Vertigo58

A tad off topic but whenever I hear of any reunions I get images of that mascot "Stevie" galloping around on the old auditorium stage. I used to crack up when he would emerge out of now where during pep rallies and freak out the unsuspecting crowds of students. It was always a mystery whom was underneath all the garb. Hilarious.

Now that, is exciting news! and with a skybridge just too cool. Houston, city of the future!

I am going by memory here Nena. That factory has been gone for over 40 years that I know of. Only the pillars remain (and present small newer rental ballroom & small business'). I hope everyone is aware that this city has many numerous "clues" or remnants of former places that once were either big homes, churches, business's, etc. As children we allways would question as children do. Its only now we realize the importance to some of us what they were all about. Its like a white elephant game I guess. All you need is folks willing to ask, search and question. That can take some time if you have the passion to do so. Here's a good example, think of all the concrete stairs you see in the old nabes like around Our Lady of Guadalupe area on Navigation, there are on corners or like in the middle of an empty trashed field. You must know there once was a big store or something there? Even the Near Northside has numerous "corner concrete stairs to nowhere" . If you ask an older person they will answer the mystery and then start describing the owners, where they were from what their children were like. Maybe they grew up with them perhaps the war came & the sons left & never came back then owner let fall into disrepair, condemned or burned down & the year. Most fascinating is if they have photos, but again nothing can replace the experience. That area around the old Olshan Lumber place has many such remnants. I think of like an excavation or like one of the people going through Titanic & documenting the experiences of the passengers. To cool PS, you know what really amazes me is that many of these older folks we think have lost it, ugh ugh, they are more hip than we think. This lady I was speaking to remembered what ball gown she wore, the colors, detail, corsage, jewelry & perfume. I could sit there for hours in a daze I tell you. She is what inspired my present avatar. I kind of did as an homage to her and for giving a glimpse of her fun days & of our city. If I can quote her "These places really had class and people really used to dress it up then".

One of the most unusual airports I ever experienced was flying in a 12 seater into Vernal, UT around 1996. The airport terminal or ticket area was the size of a 7 Eleven with a fold out table to check in baggage and one woman at the booth. Twilight Zone it was. I thought for sure Arnold the Pig (Green Acres) would dart out any moment to hail a taxi cab for me (probably be Mr Haney)

The company was already there after WWII when my uncle returned he grabbed a job at that factory and stayed for decades. So it the pillars are over 60 years old if it dates to that era. Now I need to find out what the name of the factory was. This is why I urge any & everyone to sit your older kin down and talk to them. You would be surprised how much comes back to ones memory if someone is there to ask. As each one of our aunts/uncles pass away its more history gone forever. Seeing photos is great, but only THEY can describe the moods, sounds, fun & joy at that certain time in their lives. Just last night we were at a dinner & there was a 90 yr old lady telling me all about the dance clubs, theaters, hang outs of where they used to go downtown when it was THE PLACE to be. Of course I was worshipping & mentally jotting down every thing! Stay tuned...

Then there was the one up near Dallas? just Sunday or Monday that was lifting that church steeple to the top and it tipped over and of all places landed on a senior/elderly couple in their car. The poor man was killed instantly, it took an hour to get the lady out of the mangled mess. Big time law suit for sure.

LAX - Los Angeles - 62 million DFW - Dallas-Fort Worth International 59.7 million MAD - Madrid Barajas 52.1 million These I can totally agree are quite hellish SFO or San Francisco International rather, is another quite maddening one, thats why I always flew into Oakland Intn'l, easy in & out and fast access to The Nimitz Frwy or 880 rather.

There was another tip over of a large crane somewhere in Texas yesterday, thought for sure someone would post on here. This could become another craze like tipping over cows right?

If he wanted your food I would have given it to him thats an exception to the rule for me. However, giving $ only add to their misery. Its straight to the liquor store or crack dealer when anyone gives hard cash. I have on several ocassions just packed bags of used clean clothes/blankets and dropped off under or near the Star of Hope and they just walkover and get it and say thanks. At least I know they might wear or sell it or cover themselves in winter. As long as these missions and Greyhound Bus station are near downtown they aint a going nowhere else. Even when we used to go to the old Sacred Heart church across from Pierce these homeless woudl sleep on the doorway and the father would have to yell at them to move away. All they do is go across the street and start the aggresive panhandling. It can be an ordeal for children to experience. To them it is a very frightening experience. You need to see the behind Minutemaid Park before & after a ballgame, these guys & women will not take no for an answer when you are walking to the park & leaving. Ok for single dudes to shrug off, but not for families.

Behold...Le Taxi! and there is the Astroworld Train in the background!

Spin Out! That was the name! The cars looked like small Speed Racer cars in all colors. You could have driven around the city in one! We may have strayed from topic, but here is the whole enchilada on our now gone Astroworld: http://saveastroworld.com/ and you must see this! and The Swamp Buggy in the distance! Wild ride it was!

You should get an email with confirmation. I was a bit leery at first but feel more confident now. Yep, I just got the book but you can also get on disk if preferred. I still have my 76 & 79 books, Yeowee!

Was the entrance to an old factory in the 1940-50's, one of my uncles worked there. I had asked mom years ago what the heck they were and she said it was where our uncle worked. I think they are still there just all grimey and aged. Seem like the ones you would see in Egypt or the like. On a side note, the houses that are presently on York Street are rare these days. Many need to be leveled but still retain original Victorian detail, gingerbread, sawn ornamentation, leaded glass windows, spiderweb windows, turned posts, etc. Sadly the city/developers will probably demolish them for more ugly tin shacks. Blah. Anyone out there, please buy and move these beautiful homes now. but it was great you brought up the pillars question or or as I call them "Houston's Portals To The Past"

YES! The Swamp Buggy was the very tall, huge, aged tree trunk meant to look like it was in a Lousiana swamp I guess. It looked so mysterious from a distance but we always ran to it as the lines were so very long. As you got in they strapped you in and sometimes with strangers (which kind of was fun) kids thats is and then it would go straight up I mean into the sky it seemed once on top everyone said "lean over" and it would tilt out (real scary idea) then it would careen at that angle all the way down in circles. Had a fine view of everything except for the mass steel surrounding you. Another big Houston mystery, who ended up with all of those cool Antique Taxi's & race cars? You just remined me of another thrill! They did have a shooting gallery I think it was a saloon of some kind? They had mannequins dressed up like the OK-Corral and barmaids, like Kitty. They had mechancial voices and all kinds of sound effects. Now I am thinking of the blast of cool airconditioning you felt as soon as you entered these cool venues in the hot summers ala 1973-75.

Its interesting to note one of the links I attached about "Saving the Pavilion". There are photos of the detereoration underneath and well all around. I wonder if fundraising has been going on or what? Pretty soon it could be declared unsafe. My last visit was a wedding about 10 years ago in the late evening. Most times we arrived was always at night so it was kind of mysterious driving up to and leaving in a fog. That specific marriage dissolved after about a mere 2 yrs and ironically the same bride is remarrying in 2 weeks ...to another guy of course...and not here.

This is kind of Magnolia related: New East End Campaign Office Opening! Hon. Gene Green. Hon. Sylvia Garcia. Hon. Mario Gallegos. Hon. Rick Noriega. Hon. Jessica Farrar. Hon. Ana Hernandez. Hon. Adrian Garcia. Hon. Carol Alvarado. These are local Democrats that we can be proud of, and 2008 is the year that they will make a difference for all Texans. We need your help in making sure our local candidates become the elected leaders we need. Please join us and many of our candidates this Saturday, July 26th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, at 201 Broadway as we open the doors to our new East End Campaign Office for the Harris County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign. We will be serving hot dogs and cold drinks as we welcome you to your local Democratic headquarters. An exciting program featuring master of ceremonies Constable Victor Trevino, other elected officials, raffle drawings every 15 minutes, and a special guest from the two-time MLS Champions Houston Dynamo will kick off promptly at 11:00 am. We know many of our neighbors volunteered at this location for Senator Hillary Clinton, and we hope you will come back to support our Democrats up and down the ballot once more. The energy in our March Primary was unprecedented, and we need it again to make sure that Democrats win all over the state and in our community. The Republicans in Harris County have proven they will do whatever it takes to hold on to their offices, and it will take all of our effort to restore integrity and accountability to our public officials. We now need your help to fill up our office, not only with yourselves on Saturday, but with your time, your talent, and any of the following items: Refrigerator Rolling desk chairs Office Supplies Kitchen & Restroom Supplies Again, we hope you will join us, your candidates, and your public officials this weekend for the fun and festivities at our new East End Campaign Office, so we can build momentum to Turn Texas Blue.See you there! Marina N. Hernandez-Quiroz East End Field Organizer 713 926-1334

That is very interesting to know. I sure wish someone could divulge if they ever knew any of the drivers of the Astroworld Cam passenger trains? Bet they have funny and crazy stories to tell. Having to use them to get into the park really added to the anxiety of want to get in and run around the park! What became of these colorful trams??? Immediately after buying our tickets we always bolted for the Texas Cyclone! That was our number main goal! http://www.metacafe.com/watch/376719/point...ags_astroworld/

You must mean the car lot that was caddy corner across the frwy from Helena Hotel. I cannot recall the name of the car business around 1975-76? but they had those very popular sports vans on display with the doors wide open so customers could sit inside and check them out. This when the vans were the number one choice to have to go to the beach and pack in all the crowd, especially for the Drive In movies. This is a little off topic but films even help popularize the craze. PS, it was the sound systems that blew everyone away.

It has been about 2 years since we cruised thru to see the grounds. I wondered what org created or restored some of the fine little Victorian structures in that little area? Houston needs to "tell the public" of these hidden little places for beach lovers and nostalgia buffs. Movies could/should be filmed here. Seriously.

The now empty lot actually looks really nice, almost makes you think that this is what it might have looked like ages ago. Maybe just trees and grass. Whomever is supposed to develop sure are taking their time about it. The other side is almost complete and does appear nice and modern. Palm trees please.

So there must be a model somewhere that prospects have toured. Question is where? I will answer my own question, all we have to do is go to the links and send our questions.

I wondered the other day why no one ever discusses old Sylvan Beach??? It's like it just faded from all memory. We always went because of the old Dance Pavilion for weddings and parties over the years. (More interior photos to scan) The pavilion was always known for its spacious dance area and for the big bay windows that let you see out into the water. (very romantic) Maybe we can find some links to show the old and new Sylvan Beach. There are some real killer historical pics out there. It was once a major attraction waaaaay before our time of course. Check out the SAVE THE PAVILION site! http://savethepavilion.org/ http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN http://laportetexas.net/sylvan.htm

Your officially the Houston History God of Haif! The images of the Gulfway and Telephone Drive-In Theater's alone brought back many fun memories! and you must be a mind reader I was thinking about how hellish those aluminum ice cube trays used to be. As a kid I always got pinched on my hand when closing or opening them. Reminds me of the heavy- as-hell-glass milk gallon containers with the metal brackets on top were. Dropped and broke some of those as a kid, were just too heavy! There were also several Superette's around Houston. A phrase never to be heard again.

This new bridge should have been created decades ago. That intersection becomes jammed during peak hours. Now traffic can head forward instead of being forced to turn left or right onto Holcombe, etc. This specific intersection becomes quite dark at night. Check it out. However, the good part is this should all be a thing of the past (me hopes). Hopefully all of that unkept brush will be replaced with color ie; Oleander, azaleas, etc. Isn't everyone just dying to see what the final appearance of this bridge will be?

Nena, We created about Past structures of East End where several old palaces once stood. Try to remember one really beautiful two or three story big house that was right where the Lawndale Post Office is now. Only remnant are the 2 -3 big palms. The house next door to this one above is equally as mysterious I think. The balcony on top with the torn awning makes you think of a Scarlett O'Hara type southern belle waving her scarf from above. (what imagination) but really it evokes such images.