A New Tradition for Midtown
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
midtownPAPER A PUBLICATION OF MIDTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 1st QUARTER 2005 what’s EMBRACING THE PAST inside... In & about 2A list of new and exciting happenings in Midtown UILDING Baldwin’s rebirth B 3Midtown celebrates FOR THE FUTURE groundbreaking celebration A REVIVAL FOR TWO HISTORIC MIDTOWN BUILDINGS Dining out Meditative garden at Wilson, Cribbs & Goren. 4A review of three Vietnamese reserving a historic structure, either restaurants in Midtown in part or in its entirety, is all about 'stepping up to the plate.' It's believing in the quality and Pcraftsmanship of yesteryear; taking the initiative, the time, and often the inconveniences, and making a piece Her passion is people of history work for today. In the case 5 Reverend Frances leaves of these Midtown businessmen, the but her ministry continues leap to invest in an older, dilapidated Balcony at Benjamin Building. Taking out the trash building becomes a testimony to the 3rd Annual Pick Up & Pedal community that 'Yes,it can be done' Ready, set, begin... and done with great success. Plans for a new development Think again! 1218 WEBSTER 7 Continuing education at HCC f buildings could talk, particularly the Benjamin Building, it would utter a resounding 'thank you' to Calendar of events I Patrick Van Pelt.Taking a shell of a building in 1999 to award-winning grandeur three years later was a feat in itself.Van Pelt's penchant for recapturing the building's Fashionable color scheme inside 2500 Fannin. history and the character of those that passed through its door was just icing on the cake. sional experience, Mod has experienced a number of Tackling a restoration project like the Benjamin Building scenarios. Hire a consultant early in the process to Helping hands... is best accomplished with collaborative efforts early in the timeline, get you through the project are her words of wisdom for those con- Reaching into the hearts particularly when accuracy is part of the restoration. Questions sidering a historical renovation. of others arise like.. How does the architect perceive the renovation? How does the “From the beginning, we agreed we wanted to keep as much Fire safety... owner envision the work? and What can or cannot be compromised from of the original structure as possible,” explains the Midtown business- 8 Midtown’s concentric circling a historical aspect? Often times, each participant preconceives the man. Functionally, the building would serve as headquarters for and the Houston Fire Museum answers differently. Involving historic preservationist Anna Mod was The Mid-Continent Companies, Ltd., the Van Pelt family's financial the ideal solution. services business. Mod is unique as an independent businesswoman with the ability to The Benjamin Building, formerly the Benjamin Apartments, was road map a client's preservation plan and act as a liaison with state commissioned by Benjamin Cohen and designed by local architect and federal agencies, providing design guidelines, condition assessments Alfred Finn in 1924 to meet the growing need for housing in what and materials specifications.As the former director of residential pro- was then known as Houston's “South End.” In 1945, the building grams for Galveston Historical Foundation with ten years of profes- continue on page 6 A GREAT DAY FOR CANCER SURVIVORS years ago. Today, Camelia is an honor throughout Midtown, giving runners and student at Lee College, studying to cheering onlookers a chance to see the become a social worker. A new tradition Blake is a sophomore at Texas A&M studying to become an attorney at law. for Midtown On November 13th, Blake and Camelia joined MIDTOWN'S FIRST 5K BRINGS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT 550 runners for Midtown's amelia Cruz was thirteen years drain imposed on his family's finances by First Annual Survivors' 5K/ old when she lost her left leg to cancer treatments made his academic 1 Mile Run/Walk benefiting C cancer. Cancer stole almost all future cloudy. CSF.Hosted by the of Blake Boudreaux's sight by the time That was before they met Yeshim Midtown Management he was three. For Camelia, making ends Yonter, the founder and “guardian angel” District, the event was an meet as she grew older was a struggle, of Houston's Cancer Survivors' Fund overwhelming success, enabling runners beauty and growth of our community. and college only a dream. And although (CSF).Yeshim has inspired and supported to combine what they do best, and in Houston Mayor Bill White fired the start Blake's drive and determination made deserving young cancer survivors like turn, raise over $9,000 for CSF. gun and partnered with young cancer him the only blind football player in the Blake and Camelia since she and her The closed loop course began at survivors and participants along a one- history of Deer Park High School, the husband organized the CSF over five Louisiana and West Gray and continued continue on page 8 enrichment programs.Artwork from the 18, 2004. Councilwoman Ada Edwards t. Luke's Episcopal Health 2005 Ta Ao Sinh Vien Calendar and performed the honors.“Italian Ice Huts System's recent expansion to selected pieces by photo artist Billy Ho are really popular back east,” explained S 3100 Main Street brings the were on view.The silent auction raised owner Bob (Naeem) Creekmur. “It's a Med Center to Midtown. Houston over $1,000 that will be donated to texture something like soft ice cream, Community College System (HCCS) smooth and icy with no worry about owns the 139,424 s.f. space that will calories. Really great in the summer but now be leased to St. Luke's for adminis- you'll love it all year 'round!” Midtown's trative offices.According to a feature Italian Ice Hut is located at 2905 Travis, story by GlobeSt.com on October 22, Suite C. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2004, Philip Thompson, Senior Vice Monday through Saturday, 12 noon to President with CB Richard Ellis 9 p.m. on Sunday.With 23 different (CBRE)/Trione & Gordon, relates the flavors it's worth visiting again and again. economic advantage of the move. “Rental rates per s.f. in Midtown are in orphans in talian Ice Hut partnered the mid teens versus $30 or more in the Vietnam. with the breakfast klub (yes, lower- Medical District.The bottom line for Tropioca I case is correct!) for a win-win for St. Luke's is that there are major savings owner Micki Midtowners. January patrons purchasing involved in doing the deal in Midtown.” about Inmanivong at least one item from Italian Ice Hut's CBRE/Trione & Gordon represented hopes more Midtown businesses will menu were able to register for a chance HCCS in the lease agreement. become involved in helping raise funds at a weekly drawing, a Double Your for organizations like Hope Initiative.“It's Pleasure Dinner for Two, sponsored by esolved to eat healthier a great way to introduce new people to breakfast klub. Sports favorite Ralph after the holidays? Try the & Midtown and, in turn, have customers Cooper, radio KCOH host, drew a lucky R Superb Seafood Symphony, a come back for repeat visits,” she winner each Monday.Winner or not, great selection of fresh seafood, salads explains.“There are many organizations there's always something good to eat at and vegetables at Charivari Restaurant, that need our help.This is just one small breakfast klub, 3711 Travis @ Alabama 2521 Bagby.And while you're there, way to make a difference.” Stop by and Italian Ice Hut at 2905 Travis. make reservations for a special Tropioca and satisfy your taste buds with Valentines Day. Chef Schuster shares the in a delicious hot, cold or frozen drink. ver the holidays, HCC- week's menu, upcoming cooking classes, Wireless Internet, a relaxing atmos- Central's Chef Eddy Van and more with a weekly newsletter. phere, and great desserts –why not? ODamme, with the Houston Sign up at www.charivarirest.com Check out what's Tropioca is located at 2808 Milam. Community happened, is happening Store #2 is in Commerce Towers at College culi- hotographers Phuong Main and Walker. nary arts Nguyen,Thanh Nguyen, Helen Le, and will happen. Where department, P Phong An, and Viet Nguyen were else, but Midtown! etro police confirm they learned that featured photographers at a recent have added six additional the textbook exhibit at Crossline Gallery, January 7 Mmotorcycle officers to patrol he co- through January 31, 2005. he storm didn't damp- the Main Street Corridor, which includes authored won en the spirits of a team of Midtown.That equates to a total of ten Gourmand idtown made a clean 2 Tstudents from Houston officers for the busy business and International's sweep, streetwise that is, with Community College System (HCCS) residential area. top prize in Mits endeavors the week of Central campus when, during a wall the category January 10, 2005. Street cleaning crews ouston Community Chef Eddy Van Damme of Best spruced up the Midtown area with men College System recently with a copy of his book, Professional and machines, tidying up streets through- On Baking. Hannounced the appointment Cookbook in out the district. Next scheduled street of a new president for their Central English.The textbook, On Baking sweeping will be the week of March 7, College. Dr.William W.Harmon, Ph.D. (Pearson/Prentice Hall 2004), is now 2005, weather permitting. Help out the brings many years of expertise, including competing along with nine other non- sweepers by moving your vehicles off his most recent tenure as senior vice English language cookbooks to be the street for these few days. president of the University of Virginia.