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Whether you are a fan of pie or can't seem to get enough chocolate, there is a restaurant, cafe, or bakery in the Houston area to help you satisfy any of your sweet cravings. On your trip to the Houston area, be sure to check out the stops below to indulge your sweet tooth. more Must-Stop Ice Cream Shop: Chocolate Wasted What was once a popular ice cream truck in the Houston area has now found its home in its very own brick-and-mortar location. While the location always offers its staples like blueberry lavender or creamy chocolate, the specials are what you want to keep your eye on. One of the most popular special treats is the churro donut ice cream sandwiches. Best Apple Pie: Brennan's of Houston Chef Danny Trace starts his famed creation with fresh apples from Louisiana that he stews until tender in aromatics, brown sugar, spiced rum, and cane syrup. The pie filling is poured into his signature crust and topped with cheddar cheese, sea salt caramel ice cream, and Tabasco pecan brittle, bringing the best flavors out of the apples and all their components. Best Cheesecake: Happy Fatz If dense and creamy cheesecake is your passion, look no further than the Happy Fatz bakery. While some favorites stay around, varieties do change daily so stop in as often as you can. Some of the most popular creations from Happy Fatz include Turtle Cheesecake with toasted pecans and topped with caramel sauce and the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. Best Pastries: Common Bond Chef Roy Shvartzapel and a team of pastry chefs work hard to bring the citizens of Houston fresh and unique pastries every day. Whether you like simple pastries like flaky croissants or enjoy more unique options like Kougn Amman, you can find pastries to keep you coming back each day to see what's new. Best Chocolate Treats: The Chocolate Bar Whether your passion is for chocolate cake, rich ganache topping, or even freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, The Chocolate Bar has something for you. A local favorite is the junkyard chocolate candy bar cookie and chocolate pecan brownies, which come with a scoop of truffle ice cream to cut through the richness and bring out the best flavors. If you are looking for something quick to go, you can grab one of the simple three-ounce chocolate bars. Most Unique Sweets: Dolce Delights If you are looking for desserts that are unique and look amazing on any table, stop into Dolce Delights to check out the new products by pastry chef Candace Chang. Some of her fabulous creations include the Pick Me Up Cake, which is devil's food cake wrapped in espresso cheesecake and set atop a graham cracker crust. If you like more fruity options, you can sample a Lady Bug, which has pistachio cream inside a raspberry mousse placed on an almond sponge cake. When your sweet tooth starts calling, indulge yourself at one of the amazing dessert places above. No matter what your favorite flavor is, you can find what you are looking for in the Houston area.

If you are in the market for a used car, Mazda has a great certified pre-owned vehicle program to make sure you get a quality car for the price you can afford. To qualify under the pre-owned certification program, a vehicle must pass Mazda's strict requirements to ensure quality. Check out these six benefits of Mazda certified pre-owned vehicles. more A Mazda-Backed Warranty All vehicles come with Mazda warranties to make sure your car operates smoothly and give you peace of mind with your pre-owned car purchase. Each vehicle will come with a 12-month, 12,000-mile limited vehicle warranty which will begin immediately following the factory warranty or date of purchase if already out of warranty, and will require no deductible from you if it's used. Your pre-owned vehicle will also come with a seven-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty which will cover all facets of your powertrain. You will be covered for everything from the flywheel to freeze plugs, thermostat to turbocharge, and even your cylinder block. No matter what repair you need, if the warranty covers it, you will never be asked to pay a deductible. 160-Point Inspection Mazda puts all of their pre-owned vehicles under a 160-point detailed inspection by trained Mazda technicians to ensure that the vehicle meets Mazda's strict standards. Some of the primary points that the inspection will delve into include air conditioning and heating units, interior seats and headrests, brakes, transmission, full engine check, an and exterior check for chips, dents, or blemishes. 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Complimentary Mazda roadside assistance comes standard with all Mazda certified pre-owned vehicles, ensuring you can receive 24/7 roadside service for the duration of your seven-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. With roadside assistance, Mazda will send out service people in the event of lockouts or flat tires. It also includes towing to a Mazda dealership, gas delivery, and even jump starts if necessary. Trial Sirius XM Radio Subscription Each of Mazda's certified pre-owned vehicles come with a three-month free trial for Sirius satellite radio. Satellite radio offers a large range of entertaining channels and commercial-free music. You will be able to stream everything from music to comedy shows during road trips or along your morning commute. AutoCheck Vehicle History Report You will know exactly what you are getting with an AutoCheck vehicle history report. Any record of accidents or major repairs will have the information available to you so that you will know your vehicle's history before you drive off the lot with it. The history report also comes with a three-year Buyback Protection Guarantee from Experian, so your satisfaction is guaranteed. Optional Extended Coverage While Mazda provides many warranties to keep your car covered, they also offer extended warranty options on certified pre-owned vehicles including Prepaid Maintenance and Extended Confidence plans which can range in coverage, years, and mileage to ensure you will have all the protection you could want or need. With Mazda's pre-owned certified vehicles you can rest assured that you will be getting a quality used vehicle.

Finding the perfect restaurant can take time and a lot of trial and error. Unfortunately, when choosing dining options, we often select with our sense of sight instead of our sense of smell. While not pretty, often restaurants that are considered a hole in the wall can be some of the best local dining in the area. Whether you live in or outside of the Houston area, make sure to check out these six hole-in-the-wall places to try some of the best food in the city. more Last Concert Cafe The sign on the door of this colorful establishment says "Knock Loud and Wait," and it is definitely worth the wait. The Mexican cuisine will tantalize your taste buds, and you can also enjoy local live entertainment many nights of the week. The restaurant offers a brunch, lunch, and dinner menu to satisfy Mexican food lovers during all hours of the day. Stanton's City Bites If you are looking for some mouthwatering burgers, Stanton's City Bites is a must on your list of culinary stops. Not only are their burgers described as juicy and delicious, but available at unbeatable prices. Reviewers recommend such options as the Miss Piggie and the chili cheese tater tots. While parking may be a little tight, the food, service, and ambiance are worth the effort. Asia Market Thai Lao Food For those who love Asian cuisine, stop into the Asia Market Thai Lao Food. While the exterior and interior may be more basic than impressive, the food is absolutely to die for. Some of the most popular dishes are the curry choices, which have the perfect balance of flavors and a fantastic texture. Little Matt's The gray outer exterior may seem less than inviting, but Little Matt's is an excellent place for food, fun, and family. The comfort food menu has an expansive kid menu as well, and the design of the inside of the restaurant makes it a great place for the kids. The inner wall has multiple iPads and chairs for keeping your children occupied while you place your order, and the family-style picnic seating, candy store, and arcade make it the perfect family dining option. Casa Imperial Casa Imperial is known around the Houston area for its friendly staff and tasty offerings. Whether you are in the mood for authentic Mexican fare or want to enjoy a southern rack of ribs, you can find what you are looking for at Casa Imperial. If you are looking for an evening with more entertainment, you can stop by on nights when they have live music offerings. Southern Komfort Kitchen Enjoy some made-from-scratch meals that use the freshest ingredients on your visit to the Southern Komfort Kitchen. You can find all manner of southern cuisine on their menu from chicken-fried steak to fried chicken liver and gizzards, all sold for a reasonable price. Want your food to go? Southern Komfort Kitchen offers takeout as well as delivery. No matter what type of cuisine best suits your palate, you can find what you are looking for and more by looking past the exterior of the Houston hole-in-the-wall restaurants listed above. WE hope you enjoy some of our favorite Houston eats. Put together by your friends at Russell & Smith Mazda.

When you get a vehicle, most states require you to carry insurance on it. However, when you start to shop for rates, you may begin to notice that some companies offer comprehensive car insurance. If you’re not familiar with this type of coverage and you’re wondering if it’s something that might work for you, keep reading to learn more about it. more What Is Comprehensive Insurance? Comprehensive insurance is insurance coverage for your vehicle that will help pay to repair or replace it if it’s damaged in an incident that’s not a collision or if it’s stolen. When you choose a plan, you select the amount of deductible that you want to pay out of pocket. Then your insurance company will pay for the remaining damage up to the limit you selected. What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover? Comprehensive insurance will pay for the value of your vehicle if it's stolen and never recovered. Additionally, it will cover damage to your vehicle caused by weather events, such as hail, tornadoes, or floods. If a tree limb breaks and falls on your car, comprehensive insurance will cover it. Comprehensive insurance will also cover damage caused if a vandal walks by and smashes all your car windows. It will cover your vehicle if there’s a fire or explosion, and it provides coverage if you hit an animal and cause damage to your vehicle. What Does Comprehensive Insurance Not Cover? While comprehensive insurance covers quite a few scenarios, there are some things that it doesn’t cover. If the vandal mentioned above smashes your car windows and steals the laptop you had in your vehicle, comprehensive insurance won’t cover the stolen property. Additionally, if you’re in a collision with another object, such as a pole, fence, or other vehicle, you’ll need collision insurance to cover this damage. Comprehensive insurance also can’t help if you need money to cover roadside assistance or towing or need to rent a car because your vehicle is in the shop getting repaired. Should You Get Comprehensive Insurance Coverage? As with other insurance options, you have to consider your specific situation to decide if you need to get comprehensive insurance coverage. While there are no states that require you to have it, if you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, the lender or leasing company might require you to carry it. You also have to consider if you can afford to repair or replace your vehicle or someone stole it or it was damaged. If not, the insurance might be beneficial. Also, consider how often you deal with the risks mentioned above. While your chances of vandalism might be low depending on where you live, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates there are over 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions every year, which results in around $1 billion in vehicle damage. With this information, you now understand what comprehensive car insurance is and what it covers and doesn’t cover. You can now use what you learned to decide if comprehensive insurance coverage is right for you. Image “ Bad day to be a car” by crazbabe21, used under CC BY 2.0

The 2018 Mazda CX-3 brings a look of style, luxury, sleek lines, and exciting features to enhance the driving experience. Whether you need a quality vehicle for in town driving or a durable ride for extended over-the-road adventures, the CX-3 models fill the bill. more Available Trims The CX-3 is available in three trims. These include the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring models available with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD).   There are differences among the models to consider when selecting which one provides everything you need when you’re behind the wheel. These may include, but not limited to, safety features and options, interior and exterior features, and upgraded entertainment systems. Overview Each model comes with a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and gas engine type with a combined fuel economy of 31 mpg. Models are equipped with a 6-speed shiftable automatic, a 4-cylinder 2.0-Liter engine, 146 horsepower, and accommodates five passengers.   Overall, the C-3 provides a fun-to-drive vehicle with plenty of get-up-and-go, has competitive fuel economy, sharp lines, and eye-catching style. All-Wheel-Drive versus Front-Wheel-Drive An available option on 2018 CX-3 models is the i-ACTIV AWD® all-wheel-drive system. Whether your driving time focuses on work, business, or pleasure, weather conditions are an important factor in safe driving.   With the i-ACTIV system in place, it is always on the lookout for changes that affect the traction of the SUV. Through monitoring of conditions and adjusting the power to accommodate the changes provides the necessary traction to prevent the wheels from slipping.   Front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles handle normal conditions of light rain and minimal snow adequately. Since the SUV is relying on the two front wheels for traction, it may not provide the same level of traction power as an all-wheel-drive model. Sport Standard features on the Sport are designed for a comfortable, convenient, and safe ride. These include fold flat rear seats for more cargo space, Bluetooth, back-up camera, automatic emergency braking, tire pressure warning sensor, and cruise and audio controls on the steering wheel. Touring The CX-3 Touring is considered the mid-level model and has plenty of style, power, and several standard features. For clear and well-lit driving, it is equipped with automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring featuring a rear cross-traffic alert.   The SUV also features 18-inch wheels and the Touring Preferred Equipment package, which includes a rear cargo cover, power sunroof, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. Grand Touring The top-of-the-line CS-3 comes with the Premium safety package, which includes automated emergency braking system at high-speed, automatic high-beam headlamps, and lane departure warning sensor. The Grand Touring model also includes adaptive cruise control, an adjustable driver’s seat fitted with lumbar support, memory settings for the seat, heated steering wheel, and traffic sign recognition capabilities. Interior The cabins of each CX-3 model is detailed and designed for comfort. Some of the interior features available, depending on the model, include rear window defogger, remote keyless illuminated entry system, tilt and telescopic steering column, MAZDA CONNECT™ Infotainment System, Pandora® radio integration, and more.   The 2018 CX-3 models bring a solid driving performance through enhanced suspension, optional front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, and quality construction. Whether you choose the Sport with standard features, the mid-level Touring with extra features, or the Grand Touring with premium features, each offers a quality driving experience.

From earthquakes and hurricanes to floods and forest fires, when inclement weather makes its way across an area wreaking havoc, it can have devastating effects on property. more Flood Insurance When a disaster happens, such as a flood, it’s important for homeowners to understand their homeowner’s insurance policy. This ensures you aren’t left in a dire situation because you weren’t aware you didn’t have flood insurance. Information available from the FEMA website has answers to questions you may have about flood insurance. Flood Zone A fact many homeowners do not realize is living next to or near water is not the only reason flood insurance is necessary. Homeowners living in areas designated as “low risk” can also suffer from a flash flood due to a hurricane, torrential rain storms, and melting snow. Should there be a failure of the city or county drainage system, an overload to the system due to increased water presence, or a levee or dam breaks, homes and businesses in a wide radius can be severely impacted by flooring water. Flood Damage If you homeowner’s policy does not include flood insurance because it is not offered or available through specific insurance companies, homeowners do not need to worry. Flood insurance is available to cover property and personal belongings through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood insurance coverage is available up to $250,000 for the structure and $100,000 for the contents. These figures are for home and business flood insurance coverage through NFIP. Whether property is considered located in a high-risk flood zone, medium-risk, or low-risk, flood insurance can be purchased in areas that participate with the NFIP. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is available from insurance agents and private insurance companies. Affordability On average, flood insurance can cost around $500 per year for a single one-story family dwelling without a basement that resides in a flood zone. Coverage is around $65,000 to cover the structure and its contents. Compared to having no flood insurance and the necessity of getting a disaster home loan to cover losses, based on a $50,000 loan, payments would average around $240 monthly. This is calculated using a 4 percent interest rate on a 20-year loan. Based on the comparison, it’s more economical to purchase flood insurance. There is also the option for homeowners and business owners with property in a low to medium risk area to purchase a Preferred Risk Policy. The estimated cost for homeowners is around $180 yearly and around $39 per year for renters insuring the contents of their rental property. Homeowners and Renters and Non-Residential When flood insurance is purchased, it’s for the building. Coverage for the contents of the home or business is separate and not automatically included. Homeowners and renters can insure their dwelling’s contents for up to $100,000. Business owners can purchase flood insurance for non-residential buildings with coverage of up to $500,000 for the structure and $500,000 for the contents. Federal Disaster Insurance If you’re counting on the government to provide losses due to a flood, unless the president declares the area as a disaster, no federal assistance will be forthcoming. A disaster does not have to be proclaimed for flood insurance to cover losses. Protecting your property and its contents is a smart move since most disasters in the U.S. do not qualify as federal disaster areas. Don’t hesitate to investigate your options. It can take 30 days before flood insurance coverage is active and in effect.

The 2017 Mazda 6 isn't your average family sedan. The Mazda 6 is sleek and stylish, packed with power, and full of safety features to put your mind at ease. more Interior Details The interior of the 2017 Mazda 6 has been designed with the refinement of a sports-car in mind. The center console is larger to accommodate the navigation and entertainment system, and the dashboard has been given a sporty update. Upgrade to the available high-grade Napa leather seats for even more luxury. Every Mazda 6 comes standard with the Mazda Connect infotainment system. It's fully touch screen and allows you to seamlessly connect to your smart device so you can make hands-free phone calls and listen to your favorite music. Add the available Bose 11-speaker surround sound system to bring your driving experience to the next level. Skyactiv Technology Mazda wanted to create a vehicle that had incredible performance while still ensuring it was fuel efficient. With their Skyactiv Technology, they've been able to do just that. They have reshaped the body to make it more aerodynamic. It is stronger, yet lighter, so you still get plenty of speed without sacrificing safety. Mazda has also tweaked the internal combustion engine in order to deliver better fuel efficiency. The 2.5-liter engine that comes standard with all Mazda 6 vehicles has a higher compression rate than most conventional engines. This means that they're getting more energy out of the fuel than a regular engine. This allows the Mazda 6 to give drivers up to 35 miles per gallon highway. The Skyactiv Technology also gives drivers the choice between a Skyactiv 6-speed automatic transmission or the Skyactiv MT 6-speed manual transmission for more control behind the wheel. Advanced Safety Features The Mazda 6 comes standard with several safety technologies that make driving safer and more enjoyable. These features include rear cross traffic alert, a lane departure warning system, lane keeping assistance in case you veer into a busy lane, blind-spot monitoring, brake support in case you need a little extra help detecting objects, and cruise control. The vehicle also has intelligent lighting systems that help you see better while making sure you're a responsible driver. The high beam control system helps you see better at night and will alert you when you should turn it on. It then senses when there is an oncoming vehicle and it dims them until the vehicle has passed. The available advanced LED lighting system is a great feature on the 2017 Mazda 6 that helps you see around bends and tight corners at night. As you turn, the lights pivot up to 15 degrees to help you better see what's in front of you. Another upgrade that makes the Mazda 6 so special is the available I-ACTIVESENSE system. The I-ACTIVESENSE uses cameras and radar around the outside of the vehicle to react to and alert you of unsafe situations. The 2017 Mazda 6 is a vehicle that is packed with comfort and luxury yet it doesn't sacrifice the speed, performance, or safety. What more could you ask for in a new car? Image “ Mazda 6 render” by Paul Shtyler, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Do you love a challenge? How about a food challenge? Competitive eating isn't just for professionals anymore. Head to one of these Houston, Texas restaurants and attempt to complete one of these wild and gluttonous food contests. more The Texas Challenge If you love Texas-style barbecue and want to test your eating ability, head to Central Texas Style B-B-Q and attempt The Texas Challenge. The challenge includes a pound of sausage, a pound of chopped beef, a baked potato stuffed with cheese, green onions, and sour cream, and two stuffed jalapeños. If you can polish off all of that food in under an hour, you'll get your photo on the wall, a free t-shirt, and your meal will be completely free. If you can't finish it, the meal will cost you $29.95. Inferno Wing Challenge This is only a challenge for spicy-food lovers. Diablo Loco, a sports bar and wing restaurant in downtown Houston, challenges you to eat 25 of their spiciest wings, known as Highway to Hell, in under 25 minutes. You can't drink anything that may cool your mouth down, and you can't leave the table. If you succeed, you get a free tower of beer and your photo on the wall. The challenge will cost you $19.99 whether you win or lose. Mega Mel The Mega Mel is the burger challenge to end all burger challenges. Mel's Country Cafe in the Houston suburb of Tomball offers you the chance to eat a one and a half pound burger topped with a pound of bacon, a quarter pound of cheese, and all of the fixings. If you can eat the Mega Mel in under two hours, you'll get your name on the wall and receive a free t-shirt. The rules also require that, once you finish the burger, you are able to get up, walk around, and talk without being sick. The Zellagabetsky This is perhaps one of the most famous food challenges in Houston. Kenny & Ziggy's is a New York-style deli that challenges you to eat a sandwich as big as Texas. The Zellagabetsky is an eight-decker rye sandwich filled with almost four pounds of corned beef, turkey, pastrami, salami, roast beef, tongue, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. There's no time limit for finishing this gigantic sandwich as long as you do it in one sitting. Winner's are rewarded with a huge piece of cheesecake. The sandwich costs $55. La Crawfish Challenge Seafood lovers should get themselves over to LA Crawfish to test their stomachs on the La Crawfish Challenge. The challenge is to eat an entire 24-inch diameter bowl of extra-spicy crawfish pho without any assistance in under 30 minutes. If you can finish this challenge, you get a t-shirt, your photo on the wall, and your pho for free. Your t-shirt will also get your 10 percent off of any future LA Crawfish purchase for the rest of your life. If you don't complete the challenge, the bowl of crawfish pho will cost $21. Test your stomach and your spice threshold at one of these restaurants this weekend then swing by and test drive one of our new Mazdas! Image “ The Super Scooby from Jolly Fryer in Filton, Bristol” by brizzle born and bred, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The Mazda CX-5 is a cross-over vehicle with power, comfort, style, and safety. You'll love the new and exciting features in the 2017 model. more Power and Performance The Mazda ethos is the blend a little bit of sports-car know-how into all of their vehicles. The CX-5 definitely has the power of a sports-car. Under the hood, you'll find a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 187 horsepower, 185 pound-foot of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission. You can swap into manual control by using the console-mounted shift lever. With all that power it still manages to be great on fuel. The new 2017 Mazda CX-5 gets an EPA-estimate 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Interior Comfort The interior of the CX-5 has been designed with the driver in mind. The door handles and interior controls have been moved so that they are perfectly placed for ease of use. The interior is lined with metal wood trim and the cabin is quieter than ever before. The CX-5 is comfortable for all five passengers that it seats. The back seat has increased legroom, available heated rear seats, rear air-conditioning vents, and rear-reclining seats for those long drives. The backseat also has two USB ports so that everyone can stay connected and charged-up. Need more cargo space? Not to worry, the back seats have an easy-release and fold down to give you up to 59.6 cubic feet of cargo space. You can fold down one or all of the seats depending on your needs. New Exterior Style Mazda put a lot of care into the design of each and every one of their vehicles and that is very apparent in the new CX-5. The 2017 CX-5 is more stylish than ever. The front grille is larger and concave to make the vehicle look much wider than its predecessors. It now has slim LED headlights and the A-pillars have been pushed back 1.4 inches to emphasize the length of the hood. Mazda has also created a new paint color for this year's CX-5 that compliments its body shape and gives it a sense of movement even when it's parked. The new color is called Soul Red Crystal Metallic. Safety Technology The new 2017 CX-5 is packed with safety technology that will make driving it even more enjoyable. The new Predictive I-Activ all-wheel-drive intelligently determines when all-wheel drive will be needed. The system monitors the outside temperature, throttle input, and braking patterns to determine where to distribute the torque. Another great feature of the CX-5 is the traffic sign recognition. Using navigation and the front camera, the vehicle preemptively warns you using a display screen that sits at eye level what is coming. Other technology features include a lane departure warning system, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and radar cruise control. The 2017 CX-5 has had over 250 enhancements to make it more powerful, comfortable, spacious, safe, and sleek. Whether you're looking for a vehicle that fits you and the family or something that is fun to drive, the Mazda CX-5 is a great option. Image “ Mazda CX-5” by cj&erson, used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Heading for an Astros game at Minute Maid Park in lovely Houston, Texas? Here are the best places to grab food and drink before, during, or after a game. more Biggio's Named after Astro's legend Craig Biggio, Biggio's is an upscale sport's bar in the Marriott Marquis Hotel right around the corner from the stadium. This is a great place to enjoy a nice Houston-brewed craft beer on draft, a cocktail made with top-shelf liquors, some mango habanero wings, or wild boar mac n' cheese all while watching the game on their 30-foot televisions. The smoked-brisket tacos are pretty spectacular, too. Jackson Street Barbecue Only a few blocks away from the Astro's stadium, Jackson Street Barbecue is one of the most popular pre-game meal stops, so be sure to arrive early and be prepared to wait. The wait will be worth it when you're tucking into the best brisket, smoked sausage, or St. Louis-style ribs in Houston. Don't worry, you don't have to choose between them, grab yourself the sampler platter and have a little bit of each. Be sure to order a big portion of their creamy mac n' cheese, too. Irma's Southwest Grill A short walk away from Minute Maid Park and top-class Mexican food makes Irma's a great choice for a pre or post-game meal. There's no menu and the selection changes daily, so even if you've been before, you're sure to have something completely different and totally delicious. They have different opening hours on game day and always make sure to start serving food three hours before the first pitch, so there's no need to stress about timing. Hubcap Grill Do you want a nice juicy burger before the big game? Look no further than Hubcap Grill. It's only five blocks away from Minute Maid Park and if you're in a rush you can take it to go. If not, take a seat in one of their outdoor tables and enjoy endless options of burger concoctions. Feeling really hungry? Grab their quadruple burger which is packed with chuck beef and topped with cheese, bacon, ham, and French fries. Everything is made fresh on-site. The patties are hand-formed, the fries are cut fresh each morning, and even the buns are baked in-house. MKT Bar MKT Bar calls itself a global gastropub. It's one of Houston's liveliest bars and it's only a short walk to the Astro's stadium. Head here for live music no matter what day of the week. You can just enjoy a few drinks from their enormous selection of beers, wine, and cocktails or have a look at their extensive internationally-inspired menu. There's everything from ceviche and braised lamb tacos to curries and pizzas. There's sure to be something on the menu to please everyone in the group. The great thing about Minute Maid Park is that it is located right in downtown Houston. It's surrounded by so many great bars and restaurants that you may very well get so carried away with how much fun you're having that you forget to watch the game! Put together by your friends at Russell & Smith Mazda. Image “ Night game at Minute Maid Park, Houston TX” by roy.luck, used under CC BY 2.0

News is coming out for the 2018 Mazda 6, and it's looking like this version will be the last of its current generation before a major refresh for the 2019 model year. That means you can expect the same sharp design seen on the 2017 model, mixing style with comfort and technology. The cabin is one of the most appealing aspects of the Mazda 6, so let's take a look at the best interior features making a return for next year. more Generous Standard Audio System The Mazda 6 is divided into the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels. On the basic Sport, drivers get a six-speaker CD player and audio system with HD radio and online audio streaming. The infotainment screen is controlled by a simple rotating dial and voice controls, plus a touchscreen for when the 6 is parked. Bluetooth streaming and a USB port are also included. For drivers who want to really rock out or get the best quality on spoken-word programs, the mid-level Touring trim offers an optional 11-speaker Bose premium sound system with satellite radio. Climate Control and Comfort Uncommon for such an affordable family sedan, the Mazda 6 includes automatic climate control, which treats the front and rear seats as separate zones. If you want a more subtle and fancy way to warm up, try the Touring's Premium package, which adds heating functions to the imitation leather front seats. The Grand Touring takes it a step further with premium leather seats and a heated steering wheel. Convenient Driver Aid Systems Drivers, especially those with families, will appreciate safety features. While the infotainment screen on the standard Mazda 6 Sport includes a rearview backup camera, the Touring has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts and forward collision mitigation. The former helps warn you not to back up or change lanes if another vehicle is in your way, and the latter applies the brakes automatically when a collision is imminent, which reduces the force as much as possible. Innovative Trunk Rear Seat Levers As a family sedan, the Mazda 6 needs to be easy to load and unload groceries, sports equipment, and everything else. The trunk has 14.8 cubic feet of space, sufficient for its class. But the 6 shines brightest when you need more room. The rear seats have remote seatback release levers so that you can simply open the trunk, push the buttons in the trunk walls, and pop the rear seats down without even touching them directly.   A mild update to the 2017 Mazda 6, the 2018 version is a mid-size sporty sedan that starts out nicely equipped for its price range and then rises closer to a luxury sports car as you climb the trims. If any 2017 or 2018 Mazda 6 models catch your eye, you can search our detailed inventory system. We're also ready to discuss options or answer questions with no sales pressure, so don't be afraid to call or message us.

The Children's Museum of Houston is a great hands-on learning center that will entertain kids for hours on end. However, it's so big that you might get overwhelmed. Discover the must-see exhibits waiting at this museum. more Chevron-Houston Texans Maker Annex This exhibit's name is a mouthful, but it shows children some of the most exciting new inventions used in construction and creative jobs. The whole area teaches visitors about 3D printing, programming, circuitry, robots, lasers, video game development, and more with interactive exhibits and colorful cartoons. The Annex has group lessons that end with each visitor creating products of their own. Give your tech-minded child a deeper understanding of the things they love most. You could spark their future career. How Does It Work? The wacky contraptions in this exhibit show how electricity, sound, and other waves travel through matter. They also show how pulleys work, what makes airplanes fly, and more with artistic representations by major local artists. Kids build their own miniature roller coaster and send it down a five-foot tower to understand kinetic energy. They can also design a miniature car. Flow Works Consistently called the most fun exhibit by repeat visitors, Flow Works is an outdoor water-themed zone that shows the many curious ways water behaves and how we use that to our advantage. The centerpiece of Flow Works is an 18-foot high cauldron that fills up more and more as kids participate with the exhibits and redirect the water flow. When it's full, it tips over and makes a massive, exciting wave. Kids can compete in groups to see who can tip the cauldron the fastest. Kids will be dipping their hands into water, but otherwise will stay dry. Cyberchase - The Chase Is On! Based on the Emmy award-winning PBS KIDS show of the same name, this exhibit combines math and critical thinking in an exciting clash of good vs. evil. The dastardly Hacker seeks to control Cyberspace, but the CyberSquad and their cyberbird friend are here to stop him. Kids will learn more about computers, networks, and relevant mathematical concepts, such as probability and geometry, in perhaps the first math-themed activity that any child will enjoy. This is excellent for kids who love watching Cyberchase as well. Cum Yah Gullah The Gullah are a West African culture from the Sea Islands, which survived slavery and had virtually no American influence until the 1950s. This exhibit preserves the Gullah way of life, showing the tradition-based, family focused, hearty culture that composed enduring folk characters such as Br'er Rabbit. The Gullah are the African culture least affected by American intervention, and in the recreated life of its people, kids can learn about their heritage of telling stories, living off the land, and supporting art and music.   With these five awesome exhibits, any brief visit is sure to get you your money's worth in oohs and aahs, laughs, and new insights for your children. Help them understand the world and themselves while giving them a fun-filled adventure at the Children's Museum of Houston. Image “ Houston Children’s Musem playground” by Theresa_QViews, used under CC BY-SA 2.0