Jef Rouner, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Celebrated Houston professor named Texas' new Poet Laureate

2 days ago | houston.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

The Texas Legislature has named University of Houston professor Kevin Prufer as the 2026 Texas State Poet Laureate, one of the highest artistic honors in the Lone Star State. “I am delighted and surprised to be appointed the Texas poet laureate,” Prufer said in a statement. “Nobody writes poetry for recognition, but it’s always nice when you realize all those nights spent writing upstairs in the dark had an impact on people.
Houston Humane Society hosts 'name your price' adoption event

3 days ago | houston.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

Houstonians looking to bring home a new dog or cat this month have a chance to do so at a steep discount. The Houston Humane Society is hosting a "name your price" adoption event throughout June. "Love has no price tag, and neither should the joy of having a pet," the Houston Humane Society said in a statement. Adoptions usually cost between $50 and $195. For the entire month, all adoptions of dogs and cats one year or older will be purely pay what you can.
Houston museum honors Israeli astronaut who died in space shuttle tragedy

4 days ago | houston.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

On February 1, 2003, the world watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry, killing its crew and scattering debris over East Texas. On board was the first Israeli-born astronaut, Ilan Ramon. Now, Holocaust Museum Houston honors his enduring legacy of promoting space travel with a new exhibit that runs through August 3.
Doctor Who: I Have No Idea What Just Happened in "The Reality War"

4 days ago | houstonpress.com | Jef Rouner |Houston Press

Spoilers for Doctor Who: "The Reality War"Well, this season finale pulled all the brakes off the train and aimed it over a canyon. I barely know where to begin. In case you're somehow still avoiding story spoilers, here's my weekly bit of trivia that is possibly extremely relevant. When Doctor Who went off the air in 1989, it was kept alive through a very active set of ongoing novels and short stories.
Thomas Tran Is A Wanderer In Art and Life

1 week ago | texassignal.com | Jef Rouner

In 2021, when Thomas Tran was 23 years old, he quit art, left Houston, lived in his car, and wandered America. The goal was twofold. One, he wanted to see the world. Two, he wanted his muse to chase him. “If art was meant to be in my life, it would come back,” he said in a phone interview. It was about three months before the art came calling, and Tran resumed sketching. At just 28, Tran is one of Texas’s best and most mysterious artists.
5 things to know before you tube on Texas rivers in summer 2025

1 week ago | fortworth.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

There's a new nonstop out of DFW Airport: Colombia-based Avianca has launched nonstop service between Dallas and Bogotá, operating four times per week. The new route is part of a major expansion by Avianca and will offer more than 1,400 weekly seats aboard Airbus A320 aircraft, each with a 180-passenger capacity. Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, and its largest city, with more than 8 million people as of 2022.
Houston's Japanese culture festival returns with ramen, rides, and celebs

1 week ago | houston.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

Tokyo X, one of Houston's premiere celebrations of Japanese culture, returns to NRG Center for two days in June, promising, celebrities, food, martial arts, anime, and more. “Tokyo X is where Houston and Japan connect — through culture, community, and pure creativity,” publicist Christina Truong said in a statement. “This is more than a fan event. It’s a full sensory experience rooted in food, fashion, tradition, and fandom.”The event takes place June 14 and 15.
2 sustainable pickleball venues opening in San Antonio

1 week ago | sanantonio.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

The project to turn every single Disney animated movie into a “live action” film has rarely seemed like anything but a money grab by the movie studio. Most of the films have failed to update the original in any meaningful way, and in many of the cases, they’re almost shot-for-shot remakes, making the reason for the new film’s existence even more confusing. VIDEOHaving almost exhausted the supply of their 20th century movies, Disney has now remade 2002’s Lilo & Stitch.
'Sabbath Queen' doc chronicles life of a rabbi who became a drag queen

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Jef Rouner

If director Sandi DuBowski’s documentary "Sabbath Queen" has a mantra, it’s a line delivered twice in the film by principal subject Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie in his drag persona, Rebbetzin Hadassah Gross: “Redemption will only come with transgression.”For nearly two decades, DuBowski has followed the revolutionary and controversial liberal Jewish spiritual leader as he pushed back on orthodoxy in both Jerusalem and the United States.
5 essential tips for tubing on Texas Hill Country rivers this summer

1 week ago | houston.culturemap.com | Jef Rouner

Tubing is one of the ultimate summer activities in Texas. Floating down the Guadalupe or Comal rivers while enjoying the scenery and the cool water is a perfect way to spend a hot afternoon. Thousands of people travel to New Braunfels, San Marcos, and the San Antonio area every year to tube, but it's not without dangers, rules, and guidelines that should be observed by regular tubers and newcomers alike. Here are five essential tips to heed before you set off down the river this summer.