TELL ME AGAIN, WHY DO I LIVE HERE?

This is the time of year that even the most devout Houstonian questions his or her devotion to the city – and a run through of the “Houston, it’s worth it” web site doesn’t help. Even my favorite listing, number 2032, fails to amuse: “Every once in a while we get rumbly dark clouds far off to the west at sunset, and if you squint your eyes just a bit, you can convince yourself that we do, indeed, have mountains.” We all know that in July the clouds mean rain, the choice between mosquito attacks or DEET, and always parking in a puddle.

That is why “Hot Town, Cool City” is a welcome discovery. Local artist Maureen McNamara, challenged by friends living in certified cool cities to explain why she chooses to live here, has make a film to answer the question. The film will be previewed on Thursday, July 13, at 5:45 pm at the River Oaks Theatre, 2009 W. Gray Street.

Until then, there’s the web site Hot Town, Cool City. It opens with a map of Houston’s freeways with dots for the each of the featured attractions. If you aren’t patient enough to click on each dot, there is a master list. The local art scene, organic farmers’ markets, decidedly non-chain restaurants, several parks, and variety of “experiences” are listed. The web site allows you to nominate cool places.

McNamara, who traveled to many US cities opening theaters while working as director of operations for Landmark Theatres, observes that “In other cities (such as NYC, Chicago, or San Francisco) everyone knows to go to a particular neighborhood to find all of a particular kind of riches. Houston is more of an adolescent, renegade city. Things are a little more spread out in Houston. Houston is full of surprises and discoveries; it’s an interactive city.”

The film includes interviews with Moonlight Ramble bicycle riders, an interview with Devin Borden at Glenwood Cemetery, a trip to Glass Bros. Watermelon Stand in Fifth Ward and an interview with its owner, and a farmers’ market tour with interviews with local farmers.

After the preview, there will be a reception at New World Museum, 5230 Center Street. Please RSVP by July 10 to (713) 826-0227 or mcmcnamara@worldnet.att.net.

So far, the web site and the entries have a sincere, enthusiastic quality to them. One entry on the experience page: “There are many things I love, but my favorites are the SUNSETS! Refineries = air pollution and air pollution = clouds which all equals beautiful sunsets. They always make me step back and take a deep breath and reflect upon how much I love my adopted city.”