trymahjong

http://blog.chron.com/houstonpolitics/author/chrismoran/ I was wondering what thetalking points will be. I liked that the Mayors Press secretary say's "We expect it to be funny."

got this from the neighborhood yahoo group-- Rumor No Longer! No, not about the Bomar house... this is about Trader Joe's. I was in the building this morning, on Shepherd at W. Alabama, the old Alabama Theater, watching the workmen hammering and sawing. The blueprints they were working off of had written all over them: Trader Joe's. so it's true, and just a matter of time. Oh, and they are keeping much of what gave the theater its character, including the decorative Art Deco medallian across the ceiling - AND including recreating pieces to replace chunks that broke off.

Houston experienced severe weather the past few days that affected Houstonians' lives and property. With hurricane season well underway, the City of Houston is keeping an eye on the Gulf of Mexico for development of tropical storms and hurricanes. Have you done everything you should to prepare in case disaster strikes? One of the best things you can do is avail yourself of information from official sources, like the National Weather Service and your local media. In addition, the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management invites you to stay informed about tropical weather and other types of emergencies that could impact our community by registering for AlertHouston, the City's emergency e-mail notification system. This tool will provide you and your family with key information that can help keep you safe. Registration is free and easy! Sign up today at alert.houstonoem.net. For more information about the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management, visit www.houstonoem.net.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/gallery/NAACP-delegates-tour-Freedmen-s-Town-45855.php

I have to say I didn't notice any spider carcasses. . . . . . . I don't see spiders anymore but seriously doubt the stuff I'm using would kill them. However, my Mom sent a mega sticky insect pad her pesticide guy gave her to use called Catchmasters. I tried this in the tray between the floor and the bottom of the parrot cage--this is not acessible to parrots even if they crawl down the cage and snoop around the house. I haven't noticed any spiders but it does seem to catch most of the little crawlies that try to invade the parrot cage.

i google this awhile back--tried a few different suggestions but one worked prety well.Because I have parrots, I have to use non toxic-- I tried essential oil of orange -- a teaspoon in large clean spray bottle filled with tap water.--sprayed on any spider i could see, guess the citrus smell drove them away as i wouldn't see spiders at that spot any more. So I sprayed it at places where I had seen spiders before--Haven't seen many spiders since. I use regular dish soap -- teaspoon soap in large spray bottle filled with tap water -- to spray my house plants that had tiny critters on them-- the next day i misted same plant with plain water--Outside I add 1/2 bottle Louisianna hot sauce with teaspoon soap to spray my tomato plants then next day plain water----these work surprisingly well, and I label each of these in bold letters (contents and what they are to be sprayed on) so no one in the house gets confused.

maybe feral cats just need the right set of circumstances-- http://www.chron.com/life/article/Feral-cats-sink-claws-into-new-career-3671126.php

there is another thread concerning Washington DC's $.05 tax on plastic bags (the money going to help clean up the Potomac River)-- apparently plastic bag useage after the tax was established went down. . . . . . . http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/plastic-bags-used-in-dc-drop-from-22-million-to-3-million-a-month.html

Maybe like this?

I'm wondering if the strip center at Montrose & Westheimer is sold, potentially mixed use fabulous will replace it. . . . . . . what will happen to Half price books? Will they be able to afford higher rent?

Polystyrene Foam Recycling Available Beginning Monday, June 25, 2012 Beginning Monday, June 25, 2012, the City of Houston will accept clean block style or packaging polystyrene foam at the Westpark Recycling Center, 5900 Westpark, Houston 77057 and the Environmental Service Center South, 11500 South Post Oak Lane, Houston 77045. Residents can drop off polystyrene foam at both facilities. The operating hours for the Westpark Recycling Center are Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Environmental Service Center South is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc, the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) has obtained a polystyrene densifier and compactor machine that enables SWMD to transform polystyrene waste into a valuable recycled material. Up until now, polystyrene foams - commonly known as "Styrofoam" - were bulk materials used in packaging that ended up in Houston's landfills. Now, polystyrene foam can be compressed by a factor of 40 to 1. As a result, the densified polystyrene foam becomes a product that can be recycled and reused in a variety of commercial and residential uses. For more information about polystyrene foam recycling and collection, contact Sandra Jackson at 713.837.9164 or email sandra.jackson2@houstontx.gov. To learn more about recycling in the City of Houston, visit www.houstonsolidwaste.org, www.greenhoustontx.gov, Facebook at www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste and on Twitter @houstontrash. Register for CitizensNet Add cityofhouston@houstontx.gov to your address book to ensure proper delivery of CitizensNet emails and to prevent spam filters from blocking the emails. Follow these instructions. Change your email address or Update your record View CitizensNet Archive Go to www.houstontx.gov for information about City of Houston activities/events. <img alt="Fan Us, Mayor's Facebook" border="0" height="22" width="22" /> Fan Us, Mayor's Facebook • <img alt="Follow Us on Twitter" border="0" height="22" width="22" /> Follow Us on Twitter • <img alt="Watch us On YouTube" border="0" height="17" width="40" /> Watch Us on YouTube Disclaimer: All information, excluding your email address, is generally subject to public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (See Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code). Thank you for your interest in CitizensNet. Mailing Address: City of Houston | P.O. Box 1562 | Houston, Texas 77251 City Hall Address: City of Houston | 901 Bagby | Houston, Texas 77002 Unsubscribe from CitizensNet Council Members: Helena Brown • Jerry Davis • Ellen R. Cohen • Wanda Adams • Mike Sullivan • Al Hoang • Oliver Pennington • Edward Gonzalez • James G. Rodriguez • Mike Laster • Larry V. Green • Stephen C. Costello • Andrew C. Burks, Jr. • Melissa Noriega • C.O. “Brad” Bradford • Jack Christie Controller: Ronald C. Green

I'm not sure about the history of this little house but in Avondale this house is always described as where the Mother of the El Felix guy lived-- I'm relieved it won't be torn down

Got an email asking me to join in support of the ban---- http://www.texasenvironment.org/dsp_TargetTemplate_choices.cfm?TTID=38

Got this in an email---- The Houston Public Library wants to hear from YOU. The Houston Public Library is committed to providing excellent customer service. Each year we ask for feedback to learn more about library users, what services they use and how to make their experiences with us even better. You are invited to respond by completing a brief five-minute survey. If you are someone who doesn't think of yourself as a library user, we still want to hear from you. You can access the survey at www.houstonlibrary.org/survey. Thank you for helping to improve your library. Houston Public Library * Phone: 832.393.1313 * http://www.houstonlibrary.org/

Parkmobile: Conduct Parking Transactions by Mobile Phone Through the City of Houston's Parking Management Parkmobile service, customers can now pay for parking by cell phone or smart device application. The Parkmobile application is available for the Android, Blackberry, iPad, iPhone and Windows 7 smartphones. To use Parkmobile's service, drivers must first complete a free registration by setting up an account at www.parkmobile.com, where they can also download one of the mobile apps. Once registered, customers can use the mobile app, the internet or 1.877.727.5758 to pay for parking. Staying at the forefront of technology, Houston offers pay-by-phone parking service at on street metered spaces or pay stations. Be sure to look for the green Parkmobile stickers and signs the next time you park at a meter. For additional information visit .

Celebrate July 4th at Southwest Airlines Freedom Over TexasFeaturing Billy Currington and Sara Evans presented by Reliant Help Houston celebrate our nation's birthday on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Eleanor Tinsley Park and along Allen Parkway, Houston 77002. The event will feature country music artists Billy Currington and Sara Evans on the Freedom Stage and will culminate with spectacular fireworks lighting up the downtown skyline. For more details visit www.freedomovertexas.org. Your help is needed to make this year's celebration the best yet! Volunteers may attend the celebration for free and will also receive free parking, a t-shirt, sponsor hat, refreshments and more! Please sign up at . Free and 1/2 price tickets are available online until midnight July 3 courtesy of Reliant at . Admission at the gate on July 4th is $8 per person. Children five and under are

I saw this in COH newsletter=> Website for Locating Towed Vehicles Yo u might remember the popular movie, "Dude, Where's My Car?" The Houston Police Department (HPD) helps answer that question at www.findmytowedcar.com, a website that helps a driver determine where his/her vehicle is stored in the event that it is towed from a location without consent. www.findmytowedcar.com provides up-to-date information much quicker than the old, telephone-based system. The website allows the public to make real-time inquiries into towed vehicles. Additionally, storage lot owners can track the receipt and release of vehicles immediately and electronically. For more information visit www.findmytowedcar.com or visit www.houstonpolice.org and click on the "Find My Towed Car" link. You may also call the HPD Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800. I wonder if it is a coincidence that in the last month the number of tow trucks in and around my neighborhood (Avondale) seem to have increased.

I was thinking abou those eateries. . . . . . . . if you look over the drinkeries there are some pretty good restaurants clustered together on lower Westheimer----- Hugo's, Da Marco's, Underbelly, El Real, Mo Mong, and on the way to Boheme there's two new restaurants, Roots and L'Olivier.

glad they love the sign as i love it! http://swamplot.com/taking-down-the-letters-on-the-alabama-theater-sign/2012-05-22/

The Avondale Board and Neartown are supporting the variance (parking in back)-- the amount of green space in the 27 foot set back exceeds COH requirement-- Brande is following the lead of Bobby Heugal and OKRA (Organized Kollaboration on Restaurant Affairs) in setting up bike racks as part of their parking (there are 58 propsed car spaces)

From the architectural drawings the front of the bulding is angeled so part of it is further than 27 feet. There will be a 7 foot wide sidewalk plus vertical gardenson street facing wall and trees in the 27 feet from the curb with an open patio with greenery---the current Ruggles is built to the sidewalk-- The other set of drawings had the parking in front----yuck.

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/05/fire-reported-at-montrose-restaurant/

At Neartown meeting Omar of COH city planning spoke about the Inner loop mobility study-- Area comprising 610, I10, spur 527 and I59. http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopRegs/mobility/CMP.html It started in January, so it's 1/2 through.They studied metro Transit stops, ongoing CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) projects, Bike ways, Pavement conditions, TIRZ, Landuse, Population trends, Drainage. A broad definition seems to me to be the study of how Houston streets function now and try to predict how they will function in 40 years and how efficiency can be improved. We were shown graphic maps of Sidewalk conditions (Montrose is the worse) street conditions (again Montose is bad) Congested intersections ( Shepard street intersections were bad along with Allen Parkway intersections) as examples. All the information was interesting.There are more public meetings planned-- hope they are well attended.

Heard from Hens for Homes ( I think there is also a Hens for Houston with a similiar goal) at Neartown meeting info@hensforhomes.com guess there a few people living inside the loop that would like to have under 6 hens (no roosters) in order to have fresh eggs and want to change the COH ordinances and have a petition http://www.change.org/petition/city-of-houston-revise-city-ordinance-to-allow-chicken-coops-within-20-ft-of-a-residence

hear chef Ryan Hildrebrand & his architect speak about their plans to raze the 3 lots where Ruggles stood (Habitat for humanity was allowed to salvage any materials they sought) a variance was requested --- as far as i understand 58 parking places on side and in back with a 27 foot set back from inside of curb.Planned opening next fall