rapturematt

I love the fact there are currently 18 pages of contributions on this topic. It may the be the biggest thread ever on HAIF. To me, it means that there is still enough interest in this iconic structure that we want to follow it's journey, still have questions, and willing to share our ideas.

On November 20, 2014, we are having a screening of my 15 minute short subject documentary, Last Seat At The Dome, and will be followed by a 1 hour Q&A with myself, Judge Emmett, and other historians and preservationist to allow the public to ask questions about the past, present, and future of the Astrodome.  

I really hope all of you an join us.  You can get your FREE ticket by going to the event ticket page: CLICK HERE

Philosopher George Santayana once wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Two years ago my wife and I moved to the Riverside neighborhood of Houston, TX ignorant to the colorful history that some of my neighbors have witnessed over the years. Since then I have been researching the historical events that surround the Riverside neighborhood and have uncovered countless stories of racism, blockbusting, integration, "white flight", and regentrification.

Riverside is a neighborhood in transition. Several of my neighbors are elderly widows who struggle to maintain the exquisite homes of our neighborhood, while other vacant homes are surrounded by drug deals and prostitution. I have been blessed to be able to help those immediately around me, but see the need larger than one man. This is my plea:

Let's bring back the Riverside Neighborhood. Let us continue the legacy of community pride that others before us pioneered. Let us learn from our history to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

My wife and I are hosting a private viewing of "This Is Our Home, It Is Not For Sale" directed and produced by Jon Schwartz in our back yard on Saturday, May 30^th at 6:30pm. This documentary composes of several interviews that tell the history of my/our Riverside neighborhood. This is a story that you don't want to miss. For more information about the movie, please go to www.thisisourhomeitisnotforsale.com.

We will be serving popcorn to all that can come, and having a 15 minute intermission for discussion during the movie. Please join us with your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets for a great movie under the stars. Space is limited, so please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by sending me a message to matthewshawnmurphy@yahoo.com.

Looks like we are going to have a good turnout. I hope all can make it.

Thank you RaptureMatt for making the effort, for the awareness of Riverside. I'm sorry that I cannot make it to the get-together. I'm going to purchase the cd. I too believe, as many others do, that more attention needs to be given to Riverside Terrace, for it's residential architectural contributions. I've been researching the subject these days, and I'm surprised how very little I've run across, as far as development information. I'm sure it's out there, just hidden. The Houston history books I have barely mention it. I need to go to the library, next.

Let me know about any research that you come up with. I have hopes of collecting all of the historical information to eventually go into a museum exhibit or the mini historical gallery in the community center we are trying to build.

We're already aware. Do you propose action?

Of course I have plans for action. I plan on introducing plans for our efforts in Riverside at the movie.

A bunch of us saw it when it was shown at MFAH last year.

Well, I understand that, but I don't look at this as a chance to only see the movie. I also see it as a chance to get to meet others who are wanting to make a change in the Riverside neighborhood. I really think this is the launch of something larger for the future of Riverside. Awareness first, then action.

I am really suprised that I have not heard from more people interested in seeing this movie. Is it old news?

everyone NEEDS to see this. it is a great movie. i wish i could say more however i would be edited.

Now I am curious! Just say it!

will there be any realtors there?

I guess there might be, but it is not a advertising event. It is just a chance to see the movie about Riverside.

Philosopher George Santayana once wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Two years ago my wife and I moved to the Riverside neighborhood of Houston, TX ignorant to the colorful history that some of my neighbors have witnessed over the years. Since then I have been researching the historical events that surround the Riverside neighborhood and have uncovered countless stories of racism, blockbusting, integration, "white flight", and regentrification.

Riverside is a neighborhood in transition. Several of my neighbors are elderly widows who struggle to maintain the exquisite homes of our neighborhood, while other vacant homes are surrounded by drug deals and prostitution. I have been blessed to be able to help those immediately around me, but see the need larger than one man. This is my plea:

Let's bring back the Riverside Neighborhood. Let us continue the legacy of community pride that others before us pioneered. Let us learn from our history to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

My wife and I are hosting a private viewing of "This Is Our Home, It Is Not For Sale" directed and produced by Jon Schwartz in our back yard on Saturday, May 30^th at 6:30pm. This documentary composes of several interviews that tell the history of my/our Riverside neighborhood. This is a story that you don't want to miss. For more information about the movie, please go to www.thisisourhomeitisnotforsale.com.

We will be serving popcorn to all that can come, and having a 15 minute intermission for discussion during the movie. Please join us with your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets for a great movie under the stars. Space is limited, so please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by sending me a message to matthewshawnmurphy@yahoo.com.

Considering most analyses show Clinton leading in the Super Tuesday delegate race, your assertion that she "does not have a chance" seems a bit optimistic.

I really don't have any optimism with this race. I am really just voting for "whichever one does not suck the most," in reality.

Well, Edwards and Juliani are out! It looks like it is a two man race. Yes.. I did say two "man". Hillary does not have a chance now. I really think the Edwards votes are going to move the Obama train, and with Juliani supporting McCain I think we know who is going to be the Rep and Dem nominees.

As Terrell Owens says, "Get your popcorn ready!"

At least we still have little woody's on Holcombe/Bellaire

The only reason that Ross Perot was in the first election was to make sure Bush did not get re-elected. They were in a pissing match. I can't stand people like him that will just waste money on a campaign that he never expected to win.

He's screwed. It's over (for him). This thing is going to boil down to Hillary vs. McCain, I am afraid. What a shame. An Obama vs. Huckabee election would have been much more interesting, for everyone, in my view. Instead, we're going to get more of the same... I hope I'm wrong!

I think you are half right! I really think it will come down to McCain vs. Obama. I would like to see Huckabee become a running mate for someone though if he is not going to win. He is just funny, kinda like Regan was.

Woodland Heights has the minimum lot restrictions. I did not know that. That is great. Do they also have a height restriction?

Probably depends on whether he has the money. Most candidates stay in until the money runs out. However, since Rudy staked his entire campaign on taking Florida, one must wonder where the donations will come from if he tanks the Sunshine state as predicted.

I say good riddance. A rudy presidency would represent a bigger assault on civil liberties than even Bush has done.

I have a tendency to agree with you. Rudy would definately not be good for your civil liberties. I am not sure if he will stay in the game or not if he does not win Florida. I kinda felt that way about Edwards in South Carolina, but he is still there.

I love the COMBO neighborhood. There is nothing like driving down the street and being passed by a train. Kinda scary, but cool.

Mine was John McCain. I was a little shocked about that, but I guess he is the most moderate of all the Republicans that are running.

I am what I guess you would call a Centrist Republican.

Does that mean you are voting for Ron Paul or John Edwards? If that vote was cast right now, I am sure it would count about the same as what you are suggesting.

I thought this was a cool little test that might help a couple of you HAIF'ERS.

CANDIDATE MATCHMAKER

I guess it did not translate well.

Hmmmmmm......

A fellah in Pasadena was pretty effective and all it's gotten him is hot water.

It is amazing how your quote is completely taken out of context unless you read the whole thing. I don't think I ever suggested for someone to bring out a shotgun did I?

It take us as a community to stand up to the criminals and let them know that it is not going to happen in your neighborhood instead of turning our heads. How do we do that, well I guess the first start would be to be more diligent in calling the police when something suspucious is happening and also getting involved or forming neighborhood watch programs.

The police department is our friend.

I hear a lot of people talk about how the great northwest houston or the willowbrook area will become the next greenspoint. It's funny to me because considering how many mansions (Champion Forest etc...) this area has compare to greenspoint. I literally drive around houston and its surrounding suburbs every other day. In my opinion, this is one of the best places to live in (in houston that is) in every aspect. Of course bad things are going to happen. The city is growing. The woodlands is very nice now (VERY NICE & clean) but we'll see in 10 years or so. People just have to stay and wait it out.

You could have said that about Riverside Terrace at one time. Crime is not discriminitory, it happens everywhere even if it is an isolated experience. It take us as a community to stand up to the criminals and let them know that it is not going to happen in your neighborhood instead of turning our heads. How do we do that, well I guess the first start would be to be more diligent in calling the police when something suspucious is happening and also getting involved or forming neighborhood watch programs.

But, I guess that is another tread...

Is this the one?

Lone Star Electric

That is not the same one. If you need a contact number, you can IM me.

Tells me how little value a permit really is.

I think that the electrician has a good reputation. When you have a good reputation, they are little bit more relaxed on their inspections because they know the work is going to be correctly. I would never say the city permit process is not valuable. They have been very hard of me sometimes until I proved myself.

Awesome info guys!

How about electricians - any you'd recommend?

Lone Star Electric-Javier. They completely rewired the last house I redeveloped and did such a great job that the city inspector stated that he did not need to see the rest of the house because of how clean the breaker box was installed. That says a lot about the quality of work they do.