A Wiki-less Wednesday

Will the Wikipedia blackout mean more than Kim Kardashian dying on Twitter?Internet protests rated

If you're dying to know where Shakira was born or must find out at once how many pages comprise War and Peace, don't even think of consulting Wikipedia on Wednesday.

That's because you won't be able to. Everyone's favorite Internet authority and the sixth-largest site in the world, Wikipedia, will be down for an entire 24 hours, starting Wednesday at midnight.

Breathe. It'll be OK. It's actually a good idea.

You see, Wikipedia is one of dozens of participating websites — including Reddit, WordPress and the I Can Has Cheezburger network — that will return an error when you access it at any point on Wednesday. A smattering of popular websites will band together in an online protest against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) on Jan. 18 — by going cyber silent.

Wikipedia is actually bringing the pain with this protest. And it might just cause a few folks to sit up and take notice.

SOPA and PIPA are bills in Congress designed to stop copyright infringements on movies and music online, but the major Internet companies say the bills would effectively turn them into the police, requiring them to block websites that allow digital file sharing for example, and kill the idea of an open Internet.

Sure, the Internet has seen all kinds of effective protests in the past. Who could ever forget when both Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian died on Twitter? That shot reverberated around the world.

And remember National Quit Facebook Day? What a difference they made indeed.

Uh huh.

Yeah, we're talkin' bigger here, kids. More like the role the social web played in the Arab Spring, Wikipedia is actually bringing the pain with this protest. And it might just cause a few folks to sit up and take notice.

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Shopping scene

Eyewear, boys' clothes, and 'splendid' ice cream coming to Rice Village

RIce Village at dusk with shoppers walking around

COurtesy Rice Village

Shoppers in Rice Village will have more options, with three new retailers set to open in the coming weeks.

Shoppers in Rice Village are about to have an even broader selection of boutiques and eateries. The Rice Real Estate Company announced this week the arrival of New Orleans-based eyewear brand KREWE, local boys’ boutique ParkerJoe, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

KREWE offers luxury sunglasses and optical frames that draw inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans. Designs blend classic and contemporary aesthetics, creating unique, fashion-forward frames. The retailer will occupy a 941-square-foot store at 5515 Kelvin Dr. Suite 125, and opens in time for shoppers to find great gifts or get a new look for the holidays. The Rice Village location is the brand's first brick-and-mortar location in Houston. There’s a grand opening fête on Saturday, December 7 from 5 to 8 pm with creative New Orleans fare, live music, and other fun.

In January 2025, shoppers can look forward to ParkerJoe. It’s the second location for the mother-daughter-owned shop, specializIng in apparel for boys from newborns to around 12 years old. Shoppers will find a rich selection of apparel, accessories, shoes, toys, and books, as well as specialty items such as golf and tennis apparel, suits, formalwear, and Texas-themed toys and clothing.The new boutique will occupy a 1,975-square-foot store at 5515 Kelvin Drive, between Vuori and Paper Source.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams also joins the mix, opening a 1,603-square-foot location at 5411 Morningside Drive, across from Torchy's Tacos, in early 2025. Jeni's has gained a cult following for its one-of-a-kind ice creams such as Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Brambleberry Crisp.

The new retailers further cement the Village’s reputation as a shopping destination, offering customers a wide selection of eclectic finds.

"Rice Village continues to attract a dynamic mix of local and national brands," said Kenneth Jett, vice president for facilities and capital planning and president of Rice Real Estate Company. "These new tenants reflect our commitment to providing a vibrant, walkable destination for shopping, dining, and community experiences. We are thrilled to welcome these esteemed brands to our community.”

The new additions complement recently opened stores like The Beaufort Bonnet Company, an upscale children’s lifestyle apparel brand located at 5515 Kelvin Drive Suite 120 and Paper Source, a haven for stationery enthusiasts and craft lovers, located just steps away at 5515 Kelvin Dr. Suite 100. Rice Village is also home to a number of restaurants, including Navy Blue, Hamsa, and Sixty Vines.

Courtesy of Rice Village

Shoppers in Rice Village will have more options, with three new retailers set to open in the coming weeks.

rice village openings shopping ice-cream