🌱 Patch AM: Why Houston’s Venezuelan community is split over Maduro’s dramatic capture

Good day Houston! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Houston’s Venezuelan community is split over Maduro’s dramatic capture
• How a Houston spin instructor reacted to Maduro’s sudden capture
• How could Houston’s energy giants cash in on Venezuela’s oil?

Also on today's calendar: ROCO Connections: Beer & Brass and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the baby light bulb say to its mom? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Fog in the a.m.; mostly sunny, with a high of 76 and low of 61 degrees.
• Tuesday: Areas of low clouds and fog, temps: high: 82, low: 64.
• Wednesday: Very warm, with a high of 81 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Houston-area Venezuelans react with hope and concern to Maduro's capture (khou.com) — Houston-area Venezuelans are gathering, debating, and processing the news that Nicolás Maduro is in custody, with protests downtown and in Katy reflecting sharply different views on U.S. involvement. Local residents describe power outages back home, fears about foreign intervention, and cautious hope that this moment could open the door to real democratic change.
   

• Houston fitness instructor who grew up in Venezuela says capture of Maduro brings hope (click2houston.com) — A Houston cycling instructor who fled Venezuela shares how news of Nicolás Maduro’s capture has stirred new hope for his family and homeland while he builds a life here. From his studio in Houston, he reflects on food shortages, protests, and why this moment feels like a possible turning point, even amid uncertainty.
   

• How would Donald Trump tap ‘tremendous' wealth from Venezuelan oil? (wdctv.news) — Houston’s role as a global energy hub is front and center as CERAWeek executives here hear pitches on how U.S. companies might tap Venezuela’s vast oil reserves after Nicolás Maduro’s ouster. The piece explores how a Trump administration could structure a U.S.-led revival of Venezuela’s oil industry, what it might mean for Gulf Coast refineries, and why major players remain cautious.
   

📸 Around Houston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Houston

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday January 17

• The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Houston, TX (January 2026)
  1 Fannin St, Houston
  10:00 am

Tuesday January 6

• Beauty And The Beast
  The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St, Houston
  7:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday January 7

• ROCO Connections: Beer & Brass
  St. Arnold Brewing Company 2000 Lyons Ave Houston, TX 77020
  6:30 pm

Friday January 9

• Lin's Grand Buffet - Houston Highway 6 Grand Opening Celebration
  Lin's Grand Buffet - Houston Highway 6: 5402 Hwy 6, Houston, TX 77084
  10:45 am
• Destiny's Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute Houston
  The Bell Tower on 34th 901 West 34th Street Houston, Texas 77018
  8:30 pm

Saturday January 10

• Time Travel Half-Marathon (and 5k/10k) - Houston
  John Paul Landing Park , 24202 West Rd
  9:00 am
• The Supreme Good Heart of Bodhichitta
  2500 Yale St , Houston
  10:00 am
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Houston, TX
  Hilton Houston Plaza , 6633 Travis St , Houston
  6:00 pm
• Bingo Loco: The Ultimate Bingo Party
  NOTO Houston , 3215 McKinney St , Houston
  6:00 pm

Sunday January 11

• The Change: Unleashing the Wild Woman
  The Health Museum , 1515 Hermann Dr , Houston
  2:00 pm

Friday January 30

• Led Zeppelin 2
  House of Blues Houston , 1204 Caroline St , Houston
  7:00 pm

📣 Houston Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday January 5

• Monday Bridge Open Play (50+)
  West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
  9:30 am
• Mahjong Open Play Mondays (50+)
  West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
  1:00 pm
• Balance and Stretch (50+)
  West University Place Community Building and Senior Center , 6104 Auden Street , West University Place
  4:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Gourd'gous Glass Pumpkin Patch
  Glassblowing Houston , 17442 FM 2920 Rd , Tomball

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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• HVAC Solutions Texas — (817) 325-7310
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Sweet Success: From Family Kitchen to Food Network Fame —sally magnuson Read on Patch

• This young girl rang our doorbell late last night asking for a blanket.
  She accepted one and told my wife that she was okay before quickly walking away. I’ve called HPD and checked some missing persons pages already. I… (Nextdoor Second Ward)
• Saved this dog from getting run over on 249.
  I can’t keep him does anyone willing to adopt or know anyone that would take him in? I would pay for the vet bills shot whatever he needs I just want… (Nextdoor Carverdale)

• Mayor Whitmire's State of the City address will take place on February 12, 2026. During the event, he will update Houstonians on topics including... (X: houmayor)
• A Houston Metro bus rolled over and veered off a bridge in Midtown on Saturday afternoon in a crash that injured at least one person, officials said... (X: HoustonChron)

• Marriott posted a job opening for Public Space Attendant - Overnight in Houston. Apply here.
• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Houston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Houston here.

🗞 Nearby News

Houston Heights

• Firefighters hurt when driver slammed into their truck while blocking traffic on Gulf Freeway (khou.com)

Aldine

Ok Houston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I love you watts and watts!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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