Professor of Architecture, University of Houston,  SIR Inc. Architects & Planners, www.sirarchitects.com Master’s of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Master’s of City Planning, Harvard University - Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Alexandria, Egypt.

CURRENT PROJECTS: Remodeling an addition to the old Boy Scout Building on Bagby and an accompanying 8-story garage with restaurant on the ground level.

RECENT PROJECTS: Philippe Restaurant + Lounge on Post Oak Boulevard; aproposal for a glass and canvas pavilion in Hermann Park; a residence in Sugar Land; tax credit housing for veteran women.

HOW DID YOU COME TO LIVE IN HOUSTON? I came to Houston to attend the master’s program at the College of Architecture at the University of Houston

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE DESIGN OF A RESTAURANT? When I was a child growing up in Egypt, my mother, despite having a full-time cook, prepared our special dish every day. I remember helping her prepare tiny okra (Bamia) which were stacked one by one in a circular manner on top of lamb, onions and garlic and laid in a special pot. After cooking, it would be reversed into a plate like a perfect mound that let the juices seep into the okra. To be able to design a good restaurant, you have to love food. Designing a restaurant, as with any architectural project, begins with the context in which the restaurant will be built. A place like Grotto that was located in a strip shopping center had built-in parameters and an exterior vocabulary that I had to work within. It was the same with Philippe Restaurant + Lounge in the new BLVD Place. On the other hand, a restaurant such as Tony’s on an open space begins from the ground up allowing more freedom of creativity. There are three key elements to restaurant design: ambience, back of the house (kitchen) and the front of the house. As the architect, I find the most important piece is the ambience because it is the essence of the restaurant. The type of cuisine, price point and clientele also influence the design.

WHAT ARE THE TRENDS YOU ARE SEEING? Restaurants are more casual and there is more outdoor dining, the greater use of filtered lighting and lower ticket.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECT AND WHY? Michelangelo, because he was master of all arts – painting, sculpture, architecture and engineering.

WHAT DROVE YOU TO ARCHITECTURE AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IT? The combination of arts and sciences was the draw, and the aspects I enjoy most are the creativity involved and sense of accomplishment once a project is completed.

WHAT ARE YOU ITCHING TO WORK ON? A hotel in a beautiful natural setting and a grand residence overlooking a body of water or with a grand view.

HOW CAN CHILDREN BE ENCOURAGED TO APPRECIATE ARCHITECTURE? They should learn to draw free-hand and be taught an appreciation of art in all its form.

IF YOU WERE NOT AN ARCHITECT, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A musician or a painter.

WHAT STAMP OR IDEA DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE ON THE WORLD AND WHY? The concept of great places for people to enjoy a peaceful life, places that are visually pleasing and a positive impact on my students at the University of Houston.

BEST PLACES TO HANG OUT: Tony’s bar (a table in front of the fireplace); Hotel Granduca bar for European ambience; El Tiempo on Richmond for killer top-shelf margaritas; Philippe Restaurant + Lounge for great bar menu.

LAST PLACE YOU WANT TO GO BEFORE YOU GO: Fly fishing in a beautiful remote area.

MOTTO: Enjoy life. Make the people around you happy. Share the good things in life with someone you love.

FAVORITES

FAVORITE GADGET: A good chef’s knife and a good corkscrew

FANTASY DINNER PARTNERS: I.M. Pei, Bill Clinton, Lady Gaga

ON YOUR iPOD: Mozart and Vivaldi

VACATION SPOT: Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy

BEST GIFT YOU HAVE RECEIVED: Love

FAVORITE FLOWER: Gardenia for fragrance, peonies for beauty

FAVORITE STRUCTURE: Egyptian pyramids

By Sandra Gunn Photography by Jack Potts Hair: Riaro at Solutions for Hair; Makeup: Asher, Kuhl-Linsomb; Jewelry: DePetra, available at Kuhl-Linsomb. Sandra Gunn is a residential real estate broker with Boulevard Realty. She can be found at 713.224.2777 or www.sandragunn.com

natalye appel + associates architects, llc

education: b. arch., rice university, m. arch., university of pennsylvania

specialty: live, work, art, civic, institutional

We all know that feeling when you reach in the closet for something and a shoe or a belt falls and hits your head…the world is telling you, that’s enough. The feeling of liberation when you toss most of the contents of the junk drawer …because you have enough. Giving…because you have enough. Enough is that perfect balance, the symbiotic core that we search for.

I am honored to have met highly regarded architect, wife, mother, surfer, chef Natalye Appel at her Southampton home to discuss her life, her work and giving back. She is actively participating in Hope Farms, an urban agriculture education project of Recipe for Success, taking unused urban property and turning it into a fully functional, vertically integrated, organic showcase. Hope Farms will serve as a national model dedicated to changing how families understand their food while increasing access to fresh produce in underserved communities.

Why architecture? My high school counselor suggested I NOT try architecture, but instead go into nutrition/cooking (despite showing an affinity for both in career testing) because I was a girl. I was driven to architecture by that sexist statement, and I love collaborating with clients and colleagues to find the right recipe for each project to be just enough – nutrition, taste and beauty. I have been doing a lecture with my friends Val Glitsch and Nonya Grenader titled “Enough,” and their takes on “What is Enough?” are my inspiration.

Current Projects: • Several new homes in Houstonand the Texas Hill Country • Los Doscientos Barn and Lodge • Hope Farms Master Plan with OJB Landscape Architects

Recent Projects: Oak Forest Neighborhood Library renovations/additions with James Ray Architects and Architect Works – expected to receive LEED Gold

Why have you chosen to make Houston your home? I grew up in Houston and love the Gulf Coast, not to mention that most of my family is (or has been) on the faculty or a student at Rice University.

Tell us about your home. My home is a small old stone house that my husband (John Casbarian of Taft Architects) and I renovated, which is one of the greenest things one can do. We made one large space downstairs to focus on the garden, designed by our friends Jim Burnett and Chip Trageser of OJB.

Who is your favorite architect and why? I am about to visit the work of one of them – Alvar Aalto – for the first time. His use of modern design concepts with regional materials is inspirational.

Itching to work on? Construction of our latest project: a green roofed house and pool for a swimmer, her brothers, their parents and their art.

Best places in Houston to hang out? Hermann Park; Brochstein Pavilion at Rice; farmers markets at Tafia, Rice, Eastside; any part of Goode Co. Armadillo World Headquarters (right next door to my office).

How can children be encouraged to appreciate architecture? Children are naturals and need no help with appreciating their environment. Just ask my daughters, Claudia and Julia, to give you an opinion!

If you had to live off the land, where would you live? Basque Spain. I would fish, grow vegetables and grapes for wine, plus there are the world’s best restaurants in case I fail. (Plan B: I would add more livestock feeders in my backyard, topped off with my daughters’ compost, and fish in Galveston Bay).

When I am gone, I want people to look at Our tiny first public project, the airshafts at the corners of Jones Plaza downtown and think of me.

FAVORITES

Author Larry McMurtry

Clothes designer Junky Styling of London – deconstructed + re-styled, adaptive re-use

Film Hud

Hobbies Cooking, reading, swimming + body surfing in the Gulf, sailing, skiing

Meal Julia’s homemade pasta with herbs

Gift Julia and Claudia’s linoleum prints Flowers Roses from my husband John City Houston, of course

Wine Txakoli Museum Rice Gallery for commissioned installations

On your iPod Gotan Project, Buffalo Springfield, My Morning Jacket

Vacation spot Ponza

By Sandra Gunn | Photography by Jack Potts | Architectural photography provided by natalye appel+associates architects

Sophia Malik and Cord Bowen | Local Design Office

Born in Houston, Sophia is a LEED-certified, licensed architect who graduated from the University of Houston College of Architecture. She studied with world-renowned and Pritzker prize-winning Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, and her work has been recognized internationally. Sophia founded Local Design Office with Cord in 2005 and has grown the practice to a full-service design firm providing creative solutions in architecture, graphic and industrial design. Also a native Houstonian, Cord holds two degrees in architecture, with his bachelor’s from UH and his master’s from Parsons School of Design in New York. Recently, he added an MBA from the well-known Bauer School of Business at UH. While acting as a consulting partner at Local Design Office, he also teaches industrial design and architecture at UH. Sophia and Cord have been married since May of 2005.

anne eamon | mark schatz | sandra gunn | sophia malik | cord bowen

How they met:

Cord: Sophia and I met through mutual friends. I will always remember the first day I saw that amazing smile with so much energy behind it. It was inescapable. Smart, beautiful and wildly talented, I realized I had met an amazing woman with a similar drive for a full and rich life. It would be many years of friendship before we would really fold our lives together.

Sophia: When Cord and I met, one of the things that was so apparent from the start was that we were really great friends. Even though we came from very different backgrounds, we shared a passion for so many things that it made sense for us to embark on life and work together. That’s why I think our business relationship works so well. Because of our friendship, we’re able to work very openly and honestly. Granted it’s not always easy, but there is never a dull moment and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why it works:

Cord: We are often asked how we are able to work together as a married couple without epic battles. My answer is to have a strong marriage first and the business practice follows. We are both passionate about what we do and we often clash with different ideas. The key is to resolve the differences with respect and a want to move forward with the best idea for the project.

Sophia: It’s really important that we make time to have distinctive boundaries between what we do and how we live, although at times it does meld together. We really make time to check in, whether it’s sharing a funny text or taking a walk together. Also when working on projects, there is always one person who takes the lead role. Instead of competing, we’ve learned to support each other so that the project can move forward in the best way possible.

The future:

Sophia: We really want to create an environment that is shared by everyone that we work with. That’s where the concept of Local Design Office came from. We want it to be a creative studio where everyone involved contributes ideas and processes so that it becomes more of a true collaboration.

Cord: Our business plans show our want for a multi-discipline design studio with 20 or so employees pushing the discussion of creative boundaries around design and business. Our life plan hopes for rich adventures surrounded by family, friends and great experiences – and with the way things are going, it seems that we’re well on our way!

Mark Schatz and Anne Eamon | m + a architecture studio

Mark and Anne met while at UH. In the Architecture College, the classmen are on separate floors. Mark would sneak over to his buddy’s desk that looked down to the atrium every day and watch Anne studying down below. After months of this, Mark’s friend had enough and told him to go introduce himself. They will be married 16 years in March – they got married over their spring break – and are expecting their first child this month! They have two studio cats and two dachshunds.

In 2004, they began their practice, Mark was licensed and they won the AIA Houston Honor Award 700sf house and garden, then published in Dwell Jan/Feb 2005. The house which started it all is a prototype student cottage located about a mile from UH – now home to their studio office. They were awarded the 2009 AIA Houston Design Award for Interior Architecture for Ingrain. They have three interns – two of the three are also former students of Cord. Both have taught design studios at UH over the past six years, and Anne teaches a five-week-long studio for high school students every summer through Wonderworks.

Why it works:

Mark: I have had a lifelong love of making things, building, furniture, landscape, photography, sculpture … and fortunately Anne had the same adventurous spirit. By the time we graduated, we had purchased an inner city lot and started construction on our first house. We didn’t really consider how unusual or naive this was until much later.

Anne: Seemingly all at once our night and weekend house project took on a life of its own and shifted the direction of our professional lives. Mark became licensed, we won an AIA honor award for the house, it was published both locally and nationally, all within a year. What better time to start a practice?

The future:

Mark: We started our practice with the passionate belief that architecture has the power to transform everyone’s quality of life. Architecture is a social act. Our practice has developed into a relatively broad range of projects including smaller scale retail, office interiors and branding, furniture, small scale residential interventions, new houses and even a residence with an art gallery space many times the size of the living space. The projects vary stylistically, but maintain a consistent design philosophy.

Anne: It is difficult to separate an architectural practice from daily life as you are constantly immersed in design, philosophy and living the work. What could be better than making a living and a life pursuing your passion with your partner?

Sandra Gunn, Broker Associate with Boulevard Realty can be found at www.sandragunn.com or at 713.224.2777 | Makeup: Asher for Kuhl-Linscomb | Clothes + jewelry: 310 Rosemont |

Hair: Riaro|Lauren Solutions for Hair | Food + drink: Block 7

By Sandra Gunn | Photography by Jack Potts

Jonathan Farb
President | Farb Homes | farbhomes.com | cityplacemidtown.com

How do you see the market in 2011?

The real estate market specifically in Houston will actually continue to improve this year because the overall consensus seems to be that we are going to experience positive job and population growth. Based on past experience, if the job market continues to steadily improve then the real estate market should organically rebound and correct itself over time.

What changes have you made in your business plan since the downturn?

The biggest change has been transitioning into the apartment business because I have only built single-family townhomes over the last decade. Since financing still remains challenging for many potential homeowners, I feel that the demand and culture for housing has shifted somewhat to rental. The supply of single-family new construction inventory, particularly inside the 610 Loop, has dropped to an all-time low which has also caused us to expand our single-family program as well.

Are the lenders easing up at all?

The credit markets have not thawed yet due to the fact that many of them are still gun shy with too many bad loans on the books. In today’s market, lenders are definitely making loans but have greatly increased their equity requirements. I have always tried not to over-leverage my deals which has kept me out of trouble. Fortunately, I have continued to borrow from many of the same lenders as I had before the downturn took place.

What new projects are you starting this year?

2011 is going to be my most ambitious year, particularly because I am opening CityPlace, my first major luxury apartment development on Bagby and McGowen  (www.cityplacemidtown.com). I am also breaking ground on five new townhome communities spread out over Rice Military, the Heights and Montrose.

Sandra Gunn and Bill Baldwin
Residential Brokers  | Boulevard Realty | yourblvd.com

Residential real estate is off to a roaring start in 2011!  However, there are still a number of challenges. Those who purchased in 2007 or early 2008 may be in a difficult position. Today there is renewed optimism and there continues to be steady improvement over 2009. The industry will continue to see many changes such as mergers and acquisitions of real estate firms. Smaller offices will have a more difficult time competing with medium to large size firms, primarily due to economies of scale. There will certainly be the consolidation and closure of some real estate offices.

What about mortgages?

Interest rates are on the rise. We all used to think 6% was a good rate. Well, be prepared to be excited about it again. While interest rates are rising, the qualifications for a mortgage are getting more stringent. Just a few months ago if you had a 725 FICO score and put down 20%, you would qualify for those rates you see on the Internet or in the paper. Now, one must have a minimum credit score of 740 and put down 25% to get the very best rate.

Pricing and demand?

While there is some increase in investment in new construction, inventory is getting tighter and tighter, which stresses that segment of the market. This is keeping prices stable and even allowing for modest price increases in single-family homes overall. Buyers continue to choose new or totally remodeled homes as opposed to taking on “a project.”

Demand for new homes remains high but buyers remain very particular and won’t accept a bad location or inferior quality. Now is a great opportunity for investment in remodels or new construction inside the Loop. Prices of townhomes and high-rises remain at historical lows and their purchase now may prove to be a very good long-term investment.

Outlook?

News headlines in the spring/summer will be a roller coaster for the real estate industry. Early 2010 was a sprint due to the first-time buyer tax credit program and it is not expected that sales can match that pace so we expect the media coverage will be discouraging. Year-to-date sales numbers will be down in April and May which can negatively influence buyers’ perceptions. However, all expectations for the year are an overall upturn for real estate in Houston.

Marvy Finger
President & CEO | The Finger Companies | fingercompanies.com

How do you see the rental market in 2011?

I think it will improve from 2010 but it is rugged. We will not see any great rebound without any new units in the single-family market. For the last few years, a young professional two or three years out of college would buy a townhome or a home. That scenario is over with lenders’ realistic demand to qualify for credit and increased down payment. Their best choice is to live in a nice apartment. Forecast for growth is not very great; I’m looking at a better occupancy rate. Rent growth should be up 6 to 7% by year-end.

Are the lender’s easing up at all?

Not really. This year they are very particular and the guarantees required are severe enough to restrict growth. It will take until next year for that to ease. There should be a greater demand for rentals with enough upward pressure from pricing and demand that financing should be available.

Are you starting anything new this year?

I will have two or three projects. One project is bogged down in serious zoning difficulties. I am currently building the Whole Foods at Waugh and West Dallas and the balance of the land will be residential. We are doing market surveys to see if this will be a midrise or a tower. The other is in west LA, close to two of my previous projects.

Tom Wadley
Houston Division President | David Weekley Homes  | davidweekleyhomes.com

How do you see the market in 2011?

We see the housing market in 2011 reacting very similar to 2010. As a company, we have continued to focus on revenue generation and cost reduction, while maintaining our overhead. This focus, along with our conservative business approach, and staying vigilant of new sales and potential revenue-generating opportunities will allow our continued success in 2011.

What changes have you made in your business plan since the downturn?

We have shifted our focus to meet the needs of the market and our customers. Our energy-efficient Green Homes are friendlier to the environment and customers’ pocketbooks. By using environmentally friendly building materials, we are minimizing our carbon footprint and with their reduced energy consumption, our Green Homes are actually less expensive to own. In addition, to accommodate our customers’ desire to live closer to Houston’s business district, we’re offering our urban-style product in several locations in and around the Loop.

Are the lenders easing up at all?

As the market fluctuates, we will continue to see the lenders do the same, but with interest rates at record lows, now is the perfect time to buy a new home.

What new projects are you starting this year?

Houston’s Inner Loop, Heights and Galleria areas continue to grow. We will begin building 3- and 4-story homes in Washington Court – located in the Rice Military area. As well as Remington Park in the Heights and Asbury Manor near Memorial Park. We’re also opening several communities throughout the Greater Houston Area, and our Build on Your Lot program continues to expand.

Dr. Richard Wainerdi
President/CEO /COO | Texas Medical Center | texasmedicalcenter.org

What do you see in 2011?

We are nearing completion on 22 construction projects and possibly one new one this year. We are not sure, partially due to the uncertainty in the health care markets.

How does that affect TMC?

We have just gone from 32,000,000sf to 42,000,000sf which is a 30% increase. We have adequately increased our size to meet our needs. When you compare that to the size of Downtown Business Districts, we currently rank 13th. Our additional square footage should put us in line to be 7th or 8th by 2014 (as long as those Downtown Business Districts haven’t added significant size in the last few years which I don’t think occurred) which is ahead of Dallas, LA, Minneapolis and Cleveland.

What about UTMB in Galveston?

You will see substantial construction there…still some repairs from Hurricane Ike and some expansion.

Jill Pearsall
Director of Facilities Planning and Development | Texas Children’s Hospital

What development will we see from Texas Children’s this year?

2011 will be an exciting year for Texas Children’s. At the end of 2010 we celebrated the recent opening of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and the outpatient facilities in our new West Campus. This year we are eagerly anticipating the opening of hospital services and the emergency center at West Campus, as well as the opening of outpatient services at our new maternity center, which is the last building in our Vision 2010 initiative, the largest expansion program ever undertaken by a single children’s hospital. Our goal has been to further strengthen and expand our services and facilities to meet the needs of the community and continue to lead the way in making breakthroughs that help children and families locally and globally. We are very proud of our world-class facilities that support our world-class programs, physicians and staff throughout the Houston area.

Ed Wulfe
President | Wulfe & Company | wulfe.com

How do you see Houston’s retail market in 2011?

I see it beginning to show signs of revitalization and energy! We are seeing more stores interested in expanding and looking at future stores in the next one or two years. This is

important because we had none of that in last quarter of 2008, all of 2009 and first quarter of 2010. There are a number of signs showing an uptick in that market. This will continue to be a slow year for new development as we can continue to absorb what has been built, along with the time it takes to gear up for the expansion, as well as the time it takes to get financing in place. There will be several new stores expanding like Target, Wal-Mart, HEB, Kroger and the Whole Foods on Gray to represent the retail expansion of 2011 which is maybe 600,000 to 700,000 feet of new space.

What is new at your BLVD Center on Post Oak?

We have completed phase 1 and it is 100% leased. We are working on plans for phase 2 which will be a 185,000sf expansion anchored by a 48,500sf Whole Foods. There is a significant shift in tenancy in all retail projects to include restaurants, both large and small. They have become mini-anchors as they are expanding and seeing good growth. We plan to have four or five new restaurants in Phase 2, some local – some national.

Is residential back in play?

We are talking to one high rise rental developer about a site on the property. I am also excited about talks with a hotelier about a boutique property as well.

Vincent Kickerillo
CEO/Chairman of the Board | Kickerillo Companies | Kickerillo.com

How do you see the new construction market in 2011?

Kickerillo Companies is very excited and hopeful about 2011! We have seen a flourish of traffic in our various developments and we are geared up for a busy year. Homebuyers are returning to the new construction market, and we are honored that they are selecting us as their builder.

What changes have you made in your business plan since the downturn?

The focus of Kickerillo Companies’ business continues to be land development, investments and custom home construction in the Greater Houston Area. This year we have layered a few new business ventures on top of our existing business model. We are currently building custom homes in Lakes of Parkway, Vintage Lakes and Rolling Creek, but we are also excited to be building in the Trendmaker development of Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear. You will also find Kickerillo custom-built homes popping up all over the Houston area because we have begun building on our customers’ own lots in the River Oaks, Memorial and Richmond/Rosenburg areas. We strive to respond to the market and truly listen to our customers. We want to be able to offer a variety of home options for homebuyers whether that is in a gated community with amenity lakes and a recreation center, on a large parcel of land outside the city limits or on a residential lot in an existing Houston neighborhood. Kickerillo Companies is committed to building peace of mind anywhere and everywhere.

What new projects are you starting this year?

In 2011 we are introducing a new product line that I have designed as a response to the needs of our customers and the current demands in the housing market. My daughter Kelli is spearheading this product called Classics by Kickerillo. The first homes built, as part of the Classics by Kickerillo line, will be in the master planned community of Lakes of Parkway. This community is located off Briar Forest near Eldridge within the bustling Energy Corridor. With magnificent oak trees, nine lakes, paved jogging trails, a recreation center, pool, tennis courts and lighted fountains, this guarded and gated community is the perfect neighborhood to introduce Classics by Kickerillo. Though these homes will be first built in Lakes of Parkway, these new designs will lend themselves beautifully to become part of the mix of Kickerillo homes you will find in communities all over the Greater Houston Area. With a price range of $450,000 to $600,000, each home in this new product line will have the type of luxury appointments and quality features that buyers have come to expect from Kickerillo. Beautiful porcelain tiles, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Kohler fixtures and the unparalleled Kickerillo 8-step stucco process will be standards on every Classics by Kickerillo home.

Robert Eury
President | Central Houston

How do you see the  development market Downtown in 2011?

As I look out my office window, I am thrilled by the sight of workers putting the finishing touches on BG Group Place, Hines’ exciting new office tower at Main at Rusk. This is one of several new buildings opening this year including Hess Tower, Embassy Suites Hotel and The Houston Ballet’s Center for Dance. Although demand exists, funding challenges are likely to result in few if any new project starts this year. However, overall we believe that this situation will be short-lived and future prospects are bright.

I personally think that Discovery Green has truly created an anchor for not only the Downtown residents but the workers as well. What else is happening along that line?

We anxiously await the opening of Phoenicia Specialty Foods in One Park Place this spring. It will be a unique and interesting shopping destination for residents, workers and out-of-town guests alike. Most of all it addresses the often heard question about living downtown: “Where do I buy groceries?” At Phoenicia, of course! If you have not experienced the newly rebuilt Market Square Park, try it out. Our goal was to make this historic location into a park for neighborhood residents including a dog run, lovely green lawn, numerous works of art, floral beds and Niko Niko’s restaurant kiosk. We have high hopes that this jewel will spawn more residential development in Downtown’s Historic District.­­­

’til next time…
Sandra

Scottie is a hoot! He is very social and has an opinion about several things.  He seems self assured and a leader!  His solid white fur is flawless!

He has a rather large build… he is long in the body. Gorgeous, actually.

Scottie has china blue eyes. He was born in August of 2009.

As often is the case with all white cats that have blue eyes, Scottie is deaf. But he does not know that. He does not know anything about hearing.

However, his new family needs to be aware of his handicap because he is unable to hear danger that may come along. So he needs to be an indoor cat.

If you are interested in adopting Scottie or want to learn more about him, please contact Rebecca at RebeccasKittyCrew [at] yahoo [dot] com or 281-259-2584. And please help us share his story so we can find him a new home.

One of my dear friends rescued a little dog on New Year’s day. We are putting out fliers near the intersection of I-10 and Studemont by the Party Boy where he was found to see if anyone may recognize him as lost or if we are not able to locate his owners if anyone may interested in adopting him and providing him a home.

FOUND!

Male Chihuahua Mix

Tan/White, long tail, no collar, no micro-chip

Contact

832-754-5094

If an owner is not found, I will foster him and have his adoption set up through Pupsquad or Zeke.  All potential adopters will be required to fill out an application; the dog must be seen by a vet, shots provided and he will be neutered prior to being adopted.  The adoption fee will go to the non-profit adoption group to cover those expenses. (Roughly $125/$150)

If you are interested in adopting, please email me your information (tamara_scharck [at] yahoo [dot] com), I will put your name on the list. Please help us spread the word about him.

The City of Houston’s Green Initiatives are literally sprouting up all over the place! From the City Hall Victory Garden at Tranquility Park where Mayor Annise Parker tends to Swiss chard, tomatoes, kale and cabbages to the first of 65 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations on Walker Street at City Hall.

I met with Mayor Parker and Laura Spanjian, Sustainability Director for the City of Houston, to get the good news that Houston is a Green Leader on par or beyond Chicago, LA and New York.

Where did you begin?

Published in 2010, the City of Houston conducted a baseline community multi-pollutant emissions inventory using 2007 data gathered from CenterPoint Energy and several public agencies, including the City of Houston, Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the EPA. The results of this inventory indicated that residential, commercial and industrial building energy use produced more than half of the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria air pollutant emissions, and transportation emissions made up over a third of GHG emissions.

How did you respond?

In efforts to reduce greenhouse gas and criteria air pollutant emissions resulting from the City’s building and transportation operations, as well as save taxpayer money, the City of Houston created the Municipal Emissions Reduction Plan. The plan was the first comprehensive, coordinated approach at greening city operations, particularly in the building and transportation sectors.

Through the City’s Municipal Plan, more than 1.5 million tons of GHG emissions have been avoided and more than 20 major projects have launched in the last few years. Everything from smarter traffic lights and buildings to cutting-edge energy efficiency programs and commitments to buy hybrid, and soon electric, vehicles for the fleet – are all contributing to making the City of Houston a role model for green government and responsible stewardship. Houston now has the 3rd largest hybrid fleet in the US. EPA has ranked Houston as the #1 municipal purchaser of renewable energy (wind) in the US. And we are ranked #4 overall in the nation.

HFW_2826

I care about the environment, I want to make the world a better place for the next generation…but as a native Houstonian and Realtor in this sprawling metropolis, mass transit is never going to work for me. Laura said that you saw that coming and if we won’t or can’t give up our cars, then you are making electric cars a viable option. How?

Houston is one of the first launch cities for electric cars, and will be incorporating 30 Nissan Leafs into our fleet in 2011. We are also leading other cities with 24-hour EV permitting, incentives for charging stations, robust charging station infra-

structure throughout Houston with a public-private partnership with NRG, who is the first energy provider in the US to provide EV charging packages and invest in infrastructure. Houston is their first launch city.

As far as your Local Food Promotion initiative, do you have a garden?

I do! I have a herb garden at home and I compost – though I am not as good about turning it as I should be! Eat Local is important to me not only because it reduces truck transportation emissions but also provides savings and health benefits to Houstonians. A triple win. With the help of Mark Bowen from Urban Harvest and Chef Monica Pope, we have recently boosted the local economy by starting the City Hall Farmers Market on Wednesdays: 40 vendors (micro-businesses) as well as a few of the popular food trucks now have new opportunities every week. Also, the vegetable Victory Garden at Tranquility Park which was designed by Suzy Fischer of Fischer Schalles. It has brought together staff and created community and is an amazing education tool.

And to kickstart 2011…

We will be launching a first-ever Commercial Building Energy Efficiency incentive program, which will provide funding for 20 percent of an energy efficiency project. This works alongside our recently launched Green Office Challenge: my goal is to be #1 in the country for number of LEED Certified and Energy Star Rated buildings (we are currently #8 and #6 in US, respectively). For Energy Star, we are currently #2 in US based on square footage.

We are on the precipice of becoming one of the greenest cities in the country. That may surprise many outside of Houston, but when we set our minds to something, we can achieve anything.

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Sandra Gunn, trendspotter and top producing Realtor for 26 years, can be found at Boulevard Realty, 4408 Morningside Drive or at sandragunn.com | Hair by Riaro | Photography by Jaime Lagdameo

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reprinted from 002 Magazine online

Happy Holidays, one and all!

From Sandra, Ponce and Lulu.

Downtown Listings:

705 Main #206 – St. Germain: $2600/mo. — Fully furnished!
711 Main #306 – Capitol Lofts: $1700/mo. — Fully furnished!

1111 Caroline #2703 – Four Seasons: SALE PENDING
914 Main #911 – Commerce Tower: SALE PENDING
1120 Texas 9C – Keystone Lofts: LEASE PENDING

This email found it’s way to me today. Perhaps you recognize this young guy or know someone who might be looking for a mellow guy to adopt. Please SHARE his story with your Facebook friends and let’s help him out.

This cute little boy was found by one of my neighbors in Mandell Place about three weeks ago — no collar, no tags, no microchip…

He appears to be about 2-4 years old and maybe 15 pounds.

Robie, the woman who found him brought him to our neighborhood Nat’l Night Out, has posted flyers throughout the neighborhood and I posted his picture on our neighborhood website.

All these efforts have not found his owner.

Robie has two dogs and cannot keep a third.

He is a very sweet, mellow dog about the size and shape of a large daschund. If you are interested, please call or email Robie — robiesten[at]gmail.com / 281-788-2039

This dog is adorable and needs a good home.

Thanks!

Please help this sweet boy. His family has not been located. And no one has come forward to adopt this sweet boy. Robie is taking him to the SPCA this weekend if she can’t find him a home. Please spread the word!!

He’s a small dog — perfect for a house pet.