Vertigo58

I concur, I'm sure most of these responses are mean't in a kind way. Email can come across as direct without grace if one perceives as such. I personally try my best to put some soul in in it. There are too many originated subjects to mention but I have been on both sides of the coin so to speak. I have and am presently in numerous community, corporate/professional & neigborhood causes too long to get in detail. I like to give examples to others to get feedback or so that others can "relate". It sparks interest and gives one that feeling of "talking over the fence" to their neighbor not just gossip. Maybe I do need to pick up a hoe after all Telephone Road is knocking at my doorstep. Speaking of garden hoes did they ever do away with that soliciting at the old K-Mart parking lot by the Josephine Motel? I heard its quite reasonable. Could become an overnight star on "Cops" if you check it out! It would be outrageous if I talked a local TV crew to film the next "Night Out" there! We could have Paris Hilton or Heidi Fleice do a cameo!

Not sure if it matters to you, Being a born/raised 3rd generatin Houstonian I can say that the real Mexican food you prefer in inner Houston would be at: 1. Denver Harbor - Any on Lyons Ave. 2. Old near Northside - All Mex restuarants on Irvington/Cavalcade/Fulton areas 3. El Jardin is good but has got real expensive because it has become a touristy joint of sorts 4. Personally, I would steer away from any taco truck, they are always being ticketed for not having health permits, hot running water, etc. 5. Even though most people laugh about Casa Ole I still like their green nacho dip! They are not what I call real but prices are inexpensive and the staff is always very professional (at least by Almeda Mall). Finally, avoid ALL NINFA's that place went "Hollywood" phony years ago. Unless you eat like a mouse and are ok with TV dinner like junk. My mom knew Ninfa when she was just starting out many years ago over by Guadalupe church area and she used to do it right, once she passed away the joint got overrated and fake. Bon apetit!

True, so true There unfortunately was a shift not for the better. Kids want to emulate hip-hop, steroid users and gangsta images. Hence, all the other threads out there about the very high increase in juvenile crime. I could write a book. Remember when TV shows only described the remains of a dead person or had the body covered? Not enough these days. Now they show the person being tortured, dismembered and being put back together piece-bu-piece as the detectives crack jokes next to the bodies. Its no one wonder they say weve all become "de-sensitized" basically like robots. On any given day/night practically every program sensationalizes infidelity, wife-swapping, children cursing at parents, pimping the list goes on. This is how we entertain ourselves? I used to joke about TV going to the lowest years ago. I recall saying one day they are going to allow nudity on regular TV and here it is. Girls Gone Wild on early ams on weekends! Commercials 30 minutes long is a tad more than a commercial but they get away with it. No need to go to an adult theater (if one wishes) anymore its in our living rooms! Stats show the prison population is busting at the seams. No surprise. Guess who has to foot the bill? I better get back to the baseball subject! Thanks for the honest response.

You have my vote! I nominate you as our president! Thats what I'm talking about! My mom is still over on Munger and her next door neighbor runs their house like a welding shop and late into the night too. They use a very loud and shacky machine of some kind that also releases terrible gases that smell like the refineries in Pasadena.One day I went to check on my mom and her whole west side of the house reeked with this pousonous odor. Must have been carbon monoxide! She is elderly takes naps and could have easily left us forever because of these morons! We told them that it is against the law to use something so dangerous, they were pissed at 1st but eventually gave in. They still occasionally use it again with the garage door closed and think we don't hear it. I have a feeling one day that garage is going to blow! and take out half our block. I know there is a number to call to report Rat on a Rat, etc. and I have called plenty of time of issues on my side. I tel ya if its not next door its across the street or behind you. The apts across the street always barbecue on the old dried out balcony and toss beer bottles down to the concrete, the home behind turned the garage into a house (no permit I'm sure) then everyone has to have about 6-7 dogs attracting rats/possums at night so they bark all night at the rodents. But yes your our next president!!!

The most positive & exciting thing I learned of as a kid back in 69 growing up around Dumble street, was the East End Little League Ball Park! We lived so close we could always hear the crowds roar all summer long, we got used to it. Our home was situated so close we all walked and were basically at the crossroads where all the heighborhhod kids passed our house on the way to the park. This is how we got to know so many people over the years. Photographs were common so I have plenty of those that act as a time-capsule for those years. There was the little boys league, I think we called it the Peewee's, older ones became the Minors, then much older boys were Senior League. This place was the heart & the community center of Broadmoor. Most of the original concession stands and announcer booths are gone. Only recently have they built new venues at this park. To this day there still are no sidewalks. Luckily, I still have some of the address books of many of my collegues. Maybe not current but serve as a diary of sorts. I can add more but hopefully others can add their experiences. I was lucky my mom was always a team-mother and was the core and reason we all got this once in a life time childhood experience. There was a song by Bruce Springsteen called "Glory Days" and I can really relate to the lyrics. These were the days when I hit the ball over the fence and everyone was cheering and clapping and shouting my name. I can still see the faces of my team mates & my managers as I entered home plate! Life is short enjoy it. Ok, getting emotional...

It's a curious little changling of a neighborhood. One day you can be 1 block from a horrible street of hoods, they get locked up, parents move, gets quiet for a while then new crop comes in. Could this be the symptoms of house/apt rentals? I imagine so what else? To think there ever was a bottom could be very a real false sense of security. My realtor whom I probably should not mention was fully aware of current standards of living, but they figure if your getting the house cheap why complain. I am just glad that the hoods around me "think" I'm part of law enforcement so they stay away. Har, har on them. Just to sum up, Idylwood, Country Club Place and the area across from Forest Park/Lawndale cemetary are probably the last of the real Die-Hards holding thier ground and I applaud them. Do not shy away from these hooligans like the Sunnyland area did otherwise they never would have settled in. There were many elderly retirees when I moved here (Broadmoor) area in late 69 as a kid. Little by little they went to retirement homes or passed away. Most of their older sons & daughters were in other states so they just came for the funerals and either sold the houses very cheaply or rented out to the 1st nominee that inquired. There in lied the problem and was the root of all evil for our areas. Urban sprawl and the mass exodus to the burbs only attributed. To this day I have brothers telling to to just "get out and let it eat itself". Come to Spring or Kingwood; but I hate that plastic, fake desperate housewives kind of environment. The poeple are as phony as can be. There is no ambiance like we have here near the places like The Museum District. We are so close to our jobs and no long commutes like them. I could go on. I love the proximity of just going a few miles to Clear Lake or any beach. So to answer your question its just a flip of the coin. I still say if there was better recreation around to let these people let off steam it would help so much. Positive role models are so important but take a look at the adults and they haven't grown up themselves. Why should their off-spring? Same vicious cycle. Hard being positive with such negativity around you. Need more voices. Example: About a month ago there was a shooting at Ingrando Park (near DeeDee HS) the news people had the camera pan around the room at the town hall meeting and there were about 3 people sitting there. That's a message loud and clear. They don't care. Ok, I'm tired. sorry if I strayed but you get the idea.

Thanks everyone, Will do. Ironically, there is a Super-Neighborhood meeting this afternoon at the convent, but people tend to block you out because you "rock the boat". Little do they know I am trying to save lives and help them. Retired people should not have to live in fear especially the ones that have devoted most if not all over thier lives for others. Take a cruise around there in the evening and see how dimly lit the side entrance gate area is. I advised they should merely replace the light bulb (how much does that cost) to at least brighten it up and to cut down that useless hedge. This hedge only encourages the gansters on Lawson to gain entrance after an unsuspecting car enters. The security guy appears to be in his 80's how fast can he react? Ok, I'm done....Tks

I am a long time Houstonian and know for a fact that Westbury was a prime neighborhood to live and attend schools 80's. That was then Now you couldn't pay me to go near it. The media has either overrated the crime or its just plain out of control. I knew a person that worked placing people in housing after Katrina and thats exactly where he was sending them to live. I will leave it at that. Westbury High was a exemplery school once. I have sympathy for any teacher, student or faculty that have to go there. The cancer has already spread. Divine intervention please! or an exorcism?

You can say that again ie: That whole area from Broad to Telephone went downhill fast. Rather remember the way it was. There was The Helena Hotel across from Holiday Inn, it was kind of our rival. It had a real nice pool too which has since been cemented over. When it went downhill it closed then a few years later was a kind of nice Latin/Rock dance club closed then became a Seafood place for a real short time was toooo expensive, you may as well have gone to Red Lobster! Howard Johnson's was down east and had a cool bar which boasted all you can drink keg beer for $3.00! That finally met its fate about 1989? Can't beleive it is still there. We used to round up all the local hippies and swim in the pool all day long, they also had plenty of ice for cold brews. Last I heard they also film "Cops" there on a regular basis. Again, better to remember its heydays!

Strangely enough the Holiday Inn Hotel at 45/Wayside had a pretty decent menu going for quite a while. I worked there bussing tables as a teenager around 75-76. My boss was a lady named Doris and had one of the tallest beehive hairdoes on record. She ran a pretty tight ship and we were always on our toes. Holiday Inn at that location would bring in quite a upscale crowd even up to point! The cook was a real nice guy that was a Sr at SF Austin he was learning how to cook gourmet meals. Great experience, I recall how he would give us delicious samples of shrimp, fish and so on. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner items that would satisfy any palete. In the evenings Doris would serve highballs to the guests. I thought it was so grown up to see that! There was a lady named Phyllis who was our hostess. Can you believe it was that elegant? She had to dress in a cocktail/evening dress or full length gown on several occasions mostly on weekends. We had a fantastic view of the pool area too, was very tropical in nature. I recall we would have celebrities pop in sometimes to sign autographs. One day we had James Arness appear. I was too young to remember the western show he was once popular in but the people there loved it. Towards the later 70's and 80's the place started its final decent into hell's kitchen (pardon the pun) and it had to be put out of its misery. When we would drive by on the overpass of 45 I would tell my newphews that is where I worked and thats the balcony we would sneat out to smoke a cig or 2. All that's left is that lone palm tree where the pool once was. Pleasant memories for sure. Wonder where everyone went.... So yes, Holiday Inn/Wayside-45 was wonderful in it's hey day!

I remember Busch Gardens! It was created quickly and why they put it in that part of town I will never know? Thas probably why it met an untimely demise. Who in the heck wanted to take their kids to an industrial area? We would drive by it everytime we picked up my dad at work at nearby Roadway Express terminal. B Gardens looked so cool from far away because the rides looked very exciting, we were just glued to the car windows as we passed! Was very colorful and seemed like it was expanding. I bet it only lasted about 4-5 years at most? Anyone else know? I just recall it there until about 1975???

Is there any one that can pin-point the exact DATES of existance of PlayLand Park? My mom spoke of it often and if I think correctly she said it was near where there were these tired old little ponies we used to ride in the early 60's. She could be mistaken but it had to be there or near these ponies? I know when we went to ride these horses/donkeys there were still some rusted small little cars styled like the 1940's (cool) wish I had one now! There were other cool dated toys for kids around us but don't tell me its gone too? ....more tears.....probably some of those hideous condos on top of it now. They look just like tall tin/aluminum out houses like the ones in Freedmans town, YUGLY.

I cannot beleive you guys found a photo of the Old Plantation Club! My mom says they used to load up all the gang and go to some of the best Big Bands there! She was fortunate to be there at the height of the swing era. She says they had jitter bug dance contests. Wonder if anyone has photos of the Aragon Ballroom? She says that was another big hot-spot. Everyone would go eat at the several Prince's Drive through restaurants afterwards after dancing the night away. I am sure someone has already brought up the old Shamrock Hotel Ballroom? Glad my mom has an awesome picture of her in a formal in the lobby of the Rice Hotel during a Gala event circa 1955. Where can people view more photos of long gone ballrooms, theaters? Thanks for the memories...

BEST HISTORICAL BARBECUE place in Houston was without doubt "The Lockwood Inn" on Lockwood Drive and 1-10 East near Denver Harbor area. Old Houstonions should recall. It was there since the late 1930's. They gathered people from all walks of life. Didn't matter what race/ethnicity whatever, we just loved it! My mom said they would gather there after coming from big-band dances in the swing era of Houston. Best and most delicious sliced beef sandwiches and most mouth watering links ever! Man we sure miss it burned to the ground appprox 1989? We nearly fell to the ground (tear in eye) when we heard the terrible news. A real, real, real Houston Icon. Forever gone! Booohoooohooo....

Most people that live in this area should know where the convent/retirement home is Lawndale/Wayside/Sunnyland. The area on the side and back are still being used as a firing range for the local thugs. People either stop and get out of their cars and or just drive by shooting in the air (usually towards the bellfry tower and towards Wayside traffic). This happens pretty frequent usually late at night but even in the evenings. We have mentioned to the staff on 2 occasions and they say they will look into it. Nothing ever happens. I am sure they can't control what happens outside, but they can at least have signs hung or posted along the streets to deter this insane practice. They certainly have the voice and $ to do so. Some folks may be unaware but there are several cottages in the wooded area where retired sisters live. My neighbor told me he once saw several men carrying several rifles in the wooded area? What's the deal there? I wonder if many homes in Idylwood have bullet holes in their roofs? If not they should. Take a drive down Sunnyland street and you will not see 1 sign that states to 1. Not littering 2. No speeding 3. No trespassing 5. No firing in to this area. Nada. Nothing. We have seen everything from dope deals, prostitution, dumping (dead animals) & furniture to the shootings. The gunfire ranges from shotguns to what sounds like AK-47's. If anyone can offer a tip, please. We have had a local newstation do a story years ago, to no avail. City won't bother because the convent won't intervene. We are at wits end. On any given day you can pick up empty shells & bullets.

Guess, I can be kind of proud to say my own older cousin was a Santa Claus at Foley's - Main St. for at least 2 years. I am sure 1971 for sure because my niece and I are in a photo with him. That is the days when Foley's went all the way with animated elves and trains, etc not only in Santas Village upstairs but in several display windows. I recall it like yesterday. We stood in a long and winding line that went pretty far but it was worth it! As you waitied in line, you had the whole snow covered North Pole before you with clear color wrapped giant popsicles & candy canes. Sound effects and all. That is the days when going downtown was extremely exciting we thought it was like going to Times Square in New York City. It seemed so cosmopolitan. Sure miss the glamour of downtown. A bygone era.

This is amazing! When I 1st saw your message I thought it was referencing a robbery I was actually in approximately 1967-68? However; it was in Denver Harbor off Lyons Avenue. I was only about 7 yrs old went with my mom so she could would buy groceries. We were walking through (not sure why I recall produce section) listening to the manager announce daily specials as they did then, when all of a sudden we heard a man's muffled voice sounded like he was pleading/whimpering on the intercom. Everyone froze in the aisles looking around. Apparently, the manager was being threatened with a gun and maybe beaten "live". There was alot of commotion, other ladies near us gathering some crying, then after a while several men were walking around telling everyone that it was all over. We didnt know what until we were walking out and there police everywhere and it seemed as if though at least 1 was being placed in the back of a cop car. It must have locked in my mind because as a kid we would see this stuff on TV but shocked to see it live. That was one of the last events that convinced us to move out of the area! It went downhill ever since.

As a long time Houstonian, I wanted to add a dash of memory to circa 1966-69. I recall as a elementary school kid we were the Houston version of the Brady Bunch. I recall our school supplies we Peter Max pencils/tablets. I had a Yellow Submarine lunch kit. We were pretty much pop-culture 60's and didnt even know it. On Sunday afternoons my parents would take us to Herman Park for birthday parties and the zoo. I recall on an occasion we drove slowly past "Hippie Hill" as it was called. (Miller Outdoor Theater was new) and the proper name. There was a demonstration going on but us kids only knew it as a bunch of long-haired hippies and beatniks carrying signs. Many of the girls looked like Twiggy & Grace Slick from The Jefferson Airplane. My parents were the typical "Beaver Cleaver" parents and my mom told my dad just keep driving slowly and don't look at them. We were really excited though and I remember there were some of the long-haired guys on top of the Sam Houston statue waving to everyone below. My dad said kids raise your windows & don't look at them they are just a bunch of stoned freaks! This was apparently around the time Manson and his family had given most hippies a bad name. The protest must have been Vietnam War related. Wow, at least I can say I experienced 1st hand! Peter Brady

I recall it had a Carousel theme throughout too. Seemed big must have been built during the 1950's or early 60's maybe because it was in a perfect location for tourists visiting the city because of the new Astrodome, etc? We would go there with groups of friends in the very early 80's to hear the country/rock bands ie: 38 Special type of music and for the very inexpensive brew & free buffet. Rare for it's day in that area. I think it had several pool tables too. That was the days when bars were allowed to advertise "Drink & Drown night" and "Beach Party Blow-Out!" Not to be seen again.

Fast forward from my original Gulfgate Cinema thread 1972. When the theater had midnight movies in the early 80's thats when it started it real decline. Reason I say is we were with several rows of friends & other local hippies watching Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleeps" when we heard a muffled pop. Didn't think much of it until we saw the exit door swing open as someone fled. Apparently that person didn't like the other one so he shot em! That was to be my LAST time there. It closed shortly after. Quite a contrast from the innocent days. They carried the poor guy to the lobby in a pool of blood in front of the concession stand. We were just stunned. Never got to see the end of the cool film either. Just went ahead and bought the album.

Here's a good one for whomever can recall if there was a placed call "The Midnight Sun"? and what about Club La'dour? I think it was a only for women place near where #'s still is (across the street). In addition, can anyone confirm what became of all those beautiful Victorian homes as Elgin turned into lower Westheimer? I have a good feeling they met the blasted wrecking ball. AAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Tell me they were relocated?!?!

The Gulfgate Cinema across the 610 frwy was really nice, I recall seeing the "original" Poseidon Adventure there many times that marks it at about 1972. Theater very nice/clean kept up. Families would line up all the way across the bridge to the mall. Screen was shaped as a huge curve all white appeared as if you could step into heaven. This is when Cinerama & Cinemascope were the big deal way before "wide screen" was even a phrase. I worked at Wilson's Jewelers dept store directly across. Large contemporary store with quality items. Joske's Dept was at the other end. Weingarten's grocery was at west end, I recall there was a guy (that worked at checkout) that all the girls were crazy about because he had a very Rod Stewart hair style. There was a of the very convenient & inexpensive Piccadilly Cafeteria used to pack em in. One of the women's clothing store had several models that would get in the display window and act like mannequins. The crowds would gather waiting to see her move and she seldom ever did. When you least expected it she would jump at you the crowd would flip out! Great publicity for the store though. There was always a Santa of course. Then there was the now legendary Bowling Alley downstairs beneath the record store. It was huge and very mod 60's. The best part of the mall was that it was created on a huge man-made hill. Way ahead of it's time as far as innovation so if there was flooding you were always safe on this big hill. There were and always will be shoplifting and car thefts but nothing as wide spread as today. Anyway I am gald to say I knew the area in its prime. I wonder what happended to all the cool friends I made while working there. Our cigarette buts are scattered under the rubble somewhere near the old bridge (this is where most of the teens would hide out to take a puff or 2) Thats the way it was. I am sure there are many with similar endearing memories!

Wow an ice cream place would be awesome! It would also be fantastic to see an HPD station there, yes, yes, yes! Just having officers very visible all around would deter any if not all riff-raff. I feel like drawing up plans now! They would also be able to aim straight at Triangle Park (as we used to call it) just across the street. Plus they could keep constant vigil on the low-lifes that congregate at the old 7 Eleven store across Telephone Rd. Yes, the porch has already collapsed on Cage school and the cafeteria is or looks gone. I recall the halls were so low we kids could touch the ceiling with our hands. However, my 4th grade classroom on the 2nd floor had high (10 ft) ceilings. I bet the old light fixtures are still there. If you stood at the top of those high stairs you had a great view all around. As you walked in the entrance there was a huge grand staircase immediately in front of you (looked gothic/victorian) as most of the inside was. The library was on the 1st level and was so cozy becasue it once was used to store live cows, yes siree. Way before it was a school of course. When the man landed on the moon we hung our paper Apollo spacecrafts (got free in cereal boxes) on the ceilings of our classroom. Now I am straying, but yes I hope you pursue or anyone to SAVE this treasure. I subscribe to Old House Journal and restored my home as vintage Victorian over on Sunnyland. Never been happier. The palm trees/bouganvilla I added make it look like it belongs in Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard. Good luck with Rufus Cage!

I cannot believe it when I drive by that it is still there! Surprised hasn't become a cantina or taqueria like most of the eyesores near by. I attended from 68-73 and have wonderful/dear memories of the school. I recall during fire drills we used to actually walk down those steep stairs! I was on the class room directly in that door on 2nd floor. Had fantastic views of Telephone Rd all the way to Gulf Frwy and of downtown! It had a real little neighborhood feel to it. Had a cool little play area compete with swings/slides. We played dodge ball directly under those stairs. The cafeteria served the best soup! I can still smell the aroma. Cost a nickle. We had numerous plays year round on the stage. Quite camp but fun non the less! We had some of the best outdoor festivals. I can still hear the sounds of the of the kids playing and all of the PTA parents gathering to help in the concession booths. Most of the girls looked like Marcia Brady's. It was at the height of 60's after all. It was definetely a time not to be seen again.