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trymahjong

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Posts posted by trymahjong

  1. I want to post this here also

    really COH is overextending trying to deal with lots and lots of details here and there.....

    why not have a "civilian board "that makes decisions.......

     

    Well it's a shame there is no neighborhood........Audubon  historic or avondale historic or whatever...that would have a bit of influence on how new residences are built. Businesses are one thing- but new residences that paid tribute to older architecture would make for a more pleasing aesthetic. Or perhaps more of a bite back on the cost payback.......it would be great if it were more difficult/costly  to tear down useful houses and throw up 6cheap townhomes on same property. This is what( my historic home preservation tunnel vision?) I've observed within Avondale anyway. 

     
  2. Well it's a shame there is no neighborhood........Audubon  historic or avondale historic or whatever...that would have a bit of influence on how new residences are built. Businesses are one thing- but new residences that paid tribute to older architecture would make for a more pleasing aesthetic. Or perhaps more of a bite back on the cost payback.......it would be great if it were more difficult/costly  to tear down useful houses and throw up 6cheap townhomes on same property. This is what( my historic home preservation tunnel vision?) I've observed within Avondale anyway. 

  3. Hmmmm I guess I'm confused. I think there is a department within COH that might have dealt with the developer concerning  requirements of renovating within an Historical designated district before now...........seems bewildering that developer waited so long. .....or that no one tattled on developer for building before getting permission-.


    There is something else that confuses me. I live within Avondales West historic designated district. I have never been aware that a committee of people function under that name=>Avondale West Historic District. So I was confused when your source explained that approval of Audubon  Historic District was needed.  Is there a group of people that function under that name?

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    Happy National Forest Week!

    If you are like many, forests are one of your favorite places on the planet. From the emerald green moss-filled forests of the Pacific Northwest to the humid and lush wildlife-filled rainforests of South America, some of our most precious places are forests. 

     

    Even in Houston, we are fortunate to have forest within an easy drive. Just an hour north on I-45, you can hit the Lone Star Hiking Trail and savor the wonderful woodlands of the Sam Houston National Forest. Head eastbound and you’ll be able to travel deep into the piney woods – a scene that many would have a hard time believe is part of Texas.

     

    Yet, despite how tranquil and special these habitats are, they, like so many life-giving ecosystems are under threat. Deforestation in some of the most pristine locations around the globe continues at an alarming rate. Illegal logging jeopardizes many protected and exotic species. Even here in the U.S., there is ongoing controversy regarding commercial efforts seeking to expand logging access into some of the young and old growth forests, such as the Tongass National Forest. 

     

    But there is reason for hope! Recent news headlines proclaimed a 34% reduction in deforestation in the Amazon during newly-elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s first six months. And in Sumatra, the World Wildlife Fund reports that a unique three-way partnership aimed at protecting forest habitat while providing sustainable livelihoods for local inhabitants has been successful at reversing deforestation within the biodiversity rich area known as Bukit Tigapuluh (or Thirty Hills).

     

    With that in mind, we hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate our forests near and far, and to support the many organizations that work to protect them. Below are a few organizations within the CEC community that work to help protect our state’s forests:

     

    • Thanks 1
  5. Chief's Citywide

    "Positive Interaction Program”

    For the month of July, our meeting topic will be the:  

     

    “Harris County District Attorney’s Office”

     

    Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg will be sharing information regarding the State of Public Safety in Harris County. She will discuss the progress in tackling the court backlog, the current jail population breakdown and what measures her office is taking to address public safety in our county.

     

     

    Also, Gun Safe Distribution While Supplies Last.

     (One Gun Safe Per Household)

     

     

    The meeting will be also be streamed live with sign language interpretation

    on HPD’s YouTube channel:

    youtube.com/houstonpolice

    Closed captioning can be enabled on the YouTube video,

    or found at:

    streamtext.net/player?event=CitywidePIP

     

    Tuesday, July 11th 2023 7:00 p.m.

    1602 State St. Houston, Tx 77007

     

    From: Officer James Sobota

                         Hope to see you there or log on and watch.

     

    Voice # 713-308-9079  

     

    E-mail: james.sobota@houstonpolice.org

            ASL Interpreter and captioning provided

     

  6. CitizensNet Newsletter: BARC Houston, BISSELL Pet Foundation Partner to Waive Adoption Fees for Summer National “Empty the Shelters” July 6-31

     
    BARC, the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, and BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, are excited to announce that they will be teaming up with MetLife Pet Insurance for the foundation’s upcoming “Empty the Shelters” adoption event.  From July 6 to July 31, BISSELL Pet Foundation's Summer National “Empty the Shelters” will occur at more than 335 shelters in 44 states with pets available for adoption, including BARC Houston. With the shared goal of helping pets find and stay in loving homes, this collaboration will save lives by expanding the foundation's reach to include more shelters across the country and allow BARC to completely waive adoption fees during this summer’s campaign. 

    For this upcoming campaign, BARC Houston will once again waive adoption fees for all cats and dogs. To help ensure another successful campaign, BARC will also be extending its adoption hours by opening its adoption center Mondays throughout the campaign, when we have traditionally been closed. Interested adopters can visit BARC’s Adoption Center at 3300 Carr St. any day from June 6 - 31 from noon to 5 p.m. to take advantage of the Empty the Shelters campaign and our waived adoption fees. All interested adopters can find more details online at www.houstonbarc.com.  

    Since the 2016 inception of BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters,” nearly 158,000 pets at 669 animal welfare organizations in 49 states and Canada have received second chances. An average of 1,200 shelter pets are adopted each day during each quarterly national event. Through this partnership and continued support, the foundation is looking forward to reaching more pets in more shelters and communities during this upcoming event. 
     
    “We are excited to team up with MetLife Pet Insurance to offer 30 days of pet insurance at no cost to the adopter, as well as the opportunity to purchase an annual pet insurance policy, which could make a difference in helping adopters deal with their pet’s unexpected illness or injury," said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. "Veterinary costs add up quickly, and too often, pet owners forgo care or surrender their beloved pets when they can't afford treatment. This collaboration could help to enable more pets in more communities to be adopted through 'Empty the Shelters' and can help facilitate adopters seeking treatment to keep their pets healthy and in their new homes.”

    BARC is excited to once again partner with the BISSELL Pet Foundation to offer completely waived adoption fees through another Empty the Shelter Campaign. More than 1,000 BARC animals found their forever homes in our Fiscal Year 23 campaigns, and BARC hopes to help continue this success by opening its adoption center on Mondays throughout the campaign. 
       
    BISSELL Pet Foundation and BARC Houston urge families to do their research about the pet they are interested in adopting, as well as adoption requirements. For more information on adopting or donating to “Empty the Shelters,” visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters as well as www.houstonbarc.com
     
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  7.  

    Disaster Response in Houston

    July 14 at 2 PM

    Virtual Program

     

    Atlantic Hurricane Season occurs every year from June through November, and Houston has a long history of being impacted by severe weather disasters. By learning about Houston’s history of disaster response, we can better prepare for any future disasters. This program will highlight resources at the Houston History Research Center that record the history of the many hurricanes that have impacted the city, as well as resources that can help prepare your home for hurricane season. 

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    Please register to attend this online program, hosted on Microsoft Teams. Contact txr.reference@houstontx.gov or call 832-393-1662 if you need assistance.

  8. I have lived in Houston both by Buffalo Bayou and in Sugarland close to Brazos River- no fireflys. But 3 years ago we visited Jester King in Austin in May--- fireflys!

     

    I had  hoped there might be some sightings in Houston.....it's sad that sightings are so scarce.

  9. Fireflyers International Network has designated the first weekend of July as an annual World Firefly Day. It falls on July 2nd this year. Fireflies are light-emitting insects found in temperate and tropical climates living in marshes, wet, or wooded area-

     

    BTW

    I would be interested in knowing if you have observed fireflies within Houston recently.

     

     

     

     

     

    ...as for me, I live very close to Montrose Collective in one of those 100+ year old houses. I have tried to turn my backyard into a meadow of sorts with dandelions, clover,allysum and spreading ground covers all surrounded by Texas native blooming bushes and flowers- but no fireflies- ever in 20 years here- sigh

  10. Forgo plastic bags on July 3 to protect the environment

    by Eduardo de la Garza
    CEC Newsletter Editor

    Plastic bags, the first of which that were created in 1933 in Northwich, England. They were manufactured out of convenience and by 1965, Celloplast, a Swedish company marketed them as a better alternative to cloth and paper bags. The only problem was that these plastic bags made out of polyethylene made their way to landfills and contributed to the deaths of marine animals.

     

    Think of the number of times you’ve come home with plastic bags. You may try to put them in receptacles for future use, but eventually, those receptacles become overrun with hundred of bags you’ll never find future use for. Before long, those plastic bags end up in the trash.

     

    On July 3, you can join the initiative to eliminate the use of plastic bags, even if just for a day. And turn to social media and use the hashtag #PlasticBagFreeDay. In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country to ban the use of single-uses plastic bags. Since then, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Mexico City, and Leaf Rapids, Manitoba have banned the use of plastic bags. Hawaii, North Carolina, Italy, China, many countries in Africa, and some states in Australia, India and 127 other countries have implemented some types of regulations.

     

    If landfills are already filled with plastic bags, what can one day of not using bags do? It’s as simple as starting a new habit. Many stores such as HEB sell cloth bags for you to put y—our groceries in. And yes, they come with handles.

     

    By taking the initiative, you help eliminate plastic bags becoming microplastics. Plastic bags also take between 100 and 1000 years to degrade. Fossil fuels are required to make the 100 billion plastic bags Americans use every year. In fact, 12 million barrels of oil are required to meet those needs. Eliminating plastic bag use could reverse the startling fact that by 2050, the ocean could contain more plastic than fish.

     

    If you must use plastic bags, be one of the god ones and take them to a recycling center. Eighty-seven percent of plastic bags never see the inside of a recycling center.

     

    Nationaldaycalendar.com/international-plastic-bag-free-day-july-3 suggests these activities: Commit to cutting down on the use of plastic bags; Save your plastic bags and take them to a recycling center; Use reusable bags for shopping; Educate others on the adverse effects plastic bags have on the environment;  Learn about how plastic bags can harm animals; Encourage your community to reduce its reliance on plastic bags; and Watch a documentary on single-use plastics, such as A Plastic Ocean or Bag It.

     

    However you choose to commemorate Plastic Bag Free Day, know that any behavioral change helps. Cloth bags work just as well as plastic bags — and they don’t hurt wildlife.

    • Like 1

  11. I didn't exactly know where to post this........am a huge Citizens Environmental Coalition supporter ............. happily sharing many events on HAIF.

    This little blurb....sorta left me gobsmacked.........😶

     

    Can you live without power for one hour from noon to 1 p.m.? Daylight Hour challenges environmentally conscious people to save energy and promote sustainability June 21. Not only will participants save on electricity and reduce CO2 emissions, but they’re invited to share their experiences via Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #DaylightHour. Organizers hope to save five times the power it would take to run the Empire State building. For more info and to sign up, follow this        .https://daylighthour.org/join/

  12. "Market Based Parking"

    hmmmmmmm Simply put.... Montrose unlike Midtown  has requirements for commercial builds=> if you build a 38 room boutique hotel-- there must be parking included.

     

     

    BTW if you  to observe significant shrieking  ( up close and personal) from Montrose residents.......attend any civic club meeting where a developer brings beautifully detailed, green leaning, original designs  to do a new building but doesn't want to build any additional parking.........OMG! Residents aren't jaded towards developers exactly but after a kazillion explanations ( euphemism for excuses) about why  parking requires are a detriment to Houston in general and Montrose in particular.........any parking variance is viewed suspiciously, old fashioned "telephone" trees are resurrected to get neighbors involved and car share rides are managed to make sure that what ever  board gets to hear those shrieks....even  if it takes 2 minutes of time each all day long..............I'm chuckling over this explanation but believe me I've been there done that.  Criticize,  and make fun all you want but Montrose residents are very particular about parking requirements.

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  13.  

     

    Help protect the pollinators during National Pollinator Week

    by Eduardo de la Garza
    CEC Newsletter Editor

    Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. They pollinate. Well fleas may not, but plenty of insects, such as butterflies, do.

     

    National Pollinator Week began June 19 and runs through June 25. The event, managed by Pollinator Partnership was organized to protect pollinators — the birds, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and wasps. They’re the creatures that feed off flowers and carry pollen to other flowers. Protecting them was important, as the bee population was dwindling for years. Other pollinators were dying, the chief cause being climate change.

     

    Through webinars, tool kits, and planting sessions Pollinator Partnership teaches children, teens, and adults about pollinators. And from 8-11 a.m. June 24, The Woodlands Township will help do that during their BioBlitz BioBooth at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park. The event will have experts on hand to teach participants about birds, bees, and plants.

     

    Pollinator Partnership also suggests planting, going on garden tours, participating in online bee and butterfly identification classes, or hosting a pollinator planting day at your school, office, or local park. However you recognize National Pollinator Week, recognize that everything is connected and needs to be protected.

  14. I 'm not sure I am in favor of losing green space in offset request.  It seems to be a knee jerk first step in these types of development , that Farb Fellow requested it for Montrose and Fairview build.  IMO- losing actual ground, and propensity to bring in loads to dirt to build slightly higher than surrounding plots contributes to flooding. ALSO- This always makes me worried concerning   what will happen to existing tree canopy- that doesn't seem to be a topic of conversation with anyone- but tree canopy is everything to those of us who walk our pets around this neighborhood. That tree in backyard is huge canopy-- trees along Crocker street are modest but canopy significant.

     

    I think I did get a glance at renderings- I remember sighing. I don't mean to be jaded--- but really.........this is an opportunity to make something very very special.....unique even..............my pie in the sky might be giving me fits but I'm really bored with the modern  ubiquitous yadayada every young architect seems to submit for these kind of paces.

     

    This developer claims to want to be "part of the community" even locating their offices at Welch and Taft-- alrighty then-- reflect that in what sheathes this nice little blueprint.

  15. So 6 storied boutique hotel built in funky mythological not the least historic  location and let me guess..........all sheathed in chrome and glass......

    Nouveaux  architecture seems so ubiquitous nowadays.............couldn't anyone at the developers  firm broke out of their box and used this opportunity to make something fabulously Montrosian? 🧐🤨😒😕

    • Like 1
  16. The Men doing restoration traditionally host " Before and After"  open houses before a significant project- The Harriet Bath House on Avondale Comes to mind. I went and want to share Before Pictures

    This was Karl Hall studio  house in 1913- He was artist who was hired to architectural murals in brand new Rice Institute.

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    • Like 9
  17. COH has an environmental action plan

    http://greenhoustontx.gov/contact-search.html

    I wonder if raising awareness about faulty planting/planning of ROW, medians etc could be added to that-

    it would take a huge amount of pressure  from citizens but it would be worth it.

    COH could start with a simple program of handing out free native Texas seeds.....or native trees.....or trees to be torn down   could be transplanted stead.

    surely that would cost no more, than the small replicas of recycle bins that were handed out last week at big PR thingy on illegal dumping.

    image.jpg

    • Like 3
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