will and grace

Meet the heroic Houston firefighter blazing a trail in this year's smoke show pinup calendar

Tara Grace Houston Fire Fighters Calendar 2022

Photo courtesy of Tara Grace

The Houston Fire Fighters Calendar is back and there’s a twist for the first time: female heroes are mixed in with the expected shirtless, greased-up, muscle-bulging, beefcake guys.

Tara Grace, 45, adorns the month of December. She is an active fire fighter, a 19-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, assigned to Station 42 near the Ship Channel. This is her first experience as a calendar girl.

The 2023 Houston Fire Fighters Calendar is available for $35 — plus $6 for shipping — online. The calendar was produced by the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation, benefitting the its Burned Children’s initiative.

We caught up with “TARA FIREFIGHTER” as she’s billed on the calendar. Grace is pictured wearing a relatively modest red tank top and regulation tan fire fighter pants. She is holding a cat.

CultureMap: Seriously, when was the last time you climbed a tree to rescue a cat? Is that even a thing for fire fighters anymore?

Tara Grace: Not necessarily climbed a tree to get a cat down, but we actually do rescue animals that are trapped inside a house fire pretty frequently.

I’ve rescued several dogs over the past couple of years. One of the things that is cool about the calendar is we have some rescue animals in a few of the photos. I think that’s awesome. I was glad to do that part.

CultureMap: What attracted you to become a fire fighter?

TG: I heard about it while I was a personal trainer in a health club. It always interested me. I didn’t have any family members who were in the fire department or anything like that. I had always heard more about female cops than fire fighters.

I met some folks during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that introduced me to some female fire fighters. I just stepped out and gave it a whirl. It was a challenge and I absolutely loved that part of it.

CultureMap: Did you have to audition for the calendar or did somebody just say you’re going to be the December model?

TG: I did have to audition and that was more nerve wracking than doing the photo shoot. You’re in front of your peers, a formal selection committee. If you’re not used to that, it’s a very strange experience. It’s more than just trying to look cute.

CultureMap: You’re not wearing a bikini or posed in a sexually provocative position. Was that on purpose?

TG: We wanted to show that there are female fire fighters and we are strong. We’re also a limited number. We are less than three percent of the fire fighters in Houston. It’s important that we are represented in the calendar this time.

I like my photo. We were in a house that actually just burned down a week prior to my photos so it was a really cool setting. Plus, I’m proud that the calendar raises awareness of the burn children.

CultureMap: Do fire fighters really slide down poles?

TG: I have done that. I slid down one a couple of weeks ago when I was at Station 20. But they don’t make stations anymore with poles.

CultureMap: How often do you respond to a fire?

TG: It’s pretty regular. We answer for a lot of car fires and truck fires. There are warehouses by my station. We also have a neighborhood. One recent day, we had two car fires and one house fire. So, it’s hit or miss.

CultureMap: Do fire fighters sleep at the station? What is your schedule like?

TG: We all sleep in the dorm together like one big, happy family. It’s like a night out camping. I’m camping with the dudes. It’s a minimum of two 24-hour shifts a week. We work 6:30 am to 6:30 am shifts. The city is short on staffing right now so sometimes we work three days in a row.

CultureMap: Are fire fighters really great cooks? How would you rate yourself?

TG: You can ask the guys in my station: I believe that a few of us have some magic cooking skills for sure. Like last night, I made beef teriyaki with vegetables and Jasmine rice and vegetable egg rolls.

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Support the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation and its Burned Children’s initiative by purchasing the 2023 Houston Fire Fighters Calendar online.

Contact Ken at ken@culturemap.com.

Houston's best summer party

White Linen Night in the Heights rolls out new VIP section for 2025

Photo courtesy of White Linen Night in the Heights

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One of Houston’s favorite summer parties aspires to be even better in 2025. White Linen Night aims to build on the success of the 2024 event with faster admission, more amenities, and a dedicated VIP section.

Held annually on the first Saturday in August — this year that’s Saturday, August 2 — White Linen Night came to Houston from New Orleans. Although it now takes place throughout the neighborhood, its roots have always been on 19th Street, where the nonprofit 19th Street Merchants Association established the event after Hurricane Katrina. As part of the evening, the street is closed off to vehicular traffic which allows people to walk freely among their friends and neighbors. The overwhelming majority of attendees dress in the spirit of the event’s name by wearing white (it’s also cooling in the summer heat).

Last year, for the first time ever, the merchants association charged those attending the 19th Street party a $10 admission fee. The money paid for better security, a deep clean both before and after the event, and festive Christmas decorations for the association’s members. Given its success, the fee is back at the same $10 price for 2025 ($15 after July 31).

“We learned that people are still incredibly eager to support our local businesses and artisans, even when there is a small fee to attend,” Coryne Rich, secretary of the 19th Street Merchants Association, tells CultureMap. “It was inspiring to see the community come out in droves, especially during what is traditionally a slower time of year. Charging for entry also gave us the opportunity to enhance the event in meaningful ways, adding value for both attendees and merchants.”

For 2025, the association is installing a dedicated wifi network to improve the entry process. More notably, attendees have a new VIP ticket option. Priced at $60, it comes with access to a VIP section with seating, dedicated restrooms, a cooling station, and two bars.

“We added a VIP section this year to expand on the offerings of White Linen Night and to provide a more exclusive experience for those looking to enjoy the event in a different way,” Rich explains. “[It will be] a perfect space for guests to relax and immerse themselves in the atmosphere while also supporting the local businesses in the Heights.”

Other elements of the evening remained unchanged. The street’s merchants will open their doors to the community. Area restaurants will offer food and drink specials. Local musicians will perform throughout the evening.

To be clear, White Linen Night events held in other parts of the Heights, such as on White Oak, are not connected to the 19th Street Merchants Association. They may or may not charge fees of their own.

“While organizing White Linen Night takes a lot of work, the reward of seeing people in their white attire, enjoying an evening of community celebration, and supporting small businesses is always the best part,” Rich adds. “It’s a time for all of us to celebrate the unique culture of the Heights, and we can’t wait to experience it all over again this year.”

For tickets and more information, visit the White Linen Night on 19th Street website at wlnon19th.com.

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