ProHouston

Drayton should worry more about what is going on INSIDE Minute Maid than outside.

It appears he's got his eye keenly on both vantage points. He did pink slip our Skipper and GM this week.

I firmly believe the Rockets have had the best offseason in the NBA next to the Celtics. However, I really wish we could've dumped Rafer a month ago. We could have at least gotten a pick or 2, now his value is in the toilet.

I would guess that this is already in the forum, but I can't find it and I figure it's a good topic for the East End section. I remember hearing about the new soccer stadium going in across 59 from the ballpark (and thankfully not Gus Wortham). Is this true and, if so, does anyone know a schedule?

As a side note, any speculation on what this will do for the East End? I guess it will be the first rail stop out of downtown, no?

Thread is under "Sports and Stadia"

Absolutely. I was in a 4 person family growing up and we had a ~1300 sqft house. That was plenty of space. 2k sqft is MORE than enough space for 4 people. If it isn't then you've got too much crap.

Then by all means, let's limit Americans to what you deem necessary <sarcasm>...

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the United States was 2,330 square feet in 2004, up from 1,400 square feet in 1970.

Going on your self imposed "too much crap" rule, the average American homeowner would lose their interest deduction. Once again, this won't fly.

I'd say its a good idea, although I'd structure it in such a way that the size of your family would determine the size of the house that would cause you to lose your deduction. Say for example you'd get a base 800 sqft automatically plus an additional 300 sqft per person.

So you would cut 4 person families off at 2000 sq ft? I think the 3000 idea is misguided, but 2000? If such a plan were to ever fly they'd have to structure it so all houses get the deduction for up to 3000 sq ft of living space. Then anything over is not included.

This idea won't fly though.

Where can I find an affordable, quality detail shop in SW Houston or Sugar Land?

Thanks!

Fort Bend ISD

I have some furniture I'd like to sell but I live in the Missouri City/Sugar Land area and I don't know of any used furniture dealers out here. Does anyone know of a furniture dealer who would be interested in buying and picking up from me out in this area? I'm not as interested in making a lot of money as I am in just having someone come pick it up and take it so I don't have to get rid of it myself.

I used to sell to a store on Richmond near Fountainview but I'm sure they wouldn't come all the way out to me to pick up.

Why do you say no way?

It's not even close enough for the models to predict where it's going, besides towards the gulf. Anything could happen, but don't say there's no way, there's always a chance. In this case, there's a higher chance it'll hit Texas than Florida or the east coat.

I say that because it's currently projected to go towards us or S. Texas. I think early projections are rarely accurate, therefore I believe this one will change course and hit another location.

We should be more worried about Hurricane Dean... still a long way off but Texas is in its path.

These storms never stay on track. No way it hits Houston.

Don't ever buy from Fingers. They have horrible delivery practices which almost border on fraud. I can't tell you how many times I was lied to by employees all the way up the chain of command when trying to get some furniture delivered. Furniture that I have financed through them. It took forever, they missed delivery dates, they'd call and say we're coming this afternoon then never show and never call. It was absolutely horrendous. I tell everyone I can not to buy from Fingers.

Does anyone know where I can find a Farmer's Market on the Southwest side of town? Sugar Land/Stafford/Richmond...?

Thanks.

Yeah, all of us in Santa Fe ISD are painfully aware of that constitutional right. Several wing nut religious types on our school board thought it was their divine calling to fight two student's parents all the way to the Supreme Court several years ago just to prove that point. These idiots forgot that they were elected by the people, not appointed by God. We promptly reminded them of that at the next available election.

So in other words, the people protecting freedom of religion won at the US Supreme Court?

Burj Dubai is being featured on Discovery Channel's "Really Big Things" as well as other amenities in Dubai such as the indoor skiing. Should be a rerun later on tonight and a second showing later in the month. Check listings.

That thing is massive.

Thanks for the heads up.

Finally little Jenna will have a public forum to speak out about her religion...

Is that how she opens her beer bottles?

Gov. Rick Perry conducted a ceremonial signing of House Bill 3678 aimed at reaffirming students' rights to express religious viewpoints. Perry officially signed the bill, also known as the Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act, in June.

The bill does not create a new law but rather provides a model policy that school districts can adopt.

"What it does is create a win-win situation for the schoolchildren, school administrators and the taxpayers of the state of Texas," Howard said. Many school districts across the state, he said, have been sued by parents after children were prohibited from talking about their faith, saying "Merry Christmas" or handing out religious Valentine's Day cards.

Using case law and U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the bill lays out what is admissible in Texas schools. The Supreme Court has ruled that religious discussion in schools is legal.

full article

Great news. Freedom of religion, I love it.

Does anyone have stats from the article? How we compare to other cities, etc.?

That's exactly like the one in suburban Northwest San Antonio, except that one has 20-screens and two-IMAX screens.

I thought the same thing. Santikos is based in SA. Does anyone know if this is their first foray outside SA?

Sounds like things are moving right along. Here is a link to a new Chronicle article regarding Earth Quest Adventure Zone. It seems like every time there is an update the park's name changes a little. With each new report, the park sounds more likely to become a reality. I can't wait to see some detailed renderings of this place.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hum...ws/5012480.html

Here is a Fox 26 news report that was done back in June. The guy being interviewed said that one of the park's roller coasters will go into a volcano. And there will be "numerous" rides as well. There's even a shot of an aerial map that shows the exact location of where the park will be in New Caney.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Ho....1.1&sflg=1

The Fox 26 link isn't working, can I access it by navigating from the home page?

As the story reported, the reference to "God" was in the pledge all along, Mr. Riddle simply added it back. Additionally, there were other members (your representatives) who voted for this bill. Good for him and those who voted. I appreciate our representatives standing up for the majority and not bending to the vocal minority.

UPDATED 8/1/2007:

It looks like a lot of the Coming Soon stores/restaurants are now opening. With the news of Minute Maid moving into Town Square, this development is really taking off. It's great to see an urban, pedestrian-friendly development work in the Houston Metro.

Now Open:

Mi Luna (corner of garage near Town Center Blvd.)

Dessert Gallery (near Chipotle)

Jimmy Johns (next to Chipotle)

Amici (across from the Square and Marriott)

Johnny Rockets (across from Baker Street Pub)

Kiss Kiss (across from Baker Street Pub)

Learning Express (across from Baker Street Pub)

The Right Start (near Chipotle)

Sweet and Sassy (Libby Lu on steroids)

Tacone Flavor Grill (first floor of garage, across from future high-rise condo building)

Motherhood Maternity (near Sharper Image)

Hemline of New Orleans (across from Baker Street Pub)

Just Add Water (next to Johnny Rockets)

Coming Soon:

Relax the Back (next to Jamba Juice)

Strasburg Children

Christopher's Vintage Shave (between Tacone and Mi Luna)

Cigar Cigar (near Mi Luna)

The Cosmopolitan Condo building has been topped off. The tree is sitting on top, we have 17 residential floors and 5 garage floors for a total of 22 floors.

Thanks Stan, that's great info. I can't say any of it is exciting though. I'm sick of new banks everywhere I look, they're the new gas station, one on every corner.

Also, Arby's seems to be entering the market, big deal. I've never been an Arby's fan, let's see how it does.

I noticed that the big sign outside this restaurant is down as I drove by at 70 this morning. I didn't get a good look at the building itself. Does anyone know if it's closed?

I heard only mediocre reviews of this restaurant so it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't make it. I wish something could occupy that space and be successful though.

Atom is in Dallas now working at KISS FM

Sounds like a match made in Heaven. Is he on in the morning? I didn't mind him in the evening but I really think he was bad with Maria in the morning.