Through Sunday at Reliant

A newbie's guide to the Houston Summer Boat Show: Five attractions you don'twant to miss

The Houston Summer Boat Show offers a world of fascination to a boating newbie.
Photo by Karen Burd
The 36-foot 2012 Yellowfin starts at $271,160 with all the gizmos.
Photo by Karen Burd
Professional fisherman Chuck Devereaux shows the audience proper techniques andhow lures operate in the water.
Photo by Karen Burd
The 5,000-gallon Bass Tub aquarium is more than 40-feet long with 30-to-40 fishof various species.
Photo by Karen Burd
The Bubble Runner lets participants in a giant human hamster ball roll, flip,and spin on water without getting wet.
Photo by Karen Burd
Fish-O-Rama is a great opportunity to experience the fun, the fight and theexcitement of fishing.
Photo by Karen Burd
All sizes and shape of boats are available for up-close viewing.
Photo by Karen Burd
I never knew an RV could have so many luxury items.
Photo by Karen Burd

The 25th Annual Houston Summer Boat Show is older than I am, but as a native Houstonian I have never been tempted to attend — until my editor thought it would be a good idea to get a newbie's perspective. As I walked into Reliant Center I kept thinking to myself, "Oh great, I don't even like fishing or boats and have no idea about them."

But as I strolled around the massive complex, I soon became intrigued by the attractions the Boat Show offers. By the end of my tour, I was convinced that I really need a boat.

Here are five things that caught my eye:

The Mercedes of fishing boats

The first couple of boats I stumbled upon at the show were amazing — 36 feet of pure beauty. Even though I don’t know much about boats, these babies weren’t like any other fishing boat — and the price tag made it clear. Tommy Nolan of the Texas Sportfishing dealership says the prize boat of the exhibit is the 36-foot 2012 Yellowfin, starting at $271,160 with all the gizmos. It comes complete with LED underwater and spreader lights, live bait tanks, and three engines. The Contender, at $329,289 is pretty nifty, too. Even if you have no idea about boats, these are worth checking out because of the beauty and value.

Speed Racers

With glitter seats and a bright paint job, these speed demons are easy to catch your eye. Besides getting up to incredible speeds, the electric colors and details on the boat are something to check out. If I could buy a boat I would pick one of these just because of the colors.

40-foot Bass Tub

If you don’t know anything about boats or fishing, the 5,000-gallon Bass Tub aquarium is still worth your time. The Tub is over 40-feet long with 30-to-40 fish of various species. The tank offers demonstrations of the action of luring a fish. Professional fisherman Chuck Devereaux offers helpful suggestions and shows the audience proper techniques and how lures operate in the water. I don’t much care about fishing, but I enjoyed watching Deveraux catch some fish.

Fish-O-Rama & Bubble Runner

Tired of walking around and need some excitement? The Fish-O-Rama and Bubble Runners are great for all ages to let loose and have some hands-on fun. At Fish-O-Rama, you pay $3, grab one of the already-baited fishing poles and get ready for the challenge of hooking your own prize rainbow trout.

Next to the fishing frenzy, The Bubble Runner lets participants in a giant human hamser ball roll, flip, and spin on water without getting wet.

Recreational Vehicles

So if you aren't a boat or fishing person, in the back right corner of the arena you will find massive RVs for the whole family to enjoy. Ron Hovers RV & Marines offers RVs with huge living spaces and a place to store motorcycles. I never knew an RV could have so many luxury items.

The Houston Summer Boat Show continues Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Sunday noon - 6 p.m. Admission is adults, $8; children 5-12, $4, and under 4 free. For more details, click here.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana