KatyGuy

I miss Marco's (before they redmodeled the inside). That place was packed every weekend until Ninfa's opened.

If the Spots restaurant you all are talking about was located where the Starbucks on Mason Rd. is then I remember it. I enjoyed eating there. As a youngster I would stare at the train that ran through the restaurant.

Wow. I forgot about Marco's. We used to eat there alot. They always had the Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons. Yes, Spots used to be where the Starbucks is now. I remember the train that would go around on the shelf above the tables as well.

I can think of several that we used to eat at: Billy Dee's BBQ, Schlotsky's, Spots

Change is constant.... What are some of your favorite Katy restaurants of yesteryear?

I'm not sure how you could blame Lundy or Carr in the previous losses. Yea, Lundy needs to find the hole, but there was no hole to be found through the line. The O-line looked like it would just collapse. And in almost every play Carr was sacked, same thing, the O-line looked like it just collapsed. It looks like Kubiak's plays are designed for when Carr has ample time to throw. The way the line played most of the last two games, Carr and Lundy didn't have any opportunity to do anything positive.

I don't understand why either one would be switched up at this point. I DO think however that Lundy won't play as much, so we can get as many run patterns going as we can with other players. It's a good thing we picked up a person in the draft who we're sure is going to make an immediate impact on our record. We can just hand it to Reggie Bush and let him run with it....oh wait...

The paper today said David Carr is the highest rated quarterback in the AFC. Is he the "Lance Berkman" of the Texans...... Come on guys.... Let's win some games....

I was looking at the Forbes 400 list of Richest Americans today. For the first time ever, every member of the list is a billionaire. Dallas has more billionaires than any other city in Texas... Here are the rankings of the big cities in Texas...

1. Dallas - 13 billionaires (DFW - 21 billionaires)

2. Houston - 9 billionaires

3. Fort Worth - 8 billionaires

4. San Antonio - 3 billionaires

5 Austin - 1 billionaire

NYC has the most, by far - 46 billionaires!

LA... 19 billionaires (but doesn't include metro)

Beveryly Hills - 8 billionaires

San Fran... 12 billionaires.

Just thought this was interesting.

I was amazed at all the Waltons at the top of the list..... Sam Walton built their empire..... The total wealth combined of all the Waltons is incredible....

Lupe Tortillas....

I second Lupe Tortillas....

LINK: KHOU Web Story

Its a damn shame.

The police officer that was killed had 5 children and a wife. He sounded like a "role model" to all who knew him. I respect what police officers do to keep the community safe. Police officers have to deal with the "evil" and the "dangerous". They risk their lives to protect us. My heart goes out to the family. They will be forever changed.

Hi Import,

Kickerillo built nottingham country. They are considered one of the premier custom builders in houston (they built out kelliwood, fleetwood, twin lakes, thornwood, lakes of parkwayetc). They build solid houses and do not make many mistakes when it comes to community layout (see subdivisions mentioned above on MLS for proof) (http://www.kickerillo.com/).

It has the best established appearance and layout in Katy in my opinion except for kelliwood lakes.

The only thing I didn't like about Nottingham Country when we lived there was the fact that they didn't have sidewalks. With many small children in the area along with teenager drivers, I was a little nervous.

I am interested in finding out about Nottingham Country.

What is the history of this subdivision? Who were the builders? General quality of the houses?

Are there "good" areas and "not so good" areas?

Is there any sense of community and if so what is it like?

What is the culture of the area - mostly older people/teenagers/young families/a mixture?

I know it is a large subdivision so probably quite varied - so tell me all you can!

For info, we have a young family and are attracted by the established feel of the neighborhood and proximity to amenities. We are not looking to buy until well into next year but our budget will be probably up to around 280K.

Thanks for any info!

Here is a link to 3 year old article in the Houston Chronicle about Nottingham Country that you might find interesting. Check it out for good information.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ds/1920443.html

I lived in Nottingham Country for 13 years and we loved it. We enjoyed the area around Dominion/Hoveden. It was family oriented for the most part. Young families and families with teens for the most part. Also a few families that have lived there from day 1. The occasional "oddball" neighbor but what neighborhood doesn't have that. The homes are built in the late 70's and the reason we moved was that we made the decision to move instead of updating what we had. We moved to a new home but we still drive by and miss our home of 13 years.

Hi KatyGuy,

My wife and I rented a home in cinco ranch in katy to see if we would like it. We now refer to ourselves as "katy refugees" whenever we talk about the place. My wife actually breaks out in hives whenever someone brings up the idea of living in "katy". It is the most sterile and inhospital place we have ever lived.

And the only thing could attribute it to was what we call the "los angeles effect", which is essentially the result of what happens to people when they have to commute on congestioned freeways and streets for more than 40 minutes one way. By the time they get home they are so pissed-off and irritated they just want to take the dog out into the backyard and beat him to relieve the stress. So interpesonal communications is out of the question. And so the neighbors in our subdivision did not speak to each other ever. No block parties, no block dinners, no attending the kids birthday parties and if you are in street when they round the cul-de-sac corner (at about 40-mph) coming home from work they will run you down.

This behaivor could have also been attributed to other events such as the property tax bill shock, yard maintenance fatigue, katy ISD trailer classroom proliferation, the dissemation of the dream that the westpark tollway would be ease the commute, the mosquito infestation from the massive man-made bayou's, the lack of mature trees for shading of body and house and last but not least the reliant energy monthly bill.

Sorry you had such a negative experience in your search for suburbia happiness. I guess my wife and I live in a different Katy than you did. I sent you the Grand Lakes link because of the open town squares and lots of greenery and walking paths. Neighbors are out all the time walking on the paths. We have found our neighbors quite friendly and have had many block parties. We are involved in the public schools and youth sports and have met many nice families. My guess is with kids in private schools (may be reason for lack of birthday parties) and the fact your traveling 90% of the time it's hard to blame the neighbors of Katy (unless you want too). I wish you luck in your search for a new home for your family. I enjoy where I live and was only trying to help.

O.k. guys and girls. My wife and I have reached our subdivision search tolerance level. We are not from houston so this has been a daunting if not frutile effort. We are transplants and have been living here for 4-years ! We still have no idea where we want to live because we are workaholics and have only seen daylight 3-4 times since we have been here. I travel 90% of the time and yes I am a platinum member at most airlines. the only houstonians I know are the baggage sreeners at the airport.

our kids are in and will remain in private school so school district is not an issue from a lifestyle point of view. So we could live anywhere in the houston area. Ideally an area which is about equal distance from downtown, galleria and energy corridor areas. So, no more than a 30-40 minute commute from these areas at rush hour.

We are looking for the following in the home....

3-4 bedrooms

2-3 bathrooms

Home size: 2500 - 3500 sq. ft

exterior elevation (curb appeal is very important): We love all things "kickerillo" (i have seen mixed reviews on them)

http://search.har.com/engine/indexdetail.c...mp;backButton=Y

House features: All brick no hardi-plank is preferable; detached garage preferred

Lot size: min: 6000 sq ft with good size yard; no pool required

Subdivision: front setbacks and good distance between homes is important (see twin lakes); mature large trees; open firendly neighbors (the anti-cinco ranch); we like ethnic diversity

So the question becomes if you had $300,000 cash (i.e., no mortgage payments) and therefore you wanted to make sure the values would hold up with that much cash in the home where would you buy such a house described above ?

What subdivisions should we focus our efforts on ! Help needed ! (please no montrose or east end bungalow suggestions).

Check this out. What do you think?

http://www.grandlakes.com/

I'm looking at buying my first home in Katy and wanted to get some opinions on the older homes in Hickory Creek. I've gotten used to apartment living so anything over 1700 sf seems unmanagemable and expensive (a/c) to me. I'd be willing to live in something up to 2000 sf, but my choices are pretty limited. Hickory Creek seemed like a nice enough neighborhood with smaller homes. It's surrounded by Seven Meadows and I'm willing to bet that given its location that prices will continue to appreciate. I can afford as much as $180,000 but I don't require a "nice" or new home. I just want to make a good investment in a safe neighborhood. Any recommendations?

Have you thought about Nottingham Country? It best to buy a least expensive house in a subdivision than the most expensive house in a subdivision. Look at some of the houses in the Dominion/Hoveden area of Nottingham. They might be in your price range. You might pick up a good deal.

I'm looking at buying my first home in Katy and wanted to get some opinions on the older homes in Hickory Creek. I've gotten used to apartment living so anything over 1700 sf seems unmanagemable and expensive (a/c) to me. I'd be willing to live in something up to 2000 sf, but my choices are pretty limited. Hickory Creek seemed like a nice enough neighborhood with smaller homes. It's surrounded by Seven Meadows and I'm willing to bet that given its location that prices will continue to appreciate. I can afford as much as $180,000 but I don't require a "nice" or new home. I just want to make a good investment in a safe neighborhood. Any recommendations?

My thought is to use caution when trying to determine whether homes in Hickory Creek will continue to appreciate. I know the westpark tollway will continue westward outside the Grand parkway. If you look at Cinco Ranch tract 1093 trends over the last year it has dropped significantly. My thought is the new Westpark tollway running adjacent had something to do with that. So my thought is to use caution in your analyzing Hickory Creek.

I'm looking at buying my first home in Katy and wanted to get some opinions on the older homes in Hickory Creek. I've gotten used to apartment living so anything over 1700 sf seems unmanagemable and expensive (a/c) to me. I'd be willing to live in something up to 2000 sf, but my choices are pretty limited. Hickory Creek seemed like a nice enough neighborhood with smaller homes. It's surrounded by Seven Meadows and I'm willing to bet that given its location that prices will continue to appreciate. I can afford as much as $180,000 but I don't require a "nice" or new home. I just want to make a good investment in a safe neighborhood. Any recommendations?

Here is the link to the chronicle home price survey that gives information on home price trends by neighborhood. It shows that Hickory Creek has been appreciating where as the Cinco Ranch 1093 tract has taken a big hit in home prices. It gives information on pricing trends over the last year as well as over the last 5 years. I've included all Katy School district subdivions. Just copy and paste this link on your toolbar.

http://www.chron.com/c/apps/HomeFront/hf.m...nd=&subdiv=

I don't know. Probably not. South Katy is getting close to build out (in Cinco Ranch, not areas around Seven Lakes High School), and the north side hasn't seen more housing than the south. Once the Grand Parkway rolls through, and the Grand, Westside Marketplace come up, the northside of Katy will see a large boom in housing, while the southside cools down. Also, property values will rise even more than they are now. The new Memorial Hermann Medical Complex helped that area out a lot, then all of this new Simon stuff, and that outdoor mall at JC Penney. Then I am pretty sure that new Catholic High School up there helped with property values. It should be all good for North Katy.

What is this Westside Marketplace? Is it related to the Grand project. I haven't heard that name yet.

Materazzi insulted Zidane's sister

ROME (AP) -- Italy's Marco Materazzi said he insulted Zinedine Zidane's sister, revealing nearly two months after the World Cup final what provoked the French star to head-butt him in the chest.

In Tuesday's interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi disclosed that after he held his opponent's shirt, Zidane said: "If you want, I'll give you the jersey later."

"I responded that I preferred his sister, it's true," Materazzi said. "It wasn't something nice, true. But luckily there have been dozens of players who have confirmed that a lot worse things are said on the field."

Zidane was sent off after receiving a red card for the head-butt. Italy went on to win on penalty kicks.

Materazzi received a two-game ban for the July 9 incident and will miss Wednesday's rematch of the final, a 2008 European Championship qualifier. Zidane received a three-match suspension, but he retired after the World Cup.

Materazzi said that the Italian federation, in the middle of a match-fixing scandal, told him not to complain about the incident during a FIFA hearing.

"If accepting without raising my voice was the price to pay for having brought home the World Cup, I'm pretty happy to have paid it," Materazzi said.

Asked if the two could make peace, Materazzi said: "You sign a peace (agreement) after terrible wars, so why can't Zidane and I make peace?

"A peace among men, without a lot of publicity. The door to my house will always be open for that. And if Zidane wants, he knows where to find my address."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SOC...EMPLATE=DEFAULT

I still can't believe Zidane would end his brilliant career on this note. And in front of a global audience. He will forever be remembered around the world for that famous lack of judgement. I don't care what anyone says..... The man is supposed to be a role model. Instead it's anger management school for him.

Hello. Does anyone have an estimate of travel time (rush hour/commute) from Cypress (290) and/or from Katy to I-10 (energy corridor)? We're trying to decide between Cypress and Katy. Thanks! (If this is the wrong board, please let me know, I couldn't tell where to place this message.)

The last 15 years Katy has grown to be a nice family oriented place to live. The kind of place where you always run into people you know.

Many improvements recently in access. The widening of the Katy Freeway in the Katy area. The improvements on the Grand Parkway. The opening of the Westpark Tollway.

Shopping... Check out the La Centerra upscale retail center under construction across from Cinco Ranch High School. About 20 minutes from the Galleria via Westpark Tollway. New restaurants popping up everyday.

Homes... Many nice subdivisions to pick from. Check out the Seven Meadows/Grand Lakes/Cinco Ranch/Kelliwood areas.

Schools... One of the best larger school districts in the state....

Check out Katy.... Find out why it's grown so fast.

I found floorplans and pictures for the townhomes being built there. Keller Williams Realty is preselling them and Brenda, one of the sales agents, told me that they were going to start in the low $300,000's. They are going to be called the Villas of Villagio.

Villas of Villagio

I found this as well. It looks real nice.

http://www.marcelinc.com/portfolio/project...agio/index.html

My point is that failing to maintain what we currently have will end up costing the district more money down the road, not a great stewardship of taxpayers money. I hear talk of closing this school or that school by many different people. Is that the right solution...close a building down to build new? Absolutely not and anyone who believes otherwise is foolish. People today are so into the biggest, best and newest that it becomes a problem. Take West Memorial Junior High for example. We have a school that is obviously under capacity and will continue to decline in capacity over time. The district won't be able to rezone any neighborhood into WMJH because parents will complain to high heaven until the district caves. Eventually, enrollment will get so small that it will be suggested that WMJH close. Heaven forbid people send their little babies to such a "ghetto" school afterall!

My comments on Leonard Merrill stand. From personal interaction with him, attending school board meetings and discussions with those inside the district, this is my opinon of which I am entitled. Maybe you should should stop berating people and attend a school board meeting for yourself. Not sure why you felt obligated to stoop to personal attacks with your comments but it really wasn't necessary. Your suggestion that I should read a book was ignorant at best. You may want to go back and check your own posts before you suggest someone stop watching Taco Bell commercials.

Thanks for your comments. Your points are well taken and I appreciate your response.

My earlier post was not meant as a personal attack but an effort to "light a fire" in you so I could understand your comments/opinion on Dr. Merrill. I have attended zoning meetings (some full of fire) and I have always been impressed with Dr. Merrill (my opinion). Our school district is ranked one of the highest in Texas for large school districts and Dr. Merrill is a part of that (again my opinion). I just didn't understand why you think his job performance warrants that he should go. My opinion is that he is doing an excellent job in driving our wonderful school district. Thanks!

. My feeling is that if the district can't or won't maintain what they have, why should we give them more money to build more buildings that they won't/can't take care of down the road.

That...and get rid of Leonard Merrill and we're good to go!

Do your homework and understand the projected growth in KISD over the next 10 to 20 years. How is the future of KISD going to handle this growth. We have a top notch school district when compared to other large school districts and we want to keep it that way. Can you also please expand on your comment on Dr. Merrill (you need to stop watching those Taco Bell commercials and read a book)? I don't quite get it. Thanks!

This could be very interesting. Just about every day, we see something new going up in Katy and wonder what's next. What would you like to see in Katy? Try to be specific, instead of more shopping, say that you would like to have a store like Macys for example.

Let's hear it...what would you like to see open up in Katy?

What do we have enough of already?

Goode Company BBQ

Rajun Cajun Restaurant

High Rise Marriot on the Grand Parkway near I-10

Many Large Trees that grow money! The money then floats in the air within reach anytime I want it.

I heard that Chili's (to be known as Chili's-Cinco Ranch) will open the 2nd week of December.

Is it my imagination or does it look to small to be a Chili's. I see the structure going up across from CVS at 99/Westheimer Parkway. It just looks kindof small for a Chili's. It looks more like a fast food type place.

The wife and I will make it a point to go check it out tonight.

Little late with this but.........What's with the appearance of this new HEB? I was in San Antonio and saw some very nice looking store fronts that catered specifically to the neighborhoods. If this HEB was in Cinco Ranch it would not have the bright colors but would have more of a neighborhood appeal. Did this design go under an architectural review with neighborhood groups? Seven Meadows? Grand Lakes? etc. Does anyone know?

Marini's Empanada House early-mid 70's - on Westheimer near 'the curve' just before the Tower Theater - my introduction to empanadas, they had meat, vegetable, and dessert versions that were wonderful (seems like they had a location way out Westheimer much later on)

Udder Delight early-mid 70's - ice cream place next to Marini's, my lil sis knew the guys. Still remember the day we got the call to come try out their new Avocado ice cream (it sucked large, they had to put too much lime juice in to keep it from turning brown)

La Bodega Bar / Harvst Moon Cafe early-mid 70's - @ Fairview & ??? - La Bodega was downstairs, wine bar, had stunning wood walls done by Yost & Company. Harvest Moon was upstairs, great veggie place

Sonny Look's Steakhouse on S Main?? - with the honey- and garlic-flavored butters, maybe more. You couldn't have a junior high or high school athletic banquet in that part of town without having it at Look's back then!

Zappos Sandwiches on Beechnut across from Meyerland Plaza - a Schlotzky's knock-off, but I thought their buns were better!

Marini's Empanada House is now open again in Katy. The corner of Mason and Wesheimer Parkway. It's still family run and owned by one of the sons.

I also missed the big "gun toting" shrimp from Angelo's Fisherman's Wharf

Does anyone remember when Rons fried chicken was here?

I remember "Village Inn Pizza" watching the "Rhodes Kids" perform.

Any body know any news on the Villagio development going in at peek and westheimer parkway? Tenants, schedule, sketches?

Look on the La Centerra "thread" in the Katy section on this site for that info. There is some information someone left after they contacted the developer.

Any body know any news on the Villagio development going in at peek and westheimer parkway? Tenants, schedule, sketches?

Sorry I steered you wrong. It's not the La Centerra "thread". It's the new HEB store "thread" in the Katy section on this web site. Look at "Post 26.

My first car was a 1978 Pontiac Trans AM exactly like the one pictured below, except mine was white in color. The T-Tops leaked almost every time in hard rainfall

Smokey and the Bandit?