The Circle of Life

Inside the loop: New Hula Hoop craze grips the nation and Houston's at thecenter of it all

In the summer of 1958, more than 25 million Hula Hoops sold to plastic-happy Americans. The Hula Hoop defined a generation of post-pubescent Baby Boomers, teaching them to grind their hips and effectively yielding a subsequent "Gen Y" and a generous bank of potential CultureMap readers.

Now, the tropical-tinged toy is enjoying a renaissance thanks to the backing of such disparate figures as Real Housewives of New York's Bethenny Frankel, German performance artist Christian Jankowski, anti-obesity advocate Michelle Obama, Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, Sufjan Stevens' backup dancers and Houston Free Press Summer Fest participants. Nowhere is the trend more evident than at Houston's own Discovery Green, where the world's largest Hula Hoop class is held on the Fondren Performance Space lawn on Sunday mornings.

The forever-fad is adding a charitable edge with the arrival of the Care2Spin Hula Hoop Challenge. The hoopathon will attempt to attract over 3,100 movers and shakers to Discovery Green on Aug. 28 to raise money for Easter Seals Greater Houston, an organization that helps children and adults living with disabilities. That lofty 3,100 figure isn't as arbitrary as it looks, as it would break the current Guinness World Record for the number of Hula Hoopers hooping in unison at a single venue.

There is a suggested $100 donation for participants to get their hoop on at Discovery Green to support Easter Seals' myriad programs.

"Because of federal and state budget cuts, Easter Seals is losing between $1 and $1.2 million in funding," says Jenny Selber, who represents the non-profit. She tells CultureMap that one in six Easter Seals clients will lose services as a result of the financial crunch.

The money generated at the Hula Hoop Challenge will benefit the organization's broad spectrum of services that aid disabled persons from infancy through adulthood. The retro Hula Hoop toy is also helping Easter Seals look to the future by funding iPads that will give children a means to communicate.

"These iPads are giving speech to kids with conditions like cerebral palsy," Selber says. "They understand language, and now they're able to communicate through technology."

Care2Spin Hula Hoop Challenge will be held at Discovery Green on Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit give2gether.com to take the challenge.

unspecified

Astros GM dismissed

Houston Astros part ways with general manager Dana Brown after 4 seasons

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

undefined

The Houston Astros and general manager Dana Brown have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced on Monday, August 24. Brown’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season.

The move comes after a particularly disastrous weekend for the Astros, who gave up two come-from-behind wins to the last place Oakland Athletics. With a record of 65-66, the Astros are currently tied for first place in the American League West with the Texas Rangers.

Brown had served as the Astros’ general manager for four seasons, beginning in January 2023. He came to Houston via the Atlanta Braves, where he had served as vice president of scouting.

For now, his role will be taken over by Astros assistant general managers, Charles Cook, Gavin Dickey and Connor Huff, along with senior advisor (and Astros Hall of Famers) Jeff Bagwell. Owner and Chairman Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations through the transition period, according to a press release.

“Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division titles and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts,” Crane said in a statement. “On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization. We wish he and his family the best.”

“I want to thank Jim Crane for the opportunity to serve in my first role as an MLB general manager,” Brown said. “The Astros organization and the fans have welcomed me and my family, and I am grateful to have called Houston home for the past four seasons. I wish the organization well and I look forward to the future as I continue my 36-plus years in professional baseball.”

houston-astros