rps324 Posted November 28, 2004 Share Posted November 28, 2004 Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how Highland Village is always the first shopping center in Houston to put up Christmas decorations and last to take them down? Usually by Halloween they're all lit up and some years it's almost February 1 before they get them down. I know this year I was traveling for work much of January and February and I remember coming home between trips the second week of February and driving by and seeing the big red bows still on top of the buildings.But they are great decorations and give the place a great holiday atmosphere. I just think they could be a little more prompt in taking them down.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>The same company does the decorations for the River Oaks Shopping Center, Meyerland, Champions Village, Woodlands Mall, and so forth, it may be because they are limited in their ability to get everyone down at once. Last year, though, didn't they want to leave lighting up through super bowl or something? Or did I imagine that? Seems like I heard that somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 I have lived in Houston for 19 of the past 24 years. The last 4 have been in The Montrose, the previous 10 in The Heights, and before that outside the loop.The Montrose has much more of an urban feel to it than The Heights. (The Small Town inside the Big City, one of the old slogans for The Heights, is not far off.) We can walk to many shops and restaurants now, but in The Heights that was very difficult.Crime exists in both places, I was broken into twice in The Heights, my wife (not my wife at the time) was living on Bayland and was broken into four times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 welcome to the forum Flashman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToolMan Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Citykid, Here is a map outlining MontroseMontrose Map Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Has anyone every seen or ate at the old Fire + Ice Restaurant? What happened to it? That area looks so much like Los Angeles. And I think I saw a new walkable area near there with a new building that looked like it just finised construction, and right in front of it was a freeway. Do any of you know what street I'm talking about? I think its near Greenway Plaza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Citykid:Citykid:It's a shame that you never knew the inner loop neighborhoods of Houston existed. I wonder how many others in Texas think of Houston as freeways and strip centers with no cultural center. Before I got here I was told that all of Houston was freeways and strip malls. I eventually figured out that the real Houston is off the freeways. I've often wondered what people must think of Houston when traveling East and West on I-10, it's just horrible.I have been accused of being an inner loop snob. Although I no longer live inside the loop I consider myself to be an inner loop snob. I can take or leave the rest of Houston except maybe Sugar land. This area is a treasure I hope we don't lose. If we did I would be looking for another town, yet again.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 What happened there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowbrow Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I was going to eat at Fire+Ice once but they only accepted valet parking in their lot.. you had to park across the street and walk across if you didnt want valet. That is just lame.. I left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Thats pretty cool to me, kind of upscale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 mabe thats why they went out of business, people did not want to valet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzseattle Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey Gary, You may be making the same mistake you are advising against. That is, not exploring Houston beyond inner loop. For example, have you driven along Memorial and San Felipe/Briar Forest from West Loop to BW8? Not exactly a cultural center such as inner loop but then you mentioned Sugarland too. The area along those two roads is lush and beautiful. Beyond BW8 to Highway 6, the drive on those roads is still ok but the neighborhoods off of them are quite charming. Certainly more interesting than Sugarland due to visual variety of homes. By the way, if I remember correctly, the other day mentioned you only cared for Inner loop and the Bay (by which I assume Clear Lake area). Now you have added Sugarland in the list as well. So we can assume that the list will grow over time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Here's my third photo tour of Houston from the streets. Two mondays ago, I went over to my sister's house in the Winlow Place section of Montrose. Took her dog for a stroll down Lower Westheimer and then veered North after a few blocks into my favorite part of the M; Cherryhurst. Circled back around. Here's the scene on a Monday at 3:00. Starting point, bungalows on Elmen Street on the corner of Elmen and Westheimer sits antique/junk row on the Northeast corner of Elmen and Westheimer sits Empire Cafe. Once a filling station, then an s&m gay bar that had a mummification death occur on-site in the 80s, now a trendy place famous for deserts. two blocks from Elmen on Westheimer brings you to the intersection of Dunlavy. shops on the southeastern corner Brasil Coffee and others on the southwestern corner back on Westheimer now and looking North at EJ's. EJ's puts the skank back into gay bars. block on the southside of Lower Westheimer If ever you need size 14s in a pump, Taxi Taxi is your place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 RED size queens dig Bob's Big Boy (I blew this picture...too much sun) Hugo's... upscale Mexican cuisine another block on Southern side of Westheimer approaching "The Curve"... tattoos and booze just seem to go together Leather in Exile store has folded Random sign with the FUGLY and new Tremont Tower in the background around "The Curve" My gyros have always been sandwiches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 time to head North on Yupon into Cherryhurst. Here's where we are, just southwest of downtown Ford Tough on Missouri Street Cherryhurst Park building homes on Cherryhurst Street azalea season live oaks in the park I want this porch reading on the stoops? Highest point in Montrose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Turning Southwest again, back onto Westheimer pretty I am not alone I bet Dave plays Dungeons and Dragons PINK Speak ENGLISH, dammit Brasil's courtyard Cut Loose and jaywalk Mellow Yellow almost home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 last one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Great pictures citykid! Some of my favorite Montrose places. And I love the "highest point" one. Pretty funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw2ntyse7en Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Thanks I got them from Shasta on Skyscyaperpage.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Hey Gary,You may be making the same mistake you are advising against. That is, not exploring Houston beyond inner loop. For example, have you driven along Memorial and San Felipe/Briar Forest from West Loop to BW8? Not exactly a cultural center such as inner loop but then you mentioned Sugarland too. The area along those two roads is lush and beautiful. Beyond BW8 to Highway 6, the drive on those roads is still ok but the neighborhoods off of them are quite charming. Certainly more interesting than Sugarland due to visual variety of homes. By the way, if I remember correctly, the other day mentioned you only cared for Inner loop and the Bay (by which I assume Clear Lake area). Now you have added Sugarland in the list as well. So we can assume that the list will grow over time <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As far as livability there are many places in Houston I'm aware of but being in the music circle for years I have grown to love the more eclectic areas of cities. I didn't mean to exclude Memorial, in fact I've mentioned before how much I love the trees in that area. In context I was trying to point out the many areas in Houstons close in burbs that are generic and flat out ugly. Of course there are some fantastic areas like Memorial that are close in but I can't think of many other area's that are close burbs that I would consider nice. I think the inner loop has an energy that is very unique which is why I love it so, as well as the bay area (CL, Kemah). These are places I like to be and spend time. Whereas the Memorial/Briarforest area is just a pretty drive to me. I'm a transplant who loves many parts of this great city, however as far as spending my valuble time it's almost always inside the loop or at the bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted April 3, 2005 Author Share Posted April 3, 2005 Interesting post, citykid09.The 'mummification' death did not occur at the Empire Cafe location. I think the urban legend has become a bit fuzzy. This site was occupied (in the 80s) by The Locker, the Different Drum and lastly by Chutes. While it's true that many eye-popping, eyebrow-raising events occured (and I should know - I was there), the death to which you refer sounds like the infamous "chicken-in-a-casket" scandal, which was in a townhome on Pacific Street, near JR's. A workman discovered the body of a young man (presumably a hustler) in a coffin on an upper floor. The townhome's occupant (Ted Lenze) was never charged, as he was dying from a brain tumor in a hospital at the time of the discovery.I take exception with describing EJ's as a 'skank' bar. Skank is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose, but it's worth noting that the owner maintains a koi pond and aviary on the patio. It also offers a stunning view of downtown Houston and the Westheimer strip from its upper level. While the patrons might politely be described as 'diverse', the management does 86 the worst elements. The frequent drag shows are low art or high camp, depending on your point of view. At any rate, these fund-raisers have contributed substantially to AFH and the Assistance Fund. I view it as an asset to the neighborhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted April 3, 2005 Share Posted April 3, 2005 I just want to make sure everyone knows that I didn't take the pictures, or write the coments under them. Shasta from Skyscrapercity deserves the credit for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted April 3, 2005 Share Posted April 3, 2005 oh the montrose! frolic and fun wasted til sun moral depravity drug induced cavity creative flare menacing stare soft hearted stone monotone tome what freakish ingenuity wakes the gods of loneliness?..... the montrose i once knew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 oh the montrose!frolic and fun wasted til sun moral depravity drug induced cavity creative flare menacing stare soft hearted stone monotone tome what freakish ingenuity wakes the gods of loneliness?..... the montrose i once knew That's great Bachanon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 i don't know where that stuff comes from. it's always after my fourth glass of 2002 rosemount shiraz.thanks for the compliment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxDave Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 I am a veteran of Houston and Montrose from the early 90's, when it was kinda run down, but it was also kinda hip and very accessible (as long as you kept a keen eye for your personal security).On my last visit to Houston I was pleased (and kind of surprised and a little heartbroken) to see the changes that have come to the Montrose area. I was particularly impressed with the changes in the areas between the "core" Montrose area and Midtown (e.g. Fairview and Bagby area).Personally, I especially recall the "seediness" and "danger" around Club SOME on Albany (anyone else remember that place? it rocked!). Today the immediate area is filled with high priced townhomes and apartments. When I was there recently, a Doctor friend of mine even showed me the house he had bought a block away from the old club! Very different from my recollection of the area, but so much better.I guess change occurs everywhere, including Montrose. It is usually for the best, but some things are always lost along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Emos and Some are now "lofts" called the Villa Serena.Good news is they kept the kick-ass pool.My last trip to Emos/Some was in 1996. Had a knife pulled on me and my partner on the dance floor. Kinda killed our buzz. Needless to say, I never went back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debmartin Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 "Personally, I especially recall the "seediness" and "danger" around Club SOME on Albany (anyone else remember that place? it rocked!)." (quote, txdave)funny i hadn't thought about emos/club some forever, it's probably been 10 yrs since my friends and i used to go there. we used to park a ways off and walk, and i don't remember being afraid of anyone there, but there sure were a lot of freaks:)deb martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 i remember being one of the last people dancing on the dance floor at some one hot steamy night in the late nineties. for some unknown reason i took off my ($300) watch and dropped it someone's plastic water cup. i went to some the following week and the bartender (uhhhh scott, i think) returned my watch to me with the story of how he obtained it. i was never quite sure of what i was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Club Some and Emos. I have no idea why we went there. But we always did. Thank GOD grunge is over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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