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City Cast Houston

We ask local movers and shakers the essential questions.

Christian Colon, who was originally born in Puerto Rico, first fell in love with airplanes watching them take off into the sky with his parents. His interest grew even more when he became a student at 

Houston ISD’s Sterling Aviation High School,

 where he initially trained to be a pilot. Through mentorship from United Airlines, the 21-year-old is now one of the youngest pilots licensed to fly for Mesa Airlines.

Q: What’s one of your favorite memories from high school and training to be a pilot?

“We had this thing called a solo flight. The solo flight is when your instructor hands you the airplane and you fly the plane on your own. I remember, you had a block [of time] to go to the flight school and fly the airplanes. By the time I got done with my flights, I would be coming back to school because I played sports in high school. Coming back to [school], in my head I’m like Oh my God, I just did this. I couldn’t stop smiling. Who can say I’m going to high school today, but at 12:00, I’m getting my lunch, and then I’m going to fly?”

Q: When you’re piloting a plane, what do you enjoy the most about the experience?

"I’m trying to soak it all in still. I’m just focused on do this right. Don’t mess this up. I’m still trying to bring my school knowledge into the flight deck. Recently, I had the opportunity to fly my parents. I took them from Jacksonville, Florida and back. That was a wild moment. I also enjoy the view. It looks like what people might think heaven is. It’s beautiful. I have what 45 years in my career left? I don’t think I will ever get used to the view. ”

Q: What’s a dream destination that you want to fly to?

“Flying back home to Puerto Rico. Hopefully I get blessed enough to go to United. They fly from Houston to Puerto Rico. Just have my family be out there and see the airplane land. Being able to land back where I was born, seeing the beach and all that, coming in for the landing, I feel like would be pretty cool.”

This 21-Year-Old Houston Pilot Is Living The Dream

3 Questions With

Margie Seaman isn’t letting her age stop her. She published her first 

romance novel “Someday Belongs To Us”

 at 85-years-old, and is already working on a sequel. She 

 about her adventures across Texas and beyond called The Graytripper.

What inspired you to write your first novel now?

“When I went through school, all my teachers said when you grow up you need to write. I don’t think of myself as a writer, but I think of myself as a storyteller and a character developer. So, I thought, I’m going to do that, when I get a little older, I’m going to write a book. Well, when I got older, I got married, had three kids, had a job, a career, and kept thinking I’m going to write that book next year. After about 70 years of procrastinating, it dawned on me when I hit 82. On my 82nd birthday, I thought, I better stop saying I’m going to do it next year because next years are getting a little bit limited.”

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken recently, and why?

The trip I went to Paris, Texas, into Carthage, [and] Kilgore. I’ve been in Texas all of my life. I had not gone to the area in East Texas as much. Paris is a really charming little town. They have a replica of the Eiffel Tower. It’s not quite as big as people think. It has a cowboy hat on the top, so that’s perfect. We got to Carthage. We found the country western museum. It’s a beautiful brick building, very large. They have things from every country western singer known throughout the time.”

What advice do you have for someone younger who feels behind in achieving their dreams?

“I had a major heart attack, had open heart surgery, quadruple bypass, had an intestinal bleed afterwards and had to go back in ICU. That’s only been two years ago. So, I have a very strong appreciation for the fact that I’m still hanging around. Seriously, to me life is a gift that I’m given every morning when I wake up. When somebody gives me a gift, then I have to do what is right and I have to appreciate that gift. To appreciate that gift, I need to live it to the fullest extent that I can. I need to contribute to whatever I can. My goal is to let people know that if you have a dream, if you have a goal in life, you can still accomplish it. Just do it.”

Margie Seaman isn’t letting her age stop her. She just published her first romance novel “Someday Belongs To Us” at 86-years-old, and is already working on a sequel. She also has a travel blog about her adventures across Texas and beyond called The Graytripper.

This 86-year-old Houstonian is a first-time author 

, decided to create a construction theme park because of his seven-year-old son’s love for construction equipment. The theme park, which opened last year in Katy, is the first of its kind in Texas and allows kids and adults to safely operate construction equipment.

Q: Why do you think it’s important for more theme parks to cater to those with disabilities?

“My son, Pierce, is seven years old. He was born with no health issues. He was progressing just fine. Then, in 2017, he contracted bacterial meningitis. He was in the hospital 75 days, a coma twelve of those days. We left the hospital with a different son than when we entered. He’s nonverbal, epileptic, deaf, in a wheelchair, lower mental capacity. Our life got turned upside down. [When] we were creating the park, the idea was we wanted people like Pierce to be able to come to the park. We shut down the park once a quarter and we host families for free, as long as they have one individual in their family that has some type of disability or special need. The reason is we want those individuals to have a unique experience. We want those individuals to be treated normally. We want those people to have a fun time. At the same time, we want the siblings to have an experience. We want parents to come that night, and say ‘Hey, listen, if it takes your kid 10 minutes to get on that machine and have a good time, take 15.’ We want you to enjoy it. We’re all in the same boat tonight. Everybody around you is like you.”

Q: Do you have a favorite part of the theme park?

“The tried and true is people love to get on that excavator and dig dirt. From a two-year-old to a couple weeks ago we had a 73-year-old birthday party. It was just her life goal to dig some dirt with a machine. I think it’s just a fun, unique experience that people love to be a part of.”

Q: If you had to pick a restaurant to go to in Houston every weekend, what would it be?

 I love the old-school feeling of it. I love the service of it. I’m like a kid in the candy store whenever I get to go. Somebody’s taking me next week, and I’m very aware that it’s one week away.”

3 Questions About Construction Accessibility With Jacob Robinson

Growing up, finding a passion for acting and music came easy to Kelley Peters because of her family. Peters, who’s portrayed country music star, Patsy Cline several times throughout her career, sees herself in the singer. You can watch her in 

Stages production of “Always…Patsy Cline”

Q: What made you fall in love with acting?

“I come from a musical family. Music was already integrated into our family, so I was fortunate to grow up in that because it was a way to connect, to grow together. Music is very healing. We can have different views, but music can be that dialogue when there’s nothing else. So, I tried anything and everything, but I navigated towards creating. I did choir. I played the violin growing up. Dance. Eventually, [I] really set into my foundation and comfort on the stage.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about playing Patsy Cline and do you share any similar traits?

With any character I play, there’s gonna be an element of yourself in their shoes. When you step into the shoes, you’re gaining a bit of them. You’re learning the lessons from that person. For me, it’s just inevitable that I’m taking a piece of that character, adding it to my toolbelt, and carrying it with me as I navigate through my life. Specifically, with Patsy, I’ll tell myself I don’t know if I can finish the day as Kelley, but I sure can as Patsy because she’s a force to be reckoned with, a pioneer for women’s rights. She’s strong.”

Q: What’s your favorite Patsy Cline song to perform?

“The first time I portrayed Patsy was in the summertime 2017. Now, [I’m] portraying her at 33. When years pass, you’re gaining more knowledge about yourself. You’re growing. You're going through hills and valleys. The past year and a half have been some of the hardest times I’ve gone through. Now, with that knowledge, singing “Crazy” is so difficult to sing, such a challenge. Now, when I sing it, there’s such weight to the words and such an understanding, more than when I first portrayed Patsy.”

Patsy Cline's birthday is coming up next Friday. Have you seen the show yet or are you a Patsy Cline fan? 

Growing up, finding a passion for acting and music came easy to Kelley Peters because of her family. Peters, who’s portrayed a country music star, Patsy Cline, several times throughout her career, sees herself in the singer. You can watch her in Stages production of “Always…Patsy Cline” through the end of October.

Meet The Houstonian Playing Patsy Cline 

Are you wondering how to explore Houston’s nature scene? Suzanne Simpson co-authored 

 which offers field trip ideas for our outdoor spaces. The book also highlights more than 100 local species you can find in Houston. Let’s go explore!

Q: Growing up, what did you enjoy most about being in nature?

“I grew up in the suburb of Kingwood. My most memorable experiences were in those large pine forests and those hardwood forests in the northeast section of Kingwood. Hanging out at East End park, going on the bike trails there. That is really where I realized that I love the creatures that may not have the most sparkling personalities. I love snakes. I think reptiles are awesome.”

Q: How did you get the idea for your book?

“My self and my co-author John Williams, we felt really passionate about removing some of the barriers Houstonians might feel to accessing their natural spaces. Some of those main barriers are where do I go? What can I expect when I get there? What should I bring with me? So, part of the book is a guide to 25 field trips that you can take within the greater Houston-area. Because we’re so passionate about the incredible wealth of Houston’s nature, we want to share that with people.”

Q: Houston is home to tons of species. Which one is the most Houstonian-like?

“Alligator snapping turtle. They were long overlooked, but were really only recently discovered in Buffalo Bayou. Just like Houston, I feel like they’re a little bit underestimated, but these turtles can withstand a lot. Obviously, they’re living in one of the most urban areas, so they’re really resilient – just like Houstonians. They love the water. They love the bayou and it’s a key part of their identity, and I think it’s a core part of our identities as Houstonians.”

Are you still skeptical about Houston’s nature scene? Here’s more on why 

Are you wondering how to explore Houston’s nature scene? Suzanne Simpson co-authored “Wild Houston,” which offers field trip ideas for our outdoor spaces. The book also highlights more than 100 local species you can find in Houston. Let’s go explore!

A Guide To Explore Houston's Nature Scene 

This Book Helps You Explore Houston's Nature Scene

Keeley Dunnam is a new Houstonian passionate about dance and the arts. Her new project “Telephone 2.0” seeks to bridge the gap between performance art and visual arts using multiple artists from different mediums. This weekend, enjoy 

a kids workshop and the closing reception

“My love for dance started when I was very little. I was enrolled in gymnastics at the age of three. My mom said that every week when she would take me to class, she would ask me how it went. I would say, ‘It was great, but when do I get to go to dance class?’ Eventually after I said that enough times, my mom put me in dance at the age of four. I’ve never stopped since then. I don’t know if it was just in my soul from the beginning.”

How did you come up with your project Telephone 2.0?

“My idea was how can we bridge the gap between the arts of sound and the arts of sight? Dance is an art of sound and an art of sight. Let’s use dance to bring music, spoken word, visual art, and all of this stuff into one idea. I’m also really interested in conceptual systems. How do we understand what something is? Our conceptual systems in America are much different than the conceptual systems in Japan and in Africa. I did a lot of research into that.”

What’s the best place to go dancing in Houston?

“If I’m gonna go social dancing, I’m gonna go to 

 in Richmond. We have lots of different styles of dance that happen there, a lot of latin styles, country western styles, and line dances. My absolute favorite place [to dance] is the beach. I feel really connected to myself and to the rest of the world when I’m out in the ocean and I just allow the waves to motivate movement.”

Keeley Dunnam is a new Houstonian passionate about dance and the arts. Her new project “Telephone 2.0” seeks to bridge the gap between performance art and visual arts using multiple artists from different mediums. This weekend, enjoy a kids workshop and the closing reception highlighting her work at MECA.

Fresh Arts Resident Passionate About Dance 

This Houstonian Is Passionate About Dance

, has a passion for vintage toys that started with his father. The Heights toy store owner hopes his store can inspire young and old Houstonians.

What inspires you to run Super Happy Incredible Toys?

“When I was a kid, a lot of my best memories of being a kid were hanging out with my Dad. We didn’t have a lot of money, but my Dad would go to the movies every weekend. My Dad became my first best friend. When we’d go to the movies, it would always be like if I was good, he would get me a toy. Nothing big or nothing fancy, just a random action figure. My mom and dad passed away about eight, nine years now. A lot of my great memories of being a child were those moments with my Dad. So, I collect [toys], to reconnect with my father. I’ve noticed a lot of people that come into the store have stories like that. That’s what the store is to me. It’s a haven and a place where people can either reconnect or create new connections with their kids now.”

What toys are customers excited to find in the store?

“The most popular thing is Transformers. We have a big five now that everyone likes and that’s vintage Star Wars, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We’re getting a lot of other things that people are asking for now. Pokemon, anime, and vintage Barbie. I’ve been working real hard to develop a girls section.”

If you could create a Houston toy, what would it be?

“It would be an Astroworld theme park, where you could buy each individual ride and it runs. You could buy Grease Lightning, Texas Cyclone, and put it all together, and maybe there’s action figures you can put in there. It’s almost like a train set, but everything is individual. If you didn’t want to build the whole theme park, and you just wanted Grease Lightning running on your desk, you could do that.``

Do you have an interesting Houstonian I should profile? 

Juan Salazar, owner of Super Happy Incredible Toys, has a passion for vintage toys that started with his father. The Heights toy store owner hopes his store can inspire young and old Houstonians.


Houston Business Owner Shares Passion For Toys 

Abbas Dhanani started as a food blogger, creating a popular Instagram account that chronicles Houston’s evolving food scene. Now, Dhanani has taken on a new role as restaurant owner of the popular smashburger restaurant 

 has been around for more than a decade. How has Houston's food scene evolved since you started the account in 2011?

“Houston has become more of a foodie city over the years. As far as talent, it's way more widespread throughout the city, and with that, the concepts have expanded and become even more diverse. Previously, there were only a few premiere chefs like Chris Shepherd, Justin Yu, and Hugo Ortega. Now everywhere you see, there's talent, not just in the city but nationally recognized talent. It was rare for Houston chefs to get recognized by James Beard in the past, but now we're a perennial city for nominations, paving the way for Houston as one of the top food cities in the country.”

Your family operated numerous franchises across the city and you helped them as you grew up. How did those skills transfer into helping you launch Burger Bodega?

“Without the family business experience, I wouldn't have had the confidence to do Burger Bodega. It would have been challenging to set it up as I did. Being a manager at the previous fast food restaurants under the Dhanani Group also gave me the experience of learning how to be a leader and lay the blueprint for succeeding.”

What's another burger spot that you love in Houston, and why?

“It's hard for me to choose just one spot, so here are a few of my favorites. 

 is already one of the best restaurants in Houston, but their burger might be the best thing on the menu. Stanton's City Bites. It's a Houston classic staple. Tornado Burger. More of a fast-food-style burger, but it's amazing. The spicy patty is incredible.”

 from earlier this week on City Cast Houston with our host Raheel Ramzanali. I know you’re also probably craving a burger, so check out our round-up of 

Abbas Dhanani started as a food blogger, creating a popular Instagram account that chronicles Houston’s evolving food scene. Now, Dhanani has taken on a new role as restaurant owner of the popular smashburger restaurant Burger Bodega.

Meet The Man Behind Burger Bodega 

Pooja Lohdia is a familiar face on Houston television screens, working as a reporter for ABC-13 since 2012. When she’s not out reporting on stories across the city, Lohdia loves dancing, yoga, and reading a good book.

“The first time I walked into a newsroom, I knew I was in the right place. Just imagine: a job that allows you to witness the best and worst parts of people’s lives, and then share them in a way that can bring others together! How lucky am I? I believe shared experiences are the strongest asset we have as a community. The more personal we are, the more universal we can be, and journalism gives me a chance to showcase that. Plus, it’s really fun! As my first News Director put it, who could pass up a backstage pass to life?”

Q: What is your favorite quirk about Houston?

“No zoning. Seriously! I always tell people Houston is the weirdest city in America. Come at me, Austin! Where else can you find a school, a liquor store, and a church in the same strip center? When I think of Houston, I think of the words BIG, messy, and diverse. Yall, I love it here!”


Q: If you had to pick one restaurant to eat at every weekend in Houston, what would it be?

 in Houston’s East End. Honorable mentions: 

, and that guy Raheel Ramzanali’s fave, 

If you’re craving Aga’s, then hear Raheel’s interview 

with the owner of his favorite restaurant.

Who should I feature next? 

Meet Houston Journalist Pooja Lodhia 

Besides being a professor, business owner, and entrepreneur, Dr. Lindsay Gary is a dancer at heart. The Third Ward native also runs 

, a professional dance company focused on African dance tradition. Her new project, “Dancing Home: (to) Houston,” which honors her African roots and hometown, will close this weekend with a reception and 

“I feel a connection to my ancestors, people who are no longer here. A connection to cultures that I may not have grown up with, but have similarities because they’re part of the Diaspora. I’m able to connect and learn that way through movement. If I’m in a class with an Afro-Cuban dance teacher, I’m learning about culture. I’m learning language. I’m learning history that I may not have learned in a classroom setting. Dance is a vessel for me to transmit information through my body.”

Q: How do you see your African dance roots connected to Houston?

“I grew up recognizing myself as an African person, as a Black person, as an Afro-Creole person, as an African-American. Over time, I wanted to create a connection that is clearly visible to the other part of the world and the communities. Oftentimes, we don’t see Black American dance as clearly African. Especially coming from, where my people are from in Louisiana, zydeco being one of the earliest dance forms I ever learned with my grandmother and my Dad, dancing on his feet. A lot of our family members and community don’t associate that with Africa. My entire mission in my life is to connect the Diaspora to the continent, and through dance and this particular project that’s what I'm doing.”

Q: Why do you think so many Africans are drawn to settle in Houston?

“I really consider Houston to be a Little Nigeria. I think about the other African people [moving to Houston] — from Ethiopia, Ghana, the Congo, Angola. Houston draws in a lot of international people. I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of it, but I think it’s our climate, the economic benefits, the different types of resources we have through the medical center, the oil and gas industry, the Port.”

Besides being a professor, business owner, and entrepreneur, Dr. Lindsay Gary is a dancer at heart. The Third Ward native also runs Dance Afrikana, a professional dance company focused on African dance tradition.