cats & dogs

Taking forever for the new stores to come in at Target. Chili's still not open, and the Panda's taking awhile. How about the Petsmart? Anywho, just wondering if Chili's can put some flyers at the local High Schools- Jeff Davis, Reagan, Waltrip, or other neighboring schools. They can call the Counselors and let them pass out to students. They are not trying that hard to hire or what. Does anyone have any new info.

To the one who is thinking of the Tea Bar/Place idea. There are currently a great deal of rental spaces on Washington, in and around near 2200 to 1800 areas. The owners live in the 6th Ward area, the Historic neighborhood behind, which is borderd by Houston Ave, Washington, Taylor, & Memorial Way. The rents are fairly reasonable and it sure would be nice to see something like this coming in as opposed to the Bars/Clubs coming up. We are a mixed family and mostly professionals in the area. You can advertise on the Old Sixth Yahoo groups and I like the Tapioca type Asian inspired tea places. But, I do love tea, so whatever you decide is fine. Had my Tapioca tea fix today downtown, near UofH. Catalina Coffee Shop has done great, lots of traffic, so I disagree that we could not be the right area for something like this. I am sure the traffic/people come from a little down Washington and wherever close. Stop by and ask Max for the owners names- the 2 brothers still have space for lease next door to the Dark Horse Tavern, and a Skate/Vans Shop is opening in one of their spaces. They also have space available in the same building as the Wine Bar: The Corkscrew. Check it out- Don't leave us out of the loop for a hip place like this. Good Luck on Your Future Venture.......

The problem of Grafitti is getting very active around the New Target and near Washington around 1st Ward and going near Washington. However, it is all over the North Side and has been a real problem in the Heights. If you drive all around Houston, you will see much more. Here is a suggestion, don't just look at it, report it immediately to 311 in hopes that it will be covered up quickly. Unfortunately, it doesn't get covered up quick enough and the "Taggers" or "Writers" as some of them call themselves love to have their stuff up over long periods of time. They actually compete as to whose stays up the longest and that is their way of "getting their name out"; this is a huge thrill for them and their claim to fame in the "Grafitti" world. I learned some of this from the Houston Grafitti website. They have a pretty big website, with moderators and all. They are quite active in their forum and love to trash the City & Police every chance they get. They gloat immensely on their success to "Paint" the city. I consider myself very proactive and try to report it when I see it, but I actually got fed up one day, bought some spray cans and painted over "Yoda's" stuff- he's from a new crew, they go by the name of TV or TVC; their symbol is a picture of a "TV". By, the way many of these kids/Juvies go to Reagan High or other neighboring schools and already have a "Juvie" record, but keep doing it because their punishments or consequences are not stiff enough. Their parents should get fined also. Other characters are "Munick", "Gems", and some others I can't read. They consider themselves artists. Not sure if we can ever beat the "Tagger", but maybe we can arm ourselves with some paint and spray cans and "White Wash" them out. Oh, and to the person who smelled the "Pot" smokers at Target- You Should just gone of to the Security Car/Police Car in the parking lot and reported it. No need to make a scene or get all scared......... JUST BE PROACTIVE!!!!!!!!! By the way, "Tagging" is not done by low-income kids only. Many Middle-Class kids are doing it also, especially in the burbs.