Heightsfamily

i have always wanted to know the story on Happy All! Horrible food, no customers and a prime piece of property. Any one know the back story?

Does anyone know the story on this lot/structure? I drive past it all the time using 16th street. There are cars pulled into the lot and feral cats everywhere but the building looks like it is going to fall over. Doesn't look too much like a building . . . .

Apologies! That was a mis-statement on my part. I should have been clearer as I know it is limited to beer and wine. That being said, it is not what exactly is being sold that us the issue for me. It is the prospect of stores that may negatively disrupt the neighborhood as I enjoy it. Furthermore I can easily hit the 11th street Kroger or Kim's Liqours if I need something - less than a five minute drive or a stop on my way home. Major grocery chains have shown little love to the Heights so I plan my grocery shopping around that as well. Glad the issue is getting notice in any case. 

I had seen the yard signs but could not find out much more until this morning's article on Swamplot. I think they present a good clear case for voting against liquor sales in the Heights and you can easily find out if you are eligible to vote on the proposition. And they will give you a yard sign if you want one!

http://swamplot.com/swamplot-sponsor-keep-the-heights-dry/2016-10-20/

It seems like there was news of an Indian restaurant on Heights Blvd in the former Mozelle's sometime ago but I have not heard anything more. Does anyone know more? Or other Indian in the area?

I got my notice today and got hit for the third straight year with a 10% increase. I did not argue the last two years because I really had no argument. I am looking for my position now! Any thoughts? Oil and gas, property tax cap, looming pension fund obligations . . .

Oh, and we learned to never park on the street though this is much less problemmatic than it once used to be. We also were willing to work for a playdate as there weren't many in our neighborhood when the kids were younger. Planning was the key!

There is a lot of finger wagging going on, but I think sometimes choices are just driven by a family's personal preferences. We were fortunate to move into the area in the eighties so did not spend near as much as we would have on houses. Private school came down to a personal choice as #1 got into the Vanguard at Travis and we choose to go private. We were quite happy overall (no school is perfect) with where are kids went and how it turned out for them. One thing I learned in the private school arena is that one HS may be a good fit for one child but not the other. For us, our two ended up at two different private schools as suited each. Having that choice was great. Along with no teaching to the test which was one of my biggest gripes against public schools. I will probably get flack for this, but I firmly believe that the private schools generally function academically a year ahead of public schools. That is a broad statement across all schools, not an indictment of all public schools. We felt that this led to a smoother transition to college for our kids. 

jmontrose

you are getting just about everything but an answer to your question! You talk about kids in the Heights and this inevitably turns into a discussion on schools in the Heights. Heights people tend to be a passionate lot. I don't necessarily think schools bring kids to an inner loop neighborhood school (there are a few exceptions in Houston). So how do you find out about that elusive age group like your 11 year old son? What is he interested in? There is a very active scout troop in the Heights. I don't know if there are too many really active youth groups in Heights churches. We go to church downtown so it is always a bit of a struggle with the youth as there is not that "parish" community though currently there seems to be growth in this group. There are two little leagues active in the area. You mentioned your son is in private school. Ask the school to give you the list of students in the Heights zip codes - that could be telling. I will say that my first started private school in 1997 when we lived in Timbergrove and there was absolutely no hope of a carpool. We were the only ones in 77008. By the time my second graduated from HS in 2014 there were lots of contemporaries in this zip code. My son used to complain in elementary school that we did not live in West U where much of his classmates lived. He saw that they had lots of informal play opportunities. Trying to explain why we chose the Heights over West U was challenging, but he (college sophomore now) has commented recently how much he appreciates growing up in our neighborhood and sees some of the limitations of a neighborhood like West U. Good luck!

And to the original question - sorry for the segue - I think there are tons more kids in the Heights than there used to be. The challenge is how to bring them together in a neighborhood kind of way. That wasn't much of an option for my kids since we moved to the Heights at a different time. I don't know the answer. We always signed up for all the kid oriented things: MFAH classes, HMNS classes, zoo classes, etc. Naomi Smulian was a great exception with the art classes, but most of the things we had available where elsewhere. I did put an old-fashioned bell hose along our driveway recently to warn walkers as there are so many more and we have a bit of a blind driveway situation. There are lots of folks walking dogs and babies that I never had seen before. The Heights is at heart a choice, but for the right folks a very good one. You just have to want it and make it work. just my humble opinion!

jmontrose,

I will try to give you a balanced answer as there is already a lot of finger-waging going on . We lived in Timbergrove up until Allison/flood. We ended up in the Heights (west - between Shepherd/Yale and 16th/11th) as a result. This was in 2002 when no one was really moving to the Heights. We had already decided to stay in "the loop" and not commute, a radical decision at that time. So we are biased. In Timbergrove we were originally zoned to Sinclair but were suddenly sectioned off to Love El . No matter, as we were already pretty dedicated to private schools at that point. Our first child tested into Travis back when you could only test at one Vanguard school and she got in, but we decided to take another path. Our reasoning was based on the testing that was starting to go crazy (ha, ha, compared to now!) and the specter of middle school. We felt like we could carve out a pretty good (or better) elementary experience but would be really scrambling for MS. Middle School is a crap-shoot where ever you are thanks to the age range, but HISD middle schools are really a low point. We followed our heart and instinct into private schools and never looked back. We are pasty white but not willing to sacrifice our kids to the whole studying to the test among other things. My opinions are pretty fixed but here they are:

The test that sucks up so much time in public school is really a joke. In private schools, the annual test (ERB) is one that is much broader in application and thus is a better marker of "achievement". What they serve up in public schools is such a lower benchmark compared to this so kids who are "passing" would not make the mark in the private school arena. I probably just brought a lot of hate on me with that statement, but it is true. 

Private schools do not have to spend all that time on the "test".  

Diversity: Private schools don't have the same diversity as public schools in Houston, but they definitely have diversity - it is just different. 

Bottom line - one of my kids would have been lost to MS and HS would have been a sad addendum. The other would have been lost to different forces but with not much outcome. They are both thriving - one in a post-grad situation and the other in a terrific though unknown in NE school. Would they have done OK in HISD and TX colleges? Who knows but I don't think they would have done as well.

Let the hate begin . . . .

I disagree. I see a huge problem in the evening rush - turning left off of Yale into the complex is the only entrance to the parking area. It will be painfully slow with no protected left turn light, not to mention a dedicated lane. Two maybe three cars will be able to turn on each cycle. This will have cars backed up all the way to the lights at I-10 and probably further. I already stay on Heights after Washington and then cut back to Yale on 4th or 5th to avoid the traffic around I-10. Guess I will have to cut back over after the light in the future . . .

But do remember that there was an opportunity to widen Yale Street and the group that planted those trees fought it mightily. Now we have no trees and 10' lanes on Yale with two mega-apartment complexes coming on line. Yale is going to get really ugly sitting at that light through multiple cycles and no trees to cool us off or take our minds off the traffic. 

If I read the map correctly, it seems that block is getting overflow from commercial activity on White Oak. I think this is just what the ordinance is intended for. Near my house it was really a spat about whether the area in front of the houses was for the exclusive use of the owners. They were unhappy that guests of the apt complex across the street parked there. Unfortunately, both sides of the street have parking that is all in the COH right of way so theoretically is open to both parties. 

Honestly, I have found that if you speak directly to the parties involved with an open mind you usually can find satisfactory conclusions. That is not how this was handled and everyone got their dander up. I think it has all settled down but the process just pointed out the changes as we gentrify. Some of my newer neighbors don't have the history in the area to appreciate the positive changes and simply view it as a problem that might have occurred in West U or somewhere else. I hope the newer folks will take the time to get the feel of things first in the future! And as it turns out, we really don't have a parking problem just lots of assumptions . 

I am not looking for a dust-up, frenzy and certainly no dead bodies! I just feel like one person tends to shut down the "conversation" with "expert" opinions about everything; it feels like there is nothing more to say once that person has weighed in. So for interesting topics:

I have seen the new art work on the boulevard. While I love for this to continue, I think I really liked the original pieces better. Maybe just because they were novel or maybe it was a better showing? 

What do you think of residential permit parking on Heights streets? This has come up near my house and was pretty much a gross mis-application of the ordinance. However, it really pointed out the downside of the level of gentrifying that we are now experiencing. For me the remodeled disgusting apartment complex and row of new well-built, appropriate houses was a big win-win, but some found other issues.

I am very excited about the new restaurants on Shepherd. This is really huge for us I think. I am kind of scared to say this (old story about posting a negative rant at the bar got someone tossed out of said bar) but leaping into it - No matter how many times I hear that the food at Down House has improved it has not been what I have found. So wish them more on the food at the new spots. This might spark a "frenzy"

I am sure I can think of some other conversation worthy topics. I would just hope that the replies would be ones that participate in the conversation rather than pontificate.

Let me stick my nose in this . . .

This used to be my favorite morning coffee read. Over time one personality starting dominating every single thread with a sense of know-it-allness and self importance. I found many of the replies to be offensive and tried to complain but apparently it did not meet the stated criteria of "offensive" for the boards. At the very least, that person's comments served to shut down any sort of conversation/discusssion of the Heights. My humble opinion is that this is what eventually drove others away and now we are left with a "latest" news kind of blog  instead of one with good discussions. It has become very boring and i usually can get that sort of information elsewhere, often sooner. So let's bring back some real discussion and let all get a word in edgewise.

dumpy as the 20th street Kroger is, it is my favorite. Kroger overall is not my thing (really not my thing), but the employees at 20th street are some of the nicest, most patient people I have ever seen. They are unfailingly nice to the older folks and disabled folks who come from the two nearby facilities. Always a cheerful response and usually a "Blessed" response to "how are you?". Plus I can run in there at the last minute and grab some simple item I overlooked in my shopping list at the last minute. Try running into the 11th street store quickly . . .

Okay, I just have to respond to the trick-or treating comments! I live across from the new Sullivan Brothers houses on 16th street. All were open for trick-or-treating business despite being either "empty nesters 5-10 years from retirement" or "young couples". Lots of cute decorations, and I noted that the parents of the trick-or-treaters were socializing on the sidewalk while the kiddos were doing their thing - totally a neighborhood feeling. I felt guilty that we were going out and not handing out candy. There is room is this neighborhood for all sorts of people including us who are bridging the gap between parenting and empty-nesting all the while living in our 1899 house across from the beautifully built 2013 Sullivan Brothers homes. Viva la difference! Sorry for the poor french.

OMG. Where do I send my check for this cause - throwing out the monkey court? Love the Children of the Corn moniker . . .

OMG all you Heightsians and you don't know about Naomi Smulian and her Art Studio on the Boulevard? She does amazing things with kids all at their own pace. It is at Lambert Hall on Heights and 17th (big pirate ship play thingie in the yard). Check out www.loveforlearning.net . Sadly mine kiddos are too old for this any more. Glassell is very good for the right kid, though.

Looking at the repeal maps....from City of Houston...its interesting that they did not post Heights South....I believe that is where the most opposition was...I wonder what is holding up that process?

http://www.houstontx...pres_amend.html

I like that they have shown which properties opted out. Gives you an easy way to judge the intelligence or apathy of your neighbors.

Or maybe not. I faxed in my "survey" to repeal the district and the little map does not reflect this. How many others had the same experience?

I have been following this thread and note that there are several considerations that have not come up here. Full disclosure: my two kids did private all the way (one still in HS). The choice was primarily academic because when we moved to first Timbergrove and then the Heights, the school choices were not what they were then. In fact, living inside the loop wasn't all that popular yet. Child #1 got into Travis Vanguard but we opted to go private for several reasons. The first was an aversion to the whole TAKS process and bureacracy in general. Private schools do annual testing of the kids but it is as much for continuous self-improvement as to see where the kids fall out. Accredited private schools go through an extensive process every so many years and are reviewed on many factors. I don't see the TAKS system accomplishing much, particularly considering the bar is set so low as to what is "passing".

Other considerations we had were regarding the arts and physical education. Public schools go back and forth on this as funding issues arise, but rarely offer all of it all of the time, such PE and (gasp!) recess daily. Then also we considered the whole PC bit where you can't pray, etc. We weren't looking for a religious environment per se, but we really hate anyone telling us that you can't do such-and-such.

It is my opinion that the better private schools are approximately one year ahead of public. Of course this is not an absolute, because we all know there are examples of great public schools and not-so-great private ones. However, we did not want to find our selves at 6th grade competing with better prepared students for slots in private middle schools. Lanier and Lamar are gold standards in HISD for upper grades, but they are very competitive. I think a kid needs to be pretty self-assured and independent to handle a big environment like Lamar, too. Despite improvements made at Hamilton, I would not consider it then or now.

We got accustomed to the costs of private school slowly: graduating from nanny/day care costs to one in private school, then two in private school. It can be done. Notable is the pricing at Catholic schools. Subsequent children in one family pay much less. The Catholic HS are outstanding and seek to admit interested candidate from Catholic K-8 schools even if they are not quite a well prepared as candidates from better schools.

These are my opinions only so if you disagree, I respect that. I just wanted to point out that the decision is about a lot of factors, not just academics.

I can't attend either meeting. How do I sign petition etc. outside of these two meetings?

Sullivan Brothers is now the owner of this property per HCAD. I am pretty sure that means we won't get what was put on the 8th street school property, but I am not sure what it will be. Thinking positive thoughts . . . .