trymahjong

Heard about it on tonites news--then goggled it http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/82nd-legislative-session/ amusing reading

Read in the chronicle that Cafe Bello ( Taft & Westheimer) Closed maybe this is an unlucky location

additional info My Houston 2040 happy hour May 12Air Alliance Houston, CTC, and Houston Tomorrow agree that we can build a better Houston today by thinking about the Houston we want in 2040. This event is free and open to the public. Food and drinks are available at the bar. Open discussion is encouraged, as is sticking around to talk afterward! And if you can't make it this time, please mark your calendar to join us on second Thursdays. What: My Houston 2040 - A new happy hour meeting of the minds co-hosted by Air Alliance Houston, Houston Tomorrow, and CTC When: Thursday, May 12, 2011 - networking from 5:00 pm, speakers at 5:30 pm Where: Rudyard's upstairs, 2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, 77006 (map) Panel discussion: car-free living in Houston This month, our event will feature a facilitated panel discussion among a diverse array of Houstonians who have chosen to live car-free in Houston. We'll talk about why they do it, how they do it, and how they'd like to see Houston change to make it easier. Our panel includes: James Llamas, a university student; Jennifer Fox Bennet, an engineering professional; and Dave Lippert, whose family of 3 has been car-free since 2007. To wrap up the discussion, we'll hear what these individuals hope Houston will be like by 2040. Our panel discussion will be facilitated by Jessica Lockrem, a PhD student in anthropology at Rice University. Jessica is in the early stages of a research project in Houston where she is looking at how different modes of transportation affect an individual's experiences and perceptions of the neighborhoods and street spaces of Houston. Next year, she will begin fieldwork in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where she will research sensory and emotional experiences of urban public spaces for recent rural-to-urban migrants. Jessica has lived without a car for the past ten years and enjoys inspiring others to walk, bike, and use public transit because of the social, health, and financial benefits of getting out of the car. About the Citizens' Transportation Coalition (CTC) CTC is an all-volunteer transportation advocacy organization. We envision transportation solutions that improve quality of life. We are committed to engaging Houstonians in the planning of transportation projects that affect our neighborhoods. CTC is a 501©(3) nonprofit and memberships and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

from Citizen's Transportation Coalition e-letter My Houston 2040 panel: car-free living in Houston May 12 With gas over $4/gallon again, some are starting to reconsider their commutes. But one group of Houstonians is relatively unaffected: those who get around without cars. On Thursday, our monthly My Houston 2040 happy hour will include a panel discussion featuring an array of Houstonians who are happily living car-free in Houston. We hope to see you there! What: My Houston 2040 - Panel discussion on car-free living When: Thursday, May 12, 2011; networking from 5:00 pm, panel from 5:30 pm Where: Rudyard's British Pub, 2010 Waugh Dr., Houston, TX 77006 (map)

an email from City of Houston 2nd Annual Houston Public Library Children's Book Celebration Central Library Saturday, May 14, 2011, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 500 McKinney , 77002 832.393.1313 Children are invited to enjoy all the fun and exciting activities scheduled for the Houston Public Library's Books Alive! Feed Your Dreams 2nd Annual Children's Book Celebration. Join us for a full day of whimsical performances, hands-on arts and crafts activities, and other special events. The highlight of the celebration is the appearance of Laura Numeroff, renowned children's book author. Everyone who attends will receive a goody bag while supplies last.

If anyone is interested HPD gives monthly crime stats at the PIP (local divisions-- central one and two covers most of Montrose and Heights meets 4th Wednesdays 7pm 1600 State Street) the stats are discussed and further information is made available such as where the actual crime occured as opposed to where the culprits were arrested and how that affects what division the crime is posted in etc Back to the branding question----I think a contest of sorts has been offered/started at STU---so perhaps a young persons view of how to brand Montrose will be available

I walked by this week and by the front door there is a variance request to serve liquor

Sunday's Chronicle has article by Patricia Kilday Hart---State Senator Eddie Lucio has a soda tax proposal that could raise as much as $2 billion. . . . . . . apparently it got a "sour" reception- tried to find link

This was in some of the Civic organizations archives for a tour of Avondale Ave. It's an ad from the 70's. Does anyone remember it?

Dine Out for Life fund raiser for HIV/AIDS Thursday, April 28 http://www.diningoutforlife.com/houston __._,_.___

Guess the debate continues--- Thursday I read an article in the Chronicle that focued on Paws on Patio and had a picture of the Bone yard Drinkery TodayChronicle has Ken Hoffman offering his opinion concerning dogs on Restaurant Patios

I like the idea of a logo for the Montrose management district-- I think Upper Kirby district did well with their UK idea and the funny phone booths--- I'm not sure what the logo is for Galleria but it's easy to distinguish the modern chrome traffic signals and bus stops etc The logo possibilities for Montrose seem endless, but with the survey being so . . . . . atypical . . . . I wonder what type of suggestions they will receive.

I got this in an email from the Museum District business Alliance--- The newly formed Montrose Management District needs your input on how it should be marketing our area. To provide your input, we request that you go to www.montroselogo.com and complete the survey on this website. FYI--- The East Montrose Management district ( HCID#6 roughly covering Dallas to Bagby to I59 to Montrose blvd) was combined with West Montrose Management (boundary goes Shepherd, Dallas, Montrose blvd to I59 with a small portion of Museum district Montrose Blvd, Bissonnet, Graustark) montrosedistrict.org/

I noticed that the chonicle ran this story in the G section http://www.azdailysu...4683f705a6.html It made me think of the postings about whether or not to take your dog to restaurant patios-- I guess there are people who also want to take their dogs inside restaurants as well as restricted housing, flying free on airlines etc. . . . . . . . .

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2011/04/bryan_caswell_comes_to_the_foo.php

I'm not much of a Food network viewer---but might change my mind with this show--- I like all of his restaurants and will be interested in his take on BBQ competitions. Houston Press indicates a May starting date.

I noticed the "Irked by reserved seating" in the Letters to Editor section in Thursday's chronicle--------- ". . . the theater will only have reserved seats. . . . ticket buyers will have to pay $1 to $1.50 "amenity" fee. . . " what's up with that?

Our Civic group is planning a garage sale April 30. Does anyone know of a charity that would come by the site after the sale is over at 3pm and gather up all ther left overs so the stuff won't have to be stored? Goodwill nor Salvation army have explained they won't do Saturday pick up and Salvation army had quite a few rules over what they were willing to accept.

I saw that Lisa Gray wrote about the Better Block Houston Event in today's Chronicle. She gave a lot more details of what was done in Dallas. I drove on the proposed street--LaBranch--it looked like it was under severe street repair, I wonder how that will affect the plans for the event?

Our PIP speaker didn't go into details about that but did seem to indicate the legislature was not pleased that a growing section of liquor on premises businesses weren't being tapped in this budget crisis time--

At the PIP--positive interaction police program Wednesday-- I heard Lt Mark Decauters of TABC speak-- one thing that peaked my interest was his story that the current legislature is considering having all BYOB establishments become licensed by the TABC.

I guess a different title could be used--I used "charette" since I used that term when I posted about the intersection of Westheimer and Montrose having a community "charette". I found these--- www.facebook.com/betterblockhouston www.completestreets.org/webdocs/factsheets/cs-disabilities.pdf

Attended the Neartown Meeting-- Metro & COH spoke concerning University Line then the agenda stated this: Urban planner, Zacq Lockrem will discuss "Better Blocks / Complete Streets." Is Houston ready to put pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users on equal footing with drivers and promote a vision of streets which are safe, attractive and conducive to active transportation, local businesses and a higher quality of life. What would you do to make Houston’s streets more livable, safe and accessible? In 2003, a coalition of national advocates coined the phrase "Complete Streets" as a way to better communicate about streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Today, the movement has grown more powerful than just the accommodation of bicycles and has been adopted in more than 200 Complete Streets policies across the U.S, including several Texas cities! Better Block Houston is a diverse coalition of local organizations who have joined together to bring a “living charette” to Houston. Part festival and part engineering feat, Better Block will be a glimpse of what Houston’s streets can become Wish the picture was better. On April 9 a "wish list" of what it takes to have pedistrian friendly streets will be set up on LaBranch & Holman going up to Elgin towards Chenevert. This group got City permits but where this was done in Dallas (OakClif) -- apparently it was guerilla style, the full size trees,planters, cafe tables, bike racks, ice cream vendors and galleries etc---just appeared. It was interesting to see reaction of Metro guys when the idea of building streets "from outside in" (first decide what the needs of the pedistrian are then needs of car lanes etc) was presented. The whole presentation was remarkable, and used the example of NYC when part of Broadway near Time Square was set up as a "Complete Street".

tonite was the soft opening-- the renovations are fabulous! mega money must have been spent and the result was mega worth it--- anyone who visited the old "Hue" will be surprised it's the same venue-

the platte shows Huntington where present day Hyde Park is Ariel and then Milby streets where present day Taft Street is wish the pictures were better