On May 5 at the Koch Theater in New York City, Food Network star Ted Allen presided over a black-tie-clad crowd of chefs, bartenders, food writers, and culinary superstars to announce the winners of the 2014 James Beard Awards for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and education in the United States. 

The general public will have its first chance to check out the new Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco on Saturday, which is National Train Day. 

I was struggling to surmount a Friday-afternoon energy slump a few weeks ago when I received a phone call that perked me up better than a cup of coffee ever could. “My name is Louise Rowe,” she told me, “and I think you might be interested in my story.” 

Austin’s largest hotel is quickly taking shape in downtown. Developers of the JW Marriott Austin say they’re moving up the previously announced opening date by a couple of weeks to February 20. 

A few years ago, I had the good fortune to attend one of the inaugural “Where the Chefs Eat” culinary tours of Houston (www.houstonculinarytours.com) , which introduced participants to a bevy of eateries that aren’t on the radar of most visitors.  We ate cabrito accompanied by live mariachi at El Hidalguense, an unassuming restaurant on Long Point Road; compared barbecue at three sites known for their different styles; explored the foods of Thailand and India until we thought we might burst; then wrapped up with an exploration of the vast ethnic-food aisles at 99 Ranch Market—all accompanied by such nationally regarded chefs  as Monica Pope, Hugo Ortega, Randy Evans, and Chris Shepherd, who observed, “I think a lot of people are afraid to get out of their comfort zones. When they do, though, it becomes more than just going out to eat; it becomes an education into another culture.” 

We have good news for peach enthusiasts in the Hill Country, East Texas, and beyond: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reports that most Texas peach orchards survived the April 15 freeze without damage.

Last year around this time, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in New Braunfels celebrated the birth of twin reticulated giraffes, the first successful twins in the United States. The park named the giraffes Nakato and Wasswa, and they’re still thriving, and growing, and revealing their personalities as the ranch itself celebrates its 30^th anniversary this spring.

Fort Worth is a fine city, with plenty of laid-back charm and style. It’s home to world-class museums, honky tonks and an array of notable dining options.

Supporters of the National Park Service and its parks and historic sites in Texas are gearing up for 2016, the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. 

With spring officially here and summer around the corner, lots of folks are making vacation (and staycation) plans.  Museums, since they are usually gloriously climate-controlled and require no slathering of sunscreen to enjoy, make great escapes when the mercury rises, and their offerings are more diverse than you might imagine.  For example, most museums these days complement exhibits—whether they present art, history, science, or other disciplines—with film screenings, lectures, art demonstrations, kids’ activities like storytimes and DIY crafts, and even themed dance parties. Not only does this expanded focus bring the museums new audiences, but it also helps make the collections more relevant and accessible to visitors who may have previously thought they weren’t “museum types.” 

When you get down with your funky self amid a collection of modern sculptures, or meditate in a gallery filled with Japanese antiquities, it’s easier to find a visceral, lasting connection with the museum-going experience.

The Galveston-Bolivar ferry remains closed Monday morning as a result of an oil spill in Galveston Bay. The Texas Department of Transportation, which runs the ferry, says the U.S. Coast Guard requested that ferry service be suspended in the aftermath of the Saturday afternoon spill.

If you’re getting ready to hit the road for a spring trip, be sure to check out the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Wildflower Sightings” website. The page identifies the locations of particularly scenic wildflower spots around the state.