dbigtex56

I have to agree with the above comments. The national meda operate like some sort of dysfunctional family. Houston's role is to provide shock and scandal. If you want to see Houston on the national news, wait until the next bizzare murder. We'll get plenty of coverage, and probably a "Movie of the Week" will follow in a few months.

Yeah, asthema attacks and heat strokes are a real scream. Perhaps this summer you can drop in at any emergency room and share your sense of humor with the crowds waiting there; I'm sure you'll get the reception you deserve.

When reports linking cigarette smoking to health risks first emerged back in the early 50's, some people sneered at 'The Cancer Scare'. And until just a few years ago, tobacco companies vigorously denied any connection between health risks and the use of tobacco. Every individual has the right to make up his own mind about the credibility of these studies. However (unlike tobacco), we don't have many choices about our exposure to air pollution. The effects of very small particulate matter on lung function has only recently been studied, and the initial results are (IMO) alarming. Eliminating diesel soot will be difficult and expensive. Expect people with a vested interest to discredit studies in whatever way they can. The tobacco industry certainly did.

The study seems to overlook the effects of vegetation in slowing the runoff of rainwater. While it's true that the soil here is less permeable than in other places, the presence of grass, trees, etc. provides a huge amount of surface area to which water can cling. Rather than running off all at once, water is slowly released to either trickle to the ground or evaporate. In addition, the presence of plants slows the run-off of rainwater to bayous. The absorbency of local soils tells only part of the story. Flood prevention is as much about the controlled release of water as it is about total rainfall.

I did not see any of the stories you mentioned. That channels 2 and 13 had the sleazier ones does not surprise me in the least. UFO abductions and demon-sightings? Puh-leeze! This is supermarket tabloid fare. OTC and prescription drugs and their side effects is a serious issue, and deserves coverage. I commend channel 11 for taking the high road (no pun intended). If only we had an informative news channel! I'd like to see coverage of the issues before city council, and an accounting of how each councilmember votes. I am not in the least interested in the sex lives of pop stars or movie actors, which seems to be the thrust (no pun intended) of much of the local news.

Because Metro bought the trolleys with federal funding, they had to sell them to another federally subsidizedl transportation system. The cost was determined based on real value of the trolleys vs the amount that Metro actually chipped in (something like 18% if I recall correctly).

Just out of curiousity, what do people do with all that space? I grew up in a smallish, circa 1870 farmhouse. My parents, two brothers and sister managed to get by with three bedrooms, and a total square footage of perhaps 1700, at best. This was the norm, not very many years ago. I did not (and do not) think that we were in any way deprived. I'm suprised that these "Focus on the Family" groups haven't tackled this issue (and perhaps that reference belongs in the Way Off Topic section - forgive me). When space is limited, families by necessity have to get along with each other, amuse each other, cooperate with one another. There wasn't a lot of places to escape the prying eyes of family members. Since there was only one TV set, our viewing habits were closely monitored. If someone was practicing the piano, the TV set was turned off. If we had guests, the TV was turned off, and we were expected to be polite. Is this a disadvantage? Why do smaller families need so much more room? Is it that they just can't stand to be around each other? Or is it that much of the house is comprised of 'trophy rooms', which are there purely for show? And imagine having to clean a 5000 sq. ft. house! There's also (for the socially aware) questions of land usage, raw materials and future energy requirements. I'd be less dismissive of McMansions if they served some higher purpose - perhaps serving as orphanages, or such. I think building a full-size replica of Barbie's Dream House falls somewhere between hilarious and disgusting.

When the first Enron building was constructed, I jokingly called it the "Bic Building", because it resembled the disposable lighter of that name. I used to draw cartoons of the Houston skyline and show a butane flame on one end of it. The great thing about the Pelli adjunct is that it makes the original look like an afterthought. Even better, when you're on Smith Street, the 'fins' on the 1963 Exxon Building match up so neatly with the new Enron building. In itself it's a lovely building; that it compliments its setting, and respects its elders, is genius.

The tapes which were recently released were made in 1999, prior to George the XLIII taking office. The assumption is that they were made without his knowledge. This isn't illegal in Texas; so long as one party consents, any telephone conversation can legally be recorded. In these tapes, Mr. Bush suggests - but doesn't state - that he may have used marijuana. Instead, he takes a moral stance. He wouldn't publically acknowledge doing so; children might cite him (as President) as an example. (That he wasn't yet President didn't seem to enter into the equasion.) No. In this supposedly candid, unscripted conversation with an 'old friend', he conveniently gives the same awkward response so many parents have had to give to their own children. I've seen some bad theater, and this falls into that category. My belief is that Mr. Doug Wead is still a trusted servant of the Bush family. This 'scandal' is merely another White House press release, thoroughly vetted and approved by advisors. We're supposed to sympathize with Mr. Bush; a trusted friend is using Secret Tapes To Promote His Book! Nonsense.

Lots of 'em. Near the beginning of the movie is a shot from on top of a downtown skyscraper (the old Tenneco building, I think) which shows off the surrounding buildings very nicely. There's a scene in Tranquility Park, another driving down Allen Parkway - there's no mistaking that this movie was shot in Houston. That being said, I read somewhere that the interior shots were done in Hollywood.

1. Movies set in Houston & SHOT in Houston - Eve's Bayou, Terms of Endearment, The Evening Star, Brewster McCloud, Tin Cup, Urban Cowboy, The Sugarland Express, Reality Bites 2. Movies set in Houston but NOT shot in Houston - Rollerball, Apollo 13, Urban Cowboy(remember seeing the majestic mountains in the background in "Pasadena"?) 3. Movies that have at least 1 prominent Houston scene Ordinary People I know, there's more, but that's off the top of my head. Should add a category - which cities has Houston 'subbed' for? Washington DC (Arlington Road, Warning:Parental Guidance ), San Diego ( The Chase ) Detroit (Robocop II ) Los Angeles Bill:On His Own (the reason they chose Houston is because parts of the Heights more closely resembled pre-war LA than did the original).

Before any new supermarkets are built anywhere near the CBD, the Randall's in Midtown will have to perk up considerably. Following the theory that one should put his money where his mouth is, I've tried to make a habit of shopping there, but it's...it's sad. Tonight I was there at 8:30 and there were maybe five other customers in the store. The butcher counter had closed, some of the produce had already been covered up, the selection of fresh meat was scant and expensive, and produce costs 2-3 times as much as at other nearby grocery stores. Spec's produce seems to be of higher quality at a lower price, with nearly as broad a selection. The selection of cheeses at Randall's is pathetic, but with Spec's across the street, why bother? I really hope Randall's can make it, but it appears that there's not the local support they were hoping for. And if Randall's folds, I imagine others will not be rushing in to take their place. Out of curiousity, where do other Midtown/Neartown residents shop? Aside from Randall's I go to Disco Kroger (on Montrose) or that dreadful Fiesta on San Jacinto.

I hope so too; but today I notice that a chain-link fence has been erected around the Spanish Revival building and the adjacent building (formerly Richard's Antiques). Hope this doesn't portend demolition...

There have been many movies filmed in Houston (even a few pretty good ones) - we've had a couple of threads which listed some of them. Economics is as much a factor as aesthetics - maybe more. Texas has an advantage in being a 'right-to-work' state (meaning the entire crew doesn't have to be paid union scale). From what I understand, permits are fairly easily granted here, and most residents are unaware of what a great big pain in the neck it is to have a movie filmed in their neighborhood. Ask me; I know. Among the movies filmed in my neighborhood: Terms of Endearment (outdoor scene) Rush Houston: The Legend of Texas (aka:Gone to Texas) A Woman of Independant Means I Was A Teenage Zombie Warning: Parental Advisory

Excellent article. I'm especially in agreement with #3 (free parking). As someone who does not own a car, I'm acutely aware that I'm indirectly paying for other people's parking spaces. Land acquisition, paving, taxes and maintenance of parking facilities are all factored into the prices set by landlords, stores and restaurants. As a form of repayment, pedestrians are treated utterly like crap (ever try to get served at a drive-thru if you're not in a car? They're very humorless about it).

In the Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide section (Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004), Dai Huynh lists 'Jefe Bar Mex Grill' under "Restaurant closings".

Bless your heart, and thanks for the reality check. Whether Sean John Couture, Fendi or Allis-Chalmers opens a new store in The Galleria is a matter of utter indifference to me. I do not intend to spend thou$ands on a new jacket - or hay baler. And now, darlings, forgive me...but Driver has the Maybach waiting out front, and I'm famished for some Beluga.

Hehe! Of course, 100 Club stickers never influence HPD in the performance of their duties. Does anyone know of any other city where citizens are allowed to blatently buy and post 'protection' stickers from the police department?

Swimming pools, bowling alleys, fitness centers, singles mixers...at what point does it cease being a church, and merely becomes a tax-exempt Club Med? Big churches is big bidness.

I'm curious as to whether the open space at the top of the building serves a function. It appears that that there's a hopper-like structure contained within; is it possible that this is a rain-collection system for 'green building' use? or is it merely decorative?

I am overwhelmingly in favor of issuing tickets based on traffic cameras. A camera, unlike a police officer, is impartial. It does not discriminate based on how expensive the car may be, or the ethnicity or gender of the driver. It's an extremely accurate device - more so than a human observer. It's a simple matter to prevent 'gouging' by the company who installs and maintains the cameras, and collects the fines: just be sure there's a hefty fine for every camera which has been shown to malfuntion in the company's favor (say, $10,000 per incident). This would provide an incentive for the company to stay honest. What kills me is that I suspect a lot of people who are so vehemently opposed to red light cameras are the same ones who support zero tolerance, lock-'em-up policies in other areas of law enforcement. Funny how law and order types will suddenly change their tune when it's their crimes being prosecuted. Anyone who suspects that the city is doing this to raise revenue should be happy. If the idiots who run red lights are willing to pay fines and help balance the budget, perhaps it will prevent a tax hike for the rest of us. If you don't want to pay the fine, then simply start acting like a civilized human being. I think that's what the opponants fear the most.

Welcome to HAIF, H-NYC Part of the reason for some categories having few posts is that HAIF suffered a complete meltdown four months ago. Much information was lost, and while we've made a lot of progress, it takes time. No matter how many (or few) categories are established, there will always be some subjects which will overlap (e.g., how exurbs impact downtown development). We strive to create some sense of order without being overly restrictive. Since threads can go off on tangents, occasionally moderators (or members) will ask that people stay 'on topic'. Thanks for your imput - if there's any way in which we can make HAIF more informative or enjoyable, we welcome suggestions.

Thanks for the info, Coog.

Local legend has it that an influential person who had an office in Pennzoil Place didn't want his view obstructed, which partially influenced the shape of Republic Bank. Another factor was the Western Union building. Due to the number of telegraph cables which would have had to be rerouted at great cost (in those pre-internet days), Western Union refused to sell. Instead, the banking hall portion of the building now completely engulfs this ugly little concrete block building, hidden in the northeast corner of the banking hall. I worked across the street (at HL&P) and watched the construction of this building from start to finish. The amount of bracing that went into shoring up that corner of the building was quite an amazing engineering feat. That it works aesthetically as well is nearly miraculous.

I think you're referring to Chuck George, who has gone on to become chief meteorologist at a Phoenix TV station. Personally, I liked him; he had one of the few non-fake smiles at Channel 2. He was also generous with his time in giving back to the community (the whole community, not just the gay one).