Vertigo58

Many thanks for this info. I need to wash a comforter that won't fit in my home washer/dryer.

A long while ago I asked about a good dry cleaner in the East End area but no one had any recommendations. Is there a reputable one in Midtown or the Montrose area? I have some nice tailored things and some silks that I don't want to be ruined.

The Cleaners in shopping strip behind Denny's at 45/Woodridge (next to Shipley Donuts) is pretty good but getting real expensive.

The old one on Sidney & Polk is it? Has some really good old machines. If you go early in am you avoid the crowds. That manager is always on top of things. He has been doing a great job for years. Just be aware of some of the element that lingers nearby. He is good about running them off too. This place has those extra powerful good LARGE machines that clean and wring out fine.

I'm pretty sure that Foley's moved into the old Wards store first, then arranged to have the old Joske's expanded after Dillard's had moved out. All of which led to one net result: Dillard's and Macy's switched buildings!

Yes that was a tad bizarre.

I never gave it any thought but this place goes back to 1971? Whoah! I assumed it wasn't opened until after early 80's. Hmmm.

That Sears Automtive has always been one I always could always rely on. Managers and staff always quick and attentive. No comparing to the Sears on Main st.

Anyone know when the Luby's was inserted into that mall?

I'm considering buying a house in the Northwest part of Houston (Mangum Manor/Oak Forest area), specifically between Mangum and Antoine. Is this a "safe" area? Does 43rd St flood? What about crime? traffic? Trains? I appreciate any information.

-AV

Caution: Mangum/Antoine area is not good. That is, as far is crime is concerned.

Truthfully, this city has become so widespread & is constantly packing in so many new people it will only get worse. Sad revelation but true.

There is hardly any where in greater Houston that is considered "the good part of town". Rule of thumb to always consider though is never, ever move to any neighborhood that has one large or numerous low rent apts. Thats where troubles lie, they simply bode no good. Nuff said. Avoid living near cheap apts especially if you have children, your kids will be in the same schools with those that live in these apts. Trouble....

I was surprised to see how neat orange trees look around here.

However, I tried tasting one and it was not so good at all. So I guess for the ornaments sake they are Ok? The birds should love em?

Lemon trees smell very nice too but oh man, those sharp needles draw bood.

The nicest, newest one is across from Eastwood Park on Harrisburg and Dumble, in the newish strip center. I think it's called Spin Cycle. I've used it before-- definitely the cleanest and best machines compared to the other ones in the hood.

That is a very good and safe one!

They give you a card to swipe and I believe there are TV's so you select what channel YOU want to see. Hee hee. This one is well kept and even has machines with sandwiches, etc & tables to eat or read while you watch the clothes go round.

The book Houston - the Bayou City mentions that the downtown "Battelstein's (dry goods store) was enlarged & remodeled in the building boom years of 1945-50's. The reference is an article titled "The New Battelstein's Formally Opens in March", Houston, XXI (March 1950), 10-11, 36.

Most times we saw Battlestein's, we just kept walking. It seemed to "adult or square" to us teens. All we would see were like matronly dames or ladies that appeared very high brow, enter & exit.

Anyone have any idea of the origins of that name ? I mean like what part of the world it originated from? German perhaps?

More Old Dance Hall Houston trivia:

Can anyone recall the exact location of another very popular dance hall known as The Blossom Heath.

Mom said it was (if you can believe) in the Near East End of downtown?

Wow!

Update: I may have answered my own question or part of it. Here is an excerpt from a neat documentary that is in the Houston Library.

Frank and Ventura Alonzo (husband and wife) were longtime residents of Houston and Magnolia Park, and were big band musicians from the 1930's until they retired in the late 1960's. Originally fron San Antonio, Texas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas respectively, they met in Houston and married in 1931. Discovering a mutual love of music, they began their first band in the late 1930's and played for local gatherings in Magnolia Park. Frank played guitar and Ventura played the accordian. Their orchestra developed into "Alonzo y Sus Rancheros" during the 1940's with Frank as the leader and Ventura as lead vocal. From the 1940's through the 1960's the band was popular in Houston as well as in many other areas of Texas where they travelled to perform. They specialized in m

Yeah Vert, your right that would have been the place. I remember the Wicks n' Sticks at Westwood mall back in the 70's which also had candles either carved or moulded like dragons and castles among other things. I couldn't imagine someone buying one of these, and then ever lighting it. They were not cheap!

It was no Yankee Candle Company, for sure!

Now if anyone else remembers Westwood...there was another store there (I think) called Pickwick records. They had so much stuff in this store! In the 70's they had records, black light posters, lava lamps, tie dyed clothing, you name it.

One of the things I remember buying there was a beer can lamp. I know somebody else has to remember these. They sold them in all different colors, beer or soda cans, and they had this sort of flickering fillament in them that looked like a flame when you pluged it in. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world as a kid, but you can't find these anywhere now. Lava lamps, sure... but not those.

The beer can lamps came in Busweiser, Coors, Lone Star, etc. That store did have major cool stuff! I bought one of those long rectangular glass enclosed things that contained BLUE liquid inside. As the casing tilted back & forth the blue substance would roll up and down like a real ocean wave, major cool!

Most of the these shops had some of the newest, chrisp off the presses Rock n Roll band T-shirts too. I clearly recall Led Zeppelin, Bad company, Eagles (I still have a pic of me in y Hotel California T) The Who, Boston, Yes, then once New Wave became all the rage, those cool T's ala The Pretender's, Blondie, Devo, invaded the racks.

Many of these stores were also allowed to sell "rocks" that really neatly psychedelic colored rock w/a hole thru it so people could place thier doobees inside & puff away?They even featured huge bong's I suppose for big parties, etc. What ?

Ever notice the managers, and staff always seemed lind of hippish at these stores? Coincidence?lol

More Old Dance Hall Houston trivia:

Can anyone recall the exact location of another very popular dance hall known as The Blossom Heath.

Mom said it was (if you can believe) in the Near East End of downtown?

Wow!

Here's Eloy Perez in action in the '50s. Possibly at the Pan American club on North Main (anybody else remember that great place)?

I am in shock! Will PM later. Mr Perez was a member or leader of a very popular band called The Latinierre's and were named best Latin Band for 3 years straight. He was a local Houstonian. Sadly passed away from a heart attack date or year uncertain.

He had a nephew name Ernest Perez or rather known as "Neto" whom was also quite popular throughout Texas. He died instantly in a tragic auto accident in the Taylor, Texas country side area en route to an engagement that night along with another band member. Unfortunately, in these days most musicians always had to drive or fly to events.

More tragedy was to follow in later years, Joe Earnest Perez (nephew of Eloy) would lose his life "ironically" in a much publicized auto accident heading back to Austin after a Rockets game in Houston circa 2002? Earnest had already become some kind of member of the Austin Capitol Congress or something like that? He was a mere 28 yrs maybe? There is a local Elementary school that was named in his memory.

PS, The Pan American was also briefly discussed here on Haif somewhere.

That place was one of the most upscale and elegant dance clubs in Houston when it was new. We have many accounts from people that still have many pics & best of all stories!

By mid 70's the hall apparently went in to steady decline partly due to cities growth, poor management, rough clientel (that became steady) the fights, violence became the norm. Long time Houstonians "avoided" the place, could ya blame em? Adding insult to injury, the nearby Stardust Ballroom was soon to follow in mischief and criminal antics. It was almost "all for the best" to tear down both very "iconic" symbols of the cities Latin community. The winds of change wear blowing.

By the late 70's most long time generation Latin offspring preferred the new sounds popularity of Disco, so the local Discotheques became all the rage and most of these traditional dance stomping grounds seemed to be out of touch or not cool to the younger masses. Kids always follow the latest in music you know.

A million thanks for a most rare of Mr Perez photo DJulio.

I remember seeing a lot of Angel's Trumpet when I lived in New Orleans. They smell great.

We snipped so many from the big one that now we must have 15 - 20 tiny ones with plenty of roots ready to be planted. So many I can give some away.

By now ? most nurseries should have big ones ready to plant. Put on a great colorful, scented display and grow well locally.

Bouganvilla should also be readily available at stores. Beware of the RED ones quite colorfull but needles can draw blood, yes siree.

yeah, it BETTER have free wifi... fast food restaurants are running out of excuses to stay open without it. Ooh, a 24hr wifi lounge would be sweet

Well, unfortunately, this new one is hardly any different than the old one.

However, its great that the managers are on the ball as far as making sure the staff is professional. Hope it lasts. Maybe my wearing a suit when I walked in created the stir? I any case, its Ok and still an improvement.

Lets hope the Burger King @ 45/Wayside is as great as the other new ones with Internet room, etc.? Cross fingers.

As most teens did in the 80's, I spent a lot of time trolling the mall! I'm trying to remember all those shops we used to love to buy clothes at. Here are some that come to mind:

Wicks n Sticks

Anybody else out there have memories of great shops in the malls of the 70's and 80's? I know there are tons more. Open your memories!

I wonder if this is that store that featured rows and rows of really neat Wax candles ???

I do recall always seeing a candle shop that had really cool candles made to look like ice cream, ala Banana splits, Soda fountains, sundaes. They seemed very realistic from a distance and I think had scents of that specific flavor of ice cream.

I also think they featured inscents?

Another Houston Mall mystery question! 1st winner gets a banana split! Yumm!

once my sister went to college, i started making my own clothes.

Smart, smart, smart! Good for you! This is how some of the most famous designers started!

I saw that skit but I don't know what's it's called either. Let us know when you find it. That was hilarious.

The Bunny Swan skits were always killer.

"He look-a-like a man, yea, yea, you know...

Here's Jerry Irby and the Bar X Cowboys at the Main Street Dance Hall (105 1/2 Main) in around 1944. They had a midget trumpet player and drummer at this time.

Really cool, cool, cool and clear photo!

I have been told that many shows or dance clubs also had like comedy relief acts between shows? Like the funny clips we see in vintage 1940's big band films. I was told that there once was some very funny & pretty girl that used to do like a backwards bend and pick up a hankerchief with her teeth while singing? Mom said they saw her as a between comedy deal at some show in the 40's. She just cannot remember the comedian/singers name but said they were amazed how talented she was!

If anyone can name such names or acts....more real trivia?

great, I checked it out...too bad more of our class isnt on it yet.thanks Vertigo.

I assume everyone is so busy and truthfully have no idea Haif even exists.

Does anyone have any information on a garage band named Deuces Wild? They played the Houston area around 1968: Catacombs, among others. The lead guitarist was Clark Clem. I have 16mm film of this band.

Pretty cool that you have on film!

There was a place located in the 100 block of Main for many years known as "105 1/2 Main." In the 1940s it was called Main Street Dance Hall. Around 1950 it became R.D. Hendon's Western Jamboree Dance Hall. (I'm not aware of a "108 Club.")

The End o' Main was, as you say, at the opposite end of South Main. It was around for many, many years but I've never seen any documentation or photos of it.

Got it right again Don Julio!

I typed in wrong & mom confirmed it was called the 105 club not 108.

Here is more night club trivia:

Who can confirm the name of a dance club called The Acapulco that was located on the left side of Washington Ave as you headed WEST? A band leader named Eloy Perez played there quite often late 1940's to early 1950's. Was either called Acapulco or THE Acapulco. Had a tropical theme inside which was quite popular in the time.

The great thing is if I really need to I can dig for pictures of this band. Its the club I wonder about.

Name drop a few well known names and that makes the area upscale, that alone is a riot. Everyone that is reading this, I urge you to take a drive around Dowling to where this event occurred when sun is going down, then cruise around until around midnight. How many brave souls are walking around? How many freaks creep up from nowwhere?

I just dont believe in sugar coating & its too bad developers dont like my honest assesments but that's life like the song goes. Back to topic though. Any idiot that is scoring or trying do a to pick up gets what they deserve at that insane hour. I bet HPD says the very same thing. Now students, shall we turn the page now...

Article reads:The incident happened in the 2900 block of Leeland, a short distance southeast of downtown, at about 2:30 a.m., Houston police said.

Anyone stupid enough to be in that area of town that LATE at night, well, that tells all.

Its misleading stories like that stereotype all of this 20-30 plus radius miles of area as a negative environment. Truthfully, anything even west of Cullen heading into DT is really fkd up especially at night. Take a cruise thru there and see.

Here we go again another unknown originator of topic vanishes after they post these flaky stories. Perhaps he was trying to score while he was in that area? Self explanatory people. Remember that other player that got killed at rr crossing on Lawndale near Telephone a yr ago? No, thats right he was buying a loaf a bread at 4am. Doyyy.

What is the area around Commerce Street corridor or rather around Our Lady of The Lake University?

The little neighborhoods (near that HEB) sport some of the finest turn of the century small Victorians ever!

I had to snap some pics of regular peoples homes. Reason: Some of these are models that were sold in catalogs around that era. Most sit neatly on embankments and have upstairs hidden porches like the ones they built in so that owners could sleep on the upstairs porch, yes that was common then.

Many of these homes sits in original mint condition, only need renovations of course but what strikes me is that the homes sit on lots that are very wide and vast, exactly as when they were built. No garage or anything ever built. They could film movies in these nabes. I am very serious. I hope to post some of the pics soon.

Trivia : name those neighborhoods. Even better give us some history on them. I noticed that many of the residents that have been there for generations, most speak English of course.

Just had the most unpleasant experience of getting stuck on the endless traffic and terrible construction on Bandera corridor. That reminded me Houston's horrible 1960 corridor with crammed business and neon nightmares.

Are they just widening it? When was this started and when will it be complete?

PS, there were several very awesome historic cathedrals adjacent to this street.

This is more early 90s, but a place I liked to shop as a high schooler in the Willowbrook Mall was J Riggins. I guess they went out of business.

J Riggins was also discussed in detail on other mall topics but I was a regular American Gigolo was a smash at theaters & every guy had to be a Richard Gere clone (before the gerbil controversy a few yrs later).

Riggins was later to be the Miami Vice - Don Johnson look-a-like clothing store. I will never forget the very light weight paperlike pants (light blue) and yep, light pink jacket. They even sold the varied coloered espadrille shoes! They only lasted for a few wks. Now you are Don Johnson just like that! The style would vanish by the next summer.

It would be great to see a photo of the old Shamrock 8 theater as well. Not exactly a famous landmark, but a fond memory.

The Shamrock 6 is discussed in lengthy detail from and others here on Haif under "Houston's old now gone theaters" or some title like that?

I can think of 2 very memorable events at this theater. The newspaper had announced a movie premiere ala "Hollywood style" at this theater. The public was invited to see the really unknowns an actress named Claire Bloom I think? (help anyone) and I cannot remember the guys name and I cannot even remember the name of the film but her name stands out. Me & kid sis even got cheeselike autographs as they enter on a red carpet. The newspapers must have snapped pics bet it had to be circa 1976-77? There were many people on hand so we all pretended it was Hollywood, chuckle, chuckle.

I dont want to flip our topic but I do know my last remembered film I saw was St. Elmos Fire. Trivia the year?.....ok 1985. Closed & leveled shortly after.

I went to the final Saint Patrick's day party there right before it closed. Unfortunately along the way I lost the silver commemorative cups. Needless to say a great and very sentimental evening.

Wow! How lucky, lucky, lucky you are (get it).

I remember the big hoopla & auctioning off of all items within. Can you recall the exact date or there abouts when all of this happened? It seems like ages ago. I remember them speaking of the china, silverware and showing up to the camera.

I only remember as teens headed to the McClendon Triple Theaters way further down would we pass this neat place up. We just took it for granted and never, ever dreamed it would vanish. Of course others here recall the Shamrock 6 Theaters across the street.

There is another very similar topic on The Shamrock on Haif, perhaps merge? May have been under historic hotels, well maybe not so this one can be solely dedicated to this icon.