dbigtex56

Not everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah either. Both Christmas and New Year's Day are national holidays; whatever ones religion (or lack of same) this is a festive time of year. "The Holidays" acknowledges this fact without making perhaps unwelcome presumptions about others.

Thanks for clarifying soft good retail. I agree about the importance of continuity of businesses - think of how many cities have "restaurant rows". Perhaps promoting retail on some of the neglected east-west streets between Main St. and The Park at Houston Center (or whatever it's called now) would help to tie the two areas together, and create the sort of shopping mecca which would attract more people. Currently, it seems like the enclosed mall and Main St. are unrelated, and at odds with one another.

BRAVO (brava?), SUZERAIN! If there was a way I could bronze that post, I'd do it. Knowledge is power. I hope people put it to use. BTW, who or what is a "neighborhood protection official"? Would this include police, firefighters, public works employees...?

I think it was called "Fresno"

And speaking of ugly vacant lots... Today I took a walk on the east side of Midtown, because I hadn't been there in quite some time (years?) and wanted to see first-hand what has transpired. And I have to admit, the new townhomes are very attractive, and not at all like the hideous early Perry Homes, as I'd feared. The designs are varied and imaginative. On those blocks which have been redeveloped, it's a nice neighborhood. Yet there's no mistaking that this is recently recovered slum property. Only a block away from these newly constructed, neatly maintained townhomes, it's the same cruddy vacant lots that prevailed 20 years ago. Look at the south side of Elgin near Crawford (kittycorner from Elizabeth Baldwin Park). The grass and weeds between the sidewalk and street are easily two feet high, and the vacant lot beyond is no better. There are abandoned houses (on McGowen, for example) which are literally falling down. If I lived in this neighborhood, I'd be down at City Hall every Tuesday, demanding to know where my tax dollars were being spent. In other cities, this sort of blight is simply not tolerated. Isn't there a mechanism in place by which neglected properties can be condemned and demolished? Or overgrown lots mowed, and the expense added to the property owner's tax bill? Seems to work elsewhere - why not Houston? Or are our elected officials too lazy (or corrupt) to carry out such a program?

This seems like a win-win situation - retailers can exhibit their wares, and building owners can showcase the possibilities. What is meant by Mr. Kaplan's reference to 'soft good retail'? I'm pretty sure it's not because the furniture is upholstered...

Google Plans New Service for Scientists and Scholars By JOHN MARKOFF Published: November 18, 2004 SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 - Google Inc. plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding a new search service aimed at scientists and academic researchers. Google Scholar, which was scheduled to go online Wednesday evening at scholar.google.com, is a result of the company's collaboration with a number of scientific and academic publishers and is intended as a first stop for researchers looking for scholarly literature like peer-reviewed papers, books, abstracts and technical reports. Google executives declined to say how many additional documents and books had been indexed and made searchable through the service. While the great majority of recent scholarly papers and periodicals are indexed on the Web, many have not been easily accessible to the public. Full article - New York Times

So if "The Real World" does come to Houston, where would you want them to locate the house? Downtown? Midtown? I'd vote for Montrose.

One which I find comes in handy is ALT 167, which gives you the 'degree' symbol e.g., 180

Thank you for clarifying your position. I hope to clarify my own. Is this the post to which you're referring? I see a statement - an assumption - not a question. I'll freely admit that the David Koresh remark was over the top. That he and the Branch Davidians felt an intense need to coalesce was the point. I meant it the way pineda took it (that a sense of community such is offered by A&M might have fulfilled this need in a healthier way), and also as a cautionary example of the dangers of an 'Us vs Them' view of the world, which is one of the characteristics of a cult. That being said, a tight-knit community must, by definition, have some insular qualities. The Aggie Spirit is something of which I am not a part, and I acknowlege that, without envy or resentment. I respect A&M for its superb accomplishments in academics and research. The qualities of conservatism, "redneck" culture and religion are not, in themselves, displeasing to me. As someone who is considered liberal, urban and with agnostic tendancies, I too feel that my core values may be misunderstood. I too am dismayed by a society that seems to embrace the Seven Deadly Sins so readily. The assumption that any person or group has a lock on morality or values is what's so disturbing to me. As someone who was reared in a conservative, rural, church-going family, please believe me that I do not sneer at that way of life. Neither Jeff Foxworthy nor "Will & Grace" portray an accurate view of their respective worlds, but I can laugh at both, without malice. We both have our crosses to bear - you, as an Aggie, me as a Montrose-dwelling homosexual. We're stereotyped and disliked for all the wrong reasons, and it becomes very frustrating. I offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your classmates, and believe that God will comfort you. I hope we can continue to learn from one another.

I had hoped to stay out of this conversation. However, when someone persists in asking for it, eventually I have to cave. My remark about David Koresh was purposely ambiguous, a sort of literary Rorschach test. You could take it as a compliment or as an insult. Pineda chose to see the good in it, and you chose to see the evil. Neither response surprises me. Scroll up. No one spoke with disdain for Aggies prior to your remark, only towards the poor planning and execution of the bonfire. You made the conscious decision to create an offense where none existed. Now, I'm starting to get angry. How dare you? The implication is clear; either you're an Aggie, or you're a styrofoam munching, glassy-eyed misanthropic zombie. How condescending - and inaccurate. Let's reframe this, shall we? After bragging about the superior social and spiritual aspects of Aggiedom, combined with open contempt for the rest of the world, you're suddenly some sensitive little flower, and the Big Meanies are picking on you. I have no feelings towards Aggies in general, and prefer to think that you are not representative of that body. You're demanding that people should feel envious of you. I, for one, am not. O, omniscient one! Now you can read the minds and understand the motives of people you haven't even met. Miss Cleo, eat your heart out. See, I knew you didn't mean it when you said "A&M welcomes everyone into the family"; therefore my David Keresh remark. No. "People hate people who care for each other"? Sir, you know nothing about me. I have a family who loves me, and lifelong friends. Most adults eventually move on past high school, but if this helps, I was the Prom King. Big f-ing deal. Eventually, people grow up and acquire deeper values than adolescents - some people, anyway. I think it's wonderful that Aggies feel a special bond. I think it's terrible that you assume no one else is capable of having one. Why the hate, indeed? Maybe it has something to do with your gratuitous character assassinations. Maybe it has to do with your hysterical defense against non-existant insults, the ones you fabricated yourself. Some people, including your fellow Aggies, have the notion that perhaps God, friendship, and community exist outside the world of Texas A&M. "No one was talking about why the bonfire happened until these people brought it up"? Why the hell not? When twelve promising young lives are snuffed out, shouldn't people ask why, and if such a tragic event can be averted in the future? Traditions can be fine things - or not. As I understand it, A&M started off as an exclusively white, male, Protestant school. That this 'tradition' has been discarded speaks highly of those who had the courage to change it. Perhaps a dangerous, environmentally destructive tradition (the bonfire) can be adapted to something more productive, while fostering the strong feeling of community which distinguishes this fine school.

Did anyone see Howard Stern on David Letterman tonight? I almost didn't watch, as I'm not a fan of Mr. Stern's sense of humor. I'm glad I did, because some of the points he made about the current and future state of traditional radio were well thought out - and alarming. Between corporate takeovers and increasingly heavy-handed FCC regulation, there seems to be no relief in sight for land-based radio. If you're tired of Clear Channel and their ilk, satellite looks like the future of radio and (I hope) music.

Congratulations! I wish you and your bride all the best. And if you want to take a few days off HAIF for the honeymoon...well, we'll understand

Just think...if David Koresh had gone to A&M that whole unfortunate Waco thing could have been avoided.

This being a very old part of Houston, it seems likely that a least a few of these houses would contribute to the 6th Ward or some of the older parts of the Heights as infill. Perhaps they could be moved rather than demolished.

Santa, are you listening? I want one! This is the toy in question: IMPLOSION TOY IS NOW AVAILABLE! Implosionworld.com, in partnership with American Toy & Invention Corp., is pleased to announce the debut of the world's first "implosion-like" demolition toy. Advanced Engineering contains enough structural building elements to construct a 4-story building, as well as a rack-bar type plunger and a timing plate that allows for controlled collapse in any direction. The toy is recommended for ages 5 and over. (You will note from the photos below that the toy is completely re-usable, and contains no actual explosives of any kind). Also available as separately-ordered accessories are 144-piece Gothic Stone, Red Brick, or Modern Black Glass facades. Maybe this is a 'guy thing', but I think it's utterly cool, and would love to have had one when I was a kid. I did have a toy car which could be carefully assembled, and when its front bumper hit something it'd explode into pieces - to be reassembled, ad nauseum... There was a thread on the old forum which deserves to be revived - favorite architectural toys (Lincoln Logs, Legos, etc.)

So let me get this straight, if you'll forgive the expression...the problem is that people are shocked by the website, so the business should move or close? The impact on Main Street would be minimal, as almost certainly the customers will be using the rear entrance (of the building - what are you, 14?) I imagine it would be in the best interests of the Meatrack to make its presence as discreet as possible. I seriously doubt if they'll have display windows (or signs) on Main Street. A three year lease isn't forever; by the time any residential development in the area is built and occupied, the building's owner will be in a better position to lease to a more conventional tenant. This property has sat empty for quite a long time; it's a beautiful old building and a paying tenant provides an incentive for the owner to maintain it.

Any reactions from those who watched this program? The outsourcing of jobs to China (due to pressures from Wal-Mart to force manufacturers to supply goods at an artificially low price) was the main issue addressed, and the numbers are sobering. How can this trade imbalance be good for America? I wish Frontline had had more than an hour to examine other issues Wal-Mart has had on America; there wasn't time to address the effect it has had on smaller communities, product choice, and their employment policies. On the positive side, one cannot help but admire the way Wal-Mart has streamlined inventory control and anticipated of consumer desires and needs. Their efficiency is to be admired; the preditory tactics, not.

KHOU report: Click to watch video HOUSTON -- For several years now, the stream has run steady with folks moving back to the city. Approximately 25,000 call it home now. KHOU The Meatrack's Web site is one of the reasons Midtown neighbors are fighting against it. But in the middle of it all is Midtown. Even on this cloudy day, Noel Cowart can see how much has changed in the last few years from his 14th floor high-rise home. "This has become a premier neighborhood to live in," Cowart proclaimed. "I'm delighted to live here. What I'm not delighted about is having some sexually oriented business moving in to my neighborhood near to churches, schools and residents." A gay club called The Meatrack signed a three-year lease to rent a building in the 2900 block of Main Street right along the rail line. "He has a Web site and it's a very graphic Web site," Cowart said referring to the club. True. Meatrack.org leaves little doubt as to what happens inside. The site says it has lockers, towels and free condoms throughout the club. Plus, restraints, an exam table and other fantasies. The Meatrack encourages its customers to have safe sex. But this place considers itself a private club. Membership is required to get inside. But you can buy it at the door for $5. "If that's what he's doing and that's the type of crowd he's generating I don't want him in my neighborhood," said Cowart. There are other clubs like the Meatrack already open in Midtown. In fact, it's only moving three blocks to its new location. But it'll open right in front of the light rail line, right on the Main Street corridor. While many may consider this club immoral, we discovered it may not be illegal. These clubs operate in a gray area of the law. They don't serve alcohol. There are no dancers for hire. And going in customers sign off that graphic sex isn't offensive. So it's not considered a sexually oriented business. That makes it difficult for opponents. Even the ones at City Hall. "Main Street has been designated as the signature boulevard for the city of Houston," said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado. "We have the Main Street Coalition that has put a lot of time resources and thought into developing Main Street. This is not the type of business we want on Main Street." But Alvarado and others can't find any legal way to stop the Meatrack from moving to Main Street. "We've got to get people to move back to the city," proclaims Peter Brown, who helped found the Midtown Coalition. "They want to move back. They're tired of commuting." Peter Brown fears places like the Meatrack will deter development in Midtown, especially the empty lot directly across from the club. So, Brown's trying to update standards new businesses have to follow in hopes of keeping these types of clubs from opening. Brown said he would rather see a more pedestrian friendly urban environment. "It's going to do a lot to attract people back to the city," Brown said looking over artists' renderings of new Midtown development. But for now there appears to be little that anyone can do legally to prevent the Meatrack or any other so-called private club from opening their doors where they want. Link note: Access to KHOU website requires sign-up (free)

Any updates on this project? Also, it's reassuring to know that we're not the only city which has issues with chain drugstores The National Trust for Historic Preservation has developed some approaches to assist people who are concerned about this kind of development. link

That's the only location directly on Main St. anywhere near McGowen which makes any sense. Any comment from realtors?

Euclidian (or Euclidean) zoning is a term with which I was unfamiliar. Turns out it has nothing to do with Euclidean geometric principles, but with a U. S. Supreme Court decision (named for the city of Euclid) regarding the constitutional right of a municipality to establish zoning laws. Pace Law School link

Oh, so it's not just me...? Somehow, I get the feeling that this is a case where appealing to someone's better nature or logic would be an exercise in futility.