trymahjong

I was one of those at Spec's this morning that didn't get their beer after all that waiting soooooooooooooooooo i drove directly to the Krogers on Montrose even tho I KNEW they wouldn't be getting their shipment ready to sell till 7am THURSDAY I asked the manager about that and he said they would take names today and reserve one 6 pack for pickup THURSDAY

Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 1:37 PM Subject: FMC / Spur 527 Security Forum on Feb. 16th Ladies and Gentlemen, In lieu of our neighborhood association’s typical monthly meeting, First Montrose Commons will be hosting a security forum on Tuesday, February 16th, at 7 pm. The forum will be held at HSPVA, located at 4001 Stanford, in the school’s Black Box Theatre. The forum is being held in response to the murder of Myra Ical, whose body was found in or near the southeast corner of First Montrose Commons on January 18th. Her death has greatly affected our community and has raised serious safety concerns about the south end of our neighborhood. To be blunt, the south end of First Montrose Commons is not a safe place. This is due to several factors, beginning with the presence of several large, empty tracts of land situated near the intersections of Richmond & Spur 527 and W. Alabama & Spur 527. These open areas provide refuge to a large group of disadvantaged people who are drawn to the Montrose and Midtown neighborhoods by various social aid organizations. Because many of these people are unemployed, they often spend the day and night loitering at or near the intersections, looking for ways to pass the time. A number of them beg, while others sell drugs, engage in prostitution, or look for crimes of opportunity. Many drink alcohol, most litter, and more than a few use the Spur’s heavy landscaping as a cover for everything from elimination to fornication. They are able to behave this way unabated because the intersections that they inhabit are virtual blind spots. No owners or tenants monitor the several unoccupied lots near the intersections, and few residents or businesses have a clear view of them. The dense landscaping and lack of lighting along this section of Spur 527 also contribute to its seclusion. The freeway itself, including its underpasses, provides a visual and physical barrier that can mask illicit behavior. In short, these problem intersections and the feeder road between them are a vacuum which has been filled with desperate people, and they have thereby become an incubator for crime. This dangerous condition along Spur 527 is evidenced by a map of criminal activity compiled from HPD PIP reports for our area. This environment fosters filth, delinquency, violence, and now murder. We cannot allow this situation to continue. First Montrose Commons is now assembling a coalition of local interests to address and combat the conditions along Spur 527, beginning with the February 16th security forum. Invitees to this forum include not only our own residents, but also residents of Roseland Estates, Westmoreland, and Audubon Place, HPD, Neartown Association, the Montrose Management District, the Midtown Management District, Mayor Annise Parker’s office, District D Councilmember Wanda Adams, TXDOT, Harris County Constables for Precincts 1 and 7, Metro, HSPVA, the South Main Baptist Church, the Montrose Counseling Center, and various local business interests. Several of these parties have already pledged their support to this effort, most notably CM Adams, who is already working with TXDOT regarding the Spur’s dense landscaping. Please make plans to attend this security forum to voice your concerns and to share your ideas about reducing crime and vagrancy along Spur 527. Everyone receiving this email is encouraged to attend. I hope you will make time for this important event and that we can all work together to make our neighborhood a safer place. Sincerely, J G President, Director of Membership First Montrose Commons Neighborhood Association

Mr. Moss, the principal, announced they are planning an "open house" type meeting tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 02/06, at Lincoln Gregory Education Center to get feedback on plans and wishes for the new campus. This would be for all students, parents and interested community members from the area. Carnegie Vanguard High School new building page http://www.facebook .com/group. php?gid=22621314 3501 The architectural firm for the project is Rey de la Reza - RdlR Architects, Inc. They were responsible for the renovation and new building at Reagan High School. Possible proposed timeline: 1/2010 - 1/2011 Start & Finish plans (about 12 mths from now) 1/2011 - 6/2012 - Start and Fnish construction (about 18 mths) - might be 2 or 3 mths shorter - but ready for folks for August 2012 school year

[ Wasn't that site where they were going to put the new HSPVA? But that was delayed because it was historically significant? (an African-American cemetery, if I remember correctly?) When my kid was enrolled at Lamar (during Katrina) and I was on the PTO board--This is what was generally talked about--and even went a step further after Lamar enrollment was shut down with Katrina kids-(--no kidding--no new children where being accepted--even if you moved in next door to Lamar--) that the HSPVA would have a new building at that location and the old HSPVA would open as a 9th grade only from Lamar to help ease over crowding--

Carnegie Vanguard High School Site Approved December 17, 2009 HISD has been planning a replacement campus for Carnegie Vanguard High School since 2007, when it was made a part of the Facilities Capital Program. On December 10, 2009, the Board of Education approved building the replacement school on vacant district-owned property just south of the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Carnegie Vanguard High School is currently located on the former Carnegie Elementary School campus at Scott Street and Airport Boulevard, adjacent to Sims Bayou. A new location for the school was decided on for several reasons. Most of that property and the surrounding area are within a Harris County Flood Control flood plain. Replacing Carnegie Vanguard on the same site would require relocating students to an off-site temporary campus during construction. There would also be additional costs and a reduction in usable land area related to building in the flood plain. Construction time and costs for the Gregory-Lincoln site will be reduced because the work will not involve demolition of existing buildings or relocation of students to a temporary campus. In addition, students attending Carnegie Vanguard come from all parts of the district, so a central location like the one the board approved will be more accessible to the majority of students and reduce transportation costs. Also, Carnegie Vanguard and Gregory-Lincoln can combine their separate parking facilities for evening events, and the Gregory-Lincoln kitchen could prepare meals for both schools. Located at Taft and West Gray, the new Carnegie Vanguard site was originally purchased for replacement of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. However, other locations that are even more favorable for HSPVA are being considered, and private fund-raising, to match future district funding, is gaining momentum. "I am confident that this new arrangement will be beneficial to everyone concerned," said Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier. Article clipped from the www.hisd.org website and posted by: K M Harris County, Precinct 33 Presiding Judge To learn more about Carnegie Vanguard HS click on http://www.vanguard ian.org/ this was a post on my neighborhood yahoo group--

Carnegie Vanguard High School Site Approved December 17, 2009 HISD has been planning a replacement campus for Carnegie Vanguard High School since 2007, when it was made a part of the Facilities Capital Program. On December 10, 2009, the Board of Education approved building the replacement school on vacant district-owned property just south of the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. Carnegie Vanguard High School is currently located on the former Carnegie Elementary School campus at Scott Street and Airport Boulevard, adjacent to Sims Bayou. A new location for the school was decided on for several reasons. Most of that property and the surrounding area are within a Harris County Flood Control flood plain. Replacing Carnegie Vanguard on the same site would require relocating students to an off-site temporary campus during construction. There would also be additional costs and a reduction in usable land area related to building in the flood plain. Construction time and costs for the Gregory-Lincoln site will be reduced because the work will not involve demolition of existing buildings or relocation of students to a temporary campus. In addition, students attending Carnegie Vanguard come from all parts of the district, so a central location like the one the board approved will be more accessible to the majority of students and reduce transportation costs. Also, Carnegie Vanguard and Gregory-Lincoln can combine their separate parking facilities for evening events, and the Gregory-Lincoln kitchen could prepare meals for both schools. Located at Taft and West Gray, the new Carnegie Vanguard site was originally purchased for replacement of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. However, other locations that are even more favorable for HSPVA are being considered, and private fund-raising, to match future district funding, is gaining momentum. "I am confident that this new arrangement will be beneficial to everyone concerned," said Superintendent of Schools Terry B. Grier. Article clipped from the www.hisd.org website and posted by: Ken Macpherson Harris County, Precinct 33 Presiding Judge To learn more about Carnegie Vanguard HS click on http://www.vanguard ian.org/ this was a post on my neighborhood yahoo group--

from an email i received about the Neartown meeting=> Incidentally, there was a lot of talk at the Neartown meeting about the murder / dumped body down in First Montrose Commons- It was brought up that there was another transgender person murdered last summer in the EMCA area. Wanda Adams is getting involved; she says there are too many untrimmed bushes and burned out street lights in that area where the body was found. I have a feeling that neighborhood will make a big appearance at the PIP meeting Wednesday , demanding more police patrols and safety measures.

received this email and thought I'd share it-- From: First Montrose Commons Neighborhood Association Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 6:41 PM Subject: Murder in First Montrose Commons Dear neighbors, As some of you may have already heard, this past Monday HPD discovered a murder victim on or near the empty Post Properties lot at the intersection of Richmond and Garrott, which is the southeast corner of our neighborhood. The victim has been identified as Myra Ical, a transgendered person who was legally known as Ruben Dario Ical. She was last seen wearing black clothing. To my knowledge, Myra was not a resident of First Montrose Commons, but that in no way reduces the impact of her death upon all of us. It's true that our neighborhood has its fair share of petty crimes, but no one in FMC should ever have to fear for their life, no matter whether they are residents, business people, or just passing through. We as a community cannot and will not tolerate this kind of crime. But what can we do? First and foremost, if any of you were acquainted with Myra, or if any of you saw her recently, please contact HPD to let them know whatever you know. I have been informed that HPD has no leads on this crime right now. You may not be able to provide HPD with a "smoking gun", but any little bit of information about Myra might lead them to something more, so I urge you to share whatever you know even if it may seem inconsequential to you. For those of you who are hesitant to speak with HPD for whatever reason, you may contact me instead and we can work out a way to get your information to them. Next, we must take steps to minimize the possibility of an incident like this occurring again in FMC. We need to work with HPD and our elected officials to increase police presence around Spur 527 at the Richmond and W. Alabama intersections. These areas are well-known havens for drug dealers, prostitutes, thieves, and beggars masquerading as homeless. And while few of those people are capable of murder, their presence fosters a lawless environment where violent tendencies can fester. It is unreasonable to expect HPD to constantly monitor these areas, but we can demand that they at least periodically drain those swamps and send a message to criminals looking for action in and around our neighborhood. It is my intent to call a security meeting to be attended by FMC, our neighboring civic associations, HPD, and all relevant representatives and authorities to discuss our crime problems along Spur 527. When that meeting is announced, I hope to see all of you there and to hear your voices. Only by working together can we make First Montrose Commons safe for all.

I live close to 611 --And I always call the 3131 number to report what I see and ask for a reference number-- do a followup with a paper copy of that report and include the 3131 reference number--yes, it's a hassle but it makes a difference-The local PIP meetings for district one have repeatedly noted that the number of reports concerning a specific area translates to the number of patrols by HPD-- Also--- after a lot of complaints(citizens going to those PIP meetings and verbally explaining/complaining about the problem) that "forested" area by the spur-- the precint one capt did a sweep and cleared it out last year--of course it all seems to go back to the way it was-- but really what else can you do but keep filling out those reports and keep going to those meetings?

To: undisclosed recipients: Subject: body found Just in case nobody knows about it. On Monday a womans body was found in a field in the lower part of 1a20s (close to the spur surrounding area) . The body, thought to be a woman, was a ( male dressed in drag ) . Homicide was at the storefront yesterday placing out flyers with the a picture on it, hoping to find a witness who may have seen the this person with someone. I have no other information at this time, but if I come across something I will be sure to send everybody a email on the update. Thank You Very Much W

I noticed the sign at Ruggles that there would be a big New Years Celebration there--and someone was inside working this weekend to accept the invite to the Avondale gathering and said they currently only open in the evenings--but I was wondering if anyone has tried out Ruggles and if they were the same or different?

I've spoken about PIP --positive Interaction program with HPD-- but telling us the crime stats each month is at the heart of this program-{city wide meets everyother month-- local meets monthly}-- Updates on the Center of criminal activity are always on the agenda-- 2 sections come to mind-- one is further south than sharpstown but still close to I59 and the other is far west on westheimer-- HPD does storefront HPD--where there was a tradition of hight criminal activites and now those places aren't the hotbeds they once were but also if the crime rate goes significantly up-- a mobile storefront is put in place. And about the Heights --awhile back I posted that the murder rate in the Heights had gone up 900%--that was true-- there had only been ONE murder in the previous 12 months in the Heights-- but 8 bodies were found in the heights area-- that had been murdered somewhere else--If there was only ONE murder-- that doesn't exactly scream. . . . . . . center of criminal activity

-------i'm glad the antique store is open, that could mean more business in that area but . . . . . . it looks like there is living space above that antique store as well as living space above the continental club-- I point this out because of the potential for other types of business to go into those spaces. And it seems likely that the more things that go in and draw the interest of buyers-- the better all the business will be

If the area will be booming-- I'm wondering about that Antique store across the street ---is it ever open? are those apartments above it rentals? or could those be used for other small enterprises?

The lot directly next to Indika's on Westheimer (500 block) as well as the older house next to that has been fenced off with what looks like construction fencing-- anyone know what is planned?

FROM HOUSTONHISTORY.COM On January 20, 1931, Sterling was sworn in as governor of Texas after defeating the former governor (1925-1927) Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson in the first and second Democratic primaries. His administration lasted only two years. On January 17, 1933, Ma Ferguson returned for her second term in the governor's mansion in Austin. A major problem arose during Sterling's term: unrestricted production in the huge new East Texas field drove prices down causing a depression in the oil industry. To reduce production, Governor Sterling declared a drilling curfew in four East Texas counties and ordered the National Guard to enforce it. While the Texas courts declared his move unconstitutional, he succeeded in assigning the Texas Railroad Commission its first regulatory authority over oil field drilling. After Ma Ferguson defeated Sterling in his bid for a second term, Sterling returned to the oil business in Houston.

This is 600 Avondale-- "the House was built in 1912 (Avondale first platted in 1907) by Dr. Peyton Denman--Gov. Sterling and wife Maude lived there between 1915 -1917-- from book by Gary Coover" I guess I was wondering if anyone knew where the Chronicle got their info on the house that was moved from Westheimer to Bagby

It has always been aknowledged in my neighborhood that Gov. Sterling lived in the newly developed Avondale District ( 600 Avondale) in the 1910's before he built his fabulous mansion-- but I was given this: http://www.chron.com...id=1999_3128940 now I wonder? anyone have any information?

Neartown also heard about the Master Plan (done by David Chipperfield of London-- I think) at the Menil--highlights of future plans -- will build an auditorium, another single artist gallery-- upgrade current green space --committed to open and green spaces-- the Richmont apts are owned by Menil and generate income-- plans would demolish that and put in new large green space surrounded by income producing property with height limit of 3 stories-- apparently lots of property was bought in that area with that in mind-- no high rises-- the dark gray places (Richmont apt-- Old Telephone building in white) in picture are owned by Menil--gray with white dot owned by Rothko- --old telephone building at Mandel and Richmond will be torn down and a new storage building will replace (maybe converting existing bungalow) --some of the streets will be put back in to improve traffic flow --all bungalows are to be preserved if possible --current parking on Alabama will stay

I was wondering about the curious building under construction on Drew at Brazos? Looked a little like a huge elevator shaft but now a friend says a $350. a night B&B? any details out there? </h1>

Interesting the discussion about plans for that block where Prive is-one of the owners sat with the avondale group at the pride parade--- I think on- going divorce ------------settlement isn't finshed yet and so the future of prive is uncertain.------- I heard Wanda Adams talking about the El Felix property at a summer Neartown meeting where the "charette" (know each of you would love being a fly on the wall--)was being discussed-- I didn't quite hear everything that was said and emailed asking for the details-- this is the response I received-- Concerning the Old El Felix Property adeveloper who has done several types of restaurant developments in other majorcities has bought the property. He has communicated to our office that his planis to have a restaurant reminiscent of Dubai ,a Middle Eastern, yet modern theme. The entire project encompasses a lounge, restaurant,and coffee bar and is ambitiously seeking to be complete by this winter. Iwill say that the developer did mention an outside component to thisdevelopment. We would be interested if this gets completed the community'sfeelings on that? I have no concentrate details in terms ofbusiness specifics i.e. - liquor license, hours of operation, plans forparking. My assumption is that it is too early to tell, as with mostdevelopments right now funding is difficult and several logistical items arestill being worked out. Jeron Ravin The Office of Council Member Wanda Adams

The Positive Interaction Program (with police) or PIP was held tonite for districts one (montrose) and district two (heights) all of the on going stats for crime are presented and discussed but the biggest gasp came when it was reported heights homicide rate was up 900% yipes! last year there was only one homicide this year 10-- but the kicker is-- most of those were committed elsewhere and the bodies dumped in the heights-- overall crime in the heights is actually down slightly if you don't count the homicide number-- in montrose most of the crimes are down (homicide, rape, armed robbery etc) but home and car burglary are really up so the overall crime stat is up--

They are set to open soon-- the kitchen is already turning out fab food as they donated "munchies" to the avondale civic organization bi-monthly social in august--

urban land institute architect renderings the charrette was sponsored by the Neartown Asso and ULI the community leaders, businesses, residents and interested parties were asked to gather and tell what should be "in the Mix" for the "buckle" of Montrose-- the intersection of Montrose and Westheimer-- Walkability, multi-use -less traffic-- more parking--public art were all elements--this is just one possibility