In today’s City Cast Houston podcast, producer Ferrill Gibbs tells the story of Prestige Oysters, which harvests oysters in a super-sustainable way – and also of Pier 6, the sleek waterfront restaurant that Prestige CEO Raz Halili opened nearby.

How did Halili lure executive chef Joe Cervantez, who’s led upscale Houston restaurants such as Brennan’s and Killen’s Steakhouse, down to San Leon, population 5,000?

It wasn’t easy. Cervantez tells how he agreed to meet Halili in Dickinson, thinking he might do a little consulting on the side. Halili took him to the future site of Pier 6: a defunct fried-seafood joint, the former Bubba’s Shrimp Palace. 

Halili described his dream of creating a destination restaurant – but Cervantez couldn’t yet see it.  “Before it had been a shrimp restaurant,” he said, “but it almost looked like a Mexican restaurant. It was pink – bright colors everywhere. I didn’t know where I was at. I didn’t know what we were gonna do.”

🗳 Conservatives win two HISD runoffs: Two challengers beat HISD incumbents Saturday in runoff elections that took on an unusually partisan tone. Newly elected board members Kendall Baker and Bridget Wade both stressed their opposition to mask mandates and critical-race theory – both of which are already banned in Texas public schools. (Houston Chronicle)

📕 Clear Creek ISD superintendent under fire: Saying that superintendent Eric Williams is pushing “anti-white” lesson plans, a group of parents plan to call for his resignation at Monday night’s school board meeting. In late November, the far-right website “Daily Caller” reported that CCISD is implementing “social-emotional learning,” which is said to be linked to “critical race theory.” Texas, I repeat, bans the teaching of critical race theory in public schools; and the Texas Education Code requires districts to teach character traits such as caring, empathy, fairness and freedom from prejudice. (Houston Chronicle, Daily Caller)

Robins’ red breasts brighten up Houston’s gray winter days – and so do the berries they gobble this time of year. To attract robins and other birds in fall and winter, the Houston Arboretum advises planting berry-bearing native plants such as yaupon holly, American beautyberry, possumhaw, and snailseed. 

📱 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR BUY-LOCAL SHOW?

Got a favorite locally owned shop? Or know someone in Houston who makes a great thing, perfect for holiday gifts? Don’t keep it to yourself!

We’re working now on a podcast about last-minute holiday gifts – things you can buy locally, from a fellow Houstonian – and we’d love to use your recommendations. If you know of something great, please call (713)489-6972 and leave us a voicemail. Tell us, briefly, who you are, what you’re recommending, and exactly what makes it so excellent.