When it comes to clubbing, it’s all about going to the right place at the right time in the right outfit with the right people. Sound overwhelming? Let us help you figure out where you were born to rage.

“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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“The Scene: The Cougar’s staff picks for where to turn up” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Houston’s craft beer scene has exploded, making it a national leader in microbreweries, craft brews and all things beer. Crack one open while you check out which breweries students voted as Houston’s best.

• 1st place: Saint Arnold
• 2nd place: Karbach
• 3rd place: 8th Wonder

Courtesy of Saint Arnold

Open since 1994, Saint Arnold is the state’s oldest craft brewery. Its most sought-after brews are the crisp Lawnmower and the punchy Elissa IPA. But Saint Arnold brews 23 beers a year on a rotational basis, including Pumpkinator, which is known to sell out of grocery and liquor stores within hours of being stocked.

What you should try:

Summer Pils is one of Saint Arnold’s freshest brews. The Germain pilsner has a medium body and hoppy notes. It has a sweet malt taste and is full-bodied but doesn’t bog you down after a pint or two.

Santo is a malty brew and drinks like a darker ale. It might be pretty gritty if you aren’t a big beer drinker, but its dark malt flavor promises a smooth punch.

Courtesy of Karbach

 

What you should try from Karbach…

Love Street Summer Seasonal is extremely refreshing. It’s a Kolsh-style, meaning it’s a tad floral but lighter than the Rodeo Clown. The hoppiness (the beer’s earthiness or bitterness) is fairly medium in this brew.

Rodeo Clown Double IPA still packs a mean punch, but it’s a fairly floral, fruity IPAs. This isn’t a beer you should plan on chugging. Instead, pair it with fried food or a spicy Mexican dish.

File photo/The Cougar

 

What you should try from 8th Wonder…

Rocketfuel is a porter infused with dark, cold brew coffee and lactose. It’s a cult favorite and a great excuse for drinking before noon.

The best thing about Intellectuale is that it’s light and easy to drink, but this blonde-wit hybrid is bursting with floral notes and faint hints of sweetness. Sip it on a patio.

“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: Best local brew” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

If Houston’s a great place to eat (which it undoubtedly is), it’s also a place where you’ll be searching for the perfect dessert. Look no further.

• Crave Cupcakes
• Sprinkles Cupcakes
• MMM Cupcakes

Courtesy of Crave Cupcakes

Crave is consistently at the top of lists ranking Houston’s cupcakes. Once you taste the rich icing, such rankings make total sense. Its cupcakes are dense and always fresh, and its expansive offerings (including gluten-free flavors) makes Crave one of Houston’s best.

Courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes

Sprinkles Cupcakes has become eponymous with its cupcake ATMs, which allow you to buy fresh cupcakes at any hour. Sprinkles also delivers, making it one of the most accessible bakeries on this list.
In stores, ice cream and cookies are also available for purchase, which makes Sprinkles an ideal stop after a long week.

Courtesy of MMM Cupcakes

This food truck does deliveries around downtown and offers any flavor of cupcake you could desire. Specializing in fruit flavors, like strawberry-banana and pineapple, the truck offers other delightful flavors, such as a cookies and cream, s’more, red velvet and even carrot cake, all for affordable prices that rival the other two shops on this list.

“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: The Cougar’s pick best cupcakes” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

After seven years with Administration and Finance, Carl Carlucci is stepping down. | Courtesy of UH Media Relations

Update on April 16 at 3:16 p.m.: In response to why Carlucci’s request for transfer was denied last year, Carlucci released the following statement: “I made the commitment to increase my teaching over a year ago and spent much of the last year developing new course materials.”

Posted on April 15 at 3:15 p.m.: Carl Carlucci, the Administration and Finance vice president, will step down on May 1.

President and Chancellor Renu Khator said in a letter to the UH System that Carlucci will transition into a full-time faculty position in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, where he has taught for the past five years.

Replacing Carlucci is Jim McShan, who will serve as interim chief financial officer of the UH System. McShan has worked with Administration and Finance in various roles for the past 20 years.

Khator’s email said Carlucci asked to transition into a full-time faculty member at CLASS last year.

“He made this request again last month during his annual evaluation, and I have accepted it,” Khator said in the email.

Carlucci’s year at the University has been an embattled one. Chiefly, the Student Government Association voted unanimously to call for the immediate resignation of Carlucci and his deputies in February. The vote followed repeated concerns from members of SGA and the student body about the disorganization in auxiliary services, parking and transportation and HigherOne. The estimated $20 million-overbudget construction of TDECU Stadium and a consequential loss of funds for Hofheinz Pavilion renovations also contributed to the vote.

Following SGA’s vote, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution in support of Carlucci, saying that its members “found Dr. Carlucci and his staff to act only with the highest level of integrity and professionalism in forwarding our shared vision for the future of the University.”

In her email, Khator said that she is “taking this opportunity to obtain an external review of this division,” which will be conducted April 15 through 17.

news@thedailycougar.com 

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“Carl Carlucci to step down as VP of Administration and Finance” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Houston has a slew of grills competing for the hearts and stomachs of the Bayou City’s burger aficionados. Which one has yours?

• Bernie’s Burger Bus
• Hubcap Grill
• Barnaby’s Cafe
• The Hay Merchant

Courtesy of Bernie’s Burger Bus

At Bernie’s Burger Bus sky-high sandwiches are filled with any Tex-Mex topping under the sun – “The Principal” comes with garlic tomatoes, “Homeroom” is topped with a fried egg and “Fire Drill” boasts spicy guacamole and tortilla chips. Bernie’s also makes detention sound like a good thing: Its “Detention” burger uses bacon grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun. 5407 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401

Cara Smith/The Cougar

Hubcap Grill’s greasy, tender burger is consistently seen on the tops of Houston’s best burger lists. It has one of the juiciest burger patties in the city, and the grill’s outdoor patio is the perfect place to chow down like it’s your last meal. 1111 Prairie, Houston, TX 77002

Cara Smith/The Cougar

Barnaby’s Cafe is more than just a burger joint, but its tasty bacon cheeseburger will have you running back for lunch as often as you can. 414 W Gray St.,
Houston, TX

Photo by Julie Soefer

You have to be of-age to get into the Westheimer craft bar Hay Merchant, but its Cease and Desist burger is better than any cocktail you’ll have on your 21st. It’s named after a lawsuit that was filed against them by In-N-Out (originally, the burger was called the Double Double), and it’s made with farm-fresh beef in partnership with Underbelly’s award-winning chef Chris Shepard. 1100 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77006

What’s a good burger recommendation without any sides? These fries are unconventional but distinctly Houstonian.

• Happy Endings’ queso kimchi fries: UH, if you haven’t tried Queso Kimchi Fries yet, then you should be ashamed of yourself. Kimchi is a probiotic, which helps aid in digestion. It’s a perfect counter-balance to the queso, which definitely doesn’t. Click here for the food truck’s schedule.
• Fat Bao’s avocado fries: Not all fries are potatoes, people. As the name of the restaurant implies, these are FAT slices of avocado breaded and deep fried. They’re the perfect marriage of creamy and crunchy goodness. 3419 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX 77098
• Andes Café’s salchipapas: Salchipapas are a classic South American street food with cut up hot-dog, tomatoes, peppers, onions, fried bananas and brown gravy. And while they’re great on any occasion, we know that they’ve cured many hangovers. 2311 Canal St. #104, Houston, TX 77003
• La Boheme’s Bankgok style french fries: We’ve always throught that French fries needed pork shoulder and peanuts. 307 Fairview St., Houston, TX 77006

“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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“Burgers ‘n fries: The Cougar’s staff picks” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Houston has a huge foodie culture, including a vast variety of food trucks. Here are a few that can be found around campus.

Courtesy of Eatsie Boys

Eatsie Boys

It can be found across from Agnes Arnold Hall offering a range of mouthwatering sandwiches stuffed to capacity with hearty meats and flavorful ingredients.

Courtesy of Flip ‘n Patties

Flip ‘n Patties

Courtesy of Bernie’s Burger Bus

Filipino street food has never tasted so good. Flip ‘n Patties offers a variety of burgers, appetizers and rice dishes that you will definitely need a napkin for.

Bernie’s Burger Bus

If you’re accustomed to Big Macs, trying any burger from Bernie’s menu will give you well-needed shock — each burger is handmade from scratch.

“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 trucks: The Cougars’ staff picks” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Being one of the most well-known Texas cuisines, Houstonians can definitely hold their own when it comes to barbecue. Here are a few staff-chosen options worth trying out:

• Ray’s BBQ
• Triple J’s Smokehouse
• Gatlin’s BBQ
• The Hay Merchant

Ray’s BBQ Shack excels in regional cuisine beyond BBQ. In addition to succulent brisket, beef and BBQ ribs, Ray’s also serves a healthy variety of fresh seafood. Its catfish basket, which comes with three large helpings of catfish for just over $10, rounds out a diverse seafood menu.

Triple J’s is a tried-and-true favorite. Its loaded baked potatoes can come stuffed with sausage, beef and ribs smothered in BBQ sauce, with two-meat, two-side dinner clocking in at an affordable $11. Its reputation as one of Houston’s best-known BBQ joints has been alive and thriving for 20 years.

Gatlin’s BBQ is probably Houston’s most widely-known and talked about BBQ joint, making a monumental impact on the city in its five short years. It started out of the current co-owners’ home and has quickly established itself as a regional staple of BBQ, with juicy beef and pork sliders that are hard to rival.

Photo by Julie Soefer

You have to be of-age to get into the Westheimer craft bar Hay Merchant, but its Cease and Desist burger is better than any cocktail you’ll have on your 21st. It’s named after a lawsuit that was filed against them by In-N-Out (originally, the burger was called the Double Double), and it’s made with farm-fresh beef in partnership with Underbelly’s award-winning chef Chris Shepard. 1100 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77006

“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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“Barbecue: The Cougars’ staff picks” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Houston’s diverse foodie culture can be intimidating at first. Don’t fret; The Cougar has suggestions that stretch past Cullen Boulevard.

To view the map click here.

“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: Around the World in 8 Days” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

If you’re involved on campus, chances are you’ve encountered one of these members of the community. These students, faculty and staff were voted the most impactful people at UH.

Best Student Leader

Anthony Hidrogo
Though he has only served as Financial Officer for the Society of Human Resource Management since December, Anthony Hidrogo has already made quite an impression on his team. “I really emphasize teamwork and a positive attitude where students can do their best.”
2nd Place: Christine Bang
3rd Place: Erica Tat

Best Registered Student Org

Asian Business Student Association
President Christine Bang said the Asian Business Student Association’s enthusiasm is what sets them apart from other student organizations. “Having such positive energy really does radiate through to other people.”
2nd Place: Society for Human Resource Management
3rd Place: Veteran Students for America

Courtesy of Simon Bott

Best Professor

Simon Bott
Arguably the most spirited person on campus, chemistry professor Simon Bott is known for getting students involved. He gives extra credit for attending campus events and wearing red on Fridays. “I do try to make my classes a more holistic experience, emphasizing life and university issues as well as chemistry.”
2nd Place: Bekki George
3rd Place: Melahat Almus

Best Teaching Assistant

Sameer Thacker
Computer science major Sameer Hai serves as a biology teaching assistant. Hai said he enjoys the responsibility of the job, noting that that the best parts of being a TA are “being in charge…(and) teaching.”
2nd Place: Angelynn Alvarez
3rd Place: Cesar Pham

Best Academic Adviser

Sandra Gold-Singleton
Political science adviser Sandra Gold-Singleton served as an assistant to Undergraduate Director Jerald W. Jackson. She also contributed to a linguistic and phonetic analysis study entitled “Effect of Accent and Dialect on Employability.”
2nd Place: Colleen Davies
3rd Place: Jeremy Dafoe

Best Resident Assistant

Kayla Fischer
An RA on the fifth floor of Cougar Village 1, Fisher said her passion for helping people is what motivated her to apply for the position.
“(My residents) are such a talented group of students who I know will be successful, so I would do anything to help them.”
2nd Place: Christian Ohabunwa
3rd Place: Chris Pinto

Jeanne Brewster is one of many UH custodial staffers who keeps campus clean while going almonst completely unnoticed. | Cara Smith/The Cougar

Best UH Staff Member

Custodial & Maintenance Staff
Jeanne Brewster is one of more than 350 custodial and maintenance staff members who were collectively recognized for this category because they keep the school clean and running smoothly while going almost unnoticed. “We are composed of people from all parts of the world. Either through choice, luck or divine providence, we were brought together as a team,” said Ray Mosley, North Zone and Custodial Program Manager.
2nd Place: Lawren Bradbury
3rd Place: Taylor Wiley

Best Sorority

Delta Zeta
Delta Zeta dates back to 1902, when six young woman came together to establish a sorority on the male-dominated Miami University campus in Oxford, Ohio. Today, Delta Zeta has more than 15,000 undergraduate members at any given time and over 165 collegiate chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
They host the largest philanthropy event on campus, Gong Show, and over the past year Delta Zeta was able to donate more than $10,000 to their causes.
2nd Place: Chi Omega
3rd Place: Phi Sigma Rho

Best Fraternity

Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi is only national fraternity to establish its own philanthropy, The Ability Experience, which serves people with disabilities. Boasting more than 7,000 undergraduate brothers and 160 active chapters nationwide, Pi Kappa Phi sets high expectations for its members in terms of their academic success and campus involvement outside the fraternity, with 80 percent of its members making over a 3.0 for the past two years. Pi Kappa Phi has been No. 1 in Greek intramurals on campus for the past three years and won Best Fraternity in 2010.
2nd Place: Kappa Sigma
3rd Place: Lamda Phi Epsilon

Best On-Campus Place to Study

M.D. Anderson Memorial Library
With computer labs to connect online and private group rooms, UH’s main library has everything a student could ask for. “There is basically something for everybody here,” student leader Mike Alder said. “Whether you need a really quiet area or a public area where you can speak as loudly as you need to and collaborate with other folks, the library has it all.”
2nd Place: The Nook Cafe
3rd Place: Student Center

Best On-Campus Hangout

The Student Center
The new Student Center, of which renovations were completed this semester, has become a staple student hangout space, as well as a go-to spot for food and drink. The second floor is a great spot for studying, since most students still forget it’s been completed. If nothing else, students are just glad they don’t have to walk by construction anymore and feel like their ears are going to burst.
2nd Place: The Nook Cafe
3rd Place: Recreation and Wellness Center

Best Alum

Case Keenum
Not since Andre Ware’s Heisman has a single football player had a bigger impact on the program than Case Keenum. He piloted the Air Raid offense, leading the Cougars into the national spotlight and a 13-1 season in 2011. After two stints with the Houston Texans, Keenum is now with the St. Louis Rams.
2nd Place: Cathy Frank
3rd Place: Jim Parsons

Courtesy of Taylor Rouleau

Best Cougar Fan

Taylor Rouleau
Taylor Rouleau exemplifies the perfect Cougar fan by showing up to games early, cheering on the UH teams and staying late no matter what the score was.
“I love this school with all my heart and have since day one. If we don’t love our school and have great school pride, how can we expect anyone else to? We need to show incoming freshmen and all outsiders that UH is amazing.”
2nd Place: Crissy Martinez
3rd Place: Allen Lin

Best Student Athlete

Greg Ward Jr.
Greg Ward Jr. certainly has a flare for the dramatics. He led the Cougars to 29 fourth-quarter points en route to an improbable 35-34 victory in the Armed Forces bowl to cap the 2014 season. In his eight games as a starter, Ward’s 2010 passing yards and 12 touchdowns helped UH go 6-2 down the stretch.
2nd Place: Zachary Brown
3rd Place: Joey Mbu

“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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“Campus Life: Coogs Choose 2015 winners” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar

Junior linebacker Steven Taylor is the Cougars’ leading returning tackler with 76 last year. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

Many of the linebackers who helped Steven Taylor blossom into a freshman starter and mature as a sophomore won’t be on the field with him this year. So for his junior season, it’s necessary for Taylor to take a bigger role.

He’s adding leadership onto his 2015 agenda, right next to building on 76 tackles and four sacks from 2014.

“I’m willing to step up to the plate and be held accountable,” said Taylor, the Cougars’ leading returning tackler.

Last season, seniors Derrick Mathews and Efrem Oliphant anchored the linebackers during spring practice. Just 10 practices into spring ball, it’s upperclassmen Taylor and Elandon Roberts leading the charge at linebacker. However, to become the player on the field and leader he wants to be, the 6-foot-1 redshirt junior still has to improve his technique and gain weight, said head coach Tom Herman.

“He’s had a good nine practices… The potential is certainty there, but he’s still got some improving to do,” Herman said.

Taylor

If history is a barometer, Taylor will be able to make the improvements Herman is expecting. After Mathews tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Memphis, Taylor was thrust into a greater role on the defense. Without Mathews, Taylor averaged seven tackles per game down the stretch, including 13 stops during Homecoming against Tulane, and earned seven of his nine tackles for loss in that period.

Game-changing plays like Taylor’s forced fumble and recovery in the end zone against Temple when it was driving to tie the game are expected from linebackers at UH. Multi-year starters have anchored the defense on the field while serving as leaders off the field. During the Cougars’ historic 13-1 season it was Marcus McGraw holding the position, before Phillip Stewart took the mantle and passed it to Mathews and Oliphant.

Now, Taylor and Roberts have their chance.

“(Mathews) told me that I need to step up and become a leader of this defense. And I have to do whatever it takes to be great and lead my defense to a great season,” Taylor said.

However, he’ll have to improve in new defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s system, which Taylor said will take on the more aggressive style that Orlando lead at Utah state the last two years. Orlando’s defenses accrued 83 sacks, which fits with Taylor’s ability, because his best skill is getting to the quarterback, he said.

Taylor, the self declared best UH defensive player on Madden, said even with a new defensive system and more expectations, he’s expecting to be the best version of himself.

“They should see a lot of excitement from me because I’m going to try to lead my defense to perfection,” he said. “And they hold me accountable so I’m going to try and be the best leader that I can be.”

sports@thedailycougar.com

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“Linebacker adds leadership to Spring wishlist” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar