pineda

I don't really think sprawl will come if we don't build this freeway. So, you think sprawl won't come if we build this freeway? Is that right? There's a little concept called "induced development". Ever heard of it? "Build it, they will come."

Not sure I even understand what you're trying to say here. Please clarify. Not sure what it is you call home, but the last legislative session in Austin, Tx. saw a move away from feeder roads, no longer a Houston staple, I'm afraid.

I understand that point completely, thank you so much for bringing that up! I just came from the Harris County Commissioner's Court where the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of spending $6 MILLION for a schematic of the Grand Parkway. It was discussed and someone mentioned that Gary Trietsch of TxDOT has said that the redundancy of these studies in addition to what processes the Grand Parkway Association is already going through, is in fact a waste of taxpayer dollars for doing what the GPA has already been charged to do. Wow, a waste of YOUR HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYER DOLLARS! Get your attention yet? Not sure why you decided to pick (of all places!) ALVIN! They had their own unified coalition called STOPGRANDPARKWAY! They were very well-funded and covered by the media in that area, so I'm afraid I'd have to correct you there. I'm sorry if I've upset you with my voicing of my very strong opinions on this issue. I actually love it when people on this board disagree with me and force me to defend my stances; it's great practice when I have to stand toe-to-toe with Senator Jon Lindsay, Commissioner Jerry Eversole and Judge Robert Eckels. So, thanks for being my "target practice", it came in especially handy today!

Hey adagio, check the website for new map put out yesterday! Going to the commissioner's court now. More later!

so your reasoning is; why not just hurry that whole urbanization thing along and get it over with already? yeah, the quality of life we have now is just a little too darned good right now, and that whole Grand Parkway thing that will split our community in two will just make all our lives easier, especially with that exits spaced 10 miles apart? I'm sorry, but I missed the part where you actually tell me WHY? From your lips to TxDOT's ears... in a word, yes! Max, maybe you just need to come on out here sometime, IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE, and it's been too late for thirty years! Man, are you dreaming, I really expected better b*s* outa you! You really think those future residents will be thankful that they get to hop on this magical road and go where ....Sugarland, .....Katy. Yeah, that's definitely worth the price paid! I'm really surprised you just keep parrotting the same tired tripe that spewed forth from David Gornet for years as justification for the project. Even he gave up trying to peddle that crap out here after a while. Of course, their official website doesn't reflect those changes, so maybe you missed that.You know, just wondering here; how many of you who have responded over time to the Grand Parkway problem are 1. at least 30, 2. own a home in northwest Harris County, 3. have children in the Klein ISD (extra points if you actually know where Hildebrandt and Klein Oak are!). I'm guessing at least ONE of you...

Tomorrow the Harris County Commissioner's Court is set to vote on and approve spending millions of dollars on an engineering firm to draw up schematics for the sections of the Grand Parkway that are still awaiting publications of their environmental impact studies this summer. Why would HCTRA do that? Number one, because the developers out here are building homes right directly in the path of the Grand Parkway. Why aren't they disclosing that the Grand Parkway may be built where these homes are going? Because they are not held to the same rules Realtors are regarding Full Disclosure. Number two, because HCTRA is worried that TxDOT is not moving fast enough to secure funding or routes. And number three, probably the scariest to the HCTRA; the Grand Parkway Association has been directed by federal law to seek out alternate routes in the Montgomery County area, which they are now doing. HCTRA does not want the route to move out of county boundaries; they don't want to have to do any deals with Montgomery County who is becoming more and more transportation savvy. Yeah, Grunt right back at you, buddy! See you in Commissioner's Court, or not! (Something tells me you ain't from around here anyway, now are you?)

You are SOOOO right! However, the Grand Parkway only creates more wheels, not more spokes on the wheels. And, hey, for the uniniated, the Grand Parkway only extends to 59. It's dead in the water after that. So much for the circle they all envisioned. That's because it has always been a developers dream, nothing less, nothing more. Tomorrow in Commissioner's Court should be a real hoot!

******************************************************************** Questions & Answers about: The Grand Parkway ******************************************************************** The Northampton Neighbor newsletter posed the following questions to Robin Sterry, assistant to the executive director of the Grand Parkway Association. (This is going to be published in the February issue of the Northampton Neighbor, but in light of recent developments, will be disclosed now.) QUESTION: What can you tell me about what is happening with F-2? ANSWER: Currently, the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) is underway. QUESTION: Has the route changed in any way? ANSWER: At this time, since we are updating information to address impacts to all the alignments as well as investigating other alternatives, no changes to the route have been made. However, once all of the studies are complete there could be a change. QUESTION: Is the alignment still south of Spring Stuebner? ANSWER: As of this time, yes, but as I mentioned in the question above, it is possible that the alignment could change. QUESTION: When will the SEIS be completed? ANSWER: We are anticipating that the release of the SDEIS could be in the summer of this year. QUESTION: When is the anticipated public hearing, if one is to be held? ANSWER: The public hearing will be held approximately 30 to 45 days after the release of the document. QUESTION: Has the project been taken over yet by any other entity, such as HCTRA or the TxDOT Toll Road group? ANSWER: No. QUESTION: Where is the funding coming from? ANSWER: As with all of the segments of Grand Parkway, funding was dedicated from the counties and the Texas Department of Transportation for the preliminary studies including the environmental process. Grand Parkway is a place-holder project for future construction dollars, but none have been committed to at this date. QUESTION: When can we anticipate seeing bulldozers out here? ANSWER: Construction could begin in the year 2008. QUESTION: If the alignment is to remain south of Spring Stuebner, what will that mean for Ronnie and Cathy Matthews' development, Northcrest Village, that is in the end stages of grubbing and clearing the land for their planned subdivision of 720 homes? ANSWER: After the studies are complete, a recommended route will be chosen. That route will utilize best practices of environmental studies of avoidance first, then minimization. Since I do not know what that answer is yet, it would be difficult to predict impacts to Northcrest Village. QUESTION: Is there still a possibility that the Grand Parkway, Segment F-2, is being considered as a leg of the I-69/TTC? ANSWER: I have attended the public meetings for I-69/TTC and what I have learned from those meetings is that they are still considering Grand Parkway as an alternative since it was part of the I-69 legislation. However, the requirements for I-69/TTC (specifically available right of way) are far beyond what is available along any of the Grand Parkway alternatives. I would encourage you to participate in their process as well as the process for Grand Parkway. QUESTION: Have any routes been considered north of Spring Creek and into the Woodlands, South Montgomery County area? ANSWER: Since alternatives were presented to the Association by the public as well as Representative Riddle, we are in the process of studying those alternatives. QUESTION: Where are they looking? ANSWER: A few alternative alignments were presented, including the use of FM 1488 and SH 242. These are all being investigated. QUESTION: Do you still anticipate that the Grand Parkway will be a tolled road? ANSWER: With the current Texas Transportation Commission, yes. QUESTION: If so, at what rate? ANSWER: I don't know. None of those discussions have taken place. QUESTION: Do you still think that the Grand Parkway will still be primarily used by light passenger car traffic, and not by eighteen- wheelers? ANSWER: Yes, very few of the eighteen-wheelers are looking for a way to bypass the Houston Metropolitan area. Most have either an origin or destination in Houston due to a number of factors; the ship channel, industry, retail, the port, etc. QUESTION: When can we see the updated aerial photographs taken out of the proposed alignment? ANSWER: Those have just been flown (since fall is a better time with the leaves off of the trees) and they will be available in the SDEIS. QUESTION: Has the leadership on the Grand Parkway Board of Directors changed in any way? ANSWER: No. QUESTION: Who are the current board members? ANSWER: William F. Burge III, Robert C. Brown III, Guy Harrell, John Chiang, Edward Poole, Lori Klein Quinn, and Clive Runnells. QUESTION: Has any decision been made to possible on ramps and off ramps locations along Segment F-2? ANSWER: Yes, tentative locations have been proposed based on utilizing Alignment D, which could change and the access locations could change as well. QUESTION: If so, where are these specifically located? ANSWER: For Alignment D, they are SH 249, FM 2920, Kuykendahl Road, future Ella Boulevard and IH 45.(Editor

Yes, we (members of the opposing group, Save Our Spring) received word of this upcoming vote in Harris County Commissioner's Court to take place next Tuesday. We have asked for (but not received, as of yet) any further clarification or insight into this from the Grand Parkway Association. To learn more about the efforts in the Spring/Klein/Cypress/Tomball areas to stop the Grand Parkway, you can go to: United To Save Our Spring

interesting background story about the Aquarium

What are the names of the other high schools in the Conroe ISD/Woodlands area and what are their capacity limits? This seems kinda small for the Woodlands. Is this a trend away from the mega-campuses of 5,000 students?

Wasn't Splashtown known as Hanna Barbera Land once upon a time?

Photos of Sea-Arama visit in 1973

I doubt www.hcad.org would be of any help there. After a listing closes, the photos usually disappear from the site pretty quick. If I were you, I might try knocking on some doors in the old 'hood. Some old-timers might be of great help to you, especially if they lived directly across the street from you. When you take pictures of kids in the front yard, you will inevitably end up with shots of other homes in the pictures. It's a long shot, but worth a try.

I never go to any Astros, Texans or Rockets games because I just can't justify the costs, but I do like to watch them on TV and I will miss Carlos Beltran. He has so much spirit and natural athleticism; it was inspiring not only to watch him make those impossible plays that only he seemed to be able to do, but he also appeared very humble when the microphones were shoved in his face. He praised God for his talents, and his fellow players constantly, never hogging fame for himself only. I'm sad to see him go because of the money situation, but I wish him well. One last note, I do go catch the Aeros in action from time to time. Their games are fun and exciting and inexpensive for the whole family to go. Other than that, we stick to high school and college games. They provide the same level of talent as some of the pro teams on TV, without the over-hyped expenses involved.

Where did you hear this interesting tidbit, Glen? On a side note; one visit to Atlantic City (home to Trump's casino) will show you how gambling has destroyed that town. All sorts of promises were made but never kept to the citizens there. It doesn't surprise me one bit that Tilman Fertitta is looking at the gambling industry, openly now. He's always had family connections in the business and his two cousins are raking in the dough in Las Vegas now. It makes you wonder though, if Tilman Fertitta brought gambling to Galveston, would it be more like Atlantic City or Las Vegas....

Man, you guys are making me hungry! ("These pretzels are making me thirsty!") Favorite breakfast spots, please...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season of change for Katy Mills By: Leslie Contreras, Staff, HCN 12/01/2004 Recent bankruptcies for KB Toys and Jillian's may cause Katy Mills to close their stores, but general manager Mace Hirt is not worried. Rumors that Katy Mills is not doing well are false, he said. "If you were here today, you'd know," Hirt said in an interview Nov. 22. KB Toys, Inc. filed chapter 11 protection last January and announced in October that it sought to recoup losses through its reorganization plan that includes the closing of an additional 141 to 238 stores. Among the closings are Katy Mills, West Oaks, Northwest Mall Shopping Center, First Colony in Sugar Land and Pasadena Town Square. The company said the decision to file for bankruptcy was due to weak sales in the 2003 holiday season caused mainly by increased competition in the industry. Director of Sales Relations and Public Relations at KB Toys, John Reilly, said there is no specific closing date as of yet for the store but that closing will occur after the holiday season. "Stores will remain open through December and customers can expect the same shipments and specials," Reilly said. Closing should be completed by early January 2005. "We hate to close any store because it affects the people and the community, but we we're not getting the right return and reorganization affords us the opportunity to get out of our losses," Reilly said. "Hopefully we can reemerge in these areas after recovery." Meanwhile, Jillian's Entertainment center may be bringing its fun and games to an end after the holiday season. In October, Jillian's Entertainment Holdings sold the majority of its larger complexes to Dave and Buster's Inc. A spokesman from Dave and Buster's, Jeff Elliot, said that the buyer was purchasing "the assets of the Katy location, but has no intention of operating from that location," the Houston Business Journal reported in a recent article. In the same article, Jillian's Chief Financial Officer Greg Stevens said Dave and Buster's would not be taking over the lease at Katy Mills. Dave and Buster's completed the acquisition of Louisville-based company assets, along with its trade name, in November. Spokespeople from The Mills Corporation, Jillian's, and Dave and Buster's are now reluctant to disclose the outcome of the Katy Mills entertainment complex. "Negotiations are still going on," said Elliot, "There is no news at this time . . . I don't know truthfully what the plans are for the Katy Mills location." However, Elliott referred to a Dave and Buster's press release from November that states nine Jillian's stores in Houston were purchased. The press release from November, Elliot said, lists the locations of the stores purchased, which includes Houston, but does not indicate that the Katy Mills location was purchased. Earlier reports state that Dave and Buster's would be also be purchasing and operating the Jillian's MarqE Entertainment Center at Interstate 10 and Silber in Houston. The Mill Corporation also declines to disclose information on the issue. "Negotiations between Jillian's and Dave and Buster's are ongoing, so we have no further comment on the status of the Jillian's at Katy Mills," said David Douglass, Vice President and Director of Corporate Communications at The Mills Corporation. Mace Hirt contested statements that Jillian's will not be operating at Katy Mills after the Dave and Buster's acquisition is fully implemented. "The location of Jillian's will stay as it is, and this was always the case," said Hirt. Details on whether the entertainment center will be named Dave and Buster's, or remain under the Jillian's name is not known yet. More details will be available after the Dave and Buster's third quarter conference call on December 8, Elliott adds, as details had not gone public at the time of the interview. The conference call will be archived on the Dave and Buster's website through December 22.

It happens everywhere, kids out on Christmas break get bored, and voila: The Grinch who stole Christmas!

Sylvia Garcia

nice article and photos of St. Joseph's in San Antonio! A little background on "St. Joske's"

Lowbrow- My absolute favorite is the Catholic church located right on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, I think it's called St. Joseph's (not sure), but it is so beautiful!

Religion Gets Supersized at Megachurches By Amy C. Sims, FOX NEWS SERVICE Ask Americans what Sundays are for, and many are likely to give you one of two answers: watching sports or going to church. These days, a growing number of "megachurches" may satisfy both camps, providing entertainment and an uplifting message to crowds so big they rival the attendance at sporting events. There are currently 842 megachurches -- non-Catholic churches with at least 2,000 weekly attendants -- that host an excess of three million people on any given Sunday, according to the research group Church Growth Today. These massive holy houses attract churchgoers by the thousands with celebratory services that tout contemporary music, television screens and sermons that aren't "churchy," according to the pastor of the nation's largest church. But critics say the sin-free pep rallies don't encourage personal transformation and reflection, keystones of religion. Instead of a pulpit, pews and a group of familiar faces found at traditional community churches, megachurches can resemble a campus. "They are so large you can select the activity that you like," said Ken Woodward, Newsweek's contributing editor who covers religion. "If you want to lose weight Jesus' way, you can join the weight-loss program or join a basketball team ... These churches have so many people they don't just sponsor a team, they sponsor a league. "Not everybody can afford to join a country club." At the biggest church in the country, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to some 25,000 people each week -- and sin is not on the menu. Osteen said his goal is to "give people a boost for the week." "I think for years there's been a lot of hellfire and damnation. You go to church to figure out what you're doing wrong and you leave feeling bad like you're not going to make it," Osteen said. "We believe in focusing on the goodness of God." Critics say magachurches' party-like atmosphere takes the spirituality out of Sunday services. "It tends to be a guilt-free, sin-free environment," said Woodward. "These places are a bit too bubbly. ... It's very chummy with God." Richard Wise, a 20-year member of the small, traditional Wesley United Methodist Church in Union City, Ind., said he finds this type of service perplexing. "Sin is in life and sin is everywhere, we are all sinners," he said. "If you just leave church feeling good you are missing the whole point. The point is you need a purpose in life." Wise's church draws about 150 people for Sunday service and he said the size pays off with close-knit relationships and a feeling of community. "We call on a lot of individuals from our church because we know them," he said. "We visit them when they are sick or take communion or flowers to them." Osteen defends Lakewood's ways, saying the lively and inclusive atmosphere is attracting a whole new generation of parishioners. "I have parents tell me all the time that their kids will sit down and watch us on TV or that they want to come to the service because it's simple and something they can understand," he said. Some Lakewood qualities that appeal to a younger set are "the best lighting and the best sound system," a youth ministry program that attracts hundreds, and every service kicks off with 30 minutes of upbeat contemporary music -- not hymns -- played by a live band. "It's not a churchy feel," Osteen, 40, said. "We don't have crosses up there. We believe in all that, but I like to take the barriers down that have kept people from coming. A lot of people who come now are people that haven't been to church in 20 to 30 years." However, those used to a personal touch in their religion aren't convinced. "[People] can go and enjoy the service but really don't have to participate," said Wise. "But it's that participation that really makes for a good Christian." While the number of megachurches has doubled since 1998, they still only represent 1 percent of all churches in America, said John Vaughan, founder of Church Growth Today and author of "Megachurches & America's Cities." But he added that many people are discovering that bigger can be better for them, and the variety of service times and activities provides flexibility many modern families need. "They have multiple staff able to specialize and mobilize people with a diversity of needs. The really large church has a myriad of small groups, which is really where the heart of the church is," he said. "The reason these churches grow large is because they know how to care for their members." Lakewood's attendance has grown so massive that the church recently bought the Compaq Center, a former sports arena, which is being remodeled to hold an even larger congregation. "This will be the first church in the country to see 35,000 people," Vaughan said. The seriousness of traditional churches scared many parishioners away, Osteen said, but the warm hug delivered by megachurches like his is bringing them back. "I think it's a place of life and victory," he said. "They want to be encouraged and uplifted." But Woodward said this approach to religion isn't helping parishioners. "If I'm already a pretty good guy, why do I have to go to church to hear that?" he asked. "Sin really has disappeared from the pulpit. lt's too much of a downer, I'm afraid." Wise also doesn't agree with the idea of cloaking religion in church in order to boost numbers. "I guess I kind of thought that was what church was about," he said. "I don't see how you could put God first in your life if all you're going to do is go to church and feel good about being there. I enjoy good music and a good sermon, but what did you really get out of the message?"

County looks at new toll road projects By: SESHADRI KUMAR, Editor, Houston Community Newspapers As the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road has been completed and is attracting the projected traffic, county commissioners are now looking at extending the toll road by another two miles from Highway 6 to Sienna Parkway. Also, creating toll booths on Grand Parkway between I-10 and U.S. 59 is under consideration. The Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road is attracting traffic as projected and may exceed expectations in 2006-2007, says the FBTRA Chairman Norm Mason. The daily transactions on the toll road is now over 8,200, Mason told commissioners court last week. In 2006, the daily transactions are expected to be between 15,000 and 20,000. By that time, the Highway 6 intersection would have been completed and Lake Olympia Parkway tied to the toll road. Bill Jameson, consultant to the toll road authority, told commissioners court last week that the toll road project has been completed within the budget and the final cost is expected to be $1 million to $2 million under the budgeted amount of $60 million. The only remaining work on the toll road is landscaping and connection to the Sam Houston Tollway. Construction has begun on the Westpark Toll Road and the project is expected to be ready by October or November of next year, soon after Harris County completes its section of the toll road up to FM 1464 in Fort Bend. The toll road authority then presented preliminary feasibility studies on extending the Fort Bend parkway Toll Road and the Grand Parkway. To perform the feasibility study, environmental impact study and right-of-way acquisition for the two-mile segment, the estimated cost is $2.9 million. The county has been preparing to apply for federal funds to build the toll road from Highway 6 to the proposed Grand Parkway, crossing the Brazos River. Since that funding is not expected before 2010, the county wants to build the first two-mile segment on its own and complete it by 2008. The county may have to issue another set of toll road bonds to finance the construction, which may cost upwards of $30 million. Commissioners court has to find at least $350,000 immediately to proceed with the project. Brown & Gay Engineers, who already have a contract with the county for the feasibility study on the toll road extension, may have the money and do the required study by changing original scope of the contract. Commissioners court is expected to finalize the exact wording of the new project contract and approve it at th next meeting. Turner Collie and Braden Engineers have completed an initial assessment of the tolled intersections on the Grand Parkway between I-10 and U.S. 59. The proposal involves building at least 10 intersections including at FM 1093, Bellaire, Peak, Mason, Harlem, FM 1464, US 90A, Sand Hill, New Territory Blvd. and River Park Blvd. The estimated project cost is $115 million, including the debt service costs. The tolled intersections are expected to generate $6 million in the opening year and over 25 years, the total estimated revenue is $237 million. That will help build the Grand Parkway between I-10 and U.S. 59. (A-HA!!!!) Commissioners court has agreed in principle to approve another $150,000 for TCB to prepare a toll feasibility for building and tolling overpasses and to begin negotiations with other likely participants such as the Texas Department of Transportation and the Harris County Toll Road Authority. A third proposal by Carter & Burgess Engineers to convert the free two-lane FM 723 from Brazos River to I-10 into a four-lane toll road, received no support from commissioners court because of the like protest from the public for converting a free road into a toll road.

I think they're just trying to meet the needs of their congregants; i.e. be a one-stop place to meet the community's needs. When they start selling Lakewood Church clothing lines and shoes, maybe Wal-mart might start to worry.