premiere at the Wortham Theater Center, Intelligence celebrates bold creativity and teamwork. It is a proud moment for the artists who brought this powerful story to life.

Houston’s music community is mourning the loss of DJ Michael '5000' Watts, a local legend who helped shape the city’s hip-hop sound. After news of his death, artists across Houston shared memories online, reflecting on his impact and the doors he opened for others.

Watts founded Swishahouse Records and worked with artists like Big Slim, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones. He was remembered not just as a DJ, but as a driving force who helped define Houston hip-hop. A community event honoring his legacy is expected soon.

Houston readers are invited to a special author talk with Michael Harriot, an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Harriot will speak about his book Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America and share stories about the Black experience in America.

The free event takes place Saturday, February 7, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at the Julia Ideson Building. Registration is required, and seating is limited.

ADAIR KITCHEN

5161 SAN FELIPE ST, HOUSTON, TX 77056

I had breakfast at Adair Kitchen on San Felipe Street.  The restaurant was busy but I didn’t need to wait.  Ordering food was easy and I found the staff pleasant.  I ordered the Farmers Market Skillet which gives you 2 eggs any style, andouille sausage, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, purple onion, and goat cheese. I also got freshly squeezed orange juice. 

The orange juice was refreshing.  My sunny side up eggs worked well for this dish because the yolk mixed well with the rest of the skillet.  This skillet has a lot of greens between the spinach and kale, which is great for filling yourself up, but worth noting if you don’t like greens.  The andouille sausage was the star of the dish.  If you are not on a budget, order extra andouille sausage. For the $13 price, the Farmers Market Skillet has quite a bit of food and great taste.  Overall Score: 8.5/10.  I will definitely eat here again.

Visit Adair Kitchen to Learn More.

Houston’s job market kept moving forward in 2025, even during a slower year for hiring nationwide. According to data from the Texas Workforce Commission, the metro area added 14,800 jobs, a 0.4 percent increase. While that is below Houston’s long-term average, it still beat the national pace. Health care, restaurants, public education, and transportation led the gains, all areas that support everyday life for local families.

December added another 700 jobs, helped by strong holiday retail hiring. Total regional employment now stands at nearly 3.5 million jobs. The Greater Houston Partnership expects 2026 to bring a stronger rebound, offering hopeful signs for workers and businesses across the region.

Houston just secured a major win for the future. The FIRST Championship, the world’s largest youth robotics competition, will stay in Houston through 2034 under a new agreement starting in 2028. The event brings more than 50,000 students, families, and educators to the city each year and delivers an estimated $74 million economic impact every time it is held.

Leaders say the upcoming expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center played a key role in the decision. Beyond the dollars, the championship inspires young people through hands-on STEM learning. City leaders see it as an investment in both Houston’s economy and the next generation of innovators.

Thanks for reading Houstonicity. Houston is a great city and it’s the people that make it great. – O.B.

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