Howard

The damaged roof has been repaired, now I need the interior done. It rained inside which damaged the ceiling on the first and second floors. Warped the wood floors on the second floor and water in the walls.

I need some referrals from people who had work done and were happy with the outcome.

Thanks,

Howard

howardqent@yahoo.com

While I am a 2-time scofflaw myself, there IS a good reason for the registering system. If stolen, the police can readily identify the owner. However, an unused system benefits no one, so this registration may as well go the way 8 tracks.

Yea getting a stolen bicycle back. How about getting my car first. Or the person that hit and ran me. Or the woman who worked for me and was stealing money. Or took my truck out of storage and drove it for 3 months. How about my $154.00 ticket for lane change without signal on my motorcycle. Forget all those REALLY important list of things cops do nothing about or give you a ticket or jail for. I could go on all day.

But I bet they are out looking for my bicycle.

What? Why is that?

Google Search is your friend...

Many moms might worry about their kids getting hurt playing football, but a new study shows that playing basketball and riding bicycles sent more Americans to the emergency room in 2005.

More than half a million people suffered basketball-related injuries last year, compared to 485,000 hurt on bikes and 418,000 injured playing football.

Trampolines bounced 108,000 U.S. residents into the hospital. And believe it or not, some 47,000 people managed to get hurt playing golf.

"Athletes, youngsters and weekend warriors alike can wind up in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to these sports," said Pietro Tonino, director of the division of sports medicine at Loyola University Health System. "So before people run to the basketball court, they need to take steps to reduce their injury risk."

Tonino used data from the U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commission on injuries treated in emergency rooms.

The Top 15:

1 Basketball: 512,213

2 Bicycling: 485,669

3 Football: 418,260

4 Soccer: 174,686

5 Baseball: 155,898

6 Skateboards: 112,544

7 Trampolines: 108,029

8 Softball: 106,884

9 Swimming/Diving: 82,354

10 Horseback riding: 73,576

11 Weightlifting: 65,716

12 Volleyball: 52,091

13 Golf: 47,360

14 Roller skating: 35,003

15 Wrestling: 33,734

Knee injuries, especially to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are some of the most common and serious, the new study found.

While ACL injuries can be treated with surgery and physical therapy, a way to prevent them is to build up the strength of your hamstrings. Tonino also recommends landing on the balls of your feet with knees bent and butt back, as if you were about to sit in a chair.

Skateboarders have always been a misunderstood bunch and probably what attracted me to it. There is no way I could explain it to you but real skateboarders would move to the area to enjoy the park. I bought my house in the Heights because of it and Memorial Park for mountain biking... Something else you probably wont understand for lack of mountains. In many ways the park will help the economy by skaters coming from all over to enjoy the park. At 41 I still skateboard at least 2 times a week here in the Miami area and I know the park will be there if I do move back. Most of the skaters I skate with are older than 30 and could give the young kids a lesson in ripping.

Dont be so quick to judge the situation and what positive things it can bring to Houston. Everyone doesnt care for baseball, football, and basketball (the U.S. most dangerous sport).

Helmets should be optional over 18 and having supervision isnt nessasary. When is the last time you went to supervised basketball court?

Here's an interesting side note about this...

I saw the "funeral" in Detroit. There was an earlier one in Philadelphia. Naturally, all of the local newspapers, television, and radio stations covered it. The difference in the coverage was that the newspapers all printed the word, while the television stations did not speak it (I don't know what radio did).

One news anchor has been suspended over this. He made the point in the newsroom that it's ridiculous to provide coverage of the event without naming the guest of honor. He pointed out that all of the newspapers printed it, and that it is only journalistically sound to buck political correctness in favor of accuracy, truth, and completeness. He's no longer on the air. I don't know for how long.

Now look at all of the previous posts in this thread. Look at how all of the posters have self-censored. Yes, there's a filter for that word built into the forum, but it hasn't been triggered. Of course, now some smart-alec is going to post it on purpose, but that just shows how we've become as a society -- afraid to say something unless given permission or double dog dared.

Im not afraid nor need permission. I just dont do it out of respect for my fellow man. Its a slur, be it black, mexican, homosexual, japansese, korean, ect... I just dont do it because as a black man I know how it feels to be called a racial slur or a derogatory term. Its just the right thing to do as a person and my parents brought me up knowing that as well.

As much as I can't stand that word... and when people say it around me I always cringe... you can't ban words... we have a thing called "free speech". If you ban that word then a million others are going to want other words banned. What a rediculous idea.

As stated its just trying to get the black community together and stop using the word. I dont use it myself and hate to hear it.

On the other hand "free speach" can get you in a lot of trouble. There are many things you can't say without repercussion.

Like the most obvious one "bomb". If you said what you really wanted to say sometimes at work you may not have a job either.

Or maybe its just at my job? lol

Thanks to Joseph Jamail and Congrats PUSH you guys FN rule!

Yes the skateboarders will boost the economy. Skaters will be coming from all over for a park this size. New businesses will pop up because of it and current business will have additional traffic.

I would travel to Austin to skate and take in the scene of that great town. I stayed in a hotel. I ate, went to some spots,ect...

Also to Dallas and Allen skatepark to skate and enjoy the city.

I also bought my house in the Heights because of the skatepark.

Skateboarding is bigger than a lot of people think and its not just for kids as I am 40 years young.

Yep

The Heights area where I bought my townhouse is updated. Before it was an empty lot. Still doesnt show my place because it is phase two of the development.

I would be at every event but I am kicking rocks in Afghanistan. Great Post!

Im black and the ex wife is Cuban. You wouldnt know it by looking at her because she was closer to white. We never had a problem but I tend not to care what other people think about who I date or marry. A look is not going to bother me.

That being said we were bike riding in Spring and she was way behind me. I passed this lady? who was talking to someone parked on the street in front of her house. She gave me a NASTY look and I said "How ya doin'" (killem with kindness). My ex caught up to me and said that lady stuck her tounge out at you when you passed (I didnt see it). I said yea and she gave me a nasty look too. That only had to do with me being black...

It will never end its all in how you react to it...

In the past (Miami) we had someone come up to us and say we looked great together... Pretty FN cool.

i guess the interracial scene never fazed me. blacks dated whites in my small catholic high school so now i rarely turn my head. what part of town are you located? saying that you RARELY see interracial couples surprises me as does saying that in CA interracial couples were the norm. what does make me turn my head is the children they produce. i like the exotic look i guess.

I have to agree with you. Interracial offspring are beautiful children or adult.

According to this article; there seems to be a shake out in the south beach area with condo development.

My theory is that Because it's been labeled as a tourist mecca and a place for the wealthy to play, this might make them more vulnerable to the whims in that particular market.

Houston has resisted the "Tourist" label and I don't believe Houston will fall Prey to such whims of speculators such as this. Because Houston is a city in which commerce is important as well as several other major industries.

Condos are the first thing to fall off when the market turns. Florida and especially Miami have been way over priced for a few years. This wont happen in Houston because its not a major attraction like Miami. Houston will have its own turn based on people moving in or just not buying.

$250 a day for unemployment? You mean a week right?

Duh yea... edited thanks

Sorry to hear it. I was in the same boat. Great house, new car, city view, great pay. Four months after Sep 11 the rug got pulled out. I went home and sat on the edge of my bed with my head in my hands. WOW did that just happen? Then I started thinking about bills and went to file unemployment. $250.00 a week (oops) was better than nothing but didnt even cover my mortgage. I got on line and started looking for a job the next day. Then off to the work center. I moved in with some freinds and ended up being a GM personal trainer which I did part time just to help people before. I hated it as the GM but I had to survive. I was a jet fuel manager before. I have been in Afghanistan 3 years now as a result. Great pay and I get to see the world on vacation.

Word of advice. Get motivated and dont sulk for more than a day. Good things will come but they dont come looking for you. You have to get out there and find it... Good Luck!

If I were gay the last thing I'd want is kids.

I'd be driving my Audi TT convertible with Scissor Sisters blasting on the radio, going to the gym every day, doing lots of shopping, dressing sharp and wiggin my butt off every weekend in the Monstrose.

A sterotype, I know, but if you're gonna be gay you might as well go for it! Why weigh yourself down with rug rats?

Be free! Be gai!

Gay guys have style. That Audi TT coupe is HAWT!

Cant say the same about a flannel wearing, Harley riding, pickup driving, gay lady. LOL

If you are going to be stereotypical.

Supposedl the new Imperial was approved for production, but with any luck the new management will kill it. It is so ugly.

Its the "working mans Phantom". They have hit a stride with the popularity of the 300s Bentley look. It sold well so...

If you dont like that I doubt you like Bentleys

I know the A8 is good, but how long woud it last?

A used one, I mean.

Cars are a crap shoot and that goes for most cars. Why else would extended warrenties be so popular with new cars and sometimes worthless depending on what goes wrong. You need to research consumer reports and audi forums where car people post a lot and ask questions. If you see someone driving one ask them how they like it. You have to do homework before you buy a car new or used. Used most times depend on the previous owners maintainence records. Or a certified pre own if you buy from a lot.

Sometimes you get lucky and have a great car that you love, looks great, relieable, and feels good. Or you could have a nightmare but I would just sell it if I had a problem car...

Being car guy I know the 300 is really called the "Working Mans Bentley". I rented one on vaction and it was actually pretty nice. There are TONS of them in Houston. The Imperial is in the same mode. Both do the imitation well. I dont know what gangster means in this case because I would view old chevys like Impalas and Caprices on 20" plus rims like that. Anything you would do a drive by in comes to mind...

Volkswagen screwed up on the Phaeton because it looked just like a Passat only about $50,000 more.

My choice for a cheaper high dollar ride is a 2003 and up Audi A8. $90,000 new $40,000 used and BEAUTIFUL.

If you really want a convertable 300 there are aftermarket shops that do them. You just have to do your homework or cross your fingers they do make one. Its becoming dated already though so the chance is slim.

I have been a doughnut fan since way back. Cant tell from looking at me though! lol I remember Mister Doughnut in Florida before Dunkin Doughnuts bought them out.

Coming from a conosuer (ha) it best depends on what type of doughnut you like. Raised, filled, frosted, ect... all have different flavors and textures as well as how long they have been sitting.

I prefer cake doughnuts and Dunkins (1960) arent that great. Krispy Kreams are weak. Shipleys are good. Christies (Montrose?) have been the best I have tasted but you got to get them fresh. Dunkin is 24hrs which is a big plus. Most doughnut shops have weird hours in Houston. Depends on what part of town I am in and what time it is.

Interesting how most are smaller obscure southern cities with the exception of a few.

That place is so gay, you might as well go to the Club Houston.

Is that why its called fitnes sex change?

Is this thing on?

Thank you, I'll be here all week

Great view. Thanks!

But back to the topic...another thing that irritates me is people who delicate flower about the Mexican flag flying in the US but have no problem with displays of the Confederate States flag. After all, they were a foreign country that attacked the US and killed over 300,000 of our citizens.

This is a great resource that illustrates the US death toll caused by the Confederate States under their foreign flag. http://www.civilwarhome.com/casualties.htm

Maybe someone else has a similar resource to site which shows how many US citizens have been killed by Mexicans under their foreign flag.

Whoa the Conferderate Flag. How did that get under the radar? It needs a thread all its own. MOST HATED

And from the look of most 'latino' or Hispanic televisions shows you'd think dark skinned or African descent Hispanics do not exist even though in most South American countries there are sizeable 'black' or dark skinned peoples.

You rarely to never see them.

Same thing in Cuba...

I'm probably darker than most of you all anyway and no one race except mine has been more discriminated against in history so I can say alot without reservation ......Orlando Sanzhez was his name I think...ran for mayor but that guy had more in common with whites than hispanics outside the last name....

I've noticed folks associate the darker mexicans with labor jobs as the "illegals", the lighter ones as "Americanized" and the well-spoken, wealthy ones as basically white....

before you all get offended, every race in America associates rap music, violence, booty shaking as apart of the black culture....

this forum is a perfect microcosm.....when areas lose property values, switch demographics it's because people think the "blacks or mexicans" are moving in...lets be honest now...

The flap in Klein ISD isn't about test scores, it's about how Westfield has changed and that affluent area that's fighting to switch districts is now the minority in SISD and wants to associate with its wealthier neighbors to the north that left Spring ISD for their reasons.

More unfortunate stereotypes. All races dance, all races are violent, Rap is big because all races buy it. Every race has all these issues of how others see them. Sad but true, the only problem I have is when it gets difficult because there is a language barrier. I dont mind it when we try to communicate but when someone expects me to speak another language in the U.S. it bugs me. Other than that diversity is king. I would rather live around a bunch of different people than one type. But thats just me... I prefer flavor.

I dont know anything about the Versa and the Honda Fit looks tiny. My choice for econo crusier is the Scion. I perfer the XB. Great looks (I like the box and mods), great mileage, roomy, toyota reliability, INSANE resale value. Used is almost the same price as new???!!!