skwatra

Does anyone know if the amphitheater and other larger renovations that are part of the Buffalo Bayou Master plan (in that area) will be done and used by FPSF or will they have to work around it?

Last year, didn't they add to the lineup after the initial announcement?

There are 3-4 lesser known bands I would like to see on there for sure, I'm sure plenty more I will like after I check them out. I'll get my money's worth for sure.

I'm in DC and just saw that she was on local CBS news here. Thought she sounded familiar then I remembered the post about her here.

Thus far, this forecast is a bust.It sure looks like the forecasting computer models missed this one. Billions of dollars impact? Our office is closed. So far, the reliance upon the forecasting is certainly misplaced. I will work from home. What about those not so fortunate who might miss some pay? And schools closed? For what? This is a joke...

I don't see how you can call this a joke. So the forecast was off. When many districts and companies made the decision, the NWS was forecasting the majority of the ice to form in the late morning to early afternoon, after everyone would be at work or school. It is below freezing right now where I am, and we had freezing rain much of the day. Though it is barely below freezing and only a few overpasses have frozen over, if it where a few degrees colder the situation would be much worse. So a decision must be made and in our society we side on caution. Most people I know that stayed home, worked from home. Students will make up the days.

Last week, when many offices did not close, we had 100's of accidents reported in a few hours time. I had to go to work (I would have stayed home, my office gave me the option but I had critical testing that could not wait) and I had several instances where I lost traction on I-45. I left late and avoided most of the traffic, but the roads were frozen over during rush hour. If the timing was different, there would not an an issue. But decisions on closing have to be made based off of 12-24 hour forecasts.

NASA officially closed tomorrow.

I definitely hit ice on the 45 overpasses. NASA, Boeing, Lockheed stayed open, but gave people the option to come in a little late or work from home for those that live far. My wife got an ice day, and she lives a mile from work.

I've been out of town, but on Monday all the shotgun houses were still there. Have those been removed? They had taken a few out months ago...

There is a sign at the current unofficial dog park (montrose and allen) stating the area will be closed for construction on 1/27 and won't be opening again until October. Seems like a long time to build a dog park, but I know they are incorporating a lot of features.

I really wish they would build a ped bridge over Allen near Taft. Going to Montrose or the ped bridge closer to downtown is quite far if you are on foot. I think it would be heavily utilized by the residents to the south, and be useful during the Art Car parade, Marathon, etc.

at least the interior resembles a restaurant now. Anyone hear a date for opening?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqIuX5sS5uw

Posting this because I just saw it, powerful and relevant.

I'm ok with 60 in the city, with it going up to 65 near the beltway and 75 in the middle of nowhere. Like others said, the distances are shorter and you're not really buying much, and there are a lot of entrances/exits, changes to lanes, etc where lower speeds help with reaction time. The number one thing for me is having people pay attention and learn how to drive!

Regarding MPG, 55 is not necessarily the most efficient. It dependent on the car, some cars start falling off at 60, some 70. I don't start seeing a drop off until i exceed 75, and now that I drive 80 much of the way to Austin I do see a dropoff.

Out of curiosity, do CM riders ever cross light rail or normal railroads, and if so, do they ever run the red light?

I've attended twice (2011) and on the second run we rode along Main in midtown and people were just riding on the tracks and jumping back and forth over them. We all had to cross the tracks somehow (we came from 3rd ward and ended up on Washington), but don't remember how. No way its possible we stopped for the light to be green though.

At that point I didn't go back. I'm an avid city biker and liked the concept of CM and their intent, but didn't like their methods on that particular route. The first run was a lot better, but that whole route on Main street really turned me off. If they are actively working with the CoH maybe I'll give it another shot.

I will say that most of the drivers that were stopped by us either just sat there and viewed the spectacle or cheered us on. I never saw an angry motorist (though there was an angry campus security guard and actually I heard there was a run in with HPD but I was farther up and didn't see it).

$5 BART vs $35-40 cab ride. But yeah can be a pain to have to walk even a few blocks with a lot of stuff depending on what incline!

If they do things like the MLS, there will be an Expansion draft where the Dash can draft x players from each existing team. But each team as the ability to protect 2-3 players, and I am sure Morgan and Solo would be protected. They mentioned Morgan coming to Houston in the article because her fiance is on the Dynamo, but he doesn't even start. She probably has more say in the matter!

AEG and entire owner's group of the Dynamo are bringing a women's team to Houston. They will be the ninth team in the league.

 

The Dynamo gauged interest in the NWSL a few weeks ago by asking fans to put $25 deposits on season-ticket packages for a prospective NWSL team, and more than a 1,000 fans put deposits on season tickets.

...

BBVA Compass Stadium sits about 22,039 for Dynamo games, but only about a third of the stadium's seating capacity will be in use for NWSL games.

"We'll make it a capacity of 7,000, which would be lower bowl, suites and party deck and open up the presidents club," Canetti said of BBVA Compass Stadium. "We'll go on sale with season tickets immediately after the announcement to Dynamo season-ticket holders."

A few articles:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2013/12/houston-to-get-professional-womens.html

http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Houston-lands-National-Women-s-Soccer-League-5056244.php

I'll go when Portland comes to town.

Thanks for the pics and article. I'll need to go check this out soon, it looks like they did a really good job given what was left after the fire.

Does Southwest allows pets? 

free

Yes, Southwest allows pets but only in-cabin for $75 unless they are service animals (free).

Went for a ride this morning and there were a lot of joggers/walkers/bikers out there. I like that they added asphalt paths on the north side (between Sabine and Montrose) with signs stating 'No Biking'. A lot of joggers were using those making it easier for bikers on the new wide sidewalks.

Bringing back an old topic, but just saw Reality Bites for the first time on a plane a few days back. The first scene at their apartment my wife said "that's West Clay!"

I knew it was our neighborhood but was surprised she recognized the exact street so quickly considering how much its changed since 94. Pretty cool to watch.

Any recent polls out there on this?

Yup that's the spot.

They have opened a 3rd location on Westheimer and Bagby in Midtown. Not sure when, just noticed it.

Just imagine how many people would come to Houston to take a flight into space.

I heard mention of $200,000 per flight, so probably not that many people at first.

The elevated train and the Interterminal (underground) train both still operate.

The Chron article mentioned a program with a set contractor and rate/ft. That alone would be really helpful for people to do it themselves, and of course a subsidy would really help.

I had no idea that sidewalks where the owner's responsibility. Where I grew up it was always fixed automatically (which I thought was by the city), but I'm guessing that was done by the HOA.

Luckily my street is in pretty good shape, but most other streets I run on around Montrose are pretty bad. In a street with a torn up sidewalk the length of 20 houses, what is going to get one owner to shell out $$ when that won't make a contiguous walkable sidewalk anyways? I guess it has to start somewhere, but I don't see it happening without the city stepping in somehow. And as far as commercial goes, we rarely have a stretch without an empty lot or some owner that has no motivation to fix their sidewalks.