banking214

To me with Texas being so big, and having the 2nd largest population in the US, we should have far more theme parks then we do. Look at Flordia, and California, they have them everywhere. I just wish this State had more "fun" things to do for locals and tourist.

I agree with you.

Think of the population in the Texas triangle region. It is growing on a daily basis, yet we really have no major attractions. I believe that with the right project and marketing, we could have some excellent parks.

Got this in the e-mail last month. Sorry it took so long to post.

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Press release:

GREENPIX, BEIJING

I noticed last week that Bunker Hill Lanes is getting an upgrade inside and out. I have to say that it is much needed. Also, the shopping center next to Spec's seems to be slowly closing up. The only tenants remaining are Village Dry Cleaning (I believe that is the name), La Hacienda, and a few random places. I checked Metro National and noticed they have no information as to the happenings.

http://www.metronational.com/portfolio_mc46.shtml

I have heard that the center, as well as Charlie's, is to be razed. As to when and what will be replacing, know one knows.

Any information?

lol

love it.

I'm so very sorry that your dogs couldn't be saved. Obviously, you did everything within your power. Please take comfort in knowing they were in a loving home in their last days.

It sounds like BARC needs to be reviewed, both for funding and administration. Do you know who we can contact to remedy this situation?

I am currently drafting an email and letter to every council member, the mayor, controllers office, Harris County Animal Control, Channel 2, Channel 11, Channel 13, Channel 29, The Chronicle, The Houston Press, Friends of BARC, HSPCA, my state representatives in the House and Senate in Austin and Washington, PETA, various rescue organizations, and some other organizations as well. I hope to have the email out today and the letter sent tomorrow.

We also have a website we created that is in its infancy at this point. I can't sit back and let others go through the heartache I suffered. People need to be informed and educated so this does not continue.

Our family recently decided to adopt two wonderful dogs from BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care). This was our first experience adopting or "rescuing" a dog. With so many abused and neglected dogs needing a home, this was the only option. In the short period of time they graced our home, Bear and Hondo were loved and cared for.

From the moment Bear (adopted in March 2008) arrived, he was sick. He died April 17, 2008. During his time in the facility, an outbreak of distemper occurred. We were not informed of this when we adopted him. Our second dog, Hondo, had been in BARC for 3 days without being given the necessary shots. We simply could not let him stay another day. We adopted Hondo that day. He died this past Saturday. We did everything possible. Routine trips to the vet, VERGI for treatments, and finally, Animal Emergency Clinic. The disease was simply too relentless and unforgiving.

What we found out is that distemper and other deadly viruses are prevalent in BARC animals. Local rescue organizations and veterinarians constantly see dogs that come out of BARC with distemper or kennel cough. In some cases canine parvovirus is seen as well. All it takes is one sick dog to start spreading these diseases. With distemper nothing can be done to test for it and no cure is available. With parvo and kennel cough you can treat and if the animals immune system is strong, they can overcome the disease. The best way to prevent this however is responsible pet owners. All it takes is a few shots to prevent this.

The City of Houston should be ashamed and embarrassed. I understand the budget for BARC is limited and the allocation of funds are lacking, however something must be done to improve current standards. The policies in place are failing the city and many families like ours.

i love how the title of the article goes from Sports, entertainment complex planned on Stemmons Freeway to Mexicans taking over Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex hilarious!

The person that posted that obviously changed the link title. Really easy to do with basic html knowledge.

I feel like I need to shower even when I drive by it.

From their website:

http://www.bcm.edu/development/pinkribbon/

Pink Ribbon HouseSM was created to raise funds to benefit breast cancer research at Baylor College of Medicine through the design, decorating, and touring of showcase homes. This year's Pink Ribbon House is the fourth to be built for this purpose.

The 2008 Pink Ribbon House is being constructed by Robert and Mina Covington of Covington Builders. Located in the Tanglewood area, at 5316 Longmont, it is modeled after a Tuscan country villa. The stone and stucco home will feature nearly 6,300 square feet of living space and will include a downstairs master bedroom suite, three ensuite bedrooms, two half bathrooms and a two-story family room complemented by wood beams. Ideal for families who like to entertain, the home will include quarters, a pool, an outdoor kitchen and a cabana. The home will also feature the design work of acclaimed Houston interior designers Chandos Dodson, Julie Dodson, Trisha Dodson, Suzanne Duin, Katie Galliano, Peggy Hull, and Shannon Mann.

The 2008 Pink Ribbon House Committee is chaired by Trish Hayes and is co-chaired by Lucy Raster and Gail Rauhut. Hayes, Raster and Rauhut are all breast cancer survivors and have worked with the Pink Ribbon House since 2004.

The public may tour the house April 3-20. Funds raised from sponsors, individual donations, donations of products and services in the building of the home, special event tickets and tour tickets will benefit the Breast Center at BCM.

For more information, please contact Susan Murray in the Office of Development at Baylor College of Medicine at 713-798-8698.

For Pink Ribbon HouseSM volunteer opportunities, please contact Deb Parks, volunteer chair at 281-250-5275 or deb.parks@gmail.com.

I agree because I have to do it all the time.

my way around is take Memorial exit and take Memorial to Silber. it solves from having to avoid the traffic back-up (or potential back-up). and TxDOT designed the lanes to merge before the I-10 was complete to allow for all the traffice merge/exit.

also, I've noticed it hasn't been that bad lately, but the traffic on I-10 starts backing up at Chimney Rock/Wirt.

"my way around is take Memorial exit and take Memorial to Silber."

I do this as well. I am fortunate to get off work at 4, however, the traffic is still horrible on 610 toward I-10. There are times when I wish I had a big Hummer and could just plow over everyone in front of me. I tend to have a little road rage at times.

What is confusing about that?

I did not realize they had moved ahead of Philadelphia. I went to re-read the article and cleared up my misunderstanding.

I think the list of complexes to consider would be much shorter than those to avoid.

my suggestion would be to look at the new complex on Bunker Hill. The name escapes me at the moment.

It is the Alexan at Bunker Hill. There are also some apartments off of Gaylord that are behind the Village Fire Department. I would stay away from anything north of Westview and West of Bunker Hill if you are looking on the north side of I-10.

Also, anything along Memorial Drive until you get to Dairy Ashford.

I am confused. Dallas Fort-Worth is saying that they have moved ahead of Philly.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...sus.aac025.html

Not to mention that local radio is free.

Yeah, but local radio in Houston blows. We don't even have full time NPR. You have to have HD radio to get it full time.

I will give the other side of the coin since I lived in Dallas most my life before moving to Houston for school. I agree with you that Dallas is beating out Houston in architecture for current projects. I don't think anybody can disagree with that. Where we differ is that I don't think you can compare Uptown Dallas to Midtown Houston. They are different types of areas - Uptown is aimed at a more upscale climate while Midtown is more young and trendy. (Not saying the the two don't overlap, but just in general.) Of course Midtown is nothing like Uptown...that is like saying Downtown Houston is nothing like the Heights. They are two totally different atmospheres. A comparison of the two uptowns would be more fitting. Now the comparison between Montrose and Oak Lawn is more realistic. While the bars might be better in Oak Lawn, Montrose in general is a lot nicer than Oak Lawn. They both have the same scary cracked out people walking around but I have always felt safer in Montrose. And trust me, I have spent plenty of time in both areas. But just my thoughts, and I did enjoy your post Banking! I do love both cities and want nothing but the best for both.

The thing I like about Oak Lawn is you have Cedar Springs running down the middle. Always cars and people moving about (albeit cracked out or homeless). The bars/cafes/retaurants are all located next to each other. In Montrose, it is much more spread out. I really miss Buli right now. They have really good sandwiches. Great for people watching.

You guys are stupid. Stop being so stupid! Dallas is a hole. End of story. I lived there for 6 six years. It's too land locked and boring. They don't even have a beach or a forest nearby. It's all prairie. All talk- no substance. If it were any good, then we would all be posting at dallasmetropolis.com instead of here. Alas, Just like the forum that represents us, Houston is the big attraction. Not Dallas. They come from miles around just to talk about Houston. HAIF is proof of that. The only time the subject of Dallas comes up is just to get some Houston opinion of it which is usually followed by a chuckle.

BTW the architecture in Dallas is a joke. Shiny trapezoids, dandelion-shaped towers, big X's and white balls on the roof is tacky and just screams 'overkill'. The skyline looks like leftovers on a table at a pot luck dinner - a mish-mash of every conceivable collection of style and pattern. No unity. A complete disaster. I've never once seen Dallas on any CREDIBLE list of cities with great architecture. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions, but some of you guys need to take a design class or something.

Slapping tacky jumbotrons on the front of cold war style bland architecture is probably why no one even wants to go to Victory. It's ugly!

You need to change your name to Debbie Downer.

All those emoticons gave me a headache.

I was born and raised in Houston, Austin for college, and Dallas for sometime after graduation. I have to say that I miss Dallas in many ways. But at the same time, Houston is, and will always be home. The one thing that Dallas has an edge on is architecture. The Arts District is going to be amazing. I really don't think there will be anything like it in the United States. Houston does have the new Asia House coming online soon. But the bold, stunning architecture lacks in Houston. People in Houston do seem to blast Uptown Dallas, but they should not. Midtown is nothing like Uptown. I think Midtown can be in about 5 years, but they are still behind the 8 ball. As far as Montrose and Oak Lawn, forget it. Montrose is still gross and scary. Just my 5 cents.

If anyone's interested, the big aluminum faced house that's visible from Memorial Drive and overlooks the bayou was designed by James H. Lingenfelter and a firm named Architects Plus. It was originally owned by Stephen Norwood. Thanks to Stephen Fox for the info. I can't find any other information about Lingenfelter, though.

I love that house. It looks like it could use a good powerwashing lately.

I am 28 yrs old....is that old enough? And just for the record....The Dallas Metyroplex IS the Power house of texas....go look it up.

I was just teasing.

I think we should have an age requirement to post.

This use of eminent domain so wrong it makes me sick.

Why doesn't the COH tell the Pavillions to budget space WITH the compound, instead of taking someone's house/private property. Oh, yeah I forgot about greasing the palms..........

I totally agree with you on this. Attached is a nice little piece by CBS.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/26/60minutes/main575343.shtml - 95k -

Due to loose credit standards, lenders really did give away money to anyone who wanted it. You could pick from an array of "exotic" mortgages. Why not an interest only ARM? For 3 years, locked in place at 1.50%. Now, not everyone qualified for this type of loan, but I am just using it as an example. I would personally never, ever want something like this. Many people did. Many people now owe more money than their home is worth.

I saw it just 2 weeks ago. I didn't count the cranes, but I can vouch that what I saw does not exactly put Dubai to shame. I read somewhere that there are 9 buildings going up in uptown Dallas. All of them relatively small towers. You guys can verify that if you care enough. But that looked about right to me. I never made a guess as to how many actual cranes they are using. I don't see how it is relevant. The buildings going up are to dull to care about. Museum Tower and Victory Tower were the only ones worth talking about.

"what I saw does not exactly put Dubai to shame"

I think Dubai puts everyone to shame. It is a sick amount of construction.

I am loving the Rockets right now. I was a little weary with Yao out, but the Rockets are holding it together and looking better than ever. Bring on New Orleans and win 18!

As a native Houstonian that just moved back to Houston after living for 7 years in Dallas, I can vouch for the cranes. Between the construction in and around Victory, and the developments in the arts district, it was pretty amazing. Mr. X, maybe you should make a drive to Dallas and check the cranes out.

Just to clarify, Victory Tower was what the Mandarin was supposed to be in correct? I looked at the postings over on DallasMetropolis and that is what I took from it.

Yes, I believe you are correct. While I would have liked this to get built, given the current market conditions, it makes sense.