trymahjong

Got an email today about 2 different houses on Garrot street having their doorbells rang at 5am with a guy in a hoodie holding a newspaper-- both houses asked the guy to put the newspaper down--he continued to ring doorbell and police were called--be aware-- this happened this week--

Was this the Bowling Lanes whose owner was on Undercover Boss?

These are close to my house and located in Avondale Area-one of the neighborhood gatherings was held on the rooftop terrace-they are lovely http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2010/11/11/19-montrose-condos-set-for-auction.html?ed=2010-11-11&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

just completed round trip to east coast--continental airlines going and us airways returning i had purched the smallest wheeled bag possible to be a carry on and avoid the bagage fee--plus you can get ahead start in taxi line if you don't have to wait for bags to be unloaded-- all 4 legs of my journey the airplanes baggage compartments filled up before I took my seat and my bag was taken to cargo from jetway--there was no baggage fee of course --but it drives me crazy! I saw plenty of people take oversized bags or more than 2 bags etc-- does this happen to anyone else?

issuing key cards-- i wonder how many? If the cost of a gate that auto locks at dusk and dawn is already supposedly in budget if residents wanted it-- what would key cards cost? another tidbit i remembered--- a place to plug in your electric car-- now what would that cost? like the cost of a parking meter maybe?

I was one of those at Spec's this morning that didn't get their beer after all that waiting soooooooooooooooooo i drove directly to the Krogers on Montrose even tho I KNEW they wouldn't be getting their shipment ready to sell till 7am THURSDAY I asked the manager about that and he said they would take names today and reserve one 6 pack for pickup THURSDAY

maybe i misunderstood

I'm not sure what the concensus was of the neighborhood concerning pedestrian gates---the 2 women i talked to that had houses that backed up onto the property seemed to like the idea of gates on timers but still mainly worried about the "light pollution" that would stream from parking lot lights-- but HEB pointed out that LED light bulbs would be used and the height of the trees prevented the light poles from being too tall. I think the wall around those gates would be 12'-- so maybe the light invading their back yard will be minimized-- another little tidbit mentioned about the walls-- they will be covered by vertical gardens.

I was amazed that they offered a gate for pedistrian access that would be on a timer and only open from daylight to dusk--

I attended the community meeting at St. Stephens where HEB and METRO were to get public feed back. Metro seemed to have negative views on shared left hand turn lanes and cited information about shared left hand turns lanes datagleaned from Medical center section of the Main Line. But I'm thinking that if left hand turn lanes were shared with cars on University line la lot of real estate would be saved and perhaps wider sidewalks and more tree plantings might be the result. Parts of Richmond between Shepherd and Yoakum where the METRO will be laying track are EXTREMELY narrow. METRO will only plant trees if the sidewalk is at least 6' wide. If the public can bend METRO to it's will and only have 10' traffic lanes a small amount of extra easement can be gained, But NOT having automous left hand turn lanes will save MEGA easement! This should lead to wider sidewalks and more trees. But. . . . is it worth it? So what do you think about Metro's shared left hand turn lanes?

I also attended this meeting--i was there at 8:30am--I had also heard the presentation at Neartown the previous Tuesday When the meeting was suppose to start At 9am--lots of the presenters were afraid no one was coming It was gratifying that so many showed up and I agree there could have been as many as 200 people there. I also liked sawtooth above the other 2options but was wondering if the design team from San Antonio had driven around Montrose? Scott McClellen made a point of relaying the story of being told "Montrose was unique and eclectic" but none of the designs seemed to respond to that description----sawtooth was a nice design but the artist rendering seemed to have vague mountains in the background IMO-that didn't really speak to me of "unique and eclectic Montrose" I was hoping for something that might pay homage to some of the historical architecture in the area. One thing brought up at Neartown that didn't get much play at this meeting was the idea of a COMMUNITY ROOM ---This was enthuiastically talked about and compared to the community room at Central Market and what an asset it would be for that area. I wrote the words build a community room on my ballot. I liked the idea of a green space along Dunlavy (i.66 acreges) The discussion about the lack of enthusiasm from Houston Parks and Recreation was more throughly discussed at Neartown. The idea of a 2 story store is better decided by those that actually would be living next to a 2 story store( that make sno bones to the fact that it would be opened to 12am each night). The intriguing part of this for me was the need for "leasors" in the extra space of the bottom floor of the 2nd story (to help defray extra cost {$2mil} that the 2 story would cost HEB) all but $800,000. had been found. From his talk at Neartown if enough additional Leasors are found to cover that $800.000. the 2 story might indeed be built. I don't live in the immediate area so for me it's just a nice thought that green space canbe had if the residents want it.

I heard the Weingarten rep speak about River Oaks theater at a neartown meeting-- it was guy new to the city and couldn't answer too many questions because he kept admitting he was too new to the situation to know all the details and answers-and there were a lot of questions thrown out at that meeting- mostly it was all about Weingarten hoping some organization came forward to "save" the theater or whatever ------------------------------------------ I guess this will be the same stance that is taken now?

Perhaps some of these observations can be asked in this venue? SAVE THE DATE Higher Education Forum hosted by Rep. Ellen Cohen (D-Houston) with special guest Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) Chairman, Texas House of Representatives Higher Educaton Committee 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 25, 2010 at The Rice School, 7550 Seuss Drive, Houston, 77025 Please join Rep. Ellen Cohen (D-Houston) as she hosts a forum on higher education issuesfrom 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 25, at The Rice School, 7550 Seuss Drive (map). Special Guest will be Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas). Rep. Branch is the chair of the Higher Education Committee on which Rep. Cohen also serves. This session he led the successful efforts to develop more Tier One universities in Texas, reform the Top 10% college admissions law, limit cell phone use in active school zones and provide more interactive technology in public school classrooms. During the forum, Rep. Branch will offer an overview of the 81st Legislative Session and the activities assigned to the Higher Education Committee. For more information, call 713.627.0134 or email info@ellencohen.org.

Read this in NY times today-- NYTIMES EDUCATION | January 31, 2010 Type-A-Plus Students Chafe at Grade Deflation By LISA W. FODERARO Princeton University's bold vision to corral grade inflation is running into fierce resistance from its Type-A-plus students. This had been a topic of discussion at my house since one of my kids was attending RICE in the 90's. The article is thorough and mainly tells both side of this question-- Should 1/2 of the student body make "A's" ----------Princeton Authority said-- NO! when over 50% received A's sometime in the 1990's------apparently no other Ivy league school has followed suit in this direction--

Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 1:37 PM Subject: FMC / Spur 527 Security Forum on Feb. 16th Ladies and Gentlemen, In lieu of our neighborhood association’s typical monthly meeting, First Montrose Commons will be hosting a security forum on Tuesday, February 16th, at 7 pm. The forum will be held at HSPVA, located at 4001 Stanford, in the school’s Black Box Theatre. The forum is being held in response to the murder of Myra Ical, whose body was found in or near the southeast corner of First Montrose Commons on January 18th. Her death has greatly affected our community and has raised serious safety concerns about the south end of our neighborhood. To be blunt, the south end of First Montrose Commons is not a safe place. This is due to several factors, beginning with the presence of several large, empty tracts of land situated near the intersections of Richmond & Spur 527 and W. Alabama & Spur 527. These open areas provide refuge to a large group of disadvantaged people who are drawn to the Montrose and Midtown neighborhoods by various social aid organizations. Because many of these people are unemployed, they often spend the day and night loitering at or near the intersections, looking for ways to pass the time. A number of them beg, while others sell drugs, engage in prostitution, or look for crimes of opportunity. Many drink alcohol, most litter, and more than a few use the Spur’s heavy landscaping as a cover for everything from elimination to fornication. They are able to behave this way unabated because the intersections that they inhabit are virtual blind spots. No owners or tenants monitor the several unoccupied lots near the intersections, and few residents or businesses have a clear view of them. The dense landscaping and lack of lighting along this section of Spur 527 also contribute to its seclusion. The freeway itself, including its underpasses, provides a visual and physical barrier that can mask illicit behavior. In short, these problem intersections and the feeder road between them are a vacuum which has been filled with desperate people, and they have thereby become an incubator for crime. This dangerous condition along Spur 527 is evidenced by a map of criminal activity compiled from HPD PIP reports for our area. This environment fosters filth, delinquency, violence, and now murder. We cannot allow this situation to continue. First Montrose Commons is now assembling a coalition of local interests to address and combat the conditions along Spur 527, beginning with the February 16th security forum. Invitees to this forum include not only our own residents, but also residents of Roseland Estates, Westmoreland, and Audubon Place, HPD, Neartown Association, the Montrose Management District, the Midtown Management District, Mayor Annise Parker’s office, District D Councilmember Wanda Adams, TXDOT, Harris County Constables for Precincts 1 and 7, Metro, HSPVA, the South Main Baptist Church, the Montrose Counseling Center, and various local business interests. Several of these parties have already pledged their support to this effort, most notably CM Adams, who is already working with TXDOT regarding the Spur’s dense landscaping. Please make plans to attend this security forum to voice your concerns and to share your ideas about reducing crime and vagrancy along Spur 527. Everyone receiving this email is encouraged to attend. I hope you will make time for this important event and that we can all work together to make our neighborhood a safer place. Sincerely, J G President, Director of Membership First Montrose Commons Neighborhood Association

Mr. Moss, the principal, announced they are planning an "open house" type meeting tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 02/06, at Lincoln Gregory Education Center to get feedback on plans and wishes for the new campus. This would be for all students, parents and interested community members from the area. Carnegie Vanguard High School new building page http://www.facebook .com/group. php?gid=22621314 3501 The architectural firm for the project is Rey de la Reza - RdlR Architects, Inc. They were responsible for the renovation and new building at Reagan High School. Possible proposed timeline: 1/2010 - 1/2011 Start & Finish plans (about 12 mths from now) 1/2011 - 6/2012 - Start and Fnish construction (about 18 mths) - might be 2 or 3 mths shorter - but ready for folks for August 2012 school year

[ Wasn't that site where they were going to put the new HSPVA? But that was delayed because it was historically significant? (an African-American cemetery, if I remember correctly?) When my kid was enrolled at Lamar (during Katrina) and I was on the PTO board--This is what was generally talked about--and even went a step further after Lamar enrollment was shut down with Katrina kids-(--no kidding--no new children where being accepted--even if you moved in next door to Lamar--) that the HSPVA would have a new building at that location and the old HSPVA would open as a 9th grade only from Lamar to help ease over crowding--

Carnegie Vanguard High School Site Approved December 17, 2009 HISD has been planning a replacement campus for Carnegie Vanguard High School since 2007, when it was made a part of the Facilities Capital Program. On December 10, 2009, the Board of Education approved building the replacement school on vacant district-owned property just south of the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Carnegie Vanguard High School is currently located on the former Carnegie Elementary School campus at Scott Street and Airport Boulevard, adjacent to Sims Bayou. A new location for the school was decided on for several reasons. Most of that property and the surrounding area are within a Harris County Flood Control flood plain. Replacing Carnegie Vanguard on the same site would require relocating students to an off-site temporary campus during construction. There would also be additional costs and a reduction in usable land area related to building in the flood plain. Construction time and costs for the Gregory-Lincoln site will be reduced because the work will not involve demolition of existing buildings or relocation of students to a temporary campus. In addition, students attending Carnegie Vanguard come from all parts of the district, so a central location like the one the board approved will be more accessible to the majority of students and reduce transportation costs. Also, Carnegie Vanguard and Gregory-Lincoln can combine their separate parking facilities for evening events, and the Gregory-Lincoln kitchen could prepare meals for both schools. Located at Taft and West Gray, the new Carnegie Vanguard site was originally purchased for replacement of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. However, other locations that are even more favorable for HSPVA are being considered, and private fund-raising, to match future district funding, is gaining momentum. "I am confident that this new arrangement will be beneficial to everyone concerned," said Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier. Article clipped from the www.hisd.org website and posted by: K M Harris County, Precinct 33 Presiding Judge To learn more about Carnegie Vanguard HS click on http://www.vanguard ian.org/ this was a post on my neighborhood yahoo group--

Carnegie Vanguard High School Site Approved December 17, 2009 HISD has been planning a replacement campus for Carnegie Vanguard High School since 2007, when it was made a part of the Facilities Capital Program. On December 10, 2009, the Board of Education approved building the replacement school on vacant district-owned property just south of the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Carnegie Vanguard High School is currently located on the former Carnegie Elementary School campus at Scott Street and Airport Boulevard, adjacent to Sims Bayou. A new location for the school was decided on for several reasons. Most of that property and the surrounding area are within a Harris County Flood Control flood plain. Replacing Carnegie Vanguard on the same site would require relocating students to an off-site temporary campus during construction. There would also be additional costs and a reduction in usable land area related to building in the flood plain. Construction time and costs for the Gregory-Lincoln site will be reduced because the work will not involve demolition of existing buildings or relocation of students to a temporary campus. In addition, students attending Carnegie Vanguard come from all parts of the district, so a central location like the one the board approved will be more accessible to the majority of students and reduce transportation costs. Also, Carnegie Vanguard and Gregory-Lincoln can combine their separate parking facilities for evening events, and the Gregory-Lincoln kitchen could prepare meals for both schools. Located at Taft and West Gray, the new Carnegie Vanguard site was originally purchased for replacement of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. However, other locations that are even more favorable for HSPVA are being considered, and private fund-raising, to match future district funding, is gaining momentum. "I am confident that this new arrangement will be beneficial to everyone concerned," said Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier. Article clipped from the www.hisd.org website and posted by: Ken Macpherson Harris County, Precinct 33 Presiding Judge To learn more about Carnegie Vanguard HS click on http://www.vanguard ian.org/ this was a post on my neighborhood yahoo group--

from an email i received about the Neartown meeting=> Incidentally, there was a lot of talk at the Neartown meeting about the murder / dumped body down in First Montrose Commons- It was brought up that there was another transgender person murdered last summer in the EMCA area. Wanda Adams is getting involved; she says there are too many untrimmed bushes and burned out street lights in that area where the body was found. I have a feeling that neighborhood will make a big appearance at the PIP meeting Wednesday , demanding more police patrols and safety measures.

Front page of the Wall Street Journal today is interesting article on $.05 tax in Washington DC on any plastic bag used to sell food products- -any food product including mints in tin cans in a book store that had NO other food for sale and edible body frosting at a different store that had no other food for sale-- the money raised by this tax are set aside to help clean up the Anacostia River--but after I thought of Houston's $103 million deficit that was pointed out last summer I'm thinking . . . . . . . could this be an option to get COH budget out of the red?

I'm in NYC and guess what was a lead story on morning local news? the Gov of NY wants to tax full sugar soda and cigarettes packs-- to help pay for healthcare

an interesting post on neighbor hood group--------------parking in this area is always going to be a PROBLEM! A neighbor told me the cops came through last week and were writing tickets for various things. One was for parking less than 30' from a stop sign. ANOTHER neighbor got a ticket for the same thing about a month ago. They also ticket for parking on the wrong side of the street, and parking too far out from the curb, and for not moving your vehicle every 24 hours. Near the Kroger at W. Gray, they'll ticket you for having a tire on one of the white parking space lines or not being entirely within the space, according to J at Chase Bank across the street. Please be aware of the parking laws. (Find them on the city's website, the state's website, and we've printed them in the newsletter a coupla times over the years.) In mid 2009, we put a major effort into getting HPD to enforce parking laws around the Ecclesia "church" on Taft at W. Drew, because their members cause immense problems when they block intersections, block driveways, park on sidewalks, park on private property, etc. not to mention hindering access by emergency vehicles. As a partial solution to this, we FINALLY got them to give us No Parking Here to Corner signs, which are helping quite a bit. But the other way to stop them from parking illegally is to get the cops to write tickets, which HPD said they would do. Sgt. (from our storefront on Westheimer) looked right at us and stated that they would have no way to differentiate between our residents and Ecclesia patrons, so any car they found in violation was subject to being ticketed. Right after that, he said that it's hard to know how to handle a neighborhood that has, for instance, so many townhomes with driveways instead of curb space, which reduces the amount of available parking, plus townhome people parking in their own driveways and blocking the sidewalks - but they have no other place to park. It's a conundrum, he admitted. Now, all that was about a year ago, so we have no way of knowing if the current rash of parking tickets is cops responding to our request, or if it's just some guys trying to fill up their time and quotas. Either way, it's important to beware of the parking laws, and to abide by them.

yes only suggestions--if you live in a designated historic district you have to submit any changes that will be made to what is visible from the street-- the booklet not only provides information on the type of architecture your house is, but also that architectures history and then suggestions of what additions might look best to carry on that type of architecture--but also what modern additions might work also-- i wish i had a picture of one of the pages to post---

I got this email------- Monthly Meeting Focuses On City Commissioned Design Guidelines Monthly Neartown Meeting Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 7:00 PM Meeting Details: As part of an educational program to stimulate appreciation of Houston's heritage and its historical districts and to clarify the intent of its current preservation ordinance the City has to date commissioned two design guides. These are for the Houston Heights and the four Montrose historic districts of Westmoreland, Avondale East and West and Audubon Place. Jonathan Smulian , urban design and planning consultant and the author of these design guides will summarize and present the recently completed guide for the Montrose districts. This is exciting-- The first design book was all about "naming" and "explaining" the architecture of the Heights (I bought my book online from Heights Civic) and how best to expand or renovate old houses in the neighborhood in a way that helped maintain the character of the neighborhood-- lots of schematic drawings of additions or porches or whatever are included. The new book will do the same thing with four historic districts named. This little book is much more interesting than I'm making it sound. The whole concept of this book makes a nice reference for anyone wanting to update a home in a designated historic neighborhood.