Yesterday was my first time entering the actual building of Department of Veterans Affairs in…read moreHouston. It is heavily guarded with x-ray scanner and metal detector. Not sure if it was the headquarters of its Houston main office. I only contacted them via email for over a decade. I was here yesterday to receive Covid-19 vaccine as directed on the invitation. I didn't get a chance to visit other offices. This building is separate from VA Medical Center. Military police were very strict on where you park. Absolutely no medical center parking allowed on the VA parking lot. The MP patrolling around all entrances. It also made me uncomfortable to take any photos. (Got stopped several times on different days because I was really lost with so many back roads and detours due to construction.) I wasn't here for their usual operation. So, this is only a general experience at The Department of Veterans Affairs office lobby on Almeda by Gate 71.

For the past three months, I've been attempting to obtain an updated certificate of eligibility…read more Each time I call, I'm directed to the Atlanta office, which does not handle Texas home paperwork. The staff in Atlanta are frustrated because they can't connect me with anyone in Houston due to the VA's decision to restrict inter-office communication. As a result, I've missed out on three home opportunities because of the VA's failure to process my certificate of eligibility. This situation is unacceptable, and the Houston office needs to find a way for customers to communicate with them and with the central 1-800 number. As a veteran, I'm both disgusted and frustrated, and I've lost out on thousands of dollars. Once again, the federal government is failing to support veterans.

I have extreme needs for utilities &/or rent plus asked for help to repair my automobile. my…read moredaughter has been in three spine surgeries that failed, & needs a fourth surgery. All CombinedArms does is hand me off to other charities who also have handed me off to others. a few months later we STILL NEED ASSISTANCE, she even needs assistance for the medical bills, next surgery, etc. This TX "main link" for disabled veterans, as I am, is a FAKE & a JOKE!

I am a USAF Veteran and am currently serving as a first responder. Combined Arms is such a great…read moreveteran organization. They bring so many organizations together to support veterans and have been there for me when I have needed assistance or when I have referred other veterans to them. Recently my home was damaged in Hurricane Beryl and today they provided a disaster relief check that will be used to repair damages. I am truly grateful for this organization and the team of persons that work to support veterans. Thank you John Smith and Combined Arms for taking care of a fellow veteran in need.

I would like to make a complaint on Veterans Evaluation Services (VES). I have already done so with…read morethe VA. An appointment was scheduled for me for a sleep study on July 18th at a facility. I called the week prior on either Thursday 7/11/24 or on Friday 7/12/24. I spoke with someone who told me someone had messed up and was supposed to ask me a set of questions which included if I wanted to do the sleep study at home. They apologized and I spent quite some time on the phone while they typed in notes and put in notes about conducting the sleep study at home. They said I called well within time and that a kit would be sent to my house to do the sleep study. They also said someone would be contacting me about the kit by phone or email within 24-48 hours. They instructed me not to worry about the appointment and that I do not need to go to it. I never received anything so I contacted VES a 2nd time the following week on possibly Tuesday before the Thursday appointment and followed up. They told me they were putting notes in the system for the sleep study kit and that someone would be contacting me. They told also told me the same thing to not worry about the appointment on the 18th. On July 18th (the day of the scheduled appt), the facility called to confirm if I was going to the sleep study. I explained to them the situation and they said no problem. I called again on July 23rd to follow up and was told not to worry and that someone would be calling me and that it would be no issue to still send the kit for a sleep study. While on the phone I rescheduled 1 auditory appointment. I received no contact back from VES. I called VES AGAIN on July 30 or 31st. They told me I had missed my appointment for the sleep study. I complained and they transferred me. I spoke with Cameron who stated he had to let a supervisor know to look into the matter further. But they were going to look into it, not based off of the several calls and lack of contact with me and sleep study kit, but based off them not asking me the required questions initially which included if I wanted to do the study at the facility or home. He told me he would call me back in a day or two with an answer. I received my first call back ever surprisingly from VES on 8/2/24 from Cameron. He stated I would have to put a new claim in with the VA because I had "no showed" my appointment. He told me I did not contact VES until after my appointment on 7/23/24. I explained to him what I had already explained about all the calls and all the notes that were supposed to be in their system. He said the decision was made to proceed with a no show. Completely unacceptable that I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to and made more than enough time to contact VES on several occasions and several times was told I was ok and the kit would be sent and to not worry about my appointment. Terrible service from a company specifically for veterans. This is exactly why NO ONE ever has anything good to say about the VA in the military community. Just another example of veterans getting tossed aside and no one having any accountability or doing things the right way.

It's amazing to see how fast Flock has grown over the past years. Founded in 2009, the first Flock…read moreevent was a small mixer housed in the aquarium. Today, Flock events, like the annual Beastly Brunch, attracts 300+ people and tickets are guaranteed to sell out. For those who don't know, Flock is the Zoo's young supporters group. And by "young," they mean you have to be at least 12-years-old and there really isn't a cap on maximum age. As they say, it's more of a "young at heart" type of thing, being that there are plenty of members in their late 30s, 40s (and perhaps 50s?). Annual membership is $150 ($250 for a Flock Plus membership). Your membership gets you free access into three cocktail events and the annual Beastly Brunch. You also get a one-year Zoo membership benefits, volunteer opps, discount at the gift shop, special preview invites (like to Zoo Lights or new exhibits) and other perks. If you've ever thought about joining - do it! I mean, it's THE ZOO! Membership contributions directly support the Zoo's animal care, education programs and wildlife conservation efforts.

Pretty solid little BBQ joint with full bar. No menus! They serve all the basics meats and tasty…read moresides. I had a combo plate with ribs, brisket and jalapeño sausage Along with BBQ beans and coleslaw. Everything was tasty. Waitress was cute too! Ambiance was solid. On the downside I thought it was slight expensive. $18.99 for the lunch combo plus $1.50 for a drink. I thought it was pretty cool that after the meal, the bring you a hot towel to clean up with.

Midtown Terrace (now called Cloudbreak Community) was a decent place to live when I first moved in…read moreduring 2011. Then they mainly only rented to veterans. Now they rent to anyone. About 5 years ago they hired a property manager to show them how to increase their profits by taking every amenity away from their tenants and by shirking most of their responsibilities as owner. My apartment failed two inspections because Cloudbreak would not clean black mold from the ceiling even though the inspector wrote that it was their responsibility. Cloudbreak denied responsibility and sent me notice that it was my responsibility. I am a HUD VASH recipient and I have been given a move voucher so I can find another livable apartment somewhere else. I am glad because this is now the worse place I have ever lived. I know they will keep my deposit because of the mold they were supposed to get rid of. I would highly discourage any one from moving here. This place has major critter problem the worst of which are bed bugs and roaches. They are making a lot of money by keeping all or most of the renters deposit when they move out and getting another deposit when the new renter moves in. The staff here are heartless people.

Bingo in the Heights at SPJST Lodge 88 is such a fun experience. It's incredibly organized and well…read morerun, and the staff keep everything moving and are friendly and efficient. Bingo is $15 and cash only, and you're free to bring your own food and drinks as long as they're not items the lodge sells. The crowd is younger and much livelier than the stereotypical bingo scene. Doors open at 5:30, and getting there early really matters if you want a good seat because it fills up fast. You can even reserve tables for birthdays or group events. They also sell mini cakes, popcorn, and daubers.

Not your average Granny's bingo, that's for sure! I planned a social outing for my team/coworkers…read morehere, and we had the best time! I highly recommend gathering your group for a Thursday Bingo Night here, so much fun!!! They have an efficient system in place, and it is $15 (cash only) for a packet of bingo cards for a chance to win the big bucks for each round. I recommend getting there early when doors open at 5:30 PM, to save your table(s), especially if you have a large group, since it fills up quickly (including parking lot) because it's the place to be on a Thursday night. Their kitchen is currently closed, so you're allowed to bring your own food, which is fine. They do have concessions and a mini bar with sodas, water, beer, and seltzers too. My team already wants to go back, so we've started a bingo night tradition because of SPJST!