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The Juarez Casino Hall has been demolished (via GHPA): Benito Juarez Casino Hall, the historic meeting place of Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez, has been demolished. The Mexican-American mutual aid society constructed the East End landmark in 1928. The frame building, shown here in 2004, served as a location for theatrical performances and community events. The structure at 7320 Navigation Blvd. had been allowed to deteriorate for many years. In 2004, the property was offered for public auction, but longtime owner Marcus Castillo paid the back taxes at the last minute and retained ownership. At that time, GHPA was contacted by several buyers with sufficient funds to renovate the building. GHPA put these individuals in touch with Mr. Castillo, but he was not interested in selling the property.

^From what I've read, Bob Cohen and his wife loved that house and were upset about its demolition. Apparently they moved (to The Bristol - a highrise of all things) because of mobility/accessibility issues with the house.

Not as far as I know, but anything is possible..

The addition and lift to the building - from the weekend:

I had always figured it was a Las Vegas style place (as much as can be in Houston). From Magic Island's site ~1999 - I love the room names - and a ride on the fantasy elevator to the Den of Osiris! From the land of the Nile, there comes to the realm of Houston, a legacy of magic... the mystical legacy of ancient Egypt to Aladdin's Lamp... of the Wizard Merlin to the Maestro Houdini... And now the legacy of MAGIC ISLAND. Join us on a fantasy evening of elegant dining and dancing, magic and comedy shows, Psychics and Astrologists. Experience a world where elegance, quality personal service and excellence are a way of life! After a ride on the fantasy elevator, you are graciously welcomed at the Den of Osiris, where strolling magicians will perform while you are enjoying your favorite cocktails. CLEOPATRA'S CHAMBER The ultimate in banquet dining! COURT OF NEFERTITI The finest in elegant dining for the most demanding of connoisseurs. In Houston, where fine dining establishments have ranked among the best in the country, MAGIC ISLAND stands as a shining example of what true dedication to excellence in food and service can accomplish. PHARAOH'S RETREAT Hidden away in our inner sanctum is a private chamber reserved for the discerning few.

The Carrousel was a little south down 45 at Reveille - same type of roofline, but not as exaggerated (plus the (Bob) Cohen house in Meyerland - all three gone).

It's almost like cigarette butts aren't litter to some smokers. I used to have a neighbor that would leave his near his door, and of course they would float over to me all the time. Sweeping them up and putting them in a nice pile in front of the door works sometimes. Some people just don't care, though.

Hyundai is definitely going for the Mercedes and BMW look (too bad for the conspicuously consuming Mercedes and BMW buyers!). As much as I am not a fan of large vehicles, the Spark is just unattractive in a roller-skate kinda way (did the Ford Festiva start that look?). And geez - I hope the Volvos with the City Braking feature come with rubbermaid rear bumpers

Yeah, Jay Cohen owns the odd Chequer Imports building property (demolished in 2006 or so) on the Gulf freeway (shown/discussed in this thread). Not taken care of at all.

That would be awesome if he talked to you and you were allowed to post. Breaking news at HAIF since no one else can get a word outta him!

I thought there was a number too, but can't find one. There's always the web form, though they get a letter and a trash bag in the mail. Tickets are only issued if an officer witnesses the incident, I think.

Not sure how much weight to put in a local survey, but Klineberg's yearly Houston Area Survey shows increasing support of gay rights: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/6380671.html

Oops, I read quickly and assumed the Parten house was the Spanish one - maybe both are gone, though.

Yeah, this is all the information I could find on the Parten house...those block numbers don't seem to exist anymore or refer to something else completely: File No: C491317 Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL Grantee:CAMPBELL JOYCE E Date:19670501 Type:REL Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 11L0024B0058PT/LT Vol-Page:6746038 File No: C177069 Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL Grantee:AMERICAN GEN INVMT CORP FC: 039350298 Date:19651011 Type:ASSGN Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 12 P L7 B61 & Vol-Page:6101615 File No: C177069 Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL Grantee:JACKSON RICHARD A ETAL FC: 039350298 Date:19651011 Type:W/D Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 12 P L7 B61 & Vol-Page:6101615 File No: V954983 Grantor:PARTEN JOHN R ETAL Grantee:CRISWELL & ASSOCT INC FC: 554301807 Date:20020723 Type:W/D Desc:RIVERSIDE TER Section:10 Lot: Block:B0054 Misc:INSTR Unfortunately, the Harris County Block Books are not accessible..

Today they were pulling the gutters off of some buildings - by attaching one end of a small rope to the gutter, the other end to the bumper of a van, and then driving forward to remove it.

I was stuck on 45N around Little York for a while - those feeders and the neighborhoods to the east always flood badly..

^Nice place (though beyond my price range) - hopefully more will come up closer to move time.

Here's the quote: Gerald Womack, a broker with Womack Development & Investment Realtors, says home buyers are beginning to understand the historical significance of Riverside Terrace and the appreciation potential of the homes and lots. He notes that many homes in Riverside Terrace — which was once on the same affluent level as the swanky River Oaks area — were at one time residences to the well-known Finger, McGregor and Weingarten families and were built by noted architects such as John Chase, John Stubbs and Frank Lloyd Wright. http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto.../18/story3.html No idea! And I'm not familiar with John Stubbs. If the writer of the article is mistaken about FLW, maybe he also meant "John Staub."

I was also curious what Commerce Equities other projects are - the address for the company is at its Settlers Ranch Apartments property, CE also rebuilt the Bayou Bend apartments at 5201 Memorial, and he worked as real estate director for Landry's from about 1994 to 2001 while operating Commerce equities. Anyone know of others? Also, here's the 2005 Chronicle article about Wilshire Village and Dilick: http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive....id=2005_3870543

It will take a small fortune (or not small to a developer, perhaps) to bulldoze and haul off everything, but paying taxes and insurance on the existing structures would add up, especially if the property sits for an extended period of time. Also, it would be easier for him to sell as an empty lot.

^Similarly, if there's something wrong on city streets you can call 311 to report it (I've only done this for traffic hazards/malfunctioning traffic signals in passing, so I do not know about the actual response time/rate).

That would be a dream project for me! and 90k!

I was around Fannin/OST about that time - makes more sense than me thinking it was random acorns falling from a tree in the rain

That was a really crappy drive home - dark and water rising.

^Please refrain from personal attacks on fellow contributors to this forum. Also to note (and yes, we've heard the "if you care so much then buy it yourself" line quite a lot here), much of the outcry over Dilick's actions were because of his lack of communication to the residents about what was going on.