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tmariar

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Everything posted by tmariar

  1. tmariar
    Don't know if you've seen this article or this article about the Catacombs. Glad to see a site like that is out there. Here's a page with more posters.
  2. tmariar
    In a surprise move, Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) will consider designating the River Oaks Shopping Center, River Oaks Theater and Alabama Theater/Bookstop as City of Houston Landmarks without the approval of Weingarten Realty Investors, which owns the buildings. If passed, this would be the first time the Commission has designated an existing building on its own initiative, even though HAHC has had the legal authority to designate landmarks without owner approval since City Council enacted the Preservation Ordinance in 1995. HAHC
  3. tmariar
    In a surprise move, Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) will consider designating the River Oaks Shopping Center, River Oaks Theater and Alabama Theater/Bookstop as City of Houston Landmarks without the approval of Weingarten Realty Investors, which owns the buildings. If passed, this would be the first time the Commission has designated an existing building on its own initiative, even though HAHC has had the legal authority to designate landmarks without owner approval since City Council enacted the Preservation Ordinance in 1995. HAHC
  4. tmariar
    I thought of another... Patrenella's on Jackson Hill, complete with bocce court and vegetable garden
  5. tmariar
    Thanks for posting re the HAHC meeting tomorrow - what an interesting development. The agenda item reads: "Consideration of initiation by HAHC of the Landmark Designation Applications for the Alabama Theater at 2292 S. Shepherd Drive, the River Oaks Theatre at 2009 W. Gray and the River Oaks Community Center Shopping Complex at W. Gray and Shepherd Drive". I can't tell for sure if this means that HAHC is initiating applications or considering initiating applications - my guess is that they are voting on whether to initiate applications, so that a majority vote of the commission members on Wednesday would result in their initiating applications. According to my reading of the preservation ordinance, initiation of these applications would give the structures temporary protection as if they had already been designated landmarks. To get permanent "protection" (such as it is), as noted in the GHPA piece, would require planning commission and city council approval. If anyone is thinking of going to this meeting, it looks like you can show up at 3:00 tomorrow and sign up to speak (for a few minutes) for or against initiation of the applications.
  6. tmariar
    Just from internet searches, it appears to still be owned by an older man - a doctor who graduated med school in 1949, and who lived in and worked out of the house (I'm assuming he doesn't still).
  7. tmariar
    Welcome, prisclynn, and thanks for posting the photos.
  8. tmariar
    Sounds like good news - at least for the short term. Thanks for posting. And thanks to the Preserved in Time folk for the work that they have done.
  9. tmariar
    I think it just came up on a search like "'houston police department' history". I've only just skimmed it, but put it on my reading list. Right behind an Ellington Field history prepared by someone at NASA, and a chapter of a Metro Solutions publication that seems to have some interesting information buried in it. Never enough time to get through everything... To turn somewhat back on subject, I wish there were more close-up photos around of the old criminal courts building. I thought I remembered seeing one once with police officers posed outside with barrels of confiscated liquor, during Prohibition. But maybe that was another courthouse. I just remember not finding much when I was researching the "old courthouse oak tree" downtown - but maybe I didn't look very hard. Another addition to my to-do list.
  10. tmariar
    The building on Capitol, on the same block as the old criminal courts building? Just to the left of it on the downtowner map? It is interesting that it's not labeled. It looked to me from the fire museum website that HPD headquarters were moved, in 1924, to the upper three floors (the fire department occupying the first two) of a building on Preston and Caroline. But I don't know what happened to HPD headquarters between then and Riesner, which I think was 1952. Don't know if this link will work, but the HPD history I found isn't that illuminating, unless I missed something.
  11. tmariar
    Here are some more Chronicle articles about (or that mention) the movie, from around the time it was being made/released: 8/7/87 Maxine Mesinger mention 9/13/87 Barbara Karkabi article 12/1/87 Barbara Karkabi article 12/29/87 mention 1/27/88 mention 4/30/88 Louis B. Parks article 5/10/89 Louis B. Parks article 5/10/89 Barbara Karkabi article The director is on IMDB as "Jon Schwartz". There was actually an earlier HAIF thread about the movie, in which someone said he tracked down a copy, but that it was very difficult. [Edit: I sent him a message mentioning this thread.] I hope this helps someone find it - I'd love to see it. Even if it's over 3 hours long.
  12. tmariar
    You're probably right. But, when I read the post, I'd assumed the confusion came from there being a bar called Marquis II, which I bet also calls its fair share of cabs. I'm assuming "Marq*E" is pronounced like Marquis - but, then again, maybe the "*E" is supposed to be an unpronouncable glyph. Which really would cause taxi problems.
  13. tmariar
    Here are a couple of pre-Coliseum photos showing the fire station, which I think was called Fire Station Number 2.
  14. tmariar
    Good ones. I'll have to try Tel Wink sometime. Here are some links. -the tuesday farmer's market (now at Rice near the stadium) -Rice Cinema -Sloane gallery -Tel Wink -Andy's (on 11th) -Carter and Cooley deli -Droubi's hillcroft and Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum Art Car Museum Big Head on Main St. Soundwaves
  15. tmariar
    That question came up in another thread, I remember. The Last Concert Cafe site includes a couple of interesting old articles about the place. I don't recall ever having to knock to get in, though. I'd always heard it used to be a bordello, but haven't ever found any details about the history.
  16. tmariar
    Everyone I know calls it the Tall Texan, too. Count on me for the unhip lingo.
  17. tmariar
    Yeah - I wasn't going to say it, but it's not going to stop me from getting their gelato (no slime in the ice machine, after all). I've read that they supply the gelati served at most Italian restaurants in town, and I'm certainly not going to go on a gelato boycott. Plus, the report was nearly two years ago - and I haven't heard another report since. For some (like jm1fd, sounds like) it will be a non-starter, though - and I can understand that point of view, too. How could I forget Murder by the Book on Bissonnet? Fred's Italian Corner on Greenbriar The Hot Bagel Shop on Alabama British Isles in the Village. Good ones. All of the above have been good ones. Thinking about the Rice area made me think of Valhalla (some of the cheapest beer in town). Which made me think of Alice's Tall Texan (and their goblets o'beer). Though those two may also fall more under the category of "what makes Houston special" - like many of the places on the excellent Hot Town, Cool City website - than "undiscovered".
  18. tmariar
    Bellaire Broiler Burger and JMH Market were new to me. Here are some more links/info: Variety Fair Brazos Bookstore Cafe Artiste AllRecords: "A small privately owned 'record' store filled to the brim with CDs, tapes, and yes, even albums! One of the best sources in Houston for all kinds of music. People have been coming to AllRecords for years to get the best in Jazz, Broadway, Pop and Rock. Customers browse and chat with each other as they flip through the racks...no lone downloading, here...this is the old-fashioned way of shopping. The owner, Fred, is a great resource. If he doesn't have it, he'll try his best to get it for you! 1955 West Gray, 77019 713-524-4900" Also... Canino's Produce Co. El Bolillo Panaderia Texas Junk Company Ack. A link to the story re Nundini's.
  19. tmariar
    I've been meaning to start a thread on this for a while... Is anyone willing to give up some of their favorite Houston finds? Restaurants, bars, shops, or things to do that seem to have remained somewhat to largely undiscovered by other Houstonians? By way of example, I'm thinking of places/things like: Domy/Brasil Outdoor Movies - Domy Books and Cafe Brasil share a back patio and, each Monday night, they show a free movie. Nundini Imported Food Store - Would be a "find" as an imported food store, a deli, or as a gelateria - and it's all three. Shady Tavern - An old-fashioned ice house in the Heights that is very welcoming to newcomers. The shady trees and outdoor seating make it a stand-out among local ice houses. Lankford Grocery - Delicious hamburgers, and the most down-home atmosphere of any restaurant I can think of in Montrose. I know places/things like this can be jealously-guarded secrets, but you'll have our thanks - and presumably the business owners' thanks - for sharing one or two...
  20. tmariar
    I think it's usually a right the owner reserves as inducement for a main tenant, and is treated as consideration in the terms of the lease (part of the value the tenant receives in exchange for its lease payments). I don't see any reason the naming rights couldn't be treated as a separate right, for sale to the highest bidder - even a non-tenant. I just don't think it happens that way in practice because not being able to offer naming rights would be a handicap in competition for large tenants. Calling them naming rights may be a bit misleading, too. I can't think of any multi-tenant building that has its "name" incorporated into its address, for example, the way some single-tenant buildings do. Which makes sense, as the smaller tenants probably wouldn't want another company's name in their address. Others probably know much more about this - I'm just guessing on some of this based on what I've seen.
  21. tmariar
    It was hard to keep up with the name changes. Half the time I still call it the NationsBank building. If something had to block the Pennzoil building in the north freeway view of the skyline (my favorite), at least it was another pretty building.
  22. tmariar
    Yeah - I've tried to patronize that Bookstop precisely because I had heard they made an effort to retain as much of the original Alabama Theater as possible, so that it would be viable to return it to use as a theater in the future. But I'm also at a loss to come up with who would want to use it as a theater, or even use the space in its current converted-theater incarnation. I'm sure there are some potential purchasers who would - just likely not the ones who will pay top-dollar. I think this is the entire set (12) of online Bob Bailey photos of the Alabama Theater. If you haven't seen it before, note the one in the last row with the Weingarten's truck and display outside.
  23. tmariar
    But good points, all. Thanks.
  24. tmariar
    I just said it was big... Which may suggest additional plans for development in the area other than just what's been announced. Just trying to read the tea leaves. Does the size of the garage look to you in keeping with (just) the other announced development? If so, that would be good to hear.
  25. tmariar
    Now that I've seen the drawings and the Chronicle article, I'm not feeling nearly as encouraged. That's one mighty big parking garage...
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