trymahjong

New Downtown Parking Signs and Art Meters Making Parking Downtown Easier and Fun The City of Houston has begun to de-clutter and simplify Houston's downtown parking system. The project will improve signage, meters, mobility lanes, commercial zones and parking communications to make parking easier for the 20,000 to 30,000 people who park downtown each day as well as the many Houstonians and visitors who come downtown for entertainment, sports etc. The Downtown Parking Signage Project completion is targeted for summer 2014. Additionally, Mayor Annise Parker recently introduced the very first art meter sculptures in the nation. Four local artists were chosen to design the sculptures: Car and Meter History by Devon Moore (1300 Nance, Houston 77002), Found Art designed by David Medina (1300 Sterrett, Houston 77002), Gumball Machine designed by Ketria Scott (1400 Nance, Houston 77002) and Wind Blown Meters designed by Anthony Shumate (3 meters on 1200 Sterrett, Houston 77002). Visit the six art parking meter sculptures designed by these local artists, in partnership with Houston Arts Alliance, in the heart of the Warehouse District area of downtown. To learn more about the City of Houston's Parking Management visit www.houstontx.gov/parking. To learn more about the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs visit www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs.

Mayor's Mow-Down Program Targets Overgrown Abandoned Lots Community Groups Receive a Modest Fee to Maintain Lots in their Neighborhoods The Mayor's Mow-Down Program is a new pilot program created to address the problem of overgrown abandoned lots in Houston neighborhoods. Sponsored by the Department of Neighborhoods (DON), in partnership with Keep Houston Beautiful (KHB), the program aims to encourage civic groups and nonprofit organizations to make a commitment to maintain abandoned lots in their own neighborhoods. Through such efforts, neighborhood groups can help address public safety concerns often associated with overgrown lots, preserve properties values and instill community pride. The program offers participating groups a modest fee of $75 for each approved cut after the work has been completed and verified. The first mowing will be done by City of Houston (COH) crews. Thereafter, the community groups take over maintenance of the lots. Each cut must be approved in advance. KHB will assist by providing groups with access to supplies and tools for the projects. Any civic group or nonprofit organization interested in maintaining a COH approved abandoned property may apply by visiting www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods/mowdown.html. For more information, email mowdown.don@houstontx.gov or call 832.394.0654. To learn more about DON, visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods. To learn more about KHB, visit http://www.houstonbeautiful.org/.

How about using the "M" at the intersection of Elgin Westheimer and Bagby

Energy Day Festival Saturday, October 19, 2103 at Hermann Square The Third Annual Energy Day Festival is a free, family-friendly festival on Saturday, October 19, 2013, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., at Hermann Square, 900 Smith, Houston 77002, directly in front of Houston City Hall. This day-long festival celebrates and highlights the importance of energy in the daily lives of Houstonians. There will be energy exhibits, contests, food, live music, food and fun for all ages. The Energy Day's mission is to highlight and demonstrate innovation in energy and to especially spark the interests of the next generation in energy-related careers. Through exciting and interactive formats, Energy Day will give children/young adults and their families an opportunity to learn about various forms of energy, scientific breakthroughs and state of the art technology through educational displays, demonstrations and presentations. Additionally, there will be the chance to meet the experts and ask questions. To learn more about the festival, visit http://energydayfestival.org/. For more information on City of Houston sustainability efforts, visit www.codegreenhouston.org/ and

if the thought is to have something that "brands" Houston and does it with water features. . . . . . maybe all those left over David Adickes presidential statues that you see off Summer street studio space could be used in some way?

This seems like a novel idea--

did you take any pictures of Theodore's?

from Cohens enewsletter Council Member Cohen joined Mayor Parker and the Midtown Redevelopment Authority to announce the first Greenroads Project in Texas. The project, located in District C, has achieved Silver Certification for its high level of sustainability. Bagby St. between St. Joseph's Parkway and Tuam St, as well as Pierce St. between Baldwin St. and Brazos St, are being revitalized as 'Complete Streets,' which emphasize the need for safe transit for pedestrians, bike riders, and public transportation users, as well as motorists. The project will utilize regional and recycled materials in its construction and will also feature the installation of rain gardens, artistic elements, and LED lighting.

I tried (unsuccessfully) to surf the internet to find the cost of building a small "themed" garden-- but I did find what it costs to rent those gardens for weddings or other celebrations from $500 for a couple of hours to $2000 + for 2 hours-- Maybe a small themed garden would generate enough money through rentals to help pay for installation. full disclosure all of the gardens I found had themes running along lines of Shakespeare or Elizabethan so I guess who ever choses the theme would have to be careful. . . . . . . not sure if there would be the same response to "Ma Ferguson" or "Jane Long" gardens but then again. . . . . maybe. Guess it would be great for some "Garden Angel Philanthropist" to step up and provide money for garden in exchange for their name on a brass path plate.

What year was that? Did you ever go into the bar that had a Mac truck grill as a door? I've only lived in Avondale since 2005 but would love to know any memories you have of what Avondale Ave looked like during that time-

The walking tour showed this ad as the tour went past 304 Avondale

This is a huge piece of land-- one wonders what will be placed here next.

Avondale has the first historic district Avondale East in 1999-- Also has second Historic district Avondale West. . . . This house is 3 lots west of Avondale East district. The yahoo group says it was foreclosed on and went for around $160,000.00 So even if in bad shape it would have been okay to invest $200.000. and still get good money for it. ---An 1800 sq ft 1930's restored house close to Avondale blvd and Crocker just for a little over $500,000.00

A week ago there was a walking tour down Avondale Ave that gave a brief history of those historic homes (the tour was given in 2011 to the Historic Houston meetup group also ). walking by 214 Avondale the group noticed that the little slips posted gave notice that demolition permits had been obtained. All the tour members were saddened. this is information given from that tour. . . .Built in 1920 for Mrs. Lenore Grinstead, and her son Attorney W. Carter Crinstead. From the 1020's to 1040's William and Jennie Fain lived here. He was the manager of The Texas Warehouse Company.

that was an advertisement from Penn Friedman Realty Co--who know what they thought about scale. I assume this was trying to sell the remaining lots of Avondale addition- This company issued a brochure that touted Avondale as the highest point from Buffalo Bayou-that the pink tinted Sidewalks cut down on harsh sun glare and the Avondale lots were platted out bigger to allow for both barns and servants quarters.

Funny how the list of banned books evolves -- Many of those on the list seem to show up as required reading while I was at University- Out of Curiosity I read those that showed up as required reading when my children were in High School and University- Now I am planning on extending that curiosity to read the newer books that show up on required reading for my Grandchildren. The result is that, I got a "snapshot" of what ever was the "hot button" issue that prompted the ban.

from Councilman Costello enewsletter Controller and Finance Director announce additional revenue at yesterday's Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee Houston is experiencing good times. As a result of a booming economy, the city's property values have increased 9% over last year. Thanks to the charter amendment establishing the ReBuild Houston Program, this means more money, $11.1 million more, for street and drainage infrastructure projects. This is in addition to the $11 million already budgeted for projects in Fiscal Year 2014. So, revenues from just this one source of ReBuild Houston funding have essentially doubled. The ReBuild Houston program is made up of four funding sources: monthly drainage utility fees; developer impact fees; third-party funds (Metro, TxDOT, grants, etc...); and a portion of your property taxes. For each $100 valuation of your property, 11.8 cents is transferred to the ReBuild Houston Program. This money is used first to pay down the city's $1.7 billion of street and drainage debt. After the debt payment is made, excess ad valorem revenue goes directly to street and drainage projects. The city is no longer borrowing to pay for these projects. We've cut up the credit card!

That part of Westheimer was called Hathaway-- I think it might all tie in to the early Avondale development-- a few Stratford on Avon type names-- Ariel, Hathaway etc. Hathaway was a small street at that time and the grand entrance into the Avondale Addition was suppose to be through Lovett Blvd. So this picture is the view looking west from the center of the street at what is now Westheimer and Bagby-- That house on the right hand corner was moved to 3014 Bagby.

I found this old picture of the 100 block of Hathaway.

I read about this in Chronicle today-- http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/books/article/Banned-Books-Week-marks-another-year-4831002.php Tony Diaz is an interesting opponent of banned books with his Librotraficante. There is an abundance of regularly banned books. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_commonly_challenged_books_in_the_United_States I reviewed the whole list. Many of them I've read. It seems a strange phenomenon the whole process of banning books.

We were watching from the 47th floor of the 1001 Fannin Building. I tried to upload the "before" first but it seems the "after" loaded first- There was a huge rumble and shaking of the window glass we were looking out of and the building felt as if it shook.

We've been delivering projects for over 37 years for Houston, but today, we're inviting you to our first official groundbreaking for our signature project, Bayou Greenways 2020. Can you celebrate our first groundbreaking with us? About two months ago, we held a walking tour along White Oak Bayou where we strolled across an old burnt out bridge. But on October 2, we'll be celebrating the fact that this bridge will be demolished, and in its place will be another to eventually connect the current end of the White Oak Bayou trail at 11th Street all the way to the beginning of the MKT Hike and Bike trail near Durham Dr. Join us at 4 p.m. and a host of folks that have all made this possible, including Mayor Annise Parker, Council Members Cohen and Gonzalez, Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Turner, the board of the Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ # 5, County Commissioner Jack Cagle, and most importantly, you! Details are here, and please RSVP on our website. And since parking is limited, we hope you can run, walk, stroll or bike your way to the bridge! We hope to see you there! The Houston Parks Board team P.S. Save the date for November 2 when we'll be doing a walking tour along Brays Bayou. Houston Parks Board 300 North Post Oak Lane Houston, TX 77024 (T) 713.942.8500 (F) 713.942.7664 info@houstonparksboard.org

from the COH enewsletter Join the Houston Police Department (HPD) at the 30th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. This is an opportunity to get out and meet your neighbors, as well as interact with HPD officers to discuss crime concerns in your community. Additionally, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Police Chief Charles A. McClelland Jr. will visit several communities. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the officers who patrol your neighborhoods and help strengthen police and community relations. Thousands of citizens in neighborhoods all over the city are expected to step out of their homes to meet their neighbors and renew their commitment to public safety. Civic leaders and citizens interested in scheduling an event, finding their area coordinator or seeking more information on National Night Out, should visit http://www.houstontx.gov/police/chief/nno13/NNO13.pdf or call 713.308.3200. To learn more about HPD, visit www.houstonpolice.org. I'm not sure how many neighborhood associations gather for this but East Montrose Civic Association is hosting street party outside Anderson Fair Pub and Avondale Civic Association is hosting at Hollywood Vietnamese Restaurant Patio.

I posted on swamplot--- there are apparently a lot of Sterling houses --relatives get named after relatives--similar names and different houses etc-- I might have posted before that Avondale Civic has a Historic walking tour that tells a lot about Avondale homes and their owners-- some of the information comes from local residents who have lived in Avondale since the 60's or so. That information (garnered from the owner of Sterling house) indicates the house was moved from the corner of Westheimer and Bagby where the strip shopping center is now. This Sterling house was apparently lived in by Helen Sterling a daughter in law.

from Ellen Cohen's email Historic Row Houses to be Preserved Council Member Cohen and her colleagues voted to preserve three row houses adjacent to the African American Library at the Gregory School in District C's historic Freedmens' Town. The Library at the Gregory School is the successor of the original Gregory Institute, which was opened in 1872 as Houston's first primary school for freed slaves. One of the houses will be restored to the era when the Gregory Institute was open, to showcase the living conditions of students during that era. The other two row houses will be utilized as studio space for artists and as meeting space for the Freedmens' Town community.