houstonmacbro

I work out at the LA Fitness at the Marq*E and noticed a new sign. So I come up close and notice that there are plans to redevelop the Marq*E a bit. It looks like they are going to demolish the space where the Improv and Drink Houston used to stand, relocated those two to across the walkway, and have it be more visible to I-10 traffic.

Construction is to occur in 2009.

Lots of people come to the Marq*E. But for the life of me, I can never understand why its retail space can NOT have 100% occupancy.

I gotta agree with you on that. I mean, that's just plain stupid.

I caught the tail end of a story by ABC 13 saying something about the Williams Tower and all the land around it being sold. Can anybody pull the story or has anybody heard about this? Is it for development? Pardon the lack of info.

Not sure if this belongs here but has anyone ever noticed this satellite dish looking thing on the south side, about mid-way up the tower?

It seems like an odd protrusion on the building.

What is that?

I tried the 1960 location soon after it opened. It was not a good burger. It wasn't even a good weird burger, a la White Castle.

The 'meat' was a weird consistency.

So in your opinion, how do they compare to White Castle? Are you familiar with White Castle?

I am not (familiar). We had this place in DC (Georgetown actually) that had wonderful little sliders.

I don't think these are as tasty.

Simi Valley has one right along a freeway too, although it's probably closer to the size of that one in Montreal. I'm sure they're all over, they're just not all 150 ft tall.

edit: found it. Behind the photographer is the freeway.

So we're talking a cross roughly 7 stories tall? That's a pretty big cross!

Their purpose is to put people to death in one of the most horrible ways possible, so I can understand that.

That and the whole use by the KKK kinda spoiled crosses for me.

Not to offend, but aren't crosses considered idols. Look at these common definitions:

# a material effigy that is worshipped; "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"; "money was his god"

# someone who is adored blindly and excessively

# paragon: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

# Several philosophers have developed concepts that they have called idols, including: * Aristotle the idols in the water, reflections or shadows. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idol (philosophy)

# A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power; A cultural icon, or especially popular person

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/idol

# An idol is a representation of something in the heavens or on the earth. It is used in worship and is often worshiped. ...

www.godweb.org/dictionary/dic_i-k.htm

# object that people worship, as in: He donated the golden idol he found to the museum.

www.business-words.com/dictionary/I.html

# An image of a deity used as a focus for worship, usually used for non Christian images.

www.mda.org.uk/archobj/archobji.htm

# An image of a god that is the object of worship rather than God himself.

www.godonthe.net/dictionary/i.html

# image used as object of worship; often God carved in stone or wood

www.syvum.com/cgi/online/serve.cgi/squizzes/history/hist2.html

Yep. "Cotton Candy Christianity" as they call it. "Everyone is welcome..." Uh huh. Everyone is welcome to donate to the "church"... He's not exactly living a modest lifestyle... like other pastors I've known. I thought loving the Lord was not about material possessions? Or getting into cat fights with flight attendants. Oh well...

EDIT: But back on topic... I say, go all out, and put the body on the cross too. And get the lighting right, for night time viewing.

Crucifixes are even creepier.

But hey, I agree with an earlier statement ... it's their land and they're not breaking the law so go for it. I don't drive out that way often and don't have to look at it. Who knows, it might even get into the GBoWR and become an attraction.

Private property, do what you want... but tragic, and tasteless.

Has anyone actually been to these "mega church" services? Ever watch Joel O. on TV - and not want to vomit? The Summit could have been put to better use...

Joel's about the only one that makes me NOT want to vomit. The services are always pretty fun (kinda like a rock concert).

Anyhow, I am certainly not a big churchgoer, and actually like the fact that I haven't seen one cross at Lakewood.

Crosses are a bit creepy.

I just had my first Krystal burgers. I was impressed with the packaging, the value, and they were good, not great.

I am surprised I just tried them since they are like 5 minutes from me on FM 1960.

Yeah, the discussion boards need to be moderated. They need to IP Ban people who do not behave.

People over there say some of the most rude, vile, hateful, and racist things I've ever heard. I think we behave much better.

I think the new design is terrible... and even more terrible if it is to be built downtown. Seriously.

It would work in a neighborhood much better, but all in all ... it is not bad. I like it.

renderings... http://www.kirksey.com/ProjectMain.asp?ID_...=202&OffSet=

plus this one that's apparently been obtaine from the Y via email. swamplot posted it

http://swamplot.com/the-new-downtown-ymca-...7-01/#more-2504

Looks very 70s-ish. But cool. I always liked that kinda style.

My spidey-sense is saying "parking garage."

A park would be nice. If I remember correctly, that swath of real estate is kinda shielded from the sun most parts of the day...?

Today we found out that the last day to live in the Downtown YMCA is going to be at the end of June 2010. There is a new one being built near Main in Midtown that may or may not have housing. This building is historic. Hiow do I go about saving it?

What is architecturally significant about it? I've seen it from the outside and nothing really stands out (for me) other than it is older than everything else around it.

I am not being flippant, but I've never been on the inside. Am I missing something?

Well, it appears that they are going to have a ground breaking on Thursday. A ceremonial one, but I'll take what I can get. Construction is going to start between Milby and Lockwood in 4000ft segments.

One thing I either forgot or didn't know about is that the East Side and Uptown lines are going to be completely funded by Metro.

Article.

We're finally getting somewhere. This really is a ground-breaking achievement in and of itself!

Could you give me a few specifics as to what "we" could have done? Should the City pass a "view" ordinance? Should we have all gathered at the site with torches and pitchforks? Am I correct in assuming that if you and feufoma had spent a couple of million dollars on that piece of land, you two would have donated it for use as a park...since you clearly expected these landowners to do so.

I really want to hear specific solutions. This board has been taken over by people who accuse "Houston" of doing or not doing things, and I want to know who "Houston" is, and what specific things he or she should be doing.

I think some sort of zoning board should have at least CONSIDERED what building a parking garage would do to the view. The skyline does belong to us whether we have a million dollars to pay for land or just property tax dollars to support the city coffers.

This thing's gonna be horrible! My wife pointed out the fact that most views from the western face of the Doubletree seem to hold the promise of being 'obfuscated' beyond reproach. Goddamnit! Why can't we in this city work together to promote and maintain any (normal) sense of urban aestheticsm? Opie for Mayor!

Doo doo dyoot do do do dyoot do doooo...

P.S. Whistle that last part...

Rockin' in the Carolina's yo'.....!!! Geez Ange.....!! Barney and Floyd could rock this city like no other!!

I SO agree with you. I cannot believe we don't care anything about architectural integrity of the skyline and don't care that a damned parking garage is gonne mess up the view.

Who runs this town?

Is that the same as the HS for Health Professions right there off 288? My sister graduated from there.

and ok....speaking spanish in the house means what? Hispanics (of brighter persuasion) traditionally will identify with the anglo culture as opposed to their darker counterparts and if you feel safer in the woodlands countryside instead of an area that's a little more diverse and related to you...so be it...

I think these are some pretty broad strokes you're painting. I don't remember anyone mentioning race or even ethnicity. For all we know the people that participated in the melee could have been Hispanic, they could have been black, they could have been white.

Pesonally, I think TW is a joke because you are right. Once 'the elements' start to encroach there, where are folks gonna run? (Huntsville? Dallas?). TW is made out to be this utopia and really if you look at crime reports, there is just as much going on there as anywhere else.

I think communities have to make a stand against crime and demand better policing (they pay for it after all so why not have better protection).

I completely agree. Just another way to kill a mall.

I'm not one to condone white (or any other kind of) flight, but I do believe people have the right to shop where they feel safe.

That sounds pretty awful. I really don't care for malls ... any malls -- for a variety of reasons--, but with behaviors like that, it kinda seals the deal for me.

Another place we used to go to often was the Der Weinerschnitzel (sp?) that was in a red A-shaped building. I think it was on Hillcroft near Bissonnet. The drive thru went thru the building and divided it in half.

That sounds pretty cool.

Wolfgang Puck in Carillion. Gone.

When I got home & opened the bag, he'd given me a full sandwich.

See, back then it was just an innocent gesture. Today, he'd have all kinds of cops on his behind for attempted soliciation of minor.

Funny how times change, huh?

I thougt Canada was crazy clean. Okay, I've never been to Canada, but that's one of my stereotypes of Canada, super clean, along with super friendly people and super cold.

Snow. And everything's white (not just the people). I've actually heard they have a big Asian and Caribbean population there too.

I've never liked that Dubuffet thing, but I have to say it looks a darn sight better in its new location than it did in front of 1100 Louisiana.

Yeah, it finally has some purpose and perspective. And it matches the colors of GRB.

I'm not a big burger person, but I hear everyone talk about the burgers there. Are they REALLY that good?