pineda

You're right, my bad, the current building being used by students and being proposed by the bond committee for demolition is 45 years old, not 65 years old. BTW, any idea what a TEP/DAEP program is? It is listed on the bond proposal to be built concurrent with the re-build of Klein High for a proposed cost of $23 million. The Klein High re-build is already over $133 million in proposals, with inflation expected to add to that. Un-friggin'-believable!!

I thought that that site has already been dismissed by the bond committee because according to Dr. Cain, the Grand Parkway would take too much of the land and therefore the site would no longer be a viable stadium location.

At one of the bond committee meetings, someone gave some background information about Klein High School. They said that the original building had been built in 1963, making it 35 years old, not over 65 years old. Maybe you're thinking of the original one-room schoolhouse, but not the school currently located at Steubner Airline & Louetta.

Wow, I was just on my other favorite forum, 5A Texas Football, and was reading all about Katy and Northshore. Go Tigers, Go Mustangs!

Yes, they're getting worse, in that they are running more frequently than ever. We have talked with officials with Union Pacific and they have said that their business with Mexico has really picked up in the last few years and that you will likely see the train traffic double in our area soon because of that. Plus, in some areas, such as ours, Union Pacific does a lot of clear-cutting near their tracks to discourage kids from hanging out too near the tracks and that does reduce the noise barrier somewhat. But, it's their tracks and they (Union Pacific) can do as they want, end of story.

Twice now, on Gosling near F.M. 242, we've seen two Ferarri's pulled over at the same time by the local Montgomery County cops. Not only was it a coincidence, but both times we wondered how one cop could get two Ferarri's to pull over!

I wonder which Home Depot, Target and Chili's you go to. The Home Depot(s), Target(s) and Chili's (all) near us are all some of the cleanest ones around. I can't speak as to C.F. or H. D. as I don't get much chance to "go" there!

Fish Tales on the Seawall, hands-down best oysters and martinis I've had anywhere, ever! The rest of my group loved everything they ordered, too. Interesting place that has a lot of character(s) to boot. Enjoy your trip! menu

Brazos Transit

The one at F.M. 2920 & Kuykendahl has been open for business for a few months now. Just noticed last week that there is an IHOP or Denny's going in near the Sizzler also on 2920. Looks like it's almost built.

Wow, not a single Longhorn Steakhouse in the states of Texas, New Mexico or Oklahoma! We went to the Texas Roadhouse on 1960 & I-45 not too long ago, it was really packed and the food was great!

Grand Parkway Constructors are Williams Brothers Construction and Dannenbaum Engineering A joint venture led by a road construction company and an engineering firm has asked Harris County to enter into a public-private partnership to build and operate the 197-mile Grand Parkway as a toll road. Commissioners Court will consider today whether it wants to study the unsolicited offer to undertake the $5.3 billion project to build an outermost ring skirting the metropolitan area. -snip- If the court decides to go ahead with a partnership between the county and Grand Parkway Constructors, the joint venture would need approval from the Texas Department of Transportation. Grand Parkway Constructors' principals are Williams Brothers Construction and Dannenbaum Engineering. Executives at both companies did not return calls Monday. -snip- The idea of a Grand Parkway encircling the metropolitan area outside Highway 6 has been around for decades. Critics long have contended that it is a highway sought by road builders and developers who intend to build subdivisions and strip malls in the still undeveloped areas. Regardless of one's stance in that debate, the Legislature and TxDOT have decided the Grand Parkway will be built. -snip- TxDOT officials hope to have agreed on a plan for building the Grand Parkway by the end of next year, Dennis said. First, the agency will negotiate with Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Waller and Montgomery counties over potential toll rates on the road that will go through the five counties. That process should be completed by March, Dennis said. TxDOT then will ask the Houston-Galveston Area Council to approve tentative rates and future rate hikes. Based on that information, TxDOT will calculate the market value of the Grand Parkway

Just curious, how will the Grand Parkway improve east/west traffic flow? For you, specifically?

Or, better yet, The City of The Woodlands in The State of The Texas

That would be Creekside Park, off Gosling. Has anyone heard when Gosling will be continued through to Loop 336 in Conroe? I had heard work would begin next year.

I heard something like that. I heard that Tomball ISD will be building a new school, but not that it will be located inside Creekside Park.

Yeah, it does get confusing, doesn't it? Like in the Woodlands' newest neighborhood, Creekside Park. Located in Harris County, not Montgomery County. Zoned to Tomball schools, not Conroe schools (like all the Woodlands schools are). Tell me those people moving in there aren't going to have some headaches there!

Our MUD sees plans like this all the time. Sometimes they go through, most times they fall through. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The Grand Parkway group considers the local landowners that might be affected to be the primary stakeholders.

Woody- You must be privy to some information I haven't seen. Last I heard, there still was no funding for the Grand Parkway, Segment F-2, which I'm guessing is the one segment you must be referring to. But, maybe you mean Segment G. I'm not sure what you're trying to say with this part. The Klein area already has good access to 249 & 2920. I really don't believe that the ~$200 million Segment F-2 is not being built to help out anyone in the Klein area. If you do find out where the funding is coming from for Segment F-2, please post that information here. Thanks!

What "new freeway system" is this?

related story from chron.com today

Katie- I'm not disagreeing with you there. I see Governor's Perry legislation as just an attempt to (1) stop the brain drain of good university candidates from leaving the state and (2) just get anything passed in the state legislature. As to the topic at hand regarding educational choices; if I wanted the best possible education for my child in any public school, I would pretty much disregard the current system of grading schools "Recognized", "Exemplary", etc. because I think that whole system has been shown to have fatal flaws and is not a true reflection of what's happening in the classrooms. I would, however, discuss with my child, early and often, the benefits of being a good student and what it takes to become one. I also would make sure I met each teacher and got their e-mail address, website address and any other classroom materials they asked for my child to have as soon as possible, and try to work with the teachers as a team. When you look only at school ratings, or whether schools have special programs like I.B. or A.P. or whatever else, you will never get an adequate feel for what's really going on in the school, much less in the classroom. Things like school ratings can be manipulated and are therefore almost meaningless. Becoming actively involved with the educational process; making sure your kid understands the value of a good education and working with them to achieve that goal, keeping the lines of communication open with the teachers, principals, counselors, and supporting the school's programs are all more meaningful ways of achieving the best possible education for your child. You can't just look at a school district's list of schools and say, "I think this school is better because it got a rating of Exemplary, it must be better than all the rest." And, then think that because you chose that school, that your involvement with the educational process is over, and that the teachers will take care of the rest. That is just tiny piece, looking at ratings. All schools, even the "Exemplary" ones, have good teachers, not so good, and downright awful ones. As a parent, it is in your best interest and that of your child, to stay actively involved in the process. Be the "pesty parent", be the "squeaky wheel", but also let principals, counselors, school board members and even superintendents know when your child actually has an exceptional teacher as well. If I have to pick amongst schools in any given district, I think safety would be my first concern. Is the learning taking place in a safe environment? Will my child feel safe here? Then look at the ratings, but take them with a grain of salt. Then, meet with the principals of the schools you're interested in. Teachers seem to follow the cues of their principals. If you have a really good principal as the leader of the school, and people seem to happy when you walk into the front office, that's a good indication of what you'll find throughout the school. Finally, when your child is in school, support the programs at that school. Go to the football games, show up at the choir concerts, and band concerts, and school musicals. Join the booster clubs of the extracurricular activities your child is into. There are all different levels of participation available in these things, and your kid will pick up on the fact that you are actively encouraging and supporting their interest. If you don't think you're qualified to help out with say, "running the chains", at your kid's junior high football game, rest assured there will be people to help teach you how to do it. Yes, it sounds like a lot to ask of a parent. But exceptional students typically have exceptional and involved parents.

I'm pretty sure that I will be the winner, so everyone can just settle down now. Why? Because I think I may be the only one on HAIF who really has no clue what a Nano is!