Black Stiletto Style

Bigger than Bush? Sarah Palin uses Shania Twain as cover in Upper Kirby

Sarah Palin met fans at the Upper Kirby Borders bookstore.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
Willow Palin poses for pictures while fans gather around. Her sister, 9-year-oldPiper, is in front of her.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
The line to meet Palin stretched all around and through Borders and out thedoor.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
In line, one woman from Brazoria County wore a "Palin Rocks!" shirt, in additionto Sarah-style rimless glasses.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
A half-dozen Palin protestors marched with some Afro-Caribbean drums andanti-Palin posters.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
A peek at Palin's fab footwear. Not visible: four-inch stiletto.
Photo by Sarah Rufca

Sarah Palin had her work cut out for her as hundreds of fans hit Borders in Upper Kirby for a few seconds of face time and a signed copy (or copies) of her new book America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag.

It was just after 11 a.m. when the first Palin fans emerged from an endless, snaking line with signed books in hand. "18 hours! It was worth it!" they whooped about the wait as the crowd applauded.

Palin herself seemed energetic and engaged, asking people about their businesses and cooing over babies. Her apple green jacket popped against the red Borders backdrop for a combo that was either Christmas-y or garish, depending on who you asked. Her outfit might have been perfect politician polish, but her four-inch black stiletto sandals winked at a less-buttoned-up Sarah.

Palin's signing was hectic, though more relaxed than the Secret Service-heavy signing by George W. Bush just a couple weeks ago at Barnes & Noble. People deposited all phones, cameras and purses when they entered the holding area immediately around Palin and the press were cordoned off 10 feet from the former governor and forbidden to ask questions.

(Even "What do you think about all these Houstonians thinking it's cold today?" I would have loved to hear her opinion on that.)

When either Borders or Palin's people suspected someone was shooting video, Shania Twain's greatest hits were cranked up to prevent the press outlets from using the footage with sound.

Members of the crowd described themselves as unabashed Palin fans, with Jonathan Reazin of Houston declaring he was "all wee-wee'd up" to meet her (we think that means excited), in part because his Palin-loving colleague couldn't make it. But even among the fans, opinions on Palin's political future were mixed.

Todd Killenger said he thought Palin should "definitely" run for president, while Elizabeth Lott had a more circumspect view.

"We were just talking about that. I would like it if she ran, I'm all for it, but there may be too many people with a negative opinion of her. It comes down to balancing what you want against who's going to win," Lott said.

At the bottom of the Borders stairs a second Palin celebrity emerged, posing for photos with fans and handing out line markers/bookmarks. To our surprise it wasn't Bristol, the recent headline-making Dancing With The Stars finalist. It was 16-year-old Willow Palin, whose only claim to fame so far is being the butt of a bad David Letterman joke and calling her classmates homophobic slurs on Facebook, as well as 9-year-old cutie Piper. But when you're a Palin, I guess fame follows you.

According to Amazon, Palin's book is still behind Bush's memoir, Decision Points in sales. But if this crowd is the judge, that will not be the case for long.

Editor's note: Don't miss CultureMap's exclusive video and story on W.'s River Oaks book signing visit earlier this month.

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Historic Houston air terminal museum closes due to budget shortfall

Photo courtesy of 1940 Air Terminal Museum

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A beloved Houston museum has closed its doors — at least for now. The 1940 Air Terminal Museum announced this morning (Monday, March 2) that it has ceased operations.

Located next to Hobby Airport, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum showcases Houston’s aviation history. Designed by local architect Joseph Finger, the museum’s Art Deco building is a protected landmark that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum president and director Karen Nicolaou tells CultureMap that the problem is simple. The museum’s revenues don’t match its expenses. Previously, the museum raised $100,000 or more per year from raffles on Facebook, but that stream dried up.

It generates some money from admissions and more from hosting private events, but it hasn’t been enough. Being far away from the Museum District means it doesn’t get the cross traffic that its more centrally-located peer institutions do.

Still, the museum occupies a unique space in Houston. “It’s one of the coolest places for kids to see airplanes,” Nicolaou says. “There’s no other place where someone can walk onto the ramp and take a picture of plane taking off with nothing in the way.”

While the museum is closed for now, Nicolaou says its board has been in contact with the Texas Historical Commission about taking over operations. One issue is that the commission would want to take ownership of the building from Houston Airports, according to Nicolaou.

“That’s going to take coordination between the city, the airport system, and the Texas State Senate. There’s a lot of politics involved,” Nicolaou says.

Of course, she has a simple proposal for Houston Mayor John Whitmire that would move the process along.

“Mr. Mayor, sell the historical commission the building for a dollar and be done with it,” she says with a laugh.

In response to CultureMap's request for comment, Mayor John Whitmire provided the following statement: "I’ve spoken with the Chair of the Texas Historical Commission about opportunities to support the museum’s operations in ways that enhance the public experience. We’re making progress, but discussions are in the early stages."

Whether it’s operated by the City of Houston, the Texas Historical Commission, a university, or some other entity, Nicolaou hopes the public will be able to visit the museum again soon and for many years to come.

“We want a permanent solution. We’ve tried for one for years,” she says. “It belongs to the city. It belongs to the residents of the city of Houston. They should have it to go to for years.”

museums transportation 1940 air terminal museum