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http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Here-s-why-sidewalks-matter-4754156.php sidewalk neglect is on everyone's mind.

Thanks for the post and invite-- We stopped by and tried Radical Eats tonight. Fried Avocado tacos are my new favorite- I'll forward your post to Avondale Board of Directors.

Half-Off Regular Adoption Fees at BARC, Saturday, August 24 Plus, BARC Yappy Hour on Friday, August 23 at Winston's on Washington BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is hosting a huge adoption event at BARC, 3200 Carr Street, Houston 77026, from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013, to celebrate Alf's (BARC's mascot) sixth birthday. Hundreds of puppies, dogs, cats and kittens in all shapes and sizes will be available for adoption at a reduced fee. All regular adoption fees will be cut in half during the event: dogs will be $25, puppies will be $37.50, cats will be $10 and kittens will be $17.50. Plus, all PurrFurred Pets - dogs and cats that have been at BARC for longer than 20 days - are sponsored, so they can be adopted at no fee. Thanks to Proler Southwest/Sims Metal Management for sponsoring the event. BARC adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, a one-year pet license, a pre-registered microchip with lifetime registration and age-appropriate vaccinations. Plus, every pet adopted at the event will receive a gift. Visit http://www.houstonbarc.com/ to get more information about BARC's adoption requirements. If you are unable to permanently adopt a pet but would like to help animals in need, BARC encourages you to consider becoming a volunteer or foster pet parent. Please help spread the word about this event by forwarding this email to at least three people.To gear up for the big event on August 24, BARC is holding a Yappy Hour on Friday, August 23, 2013, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Winston's on Washington, 5111 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007. Stop by and find out how YOU can make a difference in the life of one of Houston's homeless animals. Visit the Yappy Hour and meet a couple of adorable adoptables, bring a donation such as Dawn dishwashing liquid, newspapers, canned and dry pet food, pet treats or toys and enjoy happy hour at Winston's. Plus, a portion of the sales at Winston's during Yappy Hour will go toward BARC's animals. Visit http://www.houstonbarc.com/ to see a full list of needed items. Go to http://www.houstonbarc.com/ or www.Facebook.com/BARCHouston for more information. Contact Taran Hutchins, BARC's Adoptions Coordinator, at Taran.Hutchins@houstontx.gov with any questions.

In the Chronicle this morning I'm seeing a few pieces of the puzzle on why Roots bistro might closed maybe it wasn't the electrical stuff afterall- German Mosquera, is now at Cinq http://www.chron.com/default/article/Unpredictable-Cinq-can-dazzle-4747431.php

I saw the sign today at 507 Westheimer. Roots Bistro wouldn't commit to hosting the Avondale Asso Social gathering for Spring or Summer, but kept deferring that "Corporate Office" had to make decision. This seemed strange to me as I thought most of the people involved were local----- those (wait staff and chef) that had walked out on Ruggles down the street. There was a sign on the door at Roots that said "Electrical Problems". I read the article in Houston Press that said one of the 5 best plates of Enchiladas were served at Radical Eats, 507 Westheimer. I was puzzled then the street sign changed to Radical Eats. I'm hoping this venue doesn't have that whiff of cursed . . .

got another email from Bayou Greenways With only two weeks remaining, we'd like to thank you for participating in our Bayou Greenways Snap and Share T-shirt Giveaway. Lots of people seized this opportunity but only a few were lucky to win a Houston Parks Board t-shirt. The entries were a close call, some beating out others by only a few minutes! Take a look at some of the great activities fellow Houstonians are enjoying along our bayous. And please keep a lookout for our next prize giveaway on our Facebook page

City Receives $300,000 Settlement to Restore Woodland Park The City of Houston has secured a $300,000 settlement that will be used to restore recent damage caused by a private developer to Woodland Park , 212 Parkview, Houston 77009. This 19.67 acre park near White Oak Bayou in the Woodland Heights neighborhood in City Council District H has been a city park since 1914. Mayor Annise Parker, the City of Houston Legal Department and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) fought hard to ensure that the developer would pay for the vegetation to be replanted, and hopefully it can begin to grow again without further incident. During the week of June 3-7, 2013, private developers constructing several townhomes on adjacent private property caused substantial damage to nearly one acre of the park. The damage included removal of trees, vegetation and harmful grading of soil. Although the developers promptly offered to pay the costs of restoring the park to its original condition, there were major disagreements regarding how this should be accomplished, and what the costs would be. HPARD intends to work through the Houston Parks Board to restore the Park, as much as possible, to its original condition. The project will take an estimated six months to complete. HPARD will meet with the community representatives, Friends of Woodland Park and Council Member District H Ed Gonzalez to discuss a plan of action. A copy of the settlement can be viewed here. For more information email mayor@houstontx.gov.

http://blog.chron.com/29-95/2013/08/chef-mark-holley-to-open-his-own-midtown-seafood-restaurant/ I think I posted something on this last January. My family met the chef while we celebrated a birthday at Lucy's Ethiopian on SW freeway---at that time he talked to us about his search for a suitable restaurant site and how he steered clear of "cursed" properties (he mentioned Taft at Westheimer) he told us he was CONSIDERING Thai Sticks on Montrose but guess he found a better site at Sushi Raku.

This thread and the one about what is proposed for the SW corner of Montrose and Westheimer seem very similar--

I've posted this before but each time I see these renderings I wonder why the notion of a Shakespeare Garden never came to anyone's mind? I have been to the New York Botanical Garden when they did Mark Twain's, Emily Dickensons, and Monet's Garden as special events--they were so lovely.

This is great! When we were expats on coast of West Africa there was always an informal contest (yes with drawings-you seem to have more time for drawings there) as to what could be done with all those left over shipping containers. We thought surely it would be a way to provide low cost housing for the locals. So far I haven't heard of anything like that happening.

Free Childhood Immunization Extravaganza Thursday, August 22, 2013 The Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the Care Van Program are teaming up again to provide Houston area children with free childhood immunizations for children 4 - 18 years whose families have no insurance, are underinsured or are on Medicaid. Children with CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) or private insurance will not be accepted. Back-To-School Immunization Extravaganza Thursday, August 22, 2013 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility 8030 Braniff Houston 77061 (just south of Hobby Airport) Important note: For each clinic, a parent or adult guardian must accompany the child(ren) and provide the updated immunization records for each child. To download a printable copy of the 2013 Immunization Extravaganza that includes a map to the location, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/2013immunizationextravaganza.pdf. For additional information visit www.houstonfire.org, www.carevan.org or contact HPD Public Affairs Division at hfdpaevents@houstontx.gov or 832.394.6633.

Time for Back to School Shopping Sales Tax Holiday Weekend August 9-11, 2013 It is important to making sure our kids are all prepared to start the year out right on the first day of school. Being prepared is key to having an optimal learning environment. Mayor Annise Parker wants all Houstonians to take advantage of this weekend's back-to-school tax-free shopping holiday to help ensure students are ready to learn. From clothing and shoes to school supplies, most products under $100 will not be taxed. Exceptions include anything bought by mail, online or by telephone. Qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100) Binders Book bags Calculators Cellophane tape Blackboard chalk Compasses Composition books Crayons Erasers Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic and manila Glue, paste and paste sticks Highlighters Index cards Index card boxes Legal pads Lunch boxes Markers (including dry erase markers) Notebooks Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board and construction paper Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes Pencil sharpeners Pencils Pens Protractors Rulers Scissors Writing tablets More information may be found on the Texas Comptroller's website, http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/, including a full list of qualifying clothing, shoes and other items that will be tax exempt. For questions email mayor@houstontx.gov or call the Mayor's Citizens' Assistance Office at 832.393.0955.

hmmmmmmmm maybe an intrepid engineering student will see this and be inspired--a lot of undergraduate engineers had to build those concrete canoes. . . . . . .

Metro will have to pony up more money for a new study-- All the previous information is dated--at least that was the report to Neartown.

got this email from parks by you-- Have you been running along Buffalo Bayou? Or maybe enjoying a lazy day picnic in Stude Park along White Oak? Either way, we'd like to know. Houston Parks Board is launching a photo review for the month of August to see how Houstonians use the bayous. There are two ways to submit your photos: Post on our Facebook page, orEmail us at info@houstonparksboard.orgAs we work to create nearly 1,500 new acres of greenspace along our bayous, we hope to celebrate all those little "parks" moments with you this month. We'll also have a few surprise giveaways like stickers and hats as well as feature some of your best shots on our website gallery. So check Facebook to see what others are doing and then post a picture or two of how you use the bayous. And yes, that photo with the family pet at Hermann Park near Brays Bayou is perfect to submit to us. We can't wait to see what you've been doing! Sincerely, Houston Parks Board www.houstonparksboard.org

Funny you should mention Aldi's-who from my own experience seems to have TOTALLY fixed the plastic bag problem in their stores-------There are non offered! you have to bring something with you to cart away what you bought. I might clarify that I haven't been to the Aldi's in Houston but the one on the south side of Oklahoma City at least a kazillion times. It only took a few times of trying to deal with the dozen or so items I purchased, and ferry them with out a bag (nor box if the box bin was empty-- plus I was walking-Sometimes a back pack purse comes in handy!) before I began bringing reusable bags. So how did Aldi's come upon this notion-- of not offering bags? Did it impact sales? Did they have to modify it in different parts of the country? Is this one of the solutions that might be discussed?

At Neartown as the discussion concerning designation of Richmond Ave went on---It was brought up that Culberson sent a representative to speak at that public meeting-even though he no longer represents that area.

I'm thinking recycling might be a positive thing and more likely than a ban. I have posted before that I like the idea of Washington DC taxing plastic bags and using the money to clean up the Potomac. Beside Channel 2 talking about Corpus Christi, I haven't heard anything about Houston exploring the plastic bag ban further. I surfed the net and found "plastic bag laws" http://plasticbaglaws.org/ I was wondering how many states had laws concerning plastic bags- The site listed the states that did and I clicked on Texas and found this: Successful Local Ordinances ◾Brownsville, TX ◾ordinance, 9/20/2010 Texas State Law Proposed State Bills (2011 legislative session) There are two bills currently pending in the Texas legislature that would preempt all local plastic bag ordinances in the name of plastic bag recycling. The bill would require in-store plastic bag recycling bins and mandate the availability of reasonably priced reusable bags at supermarkets. This type of law sounds innocuous, but laws like these are generally sponsored by the plastics industry with the main intention of suspending all local efforts to reduce plastic bag use. Luckily, many local environmental organizations are aware of the bills’ intentions and are urging lawmakers to remove the local preemption language. If you live in Texas, please encourage your representatives to vote NO on these bills! ◾SB 908 ◾current status ◾HB 1913 ◾current status DISCLAIMER: This is not a complete list. plasticbaglaws.org is currently focused on California ordinances and does not have the resources to maintain a complete comprehensive national database For more comprehensive information on a national scale, we recommend Florida Department of the Environment’s Retail Bag Report website and Hilex Poly ‘s (a plastic bag manufacturer) website. plasticbaglaws.org is in no way affiliated with these organizations. These are the states listed website that have laws concerning plastic bag bans- Alaska » Arizona » California » Colorado » Connecticut » Hawaii » Indiana » Maryland » New York » Oregon » Pennsylvania » Texas » Vermont » Virginia » Washington state » Washington D.C.

I'm really glad MMD used State funds-----I'm still hoping for beautification of Montrose Public places. . . . . . Maybe not possible to the same extent as the Galleria- but still I'd like to see some "wow" factor

I found what Channel 2 had on their website concerning the plastic bag ban- a little disappointing. HOUSTON - Corpus Christi city leaders are scheduled to consider whether disposable plastic bags should be banned. Which made us wonder if that ban work in Houston? Back in March, a ban went into effect in Austin. While it was one step forward for the environment, it caused a trip back to the parking lot for some people. Bag bans have their supporters, but some just don’t see it working here in the Bayou City. According to a government report, it takes 10 to 20 years to break down a plastic bag in the environment. A little less than the one million years it could take for a glass bottle. Brownsville was the first Texas city to ban plastic bags back in January of 2011. South Padre Island and Fort Stockton quickly followed suit. Some Dallas leaders are also pushing for the ban.

got an email from the Montrose Management District-- Breaking News: the Texas Transportation Commission received their recommended list of projects from staff and voted to approve the Montrose Management District’s application for funding to re-light the bridges over US Hwy 59 at their meeting Thursday morning. This project will replace the non-functioning original light strands with a state-of-the-art LED lighting system that not only will bring back the illumination that has been missing from the US 59 corridor for almost ten years, but will also create a safer environment both below the bridge decking and also for vehicular & pedestrian traffic on the bridges. The linkage provided by the Montrose bridge cannot be understated. Montrose is the only north/south connector west of the Central Business District that connects traffic from the heavily traveled I-10 to the Medical Center. The bridges not only provide a vital mobility link to communities on both sides, but also are a source of pride for the entire region due to their iconic nature. then I googled this: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/west_university/news/m-grant-awarded-for-lighting-of-bridges-over-hwy/article_b4584127-5b33-5eb0-ad79-dd1d1239f519.html

I didn't get to watch channel 2 this morning-- did they report that COH was leaning towards the ban?

I was watching Channel 2 when the topic came up about Corpus Christi planning to ban plastic bags--- At the end of the segment, the question was asked if banning the bags was a possibility for Houston, guess their story on morning news will let me know. http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/07/29/3065948/corpus-christi-leaders-to-consider.html

thanks for those pictures--I'm looking forward to the dedication Aug 10