🌱 Demand For Blood Increases + COVID-19 Testing Results Glitch + Restaurant Openings

Happy Wednesday, people of Houston! My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am here to bring you everything happening in Houston today.

First, today's weather:

Partly cloudy. High: 61 Low: 48.

Here are the top five stories today in Houston:

1. A Houston Health Department online portal that delivers COVID-19 test results was disabled Tuesday due to a technical glitch. The outage applies to tests conducted at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, Hiram Clark Multi-Service Center, Magnolia Multi-Service Center and Southwest Multi-Service Center. Results will be delivered by phone until the glitch is fixed. (Houston Chronicle)

2. 19 educational organizations in the Greater Houston area were given the Texas Association of School Business Professionals Award of Merit, the organization announced last week. The award has been given out annually since 2009. (Houston Patch)

3. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center says the demand for blood from hospitals has increased during the New Year. Hospitals say it is due to a busy surgery schedule, trauma from an increase in motor vehicle wrecks and violent crimes, and blood transfusions. It has seen a 10% increase in demand for overall blood products and 8% in demand for red-blood cells, while also experiencing a drop in donations. (CW39 Houston)

4. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced that tickets for the 2022 season will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 13th. The entertainment line-up includes Tim McGraw, Gwen Stefani, Marshmello, Ricky Martin, George Strait, and more. (Houston Patch)

5. A number of new restaurants and bars have recently opened including Burger-Chan, Underbelly Burger, Old Tom Bar at Avonak Distillery. Chi'Lantro BBQ and Money Cat are two restaurants planning for a summer opening, while a number of local restaurants are closed or temporarily closing for the season. (HoustonPress)

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Today in Houston:

• Building and Standards Commission Hearing (Annual Meeting) at City of Houston Annex Council Chamber. (9:00 AM)
• Alley Theatre Exhibit at The Heritage Society Museum. (10:00 AM)
• Power Lunch/Small Business Workshop at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. (1:00 PM)
• Art After Dark Open Mic Night at Showtime Bar And Lounge. (7:00 PM)
• Guisos: Mexican Stews at Central Market Houston. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Houston restaurateur Elouise Adams Jones is dead at age 79. She was a 1970s pioneer on Houston's restaurant scene and a gifted hostess. (Preview at Houston Chronicle)
• The 20th Anniversary Rockets Run is next month on February 19th. (Twitter)
• Judge Hidalgo moved Harris County’s COVID Threat Level to Level 1: Red. Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, it’s recommended that all people mask and social distance. Unvaccinated folks should minimize contacts, and get vaccinated. (Twitter)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.