trymahjong

From Stephan Costello enewsletter Council Member Stephen Costello joined Mayor Annise Parker and Pyburn's owner John Vuong this morning to break ground on South Union's newest grocery store. Today's groundbreaking is the result of efforts to bring grocery stores into food deserts, neighborhoods where there is no access to a supermarket. Houston has fewer supermarkets per capita than most major cities, presenting a significant public health issue. Typically in underserved communities, food deserts are a cause for concern because without access to fresh food, families are more likely to eat fatty, over-processed, and over-priced foods. Studies have shown areas that lack grocery stores tend to overlap areas with high cases of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes. Almost five years ago, Council Member Costello attended a community meeting where he met a 75-year resident of Sunnyside who expressed her wish of having a grocery store in her neighborhood. Not quite knowing what a food desert was at the time, Costello drove twenty minutes along the main road as he headed home. Along the way, the council member saw numerous convenience stores and fast food restaurants, but not a single grocery store. Since then, Council Member Costello has worked to increase food access in Houston's food deserts. He has met with grocery store operators, community advocates, and local stakeholders. The council member was involved with the Houston Grocery Access Task Force, organized by The Food Trust, a national advocacy group, and the Mayor's office. Costello is currently a member of Mayor Parker's Go Healthy Houston Task Force and has worked with several nutrition-focused organizations to promote awareness of food deserts.

From Stephan Costello enewsletterWith Pyburn's Opening, One Less Houston Food Desert Council Member Costello & Mayor Parker Welcome Newest Pyburn's to South Union Council Member Stephen Costello joined Mayor Annise Parker and Pyburn's owner John Vuong this morning to break ground on South Union's newest grocery store. Today's groundbreaking is the result of efforts to bring grocery stores into food deserts, neighborhoods where there is no access to a supermarket. Houston has fewer supermarkets per capita than most major cities, presenting a significant public health issue. Typically in underserved communities, food deserts are a cause for concern because without access to fresh food, families are more likely to eat fatty, over-processed, and over-priced foods. Studies have shown areas that lack grocery stores tend to overlap areas with high cases of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes. Almost five years ago, Council Member Costello attended a community meeting where he met a 75-year resident of Sunnyside who expressed her wish of having a grocery store in her neighborhood. Not quite knowing what a food desert was at the time, Costello drove twenty minutes along the main road as he headed home. Along the way, the council member saw numerous convenience stores and fast food restaurants, but not a single grocery store. Since then, Council Member Costello has worked to increase food access in Houston's food deserts. He has met with grocery store operators, community advocates, and local stakeholders. The council member was involved with the Houston Grocery Access Task Force, organized by The Food Trust, a national advocacy group, and the Mayor's office. Costello is currently a member of Mayor Parker's Go Healthy Houston Task Force and has worked with several nutrition-focused organizations to promote awareness of food deserts.

2) New brewery http://swamplot.com/boheme-looking-to-open-the-brewheme-brewery-around-the-corner-from-the-telephone-man-in-montrose/2014-06-24/

Notice of public hearing and open house Inner West Loop Mobility Study 2014 Major Thoroughfare & Freeway Plan Amendments The City of Houston is proposing amendments to the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). These include amendments resulting from the Inner West Loop Mobility Study. The MTFP identifies right-of-way needs and proposes roadway alignments. The MTFP process does not address the timing of roadway acquisition or construction activities related to the roadways. Information on each proposed amendment will be available for public review at an Open House to be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas, 77007. City staff and applicants of the amendments will be available at the Open House to answer questions. The City of Houston Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex Council Chambers, Public Level, located at 900 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002, concerning proposed changes to the 2014 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). Please visit the following webpages for more information on the Inner West Loop Mobility Study and 2014 MTFP Proposed Amendments. Inner West Loop Study - Study area is bounded by Spur 527/Bagby Street; IH-610 West Loop; IH-10; and US-59 http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/mobility/InnerWestLoop.html 2014 MTFP Proposed Amendments http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/mobility/14_MTFPRequests.html If you have questions about these proposed amendments, you may contact Amar Mohite and 713-837-7701.

don't think the Knight law firm (217 avondale) is selling-- avondale resident talked to him . . . . . and that's what he said anyway. . . .

Houston Public Library's World Cafe to feature Former Houston Mayor Bill White Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 6 PM Houston's community is invited to the next World Cafe event, featuring a presentation by Former Houston Mayor Bill White. White will discuss his new book, "America's Fiscal Constitution: Its Triumph and Collapse." A book signing will follow the presentation. The public can also enjoy a complimentary coffee bar provided by Java Pura! Honorable Bill White: Author & Advocate Wednesday, June 18, 2014 | 6 PM - 8 PM Julia Ideson Building 1st Floor Auditorium 550 McKinney St., 77002 The World Cafe is a public forum co-sponsored by the Houston Public Library and the United Nations Association. Its purpose is to highlight global issues and raise Houstonians' awareness of their impact on our community as well as identify opportunities to address them at the local level. The World Cafe encourages the public to "Think Globally. Act Locally." This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832.393.1313.

Freedom Over Texas featuring Country Music star Jennifer Nettles with Chip Esten and Clare Bowen from the hit ABC television show NASHVILLE. Volunteers Needed Help Houston celebrate our nation's birthday on Friday, July 4, 2014 from 4 - 10 p.m. The event will feature country music star Jennifer Nettles with Chip Esten and Clare Bowen from the hit ABC television show NASHVILLE on the Freedom Stage, and will culminate with spectacular fireworks lighting up the downtown skyline. For more details visit:www.FreedomOverTexas.org. To make this year's celebration the best yet, we need you to help out as a volunteer. You can sign up at: http://www.houstontx.gov/july4/volunteer.html. Volunteers get in free and also receive free parking, a t-shirt, refreshments and more! General admission is $8 per person June 2 - midnight July 3, 2014 (children 5 and under free). Tickets may be purchased on-line prior to the event. On July 4, tickets will be $10 online and at the gate admission booths.

We purchased a big pressure washer to use on our home. First few years had no problem. But since COH began the water pipe installation our water pressure dropped. Now there isn't enough pressure-period. Don't know if you'll encounter this or not but -- heads-up.

I had heard Ellen Cohen speak about this issue at her big district "C" gathering at Blacksmith's-- She had said she was going to send out emails asking constituents about lyft and uber. I had given up that that would happen. This this survey came. I did a search on the internet and came up with this discussion. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/nuts-and-bolts/2014/06/uber-and-lyft-still-in-limbo-in-houston.html

Vehicle for hire industry survey The City of Houston has retained Taxi Research Partners to conduct a study of demand within the vehicle for hire industry in Houston. The study will review current market conditions, identify key players and stakeholders in the industry and will establish a baseline for demand for those services. This will allow for an initial review of market conditions and assist in data collection, including the identification of correct market "players" for electronic data requests. Additionally, the study will identify elasticity and cross elasticity of demand between different modes of transportation within the vehicle for hire industry. Please take a moment to complete the survey by using the link below. Whether you are completely satisfied with the service or if you believe there is a need for improvement, your response is vital to the success of this study. All responses will be held in the strictest confidence, so please comment freely. Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HoustonTaxi

I had seen the request for a liquor license before, but recently the graffiti on the second story has been removed, and it looks like there is renovating going on inside. I am excited to see the changes.

Look very closely at the pictures-- These are footprints of the original houses that stood on the first two lots. I found them in the 1925 book that I took a picture of the front cover. The footprints of the houses were pasted over in this book after they were demolished

Everyone makes good sense I guess still maybe this is where our rail line can be incorporated-- you start at the main campus and then the rail line would whisk you south--south enough to arrive at a large satellite campus that a different enclosed zoo tram could take you through to see animals in their natural habitat. People arriving in their cars at the satellite campus would be able to do it in reverse? Hmmmmmmm I like this idea but still sounds like a lot of money would be needed for transit and land -sigh

saw this place with yellow and black construction tape-- maybe something is happening to change it? Hopefully they will start by removing the graffiti-

What is the going price for an alleyway purchased from the City of HOuston

Some of the Avondale residents told me the COH common sewer line for all those buildings runs under that alley/lot-- can it be built on?

Houston's Bike to Work Day 2014 is May 9, 2014 Mayor Parker has declared Friday, May 9, 2014 as Bike to Work Day to encourage riders to choose pedal power for their daily commute to work and to raise awareness of the City's bikeway network. An organized Bike to Work ride will depart from Memorial Park and end at the Downtown Central Library where there will be a brief presentation by Mayor Parker and Director of Sustainability Laura Spanjian. Air up your tires, put on your best riding attire and meet at Memorial Park. Then enjoy breakfast at the Downtown Central Library after the ride. During the Library presentation, bicyclists will learn more about upcoming projects and green initiatives, as well as an update on new policies and plans. Cycling advocates will be there to talk about how easy it is to travel through Houston on a bicycle and share information about bike routes and trails. For more details contact Dan Raine at (832) 395-2692 or by email him at dan.raine@houstontx.gov. All riders are encouraged to wear bike helmets while cycling and get bicycle tune ups periodically. What: Bike to Work Ride When: Friday, May 9, 2014 Where: Starts at Memorial Park, finishes at Houston Downtown Central Library Time: Leaving Memorial Park at 7:30 a.m. Arrive at Downtown Central Library by 8 a.m. Bikeway maps are available at the Houston Public Libraries, the Downtown Visitors Center, and participating bike shops. A bikeway network map is also available at http://www.houstonbikeways.org/, and all city bikeways are viewable on Google Maps under the Traffic tab

Maybe not "giant" just fabulous, like the underground Whole Foods at Columbus Circle in New York, with fab shopping, restaurants and Parking above

from the Costello enewsletter "At City Hall, we are preparing for the Fiscal Year 2015 budget which the mayor will release next week. Over the next month, I plan to travel to as many civic clubs and neighborhood associations as possible to let citizens know what's in this budget and also to solicit suggestions on how it might be improved. If you would like me to come to your neighborhood, please let me know. "

I called the 8323953118 number--There is a call log kept and you have to give your name and address before any questions can be answered. This is what I was told: There has been a request to abandon the alley--the fifteen foot alley surrounded by Taft, Hyde Park, Mason and Fairview-- a property owner wants that additional square footage for development-- You can advise the person, who takes the call log, if you agree or disagree-

I took this picture today. Tomorrow I'll call the number, to record my comment. Somehow it won't allow me to post it right side up.

Funny but the top floor terraces on the right side of the renderings were cut back to one door wide instead of a door and window wide. Plus no Garage entrance to parking on that side---Wonder why?

I saw this on news tonight http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9529308 At Blur Bar DJKitty was apparently beaten and left unconscious in her truck-- She was interviewed and remembered leaving the club but nothing else. She was hospitalized. That type of violence at that location is scary. Isn't that the same club the guy was knifed(died) a year ago.

I heard Michael Kubosh speak last week- He mentioned the "conversations" on city council about that piece of land and the idea of putting a new municipal court there-- He told us he voiced his opinion to not buy the land and use the money to repair streets and sidewalks.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm a few years ago there was a proposal for a boutique hotel at that location presented to Neartown. Maybe the idea got resurrected