lilyheights

I don't find that Fiesta is the cheapest place to shop. I find this to be a bit of a misconception. They are in line with other groceries, usually. Places like Food Town (and the like) is a much better "bargain" store.

Maybe not...but...I can't imagine any of those snobs coming down from their 1/2 million dollar McVictorian to go to Fiesta....

My "snobby" self has always shopped Fiesta for part of my grocery list.

I'm just hoping to consolidate my shopping a bit. If Fiesta over here gets a few of my "Whole Foodish/Central Marketish" items, I'll be in heaven. We cook a lot of food that requires things from Fiesta -- if they carry my snob food too, I'm set for one stop shopping. (Provided we stop off at La Michoacana for the tortillas first.)

Currently, a big meal at our house can involve three to four grocery stores.

I was hoping that others might stop by and chat with the managers about their requests. That could make for a great shopping experience for everyone, since they seem willing to listen and act.

We have been shopping at the Fiesta on Shepherd the past few weeks. (Trying, once again, to find the best grocery in this area.) We've noticed that since the refacing they've also changed some things inside. We're noticing more "yuppie" food. (Buddy's chicken, a new deli area -- among other items.)

Our neighbor went shopping there recently and the manager approached her and told her to request anything she didn't find.

I know that Fiesta has a more neighborhood centered approach to their stores. I've also been impressed with the management at various locations over the years...they seem to listen.

Maybe if we work with them, we don't need HEB or Kroger to do anything. Fiesta looks like they might be ready to carry the ball.

The shack looked like a booth for a fair or something. The Pappa's HQ is across the street...they were prob. doing something on there other piece o' property.

I learned they are moving their HQs out of the Heights to somewhere on 290. Wonder if they'll keep ownership of the Heights properties?

Come on, I know plenty of GenXers using the cloth diaper delivery service TODAY...it still works the same and is quite popular.

I remember Charlies Chips being delivered. I don't remember the Shipleys, though...that would be heaven.

There is a company that still delivers milk in the Houston area. I looked into it, but it seemed expensive. I guess we'll continue to hike to the grocery.

Some pharmacies still deliver, too.

I hope it becomes residential, too.

I don't know if the fence indicates progress or just that the weight of graffiti and trespassing has reached a limit. I noticed last month that the a/c units on top of the building had their access doors left opened...copper theft? Who knows...nothing would thrill me more than something positive coming to this location.

Anyone with good, solid information?

I've known quite a few people who moved greater distances for jobs in the oil industry. They liked living centrally (in West University/MuseumDistrict rentals) and commuting over the course of their careers to all the possible energy job locals, the I-10 Energy Corridor, the buildings near the airport (IAH), downtown, and WestChase (Brown and Root, now Halliburton), or the Woodlands (Anadarko).

Some stayed and bought homes in these central areas; some moved to the 'burbs.

I always like this approach to Houston: start central, then decide. Learning this city from the 'burbs is difficult -- you'll be inclined to stay out there and never venture forth into the more historical and (my opinion) interesting parts of town. Then, you'll get older, have kids, and never learn about where you live. That, to me, seems like a loss.

If you feel like 'burbia is the most fun you could ever want, then start there. If you want a little different experience, start centrally, learn the city, then decide.

The other plus to this approach is that you can reverse commute anywhere with relative ease. If you hunker down too far out in any direction, you'll not want to take the job on the opposite side of the larger circle of the Houston 'burbs...that could be psychologically limiting.

Yes, but it could use some scrubbing. I am a big fan of "comfort food" like they served at the Pig, but the lack of cleanliness there kind of kept me from going very often.

Never mentioned this before, because despite my experience I like the place and wanted to see it continue:

Unfortunately, this was my case too. The occasional roach sighting I could handle...it was when one crawled all the way up to my father's collar that I wrote the place off.

Still, I'm sorry to see it closing. If someone would scrub it and fumigate, I'd come back in a heartbeat.

Before we beat ourselves up about speaking out: Are we sure that our grumblings were the root cause of the restaurant losing funding?

I'm sure there were other factors.

The report that it was Heights residents' fault comes from the person who tore down an historic building stating there was no other, better way to go about doing so.

I'm not saying he's being dishonest, but he did seem to oversimplify things the last time around. Is this loss of funding correlation another over simplification for why the project lost funding?

Maybe it was too lucrative to sell the property now that it was free of its historic nature...I bet the real picture has a lot more factors that lead to the decision to sell the property.

I wrote to the Houston YMCA and received this response...I'm excited:

In mid-September, the YMCA of Greater Houston completed the purchase of the Masterson YW facility.

It needs extensive renovation and repair, and plans are currently to open in fall 2007.

Our working title for this one is the YMCA Waugh Drive project.

And yes, the indoor pools will be there!

Thanks for your interest.

Ken

Ken Harris

VP Corporate Services

YMCA of Greater Houston

I just read this on the Home in the Heights section of the chron. The meeting is tonight:

November 06, 2006

Ashland meeting tonight

Just over nine months ago, the historic Victorian building of the Ashland Tea House at the corner of Ashland and West 19th, was demolished by a retaurant developed who said he intended to build a new restaurant on the site "with a Victorian theme." (You can see that story here.)

However, according to an e-mail from Houston Heights Association Land Use Committee chair Janice Evans-Davis, the development group behind that questionable effort has disbanded and the ``funding source'' has hired architect and Woodland Heights resident Tim Cisneros to do a feasibility study and conceptual designs for a condominium project on the site.

Cisneros will present those ides to the Land Use Committee at its meeting tonight (Monday) at 6:30 p.m. at the Heights Fire Station, 107 West 12th at Yale.

According to Evans-Davis, it would be a loft-style development, much like one Cisneros is currently designing in Galveston (maybe this one?). Evans-Davis said preliminary plans call for incorporating some retail space on the first floor along Ashland Street. There would be four or five stories with balconies and terraces facing both 18th and Ashland.

Evans-Davis noted that unlike the group behind the demolition of the Tea House, Cisneros wants to be open about the future plans for the site and personally asked to present the project to the Land Use Committee in order to ``gain ideas.''

Monday's meeting will also include brief updates on the historic district effort, proposed changes to the historic ordinance and proposed changes in the lot size/building line ordinances, all of which could be sent to city council before year's end.

For more information, e-mail Evans-Davis at landuse@houstonheights.org.

I heard a rumor that the HEB on Rutland and 11th will become a bank...anyone else hear this/know anything?

Does anyone know if this is directly across from the vacant HEB? I'd love to take on the project, but not if the vacant store covered in grafitti is right in front of me.

No, it is not across from the HEB and is not adjacent to the HEB property on the side either.

It is across the street from my house, actually. It looks very nice.

Two new builds -- the builder's new one story and a two-story NOLA style -- are across from the HEB.

1132 Rutland is for sale this week. It looks from the outside to be a good project for someone looking for a bungalow project. I think the listing is high, though...

I just received a catalog today that might also help you. Their website is www.rejuvenation.com. The lighting fixtures, etc. might help in your project.

Think about your mechanicals and get your mechanicals done right the first time. As long as your opening up some walls and looking at redoing systems, you might as well think about these things. I can't stress that enough.

Think about plumbing, electrical, data, and hvac.

This is the stuff a lot of design-centered people don't like to think about, but you'll be most pleased if you pay attention to them.

I believe that there are some heating/cooling companies that are better at this stuff than others. Same goes for electrical and data (if you are so inclined). I've been most pleased with Central City for hvac and I am regretting that they didn't do my house. They seem to have creative solutions and pay attention to our climate. Check out a few people before you make your decisions.

Hey, all!

I know someone looking for a small apartment in the Heights. Does anyone have any leads?

Thanks!

Let me ask my neighbor. She has several properties.

I am getting a little tired of the misrepresentations that are being made.

Lastly, my wife and I bought a new construction house in the Heights about a year ago (we lived in another part of the heights for about 5 years prior). We love the neighborhood and are committed to being here long term, that's why we bought a house we could grow into. Degrading what has been done in the neighborhood by calling homes like ours "McMansions" or "Hummer Homes" does not help your case with us or with many of our friends who own new homes in the Heights. We are not inclined to support you or your organization.

My husband and I also bought an offending home three and a half years ago. We plan to stay; so stability has nothing to do with the size and shape of our home either.

Between us and luvtheheights, that's two objectionable-home-families that plan to stay.

I think my next door neighbors plan to be in their house for quite some time.

Oh, come to think of it, the lady building down the street who has had enough of NOLA and sold a perfectly flood-free house to move here, I think she's not interested in ever moving again.

There are four-objectionable-home-families planning to stay for as long as possible.

I understand how passion can lead one to jump to conclusions. Things just aren't always how they seem. Just a thought.

^^ I second that. That guy is such a good store owner. He's always been most helpful even with relatively musically ignorant people like me. He'll talk music and share his love for it with anyone.

I would check out the area of Sharpstown west of Fondren, South of Bellaire, East of Gessner, and North of 59.

My dad has lived there for 40 years now. Safety has been in line with most of the city for a long time. True, the apartment areas are bad, but this is not an apartment area...try the streets north of Neff between Mary Bates and Waldo. There are a lot of original owners still living there.

The schools aren't great, but if you don't mind private schools the Catholic schools in the area are good to super (Strake and St. Agnes High Schools are great). You might be able to afford these educations while living over there.

I think it is worth looking. I would live there if we downgraded our home.

Another place to look is in Forest West. Again, you may have to get creative about schooling by taking advantage of nearby gifted and talented programs, but that works for a lot of people.

You'll have to do better than following the herd of sheep to find your solution, I think. For me, I have an aversion to being outside the Beltway just because I like the convenience to downtown activities. My dad is 15-20 minutes from downtown. It is really nice.

Pay attention to technology. At the very least, understand what is needed to install all the current entertainment center gadgets (including phone lines).

I know that wireless is around, but I like having my whole house networked on Cat-5. Think about putting in conduit for future expansion of said network. We have a closet dedicated to servers, but it needs extra cooling.

And, don't forget the unsexy is important: mind you mechanicals. Make sure the HVAC system is serviceable. Seriously, when this is not done properly it is a future headache. Don't make your homeowner think about this stuff that is supposed to just be right....lull them into the idea that stuff just works by itself and anyone they call can fix it...they want this.

It was said the last time this topic was discussed and I still agree:

It was the WAY the guy went about demolishing Ashland's without really engaging to neighborhood in a constructive discussion that made most moderate people angry.

I don't think the Heights citizenry should be faulted because they don't follow a laissez faire attitude about the neighborhood.

The activism has positive impacts that we all enjoy. Even if we don't all agree about every cause, I think the net result of Heights activism is a beacon to the power of the citizen...something that needs to be preserved.

The Heights takes a stand about what happens. I like that a lot better than the majority of Houston reacts to negative developments in their neighborhoods: move futher down I-10/290/45.

Has anyone heard anything regarding a restaurant that was to open on 18th and Ashland. I know the owner tore down the old property that was there and caught a lot of grief. Drove by there the other day and the sign that was out a month or two ago for "Table in the Heights" is gone. Just curious if anyone has heard anything. With "The Glass Wall" and "Shade" here, was hoping for another great resturant.

I saw that he is teaching a class at Central Market next month and it lists him as the chef of Table...I guess that means it is opening soon.

The newest build on Rutland between 11th and 12th (soon not to be the newest in a couple of weeks). It is a one-story and I like it.

I can say the same about MY all-time favorite Theater, The Windsor, that was on Richmond @610. I lost my place to City Streets. It happens, people want to sell their property for profit, I am sure the previous owner of The River Oaks knew full well what Weingarten's intentions were for the place. People don't can't complain about what other peoples visions are. The masses can't dictate what can be done with personal property, unless it is THEIR tax dollars footing the bill. As I beleive it to be MORALLY WRONG, to demolish such type architecture, it is even more LEGALLY wrong to try to exercise your beliefs on other peoples property in a free society.

You can critique anything you want to. Someone else's "vision" especially.

What happens in the end is another matter, but you can always complain, critique, and express your thoughts. You can even ask the person in power for what you want and see what you get.

Why do so many people in this discussion think that expressing your dislike of a concept leads directly to dictating what's done with a property? If only complaints had that much power...

It is a free society. That's why everyone on here is able to express a viewpoint counter to what those in power in this situation (Weingarten) believe.

I don't think it is morally wrong for me to dislike someone's ideas or vision about what they want to do to their property. Morally wrong? That's reaching.