UHPD and Houston Fire Department personnel were notified of the incident and on the scene within minutes. | Glissette Santana/The Cougar

In the third reported attempt at UH this year, a person attempted suicide by jumping off the East Parking Garage roof today.

Between 12:10 and 12:15 p.m., the man, who has not been confirmed as a student, jumped off the garage, UHPD said. A student said he heard a yell, and saw another student rush to the injured man and began performing CPR on him.

“I heard somebody yell, and that was it,” said another student at the scene, who wished to remain anonymous. “Then I saw the body on the ground.”

A UHPD officer who was on bike patrol near the garage saw the incident and arrived at the scene within minutes. A representative of the University said the man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital and is in critical condition.

The East Parking Garage is across the street from the Bauer College of Business, near Chinese Star.

UHPD officers on the scene would not comment on the incident.

UH Counseling and Psychological Services is at Student Service Center 1 Rm. 226, and CAPS counselors can be reached at 713-743-5454. CAPS offers QPR Suicide Prevention. “Question, Persuade, Refer” helps students recognize signs of suicidal tendencies and provides steps on how to help themselves or others suffering from suicidal tendencies or thoughts.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“BREAKING: Attempted suicide at East Parking Garage” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

UHPD and Houston Fire Department personnel were notified of the incident and on the scene within minutes. | Glissette Santana/The Cougar

In the third reported attempt at UH this year, a person attempted suicide by jumping off the East Parking Garage roof today.

Between 12:10 and 12:15 p.m., the man, who has not been confirmed as a student, jumped off the garage, UHPD said. A student said he heard a yell, and saw another student rush to the injured man and begin performing CPR on him.

“I heard somebody yell, and that was it,” said another student at the scene, who wished to remain anonymous. “Then I saw the body on the ground.”

A UHPD officer who was on bike patrol near the garage saw the incident and arrived at the scene within minutes. A representative of the University said the man was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital and is in critical condition.

The East Parking Garage is across the street from the Bauer College of Business, near Chinese Star.

UHPD officers on the scene would not comment on the incident.

UH Counseling and Psychological Services is at Student Service Center 1 Rm. 226, and CAPS counselors can be reached at 713-743-5454. CAPS offers QPR Suicide Prevention. “Question, Persuade, Refer” helps students recognize signs of suicidal tendencies and provides steps on how to help themselves or others suffering from suicidal tendencies or thoughts.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Attempted suicide at East Parking Garage” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

The Central Plant at the time of its construction. | File photo/The Cougar

The loud, screeching sound coming from the central plant next to the M.D. Anderson Library is a result of valve testing, according to a University spokesperson.

The plant’s contractor is testing a new valve throughout the day. The noise, while alarming, is created by the valve’s steam and is not an indicator of anything unsafe.

You might want to invest in earplugs, though — the testing is expected to continue through the remainder of the day.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“Loud noises from central plant a result of testing” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

In light of Blue Bell’s recall of all its products, the future of Shasta’s Ice Cream and More is in doubt. | File photo/The Cougar

UPDATE: Shasta’s Ice Cream and More has developed an interim distribution deal with Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream that will keep its doors open following Blue Bell’s recall.

Shasta’s, which only sold Blue Bell before its supply of ice cream was potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, will serve Ashby’s after it receives its first full shipment on Thursday and will resume full service on the following day, according to a UH statement.

Shasta’s plans to continue its 10-year relationship with Blue Bell once the Brenham-based creamery confirms that its products are safe.

“With the students, faculty, staff and campus visitors in mind, Shasta’s will continue to provide quality customer service and products,” according to a UH statement. “Customers will be notified once Blue Bell products are safe and back on the menu.”

April 20: Blue Bell has expanded its recall to all of its products, as announced earlier today on the company website. This brings Shasta’s Ice Cream and More into question. The ice cream shop exclusively serves Blue Bell products shipped from Blue Bell’s Brenham plant. It also serves coffee, candy and pastries.

“Blue Bell Ice Cream of Brenham, Texas, is voluntarily recalling all of its products currently on the market made at all of its facilities including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,” the statement reads.

An email to a UH administrator invovled with Shasta’s has not been returned.

Originally, Blue Bell only recalled products that were shipped from its Broken Arrow, Okla. plant. The first recall was announced April 7 after the plant’s products were potentially exposed to the bacteria.

Symptoms of Listerosis includes fever, diarrhea, stiff neck, nausea and muscle aches. If you start to develop any possible symptoms of Listerosis, which can present themselves anywhere from three to 70 days after contact with the bacteria, contact your doctor as soon as possible or visit the UH Health Center.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UPDATE: Shasta’s finds temporary partner after Blue Bell expands recall” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Houston is one of the best places to be wined and dined in. That’s why we were upset that students failed to recognize that in Coogs Choose. | Izmail Glosson/The Cougar

A few weeks ago, I was chowing down on a $3 cheeseburger a block away from campus. This burger had my head spinning — the finely-ground, juicy beef crumbled during each bite, and that perfect, single slice of American cheese melted and meshed into the crisp veggies and buttery bun.

The family-owned eatery, Cream Burger, has been up and running for 54 years. And to this day, the source of its quirky, noteworthy name remains a mystery.

“You’d have to ask my parents that — they’re no longer with us,” said Sandra Greenwood, 55, who is one of the restaurant’s co-owners. “But I’d have to say it’s because we have ice cream and hamburgers.”

Houston is chock-full of these hidden gems, ones that are breeding grounds for cultural crossover and conversation. For every Cream Burger, there’s a Kanomwan Thai, one of the Second Ward’s most authentic Thai offerings. Then there’s Moontower Inn, Houston’s only brewpub that also cooks up a mean venison dog and burgers topped with fried eggs and jalapenos.

That’s why it was disheartening to see students voted McDonald’s as the city’s best hamburger, Starbucks as Houston’s best coffeeshop and Chipotle as our best burrito in this year’s (and The Cougar’s first ever) Coogs Choose edition, a best of Houston edition that was originally supposed to feature only voted-on categories and winners.

Houston is one of the nation’s best cities to eat and be entertained in. Our city’s population fulfills America’s identity as a melting pot better than any other. Call me crazy, but I’m not sure every city in the United States has Cuban bistros that a Vietnamese family can be seen packing into on a Saturday, or a hole-in-the-wall soul food kitchen that young professionals will wait three hours or more to eat at. That’s something that I believe is unique to Coog City.

So, you’ll see The Cougar staff’s dining, entertainment and lifestyle favorites highlighted throughout Coogs Choose. These aren’t places that were voted on, but they’re ones that members of The Cougar and the Center for Student Media think represent Houston and all of its layered cultures and inspiring character. We hope you’ll learn to call these places your favorite Houston hangs, too.

Oh, and if you find yourself grabbing a bite at Cream Burger, stay off your cellphone while you order at the front counter. Rumor has it the owner won’t hesitate to slam the screen door shut on you mid-sentence. I don’t think they do that at McDonald’s.

— Cara Smith, editor in chief

“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.

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“Coogs Choose: Students, get to know your Houston” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

In Houston, it’s not so much what you’re studying as where you’re studying. Whether you’re looking for a coffeehouse with great brunch or belly dancing, we’ve got the best of the Bayou City lined up.

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“Caffeine overload: The Cougar picks best coffeehouses” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

If you go to UH, you’re now a Houstonian. It doesn’t matter if you grew up around Houston or if you’re from out of state or country. Discover (or rediscover) one of the nation’s most vibrant cities the way it’s meant to be discovered — with good friends during even better nights.

Best Club

Limelight
Limelight is the perfect place to dance and rage on a night out in Midtown. Patrons can expect to feel their feet shake upon stepping through the doors from the heavy bass of EDM or rap music. Complete with multiple bars, two floors, cages and go-go dancers, Limelight is a great place for young singles.
2nd Place: Stereo Live
3rd Place: Drink Houston

Best Country Bar

Wild West
Wild West is a great place for everyone who enjoys some good country music. True to its motto of ‘Wild West is Texas, Two-Steppin’ & Longneckin’, its solid oak dance floor is a match made in heaven for your boots.
The atmosphere is complete with the DJ playing the hottest country music and Top 40 pop and hip hop songs, while fresh fajitas and other appetizers are always available in between dancing.
2nd Place: Midnight Rodeo
3rd Place: Buckwild

Best Live Music Venue

House of Blues | Cara Smith/The Cougar

House of Blues
The House of Blues Houston is a unique venue that allows fans to see some of the biggest names in music up close and personal in an intimate setting with an amazing atmosphere. Tickets are affordable and the restaurant and bar have a divine variety of options. This venue has become one of the city’s top spots for live music performances and it’s easy to see why.
2nd Place: Fitzgerald’s
3rd Place: Warehouse Live

Best Bar, Best Place to Watch UH Away Games

Calhoun’s Rooftop Bar and Grill
Calhoun’s Rooftop Bar and Grill’s big draw is its location – a door wedged next to The Nook on campus takes you to a dark, gray flight of stairs, which open out to an airy, open-window bar and rooftop. As temperatures rise, Calhoun’s becomes the perfect spot to grab a pint of beer and overlook the spectacular downtown skyline. Those who aren’t big beer fans won’t be disappointed – Calhoun’s also serves cocktails and shots, several of which are UH-themed, and a full menu of appetizers, burgers, flatbreads and Sunday brunch.
2nd Place: Pub Fiction, Buffalo Wild Wings
3rd Place: The Den

*The Cougar’s Staff Pick for Best Bar

Neil’s Bahr
Who said you can’t have your alcohol and video games together — in public? Even if you just want to strike up a conversation with a crowd that’s just into gaming as you are, this is the place for you. With arcade games, table games and console games, there’s something here for everyone. Keep in mind that this place can get crowded on the weekends.

Best Live Music Venue

House of Blues
The House of Blues Houston is a unique venue that allows fans to see some of the biggest names in music up close and personal in an intimate setting with an amazing atmosphere. Tickets are affordable and the restaurant and bar have a divine variety of options. This venue has become one of the city’s top spots for live music performances and it’s easy to see why.
2nd Place: Fitzgerald’s
3rd Place: Warehouse Live

Best Local Music Act

Courtesy of A More Perfect Union

A More Perfect Union
The Pearland-based band has been making quite a name for themselves by streaming their music online and performing all over Houston. The 4-piece rock band formed together in Spring of 2014 and has already found their own sound, a blend of alternative rock and punk rock. Blink-182 and Green Day are among the band’s influences.
2nd Place: Only Beast
3rd Place: Football, etc.

Best Date Spot

Top Golf
Top Golf won’t leave you bored. The entertainment monolith combines driving-range golfing with a full bar, restaurant and bar games that’ll give you and your date plenty of ways to break the ice. It gets crowded on weekend nights, though, with wait times climbing above three hours or more, so be sure to arrive early or make a reservation.
2nd Place: Hermann Park
3rd Place: Discovery Green

Best Movie Theater

AMC Theatres
Voted the best in Houston, AMC goes above and beyond to provide the greatest variety of films in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.
Depending on your budget, locations like Studio 30 on Dunvale come complete with a bar, plenty of concessions, and every rendition of Coke you can think of.
2nd Place: Edwards Cinema
3rd Place: Studio Movie Grill

Cara Smith/The Cougar

*The Cougar’s Staff Pick for Best Movie Theater

River Oaks Theater
The River Oaks Theater is a historic three-screen theater north of downtown. Notable for its Art Deco style, the theater’s focus is on screening previously released, indie and cult films. This landmark is a great place to hang out with friends.

Best Record Store

Cactus Music
With an extensive collection, Cactus Music doesn’t disappoint customers looking for vinyl records and impressive prices. If being a source for records isn’t enough, Cactus Music also hosts live music with free beer on the weekends.
2nd Place: Best Buy
3rd Place: Half Price Books

*Coog Radio’s Favorite Record Stores

Bigstock

• Sound Exchange
  Though it doesn’t have as much of a selection as Cactus Music, Sound Exchange is a great destination for those who have a specific niche.
• Cactus Music
  If being a source for records isn’t enough, Cactus Music also hosts live music with free beer on the weekends.
• Sig’s Lagoon
  The chance to enjoy all that music you heard your parents playing around the house or in their car will keep you sifting through cassettes, CDs and vinyls for hours.
• Vinal Edge Records
  With a constant stream of new and old music coming in, Vinal Edge is a great place to revisit often.
• Heights
  A one-stop shop for old jazz and blues records, Heights Vinyl is another niche shop that won’t have much outside of its genre. It is a good place to get a turntable.

“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.

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“Worth the Splurge: Coogs Choose 2015 Entertainment winners” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings
Customers can choose the sauce the wings are tossed in, ranging from super spicy to sweet. In addition to wings, BWW also offers tasty appetizers, like mozzarella sticks and potato wedges.
2nd Place: Wing Stop
3rd Place: Pluckers

Best Taco

Torchy’s Tacos
It’s one of the trendiest places in Houston to get a taco. Torchy’s is also affordable for students, with tacos costing around $4 each.
2nd Place: Taco Bell
3rd Place: Taco Cabana

Best Pizza

Pink’s Pizza
The opening of Pink’s on campus has answered our pizza and beer needs. Even though we dole out $7 for a slice, we leave Pink’s with no regrets. It’s helped to boost UH’s campus nightlife and vastly improved our on-campus dining.
2nd Place: Pizza Hut
3rd Place: Star Pizza

Best Sandwich

McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is a favorite for students because it is easy to get to on campus and accepts Cougar Cash in exchange for their delicious sandwiches. They offer a variety of sandwiches ranging from classic to grilled. In addition to tasty sandwiches, McAlister’s Deli also has salads, soups, spuds and desserts.
2nd Place: Subway
3rd Place: Chick-Fil-A

Best Pho

Pho Saigon Noodle House
With six locations around the city, it’s not hard to see why Pho Saigon is great for students.
2nd Place: Mai’s Restaurant
3rd Place: Pho Binh

Courtesy of Chipotle

Best Off-Campus Lunch

Chipotle Mexican Grill
The grill has a little something for everyone, with plenty of options for your burrito or bowl.
2nd Place: Whataburger
3rd Place: Chinese Star

Best Breakfast

IHOP
Being open 24 hours is a big plus for college students. A Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruit never fails to hit the spot.
2nd Place: Breakfast Klub
3rd Place: McDonald’s

Best 24-Hour Diner

IHOP
The diner offers classic breakfast dishes such as pancakes, eggs, omelettes, waffles and crepes as well as lunch and dinner items like hamburgers, salads and desserts.
2nd Place: Dot’s Coffee Shop
3rd Place: House of Pies

Best Restaurant to Broaden your Horizon

Katz’s Deli and Bar
This late-night spot is the perfect place for when you crave a taste of the Big Apple. If you’re hungry after burning some calories on the Midtown dance floors, look no further than Katz’s, because it never closes.
2nd Place: Cafe 101
3rd Place: Sweet Paris

Best $5 Lunch

McDonald’s
McDonald’s won’t break the bank and makes grabbing lunch as convenient as ever.
2nd Place: Subway
3rd Place: Taco Bell

Best Coffehouse

Starbucks
You never have to stress about finding a nearby Starbucks location. But for us, that’s where the advantages end.
2nd Place: The Nook
3rd Place: Agora

Best Place to Study Off-Campus

Starbucks
With artisan coffee and pastries at affordable prices, it’s no wonder students flock here to get their study on.
2nd Place: Agora
3rd Place: The Nook

Courtesy of Cheesecake Factory

Best dessert

Cheesecake Factory
There’s a variety of flavors to choose from, such as Oreo and Reese’s. If you’re not a fan of cheesecake, there are still plenty of desserts for you to enjoy.
2nd Place: The Chocolate Bar
3rd Place: House of Pies

“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.

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“Food & Drink: Coogs Choose 2015 Winners” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

For Houston’s next generation of rappers, the throne is ready for the taking. We’ve highlighted four who have embraced the city’s hip-hop history while distinguishing themselves from the growing group looking to fill the city’s rap void.

“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.

—
“Third Coast Wave: The Cougar’s staff picks on the best young Houston rappers” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Reaching that glorious age is exciting for anyone, but those of us in the Bayou City party even harder. When planning your night, stick with these tried-and-true hotspots that promise a good time.

The Group Activity

Courtesy of TopGolf Houston

TopGolf

TopGolf has entertainment for all ages, and not in the cheesy way your parents hope for. There’s full bar and craft beer pints, but your under-21 buds won’t be shortchanged on things to do. Your group can golf, eat dinner, play pool or just hang out at the bar, which requires ID for only those drinking.

The Dinner Spot

Courtesy of Hay Merchant

The Hay Merchant
For dinner, take your crew to The Hay Merchant on Westheimer. It’s the perfect place to wet your whistle, as the bar boasts over 30 taps that rotate throughout the season. You’ll be able to figure out your preference in beer, all while waiting for your Cease and Desist burger to arrive.

The First Bar

Little Woodrow’s
Little Woodrow’s is a good bar to know. There’s several of them scattered around Houston, but the most popular location is on Brazos Street. It’s a fairly casual place, and it’s in the center of Midtown, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of popular bars in Houston. On Thursdays during summer months, you can also enjoy turtle races – bet on the right turtle, and you get a free drink. It doesn’t get much better than that.

“Coogs Choose” is a special section produced by The Cougar in collaboration with the Center for Student Media that spotlights students’ favorite places and activities around campus and Houston. Pick up the magazine at campus newsstands until April 22.

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“21 in Houston: The Cougar’s staff picks for your first night on the town” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar