dbigtex56

This may turn into a spontanious meet-up. How shall we differentiate the HAIFers from the mere gapers?

This statement seems a bit reckless. We cannot infer that ultrafine particulates are not a source of health problems only because they haven't yet been fully studied. Current studies indicate the opposite may be true. According to research presented by the University of Rochester Particulate Matter Center: • on a mass basis, ultrafines cause greater adverse affects than fine and coarse particulates • when ultrafines are inhaled, they are deposited in human tissue to a higher degree than fine or coarse particulates in the respitory tract; this disposition of ultrafine particulates is noted as being higher in asthmatics (link to source) I'm also puzzled that diesel truck engines are not cited as a source of coarse particulates. Did the trucking industry have anything to do with funding the source of this information? Or am I overly skeptical?

I too will reserve judgement until all the facts are in. And the facts will bear on the future credibility of the source.

Noticed the other day that the plants by the front door are dead. Does this mean the bar is too? Anyone miss it?

Maybe they found their back back to Alvin. (Note to non-Houstonians, and those under 40: (1) Alvin is a small community several miles outside of Houston. (2) "Alvin and the Chipmunks" was a popular animated cartoon series in the 1960s. And explaining that still didn't make it funny, did it? Ah, well.)

No need to blush, pineda. We all are at risk of being arrested for PI. The fact of sobriety or lack of same doesn't matter. All that's required is the testimony of the arresting officer. There is no recourse - you cannot demand a breatholizer or blood test. (Red, please correct me if I'm wrong - but I'm pretty sure I'm right.)

I've also seen countertop/backsplashes where the laminate extends upward in an arc at the back, instead of a 90

The only appropriate signage for this intersection is a picture of Princess Diana captioned "See ya soon!"

Hmm... The red chair's back is wider at the top than at the bottom. The black chair's back is wider at the bottom than at the top. Either they're not the same chair, or someone at the factory had an off day. Also, the bracket holding the chair back in place is different.

Saw the billboard rendering of this project the other day as I was exiting the Montrose branch library. What a relief that they've chosen to retain the Watkin house! btw, the other buildings currently on that block are no great shakes. While it may intrude visually on the neighborhood to the east, at least not much of architectural value will be razed.

Still, it is slimming...

Welcome to HAIF, Greens! Thanks for the photos.

Reminds me of the light rail/pedestrian accident a month or so ago. A blind pedestrian was struck by a train while crossing the street near Main Street Station. His explanation was that he thought he was on Travis, not Main. Was suprised that he would confuse the two, especially since that area has so many fountains, different traffic patterns, and tracks are imbedded in the street. Bottom line is we're all liable to err regardless of sensory impairments, and protection for pedestrians is largely a matter of self preservation. This is part of the reason that I'm quite humorless about red light runners.

Speaking of Goth-y things, what's the place between Leather Forever and Katz's on Westheimer, with the giant spider? Combination bar and tattoo parlor?

Please notify a moderator immediately if someone does, and it will be deleted.

Took the liberty of merging the other Global Warming thread with this one, as it's under a new catagory (The Weather)

Sorry to hear about the demolished house. One of the frustrations which comes with learning about architecture is the realization that others haven't, and are unaware of that which they destroy. A question about William Jenkins: do you know if he designed any of the garden-style apartment complexes in the Montrose area? The building I'm most curious about is located at 219 Marshall. As a former resident, I'd heard that it had been designed by a locally prominant architect, but never heard a name mentioned. According to the 1958 city directory, these apartments were under construction. The 1959 directory lists them as Kingwood Apartments. They've been called various names since then - most of which are repeatable.

bachanon, consider the source. From their website: "The Heartland Institute is devoted to discovering and promoting free-market solutions to social and economic problems." They are not, however, devoted to the truth. The icecaps are shrinking. They're shrinking at an accelerating pace. This is the truth. This is irrefutable. The Heartland Institute is devoted to distorting any facts which negatively impact those currently profiting from the free market.

You go to the hand with a bag of chips 24/7, girl! Because yo mama suffers from obesity.

Glad you asked. HAIF had a member who was provoking the sort of Houston vs Dallas, tit-for-tat discussion we're currently having - but on a much more vicious level. A moderator from the Dallas site (was it you?) had the courtesy to confirm that this person had been a problem on their board as well. As a moderator (he said, blushingly) I felt it was my duty to view the Dallas site. It's very good. Perhaps I should examine it again at more length. I also visited it again to be sure that my info was current before posting my reply to you. That's the extent of my lurking. I trust that the editor and moderators of the Dallas site will deal with obnoxious posters (whether from Dallas, Houston or elsewhere) as they see fit. If their editor or moderators ever want to compare notes with HAIF, we'll be happy to help in any way we can. That's the whole point...this silly rivalry between the two cities. "Houston has a Port, so dammit, we have to call our trading facility a port, too!" It reminds me of when I was a kid, and my mother made a special trip to the store to get something for my sister. I was mad, because she didn't get something for me, too. At the time I didn't understand that a five year old boy probably didn't need a box of tampons. I just felt excluded. So, Dallas, enjoy your port. It's not a box of tampons, but it'll have to do.

One more thing... (I believe this is from Historic Houston Streets:The Stories Behind The Names by Marks Hinton) The street name Avondale was chosen by a citywide contest, because it had a pleasant Shakespearian connotation. Therefore, the street to the south was called Hathaway (for his wife, Ann) and the one to the north Stratford (as in Stratford-On-Avon).

"I will not...be...ignored!" Seriously, why so interested in Houstonians' opinions? All this talk about lurking and obsession is a little creepy. Dallas has a nice website. Use it.

Wonder if Eames does rehabs of its "potato chip" chairs? I used to have a set of 4, but the backs had seperated due to deterioration of the rubber devices used to hold them in place. Because of this, I left them behind during a move - still kicking myself.

Being a moderator does not exempt me from having an opinion. If words still mean anything, a port is located by a body of water, whether natural or man-made. Therefore, otherwise land-locked cities which have access to oceans, lakes, rivers or canals can properly be referred to as ports. By that rather liberal definition, such cities as Chicago, St. Louis, Houston (maybe even Syracuse) might be considered ports. There are other cities - wonderful cities, filled with nice people - which are not ports. They include Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix - and Dallas. For Dallas to claim it has a port is like a dog claiming to have horns. Why? Dogs are lovable even without horns.

Will the Port of Dallas be located near their ski resort?